Oakland Raiders News: Let's Give A Shout Out To Zach Miller

by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Feb 28, 2008 11:09 AM PST in News

Perhaps the most underrated rookie in 2007 was our very own tight end, Zach Miller.

He did everything he was asked to do and DID not back down or complain about his assignment.

He developed into a VERY strong blocking tight end and was one of the top reasons for the Raiders #6 rushing offense.

Coming out of College he was EXACTLY who I said the Raiders needed to draft along with JaMarcus Russell.

I said this because at ASU he showed that he had very good hands and ran great routes. Little did I know that he would develop into such a strong blocker.

After he was allowed to go out for more passes he ended up leading all rookie tight ends in receptions and also broke the Raider rookie record for receptions by a rookie tight end.

HERE'S TO YOU ZACH:

Silver and Black Pride's Raider Rookie Of The Year.

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The Raiders have a history

of excellent tight ends, looks like Zack will continue that after a few lean years. In the other thread you mentioned a Huff rumor, haven't heard that and doubt if it is true. Huff is a keeper, better suited to free rather than strong safety. Will allow more freedom for him. If Wash goes that is fine with me, I have my hopes on Bowie, perhaps misguided but hope is all I have. We have all discounted Eugene, and perhaps were are incorrect on that assessment. Defensive backs are rarely successful early in their careers, they develop.
What Al likes is speed at that position and speed is what we have. If the Raiders had any kind of pass rush then perhaps the DB's would look better. Today and tomorrow are big days, guys getting let go, and guys signing with new teams, exciting time for NFL fans.

by chinabob on Feb 28, 2008 12:59 PM PST reply actions

Well the same article, I quoted with the Kelly

signing stated an interest in hard hitting safety Gabril Wilson.

Potential targets this year include defensive end Jevon Kearse, wide receiver Bernard Berrian and safety Gibril Wilson.
Berrian would be a nice fit in an offense that lacked a big-play threat last season and could be without Jerry Porter if he signs with another team. The Raiders learned first-hand about Berrian's game-altering abilities in a game Nov. 11 at McAfee Coliseum. Berrian blew past cornerback Chris Carr for a 59-yard touchdown that turned a 6-3 deficit into a 10-6 lead in the fourth quarter.
Wilson is the hard-hitting, big-play safety the Raiders have lacked since Rod Woodson retired after the 2003 season. He also played a vital role in the New York Giants' run to a Super Bowl victory last season.
Kearse was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday and hasn't been the same player he was since his Tennessee Titans days. However, Davis has a penchant for taking a gamble on such players.
The Raiders hit pay dirt with just such a gamble in 2005 when they signed defensive end Derrick Burgess after his Eagles career ended. Burgess made the Pro Bowl in 2005 and '06 and tied Clemons for the team lead in sacks last season.

by theblackpearl on Feb 28, 2008 1:03 PM PST up reply actions

I just read about the Kelly signing

and am very pleased with that. It stated that Kelly will move to tackle which almost certainly means that Sapp isn't coming back. I thought he would, apparently the Raiders know he isn't or don't want him back. It also casts doubt on Warren also who will want a lot of money. Since they just paid Sands a ton last year, it looks like the starters will be Kelly and Sands with Burgess and a player to be named later at the other end. I guess if Chris Long is available he will be drafted, if not, then doubt Ellis or Dorsey would be picked. Too much money invested in the tackle spot. Perhaps Gholston as linebacker, I could live with that. It is possible that the Raiders feel Clemens and Richardson are promising DE's if they don't get Long. I love this time of year in the NFL. Although we read from time to time players wouldn't want to come to Oakland, from my experience that is never the case, Al can still get players who want to come here. He is willing to pay, and they are willing to come.

by chinabob on Feb 28, 2008 1:27 PM PST reply actions

KC Joyner "get's it"

Ryan: (Nampa ID): Hey KC, I was wondering what you thought about Tommy Kelly. Is he worth the mega contract the Raiders gave him?

KC Joyner: (4:45 PM ET ) He's everything they want in a player, so that's a big plus. I think Oakland knows they have a great set of defensive personnel and they don't want to change the chemistry on that side of the ball. They kept their DC, didn't let Asomugha hit the market and pay Kelly big dollars. There is something to be said for stability and Oakland seems to know this.

by theblackpearl on Feb 28, 2008 2:03 PM PST reply actions

When Kelly got hurt this year

I didn't think it was a great loss, but perhaps I was wrong. From a very good defense the year before to an awful one last year something went wrong and the only thing you can pick out is the loss of Kelly. Like most people I thought the '06 defense was somewhat overrated, but still it was decent. The '07 offense was significantly better in that they controlled the ball more, ran it better, used more clock, but there was no denying the defense was worse, a lot of mediocre backs ran at will against Oakland. Perhaps Kelly was more of a factor the previous year than I realized. His stats certainly indicate that. And to think he was undrafted out of college. Burgess, Sands, Kelly and Richardson sounds like a decent enough starting 4. I probably stand alone in liking Brayton, plays with a lot of energy and probably a better tackle than an end. A Gholston pick is sounding better all the time. Sign a really good hitter in the secondary and I can live with this defense. Get a receiver who can break open, and I could be convinced the offense will be fine also.

by chinabob on Feb 28, 2008 2:18 PM PST reply actions