The Official Oakland Raiders Offseason thread
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Oakland Raiders
1. Pick up the fifth-year option on Khalil Mack. Some of these decisions don't require deep analysis.
2. Re-sign DT Stacy McGee. While the Raiders paid Dan Williams a lot of money to come over from Arizona in 2016, McGee was their best interior lineman last season. Over the past two years, the Raiders have allowed 3.9 yards per carry with McGee on the field and 4.5 with McGee on the sideline. The problem has been injuries, with McGee missing seven games last year and 12 over the past three seasons. The injuries should depress McGee's price, and he should stick in Oakland.
3. Add a coverage linebacker (or two). Weakside linebacker Malcolm Smith is a free agent, and the Raiders have struggled to find a middle linebacker after rotating through Curtis Lofton, Perry Riley and Ben Heeney at various points over the past couple of seasons. The Raiders will likely look to find replacements, either in the draft or via free agency.
The free-agent options are relatively scarce, although cap casualties like Paul Posluszny could become available. Most of the inside linebackers set to hit the market are players who have done their best work in a 3-4, like Lawrence Timmons and Zach Brown. The most fascinating choice would be Patriots inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower, but with Oakland's big three of Mack, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper coming up for big deals soon, would the Raiders really want to pay an inside linebacker $12 million per year?
The Raiders have $49 million in space, so they can afford somebody of Hightower's caliber in the short term, but given how GM Reggie McKenzie really hasn't placed a huge emphasis on finding effective inside linebackers so far, I suspect they'll target this position with a cheaper free-agent signing or by going after linebackers in the draft.
4. Replace Latavius Murray at running back. Murray is a perfectly functional running back, and the Raiders can justify re-signing him if need be, but they can probably do better for what Murray is likely to make in free agency. It seems that most free-agent backs would love to come to the Raiders given the quality of their offensive line. They should be in the running for every veteran back, and given their short-term cap room, it wouldn't be crazy to see them target Adrian Peterson on what effectively amounts to a two-year deal. McKenzie should also be taking a long look at Doug Martin and Jamaal Charles, and he'll be able to supplement them with a running back in a deep draft class.
5. Sign QB Derek Carr to an extension. As a second-round pick, Carr currently represents one of the biggest bargains in all of football. He's entering the final year of his rookie deal and will cost the Raiders just $1.7 million on their 2017 cap. Outside of Dak Prescott, that's the best value for any QB in the league. The only downside about Carr being a second-round pick is that the Raiders won't have the ability to stick him with a fifth-year option at the end of his deal. He'll be an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season.
Carr is not going anywhere, but the Raiders will have to fight to find reasonable value for their budding superstar. The best asset they have is that final year of Carr's deal; it's in Carr's best interest to sign an extension as quickly as possible, given that he's leaving $20 million or so on the table between his market value and his actual take-home compensation of $1.15 million in 2017.
The Raiders should also be motivated to sign Carr before this offseason. The leverage of that 2017 compensation disappears once the season is over. McKenzie can roll over the $49 million he has in cap room for seasons to come, but he should prefer for cash reasons to pay Carr now as opposed to waiting a year. The Raiders can also structure the deal in a way that would keep Carr's cap hit down for years to come as they re-sign their stars at other positions.
Quarterback agents will look at the Andrew Luck deal as the basis for their clients. Luck's contract included $75 million over its first three years, with $58.8 million in new money and a $32 million signing bonus. The Carr deal may come in slightly below that, just by virtue of that cost-controlled season, but the Raiders will still pay a pretty penny. The trick will be to give Carr roster bonuses instead of signing bonuses, which pays Carr up front but allows for the cap hit to be paid now as opposed to prorating deep into the future, when the Raiders will be paying the rest of their roster.
Here's a sample six-year deal with Carr, structured in a similar fashion to the deal signed by Kelechi Osemele before the 2016 season. This is for $129 million with $66 million in guarantees all coming in the first three years of the deal. (If Carr wants to get to $70 million, the Raiders could guarantee $4 million of his base salary in 2020.) All guaranteed money is bolded.
