**Oakland Raiders 2010 offseason Thread**
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Oakland Raiders release veteran running back Justin Fargas
By Steve Corkran
Oakland Tribune
Posted: 03/06/2010 04:36:16 PM PST
Updated: 03/06/2010 04:36:17 PM PST
The Raiders used the No. 4 pick of the 2008 NFL draft on Darren McFadden with the intent of turning him into the featured running back.
The release of Justin Fargas on Saturday clears the way for McFadden to assume a heightened role next season, assuming he gets the nod ahead of Michael Bush.
Fargas, 30, was due a $1.7 million roster bonus Monday, and the Raiders weren't in a mood to pay such money for a player considered old by running back standards.
He rushed for 491 yards last season, but averaged only 3.8 yards. By comparison, Bush rushed for a team-high 589 yards at a 4.8 average.
Overall, Fargas amassed 3,369 yards and 10 touchdowns during his seven-year NFL career. He was the longest-tenured position player on the roster, along with linebacker Sam Williams.
Fargas was a favorite of Raiders coach Tom Cable because of his no-nonsense approach and reckless style of play. Former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin once likened Fargas to a human crash-test dummy.
McFadden averaged only 3.4 yards a carry last season. Cable said late last month that injuries are the primary thing standing between McFadden and a more successful NFL career.
That's even more so the case now that Fargas no longer is around to take a large share of the carries.
It's likely that Cable will take a long look at McFadden and Bush during training camp and devise a way to maximize the potential of both players through a two-back rotation.
By Steve Corkran
Oakland Tribune
Posted: 03/06/2010 04:36:16 PM PST
Updated: 03/06/2010 04:36:17 PM PST
The Raiders used the No. 4 pick of the 2008 NFL draft on Darren McFadden with the intent of turning him into the featured running back.
The release of Justin Fargas on Saturday clears the way for McFadden to assume a heightened role next season, assuming he gets the nod ahead of Michael Bush.
Fargas, 30, was due a $1.7 million roster bonus Monday, and the Raiders weren't in a mood to pay such money for a player considered old by running back standards.
He rushed for 491 yards last season, but averaged only 3.8 yards. By comparison, Bush rushed for a team-high 589 yards at a 4.8 average.
Overall, Fargas amassed 3,369 yards and 10 touchdowns during his seven-year NFL career. He was the longest-tenured position player on the roster, along with linebacker Sam Williams.
Fargas was a favorite of Raiders coach Tom Cable because of his no-nonsense approach and reckless style of play. Former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin once likened Fargas to a human crash-test dummy.
McFadden averaged only 3.4 yards a carry last season. Cable said late last month that injuries are the primary thing standing between McFadden and a more successful NFL career.
That's even more so the case now that Fargas no longer is around to take a large share of the carries.
It's likely that Cable will take a long look at McFadden and Bush during training camp and devise a way to maximize the potential of both players through a two-back rotation.
Ross added to coaching staff
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 5:57 pm in Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders have added Kevin Ross, a former Kansas City Chiefs rival and teammate of ex-Raider Albert Lewis, to their coaching staff.
Ross presumably takes the job vacated by Clancy Pendergast, who was hired briefly before leaving to take the defensive coordinator’s job at Cal.
With the Chiefs, Ross was one of the NFL’s top man-to-man coverage corners _ a technique favored by the Raiders and owner Al Davis.
Ross was the assistant secondary and quality control coach for the San Diego Chargers but his contract was not renewed following the 2008 season. He coached for the New York franchise in the United Football League in 2009.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 5:57 pm in Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders have added Kevin Ross, a former Kansas City Chiefs rival and teammate of ex-Raider Albert Lewis, to their coaching staff.
Ross presumably takes the job vacated by Clancy Pendergast, who was hired briefly before leaving to take the defensive coordinator’s job at Cal.
With the Chiefs, Ross was one of the NFL’s top man-to-man coverage corners _ a technique favored by the Raiders and owner Al Davis.
Ross was the assistant secondary and quality control coach for the San Diego Chargers but his contract was not renewed following the 2008 season. He coached for the New York franchise in the United Football League in 2009.
