Ace is back! And it's draft time!

[AceRimRat]

Hey, gang, I'm back in action! Sorry I haven't been around much; I've been super busy at work and that means working early, working late, and no time to surf at work, either! LOL.

The good news is, I got broadband at home so I'm hoping to go back to being a regular reader/contributor and talking shop with my fellow Raider fans. Did y'all miss me?

Anyway, enough about me, since this isn't about me, but about the Raiders, and the draft!

I'm getting pretty freakin' psyched, though I'm a little nervous about all the McGahee in the 1st round rumors. I'm not sure I'd trust a late first round pick on a guy with such an obliterated knee, but we all know how the Raiders feel about snagging a guy who slides because of external factors (Bo, Rocket, Eli Herring, etc.).

So I thought I'd try and make up for my prolonged absence (been what, about a month?) with the Raiders draft recap I used to post over on the Merc forum. Forgive me if this has been done; I didn't see one on the recent posts.

The Raiders have only two players on their current roster who the team drafted before 1997: Tim Brown (6th overall, 1988) and the suspended Barret Robbins (second round, 1995). So I'll start in 1997 and cover the Bugel "error," the Gruden years and the first Callahan draft:

1997
1 - Darrell Russell, DT
The second pick in the draft, we all know how this story has turned out; five years of brilliant play mixed with laziness on the field, personal problems off the field. Currently on the NFL's suspended list and apparently finished as a Raider, according to Callahan.
3a - Adam Treu, OL
The team's long-snapper from his first day, a fine reserve center and guard who has filled in capably for Barret Robbins and continued the tradition of solid Nebraska linemen.
3b - Tim Kohn, OL
The Raiders batted only .500 in the third round as this other lineman was a bust who lasted one year without ever getting on the field. They brought him back to camp one other time, but he never amounted to anything.
4 - Chad Levitt, RB
A big back who was a stud in the Ivy League, he was a tweener too slow for RB and too small for FB. He lasted a year with the Raiders, then bounced around the league a bit.
6a - Calvin Branch, CB
College RB stuck around for four painful-to-watch years as a dime back, but was a decent special-teamer. Was cut in camp in '01, brought back for '02, but got hurt in NFL Europe and missed the year. His contract is up and there's no sign he'll get another camp invite.
6b - Grady Jackson, DT
Continued the Raiders' tradition of late-round steals. A small-school DT who took a little time to develop and never found a good level of conditioning but became a valuable part of the DT rotation and then a starter and team Defensive MVP before departing as a free agent in '02.
Overall: The Raiders could have had their defensive tackle situation set for a decade here, but Russell's personal demons ruined him and Jackson's conditioning gave the Raiders reason to go another direction. Treu has been a good team guy and Branch was a special-teams contributor, but Kohn was a complete bust and Levitt never lived up to the hype about him.

1998
1a - Charles Woodson, CB
Heisman Trophy winner and fourth overall pick has been a starter from day one and a perennial All-Pro until this past injury-plagued year. A future Hall of Famer whose future as a Raider is jeopardized only by his contract situation and the Raiders' cap issues.
1b - Mo Collins, OT
Started as a rookie at offensive tackle before moving inside to guard; a starter on the Raiders' strong, massive line despite a plethora of injuries, but currently a UFA who was considered one of the top linemen available but has yet to sign anywhere.
2 - Leon Bender, DT
A compensatory pick for the loss of Chet McGlockton to free agency, he would have replaced Chet in the lineup, but died suddenly before training camp.
3 - Jon Ritchie, FB
Another rookie who started from the outset, he served the team well as a blocking, pass-catching fullback before leaving this offseason in search of more playing time.
4 - Gennaro DiNapoli, OG
A highly touted player who never could stay in the lineup with the Raiders due to a rookie holdout and second-year injury, he was traded to the Titans after the '99 season.
5a - Jeremy Brigham, TE
A capable backup tight end for four years despite almost quitting football during his first camp, he was hurt in camp in '02 and cut, but brought back for the Super Bowl when injuries decimated the TE corps. Currently a UFA and apparently won't be brought back for camp.
5b - Travian Smith, LB
A pass-rushing backup linebacker and special-teams demon who has never been able to crack the lineup despite ample physical gifts. Still a quality backup and contributor.
7a - Vince Amey, DE
A Californian who spent his rookie year on the practice squad before getting some late-season action. But he didn't stick the following year.
7b - David Sanders, DE
Got arrested for some kind of drug thing right after the draft and didn't make it out of training camp.
Overall: One of the Raiders' best drafts in recent years, maybe one of the better ones ever. Coming off the team's worst year in a long, long time (1997), the Raiders found three immediate starters and three capable backups/part-time starters, though free agency and future drafts have cut into the longevity of some of these players as Raiders and DiNapoli was a disappointment overall.