Year Base Salary Roster Bonus Cap Hit
2017 $6,000,000 $17,000,000 $23,000,000
2018 $6,000,000 $17,000,000 $23,000,000
2019 $20,000,000 $20,000,000
2020 $19,000,000 $19,000,000
2021 $20,000,000 $20,000,000
2022 $24,000,000 $24,000,000
This lets the Raiders get the most painful part of the contract out of the way immediately, securing them lower-cost commitments to Carr between 2019 and 2021, when Mack and Cooper will be getting the bulk of their new raises. The savings might not seem significant, but remember that the cap is likely to continue rising over this stretch. They can make a similar deal with Mack next offseason before his fifth-year-option season begins. The Raiders will be kissing the days when they had $80 million in cap room goodbye, but I suspect they won't be too upset.
Oakland Raiders
1. Pick up the fifth-year option on Khalil Mack. Some of these decisions don't require deep analysis.
2. Re-sign DT Stacy McGee. While the Raiders paid Dan Williams a lot of money to come over from Arizona in 2016, McGee was their best interior lineman last season. Over the past two years, the Raiders have allowed 3.9 yards per carry with McGee on the field and 4.5 with McGee on the sideline. The problem has been injuries, with McGee missing seven games last year and 12 over the past three seasons. The injuries should depress McGee's price, and he should stick in Oakland.
3. Add a coverage linebacker (or two). Weakside linebacker Malcolm Smith is a free agent, and the Raiders have struggled to find a middle linebacker after rotating through Curtis Lofton, Perry Riley and Ben Heeney at various points over the past couple of seasons. The Raiders will likely look to find replacements, either in the draft or via free agency.
The free-agent options are relatively scarce, although cap casualties like Paul Posluszny could become available. Most of the inside linebackers set to hit the market are players who have done their best work in a 3-4, like Lawrence Timmons and Zach Brown. The most fascinating choice would be Patriots inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower, but with Oakland's big three of Mack, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper coming up for big deals soon, would the Raiders really want to pay an inside linebacker $12 million per year?
The Raiders have $49 million in space, so they can afford somebody of Hightower's caliber in the short term, but given how GM Reggie McKenzie really hasn't placed a huge emphasis on finding effective inside linebackers so far, I suspect they'll target this position with a cheaper free-agent signing or by going after linebackers in the draft.
4. Replace Latavius Murray at running back. Murray is a perfectly functional running back, and the Raiders can justify re-signing him if need be, but they can probably do better for what Murray is likely to make in free agency. It seems that most free-agent backs would love to come to the Raiders given the quality of their offensive line. They should be in the running for every veteran back, and given their short-term cap room, it wouldn't be crazy to see them target Adrian Peterson on what effectively amounts to a two-year deal. McKenzie should also be taking a long look at Doug Martin and Jamaal Charles, and he'll be able to supplement them with a running back in a deep draft class.
5. Sign QB Derek Carr to an extension. As a second-round pick, Carr currently represents one of the biggest bargains in all of football. He's entering the final year of his rookie deal and will cost the Raiders just $1.7 million on their 2017 cap. Outside of Dak Prescott, that's the best value for any QB in the league. The only downside about Carr being a second-round pick is that the Raiders won't have the ability to stick him with a fifth-year option at the end of his deal. He'll be an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season.
Carr is not going anywhere, but the Raiders will have to fight to find reasonable value for their budding superstar. The best asset they have is that final year of Carr's deal; it's in Carr's best interest to sign an extension as quickly as possible, given that he's leaving $20 million or so on the table between his market value and his actual take-home compensation of $1.15 million in 2017.
The Raiders should also be motivated to sign Carr before this offseason. The leverage of that 2017 compensation disappears once the season is over. McKenzie can roll over the $49 million he has in cap room for seasons to come, but he should prefer for cash reasons to pay Carr now as opposed to waiting a year. The Raiders can also structure the deal in a way that would keep Carr's cap hit down for years to come as they re-sign their stars at other positions.
Quarterback agents will look at the Andrew Luck deal as the basis for their clients. Luck's contract included $75 million over its first three years, with $58.8 million in new money and a $32 million signing bonus. The Carr deal may come in slightly below that, just by virtue of that cost-controlled season, but the Raiders will still pay a pretty penny. The trick will be to give Carr roster bonuses instead of signing bonuses, which pays Carr up front but allows for the cap hit to be paid now as opposed to prorating deep into the future, when the Raiders will be paying the rest of their roster.
Here's a sample six-year deal with Carr, structured in a similar fashion to the deal signed by Kelechi Osemele before the 2016 season. This is for $129 million with $66 million in guarantees all coming in the first three years of the deal. (If Carr wants to get to $70 million, the Raiders could guarantee $4 million of his base salary in 2020.) All guaranteed money is bolded.
