Jockeying for position
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 9:37 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Some better-late-than-never wrap-up notes after traveling home from the NFL combine Sunday:
– The prevailing opinion going in was that LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey might be out of reach for the Raiders, while Arkansas running back Darren McFadden would not only be there, but still might not be worth the risk because of “character concerns.”
That was before Dorsey made an extra hospital visit for more investigation on a previous stress fracture and McFadden’s blazing 40-yard dash performance put a smoky haze on his reputation for nightclubbing and paternity suits.
Of course, Dorsey has two months to have his feet thoroughly checked out and McFadden can still get into trouble before April 26.
– Something to remember about 40-yard dash times _ they’re unofficial and change from one timer to the next.
Unbelievably, a league that produces all this money runs their combine 40s without an electronically timed finish. Some teams have their own timers and that is all they use.
Frank Cooney from The Sports Xchange breaks down how the 40 works _ the scouting service which the NFL uses to post times for the media on the NFL web site _ and explained the process in its own Web site:
Those who participate in the 40 actually run twice, and on each run they are timed by two hand-held stopwatches and one electronic timer (that is actually initiated by hand on the player’s first movement).
Combine data put together for NFL teams by National Scouting includes all six of those times for each player, but no single official time.
Team scouts and coaches have various approaches for getting the 40 time they use from those six timings. Some use averages. Some throw out slowest and fastest and then average the rest. Some ignore the whole thing and use a time taken by their own scout.
By one clocking, McFadden ran a 4.27. The NFL, through SportsXchange, had it at 4.33.
According to Sports Xchange, McFadden was beaten by East Carolina’s Chris Johnson, who timed 4.24.
Not that Jackson’s time is a guarantee of success. The 4.24 time tied their fastest recorded mark by someone named Rondel Melendez, a wide receiver from Eastern Kentucky who went 4.24 in 1999 and never made a mark on the NFL.
– Raider corners Fabian Washington and Stanford Routt both went 4.29 according to SportsXchange in 2005, although that may not have been the times the Raiders recorded.
– Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston was impressive with 38 bench press reps at 225 pounds, although it’s worth noting another Ohio State defensive end named Mike Kudla had 45 reps in 2006. Ever heard of him? He’s got a “Bench Press Supersite” Web page which advertises a 610-pound bench press as a senior.
It didn’t make him a pass rusher.
– The physical tests lag far behind the medical evaluations and interview opportunities in terms of value. Someone like DeSean Jackson needed only to prove he was fast (he did, with a 4.35 or 4.31, depending on who did the timing), and then the rest of his appearance was being poked, prodded and having his psyche explored in a 15-minute interview.
– Hard to imagine a prospect so far above the rest it would be worth moving up to the top pick. Colts owner Bill Polian seemed relieved to have a team good enough that he doesn’t have to worry about it.
“Now you face the proposition of saying if I’m after the first pick and I have to pay $30 million for it, how much do I want to give up in addition to that?,” Polian said. “And if you fail with that pick, your franchise is saddled with an albatross that
you can’t get rid of for who knows how long. It’s completely changed because ofthe cost of those picks and in my view, that’s wrong. It should change. That’s bad for the game. It isn’t about money, it’s about the integrity of the game on the field.”
The NBA’s system of paying rookies makes far more sense.
If you’re Miami and the best player on the board is Chris Long, how comfortable do you feel dropping $30 million plus in guarantees on a player who was compared to Patrick Kerney, who as a free agent last season signed a contract with $19.5 million in guarantees with Seattle?
Even if the Raiders could have traded out of the No. 1 pick in the draft last season, chances are there weren’t many takers.
– Had a nice chat with Lane Kiffin at the Hyatt Saturday before he decided he wouldn’t speak on the record regarding all things Raider, but apparently was asleep for the real show well after midnight. Sac Bee beat writer Jason Jones spotted Kiffin at a cigar bar called Nicky Blaine’s and nearby nightspot Ike & Jonseys. According to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution blog, Kiffin was even seen “cutting the rug” at the latter establishment.
– With several top quality restaurants and brew pubs within walking distance in downtown Indianapolis, it’s always an amusing sight to see so many head coaches and assistants ducking into the corner “Steak and Shake” for one of those regrettable late-night feasts.
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February 25th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
FIRST
February 25th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Now I can read the blog.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Rookie salaries have to change … paying someone over 30 million guaranteed without playing a down in the NFL is just plain crazy.
I guess the Texans were smart passing on Bush and picking up a FA QB.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Dwight McFadden eh?
February 25th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I agree the 1st pick in the draft is more of pain in the butt than anything. Football is the ultimate team sport, rarely does one player change the entire team.
If anything a player can encourage all of the other players ie Ray Lewis, but that defense is still packed with playmaking top draft picks
Adrian Peterson was ridiculous last season, but the Vikings didnt even make the playoffs.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
JERRY - Can you comment on Lane’s body language and his overall demeanor in regards to recent events. I know he can’t discuss details on the record but you can give us your personal opinion on how he’s holding up. If he’s cuttin’ a rug and smokin’ stogies, it’s a pretty good chance that regardless of what he’s wearing he will be our head coach next year.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I wonder whats holding the NFL up from changing to a NBA Rookie Salary structure. You wouldnt think the players union would argue. The Rookie cap and the luxury tax saved the NBA
February 25th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I thought it was Darren Mcfadden…
February 25th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
How can he say he had a nice chat with kiffin, and then not tell us anything about that chat? Come on Jerry, we’ve all been talking about the 40 times all weekend. We want to know what Kiffin had to say.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Sorry to double post, but I worked too hard looking up the info on this to leave it lingering as the last post on a dead thread
—-
I’ve been thinking about stud DTs on solid defenses around the league. How many of the best interior guys in the league were both drafted top 10 and are stil with the team that drafted them? It seems to me that it’s one of those positions where late rounders turn into stars and top picks into mediocre players perhaps more often than any other position. It also seems to be a position where there are a lot of late bloomers, and that usually happens on their second or third teams.
To back that assertion up, here’s the top 5 tackling interior lineman from ‘07:
Name, Team - Tackles / Assists / Sacks
Kelly Gregg, Bal - 56 / 24 / 3 — Cin 6th rd 1999
Jovan Haye, TB - 48 / 20 / 6 — Car 6th rd 2005
Mike Patterson, Phi - 50 / 17 / 4 — Phi 1st 2005 (31st overall)
Haloti Ngata, Bal - 43 / 20 / 3 — Bal 1st 2006 (12th overall)
Pat Williams, Min - 43 / 19 / 2 — Buf undrafted FA 1998
Darnell Dockett, Az - 43 / 15 / 9 — Az 3rd rd 2004
So only two of six were 1st round picks, neither top 10 and one very late in the round. Three 6th or lower rounders and blossomed with a different team than their first.
Looking for a top 10 pick in the last ten years and where they ranked on the 2007 interior DL tackle list we have only one in the top 30:
#7 Dewayne Robertson, NYJ 36 / 21 / 4 — NYJ 1st 2003 (4th overall)
While he’s been pretty consistent since joining the league, this is his best season. After 5 years of development.
So I’m now less convinced that taking a DT at #4 is historically a good pick. It just seems like a place where performing under expectations is possibly even more likely than not. With the draft as deep as it is in DL, maybe it does make sense to go for one of the later guys here.
Which means that I’m now thinking that I’m joining M.I.A. and saying that Gholston is the guy to pick at #4 if Baby Howie is gone. Better yet, trade down two slots with the Jets for a 3rd where they’d probably want a shot at either Ryan or DMac (although I still see his stock falling out of top 10) and then get Gholston for a couple million cheaper over the years. And then parlay that 3rd into a project DT or OT.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
With the fourth selection of the 2008 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders select:
1. Miami - Chris Long; This pick depends entirely on what type of defense Parcells plan to run. Although Ellis and Dorsey have played some nosetackle this is not their natural position. Long can play defensive end in either a 3/4 or a 4/3. Ellis or Dorsey would not make a good fit if Miami decides to stick with a 3/4.
2. St. Louis - Glenn Dorsey; Although I think that left tackle is a more pressing need there are no tackles rated this high.
3. Atlanta - Quarterback (Matt Ryan); I personally think that Atlanta will take Darren Mcfadden. Why? Because a rookie QB takes time to develop (see Jamarcus Russell), and after the Michael Vick ordeal and Petrino’s dissapearing act, the quickess way for the Falcons to turn their franchise around is a stud running back ala Jamal Anderson. I know you all remember the infamous “dirty bird” and their ill fated super bowl run. The only bright spot in recent Falcon history. (and you see what Adrian Peterson did for the confidence and moral of not only the Viking players but the fan base as well)
4. the Oakland Raiders choose - no one; Trade down to New England for their number seven pick and a third round pick (because we don’t have one). With the fourth pick New England picks Darren Mcfadden (assuming that Atlanta goes with a franchise QB); Now before you revoke my Nation card here me out. After blowing the perfect season and a fourth super bowl title the Patriots will be desperate to squeeze out another superbowl to legitimize their corrupt organization and before their aging team starts to retire. And let us not forget that congress has gotten involved and will push Goodell to do a more thorough investigation and will eventually expose Billicheat for who he is and nail their collective asses to the barn yard door.
5. Kansas Shitty - Jake Long (can you say Robert Gallery)
6. New Jersey - Vernon Golston; Eric Mangini won’t take a player this high in the draft only to play them out of position and hinder the guys development as a professional athlete ( unlike some organizations we all know and profess to love, see Michael Huff).
7. the Oakland Raiders choose - Sedrick Ellis (or Glenn Dorsey, whichever one St. Louis didn’t choose)
We still get either Dorsey or Ellis at a much cheaper price and walk away with a third rounder.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
A good GM can pick a good player, despite his clocked speed, in about 2.0 seconds.
The problem is, we don’t have that. And the closest person we have to it has his hands tied right now.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
That’s some good analysis Cali, but lemme play some Devil’s Advocate here.
#3 — I don’t see Atlanta taking McFadden. They have essentially the same player in Jerious Norwood. A real fast RB that is a homerun threat whenever he can break free to the outside but tha doesn’t have the mental ability to play in the NFL passing game. Norwood is cheaper too. Meanwhile, I don’t see the Atlanta crowd any less patient than Oakland’s so I see them investing in their franchise QB. That is, unless they find a taker for Norwood for at least a mid round 2nd, in which case they might then go DMac and take one of the second tier QBs a bit later.
#4 — I can’t see NE trading up no matter what the case. It’s not their M.O. to pay that much for any one player. I see them either trading down for a ton this year or punking some other team for their first this year and next, or maybe this is the spot where Dallas gives up the pair of late firsts to get DMac. Even if they keep the pick, no way do they go offense. How many more points do they need to score per game? If they can get the top CB to replace Samuels or if, God forbid, Gholston is still there for them to give them a legit pass rush, they’ll pounce.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
maddenraider
go back to raiders.net.oh i forgot you got booted off for the same dribble you say here day in and day out
—Is this true? What psychoanalyst do you see?
—————————————————–
maddenraider———–topic puppet master
February 25th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Dakota Says:
February 25th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
MaddenRaiders,
So are you saying Jerry West is to the Lakers what Ron Wolf was to the Raiders? LOL.
The Lakers are 2-1 in the finals since Jerry West left us…
The Lakers have won 14 NBA Chamopionships, of which Jerry West was the GM of only 6 of them.
Get real my friend
…………
Where did I say that Jerry West was to the Lakers what Ron Wolf was to the Raiders? The Lakers have had many great minds that built championship teams throughout their franchise’s history. The Raiders have had only one: Ron Wolf.
The Lakers are 2-1 in Finals since West has left, with teams primarily built by whom? Jerry West, idiot. Get out of LA for a few days and let the smog clear out of your brain.
Kobe > Shaq = Jerry West. This is common basketball knowledge. 10 year old girl Laker fans know this, so what’s up with you?
February 25th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I like a lot of the membership at Raiderfans.net. Good people, and I do miss them.
But BK and some of his mods absolutely turned that site into a bore. I’ve checked it out a few times since I’ve been banned, just to get a kick out of some of my old friends there, and I have to tell you that aside from them, that place is about as exciting as a funeral parlor.
If you’re a member there, sorry you missed the glory days. If you’re a mod, or BK himself, kill yourself, and be a cop in your next live, already.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
MaddenRaider Says:
February 25th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I don’t think you get it. You have a bunch of people here criticizing a blog while practically living here, like the bums you see under the freeway. Do you not see the irony in that? If not, then it’s you who needs the sense of humor.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////
stay on topic puppet master—-go back to raiders.net
February 25th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
tom flores Says:
February 25th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I am back just to ask those who love and or hate Rob Ryan what they make of hsi statement on Nfl Network whilst having a haircut.
This is not an excat quote mind you…but
what I heard was …”we have Jamarcus Russell, we have Fargas and we have a good defense.”
Is he joking Raider Nation ? WE ranked near the bottom of the NFL on defense and he thinks that GOOD ??? I for one think perhaps Rob Ryan is the problem after all…his perception that we ahave a good D scares me. What does a bad D look like ?
…………
Wow!
See what happens when you just open your mind up to the reality of this team’s turmoil? All of a sudden you start making good points! Beats the brain farts flying out of you at a machine gun rate when you’re feebly slaving away at ridding the blog of Davis critics.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Jerry, since your not going to tell us about your conversation with Kiffin, is he a good dancer ?
February 25th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
What was interesting on the Ryan comment (since you brought it back up through that quote MR) was the way he said it and the order he named the “good things” in. JaMarcus came right off the top of his head. He thought for a second and then said “we have Fargas”. Another pause and you could see that he realized he mentioned two offensive guys first, then he just sorta threw out there “and we have a good defense.”
I know that his style is casual and all, but I would have sure wanted to here a more passionate D-coord say, “We’ve got the best corner in the game. We’ve got two of the best young LBs. AND we’ve got JaMarcus and Fargas on offense.”
You know, focused on his side of the ball first.
Instead, it came off as if he himself didn’t believe in the defense. Which has me thinking that it’s crystal clear in Raider Land that they are going defense, defense, defense in the draft and his head is on the potential new Raiders and not last season’s lineup on D. That might also explain Kiffin’s apparent lack of enthusiasm at the combine either given his focus on the offensive side. It doesn’t look like he’s expecting any shiny new toys this year.
Maybe I’m reading way too much into this and jumping to concluions, but I find it encouraging to think that this is the direction that they are going to follow. I think that we are going to see a DE and DT in rounds 1 and 2 and then it’ll be up to Cable to find a diamond in the rough for his ZBS in the later rounds.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Kiffin’s part of the hyphy generation, Mistabrown. Of course he can dance.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Excellent article from Ann Killion:
http://www.mercurynews.com/portal/ci_8362708?_loopback=1&nclick_check=1
Includes the paragraph:
“The RTB (Raiders True Believers) insist that this all is an invention of the media. They flood blogs with assurances that everything is fantastic in the Nation, ignoring the reality: where there is silver-and-black smoke, there’s usually a fire that destroys entire seasons. The people the Raiders like to dub “false rumor-mongerers” are usually accurate in their reporting.”
Essential reading. This site is getting clogged with RTBs in complete denial about the state of the Raiders. Al Davis has long since destroyed his own reputation. He is now close to destroying the Raiders.
Those of us that passionately care about the Raiders will keep fighting, will keep telling the horrible truth until real change is visited on Alameda. We’re not fools or media junkies. The only fools on this site are the ones that don’t recognise that Al Davis is the cancer at the heart of this football club.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Zymurge, Ryan saying his defense is good under any context just shows how crazy he is. Tom Flores (our TF, not the real one) nailed it in the post I pasted above.
Our defense hasn’t been able to stop the run since the Howie Long days.
Our coverages have always been a play behind. We’ve had sparks of success with Willie Shaw’s raw talent in the secondary (RIP, ET), Breshnehan’s kamikaze blitzing schemes (Brady’s fumble), we had some sound play when Fox was here, before he quit mid season after a meeting with Al, but overall, since our franchises golden years ended in about the mid ’80s our defense has just smelled like a spoiled rotten egg sitting in the trash in 90 degree weather.
What Rob Ryan brings to this team is MORE OF THE SAME. He’s brought nothing new. We do NOT have great players. We have good players. Namdi, our linebackers. But even they are not pro bowlers. They aren’t. They all tend to dog it. Some of it may just be because they don’t practice hard enough. That’s another reason we need a real defensive coordinator.
We had a decent rank in ‘06, due only to opposing offenses sitting on their leads, knowing our offensive “air attack”, cooked up by AL DAVIS, Tom Walsh, and Art Shell, was no comeback threat.
Our defense sucks, and it’s part and parcel of Al’s philosophy. 11 on 11, in a league in which the best teams live and die by deception and creating mismatches. He’s out of touch, his defense is yet another shining example of it. Poor Kiffin tried to change it, he was stonewalled, he’ll be gone for that very reason, as soon as his contract’s up. Count on it. Al blew it again.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Good post MaddenR.
I am at a loss to understand our defensive scheme. We have a four man rush….and thats it. Opponents know that if they double team Burgess and close the gaps between Center and Guard, then the Raiders carry no threat. It must be the easiest week of the season for any DC preparing for the Raiders.
And the worst thing…apart from the technical mistakes and the lack of any imagination…is that we have a lot of talented athletes who could be very effective in a different scheme.
Morrison, Howard, Williams, Thomas, Routt and Huff would all excel in a Tampa2 type system. They have the speed and athleticism to thrive in the zone but they don’t have the physicality to handle the man2man. Now we are trying to trade Huff for a mid-round pick. How dumb is that?
Good news for Huff. He could get to the proBowl if he was playing FS for Lane’s father.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Agree Scottish, lots of Raider apologists out there flooding the blogs. There can’t be fan dissent before the season tickets are gone. Interesting enough, one SURE way to come out and put out the fire is for Davis himself to come out in public and back his coach. He can’t have Herrera or whoever else is his fetch guy these days do it, he has to in order to give it some weight. He won’t and the allegations will smolder until we have the truth and Davis is not very patient so I suspect if he wants him gone it will be before the season starts, I don’t think Al can wait until his contract expires.
On the draft, we all know Al will take the best physical prize in the draft as if it were only some state fair prize pig contest we are dealing with. If we didn’t require a brain and some football instinct and heart, there would be dogs out there playing. Run fast and jump, good boy here’s your treat. My guess is McFadden if he’s on the board or Gholston. He is regressing in his draft philosophy and that is to pick the Dudleys, Jetts, and Russells (Darrell). Work out warriors, speed demons and problem childs because the ones he was suposed to pick haven’t worked out see Gallery, Grove, Stenchcomb, Huff, Brayton, Harris and Buchanon etc…
Nothing to see here folks keep moving.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:28 am
HEY DESERT RAIDER ! your previous post u said to bad long is not a def tackle!! cause that i what we need!!
well just so you know in the ” ROBRYAN BIZZARO WORLD”
OF coaching , ANYONE CAN BE A DEF TACKLE! tom kelly,john richardson, brayton,etc! that guy turns safteys to MLBRS IN ROOKIE YEAR!,
FREE SAFETYS’INTO STRONG SAFTEYS’IN ROOKIE YEARS!!
NOW A LITTLE TECHNIACALITY LIKE C-LONG PLAYING S.D.E.@ COLLEGE,
ISNT GONNA DETER RYAN FROM TRYING HIS
” CREATIVE GENIOUS” ON THIS GUY!!
UUHM LETS SEE WHAT can HE DO WITH LONG??
i’m thinking like ryan,WOW POOR GUY a diSfunctional child HE IS !, to get into ryans head !!!he cant have burgess’s spot “cause its’a “mismatchW/ THE PASS RUSH!”
so lets see log,center,rog there big & slow rite! so LONG IS BIG & FAST !
“LETS PUT LONG @ NOSE TACKLE OVER THE
CENTER “CAUSE IT BE A MISMATCH”
“LONGS’SPEED VS A SLOW CENTER,LONG CAN DANCE
ALL AROUND HIM”"
THEN ” 2-3 YEARS DOWN ROAD” ” HELL!
WE CAN ALWAYS GET BACK TO PLAYING LONG AT HIS NATURAL POSITION
“MIDDLE LINE BACKER!”"
HELL!!!
HELL OR EVEN OLBR VS THE PASS CAUSE HE’S TALL,
THATS A MIMACTH VS THE QB”!!!
“”THAT WHY U DONT NEED A PASS RUSH, U WAIT TILL THE THROW THEN TRY TO DEFLECT IT!!! THAT IS WHAT A DEF LINEMEN IS SUPPOSED TO DO!!! “THATS WHY RYAN INSISTS,WE GOT A GOOD DEFENSE!THEY WAIT TILL THE CATCH TILL THE RUN ,THILL AFTER THE THROW B4 THEY REACT!!AND “THATS A MISMATCH”
February 26th, 2008 at 3:40 am
YA KNOW , waht kills me ive been pointing out to all simce 2005 that this ryan guy is a bad coach &
has no place here! & with him here we will keep going thru headcoaches every 1-2yrs, i also pointed why, tacticaly & as well mentaly !
and for those 3 years all u ” RYAN GROPUIES”
February 26th, 2008 at 4:04 am
YA KNOW , waht kills me ive been pointing out to all simce 2005 that this ryan guy is a bad coach &
has no place here! & with him here we will keep going thru headcoaches every 1-2yrs, i also pointed why, tacticaly & as well mentaly !
and for those 3 years all u ” RYAN GROPUIES” did was claim that i & anylone like me was wrong didnt & didnt knwo what the f i was talking about!!
” NOW AS”H”LES !!!
LOOKS LIKE I WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG !!!! I AM 4 YEARS SMARTER THEN ALL OF YOU DOPES ON SIMPLE ISSSUES’LIKE ROBRYAN,
I AM THEN 10 FOLD SMARTER ON ANYHTING THAT WILL TAKE CREATIVITY”LIKE PUSH BLITZING” !!
SO LETS SEE IT TOOK ABOUT HALF OF YOU 3 + YEARS TO FIGURE OUT THAT OUR DEFENSE IS BAD EVERY YEAR,DUE TO COACHING , NOT THE PLAYERS!!BUT LIKE DISFUNCTIONAL LITTLE CHILDREN YOU ARE STILL NOT SURE!!!U DONT WHY!!
WELL ONCE AGAIN I’LL GIVE U A LITTLE DOSE ,
WELL VS THR RUN THE TRIO OF
BURGESS 250LB,@ S.D.E ,
SUPPORTED BY A PASS RUSHR IN WILLIAMS @ SOLBR!
SUPPORTED BY A ‘FLUID LONG STRIDER/GLIDER IN HUFF!!@ STRONG SAFETY !! JUST SIMPLY NEVER COULD WORK ON PAPER OR ON FIELD!!! ANY ONE WITH A” FULLY DEVELOPED BRAIN ”
WOULD KNOW THIS !!! NOW ALL U “RYAN GROUPIES” -
RAIDER DELL, HENDRICKS,RAIDERS420, MADDENR RAIDER, HUFF24, ETC U KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! FOR ANY OF YOU PEOPLE TO NOW IN 2008 TRY TO SLAM RYAN,AFETR ALL THOSE YEARS YOUVE SLAMMED US RYAN DENOUNCERS !!!!
YOU ARE NOW STUCK WITH “THE ROBRYAN” FOR LIFE!
IVE SAID EVERY POST SINCE DAY 1 ,
I WILL START RELEASING ON THIS BLOG ALL THE
NAMES OF ANYONE THAT HAS 1 TIME OR ANOTHER DEFENDED RYAN, OR ATTACKED ME OR MY PEOPLE OVER THAT
FAT P.O.S.!!
! THIS AINT GONNA BE PRETTY , MOST OF YOU WILL RUN ! BUT U CANT HIDE! HEY I WARNED U THEN!! I SAID IT !! I WAS RITE THEN , I AM RITE NOW !!
I WILL CONTINUE TO BE RITE ” ALL THE TIME ”
YA KNOW WHY , I DONT MAKE MY DECISIONS BASE ON WHAT I THINK A COACH OR A PLAYERS SHOULD LOOK LIKE! I LET PRODUCTION / ABILTY / ATTITUDE DO THAT!FOR ME!!
NOW W/ RYAN IF ALL U DOPES ,SUBSCRIBED TO THAT NTELLIGENTPHILOSPHY SINCE 04,
WE’D ALL HAVE HIM GONE@ END OF 2005,AND WE’D BE RECOVERING FROM OUR 4TH OR 5TH SUPER BOWL VICTORY HIGH RITE ABOUT NOW!!!
JSUT REMEMEBER YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE AT GREATNESS!AND WHAT DID U DO! U HAD THE ANSWER PROVIDED BY ME 3 YEARS NOW! AND INSTEAD OF LISTENING U COMPALINED ABOUT CAPLOCKS!! GRAMMAR!!!AND TALKED OUT OF BUTTS!!!EVERY ONE OF YOUS!!!
SO NOW YOU HAVE RYAN !! & YOU DONT WANT HIM!!! TO BAD!!!HERE HE IS !!!!!!!!!!!”HELL I’lL PLAY TED WASHINGTON @ LBR IF I THOUGHT IT HELP!”"” AND THAT WASNT ENUFF FOR U !!!
OH THATS RITE HE LOOKS GRITTY!!, YA KNOW THE BELLY, THE F’D HAIR DRUGGED OUT LOOK!!! RITE THATS WHAT U SCUMBAGS THINK A RAIDER LOOKS LIKE!!GET THE F’ OUTTA HERE!!!! O.K.!!!!
BUT ANYWAY YOU ARE STUCK NOW!! ANOTHER 3-4 WIN YEAR!!!
February 26th, 2008 at 4:09 am
*Sigh*
February 26th, 2008 at 4:31 am
LMN, you made me laugh here in the early hours.
*Sigh*
February 26th, 2008 at 4:54 am
Hey M…
February 26th, 2008 at 4:56 am
While we do have the LB and DBs for the Tampa2, what we lack is the base of that system a dominant front 4. That is the foundation the system is built upon.
No matter what system is in place the Raiders need to invest in some talent up front.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:56 am
I’m about to watch ‘Day 2 of the combine’
there a pretty deep group of TE’s this year, for a long time I’ve been looking for TE’s, when we got Zach I was so excited. But this years group is very talented. Which pisses me a bit off :/
February 26th, 2008 at 5:15 am
Jerry Jerry Jerry. Ok first thanks for the updates, of course. But I am stuck on your conversation with Kiffin. I get that his specific comments are off the record. I get that you can’t tell us what if any comments he had about all the specific rumors. But it is not a matter of “on” or “off” the record to at least clear one thing up: is he going to be our coach for 2008? Surely that came up? It wouldn’t be a matter of citing his opinions, commentary, much less quoting him on anything. This would merely be your inside read having spoken to assorted key people. So, um, what’s your read? It seems to me that almost all our other discussions are beside the point until we know the answer to this. (although there really is some insightful commentary regarding defensive issues above …). Still, please advise.
Signed,
Buried-in-snow-storm-in-NC-mountains-and-yet-obsessing-about-Raider-news.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Scottish that link is dead and Ann Killion does not qualify as “Essential reading” try Ghost Rider from Neil Peart.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:39 am
So , the big news is Ryan got a haircut? And Kiffin smokes cigars and can dance? Does his wife know?
February 26th, 2008 at 5:46 am
let me tell you that the Miami Dolphins are not going to trade down their first round pick. The reason is they already have 2 first round picks. Because New England forfeited their late first round pick that means the Dolphins get to pick at 32 cause they are in their are only 31 picks this year for the draft. They have the first and the last pick in the first round. Not a bad situation For BILL PARCELLS. and if they do they will have dallas trade for their 2 picks this year. they will even have 3 first round picks. that will turn around a team pretty fast. 3 first round picks that great.
But lets talk about our OAK Raiders for a second. Let me tell you that we should go with Jake LONG. If he is available. Yeah this might sound crazy but i think he will not be a bust for the Nation. This is the only way that JR will be able realize his true potential. Also if we have someone like him blocking the left side maybe we could see Fargas unlock his true potential. This guy will have Fargas run to day light. He will fit into CABLES ZONE blocking scheme. Him and Gallery on the left side will be huge. Gallery works hard and does not complain. He will show his effectiveness at LG this coming season. IF Gallery and Jake long block it will give JR the time needed in the pocket to launch the cannon. I really think the that HIGGINS will be pretty good next year. His speed will be more than enough to beat the secondary and catch that 70 yrd bomb pass from JR. WE NEED a WR BAD I mean BAD. I repeat WR WR WR we dont have that big play threat
NOW on the DEFENSE IN the second round we should go DT. WE need a run stuffing interior lineman. I really feel that our DE will be more than enough to handle russhing the QB. Last year we had too many finesse pass rushers and SANDs just did not cut it. Lets go after that RB that tears our defense up. Not to mention the TIME of Posession. WE need a safety that could hit and i mean hit hard where is he we need him OUR DIVISION is full of RB’s that run all over our D. WHERE is he come save the nation and lay a hit on LT LR AND TH. THEY always have good days on us there is no one to hit them and hit them hard. RONNIE LOTT please teach one of these safeties how to hit and hit them hard.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:47 am
Here is the right link:
http://www.mercurynews.com/raidersheadlines/ci_8365640
Unfortunally Mistabrown, Rush is like Davis: as time past it becomes awfull. I need to go back to their 80’s to hear something good. Very few god things till Signals.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:52 am
I like these 2 guys:
DE Chris Long, Virginia
This blue-chip defender ran excellent 4.71 and 4.77 times with a 34-inch vertical leap. His agility drill numbers were equal to any linebacker in an excellent showing. His overall effort was one of the best of the event. He did not lift, but will at the Virginia pro day.
DE/LB Cliff Avril, Purdue
Classic defensive “tweener” hopes to follow the Purdue tradition of turning out top edge pass rushers. He ran fine 4.51 and 4.56 times at 253 pound. He also turned in a very strong 6.91 three cone drill in addition to a 9′2″ broad jump and 17 reps in the 225-pound bench press.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Hey Cali-to-Texas, what city in Cali did you move from and where in Texas did you move too? I am also a recent transplant from Cali to Texas.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Suspect J makes some good points especially when it comes to needing receivers. But in my opinion, James Hardy 6′6″ 225 lbs from Indiana will be available in the 2nd and the Raiders should take a d-end in the 1st by way of either:
DE Chris Long, Virginia
This blue-chip defender ran excellent 4.71 and 4.77 times with a 34-inch vertical leap. His agility drill numbers were equal to any linebacker in an excellent showing. His overall effort was one of the best of the event. He did not lift, but will at the Virginia pro day.
DE/LB Cliff Avril, Purdue
Classic defensive “tweener” hopes to follow the Purdue tradition of turning out top edge pass rushers. He ran fine 4.51 and 4.56 times at 253 pound. He also turned in a very strong 6.91 three cone drill in addition to a 9′2″ broad jump and 17 reps in the 225-pound bench press.
I’ve been paying attention to what has been going on at the combine and these guys will be big time impact players, ready to start and make contributions.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:01 am
LETS PUT LONG AT LTackle
February 26th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Bigfoot, their last 2 Cd’s are very good specially snakes & arrows. Weird how they are selling out stadiums in Europe, Brasil and in the states.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:07 am
“Rob Ryan after his haircut broke down game film on Vernon Gholston with is brother Rex. The twins are putting their heads together to figure out a way to reduce Vernons sack production when he becomes a Raider.
Brayton like numbers is what Ryan is shooting for (41 games without a sack).”
Adam Schefter
February 26th, 2008 at 6:15 am
Football games are won along the lines. WE need a solid offensive and defensive line to compete in the NFL. Every one saw the SBowl a awesome show of force on the defensive side of the ball on both teams. Both NE and NY had great lines on both sides of the ball. That mainly one of the reasons why the traitor Randy MOSS had such a great season. BUT he is not better than J RICE. he had 22 TD catches in less games than MOSS did. This DRAFT should focus on the lines this year. BUT lets not forget about RUN DMC his 40 is impressing. AL will not let him pass if he is available we need that guy. DMC and JR will give the RAIDER NATION A good 6 year stretch to make it to the PLAYOFFS AND eventually the SUPER BOWL. lets talk PLAYACTION PASS all day. LETS FACE it LTomlinson is hittin his 8th season. HE showed that he could not stay healthy to finish the play offs. IF he was healthy they would of actually went to the SBowl.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Top 3 after the combine.
1- Vernon Gholston
2- Chris Long
3- Darren (Dwight) McFadden
Losers of the combine
1- Sedrick Ellis
2- Glenn Dorsey
Funny how all you experts in here are going to have to back peddle out of your rock solid predictions & assessments.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:26 am
THE CHARGERS although good they are not great. they have a good team but they do not have a SBOWL team. the RAIDERS built teams that go to the SUPER BOWL not teams that go to the playoffs.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Naahh Mistabrown, “selling out stadiums in Europe, Brasil” just smoke ! like Raiders PR dept. I live in Europe, nobody at their confidential concerts. Brasil : 1 unique concert in Rio. Since hold your fire nothing really interesting.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:44 am
This is all taking too long. The combine, the draft, all complete crap-shoots. Hopefully a talent like Dorsey is available when we select. If not we should use the pick in a deal for an impact FA to fill a need. FA is the key to the Raiders returning to greatness. Depending on college hopefuls and marginally talented players is not going to get us back to the Super Bowl.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Hopefully, Big AL will get back to his wheeling dealing ways and brings some talent to the current talent depleted roster.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:53 am
I’m starting to think that Gholston is a little overrated, being that a lot that comes out of the BIG 10 is overrated, and Dorsey scares me. Question: Do any of you all go back and read any articles from last year, bowl season, etc. or do you just go to these draft boards to analyze who is the best player for the team to pick> If you go back and do a little research, it’s clear ELLIS has to be the guy.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Ellis’ assesment of his fellow DT, who won most of the awards Ellis was up for:”He is very good going straight up the field. He causes a lot of disruption, but I feel I’m better moving laterally and going side to side.”
POINT: Ellis is a playmaker, while Dorsey is the 2008 version of Gerard Warren. The team needs activity on the line, not someone just rushing the QB.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:01 am
have you ever played foot ball with your friends at SCHOOL? well i have and every time it comes down to choosing who will be on their team the captains always pick the best player available.
then so on ans so on. IF MCFADDEN is there we should get him FARGAS is in his 6th season ans lets face it he is about at the end of his shelf life for RBs. MCFADDEN is fresh blood. he could be good in many ways. THE running back position is a versitle position. THink of it we get a RB/WR in one pick. wwhat about this situation. when the defense has to adjust they only have two corners out there defending the WRs. JR motions RUN DMC out in the slot and a SS or LB has to man up on him. A CLEAR mismatch. ESPECIALLY with his SPEED all the LBS will have problems. whos gonna blitz a extra LB when they have to worry about MCFADDEN all day. JR will have a field day with secondaries. MCFADDEN has the heart of a RAIDER. TWO stars in the back field. MCFADDEN will take the heat off JR. DEFENSES will have to worry about pass defense and run defense all in one play that gets confusing and confusion an the defensive side puts the offense in a great position to score. THE OFFENSE will control the tempo of the game next season if we get MCFADDEN. 6′2″ 212 RB/WR material dont you think? A true I would like to here if anyone objects to my comment?
February 26th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Jerry, the 40 caveat is not relevant when someone runs a 4.27 and then a 4.33, he is fast. He would be fast on any track with any clock.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:51 am
i wrote this last night in discussing Corey Williams…
i denied the possibility of the Packers tagging him right up to the time they tagged him…
i’m not saying don’t take a DT… i’m saying mauling defensive ends are rare enough to command the big bucks…
and if you have to spend big bucks, (which the No 4 draft pick is) it ought to be at a position that commands big bucks…
a “tagged” DT (Williams) is gonna get the average of the top five at the position… anpit 5 million…
a “tagged” defensive end would get about 9 million…
i say Chris Long, if he is there…
Vernon Gholston if he isn’t…
February 26th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Honestly Jerry, I love your blog but today I feel like you are talking down to us like we are idiots, we all understand that it takes more than great combine numbers to make it in the NFL.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I agree Florida Pete, besides I can’t see Mr Davis passing up Chris Long in any instance. suspect j makes sense except a #1 pick for an offensive player? Did you see our defense last 3yrs? I’ve said over & again with the one cut run offense we now have ANY RB will excel. I live in Denver & have seen 1st hand that the Donkeys go thru 7 RBs that make 1000yds yearly. It would be criminal not to pick for defense.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Anybody else see that fat idiot Rob Ryan get his Mullet chopped on the NFL Network?
February 26th, 2008 at 8:04 am
from Todd McShay:
The top two defensive ends, Virginia’s Chris Long and Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston, cashed in at this year’s NFL scouting combine.
The position-specific drills were where Long did his best work, showing outstanding body control, fluid hips and sound technique. While Long’s 40-yard dash time of 4.78 seconds is hardly jaw-dropping, it is competitive for a 6-foot-3, 272-pound end, especially considering his 10-yard split was among the best at his position. Long’s 34-inch vertical and 10-feet-4-inch broad jumps also ranked among the top-three defensive linemen.
While Long is the better all-around prospect, Gholston unquestionably turned in the most spectacular overall combine workout on Monday, including all defensive linemen and linebackers.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Dorsey is best choice. C.Long might be the right pick to sell some tickets, but he does fill a need position nor is he a freak. Most likely Long will be a DE. He’s a little small for DT. Ellis will be a decent pro, but Dorsey will be better pro just as he was the better college player. We need talent in a bad way. And at #4 overall, that player needs to make an immediate impact. That guy would be G.Dorsey.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:12 am
No one would see me crying if we picked up G.Dorsey, C.Long, Vernon Gholston, or even Ellis. All would be immediate impact players but I still can’t see Al Davis passing C Long in this millenium.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Anyone saw Josh Barrett from ASU run a 4.37 (I think, less than 4.40 for sure) 40?.
I don´t have his combine measurements but he´s supposed to be about 6´2 230…
Of course, memories of Patrick Bates and Derrick Gibson are scary but still someone to keep in mind.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Did you guys get a load of RR’s gut? His liver must be about 75 pounds!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Rob Ryan’s Pickled Liver,
you don’t know how much you weigh?
February 26th, 2008 at 8:23 am
You know why Jerry didnt tell you about the conversation with kiff is because there was no conversation, we are just putting our trust in sports writers that need to make a buck just like everyone else, and when there is nothing to write thats when all the bullshit comes up and gets all you guy all fired up. You watch kiff will be coaching next season and all will be well in raider land until someone makes up more bullshit. Half the crap they write is speculation and some just made up.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:24 am
75.3 Lb liver. And proud of it!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:27 am
I think the combine has opened up more posibilities for us. It seems to me we in here, were limited to get either Dorsey or Ellis before the combine.
But now, some the McFadden doubters, myself included, are again open to selecting him. Gholston is now a viable option as well. And even Jake Long is getting some love.
And we´re still 2 months away, lots can happen in pro day´s and free agency.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Last year the Bucs chose Gaines Adams DE with their No 4 pick. He signed a six year deal with the Buccaneers on July 26th 2007 worth $46 million, with $18.6 million guaranteed.
