Lawrence continues to make us a tour of the "worst" NFL franchise with the Raiders today ...
Back liabilities Raiders
Let us begin back ... especially to the NFL Combine in 2007. There, a young boy impresses. The rave reviews are:
"His talent is most consistent. It is rare to see a boy of that size, possess such power in the arm. " GM Phil Savage (Cleveland Browns)
" I do not understand that we do not pick as No. 1 in the draft. " John Clayton (ESPN)
Indeed, said the boy in question was chosen as No. 1 (by the Raiders). Four years later, he is unemployed. His name? JaMarcus Russell. A subject of crises and short nights for Coach Tom Cable.
Anyway, the Raiders have specialized in very specific choices. In the Draft 2009, Oakland had ignored the far more talented as WR Jeremy Maclin (Eagles) and Michael Crabtree (49ers) to get Darrius Heyward-Bey. The latter had for him that his time at 40 yards dash time (4.3 seconds), making it the fastest WR in the entire NBA Draft 2009. The problem is that speed alone does not much when you can not catch a ball. Raiders fans present that day to hold the Draft whistled their team with the announcement of the choice of Heyward-Bey. Recently, I read an interview with Coach John Harbraugh (Baltimore Ravens) A passage was very interesting. Baltimore is currently in a similar situation in Oakland: In Search of a threat deep in the ground to develop a set vertically. Coach Harb stated:
"We always try to improve and the idea would be to recruit a fast WR. In fact, I have guys who are good, not just fast. Is their time at 40 yards dash time is that important? They may be fast but are they able to play fast? Is what they can get rid of their marking soon? Is what they are able to go catch the ball in any perimeter of the land?
You must assess the recipient, whether their chosen field stands inside the ground or outside. The guy that the Ravens need, need to win in one against one. It's hard to find this in college today. Ca do is taught. Who still plays press coverage in college? It's so easy to get open when you need to get rid of the wind. "
is the problem of those Raiders who adore all that is flashy, all that glitters. Ca dire reflection, vision over the medium to long term. We do not ask the right questions.
Finally, the best deal in Oakland is not in the draft, but rather in a trade. Jason Campbell, acquired for a 4th round pick (2012!), Has helped stabilize the ailing team. 8 wins 8 losses. Some good performances (double victory against the Broncos with a 59. 14 (week 7), double victory against the Chiefs) and some coarse disappointments (defeats against the little flaming Cardinals, 49ers). First team in NFL history to finish undefeated in its division without making the playoffs. A little stat that allows you to forget another one stuck in Oakland: In 2009, she became the first team in NFL history to have lost at least 11 games each season since 7 years.
Al Davis is never satisfied.
Al Davis is not happy. He decided to take action. The young owner of the Raiders, the top of its 81 spring announced January 4 that the contract of Tom Cable would not be renewed.
Several players including Shane Lechler (P) have regretted this move. But no matter, Hue Jackson (offensive coordinator) is already named Head Coach. Al Saunders, among debauched of the Ravens, will assist. Journalist ad tweeter that Davis has no confidence in Jackson and plans to replace the slightest misstep by Saunders. Atmosphere! Atmosphere!
But he is there to really wonder? Have we not dealing with the most whimsical owner of the NFL? There are times like this where Al Davis obviously feels inspired. 1980 was also one year in the vintage genre.
At that time, Al Davis tried in vain to make the necessary adjustments to the Oakland Coliseum (including a draft of the most luxurious lodges). Frustrated by his failure, the idea of moving the franchise from Oakland to Los Angeles was a tremendous financial opportunity, he had missed. Al Davis was two objectives: Los Angeles is the second largest market in terms of audience in the United States, which would expand the topic of pay-per-view (television event fee). Al Davis had also export its idea of dressing dementia in Los Angeles. For such a motion is carried, a majority of three quarters of the owners of franchises in the NFL had to agree. The result was unequivocal: 22 Owners were against the move of the franchise. None for. 5 abstained. Is this enough to stop the fiery Raiders owner? No, not really. A court order maybe? Still no.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (the institution that owns the stadium and is responsible to find an occupant), which had already lost through the throat of the Los Angeles Rams (left to play in Anaheim in 1995 before becoming the St Louis Rams) saw his football dreams go up in smoke with the failure of the Raiders. A complaint was then filed against the NFL for abusing its dominant position. It was supported by ... Al Davis himself. This will not stop here, making its own efforts on his part. In May 1982, the U.S. court ruled in favor of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Al Davis and ordered the NFL to astronomical costs. It was also a period when Al Davis was the sole owner of an NFL franchise to support the USFL (United States Football League), a rival league. The rancor was tenacious.
In any case, the path to success for the Los Angeles Raiders was launched. With the SuperBowl XVIII to key a victory 38-9 against the Redskins, January 22, 1984.
The first half of the 80 was great for this franchise. Many kids & teens to have supported this team at the time (one of the most famous being the rapper Ice Cube).
But good things only last so long. The results declined rapidly. During that time, our spirited Al Davis felt cheated by the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The stadium, built in 1921, accused the coup. Les travaux promis pour le projet de loges n'avaient toujours pas débuté. But worse, the neighborhood of the stadium was delivered to a crime of the most consistent. The ebullient owner then began looking again at another stage that can accommodate his toy the Raiders. Various projects such as Hollywood Park, Irwindale, fell into the water.
date to 1989 was the first for Al Davis to repatriate the Raiders in Oakland. In 1991, Davis made official its desire for a return to roots. The negotiations took four years to be finalized.