1999
1 - Matt Stinchcomb, OT
Just a year after taking Mo Collins, the Raiders went for another lineman in the first round, with less-successful results. Missed his rookie year with an injury, and when he got hurt in 2000, looked more like the second coming of Bob Buczkowski (D1-86) than another Collins. But he has developed into a capable backup, and ironically has returned to the starting lineup as a guard when Collins has been injured; so much for drafting a pair of bookend tackles.
2 - Tony Bryant, DE
A promising athlete who has been a solid starter in the past after an injury-shortened rookie year. But a neck injury midway through last season (arguably his best year) has jeopardized his career, and he has never become the pass-rusher expected to begin with.
4 - Dameane Douglas, WR
A top college receiver who caught 100 passes in 1998 for Cal and considered a future starter when drafted, he was ridden mercilessly by Gruden in camp and waived in the last cut; apparently to be stashed on the practice squad. Those plans went awry when the Eagles claimed him on waivers, but he never was more than a special-teamer for them, either.
5a - Eric Barton, LB
A tackling machine at Maryland, he got a few starts as a rookie, then got nailed to the bench for two years before blossoming into a top-notch weakside starter in '02.
5b - Rod Coleman, LB
A college LB moved first to DE then to DT, he has become a top inside pass rusher despite a lack of size that hurts him against the run and limits him to a situational reserve role. Led the Raiders in sacks in '02.
6 - Daren Yancey, DT
Overaged lineman got hurt in camp and cut early. A complete bust.
7 - JoJuan Armour, LB/S
College linebacker was being tried as a strong safety. Another player the Raiders tried to sneak onto the practice squad who didn't make it through waivers, he wound up a part-time starter for the Bengals.
Overall: Not a bad draft, but the highlights came late - a pair of fifth-round picks acquired for a future third led to the drafting of Barton and Coleman, two of the top young players on the defense. The top three picks are disappointments, but Stinchcomb and Bryant have made contributions despite their injury problems.

2000
1 - Sebastian Janikowski, K
A surprise pick, the best college kicker in many years by reputation came with plenty of excess weight and off-field baggage, but has been a reliable player at a position long of need, despite not living up to his booming college kickoffs and continuing to skate on thin legal ice.
2 - Jerry Porter, WR
A stud athlete considered a project after playing WR, DB and QB in college, he was buried by Gruden before getting a chance to shine in '02, and making the most of it. Considered the Raiders' WR of the future then, and now, despite the rough spots in between.
4 - Junior Ioane, DT
A top prospect coming off a major injury, he slid to the fourth round and had "steal" potential, but has not been able to get onto the field for the Raiders, playing only a handful of games in three years.
5 - Shane Lechler, P
Another surprise pick, the top college punter had an outstanding rookie year and sophomore season before struggling after a preseason injury this year.
7a - Mondriel Fulcher, TE
A late-round find who made the team as a third TE and contributed on special teams before getting hurt in '02.
7b - Cliffton Black, S
Small college saftey failed to make the team out of training camp; re-signed and was sent to NFL Europe in the offseason but flopped there, too.
Overall: A very controversial draft netted the Raiders starters at two of the 24 starting spots, if you consider kicker and punter, both areas of need on a team itching to contend. Porter finally turned into a stud and that raises the overall quality of this draft, as the other two players who made the team remain deep reserves.

2001
1 - Derrick Gibson, S
A controversial pick amid rumors Gruden wanted Idrees Bashir but Al Davis wanted Gibson; a superb athlete who has not yet nailed down a starting spot, in part due to injury and in part because his college hitting skills have been strangely absent.
2 - Marques Tuiasosopo, QB
A scrambler and clutch winner in the Gannon mode, this QB-of-the-future has gotten scant playing time in two years; some reports say he's on thin ice as a "Gruden pick," while others still see him as the next starter.
3 - DeLawrence Grant, DE
Pass-rushing end did nothing as a rookie before moving into the starting lineup due to Regan Upshaw's injury in '02. Shows a lot of potential, but has not yet been the pass-rush threat hoped for when drafted.
5 - Raymond Perryman, S
A college LB moved to safety, some thought he could start soon, but he spent his rookie year on the practice squad and struggled in camp in '02 despite a strong developmental season in NFL Europe. Was one of the last cuts and eventually picked up by the Ravens.
6 - Chris Cooper, DE
The draft day find of the year, "Little Howie" is a fan favorite for his non-stop motor, but his lack of size may mean he'll never be more than a part of the D-line rotation. A capable backup from a small school has more than lived up to the low pick.
7a - Derek Combs, RB
Moved to WR and then to DB, he spent his rookie year on the practice squad before getting experience in NFL Europe and making the team out of camp in '02. But he was a bust as a kick returner and was cut when the team needed to clear a roster spot for LB Mike Jones.
7b - Ken-Yon Rambo, WR
Considered a draft day steal for his second-round potential, he quickly became another target of Gruden's wrath because of his boom-or-bust play in camp. Cut and signed with the Cowboys, where he is a reserve WR.
Overall: Still a little early to judge this draft, but the jury is out for a reason: Gibson can't keep a spot in the lineup, Tui never gets on the field, Grant remains a project and Cooper appears to be a limited backup. The only real steal potential was Rambo, and he was wasted by Gruden. Perryman and Combs had their chances and didn't make the most of them.

