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Should we pursue a high end linebacker in free agency?


I was thinking about free agency and I decided to look up the free agents for this offseason. I wondered if we would switch to a 3-4 defense or remain a 4-3. Either way I think we should pursue a big name linebacker and when i say linebacker I mean a linebacker, not a defensive end turned into one. Here are a few names that sounded interesting, tell me what you think. I will put their 2011 stats below their names.

David Hawthorne MLB Seahawks

115 Tackles 2 Sacks 3 Ints (1 td)

D’Qwell Jackson MLB Browns

158 Tackles 3.5 Sacks 1 Int 1 Forced Fumble

Anthony Spencer OLB Cowboys

66 Tackles 6 Sacks 4 Forced Fumbles

Stephen Tulloch MLB Lions

111 Tackles 3 Sacks 2 Ints

E.J. Henderson MLB Vikings

109 Tackles 2 Sacks 3 Forced Fumbles

Kirk Morrison LB Bills (Had to include Captain Kirk)

7 Tackles 1 Sack

Eric Walden OLB Packers

60 Tackles 3 Sacks 1 Forced Fumble

Erin Henderson OLB Vikings

70 Tackles 1.5 Sacks 2 Forced Fumbles

Gary Guyton MLB Patriots

47 Tackles 1 Int

Ahmad Brooks OLB 49ers

50 Tackles 7 Sacks 1 Forced Fumble

Chris Chamberlain OLB Rams

80 Tackles 2 Sacks 1 Int 1 forced Fumble

Geno Hayes OLB Buccaneers

64 Tackles 1 Int 2 Forced Fumbles

Barrett Ruud MLB Titans

57 Tackles 1 Int

Rocky McIntosh LB Redskins

65 Tackles 1 Sack

I did not name anyone who was restricted or had exclusive rights. This is only a list of Unrestricted.

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He must be restricted then since he's not on your list but I was thinking Larry Grant\ ILB SF 49ers.

He backed up Patrick Willis admirably while he was out with a hamstring injury and would be a perfect 3-4 ILB who gets his chance to start alongside Rolando to clean up his mess when he doesn’t feel like getting in the way of ball carriers or lead blockers.

Trust No One
Studies show stress can kill you, but don't worry about it.

"Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There's plenty of movement, but you never know if it's going to be forward, backwards, or sideways."
— H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

by TAW on Jan 11, 2012 10:00 PM PST reply actions  

Kirk Morrison

im tired of hearing his name, he is so damn slow, one of the biggest reasons we couldn’t stop the run. Built like Willis, but slow as ted washington. Have you seen him on toss plays? Seriously this guys is already behind 3-4 yards at a good angle. Screw him, what made him shine was Thomas Howard who should have never been released. As for your list, Hawthorne, really? He is no top MLB, Hes basically the same as the guy from Colts. Pat Angerer or whatever his name is, the guy makes a ton of tackles, and some plays but isn’t a difference maker. Sometimes stardom isn’t always good to have on a team, sometimes role players fit better as a team then star players do, Just look at the eagles. Probably the most Talented team in the NFL, but can’t mesh together as one. Look at the packers, they have a lot of role players that aren’t considered superstars, Shields, Nick Collins( The safety that no one knows but he goes the pro bowl a lot.) James Jones, Walden, Francious, Ryan Grant, and of course Matt Flynn. All of them mesh together, and created stardom for themselves within the team. FA will be good this year, and Reggie will fire weak ass LB’s like shitty blackstock. Grooves on the other hand is a ST captain and plays better on ST. Stardom isn’t always the best answer especially in our case, Randy Moss, Warren Sapp, Deangelo Hall, Javon Walker, Kerry Collins. The list goes on.

RAIDER NATION
"There only can be one nation, The Raider Nation"

by AlwaysWinBaby on Jan 12, 2012 4:28 AM PST reply actions  

honestly i dont think you can call a single person on this list a star

"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here."--Al Davis

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Jan 12, 2012 6:53 AM PST via mobile up reply actions  

at one point EJ Henderson was

but yeah your right, no one on this list is a star.

RAIDER NATION
"There only can be one nation, The Raider Nation"

by AlwaysWinBaby on Jan 12, 2012 12:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Your right...

