There is little doubt that Oakland is in need of a quarterback for the upcoming season. After Carson Palmer’s publicized temper-tantrum, the 4-win Raiders cannot afford to have any more distractions on a team full of question marks. Though the team is currently seeking Seattle backup Matt Flynn, the team may also be looking at another overpaid backup in Kevin Kolb as a second option.
The move is sure to raise eyebrows, especially after the team still seems to have some faith in a player already on their roster, Terrelle Pryor. Even if Oakland feels that Pryor isn’t cut out for the job, there is little indication that Kolb is the guy either. After a disappointing season in Arizona, Kolb is already appearing to look like just another failed backup-QB turned starter, see Matt Cassel, Charlie Whitehurst, and Tim Tebow.
While Kolb is on the radar, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com has reported that Flynn to the Raiders is “pretty much a done deal.” Flynn has had little opportunity to shine in the league thus far, and should be considered a more valuable asset than Kolb at this point.
So why then would Oakland be interested in another QB?
With a number of ley losses in free agency, there are several holes that need addressing. Departures of Darrius Heyward-Bey, Tommy Kelly, and Michael Huff have certainly depleted a roster that is devoid of impact players. There are a number of free agents still on the market that can plug-in at a number of positions of need for the Raiders. Salary cap issues do plague the team, but big-name players have been picked up for much cheaper than years past. With a meager $2.8 million in cap space, Flynn may not be the team’s best option.
Although it may be too late, the team should forego picking up Flynn in favor of Kevin Kolb. Flynn as a much higher ceiling than Kolb, but the cost may be too steep for the cap-strapped Raiders. Seattle will most likely demand a big return on their failed investment in Matt Flynn, along the lines of a high-round draft pick or two in 2013 or 2014. The Raiders may not want to part with draft picks like they did with Palmer; the team gave up a first and second rounder for his services.
Whether the team opts for either player, Oakland is still far from competing in a division featuring the powerhouse Denver Broncos. The future signing will fill the team’s biggest positional need, but there is still a lot more work to do for the bottom-dwellers of the AFC West.
