Building a team and who should we draft?

by CommittedToExcellence on Feb 8, 2009 3:09 AM PST Comment 21 comments

When it comes to building an NFL team that is successful, a few basic tenets are necessary to consider. As it pertains to the Raiders, these tenets have been neglected or mishandled over the last 6-8 years, resulting in the doldrums that has plagued the franchise. The easy way for the Raiders to improve would be to consider the basic tenets as it would pertain to the draft.

This year in particular, we have an opportunity to strengthen two extreme weaknesses, those being our offensive line and our wide receiver positions. Having seen our deficiencies in the pass catching department, I can wholly sympathize with the Raider faithful who are calling for us to use our high pick on the talented receiver from Texas Tech, one Michael Crabtree. While he is a breakout talent waiting to happen, one of the tenets of buidling success comes from starting in the trenches. With that in mind, I think that with the first pick that the Raiders have in this year's draft, they should draft the big LT Monroe from Virginia.

Here's the rationale for that decision. The left tackle position on the offensive line is extremely important, because not only do they have the normal responsibilities of a lineman (run block and pass block), they also protect the quarterbacks blind side, something that is important considering our young quarterback can not throw from his back.

By starting in the trenches, we give the line a boost, and we also do not take a huge hit anywhere else. Doing this will allow us in the second round, to acquire a talented receiver from Maryland in Darrius Hayward-Bey. He's a large target, fast, and can catch the ball. Failing that, I would like to see us take a chance at getting Hakeem Nicks from North Carolina, or if he drops to the second round (or if we move up into the first again by trade) I'd like to see the Raiders pick up Jeremy Maclin from MIzzou.

But the only way I want to see the flashy guys on the outside is if they've been drafted after the Hometown Buffet guys in the middle.

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First build the dynamic...

Your rational is good, however, it is so difficult at this point in the off season to project what the Raiders or any other team will do until after the first roster cuts, franchise tag designations, the adjusted available cap room and free agency period commences.

The assumptions that you make, while logical, are based on the team as currently formed, the dynamic of which will change based upon a number of potential transactions that will occur from the Raiders and the other NFL clubs all before the draft. This is why your question, “who should we draft?”, is going to be determined by the above stated actions from the Raiders and all the other teams.

Notably, the biggest effect on that dynamic will be what the Raiders will do with Nnamdi, which effects cap space, which then effects what the Raiders can do with other positions and other teams free agents. If Nnamdi is traded, that obviously changes the financial dynamic as well as draft day objectives.

If by trading Nnamdi, the Raiders are able to then trade for Boldin or have the resources to sign Houshmandzadeh, then that changes the draft board. Then there is Julius Peppers, Jordan Gross and numerous others, some of which we are not even aware of yet because there will be cuts prior to the draft for salary cap purposes. I could go on and on about the shifting dynamic, because while it is fun to project the draft now, what really needs to be done is concentrate on the make up of the roster prior to the draft, then come mid-April, after all the combines, we will really start seeing where the Raiders draft objectives will be.

The media and the “draft experts”, project as you do, that the Raiders will draft a left tackle with their first pick. However, the emergence of Mario Henderson plays a big part in this dynamic. When Mario was drafted, it was known that he was raw and could take 3 years to be “NFL ready”. Al seems to love him and in the games I saw him play, I can’t recall one time he was beaten, nor can I remember one penalty against him. That being said, Henderson is a left tackle and as LiveAdam has pointed out very well in other posts, is not and will not play the right tackle position. If Henderson is our left tackle and depending on what other FA moves we are able to make, the Raiders will not take Monroe or any other "left tackle with their first pick and they certainly will not use that pick on a right tackle.

We may very well start in the trenches, but that starting point will be in the free agency period after the Raiders roster takes shape and all the dynamics that are associated with it are in place.

Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.

by TheRaiderWay on Feb 8, 2009 5:35 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

What you say is so true

It is impossible to project who will be drafted until you find out what you have after the cuts, the restructuring of contracts and the free agency signings. Knowing the Raiders they will find cap room somewhere and in the most unlikely places. The great thing about signing Cable is that he has been with the team for 2 years and has a good idea of the players that performed and those that didn’t.
I would not be shocked to see a lot of surprise cuts with savings of cap space resulting. It is a very interesting time, we will see what the coaches and Al really thought about these players. I agree that any drafting of an O lineman will be RT, not LT.

by Laoren on Feb 8, 2009 7:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Great response

With all of the other roster moves to be made before April it’s so hard to make an accurate prediction on the draft (it’s fun to think about though).

To clarify what I’ve said before, I think Henderson’s skill set is best suited for LT. He’s played RT for us to spell Cornell Green, but I think he’d be a liability in that position full time because of the run blocking.

If the Raiders choose an offensive tackle with the 7th pick, it will be because either the Raiders think that:

- The drafted player is better than Henderson for LT and that Henderson can play RT;
- The drafted player is better than Henderson for LT and Henderson becomes a backup; or
- The drafted player can play both tackle positions and would move to RT if Henderson is still the starting LT.

I see choice 3 as being the most reasonable, which is why for now I don’t see Monroe or J. Smith being drafted. Michael Oher and Andre Smith can play both tackle positions, and should still be on the Raiders’ radar for now.

