Drew Carter on board
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 at 3:34 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Free agent Drew Carter, an occasional starter for the Carolina Panthers last season, has been added to the Raiders’ receiving corps, beat writer Steve Corkran confirmed.
Barring any other acquisitions, Carter would enter training camp as no worse than the third wide receiver, joining Javon Walker and incumbent Ronald Curry.
In seven starts for Carolina, Carter had 38 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns, which followed a 28-catch, 357-yard performance in 2006.
The Raiders have added both Walker and Carter to one of the NFL’s thinnest units since losing Jerry Porter (Jacksonville) to free agency.
With Walker (6-3, 215), Curry (6-2, 210) and Carter (6-3, 210), Oakland has given rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell a trio of phyiscally impressive wide receivers. Best case, it means the potential for a lot of big plays. Depth could still be an issue, since all three have had injury issues.
The remainder of the wide receivers includes Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jonathan Holland, Chris McFoy, Drisan James, Will Buchanon and Todd Watkins.
No word yet regarding Quinn Gray, the Jacksonville quarterback who arrived Tuesday night. The St. Petersburg Times reported defensive end Kevin Carter, a 34-year-old, 13-year vet who has talked with the Raiders in past free agent years, was to visit Wednesday.
Gray has already visited Green Bay. If the Packers are serious, that opportunity would seem to be the better chance for Gray to get playing time. Russell will likely be given the chance to grow through his errors. In Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers, the man who must replace Brett Favre, would be on a considerably shorter leash and be under much more intense scrutiny on a team with playoff aspirations.
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March 12th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
uno
March 12th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Now it’s getting interesting
March 12th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Good Job All, now we can concentrate on OL and DE in the Draft… This is one good Off-season by the guys.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I really hope Kiffin gets to remain. But I will say, I’ve been very down on Al since Gruden, but he has really found a way to bring in talent this off season. Kudos to Al.
Could this be signalling that we’re going to be trading down?
Jerry, what’s our cap projection based on these signings?
March 12th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
THATS WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT!!
March 12th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
good pick up, we need a wr who can stretch the field
March 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
And everyone remember that no one would sign as a FA with such a dysfunctional organization.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Damn I would love to see the Raiders snag Jordy Nelson in the 4th round (if he’s still there) A sure handed, smart, fearless, great route running receiver from Kansas State. He’s a special teams monster too.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Now we just need a DT and DE for depth and we can…DRAFT MCFADDEN!
March 12th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Any word as to where Michael Bush is at with his rehab. Is he 100%, are the coaches excited about his progress???
March 12th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Considering Walker’s knees, Carter’s knees and ankles, and Curry’s Achilles; Between the three of them, we might have enough body parts to make one healthy starting WR.
But, they are definitely talented.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
shoot
I should have popped over here when I opened my trap about Carter…I may have been first for my first time…I am still a hopelessly pathetic VIRGIN
March 12th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
What happen to Boldin?
I thought he was in Alameda, ready to sign.
What’s the story?
March 12th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Nelson and Miller on short routes over the middle would be unstoppable now that the Raiders have some speed to stretch the defense.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Can youll imagine how many yards our RB’s will have next year without 8 men in the box on every single play..Im startin to lick my chops now
March 12th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Boldin was one of Alameda Insider’s crack pipe dreams.
There was never anything to that story.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Throughout NFLdom, snickers and nervous laughs are beginning to turn into twitches and tics of fear, glances over the shoulder and knotted brows, mutters and whispers as the realization begins to dawn that Silver and Black are again poised to take what they want regardless of the rest of them.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Dear Creator of all things
Please dont let Al run out of money
Fill the Coffers with an extra measure, tamped down and spilling over.
In Al we trust
March 12th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Add Darren McFadden to this group on offense, and we could have the makings of a very potent offensive attack.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
boldin will not go anywhere, the cards have at worst a top 5 WR core in this league, boldin is one of the best WRs in the NFL and has 3 more years on his contract with salaries between $2 M and $3 M, why would they trade him, especially with johnson on the market, who would their WRs be then, fitz and steve breaston? they will not trade the 2nd best player on their team and one of the best at his position when they are getting elite production for a journeyman salary, forget about boldin, it was a stupid rumor to begin with, be happy with the dramatic improvements that have taken/are taking place
March 12th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
POSTED 6:16 p.m. EDT, March 12, 2008
RAIDERS SIGN ANOTHER
The Oakland Raiders’ offseason assault on the free-agent market continues.
According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the Raiders have agreed to terms with receiver Drew Carter, formerly of the Carolina Panthers. Terms are not yet known.
Carter was a fifth-round draft pick of the Panthers in 2004. He started seven games in 2007, catching 38 passes for 517 yards and four touchdowns — all career highs.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
My favorite line the “ASSAULT” on free agency,
RAIDER ORGANIZATION DESERVES CREDIT FOR
“SHOW ME THE MONEY”
March 12th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Kevin Carter….c’mon lets not get too hasty here with the cane carrying crowd for our “fresh” roster redo…lets keep them youger than 30 at least so we have that one important intangible…Hope…which stems from youth and the belief that anything is possible…just ask my 7 year old son…hahaha.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I believe this is a good pickup!
March 12th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Andrews Mom
He’s breaking the piggy bank as we speak.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Work you magic lofton
March 12th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I definetly agree with post# 22. kevin Carte is old and washed up. bring in some young talent that will carry the silver and black for years to come.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I think Al Davis is going all out this offseason. I now expect him to draft McFadden in April.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Hey fellow Raiders fanatics we are defintely competing with the Jets for most improved Roster and most expensive FA shopping spree of ‘08….unlike our counterparts across the bay (whiners) we will do something with our huge financial outlay…WIN more games than we did the year previously!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
3rd and 3 at the Chief’s 43 yard line. Russell under center, he’s got Walker and Carter spread out wide, Curry in the slot. McFadden and O’neal in the backfield. Here’s the snap, play action to McFadden, Russell looks to his left, he fires, he’s got a man wide open….TD RAAAAAIIIIDERS! Javon Walker with the TD reception!.
Head coach Rob Ryan has to be pleased with that play!
March 12th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
the players we have signed got big contracts, but neither walker nor wilson are making even $1 M in base salary this year, so their cap #’s are very reasonable, leaving us plenty of money to sign more decent players, like gray and k.carter(DE), and hopefully tripplet(DT) or r.coleman(DT) or d.walker(DT)
March 12th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
“The Oakland Raiders’ offseason assault on the free-agent market continues” -PFT
and I just got a call from a Raiders ticket representative, man that’s good timing.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Kevin Carter could fill the leadership role left void with Sapp’s retirement. But I wouldn’t break the bank to fill that role either.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
BTW
great pick up…on Carter (Drew) sure did take him a while to come around…guess no one else was throwing big bucks his way…and we are starting to look like an offensive threat in ‘08. Drew Carter really did make a wiser than his years move…signing with us gives him a chance to be a number one receiver…something most talented guys should be willing to give their left nut for (Bryant Johnson)…what a turd…if he doesn’t find his way here…or did he already sign in Buffalo ???
March 12th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I like our moves during this off season. We will make the .500 mark next season. And Kiffin isnt going anywhere for the time being. It would have happened already.
DerekRaider
March 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Looks like a Defensive Draft with all these offensive signings in free agency.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
POST 29
GREG PAPA IS LICKIN HIS CHOPS
March 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Do we have enough depth at WR to dump McFoy and Buchanon yet??? I mean really…they didn’t even play college ball…FT what are they doing here other than the fact that they are from Coach Kiffins team?
Are they special teams studs or what ???
March 12th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Good to see Carter come on board. I just like that we are getting the players that we targeted.
I still look at the roster and can’t see us taking anything but DL at #4. I say Long or Gholston, but I could buy a DT with Kelly playing at DE.
Now if we end up with another starting caliber DT or DE in FA, then maybe we go offense with that first pick.
Looks like my personal draft advisor Tommy Trojan is in the house … Any DE’s worth looking at in Rnd 2 or later than could start?
Give these McFadden supporters some hope.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
3rd and 3 at the Chiefs’ 43 yard line. Russell under center, he’s got Walker and Carter spread out wide, Curry in the slot. McFadden and O’neal in the backfield. Here’s the snap, play action to McFadden, Russell looks to his left, he looks right, SACKED by Jared Allen because the Raiders are hurting at the offensive tackle position! Oops, shouldn’t have wasted that pick on McFadden…
March 12th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Drop the McFadden crap!!! We’ve got 3 top flight backs in Fargus, Rhodes, and Bush. Lets spend draft picks where we need them. O-Line and D-Line.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Re #34,
You mean no one is going to make a big deal out of Lofton being at that pro day with a scout? I mean, he was working out WRs by himself … That’s got to mean that Kiffin is out of the loop and bound to be fired any day, no, any minute.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
i have to say good pick up no matter if theres no word from kiffin
March 12th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Sacked …
Now that was funny!
March 12th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
so much for any thinking we wouldnt be able to attract good FA due to disfunctional atmosphere much better 2 add carter than wasting a 2nd rounder on 1 now we take linemen either side any position
March 12th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Drew Carter…allright.
Carter had injury issues during his first 2 seasons but he played 14 games in 06 and all 16 in 07, he seems to have left them behind.
38 catches for 517 and 4 TD´s last season with the lousy trifecta of David Carr, Vinny and undrafted rookie Matt Moore throwing him the ball, at least trying to, most of the year.
Good move.
Oh and I think we all know he´s got the goods at almost 6′4” and with a 4.39 at the 04 combine.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Drew Carter signed a 1 year deal, says Schefter.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Yesterday I was at the oakland airport for a flight to washington where I live. It was about 5:30 am my flight left at seven. Walking across the street to the terminal I saw Warren Sapp walking with Jack Del Rio. I know Jacks family was in hayward at one time, but what would Sapp be doing? Maybe he went to pick up his last check from Al. Any ideas?
March 12th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
ATL Raider
I am starting to believe the possibility of a DMAC in S & B myself…even though we really dont need him as much as a run stuffing D Lineman.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
as of right now, carlisle, seabass, c.green, and lechler are the only players on our roster who are 30 or older, the age of Ks and Ps aren’t important until they hit 40, so they’re really not even worth mentioning, and neither of the oher two are on defense, that’s a good thing because it allows morrison to be the unquestioned leader of the D, if not the entire team, but carter would be a nice addition because he is versatile and over the last few years has still been very productive, he would provide a player very similar to kelly in that he could play DE and 3-technique DT, hopefully we can get him at a reasonable price
March 12th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Nothing on the amount of the deal from the Madame yet.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
kevin carter would be a good veteran presence on the d-line if we sign him he also can teach younr jay richardson and any d linemen we pick up via the draft
March 12th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Dakota, enough with the merry go round of HC’s you keep spewing your borderline troll status with that.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Ok, I’m far from a McFadden supporter, but I don’t know about us having 3 top flight running backs.
Fargas – Great year last year, but like always, dude got hurt. Even if he’s our #1 back, he’s clearly an injury risk. In a perfect world, I’d like Fargas to be the #2 guy.
Bush – Biggest wildcard of them all. RB coming off of a broken leg … All I can say is that we are all HOPING for the best. But at the end of the day, dude has not taken 1 snap in the league, so to call him top flight is a bit premature.
Rhodes is clearly not a long term option.
With that said, I still see us going DL at #4 as it stands now.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Who me???
March 12th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
McFadden is far better than any of the three “top flight” running backs we have on our roster.
Rhodes is good for experience & insurance policy, Fargas and Bush have to prove they can be healthy first before anything.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
The ZBS that we have will make any RB look top flight – look at Baby Jordan – Imagine a real top flight RB – Nothing against Justin Fargas who runs with the biggest heart on the team – but he didn’t have that break away speed to get past the last defefender – we haven’t had that since Charlie Gardner and I sure miss that- I know DE is what is most needed but I surely woudn’t be sad if JMac was hading off to DMac
March 12th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Mista, I am sure that Kiffin/Ryan/Lofton/Green/Knapp will be our head coach next year, lol…that makes me a troll???
March 12th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Dakota is allright
March 12th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I have your back dude, even if you hate my man Al.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
lawrence jackson is the only good DE that could(i emphasize COULD) be available in the 2nd, chris ellis(VT), jason jones(EMU), and jeremy thompson(WF) are the top options for the 4th rnd, tommy blake would be the greatest value in the 6th, he’s a 1st rnd prospect who missed part of last season with emotional issues/dissorders, if he is mentally OK we have a potential pro bowler on our hands, if he isn’t, whatever, it’s only a 6th, although his good pro day could push him up into the 4th, but if you remember the last 4th rnd DE out of TCU to dawn silver and black, he happens to be our all time sack leader….greg townsend(future HOFer and really cool guy to hang out with….down to earth Laker fan)
March 12th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
You don’t get a chance at a player like McFadden every year. I think we can address D Line in Round 2.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
The Raiders needed to add some weapons on the outside and they have gone out and done just that. Kudos to the organization for recognizing their weaknesses and attacking the FAs.
Nothings for sure in the NFL, but JWalk and Carter have definitely improved the WR depth and hopefully will up the production in 2008.
As long as Kiffin is back (for stability & continuity) I see the Raiders continuing to grow. They needed the talent infusion…forget the dollars. No salary cap excuses from the S&B.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Great move, that allows flexibility in the draft, we are not stuck having to get a receiver now.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
thanx Bob.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Does anyone know what’s up with Dante Culpepper? Is he returning to the Raiders or not?
March 12th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
While many teams stand still, oakland is making moves – i like it. it was clear WR was a big ugly mess for us – we’ve made some bold signings… even if you’ve doubted some recent Al Davis moves, you’ve got to give the old man props for making moves…
how much did we pay Carter?
March 12th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
J Rock hands the ball of to
http://www.fncaa.com/images/mcfadden.jpg
Touchdown…..Raaaaaaaiders!
March 12th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Hey Tommy T
I have a couple of guys that I like at either the 4th or the 6th, but I haven´t seen them, I´m going with whatever I can find on them in the web, tell me more about them.
DT´s Derek Lokey, Nick Hayden, Jason Shirley and both the FSU and VT guys.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
rudolph hardie(howard) and trevor scott(buffalo) are my favorite 6th and 7th rnd prospects at DE, both are great all around prospects w/good production and great all around measurables, who are overlooked because they are small school guys, but there are gems deep in the draft
March 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Drew Carter <———– Boldin,…thats what I ment to say,…by the way Cartert people told the press in Carolina that Carter only met with Lofton,..never saw or met Kiffin.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
[...] impressive wide receivers. Best case, it means the potential for a lot of big plays.” -Jerry McDonald, Inside Bay [...]
March 12th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
All new Ghost Hunters tonight!
March 12th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
maybe old AD will get too sick to carry on as the owner/GM before he can fire or trade kiffin
March 12th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Sapp in the bay area closing out his pad here,…lives in Florida,..thats what he was doing around here.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Drew Carter? The often injured never really accomplished much of anything WR for the Panthers? This guy is on track to produce less than Jerry Porter. Nice size with questionable hands and durability. This really doesn’t sound like an AL pick-up more like a Kiffin desire to which AL completed. I would have preferred a more talented FA or at least a more accomplished one. Anyway AL is giving Kiffin what he wants now he has to succeed or….the door.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Yeah, I’m sure the names Drew Carter & Anquan Boldin get confused all the time.
Alameda Insider is one pathetic Troll.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I am not sold on McFadden as being a rare talent. He has rare speed for sure, but speed alone does not make one a great running back. It also takes vision, desire/effort, moves, strength, blocking, and receiving. I am not at all sold on McFadden in the other categories. He’s a sprinter. He’s a glorified Fargas, with more speed and less effort.
At the #4 spot, we could probably upgrade just about ANY position we wanted to. That doesn’t make it a good justification. I believe Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis, Jake Long, and Vernon Gholston are better talents than Darren McFadden. I believe Long, Long, and Gholston are much better fits for our team in terms of need than McFadden.
Just say no to Run DMC.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
James Hardy anyone? What do you all think of this guy? Looks like a beast. I like Curry,Walker,Carter…but they’re all injury prone and none of them are burners. I think Hardy has that deceptive kind of speed that Moss has plus he’s 6′7″. I wonder if we could trade up from our 2nd Round position to nab him with our 2nd pick? He and Higgins could definitley stretch the field. That receiver corp combined with Miller at TE and Bush/Fargas/Griffith in the flats would give Russell all the targets a QB could ask for.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Is it even clear that McFadden is the best NFL RB in the draft?
Would Stewart or the kid from Illinois be better?
I think his fumbling issues can be corrected, but I’m concerned about his penchant for going down on the first contact. Don’t we already have him in Fargas?
March 12th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
post #39 is sadly true…as much as we wanna wish it away…how can we take DMac when we have two gaping holes on our Dline and Oline???
I for one hope that all these “playmaker” FA signings and spending means that we are taking either Gholston or Dorsey in round 1, and the best available OT and DT with the next few picks…
this could be a much better year than just .500 if we do the right thing in this years draft. WE could set both lines for the next decade with this draft…we can always pick up “playmakers” in FA as AL Davis has shown this year.
Unfortunately…we will probably have another rookie to break in this year…our HC !!!
March 12th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
The zone blocking system has proven to be effective utilizing mediocre runners so DM doesn’t seem like the smart pick at 4. Now, if Kiff gets canned and the assistants follow, we may not be running the ZBS in the future and DM might be a more logical.
However, it’s premature to make that assumption. I think we need to focus on DL and possibly OL (the ZBS also seems to work well without top OL) in the early rounds of the draft.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Trev,
I guess I could’ve waited a few more minutes …
We posted the same damn thing.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Glad to see we picked up another WR in FA. Lets us concentrate on the DL and OL.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Another DE worth noting is Jeremy Geathers, should be there in the 6th. The Raiders had scouts watching him at his Pro Day, and he has a father, uncle, and cousin who have played in the NFL, thats bloodlines right there. HE’s a little small, but could be a good heir apparent to Chris Clemons.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
lokey is a 7th rnd prospect who is undersized and has below average measurables, he is a short DE with average DT athleticsm, his production is inflated by playing in what is quickly shifting to a passing conference, i wouldn;t touch him unless he’s a UDFA/practice squad guy, hayden i love, he is only a little heavier than lokey but he has a big frame and great athleticism, if he falls to the 6th he would be a great addition, very underrated, you could justify him in the 4th, shirley looks the part, he is huge(6-5 340) but is extremely inconsistent and has serious character issues, i wouldn’t touch him unless it’s as a UDFA, powell(VT) is a more athletic version of lokey, he’s a 6th or 7th, booker is a sleeker, smaller, faster version of hayden, he’s very quick, good explosion, a lot of potential as a 3-technique, if he can add 15-20lbs he could be very good, he’s a solid option in the 6th, fluellen(FSU) is an undersized 3-technique who has very good hands and good potential, he’s a nice opion in the 6th, guion(FSU) was an overachiever because of his size and is a decent athlete, he has work ethic and consistency concerns
March 12th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
…for run-stuffers at DE, I like Kendall Langford, in the 3rd or 4th round. He can play inside and outside, like Kelly.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Dell……..
I bet he is. Al is the man and he wants his team to win. I wish him all the luck in the world.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Jumpy Geathers? that guy was way underrated, loved him with the Skins.
Is Jeremy his kid?.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I guess I’m missing something…..The Giants proved once again that DEFENSE wins championships….The Raider defense sucks…..so some of you geniuses say “draft McFadden”… Ok, let’s draft a running back that can score quickly just to put the opposing teams offense back on the field quicker so they can use their running game to eat up the clock and score…limiting the opportunities the Raiders wil have offensively.
Wasn’t it the main purpose of the ZBS to be able to draft running backs with later round picks or pick up free agents and give them the ability to move the chains consistantly???
Draft defensively…stop the run. Period
March 12th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
If we do draft McDadden, the Raiderettes better stock up on maternity uniforms.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Defense may win championships but if they’re on the field most of the game b/c we can’t sustain drives than it’s for not. Got to hand it to AD though, he is being agressive!
March 12th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Sounds like Drew Carter will be the Raiders version of Wes Welker. Sounds good to me. Definitely an upgrade.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Yes! I’m so glad we picked up Carter. I wondered why we did’nt get him earlier. He is young and has all the measurables AD loves. I think this is a good pickup, I saw a lot of his games here in Carolina. He had a good year this year but the QB situation was crap and of course Steve Smith is going to get most of the balls thrown his way. Hopefully he and Jamarcus can progress together. Now we got 3 big guys so hopefully Higgins can come through and be the 4th receiver and a rookie we pick in the mid rounds can be the 5th guy. I think this frees us up to go some combination of DL-OL in rounds 1 & 2. I would take this years rec. corps over last years any day.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I dont care as much about age as I care about production. This is some positive stuff even if you haven’t seen the on field production yet. As Marley pointed out Carter is fast and he seems to have been pretty productive given his relative few starts. Combine that with Lofton’s coaching and we may have something (if only for 1 year).
I just remember Kiffin saying at his last PC that if done right the team can make its greatest strides from year 1 to year 2 above any other year. The HC is focused gents. “F” the media – this boy is focused.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
noone ever mentioned the notion of Dmac being a pure speed back until he ripped off a 4.27-4.33 at the combine, he has the meanest stiffarm in the land, he makes great cuts(a combination of both vision and agility), he has power and he has guts, mayock looked at one play of mcfadden being brought down by a DT and decided to suggest that he may not be very, strong, mayock is either ignorant or stupid or both, and so is anyone who agrees with him on the matter of mcfadden, he is the best RB in the draft, and he and peterson are the best RB prospects since LT, and both may end up being just like LT
March 12th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Dmac can also pass block. Which is nice.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Find it strange that kiffin is so silent on all the signings.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Hey now…anyone accusing another poster of being a troll merely because they joked about our possible HC merry go round is out of touch with reality.
I think by now that we would all rather have Kiffin as our HC this year…if for no other reason than continuity for Russell. However, Al Davis may not see it this way at all. He may figure with enough new toys for Russell to play with…it won’t matter that he gets a brand new playbook and HC…thus, it is absolutely not beyond the scope of anyone here’s imagination to find out that someone else is now our HC and that Kiffin has been either fired or made our OC instead…
well you know what I meant….I woudl not be shocked anymore by anything that Al Davis does..or its timing…I am just happy that he has opened the wallet and shown a desire to win now…I guess …like us fans…he was a bit tired of all the losing seasons piling up…year after year.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
At this point I STILL say they are going defense FIRST. At least 2 DEs are still needed and elite DEs who can rush the passer are rare …too rare …so the smart $$$ is on a DE to be picked in the 1st (Gholston, Long). NG is still a need to IMHO but that position can be had later.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
draft beer
for an explanation on the O v. D dynamics refer to yeserday’s debate(gray good move), as well as post #858 from the post before that(hammerhead…), i’m not wasting another day explaning it
March 12th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Tommy
Got any feedback on post 68?.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Lets go with vernon gholston or glenn dorsey. Defensive line is #1 and the offensive line is #2. We dont need mcfadden in the mix right now especially at the #4 pick. Like what Al is doing right now. WE looking good.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Whats up with the competition? Are the Raiders the only team looking to improve in the AFC West?
March 12th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
post #85 is your feedback marley
March 12th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Drew Carter was an excellent signing! I thought Al put his checkbook away after Walker and Harris signing but fooled me once again and added a very solid receiver still with some untapped potential.
How does this translate into the draft?
Well my guess is that WR will NOT be addressed in round 2 as I previously imagined. With Cable already on record saying a lot of agile OL will be available in Day 2 of the draft, I believe we will hit round 1 and round 2 with straight D-Line picks hoping to nab either Gholson or Long at #4. The wildcard of course is DMac which is only mentioned due to Al Davis craving of natural ability and speed.
We have added young quality pieces to both the offense and defense that figure to be in our long term plans to grow with our young QB and young Defense trio of Morrisson, Howard and Nnamdi.
We will be playoff contenders!
We will be fighting for the AFC West crown once again!
This will NOT be a losing season!
Al has not bee so aggressive and he know this team is being built to win NOW. That #4 pick is going to say alot…..IF AL picks DMac he is loading up for a shot at the playoffs supplying our offense with a huge amount of ammo.
Logic says to take a DE at #4 cuz we are so thin and pass rushing DE like Long and Gholston are a premium.
If they are both gone then we grab DMac.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Whats the cap space looking like. Its not as bad as peeps think becuz of the structure of all the new contracts. Whats the figure?
March 12th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
noone in the division is getting better, and it was arguably the worst division in the league last year, expect everyone in the division to decline, and us to win 8-10 games
March 12th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
McFadden would be a nice pick-up and has real potential to be special at the pro level, but after re-signing Fargas, re-structuring Rhodes contract, and already having a finally healthy under contract Bush its just unlikely. DT and especially DE are the two spots that we need definite upgrades.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
FUNEMENTAL SHIFT IN FARGAS. I remember when Napoleon Kaufman retired, we had still had a speedy back in Garner. And the limited glimpses we got of Fargas, he was fast as hell…he ran a sub 4.4 forty at the combine. Now he looks slow as molasses. Don’t get me wrong, I love his passion and toughness, but he seemed to completely re-invent himself from a speedy shifty Garner type runner to a smashing straight ahead runner that resembles Mark Van Egan’s stlye more than Kaufman/Garner. There were many times last year that if he had speed he would have been off to the races. Was is just wear and tear of the NFL along with age? Or I wonder if RB Coach Tom Rathman had a big influence on him. Was he responsilbe for this change? Does Fargas still have any speed? I like the idea of a back that is capable of scoring from any spot on the field a la Bo Jackson / Kauffman He’s the only 1000 yard runner we’ve had in ages, so I’m not bashing him. I’m just wondering why it has to be one or the other…you can have speed and power.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
tommy trojan
sounds like you been drinking Al Davis’ Kool Aid…LOL bet you are right though..Al Davis is probably taking McFadden…again…nothing would shock me at this point…either way I am just happy that he at least has provided Russell with some decent targets with experience to throw to…and knowing that our 3 youngsters (5 including McJoy and Buchanon) will be coming up under these 3 guys leaves me a little more motivated to renew my season tickets…I had nightmares thinking that we would go into the upcoming season with only Curry on our roster with more than 3 catches last year in the NFL.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
NO Mr. Tommy Prophyllactic…there’s nothing to explain or debate….trying to put the horse before the cart is always idiotic…This is the AFC West and if you can’t stop the run, you lose…plain and simple…end of story.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Wingo,
Again, here is the last official statement from Lane Kiffin, he sang this to Nancy Gay:
I can dance if I want to
I can leave my wife behind
‘Cause my wife doesn’t dance and if she doesn’t dance
Well she’s no wife of mine
I say, I can go to Arkansas if I want to
A place where Al will never find
And I can act like I come from out of this world
Leave Oakland far behind
And I can dance
And I can dance
March 12th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
nopassingzone, wtf are you talking about? fargas is very fast, he still has mid-4.4 speed, he has always been more of a straight ahead runner, he is a straight ahead burner with lots of speed, but his agility is somewhat limied by his big frame and size, he’s a good RB, and was always expected to be, he was a 2nd rnd pick, he is a good starter and has a lot of speed
March 12th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
alameda insider mamame el pito puto
March 12th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Dakota
I can’t stop laughing, man your something else.
To much!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I still need an explanation to the rumors about Boldin.
What happened, was if just a joke, and I took it hoolk line and sinker.
Please help an old man, during tax season, explain please.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
we need linemen – not running backs – but there is not a great correlation between round drafted and production- i think we can get some good linemen throughout the draft– we need depth just as much as we need superstars– and getting depth is easier- and cheaper…..
March 12th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
It was just BS from Alameda Insider Dell.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
there was never a story to boldin, it was a stupid, made up rumor
March 12th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Tommy…nevermind.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Draft Beer has a point. In our division, stopping the run is not an option, it should be #1 on our list. Period.
L.T. L.J. and Henry face us a total of 6 times. We need to create the wall and let the “Law Firm” clean up the mess.
If they want to attack by air…well….we now have one of the stingiest secondary units in a while. This unit is what I am most excited to see.
We will have more turnovers. Huff will look like a top 10 pick this year…mark my words.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
MIA
and to all who remember
Gholston tore it up and ran a superfast 40…so AL Davis can still have his super burner speed demon..only in a “need” position…I pray to God…I mean, AL Davis..that we take Gholston in round 1 and another D lineman in round 2, preferably a DT…after that if we have no 3rd or 5th rounder..so be it. Use our 4th on an OT or LB and our 6th on a WR and 7th on another DE or best athlete available…
We will probably end up getting our 3rd and 5th rounders back with Kiffin as our HC…that will be the biggest loss I think…nobody quite as aggresively or creatively trying to get us more young guys on the roster…
March 12th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
That O K Dell don’t feel bad there’s still some people in here that are still taking the Kiffin/Davis rift seriously too.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Tommy Trojan,
WTF you talking about? Fargas’s longest run was 17 yards last year out of 222 attempts…that’s not exactly showing break away speed. Career longest is 21 yards in 5 year career. I’m not saying he’s not a good starter, I’m just saying he left yards on the table many times because he either has no 3rd gear or chooses to run people over instead of run to daylight. I can’t be the only one to notice his change in running style.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Dakota,Trojan
Let me get this straight, a raider blogger just lied about Boldin in alameda to just lie. Why would he lie knowing the lie is not at all true.
So if he lied and it was not true why would he lie about this.
Does this sound like the media, or is it just me being real tired and use to people in the media creating storys for fun and entertainment.
I guess a lie is not a lie if it’s proven to not be a lie.
As this poster lied before?
Has he ever been right?
The media rumors are never right, so why is he then a liar.
I’m pretty fup up, I guess I will never understand, why somone would lie to just lie.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
i willbe happy with a DL, as long as it’s not gholston, i would love mcfadden, but more important than mcfadden is a LT in the 2nd, the 2nd rnd is what will make or break this year’s draft, not neccesarilly the 1st, bu mcfadden would make a bigger impact on our record than any 1 DL
March 12th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
“Tommy Trojan Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
noone ever mentioned the notion of Dmac being a pure speed back until … the combine”
That is simply not true!!!!! If you didn’t already evaluate McFadden as a pure speed back while he was at Arkansas, then you weren’t watching…
March 12th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
You stop the run in the AFC West you win…thats 6 games….and 6 games is a hell of a good start to making the playoffs.
But…boo hoo….Draft McFadden…..I want to see Raiders on the highlight reels to brag about to my loser friends….and besides I’m one of the idiots that the NFL makes rule changes for, that favor offensive players so that with my limited intelligence and attention spand , I can still find the games entertaining.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Fargas is not a franchise running back. Injury prone, no hands, can’t break tackles, no threat to take it all the way, etc…5 years in the NFL, 6 TDs, one season over 1000 yards (which is not much of an accomplishment in the NFL these days)…he is a nice complementary back.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
we need D Linemen because we are sooo very weak at the position…look at our roster folks..it is the one that Al Davis has not addressed at all in free agency…hopefully that means that the writing is on th ewall..and we are picking DE and DT rounds 1 and 2…because if we can stop the run this year…we will easily take over the AFC WEST…period…even if Russell struggles hi sfirst year as starter…we have tall receivers to go up for the ball…we have a top notch secondary now…and a solid group at RB…and if Bush turns out to be 3/4 as good in the pros as he was in College…SHHHEEEEEEIIIITTTTTT BABY…nobody gonna stop us from reclaiming the AFC WEST CROWN !!!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
nopassingzone, you can’t break big runs if you’re a straight line runner and you have no blocking on the outside, his yds are dictated by the blocking of the inteior OL, however, against us, teams stacked the middle because it was our only option on offense
March 12th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Draft Beer
So you suggest we should definitely draft either Dorsey or Ellis at 4th or what would you likethe team to do?.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
well, you guys have fun, i’m out for the rest of the day
March 12th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I understand all the peeps who think the Raiders have to concentrate on needs along the O&D-lines, I being one of them…but with a top five pick a team has to pick THE best player available. If Al thinks DMac is future HOF material I have no problem if he takes him…there are always the later rounds to load up on lineman. You don’t pass up a future Rice, LT, or Timmy just because you have solid guys at the position. The NFL is about great players, impact players. I don’t want to see a great player get by us because of other needs.
Do your homework Al, study those top five guys like your legacy depends on it…because it just might.
One Nation baby…
March 12th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
one side note…Denver seems worried as they should be..they are looking to upgrade their run defense too…which looked as bad as ours last year…
we will own this division for many years to come if we get our LT of the future in this draft as well as a run stuffing DT and blazing speed rusher DE…
I am getting giddy now…guess I am guilty of drinking Al Davis’ Kool Aid myself…hahaha
March 12th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Long…Dorsey…Gholsten…Ellis…and that would be the order I’d prioritize them.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
All right, here it goes….
The Raiders trade D-Burgess are 3rd rnd pk and next years #1 for the Rams 2nd overall pk. We then draft Gholston with the #2 and McFadden with the #4. Don’t laugh I’m not done yet. Big Rob then run’s with his original plan of installing a 3-4 D.
————–Kelley—–Sands—–Warren———–
Th.Howard—R.Thomas—Morrison—V.Gholston
Asomugha————————————-Washington
—————Huff————–Wilson—————-
March 12th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Almost Ghost Hunters time!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
The giants d did play an awesome game man, however the giants d also gave up the go ahead score with only a few mins. mins left in the game, it was the giants offence that won it.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
“NoPassingZone Says:
Fargas’s longest run was 17 yards last year out of 222 attempts…”
Are you high? Fargas had a long run of 48 yards in 2007. He also had a 48 yarder in 2006, and his career long is 53 yards.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
How many years did Denver make the playoffs or win the AFC West by stopping the run and plugging in running back X,Y, or Z into their ZBS???
March 12th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
hey ghostrifer ????????? put down the crack pipe man !!!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Didn’t Fargas have a 46 yard run against the Fins? He would have went the distance if Mike Williams could block. I also know for a fact that Fargas had a long TD run against Cleveland in ‘06 and I was at his 2nd game in Cincy in 2003 when he broke off a fifty yard run. And these are runs just off the top of my head.
If you are going to bring it NoPassZone at least get the facts straight.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Good pick up Al. Another target for our boy J. Russ!!! With Walker, Curry, Carter, Higgins(GO UTEP!!!) Miller, Madsen, and Fargas, the AFC West is in for a HUGE surprise!!! AND WHEN THE Pats COME INTO TOWN, MY BOYS HOWARD, MORRISON, BURGESS, ASOMUGHA, and WILSON ARE GONNA F*CK THEM UP!!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
i meen ghostraider….put down the crack pipe man…….
March 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
For the all the Raider Pundits out there, please get off this site if you don’t bleed silver and black! I totally understand Al Davis’ management style. Loyalty brings forth desire to play and desire to win at all cost. For those players that we have and players we get in the future need to understand that concept in order to reach Al’s expectations. Committed to Excellence!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
J barker …what hole did you have your head buried in all season??? I suggest you go look at the average points per game scored by New England.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I like the idea of kevin carter, i`m sure he`s not starting material, but he should do well in certain situations , and will definately add as a good mentor to a lot of younger guys since sapp is gone !!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
SC Raider…. get a dictionary….a detractor is what you probably meant not a pundits
March 12th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Dakota
always there with the stats…as usual putting it into perspective…this just goes to show us all how effective Cable has been in bringing the running game to Oaktown. If he can make a mediocre talent like Justin Fargas look like a power runner imagine what Bush will look like or Rhodes for that matter…
Fargas….one run of 21 yards or more…pathetic..really…I think we can do much better with Bush or Rhodes
March 12th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
practice what you preach man, number the giantrs played them twice, so the better have had them figured out. number two playing the jets, bills and dolphins twicw you also better score that many points fool, the bottem line is that the giants offence is what put them ahead, and the gianta defence is what almost lost it, period, thats the facts
March 12th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
SC RAIDER, get over yourself. Maybe you haven’t watch the last 5 seasons, you are not living in reality if you are going to defend Mr. Davis’ management style to the point of trying to run off any fans who would criticize.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
This is the best time of the year, when your optimistic and can assume the impossible.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Draft Beer
Yeah, can´t argue about Chris Long but are you not at least a bit concerned about Dorsey having a stress fracture in his leg?.
Gholston I like a lot too but he would do little to improve our run D and will Ellis at 4th be that much more productive than some of the DT´s available in latter rounds?.
My point is that I don´t see the big anchor at DT, if there was a Haynesworth, John Henderson type of player I´d say take him over anyone but Dorsey, even at full strength, is not that kind of player. I think.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Jjvill
runs that were called back because of penalties dont count…lol
March 12th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
just kidding…guess I feel sad that I dont have Barry Sims to kick around anymore…did he ever sign with the Panthers …???
March 12th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Yes, I have watched the last 5 seasons as well as the seasons when we won games. The difference is that we had players with passion that wanted to win. The last few seasons, we’ve had some key players that i feel did not have the desire to win. That’s why they are not here any longer.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Hey JBarker is denfence the same as defense or is it what you have around your house?
March 12th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
why are you guys so hung up on dt this year, think of what lays ahead in the future if we draft mcfadden and then him, bush, rhodes and fargas all have great a season. you have any idea what our trade vaule for one of those would be, trust me every year there is going to be an awesome dt in the draft.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
actually i have your mom arround my house, btw, can you come get her, she getting boring
March 12th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
anyway i like to spell how you think, which is stupid, this is the best way for you to understand draftqueer
March 12th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Also, if we are gonna become a great team we will eventually have to stop the run but maybe this is not the offseason to do it.
Maybe we take the weapon that´s available in McFadden and try to patch up the DL for one more year, meanwhile our offense begins to click.
If everything goes welll, by this time next year we have an explosive offense and set out to fix the Defense once and for all, this may include a new DC.
I just don´t feel we can make major improvements in every single area in one single offseason.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
SC RAIDER, you are wrong, to pin all of our failures on a few unmotivated players is completely misguided. The #1 problem we have had is coaching. The #2 problem we have had is lack of talent, both in terms of starters and backups, primarily due to poor drafting and poor salary cap management. Al Davis’ management style contributes to all those problems: Coaching, drafting, and salary cap management. If you don’t learn from history, you will be doomed to repeat it.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
i think our d line is going to be just fine this year pending kelly and burgess stay healthy. I still think the biggest problem was sapp losing that 50 pounds. i think it really alloud o-line men to dominate him
March 12th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
OK J Barker I’ll pick up my mom when I drop off your wife and sister.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Bob, #162….EXACTLY!
March 12th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Bob Marley, I am all for improving the DL, but I don’t see the sense in drafting Dorsey or Ellis, when they play the same position (3-technique, aka under tackle) as Tommy Kelly, who we just gave a $50M contract to. If we can get Chris Long, that is awesome. If we pick Gholston, I can at least see him as an upgrade to Richardson (especially on passing downs) and/or a long-term replacement for Burgess when he leaves. But there’s no room for Dorsey and Ellis.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
alloud…deafening…LMAO try allowed and a 4th grade spelling book
March 12th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I disagree…firstly Dorsey is a competitive SOB that played through his injuries…instead of whining and riding the bench…besides he is a WINNER…thats huge.
second…Ghoslton is probably fast enough to make the corrections if he overuns a play and can still make the tackle since he has long, strong arms. He seems to make plenty of tackles in the run game on film…
its sooo romantic to pine for Chris Long…but really…is he even gonna be around at number 4 ??? I am sure he will prove to be the same “wonderboy” as Howie was…but if we can’t have him..why get worked up over him?
I think we are very lucky to be having this dilema….which top DE or DT should we take ??? Imagine what San diego is thinking right now…or more importantly LT…”Oh Shit…here comes the pain! ” everytime he looks at the schedule he is gonna dread it rather than laugh and joke about it, as he has in years past…
March 12th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Kelly plays all the positions on the Defensive line and is not limited to passing downs
March 12th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Well we will just have to wait and see how bad jerry jones wants mcfadden. maybe we can get 2 no. ones and roy williams
March 12th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Why do we need Roy Williams?
March 12th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
and a partridge in a pear tree
March 12th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
When the news about Dorsey and his stress fracture broke at the combines I expected to hear the results of the test that were taken.
Why have we not heard any news about it since then?
March 12th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
see you guys later…
I love dropping in here and hearing all the great news…and every week Al Davis sends my expectations for this season soaring a little bit higher…
GOD BLESS AL DAVIS, THE RAIDERS, AND THE USA (in that order)!!!!!!
LMAO
March 12th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
As I said yesterday, I dont believe we will acquire javon, Drew Carter AND Boldin…
never listen to rumormongers
So ‘Alameda Insider’ eat your own false words
March 12th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
on another note…
Before the season ended I asked for tall receivers in the FA, seems to me we got those now =) NICE!
well none them are super fast, but they’ll get there
March 12th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
TrevJo
I´m not for Dorsey or Ellis, I was basically making the case for NOT drafting either in posts 153 and 161. At least I tought I was…lol.
And I see your point on all 3 being more comfortable at the under-tackle position, but I think both Ellis and Dorsey could play next to Kelly and play well, just not 4th overall pick worthy.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Since the Raiders do not like to blitz, it is imperative that we have four capable pass rushers without the extra help. This is why I am thinking we have to go GHOLSTON with our first pick. Burgess and him comming off the edges sounds good to me. GHOLSTON/GHOLSTON/GHOLSTON
March 12th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Cross your fingers that McFadden falls to #4.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
BTW thanks for cheering me up here guys…I have had some sad days of late with family losses…but you guys crack me up and it chases the blues away…reading some of your comments and humor
CHEERS
March 12th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
oh and by the way, I guess i have to correct my self =)
it was David Carr who signed with NYG, sadly not Chris Carr :/
March 12th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Gholston 6′4″ 258 lbs +
Burgess 6′2″ 260 lbs =
Denver 275 yards rushing per game v. Oakland
San Diego 425 yards rushing per game v. Oakland…
lol…
March 12th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
#177 Bob, I must have got confused, I think I meant to address someone else.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
LMN
I noticed that too seems Al Davis has been reading your posts and decided that you know what is best for our team…I hope they can last long enough for our young speedsters to catch on…and make an impact as well down the road…
March 12th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
—”ESPN’s John Clayton reports JaMarcus Russell recently weighed himself and came in at 272 pounds.
It’s not 300, but still about 12 pounds over his playing weight. If Russell can’t get in quarterback shape by minicamp season, the Raiders could definitely use a left tackle. He’s got the height part down and is close in weight. Mar. 12 – 8:21 p.m. ET”—
March 12th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Bob Marley
Let me understand your logic and sense of all this.
Let’s go back when the 2007 season ended.
You were one of many that wanted to draft a DL men with our pick.
I guess the combine and other news swayed your opinion to McFafdden.
So if we can’t fix the DL this year, why do you think it can be fixed next year.
On a side note, Dakota and I, I believe were both the early speculators for McFadden, we were told to be a better team with a won loss record we needed to draft a Defensive lineman, our running back situation due to the ZBS was not needed, because any running back can fit in the system.
So what has changed, do we have an incredible offense with a rookie QB or a solid defense to turn the ball over to our offense, with or without McFadden.
For the record after the recent FA we just signed and not knowing what Michael Bush can do, I believe we should trade down, not any lower than the #10 pick and pick up extra draft choices and more quality players.
Yes I have changed to, but I like more quality than one unknown quality superstar with off field related issues.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Dakota, yeah, I don’t really like the idea of lining up Gholston and Burgess on the ends at the same time, except on obvious passing downs. That’s why I was much happier about our draft position back before we showed Kelly the money, and Dorsey/Ellis were still options. Right now I don’t see anything I really like in terms of both talent and fit beyond the two Longs. I would still put Gholston ahead of McFadden though, in terms of both talent and fit.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Tom Flores…
I hope they do, if so…
Mr Al Davis & Co, if You think I can be an asset for you staff, please contact me =)
March 12th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
272 lbs is on the verge of being a fat lazy azz loser. Get your shite together Russell. I’ll bet my life Manning, Brady and all the other elite NFL QBs do not gain 12 lbs in the off-season. Really, Russell should have lost 10 lbs this off-season, he was chunky and slow moving when he finally did see some playing time…QUIT EATING AT G-MAs HOUSE RUSSELL!
March 12th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
come on, man, 272 is nothing when you are two miles high
March 12th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I think Jamarcus ate Lane. That’s why we haven’t heard from Kiff in so long.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
LOL ETM
March 12th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
TrevJo,
The way I look at it, if we add Gholston, we have to trade Burgess. We might get a late second round pick or early third round pick for him, which we could use on a LT or DL.
We have replaced one of our strengths (Burgess) with a strength (Gholson) and pick up a player that may or may not help us with the late 2nd or early 3rd round pick.
Is that a real improvement? I think it is treading water.
Dorsey is small and may have a lingering injury. Ellis is small and not the run-stopping DT we need.
That leaves Chris Long, Jake Long and McFadden.
Jake Long might be nice, but there are several OTs in this draft, and most analysts have him playing RT in the NFL…plus Al is still stinging from the Gallery over Fitzgerald draft pick.
We have to pick Chris Ling if available…he is 6′$’ 272 lbs and could play along with Burgess. We then pick a DT (Laws?) or an OT in the second round…this is my dream scenario.
If Chris Long is gone, I think we have to pick McFadden. Our running game was decent last year, but really did not produce TDs. McFadden + the ZBS = greatness.
So, for what it is worth, that is why I think we need to go for Chris Long first, McFadden second and Jake Long third, Dorsey fourth, Ellis last…
just my opinion…
March 12th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
PLEASE BELIEVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I swear to you guys I AM AN INSIDER!!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
hahha…
Alameda Insider, at least you consistent =)
March 12th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Dell…how are you?..
Yes, up until after the combine I was of the belief that DL should be the way to go, I even said we should take Ellis-Dorsey at 4th and Laws-Jackson at 34th.
A lot has happened so bare with me.
a) I was impressed by McFadden at the combine, it was not just his performance but I liked the way he handles himself, he seems to have ”it”, of course this is no scientific argument but it works for me, let´s call it a gut feeling.
b) I heard about the size issue with Ellis and Dorsey, I knew they were smaller but I wasn´t expecting a 6′0” 309 for Ellis and a 6′1 298 for Dorsey, also weighing hard for me is Dorsey´s reported stress fracture.
c) Follow up to point b, as DSM and myself shared at the time, when you look at the top DT´s in the league you will find massive size as the common trend, most of the really good guys go 6′4” and 320 at the least.
d) Still same issue, are these 2 guys slightly upgraded versions of Mike Patterson and Anthony ”Booger’ McFarland? both nice players and former 1st rounders but nowhere near top 5 pick value.
e) Like I said yesterday, a 3 or 4 win improvement next season and we can find ourselves picking anywhere from 9th to 19th, you can kiss elite prospects goodbye after the top 5 picks. McFadden might be our last shot at one.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Dakota, my point with respect to Gholston/Burgess is that I don’t believe Burgess is going to be a Raider for much longer anyway. If you were Burgess and you had 35 sacks in the last 3 years and were only getting paid $3.5M per year, would you be happy watching Kelly get $18M guaranteed? On top of that, Burgess only had 2 years left on his deal, and will be 30 years old this year. He MIGHT still be here for 1 or 2 years more, but that’s it. So the idea is to draft Gholston to be the long-term, more athletic version of Burgess. That said I agree with you that the pick would not do a lot to help us in 2008. But, I feel that McFadden would not do a lot to help us in 2008 either. And the problem with McFadden is, as a RB, by the time we get our team whipped up into championship contenders, he is going to be past his prime, similar to Larry Johnson.
I’m with you on Chris Long. I don’t buy the “Jake Long is a RT in the NFL” stuff, I am high on him as an NFL LT. Given our huge need with the Sims cut (and KC’s need for that matter), we cannot pass on Long if he is there.
The running game didn’t score TDs last year because the passing game sucked! Not because of Fargas. Pretty hard to score as a RB when your QB is not helping you get near the goal line. I agree that McFadden’s style is a fit for the ZBS, but so is Fargas’ style. The upgrade in talent that we would get is not worth the $50M contract.
Regarding Dorsey and Ellis, answer me this… if we draft one of those guys, what do we do with Kelly?
March 12th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
YOU GUYS HAVE TO READ THIS STORY!
http://rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/03/12/news/top/doc47d824ed59d01911877828.txt
Draft Beer,
This wasn’t your girlfriend was it? Just kidding…the Kansas connection, lol.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
TrevJo,
I think between our two posts, we can conclude that the Raiders have options.
As to your question, Kelly plays DT because Warren will probably be injured, lol.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Bob Marley, how can you say that there is not elite talent to be found when picking between 9th and 19th? Some of the players chosen in that range the last three years… DeMarcus Ware, Shawne Merriman, Leinart, Cutler, Ngata, Wimbley, Cromartie, Willis… there is definitely elite talent to be found. Maybe not as much at the glamour positions, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Furthermore, if we botch this #4 overall pick(and picking McFadden would definitely be a botch!), there’s a very good chance we won’t have to worry about picking as late as 9th next year!
One thing we can agree on… I strongly hope we are not picking in the top 10 next year! IMO These top 10 picks cost WAY too much money compared to the value of the player.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Gerard Warren is the backup to Sands at NT. Even if he is injured, that doesn’t help us much to have both Kelly and Dorsey/Ellis. We’d still only have one guy (Sands) who fits the bill as a NT, and two guys (Kelly plus the rookie) making $100M to play alongside Sands.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
We do not have a NT, we play a 4-3 defense, we have two DTs. Are you saying we are changing to a 3-4??? Then we should certainly draft Gholston over McFadden.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Al will sign her. only 2 mill’
March 12th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Wrong, the 4-3 defense DOES have a nose tackle. You can read about nose tackles and under tackles at wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nose_tackle It’s fundamental!
It does NOT make sense to put two under tackle type guys (i.e. Kelly, Sapp, Ellis, Dorsey, etc) together as the two DTs on the line.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Broncos fired their GM…I didn’t even know they had one, lol, I thought Ratface called all the shots in Denver.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
There is no way that lady did’nt want to leave that bathroom! That dude is screwed.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Bob
Thanks for the update and reply.
I respect your gut feeling and realize were your going with the thought process.
I totally agree with the two above mentioned DT in your post, I also believe at a guaranteed cap of $22-$24 million dollars guaranteed is a steep price to pay if we miss at #4 whomever we pick.
I sense the long term future of the cap issue may be of no use in my argument due to the owners voting to opt out of the current CBA.
I also believe if the owners opt out and decide to have no cap in place the small market teams will be hurt with less money to spend on prospects or FA’S.
The Raider Organization is a small revenue generating team, and the cap helps them compete with other teams in the current market.
My scary thought is playing the 2009 and 2010 year with no cap and some owners throwing money at players that would be hard to turndown vs teams like the Raiders, who will not be able to compete with the likes of Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder, Pat Bowlen, etc..
I have no doubt McFadden is a very good back and the often related issues outside of football can be managed, but for long term and a winning record we should try to trade our pick for more draft choices for the future.
Sign the picks to 5-6 year deals and lock them up due to the unknown future of football.
The reports are Upshaw is threating to strike and the 2011 football season is in limbo.
The owners want to reduce the revenue share to the players and that is were we will have the biggest problem.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
dakota.. dude that was a good one. I came in here to see if there was anything new only to read the same old boring draft talk “I would rather read the dictionary” you saved the blog with an interesting article about some crazy braud sitting on the thrown. classic! Go lakers, God help the Raiders
March 12th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
muhhahahha
who said there was a NT in a 4-3? if you dont get what a NT is you dont get the difference between 3-4 and 4-3 =)
March 12th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
LMN, if you don’t believe there is a NT in a 4-3 then you don’t know anything about the responsibilities of defensive tackles!
March 12th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
TrevJo
”Bob Marley, how can you say that there is not elite talent to be found when picking between 9th and 19th?”
That´s not what I said, I said the elite prospects are gone, the players chosen between the 9th and 19th pick are the second tier of prospects, very good but not quite elite.
Of course you will find plenty of great players drafted outside the top 10 picks in the Draft but from a pure talent standpoint, there are better rated players and they will be gone.
A guy like McFadden, regardless of position, will never be available outside the top 6 picks and I´m hoping we won´t be drafting there again for a few years at least.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Now Broncos is ready for the total war from Mike Lombardi… lets all hope he really destroys them from within =)
March 12th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I guess you are right, techinically they call one of the DTs in a 4-3 a nose tackle…normally when people talk about nose tackles, I picture Ted Washington lining up directly across from the center in a 3-4. I see your point about where would Kelly line up…makes perfect sense now…thank you TrevJo.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
technically…me no spell good.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
RaiderDell- Al Davis and other small market owners, pretty much everyone but Chicago, AZ, Dallas, Miami, Pats, Steelers, Giants, & Jets, will not allow a season to continue if they can’t afford to pay for their players.
That’s the greatness of the NFL over baseball. Once the salaries become in line with those like in basketball (not only rookie contracts, but rules & regulations covering all contracts and the max a player can be signed for, etc) the NFL will continue to rule sports in the US.
If the NFL becomes like baseball, then we’re going to become the Pittsburgh Pirates of the NFL. Too poor to field a great team and any player that’s good gets sold to the highest bidder once his contract’s up.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
LMN you better shut up and learn the difference your self….the NT in a 4-3 takes on the center and weak side guard….a danish know it all youre not.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Trev jo…
in my books and in my football education its..
4-3 DE-DT-UT-DE
and 3-4 DE-NT-DE
just ask Howie Long, thats how he says it is..
March 12th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
great post 39..except for the rob ryan part!
March 12th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Dakota….her sister has been in my basement for 3 years…what a gal
March 12th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
but I read the wiki thing, and I disagree, i believe more in Howie Long than Wiki, but its essential the same
March 12th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
what book is that a 1st grade weekly reader?
March 12th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I liked #29 much better than #39, lol.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Lol…good one Draft Beer!
March 12th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
yes …essentially you were wrong again
March 12th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
#220 was a good one…just to be specific.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Ok LMN, I’ll humor you. In your book, what’s the responsibility of the DT (in your DE-DT-UT-DE) model, and how is that NOT consistent with the definition of a 4-3 NT in the link I posted? This ought to be good.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
”Bill Polian revealed that research of the last 27 drafts showed roughly 50 percent of first-round selections never live up to expectations. For the top 10 picks, it’s closer to 33.”
That´s the thing with McFadden, at least for me, drafting him makes the failure possibilities go up to that 50% mark instead of the 33% top 10 picks average, but then again, same goes for a 300 pund DT with a stress fracture in his leg and a 6′0” DT.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
NCAA rule book, a coaching book, NFL books and several books about the functions of the positions…
but draft beer, you never shown you knew anything about football, all you do is copy-paste, everybody can look smart to a certain point… as i said I belive more in Howie Longs schemes =)
March 12th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
DSM
I totally agree, the article below is simply stating the potential conflict.
Any owner or GM needs to plan long term, to have any chance to compete if the league decides to go the next two years with no cap.
The future for a fan is not a thought of a priority.
As you said look at the Pirates or Oakland A’S having to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels etc..Your constantly trading players you drafted in their prime to established teams for draft choices or young prospects.
I see the NFl possibly going in this direction.
They only need 24 owners for any agreement.
They desperately need a rookie contract in the NFL, and the teams who have early picks are saddled with guarantees of money and if they miss it creates a snowball effect of many losing seasons due to no cap flexibility.
Bill Polian the GM for Indy wants to have one in place, let’s see what happens.
POSTED 12:38 p.m. EDT, March 12, 2008
UPSHAW SEES A LOCKOUT COMING by Michael David Smith
NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw says he believes the owners are setting the stage for a lockout that could threaten the 2011 NFL season.
“That’s where we’re headed. They’re going to try to lock us out,” Upshaw tells Lester Munson of ESPN.com.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire after the 2010 season, and the owners and the players appear far off from any type of negotiations that could lead to an agreement to extend labor peace beyond 2010. The owners think they gave up too much during the last round of negotiations.
“They think [the current deal] is too rich for the players, and they want to take some back,” Upshaw said.
Adds union attorney Jeffrey Kessler, “The problem is that the owners could not agree among themselves on how they would share their revenues. The high-revenue teams do not want to share money they earn in their markets, and the low-revenue teams are unhappy about everything. So they find a place to agree — they try to get it back from the players.”
The 2011 season might feel like it’s a long way off, but the owners and the union should be addressing these issues now to avoid a labor stoppage.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Howie rules…
March 12th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
#221 Ok, it sounds like we are arguing semantics at this point. Bottom line is Kelly, Dorsey, and Ellis are all UT, and we don’t want to start 2 UT. Can we agree? I’m not sure where you get all this Howie Long stuff but I’ve heard a ton of NFL analysts talk extensively about the role of the NT and the UT in the 4-3.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
well go buy some books, look up 4-3 schemes and 3-4 usually it would stand like this…
4-3 DE-DT-UT-DE
and 3-4 DE-NT-DE
the DT in the 4-3 has the normal NT obligation and the UT will go under, so in some way its the same thing just explained in another way. But all I can say thats how I been taught it, and how i’ve came across when I studied the game.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
For what it’s worth, check out this description by a writer that’s a Pats fan with regards to the nose tackle position:
http://www.patsfans.com/draft/03/stories/print_story.php?story_id=114
March 12th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
RaiderDell- if the cap does become like baseball, can you say LA Raiders again? I even have a coffee cup from the LA days.
I obviously prefer Oakland, but if this happens then we need to move to a large market or face extinction.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I am not claiming to be a cap expert or any sort of CBA expert, so this is more of a question than an opinion; is it fair to put a rookie cap in place if NFL contracts for veterans will continue to be non-guaranteed?
Seems to me that the compromise between the players and the owners is that you get paid big-time early in your career, and then the team can cut you where you start breaking down later in your career. Should the owner get everything they want in a sport that has monster revenues? Through revenue sharing each team has their entire payroll for the players already paid before they play one single game…the owners are not hurting for money.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Dell…
Also, for the record…I´m not a McFadden guy yet, but I´m no longer opposed to him as I used to be.
