OAKLAND RAIDERS OFFSEASON THREAD
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More bulk in the middle
The Raiders continue to address defensive tackle before the NFL Draft.
The team announced the signing of defensive tackle William Joseph today.
Joseph was a first-round draft pick of the New York Giants in 2003, but missed all of last season because of a back injury.
Joseph (6-5, 308) has also played defensive end. He has 17 starts in 56 career games.
Assuming Joseph plays defensive tackle, it's a move that continues my campaign for this guy with the fourth overall pick:
Joseph was considered a disappointment by folks in New York (seven career sacks), but he's still young. It's a good risk to take.
Financial details weren't immediately available, but I imagine Joseph's deal is relatively cheap.
The Raiders continue to address defensive tackle before the NFL Draft.
The team announced the signing of defensive tackle William Joseph today.
Joseph was a first-round draft pick of the New York Giants in 2003, but missed all of last season because of a back injury.
Joseph (6-5, 308) has also played defensive end. He has 17 starts in 56 career games.
Assuming Joseph plays defensive tackle, it's a move that continues my campaign for this guy with the fourth overall pick:
Joseph was considered a disappointment by folks in New York (seven career sacks), but he's still young. It's a good risk to take.
Financial details weren't immediately available, but I imagine Joseph's deal is relatively cheap.
Rating free agency
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, March 14th, 2008 at 4:24 pm in Oakland Raiders.
While we wait word to see if Kevin Carter wants to assume the role of the cagey veteran along the defensive front, here is now I size up Oakland’s transactions since the start of free agency:
1. Signing free agent S Gibril Wilson: The shelled out $16 million in guaranteed money, but did so on a durable, aggressive safety that addresses a major weakness in their defense. Wilson hasn’t been to a Pro Bowl. He’s done better _ playing an important role on a championship team.
Wilson is not flashy or sensational. Instead, if Al Davis has assessed this correctly, he becomes a much-needed heart and soul as a physical presence on the last line of defense.
What could go wrong: There is at least a minor fear that the problem hasn’t been the Raiders safeties _ it’s that opposing players get such a running start through the front seven it makes tackling difficult and at times impossible.
2. Using the franchise tag on CB Nnamdi Asomugha: Making Asoumgha an exclusive free agent was extreme. It was doubtful anyone was going to cough up two first-round picks. But the bottom line is the Raiders protected not only a valuable commodity but a beyond-reproach worker who will never stop working to get better. And he’s already one of the best at his position.
What could go wrong: The rest of the Raiders defense again fails to measure up to his standard, making him easy to avoid. That means the Raiders would be tying up $10 million in salary on a player who really isn’t making that much difference. As little as Asomugha was tested last season, it’s not as if taking away part of the field did anything positive for the Oakland defense.
3. Re-signing RB Justin Fargas: You look at what Fargas got to stay _ $6 million guaranteed _ and then look at what took place on the open market. It’s a steal for what Fargas produced last season even though he played about half the season as the lead back. True, he is not much of a factor in the passing game.
But it wasn’t an obscene amount of money to pay for a tough runner who makes every run as if it is a test of pride for both himself and the organization he plays for.
What could go wrong: Fargas’ running style results in an injury which either reduces his effectiveness or removes him from the lineup for an extended period of time.
4. Signing free agent WR Drew Carter: The Raiders got themselves an intriguing talent and are committed for only one season and a reported $2 million. He’s younger than Jerry Porter, faster and does many of the same things. He is also much more low maintenance.
What could go wrong: Carter has had three knee surgeries and has never quite lived up to his skill level.
5. Signing free agent T Kwame Harris: Maligned in San Francisco, Harris moves across the bay looking for a new start with Tom Cable. If Harris hasn’t already had a conversation with Robert Gallery about what that could do for his career, he will soon. Cable likes Harris’ ability to move and his intelligence, making him ideal for a zone blocking system. After last season, Cable should get what he wants.
What could go wrong: Harris’ rep in San Francisco was that he did some good things paving the way for Frank Gore but was a disaster in pass protection. If he ends up on the left side, and Harris can’t upgrade that area considerably, it makes JaMarcus Russell an oversized target.
6. Re-signing DT-DE Tommy Kelly: I know, it’s popular to look at deals given to players such as Detroit’s Cory Redding and say the Raiders didn’t overpay. That’s the Raiders’ company line, and they’re sticking with it. Line coach Keith Millard compares Kelly to Trevor Pryce, as a defensive lineman rare enough to play at any position and dominate.
What could go wrong: The Raiders’ trotted out an old Bill Belichick quote comparing Kelly to Howie Long, neglecting to mention it came as the teams were preparing for the 2005 opener. In the meantime, Kelly is still being talked about for what he could do rather than what he has actually done. He may be a classic “off the bus” Raider.
7. Signing free agent WR Javon Walker: Had a couple of promising years in Green Bay before becoming an elite receiver in 2004. Had one year when he was almost as good in Denver. If healthy and of sound mind, Walker instantly becomes the focal point of every opposing defense. He’ll make big plays himself and open things up for Drew Carter, Ronald Curry and Zach Miller, giving Russell plenty of options.
What could go wrong: Walker forced his way out of Green Bay because of displeasure with his contract, even as influential veterans such as Brett Favre tried to bring him back on board. Before being injured last season, he announced he wanted out of Denver as well. When a $5.4 million option bonus came up, the Broncos were only to happy to let Walker walk.
The Broncos decided he wasn’t worth $5.4 million to keep; the Raiders guaranteed him $16 million to come to town. Denver has made its share of atrocious personnel decisions of late, but it at least gives cause for concern.
Other concerns? How about three knee surgeries and the fact that the Raiders aren’t always the best environment for someone prone to pouting.
