Raiders Suspend McClain Two Games and Other AFC West News

The Oakland Raiders have suspended Rolando McClain two games for conduct detrimental to the team, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.

The suspension will cost McClain two game checks, reportedly worth about $114,000. He will be eligible to return to the team following its Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos.

Suspending McClain only prolongs the narrative for at least three more weeks and makes him a talking point for Oakland’s nationally televised game next Thursday. Even if McClain never plays another snap for the Raiders, this is a distraction the football team doesn’t need.

The Raiders save relatively little money by suspending McClain. The only thing a suspension does is prevent him from getting picked up by another team. But it also kills just about any chance that he would be claimed off waivers.

Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie wasted an opportunity to send a message to the team that poor play, poor attitude and poor conduct would not be tolerated. A two-game suspension doesn’t send the same message.

More AFC West News…

Oakland

Monte Poole of the Contra Costa Times says two sources insist that quarterback Terrelle Pryor will see action on Sunday.

Poole also had a great column yesterday about how the Raiders did all they could with McClain and it still didn’t work out.

Marcel Reece is expected to carry the running back load on Sunday despite the return of Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson, according to Eric Gilmore of CBSSports.com.

 

San Diego

Defensive coordinator John Pagano blamed the 4th-and-29 conversion on poor angles and poor tackling, according to Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego.

Krasovic also says the Chargers need more players performing like punter Mike Scifres.

Kansas City

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star has a great column about Matt Cassel. He might not be a good player, but that doesn’t make him a bad person. He’s actually far from it.

Tyson Jackson is relishing his increased role, according to Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star.

 

Denver

Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post says Tampa Bay’s running game pose a threat to Denver’s run defense.

Mike Klis of the Denver Post examines the draft-day trades that ultimately landed Derek Wolfe in Denver and Doug Martin in Tampa Bay.