Reggie McKenzie has put his mark on the Oakland Raiders through his coaching hires. Now he’s beginning to shape the roster to his liking, starting by cutting Stanford Routt on Thursday.
Routt has played the first seven seasons of his career for the Raiders after being drafted in the second round in 2005. Just one year ago Al Davis had bestowed Routt with a five-year, $54.5 million contract that made him one of the team’s highest paid players.
In 2011 Routt had a career high 4 interceptions but he also allowed 8 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers and led the league in penalties with 17 (according to numbers complied by STATS). Apparently, the high price tag wasn’t worth the mixed results.
The jettisoning of Routt should send a clear message of accountability within the Raiders’ organization. This type of move stands in stark contrast to the fierce loyalty shown to players by Al Davis in the past.
From where I sit, I think it’s a move in the right direction.
If you want to change the culture of a team that is constantly accused of a lack of discipline, then you need to lay dow the law in terms players who aren’t given max effort or earning their contracts. It seems Routt was the first casualty of this type of approach. He may not be the last.
