Moore than enough?
Can Oakland fix its appalling run D later in the Draft?
Oaklands deplorable play against the run should be addressed in this years draft. That much is a given for most Raider fans, but should they spend their 1st rounder on a DT?
There are high prospect DT's several teams are looking at including 6-2, 305 lb. USC Senior Sedrick Ellis and fellow Senior, LSU's 6-2, 303 lb. Glenn Dorsey, but even if, they are available when Oakland uses its 1st round pick, they may elect to pass on Dorsey and Ellis both.
Because Al is a lunatic? It seems that way sometimes...but not in this instance.
Though Oakland desperately needs to find a way to stop the run if they ever want to compete again, they will in all likely hood pass on these blue chip defenders in the 1st round of the 2008 Draft.
Why?
Though Sedrick Ellis had a fine showing at the Senior bowl, a flaw was exposed on a National stage.
Ellis looks unstoppable early on, but tends to fade as some games progresses. Certainly he can be Coached up and get more cardio, but he is known as more of a pass rusher than a versatile lane clogger.
The moniker "Baby Sapp" may have been too close for comfort. Oaklands Run Defense with the veteran Super Star pass rusher in the middle was attrocious the last 4 years. Ellis tends to get too high in his stance allowing blokcers into his chest and gets washed too easily out of plays against the run.
Dorsey on the other hand seems like a pretty solid bet as an immediate contributor to whom ever he goes to, but paying a big man big bucks to clog the middle may remind them of Terdell Sands $17 million dollar disappearing act.
Dorsey,To his credit, made 64 tackles and 6 sacks against some of the best College football programs America can offer. His play through a sore knee in the back half of last year may, or may not help him 84 days from now.
Fortunately for Oakland their appear to be a couple of options that may fall to the later rounds of day 1 or early in day 2, including:
6-5, 295 lb. North Carolina Senior, Kentwan Balmer. He came on strong to finish his Senior season with 54 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
He is extremely strong and athletic, but some questions remain about his ability to play at the highest level every down.
He'll fall to the second round because he's considered a "boom or bust" player. Questions also remain whether he can compete at the NFL level and because of his size, runs the risk of being slapped with the dreaded "Tweener" label.
Balmer would need to bulk up if he wanted to keep from being over powered in the middle, but if he does, could do well in a 4-3. The question seems to be, does Oakland have or want to take the time?
To his credit, the aforementioned Balmer reminds some of recent Oakland noise maker *
Tommy Kelly, who's Free Agent status irks some ansy Raider fans, but the Raiders are probably taking a good look at him after season ending surgery late in the year to his right ACL.
In his favor, the 6-6, 300 lb. Kelly showed relentless hustle and determination in pursuing ball carriers (something his team mates could learn a thing or two about) and played every line position. He evolved into one of the best tacklers on the team, harassed QBs, blocked a field goal and garnered 30 take downs.
* (IF he can come back in the same form, the Raiders would be lucky to have him. )
Paired with Balmer, Burgess and / or Suggs getting paid and / or a good Linebacker from 08's draft and Oakland could improve its Run D drastically.
6-5, 328 lb. Red Bryant out of Texas A&M had another fine season, posting Senior numbers of 54 tackles and 1 sack.
His big wing span let him knock down 9 passes and block 3 kicks in his Collegiant career.
Red is surprisingly fast for his size and combined with his arm strength can get in to disrupt opposing D's.
He had a solid Senior bowl after a disappointing performance against Penn State in the Alamo Bowl.
But, should neither of these players be Oaklands cup of tea or go early, there could be Moore.
At 311 lbs. and standing 6-4, Marylands Dre Moore has a heighth advantage too. Plus, he has great speed, strength and power, but will likely fall due in part to his heighth and his tendency to not get down low enough. Coupled with the fact he hasn't been playing football that long and lacks great technique and instincts, he could feasibly, be available in day 2.
Can Oakland shore the leaky Raider run D in the later rounds of the Draft? One things for sure, they couldn't do much worse.
** UPDATE: 2 days to the Draft. Anything can happen of course, but many feel the raiders may maneuver to get them selves back into the second round and if not there, than at least into day 2.
Al could trade down, but if he doesn't, Sedrick Ellis seems to be valued around 8th or maybe even the teens on some peoples boards and despite the Combine medical scare,seems to be on the top of the Rams and Falcons radar.
Defensive End is likely to be a need if not this year, than soon enough, so Oakland may not be able to keep themselves from taking Vernon Gholston's long shot potential and pass rush or if he's available, take Chris Long not only for his motor, but to keep him away from the Allenless Cheifs.
If Oakland acquires picks for this seemingly deep draft, the aforementioned DT's (with the exception of Balmer. he's rated in the 20's of the 1st round.) could be there.
Paired with a serious run stopper like Red Bryant, Terdell Sands could become a formidable task for opposing blockers.
Oakland may take a flyer late in day 2 for Arkansas DT Marcus Harrison who's been injured and had off field issues. He could fall as far as the 7th which wouldn't be that much of a risk. Or, they could delve back into day one and get a guy like Trevor Laws.
Lots of intriguing possibilites this week end and opportunities to address a notoriously weak front 4.
Kentwan Balmer, 6-5, 298 DT / DE, N. Carolina.
Whats up? Late bloomer. Blossomed under new Coaching Senior year. Huge upside. Boom or bust gamble round 1.
2008 Draft - Kentwan Balmer | NFL Football at CBSSports.com
Marcus Harrison, 6-3,310 DT Arkansas.
The deal: Beat up Bad boy. Needs technique, not effective against the pass, but a proven lane clogger with room to grow.
2008 Draft - Marcus Harrison | NFL Football at CBSSports.com
Red Bryant, 6-5, 328 DT Texas A&M
The skinny: He's BIIIIG. Impressively quick, long arms, short area burst, can lock on steer and shed blockers. Neutralizes double teams, dominates the LOS, but gets winded, misses tackles in space. Dyslexia is a positive teaching him techniques to learn and retain plays. excels in academics.
2008 Draft - Red Bryant | NFL Football at CBSSports.com
Dre Moore, 6-4, 305 DT, Maryland
Moore with less? Lacks football experience. Avid weight lifter. Solid, durable. Slow to read and react. Sheds well but needs to be more consistent. Another boom or bust, but not as bad if he falls far enough.
Trevor Laws 6-0, 297 DT, Notre Dame
By far the most productive DT in the draft. 112 tackles wasn't because of leaky defense it was inspite of it. Quick and relentless pursuit down field like
Tommy Kelly. Negatives on size, but has good punch and sheds well.
2008 Draft - Trevor Laws | NFL Football at CBSSports.com
It'll be interesting to see what, if anything Oakland does this week end to shore its leaky run D.
With a plethora of potential picks, this writer hopes so and further hopes Al's pick has opposing lines at least seeing "Red".