Oakland Raiders 2014 Offseason Activity (will be constantly updated)

*This is part 2 of the Raiders' recent offseason transactions with the free agency period in effect*

07/24:

Loss:

LB Kevin Burnett - released

COMMENT: I originally projected Kevin Burnett to be cut after the preseason as the roster trims down to 53. The Raiders are loaded at the linebacker position and it's a move during training camp to pave way for the future for Burris and Sio Moore to play weak side opposite of Khalil Mack and terrorize offenses for years to come and it's a salary cap move because Burnett was set to have the highest contract on the team for a backup if he were to lose the starting job. Not a huge loss, the linebacker position still has Nick Roach to provide that veteran presence for the younger players.

05/19:

Gain:

WR Greg Little (CLE) - Claimed off waivers

COMMENT: Low risk move that Reggie made post-draft. With the Browns signing Miles Austin, they made Little expendable because they needed a proven veteran since Josh Gordon is going to miss some time. Little has a lot of potential, just that he's not consistent, but he adds depth to the receiving corps and he'll compete to assert himself with Streater, Moore, Holmes, and Jones.

04/21:

Loss:

QB Terrelle Pryor - Traded to the Seattle Seahawks (Raiders get a 7th round pick from Seattle)

COMMENT: The trading games the Raiders and Seahawks have with each other continues. Not a lot of details, but I'm hoping we get some sort of late round draft pick in exchange, which would gain back from trading our 6th round pick for Schaub. Sucks that Pryor has to go, I don't know if you could call me a TP defender, there were times last season where I gave him praise, but other times, he makes head scratching decisions. For the Seahawks, they're getting another dynamic threat to back up Russell Wilson. I'm hoping Pryor can take notes from Wilson's work ethic because it's not just about improving throwing mechanics and accuracy, you have to look at a lot of film on yourself and opposing defenses and that's what Pryor has to add into his work ethic if he truly wants to succeed in the QB position at the NFL-level. Best of luck to him, I know a lot of Pryor fans are going to be upset, but it at least ends a mini civil war among the Raider Nation between the TP defenders and TP detractors.

04/02:

Gain:

RB Jeremy Stewart - Re-signed

COMMENT: Obviously brought back for depth at the running back position, but he's also a hell of a playmaker on special teams.

04/01:

Loss:

WR Jacoby Ford - Signed with the New York Jets

COMMENT: We all admit, Ford was never the same after his foot injury in the Thursday Night game against the Chargers during the 2011 season. He was an explosive kick returner and big play maker in his rookie year and half of his sophomore year, then things went a little downhill after he missed the whole 2012 season and he took a big step back last year. He's still young though and best of luck on his new team.

OG Mike Brisiel - Released

COMMENT: Brisiel was signed in Reggie McKenzie's first year as the Raiders were committed to the zone-blocking scheme, now that the power blocking scheme was brought back last year, Brisiel was expendable and it was only a matter of time till the Raiders didn't need his service.

03/31:

Gain:

CB Carlos Rogers - Signed to an undisclosed deal (via Raiders' official Twitter)

COMMENT: When my Team Stream app went off and it began with "Raiders sign...", I actually thought we got D-Jax and then Carlos Rogers' name is on there, all the excitement left. Anyway, the secondary has been the least of Reggie's concern this offseason and it was very bothering, but Rogers gives us another veteran presence in the secondary and will be of major help to D.J. Hayden's development. And hey, we've reunited the duo of Rogers and Brown to the other side of the Bay. Thanks 49ers and Coach Harbaugh, now you've given us two of your defensive backs that are familiar with your guys' schemes with Kaepernick and friends when we play you guys this season. Bravo! Still, D-JAX TO OAKLAND!

03/28:

Gain:

DT Pat Sims - Re-signed to a 1 year deal

COMMENT: Good to see Pat Sims brought back for depth purposes on the defensive line. He showed a lot of promise last season being a solid run stopper and being a disruptive force in the interior. Reggie's having a busy day today and deserves a pat on the back for the work he's putting in today.

DE C.J. Wilson (GB) - Signed to a undisclosed deal

COMMENT: Reggie digging in the Packers' pool again. The signing basically adds more depth to the Raiders' defensive line and rightfully so.


RB Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) - Agreed to a 3 year deal (CONTRACT DETAILS: 3 year $7.5 M)

COMMENT: I said it in my Season in Review post last year that it wouldn't hurt to bring in MJD, but I did say he should McFadden's replacement. He's coming home, playing with the team he grew up loving, yeah he's also injury prone, but we tend to forget he was a 3 time Pro Bowler, something McFadden still has to do and a valuable RB2/RB3s in fantasy leagues and the Jaguars couldn't surround him with talent and much needed help. I still watch the 2010 game where D-Mac and Mojo went head to head and they were putting up ridiculous numbers and making big plays in the running game and it's crazy to think they're on the same team now (potentially). If both can stay healthy, I mean damn, run defenses have to pick their poison carefully. MJDMC?

