Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 17, 2014
The Oakland Raiders announced the signing of veteran wide receiver James Jones on Monday. Jones, who assisted in the Packers' Super Bowl XLV victory, played seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers while accumulating 310 receptions for 4,305 yards and 37 touchdowns in 104 games (47 starts). The signing of Jones gives the Raiders yet another Super Bowl-winning veteran on the roster that can help mentor a relatively young team. “I think that will be huge just from the leadership standpoint," Jones said in a conference call about the locker-room presence him and other free-agent signings can provide. "A lot of those guys have been in the big games, like you said, won Super Bowls, so we know what it takes to get there. Just our presence in the locker room, our presence on the practice field, just hopefully we can show the young guys how to practice, show the young the guys what it’s going to take to get to the next level. Hopefully, that will rub off on them and we’ll be able to turn it around and do some great things.” Jones posted a career-year in 2012 as he hauled in 64 receptions for 784 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns. The 29-year-old wide receiver was slowed down last season by a knee injury but still appeared in 14 games and finished with 59 receptions for 817 yards and three touchdowns. Jones returns home after being drafted by the Packers in the third round out of San Jose St. University. Jones admits that coming home was an appealing aspect of this offer. “It was one of them, just being able to come back, get some warm weather, play at home," Jones said. "A lot of my family and friends can see me play, drive from home straight down the street to work every day. Not bad.”
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Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 16, 2014 Reports surfaced Sunday morning that the Raiders and Houston Texans are in discussions to try and send veteran quarterback Matt Schaub to the Raiders, according to Sports Radio 610. Source: #Texans And #Raiders In 'Serious' Trade Talks For Matt Schaub http://t.co/jeHebu38vu — SportsRadio 610 (@SportsRadio610) March 16, 2014 The Texans are coming off of a two-win season and are believed to be looking for a franchise quarterback with their first-round pick. It has long been believed that Schaub wouldn't be a Texan come next year but most expected him to become a June 1st cut. Schaub is due $10.5 million against the salary cap next season. Schaub, a 10-year veteran, was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons but didn't become a regular starter until joining the Texans in 2007. In his 88 starts for the Texans, Schaub has thrown 124 touchdowns and 78 interceptions while averaging 3,317 passing yards per season. The 32-year-old quarterback was benched last season due to his poor play and in an effort to see what the younger Case Keenum had. Despite being benched last season, Schaub is just one season removed from throwing for 4,008 yards, 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 64.3 percent completion rate. The report does not list what the possible compensation is that the Raiders would send to Houston. Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 14, 2014
The Raiders continued to address the defense as they added cornerback Tarell Brown and defensive end Antonio Smith on Friday. Brown spent his first seven seasons with the San Francisco 49er's and has played in 100 games (47 starts) while racking up 11 interceptions, 237 tackles, and 56 passes defensed. Brown became a full-time starter in 2011 and has totaled 143 tackles, six interceptions and 40 passes defensed since. The Raiders also signed veteran defensive end Antonio Smith in addition to Brown on Friday. Smith has played in 140 career games (117 starts) and has registered 324 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries in his 10 seasons in the NFL. Smith predominantly played defensive end in the 3-4 while with Houston. Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 13, 2014
After losing Lamarr Houston to free agency, the Raiders have signed veteran defensive end Justin Tuck according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. After giving the Giants a chance to improve their offer, DE Justin Tuck is accepting a two-year, $11 million deal with the Oakland Raiders. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2014 Tuck was a key contributor to both of the Giants' Super Bowl wins and has totaled 60.5 sacks in his 127-game career. Tuck, now 30 years old, is coming off of an 11.0 sack year which is nearly double Houston's team-leading 6.0 sacks last season. The Raiders reportedly also have Lamarr Woodley and Jason Hatcher at the facilities today in hopes of agreeing to terms with them as well. Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 12, 2014
The Raiders let offensive tackle Jared Veldheer walk via free agency and chose to sign offensive lineman Rodger Saffold instead. But a problem arose as Saffold reportedly failed his physical on Wednesday, leaving the left tackle position still vacant for the Raiders. #Raiders announce that Rodger Saffold failed a physical and will not be signing with the team. — Scott Bair (@BairCSN) March 13, 2014 Not only is that crazy enough, but Saffold has now agreed to a new five-year deal with the St. Louis Rams and will be returning to the team he was with last year. Wow. After he failed his physical in Oakland, Rodger Saffold is headed back to the #Rams on a 5-year deal, per source — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2014 It appears that the Raiders were not satisfied with Saffold's shoulder while the Rams were not concerned about the same injure, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Raiders had concerns about Saffold's shoulder; Rams had "no concerns whatsoever" about his shoulder, per agent Alan Herman and Jared Fox. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2014 The failed physical leaves a major hole in Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie's free agency plan and they still have a void at left tackle after Veldheer bolted for the Cardinals. The Raiders still have the draft and more free agency options to fill the void but many of the top left-tackle possibilities have already been grabbed via free agency. The Raiders still have second-year player Menelik Watson on the team but he is largely unproven as he was out for much of last year with a calf injury. Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 11, 2014
