Tender for Satele offers protection
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, March 7th, 2011 at 2:47 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Add center Samson Satele to the list of players who receive contract tenders form the Raiders in advance of last Thursday’s deadline.
Satele’s tender level was not available, and like Michael Bush and Zach Miller, he’ll be eligible for the open market if four-year players are granted unrestricted free agency in a new collective bargaining agreement.
In his second year with the Raiders, Satele played much better as coach Hue Jackson encorporated gap and power blocking into what was an exclusively zone system under Tom Cable. Acquired from Miami after the Dolphins signed Jake Grove to a free agent contract, Satele found himself behind Chris Morris as he originally struggled in 2009 with the zone system.
In 2010, with the Raiders, Satele was particularly strong as a second-level blocker on some of Darren McFadden’s biggest runs as the Raiders went from 21st in rushing to second.
Satele is currently the only center on the roster and the Raiders could be looking at the position during the draft.
The obvious speculation falls upon Penn State’s Stefan Wisniewski, nephew of former Raiders guard and assistant line coach Steve Wisniewski. The combine produced one Raiders-type workout warrior in Ryan Bartholomew of Syracuse, who led all centers with a 4.93 time in the 40-yard dash at 6-foot-1, 302 pounds and had the most reps in the bench press with 34. Bartholomew is rated as a seventh round or undrafted free agent prospect by NFLDraftscout.com.
In other Raiders-related news:
– Cornerback Stanford Routt talks about his contract extension and says the Raiders were “three or four plays away from being 11-5 in this Q&A with the National Football Post.
– Larry Kennan, executive director of the NFL coaches association, told CSN-Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco that Raiders assistant coaches would receive a 33 percent reduction in pay if a work stoppage goes 90 days and would lose 50 percent of their salary after six months.
– I’ve long thought building new stadiums in the Bay Area would be a difficult proposition because the Giants set the bar impossibly high with privately financed, AT&T Park, and it sounds as if Gov. Jerry Brown is thinking the same thing in a Matier and Ross report in the Chronicle.
“Private enterprise should be able to survive on its own, as witnessed at Pac Bell (AT&T) Park,” Brown said.
As for the Raiders and 49ers, Brown suggested playing games at soon-to-be-renovated Memorial Stadium and the remodeled stadium at Stanford.
Guessing that isn’t going to be a serious consideration for Al Davis.
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March 7th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
“In his second year with the Raiders, Satele played much better as coach Hue Jackson encorporated gap and power blocking into what was an exclusively zone system under Tom Cable. ”
But I thought he was just running Kiffin’s playbook!
McDonald, you Davis shill. You’re just cospiring to deny Lance Kiffin the credit he deserves.
March 7th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
This is good news. The line needs help, but stability from year to year demands that most starters are brought back ALONG with adding new players.
March 7th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
The Satele for Grove trade (I know — it wasn’t exactly a trade) finds the Raiders the undisputed winners. Well, whattaya know?
March 7th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Davy jones ugly must be a retard cables notoriously a zone blocking scheme nucklehead
March 7th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
gr0w215, read the comments thread from the last blog post. Bein’ a little bit sarcastic there.
I certainly agree that no one but a knucklehead would think that Hue Jackson hadn’t overhauled the offense.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Dateless will prob start in 2011. Wiz@ LG wearing 76, and Campbell @ RT.
Drafting a RT or RG can be done with a second day pick.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
NFP: How is Al Davis doing?
Routt: “The last time I saw him was last season. That was the last time I talked to him. Physically, he’s doing just fine. Everybody always thinks he’s getting old and losing it, but his mind is sharp as a tack. He’s one of, if not the sharpest football minds in the NFL. What so many people overlook is that he’s forgotten more about football than most of us ever knew about the game. I have so much respect for him.”
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This must be the official line. It’s alway’s the same.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Were gonna need a LG, no reason why we don’t take Wiz 2.0
This should be. Three OLmen draft, but my guess is we will get only two. Wiz, and a 6-7th round C.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Solid move. I wonder if they tendered Henderson as well.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
The advantage in Wiz is that he can interchangable;
starting at C and G in a major program
March 7th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
They say Wiz is not a powerful guy.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
yo
March 7th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Size wise Wiz is more suited to a C in a power-blocking scheme than G.
