Ekejuba Released

[MasterRaider]

Per his Twitter account

[Langlier]

Per his Twitter account

always liked him on STs. that said I think Travis G took his roster spot.

[Sleet]

Eke's had injury problems and his production fell off last year.

Though Eke had a sizeable contract for a special teams player, I, too, think it had more to do with valuing roster spots for players who might see the field, like Groves and Richardson, and Goethel, a back-up LB who people say played special teams well in college.

[Postmaster]

Sam Williams should/will be next.

[Langlier]

Sam Williams should/will be next.

Sam actually plays defense. Ike didnt. Not saying he'll make the team but he'll survive to camp.

[Postmaster]

Sam actually plays defense.

Yeah I am racking my brain and I can't remember a play that the ol' pushman has made on defense since he tackled Mike Vick.

He needs to go.

[Sabers]

always liked him on STs. that said I think Travis G took his roster spot.

I suspect you're right about that. Too bad, I liked him. But that's how this business goes. I wish him well.

G.

[Sabers]

Sam Williams should/will be next.

The presence of not only Travis Goethel, but also Kamerion Wimbley and Quentin Groves means that the annual Sam Williams Scholarship Fund could finally run out in 2010, especially if Groves any degree of decency on special teams.

G.

[boknowsvt]

Isn't he the really great ST guy that we just gave a huge contract to?

[Sleet]

Isn't he the really great ST guy that we just gave a huge contract to?

The contract was last year. Eke got his payday for years of good work.

[Langlier]

Isn't he the really great ST guy that we just gave a huge contract to?

he got it last year. but he wasn't as good as in years past. with no contributions to D we can't afford another Pure ST guy in addition to condo/lechler/jano.

[Crow]

http://chartermagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/sad20face.jpg

[Xplosive]

This list will grow.

X

[Sleet]

This list will grow.

X

Sooner or later?

[Xplosive]

as more teams release players you know this will be a slow process.



X

[007]

I don't like this move happening before camp.

The dude is our best special teamer the last 3 years. Keep him around to show some guys whats going on and cut him in August for krissakes.

[Langlier]

I don't like this move happening before camp.

The dude is our best special teamer the last 3 years. Keep him around to show some guys whats going on and cut him in August for krissakes.

better for him to get cut before camp rather then after.


muuuuuuuuuuch easier to make a team if you spent a training camp with them

[Raider Outlaw]

Lol, that's all I can say to the thought. If he's cut, some shit really is shaking up in Alameda, sort of like when Gruden shipped out McGlockton and Jett with Al's blessing.



Sam actually plays defense. Ike didnt. Not saying he'll make the team but he'll survive to camp.

[Sleet]

better for him to get cut before camp rather then after.


muuuuuuuuuuch easier to make a team if you spent a training camp with them

Al does right by the players who do right by him.

[Raider Outlaw]

I suspect his shoulder injury from last year has lingered, and he failed a physical. He was a good role player, but he's not going to make or break this team. It leaves a spot for a younger guy who can somewhat contribute in the base defense. Jarrod Cooper retired, and we didn't miss a beat on special teams coverage. My concern is getting this return game back to the '08 explosive form.

[RaiderJF]

Loved Eke's work on STs so tough to see him go. But as others have said, its tough to keep another pure ST guy especially when 1) he has had some injury issues lately, 2) he is making pretty good $$ for just a ST-er, and 3) we have a new batch of hungry, lower-paid kids who look to be promising not only as ST-ers, but also as developmental talent to potentially compete / contribute to the D unit. I think this release also speaks to the improved depth that we now have on the D side as we just can't afford the luxury of tieing up the roster spot.

[RaiderRobert]

I think this release also speaks to the improved depth that we now have on the D side as we just can't afford the luxury of tieing up the roster spot.

This is the best sign I have seen in years. I have always said that alot of our starters would be scrubs on other teams. And our depth was pure shit. So now, we are seeing our talent level start to rise to the point that guys are being let go. We have more to do, but this is the best sight for sore eyes... Keep it up Al/Cable...

[Crow]

I don't like this move happening before camp.

The dude is our best special teamer the last 3 years. Keep him around to show some guys whats going on and cut him in August for krissakes.
This...
better for him to get cut before camp rather then after.


muuuuuuuuuuch easier to make a team if you spent a training camp with them

...and this.

Hate to see the man go, but I guess the reality is that he's never going to be more than a STer. There comes a point when you have to open that roster spot up to someone who may be able to contribute on offense or defense.

I don't know if the guy who ultimately gets Ike's spot will ever contribute outside of STs, but we know for certain that Ike won't. Business decisions suck.

I agree that it would have been nice to have him around to school the youngsters on what it takes to be a fearless, body sacrificing coverage ace. But, Lang's right. Eke has been a good soldier for a while now. He deserves every opportunity to land with a squad who would have him in their future plans. Obviously, Oakland did not.


And, yeah. There's the injury thing.

[Crow]

Anyone checked in on HB? This move had to leave a bruise.