Pre-combine notebook
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, February 17th, 2008 at 2:21 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Surveying the landscape as the offseason begins to heat up with the NFL scouting combine followed by the start of free agency:
– The Raiders did the right thing in bringing back Justin Fargas at a reasonable price (three years, $6 million guaranteed, with the possibility of earning between $12 and $14 million over the life of the contract).
He may be limited as a receiver and there’s always the threat of injury, but it’s not a deal that would cripple the Raiders if Fargas got hurt. Plus it’s good business to bring back loyal, hard-working employees. Fargas embraced the Art Shell regime as easily as he did Lane Kiffin’s and produced for both.
In that way, Fargas reminds me of Steve Wisniewski, who was a favorite of every head coach from Mike Shanahan thourgh Jon Gruden and was adored by all his line coaches.
Have a hard time envisioning Fargas being a non-producer after being kept from the free agent market the way Terdell Sands was last season.
– In terms of straight salary, Fargas wil make $605,000 this season, $2.5 million in 2009 and $1.5 in 2010.
– Fargas’ signing underscores something Tim Brown told me a long time ago regarding free agency _ no team loses a player it truly wants to keep.
– LaMont Jordan and his $4.7 million salary will be gone soon, but about Dominic Rhodes? The Raiders won’t pay a $3 million and a $2 million roster bonus, so Rhodes will likely be faced with the same decision Jordan was last season _ take less or be cut. The guess here is Rhodes will take the latter.
Rhodes would have Fargas in front of him and understands Michael Bush will be given every opportunity to work his way into the rotation. And that doesn’t even include the possibility of a rookie. You’ll notice in the item below a lot of mock drafts have the Raiders taking Arkansas’ Darren McFadden, although many of had that forecast before Fargas re-signed.
– Thursday’s deadline for declaring franchise players will include the names Nnamdi Asomugha, Albert Haynesworth, Jared Allen, and possibly Green Bay’s Corey Williams. If the Raiders, who will get to spend time with LSU’s Glenn Dorsey and USC’s Sedrick Ellis in the coming days, are thinking defensive tackle with the top pick, then Haynesworth and Williams probably weren’t in the mix anyway.
Getting Allen would make for a great piece of Raiders-Chiefs history, but Carl Peterson will never let it happen. The good thing from the Raiders vantage point is the Chiefs are notoriously cheap, and Allen could end up being disgruntled all season playing under the franchise tag rather than getting a longterm contract with a multi-million dollar guarantee.
– A defensive end to watch is Cincinnati’s Justin Smith, who had a subpar season under the franchise tag in 2007 and could be allowed to hit the market this year. In his seventh season out of Missouri, Smith had only two sacks _ the lowest total of a career in which he has 43.5. The Dolphins could franchise Smith again, but are also considering using the tag on offensive lineman Stacy Andrews.
– Based on the way he defended the run last season, getting a bigger end such as Smith could enable the Raiders to reduce the snaps of Derrick Burgess and get his pass rushing ability back on track. Burgess rallied to finish with eight sacks, but at least two of those were “no-gain” sacks when quarterbacks escaped trouble and reached the line of scrimmage, with Burgess making the tackle.
– If Zach Thomas was shown the door in Miami, can defensive end Jason Taylor be far behind? Of course, the Raiders went the aging ex-Dolphin route once before with Trace Armstrong, who tore an Achilles’ and was never the same. Taylor is 34.
– Something else to consider when paying big money to free agents _ according to calculations by Mike Sando of ESPN.com, the three highest-paid players at each position last season played on teams that were 219-309, a winning percentage of .415.
– Todd Watkins, the wide receiver claimed off waivers from Atlanta, has the class Raiders “athlete” bio. He became the first athlete in 25 years to letter in football, volleyball, soccer and track at Helix High, where his teammates included 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and Saints running back Reggie Bush.
Watkins showed flashes of being a dep threat when he caught 52 passes for 1,042 yards as a junior, but slumped as a senior, with a propensity for dropped passes and fumbles.
Drafted in the seventh round by Arizona, Watkins couldn’t hold on to a roster spot there or in Atlanta.
– How various mock drafts around the Internet have the Raiders using their first pick (No. 3 or 4 overall, based on a coin flip with Atlanta):
Todd McShay, ESPN.com–DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
Mel Kiper Jr.–RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
Don Banks, CNN-SI–DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
Pete Prisco, CBS Sportsline.com–RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
Scout.com–RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
War Room (Sporting News)–DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
Rob Rang, The Sports Xchange–DE Chris Long, Virginia
Fantasy Football Toobox–DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
Football’s Future–OT Jake Long, Michigan
NFL Draft Dog–RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
The Football Expert–DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
NFL Draft Site–RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
Draft Ace–DE Chris Long, Virginia
Draft Wisdom.com–DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
NFL Daily–DE Chris Long, Virginia
The Sports Outlaw–DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
Fantasy Football Extreme–DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
New Era Scouting–WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
Draft.com–RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
Sports Projections.com–RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
My NFL Draft.com–DE Chris Long, Virginia
– If you really want to get ahead of yourself, nfldraftdog.com forecasts the Raiders will take offensive tackle Michael Oher of Ole Miss with the top pick of the 2009 draft.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
February 17th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Lets go nation!!!
February 17th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Glen Dorsey with the first pick or use it for an impact trade for a need position and a lower 1st round pick.
February 17th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
3rd
February 17th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Nothing new here. Come on Jerry, give us something we can sink our teeth into.
February 17th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
One of those drafts projections had the Raiders taking WR Kelly from Oklahoma? Huh. Somehow I think if they were to suprise everyone and take a WR it would be someone else. Personally I am hoping for D-line help. And Long, Ellis, and Dorsey would all be great picks. A WR or safety in round 2?
Atlanta recently released former Raider DT Rod Coleman. Is he worth luring back to the silver and black?
February 17th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Try a McFadden burger made with pork instead of beef
February 17th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
id rather have ellis than dorsey if both are available. but either way way we need help on both lines more than we need a skill postion player
February 17th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Does Ellis really warrant the #3/4 overall pick??? I’d be happy with C. Long or Dorsey but Ellis seems like a stretch to me, unless we trade down a few spots and pick up some more picks.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I would like to see Rhodes remain a Raider if at all possible. I’m not sure if he would have a ton of incentive to stick around, but Fargas, Rhodes, Bush & Echimandu could shape up to be a formidable group.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
being on the east coast i havnt seen much of ellis to be honest but everthing i have heard says he is more versitle than dorsey
February 17th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
7th
February 17th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
12th
February 17th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
isnt Rod Coleman pushing 35 years old and finished the year on the IR? I think we need some good DTs not just big guys who are old. Otherwise we have the same situation as we had with Sapp i.e. “Does he have enough in the tank to perform for a full year?”
Also Sapp > Rod Coleman.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I live in the northwest and dont know too much about him either though, besides that he is very strong but very short.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
has anyone heard anything about the safty from nd, the boxer? is he good enough for a second round pick to play strong safety
February 17th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Yeah, I just don’t see McFadden being our first choice. I’ll bet pennies to dollars that the Raiders take Chris Long. there is no way Al Davis lets Mini-Howie get by…its a legacy player.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Sedrick Ellis
DT | (6′1″, 305, 4.95) | USC
Scouts Grade: 97
Flags: (D: DURABILITY) Player that can’t stay healthy
Strengths: A disruptive, penetrating interior defensive lineman. At his best in a one-gap scheme but has some versatility due to experience as a nose tackle and three-technique. He is extremely disruptive versus the run. Displays outstanding initial burst and wins most of his battles with first-step quickness. Uses long arms to keep separation and does an excellent job of disengaging from blocks and keeping on the move. Recognition skills are very good and he’s athletic enough to change directions and pursue once he penetrates the backfield. He consistently generates pressure as a pass rusher. Shows upper-echelon closing burst for his position and also does a good job of batting down passes once he realizes he’s not getting to the QB. Plays with a great motor and works very hard on and off the field. Never gives up on a play and his effort is infectious.
Weaknesses: Undersized; lacks ideal height and bulk. Not a good fit for schemes that require two-gap ability. Plays with a narrow base and will get overwhelmed by bigger blockers in the phone booth. He struggles to anchor when teams run at him and he really needs to be on the move in order to be successful. Durability has been somewhat of an issue; redshirted in 2003 due to injury that required surgery and missed three games in 2006 (Nebraska, Arizona and Washington State) due to right knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery.
Overall: Ellis arrived at USC in 2003 but received a medical redshirt after suffering a midseason left ankle fracture which required surgery. During his first three seasons (2004-’06) he saw action in 34 games making 86 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. Ellis missed some time in 2006 after having arthroscopic knee surgery. Ellis is a one-gap defensive tackle prospect that isn’t for everybody but can be effective in the right scheme (see: Colts, Buccaneers, Eagles, etc.). If ranks among the elite prospects at his position and can solidify a spot in Round 1 with a healthy and productive senior season.
From Scouts Inc.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Tom Zbikowski
S | (5′11″, 207, 4.55) | NOTRE DAME
Scouts Grade: 48
Strengths: Can cover a lot of ground in zone overage and has experience playing a centerfielder-type role. Opens hips well enough and is fast enough to run with most tight ends. Fills hard when reads run, takes sound angles to the ball and is a relentless run defender Squares up to the ball carrier, wraps up and is a reliable open field tackler that flashes the ability to deliver the big hit. Times blitzes well and flashes an adequate rip move. Looks to strip or punch the ball out of the ball carrier’s hands when chasing and is a ball hawk. Plays with a lot of emotion and is a natural leader. Fearless punt return man, flashes big-play ability in that role and can make an immediate impact on special teams.
Weaknesses: Can get caught too close to the line of scrimmage and lacks the second gear to consistently recover when gets caught in a trail position. Footwork is inconsistent and gets spun around at times. Can get to physical in coverage and is vulnerable to pass interference as well as defensive holding calls. Slow locating the ball and is step late getting to the ball at times. Though uses hands fairly well and can get though traffic quickly takes too long to shed blocks when a blocker is able to lock on.
Overall: Zbikowski arrived at Notre Dame in 2003, did not appear in any games, but was not redshirted. From 2004-’06, he started all 35 games he played in registering 213 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Zbikowski also returned 43 punts for 523 yards (12.2 average) and three touchdowns in 2005-’06. He missed one game in 2006 with a shoulder injury. Zbikowski was granted a fifth year of eligibility for 2007. Zibilowski is a tough run defender who has the speed to develop quality cover skills and make an impact on special teams. On the other hand, he can’t be considered an elite prospect at the position because he is too inconsistent for a player with his talent.
Scouts, Inc.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
thanks. i guess not
February 17th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
i hope we adress both lines and land a true strong safety. someone people are afraid of
February 17th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
teams used to be scared to play against the raiders d. now they look forward to padding their stats against a soft undisiplined joke for a defence
February 17th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
If ellis is there at #3/4 although he is rated at #7 I have no problem putting up with Mel Kiper and the rest saying we reached for Ellis if we fill a big need (DT).
And Speaking of Value I have noticed there are 6-7 DE’s Graded as 1st rounders and not all of these guys will be picked in round one. Is there thus inherent value in picking a DE in the top of the second round?
Is the best idea then to forget about C Long, pick an OT or DT in R1 and then target the Best DE available in R2 if we are trying to get the best combination of players in the first 2 rounds?
I realize that our scouts are paid to evaluate the men as individuals and some guys will be a better fit regardless of how they grade out. I am just trying to use the glut of DE’s to our advantage as we build our team.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Does anyone know if Chris Long is in the habit of jumping offsides three times a game like Howie used to?
February 17th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
2,7,5,4,8 she watches it all added all to zero,and
there’s nothing in her head, she watches channel zero….
jerseyraider i agree it’s been too long since oakland had a hard hittin safety who would knock someone’s head off ! for years now we been weak against the run up the middle stopping the run and having a safety who can cause a rukas against the run and smash wr’s across the field,hopefully this is the year we address it !couple of years ago we had a chance to land bernard pollard who with those chumps in kc, he’s a hitter.but anyway i don’t think the ‘d is undisciplined i think it’s more not having the right personel in the right place! we need the ghost of vann mcelroy or stacey torran to come help us !
February 17th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
2,7,5,4,8 she watches it all added all to zero,and
there’s nothing in her head, she watches channel zero….
jerseyraider i agree it’s been too long since oakland had a hard hittin safety who would knock someone’s head off ! for years now we been weak against the run up the middle stopping the run and having a safety who can cause a rukas against the run and smash wr’s across the field,hopefully this is the year we address it !couple of years ago we had a chance to land bernard pollard who with those chumps in kc, he’s a hitter.but anyway i don’t think the ‘d soft i think it’s more not having the right personel in the right place! we need the ghost of vann mcelroy or stacey torran to come help us ! …. for the record i think ellis is better than dorsey! dorsey scares me seems like a potential bust too me … but that me !
February 17th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
sorry about send my lyrics twice
February 17th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I agree with RaiderDogg at #9. We need to keep Rhodes if at all possible. I also think that the DT’s Ellis and Dorsey are probably overrated. They did great in college but they seem way too short to be big stars in the pro game. Their size can allow them to get leverage against an opponent, but I see them wearing down and being ineffective as the game goes on. As strong as both of them are, they will need to get substantially stronger to dominate in the pros. Chris Long is probably the best bet if we can get him.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
question 4 the nation ? do ya think all wants to
pay the money at the 3rd pick !seems as desperate jerry jones want mcfadden, he got 2 first round picks. someone like mr. davis can sucker jones into giving up his two picks and lets say.. (flozell adams) then maybe we can land that safety from the U.then land a good ‘DT the man i like is pat sims from auburn u.an athletic beast who weighs 318 and runs a 5 flat 40 time . they say he cause a rukas in the back field. theyb say he’s no longer under the radar. they say san diego and other teams like him in the late first round, early 2nd. some people got him coming to us at 37….
February 17th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I agree with everyone who thinks we should hold on to Rhodes. The guy came out of Kiffin’s year long doghouse cold and steped up and produced against two of the best run defenses in the league.
That’s what I call a PROFESSIONAL.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
i need a answer to this question…..
if your franchise player signs to another team
you are rewarded two first round picks. are both of those picks the same year ? somebody grab the mic
and holla back !
February 17th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
just to shake things up a bit, not only do i think we should keep rhodes (based upon what we could see he stayed a pretty model citizen, is healthy and performed when given the chance) but we should also get Nambi under contract to reward his hard work and talent. I even think there is a benefit to keeping AW and Porter if Kiffin thinks they can work within the framework of his system.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Underpay, overpay, if there is a need fill it! It’s house money from the TV contracts anyway.
February 17th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
i need help fellas ,can someone out there answer my question # 29
February 17th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Anybody catch Mike Mayock on McFadden? He said he wouldn’t draft him inside the top 20. I’ve been saying the same thing for months. Rashard Mendenhall, Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones all project to be better pros than McFadden. Tashard Choice is likely to be a better pro, and I’d take 50-50 odds that McFadden has a better rookie campaign than Chris Johnson (ECU).
Still, if you’re the Raiders, gotta feign interest in McFadden before anyone would consider trading up for our pick if they want him.
All this stuff about Sedrick Ellis and Glenn Dorsey is, in my opinion, a lot of looking at the wrong guy. We have Tommy Kelly and Gerard Warren who can play just fine at the undertackle position, but nobody to play the two-gap (unless Sands shows a whole game of what he did in a three down series in the second half against the Bears last season).
We need a two gap DT. Top guy in the draft is either Pat Sims or Red Bryant. I like Bryant a lot, reminds me of big Dave Butts, but with a much meaner attitude and better explosiveness.
Fascinating that no WR made the list. Lack of a true deep threat is an issue, and was the past few years. And don’t look now, but Jevon Kearse looks like he’ll shake free from Philly. Now that would be a classic Raider pickup.
Peace.
February 17th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
How about re-signing Rod Coleman? Justin Smith would be a nice pick-up as would Lawyer Milloy if the Falcons release him.
February 17th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Rhodes does have talent but not 5mil$ for 08 talent. I know he wont be brought back at that price. We could use a late round pick or undrafted speed back to take rhodes place.
February 17th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
#29, the draft picks don’t have to come from the same year but would be snatched if you did have two 1st round picks. Basically, your 1st round picks are snatched consecutively as you have them. For instance, if your team has a 1st rounder this year but not another until 2010, those would be the picks snatched. However, if you picked up a 1st rounder for 2009, it’s not yours because you owed a 1st rounder.
February 17th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Some realistic things the Raiders can do in the offseason
I keep seeing posts that say things like we should trade a pick for Fozell Adams (who is a free agent!). A team does not trade a UFA! Another is we can get a 3rd round pick for Rhodes (you can not get a pick for an inflated contract!)
Here are some more realistic ideas about things we really need to do:
1. Resign our key veterans – cut out dead weight – Signing Fargus was a really good start. Now we need to sign in order: Asamoua (Shut down corner -Taggable), Kelly (Starting DE); Newbury (Starting Center unless we get one in FA), Josh McCown (QB mentor insurance); Cooper (special teams help), Euckaba (more special teams help); Carr (backup CB and ST). Bye Bye Jordan, Rhodes, Porter, Sims, Green, and maybe Sands!
2. Please please please – Find someone to upgrade our offensive tackles in FA, trade, or Draft. I think FA or trade is the best. Best option: Trade Burgess to Cleveland for Kevin Shaffer and a late round pick. Why Shaffer? He played well in Atlanta under Cable and knows the system. Other options: Pay the ransom and sign Starks in FA from Pittsburg for LT or sign RT from Seattle – Locklear and/or try to get Gross from Carolina to play LT or RT. I am not sure who is the best system fit here but we can do better than Sims and Green!!! If we trade down and have not gotten two starters via trade or FA then draft best OT available that fits our scheme at the end of 1st round with one of Dallas’ picks that they traded to us to get McFad.
3. Sign Berrian from Chicago – He is from California and there are LK connections this could be one of his favored destinations. If not, sign another in FA (don’t do the draft here none is NFL ready)
4. If we do not resign Newbury target some of the centers that are good system fits in FA because I think Grove has more injury issues than Newbury and cut Grove!
5. Note that I did not do much on defense yet. With Ryan as the DC I am not sure how much good it will do to bring in good players with him as DC. Why waste draft picks or cap money on Ryan’s schemes. We need a coach on defense not some bearded cheerleader! Having said that we do need a DT in the draft to replace Sapp and be the player Sands was supposed to be. That means Ellis or Dorsey if we do not trade the pick which I hope we can trade down. I think the other thing we can do is bring in an experienced SS type. I think Sammy Knight is available and there are others. Don’t bring in a Rookie. I do not think Ryan/Co. has proven that they can train and improve talent on safety yet! If we get rid of Burgess get some of the midlevel DE talent in FA to complement Kelly. Making sure Clemons and Richardson is signed is also a good idea for depth.
One interesting thing is I do not think we have nearly the question marks as we did last year when the entire offense was a question mark and the defense while I thought it was good as is was full of question marks. Will the Raiders do these things? I doubt it! If I see Sims line up again at LT I think I will throw a brick at my TV! I mean I understand he has been a solid character guy and all that but he has not been a starting caliber OL since the 2003 season. He had to be the worst starting LT in the NFL on opening day last year. Green was probably the worst RT in terms of pass protection on starting day. I do not know if McQuinstan is good enough to play RT in the NFL but I know Green is not and Sims has always been only average (i.e. 2002) now way below average. If Sims is starting I think we will get no more than 5 wins and JR will be on IR by week 6. At least McCown knows how to survive behind crappy lines.
February 17th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Autumn Wind -
Nice post
your first clarifications (re trading rhodes etc) very true.
We do have to take care of our own (especially ST leaders) and end our ties with guys who are not working out.
Also without stating it your post is clear that you dont want to gamble on bad character guys/ locker room distractions and I think that has to continue to be a priority. When I read post about bringing in Chad Johnson or (shakes head) Pacman Jones I want to reach through the screen and slap the author. That includes the paid blogger at the Sacbee who wants ocho cinco because he thinks it would be cute to cover all his antics.
February 17th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Let’s stay on topic guys.
I’ve noticed the number of MOCK DRAFTS in Jerry’s blog and was wondering why some of you regulars who blog often will place your mock drafts for all of us to see.
The sight has the ability to go back in history to see how you did.
I’m not saying you can’t change your mind, a blogger reminded us it’s always OK because of many changes that come up to make those necessary changes.
So let’s play MOCK DRAFT and change all you want and let’s se who has got the DRAFT GURU BLOGGER AWARD.
You will reap the benefits of many presents and all of us will worship you for the next year.
Let’s have some fun, be careful a trade or a draft day event can create a pick in a round we don’t have or multiple picks in a round.
I know this is Jerry’s blog and just want to stay on topic so let’s us know what you think.
All MOCK DRAFTS are subject to change, please think carefully.
I promise not to shill for McFadden, just to let you know were my first round pick is not going.
I will bring this up time and again, please follow the rules and be forewarned, no crazy stuff, or the mods will not let you post here again.
No self respecting Raider Fan is crazy, right.
P.S. I am not telling you what to do, just asking for those who want to provide a MOCK DRADFT, to do so.
Thanks,
RaiderDell
February 17th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I hope we draft one of the elite DT’s, Ellis or Dorsey. I like Ellis better, but most people seem to have Dorsey rated higher. C. Long would be nice too but DE, even thought we could use some help there, is not near as big a need. No matter who we draft we still need a better two gap DT. Sands just isn’t reliable or consistant. For that matter Kelly or Warren can do a decent job of playing one gap. We also need to find a safety somewhere who can support the run. I think we are OK an running back, with Fargas back. Hopefully Bush will be a monster, and Echemandu gives us depth. The O line need rubuilding though, and I hope we can at least get a couple of good players to go with a couple of servicable players to go there.
February 17th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Guys, don’t worry about us taking McFadden. As I see it, here’s how Miami and St Louis will draft, thus eliminating us form the D-Mac debaucle:
Dolphins – Trade w/ Dallas. Jerry Jones loves McFadden (former Alumni) and will do something stupid like give up the two firsts and Marion Barber. This is exactly what Parcells wants during a rebuild and he’ll take this in a minute.
Rams – They are desperate for a DL thus they will take any of the big three (Dorsey, Ellis, Long).
Raiders/Falcons: If ATL picks before us, they are taking Matt Ryan for sure. They took a DE last year. They could take another due to the new HC being a defensive guy but the organization needs a new arm to build around. It’s the greatest shock value during tough times.
Raiders/Falcons: If we pick 3rd, we will have Dorsey/Ellis/Long still available. Since Al still runs the draft, the pick will be Chris Long.
I’m actually okay with this based on post #33. Kelly and Warren can do a decent job. We don’t have enough picks during the deepest part of the draft to address DT right now. We will need to use the second pick on OT or WR. We don’t traditionally select WR’s this high so my money is on OT for the second round.
February 17th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
yo ‘dski right on, i got company right now i’ll be on the mic again shortly…….
February 17th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
JRaider
You are right, I do not want 85 in Oakland – Moss was enough. I am an Oregon State Fan. I know all about 85. He was a great talent but he had so many character problems he came in as a JC transfer with one year of eligbility to OSU. He was really good but he had Hudsmansadah at OSU on the other side in College too. You can imagine a college coaches dilema on who do I double team.
The other thing we need to do during the FA pre draft period is get people that are a little under the radar. Burgess was like that and so was Cooper Carlisle. They were good fits at the time and were smart pickups and did not cost too much to throw our cap off.
Dell, I can understand the excitement but I do not think it is very smart to mock until we have a couple of weeks of FA activity out of the way. For instance, if we were able to make a trade for Shaub in FA period to Atlanta for our first last year so they could get CJ the whole mocks would have been thrown off. If we would have signed Garcia it might have changed our whole draft strategy regarding Russell as well. Who we can retain now and pick up in FA will have a big impact on who we might draft especially in the 2nd round. Other teams may even be impacted in the first especially teams drafting later in the first. What might be an interesting exercise is to develop a board for the Raiders. Who would be there #1 target player on their board. My guess is it is Long right now. If that happens and if we sign Kelly that makes Burgess expendable and a great trade bait for a pick or for someone like a LT playing out of position in the wrong system like Kevin Shaffer. Who is their number two – my guess is it is Dorsey or Ellis. Who is the number 4 – Jake Long? Does he fit our system? Where does McFad fit in our board? If the zone blocking will yeild a 1200+ yard rusher to someone that is disciplined in using it why have a McFad like player?
The Board will also shift as we lose and gain people in FA but to me it is interesting to think about. I wonder what our FA board looks like? I bet Berrain is at the top of it. I wonder who is second? I wonder if we would make a run at Corey Williams or pass because he would cost too much? Are there any LT or RT that we think are good system fits that are undervalued because they are in a system that does not use their skills? These things make football interesting in the offseason and since we have an intelligent head coach that is or at least was trying to build something. I wonder about these things.
I know with a mock you can check your results against the real draft and get vindication and bragging rights but right now I am more interested in where we think the Raiders are going right now.
February 17th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Maybe a Mock FA/Draft prediction then? No one writes something as long as the phone book, but say we limit it to 5 FA predictions and 5 Draft predictions. go as specific or general as you like, but the more specific you get the more props you get. what the heck.
and throw in the coin flip for #3 or #4 for the tie breaker!
February 17th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
45th
February 17th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
LOL @ Malcolm Kelly. WTF?!!
February 17th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Fender
Ok
Here I go…
Maimi – Will try to peddle the first but no one will want it because whoever is drafted will get 35 million in bonus. Exasperated they will take Long. Parcells will publically fume that the No. 1 pick has become the white elephant gift and say that we need to have a rookie salary cap. Agents will be miffed veterans will be quietly glad that someone of his stature finally said it.
St Louis – With a devasted OL they will also try to peddle the pick. No one will want it. (Talk to Oakland and Detriot about it! No one wanted it even with CJ being a “decadal talent”) With no where to go they will take Jake Long because he can open holes for Jackson. Now the Gallery watch will begin in SL. Oh but wait he is a safe pick and you can’t go wrong with this one…
Atlanta after winning the coin flip will try very hard to trade the pick to Dallas and will succeed and get two late picks in the first for their third overall pick. Dallas takes McFad. If Oakland has the pick. Davis will ask for half the Dallas francise in return for the pick and Jones will wait for later and do the deal with Atlanta in the 4th slot. Oakland if they have the third or 4th will take Dorsey promting rumors that Kiffin is miffed (he wanted Ellis) and looking at the soon to be vacant University of Washington job as the season goes on.
After all this drama – who cares…
Oakland in the 2nd will take the best OT available if they did not get one in FA. If they got a OT then they may take a SS if they did not get one in FA.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Ok, sounds good. Iwas thinking of something even a little simpler such as:
(heading out on a date, so can’t do the research at the moment….)
During FA: RAiders will:
1. Resign Asoumghua (and not franchise tag him) and Rhodes
2. Resign Porter after he tries FA.
3. Sign a starting DT (i should put a name in here).
4. Sign a SS (i should put a name in here)
5. Sign FA’s for offensive line replacements for center and Simm’s spot.
Draft: Raiders win toss
1 round. C. Long
2 round. DT
4 round: offensive line
5 round: WR
February 17th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Im smokin a nice doobie right now…nice buds from Santa Cruz…Im stoned out of my mind currently…but whats really blowin my mind is my fellow Raider fans obsessing about the Raiders in mid February…why dont some of you take a walk,…go for a bike ride…go get laid…get an off season hobby….enough with your hourly wonderings about what the organization is doing this time of year,..but since your so curious about it I will tell you,…Al Davis is right now thinking of more ways to destroy his team, because that is his off season hobby.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
attumwind, we could…..
if we win the coin toss we could draft mcfadden and make dallas give up some of the franchise. then jerry does’nt have a choice . personally i’d take their two picks and add flozell in the mix! then we can addreess wr or ss !i like malcom kelly from oklahoma best hands at the position 6′4 ,4:5 40yd. will be a player
and still get a tackle with the second no.1 draft pick
or at 37th in the second.(with quality) so there ya have it thats my best case senario . i dont think al wants too pay the money at the no.3 pick thats a fat signing bonus ….
