Raider Take War Room Now Open
Please, no running with scissors during the draft. Please, no "projects," wide receivers or defensive backs in the first round. Please do something to stop the run. That's not too much to ask, is it?
On another note, the Steelers are apparently shopping Big Ben for a first-round pick. If I'm Al Davis, I would pick up the phone and call Pittsburgh, if only to window shop and kick the tires.
Has Big Ben behaved like a reprehensible jackass? Of course. Has he finally learned his lesson, and is he ready to turn his act around? Maybe. Is he one of the top five quarterbacks in the league, a rare talent and a proven winner, and the kind of guy you can build an offense around for many years to come? Absolutely.
I'm not sure I'd pull the trigger on Big Ben, but I'd definitely think about it, even with a six-game suspension on the near horizon. The unanswered questions bother me, but his proven talent is extremely tempting.
Now, some folks are going to freak out because I was firmly against the Seymour trade for a first-round draft pick in 2011. Well, if you look at an apple and see an orange, then go ahead and freak out.
I didn't think Seymour would have an appreciable impact on our defense, and I was right. It struck me as a panic move to compensate for the serial neglect of our defensive line. It's not that I dislike Seymour or think he's useless, but in terms of overall value, I thought it was a questionable trade.
Roethlisberger, meanwhile, is three years younger than Seymour, and he plays a position that can be played at an elite level well into one's 30s, and that can single handedly make or break a team.
Go look at the division winners last year. In all but one instance (Big Ben's division, coincidentally), the team with the best quarterback in the division won the division.
Is that a trend that we are going to buck with Russell or Gradkowski? Not likely. Just saying.
Meanwhile, I might as well revive the Stick 'Em Pick 'Em challenge once again, in honor of our friend Stick 'Em accurately picking the first seven selections of the 2006 draft, right up through Michael Huff.
Can anyone here top that and pick the first eight selections of 2010? I know I sure can't, so I won't even try.
And be sure to come back tomorrow evening, I'll be pouring virtual beer and handing out free scissors to celebrate the first round of the draft.
P.S. Update: With the selection of Rolando McLain, if I'm doing NFL betting, I'm picking the Raiders to finally climb into contention in the AFC West in the next few years.
On another note, the Steelers are apparently shopping Big Ben for a first-round pick. If I'm Al Davis, I would pick up the phone and call Pittsburgh, if only to window shop and kick the tires.
Has Big Ben behaved like a reprehensible jackass? Of course. Has he finally learned his lesson, and is he ready to turn his act around? Maybe. Is he one of the top five quarterbacks in the league, a rare talent and a proven winner, and the kind of guy you can build an offense around for many years to come? Absolutely.
I'm not sure I'd pull the trigger on Big Ben, but I'd definitely think about it, even with a six-game suspension on the near horizon. The unanswered questions bother me, but his proven talent is extremely tempting.
Now, some folks are going to freak out because I was firmly against the Seymour trade for a first-round draft pick in 2011. Well, if you look at an apple and see an orange, then go ahead and freak out.
I didn't think Seymour would have an appreciable impact on our defense, and I was right. It struck me as a panic move to compensate for the serial neglect of our defensive line. It's not that I dislike Seymour or think he's useless, but in terms of overall value, I thought it was a questionable trade.
Roethlisberger, meanwhile, is three years younger than Seymour, and he plays a position that can be played at an elite level well into one's 30s, and that can single handedly make or break a team.
Go look at the division winners last year. In all but one instance (Big Ben's division, coincidentally), the team with the best quarterback in the division won the division.
Is that a trend that we are going to buck with Russell or Gradkowski? Not likely. Just saying.
Meanwhile, I might as well revive the Stick 'Em Pick 'Em challenge once again, in honor of our friend Stick 'Em accurately picking the first seven selections of the 2006 draft, right up through Michael Huff.
Can anyone here top that and pick the first eight selections of 2010? I know I sure can't, so I won't even try.
And be sure to come back tomorrow evening, I'll be pouring virtual beer and handing out free scissors to celebrate the first round of the draft.
