Kiffin declares open-mindedness on trading down

Please, Jerry, don't tempt us with your first 3 picks....if you do, Chris will become a Chief, and I will drive a katana through my stomach.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Hints on Raiders trading down
Kiffin says team could use more picks in this weekend's draft
David White, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, April 25, 2008
(04-24) 20:51 PDT -- Raiders coach Lane Kiffin staked a "For Sale" sign in the front lawn Thursday, hoping to draw a few weekend shoppers for the NFL draft.

He sounded all too eager to auction off the team's No. 4 overall pick in Saturday's draft, where interested teams could surely grab Arkansas running back Darren McFadden.

All the Raiders want in return are a mixture of first- and second-round picks, and the earlier in each round, the better.

"More than ever, not in Raider fashion, we may trade back," Kiffin said at Thursday's predraft news conference.

Not in Raiders fashion is right. Team owner Al Davis has never traded out of a top-five pick and has virtually never traded his way south in the first round.

Nonetheless, there was Kiffin, calling out loud for swap-meet partners 48 hours before the Raiders go on the clock. To him, it's simple math. The Raiders have just five picks in the draft. He'd like more.

"It hasn't happened before, but it's something we're seriously looking at," he said. "And that stems from the lack of picks and not having a fifth (rounder), a third or a second."

"We've talked to a number of teams and a few of those have been very serious conversations."

It wasn't like this last year, when the Raiders had 11 picks - including the No. 1 overall. Trade talks for the top pick were scarce because the Raiders weren't selling.

This year, the Raiders are one of the most pick-starved team in the NFL. They traded a second-round pick to the Falcons for DeAngelo Hall. Their third-round pick went to New England for the right to draft offensive lineman Mario Henderson in the third round last year.

That leaves them with more glaring needs than actual picks. They need a second pass-rushing defensive end. And a run-stopping defensive tackle. And a playmaking wide receiver. And a quality offensive lineman. And so on.

What they don't need is another playmaking running back, Kiffin said over and over. It could be a smoke screen, but he sure handed critics a good argument against McFadden if the Raiders take him.

"As I've said it before, we're so stockpiled at that position," said Kiffin, who pointed out the team's zone-block run game does not need a superstar athlete to succeed.

"Obviously, we've done a lot of research on him, but there's so many different directions for us to go before we get to running."

That doesn't mean other teams couldn't use McFadden, and Kiffin was more than willing to dangle him in the trade winds. He all but mentioned the No. 6 Jets as a potential suitor. Arkansas alum Jerry Jones could also come calling with the Cowboys' picks at Nos. 22 and 28.

"That fits right into the trading back scenario," Kiffin said. "There are going to be guys that people are valuing, McFadden especially, because he's so unique and so dynamic."

Kiffin would much rather draft a defensive lineman, or so he insisted. LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Virginia defensive end Chris Long and Ohio State end Vernon Gholston are all on the team's wish list.

If the Raiders don't trade No. 4 away, at least one of those players will be available. Kiffin said the team has its preferred player in mind but wouldn't share names.

"The obvious need is the defensive line," Kiffin said. "Inside guys, and we need outside guys. There's going to be at least one really good player there when we pick from the d-line."

Whatever happens, Kiffin doesn't want to preside over the smallest draft class in franchise history.

"I would be surprised because that's a long time to sit in the room without doing anything," he said.

Briefly: Hall showed up wearing a No. 23 jersey after a voluntary workout on the field. "Came out here for a new start so thought it'd be fitting to get a new number, too," said Hall, who wore No. 21 in Atlanta - the number worn by Nnamdi Asomugha in Oakland. He also tried to sway defensive tackle Warren Sapp out of retirement. "I told the big fellow, 'I just need one more year out of you,' " Hall said. "He started laughing at me, but we exchanged phone numbers." ... Kiffin sounded optimistic about three players returning from ACL injuries. Wide receiver Javon Walker will be ready for the May minicamp, safety Jarrod Cooper is close to 100 percent and defensive tackle Tommy Kelly will be ready by training camp. ... Kelly will play the three-technique position vacated by Sapp. ... Kiffin said, "I don't know that" when asked if running back LaMont Jordan will be retained. "LaMont does have a very high contract. So we have to look at ... what else is going on and make a decision."</div>

 

ROTR, you can't go falling on your katana. If you do, you turn your shirt Chiefs' red. Now, perhaps you can answer a question for me. I've been hearing that there is bad blood between Howie Long and Al Davis which might keep the Raiders from taking Chris. Do you know anything about that?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale @ Apr 25 2008, 04:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>ROTR, you can't go falling on your katana. If you do, you turn your shirt Chiefs' red. Now, perhaps you can answer a question for me. I've been hearing that there is bad blood between Howie Long and Al Davis which might keep the Raiders from taking Chris. Do you know anything about that?</div>

It would be like Dan Marino's son, coming out of college looking better than his dad, passed by the Fins, and taken by the Patriots or Jets - during an offseason when they have a *need* for a can't miss guy at that position. You just don't really know how you would handle the situation until it happens. Part of you is in denial.

