Raiders’ influence on CBA
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, February 26th, 2011 at 10:02 am in Oakland Raiders.
The last time the owners and players union were this close to a labor stoppage, Al Davis stepped in with Paul Tagliabue and former Raider Gene Upshaw and helped negotiate an agreement.
This time around, with Upshaw having passed away and Roger Goodell as commissioner, Davis has been content to watch the labor negotiations play out from the sideline.
But Davis is still capable of shaking things up, and while no one’s talking on the record at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, rest assured there is plenty of grumbling about the impact of the Raiders’ spending spree.
Fellow owners are trying to argue that they’re simply not making enough money and that the economic model doesn’t work. It becomes a much tougher sell when a franchise ranked by Forbes magazine as the 31st most valuable team in the league and the lowest season-ticket base (22,000) in the NFL goes on a spending spree before the start of the new league year.
So far, Davis has spent guaranteed $22.5 million to defensive tackle Richard Seymour in a deal that could net $30 million over two years. Cornerback Stanford Routt, coming off his best year but through six years not considered among the elite at his position, has a $20 million guarantee and $31.5 million over three years (although I’m told there’s a roster bonus in there the Raiders would have to pay).
Oakland planned on paying outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley approximately $4.1 million this season including a $3.5 million buyback in the deal originally negotiated by the Cleveland Browns. When the deal was disallowed by the league for violating the “30 percent rule” for raises in an existing contract, Davis simply committed another six million dollars and made Wimbley a franchise player.
There is also a report of the signing of defensive tackle John Henderson to a two-year deal _ it’s been reported at both $4 million and $8 million _ but I’ve yet to see if the deal is backloaded in big way or carries guaranteed money.
Unless Oakland is gambling that a CBA won’t allow players to be unrestricted free agents after four years, don’t be surprised if Zach Miller gets a megadeal making him among the NFL’s highest paid tight ends. Free safety Michael Huff could also cash in.
The Raiders are driving up the price players league wide as well as their own, and the more players he signs to big money, the harder it will be for his fellow owners to complain about their share of the financial pie.
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February 26th, 2011 at 10:04 am
69.TerrapinRaider Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 9:59 am
Where are you guys getting this touchdown given up stat on Routt? 29 sounds a bit far fetched, happy countin’ don’t you think?
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Not Routt. The entire defense gave up 29 pass TDs.
With Nnamdi giving up zero
Just want to know how the defense gets better losing all pro players and not adding anyone and also possibly losing a FS that finally started playing ball.
I don’t drink kool-aid anymore
February 26th, 2011 at 10:04 am
I am not impressed with this spending spree. Only Richard Seymour deserved the big money
February 26th, 2011 at 10:08 am
New Corner Back — most likely CJ or Walter McFadden
New Free Safety — most likely Eugene
New Tight End — Brandon Myers?
New Left Guard — Draft pick
And no upgrades to any position (as of yet).
Now I admit that once the CBA is signed, they might go make some moves…..but overpaying Henderson, Routt and Wimbley by multiple millions each doesn’t give you many options.
February 26th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Al is spending money like he has an extra $17 million dollars this year and no first round contract to worry about.
Wish he could have spread it a little more, but it is what it is.
Whether this team makes the playoffs or not will not depend on whether Routt is making 10 million or year or not.
It will be on stopping the run and getting something better than average QB play.
February 26th, 2011 at 10:12 am
29 pass TDs are quite a lot.
Jacksonville and Miami games the pass defense got scorched.
I really hope that Routt, Johnson and McFadden can maintain because the run defense in Oakland won’t improve and the offense will continue to struggle because as a franchise they don’t know how to stop the run and until they get a real wide receiver and better QB play
February 26th, 2011 at 10:13 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Al is spending money like he has an extra $17 million dollars this year and no first round contract to worry about.
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Like I said before, restructure DHB’s contract and let Gallery walk and give the surplus to Asomugha
February 26th, 2011 at 10:15 am
73.TerrapinRaider Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 10:11 am
MHuff commented via twitter that he didn’t expect the Raiders to use the franchise tag (and they would not have if not for some stupid rule, and lawyers not knowing that rule when drafting the initial contract for Wimbley) and he expects Miller & Bush to be back because they would be RFAs. He thinks they are going to let him and Gallery test the open mkt with talks open to coming back to Oakland.
February 26th, 2011 at 10:17 am
I think Routt is officially at 5TDs given up (but 1 may not have been his but Branch’s).
