Bleacher Report - Articles by Sean Chisick

Who Is The Laughing Stock Of The Afc West?

Sean Chisick — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:16:24 -0400

I just read the the Denver Broncos have suspended Brandon Marshall indefinitely for detrimental behavior. Now, I have to ask myself, who is truly the most dysfunctional team in the Afc West?

I know that this is going to start a ridiculous amount of feedback but, that's why I am writing this article. I love to shoot it out with fans of other teams as well as my fellow Silver and Black faithful.

To back up my arguments, lets look at what has happened with the Raiders this off-season in comparison to the Broncos. There are three noteworthy articles of contention that have occurred in Raider Nation.

The first and second were of course the first and second round draft picks. DHB and Mike Mitchell were both viewed as absolutely botched picks. I am not going to dispute that but, we won't know the full ramifications of these picks until the season begins and progresses.

The third, and the one that I personally think means very little in the big scheme of things, is that Coach Cable broke one of his assistant's jaw—Big deal.

I'm sorry, the only reason that this makes headlines is that it happened in Oakland. Men lose their tempers. It happens, deal with it. If charges get laid, then it could cause some problems, no doubt, but let's see how it plays out.

Now, what has happened in Denver blows anything that the Raiders have done completely out of the water! The three big points that have happened in Mile High make any mistakes the Raiders made look like a little rain drop in the ocean, you don't notice it.

First, they fire Shanahan and then hire Josh McDaniels to take over. I liked this move because it seemed that Shanahan was starting to not have a good grip on how to run his team. He had failed in the last few drafts to get quality players. His defences almost made Oakland's look like an All-Pro team. He needed to go, I can't argue that.

Hiring McDaniels seemed like a good move but right from the get go he alienated players, especially his star quarterback.

Which leads me to my next point, the trade of Jay Cutler.

Wow, did that situation get screwed up. Why in the world would you want to trade for a one-hit wonder, which I am convinced Matt Cassel is, when you have a proved quarterback already on the roster? I understand that you might want your "guy" on the team, but really? Cassel over Cutler?! I don't think so.

Whats worse is that you traded him for Kyle Orton. Orton?! Orton?! I mean, wow. I am speechless.

Finally, Brandon Marshall. Your number one receiver who wants a new contract or to be traded. I can understand why this guy would want out after he loses the man who helped make him an All-Star. This is the final straw that broke the camel's back.

Now, this situation is definitely not completely the organization's fault as Marshall has a history of issues. I just feel that it has dragged on for way to long and now he is suspended, which makes the team even worse. Orton to Eddie Royal just doesn't scare me as much as Cutler to Marshall did last season. Sorry, it just doesn't work.

In closing, the Raiders have issues, we all know this. They just don't have the same issues that seem to be arising in Denver.

Looking forward to the multitude of comments that I know will appear. Always love the feedback guys, it makes this so much fun.

Oakland Raiders' Draft Plans Change with New Additions

Sean Chisick — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:48:32 -0400

So the Raiders finally have made a few small-but-significant splashes in free agency, and the true Raider faithful can finally get some sort of idea as to what "Undead Uncle Al" has in store for the draft this year.

Davis has apparently realized at long last that high-priced free agents will not fix this football team and that a youth movement is the way to go. That being said, the Raiders are still lacking a true No. 1 receiver as well as a dominating nose tackle to help with the porous run defense.

After taking stock of what has happened in free agency with the other teams that pick in front of us and perusing myriad mock drafts, I am a firm believer that Oakland will make one of these two selections: B.J. Raji or Michael Crabtree.

Now, I would truly love for it be Raji—the defensive tackle from Boston College. There are plenty of promising, young, strong, powerful receivers available in this draft class, so if we pass on one in the top 10, we still have a shot at one later.

If Al is truly on this new path, he needs to bring in that huge force in the middle. Our run defense has been the Achilles heel on this football team for quite some time. Also, we are in a division that features three of the best running teams in the league.

I've said my piece, and as always, am waiting for those comments!

"Just Win, Baby!"

Oakland Raiders Have a Few New Free Agents To Look at

Sean Chisick — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:30:42 -0500

So with only two days until free agency begins and teams look at re-signing their veterans or releasing them in money freeing moves I pose that oh so awful question that Raider fans dread, what do we do in free agency?

As last year proves Big Al isn't afraid to pay for talent, he just doesn't know how to properly evaluate it anymore.

Now, I am not bashing Al Davis' football knowledge, I am just saying that he really needs to evaluate the talent that is out there. So, with that being said I look have been looking at some of the new players that have hit the market and I am looking for all those Raider faithful to offer their opinions.

Oh, and one last quick note, I have a strong feeling that the Raiders will draft a offensive tackle in the first round but their are some intriguing options out there for a veteran player that could offer our young line some much needed leadership.

With that said, I will list our needs and our options at the position.

OT: This is my firm No. 1 problem that we need to address, even with the drafting of one in the draft. I personally would love to see us sign someone like Tra Thomas or Jon Stinchcomb. Thomas is old but he is still one of the better tackles out there and a proven winner.

He has been a staple on the Eagles o-line for years. Imagine him teaching Mario Henderson and Andre Smith how to be dominant players in the league. Now, the only problem with this signing is we would have to get Thomas at the right price.

DT: Now, in a dream world or if it were next season and un-capped we would be able to sign Haynesworth, not happening. So, instead I offer up Tank Johnson. Now, I know I am going to get shredded for this one but, just hold on for a second.

Last year, he started all 16 games and word out of the Cowboys locker room is that he has genuinely changed for the better. He is an intriguing prospect and I think that he could be acquired at a reasonable price.

Also, he is fairly young and we could sign to a three-year, incentive based deal.

S: With the release of Gibril Wilson and having Michael Huff as the only other safety on the roster with a fair amount of starts, this has become a huge need. With that said, I know we have Tyvon Branch in the wings waiting for his starting opportunity.

So, I say that we look at another, older veteran to teach these younger players how to win. I am a little biased on this pick as Lawyer Milloy is one of my all-time favorite players. He is an older player, but realistically, he is another veteran that could start and also tutor our young guys how to win.

LB: Now this is where their are options galore with a whole slew of releases in the last couple of days. We have to very capable starters in Captain Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard but have been lacking that third player to complete this trio.

Another one of my favorite players has just been released, Derrick Brooks. If we brought him in...It just makes me drool at the possibilities. Another possibility is Mike Peterson, another older veteran who can still produce.

WR: Here is where I am a firm believer that we stay away from the free agents that are available. Don't get me wrong, there are some fantastic options available with TJ being the most obvious one.

However, free agent receivers always demand top dollar and we learned the hard way last season that this can be a scary move. There are some extremely talented players available at this position in the draft and we should be able to secure at least one of them in the second or third round of the draft.

So, that's my new wish list. Let me have your best Raider Nation and hope that with some tweaks or some big chances we become AFC West Division Champs!!

Is B.J. Raji a Good Fit for the Oakland Raiders?

Sean Chisick — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:13:33 -0500

Not too long ago, I wrote an article about what the Raiders should do with their first round pick in the upcoming draft and now I have hit a problem with that article. That problem is the monster of a man named B.J. Raji from Boston College.

All the loyal followers of the NFL and more specifically of my beloved Raiders know that the run defense in Oakland is absolutely horrendous and our front four have not been getting the job done.

Now, the reason that I am writing this article to put some doubt onto my previous one is that I have recently seen some highlights of B.J. from this past year as well as the good press he is getting from various writers who are at the Senior Bowl in Mobile.

He is 6'1" and weighs in around 330 lbs, which is an ideal size for a defensive tackle. What has caught my eye is the motor on this kid. He just charges the line and eats up a ton of space, things that are desperately needed on the Raiders D-line.

In that article from before, I had written that there were no defensive tackles worthy of the number seven spot, B.J. Raji is starting to change my opinion...

So, please leave your comments as always, I love reading them, which is probably why I keep writing these damn articles, lol.

Later Raider Nation!

Oakland Raiders Draft Predictions: Round Three

Sean Chisick — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:35:25 -0500

As I continue on with my series on what the Raiders will do in the draft, we move onto round three.

As any Raiders fans know, we have been absolutely abysmal in terms of run defense and I think that this is the round to draft a run-stuffing defensive tackle to help change that.

Ron Brace is 6'3" and weighs somewhere around 330 pounds—typical size for a man at this position.

Now, I know a lot of people have read my last two articles and have been questioning why I feel that Oakland should not have addressed this need in the earlier rounds. I felt with who was available in this draft, using a first-round pick was too high for a defensive tackle when there is a fair bit of talent available in the later rounds.

Brace is an absolute steal in the third round.

He is a big, fast beast of a man who will clog the holes that have cropped up every year since our appearance in the 2002 Super Bowl.

Now, is he as good as say Kris Jenkins from the Jets? Only time will tell, but that's why I write these articles isn't it?

What Should the Oakland Raiders Do in the Second Round of the 2009 NFL Draft?

Sean Chisick — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:23:59 -0500

Due to the overwhelming response to my article on the first round pick (thanks for all the comments by the way), I have decided I should continue the trend and write one for each round that the Raiders have a pick in. So, onto Round Two!

