Part IV – The DefenseThe Oakland Raiders finished the season on a two-game winning streak, which was nice to see, but also a 5-11 record and another top-10 draft slot...
Author Poll
Will six straight seasons of 11 losses or more convince Al Davis that it is time to bring in someone to handle the Football Operations
Author Poll Results
Will six straight seasons of 11 losses or more convince Al Davis that it is time to bring in someone to handle the Football Operations
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Yes, for the present and the future of the franchise
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No, he is too stubborn to see it
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There's a 50/50 chance
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No way, it will be business as usual until Al Davis is no longer the owner
- Total votes: 10
30 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
Do you think that Michael Huff may be better suited to play CB. Maybe a Nickel CB? He could replace Stanford Routt. I've heard that Routt is leaving Oakland this off-season. I would still like to see Tyvon Branch at FS along side of Gibril Wilson. I would still like to see the Raiders draft some Offensive players in the draft & sign Defensive F/A's to sure up the Defense. The Raiders could go sign DT Shaun Cody from the Lions. They could also go after LB Mike Peterson too. Jeff here's my new Raiders Mock Draft for rounds 1-3: Round 1: ILB Rey Maualaga or LT Eugene Monroe / Round 2: WR Hakeem Nicks / Round 3: RT Russell Okung. And how much longer is Al Davis gonna take before he actually interviews an outside candidate for H/C? What's he waiting for?
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
Thanks for reading the article and taking the time to comment, realRaidersteve. Starting with Michael Huff he is a bust and like several others drafted way too high. He was drafted to be a play making free safety who started his pro career as a strong safety when placed in the position he was drafted for he made less plays. If he was drafted in the 3rd or 4th round I might have more patience, unlike Nnamdi it's time to cut your losses.
Tyvon Branch will be an integral part of the defense at might become a starter but he is coming off of an injury and not the fault of Branch another safety needs to be added to replace Huff & Hiram Eugene. I disagree with the draft offensive players and sign defensive free agents take. This is what the team has been doing which needs to stop, granted if Al drafted the right free agents things would be different but this team needs to build through the draft.
In regards to your Mock draft, not bad I don't have a real problem with it. I like WR Hakeem Nicks he has good size, is an excellent route runner, can be a weapon in the red zone and is known to be a gamer after taking over as the go to guy once Brandon Tate was lost due to an injury. It has yet to be determined that he is 2nd round pick status. He has to show that he has improved his speed and can beat the jam to be able to get off the line of scrimmage.
I like OT Russell Okung but I would draft him in the 2nd round there is a good chance he'll be off the board in this round. Jason Smith is rising up the draft board and as of today the top OT's are 1) Andre Smith 2) Jason Smith 3) Eugene Monroe 4) Michael Oher 5) Russell Okung. This could change after the Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine Game, The NFL Combine and Individual workouts.
Only Al can answer the last question.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
I forgot to mention that Nanmdi Asomugha struggled at Safety & CB for a few seasons before becoming a great player. So why can't we give Michael Huff that same opportunity? Huff was benched this year before even being able to prove that he has improved. He had a bad game against the Broncos in week 1 & was demoted to special teams. Maybe he should looked at at CB because our secondary may take a hit in the off-season with Nnamdi Asomugha/ Chris Johnson & Justin Miller being F/A's & the likelyhood of Stanford Routt leaving.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
Had Huff showed improvement he wouldn't have been benched you only get so many chances, he was a 1st round pick he's had three years. A better question would be what has he shown that warrants giving him another opportunity? He has struggled in all phases of the game he is too expensive to be on special teams or as a nickel corner or safety. If he wants to take a pay cut I'd discuss it but otherwise its time to see what type of value he has left. Not concerned about Routt another talented player drafted too high. He can walk, the team needs to sign Nnamdi to a long term deal, resign Chris Johnson, who outplayed Routt & D. Hall, Justin Miller.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
(Mistake) I confused Shaun Cody with Shaun Rogers. Cody sucks.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
I wouldn't go as far as saying Shaun Cody sucks he is solid against the run. Far better against the run than Terdell Sands, William Joseph and Josh Shaw. He is the type of guy that would be great for a DT rotation. The Raiders need a big run stuffing DT that demands a double-team, the moment they get a guy to fill that role is the moment the defense improves against the run.
