Oakland Raiders fans should not be expecting CB Champ Bailey
As the questions surround just exactly what will happen to former Oakland Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders fans should not be looking towards possible free agent Denver Broncos CB Champ Bailey. Currently, the Broncos have opened up talks with the veteran corner and Denver’s new vice president of football operations, John Elways says he wants to get a deal done with Bailey.
Bailey’s agent told the Denver Post that they are looking for a four-year extension on his current contract in the $40-44 million dollar range.
Ashomugha’s contract was voided weeks ago after it was determined that he did not meet incentives in his contract in order to warrant a $17 million dollar 2011 season. There is still the outside chance that he could return to the Raiders next season. However, the current labor negotiations and the threat of a owner led lockout will greatly interfere with the offseason free agency period.
There is of course the chance that the Raiders move in another direction, refusing to invest $10-12 million dollars in one single player and try to acquire two players to fill other positions instead.
Oakland Raiders add Hall of Famer to coaching staff
The Oakland Raiders added a Hall of Fame player to their coaching staff yesterday, Rod Woodson. Woodson returns to the team he last played for to start his coaching career. He spent the bulk of his playing time with the Pittsburgh Steelers but also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders. Woodson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first season of eligibility two years ago.
Woodson earned a Super Bowl championship while he was with the Baltimore Ravens but has an impressive list of personal achievements. He is an 11 time Pro Bowler, currently he holds the NFL records for career interceptions return yardage and touchdowns and he ranks third in NFL history with 71 interceptions.
The Raiders hired Woodson to be the team’s cornerbacks coach, but he could suddenly find himself with a depleted secondary if and when the free agency period begins. The Raiders could find themselves without All Pro CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Standford Routt and FS Michael Huff, are all slated for free agency.
The hiring of Woodson is a bit unconventional though, since the Raiders are a team without a current defensive coordinator.
Will Michael Bush’s DUI arrest jeopardize his free agent status?
Oakland Raiders RB Michael Bush was arrested on Saturday morning for suspicion of drunk driving in Indiana. Bush, 26, is slated to become a free agent, at whatever time the free agent period is slated to start. Bush was reportedly going to generate some interest on the open market this season, but could his arrest possibly curtail some interest?
Bush will likely face a league imposed suspension of some sort stemming from this arrest, and that might be an underlying factor in teams not having as much interest in signing Bush to a large contract this offseason. Ultimately, this could wind up being good news for the Oakland Raiders. Raiders owner Al Davis has said in the past few weeks that he would like Michael Bush and Darren McFadden to remain in the same backfield for 2011 and beyond.
Limited interest and the Raiders current running back tandem approach, could mean a return to the Raiders in 2011 for Bush.
Oakland Raiders face uphill battle and long odds heading towards Super Bowl XLVI
The Oakland Raiders finally concluded a season without double digit losses since their Super Bowl appearance in 2002, but it looks as if they will face an uphill battle and long odds if they are going to be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy next February. Bodog.com has issued their preliminary odds of reaching and winning next season’s Super Bowl, and the Oakland Raiders are among the teams with the longest odds.
Bodog has given the Oakland Raiders a 50/1 chance of winning Super Bowl XLVI. Divisional opponent, the San Diego Chargers, are the fourth favorite team figured to fitted for rings next February at 12/1. The Chargers follow the current odds on favorite Green Bay Packers, (7/1), the New England Patriots (8/1) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (10/1).
Defending AFC West champions, the Kansas City Chiefs opened with 35/1 odds and the Denver Broncos are 60/1 to win next season’s Super Bowl.
Bodog has simply issued their odds as to which team will win the Super Bowl. I would like to see the odds of the Oakland Raiders reaching the playoffs, because I believe this is a Raiders team which is just a few more players away from contending for the AFC West crown or at least a wildcard berth.
On my site for Rantsports, Redzonetalk.com, this morning I have listed the Oakland Raiders as one of the five teams to watch in 2011.
Oakland Raiders- Yes, the Oakland Raiders. Oakland finished the season 6-0 in their division and was second in the league in rushing, averaging 155 yards per game. Third-year RB Darren McFadden finally delivered on the field for the Raiders, scoring 10 touchdowns and accumulating over 1600 total yards. TE Zach Miller is emerging into a very solid player. WR Jacoby Ford is developing into an elite return specialist. Oakland has a roster filled with speedy, young receivers but they are continuing to wait and see which one wants to become the legitimate threat as the go-to receiver. I look for the Raiders to bring in a veteran receiver in free agency this year and Oakland will contend for the AFC West division in 2011.
This is becoming a solid football team, and while I did not agree with the firing of Tom Cable, I think much of the credit for the success the raiders had this season has to go to the then offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson, now the head coach.
Rant Sports Live Super Bowl Chat on Friday, 11am EST
I will be conducting a live Super Bowl Chat here on Rant Sports tomorrow morning at 11am EST, (February 4th) The chat will be conducted on the Pittsburgh Steelers website, SteelersChronicle.com. We have scheduled other internet NFL bloggers to participate, and we will be discussing all things having to do with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Green Bay Packers, and every other thing surrounding the NFL and the Super Bowl.
You know tomorrow morning, you’ll be at work, you’ll be waiting for the clock to hit 5:00 so you can kick off Super Bowl weekend. If you live in the areas just blasted by the record snowfall, you are likely looking for an excuse not to go outside, so join in and submit your questions to me and the panelists.
To particpate in the live chat, hit us up right here, and submit your questions, comments or predictions.