Year Base Salary Roster Bonus Cap Hit
2017 $6,000,000 $17,000,000 $23,000,000
2018 $6,000,000 $17,000,000 $23,000,000
2019 $20,000,000 $20,000,000
2020 $19,000,000 $19,000,000
2021 $20,000,000 $20,000,000
2022 $24,000,000 $24,000,000
This lets the Raiders get the most painful part of the contract out of the way immediately, securing them lower-cost commitments to Carr between 2019 and 2021, when Mack and Cooper will be getting the bulk of their new raises. The savings might not seem significant, but remember that the cap is likely to continue rising over this stretch. They can make a similar deal with Mack next offseason before his fifth-year-option season begins. The Raiders will be kissing the days when they had $80 million in cap room goodbye, but I suspect they won't be too upset.
We definitely should go after AD if he's available for a good price. If he could have a last second resurgence the offense will be on a whole different level.
We definitely should go after AD if he's available for a good price. If he could have a last second resurgence the offense will be on a whole different level.
Pissed off AD behind our line
Just gotta stop with the fumbles though
A few articles:
Raiders should focus on interior pass-rushers, secondary help at combine
A closer look at the positions the Oakland Raiders could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
Positions of need: Raiders coach Jack Del Rio could not have been any clearer than he was the day after the season ended, saying Oakland needed to address its lack of an interior pass rush this offseason. Indeed, only three of the Raiders' league-low 25 sacks came from the inside -- 2½ by Stacy McGee, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after his hot start was derailed by injury, and half a sack from Dan Williams. Plus, not a single sack came from inside linebackers Perry Riley Jr., Cory James or Ben Heeney. So while identifying a pass-rushing menace nose or defensive tackle or a thumping middle linebacker who can also get to the passer would seem to be the goal, so, too, would be locating a lockdown cornerback. But keep this in mind: The Raiders, who flash both 4-3 and 3-4 base defenses, don't have their first selection until No. 24. The pickings could be somewhat slim.
Five players the Raiders could focus on at the combine:
Malik McDowell (defensive tackle), Michigan State: The Raiders are more than familiar with Spartans, having drafted Shilique Calhoun and Connor Cook out of East Lansing last spring. They both would seemingly vouch for McDowell, who is more of big-bodied run-stuffer than sack machine as his 1½ sacks last season after 4½ the season prior attest. But that's OK, as his body as a 6-foot-6, 276-pounder portends well for collapsing the pocket. And if Aldon Smith gets reinstated to join Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, McDowell wreaking havoc down low would be just as good as racking up sacks. ESPN draft insider Mel Kiper Jr. selected McDowell for Oakland in his mock draft 1.0.
Elijah Qualls (defensive tackle), Washington: At 6-1, 320 pounds, Qualls could conceivably play the nose or 3-technique. With five of his tackles last season during the Pac-12 champion Huskies being for a loss -- to go with the three sacks -- Qualls would bring the kind of disruption the Raiders need inside. Critics say he needs to lose weight to be more effective, and while that may be true, he is a natural athlete who was a standout fullback in high school. He has shifty feet to go with his low center of gravity and strength.
Reuben Foster (inside linebacker), Alabama: A pipe dream for a player who figures to be long gone before the Raiders' turn at No. 24? Sure, but a team can dream, even if the last Butkus Award winning Alabama linebacker they drafted turned out to be a nightmare in Rolando McClain. Maybe the Raiders jump up in the draft to make a move on Foster, who would seemingly address the need for a thumping middle linebacker (6-1, 228 pounds) who can fly to the ball and, yes, get to the quarterback. He had five sacks last season and 13 tackles for a loss.
Zach Cunningham (inside linebacker), Vanderbilt: A late bloomer, so to speak, who is a fast riser on many mock draft boards with his size (6-4, 230 pounds) and coverage ability. And yes, the Raiders may need their inside linebackers to be more adept at covering tight ends underneath than blitzing. Still, Cunningham did have 16½ tackles for a loss last season, without a single sack, and he had six sacks the previous two seasons. He's more a playmaker than a pass-rusher and at No. 24 in the first round, the Raiders could be intrigued.