Now Richard Seymour, DT, NE Patriots, Four time Pro-bowler…
Several league sources said the extension is for four years, through the 2010 season, and worth about $30 million, which would make Seymour one of the highest-paid defenders in the league, regardless of position.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
so we want a DT at No 4… and we would be obligated to pay in the neighborhood of 19 million in guaranteed money, 47 million total for a DT…
right now the best DT in the league makes 7.5M a year (avg)… the top five for the DT position is about 5M/yr…
right now the avg top five at DE is about 9M/yr…
February 26th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Joshua Barrett S ASU 6′1″+, 215+, ran 4.33
This guy would be a steal at the top of the second round. He’s a PAC 10 guy. Big and fast , hard hitting safety. Known as a physical in the box presence.
Also Trevor Laws NT out of Notre Dame is a beast. Also a ateal in the second round.
Rodgers-Cromartie 6′1″+ CB just ran a 4.28! This guy is Nnamdi’s size with Fabian’s speed!! Maybe Late first round, early second round?
Maybe trading down for more picks would’t be a bad idea?
February 26th, 2008 at 8:37 am
This draft class is looking better and better to me!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I used to think being a Raiders fan meant being pissed off/annoyed 17 weeks out of the year, and optimistic for 4 (the pre-season where we look awesome), and then you can forget them for the other 31.
But now with all the crap over the last few months being a Raiders fan now means being miserable 52 weeks out of the year. Luckily we have the Warriors to keep us entertained for a while, but once baseball season comes around and the A’s will be fighting for the bottom spot in the AL West, it’ll be a long, long summer and an even longer fall.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Tien,
Sorry, the Warriors stink…Lakers rule, lol.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Does anyone know what the Broncos are offering the Lions for Shaun Rogers?
February 26th, 2008 at 8:50 am
75.3 Lb liver
Damn, you must have a liver of your own.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Aqui Talib from Kansas DB, 4.48 forty nice vertical jump, nice height another late first rounder or early second.
Watching Deion Sanders in the past, I always thought he used pure speed and athletisim to defend.
Since he’s been on the NFL Network he is impressive with the little things that you must do to be successful in the league, when speaking about playing DB.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:59 am
i will be furious if denver gets rogers. we should be talking to free agents and tryiing to improve our need spots like every other team. It is too risky to have a rookie just jump in at a need spot, they have to be filled in free agency so the rookies have some desent players to take examples from. you cant just throw a rookie to the wolves at any position, you have to ease them into the starting role. Why does Al Davis have to wait untill the last minute to do everything. Every team is talking to free agents except for us. That is rediculous. There are sme great players out there that could instantly improve this team on both sides of the ball. Rogers from Det.(DT) Jenkins from ATL (DT) Briggs from CHI (LB) Berrian from CHI (WR) not to mention Chad Johnson all but screaming for a trade out of Cinci. MAKE SOME PHONE CALLS AL!!! What are you waiting for?
February 26th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Dakota,
I heard that the Broncos are offering a 3rd round draft choice and the Lions want a 2nd round or a combination of picks.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Watch out, C$ is going to blow!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Shoot, I meant C4…darned shift key.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Donkeyland, where free agent DT’s go to underperform.
Any of you wondering what Jerry and Lane chatted about off the record, just pay attention to what Mr. McDonald DOESN’T write about over the upcoming weeks and months and you should get some idea of their talk.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:06 am
BTW, good morning Nation.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Tuck,
I don’t think the Raiders are in a position to match that sort of offer, do you? I would like to see us pick up Rogers or CJ etc., but we are not working with a full compliment of draft picks this year so our hands are tied when it comes to trades…unless we can convince a team to trade for some of our junk players…not likely. We are going to have to fix our problems via free agency and hope that some of last years picks can start contributing. Hopefully we handle this year’s crop of picks a little better so that we can have some of them contributing from game one on.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:08 am
“With several top quality restaurants and brew pubs within walking distance in downtown Indianapolis, it’s always an amusing sight to see so many head coaches and assistants ducking into the corner “Steak and Shake” for one of those regrettable late-night feasts.
Also, Rob Ryan has been seen brown-bagging 40’s of Olde English…a fine Malt Liquor”
February 26th, 2008 at 9:09 am
RaiderTW….agreed. Any of these top players should do for the position we draft them. I still think that we need the NFL to put a salary cap on all rookies and let them earn the big money before they bankrupt our game. Give the big bucks to the “All Pros”.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Dakota,
I agree with you….We are not in a position to make an offer with picks this year and I don’t think they would take any of our junk players….
Go Kings!!! lol
February 26th, 2008 at 9:10 am
We need to forget about the draft for a few minutes and get some the proven talent that is on the market right now. Free agncy is what will return this team to greatness, not waiting around for rookie projects to pan out. However, I am not so naive as to think some more talented defenders would solve everything. We need a better scheme than a sandlot football aproach. THIS IS THE NFL ROB, WAKE UP! Even when i play sanlot football with my friends we have a more complex Defensive scheme, you know…count 5 aligators, then blitz. Once again Ryan, this is the NFL. It’s OK to blitz once in a while, in fact it’s encouraged, and if you can believe it, YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO COUNT ALIGATORS!! Also on the sandlot field, if someone is getting burned or beat by a reciever, we will often do something crazy …like DOUBLE HIM. You dont have to play man to man every single freaking down. I say again WAKE UP ROB!!!THIS IS THE NFL!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Tuck,
Sacramento Kings? Sorry bro, I bet you hate the Lakers!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Jags got Troy Williamson from the Viqueens for a 6th round pick.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Dakota,
Yup I sure do but I sure miss those days when we battled in the playoffs. especially 2002. But gotta hand it to the Lakers they pulled off an awesome deal to get gasol…sorry enough b-ball talk.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Considering his time in the 40 of 4.24 (one upping Run DMC), and Al’s love for speed (not the drug although that might explain a few things), I decided to look a little closer at Chris Johnson….IMHO this guys gonna be a stud for whichever team picks him. His highlights on youtube are pretty impressive. And he would fit very well into Cables ZB scheme. If the Raiders could pick him up in the 2nd or 3rd rd. that would be awesome!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Rob Ryan’s choice of Beverage:
http://www.bov.ch/labels/USA/usa-miller-olde-english-800.jpg
In a brown bag…of course.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am
What do you think about that Williamson trade Dakota? I think the Vikings ripped themselves off. Williamson is a solid player and pretty fast.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I wouldn’t have minded seeing Williamson in the S&B but, as Burqu Raider pointed out, it may be a different kind of speed that Al is partial to.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:25 am
C4,
Living in SD, I know a few Viqueens fans and they are disappointed in Williamson. He only has like 3 TDs in three seasons with the queens, and he caused some problems last year and was fined by the team…maybe they are lucky they got a 6th rounder for him, lol.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:27 am
James Jett was better than Troy Williamson!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:30 am
I dont pay any attention to the vikings i just remember him in the combine a few years back and he looked really good, but that doesn’t always mean much. However, in his defense, the vikings QB situation has been in about the same boat as ours since he got there.
I bet he does well in Jacksonville with DG slingin it to him…plus he kicks a%% in the Madden video game lol.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Then again, Troy didn’t exactly have the greatest QBs throwing to him the last two years did he? Maybe he will blossom with the Jags?
February 26th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Jett was better than TW, but TW is probably better than higgins, or Mcfoy, or what ever other clowns currently calling themselves Raiders recievers. With the exception of Curry of course. Curry is our only good reciever now that Porter hit the road.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:33 am
read my 95 above your 96 haha
February 26th, 2008 at 9:41 am
C4
Man, the WR spot scares me. I hope we find a way to sign a FA WR so we can concentrate on O-line and D-line in rounds one and two of the draft. Berrian and Bryant Johnson are two possibilities. Looks like Muhammad is going back to Carolina. DJ Hackett from Seattle is a possibility, but he certainly is not a #1 receiver. Same with Andre Davis, the WR from Houston…certainly not a #1 receiver.
