It aint easy being brilliant...

Al Davis may be dead, but his “Just win, baby!” spirit lives on.

The Oakland Raiders acquired veteran QB Carson Palmer from the Cincinatti Bengals for a 1st round pick n 2012 and a 2nd round pick in 2013.

Before the season started, Carson Palmer demanded to be traded from the Bengals, and vowed to retire from the NFL unless the Bengals met his demands.

The Bengals said that they would not trade Palmer, under any circumstances, and that he would play for them or nobody at all.

Up until this week, the Bengals didn’t budge, neither did Palmer.

You have to think that several things went into changing the Bengals’ minds:

• Their 4-2 start
• The immediate stellar play of rookie QB Andy Dalton
• The stellar offer made by the Raiders

Make no mistake, the Bengals are for more likely to be the winners of this deal long term than the Raiders are.

Carson Palmer is 31 years old, is 2 years removed from surgery, his play hasn’t been the same since before the surgery, he is coming off of a career high 20 interceptions last season, and he hasn’t played a single down this season.

The Bengals get two high draft picks to add to a young team QB’d by a stellar young Andy Dalton.

The Raiders, in true Al Davis form, are taking ALL of the risk here.

If Palmer returns to pre-2008 form and turns the Raiders into Super Bowl contenders, the Raiders brass will look like geniuses.

If Palmer tanks, the Raiders suck, and the Bengals draft 2 young guys that help propel them to a series of playoff runs, the Bengals brass will look like geniuses.

The Raiders are tossing the last second hail mary, they are going for it all.

Al Davis wouldn’t have it ANY other way.