Raiders sign defensive back

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Steve Corkran

The Raiders signed Akwasi Owusu-Ansah to their practice squad, according to his agent via Twitter.
Owusu-Ansah is versatile enough to play cornerback and safety. However, he also has played some wide receiver.
The Dallas Cowboys, who listed Owusu-Ansah as a wide receiver, selected him in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft out of Indiana (Pa.) University.
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah returned 28 kicks for 599 yards for Dallas in 2010-11, averaging 21.4 yards per return. He also returned six punts for 47 yards.
He played in 14 games for the Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars, including both his starts for the Jaguars last season, all on defense.
No word from the Raiders on whether they signed any of the six players they worked out Tuesday. They have an open spot on their 53-man roster, which also could be filled by signing someone from their practice squad.

Steve Corkran

RaiderSam

I just think Reggie doesn’t know what he’s doing. Have you ever listened to the dude speak? I know he’s from Mississippi and they have a little slower, little different way of talking there, but come on.

Clay Matthews
Desmond Bishop
Greg Jennings
decision to sign Charles Woodson
Tramon Williams
Sam Shields
Jordy Nelson
Randall Cobb

nah, I dont think McKenzie knows what he’s doing , either.
Marks hair

We needed to start the fire knapp petition the day he was interviewed..
http://www.raiders.com Raider O

You are not going to have ballhawks without a good pass rush.
nyraider

Wheelers drop of tannehill’s first pass has flew under the radar IMO. That takes 7 pts off the board as Miami ended up getting a TD on that drive, kills a tannehill’s confidence as he threw 3 ints in the first week, and we are actually in miami territory
SilverNBlackPA

I like the idea of Shaughnessy at left end, Carter at right and a 4 man DT rotation of Seymour, Kelly, Houston and Bryant.

Don’t know who first mentioned that but it could actually work!
RaiderSam

Klas Tjorborn Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:51 am
Giordano is the new Schwy Guy. Makes INTs but slow as hell.

=========

Ballhawk that made key plays last year – had more picks than “faster” Michael Huff, thats for sure.
Marks hair

Reggie was not in charge at green bey.. those arent his players
DJ Johnny

57.MikieG Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:36 am
There is noone on this defense that would start for the Steelers right now…And probably noone on offense for that matter.
—
Ehhhh, I think DMAC is a guy who would be almost anyone’s starting back. He would probably get more than 2.1 ypc. with them.

I think Denarius Moore could be a starter with them opposite Wallace, AND Veldheer on the line. He’s good..despite what they’ve done so far in this “system”.
—
Also, on defense, I think Tyvon Branch is someone that could start on Pittsburgh. He is pretty well regarded around the league.

I don’t think we are void of talent. The thing is we do have potentially explosive players in key offensive positions with DMAC and DMOORE…heck even DHB is not void of talent as has the POTENTIAL to be really good.

I will add Palmer as well. I’m not gonna count him out like everyone else when he is being hampered in this new system. Give him time to throw and receivers running correct routes…who will CATCH the dam ball…and I think he is fine. He has been far from perfect though in these first two games.

Burris I think is someone who could be really good and Wheeler is starter material for most teams that aren’t already loaded at LB.
Chris in NY

RaiderSam Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:49 am
RaiderSam Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:11 am
Carl Weathers Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Free agent DB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah worked out for the Steelers.Owusu-Ansah was waived by the Cowboys at final cuts after attempting to make the transition from safety to corner during camp. The onetime receiver has made 14 career appearances since being drafted in the 2010 fourth round. Sep 5 – 7:43 PMSource: Adam Caplan on Twitter

So the steelers cut him and then opted for DVD over him and now we have him after cutting DVD.

I think Reg cut him prematurely due to the fact he was an AD “speed” pick. The same reason we haven’t seen Cris Carr brought in for a workout. Out with the old, in with the injured.

========================

And with good reason. Do we really want to review the “misses” Al had

well, if we must

Sebastian Janikowski over Shaun Alexander
Robert Gallery over Ben Rothelisberger
Phillip Buchanon over Ed Reed. My God, they were on the same team – who cares if Woodson was the starter!?!
Rickey Dudley over Marvin Harrison and RAY FREAKING LEWIS
JaMarcus Russell over Megatron
Jake Grove over Nick Hardwick and Randy Starks
(holds back disgust) Fabian Washington over Aaron Rodgers .. oh yeah Roddy White AND Logan Mankins

shall I go on…
Michael Huff over Donte Whitner no, check that HALOTI NGATA! – and get this, we overpay for Kamerion Wimbley , who also could’ve been drafted…and Daniel Manning and Roman Harper were available later
Thomas Howard over Devin Hester and Maurice Jones-Drew…

it aint perfect, but I’M GIVING MR MUMBLES, Reggie McKenzie the benefit of the doubt for at least one more FULL draft.

