I  have NOT been on the Crabtree bandwagon at all. I also have not wanted any of the aging former stars to be brought in taking time away from  our young guys. I have instead looked to draft a WR in the later rounds specifically Ramses Barden a tall WR to give JMarc a red zone target to bring along and allow Chaz and JLH to continue to improve.

Well that changed today, sort of.

I still dont want to draft Crabtree or sign Marvin or Holt.

I DO WANT THE RAIDERS TO SIGN MATT JONES, YES MATT JONES.

Matt Jones brings the following qualities:

1. Speed. Guy can flat move(something Al loves). Ran sub 4.4

2. Size. 6'6" receiver to give JMarc that much needed red zone target to compliement Miller.

3. Age. Still only 25 (will be 26 next month)

4. League Experience. "Experts" say it takes WR's 3 years to really understand the NFL game. Matt is entering his 5th year, and has improved every year.

5. Cheap. Was only going to be making 565K this year so it shouldn't break the bank to sign him to a 3 plus year contract.

Yes Matt Jones got busted for Cocaine and then violated probation for being drunk, but Al doesn't mind a checkered past if they can help the Raiders WIN.

So here is the "unofficial" SIGN MATT JONES thread.

It would allow the Raiders to focus on the best available Defensive player still on the board at #7, whether that be Orakpo, Raji or whoever AL believes will help us get back to the playoffs.

Let me say it one more time SIGN MATT JONES ASAP !!!

Well my handbook arrived so we now have another list to compare.

1. Brett Anderson

2.  Trevor Cahill

3. Michael Inao

4. Aaron Cunningham

5. Adrian Cardenas

6. Chris Carter

7. Gio gonzalez

8. Vin Mazzaro

9. Jemile Weeks

10. James Simmons

11. Sean Doolittle

12. Josh Outman

13. Josh Donaldson

14. Henry Rodriquez

15. Tyson Ross

16. Corey Brown

17. Cliff Pennington

18. Fautino De Los Santos

19. Brett Hunter

20. Jerry Blevins

21. Rashun Dixon

22. Dusty Coleman

23. Andrew Bailey

24. Craig Italiano

25. Andrew Carnigan

26. Sam Demel

27. Jared Lansford

28. Matt Sulentic

29. Arnold Leon

30. Grant Desme

31. Pedro Figueroa

Some intersting slots that but overall agree with it and the placements. BA always goes heavy on recent draft picks and upside.

With 3 months till the draft and free agency yet to begin I am going to go with my picks I would like to see the Raiders make. I know a lot of people want us to sign big name FA's but remember we had the highest payroll in the NFL last year so I doubt we have the cap room to do that.

1. Eugene Monroe - LT -Virginia. Gives JMarc and the running backs an athletic LT to anchor the line for years to come.

2. Michael Johnson - DE - Georgia Tech. Freak athlete who can get after the QB.

3. Darry Beckwith - ILB - LSU. Great tackler who excels against the run

4. Ramses Barden - WR - Cal Poly. 6'6" WR who can run a little to give JMarc another red zone weapon

5. No Pick

6. Sammie Lee Hill - DL - Hillman. Space eater to give additional depth.

7. Jeff Byers - OG - USC - Once top rated Lineman been hurt by injuries to add depth to line

As you can see no "sexy" picks just some hogs to shore up the lines and stop the run. I for one think WR's take 2-3 yrs to start to produce in the NFL. As JLH has progressed he has show his speed and play making ability. I also like the progression of Chaz. I think we have playmakers in the making and don't need to overdraft when the team has so many other needs. Plus an OC who can get McFadden in space will give JMarc another weapon.

Now to what I think Al will do"

1. Brain Orakpo - DE - Texas. Will be the "freak" at the combine and Al loves athletes. I would not be to dummed out to land a stud DE though. Plus I think  both Monroe and Smith will be gone by #7.