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Chris Schei 6 months ago
Until Al Davis is no longer there, the Raiders will be non-existent.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
Thanks for reading the article and taking the time to comment, Chris. I agree with your take, the only way things change is if Al changes how he does business and hand the keys to someone else to handle the football operations.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
With the lack of talent in this years NFL Draft I expect a lot of "2nd Round Talent Players" going in the 1st Round. With Hakeem Nicks probably being one of them. I really want the Raiders to get this kid. I Have a feeling that his 40 time will cause Al Davis to overlook him. His hands are great & he can get open. I'm also originally from North Carolina so I'm kind of a "Homer" when it come to this kid. My other pick RT Russell Okung will probably be a 2nd round player. This draft isn't going to work out the way I had wanted...but then again it never does. And I forgot to add the "Al Davis factor". The Al Davis factor is the pick or 2 that Al Davis makes that we really didn't need.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
I have to disagree with you here, there is a lot of talent in this years draft but every year some 2nd round talent goes in the 1st round and vice-versa. It really depends on what a team is looking for. As I stated before, I like Hakeem Nicks as well as Brandon Tate. Both are talented receivers that don't have to go in the 1st or 2nd rounds to make an impact. I'll call it today and say that both guys will be draft day steals and improve the team that selects them.
Both have plenty of time to impress the scouts and NFL personnel, there is a good chance both will be invited to the NFL combine to show what they've got. In the event neither is selected to go to the combine or any of the college all-star games then both will have to do it on the UNC pro day. I've got a lot of love for North Carolina and players from the area due to having family in the area and spending a lot of time there.
Russell Okung is in the same boat as Hakeen Nicks he will probably be invited to the NFL combine to show what he can do and if not he will have to show the NFL brass at the OSU Pro Day. The Al Davis factor is always something that needs to be avoided like a deep pot-hole in the road.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
JEFF. Did you happen to see the Raiders 2009 schedule? It's brutal! I'm not seeing too many wins there.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
I saw the 2009 schedule it is brutal and it is tough to find a win in there but that is why we play the games. I doubt anyone could've seen a win in Denver after being blown out in week one, a win against the Jets or a two game winning streak to close out the season.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
Jeff. Do you see the Raiders drafting either of these WR's come draft day? (Jeremy Maclin/ Hakeem Nicks or Darrius Heyward-Bey). And do anticipate the Raiders taking ILB Rey Maualaga in the 1st Round? I want Rey Maualaga in a Raiders uniform in '09. And I want one of those WR's. I'm worried that the Raiders will wait & select WR's in the late rounds (4-7). I want a playmaker! Not a project! I want someone to catch passes now! And I want a player that can stop the run now! And I don't know what's going on with this coaching staff but from what I'm hearing this will be Al Davis biggest mistake yet. Tom Cable as H/C. Ed Donetell as D/C? Between having the most brutal season schedule that I have ever seen & a piss poor coaching staff being assembled...not to mention the contract issues of Javon Walker & Kwame Harris possibly ruining our salary cap & the fact that Shane Lecher will be gone & Nnamdi Asomugha yet again going into a F/A signing battle with the Raiders. This upcoming season isn't looking very good at all. This is going to be a nightmare isn't it Jeff? I think that the worst is yet to come. Al Davis can't even get any assistant coaches from the around the NFL to interview for the H/C job. Do you think that Al Davis is finally seeing that his tactics have scared away any respectable coaches & players from coming to Oakland. I heard that last year's players in the draft didn't even want to be drafted by the Raiders. And if Michael Bush isn't the starting HB next season than the Raiders really are stupid. Barring any injuries...Bush is a 1000 yard HB no doubt.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
It is impossible to say what Al will do come draft day, he has dropped the ball on several previous drafts in the 1st round. We have to look the 1st round of the 2008 a failure as well. In my opinion, as I stated prior to the draft, that the Raiders shouldn't draft Darren McFadden. I like Darren McFadden but the team had Justin Fargas, Lamont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes and Michael Bush on the roster prior to him being drafted. It was known that two of the four were going to be gone but to draft a runner in the 1st round was unnecessary due to Micheal Bush had yet to see the field.
The Raiders need to move one of the three runners and I hate to say it but due to the contracts of the three the guy will be Bush, which I feel is a mistake waiting to happen that could've been prevented with a plan. If one has to be traded the team needs to move Fargas but probably won't. In regards to this years 1st round draft my pick remains to be MLB Rey Maualuga, I would accept FS Taylor Mays, OT Jason Smith, OT Michael Oher otherwise the team needs to trade down.
