but that doesn’t happen much anymore. Philly has two 1st round picks, would be great if they wanted Crabtree enough to give us their two for our one. Knowing Al and how he operates I have to believe he will go for Crabtree if available, Al loves offense and doesn’t usually expend 1st picks on defensive players, a mistake as far as I am concerned. He used to draft OL in the first round, Lawrence, Shell, Upshaw, Stinchcomb, and several others I have probably forgotten. Of course, Gallery. You are the first person who suggested Ferguson is a stud, they have been somewhat unhappy with him in NY from what I have read.
I agree with you about not picking on OL in this draft, that can be filled in the later rounds, there are teams in this league with good lines with players drafted from the 5th on, with some undrafted guys. It will never happen but sure wish the Raiders would go defense in this draft, specifically LB. I guess I hold out hope that Cable can convince Nnamdi that the Raiders are coming back and so should he. Al will pay him the money, Al has never been cheap with players. If he won’t sign then trade him by all means. He has got to bring a 1st and 3rd round pick, I can live with that. NFL players are expendable, nobody other than a QB is that important. I guess I am alone in thinking that WR is not crucial to the success of this team. Two guys with promise are coming off injuries, Walker was once a very good player, and Higgins and
Schilens look like keepers. I keep reading that the Raiders had no receivers with very many catches and point to lack of receivers. I point to lack of QB play early in the season, and the fact that all the receivers other than Higgins were hurt most of the season. Of course, the Raiders didn’t have any receivers with many catches. Add that to the fact that Russell frankly didn’t look very good in about 8 games last year and it is not surprising. Of course all this is speculation until after the free agency signings. If Al is able to sign a big time linebacker or pass rusher then whatever is done in the draft is fine with me. This is a pretty exciting time of the year with signings, draft, cuts etc.
The virtue of keeping Cable is that he knows this team, knows their weaknesses and has shown a willingness to let guys go who don’t produce. Give Huff one more year, maybe he will finally show why he was drafted in the first round, maybe not.

They’re solid players, although with Hawk even that is questionable.

Nice article, but my question is what’s the point of having a stud receiver if you can’t even get him the ball? Russell needs time to pass, the line was horrific, so a lineman should be taken. Crabtree has question marks anyway (speed?), he’s no Calvin Johnson. And I wouldn’t call Braylon Edwards or Roy Williams studs either. Williams hasn’t been good in 2 years and Edwards just led the league in drops. He’s coming off a hugely disappointing season. I would bet both teams regret those picks (well except for the fact the Lions stole a first round pick from the Cowboys for Roy Williams).

This is the perfect year to take a great O-lineman as there are a few available so one will be there at the #7 pick. No reason to take a corner just in case Nhamdi leaves when there is such a perfect fit to fill a huge need on the O-line.

Firts off Crabtree will NOT be there so stop thinking about him. Trading down would be great, but with salary cap issues around the league and a deep draft, I dont see us getting anything done in that regard. That being said Eugene Monroe should be the pick at #1. As for #2 I see some mock drafts have us getting The WR from Maryland Heyward-Bey. I didnt know who he was so I went to the net for some highlights and this kid is the real deal,,, But alas I doubt he will slip to us, if he does though I think it would be a great pick. I also see a chance in the second to get the DT from USC Fili Moala (sp?) or Lauranitis the LB from Ohio state if there, I think he could fill the MLB postion better than Mr. Morrison, who Iove but he is too small for the MLB position,, we could move him outside and have 3 special LB’s.

Looking over last year’s 3 closest losses, which if converted to wins gets us to a .500 season and should be our next goal. Playoffs, AFC champs and Super Bowl Champs are bigger steps. If we look at why we likely lost to Buffalo, San Diego and Miami we see that late in the game we did not make a few first downs, control some clock and score at least a few points. I believe we look at our needs to convert those losses to wins. Obviously, we won’t have the same exact opportunites next year as this year. What we need is some offensive help. I believe in the first 10 picks you pick guys that touch the ball. If Stafford is there at #7 you pick him. But he won’t be. Ditto for Crabtree. The sleeper at #7 is N.Moreno. This kid has Bo Jackson size and speed. We can have a big back and a speed back. Moreno could be a small slot or a motion rb / receiver. Pick the best OL in the 2nd round

i too think Crabtree will be gone before #7. But if he drops, we should take him. I think we had the chance to get fitzgerald instead of gallery. If crabtree is gone, we should go o-line. i just hope our talent scouts pick a good ol. It seems that todays successful teams are those with good def and good o-line (pitt ol got off to a slow start this year). So if we dont get crabtree and we pass on ol, I too like Rey (the next seau), dl, or another lb.