Some had Dennard going at the end of the first. Not after he slugged a police officer in the face at a bar at 2 in the morning. Dennard will defiantly drop in the draft because of this.

I'm not sure corner is the Raiders biggest need but this is a QB league and you can never have too many corners. Plus Alfonzo will fall under the best player available in Reggie's draft room.

Only 5-10/200 he is solidly built and is dependable in press coverage. He jams receivers well at the line of scrimmage and his rerouting skills are very advanced. Dennard also excels in zone coverage, and that type of scheme may be his best fit in the NFL. He is smart and doesn't have mental mistakes that get him caught out of position.

Reminds me a lot of Cortland Finnegan. Got in a fist fight with a SC wide receiver at the capital one bowl. Dennard and receiver were ejected.

Physical player, tough to get off the line against and willing to mix it up downfield. Fluid hips and good short-area to stay with receivers after initial move. Solid if playing off the line, as well, quick feet allow him to catch up to receivers if failing to get a hand on them initially. Deep speed and recovery speed are average, adding that to below-average height could spell trouble against playmaking NFL receivers downfield. Gets too physical at times, gets flagged for grabbing and holding.

Reggie might not like his attitude but if he's there at 95 I can't see Dennard not being the pick.

The first two draft board polls show most Raider fans want Josh Chapman the NT from Alabama in the 3rd and Travis Lewis the Linebacker from Oklahoma in the 4th. Both picks would most likely if not completely look more towards that "hybrid" defense Allen wants to run.

Chapman of course would be the full time Nose Tackle and Lewis could push for that 2nd middle linebacker starting spot and supplying depth for our shaky starter Roland McClain.

There's a good chance Chapman is gone though and if that is the case, Sean Spence looks to be the fan pick in the 3rd. Then again Reggie is getting paid to make the decision not us.

I expect Reggie to try to trade though and get more picks for his kind of guys and slowly start getting rid of the Al Davis guys. (Tommy Kelly, Louis Murphy, and Mike Mitchell are just a few examples.) That's just my hypotheses and I have no evidence to back that up and I'm a fan of all three of those guys.

Now let's talk prospects. These are guys Reggie McKenzie could be looking at for the last 3 picks.

Continue reading this post »

It seems most of S&B Pride readers want Josh Chapman out of Alabama with the Raiders first pick; whether because they think he's the best player the Raiders can get or if getting him means bigger chance of a 3-4 defense. Chapman could be valuable to the Raiders, especially with this "Hybrid" defense Allen wants to run.

As for me? I say linebacker. Whether the they are pushing for a job early or replacing a struggling and/or suspened McClain.

Enough about me, though. Let's talk 4th round prospects.

Continue reading this post »

Hey Raider fans. I haven't been posting that much lately mainly because Levi's posts are better and he gets them posted much quicker.

Reggie just gave us a brief draft plan and as many of us expected, he drafts the best player available. Now that's all good and all but at first he said he's getting starters, now it's depth?

Either way, the guy has been making moves and no one can argue that. I just wish he had some cap space and draft picks to get into this trading action. Brandon Marshall for a 3rd? Keith Rivers for a 5th?

Continue reading this post »

Thank you NFL for supplying us with those comp picks. Now we have to figure out how Regg and DA are going to use them.

It's mock time.

3rd round (95th overall pick) Sean Spence LB Miami. 5-11/230

Spence does everything he can to overcome lack of natural size and strength. He is already a coach on the field -- something teams may note for the future -- and shows amazing recognition skills that result from intense film analysis.

Athletically, he reads and reacts quickly without wasted steps. Spence is not fooled often by play-action, and shows above average skills as a pass defender.

At the Combine, he said "I think I am a three-down linebacker -- very fast, I can go sideline to sideline, I'm a smart, very instinctive player. … I lead by example, and most of all I make plays."

4th round (129th overall pick) Josh Norman CB coastal Carolina. 6-0/200

Long-armed press corner with size, athleticism and ball skills. Gets an effective jab on the receiver and has loose enough hips to turn and run. Good agility and balance when shadowing his target. Competitive player. Plays the ball as if it was thrown for him, showing burst back to the ball as well as good timing for the jump ball. Good hand-eye coordination. Rips the ball out of the hands of receivers as they grasp at it (35 career PBUs) and shows good hands to make the interception (13 career INTs). Possesses long arms (32.5) and can extend and snatch the ball as well as track the ball over his shoulder. Cagey. Will bait quarterbacks to throw in his direction and shows a surprising burst downhill. Alert run defender willing to take on and discard receiver blockers to get to the action. Enjoyed a strong week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game and and a late call-up to the Senior as an injury replacement, impressive in both environments … Big play artist on special teams, registering a school-record four blocked kicks.

5th round (148th overall pick) Jake Bequette DE/LB Arkansas. 6-5/270

Has a solidly-built frame with good upper body strength and tenacity, working hard to the ball. Plays fast with good initial quickness and closing speed to create havoc in the backfield. Possesses accurate snap anticipation and timing to beat blockers off the edge. Offers some versatility, rushing from a two and three point stance with the playing speed to stand up in space. Has good awareness against the run, setting the edge and holding contain. A relentless rusher with a competitive attitude and drive that are top-shelf -- overachiever and rushes like every play is his last. Possesses the strength to be a bull rusher and abuse blockers -- load to handle and will attract some holding penalties. Picks up energy as the game goes on and gets the most out of his ability. Team leader with a productive collegiate resume as a four-year starter (31.0 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks and 8 forced fumbles), leading the SEC in sacks in 2011.

5th round (168th overall pick) Terrance Ganaway RB Baylor. 6-0/239.

A hard runner with a workhorse-type back mentality. Does a nice job picking up the blitz and using his frame to impede rushers. Earned the starting running back job as a senior and made the most of his opportunity, leading the Big 12 in rushing and finishing third in the NCAA with 21 rush scores. Finished the season with six 100+ yard and three 200+ yard performances. Has good bloodlines as the nephew of former NFL defensive lineman Jeremiah Trotter.

6th round. Miles Burris LB San Diego State. 6-2/246

Another backer will set us up to run any defense. Taking two pass rushers to throw into the rotation and maybe even more 3-4 looks. We need a few NTs though and I can see Tommy Kelly getting traded to either move our real 5th round pick up or for a whole new pick to select a NT.

The offense is ready to go. Palmer is pumped and McFadden is almost ready. Those are keys to winning.

On defense this draft and a FA NT and a UDFA NT will set us up to win.

Raider nation get ready to win.

Just saw a Pat Kirwan tweet saying "Former Saint Joe Horn said he found out there was a $10,000 bounty on him by the Raiders but he went out & had 180 yards and a win". I figured someone would take a shot on us sooner or later I'm just glad it's Horn and not a Rivers, Brees, Cutler, Plummer, Cassel, or Trent Green.

Also Warren Sapp says Shockey snitched on the Saints.

Beware this isn't a post pleading for a trade. This is about the best player on the team, Darren McFadden.

My prediction is DMAC leads the league in rushing next year.

People say the zone blocking will hurt him but he did good in it before. As a rookie he had some big runs until he got hurt and got burried in the depth chart.

His injuries have nothing to do with his toughness. He's played hurt, took a painkiller shot to play, and he's our best home-run hitter.

Hue Jackson tricked us. whether he knew or not Darren's injury was a season ending injury. He was kept on the roster all year because Hue knew if we magically made the playoffs we could only win behind McFadden.

If Jackson would of put him and Campbell on IR then we could have picked up a D lineman we were missing for rotation and a corner so we would have more then 3 dressed for a game. Should have cut Boller also because he wasn't going back in and our defense looked tired.

Back to Dmac. This guy has it. He is the most complete running back in the game today. He will run by you, run you over, spin you out of your cleats, and throws a mean stiff arm. He's a machine. A monster. He smacks during pass protection and he's not even diving for legs like other backs do, he is taking heads off. This guy ran up field to chop block Ngata from the ravens. He controls the game. His hands are better then most our recievers. There's nothing this guy can't do. He gets hurt because he's playing like he's got nothing to lose. 110% every play. I said it when we drafted him this guy is gonna take us to championships.

Hes got the Line and the franchise QB. Yes I said it franchise QB. Palmer and McFadden are going to put up huge numbers if they are together next year. When has Palmer had a running back that could take it to the house on any play? Never. When has McFadden ever had a QB that can hit the long throws to our speedy recievers off the play action? Palmer will be 100% better with McFadden behind him. Play-action will turn this team into champions.

As soon as Tarver has our boys forcing turnovers and giving Palmer and Dmc extra possessions the sky is the limit.

Bush is good and if he wants to come back for a cheaper price then that's great. Nothing better then watching a fresh legged Michael Bush coming in and running over a tired defense in the 4th quarter.