As I stated before I like the receivers mentioned but not at the #7 pick in the draft simply because this team has neglected teh defensive side of the ball too many times. This team needs an impact player on the defensive side of the ball badly. Take a look at last year for instance, not one wide receiver was drafted in the 1st round. Several NFL teams are wary of drafting a WR in the 1st round unless he is an elite guy in 2009 at the WR position that is (Michael Crabtree, Percy Harvin and then Jeremy Maclin).
Although 2nd round picks Desean Jackson, Donnie Avery and Jordy Nelson were successful. The 4th round produced Eddie Royal who lead all rookie receivers in receptions and was far from a project. Jeremy Maclin is the same type of player as Eddie Royal but bigger. I think he'll be a solid player but it depends on who drafts him and where he is drafted. I feel he is one of the best WR's in the draft and will go in the top of the 1st round but he could also be long gone before pick #7. He is that good. I'll go as far as saying both Maclin and Crabtree will be gone before the Raiders pick. The team needs to think defense is all I'm saying it would be to their benefit now and in the future. If the Raiders don't take Maualuga, he will be a charger and the Raiders will have to deal with him twice a year saying to themselves "we could've had that guy".
If the Raiders were to get Hakeem Nicks in the 4th round he would be a solid addition, getting drafted in the 4th round isn't a bad thing at all nor does it say project. As far as the head coach again who knows. One thing I do know is Ed Donatell is an outstanding defensive coordinator and would be a solid addition to any coaching staff. Not worried about Nnamdi at this time, he is an exclusive rights franchise player meaning if someone else wants him on their team they'll need to part with two 1st round picks. He'll get his well deserved long term big money deal. Shane, Chris Johnson, Jake Grove and Rashad Baker need to be resigned.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
No way the Raiders trade Michael Bush! Why keep Fargas over Bush? Bush scores TD's...Fargas doesn't. Fargas is only a good runner between the 20's. As soon as Fargas gets to the Red Zone he is ineffective. Michael Bush is young & very talented. Justin Fargas just has heart. How many TD's did Fargas have this season? 1 TD! Michael Bush played in 2 games & had 3. In those 2 games he rushed for over 100 yards. How many 100 yard games did Fargas have. Bush rushed for over 170 yards against the Buccaneers. meanwhile Fargas was getting stuffed all year at the Goal line & in 3rd and shorts. The Raiders are looking to the future. We have some good young players on both sides of the ball. We drafted Russell & McFadden/Bush & Zach Miller to go along with him. F*** Justin Fargas! He's getting old. The Raiders should trade Fargas. Keep Bush.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
Bush was quietly on the trade block last year, the Chargers made a serious offer but Al wanted more and this was long before the Tampa game. You completely underestimate Justin Fargas and seem to blame him for the problems with the offensive line, the idea that kwame harris can play tackle in the NFL and some horrible play calling.
I'm not sold on the TD stats because if you add them up that gives the team four TD's but the record remains 5-11. I didn't hear all of this F*** Justin Fargas talk when he ran for 179 yards against the Dolphins, I didn't hear it when he ran for 1,006 yards in 10 games as the feature back so why diss the guy now. A little word to the wise, with no blocking everyone gets stuffed at the goal line.
