A Different Look at Darrius Heyward-Bey

 I wanted to take a different look at Darrius Heyward-Bey, something other than the usual defending of why Al took him No. 7 or the various articles that have discussed why Al's lost it. I wanted to take an alternative look at DHB after reading an article I came across which talked about him from his mother's perspective and others like his head coach at Maryland. I've also included quotes and facts about his life. 

For example when it comes to DHB being a track star instead of football player: 

People don't understand that he was a basketball player and not a professionally trained track runner, a label put on him often throughout his college career. According to Vivian Heyward-Bey, he didn't even get his first pair of track cleats until midway through his freshman year of high school.

On another note, Ralph Friedgen talked about where DHB is at as a WR: 

Terp coach Ralph Friedgen puts Heyward-Bey's development at 60 percent and likes the chances that he'll reach his full potential—unlike some recent physical marvels who failed to produce as expected in the NFL, such as Ohio State's Ted Ginn or Michigan State's Charles Rogers.

"He's one of these kids who is not only blessed with great athleticism and speed, but he also has a great work ethic," Friedgen said. "I don't think he's a finished product by any stretch of the imagination."

Speed, something about his pure speed which could be a factor in this offense: 

When the pass left former Terrapin quarterback Sam Hollenbach's hand, it seemed hopelessly overthrown.

But on this overcast March afternoon at the Terp practice field, there were at least two people who believed the ball was catchable.  One of them, a short woman in a black dress, was just looking up from searching through her purse for a water bottle to cure a coughing fit brought on by seasonal allergies.

"Go get it," Vivian Heyward-Bey said softly, breaking briefly from an interview with a reporter.

As if on command, her son, Darrius, running a deep sideline pattern, turned to look over his opposite shoulder and calmly yelled, "I got it! I got it!"  Showcasing the blistering speed that has made him one of the most coveted wide receivers in the 2009 NFL Draft, Heyward-Bey reached out and snagged the errant pass." 

He is obviosuly considered a little raw, but that catch had a positive impact on the type of player he could become:  

But that's also what intrigues NFL scouts. It's hard to teach catches like the one at Pro Timing Day or how he effortlessly turned short passes into big plays during his Terp career. Now, he's focusing on route running and catching more consistently. 

Everything I've read about DHB and have heard from Maryland fans is that he's very, very underrated and that Oakland got a steal. Several people have stated he got the raw deal from the networks and were thrilled when Oakland took him No. 7. 

I seriously believe he's going to have the work ethic and determination to become a very good player in the NFL and after a year or two the pundits won't apologize but they'll admit it was a great pick.

I could talk about his offense or the fact he played for four quarterbacks in three seasons. I could mention the fact Maryland had the 64th best passing attack and the 61st best rushing attack this past year. I could mention that the offense lacked any playmakers and that only a LG & TE were drafted, and they were taken in the seventh round.  

I believe DHB is going to become a stud and the Raiders won't be looking like they reached for him. Davis wasn't going to take the chance on losing the chance at this  future stud. 

Quotes taken from Diamondback Online.