Latest on Raiders, Las Vegas
In preparing for potential relocation, the Raiders filed for three trademarks to the phrase “Las Vegas Raiders” earlier this week, reports Darren Rovell of ESPN. The trademarks would give the Raiders the exclusive right to use the name for sporting events and sell it on merchandise.
The Raiders aren’t the first to seek the “Las Vegas Raiders” trademark, according to Rovell, who writes that six filings have previously been made for it. Further, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reviews each filing from oldest to newest, so the Raiders will have to wait in line. Those who filed before the Raiders would likely have to make a case that their filing isn’t related to the team, adds Rovell.
Of course, in order for the trademark to matter, the Raiders will have to find a place to play in Las Vegas. Representatives from two proposed stadium backers – Majestic Realty and the Las Vegas Sands casino company – are zeroing in on a pair of potential sites just west of the Las Vegas Strip, per the Associated Press. However, the representatives declared Thursday that they won’t accept any less than a record $750MM in public funding toward a new stadium. Their insistence comes as a result of the increase in cost to build the facility. The proposal for a 65,000-seat domed stadium was initially estimated at $1.45 billion, but it’s now up to $1.9 billion. The Raiders previously expressed a willingness to contribute $500MM to the cause.
“If we can’t get 750, we respectfully thank you but we’re going to move on,” stated Sands president Rob Goldstein.
Public funding toward the stadium would come primarily from an increase in a Las Vegas-area hotel room tax, and Goldstein said it would be a “negligible” cost for those staying in hotels. However, Steve Hill – chair of the oversight committee and head of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development – isn’t open to the idea.
“The public is not making a contribution to a privately owned stadium,” Hill commented.
For his part, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid has been quiet about whether taxpayers should help fund a stadium, but he does think “it would be great” if the Raiders relocated to Las Vegas (via the San Francisco Chronicle). In order for that to happen, they’ll need a stadium to call home and three-fourths approval from NFL owners.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
10 Teams That Could Claim RB Karlos Williams
After waiving him yesterday, the Bills “fully expect” another NFL club to land running back Karlos Williams, and we’ll find out tomorrow if any other team decided to place a claim (the waiver period is typically 24 hours, but rolls over until Monday on weekends). If no one else is interested, Williams will become a free agent. But given that Williams’ (minimal) signing bonus will accelerate onto Buffalo’s cap –meaning that any acquiring team would only be on the hook for minimum salaries for the next three years — it seems likely that Williams will get claimed.
Clearly, there are reasons to be concerned about Williams’ future. He’ll be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season after violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and he’s struggled with his weight throughout the offseason. At one point, Williams was up 261 pounds, and after losing some of that heft, he’d reportedly begun to balloon once again, leaving the Bills to wonder if he was serious about football.
But Williams also flashed dynamic ability during his rookie season, finishing with 613 yards from scrimmage and nine TDs on just 104 touches while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. The 23-year-old also became one of just two players in NFL history to score a touchdown in each of his first six games in the league. All in all, Williams seemingly defines an old adage: high risk, high reward.
Let’s take a look at several teams that could be interested in Williams, listed in order of their waiver priority:
Cleveland Browns — New head coach Hue Jackson is trying to foster a new culture with the Browns, but he’s also shown a willingness to give players a second chance. He’s embraced wide receiver Josh Gordon, who was recently reinstated from a season-long suspension, and he stood by running back Isaiah Crowell after the latter posted a disturbing image online. Crowell and Duke Johnson figure to get most of the run for Cleveland during the upcoming season, but the club should be stockpiling talent during its rebuild, and Williams would be a cheap upgrade.
San Diego Chargers — San Diego had high hopes for its rushing attack after trading up to select Melvin Gordon in the first round of last year’s draft, but offensive line injuries and Gordon’s own poor play led to the Chargers finishing 31st in rushing DVOA. Gordon then had microfracture surgery in January, and while his long-term prognosis is positive, serious knee injuries are always unwelcome news for young running backs. It looks like Gordon is already losing work to Danny Woodhead during the preseason, and if the Chargers think Gordon is in for another sub-par season, they could take a risk on Williams.
