Welcome to Pirate Booty. Where we promise to never, ever post a picture of Anthony Weiner. What we do have is football, football and actually there's not all that much football. It's more just sound bytes about football, and chat about the business side of the sport.
Take today. We have a tasty little sound byte from Trevor Scott. We have discussions about teams moving or not moving to L.A.. We have the obligatory Nnamdi chatter. Oh, I almost forgot, the biggest and surest sign of that the NFL is on lockout is that we have another story of a former Raider receiver trying out for the CFL.
Jump over....
Raiders Grab Bag O' Booty
Trevor Scott is a Hue Jackson fan:
Trevor Scott Says Hue Jackson Will Take Raiders To Super Bowl | Football News Now
"I think Hue Jackson getting hired as a head coach is a huge step forward," Scott stated with Richardson very much approving. "It kind of stinks seeing coach Cable go . . . he did nothing but go up every single year, so best wishes to him, but I feel like Hue Jackson is going to take that next step to where we were and he’s going to take us to where we want to go and that is to win the AFC Championship and then win the Super Bowl.
I get the feeling from different quotes from players that they genuinely liked Cable, but I think they almost all believe Hue Jackson is a better coach. Except for maybe Robert Gallery—who is so tall his brain didn't make it to his head.
Paul Gutierrez outlines a great reason why the Raiders wouldn't move to L.A.:
Gutierrez: L.A. means less control for Raiders' Davis
It makes more sense to look at the ownership situations in San Diego, Minnesota, St. Louis and Jacksonville, the other franchises with which Leiweke said AEG has talked, conversations that have apparently included the conglomerate picking up relocation costs. Personally, if a team is going to move to Los Angeles to fill the No. 2 media market's NFL void that has existed since the end of the 1994 season, I'd like to see the Rams make the jump.
I am all for the Rams moving back to L.A. Also, the harder it is for AEG to get a team to move to L.A. the more leverage any team would have when moving there.
I once thought Jonathan Holland would be a solid third/fourth receiver. Apparently it is going to be an uphill fight just to make the Eskimos.
Former Raiders Receiver Holland Battling For Job In CFL | Football News Now
The Raiders’ 2007 seventh-round draft pick is hoping to make the cut with the Edmonton Eskimos who are in the middle of training camp–unaffected by the NFL Lockout south of their border
Nick Miller is working his ass off, and he is a fan of Jason Campbell.
All about the Oakland Raiders : Raiders Silver and Black Blog
Last year was Jason's first year, and he came in and wasn't sure about a lot of things, and then he got benched," Miller said. "But he finished up strong and this year, he is the guy. "He is reaching out to people, taking charge of situations and people are looking to him. You can feel it. The whole vibe has changed ... the quarterback is the leader of the team and he's definitely the guy now."
Raiders' QB Jason Campbell is "Definitely the Guy" - Silver And Black Pride
Nick Miller says Jason Campbell is growing into his leadership role.
Raiders Roster Ramblings
This guy thinks Ike Taylor should be as highly paid as Nnam:
Harris: Among CBs, it's easy to like Ike - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Asomugha is definitely talented. But he has an aversion to contact in a physical sport, recording only 19 tackles in 14 games last season. (He missed two games because of injury.) That's an embarrassing stat for someone who ranks among the best at this position. Asomugha, who didn't have an interception in 2010, was paid $15 million by the Oakland Raiders. That made him the highest-paid corner in the NFL, but also the most overpaid corner when compared with Ike Taylor, another unrestricted free agent.
Taylor is an excellent tackler, but uh—let's not get carried away here brochacho. Here is more of his reasoning:
Taylor has a better resume than Asomugha, who was the least-targeted cornerback in the league the past two seasons.
However, Asomugha's ability to play stifling pass defense doesn't override the fact that he doesn't do much else. He doesn't come up and force the run like Taylor does. Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau labeled Taylor the best tackling cornerback in the league. Asomugha doesn't defend both sides of the field or play on special teams like Taylor does.
Around the AFC West
San Diego Chargers
Chargers are in the same boat in regards to a potential move to L.A. as the Raiders
Chargers won’t be selling majority stake to AEG | ProFootballTalk
Not so, reports Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Said Chargers special counsel Marc Fabiani, "If AEG is seeking a majority stake in the team, it would probably be best for AEG to cross the Chargers off his wish list." Of course, this could prompt plenty of you who like to read between the lines to conclude that the Chargers could move to Los Angeles without a majority interest in the team being purchased by AEG.
The Chargers would be a natural for L.A.. They already a sissy Hollywood team. However, L.A. needs to bring in teams not already in California. It will increase revenues for the poor state, and the more teams on the West Coast the better.
Denver Broncos
This story makes me vomit:
Insurer sues Broncos over former players' compensation claims - The Denver Post
"Your memory isn't what it used to be," Little said. "You don't sleep as well as you should. I still suffer from the injuries during my career." Now his claim, along with claims by eight other retired Broncos players, has become entangled in a federal lawsuit by an insurance company that says it shouldn't have to pay.
Ex-NFL players should never have to worry about this kind of thing. These guys gave up their bodies for the sport. I know they did it willingly, but what they did created the foundation of a $9 billion business. Everyone currently involved in the NFL is reaping the rewards that have come from the physical toll these guys continue to pay. Take care of 'em. The money is there.
Kansas City Chiefs
This is hands down the best thing to come from the lockout.
Chiefs' Leonard Pope Saves Six-Year Old Boy From Drowning - Arrowhead Pride
"We were attending a pool party, and Bryson was in the water with the other kids," said Moore, who has known Pope since he was a little boy. "All of a sudden, I saw Bryson going down in the water and I started screaming. Leonard was inside, and he came out of nowhere and dove into the water without any hesitation, cell phone in his pocket and all. He saved my son's life, and I am so thankful that he was there for me and my child." Pope was the only person at the party who knew how to swim so I don't want to think what would have happened if he weren't there. "My prayers were answered by God when Leonard jumped in and saved my son," said Moore. "The fact that he is normally at camp and could have been in Kansas City just proved to me that he was placed here to save my son from drowning, and I thank God that he was here. He truly lived up to his nickname "Champ" because he was truly a champion for me and my son this past weekend."
Around the Lockout
We are getting closer!
NFL Lockout: Deal Not Imminent But Progress Being Made - SBNation.com
Various reports are indicating progress is being made and even shooting for some type of agreement by mid-July. We've heard this before but this time it feels real. Let's hope the momentum continues and, shortly after the Fourth of July, we're celebrating a new agreement.
Apparently this is one of the big concessions made by the owners:
Peter King - SI.com
I'm now told owners likely will be willing to give players a percentage of the profits beyond what the owners project for those four seasons. This would become significant in 2014, when the league will reach new network TV deals with its partners, and the rights fees could go up monstrously. This is important. Not unexpected, because owners knew they'd have to do it, but important.
I am certain this is all playing out the way the owners envisioned. They started off with an offer they never intended on receiver, and now they are conceding those things to give the appearance of being fair. In the end, the players are going to have a worse deal than they had in 2009.
And during all of this here are some stories of players affected:
Dolphins draft pick cutting lawns to earn money during lockout - USATODAY.com
"It's hard times right now," Clay told the paper. "I'm working little small jobs and things to get money. Not getting an income right now is tough, especially when I'm trying to have a facility to workout in, and have to pay for things like (trainers).
It must be a shock for the above Dolphins player going from the kickbacks from boosters in college to actually having to work for money.
At least the rookies drafted know where they will be headed when the lockout ends. It has to be hard for the guys that are waiting and hoping to find a camp to attend.
NFL lockout puts undrafted rookies at a disadvantage | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/14/2011
Mikell said that as an unheralded signee out of Boise State, the Eagles minicamp and organized team activities - a fancy NFL term for spring practices - gave him his most meaningful chance to impress coaches and latch onto a precious roster spot. That summer was the beginning of a lengthy career, by NFL standards, that includes one Pro Bowl appearance and four seasons as an Eagles starter.
There has been talk of expanding the rosters if the lockout cuts out some of training camp. It makes sense. I think they should anyway. Expand the practice squad to 15 players, and take the age limit off. Why not? I see no downside to it. The cost would be minimum for owners maybe $2 million per team. And it would help a team's continuity during the season as injuries piled up.