Cincinnati Bengals Raid the Raiders

NFL teams are built through the draft. Make no mistake. Unlike baseball, rookie draft picks can have an instant impact. And today, the Cincinnati Bengals are building a bright future. It's being reported By ESPN, that the Bengals have traded disgruntled QB Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders for one first round pick in 2012 and a conditional pick that could be a first round pick if the Raiders win a playoff game for 2013. That means the Bengals have two first round draft picks in the upcoming draft in 2012.

Bengals owner Mike Brown vowed he would not trade Carson Palmer. So what could have changed the mind of Pharaoh, er Mike Brown? Two events. Oakland Raiders whose record is 4-2 just had their quarterback, Jason Campbell, go down. The Raiders obviously believe this is the year for them. The Raiders went all in and offered the Bengals a Pharaoh's ransom. The second thing that changed Pharaoh, er, Mike Brown's mind? ANDY DALTON. (Pictured.) Rookie Dalton has shown at the very minimum that he is a competent NFL quarterback. But folks, Andy Dalton will only get better.

But back to the future. Carson Palmer was not going to play for the Bengals again. And Mike Brown, yes the guy I like to make fun of, pulled the trigger on a trade that he couldn't refuse. You build teams through the draft. The Bengals now have two first round draft picks in 2012 and possibly another in 2013. Regardless, the Bengals get a second round pick in 2013 if the conditions don't work. Two high draft picks for Palmer? Wow. With the Bengals young talent, and high picks to help the team, the future looks beautiful. What would Alan Cutler say now. "It's a great day to be a Bengals fan."