http://www.contracostatimes.com/sportsheadlines/ci_11916904 Great move by Al. Barnes wanted big time LT money a week ago but Al denied him. Barnes agent made a big fuss about how hes for sure signing with other teams who wouldn't be named. A week later hes here on a one year deal lol. I'm very interested to know the money because I think hes our RT, not LT. I've read reports on rotoworld that hes a very good run blocker but pass blocking isn't that good, Jacksonville had the 6th best rushing attack running to the left side of the line (some stat like that). Just makes more sense that he plays RT if hes that good of a run blocker and that poor of a pass blocker, hes got the athleticism and strength to dominate there. I really like what we're doing with the O-Line though. We've brought in two guys who've started a few seasons at either tackle position; Erik Pears who started at RT for the broncs in their ZBS and now Barnes. Henderson has some competition at LT now, training camp is going to decide who plays where. If we sign duke preston as a C/G that would really stabilize our line, give us great depth and allows us to focus on other major needs early in the draft (WR, DT, S, SLB). I'd still love to get Mack/Unger/Wood in the draft though.
You're crazy. If he falls, they better not hesitate running that card up to the commish. Now, taking Maclin would be shitting the bed and then eating it. If DT BJ Raji is there, I wouldn't blame them for taking him though.
You don't take a wide receiver with your first round, top ten pick when you have QB questions and holes at DT, DE, OLB, and on the interior o-line. End of story.
There's no QB questions; Jamarcus is the man at QB. Yeah, we've also got those holes but WR is a major hole too. It's all about BPA. If Curry is there you take him; hes the best player in the draft and fills a need at OLB. Other than that, Crabtree would probably be BPA and fill a major hole for us. Raji would be a good pick too but we already have Tommy Kelly as a penetrating DE, we neet a traditional, huge NT. I wouldn't mind Raji I just think he'd be a little redundant with Kelly already there, still would be a nice pick. Orakpo would be ok but IMO the aforementioned 3 players are clearly better than him. If Smith or Monroe fall you have to consider them but it seems like we're done adding tackles, we're going to roll with Henderson, Barnes, Pears, and possibly McQuistan.
I know he's the man, the question is - can he play? He's got the position for now, but the jury is out as to whether he can keep it. Every position you mentioned has priority over WR. You don't break your back to get a receiver when there are other more important holes on your roster and there is debate over whether Russell is/will be any good.
So you think it would be a good idea to invest in another high profile QB whether it be through the draft or otherwise? Seems pointless both financially and football-wise. Russell was the youngest starting QB in the league last year and had a decent season considering the talent around him- he had the two worst O-lineman in the league at tackle (Kwame Harris and Cornell Green) and a bunch of very shitty receivers. He really came on at the end of the year when Mario Henderson replaced Kwame Harris at LT and Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens earned starting spots at receiver over our terrible vets. Hes still not proven but his future isn't looking that bleak. I don't see any reason to acquire another big time QB. It's debatable whether WR is less important as a need than the others. Even if that were the case, Crabtree would be BPA at 7 (unless Curry or Jason Smith falls)- that's a big need and BPA. It's a no brainer IMO, I'm just not sure Al Davis agrees with me. Like I said though, I wouldn't be unhappy at all with Raji and I suppose I might even be ok with Orakpo. I'd be ecstatic with Curry or Jason Smith though.
Find my post saying that I think the Raiders should get another QB and get back to me. DE and DT are always a higher priority than WR. Always. The teams that value the wideout more than those positions are, amazingly, the shitty teams.
