Category: Oakland Raiders

“Megatron” pipe-dream for the Raiders; Former Lion Calvin Johnson on wish list

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In this Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015 AP File Photo, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) warms ups before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field in Detroit. Johnson says NFL players could get painkillers like they were “candy” during the first half of his career with the Detroit Lions. His comments were part of a wide-ranging interview on ESPN’s news magazine E:60 that was scheduled to be broadcast Thursday, July 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND–The rumors swirling around retired wide receiver Calvin Johnson wanting to return to the NFL and play for the Oakland Raiders are intriguing in so many ways that it makes my head spin.

This is nothing more than a pipe-dream, a “Megatron” pipe-dream for the Raiders.

Johnson, who retired from the Lions in his prime at age 30 after the 2015 season after an 88-catch season for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns, didn’t see Detroit as a championship contender.

Whenever I talk football with my mentor and lifelong Raiders fan Ronn Ford and the Lions come up, he always says that “Detroit will never win a championship because they can’t win outside of Wayne County.”

Detroit sits in Wayne County for those who didn’t know.

Johnson’s frustration for the Lions’ shortcomings was reminiscent of another Lions great in running back Barry Sanders, who also retired at age 30 because Detroit never could get over the hump and challenge for a Super Bowl.

During Johnson’s nine-year career in the Motor City, the Lions have only made the playoffs twice and lost both times, while Detroit was just 1-5 in six appearances in Sanders’s 10 seasons.

Johnson mentioned that the reason he retired from the Lions were a result from nagging hand, legs and ankle injuries, but honestly, Johnson knew the Lions organization couldn’t put the pieces in place to make a legitimate run at a Super Bowl. Sure Johnson had Matthew Stafford to throw him the football, but the Lions could never develop a strong  running game to take the pressure off the duo and that left Detroit predictable on offense.

That happened to Sanders, who had play-making wide receivers in Herman Moore, Brett Perriman and Johnnie Morton to play off of, but saw a revolving door at quarterback with the likes Andre Ware, Erik Kramer, Scott Mitchell and Charlie Batch under center.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing a solid 239 pounds, Johnson was blessed with rare size and ability to make the toughest catches look so routine on any given Sunday when he was usually double- and triple-teamed.

There isn’t one signature play that stands out for me when describing Johnson, but his career numbers are insane: 731 career catches, 11,619 receiving yards and 83 touchdown catches that led to six Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro,  and the cover of Madden ’13.

By all accounts, Johnson earned the respect from all of his teammates and from opponents and cemented that he was one of the NFL’s best players at any position, not just wide receiver.

But before Raider Nation gets excited about the prospect of seeing “Megatron” don the Raiders’ Silver & Black and lineup in three-wide receiver formations with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree waiting for a pinpoint pass from quarterback Derek Carr, Johnson must first reapply to the NFL and return to the Lions, who hold his rights. While as a guest at the Italian Bowl earlier this month, Johnson shed some light regarding his situation with the Lions.

“I don’t have the freedom just to go,” Johnson said. “I was stuck in my contract with Detroit and they told me they would not release my contract, so I would have to come back to them, so I didn’t see a chance for them to win a Super Bowl at the time and for the work that I was putting in, it wasn’t worth my time to keep beating my head against the wall and not going anywhere. It’s the definition of insanity.”

Johnson did go on to say that he has thought about playing for other teams, but it would be up to Detroit to if they were to release Johnson should he want to return to the NFL.

Detroit recently invited Johnson to training camp this season, but there hasn’t been any word from Johnson if he would accept the invitation.

The Raiders, who are coming off a 12-4 season and their first playoff appearance since 2002, have the Super Bowl window wide open right now.

Johnson was invited to Raiders practices this offseason as a guest of new offensive coordinator Todd Downing. Downing and Johnson go back to Detroit where Downing spent five years in the organization, four of them served as the team’s quarterbacks coach.

Johnson’s situation is eerily similar to new Raiders running back and Oakland native Marshawn Lynch’s situation after he retired abruptly at age 29 from Seattle at the end of the 2015 season, a team he helped bring its first Lombardi trophy to the Pacific Northwest after the 2013 season.

The Raiders lured Lynch out of retirement but Seattle couldn’t afford and didn’t want him on the team so rather than out-right releasing Lynch and get nothing in return, the Seahawks shipped Lynch to Oakland and the sides agreed to a new deal.

Oakland and Seattle are expected to swap late-round picks in 2018 as part of the compensation in the deal for Lynch.

The deal made sense for both teams since it freed Seattle of Lynch (who allegedly rubbed some in the organization the wrong way depending on who you ask), and allowed Lynch to play for his hometown Raiders.

To acquire a player like Johnson, who can step on any football field right now and dominate with any quarterback, could cost a team a high second-round draft pick or even a late first-round pick. If I were the Lions and Johnson does want to come back and play for another team, you must hold out for the best deal possible.

Would general manager Reggie McKenzie give up those assets for Johnson, even if he turns out to be a one- to two-year rental player for Oakland?

After getting rid of eroding contracts and players that didn’t fit in the team’s future, McKenzie has drafted cornerstone players in the aforementioned Carr and Cooper, to go along with defensive end/linebacker Khalil Mack and offensive guard Gabe Jackson to have given the Raiders stability it hasn’t seen in ages.

Again, a lot of the talk of Johnson joining the Raiders is just lip service and a good conversation to have a few beers over at your favorite sports bar, but maybe its the football gods trying to re-write the history books for both franchises.

Armed with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Raiders drafted Louisiana State University quarterback JaMarcus Russell while the Lions quickly scooped up Johnson at No. 2 out of Georgia Tech.

On opening day of the 2007 season, the rookie Johnson caught four balls for 70 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown catch in Detroit’s 36-21 road victory over the Raiders.

To this day, Raider Nation has to be kicking itself as Johnson was on his way into becoming a superstar and possibly a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, while Russell would be out of the league in three years for weight issues and poor play.

 

 

 

 

Chapman and Davis lead a power explosion as the A’s beat the Indians 5-3

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Athletics kept telling everyone the kid had power – tonight he showed it off

The A’s have won two consecutive games since the All-Star Break: Melvin’s happy

The game in brief

CLE Kluber game
Kluber struck out 12 A’s hitters*

Cleveland sent veteran All-Star Corey Kluber to the hill to face the Athletics rookie Paul Blackburn who was just making the third start of his major league career on Saturday night. The game really belonged to the hurlers for much of the early stages. Pitching mistakes highlighted the runs that were scored early.

Kluber (7-3, 2.86) certainly would like to have the 2-1 offering back that Matt Chapman hit over the left-center field wall in the bottom of the third inning for the first home run of his MLB career. Kluber had not allowed a hit until the home run which put the A’s up 1-0.

The young Mr. Blackburn (1-0, 1.83) put himself and the A’s into jeopardy in the top of the fourth by giving up a leadoff walk to Michael Brantley. Edwin Encarnacion then followed up by taking the 0-1 pitch from Blackburn down the left field line for a two -run home run (19). Blackburn fought his way through the inning without allowing any additional runs but the Indians held a 2-1 lead.

With two out and the bases empty in the home-half of the fifth, Chapman hit a solid double to right off Kluber. Rajai Davis followed with an RBi-single to right and the A’s had tied the game at 2-2.

In the top of the sixth, Blackburn put himself back on the griddle when he issued a leadoff walk to Encarnacion. Jose Ramirez singled to right and Encarnacion advanced to third. Carlos Santana grounded to the right side of the infield but because the shift was on the only play was to first base. Encarnacion scored easily from third to give Cleveland a 3-2 lead.

A trio of A’s relievers finished the game for Oakland giving no runs on no hits and did not allow a Cleveland baserunner.

Kluber came out and started the eighth inning for the Indians. He was still looking strong as he had struck out 12 A’s batters. The first Oakland hitter was Matt Chapman who hit Kluber’s first pitch over the center field wall for his second home run of the night. That tied the game at 3-3 and chased Kluber from the contest.

The Indians were unable to score in the top of the ninth so the game remained tied as the A’s came to bat.

Cleveland reliever Andrew Miller walked Oakland’s leadoff man Yonder Alonso. Terry Francona pulled Miller and inserted Bryan Shaw into the game. The first batter to face Shaw was Khris Davis. Davis worked the count to 3-2 and then Davis hit the next pitch over the right-center field wall for a two-run walkoff home run giving the A’s a 5-3 win over the Indians.

The win guarantees that Oakland (41-50) will the series which concludes on Sunday.

The win goes to Ryan Madson (2-4, 2.06). The Indians reliever Andrew Miller (3-3, 1.60) takes the loss.

Take a bow

CLE Chapman
Chapman digs for second vs Cleveland*

Come back out for an encore Mr. Chapman. The rookie third baseman was a perfect 3-for-3 in the game with all three hits coming off Corey Kluber. Chapman not only hit his first major league home run but he also had the first multi-home run game of his career. Do not forget his other hit was a double that turned into a run when Rajai Davis hit a single that drove him home. So, Chapman also posted three runs and two RBi on Saturday night.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber does deserve honorable mention even though he did not figure into the decision. He struck out 12 hitters in his 7.1 innings of work while walking none. The reason Kluber also gets kudos is he threw 106 pitches (72 strikes). 100-plus pitches: “that’s old school” and it deserves an nod.

In the batter’s box

Khris Davis has to be brought out for a standing ovation for hitting his second walk-off home run of the season (the fourth of his career). It was his 25th round-tripper of the year to go with 62 RBi.

The Indians Edwin Encarnacion also deserves a nod for 2-for-3 game that included his 19th home run and two RBi.

On the hill

Hats off to the A’s trio of relievers who worked the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. Liam Hendriks, Daniel Coulombe and Ryan Madson combined to pitch a perfect final three innings to give the Athletics a chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth.

Up next for the Athletics

The Indians and Athletics wrap up this three-game series on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at the Coliseum on Rickey Henderson Field.

  • Indians – RHP Trevor Bauer (7-7, 5.24) will be the starter for Cleveland. It will be his 18th start of the season and his first start in nine days. Bauer lost his last start 6-2 to the San Diego on July 5 when he allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits in 5.0 innings.
  • Athletics – Oakland will counter with LHP Sean Manaea (7-5, 3.76). He lost his last start on July 7 in Seattle giving up three runs (earned) on eight hits in 7.0 innings on the mound. Manaea walked one and struck out three Mariners. He beat the Indians back on May 31 in Cleveland as he struck out nine Indians in seven innings. The A’s won that game 3-1.

 For you long-range planners

Sonny Gray is scheduled to start the final game of the Tampa Bay series on Wednesday at 12:35 p.m. If you are a Gray fan, I’m just saying …

*Photos Ed Szczepanski – USA Today Sports

Carr and Raiders agree on 5-year, $125M extension

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AP File Photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND, Calif — The Oakland Raiders knew they had something special at quarterback with Derek Carr.

Now, he is paid like one.

Carr and the Raiders have agreed to a five-year, $125 million extension, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, noting a source close to the negotiations. Carr’s new contact makes him the highest paid player in terms of average money per year ($25 million per), moving past Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

Before breaking his leg on Christmas Eve in a home loss to the Colts, the 26-year-old Carr was having an MVP-type of season, throwing for 3,937 yards with 28 touchdowns to just six interceptions. In three seasons, Carr has thrown for 11,191 yards, 81 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.

Carr was finishing up his rookie deal, and was scheduled to make less than $1 million in base salary this season before agreeing to the new deal. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, Carr’s deal includes $70 million in guarantees with $40 million guaranteed at signing.

With Carr’s deal now completed, the Raiders should turn their attention in locking up defensive linchpin Khalil Mack long-term.

The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year after an 11-sack season in 2016 that included a pick-6 interception, has a team option through 2018, but you’d think that general manager Reggie McKenzie would want to keep the nucleus of the team intact and Mack is a big part of the Raiders’ future.

Information from this report provided from the NFL Network and USA Today.

 

 

 

Headline Sports Podcast with Tony Renteria: Giants try to get Reds sweep out of their mouths in second meeting; A’s have put four wins in five games together

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San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik dives for a ball hit by Tommy Milone for an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 10, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

On the Sports Headlines podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 In their first meeting since last week the Cincinnati Reds who swept the Giants at Great American Ball Park the coincidences of Giants 21 year rookie Christian Arroyo hitting an home run off of 40 year old Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo both graduating from the same high school in Florida some 18 years apart.

#2 How important is it for the Giants to close out the long road trip with a win over the Mets to avoid getting swept and got back to San Francisco to start the homestand.

#3 After losing five straight before picking up the win it seemed like forever until you get your next win

#4 The A’s who never give up have won four of their last five games, is this a fluke or are the A’s getting clutch hitting and consistent relief pitching

#5 The Oakland Raiderettes won a $1.25 million lawsuit against the Oakland Raiders after being paid below the minimum wage. The cheerlead squad said after the victory that they were proud to stand up for themselves and this is a statement for all the other cheer squads in the NFL and a statement to the league not to pay below the market rate and a stand for women workers rights. The lawsuit pays out $20,000 to each of football’s fabulous females if they have more than two seasons work in.

Tony Renteria does the Sports Headlines Podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

Gareon Conley stirs the pot after being accused of rape

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Ohio State defensive back Gareon Conley runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By: Ana Kieu

The Oakland Raiders drafted Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley in the first round with the 24th overall pick during the 2017 NFL Draft.

Getting drafted should be a joyous moment for both the player and his new NFL team, but this wasn’t the case for Conley. Just days before Conley was selected by the Raiders, a 23-year-old woman accused him of raping her at a Cleveland hotel on April 9. She claimed that she met Conley in an elevator at 3 a.m. and he propositioned her and another woman to have a foursome. She also claimed that Conley had sex with her after watching another couple have sex. The case remains ongoing as Conley denied her allegations.

Conley’s lawyer said that he won’t talk to Cleveland police until after the draft. Conley went through an interview and submitted his DNA on Monday, according to his attorney Kevin Spellacy. Spellacy also said that he’s been trying to obtain video surveillance from the Westin Hotel, but his attempts have been unsuccessful so far. Two of Conley’s friends told the police that nothing happened between Conley and the unnamed woman, who got upset when they asked her to leave.

Despite all the negativity, Conley is ecstatic about being selected in the first round of the draft. He sent out a tweet last Thursday, giving shoutouts to his Ohio State teammates, cornerback Marshon Lattimore (New Orleans Saints, first round, 11th overall pick) and safety Malik Hooker (Indianapolis Colts, first round, 15th overall pick).

Conley also retweeted tweets from quarterback Derek Carr and defensive end and linebacker Khalil Mack.

It’s clear the Raiders got what they wanted. They were looking for an upgrade at the cornerback position. Conley’s draft position called for a $5.8 million signing bonus on top of a four-year rookie contract worth $10.5 million. However, his draft value can decrease and that’s not a good thing.

Conley had doubts about his NFL future, but he knows that he must take responsibility for his actions. He said that he didn’t know what he was getting himself into at the time and could’ve used his judgement to make better decisions. When he got drafted, things felt surreal and he felt much more special.

Conley’s storyline doesn’t consist of him being an entitled athlete who vanished in the big leagues. He’s a humble man who attended Massillon Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio. He finished his high school career with 50 receptions, 25 tackles, 16 touchdowns on offense and an interception on defense. He also visits his high school occasionally to tell students about the significance of coaching and doing things the correct way.

Conley initially committed to the University of Michigan, but later switched to the Ohio State University. In 2013, he reshirted his freshman year. In 2014, he played in all 15 games, recording 16 tackles. In 2015, he started all 13 games, recording 49 tackles and two interceptions. In 2016, he was named the Second Team All-Big Ten and Third Team. He forwent his senior year to enter the 2017 NFL Draft.

Not many residents in Conley’s hometown of Massillon express doubt in him.

Washington High offensive coach Joe Pierce said that Conley wasn’t the best player in his junior year as he slowed down due to a broken arm, but continued to excel on defense. As a senior, Conley caught 51 passes for 1,095 yards and 16 touchdowns in addition to being a top-rated defensive back.

Former defensive back Dan Hackenbracht said that Conley’s self-discipline and dedication set him apart from others, adding that he also studied film at a different level.

Conley’s stepmother provided a financial incentive to her son to play college football. She has a daughter named Dajia who had a lower chance of attending college at no cost due to the fact that she’s a cheerleader. Conley ended up obtaining his dream scholarship.

Besides, the rape allegation against Conley might not even be true. Both Conley and the female accuser admitted they were in the same hotel room, but he already took a polygraph test and passed it before the draft.

A recent video posted online shows the accuser following him inside and outside a Cleveland bar and even reaching out to touch him.

No charges have been filed against Conley. He maintained his innocence throughout the process. Yes, he could be indicted, despite passing a polygraph test. However, these are two separate issues — whether he’s telling the truth and whether the evidence would allow a prescutor to indict him.

The process demands for a one-sided introduction of evidence with the defendant having no representation. The legal standard for an indictment is lower than the standard required for a conviction. The prosecutor has to convince the grand jury that probable cause exists to believe a crime was committed. The fact that the defendant has nobody arguing the opposite position makes it easy to receive an indictment.

Many people believe that a judge has the most power within the justice system, but the truth is that the prosecutor does. He decides who gets charged, who doesn’t get charged and what they both get charged with. If this prosecutor decides that the victim told the truth and that the defendant didn’t or if he simply decides to turn the defendant’s life upside down, an indictment can be acquired.

Yet, there are two factors that could influence the process, and that’s when the victim was administered a rape kit and Conley has agreed to provide a DNA sample. Nothing happened between Conley and the victim, according to his defense along with the witnesses in the hotel room.

Conley is innocent until proven guilty.

Oakland Raiders 2017 draft report: McKenzie gets his men in the draft

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Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

By Jeremy Kahn

OAKLAND–All winter long, the Oakland Raiders knew that they would drafting late in the first round and they are happy with their first round.

Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie went defense with his first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and it was a great pick.

McKenzie made Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley was the 24th pick in the first round for the Raiders.

In his career with the Buckeyes, Conley picked off six passes and made 91 tackles in 42 games and was named a second team All-Big Ten in 2016.

The Raiders stayed on the defensive side of the ball with their second-round pick, as Obi Melifonwu was drafted out of the University of Connecticut.

In his four years in Storrs, Melifonwu played in 48 games and was named first team All-American Athletic Conference in 2016, and was also named to the All-ECAC team along with the All-New England team.

McKenzie stayed on the defensive side with his third pick, as they drafted Defensive Lineman Eddie Vanderdoes out of UCLA.

As a freshman, Vanderdoes was named to the First Team All-American Freshman by both the Football Writers of America and Sporting News.

With their fourth-round pick, the Raiders finally took an offensive player, as they took Florida Offensive Lineman David Sharpe, who played with Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio’s son Luke with the Gators.

Sharpe played in 27 games with the Gators, including starting all 14 games in 2016 after playing all 13 games in 2015. As a true freshman, Sharpe played in six games in a reserve role.

Once again, the Raiders returned to the defensive side of the ball with their next draft pick, as they drafted Wake Forest linebacker Marquel Lee.

While with the Demon Deacons, Lee was named First-team All-ACC in 2016 by the Associated Press and named second team All-ACC by both the coaches and media.

In the seventh round, the Raiders once again stayed on the defensive side of the ball with their pick, as they drafted Safety Shalom Luami out of Washington State.

Luami was named First-Team All-Pac 12 in his final year with the Cougars, as he helped lead them to a Holiday Bowl berth against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Prior to playing for Mike Leach in Pullman, Luami played junior college ball at City College of San Francisco, where in his two years with the Rams, Luami earned All-California First-Team All-Region accolades as a freshman and then as a sophomore, he was named First -Team All-American and California Community College Defensive Player of the Year.

