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2014 Oakland Raiders Regular Season Thread (2 Viewers)

2014 Oakland Raiders Opponents

Home Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, Buffalo, Miami, Arizona, San Francisco, Houston

Away Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, New England, NY Jets, St. Louis, Seattle, Cleveland

Home wins: SD, Buff, Mia, Houston. With lots of luck, we steal form KC and Ari. Let's say 5 home wins.

Away wins: NYJ, STL, Cle.

So I can see us getting to 8 wins, but expect more like 6.

 
Darren Connolly IV‏@DConnollyNFL56 mins

Nothing has changed since yesterday, as I reported, barring a major collapse, DeSean Jackson will be joining the #Raiders enjoy the show
Still looks like Raiders are favored to land DJAX. I hope that Reggie does his due diligence on Jackson's personal info. The alleged fake house robbery, gang ties, and reports he's broke and needs a quick infusion of bonus money should cause anyone concern. And with a draft class that should have a dozen WR's taken in the first two rounds, and some scouts are saying there are going to be plenty of draft worthy UDFA WR's this year, there will be glut of WR's on the market. I still love the move for DJAX at his age and talent level, especially what he brings to the return game. It will all be a matter of if Reggie thinks he checks out. Money shouldn't be an issue.

 
Sign Djax to a incentive based, no BS type contract and see what happens for a season.

Perhaps two.

Reggie has been smart with the recent contracts of player signed, although without this much baggage. Hence a stricter contract seems a smart move by Reggie if it can be done.

If DJax ends being a train wreck, cut ties with a small cap hit. Shrug. The boom/bust talent of DJax is worth a shot imo...

 
I get having high charater guys and strong leadership in the lockeroom but in the Raiders case they just need more talented players on the roster. If DJax becomes a problem, cut him loose. I see a lot more pros than cons (no pun intended) for the Raiders in this situation.

 
It was mentioned on Sirius that Marcel Reece, considered a high-charter team leader, is a close friend of DJax and the thinking is that Reece can take DJax under his wing and get him "turned around." I use quotations because DJax has never been arrested or linked to any criminal activity, and I never really heard anything about him being a disruptive influence on the Eagles until they cut him. It is entirely possible that this is more a pr move by the Eagles than anything else.

 
It was mentioned on Sirius that Marcel Reece, considered a high-charter team leader, is a close friend of DJax and the thinking is that Reece can take DJax under his wing and get him "turned around." I use quotations because DJax has never been arrested or linked to any criminal activity, and I never really heard anything about him being a disruptive influence on the Eagles until they cut him. It is entirely possible that this is more a pr move by the Eagles than anything else.
Wow! I didn't know that Marcel was a close friend. He's pretty much the top core holdover player the Raiders have and remember him asking Reggie to make some "Raider A$$ moves"? If Marcel likes him, if Reggie likes him....I think we have a key person in the clubhouse and on the field to keep DJax in line.

 
It was mentioned on Sirius that Marcel Reece, considered a high-charter team leader, is a close friend of DJax and the thinking is that Reece can take DJax under his wing and get him "turned around." I use quotations because DJax has never been arrested or linked to any criminal activity, and I never really heard anything about him being a disruptive influence on the Eagles until they cut him. It is entirely possible that this is more a pr move by the Eagles than anything else.
I don't follow. You think cutting him was a PR move or making up he had gang ties after cutting him? I don't think they would have cut him if they did not have serious concerns.

 
MJD, Darren McFadden to compete for Raiders' top jobBy Chris Wesseling

Around the League Writer

The Oakland Raiders are setting up a backfield battle that would have shook the NFL world a half-decade ago.

Now that Maurice Jones-Drew is taking Rashad Jenning's backfield spot, he is slated to battle Darren McFadden for the starting job.

"We get an opportunity to compete," Jones-Drew said on Friday's edition of NFL Network's "NFL Total Access."

Jones-Drew conceded during a conference call that McFadden has a "leg up" due to his year's worth of experience in Greg Olson's offense.

As recently as 2011, Jones-Drew led the NFL in rushing while McFadden was coming off a two-year run averaging a hefty 5.27 yards per carry and 10.0 yards per reception.

Unfortunately, the two backs have combined to average an ineffectual 3.54 yards per rush since then.

Because Jones-Drew couldn't make defenders miss in the open field and McFadden severely was outplayed by Jennings last season, it's impossible to handicap this race.

With a more stiff, upright running style, McFadden has never found sustained success outside of Hue Jackson's offense. To keep the brittle back healthy, the Raiders would be well served to utilize him as the "Mr. Outside" to Jones-Drew's "Mr. Inside."

That would have been a dynamite combination when both backs were 24 years old. At this stage of their respective careers, the Raiders will be happy if they simply can make it through a 16-game season.

The latest "Around The League Podcast" reviews potential landing spots for DeSean Jackson and declares this week's winners and losers.
 
DeSean Jackson's mom has been found by Raider Nation, and has been tweeting with them.

This is the birth of a trend, by the way. Pro Football Talk, DeSean himself, and the rest is the national media have covered the fans' involvement.

 
ICON211 said:
32 Counter Pass said:
It was mentioned on Sirius that Marcel Reece, considered a high-charter team leader, is a close friend of DJax and the thinking is that Reece can take DJax under his wing and get him "turned around." I use quotations because DJax has never been arrested or linked to any criminal activity, and I never really heard anything about him being a disruptive influence on the Eagles until they cut him. It is entirely possible that this is more a pr move by the Eagles than anything else.
I don't follow. You think cutting him was a PR move or making up he had gang ties after cutting him? I don't think they would have cut him if they did not have serious concerns.
I think the main reason the Eagles cut DJax was money. He was scheduled to make 10 mil, and Kelly believe his system makes the WRs. The ancillary stuff like gang activy, and missing meetings came out after he was cut, which I find suspicious. Could be that someone within the organization is casting dispersions on DJax to mollify the reaction of Eagle fans. We can never know for sure. I just find the timing of all this very steange.

 
Any Raiders fans care to speculate what Ausberry's chances are of becoming the starter in 2014?

Rivera doesn't have the same level of athleticism and didn't produce much of anything in 2013, and Ausberry seems like a really nice sleeper to me if they don't add even more competition.

 
Any Raiders fans care to speculate what Ausberry's chances are of becoming the starter in 2014?

Rivera doesn't have the same level of athleticism and didn't produce much of anything in 2013, and Ausberry seems like a really nice sleeper to me if they don't add even more competition.
Check back in preseason. My guess right now is they like Rivera to develop.

 
Any Raiders fans care to speculate what Ausberry's chances are of becoming the starter in 2014?

Rivera doesn't have the same level of athleticism and didn't produce much of anything in 2013, and Ausberry seems like a really nice sleeper to me if they don't add even more competition.
Ausberry is a better athlete, but Rivera is the polished receiver. He was a 'move' TE at Tennessee, whereas Ausberry is/was a project.

Add in the fact that Ausberry is from the previous regime, and I think Rivera is the sleeper to have. If the Raiders bring in a Finley or Daniels, or draft a rookie, Ausberry's spot could be in jeopardy.

 
MJD's contract numbers are in.

Aaron Wilson‏@RavensInsider26m

Maurice Jones-Drew three-yr. Raiders deal: $7.5M, $1.2M guaranteed 2014 roster bonus, salaries $1.2M, $2.4M, $2.4M annual $100K workout bon.

 
MJD's contract numbers are in.

Aaron Wilson‏@RavensInsider26m

Maurice Jones-Drew three-yr. Raiders deal: $7.5M, $1.2M guaranteed 2014 roster bonus, salaries $1.2M, $2.4M, $2.4M annual $100K workout bon.
Maurice Jones-Drew's three-year contract with Oakland has a base value of $7.5 million with $1.2 million guaranteed.
The only guaranteed portion is Jones-Drew's 2014 base salary of $1.2 million. There was no signing bonus, and MJD could be released next offseason with no ramification on the Raiders' cap. It's telling that Jones-Drew couldn't do better than this on the market. Oakland now has him "locked up" through age 31.

per rotoworld....i have to say that rotoworld is so biased they are becoming un-readable
 
Raiders signed GB DE CJ Wilson, not much more than a depth move but they are adding another Super Bowl ring to the mix.

