Bleacher Report - Articles by Ashraf Hammad

Oakland Raiders Uh-Oh: Khalif Barnes Out With Injury Early

Ashraf Hammad — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:34:35 -0400

Is the Oakland Raiders' left tackle battle over before it really even started?

Yes.

Newcomer offensive tackle Khalif Barnes went down Tuesday Morning while unengaged in pass protection after left guard James Marten knocked defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti into Barnes' left knee.

The injured knee suffered a contusion, but said Barnes said, "I told the trainers, 'I think my ankle is broken.'"

Instead of opting for surgery, he will wear a hard cast for six-eight weeks.

What does this mean?

Well, first of all, it obviously means that Barnes is receiving an early exit out of camp. This also means that incumbent Mario Henderson is basically a lock to start at left tackle come September 14.

Barnes, as was hoped, would be able to move over to the right side had he lost the job to Mario Henderson.

Coach Tom Cable expects Barnes to come back early in the regular season to provide depth. Just depth though.

Does this mean we're in for another year of Cornell Green starting?

We all remember the fantastic off-side abilities of Green and Kwame Harris last year.

Ah, well, injuries are daily life in the NFL.

My question though, is how big of an impact do you think this will have?

Oakland Raiders 2009 Schedule Prediction

Ashraf Hammad — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:06:06 -0400

As training camp approaches and NFL fans are anxious to see what their teams' newly acquired players can do with pads on, many fans wonder if their team is going to improve, contend, or be stuck in the cellar of the NFL for yet another year.

I am going to list the Oakland Raiders' schedule, and predict the outcome of each game.

Week One: San Diego Chargers

Oakland fans still have nightmares over last year's beat down handed to them by the Broncos last year, while I don't see us winning this Monday night showdown, I don't see a blowout either.

Outcome: Loss, 31-21.

Week Two: @ Kansas City

The Chiefs have completely reshaped their franchise with a new quarterback(Matt Cassel), general manager (Scott Pioli), and head coach (Todd Haley). Kansas City is completely rebuilding, Larry Johnson isn't the back he once was, and our defense will give Cassel fits as he finds out he doesn't have the same toys he had in New England.

Outcome: Win, 21-10.

Week Three: Denver Broncos

Rookie head coach Josh McDaniels really shook up this roster, by sending Jay Cutler to Chicago, bringing in a plethora of running backs, and veteran aid to that weak defense, however the Raiders' running game will come through and hand the silver and black their first win of the season at home.

Outcome: Win, 24-14.

Week Four: @ Houston

In week 16 of last year, Oakland played completely solid football and vanished any hopes of the Texans' attaining their first winning record in franchise history. This will still be in the mind of the resurgent Texans, and they'll hand us a close loss.

Outcome: Loss, 24-21.

Week Five: @ New York Giants

A brutal game to watch for the silver and black faithful, as New York hands us a blowout.

Outcome: Loss 31-10

Week Six: Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are primed and ready for a Super Bowl run, with one of the best offensive units in the NFL and a top five ranked defense. I see another big loss for our young squad.

Outcome: Loss 28-7

Week Seven: New York Jets

Oakland surprised a very hot Jets team last year with a thrilling 16-13 win in overtime, and I see much the same happening this year as the Raiders' defense gives Mark Sanchez fits and the offense does just enough.

Outcome: Win 14-10.

Week Eight: @ San Diego

I don't see the Raiders' picking up a win in San Diego seeing as they couldn't do it a home, and by this time of year this Chargers team should be hot. Darren Sproles, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Phillip Rivers will tear the Raiders' defense apart, and another sweep at the hands of the Chargers will happen this year.

Outcome: Loss, 38-17

Week Nine: BYE

Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs will be an improved team by this time in the season, but it's not enough as the Oakland running game comes through once again, and the silver and black sweep the Chiefs.

Outcome: Win, 28-17.

Week 11: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals should be much better in 2009, than they were in 2008 with a healthy Carson Palmer, and upgrades on defense. However, The Raiders' defense will be stingy, and the offense will have a good day.

Outcome: Win, 21-10.