03/27:

Loss:

CB Phillip Adams - Signed with the Seattle Seahawks to a 1 year deal

COMMENT: Another under-the-radar move I missed and again, not a huge loss. 

03/21:

Gain:

QB Matt Schaub (HOU) - Acquired via trade for late round pick (Raiders give up a 6th round pick for Schaub)

COMMENT: Not a lot of sources are reporting on it, but so far if it's on Yahoo Sports, ESPN, Bleacher Report, then it's verifiable. Raiders still have to announce it too, but the acquisition of Schaub is a safe transaction. It would be stupid enough for the Raiders to give away an early round pick, but the Texans were open to take a late rounder and it worked out. Schaub obviously needed a change of scenery, especially considering the backlash he took from Houston and arguing with his best receiver in Andre Johnson and he fits our offensive system considering Greg Olson is a West Coast Offense/Power Blocking scheme coordinator and Schaub spent his entire career in Houston running the West Coast Offense. Overall, good pickup, glad we didn't give too much.


03/20:

Loss:

CB Mike Jenkins - Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 1-year $1.5 M deal

COMMENT: An under the radar move the Bucs were able to make. Not too much of a loss considering we replaced him and Porter with Tarell Brown and hopefully we can add another corner because not a lot of confidence in Hayden yet to go on the field to take on the elite receivers and hold his own.

03/19:

Gain:

FS Charles Woodson - Re-signed to a 1 year deal (via Twitter)

COMMENT: It's fitting to see C-Wood finish out his career in Oakland. I said in my preview, C-Wood is a perennial fan favorite and the Raiders failing to re-sign him would have us, the Raider Nation, livid. However, we do know Woodson's getting up there in age, but his presence on the field alone keeps the defense to keep playing and stay competitive and if nobody's making a play, he'll put that defense on his back to step up and make a play.

03/18:

Gain:

OT Donald Penn (TB) - Agreed to an undisclosed deal (via Twitter) (Contract Details: 2 years $9.6 M)

COMMENT: More details to come. If it is official, the Raiders gain another veteran to anchor the offensive line and finally an offensive tackle to protect the blind side. Penn is no long term replacement of Jared Veldheer, but he is a proven vet and a Pro Bowler. It'd be interesting to see the contract details because Tampa Bay didn't want to pay him big money for a long-term contract hence why they released him. Nonetheless, great pick up.

03/17:

Gain:

OG Kevin Boothe (NYG) - Agreed to a 2 year deal

COMMENT: Still got to fill in the void Jared Veldheer left behind at Left Tackle, but the addition of Kevin Boothe adds more beef to the O-line. Yeah the Giants offensive line was really awful last season at protecting Eli Manning, but Boothe is a major upgrade (provided he plays left guard, which he did in his career during the Giants' Super Bowl runs) over Lucas Nix. UPDATE COMMENT: Totally forgot he was a Raider before. Oh well, the 2006 season has been indeed a forgettable season and even more forgettable when we drafted Jamarcus Russell the offseason after that season. Now with at least some rings under his belt, he's another veteran that brings experience as a Super Bowl champion.

WR James Jones (GB) - Agreed to a 3 year deal (via Twitter) (CONTRACT DETAILS: 3 year $11.3 M)

COMMENT: YES! We all knew Reggie McKenzie was going to dig into his Green Bay roots at some point in the offseason and he got us what we need, a veteran wide receiver. There were some rumors that he was headed to Carolina to replace Steve Smith as Cam Newton's go to guy, but Reggie did his work to snatch him away from the Panthers. Jones will be an excellent mentor to our young receivers.

2014 Oakland Raiders Offseason Activity (will be constantly updated)

03/15:

Gain:

FS Usama Young - Re-signed to a 2 year deal

COMMENT: Glad to see at least one player from our secondary last season re-signed. Young is a great backup at safety for special defensive packages and a very relatable, stand up locker room guy.

Loss:

03/14:

Gain:

DE Antonio Smith (HOU) - Signed to a 2 year $9 M deal

COMMENT: JJ Watt's partner in crime! But our defensive ends so far are in the 30s range in age with Tuck (30) & now Smith (32), but they still have some mileage left to still get after the quarterback on the edge. Legit pass rush duo McKenzie has brought together via free agency.

CB Tarell Brown (SF) - Signed to a 1 year $3.5 M deal (via Twitter)

COMMENT: Very underrated pickup. Played opposite end of Carlos Rodgers, but I think the 49ers have more confidence going forward with Tramaine Brock. Since McKenzie is going defense first, he's now addressing the secondary and follow the pattern the last three signings including this one: defensive line (Tuck), linebacker (Woodley), and secondary (Brown).

