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News » Oakland Raiders Strategy and Personnel 2009-03-17


Oakland Raiders Strategy and Personnel 2009-03-17


Oakland Raiders Strategy and Personnel 2009-03-17
TEAM NEEDS/OFF-SEASON STRATEGY


The Raiders made no real move to retain Rashad Baker, but his departure leaves the Raiders extremely thin on their last line of defense.

Other than getting a last big year out of Rod Woodson, safety has been a constant problem for the Raiders since they returned to Oakland in 1995, and this offseason is no exception.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Safety: The only safeties on the roster are Hiram Eugene a former street free agent, who ended the season as the starting free safety, 2005 draft flop Michael Huff and 2008 draft pick Tyvon Branch. Might the Raiders place a call to Roy Williams?

2. Offensive tackle: Protecting JaMarcus Russell is Job 1, and as it stands now the starters are Mario Henderson at left tackle and Cornell Green at right tackle. Given the aborted pursuit of Khalif Barnes, Henderson could move to the right. Doubtful that Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe could drop to No. 7, but the Raiders can always hope.

3. Center: With Jake Grove headed to Miami in free agency, 13-year vet John Wade is the current starter. The Raiders have had talks with Buffalo free agent Duke Preston, and the draft is a possibility. Their No. 7 pick is too high for Alex Mack, who probably won't last until the second round.

MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--WR Drew Carter suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the next-to-last preseason game, spending the season on injured reserve. He has had four ACL surgeries - two on each knee.

--WR Ashley Lelie played in 13 games before missing the final three games with an ankle injury, catching 11 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns.

--QB Marques Tuiasosopo moved past Andrew Walter to become the backup to JaMarcus Russell for the last quarter of the season, although he didn't get in a game.

--LB Sam Williams is a favorite of the owner and hasn't developed as a strong side linebacker but has some special teams value.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

--S Hiram Eugene.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--LB Ricky Brown: RFA tendered at $1.545M; terms unknown.

--G Cooper Carlisle: UFA; 5 yrs, terms unknown.

--LS Jon Condo: ERFA; terms unkknown.

--LB Isaiah Ekejiuba: UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.

--DT William Joseph: UFA; terms unknown.

--CB Justin Miller: UFA; terms unknown.

--CB Nnamdi Osomugha: Potential UFA; $28.5M/2 yrs; all guaranteed with third year team option.

--CB Chris Johnson: Potential UFA; $15.3M/4 yrs, $4M SB; 2009 cap: $3M.

--P Shane Lechler: Potential UFA; $12M/4 yrs, $9M guaranteed.

--C Chris Morris: ERFA; terms unknown.

--TE Tony Stewart: UFA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--OT Khalif Barnes: UFA Jaguars; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--QB Bruce Gradkowski (waivers Browns).

--OT Erik Pears: Not tendered as RFA by Broncos; terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--FS Rashad Baker: UFA Eagles; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--LB Marquis Cooper (presumed deceased in boating accident).

--WR Ronald Curry (released).

--DE Kalimba Edwards (released/failed physical).

--FB Justin Griffith (released).

--C Jake Grove: UFA Dolphins; $29M/5 yrs, $14.5M guaranteed.

--OT Kwame Harris (released).

--S Gibril Wilson (released).



Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: March 17, 2009

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Thomas Howard Name: Thomas Howard
#53
Position: LB
Age: 25
Experience: 3 years
College: UTEP
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