In my opinion McFadden is the best in the league. I would take a healthy McFadden over any back in the league.

Please stop with the whole trade McFadden and Palmer campaigns. These two are great. Honestly if you think Campbell and Bush could take Palmer and McFadden in a scoring contest you should go back to your coloring books while your watching espn and looking at the stat sheet before writing a post on here after watching the 5 seconds of highlights espn actually shows of the Raiders.

Darren McFadden for 2013 MVP and co superbowl MVP with Carson Palmer.

Everyone that read my part one understands that we need to bring back Tyvon Branch. Without him our defense goes back 5 years. Believe me everyone remembers how bad we were then. That might be a little too much credit for him but I really don't care he's the only consistent player that plays every down on the defense.

Huff, Wimbley, and Tommy Kelly are bringing down the defense. Not so much by their play but by their pay. With the new coach here I'm sure he's already thinking about to take care of this problem.

Simple. Trade Huff and Wimbley. Wimbley fits perfect in a 3-4 and Huff will play better in more of an all zone defense. Wimbley has to have some trade value after he destroyed Rivers under the lights. Huff made some plays but not enough for the amount of money he gets.

Restructure Kelly and he should accept he won't get paid much anywhere and let him retire a Raider right next to Seymour.

Now has anyone other then me noticed that our line is pretty much all UTs. Shaughnessy is a run stopping DE a good one I might add but other then that who's bringing that pass rush? We haven't had a pass rushing end since Burgess.

I figure Curry will play Von Miller in our new Donkey defense but who's going to play Dumervile? Shaughnessy is good and will give RTs in this league fits but he isn't a Dumervile.

Houston needs to be moved in the middle of the line. Bryant plays very good at times. Seymour had so many games where he made plays the first drive and then disappeared. This line didn't play like the same line that painted Cassel's jersey green the last game of the season last year.

Jarvis Moss and Mathew Shaughnessy are really the only DEs we have and can they bring the pain? Moss should be spelling Matt and can't be a starter.

So what do we do? Keep Wimbley and have him be a full time DE? FA? Draft?

I can't think of any rookie pass rushing DEs that make a big difference their rookie year. Especially when we have no NT clogging the middle.

We were so bad at stopping the run that we stacked our line with huge slow guys to fill the hole so our god damn high priced gun slinging MLB can hit the wrong hole and we forgot about the pass.

We need to dump the Kelly, dump the Wimbley, and dump the Huff, so we can find a NT, and a Dumervile for the new Donkfense.

So I am saying DE NT and FS are our biggest needs and if you read my part 1 FS is taken care of.

Without draft picks and little money to spend I don't see our defense much improving this year. Maybe it'll move up 5 spots in points allowed and our D cord will get offered a head coaching jump. Hey it happened in Denver.

My next post will have some of the late round gems we can maybe get in the draft at DE and NT. I gotta watch the senior bowl to see some of them play.

I'm just going to come out with it. Tyvon Branch has got to be our first priority this off-season. He is the best player on the defense plain and simple. We gotta get him signed quick. I don't see him leaving unless the eagles gave him a hefty deal and was reunited with Aso. We do have a need at the safety position though. Honestly Huff is getting overpayed to be a nickle corner and I'm sorry but not a fan of Girodono. Huff needs to be traded and take anything we can get from him. Girodono can stay and be a backup to the starting the free safety. Which that bring me to my next point.

Branch at Free Safety. We have spitballed the idea around before and I never used to agree with it but then we played the packers. The Packers messed our stuff up. There was this one play though that I hope everyone remembers because I can't find it. Tyvon Branch covered Greg Jennings deep one on one and slapped the ball down. There aren't many players in this league that can do that. Cover newly vacaitioning poster boy Aaron Rodgers go to guy one on one with all day to pass. HOW!?

We have had Huff there for awhile. Girodono can't tackle or cover just kinda stands there and jumps at the ball. With Branch at FS it's a lot easier to find a Strong.

Mike Mitchell had a bit of a bad year. He was on the field a lot but I think he had one pick but that's the only play I remember him missing. He has a lot of upside and truely is a Raider.

Here's a curve ball for you guys. Landry out of Washington. The guy can play when healthy. Having him and Tyvon in the back with a 3-4 upfront?? Sounds like a bully. He flys to the ball and can lay wood. Let him get healthy and we have decent backups at each position ( Mitchell and Girodono) We just can't let our ruff defense lose its diamond. Branch is a star and a true Raider.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57cH1mFDHjY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ChyMi8NUd4

Watch both these videos and tell me you wouldn't nut if we had both these monsters.

Well my fellow nation it's this time of year again where we have pretty much nothing to do. Without a first round draft pick mocking is pointless and with our team being the most secretive team in sports we never know what's truly going on.

There's been rumors that our new GM McKenzie has some close ties with Packers Assistant head coach Winston Moss. Moss interviewed for our head coaching job back when Cable became the legit head coach. Now I don't know if this is true or not. I have no source besides a tweet that Adam Scheftter tweet stating " If Oakland does switch coaches Winston Moss would be the guy" or something like that. Anyway, I'm not sure how I feel about it so i want to hear what you guys think about it.

I'm really mutual about Hue right now. Lots of pros and cons. The main pro is his relationship with our new QB Carson Palmer. Carson and Hue go way back. SO if Hue is fired where does that leave Carson? Cut him? Trade him for maybe half of what we gave up for him? To me Carson needs to win us a Superbowl before we hand the job to someone else. Pryor maybe?

Winston Moss is a defensive coach and would probably switch us to a 3-4 pretty quick. Our best player on the team is McFadden and with us being a run first team it would make sense to hire a defensive coach and stack our defense so we don't get into shootouts with those pass heavy teams.

So let's say we hire Winston Moss and trade Palmer. Who's our QB? Well I think there's a guy about to enter free agency who's pretty good. Flynn Packers back-up has shown he's pretty good. Winning a championship in college as well as playing a great game against the Pats last year and winning a shootout this year against the Lions. He can be pretty good. He's great at getting the first downs and with us being a running team that's just what we need. He's like a mix of Palmer and Campbell. He can move the chains like Palmer and doesn't give the ball away like Campbell. A healthy McFadden will be 75% of the offense anyway.

Now if we get a good Dcord maybe we won't need Winston to get the D better. Maybe Palmer and Hue deserve another shot I never said they didn't. I just don't want another 8-8 season.

Maybe getting Winston and Flynn would be too much Green for our liking but with our beloved owner gone no one can be sure if the Raiders can continue to be like Raiders on and off the field.

Stay Black my friends.

Hello my fellow Raida fans. Sorry haven't been on in awhile but as many of you know I live in PA and it's hard to concentrate with all the Philly fans crying. Am I right? The only thing worse then a complaining Philly fan is any Charger fan. POW POW.

Speaking of Chargers did anyone see Tebow finally get in? Now the Bronco fans are going to have to find another excuse on why they keep losing.

Pete Carrol can picture Lebron James in a Seattle jersey. Which is strange because James is talented and right now I can picture fantasy stats and I don't see any talented Seahawks anywhere. Wouldn't fit in. Actually though any NFL team would take him besides maybe our opponents this week the Cleveland Browns.

I don't see why everyone in Cleveland hates him. He used to get the fans all excited all smacked up and all expecting to win and they lose. Instead of the usual Cleveland way of life expecting to lose that way when they win they get to be happy for awhile until they remember they live in Cleveland. In all honesty Ohio pro teams are awful. Cleveland fans should be happy he's gone and now they get to laugh at all the shocked Miami fans every year when Lebron chokes in South Beach.

Ugh all this talk about other sports and other teams is making me wanna choke on my own finger Mary-Kate Olson style. When I say choke I mean there's something in my throat not what Matt Schaub did on that last play. Haha 10 men on the field that's just like extra salt on the old wounds. I wish I could of went but there were no seats left since everyone in Houston is fat and takes up 3 seats.

Now time for some What are you doings.

Hue Jackson what are you doing?Putting 10 guys on the field on the last play of the game? Since they ran a hurry up does that mean on the last two plays of the game? That would explain our awful secondary letting Schaub complete that wounded duck he threw get completed. Nice coverage Boyd.

Whoever gave permission to trade for Aaron Curry what are you doing?Getting players from one of the worst teams in football isn't probably going to help us. Yeah he's athletic but so what? We have two DEs playing linebacker already so his coverage skills will fit in with us. It's not that I'm angry we got him but I'm angry that we probably won't use our 1st on a stud linebacker next year.

Some of the Nation dissing McFaddens play last week what are you doing? Yeah he didn't have the best game but every time he did something decent it was called back. McFadden is other Schilens and Mitchell my favorite player on the team. Two years ago I was one of the ones on here who didn't want to trade him. He is in my opinion the best back in the league. He will be the biggest reason we go anywere this year.

