April 25, 2008
Oakland Raiders: Don't believe the hype
Image details: St. Louis Rams Training Camp served by picapp.comCarriker has grown too big to play defensive end
After looking at tape of Carriker last night, and then listening to reports, I'm beginning to think that the Rams looking at anyone not a defensive end is a ruse. Make no mistake about it, Carriker is not going to be playing defensive end next season. He's reportedly weighing in at 315 lbs! Where Carriker could play the defensive end position is in the 3-4, which would basically require him to take up space and make a dent in stopping the run.
This puts the Raiders in a precarious position, if they want Chris Long.¬ Of course, it's always if.¬ Michael Smith of ESPN is reporting that the 'vibe' he's getting from Oakland is that even if Chris Long is on the board, the Raiders would still select McFadden.¬ The same Michael Smith is reporting exactly what we here at TFDS have been telling you about the Rams, they want Dorsey over Long and plan to move Carriker back to end if they select him.¬ Again...IF.
So here now, I'm going on record and officially flip-flopping on what I have originally claimed, with a caveat.¬ Unless Carriker has lost 50 lbs. since the end of the season (caveat), the Rams are not selecting Glenn Dorsey with the second pick of the draft (flip-flop).¬ Instead, the Rams will be selecting between Gholston and Long, where it's been reported that Long would be ahead.
This all gets to be where it's so confusing, that you start believing that the Rams will select someone like Ryan Clady just because he HASN'T been mentioned as a possible pick!¬ Michael Smith is, in my opinion, not someone that I would stake my life on with one of his reports.¬ Michael Smith also reported that Carriker could lose the weight and move back to end.¬ ESPN has also reported that the Chiefs are NOT going to pick a QB, but instead someone that will be protecting the QB, i.e., Clady.¬ That one is less difficult to believe.
So what is going to happen?¬ Like everyone else will tell you, only the organizations involved with their picks really knows.¬ Right now, the Raiders should be preparing for a selection between Gholston, McFadden, or trading down.¬ I still can't visualize the Raiders drafting a SIXTH running back.
They have Fargas, Bush, Rhodes, Jordan, and people always forget that they have Echemandu who was the most impressive back in last year's preseason.¬ That leaves Gholston as a possibility, but he's more valuable to other teams that play the 3-4 than he is to the Raiders who play the 4-3 and the 5-2 far more than any other alignment (unless of course they have the lead at ANY time during the game...that's when Rob Ryan likes to play prevent).
With all of the buzz surrounding the Rams, Falcons, and Raiders, the Cowboys sure seem to come up quite regularly.¬ Originally, nearly a month ago, I stated that the Raiders and the Cowboys would be likely trading partners IF Jerry Jones thinks McFadden is that final piece.¬ If the Raiders are willing to part with either Routt or Washington, I can see the Cowboys trading all except for one first round selection in the draft for the #4 pick.
Of course, that is a very long shot.¬ So before the TFDS faithful start posting about the drugs I've taken before writing this, I think it's more likely the Raiders drop back to anywhere between picks 10 through 12.¬ Kiffin is making too many overtures about trading back for me to believe that the Raiders aren't looking to do it.
This is probably the first time in the last ten years that the Raiders have a pick that other teams would want.¬ Teams only trade up when there are players that they want, and they want to keep away from other teams in their way.¬ This year, you have the Patriots and the Jets selecting sixth and seventh.¬ Two bitter rivals that run the same defense, a defense that would be perfect for Vernon Gholston.¬ Better yet, Baltimore and Cincinnati are behind those two and also play the 3-4.
Later tonight, TFDS will be releasing our Mock Draft: FINAL tonight around 8pm pst.¬ I only hope that I have a clearer picture before we select it.¬ Check back then, and check back with us throughout the weekend as we report straight from Ricky's Bar and Grill with Raider Nation on Saturday, and live posting all day on Sunday.
Discussion
20 Comments on "Oakland Raiders: Don't believe the hype"
#1
Posted by OakFoSho, April 25, 2008 1:08 PM
The guy is huge for the DE position, but after I saw Warren Sapp shed the equivalent of a teenager in one off-season, anything is possible. However, I too believe the Rams will take a DE (hopefully they will be stupid and take Gholston!) Which sets up perfectly for the Falcons to take Dorsey, and then.....
BINGO!!! D-Mac in Silver and Black!!
Al's Mandate is McFadden!!
OakFoSho
#2
Posted by Bill, April 25, 2008 1:38 PM
Hey FoSho,
Under your senario, Rams take Gholston, Falcons take Dorsey. So you say to take D-Mac over C long?
I don't get it, you said yourself the only reason you say "Al's Mandate is McFadden is because you belive that Long will be gone by the time we pick. What if he is there at #4? What about tradeing up two spots to get C Long. We could use a player instead of a pick to move up. Its only 2 spots.
#3
Posted by SDRaidah, April 25, 2008 2:00 PM
With the 4th pick in this years NFL draft the Oakland Raiders select..................Chris "Howie Jr" Long.
#4
Posted by OC Raider, April 25, 2008 2:04 PM
I'll say it again, there is no way I see the Raiders picking any DL or and DEF player with the 4th pick. Almost all off season signings have been DEF, just don't see how they could afford to move that boat load of money to another DEF talent without addressing the offense. From a salary cap perspective it has to be Mcfadden or a trade down.