McKenzie took North Carolina running back Elijah Hood in the seventh round, just his second offensive player of the draft.

In his three years in Chapel Hill, Hood ended up ninth All-Time on the Tar Heels list in rushing yards, as he gained 2,580 yards in his three seasons.

McKenzie brought in another player for the offensive side of the ball, as he drafted tackle Jylan Ware out of Alabama State.

With multiple picks in the seventh round, McKenzie needed more defensive lineman, and is what he got with Toledo defensive tackle Treyvon Hester.

Oakland Raiders Update Report: Lynch coming home

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Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during an NFL football game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, January 17, 2016 in Charlotte. The Panthers won 31-24. (Perry Knotts via AP)

By Jeremy Kahn

OAKLAND–Well, the trade to bring home one of Oakland’s most legendary high school players of recent years is about to come into fruition.

Marshawn Lynch, who went to Oakland Technical High School before heading to CAL is about to become the newest member of the Oakland Raiders.

Lynch, who retired after the 2015 season after playing with the Seattle Seahawks will be signing a two-year deal, according to league sources.

The two former AFC Western Division rivals should have the deal finalized on Wednesday afternoon, and he passes his physical, and Lynch will be a Raider officially.

“He’s one heck of a football player, and I hope to play with him. … Of course, anyone would want Marshawn Lynch, any quarterback in the NFL,” Derek Carr said last week. “As we add pieces, we’ll hug them up and bring them in just as a family and treat them the same way that we do with all of our other teammates.”

Lynch was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 2007 NFL Draft out of CAL, gained 9,112 yards and scored 74 touchdowns while playing for the Bills and the Seattle Seahawks, whom he helped lead to a Super Bowl XLVIII win over the Denver Broncos.

The nine-year veteran will be the veteran leader in the backfield for Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, both of whom are entering their seasons in the NFL. Lynch will essentially be replacing Latavius Murray, who left for the Minnesota Vikings via free agency.

“Marshawn is one of the best running backs I’ve ever played against in my short career so far,” linebacker Khalil Mack said. “You talk about a player, a hell of a player. It would be a great, great, great treat to have him on this side, on the dark side.”

ESPN.com contributed to this story.

Seahawks-Raiders agree on deal for Lynch

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Marshawn Lynch, a former NFL football running back with the Seattle Seahawks, speaks Thursday, May 5, 2016, at a job fair in Seattle sponsored by the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, an organization backed by Starbucks and other companies that seeks to increase employment and education opportunities for youth aged 16-24. The Seahawks announced Thursday that Lynch has been placed on the reserve/retired list. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND — Retired running back Marshawn Lynch is set to come out of retirement after the Raiders and Seahawks agreed to a trade that will allow Lynch to play for Oakland, sources tell ESPN NFL Insider, Adam Schefter.

In order for the deal to be complete, Lynch must first pass a physical, which is expected to place on Wednesday at the team’s Alameda headquarters. Per Tom Pelissaro of USA Today, Seattle will receive Oakland’s 2018 5th-round pick in exchange for Lynch and the Seahawks’ 2018 6th-round.

Sources report that its a two-year deal (but essentially a one-year deal) worth a maximum value of $8.5 million with $3 million in base salary.

Lynch retired from the NFL after the 2015 season, was born and raised in Oakland and attended Oakland Technical High School where he was star. The length of the contract is interesting given the fact that the Raiders are heading to Las Vegas by 2019.

The NFL Network first reported the deal between Oakland and Seattle.

Lynch, who turned 31 this past Saturday, was the No. 12 pick in the 2007 draft by the Buffalo Bills out of Cal,  has rushed for 9,112 yards and 74 touchdowns in nine NFL seasons. Lynch played through an injury-plagued 2015 season where he only rushed for 417 yards on 3.8 yards per carry in seven games.

Oakland is looking to fill the hole at running back, after losing last year’s starter Latavius Murray to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. The Raiders had the sixth-best rushing attack in 2016 and think that adding Lynch to the mix with youngsters Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington could add even more punch to the Raiders’ offense.

The five-time Pro Bowl running back had his best season in 2012 where he rushed for a career-high 1,590 yards and 12 touchdowns while catching 23 passes for 196 yards and a score. Lynch was named first-team All-Pro that season.

The 5-foot-11 Lynch led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2013 and 2014 with 12 touchdowns and 13 touchdowns respectively. “Beast Mode” had four straight seasons rushing for at least 1,200 yards from 2011 through 2014.

Per ESPN Stats and Information, Lynch ranks second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns since 2007 with 74, only second behind running back Adrian Peterson’s 97 rushing touchdowns, who signed with the New Orleans Saints this week after spending his first 10 seasons in Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

Sports Headlines Podcast with Tony Renteria: Will Raiders cough up $800k for back pay on parking lot fees? Will Lynch have skittles in Oakland? Cotton rocked Wednesday waits for next outing

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Tony Avelar, Associated Press photo: Oakland Coliseum parking lot site of the city of Oakland who says Raiders owe for revenue since 2013

On the Sports Headlines podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 The City of Oakland says the Oakland Raiders owe revenue for parking fees that was withheld and the city of Oakland wants it’s money. The city says the Raiders owe around $800,000 and the Raiders say they aren’t paying. The city says the Raiders owe $25,000 per game since 2013 and that if the Raiders don’t pay the city will kick the team out before it’s lease expires in 2019. The city will allow the team to play at the Oakland Coliseum until the end of the 2017 but if the missing parking revenue is not met the city will ask the Raiders to leave leaving the 2018 and 2019 up in the air as the team prepares to play in Las Vegas by 2020.

#2 Will Marshawn Lynch come out of retirement to join the Oakland Raiders? Lynch is still Seattle Seahawks property and has not played since 2015 but talk has been he would consider coming back and joining the Raiders. Lynch went to school in the East Bay at Cal Berkeley and might like to play a season or two before calling it a career. Keep those skittles on the backburner Lynch might return just yet.

#3 The Oakland A’s starter Jahrel Cotton had a rocky start on Wednesday night against the LA Angels in a 5-0 loss. He struggled surrendering five runs and eight hits. Was it a matter of Cotton having butterflies in his season opening debut, was he off balance, was it just a matter of the Angels saw his pitches and connected. Tony fills us in.

#4 The Sacramento Kings finish up their season this week in Los Angeles as they face the Clippers on Wed Apr 12th. Tony takes a look back on the 2016-17 season and tells us what was his most memorable moment covering the Kings.

#5 The San Francisco Giants have struggled through the first through two of the first three games with the Arizona Diamondbacks but Tony says it’s nothing to worry about it’s an early passing phase and the Giants will be back as they complete this road trip and get ready for their home opener on Mon Apr 10th.

Tony Renteria does the Sports Headlines each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Not a snow balls chance to stay Raiders head down the Black Hole road to Vegas

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by Joe Hawkes Beamon

“The Autumn Wind is a pirate Blustering in from sea, With a rollicking song, he sweeps along, Swaggering boisterously. His face is weather beaten. He wears a hooded sash, With a silver hat about his head, And a bristling black mustache.” As read by late announcer John Facenda NFL Films with the Oakland Raiders theme song.

For decades this team that garnered the silver and black in the following years 1966-1983 then from 1995-2019 have know only one home the Oakland Coliseum. They were famous for such titles, montras and introductions like Return to glory, Pride and Poise, Team of the Decades, A Commitment to Excellence, Just win Baby which were born out from their glory years of the 1970s which were sayings anointed by their then owner and father of current owner Mark- Al Davis.

Mark Davis and 31 owners of the National Football League casted their votes on Monday to make their commitment to relocate one of football’s most decorated franchises to the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip. The team’s new stadium will be located by the MGM Grand Hotel where they will become the first NFL team in Vegas history. The team will finish at the Oakland Coliseum through the 2019 season.

Joe Hawkes Beamon takes you through the Raiders move on today’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com