With focus elsewhere, should re-sign Newberry

Over the past two seasons, the Oakland Raiders’ secondary has ranked eighth and first against the pass. The Raiders are one of just three teams to finish in the top ten in passing defense in both 2006 and 2007.You certainly wouldn’t guess that by looking at the way the 2008 offseason has played out thus far, though.First, the Raiders went out and picked up free safety Gibril Wilson from the New York Giants; that will cost them $39 million over the next six years. Then, they 4 Brett Favre White jersey
slapped a one-year, $9.45 million franchise tag on cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Now, according to ESPN, Atlanta Falcons’ defensive back DeAngelo Hall will be awarded a seven-year, $70 million deal once he’s traded to Oakland.That’s $118,450,000 spent on the secondary in less than one month.In the meantime, the offensive line -- considered to be a much bigger concern heading into this offseason -- has gone by mostly unnoticed to this point.Earlier this month, the Raiders signed OT Kwame Harris to a three-year, $14 million deal, making him the only new addition to the O-line. Oakland also re-signed right tackle Cornell Green on March 6; however, seven days prior, they lost nine-year starter Barry Sims.That means Oakland -- thus far -- has three of five definite starters from ‘07 returning: RT Cornell Green, RG Cooper Carlisle and LG Robert Gallery. At left tackle (Sims’ old spot), possible replacements are the 25-year-old Harris and second-year lineman Mario Henderson.The odd position out is center, where 31-year-old Jeremy Newberry started 14 games last season. The former San Francisco 49er inked a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Raiders a year ago, which makes him a free agent this offseason. If he doesn’t re-sign with Oakland, the job would likely go to soon-to-be-fifth-year player Jake Grove, who has started 34 games at center for the Raiders.Grove has given up 10 sacks and committed 15 penalties since entering the NFL in 2004. Although, in 2006 -- his first full season as a starter -- the 300-pounder gave up 7? sacks and a career-worst six penalties. Thus far, Grove hasn’t shown he can stay consistent at center for a full, 16-game season.Newberry has, however.The 315-pounder has earned two Pro Bowl bids for his play at center (2001 and 2002), and played well enough last season to deserve a longer contract with Oakland. In 14 starts last year, the veteran lineman gave up just two sacks for a loss of 10 yards.Despite their spend-happy 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
tendencies this offseason, however, the Raiders still haven’t negotiated a contract to bring Newberry back next year. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Antioch, Calif., native has already received contract offers from the Buccaneers and one other team. But it was also added that Newberry “hasn’t signed elsewhere and has said he wants to remain in Oakland.”At this point, Al Davis should give Newberry what he wants. And then the 78-year-old team owner can move onto “bigger” things. Like getting Pacman Jones.