Kelly More Important Than McFadden for the Raiders?
After the frenzied activity of the draft and the free agency period, we can at last see the outline that the 2008 season roster will have for the Raiders.
There have been big name free agency signings on both sides of the ball, and the impression is that the Raiders are really rolling the dice this year in a bid to win NOW.
The choice of Darren McFadden in the draft also confirms that. Oakland had glaring needs on the defensive line that they had the opportunity to address that long term when Glenn Dorsey was still available at number 4 on Saturday. They chose not to do that and went with Darren McFadden, even though the running game was number 6 in the league last year, and they have a healthy Michael Bush to add to the mix in 2008.
That’s not a knock on McFadden, who is a tremendous player, and I don’t buy the questions about his character either. You look at the problems he had growing up, problems most of us never had, and he deserves credit for the way he has turned out not criticism.
Javon Walker, Drew Carter, John Wade, and Kwame Harris have all been signed on offense, and even without McFadden this unit was looking in pretty good shape for this year, so McFadden was a luxury pick, not a need.
The real glaring need on this team was the defensive line, and that has not been addressed, at least not in any effective way. Journeymen Kalimba Edwards and William Joseph have been signed, but they are simply depth and not the answer. The retirement of Warren Sapp left a big hole on the roster at defensive tackle which hasn’t been filled, and this area of weakness could really hurt the Raiders down the stretch.
Firstly to talk about the players we have at the position. Tommy Kelly signed a huge contract to play the 3 technique, and has a glowing endorsement by Rob Ryan and the outgoing Warren Sapp. Terdell Sands was a big disappointment last year, Gerard Warren has shown flashes, but has been unhealthy and inconsistent. We had all these guys on the team last year, and they couldn’t get the job done. Tommy Kelly has also played tackle before, and the experiment wasn’t a success.
The size of Kelly’s contract is mind boggling in respect that he has done nothing to command such a huge salary, and he is also still rehabbing from reconstructive knee surgery. We are putting a lot of faith in Tommy Kelly, and if he doesn’t produce it will put us in a big hole financially as well as on the field. But by not taking any defensive linemen until the 6th round of the draft, Al Davis was making a statement that he is happy with the players already in place.
So what makes us believe that these players can get the job done in 2008? The answer is nothing. We got shredded against the run last year, and there isn’t anything to suggest that things will be different his year.
The consequences of this unit failing to produce are that the $100 million in contracts paid out to DeAngelo Hall and Gibril Wilson will be wasted, as you can’t get the best out of an elite secondary when opposing teams are running the ball down your throat for four quarters every week
Perhaps Rob Ryan feels that having two shutdown corners will allow him to stack the box against the running game, where Gibril Wilson should be useful?
So for me, the smart pick was Glenn Dorsey, who would have made for a much more balanced football team. As it is, we have to face him twice a year now as the Chiefs got him at number 5. As I said though, that is no criticism of McFadden, and I will be cheering him all the way in 2008.
Ironically though, even though he was selected at number 4, and was possibly the most talented player in the draft, the future of the Raiders franchise depends probably more on Kelly at this point that it does on McFadden. Because if Kelly, Sands, and Warren don’t provide some severely upgraded play, it will just be a matter of hoping that the offense can score more than the defense concedes, because it’s going to be a lot.
I know McFadden will be a success in this league, I just hope Kelly is.
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5 months ago
My thoughts exactly, and my answer is that Kelly will bust. As you say, he's tried and failed at DT before... I have no faith it'll be any different this time around. The Raiders should have picked Dorsey. Now, they're looking at another year under .500.
from 5 months ago
When Kelly played DT prior to this season, he was in the two-gap spot, and while he didn't excel there, he wasn't a failure.
Dorsey is a 3-technique just like Kelly. One of them would have been an awfully expensive backup. Drafting Dorsey would have been an outright mistake, as talented as he is (and he is very talented). I worry about him eating up Cooper Carlisle, so John Wade is gonna have to be part of dealing with him. Since the Chiefs lack a quality 2-gap, I think we'll be okay.
