Defensive End Might Be The Way To Go

 Posted by at 8:24 PM  2 Responses »
Mar 102008
 

Lets look at the defensive line as a whole, which many of us declared the weakest link of hte team last season

Sapp’s retirement frees up Kelly to play the 3 tech DT spot, something he had rarely been able to do but we always wanted him to do. He should do well. I expect him to do well. Losing Sapp is not a real tragedy, because although he could play, he was also slowing. Sapp knows Kelly will do well at his old spot.

Warren could play the 3 tech spot, BUT even when Sapp was out of the game last year it was Brayton and not Warren playing the 3 tech spot. Warren is pretty good run defender as well and is more than capable of playing the other DT spot and also applying pressure. I expect him to start along with Kelly. Kelly also played well along with Sands in 2006 so expect that alignment quite a bit as well.

Sands is the run stuffer, and hopefully he can play up to his contract…because we can’t really get rid of him with that contract.

Burgess has been a liability against the run, and his pass rushing didn’t turn on until the second half last season. Its tough to know what to expect from Burgess this season. Also, the fact Burgess plays LDE makes him slightly overrated because he is consistently beating the RT and not the LT. I like Burgess, don’t get me wrong, but even Rob Ryan says he thinks Burgess needs to gain some pounds.

Richardson is starting caliber and he played pretty well last season. However, he would be even more effective at LDE the place currently occupied by Burgess. He is also a much better run defender than pass rusher, but he has a good motor and he could really do well on the LDE side. Also, Richardson is good at batting down passes being that he is 6′ 6″ and has long arms which means right handed QBs might have more trouble if he played LDE.

Gholston or Chris Long would be great fits for us both for different reasons.

Richardson can play both DE spots, which makes him easy to rotate in for any DE needing some air. Gholston/Long, Burgess and Richardson is a very nice DE rotation in a scheme that MUST get pressure from their front 4.

Either way Richardson is going to get on the field. He can take over for Burgess in two years when Burgess will want a big deal at age of 32. Drafting a DE also provides insurance against a Burgess holdout. The Raiders are notorious for making it known to players they will get paid when their deal is up and we expect players to fulfill their contracts.

Monetarily it makes the most sense of any position to draft a DE. We have very little money tied up at DE, unlike DT, RB, S, CB. Offensive Line and Linebacker don’t make sense for other reasons.

We also only have two DE on the roster.

I wouldn’t rule out McFadden, but with two top 5 DEs in the draft I think the Raiders are playing it smart and preparing for the possibility they draft a DE. Think about this, we drafted Moses and Richardson last season and with Clemons gone. We have nothing to show for that 3rd rounder. We perceived a reason to draft a DE last season with the 3rd pick and managed to lose the guy that took his roster spot. Logic would tell you the team perceives a need at DE still.

BPA vs Need: Old Argument; New Concept

 Posted by at 8:38 AM  No Responses »
Mar 092008
 

It isn’t that you don’t always want to get the best player; you do. However, a team can’t just draft the BPA and ignore all their weaknesses. It is a balance. Too much on one side tips the scale.

Talent on one side and need on the other. If they have a lot of talent, but the team doesn’t have any need to place on that scale, it wont do the team any good. Likewise if the team has a great need, but they take a much lesser player it doesn’t do the team any good.

You want it to be as balanced as possible. Certainly if it leans a little more one way, you want it to learn towards talent as you can find ways to use a little extra talent in a place you don’t need it as much. Such as a talented RB you could split wide as a receiver or a you may be able to use the player on special teams, etc.

Like football, you want to be balanced. Offenses with very poor defenses don’t historically (There are some exceptions) do well and vice versa.

Using this strategy doesn’t rule out getting a flashy talent or getting a guy that fills a position of great need, instead it ensures that you get a little of both.

Applying this concept to our situation:
McFadden: Scale tipped towards talent 3:1
Jake Long: Scale tipped towards need 1:3
Chris Long / Vernon Gholston: Scale balanced
Glenn Dorsey / Sedrick Ellis : Scale tipped towards talent 3:2
Matt Ryan: Scale tipped towards talent 4: .1

This is just an example, the numbers are just examples so don’t get upset about where I might have someone.

If you subscribe by the BPA philosophy, you might end up with a team strong in several areas and weak in others OR you might say you can draft for need in later rounds, which ensures overall talent level to be lower and therefore the team weaker.

