It was an unusually active trade deadline, with a number of high profile swaps. And the league’s worst owner might have won the day.
Recapping: The Oakland Raiders got Carson Palmer. The Cincinnati Bengals got two high draft picks. The Detroit Lions got an emergency running back in Ronnie Brown… at least until James Harrison failed his physical and blew the deal. The St Louis Rams got Brandon Lloyd for a criminally low pick. And the Jacksonville Jaguars got Mike Sims-Walker for nothing.
Who was the biggest winner of the deadline? And who failed to come through with the deal they needed most? The writers of This Given Sunday weigh in.
Question 1: Who got the best deal at the deadline?
Shane: Cincinnati.
Obviously, the Bengals made out like bandits when they traded Carson Palmer, a player that wasn’t even playing, for a first round pick in the 2012 draft and a second round pick in the 2013 draft that could become a first rounder. I don’t think there’s any argument there that they were the big, big winner at the trade deadline.
The Rams did well bringing in Lloyd, but they only did so because Mike Sims-Walker didn’t pan out for them. The Jaguars snatched him back up quickly, and he should be able to help the Jags right off the bat.
Second place, however, would have gone to the Lions in my mind. The Lions briefly acquired a guy that can carry a heavy workload, a supplemental back, that would have been fresh whenever called upon. It’s a shame the deal fell through.
Matt: Bengals. Bengals. Bengals. Who would think they could be named a winner in anything, let alone savvy football moves!?!
Mike Brown played hardball with Carson Palmer, and it payed off. Think about where this team was before the season, with everybody saying they would be the worst team since the 0-16 Lions. Now they’re 4-2 with a rookie quarterback that’s playing well and they got at the very least a #1 and #2 pick for their QB that quit on the team?
I’m sorry, Carson Palmer is nowhere near the QB he once was and to get that deal from Oakland is going to end up being one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history. Assuming the Bengals actually get something with those picks… perhaps that’s too big of an assumption though…
Lawrence: Oakland.
Maybe the Bengals didn’t do quite as well as everyone assumes. While giving up two high picks is a lot to pay, the Raiders got exactly what they need: a strong armed starting quarterback who can hit their speedy receivers down the field. Palmer is a veteran who has played with highly skilled wideouts in his day, and he knows how to manage a game and use his arm to the best of his ability.
He has been training in California for sometime with high level trainers, and he is said to be in top shape. He understands Hue Jacksons terminology and style of play, and word is that he will get the start this week against the Chiefs.
The Raiders are 4-2 right now in a soft division. There is a real possibility that they make the playoffs this year and end up giving up a pick in the 20’s. Those have been known to be busts on numerous occasions. The same could happen again next year, and the 2013 draft class is said to not be nearly as strong as this years.
While it seemed like the Bengals made out like bandits at first, it just might end up being a smart move. I say the Raiders did the best at the deadline.
Will: Cincinnati.
I’d like to say St Louis – of all of these teams, they got the only sure thing, a proven player that is a perfect fit for their offense, and they paid next to nothing for him.
But Cincinnati wasn’t going to go any further with Carson Palmer, and seemed to really enjoy squatting on his career while reloading for the future. That reload gets a huge jump start next season, after a “money for nothing and picks for free” deal. Dire Straits would be proud.
Question 2: Which team missed out most on an opportunity to better itself?
Matt: Chicago.
For a team that has been active on the trade and free agent front in recent years (and a team willing to treat draft picks like hangnails), I’m a little surprised Chicago did nothing.
With as much flak as their receiving corps gets and how little of an impact Roy Williams has made, why not see if you can get back Brandon Lloyd for a 4th rounder? Why not try and get an offensive lineman? Why not try to move Chris Harris if you’re going to bizarrely deactivate him after one bad game?
Then again, those questions would imply Jerry Angelo doing his job with any sort of sense.
Shane: Jacksonville and Indianapolis.
Although the Jaguars were able to pick up Mike Sims-Walker for nothing, I’m annoyed that they weren’t more active in seeking Brandon Lloyd, a guy most people with any sense think is a big improvement over Sims-Walker.
I’m also surprised that the Colts weren’t aggressive in moving any players. It was rumored that Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis were on the trading block, but I thought they would try to unload guys like Austin Collie or Pierre Garcon for later picks. Both the Jaguars’ and Colts’ seasons are lost, so I’m a little confused as to why they didn’t look towards the future in acquiring draft picks and players.
Will: Philadelphia.
The Colts are a good choice, but they’re showing a competitiveness that may have convinced the front office that they can quickly rebound with a new QB.
In my mind, though, the Eagles should have been more aggressive in trying to improve their weak interior defense. Dangling an overpaid Asante Samuel went over about as well as a raw steak to a vegetarian. The Colts, Seahawks, and Chiefs had useful pieces, if Philly had paid a higher price.
Simply put, Mike Vick isn’t going to hold up long enough for a patient approach to pay off. It’s do or die time for the Eagles, and they didn’t get it done.
