The obligatory “Raiders not in the Hall of Fame” post

The finalists for the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame were recently announced, and two Raiders are still on the list.  Tim Brown, the Raiders’ skilled receiver/kick returner made the final cut.  In addition, the Senior Committee has nominated legendary punter Ray Guy for enshrinement.  Brown has a decent chance of making it this year, and while Raiders’ fans don’t want to jinx it, Guy has a great chance as a Senior Committee nominee.

Here are five more Raiders for whom Canton cases could be made.  These guys aren’t in yet, and may never actually make it.  But when Raiders fans talk about the best players not in the Hall, surely some of these names come to mind.

1. Cliff Branch – Cliff Branch may be the best player not in the Hall of Fame.  His stats are comparable with other legendary receivers of his era, and Cliff touts three Super Bowl rings along with those stats.  Branch embodied Al Davis’ vision of the vertical passing game.  He developed solid receiver skills to match his world-class speed, which made him a premier deep threat on the field.

2. Jim Plunkett – Who is the only quarterback eligible for the Hall of Fame with two or more Super Bowl wins who isn’t in yet?  What else needs to be said there?  Plunkett, written off several times as a pro quarterback, won on football’s grandest stage twice, taking home Super Bowl MVP honors once.

3. Tom Flores – Flores and Plunkett are often paired in Hall of Fame snub discussion, for several reasons.  Flores was the head coach of both Super Bowl teams for which Plunkett was QB.  Both are also groundbreaking Hispanic athletes, being the first Hispanic quarterback and head coach, respectively, to win a Super Bowl.  Perhaps Tom Flores is overlooked because he was the successor to legendary coach John Madden.  Or, perhaps he doesn’t get enough respect because people assume that Al Davis truly pulled the strings behind the scenes.  No matter the reason, Flores continues to be snubbed.

4. Lester Hayes – Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes formed one of the greatest cornerback duos in league history.  The Judge is tied for the most interceptions in Raiders history, and excelled at the team’s preferred “bump and run” coverage.  If pressed for a reason why Lester’s not in the Hall, one would have to look to Stickum, the formerly-legal substance the Judge would generously apply before taking the field.  Still, if Stickum was the only reason for Lester’s success, why couldn’t more people replicate his results?

5. Kenny Stabler – Perhaps the most beloved quarterback in Raiders history, the Snake was a textbook Raider.  Stabler was a rebel, and became the perfect model of the Raiders’ anti-hero style.  Stabler led the 1976 Raiders, one of the greatest teams in NFL history, to victory in Super Bowl XI.  Still, despite (or perhaps due to) the Snake’s notorious behavior (he’s famously discussed reading the playbook by the light of a jukebox), he has been left out of pro football’s most honored fraternity.

Dennis Allen needed to come back for 2014

Multiple media outlets reported that Dennis Allen will return to coach the Raiders in 2014.  This should have never been in question.  This tune may change during the 2014 season, but Allen deserves the chance.  The Raiders have spent the last two years overhauling the roster.  General Manager Reggie McKenzie and Allen opted for a slash-and-burn approach to the roster and salary cap, which occurred over two years.

Allen and McKenzie have weathered tremendous criticism over those two years, and some of the scrutiny isn’t without merit.  The Raiders’ brain trust failed to establish a definitive quarterback situation beginning in the preseason.  The uncertainty at QB followed the team throughout the season, and continues today.  However, the Raiders were bargain shoppers in many other areas, and actually produced four wins with a severely lacking roster.

This year, Allen and McKenzie will have a large amount of cap room, and plenty of draft picks.  There are several quarterbacks that will potentially be available in the draft, and as Levi Damien points out, the Raiders could opt to sign a free agent quarterback such as Josh Freeman.

Allen and McKenzie have done the hardest part, and now they can move forward.  Should they stumble in 2014, Mark Davis will likely run out of patience.  But there should have never been a question over whether Dennis Allen deserved the opportunity to finish what he started.

Weekend Raiders free agency news

On Friday, the Raiders signed linebacker Nick Roach.  Roach previously played for the Chicago Bears.  He played both outside linebacker as well as middle linebacker, when he filled in for several games for an injured Brian Urlacher.  While the Raiders haven’t released MLB Rolando McClain yet, Roach would likely be his replacement.  At this point, the Raiders have three starting linebackers should they go with a 4-3 scheme, though there’s still a lot to do on the defensive line.

Departures: Matt Shaughnessy signed a deal with the Arizona Cardinals.  Brandon Myers inked a deal with the New York Giants.  The Raiders have not yet signed any of their unrestricted free agents, though curiously, ProFootballTalk.com reports that the Raiders didn’t seem to have interest in retaining Matt Shaughnessy’s services.

