Tom Cable on the draft
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 at 1:09 pm in Oakland Raiders.
A transcript of Tom Cable’s press briefing Tuesday regarding the Raiders and the NFL draft:
Cable: All right, let’s talk, what do you got?
Q: Who are you going to pick?
Cable: I don’t know. There’s a lot of choices. Really good choices. This is an exciting time for us because we have a chance to make our team better, so there’s a lot to choose from We can go a lot of different ways. I think that’s a good thing, in that we’ve got about three or four real needs that we need to address, so we’ll kind of sort it all out and see what we do with it.
Q: Being at 7, there will be guys projected to go high like Crabtree, Raji, who had things that, their stock has dropped or there are some red flags, does that help that top three talent could be available to you?
Cable: You know, it might. A lot of that, though, is really speculation, none of those things are really real other than maybe the injury to Crabtree, so some of those other things, you know, they are what they are, but when you really dig down and look at it, they’re probably OK. They’re probably OK in the way that they’re evaluated and the way everybody sees them.
Q: Think that was the case with Darren McFadden last year, why he was there at No. 4?
Cable: No, if you look at the draft last year, it’s probably about right, it’s about right, and where the first back would go this year would probably be somewhere in the same area, so it’s about right.
Q: Are you getting a lot of action or attention at No. 7?
Cable: We hear a lot of things. We hear about players. We hear about where we’re positioned. So there’s a lot of things go on. It’s really an interesting time, in that there’s so much involved with that pick. You just kind of listen to everything and see what happens.
Q: Assistants have always been involved in the talent evaluation process, but now as head coach how have things changed for you?
Cable: It’s the same. We’re all doing it. The staff has been great. The scouting department has been phenomenal. Jon Kingdon and his his crew has been outstanding. The thing I’ve probably noticed more this time around than before is how much we’re all in this on the same page, and we see things a lot the same way. Maybe that’s a product of being around each other awhile longer, and them knowing me, and all that, but the staff has done well. I think we have this thing pretty well evaluated, and it’s just a matter of seeing how it sorts out, and what’s best for us.
Q: But in terms of strategy, who is selected, whether you trade up or down, I imagine there is a level of that kind of strategy you’re involved in that you weren’t before . . .
Cable: It is, and you’ve really got to look at, what’s the best thing for us at seven? Is it to stay there, is it to move. What’s the best thing in terms of, is the right player there? Is he not? Do you move back? Do you get more picks? All those things. So that part is kind of exciting for me.
Q: If Raiders have moved back with first round, I can’t recall it . . .
Cable: I don’t think there’s a lot of history to that, yeah. I’ve looked at that myself.
Q: But that’s an option . . .
Cable: It has to be. Has to be, based on what’s in the draft this year, for this year, 2009, and the types of players that are there, where the strength of the draft is, all that. I think you have to consider that.
Q: Has what you done in free agency altered your thinking?
Cable: It has altered it, because we did some things on purpose. We did the trade for Satele, the signing of Pears and Khalif Barnes. I think those three guys probably helped do some things. But as I mentioned before, the last time I spoke with you, the strength of this draft may be at the tackle position.
Q: See a guy who fits what you do at the tackle spot?
Cable: There’s four of them. There’s four of them that are outstanding at that position. Outstanding.
Q: You said three or four needs, elaborate?
Cable: I’m not ready to do that yet. I’m going to be specific as we get closer to the draft and kind of dial that in.
Q: How does your line shape up at this point heading in to the draft?
Cable: I think it’s in the right spot. Maybe needs another guy. That potentially could be at that tackle spot. We’ll just wait and see.
Q: Al said he wanted to add power to the zone blocking scheme . . . what does that mean?
Cable: Michael Bush. A little stronger, maybe, I don’t know. Power to the zone blocking scheme . . . maybe just have a little more consistency, like the Tampa and Houston game there, I’m not sure.
Q: Would it in any way mean drafting a bigger lineman, or at all adjusting what you do?
Cable: Oh, no. No. For one guy, you’re changing 10 others. You would never do that.
Q: Is there enough Crabtree on film to ignore the lack of 40 time?
Cable: Yeah, he’s on film, he’s all over the place. He’s a great player, he is, he’s a great player so I think just looking at your normal evaluation of tape, of what he’s done throughout his career, there’s plenty to see. You know who that guy is.
Q: Even healthy, Crabtree might not have posted an elite time?
Cable: Probably not.
Q: Any room for a guy like that in this offense?
Cable: At the end of the day, it’s about touchdowns and production and if you look at that, there’s probably nobody better, you know? Nobody better.
Q: Jeremy Maclin remind you of Higgins?
Cable: I don’t know. I haven’t really looked at it that way. I haven’t compared them like that yet. Now I’m going to do that next week, OK, as we get closer but it’s not time to do that. It’s really time just to prioritize where they’re at by position, who you think the best player is down to whatever and then we’ll get down to what we need specifically next week and do the comparison.
Q: Upgrade in run defense at year’s end, but really soft overall, do you look real hard at the draft to address that or already have the players in place who need better schemes?
Cable: Well I think it’s all three things. I think you got to look at your scheme, you got to look at how you’re coaching it and you got to look at your players and does the draft help any or all of those? Maybe. Do you have enough to do it with here? Yeah, I think so. We gotta clean some things up how we teach it within the scheme. But certainly you want to add and make your team better every chance you can.
Q: How concerned with lack of depth at safety?
Cable: Well it’s a concern. Maybe that’s one of those priorities I mentioned earlier. As we get going into that, we kind of know what our team is and you’ve got to know what the draft is and how’s the draft fit your team, or how your team fits into the draft, and that’s what I think next week’s gotta be about.
Q: Lost two fullbacks last year, Griffith and O’Neal. O’Neal was coming along slower. How is he now and do you expect him for training camp?
Cable: I think the hope is he’ll be ready to start at training camp. He is progressing. Because of the type of injury and everything, there is good days and bad days but he is getting better and it is progressing so I think the plan is still at training camp we’re ready to go.
Q: Is Javon Walker been here and how is he doing?
Cable: He is working. He is not here but he is working and he is healthy, cleared, good to go, for sure.
Q: Schilens and Higgins play change your draft plan?
Cable: It could. You’ve got two young guys who made some plays there at the end that kind of has you excited and do you add to that, do you have enough with those two plus who you have on your team? It’s exciting to think about what those two did and what they’re capable of as they get better and mature so it’s just a matter of do you need more and how do you need it.
Q: What is Jeff Garcia’s role?