You misunderstood my take, Fargas & Bush were on the roster before McFadden was drafted, I said that McFadden shouldn't been drafted for that reason. I also stated that McFadden & Fargas have bigger contracts than Bush and that is the reason the team put him on the trade block to find out how much value he has. You only do that if you plan to trade a player. I never said I want to trade Bush, hell he finally really got a chance to show what I already knew he could do.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
The Raiders should keep Darren McFadden/ Michael Bush & Louis Rankin. You're right about the WR's in the draft. We can get a good one in rounds 2-4. Here's my question. If the Raiders knew all along that they were going to draft Darren McFadden. They already had Michael Bush. The still had Dominic Rhodes & LaMont Jordan on the roster. Than why did they throw a ton of money at Justin Fargas? The raiders need to stop making signings that make absolutely no sense at all. It's really jamming us up. Between Javon Walker/ Kwame Harris/ Tommy Kelly & Justin Fargas...not to mention cutting DeAngelo Hall & eating $8 Million on that deal. The Raiders are royally f***ing themselves in cap flexability. This needs to stop. What's next a 7 year $60 Million deal to Chris Johnson or Hiram Eugene!?!?! Pardon my French Jeff...but this bulls*** needs to stop right now. The Raiders need to start renogotiating some contracts & cutting some dead weight like Walker & Harris. As for Justin Fargas... he did what every other Raiders player has done. He got paid & he got worse.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
A very good question, the answer is simple the lunacy of Al Davis and not having a plan. It appeared at first that the team wanted to compensate Fargas for his loyalty and putting together a good season. I get that but to give him the size of the contract given and then draft a runner in the 1st round makes not sense at all knowing that you had a guy like Bush on the roster. If the team planned on drafting McFadden and having three runners why not draft 2-3 offensive lineman and select a few more as undrafted free agents to bolster the offensive line?
I like the idea of signing free agents but you need to sign the right one's and Javon Walker, DeAngelo Hall and Kwame Harris were not. Al Davis is guessing and his 'yes men' are too scared or stupid to stop him from dragging the franchise down further. It is all blatant incompetence, look at the coaching search the talk was that Al likes what Kevin Gilbride brings as an offensive coach and think he can be a head coach again but you talk to him on the phone for 90 minutes and it is a conversation but not an interview? What is that besides a huge waste of time?
The search is going on without Tom Cable being fired. Think about this, you know you're about to be fired, the company is interviewing people for a job you want and your employer is telling you "hey steve we can discuss the job but we are interviewing other people for the job."
I disagree with your take of Fargas ... As for Justin Fargas... he did what every other Raiders player has done. He got paid & he got worse.
That is just wrong, he got hurt that happens when you play football. It makes no sense to say a RB got paid and then got worse when an owner wants to prove to the world a backup RT can play LT just because he was once a 1st round pick, a past him prime washed up RT can still play in this league, the head coach is fired in week 4 and the team has no direction or identity and gave up on the run from the start of the season. I'm not buying it.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
Jeff. You may have misunderstood what I was trying to say about the RB situation with drafting McFadden & having the other RB's already on the roster. Either way I think that we both have an understanding of what went on it it was foolish to pay Fargas & pick McFadden. Look I admire Fargas' heart & determination. I love his aggressive style of running & his leadership. But the bottom line is that he isn't getting it done. O-line or not...Bush ran behind the same O-line & was outstanding. "Big Time Mr. Superstar" Darren McFadden ran behind the same O-line too. The bottom line is that Michael Bush made that O-line look good. Bush scored TD's. Why don't we just go back to the 4th quarter of the Buccaneers game. Bush is carrying the Raiders to victory. He needs a breather after running the life out of the Bucs. Tom Cable say's I need a RB to go in. He looks around. Nobody steps up. The camera goes to Fargas & McFadden just standing their with 2 of the dumbest looks on their faces that I have ever seen. Then what happens. Bush finishes his Gatorade...get's up off the bench...goes back in the game and breaks the Bucs backbone with a 70 yard TD run. Yeah Fargas had a good year last year... & I was on board the "Bandwagon" too. But what have you done lately Fargas? Nothing. F*** Fargas...F*** his contract. See Ya! And now that I've had some time to think about my previous Michael Huff comments... F*** him too. Put Huff out for bulk trash along with Javon/ Kwame/ Drew Carter & Fargas. See ya! Don't let the door hit you in the ass! Burgess too...see Ya! I want real football players. I want to win! I'm tired of paycheck players. I'm tired of Al Davis. I'm tired of watching any old "Joe RB" get over 100 yards rushing on our defense. Stop the run! You're paid to do it so do it! Surely you're on board with me here Jeff. If the Dolphins can do it with nobodies... then the Raiders should be able to do it with the talent that they have.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
This is not a knock against Bush, but let's go back to your statement that Bush was great behind the same O-Line. I've a question for how many games was he great? One. How many games was McFadden great for? One. On both occasions neither had to deal with Kwame Harris whereas Fargas did, is that Justin Fargas' fault? I think not.
