Why McFadden isn’t the pick
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 at 7:23 am in Oakland Raiders.
Al Davis has a reputation of wanting the best available athlete. Give him the biggest, the fastest, the most explosive talent and he is happy, regardless of whether the position is settled.
It is said he won’t be able to bypass Darren McFadden for that reason. He simply won’t be able to resist putting an instant touchdown into an already crowded backfield, joining Justin Fargas, Michael Bush and Dominic Rhodes.
While there is some truth to Davis’ criteria in terms of talent, he is not all that mysterious.
Take place kicker Sebastian Janikowski, for instance.
True, Janikowski was a long-distance marvel and a spectacular talent, but the bottom line is the Raiders desperately needed a kicker. Michael Husted’s troubles had cost the Raiders a chance at a 10-win season the previous year, and Jano was thought to be the final piece of the puzzle.
How about Michael Huff in 2006?
A smallish playmaker for a strong safety, but a safety is exactly what the Raiders needed. Despite the presence of USC quarterback Matt Leinart still on the board, Davis went with Huff. He already had Andrew Walter on the roster, a quarterback who was thought to be the future of the franchise.
When it turned out Walter perhaps wasn’t the franchise after all, JaMarcus Russell was the choice at No. 1 the following season despite the presence of Calvin Johnson. Johnson was only the most remarkable size-speed combination in the history of the draft at his position.
Robert Gallery’s selection in 2004 came at the expense of Roy Williams, a receiver Davis absolutely loved and thought was superior to Larry Fitzgerald, who went higher to Arizona. Gallery was a practical solution to a Raiders line which needed someone to install at left tackle for a decade.
Needs weren’t as clearly defined when the Raiders were winning three straight division titles, and with the Raiders drafting late, it was more of a “best athlete” scenario.
Considering the roster the Raiders already have, and the decisions to re-sign Fargas and coax Dominic Rhodes to take less money to remain on the roster, I don’t see Oakland taking McFadden on Saturday.
There is also the presence of Michael Bush, who hasn’t played in two years but who is seen as a potential difference maker. Or at least that’s the company line. If McFadden is the pick, it means the real thoughts on Bush are that he is too slow and not the long-term answer.
The Raiders were sixth in the NFL in rushing and gave up 100-yard games to 10 different backs. The practical thing to do is work on the defense, not add another back.
I’ll admit I’ve talked to some people who really know Davis who think McFadden will be irresistable. But the bottom line is I think Davis is more practical than you think.
Holding the key to McFadden could have as much value as McFadden himself. The Raiders will use the No. 4 pick to get additional picks or take a defensive player who can make a difference.
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April 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 am
1st !!
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 am
If Dakota reads this article its going to break his heart
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:32 am
Nope Memo, this is BS.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
“I’ll admit I’ve talked to some people who really know Davis who think McFadden will be irresistable.”
Sorry Jerry if I believe them more than you, lol.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:42 am
Dakota,
Is that you?
————–
DRAFT MCFADDEN!
Any posts in my name between now and Friday morning are not me.
Later
————–
It’s not Friday morning yet!
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:42 am
Its all about filling NEEDS at such a high pick…sorry Dakota, TT…it won’t be DMac. Thank God!
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Yeah, it is me, I couldn’t resist responding to this crap and we are a little late getting out of here, lol.
Anything posted by me after 10 am MST will not be me, lol.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 am
That Jets trade up to #2 rumor for McFadden would be a disaster unless we nabbed Long @4.
NO GHOLSTON, NO ELLIS!
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 am
MIA, right, we NEED TDs, lol.
Draft McFadden!
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:47 am
When was the last time our host Jerry MacDonald was right about any inside info? Its April 23rd and Kiffin is still here, Lofton’s not Head Coach. I have as much insight as he does which is none.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 am
Today could be a great day for me. Watch the Cubs beat the Rockies and then gloat around Denver after the Lakers take down the Nuggs, lol.
Or, today may really suck.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 am
Maybe he should sit outside our draft room with a cup to his ear to get more inside info.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:53 am
This article wasn’t claiming inside info…just stating facts on how Al is misstated about drafting the flashy vs need when we have high picks.
Michael Bush will get the TDs you worried about Dakota
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:54 am
Dakota give Shannahan the bird for me if you see him
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:54 am
I hope so MIA. I just don’t like betting on a one-legged man in an azz kicking contest. He better be 100% healed if we pass on McFadden.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:55 am
If Ratface suffers injuries from a hit and run today…wasn’t me.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:56 am
Not facts, just his opinion.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 am
Give him some Sunblock…
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 am
I hope we get Chris Long….but seriously, unless we pick someone out of nowhere with the #4 pick….I will be happy with any of the scenarios.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:00 am
Like an effing cornerback….dude, how mad would you be?
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:01 am
J. Mac is right on with this article and AD will not draft DMc. Hopefully, The Raiders will get C. Long or Dorsey. Then trade down to get the LT that we need and the big wide body DT with the next pick.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Or Matt Ryan….or the TE from USC…Davis? That would be typical Al Davis…senile old fart.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 am
Meant to say…if no C. Long or Dorsey then trade down for the LT and DT.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:04 am
Just say no to Gholston!
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:04 am
Chris Long w/ the Raiders v. Gholston w/ the Chiefs…a battle for the next ten years!
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:06 am
We have too many RBs competing to throw DMC into the mix. RBs come and go through the draft year-by-year. We can find someone next year if the Bush, Fargas, Rhodes, Echimondu stable doesn’t work…
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:08 am
Holy Toledo, Toledo! We cut Jordan. We keep Rhodes through the preseason to see if Bush is really legit. If he is, then we dump Rhodes, if not, we dump Bush.
This is not rocket science!
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:08 am
Taking one of the top FRONT 7 Defensive players could be all the difference in making us formidable next year. I rate: Dorsey, CLADY, C. Long, Ellis, Gholston (I’m not sold on this workout warrior)
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:09 am
Okay, I really am out now. Any posts under my name from now till Friday morning are not me!
Blame Ballbag!
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:11 am
Fred Davis won’t be there past the 2nd rd.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 am
I think Jerry nailed it. Instead of dealing with “Al’s reputation” or the general perception, he looked at actual choices made. the national media in NY and the east coast never really do their homework and just glaze over the surface of issues for any team they don’t like or don’t care about.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:20 am
Contrary to popular belief it appears that AD allows his HCs to draft. The 3rd round with 3 picks in 2007 appears to be a bust right now and if it plays out this way then it has set the Raiders back tremendously. We could have been set at LT, DE and WR. That would mean DMc would no longer be a luxury that we cannot afford. I hope it was not Kiffin that pulled the trigger because that would mean he is not the purveyor of talent as advertised. Time will tell.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 am
Jerry…great article!