————————–

Hindsight is 20/20. You could cherry pick a list like that for basically any team.
Macho Man Randy Savage

Was McKenzie GM at Green Bay?

Lets say it as it is, he comes from a winning program, learned from a good GM, was recommended by Ron Wolf & John Madden, but it will take him some time to learn to do the new job, he will make mistakes.
DennisAllensVisor

SilverNBlackPA Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:53 am
I like the idea of Shaughnessy at left end, Carter at right and a 4 man DT rotation of Seymour, Kelly, Houston and Bryant.

Don’t know who first mentioned that but it could actually work!

—-

Would have to be a Carter/Tollefson rotation, dont think Carter can handle a full work load.
RaiderSam

Raider Riff Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:51 am
DJ Johnny Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:34 am
48,

Riff. Good to know, than who was to blame in your opinion for those big runs given up? McClain, Huff?

——————

It wasnt just the big runs.

During the opening drive, all of our LBs were missing their gaps and lost. While Seymore and Kelly were occupying multiple lineman.

They pulled Burris and it got instantly fixed. The rookie was having a tough time early on. Understandable.

Then, as the game progressed, the LB play got better. Wheeler learns and improves VERY fast. But every time you saw Reggie rip off a gain of more than 3 yards, it was cause someone missed their gap.

As for the big runs, it wasnt fatigue. Too early in the game. It was just ridiculously bad secondary play. Branch didnt even take an angle on Reggie on the second TD. He ran straight into the back of McClain.

If it wasnt one guy messing up, it was another.

And our DE play was atrocious. ShoNasty has had a very poor year so far.

================

Remember when Hue Jackson had the team prepare earlier 8 a.m. to adjust for the time change?

Just sayin – won in Minnesota. But lost v. the Bills in a game that couldve gone our way without that McFadden fumble early
omoran

Let the JOB FAIR continue for the RAIDERS & include SOUP and SALAD BAR!
It can only get better.We are LOOKIN BAD on PRIME TV.
By mixing players we may get a 49rs – Hargbagh Result.
Maybe 10-6 Dude!
SilverNBlackPA

Also, on defense, I think Tyvon Branch is someone that could start on Pittsburgh. He is pretty well regarded around the league.

++++++++++++

he’s not better than Ryan Clark or Troy Polamalu (when healthy)

Veldheer might be able to start at LT but Max Starks has done well for them this year.

I had thought McClain too but Larry Foote is having quite a season for them so far.
http://raiders.com Klas Tjorborn

Any of you guys the Jugallos? Seems like Raider fans and ICP go together like peanut butter and jelly.
SilverNBlackPA

111.DennisAllensVisor Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:55 am
SilverNBlackPA Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:53 am
I like the idea of Shaughnessy at left end, Carter at right and a 4 man DT rotation of Seymour, Kelly, Houston and Bryant.

Don’t know who first mentioned that but it could actually work!

—-

Would have to be a Carter/Tollefson rotation, dont think Carter can handle a full work load.

++++++++++++++++++++++

No complaints here about a Carter/Tollefson rotation.
Marks hair

Ckark and palmalo(head & shoulders) are waaaaaay better than branch.
zopi

The problems with the Raiders will never be corrected as long as “fans” keep making excuses for bad coaching and bad players, and keep blaming Mr. Davis for everything wrong.

We have a strong culture of myopia and masochism that goes way back, dare not to make critical opinions or some idiot will start calling everybody else an idiot, as if by some illumination they knew better than thousands of people who can tell a terrible team from a good one.
MikieG

DennisAllensVisor Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:55 am

SilverNBlackPA Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:53 am
I like the idea of Shaughnessy at left end, Carter at right and a 4 man DT rotation of Seymour, Kelly, Houston and Bryant.

Don’t know who first mentioned that but it could actually work!

—-

Would have to be a Carter/Tollefson rotation, dont think Carter can handle a full work load.
++++++++++

That would be fine with me.
DJ Johnny

101.RaiderSam Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:52 am
I just think Reggie doesn’t know what he’s doing. Have you ever listened to the dude speak? I know he’s from Mississippi and they have a little slower, little different way of talking there, but come on.

