by Tony Renteria

ALAMEDA–This is pretty much a win win for the Raiders in signing running back Trent Richardson the Raiders who paid $8 million for two seasons didn’t pay a lot of money for him. The contract structure is if he’s cut it’s not dead money and it carries over until next season. Richardson has one chance left pretty much to prove he can play in the NFL.

It almost reminds you of a time when the Raiders used to grab players from other teams and to get that last out of them and the worst is that Richardson has been in the league for the last three years he started with the Colts and last played with the Browns and he hasn’t filled his purpose. He’s got a chance now that he’s with the Raiders and let’s see what he can do this season in Oakland. Richardson has to have that desire to want to play. He was traded to Indianapolis and the Colts let him go. So was it more of a physical or mental thing for Richardson?

Matt Schaub was let go by the Raiders and this is a guy that was all pro and his career just tailed off real fast. Not only was he beat out by a second string quarterback when he was in Houston but he got beat out by a rookie quarterback Derek Carr when he was in Oakland. Schaub just couldn’t throw the ball, he threw only ten passes all last season.

What looks funny is the Raiders back up quarterback Matt McGloin is still a quality guy in that position so it would be kind of funny if McGloin beats out Ponder for the second spot. Also at wide receiver the Raiders need someone for quarterback Derek Carr to throw the ball to and the Raiders are looking at the college ranks with Alabama wideout Amari Cooper and from West Virginia Kevin White.

Wide Receivers were just dropping the ball like crazy last year for Oakland, not only that but not getting separation from the secondary to be open for Carr. You can have a great quarterback but if he has no one to throw the ball to he’s going to be holding onto the ball waiting to get sacked. The off season dealing isn’t over yet there’s still a couple quality receivers out there.

The wide receivers that are out there fully understand their value they’re wanting their money than what their worth. Take the 49ers Michael Crabtree for example there’s a guy whose a quality wide receiver he’s coming off an injury season and the Niners are not really sure if he’s healthy and he’s asking for a little more money than what he’s worth.

Tony Renteria covers the NFL for http://www.sportsradioservice.com listen to the podcast below