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:29 am
Isn’t this Ghoulston an athletic freak, what about Chris Long? I don’t see McFadden being that much better of an athlete than these other guys.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 am
You probably already know this but:
NFL Draft changes for 2008
» Only Rounds 1 and 2 will take place on Saturday. Previously, the first three rounds of the draft were conducted on Saturday.
» The draft will start at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, three hours later than the previous start time.
» The time allocated for each pick in Round 1 will be 10 minutes. Previously, the first round time was 15 minutes.
» The time allocated for each pick in Round 2 will be seven minutes. Previously, it was 10 minutes.
» Round 3 will be moved to Sunday and remain at five minutes per selection. (Rounds 4-7 will also remain at five minutes per pick.)
» Sunday, the draft starts at 10 a.m. ET, rather than 11 a.m. ET.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
Morning, off topic….
So, KC got an extra 1st and two 3rds for their best player, I envy the amount of picks they have now but….
Considering Carl Peterson´s dubious Draft record from rounds 1 to 3, I would say they should have held on to their best player. Of course, Carl took care of irking him earlier to the point he couldn´t wait to leave.
Here KC´s picks since 99 when Marty left (of course, due to a beef with Carl Peterson).
1999
1-OT John Tait
2-RB Mike Cloud
3-LB Gary Stills
3-LB Larry Atkins
2000
1-WR Sylvester Morris
2-S William Bartee
3-S Greg Wesley
2001
3-DE Eric Downing
3-WR Snoop Minnis
2002
1-DT Ryan Sims
2-DE Eddie Freeman
2003
1-RB Larry Johnson
2-LB Kawika Mitchell
3-S Julian Battle
2004
2-DT Junior Siiavi
2-TE Kris Wilson
3-LB Keyaron Fox
2005
1-LB Derrick Johnson
3-P Dustin Colquitt
Out of 19 players selected in the top 3 rounds from 99 to 05, only 4 players remain with the team, 2 starters, one backup and the Punter.
Conventional wisdom says it takes 3 years to evaluate a Draft so the jury´s still out on the 06 and 07 Drafts:
2006
1-DE Tamba Hali
2-S Bernard Pollard
3-QB Brodie Croyle
2007
1-WR Dwayne Bowe
2-DT Turk McBride
3-DT Tank Tyler
With so many picks this year they are bound to hit on a couple of them, but the odds are not good according to their history. I feel better now.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
Wow Jerry, this article sounds like the discussion Tommy Trojan and myself had the other day on this blog. Michael Husted….For the life of me I couldn’t think of his name. I remembered the reason we took Jano was because of our terrible kicker, but for the life of me I couldn’t think of his name. Thanks Jerry. The discussion was about need players and luxury players and Tommy Trojan tried to tell me Jano was a luxury pick and I disagreed. My memory isn’t the best, but I does work occasionally…LOL
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:39 am
Man I hope we get this guy, he will set the tone for our “D”. This quote is classic.
Even as he begins to construct his own body of work, Chris Long is more than willing to acknowledge the cloth from which he was cut. In most regards, anyway.
“I’ve decided that I’m going to stick with my hairdo and never rock the flattop,” he posted on a recent ESPN.com chat. “But that’s a good question, because that is a legacy to live up to.”
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:41 am
The biggest knock on Chris Long is that scouts see him as having already reached or nearly reached his athletic potential. They see Gholston and drool because of his measureables and unrealized potential.
IMO, Chris Long is the most ready to play D line prospect in the draft. Some scouts compare him to Aaron Kampman in GB.
I would rather draft a known quantity than have to rely on Rob Ryan to bring out untapped potential.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:43 am
McFadden is not the answer in this crowded backfield, the Raiders still have troubles with the offensive line and McFadden is going to need blocking, furthermore, he’ll be expected to run tough which he struggles to do inside the tackles (like Reggie Bush). McFadden will be good but doesn’t fit the Raiders system.
Gholston is very tempting because he’s a pure athlete with combine numbers that would make a Greek GOD! Blush…more than anything I point to his strength as the biggest asset: 37 reps on the bench! Monstrous! And the same as Jake Long, never mind he ran close to a 4.5 40 as well. He has star written all over him, no character issues neither, I will admit his teammates say he’s quite which could be lacks enthusiasm, teams should gage how motivated he is to be the best because all the physical attributes are present.
In case you were wondering, our Robert Gallery did 24 reps on the bench during his combine performance which translates to having difficulty run blocking and getting eaten alive by quick and powerful D-Ends. The bench press is not the end all be all but in the trenches, strength is VERY important.
The strength of a Lineman is as important as the speed and hands of a receiver.
Chris Long is cool too but showed he can be contained in college, he has a motor. That doesn’t mean SACK master!
Ellis and Dorsey wouldn’t be terrible picks either but the Raiders are already deep at D-Tackle.
Gholston is the guy with Burgess on the other side. Now Rob Ryan can play all that man with his stud corners and quick, playmaking Linebackers.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:45 am
I did not know that MRD, Thanks!
Things are getting REALLY interesting for us at 4. If Matt Ryan and McFadden are still on the board, KC, NY, BALT, and Dallas should all be on the phone with us trying to move up to secure their guy.
KC now has 5 and 17 due to the Allen trade. Are they really happy with their QB situation? Is Matt Ryan back in play for them if he’s still on the board, with Derrick Harvey at 17?
So many possibilities …
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Thats all the more reason to Draft DMC… Lets check the draft scoreboard as cited in this blog…
Janikowski..WRONG
Huff…. so-so..(Leinart would have been a better pick)
Gallery and not Roy or Fitzgerald ..nuff said..
History shows Al should not used his football brain, but use his gut feeling..
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:48 am
I’ll be happy with either Long or Gholston.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:49 am
Long is going to be a bust. He can not be taught outside speed. If he is maxed out and McFad is not there, draft someone else. Weak Conference padded sacks. He was eatten up admittedly in practice by 2 players in his soph and jr yrs that went on to the NFL.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
Former Washington and Houston GM Charlie Casserly predicted yesterday that STL takes C.Long, ATL takes Dorsey and OAK takes McFadden.
He said: “McFadden makes their OL better and he makes their QB better”.
He said, he has McFadden and Gholston rated higher than C. Long.
And that if given the choice he would select McFadden over C. Long because McFadden has a better chance to become a Pro Bowl player, but that he was not sure if Al Davis would let “Howie´s kid not become a Raider”.
