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.

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.

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 – Recapping Week 11

By: Hook

Three Quick Hits

More like gut-punches. Here are three nagging thoughts to tack on to all the analysis:

1-     Red Zone – While the staff defends their offensive coordinator and his scheme, the sad truth is that the Raiders would have been more productive to this point by abandoning all plays except the quarterback sneak whenever they were in a first-and-goal situation.

2-     Palmer/Criner disconnect – More than halfway through the season, and the ball goes one way while the receiver goes another. What’s up?

3-     The team’s seemingly complete lack of interest in activating Terrelle Pryor. With their current personnel shortages, you mean they can’t find a way to use arguably the best healthy athlete on the roster? Unfortunately this looks like a “He was Al’s guy, not mine” statement from Reggie and D.A.

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EastCoastRaider’s comments:

1. Completely agree.  Red Zone play has been pathetic.  Palmer’s yards should be supported by a significant amount more points than the Raiders have scored.  The Raiders have baffled me by being able to drive down the field, and then completely flame out near the 20.

2. Palmer’s frustration is showing more and more each week.  The first few weeks of miscues, you’d see him jog off the field, no real emotion.  I saw several times on Sunday where he was visibly upset at his receivers.

3. I don’t think they’re completely given up on TP yet, but I’m sure they’re getting close.  I honestly just think right now, Dennis Allen sees so many weak positions on the field that he’s rather keep TP inactive so the spot is freed up for another linebacker/cornerback.  I don’t know if that’s actually his thought process, but it makes sense.

Aaron Curry returns to practice and other notes

Oakland Raiders’ linebacker Aaron Curry has returned to practice after bring placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for the first six weeks of the season.  The Raiders have 21 days from Curry’s first practice to determine whether Curry will be activated or shut down for the year.  The Raiders could certainly use Curry, although an interesting note is that many don’t believe Curry would regain his starting weakside linebacker role.  Miles Burris has filled that role as well as anyone could hope.

Carson Palmer took Sunday’s loss rough, and said this week’s game is a “must win.”  He’s not wrong.  Oakland is entering a stretch of winnable games, and could pick up a game on idle San Diego and Denver.  The Raiders are relatively healthy with a couple exceptions, so they need to capitalize on that.  Oakland’s #1 goal will be stopping one of the NFL’s best running backs, Maurice Jones-Drew.  If they can do that, and if the secondary can play as well as they did on Sunday (can’t believe I’m writing that), then the offense will have plenty of time to get going.

Dennis Allen has been repeatedly questions as to why he didn’t go for a 58-yard field goal in the first quarter on Sunday.  I don’t think it was the wrong decision.  It was a judgment call.  If Shane Lechler would have coffin-cornered a punt at the one, he would have been called a genius.  If SeaBass would have gone for it and missed, people would have attacked Allen.  As it stands, SeaBass is on the injury list weekly for a sore groin.  Why force him to attempt such a kick early on in a game, even if he does have one of the strongest legs in the game?

Week 3 Raiders Power Rankings ’round the web

The Raiders won a hard-fought game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, improving their record to 1-2.  Last week, of the sites referenced, the Raiders’ average power ranking out of 32 teams was just about 30.  How would they fare this week?

ESPN: 27

ProFootballTalk: 20

NFL.com: 29

Fox Sports: 26

CBS Sports: 20

Average: 24.4 – Round down to 24
My take: 25.  I had decided this before I looked up these scores for the week, so I’m glad to see I’m right around the average.  The Raiders’ win was big, no doubt.  However, they are still a 1-2 team, pegged by some as possibly the worst team in the league just one week ago.  I move them up 5 spots in my ranking due to the big home win, but I can’t go much more than that until I see some consistency.  A win in Denver this weekend would go a long way for this team’s confidence as they head into a bye week.

 

Week 3 studs & duds

I covered his pick before, but I’m giving ESPN’s Adam Schefter an honorary place as one of this week’s studs for being one of the only experts to pick the Raiders to pull off the win.  As for the actual team:

Studs:

1. Darren McFadden – How could the top spot go to anyone else?  The Raiders needed McFadden’s big touchdown run in the first quarter.  Greg Knapp needed the run.  The offensive line needed the run.  The fans needed the run.  McFadden needed the run.  Has a week 3 touchdown run (not counting game winners) ever been bigger?

2. Carson Palmer – Palmer gets a ton of credit for bouncing back from an atrocious first half, including an interception in the first play of the game.  At the end of the half, Palmer threw a perfect touchdown pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey, which set the table for his second half.  Palmer led the Raiders on FIVE straight scoring drives to end the game.  Shane Lechler was getting bored with all of his free time.  Palmer threw big-time passes when they counted, threading the needle on throws like the one to Brandon Myers on the game-winning drive.  Palmer’s accuracy and timing look much improved.  He’s rolling out well and staying in the pocket when he needs to.

3. Sebastian Janikowski – Yes, he’s been in this position many times, but that doesn’t make it any easier.  Janikowski booted the game-winning field goal, kicking in an area just off of the infield dirt.  Sea Bass’ career has been amazing.  He’s become one of the most beloved players in Raiders’ history, and will hopefully be a Raider until his last game.

Duds:

1. Pat Lee – Lee was picked apart by Ben Roethlisberger, however, he redeemed himself by causing a momentum-shifting fumble.  However, if you take that fumble out of the game, Lee’s play would have landed him on the “dud” list.  Personally though, I’d like to see Huff hang around at cornerback for a few more games.  He may get the hang of it, and Giordano plays with such passion that I’m more comfortable with him subbing for Huff than Philip Adams subbing in at cornerback.