Jason Campbell what are you doing? He's getting a tad better but still makes too many mistakes. If he wants to get a new contract next year he needs to step up to the next level. He needs to become a franchise QB. He won't be the best or smartest but he needs to become a leader and lead this team to victory.

Our offense needs a leader. A leader who's a bully. Jacoby Ford got hit dirty out of bounds last week and no one did a thing.

Carolina's Steve Smith got in a fight and Cam Newton jumped into the pile. I'm sorry to say I can't see Campbell doing the same.

Do I expect Campbell to get into Cushings face for cheap shotting Ford? No. I expect Murph, Schilens, or maybe even Bossman to do that.

We needed one drive to put the game away. Maybe even two first downs. Was Campbell ralling the team? No. He looked sloppy. I was disgusted with how bad our offense played its last drive. Campbell needs to become more clutch or he could be replaced.

Colt Mccoy is a winner. Always has been. If he was in the position that Schaub was in he would of took on Branch head first and fell into the endzone for the win. Our offense can't give him the chance to win the game we have to put it out of reach.

On a happier note Pryor is in the building. I can't wait to see how Mr.Davis's last project works out.

RIP AL

Oakland Raiders; What are we doing?

We are suppose to be the best show on dirt. Eagles may be the "Dream Team" but Hue Jackson had me thinking we were gonna be the Mean Team. Sorry. Not after that showing.

We could have have the best secondary coaches in the world and still DVD, and Mcfadden couldn't cover a receiver.

1st string Defensive line; What are we doing?Tommy Kelly was getting tossed around from athlete to athlete like Kim Kardashian. Btw she got married. Lamar Odom was at the wedding wondering why no one told him he married the wrong Kardashian.

Speaking of wrong, is it me or do we have two DEs starting at OLB? In a 4-3? Pretty sure we do because the way Groves and Wimbly cover. Wimbly makes attempts and fails with a pass interference call and well Groves looks like someone shut the lights off a he's feeling the wall all slowly to find the switch. Seriously though, These two make McFadden look like a shutdown.

Speaking of shutdown, How about that Miami football? POWPOW

Jason Campbell; What are we doing? Scrambling for a one yard gain when you had the Boss open in the endzone? When I say Boss I don't mean Al Davis I mean Kevin Boss. If you seen him on twitter his girl pretty much rules his life. Kind of like Brandon Marshall except you know without the knife.

Back to the Linebackers.  What are we doing? Other then McClain we look weak. Wimbly is the highest 3rd down player in the league. Groves is one player on this team I just don't like. Goethel should start and even if he doesn't do great he will learn. Bring Lofa in for a veteran role. Or I know. Didn't we used to have a linebacker that was a great player for us just would of been a better OLB? No? Okay just making sure.

Offensive Line; What are we doing? Letting our starting Quarterback get hurt in the 2nd preseason game. That's awful. Now he won't be able to lose us the game against NO next week. It's okay though. They're coming with hiesman trophy player Mark Ingram so I'm sure our run defense will find away to make some mistakes to fill in in for Campbell. The right side of the line is completely confused all the time. More confused then Sons trying to figure out fantasy football. Jk Sons. We know you figured it out eventually. Just let the young guys play. Put last years class on the left side and this years on the right. Satele in the middle.

Recievers; What are we doing? Looking decent and running good routes. Making catches? If they keep this up Campbell supporters will run out of excuses on why he has yet to win a game without McFadden. I had to pause the screen to see if that was Bey making a play. Wow 3 nice grabs in 2 preseason games he sure is earning that rookie deal he got now.

In other news 2 people were shot outside of candlestick. It's sad. I can't remember the last time something violent happened after a California sporting event. Just a joke. Pray for them and their families. We might also need to pray for some blocking..

In reality though guys this is just preseason. We are without the 3 best players on the offense. Grad, Gallery, and Miller. Sike those were just our 3 players that played with heart. McFadden, ford, and Murphy are the most talented. Also where the heck is Mitchell? My favorite part about preseason is watching him lay wood on some poor helpless unprotected receiver.

Hmm night time I wonder what Kim Kardashian is doing right now? I'm sure their will be a video of it at some point. Wait she already has one?

 It's draft week baby, and I couldn't be anymore bored.

Thanks to the players union being ignorant rich bums I don't know if my 2 favorite players will be back next year. (Aso, and Miller)

We don't have a 1st round pick and we have an owner that likes to tease us with bluffs about getting into the 1st. We have a coach who can't make his mind up about whether he wants a QB or not.  A WR whose sex life has leaked all over the world. Summary of the off-season

Pretty much this off-season has been by far the most boring and I think it's because we left off hot last season and need to get back on field.

I can guarantee everyone 2 things.

1. We trade during some point of the draft.

2. We take a corner whether Aso stays or leaves.

Ok Mock Time.

2nd: Martez Wilson ILB, Illinois Height: 6-4. Weight: 250.

Now the real season I think this guy is coming because of a 4.49 40 time. There's a bit of an argument going on whether this kid fits in a 4-3 or 3-4. After watching a bit of tape he looks like a Sam OLB andNFL.com Agrees with me.  He's really an Al Davis pick and with our him Linebackingcore becomes a bully with Him, DeathRo, Goethel, and Wimbly. Almost all of his weaknesses can be fixed with coaching and switching to outside.

INO a lot of you want wiz and if Cable was the coach so would I but he's not gonna fit the power blocking scheme.

As for the TCU big boy it seems he's got some injuries that aren't really his fault, so I mean if teams are stupid and if he's there in the 3rd we take him then.

3rd: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida Height: 6-6. Weight: 330.

We need help on the Oline. I'm still hoping when this whole lockout is over we get Jared Gaither to come play LT and move Veldheer to RT where he could really dominate. Anyway in case that doesn't happen this big boy is pretty good. He's a RT only and will do good in the power blocking scheme. 

4th: Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock, Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.

Not sure how is going to fit in the power blocking scheme but he's strong and can maybe put some muscle on to play in a year or two. He could be the next Veldheer coming out of a D-2 school.

5th; Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech Height: 5-10. Weight: 192.

Ran a 4.39 at his pro day. Him or buster could the pick here. I prefer Carmichael because he played against better competetion andhad 6 picks in 09 with all-acc mention. Maybe we trade back and get Carmichael and Buster.

6th; Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia Height: 5-8. Weight: 179.

Ran a 4.26 at his pro day. Nuff said.

7th; Kyle Hix, OT, Texas Height: 6-7. Weight: 318.

RT, RGtype player. Just a big body project who played at a good program. Give us a bit of depth.

7th;  Bryant Browning, G, Ohio State Height: 6-4. Weight: 312.

Couldn't get it done at RT but did good at guard and with some coaching could compete for the LG spot in a few years.

I've noticed that the nation has our needs marked in order of;

C/G

OLB

CB

RT

S

I disagree with that. I do agree that they are all needs, but besides FS they are all equal, and that's only if Huff leaves then FS is just important. There's a bit of a wildcard with the Raiders needs. Almost every need we have we have someone who has done decent or better when they got in or someone who can switch to that position.

C/G-Bruce Campbell

OLB-Trevor Scott, Quinten Groves, Travis Goethel

CB- Jeremy Ware, Stevie Brown

RT-Bruce Campbell

S- Branch, Stevie Brown, Mitchell

Offensive Line looks like it needs the most work but I am having problems seeing guys who we can get our first pick and start now. Trust in Al to find a gem in the sand with late picks. None of us had Houston on our board but it was a nice pick. Veldheer was a guy we kind of talked about but didn't think we'd get.Bruce Campbell we were praying we would not get him because we all thought we were gonna get him early in the 1st, the experts had him going either to us early or late 1st early 2nd and we snagged him in the 4th. Jacoby we thought he was coming in the 2nd and there was no way because we just drafted a useless speedster in the draft before and what happens? We get him in the fifth and in my opinion the most explosive player to come out that year.

Ok guys here's the cold hard fact. We picked the best guy available almost every pick last here. Cable said it was either gonna be Suh, McCoy, I think Haden or McClain. If Suh would have dropped to us Kelly would have been traded instead of Morrison. We got McClain who was the best guy available in Al's eyes.

If you don't think that's how we draft or try to draft then why is Kaepernick visiting with us. If Al thought Campbell was the future we would be looking at QBs but Kaepernick is one hell of an athlete who could possibly be our future.

If Kaepernick were to fall to us which isn't likely because he has to pass al the QB needed teams twice before he gets to us once, we should consider taking him.

The way I see it is Wiz from Penn State won't be there and niether will Pouncy. The good 1st to 2nd round OLBs and CBs will be gone. No safetys worthy. It comes down to RT maybe Corner. I personally want Buster he will be there later. RT is left and I want Derek Sherrod, if he were to fall that's our pick but if he doesn't then do we make a big reach for a guy? We took a reach for Mike Mitchell in the 2nd. Was safety our greatest need? No. Are we happy with Mitchell's improvement? Yes.

