2014 Oakland Raiders Regular Season Thread (1 Viewer)

[RaiderBones]

With Jones signing a 3 year deal and both Streater and Moore's contracts are up does that mean they are going to let at least one of them walk?

I wouldn't be surprised if Reggie tries to trade Denarius Moore and get a draft pick for him. Maybe a 3rd or 4th round pick for him.

 

[Chaka]

So who is left that might be interesting as a FA acquisition?

Jared Allen, Henry Melton, Antonio Cromartie, Shaun Philips, Anthony Spencer, Pat Sims & Corey Wooton are all out there and all of them could help grow a young team (I doubt Allen would come but the others might).

Not much on offense. Davin Joseph, Brian De La Puente & Travelle Wharton are pretty much the only line help of note. Knowshon, Finley, Blount & MJD are really the only skill position guys and I wouldn't touch Finley with Al Davis's money. I kind of like Blount personally but Knowshon makes more sense as he is a better blocker and pass catcher.

Vick and Freeman are the only FA QBs right now, until Sanchez/Schaub get released.

I forgot that Josh Freeman is out there, he's another swing for the fences kind of guy but it is kind of remarkable (and notable) that he hasn't drawn even a shred of interest. He's only 26, has a lot of starting experience, flashed a lot of talent but I haven't heard even a rumor about a team bringing him in. Can he really be that uncoachable?

 

[Chaka]

With Jones signing a 3 year deal and both Streater and Moore's contracts are up does that mean they are going to let at least one of them walk?

I wouldn't be surprised if Reggie tries to trade Denarius Moore and get a draft pick for him. Maybe a 3rd or 4th round pick for him.

I am not sure I like that idea. Moore is still a young and interesting talent.

 

[RaiderBones]

With Jones signing a 3 year deal and both Streater and Moore's contracts are up does that mean they are going to let at least one of them walk?

I wouldn't be surprised if Reggie tries to trade Denarius Moore and get a draft pick for him. Maybe a 3rd or 4th round pick for him.

I am not sure I like that idea. Moore is still a young and interesting talent.

I could be wrong but for some reason I don't see him being a Reggie guy and Reggie hasn't been shy about getting rid of Al Davis players. His contract is up soon and if Reggie doesn't plan on keeping him it makes sense to get a draft pick now while he can.

 

[Hankmoody]

I think Freeman is the shot to take. The guy has all the physical tools and totally looked the part a couple of years ago. I am a full believer in him. I'd like Jones a lot more with Freeman than a rookie too. I think it's smart to accept you have to get some progress and start winning some games before you're going to get the younger sexier guys to take a serious look, so you may as well get the Justin Tucks and the James Joneses to get you going down that path.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

A little birdie told me that Schaub is as good as a Raider. They were VERY interested in Sanchez a few weeks ago, but lost interest when the Jets didn't release him. I am led to believe that Oakland won't pursue Sanchez unless they lose out on Schaub, and Oakland very much wants Schaub. That's why you're hearing the trade talk now, Oakland doesn't want to chance him going somewhere else if he gets released. I'm hearing Schaub will be a Raider by this time tomorrow. Then, they take Watkins at 5, unless they trade down. But if they get Schaub, I'm told Watkins is their guy. For what it's worth, I'm also told Oakland really, really wanted Petigrew. That would have given them a sort of security blanket for Schaub while Watkins got his sea legs. Just what I'm hearing from a normally very reliable source within the organization.

Looks like you need to find a new birdie.

 

[ICON211]

With Jones signing a 3 year deal and both Streater and Moore's contracts are up does that mean they are going to let at least one of them walk?

I wouldn't be surprised if Reggie tries to trade Denarius Moore and get a draft pick for him. Maybe a 3rd or 4th round pick for him.

I could be wrong, but I do not think they could even get a 4th for him. He definitely has flashed some talent, but been very inconsistent. Seems like the type of guy to me that they would be better off holding onto and hoping he puts its together.

 

[joey]

I'd be reasonably happy with:

Freeman QB, James Jones WR and then one of the top 2 OT's at our #5 pick

than either

rookie QB, James Jones and our current o-line

or

Schaub/Sanchez, Watkins and our current o-line.

Guess I'm saying I'd like us to draft one of the top 2 tackles.

 

[massraider]

I get that this is ##### on everything the Raiders do right now, and every move must be instantly described as a mistake, and every player they sign has this or that problem. I understand that. They haven't proven to deserve any benefit of any doubts.

But the 3rd tier free agent the Raiders just signed for 3 years and 11.3 mill, James Jones? Finding a problem with this one might be a symptom you aren't going to like anything they do. Which is fine, but say it. Admit that you don't want them to sign ANYONE, because no one left is a 26-year-old core future starter, so signing vets that have something to prove for short money is really dumb.

We just replaced Jacoby Ford with the guy that is 9th in TDs in the NFL over the last three years. For 1/3 the price of Eric Decker. Would you rather have Jacoby Ford, or James Jones? And James Jones isn't keeping the Raiders from some other, better WR. They Raiders won't NOT draft Watkins because they have James Jones. There's no other, better, free agent WR that we should have singed with Jones' money. And frankly, Panther fans should be pissed that their team didn't sign him.

