Hue Jackson highlights
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, April 30th, 2011 at 6:11 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Highlights from Saturday’s sessions with coach Hue Jackson on the final day of the draft:
If any potential picks got away
“There’s always a couple guys you go, wow, you know, that you might’ve wished would have fell, or right when you’re picking that you could have picked. But I am extremely happy with every guy that we were able to put on our football team. As I said yesterday, you have a process, you have a board. And I truly believe that you play true to your board. If a guy goes off that you wanted, that’s why you evaluate all these guys. You take the next guy. You take the next guy that’s on your board, based on your evaluation and your judgment, and that’s what we were able to do, and that’s what we got done.”
Ausberry’s position _ tight end or wide receiver
“He’s a really unique athlete. Because guy’s over 6-3, he’s 240-plus pounds, runs really fast, 4.56, can catch. We’re gonna find out exactly what we need to do with him. We’re gonna bring him in here as a receiver. But obviously this guy has room for growth. I mean, this guy could get up to 255, 260 pounds. And who knows, he might be an unbelievable tight end. But to me, those are the kind of guys you find in the seventh round, who have that potential, who has the measurables, the size, the speed combination, and now it’s just a matter of us coaching this young man and seeing what he can be.”
Addressing needs on offensive line, secondary
“I think they were needs, based on where we were, based on some uncertainty about what’s going on in the league right now. And I think we addressed them as well as we could. I mean, we are putting two very strong, bid-bodied offensive linemen on our football team who love to play the game. We’ve addressed our secondary concerns, if there were any, with two players that are extremely gifted and talented, that are big, long guys who can really run. So there’s no question, I think we came into this with some thoughts that we wanted… as I told you guys, I think is a very talented team. I didn’t think we had a ton of holes to fill. But there were some things that we needed to get done, and we were able to get those things done.”
Concern of Richard Gordon’s meager receiving stats
“Some tight ends in college, they don’t get the ball very much. Because when you play — probably at the University of Miami, they throw the ball down the field to some of those big, tall receivers that can really run, or the small guys that can run, so they keep those guys in for protection. But when you get to evaluate the tape, you know, the workout tape, the game tape, and you see a guy can catch, can make plays, but also block at the point of attack, it makes that guy very enticing. And he was a tremendous pick for us. I’m very excited about him, because he has nothing but upside.’’
How to interpret only corners being chosen for the defense
“I expect us to be one of the best defenses in football. And I’m not just saying that. I believe that. We have some tremendous, tremendous players over there. Cornerback here for the Oakland Raiders will always be a position that we address. We love guys who can cover, we love guys who can run, we love guys who are athletes, who can play several different spots back there in the secondary, but I think the message that’s sent is that we’re pretty solid over there on that side of the football. I feel that way. I think our staff, our organization feels that way, but we wanted to make sure that we continued to grow in the secondary. I don’t think you can ever have enough good corners, you know, guys who can cover different types of offenses as they put out there, and we were able to address that.’’
Guidelines for contacting undrafted rookie free agents
“(No contact). That is still being determined by the league. And again, until that rule is known, there’s nothing we can do. When they say the draft is over, everything is over, and that’s what every team in this league has to do at this point in time. . . . Right now, there will be no phone calls. Right now, when the league says, ‘Stop shop,’ we’re stopping shop.
Denarius Moore in contrast to receivers already on roster
“Well, he runs 4.42, he’s tall, he makes plays, he’s very athletic. I see him as a guy who is maybe a little different than some of the guys we have because this guy is different in that he is coming from Tennessee, from the SEC, which I think is a very good school and he’s proven that he can make plays from anywhere on the field. One that you guys can see that we’ve done is infuse our offensive team with even more talent. More guys that can make football plays. If a guy can make a play, I want him on this team. Because that’s the name of the game, you gotta go out and make plays. We have guys that can make plays; the Jacoby Fords, the Louis Murphys, the Darrius Heyward-Beys. Those guys can make plays but I am still searching for anybody that can help this team win, I’m looking for them and this guy can.”
Running back and return specialist not a need but drafting Taiwan Jones
“How do you pass up a guy that can make plays like that? As I keep saying, you find a special talent, a guy that can score touchdowns as often and as fast as he can, and if he is sitting there, it’s hard to pass up those kinds of guys. I wouldn’t pass him up and we didn’t pass him up. I mean, he’s on our football team. This guy is a tremendous, tremendous football player and he is something special. So when you talk about need, need sometimes is important and I think we addressed those needs but also just the talent alone, you cannot pass up a guy that can make a play on your football team. Especially when they’re sitting on that board.”
Differences between Van Dyke and Chekwa
“Both of them can play corner but one’s a little bigger than the other as far as weight’s concerned. They both run extremely well. One’s in the 4.2’s, the other in the 4.3’s. One will play right and the other will play left, that’s obvious. But they’re guys who demonstrate the characteristics that we look for. They can play man coverage, they can get up in the line of scrimmage with some very good receivers that we’re gonna face in our division. They can line up with the big guys and obviously that’s the question that you guys have, ‘can he really line up with Vincent Jackson and go play the guy’ well that’s yet to be seen. But we’re going to coach this guy, again I have two of the best secondary coaches in football in Rod Woodson and Kevin Ross and we’re going to get these young men ready to play.”
Getting playbooks to players during brief period where lockout lifted
“Oh boy, I was trying to get them as much information as I could. Oh man, I don’t know how much we were able to give them before the league said ‘stop’, but I know that we were trying to do everything that we could within the rules to make sure that we got our players the information that they needed.”
NOTE: Tight end Brandon Myers said Friday he didn’t receive a playbook but expected to get one Monday.
If playbook is dramatically different than a year ago
“No, not for the most part. The expectation is different, you know, and how they prepare with that playbook, but there’s no question that our player are… I hope when we come back and we hit the ground, a lot of our guys know exactly where we are and what we’re trying to accomplish on offense, defense, and special teams.”
Comfort level at safety with Huff possibly out of the picture
“I think I feel very comfortable where we are at safety. Obviously I can’t comment on the player you just mentioned because the rules won’t allow me to. But know this, I hope we can get every last one of our players back that are sitting out there because I think they’re good football players. We drafted them, they were here, and we’d love to keep them here.”
If some players are taken off the board regardless of talent if they don’t appear serious enough about football
“There’s no question. Everybody can’t wear the silver and black. Just like everybody can’t wear other teams’ jerseys. We look for specific type of player to play for us. And obviously the measureables are important. We want the guy as big as he can be, as fast as he can be, as agile as he can be. But at the end of the day, he’s got to want to play football. And that’s what it comes down to. You got to like the toughness, the physical nature of this sport, and if you don’t like that, you don’t have a chance to be very successful in this league. All these young men that are on this team this season, and you alluded to last year, and that’s all I can speak to because these are the only two years that I’ve been here, they like to play football. That’s what this is truly all about. You got to want to come to work in this building each and every day and prepare and go to practice and compete and then go out there whether it’s Thursday, Sunday, Monday and play as well as you can to give this organization and team a chance to win.”
Chekwa’s ability to play safety
“He’s like you said a guy that plays in the Big Ten and the Big Ten is known for running teams and all that. But I think he can do anything we need him to do. obviously we’re going to play him at corner. The guy has an unbelievable skill set because he’s a big guy, he’s a physical guy. He can get up in your face and put his hands on you and redirect you and get after you and run. So if wee needed him someplace else we’ll find that out as we move forward. But right now he’s just going to play corner for us.’’
How special teams was helped by draft
“If you take a look at all these players that are on our team, they’re all athletes who can run, who are big-bodied guys who love the game. And I think anytime you put a collection of athletes together like that they have an opportunity to play a multitude of different things. And obviously special teams is a huge part of what we do here. There’s offense, defense and specials teams and I truly feel that guys who can contribute on offense and defense should be able to contribute on special teams, too. Now all won’t based on decision that we make, based on their opportunity and skill set but all these guys have a chance to lineup and contribute. Whether it be the field goal team, whether it be the punt team, whether it be the kickoff team, kickoff return team. All of these guys have a chance to be a part of our special teams.’’
His assessment of this year’s quarterback draft class
“ I think it was a class that had some guys that were good players, the Gabberts, I thought was a tremendous talent. I know Jake Locker went first to Tennessee and obviously he’s very talented. It wasn’t as strong in my opinion as some past years. In my opinion I didn’t see Sam Bradford, I didn’t see Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan. That’s just kind of the way I see it. That’s just my opinion. I just think there were more guys who have an opportunity to ascend and become very good players as you continue to go through the years with them. Obviously the truth for a quarterback is to get on a team that is going to give you an opportunity to showcase your talents and abilities. Most quarterbacks when you’re drafted you don’t get that opportunity sometimes. You get plugged into a system that you’ve never seen. You get plugged in a terminology you’ve never heard of before and it can be difficult for a quarterback. Is this one of the stronger classes that’s been around? I don’t know that. But is it overall as so many guys have gone a pretty good class? I think that’s yet to be determined.’’
Drafting players such as Van Dyke and Gordon with something to prove
“To me that’s the kind of player you want. You want the hungry player who has something to prove, who is interested going out showcasing his talents and his abilities and letting everybody else know you made a mistake. Both of those young men are very eager to show Raider nation, to show our team, their teammates, this organization that we made the correct choice. I truly believe that. I think a hungry player is a good player because they do have something to prove. I’m looking forward to watching these guys compete and play.’’
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April 30th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Grade A+ for Coach.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Taiwan Jones = bye Michael Bennett
Stefen Wisniewski = Samson Satele benched (2nd string)
Demarcus Van Dyke & Chimdi Chekwa = bye Joe Porter & Jerome Boyd (Asomugha & Huff were already gone)
Joseph Barksdale = bye Walker & Henderson
Denarius Moore & David Ausberry = bye Nmiller & Chaz (Higgins was already gone)
Richard Gordon = competition for Myers. may the best man win
April 30th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
I don’t want to hear anymore g-d excuses about this run defense.
They just said they are ready to roll…no more 29th and 30th finishes.
Either put or just shut up!
April 30th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
Nick Miller, JLH, Jonathan Holland, Joe Porter, Jerome Boyd, Shaun Bodiford, Damola Adeniji, and Kevin Brock lost their jobs today
April 30th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Bagged groceries for David Ausberry’s family!
RAIDER NATION!!!
April 30th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Boyd I think has a chance to stay a Raider.
Also, I am looking forward to seeing what UDFAs we are able to get. QBs Pat Devlin and Josh Portis didn’t get drafted. OLB Mark Herzlich didn’t get drafted either.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Walker as a back up at RG?
SS as back up suits me, but doubt he will stick around after being benched with Hue’s nationally broadcast announcement at the draft.
Chaz stays, he’s cheap.
We have two QBs, if in fact that is what they are…who does Al target next? Palmer?
Raider QBs I despise: Jay Scrotum, Mark Wilson, Todd Marijuanavitch, Arron Brooks, Gradkowski, Jason Cambell, and Russell, to name a few.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
man i was upset at first yesterday and today when certain guys didn’t fall to us. but coach hue and davis did a good job of getting more picks, getting good players, and not giving up the farm. got a 1st rounder next year so we may have a shot at another good qb or wr, if dhb or campbell let us down.
good draft
April 30th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
The draft have been a lot better for me. I felt that we drafted positions that we shouldn’t have drafted, with exception to Taiwan Jones…
April 30th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
A lot of you guys just don’t get it about Van Dyke but I asked for this kid a month ago and we got him, you have to look at who’s in our division, like SD’s WR are huge and fast those guys are difficult to cover and this kids can get it done.
The Chekwa kid was even rated higher than Van Dyke and he runs a 4.35 he’s a more physical type corner. But he plays with great balance and quickness. He’s also very aggressive vs the run. Both can play inside and out that is not an issue with these kids.
You’re going to grow to love Van Dyke. I wont say it now but he can a great player, just wait.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
TJ is here for teams and you’ll see him split out wide quite a bit. You know how I always begged to get DMC outside well guess who will be doing that?
Anyone questioning why we drafted this kid just aint too familiar with the Raiders………….period
April 30th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
I wished that instead of Chekwa, Oakland used that pick on Jones and then used the next 4th rounder on OLB Chris Carter…. STeelers nabbed him in the 5th and he’s gonna be one of those late round gems.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
I think the Raiders have proven that even with an elite pro-bowl CB you can’t win.
Its all about the front 7. Yet this was ignored once again. Why? To get more CBs.
Priesttj, in my opinion we could have grabbed a dozen CBs off the waiver wire…the secondary position needs to be de-emphasized in favor of the front 7.
CBs are useless without intense pressure up front. The Ravens and Steelers have taught us this
no more DBs!
April 30th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Severeraiderz Says:
April 28th, 2011 at 9:14 am
If we don’t take Kaepernick i think we should look at some QB’s later on….the guys I like are:
Tyrod Taylor: gets absolutely no love and isnt even being considered as a QB by most teams. Has a good arm and nice intagibles. Was really productive against top notch competition and was a team leader
Jerrod Johnson: Had an incredible 2009 season and a terrible 2010, mostly due to off season nshoulder surgery. He was being graded out as a 2nd round pick by most coming into last season. Has a good arm, great size at 6′5″ 248lbs, and nice mobility. Had a bad combine but impressed at his pro day. Is used to taking snaps from under center, though footwork and mechanics still need polishing.
Nathan Enderle: Great size 6′4″ 240lbs, great arm, 4 year starter with a lot of experience, played from under center. Extreme lack of touch and accuracy, completion percentage was only 56.7%, doesnt throw a catchable ball
Joshua Portis: Highly recruited out of High School and ended up a Florida. Went from Florida, to Maryland, to California (PA) for reasons uknown. Has great athleticism, a good arm, and threw for 69td’s to 16int’s over his last 2 years. Cousin of Clinton Portis and could move to receiver if need be
April 30th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Can’t have enough speed at running back.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Goinginto day 3, I felt that OLB and NT was our biggest needs and neither were addressed….. bummer
April 30th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
SnB-
I love elite corners…I love the Riaders’ history of elite corners…but you are right. Front 7 pressure is where it is at.
Front 7 pressure (or was it front
helped us finally beat the Chargers.
Prior to that win, Rivers was eating our lunch.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
I wished that instead of Chekwa, Oakland used that pick on Jones and then used the next 4th rounder on OLB Chris Carter…. STeelers nabbed him in the 5th and he’s gonna be one of those late round gems.
#################
Yep, one of those Fresno St. guys that have been well coached and love to hit. I wanted Carter too.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
DR-Raiders have a knack for finding late round DT studs in the draft (Coleman, Jackson, etc.)…was hoping we’d do the same this year.
But with the rotation of Kelly, Henderson, Seymour & Des Bryant, it’d be hard to break in on that gang.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
I am just tired of the Raiders investing in the Defensive Back position the last 10 years and HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT!
The only result is a long trail of busts like (Bates, Washington, deAngelo Hall, Huff)…or just developing someone elses pro-bowlers like Woodson and Asomugha.
How about the Raiders spend 2 or 3 draft picks per year on DTs and OLBs for the next 5 years?
April 30th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
SnB is right.
Davis has a freakesh obsession with CBs.
He took CBs in the first round of 5 out of 8 drafts in the early 2000s.
We need to stop the run. How are we planning on doing that?
April 30th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
NOTE: Tight end Brandon Myers said Friday he didn’t receive a playbook but expected to get one Monday.
——————————————————-
YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!
April 30th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
I think that this years UDFA class is one of the better ones I have seen. I am hopeful that we could make some good pick ups, whenever we’re able to. Guys like QBs Pat Devlin and Josh Portis, DT Ian Willams, and OLB Mark Herzlich are available.
Also, I was higher on Rashad Carmichael and Cortez Allen than the two DBs we did get.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Devlin didn’t get picked? Take him AL you old SOB.
April 30th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Preaching to the choir brother.
I’d do with the level of a Albert Lewis/Terry McDaniel combo at corner (don’t need Aso/C. Woodson) and terrorizing front 7.
We have the Defensive ends & Tackles, what worries me is we have one good MLB, a passing rushing OLB in Wimbley and other than Goethel not much else in the linebacker corps…
April 30th, 2011 at 6:58 pm
snb i agree with u. if we got ellis i wouldve been more satisfied with this draft. we get all this speed but no power to protect them. i think this draft will be better than a lot of u think but i dont understand not getting more physical on defense. hopefully FA will be different.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
In defense of this draft we are pretty loaded at DT….I still really wanted Powe and the Blaine guy Bauce was talking about sounds intriguing. Apparently they really like Desmond, Kelly rushed the passer really well, Seymour played at DPOY level, Hendu was effective against the un when he played. At DE we have Houston and Shaugnessy with LB’s lil Bruce, Wimbley, Groves, Moss, and Scott that can all play DE. At LB we have Moss, Lil Bruce, Wimbley, Groves, Goethel, Scott, RoMac, Ricky Brown (who plays all 3 spots), Slade Norris, and possibly Howard coming back if he can’t get the money he wants else where. This team didnt have many holes besides at CB, S, OG, and backup QB.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Those DBs are going to look good covering outside receivers, while the opposing fullback is running up the middle for 40 yards. Davis is an idiot.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Yup, Devlin went undrafted.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
We are fine at DT, but I want a true NT.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
AS far as I know, Norte Dame NT Ian Williams went undrafted too.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
some of u complain about the gordon pick but it was a solid choice. an athletic freak who can block which is what miller gets criticized for. just think of getting rickey dudley in the 6th rnd instead of #10 overall. if he can seal that edge and be a competent recieving threat behind miller then its a hell of a steal. maybe he could be develope like gates did. we ran the ball best when roland williams was here. we need that bad and he is physical.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Whatever happened the big ass Kellen Heard from training camp last year?
April 30th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
I’m not complaining too bad about the Robert Gordon pick.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Ian Williams would be a nice pick up
April 30th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
lol Gordon replaced Barnes in our Jumbo package
April 30th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
I also think we should’ve drafted an OG. We should at least sign one who’s a UDFA.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Kirk,
That doesn’t count the DBs taken in other rounds too or the billions paid to Aso and Routt…
2011 – 2DBs – 3rd Round
2010 – 3DBs
2009 – 1DB – 2nd round
2008 – 2DBs – 2nd round
2007 – 2DBs –
2006 – 2DBs – 1st Round
2005 – 2DBs – 1st & 2nd Round
2004 – 1DB – 3rd Round
2003 – 2DBs – 1st Round
2002 – 2DBs – 1st Round
2001 – 3DBs – 1st Round
2000 – 1DB
1999 – 1DB
1998 – 1DB – 1st round
April 30th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
The Bills signed Heard off of the practice squad
April 30th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I really like Reece but it would have been nice to get a Jon Ritchie type of FB.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
SnB I’m just going to say this as kind as I possibly can, you don’t understand this league. This is a passing league and if you can’t cover you are dead. QB’s are going back and letting the ball go in 2.5 seconds and if your rsuh can’t get there and you cna’t cover it could be 6. It’s not like it used to be where they took 7 step drops and waited until someone came open. They drop back and fire and they have scramble drills, moving pockets and too many mobile QB’s.