Quincy Wilson (cornerback), Florida: The Raiders already have an “in” on Wilson in that Del Rio's son Luke was a Gators quarterback and went against him in practice. Beyond that, Wilson is a bigger cornerback at 6-1, 213 pounds and his coverage downfield helps the pass rush. Oakland could do worse than Wilson, who had three interceptions and allowed fewer than 40 percent of passes thrown against him to be completed. Kiper took Wilson for Oakland in his mock draft 2.0.
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Raiders not being awarded comp picks actually a good thing
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Oakland Raiders were not awarded a compensatory pick for the NFL draft. As such, the Raiders will, barring trades, have eight total selections in the draft, which will be held April 27-29 in Philadelphia.
The last time the Raiders had a comp pick, in 2013, they used the sixth-rounder (No. 205 overall) on Oklahoma defensive tackle Stacy McGee.
In 2012, general manager Reggie McKenzie’s first draft with Oakland, his initial pick did not come until the end of the third round, a compensatory selection that landed Tony Bergstrom at No. 95 overall. The Raiders had given up their first- and second-round picks in trades for Carson Palmer and the pick that turned into offensive lineman Joe Barksdale, respectively, and used their third-rounder the previous summer in the supplemental draft on Terrelle Pryor.
The Raiders not being awarded comp picks of late, though, is a sign they are bringing in higher-quality free agents than they are losing, per the formula used to award compensatory picks.
For example, they have added the likes of Bruce Irvin, Malcolm Smith, Rodney Hudson, Michael Crabtree, Kelechi Osemele, Sean Smith, Reggie Nelson and Donald Penn since 2014 while losing Darren McFadden, Stefen Wisniewski, Lamarr Houston, Jared Veldheer, Benson Mayowa and Lorenzo Alexander, among others, in that same time frame.
The Raiders' draft picks this spring, per ESPN Stats & Information, come in the first round (No. 24 overall), second round (No. 56 overall), third round (No. 88 overall), fourth round (No. 130 overall), fifth round (No. 168 overall), sixth round (No. 208 overall), and two in the seventh round (Nos. 242 and 244, the second from the Seattle Seahawks as the result of the Dewey McDonald trade in September).
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Should Raiders re-sign Perry Riley Jr.?
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to have 13 unrestricted free agents this offseason after the team broke through with a 12-4 season and its first playoff appearance since 2002.
On offense: offensive lineman Menelik Watson, tight end Mychal Rivera, receiver Andre Holmes, quarterback Matt McGloin and running back Latavius Murray.
On defense: defensive back DJ Hayden, defensive tackle Stacy McGee, linebackers Malcolm Smith, Perry Riley Jr. and Daren Bates and safeties Nate Allen and Brynden Trawick.
And on special teams: long snapper Jon Condo.
Ben Heeney was lost for the season with injury and rookie Cory James was unable to solidify things. Riley’s 62 tackles in 11 games – he missed the Carolina Panthers game with a hamstring injury – ranked sixth on the team and he forced a fumble on his first series as a Raider. He forced another fumble in the Raiders’ playoff-clinching victory on Dec. 18 at San Diego and by the time the season ended, he was a 12-game starter in Oakland, including the playoffs, and had the green dot on his helmet as the team’s defensive signal-caller.
Why he should go: Yes, Riley settled things down for the Raiders defense, but it was still ranked No. 26 unit in the NFL. So is that a testament to Riley’s ability or a shot at how poor the defense played? That depends upon how you look at things. Riley had two passes defensed, but he did not have a sack or an interception while starting 11 regular-season games and the playoff loss at the Houston Texans. Riley fits the mold of a journeyman and he will be 29 with a lot of mileage on him come next season.
The quote: “I love this place. Like I said, the team, the fans, opened their arms for me and welcomed me with open arms. I loved it here, so if everything works out, perfect scenario, definitely I’d come back.” – Riley, on the prospect of returning to Oakland in 2017.
The thought: Riley, childhood friends with outside linebacker Bruce Irvin, was the best the Raiders had last season at middle linebacker. So unless they draft an upgrade who is ready to contribute immediately, sign one in free agency or acquire one in a trade, it makes sense to bring Riley back for another run.
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NFL-commissioned study: Mexico City game yielded $45M impact
The Texans-Raiders game in Mexico City in November generated an increase of $45 million in the city's gross revenues, the NFL said Thursday.