Clay Matthews
Desmond Bishop
Greg Jennings
decision to sign Charles Woodson
Tramon Williams
Sam Shields
Jordy Nelson
Randall Cobb

nah, I dont think McKenzie knows what he’s doing , either.
—
Do we know how much of that was actually Reggie making the call? They do have Ted Thompson there too.

I’m sure Reggie wasn’t the one who made the call to not accept Favre back…at least the name mentioned BY FAVRE himself is Ted Thompson…the one who Favre had the issues with.

Not trying to diminish what Reggies role was, but it would be interesting to know how much influence he really had on creating GB’s roster.
RaiderSam

Macho Man Randy Savage Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:55 am
Was McKenzie GM at Green Bay?

Lets say it as it is, he comes from a winning program, learned from a good GM, was recommended by Ron Wolf & John Madden, but it will take him some time to learn to do the new job, he will make mistakes.

=====================

Lets just say NEITHER OF US KNOW WHAT REALLY WENT DOWN, and a lot of people are making snap judgements on a someone who isnt that articulate and hasnt dropped cash on a shut down corner.

I agree it will take him some time to learn the job. If Madden and or Wolf signed off on him, its solid. – i had hoped for him AND Eliot Wolf, but there was only so much money to spend..and I was puzzled as to why they didnt get Scot McCloughan – who built the Niners, and dad was with the Raiders and was also with the Pack at one point in 98 under Holmgren.
DJ Johnny

I know GB is an org. that won’t go down the tubes if they lose a key guy like Reggie..but it will be interesting to see if they start going downhill a bit after he’s left.
http://raiders.com Klas Tjorborn

Zopi Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:57 am
The problems with the Raiders will never be corrected as long as “fans” keep making excuses for bad coaching and bad players, and keep blaming Mr. Davis for everything wrong.

We have a strong culture of myopia and masochism that goes way back, dare not to make critical opinions or some idiot will start calling everybody else an idiot, as if by some illumination they knew better than thousands of people who can tell a terrible team from a good one.
——
I doubt Al Davis or Reggie make decisions on what the fans think.
ChrisinNC

Man, who would’ve thought this was what the future held after our trip to the Super Bowl in ’02…
SilverNBlackPA

From Reggie’s Wikipedia entry:

“McKenzie was employed by the Green Bay Packers from 1994 to 2012. He began as a scout, and gradually rose through the ranks to become the Packers’ director of player personnel and eventually the team’s director of football operations, while reporting to general managers Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson.”

So he’s an actualy NFL player who rose through the ranks from scout to second in command of the personnel department of a Super Bowl champion.

But yep, I’m sure he did nothing but sit at his desk and stare off into space. He had no influence on any decisions! And he talks slow, so he must know nothing about football!

Some of you guys are fcking jokes, honestly.
nyraider

what kind of CBs allow a big slow WR to run virtually the same route 10 times for 10 catches and NEVER ONCE try to jump the route. It was priceless seeing the D coach on the sideline screaming at one of those clowns as Hartline ran the same route in front of our bench.
Reggie has a hand in who he brings in, and the CBs chosen havent panned out. But whats crazy to me is what were the CBs thinking . As an athlete your taught to recognize and adjust on the field. Could they not figure out what hartline was going to do?
http://raiders.com Klas Tjorborn

Vic Tafur ‏@VicTafur
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said former Raiders cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke “has been an awesome surprise for us.”
——
jesusraiderjim

Just Fire Baby Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:39 am
Lechler was outkicked on Sunday, plain and simple.

————————————
every punt we kick looks like it is about half a step from getting blocked. Lechler needs a bit more space IMO
ArmChair GM

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-oakland-raiders-fire-greg-knapp

Almost 300 signatures and counting…IN ONE DAY!
Marks hair

Not spending $ on a real db and changing the offense has crippled this team.. its almost tp time.
RaidingTexas

Marks Hair Says:

None of reggies signings have been upgrades. Scary start. Is he a bad judge of talent? Or is he just tossing this yr in the trash to quicken the rebuild..

—————————

Corkran covered this in the chat. Reggie does not want to commit long-term money to anyone this season. That automatically lowers the pool of available players you can sign.