Link

 
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Signing Rogers is fine, at least we know who our top 3 CB are. Still one of the major 'needs' of the team, which is saying a lot.

 
Raiders signed GB DE CJ Wilson, not much more than a depth move but they are adding another Super Bowl ring to the mix.

Link
Poor man's Lamarr Houston.
You and mass both like him. Hmmmm, color me interested.
Both are 6'3'' 300 lb run-stuffing DEs with limited pass rush ability. Both can also play 3-tech DT, but again their limited pash rush makes them less appealing there. Wilson will try to fill the run-stuffing void left by Houston and Vance Walkers' departures at DE and 3T DT respectively. He also gives them formational flexibility since he's played 5-tech DE in Green Bay's 3-4 defense his entire career.

Don't get me wrong, I do think Lamarr is better, but how much better is debatable. I'd be curious to see their career tackles/sacks per play ratios. Lamarr has played a lot more snaps than CJ the last few years. It was a good depth signing to reinforce the run defense. But I'd sure like to see some young pass rushers added in the draft to go along with Tuck/Woodley/Sio.

 
McKenzie leery about adding DeSean JacksonPosted by Mike Florio on April 1, 2014, 10:34 AM EDT

The Raiders are in “win now” mode. They’ve got the cap space. They need to attract fans to the sewage-challenged Black Hole. So why aren’t they at the front of the line for receiver DeSean Jackson?

As one league source explained it to PFT, G.M. Reggie McKenzie is leery about Jackson. Not because of the trumped-up gang ties (the more we read the supposedly groundbreaking NJ.com article about suspected gang ties, the less hard news we actually see in it), but because of Jackson’s reputation as a me-first player who can’t be controlled.

While the Raiders have been buying up plenty of veteran free agents, most are regarded as good teammates who’ll provide positive influences to the locker room. That’s not the reputation Jackson enjoys.

While Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub has made a public pitch for Jackson, one of the concerns is that Schaub has never had to control a potentially difficult receiver. Andre Johnson, Schaub’s long-time No. 1 target in Houston, is the anti-diva — a team-first guy who has never created many issues in Houston.

Of course, it may not ultimately be McKenzie’s call. If owner Mark Davis, who has been prodded by defensive back Charles Woodson to do what his father would have done with a talent like Jackson available for no compensation, decides he wants DeSean, it won’t matter if McKenzie is leery.
 
McKenzie leery about adding DeSean Jackson

Posted by Mike Florio on April 1, 2014, 10:34 AM EDT

The Raiders are in “win now” mode. They’ve got the cap space. They need to attract fans to the sewage-challenged Black Hole. So why aren’t they at the front of the line for receiver DeSean Jackson?

As one league source explained it to PFT, G.M. Reggie McKenzie is leery about Jackson. Not because of the trumped-up gang ties (the more we read the supposedly groundbreaking NJ.com article about suspected gang ties, the less hard news we actually see in it), but because of Jackson’s reputation as a me-first player who can’t be controlled.

While the Raiders have been buying up plenty of veteran free agents, most are regarded as good teammates who’ll provide positive influences to the locker room. That’s not the reputation Jackson enjoys.

While Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub has made a public pitch for Jackson, one of the concerns is that Schaub has never had to control a potentially difficult receiver. Andre Johnson, Schaub’s long-time No. 1 target in Houston, is the anti-diva — a team-first guy who has never created many issues in Houston.

Of course, it may not ultimately be McKenzie’s call. If owner Mark Davis, who has been prodded by defensive back Charles Woodson to do what his father would have done with a talent like Jackson available for no compensation, decides he wants DeSean, it won’t matter if McKenzie is leery.
Yep, one thing about sticking to your guns on getting team-first gym rats is maybe passing on a real talent. And there's always gonna be times that you miss out on a really good guy.

