Tag: Oakland Raiders

UFC President Dana White tells wild story of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski nearly joining Raiders

White tells a wild story of how the Raiders nearly pulled off a coup with Brady and Gronkowski.

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski came extremely close to skipping out on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and leaving the New England Patriots for the Las Vegas Raiders, according to UFC President Dana White.

And this isn’t just some fairytale that “Uncle Dana” was telling to somehow boost his football credibility, either. Gronkowski brought the entire story up and gave White the green light to tell it during his new ESPN Plus show, “With The Gronks,”

“I worked to put that deal together for Brady and Gronk to come to the Raiders,” said White. “And it was almost a done deal. And at the last minute, [Jon] Gruden blew the deal up and said that he didn’t want them. And all hell broke loose, man. It was crazy. And Brady was already looking at houses. It wasn’t being said yet that Gronk was coming. So Las Vegas would have had Brady and Gronk the year that the Bucs won the Super Bowl, except Gruden blew the deal up.”

It makes sense considering the Raiders officially left Oakland for Las Vegas in 2020, when Brady bid farewell to the Patriots after nearly 20 years with the team.

The Raiders could have embarked on their journey of a brand new city and stadium with the greatest quarterback and tight end to ever play the game. Who wouldn’t want that?

Gruden, apparently—at least according to white.

“With The Gronks” is an alternative commentary show featuring Rob Gronkowski and his family commentating over UFC events. Those that watch Monday Night Football’s “Manningcast” will feel right at home with the format.

But you can rest assured more people will be tuning in if the show is going to be dropping major bombshells like this one.

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Twitter reacts: Richard Seymour inducted into Hall of Fame

Former Patriots and Raiders great Richard Seymour has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2022.

Former New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders great Richard Seymour has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2022.

Richard Seymour played in the NFL from 2001-2012. He won three Super Bowls during his time with the New England Patriots before finishing his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders.

Seymour recorded 9.5 sacks and 225 tackles during his four season collegiate career with the Georgia Bulldogs.

How did Twitter react to Seymour’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction?

Late former Raiders OC Greg Knapp, Leslie Frazier win PFWA ‘Dr Z’ lifetime achievement Awards

Late former Raiders OC Greg Knapp wins PFWA ‘Dr Z’ lifetime achievement Award

To know Greg Knapp was to like him. He was an incredibly personable and well-respected coach in the NFL for 25 years. We were blessed to have him spend three of those years with the Raiders.

Knapp’s final season as an NFL offensive coordinator came with the Raiders in 2012. The East Bay native and Sacramento State alum had previously had a stint as OC in Oakland in 2008-09.

He went on to be a quarterbacks coach in Denver and Atlanta.

His final season was in 2020 with the Falcons because in the 2021 offseason, he was struck by a car while riding his bike in his East Bay neighborhood of San Ramon and was killed. He was just 58 years of age.

Frazier is in his 24th season as a coach in the NFL in 2022 and his sixth with Buffalo as defensive coordinator.

The longtime Vikings DC and then HC has helped raise the Bills’ defense to new heights. Buffalo had the NFL’s number one total defense in yards allowed and the number one scoring defense last season, and in 2020, the Bills’ defense was third in total takeaways.

Frazier’s Buffalo defenses have been ranked in the NFL’s top five in total defense yards in three of the last four seasons.

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[lawrence-newsletter]

Raiders QB spurns former Gamecock for Clemson legend

“No sir, that money is for Renfrow.” Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was asked on Twitter whether he’d want his team to go after former South Carolina and current San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel – who reportedly requested a trade out …

“No sir, that money is for Renfrow.”

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was asked on Twitter whether he’d want his team to go after former South Carolina and current San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel — who reportedly requested a trade out of San Francisco earlier this week — and Carr’s reply will certainly have Clemson fans smiling from ear to ear.

While Samuel is undoubtedly a talented NFL do-everything wide receiver, it’s clear that if having to choose between him and Clemson legend/Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow, Carr would stick with ole reliable.

Renfrow has been outstanding since joining the league. He has 208 receptions, 2,299 yards and 15 touchdowns for his career. Renfrow is also a standout on special teams, handling punt return duties for the team.

He is expected to command a massive contract when he hits free agency, and if the Raiders want to keep him around, they would be hard-pressed to do so if they bring in someone like Samuel.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Former Notre Dame quarterback Daryle Lamonica dead at 80

The Notre Dame family has lost one of its own.