This aint highschool football son, they’re lining up 3-5 wides and slinging it like crazy. We play the Saints the Pat’s the Chargers and Jets. They’re not going to let you get to the QB the ball will be out. if you cna’t cover in this league YOU ARE DEAD………..period
April 30th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Demon Raider Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Whatever happened the big ass Kellen Heard from training camp last year?
=======================================================
I believe he got picked up by Buffalo off of our practice squad.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Terrelle Pryor will be our pick next year
April 30th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
@41 – Absolutely!
April 30th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Guys please man get a clue about the offense we’re running it doesn’t utilize a true FB. We don’t line up and play smashmouth football, we run yes but it’s out of pass formations. The FB we have is perfect for this offense he’s a rec’ing FB he goes in motion and he splits out wide. It’s not a traditional FB he’ll block about half the time and then they put him in motion or screen him.
A traditional FB would be a waste on this team………sorry!!
April 30th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Stopping the running game and making the opponent one-dimensional is what works these days. Forcing the opponent into obvious down and distance is what wins….
The Raiders get smashed on the ground…giving favorable down and distance to the opponent to do what it chooses.
You will never win with a bottom tier run defense….never.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Question: why did Penn St move Wiz II from Center to Guard last year??? Was there an injury or a senior that left? Did they feel that was a better spot for him? Just wondering….
April 30th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
priesttj Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Guys please man get a clue about the offense we’re running it doesn’t utilize a true FB. We don’t line up and play smashmouth football, we run yes but it’s out of pass formations. The FB we have is perfect for this offense he’s a rec’ing FB he goes in motion and he splits out wide. It’s not a traditional FB he’ll block about half the time and then they put him in motion or screen him.
A traditional FB would be a waste on this team………sorry!!
=====================================================
Agreed on this. With Reece at FB the Raiders PRODUCED a top tier running game AND he gives the Raiders plenty of options on offense the opponent has to account for.
Reece actually produced on the field….he should remain the starter
April 30th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EulYKdokw48
Meet the player we will trade back into the second next year to get
April 30th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
I guess/ hope is that they plan on acquiring a starting WLB via free agency.
If so, then I actually, realistically, expect to have one of the very best front 7’s in the league next year.
Secondary: wait and see, people. All of the sudden we have a whole bunch of young DBs fighting for jobs. Let’s see which of them wins out. Nnamdi is gone, and maybe Huff too. I tend to believe at least one of these guys (Ware, McFadden, Chitwa, and Van Dyke) will develop into excellent cover backs. We’ll be OK.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Snb, Priest, see where we’re going, Smashmouth, Gordon @ TE, getting the job done………
April 30th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Be nice to get Kellen Heard back on our practice squad…..
April 30th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
I felt the WR picks weren’t needed…
April 30th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
How about Kellen Heard on the roster….did they really need Nick Miller and JLH?
April 30th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Demon, spreading the field opens the short field and running game, football 101.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
JLH is gone and I think Nick Miller could be too since we drafted two wide outs….
April 30th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
priest i disagree on the fb. reece sucks as a blocker. i hope tonga can be an effective blocker cuz he is that hybrid hb/fb type that u see the packers use a lot. eece needs to improve his blocking but id love to see a leron mcclain type of back on this squad.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
We need swift, catching, WO’s, that threat alone opens so many posibilities to us!
April 30th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
We have DHB, Murphy, Ford, Schilens, N. Miller, Damola Adeniji, Shaun Bodiford, and JLH on the roster. That is 8 wide outs and we haven’t even hit free agency yet. So, as of right now, we have 10 wide outs. Not like we’re a spread offense, constantly in 5 wide out sets, just slinging the ball everywhere.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Armond,
The running game was not a problem. Plus Reece gives the opponent more to think about. He was great in the pass game.
Don’t mess with something that is working.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Demon, We haven’t had an O-Line to protect it. The Slant we were running is more or less a dink and dunk, that is not Raider Football. West Coast is not Raider Football. We tried it, back to Raider Football, sorry it took Al so long to see that!
April 30th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Oh, and DMac is a good receiving RB and Zach Miller is still our TE. Rookie Taiwan Jones is also a dual threat RB.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Hence the reason why we drafted Neph and Barksdale.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Only wide out we need is a veteran one.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
I’m thinking, back to old school, what works, more SB entries, but maybe I’m too old, a fan since 1964?
April 30th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Demon, I see lots of opportunities opening here, Al has done a good job, It’s up to Hue to carry this forward. We don’t know who is coming back, who’s on the block, too many variables, but I’m liking this team being much better this year, If guided right!
April 30th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
I want that tough, hard-nosed football. But we shouldn’t have drafted WR in this draft when all we have are wide outs 2-4 years into the league. WE need a veteran, not more young guys who need to learn and adjust.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
I’m out, work @ 7 am. night RAIDERS!
April 30th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
POST-59,8 WIDE-OUTS ON THE ROSTER,NOT 1 SOLID,EVERY DOWN,16 GAME A YEAR RECIEVER AMONG THEM.FORD IS ON THE WAY BUT..
April 30th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
I think we are moving in the right direction, but what does it say when our ‘veteran’ wide outs are JLH and Shaun Bodiford? Other than those two, our other wide outs were either rookies or second year guys.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Demon, this team is growing young, not old, good thinking, they will be a dominating team for years to come, I’m in!!!!
April 30th, 2011 at 8:05 pm
@DIRT
My point exactly. Ford and Murphy are the best two we have and they’re only mediocre right now. They could develop into better players. Schilens need to stay healthy. DHB is on the train to Bustville. The other are just practice squad guys. we need a veteran to help mold the young receivers and hopefully DHB from being a bust.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
I have no problem with having a mostly young team, but how can the young guy grow and mature into better players without the proper guidance from legit veterans? Case in point would be Seymour for the DL.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
I know that’s why we have coaches, but a lot of coaches can’t lead by example. With the exceptions being Wiz, Biekert, and Woodson.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
I AGREE DERMON,WELL SAID.HOW MANY CAN U CARRY THOUHG.A TUFF CALL ON WHO 2 SLICE.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:11 pm
DEMON HE MENT 2 SAY.SORRY..
April 30th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I know, I was just finishing my thought. lol
April 30th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
RaiderRockstar Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Taiwan Jones = bye Michael Bennett
Stefen Wisniewski = Samson Satele benched (2nd string)
Demarcus Van Dyke & Chimdi Chekwa = bye Joe Porter & Jerome Boyd (Asomugha & Huff were already gone)
Joseph Barksdale = bye Walker & Henderson
Denarius Moore & David Ausberry = bye Nmiller & Chaz (Higgins was already gone)
Richard Gordon = competition for Myers. may the best man win
============================
Very good call here RR but please, not N Miller! His GF is a sweetie!
April 30th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1117304/david-ausberry
David Ausberry FB
April 30th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
FS Duenta Williams from North Carolina went undrafted as well….
April 30th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
This draft is as bad as some claimed nor as great. Wiz is a solid pick. Maybe too soon but hell let’s get him before we lose him. So what if we drafted him a few slots early. It wasnt like a DHB reach imo.
Taiwan Jones is someone that I like. Face it, we dont have a scat back on our roster. Bush, McFadden, Cartright and Bennet are not scat backs. We need a little variation here and dude is a potential homerun hitter so you know Al always want someone like that.
We got 2 Olinemen early. That’s more than any draft I can remember in the past few years. Wished we got some big uglies at the DT positions but oh well. That’s Al for you.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
sorry meant to say NOT as bad.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Al doesn’t focus on run defense….afterthought
April 30th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Al believes the QB must go down, even if the rb is taking it to the house. SMH.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Undrafted
———-
QB Pat Devlin, Delaware
FS Deunta Williams, UNC
NT Ian Williams, ND
QB Josh Portis, CA PA
OLB Mark Herzlich, BC
OC Jake Kirkpatrick, TCU
WR Terrence Tolliver, LSU
OG, Zach Hurd, UConn
QB Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M
TE Weslye Saunders, South Carolina
RB Noel Devine, West Virginia
QB Taylor Potts, Texas Tech
OC Kris O’Dowd, USC
OLB Mario Harvey, Marshall
DT Martin Parker, Richmond
OG Jarriel King, South Carolina
April 30th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
I had Deunta Williams as a 3rd or 4th round pick, but I guess his brokwn leg he suffered in the Music City Bowl dropped him
April 30th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
When assessing the potential draft strategies of any NFL team, speculations abound. They emanate from the seasoned analyst with expert projections, the casual fan hoping for a flashy player, and from just about everyone in between.
For the 2011 Oakland Raiders, a variety of different draft needs could be heard from voices outside of the organization. Suggestions included bolstering the secondary or adding depth to the offensive line.
Head Coach Hue Jackson was aware of the ideas being discussed for how the Raiders should execute their selections. He respected these opinions, but he and the organization would do whatever was necessary to improve the team; both for the upcoming season and into the future.
