This would seem to be a simple argument:
A team that needs a wide receiver would take Terrell Owens over Javon Walker 10 times out of 10.
But that's probably not the the route the Raiders are going to take.
I'm not convinced the team won't at least look into adding Owens, but as for now, Walker is going to be the big-name veteran amongst the receivers.
Why? Let's try to make sense of such a decision.
*The Raiders have already paid Walker $12 million. How much money do the Raiders want to spend on wide receivers?
*Outside of his contract demands after his best season (2004) Walker hasn't been labeled a divisive presence. He complained in his last season in Denver, but he never split a locker room.
*Walker's distractions might be bizarre - like wanting to retire a week into training camp - but nothing that could be called disruptive.
(I don't include him being robbed in Las Vegas last year because any of us can be the victim of a crime).
*Walker has been publicly supportive of JaMarcus Russell. I'm not sure there is a quarterback Owens likes.
*Perhaps the Raiders are trying to keep some continuity around Russell? Just a thought.
*And the most important thing is Walker has already agreed to a paycut.
So go ahead, moan and complain about Walker still being a Raider. Or would you prefer the team bring Jerry Porter back?
Then again, I still contend the former Cowboy that makes sense for the Raiders is DT Tank Johnson, not Owens or Roy Williams.
Williams might help against the run, but if your defense is depending on a safety to save the run defense, that means there are plenty of problems up front.
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*Reports are Bruce Cooper, the father of missing Raiders LB Marquis Cooper has called off the search based on "new" information.
*As I reported yesterday, there's still nothing imminent with OT Khalif Barnes in spite of mutual inerest. (That statement probably guaranteed Barnes will sign as soon as this is posted).
If the Raiders sign Barnes, they might be inclined to draft a wide receiver in the first round. But if OT Andre Smith falls to No. 7, the Raiders could upgrade at tackle quickly with he and Barnes.
*The San Francisco Chronicle reports OG Robert Gallery and RB Justin Fargas have restructured their contracts to give the Raiders cap relief.
What will the Raiders do with the space? Nothing for now.
--Jason Jones
@Nyx.CommentBody@