[PS2] Return to Glory: An Oakland Raiders 07 Franchise

[KFox94]

I'm gonna move everything from the Two Years Too Late Franchise over here...By which I mean, from page 10. Not like the first 360 thing, but rather the new Madden 07 PS2 franchise... You guys that have been following the other one, just know this is it's re-posting. Please some people follow. I'm gonna take this atleast four years.

[KFox94]

THE RETURN TO GLORY
And it starts again....

In 2006, five years after the Oakland Raiders Super Bowl-berth season, they went 2-14, their worst season record since 1963. Well, I'm here to re-write history... I hope y'all are all down to follow. I'm also going to do interviews in extra with the regular updates... and some other stuff. "The Foxhole" is going to be a major part of this and I hope everyone's interested.

Anyway, I've updated the rosters somewhat (by which I mean I've added the free agents who are supposed to be on certain teams and I've added the rookies-most of them-to the right teams)...

However, there have been no ratings changes.

[KFox94]

THE FOXHOLE
Oakland Raiders-2006 roster preview.

Coming off of a dismal 4-12 season, the Raiders are hoping to rebound and rebuild. Randy Moss is in the second year of his four-year contract and Lamont Jordan is in the second of his fifth-year contract. Aaron Brooks was added over the offseason to replace Kerry Collins, who has recently been added by the Tennessee Titans.

Quarterbacks

Aaron Brooks-the veteran free agent signing-will take over the reigns for the recently released Kerry Collins, this year. It's unclear how long his term will last, though, as the Raiders have vocalized interest in either of the incoming rookie QBs Troy Smith or JaMarcus Russell. Second-year backup Andrew Walter may be released over the offseason. Sixth-year man Marques Tuiasosopo has proven time and time again that he is not the answer to this teams woes, and is likely to be replaced.

Tailbacks

LaMont Jordan was hired last offseason in hopes of providing some help for Kerry Collins. He had his first 1,000 yard rushing season and will hope to build off of that this year. Justin Fargas is in his fourth year and is hoping to get some serious major playing time, once and for all. Rod Smart was also added to kick-and, possibly, punt-return. Dejuan Green is in his third and-possibly-final season with the Oakland Raiders. Justin Fargas is hoping to get some actual work in in his fourth year. He's an extremely fast back, and he's hoping on playing more this year... Don't expect DeJuan Green or Rod "He Hate Me" Smart to blow your mind. Just don't.

Fullbacks

Zack Crockett-the 12th-year veteran, is the only fullback on the Raiders' roster. Because of his age, don't be surprised if that changes by the end of the pre-season.

Wide Receivers

Jerry Porter and Randy Moss will be the starters at wide receiver and Ronald Curry and Doug Gabriel will be fighting for the slot spot. Johnnie Morant and Alvis Whitted will be sitting behind them, battling for the fourth spot.

Tight-Ends

Courtney Anderson, Marcellus Rivers, and Randal Williams make-up the tight-end corps. Randal is the fastest, but he's also the least-effective overall.

Offensive Line

Robert Gallery and Langston Walker will be starting at tackle, Barry Sims and Brad Badger will start at offensive guard, and Jake Grove has the center spot locked down.

Defensive Line

Bobby Hamilton and Tyler Brayton will compete for the starting left-end spot. Derrick Burgess will start at right defensive-end, but he will have an effective backup in Lance Johnstone. Warren Sapp will start at defensive tackle with third-year man Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands will try and get some occasional playing time.

Linebackers

Kirk Morrison is currently starting at left-outside linebacker, but is supposed to move to middle, and switch spots with Danny Clark. Also incoming is the rookie OLB from UTEP-Thomas Howard. He is expected to start his rookie year and make a big impact.

Cornerbacks

Starting at cornerback is Nnamdi Asomugha alongside Fabian Washington. Tyrone Poole will battle with Duane Starks for the nickel spot. Stanford Routt will probably play the dime or quarter defensive-back spot. Chris Carr will kick-and/or-punt-return.

Safeties

Michael Huff, Stuart Schweigert, Derrick Gibson, and Darnell Bing will all be battling it out for the starting safety spots. Michael is the hardest hitter, but he's also the fastest, so it is not yet known where he will play. Jarrod Cooper will be moved-around to back the aforementioned four other safeties. Darnell started at strong-side safety last year for the USC Trojans, but may be moved to left or right outside linebacker to compete with, or start with, rookie Thomas Howard and second-year man Kirk Morrison.

Kicking and Punting

Kicking we have Sebastian Janikowski and punting Shane Lechler.

[KFox94]

I think van Eeghen was actually a tailback, but I couldn't find a picture of Pete Banaszak, so we'll take the "Colgate Connection."

[KFox94]

THE RAIDERS CUT TY POOLE
Dissatisfied veteran cornerback Tyrone Poole was cut by the Oakland Raiders this morning.

Aging veteran cornerback Tyrone Poole was cut today. He had this to say on the subject:

"After this, I might have to retire. Being cut from a dismal, weak team like the Raiders is saddening."

"The majority of the rest of the cuts will be made closer to the season," Raider Senior Personnel Director Rich Snead said, "But, obviously, some immediate changes have to made."

Salary Cap Administrator Tom Delaney had this remark to make, "It wasn't a cap-room problem, but rather a decision coach Shell and Rich came together to make. Tyrone was obviously unhappy here."