February 17th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I just flipped a coin and the Raiders won, so I guess that means they will pick third. Fourth might actually be better for us especially in Atlanta, or there trade partner if they do trade, happens to be targetting a different player than us, like Matt Ryan maybe. That way not only would we end up with the same player for less money, but also we would pick ahead of the other 4-12 teams in the second round. Trading down would be a good option if we could actually get the trade value according to the draft value point chart, but I don’t think that will happen. So, with C Long gone off the board to Miami, and then The Rams taking Dorsey, The Raiders, with the third pick of the 2008 NFL draft select Sedric Ellis, DT from USC. In the second round The Raiders pick the best available according to what there biggest need still is after free agency, either OL, WR, or Safety.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Resign Asomugha, Porter, Mc Cown, Newberry, Kelly, Clemons, Ekejiuba, Cooper.
Mock Draft:
1st DT Dorsey (or Ellis if Dorsey is out)
2nd LT Baker
4th WR Nelson
6th SS Silva, Barrett,…
7th DE Johnston
Try to get a shot at MLB Z Thomas or D Morgan, plus DT R Coleman.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Hi Folks,
In the last couple of months I have found my self annoyed with all these trolls posting junk every day. With Jerry’s blog getting more and more popular by the day, it’s gotten worse. I got so annoyed by these posts and the reactions to it that I decided to do something about it. Using Firefox I created a script that allows me to filter out all these non-sense comments without having to do much.
It has been working great so I decided to share. I know that Huff24, Dakota, Bob Marley and a few others feel my pain too so if you use Firefox or would consider using it just to alleviate this check out this page I created with the instructions on how i did it:
http://www.raidermight.com/projects/greasemonkey/RaiderMightFilteredComments/index.html
NOTE to the webmasters of this site, please don’t delete this. This script is using Firefox and Greasemonkey to remove comments only, no ads are being removed and nothing else if being done to alter the site.
Thanks and I hope it helps some of you out.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Fender52, 1960 Autumn Wind
Mock drafts are a creative way to scan your logic as a fan of the Raiders, or how well do you know your team needs.
How well do you know the available college players.
Free agency is not going to change the call for a player who you just signed, and drafted.
So your telling me, if for example if we sign Corey Williams,(Florida Pete this is for you) we won’t draft Dorsey or Ellis cause we signed Williams.
You assign your draft board on who is the best available and ranked in,order of position.
If Ellis or Dorsey are available are we to look elsewhere, I don’t think so.
Also the Mock draft can be updated to reflect any changes you can’t anticipate happening.
The mock drafts in the topic section from Jerry has most of these mock drafts with more than 8 changes on the average.
Search for yourself and see how they changed with many events that occured at the combine, Free Agency, and signings of restricted free agents.
Change as you will but let’s see how you did.
Thanks for responding guys.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
RAIDERMIGHT….you need to get a life you loser.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
lol. that script took all but 15 minutes out of my life. not everything takes a whole lot of time.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I can’t understand how Sedrick Ellis has moved ahead of Glenn Dorsey in this blog?
As for pure injury history alone, Ellis is more prone to injury as this is the first year Dorsey has had any problems and they were minor.
I see Dorsey in the mold w/o the attitude of Haynesworth and Ellis in the mold of Warren Sapp.
Both will probably be very good, but which one will be better?
I’ve seen Dorsey get triple teamed and still make the play against SEC competition. One play he was triple teamed and moved the 3 players towards the direction of the ball carrier thus allowing another defender to make the tackle which attributed to a loss on the play because no hole could open up.
I’ve seen Ellis as well, but I have to say he didn’t make as plays as Dorsey regularly does in games.
I’m a PAC 10 fan, but realize the SEC has the best athletes.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Linds…
See post #37, Fozell is a FA. Dallas can’t trade a FA unless Oakland is even dumber than they were when they drafted a Kicker in Round 1. Interesting idea though go ahead and draft McFad and then take bidders on his rights kind of like what SD did with Eli Manning.
February 17th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Dell
If we sign Williams I can assure you we would point away from Ellis or Dorsey as we would not want to tie up 50-60 million in bonus money in DT’s. Even with our resigning of Fargas as minor is that is, it impacts where people think we may go with McFad. These are paid people saying this not just posters to a blog like you and me.
If we pulled the trigger on a trade involving Burgess, it would impact us to look hard at DE in the first if Long is still there and in the 2nd vs. DT or other positions. If we get an OT in FA and spend some money on him it would impact what we do in the second with an OT because we have already invested a lot with the cap there to sign the FA.
I am not saying that doing a mock is not a useful exercise I just think it is early. As Jerry said, you can even look at a 2009 mock which is really getting way ahead of ourselves.
February 17th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Ellis is more versatile than Dorsey but for what we want – we want Dorsey! I remember the Long days and while he was good for someone out of Nova’ – he jumped off often (OK if it intimidates the other team) and they get off the ball late but he was too soft for someone they label this HARD Man with the Chevy commercials. I want Dorsey – I want 85 (The Beaver!)
Let’s stop the run and add 85 = we get the opposing offense off the field on 3d more often and we stretch the field with J Russ to 85 threat and Fargas eating it up! I happen to LOVE the way 85, Fargas and Dorsey play – If and when J Russ catches on… We can be good again and Kiffin’s doing a pretty good job – Al, let it ride!
February 17th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I know Jason Taylor, Jason Taylor is a friend of mine, Trace Armstrong your no Jason Taylor
February 17th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
I don’t think we will allow Aso to go for 2 1st rdrs . If we pay Fargas 12 mill we should pay Aso a reasonable price. I don’t think he will get a Clement’s check so we may just do that as a matter of fact. It would be nice to get two 1st rdrs for him and we could bolster our O and D. Washington and Bowie would have to step up for this yr and we could have some impact rookies to better our team. CTE.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:53 am
That would be nice to land Justin Smith at DE.
Even for 7M a year, he would improve the Left End, by far. For those who think that land a good DT in the FA will be less expensive, just think again, C Williams is likely to be franchised as well as Haynesworth. Burgess is a damn good rusher but so weak against the pass. Smith can do both. So that would mean Burgess become expendable (4M for this year) Trade for a round pick, like 3rd.
Smith (Clemons), Dorsey (Rod Coleman), Warren (Sand), Richardson (Kelly).
That would be awesome. Run stopping line that also rush the passer.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:50 am
i don’t think C. Williams is going to be franchised…
but if we were to sign him, i would still get the best DT available in the draft…
i would not, under any circumstances sign any free-agent lineman, offensive or defensive that has had significant knee or back problems…
and this removes most of the 28+ year old linemen availbale in free agency… it especially removes Rod Coleman…
and i would take a strong look at Wesley Britt, offensive tackle with patriots the last four years…
February 18th, 2008 at 5:52 am
LMN, a sidenote to mock NFL draft…just saw a ‘60 Minutes’ video that claimed the people in Denmark are the happiest people. Americans are very unhappy so it seems. Remember this when you put forth a mock draft for the Nation. You and Copenhagen Fan might be the only happy people on this site.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Morning Pete, I would like to see you get your wishes of the abovementioned players. A young experienced DT, a draftee DT and a potential OT…Raiders’ll be ready to roll.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:08 am
philosophically, i value linemen over any other position…
i’m stilled pissed that we dealt Jim Lachey to the Redskins for Shroeder…
if you control the line of scrimmage, you control the game… that’s it in a nutshell…
you need a good rotation for the line… keep them fresh…
behind a really good, well disciplined line… any healthy NFL caliber runner should gain 1200+ yards… any healthy NFL quarterback should be able to have the time to see an open receiver… any healthy NFL receiver should be able to get separation…
with a really good, well disciplined, fresh, healthy defensive line… people in coverage should not have to cover their men for longer than 4 seconds… 2nd tier run defenders should not have to fight off blocks from linemen…
in my football world… my money is spent on the line first… everything else follows…
February 18th, 2008 at 6:27 am
I could not agree more Pete. People might want the flash and the splash of some guy trotting into the endzone, but he didn’t get there without the help of a bunch of unsung, rarely mentioned O-linemen. And the core of any defense is the line play.
Are you sure your brother can’t suit up? I have a portable sun dial to time his 40.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:29 am
he would not make it to the 40 line…
he would be collecting social security long before he got there…
February 18th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Too many dummies on this blog. Name a DT selected in the top 5 that did squat in the free agency era. I bet you will find all selected underachieved. Stop with the Ellis/Dorsey nonsense please. Raiders need a run stuffer not a pass rushing DT. LOL at the idiot who believes we still get DT in the first if we sign a DT in free agency. That would be so damn stupid in our current situation. WE are just missing one typeof DT. Wehave all the rest. Not intelligent at all. In the top 5 you draft BPA always. A run stuffing DT can be had in the later rounds.
Rhodes is outta here because we made a huge mistake resigning Farglass. Rhodes is the better player and its sad and insulting to ask him to take a paycut.Dallas is gonna have to give up the farm to trade up for our pick. Understand the draft value chart and Dallas dont have enough to move up unless more picks or players are involved. Remember Fargas wasn’t sign to a big deal. It was only 3 years. After his pro day don’t be shocked if we take DMAC. Raiders have no homerun threat for our offense. Better get one.
Backto Ellis/Dorsey. Ellis is so garbage. He will not doas great as you think. USC hype machine at work again.Al will never select that little dwarf that high. Dorsey is the better DT by far and I wouldn’t select him. Go Jake Long, McFadden or Ryan Clady. FA needs to be for defense draft offense or we will continue to stink.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:39 am
I think Jerry Porter could have a difficult time getting big money on the open market and wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up in Oakland again – although I personally hope that is not the case. Actually, I hope he goes to KC where he can continue his course of mediocrity.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I hope nobody on the Raiders is enamored of J.Long as an LT. People cringe about Gallery, at least he is serviceable. J. Long could well be the next Tony Mandarich. It’s always hard to tell with the BCS/BSPN hype machine.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Brien, tell us what you really think.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Brien…
how ya doin’, buddy…
i know i’m an idiot…
but at least i’m good at it…
as a junior General Manager, and i have been doing this for more than 45 years… i can safely say that there is probably a reason i am not staffing one of the team offices in the NFL…
but, as a junior General Manager, i feel as though it is okay to express an opinion, no matter how idiotic…
now… you clearly spent some effort to disabuse me of any notion that one of my opinions could possibly carry any weight whatsoever… and for that i thank you and apologise…
however, being a card carrying junior General Manager, i do reserve the right to express an opinion as to what “I” would do…
so, i want to relieve you of any heartfelt responsibility to correct my delusional fantasies… you are free, sir… you need not expend any additional effort…
it would be in vain…
February 18th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Gallery is Tony Mandarich. Porter sucks. et him walk please. M, yes I’ll will tell the damn truth. We made a huge mistake with Farglass.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Whatever Pete……….. just know a DT selected in the top 5 has been a repeated bust since the free agency era began. Go look at the DTs drafted and you will see why. It’s a wasted pick………….especially for the two clowns everyone is in love with.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:57 am
If Jerry Mac was smart he would put the truth about top 5 selected DTs in his articles but no he misses it like the rest of the world.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:05 am
pete’s (junior general manager) personal drafting philosophy:
always trade your first round pick for whatever you can get…
handing out winning lottery tickets should not be the business of any NFL team…
personally, i think the draft value chart is old and no longer valid… not with the megabucks being handed out in the first round… especially the top 10… so if i could get anyone else’s 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and a 2nd or third the following year, i would do that…
just the humble opinion of a lifelong, card carrying junior GM!!!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:08 am
And how many Kijana Carters, Brian Bosworths, Tim Couches are out there at the other positions besides DT that are ready to waste everyones time and money.
Can you say crap shoot Brien?
February 18th, 2008 at 7:12 am
i would pay big bucks for the Bosworth jersey that has Bo Jackson’s footprint on it….
February 18th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Pete, in his comment Brien said that there are too many idiots (plural) on this site…and since you and I are the only ones here I can assume that I also must send myself to the corner with the dunce cap. Ah well, ’tis a fine morning desspite of my lamebrainedness.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:21 am
The problem many people have with the DT position is that it is hard to really measure production.
DT is really the heart of a defense that every other defensive position feeds off of. A good DT may not make many plays but he can cause offenses to make many gameplan adjustments or occupy multiple people causing play disruption. The Raiders need at least one starting DT out of this draft. After that OL and WR. At this time, Raiders line play needs more of an upgrade than anywhere else.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Go Raiders!! Hi fellas!!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:29 am
You guys miss it just like Jmac does. DTs selected in the top 5 have done nothing in the free agency eraof football. That is was 1993 and on. 15 seasons and DTs selected thathigh have done really nothing outstanding. Coincidence I think not. Ha M, more RBs and Qbs have shown their worth with top 5 selection than DT. Zero have done anything to warrant that high selection. Bosworth lol? Bosworth in free agency era? Nope didnt think so.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:29 am
M Says:
February 18th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Pete, in his comment Brien said that there are too many idiots (plural) on this site…and since you and I are the only ones here I can assume that I also must send myself to the corner with the dunce cap. Ah well, ’tis a fine morning desspite of my lamebrainedness.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
team stupidity!!!
that’s it… we could have our own draft…
Maddenraider and Brien could be the drafters…
the object being who could draft the most idiotic posters on this blog…
perhaps we could get mr mcdonald to judge who had the dumbest team…
this could be fun!!!
(i know i would go in the first round!!!)
February 18th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Good morning to you to Ldynblk.
Nice post Charlie.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Pete, would we have to do any agility drills? or bench presses? Or can we just sit around looking ignorant while spouting inanities. Impersonate Salisbury perhaps.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:35 am
I really want people to go look up all the DTs selected since 1993 in the top 5 and tell me what ya got.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:35 am
M, no one is as bad as Salisbury
February 18th, 2008 at 7:36 am
M Says:
February 18th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Pete, would we have to do any agility drills? or bench presses? Or can we just sit around looking ignorant while spouting inanities. Impersonate Salisbury perhaps.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
i think it is the sitting around looking ignorant thing…
yeah… alcoholic beverages (while certainly a plus) would not be a requirement…
February 18th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Thinking cap on. Hmmm, lessee, Warren Sapp was worth a top 5 (rumor slide aside). D.Russ did fine for a couple of years until he decided that playing hard in the NFL was uninteresting.
Ow, my head hurts. Too much thinking.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:55 am
http://www.athlonsports.com/pro-football/12951/nfl-draft-defensive-tackles
here ya go…
February 18th, 2008 at 7:57 am
We need improvement at many positions not just defensive tackle. We need to take the best player available and continue through the draft doing the same thing. The offensive line still sucks, as well as our w/r’s. The defensive line is just as bad as our offensive line or maybe even worst. We have two linebackers, but no one seems to think Morrison or Howard have any responsibility for stopping the run. We lack gap discipline and that is all seven players. The safety position is a complete joke, yet I keep reading that we should take only Dorsey or Ellis, I think we have so many holes to fill so the best player should be given serious thought and not just Dorsey or Ellis. There is not one quality w/r on the roster. Higgins (track star) sucks along with Porter,Curry. What is the shi+’s is Dwight was our most reliable receivers and he is old. All these positions need to be fixed, not just defensive tackle. I hope they can trade the first pick and get more picks. I would like to see them take Clady the offensive tackle, or Phillips the saftey, but not at 3 or 4, lets hope they can move down. Also, the most important part of the draft is; WILL Al allow Kiffin to select his own players or will Al continue on the track star route. Just watch and if we see tracks stars being drafted we all know who is pulling the string on player selection.(just like last year). I sure would like know who is attending off season practice in Alameda and who doesn’t care. Alameda should be filled with the whole roster working out.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Brien
I did a quick look and you are by and large right about top 5 DTs….
This site lines them up by position:
http://www.drafthistory.com/positions/dt.html
But a couple of things you left out are
1. DTs picked in the top 5 are extremly rare.
2. The few that have been selected that high have been busts since Darryl Russell who I do not consider a bust in that he was good until he went off the deep end.
3. An interesting point is we have a top 5 DT pick already: Gerald Warren.
Before you group me with the idiots, I advocated last year to trade out of the overall first pick and get what we can and not draft J. Russell. I also advocate trying to get out of the 3rd or 4th overall pick and trade with Dallas for McFad if he is available. I would rather see two Blue Chips in camp fighting for a spot than one “superstar.” If superstar gets injured then what do we have. We also chew up cap space on “superstar” and superstar in the case of JR has not proved anything yet. However, if there is no one availble and Dorsey is there I think we should take him. DT is a need right now and he would start right away and he looks ready to start. If Clady or Long is a good system fit I could see reaching for him but I have a bad taste in my mouth about Gallery still.
Bottom line we need a rookie salary cap!!!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:59 am
D Russ played well in 98 and 99, need more for a number 2. Sapp means what? He wasn’t top 5, ifs mean nada.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Does the expected strength at different positions of next years draft make any difference to rebuilding teams choices in this years draft? For example, if you knew that next year you could get a quality WR, it seams like you wouldn’t stretch for one this year and you’d go with a RB or something else that this year has a lot of. It seems to me that the better teams are always getting better value out of their picks since they’d get the choice of the depth of any years draft, hence the ‘run’ on specific positions every year.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:08 am
1960 a bunch of people post on here are idiots you happen tobe not one of thm. Pete isnt either I shouldnt have said that eventhough I wasn’t directly saying he was. Yes DTs are very rare in the top 5……you ever wonder why? It just came out Dallas wont trade intothe top 10. Dallas dont have enough to move up to our pick. Al wants to fleece people. They will have to give way more up. Needs are filled in FA. Corey Williams, Randy Starks, and possibly Kris Jenkins will be avaialble. Proven vets is what we need at DT more than anything. Raiders need stars man. Farglass is a waste of money, let’s pray bush takes his spot because if he aint much then we are royally screwed. McFadden instantly makes the offense better. Farglass will do nothing next season. Yes a rookie cap will help.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Brien
Did I say anything about Sapp?? As far as Russell he was as good as a number 2 and performed like a number 2 should but as in all things you can not cover every angle like off field issues that develop after he is in the Bay Area or car wrecks or whatever. The Draft is a crap shoot and there are busts at every position that is why I generally would like to trade down because you spread the risk. When you have more draft picks you are not spending as much money on each one so if they flake out it is not as big a deal in terms of dead cap money.
Here is a question – is there a position where if you chose someone in the top 5 he is going to make it no matter what. If you look at history a majority of top 5 QBs have been busts. Many OTs have been busts – i.e. Gallery. Most of the top 5 have been for percieved franchise players such as LTs, QBs, RBs, WRs, and rare shut down corners. Other positions are not considered as important like safties and guards or in the extreme punters and kickers (never in top 5).
With the way things are structured having a top 5 pick is more of a curse than a way of getting better against the other teams unless there is a rare talent such as a super talented QB, RB or WR available which this year there does not seem to be anyone like that except maybe McFad.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:20 am
And we better sign a real WR like Dj Hackett. He is better than any FA out here and instantly upgrades our offense but knowing the Raiders they will want Berrian…….another mistake. Hackett will be cheaper but will be more than worth his contract. Jamarcus would thrive with a guy like this
February 18th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Well, since we’re always focusing on the Horrid Draft selections (Schweigert, Buchanan and the rest) here’s a positive spin on some draft picks:
Raiders’ top five draft picks since 2003
Last week, the Oakland Raiders locked up 27-year-old running back Justin Fargas to a deal that will keep him with the silver and black through the 2010 season. Fargas was a product of the 2003 NFL draft, in which he was chosen in the third round (96th overall) by Oakland.
Now, the Raiders will be faced with yet another challenge thanks to the ‘03 draft. Oakland has exactly four days to attempt to re-sign — or, at the very least, franchise tag — high-profile cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who was the team’s first pick that year.
Both scenarios indicate that the Raiders’ drafting department did a decent job projecting talent five years ago. Both Fargas and Asomugha are expected to play big roles in the 2008 season.
That being said, let’s take a look at the Raiders’ top five draftees since 2003.
5. Zach Miller (2007, Round 2): Miller only has one season under his belt, but it’s a good one. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end caught 44 passes last season for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Miller is the first Raider rookie to surpass Tim Brown’s inaugural season catch mark of 43 that was set 20 years ago. He was also well above average in terms of blocking for a rookie, and became more and more of a weapon as the season dragged on.
4. Justin Fargas (2003, Round 3): If it wasn’t for last season, Fargas would be all but gone right now. Instead, the soon-to-be sixth year halfback is sporting a new $12 million contract in response to the 1,000-yard season he compiled in just seven starts last year. Fargas posted four 100-plus-yard efforts in 2007 after registering none in his first three years in the NFL. The Raiders will certainly hope for more of those in 2008.
3. Kirk Morrison (2005, Round 3): Morrison has started in 47 of a possible 48 games at middle linebacker since he was drafted in ‘05, and has put up over 115 tackles each year. In three seasons, the 25-year-old defender has racked up 363 tackles, five interceptions, 15 passes defensed and a pair of sacks.
2. Thomas Howard (2006, Round 2): Last season may have just been a small preview of what 24-year-old OLB Thomas Howard is capable off. The 240-pounder, like Morrison, has missed just one start since he was drafted by the Raiders. Last year, Howard snagged a team-leading six interceptions to accompany 95 tackles, 11 passes defensed, one sack and two defensive TDs.
1. Nnamdi Asomugha (2003, Round 1): Asomugha started his NFL career off ultra-slow, tallying no picks in his first four years, but did enough in 2006 to prove he was worthy of the first-round draft choice the Raiders spent on him. The ex-California standout registered eight INTs two years ago, priming himself for what would become a boring but eye-popping ‘07 campaign. Last year, No. 21 was picked on just 28 times all season long, and allowed only 10 catches.
Anthony Carroll can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com
Raiders Headlines
February 18th, 2008 at 8:21 am
An interesting point about D. Russell was that Davis actually traded up to the number 2 slot to get Orlando Pace. When St Louis surprised him and took Pace – he took Russell. Davis if I remember right gave up quite a bit to get in that slot.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Morning 1960AutumnWind. I am the moron who mentioned Warren Sapp (who was slated to be in the top 5 before rumors of mary jane kicked him down). He performed as a top 5 pick should despite the slide. Being an idiot is my excuse.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:28 am
1960 understand when i write the posts i may not have seen you post yet. i was reffering to the guy who used sapp as an example. i hear what you are saying but DT produced no one worthy of a top 5 pick in the free agency era. We seen the other positions at least produce one who have good careers. D Russ underachieved big time. More USC hype machinery huh. Dmac should be the damn pick but more than likely not.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:30 am
M, notice i said basically I shouldnt have called anyone names. Get over it.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:31 am
M, warren sapp fit well in dungy’s scheme. the tampa 2values someone with sap’s strengths.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:32 am
I like Tom Zbikowski in the second round if he’s still on the board, either he or the 6′2 kid from Tennessee State who shined in the Senior bowl would be a good value in the latter rounds.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:34 am
ATL- Farglass shouldnt be considered on that list. He did squat IMO. We didnt have many big runs nor did he dominate a good defense.yawwwwwwnnnnnnnnn to Huggy Jr. Zack Miller should at least be ahead.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I really hope that Fargas can make it through the season without getting injured… I agree with him getting re-signed–mainly because of his attitude. We need more players like him to build around.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Ellis Durability in Question? history of Injury? wow.. its Dorsey that has the injury history.. im a USC fan and i cant remember when Ellis has been injured or missed a game.. Dorsey however has been hurt the last 2 years.. Also.. in the Senior Bowl.. Dorsey virtually disappeared while Ellis was a monster.. there are alot of people who have Ellis ranked higher then Dorsey going into the combine.. id honestly say that if Ellis and Dorsey are sitting there at our pick.. we take Ellis..
February 18th, 2008 at 8:58 am
restructure Rhodes, resign STers, sign Namdi and DBurg, offer 3rd n 09 for Schaffer from Clev.(an established vet over rookie with potential see M Henderson 07 & Moses 07) to address LT, 3/4 trade with dallas for 2 1st and 3rd(can offer to clev for Schaffer nstead of 09) with 1st round picks, address DL n SS, ie K Phillips out of the U & P Sims out Auburn. 2nd round look for wr JHardy from Indy. Offr detroit TSands for SRogers disappointment for disappointment. Sign BBerrian Fa for vet deep threat allowing JLH time too develop. Wr’s Berrian, Curry, JLH, JHARDY definite strengthn, solid OL Schf,Gal,New,Carl,McQ, DL DBurg,Warren, PSims,SRodgers,Kelly,JRich, Clem. DB’s Namdi, KPhil, Huff, BPA(Routt/Fabo) scenario addresses OL,DL,DB & WR remaining draft picks OL, LB, DB …. Let the legs of Fargas, Bush, & Rhodes gives us 1500 on the ground allowing JMac to mature and gain confidence n WR’s. Definitely 7-9, 8-8 maybe 9-7 bc of AFC West ie (Den & KC were potential sweeps n 07) barring major injuries or loss of HC.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Best way to guage if a DT was a positive: was the defense they played on considered “good”? Take a look at those first round DT picks and the teams they went to. By in large it looks like they made their defense better when they arrived. Alot of factors to consider but one thing to think about: name a good NFL defense that does not have solid DT play. We were bad in 2007.
