Addition by subtraction for Raiders

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Monday, March 02, 2009  |  Comments( 17 )

Oakland Raiders
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This time last year, the Raiders were shelling out incredible amounts of money in order to lure marginal free agents to Oakland. The Raiders have recently decided to cut their losses, releasing several of those free agents acquired last offseason.

Although some moves -- particularly the release of safety Gibril Wilson -- have been questioned, the Oakland front office is ensuring it has players who believe in the team's system and possess a strong desire to be in the Bay Area.

Including naming Tom Cable head coach in early February, the Raiders made several transactions last month. Most importantly, the team re-signed two of its top players (cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and punter Shane Lechler) to multiyear contracts. In addition, the Raiders parted ways with five players who were contributors last season.

On offense, wide receiver Ronald Curry, fullback Justin Griffith and tackle Kwame Harris were all casualties. Wilson and defensive end Kalimba Edwards were disposed of on the defensive side of the ball.

Curry is an average wideout and may be best suited for a chance of scenery. After a disappointing 2008 season, he’s now looking to catch on with a new team. Oakland is rather thin at receiver, and that could spark the team to utilize a first-round pick on a playmaker on the perimeter. If Michael Crabtree falls to pick No. 7, he would be nearly impossible to pass up.

Griffith, a six-year veteran, was a dependable fullback with reliable hands out of the backfield. In hindsight, the move may pave the way for Michael Bush to take over as the Raiders’ primary blocking back. However, Bush was unhappy with the idea when former coach Lane Kiffin previously proposed the switch.

Harris was a career underachiever when he arrived in Oakland and did nothing to change that perception during his tenure in the Bay Area. The Raiders’ release of Harris prevented the team from paying him a $6 million roster bonus.

The news regarding Wilson was somewhat puzzling, but there were rumblings questioning his desire to wear silver and black. Given Al Davis’ undying devotion to his beloved Raiders, there is no longer room for players such as Wilson in Oakland.

Meanwhile, Edwards started out strong in 2008 but faded fast down the stretch. With numerous avenues to find a successor, Edwards was deemed replaceable. The defensive end crop available in this year’s draft is one of the strongest groups in a while.

All in all, the moves saved the Raiders roughly $14.5 million in cap space. More importantly, Oakland has a renewed passion for employing players who take pride in the history of the franchise. It’s something that has been sorely missed in recent years and will certainly help the Raiders return to prominence.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To...
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