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Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin speaks on the coming draft

By Patrick Patterson | April 25th, 2008

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The Raiders lifted their shroud of silence today and Lane Kiffin answered some questions on the state of the Oakland Raiders and the upcoming NFL draft. After doing a brilliant impersonation of Silent Bob in the early portion of the offseason, Kiffin has stepped back into the spotlight and has been talking about all things Raiders, within of course the accepted code of secrecy that permeates the Raider organization. He discussed his thoughts on trading down as well as top prospects Darren McFadden, Vernon Gholston, and Chris Long.

Lane Kiffin

In something thus far unnoticed by everyone outside of the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Jones, Coach Kiffin wore a red shirt in his press conference. I am surprised that SI’s resident hack Don Banks hasn’t come out with a story that guarantees that the Raiders are picking Darren McFadden. McFadden wasn’t mentioned specifically as a potential Raider pick, but is considered the top target of any partner looking to trade down. Of course some conspiracy theorists could put those two facts together and offer a guarantee that the Raiders will select McFadden.

According to Jerry MacDonald of the Alameda Newspaper Group, Kiffin said:

“There are going to be guys there that people are valuing, McFadden especially because he’s so unique and so dynamic, there are a number of teams that want him, and some teams right behind us, maybe not one pick behind us, but two picks behind us, that really want him,” Kiffin said. “When you’re going back there’s got to be something they really want to come up. That’s usually a quarterback or just a phenomenal touchdown maker.”

According to Jones’s site, Kiffin said that while many think that Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston would be better suited for a 34 outside linebacker, he could play end in a 43 system, but Chris Long’s strength would be a benefit against the run.

The bulk of the questions seemed to revolve around the Raiders potentially trading down in the first, which according to Kiffin is something “Not in Raiders fashion.”

What does this all mean? Kiffin is sending up smoke signals that the Raiders would consider trading down. He also seems like he is giving indications that he is leaning towards either Chris Long or trading down, but he also said that Al Davis has the final say. He may be using that as a way to insulate himself against any criticism that may come towards whichever move the Raiders make tomorrow.

While earlier in the offseason, it was thought that it would be a pipe dream for Chris Long to fall to the Raiders at number 4, that is something that appears like it is coming closer to reality. My colleague Rob caught the following report on NFL Total Access:

Howard Balzer reports that the Rams want Dorsey first and possibly Gholston second. Steak Shapiro, no that’s not a typo, is reporting that Atlanta also wants Dorsey before a QB, but that if Dorsey is not there, the Falcons will go with Ryan.

The dominoes may fall in an unusual pattern come tomorrow. There is only one thing certain as of yet, Jake Long will be announced as a Miami Dolphin. There are two more picks after that before the Raiders are on the clock, and there are two teams that have multiple first round picks that may be looking to make a move, which could cause other teams to make preemptive strikes.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 25th, 2008 at 12:02 am and is filed under 2008 Raiders Offseason, 2008 NFL Draft, Raider Nation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

12 Responses to “Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin speaks on the coming draft”

Lane Kiffin speaks on the coming draft - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board - Where the Raider Nation lives! says:

April 25th, 2008 at 12:05 am

[…] Kiffin speaks on the coming draft Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - an Oakland Raiders blog � Blog Archive � Oakland Raider coach La… __________________ "While there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a […]
Raider Blues says:

April 25th, 2008 at 12:49 am

First!

Did I miss something or did this article tell me something?

I see Kiffin’s thought process here a little so that’s good. I like his position on McFadden since it keeps the trade avenue open. The teams immediately behind us want him and may jumpt us to get him as long as we can C. Long we’re doing fine. We could trade but be wise about it. I’d like some solid building blocks rather than a bunch of guys. It appears C.Long fits the building block mold. Why do I have a sneaky suspicion the Cheatriots will snag him some how?

Just Long Baby!
Spencer Mills says:

April 25th, 2008 at 1:05 am

Patrick,

I love it! It looks as though I may be in for a huge pipe dream on Saturday. Evy ting-sgonna be Aerie! If C. Long actually falls to #4, I will never doubt that miracles can happen. As I have said, Long is the only player that I would accept other than McFadden. I have this eerie feeling that Al is gonna throw us all for a loop and do something crazy. We will see…..

tick tock tick tock tick tock……..

~32hrs until D-Mac is in Silver and Black!

Al’s Mandate is McFadden!!

OakFoSho
Junior says:

April 25th, 2008 at 6:41 am

It’s been reported that the Saints are offering OT Jamaal Brown (2006 Pro Bowl) in order to move up to #2 and grab Dorsey. All the focus on Dorsey gives more hope that Chris Long will fall into our laps. We’ll see soon enough.
Rob Calonge says:

April 25th, 2008 at 8:10 am

Any trade that put a team in front of Atlanta to pick Dorsey, makes the odds of Chris Long coming to Oakland.
inonewordraider says:

April 25th, 2008 at 9:16 am

I think I’m stressing more than Matt Ryan is right now. Let draft day come and go already. Dline and Oline on draft day baby!!!!
Juice says:

April 25th, 2008 at 10:39 am

So it’s McFadden or Long? Finally the anticipation of this draft is nearing it’s climax. Trying to read between all the double-talk that’s coming out of the organization can be difficult but one of those afformentioned players is going to be suiting up for the Silver & Black next season. In my mind, it’s a win win for us. McFadden, Long, it doesn’t really matter to me anymore because I would be thrilled to have either one of them playing for the Raiders. Now Al’s just got work on getting some more picks.
RaiderKen says:

April 25th, 2008 at 1:47 pm

We wont trade down and it looks more and more like I’ll be getting another #75 jersey. I wonder how many will be in the audiance and how big the cheers will be. Too bad for Chris that the mediots will find negatives because it’s Da Radahs!
Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin speaks on the coming draft | The RaiderCast says:

April 25th, 2008 at 1:51 pm

[…] Read more. Posted in Blog, Draft, Oakland Raiders | […]
eks says:

April 25th, 2008 at 11:12 pm

C.LonG !
ed johnson says:

April 26th, 2008 at 2:59 am

it would be great to get chris long.that being said we all know al can throw curve balls with the best of them.personally i don’t think mcfadden would be a good pick.yeah he’s good,terriffic,etc,etc,but i have this gut feeling he will be a bust.
lets see another generation of long in silver and black.come on al……it’s a no brainer if he falls in your lap.
Lowdown says:

April 26th, 2008 at 3:28 am

Best part is after we pass on Run DMC, I can make fun of Oak Fo Sho ad infinitum for something other than bing a ghetto rat….