The Raiders have made some of the biggest splashes in the NFL this offseason.
So far they have signed Gibril Wilson, Tommy Kelly, and Javon Walker for insane amounts of money.
But is paying large amounts of money to undeserving players worth it?
Don't get me wrong, these players would be starters on any team, but I don't even think the Redskins would pay that kind of money.
Gibril Wilson signed a seven-year, $39 million contract this offseason. Gibril has been one of the most consistent safeties in the NFL, but is he worth that amount of money? He could be, and I think he was one of the Raiders best offseason additions.
But then there comes Tommy Kelly and Javon Walker.
The Raiders made Tommy Kelly the highest paid DL in the NFL by signing him to a seven-year, $50.5 million contract, with $18.1 million in guaranteed money.
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Compare that to Corey Williams who signed a six-year $38 million deal. When it comes to production, Williams is the better player, but Tommy Kelly gets the bigger contract?
Kelly is coming off a one-sack season. A player’s contract year usually means if you produce you get paid, if you don't then maybe next time. But what does Kelly's contract teach us? If you don't produce, you get paid.
Javon Walker was signed with a six-year, $55 million contract, with $27 million in the first three years. The deal also gives Walker $16 million in guaranteed money. Now let me voice my opinion here, Javon Walker does NOT deserve this contract in any form or way.
Raiders fans: Do you really believe he is worth it?
Walker only started eight games last season. Are you ready for his numbers? 28 catches, 287 yards, and 0 touchdowns!
My last complaint about the Raiders’ offseason additions is Kwame Harris. The 6-foot-7 OL started no games last season, played in 12, and never lived up to being a starting OL.
But the Raiders signed him to a three-year, $16 million contract. Why? Those numbers are being paid for STARTING players, so why does Harris get paid without starting a game last season?
It just seems the Raiders have made it their business this offseason to pay undeserving players.
This team will be asking themselves down the road, "Where did our cap room go?"
Well, it went to players who should have never been paid these ridiculous amounts.
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5 months ago
You failed to mention that Javon Walker got injured on the third game of the season after having two consecutive 100+ yards for the previous two games with the broncos. I believe that Javon's deal can also be justified for the fact that with Jerry porter gone, Ronald Kurry is the only one left on the recieving corps with experience . That means Jamarcus's 2nd go-to reciever would be without considerable NFL understanding. For those reasons, Javon Walker was a good addition even with the loads of cash he is being paid.
5 months ago
In Free agency everyone overspends for players, it happens every year. Adam Archuleta, Patrick Kerney, Ahman Green, Joey Porter, Ashley Lelie in 2007. Kris Jenkins, Marcus Stroud, Shaun Rodgers, Calvin Pace this year to name a few are they all worth the money? The new teams have to answer that question they're all free agents if their former teams thought they were worth the money they're getting now they wouldn't have been allowed to become free agents. Yeah the Raiders paid these players more than everyone thought they would receive but with Warren Sapp retiring Tommy Kelly needed to be re-signed and the contract he received wasn't solely based on last season. He is a guy that came to the Raiders as an Undrafted Free Agent in 2004. He has shown a lot of progress over the years and that went into him getting a new contract more than anything else. The shock for a lot of people is that they had no idea who the guy is. In signing WR Javon Walker the team was justified in signing him because he fills a need for a #1 WR that the team doesn't have. In addition to that this isn't the best WR class in the draft. The grade at the position is a B at best. The team will still draft a WR in this class due to need but it will not be in until the 2nd round at the earliest.
5 months ago
As a huge Raider fan, all I can say is the Raiders won't get back to the "Greatness of the Raiders" until Big Al retires and turns over control of the team! He is the cancer that is pushing are team into the team we have become!
5 months ago
I have been saying since the re-signing of Kelly, the Raiders don't have any choice but to overpay at this point. Oakland is no longer a coveted destination in the NFL when it comes to free agency. We all know it is a consequence of the dysfunction in Alameda over the last 5 years. Dysfunction with regards to upper management and the revolving door coaching policy. And the worst win/loss record in the league since 2002 leave Oakland at the bottom of most players wish lists when free agency rolls around. So in order to change things the Raiders need to bring in some free agents as well as resign some of their own, and the current state of the team dictates that the only real incentive available to them is financial. Offer enough money and guys will come. It isn't the most desirable situation, but it is a fact of life for the Raiders in 2008. Oakland needs help at WR, Javon Walker was the best option available, despite everyone being in love with Berrian. Al Davis opened up the checkbook and got him on board, and I think it was a good move. Oakland needs Walker and there was no getting around the big money contract. Same with Gibril Wilson and Tommy Kelly for that matter. So I just ignore the columnists deriding Al Davis for being a mental case because he is paying these huge sums. Especially since it wasn't that long ago most of the same were lambasting him for being cheap and refusing to pay guys enough. So is he cheap or is he throwing vast sums of money around carelessly Can't be both.