2. Darrius Heyward-Bey - WR - Maryland. College track guy who can fly. Al loves his track stars.

3. Jamon Meredith - OT - South Carolina. Adding to O Line to help JMarc

4. Dominigue Johnson - CB - Jackson St. Another speedster CB to add to the mix

5. No Pick

6. Jonathan Casillas - LB - Wisconsin. Again speed LB to add depth and ST

7. Eric Vanden Heuvel - OT - Wisconsin. More line help.

Again nothing shocking knowing Al's love for speed.

Between the two drafts which do you see as more likely or who would you suggest?

according to Singletary he wants to "sit down with Rathman" and discuss either the offensive coordinator or running backs coaching position for the 49ers.

Is this another quality young coach that is going to escape due to the Raiders lack of movement? I hope not let's get him locked up for 2009 regardless of the head coach or general manager, or for that matter offensive coordinator.

Come on Raiders let start building something starting with the young players and coaches.

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/01/still-no-interviews-for-oc-position.html

The Raiders select ??????????????????

Well season's over and a nice couple of wins to give us a glimmer of hope for 2009. Obvisiously the Raiders have a number holes to fix so who do they select?

A Left Tackle to man JMarc's blindside? There is defenitily a number of players this year in Andre Smith, Michael Oher, Eugene Monroe, and Jason Smith topping the list.

A wide receiver to give JMarc another weapon at his disposal like Michael Crabtree.

Do they go to the defensive side of the ball and get a Defensive end to put pressure on the QB Brian Arapko or Michael Johnson? How bout a run stuffer Bj Raji.

Or does al draft the fastest player in the draft and grab a DB like Malcolm Jenkins or Vontae Davis?

We shall see ....

Thoughts???

Javon Walker said he is done for the season needed surgery on his injured ankle.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/raiders/archives/017008.html

Does this mean Al won't pony up 9 million in bonuses for him next year? I hope not. If we are going to be bad lets at least let some young guys play and see what we got.

Here is to a lot of Chaz and Higgans the rest of the way.

Well the off season spending spree appears to be a bust !! Al is fed up and looking to release players with high salaries and low performance (seems smart on the surface). First on Al's list DeAngelo Hall and his 7yr / 70 contract was cut today. According to the media as many as 15 more players are on the chopping block, some I think we all wouldn't mind turning in their jerseys and never hearing from again. Some however I personally don't want to see released only to come back and haunt the Raiders for years.

Before I get into the players I would like to "officially" say I was opposed to firing Kiffin and Ryan. I believed the team needed a direction and by keeping the coaching staff intact was the biggest thing to help the young talent develop. Now that Kiffin is gone and the team is even more tailspin than the weekly is Kiffin going to be fired saga I am for cleaning house. Rob Ryan Defense looks horrible so I hope he is part of the purge. I hope but seriously doubt  it will happen that Tom Cable is retained as offensive line coach moving forward. Pay the man for taking on this mess, plus I think he is a top notch assistant coach.

Now to the players possibly on the list I would like to see retained.

1. Michael Huff - Yes the same Michael Huff we picked #7 who has done nothing special. When the scouting report came out on him everyone was divided if he was a safety or if he could be a cornerback with his size and speed(which is faster than the "other" corner on the roster). At last glance the safety portion hasnt worked out that great. It also just so happens we now have an opening at cornerback for the next 8 games. Michael Huff welcome to an Island. You are now going to be thrown on all game as the "other" cornerback just runs around hoping to be noticed. maybe just MAYBE Huff can become a defensive force. He may not be an all-pro like the "other" corner but like Gallery maybe he can find his niche and become a solid member of the team, just not the all-pro they were drafted to be. That would be fine with me at this point. So here is to Michael Huff the cornerback immediately. Let's see what we got going into 2009.

2. Kwame Harris - Yes the same guy who's pass blocking reminds some of a matador as he just waives a flag and allows people the size of bull's to just run by him and sack a QB almost his size. Kwame is NOT a starting left tackle in the NFL, but provides depth at one of the hardest positions to find. The Raiders have a young player they drafted that ended up costing them a top pick in the 3rd round this year. Mario Henderson was the guy they moved up in the draft to get 2 years ago. Let's see if he can protect the blindside of our 60 Million dollar man. He has 8 games to prove what he is made of. I was a HUGE skeptic of him but will say in his 2 games this year he made me believe he could have been worth the pick. So back to why I keep Kwame. Well I think he provides depth and may be an upgrade at the RT so keep him around and his salary wasn't horrible.

