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Trade thoughts: Harrison, Brown and Young

It was a pretty quiet trade deadline around the league, including in Philadelphia, where the only deal the Eagles made was a running back swap with the Lions.

The Birds sent Ronnie Brown to Detroit for Jerome Harrison and a 2013 pick.

Let's start with Brown. I was never crazy about the signing in the first place. He'll obviously be remembered around these parts for the "pass-run option" that resulted in a fumble near the goal line against the 49ers. Brown clearly fell out of favor after that play, playing just three snaps in the past two weeks, according to Pro Football Focus.

Overall, Brown had 13 carries for 38 yards (2.9 yards per rush). He did not have a catch, and while pass protection was supposed to be one of his strengths, Brown never really stood out as a blocker.

Harrison, meanwhile, was a good fit here as LeSean McCoy's complement in 2010. He averaged nearly 6.0 yards per carry (40 rushes, 239 yards) last season. Taking away Week 17 when the starters sat, Harrison averaged about 6 snaps per game and 2.5 rushing attempts per game. In other words, he didn't have a huge role, but is a better option than Brown and Mike Bell who preceded him.

Keep in mind that rookie Dion Lewis has had some good moments iin limited action on offense. I liked his effort on the red-zone carry Sunday that was originally ruled a touchdown before being overturned. He's played six snaps in the previous two games.

The truth is, unless McCoy gets injured, he's staying on the field. According to PFF, he's played more snaps than any running back in the league and has been on the field for 86 percent of the Eagles' offensive plays. When he comes out, the Eagles have other options like 4-WR/1-TE sets.

It's certainly not the blockbuster move fans were looking for, but Harrison is a better fit than Brown.

COULD YOUNG HAVE BEEN MOVED?

The big story today was the Raiders acquiring Carson Palmer from the Bengals.

The deal was first reported by Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com.

What do the Bengals get in return? Per Glazer, a first-round pick in 2012 and a future second-round pick that can turn in to a first-rounder, based on Palmer's play. Quite a bit to give up for a quarterback who has thrown 33 interceptions in his last 32 starts and has not averaged more than 6.8 yards per attempt since 2007.

But I guess the Raiders, who are 4-2 and boast one of the best running games in the league with Darren McFadden, felt like they had to do something with Jason Campbell suffering a season-ending injury.

So, what's the Eagles angle on this?

Well, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Raiders explored the possibility of adding Vince Young, but ultimately decided to go with Palmer instead. Schefter's colleague, Chris Mortensen, added that Young was Oakland's fallback plan.

Young, of course, saw his first action of the season on Sunday, playing two snaps - running once and throwing an interception.

Backup quarterback is still very important for the Eagles. Michael Vick has started all six games, but was knocked out of two of them. The offensive line has allowed nine sacks (only three teams have allowed fewer), but the Eagles have given up 34 QB hits, sixth-most in the NFL.

When Young was injured earlier this season, Mike Kafka played well against the Falcons, and then not so well against the Giants.

Young was signed to a one-year deal this offseason, and I don't think the Eagles are going to make any significant evaluations based on two snaps, especially considering he' s started 47 games in his career. But if the Raiders were willing to offer anything close to what they gave up for Palmer, I have a hard time believing Howie Roseman and Andy Reid would have turned them down.

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