Article from ESPN NFC North blogger:

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- James Jones may have been one of the most underappreciated Green Bay Packers of the last seven years.

Almost always overshadowed by Donald Driver and Greg Jennings early in his career andRandall Cobb and Jordy Nelson late in his career, all Jones did was produce consistent results. Although he never recorded a 1,000-yard season, his career averages were solid.

Over his seven-year career -- all with the Packers until Monday, when Jones signed a three-year free-agent contract with the Oakland Raiders -- Jones averaged 44 catches, 615 yards and five touchdowns per season. His first foray into free agency came at an unfortunate time, following the NFL lockout of 2011 and coming of a stretch in which he dropped 18 passes (according to ProFootballFocus.com) over a two-year period.

A soft market then allowed the Packers to retain him at a relatively low cost of $9.6 million over three seasons.

In those three seasons, Jones ranked tied for ninth among all NFL receivers with 24 touchdowns, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In that same stretch, he ranked 32ndamong all receivers in receptions (161) and 31st in yards (2,236).

That kind of production isn't easily replaced by a No. 3 receiver.

Jones, a third-round pick in 2007, showed himself to be a dependable receiver who often played through injuries. He missed six games in 2008 and two games last season because of knee injuries, but in his other five seasons he appeared in every game.

The Packers like what they have in third-year pro Jarrett Boykin, who emerged early last season after injuries to Cobb and Jones. In the final 12 weeks of the season, Boykin caught 46 passes (which ranked tied for 26th among receivers during that stretch) for 681 yards and three touchdowns.

They also have another young receiver, Myles White, who got his first taste of game action last season plus Chris Harper (a waiver claim last season) and Kevin Dorsey (a seventh-round pick last year).

With Cobb and Nelson likely to receive sizeable contract extensions before they hit free agency next offseason, the Packers decided not to spend the money to bring back Jones.

Whenever a free agent is available, smart people ask, 'why was this player available?' The implication being that if a players team didn't want him, there must be a reason. Jones' reason was same as Decker. Their flaw was being not good enough as Cobb, Nelson, DeMaryius and Julius Thomas. Doesn't mean they aren't pretty good in their own right. Three wides with Streater/Moore/Jones is a lot better than Streater/Moore/Ford. It just is.

The team just got better with a low cost signing.

If this was a baseball game, Reggie McKenzie just slapped a single to left field. It's OK to have those, you know?

 

[massraider]

Uh, OH!! More bad news. Raider signed another vet for an affordable deal:

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 4m
Raiders signed OL Kevin Boothe to a 2-year deal.

 

[joey]

Uh, OH!! More bad news. Raider signed another vet for an affordable deal:

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 4m
Raiders signed OL Kevin Boothe to a 2-year deal.

also from an article, it said this:

"Also, the Raiders have targeted Donald Penn and hope that he will sign with the team and play left tackle. He visited the team facility on Friday and left without signing a contract. According to NFL.com, he visited the Washington Rediskins facility on Monday. They are a major player for his services."

http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/og-kevin-boothe-visits-raiders?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

If they do that, then maybe it is a QB or WR at the 5 slot.

(still bring in Freeman, imho)

ETA: it is exciting to see that, this off-season, we actually have OPTIONS in who we sign and draft. Having room under the cap certainly helps for a change

 

[massraider]

Uh, OH!! More bad news. Raider signed another vet for an affordable deal:

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 4m
Raiders signed OL Kevin Boothe to a 2-year deal.

also from an article, it said this:

"Also, the Raiders have targeted Donald Penn and hope that he will sign with the team and play left tackle. He visited the team facility on Friday and left without signing a contract. According to NFL.com, he visited the Washington Rediskins facility on Monday. They are a major player for his services."

http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/og-kevin-boothe-visits-raiders?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

If they do that, then maybe it is a QB or WR at the 5 slot.

(still bring in Freeman, imho)

I don't think Donald Penn (or Jones or Tuck). will affect the draft pick. At least, I hope not.

Penn won't prevent them from taking Robinson or Matthews any more than Tuck will prevent them from taking Clowney.

Really hoping that any Shaub deal is for nothing more than a 5th. And includes a paycut. Otherwise, give me Vick.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

I get that this is ##### on everything the Raiders do right now, and every move must be instantly described as a mistake, and every player they sign has this or that problem. I understand that. They haven't proven to deserve any benefit of any doubts.

But the 3rd tier free agent the Raiders just signed for 3 years and 11.3 mill, James Jones? Finding a problem with this one might be a symptom you aren't going to like anything they do. Which is fine, but say it. Admit that you don't want them to sign ANYONE, because no one left is a 26-year-old core future starter, so signing vets that have something to prove for short money is really dumb.

