Just a few short years ago, the Raiders' rushing attack was on LaMont Jordan's shoulders. He was awarded a sweet, multi-million-dollar package to be an Oakland Raider after subbing in admirably for Curtis Martin with the Jets for four seasons.
Since 2005, LaMont's performance has been mixed. He did well in some games, but most observers saw an overall mode of decline after suffering through injuries, some of which are still lingering.
His rehabbing from injuries never seemed fully in synch with the demands of being a premium dollar, every-down-type of back. The decline of LaMont Jordan, along with the rise of Justin Fargas, was no surprise to anyone, really. Life as a pro team means re-shuffling the deck continually.
L.J. is now lost in that shuffle.
Frustrated, LaMont committed the worst possible sin he could commit as a Raider. He spoke unfavorably about his diminished role to the media. Those in the bay area may not have seen LaMont on the many postgame sports-talk shows where he was interviewed.
L.J. became a broken record, stating he is unhappy with one thing or another, mostly that he is not getting his carries. Compounded with mounting Raider losses, there was just no way to justify his trade demands anyway. He looked really stupid by thinking his value was above the team's need to win games.
The problem is that LaMont was unable to accept the fact that his life cycle as a starting back had a short window. L.J. went from good, to adequate, to serviceable, to barely serviceable. But let's be fair, we don't know where L.J. stands now, as far as capabilities on the field. He has been shut out of practices thus far.
With his history of injuries, he could very well still be the borderline backup we believe he is or, Al could be right in his resistance to simply release L.J. or trade him without getting fair value in return.
Al's strategy considers the bottom line, which is Lamont's contract. This was originally a $20+ million deal. There are all kinds of ins and outs with cap space. In fact, L.J.'s contract has been renegotiated to accommodate the Raider's cap-space needs in the past.
There seems more to the picture than on the field realities. Cap talk is complicated, so it's beyond my ability to address intelligently.
Realistically, L.J. needs to prove that he is even capable of being a backup at this point. He's a serious gamble as a starter in Detroit, New Orleans, or elsewhere.
Teams don't have to offer anything as trade bait for backups.
Bottom line: There is no fair trade value for LaMont. Being a long-time, astute observer of player value, it is hard to fathom that Al Davis does not see the angles.
The sticking point seems like a stubborn refusal to simply cut his losses and release the player. There must be a painful pill of cash outlay involved for it to be this problematic. The contract concerns with LaMont are to a point where they're becoming an obstacle in the team's ability to sign all of their 2008 draft picks.
Is L.J.'s value on the Raiders' depth chart heading into training camp really that important, in this era of precious roster spots, or is this personal?
It seems to me that LaMont is intentionally being punished by the front office for speaking his mind to the media. That is why he is still on the roster as of this writing. The longer you keep a guy out of another team's reach, the less value he has on the market, as teams work with the players they already have under contract.
It becomes harder to learn another team's system in short time spans. Teams are less likely to take a chance on you unless they are desperate.
This strategy resonates with similar situations over the years, where Al seems to have no problem continuing to pay malcontents while they sit on the Raiders' bench, behind the scenes, sending a message that he is imposing his will and forcing them to live up to their contracts, one way or the other.
Still, a pro player needs to be graceful when losing their starting job. If you say, "I'm not happy" or, "I want to be traded", that immediately puts you in the doghouse. It's a cardinal rule of professionalism: Don't speak through the media to management.
It does not work in the Raiders' organization, and it does not work anywhere in pro football.
It's too late for him now, but where L.J. needed to ply his trade was as a short-yardage pounder. He may have hung around as a situational back. Now, he will be lucky to catch on with another team if/when he is released.
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2 months ago
That was a good read. I watched Lamont while he was with the Jets, and I wanted to keep him. He played very well as a spell back for Curtis Martin. Jordan used to be the "smack you in the mouth" power runner after Martin wore them down.
