Silver and Black Report

Aaron Brooks, QB

After the Oakland Raiders parted ways with Kerry Collins, they signed Brooks to a 2-year deal worth $8 million. “Aaron gives us great depth at the quarterback position and provides us with a veteran presence,” then Raiders head coach Art Shell stated. Brooks was the starter at the beginning of the 2006 campaign, as his only competition was Marques Tuiasosopo and Andrew Walter. Brooks was sacked seven times in the opener against San Diego and battered week-two versus Baltimore, fumbling two snaps from center before straining his pectoral muscle. Eventually he started eight games for the Raiders, losing all of them and was cut after his lone season in Silver & Black, as the team wanted to avoid a $5 million roster bonus he was due the next off-season.

Verdict: Brooks was a stopgap quarterback during an agonizing season for the Raiders. His final stats: a 57.3 completion percentage, eight interceptions and three touchdown passes while being sacked 26 times in eight games.

Eric Turner, S

Prior to the 1997 season, the Raiders were on a shopping spree, and one of their prized signings was the Pro Bowl safety. Turner was reeled in with a 4-year $6 million deal. ”We’re delighted that we can add another impact player to the organization,” said Joe Bugel. He played 32-contest with the Silver & Black before dying of intestinal cancer at age 31. “I realize people are concerned, but I have chosen to keep this issue within my family,” Turner said in a statement prior to his death.

Verdict: The former 2^nd overall pick of the 1991 draft arrived in Oakland after being selected to two Pro Bowls. Turner has always been remembered fondly by teammates and the organization on and off the field.

Andre Rison, WR

A week after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs in August of 2000, Oakland picked up the 33-year old target with a one-year contract worth $450,000 and a $100,000 signing bonus. “The day I was released I already knew where I was going,” Rison commented when he landed with the Chiefs rival. The mercurial wide receiver played 16-games, compiling 41-receptions for 606-yards and 6 touchdowns. The prior season, he tallied career lows in catches and yards with no scores. Rison had 3 receptions for 44-yards in the playoffs, but had a score nullified due to pass interference flag with 4-minutes remaining in the AFC Championship game loss to the Ravens.

Verdict: Rison added attitude to the offense and solid production at wide-receiver behind Tim Brown as the Raiders marched to a 12-4 finish in the regular season in Jon Gruden’s third season.

LaMont Jordan, RB

After the 2004 season, Oakland looked to boost their putrid ground game with the signing of LaMont Jordan. After the former NewYork Jet landed in the Bay Area with a five-year, $27.5 million contract, he stated, “I’ve played out here in Oakland a couple of times and it’s actually my favorite stadium to play in, so I’m really looking forward to getting this ball rolling and hopefully being a big piece to us accomplishing our goals.” Jordan led all NFL rushers with 70 catches his first season and tallied 1,588 total yards from scrimmage and 11 scores. But it went down hill from there, as he tore his MCL in November of 2006 and missed the remainder of the season. After starting the 2007 campaign with 350-yards rushing and two touchdowns in the team’s first three-games, he sustained a back injury in Miami.

Verdict: Jordan was phased out due to his ineffective running and Justin Fargas’ emergence in his last months in Oakland. He never lived up to his contract or the expectations he had to become a productive rusher in the NFL. “After three games [in 2007], LaMont Jordan led the NFL in rushing,” teammate Warren Sapp said. “But…he was out of shape and couldn’t keep it going.”

Stay tuned for upcoming installments, looking back at the Raiders history during the free-agency period. Part-six is coming soon…

On Friday, the inevitable occurred, as the Oakland Raiders finally released running back LaMont Jordan.

The 29-year-old rusher signed a five-year deal worth $27.5 million in 2005 after backing up Curtis Martin in New York the first four seasons of his career.

He appeared to be the perfect fit for Norv Turner’s run friendly offense, but after a productive 2005 campaign that saw him rush for 1,025 yards and compile 70-receptions for 563 yards, the boisterous running back struggled to stay healthy and was ineffective during his final two seasons in Oakland.

In November of 2006, he tore his left MCL, an injury that catapulted Justin Fargas to the forefront and began his ascension within the Raider roster. At the onset of the 2007 campaign, head coach Lane Kiffin elected to go with Jordan as his starter, and the former Maryland star responded by posting 424-rushing yards in the team’s first four games. But a back injury dampened Jordan’s season and Fargas once again grabbed headlines and the starting role.

Jordan’s conditioning has always been in question during the off-season. Earlier this year, former Raider Warren Sapp stated that Jordan “is like the worst off-season running back I’ve ever been around.”

“After three games last season, LaMont Jordan led the NFL in rushing,” Sapp said. “But…he was out of shape and couldn’t keep it going.”

Fans throughout his tenure in Oakland critiqued his putrid 3.8 yards per carry. Especially when Fargas and other rushers ran successfully behind the same offensive lines with more effectiveness.

The Raiders have told Jordan to stay away from the team and that his presence was not needed during mini-camps and training camp.

Jordan’s agent, Alvin Keels, received permission from the Raiders to seek a trade during the off-season. But teams bypassed the idea of trading for a player that would eventually be let go. The Detroit Lions were reportedly one of the suitors for his services, along with the Chicago Bears.

There were reports as early as last season that Oakland was looking to move the eight-year veteran, but with a log jam at running back and his contract status, teams around the league were hesitant to give up any compensation for a player that could be available in free-agency as training camp began.

It is believed that the Raiders would save $4.7 million in 2008 cap space after severing ties with Jordan.

Since the start of camp, head coach Lane Kiffin avoided elaborating on the situation, simply stating that owner Al Davis and Jordan’s agent have been in talks regarding the resolution of this matter.

With Jordan now gone, Oakland can now focus on giving reps to the younger rushers on the roster. And with the settlement, Jordan can now move on and shop himself without any strings attached.

Update: Several media reports indicated the Raiders re-signed quarterback Jeff Otis to fill Jordan’s roster spot. Otis was one of three players waived the day before camp began to make room for Nnamdi Asomugha re-signing and rookies Arman Shields and Trevor Scott signing. ~ES

What’s going on with LaMont Jordan – is he being released or traded?

Ideally, the Oakland Raiders would love to deal Jordan and get some compensation in return. The organization already told him he can seek a trade and to stay off the practice field; and that may be a reason why other teams are not lining up and embracing the idea of a trade with the Silver & Black knowing they will release him eventually if he stays on the roster. Oakland could definitely go into camp with Jordan on board. But the facts are, Justin Fargas and his new deal is locked in as the starter, first round draft choice Darren McFadden is going to be their multi-purpose weapon and Michael Bush is looked as the change of pace back-up for either and a player they expect big things out of. Read more…

LaMont Jordan has played his last tune with the Oakland Raiders

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

The Oakland Raiders began mini-camp today by informing LaMont Jordan that they are headed in a different direction and that his days as a member of the Silver & Black could come to an end.

 The 29-year-old rusher signed a five-year deal worth $27.5 million in 2005 after backing up Curtis Martin in New York the first four seasons of his career.

Read more…

Javon Walker securing a pass during practice in Alameda last week 

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

What should be the biggest concern on offense for the Oakland Raiders?

Read more…