Q&A with Darrius Heyward-Bey April 25, 2009

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The Oakland Raiders selected University of Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey with the #7 overall choice in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Getty Images

This past Saturday, The Oakland Raiders selected University of Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey with the #7 overall choice in the 2009 NFL Draft. Heyward-Bey spoke with reporters following his selection and discussed the pick and playing for the Silver and Black.

Q: When did you know that the Raiders were going to get you at number seven?

Heyward-Bey: I knew a little bit before. Right before the commissioner announced me, they called me to talk to Coach Cable, but I had an idea. I felt like I was one of the top guys and that I had a chance to become a Raider.

Q: Are you surprised for you going ahead of Crabtree, Maclin and maybe guys who had a little more press coming into this?

Heyward-Bey: Going ahead of those guys, it means that I’m going to be the first guy to take care of it. I mean being able to play in a pro-style offense at Maryland and take that into the NFL. I’m prepared and I don’t know why I moved ahead of those guys, but definitely the Raiders saw something in me.

Q: Not to knock anyone else but do you feel you are the best receiver in this class in your opinion?

Heyward-Bey: I felt like I had the qualities to be the best receiver in the class. I mean I know people look at the stats and everything. But just playing in a pro-style offense and having the skills and being able to work hard, I felt I was definitely at the top.

Q: And Darrius about those stats and pro-style offense. I mean people are going to look at them and say why weren’t there more? Why wasn’t there a 1,000-yard season and 10 touchdowns and that sort of thing.

Heyward-Bey: Right. The people that look at that and look back at the games we had at Maryland and when you look back at the Cal game, I had a chance to show what I can do. At Maryland we used the run to set up the pass and I’m the type of receiver to do it all. Catch, run, block, hustle and just work hard. In college, you don’t see those numbers, but at the next level you sure will.

Q: Were you frustrated seeing all of these other receivers in spread offenses putting up these huge numbers and here you are at Maryland not getting that kind of chance?

Heyward-Bey: No. I only get frustrated when your team loses and you feel like you didn’t get a chance to help the team win. That’s the only time that it’s frustrating. I understand my role on the team and the number one thing wasn’t about what I wanted.

Q: What are the kinds of things you think you need to work on before you get to the NFL or before you become the kind of player that you want out here?

Heyward-Bey: Just the overall knowledge of the game. Route running, coming to work every day to get better, just coming in there ready to go.

Q: At any point in this process have you gotten the chance to talk to Al Davis?

Heyward-Bey: No, I haven’t talked to Al Davis. I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to him, but I’m looking forward to it.

Q: Talk about getting the chance to play with Darren McFadden and JaMarcus Russell.

Heyward-Bey: The chance to play with those guys will be great. I’m just an addition to that puzzle that we are trying to make here at Oakland. Those guys are really talented and I’m looking forward to playing with them and also going up against a guy like Nnamdi [Asomugha], who is probably the best corner in the game so I can improve myself. I mean going against him will only make me get better going against him every day at practice.

Q: You know there were a couple people and at least one from the NFL Network that were saying that you would go number seven to the Raiders and people doubted it. Did you have that feeling a couple of days before that the Raiders were going to pick you?

Heyward-Bey: Yes. I mean, I heard that but I’m not the type of guy who looks or watches TV a lot and listens to the mock drafts and everything. But, I knew it was a possibility and I’m the type of guy who would never shy down to anything.

Q: Is there anyone that you tried to emulate?

Heyward-Bey: Yes, my favorite player is Jerry Rice and he played for the Oakland Raiders later in his career. That’s my favorite player. His work ethic was beyond anybody else and that’s who I model myself after when it comes to work ethic. Past that, I think I have my own unique type of game.

Q: Coach Cable has mentioned your comparisons to Randy Moss, another former Raider. How do you feel about that comparison?

Heyward-Bey: Randy Moss is the most talented wide receiver to ever play the game, and to be compared to him is great, but I have to go in there and I have to prove myself and make a name for myself.

Q: Darrius do you feel like you can come in right away and make an impact and maybe even start as a rookie?

Heyward-Bey: Right now all I can control as a rookie coming in is working hard. I know that I will be able to do that and whereever that takes me, I’m willing to take it. If that’s starting, if that’s getting a lot of playing time, if that’s special teams running the kickoffs, I’m that type of guy. I’m a hard worker. I go and I just try to get the job done. One thing that I can tell you is the work ethic is there.

Q: Who was your favorite NFL team?

Heyward-Bey: My favorite team growing up, being in the D.C./Baltimore area, I always looked at the Ravens when they got here the past decade.  But always in the back of my mind the Oakland Raiders were always a team, that being stuck in this area you kept to yourself, but that was the team you loved. You loved that Silver and Black. You loved to get that jersey. I mean everybody has an Oakland Raiders jersey. So definitely being in the D.C. area you loved the local teams but the Raiders are beyond anyone when it came to everything else.

 

[Bumped to Front Page]

Reuter's 2010 draft preview | 2010 mock draft

The NFL scouts and coaches and personnel directors took time to breathe Monday, the day following the conclusion of the two-day draft.

We won't.

Sam Bradford's accuracy is his biggest strength, but doesn't have the strongest arm. (Getty Images)

That's because you fans have an insatiable appetite for NFL Draft information. So it's never too early to look ahead to 2010. Is it?

An early look to next year's draft shows a class that could be quarterback heavy. My top guy, as always, is a quarterback. It's not who you think.

It's not Oklahoma's Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy of Texas or even Florida's Tim Tebow.

It's Mississippi quarterback Jevan Snead. Entering his junior year, this transfer from Texas has everything I love in a quarterback. He has good size at 6-3, a rocket for an arm and sees the field.

He transferred from Texas because of McCoy. But I think come next April he will be the first pick in the draft.

Snead, if he gives up his senior year, is next year's Matt Stafford.

Now here are the rest of the top players for next year's draft.

•  1. Jevan Snead, QB, Mississippi (JR): He's a strong-armed junior who has the same type of arm that Stafford has. He will be "The Man" next year. You wait and see.

•  2. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska: I love this kid. He should have come out for this draft. Watch his Gator Bowl tape against Clemson. He could not be blocked.

•  3. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (JR): Bradford would have been a top 5 pick this year. But he opted to come back. He has a good arm, not a great arm. But he is deadly accurate.

•  4. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma (JR): At 6-5, 300 pounds, he has the quickness to be an effective pass rusher. He had 6½ sacks last season.

•  5. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida (JR): He's a long, athletic defensive end who can rush the passer. Those players have great value. He is raw, but at 6-6, 290 pounds he has the size teams crave.

•  6. Russell Okung, T, Oklahoma State: He's a 6-5, 300-pound power player who has started the past two seasons for the Cowboys. He also has good feet in pass protection.

•  7. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee (JR): He's a rangy safety who also tackles well. He has great speed for a safety, which is why he will be a wanted commodity.

•  8. Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi: He was really dominant as a sophomore, but tailed off last season. Even so, he has great pass-rush skills and good size at 6-4, 260 pounds.

•  9. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas: He has a great command of the Texas offense. His arm isn't great, but he's accurate. He can also move around the pocket.

•  10. George Selvie, DE, South Florida: He's an edge rusher who can also play outside in a 3-4 scheme. He has explosive speed, which scouts love.

•  11. Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama: If he gets his weight down -- and he has dropped some -- he has a chance to be next year's B.J. Raji. He was too heavy last season.

•  12. Taylor Mays, S, USC: This big safety can run and hit. There are no doubts about him as a tackler, but he has to show he's a good cover player.

•  13. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma: Gresham can catch and block. He might be a better prospect than Brandon Pettigrew, who went in the first round this year.

•  14. Ciron Black, T, LSU: At 6-5, 320 pounds, Black has the look of yet another SEC tackle who could go in the top 20.

•  15. Bryan Bulaga, T, Iowa (JR): He's an athletic left tackle who comes from a good program for offensive linemen.

•  16. Sergio Kindle, OLB-DE, Texas: Playing opposite Brian Orakpo, Kindle showed great speed off the edge as well. He can also play outside in the 3-4 scheme.

•  17. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State, (JR): Playing in the Cowboys' spread offense he had 19 touchdown catches last year. He has good size at 6-2, 210 pounds.

Colt McCoy can move around in the pocket well, but his arm strength could be better. (Getty Images)

•  18. Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri: He is a run-and-chase linebacker in the Derrick Brooks mold. He's a playmaker.

•  19. Trent Williams, T, Oklahoma: With Phil Loadholt at left tackle he played the right side last year. But he will move to the left side in 2009, which will help his draft stock.