But hey, I had a different stance in December and January that was Pre-Combine and FA. I might change my mind again, more than once, before it´s Draft Day..lol.
Like someone said before, it comes down to personal opinions, we will get a talented player that´s for sure.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I am totally ecstatic about our new WR core. This core has so much potential with their size and speed combination. I personally would like to see Walker and Carter on the outside with Curry on the inside to play the middle of the field. This must also be a message that JLH isn’t where Kiffin was hoping he would be but if he matures at all, our 4 WR set looks good with Walker, Carter, Curry and JLH. Theres alot of speed and athletic ability. All of these guys out side of JLH, since we don’t know him well enough yet, fight for the ball.
Add Miller and Madsen to this mix and you have a potent passing attack with JR at the helm and I can only imagine him licking his chops. If JR is 300lbs, who cares? Can you imagine DE’s at 270 lbs coming at JR? I think JR would put his should down on those guys.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Trev Jo
“Ok, it sounds like we are arguing semantics at this point”
I agree…
“I’m not sure where you get all this Howie Long stuff but I’ve heard a ton of NFL analysts talk extensively about the role of the NT and the UT in the 4-3.”
well I guess it comes from who you talk to and what their base Ideology is. if you were a 3-4 guy and like Howie is, the way to explain the middle guy and who is the middle guy when there is four guys.
There is a big segment on this in his book
March 12th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
sowwy for the lag
March 12th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
2007 Scouting Report – Scouts Inc.
Grade: 62 | Key
Alert: E
Comment: Carter is very tall and has rare pure speed for his height.
(Wow. Thats an interesting scouting report.)
March 12th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
huff24…
LOL
March 12th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I can’t look at DMac and see him as a failure, especially playing in the zone with his cut back ability and amazing burst of speed.
He reminds me of Robert Smith, yes another Ohio State player, with his build and upright running style.
If anyone remembers, Robert Smith was pretty good with the Viqueens.
If DMac had to go into a power offense, I wouldn’t be so sold on him.
Remember last season when Fargas burst through the hole? Imagine DMac bursting through that same hole one second earlier and being in the defensive backfield before the LB’s even know it!!
March 12th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
guesss again la moronic negro…I’ve never cut and pasted anything on this blog….admitt it you’re an idiot
March 12th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
NFL Network reporting DE Kevin Carter close to a deal in Oakland
March 12th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
This is all that needs to be said about our drafting strategy:
jvill Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I understand all the peeps who think the Raiders have to concentrate on needs along the O&D-lines, I being one of them…but with a top five pick a team has to pick THE best player available….The NFL is about great players, impact players. I don’t want to see a great player get by us because of other needs.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I’m out, guys. Thanks for the banter. Good link, DSM.
Go Raiders!
March 12th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
PFT.com
POSTED 8:48 p.m. EDT, March 12, 2008
SUNDQUIST OUT AS BRONCOS G.M.
Back on November 8, 2007, we passed along a rumor that G.M. Ted Sundquist could end up being the scapegoat in Denver. In an unrelated development, Sundquist is out as the G.M. of the Denver Broncos. The team announced the move on Wednesday night, saying that he is “no longer with the team, effective immediately.”
Said coach/de facto G.M. Mike Shanahan in a statement released by the Broncos: “I am grateful to Ted for all his hard work and efforts on behalf of the Broncos for the past 16 years. Now is the time for our organization to move forward and look at new directions. We are prepared to do so, starting with our ongoing draft planning, and along with continuing preparations for our mini camps and training camp.”
The back end of the rumor that we heard back in November was that Mike Lombardi, who worked for the Broncos as a volunteer in 2007, would take over the job. Our guess? Given that the Broncos dumped Sundquist before the draft, the Raiders might quickly come calling, if for no reason other than to find out what Denver is planning for the rookie selection weekend.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
K-rock…
I think that is good news =)
March 12th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
They said Kevin Carter is considering signing with them. He was there today. I am guessing an offer has been made.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
have you guys ever noticed that this spitzer guy looks like he could be Coach Chins brother??
March 12th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Dakota
The NFL player only guarantee is the signing bounus or the option bonus, which means they will receive that portion of the contract that is related only to the guaranteed dollars.
When you hear of a player like Javon Walker signing for $6 million and his salary for 2008 is $1 million, the 1 million is not guaranteed.
Lets say he gets injured and is not able to play the $6 million dollars is his to keep.
The owners revenue sharing is not based on what the team generates through sky boxes , sale of clothing in the stadium or like the Raiders have “the Image stores”
They share their revenue with the TV contract, NFL clothing line, shoe and NFL game jerseys through Nike, Beer and many other share agreements in place.
The players union has no salary guarantee, that’s the problem, “salary for that season”, not counting the signing bonus or option bonus which, if a player has an agent and negotiates the guarantee of a signing bonus that’s the only money he will see.
That’s why players who atr Franchised get mad, it restricts their large payday.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Marley – I must say that was the most reason argument I’ve read for taking McFadden. Too bad – I just dont think its gonna happen.
I’m really not going to get too much in depth with what I think of e/ player lets just list them out for starters >>>> at the top of the boards we have C.Long, J.Long, V.Gholston, S.Ellis, G.Dorsey, D.McFadden, K.Rivers, R.Clady.
Raider positions of NEED: DE, NG, OT/OG, LB, WR (in order).
DE – No doubt about it! If an elite pass rushing/run stopping DE is there the Raiders WILL take him. They have no choice. Only 2 DEs on the roster ..count ‘em 2!! A pass rush is gold in this league. (C.Long, V.Gholston)
NG – T.Kelly will likely or IDEALLY be rotated w/ G.Warren at the UT position. T.Kelly at NG. Question is can Ellis or Dorsey hold up at NG/NT in the NFL? The answer to that question will determine how “pickable” they are for the Raiders. Lesser chance for them given T.Kells retention and monster signing.
OT/OG – They can be had later. No need to pick so high.
LB – I don’t think they’re that high on Rivers and this position is generally weak this draft. Not worth it.
WR – None there.
Fargas JUST inked a new deal, MBush is the BIG “?”, Rhodes JUST restructured. Rest your head on this, if MBush shows up pre-draft during camp and reports are positive; there’s absolutely NO WAY this team drafts McFadden. NONE!
So from my perspective this team is looking at DE and DT at the top. To be honest, they are well positioned now to trade down if Long & Gholston are gone. Easier said than done. If Long & Gholston are gone the Raiders are f _ _ _ _ d!! They will go DE. Its the only position there that fills and need + has an elite player….
March 12th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Atl said:
“You don’t get a chance at a player like McFadden every year. I think we can address D Line in Round 2.”
Actually you do.
2006 Reggie Bush
2007 A Petersen
EVERY YEAR there is some stud game changing RB.
From 2006 Mario Henderson (DE) has made the Texans look like geniuses and all the Bush fans look foolish.
Maylock is projecting Ghoulston. I’d prefer Long drop.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
meant T.Sands at NG/NT
March 12th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Bob
Good posts #228, #237, the unknown player we draft is boiled down to a 50% chance of making an impact.
Scary process, due dilligence is a must this draft.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
& I think C.O.W. meant Maro Williams
March 12th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I did thx
March 12th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
This is an OK upgrade. I think if he is still available, Oakland should go after Early Doucet in the second round. This would get JaMarcus a chance to reunite with his old target.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
And COWs right…every year there’s a new “can’t miss” at RB …every year …its gettin’ very tired to be honest.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Terrapin post #253 is right on, looking at it on a needs basis.
Let’s hope Matt Ryan has a lights out workout and creates a desire by the Dolphins or Falcons to draft him and that will give us a great selection to meet our current needs.
I still say trade down if possible.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
…and these ‘cant miss’ ‘rb studs’ only lasts for 3-4 years =)
March 12th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
The key was V.Gholston and C.Long fill both a NEED and they are SPECIAL/ELITE players at the position. Thats a win-win. D.McFadden is only elite (arguable) and fills no need at this point. J.Long is elite but his position is very deep this draft. Dorsey and Ellis may be elite for the draft but do they fill our needs? CL & VG are what you call a match.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/wcStory?contentId=6534058&storyNumber=1
JaMarcus Russell does not weigh 300 pounds and he has worked out at team headquarters since season’s end, two team officials said Tuesday. They were addressing multiple Internet stories about rumors that Russell was pushing three bills and was MIA in Alameda this offseason. “Ridiculous,” said a front-office employee, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak on the issue. “JaMarcus is nowhere near that. He’s been here. He’s been working out. He’s in great shape. “That’s something everyone’s going to see at our first minicamp.” That won’t be until early May
March 12th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I’m out…will read responses later (if any)
March 12th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
The team has tried addressing several areas in the offseason.
Safety – check
WR – check although a draft pick isn’t out of the question.
OT – Sorta if Harris is an upgrade over Sims
However the team’s weakest unit last year has GOTTEN WEAKER with Sapp’s retirement and Clemmon’s departure. Signing Kelly is just a status quo move. Burgess, Warren, Kelly, Richardson IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. All four guys have serious question marks and this unit must improve through the draft.
Long, Ghoulston, Ellis, Dorsey – One HAS to be available at #4 minimum.
By the way if M Bush hadn’t broke his leg he’d be as big a prospect as MacFadden. If Bush is healthy, it only adds more reason why MacF would be a terrible pick.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Grat discussion the last hour or so.
Take care, till tomorrow.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
RaiderDell Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Bob
Good posts #228, #237, the unknown player we draft is boiled down to a 50% chance of making an impact.
Scary process, due dilligence is a must this draft
*******************************************************
Hey Dell
I only have a 50% chance of making an impact? Actually, I thought it was a 10% chance of success I would have. lol
March 12th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
‘00 was a rough draft year for a lot of teams as the talent level wasn’t great.
1- C Brown
2- L Arrington
3- Chris Samuels
4- Peter Warrick
5- Jamal Lewis
‘01 Another down year:
1- Vick
2- L Davis
3- G Warren
4- J Smith
5- LT
‘02 Another bad year
1- D Carr
2- Peppers
3- Joey
4- Mike Williams
5- Q Jammer
‘03 A better year, but still too many busts
1- Palmer
2- C Rogers
3- A Johnson
4- D Robertson
5- T Newman
‘04 Great year and only Gallery, Rivers, & Reggie Williams haven’t lived up to their hype out of the top ten.
1- E Manning
2- Big Rob
3- Fitzgerald
4- P Rivers
5- S Taylor
‘05 A down year
1- A Smith
2- R Brown
3- B Edwards
4- C Benson
5- Cadillac
‘06 Another good year
1- M Williams
2- R Bush
3- V Young
4- D Ferguson
5- AJ Hawk
‘07 Another good year
1- Russell
2- CJ
3- J Thomas
4- G Adams
5- L Brown
What does ‘08 bring us? It looks like another talented draft.
Statistics can make any thing sound great, but if you really look at the numbers, you have to consider how the scouts feel about the classes coming out before you take that in perspective.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Yeah NFLN when discussing a rookie salary cap threw out that 50% chance of succeeding figure.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Yeah, nobody wants to play for an organization like Oakland… shut up Salisbury. Everybody has an opinion, but most of them dont mean sh1t.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Another good signing by Al Davis..
Man those haters sure are quick to cayate when the moves start to happen..
I thought no one wanted to come here fellas? Someone help me out here?
Haters? Anyone?
March 12th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
What great moves have the Raiders made? Zip. You can sign any injured has-been if you throw money at them. A smart savvy all-pro would never come here. Al Davis’ team is a mess ! What a total reversal of fortune for Al Davis and the Raiders. Yes, the haters and skeptics are still here !
March 12th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Nice signing. He has speed to get upfield. That makes taking a WR in the 2nd less likely as well as a OT/ ol in the 2nd because of the Harris and Green signings.
I see the Raiders taking a DE and DT in the first two rounds. Odds are that the Raiders will either take Chris or gholston in the first because Al watched OSI and Strahan take down the best offense ever created: “he will go down and he will go down hard” I believe were Al’s famous War Slogan with regards to how to beat the opponents.
In the second the Raiders will add depth to the most overpaid and least productive unit in Oakland: DT.
I see either Laws, or sims.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
La Milicia Negra Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
NCAA rule book, a coaching book, NFL books and several books about the functions of the positions…
but draft beer, you never shown you knew anything about football, all you do is copy-paste, everybody can look smart to a certain point… as i said I belive more in Howie Longs schemes =)
Right on Draft Beer, at least I know I’m not the only one that recognizes this guys constant hypocrisy
March 12th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Alzado- In two years when our team is loaded across the board, you’ll be just another idiot on the Raiders bandwagon.
It’s the fans who are there through thick & thin. Gruden screwed us with horrible drafts and laid a foundation for a rough 5 years. We know this and look forward to when the talent on our team now is playing Pro Bowl ball.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Another WR? It was a good investment picking up Drew Carter. He has an injury issue also, but if healthy could pay huge dividends for the Raiders. He will definetly spread the field at 6′3 200lbs with 4.3 speed. I remember this guy, he went to Ohio State and went under the radar cuz of acl tear to his knee or something. With that signing it tells me that the Raiders are thinking about drafting DE Gholston or RB Mcfadden with the pick. I also heard that vet DE Kevin Carter is coming to visit today and may sign. If this happens then I believe DE Burgess has played his last game as a Raider and will be traded for a draft pick. CB Fabian Washington will also be traded so we can obtain another pick or player(Deangelo Hall?) This is the scenario I’m thinking for our draft if we sign crafty vet DE Kevin Carter. 1)DE Vernon Gholston 2)DE Lawrence Jackson 3)RB Ray Rice 3)S Tom Zbowski 4)LB/DE Marcus Howard 4) DT Carlton Powell 5) OG/C Pedro Sosa. The rest of the picks won’t matter cuz they may not make the team.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
take more roids Alzado, you’re aren’t dumb enough yet
March 12th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Alameda Insider and draftbeer I honestly thought you were the same…
March 12th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I’m dead !
March 12th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
LMN got OAKED by Draft Beer! See post #217, #225 & #244
You got OAKED LMN! Again. hahahahahahahahahahaha
March 12th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I would have loved to see the raiders reach for Dexter Jackson in the 2nd round, but the Carter signing seems to make that less likely.
In the 4th round the Raiders have to nab Chilo Rachal from USC. This kid would have been a sure fire 2nd rounder maybe even 1st rounder next year, but he had to leave school to pay for his moms medical expenses. The kid has a chip on his shoulder and went up against Sed Ellis every day for the past 3-4 years. He was not planning on coming out what so ever until late in the year.
The kid is going to be the next Alan Faneca or Steve Hutchinson mark my words. If he is there in round 4, Oakland better nab him.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
just shows the level of your intelligence LMN. Idiot.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I believe I didn’t, read the 3-4 explanation on wiki, it basicly says the same, I guess Tre Jo and I agreed on that if you read the posts
March 12th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
actually it appeared that Trevjo doesn’t agree with you, he was just finished arguing with your stupid ass
March 12th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
My reasoning is I believe we should trade DE Burgess for a 4th & 5th round pick in this years draft. CB Fabian Washington should be traded for a 2-3 round pick in this years draft. Teams are gonna play hard ball but I believe it will more than likely be a 3rd for Fabian. It will probably be like the Plilip Buchanon scenario. It’s all about sacrifice! We have to give up two good players to acquire more picks to get multiple good young players to fill our roster. Our foundation will be built in this years draft, if this scenario happens. What do u think? There’s always a different scenario of course.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
found a pic of LMN
http://assets.espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/sandler_waterboy.jpg
March 12th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
awesome pickup, Go Raiders
March 12th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Keep your head up LMN, don’t let the d!ckheads get you down.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Yeah LMN -
don’t let the truth bring you down
March 12th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Alameda insider….. The only thing your “inside” is your ass.
Boldin = Carter give me a break…….
March 12th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
okay, guys see ya see ya i’m outta here…
Alameda Insider, where is it now boldin is?
March 12th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Lol, that was a funny picture though…
March 12th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
thanks for proving my point ya big dummy!
March 12th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
trust me Dakota, thats him. That is the extent of his football experience. Takes one to the dome and all of a sudden he’s an expert.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Whatever dude…I like LMN, and just because I disagree with something he says does not mean I am going to attack him on a personal level. Why do you have to act and respond in such a vindictive manner all the time AI? Can’t you be a man and have an adult dialogue with someone for once?
March 12th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
ok check it out raiders fans we should do it like this ….. trade with the jets take there dt and there 3rd round pick …… with the 6th selection take gholston then we will have depth at d line and a new young linebacker….. then with that 3rd pick trade it to atl for hall cb….. and with our second selection take a young wide reciever or o line…… we have options here people but take mcfadden isn’t it we have alot of running backs don’t get caught up to much into the hype a running back like ap comes once in a blue moon we should of took ap last year well al keep spending just make sure it works out …. you know better then us … the fans
March 12th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
My insiders at the Chron printed that Jim Lofton worked out some players at Cal,…no Kiffin in sight,…Kiffin gone already likely,…my contacts in So-Cal tell me he may end up back at USC,…although UCLA would make a run at him,…my source in South Beach tells me the Tuna ald Al will make a deal for top pick and Al will take Chris Long,..like I have told you all along…then in my opinion, Chris will be the biggest bust in draft history. My people in NYC inform me the Pats game will be a sunday night game…I have a source on the line right now,..brb.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I am down with that EJ…I don’t know if the Falcons and Jets would cooperate, but it would be worth a try…
You never know.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Alameda Insider Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
My insiders at the Chron printed that Jim Lofton worked out some players at Cal,…no Kiffin in sight,…Kiffin gone already likely,…my contacts in So-Cal tell me he may end up back at USC,…although UCLA would make a run at him,…my source in South Beach tells me the Tuna ald Al will make a deal for top pick and Al will take Chris Long,..like I have told you all along…then in my opinion, Chris will be the biggest bust in draft history. My people in NYC inform me the Pats game will be a sunday night game…I have a source on the line right now,..brb.
ShawnRaiders81:
Your “people” (Voices in your head) also told you Boldin was traded to the Raiders, then today you said Boldin = Carter.
one word. sorry
March 12th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Alameda Insider Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Shawn,..you like 12 year old boys?
ShawnRaiders81:
Only a kid would have a comeback like that, you proved my point.
Shawnraiders81 Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Dakota….
I really think “Alemeda Insider” is a 12 year old kid that wants attention.
Nothing more nothing less.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
This just in…the 49ers have 5 rings,…the Faders have 3…na na na na naaaaaaa….how longs it been?…1984?….(I wasnt even born yet)….and dont hold your breath for another one any time soon,..or ever. Espn has crowned the Faders as the very worst franchise in all of sports…enjoy 2007?…hope so, because it will be better then 2008,..2009,…etc.,…long live Al Davis. AI RULES!!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
so anyone I say we draft…..
#1) DE Long/Gholston.
#2) DT Laws/LT.
#4) WR Nelson (if he is here.)
#5) OLB
March 12th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Shawn Fader fan,..try and keep your mind off 12 year old boys,..you are a pedophile.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Nice, Alameda Insider admits to being a 49ers fan…or did we already know that guys?
March 12th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I admit… skipped through the majority of these posts – not directed at anyone. Not used to this new format yet. I will tell you this, as a life-long die hard Raiders fan: the day we sign McFadden, I will make plans for a return trip to Oakland from the east coast. Picking the best player in the draft will turn a lot of heads. Seen a Draft Mag lately? If not, I will just settle for the Baltimore game. And the New Orleans game, just because. I have seen McFAdden play at SEC venues for the last three years. Even if just returning kicks: HE IS THE MAN. 7 points is 7 points, no matter how you look at it. We need a playmaker!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Alameda Insider Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
This just in…the 49ers have 5 rings,…the Faders have 3…na na na na naaaaaaa….how longs it been?…1984?….(I wasnt even born yet)….and dont hold your breath for another one any time soon,..or ever. Espn has crowned the Faders as the very worst franchise in all of sports…enjoy 2007?…hope so, because it will be better then 2008,..2009,…etc.,…long live Al Davis. AI RULES!!!!
Always had knowk this was Charger.
Sorry still can’t win a superbowl…..
March 12th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Dakota just ignore him, he is a kid…….
if your a charger fan and in a Raiders blog you really are lame.
he has to be 12 years old 270lbs fat kid with no life
March 12th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Montyeast, welcome to the Draft Mc”Dad”den fan club…I am the founding father of the club on this site…you are welcome to joint…there are more of us every day.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I hear OLB Takeo Spikes will be visiting the 49ers this week. Signing Spikes would be great! He could play in the middle in then we could move Morrison to the outside. Any new rumors regarding CB Deangelo Hall?
March 12th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
How about trading DE Burgess and a pick next year for MLB Ray Lewis?
March 12th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Dakota Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Montyeast, welcome to the Draft Mc”Dad”den fan club…I am the founding father of the club on this site…you are welcome to joint…there are more of us every day.
Dakota, I would love to see McFadden in silver and black, here is what I have a had time with….
we have Fargas,Bush,Rhodes.
there are some really good RB’s in this years draft,
1)McFadden, 2)Smith, 3)Rice, 4)Jones etc……
we need a DE,DT, another young WR.
When it comes down to it we are stacked at RB and need to address the D-line.
Mcfadden is highrisk/high reward.
Could go either way.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
joint…lol. Freudian slip.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I see McFadden as the “Shawn Kemp” of the NFL.
He will have a kid with every women in Oakland.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
come back when the Charges win a superbowl…..
March 12th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Shawn,
Yeah, I have heard all of those concerns before, and they are all valid. We need soooo much. McFadden would be great, so would Chris Long, Dorsey, Ellis, Jake Long, Gholston…they would all be great. We can’t lose…unless Al pick another CB, S or K in the first round, lol.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
alright first time comment always reading..
I think I like J-mac & D-Mac yea we have fargas he can get hurt, Lamont gone. rohdes is signed 1 more year then gone. leaves Bush & Fargas Justin is signed for 3
years can be gone after 2 will be 30 by then keep a backfield with J-mac Bush& Mcfadden. our D-line is big in middle just need to play better Sands,Kelly,Warren,Shaw Burgess Richarson on the ends.
when warren was in there he played well need better M.L.B play how many times did you see Captian Kirk hit the wrong gap. As far as O-line we do need help but maybe Kawme can play up to his #1 pick status behind Cable we did lower our sacks last year and should be lower this year Everything really lies on our #1 pick of last year he is only 22 and his the future of the Silver & Black lets pray we have the right guy for years to come cause that`s what is going to determine the rise or continue fall of this team….
March 12th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Dakota,
Chris Long will go #1 to the Dolphin if they can’t trade down.
I think the Raiders will have to pick between three choices.
1) Gholston.
2) McFadden.
3) Trading down with the Cryboys (take their 1&2) picks.
COuld get interesting…..
March 12th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
The way it looks right now, our #1 pick is either Glenn Dorsey, DT-LSU, Sedrick Ellis, DT-USC or Vernon Gholston, DE-Ohio State. Any of those three would be one VERY LARGE STEP FORWARD.
My question centers around Gholston. More specifically, he is a real “tweener” by NFL standards. He is without a question, an outstanding physical specimen who will no doubt standout as a real difference maker. My question is do we use him, assuming we pick him, as a full-time DE, a rushing outside Linebacker (a position that we really need filling) much in the design of Shawnne Merriman or as a specialty pass rusher?
I can easily see Burgess & Richardson at DE with Kelley & Laws, DT-Notre Dame (2nd round pick)at DT, backed up with Howard, Morrison & Gholston as the LB corp. Top that off with Routt, Asomugha, Huff & Wilson. To me, that adds up to a D in the top 10.
Any thoughts on that alignment?
March 12th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
You win in the NFL by #1) playing good defense and #2) scoring TDs. DUH! We don’t do either very well.
We can’t fix both problems in one year. Which can we fix first? Draft McFadden and we WILL SCORE MORE TDs. Draft a midget DT like Dorsey or Ellis and we might play better defense…Al will go for the sure thing in McFadden, unless Chris Long somehow falls to us.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I love McFadden but to me this draft has TONS of RB depth.
It like going to a car lot with 5 porches.
each with a price tag.
1) McFadden = Millions.
2) Felix Jones = Million.
3) Ray Rice = Cheap.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
McFadden = LasVegas and a big (millions of dollars) GAMBLE.
Could win big, or could Lose big……
March 12th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Dakota
Get over your love affair with McFadden. The only way McFadden will go in the #4 spot will be if the Cowboys trade us for that position. If AD is not tempted enough by Dorsey & Ellis, Gholston is more of a physical standout and AD type freak than McFadden will ever be.
Fear not. We will score touchdowns. We didn’t do that well last year is simply because we didn’t have a scoring QB. JR will do well this year. Keep the faith.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Shawn, we will either draft McFadden or not draft a RB at all IMHO. The only reason to draft a RB is if he has the potential to be special. McFadden has that potential. The Raiders, if they pass on McFadden, will not choose a RB with any of their picks. They will turn to addressing needs.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Scenario 2 will come tomorrow
March 12th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
yeah.. our streak might be to pick another punter/kicker, first round – as AD goes. But he/she would still put any worthless Charger/49-whiner fan to shame. East cost knows the deal with those tools…
March 12th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
We shall see JB, we shall see…the draft is soooooo far away!
March 12th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I don’t know Dakota your probably right, i will say this
McFadden/Bush/Fargas.
Curry/Walker/Carter/JLH.
Wilson/Morrison/Howard/Laws(#2)
Would sell a ton of tickets.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Omni
You bring up a good point, Fargas is 28 and Rhodes is 29, both might be gone after next season.We appear to be set at RB right now but that may be for next season only.
Pairing the still 20 yr. old McFadden with Russell and Orenthal O´Neal would make a great backfield for years to come, if Bush pans out that would just be insane.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
neither rice nor jones are even close to the prospect mcfadden is, if we take mcfadden it wont be because he is a RB it is because he is a freak athlete and a superstar offensive player who is dynamic and dangerous, he is worth the money(not really, but he’s closer than anyone else to being worth the money…which noone is worth) because of the impact he can make on our record, gholston/long and baker/collins/cherilus would be awesome, but mcfadden and baker/collins/cherilus would be more effective
March 12th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
P.S. Dakota we have potential to be special in Michael Bush, remember the highsman hype?
and don’t give me the “broken leg” argument.
it = the same as McFadden Character issues
March 12th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I’m with you on this one Dakota. We all need to realize that we can’t fix it all this year. Al was aggressive in FA and did what he could thus far, but we’ve essentially ended up with a lot of “potential” firepower. Walker and Carter are injury riddled, Fargas and Curry are too. Why not get an explosive offensive playmaker in DMAC. Sure he’s also tagged as “potential” but he’s yound without a rash of injuries.
I really do like Gholston, and wouldn’t be upset if he was the pick. HOWEVER, if DMAC turns out to be A.Peterson’ish we will all be pissed.
Who would you rather have, the potential of Shawn Merriman, or the potential of Adrian Peterson? We need Defensive help, but it’s mostly against the run.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
*young
March 12th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
If McFadden turns out to be Lawrence Phillips I for one would be sick.
I want D-mac, however my brains tell me.
We HAVE Fargas,BUSH,Rhodes.
We have some good WR’s now.
We NEED D-line help.
the Texans look pretty smart getting Mario over Bush, but it’s 20/20 vision now.
remember the heat they took for that one….
or Edge over Ricky pot smoker Williams?
March 12th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I can picture:
McFadden rd1, DT rd 2
McFadden rd1, DE rd 2
Long/Gholston rd 1, DT rd 2
Long/Gholston rd 1, OT rd 2
Maybe J. Long rd1, DT or DE rd 2
I can’t imagine Dorsey or Ellis being picked at this point….sorry JB. The Kelly re-signing puts those picks on ice, unless you are going to play $50 million Kelly out of position at DE…otherwise where would Ellis or Dorsey play on the D-line? They are too small to replace Turd.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I don’t follow college ball all that much but here’s my question. If McFadden is all that everybody says, why did Felix’ numbers closely resemble those of McFadden? Does that mean McFadden is not an everydown RB? Or does that mean Felix is just as explosive? All good questions deserve answers. What’s the real downlow on McFadden? And, let’s not forget the character issues which are real things to be concerned about. Just ask the Titans as that issue applies to PacMan Jones.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Rumor has it, the Dolphins might go with McFadden with the 1st pick. Why? Because Ricky Williams is not wanted in Miami and Ronnie Brown is not consistant. Plus, Matt Ryan is not 1st round money,they need a running back;they would be foolish to Ryan when they already have Beck as the projected starter plus, the best QB’s in this draft are Booty, Ainge, Flacco and Henne. One will be available in the later rounds.
McFadden will not be on the board when we come up. I say draft Sedrick Ellis, Chris Long or Keith Rivers.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Ted Sundquist was the Broncos GM for 16 years and I couldnt have told you his name thats unreal.
AL, why is Lamont still on the roster are you sending him to Dallas in a package draft day ?
I preferred Bryant Johnson but Carter is an upgrade over Porter and Walker potentially can be a legit #1 with JR firing lasers hope he stays healthy.
