After hearing about Oakland signing Tommy Kelly to a five-year, $70 million deal, about Warren Sapp's retirement, and about Randy Moss' re-signing with the Patriots, I became discouraged about the Raiders' upcoming season.
But since the big Javon Walker signing and another new development, I have regained hope.
It was reported that the Atlanta Falcons are trading Deangelo Hall to the Oakland Raiders for their second round and sixth round draft picks.
When I found out, I became excited again for my hometown and its team. Then I thought, who I should thank, who's the mastermind? Let me think.
Not Lane Kiffin, he doesn't have that kind of power. Not defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, I'm sure he's also leaping into the Bay and probably whispered a little something in the owner's ear.
So that left me with who else but the often imitated, never duplicated, legendary owner Al Davis.
Al has demanded this trade happen and wants Hall to regularly walk in their Alameda facilities.
Deangelo Hall has fallen out of good graces with the Atlanta Falcons organization after public disputes on the bench with Bobby Petrino all year long in Atlanta, ranting and raving, shouting choice words to the defensive coaching staff.
In the wake of the trade, Hall traveled to Oakland to meet with head coach Lane Kiffin and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
Can you imagine the tandem of Deangelo Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha at corner?
They would instantly become the best on-two punch at corner in the league. They would join Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown in Philadelphia, Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly up in Denver, Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher in the Windy City, and Charles Woodson and Al Harris in Green Bay.
The two-time Pro Bowler will thrive in Oaktown and adapt to the AFC nicely, supported by the Black Hole, the Oakland Raiders, and Raiders fans everywhere.
The only problem, however, is Nnamdi. He's under contract with Oakland for one more season, but with Hall getting big money from the Raiders will he ask for the same?
If he does, Oakland may not be able to give it to him and he may walk away and leave Deangelo all alone.
The Raiders placed the franchise tag on Asomugha at the beginning of the offseason. Definitely a good move for Oakland as they get to keep the No. 4 overall pick in the draft.
This won't be the first time Davis has brought over a player who's worn out his welcome with his previous team. There were Bill Romanowski, Randy Moss, and many others.
With Javon Walker signed on the offensive side and Gibril Wilson on the defensive side, the Raiders look to be possibly the top team in the AFC West.
(Sorry, San Diego.)
14 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Sonny about 1 year ago
Nice article, I cannot wait until training camp.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
It would be nice to have him in silver and black. It would give the Raiders oneof the best CB tandem's in the league but it isn't a done deal as of yet. Hall wants a new deal and that is what is holding up the deal. Both teams thought they had a deal but everyone is waiting on DeAngelo at this point.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
It's official! DeAngelo Hall will be an Oakland Raider! I'm loving this. Al needs to be thanked for pulling this off. I hate to lose a 2nd & 6th round draft pick giving the Raiders fewer draft picks but I doubt a 2nd or 6th rounder will give the team more production NOW than Hall will. Hopefully the team will look to trade Fabian Washington & Stuart Schweigart for more picks or a trade down in the 1st round might be coming. Go Raiders!
Edit Comment Cancel
greg pitsch about 1 year ago
Well the Raiders seem to be pulling this off, I can't wait to see this duo live..
Edit Comment Cancel
JJ Stankevitz about 1 year ago
Sean & Raider nation:
Any update on Jamarcus Russell? All I've heard about him lately is that he's spent more time eating cheeseburgers than working out.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
Last I read, J-Russ came to Oakland a week early to begin preparations for the upcoming season. He has been working with Knapp in the classroom for about 1-1/2 hours and on the field for about an hour daily. He is reportedly between 265 and 275.
Edit Comment Cancel
Russell Ivanac about 1 year ago
This will be a one-year thing, so the Raiders have to make the most of it. I can't see Nnamdi coming back next season and getting the money he deserves. For now though, Oakland has two of the best coners out there, now they just need an offense.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
why is everyone so worried about asomugha??? You really think Davis would let him walk? Not to mention how many times do the Raiders manage to get players to restructure their contracts to create more cap/sal to sign and resign players. This year (that I know of so far, Rhodes/Gallery) If we do have a successful season maybe more players with HUGE contracts will follow suit to keep key players to continue to raise the success.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
IVE BEEN A LOYAL RAIDERS FAN FOR MOST OF MY LIFE. FOR THE LAST 6 YRS, IVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED AND MADE FUN OF FOR IT, THAT DOSNT BOTHER ME. THE RAIDERS HAVE TALENT, AND WITH THESE NEW SIGNINGS I JUST HOPE FOR A WINNING SEASON AND GET SOME RESPECT BACK IN THE NFL..LETS SHOW THEM SILVER AND BLACK.. WHO ARE THEY GOING TO TAKE #4 IN THE DRAFT??? DOES ANYONE KNOW??? RAIDER FOR LIFE..
Edit Comment Cancel
Pinocchio's Twin about 1 year ago
Good article BUT if DeAngelo Hall comes to Oakland, him and Nnamdi Asomugha would UNQUESTIONABLY the best CB tandem in the NFL. Champ Bailey is old and not what he used to be; Dre Bly was never a true cover corner, but is like a power-hitter in baseball who strikes out a lot but can capitalize on a mistake. Meanwhile, Charles "Koufax" Woodson and Al Harris are good but benefit from playing in slo-mo land up there in the North, where their age is of less consequence. I called Woodson, "Koufax" because that is the nickname given to him by Jon Gruden, because he'll occasionally shut-you-out but usually one-hit you. Furthermore, Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown are good but my feeling on Samuel is that he is a lot like Dre Bly. Lastly, Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher can't hold a candle to Hall and Asomugha. Vasher will never be a top-flight corner in the NFL--like Dre Bly, will capitalize on a mistake but his percentage for getting it right will usually hurt you more than help you. Unless of course, you play for Chicago where the defense is loaded and no one counts on one player to carry the defense--just for Brian Urlacher to coordinate the defense in game-time.
Edit Comment Cancel
Robert Paul about 1 year ago
Asomugha is without a doubt the most underrated corner in football and the most underappreciated player in football... And Al will lock him down and the Oakland Raiders will have the best cover tandem in football for the next 5 years.... Hayes and Haynes all over again.... The Raiders can very possibly be the best defense in the AFC next year...
Edit Comment Cancel
Dan Carrero about 1 year ago
The Icon, Mr. Al Davis is at it again. He now has the best raider tandem since the legendary duo of HOF Mike Haynes, and Lester Hayes. This is a blockbuster deal that only Mr.Al Davis can pull of. This is a huge move and will significantly bolster the secondary, and should be one of the best tandems in the league. . Mr. Davis has also signed other big name free agents showing he is dedicated to "The Commitment To Excellence" Go Raiders Baby!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Max Iascone about 1 year ago
Kelly's contract is 7 yrs 50 mill not 5 yrs 70 mill other then that nice work
Edit Comment Cancel
Jay Kidd 11 months ago
Yes I'm a die hard Raider myself, but Dangelo Hall? Uuummm, not sure guys, thats still under question. Truth is, he is a decent CB, he really cant cover all that well but he does have potential to do well enough.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.