Relatively simple IMO: A grade safeties got paid double the salary, some with quadruple the guaranteed, than we're paying our B+ safety. The best CB on the market is probably a B+ grade but is coming off a torn ACL and has yet to sign with anyone. All the other CBs, including Roby, were probably B- or C grades at best. Trent Brown was the prize OT in the class despite being very mediocre in the regular season. Per PFF, he ranked 37 out of 55 qualifying tackles in pass blocking and was the 5th ranked OT in the AFC East. He had an amazing playoffs which resulted in the largest contract ever paid to an offensive lineman. If you needed to grade him, I'd probably go with a B grade for now. Le'Veon Bell was another prize FA but don't think the Texans, or any other teams outside the Jets and 49ers, were really interested in paying him what he got. In other words, this was never considered a strong FA class, especially for our positions of need. The highest rated players got paid enormous amounts of money that we never seemed interested in giving regardless of how much we had which despite the look of it, is probably the smart move. Gaine will need to knock the draft out of the park.
Not building to win this year is just a stupid excuse. Wasting another year of Watt, Hopkins in his prime, and more importantly, another year of Watson on his rookie contract.
I know they weren't going to do it but there have been 2nd tier offensive linemen available. They did go after Saffold and lost out to the Titans, Cam Fleming was available, Ty Nsekhe and Daryl Williams had question marks but would have been upgrades, James Carpenter, Billy Turner, etc. Just because they couldn't get their #1 target doesn't mean they can't get better. There are also other players available that could have made the team better in other positions.
I would take a B level LT over Davenport's F level LT performance. Plus Brown is only 25 yrs old and played his 1st yr at LT last yr. The talent is there for much improvement. Gruden was willing to take the chance Brown would show the improvement most players make at Brown's age after getting paid. Gaine wasn't willing to take that risk. It will be interesting to see who was right. Gruden,Mayock or BOB,Gaine.
Darby met with KC last night and no news of him signing. Here's an interesting article that talks about concerns Chiefs will have with Darby... https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2019...-is-scheduled-to-visit-chiefs-wednesday-night
That’s easy O’Brien and Gaine....bcuz raiders have no chance of winning their division much less 8 games While O’Brien and Gaine will be looking to win the division and win 10-11 games again next year
Keep an eye out on what happens with the Raiders line. Donald Penn is probably the odd man out with Trent and Kolton. He is coming off an injury and is older but I imagine will be an upgrade.
I would never sign a tackle from the Patriots. Look at Nate Solder last year, paid big bucks and was terrible. It’s one thing to block for Tom Brady who has one of the quickest releases in the game. On average he gets the ball out in 2.2 seconds. There is a reason JJ watt hasn’t never sacked him and it has nothing to do with his oline. He could probably play with no OLine. Tom Brady’s release and the pace he plays at and not letting defenses substitute is an oline in itself. He inflates all his players stats and gets them paid then they suck elsewhere. Offseason ain’t over just wait before passing judgement.
False narrative on Solder, he was pretty good by the end of last year. Look at the last 1/2 of the season and the amount of points scored by the NYG offense.
I'm not looking at wins, I'm looking for Brown's level of play. BTW, The Raiders have the draft picks to be ready to be the team you're talking about when they get to Oakland. With 3 first round picks and a high 2nd round pick they're going to find talent for their defense and once they get some experience under their belts and another good draft class in 2020 and they will be the 10-11 win team you're looking at if Carr is the guy. If not I bet they will be bad enough to get their QB of the future in 2020.
Yeah but the Astros draft great players $54m of cap space with no tier one guys left. May as well pay clowney. Shocked they didn’t shell out $9-12m on line help.
