The Oakland Raiders need a spark. That could really come in the form of just about anything and the Raiders would be happy. At the moment, the team is in danger of not winning a game this season. They have fired head coach Dennis Allen in hopes of that being the first move towards something better. Now they are taking a look at available free agents and signing a wide receiver to help give the offense some momentum.
After getting released by the New England Patriots, the Raiders have signed Kenbrell Thompkins in hope of providing rookie quarterback Derek Carr with a better weapon to work with. Thompkins had a fairly successful rookie season after joining New England as an undrafted free agent. He started eight games last year putting 466 yards and four touchdowns. However, the Patriots offense was struggling this season and he was the easiest to cut for the first move. Given Thompkins success last season, it was easy to assume someone would grab him before too long and the Raiders got the jump.
Oakland is in need of offensive fire power. The team was recently forced to place Rod Streater on injured reserve. He can re-join the team in eight weeks, but by then it might be too late. At this point, the team has nothing to lose. Picking up Thompkins will either leave the offense as is, or give them a spark. The Raiders can only go up. There is certainly playing time available for Thompkins, even starting time depending on how quickly he can pick up the offense.
No one is contributing right now for Oakland. James Jones has been the most consistent of the group and he has just 272 yards on the season. Denarius Moore has fallen back to his inconsistent ways and was even a healthy scratch last week. Vincent Brown has yet to make an impact. Andre Holmes ranks second on the team with 148 yards. The Raiders lack a real down-field threat so there is certainly room for Thompkins to prove his worth.
The Raiders were off last week and return to face the San Diego Chargers in Week 6. Carr is reportedly healthy for the game after spraining his ankle and MCL which could either be bad or good. He has suffered his share of rookie struggles. Allen was committed to the rookie, but could newly-named head coach Tony Sparano feel differently? Matt Schaub has not seen the field, but might be another spark the Raiders need.
