• Home
• Get our widget
• 2008 MLB Predictions
• Contact us
• About Us

• MLB
• NASCAR
• NBA
• NFL
• NHL

 Subscribe

Raiders pass rush

The Oakland Raiders have made numerous off-season additions and they don’t appear to be slowing down yet, even with being dangerously close to the salary cap. The team has signed two defensive lineman over the past couple days and were pretty close to acquiring a third. Out of all the moves they’ve made, these may have been the most beneficial as the Raiders were horrendous at stopping the run last year. Let’s look at the moves.

The first came Friday when the team signed former Detroit Lions’ defensive end Kalimba Edwards. The deal is worth $5 million over 2 years. Edwards was a former 2nd round pick by the Lions but to many fans was considered a huge bust even with 26 sacks over 6 years. Edwards should occupy the role formerly occupied by Chris Clemons who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, which would be a pass-rush specialist to replace Derrick Burgess on the passing downs. There’s also a chance he could jump ahead of Jay Richardson as a starter.

Second move came Sunday as the team signed Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (the brother of KGB in Green Bay), to a 2-year deal. He’s no guarantee to make the team but if he does he’ll be a defensive reserve and also play special teams.

The almost move was the team almost brought back one-time raider Grady Jackson. Jackson now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. If this move would of happened, Tommy Kelly would of stayed at the defensive end position and Jackson would occupy the middle. Now thou it looks like the team doesn’t want to add another lineman through free agency, even thou Jackson could still really help them out.

If the team decides to add another lineman it would come thru the draft. And I wouldn’t put it pass them to still select LSU DT Glenn Dorsey if he falls to the #4 pick.

Jags and Garrard talking extension

The Jacksonville Jaguars and starting QB David Garrard have begun talks on a long-term contract extension. The two sides are in no rush to get a deal done soon thou as Garrard is already under contract for the 2008 season. Garrard and his agent, Albert Irvy, are looking for a contract in the Tony Romo range (i.e. 6-year deal $60-70 million range). Contracts that big take a while to get done, so I’m quite sure this will carry on through most of the off season at least. So what could be the sticking points lets look.

For the Jaguars, they could first of all take their time as Garrard is under contract. If they fail to sign an extension they could always slap the franchise tag on him for the 2009 season. Downside, could cause friction between Garrard and the team itself. The team’s arguing points could also use Garrard’s age, he’s already 28 and two years older then Romo. The team could also use their market size in negotiations, as Jacksonville is a much smaller market then Dallas. In today’s NFL with the contract sizes being given out, I don’t see how the team could use that effectively thou.

For Garrard, the Romo contract is the starting point for all negotiations. “We’re not insisting that [Garrard] gets more than Romo, but it’s got to be in that ballpark,” Irby said. “We’re not going all the way back to [Houston Texans quarterback] Matt Schaub.” This does show Garrard is willing to come down some from the contract demands, it’s just not going to be far. Schaub’s contract with the Atlanta Falcons is for 6-years worth $48 million and $7 million in guarnatees with him just starting two games in his entire career.

I can see the Jaguars meeting those demands or at least coming damn close. The team is starting to get in range of competing for a Super Bowl title, and they would not want contract talks getting in the range of greatness. The Jags also believe that Garrard is the long-term future of this team, so you have to expect them to lock him down, no matter the price.

Packers QB - Next in Line?

Ok, where do the Green Bay Packers go now without Brett Favre at quarterback. The first in line at the starting job is obviously going to be Aaron Rodgers. Many NFL Scouts, have questioned is he ready for the big time? is he experienced enough? Coach Mike McCarthy doesn’t think so thou, “He is the future of the Green Bay Packers whenever that future arrives as far as Brett’s decision,” McCarthy said. “I have great confidence in Aaron Rodgers. He’s really at the point of his career where he needs to play.” Who would the Packers get thou to back him up? With a young guy like Rodgers with minimal experience you need a veteran behind him, so who’s left?

The number one option for the Packers, is Jacksonville Jaguars QB Quinn Gray. The team showed interest in him a few weeks ago before they even knew what was going on with Favre. Gray is an unrestricted free agent, so he wouldn’t cost Green Bay anything but money. Gray has no home in Jacksonville now that Cleo Lemon was brought on board to back up David Garrard.

Other possible options are Mark Brunell, Trent Green, Gus Frerotte, Tim Hasselback and Daunte Culpepper. None of those are to attractive as options but yet they would give the Packers a very experienced back-up who could help teach Rodgers on game situations. Another option would be a trade with the Houston Texans, could they possibly get Sage Rosenfels, they’d have to give up a pretty good draft pick for him thou, a 2nf to 4th round range.

And one last option is the NFL draft and go with another young guy. In a 2nd to 4th round they can draft a player like Brian Bohm, Joe Flacco, Chad Henne or Erik Ange.

Personally, I’d go with Gray. He got the most playing time last season out of any option. He’s not the greatest QB and most likely wouldn’t be a perfect fit in the Packers West Coast attack, but he’d be a serviceable back up should anything happen. You can draft a mid-round QB, let him be your #3 while he learns and have Gray back-up in the mean time. Should be interesting to see how this turns out.

Jags sign Porter, Lemon and make trade

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a busy day making a couple signs and a trade. The moves include signing wide receiver Jerry Porter, QB Cleo Lemon and trading for wide receiver Troy Williamson. Lets break down all the moves:

• Jerry Porter - Porter receives $30 million over 6-years, with $10 million of it guaranteed. Personally at this point in his career I think that amount is a little high, but what free agency is bringing this year I guess it could be considered a relative bargain. Porter should be a big threat in the red zone for the Jags, and look for him to start along side Reggie Williams or Matt Jones.
• Cleo Lemon - Lemon signed a 3-year contract worth just under $9 million. Lemon played respectably on a horrible Miami Dolphins team last year. He should go into the camp as a starter over Quinn Gray and should actually be an upgrade.
• Troy Williamson - The team traded with the Minnesota Vikings to get his services. The Jags sent a 6th round pick to Minnesota which could improve based on his performance. Williamson would of already been a question mark to make the team pre-Jerry Porter, but now with Porter on the team he is without a doubt NOT guaranteed a spot.

Jags and Vikings agree to trade

Supposedly the Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings have come to terms on a deal that would send wide receiver Troy Williamson to the Jags. Trades can’t become official till midnight Thursday, so there is still plenty of chance that this deal can fall through. It’s being reported that the Jaguars will send a second-day draft pick to the Vikings. I’d assume a 5th or 6th round pick.

Williamson has struggled with drops ever since entering the league in 2005 and being the 7th pick overall. To only get a late round pick is definitely a waste for the Vikings, but hey this is just a dump for them, get something for nothing. Williamson still does have potential as he’s got above average speed. But in three seasons in Minnesota he only had 79 catches for 1067 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Not a major deal but if it happens, it might start to get the ball rolling on a lot of others. Go check out the St Paul Pioneer Press where we first saw this being reported.

Copyright © 2007 MySportsRumors.com · Revolution News theme by Brian Gardner · Log in