Raiders Football Talk

Breaking AFC West News: DT Jamal Williams Is Now a Denver Bronco!!!

RFT — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:04:12 +0000

Adam Schefter reported this one for ESPN.

Former San Diego Charger DT Jamal Williams has signed with the Denver Broncos. It is a good thing for all of us that he is 34 years old and that his best seasons are "Hopefully" (Saint Crosses HIs Fingers) behind him. If he is still capable of dominating the middle front of the Line of scrimmage then those young linebackers are going to have a field day.

In other news, the Oakland Raiders watched the paint dry in their Halls of Fame in Alameda!

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The Shutdown Corner hypothetical mock draft, Part 1 (Yahoo! Sports)

RFT — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:04:11 +0000

For our second Shutdown Corner mock draft, we're going throw a couple semi-likely scenarios into the mix.

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Oakland Raiders: Free Agents Al Davis Should Consider

RFT — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:04:08 +0000

Creating depth at positions of need.

The eighth pick in the draft is high enough that it will produce a quality player. However, it is far enough out of the top five that it may not yield a player at a position of need that is worthy of a top 10 pick.

The consensus among fans and experts seems to suggest that the Raiders most urgent needs are offensive tackle, defensive tackle, middle linebacker, and cornerback. There are some good players at these positions that will be available when Oakland gets their turn at the podium, but most of them won't be worthy of a top 10 pick.

So what to do?

Why not sign a few free agents that will provide the depth needed with players that are already experienced? Doing this will free Al Davis up to take the best player available on draft day, regardless of what position they play.

Here are my thoughts on the free agents that could fill a role and can step in and play if the rookies aren't quite ready to contribute:

OT: Mark Tauscher

Mark is a 10-year veteran who has had some success after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2001 draft. He has started at right tackle most of his career, but is versatile enough to play guard if needed. He has had some injury issues recently, but should be healed and ready to go by training camp.

Mark could also provide leadership for a rookie should Al Davis do what everyone thinks he will and draft Bruce Campbell with the eighth overall pick. I'm fairly sure that the Raiders can get Tauscher with a team-friendly salary, so why not give him a shot?

DT: Tank Johnson

Drafted in the second round of the 2004 draft, Tank has the talent to start. The only question is whether or not he will get out of his own way.

When have "off-the-field" issues like Johnson's stopped Al Davis from signing a guy, or when has it stopped Raider fans from embracing a guy? It hasn't. Not to mention, being surrounded by Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly should help remedy a lot of that.

The fact is that he would not be the long-term answer the Raiders need at defensive tackle, but right now he is a better option than Gerard Warren. Another thing: signing Johnson would provide is another player to compete for the starting job. That just might push Warren enough for him to finally play to his potential.

MLB: Keith Bulluck

A former first-round pick and Pro Bowler that plays with his heart and doesn't settle for mediocrity.

This guy is a leader and a play-maker closing in on the end of his career. If he were to sign today, we would have a starting MLB from day one. Again, he isn't a long-term answer, but a player that can teach and mentor a rookie until he is ready to produce.

I know he has had injury issues, but it's only because he plays as hard as he can on every down. He has proven throughout the years that he is willing to sacrifice his body for the success of the team. This is an attitude that is sorely lacking on the Raider defense.

Plus, he hates the Steelers as much as Raider fans do! You have to love a guy like that.

CB: Deshea Townsend

Drafted in the fourth round of the 1998 draft, this 34-year-old is the prototypical nickel back the Raiders desperately need.

Deshea has been both a starter and a role player for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 12 seasons. He played a key part in two Super Bowl championships and has mentored players like Bryant McFadden and Ike Taylor.

Having Townsend in the nickel package instead of Stanford Routt would be an upgrade in terms of knowledge and consistency. If his physical tools are too degraded to justify playing him ahead of Routt, having him on the sidelines would be a huge resource from which Stanford could draw.

Again, he isn't a long-term answer. What he can provide to Stanford Routt, Chris Johnson, and any rookie that would be brought in would be immeasurable in terms of leadership and overall knowledge of the cornerback position.

Keep in mind, I do not believe any of these players are the only options or the final options. In fact, I only see two of them as potential starters.

Tauscher and Bulluck would be instant upgrades and would help the team on the field and in the locker room right away.

Townsend should not be considered a starter, but more of a mentor to Routt and the other young cornerbacks. He could produce in the nickel and dime packages all the while teaching and giving the young guys an example to look to as a leader and sort of a "coach in uniform."

Tank Johnson is the one guy on this list that could backfire. He would bring with him a lot of baggage and may not be willing to let it all go and do what's expected of him.

If we sign any or all of these players, the team won't be forced to take any player in the draft based solely on the position he plays. Davis could take the best player on the board at any position.