Cable: To be very clear in his role, his role is to come in and be a backup that you can go in with that, if necessary, he plays and then second I think it’s important that you have a guy that’s a pro in there that’s really been through a lot. You think about his career, going to Canada, coming back to the NFL, going to the Pro Bowl, being in the playoffs, doing all that. So he’s seen a lot, done a lot and I’m hoping, my goal was, that he would create an environment in that room with JaMarcus to kind of take him where we’re trying to go. I think his role is pretty well laid out and if the opportunity comes to that we have to have him and he’s got to go in and play, you feel good that he can go in there and win for you.
Q: Work ethic a consideration . . .
Cable: Mmm-mm, all those things, he’s a pro, he really is. He understand what it means to be a starting quarterback in the National Football League. He’s done it. He’s had some failures, had success, had a lot of stuff in between so I think this will be a great tool for JaMarcus to grow from.
Q: Lot of interaction between the two at quarterback school?
Cable: Those guys have been going at it. Jeff is such a competitive guy, and going at it with JaMarcus and JaMarcus is taking to it and it’s been everything I’ve wanted it to be so far.
Q: Would you term Garcia a `mentor?’
Cable: Why not? You know, why not? I think that’s a good way to look at it, in many ways.”
Q: Would the dynamic of the offense change if Garcia were in there?
Cable: Not really. I mean, maybe you run more keepers, naked or boot with him because of that. But I don’t think you can change, you can’t have two separate schemes in. You got 10 other guys you gotta worry about.
Q: Is getting Russell help the theme of this draft?
Cable: I think the theme of this draft is to make this football team better. We’ve got enough issues on both sides of the ball that have to be addressed. I think we’ve done some of that. But at the same time you’ve gotta make sure we take care of this football team, and so we’ll do that. Next week we’ll really dial it in.
Q: Did you sign Khalif Barnes expecting him to start?
Cable: I signed him expecting him to compete. Mario did a great job at the end there. And Mario Henderson ain’t going away, and that’s a good thing for our football team.
Q: What have you learned about the players you’ve had in for visits?
Cable: You learn a lot about who they are, I guess is the best way to look at it. That’s what I’m trying to do is, build a team that can be good for a while, a team that can do it right, as you’ve heard me say, and take care of the little things the way you’re supposed to do on a day-to-day basis. So I’ve tried to learn about those kinds of things from these guys as they come to visit. You know, you find out interesting things when you kind of get ‘em away from the combine and get ‘em away from the agents, so to speak, and just get ‘em relaxed and talking with you one on one, and just picking their brain, see what they know football-wise and those kinds of things. So it’s been good.
Q: Have you had any of the consensus top 10 guys here?
Cable: We’ve had a number of guys, and we’ll continue to have a number of guys. I’m not gonna go into who we brought in or any of that stuff.
Q: What were you trying to communicate when you talked about JaMarcus at the owners’ meetings?
Cable:That he has to embrace being a starting quarterback in the National Football League. It’s like you and your house. You’re the head of the household. And he has to be, as the face of the organization, he has to accept the responsibility that comes with that. So to compare to being the head of the household, I think is pretty fair. That’s a huge responsibility, regardless of what your age is, where you’ve come from or this or that. If you’re gonna be that, you’ve got to embrace it. And he’s doing that. And I think it was just to reassure him, hey, I see that in you but you gotta keep doing it. You gotta do it all. You gotta do the full circle, if you will.
Q: And have you seen more from him since?
Cable: Oh, yeah, absolutely. That’s the part of it I’m excited about right now. He’s doing everything you’d want and then some. So we just gotta keep him on that course.
Q: How’s his ankle doing?
Cable: He’s good. There’s no issues. He’s training, running, doing his drill work, everything that you’d normally be doing. No issue.
Q: You’re allowed an extra minicamp. Will you use it?
Cable: I’m actually doing some things different for a reason. Our strength program is so right for this football team, meaning we’re getting stronger and bigger. I like the games we had last year, I like what we’ve done thus far this year, so I don’t want to take away from that and take time off for that. The other thing is, I’m having a quarterbacks school. That’s the most important thing on this football team, is getting the quarterback position to a level which we can succeed at. So I think that’s far more important. I like where we’re at training. I don’t want to mess with that at all. We’ve had tremendous, tremendous attendance. And then we’ll go ahead and have our minicamp and get with OTAs and all that after the draft.
Q: Has even Derrick Burgess been around?
Cable: We’ve had a lot of players here. I think we’re at like 88 percent or something. Who’s been here and who’s not, I don’t want to talk about that cause it’s not an issue. They’ve all been around somewhere, somehow, but consistency-wise, some have been here more than others. Most of this team has been here every day.
Q: Have all of your QBs been at quarterback school?
Cable: No.
Q: Which coaches are taking part in the QB school?
Cable: we all do. We all have a part in it.
Q: your thoughts on Andrew?
Cable: wait and see and see where he’s going to compete and fit on this football team and all those things that go with trying to earn a job in the NFL. He’s got an opportunity just like everybody else.
Q: Has he said he wants to be a Raider?
Cable: I really haven’t had discussions with him about that. He’s a Raider. That’s the way I’ve looked at it.
Q: What are some of the things you’re doing in QB school?
Cable: I don’t want to talk about that.
Q: Does Crabtree playing with the stress fracture show take away concern about the injury?
Cable: Sure it does. He’s a good player. Flat out, that guy’s good. A good player.
Q: how do you weigh talent vs. a compelling personal story, like Michael Oher, for example?
Cable: No, I know the background very well. Some of those things, at the end of the day, it’s still about can this guy help you be a championship team. Sometimes all that other stuff is good, sometimes it’s bad. But I don’t think that’s any part of it until you know who the player is talent wise and what he brings to the table as a football player. Then you start to find out who brings those extra things. those things the kind of salt to the earth things if you will. Or who maybe strikes themselves out based on their past.
Q: and if two guys are equal maybe that can give a guy an edge?
Cable: I think we’re all that way. Yeah, I think all coaches are similar that way.
Q: do all the things the guys did in college get lost since they haven’t played in months?
Cable: You’ve got to keep it real. You really do. You’ve got to keep it to who they are as football players. The level of talent they played, who they played against, and being able to compare players that way because you do get into this. A l ot of meetings and interviews. They sit down with a reporter this week and do that then they go on some blog and do this and then their agent and do that. Then pretty soon that doesn’t have to do with anything. It’s still about, like you said, who is this player, what is this player and you’ve got to really keep that real.
Q: Your opinion on a rookie wage scale?
Cable: I’m not involved in any of that….happily.
Q: how has this team improved without the big-name signings?
Cable: First of all I didn’t think you need to take this football team and add some names or high salaries to it. You needed to get the core re-signed. Like a lechler, like an Asomugha, like a Chris Johnson and a Cooper Carlisle. Those guys to me were really important. Tony Stewart. Maybe he doesn’t have a huge role but he’s got a big role in that locker room and on this football team. Certainly getting three offensive linemen added to that group helped us in a big way. Getting Ryan boschetti signed, gives us another depth guy at the defensive tackle spot. And another guy that I’m familiar with because I came into UCLA as he was leaving so I’m familiar with him and what he brings to the table. So those things were important. And that for me, and you guys are getting to know me, that far outweighs signing some name or some big salary because that didn’t do a damn thing for us. This team needed to be taken care of from inside out and then add to it through the draft and so forth.
Q: Thoughts on opening with San Diego?
Cable: That’s perfect for us. That’s perfect. That’s perfect. That’s where it should be for us. We need that game. We need San Diego to come in here, we need to do it at night so everybody can watch us. We won the last two games we played in that mattered. It’s a great time for it. They’re a great football team. They’ll have Merriman back, they’ll have LT, everybody will be fresh and ready to go. It’s perfect for us. We need that right away.
Q: So you eagerly anticipate the schedule release?
Cable: I do because you want to kind of look at it and see how it all kind of fits together, where you’re going to travel, maybe some of your planning as the season goes, part of maybe that last couple weeks of camp and those sort of things. If you’re going to do a bunch of traveling right after that San Diego game maybe you want to pull back a little bit or whatever that is. There’s no question that the teams that get started usually are the freshest teams, then the teams that really get a second wind come Thanksgiving, they’re the ones that if you look at the history of this thing, typically are your playoff teams and do something in January. You’re trying to position yourself to do that. You have to start preparing to do those things.
Q: Have you seen it yet?
Cable: No. I know we play San Diego that first one and then Dallas at Thanksgiving. That’s what I know.
Q: Does it help to have all four preseason games and opener on West Coast?
Cable: You mean the preseason and the … I think it’s fine. I think it’s fine. We traveled enough. You think about last year’s travel, it’s amazing. I think we’ve done that enough. We have to go to where … New York, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Houston. That’s not bad compared to the really six East Coast trips we made l ast year. That’s a pretty good deal.
Q: Can you compete with Chargers with only adding five draft picks?
Cable: I do. I do. First of all I know what specific players we need and I’m hoping that the draft shows that to me in the next two weeks and as we get through all these meetings. I know exactly what we need to beat those guys and where we need to be to have a chance to compete in the division. Hopefully the draft will bring that to us.
Q: Can you single in on one guy at No. 7 like you did in past two years or is it too difficult?
Cable: I think it is. Because of what can happen in front of you. You’re kind of sitting right there where if you start moving around or whatever it may really help you or it may not help you to do that either. There’s enough that could happen in front of you that could change that mind-set. I don’t know that this team could say, ‘You have to have this right now.’ I think it’s a matter of what’s the best thing for us at No. 7 if that’s where we stay.
Q: Have you narrowed down to few players?
Cable: Four spots. I’m not going share them with you either. But I know we need one of four guys.
Q: Anyone changing positions?
Cable: One thing we have tried to do is to just get into our team and really know it. We started out doing that right away. As we got through the combine and all those things, we went back and looked at our team one more team before we started this actual draft process. I think we’re pretty secure that way in terms of knowing who we are and what we are. We like what we’ve added and know we need about four spots to come to us here and if they do we feel like we have a shot.
Q: Any spot for Huff on this team?
Cable: I think so. Everybody here gets the opportunity to compete. Michael is a talented, talented player. You hope that he’ll put his best forward and go for it. I think he will. Knowing him, I think he will.
Q: Are you looking forward to getting your hands on a high-profile offensive lineman?
Cable: If that’s the best thing for us, absolutely. Absolutely. I’ve never had one like that, so, yeah. There’s a part of me that would say, ‘Yeah.’ At the same time, is that what this team has to have right now? I don’t know. I’ll know next week.
Q: Do you get more excited breaking down film of offensive linemen?
Cable: Oh, yeah, especially, like I said, there’s four legitimate guys that can play for anybody, regardle ss of what your scheme is and probably all four can play left tackle. It’s a luxury if ever there’s been one, and I don’t know if there has ever been that many good ones in the first round like that. But there is this year. There has always been a number of first-round picks, don’t get me wrong, but some were right, some were left. These four guys probably can play left.
Q: Doesn’t this system allow you to find someone in the later rounds who can fit?
Cable: “Yeah, but remember your question was to get one of those Cadillacs.
Q: Is Andre Smith one of the four O-linemen you’re talking about?
Cable: “Absolutely. He’s a dynamite player. Dynamite.
Q: Does Russell understand Garcia’s signing isn’t a threat to his status?
Cable: Oh, absolutely. It wasn’t a matter of where I went to him and talked to him about it. It was a matter of explaining, this is what we’re planning to do and we want you to be aware of it. This is what you need to take from it. JaMarcus is a pretty smart kid, now, so he understands that and, as I mentioned, he has embraced it and so I like where we’re headed.
Q: How has the new coaching staff come together?
Cable: Thus far, I would say I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s better than I thought, for a couple reasons. One, the way they have all fit together offensively and defensively. Second, my want and desire was to hire good teachers, as I mentioned, and to go out and watch these guys teach on the field. Great detail. If you ask the players; and that’s really where I have gotten my feedback from, is to hear our linebackers talk about Mike Haluchak or to hear the defensive linemen talk about Dwaine Board or hear the receivers talk about Sanjay Lal. All those things, just the feedback I’m getting from the players has been very positive. So, I’m really pleasantly surprised that it’s come together. Well, now, there’s a lot of work to do still. So, let’s just stay the course.
Q: How much have you changed the offense during the offseason?
Cable: “There’s been some change. How much? That’s probably for another day. There has been change. It has been good change. My focus right now is just on the strength and the speed and athleticism of this football team.
Q: Nice that the dysfunction is somewhere else, like Denver?
Cable: (Laughter). It’s someone else, huh? Yeah, you heard it. I visited with Josh at the (owners’) meetings, we talked about it just briefly. That’s not my issue. I’m glad it was someone else dealing some of that stuff and not us.
Q: Does that help out the Raiders?
Cable: “We’ll see. Any time a team loses its starting quarterback, it’s definitely difficult. But we’ll see.
