The Raiders wanted to bring back NaVorro Bowman, but when the sides couldn’t agree on his value, Jon Gruden and company decided to bring in veteran linebacker Derrick Johnson, instead.
Bowman may still be in the mix, but for now, Johnson is getting first crack at the job.
Just for fun, this is how Johnson and Bowman compared in 2017 based on Pro Football Focus performance grades.
Run Defense
It’s no secret that Bowman is still one of the better run-stopping linebackers in the league. He defended the run well last year and earned a run defense grade of 85.4.
Johnson did not excel against the run in Kansas City last year and finished the year with a 39.9 grade against the run.
Pass Defense
Bowman is a serviceable linebacker in coverage, but it’s definitely not his strong suit. He posted a 77.3 grade in coverage last year.
Even at 35, Johnson is still one of the top coverage linebackers in the league. His 86.0 grade in coverage ranked seventh-best among inside linebackers in the league.
Overall
Based on the above scores, the overall scores shouldn’t come as a particular mystery. Bowman ended the 2017 season with an overall grade of 84.8 and Johnson came in at 77.3.
With a doubt, the Raiders got a bargain in Johnson, but until there’s a little more competition at linebacker in Oakland, Johnson should feel like he got quite a bargain, too.
Bowman is five years younger than Johnson and seems to deserve a little better deal than what Johnson signed a week ago.
Who knows what Bowman is asking for, but eventually he’ll sign somewhere and a little farther down the road we’ll know if the Raiders made the right decision by choosing not to pay him.
twitter: @raidersbeat
Considering the depth (or lack of it) of our LB unit, I still want our team to sign Bowman. We need a good run defender like him, especially with our front four penetrating their backfield.
Sign Bowman, and Stop Bickering over this?
😎✌🖤🏈👍🇺🇸
I think bringing back Bowman would be a smart move considering age and depth at the position. Being able to have both guys on the field at certain times makes sense. Plus for the immediate future. I don’t think the Raiders have someone that can fill that spot full time yet. I don’t think Victor or Lee are long term answers at Middle.
First we sign a niner who balls out and makes an immediate difference to solidify the worse or second worse defensive group we have. Now we won’t pay bowman and are relying on a fucking chief who’d played dating back to the AFL. Wtf did Gruden come to cali cuz weeds legal? Chucky c’mon man. Raidernation needs bowman and a sober coach put the pipe down
Wooooo buddy. Take it easy. We would be lucky if Chucky picked the pipe up. It expands your mind to slow the process and analyze all situations. It helps your body with the pain & stress . Its not addictive. It doesn’t make you violent . Personally I rather have bowman too maybe he was asking too much it really looked like he had all the leverage .
BRING BOWMAN BACK.. PAY THE THE MAN .. HE EARNED HIS MONEY.. WITH JOHNSON AND BOWMAN AT LINEBACKERS.. WE WILL SEE A BETTER DEFENSE!! SILVER & BLACK.. RAIDERS DE LA BAJA” NO DOUBT! SPORTSCENTER
Honestly, this move was a head scratcher for me..I mean, other than to pick his brain about the intracacies of the Chiefs defense, I felt like this is odd move…Bowman was a beast in the middle for us last year!!! The team should have given Bowman whatever he wanted first!!! Then sign all of these camp warriors and players that probably wont even make it to the preseason….
The reason they can’t pay bowman what he wants is they need to sign Mack to a mega deal. I would love bowman as much as the next guy but I’m sure there’s a number that works and it’s just doesn’t match what bowman wants at this time. Hopefully time allows the two sides to meet somewhere in the middle.
Get bowman, for 2 down play johnson on passing downs…too bad bowman wont take 2down pay. My guess he wants equal or more likely more than tarir Whitehead
Get bowman, for 2 down play johnson on passing downs…too bad bowman wont take 2down pay. My guess he wants equal or more likely more than tarir Whitehead