Digesting the Kelly deal
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, February 28th, 2008 at 2:50 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Tommy Kelly has been a good player for the Raiders, a victory for the scouting department in that they brought him in as an undrafted free agent with a reputation for being an underachiever with a questionable work ethic at Mississippi State.
He has played 49 games since 2004, starting 37. Line coach Keith Millard raved about Kelly’s ability to play him at any spot along the defensive line, likening him to Trevor Pryce, who Millard coached at Denver.
Kelly, at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, is regarded as Oakland’s best defender at the point of attack, particularly since Terdell Sands, re-signed before the free agent deadline last season, virtually disappeared in 2007.
But did I miss the point in Kelly’s career when he maximized all his talent and joined the NFL’s elite at his position?
That’s life in the NFL, where because of a $116 million salary cap, teams often end up paying more for potential than they do for performance.
Signing your own players as opposed to venturing into free agency is good strategy, but while the contract to retain Justin Fargas ($6 million guaranteed) seemed reasonable enough, Kelly’s contract is a head-scratcher.
Kelly will earn more than $18 million guaranteed and would earn just over $25 million through three years. The full amount of the contract is $50.5 million over seven years, although the final figure is seldom reached.
I’ve always thought Kelly was a solid player and a great story. I did a profile on him a couple of years back where I talked to junior college coaches, college coaches and former teammates. Kelly declined several interview requests, just as he has every time he has been approached by several reporters since joining the Raiders.
He had taken some heat in the media while in college at Mississippi State, keeping quiet while playing hurt through a so-so senior year. Kelly felt he was unfairly criticized, and never forgot it.
When the story appeared, I asked him Kelly if he thought it was fair. He said he thought it was very fair and thanked me. Then I asked him if we could talk on the record and he smiled and said no. You have to admire him for sticking with his convictions.
I’ll never begrudge an athlete for getting whatever he can get, and free agency or the threat of free agency results in players getting huge deals.
Even taking that one into account, from a business perspective you wonder if this was a good move for the Raiders.
First, Kelly is coming off ACL surgery. That’s a relatively minor concern, in that ACL surgeries have become almost routine in the case of someone Kelly’s age (27).
At the very least, signing Kelly to such big money is a gamble. If player is going to be truly dominant, he has usually shown it 49 games into a career. Kelly has shown flashes, but has not done it consistently. Part of that could be that he has been shuttled between end and tackle, and that the Raiders believe he will flourish inside.
Although Kelly could be Oakland’s best defender at the point of attack, it’s worth noting the Raiders weren’t any better against the run when he was in the lineup. In fact, they were a little worse.
In the seven games Kelly played, the Raiders gave up 5.3 yards per carry and 148.9 yards per game. In the nine games Kelly missed, Oakland gave up 143.6 yards per game and 4.5 yards per attempt.
If Kelly is going to play exclusively inside, and they plan on keeping both Gerard Warren (scheduled for $4 million in salary) and Sands, it would appear to lessen the likelihood of taking either Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis in the draft.
If they’re going to play him at end, it’s a lot of money to pay for a base end is a good but not great pass rusher. His career high is 4.5 sacks.
Chances are the deal won’t sit well with Derrick Burgess, who has 35 sacks in 46 games as a Raider (although that number has descended from 16 to 11 to 8 ) and sought an extension last season to bring his numbers more in line with the NFL’s top pass rushers.
You’d hope Burgess would use it as incentive have a big season in 2008 to get a big deal of his own. If the Raiders manage to sign Chris Clemons before the 9 p.m. deadline, it could give Burgess another deal to shoot for.
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February 28th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
FIRST!
February 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Let me be the first to say that Rob Ryan sucks.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Jerry, I agree. This deal feels like it is stacked in Kelly’s favour. I think this is a big risk and poor value.
We would have had a shot at either Ellis or Dorsey. Is anyone saying that Kelly is a better option than these two? He certainly is as expensive.
Unless Davis is going after Gholston, in which case why are we pursuing Clemons, or we are now fixed on McFadden. We won’t get Jake Long or Chris Long. We don’t need a QB and nobody apart from Gholston or McFadden is close to good value at No4.
This is so Davis and so-not Kiffin.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Scottish,
Are you still down on Chris long? You never responded to my Chris Long analysis the other day…check out post #470 on the Tampering thread if you want a second chance…
Just curious as to your opinion…not looking to start an argument or anything.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
3rd! Nice signing. I like Kelly.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
If we get Gholston with Kelly playing a major force inside then I can forgive the isanity of this contract.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Basically this comes down to whether Kelly can stay motivated and stay healthy. If he can, his history as a 3-technique indicates he’ll be worth the deal. But, I’m betting he can’t.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I like Kelly, but this contract is Exorbitant.
This deal better not be the Turd-ell Sands deal of ‘07…and we get no value in return.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Dakota,
The problem with Chris Long playing DE in the 4:3 is that he doesn’t have the speed or explosiveness to get outside. That means the tackle will shepherd him inside and I just don’t think he has the power to deal with OGs at this level.
Chris Long is smart, determined, high-engined, but he is also limited. I think in a flexible 3:4, where the DCoord can move him around the system depending on the down (sometimes at DE, sometimes at OLB, sometimes at MLB), he could be very effective. In the set 4:3 that the Raiders play, Chris Long feels like a tweener.
Sorry. He’s a great kid, but not for us.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I like Kelly’s potential, but $18 million guaranteed is too much.
Clemons should be signed soon. Now we have last years DL intact minus Sapp and Brayton. That was not a productive lineup. Why draft a DT or DE at #4 at this point, and have them sit on the bench? I think the Raiders are left signing for depth, not starters. Maybe that’s not a bad thing.
If the Raiders aren’t drafting a DT or DE in the 1st round, that leaves trading down, or drafting the top LT (in the Raiders estimation), or McFadden, or a wildcard.
If the Raiders trade Burgess, that frees up a spot for DE in the 1st round. It may also buy us a 2nd or 3rd round pick… Hmmmm
February 28th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I like Kelly as well, glad we kept him around. I’d love to see him at end. A partial list of DT’s rumored to be available for trade.
-Shaun Rogers (det)
-Dwayne Robertson (NYJ)
-Marcus Stroud (JAX)
-Kris Jenkins (CAR)
I think with the rotation of any one of these guys with Terdell and G. Warren, and with Kelly at end (Burgess/Clemons on the other side) that would add some much needed beef up front. Our LB’s are credited as being fast, but unable to shed blocks, so keeping them clean should make them much more effective.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I was reading that a few teams were intrested in Kelly. So I guess this means The Raiders really need to give Nnamdi Asomugha the biggest contract ever to a DB.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Brayton’s not coming back. If he does, it’s only proof that him and RR are having an affair.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
When Al let Rod Coleman and LaRoi Glover go in free agency it came back to make him look foolish. I like the signing but can you say “overcompensation”?
