Something old, something new: Raiders sign Foschi, Russell

By Os Davis  |   Thursday, May 14, 2009  |  Comments( 19 )

Oakland Raiders
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What’s more unbelievable? The fact that the Oakland Raiders’ minicamp starts on Friday or that J.P. Foschi is back (at least for a couple of weeks) in town?

Foschi was re-signed Wednesday to a one-year deal, bringing him back to the first NFL team he broke in with. Even the more hardcore among the Raider faithful may have to strain the brain some (or at least come to grips with the traumatic season of 2005). Foschi was originally picked up by the Raiders as a free agent in 2004 after the Georgia Tech grad had spent time in the New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings’ organizations. After a season listed on the practice squad, desperation forced Foschi into TE and FB slots in 10 games in 2005. Foschi was out of Oakland in 2006, out of football in 2007, and managed to get a bit of playing time with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008.

A bit more relevant may be the signing of Gary Russell – maybe. Russell is a bit of a fortuitous signing for the Raiders – a bit; more on this momentarily – who brings honest-to-Lombardi Super Bowl experience to Oakland. The former Minnesota Golden Gopher carved himself a place within a tough Pittsburgh Steelers backfield in his two seasons with that club, and ultimately became a go-to guy on third-down, short-yardage situations.

Though the Russell signing appears to be a solid transaction, one can’t help but boggle a bit at both of these signings. Or, to put it slightly more succinctly, what’s up, Al?

In theory, Foschi will be competing for a TE roster spot with what is potentially the Raiders’ strongest corps at the position since Dave Casper was active: Zach Miller, Darrell Strong, Tony Stewart, and sixth-rounder Brandon Myers. Foschi has “release” and “signed to practice squad” written all over him.

The signing of Russell, meanwhile, strongly implies that Justin Fargas’ days could be numbered. While the Raiders would be giving up about three inches and 20 pounds in a Fargas-for-Russell switch, Russell’s value as a role player to the Raiders could be invaluable to a team that totaled an NFL-worst 28 percent success rate on third down. In addition, Fargas’ trade value is surely peaking or just-peaked. On the other hand, rumors aplenty about a Fargas swap on draft weekend went no further than gossip; was this thanks to a lack of interest in the sturdy, punishment-loving back?

But what if no Fargas deal is in the works? Further, what if no Fargas deal ever comes to fruition? What, then, is the significance of these signings to areas of the Oakland offense that need little, if any, greater support? Are the Raiders are really happy beyond Cooper Carlisle (Jonathan Compas, Robert Gallery, Paul McQuistan) at guard? What about the safety spots with perpetually-rumored trade bait Michael Huff, the undrafted Jerome Boyd, and controversial second-round choice Mike Mitchell?

And finally, is the Raider front office honestly dissatisfied with this offense as it stands? While this offseason’s signings of Russell, Neal and Jeff Garcia surely get the thumbs up from the Raider Nation, Tom Cable must realize that the nucleus of the offense is all drafted. Again, the familiar roll call runs: Miller, JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chaz Schilens, and now Myers and Darrius Heyward-Bey – Oakland draft picks one and all. If these guys are just left alone to develop together for another year or two without too much over-priced, high-maintenance, free-agent interference, well, let’s just say the citizens of Raider Nation can craft their own (frighteningly realistic) dreams of a playoff bid this year and Super Bowl XLV glory the next.

Welcome to the Raiders, Mr. Foschi and Mr. Russell. Maybe. I think.
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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