Throughout this time, it was also the rivalry between two men: Al Davis and Pete Rozelle (NFL Commissioner - a predecessor of Roger Goddell) rivalry back in the pantheon of history for many American fans. Rozelle retired in 1989 and therefore does not undergo the latest escapades of Al Davis. Because the latter was determined to pay the NFL for his return to Oakland. So 1995 was another great year in the tumultuous relations with the League of Davis. A first trial against the NFL to claim the exclusive rights to market in Los Angeles, despite the fact that the Raiders were well in Oakland. Minutes lost. A second accusing the NFL of having sabotaged the efforts of Al Davis in the construction of a stadium at Hollywood Park. Minutes river with a first positive opinion for the NFL. However, the jury was disqualified for having pre-conceived negative against Al Davis. A trial which took effect until July 2, 2007 when the Florida Supreme Court upheld the ruling adversely against Davis.
The dangerous game of Al Davis.
Back in 2011, especially in the month of February. Within a week, the Raiders have signed Richard Seymour (DT), John Henderson (DT) Stanford & Routt (CB), extensions of contracts on the short term for a total of $ 69.5 million. For
LB Kamerion Wimbley, negotiations were more difficult. To avoid that the player can have contact with other franchises in the free agency, Oakland was going on a contract somewhat off-the-law. The NFL Management Council in Oakland had to remind that the contract in question was not viable, exceeding the 30% rule. Roughly speaking, there can be an increase of over 30% of salary annually. As a result, the Raiders opted for the franchise tag, which means that Wimbley signing Thursday, March 3 a tender for 11.3 million $.
And it's not over: the agenda of the negotiations should take place with Zach Miller (TE). Al Davis spends all is when the NFL is trying to swallow the players' union that the current financial model is no longer valid, that employees should review their pay reduced. This is not very smart, and the Davis brothers have understood. There were no signatures to date of ringing in the market, some franchises have chosen the bias to cloud the issue (of signing a tender, and then renegotiate a long term contract will be signed when the CBA). The small game Al Davis can have a significant impact on the negotiations of the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), but also the transactions of other teams (in free agency, draft ...). Roger Gooddell Hello, I present to you Al Davis. One of your predecessors, Pete Rozelle, had already pulled the hair with him.
To sign a player, the modus operandi of the teams (and agents) to take into account the prevailing wages in the NFL. Thus, ensuring at Stanford Routt pay huge $ 31.5 million over three years, the Raiders generate inflation more consistent level of CB supposed to land in free agency. That said, this indicates that Nnamdi Asomugha will not be a Raiders next season (for those who still have doubts). However, this reassessment of paychecks for a good CB like Routt, but frankly not an elite talent, obviously cons-productive for the League.
Already last year, Al Davis had signed Shane Lechler (P) & Sebastian Janikowski (K) for record contracts. The third robber, benefiting from the largesse of Davis, was named Jon Condo. Who? You would be right not to know. Condo is the guy that takes the ball when trying to turn Janikowski kick. $ 1.68 million to hold a ball. We appreciate that? Thank you Al Davis. The boiling
Raiders owner, who has dropped his wallet, arouses desires.
recently Darth Vader , himself, was trying to get hired as a bodyguard for a 6 digit salary:
Seriously, it's called the "salary drivers. Such transactions entered directly into account calculations of the League for the franchise tag and player salaries transition. What is the advantage of opening the wallet to point? In terms of revenue, it means nothing. For the American magazine "Forbes", the Raiders were one of the teams was worth the least expensive of the NFL, or about $ 758 million. A figure was down 5% in one year. The cause? Already at the time of the Pharaohs contracts for players who have flopped resounding: DeAngelo Hall, Javon Walker and especially the $ 40 million guaranteed for JaMarcus Russell. In addition, revenues generated through the stage (Ticket ...) are unlikely to have optimism. The fact is that Al Davis has 81 years, his health is failed, and today he press to find the intoxication of a team triumphant, time to success of the Los Angeles Raiders, for example. Whatever the money spent. And, in his view, players like Richard Seymour or Kamerion Wimbley can be generals in the field needed to move forward.
So let's recap. Situations Seymour, Henderson, & Routt Wimbley, it rises to $ 80 million, this of course without the inherent bonuses to all contracts. All these criticisms on the potential impact on the CBA, on free agency, the management team led to Al Davis send his right arm for a press conference this Monday, Feb. 28. The justifications are tasty, John Herrera wish:
"When you sign these players with contracts that we proposed, these investments are made for the future. These guys must first play and earn that money, before thinking about getting paid. The Raiders have so far spent no penny.
These transactions, they were conducted to protect our franchise, our team, allowing us to move forward. "
Oh, by the gentle reminder ... ... before ending with the end of CBA last season was no salary cap. The current negotiation of the new CBA will lead necessarily to a salary cap for next season. The result may be fun to see the rest of the team composition of the Raiders. We wish much luck to the Raiders Army. They will need it. Because we must not forget that despite all these setbacks the Raiders remain one of the teams in the NFL the most popular throughout the United States and around the World.