Kelly is like Jerry Porter, Ron Curry and Michael Huff. Outside of Oakland he is not considered a big deal. If Kelly and Clemmons sign, do we ignore Dorsey, Ellis, Long or FA’s like Smith and roll into next year with the same D-line minus Sapp? If so, we’re screwed.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Norval,
Rogers is heading for Denver. Of the others, Jenkins may be the best option. He is a vet and only has maybe two years left, but he is a consistent, reliable performer who would also bring some leadership to the DLine.
The Gholston option is the most intriguing strategy left open. If we trade Burgess, which I think would be a smart move, and draft Gholston, that would give us a starting DLine of: Clemons/Richardson, Kelly, Warren/Sands and Gholston. Big on physique. Heavy on muscle. But full of questions.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
The Kelly deal may bode well in McFadden’s favor.
Or Jake Long, which is too bad because if Miami doesn’t take him, St. Louis will.
I pray we don’t take Mcfad.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Well the deal is done, i’m scratching my head, but the only thing that can be done at this point is hoping kelly lives up to the deal
February 28th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Tommy Kelly was nowhere near the top DL in the league.Now the plan is to move him inside where they have tried him in the past with only average success?
Tommy Kelly is coming off an ACL tear, don’t tell me teams were lining up to throw this kind of money at him.
The Raiders now have $86 million in contracts between Warren and Kelly.
Haha! Sorry, Raiders fans. This is just too funny not to laugh.
Gotta love ol’ crazy Al
February 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
The Charges cut some players, including Lorenzo Neal:
http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/10674577
February 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
horrible move on the raiders part
February 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
is that 9 PM oakland time or EST ?
February 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
The NFL is investigating a charge by the Chicago Bears that the San Francisco 49ers tampered last year by making overtures to linebacker Lance Briggs, three league sources said.
Chicago and San Francisco discussed a trade in October that would have sent Briggs, a Northern California native, to the 49ers. However, the Bears’ grievance claims that San Francisco held contract talks with agent Drew Rosenhaus during the season, thus interfering with a player under contract.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Wonder if Shanahan feigned interest in Kelly to make thge old codger flip his lid and throw down stupid dough…
Either way I still like the deal. Kelly would have protected our abysmal run d. a lot better last year had he not gone down…
Scottish - Interesting take on Long..I still like him at the #4 pick..
February 28th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Teams like the Chargers will be making cap cuts to clear room for free agency. May get some depth guys or project guys that way.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
We’re drafting one of Longs.
If Jake Long is there, I think Al will take him. He got a lot of money invested in Russell…which he know won’t be protected by Barry Sive.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
LMN,
Free agency starts at 6 a.m. your time.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Marlon McCree is a bit option for us than Lorenzo Neal. We need depth at Safety.
I would also like us to consider Isaac Bruce. He was cut by the Rams today and is now 35, but he is a smart, consistent, proven WR who could do a job for us and mentor the likes of Higgins, Holland and McFoy.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
olivea would be a solid pickup. he was just fine until norv got there. right tackle problem solved
February 28th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
It makes way more sense to pay a guy who’s already started in this league than pay someone a 20 million signing bonus who hasn’t played a down. More moves must be coming.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Everybody is forgetting Richardson is in the mix. Getting kind of crowded if we are looking at drafting a D-lineman in rd 1.
Hopefully the plan is to trade Burgess.
With that kind of money I wonder if a guy like Haynesworth could’ve been had versus Kelly.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
The big test for Ryan is whether he is going to continue with Morrison at MLB or move him outside - where I think he will be much more effective.
The biggest need is at SS, because Huff isn’t the answer and neither is anybody else on the roster.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
COW,
Sure, we could have signed Haynesworth, but since he is a franchise player we would have to give up 2 first round picks for him…I’d rather overpay Kelly than do that.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Coach On Wheels….
Good to see you back… look forward to your posts =)
February 28th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
1. Exorbitant is the absolutely correct.
2. Tommy really didn’t help us in the run game.
3. Tommy is now the highest paid DT in NFL history.
4. Our D-line sucked last year with the same players we are re-signing.
5. With the salary cap increasing year to year, proven by these ridiculous contracts from last year to now, there will be an uncapped year coming in the NFL.
6. Pro football will become baseball…
February 28th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Move Thomas Howard to SS
February 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I suggested some weeks ago, we should trade Burgess, because his trade value will on decline.
I dont know if its a reach, but i hope for if we trade him…
Burgess= 1st rounder, swap 2nd round picks, get their 3rd round
February 28th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
It looks like the team is avoiding the big names for hardworking, overachieving type players. Good move.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
One thing I like about Kelly is the versatility. In heavy run situations, he can play end, allowing us to put some serious bulk up front (Kelly, Sands, Warren, Burgess). It’s a lot of money, but I think it sets a good example that hard-workers with good attitudes get paid.
I like this move much more than taking a gamble on the other FA DT’s. How does the saying go? Better off with the risks you know than the ones you don’t?
February 28th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Tommy Kelly is the HIGHEST PAID DT IN NFL HISTORY.
Unbelievable AL. You continue to out-do yourself Mr. Davis.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Burgess is the best D-lineman we have left. Unless we can get a 2nd rounder for him (which we won’t, think 4th upgraded to a 3rd) we need to keep him around.
We don’t need McFadden. Personally, I’m hoping we’ll trade our #4 to Dallas for any kind of bundle of draft picks. You don’t improve unless you get fresh blood.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
in reality the deal isn’t that bad, you have to look at it as a 4 year deal, with an option to get more years or a good pick if somebody wants him later in his career
February 28th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
It has truly all been downhill since the Gruden trade. Every move made by the Raiders Front Office has been embarrassing.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
We need to stay young. I really hope we do trade down. Given Kelly’s versatility, I can see us locking up Clemons, and putting Burgess on the trade block. I think some of you are undermining his value. The NFL is awestruck this offseason at the importance of pass rush…(See NYG v. NE)
February 28th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Not to mention Kiffin’s infatuation with the run. He like teams like the Jaguars, who you can pass on all day, but can’t run the ball much. Plus we never blitz…I like him a lot, but I don’t think anyone has a mancrush on Burgess in Alameda..They already told him to go eat some wheaties..
February 28th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Clippers waived Sam Cassell, can he play WR?
February 28th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
True Haynesworth would have involved picks but I meant it more with regards to value of contract. Should a guy like Kelly get Haynesworth type cash?
As for the WR mentor Isaac Bruce question, I think I’d go with former Donky / Chef Eddie Kennison who I’m sure could be had for NFL minimum. A mentor who knows AFC West DB’s seems a better fit.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
LMN, you never glad to see me back?
