**Oakland Raiders 2010 offseason Thread**
- Thread starter Joey
- Start date
Raiders waive pair of veterans, WR Walker and DE Ellis
Associated Press
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders released wide receiver Javon Walker and defensive end Greg Ellis on Monday in their latest dumping of veteran players.
The moves follow Saturday's decision to cut ties with longtime running back Justin Fargas.
Walker was a disappointment right from the start after signing a $55 million contract that included an $11 million signing bonus two years ago.
For more on the Oakland Raiders, check out the latest from our bloggers.
» Blog Blitz: Raiders
He caught 15 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown in two injury-plagued seasons in Oakland, while being paid $14 million.
The Raiders were hoping to have added a No. 1 receiver when they signed Walker. He had 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004 for Green Bay and 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight scores in 2006 in Denver. He injured his knee in 2007 and never was the same player again.
He was criticized almost from the start in 2008 by former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin for being out of shape in offseason workouts and then was seriously injured in June during a robbery in Las Vegas.
He contemplated retirement in his first training camp before being talked out of it by Raiders owner Al Davis. Walker played eight games his first season in Oakland before being sidelined by a season-ending ankle injury.
He had knee surgery last offseason out of the country without telling the team and barely played in 2009. He appeared in only three games and caught no passes, fumbling on his only punt return chance.
Walker never cracked the lineup despite Oakland's struggles at receiver. The Raiders' corps of wide receivers combined for 95 catches and seven touchdowns.
Ellis signed a two-year contract with Oakland last June after being released by Dallas and provided a strong veteran presence on the line.
He was tied for the team lead with seven sacks last season but was hampered the second half by chronic knee problems. He was due $2.5 million next season.
Associated Press
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders released wide receiver Javon Walker and defensive end Greg Ellis on Monday in their latest dumping of veteran players.
The moves follow Saturday's decision to cut ties with longtime running back Justin Fargas.
Walker was a disappointment right from the start after signing a $55 million contract that included an $11 million signing bonus two years ago.
For more on the Oakland Raiders, check out the latest from our bloggers.
» Blog Blitz: Raiders
He caught 15 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown in two injury-plagued seasons in Oakland, while being paid $14 million.
The Raiders were hoping to have added a No. 1 receiver when they signed Walker. He had 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004 for Green Bay and 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight scores in 2006 in Denver. He injured his knee in 2007 and never was the same player again.
He was criticized almost from the start in 2008 by former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin for being out of shape in offseason workouts and then was seriously injured in June during a robbery in Las Vegas.
He contemplated retirement in his first training camp before being talked out of it by Raiders owner Al Davis. Walker played eight games his first season in Oakland before being sidelined by a season-ending ankle injury.
He had knee surgery last offseason out of the country without telling the team and barely played in 2009. He appeared in only three games and caught no passes, fumbling on his only punt return chance.
Walker never cracked the lineup despite Oakland's struggles at receiver. The Raiders' corps of wide receivers combined for 95 catches and seven touchdowns.
Ellis signed a two-year contract with Oakland last June after being released by Dallas and provided a strong veteran presence on the line.
He was tied for the team lead with seven sacks last season but was hampered the second half by chronic knee problems. He was due $2.5 million next season.
The Walker release finally happened.....I thought for certain Al was gonna keep him around another year....apparently there is still some football acumen in that old shriveled brain of his.....now if he can just use that same sight and take a harder look at Jamarcus Russell we might have something here
History says don’t rule out LT as a Raider
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 6:48 pm in Oakland Raiders.
This is hardly an original thought, but the more you think about it, the more LaDainian Tomlinson continuing his career with the Raiders makes sense.
The downside is obvious. Tomlinson has gained 1,840 yards on 515 carries over the last two years, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. He’s averaged only 3.8 against the Raiders, a team which he has shredded for 2,017 yards and 25 touchdowns (rushing and receiving) in 18 games.
It brings to mind the last days of Roger Craig and Eric Dickerson in 1991-92, with the Raiders handing the ball to a past-his-prime back and getting little in return.
(Marcus Allen watched from the bench, but that’s another story).
Tomlinson also ruled out the Raiders in his tear-streaked press conference after learning of his release from the Chargers.