2. Mike Goodson – Sebastian Janikowski kicked a surprise onside kick that sailed right through Goodson’s hands.  I’m not debating whether it was the right call or not.  Coaches risk a lot by going to trick plays, and they only work if everyone does their job.  Goodson was in a position to make the big-time play, and instead, the Steelers had some prime field position.

What does Adam Schefter know that we don’t?

Adam Schefter thinks Oakland can shock the Steelers on Sunday (Photo credit: justinwalsh37)

ESPN’s Adam Schefter hasn’t always been a favorite amongst Raiders fans.  In fact, one could say Adam Schefter usually isn’t a favorite amongst Raiders fans.  However, this week, Schefter is the only “expert” on ESPN, CBS, or ProFootballTalk to pick Oakland to upset the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now, these picks carry about as much weight as a pick from my grandmother in the grand scheme of things.  The old adage of “on any given Sunday” has been proven time and time again.  But Bill Williamson of ESPN asked Schefter to clarify his choice.  Schefter first pointed to Oakland’s play against San Diego.  The Raiders played well, and could have possibly won had long snapper Jon Condo not gone down with a concussion.  In addition, Schefter believes Pittsburgh’s position coming off a win last week and going into a bye week will factor in, as will the Raiders’ home field advantage.

I can appreciate Schefter’s decision, but the secondary is a major concern.  I do believe the offense will get better.  Will the zone blocking scheme work to its full potential?  Perhaps not, but Darren McFadden will NOT spend the entire year averaging two yards per game.  However, at this point, the Raiders have brought in free agent after free agent to supplement the secondary.  However, these aren’t off-season free agents, these are cut and practice squad players.    While there may be some diamonds in the rough, there is plenty of fool’s gold as well.

I do like the Raiders’ decision to have Michael Huff practice at cornerback.  The Raiders undoubtedly have more depth at safety, with Matt Giordano and Mike Mitchell on the bench.  Huff knows the defense, and played cornerback in college.  What a shot in the arm it would be if Huff could come out and excel at corner.

Maybe Schefter is on to something.  Oakland has shocked Pittsburgh before; they beat the Steelers in the season Oakland went 2-14, and again in 2009 with Bruce Gradkowki at quarterback.  Stranger things have happened.  The Raiders have been backed into a corner.  They have nothing to lose by going all-out.  That could make them very dangerous.

It’s time for the panic alarm in Oakland

On Sunday, the Oakland Raiders were completely dominated by the Miami Dolphins.  While Oakland actually led after the first half, they had no answer for rookie (yes, Oakland made yet another rookie look good) quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the Miami running game.  The Raiders are in serious trouble, as they fell to 0-2 with games against the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers looming.  Here are just some of the reasons why this season is quickly slipping away:

1. The offense is playing completely uninspired.  On paper, Carson Palmer is becoming a stat warrior this year, but only once did the Raiders truly have an explosive play: a swing pass to Mike Goodson for a 60+ yard touchdown.  Other than that, once again Palmer made some completions but the Raiders largely failed to capitalize on the gains.

2. Red zone problems.  Twice the Raiders settled for field goals when they desperately needed touchdowns.  3 points instead of 7 will kill you quickly.

3. Greg Knapp seems to have completely abandoned the running game.  It was nearly invisible.  Oakland doesn’t have the ability to run a one-dimensional offense, and yet that’s exactly what they tried to do against Miami.

4. Defensive 3rd down problems.  While the Raiders stopped Miami at times on 3rd down, too often they gave up the critical down, allowing Miami drives to continue.  Not only will this keep the defense on the field, it completely demotivates them, as evidenced by Richard Seymour’s frustration after the cornerbacks allowed another out route for a 1st down.  Speaking of the CBs…

5. Oakland may have the worst cornerback corps in the league.  Pat Lee was absolutely clowned today by a rookie quarterback.  He was beaten time and time again on out routes.  Shawntae Spencer wasn’t much better, but he certainly played above the levels of Lee and Joselio Hanson.

6. Miamimania is running wild!  At first, I thought it was just Reggie Bush exposing the Raiders and gashing them for big yards and touchdowns.  However, on the next play after he left the game in the 4th quarter, Miami once again broke a big play for a touchdown.

What Oakland can do to salvage the season:

Blow up the offensive playbook and start over.  The plays aren’t working.  Greg Knapp should fear that his job is in jeopardy.  I get that Oakland’s staff may consider themselves “rebuilding,” but when your start player is amassing 30 yards a game rushing, you aren’t using him well.  Something has to give.  Nobody on that staff can be proud of how they’re using Darren McFadden right now.  Oakland completely abandoned the running game early on.  Having Carson Palmer shoulder the load isn’t much wiser than giving it all to McFadden.  Seriously, what are these guys thinking?

Somehow, Oakland needs to rectify the cornerback situation.  Maybe there’s still a free agent veteran out there worth a look, or perhaps Oakland does need to explore a trade, but the cornerbacks are possibly the worst I’ve ever seen for the Raiders.  We were spoiled to have Nnamdi Asomugha for so many years.  These guys are going to get picked apart by Peyton Manning and Ben Roethelisberger if they can’t even stop Ryan Tannehill.

Back to the drawing board, Oakland.  Time is running out to spark some life into this team.