Dec 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston (99) reacts during the game against the Denver Broncos at O.co Coliseum. The Broncos won 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Just Blog Baby will be covering every minute of the 2014 NFL Free Agency frenzy this March. Check in daily for breaking news, analysis and predictions from the talented JBB team and new staff writers.
As Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston remained free agents going into the official tampering period it was expected that the Raiders two best free agents would be involved in the rumors and reports as players that NFL teams reach out to as front offices can contact agents to open free agent discussions before March 11.
With Veldheer garnering expected interest from the Miami Dolphins Houston was not attached to any teams until this afternoon when the Raiders top defensive end was reported to have interest from the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers.
#Eagles checked in on Raiders DE Lamarr Houston, I'm told, but don't get too excited. Houston likely out of their pay range.
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherNFL) March 9, 2014
#Packers are "among those interested" in free agent Lamarr Houston, per reports #sportsrants
— Anthony DiMoro (@AnthonyDiMoro) March 9, 2014
Yes, they are among those interested. How much? We’ll see RT @VJ_Ostrowski: @RapSheet Any real legs to this Lamarr Houston/Packers rumor?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2014
With Houston wanting a big payday it will be interesting to see when offers from other teams start coming in what the defensive end’s market value truly is when the March 11 free agency period begins. General manager Reggie McKenzie is employing a wait and see approach with his free agents as it is looking like the Raiders large cap space is leading to high expectations in contract negotiations. Houston (and Veldheer) are unquestionable valuable to the Raiders, and losing them would be a huge blow to their quest to getting competitive. Raider fans will be waiting nervously through this period as the rumors and reports come in with other teams sniffing around some of their favorite players.