Griffith, Harris Cut. Chroncile Dead

News hit yesterday that Justin Griffith and Kwame Harris were cut.

Harris came as an expected move, to clear a huge amount of cap space and finally put an end to what might be the best LT that couldn't get his head on straight. No love lost here.

On a bit more surprising note: Justin Griffith was cut. This clears cap space and it is quite a bit for what would seem to be a backup FB. Oren O'Neal is by far the better blocking back. Griffith might be more useful to a team who has him catch passes and run a little bit. This role is disappearing in the league and keeping Griffith would have been a luxury. Hopefully Big O is ready to go.

This move could also be a sign that we will run more two back sets and wildcat next season. Putting two or three of Fargas, McFadden and Bush in the same backfield could be potentially dangerous. Bush and McFadden could both take a snap or two in a wildcat like formation, with the other two RBs on the field as well. I am sure the coaching staff is throwing the idea around.

Linebackers would have to choose a player to key on and cover Fargas and Bush should they come out of the backfield. Matchup problems would be plentiful. That, coupled with Miller and Higgins, could prove dangerous and difficult to defend.

In other news, The Chronicle is going out of business. Goodbye Nancy Gay, see you on ESPN!

Comments

Looking Forward: Raiders 2012 Free Agents

Khalif Barnes - Weakest link on the offensive line with youth behind him. Raiders will look for for other options. It's not as if there aren't a dozen Khalif's on the street each year. Darryl Blackstock - Was a Chuck Bresnahan guy, but found a home on special teams. Would have to make the team as a reserve LB and special teams guy next training camp. Wouldn't be surprised to see him back as a camp body or gone entirely. Kyle Boller - Hue didn't have enough confidence to turn to Boller. Expect the Raiders to look elsewhere for a backup to Carson Palmer. Jerome Boyd - Was nothing more than a reserve and special teams player. Some good moments and some very bad ones. Camp body again and fate will depend on the defensive coordinator. Tyvon Branch - About the only consistent producer in the secondary. Raiders will want to bring him back. Desmond Bryant - He's been great in limited action and can play inside and out. Key reserve. Michael Bush - He'll find a home a...

Oakland Raiders' Studs and Duds From Preseason Week 1

[embed]http://gty.im/484069738[/embed] The Oakland Raiders finally look like a competitive football team again. That should be the biggest takeaway from their preseason rout of the St. Louis Rams. Quarterback Derek Carr and the offense looked significantly improved from a year ago, thanks in large part to some of the studs listed below. The starting defense was still a little shaky, but there were still a few bright spots. Overall, the Raiders can feel good about their first live action of the year, especially since there appeared to be no significant injuries to come out of it. Studs Rodney Hudson Of all general manager Reggie McKenzie's offseason acquisitions, he committed the most money to center Rodney Hudson. Offensive linemen rarely get the praise they deserve, but a great offensive line as anchored in the middle can be huge for an offense. Hudson was very solid in his debut against a very good defensive front. If Hudson and the offensive line can consistently protect Carr an...

Texans Preview with Stephanie Stradley

Stephanie Stradley, AKA TexansChick from the Houston Chronicle was kind enough to do a Q&A with us. Follower her on Twitter @StephStradley and check out my answers to her questions on the TexansChick blog. Big thanks to Stephanie for taking the time to answer my questions. Raidersblog: How much of a difference has Wade Phillips made to Houston’s defense? Has scheme played as big of a role as the additions of Joseph and Watt and a healthy Cushing? Stradley: "The biggest difference in the Wade Phillips hire is sort of a institutional confidence. The previous two defensive coordinators were first time coordinators. The Texans have had the youngest starting defenses in the league since Gary Kubiak started in 2006. Inexperienced DCs + Inexperienced Players = A defense ranked by Football Outsiders as 31st-2006, 30th-2007, 29th-2008, 20th-2009, 31st-2010. When Phillips took over, he had a clear plan of the players he did not want to retain and which ones he wanted to target in fr...

Raidersblog.com

Search This Blog