SB Nation User Blog: BRIANMULHALL

Pass Rush is needed to win in the AFC South

BRIANMULHALL — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:03:46 -0000

Would anyone be in favor of going after Aaron Kampman next year he is 30 coming off a injury and doesnt seem to be needed in Green Bay and he will be a free agent so if their was money to sign him in an uncapped year this team could very well be on there way to the playoffs they have the foundation for a good team and PASS RUSH is the missing piece to be a winner more consistently

we could also draft Jerry Hughes in the first rd next yr

Mock Draft 1.0

BRIANMULHALL — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:22:08 -0000

im a bradford supporter and i believe that good QB play is so important that it can improve play of everyone around them including the oline and the we have good players at the skill positions but i am gonna go thru two possibilities one with and one without bradford here we go just three rds. anymore is too hard three rds is too hard but ill give it a shot

1. Sam Bradford

2.OL Sam Young Charles Brown Jason Fox Adam Ulatoski

3.DL Brian Price Vince Oghabaase Arthur Jones

1.Eric Berry

2. OL Sam Young Charles Brown Jason Fox Adam Ulatoski

3. OLB Pat Angerer

I know im gonna get kiled for these two picks in the first rd but first ill defend berry

he is a cant miss prospect look at how he is excelling in kiffins defense and what does he run at tennessee a cover two based scheme he would also give us the oppurtunity to put him one on one against WR's TE's or RB's with success that kind of flexibilty is what makes troy polamalu so good he is that kind of versatile player that every team would kill for he instantly makes our run defense better and our pass defense better look at how many times a safety makes the tackle in the run game and teams who have great safties play better defense look at the colts run d with and without bob sanders IMO he is that good and will make that kind of impact so i want him to be a BILL

bradford IMO can be as good as tom brady he is tall and cerebral with a good arm who has the smarts to be a great QB he also has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove with everyone doubting him after his injury so i think he will be motivated to succeed IMO he doesnt need to start right away in fact i would like us to sign Pennignton or another veteran to stablilze the team get everyone into a rythymn and on the same page then tutor Bradford and ease him into the position one or maybe even two years down the road depending on the team's success

Chris Henry Passed Away

BRIANMULHALL — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:33:55 -0000

i am truly sad for his family and everyone in his life what a shame this is and being a year younger than he is i can not imagine going so young rest in peace

i dont know if anyone else is gonna make a post or if Brian is gonna make something alittle more offical but i thought as a commnunity we could write a little something here if u want. IMO we are the best SB nation site and i think its fitting that we do something

Would anyone consider this trade

BRIANMULHALL — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:54:27 -0000

vernon gholston for aaron maybin i know that gholston may very well be cut next year and we could pick him up via waivers or if he clears waivers and he def will no one wants that contract then we could sign him and try him out ... but i wonder if anyone would consider this move... u have gholston a player being miscast as a 3-4 LB and maybin being miscast as a 4-3 end and the two could switch places and posiotns and see what happnens. I realize that gholston is much more of a confirmed bust than maybin is so dont wanna sound so down on maybin but i wonder if anyone has thought of this other than me. i really wanna get a end on this team in the mold of bruce smith so im willing to try anyhitng to get players on this team that can produce and by all accounts gholston is imporving this year even tho he still produced not one sack in his career

Are we collectively on board with drafting Sam Bradford

BRIANMULHALL — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:03:34 -0000

Now that Jake Locker is not entering the draft and are draft position is hopefully just outside the top ten, because that would mean beating the Patriots and maybe the Colts and because i believe that top ten picks are prohibitively expensive, we can start to think about who the Bills will take in the 1st rd.

I know QB is a desperate need and i know i have said that i would be in support of bringing in a veteran and opening up a competition next summer with what we have now and whoever else can be signed to make it intersting i know that most people need a sense of renewal and that means new HC and QB.

So with that in mind i would like to see where people think we should go if that is the direction we are headed as a team. Clausen and Bradford will battle for the top QB off the board and im sure Clausen will be gone so that leaves Bradford who may drop out of the top ten due to his shoulder surgery and that may be just the break we need in order to secure the QB of the future.

Other options are to wait until the second rd. and try to draft a Colt Mccoy or Jevan Snead or Case Keenum or anyone along those lines and hope for the best but i think either shoot for Bradford or wait another year. So what does everyone think about drafting a QB first of all and then the prospect of not geting the number one QB but taking Bradford if he drops and we can get him around ten.

2010 Offseason

BRIANMULHALL — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:35:44 -0000

I'll make a list of things that need to be done in the offseason.