P.S. Update: With the selection of Rolando McLain, if I'm doing NFL betting, I'm picking the Raiders to finally climb into contention in the AFC West in the next few years.
posted by Raider Take at 10:12 AM
101 Comments:
Just a drive by, as I've been busy with work.
No complaints about the schedule. And I'll agree with JMac and say we should pull the trigger on McClain.
RT, here's my retread that I posted earlier on the top 10 picks (look out Stick 'em). There are a few changes (Lions, Redskins, and Jags pick):
1. Rams-Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma.
2. Lions-Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma.
3. Bucs-Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Enough said.
4. Redskins-Russell Okung, OT, OK State.
5. Chiefs-Eric Berry, S, Tennessee.
6. Seahawks-Brian Buluga, OT, Iowa
7. Browns-Joe Haden, CB, Florida
8. Raiders-Sergio Kindle, LB, UT; or Maurkice Pouncey, C, FL
9. Bills-Jimmy Claussen, QB, ND
10. Jags-Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
And again, unchanged, is the rest of my picks for the Raiders:
2nd Vlad Ducasse (most have him mid 2nd round)
3rd Jordan Shipley (most have him 4th round or not at all)
4th Cirion Black
5(a) Camaron Thomas
5(b) Antonio Coleman
7(a) Jeff Linkenbach
7(b) Richard Sherman
One thing is for sure, nobody knows but Al Davis what the Raiders are going to do.
I'm with you RT, I look at Big Ben Rapelesburger; but that is all I do, window shop and kick the tires. I don't think we need another DE; would rather have a DT like Suh. I would try to trade with the Lions, and maybe Routt or Johnson to try and get Suh before I would trade for Rapelesburger.
Sergio Kindle...What a cool name. Anyone else ready to challenge Nate for the Stick 'Em Pick 'Em crown?
I've been saying this for years: it doesn't make a damned bit of difference who we draft, trade for or sign as FA's....until we get that football guy in between Davis and the Head Coach.
We need this generations' Ron Wolfe.
Until then I'm gonna DVR the games - watch when we win and delete when we lose.
Interesting take on Big Ben. Hard to argue, but my only concern would be putting the cart in front of the horse (see McNabb discussion).
As long as we continue to neglect the O-line, any QB we use will likely struggle (or get hurt).
So far, bringing back Barnes, Pears, et al, isn't a sign of improvement in that area.
Hmmm! Does Big Ben come at a discount for damaged goods?
I will formulate my picks and post them later... but you can be sure it includes selecting Bruce Campbell with the #8 pick. Cable's posturing away from that pick and Davis' propensity to select this type of player are overwhelming, IMHO.
I hope to be pleasantly surprised by just about any other pick (or reasonable trade).
I think we should pick need this time, and would be happy to get LB, Rolando Mclain, or Florida center M.Pouncey.
However, if CB Joe Haden is on the board at 8, there's no way Al will pass up a DB.
If Haden is gone, all bets are off. Al could select raw project Bruce Campbell, or any other combine wonder.
Because we did so little in free agency, the Raiders are gambling that, Russell, Mcfad, DHB, and other young players will finally make an impact this year.
But where the glaring problems are, DT, MLB(stopping the run), and 0-line, there are no young players to be found except for Mario Henderson.
These issues cannot be ignored once again. We will see what this years draft brings us to address these desperate needs.
Give me Big Ben for our #8 all day...ALL DAY. This is a no brainer.
Roy
1.Rams need a QB, take Bradford
2.Lions can’t pass on Suh, simple as that.
3.Bucs - McCoy is arguably a better fit than Suh (I don’t think they care).
4.Skins will protect McNabb, take plug-n-play OT Okung.
5.Becomes a little cloudier with KC - possible trade down... but I’ll call Trent Williams.
6.Hawks take KC leftovers at OT, Bryan Bulaga
7.Browns - S Eric Berry
8.Bruce Campbell will be grossly overrated by Al Davis, just like DHB was last year. Chasing Combine results is simply the Al Davis way.
There’s no way the top four players slide down past, well, the top four. After that, it’s a free-for-all, as it should be. Any team after the top 4 picks (except Raiders) is a candidate to trade down. It’s almost impossible not to overshoot talent value by taking a player between 5-10.