We can focus on players as key, as this article does, and get some solid insights. Kelly, Sands, Warren and Joseph are going to have to play with better gap discipline and intensity than out starting DTs did last year. That said, the critical factor of success for the D will be how well they fare on first down -- putting a team in second and long cuts down the offensive playbook, gives the D a better chance to succeed. (On O, the key will be time of possession, where I'd set the goal at 35:00+ pe game.)
from 2 months ago
kelly a bust then we will have what we had with sapp again! sapp was a complete disapointment and the biggest weakness on our line. I think Kelly is a huge improvement over Sapp at the 3 tech this year. I just hope he stays healthy warren is a good 3 tech but is better in a rotation then beeing asked to be the guy!
Dorsey will be a big bust the guy was playing 3 tech with LSU and was no where near the QB in the championship game . He was no where near a rb and was well very avg if you ask me totally unimpressed with his work against a good o line for Ohio State. I think he will be overmatched in the pro's and lacks the first total move to play the 3 tech in the pro's he is no technition!
5 months ago
Its sad but true, I can't see our line improving too much but it won't be in vain if Al Davis realizes its the defense and not the offense and leave Kiffin be.
I hope the offense does real well and Al will be forced to back off.
Like that will ever happen.
Oh well, what are you going to do? We love the Silver and Black. Lets wait for big Al to finish.
from 5 months ago
I believe the coaches see potential and are seeing progress. I think there was significant improvement on the offensive line last year and that they have potential and are better coached then they have been in the past. If we maintain consistent coaching we'll improve in pass protection and will run the ball effectively. Adding a game breaker was wise on two fronts: (1) it will force defenses to play more cautious and (2) just think about what can happen when Jamarcus has to check it down on pass plays and Mcfadden or Bush is the check down option!
I think that our defensive line also has potential or we would've fortified it more vigorously. I don't think that the breakdown in run defense last year was entirely a personal problem. I think also that there will be improvement in two ways: (1) they will improve against the run and that the secondary will be shark territory. (2) They will spend far less time on the field because of increased offensive production and efficiency. Jamarcus' performance against San Diego was pretty impressive for a rookie with almost zero playing time and a limited grasp on the offensive system.
I'm not panicked at all but confident. I don't know if we can take down the bolts this year; but I certainly think we'll be in the wild card discussion. ESPN and other haters like them are not going to admit any potential and would prefer to act as though we are doomed to failure despite what moves we make. I am persuaded otherwise. I think we were better last year and will be vastly improved this year. Raider for Life!
from 2 months ago
our line will be better at 3 tech the ends will be better because burgess is healthy all year double digits in sacks! Edwards is a pass rush specialist and when healthy has looked the part. richardson is 1 year smarter and faster. we have better depth there as well. NT sands has lost weight and by all accounts is filling holes and stuffing the run. joeseph won't get many sacks but he can stop the run and has done so when healthy. Wilson is a huge add to stopping the run as well. I tell you these guys concern me less then the tackles mcquistan should be the statrer at rt over Green and harris we all are preying on cables magic dust!
5 months ago
Well written article, and an intelligent viewpoint and analysis. I spose what Raider fans have to be hoping is that the offense goes wild so that opposing teams are forced to throw the ball against that stud secondary. I think it's important to be cautious about any free agents you get. Yeah it could end up being a great pick up, but it's important to remember that some guys experience success only due to their systems and their situation. One example could be WR Peerless Price. We'll see though, either Davis will look like a genius, or like a senile old man.
5 months ago
Well first of all Kelly was tried at the nose when he played DT and that is not his postion he not big enough to handle the two gap assignments that the postion requires but as the 3 tech he only has one gap and to get penitration which is more suited for him Glen Dorsey is also that same type of player he also whould have failed as a nose tackle which is the postion we actually need to help against the run which is why they are talking to Grady Jackson and yes we did need McFadden on offense where we have no playmakers nobody who scares the opposing defese now we do
from 5 months ago
So... your QB that can throw the ball the length of a football field while kneeling doesn't scare anyone?
