Carson Palmer Returns to California (With Poll)

Carson Palmer, the Santa Margarita Catholic football player who led his team to two Southern Section championships, and won a Heisman Trophy at USC, is returning to California.

On Tuesday he was traded from the Cincinnati Bengals to the Oakland Raiders for a first-round draft choice next year, and a conditional second-round pick in 2013; if the Raiders win a playoff game this season, the conditional pick becomes a first-round selection.

The Raiders (4-2) desperately needed a quarterback after Jason Campbell broke his collarbone Sunday and will be out for at least six weeks. They trail the San Diego Chargers (4-1) in the AFC West. Cincinnati (4-2) is second in the AFC North behind Baltimore (4-1).

The Raiders play host to Kansas City on Sunday, then have a bye week as Palmer crams to learn the offense.

"I understand what’s expected of me," Palmer said. "I know what playing quarterback is about, and it’s about winning. I want to come in and contribute and do whatever I can to help this team."

Palmer had sat out this season in a dispute with Bengals owner Mike Brown, who refused to grant Palmer's request for a trade even though he is signed to play with the team through 2014. Brown said Tuesday that the offer for Palmer was too good to pass up.

Palmer was the the first selection of the 2003 NFL draft. By leaving Cincinnati, Palmer joins an organization that has had a long history of success with second-chance players. The most famous, perhaps, was gimpy-kneed Jim Plunkett, who led the team to two Super Bowls.

Palmer has also had a major knee injury, as well as elbow surgery on his throwing arm. He was sacked 26 times in each of his last two seasons, and though he threw 20 interceptions last season, he also threw 26 touchdown passes.

He is the first major acquisition since the death of Raiders owner Al Davis. Palmer was twice named to the Pro Bowl, in 2005 and 2006.

The coach at Oakland, Hue Jackson, was the offensive coordinator at USC for two seasons while Palmer was there, and was the receivers coach at Cincinnati when Palmer had his greatest season as a professional, 2005.

Local fans will remember Palmer at Santa Margarita, where he guided the Eagles to Southern Section Division V championships in 1996 and 1997, the latter being the epic 55-42 victory over Tustin in which he threw for five touchdowns and DeShaun Foster ran for six.

Raiders games can be heard on KLAA-830 AM.