NFLPA numbers show tag pay increases

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- ... the defensive end position showed the biggest increase percentage-wise over last season as the NFL Players Association released the 2010 levels for franchise and transition players.

... defensive end(s) registered the biggest increases in both categories. The defensive end level rose from $8.991 million in 2009 to $12.398 million in 2010, a jump of 38 percent.

Bottom Line: there is No Way In Hell that Seymour will be franchised for $12.4M/yr (unless Al already has a buyer out there); the price now set to keep this clod-hopping overrated has-been boggles my mind. 

We could replace the DE slot that Seymour's timely departure creates (may heaven ordain) with Brandon Graham, Michigan's outstanding DE (45 Tackles for Losses (TFL) in two seasons!!!), we'll free up enough cash for the deal by cutting Square-pants and be far better off joining Brandon with Greg, Jay, Matt, and (sometimes) Trevor.

And with Raider scouts talking with Sean Weatherspoon after the Sr. Bowl that could mean that Trevor is going back to DE so with Ellis getting older (but still one of our best players) and Shaughnessy getting better with each game, we'd be in great shape on DEs for years to come.

Footnote: If you got a chance to watch LeFevour play you know he is "something else"  I watched him play in the GMC Bowl, Dan Lefevour was MVP of that bowl and yesterday distinguished himself again in the Sr. Bowl. I know QBs aren't on our short-list, but if we could get him in, say, the 3rd round and then groom him for a couple of years under Gradkowski that would be a wise move.

God Bless Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders!!!

We'll avoid pain (eloquently expressed by Jack) by not franchising Dick Seemore.