The Official 2011 Oakland Raiders offseason thread

[Defy]

I read Nnamdi got a INT on his first play

"It was good to get an interception on the first day," said Asomugha, the former Raider who signed a five-year, $60 million deal last week. "You don't know if you have your technique down, it's been so long. That felt good."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/05/SPG21KJEQR.DTL#ixzz1UJk9NBKE




@radio let it go breh no need to ruin this thread

if he would've had one of those last year he would still be a Raider

 

[MaC A$$ ViC]

^ really though, his intentions were to test the free agency market from the beginning. he didnt want to be a raider no more and i hope he gets burned on every down

 

[Meta4iCAL]

^ really though, his intentions were to test the free agency market from the beginning. he didnt want to be a raider no more and i hope he gets burned on every down

I dunno if that's necessarily true... who knows how sincere he's being here...but this article suggest otherwise

Nnamdi Asomugha uncomfortable with sudden depature from Bay Area

By Steve Corkran

[email protected]
Posted: 08/01/2011 05:22:49 PM PDT
Updated: 08/01/2011 10:42:59 PM PDT


NAPA -- Nnamdi Asomugha said being a member of the Philadelphia Eagles is "a great situation," but he confessed that the sudden end to his eight-year Raiders career still stings.

One day, Asomugha is the prized target in the NFL's free agent market, with a shot at returning to the Raiders. The next, he's signing a five-year contract that guarantees him $25 million and ends his Oakland career.

"The toughest part, not being able to say goodbye to anyone," Asomugha said by phone Monday in an interview with Bay Area News Group.

After the lockout lifted, Asomugha said he spoke with Raiders coach Hue Jackson, cornerbacks coach Rod Woodson and squad development coach Willie Brown about the prospect of returning to the Raiders.

By last Friday, Asomugha said he hadn't received an offer from the Raiders, so he was advised by his agents to move forward.

"There was contact," Asomugha said, "but nothing was able to be worked out."

For the first time, Asomugha contemplated life with another team.

"Pretty tough would be an understatement," Asomugha said. "It was pretty tough because I never thought about that. I never seriously thought about that possibility, leaving the team, leaving the organization, leaving the state."

Asomugha calls starting anew with the Eagles "like the first day of school," learning names, faces and defensive terminology. At the same time, he said, he is excited about playing for a team many consider a
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legitimate Super Bowl contender.

The Raiders never won more than eight games in a season during Asomugha's tenure. The Raiders went 37-91 during that time, though Asomugha was named to three Pro Bowls and carved out a reputation as one of the league's best all-around cornerbacks.

Asomugha was linked to the Raiders, 49ers, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans once free agency started last Tuesday. He declined to discuss which of the other suitors showed the most interest.

When forced to alter his thought process, Asomugha said he settled upon the Eagles. The Eagles went 10-6 last season before falling 21-16 to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC playoffs.

"I felt like it was the best fit," Asomugha said, "and it was a team that really did have that opportunity to win. "... It was a big thing for me to get out and win games in the NFL."

Jackson has said repeatedly that the Raiders are talented enough to challenge for the Super Bowl this season. That wouldn't surprise Asomugha.

"The team has a really good head coach in Hue Jackson, a guy that I believed in since he was a part of the team," Asomugha said. "I have a lot of respect for him. It's a talented team. It's always a sky's-the-limit team just because of the talent that we would always have. So, I wouldn't expect that to change at all."

Asomugha spent an inordinate amount of time thanking the Raiders, managing general partner Al Davis, the fans and the community.

He intends to keep giving back to the Bay Area through the Asomugha Foundation (Buildingtoday.org) as well as other endeavors, even though he will play his home games more than 2,500 miles away for the foreseeable future.

"The Bay Area was so good to me," Asomugha said. "Not just Oakland, but also Berkeley and San Francisco and all the surrounding areas. I'll continue to give back. That will never stop and that won't change."

Asomugha struggled early on in his Raiders career, in part because of a switch from playing mostly safety at Cal to cornerback. He said he appreciated the support from fans through his maturation into an elite player.

"The community embraced me every place that I would go throughout the Bay Area, not just Oakland," Asomugha said. "In San Francisco, wherever I was going, everybody was supportive. So, I wouldn't know how to say thanks to them because it's beyond a thank you."

Davis said in January that it might be prudent to use the money it would take to re-sign Asomugha on more than one player.

"He's a great player," Davis said of Asomugha. "He does a good job in the community. So, you always like to have that, but can that $17 million bring you two or three quality players to help you win?"

Asomugha earned $28.3 million during his final two seasons with the Raiders. His option year for $17 million in 2011 voided because of his failure to reach a handful of clauses in his contract.

Asomugha said he understands Davis' thinking and doesn't fault him for making a tough call on how to spend his money.

"If you feel like you can get more for that amount, then you're welcome to," Asomugha said. "I understand that part of the business 100 percent."

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I still got nothin but love for Nnamdi (no marty) he's always been a solid player on the field and a solid person off the field and in the community. it seems like the Raiders didn't even bother trying to go after him at all, so he was forced to go elsewhere.. even if he didn't wanna stay a Raider, I still wouldn't be mad at him. free agents have every right to go wherever they want. let's face it, as much as we saw the team improve last season, he has a better chance of getting a ring in Philly. he's a great player, and he deserves one, even if it's not with the silver and black

just my $0.02

 

[corinthian]

article on how the raiders came to hold training camp at the napa marriot:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/raiders/2011-08-07-napa-training-camp_n.htm

The team says that due to limited space for bleachers, as well as parking, fan access to camp is accommodated by invitations to youth groups, military groups, sponsors, suite holders and others. "It is open to the many, many groups we invite. We simply can't fling the gates wide open, due to space and logistics," says Mike Taylor, public relations director.