3. Gabril Wilson - Now I hope he isnt on the list because he was THE ONLY big offseason signing that has worked out. Plays hard and really seems pissed that this team isn't doing it's job. KEEP him around hopefully his attitude will rub off. Worst case we just have a really good safety.

There is also the young "cast of characters" that I believe this team should retain to move forward like McFadden, Bush, O'Neill, Gallery, Grove, Shillens, Higgins, Miller etc from the offensive side of the ball. On the Defense Scott, Warren, Howard, Morrison, Routt, Branch, Ekejiuba, etc.

If the next 8 games can at least give us player evaluations of the young guys especially at key positions LT, DE, DT, WR we can hopefully fill a NEED in next years draft with a player who can help take us to the next level.

To the rest of overpaid/underperforming players I hope you don't have furniture on order for the new house cause you may just lose your deposit on that.

BTW: Please lets keep this on the players, Al Davis is the owner and you can like him or hate him, but reality is he isn''t going anywhere. So lets focus on what we have. Not replacing Al Davis. I am sure multiple threads will be written about that subject.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2008/11/04/raiders-to-release-cb-hall/

Unbelievable if it happens. The Raiders are truly in a state of dysfunctionality.

If they perge the roster that is fine but giving up a 2nd rounder plus basically giving away Washington makes zero sense. I would guess Javon is next.

Hopefully it means Chaz and big Mario get reps to see what we got to figure out our 2009 pick.

THEY BETTER SIGN NMANDI WITH THE $$$$$ SAVED

First, I would like to say I really enjoy everyone's ideas. We all know the current state of affairs isn't working. While I like the idea of getting a Zimmerman, I am opposed to giving up the farm to get him. Anybody like a Holliday who would also require a bounty isn't worth the short term few extra wins IMO. So all the moves I suggest have a eye on the rebuild that is built towards 2011.Nothing drastic to deplete the farm or change the plans just add a few bats.

So here are the moves and reasons behind them again working within the framework of players "expected" to be part of that future "core".

1. Trade Huston Street & Travis Buck to St. Louis for Ryan Ludwick. Why would St. Louis do this? There best prospect is ready to take an OF job and the bullpen needs help at the back end. Huston is cheaper than signing Fuentes/K-Rod and Buck replaces Ludwick in LF w Rasmus manning CF and Ankiel the RF. This is a lot to give up but it gives the A's a RH hitting OF w power who has 5 years left before FA. Plus it saves the A's roughly 5 million.

2. Trade Vince Mazzaro and Matt Murton to SD for Kevin Kouzmanoff. Why would SD do this? SD clears 3rd base for top prospect while gaining a solid young starter along with OF depth. A's get a middle of the pack 3rd baseman who will be around when they start getting competitive and provides DECENT power from the right side. A good 6th hole type. I like Mazzaro but the pitching and OF depth won't hurt the A's long term.

3. Sign Rafael Furcal to a 3 year 40 million dollar free agent deal. Structured at 10/13/17. Why this helps the A's? They have no "legit" shortstop prospects in the upper minors and IF healthy Furcal gives the A's not only a legit leadoff guy but a fantastic defensive shortstop allowing the young guys to be brought along slowly. Hopefully he is healthy, but it is a 40 million dollar gamble.

4. Sign John Patterson to a minimal contract with incentives and HOPE his forearm is back to form after a couple years off. Buy Low / High Reward type. If he is back to form he could be a top of the rotation guy. If not plug in one of the many #5(or should I say #7 types) on the roster and move on.

Some will ask what about Crosby? Well he is my 1 year stopgap at 2nd base until Adrian Cardenas is ready to hold down the fort in 2010. Crosby can't be moved with his salary so let him know 2nd base will help his "value" for FA. He don't like it, tough shit, he is being paid 5.25 million. I see Cardenas as the long term answer as a gap to gap hitter with a solid average and decent defensive skills. He is NOT a shortstop defensively or 3rd baseman where he will lack the power needed.

