Al Davis Must Weigh Profit vs. Control In LA Move

 Posted by at 2:36 PM  No Responses »
Jun 102011
 

This morning, Profootballtalk reported AEG has spoken to five teams about purchase and relocation to Los Angeles. One of the five teams is the Raiders.

The Raiders are one of many teams needing a new stadium, something being offered in the deal to move to LA. Any team moving to LA would be set up handsomely in regards to corporate sponsorship and future revenues.

With uncertaintly and the likely demise of many of the revenue sharing provisions of the past decade, large media markets become that much more important for profit generation in the NFL.

Los Angeles has an ability to attract top players and that would certainly help the product on the field as well.

Al Davis and any team needing a stadium would be crazy not to jump at the chance to move to Los Angeles, if it wasn’t for one significant detail. Control.

AEG, the company behind the Los Angeles stadium plans wants to purchase majority interest in the relocating team.

As we all know, the NFL is a lucrative business and relinquishing majority interest in an NFL team moving into the second largest media market is going to be difficult.

Of course, Al Davis doesn’t own the majority interest of the Raiders today, but he owns 100% of the controlling interest in the Raiders.

If AEG wants to move a franchise to Los Angeles and have control of that franchise as well, Al Davis is not likely very interested, bu they might be willing to accept less.

Al Davis leaves Amy Trask to control the business half of the Raiders and if AEG seeks a non-conrolling interest or control merely of the business side of team operations, he might be inclined to entertain an offer to move.

Al Davis enjoys control of the Raiders from a minority stake, because the other people who own part of the Raiders are splintered and fractured and disorganized. Many are likely even elderly.

If AEG were to attain even a non-controlling majority stake, Al Davis would be at risk of AEG challenging for controlling interest.

Given Al Davis’ age and without a successor on the football side of team operations, the Raiders would be attractive option for AEG, who within a decade or so may be able to attain control of the team.

By waiting a few years, AEG may be able to get its hands on a team that would otherwise be so lucrative no one would sell it.

AEG would have to convince Los Angeles to take Al Davis back, something that may be a tough sell after their previous dealing with the iconic owner.

Still, the Raiders have an established fan base in Los Angeles and one that is extremely mobile as well which may give the Raiders an edge over teams like the Chargers and Rams.

Given the economics, it makes good sense for Al Davis to explore a move back to LA. The heart of the Raiders will always be in Oakland, but the head may be better off in LA.

Update: Amy Trask issued a statement in which she announced the Raiders are not for sale and that the Raiders ownership would remain with the Davis family.

AEG might want a majority stake, but they may have to settle for less, given the Raiders along with San Diego and Minnesota have already announced they are not willing to sell.

The best they can hope for is a majority stake, but no controlling interest. Something Al Davis would entertain if the price is right.

Steve Smith in Silver & Black?

 Posted by at 10:44 AM  2 Responses »
May 072011
 

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith wants out of Carolina. He reportedly wants a trade to the Chargers, Raiders or Ravens. Smith is more likely to be released and have his choice of teams.

If that becomes the case, San Diego is a more logical fit for Smith. The Chargers are reportedly monitoring the situation much as they did with Bob Sanders, who ultimately signed as a free agent.

Refreshing as it is to hear that a player wants to play for the silver and black again, unless Al Davis thinks Steve Smith is worth something in trade, he’ll have better opportunities elsewhere.

Could the Raiders have a roster spot for the 5-foot-9, 180-pound receiver with 52 career touchdown receptions?

Back in March, Rick Drummond did a great review of the Raiders receivers that gives some perspective and insight.

Of course, the Raiders drafted Denarius Moore also, so one has to wonder what role Steve Smith might play on a team chalked full of young receivers.

Darrius Heyward-Bey is likely to get one more season to prove himself as a legit threat, but a starting job will not handed to him this season. Coaches and players sing his praises as a breakout candidate. It’s either wishful thinking or legit observation, we will know soon enough.

Steve Smith broke out in his third full season after a solid second season. The Raiders are hoping the third-year receiver standard holds true for Heyward-Bey.

