Arizona’s acquisition of ex-Raiders QB Carson Palmer might just end up being the steal of this year’s free agency period. New head coach Bruce Arians traded the teams 6th round pick for a seventh round pick from Oakland with a conditional 7th round pick going to Oakland in 2014 if Palmer starts at least 13 games this season.
Meanwhile, Oakland is left to sulk about the worst return on an investment perhaps in NFL history. The Raiders gave up a first and second round pick to the Bengals for Palmer’s services in 2011. Palmer’s time in Oakland is reminiscent of Jamarcus Russell, considered to be the biggest bust in draft history. They are hoping that Matt Flynn is not the latest disappointment to play quarterback for the Silver and Black.
The Cardinals signing of Palmer is the second at the quarterback position this season. Arizona thought they had picked up their future starter when they landed Andrew Luck’s backup Drew Stanton in a swap with the Colts. Arians has a history with Stanton as the Colts former offensive-coordinator last season. Indianapolis clinched one of the two wild card slots available to make the Playoffs.
Though Stanton is a nice piece, Palmer has much more value to a team featuring one of the most dominant receivers in the game in Larry Fitzgerald. Although Palmer is nowhere near as productive as his days in Cincinnati, he can still sling the ball deep down the field, a staple in the Bruce Arians’ offensive schemes.
Palmer finished the 2012 season with over 4,000 yards passing, racking up 22 touchdowns in the process. Palmer only threw 14 interceptions in his 15 starts for a woeful Raiders offensive unit. For comparison, the three players to start at QB in Arizona only amassed 3,383 passing yards with 11 touchdowns to go along with 21 interceptions.
For now, it would appear that the Cardinals have hit a homerun with the ex—Raider at the helm. At the very least, Palmer can push Drew Stanton to be an even better quarterback in their intriguing preseason QB battle. Who knows, with a solid draft, Arizona could benefit from Oakland’s misfortune and make a run in the competitive NFC West.