“The Raiders are pretty set in the backfield,” he said. “Even if they weren’t, I wouldn’t become a Raider.”
As far as being set in the backfield, there has been a vacancy. And if Tomlinson reversed field, he wouldn’t be the first to view Al Davis as a caricature from afar only to be captivated by him in person. Especially if Davis’ name is at the bottom of a check bigger than he’ll get anywhere else.
Other reasons it shouldn’t shock anyone if Tomlinson ended up with the Raiders:
– There isn’t going to be a huge market for Tomlinson and it’s unlikely anyone will make him a lead back. He won’t cost a fortune.
– Davis fondness for “greatness” goes beyond those those who started their careers with the Raiders.
In no particular order, here’s a list of thirty-somethings he’s brought to the Raiders with varying degrees of success in terms of production: Jerry Rice, Rod Woodson, Warren Sapp, Bob Brown, Lyle Alzado, Albert Lewis, Andre Rison, Pat Swilling, Bill Romanowski, Trace Armstrong, Tom Rathman, Ted Washington, Cedrick Hardman and others I’m sure I’ve neglected.
Think of L.T. as another Raider Hall of Famer in the media guide five years after he retires.
– Touchdowns.
In his public appearances over the past few years, it’s been a constant theme with Davis. “We’ve got to score.”
Tomlinson has 23 rushing touchdowns in his past two “down” years, plus another receiving. The recently departed Justin Fargas has 10 touchdowns in his entire career.
Steve Baker, the agent for Fargas, said via e-mail Saturday night his client was healthy enough to play. Fargas himself told the San Francisco Chronicle today he was lining up visits, with Kansas City being a possible destination. Nor did he rule out the 49ers.
Fargas wasn’t cut because he was hurt. If he scored 10 touchdowns a year, rather than 10 in his career, he would have collected his $1.7 million bonus as well as his $755,000 salary in 2010.
– Davis doesn’t believe in chemistry, so he’s not going to worry if Tomlinson pouts about lack of use with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush still around.
As for how the rotation will work, that job belongs to Hue Jackson and Tom Cable.
– Tomlinson has never been disparaging of the Raiders in public. He’s always downplayed the notion of his success against the Raiders, and reminded Bay Area writers on his yearly conference call about how the Raiders got the better of him his first few years in the league.
– Regardless of what Tomlinson said upon being released, who doesn’t think there is some appeal to being in silver and black to help the Raiders end a 13-game losing streak to the Chargers which began in 2003?
– I threw out a net on this rumor today and got nothing in the form of a positive response. Nor did I get anything from anyone on background saying, “No chance. It won’t happen, etc. . . .”
Which means it’s nothing but a topic of discussion at this point.
Given the way Davis has operated in the past, one worth debate.
HEY JERRY MCDONALD............SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! FUCK LT!!!!
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 6:48 pm in Oakland Raiders.
This is hardly an original thought, but the more you think about it, the more LaDainian Tomlinson continuing his career with the Raiders makes sense.
The downside is obvious. Tomlinson has gained 1,840 yards on 515 carries over the last two years, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. He’s averaged only 3.8 against the Raiders, a team which he has shredded for 2,017 yards and 25 touchdowns (rushing and receiving) in 18 games.
It brings to mind the last days of Roger Craig and Eric Dickerson in 1991-92, with the Raiders handing the ball to a past-his-prime back and getting little in return.
(Marcus Allen watched from the bench, but that’s another story).
Tomlinson also ruled out the Raiders in his tear-streaked press conference after learning of his release from the Chargers.
“The Raiders are pretty set in the backfield,” he said. “Even if they weren’t, I wouldn’t become a Raider.”
As far as being set in the backfield, there has been a vacancy. And if Tomlinson reversed field, he wouldn’t be the first to view Al Davis as a caricature from afar only to be captivated by him in person. Especially if Davis’ name is at the bottom of a check bigger than he’ll get anywhere else.
Other reasons it shouldn’t shock anyone if Tomlinson ended up with the Raiders:
– There isn’t going to be a huge market for Tomlinson and it’s unlikely anyone will make him a lead back. He won’t cost a fortune.
– Davis fondness for “greatness” goes beyond those those who started their careers with the Raiders.