There’s no word yet on free agent cornerback Terence Newman’s decision.  He seems to be enjoying retweeting support and encouragement from both Raiders fans as well as Bengals fans.  Newman played in Cincinnati last year.  Curiously, Newman tweeted “Had to delay the decision for a few more days. Not gonna lie though Raiders fans, them uniforms are dope” on March 16.  Hopefully we’ll find out his choice soon.  The Raiders need to start making some cornerback decisions.  Just in case anyone is wondering, I wouldn’t plan on Nnamdi Asomugha being in those plans.

 

 

Thursday Raiders free agency news & notes

There’s not too much happening in Oakland’s free agency world today, but here are a couple of noteworthy items.

ESPN’s Bill Williamson reports the Raiders met with free agent cornerback Terence Newman on Thursday.  Newman is in his mid 30s, but had a solid season last year in Cincinnati.  He would be an instant starter in Oakland, but likely only on a one or two year deal.  Williamson believes there are still multiple cornerbacks out there for the Raiders to get, but I think they need to act sooner than later.  Cornerback is Oakland’s most pressing position.  They should spend a little more than the minimum and get a decent #1 cornerback.

ProFootballTalk.com reports free agent defensive lineman Matt Shaughnessy is heading to a meeting with the Arizona Cardinals.  Perhaps the Raiders are hoping he doesn’t get a strong offer so they can re-sign him on the cheap.  Maybe they don’t want to re-sign him.  Or, maybe Shaughnessy doesn’t want to stay.  In any case, when healthy, he’s a solid starting lineman.  However, he’s also had some shoulder issues over the past couple of years.

The Contra Costa Times has an article up by Jerry McDonald about new Raider Kaluka Maiava, and the Raiders’ free agency strategy.  I really enjoyed McDonald’s comment that Maiava wouldn’t have been considered by Mr. Davis, as it demonstrates the new direction of the team.  Mr. Davis will always be a legend, but the Raiders have to go a different way at this point; they need gritty, hard-working guys who want to establish themselves.  I like Maiava’s attitude already.  He seems like the kind of guy who’s going to put in a lot of practice, and while it’s early, he could be a Commitment to Excellence Award candidate.

Raiders begin bargain hunting

Just one day after losing three key members of the defense (Philip Wheeler, Desmond Bryant, Michael Huff), the Raiders began plugging some holes.  Per the team’s website, they signed Jason Hunter, Kaluka Maiava, and Pat Sims to contracts.  All three are defensive veterans.

Hunter is a defensive end who last played for the Broncos, but missed 2012 with a triceps injury.  However, surprise surprise, before he played in Denver, Hunter was in Green Bay with General Manager Big Reg.

Kaluka Maiava is a veteran linebacker who last played for the Cleveland Browns.  Given the lack of depth at linebacker, Maiava should have a good shot at at starting role with the Silver and Black in 2013.  However, even if he and Miles Burris are penciled in as potential starters, there’s still a third linebacker spot that needs to be filled on the starting line, either through free agency or the draft.

Pat Sims last played as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals.  He is, to date, the highest profile signing by the Raiders.  Sims has a lot of upside, but has a history of injuries.  Like Maiava, if he stays healthy, Sims could very possibly start in 2013.

There are still plenty of starting slots left on Oakland’s roster, and that could be what attracts middle-of-the-road players.  Even if the Raiders aren’t predicted to do very much this year, starting positions in the NFL are few and far between.  Some players may hope to come in, prove themselves as starters, then make a bigger contract on the next go around.  It sure worked for Philip Wheeler.

Oakland also reportedly resigned cornerback Coye Francies.  Last year, when the Raiders signed Francies, I dismissed him, believing he’d be cut in a matter of days.  Since then, he has remained on the team, and is only one of two Raiders free agents that have been re-signed so far (the other being Phillip Adams).  Good for Francies.  He primarily handled kick returns for Oakland last year, though had few notable returns.  With a healthy Jacoby Ford ready to return in 2013, it will be interesting to see if Ford will handle kicks again, or shift his focus solely to receiving.

Raiders defense suffers two more big losses

The Raiders lost two more players to free agency.  Desmond Bryant signed with the Cleveland Browns, per ProFootballTalk.com.  In addition, PFT also reports that the Miami Dolphins signed Philip Wheeler to a multi-year deal.  While it wasn’t expected that the Raiders would be able to retain either of these guys, it still stings.
Thanks to the releases of Dave Tollefson, DHB, and Michael Huff, the Raiders have some salary cap room.  Reggie McKenzie may decide at this point to wait out all of the big spenders, and target as many budget picks as possible.  It worked last year with Philip Wheeler, though that’s in the past now.