But we always knew he wasn't a feature back. He didn't have the ability to cut around a defense. He did improve his catch out of the backfield abilities though. The mistake they made in Raider land was they tried to make him a number one too quickly. For the money he signed for, he better have been good, but he was given nothing to compliment him! It didn't help that the other teams didn't respect the passing game, or that the O-line was a revolving door.
Its a shame that he's spoken out of turn though. Bringing him to pound teams down after they get tired of chasing McFadden would have resurrected him, I think.
2 months ago
Jordan is a pretty decent back when he is healthy, but how often is that. At the start of last season, he was leading the league in yardage before he got hurt, but he seams to be hurt all the time. Rumors is, he shows up at camp out of shape, gets his football legs going and hurts his back in the regular season. I don't think Jordan spends any time in the weight room in the off season. The word is , he is a fat lazy gambler, witch i believe is true, because i have seen him many times in the Oaks card room playing Texas hold em. The raiders gave him to much money when they signed him, it made him lazy.
Al just needs to cut his loses and move on. Right now i would be happy if the raiders traded him for a bag of corn nuts. We all know he won't be on the team come opening night.
2 months ago
I hope you realize how severe LaMont's back issues are, and how dedicated he was to stay in games, try to work back and his behind the scenes dedication. You know why Kiffin went into last season with Jordan as the starter, and wanting him to get the majority of the reps? Because he believed in Jordan's ethic, accountability etc.
Look, is he done? Yes. Are there better options ahead of him on the roster? YES. Are the Raiders foolish at this point clinging to him, looking for compensation? Yes and No. At this point, his value is diminishing as words circulate about how bad is back is - it will be a chronic thing - and organizations know they are going to waive him anyway, so why trade for something you may be able to get for free?
I've been in the locker, seen LaMont after games etc., and HE HAS NOT been a malcontent, HE HAS NOT ONCE dogged coaches, players or made this an unsavory situation.
So please, I know you bloggers like to write cute stories and assume, post garbage...
Get your facts straight.
Jordan's days are and should be numbered in Oakland.
But let's not get it twisted either on what has gone down.
from 2 months ago
oh he's a malcontent alright. Anyone could see that.
2 months ago
Nice post "Someone"... I have not been in the locker, but I know LaMont and never has he dogged a coach or teammate in the media. A few HS coaches overlooked him and he never bad mouthed them and earned a scholarship to MD. MD did bad by him and never has he bad mouthed them. He was one of the top backs when he hurt his back and then there was a bye week. He said he was ready to come back and didn't get the start or the carriers in favor of Fargas. His back was doing fine from what I could see on the field and then he was benched. LJ saying he wants more carries and wants the ball is not a bad thing. It's a player who is hungry and wants the ball. For a team to hold him like they are to me is wrong. I think it's foolish to play with a person life like that to try and show that you are the big dog. Everyone knows Al is that and just as the word spreads about players, it does with owners too. Hope the Raiders don't become the Packers back in the day when Bret was traded to them.
from 2 months ago
i don't it says anywhere that he dogged coaches. He was just a crybaby to the media.
2 months ago
This is bull. I know people that will break their neck for the opportunity Jordan has/had . Shit I'll do it for a bang of corn nuts. Jordan's problems is injuries and the Raiders are in the position to produce and produce NOW. You can't convince a person that puts in 40 hours a week that a Millionaire can't find employment. There is no room for sympathy. I’ll put a hungry rookie on my roster every year rather than over pay a lazy bum.
2 months ago
When I say lazy I mean the way he runs out of bounds or fall easy to the first contact. He drives me crazy with that. Hungry is the way to go look at Fargus. Now watch Mcfadden.
2 months ago
LaMont´s first year with Norv's Raiders was a success, no doubt. However, the coaching carrousel and the injuries took their toll on Lamont. The result is a 230 pound back with an attitude that tiptoes to the line of scrimmage. Who's going to want that?
