Among the more surprising cuts on Saturday was safety Stevie Brown. It was thought that the team was high on Brown and had even considered him a starter had Huff signed elsewhere this offseason. But in the end, Brown was cut and by the next day, the Panthers swiped him up. Now, oddly enough, the team has re-signed another safety to the roster.
The Raiders have re-signed Matt Giordano who was signed during camp. The team released running back Michael Bennett to make room on the roster. Bennett’s release was expected as the team had five running backs on the roster.
Giordano is a six-year journeyman who was originally drafted by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2005 draft. He was part of the Colts’ Super Bowl team in 2006—his best as far as tackle numbers (20). In 2007 he had 2 interceptions on four starts—both career bests. He spent four seasons in Indianapolis, starting just six games before leaving as a free agent. He has spent the last two seasons with the Packers and Saints appearing in 14 games with no starts.
Giordano was considered a long shot to make this team and his cut was of little surprise. The surprise came when the team re-signed him today. There is little doubt in my mind that the re-signed player would have been Stevie Brown if he had still been available.
Brown was cut and re-signed last season as well. He was drafted out of Michigan with the Raiders’ seventh round compensatory pick in 2010. He impressed all through the 2010 preseason with his playmaking abilities and nose for the ball. Many thought that he would be on the roster last season but he was part of the final cuts.
This season it was the same story. Only this time, he wasn’t such a secret. He became the hottest commodity the Raiders had waived and his availability was not lost on the Panthers.
The question becomes: why did they keep Bennett, who was the fifth running back, and cut these two safeties if their intention all along was to re-sign them? No doubt it has to do with guaranteed money. This is a risky game they play. In the end it cost the Raiders a good player.
No offense to Giordano, but Brown was the guy the Raiders had hoped would clear waivers. Giordano is the consolation prize. He is primarily a special teams player.
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