Just Win Baby!

[Sanchez_Mareno]

Re: Just Win Baby!

lol scandalous

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Financial Crisis in Oakland

Reports from the NFL office suggest that the Oakland Raiders are in a significant financial crisis.

The Raiders are currently $10.6M over the cap due to penalties incurred from cutting namely QB JaMarcus Russell.

NFL Salary Cap: $119.48M
Team Salary Cap $95.46M
Salary Cap Room: -$10.6M
Current Penalties: $34.62M
Potential Incentives: $2.5M
Next Year Penalties $0K

A source inside the Raiders organization on the condition of anonymity revealed that Head Coach Joslin has no idea how they are going to get under the cap without getting fired.

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Franchise Tag

HC Gary Hammermill and the Ravens use their Franchise Tag to retain the services of MLB Ray Lewis and hope to work out a long term deal to keep him in Baltimore.

[Sanchez_Mareno]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Shouldn't be too hard to work through with a couple moves

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

The Turk Comes Early In Oakland

Needing to clear almost $11M in cap room to get under the Salary Cap and needing more room to sign rookie draft picks, Coach Joslin has started trimming the fat.

"We had to make some tough cuts. We are losing some guys that will start for other teams. Unfortunately, it all came down to numbers." said Coach Joslin.

Among the cuts are

Pro Bowl DE Chike Okeafor saving the team $5.55M

HB Kevin Faulk saving the team $2.95M

OLB Scott Fujita saving the team $2.51M

DE Chase Ortiz saving the team $1.25M

K Brandon Coutu saving the team $450K

TE Leonard Pope saving the team $430K

C Alex Stepanovich saving the team $420K

These cuts leave the team with a meager $1.46M under the cap, so look for other more cuts to come in the future.

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Shouldn't be too hard to work through with a couple moves

The difficulty comes in it won't let me cut certain guys as the penalty would put us over the cap (which we are already over)

And when I do cut a guy, any penalty at all puts me at risk of being fired.

The cuts I made give me some breathing room and I'm hoping that I'll be able to cut another high salary guy later on to make room for rookies.

If not we may be playing the season with a very light roster.

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Free Agent Preview

QB Kerry Collins OVR 83
QB Kurt Warner OVR 82
QB Jake Delhomme OVR 75
QB JaMarcus Russell OVR 74
QB Matt Cassell OVR 74

HB Kevin Faulk OVR 84
HB Fred Taylor OVR 84
HB Warrick Dunn OVR 83
HB Michael Pittman OVR 79
HB Duece McAllister OVR 78
HB Ricky Williams OVR 77

FB Tony Richardson OVR 84
FB Ahmard Hall OvR 82- 2008 pro bowl selection
FB Dan Kreider OVR 81

WR Marques Colston OVR 91-RFA
WR Demetrius Williams OVR 84- RFA
WR Isasc Bruce OVR 84
WR Joe Horn OVR 80

TE L J Smith OVR 83
TE Jeremy Shockey OVR 79

OT Jordan Black OVR 84
OT Damion McIntosh OVR 80
OT Jonathon Scott OVR 82
OT Langston Waker OVR 80

OG Ben Hamilton OVR 83
OG Russ Hochstein OVR 83
OG Vince Manuwai OVR 81- 2008 pro bowl selection
OG Kyle Kosier OVR 81
OG Edwin Mulitalo OvR 80

C Tom Nalen OVR 89
C Matt Birk OVR 89
C Brad Meester OVR 83- 2008 pro bowl selection
C Casey Rabach OVR 81
C Al Johnson OVR 80
C Jeremy Newberry OVR 77- 2008 pro bowl selection

DE Michael Strahan OVR 85
DE Chike Okeafor OVR 84- 2008 pro bowl selection
DE Jason Hatcher OVR 82
DE Ryan Denney OVR 82
DE Jarvis Green OVR 83
DE Reggie Hayward OVR 82
DE Bertrand Berry OVR 82
DE Kabeer Gbaja Biamila OVR 81

DT Tommie Harris OVR 85
DT Pat Williams OVR 84
DT Ted Washington OVR 83
DT Rodney Leisle OVR 79

OLB Terrell Suggs OVR 90
OLB Rob Morris OVR 84
OLB R J McCamey OVR 83
OLB Channing Crowder OVR 83
OLB Ben Leber OVR 81
OLB Clark Haggans OVR 81
OLB Roosevelt Colvin OVR 82
OLB Chaun Thompson OVR 81

