Raidersblog.com

1. Kenny Phillips benched 225 only 19 times. While that isn't bad, it wasn't near the top of any the DBs and you have to wonder if he is going to be a hard-hitting safety with that kind of upper body strength. I think 19 reps is adequate, but I hope it does make him fall, I'd love to get him in the second! 2. Aqib Talib is sloppy. "All over the place" Mayock said he is inconsistent. Reminds me too much of Phillip Buccannon at CB and he isn't even as fast. Not that we need a CB, but I could see this guy falling. Mayock pointed at pretty large problems with work ethic on film. I wouldn't draft him. 3. Rogers-Cromartie is fast and fluid. I could see himself going in the middle of the first round. 4. Tom Zibikowski may be a later round option for safety if we want to go Safety. He is strong and good against the run, but maybe a liability in coverage. With the strength of the rest of our secondary in coverage we can probably get away with him as long as he can ...

1. Keith Rivers injury keeps him from running. This is a re-occurring injury and could effect his draft stock. 2. Chris Long dominated the combine. However, even he admits he is going to need work if someone wants him to be a 3-4 OLB. 4.75 dash. 34" vert 10' 4" broad jump 3. Vernon Gholston was the best combine performer at DE. He benched 37 (1st), ran 4.64 (3rd), 35.5" vert (1st) 10' 4" broad jump 4. Sedrick Ellis had a solid performance. The Senior Bowl really hyped him up, but I've been saying and I've had at least one scout confirm my notions that he is more of a top 15 pick than a top 5 pick. I like him, but I think that if we are looking for a run stuffer Ellis isn't our guy. 5. Dorsey's pro day will be huge because of the injury concerns. I expect him to plummet if he doesn't do well at the pro day, because of the injury concerns. 6. LB's looked unspectacular overall. Woodyard looked like pretty good. 7. Trevor Laws lacked the...

1. The biggest talk is going to be McFadden. He ran 4.27 and officially they gave him a 4.33. Lets call it 4.3 speed. We are all aware speed is just a gauge. This certainly will help his stock regardless. Mayock and Faulk (A HOF RB) both said McFadden best fits in a one cut and go system (Sounds like the Raiders). Look I am not saying we should for sure take McFadden, but he certainly fits the mold. Heck he is a lot like Fargas coming out but younger and faster. If he falls to #4, we have to consider it. So fans better get used to the fact that we may take him if he is there at #4. He also had a 10' 10" Broad jump and 33" vertical. The fast time doesn't surprise me, he has been training at the Michael Johnson Performance Center. Just for the record: I guessed McFadden's 40-time EXACTLY 2. Devin Thomas looked very quick and natural in drills and ran very well. 3. Mendenhall ran well and has good size. 4.4 4. Stewart ran very well considering he is a big 235. 4.4 5....

My observations from today's combine workouts. I claim to be no expert, just observations and some analysis from a fanatical fan. I add what I can offer to the mix. If you missed the workouts and don't trust the media to be honest or accurate, here are the guys I observed that stood out. 1. Jake Long, OT is pretty solid, but I don't think he is a Joe Thomas. Probably a little better than Levi Brown. He is strong, decent 10 yard split and good footwork. I have to agree with Mayock. Pro Bowl RT, decent LT. 2. Dustin Keller, TE really impressed. He had the second most bench reps, the fastest 40 time, highest vertical and was catching a lot of passes. He might be a solid pass catching TE for someone in round 3 or 4. Carlson the top rated TE looks like a poor man's Zach Miller. 3. Jeff Otah, OT has nice speed but didn't run as fast as expected. He isn't very fluid and bends at the waist and in drills he was very high. I'd say a small stock drop for him. 4. Jeremy...

1. Lost the coin flip . So there is no need for the NFL to try to make us do it again. The only way I see drafting four as a large negative is if Dorsey falls to #3 and Atlanta picks him. Otherwise I don't think it does anything but save us money. It may also reduce what we could get should we trade down, but it will also make it easier to move down should we try. 2. DeSean Jackson measured in at just 5'9" and 169 pounds. Huge knock to his draft stock for 3 inches and 3 pounds? How can they list him at 6'0" and he actually be 5'9"...that is funny stuff. I can usually shrug off 1 inch as rounding...but come on Cal. He has also been training for the combine, which means he may have weighed less during his playing years. 3. Rob Ryan insists the rumors about him being fired are fiction. You have to wonder if we have someone in the organization with a vendetta that is spreading these rumors. Rumor also is Al Davis is NOT impressed with Rich Snead, maybe it is...

1. First Item I found came from Jerry McDonald . Here is the quote: One personnel expert’s assessment of LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey as opposed to USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis: “Dorsey. Hands down. He’s a top four pick no question while Ellis is a nice player but belongs in the top 15.” I got pretty heavily criticized for saying we could get Ellis at 8. I think the Senior Bowl really hyped Ellis up among the fans. Apparently there is at least one personnel expert that thinks Ellis is more of a top 15 guy. If we start hearing more of this, then I might have to say I told you so, but I'll wait on that until after the combine results. 2. Also from Jerry: – According to one personnel man, Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter, scheduled for free agency after voiding the final year of his contract, may not get the big payday he desires. “Can’t run,” he said. 3. Jake Long is apparently left-handed . I wonder just how much advantage that would give him being at LT? I would think...

Hello all, Well, I want to announce that I will be doing a daily combine report everyday of the combine starting Thursday with coverage any news about measurements of offensive lineman. I plan to keep a log in the exclusive section at "The Forum." The analysis will be here, but any hard data and a complete log will be a part of the exclusive section (Which is free if you become a member of the board, which is also free). Hopefully I can provide some insight on some later round picks that might be able to contribute. Things will likely be a bit slow until Saturday when the workouts start, but I will report on anything noteworthy. I am also going to try and keep an up-to-date list of the measurables. Check back for analysis from a true Raiders fan and the one and only internet hack of the Silver and Black. Corny? Probably. I doubt I am the only hack, but I hope to be one that the Raider Nation can turn to for honest and quality information. I need your help to get there, so pl...