The Best Player Available

by raiderfan21 on Apr 8, 2011 4:27 PM PDT

I've noticed that the nation has our needs marked in order of;

C/G

OLB

I disagree with that. I do agree that they are all needs, but besides FS they are all equal, and that's only if Huff leaves then FS is just important. There's a bit of a wildcard with the Raiders needs. Almost every need we have we have someone who has done decent or better when they got in or someone who can switch to that position.

C/G-Bruce Campbell

OLB-Trevor Scott, Quinten Groves, Travis Goethel

CB- Jeremy Ware, Stevie Brown

RT-Bruce Campbell

S- Branch, Stevie Brown, Mitchell

Offensive Line looks like it needs the most work but I am having problems seeing guys who we can get our first pick and start now. Trust in Al to find a gem in the sand with late picks. None of us had Houston on our board but it was a nice pick. Veldheer was a guy we kind of talked about but didn't think we'd get.Bruce Campbell we were praying we would not get him because we all thought we were gonna get him early in the 1st, the experts had him going either to us early or late 1st early 2nd and we snagged him in the 4th. Jacoby we thought he was coming in the 2nd and there was no way because we just drafted a useless speedster in the draft before and what happens? We get him in the fifth and in my opinion the most explosive player to come out that year.

Ok guys here's the cold hard fact. We picked the best guy available almost every pick last here. Cable said it was either gonna be Suh, McCoy, I think Haden or McClain. If Suh would have dropped to us Kelly would have been traded instead of Morrison. We got McClain who was the best guy available in Al's eyes.

If you don't think that's how we draft or try to draft then why is Kaepernick visiting with us. If Al thought Campbell was the future we would be looking at QBs but Kaepernick is one hell of an athlete who could possibly be our future.

If Kaepernick were to fall to us which isn't likely because he has to pass al the QB needed teams twice before he gets to us once, we should consider taking him.

The way I see it is Wiz from Penn State won't be there and niether will Pouncy. The good 1st to 2nd round OLBs and CBs will be gone. No safetys worthy. It comes down to RT maybe Corner. I personally want Buster he will be there later. RT is left and I want Derek Sherrod, if he were to fall that's our pick but if he doesn't then do we make a big reach for a guy? We took a reach for Mike Mitchell in the 2nd. Was safety our greatest need? No. Are we happy with Mitchell's improvement? Yes.

Get ready boys because at the end of the month we will finally have some new news with the Raiders. Love the nation.

Poll

Would you be happy with Kaepernick in the 2nd?

Yes.

42 votes

No.

38 votes

80 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Not sure we have needs as such, but have come to a consensus based on likelihood of BPA/need, and being on the board

OT is greatest need, then OLB, and Scott does nothing to remedy our lack of real lb to play. They’re all better than average edge rushers, but suck agInst the run and in coverage. McClain is the only real lb. Only Al knows who he’s looking at in FA.

agree about BPA, and last year, and voted yes on Kaepernick, but think of his ten workouts he’s getting, he sneaks into the first, and out of our reach.

Safety needs shaking up, and I believe Huff talked himself off our squad.

"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."--John Madden

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson

by brhynno on Apr 8, 2011 4:40 PM PDT reply actions

I actually agree with almost everything you comment on

Guard is now higher on the list with the vacancies. Kaepernick like you said will go earlier then us, not getting past niners second pick. Safety is very interesting to me; What will happen?
I would love to switch Branch to free and rotate mitchell/jarrett at strong starting the season. I hope Al has a doozy in store for us either way

by DarknBlack on Apr 8, 2011 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes, a good doozy, please...

"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."--John Madden

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson

by brhynno on Apr 8, 2011 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Jarret is actually listed as a FS

so how about Jarret at FS, and Mitchell at SS? yes? no? absolutely?

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 8, 2011 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions

That move and the additions of Casey Matthews and Herzlich would put us in the top 25% of Defenses ...

if teams can’t move the ball on us then Punkin’s magic “24” is more than enough points to win

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I did the (2010) draft. ... I made a trade for Seymour. Gave up the first-rounder this year. I could tell you why. You may not think it was a good trade. I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/1911]

by Sons-of-Blanda on Apr 9, 2011 6:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Then do what with Branch?