Summary:

The worst-case scenario is that none of these guys turn out to be as good as I think. OK, so?

There is no salary cap this year and we should be able to sign them to incentive-laden contracts that don't have a whole lot of guaranteed money. If it came down to it, they could be cut without the team taking a huge hit.

With the exception of Johnson, these players will provide leadership and a winning attitude that the Raiders have needed for several years now.

Let me reiterate: I'm not suggesting that these players would solve all of the Raiders' problems or that they should definitely be signed.

I'm only suggesting that they are players that would bring a lot of needed depth at positions of need and should be considered by Al Davis.

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Raiders unload Javon Walker, Greg Ellis

RFT — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:51:18 +0000

Raiders unload Javon Walker, Greg Ellis

The worst contract in the history of free agency is no longer active.

The Raiders finally cut Javon Walker Monday and dumped defensive end Greg Ellis while they were at it, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Walker was named the biggest free agent bust ever by the NFL Network, and we can't disagree. His contract was particularly egregious because it was obvious in 2007 Walker had nothing left physically. The guy was benched for Glenn Martinez in Denver.

(I actually wrote a post at the time in my former life calling it the worst contract ever. Blind squirrels, nuts, and all that.)

Oakland paid Walker $21 million over the last two years and got 15 catches in return. He may wind up in someone's camp this year, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he's played his last regular season snap.

Ellis actually started his Raiders career well enough, but knee troubles slowed him down late in the season.

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Oakland Raiders release running back Justin Fargas after 7 seasons (The Canadian Press)

RFT — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:51:16 +0000

ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders released running back Justin Fargas on Saturday, cutting ties with one of their key offensive players over the last few seasons.

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Oakland Raiders: Another Big Offseason Move Coming From Al Davis?

RFT — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:51:12 +0000

The first couple days of NFL free agency have come and gone.

The big names are coming off the free agency board fast, and Al Davis and the Raiders have yet to make any big signings. Davis has made headlines by signing Sebastian Janikowski to a record deal, and by franchise-tagging Richard Seymour earlier in the offseason.

These were very important to get done and they were the correct moves. Last year, Davis surprised everyone by keeping two other key players, Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler, on the roster. This shows that Davis' priorities are to keep and take care of his own players on his roster first, before looking to spend elsewhere.

This of course doesn't mean Davis is content with staying behind the scenes and letting every other owner upstage him this offseason. Each of the last two offseasons, Davis has brought in a big name player via trade.

Deangelo Hall and Seymour were guys no one really expected to be Oakland Raiders before Davis acted. Though Davis has some big contracts on the books, there is also some money to be shed from aging or under-performing players.

There are some interesting players available in free agency that the Raiders could use, as well as players from other teams that perhaps Oakland could trade for. Adding a WR, G, DT, or LB wouldn't be a bad idea by any means.

Look for rumors to start flowing about the Raiders and a veteran wideout shortly. Javon Walker should be cut, and this will bring a need for a veteran receiver. Derrick Mason, Terrell Owens, and even Antonio Bryant could be names that are linked to the Raiders.

Arizona DT Bryan Robinson would be a player worth taking a look at as well as guards Chester Pitts and Bobbie Williams to bring depth and competition to the offensive line.

As far as a trade wild card for Davis, I think looking at Packers LB A.J. Hawk for a third rounder wouldn't be a bad deal. Keith Bullock would be an interesting free agent to look at as well, and what about Antonio Pierce?

That would be an interesting move after his comments about the Raiders.

Though the Raiders have been quiet in the free agent market, don't expect Davis to stay quiet too long during this offseason.

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The Rosetta Stone: Unlocking the mystery behind Al Davis’ player selections (Part I)

RFT — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:51:14 +0000

When asked how Raider potentate, Al Davis, selects Raiders most people tell you that it's simply a matter of who runs the fastest 40 in their position. Certainly this is a viable answer and one supported over many years of Al's draft and FA selection record. Al drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey, who ran a 4.30 40 even reaching down and taking him in the 1^st round while experts scratched their heads having Bey projected no earlier than the 3^rd. Al signed Javon Walker, who ran a 4.38 - 40, after he was cut by Denver following a steep decline in his performance. Other truly fast Raiders are Stanford Routt 4.29 - 40 (who just signed a $3.268 million/yr deal even though contributing less than nothing during the 2009 season), Yamon Figurs - 4.30 in from Cleveland, and Tyvon Branch - 4.31.

But if speed were everything, Al would have taken Chris Johnson, the faster and better player and joint holder of the combine's 40 record - 4.24. CJ was taken 24^th in the 2008 draft and available for Al, who had the 4^th pick - but Al chose another RB, Darren McFadden, who ran a 4.33 - 40.

