The Oakland Raiders will put their latest attempt to remind the world they exist on display Sunday against the rival Chiefs when Carson Palmer goes under center. This story twists and turns from all kinds of angles.

First, there's Mike Brown. He may not be the most controversial figure in the NFL, but based on his handling of Palmer's temper tantrum, he has to be up there on that list. Players wanting out of Cincinnatti is nothing new. Chad Ochocinco and Corey Dillon come to mind when thinking about other athletes that at one time or another had enough of life as a Bengal.

Brown said from day 1 he would not give in to Palmer's demands and would not trade him. Now some may see the trade as a sign Brown softened, but the contrary is actually true. Brown was able to stick by his guns and actually find a more favorable market for Palmer through nothing more than sheer luck; netting a first round pick and possibly another. If you're going to change your mind, you might as well come out smelling like a rose.

Second, there's the Raiders. Some say they paid too high a price for a quarterback on the wrong side of thirty who sat out all year and hasn't been the same since 2007.

At first, you want to agree. However if the Raiders are really a playoff team, that's a pick somewhere in the twenties at least. There are more questionable decisions in the last third of the NFL draft than Mike Martz's gameplan. The gamble is only justified by the level of success the Raiders achieve. Give them this much, they're all in on the roster they've got for the next two or three years.

And lastly, there's Palmer himself. His antics that put himself on the trading block in the first place were about as uninspiring as you can get in today's world of professional sports. Players can retire before we all think they should. Barry Sanders, for example, left on his own terms when everyone knows he was a cinch to break Walter Payton's record for career rushing yards before Emmitt Smith. But Palmer's "trade-me-or-I'll-retire" ultimatum lacks class and, ulimately, leadership.

In other words, he quit on the Bengals. He tired of the struggle and mission of winning a championship for Cincinnatti and wanted out before his contract was up. And while some players might hold out or request/ demand a trade, they usually don't miss any games. Palmer was willing to let his teammates flail in the wind while he tried to show management he could wear his big boy pants.

Cincinnatti won't be waxing lovingly about the Carson Palmer era, especially since rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has the Bengals competing and- for the moment- winning. However, this fortunate succession does not excuse Palmer's selfishness.

It should raise serious questions about his leadership and ability to instill confidence in his teammates that he's truly 'with them' as they work toward their goals. If he got tired of the distractions in Cincinnatti, what will he do in Oakland?