I send Cunningham or Gonzalez back to AAA to hone their swings as they are part of the  future and don't need to be rushed when the A's aren't looking to make the playoffs in 2009. Getting regular AB's will only help long term.

I believe these moves make the A's a move entertaining team offensively and still provide the young arms a decent defensive team to aide their development allowing the younger "core"guys move time to season themselves in a low pressure situation.

Here is the Roster after the moves w/ projected salaries:

SS - Rafael Furcal -10 Million (true lead off the A's have lacked since Rickey)

C- Kurt Suzuki - 400K (takes pitches allowing Furcal to get in scoring position)

LF - Jack Cust - 3 Million (not my ideal #3 hitter, hopefully Chavy can retake)

RF - Ryan Ludwick - 400K (RH power bat A's lack)

DH - Eric Chavez - 11 Million (please be able to hit since you can't field anymore)

3rd - Kevin Kouzmanoff - 400K (like I said #6 hitter w pop)

CF - Gonzalez/Cunningham - 400K (low pressure spot)

2nd - Bobby Crosby - 5.25 Million (162 games till FA)

1st - Daric Barton - 400K (see #7 hitters)

Bench - Ryan Sweeney - 400K (a true 4th OF until power arrives)

Bench - Raj Davis - 400K (earned his spot, and is a great DEF replacement w blazing speed)

Bench - Rob Bowen - 650K (Powell can't be counted on to stay healthy, although since he only plays 20 games maybe bring him up and save 200K)

Bench - Eric Patterson - 400K (another guy can play a lot of positions, w speed)

Bench - Jack Hanahan -400K (Puke, I know but can play plenty of positions and won't be counted on HOPEFULLY)

The Pitchers:

SP: The Duke - 3 Million (Hope for a repeat of 2008)

SP: Sean Gallagher - 400K (Hope for Haren like strides between 1st and 2nd years)

SP: John Patterson - 500K (plus incentives based on games started) (?????)

SP: Greg Smith/Dana Eveland/Dallas Braden - 400K (ST will win the job, keeping spot till warm till Anderson or Cahill take over for long term)

SP: Gio Gonzalez - 400K (bring him along slowly and expect speed bumps but has stuff to be part of rotation in 2011)

Pen: Braden/Eveland/Smith - 400K (nothing exciting here except eating innings)

Pen: Andrew Brown - 400K (power arm for 5th -6th inning)

Pen: Jerry Blevins - 400K (getting groomed by grandpa for his role in 2010)

Pen: Santiago Casilla - 400K (power arm for 6-7th inning)

Pen: Alan Embree - 3 Million (Grandpa helps the kids through long season)

Pen: Ziggy - 400K (can do it all in any situation)

Closer: Joey Devine - 400K (takes over as closer w Ziggy mixed in depending on situations)

As you can tell this ISN't a world series team in the making but IF the prospects continue their growth and the younger guys continue to improve there is no reason to believe the A's can't compete with the largest payroll teams in 2011 for a ring. Yes - for the next couple years we may be looking up at the Angels but shouldn't be fighting for a top 5 pick either with improved offense.

These moves could realistically happen this offseason and the payroll is also low enough the A's can continue spending on the international scene and over slotting bonuses in the draft  to continue having a top minor league system to give them the parts needed to make a move later on when they are truly competing for a CHAMPIONSHIP.

So those are my hopes for 2009 since tonights game was an utter disgust.

Thoughts????? I am sure people will rip it apart but the farm is intact and the power is sprinkled the line up.

Not only did the raiders forget to show up Saturday against the Cards they lost 2 players for the season in Drew Carter and Oren O'Neil.

This really hurts the WR as we are pretty thin to start out with and Javon needs to step up his play.

Let's hope we get through the next game with the rest of the squad intact and we can get off to a 1-0 start against the Donk's

http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2008/08/23/oneal-carter-out-for-the-season/