It’s been a busy week as I make the final push toward April’s NFL Draft. Needless to say that a few stories have managed to fall through the cracks, so Sunday night is as good a time as any to look back and what we missed.
Oakland tries last ditch effort to keep Raiders, fails miserably
When the NFL announced the Raiders would be charged a “relocation fee” of a measly $325-375 million bucks, it should have been clear to anyone with remaining hope in Oakland that it was time to help pack up the trucks. But Oakland is a lot like other pitiful, third-tier sports cities. They just can’t give up with getting horribly embarrassed first.
The city of Oakland proposed a last ditch stadium plan that would build a $1.3 billion mixed-use facility on the grounds of the old Oakland Colosseum. The plan would get $600 million from the Fortress Management Group hedge fund, $200 million from Oakland and require $500 million from the Raiders.
Roger Goodell immediately shot down the proposal.
“The material that we reviewed earlier today … confirms that key issues that we have identified as threshold considerations are simply not resolvable in a reasonable time,” Goodell said in a letter to Oakland. “And in that respect, the information sent today does not present a proposal that is clear and specific, actionable in a reasonable time frame and free of major contingencies.”
I case you haven't seen the full letter from Goodell to Schaaf (via @dkaplanSBJ) pic.twitter.com/LMF89BdNzh
— Will Reeve Jr. (@WillReeveJr) March 26, 2017
Just in case that wasn’t clear enough, Goodell went ahead and threw in an extra curb stomp.
“At this date, there remains no clear proposal regarding the site, how it will be developed, the nature of the participation by Fortress or other parties, or what approvals are in place for development.” Goodell said “In addition, the long-term nature of the commitment to the (Oakland) A’s remains a significant complication and the resolution of that issue remains unknown. Other significant uncertainties, which we have previously identified, remain unaddressed.”
I’ve you’re a long-time reader, then you’ll remember I shot down every single attempt that St. Louis made to keep the Rams based on one simple fact; the whole NFL relocation pageant is a farce. Owners can move their teams anywhere they want and they just play this game, relocation fees and local stadium groups, to keep it out of the courts. Once an owner sets his sights on another city, that’s it. It’s over with. Seems like Oakland would have already learned this lesson once before.
NFL Free Agent and Player Moves
The Cincinnati Bengals cut inside linebacker Rey Mauluga. Mauluga was a second round pick for the Bengals in 2009 and was a full time starter since his rookie season until last year. Mauluga played in 14 games in 2016, but only started six with 27 tackles, two passes defended and one interception.
#Bengals cut LB Rey Maualuga, who had 104 starts over 8 seasons. With a cap hit of nearly $4M, he was doomed after Kevin Minter signed
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2017
The Indianapolis Colts cut defensive tackle Arthur Jones, saving $5.15 million in cap space. Jones was with the Colts for two seasons. Last year he played in eight games and recorded 30 tackles.
Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray had surgery on his ankle last Wednesday to repair a ligament. It will take him about three months to recover, so he should be ready when training camp begins. Last season Murray rushed 195 times for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Oakland Raiders and caught 33 passes for 264 yards.
Mark Sanchez has signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears to back up starter Mike Glennon.
The Carolina Panthers have extended running back Jonathan Stewart through 2018 with a one-year add-on to his current deal worth $8.5 million. Stewart started 13 games for the Panthers last season and rushed 218 times for 824 yards and nine touchdowns. He caught eight passes for 60 yards.
The Washington Redskins signed former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brian Quick. Quick caught 41 passes for 564 yards and three touchdowns last season.
#Redskins have HUGE Wide Receivers now! 🔥
– Terrelle Pryor 6'4
– Josh Doctson 6'4
– Brian Quick 6'4
– Jordan Reed 6'3 pic.twitter.com/GtD6jQVibn
— Zac (@DCzWall) March 24, 2017
The Seattle Seahawks added former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Michael Wilhoite and former Redskins linebacker Terence Garvin. Garvin had eight tackles and half a sack last season. Wilhoite started six games, played in all 16 and had 46 tackles, half a sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and defended two passes.
The Minnesota Vikings cut defensive lineman Scott Crichton. Crichton started one game last season and played in 13, recorded just five tackles.
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