“Obviously, there are players missing in some…areas [of this team],” stated Coach Jackson. “And…we’re going to address that as we continue to move forward…Making sure we put the…best players that we can through this draft on our football team is what we’re after.”
That entailed drafting a stalwart to anchor the middle of the offensive line during day two of the 2011 NFL Draft. The Raiders selected center/guard Stefen Wisniewski out of Penn State in the second round as the # 48 overall pick.
Coach Jackson was wholly satisfied with the selection. “Stefen Wisniewski…is a guy that we had targeted…We wanted to address the offensive line and we’ve started that today,” explained the head coach. He’s going to play center for the Oakland Raiders and I’m very excited.”
In the third round of the draft, the Raiders selected defensive back DeMarcus Van Dyke out of the University of Miami with the 81st overall pick. Coach Jackson believed he would greatly strengthen the teams secondary. “[Van Dyke can] cover and run…the characteristics that we’re looking for in our corners,” said Coach Jackson.
The Raiders also executed a trade with the New England Patriots, acquiring an additional third and a fourth round selection. This provided the team with more fortification for the offensive line and speed and play-making ability to the offense.
“We got an opportunity to get two third round draft picks and two fourth round draft picks…Honestly, we nailed it,” explained Coach Jackson.
With the #92 overall pick, the Raiders chose defensive-turned-offensive lineman Joseph Barksdale from LSU. Coach Jackson summed up the newest Raider. “[He’s a] big guy who’s athletic, tough, tenacious, and who loves to play the game and…the offensive line,” said the head coach.
In the fourth round, the team selected defensive back Chimdi Chekwa from Ohio St. as the 113th overall selection. Coach Jackson envisioned him as a capable performer for a variety of different roles. “I think he can do anything we need him to do,” Coach Jackson said. “We are going to play him at corner, [but] the guy has such an unbelievable skill set that, if the need arises, we’ll utilize him at another position.”
The Raiders also selected running back Taiwan Jones out of Eastern Washington in the fourth round. The head coach saw something special in Jones. “How do you pass up a guy that can make plays like that…a guy that can score touchdowns as often and as fast as he can?” asked Jackson to the press.
The Raiders had three more picks – one in the fifth, one in the sixth, and a compensatory selection in the seventh. In that order, the team and Coach Jackson selected speedy wide receiver Denarius Moore of Tennessee, tight end Richard Gordon out of Miami and the multi-position threat in David Ausberry from the University of Southern California.
With that, the 2011 NFL Draft for the Oakland Raiders came to a conclusion. “We took guys that have great character, great integrity, guys who love the silver and black, guys who we think are fantastic football players and have potential to be good, and some guys have the potential to be great, and that’s what we’re going to chase and that’s what we hope to become,” said Coach Jackson. “This organization, this team, is going to become something.”
April 30th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Omitted from the above is that we gave up our 2nd round pick next year to get those addtl picks
April 30th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Good draft overall….just not thrilled drafting cornerbacks.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
CB was a clear need.
We were so thin at CB last year that Huff saw time there way more than he should have. With him and Nnamdi leaving, how could you not expect a CB to be taken. Quite frankly, I’m surprised CB was the 2nd rd pick.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
If Barksdale ends up starting at RT at some point this year, and Jones takes the PR job by the horns, then it was well worth the 2nd rd pick next year. If those guys don’t contribute, then you could say it was a bad move.
The picks were for needs this year though, so you can’t be mad at it.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Overall I give our draft a B. We addressed the defensive line last year this year we focused on the o-line and corners that we did need. I keep hearing complaints about the corners we took but you have to realize if we loose Nnamdi amd Huff we are going to need them. Chris Johnson gets hurt every year getting a little bit older we need to develop corners in our system. By the way I live in Columbus and watched Chekwa all year. One of my favorite Buckeyes. He is a football player. He is aggressive and will make big time plays on the balls.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Jhill,
Losing Nnamdi and Huff underscores the reason NOT to draft CBs.
The Raiders paid Routt and CJ a bunch of money…they are the starters…got McFadden, Ware and so on…..
DBs are generally overrated. Its the front 7.
I like the OL and TE picks and can tolerate the Taiwan Jones pick….
But the DBs won’t help this team and never have helped this team in the past.
Its been about the front 7…rather see them draft a couple of WLBs and a couple of backup NTs
April 30th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
I am so glad Al did not mortgage the whole house this year settting us up for next year with some 1st round picks.
The draft makes sense to me. Hue is setting up his offense bringing in some big WRs, TEs to create some unbalance situations. I like it.
Jones was picked up because of his speed and ability to catch screens. Both Bush and McFadden can get pretty dinged up and you need another RB. With Reece they should be pretty electric.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Who is “and so on …”?
There was no one behind the 2 rookies from last year who couldn’t get on the field.
Are you really suggesting we should have stood pat?
April 30th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
SnB I hear you dude but when you play a constant man type coverage like we do you need to keep corners coming in to our system. Very fast cover corners plus this is Woodson’s chance to groom them.
Don’t know about DVD but Checkwa is a good ball player. I like that pick.
Chris Johnson is getting old and I am not a big Routt fan.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
J Hill – I am with you even with the two rookies we drafted I am concerned about the corner positions. It takes a corner about three good years to get our system to a point where he coan dominate.
I think people forget that our safetys are not cover man to man DBs.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Interesting that hue says the raiders look for big & fast, and how other teams look for other qualities. Steelers: mean & physical. Ravens: driven & physical. Patriots: winners. Cowboys: headliners…
April 30th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Jhill,
The “so-on” are backup types that can be filled from UFA or other free agents….who’s behind Quentin Groves, Wimbley and John Henderson?
April 30th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
I just think CBs are a dime a dozen. I never understood why Chris Johnson was put in the dog house…and I doubt we will see a significant fall off from Huff (wasted draft pick) or Asomugha to Routt and Johnson.
This team has failed at stopping the run for so long…that we have all forgotten good defense….getting to the QB is the best friend of a secondary.
ASk Baltimore and Pittsburgh
April 30th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
This team hasn’t had a dominant secondary in years. It has strung along a secondary that looks good on paper but was never a difference maker
Go with a more pedestrian secondary and invest the Nnamdi money in a top notch difference maker at WLB and a backup NT.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
who’s behind Quentin Groves, Wimbley and John Henderson?
——————————————————
Those guys are all pretty much penciled in as starters. Goethel is behind Groves and Wimbley at LB, at Bryant and Houston are the depth at DT.
Meanwhile, Chris Johnson is hardly penciled in as a starter, and I certainly hope it stays that way.
When we faced teams that put 3WRs and a Jamal Charles in the pattern, we need CBs covering those guys instead of Ss and LBs.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Agree with stopping the run… Disagree with the drop of talent between Nnamdi and Routt. Nnamdi is a once in a generation corner stuck in a 1970s D. Routt is a track athlete. Nn is poised to become a D PofY ala Woodson. Routt is not even in Terrey McDaniel’s level.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
SnB,
How about we get our offense more consistant so we can play the defense that we were built for?
April 30th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Macho Man Randy Savage Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Interesting that hue says the raiders look for big & fast, and how other teams look for other qualities. Steelers: mean & physical….
———————————–
I agree 100%. Why are the Steelers D so good year after year? They just flat out draft high motor football players who produced in college. Lamar Woodley didnt have good combine numbers nor the chiseled body but he was a high producer at Michigan. Turned out pretty good. This year they took Heyward, who was a captain on Ohio St. and is a high motor football player. Ziggy Hood didnt have great combine numbers either and he’s turning out to be a nasty player too. We focus so much on combine numbers that we hit 1 homerun for every 10 we miss.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Jhill,
Any defense can look good if the offense is putting up 25 to 30 a game….but that’s not realistic until the WRs and Jason Campbell step up their game….and of course the O-Line, which was addressed.
I just think CBs are a dime a dozen. I would have rather seen the 3rd and 4th go to OLBs and NTs
By the way, I don’t believe that Desmond Bryant spells Henderson at all. Bryant is a 3-tech just like Seymour and Kelly…read penetrating to get to the QB.
The Raiders need another younger version of Henderson to develop and get in the rotation. Right now Henderson is the only gap stuffing guy we got and that’s not good enough
April 30th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Happy with the draft. Wish we had done something to bolster the QB position, but perhaps Al has something planned in free agency or trade to chase Vince Young, McNabb, Kolb or someone else to upgrade that spot long term.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
And if the offense is putting up big points…you don’t need to spend any money on the defense.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
The last time our D was good was when Gannon was ripping the league a new one. This strategy of stocking up to stop the pass would work if we had PRivers manning the O. Our O is designed for the run.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Really intrigued by Wisniewski, Jones and Moore. For some reason I can just picture a Moore-Murphy tandem for years to come.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
I have no problems with drafting 2 Olinemen that will start this year. Guarantee you that Barksdale will start unless he pulls a Quentin Grove 2008 3rd round pick and gets cut.
Seriously, what were alot of us (me included) thinking hoping that Al would bring in another QB? That would mean putting pressure on JaChoke and we know he doesnt do well with someone behind him. Al is giving JC every opportunity avail to succeed this year by not having any QB controversy nor competition behind him.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
For some reason when I read Hue’s comments I hear them in a Dan Reeves voice…
April 30th, 2011 at 10:22 pm
I don’t see how some of you can say DBs are a dime a dozen, that is just false,period!
