Which Way to Go for the Raider Nation?
When did you think that the Raiders would ever hold the number one pick...?
I'm just as stunned as anyone about last year's performance.
However, I'm not giving up on "Brother" Al Davis quite yet...(Personally, I think he should go down as one of the top-ten executives in sports history. Look at his overall career and successes.) Despite every other Raider fan's and critic's contentions to install an overhaul process for the organization, I'm still sticking to my faith. Remember, it was only four years ago, that this team was in the Super Bowl.
With that said, my request is that the Raiders don't choose a quarterback with this year's pick. You may ask...Why?
Here we go:
JaMarcus Russell - Yes, he bombed Notre Dame in LSU's Sugar Bowl victory, but hell, your sister could have put in a half-decent effort against ND and you would have eeked out a 'W.'
He has only 11 collegiate starts. Off the mark, that's not a lot of experience to support a number one choice.
I'm tending to agree with veteran experience. As Tim Brown states to Sam Farmer in today's LATimes, Russell is not only filled with hype because of his Sugar Bowl performance, but also Russell may not fit new Raider coach, Lane Kiffin's, West Coast system.
"Yeah, I think [Russell] is a big guy, and he may be able to scramble once in a while, but that's not his forte. He's not a rhythm passer. He's a guy who likes to go back, pat the ball a couple of times and then get rid of the ball. In the NFL, and especially in the West Coast offense, you have to be a rhythm passer. You have to go back, and on your fifth step that ball has to be coming out."
I'll agree with Brown...I'm out on Russell. I'm sorry, but I have too many visions of Akili Smith dancing in my head.
Brady Quinn - My hope for the Raiders is to let him slip to the Browns at #3.
You may ask, why? Well, when you consider that the Raiders passed on Matt Leinart last season and Leinart's grade surpassed Quinn, why should you drop a number one pick on someone who is still not the caliber to step-in right away with your offensive system and who may have been masked by Charlie Weis's system.
That call hurts, but it's just my call...
The Raiders have always banked on quarterbacks, who have underperformed in other systems and have been castaways.
The Good: Plunkett, Gannon, Lamonica,
The Bad: Pastorini, Collins, Evans
What makes you think that a move would be any different this season?
They have already signed Josh Booty, who spurned LSU for baseball. (By the way, I like that gamble for a third-string QB. Kiffin already knows Booty's brother well. I'm sure that they'll work well together.) That's a sign to me that they're looking for an experienced QB in either a trade or a free-agent signing.
Hello...Tim Rattay, Josh McNown. Hey, that's not so bad when you consider how bad Aaron Brooks was. Wait another year to fill the QB slot. There are other more drastic holes to fill, which leads us to...
Calvin Johnson - I was hyped on Calvin Johnson until today when I heard John Clayton of ESPN mention that there have only been two wide receivers, (Al Toon of the New York Jets and Herman Moore of the Detroit Lions), who have been over 6'5", to have made the Pro Bowl.
That's a interesting stat. Plus, a wide receiver only touches the ball at best...8-12 times a game? The Raiders already have Randy Moss. They could also use Jerry Porter again in a pinch...I know he's a major head case, but they have a more deeper problem on the line side, which is why I state.
Trade down or pass on Russell, Quinn, and Johnson to...
Joe Thomas - Yes, go with the Left Tackle from Wisconsin. He's a sure-fire bet. The Raiders were woeful on the offensive line. Woeful! Why not shore the Left Tackle position up for the next five years with Thomas.
Already, scouts have claimed that in terms of an all-around performer, he is close to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who is a beast of mammoth proportions. Thomas came back from a serious knee injury, and he performed solidly this year to earn an Outland Trophy. He has great foot speed, athleticism, and he's not a meathead. He has learned under ex-NFL offensive line coach, Bob Palcic, who coached in the NFL for 12 years.
With Robert Gallery supposedly working on his footwork back with his coaches at Iowa, the Raiders could switch Gallery to the right side, and have great bookends to a formidable offensive line. Any QB would have plenty of time and confidence to open up a 'rhythm game' for Lane Kiffin's offensive system. Also, any running back could go use the right side with Gallery pulling the right side clear.
I'm on record...Go with the O-Line.
Although everyone is chalking up Gallery as a bust. I'm holding faith in Gallery. He's had three coaching staffs in three seasons. Also, they have a solid center developing with Jake Grove. With Thomas, Gallery, and Grove, the Raiders could have a great offensive line developing.
Unless, a number of picks can be picked up with exchanging the number one pick. Go with the sure-fire pick. Forget the glam. Pick Joe Thomas, Left Tackle, Wisconsin. Then, get yourself a QB through the free-agent market or a trade. In the NFL, you can pick-up a starter at a cheaper value next season.
Too bad Matt Leinart isn't out this year...The Raiders had the chance, and blew it. Don't try to make up for it now! Solidify the line with the first pick and go running back in the second.