Scary stuff if you ask me.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Dakota
from what I read about the combine there were lots of receivers of some quality but it was noted that none were top tier. Even among free agents there are few/none that would be considered #1 types. Still I’d take Bryant Johnson over the others.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:54 am
M,
I agree, Bryant Johnson would be nice. So would Berrian, but none of them are the answer. Looks like we might have to patch together a short-term solution and address the area in next year’s draft. I hope we don’t reach for a WR in round 2. I would like to see an OT picked in round 2. WR in Round 4? Maybe, but the likelyhood of him contributing next year is slim. I would rather see us draft a center in round 4, unless we sign Jeff Faine.
Man, it hurts not having that 3rd round pick…I sure as heck hope Mario Henderson turns out to be worth it!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:56 am
If the Raiders have the chance to get D-Mac and decide to pass on him, they will regret it for a long time!! That guy would have made the difference last season!! We would have made the playoffs. IMO!!! Everyone says he has no moves!! I say…He does’nt need moves when you can run like the wind!!
February 26th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Hope James Lofton has his coach-em-up abilities in high gear to deal with whatever the WR roster looks like.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Troy Williamson has hands of stone. The Vikings were lucky to get anything for him, let alone a 6th round pick.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:03 am
RaiderGlory,
after reading some of Blackholepriest’s analysis of RB’s I’ve become intrigued by what he said about Chris Johnson(2nd round) far more than having the Silver and Black make McFadden’s child support payments
February 26th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Has James Lofton or Rob Ryan been named head coach yet? I have a bad feeling that RR will be HC…Al seems to have a man-crush on him.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Anyone else seen this yet…don’t kill the messanger.
http://origin.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_8365640
February 26th, 2008 at 10:09 am
messenger, sorry.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Chris Johnson is one of the best RB’s and the best WR in this draft.
watching the corners in this draft really makes me appreciate what we have at that position. Especially Nnamdi there’s no one close.
Even the safeties are very average. Josh Barrett in the 4th would be good value. Zbikowski is a 2nd rnder.
The only guy in this draft worth a top 5 pick is C. Long and J. long a top 10. As much as I like Gholston top5 is just too high.
Now I really wish we would trade down I just don’t feel good about picking that high.
There are some teams that are going to spend a lot of money and get average production and other teams spend a lot less and get great production. I would like to trade down to maybe the 13th -15th pick and get Clady. Or the 7th pick and get Ellis or Dorsey. I’d be glad to get C. Long at 4.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:12 am
yeah, the killion article is linked into the Oaktribune page.
different matter: does anyone know how to find out who kiffin’s agent is?
February 26th, 2008 at 10:16 am
i see no sense whatsoever spending top 10 $$ on a running back given what we have already, our ’system’, & our more glaring needs on off & especially def.
here is an article about what we might have to expect from ‘mac’(sry if its been done already)- http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7842686?MSNHPHMA
while this isnt what i call bad behavior, it is stupid this close to the draft. literally risking millions to go out & party with the homies instead of staying put at home..duh.
im also not saying his apparent stupidity has anything to do with his playing abilities, we know that doesnt always follow. but there is already some questions about that out there. im saying that mac just doesnt look like a good pkg deal for a top 5, maybe top 10 pk.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Blackholepriest, I recall you writing…you don’t know who I had to convince about C. Johnson…
Hope you have convinced the right people to add such a weapon to the arsenal.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:21 am
M,
Here is a couple of quotes from S.L. Post Dispatch about McFadden’s baby issue, looks like he probably is not the Daddy.
“…in January, a Little Rock woman filed a paternity suit against McFadden, seeking child support for her 4-month-old daughter.”
“I took a paternity test and it came back negative,” McFadden said Friday. “They wanted me to take another one.”
Sounds like he is dealing with a woman that wants to hit the baby lottery. McFadden’s stock should not drop just because he scored some tail in college, lol.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Ann Killion is just trying to support a colleague ( Jerry McDonald ) because a cuple of guy’s in here jumped all over him including me.
No ne is saying that evrything just fine in the front office, but it’s certainly not what the media is making it out to be. Every time I see or hear a coach or scout any Raiders personnel I just don’t get this Oh! woe is me reaction. I see guy’s going about there jobs with some excitement and pep in their step.
If someone else sees something different please tell me. I’m sorry I just don’t see nor have I witnessed it personally. So whatever they are trying to get at. I’m not sure I agree.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Ouch Dakota, that hurt…especially the last sentence.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:24 am
M, I’m on it, on a dialy basis trust me.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I am sick and tired of defending Al Davis. Iv’e had it with him!! That STUPID old man is taking the Raiders Organization Backwards!! This is the time you will hear me complain about this embicile because during the season there is NO POINT!!! But I also wish he would have never hired Lame Kiffin!! The kid is way over his head!! Playing McClown can attest to that!! This team is in SHAMBLES!!! IMO!!
P.S…..Pick McFadden!! What the HELL!!!
February 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I have going to opening day for years now, along with at leat 2 other games per season and the trip to San Diego yearly. If Al Davis gets rid of Kiff and continues to make a JOKE of thr once prestigous Raiders I will begin to boycott the team. this is really hard for me as I grew up a Raiders fan. But it seems as Al Davis is not concerned about a quality product just himself battling the system. We probably won’t get any quality free agents. Does he not comprehend how New England runs their ship.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I find it hard to believe all this is media hype as what Killion mentioned some of us have blogged.
The only reason: The raiders would have issued a formal statement addressing the rumors and for God sake what head coach at the combine kept such a low profile at the combine like Kiffen without sporting Raiders gear…its fn embarrassing!
February 26th, 2008 at 10:30 am
BHP:
Throughout this rumormongering mess I have believed that the media was exagerating the story to enhance itself and justify its existence, and I also believe that the Organization can’t and shouldn’t respond to every baseless rumor and innuendo that’s printed. And I was glad to see that things died down after the Senior bowl.
But even if all is good within the halls of the headquarters, the public perception does make a difference for rooks and free agents, and there has got to be a better and more definitive way to deal with all this gossip. I’m not saying a press conference with Rob, Lane and Al, is a great idea, but it might be time for Lane and the organization to address this stuff. And Al probably should sign on as well. I remain optimistic, but am concerned about it’s effect on recruits, un drafted rooks, and free agents.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am
And by addressing it, i just mean a press release.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Al Davis is a fricken IDIOT!! But LAME Kiffin has to GO!! What the Hell is he doing going dancing!! Not wearing Raider Gear at the combine!! I dont know who looks like the biggest idiot here!! Al, Lame, or us for continueing to support this fricken JOKE of an organization!!! It’s PATHETIC!!!!
February 26th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Sorry for the NBA news, but Yao Ming is out for the SEASON with a stress fracture in his left foot. Just thought some of you Warrior fans might be interested.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Dakota,
Im sure Laker fans might feel o.k with that!! We play them a couple of times in the next month!! I think thats all she wrote for the ROCKETS!! I doubt McGrady can get them very far alone!! I feel bad for Yao!! But im sure there was no tears around the NBA when we lost Bynum!!
GO LAKERS!!!
February 26th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Fender52,
I believe Kiffin’s agent is Gary Uberstien.
Dakota,
That sucks about Yao I was pullin for adelman.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Taking McFadden with a top pick is a mistake:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23343082/
If it is a mistake, then the Raiders are bound to pick him…
February 26th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Enjoy the day Nation, hasta mas tarde
February 26th, 2008 at 10:56 am
either al davis is getting demetia or there is a big problem in raiderland. killion had a very good point about perseption. & the bottom line is that perception is costing the raiders $$ & respect.
the raiders need to adrees the issues one way or the other, while i dont believe everything ive read, you combine that publicity with management/coaching staff actions/non actions & someting smells bad.
that bad smell will have an afect on revenues due to fans spending less $$ on the team across the board.
that bad smell will have an effect on signings - while i agree with the fact that $$ will bring in players, in most cases we will prolly end up paying more than more stable teams would for the same player & that we will attract players more of the ‘me 1st ,just give me my $$ & screw the rest’ mentality. i also believe there are some players that wont play for us. & u cant blame them. nobody outside of the org(& prolly quite a few within) knows what the hell is going on with the raiders. doesnt make for enviroment that says this is a team going to the playoffs soon or that it is an enviroment u want to be in - wich is a bottom line for quite a few players.
al has always been ‘media shy’ & likes t okeep his hand very close to his vest. while this has been mostly ok over the years, it is not a tenable situation rt now & is a slap in the face to the peeps that pay him, us. aall jmo:)
February 26th, 2008 at 10:57 am
wished we could edit after the fact. lol
February 26th, 2008 at 11:06 am
seems to me there are some poeple here who are ready to jump ship…
please jump…
February 26th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Yao Ming is sooo much more to the Rockets than Bynum is to the Lakers. The Rockets are screwed without him but the Lakers are fine without Bynum, even before the Gasol trade.
