This article is dedicated to the front office of the Oakland Raider organization. It is dedicated to everyone there—except Al Davis because I know this wasn’t his fault, I just know this wasn’t his idea.
The Raiders have signed DT/DE Tommy Kelly to a seven-year, $50 million deal.
The first questions running through my brain upon hearing the news compelled me to write this piece: What in the world were they thinking? Is this a public cry for help? Or do they know something the Black Hole and Raider fans everywhere don't?
Oakland has made more than Kelly’s day, they’ve made his whole life! The team threw away $50 million on a player coming off reconstructive knee surgery. In addition, Kelly had just one sack last year.
Let’s take a closer look at his stats. Kelly had 27 tackles and one blocked kick last season, and 13 sacks in four seasons. Granted, the kick he blocked did give Oakland their first win last year. But was that one moment really worth all this money? The answer is a definitive “No.”
Below is a list of five ways the Raiders could have better spent the $50 million.
1. Jevon Kearse
Jevon Kearse was released by the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday. Surely the Raiders had early knowledge of this and could have made a move toward the former Pro Bowler.
Kearse is a far better player than Kelly and brings more to the table. The Freak's hard work and personality would've been welcomed and enjoyed in the Coliseum, and he probably would have become an instant fan favorite.
Kearse could answer the call to the Raiders' sorry defensive line, and still generate a pretty good pass rush. He is one of the best at his position, even nine years into the league.
2. Jonathan Vilma
One of the game's best linebackers, Vilma, brings a smashmouth mentality even with only four pro years.
The former Pro Bowler and Defensive Rookie of the Year was dealt for a conditional fourth round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints. Oakland could easily have sacrificed any mediocre defensive player and $5 million to acquire Vilma.
With Jonathan, Oakland would automatically improve upon the defensive end and become a better team.
3. Lance Briggs
Briggs is already looking for a change—he was unhappy in Chicago. One of the NFL's premier linebackers, he would bring great overall knowledge of the game and solid defensive play to any team.
It’s no secret that Oakland couldn't stop the run last year, and Briggs can clog up a hole pretty fast.
4. Ty Law
Kansas City released Ty Law on Wednesday.
The former New England Patriot and five-time Pro Bowler is recognized as a shutdown corner. The Raiders already have a great pass defense and it wouldn't hurt to shore it up.
I guess Oakland will just have to depend on luck, a good pass rush, and another year of spectacular play from elite corner Nnamdi Asomugha.
5. Randy Moss
Moss brought back to the Bay Area? It could've happened if Al Davis were still at the controls.
A year in New England may have changed Randy—his attitude seems to have improved. He demonstrated last year that he is still among the game's best and is always capable of a big play.
Well, I guess we'll never know what Oakland could've done had Moss returned to town.
15 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
I get your point, but you sound ignorant when you say the Raiders could've better spent their $50M. Anyone who thinks that Kelly is actually getting $50M is clueless about the NFL. They've spent more like $18M for 3 years.
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Sean Stancill about 1 year ago
I put $50 million as a symbol or a headline of the deal.
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Christian Villanueva about 1 year ago
Interesting choices. However, I disagree with the idea of Moss. He has only changed because he is in a winning environment. Moss becomes the "team cancer" when his team is losing.
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Benny Calderon about 1 year ago
Kearse is washed up. He was benched on the Eagles. Ty Law is washed up. Raiders like CB's who actually tackle. Randy Moss can go to hell and I would never like to see a Raider uni on him again. He will only play for contending teams. Vilma and Briggs would have been very nice additions, both run stoppers that would surely make the Raiders a team with one of the best linebacker cores. He will not get all that money unless he plays like he is a young Warren Sapp. The league is thin at available DTs and I would guess the Raiders thinking is they did not want to loose the best one they got.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Few things.
First, I like Briggs and Vilma in a 4-3 or Cover 2, so they fit our scheme since we run a 4-3. However, Briggs would have cost us just slightly below $7 million a year, or just below Kelly's contract which is a little over $7 a year. Vilma might be had for a lower pick, but he is not a free agent, it would have to be a trade. But back to my point on these 2, only Briggs could play the SOLB for us, and it would be a conversion for him as well. So no point in either of those guys IMO since we have Morrison and Howard. Would have agreed if you said Kawika Mitchell.
Second, Ty law is a cover two corner, with bump and run capability and some man coverage skills. However, the last time he was asked to run man coverage against a receiver all day was before Bellicheck went zone 3-4. Kind of like a square peg in a round hole in terms of scheme, but his leadership would be welcomed. Not the best idea, but not bad either, I see where you are coming from.
Lastly, no way in hell would Randy Moss be welcomed, evaluated, or talked to by Oaklands staff. Nor would he ever return to visit this team, except to play us. This is way off, maybe try Bernard Berrian cause he is from Cali, or Bryamt Johnson who could be had for a fair price.
In all, I agree we could have done more with the money, but 2 DT's were signed through trades so far this off-season, and each are playing for $6 - $7million a year now. Granted, Kelly and the Raiders set that bar, but Kelly is that valuable to us, seeing as he can play all 4 positions up front. He is the only one on our roster who has that type of versatility, so I understand why we doled out the money. Did we overpay? Any idiot could tell you that, but how much would be the question. I think around $2 million per year came because we are a loosing organization currently, and we had to pay more for Kelly to keep him off the market.
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Sean Stancill about 1 year ago
I'm sure that if Briggs were to come to Oakland Rob Ryan would make room for him. Trust me on that one.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
I'm trying to follow you here but I have to say I don't. First of the 5 players mentioned only one was actually worth going after and that's Lance Briggs. Ironically a guy the Raiders could've selected after Nnamdi Asomugha with the last pick of the 1st round or the middle of the 2nd round instead of Tyler Brayton, Teyo Johnson & Sam Williams in 2003. Even though Lance was selected ahead of Sam Williams to be accurate. I want to believe that you know he isn't going to get $50 million the deal is more like $18 mill over 3 years. The huge deal wasn't solely based on last year it was for his talent, filling a huge need on the D-Line, his body of work and the versatility to play DT & DE at a high level. I don't think he was worth the highest deal ever but the Raiders really need DT's Kelly is a solid defensive lineman. He made the roster as an undrafted in 2004 and landed with the Raiders after showing a consistent pass rush at the NFL combine. It that regard alone he is a bit of a success story but it is difficult to say that they could've spent the money better. The Raiders; this off-season, have done a good job of re-signing their own free agents. Their biggest need is DT and they signed one of the best free agent DT's on the market. These free agent DT's are all signed: Albert Haynesworth (Titans), Shaun Rodgers (Bengals), Corey Williams (Browns), Randy Starks ( Dolphins), Kris Jenkins (Jets), Isaac Sopoaga (49ers), Damione Lewis (Panthers) are they worth the money they signed for NO! This is the overspending time of the year to say that they could've spent the money better is partly true but Lance Briggs would've cost the Raiders more money and the other guys are coming off injuries as well which why Jevon Kearse & Jonathan Vilma ( the new Saint) were released neither one played a full season and the freak has been injured his entire time in Philly. I haven't even mentioned Ty Law because HE IS DONE and has been for a while and doesn't help the Raiders cause at all.
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Silas Beyman about 1 year ago
This is just a list of the top 5 free agents available
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Ben Harris about 1 year ago
kearse blows. as a fellow eagles fan, i can say first hand that he, litterally blows. I wanted Kelly but there is no way that we would have been stupid enough to waste 50mil on him. btw the last thing randy moss wants to do is go back to Oakland and play with another shitty QB
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
what are you smoking? where is your logic here? do you seriously get paid for blogging like this? God i hope not....
Vilma and Briggs would be nice.... but NO not going to happen. the other 3 are just insane..... can i have the hit of LSD u just took? cuz its friday night and i feel like having some fun too.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
This article is from the same guy who said we should take DeSean Jackson with the number 4 Pick. Enough said.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
i think al davis has seriously lost his mind he says that he wont retire intill the raiders win anouther 2 super bowls he gave out 50 mill to someone who only played 7 games last year and HAD 1 SACK and he almost fired kiffen after one season because the raiders didn't make th playoffs
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martin lopez about 1 year ago
no way we will get a high price linebacker that will only cause problems for the raiders, if a new linebacker gets paid around 40 to 45 mil then that will make morrison and haward want to get paid to, moss wont be back he hates palying for the raiders if he went from 12mil a year to 3mil a year just to leave the raiders, we should drat jake long and secure the blind spot of russell, but the raiders did solidify the d line with kelly i mean 6'6 330 pound and you got sand at 6'7 365 pound we will start looking like the jags pretty soon
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Welcome to NFL Free Agency! Yes the Raiders grossly over paid for Tommy Kelly as they did last year for Terdell Sands. However, Tommy Kelly is much more talented than Terdell Sands. A lot of people are slamming the deal because Tommy Kelly played in only 7 games. That is true but dude got injured it happens people injuries suck & they're disappointing but they're also part of the game. Both guys when paid were free agents and being sought by other teams KC was after Sands and I think we should've let him go. I say that because I've never seen someone with Sands size get pushed around so frequently. It is because he plays too high and O-lineman get under him and move him around like two guys with the forearm forklift's. TommY Kelly was humbled by the contract and will work his butt off to prove his deserving perhaps he can put a bug in Sands ear to do the same. Sands needs to work on his technique and get leverage and anchor for once. It also now seems like the Raiders will not draft a DT with the #4 overall pick and it could now be LT Jake Long or DE Chris Long or DE Vernon Gholston or a trade down for more draft picks.
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Sean Stancill about 1 year ago
This was a wish-list you can call it, and sure all the people that I mentioned may have been paid around the same price, but if you remember the title was about 5 better ways Oakland could've spent Tommy's salary. And all of the players are named are better than Tommy Kelly.
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