In other Raider firing news, wide-receiver/punt-return man Alvis Whitted was also cut. He wasn't-in all likelihood-going to make a big impact, anyway, though, so it's more his loss than Oakland's.

Oakland Head Coach Art Shell had this to say: "We're going to make a lot of cuts and position changes before the pre-season starts."

[KFox94]

The Foxhole: OAKLAND RAIDERS MAKING SOME MOVES
Maurice Morris coming to Oakland.


KEVIN FOX
THE FOXHOLE-HEAD SPORTS ANALYST

OAKLAND- The Raiders traded runningback DeJuan Green, a third-round pick, and a second-round pick in the upcoming 2007 NFL Draft to the Seattle Seahawks for runningback Maurice Morris and a sixth-round draft pick.

Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell had this to say: "The idea is to give ourselves some depth at runningback in case Lamont gets injured. I've seen Maurice play, and I'm quite impressed."

Maurice will be wearing number 28, as his number-20-is currently in use by Darnell Bing, number 21 by Nnamdi Asomugha, number 22 by Duane Starks, number 23 by Chris Carr, number 24 by Michael Huff, number 25 by Justin Fargas, number 26 by Stanford Routt, and number 27 by Fabian Washington.

When asked why he didn't use his power of seniority as a veteran to take Darnell's number of 20, Maurice had this to say: "There's a whole preseason ahead of us, we'll see what happens as far as cuts and number changes. Besides that, it's just a number."

When asked about the trade, Maurice had this to say: "I can understand the 'Hawks trading me, as they have a great back in Shaun [Alexander], not to say I would've minded staying there for a little while."

Lamont Jordan had this to say about the trade: "The more, the merrier. Maurice came into the league on a year after I did, but I think I can teach him a thing or two. Besides, he's the lightning to my thunder. The Mitchell to my Brown. Similar to Justin, but he may be even more affective."

When asked about sitting behind Lamont, Maurice had this to say: "I've been assured I'll get some, if not much, playing time. And, like Lamont said, I'll be the lightning to his thunder."

[KFox94]

The Foxhole
The Raiders have changed some key-and some not so key-players' positions. For instance, Danny Clark is their new starting right-end.


KEVIN FOX
THE FOXHOLE-HEAD SPORTS ANALYST

OAKLAND- Lots of position changes have recently happened in Oakland, especially concerning the linebacker and safety positions. These will not be the end of the position changes, I've been assured, but, here are the most recent ones:

-Kirk Morrison has been moved to middle linebacker from the LOLB spot. (87-85)
-Lesser-known Isaiah Ekejiuba has been moved from middle to right-outside linebacker. (no change; 64)
-Danny Clark has been moved to left-outside linebacker from middle linebacker. (no change; 89) Was moved to RE, afterward, as Darnell Bing was moved from SS to LOLB. (89-97)
-Derrick Burgess has been moved to left-end from RE. (89-90)
-Lance Johnstone was moved from LE to RE. (no change; 84)
-Ryan Riddle has made a major gain in value (67 OVR to 81 OVR) by being moved from LOLB to RE.
-Randal Williams was moved from TE to WR, but may be moved back. He may also not be moved back, though, as he's got more of a wide-out build than a tight-end build, at 6'3" 220 pounds.(64-67)
-Justin Fargas is being experimented with at wideout, but may be moved back. He may also stay, though. (76-71, but training can make him better)
-Darnell Bing was moved from Strong-side Safety to LOLB (76-79).
-Stuart Schweigert, being the slower of the two Free-Safeties, has moved to his original position of SS. (84-82)
-Jarrod Cooper was moved from SS to FS to accommodate for a roster spot. (76-74)

[Mitch8766]

looks nice
ill follow fo sho

[KFox94]

The Foxhole
Doug has left the building. Now-former Oakland wide-receiver has been traded to the Buffalo Bills.


KEVIN FOX
THE FOXHOLE-HEAD SPORTS ANALYST

OAKLAND- Buffalo has perhaps the worst receiving corps in all of NFL football. As a result, the Raiders have lent them a hand. The Raiders-despite having perhaps the second-worst receiving corps, have traded away Doug Gabriel to Buffalo in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Despite Buffalo's desperate-looking situation, this was the best Oakland could garner in response. [Senior Personnel Executive of the Oakland club] Rich Snead had this to say:

"It's no skin off my back. If that's the best they could give, that's the best they could give. He only has a year left on his contract, so it's not bothering me any. We're in a bit of a rebuilding stage, even this late in the offseason (technically training camp).

[KFox94]

The Foxhole
Oakland trades away two defensive ends to the Colts.


KEVIN FOX
THE FOXHOLE-HEAD SPORTS ANALYST

OAKLAND- The Oakland Raiders have traded-away two aging veteran defensive ends in Lance Jonstone (right-end, left picture) and Bobby Hamilton (left-end, right picture).

Lance had two years and two-million dollars left on his contract and was an offseason acquisition. He played for Oakland from 1996 until 2000. From 2001-2005, he played for the Minnesota Vikings.

Bobby Hamilton had played with the Jets from 1996 until 1999, New England from 2000 until 2003, and had spent 2004 and 2005 with the Raiders. He had four years and ten million dollars left on his contract.


The Raiders will receive in return a third-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft, a fourth-round pick in the 2007 draft, and rookie QB Josh Betts from the Indianapolis Colts.