The Raiders are so secretive that the rumor mill sort of works against them–I don’t think Al Davis is ever in the mood to spread flash or any information, so if anything major hits the chatter box, there’s usually something to it.
So I took it seriously when I heard ESPN’s Chris Mortensen report on “SportsCenter” that the Raiders are shopping DE Derrick Burgess–their only proven pass rusher, in a contract year–and that the Eagles and Patriots may be interested.
Al D. isn’t a big Mort fan, but if you toss out Mort’s reporting on any major NFL subject you’re crazy. He’s not always 100% right, but he’s more tapped in than anybody.
And, if history is any guide, when you start hearing about the Raiders shopping vets, whatever the tone of the denials (or the silence), it usually eventually leads to a departure.
So we’ll see on Burgess. I’m thinking that if the Patriots want a Raiders veteran who used to be a star, maybe Al had better hesitate on that one, judging from the last deal he made with Belichick.
My two further questions:
1) What would Burgess be worth? He’d demand a new contract, I’m sure, he hasn’t had a great year since 2005, he’s not young (turns 31 this summer) and was hurt and recorded only 3.5 sacks in 2008.
If future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez was worth a 2010 No. 2 pick moving from KC to Atlanta, I’d figure Burgess, slightly younger at much more important position but no HOF-er, would be worth something similar.
I’d say a mid-to-late No. 2 or early No. 3 this year. Might be wrong, but that’s what I’d say.
2) I wonder if the thoughts of moving Burgess are predicated on the Raiders landing a quality DE at No. 7 (LSU’s Tyson Jackson?) or maybe even the second round (SJSU’s Jarron Gilbert comes to mind).
Now if the Raiders don’t move Burgess, they obviously could take a WR, and have been attached to a WR with their top pick for a while. I have Jeremy Maclin going to Oakland for a few weeks now, and I still think he’s the most likely option.
But what about super-fast Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey?