Q: What will John Marshall’s defense look like compared to Rob Ryan’s?
Cable: There will be a lot of similarity. Hopefully, we’ll just be maybe a little more fundamentally sound, a little more structured.
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April 14th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Program Alert: History of the Oakland Raiders on the NFLN this afternoon…
April 14th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
didnt think so thanks LmN…
I think having a chance to draft a superstar “status” WR at 7 is a great oppertunity…Hear me out, I understand that Russel & CO will not beable to preform w/o adiquit line protection, nor will the D get any better till we learn to stop the run…But taking crabbs at 7 “if he’s even there” would make sense it sets up our big 6 for years ” Miller, Russell, Dmac, Bush, Crabbs, JLH……We can build this line with the help of Line Guru Cable “remember thats how he has always earned his livin’” in later rounds 2-7 and we can load our D-fense by looking at tough footballers like brace and some of the 3-5 round safties and DL we have been ranting about…Heck maybe even give up next years 1st for a guy like Peppers….All I’m gettin at is you think the portland trail blazer were happy with takink sam bowie over Jordan because they had Drexler..No So I say Take the man only Back to Back Freddy B Award winner EVER!!!!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Q: Think that was the case with Darren McFadden last year, why he was there at No. 4?
Cable: No, if you look at the draft last year, it’s probably about right, it’s about right, and where the first back would go this year would probably be somewhere in the same area, so it’s about right.
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Schit, if he really believes that a RB is going somewhere in the top five or six picks, and he has any say in the draft, we are screwed, lol.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Dakota… I hope like hell somebody takes a running back in the top 5. We don’t need one, and it just drops down one more player at a position of need for us to choose from.
If Detroit takes Stafford and Cleveland (or Cincinnati)takes Beanie Wells we’ll be sitting pretty at #7.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
There’s four of them. There’s four of them that are outstanding at that position. Outstanding.
Maybe needs another guy. That potentially could be at that tackle spot. We’ll just wait and see.
Four spots. I’m not going share them with you either. But I know we need one of four guys.
Oh, yeah, especially, like I said, there’s four legitimate guys that can play for anybody, regardle ss of what your scheme is and probably all four can play left tackle. It’s a luxury if ever there’s been one, and I don’t know if there has ever been that many good ones in the first round like that. But there is this year. There has always been a number of first-round picks, don’t get me wrong, but some were right, some were left. These four guys probably can play left.
Q: Are you looking forward to getting your hands on a high-profile offensive lineman?
Cable: If that’s the best thing for us, absolutely. Absolutely. I’ve never had one like that, so, yeah. There’s a part of me that would say, ‘Yeah.’
Yeah, but remember your question was to get one of those Cadillacs.
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Sorry for all the copy and past but ummm I CAN “READ BETWEEN” THE LINES
April 14th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
At No7 the Oakland Raiders draft……Andre Smith.
Its a lock.
Smith is a “dynamite player. Dynamite.” – said Tom Cable.
Start Andre at RT, tone him up and then move him to LT. Just dynamite.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
O-line for ‘09
April 14th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
draft Mack
April 14th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Our 4 OTs will be Andre Smith, Henderson, Barnes and Pears.
The next question is whether we draft a Center or a Guard or someone who can play both.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Mack for ‘09
April 14th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
If, the Coaching gig doesn’t work out, then Cable should get into politics, or public relations.
Dude, can talk a lot, without saying anything.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
If anyone has any thoughts of trading, or think we should, or even entertain the thought of trading Michael Bush, I ask you just to go watch the Raiders v. Bucs highlights again. Then re-think your thought.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
We aren’t taking Alex Mack. He will go between 20 and 35 – and we don’t have a pick in those numbers.
Sorry Cal-lovers but your boy is going to be wearing silver and black. I see him going to the Steelers at No32.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
It didn’t sound very promising, for a certain Mom’s son.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Sorry…too excited watching Chelsea Vs Liverpool
Black and Yellow….Alex Mack will be drafted by the Steelers.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Interesting comments about the defense. He doesn’t seem to be ruling out bringing in anyone, but stresses that the problem seems to have been coaching to the scheme, and fundamentals.
That would fall on Rob Ryan, in my opinion. I’m really looking forward to see how the defense responds to a real 4-3 coach and his staff.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I haven’t been on this site in a while, glad to see it requires registration now. How is it working out? Did it get rid of the morons?
April 14th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
909… that’s pretty funny. I was thinking the same thing. He must have made a clandestine visit to the Bill Belichek School of Media Double-Speak.
At least he did narrow it down to four players.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
And he confirmed that Safety is a real concern. I think it very likely that either our 3rd or 4th rounder is used on a SS.
If Cable has identified four key area, three must be OT, WR and SS. What is the 4th? Center, FB, DE or maybe another TE?
April 14th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Zzzzzz….
April 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Dude, can talk a lot, without saying anything.
He said alot
re: post 5
we will be taking a Tackle at 7 or that was the biggest im to dumb to remember that, I said I wasnt going to say any of that act Ive ever seen I think he duped him self into our awnser….
I still hope we look at CrABBS….
April 14th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I like Oakglenn’s call for Smith from Utah in the second round. Might be the best safety in the draft. Of course if we draft Crabtree in the first and a safety in the second, some people’s heads on here might explode.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I think it very likely that either our 3rd or 4th rounder is used on a SS.
Chung in the 3rd……
This kid is GOOD…..
That leaves our first two picks two bolster up the trenches or take a look at Crabby-patty….
April 14th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Interesting he didn’t mention sheilds when asked about young WR’s. Kiff brought up Bush when asked about not taking a RB b4 last years draft maybe to throw people off or bcuz he really didn’t want to go RB.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
To translate everything Cable said about the draft in that interview:
“You’re asking the wrong person.”
April 14th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Hopefully the 4th is LB cuz Ricky Brown aint the guy
April 14th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Dakota, thanks for the program alert. The History of the Oakland Raiders. I have the DVD. I’ll probably watch it, along with tapes of old games from the Gruden and Flores years, in leau of watching us lose this year. That’s pretty much my routine every year when the team tanks.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
The Real MaddenRaider Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
To translate everything Cable said about the draft in that interview:
“You’re asking the wrong person.”
**************************************
LMAFO I’m still in the office….I just had to explain to sombody why i was laughing!!!!!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Jerry, you’d might as well interview any of us about the Raiders’ draft, too. Because Cable has about as much say so as we do. That’s all the Raiders’ head coach is pretty much, anyway. A fan.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Scottish Raider Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
And he confirmed that Safety is a real concern. I think it very likely that either our 3rd or 4th rounder is used on a SS.
