Oakland Raiders: With Pickings Really Slim, A Few Options At Linebacker
By Kevin Saito
Given the bogeyman the Chiefs have become for Derek Carr and the Raiders the last couple of seasons, having a little inside information couldn’t hurt. And after re-signing with Kansas City in late July – and being released a month later – Mauga could perhaps help in that department.
Having missed the 2016 season due to injury, the thirty-year old Mauga is healthy and was ready to get back on track. However, he was made expendable when the Chiefs acquired Reggie Ragland from Buffalo and was a victim of a numbers game more than anything.
The six-foot-one, 250 pound linebacker started all thirty games he appeared in over his two seasons with Kansas City. Over that span, he recorded 160 tackles – 127 solo – notched one and a half sacks, six passes defensed, and a pair of interceptions.
Mauga is tough against the run and can defend the pass as well. He’s experienced, hasn’t been in trouble with the league, and in the bigger picture, could help provide solid mentorship to this very young linebackers group. He can help teach them the nuances of the position and help mold them into a better unit than they currently seem to be.
In the short-term, Mauga can provide some veteran leadership and some competent play on the field. Again, he’s not a dominant linebacker. He’s not going to dazzle you with his play.
But he’s steady and he’s reliable. And like Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, he doesn’t beat himself by making a lot of dumb mistakes – and those are all qualities this team desperately needs among their linebackers group.