Safeties and linebackers do not do well when they are taking on Olinemen five yards into our secondary.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Take a OL first to protect the kid’s back for the next 10 years.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Thanks for the morning gentleman, ladies. Its most always entertaining. Nation on.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I definitly think we need to keep Rhodes…with a restructured salary. I can’t see having Fargas & Bush as the top 2 running backs, with their history of injuries….that would be very risky.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:07 am
LaFat Jordan will be flipping Burgers next season…hopefully with those other two Losers… Schweigert & Sims
February 18th, 2008 at 9:11 am
You guys are funny…I need a laugh in the morning…thanks.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:28 am
there have been 54 Defensive Tackles taken in the 1st round since 1990…
the following is a list…
1 1990 3 Seattle Seahawks Cortez Kennedy Pro-Bowl
2 1991 1 Dallas Cowboys Russell Maryland Pro-Bowl
3 1991 6 Phoenix Cardinals Eric Swann Pro-Bowl
4 1991 17 Washington Redskins Bobby Wilson
5 1991 20 Dallas Cowboys Kelvin Pritchett
6 1991 25 San Francisco 49ers Ted Washington Pro-Bowl
7 1992 1 Indianapolis Colts Steve Emtman
8 1993 24 Philadelphia Eagles Leonard Renfro
9 1993 26 San Francisco 49ers Dana Stubblefield Pro-Bowl
10 1993 27 San Francisco 49ers Todd Kelly
11 1994 1 Cincinnati Bengals Dan Wilkinson
12 1994 7 San Francisco 49ers Bryant Young Pro-Bowl
13 1994 8 Seattle Seahawks Sam Adams Pro-Bowl
14 1994 20 Miami Dolphins Tim Bowens Pro-Bowl
15 1995 11 Minnesota Vikings Derrick Alexander
16 1995 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Warren Sapp Pro-Bowl
17 1995 15 Indianapolis Colts Ellis Johnson
18 1995 20 Detroit Lions Luther Elliss Pro-Bowl
19 1996 20 Miami Dolphins Daryl Gardener
20 1996 22 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marcus Jones
21 1997 2 Oakland Raiders Darrell Russell Pro-Bowl
22 1997 21 Jacksonville Jaguars Renaldo Wynn
23 1998 14 Carolina Panthers Jason Peter
24 1998 19 Green Bay Packers Vonnie Holliday
25 1999 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Anthony McFarland
26 1999 24 San Francisco 49ers Reggie McGrew
27 2000 6 Philadelphia Eagles Corey Simon Pro-Bowl
28 2000 25 Minnesota Vikings Chris Hovan
29 2001 3 Cleveland Browns Warren, Gerard
30 2001 6 New England Patriots Seymour, Richard Pro-Bowl
31 2001 12 St. Louis Rams Lewis, Damione
32 2001 13 Jacksonville Jaguars Stroud, Marcus Pro-Bowl
33 2001 19 Pittsburgh Steelers Hampton Casey Pro-Bowl
34 2001 29 St. Louis Rams Pickett, Ryan
35 2002 6 Kansas City Chiefs Ryan Sims
36 2002 9 Jacksonville Jaguars John Henderson Pro-Bowl
37 2002 12 Arizona Cardinals Wendell Bryant
38 2002 15 Tennessee Titans Albert Haynesworth Pro-Bowl
39 2003 4 New York Jets Dewayne Robertson
40 2003 6 New Orleans Saints Johnathan Sullivan
41 2003 9 Minnesota Vikings Kevin Williams Pro-Bowl
42 2003 12 St. Louis Rams Jimmy Kennedy
43 2003 25 New York Giants William Joseph
44 2004 14 Chicago Bears Tommie Harris Pro-Bowl
45 2004 21 New England Patriots Vince Wilfork Pro-Bowl
46 2004 23 Seattle Seahawks Marcus Tubbs
47 2005 16 Houston Texans Travis Johnson
48 2005 28 San Diego Chargers Luis Castillo
49 2005 31 Philadelphia Eagles Mike Patterson
50 2006 12 Baltimore Ravens Haloti Ngata
51 2006 14 Philadelphia Eagles Brodrick Bunkley
52 2006 26 Buffalo Bills John McCargo
53 2007 10 Houston Texans Okoye, Amobi
54 2007 16 Green Bay Packers Harrell, Justin
February 18th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I would lump T Sands into the “Loser List” but I think he really needs one more season to offically be labeled a Loser. Schweigert, Sims, Jordan & Brayton top that List without question.
If Sands bombs this season, sign him up to the List.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:31 am
ooops… for the above chart…
line #
draft year
pick #
Team
Player Name
ProBowl indicates that the player went to the ProBowl at some time during his career…
February 18th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Brien
I think there are enough of us here that disagree with your assessment of Fargas and that the Raiders made a smart move. Heck even ol’ Jerry thinks so.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:36 am
cream of the crop… sorted by the team that picked them…
2004 14 Chicago Bears Tommie Harris Pro-Bowl
1991 1 Dallas Cowboys Russell Maryland Pro-Bowl
1995 20 Detroit Lions Luther Elliss Pro-Bowl
2001 13 Jacksonville Jaguars Stroud, Marcus Pro-Bowl
2002 9 Jacksonville Jaguars John Henderson Pro-Bowl
1994 20 Miami Dolphins Tim Bowens Pro-Bowl
2003 9 Minnesota Vikings Kevin Williams Pro-Bowl
2001 6 New England Patriots Seymour, Richard Pro-Bowl
2004 21 New England Patriots Vince Wilfork Pro-Bowl
1997 2 Oakland Raiders Darrell Russell Pro-Bowl
2000 6 Philadelphia Eagles Corey Simon Pro-Bowl
1991 6 Phoenix Cardinals Eric Swann Pro-Bowl
2001 19 Pittsburgh Steelers Hampton Casey Pro-Bowl
1991 25 San Francisco 49ers Ted Washington Pro-Bowl
1993 26 San Francisco 49ers Dana Stubblefield Pro-Bowl
1994 7 San Francisco 49ers Bryant Young Pro-Bowl
1990 3 Seattle Seahawks Cortez Kennedy Pro-Bowl
1994 8 Seattle Seahawks Sam Adams Pro-Bowl
1995 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Warren Sapp Pro-Bowl
2002 15 Tennessee Titans Albert Haynesworth Pro-Bowl
February 18th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Florida Pete
You could make that case at virtually every position, why waste the time to dignify stupidity.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Blackholepriest Says:
February 18th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Brien
I think there are enough of us here that disagree with your assessment of Fargas and that the Raiders made a smart move. Heck even ol’ Jerry thinks so.
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brien just might stay here until he convinces raider nation that resigning fargas was a mistake…
and for that…
i admire his effort…
now that’s raidering on!!!
February 18th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Blackholepriest Says:
February 18th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Florida Pete
You could make that case at virtually every position, why waste the time to dignify stupidity.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
not sure what you’re referring to…
February 18th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I agree with Brien on most things he said fellas. However,I don’t think that Fargas is a ‘bust’ because he produced last season. It’s kinda hard to call a thousand yard rusher a ‘bust’.
However the questions regarding his durability definitely came to fruition last year. I fear for Fargas’ career everytime he touches the ball because he runs with reckless abandon. The decision to resign Fargas was a good one because:
1)He produced last year and therefore,2)It shows loyalty and common sense to reward players that produce and sends that message to the rest of the players on the team.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:43 am
After last season I don’t think a DT needs to be a sack machine or be voted to the pro bowl to be a good DT. The pro bowl is bunk anyhow. There are many good run stopping DTs in the list posted in #117 that could actually tackle a running back so our safeties don’t have to. we Need run stoppers in the 4-3 so the DEs and OLBs can do the sacking. If a team can’t run the ball down our throats then they are forced to throw, and if they are forced to throw more, Asomugha gets some ints. A fast pass rushing DT doesn’t fit the bill in our current Defense. We need some wide bodies to fill some holes and make offenses use more than the running back to play their game.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:48 am
TAGGING nahmdi @ $$9.50+mill oh yeah thats smart! u got the worst DEF CORD IN LEAGUE HISTORY! RYAN!! and u ryangroupies wanna give him more cap space to “counter produce” with !!! lets see w/ nahmdi @ 6-2- 210 lbs playing vs the other teams wideouts( 185lbs burner) he’ll never get any thing thrown at him!
texans game should jar your memory !! ZERO atts vs him! just line up your worst reciever on nhamdis’ side & rest assured
ryan wont make any adjustments!
then just keep throwin to the mismatch on the other side!
te / big flanker vs small FAST FABIAN & ROUTT,
thats why rosenfeld goes 12-19 !
vs oaklnads’ stable of # 1’s in def backfield!! like indy did!!
why even bother keeping any of these “YOUNG GREAT PLAYERS”that we got ,if they keep RYAN! oak should just trade them all now & next year !!
and get a wealth of return!
then build a OFFEnse that can score 35+points every game!!!
our def has been operating without a big corner on the flanker for 4 years!
no strong safety presence vs the run,
no run stopper @ SDE, SOLBR,
SDT,(SANDS-KELLY never were or are runstoppers!they are quik first step penetrators that are fine if played @WDT! NOW THAT SAPP IS GONE)
BUT RYAN & AND ALL you GROUPIES KNOW BETTER!!!
” cut brayton,woodson,buchanon,burgess,sands,stu,huff” yeah cut them all!! whats the point !!!
WE AINT GOT A COACH THAT BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN ANY PLAYER!!
ya know
WHAT A PROBOWLER IS, ANY “GOOD TALENT” THAT OVERACHIEVES!like we used to have a bevy of!
A HALL OF FAMER IS A “GREAT TALENT THAT OVERACHIEVES”!
LIKE TIM BROWN/JERRY RICE!!ETC!1
I CHALLENGE ANY OF YOU RYANGROUPIES TO FIND ONE PLAYER RYAN HAS ,THAT IS PRESENTLY IN THAT CATEGORY!!!!
YOU CANT , CAUSE THERE AINT ANY OVERACHIEVERS, JUST UNDERACHIEVERS,!!!!!on the defense side of ball!!!
AND U DOPES WANNA BRING IN MORE TOP TALENT FOR HIM TO WASTE!!!!! YOURE ALL ASS BACKWARD!!LIKE YOUR BOYFRIENd ROB RYAN!!!
February 18th, 2008 at 9:51 am
And I would take either one of those two DT’s and be very glad to get them. There are NO gaurantees in life and there are many surprises and disappointments. You give it everything you’ve got and live with the results.
If you could determine the future then that would be something different but since NO ONE can, just d your best work and hpefully things turn out right.
The draft is the ultimate crap shoot and if you’re 40% right you’ve done a good job because no one can predict what someone will do with their life. It’s as difficult as raising children and predicting what they will do when they grow up and they’ve lived with you their entire lives.
Try giving someone whom you’ve just met millions of dollars and trying to determine what they will do with it, it’s impossible. That is the business that they are in. Sounds insane doesn’t it.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Secondly, Brien made a point that I’ve been saying since the season ended: The best way to immediately improve any team on defense is free agency, not the draft. The best ‘immediate impact’ players acquired from the draft have consistently been on offense, not defense.
The Superbowl reiterated that as it was a rookie wide receiver who made the play of the season by catching that pass from Eli Manning against his helmet. So drafting a running back(Mcfadden), or wide receiver makes perfect sense to me in order to give our offense an immediate boost, while we ‘attack’ the free agency, (as Lane Kiffin said in his final press conference), to upgrade our defense.
The key is for Al Davis to open up that checkbook and ‘attack’ the free agency. That’s the best way to immediatley improve our defense.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Oh Yeah, Rob Ryan is Tops on that Loser List also.
We have a group of Scrubs at very important positions on this team…Left Tackle, Free Safety and Defensive Coordinator. It appears that one of those spots has bee upgraded (Huff at FS) but Sims & Rob Ryan are still a major concern.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Kush what if he would’ve drop it then would you draft someone else? That is no way to run a draft. You must look at the talent in the draft and evaluate it as best you can for your team and schemes. Sure if you can get proven talent that’s always the way to go. But you have to wait and see who’ll be franchised first to know who’s available. Players also must fit your systems so the Raiders have already targeted whom they want and when they are finally available they’ll make their pitch.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Also there are 7 rounds in the draft and rookie FA’s you don’t have to necessary look at the first pick as Oh! we needed a so and so. We got a very good prospect in Richardson in the 5th rnd and OO later. Grady Jackson was drafted late in the 7th rnd. And there will be another young DT in that area this year trust me. Tommy Kelly was a rookie FA.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Well i read earlier that donte stallworth is going to be released from New England…this makes him the biggest name reciever in free agency. i kno there is bernard berrian and that one guy whos name will not be mentioned, but stallworth is at the top in my book. I saw we go after him, then pick up James Hardy out of Indiana in the 2nd round. he’s 6′6 220. And if we cant get him we get 6′5 218 Limas Sweed…one of them will be left because there wont be a whole lot of recievers takin in the 2nd round. Not to mention we seem to have good luck in the 2nd round (Thomas Howard, Zach Miller). And of course with the 3rd of 4th pick in round 1 we take Ellis or Dorsey.
Just Win Baby!
February 18th, 2008 at 10:10 am
There are only three players that I would consider for our first round pick: Sedrick Ellis DT USC, Chris Long DE VA or Jake Long OT OSU. Each of them would be an outstanding acquisition. But the big factor right now is what we do in Free Agency. If we fill any one of these holes in Free Agency with a proven player, it would minimize our need to draft for that position. Talk right now concerning the draft is an exercise in futility. This rebuilding process will occur one step at a time.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Chronic Alcoholism…stage 4:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/writers/don_banks/01/05/shell/t1_ryan.jpg
February 18th, 2008 at 10:16 am
We’d be better off paying ALbert Haynesworth big money and forfeiting 2 1st rounders than picking another bust and paying them even more money. At least we know Haynesworth is a stud.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Bruce
I agree wholeheartedly.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:21 am
I’m not sure I agree with Haynesworth that’s a little too expensive. If it were Reggie White yeah but this kids checkered past worries me. I don’t think he’s been as consistent as I would like.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:25 am
since 1990… 546 players have been selected in the first round of the NFL draft…
breaks down as follows: (i am using the description provided) also adding the number of Pro-Bowlers (not appearances, just that they were in at least one ProBowl)in that group)
Offense
centers: 6 one PB
guard: 9 five PB
tackles: 66 twenty PB
quarterback: 41 twelve PB
running back: 58 twenty-one PB
tight end: 22 seven PB
wide receiver: 68 seventeen PB
Defense
conerbacks: 31 seven PB
defensive back: 50 fifteen PB
free safties: 4 two PB
safeties: 10 two PB
linebacker: 60 twenty six PB
defensive end: 66 eighteen PB
defensive tackle: 54 twenty PB
Special Teams:
Kicker: 1 zero PB
February 18th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Good Fl Pete,
Like I said earlier about a 40% success rate which is very good. But that desn’t show if they were starters which is more of a true gage.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:34 am
what I mean is a starter on their team not the pro bowl. If you get a starter that tells me more than a probowl. Nnamdi is as good a cover corner as there is but he plays in a scheme that’s requires him to play his man not a zone.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Hey guys, you can buy a #65 jersey here, or send an e-mail
bsmooth65@comcast.net
February 18th, 2008 at 10:40 am
90 Top Five Picks since 1990:
1 O 1990 1 Indianapolis Colts Jeff George Quarterback
2 D 1991 1 Dallas Cowboys Russell Maryland Pro-Bowl Defensive Tackle
3 D 1992 1 Indianapolis Colts Steve Emtman Defensive Tackle
4 O 1993 1 New England Patriots Drew Bledsoe Pro-Bowl Quarterback
5 D 1994 1 Cincinnati Bengals Dan Wilkinson Defensive Tackle
6 O 1995 1 Cincinnati Bengals Ki-Jana Carter Running Back
7 O 1996 1 New York Jets Keyshawn Johnson Pro-Bowl Wide Receiver
8 O 1997 1 St. Louis Rams Orlando Pace Pro-Bowl Offensive tackle
9 O 1998 1 Indianapolis Colts Peyton Manning Pro-Bowl Quarterback
10 O 1999 1 Cleveland Browns Tim Couch Quarterback
11 D 2000 1 Cleveland Browns Courtney Brown Defensive End
12 O 2001 1 Atlanta Falcons Vick, Michael Pro-Bowl Quarterback
13 O 2002 1 Houston Texans David Carr Quarterback
14 O 2003 1 Cincinnati Bengals Carson Palmer Pro-Bowl Quarterback
15 O 2004 1 San Diego Chargers Eli Manning Quarterback
16 O 2005 1 San Francisco 49ers Alex Smith Quarterback
17 D 2006 1 Houston Texans Mario Williams Defensive end
18 O 2007 1 Oakland Raiders Russell, JaMarcus Quarterback
19 O 1990 2 New York Jets Blair Thomas Running Back
20 D 1991 2 Cleveland Browns Eric Turner Pro-Bowl Defensive Back
21 D 1992 2 Indianapolis Colts Quentin Coryatt Linebacker
22 O 1993 2 Seattle Seahawks Rick Mirer Quarterback
23 O 1994 2 Indianapolis Colts Marshall Faulk Pro-Bowl Running Back
24 O 1995 2 Jacksonville Jaguars Tony Boselli Pro-Bowl Tackle
25 D 1996 2 Jacksonville Jaguars Kevin Hardy Pro-Bowl Linebacker
26 D 1997 2 Oakland Raiders Darrell Russell Pro-Bowl Defensive tackle
27 O 1998 2 San Diego Chargers Ryan Leaf Quarterback
28 O 1999 2 Philadelphia Eagles Donovan McNabb Pro-Bowl Quarterback
29 D 2000 2 Washington Redskins LaVar Arrington Pro-Bowl Linebacker
30 O 2001 2 Arizona Cardinals Davis, Leonard Pro-Bowl Tackle
31 D 2002 2 Carolina Panthers Julius Peppers Pro-Bowl Defensive End
32 O 2003 2 Detroit Lions Charles Rogers Wide Receiver
33 O 2004 2 Oakland Raiders Robert Gallery Offensive tackle
34 O 2005 2 Miami Dolphins Ronnie Brown Running back
35 O 2006 2 New Orleans Saints Reggie Bush Running back
36 O 2007 2 Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson Wide receiver
37 D 1990 3 Seattle Seahawks Cortez Kennedy Pro-Bowl Defensive Tackle
38 D 1991 3 Atlanta Falcons Bruce Pickens Defensive Back
39 D 1992 3 Los Angeles Rams Sean Gilbert Pro-Bowl Defensive End
40 O 1993 3 Phoenix Cardinals Garrison Hearst Pro-Bowl Running Back
41 O 1994 3 Washington Redskins Heath Shuler Quarterback
42 O 1995 3 Houston Oilers Steve McNair Pro-Bowl Quarterback
43 D 1996 3 Arizona Cardinals Simeon Rice Pro-Bowl Defensive End
44 D 1997 3 Seattle Seahawks Shawn Springs Pro-Bowl Defensive back
45 D 1998 3 Arizona Cardinals Andre Wadsworth Defensive End
46 O 1999 3 Cincinnati Bengals Akili Smith Quarterback
47 O 2000 3 Washington Redskins Chris Samuels Pro-Bowl Tackle
48 D 2001 3 Cleveland Browns Warren, Gerard Defensive Tackle
49 O 2002 3 Detroit Lions Joey Harrington Quarterback
50 O 2003 3 Houston Texans Andre Johnson Pro-Bowl Wide Receiver
51 O 2004 3 Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Pro-Bowl Wide receiver
52 O 2005 3 Cleveland Browns Braylon Edwards Pro-Bowl Wide receiver
53 O 2006 3 Tennessee Titans Vince Young Pro-Bowl Quarterback
54 O 2007 3 Cleveland Browns Thomas, Joe Pro-Bowl Offensive tackle
55 D 1990 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Keith McCants Linebacker
56 D 1991 4 Denver Broncos Mike Croel Linebacker
57 O 1992 4 Washington Redskins Desmond Howard Pro-Bowl Wide Receiver
58 D 1993 4 New York Jets Marvin Jones Pro-Bowl Linebacker
59 D 1994 4 New England Patriots Willie McGinest Pro-Bowl Linebacker
60 O 1995 4 Washington Redskins Michael Westbrook Wide Receiver
61 O 1996 4 Baltimore Ravens Jonathan Ogden Pro-Bowl Tackle
62 D 1997 4 Baltimore Ravens Peter Boulware Pro-Bowl Linebacker
63 D 1998 4 Oakland Raiders Charles Woodson Pro-Bowl Cornerback
64 O 1999 4 Indianapolis Colts Edgerrin James Pro-Bowl Running Back
65 O 2000 4 Cincinnati Bengals Peter Warrick Wide Receiver
66 D 2001 4 Cincinnati Bengals Smith, Justin Defensive End
67 O 2002 4 Buffalo Bills Mike Williams Tackle
68 D 2003 4 New York Jets Dewayne Robertson Defensive Tackle
69 O 2004 4 New York Giants Philip Rivers Pro-Bowl Quarterback
70 O 2005 4 Chicago Bears Cedric Benson Running back
71 O 2006 4 New York Jets D’Brickashaw Ferguson Offensive tackle
72 D 2007 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Adams, Gaines Defensive end
73 D 1990 5 San Diego Chargers Junior Seau Pro-Bowl Linebacker
74 D 1991 5 Los Angeles Rams Todd Lyght Pro-Bowl Defensive Back
75 D 1992 5 Green Bay Packers Terrell Buckley Defensive Back
76 D 1993 5 Cincinnati Bengals John Copeland Defensive End
77 D 1994 5 Indianapolis Colts Trev Alberts Linebacker
78 O 1995 5 Carolina Panthers Kerry Collins Pro-Bowl Quarterback
79 D 1996 5 New York Giants Cedric Jones Defensive End
80 D 1997 5 Detroit Lions Bryant Westbrook Defensive back
81 O 1998 5 Chicago Bears Curtis Enis Running Back
82 O 1999 5 New Orleans Saints Ricky Williams Pro-Bowl Running Back
83 O 2000 5 Baltimore Ravens Jamal Lewis Pro-Bowl Running Back
84 O 2001 5 San Diego Chargers Tomlinson, LaDainian Pro-Bowl Running Back
85 D 2002 5 San Diego Chargers Quentin Jammer Cornerback
86 D 2003 5 Dallas Cowboys Terence Newman Pro-Bowl Cornerback
87 D 2004 5 Washington Redskins Sean Taylor Pro-Bowl Defensive Back
88 O 2005 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Carnell “Cadillac” Williams Running back
89 D 2006 5 Green Bay Packers A. J. Hawk Pro-Bowl Linebacker
90 O 2007 5 Arizona Cardinals Brown, Levi Offensive tackle
February 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
The position that is worrying me most is Strong Safety. We know the plan is to move Huff to Free Safety but there is nobody on the roster to replace him. The FA cupboard looks bare and the draft isn’t very deep.
The draft logic is still 1st Round = DT, 2nd Round = OT and 4th Round WR. But we might be forced to use our 4th on a SS, someone like:
Jamar Adams, Michigan
Height: 6-2. Weight: 209. 40 Time: 4.58.
Caleb Campbell, Army
Height: 6-2. Weight: 223. 40 Time: 4.47.
Wesley Woodyard, SS, Kentucky
Height: 6-0. Weight: 219. 40 Time: 4.41.
All of which makes it even more disappointing that we aren’t going after Zach Thomas. If ever a team needed an experienced run-stuffing MLB to protect a fragile secondary, it was the Raiders.
The MLB/SS axis is arguably our biggest weakness.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I just wish there was another Cortez Kennedy in this draft. Now that would be a GREAT addition. I would even take another Darrell Russell without the insecurities.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:55 am
ALL THE prospected “needs” can be all be filled with whaty is on our roster already!!
all u people except for “atl” arent acknowledging “reality” that no ” one player” is gonna help with that “fat pig ” robryan there! it is that simple!!! our talent is fine! the problem is robryan and u groupie f’s looosserss!!!!!!!!!!! go away!!!!to sandiego hopefully!!
February 18th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Scottish I think ZT is too old he has played 14 years is that right ? For a MLB with concussion problems I would go with KM. The new strength and conditioning coach should bulk him up just a little bit.
Boy I do miss Matt Millen he was our last solid MLB and gets forgotten when talking about Raider greats of the past!
Is anybody chasing Zach?
February 18th, 2008 at 10:57 am
If the kid can play why do you say forced to take a SS. I’d do it in a heartbeat if he can play, WR’s aren’t a desparate need IMO. Most disagree but it’s much easier get than most positions. I’d take JP over anyone in FA except maybe Stallworth. Because he would bring the outside threat and would come rather cheap. Eventhough I think JP is easily as good.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I just took place in pretty high level Mock Draft:
It had us picking fourth and the difference between picking 3rd or fourth was landing Ellis or Jake Long.
Either way, one side of the line will be stronger, but, my heart fell a bit when I saw that Chris Long, Dorsey and Ellis were all gone.
http://www.sportprojections.com/group/nfl_bloggers_mock_draft
February 18th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Gotta go the adolescence is coming out in here.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:03 am
this is from the mock draft board regarding the raiders pick:
IF the Raiders select third, which they may when the coin is flipped with Atlanta on February 20th, they will select Sedrick Ellis. If Ellis, Dorsey and Chris Long are gone, then they’d be more than happy to select Jake Long.
Jake is a very versatile and powerful OT that would solidify the Raider offensive line for years to come. The oldest and least effective player on the Raider line is, OT Barry Sims. Jake Long would be a VERY big upgrade for an improved O-Line.
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i swear i heard that same stuff regarding Gallery…
FOR YEARS TO COME!!!!
shoot that guy…
February 18th, 2008 at 11:07 am
I say we mock draft Joe Montana in the first round, and then try and trade for Walter Payton in the second.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Pele’s still on the board.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Denver’s talking about drafting Pele as their kicker, that means Al will take him, even though we need Walter Payton. I’m really getting sick of this, Al.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:21 am
As long as Schweigert & Sims never see the starting Line Up again, I’ll be happy.
I remember Jeff Fisher said Sims was the best player on the O Line heading into the Titans game…yeah, best player for his defense to use like a Turnstile!
February 18th, 2008 at 11:27 am
if we go for the best athlete…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Sharapova
i want….
February 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Pete, Al would never take her. He’s taking Pele` because Denver is already saying they want him. You know the deal. I was hoping for Walter Payton or Bobby Orr.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Jake Long will become a pro-Bowl Right Tackle. He just doesn’t have the footwork to be great at Left Tackle.
Unless Henderson proves the best redshirt in NFL history and makes LT his own, we need to still FA/draft a replacement for Sims.
It is interesting and surprising that the USC OT, Baker is dropping out of the 1st in many mocks. He is seen as an ideal fit in a zone system but not a power line. That doesn’t suit too many of the teams in the lower 1st, but it does suit us at No37.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:38 am
need i say it????
Wesley Britt !!! 6 foot 8 inches… 322 pounds of raw meat!!!!
ya can’t teach that …
ya just can’t…
February 18th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Pleassse, could this finally be the season that Sims is supplanted at LT….finally???
We’ve used two 1st round picks (Stinchcomb & Gallery) to replace that Loser, somebody…please step up!
February 18th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
All this talk of Dallas trading up, to even the 1st overall, for McFadden is a farse. Mayock will prove to be the most accurate as player after player after player in the combine starts creeping up the board while DMac, and his twiggy legs, slides.
Jerry Jones will absolutely not want to pay #1 overall, or even #3 overall money for that kind of a risk. His two 1st round picks are worth about the 7th overall, which is exactly where the team most likely to trade down — New England — sits.
With the Cheatroits scandles just beginning to be exposed, they stand to lose maybe more picks, be hit with hefty fines and will probably have a harder time getting players to sign cap friendly deals with them. Two lower #1 picks will look awfully nice to them come draft time, and they’ll be more than accomodating to Dallas should DMac, by that time, warrant a pick that high.
However, I wouldn’t be at all shocked to see his value on most boards put him down around Chicago’s pick at 15, where they might entertain an offer for Barber and the 29th pick. Given Benson’s less than thrilling debut and A-Train as a long in the tooth back up, a bruiser like Barber could be a nice addition to their mix.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I like Jake Long just not that high. I have to agree with Scottish Raider, he has talent it’s just speed rushers tend to give him trouble. If he can make the adjustment laterally he would be potenetially a great player but will he make the adjustments?
One of my concerns with Kiffin is as time goes on I would like to see him become more of a Head Coach instead of a glorified OC. Let the playcalling duties go and over see it. He can gameplan make the important decisions but I just think he would be more effective if he involved himself in the entire team defense offense and ST’s. Then I think the team as a whole would be more of his influence than one side of it.
Especially in critical situations. Down and distance, I think it would also allow more input defensively. That disconnect needs to be remedied.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Bruce #134
I totally agree that is why I kind of went after people that wanted us to start Mock drafting before FA even began…
Scottish
Regarding your post about SS’s there are some interesting prospects in FA see the following:
http://profootballexperts.scout.com/a.z?s=211&p=9&c=12&yr=2008&nid=83&lnid=83&rc=16&pid=33
Some names that may be intriging for Oakland to pick up if the price is right is:
1. Sammy Knignt
2. O. Atogowe
There are some others that can play SS on that list. The problem is Stu is a bad tackler on def. and is not a good FS nor SS and Huff needs to be a FS as he is not big enough to play SS. I think an experienced SS would really help. I wish though we did not have RR coming back as DC. I have really lost confidence in him because I do not think he holds players accountable for doing their job. If someone thinks he does give me some evidence of how he is doing this.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Priest,didn’t he try to do that this off season-get more involved with the Def.?doesn’t Al want him to call the plays?that’s what he said when he hired him.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Regarding the first pick, I think it really comes down how much control over personnel decisions Kiffin is allowed on draft day.