"I love being here. I love these players. I'm loyal to these players and this team, all right? I'm on the side of the players and the Raiders. And anybody who isn't on the side of the Raiders, then I'm not with them." - Randy Hanson, DB coach.

by LiveAdam on Feb 8, 2009 1:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Which

I like. Monroe is my fav but Smith is good too. and it might be good for the team. You guys, can someone explain to me why Henderson will not be good at RT. He can run and pass block pretty good.

A New Spirit, A New Team, A New Coach, But Same Commitment.

by Rayder K on Feb 8, 2009 2:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, Cable said he is not a good run blocker

but that it could be corrected. There is a difference between LT and RT because of the stance, the movements, footwork etc. Some guys are more comfortable with their left arm down, others the right. It is all about balance and footwork and for some reason guys are more comfortable in one over the other. What is clear is that Henderson settled the LT position, no offsides, no sacks allowed and also no production with the Raiders running to his side. The latter can be corrected.
I agree with LiveAdam that the Raiders will probably draft a guy who can play the RT. We cannot discount Al in this because Al claims to have drafted Henderson and loves Henderson, enough said, Henderson is our NEW LT. Most mock drafts have Smith and Monroe going before the Raiders pick so Oher is the logical choice here. Do not discount the Raiders signing a veteran RT before the draft, a good one is leaving Jacksonville.

by Laoren on Feb 8, 2009 3:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Khalif Barnes

Barnes could be a nice upgrade if he’s healthy.

Actually, I had a strange dream last night that the Raiders brought back Harris to play his more natural position of RT. 99% sure it wouldn’t actually happen though.

by LiveAdam on Feb 9, 2009 5:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh god

i hope not….

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Feb 10, 2009 7:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's the men up front First

We have to take one of the big 4 O-lineman(hopefully Oher) with the first pick

Make the reasorses available to obtain Houshmandzadeh.

After O-line Linebacker has to be a priority (with emphasis on run stopping)

"May the wind be at our back, here comes the Silver and Black "

by RUKidding on Feb 8, 2009 10:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think

our offence will be fine without going after a big named wide reciever. Our run defence needs the help and i think if we are going after a big namer, Albert Haynesworth should be the guy

by Black and Silver Express on Feb 9, 2009 10:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think we can afford Haynesworth

He’ll most likely only sign for the big money that so rightly deserves (even though Pat Williams is better) If we want a run-stopper in free agency, let’s go with Rocky Bernard. Not overly dominant, but a solid run stopper. And he should be pretty cheap

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by KA1Z3R on Feb 9, 2009 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The kind of money Haynesworth is asking for would make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.

I don’t want to dish out that kind of money, so I agree with targeting someone like a Rocky Bernard.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Feb 10, 2009 7:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and it's not like we wouold be "settling" on him either

dudes got some talent and is an upgrade over Sands.

by KA1Z3R on Feb 11, 2009 12:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh my lord..........

Draft a RT at the number 7 spot? HAHAHAHA. No way Al will be stupid enough to pay that kind of money for a RT. guys stop it. This looks bad when you post crap like this

by Brien Raider on Feb 9, 2009 10:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The offensive line is the most important part of the offense in my opinion.

You can’t run the ball if you don’t have blocking and you can’t throw the ball it if you don’t have protection.

Drafting an offensive tackle with the seventh overall pick isn’t stupid.

The Ravens drafted Jonathan Ogden fourth overall in 1996 and they won the Super Bowl in 2001. The Rams drafted Orlando Pace first overall in 1997 and they won the Super Bowl in 2000.

I’m not saying taking an offensive tackle high in the draft guarantees you a Super Bowl, but if you need an offensive tackle, you shouldn’t shy away from it. Obviously if there are other needs you could choose to fill those as well, but taking an offensive tackle is a legitimate option for our team.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Feb 10, 2009 7:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If you are talking linemen

don’t forget what Larry Allen did for the Cowboys.

by Raider76 on Feb 11, 2009 1:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

our offence will be fine

I don’t think we have the big play reciver( Houshmandzadeh).to keep defences honest.
Thats why people want us to draft Crabtree

"May the wind be at our back, here comes the Silver and Black "

by RUKidding on Feb 9, 2009 12:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

which I'm against

Crabtree is really shaky to me.

by KA1Z3R on Feb 9, 2009 12:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We'll know more on him after the combine:

If he runs a 4.3, then he’ll be a Top 5 pick

But when they start scheming us the way these guys did, and we weren't particularly ready for it, anything can happen."

by saint on Feb 9, 2009 1:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I thikn he already is

even if he doesn’t run that 4.3. This is a really bad year receiver-wise. The Seahawks will snatch him to improve their wide receivers, bring in a, what should be, good starter, and add insurance in case of injury heavy receiving corps this year. If it weren’t for Harvin being injury prone, my top two receivers would be Harvin and Hayward-Bey. Bey’s a freakish athlete and I have yet to see a downside about him.

by KA1Z3R on Feb 9, 2009 5:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

torry holt

i saw something about the rams releasing holt. thought it would be cool to see him in silver and black if we could get him on the cheap. or even marvin harrison. we really need a cheap veteran reciever that can take some heat off the young guys. again only if we can get them on the cheap.

by ianbbc02 on Feb 9, 2009 10:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That would

be staying with the raider trend of the last couple years, picking up old washed up players no one else wants. They need to get some young players not all these OLD guys that come in and play for a couple years and retire. Holt and Harrison ARE great players but lets get the YOUNG guys in there.

by Black and Silver Express on Feb 10, 2009 4:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs