should look to free agency for OLB

One of the deepest pools of talent in free agency this offseason appears to be at the linebacker position. Names like Lance Briggs, Boss Bailey and Terrell Suggs will headline the list of available players when the market officially opens on March 3.Unfortunately for the 4-12 , linebacker isn't one of the team's most glaring needs. Holes along the defensive and offensive lines, along with at wide receiver, all outweigh needs at linebacker. Nevertheless, 36 Bettis Black Jersey
picking up an experienced OLB when March finally rolls around could help to solidify a position that has already shown tremendous potential over the past three seasons.Last year Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard and Robert Thomas capped off the season as the team's starters at the three linebacker spots. Morrison and Howard each started all 16 games, while Thomas was given the nod for 10 outings. Fifth-year outside linebacker Sam Williams started the first four games of the season ahead of Thomas before losing his job Nov. 14.At middle linebacker, Morrison, 25, finished with 120 tackles, one sack, 10 passes defensed and four interceptions. On the outside of him, the 24-year-old Howard tallied 95 tackles, one sack, 11 passes defensed and an impressive six picks. Both young players are considered to be future building blocks on the Raider 'D', so don't expect either to go anywhere in the near future.The odd man out is Thomas, who has proven to be a very serviceable replacement in his two years with the Raiders but lacks the speed and big-play ability to become anything more than a rotational player. In his 10 starts last season, the 235-pounder recorded 62 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles.The starter of the first quarter of the '07 season, Sam Williams, registered just 16 tackles and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. Don't expect him to be back.On top of that, all three of the team's remaining reserve linebackers -- Jon Alston, Isaiah Ekejiuba and Ricky Brown -- are restricted free agents this offseason.Luckily, this year's list of available free agents brings with it plenty of opportunities. Among the top players on the list are the aforementioned Lance Briggs (Chicago), Boss Bailey (Detroit) and Terrell Suggs (Baltimore), along with Karlos Dansby (Arizona), Kawika Mitchell (New York Giants), Brendon Ayanbadejo (Chicago) and ex-Raider Danny Clark (Houston).Briggs, who has recorded 100-plus tackles in his past four seasons with the Bears, would likely be the most difficult to acquire and would demand more money than the Raiders should be willing to give up for a linebacker.Players like the Lions' Bailey, a former second-rounder, or the Ravens' Suggs, who has recorded 45 sacks in five years, may be more realistic options based on their recent production. Suggs would be a particularly good fit for a defense that desperately needs help rushing the passer; however, Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun recently reported that he's looking for "Dwight Freeney-type money" and the Ravens may slap the franchise tag on him.Bailey, on the other hand, has likely played his last game with the Lions, and he has the type of physical prowess (4.35 40-yard dash, 44?-inch high jump) team owner Al Davis looks for.Dansby, Mitchell and Clark all recorded more than 50 tackles -- but fewer than 100 -- last year, but they would come at more reasonable prices and help boost a staggering 31st-ranked rush defense.Certainly, the need to find a third 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
linebacker to round off an already young, talented crew isn't exactly at the forefront of the Raiders' needs this offseason.With such a deep pool of available options, however, it certainly wouldn't hurt for Oakland to take a stab at finding a third and final linebacker for the 2008 season and beyond.Worst-case scenario, they could always give Tyler Brayton another shot