2002
1a - Phillip Buchanon, CB
Top cover corner was making big plays as a DB and PR before a wrist injury on an ill-advised but shockingly impressive leap for a ball ended his season. Inconsistent but spectacular, should be a starter this year and a joy to watch. The first bounty of the Gruden deal, after some moves upward in the draft.
1b - Napoleon Harris, LB
An OLB/DE moved inside, he made veteran favorite Greg Biekert expendable and over the course of the year became a quality starter while making steady improvement. Should be a strong starter for years to come.
2a - Langston Walker, OT
Massive lineman had "overdrafted bust" written all over him, as he was widely considered a mid- to late-round pick. But trust an OL coach to know what he's doing, and he showed plenty of potential as a backup who was forced to step into the lineup at both tackles due to injuries and showed he has a real future. The second bounty of the Gruden deal.
2b - Doug Jolley, TE
After an injury plagued training camp, he worked his way into the lineup as a pass-catching TE and eventually started when Roland Williams succumbed to a series of injuries. Not the best blocker, but his hands and speed as a receiver brought back memories of (dare I say it?) Todd Christensen and Dave Casper.
5 - Kenyon Coleman, DE
Made the team but hardly saw the field despite being repeatedly mentioned in reports as a promising player who practiced well. This could be his year to crack the rotation.
6a - Keyon Nash, S
A project small-college corner who spent the year on the practice squad before being added to the roster during the postseason injury blitz. Showed a lot of potential in camp and appeared to have beaten out Perryman (among others) for a reserve safety spot, but the Raiders opted to go with an extra corner instead.
6b - Larry Ned, RB
Put up big-time college numbers but spent the preseason in a fumbling duel with Ronald Curry on kick and punt returns before being cut. Wound up on the Vikings' practice squad.
7 - Ronald Curry, QB
One of the greatest high-school athletes of the '90s, was supposed to be Mike Vick but after an injury-filled career at North Carolina (where he also played basketball) wound up struggling to try and make the team as a return man, showing big-play potential and bad, bad hands. Spent the year on the practice squad as a QB, RB, WR, P, DB, KR and PR. Supreme athlete got one chance as a return man but fumbled it away, opening the door for Marcus Knight. Could stick for his versatility, could be an early cut.
Overall: The draft was a great one at first look, thanks in no small part to the players gained as a result of the Gruden deal. And that's the rub: Are two (potentially) star starters worth a Super Bowl? We all know what Gruden did for the Bucs. But by leaving the Raiders he gave the team four potential starters for an aging squad. Still, if teams are judged by victories and Super Bowls, this draft will be colored until the Raiders hoist a Lombardi of their own. Still, taken on its own merits, seven of the eight players picked were on the Super Bowl roster so this draft has the potential to be the best since '98, with as many as six possible starters and a return man extraordinaire.

[crizpynutz]

Nice job man, good to have ya back.

1998: This was a great draft but let's take another look at it today:

Charles Woodson - After three straight Pro Bowls, Woodson looked like he was becoming the next best shut down corner in the NFL. The last two years have been injury filled and underproductive seasons for CWood. Now, in a contract year #24 needs to regain that old form just to keep his job.

Mo Collins - After struggling at tackle the 'big' man was moved to Guard where he is finally looking like the first round prospect he was drafted as. A free agent Mo has not had much action on the market and may return to the Raiders.

Leon Bender - Once thought to be the gem that would solidify the middle next to Darrell Russell creating one of the best DT tandems in the NFL, the young man never put on an NFL jersey. He died due to complications from epilepsy at his agents house.

John Ritchie - After gaining the favor of the Raiders faithful the man with the bleeding head has moved on to Philly hoping for an increased role as he was 'phased' out of the Oakland offense.

Genarro DiNapoli - Genarro was a prospect turned starter until his release and signing with the Titans. He now plays C for Tennessee.

Jeremy Bringham - A tough, powerful blocker never could get a handle of the catching game and with recent injuries and the emergence of Doug Jolley Jeremy is finding that he is the odd man out.

