The Raiders have released several players in the last few days in an effort to remove contracts from their payroll and to create spaces to fill for 2010. Also, one of their unrestricted free agents is off the market and on the move.
Justin Fargas darts through a hole at the 2008 minicamp
(P A Patterson Photo)
Much maligned offensive tackle Cornell Green was signed to a three year contract today by the Buffalo Bills worth approximately $9 million. This is a signing that had the Raider Nation breathe a collective sigh of relief, as he had been prone to inopportune penalties, as well as allowing sacks. However, he tended to be stronger in the run game.
The resigning of Khalif Barnes means that the Raiders expect Barnes to improve from his 2009 performance. It could also be a signal that the Raiders are considering one of the top tackles in the draft.
The Raiders cut Justin Fargas on Saturday. Fargas had been a veteran leader on an offense devoid of leadership. However, the Raiders said that he had failed a physical. 30 years old is when running backs are generally believed to start breaking down, and Fargas has just reached that point. He also has a long list of injuries due to his violent running style. By allowing him to move, the Raiders are putting more of the running game on the shoulders of the tandem of Michael Bush and Darren McFadden. With McFadden's own injury history it does bring into question the Raiders depth at running back.
The disastrous 2008 offseason can now be brought to a close, as Javon Walker was shown the door. He took 14 million dollars from the Raiders for a total of 15 catches in two years. He spent his second year as a healthy scratch for 13 of the 16 games, and no catches. At the time, his $54 million contract was called the worst ever. No one could have envisioned how right that assessment was. He now joins Kwame Harris, Gibril Wilson, and DeAngelo Hall as former Raiders from that spending spree.
Greg Ellis was also cut today. He tied for the team lead in sacks with seven, and was a vocal leader. He was even seen in offensive huddles filling a void of leadership. However, as the season wore down his knees gave him increasing problems. He was a definite positive in his one year in Oakland.
It has also been reported that the Raiders took a look at blocking tight end Anthony Becht. No reports of an imminent deal, but he would be a good complement to Zach Miller's receiving prowess.
Fargas and Ellis will be big losses from a leadership perspective. Ellis was known for working with the young defensive linemen to help them develop faster. The offense has been mostly devoid of leadership other than Bruce Gradkowksi. The loss of Fargas further saps what little leadership was present. It does have the ball rolling, and the moves will be coming.
Comments
An OT with the first and second pick makes way to much sense for Al and Tom. Al will draft more skill positions with the high picks and then bring in the most mediocer talent for the lines and wonder once again what went wrong.
I have to disagree with you Howie. Who knows what the Raiders will do, but i think theyre going to go after Bruce Campbell in the First and hopefully Brandon Spikes in the 2nd if he falls or the best D Lineman availble.
Hopefully, Ellis will re-sign at some point. He still has some gas in that tank. Outstanding move by Davis talking Walker out of retirement. Could have saved a ton of money. Don't know if we really need Becht. Say what you want about Fargas but he always ended up with alot of PT. Alot of players only wish they had his heart. The 1-2 punch (Bush and McFadden) has yet to materalize. I hope it does but I would not count on it. We will need another RB.
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