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Showing posts from May, 2011

Fan Poll Results: Draft Grades

I asked Raider Nation to grade the draft picks on a scale of A to F. Love (A), Like (B), Wait (C), Hope D and Hate (F) were the options. Draft grades mean nothing, but what you, the fan, thinks of the draft actually does mean something. Fan grades are a reflection of how much confidence the fans have in the front office. So let's get to the grades... Stefen Wisniewski A - Love Grades: 38 B - Like Grades: 30 C - Wait Grades: 0 D - Hope Grades: 3 F - Hate Grades: 1 Overall GPA: .901 (A) Wisniewski receives a low A letter grade by the fans. His uncle's legacy in silver and black certainly had a lot to do with his reception, but the Raiders needed lineman badly also and this probably boosted his stock. Demarcus Van Dyke A - Love Grades: 2 B - Like Grades: 9 C - Wait Grades: 46 D - Hope Grades: 14 F - Hate Grades: 1 Overall GPA: .609 (D) Ouch, Demarcus Van Dyke receives a near failing grade from Raiders fans, but it is interesting to note that the vast majority voted to wait on Van

Campbell & Seymour Organizing Workouts

Jason Campbell was interviewed on Sirius NFL radio this morning and among the things discussed was player organized workouts. Campbell, who in recent days posted numerous Twitter photos of his workouts with Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy, told Sirius he is organizing player workouts at an undisclosed location with the help of Richard Seymour. Player organized workouts aren't the same as coach organized workouts, but they do serve a purpose. Campbell and Seymour are exhibiting great leadership and bringing the team together will ensure players are accountable to each other. In a way, this is a test of the Raiders leadership structure. It is up to the Raiders players to respond and show up when called upon. The undisclosed location and time certainly will make it hard to judge and it gives Campbell an easy out if the team doesn't respond to his call.

Steve Smith in Silver & Black?

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

2011 Draft Review and Analysis

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 f