Latest On Raiders, Las Vegas
After attending a meeting of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, Raiders owner Mark Davis sounded more convinced than ever that he can move his club to Las Vegas. “Together we can turn the Silver State into the Silver-and-Black State,” said Davis, according to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com.
As Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com details, a $200MM loan from the NFL will help comprise the $500MM the Raiders will put forth towards a stadium effort. The Sands Corporation will pledge another $150MM, so in total, private money will account for $650MM of the $1.4 billion needed to fund a stadium. The rest of the project, which would take three years to complete, would be paid for by tourism taxes, according to Gutierrez.
“We’re not using Las Vegas as a bargaining chip,” Davis said. “This is real.” Of course, the Raiders would still need the approval of the league to move, but Davis doesn’t foresee that to be an issue. “If we give them an offer they can’t refuse, and that’s what we’re talking about now, I don’t see a problem,” said the Raiders owner.
The Raiders also issued a statement on the matter, but unsurprisingly, didn’t make any earth-shattering comments. “The Raiders would like to thank the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee and Mayor Goodman for their time today as we continue to explore options for a permanent stadium solution,” reads the statement. “We appreciate the support and passion of Raiders fans everywhere.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Raiders, Las Vegas
- The Raiders will need the approval of 24 NFL owners if they wish to move to Las Vegas, but Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News figures that they already have four votes in the bag. The Rams and Chargers would likely OK the move because it would remove the Raiders from their market. Meanwhile, the Cowboys and Texans would likely approve the relocation because it would prevent the Raiders from moving to San Antonio.
Draft Rumors: Texans, Pats, Bears
The latest draft rumors from around the NFL:
- Texas A&M cornerback Brandon Williams worked out privately for Texans coach Bill O’Brien and also visited the Steelers, Patriots, and Bears, Wilson tweets. Williams bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times at the NFL scouting combine and is said to be turning heads with his athleticism. Wilson writes that the A&M product, who had 34 tackles and seven passes defended in 2015, is drawing third/fourth round grades from scouts.
- Michigan linebacker James Ross is drawing interest from the Colts, Raiders, Ravens, and Lions, Wilson tweets.
- Temple wide receiver Robby Anderson had visited the Packers, Browns, Bengals, Chiefs, and Raiders, Wilson tweets. Anderson caught a career-high 70 passes for 939 yards on his way to an all-conference selection in 2015. The 6’3″, 190-pound receiver ran a 4.28 second 40-yard-dash at his Pro Day.
- The Buccaneers and Chargers worked out Iowa State receiver Quenton Bundrage, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (on Twitter). Bundrage, who posted a 4.5 second 40-yard-dash time, finished his senior year with 41 receptions, 548 yards, and one touchdown as a senior. He missed the 2014 season with a knee injury.
- Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton is drawing late interest from the Texans, Vikings, and Cardinals, Wilson tweets.
JaMarcus Russell Hopes To Make NFL Comeback
As two highly-talented quarterbacks anticipate being selected at the top of the 2016 draft, the quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the 2007 draft is petitioning teams for a second chance. Former Raiders signal caller JaMarcus Russell tells SI.com (video link) that he has penned a letter to all 32 teams looking for a shot. 
“As a former NFL player, I understand the daily grind that football operations can be,” Russell wrote (via PFT). “I am prepared to be physically examined and to have my football IQ evaluated. I would sincerely like an opportunity to come to Dallas and meet with you and the coaching staff. I know that my name does not carry much weight in the NFL right now but I am more than the image that others have bestowed on me. I’ve been labeled as a bust, I have been labeled as lazy and I have been the target of many insults by the media. The blame for any negative press that I’ve received rests squarely on my shoulders.”
Russell wowed scouts in workouts with his arm strength and his big 6’6″ frame led many to believe that he was destined for greatness at the next level. However, the LSU product did not deliver in the NFL. From 2007-2009, Russell started 25 games for the Raiders and in the following offseason, Oakland cut him loose. In his short time in the pros, Russell developed a reputation as a player with a weak worth ethic and a penchant for fluctuating on the scales.
In the last six years, no team has showed real interest in signing the former No. 1 pick. It would be surprising if Russell were to land an opportunity today, but that won’t stop him from trying.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Raiders Interested In Texas State OT
- The Broncos, Browns, Raiders, Jets, and Panthers are evaluating Texas State offensive tackle Adrian Bellard as a Day 3 draft target, Wilson tweets.
Latest On Raiders Potential Move To Las Vegas
The Raiders lost out on a potential move to Los Angeles earlier this year, but the upcoming week could prove to be an important one if the club wants to relocate to Las Vegas. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports, owner Mark Davis will attend a Thursday meeting of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, and if financing for a move is approved, Davis could pledge to take the Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link).
As such, this week is “huge” for the Raiders, tweets Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News, who adds that the team is very serious about a potential move (link). So, though the Raiders lost out in their attempt to relocate to LA, it’s critical to remember that the club was approved for a move — as Bonsignore notes, if funding for a new stadium is approved, it could just be a matter of time until the Raiders are ready to go (Twitter links).
If financing does go through, the Raiders will still need league approval, as 24 teams (including Oakland) would need to sign off on a potential move. As far as a relocation fee, Bonignore hears that the payment won’t be anywhere near the $550MM that the Rams paid to move to Los Angeles — in fact, the fee could be completely waived (Twitter link).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Aldon Smith's Trial Set For May 2; Nick Moody To Testify; Raides Interested In Utah Lineman
- Aldon Smith‘s trial is set to begin May 2, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com reports. The recently re-signed Raiders edge presence faces three charges from the August 2015 incident that led to his release from the 49ers — DUI with a prior conviction, hit and run and vandalism under $400 — according to Bair. Smith remains suspended for a substance-abuse policy violation and can’t return to aid the Raiders on Sundays until November, but the sixth-year veteran must be reinstated by Goodell. That hasn’t been a smooth process for recent offenders.
- The Raiders are showing “serious interest” in Utah interior lineman Siaosi Aiono, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
Stanford's Kevin Hogan Meets With Raiders
- Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan visited the Browns, Chargers and Ravens, tweets NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The Eagles, Buccaneers, Titans and Raiders also visited the signal-caller at school.
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Myles Jack Working Out For Raiders
Many teams believe that reported concerns about Myles Jack‘s knee issues have been overblown, but just in case he slips out of the top 10 as a result of those concerns, the Raiders are doing their homework on the linebacker. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets that Oakland sent a contingent to UCLA on Thursday to work out Jack.
Raiders Met With Ryan Smith
- Cornerback Ryan Smith has taken visits with the Raiders, Dolphins, and Vikings, the North Carolina Central product tells Alex Marvez on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link).