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Tuesday, May 23, 2000
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The Raiders’ signing of DB Marquez Pope
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| Oakland added another free-agent
defensive back this week by agreeing to terms with Marquez Pope. The eight-year veteran
has played both cornerback and safety in his career with the Rams, 49ers and Browns. Pope
joins Tory James, Je’Rod Cherry and Anthony Dorsett as offseason imports by the
Raiders. Pope will likely compete for a starting safety spot. Both safety spots are open
because the Raiders released Anthony Newman, and Eric Turner’s medical status is such
that he is not expected to play next season.
ProFootballWeekly.com asked contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum about the move.
Q: What’s the scouting report on Pope?
Buchsbaum: Pope was a very good defensive back for the 49ers a few years ago. The past
couple of years, he’s been besieged by injuries, and he does not appear to have the
speed needed to play the corner anymore.
Q: What are his prospects as a safety?
Buchsbaum: The key is probably going to be how healthy he is and how much the injuries
have robbed him physically. If he can come back to where he was physically three years
ago, he can be a good addition at strong safety for the Raiders. Though he will not be
vintage Eric Turner, Pope would be a very good low-price alternative to Turner in that
situation. But that’s a big if, considering how poorly Pope has played and how many
times he’s been hurt in the past two years. At his age, he may just be finished, but
it’s well worth the gamble for the Raiders at the minimum salary. |
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