The Oakland Raiders have already done their fair share of work this offseason in terms of prepping themselves for the upcoming free agency period, which begins a week from today.
Eight days ago they locked their leading rusher from 2007, Justin Fargas, into a three-year deal. This week, they used their franchise tag to retain their best defensive player, 26-year-old cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
Also, in late January, the team re-signed linebacker Sam Williams to a one-year deal; he will provide some depth along the defensive front.
That leaves 10 players remaining, all who will become unrestricted free agents one week from now. According to my count, Oakland can get away with signing just three.
Goodbye to…
Tyler Brayton
Finally, the time has come. Brayton recently voided the final year of his rookie contract, officially making him an unrestricted free agent on February 29th.
The last time the 280-pound defensive end tallied a sack was October 30, 2005. Have fun elsewhere.
Daunte Culpepper
This is a no-brainer. Culpepper can't stay healthy, performed poorly in 2007, and isn't ready to be a full-time backup in Oakland. He's gone.
Cornell Green
Green missed the final six games of the '07 season before suffering a foot injury in Week 10. Green was a slightly below-average performer up front even before the damage to his foot, committing eight penalties and allowing seven sacks. He's not worth bringing back next season.
Jeremy Newberry
Newberry certainly helped to shore up an ailing line last season, allowing only two sacks in 14 starts at center. However, he'll be turning 32 years old next month and is no stranger to injuries.
With youngsters such as Chris Morris (24) and Jake Grove (27) behind him, Oakland can afford to let this veteran go.
Jerry Porter
Easy enough. Porter has already stated that he wants to "move on" from Oakland, so let him do that. For some reason, though, I do envision him performing phenomenally elsewhere.
Chris Johnson
Johnson had just 13 tackles last season, and the Raiders currently have 11 defensive backs on their roster. This is a journeyman who can travel elsewhere.
Tim Dwight
Dwight did a great job last season when the Raiders called on him to fill in at wide receiver for the final six games, making two touchdown grabs.
However, the 32-year-old will simply be taking time from youngsters such as Johnnie Lee Higgins, Johnathan Holland, and whomever the Raiders draft this coming April.
Welcome back...
Chris Clemons
Oakland can't let little-known Clemons slip away. The 26-year-old defensive end led the team with eight sacks last season. In his two lone starts, he recorded three tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble.
Tommy Kelly
With Warren Sapp's retirement, Kelly's service in Oakland will be needed in 2008 more than ever.
Before suffering a Week 8 injury last season, Kelly had recorded 30 tackles and a sack as a defensive end. And at an equal 300 pounds, he also has the ability to play in Sapp's DT spot.
Josh McCown
McCown is the backup quarterback. Whether you like how the 6’4’’, 215-pounder plays or not, you have to agree that his attitude is exactly what the Raiders need at this point.
McCown is more than willing to play either ahead of or behind the 22-year-old JaMarcus Russell, and he keeps his attitude in check while doing so.
Anthony Carroll can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Good Article the Raiders need to bring back C Jeremy Newberry who is the leader of the offensive line and who played for Tom Cable in college. DE Chris Clemons who brings youth, versatility and the ability to get after the QB and play OLB in a 3-4 if Rob Ryan chooses to show that front. When Rob Ryan arrived he didn't have the Linebackers to make it happen now he does. DT/DE Tommy Kelly a much needed piece now that Sapp has retired. I would bring back QB Josh McNown because of his attitude and willingness to be a backup and help JaMarcus. Tagging Nnamdi and re-signing Justin Fargas were good moves. Those moves should be followed up with a few other free agents targets WR Bernard Berrian, WR Bryant Johnson, DT Randy Starks, NT Ethan Kelley, LB Kawika Mitchell, LB Calvin Pace, LB Boss Bailey, SS Eugene Wilson, SS Gibril Wilson with the goal of landing 2 or 3 of the above mentioned players.
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Shasta Jim about 1 year ago
I think porter would be worth keeping and let curry go but in order to make it worthwhile they must find someone to put on the other side that can hang onto the ball!! otherwise they will wear Zack miller out trying to be both a wide out and a tight end... I do not know if madsen has the speed or not but he sure has the hands.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I like WR Jerry Porter, but he doesn't like the Raiders. So, he has to go whether I like it or not. They need to keep WR Ronald Curry. He's a younger version of Jerry Porter. Curry is also our leading WR. The Raiders need to sign a free agent WR with speed and good hands. A #1 WR, so to speak. Then they need to pick up a deep threat WR in the 2nd round of this years draft. They need to play WR Johnnie Lee Higgins more. He would make a good deep threat speed receiver. Use WR Ronald Curry for the slot, and possession downs, like 2nd and 5's or 3rd and shorts. If they get another 1st round pick in the 2009 draft, they definitely need to take a big time WR. This year's draft they need to take either DT Sedrick Ellis, DT Glenn Dorsey, or OT Jake Long. These are own #1 needs right now. DT Warren Sapp retired, and we have no LT to help protect QB JaMarcus Russell. We need run defense and pass protection. There's no sense in getting a #1 WR, if we can't protect Russell. Russell can't get the ball to his WR's if he is getting rushed or sacked. But, I have a feeling that Al Davis will pick RB Darren McFadden in the 1st round anyway. What the Raiders really need to do is keep Coach Lane Kiffin. The Raiders will never be a good team, if Al Davis keeps firing coaches every year. There is no stability in Oakland. And it's because of Al Davis. Al Davis is hindering this team from being successful.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Al Davis needs to back off some. There is a lot of talent on the Raiders roster. I'd really hate to see it all go to waist. I really feel sorry for the great players that we do have, that play their heart's out every Sunday. There is a lot of dead weight on the team that needs to go: LT Barry Sims, FS Stuart Schwiegert, DE Tyler Brayton, RB LaMont Jordan, RB Dominic Rhodes, WR Jerry Porter, RT Cornell Green, QB Andrew Walter, SS Chris Johnson, CB Fabian Washington, and OLB Robert Thomas. The Raiders can start by getting rid of these guys. RE-SIGN: CB Nnamdi Asomugha, DE/DT Tommy Kelly, DE Chris Clemons, C Jeremy Newberry, RB Justin Fargas, and keep Coach Kiffin. If they would do all of this, and draft well the next few years. Then we could be a contender again. The Raiders are only a few players away from having a great season. It just might take longer than we want it to. I know it's hard, but be patient Raiders fans. We're coming back soon. I promise you. Thanks for reading.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Your absolutely right Jeff. You know what your talking about. But, we're not gonna get WR Bernard Berrian though. The Bears are gonna give him a long term deal. That's why the Bears released WR Mushin Muhammed. Berrian is the Bears #1 guy now. I would have love to have gotten Bernard Berrian, but that ship has sailed. I like the other free agents you talked about. Maybe we can land some of those guys, I hope. Especially one of those SS's. We need a good SS, and move Michael Huff to FS. We'll get someone, don't worry. I'm sure Coach Kiffin in on top of that issue. Kiffin wasn't pleased with the play of FS Stuart Schwiegert or FS Hiram Eugene this year. He wants them gone this offseason, along with others. This year, a lot of the players were playing for their jobs. And a lot of them won't be back in '08.
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greg pitsch about 1 year ago
Look for Lavelle Hawkins out of Cal to become a raider. He will most likely fall into the third round. He has explosive speed, he has great hands, and played the slot role this season at Cal. Plus he has grown up in Northern California. This will happen and he could be a legitimate number 1 receiver in a short term situation.
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