He said that, not me.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
Dorsey should be the pick and they might trade up to get him
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
Chris Long is the perfect choice. If Michael Bush didn’t get hurt at UL he would be better than Mcfunky. Watch the games from last season and you will see what we need… Defense and to protect the quarterback.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:55 am
New Orleans is looking to trade up and the Jets also, I think Al will trade down for more picks. There is a lot of value in the 2nd and 3rd rounds this year, we’ve spent a lot of cash this off season on vets and we need more picks that won’t cost us more big cash payouts for signing bounus like the first rounders.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:56 am
Ha!
Good point Plaiboy …
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
RAIDERATHEART
M Bush played a weaker schedule at Louisville and McFad was in the much tougher SEC. The fact is he DID get hurt and we are all hopefull he makes it back. A backfield of McFad and Bush with Russell would cause nightmares for Def Cords.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:04 am
Chris Long has to be the pick if he’s there.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:05 am
Jano was a wasted pick. Michael Husted had been axed, and replaced with Joe Nedney, who has virtually identical career stats as Jano.
Nedney, though, has a knack for making the big kick. He proved this in the last game that season with a game winner in KC to knock the Chefs out of the playoff hunt.
Jano had (well justified, as it turned out) character concerns, and nobody had any way of knowing how he would handle pressure at the NFL level. The most likely scenario is how his career turned out - Average stats, occasionally stellar performance, and narrowly missing from record distances.
A lesser strength leg like Nedney would have caused more caution on 4th down at the 30 to 35 yard line. It’s pure speculation but my impression is Nedney has more accurate under pressure, which could have easily won 2 more games each every year.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 am
agreed playboi,
Jerry just pointed out why McFadden should be the pick in this article. Clearly Al Davis is not operating in the same way he has been the last few off-seasons. I think he is fully aware that drafting for need the last few years has been a complete failure, and he is going after the most gifted players available.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 am
Not drafting DMC becuz of having Mbush… is like not drafting Leinart becuz we had Andrew W… if the Vikings could draft A.P. even though they Chester Taylor would ran for 1200 the year b4..we should draft dmc…
and to everyone who says bush is better then dmc get a clue… dmc has better stats in pop warner, high school, and college….FACT LOL
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 am
I will be happy if either Gholston or Long is off the board (hopefully Gholston to the Rams) when it’s our turn to pick the other DE so KC doesn’t get either one.
Gholston in KC red would haunt me for 10 years.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 am
The thing everyone forgets about drafting Janikowski is that the second option would have been worst:
“had they not taken Janikowski, were set to go with Jackson State’s Sylvester Morris. Morris went No. 21 to Kansas City, suffered a serious knee injury, and never made an impact.”
That does not make up for Jano failing to live up to expectations but people should get over it, at least he´s still in the league.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 am
raider gordo, you make valid points. but you gotta admit, seabass keeps you from making a fridge run or a bathroom break, during a fg attempt. 3pts or doink.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
The thing everyone forgets about drafting Janikowski is that the second option would have been worst:
“had they not taken Janikowski, were set to go with Jackson State’s Sylvester Morris. Morris went No. 21 to Kansas City, suffered a serious knee injury, and never made an impact.”
That does not make up for Jano failing to live up to expectations but people should get over it, at least he´s still in the league.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
This draft is deep in a lot of positions so the obvious solution for the many needs of the Raiders is to trade down. Either way it is a win win situation at the #4 pick.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
Dang..double posted, sorry about that.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
But the fact of the matter is we were losing games because of our kicker and thats why we picked Jano. Its simple, if you don’t perform, you get replaced. Whether or not that replacement is any better is not the point.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:16 am
I dont care who they second option was..u dont draft a kicker in the first round..bottmline
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 am
But the bottom line is I think Davis is more practical than you think.
Enough said.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 am
I think he is going to draft another Kicker. LMAO
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 am
I agree with your viewpoint on this one Jerry & figure we’ll end up with either Chris Long or Gholston, unless Dorsey is still on the board (very unlikely). Can’t wait until noon on Saturday.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 am
i wish he was as practical as Aj smith is when drafting players… nuff said
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:20 am
The scenario is so perfect, it simply has to come true. The son of Howie Long — one of the greatest players ever to slip into Silver and Black — comes to the Raiders with the fourth draft choice of the first round, teams with Derrick Burgess to form an unholy and unstoppable pass-rush tandem, and helps restore Al Davis’ languishing team to NFL glory.
Thec, you getting worried? Hope you saved your money, that C Long on the back of my jersey will sure look good.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Jerry. Use your considerable influence within the organization to convince them to trade down for more picks. You can do it!
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
playboi..remind me, how many Super Bowls has AJ Smith won?…that´s right and my guess is this SD team, while very talented, will not win one.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
The sole purpose of the Raiders hitting the FA for defense was the fact they knew they were in the position to take MacDaddy in the draft. They’ll still pick up a D lineman in the draft, but Al will not let a gamebreaker pass by for an average back. No disrespect to Fargas but no D cordinator is losing sleep over him. So go out and get your McFadden jerseys cause Ill have mine. Im guessing he’ll wear # 20, for the number of TDs he ll score this season.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:24 am
Jerry you nailed it. It seems certain members of the media are more “myopic” than they contend Raiders fans are. They buy into the stereotypes regarding Al Davis and run with them even if the facts don’t support their contention. Recent history shows the Raiders pick for need in round one, not simply on size and speed. Sure there are examples where players fall into that category, but saying that’s what the Raiders “always” do, is simply wrong.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:25 am
Chris Long = Tyler Brayton II Does NOTHING to improve the WORST RUN D in the league!!! WAKE UP YOU IDIOTS AND LEARN WINNING FOOTBALL!!! ~FANG KNOWS ALL
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:26 am
i dont understand the Chris Long or Gholston pick, how does that help the 31st rush defense get better, when has a d-end been a force in stopping the run, jtalyor is one of best rush ends in the league doesnt help mia stop the run…???
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:27 am
i agree fang!!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Did Kawika Mitchell wear number 50 for the Squaws? Whoever wore that number was the WORST LB I have ever seen. If it is Mitchell he got waaaayy better playing for the Giants. Amazing what a great D_line will do for a Linebacker.
The Squaws draft history is worse than ours
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:29 am
sd has won none, but aj hasnt ever lost to us Bob… if had a choice of GMs right now i would pick Aj over Al..do u disagree?
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:30 am
We don’t need another running back. With bush healthy, Rhodes and Fargas we do have a deadly backfield. Lets not forget Rhodes carried the Colts on his back in the superbowl. Fargas showed last season how great he really is. Then you throw in Michael Bush who if is healthy is beyond a solid RB. Go with the next generation of the hall of fame Long DNA. Raiders will be back to the top in no time.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:30 am
There seems to be a couple of loons in here this morning.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:32 am
Playboi - You’re kicking a dead horse, that question has been posed several times and nobody has a good answer for it. The only people that have the right answer is those in favor of McFadden. Simply because McFadden will do more to stop the run than Long or Gholston will.
It’s believed that Gholston has some run stopping ability and perhaps is underrated in this area, however the general consensus is that McFadden is the best option in terms of stopping the run at picks 1 - 4. The run stopping DL’s are in rounds 2 - 7.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:35 am
playboi…give me one more year.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:35 am
Assassin how again does Mcfadden stop the run from the offense?
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
i got u Assassin
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Well at least we know we can get Dorsey, Long, or McFadden. I would not be upset at any of them. I hope DMAC though.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
1st.- RB McFadden-DE Chris Long
2nd (Trade)-OT Sam Baker
4th DT Frank Okam
6th DE Tommy Blake
6th (trade) WR Adarius Bowman
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:40 am
Raidertheart - I’ll answer that, but let me ask you this, how does C.Long or Gholston help the run defense if their core competency is pass rushing?
McFadden does more for the run defense than Long or Gholston because he makes the overall offense more explosive, thus harder gameplan for, thus we score more points. If we put points on the board the opponent has to catch up via the pass, in which case I like our chances with our LB’s and secondary.
We ran on teams all of last season and how did that work out for us?
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:40 am
Chris Long…
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 am
“…..Mcfadden is the best option in terms of stopping the run..”? Wow, thats a lot of talent to be able to play offense and defense!!I knew he was talented but I had no idea! I am just utterly amazed at this point.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:44 am
Bob u dont need another year, i think u already know the answer to my question!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 am
Chris Long is by far the hardest worker in this draft. He gives a 110% on every single play. You tell that kid to stop the run and he will stop the run. The reality is that when he was in college his main goal to help the team was pass rush. Watch his games in college and you will see a kid that has the potential to ruin your day with hard work and great DNA.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 am
GRIM - You conveniently left out the part of that statement that says…”at picks 1 - 4″. If you want to argue that Long or Gholston should be the pick to allow us more pass rush capability then I couldn’t argue that point. However, many in here claim that we have a full stable of RB’s and that we need to pass on McFadden because stopping the run is more important. My question remains, who will help us do that better than McFadden at picks 1 - 4? If you truly want to improve run defense via the draft from a DL perspective, then we need to accumulate 2nd and 3rd round picks because that’s where the run stuffing DL’s will be. Nobody at 1 - 4 is going to improve our run defense. Dorsey is the closest, but we spent too much on T.K.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
A running back can’t stop the run from offense… are we even talking about the same guy?
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
Jerry you cant use matt as an example becaus ehe’s already stated he wanted matt leinart and huff was art shells pic and he regrets its. He didn’t want to let moss go but kffin talked him out of it and he regrets it. He wanted roi williams norv was fresh and felt it was best to take gallery and he regrets it so most of these need/ conservative pics have come from lame duck coaches and people with views like you. And because hes mostly been right lately and keeps losing because of listening to otheres I think he’s gonna do what he wants and if the people in the organization feel he’s a talent al cant pass on trust me he wont. If they can see it al can.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 am
I would never argue that C.Long doesn’t give 110%. Nor would I be upset if he was on our team because I think he could provide lethal pass rush ability. I just don’t think he will have as much of an impact for the overall defense as McFadden will to the overall offense.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 am
Some of you are wondering how a DE will help the defensive line??? You do know that a DE plays on the D-line, right??….some of the brain-power in here is amazing.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:49 am
Blast. my name came out wrong. Oh the irony.),:
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:50 am
GRIM,
Nedney was hired because Husted blew so many games. My memory is not perfect, but I don’t recall Nedney losing any games for us, and he made the biggest field goal to that point since the move to Oakland. The kicker crisis was over.
Jano was no guaranteed success. There was no way to tell if he would be as good or better than Nedney. It turns out he was almost exactly the same kicker, stat-wise, and IMHO Jano has lost more games than Nedney would have.
Place kicker in pro football is all about handling pressure, and self discipline is a big element. I didn’t see self-discipline in Jano before they drafted him, and only on occasion since.
If someone wants to convince me the Raiders had justification to draft Jano at all (you could never convince me the first round was right), just show me Jano’s college stats vs. Nedney’s college and pro stats before that draft.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:51 am
Bob, thats a very optimistic draft, but I see you are still hooked on getting Tommy Blake. Please no more headcases, he is worse than Barrett Robbins, who at least made it through college without a major episode. Frank Okam could be the second coming of …Gerard Warren.. I think we try for Dre Moore.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
bartbridge and playboy,
LOL..I agree…Jerry just made great points as to why DMC should be the pick not why he shouldn’t : /
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
Howie is that you? Aka RAIDERATHEART…
a d-end has nothing to do with stopping the run.. jtalyor cant do it, a rookie isnt goin to do it either,
sorry howie
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:54 am
assasin,
exactly…the run stopping DL’s are in rounds 2-4.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:57 am
You may be right Jerry and you’re certainly correct about recent picks but when Al built the really great teams he always did it by going for the best player and not drafting for need. In recent years he’s also been going for other teams castoffs and back-up players. Somehow they were going to be first rate players when they got here. I’m hoping the old Al is back.
It seemed sometimes in the last four years as if Al Davis was in a coma. The team and the Raider Nation sat around waiting for something positive to happen but things just got worse with each year until the team was a regarded as dysfunctional by the league.
Kiffin’s being hired changed this in two ways:
1. Kiffin changed the team to one we thought might win-although some of us were a little optimistic about those last four games. The attitude of the team changed and Kiffin gave us a team that was going somewhere. Which is not to say he didn’t make mistakes-for example all that going for it on 4th down drove me crazy and cost us at least one game.
2. Then at the end of the year when Kiffin wanted to fire Rob Ryan, Al Davis seemed to come out of his coma.
I mean this really seemed to wake him up. Ever since he’s been making deals and coming up with players. It seemed crazy to pay Kelly $50 million but maybe that’s what he had to do get players like Hall to come over to the Raiders. Aso/Hall/Wilson/Huff sounds good to me.
If Al starts drifting off again into his coma maybe Kiffin could fire someone else.
GO RAIDERS!