A league-commissioned study by the Sports Industry group of Ernst & Young used a range of sources, including the NFL's post-event surveys of fans who attended the game and wider economic data on Mexico's economy.
It determined that the Monday night game that drew a crowd of 76,473 included 9,500 international visitors, mainly from the United States, as well as 21,500 visitors who traveled from elsewhere in Mexico. On average, each international visitor spent more than five days in Mexico.
Total domestic and international tourist spending was $43 million, of which $32 million was incremental to the Mexico City economy.
"EY's research demonstrates the value to Mexico City from hosting the NFL game ..." said Mark Gregory, the group's chief economist. "By leveraging the interest and excitement that the league generates, the city gained a significant boost to its economy, with around 31,000 visitors bringing additional income for local businesses, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant tax receipts for the national government."
EY handles assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
Fan engagement around the game included 205,000 people attending the NFL Fan Fest in Chapultepec Park and more than 55,000 people taking part in other community events in the city during game week.
The NFL, which had previously played a regular-season game at Azteca Stadium in 2005, will return to Mexico City next season, when the Raiders will host the Patriots.
Raiders should focus on interior pass-rushers, secondary help at combine
A closer look at the positions the Oakland Raiders could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
Positions of need: Raiders coach Jack Del Rio could not have been any clearer than he was the day after the season ended, saying Oakland needed to address its lack of an interior pass rush this offseason. Indeed, only three of the Raiders' league-low 25 sacks came from the inside -- 2½ by Stacy McGee, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after his hot start was derailed by injury, and half a sack from Dan Williams. Plus, not a single sack came from inside linebackers Perry Riley Jr., Cory James or Ben Heeney. So while identifying a pass-rushing menace nose or defensive tackle or a thumping middle linebacker who can also get to the passer would seem to be the goal, so, too, would be locating a lockdown cornerback. But keep this in mind: The Raiders, who flash both 4-3 and 3-4 base defenses, don't have their first selection until No. 24. The pickings could be somewhat slim.
Five players the Raiders could focus on at the combine:
Malik McDowell (defensive tackle), Michigan State: The Raiders are more than familiar with Spartans, having drafted Shilique Calhoun and Connor Cook out of East Lansing last spring. They both would seemingly vouch for McDowell, who is more of big-bodied run-stuffer than sack machine as his 1½ sacks last season after 4½ the season prior attest. But that's OK, as his body as a 6-foot-6, 276-pounder portends well for collapsing the pocket. And if Aldon Smith gets reinstated to join Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, McDowell wreaking havoc down low would be just as good as racking up sacks. ESPN draft insider Mel Kiper Jr. selected McDowell for Oakland in his mock draft 1.0.
Elijah Qualls (defensive tackle), Washington: At 6-1, 320 pounds, Qualls could conceivably play the nose or 3-technique. With five of his tackles last season during the Pac-12 champion Huskies being for a loss -- to go with the three sacks -- Qualls would bring the kind of disruption the Raiders need inside. Critics say he needs to lose weight to be more effective, and while that may be true, he is a natural athlete who was a standout fullback in high school. He has shifty feet to go with his low center of gravity and strength.
Reuben Foster (inside linebacker), Alabama: A pipe dream for a player who figures to be long gone before the Raiders' turn at No. 24? Sure, but a team can dream, even if the last Butkus Award winning Alabama linebacker they drafted turned out to be a nightmare in Rolando McClain. Maybe the Raiders jump up in the draft to make a move on Foster, who would seemingly address the need for a thumping middle linebacker (6-1, 228 pounds) who can fly to the ball and, yes, get to the quarterback. He had five sacks last season and 13 tackles for a loss.
Zach Cunningham (inside linebacker), Vanderbilt: A late bloomer, so to speak, who is a fast riser on many mock draft boards with his size (6-4, 230 pounds) and coverage ability. And yes, the Raiders may need their inside linebackers to be more adept at covering tight ends underneath than blitzing. Still, Cunningham did have 16½ tackles for a loss last season, without a single sack, and he had six sacks the previous two seasons. He's more a playmaker than a pass-rusher and at No. 24 in the first round, the Raiders could be intrigued.
Quincy Wilson (cornerback), Florida: The Raiders already have an “in” on Wilson in that Del Rio's son Luke was a Gators quarterback and went against him in practice. Beyond that, Wilson is a bigger cornerback at 6-1, 213 pounds and his coverage downfield helps the pass rush. Oakland could do worse than Wilson, who had three interceptions and allowed fewer than 40 percent of passes thrown against him to be completed. Kiper took Wilson for Oakland in his mock draft 2.0.
