Raiders Dark Horse Receivers

by TSU Goldie on Aug 9, 2011 5:42 AM PDT

The first pre-season game for the Raiders is Thursday night. They have been very busy signing people to the roster, namely wide-receivers. I think we can all agree that Chaz Schilens (as long as he's healthy), Jacoby Ford, Louis Murphy and rookie Denarius Moore are a lock. The jury is still out on Darrius Heyward-Bey and Nick Miller may get the axe this year. The dark horse receivers in my mind were Derek Hagan & Chad Jackson. I know that the Raiders Training Camp has been all a buzz with the sensational performance of Denarius Moore but look at the two young receivers in waiting. Just to compare apples to apples, I will use their college stats.

Jump over...

Denarius Moore (UT): 6' 2", 210 lbs - 52 Games : 112 Rec.'s : 2,004 Yds : 18 TD's

Chad Jackson (UF): 6' 1", 210 lbs - 34 Games : 120 Rec.'s : 1,586 Yd's : 16 TD's

Derek Hagan (ASU): 6' 2", 215 lbs - 50 Games : 258 Rec's : 3,939 Yd's : 27 TD's

and just for fun....

Darius Heyward-Bey (UM): 6' 2", 210 lbs - 38 Games : 138 Rec.'s : 2, 089 Yd's : 13 TD's

Stats are just....well....stats. They don't tell a whole story. But they do give you a snap shot of what type of football player you're possibly getting. Despite his very productive college career, Hey-Bey has not been able to translate anything close to that to the NFL. I realize that Jackson and Hagan have been in the NFL for 2 or 3 years but maybe hey just need a opportunity to flourish. If they can get enough reps in practice and pre-season games, hopefully they will be able to "wow" Hue Jackson.

According to Steve Corkran,

"Veteran receiver Derek Hagan made a couple of nice plays in only his second practice since he joined the Raiders.

In particular, Hagan ran a precise post route that placed him in position to make a fingertip grab of a pass as two defenders looked on.

Jackson said he’s looking for consistent play makers, regardless of their age, draft status or history. Hagan has more career receptions (85) than any of Oakland’s other wide receivers."

This is promising news. Hopefully these "dark horse receivers" can make an impact on our team and provide some much need help and depth at the wide receiver position.

What are your thoughts Raider Nation?

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Comments

Those stats clearly show Hagan must be taken seriously. His numbers dwarf the others. I've heard it said numerous

times that Derek has great hands. I believe it, hope he shows his worth Thursday.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 9, 2011 8:54 PM PDT reply actions

he was great at ASU

by R8rnation on Aug 9, 2011 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope Hagan is healthy enough to stay with us.

He is the most talented wr we have

by R8rnation on Aug 9, 2011 8:55 PM PDT reply actions

i wouldnt say that

Chaz.Ford,and Moore are pretty talented.

by RyanTheRaider on Aug 9, 2011 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions

look at it this way

Ford has the speed and moves, I like what I see in D Moore, Chaz is the second coming of Jerry Porter. Hagan has the talent and size to “the Man” , let hope he does that.

by R8rnation on Aug 9, 2011 9:35 PM PDT reply actions

I would be VERY surprised if Hagen made the team

He will be battling Little Nicky who looks like will be the first choice punt returner

"Anytime you have an organization and an owner that wants to win as badly as Al Davis wants to win, and will spend the money to win, I don’t think you have as many barriers as you think. Those are easy. The ones that would be tough is where you didn’t have any good players and you had an owner or an organization that didn’t want to spend any money to get good players." - John Madden, 2008

"We’re going to be a tough, rugged football team that walks with a swagger and plays the way the Raiders used to play." Hue Jackson

RAW IS PUNK! WWE ZACKDOWN!!!

by Ozraider on Aug 10, 2011 1:42 AM PDT reply actions

Hagan is the classic College Stud - NFL Bust

He’s more of bust that DHB is so far, that’s for sure.

Dude’s been in the league 5 years (not two or three) he’s been cut like 4 times (3 times by the Giants, it would appear), has scored only 5 career TD’s, and doesn’t have a single pass play over 25 yards in those 5 years. He also doesn’t even have 1000 total career yards yet.

Unless this guy can return punts and/or kickoffs like a mad-man … I don’t see him making the team.

by Brett J Valjalo on Aug 10, 2011 7:33 PM PDT reply actions

A short route specialist?

doesn’t have a single pass play over 25 yards in those 5 years.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 11, 2011 5:04 AM PDT up reply actions

he had a 42yd catch last night!

I know it is just pre-season, but it was the best of our wr’s

by R8rnation on Aug 12, 2011 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

might have gone for a TD too if Boller didn't underthrow and make him wait for it

What I like most about Hagan are his sure hands and ability to separate – more than makes up for less than blazing speed.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 13, 2011 6:33 AM PDT up reply actions

And Chad Jackson? Are you kidding me?

He who is apparently considered THE BIGGEST draft bust of the Belichick Era in NE?

If those stats are accurate over at SB, bascially he washed out of the league after 3 years after being a 2nd round pick, and he hasn’t played since 2008 … despite being only 26 years old.

Yeah … he looks like a very, VERY ‘dark horse’. His makes Hagan’s career look pretty successful. It does look like he’s got some ‘return’ experience though, so maybe that’s why they’re having a look at him.

I could see him taking a bunch of punt/kick returns tomorrow night … I’m guessing they want to put HIM out there, rather than having an actual ‘Raider Player’ risk injury.

Seriously, if those stats are accurate and he hasn’t played for 2 seasons … and you got a bunch of guys out there playing coverage on ST in the preseason like their careers depend on it … I could easily see something very bad happening to this kid.

by Brett J Valjalo on Aug 10, 2011 7:57 PM PDT reply actions

Kr's will be over rated after this year.

with the KO moving up to the 35yd line, a KR will be watching the ball go out the back of the end zone most of the time. PR will be the only excitement on special teams.

by R8rnation on Aug 12, 2011 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions