OAKLAND RAIDERS OFFSEASON THREAD
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Raiders agreed to terms with T Kwame Harris on a three-year, $16 million contract.
Oakland had a close-up look for Harris' struggles, but that didn't discourage them. While this makes the Raiders slightly less likely to draft a tackle with the fourth overall pick, Harris will probably best be used as a reserve "swing" tackle.
16 mil aint that bad
the walker contract is crazy though 55 million 6 year is way to much
Oakland had a close-up look for Harris' struggles, but that didn't discourage them. While this makes the Raiders slightly less likely to draft a tackle with the fourth overall pick, Harris will probably best be used as a reserve "swing" tackle.
16 mil aint that bad
the walker contract is crazy though 55 million 6 year is way to much
WE DID OVER-PAY FOR WALKER. BUT LET'S NOT FORGET HE CAN BE A WEAPON WHEN HEALTHY. HEALTHY BEING THE KEY WORD HERE. STILL, THE MARKET DICTATES WHAT GETS PAID AND THE RAIDERS NEED TO BE AGRESSIVE WITH THE SPENDING BECAUSE WE'RE NOT THE FIRST PLACE PLAYERS WOULD LIKE TO GO. PLENTY OF PLAYERS HAVE BEEN OVERPAID THIS FREE AGENCY. DON'T ACT LIKE YALL DIDN'T OVERPAY FOR MEDIOCRE ASS JUSTIN SMITH. D ENDS ARE A VALUABLE COMMODITY, SO ARE WIDEOUTS AND THIS MARKET WAS THIN AT BOTH POSITIONS.
AS MUCH AS HARRIS SUCKS.. WE NEED HELP AT TACKLE AND THIS AINT NO 37.5 MILLION DOLLAR DEAL. THIS DEAL IS PRACTICAL AND SOMETHING TELLS ME HE WILL PERFORM AT LEAST A LITTLE BETTER IN OUR ZONE BLOCKING SYSTEM. IF NOT, NO HUGE DEAL.
AS MUCH AS HARRIS SUCKS.. WE NEED HELP AT TACKLE AND THIS AINT NO 37.5 MILLION DOLLAR DEAL. THIS DEAL IS PRACTICAL AND SOMETHING TELLS ME HE WILL PERFORM AT LEAST A LITTLE BETTER IN OUR ZONE BLOCKING SYSTEM. IF NOT, NO HUGE DEAL.
The bucks keep coming
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 8:08 pm in Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders moved money furiously Tuesday to accomodate pending deals with wide receiver Javon Walker and offensive tackle Kwame Harris.
Walker, an ultra-talented but often-injured wide receiver who has worn out his welcome in both Green Bay and Denver, agreed to a contract which will guarantee him a reported $16 million and could pay $27 over three seasons.
Harris got a three-year deal worth between $14 million and $16 million.
A precursor to their free agent actions came when the Raiders placed defensive tackle Warren Sapp on the reserve/retired list, saving approximately $4 million against the $116 million salary cap. Word is they also reworked the deal of left guard Robert Gallery for additional savings of nearly $4 million.
Anyone concerned for the Raiders financial state needn’t be. Between Tommy Kelly, safety Gibril Wilson and Walker, Al Davis has authorized $50 million in guaranteed money for three free agents _ none of whom has played at a Pro Bowl level for the past two years. In addition, the Raiders made Nnamdi Asomugha an exclusive franchise free agent at cornerback, guaranteening him a salary which could reach $10 million when all the free agent numbers are in at his position.
Oakland also re-signed running back Justin Fargas, whose $6 million in guaranteed money has been dwarfed by the Raiders free-agent spending spree.
Walker caught 26 passes for 287 yards last season. Denver released him rather than pay a $5.4 million option bonus. He has had three operations on his right knee, on which coach Mike Shanahan said might need microfracture surgery within the next few years.
It was a pretty slimy move on Shanahan’s part, divulging information about a player’s health that could affect his earning potential in the future. If Shanahan was attempting to scare off potential suitors, it failed, because the Raiders were desperate for a wide receiver and willing to roll the dice on Walker’s ability.
If healthy, Walker could give the Raiders a physical deep presence to go along with starter Ronald Curry and lends a support blanket to JaMarcus Russell as the Raiders receiving unit is woefully short on experience and NFL production.
In six NFL seasons, Walker has had one truly special season, catching 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns from Brett Favre for the Packers in 2004.
That season prompted Walker to force a trade over money. He also complained about his lack of use in Denver and fell out of favor with Shanahan.
