Raiders Draft - Reaction!

Several Mock Drafts had the Raiders taking the former University of Arkansas RB Darren McFadden #4 overall. This didn't surprise me or any other Raider fan one bit. I will go on record now by saying that if the decision was mine I would've drafted LSU DT Glen Dorsey, especially after he fell into the Raiders laps.

It would've filled the teams most pressing need and helped to solidify the defense. It would've also avoided having him in the AFC West and having to watch him develop as an NFL player while having to face him twice a year. The Raiders couldn't go wrong with either Dorsey or McFadden and I don't have a problem with the pick.

Al Davis couldn't pass up on adding the speed, big-play and game changing potential of RB Darren McFadden. I do like the selection and think Darren McFadden will have a very good Raider career when he has a defined role and has the potential to have an immediate impact. This tells us that the Raiders Defensive Tackles will be Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands and William Joseph.

It goes without saying that DT Terdell Sands had a horrible year in 2007. The fact of the matter is that all of us fans thought we knew how bad his year was from watching him play. That couldn't be further from the truth; the guy lost two family members during the same month. Losing a family member is very hard to deal with for everyone and losing more than one is something I wouldn't wish upon anyone.

Perhaps one year removed from this he will play on the field will improve. I was looking to land a SLB that could come in a make an impact but that did not happen.

I love the 4th round selection of CB Tyvon Branch formerly of UConn who gives the Raiders a solid young corner with excellent size and speed that's not afraid to support the run and is also an excellent kick returner he will make an impact on special teams and 4 & 5 receiver sets this year.

I knew from the pre-draft visits and the roster that the Raiders were looking at the WR position. The second 4th round pick WR Arman Shields is a tlented receiver. He did have a better 2006 than 2007 but a talent regardless. He has excellent size 6' 1" 187 lbs. he runs a 4.37 40-time, tall and fast with outstanding hands and runs good routes. Runs hard after the catch. Works well in traffic, going across the middle and battling. Has natural hands and attacks balls. He was worth the pick because of his hands, precise route-running and toughness.

The selection of DE Trevor Scott formerly of the University of Buffalo is an interesting pick. He's 6' 5" 256 lbs. he's a tall DE with speed. He's raw, high-motor converted tight end with upside. He does need to develop his technique to make an impact but he gives the team another player to work with and develop at the DE position.

The selection of WR Chaz Schilens formerly of San Diego State is a big receiver (6'5" 225 lbs. ) with deceptive speed for his size but he doesn't have blazing speed. He could play a H-Back role but needs to become a better blocker.

Raiders 2008 Draft

Pick
Player
Pos
Ht
Wt
College
Round 1, Pick 4 (4)
Darren McFadden
RB
6'2"
210
Arkansas
Pick Analysis:Arguably the most talented player in the draft, McFadden brings a big-play threat to Oakland. He will offer a compliment to quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was the first overall pick in 2007. In three years at Arkansas, he carried 785 times for 4,590 yards and 41 touchdowns. He has exceptional acceleration and upper body strength.
Round 4, Pick 1 (100) (From Dolphins through Cowboys)
Tyvon Branch
CB
6'0"
204
Connecticut
Pick Analysis:Branch is strong, fast and has started for four years. His measurables have been exceptional. Branch's strong workout numbers compare to only five other players at his position and four have played in the Pro Bowl, while the fifth is a quality contributor in the NFL.
Round 4, Pick 26 (125) (From Jaguars through Ravens)
Arman Shields
WR
6'1"
194
Richmond
Pick Analysis:Shields did not have as good a senior year as he did as a junior, but he's still tall and he's fast. He ran a 4.37 40 and also had impressive cone drill numbers. He's a guy who can amass yards after the catch and make plays.
Round 6, Pick 3 (169)
Trevor Scott
DE
6'5"
256
Buffalo
Pick Analysis:Scott is a tall defensive end, with speed. He has great workout numbers, but his production on the field was somewhat lacking. He needs to demonstrate on the field the talent that his workout numbers indicate he could be capable of.
Round 7, Pick 19 (226) (From Vikings through Jets)
Chaz Schilens
WR
6'4"
208
Miami
Pick Analysis:Schilens excites people because of his exceptional size and speed. Due to his pure athleticism, he will have a chance to make the roster. He still needs some polish as a receiver.

NFL Draft Time

It is upon us the NFL Draft and that yearly question what will the Oakland Raiders do with their 1st pick? As stated previously, it is almost impossible to believe what you hear from the Front Office & Coaches. We heard from Head Coach Lane Kiffin today and he provided some information but of course nothing definite. He spoke of the the Raiders being open to a trade down due to lack of overall draft picks in this draft. Here's my take on what I feel the Raiders should do on draft day:

1st round: DE Chris Long - University of Virginia

4th round: DT Ahtyba Rubin - Iowa State

6th round: SLB LeRue Rumph - North Carolina State

7th round: WR Patrick Carter - Louisville

7th round: OT Duane Brown - Virginia Tech

There is a strong possibility that Al Davis wants RB Darren McFadden to be a Raider which would replace the above mentioned pick of Chris Long. There is a strong possibility that the Raiders could trade out of the 4th overall pick with a team that wants to trade up. If the Raiders trade out and remain in the top ten the Raiders could target USC DT Sedrick Ellis or OLB Keith Rivers and receive and additional draft pick or two in the 2nd or 3rd round. If a team wants to trade up it will be an expensive endeavor for that team. It must be said that a great player can be found anywhere in the draft. Enjoy the Raider Draft and the entire sports weekend!

Parcells gets the win! Jake Long is No.1

It has been reported that the Dolphins and former Michigan LT Jake Long were in the process of negotiating a contract for Long to be the No.1 overall pick in the draft. It was reported today that it has happened. Jake Long signed a 5-year deal for a reported $57.5 Million Dollar contract with $30 Million Dollars in guaranteed money. Long will get $2 million dollars less in guaranteed money and $3.5 million less in total money than Raider QB JaMarcus Russell received. However, Jake Long is tied up for one less season. This writer is the same one who predicted that this would occur in the article titled “Bill Parcells is Going for the win”.

The fact that this was a year that there wasn’t one guy that was head and shoulders above the rest made the move easier. Bill Parcells in one swoop has done what some thought was impossible to select a guy who he felt would best help his team and pay that guy less than what the previous years No.1 overall pick signed for and have him signed prior to the draft.

He didn’t allow the players agent to sell him with the “you need this guy speech” and the fact that Jake Long isn’t a QB, WR or RB helped out. There was a moment there where it was thought that former Ohio State DE/OLB Vernon Gholston was in the mix to be the top pick but today’s announcement put that thought to rest.

You can go ahead and consider this the first win of the 2008-2009 season for the Miami Dolphins and the NFL. Several league owners were feeling the financial crunch of the extremely high rookie salaries and several teams at the top of the draft even attempted to trade down to avoid having to pay the price. As stated previously, Bill Parcells has the personality and the moxie to pull off this win. He will re-build the Dolphins as he has other teams in the NFL the old fashioned way, by bringing in hard-working blue collar players, smart draft choices and savvy personnel moves.

Draft Day Trade Rumors

The NFL Draft is 7 days away and Trade rumors are flying everywhere. The New York Jets have contacted the Raiders about moving up to the 4th overall pick to be able to draft former Arkansas Running Back Darren McFadden. The Raiders are asking for the Jets #6 overall draft pick and a 2nd round draft pick. The Jets have been doing their research and have met with Darren McFadden 3 times in the in the last two weeks.

JL Rants!

What to make of all of the WR prospects visits to the Raiders offices? None of the Wide Receivers that were brought in for visits will be selected 4th overall so what gives? The Raiders are doing their research in the event there is a draft day trade that has them move down a few slots while receiving more draft picks in the process perhaps in the 2nd & 3rd rounds. Another possibility is a draft day trade of CB Fabian Washington, CB Stanford Routt or FS Stuart Schweigert perhaps netting picks somewhere in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th rounds.

The Dolphins are currently negotiating with former Michigan LT Jake Long, if he signs to become the 1st overall pick it could 'shake up' the top of the draft board. The Jake Long signing could also make the Raiders drafting DE Chris Long a stronger possibility. The Dolphins Executive VP of Football Operations Bill Parcells is intent of paying this years top pick less money than what QB JaMarcus Russell signed for with the Raiders. I wrote a complete article about it that can be viewed via this link http://bleacherreport.com/articles/17864-NFL-Bill-Parcells-in-Going-for-the-Win .

The Raiders can't go wrong with the 4th overall pick but a decision will have to be made between DE Chris Long, DE/OLB Vernon Gholston and RB Darren McFadden or a trade down as discussed previously. Stay Tuned.

Two WR's Prospects from the State of MI come in for a visit

The Raiders had two other Wide Receivers prospects in for a visit. The Raiders met with former Michigan WR Mario Manningham & former Michigan State WR Devin Thomas met with the team on 4/17/08. The Raiders are also showing heavy interest in Appalachian State WR Dexter M. Jackson. So look for him to make a visit to Alameda prior to the draft day. The team is also showing interest in Ferris State DB Patrick Wells. Wells is 5' 11" 194 lbs. 4.50 40-time. He projects as a 7th round pick or priority free agent.
Strengths:
He has food size and speed, along with experience at safety. Is a solid tackler who's not afraid to mix it up. Does well in bump -and-run coverage. Able to catch passes with ease.
Weaknesses:
Shows poor instincts and struggles to read plays correctly; gets beaten more often because of missed assignments than lack of talent.
Bottom Line:
Wells should get a shot in training camp because of his athletic ability, but has a long way to go as a player. He could be a great special teams contributor, however.