Get ready boys because at the end of the month we will finally have some new news with the Raiders. Love the nation.

Round 2; Colin Kaepernick 6'6 - 225 lbs QB Nevada

He is the perfect 2nd round pick. He's got so much more upside then anything. He can make all the throws and has decent accuarcy. He's a leader on and off the field. The only problem is his footwork but I figure a year or two on the bench with Hue coaching him he could be the future.

Now I know i'm gonna get heat for this because I do agree QB is not our most glaring need but I think it's still a need. I do like Campbell and you all know i've been a Bruce supporter since day one but I just cannot see one of those guys holding the Lombardi over their heads. Campbell has always been a 7-9, 8-8, and 9-7 QB but that's it. He does average. It's not perfection. It's not excellence. It's decent and decent has never been the Raider way. Jay will start the next two years and i hope he proves me wrong but if he doesn't we have a QB ready to go.

Round 3; Clint Boling 6'5 - 308 lbs LG/RT

This big hoss was a 4 year starter for the bulldogs and has played LT. RT, and LG. So sounds pretty perfect with us not knowing who any of our starters on the line are gonna be except Veldheer and Satele. Now I do think Gallery helped Veldheer and was a leader to that line and it will be hard to replace but we have to replace it and Clint is the first step.

Round 4; Buster Skrine 5'10 - 186 lbs CB

The Al Davis pick. This guy is fast. I'm not sold on him or any other corner besides the top 3 but even they will not be able to fill in for Aso. I really hope some how we offer him Champ Bailey money and he takes it. Even if the miracle happens and he stays I like this pick even more because I want Buster to be Routt's replacement not Aso's.

Round 4 Marcus Gilbert 6'6 -329 lbs RT Florida Comp Pick for Gallery

This guy isn't really a project just sort of needs to grow and get used to the NFL. He's Reliable, durable player who consistently gives good effort. One of the team's senior leaders for 2010. Mature, well-liked player with no known character issues. Studies his playbook and constantly looks to improve.Effective size and mobility to be an extremely effective positional blocker at the next level. Anchors against strong defensive ends well, resets his hands to sustain the block. Moves his feet to wall off backside run support and sustain until the play is away. Solid pass protector with a quick set, fluid lateral movement and willingness to go out and punch his man off the snap instead of waiting for the rush to come to him. Usually keeps his feet active and arms extended while engaged. Sustains after initial contact and can anchor against most ends. Good balance to protect the inside lane.

5th; Brandon Fusco Slippery Rock 6'4 - 302 lbs C

I'm trying to find out more about this guy but am having problems. I figure we struck gold with an small school Olineman last year let's go for it again. He won the Gene Upshaw award for being best Olineman in D-2. His coach said he's a great leader on and off the field. He's very quick with decent footwork and his a bruiser. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KR09rtLXnM

6th; Derek Hall Stanford 6-5 - 305 lbs RT

This guy was one of thr guys who kept Andrew Lucks jersey clean. He used to play defense but switched. It's easy to overlook his inexperience considering Stanford finished second in the nation with only six sacks allowed, but Hall has a lot to learn about the position. His natural athleticism has hidden many of his deficiencies. He still needs to tighten his footwork and add some weight. He does have the necessary upside and in-line blocking skills to get a shot in the mid-to-late rounds with the potential to blossom as a starting right guard or tackle.

 7th; Ryan Donahue Iowa Punter I don't want to lose Shane but I think he could be one more word from being traded. Now I know we also need an OLB. I don't like Mathews and I think a 4th for Mark is too much. So what about Kirk Morrison? He'd come cheap. Then next year we can use our 1st for a stud OLB?

Making a draft board before free agecy and before the combine is over is close to impossible.

Before we decide what our needs are let's talk about who we could be losing.

Gallery. Not sure how he would do in the power blocking system but I'm pretty sick of him being injured. He will be playing for us or Seattle next year.

Miller. Plain and simple he deserves the raise more then anyone on this team.(besides Branch) He doesn't complain, he wants the ball, he's our best and to me looks like our only sure handed reciever. Biggest tender for this man.

Huff. We need him. Give him a good tender. Last year we found out he can pass rush, his ballhawking skills got better, and he can play corner too. He is a must keep.

Aso. God he is a must keep that I don't think we're keeping. He's gonna go to philly, GB, or washington. Then he's gonna come play FS in 3 years so he can retire a Raider. Of course will get no Hall of Fame reconition because he's a Raider and QBs avoid him like  a drunk chick at a party.(Of course there's a certain QB in PA who doesn't avoid drunk chicks)

Bush. I say Give him a 2nd round tender and if anybody wants him take him but if not we'll be glad to take him back.

Walker/Satele. Both are keeps for depth and will probably start for awhile. Hopefully Walker at RG.

Bruce Gradkowki. Keep. Please.

Coop. Cut. No power so i can he be in a power blocking scheme.

So the way I see it McFadden, Veldheer, Reece, and Miller are the only for sure starters next year on offense.

1st. is RT or C.

We don't have a 1st so we need to make a list of Tackles and Centers that will be around between 2nd and 5th round.

Other then Wiseniewski and Pouncy I don't see any center that is better then Satele. Satele can't handle the big NTs but i'm not sure if any of these rookies can either. Maybe if Satele had a better RG?  A big boy like Walker or Campbell?

Now for the OTs. The BC and USC kids are going in the first. Solder could drop but not to us. If he's stll there when the Steelers are picking they will surely pick him. Carimi and Sherrod could come into the 2nd round. Trading with NE to get their 1st pick in the 2nd round to get Sherrod would be great.

2nd. OLB. Kirk Morrison and Manny Lawson are on free agency. If we have the money I say pick up both of them. Plus we got Goethel that I read somewhere that he beat Groves for the OLB spot at camp last year.

3rd. CB becomes our next need. Aso leaving. Routt and CJ become are starters. I check nfl.com every morning to see if there's any news about Aso but there never is. Johnathan Joseph, Josh Wilson, Richard Marshall, and Chris Houston could all be on free agency. I don't see any corners who can come in and start other then the 3 that will be taken in the 1st round.

Doing this is really hard. Davis could decide to trade Bush for a 2nd and Huff for a 2nd and use all 3 2nds on Corners or WRs.

Here's my Board; 2nd round(In order 1st one available pick)

1.Derek Sherrod 6-6 312lbs. Mississippi State RT

2.Akeem Ayers 6-4 255lbs. UCLA OLB

3.Jimmy Smith 6-2  205lbs. Colorado CB

4.Brandon Harris 5-11 195lbs. Miami CB

5.Ryan Mallett 6-6 235lbs. Arkansas QB

6.Greg Jones 6-1 250lbs. Michigian ST. OLB

7.Marcus Cannon 6-5 350lbs. TCU RT

3rd;

1.Bruce Carter 6-3 235lbs. NC OLB

2.Orlando Franklin 6-7 315lbs. Miami RT

3.Demarcus Love 6-5 318lbs. Arkansas LG

4.john Moffitt 6-4 314lbs. Wisconsin LG

5.Quan Sturdivant 6-2 230lbs. NC OLB

4th;

1.Marcus Gilbert  6-6 329lbs. Florida RT/RG

2.Pat Devlin 6-4 227 lbs. Delaware QB

3.Jalil Brown 6-0 202 lbs. Colorado CB

4.Ian Williams 6-1 311lbs. ND DT

5.Derrick Locke 5-8 186lbs. HB Kentucky

5th;

1.Jake Kirkpatrick 6-2 301lbs. TCU C

2.Henry Hymoski 6-2 260lbs. ND FB

3.Brandon Fusco 6-4 302lbs Slippery Rock C

6th;

1.Justin Boren 6-3 320lbs. Ohio State OG

2.Courtney Smith 6-4 220lbs. South Alabama WR

7th;

Dom DeCicco 6-3 232lbs Pittsburgh SS

Loyce Means 5-10 177lbs Houston CB

So that's my board. If you think i should add/delete something let me know.

Mock 0.0

2nd. If Derek Sherrod or Ryan Mallett falls we have to take one. I know i'll get heat for Mallett but the guy is a future franchise QB and here we are franchise QBless. He's got a gun that Al loves. Yes the Raiders haven't been great with drafting QBs but Hue has. Look what he did with Flacco. Gotta get Hue something to work with before helosses his job before. Campbell will still start this year with no competition.

If none fall then...

2nd.Brandon Harris CB

3rd. Orlando Franklin RT If we get Sherrod then this is Sturdivant OLB/MLB

4th. Pat Devlin QB If we take Mallett then Gilbert.

