WTF was my initial reaction. Not even a trade. Just released. I will look for a link but this is not good unless they are going to bring in a couple shut down corners. I got this from The Oakland Raiders Facebook page. This might be the start of a whole new defense with all new players. Who is next? Seymore? McClain? Was this a cost cutting move or the start of something good?. What is your guys reaction?

Poll

Was releasing Stanford Routt a good move?

• YES
• NO
• New Defense All New Players

  81 votes | Results

(Editor's Note: This news has been confirmed from multiple sources and from where I am sitting I see this as a shot over the bow to players who were overpaid by Mr. Davis. Stanford was our best corner last year and definitely had some trade value, so I am curious to know more about his structure )

The official Facebook for the Oakland Raiders just posted:

"The Raiders have released cornerback Stanford Routt."

Confirmed by Official Raiders Site: http://www.raiders.com/team/transactions.html

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First off this stems from the burning need in the majority of fans to babble on about how their team is better than everyone else's without any real proof. Growing up in the Bay Area with mostly 49er fans as friends has led me to many a heated debate about the 49ers vs our beloved Raiders. These debates mostly did not solve anything because it is nearly impossible to debate with those people as many of you know I'm sure. This trend continued when I went off to college a few years ago as I am now in Indiana arguing with Colts fans about their so called dominance of the past decade.

I've taken a few statistics classes during my time at college and have always wondered why someone hadn't taken the time to make a simple, weighted formula to rank all the NFL teams. So I decided to try and undertake such and endeaor and came here to ask what you all think the criteria should be for this formula because I know there are many opinions about what a Super Bowl win is worth compared to a decade of say making the playoffs but never winning the big game.

My current list for criteria are as follows: Regular Season Wins, Playoff Wins, Playoff Appearances, Super Bowl Appearances, Super Bowl Wins, MVPs, and Hall of Famers. I'm unsure how to weight all these and would love to get some feedback and some more ideas for criteria. Thanks for reading.

Fellow Raiders,

In the last couple weeks there has been much whining about the return of Knapp as OC, leaving many of us scratching our heads about the fate of Al Saunders, as many of us were pleased with our offensive production overall, especially given the rampant injury list mid-to-late season. The Knapp moved caused many of us to break out with chronic "doom-and-gloomies," but never Fear! Per Terry McCormick with nfpost.com, Saunders will be retained as Senior Offensive Assistant! Hooray! It was the the obvious move that many of us were hoping for, and we got it! Have faith ladies and gentleman of the Raider Nation! McKensie and Allen are going to do everything within their grasp to return this team to glory!

My take on the defense, these opinions are my own and are presented with the understanding that we will be running a base 4-3 defense next year.

DE’s

Lamarr Houston – Had a bit of a sophomore slump compared to his rookie year, but overall had a fairly productive year. He was seventh on the team in tackles, but only recorded one sack. Too early in his career to start thinking about moving him, I think he will be a future star. He is very versatile and could see more time at DT if needed.

Matt Shaughnessy – Was having a pretty good year before being derailed by injury and is still developing. Let’s hope he heals completely, because we need him.

Jarvis Moss – Moss has been attempting to shed the bust label given to him after he failed in Denver and has done pretty well in Oakland as a role player. He is fast and athletic and seems to have everything a DE needs to be a force, but something seems to be missing. Every time I think of Moss now, I have the image of him closing in to tackle a Bronco RB in the backfield only to realize the Tebow had read him crashing down and pulled the ball out, leaving a Grand Canyon sized lane to run through, but I hold no ill will towards him for that. Moss is a great rotational player and should be retained.

Mason Brodine – I will readily admit I know nothing about this guy, so his page is unwritten. Let’s see what he can do in the preseason camps.

Trevor Scott – Not as effective as he used to be, I think the knee injuries have taken a toll on him. He is quite versatile being able to play both pass rushing end and LB, though not necessarily being great at either. I like Scott a lot, but I am aware he is falling off and I’m not sure he is still the best option available for the Raiders. I think he might need a change of environment, and would probably be better suited as a 3-4 OLB, a scheme that we likely aren’t running.

DT’s

Richard Seymour – Sure he made the pro bowl, but it was more of an election based on the name more than the performance. He seemed to disappear late in games, and I’m not sure he even showed up to the last San Diego game. I would like to keep him, but only if he was willing to forget about the last year of that abomination of a contract and be willing to play the next 2-4 years for the price he going to charge for next year alone. That is not going to happen.

Tommy Kelly – Kelly actually outperformed Seymour. He had a very solid year and yet was once again snubbed from the pro bowl. I think Kelly is already a star in this league, doesn’t matter what the rest of the NFL think. He is finally living up the contract Mr. Davis gave him all those years ago, and should be a fixture at DT on our line for the next few seasons.

Desmond Bryant – Bryant is a fairly versatile DL player, able to play very well at the DT position and start at the DE position. Bryant is a gifted young player, but like Moss, one play stands out for him in my mind. I don’t remember off hand who the play happened against, but after a third down stop, and the whistle blew, Bryant came flying in for a waaaaaaaaaaaay late hit that drew the ire of all Raider fans and coaches, and also a 15 yard yellow penalty flag gift wrapping a first down for the opposition. Bryant just rolled his eyes as if it was a bad call and sulked while they (the other team) went on to score on the drive. Bryant is in dire need of better coaching and DISCIPLINE!

Jon Henderson – He is a great rotational DT, but I am not sure how much longer he can sustain his rate of play. At his age, it declines by the season. I think he might need to be upgraded at this point.

LB’s

Aaron Curry – I think Curry can revive his career in Oakland. He did pretty well last year for an in-season acquisition and should be able to step up his level of play with a full offseason to get to know players and coaches.

Quentin Groves – Groves was very frustrating to watch at times. He made good plays, but a whole lot of bad ones right after. He found a niche as a special teams player, but I don’t think he will be back. He went from being a starter to being seldomly used overnight due to the Curry trade. I’m not saying he views himself as a starter still, but I would think he thinks he can contribute more to a team than kick coverage.

Rolando McClain – I don’t like McClain as much as a lot of the bloggers on this site do. I don’t have any cute nicknames for him, unless you count "What the &*#^ are you thinking?" Which I yelled aloud at my television several times throughout the season, and then yelled at my newspaper as I read about him thinking he’s an Original Gangsta kicking it in his hood with a loaded weapon. I think he can be a good player, but needs to accept more responsibility with the defense and needs more discipline (he should have been benched after said gun incident, which ALLEGEDLY divided the locker room).

Travis Goethel - The one thing I can tell you about this guy with absolute certainty is that cannot stay healthy! I’ve never seen him play, but I heard he practices really well. Hopefully he starts with a clean slate with the new regime and they give him a chance to earn his spot.

Kamerion Wimbley – While I think they overpaid for him a bit last season, the image of him sacking Rivers numerous times last year in the first match-up almost made up for it. He is a great hybrid DE-LB that can cover the pass and sack the passer from both the DE or the LB spot. I want to see another great year from him.

Daryl Blackstock – Didn’t do great. Even with how idiotic McClain played at times, Blackstock made me miss him. I don’t think he will be back.

Bruce Davis – Recorded exactly one assisted tackle last season and likely won’t be back.

DB’s

Stanford Routt – Routt is through and through a bump and run, man coverage corner. Just the way the Raiders like them. But he seemed like he might be a bit lost in the zone schemes that Bresnashit liked to call. I think he is capable of locking down receivers when playing his game, but isn’t the type of corner that can play any system and be great. He is a Raiders corner, that’s why Al drafted him, so let him play Raider defense.

Chris Johnson – Didn’t play much at all last season, only playing in four games and getting 12 tackles before injuries and family crisis ended his season. He has really fallen off from the player he was when he took Routt’s starting spot all those years ago and I think his time in Oakland is winding down.

Demarcus Van Dyke – Didn’t have a great rookie year, but he can bounce back with a great sophomore year.

Chimde Chekwa – Injury shortened rookie year, I think he can bounce back and have a good sophomore outing.

Lito Sheppard – Was a stopgap solution that likely won’t return in 2012. Thanks for your time Lito.

Bryan McCann – Signed more as a KR, but didn’t really pan out as the KR or a DB. Likely won’t be back because Ford should be healthy as the KR and there is a whole offseason to find better CB’s to replace him with.

Tyvonne Branch – Great young safety that will haunt Oakland if he is not retained.

Mike Mitchell – Has been injured for much of his career, but generally plays through it. He was drafted as a hard hitting safety, but hasn’t generally put out the highlight reel hits. He is responsible for one of my favorite plays of last year though. On a fine Sunday afternoon, the Packers, clearly the best team to ever play the game, were laying it to an uninspired Raiders team and the announcers were on their knees blowing Rodgers, pedaling all their NFL propaganda about how Rodgers is unstoppable and invincible and the second son of God. Mitchell made a great play on the ball and gave Rodgers his first, and probably only, red zone INT for the season. Take that golden boy. Mitchell should be given his shot to make the team, and I think he will make it.

Michael Huff – I think Huff is a pretty good safety at this point in his career and should be kept.

Matt Giordano – Made some great plays last year and is a great rotational safety. He should be back.

Jerome Boyd – I am torn on Boyd. On the one hand, he is a former Oregon Duck, and is the object of my everlasting Duck love and I want him to succeed. On the other, there are times last year, that he just plain out sucked. I don’t think he will be back, which breaks my duck-loving heart, but I think it gives Oakland a chance to upgrade.

Hiram Eugene – Spent all season on IR with a dislocated hip (OUCH!). He is a former starter, from when Huff just out and out sucked, but found a role on Special Teams as a gunner on the punt formation. Will likely be best remembered for being utterly bitch slapped to the ground by Willis McGahee on a break away TD at the end of the season two years ago. He probably won’t be back.

ST’s

Jon Condo – A fabulous long snapper that earns his keep. I can’t even remember the last time I heard the words "terrible snap" used in the same sentence as the Raiders Special Teams. In addition to being a great long snapper, he isn’t afraid to get down the field and make a hit, recording a few tackles for the Raiders in each of the last few years. Absolutely bring him back.

Sebastian Janikowski – Seabass just confirmed with the NFL what we Raiders fans have known for a long time, this boy can kick. He had his best season to date and tied the NFL record for longest kick. You know a guy has a killer leg when he nails a 63 yarder and says he didn’t hit it great. Against the Lions he had his chance at the record with a 65 yarder, but he either kicked it low or his OL let him down and Suh got his hand on it. Oh what could have been. Another no brainer, he should be back.

Shane Lechler – Completes the best Special Teams trio in the game. If Ray Guy doesn’t make it there first, Lechler should be the first ever Punter in the HOF. This guy is amazing, and with Hue Jackson’s brass balls, even threw a pass or two this season (with mixed results). Let’s hope he returns, football is a game of inches and this season he set a Raiders record by punting the ball 2880 inches (80 yards). In a game where field position is so important, a great punter is a must. Lechler can flip the field and pin the other team deep in their territory with an expertly placed kick.

Hey, everyone just saw the article thought I would share the news.I'm personally excited that he's staying with the "O' and not going to the chiefs. His title now is senior assistant does anyone know if he would still be game planning?

Introduce myself I am a fan out of the Sacramento area and I have been a reader off and on for awhile and ill say all of you do great work.

First time posting couldn't make the link work.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d826c4e94/article/raiders-assistant-saunders-under-contract-through-2013?module=HP11_MYNFL

It pains me to say it, but our best player could very well be out the door by April. He just never really got the zone-blocking scheme instilled by Tom Cable--it wasn't until Hue Jackson arrived and transitioned to power blocking that he broke out. For this reason, Michael Bush must be kept and McFadden must go.

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I am starting to question Reggie McKenzie's decision to hire Dennis Allen as the first head coach of the new era of Raider football. I mean he only has one season of defensive play-calling experience and that was a mediocre 24th ranking at that. Also he doesn't have the luxury of playing against Carson Palmer anymore to hand out three INTs like in Oakland last year to help his turnovers forced numbers. The biggest concern is the obscure names being passed around such as today's most recent hires for example. Ted Gilmore, not the offensive coordinator but merely the wide receiver coach for one season under Lane Kiffin at USC is coming to coach the same position with the Raiders. He was a receivers coach with the Nebraska Cornhuskers a few years ago which means at least he can coach WR blocking which is not horrible. Also John Defilippo instead of a returning Al Saunders is coming in to coach the quarterbacks. This is the same person who helped develop Jafatshit into a perennial Pro Bowl QB. Jason Tarver is the new DC under Allen and having never called plays for the Stanford Cardinal only to start at the NFL level is worrisome. I could care less about his education. I have met several people with scholastic credentials that lack logic. This is not to say Tarver is that same type of person but his defenses while they could stop the run were rather mediocre against the pass in huge games against Oregon and Oklahoma St. Also Andrew Luck's brilliance at conducting the no huddle and knowing defensive tendencies could have meant more to the offense controlling time of position than anything the defense did. Greg Knapp's hiring may be considered nothing more than another footnote in Raiders coaching history next to Bed and Breakfast and Art Shell. I am going to wait for the season to start but I am not expecting an immediate resurgence of Raiders football this season. Maybe once Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie get their feet wet things may turn around but I will not be surprised with a slow learning curve in Season one with a bunch of overpaid and selfish malcontents expecting these no names to tell them how to do their jobs. We can only hope Reggie knows something most of us don't which is why he is the man in charge.

When browsing CBS Draft, I set on to look for a late round CB for our team. CBs this free agency are not very abundant, with only abut 3 guys I would even consider. I looked for a CB with good speed. Height doesn't necessarily concern me, although I tend to stay away from CB that are 5'9".

So I came across Asa Jackson from Cal Poly. 5'10", 193 lbs, 4.40 40 time. I looked him up on youtube, and I came across a video (yes!), and surprisingly.... he looks very good.

Asa Jackson Cal Poly Highlights (via MrAsajackson)

I liked what I saw.

Poll

Would Asa Jackson be a solid pickup in the 6th?

• Yes
• No

  38 votes | Results

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Though Martin is considered the third-best player at his position, he is also projected as a third-round pick as this is not the best safety class. However, that is not to sell Martin short on his abilities. Martin may be the best overall athlete at the safety position.

With a solid senior season Martin's draft stock may rise, but as of right now the Raiders should be hoping Martin falls right into their compensatory pick, who many assume will be a third-rounder.Martin tallied 62 tackles (52 solo), 11 passes defensed and two forced fumbles in his senior year.The Raiders may have other pressing needs than safety, but safety is still a huge issue for the Silver and Black. as far as highlights go, i could only find this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to8Jsa13hxE which i cant stop watching over and over again. for his career he got 179 tackles, 3 INT, 1 TD, 39 Passes deflected, and 2 forced fumbles. he seems to be really good in coverage and attacks the ball well with speed and agression

Poll

Is he worth it

• yes
• no

  52 votes | Results