Heck Branch may have given up 10 by himself
February 26th, 2011 at 10:22 am
The Megadeals are the act of an old desperate man who knows he can’t take the money with him. Davis doesn’t care about the long term fiscal health of the organization, the rest of the league or the fans. He wants a ring now and we’re all too familiar with the results from Davis’ short term approach…
One stat bear mentioning: 3 winning seasons in the last 17 years (w/ Gruden teams). And what did Al say about Cable not being a winner?
February 26th, 2011 at 10:26 am
48.Just Fire Baby Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 7:30 am
One thing to know about replacing Cooper Carlisle.
Of course, he really struggled in pass protection at times. This is pretty well-known, and he struggles (although who doesn’t I would argue) against the elite Power D-lineman.
But he has missed one start in 4 years, and once went a whole season in Silver & Black without a penalty, had 3 penalties last season, and 9 in 4 years.
So as far as stability and penalties, he is without a doubt the most consistant of our O-linemen in this regards.
Bruce Campbell might have more penalties in the first month or so of the season as Carlisle had in 4 years.
^^^^^^^
Agreed. Big Bruce might have more penalties in a month, than Carlise would have had the whole freakin year.
Scary.
February 26th, 2011 at 10:28 am
I keep thinking old man Al keeps paying guys like T Kelly and Routt big time money, when they are not worth it….just to maybe screw with other teams free agents and jack up the market price….or is it just an old man who falls for agents and their old parlor tricks?
Probably a combination of both.
Ugh
February 26th, 2011 at 10:29 am
If the Raiders draft a CB or a FS with their first pick in the 2nd Round of this years draft….I’m gonna be pissed.
February 26th, 2011 at 10:44 am
If the Raiders want to add POWER and ATHLETICISM to that O-Line, then they may want to take a heavy look at TCU OT MARCUS CANNON!
He would start right away at RG and can probably be a BEAST at RT!
February 26th, 2011 at 10:52 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Al is spending money like he has an extra $17 million dollars this year and no first round contract to worry about.
Wish he could have spread it a little more, but it is what it is.
Whether this team makes the playoffs or not will not depend on whether Routt is making 10 million or year or not.
It will be on stopping the run and getting something better than average QB play.
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If we want better than average QB play, better get better than piss-poor receiver play and pass pro.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:03 am
Are offence scored enough to win games dispite avrg.QB and piss poor receivers….Its are defence that needs to stop the F’ing Run!!!
February 26th, 2011 at 11:22 am
Davis is a genius
February 26th, 2011 at 11:26 am
If Davis is a genuis, then no matter the money he spends, cause he knows what he´s doing. What matters is…… Just win baby!!
February 26th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Well, we can call Al Davis a genius, just a spendthrift genuis.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:46 am
9. History says no. Davis has always paid big buck s and been a players owner.
Not his fault Marcus Allen refused to become the highest paid RB ever. Is Davis’ fault he made Terdell Sands the highest paid fat guy at the time
February 26th, 2011 at 11:50 am
keep on going al….show those fools how its done…
February 26th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Toyz is a genius.
Al Davis is a players owner, this is his way of getting all players some extra scratch. In the long run they will be thankful to Davis over the course of the next 5 years and in turn be willing to join the dynasty that is the Raiders, once again!
February 26th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Here is the NFL combine right-up on Wiz 2.0 on NFLN:
Wisniewski comes from a football family and has the versatility to be a quality backup at the next level. He has great football intelligence, quickly recognizes stunts and blitzes and is rarely caught out of position. However, he lacks the lower body strength to generate a consistent push in the running game and will not thwart the bull rush in the NFL. He played guard early in his career and can line up at all three interior offensive line positions. Wisniewski has the smarts to make up for his lack of strength and will likely be a mid to late round pick.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Raiders need their Linebackers to stop the run!
We need to stop holding the DBs accountable for the LBs responsibilities.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
It’s a great, chilly day to be a Raiders fan. Isn’t it?!
February 26th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
2) OG/C Stefan Wisniewski (Penn State), OLB Mason Foster (Washington), or CB Curtis Brown (Texas), or OG/C John Moffitt (Wisconsin)
3) OLB Quan Sturdivant (North Carolina), OT Marcus Gilbert (Florida), OG/OT Marcus Cannon (TCU), or C Jake Kirkpatrick (TCU)
4) FS Robert Sands (West Virginia), OLB Casey Matthews (Oregon), or CB/FS Marcus Gilchrist (Clemson)
5) CB Davon House (New Mexico State), C/OG Brandon Fusco (Slippery Rock), or FB Henry Hynoski (Pitt)
6) DE/DT Cedrick Thornton (Southern Arkansas) or WR Ricardo Lockette (Fort Valley State)
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Try to re-sign: Miller (RFA), Bush (RFA), Gallery, Reece (RFA), Mario Henderson, Satele, Bryant (RFA), Barnes, Loper, and Condo.
Huff wants to test the FA market, but seems open to coming back for the right offer.
Possible FA targets:
CB Richard Marshall or Eric Wright
OT Jammal Brown or Jared Gaither
WR Santana Moss
TE Matt Spaeth
FS Jarrad Page (if Huff walks)
February 26th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Depending on who is available at the time (and who we still have yet to pick-up/lose), I’d like our first 4 draft picks to be:
OL, DL, WR, QB…
In whatever order gets us the players we want.
Other priorities remain DB and RB…there are never enough good ones on a team, and there are a few mid-to-late round gems to be had, like every year.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
23. It is and always has been the offenses job to help the D stop the run.
If they put up enough points, if they control the clock, they save the D from exposure.
The way the Raiders line up and play means big run plays are going to happen.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Pretty good, YA…but I’d be aiming for D-line help a lot sooner than the 6th!
February 26th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
We’ll have to see if KELLEN HEARD can contribute
February 26th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
With the right addition of a quality proven, HEALTHY, player at WR, and I’d be fine picking up one or three as undrafted FA’s to try out…I’d rather not see us spend a draft pick @ WR at all this year.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Wouldn’t bug me at all to spend all but two draft picks on O/D-linemen…in that case, the other two picks being QB and RB from Round 3 or later.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Raiders need to throw that cash on Sidney Rice
February 26th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
and stay away from Cam Newton. He, like Brady Quinn and some of these other guys…already locking up endorsement deals and talking about being an icon and all that b.s before attending 1 NFL practice
February 26th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
32. Uh, nooo…
February 26th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Sidney Rice…Santana Moss…Chad O’Johnson…Plax??
Yes, if one of those guys comes along…and stays out of trouble…the O is instantly improved.
And it would save us a draft pick!
February 26th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
33. After Marinovich and He who shall not be named I wouldn’t worry about Oakland trying to draft Cam Newtron
February 26th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
We go nowhere near Kim Newton, or anywhere near that kinda $$ for a rookie QB ever again.
February 26th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/26/ryan-mallett-on-drug-rumors-obviously-someone-did-that-for-a-reason/
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Ask stupid questions, expect answers like this. Love this guy already. Hope we move up to get him.
February 26th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Didn’t anyone else just see the Live Cam Newton interview at the combine?
I would say he failed his first blitz pick-up.
That was awful.
February 26th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Doublezero
I don’t want to mention, read, type that QB’s name either.
February 26th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
One of the scribes seemed to imply that he heard reports of Cam stealing from others players lockers at Florida.
February 26th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
kellen heard is in buffalo
February 26th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
# HayesDaze37 Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Pretty good, YA…but I’d be aiming for D-line help a lot sooner than the 6th!
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In past mocks I’ve had the Raiders taking Ian Williams in the 4th round, but given that they’ve already extended Henderson with a pretty sizable contract, I just don’t see it as very likely.
DL depth should definitely be something the Raiders look into, especially at DE.
February 26th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Stop the run..stop giving up long 3rd down passes…and develop a competent passing game.
Those are the three things the Raiders need to focus on.
They still need help in all three areas
February 26th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/26/cam-newton-explains-icon-quote-then-sounds-like-a-star/
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Hmmmm. Not quite what I expected from the talking heads after JFB’s rant.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Did you even watch the interview?
Comes out with a canned apology that was written for him.
Than dropped some Mark McGwire “I’m not here to talk about the past” than just fell apart mumbling at the very end.
NFLN of Mooch, Casserly and Lombardi were not impressed.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Your fascination with all this stuff baffles me. Does it even matter to you that he walked onto the Auburn campus and led them to an undefeated national title (something Tebow never did) and won the Heisman trophy in the same season? That he displayed all the skills necessary to be a star at the position on tape and during his media workout? That he, unlike Gabbert, will compete during the throwing drills at the combine? Nobody has a clue how any of these guys will do in the pros. But if any of them deserve the benefit of the doubt, Cam Newton does. The pelts he has on the wall along say so.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
The Raiders over paid Tommy Kelly in 2008 and he panned out to be as capable of a player as they thought. The Raiders will have a hard time signing FA’s because they are in CA period. The fact that there has been so much dysfunction only makes it harder. The end of the day the Raiders will have to over pay to acquire talent in FA. If they feel they have capable players in house like Wimberly, Seymour, Zach Miller, and Routt then they are wise to over pay them.