I like Satele on runing plays, he seems to be out there blocking on the second level.
On passing downs I have seem he get beaten back though.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
7.KoolKell Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
NFP: How is Al Davis doing?
Routt: “The last time I saw him was last season. That was the last time I talked to him. Physically, he’s doing just fine. Everybody always thinks he’s getting old and losing it, but his mind is sharp as a tack. He’s one of, if not the sharpest football minds in the NFL. What so many people overlook is that he’s forgotten more about football than most of us ever knew about the game. I have so much respect for him.”
———————————-
This must be the official line. It’s alway’s the same.
==================================================
You know something else that never changes?
The truth.
Just sayin’ . . . .
March 7th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Not sure of his combine numbers but Wiz is a little heavier than Satele.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
They say Wiz get’s over-powered by big DT’s.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
You might want to read Wiz’s scouting report.
http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2011swisniewski.php
March 7th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
KK,
I have read that report, and that seems to be the consitent sentiment about Wiz. Also surprising is that Gil Brandt had him ranked in his last tier in the hot 100. Wiz might end up being a mid to late 3rd round pick, and if that is the case the Raiders should nab him then. Take Cannon or another mauler in the 2nd
March 7th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
The Raiders want to stay ahead of the patriots in the 3rd to nab wiz. He has patriot written all over him
March 7th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
This scouting report reads better for Wiz.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1272625
March 7th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
The Satele tender makes sense. He has more value than Gallery, and carlisle because he exceled last year down the stretch.
Gaurds do not get drafted in the 1st round, and they are usually not too hard to find. The Raiders should draft two of them and let then fight it out with Campbell for a starting spot.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Thank god!
Keeping Satele around is critical!
March 7th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
RT/G Cannon or C/G Wiz should be the pick in Round 2!
Maaaaaybe DT/NT Phil Taylor IF he is there also.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
They may go OLB like Mason Foster also.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Here’s a list of potential draftees the Raiders were observing at the Senior Bowl(I know it was a while ago, but it’s news)
http://www.draftcountdown.com/features/SeniorBowl/Senior-Bowl.php
March 7th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
24.DKnight007 Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
They may go OLB like Mason Foster also.
—————————
Not with our first pick. Our first pick will be OL.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
26.Kevin Flynn Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
24.DKnight007 Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
They may go OLB like Mason Foster also.
—————————
Not with our first pick. Our first pick will be OL.
^^^^^^^^
Marcus Cannon hopefully!
March 7th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Is it just me, or is Cam Newton f’ing annoying.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
DK,
I would love to see a Dt like Taylor of Powe in the middle get taken high, but with Seymour, Kelly, Bryant and big john henderson all coming back it looks like the Raiders will not be going that direction early.
We know Al loves DB’s, but i have a feeling that the Raiders will be going two OL in rounds 2 & 3, and a player like Van Dyke, Skrine, or chimdi chekwa, or Ras I if he falls due to his big history of being injured
March 7th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
DKnight007 Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
They may go OLB like Mason Foster also.
___________________________________________
I can see the raiders grabbing Dontay moch in the 4th rd… that fits mold…really similar to last years draft.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Good move. Don’t want to go into ‘11 (if) with a new center who just showed up a week before the season starts. And Veldheer doesn’t really seem like a great idea either….
March 7th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Al will pick a CB high. He loves him a CB.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Routt: “I think the sky’s the limit. Hue has got a lot of fire in him. You don’t know how old he is. I think it’s his youthful mentality. He makes you want to work hard and not go through the motions. Every day, he wants to work on something new to get better. He’s always challenging you. The first time I met Hue was the minicamp after the draft last year and he walked up to me and asked me my name and said, ‘You’re No. 26. I’ve been waiting to meet you. Don’t worry, we’re going to baptize you.’
“It’s 8 o’clock in the morning. I had just woke up. I was thinking I can’t wait for this camp to be over with so I can get back to Texas, but somehow that little small banter got me motivated to compete instead of going through the motions like I had planned to. It’s little things that separate coaches. He doesn’t give you that monotone talk. He doesn’t kiss your ass. He’s going to make you work. He believes in motivating you.”
