According to ESPN, The Raiders have agreed in principle to a trade with Atlanta which would put Pro Bowl corner Deangelo Hall in silver and black in exchange for a second round pick.
The deal will be finalized when Hall restructures his contract.
What can I say... Al Davis I hardly knew ye.
Here I was questioning the Raiders' seemingly exorbitant signings and foolish moves, while the Raiders made move after move to imrpove their roster. It took me a while but I can finally see the pieces of the puzzle coming together.
With the signings of Panthers wideout Drew Carter and the embattled Javon Walker, the Raiders have given QB Jamarcus Russel some weapons to compliment RB Justin Fargas, who ended last season on a tear.
The Raiders have also bolstered their O-line by trading for former San Francisco 1st round pick Kwame Harris, although he was a bust for the Niners, the Raiders O-line coach Sean Cable is one of the best in the buisiness. Also, Lincoln Kennedy was a bust in Atlanta but he was a yearly pro bowler in Oakland.
Also, the addition of Hall and the recently signed SS Gibril Wilson, along with returning star Namdi Asomugha and 2006 first round pick Michael Huff, makes the once mediocre Raiders secondary into one of the best young pass defense units in the NFL. If the secondary lives up to its vast potential, the D-line may improve as well since they will have more time to go after the QB before he finds an open man. Hall coming to Oakland also leaves the door open for the eventual trade of weakest link Stu Schweigert for another draft pick.
More importantly however, the signings of characters like Walker and Hall seem to symbolize the much needed return of the swagger that once radiated from Raider Nation back in the 70s.
Not only are these moves typical of the Al Davis we know and love (or hate if you're a Broncos or Chiefs fan) they are far more logical then the alternative, drafting Darren McFadden.
Additionally and perhaps most importantly, the Raiders still hold the number 4 pick in the draft, and now that the Raiders don't need a wideout, a corner, or an O-lineman, they can finally find a replacement in the middle for the wildly disappointing Terdell Sands.
Dependant on whether Oakland chooses a multiple front defense (as suggested by fellow bleacher report author Jeff Little) or the Standard 4-3, a great DT will definitely be available for the taking. USC DT Sedrick Ellis would seem to be the most logical choice for a multiple front scheme as he has shown the strength and tenacity to consistently draw and maintain/shed the double team as a NT in the 3-4, he also has the mean streak that makes him a nice fit in Oakland. LSU's Glenn Dorsey could be a monster in a 4-3 set if he were to be paired with underrated returning starter Tommy Kelley. The athleticism and skill of those 2 at DT would give opposing O-linemen fits all game.
After years of mediocrity, the ship seems to be righting itself in Oakland and all I can say is, it's about damn time, good job Al.
4 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
I like the article Max and thanks for the shout out, I also love all the additions to the team via free agency and I simply ignore all the so called experts that say the Raiders overspent on all the guys. The fact of the matter is every year in free agency you can say that about every team but if that guy improves your team and helps you win than the cost is a mute point. The Raiders lost 3 games last year by a total of 3 points which would've given the Raiders a 7-9 record which would've been respectable. The Raiders are moving in the right direction and improving regardless of what the so called experts say. As far as the draft I want to hear Vernon Gholston or Sedrick Ellis if both are gone I would try and trade down to acquire more picks. Keep the stories coming.
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Umer Waris about 1 year ago
Just Win Baby! You got it Max. Truly Al Davis has had major sucess signing once thought of poor players (Plunkett, Kennedy, Gannon to name a few) and turning them around into football machines. I just hope he cane do the same with Kwame Harris and William Joseph, who were all previously first round draft picks. The tide may be shifting for the Raiders and their glory days dont look far from the horizon. From one Raider Fanatic to another, peace out!
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Max Iascone about 1 year ago
Actually I'm a pats fan but thanks for the feedback, I've always liked the Raiders though, I was dangerously close to a bandwagon jump in the 90s during the awful Victor Kiam era, thank god I didn't. It was depressing to watch them for the last few years, no character, no attitude, no winning, it's time for a change.and Jeff I think they will go with Gholston if hes there at 4, I mentioned the DTs because not only does Kelly need help inside, but I'm praying that Gholston falls to numero 7.
P.S. The Raiders secondary actually wasn't all that bad from what I've looked at I thought they were mediocre because they were in the market for Hall but I was wrong peace everyone.
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Sonny about 1 year ago
Really liked the article. The Raiders secondary had trouble tackling and it did not help playing without a true SS. With the addition of Wilson we will finally have someone who can play both FS and SS but is a true SS. If the Hall trade happens the Raiders D should be much improved. Anyway once again it was a great article.
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