So many of us want to predict the draft, but seem to not be following any reports, or indications as to what we still need. The biggest example I can clearly see, is with my team, the Oakland Raiders.
If you are still whining about Vernon Gholston, or Glenn Dorsey, even Sedrick Ellis, and how we NEED them. There are several things you are not noticing as of late. We just signed TWO Defensive Tackles, two Wide Receivers, an Offensive Tackle, a Safety, and re-signed our decent running back, by the name of Justin Fargas.
Tommy Kelly and William Joseph, DT. I know these are not top draft picks, hell Kelly wasn't even drafted, but these two will be able to "slow down" the running game, making it easier for the DB's and LB's to make tackles.
meaning. We will not be taking either Sedrick Ellis, nor Glenn Dorsey.
Javon Walker and Drew Carter, WR. This will open up the playbook for Russell, giving him two new valid receivers to throw to. We will be able to utilize the gift that god gave him.
meaning. The only WR we will see in this draft will be in the 4th or 5th rounds, if there are any good ones left, we will have to wait and see.
Kwame Harris, OT. This addition shores up our zone run blocking scheme that we started to implement last year. He will be a great addition, and improve our ability to stretch run plays for more yardage.
meaning. Jake Long will not be coming to the Oakland Raiders.
Gibril Wilson, S. Wilson is a good tackler, and will be used to crowd the line of scrimmage, when we are noticing run formations. He has the ability to hit runners, or break up passes over the middle. Mixed with Michael Huff and the LB core that we have, the middle should be well plugged.
meaning. Vernon Gholston and Keith Rivers are out of the question.
Justin Fargas, RB. He was a strong runner for us last season, but he is injury prone, due to the hits he squares up to, instead of avoiding. Will be a big plus, but will probably see less than 20 carries a game.
meaning. The Running Back position could be volitile, if Fargas gets injured early.
The latest almost certain acquisition to the Oakland Raiders is DeAngelo Hall. He will give us the Secondary we have been waiting for, making it nearly suicide to throw to the outsides, Leaving the middle of the field to throw the ball. With the man to man coverage by these two, our LB's will have more chances to blitz, to create sacks and turnovers. We will be able to bring Wilson up to the line to put eight in the box, to shut down their run game. If the other teams are afraid to throw into our coverage, we will be able to predict the run better, therefore being more aware of how to stop it.
Plus the fact that aside from San Diego, our division is pass happy, giving us the opportunity to get a slaughter of turnovers. With McFadden we will be able to capitolize off these mistakes, and win more ballgames. Last year we had 14 INT's and came away with points on how many of them? Not to mention we threw 20 INT's because therew was no valid check-down receiver for our mixture of Quarterbacks.
Our defense is already gotten major upgrades over the offseason. Come April, I think we give Russell a RB to grow with. Imagine Russell and McFadden in the backfield together in their prime. Along with a defense that holds most opponents under 14 points per game. This is no longer a guessing game.
Al Davis will take Darren McFadden, whether you think its the right move or not, and once you see this defense as well as the offense take the field, you will be kissing Al's pinky super bowl ring, thanking him for not taking a Defensive Lineman in the first round.
19 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
All right, show the public that you have no logic. Why does signing a safety mean Oakland's not going to draft a Defensive end (Gholston)? Why do the Kelly and Joseph signings preclude drafting Dorsey or Ellis, but signing Fargas and Rhodes does not preclude drafting McFadden?
If you really use the logic that the Raiders will use the #4 pick to for a position need not addressed during free agency (I'm not sure I agree with this), then the only logical position that would be drafted at #4 will be DE...Chris Long if he drops or Vernon Gholston.
Personally, I think that there's a decent chance they go for McFadden, but not based on your argument. The only argument that fits is that Al Davis obsesses over speed.
Edit Comment Cancel
greg pitsch about 1 year ago
we didn't re-sign rhodes, we offered him less money. and the DE question you asked, if we can play a safety in the box, and rush two linebackers, why would we need a DE? I am not picking McFadden due to the running game needs, I am just giving you reality. I am telling you who we are not going to pick, it's not an argument, it is an opinion, a professional one at that.
I would love to have Chris Long, but I do not think he will be past up on three times.
Edit Comment Cancel
Robert Paul about 1 year ago
I feel either way.. It is Win/Win... But, who is going to rush the passer opposite of Burgess? Jay Richardson??? No way, Gholston makes much more sense... And what makes more sense is trading down!! - Yes, you mentioned the moves we made for starters... but what about DEPTH??? .....
Edit Comment Cancel
greg pitsch about 1 year ago
You have a point, but remember this is only Richardsons second year. Plus you are missing the fact that if we have two linebackers that play the line of scrimmage, out of Howard, Morrison, and Richardson, who is going to be the better pass rusher? Probably Howard, who I believe will end 2008 with 7-10 sacks. All Richardson is going to do, is make an easier matchup for the linebackers blitzing, or safety for that matter. We are not going to need two good DE's.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
one of the MAJOR issues with the Raider defense last year and the prior few years has been the pass rush. You could put Ed Reed the Ravens safety in the secondary as well and it doesn't solve the problem. Great pass rushers are not made, they're born. Only with Chris Long and Vernon Gholston gone, McFadden would be the choice.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
I still want Chris long!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
good post bro i agree....McFadden would be amazing...but i still wouldnt mind a Doresy or a Long or Gholston..well see what Al does.
Edit Comment Cancel
greg pitsch about 1 year ago
I would love to see a second generation raider in Chris Long, but he will not be there at number 4. Our defense this year will get more turnovers than last year, so we need an offense to capitolize on them.