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Raiders not being awarded comp picks actually a good thing
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Oakland Raiders were not awarded a compensatory pick for the NFL draft. As such, the Raiders will, barring trades, have eight total selections in the draft, which will be held April 27-29 in Philadelphia.
The last time the Raiders had a comp pick, in 2013, they used the sixth-rounder (No. 205 overall) on Oklahoma defensive tackle Stacy McGee.
In 2012, general manager Reggie McKenzie’s first draft with Oakland, his initial pick did not come until the end of the third round, a compensatory selection that landed Tony Bergstrom at No. 95 overall. The Raiders had given up their first- and second-round picks in trades for Carson Palmer and the pick that turned into offensive lineman Joe Barksdale, respectively, and used their third-rounder the previous summer in the supplemental draft on Terrelle Pryor.
The Raiders not being awarded comp picks of late, though, is a sign they are bringing in higher-quality free agents than they are losing, per the formula used to award compensatory picks.
For example, they have added the likes of Bruce Irvin, Malcolm Smith, Rodney Hudson, Michael Crabtree, Kelechi Osemele, Sean Smith, Reggie Nelson and Donald Penn since 2014 while losing Darren McFadden, Stefen Wisniewski, Lamarr Houston, Jared Veldheer, Benson Mayowa and Lorenzo Alexander, among others, in that same time frame.
The Raiders' draft picks this spring, per ESPN Stats & Information, come in the first round (No. 24 overall), second round (No. 56 overall), third round (No. 88 overall), fourth round (No. 130 overall), fifth round (No. 168 overall), sixth round (No. 208 overall), and two in the seventh round (Nos. 242 and 244, the second from the Seattle Seahawks as the result of the Dewey McDonald trade in September).
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Should Raiders re-sign Perry Riley Jr.?
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to have 13 unrestricted free agents this offseason after the team broke through with a 12-4 season and its first playoff appearance since 2002.
On offense: offensive lineman Menelik Watson, tight end Mychal Rivera, receiver Andre Holmes, quarterback Matt McGloin and running back Latavius Murray.
On defense: defensive back DJ Hayden, defensive tackle Stacy McGee, linebackers Malcolm Smith, Perry Riley Jr. and Daren Bates and safeties Nate Allen and Brynden Trawick.
And on special teams: long snapper Jon Condo.
Ben Heeney was lost for the season with injury and rookie Cory James was unable to solidify things. Riley’s 62 tackles in 11 games – he missed the Carolina Panthers game with a hamstring injury – ranked sixth on the team and he forced a fumble on his first series as a Raider. He forced another fumble in the Raiders’ playoff-clinching victory on Dec. 18 at San Diego and by the time the season ended, he was a 12-game starter in Oakland, including the playoffs, and had the green dot on his helmet as the team’s defensive signal-caller.
Why he should go: Yes, Riley settled things down for the Raiders defense, but it was still ranked No. 26 unit in the NFL. So is that a testament to Riley’s ability or a shot at how poor the defense played? That depends upon how you look at things. Riley had two passes defensed, but he did not have a sack or an interception while starting 11 regular-season games and the playoff loss at the Houston Texans. Riley fits the mold of a journeyman and he will be 29 with a lot of mileage on him come next season.
The quote: “I love this place. Like I said, the team, the fans, opened their arms for me and welcomed me with open arms. I loved it here, so if everything works out, perfect scenario, definitely I’d come back.” – Riley, on the prospect of returning to Oakland in 2017.
The thought: Riley, childhood friends with outside linebacker Bruce Irvin, was the best the Raiders had last season at middle linebacker. So unless they draft an upgrade who is ready to contribute immediately, sign one in free agency or acquire one in a trade, it makes sense to bring Riley back for another run.
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NFL-commissioned study: Mexico City game yielded $45M impact
The Texans-Raiders game in Mexico City in November generated an increase of $45 million in the city's gross revenues, the NFL said Thursday.
A league-commissioned study by the Sports Industry group of Ernst & Young used a range of sources, including the NFL's post-event surveys of fans who attended the game and wider economic data on Mexico's economy.