Another glaring need—which many of you were more than willing to point out—was a need for a dynamic receiver to go with our receiving corps. I completely agree with this opinion, and think that there are a multitude of options to address this issue in the second round.

My personal favorite would be Percy Harvin from Florida. He is 5'11" and weighs in at about 195 pounds, so he is not necessarily a big receiver. However, he is definitely a dynamic playmaker. I believe that having him healthy will guarantee a win for Florida in the BCS game tonight. Now, why does he fall to the second round?

There are some durability concerns with Percy, but I truly believe that he will overcome those problems and be the playmaker that we were hoping Randy Moss was going to be when we traded for him. He will remind many loyal Raiders fans of the days when Tim Brown was in his prime, slashing across the field to get to the endzone.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, out of Maryland, is another interesting option at this slot. He could also slip into the second round, as a lot of teams are not in dire need of receivers.

Free Agents the Oakland Raiders Need for 2009

Sean Chisick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:59:18 -0500

I have been writing a few articles on what I feel the Raiders should do in the off-season for 2009 and using reality for these decisions. This time I am going to just go with what I want to happen, from the bottom of my heart which is colored Silver and Black. Now, not all these moves are unrealistic but, with the way the cap is I don't see more than one of them possibly happening. So, on with the show!

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What Should the Raiders Do in the 2009 Draft?

Sean Chisick — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:14:06 -0500

I received an email the other day with an interesting question: What should the Raiders do on Draft Day 2009? Well, I have pondered this question over the last few days and then started doing what any good writer should do—research.

The first thing that I looked at was multiple mock drafts from the "experts" and most of them have the biggest need listed as a new left tackle. I am not completely sold on this particular need. I will agree that there are some huge, and I mean huge holes in our O-line but I am not convinced that we should look to the draft to secure a new lineman with this pick.

There are many good free agents available this year with Jordan Gross being my personal favorite (would love to see him in the Silver and Black as I do on my team in Madden 2009).

Another need that I agree with is at the receiver position. Now, everyone who has seen any collegiate games this year or has listened to the multitude of analysts out there have heard the name of Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech.

I personally had not heard of him until I watched the Tech vs. Texas game and I have to admit he is a very special player. However, I suspect that he will be off the board when the Raiders pick. Some of the analysts out there agree with me on this one, so I don't see that being a reality. I also don't feel that there is any other wide receiver worth this pick. There are many other great receivers available in this draft and I have a lot of faith in Higgins to have a great year.

Another glaring need is at linebacker and there are really no good free agents available next year as I believe Ray Lewis will re-sign with the Ravens and finish his career there. An interesting option is Mike Peterson from Jacksonville, who recently fell out of favor with Jack Del Rio. He is a solid LB and would fit in nicely in Oakland.

There are some good linebackers available in this draft, I just don't think that any of them deserve a top 10 pick. I know that last comment is going to cause a load of responses because of USC linebacker Rey Maualuga and don't get me wrong, he is an amazing player, I just don't think he deserves to go that high.

My firm belief is that we need to draft a defensive end with our first pick, and that should be Brian Orakpo from the Texas Longhorns. He is big, fast, and kind of reminds me of Julius Peppers (who is a free agent this year, I just don't see him leaving Carolina).

Derrick Burgess is one of the elite ends in the league and I believe that he needs a complimenting partner on the other side of the line. Do we need another defensive tackle? Absolutely, but once again what is out there in this draft class just doesn't rank high enough to be taking at this point.

So, in conclusion, this is what I think the Raiders should do in the first round. I know there are a ton of people out there who are going to have their own opinions and I am more than willing to hear what everyone has to say, after all, isn't that why most of us read these articles?

Until next time, "Just Win Baby!!!" Raider Faithful from Winnipeg, MB, CA.

Sean C.

Tom Cable Deserves a Full Year as the Oakland Raiders' Head Coach

Sean Chisick — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:50:46 -0500

Tom Cable has expressed his desire to return as the Raiders head coach next year and I for one am throwing in my vote to have this occur. Cable has done something that the last few coaches have failed to do, create a new locker room atmosphere.

I know there are going to be a lot of Raider faithful out there that are probably going to rain on my little parade here, but hear me out. This past Sunday he did something that the last couple of coaches didn't, he got the team to find a steady rhythm.

Now, maybe the stats don't justify that last statement, but if you watched the game or the highlights, you could see the players actually giving their all. Sure, there were a couple of Raideresque mistakes, but as a whole the team played like an actual functioning team!

So, as a loyal fan for the past 23 years (hey, I am only 28) I say he deserves to keep this new regime in place.