March 2016 - Las Vegas Raiders Wiretap

NFL To Revisit Aldon Smith Reinstatement In Offseason

Dec 31, 2016 1:45 PM

The NFL will revisit Aldon Smith's possible reinstatement after March 15th.

The delay, first reported by Pro Football Talk, came after Smith applied for reinstatement following a one-year suspension for violating NFL rules on substance abuse.

Smith's yearlong suspension was due to end Nov. 17, and he applied for reinstatement Oct. 3.

"A little disappointed, honestly," Jack Del Rio said of the decision. "I feel like from everything that I've gathered, obviously it's not my job to make a rule, but from everything I've gathered, he's done his duty to take care of all the things he needs to take care of. I see some of the guys that have been allowed back. My question is, What's the difference? It's always a question mark. If a guy has a chance, he should have a chance to make a living. I don't really agree with what's gone down, but it's not my job. We'll move on as a team. That's what we have to do, but I'm a little disappointed."

ESPN

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Suspension

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Lane Kiffin Wanted Raiders To Draft Calvin Johnson Back In 2007

Jan 3, 2017 2:11 PM

When the Oakland Raiders took JaMarcus Russell first overall in 2007, Lane Kiffin was the head coach and pushed for the team to draft Calvin Johnson instead.

Late owner Al Davis insisted on drafting Russell.

Kiffin wanted to sign Jeff Garcia in free agency and then take Johnson, who the Detroit Lions drafted at the No. 2 spot.

The Raiders went 4-12 in 2007 and fired Kiffin after a 1-3 start in 2008.

Sports Illustrated

Tags: Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Draft, Misc Rumor

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Derek Carr Undergoes Surgery, Could Return For Super Bowl

Dec 28, 2016 6:50 PM

Derek Carr underwent successful surgery on Tuesday and while there's no official timeline for his return, he could conceivably be football ready in six to eight weeks.

With that timetable, Carr could be ready in some capacity for the Super Bowl if the Oakland Raiders were to advance.

Matt McGloin will start for the Raiders in the absence of Carr.

The Raiders can clinch the AFC West title and a first-round bye with either a win at Denver on Sunday or a Kansas City loss in San Diego. If the Raiders lose and the Chiefs win, Oakland will open the playoffs at AFC South champion Houston on wild-card weekend.

"We're up for the challenge," Latavius Murray said. "I know Matt is. We're not going to change anything. We're going to go out and execute and do what we do."

ESPN

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Injury

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Derek Carr Suffers Broken Right Fibula

Dec 25, 2016 11:18 PM

Derek Carr suffered a broken right fibula while getting sacked early in the fourth quarter Saturday and is out indefinitely.

Carr will undergo surgery on Sunday and the Oakland Raiders will start Matt McGloin at quarterback.

"It obviously is a blow," Jack Del Rio said. "That's what teams do; teams have to find a way to pick up and move on. We'll rally around the next guy as best we can. That's what you do.

"It will be incumbent on the offensive line and the backs to do more. The defense to do more. The special teams to do more. As a team, pick it up and do more to fill in. Obviously, it's a big setback."

In obvious pain, Carr appeared to mouth, "It's broken," as team medical personnel attended to him.

Carr, 25, could not put any weight on his right foot and had to be helped to the sideline.

Paul Gutierrez/ESPN

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Injury

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Only Steelers Rank In Top-10 In Offense, Defense DVOA (Infographic)

Dec 21, 2016 10:38 AM

The NFL has very teams this season that excel in all facets of the game. Further evidence of this issue shows itself in the fact that there is only one team ranking in the top-10 in both Football Outsiders' Offensive and Defensive DVOA: the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are 9-5 after winning five straight games and must beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16 to ensure their place in the playoffs. Pittsburgh ranks third in total DVOA and first in Weighted DVOA.

Last season, the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs ranked in the top-10 on both sides of the ball. The Chiefs are the closest team to joining the Steelers in the top-10 in both Offensive and Defensive DVOA at 13th and 12th.

The Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots rank first and second overall in DVOA as they rank second and third, respectively in Offensive DVOA but 20th and 19th in Defensive DVOA. The Atlanta Falcons rank first in Offensive DVOA, 27th in Defensive and fourth overall. The Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders have similar splits as the Cowboys and Patriots, while the Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants are the inverse of those teams with top-5 defenses and offenses below the NFL mean.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team, IQ, Stats

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Derek Carr's Inability To Go Under Center 'An Issue' For Raiders

Dec 21, 2016 11:15 AM

Derek Carr has taken snaps exclusively in the pistol or shotgun since dislocating his pinky finger three weeks ago.

Jack Del Rio has acknowledged that being unable to take snaps from under center is problematic for the Oakland Raiders.

"Yes, it is somewhat of an issue," Del Rio said. "It is not ideal. Being completely honest about it, it is an issue that we are working through, but it is the way we're choosing to work through it right now.

"At some point, we will feel better about going under center, we will; but until then, we'll execute the best we can out of the formations we feel most comfortable with."

Paul Gutierrez/ESPN

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Misc Rumor

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Mark Davis, Sheldon Adelson Struggling To Reach Final Vegas Deal

Dec 12, 2016 12:03 PM

Mark Davis and Sheldon Adelson continue to negotiate a deal for a stadium in Las Vegas for the Raiders that would include $750 million in taxpayer money.

The past two weeks have been particularly difficult for Davis and Adelson.

Adelson has a reputation for driving hard bargains and he is expected to push for partial ownership of the Raiders and a path to control the franchise.

Davis still hasn't dismissed a proposal that could keep the Raiders in Oakland, perhaps as leverage against Adelson in their negotiations. 

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Legal

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Raiders Have Dropped League-High 34 Passes

Dec 12, 2016 8:34 AM

The Oakland Raiders dropped four passes in Thursday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Raiders have dropped a league-high 34 passes, according to Pro Football Focus. The drops have cost Oakland and Derek Carr 286 yards.

Michael Crabtree has 10 drops and Seth Roberts has nine.

Paul Gutierrez/ESPN

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Misc Rumor, Stats

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Marquette King Thinks He's 'Swaggiest Person In World' Before Punts

Dec 9, 2016 7:08 PM

Marquette King has become one of the NFL's most popular and interesting figures, playing with great joy and expression as the Oakland Raiders' punter.

"I want to be myself to the point to where it makes everybody else want to be theyself," King said. "It's weird. I wonder if some people are always focused on trying to put on a front just to let everybody else know how cool they are and be themselves behind closed door?"

During a preseason game in 2012 against the Dallas Cowboys, an opposing linebacker saw a black punter and figured the play had to be a fake. King laughed and punted the ball 57 yards.

King recently celebrated a 47-yard punt against the Carolina Panthers and dabbed, which was a reference to opposing quarterback Cam Newton. King also did Ray Lewis' squirrel dance this season against the Ravens.

King signed a five-year extension earlier this year, worth $16.5 million in total and $7.75 million in guaranteed money.

King played receiver in college and began kicking almost as a lark.

"Punting's not a bad thing," King insists. "One thing I hate is when people are like, 'I hope I don't see you on the field at all,' and I'm like, 'Well, dang.' It's crazy, man. Sometimes, it'll make me mad, because it's like if I say, 'I hope you don't do your job either.' I mean, punting is not a bad thing at all. It don't mean the offense fails. You can punt the ball, the dude can drop the ball and the offense could get the ball back closer to the goal line."

King thinks to himself how he's the "most swaggiest person in the world" before each of his punts. King describes swag as a combination of how people carry themselves and confidence. 

"You get both of those together, then that's where swag is created," he says, adding: "[It's] a way that you can be different, where you can kind of stand out to where it doesn't affect you, because some people can overdo it. I don't feel like I overdo it."

Jonathan Abrams/Bleacher Report

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders

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Jack Del Rio's Success Could Lead To More Retread Head Coaches

Dec 9, 2016 12:11 PM

The success of Jack Del Rio with the Oakland Raiders this season has opened up some minds about the viability of a retread NFL head coach, based on the sentiment that several former general managers conveyed.

The NFL is always a trend driving league and owners will emulate what is working elsewhere.

A defensive coordinator who was previously a head coach like Jim Schwartz could benefit from Del Rio's success and receive a strong look.

Conor Orr/NFL.com

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Misc Rumor

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