The Raiders free agency moves continued on Tuesday as the team saw free agent Rashad Jennings depart to the New York Giants to sign a contract with his new team. Jennings confirmed the rumors via his Twitter account. Flying to the Big Apple tonight! Looking forward to signing the dotted lines with @Giants — Rashad Jennings (@RashadJennings) March 11, 2014 Jennings proved valuable last season as he came in and replaced the injured Darren McFadden. Jennings ran for 733 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and six touchdowns in 15 games played (eight starts). Meanwhile, Reggie McKenzie and the Raiders front office retained the services of McFadden. According to Scott Bair of CSN, McFadden was signed to a one-year $4 million deal. It's official now: @dmcfadden20 will remain a Raider. 1 year deal worth $4 million. — Scott Bair (@BairCSN) March 11, 2014 McFadden, who was also an unrestricted free agent, started seven games for the Raiders last season and finished with just 379 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. McFadden has struggled with injuries for much of his career and has averaged just over 11 games played a season since entering the league in 2008. Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 11, 2014
Free agency certainly lived up to the "frenzy" hype for the Raiders as they lost two of their strongest pieces from last season, starting left tackle Jared Veldheer and defensive end Lamarr Houston. The Raiders chose not to utilize the franchise-tag option on either of the players and it turned out to be costly for Reggie McKenzie and the Raiders front office as they watch two of their best pieces from a roster with so many holes. Veldheer signed with the Arizona Cardinals shortly after free agency open. ESPN Adam Schefter has reported that Veldheer's deal is 5-years worth $35 million, according to reports. Former Raiders OT Jared Veldheer reached agreement on a 5-yr, $35M deal with Cardinals, per ESPN league sources. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014 The departure of Houston leaves the Raiders defensive line decimated and without their best pass rusher. Houston chose to depart to Chicago for a five-year, $35 million deal according to Schefter. Former Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston reached agreement on a five-year, $35M deal with the Chicago Bears, per league sources. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014 The Raiders signed Rams offensive lineman Roger Saffold to a five-year, $42.5 million deal with $21.5 million guaranteed, according to Schefter. Saffold is only 25 and is a versatile offensive lineman that has experience playing both tackle positions as well as being kicked inside to the guard position. One concern with Saffold is that he has missed 17 games in three NFL seasons, but the Raiders hope he can remain healthy and play a big role in the Raiders rebuild. Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 9, 2014
Raiders OL Khalif Barnes spoke with local media while attending the Commitment to Excellence Award dinner on Saturday night. Barnes, who was re-signed Feb. 28, discussed his new contract and what it meant to continue playing for the Raiders. You can listen to the full audio below. https://soundcloud.com/sbreport/raiders-ol-khalif-barnes-talks Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 9, 2014
Saturday didn't just mark the beginning of the "legal-tampering" period in the NFL but was also a night of celebration for Marcel Reece. The Raiders fullback was voted for the Commitment to Excellence Award by his teammates and the Raiders celebrated his achievement at the Oakland Aiport Hilton on Saturday night. Reece joins a list of previous award winners that includes Tim Brown, Jon Condo, Justin Fargas and many more. Reece took time out of his busy night to talk to Silver & Black Report's Bob Carr and local media about everything from what it means to receive the award to what he wants to see with free agency. The 28-year-old fullback has repeatedly expressed his appreciation for the late Al Davis by wearing an "Al" shirt under his jersey and takes it as a challenge to represent the Silver & Black the best he can in honor of Mr. Davis. "I always will," Reece said about wearing the "Al" shirt under his jersey. "He's one man that, at one point in time, believed in me more than I did myself. And that meant a lot to me. He gave me a chance to make my dream, you know. And his son is continuing that and they pretty much put the franchise in my hands and said 'do what you can with it. Lets see what you have' and it's almost a challenge for me and I'm happy for it, I'm grateful for it. I'm blessed." Reece also didn't hold back when it came to giving his input of what he would like to see happen in free agency. He described his desire for "Raider-ass moves" much like Davis' actions did as a general manager with his "Just Win, Baby" mantra. "I'll be honest with you, just like I'll be honest with him: I want him to be fearless; I want him to not worry about anybody else, I want him to be fearless," Reece said. "Let's go for it right now, that's one thing that I'm looking forward to. No safe moves, I don't want safe moves. I want smart, calculated, fearless, Raider-ass moves that you don't care about anything else, but just winning, and that's what we want to do. Right now." You can listen to the full audio from Reece below. https://soundcloud.com/sbreport/marcel-reece-talks-at |
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