Raiders Need a Quarterback

 Posted by at 8:00 AM  9 Responses »
Jun 242011
 

Jason Campbell will be the starter going into the 2011 season. Given his inconsistency in 2010, the Raiders must hedge its bet and bring in a quarterback of the future.

The backup quarterback is Kyle Boller and is no threat to be anything more than a backup.

What available players might fit what the Raiders need?

 

Terrelle Pryor

The Ohio State product will enter the supplemental draft. He’d be an interesting project quarterback for Hue Jackson to mold. The Raiders are a favorite to land Pryor and they are, like many teams, exploring Pryor’s on and off-the-field resume. He’d slide in as the third quarterback and would be groomed to take over at a future date two or three years down the line.

Given the Raiders track record of developing quarterbacks and Pryor’s lack of NFL caliber traits as a quarterback, it’s probably best to stay away from Pryor despite his size.

 

Vince Young

It wasn’t long ago the Raiders scouts were drooling all over Vince Young during the pre-draft process. It isn’t likely the Raiders opinion has shifted drastically since, but what Hue Jackson and Al Saunders believe could very well determine if Young could wear the black jersey in 2011 and be groomed to take over in 2012.

He’s old to be a developmental QB and signing him would put pressure on Jason Campbell to perform. He probably wants more money than the Raiders can offer and shot at starting, but you never know what Al Davis will do to bring in a player he likes.

Tennessee should release Young once the new league year begins, making him one of several free agents quarterbacks.

 

Adam Froman

He is an undrafted player out of Louisville who is athletic for a quarterback, but struggled with injuries during his college career. He’s got some unique tools that need much refinement, but would be a good third quarterback that can also mimic athletic quarterbacks for the scout team.

He’s got potential as a player to develop and is the type of player the Raiders should be looking for to be the third quarterback.

 

There are not many quarterbacks available that fit what the Raiders are looking for when it comes to age and scheme.

The Raiders will probably do the inevitable and make Charlie Frye the third quarterback and put off the search for a developmental quarterback that can eventually take over as the face of the franchise.

Fargas’ Deal and What it Might Mean

 Posted by at 8:42 AM  No Responses »
Feb 142008
 

According to Jason Jones, Fargas’ deal is worth $12 million over three years with $6 million in guarantees. The contract could escalate to $14 with incentives. $6 million is also due to him in 2008.

What does this mean Raider Nation? I see this signing in one of two ways. First off, the length is on the shorter side, with many people expecting it to be three or four years. Also, the deal is only worth $4 million per year, which isn’t a huge number. $6 million in 2008 means just $3 (or $4 with incentives) due in 2009 and 2010. When I receive news of how the base and signing bonus is split I will let you know. It might mean a lot if we were to want to make him a backup in a year or two or cut him.

The front-loaded deal does mean a couple things. Jordan and his $6.9 million are 100% gone. Also Rhodes and his $3.5 ($5.5 with incentives) is also as good as gone.

This is where it will be subject to some debate. Does this mean for sure McFadden is not on our radar? I don’t think so. Al Davis surprises many, but more than that, most rookie deals are back-loaded (and Fargas’ deal is front-loaded). You see how this works? OR It could mean McFadden is not what we want and the Fargas deal is just front-loaded in case Bush turns into a stud.

At this point we wont know. My guess is the Raiders beat writers may be able to see which prospects the Raiders are eying at the combine (Like how they loved Vince Young a couple years back).

Sean Jones, a member of the Oakland Raiders’ personnel department, said:

“All I need to know about Vince Young is that he came up with one of the greatest performances ever in the Rose Bowl. In the fourth quarter, I saw (USC coach) Pete Carroll throw every kind of blitz at Vince. I saw Vince read the blitz and beat the blitz. I don’t care what his Wonderlic score is. The only score I care about is 41-38.”

I don’t think this ends the debate for McFadden supporters, but it sure doesn’t help.