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Thoughts from the Dark Side
One down and two to go before Al Davis makes his choice
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Jake Long is no longer an option for the Raiders draft.
One of the many possible scenarios for the Raiders’ fourth overall selection in this weekends draft is officially off of the board. Jake Long, the Michigan offensive tackle, signed with the Dolphins today for a reported 5 year $57.75 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. That comes to one year less and $3.25 million less than last year’s number one pick, JaMarcus Russell. It’s surprising to not read how this is the largest rookie contract ever after last year, since Long’s contract will exceed Russell’s by $.17 million per year over the life of the contract.
So now the Raiders will wait to see what the Rams will do. Raider Nation might remember the last time the Rams got in the way and drafted the top player from Oakland’s board, Orlando Pace. That was the year that Al Davis picked Darrell Russell and the Raiders put out spin stating that their plan to get the defensive tackle from USC had worked out. Although he worked out for a few seasons in Silver and Black, the better pick for the Raiders was Pace, a position they’ve tried to fill ever since.
While there is no doubt on many people’s minds that Davis wants to draft Chris Long, all of the stories are about the Raiders drafting Gholston and McFadden. With only two other teams drafting ahead of the Raiders, they are assured one of them. Those aren’t the only players that the Raiders have been mentioned as needing or wanting to draft either.
The Raiders could address their run needs with either Glenn Dorsey, DT, from LSU or Sedrick Ellis, DT, from USC. They could also address their left tackle need with Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State. With all of the talent left and the number of teams picking ahead of them, the Raiders will get a player that will make them better in 2008.
The Rams’ needs are similar to the Raiders, plus one. The Rams have a need for a backup quarterback they can groom. With Bulger unable to stay healthy last season, the passing game faltered. Their offensive line is probably where their largest need lies. With Orlando Pace aging and the rest of the line also inconsistent, they could use a lineman to possibly come in and start or be solid depth. You don’t draft depth with the second pick of the draft.
The other big need they have would be on the defensive line. Having Adam Carriker gives the Rams the ability to draft either defensive tackle or defensive end, since Carriker can play both positions. Likely possible picks for the Rams with the second pick: Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis, Vernon Gholston, Chris Long.
The Falcons hold the third pick and are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback. The popular pick as top quarterback in the draft is Matt Ryan. There is a minority of people, including yours truly, that believe Brian Brohm is the better quarterback. The Falcons also have major needs on the offensive line, defensive line, and the secondary. If they don’t select a quarterback, the draft would get pretty interesting.
Likely possible picks for the Falcons with the third pick: QB’s Ryan or Brohm, DT’s Dorsey or Ellis, Kenny Phillips (S, USC), Clady, or even Leodis McKelvin (CB, Troy). While DE’s Gholston or Long are not out of the question, it’s highly unlikely the Falcons go this route since they have Jamal Anderson and John Abraham manning the position.
According to my mock draft, I have Dorsey going to the Rams and Brohm going to the Falcons. If you’ve been paying attention to the NFL over the last month, you’ll know that those picks vary greatly from mock draft to mock draft. Luckily for the Raiders, only two of their top six can be taken before they are on the clock. Even luckier, the most likely team to draft Chris Long other than the Raiders has already picked the other Long.
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on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 8:38 pm and is filed under 2008 NFL Draft.
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15 Responses to “One down and two to go before Al Davis makes his choice”
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
[…] Read more. Posted in Blog, Draft, Oakland Raiders | […]
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
With KC shipping DE Allen out, be prepared for them to try to jump the Raiders to get to either C. Long or V. Gholston. Both StL and Atl have said they would consider trading down if the price is right. I can see the Goats taking Gholston or Dorsey. Then the dirty birds taking C. Long or which ever player the goats don’t take. Either way you look at it the Raiders are sitting in a good position to take a top tier player. I know that they haven’t traded down in……..ever, but this year could be the year. Maybe to 7 so the Patsey’s could get Gholston? 8 so the crows could get Ryan? 9, giving up Rout, Washington and Rhodes to get Johnson????
Don’t pinch me I like this dream!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Rob, a load of QBs are projected to be available in the high 2nd round. I dont see the Falcons selecting one in the first round when they have two consecutive picks in the 2nd. You know but with the chiefs having the Viking’s top pick and the Dolphins having the first 2nd round pick, Matt Ryan, Brian Brohm and Joe Flacco will probably be gone which leaves Atlanta with limited chioces. Great read anyways!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:05 pm
D-Mack in Black in 4 days!!
Al’s Mandate is McFadden!!