It determined that the Monday night game that drew a crowd of 76,473 included 9,500 international visitors, mainly from the United States, as well as 21,500 visitors who traveled from elsewhere in Mexico. On average, each international visitor spent more than five days in Mexico.
Total domestic and international tourist spending was $43 million, of which $32 million was incremental to the Mexico City economy.
"EY's research demonstrates the value to Mexico City from hosting the NFL game ..." said Mark Gregory, the group's chief economist. "By leveraging the interest and excitement that the league generates, the city gained a significant boost to its economy, with around 31,000 visitors bringing additional income for local businesses, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant tax receipts for the national government."
EY handles assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
Fan engagement around the game included 205,000 people attending the NFL Fan Fest in Chapultepec Park and more than 55,000 people taking part in other community events in the city during game week.
The NFL, which had previously played a regular-season game at Azteca Stadium in 2005, will return to Mexico City next season, when the Raiders will host the Patriots.
Should the Raiders re-sign Malcolm Smith?
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to have 13 unrestricted free agents this offseason, after the team broke through with a 12-4 season and its first playoff appearance since 2002.
On offense: offensive lineman Menelik Watson, tight end Mychal Rivera, receiver Andre Holmes, quarterback Matt McGloin and running back Latavius Murray.
On defense: defensive back DJ Hayden, defensive tackle Stacy McGee, linebackers Malcolm Smith, Perry Riley, Jr. and Daren Bates and safeties Nate Allen and Brynden Trawick.
And on special teams: long snapper Jon Condo.
Seattle Seahawks, Smith is coming off consecutive triple digit-plus tackle seasons for the first time in his six-year career. He also had an interception and forced two fumbles, while recovering one. Smith, who became a full-time starter upon landing in Oakland as a free agent two years ago, has been solid for the Raiders, though far from spectacular. And as the defense looks to improve, continuity would seemingly be key, especially since Smith has worn the green dot helmet and his relationship with retained defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. dates to their days together in Seattle. Oh, and his 115 tackles led the Raiders in 2016.
Why he should go: Sure, Smith led the Raiders in tackles last year, but his production went down dramatically from the previous season, from 143 tackles to 115, from four sacks to none. The lack of results as a pass-rusher are particularly damning for the weakside linebacker, especially since the Raiders had the fewest sacks in the league last season with 25, despite the presence of NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack.
The quote: “We know what we are supposed to do, where we are supposed to be. [It’s] all about how we are communicating. The past couple of weeks have prepared us for today and gave us a chance to get our communication going and get into the rhythm.” -- Smith, on the Raiders’ improved defense after a 30-20 victory over the Denver Broncos on Nov. 6.
The thought: Smith may not have played up to his contract and job description may have changed with the arrival of Bruce Irvin last season, but Smith seems expendable, especially if Aldon Smith gets himself reinstated. Still, with a cheaper contract, Smith could provide depth for the linebacker corps and on special teams. And what if he moves to middle linebacker?
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Should the Raiders re-sign DJ Hayden?
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to have 13 unrestricted free agents this offseason, after the team broke through with a 12-4 season and its first playoff appearance since 2002.
On offense: offensive lineman Menelik Watson, tight end Mychal Rivera, receiver Andre Holmes, quarterback Matt McGloin and running back Latavius Murray.
On defense: defensive back DJ Hayden, defensive tackle Stacy McGee, linebackers Malcolm Smith, Perry Riley, Jr. and Daren Bates and safeties Nate Allen and Brynden Trawick.
And on special teams: long-snapper Jon Condo.
Desmond Trufant, Xavier Rhodes and Tyrann Mathieu -- already have been selected to the Pro Bowl. Bust may be too harsh, but there is definitely a feeling both team and player would benefit from a change of scenery. Besides not coming up with INTs, Hayden also was one of the more penalized players in Oakland. And his overall Pro Football Focus grade of 48.6 was just 97th among cornerbacks, while the QB rating against him of 85.5 -- he gave up 36 catches for 341 yards and two TDs with four passes defensed on 61 targets in 296 snaps in coverage -- was only 75th among cornerbacks.
The quote: “Keep being aggressive. We want him to be aggressive and compete. I think he’s done that and he’s had a pretty solid year for us.” -- Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, on Hayden before he went on season-ending injured reserve.
The thought: Shy of a cap-friendly deal, it’s hard to see Hayden returning to Oakland. A change of scenery to a team that will not have first-round expectations of him may benefit Hayden the most.