5th. Jake Kirkpatrick C

6th.Justin Boren G

7th. Loyce Means CB

Darren Perry or Winston Moss could be coming. I think Moss is our 1st option and Perry the 2nd. Perry is the safeties coach who coached for us in 07 08 I think.

McClain's vehicle was shot at the other day. The police said they weren't sure if the person knew it was McClain or not in the car. Good thing Silver and Black are neutral gang colors ay?

Aso wants to stay. Bush and Gallery want Cable. Lechler wants to talk. Hell give us Aaron Curry and your 3rd round pick and you can have both. Lechler could be a nice smack talking addition for the Jets just give us your 4th.

Seymour and Aso both dropped out of the probowl so I have no reason to watch it.

The Senoir Bowl disappointed me in all levels. Last years class seemed much better. Fairley is no Suh. Gabbertis no Bradford. There was 4 safeties worth a 1st last year and I don't see one this year.

The Combine could change my opinion on some players. As of right now I see Locker as a Tim Couch and nothing more. My three QBs are  Colin Kaepernick,  Pat Devlin, and  Andy Dalton. I will watch the QB combine portion for these guys alone.

Of course how free agency turns out will decide the draft. If we strike gold with a top name free agents like Mankins, Gaither, Bailey, or Joseph. Also if we lose key players like Bush, Aso, Huff, and god forbid Seymour.

As of right now our biggest needs are OLB and O-Line.

Guys we really need to look at:

Three Tackles who are suppose to go in the 3rd: Marcus Gilbert- Florida- 6’5 320, Joseph Barksdale- LSU- 6’6 318, and DeMarcus Love- Arkansas- 6’5 315.Love being my favorite out of the three. He can play anywhere on the line and excells in run blocking. I can see Love or Barksdale being our next RT and Gilbert being a solid guard right or left. Some say Gilbert could fall to the 4th and could be a steal for us there. Orlando Franklin- Miami (Fl.)- 6’7 315 is another guy we should take a look at. 08, and 09 was one of the best guards in the country and stayed for his senior to play LT and couldn't do it. He's projected to go in the 4th. So there is some interior talent we can get in the 4th so i'm gonna say our 2nd and 3rd pick will not be an interior linemen.

So our 2nd and 3rd are gonna be a OLB or a RT. Last year's draft shows getting the backer first would be a better option.

How about Mr.Spartan himself.  Greg Jones Michigan State- 6’1 245. Played MLB and was the leader of the defense. Very humble. What sets Jones apart is his ability to play at an elite level (not only as a run stopper, but he plays very fluidly in pass coverage). He lacks ideal middle linebacker size, but makes up for this with natural instincts and quickness. An excellent wrap-up tackler, Jones quickly closes on ball-carriers and plays low in order to stop larger players. Plus if we switch to a 3-4 we got our stud MLBs. He is the next step to building a bully.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EwgT6dtWpo

So the earlier picks are already done.

2nd- Greg Jones Michigan State- 6’1 245 LB

3rd- DeMarcus Love- Arkansas- 6’5 315 RT

4th-  Orlando Franklin- Miami (Fl.)- 6’7 315 or Marcus Gilbert- Florida- 6’5 320 OG

5th- Jake Kirkpatrick- TCU- 6’3 305 C

6th- Quinton Porter- UNLV- 5’10 185 CB

7th- Anthony Allen – Georgia Tech- 6’0 230

Now that's my precombine mock and a lot can change. We need another pick in the 3rd or 4th round.

Also I think we should make a move for Matt Flynn. Another cheese head that could start in a year or two being in our system. Remember the last backup for Green Bay is playing in a superbowl next week. Just a thought.

What did we find out in 2010? 

Who are franchise player is. Darren McFadden was one injury away from being traded to the Browns for a 6th round pick or Brady Quinn.

We had a very good draft that will only get better as they get older. Our run defense isn't perfect but it is much better with McClain in the lineup. Houston can start at any place on the DLine and my guess will switch to DT as Kelly and Seymour begin to get older as well as him.Veldheer is a straight monster. My guess is he will be a probowler at some point. JacobyFord has legit super speed that no one can catch. He reminds me a lot of Steve Smith (CAR)except is faster.

Our Offseason pickups didn't do to bad either. Wimbly is probably our best pass rusher. Groves came out and did decent at LB. I believe Walker came back this year and did good.

Jason Campbell was the smartest move Al made last year. There is a problem though. He is not a franchise QB. He plays well when other players play well but it should be the other way around with QBs. I'm not exactly sure how Hue feels about Jason when he wanted Bruce to be the starter but said he was excited to how Jason does next year.

Usually when a new coach comes he brings in a new QB to make his mark on the franchise in that way if that QB does good it makes the coach look good and shows he turned around the franchise. Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Baltimore, St. Louis, Denver, Kansas City, NYJ, Lions, Skins and the Saints all had their new coaches bring in new QBs. Some worked out better then others. Pit and Indy have coaches who come to mind where they already had superbowl teams and doesn't look like they have done too much and there's been questions.

In the interview some one brought up Al Saunders and Hue said one of the names him and Al were thinking about. Saunders has coached Jason Campbell before. To say Campbell did good in his system is debatable. He runs an Air Coryell offense with a big 700 page playbook that Campbell struggled in. Campbell went down and the back-up Todd Collins excelled and took the Skin into the playoffs.

The Coryell offense is a combination of deep and mid range passing and power running. The offense relies on getting all five receivers out into patterns that combined stretched the field, setting up defensive backs with route technique and the Quarterback throwing to a spot on time where the receiver can catch and turn up field. The Coryell offense has the ability to both "eat the clock" with the ground game but also to strike deep and fast without warning. Critics argue that the Coryell offense is ill-suited for coming from behind, as the deep pass attack will be predictable and therefore easy to stop. However, the fact that the offense is structured around a power running game and tall WRs who can win jump balls and have some breakaway speed make this contention hard to support.

I'm not sure we have a QB on our roster that can do this. So of course like always it will be up to Al and hopefully Hue will have a say in things.

It sounds like Al wants Aso but isn't sure if he wants to spend the money. We won't have to blow money on a 1st rounder this year so maybe we can afford it.

McFadden's job is really the only one who is safe. It's possible we lose some players and pick up some players.

My guess is as good as anyone who the  D-Cord is gonna be. We will stay 4-3 but hopefully with more zones and blitzes. Like the Giants-Saints defense.

In my opinion our needs to fill in FA and the draft in order are

CB

QB

RT

OLB

RG

C

I won't make a mock until a little after the Superbowl but I'm already watching tape. Everyone keep making mocks so i can get a feel of what everyone is looking for.

Thanks,

RF21

Just something to get my mind off of Manning torching our secondary because Marshall won't bring the heat.

QBS

Matt Lienart- Bust if you ask me. Someone will take him as a backup. Det, Ten, Min, or pretty much anyone who thinks he has potential. Me not being one of them.

Alex Smith or Troy Smith or maybe both- Anything can happen here. Maybe the one who gets the start stays or maybe they get a new coach and both leave. Overall both are better then Lienart but Me being an Ohio State fan think Troy is better and we should get him depending on how our QB situation ends up.

Carson Palmer and Donovan Mcnabb- Both have big contracts who aren't playing at big contract levels.

Matt Moore, Tarvaris Jackson, and Kerry Collins- All are in bad situations and anything could happen.

RBs

DeAngelo Williams, CAR-  He's good and will want payed next year but CAR has two pretty good backs other then him. It will come down to money but with Carolina playing as bad as they are can they afford to lose any good players?

Cedric Benson, CIN- It's possible we see a whole new Bengal team next year with a whole new staff, QB, RB, and WR. I'm not that big of fan of Benson.

Joseph Addai, IND-  If he wants to be the big man on campus he will have to leave. With a future HOF QB and having to share carries he will never be able to show what he can really do.

Ronnie Brown, MIA-  Maybe only money would be an issue but he's a major part of the offense and I can't see him leaving.

Jerious Norwood, Tim Hightower,  Ricky Williams, Mike Tolbert- Could all be on new teams.

WRs

Randy Moss, TEN- He can still play and will see if anyone offers him something better then TEN. I don't think he is a good fit there. Maybe he recieves an offer from the Raiders?

Vincent Jackson, SD- The man wants payed and the man plays. Simple as that. SD will trade him but don't count on him hitting the open market.

Sidney Rice, MIN- He's good. I have a feeling he won't be there next year but I could be wrong.

Malcom Floyd, SD-  He can be a number one. Like his teammate he wants payed. SD is a sticky sitaution that could go anyways.

We have a need at WR and those guys are the only ones worth paying.

Braylon Edwards,  Santana Moss, Steve Smith, Mike Sims-Walker- Edwards is the only one I can see playing for a different team.

Offensive Line

Jared Gaither- Slim Chances being back in Baltimore. I think he wants to play LT. I like him but the Raiders are devolping a LT right now. If him or Veldeer agreed to play RT then we would be buisness. If Hue is still here next season that would really help.