5 months ago
You claim, "But what does Kelly's contract teach us? If you don't produce, you get paid." Kelly doesn't produce? EVER??? Do you even watch the Raiders? Has Walker played for a QB with JR's arm? Here's hope the Raiders prove you ridiculously wrong, but I'm sure you're used to that.
5 months ago
There is no doubt that these players are getting more than they deserve but the market has created the price not Al Davis. Tommy Kelly is a DE or a DT, that's how versatile he is and you cannot say that about other DEs or DTs. The 49ers signed Justin Smith, a DE to a more expensive contract than Tommy Kelly got from the Raiders. Tommy Kelly was injured most of last year but had a more productive last full season if you compare his 2006 season to the 2007 season for JS. JS got paid more guaranteed money from the 49ers and is being paid 7.5 million/ yr. over the length of his contract when TK is getting 7.2 mil. /yr. I would take TK because of his versatility over JS any day of the week. So you can make the numbers say what ever you want when they are close. The value in the contract is what they give back to their team and that has yet to be determined.
5 months ago
Some writers are starting to disappoint me. I should have been a writer, atleast I would still have a good job, unlike my adventures with my Mortgage career. :) off that. One thing that MANY sports writers fail to realize is. OAKLAND has been a DISASTER since the superbowl. IN MY HONEST opinion we would have been alright had Gannon not gone down against the Bucs in the 2003 season... But that's another story. Point is as of RIGHT NOW. Today. We have a rookie coach whom many question whether he will be here next year or not. We have an unproven QB in J.R. Question that many players are asking before they come here is if they can win a ring with us. Realistically yes they want big money as well but once u get the big money, u want that coveted ring. You should do an article on all the great players who are in the H.O.F. and ask them if they could trade money for a ring. I'm starting to ramble. Sorry, still waking up. POINT is. This ogranization is disfunctional, this organization is manned by a madman at the helm, this organization has been the laughing stock of the sports community for the past few years. To get good/great players to come to oakland, we HAVE TO SHOW THEM THE MONEY. Until things get turned around in Oakland, it will remain that way.
5 months ago
There is a huge elephant in the room, and I'm not talking about Tommy Kelly. Pouring money into WRs is a complete waste of time AND money, until the pass blocking situation is resolved. Until you know your QB is protected with a reasonable amount of surety, it doesn't really matter who's at wideout. It could be Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and the terrible twins of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and you're still not passing if the QB can't consistently get to the end of his drop on his feet.
5 months ago
Up next is Pacman or DeAngelo. Stop your whining. We make moves.
5 months ago
All this shiite is hate mongering by the media. A couple wins and they all want to ride the bandwagon. Remember this......Never, NEVER let them forget the spew they are subjecting us to.
5 months ago
What Al is trying to do is prove that if he signs "talent",the use of a good coach is not necassary because players win championships not coaches.The Raiders had tons of talent and over the years we were constantly hearing it from other teams ,we were a ship without a rudder,Jon Grudin comes in does a little house cleaning and brings us back to respectability.Callahan got us to a Super Bowl and when he tried to change things up he got players who didn't want to buy into it ,Al listened to the players and we got Turner,Shell and a crappy record.Lane Kiffin did great with what he had and Davis wants him to go because his ego got bruised.Moss could see the writing on the wall before the season started when Shell took over.If Davis lets Kiffin go we will again be "The Dumbest Team in America".
5 months ago
Just read all of the comments posted. A few people said that Oakland has to overpay- and that if they don't noone would sign with them. But all that is doing is causing you more problems in the future. At the rates Oakland is spending they won't have enough cap to sign all the talent needed to even be considered a threat. Also I am not questioning Tommy Kelly or Javon Walkers talent, I am only questioning the prices they are being paid. We know Walker was a great receiver, but that was in his prime. He's much older now and has proven to be injury prone - chances are he won't even make it the entire season. Tommy Kelly is promising but not $50 million promising. But I am not here to "bash" the Raiders - I like the team just not how the front office is handling this offseason.
5 months ago
writer, you don't even watch the raiders. Tommy Kelly was productive, but was limited, because of an injury. Warren Sapp said this guy will be better than him, when TK is done. And the other thing is, we almost have to pay ridiculous amounts of money for marginal talent anyway, to get them to play in Oakland now. But these four offseason additions will poay off, and with McFadden watch us roll.
