15-years of Free Agency for the Raiders – Part 2
Javon Walker, WR
Walker signed with the Raiders in March of 2008. The six-year $55 million contract that included more than $16 million in guarantees was restructured in March of 2009 after he tallied a putrid 15 receptions for 196 yards with one score after his first year with Oakland. He recorded no stats in 2009 and stated in September, “I’m more than healthy enough.
“I’m just going with the flow.”
Verdict: Walker’s contract with the Raiders will go down as one of the biggest flops in the history of free agency.
Anthony Dorsett, S
The Raiders signed the 26-year old Dorsett after playing 56-games with the Tennessee Titans. He started in Super Bowl XXXIV at free-safety and it was expected that the son of Tony Dorsett and Pro Bowl alternate at the end of the 1999 campaign, would have started next to Eric Turner. Turner passed away in 2000 and in November of that year, Jon Gruden stated, “Dorsett is a guy that’s going to continue to get better and better and better.” Dorsett had a key blocked field goal versus the Cowboys that led to a win and forced a fumble versus the Chiefs that also keyed a Raider victory in 2000.
Verdict: In his first two years in Oakland, Dorsett showed promise. But it was down hill after that and he became a liability in the secondary the last two campaigns in Silver & Black.
Kevin Gogan, G
The 6-foot-7, 320 pound guard signed a three-year $3.6 million deal with a $1.3 million signing bonus in 1994. At 30-years old, he made his first Pro Bowl in his first year with Los Angeles. Gogan was a grinder in the interior and had a reputation of being one of the toughest linemen in the league.
Verdict: A solid lineman while with the Raiders, Gogan was a perfect fit and his presence moved Max Montoya out of his starting spot.
Amos Zereoue, RB
The former West Virginia Mountaineer and Pittsburgh Steelers all-purpose back was expected to fill the void of the departed Charlie Garner in 2004. He inked a one-year deal worth $535,000 in base salary and a $25,000 signing bonus.
Verdict: Zereoue led the Raiders with a feeble 425 yards rushing in his only season in Oakland. His competition during that year; Tyrone Wheatley, Justin Fargas and Troy Hambrick were given the back seat by Norv Turner. Zereoue’s best outing was during a 30-17 loss versus the Texans when he rushed for 117-yards on 14 carries with 2 scores.
Stay tuned for upcoming installments, looking back at the Raiders history during the free-agency period. Part-three coming soon…