OakFoSho
PS: Sharks defeat Flames in first Game 7 in Shark Tank history. Jeremy Roenick delivers a game for the ages!!
http://mvn.com/nhl-sharks/
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Patrick,
Sorry for the shameless advertising. I will only do it when the Sharks win playoff series. Tee hee!!
OakFoSho
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I think the trade of Jared Allen could also help us trade down. Now that the Chiefs need a DE they could be after Long/Gholston at number 5 (I’m pretty sure one will be available as I think Dorsey will be gone either 2/3). For a team like the Patriots who were said to be after Gholston this could help them trade up with us to get him before the Falcons - that’s if the Chiefs don’t trade up for one of them above us.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:41 am
I’d not look hard long at ATL taking a QB. That position is the least of their worries. They may place all the blame on their QBs but the rest of the team is worse. John Elway couldn’t win with the squad ATL is fielding yet they place the blame on Harrington - sheer sign of a loser. They were 7-9 with Vick so I think they realize QB isn’t their problem - just a convenient scapegoat! I expect they’ll take one of the top tier linemen we want. It appears DMac will be available so Coach Kif you’re on the Budweiser Hot Seat!
Just Win Baby!
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 am
[…] down two to go before Al makes his choice Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - an Oakland Raiders blog » Blog Archive » One down and two to go … __________________ "While there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a […]
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:33 am
Does anyone else think that the cheifs will trade up with st louis to take chris long? They now have a gapping hole at end and the only end in this draft comparable to their loss of allen is Chris Long.The rams want more picks and they will still be in the top 5. the chiefs have the ammo to trade and still have an extra first rounder at least. Scarry
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:21 am
Let’s have an end to the nonesense that has led to speculation “Ocho Sinkhole” will next reside in the East Bay.
First, his current employer is engaging in a ploy to leverage proespective bidders against themselves, elevating the asking price. This round of zzz’Russian Roulette” should be avoided @ all possible cost.
Second, “85 (can’t bear to grant him the respect of referring to him by name)” effectively quit on the Bengals by announcing his intentions not to participate in any off season preparatory/training camp activities involving Cincinnati.
Oh, great! Just what the Raiders, a particularly young team berift of many veteran (offensive) leaders employing another (Randy Moss) potential cancer. Just like staph accummulating in Cleveland this would be a case of a terminal disease spreading from the Bengals lockerroom to Oakland’s. Pretty much a no brainer there.
The Raiders would be best served trading down a two (Pats) to four (the aforementioned Bungals) to acquire another draft pick and select either Ryan Clady (good fit) or Branden Albert (probably better) to plug that gapping seive known as the LOT position. If Elvis Drummerville (Donks) and C. Long (if they opt to pay the price & move into the Lambs #2 spot), along with Shawne Merriman represent the pass rush threat in six of the Raiders contests for the forseeable future they need to invest in a professional protection plan for the vast backside of their largest investment to date; JRuss.
No measure of Tom Cable’s zone blocking scheme or continued emphasis in the running game can overcome this formidable obstacle.
In most cases it is paramount to follow the selection of a so-called ‘franchise quarterback” with that involving a “go-to” receiver or potentially all-pro LOT. Time to get busy!
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:56 am
If C. Long or Dorsey are available. take them in that order. Otherwise, work a trade with the Patriots so they can junmp ahead of the Jets and that way we can get the LT that we need and a DT or DE. Better yet two “O” linemen so JR has the protection he needs to develope his passing game. The ZBS works with run blocking and pass blocking with interior line not the tackles.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:55 am
One prediction down. Now if the Rams will take Glenn Dorsey I will be dancing in the streets. One step closer to C Long in Silver and Black.
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I hope we get Glenn Dorsey!
Our run D has been a sive the past few years
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Kenny Phillips played for the “U” and not USC. Carriker is up over 300lbs and will likely play DT, meaning Long will go second, and Dorsey 3rd. This is best for us because it would give us the ability to trade with NE, NJ, or even KC
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Whether it’s Chris Long, Darren”Run DMC”McFadden or Vernon Gholston, the Raiders are going to get a high caliber football player who can make an instant impact with the 4th overall pick. If the Raiders do trade down with the Bengals, they need to grab Branden Albert. He’s the next Art Shell, mark my words on that one and with the 2nd round pick they get from the Bengals for swapping places, they need to grab Joseph “Red” Bryant, DT out of Texas A&M who will be the monster run stuffer in the middle that Terdell Sands is NOT. Either way Al chooses to go, stand pat or trade down, I see a win win situation for the Raidaz!
To all the rest of the NFL, get ready, cause the Raidaz are comin’ in ‘08!
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