5 months ago
I do watch the Raiders. It would be pretty ignorant to say that Tommy Kelly is worth a $50 million contract. Most Raiders fans agree on that. Even before the injury he was not worth that contract. I don't know about you but I'm not willing to put $50 million down on Warren Sapps word. Also McFadden could be a likely pick, but what about Justin Fargas?
from 5 months ago
Well it was reported today by someone else who disagree's with you on Tommy Kelly. I had to share this with you:
New England Head Coach Bill Belichick on Tommy Kelly:
"Tommy Kelly. is one of the best defensive linemen in the league. He's an outstanding player…Kelly plays everywhere. He's a little bit like Howie Long in that Howie Long was a guy that they would move along on the front. They would take Howie and mismatch him against whoever they thought the other team's worst lineman was. There is a little bit of that with Tommy Kelly., too, find a guy that they want to go after and stick him there because he does have the flexibility to play outside and inside. He can pretty much play across the board. He can do everything. Play the run, rush the passer, he's good in pursuit. He's a very physical player. He's pretty good."
from 5 months ago
I don't know how you would consider that disagreeing with me. As I have said for about the third time- I am not saying he doesn't have talent, what I am saying he wasn't worth the contract based on production. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't produce what good is it?
5 months ago
Anyone else think Big Al knows something we don't?????????????
Like maybe the fact that 2009 or 2010 there will be no SALARY CAP!!!!!!!!!!
5 months ago
Anyone else think Big Al knows something we don't?????????????
Like maybe the fact that 2009 or 2010 there will be no SALARY CAP!!!!!!!!!!
5 months ago
Maybe none of the contracts are extremely terrible contracts alone, but they fact that they consistently overpaid for that many players who have doubts is troubling. Even if only half of them under perform, they will be in a tough spot unable to get more help later. I wouldn't say they screwed themselves, but they are definitely playing with fire, mostly because if this doesn't work, guys like Russel and whoever they select this year will not want to stick around when their contracts expire.
5 months ago
We had to pay huge for Walker. Why?
1) We lost out on berrian.
2) Now they (Berrian and Moss) are saying shite I could have gotten a huge payday, but who needs the money I want to win (Yeah right)!
3) There is no #1 reciever in this draft that will come in as a rookie and lead the Raiders. Now wait there are recievers in this draft that will have great rookie years, but they won't have to be the only reciever on the entire roster.
4) With Walker signed the Raiders offense went from two weapons to four. How? Walker helps both Curry and Miller, he also helps the running game on 2nd and short say 3-5yrds.
5 months ago
Your take was that Tommy Kelly isn't worth the money received. You also stated that he was paid a insane, huge amount of money as an undeserving player and that based on production alone, Right? The one who makes the decision on if it is an insane, huge amount or if the player is undeserving or has not produced is the team spending the money. You said that you watched the Raiders and that you know who Tommy Kelly is, right? If what you're saying is true than you do realize that the contract he received was based on production since he's been in Oakland. He got there in 2004 as an undrafted free agent his production is as follows 2004 20 Tackles 16 solo tackles & 4 sacks in 10 games with 3 starts, 2005 45 Tackles 35 solo tackles & 4.5 sacks in 16 games with 12 starts, 2006 68 Tackles 53 solo tackles 3.5 sacks. This is why he was re-signed it can be argued if he was over paid by many but not of those people were the decision maker in this deal. He is a talented player being rewarded for his production despite the injury in 2007. It is a fact that Injuries are part of the game and can't always be avoided it is also a fact that if an undrafted free agent makes a team he is a special player and if a Defensive Lineman records 68 tackles in one season he is providing a tremendous amount of production. I'm quite sure you also know that even though the we all see what the contract numbers that there are several attainable incentives in said contract and a lot of times the guys won't see the entire amount of said contract. That's the point I was making I just wanted to share with you what Coach Belichick had to say about the guy.
from 5 months ago
Looks like I am again left with little words to say. Well by your numbers the most sacks Kelly had in one season was 4.5 sacks. I am not an expert by any means, but those numbers certainly pretain meaning. Another thing is Kelly has been on the Raiders team for the past few years - a losing Raiders team. And yes, injuries are part of the game, and so are injury prone players. If you are suggesting Kelly as being injury prone its just a check off him, not what i'm saying. But to be worth the contract Kelly signed he better have a 10 sack season. But really what is the argument here? Are you really saying Kelly should be paid that amount? Well sorry to say but i'm pretty sure you're a fan that doesn't hesitate to love ANY move your team makes. When I write I do 2 things - 1. Give a team their due when they do a good decision, 2. Tell a team what they did wrong when they do something that seems very stupid. So if my article does offend you what else can I say? If the Raiders to something good this offseason I will write about it. Gibril Wilson may pan out for what they paid. Happier?
