and fragile stature, especially lately, may play a role in his selection of well-formed, tall players. It’s like a small-chested woman buying twelve push-up bras, hoping that at least three will fit perfectly.

The Raiders could have grabbed Chris Johnson in the 2008 draft.

And for once, I think Al Davis’ infatuation with 40 times would have been justified.

if he were handsome the women would not file those, it would be a privelage to do it for example if a woman got lucky wit Tom Brady I bet she would not file a lawsuit

Hooded Skull – you crack me up. A fine sense of humor, yours.

So, is Al enticed by masculine physiques almost as much as he is by speed? Does that factor weigh into his criteria when choosing who he’ll dress in Silver & Black?

Yes, according to this:

Davis has always been enamored of the oversized player, the disruptive guy with the potential to wreak havoc. The 6’8" Matuszak; 6’9" Charles Philyaw; 6’7" Ted Hendricks, the tallest linebacker in history; 7-foot defensive tackle Richard Sligh, the tallest anything—they all have worn the silver and black.

bey wasnt projected any earlier then the third round?? u my friend are a retard, a lot of “experts” had him late first to third, anywhere inbetween.

we won’t win until we start building a team. We are missing too many key things. First Al Davis is the owner, GM, Head Coach, and everything but a player on the team. Once he allow his coaches to coach, Hire a GM, stop over paying players just because they have been on the team 3-4 years. I am just saying if I was paying Nnamdi he would always be one the #1 wr and the defense would be built around him.

I just think he lacks common sense. All QBs he drafts are the same, they are in the old 80’s mold of tall guys with strong arms who may as well be statues cuz they can’t avoid sacks to save their lives. His WR’s & CB’s are also based on 40 times. His kickers & it doesn’t matter its the same if they’re FG kickers or punters; its always the guy with the biggest leg. Sometimes he gets lucky but most of the time such as recent history he doesn’t. Again why he needs a Bruce Allen or a Ron Wolf type to have control to help but he just loves making everything about him. Its his ego & his hard-on for strong arms, strong legs, & fast guys.

I think Al wants to draft for a particular style of play. Vertical offense, base 4-3 man to man, no blitz defense. On offense you need strong armed qb’s (but who also have touch and are accurate), every down backs, big (but also strong and well conditioned) ol’s, fast receivers (but who can also run routes and can catch). On defense you need run stuffers at DT and ILB, good pass rushers at DE, good cover LB’s at OLB, good coverage guys at CB (who are also good one on one tacklers), and sure tacklers at the safety position.

Nothing wrong with all this, however it does seem Al gets distracted by physical stats or specimens and fails to evaluate how a player’s entire skillset will fit on his team.

If you are going to write an article about something why not know just a little about what you write. To claim that the so called experts had DHB slotted no sooner than the 3rd round is way off base. Most had DHB to be taken mid to late in the first round.

Al Davis and the Raiders have always been a size, speed team and that has always been a part of them picking up players. Other size, speed teams are the Giants, Cowboys and others.

I remember reading your stuff early in Nnamdi’s first few years as he was being developed by the Raiders, I see you now have him walking on water.

With regards to your claim that the picks are all very well built good looking men. I would sugjest that is your observation and it does get one to thinking. I do not think I ever gave another man such a long hard look, but to each his own lol.