Raider Rookie Joe Barksdale Needs to Focus on Making the Team, Not Starting

by Rich Langford on Jun 7, 2011 6:30 AM PDT

Oakland Raider rookie Joe Barksdale was recently the subject of an article by Tom Markowski of the Detroit Free Press. One of the quotes that has been picked and republished by Raider oriented sites is "I expect to start right away." That is all well and good, but it doesn't tell us much. What else is he going to say?

Barksdale is used to starting, the Raiders do not have a right tackle under contract, and I wouldn't want a rookie coming in expecting anything less.

There is more to be gleaned from his other quotes. For starters, Barksdale seems like a good down to earth person. Barksdale:

I don't spend a lot of money. I never had a lot of money. Maybe five dollars in my pocket and that's it. You give someone who never had candy before some fat-free twizzlers and they're good.

I don't drink. I don't smoke. I need money for gas to see my girlfriend (in East Lansing). My hobbies are simple. I have an IPOD, a MacBook. The MacBook is starting to run my life. And I listen to music and play video games.

Jump over for what this means for his starting chaces....

He seems to have a good attitude on the lockout:

Nobody knows when it will end. All you can do is stay in shape. I take care of what I have control of. It's like the motto at my fraternity: "Do thy duty that is best and leave unto the Lord the rest."

All of these are admirable qualities. He seems like a guy that would make an excellent neighbor, and someone who would make a parent proud. However, Barksdale comes to the Raiders with questions of consistency in intensity, and some scouts said he seems to have a sense of entitlement. Barksdale displays those qualities in this seemingly innocent quote:

I do love football. I know it will be hard when it's over. When I'm done, I'll coach and take that money they give me to coach to charity. If you play 12 years, you won't need more money. I won't want to work a normal job when I'm done. No 9-to-5 for me. I'm going to ride this train until the tracks run out.

It's great that he loves football, but he is getting a little ahead of himself. Barksdale hasn't played a down of NFL football. He is going to have to bust his ass if he wants to make a life long career out of football. Barksdale needs to focus on making the team first. There are no guarantees in this league. If he approaches his NFL career like he is already good enough than I doubt he is willing to work with the intensity needed to start as a rookie in the NFL.

If he is going to start from day one in the NFL he is going to have to be hungry. He is going to have to train and practice as if every second his NFL career depends on it. Jump over for more....

These quotes are from giant red flags. It's not like he said he was too busy pounding purple drank to think about football, but it does show me what scouts were talking about when it comes to his complacency.

The good news is that when this lockout ends Barksdale is going to get an immediate crash course in the work it will take to make it in the NFL. He is going to spend a lot of practice time going head-to-head with Lamarr Houston. Houston has a knack for raising the intensity level of those around him. Last year, it seemed like Houston was getting into a daily fights with offensive linemen during training camp.

In the end, I hope that he can start from day one. He has the big time college experience that should make for a smaller transition time. However, I think it is going to take a at least part of his rookie season before Barksdale has a feel for the intensity it takes to play in the NFL. He seems like the kind of guy that will need to have someone light that fire.

This is part of the reason why I have been so adamant that the Raiders need to sign a right tackle with experience. They need the insurance policy to Barksdale learning curve.

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Comments

WHAT WRONG WITH A GUY SAYING HE WANTS TO START…WHAT THE HECK HE SPOSE TO SAY HE WANT TO JUST WANT TO MAKE THE TEAM THEN U WOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THAT…I LIKE HIS ATTITUDE..AND I HOPE EVERY ROOKIE WE DRAFTED HAS THE SAME .

by Calvin Conners on Jun 7, 2011 9:23 AM PDT reply actions

You've made 2 comments on this blog since joining and have done it both times, so I feel justified doing this:

Just poking some fun :) Welcome to Silver and Black Pride Calvin. (Oh, and the caps lock is on the left)

Moving away from the style of your post to the content, I agree that Barksdale should be coming in with the mentality that he’s going to start. And as we’ve all said previously, if he doesn’t have his head 100% into it at first Lamarr Houston will give him a huge wake up call.

"When we play tough, and we play physical, and when we play the way we're supposed to play, can't nobody beat us." - Richard "SeaMonster" Seymour

by LiveAdam on Jun 7, 2011 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Or my favorite, Kanye “All Caps” West.

Death is coming for everyone, and that makes living fun.

by bojackson34 on Jun 7, 2011 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, his first focus needs to be on making the team and competing

about giving himself the mental edge it takes to succeed against the best athletes in the world. Obviously he could have said a worse things. He just radiates complacency.

This is such a happening tailpipe of a party. Like sugar, the guests are so refined.

by Rich Langford on Jun 7, 2011 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions

The article is a non-event,

head screwed on straight, coming from family who believe in education, stayed loyal with his coaching crew since high school freshmen year, started for since sophmore year in top program, wants to play and presumably start for 12 years, worries about what he can control, nothing else. He’s on paper a high character player. We actually want all our rookies to want to start, all of them. It’s the right mind set to be accountable, on point, and willing to step up. The reality is something that we’ll deal with during training camp and during the year.

by raiders4liffe on Jun 7, 2011 9:36 AM PDT reply actions

True, but I'd too would like to see a little more fire from Joe

and a little less of the “it’s my job already” attitude. I believe Hue will get that fire from him. This kid has all the tools and he may end up starting, but he’s is gonna have to earn it and it’s not going to be easy, especially with Llamar making as tough as possible on him. Of course that might be just what he needs and will help him, but it will be a lot harder than Joe seems to think.

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Jun 7, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions

On this current Oakland team there are veterans who will guide Barksdale along his journey, Campbell has emerged as a leader among men, this will help the young tackle in his daily film study and practice with coach Jackson and asst. OL coach “Wiz” should help abolish his so called complacency problem. If he doesnt have confidence in himself then who will?

by bigmark l on Jun 7, 2011 11:25 AM PDT reply actions

Joe Barksdale never says, anything was gping to be easy. Do you think it was easy to make it to the NFL? C’mon give the kid some credit, it’s not like he’s a first round draft pick expecting the world to lay down at his feet. He is showing some enthusiasm, I think he has the type of attitude that is needed around the team. The proof will make it self known soon enough, dont go knockin the kid for having “some” confidence. Dang, with the lack of talent the Raiders have at tackle, he probably will end up starting.

by bigmark l on Jun 7, 2011 11:33 AM PDT reply actions

He seems like a great guy, and he very well may end up starting

but these quotes highlight the big knocks scouts had on him. It doesn’t mean he can’t overcome them. I think it just highlights his biggest obstacle to reaching his maximum potential.

This is such a happening tailpipe of a party. Like sugar, the guests are so refined.

by Rich Langford on Jun 7, 2011 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd say my position on his comments depends on his thinking behind them.

If he is thinking he is already good enough to be a 12 year starter in this league then i completely agree with noontide, slow down and see what its really going to be. However, if he is saying that he is going to be a 12 year starter because he is going to be a hard worker and wont accept anything less than I dont have a problem with the comments. It just depends on where his thought process is coming from, I agree I dont like a 3rd round pick coming in with a thought process like he has already been GIVEN the job and now there wont be anyway to take it back but I dont think that is necessarily where he is coming from. I like the confidence, hopefully its coming from a workman blue collar stance and not a purple drank, you have no choice but to give me the job stance.

"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here."--Al Davis

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Jun 7, 2011 11:55 AM PDT reply actions

The one thing I didn't like in Ol' Joe's comments was his preferred hobbies which are all passive, non-physical activities

video games, macbook, ipod, … these are fine but I’d be more comfortable if he raced motorcycles, hunted grizzly’s or was into mixed-martial arts for fun … just a feeling I got that he may be a little on the lazy side. But, he’s also a good (natural) athlete and I’m expecting him to rise to the occasion … especially with Mr. Lamarr challenging him on a daily basis.

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 Jun 7, 2011 12:10 PM PDT reply actions

Yup, he seems like a big teddy bear and a content human being

excellent qualities when it comes to being a person, but not so much when it comes to kicking the hell out of a defensive beast that has his mind set on ripping your head off.

This is such a happening tailpipe of a party. Like sugar, the guests are so refined.

by Rich Langford on Jun 7, 2011 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Meh

Mentality off the field isn’t important; mentality on is. There are more than a few top players who are laid back in their real life; trying to discern playing character that way seems to be w-a-a-y too hit or miss to be of much value.

Failure builds character; success reveals it

by signcut on Jun 7, 2011 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions

True, you always hear about guys that are gentle off the field but savages on

but this is a guy who many people have said has this laid back attitude on the field, and I can see that reflected in his quotes.

This is such a happening tailpipe of a party. Like sugar, the guests are so refined.

by Rich Langford on Jun 7, 2011 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, there's only a limited number of options to choose from

1. He is laid back, but has been inconsistent due to coasting on his physical attributes, leading to:
   a. He will be able to continue to do so.
   b. He will pick it up by necessity, or
   c. He will be a bust due to laziness

2. He is laid back, but has been inconsistent due to not having the fire, leading to:
a. He will learn to burn, or
b. He won’t

3. He really isn’t laid back, but simply a different person off than on the field, leading to:
a. He is good enough to make it, or
b. He isn’t

My bottom line: all of this will be cleared up once (when!) he hits the field; before then, it just seems like worrying because there really isn’t anything else to do. Sometimes, having too much time is a bad thing… :)

Failure builds character; success reveals it

by signcut on Jun 7, 2011 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh hell, fans are supposed to over analyze

We take the info we have and then we shout and argue about what players need to do to be better. I am definitely willing and excited to see Barksdale hit the field, but I am also a little more confident in the notion that his biggest obstacle to greatness will be overcoming the burning desire to compete.

This is such a happening tailpipe of a party. Like sugar, the guests are so refined.

by Rich Langford on Jun 7, 2011 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Would of Rather Heard......

In preparing I’m in the Weight room 4 to 6 hrs a day, and working on his technique for Pro ball. Big difference between the 2, and if he was inconsistant at the college level, he will be getting his azz handed too him. The only good thing about this is, Seymour and company should/will have him working his azz off, well before the season starts !!! Once signed, he could be possible trade bait for Baltimore !!!

by papabegood on Jun 9, 2011 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I'll wait to see what he does, or doesn't do, before spending much time worrying about it

Sometimes, having too much time to think causes more problems than not…

Failure builds character; success reveals it

by signcut on Jun 7, 2011 1:40 PM PDT reply actions

Not really a lot to be taken from an interview when I've not seen him play

However, I like that he comes across as confident but without any of the cocky arrogance you sometimes get with that. More often than not, it’s the quietly confident ones who prove their worth, and I hope this proves to be the case here.

Kick their ass and take their stuff!

by AllyRdr on Jun 7, 2011 1:56 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

He makes the team w/ his eyes closed and being blind-folded. He’s fine. Should be gunning for the starting job like everyone else.

by thoroughbred_30 on Jun 7, 2011 2:34 PM PDT reply actions

The point is the best way to earn a starting job

is by doing everything you can to be prepared for the next step. Of course he should be gunning for a starting job. He should be gunning for the Hall of Fame. He should be gunning to be the greatest person in the history of people. You do all those things by outworking everyone and knowing that people are going to be gunning for you.

This is such a happening tailpipe of a party. Like sugar, the guests are so refined.

by Rich Langford on Jun 7, 2011 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions