Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast on 24 Hours From NFL Christmas in Marchl: FREE AGENCY PRIMER
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00:00 Hi everybody, this is your old pal Uncle Hondo from Sports Illustrated's FAN Nation Las Vegas
00:07 Raiders Insider Podcast. It's great to have you here today. We've got a lot to get into. Now,
00:14 tomorrow we put all of our focus into free agency and we're going to be talking about
00:19 free agency today specifically. One issue that isn't free agency but is, and you'll
00:26 understand all that in a minute, I want to just very quickly let you know that as this week grows
00:33 and as we go through free agency there's going to be so many. They're talking to this guy,
00:39 they're talking to that guy, there's going to be a ton and we're going to keep you right on
00:43 top of it with all the best information I promise. So just keep it tuned right here to the Las Vegas
00:49 Raiders Insider Podcast. Keep it tuned especially to si.com/NFL/Raiders. Going to
00:58 IG @HondoSRNX, formerly known as Twitter @HondoCarpenter. Now, I'm sure you've already
01:05 heard the news, Jerry Tillery is being released by the Raiders. That's no surprise, we've talked
01:12 about that a few weeks ago. This is the second time Tom Telesco has let him go. I want to talk
01:18 very quickly about Jerry because I like him and but I've also been very blunt that he will make
01:28 one or two super critical errors a year. And usually they're things that in the heat of emotion
01:36 or just not thinking a little bit and everybody loves emotional players but you look at Max
01:43 Crosby but you can't have guys that make detrimental decisions in an air of emotion.
01:53 That is not what Tom Telesco is looking for. He wants emotion but he also wants guys that are
02:03 incredibly controlled. It's controlled emotion is how I would verse it. Now, I'm grabbing a plane
02:12 very, very early this morning, headed I'm in Cabo but I'm headed back to be there to cover all of
02:19 free agency. We're going to have a ton, the entire staff, our entire staff's working hard to bring
02:24 you the absolute best coverage. A couple of things I want to talk to you about just a reminder that
02:30 tomorrow at noon Eastern begins the legal time when teams can begin to talk to free agents. Now,
02:40 deals can be negotiated but nothing can be signed and nothing's binding. So, let's say a team talks
02:49 to the Cowboys and they come to a verbal agreement but that team at the last second, Antonio Pierce
02:56 or Tom Telesco picks up the phone and they make a better offer and they take it. It's not binding.
03:01 The binding period begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern, one o'clock in Vegas. So,
03:09 those are big things that you need to remember. I want to talk about,
03:14 oh, I want to word this. I've seen some people making some comments that I don't understand and
03:29 like they'll say, we don't want a quarterback out of LSU, look at Jamarcus Russell. We don't
03:35 want a lineman out of Alabama, look at Alex Leatherwood. I get all of that but those comments
03:43 are just ignorant and you have certainly every right to make an opinion but that is dumb.
03:49 I mean, okay, it's like saying, okay, I don't want a quarterback out of Alabama because there's been
03:57 a lot of them have failed but what about Joe Namath or I don't want a whomever out of wherever.
04:06 That's where players are different and players do better in one culture, not in another. That's
04:12 where scouting is so vitally important and I think that one thing I've been telling you all along is
04:21 they are still uncertain of what they are going to do. I've seen a couple of people, I haven't seen
04:29 but a couple of people email me, the Raiders have already decided they're moving up and getting
04:33 Jaden Daniels. That's not true. Now, it's also not true that they're not moving up to get Jaden or
04:40 whomever because free agency is such a massive, massive impact on the next season. So, let me give
04:52 you an example, okay. The Raiders want Josh Jacobs back, okay. Josh wants to be a Raider but let's
05:00 say somebody like with Nelson Aguilar and the Patriots comes along and just pays them money that
05:05 the Raiders are unwilling to pay. So, now all of a sudden the Raiders begin to look at, all right,
05:10 we're gonna have to either sign a veteran running back or we're gonna go get somebody in the draft.
