Reggie McKenzie speaks on Lamarr Houston, Jared Veldheer departures
By Chase Ruttig
Dec 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie and owner Mark Davis on the field before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Raiders general manager had never publicly addressed his two biggest free agency departures in Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston to the media, leaving the talking heads to scorn the Raiders general manager for letting his two best players walk with ample cap space. Largely ignoring the fact that Houston and Veldheer signed for affordable deals elsewhere and the potential of both players wanting to bolt Oakland being in play.
Well today McKenzie spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Vic Tafur and had revealing comments on the departures of Houston/Veldheer for the first time this offseason. Telling his side of a story that he has been taking the blame for since the beginning of March.
Had a good talk with #Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie on phone today. Talked Schaub and had his strongest comments on Veldheer leaving to date
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 25, 2014
Reggie McKenzie on losing LT Jared Veldheer to Cardinals: "The kid didn’t want to play for the #Raiders anymore, and I struggled with that."
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 25, 2014
McKenzie said it was the same boat with departed DE Lamarr Houston but "he was a little more sincere about wanting to come back." #Raiders
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 25, 2014
L. Houston told Raiders he thought #Bears had better QB situation & chance 2 win, & McKenzie respected that "In end, it's player's decision"
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 25, 2014
It is revealing to find out that of the two Raiders free agents that in the end it was Houston who was the more open player to come back before in the end bolting to a better chance at the playoffs in Chicago. McKenzie has taken a lot of heat in the media and inside of Raider Nation for letting two young fan favorites walk and many will decry this as lip service, but with both Veldheer/Houston taking affordable deals on contending teams elsewhere it is very likely that the Oakland GM is telling the truth. If so the opinions of many may change on Reggie McKenzie’s offseason, but as with most contract negotiations people will have to determine who they feel is telling the truth on this one.