Loss:

DT Vance Walker - Signed to a 3 year $13 M deal with the Kansas City Chiefs (via Twitter)

COMMENT: The worst thing that could happen is getting one of your own players signed to a division rival. Walker had his moments in Oakland, but didn't do much impact because Pat Sims was getting the spotlight on the inside.

03/13:

Gain:

LB LaMarr Woodley (PIT) - Signed to 2 year $12 M deal

COMMENT: A great addition to an already-solid linebacker corps, but I think he's going to play majority of minutes as a defensive end. At least Woodley can provide that leadership role at linebacker from his experience playing with a solid, but aging Steelers defense. Likely, Tarver will hit him up with creative defensive packages on playing his natural outside Linebacker spot and as a full time defensive end. Sio Moore could learn a thing or two from him to get after the quarterback quickly.

DE Justin Tuck (NYG) - Signed to a 2 year $11 M deal

COMMENT: This is a signing I can live with. The Saffold deal was just another failed experiment, major setback, but McKenzie is getting a grip and recovering step by step. I like the Tuck signing, played opposite end of JPP and they can give offensive tackles hell when healthy. Last season, Tuck had to carry all the pass rushing load considering JPP was out majority of the season. We have a decent pass rusher to say the least, but the defensive line still has a lot beefing up to do and hopefully we can snag Jason Hatcher to fill the interior.

Loss:

CB Tracy Porter - Agreed to sign with the Washington Redskins

COMMENT: Another frustrating loss. I just would've love to see our secondary in tact because that's one of the positions that I feel is good enough to stay along with our linebacker corps if we just build around a decent defensive line to rock the pocket. With Porter going to Washington, it's an interesting pair up with him and DeAngelo Hall, although Porter is usually fit in Dime packages, but he's proven to be a starting-caliber cornerback (I mean the dude picked off Peyton Manning to seal the Saints' first Super Bowl victory). Paging Walter Thurmond?

03/11: Start of Free Agency

Gain:

OT Austin Howard (NYJ) - Signed to a 5 year $30 M deal

COMMENT: I said in my preview that there are three priorities the Raiders have to address in the offseason and one of them is offensive line. Reggie McKenzie is doing just that signing Saffold early on at the start of free agency and now, before the end of day 1, inked ex-New York Jets right tackle, Austin Howard. I honestly don't like how we've given big contracts to two offensive linemen, Saffold, that was questionable and Howard, a little understanding since he's one of the best right tackles available in the market. Putting a lot of beef on the O-line, now I would like to see Reggie find a way now to address the already-thin defensive line and at least, just one decent play maker.

RB Darren McFadden - Re-signed to a 1 year $4 M deal

COMMENT: UGH! Well it was indeed an option to bring back McFadden for cheap. A lot of fans like myself are livid due to the fact that he can't stay healthy, we want him to walk but for him to be put on a 1 year deal is a safe deal and McKenzie is saying that "we're giving you one more chance to deliver for a full season, if not, you'll be gone permanently" and rightfully so. It makes sense too since Jennings is gonna sign with the Giants.

OT Rodger Saffold (STL) - Signed to a 5 year $42.5 M deal (UPDATE: Contract signing nullified after Saffold failed his physical)

COMMENT: We needed a fallback since Jared Veldheer is going to Arizona. Haven't seen too much on Saffold, but what I'm hearing in the comments section, not positive and McKenzie's gotta pick it up after losing two of his top tier free agents early on in the new NFL year. UPDATE: Well at least that saves wasted cap money. Kinda like the Jared Gaither situation back in 2011 where the same thing happened when Gaither failed his physical and couldn't sign a contract with the Raiders. McKenzie has to start leveling up his game because the top tier free agents are selling out fast.


Loss:

RB Rashad Jennings - Agreed to sign with the New York Giants (via Twitter) (Contract Details: 4 years $14 M)

COMMENT: Another free agent I'd love the Raiders to bring back gone. Jennings helps toughen up the Giants' running game with his physical style of running. Now the Raiders definitely have a wide open competition at running back unless we bring somebody like a Darren Sproles or a Knowshon Moreno (I'm just making guesses).

DE Lamarr Houston - Signed with the Chicago Bears to a 5 year $35 M deal           
OT Jared Veldheer - signed with the Arizona Cardinals to a 5 year $37.5 M deal          

COMMENT: Welp there goes our top priorities, it was expected since respectively, Houston and Veldheer have garnered high interests for the Bears and Cardinals respectively, Bears needed a backup plan since Julius Peppers is about to depart and Veldheer, reunites with Carson Palmer; the Cardinals got a top tier offensive tackle