We just replaced Jacoby Ford with the guy that is 9th in TDs in the NFL over the last three years. For 1/3 the price of Eric Decker. Would you rather have Jacoby Ford, or James Jones? And James Jones isn't keeping the Raiders from some other, better WR. They Raiders won't NOT draft Watkins because they have James Jones. There's no other, better, free agent WR that we should have singed with Jones' money. And frankly, Panther fans should be pissed that their team didn't sign him.

Article from ESPN NFC North blogger:

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- James Jones may have been one of the most underappreciated Green Bay Packers of the last seven years. Almost always overshadowed by Donald Driver and Greg Jennings early in his career andRandall Cobb and Jordy Nelson late in his career, all Jones did was produce consistent results. Although he never recorded a 1,000-yard season, his career averages were solid.

Over his seven-year career -- all with the Packers until Monday, when Jones signed a three-year free-agent contract with the Oakland Raiders -- Jones averaged 44 catches, 615 yards and five touchdowns per season. His first foray into free agency came at an unfortunate time, following the NFL lockout of 2011 and coming of a stretch in which he dropped 18 passes (according to ProFootballFocus.com) over a two-year period.

A soft market then allowed the Packers to retain him at a relatively low cost of $9.6 million over three seasons.

In those three seasons, Jones ranked tied for ninth among all NFL receivers with 24 touchdowns, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In that same stretch, he ranked 32ndamong all receivers in receptions (161) and 31st in yards (2,236).

That kind of production isn't easily replaced by a No. 3 receiver.

Jones, a third-round pick in 2007, showed himself to be a dependable receiver who often played through injuries. He missed six games in 2008 and two games last season because of knee injuries, but in his other five seasons he appeared in every game.

The Packers like what they have in third-year pro Jarrett Boykin, who emerged early last season after injuries to Cobb and Jones. In the final 12 weeks of the season, Boykin caught 46 passes (which ranked tied for 26th among receivers during that stretch) for 681 yards and three touchdowns.

They also have another young receiver, Myles White, who got his first taste of game action last season plus Chris Harper (a waiver claim last season) and Kevin Dorsey (a seventh-round pick last year).

With Cobb and Nelson likely to receive sizeable contract extensions before they hit free agency next offseason, the Packers decided not to spend the money to bring back Jones.

Whenever a free agent is available, smart people ask, 'why was this player available?' The implication being that if a players team didn't want him, there must be a reason. Jones' reason was same as Decker. Their flaw was being not good enough as Cobb, Nelson, DeMaryius and Julius Thomas. Doesn't mean they aren't pretty good in their own right. Three wides with Streater/Moore/Jones is a lot better than Streater/Moore/Ford. It just is.

The team just got better with a low cost signing.

If this was a baseball game, Reggie McKenzie just slapped a single to left field. It's OK to have those, you know?

well said

 

[massraider]

Retweeted by Jerry McDonald
Pastor Napoleon ‏@napoleonkaufman 13m
Reggie's making some nice solid moves. Don't jerk the ship, slowly turn the ship. We want sustained success!! #RaiderNationAllDay #GoRaiders

Napoleon Kaufman=Awesome

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Retweeted by Jerry McDonald
Pastor Napoleon ‏@napoleonkaufman 13m
Reggie's making some nice solid moves. Don't jerk the ship, slowly turn the ship. We want sustained success!! #RaiderNationAllDay #GoRaiders

Napoleon Kaufman=Awesome

whens the last time the raiders were this active during FA ?

 

[ICON211]

But the 3rd tier free agent the Raiders just signed for 3 years and 11.3 mill, James Jones? Finding a problem with this one might be a symptom you aren't going to like anything they do. Which is fine, but say it. Admit that you don't want them to sign ANYONE, because no one left is a 26-year-old core future starter, so signing vets that have something to prove for short money is really dumb.

If this was a baseball game, Reggie McKenzie just slapped a single to left field. It's OK to have those, you know?

I like the James Jones signing. I think the frustration is that they have not retained or signed ANY players that fit the young core future starter description while having the most cap room in the league. It's ok to slap a single to left if you can hit a home run from time to time too.

 

[massraider]

But the 3rd tier free agent the Raiders just signed for 3 years and 11.3 mill, James Jones? Finding a problem with this one might be a symptom you aren't going to like anything they do. Which is fine, but say it. Admit that you don't want them to sign ANYONE, because no one left is a 26-year-old core future starter, so signing vets that have something to prove for short money is really dumb.

If this was a baseball game, Reggie McKenzie just slapped a single to left field. It's OK to have those, you know?

I like the James Jones signing. I think the frustration is that they have not retained or signed ANY players that fit the young core future starter description while having the most cap room in the league. It's ok to slap a single to left if you can hit a home run from time to time too.

Those players don't hit free agency for the most part. The ones that do, and get big deals (like Mike Wallace) don't have a great payoff.

I actually predicted this, in this thread, before free agency. I thought what made the most sense was doing what we did: Getting 7 players for the price of 3.

 

[ICON211]

But the 3rd tier free agent the Raiders just signed for 3 years and 11.3 mill, James Jones? Finding a problem with this one might be a symptom you aren't going to like anything they do. Which is fine, but say it. Admit that you don't want them to sign ANYONE, because no one left is a 26-year-old core future starter, so signing vets that have something to prove for short money is really dumb.

