The Chandler Jones debacle was an undeniable black eye for the Las Vegas Raiders organization; however, former general manager Dave Ziegler signed him despite red flags. One of those ominous signs came from a first-hand account of Jones’ troubled past.
The entire saga surrounding the former Raiders pass rusher is a layered issue. There’s the mental health aspect, which troubled many folks, and rightfully so. You also had others who were dissatisfied with how the team handled it, especially former head coach Josh McDaniels. Still, the Raiders might’ve been able to avoid all of it. Regrettably, the ties between the now-jettisoned duo of McDaniels and Ziegler and former New England Patriots players didn’t help in this case. The warning signs were there, but they insisted on brining in No. 55.
Did Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler drop the ball with Chandler Jones?
While Jones isn’t necessarily what brought forth the end of the duo, it didn’t help matters.
Raiders insider Hondo Carpenter of Sports Illustrated shed some light on that event. As it turned out, he had first-hand knowledge of Jones that the Raiders ought to have taken into account. However, as we know now, Jones was brought in, and things didn’t go as planned.
“I got a phone call from a teammate of Chandler Jones with the Arizona Cardinals, who shared with me some very concerning things about Chandler. Some off-field concerns, and forget those—what about the fact that last year he had a lot of sacks, but most of them came in one game?”
The unnamed player was right; Jones’ season prior to joining the Raiders was deceiving. Yes, he accumulated 10.5 sacks, but seven of those came via two contests (five alone were in one game).
Despite bringing it to the attention of the team’s brass, as Carpenter claims, the Raiders pressed on. Clearly, Jones’ ties to the Patriots played a role as well. Looking back, it’s safe to say this was one of the most disastrous free agent signings of the past decade for the Silver and Black. Even more so, when you take it into account, it might’ve been avertible.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
(by GTHANG)
The biggest shame of hiring those 2 clowns is that Kraft would have hired them after he cans Belichick, sending the Pats into further decline.
No way that happens now. Kraft should send Mark Davis a Thank You card. He earned it.
(By Tony Brucks)
Did you guys forget Antoino Brown?
He was the worst mistake. Chandler is second by a nose.
I think there needs to be a new FA rule made. Any FA signing is contingent upon having a MRI completed of the brain. The team pays for it or splits it.
There has been entirely too many players that have literal brain damage. There also needs to be a players fund created & funded 65/35 (65 NFL & owners 35 players) to assist with players and their families that have been diagnosed “brain damaged” from playing NFL football for at least a certain amount of time and/or snaps.
P.S.
Any potential FA signing must also pass a psych evaluation.
Dave Ziegler & josh McDaniels was the worst hires ever Mark Davis needs to stop listening to other people an let the Gm do his job
Antonio’s transaction was a trade not free agency. It was a terrible trade but as far as $$ it wasn’t close. In the end the Raiders didn’t pay Antonio anything since he was cut early. T. Williams (wr) was bad, C.Littleton (lb) was bad, Jimmy G and others were bad , however C.Jones was probably the worse. To make matters worse they could’ve acquired K.Mack but instead chose for the ex-Patriot.