Stanford Routt was over-tendered. (P A Patterson Photo)
As the Raiders tendered their free agents, there is one that is going to leave everyone scratching their heads. Reserve defensive back Stanford Routt was given the highest tender.
As my collegue on TFDSsports.com, Levi Damien said, "Only God knows why Routt would get this tender, and by god, I mean Al Davis."
There is absolutely no reason why Routt, who has only started 22 games in his five years in the NFL should have gotten the first and third round tender. Routt would not have been a hot commodity on the open market, and could have easily have been held by an original round tender, which would have netted the Raiders a second round pick if some team was inclined to give up a pick for his services.
Davis is known for loving his speedy defensive backs, and Stanford Routt is speedy defensive back who is somewhere between the skill level of James Trapp and Tory James. Perhaps, Routt is aided by the fact that his agent is a former Raider defensive back, Vann MacElroy. Despite MacElroy and Routt both sharing the number 26, MacElroy beat Routt's career number of interceptions (4) in that many seasons.
Meanwhile, Kirk Morrison, who is a player who has started every game in his five year career and led the team in tackles for four of those five years received an original round tender, despite there likely being teams who will want to make a run at Morrison.
This is one of those moves that provide fodder for the so-called haters. There is absolutely no good reason to tender Routt that high.
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Comments
....and the stupid decisions begin....I hate Routt, he's our worst DB!
He is bucket... garbage... a PI a game, a big blown coverage a game, and as soon as one of those happens he goes into the tank and become the whipping boy. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID.
Routt waas never able to beat out Fabian Washington, another bust.Then Cable and Davis ship DeAngelo Hall out and replace him with Chris Johnson. Cable opens up the that CB position to competition and Routt was STILL unable to beat out Johnson.
Do you think Routt or the Raiders gives a s_ _ t if you hate him or think he is the worst? You guys should stop and think how what you write is going to make you look before you wirte it. You just used a big word (Stupid).
This could be Nnamdi's last year. Routt is better on the outside than at nickel. Not to many NBs that aren't. This sounds like another Al Davis way of saying 'we want you here and will pay good if you play good.' Just like Ricky Brown got last year. Nobody would have given a second round pick for him and Al didn't have to take it anyway. Good for Routt, I hope he earns a himself a big contract.
With Kirk's third round tender, looks like McClain's the pick at 8.
Routt is a very solid nickle back. He was very unlucky on several plays last year.,....right on the wr most of the time. He did give up some plays but very rarely out of position. I like Stanford quite a bit as our 3rd corner.
i disagree routt would not have been a hot commodity on the open market....CBs are a premium in this league....and although not great he is still very young...nmandi didnt click until year4...im sure davis is hoping for the same
Washington might have been considered a bust at the Raiders however. Means little. Traded to the Ravens for a 4th rnd pick. Washington started 12 games for the Ravens 31 tackles, 1 pick. In the Wildcard game vs the Dolphins he also had a pick.. So my question simple. Was Washington a bust, or was the defensive coaching and Scheme at Oakland Busted?
Hey Gorilla, we read patricks articles and post our opinions...we really don't care what the Raiders think about what we write!
Raider joe what are you talking about. Fabien wasington was no bust, the d was a bust, stanford routt lets up at least 5 big plays a game. the guy is useless, id give holland the job over him thats how bad he is.Chris Jhonson is one of the best cover corners in the NFL..You ever watch a raiders game dude damn man smarten up
Although Routt is a good player but not really the stopper we need out there this really is good news for the Raider Nation. It means the Raiders are not going to draft for a safety or corner. It looks like they may draft for need not the best combine speedster, which is really a plus. If they draft Rolando McClain that will help stop the big running plays that killed us the last six years. Maybe they will draft a big OT or DE. I think they should try to keep Morrison though. I do believe this suggests a better draft than what we have seen in the past.
Nothing worse than a clown that comes to a conclusion without having all the information to make that conclusion. You do not know what the Raiders may have turned down in trade offers on Routt.
In todays pass heavy NFL your 3rd corner is considered a starter. The Raiders thought more of Routt than Washington who they traded to the Ravens that made Washington a starter.
The Raiders have drafted, produced or stole more Hall of Fame corners than half the NFL combined, so I will take the experts take on Routt over all these no nothing fans and bloggers, so hate that.
The Raiders will be drafting secondary help in this draft, maybe not early but they will draft a corner this year at some level. You can never have enough corners in todays NFL and they better have speed or you will be eat alive in the passing game.
Hey last post promise, all those here that were cutting Nnamdi's throat his first few years in the NFL raise your hands, all the same clowns that are thrashing Routt. A bunch of no nothings that are lucky the old lady trusts them to pick up a loaf of Bread at the store are all talent scouts for the NFL, in their dreams lol a whole bunch while rolling on the floor.
this guy gets this kind of tender the same guy who got smoke every chance he was playing on the nickel defense vs jets, cowboys, steelers wow!!
Come on. He gets the same tender as Dumerville got in Denver, and he lead the league in sacks, went to the prowbowl. He got a better tender than Brandon Marshall! I don't care if you like Routt(I really don't see how you could, I peged him for a guy we would let go for sure) the 1st and 3rd round tender is rediculous. If Routt stays he should be making the league minimum.
Morrison gets tendered for a 3rd. I'm ok with that but we better have a plan in place cuz I have a feeling there will be a team that will give up a 3rd to get him. Then who do we got, Ricky Brown? Better draft or sign someone.
My Raider Fans, I just love it that everyone is scratching their head on the Routt tender. If you are a true Raider fan and know Al, this is classic. A team that Al hates has been sniffing around Routt and Al tagged him to make them pay if they want him. Routt will be cut before the season starts and Al will never pay him a dime on the tender he will sign.
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