Just a few days after the Oakland Raiders got under the salary cap for 2013 by restructuring the contract of guard Mike Brisiel, the Raiders were at it again Thursday night with the restructuring of strong safety Tyvon Branch's contract.Brisiel's restructured contract got the Raiders just $1.5 million under the cap, which isn't a lot of room to do anything with in terms of signing free agents. Branch's restructured contract helped the Raiders save another $5 million off the 2013 cap.The restructures of Brisiel's and Branch's contracts now have the Raiders at about $6.5-7 million under the cap, which still ...
Like they have all too often done in recent years, the Oakland Raiders can’t afford to miss on their first-round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft. This year, courtesy of a disappointing 4-12 record, the Raiders will select third overall. As such, the possibilities are endless, and they will have plenty of potentially elite prospects to choose from. With a pick that high, they want to take the best player available, but that player has to be one who will make an impact. As a result, we can consider the philosophy to be more geared toward selecting the best player ...
The Oakland Raiders must find a way to retain tight end Brandon Myers.However, according to Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times that may not occur:
“Obviously, I’d like to stay,” Myers said by phone Monday night. “I’d like to be there but it’s not looking like that right now. We’re pretty confident I’ll have a job here in a couple of weeks, but I’ll just try to sit back and not stress about it.” “I’m not very familiar with this. That’s why I have an agent. I’m optimistic that they might give me an offer, but I guess they had a ...
The Oakland Raiders haven't had a superstar quarterback for a very long time and it's rather doubtful that they'll break the trend in 2013.That said, starting a competent player under center in 2013 could help the Raiders make huge strides and potentially compete in a improving AFC West.Though Carson Palmer was last year's starter, there's a chance the tides turn in Oakland and a new player is under center next season. Who that player ends up being is anyone's guess.Begin Slideshow
Four-letter words and the phrase "jaw dropping" are consistently used to describe the Oakland Raiders draft history. And good isn't one of those choice four-letter words.So with the pressure of picking third overall staring down a franchise in transition, it's imperative that the front office finds a way to cash in on such a valuable asset.And there's really only one way to fully reap the most benefits: trade down, regardless of the number of spots you have to drop. This news shouldn't be shocking. Successful teams have been pulling such maneuvers for years. It's a big part of why franchises such ...
Shane Lechler has been one of the top players on the Oakland Raiders for over a decade, but losing him in 2013 to the Houston Texans would be better for the team in the long haul.According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, via ESPN.com's Bill Williamson, "The Raiders are interested in bringing back Lechler, but they have other needs as well. Schefter reported Lechler would be interested in joining the Texans. He is from Texas."For Lechler, a move to his home state makes sense, and not just from a geographical perspective. He's at the end of his career, at the age of 36, ...
When the 2013 NFL free-agency period gets under way on March 12, the Oakland Raiders will look to make some significant but affordable improvements to their current roster. As with any team, there are many factors that will go into the Raiders’ free-agency strategy. Of course the salary cap is one of the biggest, but also to be considered are the team’s own free agents, and positions of need that they will look to target. Here is everything you need to know with a complete guide to the Oakland Raiders’ 2013 free agency period.Begin Slideshow
The Raiders made their first of what can be expected to be several contract restructures on Monday night as they restructured the contract of Mike Brisiel to save $3 million against the salary cap for 2013.Brisiel was a candidate to be cut because of the Raiders transition to a power-blocking scheme under new offensive coordinator Greg Olson. Brisiel fits better into the zone-blocking scheme which the Raiders used last year. With the new scheme, Brisiel could lose his starting job to Lucas Nix who has a noticeable size advantage over Brisiel which could translate to being a better fit in power blocking.Brisiel is ...
The Oakland Raiders restructured the contract of right guard Mike Brisiel, according to Steve Corkran of the Bay Area News Group. Brisiel lowered his base salary from $4.35 million to $1.35 million, which gives the Raiders an additional $3 million in salary cap savings in 2013. Brisiel saved the Raiders about the same amount of money by restructuring as he would have if the team had just released him. In return, Brisiel probably got some form of a guarantee. After Richard Seymour’s deal voided, McKenzie started by restructured his biggest free-agent acquisition from a year ago, but there is still plenty ...
There comes a time in a head coach or general manager's career when he becomes grandfathered in to a permanent place in the NFL—when past success trumps recent results. Former Super Bowl winner Mike Holmgren has reached this point. According to ESPN's Bill Williamson and John Clayton, Holmgren could resurface in a leadership position with the Oakland Raiders, with part of his role possibly being used to leverage a new stadium. On the surface, the move seems very plausible. Holmgren has a relationship with Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie that stems from having worked together with the Green Bay Packers. ...