Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Let's make a deal

I am first and foremost a 49ers fan, but like anyone who grew up in the Bay Area, I also closely follow the Raiders. That was a little hard last season, when most of their home games were blacked out. But they now have a real chance to do something that could begin to get them back on the road to respectablity.

As you may have heard, the Raiders can't seem to sign JaMarcus Russell. The core problem is Al Davis and Russell can't come to terms on guaranteed money in Russell's contract. Obviously Russell has the upper hand, seeing as contracts for #1 picks have increased fairly steadily in gauranteed money in recent years.

Since neither side is budging yet, and the season is on the verge of starting, perhaps there's another move the Raiders could make that's simple and totally logical.

Trade Russell to the Atlanta Falcons.

Before you fly off the handle and go nuts, and point out that the trading deadline for draft picks has passed, let's think about this logically for a moment and why it would work.

1. It would be very simple - if both teams agreed to this - to have a sign and trade. The Raiders would sign Russell to a contract that Atlanta would agree to pay him.

2. The Atlanta Falcons desperately need a QB. Right now they have Harrington, who sucks, and Chris Redman, who hasn't thrown a pass in the league since 1984. Since DJ Shockley is lost for the season, there's a serious lack of depth at QB. Getting their hands on a #1 pick QB who they could build around in the wake of the Vick fiasco would be an incredible turnaround for this team.

3. Atlanta is about to free up some major cap space. As soon as Vick pleads guilty to dogfighting charges, his $130 million contract can be torn to pieces on the spot thanks to what have become standard behaviorial clauses in professional sports contracts. Vick won't see another penny, and will likely lose some change in the process. And if you think he's ever going to play in Atlanta again, you're nuts. Vick directly lied to owner Arthur Blank (and Goodell) about whether he participated in dogfighting. And Blank is furious. So Atlanta will suddenly have a lot of money to throw around.

4. The Raiders appear completely unable to strike a deal with Russell, and since they already have Dante Culpepper, Russell is expendable. Plus, it's clear that the Raiders need more than just Russell to rebuild. They need an entire offense. So why not ship Russell off to Atlanta for some future draft picks and a few offensive players. They can always draft another QB in the future who they likely won't have to pay as much.

5. The deal makes incredible sense for both teams. Both teams would benefit from a trade, and both teams desperately need help immediately. It'd also be extremely easy to make sure everything fits under the salary cap.

But here's why I'm afraid this won't work. It's simply too logical. And logic is something that seems totally foreign to most sports GMs and owners. Yes Al Davis, you no longer have any logic at all. You're crazy, and likely senile.

ESPN talked about how Atlanta was looking at Chris Simms of all people. Why? For God's sake, what is Simms going to do for you that Harrington isn't. Both suck.

This is a dream scenario for both teams. Atlanta quickly forgets the Vick trainwreck by bringing in a QB to build around for years while the Raiders get multiple position players and draft picks that within two years could bring them back to respectability.

Too bad this will never happen.

-WCK

14 comments:

Kevin Hayward said...

Very, very interesting proposal. My only question is, who are the "few offensive players" and how many future draft picks would it take to give up a guy like Russell?

Cooper said...

Coming from a lifelong Falcon fan and Atlanta resident, I could see the Falcons trading some young receiver talent (Roddy White/Michael Jenkins) and a nice little draft spot near the top (I see them winning 6 games this season). Although I am still wary of Russell's NFL talent, anything is better than Harrington/Redman or even , dare I say,.... Simms.

Jarrett said...

You know, you have an interesting point there.

Out of conference, across the country, and you can address other needs on offense.

Nice going.

Anonymous said...

Check the NFL rules on trading draft picks. Those unsigned at this point are not tradeable.

Anonymous said...

I really wish this could happen, but it's just not possible.

Mac G said...

Al Davis needs to check into an old folks home.

100% Injury Rate said...

They could easily do a sign and trade if it's set up by the Falcons.

Anonymous said...

YES , I AM A FALCONS SEASON TICKET HOLDER - AND YES YES YES , PLEASE DO THIS TRADE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE - WE NEED SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN AFTER THIS CRAP

PULL THE TRIGGER BLANK !!!! DO WHATEVER IT TAKES !!!!

Thank You .

Anonymous said...

It is against league rules, as has already been said.

Period.

Besides, even if it were possible, any signing bonus goes entirely against the Raiders cap this year. Approximately 30 million dollars all at once. They would have to cut a third of their team to make room for the dead money.

Get the thought out of your head.

100% Injury Rate said...

The NFL sucks. Anonymous is correct. Russell can't be traded by the Raiders at this point according to stupid league rules. Maybe he should walk out and sign with a CFL team. Pull a JD Drew.

Anonymous said...

免費視訊聊天,辣妹視訊,視訊交友網,美女視訊,視訊交友,視訊交友90739,成人聊天室,視訊聊天室,視訊聊天,視訊聊天室,情色視訊,情人視訊網,視訊美女,一葉情貼圖片區,免費視訊聊天室,免費視訊,ut聊天室,聊天室,豆豆聊天室,尋夢園聊天室,聊天室尋夢園,影音視訊聊天室

威而柔,自慰套,自慰套,SM,充氣娃娃,充氣娃娃,潤滑液,飛機杯,按摩棒,跳蛋,性感睡衣,威而柔,自慰套,自慰套,SM,充氣娃娃,充氣娃娃,潤滑液,飛機杯,按摩棒,跳蛋,性感睡衣
情惑用品性易購,情侶歡愉用品

色情遊戲,寄情築園小遊戲,情色文學,一葉情貼圖片區,情惑用品性易購,情人視訊網,辣妹視訊,情色交友,成人論壇,情色論壇,愛情公寓,情色,舊情人,情色貼圖,色情聊天室,色情小說,做愛,做愛影片,性愛

情惑用品性易購,aio交友愛情館,一葉情貼圖片區,情趣用品

辣妹視訊,美女視訊,視訊交友網,視訊聊天室,視訊交友,視訊美女,免費視訊,免費視訊聊天,視訊交友90739,免費視訊聊天室,成人聊天室,視訊聊天,視訊交友aooyy,哈啦聊天室,辣妺視訊

A片,色情A片,視訊
網拍設計,網頁設計,徵信社,情趣用品,情趣用品,情趣用品,情趣,情趣

Kamagra jelly said...

I suppose every person must read it.

online casino blackjack said...

Wow, there is a great deal of effective material above!

xanax pills said...

I really admire this, I mean it really looks interesting! Very nice write up. Anyways, its a Great post.

Free Blog Counter