 Matt Light, NE- You really never know with New England they could have a guy from a prison league playing great football for them. The only guy whos job is safe is Bradys.

Carl Nicks, NO- One of the best in the league. It's all about money. Do the Saints really want to drop another big check?

Logan Mankins, NE- Will be gone next season.

The Raiders really could use a guy at every position on the line especially the right side.

Defensive Line

Albert Haynesworth, WASH- He will be cut and the only ones I see signing him is the Raiders, Titans, Rams, and maybe Jacksonville. I say get him. Him and Seymour with Kelly spelling every guy on the line except on passing downs and it makes Kelly expendable even though he has had a great season. Instantly best DLine in the league.

Pat Williams, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Shaun Ellis- These are the only players on the line I can see leaving their teams.

Linebackers

David Harris, Shawne Merriman , Kirk Morrison, and Chad Greenway- Could all be on new teams next year?

DBs

 Champ Bailey- He is 1st on my wish list this off-season. Him and Aso would be great.

Carlos Rogers,  Eric Wright, Fabian Washington, Richard Marshall, Quintin Mikell, Darren Sharper, Eric Weddle, and Chinedum Ndukwe- Other then maybe Rogers all could be looking for a different team.

Raiders in contract years.

Stanford Routt, Hiram Eugene, Thomas Howard, Ricky Brown, Seymour, Super Mario, Satele, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Zach Miller, Bush, and Bruce Gradkowski.

We need a D coach or a new head coach with a defensive back round. If we added Big Al and Champ with a different defensive scheme I don't know how we lose.

Trading Block

All LBs except McClain. I don't know what were doing. Groves and Wimbly can't cover and I'm not sure if Wimbly can hit anyone besides the QB. I still wish Howard started. Now if we ran a 3-4 then I really can understand it but after this season I think we should stay a 4-3. As of right now I think Seymour and Kelly are playing the best football on the defense and that's what they are better in.

Safeties. I think we have 4 good safeties. Our system doesn't help though. I think we listen to offers for Branch and Huff and see what happens. I know the Colts are looking for safeties.

Michael Bush. I think he can be a feature back for a team and deserves it. I don't want to get rid of him or really any of the players we have now but he's more then a backup.

The off-season is a good ways away and I'm glad for that because we have no 1st round pick to make our mock drafts more fun. Remember to root for the Titans this weekend.

Have a Holly Jolly one guys.

To start off i'd like to say I am sorry. I know I wasn't the only one who doubted Campbell but he is our man for the next 3 or more years. I was a big Gradkowski supporter and still am but Jay can lead this team to the post season. I just wish things would of played out differently. Like Campbell just plain out winning the job without Bruce getting hurt because everytime Campbell goes down and Boller starts warming up I tear up.

We are doing great but we need some help. We need help from an old friend.Our old QB Kerry Collins. Him and the Titans go to Arrowhead this week. We need them to win. I'm not sure if they are in the race but if they are they need us to win against Indy. Kerry for all the games you couldn't win here this game would make up for it.

Our other problem is the Chargers. If they win out and we give KC the beating that they got coming the Chargers are in. Now I hate both teams. ALOT. I'm just tired of the Chargers going. Now my prediction a certain QB wins his 2nd start against Hou gets the start and beats SD. Tebow. He is fighting for the job next year and so is his coach and what better way to do it then beating the team that has led the division for like half a decade. Couple other things to throw at   Bailey on his last year on the contract so his future is unclear and how about Brian Dawkins coming back in the last game of the season and maybe his career to put on a show.

Now none of this matters if we don't win our game against the playoff mode Colts and Peyton Manning. I like Peyton but I want him to get crushed this game. After watching Brady get pretty beat up against the Packers I know hits on the QB add up and they get quicker to force the ball or throw it away. Getting to Manning will win us the game. He is a superstar and will try to make something happen and we need to shut it down. We need to play like we played the Chargers. Run first. Hit the Quarterback. Force turnovers. Great special teams. Smart Passing. Smashmouth football.

Position Breakdown

QB- Jason Campbell. He is good but most of all he's all we got. Bruce and Frye are out and Boller is well I don't how to put it other then he has connections with Hue and that's how he still has a job. With help from the playmakers Jason can take us deep.

RB- McFadden and Bush do their thing. Although I think we switch to Bush to soon. Run DMC needs time to get going sometimes and Bush should be used to get first downs, spell Darren, and to punch it in. I do hate though that Mcfadden gets it to the goaline and then we put in Bush to punch it in. It's not that bad of a thing but if we want DMC to go to the pro bowl he's gotta score.

FB- Probowl? Reece could start a trend for teams to start looking for guys that can block, catch, and take it over 50 yards for a touchdown. Just needs to keep working on the blocking.

WR- Murphy continues to lead it but Ford is good. Both will be on the top part of the depth chart for 5 years. I wish I could say the same for Bey and my favorite Schilens. Bey shows improvement but not for as much as he is getting payed. Schilens now back from injuries is in but hasn't caught a pass. I'm not sure if him and Campbell have gotten on the same page yet but keep hoping.

TE- Miller need I say more?

Line- Overall average. Too many penalties but the protection is decent and the run blocking is well the best? Walker down haven't heard anything. I was hoping for Campbell but Henderson replaces him.

Dline- When they want to be they can be the best. When Seymour and Kelly play their best we win. Nuff said.

Backers- Not much covering skills here and will need them against the colts. McClain is a stud. Jacksonville is proof he makes a big difference.

Corners- Umm will a decent corner please stand up. Route gets burned I say wheres johnson. Johnson gets burned I say wheres Route. Route misses an easy pick lets them score then commits a penaltly and I say where the hell is Aso??

Safeties- Huff's hitting has improved but I'm not sure if any safety we have can cover. It's like we have 3 physical strong safeties and no ball hawking free safeties. Stevie Brown?

We need help. We need to win. We can win. Just let it rip.

I've already started making my thank you cards to Kerry Collins, CJ, and the Titans. Carson Palmer, Ocho and the Bengals. Tim Tebow or Kyle Orton, Champ Bailey, and can't believe I'm saying this the Broncos.

Just Win Baby. I'm talking to you, Campbell.

NFL.com says Bruce Almighty is the starter. My prayers have been answered. If he stays healthy we might get some revenge against our friends in the Pennsylvania area. That means playoffs boys. You have to wonder who made this decision. Our owner thinking maybe this could the year? A coach or O.C putting their job on the line? Remember Hue Jackson was the one who wanted to pull Jason against the rams. Only time will tell my fellow Raider fans.

The Raiders are 5-5 so I guess that's something we should be thankful for. The AZ and SF loses still haunt me.

If the NFL's goal was to make all boring and pointless games for thanksgiving then they succeeded. It's thanksgiving and I will be watching every boring and pointless game on.

Brett Farve says this his is last year again.  He has left and cameback more times in the past 3 years then the lions have won games. Chad Ochocinco got fined for wearing golden cleats a few weeks back and Farve's picture of his Johnson was perfectly legal.

T.O called Revis average. I sort of agree.

I think the next piece of the puzzle is a primetime WR.  When you buy a Chaz Schilens jersey you get a free first aid kit.We really need some help I mean I just got a Heyward-Bey jesery and got a free jar of butter. We get a good WR then developing a QB will be easier.

Speaking of QBs did you hear Jason Campbell is gonna be the starter again next week? Tom Cable is 100% sure that Jason Campbell is gonna be our Quarterback for the next 6 loses..Oops i mean weeks.

We are really lucky that we have two QBs who work hard and want to win and that shows we are a new team. I just wish Grad would stay healthy and Jason could take control.

Next week is really a must win. If Aso plays and McFadden shines I can't really see us losing. Unless Campbell gives them the game.

 So since it's thanksgiving i'm gonna make a poll about what about this season we are most thankful for.

 Have a great thanksgiving guys.

P.S. Give em hell Hawks, Colts, and Rams. I will being cheering for you.

Jason Campbell.

What I like: I like his work ethic. He knows the offense very well for just being in it for a couple months. His attitude. He's been calm and really just sits back and watches how this whole "QB controversy" play out. His 4th quarter play. Somehow he usually makes a big play in the 4th. His throw power. He can throw the ball and spread the D. His 3 game win streak. Now many can argue that this has little to do with him.

What I don't like: His vision and lack off finding the open man. He stares at one guy the whole way down the field. His decision making. Some of his throws are questionable. Like the Ford catch that put us in field goal range to tie. Triple coverage and he threw an INT Ford just saved it. Sometimes it looks like he isn't on the same page with Murphy and Heyward Bey. Bey could of had a big 4th quarter if Jason could of got the ball to him. When the run game gets shutdown so does Campbell. SEA and DEN were Campbell's best games but it's kind of easy to have good games when your D shuts down the offense all game and our backs are destroying.