Harris played in 12 games for the San Francisco 49ers, starting none. His play as a right tackle in San Francisco was generally regarded by 49ers fans about the same way Gallery was regarded by Raiders fans.
However, Harris is smart and can move, attributes which could pay off in Oakland’s zone blocking scheme as taught by line coach Tom Cable.
While this move will probably be criticized heavily, I saw enough from Cable last season to trust it may work out.
With Barry Sims having been released, it’s not inconceivable Harris could wind up as the left tackle, playing alongside Gallery.
For now, that position is a gaping hole. The Raiders are continuing discussions with Cornell Green, a free agent who started games last season. Paul McQuistan replaced Green last season and could compete on the right side.
The Raiders continue talks with free agent center Jeremy Newberry, who started 14 games last season. A potential sticking point _ Newberry had a $1 million salary last season but made more than $3 million when incentives were reached. It isn’t difficult to imagine Newberry considering the $3 million as a starting point, with the Raiders wanting an incentive package.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 8:08 pm in Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders moved money furiously Tuesday to accomodate pending deals with wide receiver Javon Walker and offensive tackle Kwame Harris.
Walker, an ultra-talented but often-injured wide receiver who has worn out his welcome in both Green Bay and Denver, agreed to a contract which will guarantee him a reported $16 million and could pay $27 over three seasons.
Harris got a three-year deal worth between $14 million and $16 million.
A precursor to their free agent actions came when the Raiders placed defensive tackle Warren Sapp on the reserve/retired list, saving approximately $4 million against the $116 million salary cap. Word is they also reworked the deal of left guard Robert Gallery for additional savings of nearly $4 million.
Anyone concerned for the Raiders financial state needn’t be. Between Tommy Kelly, safety Gibril Wilson and Walker, Al Davis has authorized $50 million in guaranteed money for three free agents _ none of whom has played at a Pro Bowl level for the past two years. In addition, the Raiders made Nnamdi Asomugha an exclusive franchise free agent at cornerback, guaranteening him a salary which could reach $10 million when all the free agent numbers are in at his position.
Oakland also re-signed running back Justin Fargas, whose $6 million in guaranteed money has been dwarfed by the Raiders free-agent spending spree.
Walker caught 26 passes for 287 yards last season. Denver released him rather than pay a $5.4 million option bonus. He has had three operations on his right knee, on which coach Mike Shanahan said might need microfracture surgery within the next few years.
It was a pretty slimy move on Shanahan’s part, divulging information about a player’s health that could affect his earning potential in the future. If Shanahan was attempting to scare off potential suitors, it failed, because the Raiders were desperate for a wide receiver and willing to roll the dice on Walker’s ability.
If healthy, Walker could give the Raiders a physical deep presence to go along with starter Ronald Curry and lends a support blanket to JaMarcus Russell as the Raiders receiving unit is woefully short on experience and NFL production.
In six NFL seasons, Walker has had one truly special season, catching 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns from Brett Favre for the Packers in 2004.
That season prompted Walker to force a trade over money. He also complained about his lack of use in Denver and fell out of favor with Shanahan.
Harris played in 12 games for the San Francisco 49ers, starting none. His play as a right tackle in San Francisco was generally regarded by 49ers fans about the same way Gallery was regarded by Raiders fans.
However, Harris is smart and can move, attributes which could pay off in Oakland’s zone blocking scheme as taught by line coach Tom Cable.
While this move will probably be criticized heavily, I saw enough from Cable last season to trust it may work out.
With Barry Sims having been released, it’s not inconceivable Harris could wind up as the left tackle, playing alongside Gallery.
For now, that position is a gaping hole. The Raiders are continuing discussions with Cornell Green, a free agent who started games last season. Paul McQuistan replaced Green last season and could compete on the right side.
The Raiders continue talks with free agent center Jeremy Newberry, who started 14 games last season. A potential sticking point _ Newberry had a $1 million salary last season but made more than $3 million when incentives were reached. It isn’t difficult to imagine Newberry considering the $3 million as a starting point, with the Raiders wanting an incentive package.
Raiders have many glaring holes, could be even worse next season
Column by Carl Steward
IT'S GOING TO be intriguing to see where the Oakland Raiders offseason maneuvers go from here, because at the moment, it's hard to see how they are appreciably better than the 4-12 team that ended the 2007 season.
Some would argue the Raiders actually might be worse, considering there have been far more subtractions to the roster than additions. And that doesn't even include head coach Lane Kiffin, whose status remains a mystery.
