Oakland Raiders passive during free agency
As expected, the Oakland Raiders are not a major player in the frenzy that is the first few days of free agency.
After inking Chris Johnson, Shane Lechler, Nnamdi Asomugha and Isaiah Ekejiuba to deals; and tendering restricted free agents Jon Alston, Jon Condo and Ricky Brown, the Silver & Black are just passive observers and looking for cost efficient ways to improve a team that has approximately $6 million in cap space to play with.
With the draft coming up and the likelihood of them keeping their 7th overall selection, a lot of creativity will be needed if they plan to bring in any significant free agents.
Some believe that Javon Walker may still be cut before he gets his roster bonus. But that will just hinder an already tight salary situation.
Jake Grove is still a free agent and the Raiders have expressed interest in bringing him back. Tom Cable wants him to stick around and Grove, who was happy about the coaching hiring, wants to remain in Silver & Black. But negotiations have been stalled due to monetary terms, as the Raiders would like to get him signed to a multi-year deal.
It’s imperative they keep some semblance of continuity on that offensive line, especially since guard Cooper Carlisle has been fielding offers from other clubs and could be lost.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have contacted Carlisle and reports indicated that they might be interested in bringing him in as a reserve. Carlisle still feels he can play at a high level, which bodes well for the Raiders, because he was their best lineman in 2007 and was a steady presence throughout 2008, although his level of play slipped as the year went on.
Carlisle, 31, fits Cable’s zone blocking scheme, but the Raiders may try to deviate from that some in 2009 in their efforts to return to a more power ground game.
If that is the case, it will be interesting what occurs to both Grove and Carlisle, both who fit better Cable’s philosophy.
As for the Michael Bush rumors, its hard to believe that Oakland will entertain any offers for a young rusher who is making very little money and that can spearhead an offense that has no pop.
Oakland must rely on their ground game in 2009 and hope that Bush and Darren McFadden can develop into studs to alleviate the pressure on JaMarcus Russell.
Justin Fargas is still around. So if the Raiders do plan on trading from an area of strength, they should part ways with Fargas, who signed last year a three-year $12 million deal and is expected to get a $1 million roster bonus.
The Raiders have kept a lot of their own players to start this off-season.
That may not seem impressive because they did only manage five victories in 2008.
But considering that Asomugha and Lechler were two of those players –probably the best at their positions in the NFL – its good to see that the Raiders are trying to make the right transactions, not the flashiest ones.
Then again, they are trying to fix the mess that was last season’s flashy spending spree.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