I think we are good with the safety position if huff stays or goes. Mitchell should get a chance to be a full on starter. If it doesn’t work out have him gain 20LBs and theres our WOLB.

by raiderfan21 on Apr 9, 2011 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I've considered that idea for Mitchell; problem is, he already struggles shedding blocks

by Sons-of-Blanda on Apr 9, 2011 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions

use him in 3 safety packages.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 9, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Then we don't have to worry about getting another LB.

by raiderfan21 on Apr 9, 2011 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions

what do you mean?

we’ll still be using 3 LBs out there when we use sub packages.

Ie. 3 DL, 3 LB, 3 S, 2 CBs. or we could go with 2 DL, and 4 LBs.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 9, 2011 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Herzlich is too slow for AD

we both know that. Maybe as a 7th rd pick but AD will not covet him.

by raiders4liffe on Apr 10, 2011 2:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I dont think so. Remember, we got veldheer before we got Campbell as well.

If AD likes his intensity, his leadership, his playmaking ability, I believe he can overlook that 40 time.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 10, 2011 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Veldheer

was also a workout warrior

by RyanTheRaider on Apr 10, 2011 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions

so is Herzlich.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 12, 2011 5:45 AM PDT up reply actions

yes he is

except for the 40 yd dash,Broad jump,3 cone drill,20 yd shuttle,and 60yd shuttle.He did do great in the Bench press, and vertical jump though.

by RyanTheRaider on Apr 12, 2011 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

And what Im saying is

is that

If AD likes his intensity, his leadership, his playmaking ability, I believe he can overlook that 40 time.

He is all of that. He has intensity, he has leadership, he has great play making ability.

Also, Brandon Spikes was a 2nd rounder, but was overlooked by team because of his 40 time. he ended up playing well above his 40 time when on the field. I would expect Herzlich to be the same, because he out ran most people when he intercepted the ball, so no way in hell is he that slow.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 12, 2011 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

im not saying hes not good

and we shouldnt get him, im just saying hes not a workout warrior, and that AL will likely not get him because of that, unless Biekert can convince him.

by RyanTheRaider on Apr 12, 2011 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions

hes not a workout warrior

are you serious? He is very much so a workout warrior! The guy is the most respected of his teammates because of his dedication to his play, and improving. Hell, the year he had after the surgery and everything, he was still a high level athlete, and not many people can do what he did. In fact it is very hard.

To say that he is not a workout warrior is completely asinine.

Now… unless you mean that he didnt put up the godly combine numbers… than sure. But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t dedicate himself to the film room, and improve his play.

I believe that Al can look over his combine numbers. He truly plays a lot faster than what he posted up. Will al look at him? Who knows, but I believe he can overlook the combine numbers, and fall in love with his intensity and leadership.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 12, 2011 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions

yes

a workout warrior is a player who does great at the combine, thats all i mean by workout warrior.He is not that.

by RyanTheRaider on Apr 12, 2011 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

and in that case, this still stands:

But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t dedicate himself to the film room, and improve his play.

I believe that Al can look over his combine numbers. He truly plays a lot faster than what he posted up. Will al look at him? Who knows, but I believe he can overlook the combine numbers, and fall in love with his intensity and leadership.

I just think Al can overlook the combine numbers, and see his intensity and leadership, etc. You dont think that, so really, there is nothing I can say to change your mind.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 12, 2011 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions

im not saying AL

cant or wont, but for us to get him, the coaching staff, mainly Biekert is gonna have to convince him that his speed wont affect his play.

by RyanTheRaider on Apr 12, 2011 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

All drafts usually take more than one person anyways.

So I would assume that all draft picks, biekert and the coaching staff have some say.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 12, 2011 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

im optimistic

that that will happen more now, with more ex raiders as coaches and last years draft

by RyanTheRaider on Apr 12, 2011 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions

the question

isn’t if Herzlich is a great guy with leadership capabilities, it’s simply, will AD overlook his speed and pick him. I doubt that AD will pick before the 5th if at all. In theory, he won’t be available in the 5th.

by raiders4liffe on Apr 13, 2011 6:47 AM PDT up reply actions

I think he can overlook his COMBINE numbers.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 13, 2011 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions

we still have Loper

and Campbell, who are most likely gonna be starters,we have no RT

by RyanTheRaider on Apr 9, 2011 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I was kind of hoping Campbell switches to right tackle.

