The Raiders could have put the tag on Desmond Bryant, who is expected to start next year with Richard Seymour and possibly Tommy Kelly leaving town.
Shane Lechler could have gotten the tag, considering he is tied with Sebastian Janikowski for being the longest-tenured player on the team, and the tag would have been cheap for a punter.
The Raiders could have tagged Brandon Myers, who was the lone bright spot last year on the offense in a breakout year as he set career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Myers even tied the great Tim Brown for most catches in a single game in Raider history.
Philip Wheeler was a possibility as well, as he was the leading tackler on the defense. He played so well that he took over the responsibility of the green-dot helmet to communicate with the sideline during the game.
Depending on whom you ask, there was someone on the Raiders who should have been tagged to secure their future in Oakland, but the Raiders made a smart move by not utilizing the tag this year.
The Raiders are still $800,000 over the salary cap, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The tag would have given any player a significant pay raise that the Raiders could not afford. Although the tag also buys time to negotiate on a long-term deal, there is no guarantee of getting a new deal done to reduce the financial hit.
Even if the cap wasn't such an issue for Oakland, the Raiders still don't have anyone that they absolutely need back for the price of the tag.
Lechler is 36, and the team has the young Marquette King waiting in the wings to take the job.
Myers' success can be credited to the emphasis that the Greg Knapp offense puts on tight ends. Wheeler...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