I have not heard that latest rumor. Like I have explained in previous occasions, only half of what you hear about the Raiders could actually be true. If a local reporter gets fragments, bits, and pieces of information, they tend to fill in the blanks based on their own personal feelings toward the team that is not the 49ers. Out here, you are either a Niner or a Raider fan. One will talk trash on the other, and so it goes on forever. I know, it sounds silly since they are in opposite conferences. I wonder if the two NY teams' fans have a silly rivalry like this. The Jets and Giants play in the same stadium, so I imagine there is more cross pollination - the luckiest fans are the ones that get to go to a home game every week, and still see both teams play. Oh, and they probably only have to purchase one parking pass for all 16 games at Giants stadium.

 

Im looking at a scenario that I do not like and its this:

Saints trade up to 2, take Dorsey
Falcons take Ryan
Raiders or Cowboys take McFadden
Another team trades into 5 to take Ellis

and here the part I dont like....Chris Long and V. Gholston end up with the jets and patriots....good thing the Dolphins drafted a tackle....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef @ Apr 25 2008, 06:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Im looking at a scenario that I do not like and its this:

Saints trade up to 2, take Dorsey
Falcons take Ryan
Raiders or Cowboys take McFadden
Another team trades into 5 to take Ellis

and here the part I dont like....Chris Long and V. Gholston end up with the jets and patriots....good thing the Dolphins drafted a tackle....</div>

The thought of C Long ending up in Foxboro has been haunting me for quite some time.

Tangentially speaking, you know why the Vikes gave up so much for J Allen? Ask yourself who's negotiating. That's right! The other Spielman; the one who was part of the mensa tandem who gave up a 4th to move up 1 spot to draft V Carey. See, Beef. I just can't let it go!

 

The Chiefs will definitely grab Chris if he hits #5. Why wouldnt they? They just traded the same position away, and downgraded their whole defense in the process. The end result would be almost completely replacing what they had in Allen, *and* gaining more draft picks. I don't see Chris getting past KC or the Jets and New England probably won't trade up to get him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (blackadder @ Apr 25 2008, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Tangentially speaking, you know why the Vikes gave up so much for J Allen? Ask yourself who's negotiating. That's right! The other Spielman; the one who was part of the mensa tandem who gave up a 4th to move up 1 spot to draft V Carey. See, Beef. I just can't let it go!</div>

LOL, that's funny.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale @ Apr 25 2008, 04:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I've been hearing that there is bad blood between Howie Long and Al Davis which might keep the Raiders from taking Chris. Do you know anything about that?</div>

Okay, Howie's 2000 Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Earl was his position coach:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>As Earl pointed out, I think back at the beginning of my career when a man named Al Davis drafted a kid out of Villanova in the second round, and at that time many of the football experts viewed that pick as a stretch, a reach, a surprise. But Al Davis saw something in me that many, including myself, did not. The Raiders were a team steeped in history. From the moment I walked into the Raider camp I could feel it. It was all around me. People who not only defined what the Raiders were about, but also define what the National Football League was all about – John Madden, George Blanda, Ted Hendricks, Jim Otto, Willie Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, and Gene Upshaw and Art Shell helped bring me up. Then, of course, there was an owner named Al Davis, whose passion for winning was unparalleled in sports. So it’s understandable that when you're around people like that on a daily basis, you allow yourself to dream just a little bit. Albeit way in the back of your mind, dream of someday maybe being one of them. But at that time, taking the place of football history with those great men was just a dream and nothing more. I am extremely proud to have been a Raider. I am also proud to have played my entire career with the Raiders. Something that rarely happens in today’s game.</div>


Here are the only rumors that I have been able to find on this, Does anyone believe that these rumors are that seriuous and would automatically keep Chris from being a Raider? Even if these two rumors were true?:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>>> 4. Oakland -- The Raiders remain a mystery of sorts, but we're now
>> fairly sure (ha!) they're not taking Arkansas running back Darren
>> McFadden or Virginia's Long. Too many running backs, and too much bad
>> blood with Howie Long, Chris's father, are the short-hand reasons.
>> ...end quote...


>> Huh? I don't remember any "bad-blood" between Al and Howie. Am I
>> missing something?


>> I think he is gone before 4 anyway, but this would change everything
>> if true and he's still there.