If Davis can resist the temptation of taking a physical freak like Campbell, and instead pick a player like McClain, or Williams or Bulaga (if either is available), then I will give him some props.
I'd like to hold Cable to his words and see us draft a player at #8 that we fully expect to provide an immediate impact (no projects).
I say go get Vick from Philly for a 3rd rounder (since McNabb went for a 2nd) and then get T.O.
T.O. has always wanted to play with Vick
JA
The Raiders traded for Quinton Groves and are converting him to outside linebacker. To me this indicates that the Raiders feel they have been way too light (in terms of size) in their LB crew. We will have two former linemen as our outside LBs.
It would then seem logical that the Raiders might well go with McClain to cover the middle.
Great! Let's get Big Ben in here so he can plop his ass on the bench for six games. And then we'll sit around and wait for his next date rape. And then, when all of that happens, you can curse Al Davis again for bringing in someone else who doesn't help us.
But Ben is obviously a tough guy. Look at all the women he can "convince" to sleep with him.
I would much rather roll the dice on Rapistberger than the fastest guy in the draft. As horrible as Al has drafted recently, this seems like a gimme.
Roy
Forgot to mention, would also like to see Raiders get Qb Colt MCcoy somehow.
Some mocks have him going in 2nd round, and it might be worth looking into for Raiders.
Lets face it, Russell has one and a half fat feet out the door, and Grad, Frye, Boller have issues.
On top of everything else, we still need a QB.
Couple things:
Raider00 said, "But where the glaring problems are, DT, MLB(stopping the run), and 0-line, there are no young players to be found except for Mario Henderson."
I think the weak side LB is more a priority than MLB; which is why I went with Kindle who is projected in most drafts to go between 11-15. Yes, MLB is a need and so is DT. The only way we don't pick Kindle is for Pouncey or if Suh is still on the board (I'm hoping for a miracle no that one).
As far as the O-line, you didn't mention Satele, who is young, Gallery, who is still fairly young, McQuistan, or Brandon Rodd. You can even throw Barnes in the mix since he will be starting his 7th season in the League (if he makes it past OTA).
RaiderNate:
How can you forget Gerald McCoy? He is a lock for a top 3 pick.
CJ's "Pick 8" lottery ticket:
1. Rams - Bradford, QB, Oklahoma.
2. Lions - Suh, DT, Nebraska
3. Bucs- G.McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
4. Skins - T.Williams, OT, Oklahoma
5. KC - R.Okung, OT, OK St.
6. Hawks - Brian Buluga, OT, Iowa
7. Browns - Eric Berry, S, Tennessee.
8. Raiders - in a long line of great Raider centers, come on down Mr. Pouncey, C, Florida
Just say "NO" to Ben Mulletberger. Let's build our lines, develop our young 2-4 year players, build through the draft. QBs Ski & Boller can be placeholders or a bridge to 2011 and beyond. When we improve our talent level and depth at OL & DL then we should make a concentrated effort at a vet. QB that is a good fit.
Upon further review, scratch Pouncey ... I see the Raiders taking Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers.
My Final 8:
1. Rams - Bradford
2. Lions - Suh
3. TBay - McCoy
4. Skins - T.Williams
5. KC - Okung
6. Sea - Bulaga
7. Clev - Berry
8. Oak - A.Davis
Nate75,
I look at it this way. The 0-line has 3 key positions. LT, Center, and RT.
Of these positions, the Raiders are very suspect.
Henderson is young, and has struggled to be consistant.
Satele is undersized, and could not hold on to the starting role last year.
Barnes looks good in the uniform, but doesn't seem to be a warrior on the field.
We need to start finding players that can be counted on, year in and out, at these positions.
We cannot continue to have question marks at key spots along the 0-line every year.
The free agent period is done, and the Raiders took a pass. So it's all up to the draft now.
Next year, the Raiders will either be improving because of a solid draft. Or, we will be looking up toward the sky, asking how it all went wrong again.
Great points Raider 00!
The Raiders need to find solid, proven OLine who can be plugged in, perform for many years to come.
I would much rather do a "mini-reach" on guys that are projected anywhere from 11-20 in the 1st round than take a project with question marks.
