As of right now the Raiders have lost three starters from last season. Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and Robert Gallery all signed with other teams because the Raiders didn't have the cap room to get them the deal they were looking for.
Before the lockout the Raiders locked up a few players with some huge salaries. Even before the lockout during the last few offseasons the Raiders have been re-signing guys to deals that would eventually put them in the situation they are in right now.
Here are a few guys that should be willing to restructure their deals so that the Raiders can start making some moves to help the team this year.
Richard Seymour 2yrs/$30 million, 2011 Salary: $15 million
He plays a huge role on the team. He is a force on the defensive line and a leader. He played a big part in the Raiders' return to respectability last season. His salary for this season is rather high though. The Raiders should try to give him a longer deal that will pay him less in 2011.
Stanford Rout 3 yrs/$31 million, 2011 Salary: $10 million
In my opinion the Raiders jumped the gun on this one and overpaid. Rout stated yesterday that he is willing to restructure his contract so the Raiders need to get on it. Ten million a year for Rout is a little too much. I think he would have signed for five per season. Oh well.
Darren McFadden 6yrs/$60 million, 2011 Salary: $7 million
OK now here is a player that is worth every dollar. However his performance wasn't on par with his pay over his first two seasons. McFadden should be willing to take a little less and help the Raiders get better this year.
Sebastian Janikowski 4rs/$16 million, 2011 Salary: $2.6 million
Seabass should be willing to do something. At least save a few dollars. His deal guarantees him at least $9 million, which is more than enough for a kicker over four years in my opinion.
Shane Lechler 4yrs/$16 million, 2011 Salary: $4 million
Shane is one of our very best players and is the best at what he does. He has a big deal with about $10 million guaranteed. Just like Janikowski, his guaranteed money is plenty for a punter over four years. Come on Shane. Work with us one time.
Chris Johnson 4rs/$11 million, 2011 Salary: $3.2 million
He is not worth $3.2 million in 2011. Enough said. If the Raiders weren't so thin at CB they probably would have released him already and they still might, to get under the cap later on today.
Tommy Kelly 7yrs/$50 million, 2011 Salary: $5.5 million
He finally lived up to his deal he signed in 2008 leading all AFC DTs in sacks. The production before that left much to be desired, but he was still getting paid big bucks. He should be willing to work with Mr. Davis to get the Raiders under the cap.
Cooper Carlisle, 2011 Salary: $2.5 million, and the Raiders just released him.
Some of you may have expected Michael Huff on the list with his new $32 million dollar contract but his 2011 salary is just $685,000. Hopefully Rod Woodson can turn him into a turnover machine.
If these men are truly dedicated to the Raiders then they should be willing to do something. Obviously not all of them are going to restructure. Guys like Seymour and Rout definitely should be willing to do something. $15 and $10 million are a bit much for this season.
That's all I got. What do you guys think?