Besides which, the point is not to scare the other guy. It's to beat him. And for the record, no rookie is going to scare the other team, unless it's the next Adrian Peterson. Sorry, but McFadden won't turn out to be THAT good...
from 5 months ago
this guy makes some sense,lets hope they can bring Grady back .
5 months ago
Yo the run D is automaticly upgraded with the addition of gibril wilson and mike huff slidding over, stu could tackle shit gave up huge runs, gibril is a solid tackler. Plus the fact Howard, and morrison are a year better and we can run a rotation of our Dline, solid depth is what we need to stop the run up front, We have two lock down corners who will give the D the ability to stack the box and also creat better pass rush, that means more three and outs, more opprotunity for our O to put points on the board and then the D can actually play with a lead on the board instead of being down 14-0 in the first half. Dmac going in motion to the slot, mike bush in the back field, dont sleep on zach miller, he is Jruss favorite target, boys we got serious potential for a good season, im stoked cant wait for kick off. Keep up the good articales i read them everyday, Much love to the Nation, Norcal Raider representing out in AZ!!!!!!!!!!
5 months ago
Enough, Blitzchick is right.... We got what we got so then lets deal with it as it is...
The defense will be better and Kelly will be fine, as long as he stays healthy and I believe he will!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!
from 5 months ago
Snoop you absolutely hit the nail on the head. Stuart and washington were playing very poorly and that poor play required that our linebackers first responsibility was to support them and not the run. In this article Dave Wilson points out that we can put eight in the box, or seven. But the point is we have run support that we did not have last year. and I know there are those who actually believe football has passed Al by, but reality hasn't passed him by. drafting NO defensive linemen IS a glaring statement!!! It says without question the Raider organization has taken a serious look at our run deficiency and determined it was not the defensive linemen but more over NO LINEBACKER SUPPORT. With the addition of Gibril and Hall we free up our linebackers for run support. Did any one notice we didn't blitz last year? Yes we were last against the run. That's true! Was it the defensive line's fault? NO that's false!!!!!!! If any thing poor stats against the run indicates opposing teams ran against us more than every one else because we couldn't score. Which is why we added Mcfadden. More on this later...SILVER SANFORD
5 months ago
Some of you people must have never played sports. It's easy to comment on ifs and buts. You win as a team and you lose as a team. Tommy Kelly is very talented. Mcfadden is very talented. But we'll also have 51 other players that need to contribute. Look forward to 2008, not back to 2006 & 2007.
Lester37
5 months ago
WE AVERAGED 1.25 TDs A GAME LAST YEAR!
We were shredded by the run because our D was on the field due to the inability of the O to move the ball and eat the clock. Any O coordinator knows that a D that is out there that long is going to get worn out by the run. That's why teams ran on us!
With the QB carousel over and a better O, we will be able to move the ball, score points, and keep our D off the field.
It's not that complicated!
from 5 months ago
Word.
5 months ago
Snoopy is right. whether Dorsey was the better pick is irrelevant. We took McFadden, lets move on and try to be optimistic. I have faith that Al knows what he is doing. It is almost to level of people constantly complaining last year about not drafting Calvin Johnson. Some still are. Dorsey plays in KC, get over it. McFadden was the right call.
5 months ago
wow guys alot of negativity floating around here, it is one thing to have constructive critisism, But this is sad, come on lightin up already. Give these men a chance, Hell I am watering at the mouth for preseason, you guys are acting like we went 1-15, for petes sake.
