While the starting quarterback stands ready for the Oakland Raiders the team doesn't have long before a replacement becomes needed. Could they find major value in trading for young understudy Brian Hoyer from the New England Patriots?
Hoyer and Ryan Mallett show how well Tom Brady teaches
One thing head coach Bill Belichick hasn't gotten much credit for in his many years with the New England Patriots is being able to develop quarterbacks. He did it long ago when he lost Drew Bledsoe to a collapsed lung and needed a good show out of Tom Brady. The rest is history. He did it again four years ago when Brady tore his ACL and Matt Cassel stepped in to win eleven games. The Patriots always seem to have a knack for bringing up young players with help from the successful veterans. That's the hope they have for their two backup quarterbacks in Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett. Fans and coaches know Brady won't stick around forever. Having two young options behind him is a bigger comfort than any high-priced veterans. On the other hand the two also offer a chance for valuable trades to teams that need quarterback help. Hoyer and Mallett already showed their potential in limited action last preseason and experts think New England will do it again this year. If they have a repeat showing, which teams should have interest in dealing?
Raiders must look to life after Carson Palmer and it's not Matt Leinart
Barring a major disaster there is no question the Oakland Raiders belong to Carson Palmer. He is 32-years old and still has some years left before retirement becomes an issue. That shouldn't mean the Silver and Black should ignore their future. While building through the draft leads to the most success in the NFL one of the hardest things to do is find and develop a quarterback. On the other hand several teams have had success bringing in young backups already seasoned after a few years in the league. The Packers did it with Brett Favre. Seattle did it with Matt Hasselbeck. Proof is there. While Palmer holds the reins and teases fans in fantasy leagues with his new, young offense the Raiders have to wonder if they can trust the team to one of their backups down the road. Matt Leinart has had seven years with two other teams to prove he can start and hasn't. Terrell Pryor, while athletically talented hasn't impressed the coaches enough to even put him close to the backup job, let alone starter. Unless they think rookie free agent Kyle Newhall-Caballero is a hidden treasure they might want to save a draft pick to find someone through trade. Getting Hoyer or Mallett from the Patriots would create competition behind Palmer and remind him no job is safe if he falters.
The Oakland Raiders haven't had much success developing their own quarterbacks since the 1980s. That's why they got Carson Palmer. While he tries to get them back to the playoffs, the front office should seriously think about trading for one of the Tom Brady understudies in Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett.
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