The 2 guys that stand out that are not getting the ink because they don't play OT are Iupati and Pouncey. Ikupati could SERIUOSLY upgrade our RG. Pouncey would be a big upgrade over Satelle.
• Mike Iupati, 6-5/330
• Guard
• Idaho
Scouting Report
• Massive frame
• Excellent strength and bulk; carries weight well
• Good speed and athleticism for size
• Nasty, blue-collar demeanor
• Great hand punch
• Finishes blocks
• Anchors against bull rush
• Tough
• Wins 1v1 battles in phone booth
• Fluid when asked to pull/trap
• Good but not great agility
• Focused; doesn't take many plays off
• At times will flash dominance
• Good upside
• Maurkice Pouncey, 6-5/304
• Center
• Florida
Scouting Report
• Very good frame with bulk and strength
• Athletic with good quickness
• Heavy hands
• Powerful run blocker
• Physical and tough
• Mobile - impressive range
• Gets to second level quickly
• Effective at pulls and traps
• Highly experienced (39 career starts)
• Good character and intangibles
• Strong work ethic
• Productive against talented opponents
• Experience at both guard/center - can play either position in NFL
• Still has potential
Raider 00, I was just commenting that the O-line has more young guys than Henderson. Every guy on the list I made are considered young; including Gallery (going on his 8th season) and Barnes (going on his 7th season).
The only guys on the line that are not are Carlisle and Walker.
CJ-I'm not sold that the Lions take Suh. I think the Bucs take him or McCoy. I'm not sold on the Bills taking Claussen either.
So here are my NEW picks:
Rams-Bradford
Lions-Trent Williams
Bucs-McCoy
Redskins-Trade down, Suh selected here.
Chiefs-Berry
Seahawks-Bulaga
Browns-Haden
Raiders-Pouncey (I'm going with this pick over Kindle)
Bills-Dan Williams
Jags-Pierre-Paul
Blanda,
Agree 100% on Big Ben. Don’t need that kind of baggage.
Nate,
Kindel is a good player, but with all the recent events it looks like we are going to more of a 3-4 with possibly some 4-3 mixed in. You need someone familiar with that to run it and make the calls. The closest thing to that out there is Rolando McClain. But, we still don’t have the dominant nose tackle to make it all work. There are a few out there that will be available in the second round.
However, I’m a bit torn with going defense, defense with the needs on the OL. What I don’t want to see is WR, RB, CB, DE, TE or Safety.
Here’s a radical thought. Go OL, DL and LB exclusively and not necessarily in that order and see what happens. No big splashes, no projects, just big bodies and hitters.
H
H, I somewhat disagree that the Raiders don't have the nose tackle to make the 3-4 work. I think Kelly might actually be more suited to a 3-4 than a 4-3. If I remember the word last year was that Kelly was doing a good job of tying up linemen over the middle, but unfortunately in a 4-3 you want your DT to get penetration. In a 3-4, you want a DT to tie up as many O-linemen as possible and hold the middle against the push.
It still looks to me that the Raiders are looking to completely rebuild their line-backing corps. So I still think McClain is a very likely pick.
If the Raiders do trade McFadden, that's okay with me as I think Bush should be their primary guy anyway. And if they do trade McFadden, that would indicate to me that they want to move up in either the 1st or 2nd round, which would mean there is someone the Raiders are definitely targeting. I'm not sure who that would be.
Every year there is talk about going to a 3-4 defense, why? It has not happened. I will believe it when I see it. The only time the Raiders played a 3-4 defense was when Madden was coach, and he was forced to do so because of injuries. Oh yeah, we won the Super Bowl that year, but nevermind that; we haven't played a 3-4 since. Al Davis is a 4-3 guy, and we will always play a 4-3; unless it is at the end of the game, we have a lead, and Al pulls out his play of Prevent Defense.
Sorry, not buying the "we're going to the 3-4 defense" bit.
Actually the Raiders have played a 3-4 several times over the years. Flores did it too. The Raiders considered the 3-4 briefly under Gruden, but abandoned the idea because they believed their personnel was better suited to a 4-3. It's amazing the amount of history that can be invented to "prove" that Al is nuts.