5 months ago
Half the problem last year was giving up the big play, because of poor tackling in the back field. With a revamped back field that will not happen this year. They may give up 12 yard gains, but not huge gains. Also, if we have an offence that can score points it will keep the D off the field, not just a bunch of 3 and outs. As far as McFadden being the right pick, i would say yes because the raider only scored 8 rushing touch downs and Culpepper scored 3 of them. 5 rushing touch downs by the running backs is terrible. I am sure McFadden will double that number by himself.
5 months ago
I was expecting a big DT out of the draft. McFad will do great and bring up the rushing TD stat that has been lacking.. I think he THREW 2 less TD's in his college career than we had rushing TD's last season. Kelly was hurt last year but when he is healthy and in position (3 tech) he was awesome! He would have replaced the great Sapp if Mr. Sapp didn't have such a high pay grade. Walker will help with the run but we need to stop the runner before he gets that far. Look for Edwards to be a great plug on 3rd downs. IMHO we are really looking good on both sides of the line whilst in passing plays and good on the offense in running plays. The defense agains the run is 'workable'. What we still NEED is a SAM linebacker.
Two notes on Dorsey: first the crack in the bone on his leg has never really healed (http://www.cleveland.com/browns/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1203931848124320.xml&coll=2) and secondly, I think Russell is bigger than him!
Can't wait to see Mc Fad and Bush in the back field at the same time with Fargas as the down hill crash stuntman for the 'technical' situations.
Maverick
5 months ago
The D is better because of Hall and Wilson. Period. On the other side, the offense should be much more explosive with McFadden, Walker and Carter. This team is better than last year's and there is no doubt in my mind that the record will show it. However I think we're all worried that the D-Line will be a problem if the raiders become contenders. It's time to put Horsey in the dust on our way to the future.
5 months ago
We invested 63 Mil in Jamarcus Russel and having Darren Mcfadden is going to be a great help to take the pressure off of him. Jamarcus needs every availiable weapon at his disposal, and this pick is clearly the choice Al had to make in my opinion. Yes the Raiders passed on Glenn Dorsey and he went to our hated division rival In KC, but I see more upside in the Mcfadden pick and I feel confidant that its going to pay off huge dividends, maybe not this year, but in the immediate future. Oakland now has an offense that other teams are going to have to respect. This last season we lost several games by 7 points or less because we couldn't score in the 4th quarter, that now is likely to change. Darren Mcfadden is a legitimate scoring threat everytime he touches the ball, and I feel is very capable of carrying the load. Lane Kiffin is acting like he is going to use him sparingly in the offense, whereas I feel we should give the other teams heavy doses of him. Either way, I see nothing but positive in this pick. Al Davis loves speed and flash and Mcfadden clearly has all of it. Rome was not built in a day and with this pick I feel we could have laid a very solid foundation that will be a force that other teams in the division are not going to like to face. The stable of running backs in our arsenal are possibly the thing that is going to label Oakland a smash mouth team once again, and maybe along the way earn the respect we deserve, but the Raiders are going to have to earn it out on the field. Iam really looking forward to the season this year because its going to feel good to gloat when we prove the naysayers wrong! The Silver and Black are going to make an impact, and the Raiders will do it THEIR WAY !
5 months ago
I cannot believe this team has failed so miserably to stop the run for consecutive years and has done so little in free-agency/2008 draft to address their gaping weakness against the run. If you cannot stop the run in the NFL, all of the offensive fire-power that you have is irrelevant.
5 months ago
KC made the pics a lot of folks think the raider should have...Dorsey and then a solid LT. KC going into this year is roughly in the same postion as the Raiders, at least from the standpoint of last years record. So...if KC does better than the Raiders we will know we should have taken Dorsey and other line help. If the Raiders beat up the Chiefs then we will know DMAC was the right choice. We shall see.
5 months ago
I agree with Paul, this team has failed miserably to stop the run for consecutive years and has done little to address the weakness against the run. This has to stop! I'm a Raider fan so I will accept the choice of McFadden but why not draft a DT in rounds 4 or 6? Apparently the Raiders will go with Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands, William Joseph and Josh Shaw as the DT's for the 2008 season and these guys are KEY to the team's success. I agree with the title of the article Tommy Kelly was a luxury pick and is more important this season. I think he will play well and for what its worth folks Tommy Kelly has always been a DT. He has the versatility to play DE but he is a DT. He went undrafted but he was the #3 rated DT going into the 2004 draft behind Tommie Harris & Vince Wilfork.
5 months ago
Even as bad as our defense was against the run, our pass defense would anger me at times too. When teams needed a big play on 3rd and long...they more often than not got it...via the pass. So we shored this up.
Our run D has been helped by G. Wilson, D. Hall, healthy Kelly and hopefully focused Sands. Most also need to understand that Sapp was not that good against the run in his last few years. So his absence really only hurts our pass rush.
If Kelly is all that he is cracked up to be then and Sands is able to work effectively in the offseason we should improve. Our missed tackles on EVERY level hurt us most...Our linebackers also need to be more disciplined against the run as they over pursue more often than not. Watch some film and you will see that our line was not as bad as everyone makes it out to be.
You have to remember. Al and rest of the Raiders want to win and they are looking at every point and have a much better handle on the facts than we do and their shortcomings than we do. Heck...look at the Colts. Make it to the playoffs yearly with poor run D. Granted they shord this up with current personel when they won the SB. My point being we can still win (at least more games than 2007) if we only marginally improve our run D. We need some offensive firepower so that opposing D's play into our strengths...hopefully our Pass D.
5 months ago
I don't see that Kelly has failed at DT before. He has never really been only a DT. He has only played DT in as a situational player or as a backup to Sapp so far. This will be his first year as only a DT. I do agree that his play is more important than McFadden but Darren can have a very positive effect on our run defense by helping this team to sustain and finish drives, something we didn't do a very good job of last year in spite of our finishing the year ranked sixth in rushing.
Back to the defense, my concerns are that we may still have this problem of our D line playing gap control football while our LB corp plays player control. This was the most glaring problem from what I saw all year long on defense. Teams were particularly successful in balancing up their attack with 2 TE looks and spreading both DTs into a 3 technique and running straight at us or with a counter move. The LBs must play more gap sound football for our defense to be more successful.
Just my opinion and there ain't nothing humble about it. Go Raiders!!
5 months ago
Sapp position has been filled by Tommy Kelly. Rob Ryan does not only like hom Ryan has told Kiffin the kid will be the best D tackle in the entire NFL. Why draft Dorsey which plays the same position as Kelly?
It has also been proven when you soley draft for need in the upper part of the draft it does not work. Any NFL draft room personnel will tell you that. We may have a good running game but we had NO home run hitter or anyone really on O that scared anyone. We also only scored 4 rushing TD's all year, D Mac can score that number in 1 game.
The Raiders addressed many of their needs and will be a much better team next year then anyone wants to give them credit for. As for Dorsey going to KC, it is a wash thet lost Allen.
5 months ago
Good comment Philip... Some games we controled the run almost the whole game only to give up a 60/70 yarder... that does not help the stats... Gibril and deangelo stand to help imensle... We do very much need depth at DE. and nose tackle
5 months ago
We have DMAC.............END OF STORY! It would be nice to have a run stuffing DT and another DE but we dont at this point. If I am not mistaken Grady Jackson and Rod Colemen are still out there, they could be very nice fill-ins for this year. I really think the O is going to be off the hook if our new Receivers can stay healthy and Bush can run like he did in college. DMAC, Bush, and Fargas, can we say the best running game in the NFL. I just wonder if Al is trying to work some angle to steal Chad Johnson away from the bungles. Any way enough dreaming and back to the D. If we could get Jackson or Colemen that would help out big time. With the talent we have as DB's I think with 1 or 2 more pieces on the DL we will be set. I do think next year we need to take the best DE or DT in the first and second round. Cant wait to kick off this season. Go Raiders!
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