5 months ago
Joe I think it is you that needs to calm down. You're left with little words to say because you didn't read what was written or you read it and YOU were offended that someone had a different thought than you own. I don't know. You write an article about the team based on your opinion. That's cool everyone has an opinion right or wrong. The argument that you're speaking of isn't an argument it is a discussion hear that Joe discussion. If I was offended I would've sounded quite different. You made a statement that can clearly be looked at more than one way. The numbers presented were for your benefit, a Defensive Tackle's worth can't always be based on how many sacks the guy has. No doubt if a DT gets 10 sacks that is phenomenal although Warren Sapp did it and wasn't even selected to the Pro Bowl because he played on a team that had a bad season. Production for a DT would be based on tackles (solo & assisted), pass deflections and then sacks. The guy has ONE injury in his fourth year and now he is injury prone? The numbers were also provided due to you stating in your article
"Kelly is coming off a one-sack season. A player’s contract year usually means if you produce you get paid, if you don't then maybe next time. But what does Kelly's contract teach us? If you don't produce, you get paid."
The numbers provided was showing that the guy has produced. That's what you do in a debate/discussion Joe. We talk about the facts and base our opinions on that. If you're writing an article it would be wise to have some facts to back up your statements. I spoke of the fact that in free agency every one over spends and that I felt the team over spent on Kelly but I also stated that the decision on the guys value and dollar amount of his contract is the decision of the person writing the check. Oh and for you to say that I'm a fan that doesn't hesitate to love ANY move my team makes is wrong and sad attempt to try to crack on me because I am disputing what you're saying? I want to believe you're better than that Joe. To be honest with you Joe I've hated several of the decisions my team has made over the last 10 years. I've also said so on more than one occasion however, the owner is senile and sleep at the wheel. If I was offended Joe this is when I would crack on you as a fan of the Buffalo Bills. You do two things when you write Joe 1) you state your opinion that isn't based on facts, otherwise you'd realize that the huge contract Kelly received wasn't based solely on 2007 2) You are highly upset when someone challenges you on what you write. Whenever you write an article Joe if you don't have all of your ducks in a row someone will challenge you on what you wrote. Continue to write Joe but do yourself a favor and don't assume that someone is bitter because they disagree with what you wrote. This format is called an Open Source for a reason. Everyone has thoughts and opinions write or wrong but when you write an article it is nice to base it on as many facts as you can find and not just what every NFL analyst, Radio Talk show, ESPN and the like have to say.
from 5 months ago
Jeff this seems to come out of nowhere. I have responded to your comments and not one should give you the impression that I am trying to be hostile or that I am even somewhat upset that you disagree with me. I know not everyone would agree with what i say, and as you said everyone has their own view on a teams decision. But it seems you are trying to make me lose my nerve by your last post. I did not "crack" on you for being a Raiders fan. I said you seem to love any decision your team makes - which is probaly why you are still trying to force this argument with me. I am sorry I wrote an article that does not praise the Raiders organization. Surely I am not the first to do that and you are definalitly not the first fan to disagree with someone on their team. But as I have said Kelly is a great interior lineman but he is not $50 million good. But as these last few posts have proven, we both have our minds set. I believe Kelly isn't worth his contract, you apparently believe he is. So I end this now by saying I hope he does live up to his contract and the Raiders serve you well this season.
For the record, I never assumed you were bitter. I only assumed you were a fan - and the assumption was correct. So next time please do the honors of not assuming someone else is bitter - just because they aren't agreeing with your post on their article.
5 months ago
I just wish they'd spent the money on Alan Faneca and Jake Scott
5 months ago
Joe I read and see your points some of which I agree with. From one football fan to another I want you to keep writing and providing your takes, enjoy your drink, you day and the upcoming season.
5 months ago
The fact is that you can look at the negatives and the positives of a situation & choose which side to be on. Whether the pros outweigh the cons or vice-versa it will all be determined next season. As for me, I believe the Raiders are doing a good job building their offense as well as Defense and will be stronger next year. That all will be seen next season. Russell needed substantial help in order to be productive and he has got it now with targets like Walker, Carter and Curry and now the only thing that remains is the O-line. We needed a potent tackler in the secondary and i believe we got it in wilson. The D-line was to be improved taking into account the run defense we had last year and by securing Tommy Kelly, I believe we secured a strong run stopper considering the stats provided by Jeff in his comments. The draft will help the Raiders further.
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