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:57 am
Agreed Darkknight01. Red Bryant, Pat Sims, Fran Okam, etc. are not worthy of a top 5 pick.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:58 am
‘Gave up 100-yard games to 10 different backs.’ - Usually translates to losses. Oh BTW we lost 12 games last season 8 of which where close margins. If we can turn that weakness into a strength we start winning more games. Draft either Ellis or Dorsey.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:59 am
Nedney did not do any better, hence the Jano pick.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:59 am
Trevor Laws
Red Bryant
Dre Moore
Pat Sims
Frank Okam
BJ Raji
Marcus Harrison
these are your run-stuffers, and they will be there in rounds 2-4. FYI, McFadden’s worst game last season came against Pat Sim’s Auburn Tigers, NOT Glenn Dorsey’s Bayou Bengals (he torched them). Glenn Dorsey is not gonna help stop the run.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:00 am
Did you even read the article, or did you just skip right through to the discussion part?
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:03 am
EnglandRaider - Post 101 is great!
I knew that happened but never actually put it all together like that!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:03 am
Bayou Bengals?? I always thought LSU was the Tigers.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:03 am
dont hate cuz C.Long is the pick you’ll see!!!!!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:04 am
Grim i dont wanna spend a great deal of time coaching you on football, but a d-end doesnt offer much run support….ill give you some homework..you go and check the nfl’s top 10 defenses, and u will see they have great linebacker play, why is that you ask? becuz the big bois in the middle keep the o-line off them, freein them up to make plays…K.M, TT had their problems gettin off blocks last yr…and d-end doesnt help that!!!!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
Bengals are tigers lol, but i get ur point lol
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
BART
Yeah, I´m hooked on Blake´s potential, maybe we take better care of him than we did with Robbins, you know, since we already have experience…haha.
And, I have no problem with Dre Moore over Okam, I just think Okam will be there and Moore may not, Athyba Rubin is another DT option at 4th.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
Kiffen never said he was going to fire Ryan. Kiffen and Ryan had an end of the year meeting to discuss how the the season went, Ryan offered to step down and Al said no way. Al told him (Ryan), he was going to fulfill his contractual obligations.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:10 am
This came straight from Kiffens mouth.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:11 am
Hey lets just fill the whole team with running backs. 15-20 of them and we have a superbowl season right? I promise you Fargas and Bush will tear it up this season and if one gets hurt we have Rhodes to back them up. Mcfunky won’t have a thousand yard season this year I would stake my life on it.
Also Mcfadden had a terrible game against U of Kentucky. Guess they just had an amazing run stopping defense right?
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:13 am
LSU’s unofficial nickname is the Bayou Bengals, look it up.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:13 am
OH! THATS RIGHT!! I forgot, defenses dont run to the outside, they only run inside!! My bad plaiboi.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:13 am
BART
And I don´t think post 84 is overly optimistic, all those players will likely be there due to a variety of concerns. Risky? hell yes, but not that optimistic imo.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:14 am
Sorry BART, that I actually didn’t know.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
M bush had a terrible game vs North Carolina so whats ur pt.? Guess they just had an amazing run stopping defense right?
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
Bob,
other than Sam Baker, your draft is totally realistic, I guess I am just not that optimistic that Al Davis will do the right thing. I would be astounded if the Raiders pulled of a draft that reasonable.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:18 am
Mcfadden fumbled 23 times in 3 years. More than any other running back in the nation. So what happens when we draft him and he fumbles? Who are we going to rely on to stop the other team? Thats right, our defense. Or are we going to put Mcfadden on the defensive line to stop their running game?
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
My point is simple…. Listen close….. Here it comes…. WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER FREAKING RUNNING BACK WHEN WE ARE SO WEAK IN OTHER SPOTS!!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
GRIM
You are right, Kiffin also said he and Davis went over some different scenarios and that in the end Davis decided to let Ryan coach out his contract, but it´s evident from his words that different options were discussed, it was not a blatant “no” from Davis. We´ll see after next season what those options were, once Ryan is fired.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 am
its 2008 not 1968 what teams are running power sweep left and right, Vince Lombardi died some years ago!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 am
i get it we need a d-end!! so when LT comes to town C. long is goin to shut him down from his d-end position…ok i get it…my bad
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:26 am
B.B.B - Who do you suggest we draft at #4 assuming we can’t trade down?
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 am
hell yeah c.Long will break LT’s face and the NATION will be happy as hell
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 am
Up the middle our line has to do their job. LT runs to the outside and he is going to get his bell rung by what I think is the best rookie out there.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:30 am
Playboi, you bet your life he will shut 1:31:46 PM down if he has the balls to bounce it outside eliminating that part of the field. Your logic with ANY) in round one over ANY DLine proispect is feakin ridiculous!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:30 am
exactly, your bad.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 am
Playboi, you bet your life he will shutladanian down if he has the balls to bounce it outside eliminating that part of the field. Your logic with ANY
RB in round one over ANY DLine prospect is feakin ridiculous!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:32 am
1A. Chris Long
1B. Darren McFadden
2. Sedrick Ellis
we are garunteed one of them
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:35 am
M.I.A - How is drafting the most explosive offensive player in the draft a ridiculous scenario? At present day, which is worse, our Offense or Defense? We couldn’t score points last season which is why we lost close games. We kept games close even with poor run support but we couldn’t put a TD on the board to give us a chance. Just because we rush the ball well doesn’t mean we can score points. Why not score quickly and use our running game to keep the other team off the field late in games. This is exactly what happened to us.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:35 am
GRIM
In 3 games, Nedney was 4-4 inside 40 yrds, and made a 52 yarder.
His two misses were from 44 and 52 yards, with a holder he had never worked with before. Both misses came in a loss to San Diego that the Raiders blew on multiple levels.
He had a chance to tie the game with 3:04 left and missed the 44 yarder, but the defense gave up 10 points in the fourth quarter while the offense couldn’t get inside the 27 yard line during that same quarter. It was a team loss.
The next week was the season finale at Arrowhead. The Chiefs were trying to make the final playoff slot, while the Raiders were already eliminated.
Nedney tied the game, a 36 yarder with 0:45 to go. He then connected from 33 yards in OT to win. This was the biggest clutch kicking performance since Jeff Jaeger was let go.
All of the lifelong Raider fans I talked to at the time thought Nedney was just fine. His career stats from inside 40 yards were almost perfect to that point, and he showed he could make pressure kicks on the road.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 am
It’s the 3rd and 19, 3rd and 10, 3rd and 12 plays that killed the Raiders D last year. Even if they didn’t get the first down, they would get all but a half yard and pick it up on 4th and less than 1. Unfortunately the majority of the 4th and 1 plays would go for 20, 30 or 40 yards. Killing the Raiders run D stats. I think Kelly in the middle and Sapp not around is going to help the run D.
With a pass rusher to bookend Burgess, and the huge help in the secondary, the 3rd and forever plays should not turn into first downs.
