Have you ever been sitting around your house on Sunday watching the weekly games when, BAMM! Some player you haven't paid much attention to from another team starts making you notice?
I can't say I watch every game of every team, but I do catch my fair share and there are players out there that are impressive. Many of the guys I'm referring to are throwback players who like to hit hard and play with reckless abandon, while some are just very talented players who also are very good at the team concept.
This is part three of an eight part series detailing players that have jumped out at me and made me say, "Man!! That guy would be a good Raider!"
So let's roll: For part three, I'm going to troll the NFC North for guys that would be great additions to the Silver and Black.
I'll be listing my guys by division in the following order:
- Mar. 29 - NFC West
- Mar. 31 - NFC South
- Apr. 1 - NFC North
- Apr. 2 - NFC East
- Apr. 3 - AFC East
- Apr. 4 - AFC North
- Apr. 5 - AFC South
- Apr. 7 - AFC West
Minnesota Vikings
Surprisingly, at least to me, this team has plenty of guys on it to choose from. Let me go ahead now and give honorable mentions to Matt Birk, Steve Hutchinson, Chester Taylor, Jim Kleinsasser, and Darren Sharper. I wouldn't complain about any of those guys wearing the colors, but I can't be choosing the whole freakin' team now can I?
RB—Adrian Peterson: Many in Raider Nation are clamoring for DMC this year for the Raiders first pick. Last year, it was Russell and I was telling everyone who'd listen that we needed to draft AP. Alright, that's Ok, no hard feelings...right? Yeah, right. I'm going to draft him this year and even though it counts for absolutely nothing, everyone now knows that this guy would be a good Raider.
WR—Sidney Rice: Few rookies impress me and even fewer rookie wide receivers (read Johnie Lee Higgins). His stats aren't impressive, but I attribute much of that to the system he plays in and the tossing him the ball. He's got sprinter speed, he's tall and lanky, and he can make the acrobatic catch...hmm...almost sounds like a guy the Raiders used to have. Except from all appearances, this kid has his head on straight and doesn't just play when he wants to play. I know that I'm going to hear about Berrian, but I really believe this kid is the one that will be doing damage.
OT—Bryant McKinnie: Besides being good, the guy looks
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Russell Ivanac about 1 year ago
I find it wierd that you didn't put Roy Williams or Calvin Johnson on the list for the Lions. I don't think Oakland's recieving corps is too good for either of those two. Roy is one of the few bright spots on the roster and Calvin has almost as much potential as he does athletic ability. He will grow into a top-ten reciever soon enough.
Outside of that i agree with you. This is another great article in the series, keep 'em coming.
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Rob Calonge about 1 year ago
Russell, thanks. I will.
On Roy Williams, you're right. I got so worked up about Riola, I passed him by.
On Johnson, I like him. I was torn between him and Peterson last year, but even though I think he'll be great, I really felt like he was right on the edge so I left him off.
Thanks for reading.
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Devlan Sheahan about 1 year ago
Come on :P, what about Atari Bigby and AJ Hawk...Bigby hits like a maniac and Hawk...he's freaking AJ Hawk man. To bad William Henderson isn't still around he seems like he would have been a guy worthy of making the list...As for Daryn Colledge he was pretty heavily criticized by the local media here, but I couldn't tell you one way or another how he did...although I don't think he filled it at Tackle, he was a guard. Although he may have stepped in at tackle for a little while...I'm not sure but I know that he gave the Packers that option due to his versatility.
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Rob Calonge about 1 year ago
Devlan, I could have listed a couple of receivers too. The Packers are a good franchise for the Raiders to look at as they continue their road back to respectability.
Let me explain:
AJ Hawk - I love this guy, I really do. While watching the Packers last season, I saw some holes in his game. There are times during the game he seems to disappear. His coverage is a little suspect. He was borderline, and since he is a guy I like to keep track of, I really wanted to add him. As I said above though, I didn't want to list all of the Packers.
Atari Bigby - Another player I like a whole bunch. Look at my comment above concerning Calvin Johnson. I think Bigby falls into that category for now.
William Henderson - He would've made the list.
Colledge did fill in for a game or two and did well. He came into the league and quickly disappointed, but I think what he was able to accomplish after that is what makes him the kind of guy I like...he doesn't give up.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Rob, i always wanted Farve as a Raider but now we have JR.. KGB would be a good Raider (no pats fans KGB is not a spy)..
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I'll go with your Hawk assesment, but for my money the 2 from the pack that need to be in silver and black would be: 1) Poppingya...besides just a good name for a lb he's blue collar as they come 2) Grandpa Harris...yeah, had a bad playoff game, but he's him Raider material because he's a slow corner that's a student of the game and plays bump & run with anybody and because now that he's past his prime he's finally starting to get his due, too bad it's 4 years too late.
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