2 months ago
With McFadden and Fargas splitting carries and Michael Bush in the mix too, why do they even need Lamont and his cap hit?
2 months ago
Raider Nation, no matter what LJ says or does, lets face it, "HE IS GONE"!
2 months ago
One good season (2005). See ya... LaMont. McFadden/ Bush & Fargas will get the job done. LaMont Jordan is a baby/ team cancer/ & he's always injured. It's the same tune every year since 2005. He play's good for the first few games & then he gets injured & then he is useless the rest of the season. Then he complains... & then he complains some more. This guy was a complete let down. But I will be fair to LaMont. Our O-Line was terrible for those years he played with exception to last season. Even with a good run blocking scheme last year... LaMont only made it a few games before his usual "I'm Injured" routine. That tackle he got in that Dolphins game was soft! He barely got touched. When I saw that play I said "Oh please! "Someone cut this guy". He gets tackled by his ankle & then he claims to have suffered a back injury.Hmmmmmm. That makes me wonder if he was in poor shape & that Warren Sapp was right about his conditioning.
2 months ago
I don't know if I wouldn't want my starting RB saying he wanted more carries when the team is losing and losing often.
He is off the team for injury reason's, the emergence of Fargas, Bush coming back, and the drafting of DMac...
Good luck LJ where ever you go, except when you play us of course!
2 months ago
This is going down pretty much as Al usually handles a running back, there is no way that Al gives away any running back on that players terms. Any running back that dons Silver and Black does so because Al saw something of value. Just because a player doesn't live up to his potential doesn't meen Al was wrong about what he saw in that player(especially when Al won't admit to mistakes). So Al does everything he can with running backs to make sure they don't come back to hurt him. Wish he did the same with coach's(Shannahan and Gruden)
2 months ago
Bad backs are a combination of poor abdominal muscle strength, being overwieght and weak legs. As soon as the Raiders can move him for a late round pick, they should to avoid a cap hit.
2 months ago
Okay. You put me on the bench and I don't play any more. I am around 28 - 30 years old, and a running back to boot, so I am here on borrowed time. I still get my salary. I am reasonably healthy. It is a good thing that I got my degree while I was at that college that gave me a scholarship. I get cut and I am in good shape, or at least healthy enough to move around in order to drive, pick up the kids and buy groceries, put in an 8 hour day as a high school math, biology, or english teacher, or a saleman who has the NFL team logo on my business cards. Good thing I decided not to go out and "make it rain", buy expensive liquor for strangers, buy more cars and living space that I need, or be a millionaire drive by artist so my friends could rat me out. It could be a good life.
Therefore, I don't feel sorry for millionaires.
2 months ago
okay to know LJ is to love LJ. His work ethics during off season are pretty good. Who said that being 230lbs was over weight for a running back and weak legs.... not at all. He is still explosive on the field. I think the problem is deeper than him running out of bounds or falling before he gets hit; the problem is the Raiders weak offensive of line. Why take a hit, risk being hurt when your blockers should have been blocking from the jump. Yes, that's right I know him personally and not once have he said anything bad/wrong about the coaches or any of the other players. We all know that a back injury is nothing to play with, but if he said he was healthy enough to play they should've played him and not Fargas, because he know what he can and can not do. I think playing Fargas was a plot of Al's before the season was over so he could try and trade LaMont for cap space or renegoiate his contract once again. Al is sneaky and he is going to do what's best for Al without it coming back to hunt him. Also, who said that a player couldn't gamble during his down/off time as long as he doesn't owe anyone or become an addict of gambling what's the problem? We all have things that we like to do during our down time rather it is gambling, reading, playing with snot, etc. it's not your business.
2 months ago
WAY TO GO JEWELS! I'm loving your feedback. I think LJ had a great career and can continue. All to often we put politics into sports and that's when we (spectators) go wrong. Overall, I would love to see him on the filed again whether it be with Oakland or elsewhere.
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