Personally, I think he's worth the risk, but I get why they wouldn't do it.

It actually seems like he would prefer to be with RGIII, and play Philly twice. That looks pretty good to me, if I was a WR.

 
McKenzie leery about adding DeSean Jackson

Posted by Mike Florio on April 1, 2014, 10:34 AM EDT

The Raiders are in “win now” mode. They’ve got the cap space. They need to attract fans to the sewage-challenged Black Hole. So why aren’t they at the front of the line for receiver DeSean Jackson?

As one league source explained it to PFT, G.M. Reggie McKenzie is leery about Jackson. Not because of the trumped-up gang ties (the more we read the supposedly groundbreaking NJ.com article about suspected gang ties, the less hard news we actually see in it), but because of Jackson’s reputation as a me-first player who can’t be controlled.

While the Raiders have been buying up plenty of veteran free agents, most are regarded as good teammates who’ll provide positive influences to the locker room. That’s not the reputation Jackson enjoys.

While Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub has made a public pitch for Jackson, one of the concerns is that Schaub has never had to control a potentially difficult receiver. Andre Johnson, Schaub’s long-time No. 1 target in Houston, is the anti-diva — a team-first guy who has never created many issues in Houston.

Of course, it may not ultimately be McKenzie’s call. If owner Mark Davis, who has been prodded by defensive back Charles Woodson to do what his father would have done with a talent like Jackson available for no compensation, decides he wants DeSean, it won’t matter if McKenzie is leery.
Yep, one thing about sticking to your guns on getting team-first gym rats is maybe passing on a real talent. And there's always gonna be times that you miss out on a really good guy.

Personally, I think he's worth the risk, but I get why they wouldn't do it.

It actually seems like he would prefer to be with RGIII, and play Philly twice. That looks pretty good to me, if I was a WR.
Not to mention the more lucrative contract he will most likely get from Washington ...

 
IMO, DJax is not a NFL WR1 and therefore not worth the headaches he'd bring with him. Now if this were Josh Gordon or Dez Bryant on the market I'd be singing a different tune. But it isn't.

 
McKenzie leery about adding DeSean Jackson

Posted by Mike Florio on April 1, 2014, 10:34 AM EDT

The Raiders are in “win now” mode. They’ve got the cap space. They need to attract fans to the sewage-challenged Black Hole. So why aren’t they at the front of the line for receiver DeSean Jackson?

As one league source explained it to PFT, G.M. Reggie McKenzie is leery about Jackson. Not because of the trumped-up gang ties (the more we read the supposedly groundbreaking NJ.com article about suspected gang ties, the less hard news we actually see in it), but because of Jackson’s reputation as a me-first player who can’t be controlled.

While the Raiders have been buying up plenty of veteran free agents, most are regarded as good teammates who’ll provide positive influences to the locker room. That’s not the reputation Jackson enjoys.

While Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub has made a public pitch for Jackson, one of the concerns is that Schaub has never had to control a potentially difficult receiver. Andre Johnson, Schaub’s long-time No. 1 target in Houston, is the anti-diva — a team-first guy who has never created many issues in Houston.

Of course, it may not ultimately be McKenzie’s call. If owner Mark Davis, who has been prodded by defensive back Charles Woodson to do what his father would have done with a talent like Jackson available for no compensation, decides he wants DeSean, it won’t matter if McKenzie is leery.
Yep, one thing about sticking to your guns on getting team-first gym rats is maybe passing on a real talent. And there's always gonna be times that you miss out on a really good guy.

Personally, I think he's worth the risk, but I get why they wouldn't do it.

It actually seems like he would prefer to be with RGIII, and play Philly twice. That looks pretty good to me, if I was a WR.
Not to mention the more lucrative contract he will most likely get from Washington ...
Maybe, The difference is, the Raiders could give him more up front, without having to give a signing bonus, that gets pro-rated over the length of the deal. Those signing bonuses are all the 'dead' money.

Skins, if they give him a nice deal, may have to give a 10 mill SB over a 5 year deal. If they cut him after two years, it's 6 mill id dead cap money.