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to have 13 unrestricted free agents this offseason, after the team broke through with a 12-4 season and its first playoff appearance since 2002.
On offense: offensive lineman Menelik Watson, tight end Mychal Rivera, receiver Andre Holmes, quarterback Matt McGloin and running back Latavius Murray.
On defense: defensive back DJ Hayden, defensive tackle Stacy McGee, linebackers Malcolm Smith, Perry Riley, Jr. and Daren Bates and safeties Nate Allen and Brynden Trawick.
And on special teams: long snapper Jon Condo.
Seattle Seahawks, Smith is coming off consecutive triple digit-plus tackle seasons for the first time in his six-year career. He also had an interception and forced two fumbles, while recovering one. Smith, who became a full-time starter upon landing in Oakland as a free agent two years ago, has been solid for the Raiders, though far from spectacular. And as the defense looks to improve, continuity would seemingly be key, especially since Smith has worn the green dot helmet and his relationship with retained defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. dates to their days together in Seattle. Oh, and his 115 tackles led the Raiders in 2016.
Why he should go: Sure, Smith led the Raiders in tackles last year, but his production went down dramatically from the previous season, from 143 tackles to 115, from four sacks to none. The lack of results as a pass-rusher are particularly damning for the weakside linebacker, especially since the Raiders had the fewest sacks in the league last season with 25, despite the presence of NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack.
The quote: “We know what we are supposed to do, where we are supposed to be. [It’s] all about how we are communicating. The past couple of weeks have prepared us for today and gave us a chance to get our communication going and get into the rhythm.” -- Smith, on the Raiders’ improved defense after a 30-20 victory over the Denver Broncos on Nov. 6.
The thought: Smith may not have played up to his contract and job description may have changed with the arrival of Bruce Irvin last season, but Smith seems expendable, especially if Aldon Smith gets himself reinstated. Still, with a cheaper contract, Smith could provide depth for the linebacker corps and on special teams. And what if he moves to middle linebacker?
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Should the Raiders re-sign DJ Hayden?
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to have 13 unrestricted free agents this offseason, after the team broke through with a 12-4 season and its first playoff appearance since 2002.
On offense: offensive lineman Menelik Watson, tight end Mychal Rivera, receiver Andre Holmes, quarterback Matt McGloin and running back Latavius Murray.
On defense: defensive back DJ Hayden, defensive tackle Stacy McGee, linebackers Malcolm Smith, Perry Riley, Jr. and Daren Bates and safeties Nate Allen and Brynden Trawick.
And on special teams: long-snapper Jon Condo.
Desmond Trufant, Xavier Rhodes and Tyrann Mathieu -- already have been selected to the Pro Bowl. Bust may be too harsh, but there is definitely a feeling both team and player would benefit from a change of scenery. Besides not coming up with INTs, Hayden also was one of the more penalized players in Oakland. And his overall Pro Football Focus grade of 48.6 was just 97th among cornerbacks, while the QB rating against him of 85.5 -- he gave up 36 catches for 341 yards and two TDs with four passes defensed on 61 targets in 296 snaps in coverage -- was only 75th among cornerbacks.
The quote: “Keep being aggressive. We want him to be aggressive and compete. I think he’s done that and he’s had a pretty solid year for us.” -- Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, on Hayden before he went on season-ending injured reserve.
The thought: Shy of a cap-friendly deal, it’s hard to see Hayden returning to Oakland. A change of scenery to a team that will not have first-round expectations of him may benefit Hayden the most.
Can u imagine if we sign peterson/bennet and campbell
If no ap..
Draft that mcaffrey kid for rb
If no ap..
Draft that mcaffrey kid for rb
Brehs, this would warm my heart so much. Not drafted AD made me stop giving all fukks about this team to begin with. Please Mark, correct Al's mistake from '07 and put this nikka on the team. AD's attitude towards the game and his work ethic would be a perfect match with Carr who is also coming into his own. We'll be a huge threat on offense if we get AD. Please Reggie, Please Mark, make that move. :bishop:
i would only signed AP if it doesn't affect resigning Carr and Mack and the ability to get more defensive help.. my only concern is peterson playing on that horrible ass field with his knees.
Sign AP and CampbellGo defense in first 3 to 4 rounds
If Djax came thru for the low after.....
Reggie can make this team a monster this offseason if he make the right moves. :bishop: