Oakland Raiders: McKenzie’s 5 “Riskiest” Moves So Far This Offseason

Aug 16, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders strong safety Tyvon Branch (33) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) during the second quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Cutting Tyvon Branch

There is little doubt that some of you are sitting out there wondering how his is even remotely considered a risk when Tyvon Branch has played in just five games over the last two seasons due to injury.

Of course, the risk that’s starting us all in the face is the fact that Oakland has a big hole to fill back there with Branch’s departure. When he’s healthy, he’s a very good safety. If he’d been healthy, he and Charles Woodson could have been one of the more dominant safety duos in the league.

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But now Branch is gone after being cut by the organization in the wake of his ongoing health issues.

What makes letting him go without knowing if he would be healthy and ready to go in 2015 risky is the fact that they let him walk to their division rivals in the Kansas City Chiefs. The risk of course, being that if he is healthy, and stays healthy in 2015, he could have a big year for the Chiefs — a year he could have had for Oakland.

If he can remain healthy for the entire year, the Chiefs got themselves a pretty good safety. And the Raiders are left with a platoon of Nate Allen, Jonathan Dowling, Ras-I Dowling, Larry Asante, and Brandian Ross to play opposite Woodson. It’s not the most formidable group, but one McKenzie is hoping can be adequate.

Cutting Branch is a move that could come back to bite McKenzie in the butt.

Next: Parting Ways With Homegrown Talent