Now The Real Fun Begins: UDFA's Are Signing As We Speak

We need some linebackers and defensive linemen.

Enough with Sam Williams and Ricky Brown. The last rounds were perfect in order to get a LB that plays 2 downs. What a shame

Raiders sign BYU linebacker David Nixon to a UDFA contract.

Another team captain – we’re stockpiling them. Started all four years and racked up 12 sacks, 275 tackles, and 43 TFL as an OLB.

for those of you that don’t know football we are running a 3-4 defense which requires de/olb hybrids such as a demarcus ware type. thats what we adressed in slade and sulak. i liked follett and brinkly too, but we already have a kitk morrison.

Did Khalif Mitchell get signed by anyone? And how are you guys getting the news?

marshal runs a 3-4, there would be no other explanation for these picks.

According to David White the Raiders have signed DT Desmond Bryant to a UFA contract. 6’ 6", 290 pounds, ran a 4.92 at his Pro Day.

Scouting Report

Overview
Bryant appeared to be on the threshold of a breakout season in 2007 after a fantastic spring, but he took a leave of absence from the school and missed the entire 2007 season. His absence has been clouded in mystery and I haven’t gotten anyone close to the situation to spill any beans. Let’s hope it wasn’t anything serious and that he’s back to wreak havoc on the Ivy QBs in 2008.

Desmond also performed well at the Harvard Pro Day flashing 11.5" hands and 35.5" arms. He also posted 4.92 and 4.93 heats in the 40-yard dash with a 31" vertical, a 9’10" broad jump, a 4.45 short shuttle, and 7.44 three-cone drill. He repped 225 pounds 35 times on the bench.

Strengths
Physical freak, especially for the Ivy League. Massive, and can be looked at as a coveted 3-4 DE. Very long arms with good ups. Wreaks havoc by batting the ball down at the line of scrimmage. Very strong, and can really bull rush anybody at this level. Also has some moves. Obviously very intelligent. May not need football.

Weaknesses
Has never been tested against elite competition despite the undeniable physical gifts. Should have had better production that he did against such a low level of competition. Does he have motivational issues?

davis let Ryan change to a 3-4 in 06, and Marshalls bread and butter is the 3-4. Marshall has had 5 top 10 d’s as a coordinator. I think Al would let him do his thing.

Emanuel Cook didnt get drafted, but he is a tackling machine. I hope we look at him.

Chase Daniel of Mizzou has signed with the Redskins. I feel bad for the kid….he has the tools, but not the height. If you can’t see over your linemen, you’re in trouble. Hope he gets a real shot though.

Brian Hoyer of Michigan State, featured for much of the day on ESPN, signed a deal with the Patriots. A nice fit there; they may have found the next Matt Cassel, but better.

Buffalo Univ. QB Drew Willy signs with Baltimore.

RB Kory Sheets out of Purder goes across the bay to the 49ers.

RB Tyrell Sutton out of Northwestern signs a THREE YEAR deal with Green Bay. Not bad for an undrafted rookie.

Chicago Bears sign Cal U’s FB Will Taufoou. They need someone to go into the hole ahead of Matt Forte, so smart there.

Finally, the Donkeys sign CB Domonique Johnson out of Jackson State….a good pickup because god knows their secondary is just awful.

And we have this report:

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable said the team likely will not pursue a veteran free-agent wide receiver at this point because be like the current receiving corps he has on the team.

Good.

…that Daniel or Colt Brennan could legitimately push Jason Campbell for starter?

And you have to feel for Kellen Clemens….his camp/pre-season is really just an audition for his next job.

Anyone else a little surprised we didn’t deal Walter? Gradkowski is a perfectly servicable third string….Walter could’ve brought a fourth or fifth rounder to the right team.

David White reports the Raiders signed Kent State WR Shawn Bayes to an UDFA contract.

5’10", 181 pounds, lightning quick WR/KR. Special teams tryout I’m sure.

Chris O’Neill – TE – Boise State
Raiders sign TE Chris O’Neill as an UDFA. 6’3" 250 lbs. Was a backup TE for the Broncos. Grew up in Moraga and going to Miramonte HS (boo! says the Acalanes Don alum!)

Joe Mortensen – LB/FB – Kansas
Raiders are rumored to have signed Kansas LB/FB Joe Mortensen. Mortensen grew up in Concord and went to Clayton Valley, HS (also where Sam Williams went to HS). Pretty productive college career and made 1st Team All Big 12 in 2008.

Good luck guys!

The Raiders have signed Southern Utah WR Nick Miller to a two-year UDFA contract. Miller specialized as a KR/PR for the Thunderbirds.
 

A transfer from Scottsdale CC, Miller (Scottsdale, Ariz.) led the nation (FCS) in all-purpose yards in 2008. He holds the SUU records for single-game, single-season and career kickoff return yards and is second on the SUU single-season and career punt return lists. Last year he returned 49 kickoffs for 993 yards, breaking his own record of 914 yards on 41 returns he set in 2007. He also returned 24 punts a total of 384 yards in 2008 and ended his career with 559 yards on 43 returns. As a receiver, Miller caught 55 passes for 763 yards and three TDs in 2008, following his 2007 season when he caught 35 passes for 433 yards and a score.

[Miller] ran sub-4.3 40-yard dashes at BYU [Pro Day].
"I’m excited, it’s a dream come true for me," Miller said of the Raider offer. "The Raiders love speed, they don’t care about size as much as speed. They like to throw the ball and stretch the field, which is perfect for me since those are my biggest strengths: my speed and my ability to get down the field. "I still have to go try out and make the team, but this is the first step," he added.

David White reports the Raiders have signed two more UDFAs:

Chris Johnson – WR – Tennessee State

Johnson, listed at 6-2 and 180 pounds, was TSU’s leading receiver and punt returner the past two years, according to the Tennessean, which first reported the signing. For his career, Johnson had 127 catches for 2,155 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Jerome Boyd – LB – Oregon

Boyd signed with the Raiders today, according to raiderbeat.com. According to his school bio, Boyd is 6-2, 217 pounds and owner of the fastest 40 time by a Ducks linebacker (4.33) seconds. Injuries are an issue, apparently.

The Raiders have signed UC Davis OG Jonathan Compas to an undrafted free agent contract.

As an alum, all I can say is GO AGGIES!