Comments on Raider Take: Welcome Tom! Please Prove Me Wrong

Shocked? Would you have been shocked if they draft...

2009-05-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

Shocked? Would you have been shocked if they drafted another Greg Townsend or Howie Long; both passed up by other NFL clubs? or Ray Guy? Why do you allow ESPN to tell you who can draft and who can't

New take up. And that makes 1,200, with apologies....

2009-04-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

New take up. And that makes 1,200, with apologies.

Garcia was a great pickup.Possibly the best effect...

2009-04-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

Garcia was a great pickup.
Possibly the best effect of this signing is a good roll model for JR. I think JR will learn alot from Garcia. He should compete for the starter spot also. But would have to really blow JR away to start. If it's close at all, it'll be JR. Either way, they should get along fine and push/help each other to progress.

The need for a BU QB that can come in and play at a high level is critical in this league. Chances are you're going to lose a game or two without one.

Still not sure why I keep reading so much stuff about vick and burress. Both of those punks are gonna get the suspension smack down by the commish anyway.

-moshbucket

A battle-tested QB on the roster... that's a novel...

2009-04-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

A battle-tested QB on the roster... that's a novelty (I’m pretty tired of Walter and Tui - Parts I and II). I'm on board with this move. It's all up to Russell, but Garcia is a very nice insurance policy.

Dare I say if the Raiders' draft is as calculated as their off-season moves thus far, this may get quite interesting. We still need big help on D.

The Garcia signing was a good move for many reason...

2009-04-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

The Garcia signing was a good move for many reasons.

#1 He is NOT a threat to JRuss and is NOT competing for the starter's role. The guy is 39 years old and JRuss is clearly the franchise QB. (I agree with BR about everyone competing for a starting job with the exception of Garcia)

#2 Garcia has established himself as a savvy veteran with a strong work ethic and passion for the game. He will be a good mentor for JRuss.

#3 If JRuss goes down for a play, a series, a game, or multiple games, Garcia will be able to step in and allow the Raiders to compete at a high level. I cannot same the same thing for Gradowski or Walter.

#4 Garcia has the opportunity to finish his career in the Bay Area where he has roots.

Garcia still has the mentality of a starter and someone who has something to prove. I think in the back of his mind, he knows that an NFL season is a marathon and ultra violent sport. He knows that he very well might get on the field and be able to make a difference.

this is a good signing. i'm sure they'll keep him ...

2009-04-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

this is a good signing. i'm sure they'll keep him more than a year, especially if he helps russell develop....

The Garcia deal is done. One year contract to bac...

2009-04-06T16:05:00.000-07:00

The Garcia deal is done. One year contract to back up JaMarcus.

I don't think they are considering changing Barden...

2009-04-06T14:31:00.000-07:00

I don't think they are considering changing Barden to a TE. I think it was a mistake to do it with Teyo Johnson. They should have left him as an Ed McCaffery type of WR.

As a general rule, also, I don't think that WR to TE end is a good bet for a conversion. Most TEs focus on becoming excellent blockers, with part time duty as a receiver. The better conversion percentage would be from FB to TE or from TE to FB.

Regarding the new Plaxico Burress discussions, man...

2009-04-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

Regarding the new Plaxico Burress discussions, many see this (just as with TO) as a typical Al Davis pick up.

No team will give Burress serious consideration until after June 15th (Burress' next court date). Fact is, the guy could wind up with about 3 years in prison, so signing him to a contract right now (unless there's an escape clause based on whether he has to do prison time) would be rather stupid.

However, if Burress' issues are resolved sufficiently in a plea agreement, the Raiders might take a shot. The Raiders might consider providing him with legal counsel - - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-
bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/06
/DDJT16SG9D.DTL

"...Everything else will center on defense instead...

2009-04-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

"...Everything else will center on defense instead of a center for the offense." ~BlandaRocked

Nice wordplay...!

Satele was signed shortly after the Cal Pro Day, right? As though they took a good look at Mack, then opted for Samson. I'm thinking that the CableMan realized that center was a need with Michalczik suggesting Mack.

I've been reading that "you don't take a center with a number 7 pick," which would then suggest an "un-Davis-ish" trade down for multi-picks. Hmmph...! As H noted, "...we got more scenarios than Carter's got pills." (Carter?)

Don't know whether to buy into the Garcia- OR Vick-trip, but if Ramses Barden, the 6'6" WR from Cal Poly were to be chosen as the 2nd round pick, that might play along into the OL "rebuild from outside-in" - that is, if he's considered a WR-slash-TE.... That didn't work too well with Teyo Johnson, though. Ouch... (I think I may have pulled a muscle from reaching too far, lol...)