In no particular order, here’s a list of thirty-somethings he’s brought to the Raiders with varying degrees of success in terms of production: Jerry Rice, Rod Woodson, Warren Sapp, Bob Brown, Lyle Alzado, Albert Lewis, Andre Rison, Pat Swilling, Bill Romanowski, Trace Armstrong, Tom Rathman, Ted Washington, Cedrick Hardman and others I’m sure I’ve neglected.
Think of L.T. as another Raider Hall of Famer in the media guide five years after he retires.
– Touchdowns.
In his public appearances over the past few years, it’s been a constant theme with Davis. “We’ve got to score.”
Tomlinson has 23 rushing touchdowns in his past two “down” years, plus another receiving. The recently departed Justin Fargas has 10 touchdowns in his entire career.
Steve Baker, the agent for Fargas, said via e-mail Saturday night his client was healthy enough to play. Fargas himself told the San Francisco Chronicle today he was lining up visits, with Kansas City being a possible destination. Nor did he rule out the 49ers.
Fargas wasn’t cut because he was hurt. If he scored 10 touchdowns a year, rather than 10 in his career, he would have collected his $1.7 million bonus as well as his $755,000 salary in 2010.
– Davis doesn’t believe in chemistry, so he’s not going to worry if Tomlinson pouts about lack of use with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush still around.
As for how the rotation will work, that job belongs to Hue Jackson and Tom Cable.
– Tomlinson has never been disparaging of the Raiders in public. He’s always downplayed the notion of his success against the Raiders, and reminded Bay Area writers on his yearly conference call about how the Raiders got the better of him his first few years in the league.
– Regardless of what Tomlinson said upon being released, who doesn’t think there is some appeal to being in silver and black to help the Raiders end a 13-game losing streak to the Chargers which began in 2003?
– I threw out a net on this rumor today and got nothing in the form of a positive response. Nor did I get anything from anyone on background saying, “No chance. It won’t happen, etc. . . .”
Which means it’s nothing but a topic of discussion at this point.
Given the way Davis has operated in the past, one worth debate.
HEY JERRY MCDONALD............SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! FUCK LT!!!!
The Oakland Raiders have released wide receiver Javon Walker and defensive end Greg Ellis.
The team announced the moves on its Web site on Monday. Walker was a big disappointment after signing a $55 million free-agent contract with an $11 million signing bonus before the 2008 season. He caught 15 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown in two injury-plagued seasons in Oakland.
Walker restructured the deal last year and will be paid $2.6 million this season despite his release.
Ellis signed a two-year contract with Oakland last June. He was tied for the team lead with seven sacks last season despite dealing with knee problems. He was due $2.5 million next season.
-- The Associated Press
The team announced the moves on its Web site on Monday. Walker was a big disappointment after signing a $55 million free-agent contract with an $11 million signing bonus before the 2008 season. He caught 15 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown in two injury-plagued seasons in Oakland.
Walker restructured the deal last year and will be paid $2.6 million this season despite his release.
Ellis signed a two-year contract with Oakland last June. He was tied for the team lead with seven sacks last season despite dealing with knee problems. He was due $2.5 million next season.
-- The Associated Press
Offensive tackle Cornell Green's agent says his client has agreed to a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.
The deal is for $9 million over three years, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Philip Williams says the agreement was reached as Green, a free agent, visited with the team on Monday. Green spent the past three seasons playing for the Oakland Raiders.
Green becomes the first player to join the Bills since the NFL's free-agency period opened Friday. He fills a significant need on a team that lacks depth at tackle after starter Brad Butler retired last month and with Demetrius Bell recovering from a knee injury.
Green entered the NFL in 1999 as an undrafted free agent with Atlanta. He has 46 starts in 89 career games, having also played for Tampa Bay and Denver.
-- ESPN.com news services
The deal is for $9 million over three years, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Philip Williams says the agreement was reached as Green, a free agent, visited with the team on Monday. Green spent the past three seasons playing for the Oakland Raiders.
Green becomes the first player to join the Bills since the NFL's free-agency period opened Friday. He fills a significant need on a team that lacks depth at tackle after starter Brad Butler retired last month and with Demetrius Bell recovering from a knee injury.
Green entered the NFL in 1999 as an undrafted free agent with Atlanta. He has 46 starts in 89 career games, having also played for Tampa Bay and Denver.
-- ESPN.com news services