 
This season is going to be rough for Oakland due to the tough schedule, no real QB, and still plenty of holes to fill. I would take the chance on Jackson. Why not swing for the fences now? Jackson is not a true WR1 but he is perfect in a 1-2 WR punch. The kid catches well and can move.

 
IMO, DJax is not a NFL WR1 and therefore not worth the headaches he'd bring with him. Now if this were Josh Gordon or Dez Bryant on the market I'd be singing a different tune. But it isn't.
I feel you, and I think I wouldn't have a problem with Oakland staying out of it.

But really, all he costs now is money. Which the Raiders have plenty of. In free agency next year, we are again going to have a ton of room.

He's free. No draft pick. No #1 WR to appease. He would completely open up the field for Streater and Moore and Jones.

 
IMO, DJax is not a NFL WR1 and therefore not worth the headaches he'd bring with him. Now if this were Josh Gordon or Dez Bryant on the market I'd be singing a different tune. But it isn't.
I couldn't agree more.

 
IMO, DJax is not a NFL WR1 and therefore not worth the headaches he'd bring with him. Now if this were Josh Gordon or Dez Bryant on the market I'd be singing a different tune. But it isn't.
I feel you, and I think I wouldn't have a problem with Oakland staying out of it.

But really, all he costs now is money. Which the Raiders have plenty of. In free agency next year, we are again going to have a ton of room.

He's free. No draft pick. No #1 WR to appease. He would completely open up the field for Streater and Moore and Jones.
you left out Holmes, who I think has a higher ceiling than Streater or Moore. If we draft Watkins as the fallback to losing out on the DJAX sweepstakes, we have ourselves a log jam w/ Criner and Butler fighting for a roster spot.

 
IMO, DJax is not a NFL WR1 and therefore not worth the headaches he'd bring with him. Now if this were Josh Gordon or Dez Bryant on the market I'd be singing a different tune. But it isn't.
I feel you, and I think I wouldn't have a problem with Oakland staying out of it.

But really, all he costs now is money. Which the Raiders have plenty of. In free agency next year, we are again going to have a ton of room.

He's free. No draft pick. No #1 WR to appease. He would completely open up the field for Streater and Moore and Jones.
you left out Holmes, who I think has a higher ceiling than Streater or Moore. If we draft Watkins as the fallback to losing out on the DJAX sweepstakes, we have ourselves a log jam w/ Criner and Butler fighting for a roster spot.
Too many good players!! #RaiderProblems

;)

 
He's free. No draft pick. No #1 WR to appease. He would completely open up the field for Streater and Moore and Jones.
I don't believe it's this simple. If he's the diva and cancer he's being made out to be by his former teammates, then he comes at the cost of a divisive locker room. Some will rally behind his antics; others won't. He'll probably at some point undermine the coaches and the program.

And there's an opportunity cost. He'll take valuable development time away from our younger WRs.

Lastly, if we front load his deal and he does work out, he'll whine for more money later after he goes broke again. He's doesn't seem the type to understand or accept that he'd already have been paid for that future production. Instead he'll see his less than elite 2015/2016/2017 salary and complain that he's underpaid.

No thanks.

 
We don't need a diva WR. We need a cerebral leader at QB. Hmm, where can we get one of those???

More pash rush and a new stadium are our next highest needs.

 
I think DJax needs to go to a team like SF or Sea. Established, strong locker rooms and coaches where his diva behavior can be held in check and his team will likely be winning. Hopefully we'll be that type of team in a couple years, but we aren't now.

 
LawFitz said:
massraider said:
He's free. No draft pick. No #1 WR to appease. He would completely open up the field for Streater and Moore and Jones.
I don't believe it's this simple. If he's the diva and cancer he's being made out to be by his former teammates, then he comes at the cost of a divisive locker room. Some will rally behind his antics; others won't. He'll probably at some point undermine the coaches and the program.

And there's an opportunity cost. He'll take valuable development time away from our younger WRs.