The problem with the Raiders remains to be Al Davis. Without him dropping the ball the team would've let go of Javon Walker when he came back for Las Vegas, not signed DeAngelo Hall and gave that contract to Nnamdi Asomugha, not drafted Darren McFadden, not signed Kwame Harris. He has neglected the most important parts of a football team the offensive and defensive lines. If you take the foundation away the entire structure will fall. For the good of the team, players and fans Al needs to fire himself and put someone who knows what they're doing in charge.
You know as well as I do that Al is going to interview Winston Moss to fulfill the Rooney rule and hire Cable based on two games. He is going to pick his entire staff, F*** up in the draft again and we'll be having this same conversation next year. The only way this changes is when Al humbles himself realizes that he has failed and do things differently.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
Yeah It's shame...it really is. Can't get rid of Al Davis. But nobody lives forever. I think that Al Davis will make better moves (player wise) after last season's absolute failures. Almost every move Al made was flop or a disgrace. Nobody wants to coach his team. And we are now in a 6 season slump. Time for Al to wake up & smell the Ben-Gay.LOL. If he can't see it now...then he never will. Hope we have a good draft. take it easy Jeff.
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Jeff Little 6 months ago
I agree with you and hope you're right. Yeah it's shame and the denial campaign is even worse.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 6 months ago
Jeff. How about the Raiders signing F/A WR's Brandon Jones (Titans) & Devery Henderson (Saints)? Both had pretty good numbers this season. Henderson is a deep threat WR (had some drops though) & Brandon Jones has good size & skill set to be a #2 WR. And isn't WR Antonio Bryant (Buccaneers) going to be a F/A this off-season? He's come into his own this season & could be a good #2 WR for the Raiders. The Bengals may be willing to deal WR Chad Johnson this off-season. It looks like T.J Houshmanzadeh will get the big deal in Cincy. Maybe we could deal Justin Fargas & a draft pick to the Bengals for Chad Johnson. The Bengals have long needed a RB. Damn Jeff! You got me all down & out now over the Michael Bush thing. I'm all worried about him being traded now. Bush has far more upside than Fargas does. Plus Bush is younger & just flat out better than Fargas. I hope we don't lose him. And do have any info on OT James Marten. I know that the Raiders had him on their draft board last year & they were pretty high on him. The Cowboys picked him then cut him. Now we got him (funny how that worked out huh?). Can Marten play starting RT? It sure would save us a draft pick & plus he was a steal for us this year if he has the skills. How about letting C Jake Grove walk & re-signing Chris Morris to play Center? Morris has played Center for us before. Jake Grove has been hurt frequently & hasn't really given us much upside since we drafted him. We may have to think about drafting a Center in this years draft. That Center Max Unger from Oregon is a zone blocking Center. Maybe we should consider him. He fit the system. He could be a draft steal because Centers usually go late in the draft. Damn! I hate needing every position come draft time. It's impossible to do a Mock Draft for the Raiders. We always seem like we need 1 of everything. I'm just gonna chill on the Draft talk for a while because it's almost pointless to talk about when it comes to the Raiders. Too many needs...not enough picks & the fact that Al Davis is so unpredictable yet so predictable at times. If that makes any sense. Just thought I'd throw a couple idea's at you Jeff on some things. Thanx
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Jeff Little 5 months ago
Brandon Jones & Devery Henderson are attainable WR's but acquiring them, the offensive scheme, the O-line and will the team continue to use a zone blocking system are all up in the air until the head coach has been named. In regards to the three running backs here is something to calm your nerves:
http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2009/01/05/expect-raiders-to-keep-all-three-rbs/
Jake Grove had a good season and Chris Morris will return as his backup. Looking at the O-line LT Mario Henderson (his position to lose) LG is set with Robert Gallery, C set with Jake Grove ( his problem is being bull rushed by bigger DT/NT's), RG Paul Mcquistan RT James Marten. Max Unger would be an excellent choice he could go late 1st round or early 2nd. There will be more additions to the guys mentioned, I just want to see the team draft well for once and really find talent from undrafted free agents.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 5 months ago
Jeff. Thanx for the site There was one thing I forgot to mention when talking about the RB situation in Oakland. Justin Fargas doesn't stay healthy. Neither does McFadden. And McFadden is more of a playmaker type player rather than a true RB. And Fargas can't catch or block well. So we need to keep Michael Bush because he's the total package when it comes to running between the tackles catching & blocking. Michael Bush is the best RB the Raiders have. He does it all. The others are limited.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 5 months ago
Jeff. I was checking out some WR's in this years draft & seeing who the Raiders could go & get in a late round. How about Cal-Poly's Ramses Barden? He's 6'-6" 228 lbs. He's put up great numbers but those numbers came against unranked teams with few talent. But he could be like a Calvin Johnson type player maybe. I wanted Calvin Johnson in the 2007 Draft but we passed on him. Now Johnson is tearing s*** up every week for the sorry ass Lions. Ramses Barden could be compared to like a Calvin Johnson / Vincent Jackson or a Marquis Colston. What do think of Barden? Is he worth a look in the later rounds if available? I just hope he isn't another Mike Williams. LOL.
