The 2007 season started with a lot of hope and promise of a new day in Oakland, as Al Davis named Lane Kiffin the new head coach.
That was last year’s story. This season started with a lot of talk this off-season of owner Al Davis sending Coach Kiffin a letter asking him to resign, followed by reports that he was on the verge of being fired. But as usual, time has proven that someone in the media heard it from one of my personal favorites—the unnamed source.
It happens often in the Bay Area press, just like watching a writer from SF Gate comment on the state of the Raiders franchise on the NFL Network. I’m guessing a writer from Oakland was unavailable?
This same writer, who shall go nameless, was nowhere to be found in the SF 49er State of the franchise report, perhaps due to the head coach being in the studio.
There will always be negative things written about the Raiders by media types who feel justified in saying such things. They remind me of the last two squares of toilet paper on the roll: They’ve shown up, they’re there to be utilized, but are they really helping?
Kiffin, the youngest head coach in the NFL, while still learning to lead a team, placed his mark on the Raiders, and created several positive changes in 2007. In his effort to re-build the team, the biggest moves he made were in assembling the coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball.
Even though his father Monte Kiffin has been a NFL coach for over 25 years, Lane wasn’t a household name. But I’m a huge USC Trojans fan, and I’m very familiar with Coach Kiffin and his coaching style, so I felt then and now that the hire was a good one. With time and development Kiffin will be a solid NFL coach.
The Oakland Raiders went through a difficult season in 2007, with a contract holdout by the No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, injuries, penalties, poor play, and several close losses. However, the Raiders showed a lot of potential & hope for the future.
The Oakland Raiders have been more active than the majority of the league in free agency, marking a clear statement that Al Davis is doing all he can to right the ship in Oakland. The team has been ridiculed for the amount of money spent during free agency, but in free agency every team overspends. The players brought in will help improve this team making the amount of money spent a mute point.
CB DeAngelo Hall was the exclamation point of the Raiders' venture into 2008 free agent class. Hall's signing prompted Kiffin to make a statement to the media for the first time this off-season: "We're very pleased about the acquisition of DeAngelo Hall to the Raiders. Following offseason signings of Tommy Kelly and Gibril Wilson, we feel that we've got one of the most talented defenses in the league."
21 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
good preview, but if long is gone i wouldn't take gholston. yes, he is a beast but once he gets blocked in the run game, he cant get off blocks i would take C long first then dorsey/ellis whichever raiders prefer then jake long. dont like mcfadden. home run hitter but isn't consistent. pick up big play rb in later rounds like chris johnson ecu. he ran 4.24 and we all no how Al loves speed otherwise great. what is your prediction for a record? mine is 7-9
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments, I'm looking for a record better than 7-9 that is what the Raiders record should've been last year. I think that with solid play on both sides of the ball the Raiders can reach the 10-6. It is a lot to ask but with solid play the potential and talent is there.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Good article although I wouldn't consider trading Justin Griffith. I would be happy with an 8-8 record, but could see 9-7 being a possibility.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments, Don't get me wrong I like FB Justin Griffith and want him to remain on the team but the Raiders did draft FB Oren O'Neal last year who is developing rapidly. So if the Raiders had to trade him they could but I want Justin Griffith on my team.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Good Article, it was well presented and thought out. I hope the Raiders draft Gholston and I would like Justin Griffith to stay. But I can't wait for the season. Keep up the writing, I am in Australia and hurting for stuff to read.
Gho Raiders
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments, enjoy your time in Australia, I will keep you informed.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
If the Raiders could pull off a trade with Dallas that would send Mcfadden to Dallas for their 2 number 1's and one of their DE's Marcus Spears or Chris Canty that would be an ideal trade for for them. They could address DE and select possibly a WR like Limas Sweed from Texas or James Hardy from Indiana then take an offensive tackle like Gosder Cherilus from BC or Sam Baker from USC. The contracts for all three of those players would probably equal what you would have to pay the number 4 overall pick. Even if Kwame Harris can start at one of the tackle spots the Raiders still really need lineman. Even with the free agent signings of Walker and Carter at receiver the Raiders could really use another one. I can see something like this happening come draft day. What better way to win now which it appears Al Davis really wants to do than to add three quality players instead of one. One thing is for sure what ever the Raiders do come draft day they can not afford to miss much.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Interesting thoughts, Let me see, a dallas trade would be nice but I'm not sure that's what the cowboys want to do but if I'm the Raiders I'll listen, especially adding a player like the DE's mentioned who are on the trading block. I like Sam Baker & Gosder Cherilus and think they'll both be 2nd round picks. The Raiders do have 11 offensive lineman on the roster right now and will be bringing in more. In regards to the WR's the Raiders have 9 on the roster at this time and will probably add another from this draft. It depends on 1) trades like you mentioned to acquire a WR late 1st 2) trading Fabian Washington, Stanford Routt, Stuart Schweigert to acquire draft picks in the 2nd, 3rd & 5th rounds. Otherwise the Raiders will have to wait to see who falls to the 4th round seeing as the don't have a selection in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th round at this time. Excellent thoughts, these are moves that will improve the team. Thanks for the feedback.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Upon further review in regards to the trade with Dallas I don't like it! What I mean is even though I would love to receive two 1st round picks, I think going from pick #4 down to #22 is too far of a drop in an effort to receive an impact player.