Travian Smith - Smith came to the Raiders as a speedy, pass rushing specialist at LB who couldn't quite get a hang of run and pass defense. That's still the same TSmith we all know and love today. He provides good depth on special teams and to the DE/OLB positions as a rusher.

Vince Amey & David Sanders - Who cares.
________________________________________________

Not to rain on your parade, but although this was a geat draft at the time, less than 3 years later it's integrity is definitely wanning. Woodson and Collins can save this draft for the Raiders by returning to form.

[BK]

Welcome back Ace, make sure you check out the Draft Day Contest:

http://raiderfans.net/forum/showthre...&threadid=2477

[AceRimRat]

Originally posted by crizpynutz

Not to rain on your parade, but although this was a geat draft at the time, less than 3 years later it's integrity is definitely wanning. Woodson and Collins can save this draft for the Raiders by returning to form.

Well, it has been five years from April 1998 to April 2003 and I figure that's a good range to judge a draft in the Win Now League.

I can agree with you on the "integrity waning," Crizp, while still sticking to my statement that it is one of the Raiders' best drafts of recent years in particular. My theory that it is one of the best they've had overall is predicated on a few things: a terrible draft record since the dominance of the early '80s, with a few exceptions like 1988; the shorter draft meaning fewer players to make an impact; the instant impact of several players starting (taking into account the Bender tragedy) and/or playing key roles for several seasons; and the assumption that Woodson will return to form. (And taking into account the NFL's five-year UFA plan, which has cost the Raiders Ritchie and might cost them Collins, but affects all teams in similar fashion.)

I think it soon will be surpassed by the 2002 draft (and maybe the '03) as the top draft of recent years, but the Raiders have had an inconsistent love affair with selection weekend. Look at those magazines that rate the past five drafts in their draft preview, it seems like the Raiders alternate years from B+ and C- with no in-between.

And of course, Gruden cleaned house over the course of his tenure, which is part of the reason there are so few players from before 1998. I believe there were four on the SB roster: Brown, Robbins (as it were), Treu and James Jett.

And in the end, if you get five years out of five guys in a draft, these days, that's something. The Bucs couldn't even get five guys out of last year's draft to last the season, and look at the year they had.

[crizpynutz]

Oh I agree, at the time it was a great draft. I just thought it was interesting to see where all those players are today and how they are helping Oakland, if at all.

[AceRimRat]

Originally posted by crizpynutz
Oh I agree, at the time it was a great draft. I just thought it was interesting to see where all those players are today and how they are helping Oakland, if at all.

A very valid point. There's a truly depressing article somewhere on ESPN.com, related to the Palmer deal, about the Bungles' first-round picks over the past 10 years or so. Absolutely sad, but it does go to show the rapid turnover of NFL players, even if they aren't, in the Bungles' case, any good.

Five years from now, what will we be saying about the class of '02 and the class of '03?

[crizpynutz]

The year is 2007:

Phillip Buchanon: Five years ago in 2002 the Raiders traded up in the first round to select the University of Miami star hoping he would compliment incumbent Pro Bowler Charles Woodson. After a season ending injury five games into his rookie season, Buchanon rebounded by making the Pro Bowl the next four seasons, starting the last three and leading the NFL in touchdowns by a non-offensive player.

Napoleon Harris: Drafted as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker, Harris was moved to the middle linebacker position his rookie season as the Raiders cut ties with blue-collar fan favorite, Greg Biekert. Leading the AFC in tackles for the past two seasons Harris has become arguably the leagues best MLB next to Keith Brooking and Brian Urlacher.

Langston Walker: Originally considered a reach in the second round, Walker has become the premier RT in the game since taking over for the retired Lincoln Kennedy in 2004. He will be a long-time participant at the game in Hawaii.

Doug Jolley: The former second round pick has become one of the more feared pass catching tight ends in football. Although he has yet to make his first Pro Bowl he has now caught at least 50 balls in each of the past 4 years.

Kenyon Coleman: Coleman, a fifth round draft pick, has never cracked the starting line-up, but logs plenty of time off the bench as a situational defensive end or tackle. Not a tremendous playmaker, but a solid defenseman none-the-less.

Keyon Nash: After spending his first 4 seasons on the bench, Nash took over as the starting SS this season and showed plenty of promise. A big hitter, Nash has provided the Raiders with a physical presence at safety they have lacked for nearly a decade. He's still must improve his pass route recognition and cover skills, but he makes wide recievers think twice before coming over the middle of the Raiders secondary.

Larry Ned: After bouncing around the NFL the former San Diego St. running back is currently flipping burgers at Michael Jordan's restaurant in Chicago.

Ronald Curry: Who?