Stats: 97/171. 1252 YDS. Complete%56.7. 7TD/5INTS. Sacked 19/lost115YDS

4-2 As the Raider starter. Impressive wins: SD, DEN, and SEA. Bad Game: Giving SF their 1st win. Throwing 8/21  *83 yards with 2 INTS.

Bruce Gradkowski

What I Like: I like His work ethic. When we got this guy he was a cut Brown who was our 3rd QB to being a starter in the National Football League with a team that could win their division. I think he knows the offense more then the head coach. His heart. He plays with it every snap. Getting paid nothing like the other QBs in the NFL especially former Raider ones he will still risk his body for a 1st down. He gives us chances. Everytime he plays and we lose it was a close game never a blowout or a bad game. Overall he's just a great guy, Did anyone see that post a while back with the kid that is sick?

What I Don't Like: He's fearless. He cashes checks his mind can pay but his body can't. His injuries: Knee, Pectoral, and now shoulder. If he could stay healthy there's a chance Campbell wouldn't be on this team or at least the starter. Sometimes he doesn't hold onto the ball long enough when he has time he should take advantage of if it wait for guys to get open and not force it.

Stats: 53/101 709 yards. comp% 53. 4TD/4INTS. Sacked 7 lost 57 yard.

2/1 last year 1/2 this year with two close losses to HOU and AZ.

Things To Add: Jason has won the game against 4 very different defenses. On 2 different occasions Jason has struggled and Bruce has came in and done very well. Hue Jackson was the one who came to Cable and suggested a change at the Quarterback spot. If Schilens is back against PIT him and Gradkowski had a flow going last year. Most espn and NFL network people are still saying Chargers are going to the playoffs.

"Just cut it loose"

Our pass rush is gonna win it for us. We have been blitzing more this year and it's helping. With CJ and Aso hert the line has got to anchor the team.

The chiefs love the screens absolutely love them. We gotta shutem down.

Sons Called it with Shaughnessy. My vote was on Scott to become our big time pass rusher but Mathew is clearly our best pass rushing DE.

Kelly and Seymour looking like probowlers. I have already voted for both of them. They are like the two highest paid in the league. POW POW.

The only thing on D i don't like is Groves starting over Howard. Groves is bad in coverage and it looks like we never blitz him so why is he there?

Now this Aso injury sucks but it will give a younger player playing time. If huff plays corner who do we put at safety? Move Branch and put Mitchell at Strong? Stevie Brown? Keep the safeties and start McFadden at corner? This will be interesting.

Veldheer was sent to us from the heavens. Those offsides are rookie mistakes. I wish I had an excuse for Gallery but I don't. I really don't like the right side of our line though. Has anyone noticed Bruce Campbell getting any playing time?

QB. Campbell or Grad? I think the answer is simple and I know a lot of people are gonna disagree but Bruce Gradkowski is the Quarterback of this team. No ands, Ifs, or buts. If he can't go I am proud to call Jason Campbell our backup QB.

HB. D-Mac is the man. PERIOD.

FB. I think with Reece we have something no one else has. A playmaker for a FB.

WR. H-Bey good game but still has work to do. Our number 1 was seen walking to the team's nurses room. He basically lives there. Murphy has gotta be back this week. Really wanna see more of Miller and Ford.

The Chiefs.

I think it's gonna come down to our D vs. their run game. Our Offense will put up points.

We will get to Cassel. That's the one thing im sure of.

I was scared maybe Davis would try to deal Aso but I don't think he can if he's injured.

Please nobody make comments on Moss. If Pats and Vikes don't want him we don't want him. Yes that's right im putting us in the same spot they are in.

PLAYOFFS.

AND we aren't stopping there. Write this down. S.U.P.E.R.B.O.W.L. Our next two games will decide it. We beat the chiefs playoffs, We beat the chiefs and steelers superbowl. JK guys i'm not gonna be the one to jinks us.

Prediction.

Oak 27 KC 17

P.S.

Anybody see my boy Troy Smith wreck DEN in England? If only we had someone who has taught or coached him before. Somone who has be there for him since his rookie year. OH we do Hue Jackson. You can't tell me he didn't want him. He wanted Boller for godsake. POW POW.

A lot of fans think Mr.Davis should hire a G.M and quit being the wrinkled face of the franchise. Well i'm one of these people something needs to be done and fast.

I have a ton of ideas that would help the team and I wanna hear yours.  

Comment what you would do if you were in charge of the Oakland Raiders. You get ten reasonable realistic moves to turn our team into a playoff team.

Rules; If you make a comment you have to rec a comment. Makeing changes that involve switching starters is one move. Example; You want Jason Campbell, Walter McFadden, and Nick Miller to be starters that only counts as one move. Read more then one comment and really decide which one is best. Give a little description why you did each move. You can only make 5 reasonable trades and if you see a trade that is completely unreasonable say something without being a jerk about it. After your ten give us your draft by positon.

Just somethen to dream about guys.

10. Start Veldheer at LT and Campbell at RT and convert Mitchell to OLB.

9. Clear our coaching staff. I really don't like our staff. Cable should be an Oline coach and Hue a QB coach.

8. Bring in Bill Cowher and let him pick his staff. I think Cowher would bring back that mean defense we crave.

7. Switch to a 3-4 - 4-3 hybrid but a 3-4 is our base. McClain and Groves in the middle with Wimbly and Mitchell on the outsides.

6. Cut Kelly, and Coop. Both are a lost cause.

5. Trade Mario Henderson and Jason Campbell to AZ for a 4th round.

4. Trade Seymour for a 3rd and 4th round.

3. Trade Gallery and Mike Huff for Bob Sanders and a 5th round.

2. Trade Michael Bush and CJ for Champ Bailey.

1.Pick up any WR with potential.

Draft.

2nd. LG

3rd. NT

3rd. RG

4th. FS

4th. WR

5th. C

5th. NT

6th. QB

7th. HB

You guys think you can do better prove it.

Recap.

When is somebody gonna make a play on defense? A sack, big hit in the back field, a god dang INT for god sake. Our defense got beat in every way possible. It's not one persons fault but McClain and Seymour are the leaders so blame goes towards them. Schaub gets killed on sundays but he does a few bootlegs and our pass rush is no where to be found. Someone please tell me why we have all 3-4 backers starting and we barely blitz. That's on the coaches 100%. We need to change those billboardes from "hire a GM" to "send a damn blitz". Pardon my french on that one but come on. Get kelly out of there Bryant and Henderson should take his spot. I'm not sure if 3-4 is the answer because that would ruin my dream of getting big Al. Huff is a free safety and shouldn't be seen on every run play although he needs to make that tackle. Branch just seems lost in coverage at times but his run D would be missed way to much. Best thing on D I saw is Mitchell getting time a LB. Thank you Cable you will be missed. SIKE who's gonna have the balls to fire him.

Offensive Line. Holy testicle tuesday. Mario couldn't block a stalker on facebook. You know if we get crushed next week hopefully Hue is named head coach and we start the young players for the rest of the season. Our line is so out of whack that my bet is Veldheer and B. Campbell(will be starting soon) will be the only starters returning for the 11 season. If there is an 11 season. Thankyou fat rich owners and fat rich players. I love Gradkowski's heart but if he's our franchise QB he can't be getting killed on broken plays. DMAC is monster and once again I told you so more then half the nation wanted to trade him and was all about the Bush administraition. HA LIRIOUS. Did our recievers not show up at all? The only reason Higgins was at the game because I mean who else would gain close to nothing on our punt returns. Bey is holding us back as well. At least he plays though anybody hear about our reciever coming back soon because I didn't. Maybe AZ would be interested in Jason Campbell. Det, Buf, and Clev should all be calling,

Preview.

What defense shows up will decide the game. If we can stop the run like we did against jackson, stop gates like we stopped Fitzgerald and hit Rivers like we hit Bradford we can win. Bush will want to be the starter again and now is his chance. I personally like McFadden more because to me it looks like he wants the ball more then anyone. We should be able to pass all over them but then again we should of been able to pass all over Houston but that didn't work out. I'd like to see Campbell soup get the start at RG or RT. His speed and power might be able to stop their pass rush.

Suggestions and Opinons.

Champ Bailey isn't getting a new contract. Wouldn't the Broncos want to get something out of him before they cut him? I mean we should be on the phone with McDaniels asking if he wants to make another stupid trade before he gets fired.

Trade Campbell for whatever we can get.

We should make an offer for Alsworth in D.C I mean they are leading the divison what do they need him for?

Kelly and Mario Henderson need to be traded. ASAP.

Depending on how Grad finishes off the season do we make a move for vick next year?

Should we send someone to visit Plex in prison? Is Plex still in prison?