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Bama Raider about 1 year ago
I think our biggest needs right now are DE, Sam LB, C and WR. Unless Walker and Carter stay healthy all year we are vulnerable at WR. The coaches may see something in the guys on the depth chart, but they look like average WRs to me at this point in their careers. Thomas is solid but not the run-stuffing, play making Sam LB we need. If Newberry can play for another year, that's great. Did you notice in the end of season stats that the interior of our OL gave up one sack each for Gallery, Newberry and Carlisle? That's pretty danged good if you ask me. Improvement on the OL was so much that our young stud TE Zach Miller could start getting into the secondary and catch a lot passes. He'll be a beast this year. The running game should be top-notch even if we don't take McFadden. Zach's timely catches and some real threats downfield will open up the offensive playbook this year.
It looks to me like Al will still wheel and deal so he gets more draft picks even if he stays at #4 in round one. The only problem with that is that rookies have a hard time making that much of a difference their first year in the NFL. We're all wondering if a stud WR will come our way, but even very good rookie WRs will only catch 30-40 passes their first year. Zach had 44 last year and beat out Tim Brown's rookie record for the Raiders. It'll be nice for the future if we get a top-tier WR to insure that our receiving core will excell in years to come, but he ain't gonna be a savior this year.
DL has to be the position of most concern and here's why: for our LBs and secondary to be free to fly around the field and make plays, we have to stuff the run and at least get some pressure on the QB from our four down linemen (see the Giants). We have very active LBs and now have one of the best secondaries in the NFL-at least on paper. Aso-Hall-Huff-Wilson could become a deadly force. They will be helped if we limit the running game and force 2nd and 3rd and long situations all the time. Teams are used to running the ball down our throats, so if we can stuff their RBs they are the ones who will be limited in their play calling and our D will dictate to their O. Right now we have an under-achieving Sands, two oft-injured guys in Warren and the new kid, Burgess is getting old for a speed rusher and is now more prone to injuries (see D Freeney) and Richardson is a 2nd year guy who still needs development.
I'm not saying these guys and maybe one or two more can't get the job done, but where's the stud to anchor the DL and make plays? Who can we count on for the entire year to give us consistency and force the other teams to account for them? If we pass on McFadden and take any of the top-tier DL I'll be happy. I'll be thrilled with Chris Long, Dorsey (if he is healthy), Ellis or Gholston. Any of them could be our go-to DL to set the pace and lead the DL. They'd still be rookies and need help, for sure, but I don't see how you could argue against that pick. You might not like an individual player, but you'd have a hard time convincing me that a young guy up front on D would be a bad choice here. Also, he'd be cheaper than a RB, WR or QB. We aren't taking one of those guys and only DE would command a sizable payday, but Long or Gholston would be worth it, IMHO.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
WOW! First, thanks for the comments. I agree with your takes and I can not argue with the draft take we're on the same page there. The Offensive Line was phenomenal last year a complete 180 degree turnaround although SOME fans didn't see it. I can recall one such fan stating and I quote "this draft the Raiders need to focus on Offensive line ONLY." I've got love for all Raider fans but in my book that was offbase. The team does need to re-sign Jeremy Newberry he was nails for the Raiders. I agree and feel that Al Davis will do more wheelin' & Dealin' to acquire more draft picks and hopefully get the Raiders back into the 2nd, 3rd & 5th rounds. If that happens the Raiders will be in the running for Philip Wheeler, Jordon Dizon, Cliff Avril, Bryan Kehl or Kroy Biermann all SLB that can get the job done. I can agree with the needs mentioned but Robert Thomas is a veteran & the guy until replaced at SLB. He has been adequate, but an upgrade is necessary. That guy was suppose to be Sam Williams who hasn't gotten the job done, so far. Excellent takes Bama.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Jeff, awesome article. I couldn't agree w/ you more. It is refreshing to read such a detailed well written piece. Big Al is on a personal quest to get the Raiders back on top. I personally love all the haters spewing their jelous filth. They know that what comes around goes around, and it is coming! I feel that the Raiders should stay w/ their #4 pick and stick with a strong DE who will start making instant contributions. Oh, by the way Bama great piece. I'm looking forward to Zack kicken ass!