Lastly, if we front load his deal and he does work out, he'll whine for more money later after he goes broke again. He's doesn't seem the type to understand or accept that he'd already have been paid for that future production. Instead he'll see his less than elite 2015/2016/2017 salary and complain that he's underpaid.

No thanks.
What if he's not the cancer? What if he's just a diva, that every NFL team deals with? What if the Eagles just smeared him, to win the PR battle, after their coach decided he didn't want their most explosive player? I wouldn't start anything with the Eagles fans in other threads, because I am just not up to fending off that pack of wolverines, but it's pretty easy to make that leap.

Chip didn't want him any more, they didn't get along, and they threw him under the bus to avoid taking heat. Doesn't mean he is bad for a team. He certainly didn't seem to 'tear apart' the Eagles last year.

 
I think DJax needs to go to a team like SF or Sea. Established, strong locker rooms and coaches where his diva behavior can be held in check and his team will likely be winning. Hopefully we'll be that type of team in a couple years, but we aren't now.
Pragmatically, and with cold emotions, I expect Reggie to assess the pros and cons of Desean's personality and make a judgment call as to what he considers value for Desean and what he conisders overpaying for a headache. Reggie has a firm number in his head and is willing to go strong after Desean, but not willing to be the winning bidder at any cost.

Getting DJax sets us up for the draft to have even greater draft flexibility. We can still toy with the idea of taking Watkins if he falls to us, or trade out, or take our choice QB. Having layers of depth at each position keeps our position on draft day fortified and we can then manipulate the market instead of taking deals on the final 30 seconds on the clock. I hope Reggie learned this lesson from last year.

And if we "miss out" on DJax, no big deal. It just means somebody overpaid.

 
I think DJax needs to go to a team like SF or Sea. Established, strong locker rooms and coaches where his diva behavior can be held in check and his team will likely be winning. Hopefully we'll be that type of team in a couple years, but we aren't now.
Pragmatically, and with cold emotions, I expect Reggie to assess the pros and cons of Desean's personality and make a judgment call as to what he considers value for Desean and what he conisders overpaying for a headache. Reggie has a firm number in his head and is willing to go strong after Desean, but not willing to be the winning bidder at any cost.

Getting DJax sets us up for the draft to have even greater draft flexibility. We can still toy with the idea of taking Watkins if he falls to us, or trade out, or take our choice QB. Having layers of depth at each position keeps our position on draft day fortified and we can then manipulate the market instead of taking deals on the final 30 seconds on the clock. I hope Reggie learned this lesson from last year.

And if we "miss out" on DJax, no big deal. It just means somebody overpaid.
Or hye took same money from somewhere else he'd rather be.

If he doesn't want to come here, yeah: Stay Away.

 
I would rather draft Watkins or Evans instead of overpaying Jackson.
Watkins yes. Evans no unless we got him on a tradedown. I think Evans is being ridiculously hyped for his limited skill set. If we paid Jackson the right money (talking Eric Decker money) he's not overpaid. He would give us flexibility to trade down and accumulate a lot of impact players in one draft. You only have that kind of draft leverage when you already have a Desean Jackson on your team. If he really wants to come here, great, welcome and we will pay you what you are worth. If you don't want to be here, then kick rocks Desean. But let's get rid of the passion and drama. This is a cold business decision.

 
LawFitz said:
IMO, DJax is not a NFL WR1 and therefore not worth the headaches he'd bring with him. Now if this were Josh Gordon or Dez Bryant on the market I'd be singing a different tune. But it isn't.
Yes and no. I think he is without question one of the top 32 WRs in the NFL and that makes him a legitimate WR#1 (he certainly would be the unquestioned #1 on the Raiders). He is a guy that defensive coordinators have to specifically game plan against too.

However I absolutely agree that he is not among the elite upper tier WR#1s out there like Calvin, Gordon, Dez, Julio, Fitz & AJ (although I have no problem putting him near the top of the next tier) and I think the Raiders are right to be wary of his reputation as a me first player. Teams don't cut players of his caliber for no reason and the fact that Phili was willing to move on from him should be a big fat red flag for every team considering signing him.

 

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