Yes, the Raiders made a nice, much-needed free-agent signing of safety Gibril Wilson on Friday. Wilson could play either free or strong safety, and he's a major upgrade over either Stuart Schweigert or Michael Huff. Wilson might be Oakland's best signing since Derrick Burgess.
That said, everything else the Raiders have done so far has simply maintained the status quo — Nnamdi Asomugha, Tommy Kelly and Justin Fargas were re-signed at significantly higher prices — and they still have to fill several glaring holes at key positions.
It's a bit daunting to consider all the familiar faces who have left town. Longtime starting wideout Jerry Porter is gone. Starting left tackle Barry Sims is gone. Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown, the two men who played most of the time at quarterback last year, are gone. Chris Clemons, who logged eight sacks in limited end duty last year, is gone. Tyler Brayton opted out of hisfrom Sports 1
contract and is gone (and probably won't be missed). Tailback LaMont Jordan will be gone, and
it remains to be seen about Dominic Rhodes. Then there's Warren Sapp, who has gone into retirement.
Beyond those departures, there remains a disconcerting sense that Kiffin might be gone, too. But let's table the coaching situation for this exercise. Until Al Davis or Kiffin comes forward to clarify the position of the head coach, there's no reason to belabor speculation regarding that ongoing soap opera.
Purely from a talent standpoint, the Raiders have bigger dilemmas. The biggest one is at wide receiver, where they return a meager cast of Ronald Curry, Johnnie Lee Higgins (6 catches as a rookie) and a handful of guys who have no real NFL credentials. Oakland hasn't been this thin at receiver since ... what, 1961?
Obviously, Oakland has to do something at wideout, but its options appear limited. The receiver crop is skimpy in this year's draft. The two best, Cal's DeSean Jackson and Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly, will likely be taken in the latter half of the first round, where the Raiders don't currently have a pick. The top free agents — Bernard Berrian, Donte Stallworth, even ancient Isaac Bruce — have been signed by other teams.
Beyond Javon Walker, who was released by Denver and is sifting through numerous suitors, the remaining crop of free agents is pretty uninspiring. So where are the new Raiders receivers going to come from?
The most logical option is a deal, and any team that traded for Randy Moss could be capable of anything. Chad Johnson? Don't rule it out, particularly with the Raiders holding the No. 4 pick. They definitely need an experienced deep threat to take advantage of rookie JaMarcus Russell's big arm and keep opposing defenses from loading up against the Oakland running game.
But speaking of Russell, who's going to protect him? The left tackle spot is going to be very critical, but it's vacant. Robert Gallery will remain at guard, meaning the Raiders have to find somebody who isn't currently on the roster to man the line's most important position. Again, the prospects in free agency aren't particularly enticing.
The prevailing logic is that the Raiders might not need a star at left tackle in offensive line coach Tom Cable's zone blocking schemes. Then again, whoever gets the job will be protecting The Franchise — Russell — and he'd better be better than average at it. With that in mind, the Raiders ultimately may need to bite hard and take Michigan's Jake Long with their No. 4 pick.
Of course, if they do that, what happens on the defensive line? Sure, the Raiders might be able to stand pat with a front four of Jay Richardson, Terdell Sands, Kelly and Burgess with Gerard Warren also in the rotation. But Sands was a huge disappointment last season, and Oakland has a chance to draft a premier defensive tackle at No. 4, either LSU's Glenn Dorsey or USC's Sedrick Ellis, both active run-stoppers who could really make the Raiders' defense a very formidable unit. Tough call.
Backup quarterback? Anybody's guess at this point, but the departure of McCown may necessitate the acquisition of a veteran to back up Russell. If not, it's Russell and Andrew Walter. Scary.
There has been considerable speculation that if Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden falls to the Raiders, they'll receive a number of trade offers to consider.
In short, questions still abound for a team that has so many shortcomings and needs. Kiffin could answer to them, maybe, if we knew he was going to be here. How about Al, you say? Please, you must be kidding.
Column by Carl Steward
IT'S GOING TO be intriguing to see where the Oakland Raiders offseason maneuvers go from here, because at the moment, it's hard to see how they are appreciably better than the 4-12 team that ended the 2007 season.
Some would argue the Raiders actually might be worse, considering there have been far more subtractions to the roster than additions. And that doesn't even include head coach Lane Kiffin, whose status remains a mystery.
