Comments on Raider Take: The Realist's Draft Scenario

So if we take McF, will it be an "Al pick" or a "K...

2008-03-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

So if we take McF, will it be an "Al pick" or a "Kiffin pick"? Hmmmmmm....

Michael Bush is fine, according to QB Brian Brohm....

2008-03-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Michael Bush is fine, according to QB Brian Brohm.... “From what I know, he says he's doing really well, ready to go, fired up about next year.”

Apparently, nobody sent Jason Jones the WFIB commentary, because he’s still questioning Kiffin’s role in free agency (and with the Raiders overall).

Jones (speaking on why Kiffin is not being quoted after FA signings): “Kiffin’s silence only adds validity to the notion he has no say in free agency, which is what I was told some time ago. I’ve been told Kiffin hasn’t been himself around the office (moping, looking sad), but of course I’m not there to see it.”

I remain somewhat cautious on this topic, but based on what I’m seeing in FA, I almost have to believe Kiffin has had some role. Moves seem too decisive. It’s like somebody is pointing out players, and Al Davis is just writing checks (like a dad taking his kid birthday shopping).

From Martin Independent Journal, “Raiders signed exclusive rights to free agent Jonathan Palmer, 24. He signed with the Raiders toward the end of last season and showed enough promise at offensive tackle for the Raiders to bring him back for an extended look.”

Palmer’s actually listed as a guard on the profile I saw.

Calling Psycho.....Calling Psycho....All points Bu...

2008-03-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

Calling Psycho.....Calling Psycho....

All points Bulletin....#600 is Approaching..."597"-n-"3" to go...

San Francisco 49ers 3/14 Bryant Johnson (WR) signe...

2008-03-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

San Francisco 49ers 3/14 Bryant Johnson (WR) signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract).

Take a look at this....First it was DE Kalimba Edwards and now this....

Detroit Lions 3/14 Kenoy Kennedy (S) cut.
6'1" @ 215#s 30yrs old 9th season
88 tackles...2 int's....2 FF's....

Could we use another "S"....This guy is very good....The "Pussycat"s are cutting their team apart to make sallery-cap room....But for what...Draft-Picks????...

NYRaider...."Running by Committee" has worked well...

2008-03-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

NYRaider....

"Running by Committee" has worked well in OakTown....as in "Bo"-n-Allan...."Nap"-n-Harvey W....We just haven't had the "Horses" to run it well for a long long time...

Now picture this....1st quarter to mid 2nd quarter...

M Bush-w-"FB" Punishing the "LB"s-n-"S"s....."JRus" throws a few short to intermediate passes and we move the chains and score points....The game is close but we are dominating the line....

Late 2nd Quarter in comes "McFab" who has been like a "High Bred Stallion" standing on the sidelines waiting for his chance...."JRus" goes DEEP twice and "McFab" Breaks it off in the "D" and scores 2 quick "TD"s before the half....

At halftime the "D" is Exasporated and frustrated and "Beat to Death" but know they have to come out and face this again in the second half...

In the second half we have our way with them...Mix it up and do what we want....Our backs are kept fresh because no one back has to carry all the load....And the most important thing is the "D" has been slowed down and "JRus" is not under as much pressure being the "Rookie" "QB" that he still is....

PantyRaider....Wet-Dreams!!!!

Gary, I dunno. Could you imagine the impact of hav...

2008-03-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

Gary, I dunno. Could you imagine the impact of having both a healthy MB AND DMC in our backfield? Who do you key on? Not to mention the possibilities of WR, slot, scatback and HB option with both back there--as others have mentioned, it could really open things up for JaMarcus, as well.

I'm still wanting us to get SOH, but I think this would be a good pickup for us.

---Jeff

Well if the reports are true that Kiffin is callin...

2008-03-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Well if the reports are true that Kiffin is calling the shots and that McF will be the draft pick, I'd assume this means Bush is damaged goods... which is contrary to the report I read where Kiffin was mad at Al because he thought Bush was practicing better than Fargas towards the end of the season, but Al put Bush on IR anyway.

If Bush IS damaged goods, I accept the McF pick enthusiastically... because I don't think Fargas should be the primary RB.

