Al Davis Would Have Loved These Raiders

It's too bad Al Davis isn't around to see the present day Oakland Raiders (5-4). He would have loved the way his team is playing football right now; with an emphasis on speed and big plays. Davis, who passed away on October 8, always coveted players who could stretch the field and make impact plays. The Raiders have emerged as an explosive passing team and quarterback Carson Palmer is the main reason why.

Palmer, who was acquired from Cincinnati for a first- and second-round draft pick, has taken advantage of the Raiders speedy skill players. In the two and half games he's played for Oakland this season, Palmer has completed 18 passes of 20 yards or more. That's two more 20-plus yard plays than the Raiders had in six weeks with Jason Campbell. After studying the Raiders games, it was clear that Campbell, who broke his collar bone in week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, is better at throwing intermediate passes than deeper routes. Palmer on the other hand is almost the opposite. Palmer's intermediate throws are reckless at times, while his deep passes are more accurate.

Of Palmer's 18 passes of 20-plus yards, eight of them have gone for 30 yards or more, five have gone for 40 yards or longer and two have gone for 50-plus yards. The Raiders are currently ranked second in the league, behind only the Houston Texans, for the most yards per pass completion with 13.1.

Palmer, meanwhile, is averaging more than 315 yards passing per game and the average distance of his five touchdowns has been 33 yards (TD passes: 58, 18, 40, 26, 33 yards). The news gets better for Palmer as the Minnesota Vikings are next on the schedule for the Raiders. The Vikings rank 30th against the pass currently, allowing 272 yards per game. The Vikings have also given up 18 passing touchdowns this season, which ranks them second to last in the league.

Oakland's new found big play pass offense should bode well for their playoff push. Add a healthy Darren McFadden (foot) and Jacoby Ford (ankle) to the offensive mix and the Palmer-led Raiders should be considered the favorites in the AFC West division.

Fantasy football impact: Palmer is a very good option at quarterback this week and going forward, especially if you own the injured Matt Schaub, Matt Cassel or Michael Vick. The other player I really like going forward is rookie WR Denarius Moore. Moore has had two nice games with Palmer at helm, including a 5 catch, 123 yard and 2 TD performance last week. Look for the duo to get even better as the season winds down.   

Carson Palmer Traded to Oakland Raiders

Carson Palmer said he thought he was retired, then he got a text from Oakland Raiders head coach coach Hue Jackson. Jackson told Palmer that the Raiders were working on a trade to land the 31-year-old quarterback. Just before the 4 p.m. Tuesday trade deadline, a deal was reached and Palmer was headed west.

"For the past six weeks I thought I was retired," Palmer said during a news conference Tuesday. "Week 1 hit and I thought, I've got to look elsewhere and find what the next phase of my life might be. Then I got the text from Hue."

Palmer didn't come cheap for the Raiders. Oakland gave up a first-round pick next year and a second-round pick in 2013, which could become a first-rounder if the Raiders (4-2) go to the AFC Championship Game.

"As far as the draft picks, what we have to give up, I never hesitated because I know exactly what I'm getting," said Jackson, who coached Palmer at USC and was an assistant in Cincinnati. "I don't think you're ever mortgating the future when you put a big-time franchise quarterback on your team."

Oakland's need for a quarterback started Sunday when Jason Campbell's season ended with a broken collarbone.

Jackson left open the possibility that Palmer, who says he's been working out during the season, could start Sunday vs. the Chiefs.

Fantasy impact: Palmer is an upgrade over Campbell, but it might take a few weeks for Palmer to get back into football shape. He's worth picking up if you're hurting at quarterback or you had Campbell on your roster. The Radiers wide receivers - Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore and Darius Heyward-Bey - all should get bumps from Palmer's arrival (it's better than having Kyle Boller throwing them the ball). RB Darren McFadden will also benefit from Palmer being under center. He was certain to face eight or nine man fronts with Boller at QB.

NFL Lockout's Impact On The Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are another team with a new coach and questions at quarterback. Hue Jackson, who was the team's offensive coordinator, replaced Tom Cable as head coach this off season. Jackson's familiarity with the roster will help the Raiders while they're in transition. The Raiders also re-signed a core group of players including Richard Seymour, Kamerion Wimbley and Stanford Routt. With a lockout, Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell misses out on an off season if development (which he needs). The Raiders will have a solid running game to lean once the season begins.

Oakland Raiders place franchise tag on Kamerion Wimbley

The Oakland Raiders continued shoring up its roster Thursday by placing the franchise tag on linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

Wimbley, who turns 28 in October, will make around $10 million in 2011.

Wimbley led the Raiders with nine sacks and also had 58 tackles while starting all 16 games.

Oakland Raiders sign Richard Seymour, Zach Miller likely franchise tagged

The Oakland Raiders took a step Wednesday in securing Richard Seymour will retire as a Raider.
According to Jim Trotter of SI.com, the Raiders signed the 31-year-old Pro Bowl defensive tackle to a two-year, potential $30 million deal that includes $22.5 million in guarantees.

Trotter says the move gives the Raiders the option of using the franchise tag on free-agent tight end Zach Miller.

Seymour was acquired from the Patriots in 2009 in exchange for Oakland's 2011 first-round draft pick (#17 overall pick).

2011 Fantasy Football Scouting Report: Jason Campbell, QB, Oakland Raiders

2010 Stats (13 gms)	2387 yds.	13 TDs	8 INTs
2011 Projected	2925 yds.	18 TDs	12 INTs

Campbell lacks the playmaking ability the Raiders love. The Raiders have an offense built on speed with wide receivers Jacoby Ford and Darrius Heyward-Bey and running back Darren McFadden, but Campbell doesn't fit that mold. The Raiders will have to decide between Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski. Campbell is similar to Jacksonville's David Garrard, but without the ability to run. Campbell's inconsistent play and inability to hold onto the starting quarterback job makes him a risky pick.