If this was a baseball game, Reggie McKenzie just slapped a single to left field. It's OK to have those, you know?

I like the James Jones signing. I think the frustration is that they have not retained or signed ANY players that fit the young core future starter description while having the most cap room in the league. It's ok to slap a single to left if you can hit a home run from time to time too.

Those players don't hit free agency for the most part. The ones that do, and get big deals (like Mike Wallace) don't have a great payoff.

I actually predicted this, in this thread, before free agency. I thought what made the most sense was doing what we did: Getting 7 players for the price of 3.

For the most part I agree. That's why I also said retained. I would have been fine with any of these signings if they did not lose Veldheer and Houston.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Those players don't hit free agency for the most part unless they are already core young players like Veldheer and Houston.

Corrected

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

I take issue with Schaub being a bonofide starter. He was terrible last year as a starter. and that was with better surrounding talent. Besides his lack of mobility will not do him any favors if he is under center for us.

All the potential QBs linked to the Raiders have blemishes. Sanchez is the only one that still has youth on his side.

Oakland has a history of QB reclamations with Plunkett and Gannon. Sanchez has the best chance to be the next success story.

Respectfully disagree. One down year does not equal "not a bonafide starter."

Agree that Schaub looked terrible last year, no question he's older. He was responsible for Houston's winless record (even though that better supporting talent around him could have stepped up more as well, mind you). Even looking as bad as he did, he was not replaced until he got injured. Sanchez couldn't win a consistent starting job against Tebow, or a rookie who ever played an NFL down before last year. So to me, that makes Schaub much more of an NFL starting caliber QB.

But there is no question in my mind that when stacked against Sanchez, Schaub is the better QB with a higher and more consistent pedigree, and the better potential to help lead this Raider team now.

Let's not forget we are really looking for a bridge QB if the aim is to get Bridgewater in the draft. A veteran who has a history of winning, leading, and consistent success in the league. To me, Schaub fits that mold much more cleanly than Sanchez, who if anything has proved that his rookie season was a flash in the pan rather than the norm we could get him back to as a Raider.

Time will tell what the Raiders do here, even in terms of targeting a QB (or not) for the draft. But still think Schaub gives us a much better shot o help this year than Sanchez, even if we do have to overpay for him.

 

[Bruno2]

But the 3rd tier free agent the Raiders just signed for 3 years and 11.3 mill, James Jones? Finding a problem with this one might be a symptom you aren't going to like anything they do. Which is fine, but say it. Admit that you don't want them to sign ANYONE, because no one left is a 26-year-old core future starter, so signing vets that have something to prove for short money is really dumb.

If this was a baseball game, Reggie McKenzie just slapped a single to left field. It's OK to have those, you know?

I like the James Jones signing. I think the frustration is that they have not retained or signed ANY players that fit the young core future starter description while having the most cap room in the league. It's ok to slap a single to left if you can hit a home run from time to time too.

Those players don't hit free agency for the most part. The ones that do, and get big deals (like Mike Wallace) don't have a great payoff.

I actually predicted this, in this thread, before free agency. I thought what made the most sense was doing what we did: Getting 7 players for the price of 3.

For the most part I agree. That's why I also said retained. I would have been fine with any of these signings if they did not lose Veldheer and Houston.

I'm also disappointed they didn't retain Veldheer and Houston, but we don't know what goes on behind closed doors Maybe they didn't want to be in Oakland anymore. If they don't want to be part of the rebuilding process, then why keep them around? They can say all the right things publicly but maybe the truth is they wanted to head off to greener pastures (can anyone blame them?), so Reggie let them walk in exchange for players who WANT to be in Oakland.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Does Oakland really want a QB who crumbles under pressure during his pro day?

Honestly, I'm more interested in the tape. A lot of guys have the jitters on pro day. Drew Brees for example. I do not want to pick the guy with best combine numbers or pro day wow throws. That's what led us to drafting guys like DHB. Let's go back to the tape, that's the decider in my book. And taking the dissappointing pro day, where he himself said he did ok but could have done better and calling it a performance where he "crumbled" is just a little bit of hyperbole, don't you think? Look at the game film, not just Teddy but all of the them, Manziel, Bortles, Carr, Murray, Garrapolo, Fales....then make your own call.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I take issue with Schaub being a bonofide starter. He was terrible last year as a starter. and that was with better surrounding talent. Besides his lack of mobility will not do him any favors if he is under center for us.

All the potential QBs linked to the Raiders have blemishes. Sanchez is the only one that still has youth on his side.

Oakland has a history of QB reclamations with Plunkett and Gannon. Sanchez has the best chance to be the next success story.

Respectfully disagree. One down year does not equal "not a bonafide starter."

Agree that Schaub looked terrible last year, no question he's older. He was responsible for Houston's winless record (even though that better supporting talent around him could have stepped up more as well, mind you). Even looking as bad as he did, he was not replaced until he got injured. Sanchez couldn't win a consistent starting job against Tebow, or a rookie who ever played an NFL down before last year. So to me, that makes Schaub much more of an NFL starting caliber QB.