If Bush is fine, we have other needs yet... and it's just a luxury pick.

To me, signing DE K.Carter is a short-term solutio...

2008-03-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

To me, signing DE K.Carter is a short-term solution. I would try to sign Carter and still draft one of the top 2 DEs to develop long-term. Either Long or Gholston could help fill a colossal void for us, particularly with QB pressures and sacks.

I like McFadden and would be very excited to have him on the Raiders. However, the obvious problem with drafting him is that we would face another huge logjam at RB, maybe worse than last year. You’d have RunDMc splitting time with Fargas, Rhodes back on the bench, and nowhere to put Bush (maybe a situational, 3rd down and short yardage RB).

Would Al pick McFadden just to keep KC from getting him? He kept Jordan on the roster and Bush on PUP for that reason. Hopefully, he'll be more focused on improving the Raiders than keeping other teams from getting players.

If McFabulous is the man there is no use fighting ...

2008-03-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

If McFabulous is the man there is no use fighting it with logic ... it will be time to sit back and just enjoy the ride.

I have not been in the camp to draft McFabulous but HELL, even I realize he has the potential to be a game changing, electrifying prescence.

I for one think that under the right circumstances, McFabulous will give the Raiders offense the type of legitimate threat to really loosen up the passing game.

You want to crowd the line with your safeties...fine. We play action pass your ass and go deep to Carter. The CBs of opponents better start practicing their backpedal, turn, and cover in the trailing position.

If the Raiders take McFabulous this is Al's way of pushing all his F'N chips to the center of the table and betting his last dollar on 2 high priced Young Guns (McF & #2). A $100M investment in 2 guys who just recently were able to buy beer legally.

As TO would say "Get out yer popcorn and enjoy the show!"

McFabulous will be the Man...

2008-03-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

McFabulous will be the Man...

Comment from BLF of WFIB on the Pat Kirwan stuff-B...

2008-03-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

Comment from BLF of WFIB on the Pat Kirwan stuff-

BLF-
I believe that it was Tuesday or Wednesday that I heard Kirwan and Ryan...

( I think the referred to Ryan is a commentator on Sirius not SOB - memdf)

...talking about Kiffin and the Raiders.

Ryan asked Kirwan if he's talked to Lane and heard anything new. Kirwan said that he hadn't talked to Lane in a couple of weeks but knows that he's working his butt off to make "his" team better for next year. He used "his" team specifically meaning it wasn't the Raiders or Al's team but the emphasis was that Kiffin was part of the Raiders with "his" being inclusive if not flat out possessive.

This came only a day or two after I talked to my USC Insider which I felt really validated my conversation with him on Monday.
It was almost like Kirwan had also talked to the same source as me...actually I bet that he did. Kirwan, Carroll and Monte Kiffin played in a foursome with my insider right after National Letter of Intent signing day last month.

****************************************************

How's that?!

Boys-More info from Worldwide Fans in Black;1) Rai...

2008-03-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

Boys-
More info from Worldwide Fans in Black;

1) Raiders still in contact with Culpepper as no one else seems interested in him.

2) Comments from Pat Kirwan on Sirius NFL Radio regarding the RAIDERS. (cut and pasted with no capitals or anything else by memdf)

"If people think that Kiff is going to quit, then they really don't know him at all. He has his nose to the grindstone and is only concerned with getting the RAIDERS to be the best they can be for the upcoming season.
Kiff and Lofton are working very closely together to improve the offense.
Kiff is not concerned about all of the rumors and will do nothing but work his @ss off until the old man comes down and tells him that he is no longer employed."

" There is a high possibility that McFadden will be a RAIDER."

The next post from me will be a comment on the Kirwan comments by the guy who posted the Kiffin USC on WFIB post a few days ago. (Does that make sense)

I am on my daughter's Apple laptop and am not as adept at cutting and pasting as I am with the pc, no mouse, etc.

Be right back....

The William Joseph signing is the type of signing ...

2008-03-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

The William Joseph signing is the type of signing I love ... high reward potential, very low risk.

If Joseph does well in camp at DT and show why he was drafted in the 1st round, it gives us potentially the most deep, versatile DL in many, many years.

DT: Warren, Kelly
DT2: Sands, Joseph

DE: Burgess, Draftee or K.Carter
DE2: Richardson, Kelly

Draft Prospectus:

With the signing of Kelly & Joseph (and Warren & Sands last year), I don't see taking Ellis or Dorsey at #4.

If we sign K.Carter, I don't think we would be inclinded to take SOH or Ghoulston.

It looks to me that we are clearing the deck for either

(a) J.Long, Clady, or McFabulous

or

(b) lining up a draft day swap with Dallas.

Of course if we don't sign K.Carter, SOH & Ghoulston would receive strong consideration.

I suspect that Joseph is more camp fodder than som...

2008-03-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

I suspect that Joseph is more camp fodder than someone they expect will get much playing time.

Don't forget that as the free agency period winds down, the team usually starts to pick up players that have some chance of pushing the expected starters.

My only real concern here, since Joseph is a DT, is that they are possibly thinking of keeping Kelly at LE where I think he's wasted. He should be playing Sapp's old position.

Raiders Sign DT William JosephStory at raiders.com...

2008-03-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

Raiders Sign DT William Joseph

Story at raiders.com

Hmmmm, another signing, another injury concern.htt...

2008-03-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm, another signing, another injury concern.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/
article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/03/14/sports
/s162510D42.DTL

BlandaRocked...I agree 100%....last year Kiffin sa...

2008-03-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

BlandaRocked...

I agree 100%....last year Kiffin said he was struggling to get the players on the same page for "Fundamental-Football"....he shouldn't have that problem this year and be able to open things up...But to do so he needs to have the weapons in place on the "O"...

We now have an almost new "WR" Core....But to be completely honest I don't see this group striking fear in very many "D"s early on....Not the way the "PussyCats" did to us last year....And "JRus" will still be a "Rookie" at the "QB" position so things could get a little shaky...

That's why I keep talking the running game....It makes all those transitions easier by taking off some of the pressure and slowing down the "D"s aggressiveness....I just can't stress that enough....We are going to have some weaknesses early on and we need to be able to offer our young "QB" some protection...We need to slow things down for him...

Key to '08 part two.Both Kiffin and Ryan are going...

2008-03-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Key to '08 part two.

Both Kiffin and Ryan are going to have to open up the playbook. I understand why both wanted to play it conservative last season. Ryan didn't want to take the risk of giving up anything cheaply, and Kiffin didn't want to turn the ball over.

But in order for any scheme to be successful, eventually you have to show the opposition that we can surprise you. Otherwise both teams might as well announce their intentions at the line of scrimmage.

I'm not talking so much about trick plays here as disguised plays. Ryan needs to learn that very fast LBs can do a lot for you by showing pass when they are covering the run, and showing run when they are covering the pass.

Kiffin needs to make a real threat of the play action pass by using it once every quarter or so to throw deep - and sometimes (when least expected) fake the play action pass for an end around.

BlandaRocked...Sorry Bro but we just don't have th...

2008-03-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

BlandaRocked...

Sorry Bro but we just don't have the opportunity to fix the "D" in one season...The "DT" position is very thin in this draft and was thin in FA's...Unless we could get an Albert Haynesworth it will take 2 seasons to fix the problem...Unless the young players we have now can come threw for us which could still be a possibility....

So now you talk about money....How much "Cash" should we tie up in the "DL"....We already have 2 high payed "DT"s....Now are we going to double their salaries with another "DT" picked #4 in the 1st rd....Plus we need to sign "DE" Burgess...."CB" Awesome....Offer a contract to "DE" Carter....

I think we will be improved at stopping the run this year....so maybe we are respectable....But the way to take off the pressure right now is to put an "O" on the field that scores a lot of points and forces their "O" to play "Keep-Up" or "Catch-Up"....If they can play conservative and keep going to the run we will get "Murdered" again....If we take time off the clock and score points they will become anxious and play into our strength....the Pass-"D"....

The problem last year is we ate up the clock but did not score points...No one had to get anxious....