MLB Bart Scott OVR 86
MLB Tedy Bruschi OVR 85
MLB Brady James OVR 84

CB Chris McAlister OVR 93
CB Chris Gamble OVR 86
CB Ty Law OVR 85
CB Deltha O'Neal OVR 83
CB Cortland Finnegan OVR 81-RFA
CB Mike McKenzie OVR 81

FS John Lynch OVR 88
FS George Wilson OVR 85
FS Jarrad Page OVR 85
FS Michael Johnson OVR 84
FS Jaime Rice OVR 83
FS Dwight Smith OVR 82

SS Dawan Landry OVR 86
SS Sean Jones OVR 86
SS Chris Horton OVR 83
SS Michael Boulware OVR 83
SS Donovan Darius OVR 83

K John Hall OVR 89
K Jason Hanson OVR 89
K Shaun Suisham OVR 84
K John Carney OVR 83
K Alexis Serna OVR 81


P Jon Ryan OVR 85
P Kyle Larson OVR 84
P Jeff Feagles OVR 84

[Sanchez_Mareno]

Re: Just Win Baby!

The difficulty comes in it won't let me cut certain guys as the penalty would put us over the cap (which we are already over)

And when I do cut a guy, any penalty at all puts me at risk of being fired.

The cuts I made give me some breathing room and I'm hoping that I'll be able to cut another high salary guy later on to make room for rookies.

If not we may be playing the season with a very light roster.

Unless you have some no bonus guys you can cut, you will have to wait till after the draft, where cutting someone will send their bonus to next years cap

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Game Changer: Accounting Error!

The league head office has let the Oakland Raiders know that due to an accounting error their salary cap penalties for this year have been wiped clean. That's right, over $34M in penalties forgiven.

The Raiders were notified of the error well into Free Agency and as such missed out on bringing in any big name Free Agents before the draft. They may try to pick up a few players during Training Camp.

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Free Agent Roundup

Here are where some of the big name Free Agents and RFA's ended up.

QB Kerry Collins OVR 83 2yr Deal worth $12.5M
QB Kurt Warner OVR 82 1yr deal worth $9.3M
QB Jake Delhomme OVR 75 2yr deal worth $4.8M
QB Matt Cassell OVR 74 5yr deal worth $11.5M



HB Kevin Faulk OVR 84 1yr deal $4.8M
HB Fred Taylor OVR 84 1yr deal $3.6M
HB Warrick Dunn OVR 83 1yr deal $4.6M
HB Michael Pittman OVR 79 1yr $2M



WR Isasc Bruce OVR 84 1yr $6.2M
WR Joe Horn OVR 80 1yr $2.9M
WR Donnie Avery OVR 76 4yr $26M



TE L J Smith OVR 83 4yr $18M
TE Jeremy Shockey OVR 79 2yr $9M



OT Jordan Black OVR 84 4yr $13M
OT Langston Waker OVR 80 5yr $16.5M



OG Ben Hamilton OVR 83 1yr $3.6M
OG Russ Hochstein OVR 83 4yr $12.5M
OG Vince Manuwai OVR 81- 2008 pro bowl selection 5yr $12.5M
OG Kyle Kosier OVR 81 5yr $13M




C Tom Nalen OVR 89 2yr $11M
C Matt Birk OVR 89 2yr $10.5M
C Brad Meester OVR 83- 2008 pro bowl selection 1yr $3.2M



DE Michael Strahan OVR 85 1yr $6.2M
DE Chike Okeafor OVR 84- 2008 pro bowl selection 1yr $4.8M
DE Jarvis Green OVR 83 4yr $23M
DE Bertrand Berry OVR 82 1yr $4.2M



DT Tommie Harris OVR 85 5yr $46M
DT Pat Williams OVR 84 2yr $13M
DT Ted Washington OVR 83 1yr $4.4M
DT Rodney Leisle OVR 79 2yr $6M



OLB Terrell Suggs OVR 90 3yr $23M
OLB Rob Morris OVR 84 1yr $3.4M
OLB R J McCamey OVR 83 5yr $14M
OLB Channing Crowder OVR 83 5yr $14.5M



MLB Bart Scott OVR 86 4yr $20M
MLB Tedy Bruschi OVR 85 2yr $10.5M
MLB Brady James OVR 84 4yr $14.5M



CB Chris McAlister OVR 93 2yr $18M
CB Chris Gamble OVR 86 4yr $15M
CB Ty Law OVR 85 1yr $3.4M
CB Deltha O'Neal OVR 83 1yr $3.4M
CB Mike McKenzie OVR 81 1yr $2.1M