Also, I'd point out that Caveman attempted to convert to a 3-4 his first year here. And since everyone seems to be of the belief that Al pulled the Caveman's strings, it must have been Al that told him to do that.
If we are back to converting D-linemen to outside LBs, we are almost certainly planning to at least go with the 3-4 some of the time.
Do folks actually watch what the Raiders are doing, or do they only read PFT for Raider updates?
Regarding PFT... As JMac has pointed out, their blog is referred to as "The Rumor Mill." Not "The Truth Mill." Rumors are only as good as their source. And since virtually all of their rumors are from an inidentified source, the rumors are of no value until proven true.
excuse me...
unidentified source.
Did I miss something? Who's putting PFT on a pedestal?
As for Jerry Mac, he should heed his own advice and stop turning PFT rumors into his own blog posts. They post a rumor, and then he files a news story about the rumor.
I like Jerry Mac, but he needs to get a grip on that particular front.
An example of Jerry Mac turning a PFT rumor into a headline:
http://tinyurl.com/ybo9482
Nate,
But, every year we did not see this kind of emphasis on linebackers. And, Flores use the 3-4 also. Basically we used the 3-4 almost the whole time Hendricks was on the team.
Blanda,
Trading McFadden is ok, but who will then back up Bush? Crash Test Dummy is already gone. That immediately puts us thin at running back. I would only let him go for a minimum high second round pick, possibly in the first ten.
If the trade rumor is true, and the 3-4 rumor is true, it would seem, it would seem they are in a serious remake mode on the team.
It would also show Hue Jackson's stamp on the team. He leaned toward a power runiing scheme with the Crows.
H
Take, JMac runs a Raider blog for Bay Area fans. It's his job to report, not only what the Raiders actually do, or what they are planning to do, but also to respond to rumors by putting them in context with reality.
JMac's doing his job, and he does it well.
The traditional media often want it both ways.
They wag their fingers at "bloggers" for spreading unsubstantiated and unsourced rumors, and then they make headlines out of those rumors for the sake of giving them "context."
All that does is legitimize the rumor and send more traffic to the blog in question.
Next thing you know, every PFT rumor suddenly seems to carry weight, thus requiring more headlines and "context" in the traditional media.
It's a hypocritical vicious cycle.
Take, if you'd bother to actually read the article you linked, you'd see that Jerry did a pretty good job of displaying that the rumor wasn't likely. And he's done that on several occasions. He doesn't parrot rumors, he debunks them. Where as with PFT, I've seen them simply make things up because they sound good to anti-Davis ears.
Take, I suspect that the problem you are now having with JMac is that he hasn't been nearly negative enough for you this off season.
Big Ben is one concussion away from retirement so any trade for him with our o-line is foolish
Blanda, you come in here with this straw man about how people here are only reading PFT, then you quote Jerry Mac about how PFT is just a rumor mill, and I simply point out that (1) your straw man is weak and (2) Jerry Mac should hardly talk if he's going to make headlines out of PFT rumors, and what do you do?
Argue my points? Nope. You build another straw man.
You need to step up your game.
And since Jerry Mac generally agrees with me on the overall state of the Raiders and their operations, I find it quite funny that you, of all people, are coming to his defense.
Can someone explain why the Raiders traded for Quinton Groves ? Groves had zero sacks last season.
Are we going after Vernon Gholston of the Jets, next ?
And can't we just draft a player that can get zero sacks this year ?
unfortunately, I think that we can.
Take, to paraphrase the movie The Princess Bride, I don't think strawman means what you think it means. Since I was the one who raised a point, it can't be a strawman as a strawman argument is one used to sidetrack an existing argument.
That's kind of like saying, I hit him because he attempted to counter-punch me.
My point was that I've never seen so many rumors being taken as gospel truth than here. And JMac does a pretty good job of putting rumors in their proper perspective - which IS part of his job. You know, it's the kind of thing you used to do before you went all PFT on us.
If the Raiders trade McFadden to the Lions, it will be for the #2 overall pick; while the Lions drop to #8 and pick up McFadden. Then that changes the whole draft scenario; because the Raiders will select Suh (if the Rams don't). I think you may see that happen if the Rams select Bradford.
