After waiting through the first couple of days of free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders decided to make bold moves. In their attempt to keep stride in the AFC West, the Raiders decided that their defense needed upgrades. Although this unit served as the catalyst for their 2021 playoff appearance, new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham wanted to craft his own unit. As a result, the Raiders braintrust decided to dismantle some of the Gruden/Mayock catastrophe to start its own legacy. After the previous administration botched draft picks and free agency like few ever, this feels like a measured approach.
Two For One
The team started Wednesday by inking defensive lineman Bilal Nichols, late of the Chicago Bears. Nichols displays the versatility that both Dave Ziegler and Patrick Graham covet. During his time in Chicago, Nichols would slide in as a nose, three-technique, and the occasional five-tech. As a result, he profiles as a chess piece, a three-down player that doesn’t become a liability versus the run or pass. Not to mention, Nichols’ aggressive, sure-tackling style will blend nicely within the fold. In 2069 NFL snaps, Powell only missed five tackles. With this in mind, after watching opponents thrive with little interior pressure to stop them, the Raiders spent good money on a player that will step in immediately.
Fair Market Price
Later in the day, the Raiders inked edge rusher, Chandler Jones, to a three-year deal. The 32-year-old arrives due to a three-year, 51-million dollar deal. Nothing earth-shattering will affect the market. Jones enters a scheme, that will favor his knack for blowing up plays in the backfield. Granted, we all know about the 107.5 career sacks since 2012, yet few discuss the 118 tackles for loss. Jones attacks the run with equal aplomb and doesn’t forget about playing wisely. Pairing him with Maxx Crosby gives the Raiders a COMPLETE set of starting ends that will fare well in the potent AFC. Now, the Nichols signing makes even more sense with Jones in Nevada. Both Crosby and Jones will scream off the edge and should see their share of favorable matchups, provided the interior does their job and collapses the pocket.
-
Ep 100: Divisional Round Preview: Who Is Headed To Championship Sunday?
by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Around FPC
NFL RUMORS: NFL Rumors: Amari Cooper, Von Miller, and Tyrann Mathieu
NFL NEWS: The Wild West: Russell Wilson Trade Reshapes AFC West
DRAFT: NFL Draft Profile: Linebacker Nakobe Dean
NFL DRAFT: 2022 NFL Draft Profile: OL Ikem Ekwonu
NHL: NHL Insights: Tyler Toffoli Trade, Jack Eichel’s Return and Wild West
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 34: Russell Wilson Traded To Broncos; Aaron Rodgers Stays In Green Bay
Ready To Rock
In the midst of a flurry of moves, Las Vegas traded DE Yannick Ngakoue to the Indianapolis Colts for Rock Ya-Sin. This speaks volumes about what the team thought about Ya-Sin. Patrick Graham prizes physical corners that are unafraid to mix it up. The former Georgia high school wrestling champion brings a blend of competitiveness. While not a ballhawk, Ya-Sin’s ability to cover and tackle appealed to the Raiders. In 2021, opposing quarterbacks only completed 53 percent of their passes. In the world of the 4-2-5, having a defensive back that can make the solo stop becomes of utmost importance.
The Goodbye
Trading for Ya-Sin came with a price. Sending Ngakoue to the Colts straight up, signaled a difference, a departure in thought. Last year, Ngakoue tallied ten sacks and two forced fumbles during his stay in Vegas. For as much as he terrorized quarterbacks, he disappeared versus the run. Opponents allowed him to veer wide and no one filled that vacancy. To his credit, Ngakoue demonstrated fire and energy that permeated the defense. His enthusiasm for this team during a dark point in the season should never go unnoticed or appreciated.
New Dawn
When the Raiders step onto the field this fall, they will boast two elite pass rushers on the edges, and an inside presence that forces offenses to adjust and compensate. Patrick Graham wants to establish his scheme, culture, and presence on that side of the ball. Consequently, the team will reflect his vision. To their credit, regardless of previous regimes, Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels walked in the door, trying to shape the organization to what they wanted. The team also signed Anthony Averett late in the day to make that cornerback room filled with competition. This isn’t the recent regime, bringing in mostly fringe free agents.
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 139: Hall of Fame President Jim Porter Joins To Discuss His First 15 Monthsby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Hall of Fame President Jim Porter joins Clark and Ira for a fourth time to […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
Ep. 129: Fair Market Valueby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 12:00 am
Biggs and Ryan Holmes discuss: Raiders Rebuild NFL Draft Worry Assistant […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
1/17 - Cowboys Crush Bucs, Tom Brady, NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 17, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John react to the Cowboys dominating victory over the Buccaneers […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 209 "Vince is Back"by Boot 2 The Face on January 11, 2023 at 2:34 am
Rucker and EJ are back talking NFL playoffs, Wrestle Kingdom and the […]
-
Ep. 84: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 am
-
Ep. 83: Belmont Head Coach Casey Alexander Interviewby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
The Scout & The Route: Bengals at Chiefsby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 4:00 am
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
-
The Scout & The Route: 49ers at Eaglesby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 1:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, January 26thby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona State at Washingtonby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Spurs at Clippersby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona at Washington Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Mavs at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm