When it comes to free agency in the NFL this time of the year is highly anticipated and almost as big as the draft itself. A lot of us football fans can’t wait to hear that our team has brought in a big name free agent, can’t wait to see the picture of him signing his new contract rocking a new lid adorned with your teams logo on it. We can’t wait to hear the new team members’ press conference with him answering questions from reporters and telling how he will change the teams’ outlook this season. It must be said that this is also the time that almost every team will grossly overspend on players for various reasons, good or bad.
The best thing to do is to sign your own free agents and then go after free agents that will fill huge needs for your team that will be difficult to accomplish with a drafted player due to the fact that it will take time for a rookie to develop or due to it being a weak year in terms of prospects for your teams position of need. So far the Oakland Raiders have been successful accomplishing that task this off – season. The Raiders did have some bright spots in the 2007 season that did not reflect on the scoreboard in terms of winning more games. The Raiders are re-building and re-building is as painful as a root-canal and takes time. It took more than one season to be in this position and will take more than a season to get out of. The building process starts with several baby steps and small accomplishments that will add up and help build the team for the short & long term path to success.Going into Free Agency & the Draft the Raiders needs are DT, OT, WR, DE, RB. Franchising CB Nnamdi Asomugha was a good move and hopefully the Raiders can sign him to a long term deal that will keep him in silver and black for the rest of his career as well as lower his salary cap number for 2008. Re-signing RB Justin Fargas was another good move that brings back an integral part of the offense & solidifies the RB position of Fargas, Michael Bush, Adimchinobe Echemandu, and Reshard Lee. RB Lamont Jordan & Dominique Rhodes are currently still on the roster likely to be traded or released freeing up at least $9 million in cap space. Even though the Raiders grossly over PAID DT Tommy Kelly signing him was a high priority; he is a versatile player that can play DT & DE and is currently the teams best DT. The Raiders are still thin at the position that they haven’t addressed in a while. The Raiders did sign Terdell Sands to a large contract last year after he was being pursed by Kansas City and overspent of him as well. I feel that Tommy Kelly; coming to the Raiders as an undrafted free agent and sticking will work his butt off to prove worthy of the deal and hopefully urge Sands to do the same. Snagging the best free agent SS available Gibril Wilson is a huge upgrade. He will solidify the defensive secondary for the Raiders; he’s active, aggressive player, solid tackler & playmaker near the line of scrimmage versus the run, blitzing or in coverage.
The Raiders did lose DE Chris Clemons who did a good a job registering 8 sacks while starting only two games and parlayed that performance into a 5 year deal with the Eagles. The Raiders also as expected lost WR Jerry Porter to the Jaguars. The Raiders still have a need at WR. The good news is that they didn’t overspend on Bernard Berrian, Donte Stallworth, Devery Henderson. Benard Berrian was a free agent target for the Raiders and other teams but he was after far more money than the Raiders could afford. Having Berrian would’ve been nice but the Free Agents Wide Receivers of 2008 are really nothing special. There are still a few free agents that are still available that could have a major impact this season and would provide a tremendous return on their investment is the Raiders are able to sign them they are as follows:
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1) OLB Calvin Pace – 6’4" 272 lbs. former 1st round pick of the Cardinals in 2003 who made a successful conversion from Defensive End to save his career & posted career high’s in tackles and sacks. In my opinion a solid under the radar Free Agent that brings great versatility to a team and would provide the Raiders the ability to consistently rush the passer.
2) WR – 6’3" 216 lbs. former 1st round pick of the Cardinals in 2003. A speedster who grew into the no.3 WR position and makes catches for big yards.
3) DE Bobby MCray – 6’6" 261 lbs. former 7th round pick of the Jaguars in 2004. After Reggie Hayward was injured, McCray got the opportunity to play regularly and took full advantage as Jacksonville’s starting left defensive end. He registered 10 sacks in 2006 in a break out He registered 10 sacks in 2006 in a break out season in his third year in the league. He is a long lean defensive end with an athletic build, great height and long arms. McCray is a fine edge pass rusher who is peaking in all areas of his game and should only be getting better. He has become quite reliable and has worked hard for his success. He is athletic with a fine motor and competes well. He has very good straight line speed and closes well with a burst. When McCray arrives, he is a powerful jolting tackler. He is an attacking player can chase running plays down from behind. He is a fine pass rusher who shows good power on impact, but really excels at getting low, dipping his shoulder and bending the edge on an offensive tackle's outside shoulder.
4) WR Drew Carter – 6’3" 200 lbs. former 5th round pick of the Panthers in 2004 who is a downfield threat and was the no.2 receiver for the Panthers that last years 2nd round pick Dwayne Jarrett was drafted to replace.
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