Here we go again…
After the draft, the entire Raider Nation becomes eager for the season to arrive.
Yup, even in May. I’ve been saying it for years:
Ever since the NFL network was created, doesn’t it seem like the NFL season is interesting 24/7, 365 days a damn year??
Currently, I sense most of our fans are angry. They’re still upset with Emperor Al not picking up the infamous, popular diva; Michael Crabtree instead of D-Bey. They’re still upset they don’t know who exactly Mike Mitchell is. They’re still upset we took another Tight End.
Yup, they’re upset about a lot of things…

Not like the Lord of the Sith, Master of all evil can say, preach or write something to lift their battered spirits..
but I’ll try my best.

Honestly? The best reasons Cable gave to us for picking Darrius Bey just seemed to make sense to me..

Question: Do you consider him a polished receiver?
Cable: “Actually, he was in all the top receivers – there’s really four of them that everybody has talked about; three at the top – he is the best route-runner of that group. Again, he’s the only guy that came out of a true pro-style system. Everyone else was in a spread system. So, his learning curve is much, much shorter than those other guys. Then you got that size, that speed and his ability to go get it. The thing that jumps out at you, this is the one guy at the combine who, at the 30-yard mark, actually changed gears. And there was a whole other warp speed, if you will”.

Sure, everyone knows that big Al loves blazin’ speed, but did anyone guess that he also loves guys that run great routes??

I still sense displeasure and and accused lip service. Perhaps, you’d sleep at better at night if you read that the Niner GM, Scot McCloughan ALSO admitted Crabtree must “learn to run routes on an NFL level” and that he’s “not a burner.”

Hell, that’s good enough for me…
but probably not for you..
(Sigh)
How about more insight on some of the other “busts” you’ve mentioned under your breath?? Tsssssssssss

Man, your lack of faith IS disturbing…

Mike Mitchell is a hard-hitting, versatile defender has outstanding quickness and good power, showing that he can come up and make plays inside the box. He began his career as a free safety, shifting to strong safety during the 2006 GMAC Bowl, where he would line up for his final 22 games. Few safeties in the collegiate ranks showed the acceleration and closing speed that Mitchell possesses.
That speed was put to great use as a Bobcat. He would go on to register 212 tackles (126 solos), with 90 of those hits coming in run support, including 15 that he recorded behind the line of scrimmage. He also proved to be a steady ball hawk, defending 20 passes during his career and generating 140 yards on seven interception returns.
Mitchell was a well-rounded and respected student at Highlands High School, where he was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. On the field, he lettered three times, twice earning Kentucky All-Star honors, in addition to being selected All-State honorable mention as a senior. That year, he led the Bluebirds to the state title, recording 87 tackles with three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown.
Mitchell enrolled at Ohio University in 2005, seeing action in nine games at both safety positions as a true freshman. He delivered 21 tackles (16 solos) with a forced fumble and two pass deflections while playing mostly behind Todd Koenig at strong safety.
As a sophomore, he shifted to free safety at midseason, as the coaches wanted to get him and Koenig on the field at the same time. He started the team’s final eight games, but shifted to strong safety for the GMAC Bowl. He finished fifth on the team with 55 tackles (27 solos) that included five stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also picked off a pair of passes and deflected two others.
In 2007, Mitchell took over strong safety duties, starting all 11 games he played in. He missed the Louisiana-Lafayette clash due to a right shoulder contusion and played in the last four contests wearing a cast to protect a broken bone in his right hand. He still managed to rank third on the squad with 74 tackles (47 solos), adding 1.5 sacks while knocking down four passes and intercepting two others.
The injury bug hit again in 2008, as Mitchell missed most of the Buffalo game and sat out vs. Bowling Green with a knee sprain. He placed fourth on the squad with 62 tackles (36 solos), making 4.5 stops for loss while causing two fumbles. He had five pass deflections and led the team with three interceptions.

Matt Shaughnessy is the kind of player you could envision stepping out on the field in a leather helmet playing for George Halas. He’s overcome doubters to prove he can play on the defensive line as a 230-pound freshman, only to start seven games before a late-season knee injury.
As a sophomore, he made a rapid recovery from knee surgery and would start the final 33 games of his career. He continued to battle knee and foot injuries, but when he was counted out, Shaughnessy would just put on his jersey, step on the field and give his coaches more than they could ever ask for from a player.
At Norwich Free Academy, Shaughnessy earned Super Prep All-American honors and was rated one of the top 30 defensive ends in the nation according to Rivals.com. He was rated one of top 35 players in the East by Prep Football Report and named to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association and New Haven Register All-State teams in 2004. He also earned All-Conference and All-Area accolades in each of his three final seasons, adding three more letters in basketball and two in track.
Shaughnessy enrolled at Wisconsin as a 230-pound true freshman in 2005. He earned Freshman All-American recognition and was named All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention. In his first campaign with the Badgers, he collected 39 tackles (20 solos), 2.5 sacks and 7.5 stops for losses before his season came to an end when he suffered a torn ligament in his left knee vs. Iowa, sitting out the last two contests.
As a sophomore, Shaughnessy garnered All-Big Ten Conference second-team honors. He started all year at right defensive end, delivering 35 tackles (19 solo) and eight stops behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks. He also caused and recovered a fumble.
Shaughnessy ranked fourth in the league and 19th nationally, as the team MVP and second-team All-Big Ten pick totaled 18 stops for loss. He was second on the team with five sacks and posted a career-high 60 tackles (41 solo) in 13 games as a junior in 2007. His tackle-for-loss total of 84 yards rank eighth on the school season-record list.
In 2008 spring camp, Shaughnessy suffered a right fibula fracture. Even though he started all year, you could see early in the season that he was still not fully recovered. The All-Big Ten honorable mention managed 40 tackles (29 solo), but did more chasing down the opposing quarterback (10 pressures) than “close the deal” on the passer (four sacks).

So now you have more insight on the new kids that WILL NOT help our team in the future..
please refrain from cheering if they make a play….
and make sure to look my way too…

I’ll be the one laughing at you…
(Yeah, the Helmet occasionally comes off..)

Cheers!
DR