SB Nation User Blog: Ovale Fan

Good Read on the DHB selection

Ovale Fan — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:04:05 -0000

ESPN has been tearing the Raiders apart the last few days so I found this article (written by Rich Lieberman) to be both refreshing and entertaining. The validity comes from a scouts perspective which in my mind carries more weight then some x-Bronco like Tom Jackson who clearly can not find objectivity when it comes to the Raiders. I hope you enjoy -

SFGate Link - The Case for Darrius Heyward-Bey

The Case for Darrius Heyward-Bey by Rich Lieberman

Almost every sports entity; ESPN, the NFL blogs, NFL Network, columnists, KNBR naturally, the whole fraternity, continues to rip the Raiders selection of Darrius Heyward-Bey as their #1, (#7 overall) draft pick.

These comments from an ex-NFL scout were sent to me via the wires of SFGate:
I was once long ago a scout, and teams value different things in their players.
I believe the Raiders are not a high volume passing team. They do not substitute short passes for a running game. It is clear they wanted a WR who will demand that teams rotate a safety to his side of the field on most downs.

A vertical threat in short.
If the Raiders were a West Coast offense team Crabtree would have made perfect sense. However the Raiders are not looking for a WR to work intermediate zones; they believe they have that in Miller and in the future, Scheilens.
The pick makes perfect sense to me and is no more of a reach then KC taking Tyson Jackson at #3 because he is exactly what they needed for the "SCHEME" they play on defense.

The comparisons of DHB to Troy Williamson are absurd; he has solid hands. Does he have the best hands of the WRs taken in the first round,?, probably not. Does he have the worst? No, he doesn't by a long shot. His hands are as good as Maclin's.
The routes and catches Maclin was asked to make at Mizzou were incredibly easy. The offense HDB operated in was far more sophisticated and demanding a great deal more from a wideout to be productive. If Bey were asked to catch bubble screens and turn up field his career numbers in college would be equal to Maclin's and Crabtree's.

Curry, Edwards and Wilson Released

Ovale Fan — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:50:48 -0000

Oakland Raiders Transaction Link -

I must say I am a little shocked we released G. Wilson. He had a good year and seemed very active in a leadership roll for the young guys. I have a hard time believing this is anything but a cap move. The option the Raiders currently have to fill that void is perhaps moving Branch over to SS.

Curry on the other hand...it's time to move on. He is little more then dead weight at this point in his career and we have too many young guys to keep any aging vets that are not realistic #1 and #2 options.

As for Edwards I am neutral. He was not a bad value and even had some descent play from time to time, but I believe I'm still getting over the Wilson shock.

Anyways I'm sorry if this is posted already.

Miggy pleading guilty?

Ovale Fan — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:49:24 -0000

I just heard Miguel Tejada is expected to plead guilty for lying to Congress about performance-enhancing drugs. Evidently this may happen as early as tomorrow and the information may be linked to the fallout of the Arod mess. I know he's not on the Athletics anymore but thought a few may find it interesting. After leaving the A's he has been busted about lying about his age and now this Roid-gate mess.

Here is a CNN Link