After much speculation regarding relocation for the Raiders franchise, the San Francisco Chronicle has reported that the team and the city reached a tentative agreement for a new stadium. On the East Coast, the Giants have signed a former 49ers lineman to replace the injured Geoff Schwartz.
Raiders owner Mark Davis was aggressively trying to move the Raiders after negotiations for the construction of a new stadium broke down between him and the city of Oakland. After this season, the Raiders had one more year on their lease to play in the aging O.Co Coliseum, but Davis wanted a new stadium for his team. When talks broke down, Davis traveled to San Antonio to speak with city officials about a possible move.
The San Antonio Spurs, Jerry Jones and the Houston Texans adamantly opposed Davis' relocation efforts and were planning on working to keep the Raiders out. Los Angeles was another option for the team, but San Antonio was more heavily pursued. However, everyone in Texas likely won't have to worry because it was reported that Davis and Oakland have reached a tentative agreement that would begin construction for a new stadium, which is expected to cost between $900 million and $1.2 billion, plus the $120 million that is still owed from the Coliseum's expansion in the 1990s. It is believed that Davis has the final say on whether or not the deal will go beyond the tentative agreement.
As the Raiders look to improve their stadium situation, the New York Giants look to improve their offensive line. Once again, New York can't catch a break and are dealing with yet another injury to a player they believed would be an important piece to the offense. Guard Geoff Schwartz dislocated his toe and was placed on injured reserve/designated for return and will miss at least eight weeks. The Giants have brought in a number of lineman this offseason to avoid what happened last year when the line suffered myriad injuries, and they continued doing so on Wednesday.
The team announced the signing of free agent guard Adam Snyder, who played most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran is expected to make an immediate impact with the Giants, who signed a number of free agent lineman in the offseason including Schwartz, center J.D. Walton, tackle John Jerry, tackle Charles Brown along with drafting rookie center Weston Richburg. The team learned what happens with an unhealthy offensive line in 2013, as Eli Manning received no protection (sacked 39 times and threw 27 interceptions) and the running game was the worst it had been in years (averaging 3.5 yards per carry and 83.3 yards per game).
The Giants open the season on Monday Night Football in Detroit on September 8 and look to bounce back from a disappointing 7-9 season.