•  20. Jerry Hughes, OLB-DE, TCU: At 6-3, 250 pounds, he led college football in sacks with 15 last year. He will be a perfect 3-4 rush outside linebacker.

•  21. Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech (JR): He's a power runner in Tech's Wishbone offense who runs over and around people. He runs hard.

•  22. Everson Griffen, DE, USC (JR): He's been a star in the making at USC since he arrived on campus. This could be his breakout season.

•  23. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois (JR): At 6-2, 220 pounds, he is a big receiver who also has good speed. He also excels in the return game.

•  24. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson: He has home run speed, but he still hasn't lived up to the hype yet. Is this the year?

•  25. Joe McKnight, RB, USC (JR): He's an explosive runner who was a huge recruit when he came out two years ago. He scares defenses every time he touches the ball. Hasn't quite put up the numbers many expected.

•  26. Joe Haden, CB, Florida (JR): He's a smooth cover corner who has good size at 5-11, 190 pounds. Haden came on strong in 2008.

•  27. Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College: He's a sure tackler, but he also excels as a coverage linebacker. He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season.

•  28. Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky: He's a lean corner at 6-foot, 180 pounds, but he excels in man coverage. Former NFL corner Steve Brown is his coach, so he knows the tricks to succeed.

•  29. Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State: He's had some legal problems that forced him to sit out the spring game last week, but if he plays he has loads of talent.

•  30. Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama (JR): He plays inside for the Tide, but might be able to play outside as well at 6-4, 250 pounds.

•  31. Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh (JR): He isn't as big as Dunlap, but at 6-5, 265 pounds he is big enough. He had 7½ sacks as a sophomore last season.

•  32. Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan (JR): He's a 6-foot corner who has great speed. Those are tough to find.

•  Others to watch: Auston English, DE, Oklahoma; Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida; Brandon Lang, DE, Troy; Tim Tebow, QB, Florida; Dan Lefever, QB, Central Michigan; Damian Williams, WR USC; Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU; Anthony Davis, T, Rutgers; Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina (JR); Jahvid Best, RB, California (JR); Mike Pouncey, G, Florida (JR); Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia; DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma (JR).

<!-- T11684517 --><!-- Sesame Modified: 04/28/2009 12:09:22 --><!-- sversion: 6 $Updated: georgem$ -->

Reuter's 2010 draft preview | 2010 mock draft

The NFL scouts and coaches and personnel directors took time to breathe Monday, the day following the conclusion of the two-day draft.

We won't.

Sam Bradford's accuracy is his biggest strength, but doesn't have the strongest arm. (Getty Images)

That's because you fans have an insatiable appetite for NFL Draft information. So it's never too early to look ahead to 2010. Is it?

An early look to next year's draft shows a class that could be quarterback heavy. My top guy, as always, is a quarterback. It's not who you think.

It's not Oklahoma's Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy of Texas or even Florida's Tim Tebow.

It's Mississippi quarterback Jevan Snead. Entering his junior year, this transfer from Texas has everything I love in a quarterback. He has good size at 6-3, a rocket for an arm and sees the field.

He transferred from Texas because of McCoy. But I think come next April he will be the first pick in the draft.

Snead, if he gives up his senior year, is next year's Matt Stafford.

Now here are the rest of the top players for next year's draft.

•  1. Jevan Snead, QB, Mississippi (JR): He's a strong-armed junior who has the same type of arm that Stafford has. He will be "The Man" next year. You wait and see.

•  2. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska: I love this kid. He should have come out for this draft. Watch his Gator Bowl tape against Clemson. He could not be blocked.

•  3. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (JR): Bradford would have been a top 5 pick this year. But he opted to come back. He has a good arm, not a great arm. But he is deadly accurate.

•  4. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma (JR): At 6-5, 300 pounds, he has the quickness to be an effective pass rusher. He had 6½ sacks last season.

•  5. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida (JR): He's a long, athletic defensive end who can rush the passer. Those players have great value. He is raw, but at 6-6, 290 pounds he has the size teams crave.

•  6. Russell Okung, T, Oklahoma State: He's a 6-5, 300-pound power player who has started the past two seasons for the Cowboys. He also has good feet in pass protection.

