Free Agents with ties to new Raider coaching staff

by Levi Damien on Feb 22, 2012 2:12 PM PST

Mario Williams #90 of the Houston Texans gets the crowd hyped up

Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen have already shown their proclivity for hiring coaches from their former stops in the NFL. It stands to reason that they would look to do the same with players from their former teams.

And with the free agency period coming up on March 13, you can bet the first free agent players on their minds are those who they once coached. When digging up these players, I didn't just pick every free agent from the coaches former team. I stayed specific to his coaching position-ie DB coach would mean corners and safeties, offensive coordinator would mean all offensive players, etc.

Here is a list of 2012 unrestricted free agents who have served under current Raider coaches:

Head coach Dennis Allen

DL Brodrick Bunkley UFA Denver Broncos

DL Jason Hunter UFA Denver Broncos

DL Marcus Thomas UFA Denver Broncos

LB Mario Haggan UFA Denver Broncos

LB Joe Mays UFA Denver Broncos

LB Wesley Woodyard UFA Denver Broncos

CB Jonathan Wilhite UFA Denver Broncos

SS Brian Dawkins UFA Denver Broncos

CB Tracy Porter UFA New Orleans Saints

Defensive Coordinator Jason Tarver

LB Ahmad Brooks UFA San Francisco 49ers

LB Manny Lawson UFA Cincinnati Bengals

Offensive Coordinator Greg Knapp

QB Jake Delhomme UFA Houston Texans

RB Justin Forsett UFA Seattle Seahawks

TE John Carlson UFA Seattle Seahawks

OG Michael Gibson UFA Seattle Seahawks

C Todd McClure UFA Atlanta Falcons

Offensive Line Coach Frank Pollack

C Chris Myers UFA Houston Texans

OG Mike Brisiel UFA Houston Texans

Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams

DE Cliff Avril UFA Detroit Lions

LB Anthony Spencer UFA Dallas Cowboys

Linebackers Coach Johnny Holland

LB Mario Williams UFA Houston Texans

Defensive Backs Coach Johnny Lynn

CB Jamar Wall UFA Philadelphia Eagles

FS Marlin Jackson UFA Philadelphia Eagles

SS Dashon Goldson UFA San Francisco 49ers

FS Reggie Smith UFA San Francisco 49ers

FS C.J. Spillman UFA San Francisco 49ers

There are a great deal more players who were on the same team as some of the coaches but weren't in their area of expertise-- Marques Colston jumps to mind. This also doesn't include free agents from Reggie McKenzie's former team, the Green Bay Packers.

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Williams

I had though of Mario Williams, but with his team doing fine without him is he the guy the Raiders need? Is he one of the best 80 that RMAC wants to bring in?

by Mallard Davis on Feb 22, 2012 2:24 PM PST reply actions

I love Mario Williams

But for the price we would have to pay we could probably fill 2-3 other holes

by footballfan2577 on Feb 22, 2012 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

Players that would fill the gaps... Look where most of them were drafted

LB Mario Haggan UFA Denver Broncos
5’11" 250 6th round pick
LB Joe Mays UFA Denver Broncos
started in a 4-3 last year
third on the team in tackles and his career high with 75

LB Wesley Woodyard UFA Denver Broncos
6’0" 229 Undrafted
started in a 4-3 last year
led the team in tackles and his career high with 97

CB Tracy Porter UFA New Orleans Saints
5’10" 186 2008 draft 2nd round
The guy we are speculated to chase..
7 career picks
34career passes defended
He has averaged 12.33 games a year over the last 3 seasons?

LB Ahmad Brooks UFA San Francisco 49ers
6’3" 253 2006 draft 3rd round
49 tackles most productive year.

C Todd McClure UFA Atlanta Falcons
6’1" 296 1999 draft 7th round
Vet Center who knows Gregg Knapp

LB Mario Williams UFA Houston Texans
We all know about this guy I just wonder what he will cost.

SS Dashon Goldson UFA San Francisco 49ers
6’-200" 4th round pick
Listed at Freee Safety on the 49ers depth chart
3 rd on team in tackles behind Bowman and Willis

Al Davis the Greatest Raider of all times... You will live forever in the hearts of true Raider fans...RIP

by samiam2112 on Feb 22, 2012 3:13 PM PST reply actions

Mario is going to cost way too damn much

But is the sort of dynamic playmaker who would be genuinely worth whatever he may get. I would love him on the Raiders but would prefer Goldson or Tracy Porter.

These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx

by RDreamer on Feb 22, 2012 4:04 PM PST up reply actions

For the price of Williams

we could get both Goldson and Porter, probably a third player too.

by RyanTheRaider on Feb 22, 2012 5:11 PM PST up reply actions

if kamerion wasn’t getting all that money, mario would definitely be worth it

by massillonraider on Feb 22, 2012 4:18 PM PST reply actions

KW shouldn't be getting all of that money

He is just an outside pass rusher that Al fell in love with. As a LB in run defense, the man is a liability with his inability to establish the edge.

by TD Rader on Feb 22, 2012 5:10 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe a 3-4 would help him

If not I see him playing more DE

by Mr.Monette on Feb 22, 2012 9:07 PM PST up reply actions

He is a DE

that has always been the problem. He’s playing out of position.
I still question how good a DE he is.
He seemed to only have success against backups last year.
The rest of the time he was either invisible or a liability against the run or short pass.
The guy is grossly overpaid and should restructure his contract at a substantially lower rate than he is at now, for the good of the team or he should be released…at the first moment that his contract makes it possible or should I say afforable.