I think we are going to see Berrian or Stallworth in Silver and Black manana!
Just a hunch…..
February 28th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
cmon scottish i love ya i mean i love anybody that bleeds silver and black but bring bruce in to mentor the likes of holland and mcfoy? hahaha those clowns are what we call fringe players. one if not both probably wont even make the team this year.No amount of mentoring is going to do those two any good. maybe we can bring in a vet at linebacker to mentor ricky brown while we are at it lol
February 28th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Stupid, Stupid, Stupid
February 28th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Yalls -
What did I tell you about Tommy Kelly?
The league is very aware of who Tommy Kelly is and the Saints and Broncos had contract offers in hand for Kelly that were very comparable to the deal he signed with the Raiders.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
MIA Raiders…
At hand i cant remember any of you post, sorry - but hey good to see you here =)
February 28th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
This is not a great deal for the Raiders. I don’t think its required to pay 18 million in guaranteed money but 14-15 should have been there high offer, and if your Tommy you take it. If we lost him it would have made the defense give up allot more rushing yards. Now we will be able to keep it at 145 yards a game.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Exactly what I was thinking Yalls Tripping, some team may see Burgess as their missing piece to a Superbowl (which he could be). Judging by his age, injury history, and declining production Burgess will never be more valuable than he is now. I would take a 2 for him, a 3 IDK, even though we are missing our 3rd. We would just have to cast Clemons in his role, they are similar pass rushing DEs. The question for us is Clemon’s ready to make the leap to 10-12 sacks in that expanded role.
As to the Kelly situation I am glad we locked him up but the price is surprising. IF you had told me at the end of the year who do you think would get this money Fargas or Kelly I would have said Fargas. My only solace in the price is Kelly is very versatiale and with the escalating cap, if he plays up to his potential, this deal might not look so bad in 2-3 years. Even in the offseason it is very interesting around here.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
LOL true. The “mentor” would end up taking the student’s rosters spot.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
COW says: “When Al let Rod Coleman and LaRoi Glover go in free agency it came back to make him look foolish. I like the signing but can you say “overcompensation”?”
Well put COW, I don’t know how else to really explain this. Might prove foolish if Burgess ends up holding out wanting his fair share too.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
IIIII love a parade! Hallelujah! Where’s the Tylenol?
February 28th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
IIIII love a parade! Hallelujah! Holy Shite! Where’s the Tylenol?
February 28th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Tell the Raiders HQ what you really think:
feedback@raiders.com
February 28th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
—”Cowboys re-signed LT Flozell Adams to a multi-year contract.Feb. 28 - 6:53 p.m. ET”—
To those who hoped floating Hotel Adams would go to Oakland, thank good he didn’t
February 28th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
T-minus 5 hours, 3 minutes and counting…..
February 28th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Clearly the Raiders, (Al Davis), know damn well no free agent from other teams will pay him a visit, so he has to pay up to keep current players here,…trust me on this,…not a single free agent worth anything will visit Alameda,..maybe not even the desperate ones needing a job.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
The Raiders are the hardest death metal team in the NFL. Pickles is a big Al Davis fan but I can’t stand him. I just want a new chef and to be able to make music for the fishes in the deepest part of the ocean!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
OK MaddenRaider whatever you say.
Alameda Insider my ass! You are an idiotic troll!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Maybe Al Davis can lure Chris Carter out of retirement if he hires Denny Green!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Maybe James Lofton is really going to be a player / coach.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Your not the first person to compare me to madden,..I have only this identity,..but if you want to continue to falsely say he and I are the same person, go for it,..no prob…you are though one of the several in here that hate the fact I am right about everything I post,..I only speak in reality,..I do not post crap like everything is going great when its clearly not,..you are loser, clearly,..you will never admit how bad things are with the Raiders,..it must suck being you living in denial.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
COW,
Hahaha. One never knows…the way this offseason has gone.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I just heard through the grapevine that the Raiders have been in contact with wr’s Andre Davis and Bernard Berrian. Davis just re-upped with Houston so lets hope that the Raiders can land Berrian.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Anybody think the Raiders should make an offer to Stallworth? He is from Sacramento…somewhat local.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Philly cut Kearse. Although he is damaged goods, he might worth taking a chance on if he could be picked up cheaply. He could work into the rotation and not have to play every down. Is he still so fast?
February 28th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Fact is Alameda Outsider aka MaddenRaider you have been wrong about everything that you have said up to this point.
I will be back in a few with proof of this! The archives are a beautiful thing, just ask Bob Marley. lol
Troll!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
The amazing thing is that most people wouldn’t rank Tommy Kelly in the top 20 DT’s in the league.
This deal didn’t even make espn’s main page.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Think Kearse has lost a step, but put it this way- he pulled a Porter this past year (didn’t play much since he was buried on the depth chart). So at the very least, he should be fresh.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Does Isaac Bruce have anything left? St. Louis just cut him.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
“Randy Moss reports that he would not be opposed to a reuniting with his former team, the Oakland Raiders. Shocking news, considering the malcontent……..”
February 28th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Kearse is about to re-join the Titans for the league minimum.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
where you read that at Yalls?
February 28th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I don’t have a problem with going at Stallworth or Berrian but remember they haven’t done much. I wouldn’t throw crazy money at some B- WR when the draft is very deep in WR possibilities.
If we trade down or trade Burgess or anything else that gets us a draft pick in the first three rounds, we could land a top 10 WR. Guys lke Caldwell, Avery etc will be just as likely to produce as these FA’s.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Isaac Bruce has to be getting pretty old. I don’t think the rams rely on him as much as they do the younger guys now.His experience would be nice, but speed would be nice too.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
LOL…I knew someone would bite..
Come on guys, it’s Berrian or Davis..No one else will stretch it out..Stallworth is a mediocre #2. A great YAC dude, but not much else..
February 28th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I think Stallworth is a bit over rated but Berrian has some wheels. He would be a nice deep threat for JaMarcus.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
you sure about that Dogg?