Baltimore Ravens — This is only my speculation, but given that he’s on the wrong side of 30, coming off injury, and due a non-guaranteed $3MM base salary, veteran running back Justin Forsett could be a surprise cut as roster cutdowns approach. Such a move would be made much easier if the Ravens were able to acquire a talent like Williams, who could slot in the backfield after his suspension, teaming with Javorius Allen, Terrance West, Kenneth Dixon, and perhaps Lorenzo Taliaferro. Baltimore has taken chances on character risks in the past, though the club was burned by safety Will Hill, with whom they cut ties after he was handed a 10-game suspension.
Philadelphia Eagles — Like the Browns, the Eagles haven’t been afraid to collect players who are considered character risks, as evidenced by their trade for receiver Dorial Green-Beckham last week. Philadelphia is hoping it can turn around the career of DGB, who struggled with both motivation and learning the Titans’ playbook, and they could place a similar bet on Williams. Like DGB, Williams clearly has talent, and the Eagles could use another option alongside Ryan Mathews, Kenjon Barner, Darren Sproles, and Wendell Smallwood. Turron Davenport of USA Today recently looked at how Williams could succeed in the type of outside zone runs employed by the Eagles.
Raiders Sign Jake McGee
- The Raiders announced that they have signed free agent tight end Jake McGee.
Raiders Waive Torian White
- The Raiders have waived offensive lineman Torian White, per an announcement from the club. Additionally, head coach Jack Del Rio told reporters, including Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link) that tight end Gabe Holmes is likely headed to injured reserve.
Mario Edwards Leaves Raiders Game On Crutches
- The Chargers’ latest pitch to voters regarding their downtown stadium measure is that fans of other teams will be paying for the $1.8 billion stadium/convention center project as opposed to Bolts backers. Their latest ad campaign states the stadium will be paid for by “Raiders, Broncos and Patriots fans,” as Brett Schrotenboer of USA Today points out. This is based around the stadium finance plan regarding the use of public money — which will be voted upon Nov. 8 — using a hotel tax hike. Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts voices over the piece, which is aimed at continuing to raise support for a ballot measure that, as of now, needs a two-thirds majority to pass this fall. Most experts deem that unlikely.
- Mario Edwards left Friday’s Raiders-Cardinals game on a cart with a hip injury and needed crutches to leave the locker room, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Edwards in May received medical clearance to return from the nagging neck injury he sustained last season and remains a key component for Oakland’s defensive front despite the bevy of additions this offseason brought.
Raiders Notes: 2016, Carr, Mack
- Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) believes the Raiders’ Reggie McKenzie will have as difficult a job as any general manager for 53-man roster cuts as his team boasts one of the league’s deepest rosters. For a full view of the Raiders’ depth chart, check out their page on Roster Resource.
- McKenzie has fared excellently in rebuilding the Raiders, but he’ll have his work cut out going forward while he tries to retain talent, as Joel Corry of CBS Sports details. If quarterback Derek Carr – whom the Raiders control through 2017 – signs an extension worth $20MM per year after this season, it will somewhat hinder McKenzie’s ability to maintain a deep roster. The same is true of superstar defensive end Khalil Mack, who could become the NFL’s first $20MM-per-year non-quarterback in either 2017 or 2018, writes Corry. Still, even if the Raiders allocate sizable chunks of spending room to those two integral cogs, they’ll still be a long way from the cap problems they had upon hiring McKenzie in January 2012, notes Corry. Since taking the reins, the GM has done a masterful job structuring contracts to avoid dealing with dead money.