I fear for Routts motivation, He is no Namdi.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
I would be surprised if Cam is drafted in the top 15 picks. Cam looked bad at the combine with his timing, and he really hurt himself with his entertainer comments.
Cam can play, and I think the emergence of Josh Freeman and VY’s ability to win a lot of games will help Cam get drafted in the first, but it depends on if a team thinks they can keep him focused.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Whether Satele is the starter or a backup when the season rolls around, it’s a good move tendering him. He’s easily the best center in free agency right now.
Hopefully the RFA tenders stick when the CBA is reached. At least for 4-year players.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
30.dickv Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
DKnight007 Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
They may go OLB like Mason Foster also.
___________________________________________
I can see the raiders grabbing Dontay moch in the 4th rd… that fits mold…really similar to last years draft.
^^^^^^^
I think Moch will be gone in Round 3, but I would like to see Raiders take Casey Matthews in Round 4. Depends how is pro day turns out though.
If Matthews lights up his Pro Day he will be gone in Round 3.
Moch reminds me too much of Thomas Howard. Matthews has football in his blood and he has the natural football IQ and instincts.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
With the raiders pass rush, Routt and Cj can get the job done. Hopefully year two of Mclain, Wimberly, and Groves will make an improvement in the run defense. It was basically all three of those players first year in their respective position in the NFL. I beleive Wimberly essentially was a 3-4 olb, and Groves was a De that never saw the field with the Jags.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
YoungAmerican Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Whether Satele is the starter or a backup when the season rolls around, it’s a good move tendering him. He’s easily the best center in free agency right now.
Hopefully the RFA tenders stick when the CBA is reached. At least for 4-year players.
___________________________________________________
I think the tenders stand. The owners are making a killing in the NFL because they are able to keep their guys under the current system for up to 6-8 years with the utilization of franchise tags and tenders. The NBA system has teams kissing players @$$es. The good thing is that the players don’t get big $ up front, but they get their freedom after 2-3 years in many cases.
I just can see the NFL changing up the system that has clearly worked so well especially in light of what they are seeing players do in the NBA… deciding which teams they will play for in the next year.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
The prob with Cable’s ZBS was it chewed up chunks of yards between the 20s and stalled out in the red zone.
Satele looked typically crappy the first 4-6 games then the lights seemed to come on and he played better.
Still not entirely sold but I hope he’s on it.
I may be wrong but it seems like some of the teams he helped DMC run over were sub par defenses.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Moch reminds me too much of Thomas Howard. Matthews has football in his blood and he has the natural football IQ and instincts.
__________________________________
Moch is a cross between gholston and howard, and that is why it seems like he is destined to be a Raider… hopefully Al waits until round 4 like last year to go after his workout warriors/ scholarship players/ thorn in the side of HC who have to field a winning football team.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
I like Mathews, and he looks like a ball player. Hopefully he last until late 4 or round 5, and Al sees value in the pick like he did when Louis Murphy was drafted… take the highest rated player on the board.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
I may be wrong but it seems like some of the teams he helped DMC run over were sub par defenses.
________________________________
Nnamdi you hit it dead on. The raiders were clearly pushed around by the steelers, and eventually got knocked out by the Jags, and Indy after trading blows all day. They have get tougher. Satele, Veldaheer, walker, and who ever lines up lg & RG probably will be able to handle the AFC west and the softer teams in the league, but the test will come when the raiders play battle tested teams. can they take that next step and start knocking out some of those guys.
The raiders want to be physical but flat out failed against every physical football team last year including Arizona & 49ers (niners were more physical than the Raiders last year/ choked off the run early)
March 7th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
ZBS sucks. Glad we are scrapping it..
March 7th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Raiders will draft a center and Satele will be the backup. Young Wiz, Kirkpatrick, Bartholomew, or Brandon Fusco.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Being phically beat by battle tested teams is the reason for the changes on the o line. Walker and Veldaheer can move guys in the run game and both struggle in the pass. gallery was hurt too much, and Carlisle is a ZB/ cable guy. satele is all right, but I am sure they will be looking to upgrade at that postion in the near future.