Those players have put their time in, and they know the deal. To an extent it hards to turn the corner on all the loosing with not turning over the roster from time to time, but they could very well be paying the players that deserve the $, and getting rid of the players that don’t put the work in and earn their $: Jamarcus, D Hall, Jerry Porter, Terdell Sands, J walker, Randy Moss, Lamont Jordan…etc.
I thought Kelly was a mistake. I still question his heart, but the guy did get a lot of sacks this season for DT. Rout is similar/ same line of thinking as Kelly, so why are people so surprised.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Cam Newton isn’t a diplomat, what a shocker!! What he is is a very good football player and a good enough kid the rest doesn’t matter.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Congrats to Al Davis for giving the rest of NFL the finger once again. Whether they like him or not, he was one of the founding fathers of the NFL that pioneered the way to all the big $. Shame on the new gaurd for not paying homage to one of the few visionaries that are left. Al Davis proves he should be consulted, and his opinion/ voice should be heard regardless of how relevant they think he is… What happens in Oakland is always Relevant, and people talk either way( usually mostly bad, but they are talking)
February 26th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Priest,
No kidding. Pepole make football players out to be something they’re not. There are probably a few choir boys in the league, but it isn’t a requirement. You’ve got to be able to play. I guarantee you, if every guy in the NFL was a choir boy, people would be tuning into synchronized swimming over football on Sundays.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
They are trying to make the kid pay for what happened with Russell and he’s got nothing to do with that. The thing is he’s your average kid with a great attitude about what he wants to do. I think in timehe’s going to be a great players it may take a couple of years but the kid is worth the wait IMO.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Nevada tight end Virgil Green creates buzz at Combine
Posted by Evan Silva on February 26, 2011, 2:59 PM EST
The NFL Network honored Nevada tight end Virgil Green as its Player of the Day Saturday after an impressive showing at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Green jumped 42 1/2 inches vertically, believed to be the second best vertical ever posted by a tight end at the Scouting Combine. Green’s vertical trumped 2006 workout star Vernon Davis, who jumped 42 inches high.
Green’s most impressive feat of the day might have been a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump. The broad jump measures lower-body explosion.
In addition, Green bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times and ran an official 4.64 forty. Only USC’s Jordan Cameron (4.59), a former basketball player, and small-school prospect Rob Housler of Florida Atlantic (4.55) had better forty times among tight ends.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Priest,
You know my opinion on Russell. And if any of these QBs end up on a team with instability in the coaching staff and no talent in the OL or WR position, they’ll have the same problems as David Carr and Jamarcus. The book hasn’t been written on JR yet. Long way to go.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Meathead where did you get that name? It’s what I call physical players that like to get their nose blooded. MLB’s and FB’s specifically.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
priesttj Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Meathead where did you get that name? It’s what I call physical players that like to get their nose blooded. MLB’s and FB’s specifically.
……………from archie bunker my favorite bigot…
February 26th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Debo I agree for the most part especially about Russell. i wish we had the coaching staff we have now for the kid things may have been very different. Well onward and upward it is what it is.
February 26th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
r8rwill Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
kellen heard is in buffalo
…………..what did kellen hear?…
February 26th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Priest,
Yeah, it frustrates me. We had something going at the end of 2008. Anxious to see where Hue can take this team now that the trash has been taken out.
February 26th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
“St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney said the team is aware of the situation and is gathering information on the arrest early Friday morning of team scout Luke Driscoll for public intoxication and public nudity. Driscoll has been with the Rams for 11 seasons and is part of the Rams’ contingent at the NFL Scouting Combine
February 26th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Raiders fan loses prosthetic leg
The Last Angry Fan:
TEAMS: Oakland Raiders
Oakland resident Darryl Turner’s $7500 customized Oakland Raiders prosthetic leg, which would be a pretty badass fan accessory, if it wasn’t a customized Raiders prosthetic limb. But Turner loves the Raiders, and it is his fake leg, so more power to him. Turner lost his leg (as well as use of his left arm) in a motorcycle accident in 1985, and this past December forked over the sum of $7500 for his new one honoring his beloved Raiders. Fast forward two months later, and Turner is heartbroken after having the prosthetic limb stolen right out of his front yard. The artificial leg was snatched from Turner’s front yard on February 12 at around 4 p.m., after he took a spin around the block on a four-wheeler he’d been tinkering with. When Turner returned, the leg was gone. And now all Darryl Turner wants is to have his Raiders limb back on his body where it belongs. He says he cannot afford to replace the limb and his Medicare insuranc…
February 26th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
The book hasn’t been written on Jamarcus yet?