Yes, the Raiders made a nice, much-needed free-agent signing of safety Gibril Wilson on Friday. Wilson could play either free or strong safety, and he's a major upgrade over either Stuart Schweigert or Michael Huff. Wilson might be Oakland's best signing since Derrick Burgess.
That said, everything else the Raiders have done so far has simply maintained the status quo — Nnamdi Asomugha, Tommy Kelly and Justin Fargas were re-signed at significantly higher prices — and they still have to fill several glaring holes at key positions.
It's a bit daunting to consider all the familiar faces who have left town. Longtime starting wideout Jerry Porter is gone. Starting left tackle Barry Sims is gone. Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown, the two men who played most of the time at quarterback last year, are gone. Chris Clemons, who logged eight sacks in limited end duty last year, is gone. Tyler Brayton opted out of hisfrom Sports 1
contract and is gone (and probably won't be missed). Tailback LaMont Jordan will be gone, and
it remains to be seen about Dominic Rhodes. Then there's Warren Sapp, who has gone into retirement.
Beyond those departures, there remains a disconcerting sense that Kiffin might be gone, too. But let's table the coaching situation for this exercise. Until Al Davis or Kiffin comes forward to clarify the position of the head coach, there's no reason to belabor speculation regarding that ongoing soap opera.
Purely from a talent standpoint, the Raiders have bigger dilemmas. The biggest one is at wide receiver, where they return a meager cast of Ronald Curry, Johnnie Lee Higgins (6 catches as a rookie) and a handful of guys who have no real NFL credentials. Oakland hasn't been this thin at receiver since ... what, 1961?
Obviously, Oakland has to do something at wideout, but its options appear limited. The receiver crop is skimpy in this year's draft. The two best, Cal's DeSean Jackson and Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly, will likely be taken in the latter half of the first round, where the Raiders don't currently have a pick. The top free agents — Bernard Berrian, Donte Stallworth, even ancient Isaac Bruce — have been signed by other teams.
Beyond Javon Walker, who was released by Denver and is sifting through numerous suitors, the remaining crop of free agents is pretty uninspiring. So where are the new Raiders receivers going to come from?
The most logical option is a deal, and any team that traded for Randy Moss could be capable of anything. Chad Johnson? Don't rule it out, particularly with the Raiders holding the No. 4 pick. They definitely need an experienced deep threat to take advantage of rookie JaMarcus Russell's big arm and keep opposing defenses from loading up against the Oakland running game.
But speaking of Russell, who's going to protect him? The left tackle spot is going to be very critical, but it's vacant. Robert Gallery will remain at guard, meaning the Raiders have to find somebody who isn't currently on the roster to man the line's most important position. Again, the prospects in free agency aren't particularly enticing.
The prevailing logic is that the Raiders might not need a star at left tackle in offensive line coach Tom Cable's zone blocking schemes. Then again, whoever gets the job will be protecting The Franchise — Russell — and he'd better be better than average at it. With that in mind, the Raiders ultimately may need to bite hard and take Michigan's Jake Long with their No. 4 pick.
Of course, if they do that, what happens on the defensive line? Sure, the Raiders might be able to stand pat with a front four of Jay Richardson, Terdell Sands, Kelly and Burgess with Gerard Warren also in the rotation. But Sands was a huge disappointment last season, and Oakland has a chance to draft a premier defensive tackle at No. 4, either LSU's Glenn Dorsey or USC's Sedrick Ellis, both active run-stoppers who could really make the Raiders' defense a very formidable unit. Tough call.
Backup quarterback? Anybody's guess at this point, but the departure of McCown may necessitate the acquisition of a veteran to back up Russell. If not, it's Russell and Andrew Walter. Scary.
There has been considerable speculation that if Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden falls to the Raiders, they'll receive a number of trade offers to consider.
In short, questions still abound for a team that has so many shortcomings and needs. Kiffin could answer to them, maybe, if we knew he was going to be here. How about Al, you say? Please, you must be kidding.
SO OAKLAND REALIZED THEY HAD TO PAY HIM MORE TO GET HIM TO COME TO THE RAIDERS AND THAT MAKES THEM DUMB? WE'RE DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO FILL POSITIONS OF NEED FOR OUR TEAM. LAST TIME I CHECKED, THAT'S WHAT FOOTBALL TEAMS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.
YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT DUMB? HOW ABOUT DRAFTING TARVARUS JACKSON AS YOUR FRANCHISE QB?
YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT DUMB? HOW ABOUT DRAFTING TARVARUS JACKSON AS YOUR FRANCHISE QB?