February 28th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Yalls -
Davis just re-signed with Houston.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Troll,…you go ahead and dig into the archives,..archives are for losers like you who dont have a memory,…my main prediction I have made here is Kiffin is gone, and he will be, before owners meetings, or during them,..have fun with the archives,..sad that some people need them.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
HEY THIS IS ABOUT RITE!!! 12+ mill up front that works out to 4+mill a year toward the cap, which is max for a kelly rite now! the second part is another 6-12 mill at the start of hid 4th year he gets either the 6 mill or the remaining 12 mill guaranteed!! i thought they said 25 mill guaranteed!!! so if it is 18 or 25 mill only 12 goes to the cap for the 1st 3 years @ 4mill year toward cap!!! THIS IS GOOD AND ALSO IT IS
” AL DAVIS ESQUE “
February 28th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Alvis Whitted was pretty fast….nevermind.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Drew Rosenhaus is Tommy Harris’ agent, the DT from Chicago, and he was just interviewed on NFL Network…he sounded mighty pleased about how an average DT like Kelly can get 50 Mill…bodes well for Harris, an actual good DT, lol.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Who cares if it didn’t make ESPN’s front page. If it isn’t some ridiculous negative news about the team, it won’t make the front page. This is why I love being a Raider fan…while everyone is looking at the off field stuff, the organization is busy trying to get better signing players… ESPN would rather focus on the “dysfunction” than reporting that the Raiders are making moves…and just like always, the team is about to make a move that will surprise the S@#T out of everyone, because remember “no free agents want to come to Oakland”….
February 28th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Stallwoth at #2 and Curry as the #3. If I remember correctly, Curry did his best as a #3 receiver.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
YAC dudes are great. How many times have we been burned by crossing patterns. It would be great to be delivering YAC instead of giving them up. Just a thought. I also believe in speed.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
tommie harris is the best DT when healthy, hes gonna get about 26 mill guaranteed and 75 mill
just read he want about 40 million the first 3 years
February 28th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Yup, we need some of that there YAC.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
#75…LOL…DAMN
February 28th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
How about this guy as a WR in the draft? If we are lucky we can get him in the 4th round: JEROME SIMPSON - http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jerome-simpson?id=318
As a senior, he caught 96-1324-14… in just 11 games. At the combine, he placed 2nd among WRs with a 37.5″ vertical, 9th with a 4.47 40, and what I like best… first among all players with an 11′4″ broad jump, now that is explosiveness. Great athlete flying under the radar because he played at a small school. Anyone who can catch 8+ balls a game has got to have skills to go with the athleticism.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I posted in here a bit before 4:00 pst, that the Raiders had to overpay for Kelly due to no other free agents will visit Al,…Adam Sheffter said the same thing about 4:05,…theres only one person who knows more about whats going on with the Raiders then Adam Sheffter,…and thats me.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
With Free Agency opening up some rosters there will be opportunity for some movement via trade that wasn’t there today. There will be some other WRs making moves besides the ones that ESPN focuses on in FA. I would rather see a trade for a WR that is still under contract than have any of the aforementioned FA receivers sign with the Raiders.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
NOW in reality kelly is A EVERY DOWN PLAYER , AND SHOULD BE SPELLED TO S.D.E 25% WHERE HE CAN COME UP OUT OF HIS STANCE! A GUY WHO IS 6-6 310 LBS WILL COME OUT OF HIS STANCE PREMATURLEY @ ABOUTH THE 20 + SNAP COUNT IN COURSE OF GAME , SO THATS WHEN HE GETS ROTATED OVER TO S.D.E FOR 7+SNAPS, HE ACN TAKE SOME PLAYS OFF THEN BACK T W.D.T AND EVEN S.D.T IN NICK/DIMES!!! NOW THAT IS PERFECT UTILIZATION OF A PLAYER LIKE KELLY !!!!
WHAT RYAN DOES IS ANOTHER STORY!!!! THE POOR GUYS HAS BEEN A S.D.T ,INEFFECTVE , NOT A LOW TO GROUND PLAYER,AND THEN W.D.E ,INEFFETIVE ALSO TO BIG AND EXPLOSIVE THRU STEPS!!! HE IS A QUIK 1ST STEP PENETRATOR!! AND THE 2 SPOTS WDT & SDE ARE BEST FOR HIM!! NOW I KNOW THAT OTHER COACHES , WHY DONT THAT LOW LIFE RYAN KNOW THAT!!!!
CAUSE HES’ A F’N LOWLIFE!!! SO IN DONT MATTER KELLY OR WHOEVER, THIS GUY CANT EVEN GET A ROSTER OF COLLEGE ALLSTARS TO NOT UNDER ACHIEVE!!!!!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
The real question with guys like Bruce or Kerse is do you tie up a roster spot and valuable playing time on a young developing team? I’d rather have JR building chemistry with a Higgins or draft pick or a relatively young FA than waste a year tossing balls to Bruce only to see him retire.
I’d rather see us try to develop Clemmons, Richardson and / or other draft picks than messing with Kerse.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I REALLY hope you are wrong. That Kelly deal is making me sick. We should have been able to get an pro bowler for that type of money.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Kelly would start over Ellis or Dorsey, without question.
So how much would we have to pay one of those guys if we drafted them 4th?
February 28th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
After the bidding starts, we will find out that Kelly is probably a bargain as other FA will blow his contract out of the water.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
EXLA,..you may be right…alot of cap space for owners to blow.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I love it …
Things are shaping up on D. At least we know that Warren, Kelly, and Sands will be out DT’s.
That narrows #4 down to Long or Gholston as the favorites. Then again, if we lock up Clemmons to go along with Burgess and Richardson, would we really still draft DE at #4?
Crazy man, just crazy!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Didn’t mean to confuse YAC with possession recievers. Some fast ass dudes get a lot of YAC because they’re steady burning opponents. Stallworth is a tweener, so a viable #2 option. Basically a Jerry Porter replacement. If Skinny Lee could step it up and be a viable speed threat + develop a late rounder like Desean J., we’d be alright…But I feel like there are plenty of draftees that could carry over and be #2 without spendin FA dough for them. (Early Doucett..)
Spend the FA WR money on a viable deep guy - Berrian!!
Dogg- you were right about kelly, I got my fingers crossed..
February 28th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
soul patrol,
As I said to start the blog posting, Rob Ryan Sucks.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Catch you all later,…guess troll revealer is still disecting the archives still,..what a loser.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
This is an awful move. Kelly is a solid but unspectacular player who is coming off a major injury. How does that make him one of the highest paid d-linemen in the league? This is already shaping up as the worst off-season since the Raiders hired Norv and has the potential to wind up far worse.
Olivea and McCree would be good pickups. Still, there’s a psychological issue with running to pick up the Chargers scrap. Neal makes no sense. He’s 35 and Griffith is a better player at this point, IMO. Plus the rookie FB showed some promise last year.
COW, that’s pretty funny. Reminds me of a few years back when Pat Riley was coaching the Knicks. My brother pranked the big NYC station with a report that Riley was coming back as a player-coach. The host completely lost it on him.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Jhill - Thank YOU!! Kelly is sure thing. Even with the knee, he’d beat out those guys..Besides, Ellis’ weakness is Point of Attack, that’s Kelly’s shizzle
February 28th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
AI - Adam S probably used you as his source since the guy is always on the troll for anything negative about the Raiders.
