The official 2014 Raiders offseason thread
- Thread starter Defy
- Start date
It's from Espn insider you gotta subscribe but this is what it says
F GRADES
Oakland Raiders
Grade: F
Key signings: QB Matt Schaub (trade), LT Donald Penn, OLB LaMarr Woodley, S Charles Woodson, RB Darren McFadden, DE Justin Tuck, DE Antonio Smith, WR James Jones, CB Tarell Brown, G Kevin Boothe, T Austin Howard
Key subtractions: LT Jared Veldheer, DE Lamarr Houston, CB Tracy Porter, CB Mike Jenkins, DT Vance Walker, RB Rashad Jennings
The Raiders rallied to improve their roster after an embarrassing start to free agency that featured their botched attempt to sign Saffold to an overpriced contract. Unfortunately for Oakland, the moves did not set up the team for long-term success. The first 12 players Oakland added or re-signed averaged 30.5 years old, the highest figure in the league. Yes, the Raiders needed to spend money, but why chase declining players when two of their own building blocks -- Veldheer and Houston -- were headed out the door the minute free agency opened? Perhaps most importantly, the manner in which the Raiders navigated the process only reinforced their image as an organization without a direction.
"I really, honestly don't understand it," Polian said. He was not the only one.
"They will posture it as bringing in leadership to change the culture, but the guys they signed are not going to change culture," Riddick said. "Most of the guys who went there had nowhere else to go. I liked the Woodson re-sign. That is true leadership. Charles truly cares about the Raiders. But in a year when you need to spend cash and had cap room to get it done with Veldheer and Houston, why wouldn't you get it done? Even if you didn't like them much, it sends a better message than what you are doing now. Not only are you chasing with older free agents who don't want to come there anyway, but your draft picks aren't panning out."
It’s been a rough offseason for the Silver and Black.
F GRADES
Oakland Raiders
Grade: F
Key signings: QB Matt Schaub (trade), LT Donald Penn, OLB LaMarr Woodley, S Charles Woodson, RB Darren McFadden, DE Justin Tuck, DE Antonio Smith, WR James Jones, CB Tarell Brown, G Kevin Boothe, T Austin Howard
Key subtractions: LT Jared Veldheer, DE Lamarr Houston, CB Tracy Porter, CB Mike Jenkins, DT Vance Walker, RB Rashad Jennings
The Raiders rallied to improve their roster after an embarrassing start to free agency that featured their botched attempt to sign Saffold to an overpriced contract. Unfortunately for Oakland, the moves did not set up the team for long-term success. The first 12 players Oakland added or re-signed averaged 30.5 years old, the highest figure in the league. Yes, the Raiders needed to spend money, but why chase declining players when two of their own building blocks -- Veldheer and Houston -- were headed out the door the minute free agency opened? Perhaps most importantly, the manner in which the Raiders navigated the process only reinforced their image as an organization without a direction.
"I really, honestly don't understand it," Polian said. He was not the only one.
"They will posture it as bringing in leadership to change the culture, but the guys they signed are not going to change culture," Riddick said. "Most of the guys who went there had nowhere else to go. I liked the Woodson re-sign. That is true leadership. Charles truly cares about the Raiders. But in a year when you need to spend cash and had cap room to get it done with Veldheer and Houston, why wouldn't you get it done? Even if you didn't like them much, it sends a better message than what you are doing now. Not only are you chasing with older free agents who don't want to come there anyway, but your draft picks aren't panning out."
It’s been a rough offseason for the Silver and Black.
Schaub is old and wore out... He got benched last year for a guy that had 2 inch biceps lmao
still no RB either...
I'm not hatin either, its damn time the Raiders get a squad that can compete...
still no RB either...
I'm not hatin either, its damn time the Raiders get a squad that can compete...
Props:
Tony and Tony
ESPN gets a big old boner every time it's time to say something negative about the Raiders.
Every thing they say about the Raiders they include the Saffold thing and how "embarrassing" it was, and how expensive it was. But the whole Saffold deal meant nothing, and it cost them $0.
He failed their physical, so they didn't sign him, that's one of the smarter moves the Raiders have made in the last 10 years. Either they're not making exceptions for injured players they like, or someone upstairs decided to nix the deal because it was bad. Either way it cost them nothing.
You cant judge this offseason until after the draft.
Every thing they say about the Raiders they include the Saffold thing and how "embarrassing" it was, and how expensive it was. But the whole Saffold deal meant nothing, and it cost them $0.
He failed their physical, so they didn't sign him, that's one of the smarter moves the Raiders have made in the last 10 years. Either they're not making exceptions for injured players they like, or someone upstairs decided to nix the deal because it was bad. Either way it cost them nothing.
You cant judge this offseason until after the draft.
For some reason the Raiders just refuse to completely rebuild through the draft. Which is what they've needed to do for about 10 years now. They give Reggie one draft then everyone gets impatient and he's forced to sign a bunch of old free agents. They're still not gonna be good this year. Shoulda just let Reggie have 3 whole drafts before judging.