**Oakland Raiders 2010 offseason Thread**
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Help for Raiders up front is Tom Cable's desire
By Steve Corkran
[email protected]
Posted: 04/18/2010 09:35:14 PM PDT
Updated: 04/19/2010 09:48:32 AM PDT
Raiders coach Tom Cable says offensive line a top priority
Bolstering the offensive line is the priority for the Raiders as they enter the NFL draft Thursday, according to coach Tom Cable. Fortunately for the Raiders, this draft class is considered to be deep in that area.
Don't be fooled, though. Cable might gush about players such as Anthony Davis and Russell Okung, two highly regarded lineman in the 2010 draft, but he also fawned all over offensive linemen leading to the 2009 draft. The Raiders selected seven players, none of whom was an offensive lineman.
Cable's voice might be heard, but the draft is the domain of managing general partner Al Davis, and his decisions carry the day. Davis isn't sharing his thoughts with the media.
That Davis presides over the draft can lead to picks who sometimes don't mesh with the coach's wish list. Not to say that the Raiders are going to use the No. 8 pick on a kicker; they still have first-round pick Sebastian Janikowski on their roster, after all.
But every other position except punter and long snapper is fair game, Cable conceded. Cable said the focus is on finding the "most productive football players."
All things being equal, however, Cable seems to hunger for the addition of offensive and defensive linemen.
"We have some line-of-scrimmage issues on both sides of the ball," Cable said in a predraft news conference Thursday.
In particular, Cable said he wants improved play out of an offensive line that last season struggled to
protect the quarterback, opening holes for running backs and avoiding penalties. And draft experts are confident that immediate help can be found in that area for teams drafting early in the first round, if not beyond.
Offensive tackles who figure to be available when the Raiders use the first of their eight selections include: Rutgers' Davis, Maryland's Bruce Campbell, USC's Charles Brown and Iowa's Bryan Bulaga. Oklahoma State's Okung might be gone before the Raiders pick.
The value of an impact offensive tackle can't be overstated, Cable said.
"You've got to have one, or your quarterback gets killed," Cable said. "That's just the deal. And really you've got to have two (good ones)."
By Cable's estimation, a group of no more than 14 good offensive tackles exists among the league's 64 starters at the position. Most teams, Cable said, try to "bubble gum it together and make it work" with the two they have.
For what it's worth in Davis' mind, Cable said he will be comfortable throwing his weight behind an offensive tackle at No. 8. Cable also said it's of primary importance that the Raiders draft someone who can help right away.
The team, he said, also is in need of help at linebacker, where the coach isn't sold on Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard at middle and weakside linebacker, respectively. The offensive backfield and the secondary also could use some help, he said. That said ...
"The biggest thing right now is, let's look at this offensive-line class and really know what it is," Cable said.
The Raiders have succeeded in finding productive players through the draft in recent seasons, mostly beyond the first round. To that end, Cable said there's a premium upon scoring a direct hit with their first-round pick this season and snaring a player capable of starting right away.
The Raiders have had a top-seven pick each of the past six years — they traded the No. 7 pick for receiver Randy Moss in 2005 — yet failed to land a Pro Bowl-caliber player from the likes of guard Robert Gallery, safety Michael Huff, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, running back Darren McFadden and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey....
Help for Raiders up front is Tom Cable's desire
By Steve Corkran
[email protected]
Posted: 04/18/2010 09:35:14 PM PDT
Updated: 04/19/2010 09:48:32 AM PDT
Raiders coach Tom Cable says offensive line a top priority
Bolstering the offensive line is the priority for the Raiders as they enter the NFL draft Thursday, according to coach Tom Cable. Fortunately for the Raiders, this draft class is considered to be deep in that area.
Don't be fooled, though. Cable might gush about players such as Anthony Davis and Russell Okung, two highly regarded lineman in the 2010 draft, but he also fawned all over offensive linemen leading to the 2009 draft. The Raiders selected seven players, none of whom was an offensive lineman.
Cable's voice might be heard, but the draft is the domain of managing general partner Al Davis, and his decisions carry the day. Davis isn't sharing his thoughts with the media.
That Davis presides over the draft can lead to picks who sometimes don't mesh with the coach's wish list. Not to say that the Raiders are going to use the No. 8 pick on a kicker; they still have first-round pick Sebastian Janikowski on their roster, after all.
But every other position except punter and long snapper is fair game, Cable conceded. Cable said the focus is on finding the "most productive football players."
All things being equal, however, Cable seems to hunger for the addition of offensive and defensive linemen.
"We have some line-of-scrimmage issues on both sides of the ball," Cable said in a predraft news conference Thursday.
In particular, Cable said he wants improved play out of an offensive line that last season struggled to
protect the quarterback, opening holes for running backs and avoiding penalties. And draft experts are confident that immediate help can be found in that area for teams drafting early in the first round, if not beyond.
Offensive tackles who figure to be available when the Raiders use the first of their eight selections include: Rutgers' Davis, Maryland's Bruce Campbell, USC's Charles Brown and Iowa's Bryan Bulaga. Oklahoma State's Okung might be gone before the Raiders pick.
The value of an impact offensive tackle can't be overstated, Cable said.
"You've got to have one, or your quarterback gets killed," Cable said. "That's just the deal. And really you've got to have two (good ones)."
By Cable's estimation, a group of no more than 14 good offensive tackles exists among the league's 64 starters at the position. Most teams, Cable said, try to "bubble gum it together and make it work" with the two they have.
For what it's worth in Davis' mind, Cable said he will be comfortable throwing his weight behind an offensive tackle at No. 8. Cable also said it's of primary importance that the Raiders draft someone who can help right away.
The team, he said, also is in need of help at linebacker, where the coach isn't sold on Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard at middle and weakside linebacker, respectively. The offensive backfield and the secondary also could use some help, he said. That said ...
"The biggest thing right now is, let's look at this offensive-line class and really know what it is," Cable said.
The Raiders have succeeded in finding productive players through the draft in recent seasons, mostly beyond the first round. To that end, Cable said there's a premium upon scoring a direct hit with their first-round pick this season and snaring a player capable of starting right away.
The Raiders have had a top-seven pick each of the past six years — they traded the No. 7 pick for receiver Randy Moss in 2005 — yet failed to land a Pro Bowl-caliber player from the likes of guard Robert Gallery, safety Michael Huff, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, running back Darren McFadden and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey....
Tony... you wanna draft CJ Spiller at number 8???
no fucking way
obviously McFadden hasn't panned out as he was supposed to... but RB is far from a glaring need
McFadden still could be a good RB... and we got Bush
plus... our entire offense is gonna suffer as long as our offensive line sucks... we need to build from the trenches and stop worrying about "skill positions"
no fucking way
obviously McFadden hasn't panned out as he was supposed to... but RB is far from a glaring need
McFadden still could be a good RB... and we got Bush
plus... our entire offense is gonna suffer as long as our offensive line sucks... we need to build from the trenches and stop worrying about "skill positions"
LOL, yeah I said DHB all the way. Whoops, my bad... that pick hasn't worked out so far but that shouldn't stop up from drafting Spiller if he is there. He's like a smaller, quicker, version of Adrian Peterson. You see what kind of problems Johnson from the Titans has caused defenses. We can draft Spiller at 8 and then go offensive line early in the 2nd round.
We don't need another running back but that dude is too good to pass up. I don't think he'll be there at 8 because Washington is picking at 4 and I could see Mike Shanahan snatching him up.
McFadden is garbage. He can't stay healthy, can't stop fumbling, and he can't make defenders miss. Why does Mike Bush have a better per carry average than McFadden?
Draft Spiller at 8 if he is there. Just because we drafted DHB last year doesn't mean we'll blow it if we draft CJ Spiller.
Draft Spiller and then trade McFadden and draft a lineman with the pick we get for McFadden.
Draft CJ Spiller!
We don't need another running back but that dude is too good to pass up. I don't think he'll be there at 8 because Washington is picking at 4 and I could see Mike Shanahan snatching him up.
McFadden is garbage. He can't stay healthy, can't stop fumbling, and he can't make defenders miss. Why does Mike Bush have a better per carry average than McFadden?
Draft Spiller at 8 if he is there. Just because we drafted DHB last year doesn't mean we'll blow it if we draft CJ Spiller.
Draft Spiller and then trade McFadden and draft a lineman with the pick we get for McFadden.
Draft CJ Spiller!
