"If nothing else, the rumors surrounding this year's trading deadline are more interesting than usual.

Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reports the Raiders are "trying hard" to acquire Carson Palmer. Cole's source "highly doubts" Bengals owner Mike Brown would make a move, but perhaps the Raiders could make him think with a big offer.

We've assumed there is no chance Palmer will be traded, and that's probably the case. Palmer called Brown last week without making Brown budge.

Still, there is a possibility Oakland could make a generous offer."