The Oakland Raiders will be busy next week at the NFL Draft. But so far this month, they have made a few moves on their roster. Here is a capsule of the Silver & Black’s recent transactions:
The 19th overall selection in the 2003 draft – Kyle Boller – was added to the Raiders roster. The former Cal signal caller has played for the Baltimore Ravens (2003-2008) and the St. Louis Rams (2009). In his career, Boller has tallied 8,745 passing yards, 48 touchdowns, 50 interceptions at a 56.8 completion rate and a passer rating of 70.6. He’ll likely battle for the third spot on the depth chart behind JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski. All signs indicate that the Raiders will have an open competition in the summer at quarterback, but Russell will jolt out of the gate with the lead due to the draft and monetary commitment that Oakland locked themselves in.
Kirk Morrison signed his restricted free agent tender deal offer this week. The one-year contract will land him nearly $2.5 million if he makes the roster. While Oakland slapped a 3rd round tender on the middle linebacker, no team bit and now Oakland can trade him if they choose to do so.
Kicker Swayze Waters was also added to the roster. With the quality of legs already on the unit, Waters will be fodder eventually unless an injury keeps Sebastian Janikowski or Shane Lechler off the field. Waters best chance to make a squad in 2010 will be to learn as much as possible from the incumbents and impress in his stints during the pre-season, if he even makes it that far.
Since Boller is now on the roster, will Oakland attempt to roll the dice on the passer in the draft? A week ago, a report by the National Football Post stated that the Raiders were working out Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka. And in recent weeks, speculation about Donovan McNabb, Jimmy Clausen and Tim Tebow has been rampant.
As for McNabb, who was traded to the Redskins, while on ESPN radio the chatty passer stated, “I would have been at the workouts and working out with the team, throwing and trying to get the timing down with the corps of receivers and running backs they have and communicated with the offensive line to get ready for minicamp,” if he would have been a member of the Silver & Black.
Chris Cooper is back with the Raiders. The defensive lineman who has played for San Francisco, Dallas and Seattle and Arizona since leaving the Raiders following the 2003 season, inked a deal with Oakland last week. Linebacker Sam Williams was also signed, as the 29-year old will likely continue his role as a reserve and a special teams contributor.
