Who's afraid of the Oakland Raiders? (HC09)

[Bettis36]

It was announced on Feb 4th, 2008, the monday after the Super Bowl, that the youngest head coach in the modern NFL era, Lane Kiffin had been fired. "I'm tired of losin', so he's outta here!" said Al Davis, owner of the franchise. They immediately announced the hiring of new head coach, Biff Jones, whom Al Davis in an uncharacteristic move introduced by saying "I trust this guy, he had full authority. I'll give him a year to see how he does."

Evidently, this had been in the works for awhile. Biff outlined his plan for the Raiders. "Basically," he said, "I'm going to clean house. Football is a business, and we are going to start being successful. By this, I mean that regardless of contract, regardless of penalties, regardless of anything but the good of the team, NO roster spot is safe."

Should be an interesting year in Raider Nation.

[Bettis36]

Okay, think I got something workable. Here goes.

OFFSEASON 2008

No Franchise Tag

Lots of folks thought the new coach would Franchise Tag Nnamdi Asomugha, but not coach Jones. "He's an extremely talented player", stated Coach Jones, "But we're going in a different direction. We can't afford to pay him what he's worth."

Free Agency

The Raiders were strangely quiet during Free Agency, signing only 2 free agents, WR Donte Stallworth was signed to a 4 year contract worth 23 million with a 7.5 million bonus, and MLB Odell Thurman was signed to a 5 year contract worth 15.5 million with a 2.5 million bonus.

then came the draft.

Feelings are mixed on the draft. 2 key players that the Raiders were eyeing, SS Craig Steltz and RE Calais Campbell got pulled out from under them, but with some creative trading, the Raiders did quite well.

2008 Draft
Rd 1 pick 22 LOLB Jerod Mayo
Rd 2 pick 52 - HB Ray Rice
Rd 3 pick 83 - WR Mario Manningham
Rd 4 pick 101 - DT Red Bryant
Rd 6 pick 163 - MLB Jeremy Leman
Rd 6 pick 198 - QB Andre Woodson
Rd 7 pick 211 - RE Tony Bake

Undrafted Free Agent Rookies

CB Jonathan Zenon
ROLB Geno Hayes
SS Caleb Campbell
C Steven Justice
TE Kellen Davis

* I know the players in the 2008 draft pretty well, but I don't know much about any of the draft classes, so I'm not going to try and skew it any certain way

Next Up : Preseason 2008

[Bettis36]

Draft Pick Signings
LOLB Jerod Mayo - 5 yrs/9.97mil/5 mil bonus/no incentives
HB Ray Rice - 4 yrs/2.38 mil/1.5mil bonus/incentives
WR Mario Manningham - 3 yrs/1.74mil/500k bonus/incentives
DT Red Bryant - 3 yrs/1.37mil/250k bonus/incentives
MLB Jeremy Leman - 3 yrs/680k/500k bonus/incentives
QB Andre Woodson - 3 yrs/800k/100k bonus/incentives
RE Tony Bake - 3 yrs/890k/100k bonus/no incentives

Preseason 2008

* I super-simmed all preseason games


1st Cut Day
QB Chris Leak, K J. Medlock, SS L. Schulters

Released CB J. Zenon, signed CB Ty Law

Game 1 vs. San Francisco
49ers - 28, Raiders - 0

Not a great first outing

2nd Cut Day
MLB K. Griffin, RE J. Hall, C N. Micheals, TE J. Madsen, HB L. Jordan, FB J. Griffith, LOLB Sam Williams

Game 2 at Titans
Titans 37, Raiders 7

It better get better than this. Al Davis carries a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig stick, and he uses it, too!!

3rd Cut Day
RB D. Rhodes, TE K. Davis, RG C. Carlisle, RT N. Goddard, RE B. Schobel

Signed TE S. Chandler

Game 3 at Cardinals
Raiders 35, Cardinals 14

The Raiders finally show up!!!

4th Cut Day
QB S. Peterson, RE R. Beasley, MLB J. Rudolph

Game 4 vs Seattle
Seahawks 20, Raiders 12

Close. the Silver and Black definitely played well, just too many mistakes.

Final Cut Day
FS C. Crocker, CB J. Bowie, MLB B. Brown, DT T. Sands, CB T. Brady

Preseason Promise: Finish above 500

Next Up - Game 1!!!