Bad News: Taylor Mays Posts an Impressive 40 Time
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 3, 2010 6:31 PM PST
in Events
84 comments
Yesterday, defensive backs were performing at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Taylor Mays, the safety from USC, was of course among those defensive backs. Out of everyone in the 2010 draft class, Mays is the player that scares me the most. He was nice enough to confirm that yesterday for me. It's not because of his hard-hitting ways or him coming out of a questionable school with multiple alleged infractions. It's because we know the guy is fast and I heard that our owner or general manager or something likes guys that can run really, really fast.
Hit the jump and then vote on the poll.
Looking at the top safeties in the 2010 draft class, Mays is among them; however, if you ask me and a lot of other draft sites, you'll see that Mays is clearly behind Eric Berry of Tennessee and Earl Thomas of Texas. Our Oakland Raiders are picking eighth overall and thankfully don't really sit in ideal position to grab Mays. Unfortunately, that doesn't matter. We weren't sitting at an ideal position last year to draft wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and Al Davis did the "unkthinkable" and took that man out of Maryland instead of Michael Crabtree.
Getting back to the combine, Taylor Mays reportedly ran a 4.43 yesterday. That time was official, but it likely was inaccurate. According to Mike Mayock of the NFL Network, he spoke with six different representatives and they told him that Mays ran a time that was something between 4.31 and 4.35. Yes, folks, that's pretty damn fast. Some reports had him running it even faster than that, believe it or not. Unofficially, Mays had been clocked at a 4.24 or something in between Jacoby Ford's (the wide receiver prospect from Clemson) time of 4.28 and a 4.34.
I have a friend that is a fan of the San Francisco 49ers and he was telling me about Taylor Mays and the controversy surrounding everybody's 40 time yesterday. Teasing me (since December) about Al Davis possibly drafting Taylor Mays eighth overall, I immediately realized he was right. Plus, there were rumors months ago about this very situation unfolding with Mays on the board and the Raiders on the clock. At that time, though, Mays' stock was high as opposed to right now where is projected to go as late as the early part of the second round in some mock drafts.
The bottom line here is this: Taylor Mays is very fast. Al Davis likes players that are very fast. Be afraid, guys, be very afraid.
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just a dreaded possibility
if we get mays, do you think we’ll trade one of our safeties for either picks or certain, key, players? If the situation calls for it, Huff can give us a 3rd rounder, and Branch can give us a 2nd and possibly a 5th or 6th. But of course, we have to include another player in the deal.
"That's not true! That's impossible!"
Please god, no Mays.
Hmmm
Well, I would only be “OK” with drafting Mays as long as its not in the 1st or 2nd. I guess, with that 40 time, Its almost inevitable. Ive even heard rumors of him putting up a 4.19 40. Thats absurd of course but not unheard of. If Huff was just having a nice year by luck. And Mays steps in, or Mitchell. I wouldnt mind
If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?
- Vince Lombardi
I am almost convinced that Peter Griffin is running our team. This is the only team I have seen that has talent but draft players to total counter all the talent. We draft nnamdi after he developed we still haven’t blitz, drafted pass rushing DE to help the pass defense. Howard and Morrison both have potential but we still haven’t hired the coaches to help improve either of them. Then we draft Bush not knowing what he was able to , then he shows us he can run the ball what do we do draft another RB. In 2005 we draft Fabian Washington in instead of Aaron Rodgers when we didn’t have a QB its 2010 and we still don’t have a QB.
The aftermath at the combine
After what Taylor Mays did at the combine am sure Al Davis had visons of Mays in silver and black and now i belive there is a 99.9% chance now that Davis will draft Taylor Mays at the 8th pick I dont belive this will be a bad pick but this is a Al Davis pick ! !
Not going to happen....
Al is going to take Dez Bryant ant # 8, and Mays will fall to the niners.
Anyone else hear about the tendering of Routt? A first and third round pick!!!!!!! THis means he is guaranteed 31/2 mil next year and is returning!!!! Old Al can’t cut ties with his mistakes, AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!
"We can't stop here... This is bat country."
DAMMIT.
Can we PLEASE get people that we actually NEED? RAGE…>_<""
by NFLanalyzerfromhome on Mar 3, 2010 9:35 PM PST up reply actions
49ers
I doubt they take Mays over Thomas.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 3, 2010 9:20 PM PST up reply actions
Yea
but they have 2 top 20 picks, and they need a safety, so I just figured…
"We can't stop here... This is bat country."
Doubtful
Eric Berry may not even get drafted until Seattle takes him with the sixth pick overall. If he is taken before then, the Seahawks may want to start over at quarterback or upgrade at offensive tackle before their next first round pick which is just eight picks later. From there, they can get a safety. Pete Carroll may want to draft his boy Taylor Mays 14th overall. Teams picking after Seattle are Cleveland, Oakland, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Denver and Miami. Cleveland needs Joe Haden, we are passing on Mays in this deliberate situation, Buffalo needs to upgrade that offensive line, Jacksonville will take a defensive lineman or Tim Tebow, Denver will take Rolando McClain or Dez Bryant and the Dolphins have two solid safeties already.
Basically, I don’t see a scenario in which Earl Thomas is drafted before the 13th overall pick. Nobody after the sixth overall pick has a pressing need at safety. At the number six spot specifically, Seattle may need to address the safety spot because their pass defense was bad this past season; however, like I said, Carroll may want to draft his boy Mays 14th overall and focus on another need with the higher pick.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 3, 2010 10:40 PM PST up reply actions
there's been some drafts
where seattle will pick Spiller. They do need a RB, and I wouldn’t be surprised.
Mays isn’t even the best safety in this draft (that being Eric Berry) nor is safety a position of need. Not that any of that matters to Uncle Al, of course.
It'a never about need...
Look at how many DB’s we have drafted over the years. Al loves this position more than any other, and he has been searching for years looking for another man to man corner to compliment Nnamdi. The best man corners are converted safety’s (my opinion, not fact), just like Nnamdi. Al has it in his head that this guy exists, and he will stop at nothing until he finds him. I just don’t think this guy is him. I think Mike Mitchell could be the answer, but time will tell.
I say it in every post, O line PLEASE!!!!!!
"We can't stop here... This is bat country."
Berry ran a 4.62, I believe: That will sink his ship quickly..
It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09
by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Mar 4, 2010 6:39 AM PST up reply actions
Berry
He ran a 4.47 according to his chart.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 4, 2010 4:18 PM PST up reply actions
You are so right - really good writing
Al loves this position more than any other, and he has been searching for years…Al has it in his head that this guy exists, and he will stop at nothing until he finds him…
I really don't see it. Sons. Do you? Not gonna happen. It's all about the official time, too.
Let’s not put controversies on their times now.
Make no mistake: the combine should not be the bigger measure of anything on these guys. It should instead either help to validate or make us question prior conceptions we might’ve made based on watching these guys play.
Eric Berry is the better safety, we’re strong at the position, and we would more likely take Haden, who is plenty fast himself, if he were there, and if he isn’t, there are a lot of other talented corners.
I still believe we’ll take a lineman with the first pick. I predicted we’d take Gallery when we did back then, and I’m not often right, so I don’t make predicitions, but I’m having the same feeling. I don’t yet know who the lineman will be, but I believe I’ll have a pretty solid idea by draft Thursday (stoked about that, btw.) I’m gonna make it a four day weekend!
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
My replay to kwester 421 was anything but controversial - I wish it were otherwise
If you’re accepting Al’s criteria for bringing players in then those opposed to it will seem controversial. Some are stressing the combine’s significance along with Al if I were among them it wouldn’t be dreading the train wreck approaching..
by Sons-of-Blanda on Mar 4, 2010 7:19 AM PST up reply actions
Bill Williamson has us possibly taking Tebow, with our second pick
I fucking hate Bill Williamson, and the whole BSPN network. Excuse my French.
He’s such a douchebag. You’d think he was a guy who covered another division with the nonsense he writes. Watch him be right about this one, at which point I’ll be killing my television.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Tebow
Shoot, I’m not doubting that pick at all. I could definitely see it happening.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 4, 2010 6:13 AM PST up reply actions
Could you imagine Tim Tebow and JaMarcus Russell in the same Camp:
It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09
by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Mar 4, 2010 6:40 AM PST up reply actions
Wow
You could have one guy who works his ass off, one guy who does nothing and they both may not make it at the quarterback position in the NFL.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 4, 2010 6:43 AM PST up reply actions
I agree. No more questionable guys. Let's take a qb with a great floor, not a high ceiling, for a change.
And with a late round pick. Spirals has an interesting point about Al’s penchant for needy guys.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Tebow Vs. JaMarcus
They should make the box or something.
If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?
- Vince Lombardi
TEBOW +1
Dude, I called it last week. He is gonna take Tebow. Watch him trade our 8 for a later 1st and a earlier second. picks pierre-paul and Tebow. i know it in the gut. Al’s not gonna come out and say he made a mistake with Russell, he’ll quietly do what he wants like a chess player. I am calling it again “Tebow to Da Raidahs to Da Superbowl”
by VaderBDCRaider on Mar 4, 2010 1:28 PM PST up reply actions
Al rarely, if
ever admits a mistake, and this ones a doozy. Tim Tebow is a born leader, I’m just not sure if he’s a pro QB. I say, dump JaDumass, go with Grads and Draft O line and MLB and if we could pull Toby Gerhart out of this draft somehow, dump Fargas too
Gerhart
We really need him because we don’t have Michael Bush or Darren McFadden.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 4, 2010 5:16 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think Al will take Tebow
I have a nagging suspicion that Al likes to see himself as social worker, helping those he thinks are in need… Tebow is not “disenfranchised and alienated” enough.
by Spirals galore on Mar 4, 2010 8:31 AM PST up reply actions
after the poor workmanship russell showed?
i think Al takes Tebow. hard worker, fast, big, strong, new gunnz, new throwing motion, and i did see a few plays over the last few years where he bombed that shit to cooper, harvin and murphy… he can chuck it. maybe the new throwing motion improves the accuracy, gotta be better the Ja-DEEPFRIEDTWINKIE Russell…
by VaderBDCRaider on Mar 4, 2010 1:36 PM PST up reply actions
Wait--are you saying
that Al will fire JR and hire Tebow instead, or that Al will hire Tebow in addition to JR and Grad (and whoever else)?
by Spirals galore on Mar 4, 2010 1:56 PM PST up reply actions
If the first possibility is what you have in mind,
I don’t see it happening.
by Spirals galore on Mar 4, 2010 2:15 PM PST up reply actions
Let calmer heads prevail
I dont think Tebow is gonna be picked in the 2nd by us because I think Al still has his dream of JaBlowsALot becoming the stud he was projected to be throwing missles80yds downtown.
Win at all costs! Winning ugly is still winning! Remember the past and what got us to the top before. Jim Plunkett and winning ugly......enough said!
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Mar 4, 2010 10:19 AM PST up reply actions
I agree. It's why I scratch my head with Bill Williamsons's bs. It seems he just bites on the most sensational of newsbites
and gears the story towards our division. And I think you’re right about JR.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
i would love tebow over russell.
he atleast wants to succeed and works hard…. ethics cant be beat…. Didnt Sam Wyche groom boomer esiason at cinci… he was a lefty, right? He states Tebow is the real deal…. Maybe he is gettin paid…….
by VaderBDCRaider on Mar 4, 2010 1:38 PM PST up reply actions
imo
Tebow is a prototype. He has the running at the position, but I don’t think he can make it.
1) I heard, key word Heard, that the florida team isn’t god a getting QBs ready for the nfl. Plus their scheme is TOTALLY different than ours.
2) Speaking of which, I can see Tebow make throws like Jake Delhome. Only when he throws it on the run. He’ll throw a lot of INTs in the nfl, because the guys in the nfl are more athletic and can be very unpredictable to a QB like Tebow.
He is smart, and dedicated, but his style is very tough to play when in the nfl. If we will draft him, we have to change our entire Offensive scheme to accompany Tebow’s skills(ie. 3 wr sets, qb draws, and certain changes in the wrs routes), and eliminate the scheme of us as a running team, with the talented Bush.
But I would have him over russel.
Am not shocked !!!
I said this before The old man will never change his ways on drafting ! I belived that Davis always had his eye on Mays even before the combine but now after what Taylor Mays did at the combine ….It might just be a wrap on Al Davis drafting Taylor Mays . I dont this its a bad move i think Mays can help the defense if they use him the right way but I also know that the team needs to adress other needs but this is Al Davis we are talking about
ESPN: Warren, Fargas could be cut = speculation, they wanna draw raider fans to their site, hence, they make up a good rumor/scenario.
The RaiderLaker
No surprise
Sensationalization always grabs attention every network blows up stuff without backing up sources to get attention and ratings.
Win at all costs! Winning ugly is still winning! Remember the past and what got us to the top before. Jim Plunkett and winning ugly......enough said!
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Mar 4, 2010 10:59 AM PST up reply actions
ESPN
I happen to think they do a particularly great job with college basketball, at least.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 4, 2010 11:47 AM PST up reply actions
Ok
But pro sports and college sports differ greatly when it comes to player personnel and speculation due to the FA and agents and blah blah fucking blah. In college they are hindered from moving from team to team and holdouts and ridiculous demands in contracts etc etc.
Win at all costs! Winning ugly is still winning! Remember the past and what got us to the top before. Jim Plunkett and winning ugly......enough said!
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Mar 4, 2010 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
Al is not going to draft Mays!
Sure he loves speed and impressive combines, but—as you said R—Mays combine time is much slower than his reported time
And here is the more important reason and the reason Mays will not be drafted: Al loves to prove himself right and he can’t do that if he drafts Mays. He already has three of his guys at safety! You know Al is just itching to have Mitchell prove himself and love Branch and Huff’s success last year.
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
Reported 40 Times
[…] but—as you said R—Mays combine time is much slower than his reported time
The reported time was slow for everyone, so the reported time may be inaccurate. Several people contacted Mike Mayock and Todd McShay — who both don’t work for the same network — and said that the 40 times for defensive backs seemed slow and that Mays ran something between a 4.24 and 4.35 depending on what person clocked what with their stopwatch.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 4, 2010 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
Isn't that typically the case w/ combine times?
Either way, I think Al’s desire to prove himself right w/ the safeties he currently has will Trump any desire he has to draft Mays.
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
look for the trade of huff.
Fargas is gone, too old, brokendown, fumbles alot, hurt alot. YES HE IS A DIE HARD RAIDER, but that doesnt mean too much nowadays… ROUTT? look at his tender, he blows, completely illogical. thats why huffs traded, 8th picks traded for later 1st round pick and a second rounder… cant wait to see the illogical machinations of demented Al… lmao
by VaderBDCRaider on Mar 4, 2010 1:33 PM PST up reply actions
A Tiebow lover must now lie
Fargas is gone, too old, brokendown, fumbles alot…"
Justin had 1 fumble all season – 129 carries.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Mar 4, 2010 9:25 PM PST up reply actions
Exactly.
I have a question to some of you.
Why do you all hate on Fargas For???
>_<"
by NFLanalyzerfromhome on Mar 4, 2010 9:33 PM PST up reply actions
Not alot of people do
Fargas is a True Raider. Runs hard and does what ever he can to win
If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?
- Vince Lombardi
Who knows what Al Davis will do !!!
Nobody knows what Al Davis is going to do he just might draft Taylor Mays and if he does its not like nobody didnt see this coming ! Am ok if Al Davis drafts Taylor Mays i know The Raiders have other needs to address but if they get Mays then we just have to deal with it i dont think hes that bad he did pretty good at USC he is fast and a powerhouse I dont think we can call him a bust or anything cause nobody knows that yet but on the filp side of this he might be good he might be the real deal ……See what happends on draft day
most of his power comes from his momentum
and if he only uses his power to take down tacklers, then he’ll have a lot of trouble with speedy and quick RBs, and play actions in the nfl.
Ha
It’s cute that you think what Tom thinks matters to Al.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 4, 2010 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
It's becoming a curse for Cable to like you - he like Fargas
by Sons-of-Blanda on Mar 4, 2010 12:57 PM PST up reply actions
What did I say?