Week 12: @ Dallas

The Raiders' head to Dallas on turkey day to face the Cowboys, and their high flying offense. Tony Romo will move the chain through the air, but toss two interceptions while doing so. I don't see the Raiders' being able to do much to stop Marion Barber, and the Raiders' offense doesn't have the firepower to keep up with the Cowboys.

Outcome: Loss, 27-17.

Week 13: @ Pittsburgh

A brutal stretch for the silver and black, as they must travel to Dallas, then Pittsburgh to take on the defending champs. The defense has an odd show and is very stingy to Big Ben and co. Unfortunately, the Iron Curtain will be just as good, if not better. It will be a showing of the kickers, with Big Ben tossing in a touchdown.

Outcome: Loss, 16-6.

Week 14: Washington Redskins

The Raiders' return home from their brutal two week stretch, to take on a tough Redskins team. It will be a hard fought, low scoring affair, in which the boot of Sebastian Janikowski will come through as the Raiders' earn a hard deserved win.

Outcome: Win, 17-14 (OT)

Week 15: @ Denver

The Raiders' travel to Invesco field, where the Denver defense will show up and prove to be a problem for the powerful running game the Raiders posses. JaMarcus Russell will keep the Raiders' in the game, but won't do enough as the Raiders and Broncos split the season series.

Outcome: Loss, 21-10.

Week 16: @ Cleveland

Oakland heads into the Dawg Pound to take on a mediocre Browns team. Oakland's offense has a field day, while the defense does enough to keep the lead.

Outcome: Win, 31-14.

Week 17: Baltimore Ravens

Oakland will end the season on a bad note, losing to a Ravens team at home where they couldn't move the chains on offense against a tough Baltimore defense.

Outcome: Loss, 20-7.

Season Outcome: 7-9.

The Raiders show much improvement on last season, and Tom Cable is back for another year as head coach.

Raiders Draft Ohio Safety Michael Mitchell in Second Round

Ashraf Hammad — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:43:34 -0400

The Oakland Raiders traded their No. 40 overall pick in the draft, to the New England Patriots for their No. 47 overall pick and their fourth and sixth-round selections.

The Raiders then used the No. 47 pick to draft hard hitting safety Michael Mitchell.

While I like this pick, he probably could have been drafted in the third round, and we could have used the No. 40 selection on Ron Brace, who the Patriots drafted with that No. 40 overall pick.

Oakland Raiders: 2009 NFL Draft Scenarios

Ashraf Hammad — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:23:54 -0400

In this article, I have made mock picks leading up to the No. 7 overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, which the Oakland Raiders currently hold. I have concluded four scenarios, with one being the most realistic and most likely to happen, in my opinion, to four, being the least likely to happen.

Scenario 1:

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford QB Georgia

St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith OT Baylor

Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest

Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech

Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo DE/OLB Texas

Cincinnati Bengals: Eugen Monroe OT Virginia

Oakland Raiders: Andre Smith OT Alabama

This selection will come as head coach Tom Cable desires to anchor the offensive line unit, and Andre Smith can be plugged in as a starter at RT from day one. People may argue though, that he's not a fit for the ZB's used in Oakland, but Tom Cable will think he can whip him into shape.

Scenario 2:

Detroit Lions: Jason Smith OT Baylor

St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia

Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest

Seattle Seahawks: Matthew Stafford QB Georgia

Cleveland Browns: Michael Crabtree Texas Tech

Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith OT Alabama

Oakland Raiders: Brian Orakpo DE/OLB Texas

Al Davis loves athleticism, and if this workout warrior is available at seven, I think Al Davis will pull the trigger. Brian Orakpo can be that every down DE that Oakland lacks, and Derrick Burgess only has one or two more years left in him.

Scenario 3:

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford QB Georgia

St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith OT Baylor

Kansas City Chiefs: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia

Seattle Seahawks: Mark Sanchez QB USC

Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest

Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith OT Alabama

Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree Texas Tech

Now, this situation would be incredibly lucky for the Seahawks, Browns, and Bengals to all pass on Crabtree for other needs, but a score for the Raiders. Considered by many to be the best prospect coming out of college, he could be that No. 1 WR Oakland has lacked since Tim Brown last put on a uniform.