But there is no question in my mind that when stacked against Sanchez, Schaub is the better QB with a higher and more consistent pedigree, and the better potential to help lead this Raider team now.

Let's not forget we are really looking for a bridge QB if the aim is to get Bridgewater in the draft. A veteran who has a history of winning, leading, and consistent success in the league. To me, Schaub fits that mold much more cleanly than Sanchez, who if anything has proved that his rookie season was a flash in the pan rather than the norm we could get him back to as a Raider.

Time will tell what the Raiders do here, even in terms of targeting a QB (or not) for the draft. But still think Schaub gives us a much better shot o help this year than Sanchez, even if we do have to overpay for him.

Completely agree with you that Sanchez is not a bridge QB for any team. He's young enough that he will be quickly disillusioned to be told he's competing for a backup spot and mentor. I don't think he's going to settle for that, at least not happily. I think Schaub will settle for that role if the money's right. But I still think his price tag is too high. I think Reggie should wait patiently for Houston to cut him and throw Schaub a nice standing offer before he goes to visit Cleveland, who some are saying he's considering. If that doesn't pan out, then go to plan B which is McGloin.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

@SI_PeterKing: RT @JohnMiddlekauff: WR James Jones is Reggie McKenzie's best FA signing this year IMO #Raiders ... Without question

I agree here with Peter King. Reggie had a strong connection with James Jones from back in his Green Bay days. Jones is another "good egg" who likes to spend time in the offseason working in soup kitchens for the homeless in San Jose and Green Bay. And he lives in San Jose, so Oakland is a move back home for him. I bet the rest of the league is like, "why Oakand? they don't have a QB!" It just goes to show you that player/agent/GM connections carry more weight than the almighty dollar. Jones signed for value to come to Oakland, and so far is the only player showed they really wanted to be a Raider and not just for the money. He's 30 years old, has tremendous ball skills, wicked competitive streak winning the jump balls. And he can take a short pass in the flat and find another 5 or 6 yards in the blink of an eye, and is tough to bring down. He's a great mentor for our 25 year old and under WR corp, and will quickly be captain of the unit I predict. Awesome deal, and so much more than a single to left field. I'd call it more like a double that could stretch itself to a triple. Well done Reggie!

 

[One]

Uh, OH!! More bad news. Raider signed another vet for an affordable deal:

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 4m

Raiders signed OL Kevin Boothe to a 2-year deal.

My favorite part is how each signing has been someone of high character. Most have a Super Bowl ring as well.

 

[Sarlakticacid]

This is off the top of my head with little to no knowledge of the QBs in next years draft but if we take Shaub at some point could you see the possibility that none of the highly touted QBs in the draft are tickling the fancy of the raiders HQ?

With Davis `stating` that this is the year things must improve and Reggie set in his ways how much discussion is there about this years QBs VS next years?

Along those lines how many wins this year, suppose ye all, will keep the current front office intact? taking into consideration our shcedule this year

 

[massraider]

This is off the top of my head with little to no knowledge of the QBs in next years draft but if we take Shaub at some point could you see the possibility that none of the highly touted QBs in the draft are tickling the fancy of the raiders HQ?

With Davis `stating` that this is the year things must improve and Reggie set in his ways how much discussion is there about this years QBs VS next years?

Along those lines how many wins this year, suppose ye all, will keep the current front office intact? taking into consideration our shcedule this year

I think the Raiders not loving any of the QBs is a very real possibility. What made me think that was the Schaub trade talk. If they trade for him before the draft, I think that'll really say a lot.

Lots of possibilities, tho. The Raiders could just like one QB, and are preparing for the fact that he may be gone. And really, if they like one of the guys, it stands to reason that they don't want the other QBs.

Also possible Schaub talk is smokescreen, and maybe Raiders are playing possum on the QB.

As far as saving their jobs, I think 7-9 is probably the floor to keep the coaches. Maybe 6-10 if the team shows well, and some recent draft picks are killing it.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Why no mention of M.Vick in all of these QB discussions? Is it nobody thinks he`s worth picking up or that there is no chance the Raiders would sign him? I find him slightly intriguing as a stopgap.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Why no mention of M.Vick in all of these QB discussions? Is it nobody thinks he`s worth picking up or that there is no chance the Raiders would sign him? I find him slightly intriguing as a stopgap.

I think he would really like to play for Oakland. Problem with Vick is his injury history is catching up with him. He can't get through a season without getting hurt. We can't rely on him for any more than a couple or three games. Even as a stopgap, we need someone more durable than that.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Not sure what to make of the Kevin Boothe signing. I remember him as a rookie that Tom Cable cut a year after drafting him in the ZBS system. I understand he spent his time in New York in the power blocking system. Can play either guard or center position. Versatility seems to be his forte. He had a good 2012 season and graded out as a +9 grade according to PFF, but had a -11 grade last year, and was especially bad in run blocking. I don't know if Boothe will have a starting role but he could be a good stopgap and should be reliable depth and upgrade over Nix and/or Barnes in the swing guard spots. I just think Reggie may have overpaid him a little for what he brings to the table at this point in his career. 2 years @ 3.4 mill is nice money for a guy that probably is going to be line depth and should be paid closer to league min. I wonder if the fact he can man the center spot was a deciding factor.