I see the Raiders drafting a few big guys early like Moffit/ Wisconsin, Watkins, Baylor, Cannon TCU,and Wiz. I would not be surprised to see the raiders take O line man in rounds 2-4. Skrine will be there in the 5th, and that tightend from Nevada or So cal’s cameron will be there in the 6th leaving Lockete for the 4th.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
The only problem people have with Wiz is a suposed lack of power…
Which is also my problem with Satele sometimes in passing situations.
But Wiz has about 20 pounds on Satele and did play for a big program with good competition.
On the other hand I don’t want a another character guy on scholarship like Fargas without the physical tools to do the job
March 7th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Veldheer Lg Satele Cambpell RT
not gonna draft a LG or RT in the 2nd or 3rd unless he’s in love with Wiz like he was with howies son and wiz might not even be there. The picks Wiz or fastest CB
March 7th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I remember Gruden’s Oline. Huge fellas: Lincoln Kennedy, Langston Walker, Barret Robbins, Wiz, Stinchcomb, Mo Collins. A bunch a big fellas in front of a QB that could move and could throw it from every angle.
im all for bringing in big fellas, just help them out with quick throws.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Chuck B named DC.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
I don’t get the “not going to draft an LG or RT in the second or third” and the “2nd round pick IS GOING TO BE o-line” talk. There’s absolutely no way to be sure. The Raiders probably have a lot of guys on their board right now at a multitude of positions.
Especially considering their first pick isn’t until the second round, it’s going to depend entirely on who is available to them. It’ll come down to the best (fastest/most physically impressive) player on the board. Could be o-line, could be d-line, could be CB, could be OLB, hell, it could be WR.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Its OFFICIAL – Chuck Bresnahan named DC
March 7th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Head Coach Hue Jackson, “I am impressed with [Chuck Bresnahan's] passion, attention to detail and energy.”
Coach Jackson cont’d, “The fact that I’ve had the chance to be in defensive meetings with Chuck and watch him lead the defensive staff made it an easy decision to name him our defensive coordinator,”
March 7th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
# Raider75 Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Its OFFICIAL – Chuck Bresnahan named DC
————–
Shocking stuff right there.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Frank Middleton
March 7th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Chuck Bresnahan Really?
March 7th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
# 408RAIDER Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Chuck Bresnahan Really?
….
Don’t think anyone else wanted it.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
52.Raider75 Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Head Coach Hue Jackson, “I am impressed with [Chuck Bresnahan's] passion, attention to detail and energy.”
Coach Jackson cont’d, “The fact that I’ve had the chance to be in defensive meetings with Chuck and watch him lead the defensive staff made it an easy decision to name him our defensive coordinator,”
^^^^^^^^
Yep…the inevitable happened. Ugh
Not a very inspiring choice. Just a lackey old man Al retread, that was probably forced upon Hue.
Looooouuuuuuusy!
March 7th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Where is Scott Martin@
March 7th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Last time Chuck was DC we were a playoff team, of course Jason Campbell is no Rich Gannon and DHB/Murphy are not quite Jerry Rice/Tim Brown
March 7th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
I can remember the Bresnahan prevent defense…
March 7th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
The 3rd mistake move this offseason.
1. Not signing Nnamdi
2. Over paying Routt
3. Hiring Chuck B as DC
Terrible.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
59.inonewordraider Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Last time Chuck was DC we were a playoff team, of course Jason Campbell is no Rich Gannon and DHB/Murphy are not quite Jerry Rice/Tim Brown
^^^^^^
Don’t bring up the playoff team stuff when Chuck B was here.
The offense was scoring points right and left.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Yo, Jerry, get off thy butt already. Bresnahan’s the new DC and I have to find out on Twitter, of all places????
March 7th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
75
I was holding out hope for Moss..
March 7th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
The guy Hue wanted to be the DC wasn’t allowed to come here by the Jets. Hue didn’t want Perry or Moss. Breshnahan has more DC experience than either of those guys and worked with Hue in Cincy before.
Most people knew this was the cade weeks ago. In fact, to bring in a different DC at this time, with all the assts in place and game planning that’s been done would have been the “terrible” move.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
There was no guarantee Moss or Perry would be any more successful than Bres. Both of them are 3-4 guys and there was never any chance that the Raiders were going to play anything but their 4-3 defense with a single high safety.
