Offseason Look at the Raiders

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Angel

Angel

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Oakland Raiders
By ALLEN WILSON
News Sports Reporter
7/5/2006

Key gains: QB Aaron Brooks (Saints), S Michael Huff (Texas), DE Lance Johnstone (Vikings), LB Thomas Howard (UTEP).
Key losses: QB Kerry Collins (released), DT Ted Washington (Browns), DT Ed Jasper (Eagles), CB Charles Woodson (Packers), S Renaldo Hill (Dolphins).

Breakdown: The Raiders' decision to pass on Matt Leinart in the draft was an endorsement of Brooks and last year's second-round pick, Andrew Walter. Johnstone will be a good complement to DE Derrick Burgess (NFL-high 16 sacks in '05). A young secondary got a great first-round addition in Huff, a fast, playmaking safety who can also play cornerback. CBs Tyrone Poole and Duane Starks were free agent flops in New England last year.

Questions: Will Shell bring back the old Raiders' winning attitude? Is the inconsistent Brooks really an improvement over the erratic Collins? Can the Raiders stop the run without Washington and Jasper clogging the middle? Despite athletic additions of Howard and Darnell Bing (USC), linebacker is still a big concern.
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http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060705/6066633.asp
 
I really believe that Art is going to bring the attitude back. The team is filled with youth, attitude and great work ethic. The only knucklehead is Porter. If we had some bad apples, I think it would take some time but I see the team growing quickly.

If Walter can be the quarterback we envision, we are going to be good for a long while.

Next offseason, we will have virtually no dead cap money. We are going to be players in free agency. Adding the final pieces of the puzzle will should come easy.
 
This is what we're all hoping for AP.

In the NFL stranger things have happened. Teams seem to come together and go from worst to first a lot. Myabe it's our turn.
 
It is our turn. Art will bring back the right kind of mentality to the organization.

One way or another Porter is going to explode. I wouldn't be shocked if he was wearing someone else's colors next season though.

I don't know how active we will be in free agency next year. I would hope we're active in a positive way instead of in the traditional way.

Like this year for example. Many Raider fans are upset or worried about the DT situation. I think we've got some good pieces there. I think too many people forget that teams have guys who flew under the radar emerge as stars and big-name busts every year. Why are our no-names any less likely to emerge as solid starters (I'm not asking for stars).

I'd rather we ignore the FA market if we're going to dredge up some older player with 3 decent years left and sign him for 5 years.

I'd much rather we grab some star in their prime whose team doesn't think they can afford them anymore. What's the real difference between wasting money on a star that might get injured or wasting it on a falling star who will be dead cap money in a couple years? Virtually none. At least a player in his prime will recover and play again. The old vet will fade away and leave you just as cash strapped and player-less.

So if we're active next year, let's land some solid talent, like Jordan and Moss. I think Sapp was just a marginal acquisition.
 
Rupert said:
Like this year for example. Many Raider fans are upset or worried about the DT situation. I think we've got some good pieces there. I think too many people forget that teams have guys who flew under the radar emerge as stars and big-name busts every year. Why are our no-names any less likely to emerge as solid starters (I'm not asking for stars).
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I agree 100%.

Actually... given our history of finding late round gems along the D-Line (Jackson, Coleman, Kelly), I'd say that our chances of doing it again seem better than average. It's one area I'll give Al his complete due when it comes to drafting.
 
Yea, I want the three/four/five year vets to come in via free agency rather than the older guys. I know that we haven't really gotten into bidding wars for players but hopefully those types of players..a couple.. will be great investments. I am happy about the talent we have accumulated.
 
Ahhh Jerry Porter. I'm thoroughly sick of this clown. I say that if Porter still has a shit attitude half-way through camp, either trade him to the first taker in the NFC (ideally New York Giants) or negotiate a favoreable buyout and get rid of him. I'm sick of his act completely. IF healthy, Ronald Curry is a vastly better football player. Doug Gabriel is steadily improving and while he may never have great hands, he will play his ass off with a great tude'.

Jonnie Morant - Dude should have been playing after Moss was hurt the team was 4-8. Same for some other people. I think this guy might be the most physically gift WR on the team - outside of a healthy Randy Moss.

Back to Porter - The irony is that he should be savoring his position in the scheme. A healthy Moss will without doubt draw attention, LaMont Jordan should command respect schematically and Porter SHOULD be feasting on our opponents. His attitude is for shit and on top of that, he's oft injured.
 
Sup' Gst8?

Rupert - I actually think Warren Sapp is/was a poor signing. He didn't play at all in 2005 and in 2005 he blew his shoulder out. I still wasn't overly impressed with his play despite getting a few "cleanup" sacks (because of Kelly & Burgess IMO) against a couple of bad teams (Was it Buffalo and Tennesee?). I think he will bring us NADA this year. I do agree that if we do chase FA, go with players either quickly approaching or IN their prime. The veteran additions should be applied sparringly, NOT as a foundational philosophy IMO.
 
How else can I post whore?

DT - I hope you're right Rupert.

Being that Tommy Kelly is apparently moving back to DT, is anyone concered about DE and lack of size/talent? I am. Bobby Hamitlon may or may not make the squad and even if he does, he will wake up old at some point, right? Derrick Burgess is a nice pass rusher, but I still hate to see him play on some many "run" downs. Lance Johnstone is a decent 3rd down pass rusher, but a tandem of Burgess/Johnstone would get us killed against the run IMHO. Brayton? Please.
 
RaiderIVlife said:
Sup' Gst8?

Rupert - I actually think Warren Sapp is/was a poor signing. He didn't play at all in 2005 and in 2005 he blew his shoulder out. I still wasn't overly impressed with his play despite getting a few "cleanup" sacks (because of Kelly & Burgess IMO) against a couple of bad teams (Was it Buffalo and Tennesee?). I think he will bring us NADA this year. I do agree that if we do chase FA, go with players either quickly approaching or IN their prime. The veteran additions should be applied sparringly, NOT as a foundational philosophy IMO.
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Common R4L, don't be so hard on the guy.

He did have just as many INT's as the immortal Charles Woodson after all. LOL. :D
 
gst8 said:
Common R4L, don't be so hard on the guy.

He did have just as many INT's as the immortal Charles Woodson after all. LOL. :D
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LOL

Shit, compared to Charles Woodson, the Sapp money has been well spent.

The Charles Woodson faction is quite radical. Always has been, always will be I guess. Go figure.
 
RaiderIVlife said:
Ahhh Jerry Porter. I'm thoroughly sick of this clown. I say that if Porter still has a shit attitude half-way through camp, either trade him to the first taker in the NFC (ideally New York Giants) or negotiate a favoreable buyout and get rid of him. I'm sick of his act completely. IF healthy, Ronald Curry is a vastly better football player. Doug Gabriel is steadily improving and while he may never have great hands, he will play his ass off with a great tude'.
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REP!!!!!

As Howard Cosell would have said, ``tell it like it is".

I cound not agree more. Porter's BS is really old. The guy talks a good game but his production is very inconsistent and he can't be counted on. And then he runs his mouth. He got paid and still can't walk the walk.

Put up or shut up. It wouldn't hurt my feelings to see the last cancer on this team shipped to the NFC --- how about Chicago?...they need another WR like a hole in the head and they'd probably overpay to boot.
 
CrossBones said:
This is what we're all hoping for AP.

In the NFL stranger things have happened. Teams seem to come together and go from worst to first a lot. Myabe it's our turn.
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I think the Raiders are due for a winning season....the last 3 years have been like a curse to you guys!! :eek:
 
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