If you subscribe by picking for needs, you end up with a roster that isn’t good enough in any area to carry the team. Switching the strategy to BPA late helps, but the talent level isn’t high enough to recoup what was lost. The flaw in the system is it relies heavily on the talent in the draft. Meaning a team needing offensive help in an offensively weak draft might have a worse draft than a team looking for defense in a defensively deep draft, as an example.

Using the balanced approach you not only have a chance to fill needs, but you also get the best possible players to fill those needs. You aren’t going to fall prey to inconsistencies in the talent of the draft and you will get the best possible players in the areas you most need. Maybe you wouldn’t fill as many holes as the “need” picks or get as high of an upper echelon talent as draft “BPA”, BUT you would get closer to doing both.

Keep in mind, McFadden would still fit into this philosophy as one could perceive the need to be pretty high (Fargas 29, Bush unknown, Rhodes backup material). It just depends on what the team thinks.

Addition: So much goes into these player evaluations that the team considers talent, need, X’s and O’s, off the field issues, scheme fit, injury history, etc into them. For each and every pick they have to decide who is the best player to take based on all of the evaluations they have done. I think too many people think BPA or Need are the strategies when in fact teams consider a whole lot more. To suggest NFL teams use BPA or NEED as strategies is humorous. So to suggest we draft BPA or to fill a NEED is just as humorous if not more so. The goal should be to draft the best player we can, but that might not be the “BPA” (Which is arbitrary) or the guy at the biggest “Need.”

Raider Nation: The Draft Rankings (Defense)

 Posted by at 9:03 PM  No Responses »
Mar 072008
 

Here is the defense:

DE:
1a. Chris Long – Everydown DE. Limited upside at OLB IMO, but probably will be a very good DE. May not be able to live up to his hype in the NFL, but he has the tools that he could
1b. Vernon Gholston – Physical tools unreal, will be a pass rushing force at DE, I see great upside at 3-4 OLB as well.
3. Phillip Merling – Size and speed combo could make a him an every down DE in this league. One of the under appreciated DE in this draft.
4. Derrick Harvey – Could be a good pass rusher, but he may not have the size to be a good DE and play all the snaps. I could see him being a very nice OLB in a 3-4.
5. Calais Campbell – Lacks the speed to be a great pass rusher, but has the size to be an every down guy if he can at least get some pressure occasionally, boom or bust type.

DT: (This is the hardest position for me)
1. Dorsey – I have serious questions about his injury, but until I find out how they might effect him he remains a DT who can do it all and if he was injured was pretty productive and he played, that means he is a tough guy.
2. Sedrick Ellis – I think he might be limited in his ability to stop the run. I think he might best be used along with a larger run stuffer. Should be a great pass rushing DT, which is sometimes a hard thing to find.
3. Kentwan Balmer – If he is healthy, I think Blamer is not far behind Dorsey and I’d consider him along the lines of Ellis. He is quick and dominating with good size and speed. Wont be a run stuffer, but isn’t a push over and can rush the passer. Might be a stud 3-4 DE as well.
4. Trevor Laws – Motor and strength top notch. His height like Ellis gives him the ability to get under blockers and get penetration. He might struggle shedding blocks due to his poor lateral ability.
5. Frank Okam – I took him over Dre Moore because of his upside. He is very inconsistant, but he can either be a force or a non-factor. Every couple years there is one of these guys that busts, and one that turns into a solid NFL player. Either way, He has nice ability for a DT.

ILB:
1. Dan Connor – Far and away the best ILB prospect in this draft. Very productive smart player. Has some trouble shedding blocks, but he is a smart enough to learn. Not elite athleticism but adequate to be a very solid ILB.
2. Jerod Mayo – Could also play WLB. Has nice speed and he is athletic. Reminds me a little of Thomas Howard. Very productive but will have to work on his game.
3. Philip Wheeler – He needs to work on technique and playing smarter. Is athletic, but not real agile. May also project to WLB with his size and strength limitations.
4. Johnathan Goff – Not a great athlete, but is a football player. Also a leader and can shed blockers, good tackler. Not flashy, but will get the job done. Smart guy as well. Coverage ability limited.
5. Curtis Lofton – Not a great athlete, but is a football player. Also a leader and can shed blockers, good tackler. Not flashy, but will get the job done. Smart guy as well. Coverage ability limited. (Did I just type the same thing twice…nah cut and paste…these guys are similar, very much so)