My prediction is if Kiffin gets his choice, he will take an offensive player, either McFadden or Jake Long. Despite the Fargas signing, most likely McFadden because Fargas isn’t a complete back and Kiffin likes a 2-back offense (Bush/LenDale). McFadden is also the player who would have the most immediate impact. Remember, when Kiffin was asked in a Sirus radio interview in December what he wanted for Christmas, he said McFadden or Jake Long.
Many if not most here think we need to go defense, and I probably agree. But there are other forces at work here.
It’s clear that Kiffin will be out of here in a year or two, whether by choice or by being forced out. His long-term future as a coach depends on putting an explosive offense on the field. If he ends up with a 3-year record of 12-48 with a terrible offense, his future isn’t so bright.
So given his choice, self-preservation will win out and he will go with an offensive player. Just look at last year when Kiffin apparently was given a lot of control over the draft: of the first six picks, 5 offensive players and 1 defensive player.
Sure, Kiffin knows that a DL is probably more important in the grand scheme of things. But if he hates Ryan and wants him fired, he’s not going to use extremely valuable draft picks so that Ryan can get all the credit while Kiffin’s hands are tied by limited weapons on offense. I don’t think Kiffin is in the business of doing favors for Rob Ryan right now.
If Al Davis really does strip Kiffin of personnel decisions, then I think Dorsey, C.Long, and Ellis are obvious choices. Much depends on what happens at the combine. If Vernon Gholston explodes, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Al Davis take him.
What do you guys think?
February 18th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Perhaps Kiffin is in as much trouble as you suggest, ( i doubt it and think all the “stories” were mostly bs).
but even if he chooses to act out of self interest, he increases his stock by winning. and winning for the raiders means at LEAST a much better defensive line. and then a smarter OLine.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I hereby want to thank all of you for concentrating on these mundane things, while I continue to ruin this franchise from the management to the coaching staff. You guys are true fans. Keep it up, and pay no attention to the people here who try and remind you of this team’s managerial crisis. Continue to accuse them of being “negative” and “counterproductive”. These are words that sell. Oakglenn, you are doing a fine job. Come and see me at my office someday, so I can give you a coupon for Round Table Pizza. Hurry up though, because it says it expires March 1.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Kiffin is in the business of coaching the raiders as long as he is here.his job is to make the team better,not soothe peoples egos.as you say if after a few years his record is lousy he stock will be down so he will pick what the TEAM needs not just go off. to make himself look better.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
The Round Table coupon is what I attempted to pay Kiffin’s salary in. I can’t understand why he’d want to leave…
February 18th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Pirate Ar…
In some ways I wonder about drafting defense myself with the bearded blob cheerleader calling the shots at DC. Millard and whoever else they have had has not seemed very good at developing young talent. When we got Hawthorne with a 6th the Wisconsin coach said he was the best DL he had ever coached. He is out of football now. Then there is Brayton and Irons and the stupid experiment changing them to LBs etc… I am worried that if we draft someone like Dorsey they will get wasted in all this garbage. Kind of like how Walsh wasted people on offense in 06 except not as bad.
It just seems like we have expended a lot of effort on the defensive side of the ball with FAs and Draft picks and we are not getting much in return. I think the Defense was about 25th overall this year and last against the run. Only in 06 were they good statistically and that might be because teams just chose to run because of Burgess and Aso.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Lefty, stop being negative and counterproductive. The only thing you should be saying about Kiffin is that he’s lucky to have a job, that I had to put him in his corner, and the he’s now learned his lesson.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Al,
I’m going to be about as loyal to you as you were to Wayne Valley when he hired you.
Fair enough?
February 18th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Get back to your office, Lane. Or I’ll fire you…ahh, darn. Can’t do that, I’ll lose money.
Get back to your office, Lane, or I’ll…I’ll, I’ll have Oakglenn come here and bash you, and all the fans will believe him. Is that what you want?
February 18th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Hey we are all out there kicking butt. Everyone on my defense is an all star. The reason I am posting is I want that Round Table coupon. If any one has coupons on pitchers let me know. I like to have a few – film always looks better after about 6 of them.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
BTW,Al,what exactly is his job?
February 18th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I know just about everyone who’s important in the league, and somehow the name “Oakglenn” just doesn’t ring a bell, Al. Sorry if I’m not shaking in my boots.
Like I said, Al, the loyalty you get from me is the loyalty you gave to the people that initially hired you to this franchise, and not an ounce more. Deal with that, or go get put to sleep.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Pete, understand I said free agency era. Free agency has changed the complete process a franchise endures during offseason scouting or what have you. I’m talking of the last 15 NFL seasons with the salary cap that makes Free agency so damn crazy.
Blackhole, people can disagree all they want about Farglass, alot of them on here are USC loving dudes anyways. That is why so many wants this little dwarf named Ellis. Al will never pick him. Al is Vince McMahon he wants big guys on the line if he drafts that high.
Back to pete………..no I wont be trying to convince anyone about Farglass I’ll just keep telling you.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Thanks for the update, Jerry. I understand that this time of the year takes a backseat to basketball and spring training, but it is refreshing to see a new post from time to time. The blog devolves into obscene discussions not fit for mature adults whenever you take a few days off–perhaps the moderator should wake up at the monitor and do their job keeping the obscenities off the blog. Other than that, thanks as always for keeping us updated.
Where does New Era Scouting get their info from? Did their writers simply throw a dart at a dartboard and have it land on WR? Sure, we could use improvement at that position, but spend our #1 pick on one? Doesn’t make any sense to me.
I, for one, hope that the Raiders continue to build through THE DRAFT, and not look for the quick fix through free agency. Our club simply has TOO MANY HOLES that FA could possibly fix. Save the money, draft the youngsters, and (assuming Al doesn’t undermine Kiff) BUILD A COMPETITIVE TEAM THAT BUYS INTO KIFF’S PHILOSOPHY. I’m in the camp that believes you go after that big name FA WHEN MOST OF THE HOLES HAVE BEEN FILLED. Would I like to have an Allen or a Haynesworth? Of course I would–but not at the expense of fielding a balanced team.
Dorsey or Ellis…Wesley Britt may have the size that Al likes, but can he play? No disrespect to Florida Pete (and all those that like Britt), but I have only two words for anyone who would think that Britt is a player simply because of his size…
CHARLES PHILYAW…lol
February 18th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Rob Ryan, you’re doing a fine job. And I think it’s time for a raise. Minimum wage in California is now 8 bucks and hour. So, Rob, how does 8 dollars an hour sound, kiddo?
February 18th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
or as loyal to the fans who had the longest sell-out streak in the NFL when i left for la-la land.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Oops, actually, Al Davis was supposed to say that ^^^.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Lane
I want you to know that my players just kick butt and I could get another job in about 3 seconds or less. I was wondering if you got that Round Table coupon as it is one of my favorite pizza places and they deliver to the facility.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Lefty ,I went to LA because I felt the money was better. What I learned in LA has made me the man I am today. I’ve learned that no matter how bad I manage this team, there are a loyal legion of Raider fans that will bow down before me.
Just some keen advice to all business owners out there; Fancy slogans sell.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
are you all out of your minds???!!!!!!!
Do any of you HONESTLY, TRULY believe that Al Davis would in any way, shape or form allow kiff to do anything in self interest over the team. Everyone in here talks about how Al is a control freak and now you talk of him just letting his head coach inflate his resume via the draft disregarding the best interests of the team.
come on fellas. holy hell. your just as bad as the brainless reporters who have been covering this mess since all this “allegedly” went down. And i like kiff but i have a real hard time believing that someone with 2 years of nfl experience can outwit someone like al davis. very rarely does al not get the last laugh.
GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT’S DUE!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Best website around!
http://barrysims.net/contact.html
February 18th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Rob Ryan, funny how a lot of Raider fans believe the part about you getting a job in 3 seconds, but don’t believe I wanted to fire you. Cherry picking, are they not? Either the press is full of it, or they aren’t.
Rob, you couldn’t get another job for a high school team. You’re a cheerleader with a mullet, and nothing more.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
four and three and two and one,
when i grab the mic, the suckas run…
i’m seeing these post with these big mammoth ‘Lt.(s)
robert gallery same thing…. hmmm tackles out the big ten scare me .the big ten are big players less speed(on the lines)i saw a linebacker phillips from san diego knock gallery flat on his ass.one on one ! oakland needs an atheletic tackle inthe walter jones mold who can be quick to stop those speed rushers on the edge.our blocking scheme is suited for smaller atheletic linemen cable did a good job with what he got!need to resign newberry he has the strength and the aggressiveness we need on the line.hopefully he stays healthy for one more year. dang i remember when jake grove came out of VT. he was suppose to be the best center coming out that year with a nasty in your face attitude….hmmm i thought he was gonna bring a rukas to the field … man it’s too bad B-Rob had to go bi polar on us he still be playing in probowls for us….
February 18th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Lane
Why are you calling me kiddo. I am older than you and look really older than you due to my workout program of hoisting slices of pizza, watching game film of my guys kicking butt, and hoisting a few brews. The film always looks better when I have had a couple of six packs or pitchers. When I have not had any my guys look like one of the worst defenses in the NFL because teams run right by our defenders because they are always out of position. But hoist a few and then they kick butt!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Wow. Thanks Al. Somehow my name always makes it into someones posts. I guess I should be honored. And even tho I’m not a big Round Table Pizza guy, I’m sure I can find a home for it.
My first call out goes to Soul Patrol 2 cause you mentioned the RR and Houston Texan game. They’re gonna be in the Coliseum for the third year in a row next season. The first time they played 2 years ago, Texas had MINUS 6 YARDS PASSING THRU 3 QUARTERS. Let me explain something here. I CAN GO QUARTERBACK AN NFL TEAM AND HAVE NEGATIVE PASSING YARDS. EVEN I CAN DO THAT. To me somebody has to do something right on defense to have that stat. And that’s with the terrible Shell regime calling offense.
Normally you don’t take safeties very high in the draft, unless you don’t have other needs. Jamie Silva the All American from Boston College might stick around til the 6th Round. The guy I like is Bobbie Williams the safety from Bethune-Cookman. He is a tremendous player and may go undrafted!!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Desert-correct.we’ve been trying to fill holes(too many to count)with free agents too long.we need to build thru the draft.the best players on our team were our draft choices not someone elses cast-offs.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
WE NEED A TOUCHDOWN MAKER ON OFFENSE. DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE THAT THE OFFENSE IS CLOSE. WERE THEY BETTER THEN THE PREVIOUS YEAR? YES, BUT SO WAS MY SON 6HT GRADE TEAMS OFFENSE.
RAIDERS NEED TO SCORE POINTS TO WIN IN THE NFL, THE DAYS OF THE 6 – 0 WINS ARE OVER. WAKE UP NATION!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
2sense, well put.
Lane Kiffin needs to listen to me and be loyal, despite my record over the previous 4 seasons before hiring him, my mediocre record since Ron Wolf left, and a record that would have been dismal if not for Jon Gruden.
I want Kiffin to be loyal to me, the same way I was to Wayne Valley…oh, wait, bad choice of words.
I want Kiffin to just be loyal to me, period. Despite the fact that I don’t know much about football. Just be loyal to me. Pretend I’m great, darn it, like the fans do!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
sorry about post 180-it,s just a really sore subject with me.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Oop, Al Davis actually said that, not Lane ^^^.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Lane
I could get a job in 3 seconds “or less”… Get it right. Although I hold that perspective after about 4 pitchers. When I wake up in the morning on the way to the frig I realize I need to peddle my Dads name to be even a position coach on a Div. 1AA team. But hoist a few and my guys kick butt and I can get a job in 2 seconds!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Lefty I agree that’s why he hred him that’s why I said as time goes on. He may not just drop the playcalling but he needs to be more involved with the defense in some capacity. This will give Ryan more of a feel for him and vice versa. They must get on the same page and I think it would solve some potential problems.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
You’d better be sorry, Lefty. Good man. Now, kiss my ring. And tell me I’m a genius. Pay no attention to my record since Ron Wolf left. I don’t like my fans to have brains. I just want them to be loyal. Kiss my ring, now!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Bengals franchise Stacy Andrews, meaning they won’t be franchising Justin Smith, we should make a run for him.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Al Davis kicks butt too! The man rocks… Especially after 5 pichters worth. Man I need to do more press conferences so I can hype up all my players but need to be careful to hoist a few first.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Rob Ryan’s Diet consists of Pizza and:
http://www.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/37/MPW-18858
February 18th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Amy Trask is a sweetheart, isn’t she? I had her go to the press a couple of weeks ago and say that Kiffin’s control hasn’t changed one bit. What my dumb fans dont’ know is that on paper, Kiffin never had control. We just said he did. On paper, it says I have the final say in every decision. So, technically, Trask is not lying. He really does have the same amount of control! Ha ha! Brilliant!!!
My fans fell for it. They fall for anything.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Rob Ryan’s pickled liver, you have to hit the properties and find a url to that picture, it’s only visible via a download, and nobody here is going to download anything.
Oh, and stop making fun of Rob Ryan! He’s loyal to the Raiders. Give him respect!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Hey Blackhole
Lane rocks but my guys kick butt. My Dad is Buddy Ryan I do not need any help from some son of a Zone 2 wanna bee. The only guy that tells me what to do is the man, the legend and we all know who that is and its not Lane. Have you seen my man Sands that guy just dominates!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Not only is your dad Buddy Ryan, you get the genius advice of Al Davis on a daily basis, and that’s why your defense has kicked butt year after year!! Pay no attention to the stats, the refs were giving all of our opposing offenses big plays.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Hey Al
Amy is a coyote and is about a 4 pitcher woman. She is great around 2AM. She rocks though and kicks butt.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
very true Priest.i would like to think Kiffin gives RR his input as that technecially is his job as HC.maybe he does but RR doesn’t listen,i don’t know(god,how often are those words ever said here).
February 18th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Al
You kick butt. Give me a great DT and I will make him into another Sand man. We will have two kick butt DTs.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
The blog is beginning to devolve…thanks to you posters that posted on topic…look forward to your next post Jerry.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
And, you stymied Indianapolis! Stymied them, I tell ya! Even though…they won the game.
But you stymied them! We stymied the colts! Victories matter not! We STYMIED the colts, and that’s all that matters!
I want a new Greatest Bay Area Sports Triumphs book, a revised version where our stymieing of the Colts offense this year is in the top 10. Just don’t print the final score…
February 18th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Who took my drool cup?
Never mind. Got it.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
this is for those that want to, and can talk football the rest please ignore.
I’m just not interested in the high school chatter.
Lefty, I think what Mr Davis wants is competent playcalling, that’s aggressive and utilizes the talent. Who that person is he couldn’t care less as long as it was successful.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Lefty
Yea Lane gives me input but it is always so complicated. Our guys just need to get out there and kick butt. I think I will have the Sand man drop back into coverage next year. That way on passing downs we are only sending 3. Our lineman kick butt so bad that we can get to the QB with only 3.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
i can’t put up with this crap.see ya
February 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I think post #134 by Bruce Milroy pretty much sums it up. It’s fun for us to sit here and speculate and give our opinions about what should happen. All of us are just sharing ‘opinions’ nothing more, nothing less. We all really just have to wait and see what happens once free agency starts.
All I am hoping is that Al and Lane follow through in “ATTACKING” the free agency as Kiffin stated in his press conference. Once we see how the Raiders handle the free agent market, then I think we all will be in a better position to make an intelligent assessment of who we need to draft in the upcoming months.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I agree, DesertRaider. These people coming in here to discuss our managerial crisis have ruined your guys’ pow wow of mass denial. My advice, don’t let them deter you. Keep talking about 3rd round picks or what not, while I ruin this team, and see to it that our draft picks have no system to work in.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Rob Ryan’s Diet mainly consists of:
http://www.ehrlichwines.com/images/liquor_shot_1.jpg
February 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Yo, AL! oh, sorry, I mean Mr. Davis, sorry, I don’t want to get cut like Quentin Moses for not listening to you. But I had a question, how does it feel to give a kid my age $30 Mil of your oh so valuable and hard earned fortune, and not get anything in return for the first year of your investment? You took too long to get my contract ready man, and then you team me up with a rookie head coach fresh out of college, whom by the way has taught me a lot so far, but now you are trying to get somebody else to replace him? So now what man, I have to learn a whole new system? So I guess I will have to sit another season huh? I guess $64 Mil is not that much to pay someone to just sit and keep the bench warm. No complaints over here though. I can always go get some more bling with my buddy JP. Who by the way just went on Sirius NFL radio and totally spoke his mind about the team… you should try to listen to it…
February 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I’m not sure it’s that he’s not listening to the head coach I think it was a matter familiarity. I think Kiffin wanted something that Ryan just wasn’t totally in agreement or fully understood. It sometimes takes time for things to work themselves out. And a full season together should help. It was as if they were coaching against each other.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Keep telling them, Blackholepreist. Of course, Kiffin’s playcalling was fine. He just doesn’t have the talent and that’s because of moi. But you’re doing a fine job convincing people that it’s his playcalling that’s killing us. Round Table coupon, coming your way.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
and all of you need to quit with the build through the draft and avoid FA. you wanna know why are ridiculously under the cap. WE HAVE NO VETERANS! WE HAVE NO LEADERS. maybe Nnamdi. maybe burgess. Someone on here tell me differently.
I dont have time to look but if the season started tomorrow i bet out of 22 “projected” starters 15 of them as of now have 5 years experience or less.
Our “experienced veterans”.
curry
newberry
warren
burgess
carlisle
thomas
green
Who from this list is gonna step up and lead the offense?
Who from this list is gonna step up and lead the defense?
We have youth!
Great idea everyone. lets abandon FA and keep hittin the draft so the blind can lead the blind.
Let me ask all of you. who is going to groom these fine young draft picks?
I wish some of you would use your heads before you post.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
JaMarcus, you’re worth every penny. I only drafted you as a power move against Lane Kiffin. He wanted Quinn or Peterson. Sure, you’re holdout was a pain in the you know what, but it was worth the price of admission. You’re the perfect pawn.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I can’t blame yu Lefty this site has gone to the little children that can’t get attention any other way.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
a punishing upper upper-cut from jack jonhson at the 191 mark ! we need to score points, i’ll say it again we need to score points! in our 12 losses we averaged 14pts. a game seems like some of us didn’t see that….hmmm ,yo lane kiffin are ya gonna open the offense up a little more this year ? who’s are #1 receiver gonna be.and how are we gonna be more productive in the red zone…..’get on the mic my man !
February 18th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
2sense i agree with you. Needs are filled in FA. We have a top 5 pick it damn sure better be an impact player. But the draft is where you build for the future, but FA is important because you gotta have proven vets who have been there. This is not the NFL of the 80s or 90s people Kiffin doesn’t have that much time. Remember he said we were gonna be aggressive in FA and the draft. FA will be for need and the draft is for future or instant impact ability. I dont know if they will do it but McFadden should be the pick hands down. You can get some help on the dline with Rucker,Smith,Williams,Starks and possibly Kris Jenkins being cut soon by Carolina. Why wouldn’t people want some proven vets to come in? I just dont get it.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Jack Johnson knows………The Raiders need a homerun threat at RB bad. Someone who can break the defense’s back. Farglass aint the guy for it and Michael Bush isn’t a blazer. Echimandu? Come on. McFadden needs to be our franchise back. Also get a damn WR worth a something like DJ Hackett. He has the all around ability needed to be a number 1 wideout. Berrian has big play ability but is just a number 2.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
2sence,you ask who is going to groom these young players-COACHES.that’s what they get paid for.look at all the grooming Sapp did.wow,our Dline was great because of all his experience.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
BHP
What I do not understand is why Ryan is back after regressing from 3rd in Defense to 25th or so and 31st against the rush essentially with the same players who were supposed to be getting better not worse. They did have some injuries with Kelly and Warren but they had bad defensive games when both were healthy. It seems like players are getting worse not better on that Defense. Another bad sign for Ryan is his inconsistency in that he can stop some teams or have good days sometimes and then be ineffective at other times. A final problem is that the character playing RR on our board sounds like RR. He sounds like an idiot when I hear him interviewed. I wonder if this affects our ability to attact free agents, keep players or have players buy into schemes and methods he prescribes?
February 18th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
if anyone thinks D Macfadden should be our 1st rd pick all i can say is thank god you don’t work for the team i root for.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
it’s alrady 1:45
Somebody…..BEER ME.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
This is in response to a question above about why i like Wesley Britt…
From February 12:
It would be interesting to see just how good Wesley Britt is…
Could he be our future left tackle???
From SI.com scouting report for the 2005 draft…
Wesley Britt Grade: 3.76
Position: OT
Class: Sr
School: Alabama
Conference: SEC
Ht., Wt.: 6-8, 314
40 Time: 5.31
Selected by: San Diego Chargers
Round 5, pick 28 (164 overall) Grading System
BIO: Moved into the starting rotation as a redshirt freshman and awarded All-Conference honors last year as a senior.
POSITIVES: Big, tough lineman with an excellent feel for blocking. Quickly picks up assignments, patient in pass protection and works hard until the whistle blows. Anchors at the point, displays excellent awareness, always looking for someone to hit. Effectively uses body positioning and blocking angles to seal the edge and protect the passer. Outstanding hand technique and extends to keep defenders away. Blocks with knee bend and works to get leverage on opponents. Immediately sets up in pass protection, jolts opponents run blocking and quick in all aspects. Tough and plays while injured.
NEGATIVES: Not overly agile and at times looks downright unathletic. Lacks adjustment, not comfortable in space, nor is he a dominant drive blocker. Suffered bone injuries in both legs as a junior, then again in the Senior Bowl last January.
ANALYSIS: Working hard for 60 minutes and using all his assets to a maximum, Britt has been a productive left tackle on the college level the past four years. While some debate his ability to stay at that spot in the NFL, few question his potential as a starting blocker down the road on the strong side. Solid selection in the middle of round two.
PROJECTION: Late Second Round
February 18th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
yo 2sense we always dip into the f/a pool.we just need to be more productive this year and find those leaders that ya talkin about.we need some players who won’t put up wit losing . we need a player on both sides of the ball who in one play turn a game around ! it’s been a while….
February 18th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Yo Big Al, why don’t you get yourself a few more pawns, like McFadden, a true deep threat WR like CJ who I can throw to, and a few DTs that can actually shake a block and tackle somebody or rush a QB, then you might have enough pawns to actually be able to play and complete a chess game…who knows, you might actually win!
Spend the money Big Al, just like you spent it on me. Yo! Big AL! BIG AL!! Oh, great, ol’ man fell asleep again…
February 18th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Al is broke and cannot afford a #3/4 pick after #1 last year. Look for the Raiders to deal the pick if McFadden is available. Dallas will give up their two #1’s and a later round pick to get him. Al will either sit tight and use those picks or package them to move up to #6-10 to try to get a player he likes.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
A couple thoughts.
1) Draft who you want when you can. Don’t think of it as the 3rd or 4th spot instead this is your only pick in the 1st round and you don’t get another until the 2nd. Make the damn pick of who you want and don’t worry about is he woth this or that. Will he be on the board with your next pick? that’s all.
2)Mario Henderson is too big of a risk not to look for a solid left tackle in the draft.
3)Kiffen has a hard enough time handling OC duties let alone the whole team. Leave the D to Ryan. I hope Ryan pops the kid a good one like his ole man.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
You think Ryan just gets blasted drunk as soon as the season ends straight until training camp starts?
February 18th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Why are guys FA?because the team they’re on don’t want them.there is nothing wrong with picking up young fa who could benifit from a fresh start.but not old on the downside of their career players.we’re not good enough to do that-yet.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
RaiderMight: Thanks for the script, it is working wonders on this site!
February 18th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
FredBrown yawwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn. Al is not broke. You get your info from ESPN huh? Al also sold 20 pct of the team last season. ESPN didn’t tell you that did they? Al has the money and money is not the problem with Al.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I would love to see Chris Long of Virginia end up with the Washington Redskins but that is just wishful thinking. That guy will be an early 1st round pick and I can’t see how Washington can finegle him into their pecking order in the draft. Someone is going to get a jewel.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Hey Fred Brown…..perhaps you’d like to post the finacial report on Al Davis and the Raiders oranization you base your accusations on for all of us to see.
Put Up or Shut Up
February 18th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
florida pete whats up my man….
is your man brit starting now is he playing on the line for the bolts seems to me we need a quick atheletic lineman dose he fit that mold . at left tackle it’s not how big you are. it’s how agile and quick you are remember pat harlow he wasn’t the biggest but he played smart. he had good games for us till his last couple of years for us . tom cable blocking scheme is designed for smaller (in weight )atheletic lineman , atlanta led the league in rushing but their line was’nt that huge i say that to say this … we nedd somebody that will protect jamarcus blind side so he has time to unleash that cannon !
know what i mean !
February 18th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Be aggressive in FA. We need a DT that is a proven vet. As far as why they are free agents, there are alot of factors. Corey Williams was gonna cost the Packers money when they already had it tied in two younger DTs for example. It is economics as well as other things. That just leave it that their talent isnt sufficient. Warren Sapp was signed for what reason I dont know. I never liked Sapp. There are some good free agents that we can get. Mike Rucker is more than solid to be our base DE. He plays up against the LT and we need someone that can wreak havoc on the blindside. Justin Smith maybe can as well. Forget Tommy Kelly. It takes two years to heal from a major knee injury. Kris Jenkins will not be in Carolina next season. WE’d be crazy not take him. Also Randy Starks is a good young vet who can help us right now.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
lefty-
have you ever played on a sports team?
have you ever heard of senior leadership?
have you ever heard the term “veteran leadership”?
coaches can’t play the game.
Lane Kiffin has never thrown agaist an NFL defensive back.
Rob Ryan has never honed in on a running back.
And MORE IMPORTANTLY neither of them can run onto the field when they see peyton manning checking a play at the line of scrimmage and put players in the right position to make a play.
They can’t blow a whistle when randy moss is in motion to tell huff he needs to help over the top rather than cover the seem.
have you ever watched rich gannon? did you ever read any articles when we made it to the super bowl and everyone was praising B robb for his ability to run the OLine (before he went AWOL).
coaches game plan. veterans are an extension of the coach. THEY manage the game. to say you don’t need them is foolish and like i said earlier proves you’ve never played in organized sports.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
LINDS…DARAIDERRUKAS Says:
February 18th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
florida pete whats up my man….
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wesley Britt was picked up by the Patriots after the Chargers cut him…
Wesley Britt was signed to the Patriots active roster on January 30, 2006 … Originally drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round (164th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft … Released by the Chargers (9/4/05) … Signed to the Patriots practice squad (9/5/05).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
he has been a backup tackle for New England for the past few years…
February 18th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I don’t know wind. other than the Joke-sonville game where the entire Raider got whipped, the San Diego game, last game of the season they gave up 2 scores in the first half, one of which was the result of Jam getting picked at midfield on the lst play of the game.
The Indy game they held Indy to 13 points thru 3 quarters.
Green Bay one td in the first half given up by the D.
Against Denver the week before the defense gave up 7 points in the first half in a win, the week before in KC was another W. Doesn’t seem like that’s a lot of regression to me. JMHO.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
2sense you make great points. Barrett didn’t go AWOL. That’s a damn lie and coverup for the powers that be conspiring against Al. That is the most bullshit story I ever heard in my life.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Rob Ryan is the WORST defensive coordinator in the league. That is indisputable. Name a DC that is worse????
February 18th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Pete’s right about Britt. San Diego has done an excellent job of scouting Offensive linemen and had too many good guys they had to let Britt go. Same story in New England.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
The guy in KC is worse.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
So is Grantham in Cleveland and I think Bresnahan in Cinncinnatti got fired didn’t he??? If not, he should have.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Are any of you going to campaign for Mushin Muhammad since he got released today. Personally, he is a mirror image of jp. To slow and overpaid!!
February 18th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
That’s a good poll question:
Who would you prefer to lead an NFL Defense:
A) Rob Ryan
B) Chuck Bresnahan
February 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Rob Ryan’s decline as a DC can be attributted to many things. But the cold hard fact is that there has been a decline in performance, and when it is all said and done, the coach will always be the one to bite the bullet. Now, does that make him a bad coach? In my opinion no. Because it has also been known that a coach can be a crappy coach on one team, but become a genious on the next team. What I think has happened is that the inconsistency at HC through this 5-6 years has rubbed off on everyone. The team’s expectations have dropped. During the Shell era #2 our Offense was so poor that our D was overplayed and the other team’s offense didn’t really had to play. Or better put, only played when they absolutely had to. Everyone now knows that made our D overrated. And the expectations were too high this year. Was that Ryan’s fault? I don’t think so. But like I said, bottom line is that the coach has to get the players ready to play. And some of the blame should be put on him, but not all of it. Because then the same should apply for the Offense and Kiffin. Just like our DLine couldn’t stop an old man in a wheel chair rolling through them, our Offense couldn’t put up enough points when they had to, and worse, turned the ball over at the worst possible times. The fault falls on all. Coaches, Players, Scheme, Owner. The good news is, that time heals all wounds, and our owner will soon either die, or realize that he can afford to give up some control and that that’s the best for the team. Our young coach will hopefully mature to be the next mix between a Madden/Gruden type, our D will actually start playing to the potential of the players we have on it, and our $64 million man will turn out to be the best pick ever.
But that’s all wishful thinking. Is it impossible for these things to happen? No. It will just take a lot of patience and hard work. And an old man to open his mind to the possibility that some of his decisions are no longer the best for the team.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I would like to thank Florida Pete for the listings he put out about the top 5 picks since 1990, as well as all first rounders since the same year. I understand the point he was making and yet it could bypass a certain government scientist who had already predetermined the outcome of the experiment regardless of actual data.
Raider up!
February 18th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
People — don’t mix up the fact that Al sold a 20 percent stake with the team having money to pay contracts. They are completely separate concepts.
The team is a company. It has it’s own finances. It is owned by a group of people with different percentages of ownership. The team is on the hook to honor the contracts, pay the bills, collect the revenues, etc.
The various owners do not pay out of pocket for team expenses. At least not on a team that is profitable.
Al sold 20 percent in order to take some of the multi-million dollar value out of the company known as the Oakland Raiders — with the value being something that he contributed mightily to — and now has the money as his own fortune to spend as he sees fit. On anything other than the team. In exchange for that, someone else now owns more of this expensive company.
Al’s finances are not the teams finances. Understand?
On a side note it is interesting to know that Al is basically the only owner currently, and perhaps in the history of the sport, to have made his fortune exclusively through his team. Every other case that I know of, some rich people or group (except for Green Bay) buys a professional sports team as an investment and/or toy. They dump money in to buy championships when they can. A few try to run it frugally to make it a good investment. But then there’s Al.
He worked his way up through the coaching ranks to get an ownership stake in the team. The team’s financial growth is thus his own. When he runs the team for profit as the main priority, this is why. It’s his job. When he sees teams with better, more lucrative stadium deals, he wants the same. When he sees players blackmailing the team on hold outs, he plays hard ball. Hard to knock him for that.
And he’s also not so blind to understand that winning brings in the cash as well, so his motive is also championships. It’s just that he can’t go for it at all costs like other teams can, given the toy status of the team and their willingness to lose money for that nice trophy in their case.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
point is in the era of football we have now………salary cap/free agent(1993 on) era defensive tackles selected in the top 5 are coming up way too short. D russ had two good seasons and went to crap. Actual data=zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz you see the defensive tackles selected in the top 5. Not worth a damn. Picking Dorsey that high is a mistake but getting Ellis period is a mistake. But it wont happen. Al likes Big DTs. Not short armed guys who will get swallowed in the interior.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Oakglen
You realize that the whole offense was built to shorten the game and keep the defense off the field. Unlike the mistake filled turnover machine we had last year. The offense was I think 5th in rushing yards and against Indy for instance drove something like 97 yards for a TD and took something like 9 minutes off the clock in the 3rd QTR. Even with that the Defense was nearly dead last against the run and was dead last in yards per carry. The pass defense was I think 8th but when you can run like that why pass?
The other thing to think about is that there were several games where it seemed like the run defense was doing fine and then a blown assignment and a big play down the field on a toss sweep or something. But if you, like RR, thinks the defense kicks butt then go for it. We can just sign and draft offense since we are so good on Defense. Like I said earlier I am not sure if signing in new people to this defense will even help it. Both the offense and defense needs to improve but I think last year one over achieved and one under achieved. I can’t believe you think that was ok. The overall stats are clear this defense had issues.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Post #250 yes Bresnahan got fired in Cinn. Marvin Lewis should have fired himself and Chuck at the same time.
Post #252
C)Unproven college DC or NFL defensive position coach.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
It would be hard to argue that Rob Ryan has been a better DC than Chuck Bresnahan. Bresnahan coached the Raiders defense to playoff appearances and to the Super Bowl.
Ryan has never coached a defense to more than 5 wins in a season.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
AtumnWind, I have been round & round with OakGlenn on the DEF and RR. He is convinced a 5th year will be improved under RR.
I made all the points you made about the offense and its just not sinking in.
RR may very well cost us our division and or playoff game if year 5 is anything like the prior 4 years. Sadly..
February 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Rob Ryan’s Coaching Record:
2004: 5-11
2005: 4-12
2006: 2-14
2007: 4-12
2008: ?-??
February 18th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
OakGlenn, if RR’s defense sucks next year like it has the last 4 years you will not be able to show your face on this blog, at least not with any credibility…
Good luck.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Looking at RR’s record, no wonder the guy is passed out on a bar stool every night!
February 18th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Can someone please look up the Defensive stats for our Run D and our Pass D for the years Ryan has been DC?
February 18th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
It would be a safe guess – based on History, that the Raiders will have double digit losses in ‘08 with Rob Ryan as Defensive Coordinator.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
echemandu isnt on the team anymore!! i hate how i see people write bush, fargas, rhodes and echemondu are going to make the raiders a fromidable running team. eche played against us last year after we cut him. cmon guys get ur raider facts together now.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Funny how no matter what the thread topic is we end up talking about what a failure Rob Ryan is. And you can always count on 2 people to support RR…
BHP & OakGlenn
February 18th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Post 264 Im not going to waste my time looking all that up but last year I believe our run D was ranked 31 out of 32 teams. Eleven returning starters, same scheme for 4 years..
Its so dam ugly!
Oak & BHP, must have been watching something different than the rest of us.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
The never-ending nightmare of 2004 – present, there has been only one constant (aside from Al Davis).
That one constant is ROB RYAN
February 18th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Rahul,, Ech is on the team:
http://www.raiders.com/Team/Default.aspx?id=152
February 18th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Well, I would look up our stats on D for those years, but I’m at work and my I.T. depart. has blocked all sporting sites. One would think I work for the Nazi regime or something… but anyway, I was asking for that info because I think, and let me say again, I THINK, one of our two D roles have been decent each year. Like last year, our passing D was ranked pretty high, and our Run D was horrible. And I think that’s been the case all 4 years. If it wasn’t one, it was the other. Now if I had the info on those stats I could make a better argument for my point, but until I find those numbers I can’t really talk about it…
February 18th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I will look it up. You can get them from BSPN from 2002 on.
In 2002 we were 11th with that “horrible” Breshnahan guy. In 03 we were 30th and got rid of that “loser” Breshnahan. Please note we had injuries galore that year and finsihed with I think our 4th or 5th string QB. In 04 When we got RR we immediately improved to 30th! In 05 we were 27th. In 06 during the Walsh/Shell debacle we improved to 3rd and I think had the best pass defense at least statisically(some warned me it was because the offense was so bad that teams just got a 10-14 point lead and ran out the clock). I did not believe them at the time. I guess I do now. This year the overall defense was 22nd. In almost all years the Raiders are dead last or almost dead last in defensive running statistics.
Hope that helps clear up many of our frustrations with Ryan. This is in spite of the fact that we have invested picks and money trying to get the defense whole again and nothing seems to work. This also includes the horrible year in which RR decided to try to make Tyler Braton an outside linebacker!
February 18th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
the GB Packers had the youngest team in the NFL last year.the only real “old” pro was favre.veteran leadership CAN be over rated.since you bring up other sports-in the NCAAs teams with seniors usually do fine,but they eventually lose to a more talented team of freshmen.so i guess Brien you would rather get close and lose with exr. than get young and succeed.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
futhermore,these guys grow up playing football.within a few years they should know what their doing-if the coaches are doing their jobs.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Rob Ryan to Bar Tender:
“You Better Make it a Double!”
February 18th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
“A double” digit losing season?… or “a double” digit stat for Defense, preferable nicely aged around 30-32 ranking….lol
February 18th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Three big keys in having a winning season
1. Replace LT Sims with an average or better LT that fits Cable’s scheme.
2. Get one maybe two good WR’s that can work the system that LK is devising for JR.
3. Fire RR and get someone that is a credible NFL defensive coordinator.
Will this happen. I think #1 and #2 will happen because we have intelligent people working the offense. #3 won’t happen because AD will not fire RR in spite of the obvious eigher because he does not want to eat a year of his contract, LK did not have a plausible replacement, AD does not trust LK enough yet to think that he will be here for the long term enough to go ahead and gut the Defensive coaches or a combination of the three. Any way you slice it we are screwed on the defensive side.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Those are my 2 biggest concerns heading into next season:
#1 Barry Sims
#2 Rob Ryan
I think Schweigert is all but a goner.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Rob Ryan is Nothing more than a Cheerleader with a Mullet!!!! haha
February 18th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I just peeked at those stats again and look at the following
In 2004 Ryans 1st year Rushing def. overall 22nd in yards with a 3.7 ypc.
In 2005 Rushing def. 25th overall yardage with a 4.0 ypc.
In 2006 Rushing def. 29th overall yardage with a 3.9 ypc as teams really had a lot of rushing attempts against Oakland that year.
In 2007 Rushing 31st in yards given with a 4.8 ypc average which was worst in the NFL by a full 0.2 ypc.
For comparison the last year the Raiders made the playoffs they were 3rd against rushing in 02 in yards and had a 3.8 ypc (that is a full yard per carry less than this year!)
In terms of rushing defense each year is getting worse. LK said that to win you need to run and stop the run. I bet he wanted to fire RR now after seeing this. How could he not want to with stats like that.
As Pirate would say Arrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Man if I was responsible for a defense with stats like that we had on run defense this year I would want to drink too.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Who else would allow a Defensive Coordinator with those stats to hang around like a turd that won’t flush….Big Al
February 18th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Lefty for how our organization is ran hell yes I need some proven vets. i didnt necesarrily say old ass men like we did earlier in this decade. Using the packer thing is weak since thier organization operates different than ours. Woodson,Harris and Farve have been in the league for a decade or more now. There are a number of players on that roster that have 5 more years of NFL experience as well as guys who don’t have alot. My point is you need a nice balance of both along with productivity. We won’t succeed with just youngsters out there. Nope wont happen.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
1960, thanks for those numbers. Ok, so it’s the Run D that has struggled all along, and not only that, but has gotten gradually worse through the years. Man, either somebody is blind, or there is something else going on with this. Does anybody know if Al Davis and RR’s dad are good friends? Because that could explain why Al doesn’t want to fire him. You would think RR would get some input from daddy or his brother about his D…
February 18th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
It is absolutly Insane that RR has been employed this long…
That’s why the Raider Nation was so outraged when the nonsense with Kiff & Ryan was going on. Ryan should have been a goner long ago!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Wow
The closer I look the worse it gets. Oakland gave up 24 rushing TDs this last year. That is the worst in the NFL by 5 TDs. Many teams gave up single digit rushing TDs but we gave up 24. The last time we made the playoffs we gave up 14. That is 1.5 TDs per game when some teams were only giving up 0.5 rushing TDs per game! For more perspective Minnesota who had AP have that great year with TDs only had a total of 22 on offense. Its like every week we were making the opposing team look like Minn. with AP. Good thing AP did not play against us and the West had injured backs or this could of been even uglier.
Please someone forward this to AD we need to get RR out of there now!!!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Rob Ryan is the man? Didn’t you see the no dline formation at the end of the Cleveland game? Brilliant I say!!! How about refusing to take that POS Stu out of the starting lineup until too late in the season? Starting Fabian Washington? Lobbying for Terdell Sands to get paid? Lay off the guy will you? I don’t see you doing much better eventhough one of those space monkeys could.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Al VERY RARELY drafts running backs in the first round. Why the so-called experts keep picking him to do that is beyond me. As far as Burgess is concerned, the whole defensive concept of the Raiders is a strong 4-man rush from the DL to take the pressure off the secondary, which is why so little blitzing. And that’s also why Burgess was successful after the other side guy starting picking up sacks. If you put a DE on that line that handles the run well but can’t rush the QB, then you destroy that concept. That is not going to fly.
Also, Al does not draft linebackers in the first round. He seems to have a propensity for defensive tackles that have character problems. My guess is either a wide receiver or a defensive tackle. But with the Raiders, who knows?
After the soap opera went on hiatus, things started looking up. The media has other prey to run down. But hunting season will be on if the Raiders stumble out of the gate, and definitely wear your red jackets after next season, when the idle hands of the press start itching.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
hey 1960, guess how many rush TDs we had on offense if you take away those 3 by Culpepper? 8………..8 damn rushing Tds is pathetic. We have no backbreaking run plays nor do we have a homerun threat. We are only good running between the 20s. That has got to change or we will be stuck again come 2009 draft. This is why I dont want Farglass being my starter. Rhodes is not taking a paycut. I don’t blame him. God damn Al just draft McFadden and save our franchise please!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Muhsin Muhammad will be in S&B next season, guaranteed. Al has been in love with that guy for years.
Not saying I agree, but he will be better than nothing.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Don’t forget about Rob Ryan’s love affair with Tyler Brayton!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Somebody please shower Ryan with a Beer next time you’re at the stadium!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Not to make anymore excuses for RR, but playing against SD, KC, and Denv twice a year I’m sure doesn’t help the running D stats.
On the other hand however, it is because of this, that his top priority should be to stop the run. He should’ve made sure that at least one of the two games we play those teams we held their running under 100yds. But the way we have been drafting D players was like we were getting ready to play Peyton and Brady every game… all pass players…
February 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Richard you are right Al doesn’t take RBs in the first round usually unless it is someone who has through the roof ability. Raiders havent had a dope ass RB since 1990 dammit. The best we had since was Kaufman! Burgess is one dimensional and everyone knew that. I’d rather have Jay Richardson as my LDE since that is the strong side for running the ball. I need my RDE to be the best pass rusher on the line.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
…letting Tomlinson run over his defense year in…year out. INEXCUSABLE!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Silver Lining……….those pass players we drafted will help granted we SIGN the right DT and DE. The AFC is full of good ass QBs and good wideouts. More than the NFC.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Brien
I am surprised it is even that many rushing TDs when you consider we had Green and Sims as our starters on opening day. Many times we had false starts and holding calls knock us back and force us into really bad situations where they knew we were going to pass. Draw plays were not very helpful because we did not have a credible passing game with McCown’s inaccuracy and Culpeppers rust. Sims and Green while ok at run blocking were a definite liability in pass blocking. I mean teams were often stacking the box with 8 sometimes 9 daring us to pass and we were still at times able to run. I thought we did fine with Fargas and Rhodes and now we have Bush coming in. Why do you think McFad is such a better prospect than a healthy M. Bush? I saw that guy run before his injury. It was flat out scary but of course that was against Big East teams. Only the speculators have us getting rid of Rhodes because 3 million is too much for a backup? If Rhodes is platooned why is that too much for him? It is a lot cheaper than McFad. I think the only back we are going to lose is Jordan. RB is the least of our problems right now.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Silver Lining
Here is something to think about. The AFC west actually had an off year with RBs. KC’s offense went south. Denver had a lot of injuries and even SD had trouble getting LT off earlier in the season. Even with all that we regressed. Even though we played two NFC north teams that are not considered rushing teams GB and Det. And even though Minn. was missing AP when they played us we still had those stinking rush statistics. It is actually a lot worse than it looks I am afraid.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
can we stop all this abuse towards my son,please!
yeah he got out coached in games at times.
yeah the ‘D looked confused at times.
but doggonit he had no beef in the middle of his line.
he had the tin man wearing a no.30 jersey (no heart)
stats don’t mean &@#%
8 of the raiders 12 losses:
den. 20-23 hou. 17-24
s.d. 14-28 min. 22-29
k.c 10-12 chi. 6-17
tenn 9-13 ind. 14-21
losses seven or less points wheres the offense ?
14pts.per game scored thats pathetic
it’s not just my son dammit !!!!!
and he’ll kick kiffin’s ass!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
To back up what I just said – who was the “best” rushing team in the west in 07??? In terms of yards per game it was Oakland! Oakland was 6th, SD 7th, Denver 9th and KC 32nd!!! The NFC North teams Detriot, Greenbay and Chicago were 31st, 21st and 30th respectively. Minnesota was #1 but the day we played them they did not have AP. That is we played games against there three worst rushing teams and played the absolute worst one twice!
February 18th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
1960, I love what Bush did in college and still have high high hopes for him. I hate USC guys but man that combo they had with Bush/White was destruction at its best. You could do so much with a an offense because of those guys. Rhodes total will be 5 million when it is all said and done. Rhodes knows he is better than anyone on the Raider roster as of now. Eventhough alot of people have balled hard in playoff games and super bowls what the hell has Farglass done to justify starting over Rhodes? If those last two games weren’t indicators I don’t know what else was. The Raiders will want him to take a paycut, shoot for what? Farglass? They dogged him last season and I bet you it prevented some wins from occuring. Farglass makes no one miss, he has no balance or juking ability, he is average when it comes to recieving, falls on immediate contact and can never take it to the house. This is just not a good signing if we plan to go in this season with Farglass, Bush and Echemandu as our Rbs. I will not feel comfortable at all……….sheesh I dont feel confident wiht Farglass getting the bulk of the carries. It is as bad as watching McCown pretend to be a QB.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Some are getting mad at me and thinking I think the offense is just fine. That is not what I am saying. Our passing game has to improve drastically. Even with the aversion to the pass and having a very quick McCown we were sacked 41 times. The passing offense was one of the worst in the league. That is why we should let JP walk and bring in some fresh WR talent that may better fit what LK and staff are trying to do. We also have to get OTs that can pass block and play in the zone run blocking scheme. Having JR start and having stability there should help improve things but he will have growing pains. He is not as quick as McCown so better OTs and good well executed play action pass plays will be essential. We should also survey the talent before automatically bringing McCown back in because he has accuracy problems when scrambling. We should try to get something for AW to have additional draft picks to work with or some talent in areas where we are short like OL and DT.
Having said all this though, the Defense being that bad against the run is just inexcusible. There has to be a total breakdown to be the absolute worst rushing defense on a ypc basis.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Brien
The thing to look at is also what is Rhodes cap hit here vs. cut. I thought it was not 5 million different. I could be wrong but I thought it was a little less than 3 millon. His overall contract is 5 but the key is the difference because there will be dead money if we cut him. I really think Rhodes is back unless he throws a fit and demands out (which he might). If Kiffin is smart he will have open competition and say both Rhodes and Fargas are making starting money – may the best man win… He should also let Bush have his carries to see what we have. If he is good then Rhodes can walk after next year and we have Bush and Fargas as a backup. If Bush is healthy I think he is an above average back in the NFL. A better prospect than Lynch for instance before Bush had his injury.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
The funny thing about all the Ryan detractors, if you actually watched tape or knew what you were seeing, you wouldn’t be quite so quick to jump the gun. And let me give a simple example of this in the Green Bay Game. As I’ve written on this blog a TON of times, The Raiders gave up 14 first half points, 7 of which came on one special teams play. And this is to last years 2nd ranked total offensive team according to NFL.com
In the start of the second half GB gets the ball lst. From the GB 23, Ryan, perfect play call, results in loss of 3. Next play, Raiders show blitz, Packers jump, five yd penalty. 2nd and 18. Again short pass defense, perfect play call, incomplete, 3rd and 18. Again Ryan calls a short pass defense, underneath zone, they hit the checkdown reciever designed for a short gain, Huff is way off the play and then takes a poor angle which misses the tackle, gain of 19 and a first down. That’s not Ryans fault, altho to the uneducated fan, the coach is easy to blame. If you want to go game by game and give actual breakdowns of the games as I do, I’d love to listen. So far in 9 months, no one has done that. They just say Ryan suuckkkksss. Well, That’s intelligent discourse.
When I watch opposing teams running up the gut for scores or big yardage against the Raider D, I see either Defensive linemen getting blown off the ball, or players taking themselves out the play, or both, resulting in big yardage. But what am I gonna tell ya. That’s exactly what the coaches say, that’s what the Hall of Fame Owner says, that’s what the defensive players say, that’s what I say, but yet, there are a couple of people on this blog that seem to know more than Kiffin, me, Davis, or the defensive starters. Why those people are wasting their time here on this blog I don’t know. There must be a head coaching job or DC job open in the NFL somewhere.
With regards to the won loss records while Ryan has been here let me break down another stat:
Raider offensive Rankings by year:
07-25th
06-last
05-21st
03-25th
So if you’re gonna lambaste the defense when you have a bottom rung offense, you clearly don’t know what the eff you’re talking about. That’s why it called a team.
Now if the Raiders of this time vintage were putting up top 5 offensive numbers and we still had the same won loss record, you’d have a point.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
RIP Birdwell – interesting thoughts on post #33. You do have a valid argument that we currently have players that can play the undertackle position and our key problem is at Sands position. However, I lend for consideration the relative underperformance of both Warren and Kelly. And I know many of us (me included) have very high respect for Kelly. But the more I think about his performance over the past 5 NFL seasons I’m just not seeing the Star. He’s a damn good player but he’s not stardom or dominant.
G. Warren – 29 years old , 8 years in the NFL and he has been a disappointment – why should be expect something more as he’s aging?
T. Kelly – 27 years old, 5 years in the NFL and I haven’t seen the star Sapp keeps elluding to. Have you? Not to mention he’s coming off a major injury that takes at least a year to fully recover 100% back to normal – but there’s never really a “back to normal” after that injury.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I would still like to see these two back in S&B next season, but I would lose any sleep if they’re not if you catch my drift.
Now, you also speak of Mayocks thoughts on McFadden etc. I posted the other day that Maycok believes the top DTs in the draft are 1.Ellis 2.Dorsey 3.Balmer 4.Laws etc and after Balmer there’s a drop off in talent …at THIS moment he believes Laws will only go as high as mid 2nd round. Translation: Pick the elite DT in the 1st and Bryant, Moore, Sims, etc may be available in the 3rd. MAY BE AVAILABLE. I find it hard to believe but damn am I salivating over the possiblity.
Draft day: 1.Ellis/Dorsey 2. OT/WR (trade down for 3rd) 3. R.Bryant/D.Moore/P.Sims et al 4. WR/OT
February 18th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Sedrick Ellis=hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
February 18th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
1960, call me bias on this LOL M. Bush aint gonna have a better career than Marshawn Lynch. The Bills have nada and I do mean nada and Lynch was steady. What hurt Lynch in college was having POS qbs like Ayoob and Longshore. Lynch is the man……a man from OAKLAND!!!!!
February 18th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
1960, McCown deserves to only be a 3rd stringer. He is one play from getting in the game. I’m not comfortable with that. McCown stinks!
February 18th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
OakGlenn, how long did it take you to write that nonsense?
February 18th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
draft patric stewart ore.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
everybody knows oakland needs offensive linemen, but they need to take dorsey or ellis with their first pick to fill the sapp hole. 2nd round they need the best wide reciever available, im thinking (texas)limas sweed.
then worry about the o-line, the best are always drafted later. with only 5 picks, it’s gonna be tough to fulfill all needs.
maybe adding mushin muhammed or donte sallworth from free agency would help make the draft easier.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Wind you bring up some really good points. In your post #286 you mention rushing TD’s allowed. This is one of my favorite stats, because to me, it shows the toughness of a defense.
Secondly you remark about the run defense. You’re exactly right. The first things you do to win in this league is build your running game and your run defense. Kiff DID build his running game. Next comes the run defense. To Everyone that has jumped all over me in the last few weeks about our defense, I’ve asked the same question over and over and no one can seem answer this. My question is What have we done over the last four years to improve our run defense?????? Here, let me answer that. We CUT Danny Clark, arguably our best run defender. Warren Sapp has always been known as a pass rushing DT, not really a run stopper.
If you asked me to rank our defensive line against the league, I would probably rank us about 26th. That’s about where our defense is ranked. My point with Ryan is NO DOUBT, NO DOUBT, they are going to get him some help in the run defense department. If he still does nothing with that, hey, there’s you answer.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Oakglen
You see DTs and DEs getting blown off the ball. These are guys RR lobbied for or wanted! RR has blame in this not just the players. You give me an anekdotal progression from a single game. So what. I can tell you against Indy that Oakland drove for 90 plus yards and ate something like 9 minutes of the clock in the 3rd Qtr. Does that mean our offense was good? No! You have to look at the overall stats. 4.8 yards per carry 1.5 rushing TDs per game. No. 31 in rushing defense even though the rushing offense kept the defense off the field better than previous years. Even though we played some of the worst rushing teams in the leauge this year and the AFC west had an off year in rushing offense. Appeal to film I see an undisciplined defense with guys taking themselves out of plays on the line and beyond. Is that the players fault? Yes! Is the DC complicient in the blame? Yes!!! He is the one that lobbied for Sands, kept Stu in and had Huff lined up as a SS. He is the one for crine out loud that lined up Brayton as a LB!!! He is the one that plays the vanilla 4 rush defense that does not switch things up and lets an offense just beat the crap out of our defense instead of making adjustments. The players like him because he is a cheerleader not because he is an excellent coach. He lets them do whatever they want and now you start to see the frustration with guys like Sapp saying things like do your job. The problem is the whole thing is too undisiplined. Is this me just saying RR sucks? I gave you stats, discussed film, and gave a logical counter point to your arguements. You may disagree but please do not characterize this as I said RR sucks NannnaNanna….
February 18th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
which part mista is nonsense tell me??? were’nt you the one that was telling me a a few weeks ago that screen pass to LT would go nowhere on a blitz???? Even tho that is universally regarded as the perfect offensive play call?? I remember you stating that.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Note Oakglenn I did not see post 312 when I replied. It seems we are in more agreement than I thought.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
my humble opinion on wide receivers is…
they are a dime a dozen…
seriously, take out the top 15 receivers…
definately take out the bottom 25 receivers…
and the rest are relatively the same…
some are faster, others are braver, some are athletic, but overall, they all look like Jerry Porter…
dependable hands that will catch the ball if it is close to them and does not require the extraordinary effort…
solid pass protection would give receivers that extra second or two to gain separation…
here’s another place where a good solid o line helps others look better…
having a QB that plays like “a video game” will negate the necessity of having a Moss or a TO…
February 18th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
in all honesty, how much does a d coordinator matter when the d is on the field 40 minutes a week??