Scenario 4:

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford QB Georgia

St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith OT Baylor

Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest

Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia

Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo DE/OLB Texas

Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech

Oakland Raiders: BJ Raji DT Boston College

Reasons for Raji: The Raiders ranked 31st in the run last season, and this has been a huge need for a while now. Tom Cable also is a line coach, and could have a lot of influence on this pick.

Reasons against Raji: This is the least likely scenario in my eyes. It's nothing against Raji as a player, I am even hoping we draft him; he simply is not athletic enough for Al Davis. The last time Al Davis pulled the trigger on a DT in the first round was in 1999, when we drafted Darrell Russell. Russell ran a 4.8 40 time at 320 pounds. Raji isn't even close to a 4.8 40 time.

Please leave a comment explaining your opinion on who the Raiders should choose, or which scenario is best for the team.

Oakland Raiders Transactions Update 4/6/09: Team Adds Depth to Offense

Ashraf Hammad — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:00:03 -0400

Today, the Oakland Raiders made a great move, adding to the great offseason we've had so far.

We agreed to terms with QB Jeff Garcia, who made three Pro Bowls with cross-bay rival the San Francisco 49ers, and made his fourth Pro Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2007. Jeff Garcia should be an excellent back up for JR, or even compete for the starting job.

The Raiders also added depth to the offensive line unit by signing T Marcus Johnson. Johnson has been with the Minnesota Vikings the last five years and has started at right tackle and guard.

Sorry, no contract details.

Comment and Vote in the Poll!

Raiders 2009 NFL Mock Draft, Rounds 1-4

Ashraf Hammad — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:10:20 -0400

The Raiders' offseason has been unusually quiet yet successful this year. We've re-signed our two best players and brought other key players to our team. We've even brought some help to the O-Line.

Things have been looking good in Oakland, and if we can draft well, the Silver and Black will be a strong competitor in the AFC West.

1st Round
B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

In 2008, the Silver and Black ranked 31st in the league against the run, and this big, bulldozing NT out of BC will surely disrupt the backfield and bring the double team off Kelly every play. I know a lot of you fans would want Crabtree here, but wide receiver isn't the most pressing need for the Raiders.

2nd Round
Alex Mack, C, California

Clearly the best center in the draft, and with Jake Grove off to Miami we need one. If he is gone, look for Max Unger out of Oregon to be the pick. He has the talent and athleticism to play any position on the OL.

3rd Round
Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

Don't know if he makes it past the late second round, but if he falls into the third round, the Raiders would be sure to snag him. Although our young WRs showed promise at the end of last season, we still need depth at the position. As I said before, though, it's not the most pressing need.

4th Round
Chris Clemons, SS, Clemson

With Gibril Wilson having been released, we are very thin at the safety position. He ran a very fast 40 time, so we know that he's going to be on Mr. Davis' radar.

Well, that's it. Make sure to comment and leave your opinion.

Oakland Raiders Transactions: 3/3/09

Ashraf Hammad — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:17:10 -0500

Well, being bored, I checked the Raiders team transactions, and saw some new players on the list.

We've re-signed key special teamer Isaiah Ekejiuba, back up tight end Tony Stewart, and guard Cooper Carlisle. We've also signed Erik Pears, a much needed player at the tackle position.

There you have it, a short little article on what the team has done. So no contract details.

Please let me know what you think of the signings.

Raiders Need To Beef Up D Line and O Line in 1st and 2nd Rounds Of Draft

Ashraf Hammad — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:29:38 -0500

For the Raiders to be succesful in 2009, they must shore up the D Line with A DT or DE in the first round of the draft. Our run D was ranked 31st in the league, that has to improve. B.J. Raji, Brian Orakpo, or Everette Brown would be nice choices at No. 7 in the first round.

Then in the second round, maybe Alex Mac or Max Unger. Either of those would be nice additions to the Offensive side of the ball, and could give JaMarcus Rusell the extra time he needs to go through his reads.

Please, let me know your Opinion.