More like 4th and Longs.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 am
bbb,
you can add ahytiba rubin as another run stuffer who will be there in round 3 or 4.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 am
playboi
Dont get sad cuz everyones haten on you they were haten on me yesterday and I want us 2 get cLong. Thats what makes this the best RAIDER blog ever
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 am
Fair enough BBB. It seems you value Long slightly more than McFadden. I’m just asking, what do you feel Long brings that gives him the slight edge over McFadden?
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 am
Assassin “how is drafting the most explosive offensive person ridiculous”..answer:we already have one. Mr. Michael Bush.
NewsFlash: we can’t stop the freakin run!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:38 am
If he runs through center and guard then no, Long wont tackle him. But if he runs through guard and tackle then yes. Am I the only one who see’s this?
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:38 am
Assassin- We ran the ball fine last year and with a real quarterback we would have won most of those games. If you think our running game is the problem you are delusional.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:39 am
I love Glenn D…he would be my choice, however if u think a d-end is goin to a have impact in my making us go from 31st to lets say 15th, u dont have a clue, we pick a dt or trade down i have no problem with that, but a d-end come on man, we already have a probowl d-end it doesnt help with the run
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:41 am
With you Grimm…don’t understand why DMac Lovers don’t understand this simple logical reasoning!?
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:41 am
Wow Gordo, he only played in 3 games?
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:41 am
C.Long is the pick! Learn it! Live it! Love it!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
BART
Off the top of my head an alternate, safer Draft:
1st RB McFadden-DE Long
2nd OT Sam Baker
4th DE-OLB Bruce Davis
6th DT Derek Lokey
Won´t try to predict 7th rounders.
But I still prefer the risky version haha.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
Newsflash; We can’t score points!
Raidertheart - You should read my post again, I’m not saying our running game is the problem. I’m saying our inability to score points is the problem.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
I think Rubin is purely a 34 nose tackle, he doesn’t have enough mobility to play the pass in a 43. That being said I wouldn’t mind drafting him just for the 34 sets that we usually mix in to our gameplan. If the Raiders are serious about stuffing the run in our regular 43 alignment I believe we should target Trevor Laws, Pat Sims, Red Bryant or Dre Moore.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 am
Yes we do have a pro bowl DE, but unless I’m mistaken, I dont think he can play both positions at the same time. I could be wrong though. Well we could get a really sharp axe and chop him right down the middle so he can play both DE positions.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
assassin,
I think McFadden is a better player, but I rate King CLong higher because he is a DE, which we need; he is Howie Long’s kid; and if we draft McFadden over him, the Chiefs will get him, and that just cannot happen.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
well said jerry. i agree with you 100%. My question to you all is what happens if dorsey is gone. i don’t see al going DE in the first and ellis seemed to have fallen from all the hype.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
NEWSFLASH ASSASSIN: we couldn’t score point with rotating 2nd string QB and New OL system!! Do you really think we can’t find paydirt with a true QB #1 draft choice full time, 2nd year OL system, Javon Walker, Drew Carter and Curry…oh…almost forgot TD machine in what was going to be a 1st round) in Michael Bush!!
Its no secret we need DLine help! Remeber Ron Dayne, Sproles, Chester Taylor…2nd stringers racking up 100plus yards!!
You DMAC advocates (no offense) have little or NO logic
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:49 am
Logic? You “Pro-DE” guys suffer with logic. How on earth is Long or Gholston going to help the run? Just because they play on the DL doesn’t mean they are good at stopping the run.
The debate is whether or not we should draft McFadden or a DE (Long or Gholston). However, the justification on your behalf is to take a DE to resolve run defense issues. Teams don’t draft a top 5 DE to stop the run. They draft them to sack the QB. I’ve said before, if you want to make your case for taking Long/Gholston to improve QB sacks then I’m for it. This would assume that you feel our QB pressures are a bigger problem than our ability to score points. Which I can’t totally disagree with. My justification for drafting McFadden is to obtain a player that helps us score points. Scoring points and taking a lead in the game forces teams to have to score points. Our secondary is solid and teams won’t need to run the ball if we are ahead late in games.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 am
Ellis has fallen from what hype? The media-created hype that is not based on any factual information from the teams. Ellis is a better fit for the Raiders, if they were gonna get a DT in the first, but wisely they are keeping there mouths shut about it, so that the Saints or Bengals might trade up with them.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 am
http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&brand=foxsports&vid=bdfd2f3e-eac1-45ad-866b-2c61e8038628&from=Fox%20Sports
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 am
mia,
michael bush hasn’t played football in 2 years and is coming back from a serious injury.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
Assassin please don’t tell me that you believe the DEs don’t hmmm let’s see TACKLE RUNNINGBACKS!
The only time they won’t be blasting Runninbacks is when the run is thru a and b gap or when its in opposite direction in which I still would count out CLong chasing down ladanian on the other side with his non stop motor.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
Post 151 - BBB - I would hate to see Long go to the Chiefs too. Seeing as how Jared Allen is a QB killer. I like C.Long and wouldn’t be upset with the pick because I think he’s a lethal pass rusher. I just don’t understand the argument for how he translates to better run defense. Moreso, how does he provide more overall value than McFadden when we clearly need help scoring points.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
Nobody drafts for a position in the top 5 picks, you have to evaluate the players as individuals. The debate at Raiders headquarters is not McFadden vs. D-Line, it is McFadden vs. Chris Long vs. Sedrick Ellis vs. Glenn Dorsey vs. Vernon Gholston vs. Ryan Clady.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 am
M.I.A - The RB’s you mentioned racked up yards because we were behind and they had no need to pass. Thanks for proving my point.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:59 am
Do you think tkelly, tsand, and gwarren, can hold down the middle/ prolly not!! so ur telling me clong, tkelly, tsands, pb are going to get the job done…lol….comon man
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:00 am
My draft list:
1. Ellis
2. Dorsey
In that order. One of the two will be available. These two are the surest things of the 2008 draft. Once installed, running on the S&B will be a thing of the past. Either will be an impact starter from the get-go and WILL make a BIG DIFFERENCE.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:00 am
assassin,
I agree with you, the offense last year was ranked worse than the defense overall, and our defense is built to match up against passing offenses, therefore it is essential for the Raiders to score a lot of points. However if Chris Long is available, considering the Chiefs situation, Al Davis will probably take him.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 am
Later.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 am
JB i can live with that but ellis @ 4 is a bit of a reach, but better then drafting a d-end
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Dorsey is not gonna stuff the run against NFL lineman in my opinion. He is touted as Warren Sapp Jr. However Warren Sapp himself thinks that Tommy Kelly is destined to be better than he was. So someone please explain to me why would we draft Glenn Dorsey??
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:06 am
No team in the league is going to continuously stop the run when they are on the field down after down. Let’s assume our run defense is as bad as last year’s (which it isn’t) and a team comes out running the ball. We have a secondary that allows for 8 to 9 in the box, plus a SS that can tackle in run support. The other team has to pass at some point to keep our defense honest, in which case I like our chances.
So let’s assume we have C.Long and he’s a great pass rusher. We stack the box, the other team passes, and Long gets a sack, or assists in a sack and we get the ball back. The defense did a great job but now we have to play offense. J.R. is raw thus he will get blitzed, he has no choice but to get rid of the ball early. This translates into INT’s or incompletions. If we choose to run the ball to take pressure off of J.R. then the other team stacks the box just like we did and the game goes nowhere…until someone breaks off a big play. Who’s going to brake that big play for us? The only player capable is Walker and he’s going to receive extended coverage. We need someone to make those big plays and McFadden is that player.
Again, I like C.Long for all the pass rush ability but at the end of the day our run D will be better based on an improved secondary that allows us to stack the box and play WR’s one on one. Not to mention Sapp is gone which already improves our run D. We need to score points and force teams to throw. I don’t think we have enough playmakers to do so.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 am
Post 164 - BBB - From a gamesmanship perspective I totally agree.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 am
I couldn’t agree more… i like this blog. plus a lot of the reason that people fail to mention is that running backs are way more injury prone then a DE or a DT.. what happens when mcfadden takes a nasty hit from merriman in the knee?! WHAT THEN? we’re out a 4th overall pick.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:09 am
Considering the bad feelings between AD and Howie Long, why would AD factor in whether Chris Long went to K.C. in his evaluation of the draft? AD will take who he feels is the best player on the board. Rationalizing the K.C. factor is a non-issue.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 am
C Long is a disciplined football player, who uses solid technique and knows how to play the run. He played in a 3-4 defense as an end and was forced to focus more on filling gaps and containing the outside run. He had no choice but to learn how to play against the run. He has the athletic ability to stand up and play a 4-3 DE and can get to the QB. He may not be quicker or stronger than Gholston but he can play all four downs….he can be moved around if necessary…is well coached and he uses his hands well and is probably a better technician than Gholston.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 am
Glenn D 69 tackles, a total that includes seven sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss after being doubled teamed every game..in best conf in college football, this after having allamerican jr. yr…
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 am
Clady or defensive line, please.
Games are won in the trenches.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:13 am
Draft Chris Long!!
He will help the entire defense. I do not know if he will play D-end or linebacker, but he will have an impact, and we need help at both positions.
Brian Urlacher 6′4″ 258
Chris Long 6’4” 275
He could be the real deal. The guy is a raw athlete, good size, great lineage, gives 110% a TRUE RAIDER!!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:16 am
IMO Ellis is NOT a reach at #4. He’s been rated as equal to Dorsey. In some people mind’s he’s rated higher because he can/has played both the 4-3 & 3-4. He’s a very powerful individual. The USC training group had to purchase new 200# free hand weights because the 180# they had weren’t enough for him. His use of hands was rated as outstanding by the Senior Bowl staff where he was virtually unblockable. He was voted as the top lineman in the Pac 10. Like I said he’s NOT a reach at #4.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:17 am
What about drafting McFadden then trying to trade him for value? Think that’s a possibility?
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:18 am
My brother in law was the d line coach for louisville before the exodus to the Falcons.We watched every Louisville game for 6 years.Michael Bush is the real deal.If healed he is better all around than Ladainian Tomlinson.I dont know if DMC is as good as LT but Bush was a very successful High school Quarterback,maybe better than Brian Brohm.He never got a chance at QB because of petrinos commitment to Brohm.With that said Half back option plays take on a whole new meaning.He was split out as a reciever often and has great hands.Before Kentucky deliberately broke his leg,He was on his way to scoring 3 touchdowns in the first quarter.Bush can be whatever we need him to be,halfback,fullback,reciever,quarterback and with his size and smarts he can help with quarterback protection blitz pick ups.Dmac would be an unnecessary luxury if drafted as a need,instead of keeping him off someone elses team.I say trade our spot to someone we dont play that often because there will be some talent at that spot.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
Most experts say C Long will be gone in the 1st 3 picks. NO ONE says that about McFaddy. So WHO’S the better player? no logic using Futher muckers.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
He’s a first-round-caliber athlete,” said Rob Rang, senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com. “Even if he had zero instincts and zero technique, he’d still be worthy of the first round. Because he’s so instinctive and so technically refined, people want to knock his athleticism. That’s just not the case.”
Perhaps most important to NFL scouts, Long is adaptable. He played defensive end in the 3-4 at Virginia. And while he’s probably not big enough at 6-foot-3, 272 pounds to do that at the pro level, most feel he could transition smoothly enough either to 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end.
“He’s the most versatile player in the draft,” Rang said. “He can play 3-4, 4-3, inside, outside. You just have to figure out where you’re going to get the most value out of him.”
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080423/SPORTS/804230374/1010/SPORT01
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:22 am
i think C Long is a mix between Jared Allen as a DE with a Brian Urlacher style of play.
However I think St Louis is gonna get him ahead of Dorsey. The Lambs need a DE more than DT. Carriker doesn’t project well as DE in a 4-3 (which the Rams run)…because he is too big. 6′5 305.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:22 am
I hope you’re right, Jerry.
#179, great point.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:23 am
Thank you very much TdizzlefoShizzle.
Bush will be back, he’ll be fresh and he’ll be hungry. He’s still a rookie so I don’t see him getting 15+ carries unless necessary, he needs to get out there and feel the speed of the game, take some shots and get his legs under him.
With his absence last year it’s like having an extra 1st round pick this year, if that makes any sense.
Go Raiders, Go Defense!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:23 am
I think the dynamics of the draft changed with KC trading Allen and getting the #17 pick to go with the #5. Most had expected the chefs to pick OT, but now if C. Long were to still be on the board, I think they would almost certainly pick him, and then go for their OT at 17. I can’t see letting this happen, so if it comes down to McFadden and C. Long both being on the board I think Long will be the pick. Of corse if either are already gone before we pick then it make the decision easy. Will the lambs pick Long or Dorsey?