Raider Nation,
BD
I'm just as stunned as anyone about last year's performance.
However, I'm not giving up on "Brother" Al Davis quite yet...(Personally, I think he should go down as one of the top-ten executives in sports history. Look at his overall career and successes.) Despite every other Raider fan's and critic's contentions to install an overhaul process for the organization, I'm still sticking to my faith. Remember, it was only four years ago, that this team was in the Super Bowl.
With that said, my request is that the Raiders don't choose a quarterback with this year's pick. You may ask...Why?
Here we go:
JaMarcus Russell - Yes, he bombed Notre Dame in LSU's Sugar Bowl victory, but hell, your sister could have put in a half-decent effort against ND and you would have eeked out a 'W.'
He has only 11 collegiate starts. Off the mark, that's not a lot of experience to support a number one choice.
I'm tending to agree with veteran experience. As Tim Brown states to Sam Farmer in today's LATimes, Russell is not only filled with hype because of his Sugar Bowl performance, but also Russell may not fit new Raider coach, Lane Kiffin's, West Coast system.
"Yeah, I think [Russell] is a big guy, and he may be able to scramble once in a while, but that's not his forte. He's not a rhythm passer. He's a guy who likes to go back, pat the ball a couple of times and then get rid of the ball. In the NFL, and especially in the West Coast offense, you have to be a rhythm passer. You have to go back, and on your fifth step that ball has to be coming out."
I'll agree with Brown...I'm out on Russell. I'm sorry, but I have too many visions of Akili Smith dancing in my head.
Brady Quinn - My hope for the Raiders is to let him slip to the Browns at #3.
You may ask, why? Well, when you consider that the Raiders passed on Matt Leinart last season and Leinart's grade surpassed Quinn, why should you drop a number one pick on someone who is still not the caliber to step-in right away with your offensive system and who may have been masked by Charlie Weis's system.
That call hurts, but it's just my call...
The Raiders have always banked on quarterbacks, who have underperformed in other systems and have been castaways.
The Good: Plunkett, Gannon, Lamonica,
The Bad: Pastorini, Collins, Evans
What makes you think that a move would be any different this season?
They have already signed Josh Booty, who spurned LSU for baseball. (By the way, I like that gamble for a third-string QB. Kiffin already knows Booty's brother well. I'm sure that they'll work well together.) That's a sign to me that they're looking for an experienced QB in either a trade or a free-agent signing.
Hello...Tim Rattay, Josh McNown. Hey, that's not so bad when you consider how bad Aaron Brooks was. Wait another year to fill the QB slot. There are other more drastic holes to fill, which leads us to...
Calvin Johnson - I was hyped on Calvin Johnson until today when I heard John Clayton of ESPN mention that there have only been two wide receivers, (Al Toon of the New York Jets and Herman Moore of the Detroit Lions), who have been over 6'5", to have made the Pro Bowl.
That's a interesting stat. Plus, a wide receiver only touches the ball at best...8-12 times a game? The Raiders already have Randy Moss. They could also use Jerry Porter again in a pinch...I know he's a major head case, but they have a more deeper problem on the line side, which is why I state.
Trade down or pass on Russell, Quinn, and Johnson to...
Joe Thomas - Yes, go with the Left Tackle from Wisconsin. He's a sure-fire bet. The Raiders were woeful on the offensive line. Woeful! Why not shore the Left Tackle position up for the next five years with Thomas.
Already, scouts have claimed that in terms of an all-around performer, he is close to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who is a beast of mammoth proportions. Thomas came back from a serious knee injury, and he performed solidly this year to earn an Outland Trophy. He has great foot speed, athleticism, and he's not a meathead. He has learned under ex-NFL offensive line coach, Bob Palcic, who coached in the NFL for 12 years.
With Robert Gallery supposedly working on his footwork back with his coaches at Iowa, the Raiders could switch Gallery to the right side, and have great bookends to a formidable offensive line. Any QB would have plenty of time and confidence to open up a 'rhythm game' for Lane Kiffin's offensive system. Also, any running back could go use the right side with Gallery pulling the right side clear.
I'm on record...Go with the O-Line.
Although everyone is chalking up Gallery as a bust. I'm holding faith in Gallery. He's had three coaching staffs in three seasons. Also, they have a solid center developing with Jake Grove. With Thomas, Gallery, and Grove, the Raiders could have a great offensive line developing.
Unless, a number of picks can be picked up with exchanging the number one pick. Go with the sure-fire pick. Forget the glam. Pick Joe Thomas, Left Tackle, Wisconsin. Then, get yourself a QB through the free-agent market or a trade. In the NFL, you can pick-up a starter at a cheaper value next season.
Too bad Matt Leinart isn't out this year...The Raiders had the chance, and blew it. Don't try to make up for it now! Solidify the line with the first pick and go running back in the second.
Raider Nation,
BD
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