> Yeah, I think there's been rumors of bad blood because Al tried to get
> Howie to un-retire several years back and Howie refused. I don't know
> the veracity of the bad feelings about it, though.



Howie has stated in the past that he felt Marcus Allen was treated
unfairly and believed Marcus was the ultimate teammate. Maybe the bad
blood is from Al's side.

-JC</div>

 

Here is a more informed speculation on this rumor...

First of all, I don't believe that there is any "bad blood" between the two guys, especially now. It doesn't really make sense given what the general public knows about the history of the two and what they have said on or off the record.

For the sake of jabbering about the Raiders while I have time before the draft, lets entertain the rumor for a sec. Howie shouldn't even be remotely pissed about Anthony Smith getting a bigger contract that one year. If he is, then he should drive his Chevy truck down to Home Depot, buy some lumber, build himself a bridge, and *get over it*. Howie's age was such that he was on his way out, while Smith was just beginning. I would have done something similar to what Al did, and its *nothing personal*, its the business side of the relationship between players and owner.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Howie and Al

By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer

Saturday, April 26th, 2008 at 6:35 am

There have been a few offhand references to “bad blood” between Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long and Raiders owner Al Davis in recent draft stories which in theory would prevent Chris Long from wearing the same uniform as his father should he be available this afternoon with the No. 4 overall pick.

Six hours from now, it will probably be a moot point, with Chris Long likely to be snapped up before the Raiders are on the clock.

But let’s say Long somehow slips to No. 4, with the St. Louis Rams taking Glenn Dorsey and the Atlanta Falcons going for quarterback Matt Ryan.

If the Raiders didn’t opt for Long, it won’t be because of a rift between Howie and Al.

It is pretty clear Howie Long does not have the same reverance for Davis as many former Raiders players. For what it’s worth, here’s one version of how their relationship became strained.

Long made his eighth Pro Bowl in 1993 at age 33. That same year, third-year defensive end Anthony Smith, a first-round pick from Arizona in 1991, had his third consecutive season with 10 or more sacks. With 36 sacks over three years, Smith _ who was either a free spirit or a bit of a nut case, depending on your perspective _ was awarded a new contract which paid him more than Long.

Long, the story goes, wanted one more dollar than Smith. Long found out what so many have before or since _ Davis does not respond to ultimatums. Ever. So Long, nearing the end of his career anyway, retired made a fortune in television and movies and never looked back. When Long made the Hall of Fame, he thanked Davis early in his speech, but chose defensive line coach Earl Leggett to give his presentation speech.

Smtih played four more seasons with the Raiders and had 21.5 sacks. Twice he disappeared from the team for unexplained reasons and once was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. He was out of the league after 1997 at age 30.

Long has been a booster of Marcus Allen, who feuded with Davis after a contract issue. He also attempted to talk Chester McGlockton through his contract squabble with the owner.

While playing it cool where Davis is concerned, Long has never paid him any public disrespect. It’s also worth noting that Chris Long visited the Raiders, attending a San Francisco Giants game with defensive coordintor Rob Ryan, line coach Keith Millard and linebacker Kirk Morrison, and allowed himself to be interviewed on television about the visit.

Surely if the Longs wanted to send any sort of “keep away” message to the Raiders regarding the draft, they could have declined the visit.

Chris Long said at the combine one of the best things about his father was that he has stepped aside and allowed his kids to make their own way. I’m assuming that would include allowing the son to make his own decision about where to play his professional career.

Howie Long ended up making considerably more money out of football than he ever did playing it. He might even take some delight in seeing his son cash in a multi-million dollar bonus check with Al’s signature on it.

The bottom line is if Chris Long is on the board at No. 4, and Davis thinks he is the best player for the Raiders, any 15-year-old issues with Howie Long aren’t going to affect the selection.</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Run BJM @ Apr 26 2008, 10:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I guess its moot now, Michael Smith is reporting that the Rams will take Chris Long at 2.

Assuming Long is gone, who would you want the Raiders to pick? McFadden? Dorsey? Trade down? I'd probably want Dorsey but I would be happy with McFadden too. I also wouldn't mind trading down.</div>

If the Rams get him today, that would be better than him going to a team that we actually have to play - in my opinion.

A week ago, I would have said that if Chris is gone, then we should take Jake Long. As we know, he is gone too. So now my third choice. We should take Dorsey, if we don't trade down and try to snag an offensive lineman later in the round. He might be there at #4 for us, and it will strengthen our run defense. Our division rivals run the ball really well against our front last year. I know our offense needs work, but we will *never* beat San Diego if we don't stop the run when we need to. Defensive front at #4.

If Dorsey goes to a different team at #3, then my emergency pick is Sedrick Ellis, from USC. again, my theme is defensive front.