I have a feeling that for the next few years, whoever the head coach is will be hinting that the Raiders are going to show more 3-4 looks. Just like for the past few years, the coaching staff hinted they were going to move Nnamdi around more. Of course, it never materialized, and neither will the 3-4 looks.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Good move keeping Satele around. He was real solid this season and if he performs like that again I don’t think we need anything other than a legit backup at that position.
It’ll be interesting to see if Al sticks with Bruce Campbell at guard or if that was Cable’s move and Al/Hue kick him back out to tackle. Guessing the o-line will look something like:
LT – Veldheer
LG – Loper
C – Satele
RG – Campbell
RT – Walker/Henderson
Is Carlisle around still, or is he a free agent?
March 7th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Guessing the o-line will look something like:
LT – Veldheer
LG – Loper
C – Satele
RG – Campbell
RT – Walker/Henderson
———-
Jesus, I hope not. But I wouldn’t be completely surprised.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
[...] Add Samson Satele to the slowly growing list of Raiders that were tendered RFA contracts last week. No word on what kind of tender the Raiders placed on their starting center but most see it as an insurance policy. [...]
March 7th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Regarding yesterday’s post, I know he’s injury prone, but we’ve gotta bring Grads back. The only sense I see in a move like that is if we’re going to make a big move at QB, such as signing Vince Young. But even then, it would seem that Grads would be a better backup option than Campbell.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
I know Nnamdi cost a alot of cah but ask yourself if you are mainly playing Man to man defense and you have a player that cann take away half the field. Why would you not throw the money at him?
To think about Routt and Johnson out on that island the whole season makes me ill. I just don’t see teams fearing Routt like Namdi. If not Nnamdi then we better go out and get a decent corner or we are in trouble with what we have.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Satele being tendered makes the draft a bit more clear. C is out of the question now, IMO. Campbell and Veldheer = a lot of youth on the Oline. Should we really add a rookie 2nd rd pick to that mix? I’m not so sure we’re going to do that.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
I agree. If it were me I would keep Grads as the back up, he know s the system and he will not kill you as a back up. He is about a reliable back up as Charlie Batch is to the Stealers even though Charlie has one more games. He is not Big Ben but he won’t kill you. He wins! Plus Young is a freakin head case.
——————————————————
Chris in NY Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Regarding yesterday’s post, I know he’s injury prone, but we’ve gotta bring Grads back. The only sense I see in a move like that is if we’re going to make a big move at QB, such as signing Vince Young. But even then, it would seem that Grads would be a better backup option than Campbell.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
I don’t think any position is out of question in the draft.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
J Hill if not a rookie on the oline where else do you think our biggest need is? Corner?
——————————————-
J Hill Says:
March 7th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Satele being tendered makes the draft a bit more clear. C is out of the question now, IMO. Campbell and Veldheer = a lot of youth on the Oline. Should we really add a rookie 2nd rd pick to that mix? I’m not so sure we’re going to do that.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Anyone concerned about our CB play next year should be rooting for anything that will increase our pressure on the QB.
We need Kam Wimbley to develop a counter move to his shoulder dip. We need the DC to dial up a few more blitzes using the OLBs. We need Trevir Scott to regain his pass rush prowess.
Those things happen and I see our corners being just fine.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Does anyone think we should sign Chad Johnson if he is available? Would he help or hurt since Hue has worked with him in the past? I am not a Chad fan but he can make some big move the chain catches.
March 7th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
We need a Vet wr and Huff back, I like Brown but wouldn’t want to see him start
March 8th, 2011 at 7:59 am
Jerry wake up! The link is broken on the new post.
March 8th, 2011 at 10:53 am
God i feel so bad for those of you living in CA. what Jerry Brown meant to say was that if public funding is used for building a new stadium then there would be less money to give to already overpaid public employees. Does he not realize the amount of tourism money these 2 cities are missing out on because of their poor quality stadiums? not to mention they will never host a superbowl in either stadium i love the Raiders but god damn i hate california
November 30th, 2011 at 8:57 am
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