Grüße und Vorstellung » It’s the Friday before the start of free agency

and it’s been a bloodbath. No team was more of a slasher than the Jaguars Clelin Ferrell Oakland Raiders Jersey , who released several big former free agent additions in cost cutting..."It’s the Friday before the start of free agency and it’s been a bloodbath. No team was more of a slasher than the Jaguars, who released several big former free agent additions in cost cutting moves.The Jaguars announced five players were cut today, several of whom come at positions the Raiders figure to be looking to bolster this offseason.The key players released were defensive tackle Malik Jackson, safety Tashaun Gipson, right tackle Jermey Parnell, and running back Carlos Hyde.Three years ago when Jackson was a free agent from the Broncos, the Raiders went after him hard. They were one of three teams along with the Eagles and Jaguars who were vying for Jackson, but the Jags gave him a monster deal and he naturally signed. He had 18.0 sacks over three seasons in Jacksonville. Now 29, might the Raiders still be interested?Safety is a position the Raiders have not been shy about saying they will look to add talent. The safety market is flush with safeties as it is and Gipson adds to that. The 28-year-old has been a full time starter for the Jaguars and Browns over the past six seasons, including making the Pro Bowl in 2014.Parnell has started 57 games the past four season with the Jaguars. Right tackle is a major need for the Raiders. Third round rookie Brandon Parker had a rough go of it last season and a veteran starter would be a smart idea. Parnell is 32, so he would certainly not be a long term answer 2019 Cheap Clelin Ferrell Jersey , but rather competition at the position in the short term.The Jags just sent a 5th round pick to Cleveland for Hyde midway through last season. He looked a lot better for the Browns than he did for the Jags. The 28-year-old will catch on somewhere. The Raiders currently have no starting running backs with both Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin about to become free agents. Certainly, the Raiders aren’t simply going to be going after every player out there at every position they need. When it comes to free agency, though, the more the merrier. If another team signs one of these guys, they are less likely to be in on the bidding for a player the Raiders ARE interested in. Also consider, these players can sign with a club right now. They don’t need to wait until the open of free agency March 13.Follow @LeviDamien This isn’t how Jon Gruden envisioned his return to the NFL sidelines, how could it be? What was once a wave of excitement that became the story of the NFL offseason, has come crashing down culminating in several questionable personnel moves and a 1-5 record for the Silver & Black. After getting blown out two consecutive weeks, there have been plenty of questions directed towards the team’s effort on the field, and whether they are giving up on the season. Sign up for FanPulse, our weekly Raiders survey“I’ll say this Bo Jackson Jersey , we aren’t tanking anything,” Gruden told the media on Tuesday. “I hear the hatred out there, some of the rumors that we are tanking it to get a first round pick or a higher pick. We are not getting up at 4 o’clock in the morning to tank it. Ain’t nobody tanking it. I don’t know who wrote that or who said that or who thinks that, but that isn’t the case here. We are going to continue to work hard, continue to build our team and that was part of the message.”Gruden’s message was a direct response to an article The Athletic wrote Sunday about the Raiders tanking the season, according to Vic Tafur. At first glance, it is difficult to see Gruden purposely tank, especially with his reputation on the line. But a look at a few of his personnel decisions points to the notion that despite his denial, he gave up on 2018 before the first game even began. Flashback to July when Gruden emphatically promised hundreds of fans at Ricky’s Sports Bar that the Raiders were going to “win now” for the City of Oakland, and that they were not going to trade Pro Bowl defensive end Khalil Mack. Would a coach who planned all along to “win now” trade his best player (Mack), then reportedly put Amari Cooper https://www.raiderslockerroom.com/authentic-antonio-brown-jersey , Karl Joseph, and even potentially Gareon Conley on the trade block as well? Those players would certainly garner draft picks, but how does that improve the Raiders this season and help them “win now”. “We have a good nucleus of people here,” Gruden said. “I’ll just let the Raider fans know out there, we’re not very good in the win-loss column and I don’t know how it’s going to go for the next 10 weeks, but we’re working hard. We have a good group of guys and they’re going to be fun to watch.”It’s a good thing Gruden is having fun watching them, because Raider fans most certainly are not.