When have we had a successful Raider team that did not have lock down corners? If I recall last year our blitz was pretty good putting presure on the QB we just need better run stop on the D. Don’t forget our returning rookies should be better now as well.
We have a young team getting better and I think Hue has what it takes to be a good coach in this league and attract more talent. He is respected by other players in the league. It will be nice to get other free agents that want to play for the guy rather than players that just want to rob Al every year.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
JCamp is your ideal QB if your D is the 2000 Ravens. The Raiders have never won a SB with D, Al is about scoring points and defending the pass, very 21st century, yet not very successfull. We need a QB, simple as that.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
We had to get DBs in this draft. If Nnamdi leaves which it looks lik he is gone along with Huff we need replacements.
Like I said before it takes corners about three years to get comfortable in the Raiders system. Like Hall or not he made the probowl and he came in and was just lost playing man to man defense. He needed that zone to feel comfortable and if I recall he runse about a 4.4 40 but he could not operate alone on the island. You have to gorow in the system. Nam said the same thing, I hate to see him go.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
J Camp caught fire last year and looked pretty good. He can place the ball where WRs can make plays on the ball. I think he gets a bad rap to much. When Grads got hurt he came in and took advantage of the situation. I think he will have a good year.
By the way J Camp is not as bad as Trent Dilfer. I can’t let you go there.
————————————————
114.Macho Man Randy Savage Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
JCamp is your ideal QB if your D is the 2000 Ravens. The Raiders have never won a SB with D, Al is about scoring points and defending the pass, very 21st century, yet not very successfull. We need a QB, simple as that.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
This draft seems to make most of our free agents expendable.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
All you Campbell haters are the same ones still mad that they did not keep the greatest second string starting QB of all times Grads out to play the whole year.
I guess you would be happy if Campbell was another Jamarcus Russell so you could justify your follishness in your next post.
We have not seen decent QB play as decent as Campbell’s in his last games than Gannon. Please don’t get stupid and say Grads so I can LMAO!!!!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
CJ, cmon man, JCamp is a 170 yd per hame QB. That would be awesome if our D could keep it below 4yds per rush, unfort our D suxs & we need a high svoring O. JCamp is not a 30 pt per game QB. So you can change Als D mentality or the QB.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Raiders r about winning SBs. You need a QB, a friggin real QB, a Stabler, a Gannon, a Brady Manning Brees Rothlis Rodgers….. Or a mean ax D!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
We need a QB, an offensive line, and a defensive line.
When are we going to stop the run?
April 30th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
It is kind of ironic that to some the Ravens are the model team they want to emulate yet they have only won 1(one) SB,and even that was a fluke.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
As long as Al is, we never stoping the run. Better hope DHB scores a bunch
April 30th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
The Ravens arent perfect. Yet their D is Als wet dream.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
For petes sakes, ed reed even looks like Tatum
April 30th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Many Raider fans look up to the Ravens and think they are this great franchise yet one of their players cheated and stole a possible SB from us yet these same fans hate the Patriots because an official cheated and stole a possible SB from us.Where is the logic in that?
April 30th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
lefty,
The Ravens is a GREAT D team. They just could never find the right QB to complement that team. Now that they seem to have a QB, their D is no longer the dominant D that once put fear into everyone. Give ‘em their dues.
CJ,
Let’s not cheapen this thing by bringing Grad up. Grad is gone and let’s judge JC on his own. He didnt much last year. When our team played well, we looked good. When we needed him to carry us, he couldnt. When JC was putting up 3k yds in Wash, his offense avg 16.6 points per game. Let’s call it what it is. JC will have every opportunity to carry the team and lead them to the playoff this year. We all know that nothing short of 9-7 or 10-6 will be acceptable to the Raider Nation. No excuses this year.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Surely we can all agree that the QB gets all the credit for wins and he will get the blame for all losses. This year JC will have zero competition so he will either gets the blame or praise depending on our record.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
We stopped the run last year, what you guys talkin’ about. We only ranked 29th because Manning and Tebow juked us for 100 yards.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
AIG-phuck the Ravens.If they hadn’t cheated against us,they NEVER would have won a SB,period.The Raiders have never modeled themselves after them and hopefully never will.If fans are so in love with them and the way they build and run their team then follow them instead of coming here daily and complaining because the Raiders aren’t them.They build their team around their D,so does Tenn. and between them the only SB win they have is when their fat NT cheated and knocked our pro-bowl QB out of the game.I’m tired of people of so called Raider fans talking about the great Ravens.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
What was the deal with the trade with the Patriots? Around pick 80 we make a trade with the Pats for their 3ed #92 and 4th #125 in exchange for our 2nd next year and our 7th #219 pick. So we make the trade and wait 10-12 pick until we can use the pick, what if Barksdale was gone by #92. Why did we jump the gun early instead of waiting until #92 to see if our guy was there? Any official explanation?
April 30th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Patriots are so f***ing swollen with picks and talent it’s ridiculous.
Then once the Lions get a secondary, they’re going to be ripped too.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:49 pm
BloodRaider,
You’re trying to use conventional logic on an Al Davis trade. Never gonna make any sense and will make you go crazy. Al is Al. It is what it is. Even Belicheat said it was the strangest trade he’d been involved in.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Sometimes I think the Pats out do themselves as in the case of not retaining Seymour. They do have a lot of picks but I felt like they passed on a very good RB in Ingram and DE in DaQuan Bowers. With all those picks, they could have took a risk on Bowers.
I love the Lions draft. They are gonna be so darn scary. How the heck did Fairley drop to them at 13. He doubled Dareus’s tackle for loss. He outplayed him in their big game. A classic case of Suh vs McCoy and experts chose McCoy for his combine numbers. BS to me. Fairley will outplay Dareus this year.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Evenin NATION.
What # will Wiz wear? 76? 67? 61?
April 30th, 2011 at 11:57 pm
134.aig-raiders Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Sometimes I think the Pats out do themselves as in the case of not retaining Seymour. They do have a lot of picks but I felt like they passed on a very good RB in Ingram and DE in DaQuan Bowers. With all those picks, they could have took a risk on Bowers.
I love the Lions draft. They are gonna be so darn scary. How the heck did Fairley drop to them at 13. He doubled Dareus’s tackle for loss. He outplayed him in their big game. A classic case of Suh vs McCoy and experts chose McCoy for his combine numbers. BS to me. Fairley will outplay Dareus this year.
****************
Agreed. Lions, and Tampa have built realy good D line’s very fast.
May 1st, 2011 at 12:01 am
130.lefty12 Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
AIG-phuck the Ravens.If they hadn’t cheated against us,they NEVER would have won a SB,period.The Raiders have never modeled themselves after them and hopefully never will.If fans are so in love with them and the way they build and run their team then follow them instead of coming here daily and complaining because the Raiders aren’t them.They build their team around their D,so does Tenn. and between them the only SB win they have is when their fat NT cheated and knocked our pro-bowl QB out of the game.I’m tired of people of so called Raider fans talking about the great Ravens.
*******************
yep # the Ravebirds they can lick Al’s Trophy case.
But, Ray Lewis sould have played from day one in Silver and Black.
May 1st, 2011 at 12:05 am
@aig-raiders
lol, that sounds about right.
May 1st, 2011 at 12:17 am
Wow. Raider fans saying that when a NT falls atop a QB is cheating… TonySaru falling on Gannons shoulder was 100% Raider.if Gannon would have beaten their azzes on broken shoulder he wouldabeen Raider lore
May 1st, 2011 at 2:12 am
SnB Production Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Jhill,
The “so-on” are backup types that can be filled from UFA or other free agents….who’s behind Quentin Groves, Wimbley and John Henderson?
===================
Starter Travis Goethel, Trevor Scott, Lamarr Houston and Desmond Bryant
May 1st, 2011 at 6:08 am
We better be looking for O line, D line, and linebackers in free agency.
Al’s obsession with speed continues…
May 1st, 2011 at 7:24 am
I have a feeling that Taiwan Jones is going to be the steal of this draft. It will be interesting to see how they use him with McFadden and Bush. He is going to add a Reggie Bush element to the Raider offense. I think he will better than Bush, though.
May 1st, 2011 at 7:25 am
espn’s AFC West blogger Bill Williamson has a good take on Taiwan Jones.
It’s not the first time I’ve heard the names of Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles when evaluating Taiwan.
If we picked this kid in the 2nd or 3rd, it’s a whole new story, but the 4th round was the right spot for him.
There’s a reason 25 teams made the trip to watch this Eastern Washington kid workout.
“The Oakland Raiders just made my favorite pick of their draft thus far.
It may be a luxury pick, but the Raiders’ selection of Eastern Washington running back Taiwan Jones could end up being a terrific choice. Jones — a Bay Area native – was one of the rising players in the draft.
He is a classic Oakland pick because of his great speed. He may be the fastest player in the draft.
He has been compared to Tennessee running back Chris Johnson and Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles as far as explosive speed goes.
He has to prove he can make the transition from a small school and he has to prove he can stay healthy. But this is a quality pick.
Jones can also return kicks. Look at the options Oakland has now. Jones and Darren McFadden could create a nasty backfield in certain situations. Plus, Jones could take pressure off Jacoby Ford as a returner if Ford continues to become a bigger factor as a receiver.
Perhaps the game will be too big for Jones or perhaps he’ll be the steal of the draft. I love this pick.”
May 1st, 2011 at 7:31 am
i hate jamie dukes.he said mcfadden is a bust while talking about him on the top 100 players.what an idiot
May 1st, 2011 at 7:44 am
The Raiders should trade next years fourth rounder for Jimmy Clausen.
May 1st, 2011 at 7:53 am
r u crazy
May 1st, 2011 at 7:54 am
ABP III…
yup, that would be a steal!
May 1st, 2011 at 7:54 am
trade bush for a veteran lineman
May 1st, 2011 at 8:13 am
We should be working the phones right now trying to get these two small school projects
OT David Mims
WR Ricardo Lockette
May 1st, 2011 at 8:17 am
It was an OK draft. Nothing too exciting. But what more can you expect with no #1 pick?
And considering such, it could possibly be considered a great draft if we end up with 2 starters on that Oline this year.
May 1st, 2011 at 8:18 am
Teams cannot contact these prospects unforntunately.
May 1st, 2011 at 8:26 am
C- for talent
F for obvious signs of intense meddling by the old creeper.
And, listen up, Father Pride & Poise, you can write “period” to your little black and silver heart’s content but you don’t have the final word on anything. That’s why they have blogs. And the implication that the team acted on your personal recommendation to get Van Dyke ought to put to rest once and for all any doubts as to your credibility. What a joke.
May 1st, 2011 at 8:29 am
Here’s a post from longtime NFL scout Gil Brandt about Davis and his speed-size mantra.
Fuel to Al’s critics I guess…
“Few recognize the value of speed more than Raiders’ Davis.
At one point last season, there was a preference by the Oakland Raiders’ coaching staff to keep rookie Jacoby Ford inactive on gameday.
To which Raiders owner Al Davis said: “I think you should reconsider that.”
Sure enough, Ford went on to make several game-changing and head-turning plays for the Raiders, both as a receiver and a return specialist.
Ford was the fastest player at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2010, and it was no surprise that Oakland drafted him (he was a fourth-round pick). Davis loves speed, perhaps more than anyone in the NFL.
And so it should be no surprise that the Raiders now have drafted perhaps the three fastest players from this year’s combine — Miami cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke in the third round, Ohio State cornerback Chimdi Chekwa in the fourth round and Eastern Washington running back Taiwan Jones later in the fourth.
“As I told you guys before,” Raiders coach Hue Jackson said Saturday to the Oakland media, “we don’t run from speed, we run to speed, especially guys that can play.”
Davis, who was a football coach long before he was an owner, basically believes there are two things you can’t teach: size and speed.
He keeps two lists heading into the draft: “Speedy” and “Jumbo.” The Raiders also grabbed a player from the Jumbo list in this draft: LSU guard Joseph Barksdale in the third round.”
May 1st, 2011 at 8:30 am
“TerrapinRaider Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 8:18 am
Teams cannot contact these prospects unforntunately.”
Crap, I guess you’re right, stupid owners.
May 1st, 2011 at 8:31 am
Not that Gil Brandt’s post is anything new to us.
May 1st, 2011 at 8:43 am
Not drafted Syracuse DE Mikhail Marinovich, Todds brother.
May 1st, 2011 at 8:45 am
I think the draft of the Oakland Raiders has a lot of potential, more so than other years. It’s just a matter of coaching and using the pieces we acquired correctly. Other than Wis and Barksdale, this was a draft of depth and developmental starters. For a team that came to close to the playoffs, it’s not a bad way to draft. However, I think this was more than just drafting some depth and a couple O-Line starters. My interpretation of the draft plan after the jump.
Now then let me start by saying that obviously, none of this is for sure. I’m pretty much just speculating as I obviously don’t know what Davis and Jackson were planning. It’s just how I think they were looking at the draft.
Let’s just start with those O-Line guys. Barksdale and Wis can both come in and start immediately and most likely will. Both bring the size and power we need for the power block scheme, and both immediately upgrade the line. This is pretty much cut and dry. We may have been top-10 in offense last year, but that O-Line was getting Jason Campbell killed (by the way, glad we didn’t take Kaepernick or Mallett) and had trouble opening up holes against above average run defenses.
Now then, let’s look at our two DB’s, DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Checkwa. Both are fast, fluid, and physical. Both fit the press-man scheme. Both have high upside. Both give us a deep group of defensive backs. Look at what our cornerback group looks like
Stanford Routt- One of the most targeted corners in the NFL who was almost exclusively on the offense’s number 1 receiver. Despite all this, still managed to allow only a handful of touchdowns. Could be even better with our next corner taking some of the heat away from him with:
Chris Johnson- Just like Stanford Routt, sucks in the slot, great on the outside. Was in Routt’s position two years ago and had very similar stats in terms of touchdowns allowed.
Jeremy Ware- Can play safety or corner. Showed flashes of excellence last year. Rookie mistakes led to allowing big plays but was solid and improving as the year went on.
Walter McFadden- Still developing but gave up a lot of big plays. Never really seemed to get it. Coaching staff has high hopes but might not even make team when competing with:
DeMarcus Van Dyke- Looks like Walter McFadden but a more physical guy who can better play the bump-and-run scheme and with higher upside. Tall, fast, physical and at worst is good depth.
Chimdi Checkwa- Guy looks like he could end up our nickel corner if it wasn’t for Jeremy Ware. Checkwa loves to play physical and has enough speed to hang with any slot receivers who might beat his press coverage. Has great recovery ability and once again fits the scheme like a glove. I love this kid.
Many said we needed a starting corner to replace Nnamdi. If Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt have been playing number 1’s and been two of the most attempted on corners in the NFL during their starting stints with Nnamdi, but only allowed 3-5 touchdowns, I think we’ve got two quality starters. The problem wasn’t starters last year, it was the nickel and dime backs who were getting beat constantly in the slot. Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt can’t play in the slot, plain and simple. They just can’t.
So what did Al Davis do? He gets two corners who can play in the slot very well and actually are nickel corners, especially in the scheme. Two guys who are physical enough to press against big slot receivers, yet fast enough against speedy slot guys and to recover if they get beat at the line. Both have potential to be great corners, and at worst are improvements and great depth.
Next we were given a “speed receiver”, the speed back Taiwan Jones, a big receiver who might develop as a TE, FB, or just stay as a big Chaz Schilens-type receiver, and a big blocking TE that I’ve seen scouting reports call, “an extension of Miami’s offensive line”.
Now why the air quotes around speed receiver for Denarius Moore? Speed receiver implies that he’s just fast. That he’s not tough, not a good pass catcher, not a good route runner. Moore however is all of these. He’s fast, has great hands, plays tough versus press, and runs solid routes (needs some improvement but isn’t like JLH out there). Moore has potential to be a starter. I’ll go ahead and say it, he is currently the most sure-handed receiver we have. Amazing pick.
Now then, why did we draft so many offensive players and offensive weapons when we were a top-10 offense last year? Those numbers were inflated and misleading. When you tie an NFL record for points scored in a single game, it’ll tend to inflate a couple stats. Face it, we lit up the scoreboard only against bad defenses. The only one I consider decent that we did well against was Kansas City.
But when it came time to face Pittsburgh, Tennessee, San Francisco, etc, our offense came to a screeching halt. This team didn’t just need a new O-Line, it needed a guy who can come in and just flat-out out run even the fastest of NFL corners whenever McFadden is out or playing badly (Taiwan Jones).
The offense needed a true number one receiver with sure hands and speed who will be our indisputable number 1 receiver week in and week out (Denarius Moore).
The offense needed a big huge red zone target other than just Zach Miller who can outreach, out-jump, and out-body anyone covering him (potentially David Ausberry).
FInally and maybe most importantly, the offense needed a real blocking TE who can catch here-and-there, but mostly stay in an be a reliable blocker for Hue’s two TE sets to free up Miller to do what he does best, be a playmaking TE (Richard Gordon).
This is going to be a smashmouth, grind-it-out team that will dominate time of possession. Just when you’re lulled to sleep by the constant first down grabs for Miller, Reece, or the running backs, or the constant churning of 4 yard gains by DMac and Bush, or even just the sure handed grabs of Denarius Moore on the ouside, BAM!
Oakland depth on offense and its many weapons come alive. Whether it be Taiwan Jones crashing through corners or racing past backers and safeties on screen passes, McFadden bursting through the middle of a tired defense, Denarius Moore showing why he averaged 21 YPC, Jacoby Ford’s amazing speed and YAC ability, Miller busting through the secondary thanks to being freed up by Richard Gordon, or maybe even Murphy or DHB finally catching a pass and showing their jets.
This offense will finally have some options on third and 5’s, some options if the running game is stale, and finally a complete package receiver on the outside. All three were things we lacked last year, all three cost us games, all three were majorly underrated needs.
Am I upset we didn’t get a linebacker or some help for the run D in the draft? Of course I am. However, I’m excited at the possibility of our offense finally playing great against any defense in the NFL, not just the bad ones. I love that slot receivers might finally no longer be our worst nightmares. And of course, I love having finally gotten help for the offensive line.
While the offense lights up the scoreboards and dominates time of possession, opposing offenses will struggle to play catch up with multiple receiver sets against a very deep cornerback group and an elite pass rushing front four.
This draft made Oakland a much deeper team, a more consistent team, and quite possibly a playoff team. We’ll just have to wait and see. Nothing is ever certain in the NFL.
S and B pride
May 1st, 2011 at 8:50 am
Could I please have the last three minutes of my life back?