05:16 Now, who's available? Who do they go get? All right, so let's say they have plans and I've
05:27 already told you they have plans. They want, I believe that they would like to make a major
05:32 splash, especially on the defensive line, but depending on how things work out, possibly even
05:38 the offensive line. But let's assume that something happens and they can't, okay. Now, it becomes a
05:46 bigger issue for the draft. See, the draft, very few times do you know what a team is gonna do in
05:56 early March, at least the good teams. Now, if they have the number one pick, you already know
06:05 what's gonna essentially happen there or could happen, but I'm checking on a regular basis and
06:11 there is no answer because you don't know what holes you have yet. See, Tom Telesco knows the
06:18 holes he has today on March 10th. He's aware of those holes, but those holes are gonna change
06:27 based on free agency, based on, boy, here's a guy we thought we were gonna sign. He ends up going
06:33 somewhere else. Here's one of our guys we thought we would re-sign. They end up going someplace else.
06:39 Wow, here's a guy that we didn't think we were gonna get that wants to play for Antonio or wants
06:44 to be in Nevada or whatever reason, wants to be part of this team, wants to play with Devante.
06:50 Great, we got him and weren't expecting that. So, there's a lot that goes into this. And like
06:58 someone said to me today from the organization, they laughed and they go, "Wow, if somebody says
07:05 we know exactly today what we're doing, I wish I knew and I'm probably somebody who should know."
07:10 So, I would just encourage everyone, tap the brakes a little bit. There still is pro days
07:17 where the Raiders are gonna go to colleges and watch pro days and watch workouts and
07:24 many cases have dinner or at least meet with some of those. I'm gonna be going to some pro days,
07:31 so I'll keep you updated on that. There's a few pro days.
07:35 Then we're going to begin refining all of our reporting on GraphPix as it gets closer and
07:45 closer and really narrowing it down. So, I would just challenge you as this free agent period
07:53 begins, you're gonna hear a lot of names. Now, let me explain a few things.
08:02 It is very important to be careful where you get information because there are a lot of agents,
08:10 and I'm friends with some, who I'll give you an example. Factual story. I knew a guy that
08:21 was in heavy negotiations with an AFC team, an agent. So, he called an NFC general manager of
08:28 his, who had, I think it was three of his clients at the time and said, "Hey, can you say this guy's
08:35 name to me?" And the guy said, "Okay." And gave the name. He goes, "Great. What was that for?"
08:41 He goes, "Because I want to be able to say that an NFC team just reached out to me." And boom,
08:51 it gets reported. You know, AFC team close to signing free agent XYZ, but now an NFC team
08:58 has called. Made the other team up their offer and the deal got done. So, there's a lot of things
09:04 being played here. So, I know this is my fifth year covering free agency with the Raiders. And
09:11 each time there were, take out the first year, but after the first year, the second, third,
09:18 and fourth year, I know there were some reports about free agents that the Raiders were not
09:22 talking to. They weren't lies. Person didn't lie. They were told that, so they did their job.
09:30 But I would just tap the brakes on everything. You're going to hear a lot.
09:36 The Raiders are a hot destination right now. There's a lot of people who are intrigued.
09:43 Now, there's some people that the Raiders just don't want. They don't fit the mold. They don't
09:47 fit the chemistry. They don't fit the locker room. And I'm going to tell you AP, and I mean this with
09:56 the ultimate of respect, guards his locker room like a mother hen. And if you have never been
10:04 on the farm and you don't understand what that means, don't you dare try to make that a criticism.
10:09 That is, there is nothing more fierce than a mother hen. And so, he's very protective of that
10:16 locker room. And if you didn't see yesterday's podcast, I suggest you go back and listen to it,
10:21 but he's very protective of that locker room. And so, he's only going to bring people in who fit it.
10:28 I can tell you of a couple of people who want to be Raiders that I was told definitively by someone,
10:37 not a fit. It doesn't mean they're not talented. It doesn't mean they're not good.
10:42 And sometimes fans are like, "Wait a minute. This guy's good." Okay, good. But what if he
10:47 costs you? Now, I'm going to tell you a great story. I had this story told to me by a very
10:54 close friend of mine, an NFC general manager. And he told me the story about the best player
11:02 at a particular pitch position in the draft and his team had a huge need.
11:08 And so, we were very close and it was before the draft actually, several years ago. And I said to
11:16 him, "You're going to pick him, aren't you?" He goes, "No, don't even want him." I go, "What?
