Oh how quickly the visions of Derek Carr throwing to Jarvis Landry were dashed. This past Tuesday was the first day NFL teams could apply the franchise tag to players and the Miami Dolphins slapped their wide receiver with the quickness.
Tag! You’re it!
Fantasy met reality. And it was a bitter meeting for some.
Raider Nation was given a tease when watching their franchise QB throw to Landry at the Pro Bowl skills challenges. Now that flame has all but been stamped out — emphatically even.
Sure, there’s a chance the Dolphins tagged Landry post haste with the inclination to trade him. Oakland as the transaction partner is slim to none. General manager Reggie McKenzie prefers to acquire picks not deal them. And new head coach Jon Gruden is going to be of the same ilk as he’ll want as many selections heading into his first draft.
Landry out of the picture isn’t a terrible thing. First and foremost, Oakland already sports a receiver with a similar skill set in Michael Crabtree (although, you can argue his tenure as a Raider is iffy at the moment). Secondly, the coin that would have gone to Landry (a substantial amount I reckon), can go elsewhere.
Let’s hit the Quick Slants at top speed like the Fins tagging Landry:
- The Raiders wide receiving cupboard is far from bare. Still, Seth Roberts needs to prove his skills as a pass catcher. Sure, he is an unparalleled blocker who is given the task of blocking defensive ends, yet his occupation is catching the rock.
- Interesting to see if and when the Raiders exercise the club option on Cordarrelle Patterson. He’d make $3.25 million if Oakland chooses to do so. Does Gruden see him more than a gadget player?
- Vontae Davis was slated to complete his Bay Area visits with the Raiders Wednesday. The soon-to-be 30-year-old veteran hasn’t been an impact defender since 2015, however, when your CB depth chart reads: Gareon Conley, Sean Smith, Dexter McDonald and Antonio Hamilton, any DB with a pulse helps.
- Aaron Colvin is reportedly going to hit the market. The 26-year-old is a top-shelf slot corner who can help any of the 32 teams. But he’s going to earn a lot of coin. Likely too much for the Raiders’ liking.
- Kyle Fuller is another CB reportedly set to test free agency (the Chicago Bears didn’t pick up the former first-rounders fifth-year option). Also 26, he is another option for teams in need of a CB.
- But one has to think, the amount of money younger corners are going to make on the market, does TJ Carrie stay with the Raiders? The team is intent on letting the market set the price for their versatile cover man.
- The excellent piece by Sports Illustrated on Jon Gruden had a telling quote from owner Mark Davis in relation to Jack Del Rio: “ … some more competent coordinators.” Yahtzee!
- The story delves into the relationship Gruden had with the elder Davis, Al. “I’ve kind of taken to that man,” Gruden says of the legendary owner. One gets the feeling the two never got the catharsis both men were likely seeking.
- I’m doubling down on my belief McKenzie doesn’t value a non-rush linebacker as a first rounder. He was with the Packers when Green Bay took A.J. Hawk. A tackling machine, but a non-rush type who was overshadowed by seventh-round pick Desmond Bishop.
- Giorgio Tavecchio is going to be back due to the fact he’s an exclusive rights free agent. If the Raiders offer him the veteran minimum, he either signs it or quits. Still, Gruden and Co. need to bring in competition for Papa Giorgio.
- Gruden says he wants a full-time Marshawn Lynch and not the part-time version. A fully vested Beast Mode only makes a Gruden-coached Lynch more intriguing.