The opening 24 hours of the free agent signing period ended with the Oakland Raiders making precisely zero moves. In 24 hours, Jack Bauer saves the world, but the Raiders sit on their hands. However, the smart thing for the Raiders to do is to let the dust clear on the big money moves and then hone in on the role players who will fill the holes in the roster.
There have been rumblings that the Raiders may be interested in Kalif Barnes from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Marvel Smith from the Pittsburgh Steelers. This goes along the lines of filling that gaping hole the Raiders have at tackle. Smith is an Oakland native who played his high school ball at Skyline High School, so he may give the Raiders a hometown discount. The key for the Raiders if they are to make a move for him would be to double check the physical and ensure that his back problems are behind him, and be sure to include incentive clauses and avoid the injury guarantee that Javon Walker is rumored to have. Barnes has been a durable tackle for the Jags and has experience at playing on both the right and left sides of the line, so his addition would give the Raiders flexibility in how they deploy their offensive "big uglies."
There is also talk that the Raiders are in negotiations with center Jake Grove as well as wide receivers Ashley Lelie and Drew Carter. Grove probably gauged his market and realized that he won't be due a big payday. He would be valuable for depth as he knows the system, but the Raiders should look for an upgrade in Alex Mack from Cal in the draft if he is there in round two. Ashley Lelie would likely be camp competition, and would see little guaranteed money. Drew Carter has expressed a desire to sign with the Raiders to play, since he was on injured reserve all of last season. None of the three should command much over the minimum for their positions.
After the disastrous offseason the Raiders had last year, it is wise of them to show restraint at this point, as sometimes the smartest moves are the ones that are not made. They have smartly focused on retaining their own players. They have also had a good start at getting rid of the players who were not getting with the program. They can't ditch them all in one offseason due to the current salary cap rules, but they are sending a message.
The real key will be for the Raiders to be smart with the moves that they do make. They can get much more value at this point from lower cost guys. They can then focus their attention on the draft as the way to make their splash for the coming year.
SEE ALSO:
- No news is big news
- Potential targets emerging
- Raiders interested in tackles
- So begins free agent signing period
- Don't panic if Raiders start slow
- New contract rules may hurt Raiders
- Salary dump preparation for 2010
- Revamping the O-Line high priority
- Internal free agents the Raiders must retain
- Highest priority positions to upgrade
- How will the Raiders build?
- Raiders need to cut out the deadwood
- Ten predictions for the Raiders offseason
- Silver and Black hopes to strike gold
Comments
It would be smart for the Raiders to stay away from injured FAs. How can Al Davis trust his medical staff when they gave the OK for Javonne Walker and Dmac thought it was necessary to seek his medical doctors for his injuries. Unless the there are injury guarantees that protect the Raiders, Herrera should just hit Al with a stick, rubb his nose on the Walker contract and tall him NO!.
A move that would make sense would be to move down a few times and draft Mack. Unfortunately, moving down is not an option for Davis. By moving down we could parlay those picks and maybe get a LB and WR in round two. Adding Barnes and Mack would be a huge upgrade. What are your thoughts on resigning Harris and giving him a shot at RG?
I doubt Harris will hear the snap count any better from the right side. Stay away from that turd. Get Barnes or Smith and let Henderson learn the right.
So far, the Raiders are doing the logical thing at this time. Resign good quality players. These players that the Raiders resigned are unsung but greatly appreciated by us fans.
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