11:24 Everybody has him projected going to you." He goes, "You're right. And he's going to probably
11:30 be a Hall of Famer." I go, "Why don't you want him?" Listen to this. He said, "Here's the problem.
11:38 He's going to go out partying and party all night, show up at the game day and be amazing
11:46 because he can do it. But he's a leader. People follow him even though he's not a good leader
11:53 for them. And I say a good leader, meaning for good reasons. He's going to take three of his
11:57 teammates out with him who aren't going to be able to perform at a high level and we're going to lose
12:03 games. He's going to look good, but we're going to lose games." And he goes, "He's not of value to
12:09 me. I can't help it if you play at a Hall of Fame status, but make three people play poorly."
12:15 I always thought that was one of the best stories. In fact, I ate with him at the combine
12:21 and that story still resonates with me. I found it fascinating.
12:30 So Antonio Pierce is guarding that locker room. I'm just watching on social media as I'm getting
12:39 all these responses from people saying to me, "We got to go get this guy. He's great. He'll fit here."
12:45 Does he fit the locker room? Now, there were a ton of people that didn't want Jack Jones.
12:56 Anybody could have had him, but the Raiders took him. Why? Because they knew him. They knew the
13:00 relationship and they knew that their locker room could handle Jack Jones.
13:07 That doesn't mean every player can be handled. I mentioned yesterday, Randy Moss was with the
13:15 Raiders and didn't. I'm sorry. I don't dislike Randy Moss, but would anyone disagree if I said
13:24 he wasn't spectacular with the Raiders? But then he goes to the Patriots and he looked phenomenal.
13:35 Why? That locker room, that organization, that atmosphere fit him. So don't pigeonhole Antonio
13:43 Pierce. Don't pigeonhole Tom Telesco. They're going for specific players.
13:49 Now, again, I want to reiterate, there is a superstar that I'm not predicting is a signing
13:57 that is preeminent, but I think there's a path to that superstar getting to the Raiders. I think
14:04 there is some dogs. That means guys who may be, like, for example, I would call Josh Jacobs a dog.
14:13 I don't think he's the best running back in the NFL, but I don't think he's a bad one. I think
14:19 he's great. And I think he's a great player. I think he's an elite player. I think he's a top
14:24 five player. He's a dog. Okay. So top five player. All right. There are several dogs.
14:33 And I mentioned yesterday, but I feel it important to mention to you again, the Raiders are going to
14:39 be frugal, but not cheap. You say, well, can you explain to me what that means? In fact, I've got
14:48 several emails asking me, so I will. Yes. Let's assume that you're really hungry. Okay. That's
14:55 very fair. We're all human. We all want to get hungry and eat. You just want a hamburger. Great.
15:01 And maybe you decide you want the best hamburger in the world and you decide that's going to come
15:07 from Shake Shack. No, I think Shake Shack's really good. They would be a dog to me,
15:11 but I don't think they would be a superstar, but I'd think they'd be a dog. But let's say that you
15:17 want In-N-Out. That's my favorite. So moved to the West coast and became an In-N-Out addict.
15:24 Or maybe you like Whataburger. Awesome hamburgers, just like Shake Shack.
15:29 Okay. So you really like, I mean, you know, okay, this will take care of my hunger,
15:35 but are you willing to pay a hundred dollars for a burger?
15:38 See, you're willing to go pay whatever the cost is on the menu. So you're
15:47 willing to be buyers, but the price also can't be stupid.
15:54 And so I expect them to be frugal, meaning they're not going to, they're not going to
16:00 spend one penny of stupid money. So I expect them to be frugal, but not cheat. They're not
16:08 going to undercut guys. That is not the way. In fact, I've talked to several players who've
16:13 had to deal with Tom Telesco in the past. Now remember the owners of the Chargers handled
16:19 contracts a lot, but I've been told by several players, Tom Telesco is not cheap. If he wants
16:27 you, he's willing to pay for you. And he's also willing though, to tell you what he thinks you're
16:34 worth, even though the family would do contracts, he would always gauge, do you want to come here?
16:39 So again, the word is frugal, but not cheap. There is one superstar, which I believe that
16:50 you could equate if not the best at their position. And I don't think they are,
16:55 but I think they're tied. In fact, at this particular person's position, I think there
17:00 are three people who you could consider the best. And this person's one of them.
17:06 And although I do not believe it's imminent, I think there is a path for that person to get here.
17:12 And let me tell you, Raider Nation would go nuts. I'll explain more after free agency and everything's
17:20 handled. I'll be glad to tell you who the person was and all of that to break it down for you.
17:29 So those are the things that you need to be cognizant of. Not every report is something
17:38 imminent. Sometimes it's kicking the tires. I remember one time Matt Millen was general
17:45 manager of the Raiders and there was a guy who was their second choice. So as soon as
17:49 free agency came open, I think it was Damian Woody. I may be wrong, but I'm guessing. I know
18:01 they signed Damian as a free agent, but I think it was Damian Woody. But whoever it was, as soon as
18:06 the time came that they could make contact, they're at the guy's door.
18:10 Now they had other people talking to another person who didn't know they were talking to Damian.
18:18 Why? Because if it didn't work out with Damian, they wanted this guy to feel like he was the
18:22 first choice all along. They didn't lie to him, but that was the way it works. So you may hear
18:28 players getting talked about that are totally truthful. The Raiders are interested,
18:34 but you're a plan B or a plan C guy. Julesco is extremely detail-oriented.
18:44 He's a lot like Dave Ziegler. In fact, personality-wise, they're very similar as well.
18:49 And I know they always had a good relationship, but I'm just telling you this is how NFL free
19:00 agency is going to play out. I expect the Raiders to make some splashes, but now as free agency
19:07 goes, there's going to be that burst and then there's going to be that feeling out of the market.
19:14 The other thing you want to remember is this, as free agents go and pieces of the roster begin
19:22 to fall into place, then you start to get a vision for the draft. So do I expect the Raiders to sign
19:30 a veteran quarterback? Yeah. Do I expect the Raiders to draft a quarterback? Yeah. Been telling
19:40 you that for weeks. And then they'll go into the OTAs, mini camps, maybe even training camp. Aiden
19:48 O'Connell's one. Everybody's got to beat him out. And so I just want you to make sure that all of
19:55 this, this is kind of a primer for free agency coming tomorrow. Get ready. This is Christmas in
20:03 March. It's just fun. And it's great to see team building. You're going to learn a lot about Tom
20:11 Tolesco. You're going to learn a lot about Antonio Pierce. Guys want to be in the desert.
20:17 And I'm going to say this to you Raider Nation. There are the guys like Devante who grew up a
20:25 Raider fan that wanted to be a Raider. Okay. But there was a long time in Hear Me Out where
20:34 if you, if the Raiders got a guy, sometimes a lot of times it was either they overpaid or the only
20:42 team willing to pay or a guy like Devante grew up a Raider. You got guys now that didn't grow
20:50 up a Raider that you're not going to have to overpay for because they like Nevada having
20:58 no state income tax and they love AP. This is a place that the Raiders have not been in,
21:06 in a very long time. You're there now. This is going to be a new type of free agency for you.
21:18 And it should be fun. Now I know everybody wants the big huge names,
21:22 but remember the criticism I took last year when Robert Spillane got picked
21:27 or signed and I took a ton of criticism for it. You can go back and look at the video.
21:34 Look at the comments. There's some really solid good football players with Antonio Pierce's type
21:43 mindset that want to come here, that want to be here. The Raiders are fixing to be better.
21:48 A week from today, you're going to be talking about the Raiders and how they're improving in
21:56 the direction that they're going. If you're a Raider fan, you should be like a little kid tonight.
22:03 Santa's coming tomorrow. And even though you can't sign people to Wednesday,
22:10 it begins. A lot of great stuff going on. I hope you're having a terrific day.
22:15 Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for tuning in. We are hours away, boys and girls.
22:22 Depending on when you're watching it, we are hours. No longer days, no longer weeks.
22:33 We are hours. Let the games begin. Free Agency, Tom Tolesco, Antonio Pierce, and the Raiders.
22:44 Here we go, baby. Talk to y'all later.