MVN: Most Valuable Network

Cooper will be missed on special teams and by Raider Nation

After often requesting through the media and getting support from Raider Nation, the media, and sites like this one, the Oakland Raiders have finally started to make a few transactions that may aid in the improvement of the team.  Of the roster cuts, none really surprised except for the fact that there are still a few players, possibly on scholarship, that still hold an undeserving spot on the team for now.

The Raiders needed to unload five players before the August 26th deadline that mandates they carry only 75 + 1 international practice squad player (Mauricio Lopez).  Three roster spots were opened up when the Raiders placed cornerback John Bowie, wide receiver Drew Carter, and fullback Oren O'Neal on injured reserve, effectively ending their seasons.

Three veterans were asked to turn in their playbooks, most notably strong safety Jarrod Cooper.  As I'd already noted in my game recap, he didn't look very good against the Cardinals and hadn't made much of an impact since the Raiders first preseason game.  Along with Cooper, defensive end Greg Spires and scholarship linebacker Grant Irons were also cut, leaving the Raiders with 74 players.

At least one more player will get cut by the 26th, hopefully Michael Waddell, because the Raiders claimed the rights to fullback Luke Lawton off of waivers from the Eagles and signed defensive back Marviel Underwood from San Diego State.  Underwood was a teammate of Kirk Morrison in college and has played with Green Bay and Denver.  Lawton was traded to the Eagles from Indianapolis for an undisclosed pick, (the Raiders aren't the only team to have made bad trades), then he was cut.  Lawton has also played for the Bills, Falcons, Giants, and the Jets.  Lawton was an undrafted free agent from McNeese State that made the Bills roster in 2004.

It's being reported by Jason Jones, that Jarrod Cooper plans to retire.  He will be missed by Raider Nation and by TFDS.  He's a natural to do color commentating or some form of TV so we're pretty sure that this will not be the last we see of Jarrod Cooper.  Jones is also reporting that the Raiders are working out defensive back, Nate Lyles who was waived by the New York Jets earlier this month.

Lyles played his college ball at Virginia.  In 2007, he had 68 tackles, 1 sack, 2 breakups, and 1 fumble forced.  He was listed with a 4.58 40-yard dash and Walter Football had this to say about him prior to the draft:

Started nine of the 12 games he played in 2006, a year after being in the opening lineup in every contest. Nate Lyles was coming off a neck injury, so that could be the reason for his part-time demotion. He really needs to improve his 40 though.

If the Raiders sign him, then they'll be cutting two players tomorrow.  Since one defensive back has been signed and the Raiders are looking to sign another, anyone playing in the defensive secondary not named Asomugha, Hall, or Routt should be worried.  We'll try and keep you posted with information as it becomes available.