Raiders News and Notes: 7/14/2020

Raiders News and Notes: 7-14-2020

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Last week news came out that the Las Vegas Raiders, specifically head coach Jon Gruden, had an interest in signing free-agent defensive end JaDeveon Clowney who played with the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans in his career.

 

The Raiders have had trouble rushing the passer, and that is the perception of what Clowney is. But the reality is Clowney sets the edge and plays the run better than rushing the passer. For the Raiders, the former #1 overall pick would provide depth and another body to attack AFC West quarterbacks and allow other defensive linemen to stay fresh during the game.

Vic Tafur of The Athletic reported last week the Raiders have indeed made an offer for Clowney. However, the report suggests that Las Vegas is a “distant third” in terms of actually getting a deal done. It’s been reported that the Cleveland Browns and Seahawks are still in the bidding for Clowney, and both seem more aggressive than the Raiders in their pursuit of him.

Currently, the Raiders have $9 million in cap space, but that shouldn’t be a problem since NFL “capologists” know how to create salary-cap space if Clowney did decide to come to Las Vegas. But as mentioned before, it appears the Raiders are lagging behind a few other teams in the current bidding war.

Cecil Lammey of 104.3 The Fan in Denver reported that Jon Gruden would like to up the offer to get Clowney. Lammey also says that the Raiders’ offer is lower than two or three other teams, and owner Mark Davis and general manager Mike Mayock are hesitant to increase it.

 

 

Jadeveon Clowney has been biding his time during free agency, waiting for an offer that matches what he believes he is worth. That number started at between $20-22 million and reportedly has been lowered to around $18 million.

 

 

But that $18-20 million is a massive price tag for a player whose production doesn’t match the number for which he’s currently asking. Clowney notched just three sacks last season for the Seahawks and has yet to record a double-digit sack season since being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Per Sportrac, Clowney’s projected open-market is around $17.1 million. So his initial asking price already overshoots his on-field production, and it’s fair to see several teams asking to see more sacks, pressures, and QB hits before paying the $17 million.

Clowney is a sexy name, and it’s easy to automatically plug him on the Raiders’ defensive line along with Maliek Collins, Maurice Hurst, and Clelin Ferrell/Maxx Crosby and see an improved unit that can give teams problems in the AFC West.

Clowney’s health also is of concern for interested teams. While the University of South Carolina product only has missed nine games in five seasons, there are some issues about the core and knee injuries he’s sustained during his career. Also, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s difficult for players to travel and get evaluated by a team’s medical staff, which makes NFL owners unwilling to pay him what he thinks he is worth.

Per Sports Illustrated, one NFC high-ranking team official said: “I heard about it (the Raiders interest) a few weeks back. Mike (Mayock) and Jon (Gruden) aren’t stupid. It was or will be, a highly incentivized offer. When he wants to play, he is the best, but that is the problem. For the money he wants, you have to want to play all the time.”

 

Another NFL general manager said: “Those guys (Mayock and Gruden) got a good thing going. Clowney’s coach dogged him coming out of college for lack of a consistent motor. Maxx Crosby is in year two. Thirty-six tackles last year and ten sacks. (He) Played all 16 (games). Clowney played in 13, had 31 tackles and three sacks. You ain’t paying Clowney big jack unless it is incentives,” said the GM. “At best he is your second-best defensive lineman behind Maxx, and even if he lives up to the hype, I wouldn’t trade Maxx for Clowney, and you will automatically have to restructure and extend Crosby after two years.”

One AFC team official very familiar with Clowney, and the Raiders said: “Clowney is a good guy, just not motivated all the time. The old Raiders might have done this deal at all costs, but not the way they are now.  If you can get him on an incentive deal, you take it.  Good guy with a high upside.  If you can’t, in their situation, you stay away.”

 

At this time, Clowney remains unsigned, and the Raiders still have an interest in signing him at the right price.

 

Madden ’21 ratings are out.

 

The Madden 21 ratings are out, and Josh Jacobs, who heads into his second season, got some respect put on his name. Jacobs’s highest rating is his ability to break tackles. In that area, he was given a 94, which is second-best in the league behind Nick Chubb.

Jacobs’s final Madden 21 rating is an 88 which lands him at ninth among NFL running backs, tied with Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

 

Las Vegas Raiders Top 10 Madden Ratings:

• Rodney Hudson – 93
• Richie Incognito – 90
• Josh Jacobs – 88
• Trent Brown – 87
• Darren Waller – 85
• Damarious Randall – 82
• Lamarcus Joyner – 82
• Tyrell Williams – 82
• Derek Carr – 79
• Gabe Jackson – 79

 

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-Joe Arrigo – Franchise Sports Media

 

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