If Cable has identified four key area, three must be OT, WR and SS. What is the 4th? Center, FB, DE or maybe another TE?
—————————————–
1st – MLB
2nd – DT
3rd – SS
4th – TE (blocking)
This is my area of need, not projected round to draft them in.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
What about Smith and Smith…and maybe Antone Smith in the 3rd, De Angelo Smith in the 4th and George Smith in the 7th.
Smith, Smith, Smith, Smith and Smith.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Later Nation
Good luck MR Draft talk is heating up and davis hater talk is on the back burner for now!!!!
Line for ‘09
April 14th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I think the only part about the draft discussion that wasn’t a smokescreen was when he said that he knows who he wants and what positions he needs to fill.
Other than that, he didn’t say anything we didn’t already know. Most of us know that Andre Smith is a helluva player. Most of us know that Crabtree is a helluva player. Most of us know that there are four really good offensive tackles in this years’ draft.
The thing I liked tha best about the whole press conference is his attitude about the Chargers. Clearly, he sees them as the team to beat in the division. Not only has he evaluated the draft with beating them in mind, but he seems to be really looking forward to getting after it on Opening Night. Gotta like that.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Raji/Gilbert ‘09
More great line play from the Raiders. Defense couldn’t read screen passes to save their lives.
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d0c139
April 14th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
The pick will be Crabtree, deal with it, recognize it, get over it.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Hopefully Craptree will be gone by 5
April 14th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Raji/Gilbert ‘09 – Fix the damn defense
More stellar D-Line play. Watch this video and see how often the OGs are mauling Morrison and Howard on the run plays. Morrison does get a good clean hit later and Collinsworth has some good words for Morrison.
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d0c246
April 14th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Raji? Hell no. Please for all things holy and sacred don’t draft another Darell Russel. Raji is Russel in disguise.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
There are too many good WRs available in the 2nd to make it sensible to pass on a top OT in the first. Crabtree, even if he was still on the Board, is just poor value at No7.
Andre Smith in the 1st and Robiskie or Britt or Iglesias or Harvin in the 2nd. We just can’t pass up a starting OT for a WR, makes no sense.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Raji/Gilbert ‘09
More ammo to get Jarron Gilbert in Silver & Black:
Mario Williams: 6′7 294 4.73 40x 35 bench 40in vertical
Jarron Gilbert: 6′5 288 4.76 40x 28 bench 37in vertical
Get Gilbert in here ASAP so Dwayne Board can coach him up on playing the LDE position.
And Gilbert led the league in tackles for loss. That’s your Base DE that can play the run and rush the passer.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
what a redundant interview…
April 14th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Top 5 Overrated Draft Prospects according to TSN:
Aaron Maybin
JARRON GILBERT
Phil Loadholt
Clay Matthews
David Bruton
April 14th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Scottish,
How is Crabtree poor value at #7 and Andre Smith is not? There is a good chance Crabs won’t be there at #7, there is no chance that Andre won’t be there at #7.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Michael Bush is here to stay and should see more looks next year. Good on Davis for making Cable see the light
April 14th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Drafting Crabtree makes zero sence. JR hasn’t proven that he can handle throwing the ball 30 times a game. His accuracy sucks. You can blame the OL for not giving him time to throw if you want, but the kid hasn’t shown enough to make me believe that a WR corp of Higgins, Chaz and Shields wouldn’t be good enough.
It took Higgins 3 years to get to his current level of production. Chaz has had 1 season where he was a spot starter. Given the time he can develop into a very good WR. Shields looked more impressive in College prior to his injury than Crabtree did. They’re measureables are almost identical. I’d like to see him get the chance to shine without bringing in another WR to dilute the mix.
When Russell is throwing the ball 20 or fewer times a game, its not worth wasting a top 10 pick on a WR who would get maybe 5 passes thrown his way a game.
Fix the Defense.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
With our 7th pick we are going to take Crabtree if he is there. If not, I would love to see us trade down for the first time in history and take Heywerd-Bey and a defensive lineman. I just think Heyward-Bey has the most explosive upside opposite of Chaz and JLH in the slot. Plus, I hear Heyward-Bey is actually a hard worker and smart young man. Nicks is another possible if we trade down. We have so many gaps who knows who it is really going to be. Just please do not draft a safety at 7. : )
April 14th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
vegas raider Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Scottish,
How is Crabtree poor value at #7 and Andre Smith is not? There is a good chance Crabs won’t be there at #7, there is no chance that Andre won’t be there at #7.
____________
Is that why everyone is claiming A. Smith will be gone by pick #6? Vegas, are you still reading clippings from the combine?
April 14th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Dakota Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Top 5 Overrated Draft Prospects according to TSN:
Aaron Maybin
JARRON GILBERT
Phil Loadholt
Clay Matthews
David Bruton
=======================================================
Good. I hope he drops all the way down to #40. He is still the 2nd best base DE in this draft and has the production and measurables to be a top tier prospect.
Perhaps if Gilbert played at Texas, he would have a higher grade. But good for us if he drops to #40
April 14th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Dakota, good call on Maybin. All those Hybrid DE/OLBs scare me and we would be mad to go anywhere close to Orakpo, Brown or Maybin. We used to call Hybrids ‘Tweeners’ and of them ended up as busts – remember Brayton and Gholston?
Loadholt is okay.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Shields looked more impressive in College prior to his injury than Crabtree did.
*************************
Wow, don’t think you would find one reasonable person who would agree with that. The guy had 13 TD’s in like 35+ games in 1-AA, Crabtree had 41 TD’s in 25 games in the Big 12. No comparision
April 14th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Let me make it clear. If Crabtree is there at 7 the way our WRs played last year I am taking him. Our WRs had trouble getting open last year point blank. The reason they were able to make plays late in the year is because Chaz and JLH started to understand the defense they were playing and find the pockets. JAM did not do that bad of a job hitting WRs once they were open. He always seemed to find Zach Miller. Zach was the only WR able to get open. I wanted to call up Al at half time and tell him to line Zach up at the wide out spot and let him run the post.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
#50 HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
Vegas Raider you are right man.
You have to forgive these guys man they get punch drunk before the draft and start throwing out fantasy stats. 1st of all Shields has not been able to make it through preseason yet. All of our WRs have knee problems except JLH and Chad. The others suck man!!!! Wake up nation. Stop acting like you have a choice at not slecting a great college WR in the draft.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Scottish, Loadholt is okay…at RT. Like you, I would also like to see A. Smith taken with the #7 pick. Worst case senario he plays RT for a year and we run the hell out of the ball to that side of the field.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
#47
My money is that both will be there at #7. A lot depends on what Detroit does. I don’t know who “everybody” is.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
By the way please stop throwing Robiskies name out there like he is a top 5 WR in the draft. He is not that fast, he got lost in a lot of OSU games aginst average talent on the opponents defense. He is a decent WR but nothing to get happy about.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Dakota,
keep up the banter for Andre and it seems you’re gonna get your wish. Me? Any OT will do.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Jerry,
That was great. My Favs were calling the Run D Soft, and asking if we can compete with the chargers. Oh, and I like the Huff question.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Q: “What are some of the things you’re doing in QB school? Telling the QBs to be scared if Mario doesn’t have Zach Miller’s help in pass protection?”
Was this you Jerry? Maybe it was Kawakami or his ’smoke potting’ buddy. Please let us know which reporter asked this question, because I am reading their blog/column from now on.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Four players!!!!
Let’s try and guess.
I say:
Monroe, A Smith, Orakpo, and Crab.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
CJ Legend 34,
I would love if Shields turns out to be the biggest steal in draft history. But until that happens he is what he is, a 1-AA player, 4th round pick coming off a knee injury.
I don’t know why the WR position is looked at like such a luxury. Most all the good teams in the league right now have drafted multiple WR’s in either the 1st or 2nd round over the last ten years. Everyone points at the Lions, but they have taken only 3 WR’s in those rounds the last ten years, the Steelers 5.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
vegas raider Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
#47
My money is that both will be there at #7. A lot depends on what Detroit does. I don’t know who “everybody” is.
________________________
Peter King??? lol
April 14th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I recall an interview with JaMarcus Russell shortly after he was drafted by the Raiders. He was asked if he had spoken to Al Davis yet; JaMarcus replied that he had indeed talked to Davis since the draft. When asked what the conversation was about, Russell said, “He told me he likes touchdowns.”
See post #50, and Cable’s comments about Crabtree.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Kelly, Sands, Warren, Joseph, Boschetti. Five DTs on the roster, looks like Boston Collegians are gonna have to look for their cash cows elsewhere.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Wow Thanks Jerry, that’s a lot to digest.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I want to like Andre Smith, I really do. He has the decorated career (Outland Award), he played against the best competition (SEC), has the long arms, and now even the endorsement of our Coach/O-line Guru. But everytime I hear his name, all I see are those man-boobs flapping down the 40-yard track. If we pick him, I hope Dakota is right about this kid.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
great questions, loved the bit about zach staying in to block! lol
i think it’s clear from that interview that Cable wants o-line at #7.
I think we’ll be seing:
1: Andre Smith
2: Ramses Barden
3: Chung or Vaughn
4: LB or DT
7: LB or DT
i think Barden is a reach in the second but think Al loves him and he may not want to risk him being there in the 3rd.
don’t rule out dealing walter and our 3rd rounder for another pick in the 2nd to guarantee we get the safety we want and Barden.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
BBB,
Manboobs never stop an o-lineman from dominating on the field…now off the field, with the ladies, might be another story….although $20-25 million guaranteed will help offset their disgust at feeling his boobs slap them in the back while going at it doggie style.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Andre Smith might very well be the best player in the entire draft. And as for his man boobs flying, he would probably beat 98% of the posters on this board in a 50 yard dash and a 100 yard dash, and he goes 335 pounds.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
BBB,
Just be honest and say it, it was the Man Boobs. I can’t get that image out of my head.
they were huge, and really flappy.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I sort of miss the good old days when “Lance” would stick it to Al, no matter what the question was.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I think when Cable said that next week is when the draft strategy comes together means that he has a meeting with Al to discuss what the coaching staff and scouting department have come up with. It is then that the scenarios will be discussed and the plan(s) put into place.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
It is genetic….Andre Smith’s dad:
http://3leven.com/gallery/manboobs/manboobs-14.jpg
April 14th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
OAKlifer, dramatic, are we? Nobody hates Al Davis. A lot of us, in fact, I’d guess that most Raider fans overall, just know that he’s the worst GM in football, and needs to retire from football operations. That’s all. As an owner, I actually like Al Davis. As a person, I don’t know him enough to hate him. He’s the general manager of my favorite football team, and I only have his record to go with, which is dismal in the past 6 years. Forget dismal, it’s downright unacceptable. Imagine what Al would do to a GM that he hired who turned in such results. He’d probably call up some of his old mob buddies and have him dropped into the bay with cemented feet.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
My new Mock Draft:
1- Orakpo/ OT
2- Ramses B
3- Bruton/ Vaughn
4- Clinton McD to play Base End
7- OLB: Russell Allen from SDSU, or Ty Sales from Penn.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Penn produced good NFL LBs. Sales was suppose to be a 1st day Talent, but off the field issues will keep him undrafted.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Dakota, why should we click on the link when the description of the photo is right there in your link? Kind of ruins the joke. It only takes a second to open a photobucket account, and it’s free. Just give yourself a fake display name (as your name will be in the file), and then nobody will know what the picture is until they click on it. Tends to work a lot better when you’re using photos to lampoon a certain person or topic. Just helping.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
SnB Defense ,
i think it will be defense or a trade back for more picks.cable mention crabtree and ot nothing else.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Raider O
Just to refresh your recollection:
http://slanchreport.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/andre-smith.jpg
His belly and boobs look like something Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones killed in MIB.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Thanks, I’ll take that under advisement MaddenRaider.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Here’s a good picture of Al Davis..
http://old-geezer-with-funny-hair.jpg
Seriously! It’s a great picture! Click on it, guys, come on!
April 14th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4064506
Raiders have the 19th hardest schedule next year, using last teams records. I think our division plays a big part in contorting those numbers a little.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Damn Dakota. Uhhh.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I dont even know why I opened the link!!
April 14th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
You had to open it Raider O, just had to…
April 14th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
M Lonetree Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Kelly, Sands, Warren, Joseph, Boschetti. Five DTs on the roster, looks like Boston Collegians are gonna have to look for their cash cows elsewhere.
=======================================================
I can’t believe you listed those 5 names and felt good about it.
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80bc4915
April 14th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Those guys to me were really important. Tony Stewart. Maybe he doesn’t have a huge role but he’s got a big role in that locker room and on this football team.
——————————————
what the hell does this mean?? is he a “rah rah guy?? … how about we get a guy that can take some pressure of zack miller instead??? damn it!
April 14th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
When your QB is throwing the ball almost 70% of the offensive plays and he only has 1 real WR threat, I wonder what his stats are going to look like.
The best thing that could happen for the Raiders is for both Crabtree and Maclin to be gone before 7. There is no way that will happen, so lets just hope that Crabtree is gone by 5.
Bush seemed to bounce back from a much larger injury than Shields had and if I’m not mistaken, seemed to do pretty well at the end of last season.
Give the young guys a chance to play. When has a Rookie WR ever came in and dominated? NEVER. I’d rather have Chaz, Shields and JLH on the field improving this year, than to throw away the 7th pick on yet another WR that is going to take time to develop.
Use the pick to either fix the OL, DL, or MLB spot. Those are the real areas of weakness.
As for CJ’s comment: “JAM did not do that bad of a job hitting WRs once they were open. ”
Your kidding right? How many times did he throw the ball at the WR’s feet? How many times did he overthrow a WR? How many times did he complely miss the area where the WR was? JR’s accuracy was 53.8%. The ONLY QB with a worse completion % was Derek Anderson. Who had better WR’s last season?
April 14th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
very true….I still have flashback of jamarcus clapping his hands together everytime he fuc&@# up. he is not very accurate
April 14th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Dakota Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Raider O
Just to refresh your recollection:
http://slanchreport.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/andre-smith.jpg
———————
Oh my gawd.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
He’s just “fluffy” koolkell.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Why in the hell would anyone think that it is a good idea to run with 337 pounds of fat hanging out?
April 14th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Hey Raider Nation 951
Russell’s completion rate was over 60% during his final six games.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I know
Not even God can help erase that image KK. lol
April 14th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Who were the WR’s on the field when his completion % increased? The Raiders need to let the young kids develop and use the 7th pick on a NEED, not a LUXURY pick.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
951,
Maybe the Raiders’ scouts made him take his shirt off at his pro day? Ask Tez Doolittle how the Raiders work: “They just told me to take my shirt off and took two pictures. No questions. Just do it.”
April 14th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
When has a Rookie WR ever came in and dominated? NEVER.
************************
Randy Moss??? 17 TD’s rookie year.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Dakota
Forgot about that. Maybe they were trying to make Cable feel better.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
vegas raider Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
When has a Rookie WR ever came in and dominated? NEVER.
************************
Randy Moss??? 17 TD’s rookie year.
—————————
once in a blue moon…and Crabtree and Maclin are about two levels below Randy Moss.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Vegas,
My bad. 1 Rookie WR out of how many? I can’t see Crabtree being even remotely close to Moss in any way.
I’m out of here.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Vegas,
A Boldin made the PB his rookie season, and I think Larry did too. I’m not sure about larry.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Raiders in NY vs. Giants wk 5…
April 14th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Dakota,
Was just answering the question. Besides, plenty of guys have dominated in year two, what’s the hurry for next year? Are we planning a Super Bowl run next year that no one told me about.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
DRAFT RAJI OR MAYBIN
April 14th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2009/03/11/ maybin in shape!
April 14th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d80f92ef0&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
NFL.com’s list of the best first-round draft choices ever, by draft position.
Raiders receiving votes:
Marcus Allen 10th overall (Rod Woodson)
Gene Upshaw 17th overall (Emmitt Smith)
Jack Tatum 19th overall (John Mackey)
Ray Guy 23rd overall (Ozzie Newsome)
Raymond Chester 24th overall (Ed Reed)
Nnamdi Asomugha 31st overall (Jimmy Johnson)
Players in parentheses are the ones selected as the best ever at that draft spot. The only players to get all of the votes at their spot were Jerry Rice at #16, Ray Lewis at #26, and Dan Marino at #27. There are other guys on the list that played for the Raiders, but I just listed the ones that were drafted by and played for the team.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Q: What will John Marshall’s defense look like compared to Rob Ryan’s?
Cable: There will be a lot of similarity. Hopefully, we’ll just be maybe a little more fundamentally sound, a little more structured.
——————————————————-
AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Sweet their talking about power and bush maybe cable has seen the light.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
The draft is about not tipping ones hand right? Well Cable all but sold out about talking about the great OTs in the draft. Doubt they are going there. All but sold out about Crabtree. Doubt they are going there either.
Got real general talking about the run defense. “Look at scheme, coaching and talent”….then bring in a scout team cut from Washington?
I feel very confident that as long as K.C sticks to script and G.B or Denver don’t trade up that the pick with be Raji.
Bank it!
April 14th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Vegas,
I think that whatever rookie we get at #7 has to contribute in year one if Cable hopes to keep his job.
Now, I am not a Cable fan, so that doesn’t mean jack schit too me, but I really don’t want to see another coaching search next year. We really have not improved the team other than replacing Kwame Harris with Kwame Harris 2.0 (Barnes) and replacing Grove with an even weaker C, so our improvement will have to be a combination of the new coaches (especially on D), young players developing (Russell and the WRs) and rookies getting on the field and succeeding (Tackle, LB or DE). Take one of those factors away, and IMO we are nothing better than 6-10 again next season and Cable is history.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
[...] Thanks to the Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times for posting the entire transcript from the press conference which can be read here. [...]
April 14th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Here are all the receivers taken in the top 10 since 1980. I will make no judgements. Just take a look at the boom and busts.
2007 1 2 Calvin Johnson WR DET
2007 1 9 Ted Ginn Jr. WR MIA
2005 1 3 Braylon Edwards WR CLE
2005 1 7 Troy Williamson WR MIN
2005 1 10 Mike Williams WR DET
2004 1 3 Larry FitzgeraldWR ARI
2004 1 7 Roy E. Williams WR DET
2004 1 9 Reggie Williams WR JAX
2003 1 2 Charles Rogers WR DET
2003 1 3 Andre Johnson WR HOU
2001 1 8 David Terrell WR CHI
2001 1 9 Koren Robinson WR SEA
2000 1 4 Peter Warrick WR CIN
2000 1 8 Plaxico Burress WR PIT
2000 1 10 Travis Taylor WR BAL
1999 1 6 Torry Holt WR STL
1999 1 8 David Boston WR ARI
1997 1 7 Ike Hilliard WR NYG
1996 1 1 Keyshawn JohnsonWR NYJ
1996 1 7 Terry Glenn WR NWE
1995 1 4 Michael Westbrook WR WAS
1995 1 8 Joey Galloway WR SEA
1995 1 10 J.J. Stokes WR SFO
1993 1 7 Curtis Conway WR CHI
1992 1 4 Desmond Howard WR WAS
1991 1 10 Herman Moore WR DET
1988 1 6 Tim Brown WR RAI
1988 1 7 Sterling Sharpe WR GNB
1985 1 10 Al Toon WR NYJ
1984 1 1 Irving Fryar WR NWE
1984 1 4 Kenny Jackson WR PHI
1981 1 10 David Verser WR CIN
1980 1 2 Lam Jones WR NYJ
April 14th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
And here are the DTs taken in the top 10 since 1980.
