OK, no more Darren McFadden emails.
As I assumed all along, the Raiders resigned Justin Fargas today.
It’s a three-year contract worth $12 million that increases to $14 million with incentives. Of that money, $6 million is guaranteed.
And from what I understand, Fargas will earn $6 million in the first year of the deal. So it’s only a matter of time before LaMont Jordan gets his wish and is released.
Jordan is dues $4.7 million in base salary. That was probably too much even if he were still the starter. And it’s way too much for a backup.
Dominic Rhodes is owed $3 million in salary. Way too much for a backup.
Retaining one of the backs with Fargas would tie a lot of money up at the position. And after taking a cut in his bonus money last year to stick around, I can’t see Jordan doing that again.
Rhodes could be back, but he would need an increased role to justify his salary as a backup.
My guess is the Raiders backfield would be Justin Fargas, Michael Bush. Drafting McFadden would be foolish financially, especially when the Raiders need a lot of help at receiver and on both lines.
As I prepare to attend the NFL Combine next week I’ll be posting more about the draft and players that might help the Raiders.
I still believe the Raiders need to consider four players that figure to be available if they don’t trade their pick, which be third or fourth pending a coin toss next week.
DT Glenn Dorsey
DT Sedrick Ellis
OT Jake Long
DE Chris Long
I’ll write more on that later after I sort through Mike Mayock’s rankings heading into the combine.
In case you don’t know, he doesn’t even rate McFadden the top running back in the draft. He likes Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois.
Then again, the Raiders aren’t in the market for a running back now (credit the Raiders for the picture).
--Jason Jones
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