"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 Feb 23, 2012 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

So it is a pipe dream to even think they have a chance at this list of players

Pipe dream in that you need to be smoking one to think the Raiders have the cap room to sign one. But if I had my choice, Haggan and Goldson would be my top choice. I wanted Goldson last year, but he went across the bay. Haggan is a good fit at a position of need.

I suppose with the loss of Routt, Porter is a natural need too. Go ahead and add him to my list

by TD Rader on Feb 22, 2012 5:08 PM PST reply actions

Cut Wimbley if he doesnt want to re-structure

I’d rather have Mario Williams all day for the same pay

by RaiderPride20 on Feb 22, 2012 5:09 PM PST reply actions

Indeed

Rawr!

by Twiztid_Foo on Feb 23, 2012 12:48 AM PST up reply actions

How much will it cost us to cut Wimbley?

He should have been the first one released, (before Routt) but I believe it will cost us a lot to do that deed that needs doing.
If of course, he won’t restructure dramatically.

by rambis64 on Feb 23, 2012 4:35 PM PST up reply actions

he has 6.5 million guaranteed

if we dont cut him before march 17th he will be owed 4.5 more.

by RyanTheRaider on Feb 24, 2012 10:50 PM PST up reply actions

great leaders

we need great play makers and leaders

by FloridaRaider on Feb 22, 2012 6:30 PM PST via Android app reply actions

I would like both

Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard.Maybe Jason Allen from the Texans too.

by RyanTheRaider on Feb 22, 2012 6:56 PM PST reply actions

Spencer in Dallas was with our new DL coach at TCU

If I remember correctly

by Mr.Monette on Feb 22, 2012 8:58 PM PST reply actions

Oh, so now we are going to get into college?

Are you trying to drive me completely insane?

by Levi Damien on Feb 22, 2012 9:02 PM PST up reply actions

Might as well half our new staff is fresh from the college ranks lol

DL/TE/WR/DC

by Mr.Monette on Feb 22, 2012 9:05 PM PST up reply actions

DL coach connections added

So much for me having life outside of this blog.

by Levi Damien on Feb 22, 2012 9:40 PM PST up reply actions

You love it.

by KOwens06 on Feb 23, 2012 10:57 AM PST up reply actions

I would be happy with

T. Porter CB/ C. Myers C/ and Woodyard

by Mr.Monette on Feb 22, 2012 9:03 PM PST reply actions

Add T Thomas-NYG and A Franklin-NO dream would be Carr but t porter and t thomas will be good even financially

by Mr.Monette on Feb 22, 2012 9:13 PM PST up reply actions

is it because Routt was released that we couldnt get any picks for him?

or what i should ask is why wasnt it worked so we got at least one pick for him.

by skycrane on Feb 22, 2012 11:17 PM PST reply actions

it was

a roster bonus was set to kick in, couldnt trade him that day and had to cut him for cap implications.

other players like wimbley and huff we should tade away for very low picks just to move their salary

by Mob Figaz on Feb 23, 2012 1:17 AM PST up reply actions

no one would want to trade for their contracts

by RyanTheRaider on Feb 23, 2012 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

@Dizzle

Good post! – But you gotta add Mike Brisiel (G) from the Texans to the list – with Pollack they might try to target both Myers and Brisiel when establishing the new ZBS

by Harder2000 on Feb 23, 2012 12:40 AM PST reply actions

This list I was looking at

didn’t have him as a free agent. But I poked around elsewhere and he is. Weird. I will add him.

by Levi Damien on Feb 23, 2012 10:38 AM PST up reply actions

Forsett

If we lose Bush I think Forsett would be a very respectable replacement. He’s solid in most areas and has good hands out of the backfield. He had his best season when Knapp was the OC in Seattle as well. I bet we could get him relatively cheaply too.

You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea.

by Buster Bluth on Feb 23, 2012 4:30 AM PST reply actions

Forset was a beast at Cal since then he's been mediocre...

Al Davis the Greatest Raider of all times... You will live forever in the hearts of true Raider fans...RIP

by samiam2112 on Feb 23, 2012 4:58 PM PST up reply actions

Seen here getting gang tackled by Oregon Ducks

by Levi Damien on Feb 23, 2012 11:38 PM PST up reply actions

He actually brutalized us that day it sucked

Here he stiffed Thurman III and tuned it into more…

Al Davis the Greatest Raider of all times... You will live forever in the hearts of true Raider fans...RIP

by samiam2112 on Feb 24, 2012 12:15 AM PST up reply actions

I know he has no Raider ties but one guy in free agency I really want to see in silver and black

is…Jarret Johnson. This guy gets lost in the talk of the Ravens defense because of other big names and personalities but this guy is fundamentally sound. He’s a great OLB in a 3-4 if we are going more in that direction and would help out tremendously in sun defense. He’s a solid pass rusher as well. I think his price tag will be reasonable if we can somehow get under the cap with a little wiggle room.

You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea.

by Buster Bluth on Feb 23, 2012 8:36 AM PST reply actions