2008 1 5 Glenn Dorsey DT KAN
2008 1 7 Sedrick Ellis DT NOR
2007 1 10 Amobi Okoye DT HOU
2003 1 4 Dewayne Robertson DT NYJ
2003 1 6 Johnathan Sullivan DT NOR
2003 1 9 Kevin Williams DT MIN
2002 1 6 Ryan Sims DT KAN
2002 1 9 John Henderson DT JAX
2001 1 3 Gerard Warren DT CLE
2000 1 6 Corey Simon DT PHI
1997 1 2 Darrell Russell DT OAK
1994 1 1 Dan Wilkinson DT CIN
1994 1 7 Bryant Young DT SFO
1994 1 8 Sam Adams DT SEA
1992 1 3 Sean Gilbert DT RAM
1991 1 1 Russell MarylandDT DAL
1991 1 6 Eric Swann DT PHO
1990 1 3 Cortez Kennedy DT SEA
1990 1 10 Ray Agnew DT NWE
1987 1 9 Jerome Brown DT PHI
1986 1 2 Tony Casillas DT ATL
1985 1 3 Ray Childress DT HOU
April 14th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Dakota,
No doubt we need both our 1st and 2nd rounders to be more or less starters. Lots of holes on our team, with T and WR being two of those. I just believe WR is one of our biggest needs, with the stats of last years group proving that, and it needs to be addressed, either in the 1st or 2nd round.
Every position is important, there are no such things as “luxury” positions, IMO. WR’s have lead and been some of the best players, other than QB’s, of the last 4 Super Bowl representatives. Each one of those games came down to a WR making a big-play at the end of the game. If Plax and Holmes are Schilens or JLH, those teams aren’t champions, point blank.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Both those lists are scary….give us the list of tackles SnB.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
SUP NATION??
FREE DIRTY!!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
welcome bAck Vegas…
April 14th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
S nB,
Your lists show that the more consistent pick is the DT, less of a chance of a bust. However, I see at least 3 future HOF’s : Tim Brown, Larry Fitzgerald (getting ahead of myself but that assumption seems safe) and Torry Holt, with some fringe guys and multiple Pro-Bowlers. There is maybe one HOF on the DT list (Bryant Young). So for the “safer” pick it is DT. Al has done horrible when he went with the “safe” pick (Gallery, Huff, Stinchcomb) of late.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
408,
Thanks man, Niagara is a beautiful place. You can just burn one and stare out at it for hours.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
SnB…no DTs were taken in the top ten between 1980 and 1984? Crazy.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
If Crabtree turned out to be like: Charles Rogers, Lam Jones, Michael Westbrook, REggie Willams, Peter Warrick or Troy Williamson it would kill this team.
If Al does take Crabs (or Maclin) he better be damn sure he is not of that ilk.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
7 minutes until the schedule is released. Here’s hoping our first east coast road game will be the Browns. Imagine if we start at home against the Dolts, go on the road to Pittsburgh, than come home to the Ravens.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
gotta go…
DRAFT ANDRE SMITH!!!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Afternoon Nation,
1st rd A Smith
2nd rd R Brace
3rd rd J Brinkley
What has not been discussed is the “salvage-ablity”
of a pick that misses at #7.
If A Smith is not a 10yr starter at LT, Mabey he is a 10yr stareter at RT.
If not there then he could be plugged in at G.
3 potential landing spots for Him.
Thats why O line IMO is a safer way to go when compared to the talent at the top of this draft.
The potential to see a return in investment is greater then any other position.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Oakland Raiders 2009 Schedule
Date Time Opponent TV
Monday, September 14 7:15 PM San Diego Chargers ESPN
Sunday, September 20 10:00 AM
at Kansas City Chiefs CBS
Sunday, September 27 1:15 PM
Denver Broncos CBS
Sunday, October 4 10:00 AM
at Houston Texans CBS
Sunday, October 11 10:00 AM
at New York Giants CBS
Sunday, October 18 1:05 PM
Philadelphia Eagles FOX
Sunday, October 25 1:05 PM
New York Jets CBS
Sunday, November 1 1:05 PM
at San Diego Chargers CBS
Sunday, November 8 BYE WEEK
Sunday, November 15 1:05 PM
Kansas City Chiefs CBS
Sunday, November 22 1:15 PM
Cincinnati Bengals CBS
Thursday, November 26 1:15 PM at Dallas Cowboys CBS
Sunday, December 6 10:00 AM
at Pittsburgh Steelers CBS
Sunday, December 13 1:05 PM
Washington Redskins FOX
Sunday, December 20 1:05 PM
at Denver Broncos CBS
Sunday, December 27 10:00 AM
at Cleveland Browns CBS
Sunday, January 3 1:15 PM
Baltimore Ravens CBS
April 14th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
3 division games to start. 2-1 or 3-0 (unlikely) would put us in the drivers seat. We will find out where we stand early on.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
4 roads game of the last 6, including 4 of 5 in one stretch, doesn’t make the end of the season too easy.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I like catching the Donks and Queefs early.
They’ll still be trying to get their act together.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Freakin Home opener vs The Donkeys… Dont get better than that IMO….
April 14th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
“Q: What will John Marshall’s defense look like compared to Rob Ryan’s?”
Ever see a piece of dog chit next to a flower…….or……next to anything really?
April 14th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
WE HAVE TO START OFF 3-1
April 14th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
RaiderLen: I freakin love that draft
April 14th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
[...] by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson Raiders coach Tom Cable discussed the team’s plans for the April 25-26 draft Tuesday. Cable didn’t reveal much about the team’s [...]
May 7th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
rogers cable tv…
How do you look for information for your blog content?…
June 10th, 2009 at 10:00 am
rogers cable tv…
Thanks for sharing this information. I will share about HorsesAss.Org ” Blog Archive ” Personal responsibility, my ass with my readers….
June 20th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Show Tickets…
Rock on! I get my tickets at Cheap Show Tickets.com – Vegas, concert, everything. It is a very good option because I hate TicketMaster!…
October 26th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
flat roof repairs…
[...]Tom Cable on the draft – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…