I would say that Oakland Raiders news has slowed to a trickle, but that would be to suggest that: A) It was not a trickle before, and B) that what we do have was flowing from something other than the desperation of football starved imaginations. Still there are a few interesting tidbits.
It appears that the Plaxico Burress to the Raiders notion is picking up a few supporters:
Peter King - SI.com
I think when Plaxico Burress gets out of jail a week from today, and when the NFL resumes, he'll have two or three teams very interested. My guess is the Jets, Eagles and Raiders will be involved (the Jets if they don't sign Randy Moss)
The move makes too much sense for people not to speculate. Of course, that doesn't mean the Raiders are thinking about it. Jump over for more booty....
Raiders Grab Bag O' Booty
Onto a little Raider history provided by the Raiders themselves.
Top 10 Receiving Yard Performances
The vertical game has always been a staple of the Raiders offensive attack and many receivers have turned in impressive efforts over the years. Check out this Top 10 list of regular season receiving yardage performances.
This list is dominated by Art Powell. I never would have guessed, but he makes the top-ten three times and he holds the first and second single most games with most receiving yards of any Raider. Not bad for a guy that only played four seasons in the silver and black—the worst of which was an 800 yard 12 touchdown campaign. The Raiders would love to get out of any single receiver now.
From a Raider great of the past to a Raider great of the hopefully still present:
SB Nation's Pride of Detroit takes a look at the chances of the Lions land Nnamdi:
Ask POD: What Are The Chances Of The Lions Signing Nnamdi Asomugha? - Pride Of Detroit
I think the Lions will make a run at Asomugha, but in the end I don't think it's likely he will end up signing with them. They did make a couple big signings with Nate Burleson and Kyle Vanden Bosch a year ago, but I don't know if they would be willing to pay what Asomugha will likely be looking for. Besides, I'd be willing to bet that Asomugha does end up going to a team that is a proven winner.
I'd be shocked if Nnamdi ended in Detroit, but I have been shocked a time or two before.
Previously on Silver and Black Pride
Will Jon Gruden Replace Jim Tressel at Ohio State? - Silver And Black Pride
If Jon Gruden goes to Ohio State he will go down as one of the all-time great college coaches.Expert Studies Film of Raiders and Likes Mario Henderson for Right Tackle - Silver And Black Pride
Can Mario Henderson be the Raiders right tackle?Video: Raiders 2010 Defensive Highlights - Silver And Black Pride
Around the AFC West
Free Agency: Sidney Rice a better fit for Bolts than Steve Smith? " Bolt Beat | A San Diego Chargers Blog
When breaking down the facts and looking at the trends of the San Diego Chargers, I like the looks of Sindey Rice much better. Rice has the assets at 6’4″ with great hands and an ability to burn defenses to get open for the deep ball.
The Chargers can focus on receivers all they want. While Rice or Smith in a Charger uniform is a little frightening their passing attack was already frightening. That didn't stop the Raiders from sweeping them, or keep the Chargers out of the playoffs. The Chargers aren't going to get better by focusing on strengthening their strength.
The Broncos are working out. I mean it's not up to Raider standards or anything, but they are working out. In several locations.
Sources: Tim Tebow organized Denver Broncos workouts in Jacksonville - ESPN
Last week, Tebow flew Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney and Britt Davis to Jacksonville, put them up in a nearby hotel, and then led a week of workouts in his hometown, the source said
So, Tim Tebow is hosting some Broncos receivers and meanwhile Kyle Orton has been working out with Broncos receivers in the Denver area. This will set up for an interesting dynamic when football resumes. The Broncos better trade Orton as soon as possible, or they are going to have a split locker room.
Kyle Orton, Brian Dawkins among 15 Broncos at first team workout today - The Denver Post
Quarterback Kyle Orton showed up early to throw passes to receiver Eric Decker. More are expected as word spreads for the session Thursday.
Meanwhile, Brady Quinn throws threw tires in his backyard and wonders why no one will have a catch with him.
State Of The Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry And The Opportunity For Greatness - SB Nation Kansas City
The Chiefs defense was drastically improved from 2009 to 2010 and a lot of it had to do with the productivity they got from their rookie defensive backs. There is no reason to believe that these players won't get significantly better in their sophomore seasons and that should bode well for the Chiefs in 2011, but not for their opponents.
Well the funny thing about thing boding for a particular Chiefs opponent in 2011 is that they have a few significant players looking to improve in their sophomore season as well, and if I'm not mistaken they already helped their team sweep the Chiefs last year. That is some serious boding.
Around the Lockout
Goodell’s play with Jets looks to be out of bounds - The Boston Globe
There is no problem with Goodell ripping Ryan, even if doing so in front of a player is unusual. The coach was right: He had it coming. There is nothing wrong with Goodell taking Holmes to the woodshed, even in front of Ryan. But combining the two as a scheme devised by a coach? That’s problematic.
I am not a big fan of Roger Goodell these days, but I have to say that I don't really have a problem with Goodell's role in the Holmes-Jets situation.
More lockout target dates that will come and go without us having any idea if we are closer to football or not. Yay....
GROTZ: Telling day on horizon for NFL and fans - delcotimes.com
Friday, the Eighth Circuit Court in St. Louis hears arguments about the legality of the NFL’s lockout of its players. Then judges decide if it can continue. And pro football fans can better figure out how much more they want to emotionally invest in a labor dispute that should be a collective bargaining process, not an idealistic Law and Order rerun.
As frustrating as the lockout is for fans I can only imagine what it must be like for all of the undrafted free agents waiting to get their shot.
NFL lockout puts undrafted free agents under more pressure - The Denver Post
The months-long NFL labor dispute is so often characterized as a battle between billionaire owners and millionaire players. Try telling that to Dain Taylor, who is relying on his parents, Doug and Sharon, to pay for his meals and give him a free place to stay at their home in Highlands Ranch. "I know my mom wants me to get a job," Taylor said, "but she also understands that this is my dream, so she's going to support me for a while, for a reasonable amount of time."