I wouldn want some good roll plays that play balls out, not some players that just wants a nice contract.

by Ray69gto on Jan 12, 2012 5:38 PM PST up reply actions  

id be interested in ahmad brooks, we need another guy that can sack the quarterback

I’ve always liked ej henderson as well, wanted us to draft him many moons ago. Anthony spencer wouldn’t be bad either. Erik walden beat his live in girlfriend so badly he was charged with a felony for it before they remembered he was an NFL player and lowered it to a misdemeanor. I don’t want another guy like that on the Raiders.

"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here."--Al Davis

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Jan 12, 2012 6:56 AM PST via mobile reply actions  

Not a good crop of LB's by any stretch of the imagination

I like what we have at LB’s. Curry, McClain, Goethel are all under 25. I wouldn’t mind bringing in some veteran depth to the position. But I think if we were to try and land at top flight FA it needs to be at CB. I personally would like to see Marcus Trufant try things over here, he’s a physical man to man corner.

Someday, the Raiders will be strong again and they will dip the ball in shit, and shove it down the throats of the wholesome, shitty, heartland teams that pray together and don't deliver late hits." -George Carlin

by DarthDavis on Jan 12, 2012 10:20 AM PST reply actions  

Cortland Finnegan

Want to talk about a star CB known for playing like a Raider even though he hasn’t worn the jersey yet?

Trufant is good, but I like Finnegan even more.

"The Raiders are the Bad Guy Professional Wrestlers of the NFL. Everybody hates us, and loves nothing more then to watch us lose. We got the costumes, we got the facepaint, and the attitude. All we are missing is a bunch of rednecks to start chanting USA USA USA at us..." - ME

"Contrary to popular belief, Al Davis is in heaven. Satan did not want Al in his domain, since Al already owns 49% of Hell and has always been known as a "Demon's Owner" " - ME

Follow me on Twitter: @JasonViolation

by TheDudeAbides138 on Jan 12, 2012 3:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Cortland Finnegan is on the top of my list.

by Ray69gto on Jan 12, 2012 5:44 PM PST up reply actions  

I would like him.

But I think he is a 4-3 zone guy.

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Jan 12, 2012 1:20 PM PST up reply actions  

the Cowboys play a 3-4 Defense

and we will no longer play 80% man to man coverage

by Micheal Y on Jan 12, 2012 2:06 PM PST up reply actions  

Oh I was thinking of Pa Angerer... lol

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Jan 12, 2012 6:18 PM PST up reply actions  

*pat

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Jan 12, 2012 6:18 PM PST up reply actions  

save the money for a solid cb

cortland finnegan? our lbs are good enough if they are given a solid scheme and play calling. they just need better backups. bye bye groves and blackstock. I dont like Huff as a CB so trade him to free up 8 mil and get a draft pick. also a hard hitting safety would be nice (Landry)

by dawad34 on Jan 12, 2012 12:45 PM PST reply actions  

i would shit myself if we got Finnegan, he is the number 1 player on my wish list

Landry would be great too. Both I might die from excitement lol number 1 offensive player I want is Vincent Jackson

"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here."--Al Davis

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Jan 12, 2012 2:50 PM PST via mobile up reply actions  

Well I don't think we could afford both

I’d rather take Finnegan if that’s the choice. We have plenty of WRs, as good as Jackson is I don’t think he would bolster our offense like Finnegan would the defense.

I’m betting that he jumps on the pirate ship that he was really destined to sail on. Finnegan is a Raider already, might as well wear the colors.

"The Raiders are the Bad Guy Professional Wrestlers of the NFL. Everybody hates us, and loves nothing more then to watch us lose. We got the costumes, we got the facepaint, and the attitude. All we are missing is a bunch of rednecks to start chanting USA USA USA at us..." - ME

"Contrary to popular belief, Al Davis is in heaven. Satan did not want Al in his domain, since Al already owns 49% of Hell and has always been known as a "Demon's Owner" " - ME

Follow me on Twitter: @JasonViolation

by TheDudeAbides138 on Jan 12, 2012 3:05 PM PST up reply actions  

as much as i love vjax

i dont think we need him. we have dhb, ford, moore and vjax and kevin boss and reese and mcfadden? i love it but enough balls and carson will feel pressured to get the ball to everyone

by dawad34 on Jan 13, 2012 1:54 PM PST up reply actions  

the only linebacker i like on your list is

Dqwell Jackson! he is very underatted because he played for a horrible browns team!. he wouls be a perfect raider he’s fast and has great instincts

by tatum25 on Jan 12, 2012 2:24 PM PST reply actions  

After watching Mck talk…the days of going after “BIG NAMES” is pretty much over…right now I need a tackling machine…I don’t care about big names…and with our cap…we can’t afford it…just give me 11 guys who want to win and play with heart…and I’ll be fine with that…and get rid of the fat slob walking off the field and causing us a 12 man flag…

by Tony Evans on Jan 13, 2012 9:58 PM PST reply actions  

I suppose we'll be shown that same video next year about this time. Fact is, Renaldo hasn't hit anyone hard since Sproles