BlandaRocked...Yes...very intriguing to pro teams ...

2008-03-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

BlandaRocked...

Yes...very intriguing to pro teams because their system runs the ball and is Multi-Dimensional....not one sided like a lot of programs that only run or only pass....

But according to some people who were connected to the program it begins with the Run....And that is what Kiffin brought to the Raiders in his first year....a running game where we had none....

Word is....and I hope it's right...McFab is the target...Just like I knew "JRus" was the target last year....So I'm banking on my source again....

PantyRaider...Run-Baby-Run!!!!

To me, the key to this season is our run defense. ...

2008-03-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

To me, the key to this season is our run defense. We have the defensive backfield to play with anybody, but if we can't stop teams on the ground, we have no hope of keeping opposing teams to under 20 points a game - which is what I think we absolutely must do to have any hope of putting more games in the win column than the loss column.

The idea that you can just use up the clock with someone like McFadden doesn't convince me. We had more TOP than our opponents consistently last year, but we still wound up 4-12. The fact is, if we can't stop the run, they are going to be using up the clock on us.

Whatever it takes, that run defense has to be rock solid in 2008.

Panty, what you're overlooking is that while Bush ...

2008-03-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

Panty, what you're overlooking is that while Bush had a pretty good rookie year, he was considered disappointing last year. And White hasn't really done anything yet in the pros.

Could be that it's just the system, period. I'd suggest that's why USC coaches are so intriguing to pro teams.

USC WR's Drafted 2nd rd "07"Dwayne Jarrett....Pant...

2008-03-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

USC WR's Drafted 2nd rd "07"

Dwayne Jarrett....Panthers....6 catches/73 yds

Steve 2. Smith....Giants.....8 catches/63 yds

USC WR Drafted 2nd rd "04"

Keary Colbert....Panthers....32 catches/332 yds...."07"
5/56 yds...."06"
25/282...1 TD..."05"
47/754...5 TD..."04"

Add to that Mike Willaims drafted "05"...

I rest my case about USC WR's....

The "RB"s made the system work....

BlandaRocked-n-Psycho...I have NO doubt that this ...

2008-03-14T15:16:00.000-07:00

BlandaRocked-n-Psycho...

I have NO doubt that this is Kiffin's team and he will have a chance to build to fit his vision...I just believe his vision is very similar to what he had at USC...

If one looks back it was the "RB"s who made it work....Bush-White....The "D" had to always check them fist and could not also cover the "WR"s and rush the "QB"...That system worked with "WR"s who were NOT good enough to make it big in the NFL like M Williams....And their "QB" has really struggled at AZ....That "RB" will give CoachKiffin the missing piece of the puzzle and I believe he will pursue it with a lot of passion...

My Bar-Tender here in MorroBay was a Kicker for USC and stayed on as an Equipment Manager...He knows Kiffin very well...And he knows their system....So I get a little bit of incite which is one reason why I didn't worry very much about the rumors....

last year we went "O" in rds #1-#2-#3b-#3c-#4a-#6-#7...

I would expect a little more balance this year depending on who's available...

"OT" has a lot of depth....
"WR" has a lot of depth....
"RB" has a lot of depth....
"DE" has a lot of depth....
"OLB" has good depth....

The rest is very shaky and have only a few at the top....1st rd picks....

1st rd "RB"-or-"DE"-"OT"-"DT" if the "RB" is gone....
2nd rd "DE"-or-"OT"....
3rd rd "OT"-or-"WR" from trades....
4th rd "OLB"-or-"WR"....
5th Best Player...
6th Best Player...

PantyRaider....Open-Door!!!!

Sorry, Panty, but I come down on Psycho's side in ...

2008-03-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry, Panty, but I come down on Psycho's side in this. If I felt that RB was a primary concern I'd think he was worth the risk. But we have bigger holes to fill, and I'd rather have a fully developed team. My feeling is that we'll at least be in the top ten rushing teams as we stand now. More than RB I think that WR is still a bigger issue. Not because I don't like our top three, it's just that they do have some injury concerns and we lack depth. On the other hand, I think that each of our current runners is capable of delivering a 1,000 yard season in this system.