Frankly, this year’s FA crop is going to be overpaid in general because the FA class lacks any top-rung players. Teams are enjoying the high cap and using it to lock up their quality guys.
Mostly has-beens (Bruce, Kerse) and neverwas (stallworth, Barrian) getting all the press. The real key will be to find guys who are seemingly unknown but are cheap system fits like Cooper Carlisle.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
if Early Doucet is there with our second round pick how can the Raiders not draft him? He played with JR and would provide some continuity in the offense.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
No way should we take Gholston. Burgess, Clemons and Gholston are all basically the same guy, with differing degrees of talent. None of them are great run-stoppers — our No. 1 problem right now.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Fellas this deal is fine. Soul Patrol mentions it up top. This deal is like all NFL deals. It’s really a 3-4 year deal and it makes a ton of sense for us right now. Why??
Well, first we don’t know who we’re drafting. Could be Ellis/Dorsey/C.Long/Gholston. But now with Kelly it doesn’t matter. Having a guy like Kelly with flexibility is gold right now. 2ndly, We only have 6 defensive linemen TOTAL RIGHT NOW!!! So we shouldn’t sign him??????????? That would mean we have FIVE GUYS under contract!! What are some of you guys thinking???
3rdly, It sends a good message to the rest of the club, that even if you’re undrafted, you come in, suit up, play hard, the organization will reward you. That’s always good.
Lastly, as I mentioned a few days ago, after the NY Giant v. NE Patriot Super Bowl, ya think the overall value of NFL quality defensive linemen has gone up????? Uhh, Duh. Losing Kelly to free agency would be disasterous. Plus we only have Gerard Warren for one more year. Makes sense to me.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Rob Ryan is causing irreparable damage to these young players…through playing them out of position and poor coaching of fundamentals.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Never mind, that was as a senior in high school that Simpson had 96 catches despite missing 11 games. Doh!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
despite missing 3 games I mean. Gah, I can’t type. I suck.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
So I guess if the Raiders offer more money than another player, that’s a bad thing? Everyone in sports is overpaid, thats why they play sports for a living. If I’m a player, then i guess I sign with Oakland because I know they’ll give me more bread than anyone else. Hey, sounds like a winning strategy.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Offer more money than another team, sorry.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
COW, you’re right about the goal of navigating FA right now by finding unknown quality guys who are cheap. Problem is, Kelly was supposed to be one of those guys and instead we paid him like a superstar.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
LOL
February 28th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Crazy ole Al…Biggest headline in the NFL right now! unbelievable !
February 28th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
We all have paid for an item or product that was over hyped or in desperate need to have.
Later we looked back and said either, “that was a dumb move” or “I should have waited”
I wonder how bad this deal looks when the owners reject the contract proposal with the Players Association at their next Owners meeting in March.
(the meeting when Kiffin gets fired)
The owners need to have 24 votes to resind the contract, hammered out a few years ago.
The probability is they have the votes.
As it looks now 2010,2011 will have no salary cap.
I could imagine the inflated contracts at that time for all positions.
You will be bidding against Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder,
Pat Bowlen, etc..
Maybe the contract now looks ridiculous, maybe in a few years it looks like a bargain.
I can’t wait for Free Agency to start this year, you guys will be surprised by some of the contracts after tonight.
Buyers beware, you get what you pay for and all of us have one time or another overpaid for something.
Is Asante Samuel worth $100 million, is Randy Moss worth $60 million over 5 years, incredible to hear and see these contracts.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Are you kidding me ???
This has got to be either the stupidest move in Raider History or Al Davis is crazy like a fox…and knows this is the only way to get FAs around the league to come to Oakland for at least an interview and an offer of riches for mediocrity !!!
I think there is no way Berrrian and Briggs and J. Kearse dont at least return Al Davis’ call now…
Holy Cow…what a way to get the attention of the rockstars and their agents the day before FA officially opens !!! Al Davis is a Genius and a Madman all in one.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
good move i say ESPN has hated on oakland for as long as i can remember so of course they’re gona say the contract is ridiculous but they dont even know the terms and its a backloaded contract 18 mil guaranteed doesn’t count against the cap so still alot of space to make moves..as much as i like burgess we really are lightweight rebuilding and he can be traded for a 2nd round pick as his value is as high as it’ll ever be right now. sign berrian and sign-and-trade jerry porter for a 3rd rounder and take gholston or long with our top pick. gibril wilson is a must at safety..kwame harris will be a steal if he lands in oakland perfect size for the zone-blocking scheme, him playin in s.f was like Robert Gallery playin LT in tom walshs man-man block so he will be a steal
February 28th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
oakglenn–straight up. good post
Kelly got paid what the market dictates this year in FA. Period. Plus, he’s a valid tweener DT/DE in ANY SCHEME.. Yes he’s coming off knee surgery, but so is everyone else and they’re grandma.
quag - Doucett is for sure in the Raiders’ scope. He’s a flanker/slot dude who’s super quick, just not top end fast. He runs the ball too, and even QB’s trick plays..
February 28th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Hey Trip, sounds like a weapon to me…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Yeah, Raiderdogg you called that one. I think Dogg has more inside info than Alameda Insider.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Guess we may as well go shopping tonight in SD as well…we could have our RT and S signed at 12 01am….hurry up AL…there are still flights available to SD on Southwest Airlines….I know you love that airline because you can buy the front 4 rows so CHEAP!!!…Heck….you may as well just charter it BABY and bring home the rest of our new team tonight !!!
February 28th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
tom-its good to see you back, i thought maddenraidertroll kicked you off,anybody who is on here sees him as the mod
February 28th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
tom, good to see you on here.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Good posts all around, especially Oakglenn #112 and RaiderDell #121. With much of the league having room under the cap to spend, teams are looking to lock guys up…
if you’re right RaiderDell, then a new CBA better be in place, because if it isn’t, then the NFL WILL become just like major league baseball…
paying guys 10 million a year to play just on situational downs…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
LOL. AlamedaInsider, let me tell you where “Troll Revealer” is, he’s out there sifting through the archives trying to actually find anything I ever said that was wrong. What Bob Marley does is that he fishes out posts from years back where I had a different POINT OF VIEW than what I have, today, not things I said that are wrong, and he attempts to discredit me, this way. Then his brainless cheerleaders like OakGlenn (aka “Troll Revealer”, that’s a no brainer) jump up and down like he won something. Truth is, Marley has never proven me wrong about anything. He takes points of views of mine that have changed over years’ time, then puts words into my mouth and basically declares victory from that standpoint. Since most of the Al shills here have the debating skills of Paris Hilton on 2 hours sleep, they actually rely on these tactics by Marley.