That would be the most epic move in draft history for the Raiders. I hope it happens.
Blanda,
A straw man means that while in an argument, debate, whatever, one person intentionally misrepresents the other persons argument and then takes the argument apart, ala a strawman. It has nothing to do with who posted first.
Roy
"To 'attack a straw man' is to create the illusion of having refuted a proposition by substituting a superficially similar proposition (the "straw man"), and refuting it, without ever having actually refuted the original position."
A textbook summary of Blanda's behavior at the moment.
J-Mac does make a good point in that, if the Raiders denied the DMac rumor, as it appears they have, then why didn't they deny the rumor that Tom Cable would be fired?
Raiders still have serious PR issues. Their primary focus is on the media, not the fans. Just like on the field, they have trouble keeping their eye on the ball.
Raider00 - good call. Why are we trading for someone else's mistakes? We are loading up for a 3-4 defense, but have no DT or MLB.
I won't cry if DMac is traded to the Lions in a pick swap and we end up with Suh. Can we throw in Russell and DHB?
Remember, the Raiders never deny anything, unless it's Rob Ryan being fired, DMac being traded, and...Wait, never mind.
RT - I'll go with whatever 5+% alc. by vol. local microbrew you have!
Is the move for Ben R. an addmision that J bust was just that?
I think Ben R. would have had the O thinking they might be able to get some things done. Instant upgrade.
Oh well... looks like
Bruce Mandarich at #8...
Memdf, sounds like you need a pint of Old Rasputin!
Did the Raiders actually call Pittsburgh, only to balk at the asking price of the first rounder?
Heck, if I'm willing to bring the jackass here, then that's a price I'm willing to pay for him.
In terms of proven ability and likely impact, I'd say he's worth the combined value of or past three first rounders: Russell, McFadden and DHB.
I love the Raiders, please find someone good Al, pretty please.
RAMS ON THE CLOCK!!!!
Sure, Raiders will probably draft for need. But at what value? DHB was the first WR selected in the 2009 draft (by the Raiders at #7). Knowing they “needed” a WR and DHB was their man, would they also have drafted him with the #1 pick.
A truly scary thought.
Rams take Bradford, what do the Lions do?
I think you stay flexible between need and alleged best player available.
If the guy who fills your top need seems like a huge stretch at that slot, then don't do it.
But if the alleged best player available is a WR or DB, don't do that, either.
Play it smart.
If I'm a Lions fan, I'm yelling Suh! Suh! Suh! Or hope they trade down and load up.
How do these college players already get J-Russ quality bling?
Damn, my draft is busted. stickem still the king
So much for Suh being available at #8... like more than a couple mocks anticipated.
Almost wish the Raiders had traded up to get one of the top DTs. Both are class acts and monster football players.
Now this is getting depressing. Trent Williams, off the board.
Chiefs taking Berry!
I don't think the Hawks need a LT, and you don't draft a RT with the #6 pick. Hmmm!
What are the chances Campbell is still available at #8?
7 consecutive posts for me. That's a personal record.
Browns taking Haden!
Davis, Bulaga, McClain, all available! Raiders on the board!
RAIDERS ON THE CLOCK WHO DOES CRAZY AL PICK?
MCLAIN
See! Blanda is wrong again. Look who they picked! Oh, wait a minute.
McClain makes sense, but still a bit of a mystery. Kudos to Davis for NOT selecting Campbell....
That's a surprise. Looks like we just got a MLB. Finally got sick of getting run all over. Could mean Campbell in the second round.
the next lawrence taylor is now a RAIDER!!!!!!!!!! i'm excited about this pick!!!!!!
I like the sound of this on McLain:
Intangibles: Described as a film junkie and defensive coordinator on the field. Is characterized as not only knowing his assignment on every defensive call, but also the job of every defensive teammate. Incredibly competitive. Never missed a game at Alabama. Voted a team captain in 2009 as a junior.
I'm diggin' this pick, fellas.
Maybe our run D picks it up a few notches...
---Jeff
I like this pick, perhaps it's because I had no expectations for the first time in my life. Raiders got a football player not a freakish athlete.
This strikes me as a smart choice that balances the concepts of best player available v. major need.
A reach on the Best Player Available scale? Perhaps a bit, but not much.
Addressing a major need? Yes.
I wonder what happens to Kirk Morrison now?
Not an interesting pick....tho this is Al Davis were talking about. But selecting McLain is a nice pick. We've been hurting so badly up the middle and have been so soft over the last 4 to 5 years. We've needed a key MLB for a very long time. A play maker, though I've always liked Morrison and his play. But we need a real play maker in the division and make teams respect us defensively.
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Are the 49ers schooling the Raiders 2 years in a row. They take Crabtree after the Raiders select DHB last year, and now take a top prospect at OT in Anthony Davis this year.
Guess all the preemptive noose-swinging was all for naught. Al made a sensible, need pick. When does anyone apologize to Al? lol
Next up LT or DT...
Apologize to Al? For what? Not making another horrendous pick?
As soon as Al apologizes to me for DHB and all the other running with scissors that has led to our mess, I'll apologize to him for holding my breath as to his next decision.
Did the Chargers just draft the next Raider-killer RB in Mathews?... who led the nation last year.
I like the McLain pick, and I think Morrison moves to the outside where he was in college.
Vlad Ducasse tomorrow, I hope.
>>>>
Apologize to Al? For what? Not making another horrendous pick?
>>>
Lol...
Nope. For being an whiny childish defeatist fan.
Sorry NYR... you and many others here were INSUFFERABLE the last month.
Sorry if I take some glee in Al's sensibilities. I know how much it crushes you.
Consider too, the Raiders haven't selected an OT yet. Will they? They have serially neglected drafting OL.
Gary, I'll apologize to Al if he wins a Super Bowl with J-Fat, McInjured, Darrius Handso-Bricks, and no O-Line.
Gary - what's funny is you coming here for the first time in weaks and pointing your I-told-you-so finger at us instead of discussing the McClain pick and what it might do for the Raiders.
Talk about childish!
"weeks"... although, "weak" also applies when referring to Gary's comments.
Gee, I'm seeing a lot of optimism here from the so-called pessimists.
Funny how not running with scissors will do that.
Maybe they're not Al haters after all. Maybe they just hate perennially awful decision making.
Is Jimmy Clausen the next Brady Quinn?
How does that impact Tebow? Could Tebow be there in Rd 3? And, should the Raiders even pull that trigger, with so many other holes to fill?
49ers add their second top-tier OL from the first round. Wow! Raiders have some catching up to do.
I am thrilled with the McClain pick! Go figure ... a productive, proven college player from a BIG time program, played in a pro-style D, and learned from one of the best defensive coaches (Saban). On top of that, McClain has the leadership qualities, high character, high football IQ attributes that IS critical for team D and a MLB.
It is starting to look like we are transitioning to a 3-4 D.
Added:
Groves
Wimbley
McClain
Re-signed:
Howard
Morrisison
Subtracted:
Warren
OLB: Groves, Wimbley, Scott, Howard
ILB: McClain, Morrison, R. Brown
Do you think Seymour can play NT in the 3-4? Or would it be Kelly with Seymour and Shaunnessy on the outside? Kelly doesn't seem STOUT enough to handle the interior line by himself.
We need to get another big body if we go to a 3-4.
Good start to the draft.
A NT, OT, OG in the 2nd round would be another nice piece.
Take,
"Intangibles: Described as a film junkie and defensive coordinator on the field. Is characterized as not only knowing his assignment on every defensive call, but also the job of every defensive teammate. Incredibly competitive. Never missed a game at Alabama. Voted a team captain in 2009 as a junior."
I've been saying that since, oh, January when he declared for the draft. He is the best MLB/ILB in the draft. And, I just don't get the analyst who said this was too early to take an ILB.
He's the best out there, it's a need. This is the guy who is going to run the defense for years. With the transactions over the last few weeks, it may be they are planning to build the defense around him and Nnamdi.
I have maintained that the quickest way to return to the playoffs is with a kick ass dominating defense. Not, winning shootouts, which we couldn't do either.
This was not a typical Al pick. This was Al listening to his HC and DC. Some would say, "for a change," but it happened.