May 1st, 2011 at 8:53 am
Nice perspective Violent Hands, a smart, refreshing take on our Draft for a change.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:04 am
Nice post, Violent Hands. It’s nice to see that someone is actually considering what the Raiders are trying to accomplish and understanding the reasoning behind the picks we made.
On a side note; noticed on BSPN’s website this morning that they have grades for all 32 teams’ drafts. They will only tell you what Mel Kiper and Todd McShay think if you pay them and become an “Insider”.
Seriously? Who pays money to find out what Kiper and McShay think about ANYTHING???
May 1st, 2011 at 9:04 am
Damn boys I think we really made a good pick with Barksdale. I checked out two games on the Tube LSU vs Bama & LSU vs A&M Cotton Bowl. This guy is really good. When he locks onto you its over! I even saw a mean streak in him finishing a play after the whistle vs A&M.
The only worry I have is his ability to get to the next level in downfield blocking when necessary and handle the speed rush from the outside. But he is a bonafide RT. I have no doubt. This is a very good talent for a 3rd round pick.
Check him out ….LSU played him at LT last year #78. This guy will be a monster in the run game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjeaK1TuvDQ
May 1st, 2011 at 9:04 am
vs. Bama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b9owu3f2uE&feature=related
May 1st, 2011 at 9:10 am
The more I think about it the more I think we got a GREAT DRAFT. Our first rounder was Richard Seymour, Taiwan Jones, and 2 big uglies that we needed desperately. Can’t ask for more. 2/3 of those DT/DE picked in the first 2 rounds will never even play at Richard’s level.
If we can do something with our long term QB position, I’d be really excited.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:15 am
@ A.B. Paine III, getting Clausen at a low price would be a great addition! He definately has the intangibles and a chip on the shoulder as well! A year or two should make him a serious contender for the spot, and at the very least he would add depth as a back-up right away! But havent we already traded our 4th rd pick for Campbell? Anyway, a solution should not be too difficult to come by, and it would be a great pick up imo!
May 1st, 2011 at 9:15 am
edward teach Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 9:04 am
Nice post, Violent Hands. It’s nice to see that someone is actually considering what the Raiders are trying to accomplish and understanding the reasoning behind the picks we made.
—————————————-
Oh, please. First of all, historically more than half of these picks end up nowhere. The idea is to find a rationale that somehow links to the stated goal of winning now–not later. Wisniewski, Barksdale, and Chekwa are the only high picks who could play right away. After that, they’re all developmental and, what’s more, the developmental picks have iffy production track records, making their ultimate contribution unknowable but certainly far from guaranteed. Davis’ track record with speedy developmental projects is highly uneven, but certainly below 30-40%. These picks are crap shoot.
Other GMs have demonstrated a higher probability of success drafting players with proven production track records, who are smart, and fit into systems. Al is the only one who still rolls the dice (in early rounds no less, see Van Dyke) on these low probability picks.
Ultimately, his method has proven to be disastrous over the past 20 years. The proof is in the record, and last year notwithstanding Davis has steered the team toward ruin.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:16 am
Good Post VHands..
My only real concern is stopping the run, we need to get at least to the mid teens in this area. We did not
address the run so the org must beleive it was not a personnel issue.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:21 am
I do like the D Moore pick, the guy has good hands.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:34 am
I watched every game last year and we progressed all year and, I think, we became a damn good D vs. the run. If we can eliminate the 20+ yard runs you stat guys will get your wish of a top 10 run D.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:36 am
I guess stopping the long runs and a good run D go hand in hand but I’m sure you all agree that our D made a lot of stops for a loss or no gain.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:40 am
Thec07 Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 9:21 am
I do like the D Moore pick, the guy has good hands.
/////////////////////////////////
Yeah he should make the roster over nick miller and JLH….Ford, Chaz, Murphy, DHB, and Moore is a pretty athletic bunch with Ford, Murphy, and Moore all possessing above average hands. I also like Ausberry as maybe a back up TE/FB guy with Gordon going to the practice squad as a guy that gould develop into a terror in the passing game one day.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:43 am
OhioRaider,
Three of our picks are going to contribute right away (you said so yourself), and Denarious Moore could be the fourth. Taiwan Jones is not a developmental player; running backs almost never are. How you could not consider that a success is beyond me.
Four of our first five picks will contribute right away.
Were you expecting all seven picks to be starters and take us to the Super Bowl?
May 1st, 2011 at 9:46 am
Carl Weathers Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 9:34 am
I watched every game last year and we progressed all year and, I think, we became a damn good D vs. the run. If we can eliminate the 20+ yard runs you stat guys will get your wish of a top 10 run D.
//////////////////////////////////////////
I think the development of McClain will be huge to the run D. Most people forget that we can’t judge him like a regular LB, we have to look at him like a QB because he made all of the calls on d and was responsible for the audibles. He couldn’t just go out there and play, he had to be much more cerebral. As he got more comfortable with that aspect, his confidence grew and his play improved.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:46 am
“I think I feel very comfortable where we are at safety. Obviously I can’t comment on the player you just mentioned because the rules won’t allow me to. But know this, I hope we can get every last one of our players back that are sitting out there because I think they’re good football players. We drafted them, they were here, and we’d love to keep them here.”
————–
does this mean ASO will be resigned??
May 1st, 2011 at 9:47 am
It is so irritating to see Al let Nnamdi go for nothing. He’s prob gonna let Bush go for nothing too at some point.
Taiwan Jones is a very intriguing player and I am very excited to see him on the Raiders. Now that McFadden has proven himself, Bush is a luxury imo and we should get something for him.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:57 am
Edward Teach Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 9:43 am
OhioRaider,
Three of our picks are going to contribute right away (you said so yourself), and Denarious Moore could be the fourth. Taiwan Jones is not a developmental player; running backs almost never are. How you could not consider that a success is beyond me.
Four of our first five picks will contribute right away.
Were you expecting all seven picks to be starters and take us to the Super Bowl?
////////////////////////////////////////
The only players i expect to contribute right away are the 2 OL, unless we plan on moving Chekwa to FS. Mcfadden is a better cover guy than either of the corners we drafted this year IMO. I could see Moore contributing some, and possibly a lot if Schilens goes down. He is as good of an athlete as Murphy and has more consistent hands. I dont think Hue can wait to break out his new toy in Taiwan Jones on a reverse or a screen, but i also think his contributions will be minor.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:00 am
R8dercain Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 9:46 am
“I think I feel very comfortable where we are at safety. Obviously I can’t comment on the player you just mentioned because the rules won’t allow me to. But know this, I hope we can get every last one of our players back that are sitting out there because I think they’re good football players. We drafted them, they were here, and we’d love to keep them here.”
————–
does this mean ASO will be resigned??
//////////////////////////////////////////
I think it means that Asomugha will be gone and Huff will be extended an offer that pays a little less than what Routt is making. Miller and Bush will both be back.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:05 am
“with ford,Murphy,and Moore all possessing above average hands”-you’re joking right.Murphy drops more passes than that evil villain DHB.I’m not sure you could say he even has average hands.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:05 am
@Aig-Raiders, even though Bush is not a thumper, he is a big and heavy RB that hurts and wears down the D – this is a useful complement to D-Mac, who as you said, has proven to be a legit starter! If we should part ways with Bush, we should add another big body to help bring some added weight and physicality for certain defenses, imo! Besides getting a UFA, another possibility could be adding LeRon McClain who could double as a nasty FB and a backup RB with a big and heavy runningstyle (guy carries 265 lbs, not too much fun to tackle when he hits the secondary). Hue would definately be able to persuade him to come, and he has expressed a wish to be involved more in the offense.. He would fit in nicely imo, as a complement to X-factor Reece at FB, and to D-Mac (and TJ) as a ballcarrier..
But what could we get for Bush? Which team really need a RB after the draft and would pay a steep price? What are the rules like with RFA’s? Can we trade them when they have signed their tender?
May 1st, 2011 at 10:17 am
think a lot of people under estimate Walter Mcfadden, the guy can flat out cover, makes an effort in the run game. He has the cockiness and short memory that it takes to succeed as a corner. He can turn and run with almost anyone and has great feet and hips.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqBuXMfjIHI
nice hit at 0:45
May 1st, 2011 at 10:18 am
Lefty12 Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 10:05 am
“with ford,Murphy,and Moore all possessing above average hands”-you’re joking right.Murphy drops more passes than that evil villain DHB.I’m not sure you could say he even has average hands.
/////////////////////////////////////
Lol thanks for catching that I was thinking Chaz and typed Murphy
May 1st, 2011 at 10:19 am
Severe,
McClain showed signs of greatness in his first season. LB, especially MLB is tough to make an impact in year one.
Kelly had his best year, Houston was a stud, also his first year.
Shaugnessy should be an everydown DE this year, year three.
Henderson will hopefully be healthy and should be used solely on short yardage or goaline plays, 20 snaps a game to keep him fresh all year.
Seymour won’t slow down yet, especially with the fresh blood around him playing so well.
It looks real promising. The pass D, hmmm we’ll have to wait until after FA to judge.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:19 am
Rehabilitated JaMarcus, surely the Raiduhs deserve to give him one more chance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfLpEzaKxYM&NR=1
May 1st, 2011 at 10:21 am
Wow…..Mckshay just said that Wiz should have come off the board in the 4th and that D. Moore was our best pick (agreed, him and T. Jones IMO).