Raiders Had Interest In Cole Wick
- Lions tight end Cole Wick says that the Raiders, Eagles, Panthers, Buccaneers, and few other teams also showed interest in him as a UDFA, Rogers tweets. Wick signed on with the Lions in May and received a $10K bonus. He may have to play a larger-than-expected role if Ebron has to miss time. For a complete look at the Lions’ tight end depth chart, head on over to Roster Resource.
Raiders Waive Damontre Moore
The Raiders have made a handful of roster moves, claiming defensive back Tramain Jacobs and linebacker Lenny Jones off waivers from the Giants and 49ers, respectively, and waiving defensive end Damontre Moore and cornerback SaQwan Edwards, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Moore is easily the most notable player of the group, having racked up 9.5 sacks over the previous two seasons. The 23-year-old entered the NFL in 2013 as a Giants third-round pick and was with the club until last December, when it waived him after a dispute over headphones with teammate Cullen Jenkins. Moore, who had picked up three sacks to that point, then joined the Dolphins via waivers. After making three appearances and recording a sack in Miami, Moore ended up back on waivers in May. He signed with the Raiders a week later, but his Silver and Black tenure didn’t even last three months.
Jacobs, who was Moore’s teammate at Texas A&M and last season in New York, is the only other member of this foursome who has played in an NFL game. The 24-year-old registered a combined eight appearances in stints with the Ravens and Giants.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Raiders DB Neiko Thorpe Accepts Pay Cut
Raiders safety Neiko Thorpe has accepted a pay cut in order to remain with the team. Originally slated to earn $2.553MM in 2016, he’ll now receive a base salary of $675K and up to $1MM in total, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
The former undrafted free agent out of Auburn had a career season in 2015. Thorpe compiled career-highs in tackles (40), passes defended (six), and interceptions (one) while starting two of his 14 games. After that performance, the Raiders hit Thorpe with a second-round tender, giving him a $2.5MM+ non-guaranteed base for the coming season. Thorpe received the tender in March and inked it in April.
Months later, Oakland apparently wasn’t willing to keep Thorpe on the roster at his current rate. When looking at the Raiders’ depth chart, it’s easy to see why. The Raiders intend to start the recently-signed Sean Smith and the newly-extended David Amerson at corner with D.J. Hayden and T.J. Carrie as the main backups. Positioned as the team’s No. 5 CB with competition behind him, Thorpe didn’t have much in the way of leverage, giving the Raiders an opportunity to trim his non-guaranteed salary.
Thorpe first joined the Raiders in early 2014 after having spent time with the Chiefs and the Toronto Argonauts.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Raiders Release Roy Helu
MONDAY, 5:08pm: The Raiders have officially released Helu with an injury settlement, according to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com.
SUNDAY, 7:56pm: Helu will be out until midseason following hip surgeries, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who confirms that the Raiders are still trying to work out an injury settlement.
FRIDAY, 4:38pm: Oakland has not released Helu yet, according to Bair (Twitter link). The team instead placed him on injured reserve, but an injury settlement is likely on the way.
3:45pm: The Raiders have released Roy Helu, as Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com tweets. The move will make room on the roster for defensive tackle Derrick Lott. 
The 27-year-old Helu rushed for only 216 yards in Washington in 2014, but was a focal point of the club’s passing attack, catching 42 balls for nearly 500 yards. He drew interest from several teams around the league last offseason, many of whom presumably wanted him to a fill their third-down back role. The Patriots, Jets, and Giants all pursued Helu, but he ultimately signed with Oakland. Unfortunately, he did not do enough for the Raiders to warrant them fulfilling the backend of his two-year, $4MM pact ($1MM fully guaranteed). In 2015, Helu rushed 17 times for 39 yards and added nine catches for 75 yards.
Lott, a Chattanooga alum, was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Titans in 2015. After spending the entirety of last year bouncing on and off the Buccaneers’ practice squad, he agreed to terms with the Eagles in late May. A couple of weeks ago, however, Philly cut him loose.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.