Oakland Raiders: NFL Draft Day Blunders 2004 - 2008.
I've been a Raider fan my entire life. I`m sure my fellow Silver & Black loving brothers and sisters will agree with me - when I say that its been a roller-coaster of highs and extreme lows. A lot of these lows have resulted from baffling draft day decisions.
In my opinion, the 1st round selections that were made by the Raiders between draft years 2004 and 2008 - qualify as the worst 4 years of drafting in NFL history.
I know that's a rather harsh thing for a fan to say about his team. But, before you bash it - read on, and maybe you`ll agree.
2004 -- Robert Gallery : The One That Should Have Gotten Away.
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We all heard the stories of how he was the safest draft pick in the 2004 class. He would finish blocks 15 years down the field and etc. What we needed was a franchise left tackle to protect the strong armed Kerry Collins- and give him the time needed in the pocket to execute Norv Turners vertical offense. What we got was a turnstile at left tackle. He started off "decent" on the right side at tackle, but once he moved to the left side, my oh my was he torn to shreds.
I remember the 2006 game against the Chargers, where was "charged" with giving up 3 sacks - but if you saw the game, the number is closer to 5. Shawne Merriman worked Gallery like a rag doll the entire game.
If that game wasn't enough, he finished 2006 the season giving up 10.5 sacks - the 4th most in the league - AND HE MISSED 6 GAMES!!
He is said to have "resurrected" his career at Left Guard. If you ask me, he is the most overpaid Left Guard in the History of the NFL.
Today, Gallery is still a second rate player while fellow 2004 Draft Class colleagues Larry Fitzgerald, Sean Taylor (RIP), Kellen Winslow, Big-Ben, Steven Jackson and etc., have all went on the to become Pro Bowl Caliber franchise players.
..and the Raiders could have had ANY of the guys listed above - they were all selected AFTER Gallery.
2005 -- Fabian Washington : A Pick Above Greatness
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Washington was amongst the Raiders many failed attempts to draft track stars with world class straight-line speed, for a position that requires a great amount of lateral agility,precise positioning and the ability to start and stop on a dime.
The Nebraska product was probably a 3rd - 4th round draft pick in 2005, who would have spent most of his career as a Nickel Corner/Special Teams player - had it not been for his impressive 40 yard dash time. Eventually, Washington all but quit on the Raiders and bolted the team via a trade to the Ravens.
Of course Al Davis has a need for speed, and took Washington. Perhaps, Uncle Al moved a little too fast - because with the very next pick, the Green Bay Packers selected Aaron Rogers. Enough said.
2006 Michael Huff : Are You Huff-ing kidding me?
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In 2006, it was becoming clear that Kerry Collins was not the answer at QB for Al Davis's vertical offense. So, logically one would look to the NFL draft in order to find said QB. Based on the aforementioned logic, one should look for said QB in the first round.
But, as we all know, Al Davis subscribes to his own brand of logic. This same logic would likely have completely bankrupted him, if he was running any type of business other than a recession proof NFL Franchise. (God Bless Revenue Sharing)
Huff: a classic height, weight, speed guy - minus the skill set and ability to the Safety position in the NFL.
Huff has a well below average coverage ability, in addition to his complete lack of the ability to make an open field tackle. He is nowhere to be seen in run support, because a wide receiver or tight end usually knocks him on his ass before he figures out what is going on.
For know, he is fighting for a starting spot. Another expensive backup on the Raiders bench. All the while fellow 2006 Jay Cutler, who throws one of the prettiest deep balls in the league, is a Pro Bowler and Franchise QB. He was picked up by the Broncos 5 picks later.
The Raiders did take a QB in 2006, however. A kid from Arizona State by the name of Andrew Walter - who was thrown to the wolves by an offensive line lead by Robert Gallery.
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2007 -- Randy Moss (later Traded to New England For a 4th Round Pick)
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The Raiders gave their 1st round pick in the in the 2007 Draft to Minnesota in exchange for Randy Moss. Coming from a dynamite Marshall football team, and being a member of Minnesota Vikings - Moss had been accustomed to winning. He never adjusted to life as an a Raider, while he showed flashed of brilliance, he never lived up to expectations.
Many people, including the Raiders, wrote him off as a has been. In their arrogance, the Raiders traded Randy Moss to the Patriots for the bargain basement price of a 4th round pick. The very next year, Moss went on the set the NFL record for most receiving touchdowns, and was a part of a New England squad who went 16-0 during the regular season.
As much as it stung watching Randy Moss light up the night sky in New England, you had to be happy for him. Perhaps if the Raiders made better draft decisions in the previous years, Randy Moss may have broken that same touchdown record, proudly wearing Silver an Black.
2008 -- Jamarcus Russel : The One That Hit Home.
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We've all seen other teams through out recent history take some absolute duds, disguised as franchise quarterbacks, in hopes of turning the fortunes of their franchise around. San Diego did it with Ryan Leaf, Cincy with Akili Smith, the Browns with Tim Couch and Brady Quinn, the Lions with Joey Harrington and Matthew Stafford (just wait).
Its great when it happens to someone else. You can literally see the entire franchise collapsing in front of your very eyes - and i`ll admit, I love every second of it. That is, until it happens to your team.
As Raiders fans we had to suffer through 3 years of this morbidly obese ass-clown. We watched in utter disbelief as Russell constantly fumbled the ball, threw interceptions and threw the ugliest passes by an NFL quarterback we had ever seen.
He went from 1st Overall Draft Pick - to a punchline. In my opinion, he is the biggest draft bust of all time.
Conclusion: The Worst 4 Years in History.
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So you see, its only who we did get, its who we DIDNT get. The Raiders passed on a number of premier NFL players. If the Raiders had made sound draft day decisions, you would be looking at a different team right now.
I hate to say it, but we should take a lesson from the San Diego Chargers. After the franchise just about imploded after taking Ryan Leaf - they re-assed their targets, started making great draft day decisions - and have been Superbowl Contenders for the last 5 years.
I think the Raiders may be on the right track - hopefully they find their way - and learn from the worst 4 years in NFL Draft history.
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