Barnes giving it another try
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 5:31 pm in Oakland Raiders.
It’s a do-over for Khalif Barnes.
Hoping to jump-start his career by signing a one-year contract with the Raiders last season, Barnes is again on board for 2010, the Raiders confirmed.
A second-round draft pick out of Washington in 2005, Barnes was not given a qualifying offer _ possibly because he knew a contract was near.
A broken ankle sustained during training camp prevented Barnes from mounting a challenge to be the starting left tackle _ although Mario Henderson later said he was told he would be the starter regardless.
Barnes was initially reluctant to move to the right side _ although he eventually took a some practice snaps there _ but never made his way on to the field for a sustained length of time. Barnes also got in some work at guard.
As the season progressed, Langston Walker, signed after being released by Buffalo and seemingly not a fit for the Raiders zone blocking system at more than 360 pounds, had bypassed Barnes.
It seemed unusual at the time, given the fact that Tom Cable had pushed for Barnes’ signing during free agency.
Whatever issues the Raiders coaching staff had with Barnes appear to have been resolved.
Given that he could have signed with anyone for at least a few hours, Barnes is the Raiders’ first free agent signing.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 5:31 pm in Oakland Raiders.
It’s a do-over for Khalif Barnes.
Hoping to jump-start his career by signing a one-year contract with the Raiders last season, Barnes is again on board for 2010, the Raiders confirmed.
A second-round draft pick out of Washington in 2005, Barnes was not given a qualifying offer _ possibly because he knew a contract was near.
A broken ankle sustained during training camp prevented Barnes from mounting a challenge to be the starting left tackle _ although Mario Henderson later said he was told he would be the starter regardless.
Barnes was initially reluctant to move to the right side _ although he eventually took a some practice snaps there _ but never made his way on to the field for a sustained length of time. Barnes also got in some work at guard.
As the season progressed, Langston Walker, signed after being released by Buffalo and seemingly not a fit for the Raiders zone blocking system at more than 360 pounds, had bypassed Barnes.
It seemed unusual at the time, given the fact that Tom Cable had pushed for Barnes’ signing during free agency.
Whatever issues the Raiders coaching staff had with Barnes appear to have been resolved.
Given that he could have signed with anyone for at least a few hours, Barnes is the Raiders’ first free agent signing.
If Bush starts and gets 20-25 carries he's probably gonna be good for about 100 a game....give DMc 10-15 touches and thats tha only way tha offense is gonna be able to stay on tha field and give the D a rest....then maybe we can win some games....
I feel bad for Fargas tho....hope he gets to join a winner
I feel bad for Fargas tho....hope he gets to join a winner
no, he was released because of the 1.7 million dollar roster bonus he would have received, had we not released him.
which is fucking ridiculous considering how we're about to be overpaying for stanford rout, after giving him the 1st and 3rd round tender. even though we could have easily kept him with only a 3rd round tender.
PS. bush is obviously doing things to piss off the coaches. remember when he was crying about having to play fullback when our other fullbacks went down with injury. then there was that game against the bengals(I think it was them), where bush was on a roll. the coaches wanted him to keep going at it, but he pulled himself out of the game because he was tired or some shit. cable talked about it. he had had like 3 or 4 great runs in a row on the drive and then just went to the sideline.
then again, maybe he wasn't one of al davis' picks. I think al is mostly involved with the first couple of rounds. could be the reason why mcfadden gets more playing time, despite the low production.
which is fucking ridiculous considering how we're about to be overpaying for stanford rout, after giving him the 1st and 3rd round tender. even though we could have easily kept him with only a 3rd round tender.
PS. bush is obviously doing things to piss off the coaches. remember when he was crying about having to play fullback when our other fullbacks went down with injury. then there was that game against the bengals(I think it was them), where bush was on a roll. the coaches wanted him to keep going at it, but he pulled himself out of the game because he was tired or some shit. cable talked about it. he had had like 3 or 4 great runs in a row on the drive and then just went to the sideline.
then again, maybe he wasn't one of al davis' picks. I think al is mostly involved with the first couple of rounds. could be the reason why mcfadden gets more playing time, despite the low production.