Hey, I’m not saying I never was wrong about anything, but I rarely am. Truth is, a year ago I liked Rob Ryan. It was his third season, and the defense at least looked good on paper. But this last season was revealing. I’m not the only one who changed my mind on Rob Ryan. But I do go after Al Davis a lot. Think that has anything to do with Marley singling out my changed views on Ryan?
Don’t tell Oakglenn that, though. It would be like telling him Santa Claus isn’t real, or, you know, how babies really get here. Such information is too much for him to process. So let’s keep it simple. Everything is ok in Oakland, we’re going to win the Super Bowl this year, and Marley OWNS MaddenRaider! ….because he pointed out that MaddenRaider used to like Rob Ryan..or something like that.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
And since we play in a small market, and Al has no other income other than the team, WE’RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE for the big FAs…the Raiders will end up like the A’s…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
No, DesertRaider, it makes all the sense in the world! Oakglenn says so. It’s because in light of the Super Bowl, the value of defensive linemen has gone up, so when you look at it that way, we’re getting a steal! Because you know the other owners were tripping over each other to get to…Tommy Kelly.
(try not to laugh, people)
February 28th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Back to the topic…Jerry correctly points out that the Kelly signing now leaves more choices for us to debate over with respect to the draft. Maybe signing Dorsey or Ellis isn’t a lock anymore…for the record, I still say we get either one…
Maybe now this deal sets other possibilities in motion; maybe we swing a deal for Burgess to secure additional drafts picks…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Jhill - Crazy is right - we stink on D-line!
DT - Warren, Kelly, Sands
Great, took the best player Warren Sapp off of the worst line in the league.
DE - Burgess, Clemmons, Richardson
Injury prone guy and the raw project guys. Great. Combined for 1 sack a game last season. Dang I bet Philip Rivers is having nightmares.
Did anybody watch the Super Bowl? We don’t have quality D-linemen. We are 4-12 for a reason. We aren’t stacked with talent. Porter, Curry and Higgins were never “depth at WR”.
We need to draft a top notch D-lineman (or 2) AND find FA help. If our guys are half as good as we pretend they are, they’ll beat out the guys we bring in.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Wow. Largest contract EVER to a defensive tackle. I just caught that. I knew it was one of the highest D linemen contracts, but didn’t know it was the highest ever to a tackle. Well, Al’s a trend setter, alright. LOL.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Desertraider24
The owners hate the current CBA deal, the revenue sharing part especially.
I know with no salary cap you will have some owners (to the saying “like in a candy store”) will go out and spend.
All small market teams will be at a disavantage.
I never thought it would get to this point, hopefully coolheads will prevail between the owners.
I can’t see the NFLPA reducing their demands.
We could have a strike, who knows.
As it currently looks the non salary cap years will definetly be the wealthy teams vs the rest of the low revenue teams.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Hey Desert, I was on topic.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
MaddenRaider
Do you dream about me too?.
Everytime I check back in here I find you mentioning my name, it´s getting creepy.
I know I´m in your head, I know you never did recover from the way I exposed your little fraud.
But that´s what happens to people such as yourself….you either get banned from sites or you get exposed for the joke you really are.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
The FA period remains to be seen, MaddenRaider…maybe the time is right to lock up guys…even guys like Tommy Kelly…it’s the CBA we all have to be aware of that will truly determine what kinds of players we’ll realistically be in the running…
Don’t be too sure, MaddenRaider…I’m just as disappointed as all of us over the team’s performance over that last five years, but it just looks to me like Raider management (i.e., Al) is simply hedging his bets…if we don’t sign Kelly now, who knows how much the market will command (on his behalf) in an UNCAPPED YEAR…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
This contract is in line with what will be upcoming in this free agency market. Just wait and see.
Jerry, quit your job on this blog and let someone who knows how to cover the Raiders do it. Yet another divisive point of view from you. And yet, as a professional journalist you fail to mention the upcoming free agnecy period and how all the teams flush in cap space are going to throw it around. No, in fact they must. The salary floor of just over $100 million has to be reached.
And yet, so many more of the best players who were scheduled to be free agents have resigned with their original teams or been franchised. Leaving the entire period pretty thin, and the defensive tackle position exceptionally thin. Someone was going to pay this for Kelly. Corey Williams would have been $10 million more on a 7 year deal, Haynesworth even more than that. Someone’s gonna get paid, and the Raiders did the right thing by beating them to it and keeping a core young player. And saved themselves a bad situation, because without Kelly this team is suddenly horridly thin at denfesive tackle. It’s not a good thing to go into a draft in desperate need.
These are all positive persepctives you could have taken Jerry. I find it sad that a non-journalist such as myself can find the reasoning enough to post this, yet you as a preofessional report cannot.
I’ll leave you with this - Raiders, just win baby. Jerry, just quit Jerry.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
You know MaddenRaider you DO get dumber by the day. Considering 3 of the consensus top 5 draft pix in this years draft are going to be defensive linemen, you’re telling everyone here that their value is going down???
February 28th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
RAIDERS TO RAID THE CHAMPS?
With safety Michael Huff, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2006 draft, available via trade, the Oakland Raiders could be a few hours away from signing his eventual replacement.
Nancy Gay of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Raiders will make an aggressive run at Giants safety Gibril Wilson. Other teams reportedly interested in Wilson include the Eagles, Falcons, and Jaguars.
In a year with few free agents at safety and a relatively weak draft class, Wilson could pocket a huge deal. He is from the Bay Area and might want to return home. But he also wants $5 million per year and $11 million guaranteed.
Gay also reports that the Raiders moved to sign defensive tackle Tommy Kelley after it became known that the Broncos and Saints were prepared to offer him contracts after the launch of free agency.
YYYEEAAAHH…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Coach,
I hear ya, but one step at a time.
Again, I think that Kelly at 6′6, 310 is a better fit at DT than Ellis or injury prone Dorsey. DT was a need an Kelly fills it.
I thinks Sands is best fit to come off the bench like he did the year before last. He plays really well in that role.
I think we can pick up a nice 4th string DT in the 5th or 6th round.
I like Clemmons and Richardson, and I really think that we may try and trade Burgess if Long or Gholston are still on the board.
Still a lot of things to shake out in FA, but I just don’t see how signing Kelly at DT is anything but a good move.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I’m a litrtle confused here. Yall must have thought sapp was reason are run-d was so bad. Alot of you are posting line ups with the same pieces of crap we had last year. Just because we signed Kelly is no reason to get excited. To quote a familiar saying here” Insanity doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results ” We still need run stuffers or we will still be in the bottom 5 against the run.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Thanks for the info, RaiderDell…I’m curious…do you know a site that has clear and concise info on the CBA for the layman to understand? This piece of the big picture (the big picture being the NFL) can help explain WHY a Tommy Kelly is now the highest paid DT in NFL history (or until FA starts, anyway…)
This is coming to a head…and is pretty ridiculous in the grand scheme of life…millionaires fighting billionaires over pieces of a very lucrative pie that has benefited BOTH PARTIES…one would think that they would both stop before they both killed the goose that continues to lay golden eggs, every season…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
so.. i guess we’re not rogers.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
MaddenRaider
You just cannot stop lying can you? are you a mental patient?.
