Aside from the experience of being humiliated, the Raiders learned from their Super Bowl stomping at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After watching their proud offensive line ransacked by big, quick and athletic Buccaneers defenders, they decided to get bigger and quicker themselves. That was what their 2003 draft was about.
It wasn't a blockbuster of a draft for Oakland. The truly big names were not in evidence. Instead, they cherry-picked players who they thought they could fit because they had certain qualifications. Since none figure to be starters this coming September, it might best be described as a collection of role players.
They started by taking a big cornerback to make up for the loss of Tory James in free agency. They drafted an intense 6-6 base end with nice quickness, two lightning-quick pass rushing prospects, a 250-pound wide receiver with skills enough to play for a Top-10 ranked college basketball team. He'll go to tight end. They also took one of the fastest running backs in this year's crop.
The fact they took three edge defensive linemen in the first, third and fourth rounds speaks volumes. All have run between 4.60 and 4.68 in the 40.
"On the defensive line, there are only two players in the AFC West who have 4.7 speed," coach Bill Callahan said. "What this game has become, and it was obvious with some of the problems we encountered in the Super Bowl, is speed. You have to have that on the edge, any way you can create it."
Create is precisely what the Raiders did.
First-round pick Tyler Brayton was a defensive tackle who will be moved to end. Third rounder Sam Williams was a tall outside linebacker who will be taught how to play with his hand on the ground. Fourth-round selection Shurron Pierson has been timed in 4.4 on campus and has limited experience as an end. He was, at one time, a safety.
The Raiders are counting on the three having the versatility to make the change -- as they are with second-round pick Teyo Johnson, who has little to no tight-end experience. Their first first-round pick, cornerback
Nnamdi Asomugha is a former safety.
"When you are down there at the bottom of the round, you have to create certain plans," Callahan said. "It is more unique (a situation) being there rather than on top of the round where you get the pick of the lot.
"We all felt this draft was thin in different places. You really have to earmark what you want and how it all fits into your system."
There was no effort to trade up, according to the coach.
"The plan was to allow the draft to come to us," Callahan said. "We wanted to keep our picks and we didn't want to give up anything for those picks. Different grades were on the table but none were enticing enough to make a move on."
A closer look at the Raiders' picks:
Round 1/31 --
Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, 6-2, 213, California
Asomugha was able to defend against the best receivers in the Pac-10, which caught the eye of the Raiders scouts. He will fit right in as the team's nickel back, able to play big-on-big in multi-receiver defenses. A former safety, he could also potentially fit in when Rod Woodson retires or if they are unable to sign cornerback Charles Woodson, who is in the final year of his contract. His name is pronounced "ah-sa-ma-wah."
Round 1/32 -- Tyler Brayton, DE, 6-6, 277, Colorado
As a defensive tackle, Brayton registered seven sacks. The Raiders believe he is too tall to play inside except in third-down packages. His position will be base (left) end behind Trace Armstrong. With a 4.62 40 to his credit, he can also work in the team's four-man "sprint" lineman package. He is considered a disruptive force due to his energized approach to the game.
Round 2/63 -- Teyo Johnson, TE, 6-5, 247, Stanford
There will be comparisons to Tony Gonzalez, who also played college basketball in the Bay Area. However, Johnson has always been a wide receiver and must make the adjustment -- particularly as a blocker. He figures to be used in the team's four- and five-wide receiver formations in which they use either two or three tight ends. He figures as a valuable red zone receiver, having produced 15 touchdowns in 79 receptions over his two-year career at Stanford.
Round 3/83 -- Sam Williams, DE, 6-5, 244, Fresno State
The Raiders' sleeper pick, Williams was an outside linebacker for the Bulldogs. His combination of height and quickness intrigued the Raiders who see him as a rushbacker type who might also fit in the team's 3-4. He figures to be groomed as a third-down specialist. The Raiders traded with Houston to obtain this third-round pick, sending their own second-round selection next year to the Texans. They also received Houston's pick in the seventh round, the last pick of this year's draft.
Round 3/96 --
Justin Fargas, RB, 6-1, 213, Southern Cal
Based on workout numbers, Fargas would have gone much higher in the draft. However, four leg surgeries since 1998 make him a medical risk. However, his 4.39 clocking at the combine (he has reportedly gone under 4.30 elsewhere) and the fact he finished his final season on an up note makes him an interesting prospect. The Raiders hope he may have a little Curtis Martin -- who was deemed a draft risk due to prior injuries -- in him.
Round 4/129 -- Shurron Pierson, DE, 6-2, 243, South Florida
Pierson has numbers that hold great promise -- 4.60 but an on-campus 4.4. He did 32 bench reps and has posted a 42 1/2-inch vertical leap. He set a school record with 18 career sacks (two years). However he could also be a tease. Like Williams, he figures as a third-down pass rusher.
Round 5/167 -- Doug Gabriel, WR, 6-2, 213, Central Florida
Another boom/bust type player, Gabriel may lack discipline as a receiver, but is a touchdown machine. He averaged 28.7 yards a catch in 2001 with nine touchdowns in his 22 receptions. Last year, his average per catch slipped to 16.5 yards, but he had 11 touchdowns in 75 receptions, giving him a touchdown every 4.85 catches through his college career. As a high school senior, he had 16 touchdowns in 31 catches.
Round 6/204 -- Dustin Rykert, OT, 6-6, 327, Brigham Young
An experienced pass blocker with good size but limited quickness, there are hopes Rykert could become a low-cost backup for a team that has spent considerably on more expensive, experienced linemen in recent years. He had 261 pancake blocks for his career and only 12 pressures allowed.
Round 7/246 -- Siddeeq Shabazz, S, 5-11, 202, New Mexico State
Big hitter and special teams candidate is a good run defender but has limited skills in coverage. However, his 4.45 40 clocking makes him worth a look and if he shows enough, his ticket to the NFL could very well be on special teams.
Round 7/262 -- Ryan Hoag, WR, 6-2, 197, Gustavus Adolphus
Last pick of draft, consequently Mr. Irrelevant. Sleeper pick with good speed but little experience trying to make the jump from Division III. Started off college athletic career as a soccer player at Wake Forest and an intramural quarterback. Transferred in order to play football. Another touchdown producer, he had 24 in 110 receptions the last two years.
: 10/6/07
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