~'Cat

"Interesting... a shot across the bow of team Jrus...

2009-04-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

"Interesting... a shot across the bow of team Jruss, even if he is not brought in.

I don't think this is a vote of confidence in Jruss. More like "GET YOUR FUCKIN ASS IN GEAR BUBS."

No way would they be looking at a proven starter like Garcia if they were happy with Jruss's development."

No way, the only way you could possibly think that is if you want to believe it. How is looking Jeff Garcia a vote of no confidence in Jamarcus Russell? He's 39 years old, he's obviously not somebody who they're going to build the football team around. Giving him a shot at the starting spot just shows Garcia the respect he deserves as a good NFL quarterback, and it shows Jamarcus Russell what a hardened veteran looks like. If you wanted a vote of no confidence, the Raiders looking at Jay Cutler or Matt Stafford would be one. But since they aren't...

All right, here's my prediction for the first day ...

2009-04-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

All right, here's my prediction for the first day of the NFL draft. It might change by draft day, but I doubt it.

The Raiders will not trade down. With their #7 overall selection they will take Raji. With their #8 selection in the 2nd round they will take Alex Mack (if he is still on the board). If Mack has already been selected, they will pick Ramses Barden (WR).

I'm betting that in 2010 the Raiders will have to ...

2009-04-06T12:16:00.000-07:00

I'm betting that in 2010 the Raiders will have to play against a Gruden coached team twice a year. That's right. I'm betting that Gruden winds up in either Denver, Kansas City, or San Diego in 2010.

I'm not betting that he will be a successful coach with either Denver or Kansas City. San Diego might be another story. What I see in Gruden is someone without the ability to take young talent and mold it, so he's going to need a team with a lot of talent to begin with. As both Denver and KC are now in rebuilding modes, Gruden would be an exceptionally bad fit. Gruden would give Rivers fits, but he'd have the SD players all on the same page.

Lost in the Garcia news is that the Raiders appare...

2009-04-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

Lost in the Garcia news is that the Raiders apparently also signed ROT Marcus Johnson. This gives us fairly deep competition for every spot on the OL with the exception of C. I now believe that if any move at all is made in the draft in the direction of an O-Lineman, it will be for Alex Mack and Alex Mack only. Everything else will center on defense instead of a center for the offense.

Also, seems to me that Gruden brought Garcia into ...

2009-04-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

Also, seems to me that Gruden brought Garcia into Raider's camp the same year he wound up with the 49ers. I'm not sure why Gruden didn't like him. But he sure as hell would have been nice to have around when Gannon went down.

Not too much should be made of the Raiders telling...

2009-04-06T10:31:00.000-07:00

Not too much should be made of the Raiders telling Garcia that he can compete to start. That has been the Raiders MO through most of their history. All positions are open in training camp, and each year you have to win your starting job anew.

This seems to be another tradition being reestablished by Tom Cable. It's the same thing that was told to Kalif Barnes.

Garcia has often been portrayed as having an attitude. I never believed this to be the case in regard to Garcia. I think his attitude stems from being disrespected by coaches and the media in the NFL. He's always been a winner, but somehow always viewed as "second rate." I think that stems from the fact that he wasn't drafted out of San Jose State (simply because SJS isn't the kind of university scouts look to). He played well in the Canadian leagues, but when he came to the 49ers he followed Montana and Young. If Payton Manning had followed Montana and Young he wouldn't have been popular. It's very tough on you when you replace players who have reached legend status.

Man, we got more scenarios than Carter's got pills...

2009-04-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Man, we got more scenarios than Carter's got pills.

Gary,

Were Garcia 34 you might be right, however at 39 we are trying to get one year as a backup/mentor type.

Al Davis believes quarterbacks need 4-5 years development before they are truly NFL ready. There are exceptions of course, but for the most part that is correct.

Garcia needs to understand, and I'm sure he does, his primary job is to impart knowledge and be able to step in if Russell is injured.

An experienced backup like Garcia is also a plus if Russell does miss a game or two. This is a young team and a guy like Garcia would keep their attention on the task at hand.

H

Blanda, if Garcia comes in with a mentoring attitu...

2009-04-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

Blanda, if Garcia comes in with a mentoring attitude, I will welcome him with open arms. I have been pining for a veteran QB... just that I think Garcia still thinks of himself as a starter... and wonder if he might be more of a distraction rather than a mentor.

Something the media has put out that I'll go along...

2009-04-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Something the media has put out that I'll go along with, a Garcia signing would virtually insure that Walter is either traded before the draft (say for a fifth round pick), or he'll be released at the end of training camp. I think Gradowski has proven that he could at least be a legitimate #3, and since Walter doesn't fit the system, the Raiders will need the roster space.