… another undersized victim of the Raiders true Bully.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"George Blanda ... I really believe he is the greatest clutch player in the history of this game." Al Davis
"Let no thing possess you that you do not dictate." Raymond St. Martin

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 15, 2012 8:18 PM PST up reply actions  

Getting LB is rediculous and a waste of time..

We need focus more on our secondary, CB as well as FS, thats not including a new RT, if we have the cap space. I think we have a stout front seven that just need time to mold, need a good scheme, and damn suitable replacements. Heres how i see it for next year

Shaunessy Seymour Kelly Moss

Wimbley Curry Mcclain

Also i agree with a 5-2, that someone else has been posting

Wimbley Houston Kelly Seymour Moss

Curry McClain

by Raider_Renagade on Jan 14, 2012 2:46 PM PST reply actions  

Our LB corps is bad. Maybe Goethel will help and Curry is legit. Wimbley is solid at pass rushing but nothing more and McClain's a bust

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"George Blanda ... I really believe he is the greatest clutch player in the history of this game." Al Davis
"Let no thing possess you that you do not dictate." Raymond St. Martin

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 15, 2012 8:20 PM PST up reply actions  

Better coaching could make a difference

Really don’t think Biekert was getting it done.

by rightnasty on Jan 16, 2012 8:25 PM PST up reply actions  

Better scheme and better coaching

our linebackers (especially McClain) have a lot of pressure put on them and are not put in optimum positions to succeed.

Frankly it is really hard to judge any of our defensive players because the scheme we ran was so individualistic and the guy running it did such a bad job that any evaluation of them is skewed.

While I’ll agree with you Sons that McClain is a bust at being a 4-3 MLB he may excel at being a 3-4 ILB, like he was when Saban called him “the smartest player Ive ever coached”

So let’s let the new HC whoever he ends up being hire a DC (preferably Mike Nolan) and let him evaluate these defensive players (especially the linebackers) and let him make the determination on these guys as to whether he can use them or not.

The last thing I want to see is Reymundo released by us only to thrive and become a pro bowl player elsewhere in a 3-4 scheme.

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Jan 17, 2012 9:38 AM PST up reply actions  

We have no choice but to wait ... and distract and divert ourselves as best we can.

McClain is never going to be much better than he is now – which is borderline starter on a 29th ranked Defense.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"George Blanda ... I really believe he is the greatest clutch player in the history of this game." Al Davis
"Let no thing possess you that you do not dictate." Raymond St. Martin

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 18, 2012 5:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Maybe if he took a big paycut we'd feel better about him...

If the Raiders decide to stay 4-3, I say we get what we can for him and move on.
If we are changing to a 3-4, Reynaldo should be given a chance to at least see if he can prove out to be the linebacker he’s being paid to be and if that doesn’t work out get what we can for him and move on.

I guess my Mike Nolan as our DC dream is over, I hope Reggie’s due diligence doesn’t end up costing us a better coaching staff.
Of course I’d rather he get the right guy to Captain this ship even at the cost of us not getting proven top notch coordinators.

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Jan 19, 2012 7:50 AM PST up reply actions  

Yes sir

If he hires an offensive coordinator for the head coaching job, but they aren’t able to find somebody good on defense to go along with it, we’re basically replaying the 2011 season.

by rightnasty on Jan 19, 2012 12:12 PM PST up reply actions  

Not necessarily,

I’m of the opinion that any other scheme and any other DC will be better than what we had this past year, but i would like to have someone for DC with a plan that fits most of the players we have already. So we would only need minimal turnover of personnel.

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Jan 19, 2012 7:30 PM PST up reply actions  

Not necessarily.

I’m of the opinion that any other scheme and any other DC will be better than what we had this past year, but i would like to have someone for DC with a plan that fits most of the players we have already. So we would only need minimal turnover of personnel.

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Jan 19, 2012 7:29 PM PST reply actions  

oops...reply fail

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Jan 19, 2012 7:30 PM PST up reply actions  


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