As in, “Book ‘em Dano?”
February 26th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Kirk Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
The book hasn’t been written on Jamarcus yet?
As in, “Book ‘em Dano?”
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Cornball post of the year so far!!! Your little brain must’ve hurt coming up with that one.
February 26th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Once again Al raises a bony, liver spotted middle finger to the other owners by signing players to seemingly absurd contracts…
February 26th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Al probably has Sinatra’s “My way” on for background music, while he draws up these contracts…
February 26th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
It’s not about disegarding other owners it’s about doing what’s best for the Raiders. he’s trying to get as best a competitive edge as he can. Why do nothing when you know what you can and cannot do, just because everyone else is doing nothing. As long as what you’re needs to eventually be done.
February 26th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
I’m amazed at all the people in here worried about what AD spends on a player. IT’S NOT YOUR MONEY. It’s technically his. Quit pissin’ & moaning about what this player is worth and what that one isn’t. Just be happy that we don’t have to complain about a cheapskate owner who won’t pay for players. I’d much rather be associated with a spender rather than a tightwad.
February 26th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
AMEN BROTHA!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 26th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Agreed. Annoying as shcitt listening to some of these blowhards!
February 26th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Alex Marvez (sp?) at foxsports.com wrote a column on Thursday, basically saying that the other owners are none to happy with Al cutting all these deals…
Doesn’t bother me in the least. I learned a long time ago, Al will do whatever the hell he wants.. No matter what little ‘ol me, or anyone else thinks about it..
The only thing that I get worked up over these days. is the scoreboard on game day..
February 26th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
new post
February 26th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
listening to hue jack when he addressed his qb ,he mentioned surrounding jc for him to succeed (via the offensive line)i look for davis to build a solid offensive line (priority one)we haven’t addressed the line in some years.with the exception of veldheer and campbell.
someone earlier mentioned about cooper c…. f–k cooper c he is soft as wet toilet paper trying to hold a brick. same for satele the are liabilties as well as mario h. i believe zack and bush will get paid we will find a good vet wr. ( this may be schillens break out year though) that and consentrate on the o-line the offense will be deadly oakland will make some noise
believe that !
nuff said
February 26th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
on defense we may end up having the best d-line inthe league. remember shanasty and scott got hurt don’t expect wimbley and scott to play lb this year they will be on the edge we gonna have alot of sacks need a good ,fast ,strong outside lb a(a must) i said it onc i’ll say it again woodson will make walter mac a star (he got game)
February 26th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Priesttj Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Debo I agree for the most part especially about Russell. i wish we had the coaching staff we have now for the kid things may have been very different. Well onward and upward it is what it is.
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if I recall hue was on staff when Jamarcus got cut.
He could have said something then.
I would think.
February 27th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
we all know jbust hurt the raiders and the rookies .and now the cba .if rookies end up being fa after 4 years ,and it takes 4 years to get any good play from a rookie ,or there abouts ,what do you guys think about all first rounders get a set fee ,second rounders get a set fee, and so on until the four year mark then they get what they are worth with out a limit and the owners keep the 60 percent or what ever it is of the billion dollars they are fighting over now
February 28th, 2011 at 12:05 am
# post14em Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
on defense we may end up having the best d-line inthe league. remember shanasty and scott got hurt don’t expect wimbley and scott to play lb this year they will be on the edge we gonna have alot of sacks need a good ,fast ,strong outside lb a(a must) i said it onc i’ll say it again woodson will make walter mac a star (he got game)
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woodson could have a bigger impact on mike mitchel as far as being a big hitter ,woodsen was right there with ronnie lott ,im not sure you can teach that though you gotta have that already
February 28th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Davis is smater than all the posters on this blog put together…
While only 13 players were targeted by opposing quarterbacks more than the 99 pass attempts he faced, according to STATS LLC, Routt allowed just 39.4 percent of those passes to be completed. That was a vast improvement from the 62.7 percent mark he posted in his first five seasons and comparable to the numbers put up by the more heralded Asomugha (39.4 percent) and Darrelle Revis(notes) (33.9 percent) of the New York Jets.