Tommy Kelly’s situation also becomes more interesting.  Kelly is still on the roster, though the Raiders would obviously like him to take a pay cut.  Still, with a very thin defense, Kelly may balk at the request, gambling that the Raiders wouldn’t cut him at this point.

Don’t be surprised to see more big changes in the Raiders in the next few days.

Shocker – Raiders release two former 1st round draft picks

I was wrong on one, the other, I didn’t even see coming.

Via the Oakland Raiders twitter feed, the team has released Darrius Heyward-Bey and Michael Huff, as well as Dave Tollefson.

I figured Darrius Heyward-Bey was safe, but it’s possible he wanted to explore free agency rather than take a pay cut. I never even considered Michael Huff to be a candidate for being cut. Huff filled in at cornerback admirably during the Raiders’ secondary emergency. However, these cuts will free up a considerable amount of cap space. Still, these are some stunning decisions. Absent from them were Carson Palmer and Tommy Kelly. Could they both have restructured their deals? It’s possible.

Still, Michael Huff’s departure leaves a hurting secondary even worse off. Hopefully Big Reg and Dennis Allen have a big picture that makes this all work out.

Tyvon takes one for the team (Brisiel, too)

Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times is reporting that the Raiders and Tyvon Branch reached a deal to restructure his contract, giving the Raiders between $4-5 million in cap space.  Recently, offensive lineman Mike Brisiel also re-worked his contract to give the Raiders some room.
In the long term, this could present a problem, as all the Raiders are doing is pushing back the money owed to Branch.  However, hopefully in a few years, this type of issue will be an anomaly rather than the norm.

Branch signed a long-term extension with the Silver and Black last year after being tagged as the franchise player.  However, he didn’t have as strong of a season in 2012 as expected.  This was possibly due in part to injuries, as Branch was limited in 2012.  He played in every game from 2009-2011.  Hopefully he’ll be back to form in 2013.

Brisiel is also coming off of a disappointing year, where he was expected to be a solid contributor to Oakland’s doomed zone blocking scheme.  He, too, was slowed by injuries.  Brisiel will have to learn a new system, as the Raiders are expected to run more of a power offense under new offensive coordinator Greg Olson.

These moves give the Raiders some room to make a move or two, if need be, before restructuring other contracts for players like Tommy Kelly, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Carson Palmer.  The priority should be to lock up Philip Wheeler, who came to Oakland on a one-year deal and had a breakout season.  Locking Wheeler up would go a long way in helping the Raiders chart the rest of the defense for 2013.

2013 Season Premiere! Free agency predictions

With about a week to go before Free Agency officially kicks off in the NFL, the Raiders have a lot of question marks.  Once again, the biggest challenge for General Manager Reggie McKenzie is the salary cap.  While the Raiders aren’t in the trouble they were last year, the situation is still far from ideal.  Here are some predictions on possible Raiders moves:

DEFENSIVE LINE:

Reports are that defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins will visit with the Raiders this week.  He’s a good lineman, but certainly not a superstar.  However, he’s a veteran presence that the Raiders may need with the loss of Richard Seymour and potentially Tommy Kelly.  Kelly and Jenkins’ futures may be intertwined.  More on that in a moment.  Jenkins and Big Reg have some history, as Jenkins spent many years with McKenzie’s old club, the Green Bay Packers.

Though Jenkins may have a few suitors in the NFL, perhaps his connections to the GM may allow Oakland to sign him.  It’s too early to say whether Jenkins will be a fit for Oakland, but here’s a prediction: If the Raiders do land him, Tommy Kelly will be cut.  If they don’t, despite his hefty contract, I say the Raiders keep Kelly, though hopefully he’ll restructure his deal to help the team.

Another lineman that could be gone is Desmond Bryant.  Bryant, like Tommy Kelly AND Cullen Jenkins, went undrafted.  Bryant is a solid player who will command some decent money on the free agency market.  Yet another Oakland defensive lineman on the free agent market is Matt Shaughnessy, a promising talent who has been slowed by injuries.  Like the Kelly/Jenkins situation, I don’t think the Raiders keep both Shaughnessy and Bryant.  It’s a tough call, but I say they try to keep Shaughnessy.  Therefore, my current guess for the Oakland starting front four are Lamarr Houston, Tommy Kelly, Matt Shaughnessy, and the #3 pick in the draft, Sharrif Floyd (unless they trade down).

