With the litany of moves, the Oakland Raiders thrust themselves back into the national. spotlight of relevance. From the trade of Antonio Brown to the signings of Trent Brown and Lemarcus Jordan, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden seem hellbent on renovating the roster on the fly. FPC Raiders staff writers Maliik Obee, Ray Aspuria, Anthony Zaragoza and Pete Camarillo sat down to discuss the fast-flowing free agency signings.
Outside of the Antonio Brown Trade, what move was your favorite and why?
Obee
Trent Brown, because even though I like Parker, he wasn’t a starter to begin with. He has three years of solid right tackle play, and the ability to cover Carr’s backside.
Aspuria
Nabbing Lamarcus Joyner in free agency. The 5-foot-8 safety doesn’t fit through Paul Guenther parameters so perhaps, the Raiders defensive coordinator is having a change of heart. Joyner can also cover the slot and can be a deep centerfielder, which will allow Karl Joseph to be the middle on run downs and blitzes.
Zaragoza
Lamarcus Joyner. I was so devastated when the Raiders passed on Derwin James in the 2018 NFL Draft. So getting a quality safety like Joyner this week is great. Joyner’s play fell off some last year after a sensational 2017. Nonetheless, Joyner did not allow a reception of over 19 yards for the Rams last season. That’s huge for a secondary that got torched in 2018.
Camarillo
It’s a tie for me. Liked re-signing Hankins as well as trading KO. I loved what Osemele brought to the table, but injuries were a concern last year as well as his scheme fit at left guard in the new scheme. That combined with his age and cap hit made this a no brainer. I wish him the best because he can still play very well.
As for Hankins, he played well adjusting to a new scheme last year. He’s under the age of 30, knows the scheme now and was one of the better players on the market at his position. Again, a good move and no brainer.
With Antonio Brown as the clear-cut top WR, what does the offense need, personnel wise?
Camarillo
They need a running back not named Richard. Doug Martin and Marshawn Lynch are free agents and neither were that good last year. There’s some talent in this draft, but not at the level of the past few seasons. The Raiders would be smart to sign a running back next.
There are several guys who make sense. Of course, there is LeVeon Bell but there are great fits beyond that if Oakland is strapped for cash. Tevin Coleman is the guy for me. He’s got playoff experience, is under 30, low miles splitting carries over his career and he can add value in both the run and pass games. Jay Ajayi makes sense too, if the Raiders want to save even more. Ajayi is coming off a year of injuries, but at one point, he looked like a perennial Pro Bowler. He is under thirty, brings value as a downhill back as well as a pass catcher. Then, there’s Mark Ingram. Ingram is a little bit older, but he’s also split carries most of his career. Ingram too can downhill and he knows the West Coast offense well from his time with the Saints.
Zaragoza
Get a solid #2 option in the passing game. Defenses will double team Antonio Brown a lot next season. So having a good #2 in the offense will open up the field for Brown. Either they bring back Jared Cook or nab a young wideout in this draft (or both), Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock need to help their new star WR.
Aspuria
Get a tight end that can both block and run routes and sign a true fullback. Bringing in an all-around tight end will give defenses something to ponder when Raiders line up (is it a run or a pass) and Gruden’s offense isn’t the same without a bloody forehead fullback.
Obee
The offense still needs to secure the line and create in the run game. It’s up in the air whether or not Marshawn Lynch will be back. Doug Martin and Jalen Richard will not scare anybody. Neither is the idea of Denzelle Good starting at either guard position.
Tom Cable rightfully earned criticism for poor line play, what is your level of current concern and what major system flaw does he need to correct?
Aspuria
Very. High. Through Raiders gave new tackle Trent Brown a reported$36.75 million guaranteed and Cable I’d the man charged with his play. His major flaw seems to be keeping blocking units mediocre. Perhaps he should treat his players like he treated Randy Hanson (Google it).
Obee
While I’m under the belief that Tom Cable should be fired, he’s here at least for the meantime. The zone blocking scheme is going to be an issue. Even Brown struggled with it as a 49er.
Camarillo
Guard. Last year they both took a step back. Part of that fell to injuries and the other half was a knee scheme. The o-line didn’t look as aggressive or cohesive because they were thinking too much.
Now, will the Raiders move Gabe Jackson back to the left side? Could Kolton Miller slide inside? Will Brandon Parker play guard? Then there’s Jon Feliciano, who is a free agent. He might get money and reps to start somewhere else but would the Raiders pay him starting money to stay? Either way, I’m not sure any of those guys are what Cable wants at guard. They’re all big and powerful maulers. For his scheme, it makes more sense to have athletic guys who can move, get to the next level and move people laterally with leverage. The personnel the Raiders have is capable of doing that, but they’re better at pulling and traditional down blocking. Not necessarily the tackles, but they would be big, agile guards. Do they have the bend and power to move defensive tackles? The point is, Oakland needs to answer many questions at guard.
Zaragoza
Tom Cable rightfully earned criticism for poor line play, what is your level of current concern and what major system flaw does he need to correct?
Switch to a power-blocking scheme. When you see the measurements for the potential starting lineup for the Raiders offensive line next season, zone just doesn’t fit. Therefore, switching schemes is a must for Cable. He needs to focus on the strong traits of his line and adjust his strategy in 2019. If not, a long season could be in store for the team.
The Raiders are handing out contracts hand over fist, which one do you believe will haunt them in the long run?
Zaragoza
The Raiders are handing out contracts hand over fist, which one do you believe will haunt them in the end?
Trent Brown. This one seems like the obvious choice since Brown is now the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history. With all due respect, to Brown, he is not the best offensive lineman on this team, let alone in the NFL. The former Patriot does address the issue at LT from last season, but certainly not worth the contract, he will sign with the Raiders. I really hope Brown proves me wrong.
Camarillo
Joyner. There’s a reason the Rams didn’t bring him back. He took a step back last year, despite being one of the league’s highest paid safeties. Did the Raiders really give Joyner all that money to play slot corner? I don’t think so. Joyner is undersized so I’m not sure how he compliments Karl Joseph, who is the other under six-feet starting safety. There’s other veterans the Raiders could’ve got cheaper and on short-term deals. Last year, the safety class didn’t even heat up until late. Oakland also could’ve even waited for the draft to address the safety spot.
Aspuria
Jonathan Hankins’ 2-year pact. While not expensive, I believe his return to defensive tackle will preclude the Raiders from taking Quinnen Williams if he drops to No. 4 overall in the draft. That would be a shame to miss out on a plug and play young monster.
Obee
Surprisingly, the contract I’m most concerned about is Brown’s. While the Raiders only have him locked down for two guaranteed years, the idea of Tom Cable bringing down his play is very real.