1.Perry Fewell is named HC and Lovie Smith is brought in to the be DC and Rod Marienelli is brought in as an Assistant Coach but keep our Dline Coach Bob Sanders.

2.FA is explored as a way to shore up our OL, I suggest Logan Mankins and move Eric Wood to C Hangartner becomes depth...Maybe Arron Kampman is brought in as well through FA if availiable.

3. Possible trades can be explored to secure a playmaker on the Offensive side of the ball (Joshua Cribbs,Reggie Bush,Brandon Marshall, Randy Moss, etc).

4. Cut Roscoe Parrish,James Hardy,Donte Whitner,John McCargo and other cap saving moves remember its not gonna effect our salary cap space in terms of dead cap space it an uncapped season.

5.Draft the BPA in the Draft do not reach based on need, Eric Berry comes to mind,Jerry Hughes is another player who could make an immediate impact but what this team needs most is an explosive threat out of the backfield IMO, so CJ Spiller could become a great pick we need playmakers on offense I wish we took Percy Harvin in the draft last year and we need to find the next Desean Jackson the Oline and Dline can wait until the second and third Rd.

6.Find an Ownership group to step up to the plate and keep football in Buffalo, this team sells out every week so does Minnesota there is no way either team should go to LA when the Raiders cant get 15000 people to show up after they beat the Steelers, the Jags have shown some life and the Chargers should not leave either but either the Jags or the Raiders and i say the Raiders should go they have a fanbase their already and just to keep things easy but definately not Buffalo I say Chris Berman should be considered as a potential investor he must have so much money based on his ESPN holdings so why not? HIm and Ralp Wilson are close.

7.Also get a naming rights deal for the Ralph to generate a little cash anything would help.

Poll

Who wants to see Perry Fewell as the Coach in 2010 and beyond after goin 2-2 since becoming interim HC?

The Business of Football

BRIANMULHALL — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:05:37 -0000

The Business of Football

This story is very illuminating and I would reccomend everyone to read it ..it goes to the core of the CBA being opted out of and the possible division of the owners and teams into haves and have nots

Slash

BRIANMULHALL — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:45:01 -0000

In the recent FanPost that I wrote I tried to see where you guys thought that Mcfadden would be best used to maximize his skill set. I think it is obvious he is more versitale than your average RB and can be used to split out wide, play in the slot, and even throw the ball. He is 6 ft 2 inches and 210 pounds and runs a 4.3 forty. Do these measurables sound familiar to anyone. DHB is the same height, weight, and has a slightly better 40 time.

With this being the case and some of the most important parts of DHB's game is getting the ball in space. I think that these two may becomie interchangeable in time. Percy Harvin is a prime example of that type of slash player that is being asked to motion around and take hand offs and also run routes form the WR posiotn as well as out of the back field.

DHB's stats from the 2008 season including his rushing stats:

YEAR

REC

YDS

AVG

LNG

ATT

YDS

AVG

LNG

FUM

LST

2008

609

14.5

202

13.5

Also a link to see his highlights on youtube that include some rushing plays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1doAFxdxlRQ

So im wondering if you guys think that these two are gonna be match up nightmares due to their versatility and speed. I think that with proper game planning these two can get the ball in space and with good downfield blocking there will be the potential for big plays. I think they can both be used as slash type players because that will make it more likely for DHB to be able to contribute right away. He will obviously have to develop his route running and ability to beat press coverage. DHB has spent the time in between OTA's and camp to work at the facility in Alameda and get treatment for his hamstring, but the big news is that he has been working with postion coach Sanjay Lal. I think that with his physical attributes and strong work ethic he could be a really good player in this league.

Bush or Mcfadden?

BRIANMULHALL — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:54:05 -0000

The Raiders had the 10th ranked rushing attack (124 per game) last year and that is incredible considering we had the 32nd ranked passing attack (148 per game). This coming season with both MIchael Bush obviously answering all the questions about his broken leg and Darren Mcfadden healed from both his injured toes and surgically reapired shoulder we are poised to be even better. The Zone Blocking Scheme that Tom Cable has implemented has been a success and I believe that are interioir linemen are the most suited for it of all our linemen so all this bodes well for the teams ground game. Also with improved WR play and Jamarcus Russell becoming more of a potent passer we can expect things to open up a little more around the line of scrimmage.

So now the question is who is best suited to be the starter Bush or Mcfadden? the only reason I leave Fargas off the list is becasue while he is the best pass protector of the bunch he will need to become a better recieving threat to get playing time in my opinion. These other two are two good to take carries away from either of them.

MIchael Bush: Height: 6-1 Weight: 245 Age: 25

Season	Team		Rushing	Receiving	Fumbles
G	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FUM	Lost
2008	Oakland Raiders	15	0	95	421	4.4	67T	3	19	162	8.5	25	0	1	1

Season

Team

Rushing

Receiving

Fumbles

Att

Yds

Avg

Lng

Rec

Yds

Avg

Lng

FUM

Lost

2008

Oakland Raiders

421

4.4

67T

162

8.5

Daren Mcfadden: Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Age: 21

Season	Team			Rushing					Receiving					Fumbles
Season	Team	G	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FUM	Lost
2008	Oakland Raiders	13	5	113	499	4.4	50	4	29	285	9.8	27	0	3	1

I'm not sure if it would be better to use Bush as a closer like Marion Barber (Height: 6-0 Weight: 225) in Dallas and bring himin late or try and use him like Brandon Jacobs (Height: 6-4 Weight: 264) and soften up defenses with his power and bulk early on in games. It's also a question to me how to best use Mcfadden either like Chris Johnson (Height: 5-11 Weight: 200) and have him be more a runner or more like Reggie Bush (Height: 6-0 Weight: 203) and split him out wide and get him the ball in space on screens and use him more as a recieving threat.

So i'll ask you guys what you think about how to best use quite possibley the most talented young backfield in the league. I'll put Justin Fargas on the poll in case you competely disagree with me.

Poll

Who should start at RB for the Raiders?

Michael Bush

54 votes

Darren Mcfadden

81 votes

Justin Fargas

27 votes

162 votes | Poll has closed

Loyalty in Sports

BRIANMULHALL — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:37:46 -0000

Teams take a lot of heat for not signing fan favorites and cutting ties with players who have given so much to one organization. I can think of Ty Law and Lawyer MIlloy for the Pats when they were let go it was like stabbing the fans and the players in the back. Also Brian Dawkins in Philly was the heart and soul of that defense. But the Eagles don't sign players to long term deals for big money when they are over thirty years old so he had to go.

On the flip side of that same coin players get as much heat for trying to maximize their earnings while they can to secure their future and their families future. They will leave a team where they were loved and thrived to go for the biggest contract when they have played out their current contracts or even hold out for a restructured deal when they feel they have the leverage to do so. Brandon Marshall right now has out played his contract and since he is a such a disaster off the field the Broncos won't sign him long term. So he is requesting a trade now when he feels like his production on the field gives him the best chance to geta big contract. Anquan Boldin in 2005 Signed a four-year, $22.67 million contract extension through 2010. The deal contains $10 million guaranteed, including a $5 million signing bonus.( 2009: $2.75 million, 2010: $3 million, 2011: Free Agent) and now wants to make as much as Larry Fitgerald. (Four year 40 million)

On February 19, 2009 the Raiders re-signed Asomugha to a complex three-year deal that makes him the highest paid defensive back in NFL history. The first two years, worth $28.5 million, are fully guaranteed. In the third year of the contract, if Oakland wants to keep Asomugha, it must pay him the average of the top five highest-paid "quarterbacks" or $16.875 million, whichever is higher. If the Raiders fail to pick up the option, Asomugha will become a free agent with Oakland not having the ability to tag him again. With this deal in place I question whether or not he has any more or less loyalty to an organization that has treated him with such a high level of appreciation.

I really believe that Al Davis loves the players that play for his team and will always take care of the ones who perform on the field and for all the heat he gets I reallty think that he deserves to have players who are personally loyal to him and are willing to play their ass off for a man who will take care of them when it comes time to getting paid and securing their families future. This off season Kirk Morrison will be an UFA if the CBA is extended if not he will wait untill after the 2010 season but either way i think that Morrison and Thoms Howard for that matter will be resigned for the moeny they deserve. Thats the type of owner that Al Davis is he rewards the type of play that these guys have shown. He has made some mistakes Sands( Four-year, $17 million contract) and Kelley (Seven-year, $52.5 million contract) who have been busts to this point but he can not be faulted for his approach he is taking care of his players and they have yet to hold up thier end of the deal. I can only woder if the players in Oakland have a sense of loyalty to a man and organization that while we are not winning at this time have not been afraid to spend money to reward the players that can help rebuild this frachise.

In my oinion the players on the Raiders should feel if they perform on the field that they will be taken care of by an owner that has shown over and over he is willing to reward those players whom he feels have earned it. And in the end i would like to believe that creates some sense of loyalty from the players toward the organization.