The Raiders are up to their ears in a players that need new contracts, and many of them are key contributors. Here's the breakdown:
Scout OVR in ( ) - Raiders Cap Room: $17.4 M
SS Tyvon Branch (95) - the veteran safety is up for another new deal. He was seen as a key member of the secondary for his nose for the ball. However, can the Raiders afford him in his waning years? Asking: 5 yrs/$11 M per year.
MLB Jake Olsen (89) - He's the odd man out after not quite living up to his potential and now with K'Twon Wilcox doing well, Mr. Olsen might find himself looking for work this offseason. Asking: 5 yrs/$5.5 M per year.
CB Shaquille Carillon (82) - Not the most critical member of the defensive corps, but he's also never really disappointed coaches or his teammates. But the Raiders may not be able to afford his useful depth. Asking: 4 yrs/$3.3 M per year.
OLB/DE Tevin Ash (86) - The Raiders might need to revisit trade options for Ash as the team might otherwise need to let him go. Teams are very interested in Ash, and he's coming off his best season of his career. Now might be the time to sell high and save the cash. Asking: 5 yrs/$4.95 M per year.
HB Julio Caulder (85) - He might be the most likely to sign as the team loves their hard-nosed power back. After all, backs have come and gone, all seeking to oust Caulder, but nary a one has succeeded. DeRay Ray is a stud, but there's room for a bruiser in this backfield as well. Asking: 5 yrs/$4.4 M per year.
LT Zac Foster (85) - The Raiders were hoping he would emerge as the LT the team can build the line around. So far, that hasn't happened, but he's still got upside. Is it worth the price? Asking: 4 years/$4.01 M per year.
FS Lamel Seawood (82) - Lamel might find himself in a good spot. With Branch also up for a contract, the team might go with Lamel and place him at SS to pair him with fellow slugger Shyquawn Johnson. Asking: 4 years/$4.4 M per year.
CB Lorenzo Hopkins (82) - Perhaps the most disappointing player on this list, Hopkins was seen as the next strong CB for the team. However, his performance and development have not been great. Then J.J. Smoke and other prospects arrived. Probably the least likely to be signed. Asking: 4 years/$3.3 M per year.
QB Danny Martens (83) - Last, but not least, is probably the player causing the most debate. Danny Martens has been up and down, holds a ton of potential, is still young, and hardly the worst QB this team has featured (that is a tie between Carson Palmer and Kip "Rickety" Ricketts). Still, RG3 figures to be around a while, and QBs could be picked up or drafted - just as Martens is a former 5th round pick. But the Raiders love his deep ball, even if he's a bit erratic otherwise. Asking: 5 years/$6.6 M per year.
With only $17 M in cap room, decisions will have to be made, none of them really pleasant (except perhaps Hopkins). The team also has to keep an eye out to free agency, not wanting to miss the chance for an impact signing there. The Raiders might be in for a bit of a shuffling period in the midst of having to deal with high expectations.
__________________
"Some people call it butterflies, but to him, it probably feels like pterodactyls in his stomach." --Plesac in MLB18
Center Tyler Clay out of Oregon is making a name for himself with his leading the way for his team's power run attack.
NFL News:
Packers failed to sign HB Jamel Ramsey to a new contract extension.
The Bears can't reach an agreement with DL Andre Jackson.
The Broncos and HB Mikel Leshoure broke off talks this week on a new extension.
The Jets have shocked the league in the early going, starting out at 4-0.
The Jaguars are in good early position after starting 4-0.
Jets WR Mohammed Massaquoi caught a trio of TDs as his Jets steamrolled to a 36-3 victory.
Redskins HB Marshawn Lynch is 8th all-time in rushing yardage.
The Cowboys will lose WR Eddie Royal for some weeks due to injury.
Raiders News
The Raiders are out to a 4-0 start, but the Broncos are again right behind at 3-1. The Chiefs and Chargers are both 2-2, so the AFC West might be a hotly contested division this year. The Raiders will need to keep the momentum going.
Raiders' Next Game: Raiders (4-0) @ Steelers (2-2)
Raiders Injury Report
Pos
Player
Injury Note
DT
Ndamukong Suh
Out 2 weeks (dislocated hip)
RE
Keithen Lett
Out 4 weeks (torn bicep)
WR
Denarius Moore
Out 3 weeks (broken jaw)
The Raiders add Denarius Moore to the ranks of the injured as he will be absent for 3 weeks.
Transaction News:
There have been reports of the Raiders engaging in talks about Tevin Ash, but Lyle is resistant to the idea, especially now with the defensive line not at full strength. No comment from the Raiders or any teams rumored to be in talks about the pass rusher.
Roster News:
Moore's injury is going to increase the burden on two inexperienced wide outs: De'Aarius Bumpers and Sam Jackson. Lyle has mentioned that Jackson is likely to start alongside Akia Green, due to Jackson's big play ability. Bumpers works better in the slot according to the Raiders head coach. Armond Chappelle may be asked to contribute to the offense as well.
Julian Shade and Tevin Ash are expected to swap ends on the line. Ash has experience playing on the weak side of the defense from his games as ROLB. In addition, Shade looked very uncomfortable there last week. A switch is hoped to get both of them going.
Perhaps it's the Maeweather effect, but James Hazzard hasn't done much. Granted, Maeweather and Wilcox have been all over the field in the early going.
Notable Progression:
FS Shyquawn Johnson
MCV: 74 to 75
AWR: 75 to 76
TAK: 66 to 68
PRC: 73 to 74
CB J.J. Smoke
RET: 67 to 69
CTH: 68 to 69
DT Maka Lafontant
POW: 77 to 79
QB Robert Griffin III
PAC: 74 to 75
AWR: 78 to 79
__________________
"Some people call it butterflies, but to him, it probably feels like pterodactyls in his stomach." --Plesac in MLB18
10-03-2013, 08:08 PM