Another way to work a Walter trade is to find a team that needs a QB, but has an O-Lineman who fits the ZBS but not the system used by that team.

Gary:I disagree with you on one aspect regarding G...

2009-04-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

Gary:

I disagree with you on one aspect regarding Garcia. He's 39 years old, so there is virtually no team in the NFL that would look at him as anything thing more than a stop-gap starter for one season. This year, Garcia's best bet is for teams with virtually no starter, but with plans to draft a QB, or teams with a young QB who could eventually faulter.

If I were JRuss, I wouldn't be worried about Garcia coming in to take my job. I'd rather be looking at someone with a wealth of information that I can use if I can get him to give it up. The Raiders have been looking for that kind of mentorship for JRuss for two years. Kiffin first looked at Garcia when he came in, but it was well known that the Raiders would draft JRuss so Garcia went to TB because he had a better chance to start.

Topher, post more! When the Raiders have, in their history, incorporated the TE into their offensive scheme, they have done so when they had more than one TE option. In both the Raiders' years with Casper, and their years with Christensen, they had one or two other TEs who were blocking specialists but who could also catch the ball.

However, in this instance, I think that if the Raiders were to go in that direction, they'd look free agency first. But you may well be right. I'm also thinking more and more that this will be the first year Davis trades down.

Florada ST "WR"may be available in a "Suplemental ...

2009-04-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

Florada ST "WR"may be available in a "Suplemental Draft"...

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/
dr_saturday/post/Welcome-to-Tone-Deaf-
Bureaucracy-Now-starring-C?urn=ncaaf,152846

2 "TE" Sets....

Now if you will through a 6'6" Fast-n-Talented "WR" into the mix and have him line up as "TE" oposite Miller in that formation the way the Raiders tride to do in the past with a much less talented tall Wide-Out...

What would we have in that package...Versitality...He plays inside-n-outside...Playing inside he is covered by a "LB" who can't posibly match his speed....Outside he is matched with a "CB" who can't posibly match his size...Big play posibilities with "McFab"-n-Bush in the mix...

Now if you will...Through in the 2-"QB" set with Vick-n-Russel...Is that excitement in the making...What does the "D" do to counter such a formation and back-field...

"JRus"-Vick-"McFab"-Bush-n-The "Crab" as your Back-Field...

Imagination Anyone...Could this be what the "CableGuy" is talking about by addressing the "OL" from the outside in...

No reply from our lost Captain..."RT" has escaped...

PantyRaider...Season Expectations!!!/_

>>>>Oh yeah, it appears Jeff Garcia is in negotiat...

2009-04-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

>>>>
Oh yeah, it appears Jeff Garcia is in negotiations with the team. According to the article I read he was told he could compete for the starting position.
>>>

Interesting... a shot across the bow of team Jruss, even if he is not brought in.

I don't think this is a vote of confidence in Jruss. More like "GET YOUR FUCKIN ASS IN GEAR BUBS."

No way would they be looking at a proven starter like Garcia if they were happy with Jruss's development.

Hooyah on the LT love. A draft heavy in Lt's and ...

2009-04-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

Hooyah on the LT love. A draft heavy in Lt's and not much else, maybe we best be taking one of them... or trade down.

I am very high on a veteran QB to mentor Jruss... but Garcia?? Off the top of my head, he seems more likely to kneecap Jruss than help him with his starting job.

That said... there isn't shit left for veterans. Maybe this would be the best we can do?

If Al wants to bring more power to the line, both ...

2009-04-05T18:06:00.000-07:00

If Al wants to bring more power to the line, both Oher and Andre Smith would be ideal. Both could play LT or RT depending on how Henderson and Barnes do.

Topher makes a good point about the 2 TE sets. The versatility of McFadden would give the offense the flexibility to use him depending on how the D's personnel.

Regardless of the Raiders scheme or personnel grouping, I really want to see McFadden on the field as much as possible used in a wide array and creative fashions. His pass catching ability and being a big play threat allows the Raiders offense to dictate the terms of the D.

Opponent's D MUST account for McFadden. In nickel packages, the Raiders offense runs it down the D's throat. In base packages, McFadden is a run/catch threat. When there are 8 men in the box, McFadden can be split wide, go in motion, or catch flair, bubble, and delayed screens. Of course the Wildcat formation and trick plays are sprinkled in for big plays and to keep the D's honest.

Oh yeah, it appears Jeff Garcia is in negotiations...

2009-04-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, it appears Jeff Garcia is in negotiations with the team. According to the article I read he was told he could compete for the starting position.

H