Jacoby Ford is too electric to keep off the field and he will get his snaps. In many ways Ford could be compared to a young Steve Smith. Does it make sense to have two smaller receivers on the roster, both of which can lineup outside? Steve Smith is going to expect to start, and the Raiders will have to decide if they are able to provide him that opportunity.

Don’t forget about Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy and the rookie Moore. Murphy is the most consistently productive receiver on the team. Schilens fights his own health for snaps and the rookie wild card Moore may demand playing time. Where does that leave Steve Smith?

Smith has been a productive receiver, but he is 31 and his production has dipped in recent years. He’s been fairly durable despite missing 15 games in 2004. He’s known as a bit tough to handle, but Hue Jackson is no stranger to “personalities” at wide receiver.

If Smith becomes a Raider, the team has either lost confidence in Heyward-Bey’s ability to develop and/or they have deep concerns about Schilens’ ability to stay healthy.

The Raiders could use another quality receiving option like Smith, but bringing him in would retard the message the team has sent.

Of course, the Raiders are never too worried about the messages they send and it’s always a good idea to bring in a high upside veteran when you can do so cheaply.

The big question, should the Raiders bring in Smith, who would be the odd man out?

Ford will play and it would be tough to imagine the team giving up on Heyward-Bey this early. That leaves Murphy and Schilens. If healthy, can’t imagine Schilens is the odd man either, but he could certainly be injured again. That leaves Murphy, the most consistently productive receiver on the team over the past two seasons.

It’s also more likely Murphy makes the third-year leap than Heyward-Bey at this point.

To bring in Smith would be for the Raiders to abandon a receiver and relegate him to the fifth slot. Last year, the Raiders fifth receiver was Nick Miller or Johnnie Lee Higgins, who rarely saw the field and even more rarely caught a pass.

Maybe Hue Jackson can find enough packages to spread the snaps around evenly with a receiver like Smith in the fold. It would be a high-risk move, by an organization that is no stranger to the high-risk move.

 

2011 Draft Review and Analysis

 Posted by at 1:08 AM  No Responses »
May 022011
 

The Raiders completed day three of the 2011 NFL draft by selecting Chimdi Chekwa, Taiwan Jones, Denarius Moore, Richard Gordon and David Ausberry to add to the selections of Stefen Wisniewski, Demarcus Van Dyke and Joseph Barksdale yesterday.

With the selections on day three, the Raiders finished plugging at least three team needs and added depth a wide receiver. Al Davis doesn’t hide his affection for speed and in this, his 39th year as managing general partner, he again selected multiple players who ran the 40-yard-dash in under 4.4 seconds.

Now that the draft is complete and since the NFL is enduring a lockout, we have time to properly analyze the Raiders draft picks. Who are these players and what are their strengths and weaknesses? How do they fit on the team in 2011?

Stefen Wisniewski is the safest pick the Raiders could have made in the second round. Most if not all the top-tier talent had been selected and he’ll be an instant starter at center and should play for a decade. The fans will love this one also, because Stefen is the nephew of former Raiders all-pro guard guard and current assistant offensive line coach Steve Wisniewski.

Strengths: Smart, technically sound, knows how to use his hands and plays with a good base most of the time. Natural bender, bends at the knees. Agile and has good footwork. Fires off the snap quickly. Whistle-to-whistle player that is successful because he never gives up on a play.

Weaknesses: Average overall strength and may struggle with big nose tackles. Sometimes overextends and gets off-balance. Frame maxed out, can’t carry much more weight.

Overall: Wisniewski is a very high floor player that doesn’t need a lot of time to develop to help the Raiders. He’s durable and the Raiders have been looking for a center since Barrett Robins hailed a cab to Tijuana just before Super Bowl XXXVII. He’s a natural leader and should be an instant starter and upgrade over Samson Satele.

Scouting Reports:

National Football Post

NFLDRAFTSCOUT

NFL.com

NFLDraftCountdown

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YaslZQO3ew

 

The simple fact that Al Davis drafted Demarcus Van Dyke should not define the Raiders 2011 draft class. He’s one player and he does have potential.

Al Davis drafted Van Dyke in the third round, which is why analysts will not like the selection. The experts believed Van Dyke was a fifth or sixth-round prospect and very much a project. He’s a thinly-built burner and needs work on his technique to make use of his speed.

Thankfully, the Raiders have Kevin Ross, Rod Woodson and Willie Brown as coaches and mentors for the young corner project.

Strengths: Solid ball skills, length and speed,  fluid hips, reads and reacts to what he sees quickly.

Weaknesses: Needs help with his footwork to maintain his speed when he turns and runs, needs to add ten pounds to his frame, will not be a great jammer without adding bulk and strength.

Overall: He has the physical skills to be a good corner in the NFL, but he’ll have to add bulk and work on his footwork. He will contribute on special teams and his best chance to get on the field on defense is probably in the dime or nickel package. He’s a faster version of Walter McFadden.

Scouting Reports:

CBS Sports – Gil Brandt

NFL.com

National Football Post

Videos:

 

The Raiders needed help on the offensive line and they chose Joseph Barksdale over other quality options on the board. He’s an athlete that hasn’t played consistently well. He became an offensive lineman in college after being recruited as a defensive tackle. He was a five star recruit out of high school and some people believed he was the next Haloti Ngata.  He projects to right tackle, but may have a home at guard as well.

Strengths: Athletic and strong. Can slide and move his feet. Long arms. Can be nasty is a solid run blocker. Agile for a man his size and carries his weight well.

Weaknesses: Bends at the waist too much and can get himself caught out of position. Inconsistent. Not an elite athlete, probably can’t play left tackle in the pros.

Overall: The Raiders see a ton of potential in Barksdale and if he can become more consistent and focus on his craft he has a very good chance to start at right tackle for the Raiders as a rookie. Having Steve Wisniewski and his nephew around could help him as he’s only been playing offensive line for four years. He could be a gem of a right tackle in time.

Scouting Reports:

CBS Sports

National Football Post

NFL.com

Video:

 

 

Continue reading »

Needs Addressed On Day Two

 Posted by at 2:33 AM  No Responses »
Apr 302011
 

The Oakland Raiders tried to trade up for Colin Kaepernick, but were not successful.

Instead, the Raiders made the most natural pick they could and selected Steve Wisniewski’s nephew Stefen. Stefen will play center for the Raiders and become and instant fan favorite. His technique is sound and should be a starter for years.

The Raiders traded their 2012 second round pick for the Patriots third, pick 94 and fourth, pick 125.

The Raiders used their own third round pick to again draft the fastest player at the scouting combine in Demarcus Van Dyke. You might as well pencil in the fastest player at the combine every year. Al Davis loves his speed.

Van Dyke seems like a reach, but he’s got good physical tools and will be mentored by Rod Woodson. His teammate will be Stanford Routt, who was much like Van Dyke coming out of college.

Van Dyke is long and lean and Hue Jackson said he felt very comfortable with the pick.

With the pick acquired from the Patriots, the Raiders selected Joseph Barksdale a raw offensive tackle prospect. He’s got all the physical skills to be a starting caliber right tackle.

With this draft, the Raiders have drafted four out of five of next year’s probable starting offensive line.

LT Jared Veldheer

C Wisniewski

RG Bruce Campbell

RT Joseph Barkdale

2011 First Round: Situation Unchanged

 Posted by at 5:23 AM  No Responses »
Apr 292011
 

The Raiders came into the day without a first-round draft pick and finished the day without acquiring one.

Not much has changed. The Raiders still have needs and the same number of picks to work with. The only thing that happened today, 32 players were skimmed off the player pool.

Colin Kaepernick is still available and so are Da’Quan Bowers and Stefen Wisniewski.

Five of the top offensive tackles were taken in round one and the talent really thins out now. Raiders would be wise to look to the surplus of guards still available.

Brandon Harris and Aaron Williams are two highly-rated cornerbacks that were not taken in the first round.

It turns out a trade into the first round was not in the best interest of the Raiders. However, there are just a handful of top-tier players remaining that fit the Raiders most pressing needs. Don’t rule out the Raiders jumping into the early second round. Continue reading »

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