Heyward-Bey Not a Bust...Yet

  The Raiders drafted Darious Heyward-Bey at the #7 pick in the 2009 draft and he had a terrible 2009.  He had more drops than catches in his rookie season which was cut short with an injury.  Already there are many Raiders fans and football fans calling him the bust of the draft.  He didn't help his case as he finished his season with 9 catches and 1 TD.  Those numbers were doubled by Brandon Marshall in 1 game.  Compared to rookies, he was still terrible.  Michael Crabtree, Hakeem Nicks, Percy Harvin (pro bowl) and Jeremy Maclin all had much better rookie seasons.  But compared to Raiders first round picks since 2005,  how bad has he been? 

   Fabian Washington (2005) didn't last more than 3 years, he was traded to Baltimore for a mid-round draft pick.  Michael Huff (2006) has just now come alive with 3 INTs in the first few games of 2009.  He also duplicated Jack Tatum with a ball-jarring shot on Brandon Marshall at Denver.  JaMarcus Russell (2007) has been...Do I have to say it?  Darren McFadden (2008) has shown flashes of life but has been hard to judge in limited playing time.  He has had injuries and been in a crowded backfield with Justin Fargas and Michael Bush.  He also has been sent between the tackles too much and outside not enough. 

  That brings us to Heyward-Bey of 2009.  What did we expect him to do right off the bat?  Did we expect the guy who has JaMarcus Russell and 2 other quarterbacks to be an instant success.  He was picked for his pro-style offense experience at Maryland and he is the NFL's highest paid decoy.  He is supposed to force the defense to drop a safety back to guard him and stretch the field.    

  We gave JaMarcus Russell time and patience.  We gave McFadden at least 2 years, many haven't yet given up on him.  I say give Heyward-Bey another year or 2 to adapt to being an NFL receiver.  The NFL has new coverages and better players than he faced at Maryland.  At least he hasn't had weight issues and he has some of the highest work ethic on this team.  When he dropped a Gradkowski pass that was intercepted and cost the Raiders the Chiefs game he was clearly devastated.  He didn't blame anybody else.  I'm not quitting on DHB yet and nobody should.