Two days after cutting ties with veteran running back Justin Fargas on Saturday, the Oakland Raiders continued dumping veteran players by releasing another two veterans: wide receiver Javon Walker and defensive end Greg Ellis.
Walker was a disappointment right from the start after signing a $55 million contract that included an $11 million signing bonus two years ago. He caught 15 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown in two injury-plagued seasons in Raiders jerseys, while receiving $14 million in pay. When they signed Walker, the Raiders’ expectation was to add a No. 1 receiver to roster because Walker’s previous performance was good enough to have a good deal. He had 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004 for the Green Bay Packers and 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight scores in 2006 for the Denver Broncos. After injuring his knee in 2007, he was totally a different player. He was out of shape at the beginning of 2008 season and was injured again in June during a robbery in Las Vegas. In his first season with the Raiders, he played in eight games before getting injured again and having to finish the season in injured reserve. He barely played in 2009 season while recovering from a knee surgery.
As for Ellis, he was offered a two-year contract by the Raiders after being released by the Dallas cowboys. Contrary to Walker, Ellis proved a strong veteran presence on Raiders’ defensive line by tying for the team lead with seven sacks last season. He was cut along with Walker partly because he got hampered by chronic knee problems in the second half of last season. Another possible reason is that he was due a $2.5 million salary for 2010 season but the Raiders do not want to pay him that money.
Showing posts with label the Raiders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Raiders. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Russell’s chance of getting starting job back is still small
Throwing the game-winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds left in a 20-19 victory over the Denver Broncos, the Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell apparently got the springboard he need to win his starting job back. However, the Raiders Coach Tom Cable still consider him the last choice to start at quarterback for this week’s game in Cleveland.
Cable’s No.1 choice remains Bruce Gradkowski if he would wear back his Raiders jersey after fully recovering from his two sprained knees, and the second choice would be Charlie Frye, who sustained a concussion during last Sunday’s game and left Russell the chance to lead the comeback.
Cable is still waiting and declined to give a sure answer to question about whether Russell’s game-winning drive proved that he can still be the quarterback to lead the Raiders in the future.
Cable’s No.1 choice remains Bruce Gradkowski if he would wear back his Raiders jersey after fully recovering from his two sprained knees, and the second choice would be Charlie Frye, who sustained a concussion during last Sunday’s game and left Russell the chance to lead the comeback.
Cable is still waiting and declined to give a sure answer to question about whether Russell’s game-winning drive proved that he can still be the quarterback to lead the Raiders in the future.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Raiders QB Russell is unlikely to start again
When quarterback JaMarcus Russell put on his No.2 Raiders jersey after signing a six-year deal with $30 million of guarantee money in 2007, he might be expecting a star career to begin.
As the No. 1 overall pick in the draft that year, Russell had the reason to believe that he was a sure thing. But things don't seem to be what he had been expecting. Charlie Frye is getting the starting job for this weekend’s game against the Denver Broncos. Russell did not make good use of his chance when he was named the starter for last weekend’s game to replace injured Bruce Gradkowski but he only gave a poor performance, which caused the team to turn to Frye.
And Gradkowski has not been put on injured reserve yet, although the team described his injury as torn MCLs. And it seemed that the team is planning to have him return by Dec. 27 and start against the Cleveland Browns. With Gradkowski getting back his starting job, it is just even more unlikely that Russell could be starter again.
As the No. 1 overall pick in the draft that year, Russell had the reason to believe that he was a sure thing. But things don't seem to be what he had been expecting. Charlie Frye is getting the starting job for this weekend’s game against the Denver Broncos. Russell did not make good use of his chance when he was named the starter for last weekend’s game to replace injured Bruce Gradkowski but he only gave a poor performance, which caused the team to turn to Frye.
And Gradkowski has not been put on injured reserve yet, although the team described his injury as torn MCLs. And it seemed that the team is planning to have him return by Dec. 27 and start against the Cleveland Browns. With Gradkowski getting back his starting job, it is just even more unlikely that Russell could be starter again.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Raiders RB McFadden to be out 2-4 weeks with knee injury
It was reported recently that the Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden will be sidelined for the next 2-to-4 weeks with a torn meniscus in his knee. That injury could add more frustration to the already weak Raiders’ defense.
The injury was discovered after the Raiders' 29-6 thrashing at Houston on Sunday. During game, McFadden gave a miserable performance and lost three yards on a total of six carries and had only one catch for five yards. Running backs Michael Bush and Justin Fargas share McFadden’s job while he was out. Fargas' notable play in relief was getting stuffed in the end zone for a safety.