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments.
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Umer Waris about 1 year ago
Well said Jeff! I agree that our DL should be the primary focus in the draft this year as teams quickly exploited it and improved their running game. At the same time, I dont want to pass up on Mcfadden and allow another team to get him considering the potential he has shown. I dont mind though trading down and I am interested to know why you think trading down for Dallas's 2 first round picks wont provide impact players. They are still first rounders and the Raiders can certainly find someone. Using those picks we could easily get two great D-linemen. They wont be as good as the fourth overall but we would have two. But if Chris Long is still available, I think he would be a better bet.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments, my reasoning for saying that if it was up to me I wouldn't do a deal with Dallas if they were to come to Raiders to move up to the #4 spot. 1) In my opinion there are 6 excellent prospects in this draft and the Raiders need to have one of them I like DE Vernon Gholston, DT Sedrick Ellis, DT Glen Dorsey but there is a possibility Al Davis could draft McFadden not my choice but a possibility. 2) To move from the start of the draft to the #22 spot is going down too far. Dallas would have to give up too much and for a team that was 13-3 it doesn't make sense. 3) If the decision is made to trade down I have to remain in the top 10 and well compensated. Oh I didn't mention Chris Long or Jake Long because I feel both will be gone before the Raiders draft. However, if Chris Long falls to #4 I'll take him.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Great points by everyone. I love Reading fellow Raider Nationers' views on the best team in the world(not by there record but because there the Raiders). Mine is gonna be short and sweet. I feel the Raiders draft board should look like this. Chris Long, Jake Long, Vernon Gholston, Darren McFadden, Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis. Those, in my mind are the top 5 players coming into the NFL in 08. Since there's 5 of them, and the Raiders have the fourth pick, they're sure to get one of them unless they trade down. The trade I've heard about, and would love to see is trading with Baltimore at #8, and still being able to grab Dorsey(stock has fallen because of his injuries) or Ellis, and grabbin some extra picks as well. I think that is very possible, because I know Baltimore has there eyes on Matt Ryan, and he may not be there past KC, so the trade would be awesome. And, the Jets, and Pats primarily use a 3-4 Defense which doesn't go well with Dorsey, or Ellis because there not Nose tackles. Plus we have the aforementioned trade sending F. Washington, L. Jordan, Schweigert, and late picks or whatever it takes to get a good 2nd rd. pick. The final outcome could be Dorsey or Ellis in rd. 1 pick 8, maybe a Early Doucet, or Calais Campbell, or someone of that caliber depending on what 2nd rder we get for the trade, but I'd say take a DE, or WR, whichever has better talent, and we would probably get Baltimores 3rd rder and we could take an O linemen maybe like Oniel Cousins, Dwayne Brown, or Tony Hills. Then in the later rds we can look for SLB competition. I guess this was kinda long, Sorry. But if I was GM, or AD, then this is the path that I would be trying go. GO RAIDERS. 08 record 10-6
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments, excellent thoughts and I agree with the record of 10-6 it is very possible with solid play on both sides of the ball.
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Sean snead about 1 year ago
I see Them getting a wild card spot but but if russel steps it up then they will for sure when the division
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
I like your thinking Sean. Both are very possible.
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O Shiri about 1 year ago
Hey Jeff, I agree Jordon Dizon would be a great pick up SLB though he may slip to the 4th round anyway. Though just a little undersized he was one of the best Linebackers in College he recorded over a 100 total tackles made 4 sacks and got 2 interceptions as Senior at Colorado...
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments, Jordon Dizon is an under-rated prospect that has the potential to develop into a solid pro. He's the type of player that will surprise several people. I like him and over 100-tackles says it all.
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