 

[Chaka]

I take issue with Schaub being a bonofide starter. He was terrible last year as a starter. and that was with better surrounding talent. Besides his lack of mobility will not do him any favors if he is under center for us.

All the potential QBs linked to the Raiders have blemishes. Sanchez is the only one that still has youth on his side.

Oakland has a history of QB reclamations with Plunkett and Gannon. Sanchez has the best chance to be the next success story.

Respectfully disagree. One down year does not equal "not a bonafide starter."

Agree that Schaub looked terrible last year, no question he's older. He was responsible for Houston's winless record (even though that better supporting talent around him could have stepped up more as well, mind you). Even looking as bad as he did, he was not replaced until he got injured. Sanchez couldn't win a consistent starting job against Tebow, or a rookie who ever played an NFL down before last year. So to me, that makes Schaub much more of an NFL starting caliber QB.

But there is no question in my mind that when stacked against Sanchez, Schaub is the better QB with a higher and more consistent pedigree, and the better potential to help lead this Raider team now.

Let's not forget we are really looking for a bridge QB if the aim is to get Bridgewater in the draft. A veteran who has a history of winning, leading, and consistent success in the league. To me, Schaub fits that mold much more cleanly than Sanchez, who if anything has proved that his rookie season was a flash in the pan rather than the norm we could get him back to as a Raider.

Time will tell what the Raiders do here, even in terms of targeting a QB (or not) for the draft. But still think Schaub gives us a much better shot o help this year than Sanchez, even if we do have to overpay for him.

Schaub is on the decline and has been injury prone his entire career. He has to be considered a much bigger risk to miss time than either Sanchez or Freeman. We have seen the best he has to offer, his career is certainly not on the upswing. Why would the Raiders want him? So they could win maybe 7 games instead of 5?

I agree that he has been better than both Sanchez and Freeman to this point in their careers but who cares? You don't pay a guy for what they have done, you pay them for what they can do for you now and Schaub, well what can he do that the Raiders don't already know?

I don't think either Sanchez or Freeman is the long term answer but at least they have a chance to be. Schaub is a stop-gap at best.

BTW saying that Sanchez couldn't beat out Tebow and Geno is flat out wrong. Tebow barely saw the field (he threw 8 passes in 2012) and Smith started because Sanchez was knocked out for the year in preseason.

 

[Chaka]

Do teams really let highly drafted rookie QBs sit for a year anymore? I know it happened a lot more back in the day but that was before the year round training that happens today. With all the OTAs and minicamps rookies seem to get up to speed much quicker. Not sure how Schaub (or Sanchez or Freeman) helps when it seems like the better path nowadays to put your top 5 rookie under center right away and see what you have.

At least with Sanchez of Freeman if they do play, and play reasonably well, you might be able to finagle a draft pick for them in 2015.

 

[One]

@Jerrymcd McKenzie structuring deals polar opposite of way Raiders did it in Al Davis/Bruce Allen years. Can get out of deals w/out big acceleration.

@Jerrymcd Adding Tuck, Woodley, OverTheCap has Raiders at slightly less than $35 mil under cap. Does not include Jones, Boothe.

 

[DocHolliday]

The Jones signing was so important. No matter who the QB ends up being in Oakland for 2014, you had to find a consistent WR. Jones is not a true #1 WR but the WR core just got a whole lot better.

Boothe was a solid signing even if Reggie paid a little too much. You have to have an Oline. Period. Boothe can start at G and then be depth at G and C.

The QB position is the problem still. Drafting QBs is such a guessing game. Maybe drafting a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round is the smart move.

I am not a fan of Schaub, Freeman or Vick. If I had to choose any of them, it would be Schaub since he had a string of decent seasons. Vick is too likely to be injured after 1 game. Why bother?

Reggie has done a very good job in FA so far. This team had so many holes to fill. He needs to find 10 starters. That is not easy even with all the cap space. There are many other teams with plenty of cap space and needs as well. Things are looking up for us long-time Raider fans.

 

[massraider]

Boothe was 2 years, 3.4 mill. If he was overpaid, it was by about 2-3 hundred grand. Umm.,.....OK?

Contracts for Tuck, Woodley, Smith:

http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Antonio%20Smith&Position=DT&Team=Raiders

http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Lamarr%20Woodley&Position=43DE&Team=Raiders

http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Justin%20Tuck&Position=43DE&Team=Raiders

Look at Dead Money for 2015. All three have the same amount: "0"

Really nice work by the front office there.

 

[ICON211]

It's a Reggie love fest in here.

Can someone give me a list of the good young, talented core players this team is building around?

Should not take very long.

 

[Chaka]

Uh, OH!! More bad news. Raider signed another vet for an affordable deal:

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 4m

Raiders signed OL Kevin Boothe to a 2-year deal.

