Three waves of off season

[Idgit]

Signing Mayowa should not in any way have any effect on our draft strategy. I have not read anything from Raiders' fans that indicate they give a flip about keeping or losing him. One poster said the only time you hear his name is when he screws up. Does not make any plays.

Oh, it'll definitely have an impact on how we approach the draft. You might not like the player, but if the team offers him a veteran role in the rotation, he'll be occupying a fairly important spot.

I haven't seen what you've seen from Raider fans. Everything I've seen suggests the fans like him as quality depth and would prefer to keep him. Either way, we know from experience that fans opinions on message boards are no way to judge whether or not a player can actually play.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Oh, it'll definitely have an impact on how we approach the draft. You might not like the player, but if the team offers him a veteran role in the rotation, he'll be occupying a fairly important spot.

I haven't seen what you've seen from Raider fans. Everything I've seen suggests the fans like him as quality depth and would prefer to keep him. Either way, we know from experience that fans opinions on message boards are no way to judge whether or not a player can actually play.

Here are quotes from the Raiders scout message board:

"Good for Benson, I hope we don't match since I think we can do better. He hasn't done much to stand out, Autry surpassed him last year."

"As for Mayowa he's a rotational back up DE. Not a bad player but if you notice him on the field it usually means he messed up. When he's playing his best you don't know he's there. He doesn't make many plays just does a solid job holding his assignment."

"Mayowa was hurt when season started, played ok, agree Autry and Shelby Harris are keepers..."

"We aren't going to pay him $10m for 3 years and Dallas offered him over $9m. To bad we didn't tender him with a pick. That was a mistake. See ya Benson...."

"No, hopefully we are not. Dallas is desperate for DE's. But I agree."

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I looked at three other Raiders boards and two of them didn't even have it as a topic. Can you point me to a board where there is actual conversation from Raiders fans?

 

[Idgit]

Here are quotes from the Raiders scout message board:

"Good for Benson, I hope we don't match since I think we can do better. He hasn't done much to stand out, Autry surpassed him last year."

"As for Mayowa he's a rotational back up DE. Not a bad player but if you notice him on the field it usually means he messed up. When he's playing his best you don't know he's there. He doesn't make many plays just does a solid job holding his assignment."

"Mayowa was hurt when season started, played ok, agree Autry and Shelby Harris are keepers..."

"We aren't going to pay him $10m for 3 years and Dallas offered him over $9m. To bad we didn't tender him with a pick. That was a mistake. See ya Benson...."

"No, hopefully we are not. Dallas is desperate for DE's. But I agree."

That's fine. That's the sort of stuff you'd see here re: any one of our key role players who weren't playing at the level of a quality starter. Fans are fans. FWIW, here are the three responses on reddit right now from Raider fans re: Hill's tweet that the Raiders might not match:

"IMO it'd cost far more to replace a solid rotational guy like Mayowa. Just match baby."
"Well that isn't what I want to hear. Hopefully we can work it out. With no idea how MEJ is doing I think Mayowa is important to have for depth."
"Meh"

Kind of what you saw here when we brought Claiborne back.

 

[Idgit]

I looked at three other Raiders boards and two of them didn't even have it as a topic. Can you point me to a board where there is actual conversation from Raiders fans?

I didn't cruise around much. The Raiders subreddit had 3-4 threads on it, all saying about the same stuff. "Shoot, I like the guy,' 'We'll match it,' 'He's quality depth, but it's not the end of the world if we lose him' sorts of responses.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Raiders only have 4 DE's on their roster, would be surprising if they didn't match if the guy is worth anything.

 

[Verdict]

That's what I'm counting on.

If signing Robinson, Morris and Manawa means we then don't have to force a pick and bypass a quarterback at #4? I'll consider that a 'Win' at this point.

I don't agree with everything you say, but I do agree about something I think you said in another thread, which was that if we are going to be frugal in free agency, then we need to be consistent with that philosophy in the draft and go best player available, not pick based on need, or to go all in on a player to fill a hole. (Paraphrasing of course).

I agree that we need to build this team for the long run, and coach up what we have. If we can't fill a hole then just let it go unfilled and let whoever is on the team just play there and call it a day. There is no need to pay Carr money to JAG and rue the contract for years. Moreover I ABHOR drafting or need, since need seldom matches up with the available talent.

 

[Stash]

I don't agree with everything you say, but I do agree about something I think you said in another thread, which was that if we are going to be frugal in free agency, then we need to be consistent with that philosophy in the draft and go best player available, not pick based on need, or to go all in on a player to fill a hole. (Paraphrasing of course).

I agree that we need to build this team for the long run, and coach up what we have. If we can't fill a hole then just let it go unfilled and let whoever is on the team just play there and call it a day. There is no need to pay Carr money to JAG and rue the contract for years. Moreover I ABHOR drafting or need, since need seldom matches up with the available talent.

It sounds like we're on the same page here then.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Haha, this is pretty cool from Star Telegram at the Owner's Meetings:



http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-corner-blog/article67327752.html




The beauty of the NFL owners meetings is that the owner and key decision makers for every team in the league are in attendance.
Access is as simple as flagging someone down in the lobby as they walking away from a meeting, lunch or reception.
It also means that interviews and conversations are held within earshot of other passing decision makers.
Such was the case during an interview with Dallas Cowboys vice-president Stephen Jones while discussing Oakland Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa, a restricted free agent who the Cowboys signed to a three-year, $8.55 million offer sheet last week.
The Raiders have until Wednesday to match the offer.
But as Jones was discussing the merits of Mayowa, who has just two career sacks, Raiders owner Mark Davis walked by.
Jones: “Is he the next DeMarcus Ware? Probably not.”
Jones: “Is he the next Charles Haley? Probably not.”
A voice then rose up in the distance: “He’s better,” Davis said with a laugh.
“Oh, Mark,” Jones said while laughing.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I could see us being much more active in the third wave (post draft) of free agency than the current wave.

That third phase is the most worrisome. Why? Well, blokes, I will tell you why: Those are the ones cut for salary reasons. Their teams cannot afford them, so, of course, some teams rush in and make it rain to get them. Then there are the underperformers who won't take a salary cut. Again, beware. Then the worst of the worst: players who have slowed down because of age.

Bollocks!

I like the free for all 1st phase. And the draft is for our future. Third phase? Phhhhhfttt!

 

[Plankton]

I'd be happy at this point to land Mayowa. It's probably not likely, but we really don't want to go into the draft needing players at two key positions, even with the high picks.

Even if they add Mayowa, I would still like for them to add a pass rusher in the draft, be it a Kevin Dodd with #34, possibly an Emmanuel Ogbah with #67, if there, or a developmental guy like a Matt Judon or Ronald Blair.

 

[Idgit]

Even if they add Mayowa, I would still like for them to add a pass rusher in the draft, be it a Kevin Dodd with #34, possibly an Emmanuel Ogbah with #67, if there, or a developmental guy like a Matt Judon or Ronald Blair.

Oh, 100% they need to add DL in the draft. But if, for example, we replaced Hardy/Mincey/Hayden with Bosa/Mayowa/Thornton, or, as you suggest Dodd/Mayowa/Thornton (if we go QB at 4), meh. It's a definite short term downgrade, but one I could live with. Especially if we help the defense elsewhere in the draft. And the 2nd scenario nets us the future QB.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'd be happy at this point to land Mayowa. It's probably not likely, but we really don't want to go into the draft needing players at two key positions, even with the high picks.

We will wether we land Mayowa or not.