Oakland Raiders finish a confusing, confounding day on a high note

The Oakland Raiders created some waves in the free agency pool today, and despite a confounding start to the day, they finished strong.

Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and HC Jon Gruden sat patiently by when the free agency window opened, waiting until day two before jumping into the pool. Rather than just dip his toes into the shallow end though, he really shook things up with a belly-flopping cannonball.

And although the day started with a lot of confusion and consternation – two things that still remain, mind you – they closed the day with a couple of very solid moves that helped address some glaring weaknesses on the roster.

Many were cursing McKenzie’s name and burning him in effigy earlier in the day when it was announced that they’d come to terms with receiver Jordy Nelson on a two-year $15 million dollar deal. The outrage was not over signing Nelson. It was that Michael Crabtree, one of Oakland’s steadiest and most reliable receivers over the last three years, was cut loose to make room for him.

Over the last three years, we’ve seen quarterback Derek Carr and Crabtree develop some real chemistry that helped make Oakland’s passing attack one of the most potent in the NFL – at least, until Todd Downing stuck his fingers into the pot and made a hash out of it all.

Though Crabtree had his idiotic moments – which we can partially blame Aqib Talib for – he produced for the team. In a big way. Even in a down year, he came up with some incredible catches, and even managed eight touchdowns – making it the third straight year Crabtree found the endzone at least eight times.

If you’re scoring at home, Crabtree and Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown the only two receivers to accomplish that feat.

But, the head-scratching moves didn’t stop there. Oh no. Next up came the signing of Buccaneers castoff Doug Martin. The same Doug Martin who has had two 1,400 yard rushing seasons (2012, 2015), and has failed to reach 500 yards in any other season he’s played.

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The same Doug Martin who’s only played a full 16-game slate twice in his six-year career – his rookie season of 2012, and his contract year of 2015.

The same Doug Martin who’s rushed for just 827 yards on a woeful average of 2.9 yards per carry in his last two seasons – combined.

We also had the signing of Keith Smith, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys. And there is some small bit of mystery (at least in some of our addled brains) about where Smith is going to be playing primarily. He’s currently listed as a fullback – which doesn’t make sense, given the presence of Jamize Olawale, who’s been quite effective when he’s actually been used.

Smith though, started off his NFL life as a linebacker, and there is a thought out there (again, by those of us with addled minds), that given the dearth of talent in the linebackers room, that he could possibly be entertaining a switch back to his natural position.

Stay tuned for that.

Thankfully though, the McKenzie/Gruden brain trust staved off a full scale riot with the announcement that they’d signed safety Marcus Gilchrist, formerly of Houston, and linebacker Tahir Whitehead, formerly of Detroit.

Both Gilchrist and Whitehead address specific areas of need and help plug up gaping holes in the Oakland defense.

In Gilchrist, they’re getting a seven-year veteran who’s played for the Chargers (four years), the Jets (two years), and Houston last season. Over his career, he’s amassed 437 tackles (336 solo), four sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 32 passes defensed, and 11 interceptions.

Gilchrist will immediately start next to Karl Joseph, and will be a vast upgrade over the thankfully-departed Reggie Nelson. Though, to be fair, there are plenty of corpses out there who’d be a big upgrade over Nelson.

But, McKenzie and Gruden picked up a veteran who’s been durable over his career, playing in 107 total games – with 82 starts – and is solid against the pass and in run support as well. He’s also versatile, having played both safety positions, as well as cornerback.

The addition of Gilchrist will allow the Raiders to bring last year’s second-round pick, Obi Melifonwu along slowly, letting them see what they have in him, as well as provide a big, reliable boost to the back end of the defense.

The second big announcement made was the addition of linebacker Tahir Whitehead. At six-foot-two, 233 pounds, Whitehead has experience playing inside and outside, having done both over the last six years for the Lions.

Over his career, Whitehead has notched 389 tackles (290 solo), three sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered five others, has 19 passes defensed, and four interceptions. He’s also proven to be durable, playing in 93 games – with 55 starts – over his six seasons.

With NaVorro Bowman‘s status still unknown – the Raiders reportedly made him an offer, but he’s weighing his options – it gives the team a solid Plan B in the event Bowman does opt to go elsewhere. Whitehead could slot in as an immediate starter in the middle, or if Bowman re-signs, can slide outside as well.

Next: Could Be More To Keith Smith Signing That Meets The Eye

In addition to plugging gaping holes, the Whitehead and Gilchrist signings give the Raiders some much needed depth and flexibility. It also opens up some possibilities for the coming NFL Draft.

And with cornerback Rashaan Melvin slated to come in for a visit on Friday, if they’re able to work out a deal for the former Colt, it will further shore up a depleted and ragged defense.

If McKenzie and Gruden are smart, when Melvin enters the building, they’ll have the equipment staff chain the doors shut and not open them again until a deal is hammered out.

So, what started off as a day that made you want to beat your head against a concrete wall, finished with a solid flourish. Gruden and McKenzie salvaged what had been a confounding and thoroughly frustrating – as well as completely confusing – second day of free agency.

We’ll have to see what other tricks they have up their sleeves on Friday, but the Gruden/McKenzie brain trust capped off a wild day in a very, very smart and productive fashion – once again proving, that it’s not how you start, but how you finish that matters most.

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