OFFENSE

The offense also has some potential free agents and cuts, so let’s look at those.  First, there is the question of whether Carson Palmer takes a pay cut to remain a Raider.  I believe he will.  Palmer is in his mid-30s, and I don’t see him desiring to start over again with another team.  He has a rapport with the receivers, and did have some solid games last season.  By the end of 2013, the Raiders may be ready to turn the reins over to Terrelle Pryor or look to the draft.  But I think Palmer gives it one more shot in Oakland.

The other candidate for the chopping block is the enigmatic Darrius Heyward-Bey.  At times, he looks like the man Al Davis envisioned, with breakaway speed that can turn an 8-yard reception into a 40+ yard touchdown.  However, other times, Heyward-Bey looks off on his routes, and more troubling, seems to be regressing in his catching ability, using his body instead of his hands.  Heyward-Bey’s 2013 contract has him receiving over $7 million.  This is a tough call, and so I’m going with the optimistic hope that Heyward-Bey takes a pay cut in exchange for one more shot at proving Mr. Davis correct.  After 2013, he’s a free agent, and so this season could be make-or-break for Heyward-Bey, providing he swallows his pride for the good of the team.  If DHB refuses to take a cut, I don’t see him staying in Oakland.

Brandon Myers had a breakout 2012 season.  He’s an unrestricted free agent, who will likely attract some significant interest in the free agent market.  Oakland has Richard Gordon and David Ausberry as potential backfill, though neither one of them saw notable action in 2012.  Still, the Raiders could look to draft a tight end in the mid to late rounds of the draft.  Either way, the Raiders have options.  Even if Myers is better than the current options, I don’t think they’re horrible alternatives, and for that reason, the Raiders let Myers walk.

Offensive lineman Khalif Barnes is also a free agent.  I don’t have too much to say on this one.  I’ve never been a big fan of Barnes, and I think this provides Oakland an opportunity to change things up on the line.  Barnes has been serviceable, but he’s also a potential false-start machine.  I think Oakland lets him walk.

SHANE LECHLER

I give Lechler his own subheading because he’s the greatest punter of his generation, and I have an immense amount of respect for him.  That being said, there are too many other issues on the Raiders this year, and Lechler, though still solid, had a much more human year in 2012.  At 36 years old, he may continue to decline.  The Raiders stashed rookie punter Marquette King on injured reserve in 2012, and may be ready to turn over duties to him.  If so, it would be the end of a historic run, but Oakland needs to make smart business decisions.  I see Marquette King as Oakland’s punter in 2013.

There are plenty more storylines in the Raiders free agency world, but these are some of the most interesting/important ones right now.  Let’s see where the next week takes us.

Hook Shots – Post 2012 season

By: Hook

Hook Shots

Slam the book shut on 2012

1.)   Who knows what the Raiders plan to do with Terrelle Pryor at this point. They chose not to play him until the last game. I thought he looked good in that start, despite getting no help from his receivers. He had the offense moving as well as it did all year.

2.)   Did the Raiders really have to wait all year to fire their offensive coordinator and special teams coach? How much worse could it have been? Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie lost their credibility by preaching patience week after week in the face of such crap. Everyone could see that the ZBS was just BS, and that our coverage and return teams stunk.

3.)   I want to hear a defensive-minded head coach explain our atrocious tackling. How about “Our players aren’t that good, but we’re not helping any with our weak schemes and poor adjustments.” When you turn a blind eye on inept play it means players are not accountable, and that leads to more inept play. There were whole games this year where it seemed like we didn’t have a defense on the field.

4.)   These two inexcusable acts should always get you benched for a series: Lining up in the neutral zone, and False Start after a time-out. These weren’t our only dumb fouls this year. How about Defensive Holding on a field goal attempt? Or an old classic, and my all-time favorite: Delay of Game after you used a time out. And let’s not forget the legal-but-totally-stupid Icing your own kicker. Any of these will land you in my Bonehead Hall of Fame.

5.)   Al Davis was the king of making jaw-dropping NFL draft picks. Here’s how his son Mark can carry-on that tradition: 1) The Raiders use their top pick on South Carolina’s Jedevian Clowney, a freshman who is not eligible for the draft until 2014. 2) The NFL, NCAA and Mel Kiper laugh ‘till they’re blue in the face. 3) Clowney and the Raiders lawyer-up and challenge the NCAA, whereupon a judge rules that Clowney is too dangerous to play college football. 4) The Raiders get their man, Kiper turns red, and thirty-one NFL owners turn a sickly green.