The Official Oakland Raiders 2011 Season Thread
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...gin-leaguewide-search-for-gm-to-replace-davis
Raiders begin league-wide search for GM to replace Davis
The Oakland Raiders have inquired with several NFL front-office executives, including Baltimore Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta, about their general manager position, league sources said Thursday.
The Raiders, who are reworking their front office after the death of longtime owner Al Davis, are contacting candidates to oversee their front office. Coach Hue Jackson and his staff now hold considerable personnel power and also could under a new arrangement.
DeCosta, a 40-year-old who long has been considered one of the elite young personnel men in the league, is on Oakland's target list, and he worked with Jackson in Baltimore. However, DeCosta has turned down several opportunities in the past and is considered the Ravens' GM-in-waiting for whenever Ozzie Newsome retires.
It's highly unlikely that DeCosta will leave Baltimore, given his deep roots in the organization and what it might take to tempt him to depart.
Raiders begin league-wide search for GM to replace Davis
The Oakland Raiders have inquired with several NFL front-office executives, including Baltimore Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta, about their general manager position, league sources said Thursday.
The Raiders, who are reworking their front office after the death of longtime owner Al Davis, are contacting candidates to oversee their front office. Coach Hue Jackson and his staff now hold considerable personnel power and also could under a new arrangement.
DeCosta, a 40-year-old who long has been considered one of the elite young personnel men in the league, is on Oakland's target list, and he worked with Jackson in Baltimore. However, DeCosta has turned down several opportunities in the past and is considered the Ravens' GM-in-waiting for whenever Ozzie Newsome retires.
It's highly unlikely that DeCosta will leave Baltimore, given his deep roots in the organization and what it might take to tempt him to depart.
The Oakland Raiders have reportedly contacted sports agent Robert London about their vacant GM position. At first glance, I am vehemently opposed to this move. Being an agent certainly does not prepare one to be a GM. However, I am open to it if the guy has a good track record of talent evaluation.
The report comes from TheXlog.com who became aware of this via a source close to the situation. They have interviewed London in the past, which would lead me to believe that their source is someone connected to London.
Of course, this does not mean it is true. This information could have been leaked to raise the profile of London and his firm. Either way, it is worth looking at London's qualifications. Jump over for more....
Star-divide
The Xlog seems to think he has a good eye for talent.
Apparently the Oakland Raiders have realized two things about Mr. London; his competency as a talent evaluator as he’s handpicked successful to-be NFL players as clients, and also his understanding in harmony, structure and organization within the composition of a football team.
The assessment of his understanding of harmony seems to be largely based on his handling of one of his clients, Matt Forte. Forte wanted a contract extension from the Bears this offseason. He didn't get one. Instead of holding out London advised Forte to go out and play.
London felt that Forte's best chance to get his desired contract was to go out and produce while proving he would not be a distraction to any team.
Anyway, take this news for what it is worth, and that is nothing but speculation. This is likely to be a lengthy process that involves the Raiders contacting plenty of candidates.
http://www.silverandblackpride.com/...contact-agent-robert-london-about-gm-position
The report comes from TheXlog.com who became aware of this via a source close to the situation. They have interviewed London in the past, which would lead me to believe that their source is someone connected to London.
Of course, this does not mean it is true. This information could have been leaked to raise the profile of London and his firm. Either way, it is worth looking at London's qualifications. Jump over for more....
Star-divide
The Xlog seems to think he has a good eye for talent.
Apparently the Oakland Raiders have realized two things about Mr. London; his competency as a talent evaluator as he’s handpicked successful to-be NFL players as clients, and also his understanding in harmony, structure and organization within the composition of a football team.
The assessment of his understanding of harmony seems to be largely based on his handling of one of his clients, Matt Forte. Forte wanted a contract extension from the Bears this offseason. He didn't get one. Instead of holding out London advised Forte to go out and play.
London felt that Forte's best chance to get his desired contract was to go out and produce while proving he would not be a distraction to any team.
Anyway, take this news for what it is worth, and that is nothing but speculation. This is likely to be a lengthy process that involves the Raiders contacting plenty of candidates.
http://www.silverandblackpride.com/...contact-agent-robert-london-about-gm-position
Revised Aaron Curry contract helped get deal done
Posted by Mike Florio on October 14, 2011, 4:18 PM EDT
Divisional Playoffs - Seattle Seahawks v Chicago Bears Getty Images
As the Raiders reportedly embark on a search for a General Manager, they should seriously consider the possibility that first-year coach Hue Jackson is perfectly capable of running the show.
Per a league source, the trade for linebacker Aaron Curry (who’ll debut Sunday as a starter) included a revised contract that limits Oakland’s financial investment in 2011 to $370,000, the prorated remainder of a league-minimum base salary of $370,000.
The source says that the rest of the guaranteed money on Curry’s contract was paid by the Seahawks in the form of a signing bonus before the trade went down.
Curry, the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, is still due to earn $5.7 million in 2012, but the amount is non-guaranteed. If the Raiders like what they see, they can keep him for that amount — or they can try to extend his contract.
In the end, it’s a very low-risk and possibly very high-reward move for the Raiders
Posted by Mike Florio on October 14, 2011, 4:18 PM EDT
Divisional Playoffs - Seattle Seahawks v Chicago Bears Getty Images
As the Raiders reportedly embark on a search for a General Manager, they should seriously consider the possibility that first-year coach Hue Jackson is perfectly capable of running the show.
Per a league source, the trade for linebacker Aaron Curry (who’ll debut Sunday as a starter) included a revised contract that limits Oakland’s financial investment in 2011 to $370,000, the prorated remainder of a league-minimum base salary of $370,000.
