Live Chat with Raiders beat writer Steve Corkran (Transcript)Tuesday, March 13, 2012 12 noon
Here are a few questions and answers from the chat below. Full transcript of chat at this link:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_20159372/live-chat-inside-oakland-raiders-tuesday-noonComment From devan any news about kam? is he going to stay or is he ganna be gone within the next few hours?
Steve Corkran: Hard deadline isn't until Thursday, so this could drag out another couple days. He will be released unless he restructures his contract. Plain and simple. Raiders won't pay $11 million for him this season.
Comment From Sean How soon do the Raiders make any moves?
Steve Corkran: Right away, if it's for a low-profile free agent. Bigger signings might take until the Raiders free up more cap room.
Comment From Emily (DC) So why are the Raiders being left in the cold of sharing in the cap booty?
Steve Corkran: Guilty of minor infractions that year, as well. Best guess is, the Heyward-Bey payout that year.
Comment From brian11 why release Boss? Only experienced guy, only $4mill salary. great potential if used properly.
Steve Corkran: Doesn't fit what McKenzie and Allen want in a tight end, I guess. Also, off. coord. Knapp might want Dressen in his offense.
Comment From SilverNBlackPA Steve, what are the odds the Raiders land any of: Mario Williams, Eric Winston, Chris Myers, Carl Nicks, Robert Meachem, Tracy Porter, Curtis Lofton, Ben Grubbs or CortlandFinnegan?
Steve Corkran: Might get Porter and one other, at best. Most of those guys you mention will be re-signed by the teams they played for last year or by another team with a ton of money to throw around.
Comment From David With the Raiders already under the cap, they do not need to release Wimbley today. Thursday is the date that the $17.5million bonuses kick in. Correct?
Steve Corkran: Correct. However, the Raiders need to free up more cap room if they want to add players. Right now, they are less than $1 million under the cap.
Comment From Randy The Ghost Could you explain the salary cap fuus regarding the Redskins and why the Raiders didn't get to share? If it was an uncapped year, how can you violate that?
Steve Corkran: In short, Cowboys and Redskins paid a ton of money to some players in 2010, when there wasn't a salary cap, so that they wouldn't have to spread around that money on the cap over several years. League told teams not to do that in adavance. So, they got penalized and 28 teams given share of amount penalized. Raiders and Saints left out because they, too, were guilty of paying too much on certain contracts.
Comment From RBD Why are we delaying cutting Henderson?
Steve Corkran: No need right now, given they are under the cap. Also, they might want to wait awhile and see how he heals in case they want to keep him for another year.
Comment From AZR8R Do you think Raiders go after matt leinart for # 2 qb?
Steve Corkran: Possible, given his link to Greg Knapp. Not a huge priority. However, the Raiders are in the market for a veteran to replace Kyle Boller as Carson Palmer's backup.
Comment From Sean Do you feel the Raiders are going in the right direction?
Steve CorkranYes. McKenzie realizes that the Raiders didn't get in this situation in one season, and it might take more than one to get out from under. He's got a plan in place and is executing it as we speak.
Comment From Loser How much say does Allen have with FA signings?
Steve Corkran: Plenty. McKenzie will seek his input to make sure coach Allen wants such-and-such player on the team.
Comment From Leland Are the 2012 Raiders going to be better than the 2011 Raiders?
Steve Corkran: Yes, they will be better, even if the record doesn't bear out such.
Full transcript of chat:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_20159372/live-chat-inside-oakland-raiders-tuesday-noon