Well I got one more "I told you so" for the nation. Did anyone see how could T.O did last week? I was a giant T.O to Oakland supporter and a little more then half completely diss agreed. Everyone is entitled to their own opinons but this time like many mine was right. POW POW.

One player doesn't win or lose a game for you. Maybe just maybe if Bruce Gradkowski, Michael Bush, Chaz Schilens, Samson Satele, and possibly big Bruce Campbell soup were all on the field at the same time we could be a .500 team.

Bruce plays with heart. We need that Replacements Falco type and he's perfect. I say we dump or trade Jason pick up Troy Smith(already knows most of the offense).  I hate to say it but Campbell looks like a slim version of someone who should not be named.

Bush was injured but he could be key. Either start him to beat up the defense and switch to D-mac(Impressed me a little) or start D-mac to get those linemen tired then switch to Bush like we did against the chiefs 2 years back. After watching super Mario the run and play action is the only thing that's gonna give us time to throw.

Chaz Schilens still injured go figure. I was big in leading whether or not we go get the T.O show and now i wish we did. 3rd and 10 and our receivers are ford and higgins....Nuff said.

The offensive line couldn't block a facebookstalker. My suggestion start bothrookies along with Satele. Get Coop out of here and i'm not a fan of Walker either. Sure the rooks will struggle at first but so does our vets. Maybe look a little like this.

LT Veldheer

LG Gallery

C Satele

RG Walker/Barnes

RT B.Campbell

Think about it if all of them worked out our line would be set for years.

When is Mike Mitchell Gonna do something? We should put him on a insane lifting schedule and diet so he can play LB.

We will not win with a 4-3 all man defense unless we start blitzing and that is a fact. Every passing down we should have a 5 man rush with Seymour and Henderson leading the middle. I give our run D a B+. We were shutting them down until after the 3rd or 4th drive that ended within a minute.

Boy watching Skins and Rams with a decent QB was a "Could of been us moment." Then Steelers and Niners QBs held them back much like ours.

In Bruce we believe....In Bruce we believe.

 September 14th 2009, Monday night football. After a good game of football with some questionable throws and penaltys the The Oakland Raiders lose 20-24 to the Chargers.

November 15th 2009, The Raiders lose to KC and everyone now knows we drafted a bust and the season is over.

Something strange happens. The next week Raiders beat Bengals 20-17. Now who made the difference. 

Bruce Gradkowski started throwing 183 yards with 2 touchdowns might of been giving Miller and Murphy their two best games of the season.

Oh well there is no way the Raiders could do it again not the same team who got shutout against the Jets while Sanchez enjoyed a hotdog.

December 6th 2009, Raiders beat Steelers 27-24. Bruce throws more then 300 yards with 3 TDs. This one was actually Murphys biggest game with 2 TDs one being for 75 yards. We looked like an actually team with an actual QB.

The next week our poor Offensive line lets Bruce get smashed. A knee injury sidelines him for the rest of the season.

Bruce took this offseason to get into better shape. Left for 2 weeks but came back watched tape and worked some with Heyward-Bey and everything is looking great until the draft comes. First round we pass on Clausen, Bruce dodges a bullet on that one. We pass him on round 2 by now Bruce thinks he's on top of the world. rounds 3 and 4 we get OTs Bruce thinks " Finally some help" and then goes to check online to see if he can find some tape on Veldheer like the rest of us but upset because there was none. Now when he comes back to the TV he notices breaking news on the bottom of the screen which reads "The Oakland Raiders trade an undisclosed draft pick for Redskins QB Jason Campbell. What a stab in the back. Traded for a QB whos team did worse then us. WTF. Just to put icing on the cake Jason says he's the starter after an interview.

Bruce worked out and worked out. Until he got hert. He's been hert ever since.

Tomorrow night he gets a chance to prove that he is the Oakland Raider number 1 backup?

This just isn't right.

Other then maybe a LT and C our offense is pretty set right? We have 2 QBs, 2 HBs, 2FBs, 5 or 6 Wrs, and a lot of youth on the Line.

The two rookie tackles will play some this season not sure about starting but will play. Really can't wait for preseason to watch these 2 play. It's possible that one of them can even challenge super Mario for the starting LT spot.

On defense thoughI'mkind of worried. I think Houston should play the UT spot i don't think he will cause pressure lined up over the TE. As well with Seymour. Our 2 starting DEs should be Scott and Schaugnessy. They are the 2 best pass rushers on the team.

I really wish the Skins would come out with an asking price for Big Al. I would like to sign him but then again we may not the same reason the lions didn't because he could be a negative influence to Suh as he may be to Houston.

Even though Seymour and Houston are listed as DEs i just don't think they have the speed to be in a 4-3.

We have 4 potential UTs Kelly,Bryant,Seymour, and Houston. 2 NTs Henderson and Heard. 4 DEs Scott ,Schaunessy ,Groves, and Richardson. Do we need Big Al? I don't think so but half way in the season and were gettin ran over we will wish we got him.

LBs are pretty clear who the starters are except Scott could bench Howard. Howard is clearly getting under rated these days. He can cover and lay wood. I still like Mr.McClain as defense rookie of the year.

CBs with the best one in the league. We need another. Champ Bailey has only a year left could he be an option? Another guy i like is Finnigan from the Titans i think we trade for this guy but first make sure he can play man i'm pretty sure he can in my eyes he's the 4thbest in the league. Forget about Huff playing corner. Remember our #2 corner gets thrown at more then anybody except most teams don't even have to throw with our run D. I think it was  the 1983 Raiders when we traded for lester hayes and had the best CB crew in the league and we won the superbowl. Maybe that's what we need. CJ would be a great nickel corner.

 Guys i'm gonna start making a top ten everyweek by position and you guys can agree, disagree, comment, or even rec. See me and my friends argue about almost everything when it comes down to the NFL. So now i'm gonna ask you guys what you think. Now even though stats help i'm choosing ten guys who i would choose to play for my life.

This is just a preview before i start the real thing. These are the top ten players who play for the Oakland Raiders. Since it's kind of hard to evaluate when they don't play the same position it's by value to the team.

1. CB Nmandi Asomugha

By a landslide. He is number 1 in the game. Look who wants to hold out. Look who is making excuses not to practice. Darrel Revis. Aso is giant to the team, to the org and to the community.

2. TE Zach Miller

By far my favorite player on the offense. He showed up when no one else did. If Gallery would of became the LT he was suppose to he could be here but he became a above average injury prone LG. Back to Miller he is a silent leader and we saw what happened at the skins game when he got hurt. 2 rookies would of taken on the whole city of D.C for him. Expect a big year for Miller with Campbell or Grad starting.

3. LG  Robert Gallery

Never lived up to the hype but he's the best on the Oline. If he can stay healthy he could make the probowl. I hope he's in for the most of season or we may be doomed as we know it.

4. Kicking Crew

Someone please explain to me how we can lose games with a punter who's average is about 50 and our kicker can hit 60 yarders. I'm sorry but i think the Raiders have the best CB,K and P in the league. They deserve the money they get and they are real game changers.

5. 2010 draft

If we are gonna make the playoffs this year 2 or 3 of these guys need to step up. Mr.McClain especially. Houston is more of a luxury. The two OTs though there has never been a year when all 5 of the OLine played all 16 games. So if they don't make the starting lineup they will see the field by the time the season over. McFadden will get some shots as well. If Ford can become a great KR i will be crazy happy if he becomes a weapon on offense will god have mercy on other opponets souls with Fords and Beys speed.

6. SS Tyvon Branch

Hits hard, Great tackler, good coverage, lots of tackles and no INTs. That's gonna change this year. The front 4 will cause pressure along with the occaisonal LB blitz. I hope in a few years he can switch to Free and Mitchell at strong.

7. WR Chaz Schilens

Our number one reciever when healthy. Our core looks good with him i have nightmares without him. If he gets injured T.O needs to be signed. Chaz has great hands, good speed, and more then above average routes. I hope he's getting hot with one of our QBs because i have a feeling who ever gets the ball to him and Miller the best will start.

8. OLB/DE Trevor Scott

If he learns to stop the run better he will be known around the league. His pass rushing skills are crazy. Jason still shakes at night when he gets flash backs of Scott blind sideing him. I have high hopes for him.

9. DE Richard Seymour

Now don''t get me wrong he can still play but his value comes from locker room influence and being a mentor to Houston and Schaungessy. He still has some left in his tank but if he plays all 16 games at LE i can see him getting 8 or more sacks this year.

T10. QB Jason Campbell

T10. QB Bruce Gradkoski

I like both. Both can lead this team. Jason has a giant arm and Bruce has great accuracy. Bruce knows the system better Jason has been showing his skills to the coaches while Bruce watches from the sidelines. I will be happy with either of them.

Now before you vote on my post go watch Grad's highlights against the Steelers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-8bCUQcyCU