8. Re-signing T Cornell Green: No big deal if he is a reserve. Green is a good guy to have in the locker room and an experienced veteran who can fill in at either tackle spot.
What could go wrong: It is not a good sign of Green is a starter. There really wasn’t much of a dropoff last season when Green left with a knee injury and was replaced by Paul McQuistan.
9. Signing FA DT William Joseph: A classic Raiders roll of the dice who missed all of last season with a back injury with the New York Giants. Joseph, who signed Friday, is a former first-round draft pick, No. 25 overall, in 2003. Played in 55 games with 28 starts for the Giants from 2004 through 2006 with seven sacks.
What could go wrong: Not much. If he doesn’t make it out of training camp, nothing is lost.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, March 14th, 2008 at 4:24 pm in Oakland Raiders.
While we wait word to see if Kevin Carter wants to assume the role of the cagey veteran along the defensive front, here is now I size up Oakland’s transactions since the start of free agency:
1. Signing free agent S Gibril Wilson: The shelled out $16 million in guaranteed money, but did so on a durable, aggressive safety that addresses a major weakness in their defense. Wilson hasn’t been to a Pro Bowl. He’s done better _ playing an important role on a championship team.
Wilson is not flashy or sensational. Instead, if Al Davis has assessed this correctly, he becomes a much-needed heart and soul as a physical presence on the last line of defense.
What could go wrong: There is at least a minor fear that the problem hasn’t been the Raiders safeties _ it’s that opposing players get such a running start through the front seven it makes tackling difficult and at times impossible.
2. Using the franchise tag on CB Nnamdi Asomugha: Making Asoumgha an exclusive free agent was extreme. It was doubtful anyone was going to cough up two first-round picks. But the bottom line is the Raiders protected not only a valuable commodity but a beyond-reproach worker who will never stop working to get better. And he’s already one of the best at his position.
What could go wrong: The rest of the Raiders defense again fails to measure up to his standard, making him easy to avoid. That means the Raiders would be tying up $10 million in salary on a player who really isn’t making that much difference. As little as Asomugha was tested last season, it’s not as if taking away part of the field did anything positive for the Oakland defense.
3. Re-signing RB Justin Fargas: You look at what Fargas got to stay _ $6 million guaranteed _ and then look at what took place on the open market. It’s a steal for what Fargas produced last season even though he played about half the season as the lead back. True, he is not much of a factor in the passing game.
But it wasn’t an obscene amount of money to pay for a tough runner who makes every run as if it is a test of pride for both himself and the organization he plays for.
What could go wrong: Fargas’ running style results in an injury which either reduces his effectiveness or removes him from the lineup for an extended period of time.
4. Signing free agent WR Drew Carter: The Raiders got themselves an intriguing talent and are committed for only one season and a reported $2 million. He’s younger than Jerry Porter, faster and does many of the same things. He is also much more low maintenance.
What could go wrong: Carter has had three knee surgeries and has never quite lived up to his skill level.
5. Signing free agent T Kwame Harris: Maligned in San Francisco, Harris moves across the bay looking for a new start with Tom Cable. If Harris hasn’t already had a conversation with Robert Gallery about what that could do for his career, he will soon. Cable likes Harris’ ability to move and his intelligence, making him ideal for a zone blocking system. After last season, Cable should get what he wants.
What could go wrong: Harris’ rep in San Francisco was that he did some good things paving the way for Frank Gore but was a disaster in pass protection. If he ends up on the left side, and Harris can’t upgrade that area considerably, it makes JaMarcus Russell an oversized target.
6. Re-signing DT-DE Tommy Kelly: I know, it’s popular to look at deals given to players such as Detroit’s Cory Redding and say the Raiders didn’t overpay. That’s the Raiders’ company line, and they’re sticking with it. Line coach Keith Millard compares Kelly to Trevor Pryce, as a defensive lineman rare enough to play at any position and dominate.
What could go wrong: The Raiders’ trotted out an old Bill Belichick quote comparing Kelly to Howie Long, neglecting to mention it came as the teams were preparing for the 2005 opener. In the meantime, Kelly is still being talked about for what he could do rather than what he has actually done. He may be a classic “off the bus” Raider.
7. Signing free agent WR Javon Walker: Had a couple of promising years in Green Bay before becoming an elite receiver in 2004. Had one year when he was almost as good in Denver. If healthy and of sound mind, Walker instantly becomes the focal point of every opposing defense. He’ll make big plays himself and open things up for Drew Carter, Ronald Curry and Zach Miller, giving Russell plenty of options.
What could go wrong: Walker forced his way out of Green Bay because of displeasure with his contract, even as influential veterans such as Brett Favre tried to bring him back on board. Before being injured last season, he announced he wanted out of Denver as well. When a $5.4 million option bonus came up, the Broncos were only to happy to let Walker walk.
The Broncos decided he wasn’t worth $5.4 million to keep; the Raiders guaranteed him $16 million to come to town. Denver has made its share of atrocious personnel decisions of late, but it at least gives cause for concern.
Other concerns? How about three knee surgeries and the fact that the Raiders aren’t always the best environment for someone prone to pouting.
8. Re-signing T Cornell Green: No big deal if he is a reserve. Green is a good guy to have in the locker room and an experienced veteran who can fill in at either tackle spot.
What could go wrong: It is not a good sign of Green is a starter. There really wasn’t much of a dropoff last season when Green left with a knee injury and was replaced by Paul McQuistan.
9. Signing FA DT William Joseph: A classic Raiders roll of the dice who missed all of last season with a back injury with the New York Giants. Joseph, who signed Friday, is a former first-round draft pick, No. 25 overall, in 2003. Played in 55 games with 28 starts for the Giants from 2004 through 2006 with seven sacks.
What could go wrong: Not much. If he doesn’t make it out of training camp, nothing is lost.