He’s essentially keeping the powder dry for next offseason. I expect a pretty radical overhaul of this roster.
nyraider

Reggie will get at least 3 years , DA 2+, and Knapp will probably be fired at end of this season
DJ Johnny

117.Marks hair Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:57 am
Ckark and palmalo(head & shoulders) are waaaaaay better than branch.
—
Yes of course. I’m just saying Branch is considered by most to be a decent starter.

Polamalu is a game changer…way better than Branch no doubt.

BTW, is Polamalu out for Sunday? I know he was out last wk.
ArmChair GM

From Steve Corkran’s chat yesterday:

1)
a)Steve, do you adapt players to fit the scheme or draw up the scheme around the player? Especially on offense.by David 1:27 PM

b)You draw up the scheme to fit the players talents.by scorkran 1:27 PM

2)
a)Hey Cork, it feels like Reggie and Dennis Allen just hired their friends and relatvies into important positions without proven tack records..for example, Reggie’s brother who was a special ed teacher before this..can you comment on this?
by Alan 1:52 PM

b)You aren’t alone in that belief. I will reserve judgment until I see what happens beyond this season.
by scorkran 1:53 PM

3)
a)Rod Woodson and Bill R just said on 95.7 the game that we will go 0-5. Also Rod Woodson said Chekwa has bad hips for a Corner. In addition everyone incl Papa were dissing the ZBS.. This season is officially done. 2-14 or 3-13
by Vijay 1:59 PM

b)I have my reservations about the zone-blocking scheme working as well as the Raiders envision.
by scorkran 2:00 PM

and last but not least:

4)
a)Coaching 101. Call plays that put your players in the best position to make plays
by TJ2K 1:28 PM

b)That’s what Hue Jackson and Al Saunders excelled at.
by scorkran 1:28 PM
http://www.raiders.com Raider O

Sterling Moore is doing well with the Pats, now you hear DVD is playing well for the Stealers, and we need CBs?
SMH
SilverNBlackPA

BTW, is Polamalu out for Sunday? I know he was out last wk

+++++++++

Still officially questionable, although CBS Sports reported yesterday that, though the Steelers haven’t said it yet, both are out
RaiderSam

DJ Johnny Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:57 am

Not trying to diminish what Reggies role was, but it would be interesting to know how much influence he really had on creating GB’s roster.
======================
Its obvious. As director of player personnel and eventually the team’s director of football operations, while reporting to general managers Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson – he came up as a scout. He SCOUTS, then the GM’s sign off on the draft.
He had least had input on 50% of who they picked, along with Eliot Wolf.

The issue is; His selection criteria of head coaching, his evaluation of the roster, then formulating how the scheme would match with the existing personnel – which ALLEN picked. McKenzie had to get that ridiculous salary stuff taken care of. Hell, they didnt even have proper evaluation development with the existing offices according to some insiders.

He had no draft picks to work with, and bloated untradable contracts. A lot of people that McKenzie had looked at were in good situations – Mike McCoy, Pete Charmichael, etc. – I will say why did he passed on experienced people who have re-built teams, but what? Only Jeff Fisher was out there. A lot of people wouldnt let their assistants interview for coordinator positions when Hue was coaching.
Marks hair

133. Day to day
Macho Man Randy Savage

Knapp will probably be fired at end of this season…

I don’t think Knapp ends the season as OC. he will be reassigned as special consultant to the TE’s Assistant Coach or something.
DJ Johnny

131.RaidingTexas Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 10:02 am
Marks Hair Says:

None of reggies signings have been upgrades. Scary start. Is he a bad judge of talent? Or is he just tossing this yr in the trash to quicken the rebuild..

—————————

Corkran covered this in the chat. Reggie does not want to commit long-term money to anyone this season. That automatically lowers the pool of available players you can sign.

He’s essentially keeping the powder dry for next offseason. I expect a pretty radical overhaul of this roster.
—
If we are looking at radical overhaul NEXT YR. than really that’s when the rebuild actually starts…and this yr is just a throw away b.s yr where we go 3-13 and THEN start the good ole 3-5 yr. rebuild?
SilverNBlackPA

What’s Tomlin supposed to say? “DeMarcus Van Who? Oh yeah, that guy. He’s been whatever.”

I repeat: Van Dyke is their 5th CB who as far as I know hasn’t taken a snap actually playing on defense yet.