Fargas’ knees can’t hold up under bonus
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 5:53 pm in Oakland Raiders.
The closest I came to the Raiders today was driving past the Napa Marriott early this morning en route to a 13-and-under doubleheader, with colleague Steve Corkran calling me at some point during the second game to tell me Justin Fargas was waived after failing his physical.
Given that the Raiders Web site has thanked Fargas’ for his contributions, it doesn’t look as if he’ll be back after he attends the Commitment to Excellence award dinner on March 13, an award he won along with Zach Miller.
No doubt the “Human Crash Test Dummy,” as Lane Kiffin called him, has absorbed an incredible amount of punishment over the years. However, what caused the most stress on his joints was the weight of a $1.7 million roster bonus that was due to be paid Monday if Fargas had remained on the roster.
Given Darren McFadden’s durability issues and their reluctance to put too much on the shoulders of Michael Bush, the Raiders are in the market for a running back, either through the draft or free agency.
The Raiders issued the following statement: “Justin Fargas was a beloved Raider who performed at a high level throughout his seven seasons with the team, and his contributions to the Silver and Black will always be remembered. We wish Justin all the best.”
Fargas’ agent, Steve Baker, said via e-mail that “Justin feels he’s healthy to play football.”
good luck fargas
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 5:53 pm in Oakland Raiders.
The closest I came to the Raiders today was driving past the Napa Marriott early this morning en route to a 13-and-under doubleheader, with colleague Steve Corkran calling me at some point during the second game to tell me Justin Fargas was waived after failing his physical.
Given that the Raiders Web site has thanked Fargas’ for his contributions, it doesn’t look as if he’ll be back after he attends the Commitment to Excellence award dinner on March 13, an award he won along with Zach Miller.
No doubt the “Human Crash Test Dummy,” as Lane Kiffin called him, has absorbed an incredible amount of punishment over the years. However, what caused the most stress on his joints was the weight of a $1.7 million roster bonus that was due to be paid Monday if Fargas had remained on the roster.
Given Darren McFadden’s durability issues and their reluctance to put too much on the shoulders of Michael Bush, the Raiders are in the market for a running back, either through the draft or free agency.
The Raiders issued the following statement: “Justin Fargas was a beloved Raider who performed at a high level throughout his seven seasons with the team, and his contributions to the Silver and Black will always be remembered. We wish Justin all the best.”
Fargas’ agent, Steve Baker, said via e-mail that “Justin feels he’s healthy to play football.”
good luck fargas
this draft is deep with RB's & OL....we could hold off til the third or fourth RD and end up with a LaGarette Blount or a Montario Hardesty.....
If the raiders pass on Rolando McClain (assuming He's still available) it's another WTF move on Al's part.....If we're planning on going into camp with Russell and Grad and some 3's and 4's we're in trouble too....need to draft a young QB to push Grad cuz beating out Russell isn't gonna be very hard to do
If the raiders pass on Rolando McClain (assuming He's still available) it's another WTF move on Al's part.....If we're planning on going into camp with Russell and Grad and some 3's and 4's we're in trouble too....need to draft a young QB to push Grad cuz beating out Russell isn't gonna be very hard to do
According to NFL Network, running back Justin Fargas will be visiting with the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. He was released by the Oakland Raiders on Saturday, March 6.
Fargas averaged 3.8 yards per carry last season, gaining 491 yards on 129 attempts. He also had 17 receptions for 113 yards.
His most productive season came in 2007 when he rushed for 1,009 yards on 222 carries. An average of 4.5 yards per carry.
Fargas is 30 years old.
He just might be joining a winnner
Fargas averaged 3.8 yards per carry last season, gaining 491 yards on 129 attempts. He also had 17 receptions for 113 yards.
His most productive season came in 2007 when he rushed for 1,009 yards on 222 carries. An average of 4.5 yards per carry.
Fargas is 30 years old.
He just might be joining a winnner