You said last January that Rob Ryan was running his OWN D when he finished 3rd…..when the D sucked again, you said Al Davis never allowed Rob Ryan to run his own D.
That´s a lot different than saying: I used to like Ryan and now I don´t.
You said Al did not meddle with the D when they ranked high and that Al meddled with the same exact D when they sucked.
That´s as blatant a double standard as you will ever see.
Be a man for once.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I´m Bob Marley, not Bob Marleu…Lol…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
There.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
If you look at how many franchise tags are being used and the contract amounts that are reported, Kelly’s contract falls into line. Players are getting substantially more money this year. I suspect it has not only to do with a much higher Cap but also that the NFLPA contract will be opted out of by the owners. As a result there will be no cap next year unless a new contract is signed. Regardless of what happens, player contracts are up and likely to rise a lot faster next year.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Mr Raider,
Yes, Sapp was at least part of the problem, at least from my seat on the couch. He should have been a backup to Kelly and Warren at DT instead of us accomodating him as a starter and moving Kelly to DE. Even with the move, Kelly was out BEST d lineman until he got hurt.
I expect even better production from him at his natural position DT.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Mr. Raider you’re exaclty right. You need a defensive line ROTATION. We were down to 5 defenisve linemen. I see us taking one high, and then still getting one in the lower rounds. A Kelly/Warren/Ellis/Richardson front on run downs and Burgess/Ellis/Kelly/Clemons on passing downs looks a bit better.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Like I said before, I still hold to the position that we draft either Dorsey or Ellis…you just can’t have enough guys on the D-line, especially our line…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
desertRaider24
Google NFLPA, you will find information about the union for the players and the curent agreement.
Everything yoou wnated to know.
http://www.nflpa.org/CBA/CBA.aspx
Google Jerry Jones and Pat Bowlen for their comments regarding the CBA.
The information is available and you can also Google Gene Upshaw and find good information.
Sights like PFT, Sporting News, NFl, etc.. all have information.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Thanks RaiderDell…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
That Nancy Gay is such a hack! Always bad mouthing the Raiders. Can’t believe a word she or any of the other bay area meidiots write…can you???
Sorry I couldn’t resist.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
What line would you use on 2nd or 3rd and three?
February 28th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Actually, MaddenRaider has finally lost it completely. He’s now only talking to himself. Mumbling and drooling in the corner. sad, but not unexpected.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
We have plenty of pass rushers just no sam adams or tony sariguso’s.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
maddenraider makes sense to me.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
MaddenRaider
Do you dream about me too?.
Everytime I check back in here I find you mentioning my name, it´s getting creepy.
I know I´m in your head, I know you never did recover from the way I exposed your little fraud.
But that´s what happens to people such as yourself…..you either get banned from sites or you get exposed for the joke you really are.
You just cannot stop lying can you? are you a mental patient?.
You said last January that Rob Ryan was running his OWN D when he finished 3rd…..when the D sucked again, you said Al Davis never allowed Rob Ryan to run his own D.
That´s a lot different than saying: I used to like Ryan and now I don´t.
You said Al did not meddle with the D when they ranked high and that Al meddled with the same exact D when they sucked.
That´s as blatant a double standard as you will ever see.
Be a man for once.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
There, I don´t want you to miss it…..
February 28th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Does Kelly’s signing mean Sands is history?
February 28th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Jerry and Nation,
For what it’s worth, it wasn’t just Millard who raved about Kelly. Last September, KPIX CBS5 posted a story with Sapp having this to say about his D-linemate:
“He’ll be better than me,” Sapp said. “He’ll have better numbers than me when his game’s over. … I know him. This kid’s picking up everything you could possibly imagine. His game has just evolved.”
The story ended this way:
“For me, a three-technique is gravy for him because you can’t move him,” Sapp said. “You can’t double him because he can play low, and you can’t block him one-on-one. There’s a couple intricate parts I’ve got to teach him with this and that or whatever. After I get finished with him in the next year and a half, he’ll be able to get protections and everything down.”
If that’s the case, then why are the Raiders insistent on playing Kelly at defensive end?
“Because I’m here,” Sapp said with a hearty laugh. “The professor ain’t gone yet.”
Well, QB Killa is gone. When a seven-time (shoulda been
player says that about a teammate, and the D-line coach agrees, how do you let him go?
Playing next to Burgess (who is still out of position at strong side DE and showed it last year), if Kelly demands a double team, Burgess is freer, and so is whoever plays at the two-gap. And if we actually get a legit two-gap DT who plays every snap, Kelly will be a pro bowler.
Shaun Rogers, anyone?
Peace.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Not necc. Kelly plays all front positions. We would be so lucky that some team would pick up Sands’ contract, so he could stink it up there…
February 28th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Bob, why do we even address that fat ugly little friendless troll??
February 28th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Gibril Wilson! Damn looks like Berrian is being battled by the Titans and Vikings. Damn!
February 28th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Remember the stupid article by Mont Poole that said the Raiders NEVER sign their best players to big money extensions. This is exactly why I called him a liar. And it’s not the first of many lies that idiot tells in order to make the Raiders look bad. He is lazy and rarely does his homework and a mockery the truth.
Not that he’s much different than most of them he’s just worst of them.
Now to the deal it’s solid and sends a firm message to the rest of the team that production and hard work will pay off with this organization. Nothing has changed this has always ben the case. But the media only sheds light on the negative.
Jerry by the way Tommy Kelly was playing at a pro bowl level prior to injury. His abilities are rare and he’s just coming into his own. I would love to find another like him in this draft the only one is C. Long. BTW Jay Richardson has this same potential if he’s willing to put in the work. If we can keep this line together and add a talented individual to it. We could get better in a hurry.
That kid Kentwan Balmer looks the part. And I’ve been studying Laws a bit more he has some real potential. You might think that this will steer us away from another Dlineman I disagree, although now Jake Long is definitely on the radar. My original opinion was he need to add upper body strength, BOY!! was I wrong. I now think if we go in that direction I’m on board with it.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Oakglen….youre absolutely right about that idiot MaddenRaider…ignore him and he’ll go away.
He’s an attention seeker that ONLY posts negative comments in order get the pathetic attention he craves.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Blackholepriest,
What do you think about the signing of Gibril Wilson?
February 28th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Don’t owe Sands diddly squat if he’s cut.
Draft his replacement.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
What do you guys think about giving Roselvet Colvin a look?
February 28th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Oakglenn
I know, I used to get a kick out of it, but to be honest…it gotten old.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
get it together, people. Tommy Kelly isn’t the highest paid DT. He’ll never see most of that money. It’s a 3-year deal for about 25mil w 18 guaranteed. Signing him was a great move.
Everybody here constantly harps that we are weak at DT, then when we resign our best DT, everybody starts crying in a fit because they don’t understand how NFL contracts are structured. If the raiders didn’t sign him, he’d be signing the same kind of deal with the Broncos right about now. I’m sure you all would be really happy about that. Raider fans seem to have such a victim-feel-sorry-for-themselves complex.
To put it in perspective, last year Detroit signed DT Cory Redding to a 7-yr $45mil contract. I bet most don’t even know who Cory Redding is. The fact is, Cory Redding is not getting $45mil or anything close to it and Kelly isn’t getting $50mil or anything close to it.
Sometimes it seems like most raider fans would rather lose their quality players just so they can cry about it and feel sorry for themselves.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Did anyone hear or read about Huff being on the trading block? If he is, what can the Raiders get in return? I personally, hope that he isn’t being shop since that will just create another hole at safety
February 28th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Memo, I think they’re asking like 3 #1’s for him. He ain’t going nowhere.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Next year safety’s:
McCree or Zbowski SS
G. Wilson FS
Huff for a 2nd
February 28th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Yeaaaahhh…
Looks like my wish comes true!
—Free agent S Gibril Wilson reportedly wants to play in the Bay Area.
Wilson, a San Jose native, isn’t the thumper Oakland would like at strong safety, but if Al Davis wants him, he could be a Raider quick. In addition to the Eagles and Jaguars, the Falcons reportedly also have him on their radar.Feb. 28 - 8:57 p.m. ET”—
February 28th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Based on what I’ve seen of him I like but to honest I’ve not seen enough of him to be fair. But any safety capable of making the plays he makes we need.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Ohh I can see, i’m a bit late
February 28th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I suggested him early this season, and when gians won i argued that Al always picks a player from the Superbowl winner, so why wouldn’t he take Gibril! hope its true!
February 28th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I would love to get Colvin he has the savvy and play making ability we desparately need and he’s a leader to boot. Also the transition to our system would be minimal.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I rather have Vilma
February 28th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
La Milicia Negra Says:
February 28th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I suggested him early this season, and when gians won i argued that Al always picks a player from the Superbowl winner, so why wouldn’t he take Gibril! hope its true!
Tell one player that has been on the wire that you haven’t suggestd,,,,,,what a joke
February 28th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
good point about Al picking up someone from the winning SB team.
Wilson might in fact be coming home.
I just hope he isn’t asked to cover TE’s man to man all game or else he’ll catch the rath of this board for being non productive.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I just want this defense fixed and it looks as if Kiffin is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. His promise at the end of the season are what I’m holding him to. This wont Happen next year, we wont lose all these games next year or something to that effect.
Kiffin has remained focused and on point. The media as much as they’ve tried has not shaken him and he’s going to deliver IMO. This kid is very driven and is in lockstep with this purpose of getting this thing fixed. I can only applaud him.
The media on the other hand can continue to try and make a mockery of everything we do but next year we will see.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
The wrath of this board is because we’re losing. If we win and he’s effective who cares about a wrath I just want to win………….period
February 28th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
LOL BHP …
I know, I know.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I hope you’re right Blackholepriest
February 28th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Draft beer….
I have been pretty consistent. I’ve been suggesting 1-2 players for specific positions. I’ve stood by those names most of the season. Vilma is new one though…I’ve suggested Trevor Laws very early and stood by him ever since. so go back and check which players i’ve been endorsing all year - and then come back. you’ll see the same names again and again!
February 28th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Wilson and Huff would be a great safety combo. I just don’t want either of their talents wasted on a frickin TE all day. That’s why there are no STATS for Huff and folks think he’s a bum.
Covering TE’s is just does not put guys with the talent of Wilson and Huff in positions to make plays. We need a OLBs who can cover the TE.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Nice move by signing Kelly. Al has set the bar for Denver who desperately needs the help. A player that is perceived to have Kelly’s talent, or better, will command huge cash. This may be the cheapest option when it’s said and done.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
T minus 1hour 55min…
Off to bed…Nation you can have it…Nite!
February 28th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
What a joke…..you suggest every player thats available…like I said name a player available you haven’t suggested.
you’re a regular Nastradamus with your predictions….lmao
February 28th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Don’t listen to the crap just wait and see what happens. Then you’re reacting to substance and reality and not enuendo and speculation.
Everthing I’ve seen since the end of the season has been exactly what he said he would do, if I’m wrong let me know. But it says to me he is focused on what counts and all the crap is not a concern at all. That’s why you just don’t get a reaction to it. He wants to win ……………….period.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
WE MUST GET EITHER BENARD BERRIAN OR DONTE STALLWORTH!!!!!! SOMEONE NEEDS TO FILL IN THE SPOT FOR JERRY PORTER. ALSO WE SHOULD SIGN THEM AND GET ANOTHER GOOD RECIEVER IN THE DRAFT, MAYBE JAMES HARDY OR EARLY DOUCET? (Just imagine, 6-6″ JaMarcus Russel fires a pass to 6-7″ James Hardy or Former LSU QB JaMarcus Russel throws a pass to former LSU Wideout Eary Doucet!) and imagine JaMarcus pass a deep pass to either Berrian, Stallworth, or even that one guy comming out of Arizona!! and with Curry as a possesion receiver!! with zach miller at TE and Justin fargas/michael bush in the back field!! and with a litte o-linemen help, especially at the LT position, we could be a dominant Offense in the NFL
February 28th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I forgot to place this to R.A.W. = Raiders. Athletics. Warriors. GO OAKLAND SPORTS!!!!!!!!!
February 28th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
At first this appeared to be a power play by Al to land Chris Long. However, with the depth at DT in this draft, it now seems we will go with a LT to protect JR’s backside. Probably puts DMAC as the highest rated player on our draft board as well. McFadden will probably be a Raider. It’s not a popular move but it didn’t work out so bad when Bo was drafted either. HE IS NOT BO JACKSON, don’t get me wrong, i’m just comparing scenario’s. It may look like we don’t need to upgrade the RB position but Bush is a big unkown and Fargas is liable to get hurt. If we draft a RB and then an OL or DT with the second pick, I would still consider this a success.
On the other hand, Al may be playing possum and fooling the league into thinking he’s made these deals to land McFadden t