Mike Mitchell May Be JUST What The Doctor Ordered

We’re finally understanding what Coach Cable’s draft “plan” is for 2009. Cable and the rest of the personnel development and scout staff identified positions of need for the Raiders, then built positional ranking boards for these positions based on a number of factors – one important one being perceived system fit. Cable noted his preference for DHB for several reasons, including familiarity with a pro-style offense, speed and vertical threat, and excellent route-running (first I’d heard of that one). Cable, Davis, and the rest of the Raiders scouting team obviously weren’t sold that guys like Crabtree and Maclin would transition as well into the NFL as DHB would, and chose to take him with the 7th pick. I’m not displeased with the pick, but there may have been an opportunity to trade down a few spots to let someone take Crabtree.

The same analysis applies to Mike Mitchell – the Raiders identified safety as a position of need, and after doing their homework decided that Mitchell provided the skill set and intangibles best suited for being a Raider, over guys we considered such as Moore, Vaughn, etc. Cable used the word “ferocious” during an interview today, which definitely excites me. Hindsight also provides relief knowing the Bears were also targeting Mitchell in the 2nd round, so we can somewhat put that “reach” talk to bed.

I anticipate seeing more of the same from the Raiders on Day 2. With a few more picks to work with the Raiders will continue to identify position needs and take the player they think is best (not the ones Kiper, McShay, or Mayock think is best) and pick them without apology. Position needs still include DL, LB, and OL. Guys like Jarron Gilbert, Lawrence Sidbury, almost all of the 2nd tier DTs, Jasper Brinkley, etc. are still on the board.

Geez, everyone pans these draft “experts” for lacking hindsight, but we all cringe when our team goes out of that mainstream thinking. Let’s see what the product on the field is before we start screaming about the sky falling.

MM is a diamond in the rough… hopefully he can bring his play to the NFL level

but still am mad we didnt trade down into the 20’s get another pick an get dhb.much better deal an we get him for cheap

WOW! The kid may be for real! I t would be nice to have some heat back there! Receivers heads on a swivel out of fear…. It has been far to long since teams feared the Raiders would be nice if that could happen again!

The happier I get with the picks. They both seem like great kids with great work ethic’s who play the game the raider way. As cable said they picked the players they felt fit what they wanted not just drafting the next highest consensus rated body on the line. I think this makes perfect sense and i prefer this instead of getting a player of questionable character like Crabtree.
And look at the bright side now wen have a new fresh reason to hate the fourty whiners :)

I’m just saying that we could have had Mitchell at 216th overall instead of 47th. It was a terrible pick in my opinion.

how Al davis reached into my wallet for renewal

to get a new job or retire
they suck at judging picks
None of the Mock Draft was right
and all of their “Can’t MIss” picks were all bust