Warriors!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Would KC not be wise to pick McFadden to go against us for years to come if he is the best prospect, next guy up, next pick? Ala LT at SD???
March 12th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
C’mon Who runs “Wild Hog” Formations in the NFL?
Don’t believe the hype on McFadden. He’s not no Adrian Peterson. Jones had those yards because the option allows that. Look at Navy, they lead the ncaa in rushing this year.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Do we keep Burgess or trade him while he still has some trade value? He may be a good pass rusher but he sucks at stopping the run. Tommy Kelley can play DE or DT. I can see Kelley and Richardson at DE with Ellis or Dorsey and Laws at DT. All of those boys can stuff the run and definitely clog up the middle and collapse the pocket from the center. If they keep Kelley at DT with Laws (a projected 2nd round pick), I can also see Gholston & Richardson at DE. Again, tbey all can tackle and stuff the run.
It will be interesting to see what direction AD picks come draft time. I just hope he remembers that:
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS !!!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Best bet is to draft talent from football schools…USC, Ohio St, LSU, Texas, Florida.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Assassin,
In my mind, if we played a 3-4 and Gholston played OLB like Merriman, then it would be a much more difficult decision, but we don’t and we are not going to any time soon, so given Gholston’s size (6′4″ 258 lbs) we can’t afford to pick him and play him on the same line as Burgess (6′2″ 260 lbs). Teams would run on us even more, if that is possible. So it means bye bye Burgess, and so have we improved? Would Gholston be that much better than Burgess?
Chris Long is 6′4″ 272 lbs and could play the end opposite Burgess with no problem.
The Phins will pass on Chris Long because he is too small to play DE in a 3-4, they would have to play him at OLB…not going to happen. So unless they trade the pick, which will not happen, they will be forced to select Matt Ryan.
Rams will select Jake Long.
Atlanta will select either Dorsey or C. Long….
If they pass on Long, we win. If they take Long, we select McFadden.
Or,
Phins take Ryan.
Rams take J. Long
Cowgirls trade up for McFadden
we get Chris Long!
remember, you heard it here first, lol.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Dakota
Phins are not taking Ryan!
They will take McFadden or trade it to Dallas.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Bottomline, Im glad we signed Carter. It helps, we still need a quality back up tight end. You need 2 tight ends in this league.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Phins take McFadden #1? No way. Dallas trade all the way up to #1? No way. I would bet my house that neither of those things occur.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
A little advice Insider….change your screen name, lol.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
His name is John Madsen.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Dakota
Actually, the difference between Chris Long and Vernon Gholston is 6 pounds, according to the official combine measurements.
C. Long is 6′3 272
V. Gholston is 6′3 266
Also, to me, a more accurate comparison to what Gholston can become would be Osi Umenyiora.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
IMO, when Rhodes restructured his salary and Fargas was resigned, McFadden fell out of the equation – especially with the rumors that Bush is VERY healthy.
The signing of Wilson fixed the safety issue. Kelley’s resigning helped with a part of the D-line rotation and Harris leads one to believe that the o_line got a little help. Our immediate WR problem seems to have been addressed. That takes me back to the defense. We still needs answers at DT & LB. Maybe that all equates to Gholston at #1 and Laws at #2 pick.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Bob,
here is where I got my numbers on Gholston:
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/vernon-gholston?id=756
March 12th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Insider
I agree wholeheartedly with MistaBrown on #362. Madsen is a great a#2 TE. He has amazing hands and the knack to get open.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Wow, did I hallucinate or did MR just post in here…that was taken down pretty quickly, lol.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Check that #358
March 12th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Who keeps changing the post numbers?
March 12th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Deja Vu revisited
March 12th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
The liar who said Miami is going to draft McFadden needs to shut up right now. Parcells is not picking a RB number 1. Forget about it. McFadden will be there for the Raiders. Al wants an explosive offense because he believes in Rob Ryan. Raiders pass on McFadden they will never get back to winning titles. You need exceptional talent and we dont have it at RB. We just added a few playmakers but we need a RB to give them some more room to operate! No player that high will make an impact for the Raiders like Dmac. Not even close!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Night JB, Bob, Mista and the rest of you.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Night to you too Brien, I see you are a smart man.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
To answer that college inquiry: as a die-hard Raiders fan, fan of the Razorbacks (college team that I worship)
McFadden = Marcus Allen
Felix Jones = Wheatly/Crocket
Peyton Hillis = Ritchie with Charlie Garner hands/moves… just of to offer a perspective of our most recent talent over the years
Of course, unless Al Davis forgot – he is tight with J Jones, and will probably make a deal. All down the tubes…
March 12th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Some of the poster here appear to have some very short memories. I can recall a Raider team headed by Rich Gannon & company who did nothing but move the ball and score touchdowns. That is until they ran into the #1 D in the form of the Ravens who had a mediocre offense but a killer defense. The long and short of this tale is that the Raiders went home after the Ravens handed their asses to them while the Ravens went on to win the SB.
The message here is DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS !!!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Thank you Draft Beer, for agreeing that we need to stop the run, above all else…I’ve posted this up myself, and again, for the record…Dorsey or Ellis…
If we don’t stop the run, then get used to guys like Chester Taylor–CHESTER FFFFING TAYLOR–getting career days against us…
March 12th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I´ll tell you guys one thing about the Rams, I don´t think they will draft Jake Long. If I´m them, I give it one last shot with a healthy Pace at LT, nice FA acquisition LG Jacob Bell and 2005 1st Rounder Alex Barron at RT that´s 3 ‘’settled” positions in their OL.
If they feel like they have to add depth, they can get a very good prospect with the 33rd pick or a decent one with the 65th.
Their O can score enough but that D is awful. I just can´t see them passing on Chris Long or Gholston and one of them will be there.
I´m apparently alone in this one as almost every projection has them going J. Long but we´ll see.
I do hope I´m flat out wrong as I´d love Chris or Gholston to be an option for us.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Dakota
On Gholston, hard to argue with what´s on nfl.com, I get the numbers here:
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=DE&draftyear=2008&sortby=tsxpos&order=ASC
They´re supposed to be official too and I might be wrong but I kind of remember when they were broadcasting the combine that I heard the numbers I gave you, I remember it because I was surprised about how close they were, buy maybe it was late or I just imagined the whole thing….
March 12th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
IMO McFadden is a speed back with very little else to offer. He’s not what I call a dominant back like Peterson he’s just not as physical. If you can affrd to draft him it’s different but with the carries that Bush will get McFadden just doesn’t make sense. I know the rmance with him will continue but, thereis very little chance McFadden will be a Raider. I know most wont agree but we’re not even looking in his direction.
Now if in minicamp Bush doesn’t show then you might have a chance otherwise there almost no way because of the other HB’s in this draft. Michael Bush IMO is better than McFadden. You guy’s are in love with his speed and homerun ability, I’m telling you if Bush were in this draft he would be the top rated HB over McFadden. Heck I even think Mendenhall is higher rated than Mcfadden to the Raiders. And there are others that are very close.
Again very little chance
March 12th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
great signing
March 12th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
draft d-line 1st and 2nd ,,4th and beyond draft for depth. the key is to draft for players on day one that can start in week 1.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I have to say that i am in a 100% agreement with Draft Beer about Jordy nelson. HELLO OAKLAND !!! Take this kid in the 4th if he is there. SERIOUSLY ! Trade someone….i don’t know, maybe try and get a 3rd with a trade and take Jordy there. Would be a huge upgrade for any receiving core. He’s kinda like wes welker on steroids and taller.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
i still think madsen would make great slot or 4th receiver option. he has great hands
March 12th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
It’s almost like these guys are brothers. Heads you win. Tails you win. Either of these guys in our first round is good with me. Follow-up in the second round with Trevor Laws, DT-ND. Keep Kelley & Richardson at DE and trade Burgess for another 2nd or third round pick. Or, just keep him around as a pass rush specialist.
Glenn Dorsey
Height: 6-11/2 | Weight: 297 | 40-Time: 5.05
Strengths:
Very strong and powerful…Extremely active with a non-stop motor…Outstanding quickness with a burst to close…A hard worker with terrific intangibles…Agile and changes directions well…Can penetrate and wreak havoc in the backfield…Stout at the point of attack and can hold his ground versus the run…Has long arms and plays with very good leverage…Has excellent range…Smart with nice awareness and instincts…Has a lot of experience…Versatile and has played all along the line.
Sedrick Ellis
Height: 6-01/2 | Weight: 309 | 40-Time: 5.23
Strengths:
Very quick with a great first step…Very strong and powerful…A terrific pass rusher with the burst to close…Athletic with good speed…Instinctive…Sheds blocks well and is able to beat the double team…Is technically sound when it comes to using his hands and understanding leverage…Has a non-stop motor…Tough and a very hard worker with top-notch intangibles…Has experience at both tackle positions.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I thought I would shed some light on the subject since they the D is our biggest need at the early picks in the draft and there seems to be confusion amongst some of us.
The 4-3 Defense
The Basic 4-3 Defensive Alignment
In the basic 4-3 defense shown above, we have four down linemen: two Defensive Tackles (DT) and two Defensive Ends (DE). Behind these guys we have three linebackers, the Strong Side or Sam Linebacker (SL), the Middle or Mike Linebacker (ML), and the Weak Side or Will Linebacker (WL). Strong Side means the side of the offense that has the tight end, normally on the Defense’s left.
These guys each have a job to do, and the job depends on how they read the play. Frequently in a 4-3 defense, the DTs will have one gap responsibility. That means the DTs line up on the shoulder of their man, not head to head, and attempt to get by him and into the backfield. They are responsible that no running back comes through their gap. In the picture above, the gaps are lettered “A,” “B,” and “C.” The positions where the DTs can line up are numbered 1 through 6. Normally in a 4-3 you will have on very large DT who weighs about 330 to 360 pounds. He will line up on the Center’s shoulder and handle an A gap. This large guy is called a Nose Tackle (NT). You will often have a second DT who is just a little smaller and faster, perhaps 305-320 pounds, who will line up on the outside shoulder of the right guard in the 3 position. This DT is sometimes called a “3-technique” because of where he lines up. He will have responsibility for a B gap.
There are two more down linemen on the outside of the defensive line. These are the Defensive Ends, or DEs. Their job is to get into the backfield and make life miserable for running backs and quarterbacks. These guys are normally a bit lighter than the DTs, perhaps 285 to 300 pounds. The DEs are supposed to be much faster than the DTs and better at slipping past 320 pound offensive tackles whose only purpose in life is to stop them. The two defensive ends will line up a bit wide. They want to avoid all blocks and get into the offensive backfield as quickly as possible.
If the play is a passing play, these four guys are supposed to disrupt the quarterback, and if possible tackle (sack) him. The offensive tackles will quickly step backwards when the ball is snapped and try to stay between the DEs and their quarterback. The quarterback will normally step backwards too, making a very appetizing looking target. If one of the DEs is quick enough to get past his offensive tackle, the quarterback will normally see this and try to step forward towards his center and two guards, thereby getting out of the way of this very large and unfriendly person. This is where the nose tackle and 3-technique come in. If they are doing their jobs, the nose tackle has pushed the center backwards almost to the quarterback and the 3-technique has almost gotten past his guard to get to the quarterback. If this has happened, the quarterback has no where to go, so something very bad is about to happen to him. If your four down linemen can consistently rush and disrupt the quarterback without any help from the rest of your defense, the offensive team is in real trouble.
If the play is a passing play and the four down linemen are good at their jobs, then the three linebackers will step backwards and protect the middle of the field from short passes. The strong side linebacker will try to block the tight end so that he cannot run across the field and be a useful receiver. If he fails to block him, then he will run alongside him to try to knock any passes down or tackle the tight end immediately if he should catch a ball. The weak side linebacker will often have to follow the fullback or running back, who will most likely be running out of the backfield to be available to catch a pass. It’s the weakside linebacker’s job to make sure this doesn’t happen. The middle linebacker will watch the play develop and get himself into the most disruptive position he can find, covering and threatening any receivers who dare to step into his domain. Middle linebackers make poor neighbors, as they are known to enjoy torturing small animals like your pets.
If the play is a running play, the job of the defensive linemen is just a little different. The DEs will still run forwards towards the quarterback, but now they are supposed to keep the running back from getting past them. In a perfect world, one of the DEs would tackle the running back in the backfield for a loss of yards. In any case, they want to make sure the running back has to run towards the center of the field where there are two DTs and three LBs just waiting to make him a very unhappy running back. The job of the DTs in a running play is to clog up the center of the field so that the running back has nowhere to go. In a perfect world, one of the DTs would tackle him. If all four of your down linemen miss the running back, they still should have kept him in the middle of the field, and slowed him down as he picked his way through all the very large bodies fighting over him. This gives your linebackers lots of time to track him down and do him great bodily harm.
If you can manage to get two large, strong DTs and two fast and effective DEs on your team, these four guys all by themselves will make life very unpleasent for the quarterback. They will make certain that he does not have enough unharassed time to make a long pass for the endzone; the quarterback will have only about two seconds to read the defense and get rid of the ball. This will pretty much guarantee that the only available receivers are within about ten yards of the line of scrimmage. This leaves seven other guys on your defense, three linebackers and four defensive backs, to cover the various receivers. A 4-3 defense with four good down linemen is very good at stopping the pass.
On the other hand, you can see in the diagram above that the 4-3 defense leaves an A, B, and C gap uncovered by a lineman. It’s up to the three linebackers to cover these gaps, and also be ready for a running back who manages to get outside of one of the DEs. The 4-3 defense is not quite as good at stopping the run as we can imagine.
In the fall when the weather is nice, teams like to pass a lot, and the 4-3 defense is pretty good at limiting these passes. But in the winter when the weather turns cold, the wind comes up, and the football is cold and hard as a rock, teams like to run the ball. This can cause problems for a 4-3 defense.
If you cannot find four good down linemen, you’re in trouble. You must find a way to disrupt the quarterback, so pretty soon you’ll try what is called “blitzing,” after the blitzkrieg strategy used very effectively by Hitler against the allied armies. In a blitz you will have one or two other players, linebackers or safeties most frequently, join with the down linemen in rushing in to get the quarterback. However, this is one or two fewer people to cover the receivers. A good quarterback will quickly find the receiver who is not covered because of the blitz and get the ball to him. Most often this receiver will be directly behind the blitzing defender, running into the area that the blitzer just left. If the quarterback sees a blitz coming, his first instinct is to throw the ball quickly right over the blitzer’s head into the unprotected area. Because of this, it’s common in football games to hear the phrase “Live by the blitz, die by the blitz.” When a blitz works, the quarterback gets sacked and the offense looses ten or more yards. When the blitz fails, the quarterback often gets the ball to an uncovered receiver who then runs for a twenty yard or more gain.
It’s very difficult to find two good, fast, 290 pound defensive ends to make your 4-3 work. If you do find them, they’re worth $5m to $12M per year each. If you don’t find them, you’re in for a very long season of living and dying by the blitz. The best defenses have these guys and do very little blitzing. Above is shown the “4-3 over” defensive alignment. The nose tack is lined up on the weak side of the center, and the 3 technique is lined up on the strong side between the guard and tackle. The defense is putting their power straight against the offensive line power. There’s also a “4-3 under” alignment, also shown above. If the nose tackle moves over to the strong side of the center and the 3-technique moves to the outside shoulder of the weak side guard, we say they are in an “under” alignment. Now the strength of the defensive line is aimed at the weaker side of the offensive line. The “over” alignment is perhaps a bit better against the run, and the “under” alignment is perhaps a bit better against the pass. In the “under” alignment you have three defensive linemen facing the three weakside offensive linemen, so neither the 3-technique nor the defensive end can be double- teamed. Another popular defensive alignment is the 3-4. This defense was used by Bill Parcels and his N.Y.Giants to win a couple of superbowls. From 2000 to 2004 it was also used by Bill Parcels’ former defensive coordinator and now head coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, to win three more superbowls. This defense is now becoming quite popular again. The NFL is very much a copy-cat league.
In the 4-3 defense, you need two very large and athletic defensive tackles and two somewhat large and very athletic defensive ends. These guys are very hard to find. It seems there’s about one excellent defensive end prospect in each draft, which is not nearly enough to go around. If you can’t find a couple of good defensive ends, you’re in for a long season of living and dying by the blitz.
One reaction to this has been to develop the 3-4 defense. In this defense, you need one really large nose tackle. This NT has to be a real monster of a guy, 350 pounds or so, because his job is to take on the center and one of the guards simultaneously on every single play. Then you get two more defensive tackles at around 300 pounds each, and play them up against the offensive tackles. All three of the defensive tackles have what is called two-gap responsibility. They are expected to hit the offensive linemen head on, and watch the play to make sure the running back doesn’t come through on either side of them. Also, they’re expected to hold their block so that the offensive linemen can’t get out and block a linebacker.
In the 3-4 system, the linebackers are expected to make most of the plays. In the 3-4 system, the DTs play a more physical game as they are taking on one or two offensive linemen directly, play after play. Unlike the DTs in the 4-3, the DTs in the 3-4 are responsible for every single gap in the offensive line. Although the DTs get relatively few chances to make tackles or sack the quarterback, anything bad that happens is still ultimately their fault.
In the 3-4, you have four linebackers. Two of these guys are inside linebackers, and are expected to weigh roughly 240 pounds and be quite athletic. You also have two outside linebackers. These guys are sometimes called “tweeners,” as they are in between the normal size of defensive ends and linebackers. These guys should weigh perhaps 255-265 pounds and also be quite athletic. Because these are linebackers, they tend to be faster than the heavier defensive ends. Their presence makes it much more difficult for the quarterback to roll out, as he will be rolling out directly into the path of one of these linebackers.
In the NFL there are many running backs who are incredibly athletic. O.J.Simpson was perhaps the first of these, but today there are perhaps a dozen of them. These guys are very shifty and hard to chase down. Defensive linemen simply can’t do it. So the solution was to remove one of the DL from the defense and substitute a fourth linebacker. These linebackers have the speed to chase down such running backs. The 3-4 defense was motivated by two factors: the difficulty in getting good defensive ends, and the need to stop very fast running backs. This is the strength of the 3-4. The DTs keep the offensive linemen off your linebackers, leaving them free to roam the field and bring down runners.
Unfortunately, the 3-4 has a weakness. Three DTs cannot reliably collapse the five offensive lineman pocket on the quarterback, so it becomes much harder to pressure the quarterback. Traditionally, the 3-4 has struggled against the pass. The modern solution to this problem was worked out by Dick LeBeau, and it’s called the Zone Blitz. In a normal blitz package, you have five or six guys rushing the passer. The remaining linebackers and defensive backs often played man coverage, which is relatively dangerous. Wide receivers in the NFL tend to be taller than defensive backs, so they often win the one-on-one battles.
In the 3-4, you select your four linebackers for the speed to drop back and cover a zone. Since there are four linebackers, the quarterback cannot guess which one of the four will rush on any given play. Whichever linebacker rushes, it’s relatively easy for the other three to shift around a bit and fill in the zones. Sometimes the defense will rush two linebackers on the same side, so there are two defensive tackles and two linebackers attacking three offensive linemen. The remaining two linebackers again can quickly shift over to fill in the gaps left by the two who are blitzing.
If the 3-4 defense finds itself late in a game protecting a lead, there is no need to switch to a prevent defense. Since all four linebackers are skilled in coverage, you can just drop all four of them into zones, playing eight men in zone coverage. It’s next to impossible to do this with a 4-3 defense.
The 3-4 defense can have trouble matching up against a very fast offense. It’s important for the success of the 3-4 in these cases for the defense to play an extremely physical game, jamming the receivers hard at the line of scrimmage. In the 2002 superbowl, the Patriots looked like their defense matched up poorly with the numerous fast receivers of the Rams, but by playing an intensely physical game the Patriots managed to slow the Rams enough to eke out a win. Similarly, in the 2004 playoffs the Patriots hosted the Colts, and again it looked like a bad match up for the Patriots. But by making the Colts play a more physical game than they were used to, the Patriots managed to almost completely shut down the Colts offense. Had this game been played indoors in Indianapolis on carpet instead of outdoors on grass in cold weather, it’s quite plausible the Colts would have found a way to exploit the lack of speed in the Patriots secondary.
So in summary, the more traditional 4-3 defense seems better suited to the modern pass-friendly NFL rules, while the 3-4 defense seems more geared to stop the run based offenses of the 70s and 80s. However, by mixing up the rushers and zone coverages to confuse the quarterback and by forcing the receivers to play a far more physical game than they would wish, the 3-4 has been successful at the highest levels, in spite of its apparent drawbacks.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Dakota
I see you called it a night, I got tied up with something but I hope you catch this in the morning, it´s in reference to the Gholston-Long comparison.
nfldraftscout.com
The site I mentioned before, it´s actually the same provider for the nfl.com link you gave me. But at their own site they have the updated combine measurements, which have not yet been corrected at nfl.com
I´m pretty sure of it because of guys like DeSean Jackson and Mendenhall, to name a couple, who are still listed at nfl.com under their pre-combine measurements but not in the original, afforementioned site.
I hope it´s useful to you or anyone else.
Good night.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:19 am
LARaider70
Great, I was having a little trouble falling asleep as I took a nap earlier but your post should do the trick.
Just kidding…I´m reading it and then hopefully going straight to bed, but you´re right there seemed to be some confusion earlier.
Again, Good night.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:19 am
I didnt read every post so if this was already said I am sorry, but all talk on the Kiffin Situation can stop after Mach 15th, because, if you guys saw it a while ago, there is a clause in Kiff’s contract that has something to do with Davis owing him less money if they terminate the contract after March 15th of 08, so that is the date, in my opinion, that we will really find out somethimg about it. I must admit that only Lofton at the pro day for CAL was an ominous sign for Kiffin, but, at the same time, if Al has already decided to fire Kiff after the March 15th date, then at least Loften has already stepped up and started playing the head coach role.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:39 am
#371 thank you for that incredably long explanation about things that everyone in here already knew. And if you learned something from post #371, then get off this blog. JMHO.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:50 am
A thing about long post like #371, NO ONE READS THEM! Keep your post simple, short, and to the point. A cliche, but seems to work for blogs.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:09 am
JB Says: DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS !!!
no, scoring more points than your opponent wins championships. Defense certainly helps, but so does offense and special teams.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:43 am
AI, you killed your chances to be credible on this blog so your only value is entertainment, I guess I am cool with that. Boldin lol.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:53 am
BHP,
Something we agree upon, no on Dmac
March 13th, 2008 at 3:58 am
The pick is obviously going to be a DE, whether that be Long or Gholston is up to who’s available. Obviously they think Sands and Kelly had down years. After seeing what the Giants did to the Pats don’t think for one moment that Al didn’t salivate over Gholston. He’s the pick no doubt in my mind. Laws at 2 for back up in case Turd-ell doesn’t pan
March 13th, 2008 at 4:42 am
WHO CAN TELL ME WHAT NUMBER GHOISTON WAS AT OHIO ST?
HE WAS NOT A STAND OUT IN COLLEGE AT ALL!! ALL THE HYPE OF THE COMBINE IS GETTING EVERYBODY PUNCH DRUNK FOR THE BEST SHUTTLE TIME, OR WHO HAS TEH BEST VERTICAL JUMP. NFL NETWORK IS DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST PUT ON A GOOD SHOW!!!
GO TO THE GAME FILMS NOT THE COMBINE STATS!!!
WHO ELSE HAS STRONG COMBINES? GALLERY THAT IS WORKING OUT WELL!!!!!!!!!!
March 13th, 2008 at 4:46 am
McFaden is this year’s Michael Bennett.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:53 am
I agree Small. One video of him beating J. Long of Michigan on Youtube. If you watch the whole game that was the only play he beat JL on. Ohio st. moved him around the whole game in different defense combinations and he wasn’t really a factor in game any more.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:59 am
Gholston 14 sacks as a junior plus 30 tackles for a loss of yards he is not even a senior yet and his #’s are compatible with CLong
March 13th, 2008 at 5:00 am
You guys are forgetting your not making the pick, who is? Al Davis the very guy who loves combine scores and workout warriors. Gholston is Davis’ ideal pick, a bit of a reach and a bigger potential then the ready for NFL Long.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:02 am
For once I am glad Davis is going to pick instead of you two.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:03 am
DMac is this years Lawrence Phillips or Maurice Clarrett
March 13th, 2008 at 5:05 am
114-110 JAZZ over the BUCKS
March 13th, 2008 at 5:28 am
hey carter is good! but why not BRYANT JOHNSON, LOOK AT HIS # ‘S HE HAS DONE this AS PREDOMINANTLY ZONAS’ 3RD RECIEVER !! he’s been around 2 great ones’ boldin & fitzgerald! & still has delivered the goods !
this is a guy that just to be thrown at 8 times game he will deliver 5 rec @ 15+per 1 td! per game he’s still fast & @ 215 lbs 6-2+ can work the middle !
this kiffin guy has been screwin around @ wide out sinc he’s been here! taking the wrong guys & cutting the right guys !
March 13th, 2008 at 5:31 am
TOWNSEND93- Who are the right guys Kiffin has cut? IMO it’s been dead weight and needed to be done.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:57 am
CUTTING PORTER WAS THE BEST THING KIFFEN HAS DONE SO FAR. PORTER SUCKS AND WAS A CRY BABY.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Nobody cut Porter, his contract was up. Funny how espn has no report on the Carter signing.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:05 am
You guys thinking that McFadden won’t go #1 are crazy. The fins are already trying to shop the pick. Hello Dallas? Or they could pick McFadden and then trade him.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Drew Carter makes big plays, curry underneath, and javon as the wild card. If javon can impress, along with zach miller, the receiving corps has just improved greatly. We don’t need a greedy #1 wr, 4 good targets is perfect. Let Jamarcus loose baby.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Good Morning
Can you believe the length of #371. Even ignoring it took time. lol
March 13th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Way to go Raiders!!!
Nice job Al & front office!!
Now draft Gholston, Ellis or Dorsey, because long will be gone.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Goodmorning Raider Nation! I wish we could bet on this site on our #1 pick or whether Kiffin will be gone, or whether Boldin will sign I’d clean up with some of these guys.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Hey Small Mind and Raider Hemroids…..
Howie Long (remember him ???) flew completely under the radar during his college career too …until the Senior Bowl….
March 13th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Go ahead and ignore #371….but there are quite a few of you idiots (the “why don’t we blitz more crybaby’s” and most of the “draft McFadden crowd”) that could learn something from it.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:14 am
In case you guys hadn’t heard, PFT is reporting that Danny Clark signed with the Giants. Are there any decent LBs still on the market that we can focus on?
March 13th, 2008 at 7:15 am
He sucks versus the pass and is purely a situational player. Good to see him sign somewhere else.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Wow, Adam S had no negatives to say about our signing of Drew Carter.
http://www.nfl.com/videos;jsessionid=71022768D3E40D27ED899683514A1F25?videoId=09000d5d8072e54f
March 13th, 2008 at 7:20 am
ESPN is so busy trying to make the Raiders the joke of the NFL that they don’t even want to acknowledge the moves that are being made..the joke is on you, ESPN…
March 13th, 2008 at 7:21 am
EyePatch, I agree with you. But, considering how weak our DTs/LBs are agant the run, he could have strengthened that particular phase of the game. Then again, if he was effective, you would think his former team would have resigned him.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:21 am
OK , I’m an IDIOT. Draft McFad if Gholston is not available.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:22 am
I’m pretty sure Al is setting this thing up to draft McFadden. Tommy Kelly is Sapp’s replacement at the 3-technique – Ellis and Dorsey (especially Dorsey) project to 3-technique DT’s as well, so that basically eliminates them – good run stuffer DT/NT will be available at the top of round 2. The only options remaining for us are:
- C. Long
- J. Long
- V. Gholston
C. Long may be gone, J. Long is a RT in the NFL which means we pass on him – RT isn’t worth the #4 overall pick, and V. Gholston may be gone. If we sign Kevin Carter, that buys us a year to find a new DE opposite Burgess, and the other DT spot will be filled by Warren, Sands, or the round 2 pick. We could also go L. Jackson DE, USC or Calais Cambell at the top of round 2 if Al/Kiff is satisfied with Warren and Sands at the other DT spot.
The truth is the draft could easily take our top three need picks (OT, DE, DE) before we have a chance to select. Again, Dorsey and Ellis are penetrators, and that’s what we paid T Kelly 50mm for, so I think they’re out of the picture. We’re set everywhere on Offense except OT, but we do have enough comepetition/depth in the fold to field a good run blocking line and average pass blocking line, which will be helped by our run game/play action.
The one thing that is missing is that superstar playmaker on offense. McFadden could bring that, and could be used so many different ways (lining up in the slot, trick plays, reverses, options, etc.) to create matchup problems. I’ve said before that he is an uneccessary “luxury”, but IF the scouts believe he’s the top talent in the draft (which everyone but mayock seems to agree on now that I’ve looked into it), this may be our last chance to draft this high (hopefully) for the next 10 years and grab the #1 playmaker in the draft – Let’s face it, JaMarcus needs this year to complete the learning curve anyway, with a complete set of weapons surrounding him (Walker, Curry, Carter, Miller, Griffith, McFadden), a decent Oline (that we’ll continue to address over the rest of the draft, offseason, and next year), the offensive side of the ball is going to be set – we complete that job and then can move on to finish the D with the rest of our picks, dump LaMont and Rhodes for a couple late or mid round picks, and have some fun watching one damn fun offense. Our Man Scheme won’t stop anyone running the ball against us anyway – might as well try to light up the scoreboard.
That’s one school of thought – not the best, but it’s so tempting. Ideally we trade down a couple of times and stockpile picks in round 1, 2, and 3 and keep building our core – this draft is deep between picks 15 and 50 and if we really want to honest with ourselves, the only player worth anything on our D line is Kelly (Burgess can’t stop the run, Warren is yet another 3 technique who can’t stuff the run, Sands is a bust, and Richardson is o.k. against the run but doesn’t have pass rush ability), and the man scheme requires pro-bowlers across the board on the D line that can stuff the run at all positions, and rush the passer from one DT and both DE positions – so don’t look for much run d improvement for a while – maybe rob and al will figure out that when the other team motions it’s players away from Burgess, it becomes very easy to run at Burgess (or by him since he lines up so far outside) because there’s nobody there to help.
Anyway, another topic for another time – if all were available when we selected here’s my picks:
1. C. Long (Can Hold the POA and Rush the Passer)
2. J. Long (If he projects to LT)
3. Trade Down
4. DMAC (assuming raiders scouts concur he is the real deal and he clears the background check – we don’t need to waste a pick on a terd)
5. Gholston (I personally think he’s the best talent of the bunch, but he’s undersized at DE against the run so he’s basically like Burgess – if we ran a 3-4, he would be awesome as an OLB – we do really need a SLB, so if he projects to SLB in a 4-3, I wouldn’t object – of all the prospects, he is the one I am most sure of and I know he will just flat out make huge plays and be really disruptive for years to come.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Eric, I believe it (the network) is referred to as BPSN for a reason!
March 13th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Jedi Raider.
Good post on #406. Makes great sense to me. I smell a Mcfad
Thx,
Idiot
March 13th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Don’t forget we have a young team and, it is getting younger not older, which is good for the future years. We have young but very active linebackers they just need to learn to get off blocks faster. I’d say if they sign Kevin Carter, McFadden will be the pick. Gholston will be gone to the Rams anyway.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Of course any of them could blow out a knee and miss the entire year, it’s all a crap shoot.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Jedi: No way on Mcfadden. He is not even the best back in the draft. With Cable’s system the existing backs are fine with or without Bush. D tackle then OLine are the priorities. Maybe we can get lucky with a WR later in the draft.
If you take a look at the background on the Dline I am amazed Ryan and Millard get as much as they do out of this group. This is a crisis that has been proven out time and time again during the past couple of years.
Sands-castoff
Warren-castoff
Kelly-underacheiver coming off ACL
Burgess-pass rush specialist
Sapp-retired well past his prime
Richardson-some potential-still developing
We need some blue chip talent on the line. You can not expect the coaches to have four reclamation projects going on at once on the Dline.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:36 am
About #371..you read it if your a true football head..only know-it-alls and people who haven’t played the game and THINK they can would skip it…
March 13th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Chris Long is going to be a bust…WATCH
March 13th, 2008 at 7:38 am
we still need a #1 receiver. walker may fit the bill, but he has to be healthy. drew carter can go either way as well; and curry is coming off a subpar season. after that it’s crickets. we need a big guy going middle, like jordy nelson. everyone is big on limas sweed, but he’s not a middle of the field receiver. if we are going to stretch the field, then we need a middle of the field receiver; and jordy nelson fits that bill. draft him in the 4th round, then i will be happy.
we need to go after sam baker in the 2nd round, and a defensive lineman in the first (whether or not that is dorsey or chris long; whomever falls to us).
March 13th, 2008 at 7:40 am
EyePatch,
I’m not sure that it’s a matter of getting off of blocks faster for our young LB corps. I think they are undersized and that is why they can fly to the ball in passing situations. However, that trait seems to serve as a detriment against the run b/c those LBs can not get off of those blocks quickly.
How does this get fixed? Ask them to bulk up a little to allow them to get off the blocks quicker? Maybe, but this likely comes at the expense of speed/quickness? Seems like a balancing act.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Someone needs to paparazzi Russell and see what he weighs, maybe even just walk up and ask him, he has a house around the bay area.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:41 am
The only good thing about drafting Long is what I heard someone say on the radio, that “the stadium would be full of 75’s”…isn’t Tyler Brayton the equivalent of Long? Tyler even had more sacks in college than Long…the way the off season is going, with the team in attack mode, who gives this team the best opportunity to score points, to win…what of the top 4 college players give the Raiders the opportunity to make big plays? A month ago I called people in here dumb for saying this, but I have to eat crow on that one..draft DMAC…or Ellis to make our D truly frightning
March 13th, 2008 at 7:42 am
EyePatch,
Good idea – anyone on here have any free time??
March 13th, 2008 at 7:43 am
If you watched the games last year they had trouble shedding blockers most of the time.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:49 am
So Alameda Insider turns out to be a pole smoking 9er fan from Castro.
Big surprise there.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:49 am
EyePatch,
I did watch the games and I agree with you that they had difficulty shedding blockers.. What I’m saying is that their inability to shed blockers was a function of their size. I’m not sure that they can simply “learn” to get off blockers more quickly. I hope I’m wrong.
Of course, one way to minimize the run-stopping weaknesses of our LB’s is to improve up the DL. I don’t think we’ve done that yet and that would be my focus with the #4 pick.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:50 am
The 3 starting linebackers this year are not small, Howard 6-3 240, Morrison 6-2 240, Williams 6-5 260.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Yeah I agree unless they sign Kevin Carter cheap.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Ekejiuba will see more playing time and is 6-4 240.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:53 am
EyePatch,
I was thinking the same thing – but if he’s up here in the bay area and he was that fat, I’m sure there would pics of him – it’s a good sign we’re not hearing about him out at clubs getting into trouble, or going to town at an all you can eat buffet! I’m sure he’s got a weight clause in his contract, so he’s probably cool – if not, more cap space for us!
March 13th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I think it boils down to coaching and Ryan is on the hot seat this year.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Ok so it looks like they are of average size for NFL linebackers. I think you’re right then, they should be able to get off blockers quicker than they currently do.
This further highlights the need for better linemen against the run so that the LBs’ deficiencies can be masked, to a degree
March 13th, 2008 at 8:03 am
He is under pressure to get Sands playing at a top level too. They have alot of money tied up in Sands that makes me lean towards predicting McFadden will be the choice. Sands should be a monster at 6-7 330.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I live in Carolina and see Carter somewhat when they replay all I know is that he was always open (but then so was Jesse Hester). Can catch but Dellhome hasnt had much time to throw and the back ups stank. So I think he is a good fit, he’ll make the team and fill in currys role as a possession guy so Curry can do his thing.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Sam Williams sucks.
Howard & Morrison are good in coverage, but below average against the run. Yes, not having a solid defensive line doesn’t help, but they need to make more plays against the run than they do.
While RR was calling Howard & Morrison pro-bowl material, the fact is they aren’t even close until they learn how to tackle.
Having a solid MLB and moving Morrison outside would help. Sam Williams doesn’t fit in anywhere in the rotation.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I for one am excited about this year because this is the first time I have witnessed the Raiders rebuilding with young players and I have watched them for over 30 years. Thats what happens when they hit rock bottom and select a quarterback with the only #1 pick they have ever had.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:11 am
We all saw Kirk Morrison make some very Schweigert-Like tackles last year
March 13th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Carter ran a 4.36 40 in the 2004 combine
March 13th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Warren has a hefty contract too and was awesome when healthy last year at 6-4 330. Ryan has got to get more production against the run with these behemoths or he needs to be fired. There will be a good DT early in the second round which would make more sense with the money tied up in the defensive line. They have not resigned Burgess to a new contract either.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:18 am
With Jordan not being released yet you have to wonder if they are leaning towards offensive line.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:19 am
The only thing that made any sense in RR’s end of season rambling to the media, is that Gerrard Warren was playing near Pro Bowl level prior to injury.
Aside from Nnamdi, he was the best player on defense for part of the season.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:23 am
It would now be interesting to see both Fargas and D-Mac in the same backfield with the WR unit we now have all spread out. A very potent offense indeed. I still think we trade down, draft Ghoulston and concentrate on Def & O line. Either way, is it a stretch to say we are looking at a .500 season?
March 13th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Kevin Carter is still in Oakland as far as we know but Gray stayed overnight too. Sapp was a liability last year against the run because he decided to loose so much weight and it finnaly came to a head against the Jags. They should be better with Sapp out of the picture.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Vernon Gholston, I don’t quite get the fascination with him. He has never played against blue-chip O-tackles on a consistent basis, nor taken on pro fullbacks in the hole. Running quickly into the backfield could make him as extraneous Burgess in run defense.
People have made some comparisons to ‘Roid Boy’ down in SD, but without the dominant interior line play that SD has shown during Merriman’s tenure there he would not have the same effect.
I worry that the work-out warrior could easily be neutralized in a defense missing interior dominance.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:29 am
This huge. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say it could be a .500 season. Receiving corps looking good, lets concentrate on teh d-line and make thing happen. Hopefully we get everyone into camp and get the chemistry needed to succeed.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Like it or not Williams will get the start this year. He resigned to a bigger paycheck.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:29 am
And, Good Morning All.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I can see 8-8 and sweeping Denver and Kansas city.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Denver is in turmoil. I bet that Rat Face and the GM he fired differed on Warren and Walker. So now they will be studs for us, thanks Mike.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Payback is a bitch and sometimes takes time. And by the way, AD says the check is in the mail Mike.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:37 am
It is a very good sign that we got Lofton. He is working with JR and the receivers as we speak. Russell even has a cousin in Oakland catching his passes. Can’t wait to see Walker catching passes blind folded.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Alot of people on this site expect Ryan to get results from players that could not even make other NFL teams.
Give the guy some players otherwise settle for another thrilling 4-12 season. Stop the run and rush the passer and we will win alot more games.
Carter is another bandaid avoiding the real issue. The last thing we need is another guy whose best days are long behind him playing 15 snaps a game and taking up a roster spot.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:40 am
We hit the .500 mark if the defense can stop the run.
That is a BIG if, considering our recent history.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Bob,
Thanks for clearing that up, I thought the official measurements would be on the NFL.com site…you can’t trust anyone these days, lol.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I feel bad for Cutler going to Denver. He is a good kid and could be a great quarterback but Mike will ruin his career like he did to Griese when he left him in the game against the Raiders with a seperated shoulder just to get the win.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Hey other NC Raider, where are you in NC?
Think if may have been posted somewhere above, but in case you missed it, Danny Clark signed with the Giants.
Does anybody know if Kevin Carter is actually in Oakland meeting with the team, or was it general speculation that they might be interested? Thnx.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Danny Clark signed with the G-men last night…damn, I was hoping he’d come back and help stuff the run.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Every defensive lineman the Raiders have at this moment would be signed by another team if they hit the market.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Charlie,
Rob Ryan has has FOUR YEARS to build the defesne he wans, with the players that he wants. HE was the one who pined for Turd-ell Sands to get resigned, and sang the praises of Tyler Brayton & Stuart Schwigert.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:43 am
He arrived in Oakland yesterday and ate dinner with Al.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:44 am
And one more interesting note, the Bucs desperately want him back as do the fans on their blogs.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Is it true that Russell has been spotted working out in Alameda? Please, tell me it’s true!
March 13th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Has Takeo Spikes signed with anyone yet? f not, he would be a nice addition to our LB corps.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Charlie,
You must be related to Rob Ryan or something. Ryan had Sapp, Nnamdi, Morrison, Burgess, all very good players, and he had multiple 1st round picks in Washington, Brayton, Huff etc and he couldn’t do squat with them. He failed to produce with players and picks that other d-coordinators probably would have succeeded with. Get real. Rob Ryan should have been fired. It is his job to motivate and develope all those talented players and he completely failed. Kiffin took a bunch of junk on offense and improved them ten fold from 06′ to 07′…now that is a coach. Ryan is a big fat joke.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:47 am
A betting man would wager Davis sticks it to Gruden and signs Carter.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:47 am
# Hobs Gnarly Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 3:43 am
AI, you killed your chances to be credible on this blog so your only value is entertainment, I guess I am cool with that. Boldin lol.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:50 am
# Rob Ryan’s Pickled Liver Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 8:11 am
“We all saw Kirk Morrison make some very Schweigert-Like tackles last year”
Absolutely, thats why I don’t like him as MLB, I think Robert Thomas would be better as the Mike, though hw is not that tall, I think he tackle much harder and precise
March 13th, 2008 at 8:51 am
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/12568-NFL-Oakland_Raiders-2008_NFL_Draft_The_Road_Ahead_for_the_Oakland_Raiders-110308
The Raiders did a decent job in free-agency, keeping key players and adding some as well. Sure they overpaid—but so did everyone else. Case in point: Critics lambast the contract given to S Gibril Wilson, yet hail the contract given to S Madieu Williams by the Minnesota Vikings. The contracts between the two were nearly the same–the difference being that Wilson received about 6 million more than Williams. The fact is however that Gibril Wilson started in a Super Bowl winning defense that prevented perfection for the best offense in NFL history. Madieu Williams meanwhile, was a starter for a terrible defense in Cincinnati. Conversely, the criticism of the Wilson contract doesn’t coalesce.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I can see Quinn Gray left without a contract, I still think he would be okay,but I had hoped for an older Backup.
Justin Hartwig, we need him to make a visit, Cable can make him an pro-bowler again.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:52 am
The SEC has some good run stuffing DT’s that they could get in round 2 and would be alot cheaper and make more sense. Kelly is the top paid DT in the league until Haynesworth gets his deal.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Like Mr. Marley I too was disappointed by the lack of height/size of the premier DTs Dorsey and Ellis when measured at the combine. Those facts turned him to a fascination with DMc as a #1. For me it turned my mind to rolling the dice one more time on a LT to protect the Franchise. They can’t all be Collins-Stinchcomb-Gallery can they?
March 13th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Whats up RAIDER FANS OF AMERICA,Me, I’m just waiting for the DRAFT 0N 4-26-08 AND 4-27-08.It’s going to be something else to see who we’re going to select with our first selection.Al Davis knows who he’s going to select and I can’t wait to see who he is.Please allow me to speculate on that subject for a moment.It seems to me that Al Davis is going to go with a DEFENSIVE player with his first selection because he’s addressing his offense with FREE AGENTS this year.Now I could be wrong but again its just speculation on my part.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:59 am
For all you Rob Ryan supporters, I really hope he can turn this defense around in ‘08..I really do.
But given his track record, I don’t see it happening.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Its safe to say Kiffin will get his wish if they loose a bunch of close games again this year with the firepower they will have on offense and fire Ryan.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:02 am
David Xaviel:
If you have read my previous articles, the you would know that my initial opinion was for Oakland to select RB Darren McFadden as the one move to white wash many of their flaws.
Well, I’m doing a 180 of sorts. In that, the following is what I believe they can do defensively in order to right the ship.
While I still think D-Mac would be a good choice, my alternate scenario has Oakland picking Vernon Gholston. The reason: The Raiders could move Gholston to linebacker, and do the same with Derrick Burgess.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Drew Carter…nice pickup.
Just say no to run DMc. Once again he is a fast, but not Bo Jackson fast, straight ahead runner whose legs go dead on contact. He fumbles and brings a ton of baggage with him. Whats more, he does not seem very intelligent during his interviews. His speed will be minimized by the speed in the NFL. He is not shifty and gets owned by linebackers in space. Besides the Raiders would have to pay him a ton of money at the #4 position and the Raiders are set at RB.
The Raiders still have glaring needs. The LT position has not been filled, it is totally vacant and is the most important position on the line if there is one. The ZBS does not do anything for the LT when he is one on one in a pass blocking situation. Therefore, J. Long is the answer or is the safest bet at the #4 pick because not only he would be fill our biggest need but could slide over and be an “All Pro” RT if someone else became a better fit. J. Long gave up TWO SACKS in his career at Michigan, only ONE to Gholston during ONE game with Ohio St. LTs do not grow on trees. I keep hearing that he is too slow but even in the ZBS, it is the guards and center that have to be the quicker linemen not the tackles. Whats more, I keep reading that he will be gone by the #4 pick so that must say something about how good he is. So, lets see, JR on his back and injured or not!
March 13th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Goodmorning M
March 13th, 2008 at 9:04 am
The more I think about it I hope they sing Kevin Carter. 6-6 300 and a veteran presence as a backup.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:05 am
It was a glorious time, for that brief moment we thought Ryan had been canned…a glorious time.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:06 am
The Panthers have not made an offer to Oakland restricted free agent Chris Carr, a cornerback and kick returner who visited Monday. — Charlotte Observer
March 13th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Eyepatch…
I agree, he could be a nice piece to our puzzle, I remember him as a good run-stopper, perhaps im wrong, but 31 years, he has at least 1 or 2 good years left in him
March 13th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I would welcome the signing of Kevin Carter, and Takeo Spikes if available.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Draft MCfadden in the 1st
Draft D Line in the 2nd
March 13th, 2008 at 9:12 am
There is a link somewhere on raidernews.com to a scouting report that thinks Henderson will be the starting left tackle this year.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Buenas Tardes Senor Dinamarca
March 13th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Starting Offensive Line in 2008:
LT Henderson
LG Gallery
C Newberry
RG Carlisle
RT McQuiston
You can make book on that, missy!
March 13th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I also keep hearing how Dorsey and Ellis are too small to play DT for the Raiders. Do you remember how dominate Howie Long was and he played at 6′5″ and only 275lbs He was consistently All Pro because of his strength, quickness and technigue, the ability to leverage himself against bigger men. Well, I see the same qualities in Ellis and Dorsey only they have the same quickness at 300lbs plus in a more compact body. This allows them to get the all important leverage against taller “O” linemen.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:19 am
For those who haven’t read this:
JaMarcus Russell does not weigh 300 pounds and he has worked out at team headquarters since season’s end, two team officials said Tuesday. They were addressing multiple Internet stories about rumors that Russell was pushing three bills and was MIA in Alameda this offseason.
“Ridiculous,” said a front-office employee, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak on the issue. “JaMarcus is nowhere near that. He’s been here. He’s been working out. He’s in great shape.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:20 am
RT Marion Henderson
RG Cooper Carlisle
C Justin Hartwig
LG Robert Gallery
LT Kwame Harris
this is how I think it will be =)
March 13th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I had thought J.Long was quite slow a-foot. Thought Clady would be more nimble and versed in the Zone Blocking. Now it doesn’t matter. Overpay, underpay, reach, trade up, trade down… go for it, one of those LTs will be there when we pick. It is and has been a need for years. Getting Aaron Brooks or McCown or Kerry Collins killed wasn’t a big deal. Keeping JaMarcus healthy is.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:22 am
The man who will be protecting J Rock’s blind side:
http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=20866
March 13th, 2008 at 9:22 am
MadRoadDog…
I agree with you, but there is a big difference between being 6-5 or as dorsey or ellis just over the 6-1
Furthermore, Long played End
March 13th, 2008 at 9:23 am
RRPL…
you maybe right, in fact I hope your right, but my money is on Kwame
March 13th, 2008 at 9:23 am
i love plant
March 13th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Defense starts with the defensive line. It is an area on the Raiders that has been neglected primarily because we have had so many other holes to fill.
The background of this defensive line is the worst I have ever seen. It is pathetic and Ryan has very limited control of who we draft or how much money we spend. No coaching staff can take on four reclamation projects simultaneously on one unit and be effective.
Davis /Raiders have had too many misses on draft day but they really have not even tried to build this part of the team through the draft and it shows. They need to start it now. Let’s get some players and win eight games in a season before we waste time criticising assistant coaches.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:24 am
i love lamp
March 13th, 2008 at 9:24 am
RRPickledLiver…I hope you are right but Henderson was no where to be found in the regular season. In preseason, he looked very unathletic, just big and lost. But if he does come around and is plugged in at LT then J. Long at #4 still makes sense at RT as the Red Mullet could back them up and take over at Guard when Carlisle possibly flees the coup in 2009.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Harris was a nice pickup even if he has been bust for the pick they used to get him. His deal is for 1 year with year 2 an option for the Raiders. If he cracks the starting lineup he knows how big the next contract he signs will be.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Madroaddog,
the more I have read about Dorsey as a person the more I have liked the kid. I believe he could be an excellent player, not sure if he can be dominant.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:27 am
It will be interesting to see Harris & Henderson battle it out in pre-season. Either one should be a major upgrade over Barry Sive.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Yes they are both huge men with long arms and smarts.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Hopefully no more six false start performances ever again.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:29 am
isn’t it odd that Joel Segal, Drew Carters agent, has not made an appointment to have the still available Bryant Johnson meet with the Raiders ?
I dont know, but if I was Johnsons’ agent…and I knew that money was flying out the front door in Alameda, I would have my client standing there with a bag…ready to get some !!!
Besides, we could still use one more “playmaker” amongst our WR crew..and that would cement the position for the next few years…allowing us to focus completely on linemen and a LB in the draft…
I have to think its about the money when he did not immedaitely sign with Buffalo…when he seemed very happy there with the system. Its got to be his agent holding out for a better contract….listen up Al…yet another chance…to score a number 1 or 2 receiver.
All we have to do..is trade or cut Lamont Jordan to make the CAP room…just do it baby !!!
March 13th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Charlie
you are right on with that assessment..we have not spent a number 1 or 2 in our line for a very very long time…and its time we did just that…spent a number 1 and 2 on our D line…then…we will have success.
If not, look forward to another lackluster performance from our defense and another 5 or 6 win season…:(
March 13th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I hope we are not banking on Mario Henderson being our starting LT…did he even set foot on the field last year?
March 13th, 2008 at 9:34 am
LMN
did we sign Justin Hartwig or is that just more wishful thinking ???
March 13th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Joel Segal, the agent for free-agent wide receiver Bryant Johnson, said Wednesday night that he is in negotiations with three teams — not including the Bears — and anticipates having a deal done by the weekend. Interest in Johnson, a former first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, had appeared to cool because of a high asking price. The only team he is known to have visited is Buffalo, though Tampa Bay and Washington are reported to be interested. After Berrian signed a $42 million deal with Minnesota on March 1, Johnson was considered at the top of the next tier of wideouts. — Chicago Sun-Times
March 13th, 2008 at 9:38 am
That’s why they signed Kwame Harris..Henderson is kind of unknown…like Michael Bush, he never saw the field.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Matt Mosely has the Raiders taking Ellis, or McFadden if it were up to Al, but if you drop to the jets he thinks they take McFadden and become one of the best running tandems in the league. If it were the Raiders taking him he would be just a speed guy for Al Davis. Theres your biased opinions of ESPN writers again in full view.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:40 am
LMN…Howie Long played both.
Harris was not the answer at tackle for the 49ers so he is an unknown in our system and we do not have the luxary of taking a chance on JR’s health with these guys. I see them as backups until they prove otherwise.
M…I think Dorsey would bee a nice addition if his leg is healed by draft day. He fits a need more than DMc.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Tom Flores…
its wishful thinking big time =) But not unrealistic =)
March 13th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I doubt very seriously that Mario unseats Paul McQuistan…and Cornell Green is also an option on that side…not to mention the 2 or 3 Tackles we signed at the end of last season Johnathan Palmer, Marc Wilson and Seth Wand.
With that being said…I realize that McQuistan is a guard…but he came in last year and played RT as back up well…I dont remember seeing Mario the whole year…??? I dont think Mario gets it…
We have plenty of depth this year on our Oline…but I still wish we would draft another Tackle in round 6 just to make it interesting…we need to go LB in round 4 for sure and DE again in round 7.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Henderson has had a full year to learn the system, and will have all of preseason to get some reps. We’ll have a better idea by September if he is capable of being a starting LT.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Post #483 – can you provide a link to support that quote?
March 13th, 2008 at 9:47 am
David White of the SF Chronical wrote that piece.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Profootball Talk has all the links on the Raider team page. Enjoy!
March 13th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Breaking News:
Al Davis will draft Dorsey, Long, Eliis, Gholsten or McFadden!
More news at 11.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Except for the Mosely Mock Draft blog its on ESPN.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:49 am
RaiderTW
dont you agree that since Joel Segal just wrapped up a deal in the Raiders front office for another of his clents he should have tried to go back to the well one more time??? I mean…man would it be nice to have what was our second weakest position taken care of for the next few years…our first being D linemen…
March 13th, 2008 at 9:51 am
This is not a strong draft, most of the top ten picks are risky for the money that will be shelled out to sign them.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Any word on the Kevin Carter watch?
March 13th, 2008 at 9:55 am
If Jamarcus Russell was working out in Alameda this off season…which all reports indicate out of Alameda…then it would be rather him bulking up with muscle rather than fat…and I woudln’t care less if he tipped the scale at 280…muscle tends to weigh a hell of alot more than fat…and he does need to protect his ribs considering that we gave up 47 sacks a couple years back…and went thru 3 QBs rather quickly. If he is fortunate enough to get a solid LT either this year or next in the draft…he will be fine…when I look at this upgrading we have been doing this year I am excited to see if we continue the course in the draft.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I can’t remeber a top 10 as risky as this Draft.
That’s why I would lean towards McFadden at #4, and D-Line in the 2nd round.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Danny Clark Signed with the NY Giants 2 year 4 million
Quinn Gray left oakland without a contract
Drew Carter’s contract is a 1 year 2 million
Here’s the link that says Jamarcus Russel weighed in @ 272 lbs
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3290312&searchName=clayton_john&campaign=rsssrch&source=john+clayton&univLogin02=stateChanged&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d3290312%26searchName%3dclayton_john%26campaign%3drsssrch%26source%3djohn%2bclayton%26univLogin02%3dstateChanged
March 13th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Tom Flores,
adding another WR (even if it would be Bryant whom I think is a very good player) at this point would be pure luxury. A latter round pick-up or a walk-on seems more likely at this point.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I would rather take a shot at Jake Long at LT and give up my dream of taking Gholston/C.Long or Dorsey?Ellis if it meant we were going to pass on DMac…
Christ…we really are set at the RB position…I dont care if he has speed…I want to keep Russell upright to throw his deep ball…and a Defensive front 7 that can stop the run…I dont see how DMac helps us do either ??? We have a top ten rushing attack already…
How does a top 3 running game and a bottom 3 defense get us into the play-offs ?
March 13th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Am I the only one that noticed the weight Russell gained from the time of the draft to the first game he saw action in? Watching him at the combine weight-in and then watching him in min-camps, he looked like he was in pretty good condition, but at the end of the year I though he was looking pretty chunky when he finally saw the field.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:04 am
OMG…have you guys seen this? This is our QB! I sure hope he speaks better in the huddle, lmfao…SCARY! I love you JR, but man…SPEAK ENGLISH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK3k-LLnZ7k
March 13th, 2008 at 10:05 am
One more score on offense and one less score against the defense, that’s all it takes per game and the Raiders will have double digit wins.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:05 am
One more thing to consider on McFadden..
The guys is still only 20 years old, my guess is that he wasn´t pushed at Arkansas since he was their big star and I wonder if he went full strenght every game.
He already knew he´d be coming out and if healthy projectd, at worst, as a top 10 pick. Maybe he decided not to risk an injury on every carry with the Michael Bush situation still fresh in everyone´s mind.
Maybe what we saw of him was pure talent alone, once he gets pro trainig and is playing for money he might be even better.
Or maybe not, but it does makes me wonder.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:06 am
If we Draft McFadden, Al Davis would essentially be getting two #1 picks two years in a row…Russell, then McFadden.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:08 am
The only back I can see that could hold a candle to McFad in next years draft is Bonzi Wells of OSU. But the likelyhood of his being there if he enters the draft early for us is slim as I don’t see us drafting in the top 5 next year.
#4 McFadden
March 13th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Dakota…
He is the black Elvis! after draft when asked where he had been, Jammy answered “I’ve been home at my mama’s”
I had hoped for Calvin, but then I instantly loved the guy =)
March 13th, 2008 at 10:10 am
ATLRaider,
as there is no consensus as to who in this draft is the #1 pick overall, whoever the Raiders get at #4 is for all intents and purposes another #1 for the second year in a row.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Also..
At this time we seem set at RB but Fargas is 28 and Rhodes is 29, it´s possible they´re both gone after 08 if they don´t perform as expected.
We need to look down the road, not only for 08. Having Russell, McFadden and O´Neal as the starting backfiled for the next decade seems like a good deal to me and if Michael Bush pans out, that´s the icing on the cake.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Given the star like status everyone is giving DMc and how much RBs cost at the #4 pick just how much money will DMc cost the Raiders? Anyone care to guess and can the Raiders afford him?
March 13th, 2008 at 10:15 am
ATLRaider Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I can’t remeber a top 10 as risky as this Draft.
HA HA HA HA….Making a pick in this draft is no riskier than any other…..But it ust be tough for some of you without the media clowns jumping up and down, and declaring who the clear cut number one should be.(ie. Russell in 2007)
What a bite it must be having to make, and defend an opinion on your own, without the status quo of the media, or other fans to blindly follow.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I think McFadden provides the most potential, and least risk out of any of the top 10.
Fins, Rams and Falcons probably won’t draft him, considering their roster..If there was a team that needed a runnning back selecting where the Fins are at #1, they would most definitely take McFadden.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Marley,
couple years back when N.O. had Reggie fall to them, I thought wow! that is fantastic for the Saints. Bush was phenomenal at SC. Thus far he is quite pedestrian as a pro.
When I see DMc I don’t see Gale Sayers, I see a guy who runs very fast through gaping holes.
As well, when I see Vernon Gholston I don’t see Jevon Kearse, I see Aundray Bruce.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Oh look, Draft Beer is already typing away in a Black Out this morning. Draf Beer, you need to lay off the liquor!
March 13th, 2008 at 10:22 am
ATL
I disagree, most potential yes, but he´s also the biggest risk.
I can see every other player projected as a top 5 pick being at least an above average starter for the next decade, McFadden seems like a boom or bust kind of guy to me.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Draft Beer,
in all likelihood there is an ale brewed somewhere in Scotland by the name of McFadden. Your nom de blog is really a hidden hope for DMc isn’t it.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:24 am
OH my God Draft McFadden… there may never be another fast running in the draft again.
Trying to implement a “Laker type Showtime” team philosophy (running up the score and neglecting to defend the other team) doesn’t work.
Never has, Never will.
You don’t stop the run in the AFC WEST….you lose. Period
March 13th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Draft beer…
I like to apologize, I honestly thought you and Alameda Insider was the same dude, sowwy =)
March 13th, 2008 at 10:27 am
M
I see your point, I´m still hesitant about what I would do, but in this case there is no 6´7 291 DE with all the measurables and potential Mario brought, if there was, I´d be the first one saying screw McFadden.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:28 am
If we draft McDadden, we could then set up a debate between McDadden, Russell and Miss Teen South Carolina:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww
it would make for good TV!
March 13th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Dakota
that was just after he twisted up a spliff…probably had a half pound of hash in it too !!!
I am sure he is gonna be fine..in fact I am predicting 2 SB victories…minimum during his career…I just hope they are with Oakland
March 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am
M…actually my nom de blog is a shot at the ongoing
neverending, blather about the upcoming draft.
The only sure pick…. draft Beer
March 13th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I think the safest pick in the top ten has to be Chris Long. That is due to his work ethic and motor.
I can see any of the others end up as great players or busts. I really hope we don’t take Jake Long. He has bust written all over him.
I’d love Chris Long but if he is not available we should try to trade the pick with someone like Dallas who is in love with McFadden.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Gotta run, thanks for the entertainment.
In the immortals words of Guamanian Raider “Raider On!”
March 13th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Draft Beer has the same abrasive personality as Castro (alameda) Insider.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Draft Beer,
I do realize your name ploy. I was just having a bit of fun.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Draft Beer,
I am surprised you like Beer, living in Castro and all. I would expect you to prefer Daiquiris or some homo drink.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:41 am
No I live in Kansas now….Here they use poles to make hay sheds and barns…..you California boys can suck on them all you want.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:42 am
You don’t stop the run in the AFC WEST….you lose. Period
YOU DONT SCORE YOU LOSE PERIOD!!!!!!
March 13th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Oh great, Draft Beer is a Chiefs fan. Even worse.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:48 am
midwest moron…any idea why the Raiders went to the Zone Blocking System????
One of the reasons was so they wouldn’t have to waste 1st round picks on a running back. Later round picks and free agent running backs with a “one cut and go” style could be plu gged into the offense and effectively move the chains.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Flat Beer
Oh ya we have so many Backs with break away speed
March 13th, 2008 at 10:56 am
REALITY check……until the Raider Defense vastly improves at stopping the run you’d better forget about the idea of “Bombs” away for Russell and an offense featuring quick scoring. It’s all going to be about controlling the clock and time of possession to keep Ryan’s defense off of the field.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Some decent free agent LBs are still available for the Raiders to sign, who would you take?:
Kenrell Bell, Takeo Spikes, Rocky Boiman,Rosevelt Colvin, Randall Godfrey, Ian Gold, Rob Morris, Donnie Spragan, Clark Haggans, Brian Simmons
March 13th, 2008 at 10:59 am
The Chefs are in for some down years ahead as are the Donkeys, starting last year.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:02 am
tom flores, I kinda agree with M, we could pick up a good fast WR in the 4-5th rounds. But yeah, I can see an agent licking his chops about the Raiders’ deals.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:02 am
The McFadden pick is all about if Bush is healthy. We won’t let a game changing back, like Peterson, who can take those 5 yard gains and turn them into 80 yard touchdowns slip bye us in my opinion. Bush is supposed to be that kind of back but we will soon see.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:04 am
If I am JR I am rooting for McFadden. He could make an average pass blocking left tackle a probowler in the run game.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:06 am
They won’t be throwing 35 times a game anyway. We going back to smash mouth football and I like it.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:08 am
If I’m Al Davis I’ll draft Chris Long. Miami is trading away #1 probably to Dallas who’ll take McFad (thank god that will end all discussion early).
March 13th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Another clue as to the Raiders running alot like last year is the 3 starting receivers are big blocking types and thats not counting Madsen in the slot and double tight end sets.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Wahefield should be healthy too.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Wakefield
March 13th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Last season was a losing cause by the time the Raiders could make a decision on Michael Bush’s status on the PUP.
So the Raider coaching staff decides why risk further injury to that leg just out of curiousity to see what he’s got.
If he’s still on the roster and drawing a paycheck after playing in numerous practices against the 1st team defense, what does that tell you????
March 13th, 2008 at 11:13 am
But does he have the burst and speed to take it the distance? Only in a real game will they find out.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Yeah, the raiders could use another run stopping linebacker, i’d take a flyer on Clark Haggans, Kendrell Bell, Rocky Boiman or Takeo Spikes.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:16 am
practice,practice,were talking practice and you just answered your own ?
out of curiousity to see what he’s got
March 13th, 2008 at 11:17 am
eyepatch Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 11:06 am
They won’t be throwing 35 times a game anyway. We going back to smash mouth football and I like it.
eyepatch Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 11:13 am
But does he have the burst and speed to take it the distance? Only in a real game will they find out.
Make up your tiny little mind…..you don’t need to “take it the distanse” in smash mouth football….you only have to keep the chains moving and eat up the clock.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Draft, what’s with the hostile comments? This is a public forum – try to keep it civil and appropriate.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:19 am
The coaches have seen and already know what he has…it’s imbeciles like you, that would have risked further injury, that are still wondering.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I wish the Raiders would resume scrimages with the Cowboys, They have gotten soft defensively since they quit scrimages against other teams.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:20 am
No they were not sure last year how that leg would hold up, you need to research before you speak.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Which is around the time Ryan came aboard.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:26 am
You are obviously not a Raiders fan. 3-1 in the Superbowl with a big play, smash mouth running game and the beloved deep ball, 0-1 in Superbowl with the west coast dink and dunk finese garbage. Your trying to defend the Chefs new philosopy and you will grow to hate it as the losses mount up.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Eyepach …2+2=4 ….the research is the fact that he never went on the IR list and he’s still he’s still drawing a paycheck.
You do the Math… Einstein.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:27 am
try 3-2 in superbowls ….some fan you are
March 13th, 2008 at 11:28 am
So was Cooper and he still on the payroll fool.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am
3 and 1 plus 0-1 equals 3-2 you are drunk I can see now.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:30 am
how old are you eyepatch….were you even born when the Raiders won a Championship???
oh by the way that Eyepatch goes on your head not around your waist to cover your brown eye.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:31 am
hey eyeptch super raider fan…the Raiders have been in 5 Superbowls….what an idiot
March 13th, 2008 at 11:33 am
3 wins 2 losses equal 5. Glad your eyes unblurred enough to see that.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Draft Beer is “Alameda Insider” in disguise.
What a Loser…and he’s from Kansas. Only two things that come out of Kansas…Steers & Queers.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:36 am
No bay area boy…we know where all the queers are.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:36 am
He’s a Chef fan and we all know he definitely was not born when the Chefs had their 1 superbowl lol.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Draft Beer likes the head from Sam Adams. The football player.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:38 am
On a funnier note I bet a case of beer on the Raiders when they creamed the Redskins and my buddy gave me the beer in tears at halftime.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Now guys be nice,he is from Missouri,his Mom(sister,Wife) should be home to take care of him soon
March 13th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I’m sure this has been pointed out on this blog before. I just think it’s strange that when everybody was reporting that Ryan was out the door, the Raiders issued a statement refuting the reports. Now, everyone is reporting that Kiffin is going and no statement.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:44 am
well the more i read these posts, the more I find it Okay, that I thought Alameda Insider and Draft Beer was the same…
March 13th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Hey has anyone checked out the depth chart at Raiders.com today? Interesting stuff: Harris is the starter at Left Tackle, Greene is the starter on the right side, and McQuistan is behind Carlisle at RG. Strangely Gibril Wilson is at the bottom of the depth chart at FS.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Just got done skimming over a carolina blog and we may have just picked up a nugget of gold
March 13th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Midwest do they actually teach people to read there??? I live in Kansas not Missouri…..your wife and sister have no problem visiting often.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:52 am
may have? we have!
March 13th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I have only been reading this blog for a few weeks but it seems to me that this guy Rob Ryans Pickled Liver is completely obsessed with all things gay.
When confronted with an argument all he can say is “you’re from Castro” or “smoke a pole” or “take it in the ass” and on and on. Dude come out of the closet already! All you ever do is talk about your own gay fantasies on here. This is about football people.
La Milicia Negra -
No matter how hard you pretend to know anything about football I will NEVER be convinced that you know a damn thing about football. You constantly contradict yourself and are often misinformed yet you always come off like a know it all. Always. Everytime something happens there you are saying stuff like “I told you guys this last week” or “I knew this was going to happen!”.
It’s very interesting to observe all of the behavior that exists on this blog, almost like a social experiment. I just thought I would shed a little light on what it looks like from the outside looking in. Most of you posters are so full of BS save for a few of you. But most are just having pissing contests with others to determine who is the bigger imbecile. I’m just saying…
March 13th, 2008 at 11:54 am
DB was civil until they jumped his rear.he also makes sense,but since his opinion is different than most he is attacked.but he is correct-we should NOT draft the 2nd best RB in 2008.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:55 am
The D. Carter signing is good. I think the Raiders would’ve been better off signing Carter to a 4 yr deal for $8-10 mil total and giving Walker the one-year contract for big money instead and see how he holds up — but at least we’ve got some weapons for JaMarcus now.
I don’t think McFadden is the best pick. Chris Long would be, but he won’t be there at No. 4. I wonder if Al has given any thought to trading up to No. 1 to get him. I wouldn’t given the huge money at that spot in the draft and the fact we don’t have 3rd or 5th round picks. But if you were absolutely sure he’s the next Howie, or even better, is it really so crazy?
I’m eager to see Michael Bush play. He was a top-15 pick before he broke his leg. Think about this: If he’s back to 100%, we’ve already got a brand new 1st-Round talent on offense for 2008.
In the end, I still say trade down. Shore up the trenches on both sides of the ball with 3 top-35 picks (OT Cherilus, B.C.; LB Lofton, Okla.; DT Laws, N.D.) while snagging a 3rd-round pick too.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Like I really care what a lazy, stupid, self proclaimed danish football expert like La Moronica Negroe thinks.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Thats exactly what I am saying they kept the playbook the same and Gruden burned us. I remember a report of him asking “Do they ever run?”
March 13th, 2008 at 11:56 am
LMN did you get the sex change operstion to go with your feminine user name??? Black Women’s Army
March 13th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
East Bay Ray…
First if you only watched this blog fro a few weeks how do you say Í haven’t said those things, remember those who have been here longer than I, often agree with me.
“Everytime something happens there you are saying stuff like “I told you guys this last week” or “I knew this was going to happen!”.”
I said this about when falcons fired and rehired Joey Harrington. If it turns out you right isn’t you allowed to say you were?
Furthermore, before saying something about a guy here, you better been here more than a few days, I’ve been here over a year…
Lastly, I NEVER said I know so or so much about football, but I know that I know stuff, and I can conclude that I know more than some posters here…
I see this site as mush as a news site as a place where I can develop my knowledge of the game, and the history.
Find a post where I say I know everything? good luck
March 13th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Lefty 12 and Draft Beer are sadly the only people on this blog that make sense. Thats probably why they catch so much heat. I’m just saying.
Draft Beer – I agree with you regarding LMN, he knows nothing and acts like he knows it all. Quite humorous really.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
The problem Chris is nobody will offer Al enough to trade the pick. He rarely trades down especially in the top 5.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
2007 Oakland Raiders-6th rushing attack;31st against the run.and you people want to draft the 2nd best RB with the #4 pick in the 2008 draft.thank god your not our GM.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
lol….but it’s an Al Davis pick! Remember, 4.33 speed.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Denver fired their GM of 16yrs.Denver
hired our guy that got fired Mike Lombardi. I think if Ted is looking for a new job Al should be looking into hireing this guy. He knows Denver and their guys inside and out. We signed Lofton after SD cut him loose.Now we just would have to pick up a Cheif front office guy.
That is what I call a competative advantage,also Sundquist credantials look pretty good.
Sundquist, 45, supervised pro and college scouting and was responsible for salary cap and contract analysis.
In his role as general manager, Sundquist helped Denver land free agents such as John Lynch, Daniel Graham and Travis Henry. He also made a trade with the Washington Redskins to acquire Champ Bailey and the Detroit Lions to obtain Dre’ Bly.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I dont know that McFadden is really an Al Davis pick. He is very unimpressive looking as a running back, kind of lanky in fact, with skinny arms and legs. If Al wanted the fastest back in the draft he can get Chris Johnson from ECU, for much less money.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Once upon a time
I really really like your thoughts on getting staff off of our AFC West division rivals…
it dont get any better than that…knowing the inner workings of your opponent is the key to beating them…
I like it…carry on…
March 13th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Quag-that’s the thing that worries me.drafting DM instead of fixing our lines = more 4-12 records.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
LMN: You do realize you are talking to KoolKell or Alameda Insider right? Both could be the same, but either way Draft Beer & East Bay Ray are probably the same dude.
Sometimes I admit I have to laugh at some of your comments, but considering you are Danish you know more about football then a lot of these knuckleheads posting in this blog.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Eyepatch,
I hear you man. If I were to bet on it, I think the odds are we’ll stay put at No. 4 and probably take Gholston.
However, a trade down with Dallas makes a lot of sense. St. Louis and Atlanta aren’t taking McFadden (see Steven Jackson and Michael Turner). I doubt Miami will either. Al and Jerry Jones supposedly have a pretty good relationship. The only way McFadden isn’t sitting there at No. 4 is if someone like the Jets trade up above the Raiders to get him.
Dallas can afford to take a chance on a boom or bust talent like McFadden. McFadden has publicly stated he always rooted for Dallas and would love to play for them. Jerry Jones is an active Arkansas alum and would presumably love to bring the best player that school has had in a long, long time. Plus, Julius Jones just left for Seattle and the Cowboys’ biggest need right now is another RB to go along with the hard-charging Marion Barber. A speedy, home-run guy like McFadden would be the perfect compliment. And JJ likely wouldn’t have to go all the way to No. 1 to get him — he could deal with the Raiders instead.
There could already be an agreement in place between the two teams. They would never announce it until the Raiders are on the clock because that would allow a team, like the Jets, to move up higher and take him first.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
East Bay Ray..
Sad, I dont know why you feel that way, but what you base it on, i dont know.
Ohh I also said I wanted tall receivers, we had a discussion here about fast and tall Receivers, I said I woul Like Jammy to get some tall targets. That and the Joey Harrington comes to mind when I have been ‘I told you so’ thats the ones I remember on hand. I dont knwo where you get this that I said I know everything….
But I can see its pretty easy to claim I’m that way if yoiu just in here for a visit. without evidence even? if there was certain posts you found I was over the line, well then re-post them and let me explain or clear out what I meant. but to post those claims without any backing is sad
March 13th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
DSM….
it just hit me, thanx for the heads up =)
March 13th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Our O line is going to be fixed with free agents and low draft picks. No need to worry as the athletes used for the zone blocking scheme aren’t the same athletes used in the typical man schemes. You don’t just take a rock solid LT like Pace or Ogden and put him in the zone and expect him to be just as good.
As for our D line, considering the money invested in Kelly, Sands, & Warren, we aren’t going to take a DT #1.
The best choices will be either C Long, DMac, or Gholston.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Lefty, I totally agree with you…but remember, Al Davis is anything but conventional.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
DSM-you know football better than that.you need at least 4 good interior lineman so they can rotate and keep fresh.but you’re right we probably won’t take a DT 1st.however signing guys like K.Harris does’t in my mind solve our O-line problems.Cable is a good coach,but he isn’t a miracle worker.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
let me put it this way-i’m fine with whoever we take at #4,as long as it isn’t the most overrated player in the 2008 draft-D.Mcfadden.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Quagmire’d & Lefty:
Justin Fargas doesn’t excite you just like Richardson isn’t exciting and a super stud player.
You want Gholston or C Long, but what’s the difference in upgrading our DE’s when the play is already OK (equal to that of Fargas) and our RB’s?
Both Fargas & Rhodes could be cut next season for DMac & Bush.
If we draft C Long or Gholston, are we going to trade Burgess or let him go after next season?
C Long is great in both stopping the run and rushing the QB. Gholston’s only problem right now is his rushing D.
So if you have to choose between two short DT’s, DMac, or Gholston who is the best pick?
DMac of course because you take the best player available. Mayock is the only big-time site to have DMac listed as the #2 back. Almost everyone else has him listed as the best overall player.
In addition, you must realize this isn’t going to be a one year makeover after this draft and FA signings.
Gruden, Callahan, & Norv really screwed up this team with their FA signings and piss poor drafting.
Only last season did you see the results of the previous two drafts and how young this Raiders team is.
Just wait until the ‘09 season because that’ll be the year things really start to gel and players have been added across the board.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
lol
March 13th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
if I belittled someone I’m sorry. but you haven’t apologized for anything of the childish names you have given to posters here
March 13th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
rob ryan aka kool kell….tell us about trolls
March 13th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
If Chris Long and Vernon Gholston are already off the board, then I think Lane Kiffin will be the one talking Al into getting Darren McFadden. I think people are getting it twisted by saying Al is drooling about DMAC. The guy is a great natural athlete, Al likes workout warriors, that are impressive physical specimens. DMAC played like a mobile QB at Arkansas, and just had the vision and speed to get the job done as a RB. Al Davis does not take into account vision (exhibit A: Justin Fargas). Lane Kiffin is a smart guy, and he knows that a guy as versatile as McFadden can be used as many things other than a starting power RB, to protect his starting QB. If we take DMAC, it is because of Kiffin, not in spite of him!
March 13th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
and that’s the difference between a danish, appeasing coward and me….I didn’t do anything wrong….you get what you deserve……read post #606
March 13th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
DSM, I respect your points….but $30+ million guaranteed for a player who is prone to fumbling and who plays the most physically demanding position on offense?….not too mention the low shelf-life for running backs in the league….considered over-the-hill at 30? None of it matters to Al Davis though. I am convinced you will get your wish…4.33 speed.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Take McFadden and then Pat Sims or Sam Baker in round 2. On the Patriots website their scouts talk about how deep the offensive lineman are in the draft.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Pat Sims DT 6-2 310 excellent against the run.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
There is a reason that Mayock doesnt have McFadden listed as the best RB in this draft. In terms of pure starting RB ideals, McFadden doesnt fit the bill. He is a special tweener type offensive weapon, that would have to be used in tandem with other backs. The only way McFadden will be a huge factor in this league, is if he is drafted by a team that understands how to use him, which I belive is Mayock’s reasoning for dropping McFadden behind Mendenhall(who is a beast in the Stephen Jackson mold)
March 13th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Kiffin don’t want McFadden……Kiffin knows he needs a defense to win in the NFL and he will draft accordingly….Kiffin knows if he can’t get rid of Ryan and get the DC he wants… so he’ll have to fortify the defensive line with quality players and run a ball controll offense that keeps the defense off of the field.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
DSM-in my opinion you are dead wrong.D.Macfadden isn’t going to be a great pro.he is overrated.he played in a gimmicky off. at Ark. and his back-up put up as good as if not better #s.also,we lost one of our best pass rushers in Clemons.his spot needs to be filled.BTW,the easiest position to fill in football is the RB position.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Bart BB
Don’t know what pictues you’ve seen of McFad but his arms are almost like a LB. Definately spends lots of time lifting.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Hey EXLAX, why can’t he hold onto the ball then? Just curious.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
draft beer….
well look at post #539, I apologized for thinking you were the same, over an hour later, you been talking smack and I say in post #601 that I can see how i thought you were the same…
I know you don’t like me because i’m a foreigner. But in all you attack over the past weeks I cant say you are a gentleman…
March 13th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
lefty 12-I wrote my post prior to your posting but didn’t publish until after you had responded.
Anyway, obviously we need more depth along the D line. I suggest DT Pat Sims out of Auburn with our #2 or Lawrence Jackson. Sims wasn’t mentioned two months ago except for me and now I hear more people talking about him. He’s not really a character concern due to quitting at the beginning of the ‘05 season when a close sibling died after complications.
As for the O line these players should do quite well in the zone:
LT O’Neil Cousins
LT/RT Kirk Barton
LT Breno Giacomini
LT Chad Rinehart
RG Drew Radovich
These are all solid players in college ball, but all of them are athletic and fit the skill set for a zone.
None of these guys really have a chance at starting as a LT for any team in the league other than a zone scheme.
If the NFL all ran the zone scheme, players like Jake Long, Jonathon Ogden, Orlando Pace, etc would all have been drafted in the later rounds meanwhile guys like Matt Lepsis would’ve drafted in the first (didn’t get drafted by the way).
March 13th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Kiffin will take McFadden over Dorsey or Ellis, believe it. Kiff is an offensive guy, he wants weapons, you really think he wants to give Rob Ryan another first round project lineman to buy himself more time with. Al wants Long or Gholston, and if they are there, Kiff will be on board, but if they aren’t Al will take McFadden as either trade bait, or as the centerpiece to Kiffin’s 2008 offense.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
#384 It may be true that Gholston only beat Jake Long once in that whole game. But if you listen to interviews of Long, Gholston is the only guy who got a sack on him all year! To me, my biggest concern with Gholston would be how well does he fit with our defense. We don’t play a 3-4 (he’d be a perfect 3-4 OLB), and our best DE is another small guy (Derrick Burgess). Down the road, though, I think Gholston would be a great starter for us, and considering how little DE depth we have right now, it would be nice to have him rotating in with Richardson so that we can get some pass rush from both sides on passing downs. I would rather have either of the Longs before Gholston, but I would be ok with picking Gholston if they are gone.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
LMN -
I have been reading this blog for over 4 months now. All my comments were meant to do is give you a sense of how you are perceived by someone on the outside looking in.
It’s up to you how you take what I say. I was just making an observation. Whether you choose to believe what I perceive is irrelevant because these are MY perceptions not YOURS. It isn’t a question of right or wrong…
March 13th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
well guys I’ll do you all an favor and disappear for some time, then you all be free of these childish attacks…
I don’t want you bucket, I don’t want you shovel – all I wanna do is make my own sand castles in the sand box, I believe there is room for all of us
I hope this will mean you other will be able to talk football, I’ll join later, see ya
March 13th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
M.Bush is more versitle than you guys love child.he played QB in hs at a very high level.some of you should pay more attention to facts before you open your mouths-ie.-sign Bolden-he is under contract for 3 more years;we need to resign Burgess-he is already signed,and if he pulls another disappearing act like last year do we want to resign him?
March 13th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
LIAR!!!!!
East Bay Ray! Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 11:53 am
“I have only been reading this blog for a few weeks but it seems to me that this guy Rob Ryans Pickled Liver is completely obsessed with all things gay. “
March 13th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
is 4 months or a few weeks?
March 13th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
sorry if I hurt your feelings LMN. I can be very blunt and honest. Sorry if that is too much for you.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
LMN,You bring good posts to this blog.As far as I am concerned you are not a foreigner. You are partof 1 nation: The Raider Nation.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
ex-la,
McFadden is not built like a LB, he only weighs 205 lbs
He is muscular for sure, but he is not built like prototype NFL power backs. He is tall and lean, check out a photo of him again, he is built more like QB/WR then a RB
March 13th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Bart BB
LOL but obviously you have not looked at the stats from LY. McFad stats were more than double Jones.. What you have said is not backed up by any facts.
http://www.hogwired.com/pdf5/112623.pdf?ATCLID=1206336&SPSID=33239&SPID=2431&DB_OEM_ID=6100
Look it up to see how dominant McFadden was. Just because you want another pick does not mean you should make up facts that are not true.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Get it right … I don’t like you because youre a fraud (foriegner or not)……you’re a self proclaimed know it all, who really … only knows enough to get by…. and you’ll belittle those you don’t agree with eve when youre WRONG……you post every name on the waiver wires as a potential Raider and then eventually when one is signed by the Raiders you’re as bad as Alameda Insider claiming extensive knowledge and insight into solving all of the Raiders needs. Maybe it’s you who are really Alameda Insider.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Google NFL scouts and read up on McFadden. Some compare him to LT.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Nothing personal so please don’t respond like that. There are many options for us and some of us want McFad, others want D
March 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Quagmire’d- One thing I’ve been saying for months now is that DMac isn’t going to a super star in a man blocking scheme, he isn’t built for it.
However, in the zone he’s going to be extremely good due to have big lanes to run through after a quick cut back.
He’s going to get holes simply based on the zone. It’s how FAST he goes through the holes is the big thing.
Mayock doesn’t drop him for his fumbling as most of those occured on punt/kick returns, he drops him to due his character concerns.
Remember, this is the new NFL and a player like DMac will conform. His issues are small when you consider Ray “beat the man down and get away with murder” Lewis, Leonard “drunk driving killer” Leonard, Pac “show me some boobies” Man, Lawrence “I beat girls up” Philips, and most disgusting JJ “Show me your pecker” Johnson.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Read Moselys mock draft blog and get an entirely different opinion on McFadden especially when the Jets pick him.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
exla,
yeah those stats do back me up. Felix Jones is a first-round RB draft choice this year, so clearly he is a pretty elite back. Clearly you are not reading my comments either, I do want McFadden, as a complement to Fargas and Bush. McFadden is special because of his versatility,vision and speed, but he can’t move piles at this level. Thats my point.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
oops JJ “Here’s my pecker to look at whether you want to or not” Johnson
March 13th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
He is following Travis Henry as far as women go.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
During his time at Oak Grove, McFadden would occasionally line up at the quarterback position, a skill which he is using now at Arkansas in the “Wildcat” (renamed WildHog for the 2007 season) formation.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
He will get bigger he is only 20 years old.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
EXLAX-you are wrong my friend.J.Jones had a better ypc avg in every game except the 2 he was injured.i have their stats right in front of me.i wrote them down over a month ago to refute the misinformation you DM lovers throw out there.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
He’s got that glide like Marcus had, leaning forward for extra yardage most of the time.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
LMN -
Please don’t let the difference between a few weeks and 4 months distract you from the real point here. After I said a few weeks I realized that a few weeks was really a couple of months. Since November around Thanksgiving to be exact.
All of this does not change how you are perceived on this blog by myself and others. Sorry bro, grasp at straws all you want, that won’t change how you are perceived!
March 13th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Again valid points, but why resign Fargas and restructure Rhodes just to draft McFadden….shouldn’t they have let at least one of those players walk?
$30+ million guaranteed too? Just think of the financial ramifications of either Russell or D-Mac not reaching expectations and or busting….it could be crippling.
Hope I’m wrong though.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
excuse me-F.Jones
March 13th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
the only problem I have with McFadden is work ethic. He has been the BMOC at Arkansas for 3 years, nailing every woman of-age in Little Rock. How is he going to react to the Bay Area and getting paid millions of dollars.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I wonder if by cutting Jordan how much more cap room they would need.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
once again-we have the same personnel as last year minus Clemons.we were 3!st against the rush.how is DM going to help that problem?
March 13th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I can dance if I want to…
March 13th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
He won’t but Pat Sims would and he is bigger than Ellis and only 1 inch taller.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
What if we take Gholston at #4 and he’s a bust? That could have just as much impact if we take DMac.
You always go into the draft fully knowing there’s a major chance for a bust.
You always have to think when bypassing the best player in the draft for need, are you going to regret it later?
When DMac came out of high school, Rivals had him listed as a 5 star athlete and he was ranked 23:
“A strong runner that has silky smooth moves and the ability to cut on a dime.”
Perfect fit for the zone for me!! Reggie Bush & Lendale White played in the zone at USC.
Don’t you think a backfield of Michael Bush & DMac would be a damn powerful combo! Combine those two with Russell, O’Neal, Miller, the zone line, and hopefully some stud WR’s and we could be looking at a very powerful offense.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Eyepatch, show me one link that compares McFadden to LT. I have never heard anyone make that comparison. McFadden does not compare to LT in terms of vision, agility, strength, or even weight. (Tomlinson is 4 inches shorter and 11 pounds heavier.) McFadden is thinner than Willie Parker and lighter than Justin Fargas. He is a pure speed runner. IMO he is not worth the #4 pick in the draft, even for a team which needs a HB (which we don’t).
March 13th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Clemons was expendible and a liability against the run.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Lefty 12
Who can we draft at #4 that will improve our run defense outside of Chris Long? Gholson is a pass rushing DE, Ellis and Dorsey play the same spot as Kelly. Neither of them could play Turds spot, they are both too small. So if you draft one of them you have to move Kelly out of position back to DE. We will have the highest paid DT in the NFL playing out of position at DE. There are no LB to draft at #4, so who exactly do you suggest we pick at #4 to improve that run defense?
March 13th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Lefty, same personnel?
We did sign Gibril Wilson maybe you weren’t paying attention.
How is a DT going to solve our take it to the house threat we are lacking @ RB unless Bush is what we hope ?
Draft DMAC, trade Rhodes & cut Jordan…period.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Draft Beer Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
“Get it right … I don’t like you because youre a fraud (foriegner or not)……you’re a self proclaimed know it all, who really … only knows enough to get by…. and you’ll belittle those you don’t agree with eve when youre WRONG……you post every name on the waiver wires as a potential Raider and then eventually when one is signed by the Raiders you’re as bad as Alameda Insider claiming extensive knowledge and insight into solving all of the Raiders needs. Maybe it’s you who are really Alameda Insider.”
LMN -
Just another example to show you that I am not the only person that perceives you this way. Sorry to have to break the bad news to you. I recall this subject coming up quite often while reading this blog. Think about it…
March 13th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Dakota…kelly plays every position on the D line….you can’t move him out of position
March 13th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Pretty powerful, but the scheme is such that you don’t draft O-lineman or RBs high…but rather in the later rounds…I would rather them draft a top-flight D-lineman to help address our 31st ranked run defense.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I am still looking for the site but found another, scoutnflexperts.com says he is the best running back entering the draft in 2 decades.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
NO ONE HERE GETS IT!!!! DMac isn’t built for a typical rushing offense like the Steelers, Cowboys, etc.
He can cut on a dime and just split full speed past everyone. However in the man blocking scheme his holes won’t be as big and his lower body strength could be an issue.
He won’t have that issue with us. Look at Detroit last season when they drafted CJ who is going to be a stud sooner than later. Should they have taken Adrian Peterson?
I’m not comparing him in terms of style of rushing, the comparison comes from the fact he could have a significant impact like Peterson did last year, enough that any team that doesn’t take him could be upset.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
They list McFadden at 210 not 205.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Kiffin himself said that even with the Zone Scheme the team would be interested in elite backs, as long as they fit.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
And he is the #1 rated player in the draft on that site.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
WOW …let’s Draft McFadden…. we’ll still be 4-12 but we sure look good doing it.
Losing is great when you lead the league in rushing.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
brown-which position does Wilson play-DT or DE,as those were the positions i was refuring to.get off the “take it to the house” crap.the only real take it to the house RB we’ve ever had was BO.Marcus wasn’t the speed demon some of you make him out to be.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
#671 Kelly may have played several positions, but that doesn’t mean he’s effective at them. He was pretty disappointing as a DE and he would also be disappointing at the NT position that Sands plays. We cannot just move Kelly and still get a decent return on the contract we’ve given him. Either we play him at the under-tackle DT position or there is no chance we get close to decent value on that $50M contract.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Bet Marino wishes he would have had a defense.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Wrong Draft. Kelly is a DT that played out of position last year. Just ask Warren Sapp who stated Kelly is a beast and will dominate as soon as I (Sapp) get out of his way (paraphrased)…Kelly’s natural position is the one left vacant by Sapp.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
First off I would like to say…
Warriors baby! What up Mista. Last night was a very entertaining game, and tonight should be as well. My only wish is that the Warriors didn’t have to face Phoenix on the 2nd night of a back to back, but no big deal. The Warriors could win the season series with the Suns tonight, which could come into play as a tiebreaker, considering how tight the West is. The Warriors are 2-0 against the Suns this season, but they have yet to see Shaq. It should be a fun game to watch on TNT.
Sorry for the NBA talk guys, I couldn’t help it. Now for the Raiders:
The more I think about the signing of Carter the happier I get. Things are shaping up pretty nicely so far and we still have a month and a half until draft day! A ton of more signings could happen that will hopefully make it much clearer as to the direction the Raiders plan on going in the draft.
My dream scenario stays the same however unrealistic it may be. I want the Raiders to trade down to the 6th or 7th pick and a 3rd rounder for our 4th pick. Then with the 6th or 7th pick the Raiders select LB Keith Rivers from USC. In the 2nd the Raiders draft DT Trevor Laws and with the new 3rd round pick the Raiders select a WR or OL.
BTW Dakota I moving to South Dakota. There are more Kum & Go’s per capita in SD than any other state. Thats all I needed to know. Pack up the truck, here we come!
March 13th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
DSM,
you are not hearing me then. I have been saying that DMac could be very special in the NFL, but not as a typical power-back. His comparisons to LT and AP are because he is a guy that teams will have to game-plan around. When he is on the field, he could take the snap directly, or split out as a wide reciever, or take a draw to the house, or run it to the outside. He can’t be succesful as the lone power-back, which is why some people are dumping on him, but he poses a threat whenever he takes the field.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Has anyone saw were,
Chris Myers, C
Restricted Free Agent center from the Donkeys is visiting as well
March 13th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I just don’t understand the obsession over a player that just doesn’t suit our needs. Al made the decision to keep Fargas and Rhodes, while still carrying Bush and Jordan–why are several of us still talking as if McFadden coming here is a sure thing?
Would McFadden be an improvement? Of course he would, but then why would Al have taken the time (and money) to keep Fargas and Rhodes around?
Our needs are very clear–D-line, WR, O-line, and LB, in that order. McFadden doesn’t address ANY of those needs…
Now if Al is ccoking up some kind of deal, that’s obviously different, but the only one who knows that for sure isn’t saying…
Point being, all we can do as fans is see the needs, and give our opinions on how to address those needs…and again…–RB is not a need…
March 13th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
DSM, you know who else is a perfect fit for our zone blocking offense? JUSTIN FARGAS. And he is bigger and plays harder than McFadden. Why throw another $50M at the position when we have so many other needs? We will never be successful when our OL and DL are inferior to the opposition’s DL and OL every week.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
TrevJo made that distinction yesterday…he was dead on. Looks like he still is, lol.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
look who Kelly has played next to…..draft a Stud with a Motor that constantly draws a double team and watch how good Kelly or Sands can be.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Since Kelly can play any position on the line, then you draft the best D-lineman available…I don’t buy the whole he’s too short argument either….if that was such a factor, those players would not be rated as high as they are. Even so, the height difference should allow them to get under the opposing O-lineman and force them back into the pocket.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
yes Draft Beer,
and his name is Red Bryant
March 13th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Duh…we just signed Carter…okay, but I still am not comfortable with the rest of our receivers…
March 13th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
McFadden was clocked with a hand held timer a 4.27 fourty and he is not small he is a freak.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Dogg, speaking of Kum and Go’s, did you see the picture of Governor Spitzer’s lady friend on the front of cnn.com? WOW…
March 13th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
everyone keeps bringing up A.peterson.go back and look at his stats.in 8 games he was at best average.he didn’t play in 2 others.so in 6(six) games he did good to great.WOW.and of the last 5 games he played in only 1 did he avg more thn 3ypk.RBs are a dime a dozen,and DM is no BO.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Eyepatch, the run of the mill draft sites have McFadden #1 based on his reputation as a two-time Heisman runner-up and the blazing 40 time. But there are many students of the game who do not see him as a complete package as a RB and have guys like Stewart or Mendenhall or Ray Rice rated higher. IMHO McFadden is a top 10 player in this draft but not top 5. He fits our scheme very well but we have much bigger needs.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
heighth on the D line is Over rated….Only useful blocking QB throwing lanes on passing downs….a lower center of gravity is a major advantage fighting off blocks
March 13th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Bart- He’ll be a great power back, in the zone. However, he’ll have to split touches with Bush or Fargas to extend his time.
Kiffin had a two back system at USC with Bush & White which gave opposing D’s fits because they couldn’t game plan for both.
Sound similar if we draft DMac? Combine DMac with a healthy Michael Bush and you have a two-headed monster that no one can game plan around.
4-12 again as some say, no way in hell. We could lead the league in rushing again, however the most important stat I want to see in terms of rushing is TD’s.
DMac can instantly provide a home run threat we haven’t had since Kaufman. He’ll obviously be much better than Kaufman, but he’ll be amazing in the zone.
If we were to have 10 more TD’s, that would easily helped our win total last season.
A great back gets 1,500 yards 15 td’s in the zone while a good back gets 1,300 yards and 5 td’s.
Which back do you want? Fargas will get us 1,300 yards and maybe 7 TD’s. DMac should be looking for 12 td’s or more.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
They won’t fix the ship in one year anyway, the Raiders will regret passing on him if he falls, but the site also says Jones is prepared to make a deal with Miami.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Adrian Peterson will be out of the league in 4 years or less.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
TrevJo- Read my posts 633 & 665.
I want to improve the O line & D line, but not with the first pick. O line should be picks later than the 3rd round meanwhile D line should be a second.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
DesertRaider-btw,got back from spring training monday.it was a blast.it’ll be a yearly trip from now on.sorry for being off topic,just had to get that in.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Only time will tell boys and girls. McDadden will be OROY whether the Raiders choose him or not. Dallas is not going to trade up to #1,2,3 or 4 to draft McFadden because it would simply cost too much in terms of players/picks and money. Dream on fellas, dream on. Al will not pass up McDadden.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
DSM,
I respectfully disagree about the power back thing. McFadden I think is going to be a unique player in the NFL. Someone who’s mere presence will be used to create mismatches. But I will do you one better on the Bush/White tandem at USC. Neither of them could sling the ball. With Michael Bush and McFadden we would have 2 backs that can run and pass.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
DSM….the Chefs did real well under Vermeil too leading the league in rushing and passing…..one and done in the playoffs…no defense….is that what you want???
March 13th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Whatever happened to the days when RBs lasted more than 5 years in the NFL? Walter, Earl, Emmitt etc all lasted a long time, why can’t the modern RB last? Is it just part of the continued Pussification of America as George Carlin would say?
March 13th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Given the bust-potential in the draft, it makes much more sense to trade down for more picks. The talent at the bottom of the first round is not far from the top-10. Look at some of these players drafted between picks 22-32 in recent years:
2007
22. Brady Quinn
23. Dwayne Bowe
28. Joe Staley
2006
22. Manny Lawson
29. Nick Mangold
30. Joseph Addai
32. Mathias Kiwanuka
2005
28.Luis Castillo
30. Heath Miller
32. Logan Mankins
2004
24. Steven Jackson
32. Ben Watson
2003
23. Willis McGahee
24. Dallas Clark
27. Larry Johnson
29. Nick Barnett
31. Nnamdi Asomugha
2002
24. Ed Reed
2001
23. Deuce McAllister
30. Reggie Wayne
31. Todd Heap
32. Drew Brees
Now, granted, there are busts and mediocre players coming out of that range, but the same can be said of the top-10. The last two drafts aside (since the jury is still out on most of those guys) anyone remember top-10 gems from 2000-2005 like: Courtney Brown, Peter Warrick, Travis Taylor, Andre Carter, David Terrell, Koren Robinson, Jamal Reynolds, David Carr, Joey Harrington, Mike Williams (the OT), Mike Williams (the WR), Charles Rogers, Jonathan Sullivan, Reggie Williams, Robert Gallery, Alex Smith, Cedric Benson, Cadillac Williams (injury) and Troy Wiliamson? And that’s just the real busts over that short span. There are many other average guys who haven’t lived up to the hype.
I say, you’re better off with two low first-rounders rather than a single top-5 pick. You’ve gotta make the trade with Dallas if possible.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
DSm-you keep preaching that due to our zbs we can get O-Lineman in later rds.well,the same could be said for RB.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
O.K. found the site saying McFadden could be the next LT, http://www.ffToolbox.com, food for thought no matter who said it.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Dakota Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Whatever happened to the days when RBs lasted more than 5 years in the NFL? Walter, Earl, Emmitt etc all lasted a long time, why can’t the modern RB last? Is it just part of the continued Pussification of America as George Carlin would say?
Easy….look at the average size and speed of the defensive linemen and linebackers in that era and compare it to those of the present.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
If the link does not work just google it.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
LLLMMMAAAOOO….fantasy football site….youre kidding….no youre serious…..Hahahahahahahahahah
March 13th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Dallas has 2 first round picks I bet they trade to get him.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Eyepatch 6′2″ 210# is not SMALL, but it is VERY SKINNY for a running back. Being tall is not an advantage! Being over 6′0″ and less than 220# you might as just paint a big target on your kidneys.
Here is the height/weight of the top 30 running backs in the NFL last year in terms of yardage:
LTomlinson 5′10″ 221# (ideal size and a complete skillset)
APeterson 6′1″ 217# (runs people over like there was no tomorrow)
BWestbrook 5′10″ 203# (not as big but stockier, quicker, and has legit NFL WR hands)
WParker 5′10″ 209# (has McFadden speed, same weight despite being much shorter)
CPortis 5′11″ 223#
EJames 6′0″ 220#
WMcGahee 6′0″ 232#
FTaylor 6′1″ 226#
TJones 5′10″ 215#
MLynch 5′11″ 215#
LWhite 6′1″ 235#
FGore 5′9″ 223#
JAddai 5′11″ 214#
JFargas 6′1″ 220#
BJacobs 6′4″ 264#
SJackson 6′2″ 231#
MBarber 6′0″ 220#
RGrant 6′1″ 216#
EGraham 5′9″ 225#
DFoster 6′0″ 222#
CTaylor 5′11″ 213#
LMaroney 5′11″ 220#
RDayne 5′10″ 245#
MJones-Drew 5′7″ 212# (bigger than McFadden at SEVEN INCHES SHORTER)
KWatson 6′0″ 218#
SYoung 6′0″ 210#
WDunn 5′9″ 180# (there you go, ONE RB that is as skinny as McFadden)
DWilliams 5′9″ 217#
SAlexander 5′11″ 228#
March 13th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Yeah I am open minded, you can keep looking for information at the bottom of you draft beer can.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
it’s becoming obvious that some of you just want to make the playoffs,not win a SB.a good off. will win during the regular season in the NFL,but once you reach the playoffs if you don’t have a formitable Def. you won’t last long.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I think Draft Beer goggles hope the Chefs get him but they won’t.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Get that eyepatch adjusted from the brown eye you sit on to the ones on your head.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Dallas will keep there 2 first round picks and their stud RB Barber and they will pick up Shaun Alexander once Seattle cuts him and they will never, NEVER trade all the way up for McDadden…
If they do trade up, then forget I said this, lol.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Lefty you dont remember Marcus Allen takin it to the house in the Super Bowl? The greatest play from a RB is Super Bowl History.
Gibril Wilson plays Safety Lefty, next time specify which position you are referring to. BTW Lefty, safetys support run game when your talking about tackle football.
Lefty, if BO was the only take it to the house RB we’ve ever had then you just made my point for me cause we really need one now!
thanks man
March 13th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Every site, every draft analysis says he is a special player, just stating the obvious.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Yeah Mistabrown I remember it well….there were 3 key blocks way downfield that made that TD possible….it wasn’t Allen on his own breaking it
March 13th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Dakota
You’re looking at girls now? You once told the nation “I don’t notice girls because I’m married”. Times are achanging! lol
March 13th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
DSM we don’t just need depth on the DL, we need a starter at DE. Same goes for OT. You may feel that the zone blocking scheme diminishes the need for stud o-lineman, and that may be true when it comes to running the ball. But last I checked we were horrible at protecting the quarterback. As for the Bush/White combo and USC, that has very little to do with us. The Trojans had a great o-line compared to the opposition, such that they could put in whichever back fit the situation and the opponent was going to get beat at the line of scrimmage anyway. That is not the case with us. We cannot afford to be spending $50M on a running back only to pull him for Michael Bush in short yardage situations and tip off the defense as to what we are going to do.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
BART Bridge, you really want McFadden and Bush throwing the ball? Give me a friggin break.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
needing special education doesn’t make you a special player
March 13th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
TrevJo,
You have proved my point that McFadden can’t be a power back in this league, he isn’t thick enough. If you have ever seen him play he is too upright and lanky looking as well. McFadden would have to be on a team (like the Raiders) that has a formidable running game already in place.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Ok Draft should I call you lefty ?
March 13th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
trevjo…youre wasting your time…..
March 13th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
yea,he had one titth run.but that wasn’t his mo.in the def. we play the safety plays more as a center fielder than a run stopper.if you were such a knowledgable fan you would know this.on all of our SB winning teams we never had a so called take it to the house RB.btw,if M.Williams makes a block,Fargus takes it to the house last year.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Hey everybody, your favorite fraud is back…
If Kevin Carter doesn’t get an offer, could Kalimba Edwards, be our next Clemmons?
March 13th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
OH I’m soryy Mista Brown did I ruin your little analogy with the facts
March 13th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Russell is throwing the passes. But if Bush or possibly McFadden threw a pass just once in a game, then the defense would have to think about it on every down. Do you remember all those touchdown passes that LT throws on us?
March 13th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Dogg, every game is fun to watch its a great time out! NBC even picked up one of our games. It would be nice to go 3-0 against the Suns. Shaq is going to be tired after tonights game.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
LMN,
Jeremy Geathers is our next Clemons.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
If Bush is ready they should trade with Dallas and take Baker and Sims.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Kenny Kings’ Superbowl run in 1980 was a much better example of breakaway speed but it goes against the tall lanky guys like McFadden that never could have busted thru the Dline initially like King did on that run.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
brown is one of those who can’t accept the fact that not everyone agrees with him.if more than 2 people have a different opinion than him,he accuses them of being the same person.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Oes anyone think J Peppers is worth it?
March 13th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
No draft, on any play it takes 11 guys all doing their job of course Marcus had down field blocks whats your point should our WR lay down so the RB gets all the credit? Dont be stupid you moron..
March 13th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
That was not a run it was a 15 yard pass after a scramble.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Every site and analyst also said that Gallery was the safest pick in the draft a few years ago. The bottom line is most of these analysts don’t really know what they are talking about. Over the years, they’ve made countless errors in analyzing any given prospect’s talent/measurables, as Chris (707) points out above. Therefore, I don’t have much conviction in what they say. Besides, RBs are so easily replaceable in today’s league that they have become a commodity, as evidenced by thier dwindling contract values (ex S Alexander and a few others which only highlight my point).
Seperately, I am of the belief and will continue to believe that DL is the right move at #4 unless we can find a partner with whom we can trade down. Until we get the run D corrected, we will continue to underperform our peers.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Draft Beer you sure are out there man lol.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Left I have never accused anybody of being anybody else I dont play with the trolls here. I challenge you to backup what you said and cut & paste my comments addressing somebody’s identity.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I watched the game live, maybe you can catch it on NFL Network.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Ok Eyepatch, I saw ONE GUY on that site in his mock draft commentary compare McFadden to Tomlinson. It’s an idiotic comparison, but hey, he’s entitled to his opinion. By the way, what has Tomlinson ever won? Dude has 14,000 career yards from scrimmage and 129 touchdowns but the Chargers have all of TWO playoff games in his CAREER! Running back is the most overrated position in the entire league. Winning is all about the quarterback, the o-line, and the d-line in the NFL. The other problem with RB is that their shelf life is too short. Tomlinson turns 29 this year and he only has a couple more good yeras. It’ll be the same deal if we pick McFadden. By the time we have a decent team around him, he’ll be in his late 20s and well past his prime. If we had a great team right now I might say hey, go for it, we can win now. But there is no way we are going to win now. When the rest of the team is fixed (if we’re lucky, a few years from now), THEN let’s get ourselves a young studly 22 year old RB.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
youre the moron…if you want to compare McFadden’s size, speed, and breakaway ability to Allen’s Superbowl TD then explain how anybody could have gotten downfield before Allen to block for him .
March 13th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Draft Beer #729 you are 100% right… I’m out.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Kenny King bursting through the d-line, lol this is getting good, enlighten us more Draft Beer.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
brown-post 728!
March 13th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
LT beats the shit out of us every year thats enough for me.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Great news on adding Carter. Now lets sign Quinn Gray, Jason Taylor and Ian Gold or Tekeo Spikes. For a team that is said to be horrible, confused, and a total mess it sure sounds like they are making some good progress. Why are all these guys coming here to play for the Raiders if what these idiot reporters are saying is true. Someone is full of sh*t and I don’t think it’s AL.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
that’s right Eyepatched why….because if …you can’t stop the run in the AFC WEST ….you lose
March 13th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Chris Long looks like he would be a PERFECT fit for the Raiders at the #4 spot, but if he isn’t there it becomes less clear.
Ellis would be behind Kelly on the depth chart
Dorsey would be behind Kelly on the depth chart
Gholston isn’t a run stopper
McFadden is not at a position of need
Jake Long doesn’t look like a zone blocker
Clady is kind of a raw talent
I think it should be Gholston if the Raiders have decided to let Burgess walk after 2008.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
EyePatch – LT kills us bc we don’t have a run D
March 13th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Uhh 49′ers released Trent Dilfer, I wouldn’t mind him, he is administrating QB, he got the age too, he is old enough so Jammy will listen to him.
I wouldn’t min him as our backup
March 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Yeah Raiderman666 sign all of those geriatrics and criplles and change the Raider logo to a pirate in a wheel chair
March 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Spikes is talking to the Whiners from what i hear…
March 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
O.K. look it up, Marcus Lemarr Allen 6-2 210, sounds like McFadden’s size to me.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
BBB…
Gaethers, you say, where do you think will get him, 2nd or 4th?
March 13th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
LMAO…..Walter is on the inactive list all but one game because he isn’t mobile enough for the offense….but it’s a good idea to sign Dilfer???
BRILLIANT….fine example LMN of how stupid you are
March 13th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
And on Allen’s superbowl run, it was all allen, the blocking was horendous on that play until he broke into the open, by then it was too late to catch him anyway.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
LMN,
Geathers is moving up the boards after his pro-day, he could be there in the 6th or 7th though. Raiders had scouts watching him work-out, one of only a few teams that were there.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
The ref threw the best block in the Allen run.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Do you really think Al will take another Marcus Allen? Al didn’t like Marcus when he was still sane.
This is the year of the DL. I would be very suprised if the #4 pick was used for someone other than a DL guy. I wouldn’t put it past Al to trade up to get C.Long.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Timed at 4.27 at 210 pounds yes I think he is considering it.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Lefty, I addressed a question you and draft answered. I asked him if I should call him Lefty. I didnt accuse anybody of being anybody else but he wants to be your mouthpiece.
Lefty, Im done with you I feel like Im talking to a 14 yr old with ADD.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
his official time was not 4.2
March 13th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
So true Ryan,
I am not looking forward to hearing all of the sniffling about why we didn’t take McFadden.
What would they be saying if there was a guaranteed stud QB in this years draft??
March 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
BBB… I’ll check him out =)
March 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
see ya brown-btw is it true ignorance is bliss.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Al has is eyes on Chris Long, not McFadden. Look no further than his off-season moves to confirm it.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
#754 Bart Bridge Balla
“Jake Long doesn’t look like a zone blocker”
Michigan ran ZBS under Carr so I’d have to think he might know what he’s doing
March 13th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
eyepatch-unfortunatly,i think you’re correct.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
#746
Bravo!
Barry Sanders comes to mind as well.
I think we need to get all we can out of that #4 pick. If we can trade it for 3 or 4 picks in this draft that is what we should do. I like the thought of some of these guys in the top 5 as well. But are needs are to deep to spend it on one player. There will be guys in future drafts just as good.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
He ran a 4.33 on a machine timer and a 4.27 with a hand held timer look it up.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
JUST IN CASE RAIDERNATION HAVEN’T HEARD ALREADY
Danny Clark Signed with the NY Giants 2 year 4 million
Quinn Gray left oakland without a contract
Drew Carter’s contract is a 1 year 2 million
Here’s the link that says Jamarcus Russel weighed in @ 272 lbs
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3290312&searchName=clayton_john&campaign=rsssrch&source=john+clayton&univLogin02=stateChanged&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d3290312%26searchName%3dclayton_john%26campaign%3drsssrch%26source%3djohn%2bclayton%26univLogin02%3dstateChanged
March 13th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
the Raiders up 28-3 on the last play of the 3rd Quarter when Allen made that run too….that game was already over.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
He reminds me of Allen because he does not use power to get extra yards but he slithers through the cracks and falls forward, perfect for a zone blocking system.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I feel we the Raiders would be best of taking C.Long DE,J.Long OT,V.Gholston De in the first round if they are avalabile. Then in the second round J. Hardy WR.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
He ran behind a drive blocking line at Arkansas and they used alot of misdirection with no fullback.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
eyepatch,isn’t the machine the official time?from what i’ve heard hand held times vary quite a bit.but it really doesn’t make any difference-he is fast.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Yes you can all roll your eyes at the latest from the alameda insider,…(last I counted there are at least 8 “AI`s),..Im not the original, Im maybe the 5th…anyway I do have a person in the building in Alameda,..initials are P.E. for those who also may use him/her as a source…anyway, this person emailed me today,..Russell at the facility this week working out, with Kiffin,…side by side on cardio equiptment…my source there made a note of telling me Kiffin was wearing RAIDERS sweats,…he ended email telling me DO NOT believe what you hear or read,…all fine according to source, and Russells in dynamic shape,..if you choose not to believe this thats ok too, but its the truth.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Hammer,
If thats true then I take back my previous statement. I didn’t watch Michigan much this year, but I have heard from sources that he is a power blocker in a man scheme. You think he can play LT in the Raiders’ cut block scheme?
March 13th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
And there are fast times and fast tracks but yes he is very fast.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Yes the machine is the official time.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Alameda Insider
Lets all hope your right.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
eyepatch-i’ve been thru this with Dakota many times.i respect your opinion.our opinions just differ and neither of us probably change ours.all i can say is i hope we don’t take DM at #4-but if we do i’ll support him because he wears the Silver&Black-and the uniform is what we really support.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Things that make you go umm,
So he weighed himself. That must be the right weight. None of us fib about the scale do we?
March 13th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Wow, Detroit just dropped Kevin Jones.
Amazing what can happen in 1 year. Do they make a play for #4 if McFadden is still available? We partnered with them last year so maybe it’s a marriage.
Would love to move down to #15.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Not a problem Balla. I watch a lot of Michigan football as I’m a big fan and manage to get some tickets at work from time to time as I live in the Ann Arbor area. I think he could but I wonder if he’s seen the level of speed rushers we see in the AFC West. The reason I hesitate is in the Florida game, while he didn’t give up a sack, he did get worked over and end up on the ground a lot. I do think he’s better than anyone we currently have set to play LT though.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Yeah I remember Kiffin saying they targeted Russell all along after the draft. The rumors are always raging.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Has anyone read anything about a DE from TCU named Tommy Blake (I think)? He was supposed to be a top 5 guy in this years draft, but was diagnosed with some mental illness. Do the Raiders take a chance on another possible Barrett or Tooz?
March 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
As much as I like DMac – We need Chris Long or Vernon Gholston – This is the last year that we will have a top 10 pick so we got to get this one right – I can’t watch another year of gettin ran on – Im sure after Al Davis watched the superbowl he will go with either Chris Long or Vernon Gholston
March 13th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Lefty 12,
Spoken like a man. We all have our opinions but once the dust settles, we should all be RAIDERS!
March 13th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Draft Beer…
I suggested Dilfer more for whats in his head than for his mobility… or as you pointed out his lack thereof =)
March 13th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
If McFadden is so damn special ……
Just why…. would any team wanting Mcfadden, only choose the Raiders to trade with???
Miami, St Louis, or Atlanta not need the extra picks?????
Some of you Junior GM’s are really full of yourselves!
March 13th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Unknown,
SHHHHH, don’t tell my wife…it has been a long winter here in SD!
March 13th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Ha
March 13th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Ex-thanks.and to everyone i apologize for getting into a personal fued with another poster.i don’t like to do it and i don’t like it when others do it.this is a Raider site where there are many different opinions,and as Raider fans we are each entitled to our own.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Offensive lineman are deep in this draft they need to go Defense or McFadden with the first pick. Thats obviously what they are going to do with Cable saying 80% of this years lineman won’t fit into the system.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
alameda insider…
thats how i hoped things were, I had hard times believing the bad things, but that was partly wishful thinking =)
March 13th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
even if they’re wrong.(lol)
March 13th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Draft Beer, Miami is talking to Dallas already.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Spoken like a true Raider.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Hammer,
He looked real good at the combine with agility drills like the 3-cone, which I though was weird after hearing that he had heavy feet.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
have a good afternoon gentleman.time for some draft ales.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
You mean someone more full of themselves than YOU Draft Beer???