The source says that the rest of the guaranteed money on Curry’s contract was paid by the Seahawks in the form of a signing bonus before the trade went down.
Curry, the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, is still due to earn $5.7 million in 2012, but the amount is non-guaranteed. If the Raiders like what they see, they can keep him for that amount — or they can try to extend his contract.
In the end, it’s a very low-risk and possibly very high-reward move for the Raiders
ALAMEDA -- Newly acquired Aaron Curry will start at weakside linebacker Sunday in place of Quentin Groves, Raiders coach Hue Jackson said Friday.
"He’s the starting Will (weakside linebacker) on this football team," Jackson said. "Right now. I didn’t bring him here to look at him to figure it out or anything like that. He’s the starting Will on this football team. Period.”
When asked about the challenge of acclimating Curry to Oakland's system, Jackson expressed total confidence.
“I think it’s easy. There’s some terminology stuff that we work through. But we’ll work from sunup to sundown to get him ready," he said. "In my mind, I’m not making a trade to ease a guy into anything. We made a trade because I feel like this guy can help our football team, and he’s going to be the starting Will.”
Groves, among others in the team's linebacking corps, has been under the spotlight for Oakland's inability to stop the run. Sunday against the Texans, Groves failed to cover Lawrence Vickers out of the backfield on Houston's final drive, but the fullback dropped the pass from Matt Schaub despite being wide open for a sure touchdown.
Groves also was guilty of failing to hustle to the sideline on Houston's final drive, resulting in a flag being thrown for 12 men on the field. But the penalty was declined by rule because Texans guard Mike Brisiel was called for a face mask penalty.
Curry fell out of favor in Seattle this season, losing his starting spot to K.J. Wright. The former Butkus Award winner at Wake Forest has just 5½ career sacks and only 22 tackles this season.
Friday Jackson emphasized his level of confidence in the 6-2, 225-pounder.
“I like him. I’m glad he’s here. He’s going to play Will linebacker for us," Jackson said. "I’m very excited to have him. As I said yesterday, I don’t get into what all happened wherever he was. I just know what I know and what I see, and that’s how I go about it. He’s on our team. I brought him here for a reason, and he’s going to play.”
Curry is the seventh former first-rounder on the Raiders' defensive side of the roster, alongside Richard Seymour (No. 6 overall, 2001), John Henderson (No. 9 overall, 2002), Michael Huff (No. 7, 2006), Kamerion Wimbley (No. 13, 2006), Jarvis Moss (No. 17, 2007) and Rolando McClain (No. 8, 2010).
When asked to pinpoint what Curry does well, Jackson painted with a broad brush.
“I think he tackles really well. I think he takes on stuff at the point of attack. I think he rushes the quarterback extremely well," Oakland's head coach said. "I know a lot of people say there are weaknesses here and there, based on what you hear. That’s not what I saw.
"Obviously we want to make sure that we show off his strengths and not his weaknesses, but what I’ve seen today in practice and what I’ve seen on videotape is exactly what I’m getting, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Read more: Curry starting for Raiders Sunday
Tune to SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area for more on this story
"He’s the starting Will (weakside linebacker) on this football team," Jackson said. "Right now. I didn’t bring him here to look at him to figure it out or anything like that. He’s the starting Will on this football team. Period.”
When asked about the challenge of acclimating Curry to Oakland's system, Jackson expressed total confidence.
“I think it’s easy. There’s some terminology stuff that we work through. But we’ll work from sunup to sundown to get him ready," he said. "In my mind, I’m not making a trade to ease a guy into anything. We made a trade because I feel like this guy can help our football team, and he’s going to be the starting Will.”
Groves, among others in the team's linebacking corps, has been under the spotlight for Oakland's inability to stop the run. Sunday against the Texans, Groves failed to cover Lawrence Vickers out of the backfield on Houston's final drive, but the fullback dropped the pass from Matt Schaub despite being wide open for a sure touchdown.
Groves also was guilty of failing to hustle to the sideline on Houston's final drive, resulting in a flag being thrown for 12 men on the field. But the penalty was declined by rule because Texans guard Mike Brisiel was called for a face mask penalty.
Curry fell out of favor in Seattle this season, losing his starting spot to K.J. Wright. The former Butkus Award winner at Wake Forest has just 5½ career sacks and only 22 tackles this season.
Friday Jackson emphasized his level of confidence in the 6-2, 225-pounder.
“I like him. I’m glad he’s here. He’s going to play Will linebacker for us," Jackson said. "I’m very excited to have him. As I said yesterday, I don’t get into what all happened wherever he was. I just know what I know and what I see, and that’s how I go about it. He’s on our team. I brought him here for a reason, and he’s going to play.”
Curry is the seventh former first-rounder on the Raiders' defensive side of the roster, alongside Richard Seymour (No. 6 overall, 2001), John Henderson (No. 9 overall, 2002), Michael Huff (No. 7, 2006), Kamerion Wimbley (No. 13, 2006), Jarvis Moss (No. 17, 2007) and Rolando McClain (No. 8, 2010).
When asked to pinpoint what Curry does well, Jackson painted with a broad brush.
“I think he tackles really well. I think he takes on stuff at the point of attack. I think he rushes the quarterback extremely well," Oakland's head coach said. "I know a lot of people say there are weaknesses here and there, based on what you hear. That’s not what I saw.
"Obviously we want to make sure that we show off his strengths and not his weaknesses, but what I’ve seen today in practice and what I’ve seen on videotape is exactly what I’m getting, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Read more: Curry starting for Raiders Sunday
Tune to SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area for more on this story