FS John Lynch OVR 88 1yr $4.4M



SS Dawan Landry OVR 86 4yr $17M
SS Sean Jones OVR 86 5yr $19M



K John Hall OVR 89 1yr $2M
K Jason Hanson OVR 89 1yr $2.1M
K Alexis Serna OVR 81 2yr $3.2M

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Raiders Free Agency Recap

K Matt Prater gets a 1yr deal worth $1.4M with no bonus. Coach Joslin hopes that Prater will be the solution in the kicking game, and if so will resign him to a longer deal. (With a budget of $7M, getting Prater leaves me with $5.6M for after the draft)

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

1st Round Recap

1 NYJ move down 2 spots and get the Ravens 2nd round pick (#35) and a 3rd rounder in 2010, BAL QB Luke Rambis, Ohio State

2 CHI HB Maceo Sweetney, Tennessee

3 NYJ RE Andre Dalembert, Wash. St.

4 CAR WR Jamaal Kidd, Ohio State

5 DET QB Darrick Conroy, Kansas State

6 KC CB Mario Markland, USC

7 BUF WR Tyrus Duhon, Florida

8 ARI CB O J McClintock, Texas

9 CLE LE Lamaar Marbury, USC

10 PIT CB Courtney Porter, Fresno State

11 HOU HB Kendrick House, Cincinnati

12 WAS trades the pick to the Eagles for a 2nd round pick (#61) and a 1st and 2nd in 2010, PHI WR Montario Tartt III, Auburn

13 STL TE Marcus Magloire, UCF

14 ATL deals the pick to the Lions for a 2nd rounder (#37) and a 2nd and 4th in 2010, DET CB Marcus Bishop, UCLA

15 SF deals the pick to the Patriots getting a 2nd rounder (#62) and a 1st and 3rd in 2010, NE FS Antoine Jefferson, LSU

16 DEN WR Defazio Combs, Miami

17 DAL DT Thaddeus Cheeks, Pittsburgh

18 GB WR Thomas Dwyer, Indiana

19 SD MLB Martin McPeek, Michigan

20 MIA SS Mase Johnson, Texas

21 SEA moved down 5 spots to get the Buccaneers 6th round pick this year and a 3rd next year, TB QB Drew Trumblee, Louisville

22 CIN LOLB LaTroy Jackson, Wake Forest

23 MIN FS Ryan Spradlin, USC

24 JAX CB Ted Morton, Oklahoma

25 TEN TE Cooper Hooper, Boston Coll.

26 SEA CB Renaldo Moon, Illinois

27 IND ROLB Maurice Ghoggins, UL Lafayette

28 NYG Jamario Baston, Tennessee

29 PHI MLB Shane Gilmore, Minnesota

30 Patriots trade the spot to the Vikings for a 2nd, 3rd and 5th in 2010, MIN LOLB Jayshaun Ralls, Hawaii

31 NO trades the pick to the Raiders for #32 and #192 (6th rounder) OAK LT Patrick Fox, N. Carolina

32 NO trades out of this spot for a 2nd round pick (#38), a 6th round pick (#177) and a 4th rounder next year, DAL RE Emeka Mourning, Miami

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Raiders Draft Recap

1st Round, Pick #31, LT Patrick Fox, North Carolina (signs a 5yr deal woth $11.6M with a $5M bonus)

2nd Round, Pick #64, HB Jamel Keddington, Northwestern (signs a 4yr deal worth $2.8M with a $500K bonus)

Undrafted Rookie Free Agents

OLB D Beal, Elon College

CB B Henry, Rice

HB L Gabriel, Boise State

RT C Gill, Alabama St.

TE S. Kaye, Delaware St

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Raider Trade News

The Raiders think they've found a replacement for DE Chike Okeafor in Philadelphia DE Victor Abiamiri. Oakland gives up a 3rd and 5th round pick in the 2011 draft to get Abiamiri.

Around the League

Carolina deals CB Richard Marshall to the Bengals for a 7th in 2010 and 6th in 2011

Green Bay sends LG Jason Spitz to the Steelers for a 7th in 2010 and a 4th in 2011

The Patriots get a 3rd rounder from the Lions for TE David Thomas

[kdmajoslin]

Re: Just Win Baby!

Can The Raiders Win The Super Bowl In 2009?

by Adam Wilbur and Don Banks, Sports Illustrated

Repeating Super Bowl wins is very difficult and requires numerous things to go your way, work your way, and bounce your way. Only Seven teams have won back to back super bowls(Pittsburgh won back to back twice) and nobody has ever won three in row. The five keys to repeating Super Bowl wins are: A solid defense, a leader at quarterback, coaching leadership, a good running game, and a few lucky breaks.

