Talks started between Raiders, Jacobs
Deadline to put franchise tag on RB approaching
INDIANAPOLIS — The Raiders and running back Josh Jacobs have begun discussions on a new contract, coach Josh Mcdaniels confirmed Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine.
The Raiders face a March 7 deadline on whether to use the franchise tag on Jacobs, a pending free agent who was the NFL’S leading rusher last season. According to Mcdaniels, the franchise tag could be eliminated if the Raiders and Jacobs reach terms on a new deal.
“I know Dave (general manager Ziegler) and (Jacobs) representative have been in contact,” Mcdaniels said. “They’re working through that process together. And that’s the hope and the goal, is that he’s here for a while.”
Ziegler did not characterize the state of talks between the club, and Jacobs and declined to put a timeline on the negotiations.
“You never know,” Ziegler said. “I’ve been a part of deals that I thought were going to take two months, and they got done in two days. I’ve experienced deals I thought were going to get done quickly, and they don’t.”
But it appears as if discussions are starting from an optimistic standpoint.
“The commonality is that we want Josh to be a Raider and Josh wants to be a Raider,” Ziegler said. “So that’s a really good place to start.”
Defense, defense, defense
With all the talk in Indianapolis about the Raiders needing to find a quarterback, it’s not lost on club decision-makers how badly they need an infusion of young defensive talent after years of poor drafting and free agency decisions.
Outside of defensive end Maxx Crosby, the Raiders are short on playmakers. They still have high hopes for younger players such as cornerback Nate Hobbs, safety Tre’von Moehrig and linebacker Divine Deablo, but they need help across the board.
Mcdaniels outlined what the Raiders are looking for.
“When I say explosive on defense, you either got to touch the quarterback or touch the ball,” he said. “We’re looking for guys that can do those things — get after the quarterback, affect the passing game in that way or to get the ball out, whether that’s creating fumbles, touching the ball, deflections, interceptions.”
Carr in Indianapolis
Free agent quarterback Derek Carr, released by the Raiders two weeks ago, will be in Indianapolis this week talking with a handful of teams interested in perhaps signing him.
Carr reportedly met with the Jets on Tuesday and is expected to visit with other teams this week. The Jets meeting was his second with them after an initial meeting two weeks ago.
Carr also met with the Saints in his final week under contract with the Raiders. The Raiders and Saints had reached an agreement on compensation on a trade for Carr. But after meeting with the Saints, Carr declined to waive his no-trade clause.
Special teams assistant
The Raiders have hired Derius Swinton as their special teams assistant coach. He previously had been with the Chargers.