Keep Walker to play RG this year.

by raiderfan21 on Apr 9, 2011 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions

im hoping that too

but i dont know if it will happen

by RyanTheRaider on Apr 9, 2011 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions

It depends on who stays, who improves and how much Jason improves (which no one knows)

I believe Kaepernick will do well in the league and if we took him in the 2nd round it would help us – long term but not immediately. Can Loper fill Gallery’s sweaty smelly shoes? Another uncertainty. Is Nnamdi staying? As Brhynno said, we don’t have a true OLB … just a pass rusher in Wimbley and a marginal LB in Groves. As for Bruce Campbell, he’ll get his shot at Guard but with no more than a few snaps in the pros (and all in one game, Denver) who knows how that will turn out. Also, because our new coaches (Biekert, Wisniewsky, Saunders, Woodson, Breastinhand) haven’t had the opportunity to work with their assigned players, they have film, at most, to evaluate them. This being the case, Hue’s judgment and discernment are more critical than ever, as he is working virtually alone with Al and Al’s scouts to both determine our needs and evaluate what we have and who’s out there.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Apr 8, 2011 6:50 PM PDT reply actions

I am confident in Al and Hue to take our team in the right direction. They seem like a good team to me at least

by DarknBlack on Apr 8, 2011 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

This a good point(the new coaches have not seen players practice outside of Hue and Biekert)

I just hope Rod Woodsons’ work ethic rubs off on the rest of the staff

by DarknBlack on Apr 8, 2011 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting point. I can see that working in our favor

"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."--John Madden

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson

by brhynno on Apr 8, 2011 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions

At this point

Seeing as we are so close to pushing a winning record, I just dont see any positives of drafting a developmental QB. We need immediate starters to fill voids on our OLINE in our linebackers and spots of our secondary could be affected depending on huff and aso. I think we should bring in a veteran QB to sit behind Cambell just incase. Other than that i dont see any point in drafting a QB with essentially our first round pick. We gotta grab someone that can start at OLINE. Period, we get nowhere with our line as it is. Espically with epic failure mountain mikes pizza spokesperson Robert Gallery abandoning our line.

If Ryan Mallet is there in the third round id be super happy with him. Dunno how recent mocks look but last I checked he was doing everything in his power to fall. 4th we go with an OLB or FS/CB. Would be awesome if we could somehow acquire a few more draft picks in the mid rounds 3-5. Stock up on some sleepers and see where this Raider team gets us.

Sacramento Kings, Oakland Raiders. Best teams everrrrrrr

by Robby1987 on Apr 8, 2011 10:10 PM PDT reply actions

Mallet would be yet another QB in a long list of Raider draft failures. If we're going to break the Snakebit curse (haven't

drafted a good QB since Kenny) then let’s get the odds on our side with a Sam Bradford, Colin Kaepernick or Andrew Luck calibre … as flawless as possible.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Apr 9, 2011 6:44 AM PDT up reply actions

I would be happy with Mallet if he was to drop to the 4th for us.

That would mean he would only be challenging for #2 on the depth chart. I can live with that instead of him at #48 overall.

Trust No One
Studies show stress can kill you, but don't worry about it.

by TAW on Apr 9, 2011 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Last year's Bruce Campbell...

"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."--John Madden

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson

by brhynno on Apr 9, 2011 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Kaepernick

but believe that RT is a more glaring need, and to that end I hope we draft Marcus Cannon from TCU at #48. If we did end up with Colin, I wouldn’t be broken hearted, but i would be disappointed. Teams bring guys in all the time and don’t draft them.
O-line is the biggest need and I’d like to see us draft at least two O-linemen. Cannon- Kirkpatrick or Wiz-Moffitt or some combination there of.

JUST DOMINATE BABY !!!

by rambis64 on Apr 10, 2011 10:23 AM PDT reply actions