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Jeff Little 5 months ago
Nice Call on Ramses Barden. He is what is known as a sleeper. As you know he has great size and tremendous wingspan. The WR group in this draft features more talent than the QB, RB and DB positions.
Barden has been invited to the Senior Bowl and he has the opportunity to show what he can do against top competition, he can either make himself a lot of money by putting together a performance that will get him drafted late 1st, early 2nd round or as a 3rd round choice. He'll have to catch the ball well, be solid in his route running and coming out of his breaks and beating the jam at the line of scrimmage.
The Raiders had to have a QB in 2007 after passing on one when two fell into their laps in 2006. The team had no one to get the ball to Calvin Johnson if he was drafted. Adrian Peterson & Patrick Willis would've been solid choices with the 1st overall or the team could've traded down if not impressed with Russell or Quinn and took Trent Edwards who was drafted in the 4th round. He played for Stanford in the bay area so the team saw him play more than Russell and Quinn, a potential shorter scouting trip if that made any sense to the team.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 5 months ago
The Lions don't have anybody to get the ball to Calvin Johnson. Yet Johnson has managed to wow the NFL with his ability & stats this season. Johnson is an unbelievable WR. It's sad that he has to be on a terrible team like the Lions. The Lions were 0-16 & absolutely terrible in all phases except 1. Calvin Johnson! He had numbers that rivaled that of Andre Johnson of the Texans. Another sleeper player that was outstanding this season. But back to Ramses Barden. He's not very fast & has only played against small unranked schools. He's also not very strong for his size. Even if he manages to wow scouts at the Senior Bowl he will still be work in progress player. He's a project. I'm interested in what he could be. A huge target for any QB. #1 WR type size & potential. I don't know much on this kid yet. But I'll find out more. I project him to 3rd round or maybe in the 5th round. But I'm no expert & haven't followed his career at Cal-Poly. I wanted to know what you thought about him Jeff. I was under the impression that you were from that area ( California). Maybe you've followed him & read more on him than I have. I was hoping that you would save me the time in researching him. Anyway I still like Hakeem Nicks & Michael Crabtree. I'm also starting to like Jeremy Maclin too.
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Jeff Little 5 months ago
I like Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin & Hakeem Nicks. I think that only two of the three will be drafted in the 1st round. That could change after an impressive performance in an All Star game, The NFL combine and a solid pro day workout. It appears that the teams aren't drafting a lot of WR in the 1st round unless they're elite level players and right now that looks like only Crabtree & Maclin. Maclin is like a bigger Eddie Royal he is a receiver with speed that has good hands and change of direction ability as well as being able to return punts. He has more speed than Crabtree, but Michael is bigger, has better hands and more precise route running ability. Everyone is going to want to see if Crabtree's ankle has improved it has given him a lot of trouble and effected him in the bowl game.
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realRaidersteve Doyle 5 months ago
Jeff. Ever since the whole Cowboys maybe cutting T.O story has broke. There has been a few things that I have heard that maybe could work for us. The Cowboys probably won't cut T.O this season because of his contract & he is due about $10 Million in the 2009 season. But the Cowboys could cut him in 2010 when there could possibly be a uncapped year for the salary cap. My question to you is... should the Raiders consider cutting Javon Walker & any other highly paid bust player in 2010 instead of this off-season. It could really save the Raiders some money & put them in a better position to sign better players in the future & would really lower our salary cap & also prevent any salary cap penalties. Could this be a good solution to our problems if the uncapped year were to occur? We would just have to live with Javon Walker for 1 more season. We could also get rid of Kwame Harris & Justin Fargas as well. If we cut these player in 2010 when there's no salary cap then we don't have to take a cap hit because there is no cap.
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