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Elric2056

Blue, Silver and Black Blog

Name: Private | Gender: M | Member Since August 29, 2006
Current Level: Superstar | Email: Private
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Posted on: March 5, 2008 10:19 am
 

Raiders overpaid free agents

The Raiders are in trouble this offseason - and they know it.  And the over-paid free agent contracts that have resulted were an unfortunate necessity - but I worry if the Raiders are mortgaging their future to dig themselves out the hole they got into over the past few years. The team has been sapped of it's talent base by constant turn over in the coaching staff, a failed attempt to switch to a 3-4 defense, questionable drafting, and an unstable environment that has made it very difficult for the Raiders to keep their own talent and attract others.

Without DE/DT Tommy Kelly, S Gibril Wilson, WR Javon Walker and OT Kwame Harris the Raiders were screwed for next year and wouldn't have enough pieces to even help their younger talent develop.

If you disregard these signings they had a multitude of problems and only 5 draft picks (no 3rd or 5th round picks) to fill them. This problems included, but weren't limited to:
  1. An extremely thin crop of talent along the offensive and defensive lines
  2. A paper thin WR corps with only one player who's had more then 6 catches in his career
  3. A huge need on the backside of their defense where they haven't had a pair of safeties who could both be possibly counted on in years
Quite frankly the Raiders were backed into a corner and down on their luck.

Even if all their signings work out they still need to find 2 more defensive ends (they have only 6 defensive linemen including 2 defensive ends in Derrick Burgess and Jay Richardson under contract) and another WR to even have the minimum number of players necessary to play next year. They also probably could use a backup QB, a upgrade at SLB, OC (they've got Jake Grove and no one else who could play the position), another offensive lineman (Paul McQuistan is their backup OG and is at best a journeyman OT and Mario Henderson has never played at the pro level before), etc.

It's hard to see what the Raiders are going to do next - because they're in tough and no one knows if the pockets of talent they've got will be undermined by the weaknesses at key spots.  Here's hoping they get NY Giants lucky in the draft and hit on all their draft picks.
Category: NFL
Posted on: March 1, 2008 11:30 am
 

Tommy Kelly Contract

For all those who are complaining about the Tommy Kelly contract, perhaps some comparisons will help you understand why...

Last year Cory Redding was franchised as a DT who had been converted to the 3-technique from his DE spot. He got a 7-year, $49 million contract with $16 million guaranteed.

This year, Cleveland gave up their second round pick plus a 6-year, $38 million dollar contract with $18 million in guarantees to Corey Williams.

Tommy Kelly got a 7-year, $50.5 million contract with $18.125 million in guarantees. He's a home-grown player who knows the system, and the Raiders didn't have the ammunition to replace him if he got away because they're already without 3rd or 5th round draft picks.  They were also in a big pickle if they let him get away, because without him they wouldn't have anyone on the roster to (a) play the 1-technique DT position or (b) backup Jay Richardson if there's an injury there.

The Raiders had to have him, and he commanded a premium - but not as much as is being made out.....
Category: NFL
Posted on: February 28, 2008 1:03 pm