OLB:
1. Keith Rivers – Another guy that kind of reminds me of Thomas Howard. Maybe a bigger hitter than Howard, but not quite as athletic. Will have the same problems as Howard with shedding blockers and being run at. WLB prospect.
2. Cliff Avril – Good 34 OLB. Can pass rush, shed blocks and has a good “motor”. May have trouble against the run. Came from a good program.
3. Tavares Gooden – Productive and athletic, but a bit small. He is a good tackler so if he can add some pounds he could be a very solid LB
4. Xavier Adibi – Needs to add size, but is very athletic and a good tackler. Good pass rusher and sheds blocks well for a smaller guy. Mostly because of his size he isn’t very good against the run, but he has a frame to add pounds.
5. Ali Highsmith – Athletic, good tackler lacks size and strength and doesn’t shed blocks well. A project, but he can rush the passer and play special teams until he is ready.

CB:
1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – Not a physical guy, but should be an excellent cover corner with excellent agility, size, athleticism and speed. Is still raw, but he should develop rapidly in an NFL system.
2. Leodis McKelvin – Has all the tools you look for in a cover corner. Isn’t one of the taller “Super Corners” the NFL has fallen in love with. Also isn’t too physical. Seems to break late on passes and lacks recognition skills.
3. Aqib Talib – Has the physical tools, but is extremely raw. Gets beat when he shouldn’t because he uses bad technique and footwork. Good size.
4. Mike Jenkins – S/CB guy. I think he could play both. Needs work on technique, but other than that has natural cover skills and recognitions skills are a plus. Lacks ideal height.
5. Antoine Cason – Good size and decent speed. Natural athlete and good instincts. Needs to get stronger and learn to turn his hips better, gets beat because he doesn’t do this well.
5b. Patrick Lee – I wanted to include him because I think he will develop in time to a very good CB. He needs time to learn the pro game because he didn’t play that much in college. Has all the other things you look for. Not great hands, but that is to be expected from some CBs. (Surprise no Brandon Flowers, although some teams may have him as their #3 CB)

S:
1. Kenny Phillips – Size, strength, speed, awareness, top notch. Strong enough, hitter and does good in run support. Had a down year, kind of an anomaly. Will need to refine his game in the pros.
1b. DeJuan Morgan – Great size, speed, good instincts, physical. Some have said he is more of a hitter than tackler, but I think he just has trouble tackling guys at 205, needs to add some pounds. Special teams stud along the lines of Jarrod Cooper, but with potential to be a good safety as well.
3. Tyrell Johnson – Speedy, athletic and physical. Good tackler, smart and good special teamer as well. Could be a lot better than we think. Kind of an unknown, but has everything you look for including leadership qualities.
4. Josh Barrett – Excellent size and speed, good tackler and hitter, Team Leader and good instincts. Technique needs work, but NFL coaches should help.
5. Thomas DeCoud – Athletic and fluid, fantastic tackler and hitter. Good against the run. Lacks cover speed and may be one dimensional, below average instincts, but is getting better and was very productive.

Raider Nation: The Draft Rankings (Offense)

 Posted by at 9:01 PM  No Responses »
Mar 072008
 

I’ll start with top 5 players at each position. If I feel like it I will do SECOND 5 (otherwise known as 6-10) at a later date. I base what I can on the games I have seen, the film I can find and a tiny bit on a few prognosticators, but they aren’t that accurate so I disagree a lot. Defensive Rankings Coming Soon.

QB:
1. Chad Henne – Has the total package
2. Joe Flacco – Will develop into a very nice QB in time
3. Matt Ryan – INTs follow you to the pros
4. Brian Brohm – I don’t see any upside, might be a solid starter
5. Erik Ainge – If he works on mechanics and doesn’t get hurt he could be very good

RB:
1a. Darren McFadden – My only question is can he take the pounding in the NFL with his height and running style
1b. Jonathan Stewart – Size/Speed Ratio is amazing, Every down back
3. Rashard Mendenhall – Has the size and speed, one year production could be a concern
4. Chris Johnson – Will be useful as a change of pace back and be a big play threat
5. Jamaal Charles – Could be a very nice back for someone not needing an every down type of guy.

