Oakland Raiders making all the right moves

March 5, 11:51 PMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

Previous Next

15 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Oakland Raiders Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

This has been an odd offseason for the Raider Nation. In a time period where the Oakland Raiders tend to make headlines by overpaying middle of the road players, or by infighting among the front office, instead the Raiders are making smart and prudent moves, and avoiding the headlines.

The Raiders started strong by finding a way to retain all their top players. In what seemed nearly impossible towards the end of the season, the Raiders were able to retain the services of Shane Lechler and Nnamdi Asomugha without using their franchise tag designation. They also were able to hold on to all of the players who they needed to hold on to. They began dropping the dead weight to continue the attitude change that Tom Cable is always preaching.

Rather than making an early splash as they did in their disasterous 08 offseason, the Raiders waited it out and continued to bring back their own guys at reasonable prices. They also made a concerted effort to restructure contracts of the guys on the roster so that they could free up additional cap space.

Once they began to reach out to other players, they brought in guys who aren't going to blow the budget that will have to compete for roster spots. It appears that they are nearing a deal with Khalif Barnes who would fill an enormous need at right tackle. Whilst a deal is not done yet, it appears that it is getting close.

So far, the Raiders are making all the right moves. They are addressing their needs, and working on building a team for the 2009 season rather than just adding pieces. Of course, if they were to sign Terrell Owens tomorrow, this would all go up in smoke. Hopefully, the Raiders concentrate on free agents along the lines, and a veteran wide receiver not named Terrell Owens in free agency and continue with the right moves in the draft.

SEE ALSO:

• Javon Walker restructure
• Winning trench warfare
• Drama free zone cause for optimism
• Opening statement on the draft
• New rules may hurt Raiders
• How will they build?
• Raiders have nothing to fear from going capless
• So begins Raiders free agency
• Oakland needs the Raider attitude
• Salary dump preparation for 2010
• Transitioning to next phase offseason
• Internal free agents the Raiders must retain
• Lechler-Asomugha conundrum
• Revamping offensive line a priority
• Early moves loom large
• Aso elite on and off the field
• Highest priority upgrades
• Tandem of Lechler and Jano special
• Raiders need to eliminate dead wood
• Infected by losing
• 08 offseason looking bleaker