 

[MaC A$$ ViC]

true that. he's a good guy all around on and off the field, very humble and genuine person from what it seems, i'm just mad we lost nnamdi. With the improvements in routts game and nnamdi on the other side, on top of our d-line beastin, it could of been a deadly defense. but oh well we move on.

 

[5-Dime NwK]

i hope he gets burned on every down

That.

 

[MaC A$$ ViC]

What would you guys think about moving DHB to corner? his major problems is he cant catch the ball for shit, so why not move him to a position where his catching skills aren't going to be his main focus. He is 6'2 210 LB, the same measurements as nnamdi. he is fast as hell, so why not give it a shot before writing the kid off. Because if schilens stays healthy, and moore continues to tear shit up, i dont see a spot for DHB as a receiver. Schilens, moore, murphy, ford, we just singed a bunch of other receivers, including derek hagan, so why not try him out at a spot where we arent to sure of. my bad if this has been brought up before which im sure it has lol

 

[IronLungs420]

PGutierrezCSN Paul Gutierrez
Something's up w/him. Strange vibe @RickDaRaiderFan IF Ford and the new kid continue to shine, what are the chances of DHB getting cut?

PGutierrezCSN Paul Gutierrez
DHB is suiting up, but not participating in live drills for #Raiders. Opened camp with "mystery" injury he called a "toothache."


Jerrymcd Jerry McDonald
BLTN Raiders practice notes: Either sad news or good news: DMoore has made more plays in a week than DHB in 3 yrs in training camp.

Jerrymcd Jerry McDonald
BLTN Raiders practice notes: DHB still suiting up, going through a few drills, then watching all team sessions. Can't develop this way.


Jerrymcd Jerry McDonald
BLTN Raiders practice notes: Yes, Raiders don't want to divulge injuries. But in DHB's situation, you wonder why no timetable.




Whats going on with DHB? Is he refusing to restructure his contract? Is he going to be traded?

 

[MaC A$$ ViC]

^ thats what got me thinking either they are going to cut or trade him, or change his position. or at least i hope that happens lol he is a bust. we could of have maclin on the squad.

 

[5-Dime NwK]

He sucks. He needs to go. He has already been replaced on the roster. Making way to much money for a receiver who can't catch.

 

[Meta4iCAL]

yeah, I've thought about the raiders moving him to corner, but I'm not sure if he's ever played the position. I mean I think there's a lot more to it than just being fast. I really think DHB is only fast, and doesn't have a lot of real football skills. I would have no problem if the Raiders cut him. I knew he was a terrible pick the minute we picked him. I just hope he doesn't get a starting spot unless he truly deserves it (which he doesn't unless he steps his game up tremendously)

tony... where you at breh? lol

 

[Skizzy Ske]

We all knew DHB was ass the second he got drafted. Some were optimistic but fact is, how the fuck did u play WR for so long wit no hands.

 

[nrodgers]

im optimistic about dhb. i think he could be useful but not as a receiver maybe as a returner or as a corner. i think his time as wideout is over. and who the fuck in their right mind would trade for this kid. he needs to restructure or get cut.

 

[ALL BOUT CHICKEN]

wow, I figured you would've jumped for joy to say "Justin Smiley would rather retire than be a raiturd! bwahahahahahahahahaha"


I guess we'll just have to wait for chree to quote me and retype it

rofl...

Miller is a top 5 TE in the league and it's a loss, no question about it. But, signing Boss goes along way to negate it.

zach miller is a pretty good tight end...but lolwut @ placing him among the top 5 tight ends in the league.

jason witten, tony gonzalez, antonio gates, vernon davis, chris cooley, dallas clark, kellen winslow are all better than miller.

Kevin Boss will make us forget about Miller..

boss has more speed than miller, but miller has way more better hands than boss. be prepared for some dropped passes, here and there.

 

[corinthian]

there's no point in restructuring his contract. al paid out all of his guaranteed money last year when there was no cap. something like 21 mil.dhb isn't making shit this year. maybe he got mono or some shit that would embarrass him if they talked about it.

 

[MaC A$$ ViC]

He got da aids lol

 

[Skizzy Ske]

Why would getting mono be embarrassing?

Also great read meta. I agree wit u. As much as I hate seein him go, I wish nothin but the best for him.

 

[Chree]

zach miller is a pretty good tight end...but lolwut @ placing him among the top 5 tight ends in the league.

jason witten, tony gonzalez, antonio gates, vernon davis, chris cooley, dallas clark, kellen winslow are all better than miller.

imo the players in red arent better than miller IMO

1. Dallas Clark
2. Antonio Gates
3. Vernon Davis
4. Jason Witten
5. Chris Cooley
6. Zach Miller

gonzo is old and has lost a few steps, still servicable though. and Cooley and Miller could be interchangable. both are even imo

 

[killahoe666]

boss has more speed than miller, but miller has way more better hands than boss. be prepared for some dropped passes, here and there.

shit not like something we not used too

 

[Cut-Throat]

Mercedes Lewis is makin a case for himself to be considered top 5...