Dakota -
Thanks for the info. I upgraded my Dish package so I will get all of the Warriors games now.
I am still pulling for a playoff meeting between the Lakers and the Warriors. It will go 7 games and the Warriors will find a way. But like you said before, we shall see. You seem like a stand up guy that will take his lumps if his team loses, as am I, so I won’t be too hard on ya when it is all said and done.
I can’t speak for Mistabrown though, he may just ream you a new one!
February 26th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Come on Florida,
Some fans get really emotional, and they bash the team and Al Davis and the coaches and the players etc., but they do it because they love the Raiders. It does not mean they want to “jump ship”. After what we as fans have been through over the past 25 years, we should be allowed to have a short fuse when it comes to bad news and the Raiders, don’t you think? Isn’t it cathartic to blow off some steam about things that bother you? I say rip away Raider Nation. Fellow Raider fans here care more about you than Al Davis or the Raiders ever will.
I for one would never leave the Raiders, no matter what Al Davis does to them…I guess I am just too loyal.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:17 am
At 31 yrs, Kiffin has every right to go out and let off some steam. He did not disrespect the Raiders by getting a DUI,fighting in public or going to a strip joint and shooting anyone.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Dogg,
You are funny, Warriors in seven over the Lakers, lol. Good one…but I like your spirit.
But really, there are no easy first round matchups in the West. I guess if Houston limps into the playoffs without Yao, that would be a relatively easy matchup for the top teams, but I wouldn’t want to have to face the Warriors, Nuggets or Dallas in the first round.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Having chewed over all the Combine stats and video, I think that our best option is (if he’s still there) to draft………Jake Long.
Of all the top 6 guys, he is the one who took on the doubters, took the pressure and delivered. He was as strong as expected, quicker than expected and much more mobile than expected. Plus the fact that he projects himself as a very professional, sensible, diligent athlete. I have always thought he would make a proBowl RT, I now think he has a chance to make a proBowl LT……and he would certainly be an upgrade on Barry Sims.
I worry about Dorsey’s injury record and his ability to be as dominant in the pros. Chris Long is a tweener who is best suited to DE in a 3:4. Vernon Gholston has great physical upside but you worry about his concentration and determination.
If Jake Long has gone, and we can’t trade down, then Sedrick Ellis must be the pick. He’s so strong, so clever that he could play in the 4:3. He would be a low risk upgrade in a position of real need.
McFadden is great fun but we don’t need him. It would be a huge waste of money. There is no point paying a fortune for an RB in our system and we have to focus on the O and D Lines.
Jake Long for me.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:20 am
It’s one thing to rip away on your team, totally cool and acceptable if warranted. I think Florida Pete is referring to those bloggers that say “if this” or “if that” than “I am going to boycott the Raiders blah blah blah.”
Florida Pete -
Feel free to give the ship jumpers a little push, they will thank you later.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Dakota -
The way it’s shaping up the Warriors will probably be the 8th seed going against the #1 seed in the 1st round, which, no offense, I don’t think will be the Lakeshow.
If the 2 teams meet it would be deeper into the playoffs.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Florida Pete Says:
seems to me there are some poeple here who are ready to jump ship…
please jump…
—I agree, If you think Al Davis is the worst owner in the NFL go root for Dan Snyder’s team or Bidwell’s or Blanks, they all need suckers to buy their brand of bull$#!+ (this means you too, Maddenraider)
February 26th, 2008 at 11:27 am
All the discussion and speculation regarding Raiders draft prospects seems a mute point - afterall, what professional prospect (or veteran player for that matter) would want to work for an employer with the management culture of today’s Oakland Raiders?
As an Oakland native and lifelong fan who attended his first game at Frank Youell field in the mid-60’s, all the great games of the late 60’s and early 70’s, right up to the last game in the Coliseum before the team moved to Los Angeles; I can only express heartbreak and disappointment at what has befallen one the of greatest pro teams in history. I salute Al Davis for his years of success however, and sadly, today he exemplifies the Peter Principle: he has risen to, or aged into, a disasterous level of incompetancy. As the top executive of the Raiders he is responsible for the poor performance of his business and his employees.
If I were a pro prospect today, and a perspective employee of the Oakland Raiders I would advise my agent to do whatever is necessary to ensure that my employment is secured elsewhere.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Think about it. Al doesn’t want to be here in Oakland, he wants to return to L.A. The only way he can do that is to destroy this team through his bonehead moves, and the revolving door practice at Head Coach. He can say that we in Oakland did not support this team with sellouts and that gives him an out to move back to LA. It is time for him or others in the front office to realize that the NFL and LA does not want him back. Maybe it is time for the league to take back the franchise that he tool from the original owners.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Dogg,
We shall see. March 14-20th will go a long way toward establishing what see the Lakers are in the West. They play four straight road games at NO, Hou, Dal and Utah…
The rest of their schedule is pretty light with 16 home games and 6 away games.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:34 am
With such a deep class of running backs about to enter the league, the Raidas better draft run defense. Get Donte Stallworth if cheap enough and Dexter jackson in lower round if he’s still there.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Bob Says:
February 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Think about it. Al doesn’t want to be here in Oakland, he wants to return to L.A. The only way he can do that is to destroy this team through his bonehead moves, and the revolving door practice at Head Coach. He can say that we in Oakland did not support this team with sellouts and that gives him an out to move back to LA. It is time for him or others in the front office to realize that the NFL and LA does not want him back. Maybe it is time for the league to take back the franchise that he tool from the original owners.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
uh, this isn’t a movie…
and these aren’t the Cleveland Indians…
if Al wanted to move the team to LA…
he would do so…
February 26th, 2008 at 11:36 am
i think people that make derogatory comments about other posters without defining who they mean r chknsht. if u got something to say to somebody then address him(them) pls.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:36 am
That was a great movie though.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Did you guys know that the Denver Media Group who owns these paper’s is trying to buy out over a 1,000 employees in the next week before they decide on lay offs.
Jerry, I appreciate your work and hope you’re able to avoid the blade and keep this post alive.
Good luck man!
Kinda crappy our Raider site is owned by some kooks in Denver…
February 26th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Bob,
Did AD ever sell the El Segundo training facility in SoCal. That would tell you if he wanted to go back to LaLa. I used to get removed even though I was there with Ethan Horton.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Who are you talking about specifically Mike2h, lol.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:41 am
No wonder Jerry couldn’t stay through the entire combine and that he had to sleep in the lobby…budget restraints…
Jerry, who can we e-mail to save your job? We will flood their inbox!
February 26th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Has it been established as fact that Kiffin sought the Arkansas job?
February 26th, 2008 at 11:50 am
WR need how do you guys feel about this Jordy Nelson.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8812700273720641018&q=jordy+nelson&total=65&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2
February 26th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Jake Long looked very impressive on the Bench Press.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:56 am
I really dislike mock drafts, but I think this guy has it really well thought out and might have it pegged. Credit to Donkey Punch at http://tinyurl.com/32o6pb (for full analysis):
1. Miami Dolphins: Chris Long-DE-Virginia
2. St Louis Rams: Jake Long-OT-Michigan
3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU
4. Oakland Raiders: Vernon Gholston-DE-Ohio S