Oakland Raiders: Making The Right Free Agency Moves

Nov 17, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Kiko Alonso (50) lines up against New York Jets guard Willie Colon (66) and tackle Austin Howard (77) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 37-14. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

McKenzie saved himself with the moves he made next.  The signing of Right Tackle Austin Howard from the NY Jets was, by far, one of the best off-season moves for the Raiders in quite a while.  He is a player who will step in and immediately make a legitimate impact on the offensive line.

Dec 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Then, DE-Justin Tuck, OLB-LaMarr Woodley, and DE-Anotonio Smith were signed to low-cost contracts with more guarantees in place for the Raiders.  Look, these players may be older and seasoned, but they still want to play, and their success will make current Raiders players better (i.e., Sio Moore, Nick Roach, Kaluka Maiava, etc…).  Better defensive play in the trenches will free up the linebackers and defensive backs to be more aggressive.

Nov 17, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown (25) against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

If that wasn’t enough, McKenzie grabbed DB-Tarell Brown from the 49ers.  Brown is extremely underrated, and this will definitely play well into the Raiders hands for the 2014 season.  Not only is he a starting DB, but he will mentor DJ Hayden and make the Raiders secondary a force to be reckoned with.

Still, the NFL pundits have nothing nice or positive to say about the free agency signings made by the Raiders.  Once again, it is another attempt by the NFL to keep the Raiders down.