Oakland Off Season Overview
The Raiders Post 3/17/09
If I had to give a letter grade to the Raiders today, for their off season moves to this point, it would be a B. They did good in signing Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler, two of the best at their respective positions. But they over paid in my opinion, granted not like the crazy contracts the Raiders were handing out last year to questionible players. Atleast Asomugha and Lechler and Pro-bowl caliber players who are not coming off of major injuries.
The made a move to help out at the OT position my signing Khalif Barnes and were smart to sign him to a 1-year deal incase he doesn’t pan out. Barnes has had some issues on and off the field but is still young at 26 and can be a solid player, even a dominate one when motivated.
Oakland also did a good job restructuring deals for Robert Gallery, Javon Walker and Justin Fargas to make more cap room.
Where they have lost points so far is by not re-signing Justin Miller and Jake Grove. Miller is a good kick returner and Grove is a decent Center.
Oakland still needs to make a few more good moves. OT Kevin Shaffer was recently released by the Browns and he is a good tackle with a mean streak who can play on either side. Shaffer would be another good pick up for the O-line especially considering that Oakland promised not to draft a OT in 2009, when they signed Barnes. Signing Shaffer would circumvent that promise and add a quality player to compete for a position. They could probably even move Barnes or Shaffer inside to OG.
Oakland needs to get JaMarcus Russell some more help at WR and the Raiders should really make a run at Torry Holt. He is 32 years old so he has a couple years left in him and would add some much needed experience and leadership to the WR corps. If they can’t land Holt there a a couple decent WR prospects still to be had and it would be smart for Oakland to sign someone, just don’t overpay like they did last year.