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:23 am
being the best dt or 2nd best, doesnt make u 4sure lottery pick, i havent seen him picked @ 4 in ANY mock drafts….so ur on ur own with that..ellis with 4th shyt…
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 am
Raider TW,
the reason why DMC is not going in the top 3 is because Miami, St Louis and Atl….have big money invested at the RB position along with solid young talented RB’s. It’s not because the others are so much better than him
The Raiders don’t have big time money at the RB position and if have the flexiblity to trade one or two or release one or two to make room for DMC if necessary.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:27 am
no one in the top 3 needs a running backs, rwilliams, rbrown, mturner, sjaskson, all proven backs, no mbushes
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:27 am
i agree
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am
sjackson***
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
I’d have to agree with Ellis at 4. Or should I say I would not be mad with Ellis at 4. Ellis is a MAN, and alongside Kelly would give us one of the top interior lines in the league. With Warren and Sands coming off the bench? Our line would be dominant!
DT is more of a need (stop the run, right?) along the Dline than DE. If Dline is the pick, it should be Dorsey or Ellis.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Didn’t we sign Edwards and Joseph to stop the run and rush the pass????? DRAFT MCFADDEN Everyone says we have so much depth at running back but do we really??? Every back we have is injury prone. MCFADDEN would run for 1800 yards in our system.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
PLEASE PLease Please….let CHRIS LONG fall to #4 and give us enough sense to draft him
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:33 am
JB:
Ellis would be a nice pick-up…But the Raiders really NEED A LT! Now that Jake Long is off the board, the question becomes is Brendan Albert or Ryan Clady worth the 4th overall pick?
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:33 am
i agree jhill
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:36 am
Dowling:
Agree Long would be nice, but he may be going to the Rams at #2.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:36 am
808,
In a word, NO
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:36 am
fargas gets hurts he hasnt played a full season Jordan is a fat a$s Rhodes is not a everyday down player. Bush will not be the same player he was in college if fargas gets hurts were stuck with Rhodes and bush in my opinion draft mcfadden he’s explosive will he will be better then Peterson. if not I’m koo with chris long. No dorsey or ellis or gholston
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 am
That’s the real rub JHill. DE or DT?
We only have 3 DE’s on the roster, which of course could change any day. I believe Dorsey is the best player in the draft but we also already have 5 DT, which of course could change any day. Sands and Kelly have stolen everybody’s lunch money so there will have to be some serious moves to make room for Dorsey or Ellis.
I would also be happy with Ellis because he is a better pass rusher than Dorsey, which could help with our lack of DE’s, which, of course, could change at any minute!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:39 am
Ryan Clady is only a junior, playing in the WAC, he is a less refined prospect than Mario Henderson.
Branden Albert was not even the best player on his team, Chris Long was.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
but after signing tkelly for 50million, why not finish killing ur self by signing clong, that way we could have 75 million dollars in dee-line, and still cant stop the run, we will be the freaking new york knicks of football..!!!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
On another note,
If Allen could fetch a 1 and two 3s, I wonder what we could get for Burgess?
Now if we end up trading Burgess, DE may be back in play. Other than that, Burgess and Richardson will be the starters.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
If we get King CLong, we should absolutely trade Burgess imediately. Long should be on the left side, so that he can match up with slow Right Tackles, and Richardson/Edwards can man the right side. Burgess is gone after this season anyway, we should leverage him for the future while we still have a chance.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:45 am
BART:
Levi Brown was the #5 pick last year to the Cardinals. I think Brendan Albert is bigger with more upside.
Who do we start at LT to protect Russell? Not Kwame Harris! And definately NOT Mario Henderson!!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:47 am
I REALLY hope we keep Burgess for 1 more season.
Just for continuity sakes, but I see your point. I am of the belief that if we can get C Long and he can get into camp and immerse himself into learning the defense and he and Richardson can hold it down Burgess should be set to have a monster contract year. Then we trade him at a higher value?
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
I am a speed freak.
The pick is McFadden.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
well sorry 808, but it isn’t gonna be two rookies either. No matter who we draft someone already on our roster will start the season, so why panic and take the 2nd or 3rd best LT, when the BEST OVERALL PLAYER is still available.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 am
BART:
Clady is 1st round material and will be drafted in the top half of the draft. Can you say that about Mario Henderson? Henderson was shocked when the Raiders drafted him in the third round!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 am
If Cable says Harris and Henderson, then that’s what’s up!
Cable has earned the benefit of the doubt as to who he wants on his line. He’s the last unit that I’m questioning. Remember that stretch of 3 straight games w/o a sack given up towards the end of the year? And that was WITH Barry Sims.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
BART:
Yes, Long was the best player at Virginia and Albert had to go against him at practice every day…Think about that.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
At #4, we’ll have at least two of the following available: Dorsey, Ellis, Long, Gholston, & Clady. I’d be happy with any of them. What I’d LOVE to see is us trade down to #8, letting Baltimore take Matt Ryan, we take Clady, then use that second or third-rounder we just picked up to take the best run-stuffer on the board. Don’t know if that’s a trade that would actually happen, though.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:52 am
I definately think there’s an age gap in Raider fans on this blog. Given i’ve only been on this blog for a couple of months now, well for any blog for that matter.
The way I see it IMO, the non-DMC fans as the older more classic, defense wins championships. VS the possibly younger pro-DMC fans who think there are more ways to win a championship. IE scoring more points thus making other teams TRY and pass on our secondary. Such is life, older people are more set in their ways, very knowledgable though. Young people more likely to think “out of the box,” I can’t believe I just used that but it applies none the less. Of course there are exceptions but in general that’s the way I see it.
Obviously I could be grossly misinterpreting all of this as our names don’t come along with an age.
Let it be known that I am a waffler. I’ve gone all different ways in which I would like to see the Raiders go in this draft. At this point all I’m gonna do is sit back, enjoy the Draft and root for whomever we end up getting. I will also be heavily intoxicated while celebrating.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:52 am
I am talking about skills 808, not potential. Ryan Clady cannot play succesful NFL football 5 months from now.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:53 am
Mike Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Didn’t we sign Edwards and Joseph to stop the run and rush the pass????? DRAFT MCFADDEN Everyone says we have so much depth at running back but do we really??? Every back we have is injury prone. MCFADDEN would run for 1800 yards in our system.
Edwards was an underachieving castoff from a bad team and William Joseph is the single most vilified guy in the entire NY metropolitan area right now. So yes, we did sign them but what would make you think they are going to turn into Lawrence Taylor and Leonard Marshall overnite?????
We’re stocked at RB. Fargas had a 1000 yd season in his first real action as a pro. He may be late 20’s but he does not have a lot of mileage on him. Bush is a flat out stud, and Rhodes is actually a very, very good running back. Why do I say that?? Well, he was the Super Bowl MVP against a good Chicago run D, and in what little game action he saw last year had a 100 yd game against a very good Joke-sonville Run D.