This weeks Game Ball goes to Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown. Now you nay say, "He's not a Bronco," but after what he just did to the Oakland Raiders, it's worth a Denver Game Ball. In fact, Brown actually helped the entire AFC West division. You may have heard already, but the Raiders just gave the Bengals their 2012 1st round draft pick along with a condition 1st or 2nd pick in 2013 in exchange for quarterback Carson Palmer.
I don't know if Al Davis is still pulling the strings in Oakland or not, but this is a bold move even for the Undead. Oakland is left with very little in the way of draft picks for 2012. Gone are their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th picks. They will get Compensatory picks awarded for the loss of Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and Robert Gallery, but they have essentially gone all in. Perhaps they believe they can wrest the division away from the San Diego Chargers and make a playoff run.
according to a tweet from Adam Schefter, the Raiders also explored a trade possibility with the Eagles for Vince Young, but Oakland head coach Hue Jackson wanted to reunite with Palmer. Jackson was the Wide Receivers coach for the Bengals from 2004-2006, so there is a familiarity between the two.
So which Carson Palmer will the Raiders inherit for two top draft picks, the 2-Time Pro Bowler circa 2005-2006? Or the QB who was 4-12 with a 61.8% Completion rate, 26 TD's and 20 INT's in 2010?
Carson is 31 years old and probably has 2-3 years ahead of him. The 2002 Heisman Trophy winner had reconstructive surgery on his left knee in January 2006 after tearing his medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments as well as having cartilage and meniscus damage. He was also limited to 4 games in 2008 with a partially ligament and tendon in the elbow of his throwing arm.
This deal came about after starter Jason Campbell broke his right collar bone in the 2nd quarter of Sunday;s game against the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders have now used their 2012 1st round pick on Palmer, their 2012 3rd pick on Terrelle Prtor and their 4th round pick in 2012 on Jason Campbell.
Palmer's base salaries going forward (according to Alber Breer): $11.5 Million for 2011 and 2012, $13 Million in 2013 and $14 Million in 2014.
Talk about a return on an investment. Carson Palmer was the 1st overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft. The Bengals got 10 years, including 2 Pro Bowls out of Carson and essentially replace him with the same or better original value. Not only that, but Cincinnati also dumps a high salary off it's payroll. Mike Brown may be cheap, but he's certainly not stupid.
For that, you get the Game Ball of the Week Mr. Brown.
Do you see what Brown did for you Broncos Country?