With the most skilled big-play threat, McFadden being gone, the Raiders did not have much chance to win the following games against the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets and the San Diego Chargers, none of which could be seen as weak.
The injury was discovered after the Raiders' 29-6 thrashing at Houston on Sunday. During game, McFadden gave a miserable performance and lost three yards on a total of six carries and had only one catch for five yards. Running backs Michael Bush and Justin Fargas share McFadden’s job while he was out. Fargas' notable play in relief was getting stuffed in the end zone for a safety.
With the most skilled big-play threat, McFadden being gone, the Raiders did not have much chance to win the following games against the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets and the San Diego Chargers, none of which could be seen as weak.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Raiders re-signed KR Miller and put DB Bowie on IR
On Wednesday, the Oakland Raiders made the decision to bring back kick returner Justin Miller after they had to place defensive back John Bowie on season-ending injured reserve.
Miller can also play as defensive back, but he was released in the Raiders last cuts before season. Comparing to Bowie, who has played in just five games since putting on NFL jersey and recorded no tackles, Miller’s performance was a big better. He returned two kicks for touchdowns, averaging 24.8 yards per return, after joining the Raiders halfway through last season. He may be reliable to improve the returning rate of Raiders, which is averaging 19.3 yards per return this season.
The Wednesday move might prove it an unwise choice for the Raiders to trade wide receiver Randy Moss to the New England for the 2007 draft pick and select Bowie in the fourth round.
Miller can also play as defensive back, but he was released in the Raiders last cuts before season. Comparing to Bowie, who has played in just five games since putting on NFL jersey and recorded no tackles, Miller’s performance was a big better. He returned two kicks for touchdowns, averaging 24.8 yards per return, after joining the Raiders halfway through last season. He may be reliable to improve the returning rate of Raiders, which is averaging 19.3 yards per return this season.
The Wednesday move might prove it an unwise choice for the Raiders to trade wide receiver Randy Moss to the New England for the 2007 draft pick and select Bowie in the fourth round.
Friday, September 4, 2009
LB Aaron Curry led in Seahawks’ 31-21 win over Raiders
In Thursday night’s preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, the Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry showed off as the only starter on the Field and led the Seahawks to a 31-21 victory over the Raiders.
When it was just the first half, Curry made four tackles, two for losses, hit Oakland quarterbacks twice, then sacked one and forced a fumble to set up a field goal. And his wonderful performance was considered to be the most important development in Seahawks’ 31-21 victory.
This preseason finale victory was the Seahawks’ fourth preseason win and marked the team’s first preseason 4-0 in its 34-year history. And their rival team the Raiders finished the preseason 1-3.
When it was just the first half, Curry made four tackles, two for losses, hit Oakland quarterbacks twice, then sacked one and forced a fumble to set up a field goal. And his wonderful performance was considered to be the most important development in Seahawks’ 31-21 victory.
This preseason finale victory was the Seahawks’ fourth preseason win and marked the team’s first preseason 4-0 in its 34-year history. And their rival team the Raiders finished the preseason 1-3.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Raiders WR Schilens broke bone in left foot
The Oakland Raiders receiver Chaz Schilens broke a bone in his left foot on Tuesday during the joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers. The injury will probably sideline Schilens for one month.
Schilens said he didn’t know whether he would need a cast or walking boot and when he might return, but he hoped to be available for playing in the team’s season opener Sept. 14 against San Diego Chargers. X-rays revealed he’d broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot, that was why Schilens felt sharp pain while running and had to leave after practice on crutches.
If not injured, Schilens would be one of the Raiders’ top two receivers this season. He made six starts for the Raiders during his rookie season in 2008, making 15 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns. During the time he is out, the team will choose a replacing receiver from Javon Walker, Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey, but all of them have some kind of health problem, so the Raiders’ receiving corps is in limbo and the depth gone.
Schilens said he didn’t know whether he would need a cast or walking boot and when he might return, but he hoped to be available for playing in the team’s season opener Sept. 14 against San Diego Chargers. X-rays revealed he’d broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot, that was why Schilens felt sharp pain while running and had to leave after practice on crutches.
If not injured, Schilens would be one of the Raiders’ top two receivers this season. He made six starts for the Raiders during his rookie season in 2008, making 15 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns. During the time he is out, the team will choose a replacing receiver from Javon Walker, Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey, but all of them have some kind of health problem, so the Raiders’ receiving corps is in limbo and the depth gone.
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