I have long wondered if there was something else that went into Al's calculation, something not as apparent as sheer speed. Have you ever wished you could place an electronic bug in Al's office and listen to his candid remarks and monitor his conversations? It’s something I wish were possible for my own consumption. We can’t do that, of course, so if we want to anticipate Al's moves we need to understand how he thinks; so let's probe and explore possibilities underlying Al’s decisions by examining his record. I don’t believe it comes down to only speed.

We can rule out Wonderlic scores as a significant criteria for Al - we have many boneheads on the Raiders - at least as measured by the type of intelligence captured on that test. We can rule out Al's partiality to certain colleges -Al pulls them in from everywhere. There has been, however, a trend over the past decade with Al taking a disproportionate number of players from the south, especially the Deep South; but this may only be a coincidence.

Maybe the other criteria, the Rosetta Stone, to understand Al's decisions is something quirky, something subjective and peculiar to the psyche of Al Davis himself. Spirals Galore suggested once that Al seems enamored with handsome, well-built men - such as JaMarcuss Russell, Javon Walker, Carlisle Cooper, Jonathan Holland, Paul Hubbard, Chris Johnson, (playboy) Darren McFadden, David Nixon, Slade Norris, Oren O'Neal, Erik Pears, Marcel Reece, Stanford Routt, Richard Seymour, Tony Stewart, Todd Watkins and Sam Williams. These well-built and, many would say, ‘handsome' men are also poor or disappointing players. Most of these men are inexplicably kept on the roster and, in every case, paid unjustifiably high salaries.

So, is Al enticed by masculine physiques almost as much as he is by speed? Does that factor weigh into his criteria when choosing who he'll dress in Silver & Black?

Routt makes millions despite bad performances. Javon Walker makes millions but rarely plays Jamarcuss we know gets $13Million this year and McFadden will get millions whether he fumbles, falls down or not.

Cooper Carlisle, a poor to fair G, makes $3.5 million/yr. Erik Pears is paid $1.5/yr to not play and 4th round Slade Norris will be paid big-bucks to watch from the side-line.

Poll

Is speed the only factor that Al considers when signing players?

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Cards get Rhodes; Pennington staying in Miami (AP)

RFT — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:51:13 +0000

On the second day of the NFL's free agent signing period, the Arizona Cardinals went the trade route to fill a big need. The Cardinals acquired safety Kerry Rhodes from the New York Jets on Saturday for a fourth-round pick in this year's draft and a seventh-rounder in 2011. Rhodes is expected to move into the starting spot opposite All-Pro Adrian Wilson that was vacated when Antrel Rolle, a...

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Raiders Yet To Dive Into Free Agent Pool

RFT — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:51:09 +0000

Like many Raider fans, I eagerly awaited the start of the free agent signing period. I fully expected Al Davis to quickly make a big splash with a flashy signing. I'm still waiting.

Are the Raiders showing a newfound discipline? Is Al out of money? Do they even have any players targeted? These are the questions that hopefully will be answered leading up to the draft.

So far, I'm actually happy with our team's inactivity. Dunta Robinson is the only player who has signed, as of now, that I would have liked to see in silver and black. Playing opposite Nnamdi I feel Robinson would have had a lot of chances to make big plays. However at six years and $57 million, I think the Falcons overpaid for his services.

Speaking of overpaying for a player, do the Chicago Bears really expect to get a motivated Julius Peppers after throwing that kind of money at him? Really? The whole thing kind of reminded me of some of the things Al has done over the past few years.

It seems as though the way to go might be to look at some of the tender ratings and decide if there is a player available to be drafted who can be better than the signed free agent.

For example Evan Mathis of the Bengals is an offensive guard who is known as a quality run blocker. He also didn't allow a sack last year. He can be had for a third-round pick. Can anyone tell me of a guy available at that point in the draft capable of that kind of production?

Then there's Rob Sims. Seattle's best offensive lineman last year, Sims can be had for a fourth-round pick. How many fourth-rounders can step right in and be any NFL team's best lineman?

Hopefully this is the thought process in Raiderland. It would be the best way for the team to make immediate improvement. It would also be fiscally sound.

Only Al really knows what's going to happen and for what reasons. Until that plays out I'll look at the Raiders' inactivity as a positive step in the right direction. A direction that will land the team back in the upper echelon of the league. A place they've been away from for much too long.

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NFL Draft Party: First Round Set: AT&T Park in SF

RFT — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:49:07 +0000

One of my close friends runs the new sports bar that is opening at AT&T Park. As luck would have it, there is NO Giants game that day, so we will have the First Round Party in SF.

That leaves the next two days up in the air. I am open to suggestions and I am sure that Ricky's will be the choice for one of the two days and then maybe San Jose for the other day.

Thoughts?

Remember this is now a 3 day event that starts with the first round on Thursday Evening (Prime Time), the next two rounds on Friday and the final 4 rounds on Saturday.

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