Please, please, please stop acting like DVD is Willie Brown.
RaiderSam

Klas Tjorborn Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Vic Tafur ‏@VicTafur
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said former Raiders cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke “has been an awesome surprise for us.”
——

===========

What was that about DVD not being in the league next year?
SilverNBlackPA

If we are looking at radical overhaul NEXT YR. than really that’s when the rebuild actually starts…and this yr is just a throw away b.s yr where we go 3-13 and THEN start the good ole 3-5 yr. rebuild?

++++++++++++++

Remember the cap situation coming into this year and the “out of whack” contracts.

Yes, straight up, this year is a throwaway.
Chris in NY

RaiderSam Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:49 am
RaiderSam Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:11 am
Carl Weathers Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Free agent DB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah worked out for the Steelers.Owusu-Ansah was waived by the Cowboys at final cuts after attempting to make the transition from safety to corner during camp. The onetime receiver has made 14 career appearances since being drafted in the 2010 fourth round. Sep 5 – 7:43 PMSource: Adam Caplan on Twitter

So the steelers cut him and then opted for DVD over him and now we have him after cutting DVD.

I think Reg cut him prematurely due to the fact he was an AD “speed” pick. The same reason we haven’t seen Cris Carr brought in for a workout. Out with the old, in with the injured.

========================

And with good reason. Do we really want to review the “misses” Al had

well, if we must

Sebastian Janikowski over Shaun Alexander
Robert Gallery over Ben Rothelisberger
Phillip Buchanon over Ed Reed. My God, they were on the same team – who cares if Woodson was the starter!?!
Rickey Dudley over Marvin Harrison and RAY FREAKING LEWIS
JaMarcus Russell over Megatron
Jake Grove over Nick Hardwick and Randy Starks
(holds back disgust) Fabian Washington over Aaron Rodgers .. oh yeah Roddy White AND Logan Mankins

shall I go on…
Michael Huff over Donte Whitner no, check that HALOTI NGATA! – and get this, we overpay for Kamerion Wimbley , who also could’ve been drafted…and Daniel Manning and Roman Harper were available later
Thomas Howard over Devin Hester and Maurice Jones-Drew…

it aint perfect, but I’M GIVING MR MUMBLES, Reggie McKenzie the benefit of the doubt for at least one more FULL draft.

———————————-

Patriots took Brandon Merriweather when they could’ve taken Jon Beason, Lamar Woodley or David Harris.

They took Ron Brace and Darius Butler when they could’ve had Jarius Byrd, Mike Wallace and Matt Shaughnessy.

They took Taylor Price one pick before the 49ers took Navorro Bowman.

They took Chad Jackson over Greg Jennings.

The traded us picks for a washed up Derrick Burgess.

See. I could go on and on and do this with any team.
Marks hair

131 thats what im hoping.
RaiderSam

SilverNBlackPA Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 10:00 am
From Reggie’s Wikipedia entry:

“McKenzie was employed by the Green Bay Packers from 1994 to 2012. He began as a scout, and gradually rose through the ranks to become the Packers’ director of player personnel and eventually the team’s director of football operations, while reporting to general managers Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson.”

So he’s an actualy NFL player who rose through the ranks from scout to second in command of the personnel department of a Super Bowl champion.

But yep, I’m sure he did nothing but sit at his desk and stare off into space. He had no influence on any decisions! And he talks slow, so he must know nothing about football!

Some of you guys are fcking jokes, honestly.

==============

Be gentle. The surrender monkeys come out often after an 0-2 start and non-winning seasons dating back to 2002.

This too, shall pass.
nyraider

How many great receivers struggled in the redzone. DHB, nice guy, hard worker, below average route runner, poor in red zone, not a TD maker..time to move on
DJ Johnny

So we could be looking at an actual 6 yr. rebuild as a possibility? And even then have no guarantee that we’ll be good at that time?

You know it IS possible to stay bad “forever” almost. Look at us the 7 yrs. prior to the last 2 8-8′s.

Then, look at the Browns..they’ve managed to do it.
Chris in NY

Vic Tafur ‏@VicTafur
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said former Raiders cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke “has been an awesome surprise for us.”

—————————-

Not surprised. He was a good prospect for us.

Who did Big Reg cut him for again? Was it Joselio Hanson or that journeyman CB who runs like a 4.8 and is returning kicks for us at times.
Macho Man Randy Savage

So, you think the ’12 Raiders will be the the foundation for greatness like the ’11 Colts? is RegMc looking for the 1st overall pick? a QB I must assume.