Bernard Berrian to visit the Oakland Raiders

Thoughts from the Dark Side

February 29, 2008

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The Oakland Raiders are continuing their aggressive approach to free agency and have scheduled a trip to Oakland for Bernard Berrian. This is a move that the Raiders need to pull off as speed has been lacking in their receiver corps, which have been thinned by the loss of Jerry Porter. Berrian would likely be an expensive addition to the Raiders, but hopefully they can work out a deal that would satisfy both teams.

Bernard Berrian would be a great compliment to Ronald Curry who is a very good move the chains type receiver. Berrian can run the deep patterns and make the safeties have to respect the deep ball, which they never had to do in 2007. If the JaMarcus Russell to Berrian connection can establish the deep threat, that opens things up underneath for Curry and Zack Miller.

The danger here is whether or not the Raiders can get a contract done that meets Berrian's financial requirements without further hamstringing the team against the salary cap. The impending release of LaMont Jordan and Barry Sims will help in that regard, but the Raiders do need to be smart with their money as they will be signing a #4 pick. (Unless Al has a trade down worked out that will come out on draft day.)

The Raiders are being more aggressive this free agency period than they have been in a few years, which is refreshing as a Raider fan. There is the danger of Al trying to put together another win now team, almost a hail mary type offseason, that will hurt the Raiders down the line. It will be interesting to watch, regardless.

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

27 Comments on "Bernard Berrian to visit the Oakland Raiders"

Posted by LDizzle, February 29, 2008 2:12 PM

Berrian is visiting sure but only if he signs can you make the claim that the Raiders are in any way being aggressive in Free Agency. They haven't signed anyone but their own players. And way overpaid too. I agree Berrian is a top priority but unless they address at least one more position in FA, the Raiders will have lost out. And that means an upgrade not just a hole filler.

Posted by Samuel Lam, February 29, 2008 2:18 PM

How about him come across the Bay to us?

Posted by K-weezy, February 29, 2008 2:20 PM

ESPN is reporting that the Vikings will send a private jet out to California (where Berrian is from) to bring the receiver out to Minneapolis for talks with the team. I guess we've got some competition.

Posted by eks, February 29, 2008 2:28 PM

Anyone forgetting the draft? There are a few good receivers in this class. Nothing to worry about. If oakland is listening, take jordy nelson if he's around in the 4th 5th round.

Posted by The RaiderCast » Blog Archive » Thoughts from the Dark Side: Bernard Berrian to visit th, February 29, 2008 2:29 PM

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Posted by LDizzle, February 29, 2008 3:13 PM

Well now there is one more receiver on the market. The Javon Walker experiment is over in Denver. I personally would not mind having him in Silver and Black. So long as he is not too expensive of course.

Posted by spike, February 29, 2008 3:15 PM

If we want help now, we need a top free agent like Berrian. Drafting a WR will not likely help us this year. Most WR's need a couple years to shine. Don't forget we picked up Higgins last year. He may develop into a good deep threat. There will be some sleepers in the draft as well. McFadden can also catch the ball well and Al loves the speed he has.

Al will most likely pick McFadden, C. Long or Dorsey with the 4th pick. Because of the salary cap we would be better off trading down, but it would be unlikely that anyone will pay the price. If McFadden is still there at pick 4, Dallas may bite with a trade.

What really surprises me is how nobody talks about M. Bush. Minus his leg injury he would have been a top 10 pick last year. If he is healed up, we will have a force at RB.

The Raiders should try to get something for Jordan and Rhodes. It will save a lot of money on the cap.

Posted by LDizzle, February 29, 2008 3:18 PM

You know what, I take that back. We don't need another whiney little primadonna at Reciever for the Raiders. Javon can take his attitude somewhere else. I do think it is funny to see yet another hyped up Denver receiver turn out to be a fraud.

