Oakland’s Irvin aids Mack, shows value of free-agent bargain

Bruce Irvin’s first payday in free agency wasn’t anywhere near what Oakland will have to offer to keep pass-rushing teammate and two-time All-Pro Khalil Mack. The former first-round pick by Seattle qualifies as a high-value contributor just the same for a franchise that made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.

Why Reggie needs to grab a rookie RB

With Latavius Murray likely hitting the open market it will be necessary for Reggie to evaluate a goal-line/1st down back who will shoulder most of the rushing burden on 1st and 2nd downs. Some people think free agency would be a great place to start and when names like Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles are switching teams why not a FA RB? I’ll tell you why not–because only 6 of the top 20 rushers in the NFL this past season were drafted more than 3 seasons ago.

Giants release Victor Cruz after 7-year run, Super bowl ring

The New York Giants said goodbye to Victor Cruz after a seven-year storybook run during which he developed into one of the NFL’s most feared receivers and a fan favorite, helping the franchise to a Super Bowl title before being slowed by injuries. The Giants announced the parting Monday as they released the 30-year-old Cruz and starting running back Rashad Jennings in moves that will save the team roughly $10 million in salary cap space.

Giants release Victor Cruz after 7-year run, Super bowl ring

The New York Giants said goodbye to Victor Cruz after a seven-year storybook run during which he developed into one of the NFL’s most feared receivers and a fan favorite, helping the franchise to a Super Bowl title before being slowed by injuries. The Giants announced the parting Monday as they released the 30-year-old Cruz and starting running back Rashad Jennings in moves that will save the team roughly $10 million in salary cap space.

Giants release Cruz, Jennings in salary cap moves

The New York Giants cleared roughly $10 million in salary cap space by releasing long-time fan favorite Victor Cruz and starting running back Rashad Jennings. The team announced the moves on Monday after the two helped the Giants get back into the playoffs for the first time since playing in the Super Bowl in 2012.

Board overseeing proposed Las Vegas NFL stadium to meet

The board that oversees a proposed Las Vegas NFL stadium is set to meet publicly Thursday for the first time since an instrumental backer of the project pulled out the deal. The meeting of the stadium authority board comes as questions remain over the funding for the facility following the withdrawal of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his multimillion-dollar pledge toward the $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat domed stadium that could house the Oakland Raiders.

Raiders file Las Vegas relocation papers with NFL

And their fate now rests in the hands of 31 National Football League team owners, who are likely to decide the Raiders’ future sometime over the next two months. In a long-expected move dating to last January when the Raiders began working with Las Vegas and Nevada business and political leaders on a $1.9 billion stadium plan – of which $750 million will be raised by a recently approved Nevada hotel tax hike – the Silver and Black formally field relocation papers with the NFL on Thursday morning.

Does Kyle Shanahan deserve his reputation as QB miracle worker?

Matt Ryan, who was named the PFWA’s MVP on Wednesday, put together the best season of his life this year under Shanahan, the Falcons’ offensive coordinator. Shanahan has parlayed the Falcons’ offensive success into becoming a hot head coaching candidate, and is the reported favorite to land the 49ers job once the Falcons’ run is over.

Bpa in Round 1? Who Would that Be?

One thing we know about Reg is he mines the draft for quality. Remember when he drafted Khalil Mack? I loved the guy at that place, BUT WE HAD NO QUARTERBACK! Am I the only one who went bonkers when he passed up QB with that pick? It didn’t matter what the team needed, Reggie wanted the BPA.

Kickoff for the real game now begins for Mark Davis, Raiders

Raiders owner Mark Davis watches teams warm up before the first half of an AFC Wild Card NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston. Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis watches teams warm up before the first half of an AFC Wild Card NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston.

Osweiler returns to lead Texans over Oakland 27-14

Brock Osweiler finally looked like the player Houston spent $72 million on, throwing for a touchdown and running for another to lead the Texans to a 27-14 wild-card playoff win over the Oakland Raiders on Saturday. Osweiler, benched on Dec. 18, got his job back this week with Tom Savage out with a concussion, and played his best game of the season to give the Texans their first playoff victory since the 2012 season.

Rodgers, Cook among top story lines of wild-card weekend

Aaron Rodgers, Connor Cook among top story lines of wild-card weekend Can a rookie QB win for Raiders? Can Packers stay hot? These and other issues. Check out this story on mynorthshorenow.com: http://usat.ly/2jeIq9k We asked the USA TODAY Sports NFL staff the following question: What is the top story line of wild-card weekend? Their responses: What can be a bigger story line than the matchup between two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks dueling on the frozen tundra? Well let’s just say I’m intrigued by the X-factor of the least-compelling matchup of the weekend.

Left tackle Penn out for Raiders against Texans

Star left tackle Donald Penn is out with a knee injury for the Oakland Raiders in their AFC wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans on Saturday. With Penn out, the Raiders will look to Menelik Watson to protect rookie third-string quarterback Connor Cook’s blind side in his first NFL start.

Rolling Stone Talks Football

Couldn’t help but laugh, If your going to talk about the Worst Playoff QB Matchup In Wild Card History, you should probably double check the photographs you use. Matt McGloin is pictured instead of Connor Cook. Rolling Stone should probably just stick to music reviews.

NFL Wild Card Weekend 2017: Updated Odds, TV Schedule and Predictions

Let’s take a look at the odds and TV schedule for the weekend and offer some predictions in the form of news articles that may or may not appear in sports sections around the country over the coming days. kicked a game-winning 28-yard field goal with 1:37 remaining as the Houston Texans defeated the Oakland Raiders 16-13 on Saturday afternoon.

NFL 2017 Wild Card preview: Saturday’s schedule, TV, live streaming

Rookie Connor Cook, the former Walsh Jesuit High School standout from Hinckley, Ohio, will become the first quarterback ever to make his first NFL start in a playoff game on Saturday, leading the Oakland Raiders against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game. On Sunday, the Miami Dolphins are at the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC, and the New York Giants visit the Green Bay Packers in the NFC.

Rookie Cook leads Raiders against Texans in wild card

Now they’re down to rookie third-string quarterback Connor Cook as they prepare for their first postseason game since the 2002 season with a wild-card matchup against the Houston Texans on Saturday. Cook was named the starter this week after Carr broke his leg on Dec. 24 and backup Matt McGloin injured his shoulder on Sunday.

Derek Carr’s new contract

I truly believe that Carr could be the highest paid quarterback in 2017 especially with the cap going up ten million or so. Unless cook shows that he is an all star qb in the playoffs there is nothing Reggie will be able to do to prevent making him the highest paid quarterback.

Raiders to start Connor Cook at QB against Texans

For the first 15 games of the season, rookie Connor Cook was inactive each week, making his biggest contribution as a scout team quarterback who would sometimes dress up like Cam Newton or Philip Rivers before Oakland faced those stars to lighten the mood at practice. Now with the Raiders set to play their first playoff game in 14 years, Cook has been thrust into a much more significant role.

Osweiler getting second chance

Coach Bill O’Brien announced the decision Tuesday with Tom Savage, who had started the past two games, still recovering from a concussion he suffered Sunday. Osweiler started the first 14 games this season before being benched Dec. 18 against Jacksonville after throwing interceptions on consecutive drives in the second quarter.