Solid Defense:
Every Super Bowl team that has repeated has had at least a solid defense, if not a dominating defense. The first team to repeat super bowl wins were the Green Bay Packers who were known for a knock your teeth out defensive attitude. The Miami Dolphins of 73' and 74' were a shut down defense. The steel curtain defense of Pittsburgh just speaks for itself in the nickname. The San Fransisco defense in 89' and 90' may not of been known for being great but did get stops whenever they were absolutely needed. The Cowboys defense in 93' and 94' was fast and opportunistic and made many big plays. The Broncos of 98' and 99' were an experienced group that didn't give up the big play. The New England defense in 04' and 05' was led by heart and a will to stop offenses.

Solid Defense: Check

The Raiders were the #1 Defense in the NFL last year. They were absolutely dominate, recording more sacks than the next two teams combined. In 2009, the defense remains intact losing no starters and only one significant contributor in DE Chike Okeafor. Even with the loss of Okeafor, the Raiders defense looks solid. Expect them to be a top 3 defense this year.

Leader at Quarterback:

Every back to back super bowl winner has had a strong leader at the quarterback position. The Packers had Bart Starr, the Dolphins had Bob Griese, the Steelers had Terry Bradshaw, the 49ers had Joe Montana, the Cowboys had Troy Aikman, the Broncos had John Elway, and the Patriots had and still have Tom Brady.
Every quarterback on that list in in the hall of fame or on their way and shows how a great quarterback can allow your team overcome great challenges.

Leader at Quarterback: To be determined

Oakland grabbed QB Ken Dorsey in a trade from the Browns and Dorsey originally thought to be the QB3 got the starting job when former #1 overall pick QB JaMarcus Russell was released. He never looked back, putting up a solid performance. He even proved that he could win some games on his own when HB Justin Fargas was injured. QB Dorsey only has one year on his resume as a starter though, so there have to be some question marks. Was he a fluke? Can he take his game to the next level? We will see, if he can, then things look good for the Raiders.



Coaching Leadership:

Lombardi, Shula, Noll, Walsh, Johnson, Shanahan, Bilecheck. That is a list where only last names are needed. All are great NFL coaches that have driven their team with great leadership.

Coaching Leadership: To be determined

Head Coach Ken Joslin is in his second year as Oakland commander and chief, so it is probably a bit early to call him the next Bill Walsh. With that said, the 2008 Coach of the Year definitely showed he's got some skills. He took a downtrodden 7-9 Oakland team, got them through the regular season with a 15-1 record and then beat arguably better teams throughout the playoffs on his way to win a Super Bowl. He is only the third rookie Head Coach to win a Super Bowl in his first year (Don McCafferty did it with the Colts in Super Bowl V, and George Seifert did it with the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV). It is hard to argue with his accomplishments, but it is also hard to ignore that his resume is a bit short.



Good Running Game:

The Packers had a great run by committee attitude. Larry Csonka and Jim Kick led the Miami run first attitude that punished defenses. Franco Harris was a strong runner who helped move the chains and make Pittsburgh multi-dimensional. Roger Craig was a perfect back for the 49ers west coast offense by not only running the ball but catching as well. Emmit Smith holds the all time rushing record and may of been the most important part of the Cowboys back to back super bowl wins. Terrel Davis may of had a career shortened because of injuries but when he was healthy he helped get John Elway and the Broncos to repeat super bowl wins after 3 earlier defeats. Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk held on to the football and made the Patriots play action very difficult to stop in their back to back super bowl wins.

Good Running Game: Check

The Raiders had the #1 Rush Offense in the league last year and HB Justin Fargas is returning. The Raiders have jettisoned often ineffectual backup HB Kevin Faulk in favor of rookies Jamel Keddington (Northwestern) and L. Gabriel (Boise State) and they still have last years rookie HB Dantrell Savage who has the speed to fill in for Fargas if needed. I think the Raiders will be a top 5 rushing team this year.

Few Lucky Breaks:

Every team needs a few breaks to go their way, weather it is a call that could go either way, the bounce of the ball, or a tipped pass. If a team has won back to back super bowls they have received a break at some point in their championship seasons.

Lucky Breaks: To be determined

Although many would argue that the Raiders are off to a good start in that regard due to an Accounting Error at the league office. Before the error, the Raiders are looking at having to make some drastic cuts to stay under the cap and sign their rookies and forget about free agents. With the error, the Raiders have plenty of room under the cap and can take advantage of training camp cuts by other teams.

The Raiders have a solid defense, a good running game, possibly a leader at quarterback and head coach, so now if they can catch a few lucky breaks in big games they can repeat as Super Bowl champions.