#5
Posted by SDRaidah, April 25, 2008 2:21 PM
The great thing about staying put is that we could get a francise player. Trading into the second tier of the first gives us a good talent option and may fill a need. Yet staying and picking a francise player doesnt happen often. Oh wait the Raiders have had top ten picks inthe last 4 drafts. (2005 traded pick to Min for R Moss)
If the Raiders do climb out of the cellar this year it could be a while before selecting in the top ten again.
An abundance of picks are good if we feel we need youth, or depth. Drafting starters for 2008 means picking up a talent that is ready to go, and that rarely happens outside the first 2 rounds. I realize their are exceptions and players that have stepped up beyond their draft status or had to step up because of other players injuries.
For instance only Zach Miller stepped right in and played all year. But other than Jay Richardson what happened to the rest of the draft. Buler? Buler?
With that a trade within the top 10 makes sense if they can pick up a round 2 pick.
#6
Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raiders: DonΔτt believe the hype | The RaiderCast, April 25, 2008 2:25 PM
[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Draft, Oakland Raiders | [...]
#7
Posted by Twocents, April 25, 2008 2:31 PM
Rob, you're right on! One player the Raiders know will be on the board at #4 is McFadden and they're talking about trading down. Long is their choice. If he's there, they take him. If not, they try to trade down.
#9
Posted by azraider37, April 25, 2008 2:49 PM
Rams take C. Long
ATL takes Dorsey
Jet's swap with Raiders for a 3rd rounder and take Gholston(so the Chiefs don't take him)
Chiefs take Oline or possibly Ryan.
Raiders take McFadden. Get someone they really liked anyway, get an extra pick, and pay him a little less cause now he is a 6th pick and not a 4th. Then start trying to trade like crazy. Preferably rb's and cb's. Try to package to get a later D end.
I could see this going down. Not to say it will, but it looks possible. The only problem would be McFadden suiters trading to the chiefs spot.
#10
Posted by B-E-T-5-1-0, April 25, 2008 3:32 PM
azraider37 says: "...I could see this going down. Not to say it will, but it looks possible. The only problem would be McFadden suiters trading to the chiefs spot."
Well if that happens, we could take Sedrick Ellis!! Or trade out to another team!!
But I want C Long all the way!!!
#11
Posted by Spencer Mills, April 25, 2008 3:33 PM
Bill,
I put the Gholston remark in parentheses because I don't think it will happen. If the Rams take a DE it will be Long, as I have it in my Mock, then the Falcons will take Dorsey, and .....
D-Mac will be in Silver and Black!!
If both C. Long and D-Mac are on the board, I believe Al will take Long. Again, I just don't see Long on the board at #4.
OakFoSho
Al's Mandate is McFadden!!
#12
Posted by Twocents, April 25, 2008 3:41 PM
Just a hunch, but if Al can't get Long, I think he's got his eye on Devin Thomas and Calais Campbell. Then again, I could be losing my mind.
#13
Posted by Spencer Mills, April 25, 2008 3:50 PM
SDRaidah,
Are you serious? The only good draft picks from the 2007 Raider draft class are Richardson, and Miller? I think you need to take a deep breath and think real hard about that statement. How about Oren O'Neal? J Money? Or this years possible starting OT Henderson? Johnnie Lee Higgins is sure to get more action this season if Kiff is to be believed.
The truth is you cannot judge the Raiders draft until you get to the 3 year mark. The Draft is about talent development and that takes time. Richardson was not even that good, but he showed development and flashes of what could be in the future, which is why a platoon situation with Kalimba will work out beautifully this year if the Raiders do not draft a DE.
Al's Mandate is McFadden!!
OakFoSho
#14
Posted by Spencer Mills, April 25, 2008 3:54 PM
Twocents,
The talk is about people trading ahead of the Raiders to get McFadden, so saying that the Raiders know he is going to be on the board is incorrect. Again, if Al trades down (highly unlikely) then we can talk about CBs or OL etc., but until that happens its pointless as we have no clue as to where the Raiders would be picking.
Al's Mandate is McFadden!!
OakFoSho
#15
Posted by eks, April 25, 2008 4:53 PM
HEY OAKFOSHO ! don't worry, Atlanta and the Rams don't want Mcfadden. Your Obsession with Mcfadden is a bit concerning.
#16
Posted by Darkside, April 25, 2008 4:54 PM
Do we ever have any clue to what the Raiders are going to do with their picks. No, Al keeps it under wraps. Sure I want Long, sure McFadden would be good even Dorsey or Gholston. Hell, trading down doesn't seem to bad either. All this speculation is ridiculous, Al loves to keep us in the dark. I just can't wait till tomorrow to see what happens.
#17
Posted by inonewordraider, April 25, 2008 5:52 PM
It's rumor that if Clong unavailable Raiders trade pick to Jets for Kenyon Coleman and their pick. That would be awesome as Kenyon although aging had more tackles than ANYONE in the NFL last year at the end position, talk about stoppin the run. Plus with their pick we can get a top OL, then trade our bait (Washington, Jordan) and get young receiver for Jamarcus to build chemistry w/.
#18
Posted by Thec, April 25, 2008 8:32 PM
1. J. Long
2. C. Long
3. G. Dorsey
4. D. MacFadden
5. Who cares
#19
Posted by pat T, April 25, 2008 10:15 PM
No fuck Dmac i dont want him on our squad! We dont need him, and he's bound to get inn trouble sooner or later....
Go RAIDERS!!!
#20
Posted by raiderfoxFIRElife, April 26, 2008 9:51 AM
Not sure if im right, but isnt Echemandu a Texan?
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