February 18th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Wind this is exactly what I say in my prior post. One reason that the Raiders played well against Indy and GB, is the Raiders pass defense IS GOOD. And those are excellent passing offenses. And all the detractors all say, that’s because the run defense is so lame. Well, yes and no. You look at any pass stat, QB rating, completion %, and the Raider pass defense is good. And it is good. And that’s where all the attention to the defense went. To the pass defense.
Someone above remarks these are all Ryans guys. OK. Which ones????? Turdell Sands, Ryans an idiot. Tommy Kelly??? Ryans a genius. Derrick Burgess??? Kirk Morrison??? Which ones are his??? Normally, coaches are gonna bring guys over from the programs they came from. How many guys from New England are there here???? well, none. The defenders on this roster are clearly the result of the personnel guys. Not that the coaches don’t have a say, but not a big say.
Lastly yeah, I break down a little more than one half of one game. You want to break down every drive of every game????? We can do that. We probably should. When you do that, you find the defense played much better than “fans” give them credit for. And that’s one thing that I keep saying.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Hollywood
Oakland did really well with Time of Possession this year that is what makes this slip in run defense so disturbing. In 06 I could see it because they were out there a lot but in 07 we had the ball more than the other team more than 31 minutes a game…
February 18th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Oakglen
In 06 I was really impressed with the defense in that they were 29th against the rush but only gave up 3.9 yards per carry. They also had a lot of turnovers on Defense even though the offense was perhaps the worst ever or at least in the last 10 years. What was the difference between 06 and 07? They had 11 returning starters, I don’t get the big drop off. One theory is Sapp losing all that weight hurt. Then Burgess was slow getting in shape. Of course Sands ate his way out of effectiveness. Washington regressed. Stu looked really bad at times. I mean what was it? You do agree that there was a regression from 06 to 07 right?
February 18th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Wind your post #319 says a lot. Once again you’re right. We did do well in TOP, and we seemed to improve as the year went on. On the defensive side, this meant a few three and outs.
Bottom line to me is if we really shore up the defensive line, with run stuffing, quarterback munching studs, and I would use our first and second round choices on DL, I would expect huge improvements in the run defense.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
wind, i agree, and oakglenn, i agree with the run stuffer, we gotta take dorsey or ellis. but another fact is our offense blows, porter’s gonna be gone and all we have left is curry, and i see higgins stepping up this year. but thats it, we need a sorta big time fa wr this year, or draft one of the 2nd level guys with our 2nd pick.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Hollywood
We need FA WR’s in the worst way… We also need help with the LT position and even the RT. Other than that though the offense is ready to roll. Hopefully we can sign Berrain or one of the other FA recievers that might fit in really well with the scheme and what LK wants to do. If we can address offense in FA we can then be free to draft DT in the 1st and 2nd rounds because I doubt there will be much help there in FA. There may be help in FA at SS however which is another weak area.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Absolutely Wind! Absolutely. I said this on this blog long before the season started. I thought the Defense would regress, not because of personnel or coaching but because the Raiders O was SO INEPT in ‘06 that teams didn’t even take any chances. So when teams came out this year, they knew they had to give the defense more of a run for there $$$.
The Raiders pass defense is good. Not great, but good. The run D and pass rush needs improvement. A lot of improvement. If we can get that corrected early in the draft or in FA, we’ll be fine.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Let Porter go (good riddance) Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State in the 4th round would be an upgrade.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
i heard a scenario of oakland giving dallas our pick for both of dallas first round picks and ss roy williams? barber and jones seem to be leaving dallas to free agency, and the cowgirls want mcfadden real bad.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
porter is a punk you wanna know how much of a punk he is?
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/nfl/20030127-1113-raidersnotebook.html
February 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Oakglenn
So then you subscribe to the theory that I have been converted to that the defense in 06 was over rated because of the offense being so bad that opposing offenses did not force issues with the defense. Having said this I thought Sands was a lot better in 06 than 07. Sapp seemed to hold the point of attack better in 06 than 07 and of course the injuries to Kelly and Warren and Burgess did not help! In 02 running this defense type in which a lot of strain is placed on stopping the pass the Raiders were 3rd in rush defense. A lot of this was becasue teams were trailing the Raiders because Gannon et al. got early leads. Do you think the offense just having a fast start may help the rush defense?
February 18th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
i think we should do whatever we can to get donte stallworth’, hes getting cut by ne in the next few days, and his photo looks like a mug shot, and thats raider material, not to mention he can be our deep threat, we need one with jamarcusses cannon.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
wind, a fast start would most definately help the run d, were always gonna give up 100 yds a game at least, but the thing is keeping the opponent to like 2 or 3 yds per rush, not our normal 6.
we need to make opponents pass, and that would go in our favor even more, asomugha was only thrown at 28 times all of last year, he only had 1 int. but he only gave up 10 catches all season. now THATS a shutdown corner.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Hollywood
I would like to get Berrain. He has had to suffer taking passes from the likes of Griese and the other scrub QB they have in Chicago. Stallworth was working with Brady drawing single coverage because of Moss and Welker. Most of the year the OL was giving Brady tons of time as well. I think I could have 30 receptions with a situation like that! There are actually a lot of prospects for WR in FA this year. Berrain is also from NorCal (Fresno State) and has LK connections. He may actually want to play here.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
We need 2 low round fat-boys at defensive tackle. The position is to violent to sock possibly 20+ mill guaranteed into 1 of them. We need them only to occupy 2 blockers and not give ground, not necessarily make the tackle or sack.
We really need a dominant RDE to apply pressure opposite of burgess. Strahan and Osi is the perfect model that we need to replicate.
Before most of you crucify me for my opinion, I do like Dorsey and Ellis. Just not as the #3 or 4 pick.
A dominant DE has the ability to stop the run and harass the quarterback all game long. We need a double-dipping kind of guy. We dont need a 325 pound guy trying to squeeze through a tackle and guard chasing a quarterback around. He will be fatigued for the wrong reason. He needs to be fatigued from tying-up 2 blockers during running plays all game long.
Who all agrees with my assumption or disagrees?
February 18th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Hollywood
I hope for someone wanting to trade up to get Matt Ryan or McFad but it is more of a hope than a real idea. Davis usually will ask for too much and kill any hope of the Raiders trading down. Last year gives me some hope we actually traded down a few spots in the second and picked up a 4th and still got the guy we were targeting. We used that 4th to bring in McCown and Williams which was a really good move even though Mike Williams did not work out. McCown was not the greatest but gave us some depth at QB that we needed.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Brien, I’ve said I’ll go down right now to Alameda and pack Porters bags. Why do the statements he made not shock me?
Wind, again right on. I thought the defense went Down a bit a soon as Kelly got hurt. he was our best overall player early in the season. As we’ve discussed, if the Raiders can get a good sized lead, that would play right into the defenses hands, cause the pass defense could make plays. That’s all predicated on a pass rush tho!
February 18th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Just checked some other sites and projections really do have the true big-body run-stuffing DTs needed for Sands spot projected to be available around round 3. That opens the door for J.Long or a trade down (highly doubt if it is possible) if the team does not want to go Ellis/Dorsey for Sapps spot – instead giving the position to Kelly or Warren.
I have reservations on J.Long – not b/c of Gallery-phobia either. Whenever I hear a scout say a top ranked tackle “WILL” have problems with Elite pass rushers, I put a Just Say NO sign next to that tackle’s name.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Oak,
From beginning to end its nonsense. Arguing xo’s on a screen pass on this blog is retarded. Your support of RR left you with no credibilty talking football.
# Oakglenn Says:
February 18th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
which part mista is nonsense tell me??? were’nt you the one that was telling me a a few weeks ago that screen pass to LT would go nowhere on a blitz???? Even tho that is universally regarded as the perfect offensive play call?? I remember you stating that.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Unknown I completely agree to a point. Yes, with an overall 3 or 4 a bona fide star pass rushing end would be preferable, but aside from Chris Long, we’re down to Derrick Harvey maybe a top 15 pick.
Right now with guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning these pocket guys stand there and get rid of the ball before, end can get to ‘em, so a strong rush up the gut is absolutely paramount in todays NFL
February 18th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
i agree and disagree with everything, i see these points, but i cant get off the fact that the amazing ravens d was 3-4, the had siragusa and sam adams, they took two blockers each, and that is the reason you all know the names, ray lewis, peter boulware, and jaime sharper.
our LBs are outstanding, sands sux, but hes a huge body, i hate him, but start him with first choice ellis or dorsey and thats gonna leave our LBs to do whatever they want.
we cant waste money in this draft, so mcfadden is out, thats 50 million well saved. a dt at that spot would be no more than 25 million. that leaves room for free agency pickups.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Ooooooookaaaay Dude. So when you blame the defense yet, you consistently have amongst the worst offense in the league, yet you never breakdown why other than the tired “fire the coach mantra”, even tho the coach has been a coordinator for 5 years and apparently DID have another job ready to go in a major market, YOU somehow HAVE credibility??????? Oooooookaaaay Dude. whatever you say.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
oakglenn,
what do u suggest we do this offseason? list like your top 5 priorities in order for me. i am agreeing in my head with what u r saying, so i must be missing something…
February 18th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Well, we have that with G. warren. I do agree a good rush up the middle is always desired, its just to much to ask for in todays game when the DT’s are getting bigger. Justin Tuck had 8 sacks as a reserved tackle. He is really the only tackle that came close to double-digit sacks.
There isnt a tackle in the league that can consistently pressure Peyton or Brady up the middle. Although, I’m aware that tackles have sacked those 2 guys.
DE’s and OLB’s are the ones that’s primarily responsible for pass-rushing. Well in our system its DE’s and DT’s!
But, I believe a top 10 pick at the tackle position will be more focused replicating Sapp’s career, rather than Siragusa or Ted Washington. God knows we need the latter. lol
Oak,
But your opinion also has some truth !!!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
RaiderDogg…I thought Echemandu was cut and playing for someone else..i wanna say Houston? I say cut Rhodes and spend the money on D. We can always sign a 3rd stringer cheap…Bush is gonna kick ass this year. Hes gonna hit the same holes as Fargas but with power to run safeties over. No disrespect intended Fargas.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
all im saying is i think to fix the disaster that is the raiders, is to first, stop firing coaches, the players need to be comfortable, a new scheme every year will never win more than 5 games.
second, stop the run somehow someway, and i think a first round pick of dt and starting him right away will help greatly, they need a better rookie dt than a fourth rounder, so dorsey or ellis has to fall here.
third, wr/o-line, porters gone, he sucked anyway. thjat leaves us with curry and higgins, or hands and speed. we need a slot wr, and a bigger bodied wr,
fourth, o-line, we arent that bad. we just need our players to have some faith in each other, theyre scared cuz they know they get talked about as the worst o-line in football, thats why they play terrible. our guys can be top 20 at least, and if they can just pull that off, we’ll be 8-8 at least.
and thats an improvement. ya gotta remember that these guys are professionals, thats why they are in the nfl.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
hater, top priority at rb i think is getting rid of lamont jordans huge salary, thats like 5 mill for whats gonna be our fourth stringer. fargas bush and rhodes is a 3 headed monster like no other, they will compliment each other greatly.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
What is Rhodes supposed to make this year? Its definately gotta be in the Mil’s….Ive yet to see any team run an offense with 3 rbs … maybe an occasional FB carry but still its with an everydown back…So basically i think it’ll be Bush and fargas with the Raiders carrying a 3rd stringer…They are going to carry 2 FBs too right? their will be a scrub to fill the 3rd stringer role..soemeone will get cut after preseason or a high draft pick will be available for little money..just like Echemandu was…
Dont get me wrong i like Rhodes i just dont see him getting much playing time behind fargas and Bush unless they go down..id rather see his nickel spent on signing Berrian, Haynesworth or someone else who WILL be an impact player.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
and of course Jordan is gone..hell, i dont even figure him into the mix..hes already forgotten.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Hollywood, let me go with this for a second. First priority I would have would be stability in the franchise!!! And that’s both Kiffin and Ryan. I think James Lofton is gonna be an excellent hire. I think he’ll improve the receiving corp and have some ideas for the offense. Plus he’s just a winner.
With regards to Ryan hey, he’s here one more year. If the defense regresses again, clearly he’s gone. My opinion is the defense coordinator is not as much of a problem as everyone here thinks.
2ndly, the defensive line HAS to be upgraded. On the NY Giants World Championship team ALL THE STARTERS were high draft pix. All the starters on New England team were first rounders. The Raiders: Sands 7th round, Burgess 3rd Round, Kelly Undrafted, Richardson 5th round. What does that tell ya?? Only Gerard Warren who was taken #3 overall is a high draft choice on the Dline and it shows.
Next comes the offensive line. This is a severe disappointment because the Raiders tried to upgrade this unit under the Norvell regime with Grove and Gallery as the stalwart improvements. What I’m thinking here is Duane Brown the LT out of Va Tech might be an excellent 4th round choice for us here.
I don’t even want to go into the strong safety position on this team it’s such a problem. I’ve always said personally, if I weren’t playing QB on a mythical team, I would want to play strong safety. Other than QB it’s probably mentally the most challenging position. This position here has to be upgraded!! I like Jamie Silva the lst Team All American from Boston College. We’re not gonna draft this guy, but boy do I like him. The guy right now I would go WAAAAAAAY outta my way to get is this guy Bobbie Williams, the safety from Bethune-Cookman. 6′0″, 215, 4.4 speed and 3rd nationally in INT’s. This kid can just flat out play the game!!!!!!!!!! And he’ll probably go undrafted, or 7th rounder.
Finally it’s time to deal with the recievers. Right now as I speak our recieving corp consists of Curry, Higgins, Dwight, Wil Buchanon, Drisan James and Todd Watkins. Huh??? That’s the bad news. The good news is we DO have James Lofton to coach them and he’s done a pretty good job with the San Diego recievers and WR is arguably the easiest position on the roster to fill with studs.
Honestly Hollywood I think this is a two year rebuilding project. The cubboard was more bare here than we all of us would like to admit. What I have been harking on is if we could get one or two undrafted guys who can play, guys like Tommy Kelly, Antonio Gates, Tony Romo, Wes Welker, all undrafted guys. if we could find one or two diamonds, it would make this rebuild much faster.
Sorry about the length everyone.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
What do you think bout that safety kid from Notre Dame?
Ive only seen his profile from Youtube but he looks tough as nails..something Huff and Schweigert arent.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Hater he’s a good player. Zbikowksi I think. He Will probably go in the 4th round so he might be available to us. He has dropped in value in the last couple of years. He’s a Gold Glove boxer or somthing so you know he’s not afraid to mix it up. I like him, but I would rather have Silva or Jamar Adams the safety out of Michigan more.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Oak,your last paragraph in post 347 is exactly what i was saying yesterday.i like the way we’re signing these WRs.keep signing them hoping to find a gem.if they don’t work out they can be replaced.we’re also doing the same thing with Olineman.guys always slip thru the cracks.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
BERNARD BERRIAN…for what it’s worth, and I realize money talks, Berrian was interviewed on a local radio station in the Central Valley of California (where he played High School Football) about two months ago and the host asked him if he had aspirations to play in CA. The host gave him the option of SF or OAK given these are the two teams closest to home. He laughed at the idea of playing in OAK and said SF has a more respectable tradition. He also grew up a niner fan. Just FYI…the radio station was AM 970 out of Modesto, CA.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Based on my previous post, I suspect Berrian isn’t an option. Although it would be naive to think he can’t be bought. However, I am a fan of Stallworth as some have stated here today.
Stallworth is the perfect fit as the deep threat we desperately need, and I doubt he will command big money. WR’s aren’t plentiful in the market or the draft but he hasn’t done enough in the last two seasons to command a huge contract. That being said, just because he didn’t put up great numbers the past two seasons doesn’t mean he can’t ball. He did well in PHI, plus he wasn’t going to take catches away from Moss and Welker. I know Belicheck put him behind Gaffney on some occasions but that’s a function of the depth chart and playing behind Moss and particular game plan that only called for Moss to be the deep threat most of the time.
I’ve purchased a ticket on the Stallworth bandwagon. He’s a great, economic, solution to that particular need.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
since Chi. cut Mohammed today won’t they probably do what they can to keep Berrian?
February 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Lefty you’re exactly right. As a matter of fact I don’t think we have any other choice!!! Every team in the league is looking for those kind of guys, but like you say, guys will slip thru the cracks. Shaun O’Hara and Antonio Pierce starters on the Champion Giants weren’t drafted. Someone here mentioned some of the University Hawaii receivers as being prime targets.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Oakglenn…I’m not sure if you’re referring to my comments a couple of days ago re: the Hawaii WR’s but I’ve promoted them as a productive group. Specifically Devonne Bess. I like his ability and his 40 time doesn’t improve his stock in the draft thus he should be around late in the draft. I don’t know how he only posted a 4.5 forty as he looked like a speed burning, “take it to the house”, YAC machine. Granted the competition wasn’t fierce but man did he produce. He’s a great short yardage route runner with excellent post catch capability.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Does anybody think Mario Henderson has a chance to develoup into a player. He looks slender to me evan a 300lbs. He probably could bulk up to gain size and strength without hurting his athletisism. He was a very good high school basketball player, which makes me think he should have good quickness and coordination.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I’m probably in the minority but I think Henderson will be a decent player. All reports indicate that maturity is the issue and that he probably just needed more time with Cable. Size is not an issue with him as he is so athletic. he could be one of those nice surprises. I also like Mark Wilson from Cal…give them both enough reps in the offseason and at a minimum they should be able to contribute even it’s at a backup level.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Is anyone here from the Boston Area? I’d be interested in an analysis of Jaime Silva. I didn’t get to see much of him on TV, from the little I saw it’s obvious he should be on our team. He seems like a great value pick.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
TCMA-he’s exactly the type of guy we should be looking at(Bess).the only problem is rookie WRs usually don’t have much of an impact.i like your idea of Stallworth-also a local guy-Sacto,and still fairly young.he would definitely be an upgrade.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
FYI on Stallworth, he’s a walking hamstring problem. He’s missed an awful lot of time early in his career with hammy issues. When healthy he still couldn’t live up to his potential in New Orleans, and even with a stud like Joe Horn on the othr side soaking up the coverage, he couldn’t put up decent numbers.
I think that we’ve seen his best. He’s a serviceable number 3 but I wouldn’t expect him to get better than he’s shown in his career thus far. And for the money, I’d rather have a cheap guy like Higgins in that spot getting a shot. At least he also plays special teams.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Agreed Lefty. You’re spot on about rookie WR’s not having an immediate impact. I’d still spend the pick on him and develop him as a talent. We don’t do a very good job of developing young guys. His best attribute is creating from a short play which requires system knowledge. I’d like to see him get a season under his belt from the sidelines, learn the system, and surprise us the following year. We’re rebuilding, and developing talent is a must in my book.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Wilson is another type of guy Oak and i are talking about.there are players out there.we just have to keep signing these guys and eventually we’ll find some good players.and they’re alot cheaper than signing older FAs who are more concerned with security than anything else.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Most likely Assassin regarding the Hawaii receivers. Certainly wasn’t my own call, altho I wish it was. The way Colt Brennan is falling off, maybe the recievers and linemen should get some positive run.
Mario Henderson is one of those “looks good coming off the bus” guys. He looks pretty damn impressive standing there in pads going thru his drills. He raised his game when faced with better competition which is why The Raiders took him. They see his potential. Soooo many projects……
February 18th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Zymurge – good point on Stallworth’s hammy, but he looked pretty good on deap routes this year. If he comes cheap would you take the chance? As for Higgins, per my previous post, I’d classify him as one of those rookie WR’s under development. He was huge at UTEP and we know he can play. Perhaps he just needed some system knowledge as well. It should translate into confidence and productioin.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Oakglenn – Good assessment of why we drafted him. I’m actually okay with the project. We have no choice but to develop talent. We don’t spend money in FA and you can’t typically draft starters as they require development. Maybe we have growing pains during the development phase but the “W” column will lean towards the positive as these guys progress.
It’s not a win-now philosophy but what choice do we have considering our FA habits?
February 18th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Zymurgy-he’s been let go by 2 teams.he might come fairly cheap.he could be our poss. WR with Higgins as our speed guy.he has fair size-6ft-over 200.and he is good after the catch.BTW-do you homebrew?
February 18th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Oak-sooo many projects-true.that’s why we need to take a future possible star in rd 1 instead of trading down.then within a couple of years when these projects start producing we’ll be good,a couple stars surrounded with good young players.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Lefty — the part about him being let go by 2 teams is a good clue to his value. Even then, he won’t be that cheap as a 5 year vet I think that the minimum is not that low. At least not compared to a first or second year guy that possibly has more upside. He’s also anything but a possession guy, contrary to what his physical atributes say. He’s always been a speedy, deep threat type, but he’s built a rep as a guy that is always hurt and that doesn’t work hard. I also remember hearing that he doesn’t run good routes and doesn’t have great hands.
Long story short, I’d look elsewhere for that diamond in the rough. Or if I wanted to pay for a vet, I’d look at DJ Hackett.
On the brewing front, I used to brew a lot. That is the origin of the name (good catch!). But I haven’t had the time to brew properly — all grain only for me — so my equipment sits collecting dust in the garage. Some day . . .
February 18th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Love the idea of Hackett. If you play Fantasy Football, and picked him up this year, you realize his value as a vertical WR. He comes with an x-ray package too though. In terms of hands/speed vs Stallworth, he’s a better fit.
These are the types of guys we need. We don’t need huge names, just good role players. Let’s build a running game, and a good defensive front seven. The passing game will come. We can’t address every need with primetime players so we need to pick a core strength and build around it with role players.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:31 am
dorsey has the ability to play 2 gap tackle i read he is currently weighing 315 not to meation he is an explosive freak. if dorsey is there we need to take him. Also saw clip of virgina guard 6′7 315 i forget his name i think he is rated number 1 guard but could be played at tackle in nfl he looks really athletic and was knocking people outof their cleats
February 19th, 2008 at 4:01 am
CASTRO HAS STEPPED DOWN TODAY –> IT’S TIME FOR YOU AL !
February 19th, 2008 at 4:06 am
this is all irrelevant , THIS DEFENSE AINT GETTING BETTER , IT IS GETTING WORSE!!! O.K.!!!
if we keep ryan as def cord! regardles who we get in round #1 , at best we go 3-13/4-12 again due to a 32nd ranked rush def! but this time it will be DIFFERENt you’ll claim this by week 10 of 08 season ! cause everyone on this def is ready for scrap heap! while in their primes!!!
huff-a few more games @ SS(?)and hes out w/ neck/shoulder.same for howard-morrisson-fabian-routt-fabian-burgess- kelly- etc!!!!
“its’not ryans fault that these guys cant play hurt ” you should practice that now,
cause this is due! look at a def players cycle, 3-4yrs wo/ missing time then years 4-6 injuries start to deplete their playing time!in oaks case this process is sped up due to RORBYANS coaching (forlackofbetterword)for howies kid sake i hope ryan dont get him,he will put him @ wde,(to heavy)or sde(to small)or worse SDT(as a run plugr,”cause its’a mismatch,u dont expect a pass rush form there”,sound familiar)so i see long on the D.L. to!!! as for lsu boy,
dorsey is ‘the 3 tech guy” he is a quik twitch , ist step dis-ruptor! if drafted by okland , & used any way else! will be a colosal ERROR! , but that is what this guy RYAN has been doing since day#1, 4years ago !
al drafts dorsey, then RYAN puts him @ SDT !
where he gets double teamed evey play by oc-rog nullifing his 1st step abilty! what we will then have is a 320 lb,guy who is not big enuff or strong enuff to play the spot!VS THE RUN AND FOR SOME REASON HAS NO SACKS BY WEEK 12 OF 1ST YEAR! and by end of 1st or 2nd year you will ALL be calling him a BUST! SOUND FAMILIAR!! if we had a real def coach,we wouldnt be in this spot rite now!
but if we needed dls’ he would know the same thing i know! you draft FOR TOUCHDOWNS IN ROUND 1 (OR TOP 20) RB-WR-QB-CB maybe olbr’ , then take dls’ols’ safetys’ mlbr in rounds 2 thru 7 & undrafted guys! how can a def tackle be a impact guy ?
well he needs to stop run , in unison w/ rest of line! so it is not one guy standing head & shoulders above the other 2 or 3 the make a line great! it is 4 guys that left to rite are just as good as the guy next to him!meaning no drop off spot to spot! and we got/have/had the 4 guys evey down! but they are all being cut/or let go by ryan!! and winding up on jets & patriots!humm intersting! what a coincidence! jets&patriots!!!! ryans cronies are there!!!
so in smmation trade the whole defenmse now for a wealth of return!! while they can!!! this defense under ryan aint getting better it is getting worse!!!
February 19th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Assassin – I watched Silva’s entire career. He has a great nose for the ball, but he is way to SLOW to be a productive safety in the NFL. I’m sure he will be an excellent special teams player but that’s about it.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:59 am
–”Texans KR Jerome Mathis was reportedly arrested over the weekend for choking his pregnant girlfriend.
Mathis was already on the roster bubble, even with Andre’ Davis still unsigned. A restricted free agent, he could go untendered. Mathis has also had run-ins with the law in the past and could face discipline from the league.”–
___
dammit! i had small hopes for him find his way to oakland. He is a regular Al Davis bad boy, so perhaps its only big Al that can turn this guy around.
If Lofton could get him to catch we would have a cheap fast deep target for JaMarcus! Look below… he is fast as H!
___
“Mathis recorded the second fastest 40 time at the 2005 NFL Combine with a time of 4.28 seconds, just slower than Fabian Washington, who made it in 4.25 seconds.”
“In his rookie season with the Texans, he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the AFC to be their starter as a kick returner. He was one of three rookies (Shawn Merriman, linebacker, of the San Diego Chargers and Lofa Tatupu, linebacker, of the Seattle Seahawks, being the others) selected to be participants in the game.”
February 19th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Colonel Nathan Jessup…
“ya gotta ask me nicely…”
February 19th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Thanks for the Silva breakdown Pickel. It’s bad news for me because I like the guy but I don’t want any more safeties that get beat.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:06 am
FOR ALL OF YOU RR HATERS!
YOU CANNOT LOOK AT STATS AND BLAME A COACH UNLESS HE HAS THE HORSES!
RR does not have the horses……period.
he has, and has had, a young inexperienced defense.
2007-the average years of experience FOR THE STARTERS is about 4.5 years. without sapp in there it falls to 3.5 years…..AVERAGE 3.5 YEARS!!!!!
2006-average age was probably was probably below 4 years with sapp in there inflating the number. (started 2 rookies and 2 second year players).
2005-started 2 rookies/1 second year/2 third year. Brayton was our OLB and Jarod Cooper was our SS (at least at the beginning).
im not saying he’s a good coach or a bad one. not enough information ALL THINGS CONSIDERED (i know you stat freaks are gonna disagree but apparently you haven’t learned from randy moss that stats dont tell the whole story).
this year will be the tell all. they should be able to get some vets in here for him maybe an impact draft player. all his young talent is at the age now where they should be turning the corner. if it doesn’t jel this year, his contract is up, we don’t owe him any money. peace, have a good career somewhere else and Kiff gets his coordinator.
SHIT YOU COULDN’T WRITE A BETTER SCRIPT.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:09 am
let me rephrase that. he doesnt have the horses yet. he’s got an entire off season under FINALLY the stability (so it seems) to do HIS job and develop this entire young defense.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:15 am
RE: Mario Henderson
Anybody watch this guy at FSU, or know much about him??
http://mariohenderson.com/
We could really use his help at LT, if he can step up this year!