Daryle Lamonica, who became one of the winningest quarterbacks in professional football after playing at Notre Dame, has died at age 80. In 12 seasons with the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders, he compiled a 66-16-6 record. After winning back-to-back AFL championships with the Bills in 1964 and 1965 as a backup to Jack Kemp, he came into his own with the Raiders. He was selected to two post-merger Pro Bowls, had two First Team All-Pro selections led the AFL with 30 touchdown passes in 1967 and 3,302 passing yards in 1969.

Lamonica played 30 games for the Irish between 1960 and 1962, a forgettable period in which they went 12-18 under coach Joe Kuharich. It was not until Lamonica’s third and final collegiate season that he was made the primary quarterback. He completed 99 passes for 1,363 yards and eight touchdowns. On the ground, he ran for 353 yards and 10 touchdowns on 144 carries.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lamonica’s family during this time.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Former Notre Dame, Raiders star QB Daryle Lamonica dies at 80

Former Raiders star QB Daryle Lamonica has died at 80

Former Oakland Raiders star quarterback Daryle Lamonica died on Thursday at his Fresno, California, home. The death is believed to be of natural causes.

Lamonica played college ball at Notre Dame. He was the team’s starting quarterback for 30 games from 1960-62. Lamonica had 99 completions in 211 attempts for 1,363 yards, with eight touchdowns.

He was drafted in the 12th round by Green Bay and the 23rd round by the Bills in 1963. He backed up the star Bills QB Jack Kemp.

He was traded to Oakland on March 14, 1967, the first day of the draft, in a deal that saw QB Tom Flores, split end Art Powell, and a second-round draft choice go to the Bills for Lamonica, split end Glenn Bass, and two draft picks (third and fifth round).

Flores would go on to become a coach of the Oakland franchise. The exploits of the “Mad Bomber” soon took off for the Silver & Black.

From 1967-to-69, Lamonica was 36-4-1 in 41 starts.

In his six seasons as a starter for the Raiders, led football with 145 touchdown passes — 24 more than Fran Tarkenton. His 16,006 passing yards ranked third from 1967-to-72.

He led Oakland to four consecutive division titles between 1967-70, and took the Raiders to Super Bowl II, where they lost to the Green Bay Packers.

Lamonica led the Raiders to an overall 62-16-6 regular-season record. His .791 winning percentage in the Super Bowl era is first among QBs with at least 70 starts.

In addition to his two MVP and first-team All-Pro honors, Lamonica received three AFL All-Star selections and went to two NFL Pro Bowls.

Lamonica finished with a 66-16-6 record, 19,154 passing yards, 164 passing TDs, 640 rushing yards, and 14 rushing scores.

 

Legendary Raiders QB Daryle Lamonica has died

Tragic news: Legendary Raiders QB Daryle Lamonica has died at the age of 80

Tragic news Thursday morning as a Fresno Fox affiliate is reporting that Daryle Lamonica has passed away at the age of 80. The station reports that Daryle’s son Brandon confirmed the passing of his father early Thursday morning in Fresno.

Lamonica was beloved in Raider Nation as one of the greatest quarterbacks in franchise history. Nicknamed ‘The Mad Bomber’, he led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1967 in his first season with the team.

The Raiders made the postseason five times from 1967-72 with Lamonica behind center, winning at least one playoff game four of those trips. He was twice named AFL MVP.

Lamonica led the NFL in completions (221) and yards (3302) in 1969. He is the only Raiders quarterback to ever lead the league in both categories.

The man could light up a scoreboard through the air, which was uncommon in his day. He threw for 34 touchdowns in the 1969 season, which is still a franchise record to this day. That included a six-TD pass game which is tied for the most in franchise history. And he threw for touchdowns in 25 consecutive games; also a standing franchise record.

He is still third in Raiders franchise history in seasons passing over 3000 yards, (three) touchdown passes (148), and 300-yard passing games (11). He is also fourth in completions (1138) and yards (16,655).

And he did all this despite playing in the pre-merger era.

Legend.

Lawrence gets another weapon

The Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly signed former Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones to a three-year, $24 million deal worth up to $30 million. Jones, originally a second-round pick back in 2017 by the Bills, has spent his last few seasons with …

The Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly signed former Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones to a three-year, $24 million deal worth up to $30 million.

Jones, originally a second-round pick back in 2017 by the Bills, has spent his last few seasons with the Raiders. Last year, he played in all 17 regular season games and finished with 70 catches for 546 yards. He also had one touchdown grab.

Jones is the second wide receiver the Jags reportedly signed Monday, joining former Cardinals receiver Christian Kirk.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Cowboys to release former Raiders WR Amari Cooper if they can’t find trade partner

Just two seasons after WR Amari Cooper got a huge 5-year, $100 million deal from the Cowboys, they’re looking to dump the former Raiders top pick.

Apparently, three years is when Amari Cooper’s expiration date comes up. The former Raider’s first-round pick was traded to the Cowboys six games into his fourth season for a first-round pick.

A season later, he got a huge five-year, $100 million contract. Two years into that contract, the Cowboys are already looking to dump him. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, they are looking to trade Cooper and if no one makes an offer, they’ll cut the four-time Pro Bowler.

At the time of the trade, everyone seemed to need to decide a winner and a loser. My take was it was a win-win. Cooper was clearly not happy with the Raiders and was coming off a season in which his targets had dropped to nearly half what they had been. Not to mention he was approaching decision-making time with regard to his contract. To get a first-round pick back for him was a win for the Raiders.

But the Cowboys also got one of the league’s better receivers, and he immediately began paying dividends for them. His production went through the roof over the final nine games of the 2018 season, and he headed back to the Pro Bowl, helping the Cowboys make the playoffs.

He kept up the production of the following two seasons. But his hefty contract has the Cowboys ready to cut ties.

Last season was the first Cooper made $22 million. It was also his worst statistical season since 2017. The Cowboys have two receivers in Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson who are headed for free agency. They figure they can sign both of them for less than the cost of Cooper alone. And with CeeDee Lamb still on his rookie deal, the Cowboys would be set at receiver.

Now we wait to see if any team is willing to take on Coop’s massive contract in a trade or just wait for him to hit the market and compete for his services at that time.

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[lawrence-newsletter]

Raiders well represented in list of NFL 51 greatest HBCU players

Five Raiders make the list of NFL 51 greatest HBCU players

This Saturday the nation’s top players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) will take the field for the HBCU Legacy Bowl.

In the spirit of Black History Month, Doug Farrar of USA Today’s Touchdown Wire put together his list of the 51 greatest HBCU players to play in the NFL. And as you might expect, there was a strong Raiders representation in there.

In particular, there were five players featured on the list who once donned Silver & Black. Two of whom were original Raiders.

The first player on the list is the GOAT himself, Jerry Rice. He came out of Mississippi Valley State in 1985 and played four seasons with the Raiders from 2001-04.

The highest-ranking original Raider is Art Shell who came out of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 1968 and spent his entire Hall of Fame career in Silver & Black. He came in at No. 3 on the list.

“Shell is on a very short list of the best offensive tackles in pro football history, and he also holds the distinction of being the second Black head coach in NFL annals — and the first in the modern era. (Fritz Pollard coached the Akron Pros in 1921 and 1925).

From 1971 through 1973, Shell was part of a Raiders offensive line that included four future Hall of Famers — Shell at left tackle, Gene Upshaw at left guard, Jim Otto at center and Bob Brown at right tackle. But it was Shell, among the ultimate combinations of technician and mauler, who set the tone.”

Coming in just outside the top ten at No. 11 is Grambling State’s own Willie Brown. Though Brown’s NFL career began with the Broncos, his Hall of Fame legacy came with the Raiders and after his career was over became a fixture in Silver & Black for the rest of his life.

“But it was the trade to the Oakland Raiders before the 1967 season that formed a perfect marriage between player and scheme. Brown was one of the best bump-and-run cornerbacks in AFL or NFL history, and the Raiders of the time were as aggressive with that particular technique as any team you’ll see in any era of pro football.

Over 12 years with the Raiders, he grabbed 39 regular-season interceptions for 277 return yards and two touchdowns, adding seven more interceptions for 96 return yards and three more touchdowns in 17 postseason games. Brown’s best-known play came in the Raiders’ win in Super Bowl XI — a 75-yard pick-six of Fran Tarkenton that iced Oakland’s 32-14 win.”

Flip that and you have Rich ‘Tombstone” Jackson, who began his career with the Raiders but played the best years of his career with the Broncos. The Southern University alum came in at No. 39 on the list.

Just making the list at No. 50 was Albert Lewis out of Willie Brown’s alma mater, Grambling State. Lewis played most of his career in Kansas City, signing with the Raiders in 1994 and spending the final five seasons of his career in Silver & Black.

The whole list is worth a look. If for no other reason than to serve as a reminder of just how much greatness has come from HBCU’s over the years.

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[lawrence-newsletter]