If you watch some Alabama game film the last three years, he would be moving all over the field telling players where to line up and where he though the play was going.
Some clown said he only made 4 tackles in the BCS game. Big Fat Hairy Deal. He spent most of his time putting other players in position to make the plays. Very unselfish, very intelligent, team first player.
My only concern is he is a junior, but he is much more mature physically and mentally than most juniors. He was calling the defenses as a true freshman.
But, I am biased. I've seen every play he has made the last 3 seasons.
Good, solid pick.
H
Calico,
No, Seymour will play DE in the 3-4. My guess is they are still looking for the NT by draft or trade.
H
If we go to a 3-4, why not take NT Terrence Cody, Alabama in the 2nd round?
NY,
Why a mystery? Half the time last year the D was looking around trying to figure out what they were doing when the ball was being snapped. Rolando fills the void we've had since Rod Woodson retired (someone to QB the D).
H,
Ro will do great in the 4-3 as a mike. Personally, I don't like being a 4-3 or a 3-4. I like the ability to switch between the two to keep the O guessing, and looks like we might be loading up the personell to be able to do that.
Now if we can only land Mt Cody tomorrow :-) Yea, I know the o-line is REALLY glaring need now, plus, if we did get Cody, I wouldn't know which jersey to get!!!! and A-day was fun this year as usual.
-moshbucket
>>>
Gary - what's funny is you coming here for the first time in weaks and pointing your I-told-you-so finger at us instead of discussing the McClain pick and what it might do for the Raiders.
>>>
Ja... couldn't resist.
Suck on it Al-haters.
Gosh that felt good.
No apologies.
You all deserved it.
Moshbucket - The mystery? Just a bit of a knee-jerk reaction on my part. My priorities were OT and DT, and I'm still concerned the Raiders will again neglect drafting interior linemen. I think Anthony Davis would have been a solid choice.
McClain is an outstanding player, but he's also a Jr and was ranked much lower in the round. Nevertheless, MLB was a position of great need, and I am thrilled to have him on the Raiders.
I say we select DT Terrance Cody or Brian Price in the 2nd round, then wait for Bruce Campbell in the third. Campbell might be a good risk as a 3rd round pick. Problem is, the Raiders have a bad history of being able to coach players up to the NFL level, which Campbell will need.
Last thought: Waz up with Denver taking Tebow? They didn't have any other needs for the 1st round? I'm a Tebow fan, but that seemed like a huge reach for a player that will likely sit on their bench and play ST.
Moshbucket,
They didn’t do it as much after Donte Hightower went down for the season but they would occasionally go to a 4-3, so McClain does know how to run it. I just hope after a learning curve they let him freelance a bit. He was allowed to do that under Saban, it worked out pretty well.
Calico,
If we do take Cody, I’ll claim the draft genius title. I suggested that back in March. McClain – Round 1, Cody – round 2. The two have worked together for two years in the most complicated defense in college. Plus Cody can double as your short yardage blocking back. At the end last night Kipher had Cody as the best DT still on the board.
Now, Tim Tebow to Denver. Fine with me. McClain was in Tebow’s head the entire SEC Championship game. He looked dazed and confused when it was all over.
H
NYRaider,
Cable did say they had DT and OT ranked ahead of LB going in, but the guys they would have definitely pulled the trigger on were gone in the first 6 picks. McClain said Cable directly asked him if he would have any problem “leading” the defense. They had McClain ranked ahead of Anthony Davis on their board.
As for him projecting lower in the round, that’s the experts again. Why is it that ILB’s are not supposed to be top ten when some are basically as important to the defense as the QB is to the offense?
Cody has also lined up as a blocking tight end. Very versatile guy. I wonder if he can catch a pass.
H
Here's a video on McClain. It's not just on the field highlights.
http://tinyurl.com/3akc2ls
H
Look at Gary, positively gloating that the Raiders didn't run with scissors last night. Hooray!
Funny how the folks who won't admit that we've been blowing our drafts are suddenly gloating about us not blowing a draft (at least through round one, it would seem).
A new News You Can't Use is now up (yes, Blanda, it's true).
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