FB: (I hate ranking Fullbacks!)
1. Owen Schmitt – Aggressive and a good blocker
2. Jerome Felton – Can do it all, but needs work
3. Peyton Hillis – Not a blocker. If your not using a FB to block, then why not just use an extra RB?
4. Sorry can’t go on, to be honest I didn’t pay enough attention to FBs and I don’t care enough to watch any videos.
5 See above…at least I am not BSing the picks like some people do right?

WR:
1. Limas Sweed – Top Intangibles, More speed than people think, productive and good hands. Needs to work on consistency. Good size and strength and can go up and get the ball. Clutch performer.
2. Malcom Kelly – Good size and hands, needs to work on routes, deceptive speed
3. DeSean Jackson – Lacks the size to make a significant impact on the NFL. Best chance is as a kick returner. #2 WR with playmaking ability. Would complement an Anquan Boldin type player very well.
4. James Hardy – Great Size and speed is good for a guy that is 6′ 7″ tall. Should be able to dominate smaller NFL CBs. Because the NFL still lacks taller CBs in most places he could really do well some weeks and disappear others depending on who is covering him.
5. Mario Mannigham – Runs good routes, clutch, lacks elite speed and is only average size. I see a very productive WR, but nothing special in the future.

TE:
1. John Carlson – A poor man’s Zach Miller.
2. Fred Davis – Has good potential to be a offensive threat, but wont be an every down type player due to size and blocking deficiencies.
3. Dustin Keller – Fluid and fast, could make a surprise impact, but has similar size and blocking concerns as Fred Davis
4. Martellus Bennett – Great size might make him good red zone target, but he is a little skinny for his height. Also not quick enough to get to the deep zone.
5. Jermichael Finley – Like Keller, but doesn’t make it look as easy or have the same quickness.

OT: (Here is where I get to have fun)
1. Ryan Clady – Size and athleticism make him a LT in most schemes, plus he would be awesome in a ZBS scheme and because my rankings are based partly on the Raiders he is my top OT.
2. Jake Long – Elite RT, average LT. I guess I got this from Mayock, but I just don’t see him having the skill set to be a real good LT. Seems to get pushed around by the speedy ends even if he doesn’t give up sacks.
3. Gosder Cherlius – Will be a good RT in a drive blocking scheme.
4. Sam Baker – Wont be great, but could be a solid lineman for a long time barring injuries
5. Jeff Otah – Not a natural knee bender and NFL lineman will get under his pads. Probably a good RT if he can learn to bend better. This is a lot lower than some people have him, I guess we will see.

OG:
1. Chilo Rachal – Doesn’t do anything really well or terrible. Sounds like an OG that will be in the league for a long time. Also has reason to try hard in the NFL.
2. Brandon Albert – Why #2? Simple he doesn’t get low enough with his pads to stop elite DTs and he isn’t as athletic as I would like to see from an OG that you ask to pull a lot. Could fit in some systems very well. Many people have him replacing Faneca in PIT, I’d think a team like that would be a good fit.
3. Chad Rinehart – Just needs NFL coaching to excel, could see him being a very good OG. Most of his problems are technique. If he can learn, he could be a steal.
4. Jeremey Zuttah – I think he has the most potential outside Clady to be great in the ZBS system, Strong, good straight line speed, decent agility. He probably could even gain a few extra pounds and still be very good.
5. Roy Schuening – Not great at anything, but will be a grinder for years.

C:
1. Mike Pollak – Seems to be in that old center mold, smart and a team leader. Could be great for a young developing OL in need of a leader. Wont be a great physical player, but he could get 4 guys on the line in the right place and make them dominate so he wont have to. Limited Potential. Might not be a immediate starter.
2. Steve Justice – Probably a great fit for the ZBS, but he will struggle against the big guys unless he can pack on some pounds. Is smart and pretty athletic.
3. John Sullivan – Sounds like a Great Center name. Besides that he has a ton of experience and I think his deficiencies can be corrected with the right coach and I think he will take well to the coaching he receives.
4. Kory Lichtensteiger – Probably a good ZBS fit. Has good footwork, just isn’t dominating and lacks size. Is smart and uses good leverage techniques.
5. Cody Wallace – Not that productive and didn’t seem to be dominant, a project.

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