May 1st, 2011 at 10:22 am
Severeraiderz Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 10:17 am
think a lot of people under estimate Walter Mcfadden, the guy can flat out cover, makes an effort in the run game. He has the cockiness and short memory that it takes to succeed as a corner. He can turn and run with almost anyone and has great feet and hips.
—————
an this is probably all true an correct save for the Miami game last season,doesn’t help this analogy. Let’s hope this shows up this season…if there is one
May 1st, 2011 at 10:24 am
@Harder,
I hear ya man. I’m a Bush fan too. But getting a big grinder shouldnt be that hard. The FB should definitely be the grinder too. I like having Taiwan Jones on 3rd down as a scat back. Let’s see what he can do but Bush is now a luxury. We should try to get a 2nd for him. I just dont want Al to keep Bush around and let him hit freeagency for nothing like with Nnamdi.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:26 am
Wouldnt mind adding Cromartie to the secondary as well – he has the size we need to take care of several big WR in our division! Cant really see who would be able to play on the other side of Routt – CJ was eaten alive when he was on the field last year, even when they didnt throw to his side, would hate to depend on him out there, doesnt really seem to reach the level he displayed when he got his contract! In addition, W-Mac and Ware showed promise in the preseason but also showed in season that they need to learn extensively and they remain unproven in the league, while Chekwa and DVD are both still untested at this level – they all have good potential, but are any of them really ready to contribute in a major way as starters in our highly demanding scheme?
May 1st, 2011 at 10:26 am
Murphy can play football. Not sure about DHB. Murphy drops because of lack of concentration or scared but he is clearly a natural football player compared to DHB the trackstar trying to play football. DHB can’t track the ball in the air at all. You can clearly see it. Murphy was clearly playing scared over the middle after he hurt his clavicle bone last year.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:26 am
McShay said Mallett would never be a decent pro QB.Then after NE drafted him he said what a great pick he was,that NE had Brady’s replacement and their QB for the next 10 years.He has no creditability.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:27 am
McShay is a joke. The only guy I take seriously is Mayock.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:29 am
Aig, i agree – and a 2nd rd would be a good pick for him! I would pick up McClain and trade him if we could get a good 2nd, not too bad! And as you say, losing him in UFA would be too devestating and a really bad move!
May 1st, 2011 at 10:30 am
wolff Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 10:19 am
Rehabilitated JaMarcus, surely the Raiduhs deserve to give him one more chance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfLpEzaKxYM&NR=1
——————-
Dude is too dumb to play the QB position. Sad but true.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:30 am
Mallet will propably be trade bait in a couple of years! Some team will overpay to get a QB ‘coached by the best’..
May 1st, 2011 at 10:32 am
@Harder
agreeing with you too much today. I was thinking this yesterday. 2 years from now, somebody is going to pay the Pats a 1st and 3rd to get Mallet. It’s really unfair but it is what it is. The Rich gets Richer.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:36 am
Aig-Raiders Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 10:27 am
McShay is a joke. The only guy I take seriously is Mayock.
/////////////////////////////
Mayock is an ass and said that Darren McFadden shouldnt be a top 10 pick and that he had character issues.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:37 am
AIG,
You have to admit that DHB made significant progress from year 1 to year 2. I mean, went from looking like he shouldn’t even be in the league to what we can at least call a #4 WR. Yeah he had some drops, but he had some nice plays too.
The kid is an extremely hard worker and usually that translates to something. I’m not looking for him to be what Al Davis envisions, but I think he can at least “contribute”.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:37 am
Haha, so true Aig! No matter how one feel about the Pats, they way too often come out on top! As you say, the rich get richer!
May 1st, 2011 at 10:37 am
mayock on jamarcus, note what he says about his accuracy:
“I took some heat about the comments I made about JaMarcus Russell last year, but I stand by them, as I felt he had the most exciting skill set out of any quarterback coming out of college football that I’ve seen in my life – he’s a big kid with a big arm, with incredible touch and is accurate with the football,” said Mayock. “But I also questioned how important the game of football is to him, which I think is an important question when you give someone $30 million guaranteed.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:38 am
until last year McFadden had not lived up to his status. McFadden was often a joke for many Raider fans on his weak and skinny legs. McFadden will need to build on that this year.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:39 am
Mayock was deadon about JR. JR had a wonderful out of this world pro day but clearly JR isnt about football.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:40 am
R8dercain Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 10:22 am
Severeraiderz Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 10:17 am
think a lot of people under estimate Walter Mcfadden, the guy can flat out cover, makes an effort in the run game. He has the cockiness and short memory that it takes to succeed as a corner. He can turn and run with almost anyone and has great feet and hips.
—————
an this is probably all true an correct save for the Miami game last season,doesn’t help this analogy. Let’s hope this shows up this season…if there is one
/////////////////////////////////////////
It was his first game in the NFL and he was coming off of a Hamstring injury, that has to be taken into consideration. He impressed Asomugha and Huff in camp and both expected him to contribute immediately.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:43 am
Aig-Raiders Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 10:38 am
until last year McFadden had not lived up to his status. McFadden was often a joke for many Raider fans on his weak and skinny legs. McFadden will need to build on that this year.
///////////////////////////////
But to say that the guy shouldn’t be a top 10 pick is ridiculous, especially pre draft. He dominated the SEC and was heisman runner-up 2 years in a row. He had injuries his first 2 years that held him back. I and many others said that once he is healthy he will be a terror, before he got hurt last season he was being pegged as many peoples sleeper pick for MVP!!!
May 1st, 2011 at 10:44 am
Hill,
Sure he progressed. Sure the kid DHB is a hard worker and that saves him from even more disgust from the Nation. However, you have to ask yourself how many other teams in the league would he be a starter? NONE. We have lowered the bar so greatly for DHB because of Al.
Sure I agree 100% of how you think we should use him. I’ve been calling for the short screens and reverses to him but Al wouldnt have it that way. Our offense is held back not only because DHB can’t perform but him taking the spot away from other players who are clearly better than him. Murphy, Ford and Chaz (when healthy) are clearly better than him. Heck even JLH and N. Miller are better than DHB.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:45 am
Aig-Raiders Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 10:39 am
Mayock was deadon about JR. JR had a wonderful out of this world pro day but clearly JR isnt about football.
///////////////////////////////////
No he was dead wrong, I told people that he had no accuracy, no touch and a poor work ethic. i told people that Buster Davis, Dwayne Bowe, and Early Doucet made him look better than he actually was. My friends that are LSU fans were happy to see the guy leave, that told me all that i needed to know.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:45 am
later boys. Got to get ready for the Sharks.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:49 am
pffft, Russell!
I can throw the ball with pinpoint accuracy with nobody in my face if it meant I could get a cheque for 30 mil!!!
May 1st, 2011 at 10:49 am
However, you have to ask yourself how many other teams in the league would he be a starter? NONE.
——————————————————-
And I don’t think he should be starting here. Especially the way they mis-use him. If they want to use him on running plays and as we agree they should use him in the passing game, then fine. But this whole decoy-clear out role is ridiculous.
BUT …
It’s not like we had any WRs tearing it up that would force him on the bench. How sad is that??!?!! Murphy was just as disappointing to me with the drops, fumbles, and other mistakes. He got WAY more ball thrown his way than DHB which is why he had more production, imo. And we all know about Chazerella.
Hopefully this rookie Moore can step up, and/or we mix Jones into the passing game.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:52 am
We need Glass Schilens to make it through 16 games!!!!!!!!!!!
Later Raiders! Enjoy your day.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:55 am
Mel Kiper just told Tod McShay “I disagree with you about the Raiders, I think they got a steal with Denarius Moore!”
May 1st, 2011 at 10:58 am
David Ausberry is considered a TE by many….I knew it!
His game is like a DJ Williams if you ask me.
May 1st, 2011 at 11:00 am
Aig-Raiders Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 10:26 am
Murphy can play football. Not sure about DHB. Murphy drops because of lack of concentration or scared but he is clearly a natural football player compared to DHB the trackstar trying to play football. DHB can’t track the ball in the air at all. You can clearly see it. Murphy was clearly playing scared over the middle after he hurt his clavicle bone last year.
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DHB didnt run track in college, he was strictly a football player. DHB drops passes because he thinks too much, in college he caught more with his hands and didnt let so many passes get into his body. He has confidence issues, if you watched any Maryland games that year you would have seen that he was the only weapon in the passing game and that their QB’s were terrible.
May 1st, 2011 at 11:00 am
Defense against the run has been consistently close to the worst in NFL with and without Seymour. And yet no DL or LB are drafted to help? Is that arrogant or what?!
And is more and more sounding like a used car salesman than an NFL HC? I mean I detect lota sleaze in his speech. everything is amazing he claims.
As for this draft we will know how good or bad in 2 years. But if I had to give a grade now I say C+. Al did his thing again drafting for speed and ignoring D line.
May 1st, 2011 at 11:07 am
New POst
May 1st, 2011 at 10:52 pm
[...] Hue Jackson highlights – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look … This entry was posted in Raiders, Uncategorized and tagged a-couple-guys, final, jackson, [...]
May 3rd, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Last year we got gouged on the ground by NFL bottom-feeders Houston and Jacksonville. Two games that were ours to win but both turned into embarrassing losses. 10-6 and we’d be in the post-season.
This draft does nothing to change the outcomes of those games.
December 3rd, 2011 at 6:06 am
carp bivvy…
[...]Hue Jackson highlights – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…