February 19th, 2008 at 7:33 am
I believe in Mario Henderson no doubt about that, but Paul McQuistan I think will be a good man with a year with Cable as his caoch!
“If unrestricted free agent LT Flozell Adams signs with another team, the Cowboys’ plan is to make Pat McQuistan their starter.” – PFT
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/021908dnspocowlede.2cfcf52.html
February 19th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I heard he was doing alright. he just was not developed enough to be ready to play in the nfl (self admittedly). He came along too slow. Kiffin said he had potential but it was just too early to tell at this stage. i guess we’ll see.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Morning Nation. Just read through the past 18 hrs. of posts. Many fine points. Hyperbole and venom kept to a small fraction.
As I do not have access to the TV carrying the combine workouts, I will have to rely on y’all to pass along info.
Thanks for the research you posted yesterday Pete. It was the definition of “who knows what you’re gonna get” drafting anyone.
LMN, gar det bra?
February 19th, 2008 at 7:52 am
If Mario can’t start this season, we need to get a free agent Left Tackle that is serviceable.
Our $60 million man Russell will get destroyed if Sims is playing LT…like in the SD game. Defenders coming in unblocked from his Left side, probably still gives Russell nightmares!
February 19th, 2008 at 7:56 am
ATLRaider Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 7:52 am
If Mario can’t start this season, we need to get a free agent Left Tackle that is serviceable.
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i’m still nominating Wesley Britt…
February 19th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Wow, Castro really did resign…Al Davis, please follow his lead.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Flozell Adams…
if not too expensive… might be awesome…
February 19th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Colonel Nathan Jessup…
“ya gotta ask me nicely…”
February 19th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Pete, Flozell’s not on his last legs? Is Britt quick enought to protect the blindside speed rush? I don’t pretend to know. I usually ask nicely.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Sims is 0 for 2 on those points… He is on his last legs AND isn’t quick enough to protect the blindside speed rush!
February 19th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Pats have offered Zach Thomas a contract…good for Zach.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:16 am
freedom is a road seldom traveled
by the multitude….
florida pete , what’s up brotha ! i thoght we would have to trade for flozell, didn’t know he was a f/a. he’s a beast man . who better to block for jamarcus, he brings the rukas… he also would be a good leader on the line . money shouldn’t be an issue. al snatch him. yo pete he’s still young right ?
February 19th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Flozell (33 yrs) probably has a coupla good years left…
he’s had one injury of note, a knee injury in 2005 in October that took him out for the year… other than that, no other lost time injuries…
i don’t think any left tackle in the league is a guarantee against a speed rusher… my idea would be to provide TE help to any LT that is going against a premier DE…
but i gotta believe ol’ Britt’s learned something during his 4 years with the NE Patricias…
(run the ball enough, and after a while, those premier DEs get a little slow…)
February 19th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Flozell Adams is 33 years old? Holy shite, I am getting old myself. It doesn’t seem like he was drafted that long ago…time flies.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Word is getting to Al Bundy, a few potential free agents do not want to come here. Free agents are making a few well placed calls! With all the turmoil between Bundy, Kiff and the R word, would any free-agent come here ? Russell wants speed on the outside, speed as in constant speed. Not some WR that wants to resurrect his or in one case her career. Sim’s has got to go, Russel’s agent has been slowly put-en on the pressure to Bundy, he can’t keep an eye on Sims then pass the long ball………….
Even a few agent’s have been calling a few of the Greatest of all time asking what is going on ??
They have said, “Total Iraq Chaos”……..
And so it is in Faidertowns Green Zone…………Just sell baby !!
Post 371 says it all…
February 19th, 2008 at 8:26 am
If Flozell Adams is willing to sign with us…pay the man!
Russell won’t be able to throw 80 yard Lasers while running for his life if Sims is there!
February 19th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Just sell Baby…….. Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Word is getting to Al Bundy, a few potential free agents do not want to come here. Free agents are making a few well placed calls! With all the turmoil between Bundy, Kiff and the R word, would any free-agent come here ? Russell wants speed on the outside, speed as in constant speed. Not some WR that wants to resurrect his or in one case her career. Sim’s has got to go, Russel’s agent has been slowly put-en on the pressure to Bundy, he can’t keep an eye on Sims then pass the long ball………….
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nobody… but nobody (except you) gives a rip what Russell’s agent has to say…
nobody…
February 19th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Cornerbacks
Nate Clements $12,266,666
Chris McAlister $9,407,082
Patrick Surtain $9,280,000
Quentin Jammer $8,583,330
Asante Samuel $7,790,000
Franchise: $9.465 million
Transition: $7.659 million
Comment: Nnamdi can thank the 49ers for assuring he’ll make nearly $10 million next season.
Boy, the 49ers really went overboard. How could they have made Clements the highest paid CB by almost $3 MILLION DOLLARS! WTF!
February 19th, 2008 at 8:40 am
hey 2 sense or is that ” NOSENSE” 4 years is to long already! he has already proven he is nothing other then a A F’ N punk bully! lyin his ass off to a senior citizen(al davis) ,
collectively the worst D in last 4 years! no pass rush, and hes’ had the horses! he just keeps cutting anyone who shows they pass rush (HUNLTEY,MOSES,RIDDLE),or puts them @ SDE BURGESS, AND SDT KELLY!SLBR’-WILLIAMS ! SO they cant rush the passer!
howard should have 20 sacks by now!
AS A probowl impact linebacker!! w/ hall of fame talent!!! but look at the results! oh wow 90tackles!. those ints this year!are due to HOWARDS’ INSANE ABILTIY THAT IS currently being wasted by that “FATPIG / DRUNK LOOOSERR!!! RYAN!
NO RUN DEFENSE! well put a OLBR/PASS RUSHER UP AGAINST 350LB ROAD GRADING TACKLES! AND LOOK @ RESULTS , BURGESS HAS 9 SACKS IN LAST 32 GAMES SINCE HE WAS MOVED TO SDE!! PRIOR TO THAT HE WAS A DESIGNATED PASS RUSHER W/ 16.50 IN 13 GAMES!!!
SO DONT STEP UP HERE AND LIE YOUR ASS OFF FOR THAT LOOSER!!!
February 19th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Dakota…
yeah, the whole thing is sick…
hopefully Parcells will get this crap fixed with respect to rookie contracts…
and evrything else will fall into line…
(i was actually hoping Davis would do it last year…)
February 19th, 2008 at 8:50 am
i gotta weigh in on this Rob Ryan stuff…
i do wish Kiffin had asked Al Davis nicely…
Ryan would be gone by now… and honestly… if it’s the defense that keeps us from putting up Ws next year, then Rob should be cut loose mid season, without ceremony…
he came in here with some strange ideas…
and frankly they did not work…
it was like he wanted to find the one spot where a player could not perform…
or provide an assignment that was beyond a players ability…
crap, i think football is hard enough doing what you’re trained to do and what you are familiar with…
no-one needs a coach putting innovation ahead of achievement and ability…
i think Rob is trying to out-do the old man in the innovation department…
that’s why defensive ends were in coverage…
corners were stuffing the run…
and no-one was rushing the passer…
it’s a recipe for injury, and a recipe for failure…
February 19th, 2008 at 8:53 am
“LOOSER!!!”
LOL muhahahaha
February 19th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Pete,
I guess the self professed expert OakGlenn didnt make an impression on you.
Me either.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Name one area that this Defense has improved…run, nope…pass rush, nope….tackling, not at all!!!
Rob Ryan’s record as Defensive Coordinator since ‘04:
15-49!!!!
February 19th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Mistabrown Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Pete,
I guess the self professed expert OakGlenn didnt make an impression on you.
Me either.
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i like oakglenn… and he writes some pretty good stuff here…
i just happen to disagree with him on this…
February 19th, 2008 at 9:01 am
If 15-49 doesn’t spell LOSER, then what does??
February 19th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I have a bad feeling that Rob Ryan and this defense will cost the Raiders 2 to 3 losses this season.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Rob Ryan has had ample opportunity to show that he deserves to be a d-coordinator in the NFL. He has failed and it is time to move on. Yes, he did not have the best players in Oakland, but blame has to be placed and Rob Ryan, as the leader of the defense has to take responsibility. It is the nature of professional sports that the coach goes before the players.
Players always receive a second chance. They deserve an opportunity to be coached and guided by another individual to see if new ideas, philosophies and techniques may make them improve. Players are too important and valuable to just throw away with the idea that the coach is right and all the players simply are not performing.
It is Rob Ryan’s job to teach and improve the Raiders defense, he has failed to do so. You can tell by reading his comments from late last season that he does not have any new ideas or answers for how to fix the defense, so he has to go. Unfortunately, Al Davis is no longer capable of making the right decisions for the Raiders, so Rob Ryan stays for another year. It really is too bad. Who knows how good players like Huff, Stu, Routt and Washington might become under the tutelage of a new d-coordinator? Why were they such good players in college and have become crap under the direction of Rob Ryan? Maybe those players can be saved by a new set of ideas and philosophies? Just look at the improvement Gallery made under a new coach. Could a new defensive coordinator teach the players the fundamentals of tackling, angles of pursuit and play recognition? I would certainly rather see a new coordinator given that chance before cutting our current players and allowing Rob Ryan a chance to destroy another crop of young defensive draft picks, wouldn’t you?
I guess we will have to wait at least another year to find out if new ideas would help…thanks Al.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Dakota, I had a good laugh
5 CB’s – $47,327,078
No Super Bowl ring for any of them last year.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Dakota,
I been saying since the season ended RR needs to go. Two people on this blog support RR. He should have been fired after year 3. I hate to give Soulpatrol/Townsend93/Davis70 credit but he is right on the mark when he says name 1 player that has flourished under Ryan.
Nothing is more painfully obvious that year 5 will be just like 1-4 but its going to cost us a division and or playoff in 2008.
Stand by your man OakGlenn because your going to get run off this blog if RR doesn’t do something he has NEVER done…have success in the NFL as a DC.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:17 am
ATL, only 2-3?
Too conservative, how about 5-6 ?
I hope Im wrong!
February 19th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Pete,
How can you take anything serious he says if says Ryan is not the problem, give him 1 more year. What is he watching ?
People on this blog follow Oak blindly like his word is gospel its a joke.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Mistabrown, I was trying to be conservative on the estimate.
I’m guessing 2-3 losses directly related to defensive breakdowns in the 4th quarter…which we have seen time and time again with RR’s defense.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Mista,
I agree with you about Rob Ryan, but I don’t think Oakglenn should be “run off this blog” if he is wrong. He is just as entitled to his opinion as we are, and if he is wrong he will eat some sh!t, but so what, we have all said controversial things here. That is what makes coming on here fun, is to hear and debate some very controversial sh!t about our beloved team.
I mean, I shouldn’t run you off just because you are delusional in your support of the Warriors right, lol.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Can’t say that Ryan deserves a further shot at DC, but he is what we’ve got for another season. Hopefully adding a few horses will improve us enough where the three point defeats will turn into three point victories.
A few more measly points out of the offense will make everyone smell better.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I dont mean run off “banned” I mean he chooses not to show his face because he has no credibility.
Nothing is delusional about the Warriors! Unless they lose to Utah tonight.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Mista,
Losing to Utah is nothing to be ashamed about, but if the Lakers lose to ATL tonight (whom they lost too just a few days ago), I might break something in my house.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Ok,
So Lane Kiffin go ahead and coach your ass off. Get JR ready each and every week, improve the O-line and passing game to compliment the run game you already got going and ohhhhhhh by the way you better compensate for that DC because he’s going to cost you maybe your job, maybe a division championship, maybe a playoff game!
Beautiful.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Orange Juice Pete………..
Russell’s Agent, is causing “Bundy” to put on a few more pampers…His contract has alot to say who will be on the “O” line, just as Brady’s contract states.
Orange Juice Pete [ from Florida ? ], must still be swimming with the that chicken from the sea.
What spells Commitment to Excellence of a combined 298 Win’s, PLAY-OFF Win’s of 10, plus 3 Superbowl Win’s is “former” Coaches of the Raiders. Coach Shan, Turner and the Chucked Baby…………And so it is in the Chaos of the Green Zone in Faidertown, as post 405 stated !!
Just sell baby, and so it is………….
February 19th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Lane Kiffin, “I thought the defense would be the strength of this team heading into the season. I was wrong.”
February 19th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Dakota losing to Utah will be a dagger in the heart. We have to be able to get past those guys or we wont get past 1st round if we even make the 8th spot.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Atl,
I dont know what gave Kiffin that idea! Ryan has coached the D down every year consistently.
Ugh, what a downer RR is!
LOL @ orange juice Pete
February 19th, 2008 at 9:35 am
The 2006 defensive stats gave everyone false hope, including Kiffin. Walsh & Shell’s offense was so putrid, that when teams got up by 10+ points, they just ran the clock out and didn’t really test the defense.
The defense did get tested in ‘07…and failed miserably.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Actually RR is not the only obstacle Kiffin has in front of him..
Janikowski’s foot usually costs us 2 games a year as well..
The Zebras play their part all 16 games…
Lane my friend, good luck to you the cards are stacked!
February 19th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Mistabrown, it is no delusion to say that the Warriors are the most fun team to watch on planet basketball. Been going to games since they were in the Civic Center and Cow Palace, and this year is as delightful to watch as the TimmyMitchChris bunch. A title? Extremely doubtful. Entertaining absolutely.
ATLRaider, I don’t think Kiffin was alone in that belief. How many missed player/games to crucial elements of the D-line were there last year? Keep adding linemen should help.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:40 am
ATL, you are right I admit I was fooled a little but week 1 of 2007 I was getting the idea and by week 8 I was convinced.
But according to the experts OakGlenn & BHP. Ryan is not the problem so I wonder what is I guess Amy Trask needs to accept blame.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:43 am
HEY MISTA , ATL , FLORIDA HERES THE WON LOSS RECORD PER COACH!!!
KIFFIN-.75 WIN & 5.25 LOSS
KNAPP- 3.25 WIN & 0 LOSSES
RYAN- 0 WIN & 7.25 LOSS
HOW DID I FIGURE IT OUT?? WELL U MUST GIVE PARTIALS IST OFF! LIKE THE LIONS 4 INSTANCE, I CAN GIVE A 1/2 LOSS TO THE DEF & 1/2 LOSS TO KIFFIN FOR NOT STARTING CULPEPER COMIN IN OFF A HOT PRESEASON VS A TEAM HE IS 11-0!WHY START A GUY (MCOWN) THAT LIONS DO NOT FEAR??
THE BROWN & MIAMI WIN GOES .25WIN KIFFIN, .75 KNAPP
FOR BRINGIN BACK THE GROUND GAME , THIS IS KNAPPS’GENIOUS! & KIFFIN .25% FOR LETTING IT HAPPEN! THESE ARE JUST FOR INSTANCES!! BUT ACCURATE ! THE 1ST CHIEF GAME I PUT LOSS 100% ON ‘”BAD PLAYCALLING”"
THAT FALLS SQUARLEY ON KIFFIN , WITH HIS INSISTANCE OF UNDERMINING KNAPPS’ PLAYCALLING ABILTY! ETC ! I CAN GO IN DEPTH IF ANY OF YOU GUYS WANT !
PLEASE NO “RYANGROUPIE” RESPONSES!!! OR THERE WILL BE A PROBLEM!!!
SO RYAN BEING THERE AT BEST WE GO .500 THAT MEANS OUR OFFENSE HAS TO BE FLAWLESS & DOMINATE EVERY GAME JUST TO GO 8-8 THATS HOW BAD THIS GUY REALLY IS!!IVE BEEN SAYING SINCE 2004 W/ THAT /” STATIC” 3-4 HE PUT IN! THEN IN 05 W/ BRAYTON/IRONS PLAYING OLBR !THEN IST GAME OF 06 PRESEASON W/ SHELL WHEN ISAW THAT B.S.DEF HE PUT IN W/ BURGESS@SDE,KELLY@SDT,&MORRISON@MLBR, HUFF@ S.S.I FLIPPED MAN , I LOST IT ! I WAS THRWOIN SHIT ALL OVER!! ‘” IF HE PLANS ON PUTTIN THAT B.S. DEF ON FIELD VS CHARGERS GAME 1 , HE WILL GIVE UP 200YDS A GAME!! ” WAS MY EXACT QUOTE!!!! I LOVE BEING WRONG!!! BUT THAT DONT HAPPEN !!! IN THIS CASE SO
IF HE IS THERE IN 08 WE ARE 5-11 @ BEST!
THAT SHOULDVE BEEN END OF HIM !! WHAT HAPPENED??? HE MUST BE SUCKING UP TO AL BIG TIME!!! OR BULLYING AL
I CAN JUST IMAGINE!WHAT A SHAME!!!
SO ATL-MISTA- FLORIDA!!! THE BAD NEWS IS WE ARE LOOKING AT ANOTHER 4-12 SEASON ! AND A NEW HEADCOACH B4 END OF YEAR!!!!! SORRY TO SAY!!
February 19th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Here is my list of worst Dakota anger fits after losses:
Raiders lose the Chiefs in the early 1990s: Punched bedroom window (thankfully not hurt). Later that day I threw a football through that window to cover it up, parents not mad about that.
7) Raiders lose to Broncos, mid 1990s: Kicked hole in bedroom wall. I covered it with a poster for 10 years, parents discovered it while I was in college, at which time it became funny.
6) Raiders lose to Broncos in 1998 or 1999: Threw jar of Jiffy peanut butter through a wall.
5) Tim Duncan hits seemingly game-winning shot over Lakers in game 5 of playoffs in 2004. I threw a Crown Royal bag full of coins through a wall. Derek Fisher then won the game on the miracle shot…I was happy and totally embarrassed. Girlfriend was angry, but she still married me last Summer!
4) ND loses to USC on Bush Push game: I ran outside and cured up a storm. Once I regained my composure I noticed a 10 year old neighbor girl staring at my like I was Satan.
3) ND loses to Boston College in 1994: Threw board game across room, other players very mad at me.
2) Cubs lose Bartman game: completely and utterly destroy oscillating fan.
1) Raiders lose to Bucs in Super Bowl: Driving home from SB party I briefly contemplated driving car off the interstate. It was only a brief thought.
Just thought I would share.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:45 am
LOL
“PLEASE NO “RYANGROUPIE” RESPONSES!!! OR THERE WILL BE A PROBLEM!!!”
February 19th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Dakota, what did you do after the tuck game have a slumber party ????
February 19th, 2008 at 9:47 am
#4…”cursed up a storm”
February 19th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Mista, I forgot about that one. I was living in Omaha, Nebraska, and I had an apartment with a fireplace. I threw a glass at the fireplace and stomped around the apartment in silent anger…that should be top 3 in my list.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:51 am
OC’s and DC’s are hired/fired/change teams all the time, doesn’t necessarily change the HC.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Sorry about you living in Omaha where are you now in Dakota ?
February 19th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Three players who need to breakthrough in 2008:
1) Stanford Routt: Can he continue the development, cut out the lapses in concentration and emulate Asomugha?
2) Paul McQuistan: Is he really the long-term answer at RT?
3) John Madsen: Can he move his game up to the next level and make a case for greater game time?
Three players who need big comebacks in 2008:
1 Jake Grove: Had a good game against Denver but is he really a starter at pro-level?
2) Terdell Sands: Can he ever recapture the form of the 2006 season, when he looked a solid DT, or was 2007 the horrid truth?
3) Ronald Curry: He regressed in 2007, too many drops, too little impact. Is the tank empty or can he return to the best of 2006?
Three players who need to prove their worth:
1) Johnnie Lee Higgins: Has real speed and had a good camp, but looked lost in real game time. Can he find the character to match the potential?
2) Mario Henderson: We gambled a 3rd on his great potential. One redshirt year later, can he justify the investment?
3) Michael Huff: Brilliant in college, but average (so far) in the NFL. Free from the thankless task of markig TEs, can he become a standout FS?
February 19th, 2008 at 9:55 am
M you’re right OC’s & DC’s change and sometimes the HC stays but c’mon you know Al’s track record right?
The HC is where Al usually starts and he works his way down. If RR goes after 2008 it will because we missed the playoffs and our D was ranked in the 20’s or 30’s. LK & RR likely would both go together.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I read that the chiefs wasnt franchise Jared Allen, if this is true, we MUST have to sign him, he is the real deal. If we ONLY sign him via free agency, Im cool.
I read that he is a Raider fan, and tha he want to live in the bay area.
So, forgive Williams, Smith, Berrian, Adams, Feneca, SIGN JARED, hes young, a raider fan and a monster
February 19th, 2008 at 9:59 am
CASTRO HAS STEPPED DOWN TODAY –> IT’S TIME FOR YOU AL ! NOW !!
February 19th, 2008 at 10:02 am
El Negro I agree Allen is a stud! Lets sign him.
Maybe Ryan will convert him to linebacker or NT and see if that works out.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Sorry, but Jared Allen’s off the market:
“The Chiefs put their franchise tag on defensive end Jared Allen.
That’s no surprise to Allen, who has been hoping for a long-term deal with the Chiefs but knew they wouldn’t let him hit the free-agent market. Allen, 25, was the NFL sacks leader with 15½ sacks even though he played only 14 games.
Allen was suspended the first two games because of multiple DUI convictions.
Two weeks ago at the Pro Bowl, Allen discussed the likelihood he would be franchised.
The one-year tender for a franchise defensive end is $8.879 million. For any team that tries to sign him, they would have to forfeit two first-round picks if the Chiefs elect not to match an outside offer.
If Allen doesn’t get a long-term deal by mid-July, he has said he would not sign a long-term deal in the future. Allen likes the city. He likes the coach, Herm Edwards. He wants to stay a Chief for a long period of time. For the moment, though, he is under a one-year offer while both sides try to work on long-term security.”
ESPN
February 19th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Mista,
I live in the Black Hills of Southwestern South Dakota. Near Mount Rushmore.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:06 am
El NegroyPlata, now that would be an excellent pickup, but wouldn’t the Chiefs rather all die collectively in a plane crash than to allow the Raiders their best player?
February 19th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Oh well, ScottishRaider’s post took care of that.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Scottish Raider, yup..I couldn’t agree more.
We are going to sink or swim with those players that you listed.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:13 am
RAIDERHATERHATER Says:
February 18th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
“RaiderDogg…I thought Echemandu was cut and playing for someone else..i wanna say Houston? I say cut Rhodes and spend the money on D. We can always sign a 3rd stringer cheap…Bush is gonna kick ass this year. Hes gonna hit the same holes as Fargas but with power to run safeties over. No disrespect intended Fargas.”
Rahul Says:
February 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
“echemandu isnt on the team anymore!! i hate how i see people write bush, fargas, rhodes and echemondu are going to make the raiders a fromidable running team. eche played against us last year after we cut him. cmon guys get ur raider facts together now.”
RAIDERHATERHATER and Rahul,
Just so you guys know Adimchinobe Echemandu was re-signed by the Raiders on 1/16/08. Hey Rahul who needs to get their facts straight? Come on now.
Dakota -
That was quite a list of aggro behavior. I guess if the Lakers lose in the playoffs and I read about some guy in the Black Hills of Southwestern South Dakota going nuts and destroying an entire 7-11, I will know who they are talking about.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Interesting fact: According USAToday, Oakland, California, has not lost one military serving citizen in the war in Iraq.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-18-uscities-fatalities_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
February 19th, 2008 at 10:16 am
that is an interesting fact Dakota, I guess if you’ve lived and survived being in Oakland, especially East Oakland, you can survive anywhere.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:19 am
What do you guys think about signing the defensive tackle just released by Chicago-Darwin Walker?
February 19th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Scottish,
So that ends my dream to see Jared Allen in Silver & Black. It was too good to be true.
Well, so now we have to sign Justin Smith
February 19th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Dogg,
It is lunch time here, so I am going to run by the Kum and Go and pick up a bag of nuts and a hot cherry pie. Yummy.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Just sell Baby…….. Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Orange Juice Pete………..
Russell’s Agent, is causing “Bundy” to put on a few more pampers…His contract has alot to say who will be on the “O” line, just as Brady’s contract states.
Orange Juice Pete [ from Florida ? ], must still be swimming with the that chicken from the sea.
What spells Commitment to Excellence of a combined 298 Win’s, PLAY-OFF Win’s of 10, plus 3 Superbowl Win’s is “former” Coaches of the Raiders. Coach Shan, Turner and the Chucked Baby…………And so it is in the Chaos of the Green Zone in Faidertown, as post 405 stated !!
Just sell baby, and so it is………….
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
miss just keep selling your ass, baby…
if you think anyone’s agent has anything to say about who plays where on a football team…
you are not just delusional…
you are insane…
just keep showing your ass, baby… and so it is…
February 19th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Kum & Go is a franchise with locations thru outbthe heartland and northern plains.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Dakota -
Sounds very satisfying.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:07 am
2,7,5,4,8 she watches it all added up to zero,and there’s nothing in her head….
question why are tripping on jared allen . i recall our very own barry sims shutting him down, in the second meeting.we have burgess and we need to sing chris clemmons the man caused a motha@%#&!@% rukas late in the season,he’s a potential beast! folks seem to be getting off track on our needs .we need a defensive tackle, we need to bolster up the middle of the defense… hmmm if anything we need to go after lance briggs if we we gonna spend that kind of money. him in the middle morrisison on one side ,howard on the other….hmmm that my friends would be scary !that would be a raider rukas . throw corey williams in the mix then draft a young tackle i prefer ellis . then you got to ask yourself who the heck gonna run on oakland ….hmmm
yo scottish, i agree witcha on who needs a break-out year… huff should have been f/s year one. grove as callahan said ‘ too light in the pants ! ain’t gave up on him but he’s not the answer at center use him at guard .terdell sands is a over paid back up , but will add depth but will have too take a pay -cut !….
linds got mthis feeling al gonna on a shopping spree just hope he spends right my brothas….
i’m getting root down ,i’m getting root down ,i’m getting root ,root, getting root down…!
February 19th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I keep reading on this blog that Huff will move to FS next year. I’m not even sure who will be coaching the Raiders next year, nevermind who will be playing free safety. I’m just wondering where this is coming from.
Can anyonre clear this up for me?
February 19th, 2008 at 11:35 am
If we sign Darwin Walker, Defensive Tackle just released by the Bears, then we may not have to use our #3 or 4 pick on Ellis or Dorsey. We could, if available take DE Chris Long or OT Jake Long or maybe trade down for more picks. Is Walker good enough? What do you guys think?
I believe the coin toss with Atlanta is tomorrow. What time and will it be televised?
February 19th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Florida Pete,
The Oakland Raiders have never had a Hall of Fame DT (except Howie as DE/DT). NEVER.
If we can get Ellis or Dorsey, we should. Preferably Ellis. Chris Long would be an excellent draft pick for us. With the Fargas signing, I don’t think we need to risk drafting McFadden. I think Michael Bush will prove effective in short yardage situations and moving the chains late in a game.
GO JAMARCUS!!!
February 19th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Chris Long’s gotta be the guy. I hope your projection is right, Jerry.
If C. Long is gone, I wouldn’t mind taking Jake Long (OT from Mich) to replace Barry “False Start” Sims and cover J-Russell’s backside for the next ten years. Just because Gallery was a bust doesn’t mean another Big-10 OT will be. I never understood that logic. It’s not like a system QB who puts up ridiculous numbers just because of the offense he’s in. OT is OT. Long was very impressive.
No way should we take McFadden. He’s not as good as Adrian Peterson. Everyone just likes to make that comparrison because he’s the No. 1 back the following year and they have similar body types. They don’t run the same and Peterson is much more explosive, IMO. McFadden got a lot of yards on gadget type plays where he lined up as QB in a spread-option offense. That doesn’t translate to the NFL. Plus, we have yet to see if Michael Bush will become a star.
There are a ton of good running backs in this draft. Rhodes is gone, that leaves us with Bush, Fargas, Echemandu and maybe pick a back like Ray Rice, Steve Slaton, Mike Hart or one of many guys out there without the big-time name who can play. Look at how many teams find late-round or even undrafted gems at RB: Willie Parker, Marion Barber, Priest Holmes, Ryan Grant, Chester Taylor, Denver’s parade of 1,000-yard rushers all come to mind as successful backs who weren’t on anyone’s radar on draft day.
Fargas was great last year, Echemandu was the team’s best back in the preseason but never got a chance during the reg. season, and Bush would’ve been a top-15 pick before he got hurt. If he’s healthy, he could easily be as good or even better than McFadden. We have enough at that position that we should turn to shore up our o-line and d-line first. I think Dorsey is overrated and either Long would be the best pick.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:52 am
i’m a huge Bush fan…
i don’t want mcfadden…
i’m a big people person… get lots of big, fast people on the line…
that’s what i want…
yeah…
February 19th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
FLPete…
As in G. Walker Bush?
February 19th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I am pretty sure he is talking Michael Bush LMN.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Dakota…
I know…
“i’m a big people person… get lots of big, fast people on the line…”
gave it pretty much away, just couldn’t help myself =)
February 19th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I haven’t been out to Oakland for a game since the ‘02 season.
How does the crowd react to Rob Ryan? Is he heckled?
February 19th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
LMN,
Any fallout from the cartoon publication yet in Denmark?
February 19th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
HEY , HUFF was supposed to be freesafty last year!!remember we had 5 strg sftys on roster, bing-donovan-frampotn- cooper ward/branch!! then ryan came up with the revolutioary ” DUAL ROLE SAFETY” scheme ,remember that!! he then threatened the vaunted ” 3 SAFTEY LOOK”
JUST SO HE CAN KEEP HIS ” RAT” STU IN HIS JOB! ALL THESE MOVES CUTTING- BING-DONOVAN-FRAMPTO-WARD ETC! ALL WERE DESIGNED & PREMEDITATED BY RYAN TO KEEP STU ON FIELD! SO THAT WAY HE CAN HAVE HIS “FLY ON WALL ” IN LOCKER ROOM!! THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED !! VERY GUY HE CUT WAS MORE THEN GOOD ENUFF TO PLAY&START!! BUT THAT WOULD MEAN THAT HUFF HAS TO GO TO FREESAFETY!AND STU WOULD RIDE PINES !!
I THINK RYAN IS EITHER SABOUTING TEAM! OR IS JUST REALLY THIS F’N STUPID!
EITHER WAY HE NEEDS TO GO NOW!
THINK ABOUT IT! MOSS-GO TO NE! GABRIEL-TO NE
BING-TO JETS, RIDDLE-TO RAVENS! FRAMPTON-MINNY&THEN GIANTS! HAMILTON-TO JETS, TUI-TO JETS! BARTON TO JETS! RASHAD MOORE TO JETS!!
IT SEEMS THAT THE DIRECT BENEFICIARYS’ FROM ALL THESE QUESTIONABLE MOVES WERE ALL TEAMS THAT CAN BE REGARDED AS “RYAN CRONIES” !!!!!!!!!!THINK ABOUT IT!!!! THIS IS ALL FACTS!!!1
February 19th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
LMN-what you insinuated the other night is not true.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Lefty,
What did LMN insinuate the other night? Just curious.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Dakota…
Oh yeah… our ambassadors around the world has been asked to explain ourselves and make our government apologize for our press =)
There have been some fires in the streets in the immigrant quarters, but that is gang related
February 19th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Lefty12…
yeah what did i say?
February 19th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
florida pete , what’s up my man….
what’s the negative hype from the news papers … saying we’re dysfunctional, noboby wants to sign with oakland … what they smokin man? we got huge upside the puzzle almost complete. hey, how about making a run for lance briggs, ? morrison, howard and briggs firm sounds likes a rukas to me pete …what they saying what,they saying…hmmm.
pete i’m loing my mind man , i open this letter there was anthrax man …i’m going crazy man , ten days before the market opens… count down to armegedon
someone call 911 baby here comes the rukas….
February 19th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
#470
huh?
February 19th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Dakota-an article in realfootball 365.LMN-you insinuated i was posting as someone else i think.if not,sorry.it was Sat night and i did have too many pints.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Anyone think Derek Smith might be worth picking up to bolster the LBs next year? 33, so a little long in the tooth, but he looks pretty productive until Willis took his job…49ers cut him today. If he is a MLB could we then move Morrison outside?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=1261
February 19th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Lefty 12…
I cant remember doing so. If i did, and was wrong sorry! =)
February 19th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Florida Pete Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 8:50 am
i gotta weigh in on this Rob Ryan stuff…
i do wish Kiffin had asked Al Davis nicely…
Ryan would be gone by now… and honestly… if it’s the defense that keeps us from putting up Ws next year, then Rob should be cut loose mid season, without ceremony…
he came in here with some strange ideas…
and frankly they did not work…
it was like he wanted to find the one spot where a player could not perform…
or provide an assignment that was beyond a players ability…
crap, i think football is hard enough doing what you’re trained to do and what you are familiar with…
no-one needs a coach putting innovation ahead of achievement and ability…
i think Rob is trying to out-do the old man in the innovation department…
that’s why defensive ends were in coverage…
corners were stuffing the run…
and no-one was rushing the passer…
it’s a recipe for injury, and a recipe for failure…
*****
Well written, Florida Pete. Good to see that people are posting on football related topics…I even enjoy reading ancillary topics from time to time (Warriors…the Bay Area scene…global politics…etc.) It’s the obscene crap that the moderator sometimes misses that needs to be taken down…
February 19th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
If there is anyway the Raiders can get Chris Long I think that would be huge. Most people have him going #1 now. Plus, being the son of a Raider Great, who played his entire career as a Raider……..I don’t think you can ask for much more. A great way to sell tix’s!
February 19th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
RR does need to go…having said that, as a Raider fan, I realized a long time ago that Al will do whatever he wants…all we as fans can do is hope he’ll do the right thing…
Brayton as a LB…Sapp as a DE…oh man, those were clearly moves that blew up in our face…what’s next?
February 19th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
LMN-no problem.i was probably over reacting.like i said the wife and i spent too much time at Sierra Nevada Brewery that night.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
davis70-
good rebuttal to plead your case and prove me wrong. i won’t even defend myself to that atrocity of a post.
and for the rest of you what it is that ive been watching i’ll tell you.
I’ve been watching an young, inexperienced defense. i’ve seen a lot of man to man defense with out zoning underneath which makes it extremely difficult to defend any running play designed to go outside without consistent play from the DL. I saw ALOT of poor angles taken by the DB’s that turned normal 5-10 yrd gains into 60 yard touchdowns destroying the stats. (if you look oakland gave up more 20+ runs than anyone in the league). I think the stats again DONT TELL THE WHOLE STORY. I’m not saying he’s gonna turn our d into the NY Giants but i am saying with the right moves this off season. you will see a better defense on the field. REGARDLESS OF WHO OUR DC IS!!!!! one thing you do see is the D playing hard year in and year out. that you can attribute to RR cuz even when oakland was the 2006 laughing stock the D was still doing its business.
No matter who’s there the philosophy is going to be the same. its not like a change will bring in a new system anyways. we’ve been running the same defense since i’ve been born. it al’s not RR’s so really whats the difference?
If someone is going to disagree please at least back it up with something other than lousy statistics.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Dakota I had the same thoughts. regarding Derek Smith…
Yes he is old, but its only for one or two seasons we need him. We need a real ILB, I live Morrison and Howard, but they cant handle runs in the middle, they are best on the outside.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Not A Hardcore Raider Fan
Chris Long is overrated. His dad was great but that doesn’t get him a pass. We don’t need another DE right now. On defense, we need 2 DT’s, a MLB and a SS. On offense we need a starting OLT, a backup C and a #! & #2 WR. Enough of the Chris Long talk. We should take Sedrick Ellis DT, USC as our #1 pick and Trevor Laws DT, Notre Dame as our #2 pick. Then the best available WR, OT, SS & LB available.
If you really want Long on the S&B then pick him up in FA in 5 years. By then we’ll know how good he really is.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
…I love Morrison and Howard…
February 19th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Chris long would be a good pass rush, but it would help our run d. alot. other teams would just run to the opposite side he is line up. we have to upgrade our d-line with Dorsey or Ellis, they could plug in the middle. I think Burgess and clemson can plug the sides, and then all we need is someone to replace sands/warren, maybe someone from FA
February 19th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
As much as I despise the EssEffers, watching Derek Smith play was always “how come that guy is in on every play?” Perhaps he has lost it, but with their young’uns Willis and Lawson they definitely don’t need him anymore. I’d take a look.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I am going to maintain being the staunch supporter of Ellis. The Combine is coming up and if you guys have NFL network i encourage you to watch his workout he is going to blow people away.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Derek smith should have a look at, but so should that one LB from Pittsburg, No.53, he’s an OLB who can rush the passer, if we can get him than morrison can stay in the middle, also he’s a FA, so no trades
February 19th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
When are they going to have coverage on the combine in NFL network? i have it, but they said they won’t place it on the air till the 23rd, meaning we miss the first 3 days
February 19th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
2sense -
The Raiders ran the 3-4 defense in all 3 of their Super Bowl wins. It’s the man coverage on the outside that never changes.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I can envision a D line of Richardson, Ellis, Laws & Kelley on 1st & 2nd downs followed by Burgess & Clemons at DE on passing downs. Our sack count will be in record breaking territory.
If we can pickup a run stuffing MLB, even a Danny Clarke who can tackle very well, the run stuffing aspect would almost be complete.
A Thomas DeCoud, Safety-UCBerkeley
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 204 | 40-Time: 4.55 could be a decent prospect for the SS position. He’s still very raw but does have long arms and excellent hitting power. He is also known as a good run stuffer.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
2sense–good points, but I would respectfully disagree. You mention bad angles taken by our secondary; I would counter by saying “where is the coaching on that problem?” Aren’t they discussing this on film during the week, and fixing during contact drills? Ryan’s own WIFE pointed out the obvious–WE TACKLE POORLY. Aren’t coaches supposed to take time out to teach proper technique?
I’m a baseball guy, so I never had any experience playing organized football other than flag, so I’m never going to pretend that I know more than I actually do. But I can, and do, recognize good coaching. WE DO HAVE PLAYMAKERS on our club, but some of the problem is scheme, and some of it is technique. Both of these areas are areas that COACHES are responsible for.
Those are pieces of evidence that aren’t necessarily statistics…when Ryan’s wife can point out we tackle poorly, then change IS WAY OVERDUE…
February 19th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
JB, remember what division we are in, we’re in a division where gonzales and gates be the primary recievers. They weren’t a threat to us last year because huff played SS and covered them, but now that he’s most likely going to FS, than we need someone who’s not only good with the run, but also covering those two TE.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
There’s better than a 50/50 chance that Ellis will go before Dorsey. I only hope it’s the S & B that gets him. If he’s already gone then we have to take Dorsey. either player will make a monumental difference to our D-line.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
IDIB-work around the campfire is that Ellis is so strong that the SC weight room had to order 200 pound dumbells just for him…apparently whatever was the heaviest set was just too light for him…
February 19th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
“daaraiders Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 11:35 am
If we sign Darwin Walker, Defensive Tackle just released by the Bears, then we may not have to use our #3 or 4 pick on Ellis or Dorsey. We could, if available take DE Chris Long or OT Jake Long or maybe trade down for more picks. Is Walker good enough?”
Remember who Walker is? the guy who thinks he’s good, and thinks he should get paid?, you can see why Denver is willing to trade/cut him. I’m not sure which DT you are talking about, but if he’s from the bears, I’ll take him over the DT’s we have, also Corry REding, i think his name was, was recently cut from the falcons, he wouldn’t be a bad DT in our team
February 19th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I predict Al will re-sign Brayton to a reduced salary and make him our starting MLB…lol…maybe change his number to 83 too.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
raiders/warriors/athletics
Valid point. But, I come from the school that says stop the problem at the source rather than the destination. A great D line with heavy pressure humbles the best of QB’s – witness the Super Bowl and Mr. Tom Brady. It’s really hard to complete a pass to a great TE when your QB is on his backside. Just haveing 2 fast DE’s is not enough – the QB just steps up and completes the pass. The missing pieces are the DT positions who must be able to pressure up the middle. Once done, the QB is DONE.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Ellis = Sapp
Dorsey = Haynesworth
If we could get either we will be fine. But there is a possibility that both will still be available when it’s our turn. 1.)The rams o-line was horrible due to ,the key word, “INJURIES” 2.) The rams aren’t that stupid to choose talent over need, the same reason we are in now.
So most likely the draft should go
Dolphins = M.Ryan/C.Long/trade down
Rams = J.Long/C.Long/G.Dorsey
Falcons = M.Ryan/D.Mac/trade down
Raiders = ?
Also this order is in which is important first, that’s why i have the rams taking J.long as their first option
February 19th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Amen, JB, it really is as simple as that.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
breshnahn ran about a total “anti-aldavis” defense with 2-3 good years! w/ less talent! and al didnt get ovrbearing on him! so did john fox! so did dave adolph,sumner,etc!!! o.K! so blaming al davis for a antiquated system aint holding water !!!ryan got to run exactly what he wanted in 04 & he blew it then to! he ran a anti al davis 3-4 ,( a 3-4 w/ no blitzing what a joke!!)
then the vaunted 4-1-6 wolverine oohhh!!with the 4-3-4 , 4 def end package, that was a good one !
2- 6′6 280 lbs ef ends playing olbr , chasing down tes’/ flankers & hbs down field !!(then you dopes go and blame the players’ yes u have)
rite there that should have cemented it for all of you ” ryangroupies” that he is a “sick f;;k” and he & he alone is the reason why the def has no pass rush or run def!!! then he puts burges a pass ruher @ the point , SDE to stop the run very down! with no strong sfty or solbr ( williams is supposed to be rushing the passer every down ) support!! and yet u blame the plaeyrs!! and more of the same in 07 !! and yet u blame thwe players!! when are u gonna understand that it is never the players ! it is the coaches job to bring out the best in his players!!even if he stinks!!
just like KNAPP-CABLE did this year!! they went from worst to first !! in 1 year !!!just with a coaching change!!!
ive said it then i’ll say it now w/ monte / rivera/ spagnuolo(my fav) or any young aspiring great mind like them ! we will a top 3 defense vs run & pass with a “TERRIFYING ” PASS RUSH 45+sacks !!!! THE PLAYERS ARE THERE !
all we need is a great coach!!!
so blaming al davis is not even a joke , it is just f’n stupid & delusional !!! kinda like “robryan” and his groupies that seem to litter this web site& others!! when he leaves go with him!!! i’ll be watching!! if i catch u here after he leaves i will bury you!!!
February 19th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
raiders/warriors/athletics – Not sure why they are missing the first days. I will be disappointed if we can’t see the D-line workouts as they are they big blue chip picks this year.
DesertRaider24 – I had heard that too. Its pretty incredible. I want to watch his bench workout. Does anyone remember watching the Superstars back in the day and seeing Dave Casper winning the weight lifting competition every year
February 19th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
JB
True, but they aren’t going to be on there back all the time, there still would be a TE open, i’m not saying don’t get a DT for the 1st round, i’m supporting that idea actually, what i’m saying is that we need a SS that can stop the run as well as cover TE, and i’ll be back online later, gotta go, 6th period class starting soon
February 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
raiders/warriors/athletics
I think your assessment is fairly close. The only difference is that I’m an optimist and have us at the #3 position in front of Atlanta, having won the coin toss (were about due fir a break.
Regarding that Ellis observation: It was true that the largest free weights at USC were 160# each. They were too light for Ellis so they purchased a set of 200# free weights for his use. This guy is a beast with outstanding techniques already in-place. His handwork is amazing. His only shortcoming right now is that sometimes he gets too high on his rushes. When he does he loses all his leverage. He just needs to stay low.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Thanks for the update, JB…as to his perceived “shortcoming” I would simply say “good coaching should fix that problem…” Coughlin fixed Barber’s fumbling problems early in his career simply by having him hold the ball differently…this case is no different…a simple case of a coach teaching proper technique…
February 19th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
raiders/warriors/athletics Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Ellis = Sapp
Dorsey = Haynesworth
____
well Sapp was horible in the 3-4 and Ellis is best in 3-4. Dorsey is best in 4-3. Heynesworth can play both!
February 19th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
The Combine is scheduled to come on Saturday at 8AM PST. This particular segment (3 hours worth) covers K, OL & TE. The next segment comes on at 8AM PST Sunday. It will cover the RB, QB & WR. Monday at 8AM PST begins with the LB & DL prospects. Tuesday at 8AM PST covers the DB in2 groups – most likely CB’s and Safeties. All segments appear to replay 3 additional times on each day.
The bottomline here is if you have the NFL network, you’ll get to see or tape the combines.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Never thought I would say this… but I miss the days of Chuck Bresnahan. Compared to Rob Ryan, the man is a Genius!
February 19th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I saw the 49ers cut ILB Derek Smith.I live in NY so I really dont know much about him.I looked up his #s and they were damn good. Is this guy worth signing to shore up our LBers
February 19th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Derek Smith LB was just released by 49ers…
he was a tacklin gmachine the last few years over 100 a year !!!
February 19th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
JB – Thanks for the info. I guess i need a life if I am getting pumped about watching the combines.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
absolutely Once
I was checking out his numbers…he was booted becasue of Patrick Willis…and since we dont have a rookie dynamo like him on D right now…he would be a hell of a contributor in a spot we need depth
February 19th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I keep reading on this blog over and over and over that we need 2 DT’s, a hard hitting run support SS, and we should move Kirk outside and get a new MLB. And I agree with all of that. Yet the run defense is Rob Ryans fault. Do some of you guys even know what a football looks like??
February 19th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
let me guess it’s a ball shaped like a foot?
Rob Ryan can’t tackle for sheet man!
February 19th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
This guy Derek Smith sounds like a Greg Biekert type. Lots of heart and FBI(FootBall Intelligence) sign him up!!
February 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Hey Dogg. I just get so lambasted on this blog for some things, Ryan is one. Now if we had 2 pro bowl DT’s, a solid MLB and an All Pro Strong Safety and we were giving up 145 yds a game on the ground, I’d be the one down in Alameda packing Robs bags, I can gurarantee it.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
oakglenn i feel ya pain brother…
i agree that 5-2 defense reminded me of my son’s youth
football league but…
the raders have’nt address in run defense in how many
years now…hmmm
February 19th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
later for derek smith he’s not a dominate force like say….. lance briggs…hmmm
February 19th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
The problem with Derek Smith is he has like 12 years in the league. And when you’ve played 12 years in the NFL as an inside linebacker, you are beaten up. Hey, 7 or 8 years in the league, it might be worth a gamble. Pats are serious about signing Zack Thomas, which for the same reasons perplexes me, altho Seau is most likely done.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Have you guys seen the movie Idiocracy? Sometimes this blog reminds me of that movie. Scary.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Linds that is exactly the point. My question is what have we done personnel wise to bolster the run defense in the last 3 years??? The 2 answers I get are Oakglenn you’re an idiot and RR suks. OOoooookayyyy.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Do yourselves a favor, and read this:
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/2008198091324
February 19th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
oakglenn , if we do address the run defense and give rr ,some players who don’t run out of gas and know how to tackle …hmmm ,then maybe he can coach this defense like he’s been supposed to be coached
February 19th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
coaches don’t make personel… personel makes coaches just ask the jet fans…ha ha ha
February 19th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Linds, let’s say we draft Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis, and get the guy I like Bobbie Williams as a rookie strong safety. The defense would improve and everyone would give the credit to Kiffin and Dorsey. So, it’s a no win battle.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Or, maybe Rob Ryan can get off his fat @ss and teach the defensive players how to tackle, how to use angles of pursuit and how to recognize plays??? Aren’t those the things a coach is supposed to teach the players? Fundamentals? A team that lacks fundamentals is a team that lacks a good coach. You can’t teach athletic ability, but Rob Ryan is responsible for all of those missed tackles…HE IS THE TEACHER…
Hello, it really is that simple.
All these players succeeded in college, why can’t they succeed in the pros? Hmmm, maybe because their coach is a fat @ss piece of crap that does not know how to coach?
February 19th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
NEW BLOG
February 19th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
back in the mix guys, what are we talkin bout?
February 19th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Dakota -
Rob Ryan has been ordering waaay too many BIG ASS FRIES from Carl’s Jr.
February 19th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
rob ryan is awesome, he looks like a hoodlum and that makes him perfect for the raider nation!!
February 19th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
HWood -
post #527 was a reference to the movie Idiocracy.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I dont care how fat he is I care that our defense is pure grabage with a pretty good roster IMO.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
OakGlenn, you are just plain sad with your head in the sand. Did you say the same thing when we signed Sapp or Burgess, Woodson, Nnamdi? We have high draft picks on that side of the ball you’re embarrassing yourself with this dribble man.
# Oakglenn Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Linds, let’s say we draft Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis, and get the guy I like Bobbie Williams as a rookie strong safety. The defense would improve and everyone would give the credit to Kiffin and Dorsey. So, it’s a no win battle.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
why am i the only person on here who knows anything about the raiders??
February 19th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
d coordinator is a meaningless job, u need at least SOME good players to be at least half-decent, and we have only 3 that are consistent.
asomugha, morrison, and howard.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
hollywood
i completely agree, teams do need TALENT in order to be ok, and we barely have any…
February 19th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
finally somebody who’s not going to tell me that a defensive coordinator matters. you need to have GOOD players in order to be GOOD!!
February 19th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
and that’s what im saying by having to draft dorsey with our pick, or at least trade down like 1 or 2 and still get him, we need a TALENTED guy in that DT position, and dorsey has stamina which is a big part of me wanting him, at least he’ll be on the field alot more than sapp was.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
don’t forget the need we have for WRS, we are hurtin.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
thats what ive been saying all along, we gotta get dorsey early, AND if we dont get stallworth or berrian from FA, then we gotta go WR in the 2nd round.
i also know our need for offensive linemen, but every time we draft a guy, HE FLOPS, so FA or undrafted FAS will solve this problem.
how sick would it be if we got alan faneca?? ID LOVE IT!!!!
February 20th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Interesting note on Keyshawn considering coming out of retirement. He’s always said that he wanted to be a Raider. If that holds true and he’s willing to sign a minimum contract that is incentive based, I’d definitely bring him into camp and let him compete for a job.
One thing that Keyshawn did better than 98% of the WRs of his era was run blocking. Despite his “get me the damn ball” attitude he always spoke proudly of his blocking ability and always went 100% – sort of the anti-Moss. Assuming that he can come back and still be a better than average blocking WR, he could be the perfect possession type of WR for 1st and 2nd down situations. If he can pop the key down field block a few times a game, that translates into turning 7 yards runs into potential game breakers.
At worst, I think he brings some hard work ethic and a good role model for the kids into camp. Especially if Porter leaves, the receiving corps could use a veteran leader. He’d also bring a vocal character into the ranks to fill the Sapp void for emitting external sound bytes, which takes some pressure off the other guys from media hounding and let’s them focus a bit more on the game.
That, and he’d just look damn good in silver and black.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Chris Long won’t be there, we’d love to have Howie’s bloodline here. He has the motor, the speed, the attitude. We need someone back as an enforcer attitude to give teams friendly reminders about cut blocks, someone who steal the other team’s water bottles during timeouts by asserting their moxie in the other team’s huddle. Someone that will give us face time by jumping offsides for a close up shot if the team’s playing so bad they aren’t in the race like Howie did in the later Shell years.
The spoiler is that everyone sees how he plays and will want him.
Dorsey is a need, but was hurt, if he’s there most likely we go with the pick even though big size is in round three and four at DT unless the draft develops different than anticipated. We don’t have a three, something that could be addressed with my favored move.
Trade back a bit. The Ravens might want to move up for a QB, four hundred points would be two third rounders and some change, one each this year and next, but the Bills(eleventh overall) have their third rounder.
The Bills need OL as well, we could move back but that’s pretty far to go with no certainty on the player whose selection is the one I have in mind. Maybe they’ll dance with us in round two, like the Lions will offer when they find Williams still on their hands as nobody will give them a first round pick for the player they want to unload as a former first round wideout.
The player who merits top ten selection, and is arguably the best in this draft, is Gosder Cherilus of Boston College.
He’s a a 6′7″ tackle, 315 pounds, same frame as long, but on the taller side of 6′7″ so there’s more room for upside. He’s faster than Jake Long as well, much better getting down field to block linebackers, not just a pure big-on-big lineman.
Gosder played left tackle for one year, the transition reflected somewhat, he still was blindside protector to the BC passer that many ranked the top in this draft
Gosder is why he’s there. Cherilus is an amazing run blocker, nasty drive blocker.
By this time he’s got the left side footwork down pat, so he’s got even more upside. plus he played better comp in the ACC than did Long in the slower Big Ten. Cherilus faced true speed rushers every week and had better comparative stats vs. such styles of play.
Long was used by Gholston, who is a sloppy player than cannot keep a run gap. Long has reached a ceiling on what he can do from a tech standpoint, and Cherilus had more upside in the physical development range.
Gosder CHerilus is the best player to get in round one.
There’s better value at running back with Felix Jones than most of the other picks and he’d later in round one than where we pick from. There’s enough value at wideout to get players into rounds 2 and 3, Jackson may fall that far.
There’s Chris Long and there’s Gosder Cherilus. Players who stand out at their positions. Then there’s one or two players who might fit into the needs sector for where we draft and how they play.
Do it right, get Gosder after a move back, add extra picks, make the similar move into round two if a top notch player doesn’t drop and get Williams from Detroit. He played his hand like Moss did us the year before, the Lions let it be known he’s on the way out. Teams will not trade for trouble off other teams at the value asked, let him face the market and get him after moving a two back, or off the trades from moving one back and getting Gosder. Many teams say Cherilus is top 16 material. If the second best T goes he’s a hot item, three teams need two starters at OT, and six more need an every down T starter including Tampa, and the Giants so they’re likely to draft ahead of slated value as playoff teams.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
zymurge
i like it, keyshawns skills have been deminishing, especially with a year off, but i couldnt agree more with your point, he’d be a great addition for the team morale.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
hollywood, everything u say is the truth, YOU should work for the raiders management!!!
February 20th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Gosder Cherilus was on my post weeks ago that everyone dog piled me over as a sweet late round 1 pick…but now everyone has moved him up the draft boards because they have finally seen his tape….
Mr Murder…you are spot on…he is better than anyone else at his position with huge upside…and just think of all that shopping we could do with the picks generated as we move down to get him…
somehow I am not going to miss not picking Ellis or Dorsey near as much if we do get Cherilus and say two other immediate impact players…there are plenty of great players to be had in round 2 and I would love to see us get at least 3 of them !!!
February 20th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I dont care if Keyshawns skills are diminished…he is still better than any WR we currently have on our roster…and he isn’t going to break the bank to get in Silver and Black…Berrian is going to get franchised…
oh I have a trade idea…
LJ for DeAngelo Hall CB
they are thinking about purging their roster and we need another CB opposite Nnamdi…a trade could be had…they are going to need a beefy guy to back up Norwood and Dunn is um…done.
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