Oakland Raiders 2010 schedule
Mercury News
Posted: 04/20/2010 10:20:36 PM PDT
Updated: 04/20/2010 10:20:37 PM PDT
RAIDERS 2010 SCHEDULE
The Raiders have been left out of prime time, as the NFL released its schedules Tuesday. They will travel across the bay to face the 49ers and will host the AFC champion Colts.
Date Opponent Time
Sept. 12 at Tennessee 10 a.m.
Sept. 19 vs. St. Louis 1:05 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Arizona 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 3 vs. Houston 1:05 p.m.
Oct. 10 vs. San Diego 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 17 at 49ers 1:05 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Denver 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 31 vs. Seattle 1:15 p.m.
Nov. 7 vs. Kansas City 1:15 p.m.
Nov. 21 at Pittsburgh 10 a.m.
Nov. 28 vs. Miami 1:05 p.m.
Dec. 5 at San Diego 1:05 p.m.
Dec. 12 at Jacksonville 10 a.m.
Dec. 19 vs. Denver 1:15 p.m.
Dec. 26 vs. Indianapolis 1:05 p.m.
Jan. 2 at Kansas City 10 a.m.
........that would be some shit if we land Ben........i know some of yall dont want him but i think it would be a great move for Oakland (big picture wise)
Mercury News
Posted: 04/20/2010 10:20:36 PM PDT
Updated: 04/20/2010 10:20:37 PM PDT
RAIDERS 2010 SCHEDULE
The Raiders have been left out of prime time, as the NFL released its schedules Tuesday. They will travel across the bay to face the 49ers and will host the AFC champion Colts.
Date Opponent Time
Sept. 12 at Tennessee 10 a.m.
Sept. 19 vs. St. Louis 1:05 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Arizona 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 3 vs. Houston 1:05 p.m.
Oct. 10 vs. San Diego 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 17 at 49ers 1:05 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Denver 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 31 vs. Seattle 1:15 p.m.
Nov. 7 vs. Kansas City 1:15 p.m.
Nov. 21 at Pittsburgh 10 a.m.
Nov. 28 vs. Miami 1:05 p.m.
Dec. 5 at San Diego 1:05 p.m.
Dec. 12 at Jacksonville 10 a.m.
Dec. 19 vs. Denver 1:15 p.m.
Dec. 26 vs. Indianapolis 1:05 p.m.
Jan. 2 at Kansas City 10 a.m.
........that would be some shit if we land Ben........i know some of yall dont want him but i think it would be a great move for Oakland (big picture wise)
we should take Jahvid Best in the 2nd round since we dont got Justin Fargas no more,Best could be a solid 3rd stringer or maybe take the 2nd string spot.I dont think we should pass up on him if hes available,he could have the same impact as Chris Johnson does for the Titans....but they need 2 definitely address the O-Line in the first round.
Raiders acquired DE Quentin Groves from the Jaguars in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2010.
Considering the playmakers acquired this spring for fifth-rounders, the deal is a steal for Jacksonville. Groves, a 2008 second-round pick, has flopped in his first two seasons, managing just 2.5 sacks in 31 games. In Oakland, he'll compete for snaps in the nickel package behind Richard Seymour and Matt Shaughnessy. Groves is unlikely to solve Oakland's pass-rushing problems.
Considering the playmakers acquired this spring for fifth-rounders, the deal is a steal for Jacksonville. Groves, a 2008 second-round pick, has flopped in his first two seasons, managing just 2.5 sacks in 31 games. In Oakland, he'll compete for snaps in the nickel package behind Richard Seymour and Matt Shaughnessy. Groves is unlikely to solve Oakland's pass-rushing problems.
The Raiders are unwilling to part with the No. 8 overall pick in a trade for Ben Roethlisberger, a team source tells the Oakland Tribune.
Nor are the Steelers willing to toss in the No. 18 overall pick to sweeten the pot. The Oakland Trib confirms that the Raiders asked Pittsburgh about Big Ben's availability, but it appears the sides are too far apart when it comes to compensation for a deal to be finalized before Friday night. Expect Oakland to stand pat, and Roethlisberger (most likely) to stay put.
Nor are the Steelers willing to toss in the No. 18 overall pick to sweeten the pot. The Oakland Trib confirms that the Raiders asked Pittsburgh about Big Ben's availability, but it appears the sides are too far apart when it comes to compensation for a deal to be finalized before Friday night. Expect Oakland to stand pat, and Roethlisberger (most likely) to stay put.