Edit Comment Cancel
beebs about 1 year ago
The picking of McFaddden makes as much sense - if not more - as the Raiders taking Russell with the #1 last year. McFadden will only make the passing game that much more dangerous. Fargas and Rhodes wil; provide excellent depth.
While many of us will pine for Chris Long (forget it....he'll be long gone before the #4 pick anyway), we'll soon forget him while we're "oooh-ing" and "ahhhhh-ing" at the runs DMAC will bust off. He'll take us back to the days of Marcus Allen in his prime, you'll see.
Edit Comment Cancel
greg pitsch about 1 year ago
that is what I am talking about, people think that because I want McFadden, that I am pushing Fargas out of his much deserved starting role, but Imagine Fargas pounding the D, while McFadden is catching screen passes, or taking sweeps for forty yard gains. This could not hurt us, but watching someone else take Darren McFadden (chiefs) would just absolutely kill us.
If we pass on him do not be surprised if the Chiefs take him. With Larry Johnson losing his pace, that is just what they could use, fresh legs, to keep LJ healthy, and imagine that 1-2 combo in the backfield.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
I predict a trade down with Dallas for the 2 1st round picks 2 and their 3rd. That way the raiders can get more needs like sam baker and maybe a 2nd round dt and a wr.
Edit Comment Cancel
Joe Rogers about 1 year ago
Raiders will never get 2 first round picks and a third round pick for ther one first rounder, have you lost it your mind?i
Edit Comment Cancel
greg pitsch about 1 year ago
Al Davis traditionally will not trade down, and I do not see that happening
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
I see where you're going greg but you never made your point. I have to agree with the first comment, Why does signing a safety mean Oakland's not going to draft a Defensive End? DE is STILL a huge need for the Raiders seeing as the only ones on the roster are Derrick Burgess & Jay Richardson. As stated by another person and something, I want to assume you realize, run defense & the pass rush need to be improved. The free agent signings have filled a lot of needs and now allow the Raiders to be able to go in several different directions but if the team keeps the #4 pick in the draft it will be Vernon Gholston, Sedrick Ellis or a trade down. These two fit the needs of the team as players who can make an immediate impact. There are NO Offensive Tackles available worth that high of a pick besides Jake Long and he will be gone before the Raiders draft pick. The team has a few players that can be traded for draft picks; Fabian Washington, Standford Rhoutt, Stuart Schweigert, Justin Griffith, Gerard Warren, Andrew Walter & Jake Grove. As stated before Darren McFadden is a nice player, the best RB in the draft and any team can find a place for him on their team but the Raiders don't have a need at running back and defintely not at #4 overall. The team has 4 RB's and I don't see a need for a 5th.
Edit Comment Cancel
greg pitsch about 1 year ago
On the safety note, I was using Gholston as a OLB, just to prove a point. Because many believe with his speed he can develop into a Derrick Burgess type, lines up low, but can drop back if need be. It was supposed to be noted but forgot....
Edit Comment Cancel
greg pitsch about 1 year ago
We released a third round DE last year, why take an even higher one to be disappointed again? The reason you will not need to pick up a first round DE, was not due solely to the addition of the Safety Gibril Wilson. What I thought you all would be able to understand is by having Hall added to the team, and two decent safety's in basically free roam of the field, one can play closer to the line of scrimmage. Teams are not going to try throwing deep against our tandem, (except the Cowboys, and Patriots.) Giving most teams a run first game-plan against us. With one of the safetys in free roam, we will be able to constantly send two linebackers to rush the backfield, because they now know they don't have to make tackles for STU.
Davis WILL not take Dorsey, unless he fell into the second round, and we got a 2nd round pick for STU or Fabian. The only reason we got Bush. He fell due to the known injury.
For insight, Rhodes will be gone by next year, Fargas is injury prone due to the hits he takes, and we don't know if Bush can even play NFL ball yet. Kiffin needs a good running duo, to keep Fargas healthy the whole season. If Rhodes doesn't play well, is Lane going to give him half the carries?
and for everybody's information, a big number of Draft picks are not taken based on need. Thats why teams are willing to shovel out the cash for free agents, so when the Draft comes, they can take their favorite player overall, not always their favorite player due to neccessity.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
RAIDER STEVE says: YOU ARE ALL WRONG!!!! We are taking a DE at #4. Derrick Burgess wants a new contract NOW!!! And Al Davis's piggy bank is bone dry. AL Davis signed all these players and forgot one thing. Re-Signing our best players!!! Nnamdi Asomugha & Derrick Burgess are sitting back wondering what they did to deserve this. Al Davis brings in all these free agents and pays them crazy amounts of money and mean while Asomugha & Burgess are left high & dry. Tommy Kelly got Derrick Burgess's contract. Yeah we might be good next year. But we will lose all of our best players in 2009. Then we will be back to square 1 again.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
RAIDER STEVE says: Al Davis is gonna leave us "FUCKED" in 2009 and beyond. You guys think the last few years were bad? Just wait and see whats gonna happen over the next 5 years. We are gonna be the fans that wear the BAGS over our heads!!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Raider Card Addict about 1 year ago
Interesting logistics looking at what we addressed with free agency, and what's still floating in the pond at 4th overall. Personally, I'd love to see McFadden, Bush, and Fargas take turns running roughshod over the Chargers' line in week 4.
That, and with the word that Jared Allen is on the way out in KC....look at KC to be mediocre for decade, at least, while they try to figure out why they now bear the curse of the AFC West....after we lanced them, I don't think they're quite sure which way is up. but if any club thinks that Brodie Coyle is the savior...I yell, duck!
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.