My favorite part is how each signing has been someone of high character. Most have a Super Bowl ring as well.

That is a very good point. Lots of winners in this group of FAs. Really seems as if the focus is on a culture shift as much as anything else.

 

[massraider]

Updated cap room (this may not be 100% accurate):

Christopher Hansen ‏@ChrisHansenNFL 27s
Per the @NFLPA, #Browns have $33.7M, #Raiders have $32.3M, Jets $27.9M, Bengals $26.6M, Jags $25.2M.

Browns will see 10 mill of that disappear if/when Mack signs his transition contract.

Interesting that Bengals could have easily handled Johnson's contract, and chose not to.

 

[Chaka]

Why no mention of M.Vick in all of these QB discussions? Is it nobody thinks he`s worth picking up or that there is no chance the Raiders would sign him? I find him slightly intriguing as a stopgap.

I think he would really like to play for Oakland. Problem with Vick is his injury history is catching up with him. He can't get through a season without getting hurt. We can't rely on him for any more than a couple or three games. Even as a stopgap, we need someone more durable than that.

Judging by the type of player they have acquired so far I think it's possible that Vick just doesn't fit the character mold they are looking for.

Character is probably the reason why they are looking at Schaub first when there are options with more upside.

 

[mr roboto]

Is there any long term potential in McGloin?

 

[massraider]

Regarding Josh Freeman:

http://tbo.com/sports/bucs/bucs-beat-freeman-to-blame-for-ugly-saga-20131005/

TAMPA — It all makes sense now. His benching, his banishment to that dreaded “inactive suite,’’ even his release last Thursday after five mostly encouraging years as the face of the franchise.

In each sordid episode of what will forever be known around these parts as The Josh Freeman Saga, the Buccaneers were left with no choice but to act and act harshly.

A young, talent-laden quarterback with a penchant for inconsistency on the field that they’d learned to live with had inexplicably developed a penchant for inconsistency off the field, and that was something the Bucs could not live with.

Start with the missed team photo shoot a week before the season opener. The quarterback is always front and center in those photos, and there’s a reason for that. The quarterback is the centerpiece of the franchise.

Yet, this centerpiece couldn’t get there. OK, maybe it wasn’t that big a deal. The power had gone out at his house the night before, Freeman said, his alarm clock was flashing 12:00 and he overslept. It happens. To everybody.

Even Bucs coach Greg Schiano saw it that way. So, Schiano agreed not to fine Freeman for his mistake. Just don’t let it happen again, Schiano said. But less than a week later, it did happen again. And again.

On opening day — opening day — Freeman missed the team breakfast. Then he showed up late for the team bus to the stadium. Strike one and strike two. But even then, Schiano showed leniency.

According to rules laid out in the collective bargaining agreement, the team could have fined Freeman $12,360 for those offenses. Instead, Schiano fined him $4,000 and issued a familiar warning: Don’t let it happen again.

Only a day after Schiano announced that he could no longer live with Freeman’s inconsistencies on the field and was dropping him to second on the depth chart, Freeman missed two team meetings.

You just can’t have that from your quarterback. Not even from your backup quarterback. So, off to the “inactive suite’’ he went. After that, it was only a matter of time before he’d be banished from the roster as well.

From the Bucs’ perspective, their quarterback had gone rogue. Perhaps it was in an effort to earn a release instead of a trade, but he’d gone rogue.

And you just can’t have that. As much as the Bucs tried to deny it, the mess had become a distraction. It was literally keeping Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik from doing their jobs.

From Monday to Thursday of last week, Schiano and Dominik spent hours each night trying to decide what message, if any, to release to the public regarding the latest Freeman behavioral report.

Those were hours that were supposed to be devoted to self-scouting a team that at 0-4 is badly in need of self-scouting. You just can’t have that, they finally decided, not with anyone, but especially not with your quarterback.

It’s a sad tale, this Freeman saga. It might be the saddest and ugliest in the history of a franchise with a long history of sad and ugly sagas. The saddest part is that it all could have been avoided.

Clearly, the Buccaneers tried to avoid it. They gave Freeman a pass after he missed the team photo shoot and cut his fines for the opening-day offenses to a third of what they could have been.

And for three games they stuck with him despite a level of play that had him ranked 33rd in a 32-team league in passer rating and produced a league-low three offensive touchdowns.

Given all that, it’s hard to imagine any other coach or team handling this situation any differently. Yet, many still see Freeman as a victim that Schiano was out to get and believe that somehow it was the Bucs that did all this to him.

Based on all the evidence, however, it seems Freeman did all this to himself.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Interesting that Bengals could have easily handled Johnson's contract, and chose not to.

