DLD 06/29/09: The Defensive Ends

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 29, 2009 12:57 AM PDT Comment 9 comments

The 2009 rookie class has a whole lot to prove. [via www.raiders.com]

The focus is on Matt Shaughnessy and the rest of the defensive ends for today's edition of the DLD. He was a third round pick in the 2009 draft. Paul Wexler had this to say about Shaughnessy:

He is a coach’s dream, tough as they come, he played through both physical and emotional pain in his college career at Wisconsin. Shaughnessy tore his ACL and lost his brother without missing much playing time. Athletic, Shaughnessy lettered in both basketball and track in high school. Finally, Shaughnessy has a legendary work ethic, he will never be out worked on the field or the weight room.

Certainly, the Raiders will be looking for more production out of their defensive ends and have addressed that position this off-season with only the drafting of Shaughnessy, but also the signing of Greg Ellis. Assuming Derrick Burgess is on the roster when the season begins, there is a five-man rotation at the end spots. Everyone should be more healthy and more ready to compete as fatigue will play less of a role and efficiency increases.

Really? That's the guy you wanted to piss off? Thanks. [via www.everyjoe.com]

Here are some quick-hitting links:

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman is motivated by an Internet list that ranked him as the 12th best in the NFL at his position.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is preparing to evaluate the future of suspended quarterback Michael Vick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik says that the team isn't currently interested in free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

Guess who finally hit a home run against a team other than the Oakland A's? [via a.espncdn.com]

BAY AREA BOX SCORE®: June 28, 2009

MLB: Colorado Rockies 3, Oakland Athletics 1 (Final)
Oakland Athletics: 31-43; 4th in American League West, 10.5 GB
Ryan Sweeney: 3-4, RBI
Vin Mazzaro (L, 2-3): 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 8 K

MLB: San Francisco Giants 7, Milwaukee Brewers 0 (Final)
San Francisco Giants: 40-34; 2nd in National League West, 7 GB
Nate Schierholtz: 4-5, HR, RBI, 2 R
Ryan Sadowski (W, 1-0): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

Poll

Do you like graham crackers?

Yes

14 votes

No

4 votes

Graham crackers? Don't talk about -- graham crackers? You kiddin' me? Graham crackers?

14 votes

32 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 9 comments

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ASOMUGHA SPEAKS

Also from RaiderBeat.com, a great and candid interview with Nnamdi.

In an excerpt from the Q&A, Nnamdi is asked which Raider will have a breakout year, interesting as he believes it will be Huff:

Q: Who do think will have a breakout year for the Raiders this year?
A: On offense, I would say one of our RBs — one of the trio we have — will have a breakout year. I think we’re going to have a strong year running the ball, and the guy who gets the majority of carries could have a big year. On defense, so far in camps this offseason Michael Huff has really been having a great offseason thus far. I know it’s a critical year for him, and I can see him making a jump.

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

by TheRaiderWay on Jun 29, 2009 1:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That's what I want to see too

Either DMF or him and Bush combined do for the Raiders what Adrian Peterson does for the Vikes.

by rightnasty on Jun 29, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huff

Whoa! It sounds good to me. Huff starting still sounds good. But from what I heard, Tyvon is enforcing pain and making plays during camp also. Who knows, we might have a rotation with all the safeties because we have four good ones. Huff, Eugene (He can hit), Mitchell, and Branch. Still, my fav is Branch because with that speed, he has tremendous range and now he is becoming an enforcer. Sean Taylor 2.0.

R.I.P - Michael Jackson

by Rayder K on Jun 29, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs