Oakland Raiders: Could Aqib Talib Be a Raider in 2011?

The Oakland Raiders' best player, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, is a free agent. If he leaves like many expect, the Raiders will have a significant need at cornerback.

Aqib Talib is the much-talented, yet troubled cornerback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was currently arrested on suspicion of shooting a weapon at his sister's boyfriend, but many expect him to serve only probation for the offense.

Once the labor dispute is settled, Tampa Bay is expected to cut ties with Talib. With recent legal troubles that include numerous physical fights, Talib isn't expected to have much of a market.

The Raiders, however, have famously make exceptions to such troubled players.

Do we have a match? Possibly.

Talib played in Tampa Bay's zone scheme, which is far different from Oakland's press man to man scheme. It would presumably take him a while to learn how things work in the Raider defense (a la DeAngelo Hall), but at 6'1" and 205 pounds, he has the size to be a man corner.

Talib would also come at a bargain price. Immediately take away 16 teams that will not even take the chance on him. Then another 10 who don't have a major need at corner. That already narrows it down to six teams who would be interested. Again, that's just an estimation.

Sign him to an incentive-ridden contract and make him work for his salary. Make it clear that he will have to work for his pay day.

Oakland hasn't taken in much troubled players recently, however. Especially during the Tom Cable era.

Remember, that was the Tom Cable era. We are in the Hue Jackson era now. Jackson comes off as a coach who can work with any ego and is just like Al Davis in they both have a specific saying, "Yes, whatever, but can he play?"

I like that.

Talib may have a tough time learning a brand new scheme in a strange Oakland environment. However, with his kind of talent, don't be surprised if the Raid...

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