I noticed that too. I think Tampa may be in a bind gambling on Johnson's 2012 production, ignoring the red flags of last year's production. Like you said earlier, if a team really wants a player, they don't let him go. They can always move money around, always there's a path to restructure, and it's not some accident that certain players are allowed to walk. No such thing as a "cap casualty". If the team really wants a player, any team can have him. It speaks volumes about Veldheer and Houston, who if we are being honest, Reggie just didn't want for whatever personal reasons he's kept to himself. I just wish he hadn't gone on record to the fanbase claiming they were priority signings, when he knew at the time they weren't.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Hard to read what direction the Raiders will take in the draft based on these signings. It seems like they are making a concerted effort to upgrade the OLine, despite losing Veldheer. Maybe beefing up the blocking is an indication that they are targeting a QB early in the draft? One thing to consider is that Reggie and DA are on notice, so taking a QB might early might not be in the Raider's best because a change in staffs could stunt his development.

They have also, at least on paper, improved the pass rush on defense, so maybe an edge rusher early isn't a target. They are still very thin at DT, so maybe they are targeting a DT early (Aaron Donald?).

Signings I would love to see happen before the draft:

Jared Allen: Healthy, consistent double digit sack numbers, high mortar, high character. Comes at a high price but I expect to see that figure drop soon. Playmaker!

Antonio Cromartie: Solidifies CB position and allows for Hayden to develop. Would settle for Jenkins at a discount price.

Melton or Simms: Build depth at a position that needs depth.

Knowshon Moreno: Physical runner that has matured in past couple of years. Still has lots of tread on the tires and keeps him away from a rival.

Donald Penn: Seems like his career is in decline but gives us some options at LT.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Hard to read what direction the Raiders will take in the draft based on these signings. It seems like they are making a concerted effort to upgrade the OLine, despite losing Veldheer. Maybe beefing up the blocking is an indication that they are targeting a QB early in the draft? One thing to consider is that Reggie and DA are on notice, so taking a QB might early might not be in the Raider's best because a change in staffs could stunt his development.

They have also, at least on paper, improved the pass rush on defense, so maybe an edge rusher early isn't a target. They are still very thin at DT, so maybe they are targeting a DT early (Aaron Donald?).

Signings I would love to see happen before the draft:

Jared Allen: Healthy, consistent double digit sack numbers, high mortar, high character. Comes at a high price but I expect to see that figure drop soon. Playmaker!

Antonio Cromartie: Solidifies CB position and allows for Hayden to develop. Would settle for Jenkins at a discount price.

Melton or Simms: Build depth at a position that needs depth.

Knowshon Moreno: Physical runner that has matured in past couple of years. Still has lots of tread on the tires and keeps him away from a rival.

Donald Penn: Seems like his career is in decline but gives us some options at LT.

I would love to see us break the bank for Jared Allen on a two year deal. Would be expensive but worth it and we have the money. Cromartie is old and slow. Got burnt in deep man press coverage a lot last year, though he's still solid on short and intermediate routes. Gets burned by separation and his wheels aren't what they used to be. Melton's price tag is a little too high for the injury and character concerns are going to be something Reggie will avoid. I agree we need to go after Pat Sims and bring him back in the fold. Moreno is JAG. Offers us nothing more than DMC or Murray. Let him get overpaid elsewhere. Penn is a fat slob checkcasher. Let him go to Washington and be a Hogg. I really hope we can re-sign Jenkins, who was just OK in coverage, and would like a Carlos Rogers as well. Reality in today's NFL, you need an entire squad of quality corners. You just can't collect enough of them.

 

[massraider]

http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/raiders-chat-scott-bair-11-am-31814

Chat with CSN's Scott Bair:

Some highlights:

Thinks Manziel is not loved by the brass.

Thinks waiting till Schaub is cut is still most likely.

Said Sims was frustrating to coaches and prefers to be elsewhere.

Guesses that Teddy and Sammy are Reggie's preferred picks.

Thinks Woodson gets something done sooner or later here.

Feels like Penn will sign here.

Dennis Allen really likes Stacey McGee, expects bigger role.

 

[RaiderBones]

Christopher Hansen‏@ChrisHansenNFL1 hr

Money. I get sense #Raiders didn't care for him. Work ethic, perhaps. RT @aimonas1: @ChrisHansenNFL any reason why RM hasn't resigned Sims?

 

[RaiderBones]

Christopher Hansen‏@ChrisHansenNFL34 mins

Per @PGutierrezESPN, yes. RT @SaulRaidah37: @ChrisHansenNFL @Ruben831 brisiel contemplating retirement?



Christopher Hansen‏@ChrisHansenNFL28 mins

#Raiders save $1.38M if Brisiel retires.Take $3.9M in dead money.

 

[Faust]

Report: UCF's Blake Bortles meets with Raiders coaches

 

[kaso]

Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) just tweeted:

7FA #Raiders signed bring 43 playoff gms, 30 playoff wins, 11 conf champ gms, 9 Super Bowls, 6 SB rings.

I'm not sure we should be ignoring what that brings to the Raider product.

 

[cstu]

Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) just tweeted:

7FA #Raiders signed bring 43 playoff gms, 30 playoff wins, 11 conf champ gms, 9 Super Bowls, 6 SB rings.

I'm not sure we should be ignoring what that brings to the Raider product.

From my point of view it looks mainly about changing the team's culture than winning this year. That's a good move IMO since they need leadership in the locker room.