Don’t Blame Cable….yet.
by NFLanalyzerfromhome on Mar 4, 2010 7:34 PM PST up reply actions
Actually
If you watch this freak run down the track he looks like Forrest Gump in his maniac mechanics. Thats a lot of wasted energy and not a lot of focus, if you watch some of the others they have purpose and focus in their 40s.
Win at all costs! Winning ugly is still winning! Remember the past and what got us to the top before. Jim Plunkett and winning ugly......enough said!
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Mar 4, 2010 2:24 PM PST reply actions
I'm still trying to stomach the fact we're paying $3 to keep Routt another year
The tender thing doesn’t mean much since you know no GM is going to give that a second glance. Hopefully this means he’s passing on Mays. Also with a 3rd Rd tender it looks like Morrison is most-likely gone. I am happy they at least gave Grad a 2nd rd tender though so most likely he’s coming back since no one else I can think of is going to give a chance to compete for the starting job.
Taylor Mays
may be fast, but he takes angles like he’s channeling Stuart Schweigert and tackles like Dion Sanders, ie not very well and with no pop. Besides Al has another 40 time to think about in Bruce Campbell. At least that’s a position of need a;so Trent Williams was almost as fast and is more polished as a left tackle. I was all for taking Rolando Mc Clain with the first pick but I think that we should go O line then pick up that Angerer kid, talk about a born Raider!!!
DOES EVERYBODY FORGET TAYLOR MAYS PLAYED HURT ALMOST THE WHOLE SEASON. I BELIEVE IT WAS THE WASHINGTON GAME THAT HE HURT HIS KNEE AND WAS NEVER 100% THE REST OF THE SEASON. IF IT WASNT FOR THAT AND HAVING I THINK NINE NEW STARTERS ON USC"S DEFENSE HE WOULD HAVE HAD ANOTHER OUTSTANDING YEAR. I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT MOVE IF THE RAIDERS GET MAYS BUT I DO AGREE THAT THE NATION NEEDS TO GET BETTER ON THE OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE LINE.
WRITING IN ALL CAPS IS REALLY ANNOYING
Just FYI, And Taylor did have some obstacles this year. SC did lose alot of players, Including all 3 of their LB’s who all went on to suceed in the NFL. But, Taylor is not even close to being worthable of a 1st Rd pick. Maybe not even a 2nd. Oakland does not need a Saftey at all. That is one of the only positions NOT needed in Oakland.
If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?
- Vince Lombardi
Thank You.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
I think Raider-Ed was frantically trying to convince us that we should go Mays all the way to the draft......NO, OT baby.
We need to address other needs Raider-Ed, OT is most important if Mays does grow to be a Pro Bowler good for him but we dont need him….The OT we take if we take one Will be a Pro Bowler
The RaiderLaker
It def comes off as frantic, does it not?
and difficult to read, to. He needed only read back a day or so and realize we’re all pretty much in agreement on the OT thing. It appears it may be the smartest pick at 8 the way things are projected to currently go, but then there’s how we’ll probably pick, which can appear anything but smartest at the time.
I wouldn’t hate Haden if he fell, especially if it somehow works out that Al has something up his sleeve by tendering Routt. I just can’t imagine what team could want him? There are enough solid tackles to get a potential difference maker in the second, or even third, but I’d still prefer it was Okung or Davis at 8.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
What if Al Davis wants Taylor Mays
Well with Pete Carroll that has 2 picks and Al Davis with his 8th pick Taylor Mays wont see the 2nd round and as for The Raiders safeties Branch did good Huff did alright for once but how long did it take for that to happend and will Huff have another good year in 2010 ( I wouldnt bet my season tickets on it ) plus he has one year left on his contract and Mitchell well he didnt exactly set the world on fire but I rather have Taylor Mays then Mike Mitchell . Now Al Davis loves safeties and conorbacks and what Taylor Mays did at the combine and what he did at USC am sure it gave the old man visions of Mays in silver and black . I hope it wont be a complet shock to people when or if it happends if Davis wants Tayor Mays he going to get him …..
No one said it would be a shock
What everyone has been saying is that there is no need to draft another safety that high. After watching Al pass on actual football players in favor of drafting DHB last year we’re all well aware of the fact that Al drafts whoever the hell he wants to, regardless of whether or not that player is actually any good at football. Thanks for the history lesson.
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