•  7. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee (JR): He's a rangy safety who also tackles well. He has great speed for a safety, which is why he will be a wanted commodity.

•  8. Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi: He was really dominant as a sophomore, but tailed off last season. Even so, he has great pass-rush skills and good size at 6-4, 260 pounds.

•  9. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas: He has a great command of the Texas offense. His arm isn't great, but he's accurate. He can also move around the pocket.

•  10. George Selvie, DE, South Florida: He's an edge rusher who can also play outside in a 3-4 scheme. He has explosive speed, which scouts love.

•  11. Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama: If he gets his weight down -- and he has dropped some -- he has a chance to be next year's B.J. Raji. He was too heavy last season.

•  12. Taylor Mays, S, USC: This big safety can run and hit. There are no doubts about him as a tackler, but he has to show he's a good cover player.

•  13. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma: Gresham can catch and block. He might be a better prospect than Brandon Pettigrew, who went in the first round this year.

•  14. Ciron Black, T, LSU: At 6-5, 320 pounds, Black has the look of yet another SEC tackle who could go in the top 20.

•  15. Bryan Bulaga, T, Iowa (JR): He's an athletic left tackle who comes from a good program for offensive linemen.

•  16. Sergio Kindle, OLB-DE, Texas: Playing opposite Brian Orakpo, Kindle showed great speed off the edge as well. He can also play outside in the 3-4 scheme.

•  17. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State, (JR): Playing in the Cowboys' spread offense he had 19 touchdown catches last year. He has good size at 6-2, 210 pounds.

Colt McCoy can move around in the pocket well, but his arm strength could be better. (Getty Images)

•  18. Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri: He is a run-and-chase linebacker in the Derrick Brooks mold. He's a playmaker.

•  19. Trent Williams, T, Oklahoma: With Phil Loadholt at left tackle he played the right side last year. But he will move to the left side in 2009, which will help his draft stock.

•  20. Jerry Hughes, OLB-DE, TCU: At 6-3, 250 pounds, he led college football in sacks with 15 last year. He will be a perfect 3-4 rush outside linebacker.

•  21. Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech (JR): He's a power runner in Tech's Wishbone offense who runs over and around people. He runs hard.

•  22. Everson Griffen, DE, USC (JR): He's been a star in the making at USC since he arrived on campus. This could be his breakout season.

•  23. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois (JR): At 6-2, 220 pounds, he is a big receiver who also has good speed. He also excels in the return game.

•  24. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson: He has home run speed, but he still hasn't lived up to the hype yet. Is this the year?

•  25. Joe McKnight, RB, USC (JR): He's an explosive runner who was a huge recruit when he came out two years ago. He scares defenses every time he touches the ball. Hasn't quite put up the numbers many expected.

•  26. Joe Haden, CB, Florida (JR): He's a smooth cover corner who has good size at 5-11, 190 pounds. Haden came on strong in 2008.

•  27. Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College: He's a sure tackler, but he also excels as a coverage linebacker. He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season.

•  28. Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky: He's a lean corner at 6-foot, 180 pounds, but he excels in man coverage. Former NFL corner Steve Brown is his coach, so he knows the tricks to succeed.

•  29. Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State: He's had some legal problems that forced him to sit out the spring game last week, but if he plays he has loads of talent.

•  30. Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama (JR): He plays inside for the Tide, but might be able to play outside as well at 6-4, 250 pounds.

•  31. Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh (JR): He isn't as big as Dunlap, but at 6-5, 265 pounds he is big enough. He had 7½ sacks as a sophomore last season.

•  32. Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan (JR): He's a 6-foot corner who has great speed. Those are tough to find.

•  Others to watch: Auston English, DE, Oklahoma; Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida; Brandon Lang, DE, Troy; Tim Tebow, QB, Florida; Dan Lefever, QB, Central Michigan; Damian Williams, WR USC; Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU; Anthony Davis, T, Rutgers; Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina (JR); Jahvid Best, RB, California (JR); Mike Pouncey, G, Florida (JR); Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia; DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma (JR).

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Miami Beach Police have revealed that a toxicology report shows Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth's blood alcohol level was over the legal limit when he struck and killed a man with his car.

Authorities said they are waiting to see when and where Stallworth will turn himself in and are coordinating with his attorney. Stallworth faces a DUI manslaughter charge, which carries a 15-year sentence behind bars, if convicted.

http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/sports/MI115914/