Seems like a reach.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
LMN wants to pay millions to Dilfer for whats in his head when the Raiders already have a QB coach on the Payroll……LMN wants to run the Raiders like the Government Subsidized companies in Europe.
BRILLIANT
March 13th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Peace out Lefty.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I’ve had this talk with Dakota loooong time ago, and I give you all McFadden was good in college, and he sure will be fine in the NFL, but he reminds me of reggie bush too mush. Too thin a frame.
Those who compares him to LaDanian, I think its wrong. Adrian Peterson is more like LaDanian there frame is more robust. IMHO
March 13th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Someone calling themself a Saint criticizing another……LMAO
March 13th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
i dont think we could afford to sign dmc if we do end up drafting him
March 13th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Thanks for that info Balla. I missed seeing Jake’s combine performance. Sounds like he just might fit the bill for what Cable and Co. do scheme wise.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Draft Beer…
i dont think Dilfer is that expensive, If he lives in the bay area with his family I could imagine he would take less for staying and more for moving again.
But I dont know where he is located, but I think Jammy’s got the physicals but need a administrators mind on the side. I think it would do him good.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
yeah hammer it all comes down to Cable’s opinion on that one, and if we choose J. Long with the #4 then I am gonna assume that Cable really likes him, and I will trust his judgement on O-line any day.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Call ‘em as I see ‘em.
Apparently you’re the only one here that knows anything about football. Good for you.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Mo Collins Matt Stinchcomb and a year ago we could have said Robert Gallery are all reasons why I believe Jake Long will not be picked #4 – I think Mr Davis has his eyes set on Chris Long/Gholston
March 13th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
yeah, and i’m an idiot for belittle someone, but its okay when draft is doing it…
March 13th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Same source tells me the the Boss is going to do whatever it takes to draft Chris Long,…my belief is Tuna will take him then make a deal with Al,..Im off this message board the remainder of the night…the next “AI” that starts yakkin in here will not be me. Cya.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Got your back LMN!
This is why I drink my beer out of bottles!!
March 13th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
He wouldn’t have to do to much since there the first to pick
March 13th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
but id trade Lamont or Rhodes and the #4 for Chris Long
March 13th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Emmitt Smith 5-10 221lbs,Barry Sanders 5-8 203,Ladainian Tomlinson 5-10 221,Eric Dickerson 6-3 220,Marshall Faulk 5-10 211,Marcus Allen 6-2 210,Bo Jackson 6-1 227,Terrell Davis 5-11 206,Walter Payton 5-10 220 4thpick of the 1975 draft,Karma????????,Darren McFadden 6-2 205.
While I understand we need O-Line/D-Line help I think Al will pull the trigger on D-Mac.Al is always talking “About The Greatness of The Oakland Raiders.Al sees history in the making.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Mista -
Shaq will be run ragged tonight. It should be fun to watch. I heard Mike D’Antoni on the radio earlier and he said that the Warriors are one of the hardest teams to defend. It’s about time teams start respecting the W’s, otherwise they will get caught sleeping.
Dakota -
Spitzer’s prostitute is all right looking but certainly not worth ruining your career/marriage over. I expected her to be Super Hot while being able to suck the chrome off a trailor hitch. Plus she charged $4300! Are you joking? I wouldn’y pay $4300 for a night with Scarlett Johannsen(she would pay me
)let alone some prostitute that is not bad to look at.
Shout out to Unknown! What’s been happening my friend?
March 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
AI,
I was skeptical about that theory months ago when I first heard it, but Chris Long is the most obvious pick for Al Davis now that FA moves have been made, and I just know he is doing his due-dilligence to find out every angle.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
SaintKaufman…
thanx man, that goes to Dakota, RaiderDogg, Once A time in the west, DSMRaider and the others who don’t find me obnoxious.
those perceives me as a know it all – i’m truly sorry i give that impression, but that most regulars here find that im OK is good enough to me…
March 13th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
to those who covet DMac and think Reggie Bush…let me tell you something…Reggie Bush has tens times the class and marketability than DMac and is a real team player…positive attitude guy…IF…big IF…he were th eguy we were talking about now at number 4 overall…I WOULD TAKE HIM IN A FLAT SECOND !!!!
I dont care about the measurables…DMac is crap…thats been polished and still cant hold a shine…you cant compare him to Adrian Peterson or LT either…they are different in every way that matters…I wouldn’t take DMac if it were up to me…and its not…so dont worry…but if a Reggie Bush or Adrian Peterson…were there…I would take them even though I know that we need DEFENSE this year…to win more games than we lose…
but again… DMac…HE AIN”T ALL THAT…so why are we even talking about the possibility…we need Dorsey Ellis or Gholston or either Long…to provide what we need…to get this team out of the cellar…this year…
WHAT WE DONT NEED…another greedy…glory hog… (DMac the Razorback)….that doesnt have the intangibles that make a great player a HOF player…he will probably be good for 4 or 5 years and then…bounce around from team to team for a paycheck…mark my words….
March 13th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
that was my two cents worth on the DMAC attack…yuk yuk…or why I wouldn’t pay a dime to see him in S&B…
March 13th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Muhahahhaa…
I’ve just noticed this post scrolling down…
“LMN did you get the sex change operstion to go with your feminine user name??? Black Women’s Army”
How many times have we been through that one, last time El Tato explained it, should I do, I mean should I don it AGAIN =)
March 13th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Does anyone here know that if Al fires Kiffin AFTER March 15th he saves himself a boat load of doe?….I would be pissed..but not surprised if something happens after Sat..Just seams funny that every other teams HC had at least a blurb in the paper or internet about their teams FA signings…I have yet to see or hear anything from Kiffin about any of these players…
March 13th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
whats the source on that March 15th date?
March 13th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Why get all worked up about the frigginn´ 4th pick?.
We can´t lose with any of the projected players available and none of use will make the pick.
And as much as we think we know a lot, the research over the last 27 Drafts indicates that 50% of first rounders fail to live up to expectations, says Bill Polian.
So, if the guys who do it for a living are wrong half the time, none of us here should feel 100% about our own projections.
I´m all for debating anything but why get personal?.
So whatever…
March 13th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
its true that a run stuffer is our number one concern…and thus…one would suggest that Dorsey or Ellis would be our first rounder…but I think Gholston or C Long can attack a runner…just as quickly and deftly as a passer..so I would not worry too much there folks…if we go DE in round 1 then DT in round 2 we will be absolutely dominant with our front 7….as long as we also grab a decent run stuffing LB to go with Morrison and Howard…
call me when thats done and I will give you my play-off predictions for “09….hahaha…
March 13th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Beware the Ives of March.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
LMN
Not to worry, most people here have your back.
On the DMac thing, I’m back to thinking there are too many “ifs” with him, and I don’t see it as a position of major need (Even with Fargas injury history, and Rhodes well into his career). But I think that Bush can be the real deal. Bush + Fargas + Rhodes (with Echimnundu as injury insurance, bc the guy does well running with the ZBS), that’s a solid tandem.
So that still leaves me focusing on D line in round one. Either Long or Gholston at DE, playing opposite Burgess, would be a huge upgrade. Does anybody know which of the two is the better run stuffer? I don’t doubt their pass rushing skills.
In round 2, the could either go O line with Sam Baker or D line if Kentwan Balmer (DT- UNC) is still on the board. The #34 pick should net a great player.
Given recent FA upgrades at WR, they could then gamble a bit more in later rounds on some receivers. There certainly isn’t a shortage in this draft. If they do feel the need to grab one in round 2 … why not Early Doucet, or an LSU receiver that Jamarcus has experience and chemistry with?
March 13th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Also, Spitzer got busted by his own software. He implemented it for flagging suspicious transactions. How dumb was that
March 13th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
If Kiffin is fired (which I dont hop nor believe) it will be after the draft, like the deal with Mike Lombardi…
Al does not want Kiffin to go spread his ideas
March 13th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Bob Marley. Good point. And your songs are fabulous too.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Tom,
I know deep down inside you really want to…
DRAFT MCFADDEN!
March 13th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Hey Memo…
have you used the qoute from me about buckets, castle and sandboxes.. did a little rewrite today, but the former was better =)
March 13th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
RaiderDogg
I agree with everything you said except the Scarlett reference. I’m in love with her since I finally saw Lost in Translation about 5 months ago.
Man, that “suck chrome” reference has me afraid of the oral thing now. Painful! lol lol
March 13th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
on that note …I shall go have my ears lowered and see yall later this evening…hope to hear more awesome FA news..although I am pretty convinced that Al Davis is defintely the one running this team…not Kiffin..so..no matter what he decides I am stuck with him…until he croaks…so…lets get him pumped up to sign some more “playmakers” and get this party started…right !!!
Kiffin or Lofton or even Ryan as HC…I dont care anymore…just get the players we need…so that someone…even AL…can coach ‘em up…and get us back to at least 8-8 this year !!!
March 13th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Jeez mod, what did I say that was so bad you had to go and delete that post???
March 13th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
If Packers gets desperate enough, we could land a nice pick for Walter, I still hope he stays, but brunell just signed with saints, he was as I understand it Packers main target to back-up Rogers.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I wonder how many times Eyepatch is going to repeat himself about McFadden running an unofficial 4.27 time in the 40. It’s an impressive run and the official 4.33 is impressive as well. But, it’s just one measurable. You don’t see me sitting here saying over and over again that we should draft Jake Long or Vernon Gholston on the strength of their official 37 reps on the bench press of 225 pounds.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
What!?
Does this mean syria and isreal are friends now?
unknown and RaiderDogg are pals now? NICE I like it!
March 13th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I cannot believe what I have read, there are actually people here that think Trent Dilfer would be a good backup QB for the Raiders…we do not need another stiff. Dilfer is an older more unathletic Andrew Walter.
Please, no more talk of Trent Dilfer. He needed to retire years ago.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I’ll try an edited version:
Dogg, you sure do no a lot about the market value of the women who practice the world’s oldest profession; Why is that? You are right, ruining your life over a woman is pretty silly, especially a costly chick like that. I hope the feds nail that dumb son-of-a-gun just like they nailed Ron Mexico.
DRAFT CHRIS LONG OR MCFADDEN!
AL DAVIS NEEDS TO STEP DOWN etc, etc, etc
GO RAIDERS!
March 13th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
RaiderDogg…
btw you know i’ve been hooked on Trevor Laws, but could he rise to the low end of the 1st? then he’ll be outta reach.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
RaiderFlip…
I suggested him more as an mentor than an actual back-up
March 13th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
JUST SAY NO TO DILFER!
March 13th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Dakota…
you are probably right, I would just like to have a mature role model around Jammy, I think it could do him good, I had hoped Daunte was this guy, but he turned out to be more concerned about himself than the franchise and our future
March 13th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
#824 OUAT – what’s your point with the height/weight of the Hall of Fame RBs? All of those guys have a bulkier weight/height ratio than Skinny McFadden, except for Marcus Allen. And Marcus came into the league 25 years ago, the competition in the NFL was much smaller back then.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
…Which I dont blame him…
March 13th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
TrevJo…
I think that is exactly the point, that Mcfadden lack bulk
March 13th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
No Dilfer, we had a mentor in McCown and Culpepper. There are better “mentor” veteran QBs available that have better talent than Dilfer. Leftwich, Gray, Culpepper (again) Brunnel, just to name a few.
I’d like to see the Raiders take a look at JD Booty or Colt Brennan in the late rounds, as their 3rd or 4th QB.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I hear you LMN, I too wish we had a vet that could show Russell the ropes, just not Dilfer.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Raiderdogg
I also feel very good about the Raiders now. It’s a feeling I haven’t had in a while. The new signings has me inspired although, the deletions are better than the signings. With more deletions to come like lafat jordan and stuart we are on the way to redemption.
The draft hasn’t come yet and I feel we can’t lose. Anyone we take with the 4th pick will be an addition. If anybody wants to trade for the pick that’s also a boon! Times achanging Dogg!! lol
March 13th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Brunell is gone, Leftwich has i heard is a poor teammate when he is not #1, and I’ll hate to see Daunte wearing SnB again it would be sacrilegious, to me.
Gray, yeah I would welcome him as a backup, but as a player not as a mentor, what have he ever experienced? Walter has more starts! Dilfer is perhaps one of the best Administrators to play the game, a QB that lacks the talent but copes with smartness.
Quinn Gray never played in a superbowl… Dilfer has, he won as I recall. htats what Jammy needs on the side.
A smart experienced man, not a backup because god forbid Russell welll start as many games as Favre.
But yeah, we still need a guy just in case, and I dont see Dilfer as that guy. I rather see Quinn Gray or Walter
March 13th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
just trying to stir the pot…get things exciting in here…lol!
March 13th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
come on you commie liberals, show the world you got a pair.
just kidding mod, it is all in good fun.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
well see ya guys, gotta go to security update meeting…
Hope its a brief one =)
March 13th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I’m not sure where I heard that at..NFL network I think…But it could very well be just another false rumor..hopefully it is.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
okay, not in for politics tonight I see…
what about NBA!
GO LAKERS! WARRIORS suck!
March 13th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Go Cubs?????
March 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
fine….I say good day to you!
March 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
BARON DAVIS BABY WE BELIEVE – SHAQ GONNA GET RAN OUT THE GYM TONIGHT
March 13th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
lmn
Where have you been? Oh yeah I forgot. A million miles away. The polotics of the past have changed. The battles with KoolKell and Raiderdogg were epic. The battles with I, Jeremy, and Mosh Pit versus Raiderdogg, Oakglenn, and Dakota were a classic battle-royal.
That’s over with now and we have progressed past that. I’m the leader of change around the world, not Barack Obama! lol
My chant is “We will unite”!!!
R.I.P. KoolKell We miss ya
March 13th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Ever notice that when two real men fight, after beating the crap out of each other they usually end up buying each other a beer and becoming life long friends?
I have much respect for Unknown and KoolKell. Thats my people right there. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The man is right
We Will Unite!
March 13th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Dakota, cracking me up as usual.
‘Night Dogg.
For those sticking around a bit: a real vet with lots of experience would be great as a #3 QB, with Gray or even Walter at #2. I really like the idea of a wiley vet to act as almost player/coach to JR (in addition to his actual QB Coach). So if not Dilfer … what about Gus Frerotte? There seem to be no marquee vet names available. He strikes me as the best of the lot that is available…
March 13th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Unknown
THE REAL RAIDER GATE KEEPER!!!
NOBODY ELSE NEEDS TO APPLY.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
kiffin was in a sirius radio show about 1 month ago, and they asked him what did he liked in this years draft, and he said ” i like that RB from Arkansas,whats his name?” then he laughed
we are picking DMAC or gholston
March 13th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
looks like were getting Dmac than
March 13th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
restricted free agent Chris Myers Center from broncos to visit the Raiders
March 13th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Also the San Francisco Chronicle say if we don’t sign Quinn Gray (which left oakland w/ out a contract) than Culpepper may be back to back up Jamarcus
March 13th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
doe doe, where did you see that
March 13th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
When idiots on this blog say that because Ellis & Dorsey are ranked high, it doesn’t matter what their height is. Well, take a look at these highly ranked guys who were drafted and how they ended up:
In ‘03 4 highly regarded D lineman were drafted with the first 12 picks:
Dewayne Robertson 6′1 317
Johnathan Sullivan 6′3 315 lbs
Kevin Williams 6′5 311 lbs
Jimmy Kennedy 6′4 325 lbs
Accept for Williams, none of these players have played well.
That year the NFL was licking it’s chops at the chances to land one of these college studs.
It’s all a crapshoot. Considering both Ellis & Dorsey are at a disadvantage with their height & weight of 6′ 300 lbs, I don’t think a #4 pick is worth taking a DT considering the money on Sands, Warren, & Kelly.
Take DT Sims in the 2nd!
March 13th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Daniel
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d806a3052&template=with-video&confirm=true
March 13th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
DSM i do think if dorsey didnt have those injury problems, he would be the best player in the draft, he changed the way the other teams (SEC) played against LSU, and he is a force, he will probably b better than Sapp in his prime
March 13th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
CorpRaiderNYC Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Seperately, I am of the belief and will continue to believe that DL is the right move at #4 unless we can find a partner with whom we can trade down. Until we get the run D corrected, we will continue to underperform our peers.
*****
Thank you for this post, CorpRaiderNYC…there are many more of us who see this as our #1 area of concern…I’d love to have DMac, but he doesn’t fit our needs…
March 13th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
chris myers is visiting the texans not the raiders, that is just NFL.com error
March 13th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
NC Raider Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
LMN
Not to worry, most people here have your back.
On the DMac thing, I’m back to thinking there are too many “ifs” with him, and I don’t see it as a position of major need (Even with Fargas injury history, and Rhodes well into his career). But I think that Bush can be the real deal. Bush + Fargas + Rhodes (with Echimnundu as injury insurance, bc the guy does well running with the ZBS), that’s a solid tandem.
So that still leaves me focusing on D line in round one. Either Long or Gholston at DE, playing opposite Burgess, would be a huge upgrade. Does anybody know which of the two is the better run stuffer? I don’t doubt their pass rushing skills.
*****
Here’s to another member of the Nation seeing our #1 area of concern…
March 13th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Raider Fan N Milwaukee Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Way to go Raiders!!!
Nice job Al & front office!!
Now draft Gholston, Ellis or Dorsey, because long will be gone.
*****
Number #3 and counting…
March 13th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Thanks for catching that
March 13th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
tom flores Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
its true that a run stuffer is our number one concern…and thus…one would suggest that Dorsey or Ellis would be our first rounder…but I think Gholston or C Long can attack a runner…just as quickly and deftly as a passer..so I would not worry too much there folks…if we go DE in round 1 then DT in round 2 we will be absolutely dominant with our front 7….as long as we also grab a decent run stuffing LB to go with Morrison and Howard…
*****
Yet another one who sees the DLine as the area to draft…
March 13th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Any update on Kevin Carter?
March 13th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
lefty 12 Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
DesertRaider-btw,got back from spring training monday.it was a blast.it’ll be a yearly trip from now on.sorry for being off topic,just had to get that in.
*****
Glad you had a good time…I was planning on going this weekend, but no dice…yes, the Phoenix valley is great this time of the year, especially to catch a ballgame…GO GIANTS AND GO A’S!!!
March 13th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Read throught the afternoon. Great topics of discussion. From here to there to anywhere with regards to ‘da futah of da Raidahs’ as Linds Rukas might put it.
La Milicia Negra, hang in man, you’re here in the Nation.
Blackholepriest, not around I see, even here all is quiet on some topics. Excellent.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
And Lefty12, thanks for post 695
March 13th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
all the DMAC haters lol…..when he runs 1,800 + yds for the raiders or any other team, you will say you wanted him to be a raider
March 13th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
i pay those millions for 600 more yards and 8 more TDs than fargas every year
March 13th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Off topic….
I have been thinking about this for a while and now that Sunsquist said: ”ask Mike” when he questioned about his firing, I looked some stuff up.
So, we have the Coach, who has been the actual GM for years, firing the ”GM” after a long list of Draft blunders such as:
Deltha O´Neal, Chris Cole, Willie Middlebrooks, Dorsett Davis, Paul Toviessi, Ashley Lelie, George Foster, Terry Pierce, Tatum Bell, Jeremy LeSeur, Darius Watts, Maurice Clarett, Karl Paymah.
That´s 13 players, all taken in the first 3 rounds over the last 6 years, none of them is a starter and most of them are not even in the team anymore.
Not to mention last years decision to trade 3 picks, their 6th and 7th of that Draft, plus 2008´s 3rd rounder for a 4th rounder so they could grab Marcus Thomas, a head case recently arrested for cocaine possesion.
Seems like a rather dysfunctional organization to me, yet no one dares to question Shanahan´s greatness on the national media, I do know more and more people in Denver do.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
So…would the Nation prefer we continue to allow LT (and scrubs like Chester Taylor) put up career / season high numbers on us while having a potential home run hitter like DMac…or…
…use our ZBS to make Fargas and Rhodes 1,000 yrd rushers AND have a DLine that can slow down / stop runners…maybe even get into the top ten against the run…
March 13th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
By the way, compared to that list of Denver draftees…
Porter, Jano, Nnamdi, Brayton, Fargas, Gallery, Grove, Stu, Fabian, Routt, Walter, Morrison, Howard, Huff and McQuistan seems like an all-pro team.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
well the lions have officially released Kalimba Edwards, the DE we trried to land a season ago. would be used as much younger depth than kevin carter. I say we trade down and take clady in the 1st, a zone-blocker and much better fit for oakland than long. great signing on drew carter btw, i wont get too excited untill they all show me something this season
March 13th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
You’re right DesertRaider, but we need a bonafide homerun hitter. Who would you rather have: Tomlinson or Jamal williams at his best. I’m sure you would take the former.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. preaches that he follows the righteous path, but when it comes to the federal tax law, his Trinity United Church of Christ may have crossed the line.
“Barack knows what it means living in a country and a culture that is controlled by rich white people,” Wright said. “Hillary would never know that.
“Hillary ain’t never been called a nigger. Hillary has never had a people defined as a non-person.”
In his Jan. 13 sermon, Wright said:
“Hillary is married to Bill, and Bill has been good to us. No he ain’t! Bill did us, just like he did Monica Lewinsky. He was riding dirty.”
“We are deeply involved in the importing of drugs, the exporting of guns and the training of professional killers. … We believe in white supremacy and black inferiority and believe it more than we believe in God. … We conducted radiation experiments on our own people. … We care nothing about human life if the ends justify the means.
“And … And … And! God! Has got! To be sick! Of this shit!”
March 13th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
DesertRaider…
How about DMAC and the best available DT at 34th?…would a Pat Sims, Red Bryant, Dre Moore or whoever is there be such a dramatic downgrade from Ellis-Dorsey? considering the 12 million or so difference in salaries?.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Not necessarily…you can without a home run hitter, but YOU WILL NEVER WIN UNLESS YOU CAN STOP THE RUN.
Again, for the record…I like DMac, and what he could bring to the Raiders, but he doesn’t address A NEED…
we need to stop the run, or like I said before, get used to 4-6 win seasons…
March 13th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Let’s say we go Chris Long/Vernon Gholston in round 1 -What pos do we go in round #2?? WR DT LB???
March 13th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Let’s not talk about politics’ & religion it could offend someone & we are all on the same team THE RAIDERS!!!
March 13th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
or OT I forgot to add
March 13th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
DesertRaider
We all know that.
But you can´t do it all in one offseason, maybe you take the best weapon available in McFadden and you start to create some chemistry on offense next year with Russell and his new set of teamates.
The following season, with Ryan possibly gone after his contract expires and an explosive offense (hopefully), then you go all-out to solidify that Defense once and for all.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Bob Marley…
THAT IS THE 64 BILLION (not thousand, it is 2008, have to adjust for inflation–LOL) DOLLAR QUESTION…
I’m of the opinion that if the players that you mentioned were close (again, very subjective) enough in talent to Dorsey / Ellis, then they would have been ranked MUCH HIGHER…I’m clearly no draft expert, but guys like Mel Kiper, Mike Mayock, and others get paid to watch football, so I have to believe that Dorsey and Ellis are ranked so high because THEY’RE THAT MUCH BETTER…
Would paying an extra 12 million or so be the difference between a 4-6 win season and a 7-9 season? If it is, then I say SPEND THE MONEY…
Give the kids a few years together, and we could seriously see our team back in the playoffs in ‘09 or ‘10.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Bob M
Don’t start complicating things around here.
We are the only dysfunctional team, we have the 300lb Qb, we have signed and over paid the FA’S, we are the only team with any problems.
So how can you bring up Denver and the great maverick genius, Mike Shanahan, how dare you question the media!
for not reporting facts , they only report news that creates more news, nonsense.
It’s more fun bashing the Raiders.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
desert—-I remember 2006 draft , bears 2 rd pick, devin hester didnt adress a need, they took the best player available, and look what hes done!!! i mean DMAC could go # 1 but miami, STL, and ATL dont need a RB, we dont need it, but it would be an upgrade , HUGE ONE!!!!
March 13th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
You’re right Bob Marley. Perhaps taking D-Mac would be the best idea, then taking a tackle in the 2nd round. I doubt that either of the premier tackles will be worth the money they will command, while other lower graded tackles may turn out to be a much better investment. I’m worried about they’re relatively short stature. I don’t think they will be able to dominate the way they did in college. They’re are just too many good big strong O-Linemen in the league. I would prefer a bigger less polished draftee at a much cheaper price. If D-Mac turns out to be a star, just think about free agency NEXT year. We’re already doing a great job in attracting talent this year with what we have, contadicting all of the mediots that predicted otherwise.
Also, run support from our linebackers and DE’s was part of the problem. They can’t always blame the DT’s. Maybe Josh Shipp and the guy from Oklahoma State will step it up this year. Kiffin thought they were O.K. if unspectacular.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
i think we are grabing SAM BAKER in round 2, he would be a steal, big one!!
March 13th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
DesertRaider…
I agree, we can only speculate about how big or small the dropoff really is. And it´s not about the money either as salaries go according to the spot, so the 4th pick will command roughly the same money wether it´s a kicker or a WR.
But hey… if one of your guys can make a 3 to 4 win difference from the DT position, then by all means take him and pay him whatever he asks for. I´m sorry but neither Ellis nor Dorsey are capable of that, in fact, few if any DT´s are.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Dell
Sorry about that, I don´t know what I was thinking.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
i would like to see us pick Anthony Collins of Kansas ahead of Baker in round 2 if they go with a LT. Collins fits better in the ZBS system and he has longer arms than Baker.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
the question isnt whether Pat Sims and Red Bryant are as talented as Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis, it is whether they can stop the run as well. Well I say that Red Bryant, Pat Sims, and Dre Moore can all stop the run better than Dorsey or Ellis.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
dark. they RUN the ZBS at USC and Kiffin knows him, and he is a 2 time all american!!! but he will drop to the 2 round because of the system, at the begining of the year he was a top 10 pick, but he fell because of the teams that need a LT dont run the system or they are high on some other LT or player
March 13th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
you dont need long arms in the ZBS
March 13th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
The Raiders need a playmaker on offense, that also returns kicks and punts, there is no denying that. McFadden, Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles, DeSean Jackson or Robert Jordan perhaps. The Raiders are looking at these guys fa show, despite the fact that RB isn’t a “need”.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
who cares if DMAC ois not a need, its an upgrade!!! UPGRADE!!!! we could not score inside the red zone with our RB, he can either take it to the house 80 yds or score from 5 yds, for th people that say we should grab chris johnson in later rounds, you are crazy, have you seen DMAC stiffarm!!! and he has the best vision in the draft, that why you take him, not just because you think al loves speed, oh yes, he played in a 2 back system, but he can carry the load, believe me
March 13th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Can not go wrong with pick #4 doesn’t matter who we get!! In round 2 depending what is are 1st pick I like DT Pat Sims or DE Phillip Merling OT Jeff Otah or OT Sam Baker& OT Chris Williams or WR Mario Manningham WR Devin Thomas WR Jordy Nelson WR I BElive we still need a SLB & Curtis Lofton is are guy in less we wait until next year & get James Laurinaits the real deal!!! Also Jolonn Dunbar is the kind of aggressive LB I like!
March 13th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Agree with Silver Blood and BART…
Just to get the facts straight in case anyone cares, the Denver and Oakland Draftees were all in the first 3 rounds from 00 to 06, not the last 6 years, I didn´t include last year´s Draft which, by the way, is a lock that we´ll come out on top after a couple of years.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Anybody think Parcells win trade Jason Taylor & the first to Al & the 4th +someone they need? Al picks c. Long because you know he will, he Al.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
the second round is critical, since we don’t have a 3rd rounder. I am thinking we are gonna grab a lineman for sure. Merling, Baker, Sims, Bryant, Laws, maybe Jackson from USC. There is also a good opportunity for Kiffin to trade down in the second for some additional picks.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
just heard that Danny Clark signed with the giants, so that puts an end to anyone hoping to see the run stuffer coming back.
-WR
March 13th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
SAM BAKER in the 2nd
March 13th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
DT Pat Sims in the 2nd, LT Cousins in the 4th.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Maybe we can get Carolina to send us a 3rd round draft pick for Chris Carr, who is said to have visited there.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
1 round mcfadden
2 round gholston
4 round long
6 round dorsey
7 round best player available
hahahaha, i said it first !!!! lol
March 13th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
raidenroid, u crazy???? they would not even give you a 6th rounder for a 4th stringer lol
March 13th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
1. DMac
2. Pat Sims
4. Cousins
Those three could all provide immediate help!!
March 13th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
He does have kick returning ability:)
March 13th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
he runs as fast as he can, he is the all time leader in return yeards because hes been the longest time as a returnman, and he runs straight to the tackle, no vision at all, just straight speed, i mean , 4 years or 5 returning kicks,