Good Read on the DHB selection

by Ovale Fan on Apr 27, 2009 7:12 AM PDT Comment 8 comments

ESPN has been tearing the Raiders apart the last few days so I found this article (written by Rich Lieberman) to be both refreshing and entertaining. The validity comes from a scouts perspective which in my mind carries more weight then some x-Bronco like Tom Jackson who clearly can not find objectivity when it comes to the Raiders. I hope you enjoy -

SFGate Link - The Case for Darrius Heyward-Bey

The Case for Darrius Heyward-Bey by Rich Lieberman

Almost every sports entity; ESPN, the NFL blogs, NFL Network, columnists, KNBR naturally, the whole fraternity, continues to rip the Raiders selection of Darrius Heyward-Bey as their #1, (#7 overall) draft pick.

These comments from an ex-NFL scout were sent to me via the wires of SFGate:
I was once long ago a scout, and teams value different things in their players.
I believe the Raiders are not a high volume passing team. They do not substitute short passes for a running game. It is clear they wanted a WR who will demand that teams rotate a safety to his side of the field on most downs.

A vertical threat in short.
If the Raiders were a West Coast offense team Crabtree would have made perfect sense. However the Raiders are not looking for a WR to work intermediate zones; they believe they have that in Miller and in the future, Scheilens.
The pick makes perfect sense to me and is no more of a reach then KC taking Tyson Jackson at #3 because he is exactly what they needed for the "SCHEME" they play on defense.

The comparisons of DHB to Troy Williamson are absurd; he has solid hands. Does he have the best hands of the WRs taken in the first round,?, probably not. Does he have the worst? No, he doesn't by a long shot. His hands are as good as Maclin's.
The routes and catches Maclin was asked to make at Mizzou were incredibly easy. The offense HDB operated in was far more sophisticated and demanding a great deal more from a wideout to be productive. If Bey were asked to catch bubble screens and turn up field his career numbers in college would be equal to Maclin's and Crabtree's.

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Objectivity

A good analysis and puts things in a proper perspective. The Raiders have always been about match-ups and creating mismatches and they will be able to do this with Hey-Bey. When you can open up another side of the field for Miller and McFadden to work underneath, because the safety is pulled over to DHB, then a lot of positive yards can be gained.

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

by TheRaiderWay on Apr 27, 2009 7:29 AM PDT reply actions

Hey raider way...

I can’t remember who it was but were you the person who called me a faggot in the al davis must die post that got deleted. If it wasn’t you then I apologize but if it was you then i wanna know if you got a problem with me.

by kawelu on Apr 27, 2009 12:34 PM PDT reply actions

No that wasn't me

But I did flag your post as inappropriate as calling for anybody’s death for a sporting event is completely uncalled for. I know you were frustrated with how the Raiders draft went but you could express your frustration without calling for the man’s death.

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

by TheRaiderWay on Apr 27, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions

That wasn't my post...

I just posted a comment and gave my opinion. I don’t want davis to die, I know and appreciate what he’s done for the raiders and the NFL. I just want him to step down or at least hire a GM because his decisions are tearing the raider nation apart.

by kawelu on Apr 27, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

damn kawelu

you are getting really really nice now. That fight with Nishal really softened you up

Police Fucking Hate Me, Trying To Relocate Me To LA, But Like The Raiders, I' ma Bring It Back To The Bay! - Nump

by Rayder K on Apr 27, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Man, I was always nice...

It’s just everybody was coming at me like I never had love for the raiders. Don’t get me wrong, Nishal is cool but I’m still weak with davis. If everybody wants me back in hard defense mode, I can do that…haha!

by kawelu on Apr 27, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions