Raider Raza: Week in Review

This has been an exciting and great week for the Raiders.

The Raiders took a look at Jeff Garcia, but Garcia walked when we wouldn’t promise him a starting position when he insisted we promise not to draft a QB.

Lamont Jordan agrees to takes 1.75 million pay cut to stay with the Raiders.

Jeremy Newberry signs a one year contract for 1.5 Milion; If healthy should be an instant upgrade over Grove; Very Cap-friendly for an ex-Pro Bowler and very safe contract for the Raiders if he doesn’t make it through training camp because of his reconstructed knees.

Jerry Porter changes his number and his attitude. Talk is cheap, but it appears Porter wants to put last year behind him and is anxious to prove everyone that he can play at a high level. The question is can he live up to #81 ?

The Raiders sign ex-Colt Dominic Rhodes whose 4.9-yard average per carry in the postseason far surpassed his 3.4-yard average during the regular season. In today’s NFL to make it through the year you must have more than one solid RB. Jordan, Fargas and Rhodes should be a solid rotation versatile enough to run up the middle, dance to the outside and make catches to gain yardage.

To make holes for the RB’s the Raiders also picked up an effective and devastating blocker with Atlanta’s FB Justin Griffith who is very familiar with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp also from Atlanta. The contract is cap friendly at 3 years 3.8 Million.

There are many potential Moss trade rumors have him going to Packers, Patriots, or Bucs..

This has been a very interesting week with NFL teams giving out inflated contracts to average players. For example ex-Raider Walker signed for 20 Million++++. Are you crazy, Walker is average at best and far from dominating.
Yet the Raiders signed many solid players for very cap friendly numbers.

One bad note by San Francisco signing CB Nate Clemens for a whooping 80 Million +++ means we are are going to eventually have to break the bank for Nnamdi Asomogua.. ...

Jordan agrees to pay cut.. ...

I , have a new profound respect towards Jordan. A couple days ago I was content and sure that Jordan would be cut before Wednesday to avoid paying him the almost 5 million bonus he was due, so I was surprised when I read the news that he had agreed to take a pay cut. He could have easily forced his way into free agency and surely made more money in the current NFL salary inflation period, but he chose to stay and help. I have to respect and admire that. I hope more players follow his example, not just with the Raiders but around the league.

We shouldn't be surprised; Jordan hasn't put up great numbers and has made his share of bonehead plays, so he agrees to a pay cut. Jordan has tried to be a leader since he has come aboard as a Raider, and while his bark has been a little bit more potent than his bite, it hasn't been for lack of effort. He has wanted a bigger role in the offense, he leaves it all out on the field and plays with great emotion. When Moss drops an easy TD pass, he acts like he could care less.

As a fan and ex-player who understands playing through pain and injury, last year on offense, I respected and rooted for players like Curry and Fargas who rehabilitated serious injury and played with heart and courage. Next season when they call Moss and Porters names I won't be cheering but when they call Lamont Jordan out you can bet I'll make some noise!!!!