Posted by T-Raider, February 29, 2008 3:22 PM

Sad to say for we Raider fans, it won't matter who the Raiders draft or acquire via free agency. Without a coaching staff staying put for more than one or two years before a new one comes in, there will never be longevity with the players.......bottom line, as long as Al Davis is in the picture, the Raiders will never even make it to the post-season...he has literally made a once proud franchise the biggest joke in all of professional sports with his meddling, undermining, and horrendous decisions.

#10

Posted by OakFoSho, February 29, 2008 3:54 PM

Throw some $$$$ at him. Lock him up!!

OakFoSho

#11

Posted by JediRaiders, February 29, 2008 5:40 PM

Grabbing Berrian at a Porter Price would be a great trade off - it will free up Curry and Miller to work underneath and add more of a threat to our play action game - a perfect addition. That will buy us a couple years to restock the meat of our D and O line, see if JLH can emerge as a quality WR, and see if we can get lucky with a #1 WR later in the draft for a couple more years.

#12

Posted by Baker, February 29, 2008 6:19 PM

Al got his wish and gets to keep his q/b, Walter, and let McClown sign with another team. I guess Kiffin is done, and Al has taken over the team and is bring in the players he wants. They are spending money but are they good investments. Wilson appears to be in the ball park on cost, but Kelly will tell us in time. I wonder how long he will keep Kiffin around now that its known Al has taken over all responsibility of the team players and free agents. What is going to happen without an active head coach or maybe Ryan will end up with the head coaching job after its all over.

#13

Posted by Guido, February 29, 2008 6:24 PM

Now that the Raiders have lost Porter they better try to sign Berrian or draft a few receivers as well as DT, OL!!!!!

#14

Posted by Guido, February 29, 2008 6:26 PM

Now that the Raiders have lost Porter they better try to sign Berrian or draft a few receivers as well as DT, OL!!!!! Get rid of the old farts & get it on with youth.

#15

Posted by Patrick Patterson, February 29, 2008 6:51 PM

K-Weezy,

I just read on espn.com that Berrian did meet with the Vikes, but no deal was done.

Hopefully Al can keep him close to home.

#16

Posted by Patrick Patterson, February 29, 2008 6:52 PM

Samuel-

I am surprised that your Niners didn't even make a run at Porter. A big part of his 06 meltdown was his desire to play in a Martz offense, but the Raiders hired Shell.

#17

Posted by eks, February 29, 2008 7:34 PM

trade al davis for a draft pick.

#18

Posted by Dfrostraider, February 29, 2008 7:34 PM

Hey see if this deal fits you. (keep in mind I am a big D. Burgess fan, but this is business). Trade Burgess and a 4th or 5th round pick to Cincinatti for C. Johnson. Draft Ellis or Dorsey, which ever one fits the 3-4 better. Kelley and Warren can play end in a 3-4 and we can sign or draft a good to decent middle linebacker. After losing J. Smith Cincinatti is in need of a DE and I think they would like to rid themselves of their over the top reciever.

#19

Posted by RaiderDude, February 29, 2008 7:42 PM

How do you know that only Al is making all the offers??Unless you were standing in the room...Maybe Lane kiffin asked Al to bring Berrian in..Maybe Kiffin asked Al to make offers to Andre Davis for the return game...Who really knows whats going on unless your in the room...Rob Ryan might have talked to Al Davis about getting Wilson signed..Yes Al Davis has last say that doesnt mean he dont talk to anyone..Rob Ryan loves Tommy Kelly maybe he asked Al to make it happen who knows...I agree get Berrian in here...I Honestly think we might want to trade down in round 1 and get a WR.. Maybe even get a receiver in Rnd 2 also...The O-line coach said around 2/3 of the O linemen in the draft wont fit the system..Maybe we can blow the picks on WR and hope for the best...I just hope everything works out for us guys...I know what hard times are as a football fan now...Its time for us to have great times again...Go Raiders!!!!!

#20

Posted by Patrick Patterson, February 29, 2008 7:54 PM

Dfrost- I would be concerned that putting Gerard Warren at DE in a 34 would be like putting Sapp as a DE in a 34.

I would be down with the 34 idea if we could get a massive NT and draft C Long.

#21

Posted by HANK STRAM, February 29, 2008 8:27 PM

hey! wait a second ,how can coach lame kiffen say he was not doing the hoochie mama shuffle . that is not true ,how can nancy gay say that???? i know who he was doing the hms with me dang it!!!! o.k. its out 1 sincerely i need a martini A.J.SMITH. GO BOLTS!

#22

Posted by qunnG, February 29, 2008 8:34 PM

The Raiders just signed Wilson from the Giant's. So yeah they are being aggressive. Bernard will sign too.

#23

Posted by J.Little, February 29, 2008 10:21 PM

The push is on to sign WR Bernard Berrian & have him return home to the Bay area. However, a lot of people have no idea that the Raiders have signed a free agent WR known for his explosive speed the type of speed that an opponent will have to respect. His name is Todd Watkins he's in his second year and he was drafted by AZ in the 6th round in 2006. He has good size at 6'2" 195 lbs. and he'll be a good player for the coaching staff to work with and could develop with Johnnie Lee Higgins to form a duo of fast receivers.

#24

Posted by Blackbeard, February 29, 2008 10:45 PM

Actually Watkins was drafted in the 7th round and cut by the Cardinals and Falcons...what are you his agent or best friend? He likely would be going to Europe if that league still existed...

#25

Posted by Raider209nation, February 29, 2008 11:32 PM

fir$t of all.... we run a 4-3 $o whoever $aid were runnin a 3-4 i$ on $um good $hit!?! $econd of all berrian i$ not from da bay area...he$ from atwater....a town 10 minute$ away from were i live!? third of all i love dat Gibril Wil$on $igning?! that allow$ huff 2 move back 2 hiz natural $pot! foourth of all...why did we give kelly dat much money?! dam let da guy earn it fir$t! but anywayz i hope we do $ign berrian! and in da draft....im hopen we get my boy glenn dor$ey! he$ a bad a$$ foo! but anywayz raider$ beta continue dare aggre$ivene$$ in free agency! GO RAIDER$ AFC WE$T CHAMP$ 2008!

#26

Posted by LARaider70, March 1, 2008 2:02 AM

I knew it, Al was going to take over as this maybe his last hoorah. Kiff will stay and maybe called HC but will primarily be a OC. If not then its between Ryan or Lofton. The Kelly singing was just a sign of things to come. If we can lock up Berrian and Cable does his magic w/ Harris then we can focus on DT and LB in the draft! I myself would have preffered to have DT Rodgers from detroit or Jenkins from Carolina for the money we paid Kelly. If Kelly does not work out I blame Ryan as it was his influence on Al that maid him spend that kind of money. I hope Kelly earns it for the next several yrs to come. I thought we were going to draft a saftey but it makes more sence to buy a veteran. If any one of our saftey's had this guys creditials it would be another story but they don't so welcome to the silver and black Williams! We've been batting near a 1000% on LB's now lets get the final piece of the 4-3 LB. I agree w/ Raider209nation Dorsey would be a lotto win for sure but I just don't see him falling that far. I just hope Ellis does not become a bust. So I am starting to wonder which player will benefit the raiders more between Ellis or Goulston any suggestions and why?

#27

Posted by Raider.Nation, March 1, 2008 10:34 AM

Sign Berrian as your deep threat. OR. Use Higgins/Watkins in that role, and sign a guy like Hackett. Higgins/Curry on the outside, Hackett in the slot would be nice.

Draft McFadden. Our D is solid as is. I agree that it would be nice to have Dorsee/Gholston/Long. But our offense has been and will continue to be the problem if we keep losing our talent. I don't think much of Lamont/Dom, but come on! Fargas is a career backup who played well in Knapp's system, but he is NOT the answer. Think of the team we COULD field here on the offensive side of the ball....

QB Jamarcus "I throw 70 yards on my knees" Russell

RB Darren "McBaby factory" McFadden

FB Justin Griffith

WR1 Ronald Curry

WR2 Bernard Berrian

WR3 Johnnie Lee Higgins

TE1 Zach Miller

That's a solid team for years to come!