Talks about upcoming rookie mini-camp and Todd Watkins' chances of making the team:
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Not much going on leading up to tomorrow's rookie minicamp.
There will be a lot of guys on the field with no chance of making the roster, but if the team is able to find one or two players with a chance to make the team (outside of the drafted players) the weekend will have been a success.
I won't make too much out of anything Darren McFadden does because he'll be competing against players that might not make any NFL roster. And it's a non-contact camp, so I'm only guaranteed of seeing McFadden run fast without pads, which I saw at the NFL Combine.
I did find this tidbit on Raiders receiver Todd Watkins from the San Diego Union-Tribune today:
Raiders like Watkins
Receiver Todd Watkins, formerly of Helix High and Grossmont College, was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders and signed to a one-year contract.
“I'm excited about my chances here,” said Watkins, who hopes to make an impression in the Raiders' minicamp. “I've paid my dues, and now it's my turn to show what I can do.”
Selected out of Brigham Young University in the seventh round of the 2006 draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Watkins spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad.
The 6-foot-2, 191-pound Watkins was elevated to the active roster for the season finale against the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium but did not play.
After being released by the Cardinals, Watkins signed with Atlanta. He spent the 2007 season on the Falcons' practice squad.
What are Watkins' realistic chances of making the team? It's hard to say. There was a time a relatively high draft pick like Johnnie Lee Higgins was guaranteed a second year with the team. But another third round pick in 2007, DE Quentin Moses, didn't even make the team last year.
The Raiders drafted two receivers and signed Javon Walker and Drew Carter. Those two, along with Ronald Curry are locks.
I assume the Raiders will carry more than four receivers this year after using three almost all of last season.
That leaves Higgins, Chris McFoy, rookies Arman Shields and Chaz Schilens among a group of players scrambling for a couple of spots.
But it's way too early to worry about that. Then again, the Raiders might find another receiver this weekend.
It's nice to see some new competition in our group of receivers. This is the first time in a long time I have felt good about our WR corp. going into the season.
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When you play for the Raiders you play to win and you play tough. It's not something the coaches teach or talk about. It's just there, like in the air. It's an attitude--you are going to hit people and smash them if you are a Raider."
- Phil Villapiano
The ? is just Jason's sarcasm. There's nothing more to that statement. I'll be sure to tell Jason today to not make remarks about getting receivers. Paramedics are on stand by just in case Raider fans drink the kool-aid with the notion of us getting Henry.
I'm pullin' for our rookies, I hope we have a few gems in there.
I really like the Schilens kid, but if he doesn't work out, I think we have a good chance of finding a couple really good receivers in our batch of newbies this year.
We haven't developed a great receiver since Tim Brown. Having a guy like Lofton at WR coach and an arm like JRuss has could change that.
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Originally Posted by neverlooking
... Off-season ‘07 priorities:
1 Draft +/or FA's to make the OLine +TE top tier in run + pass
2 Draft +/or FA DT to stop clock eating, 3rd dwn convs, insure having the top NFL defense
3 Buy coach/staff to implement plan that fits our personnel. Scheme for their particular talents. Don't be a jerk, even if the player is If you get rid of all the prima donnas, you won't have a good team. With the #1 defense, you only need so many points to win the Superbowl.
1/12/07, 11:48 AM
Watkins was like the 12th or 13th ranked WR in the 2005 draft so he has potential really the last few spots are a crap shoot after the top three it is really up for grabs between Shields, Shilens, Watkins, Mccoy and Higgins for the 4 to 6 WR
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"Darth Vader is a punk compared to Al Davis," Hunter S Thompson
i have been wanting to see Watkins in the field since last year. I am nto a scout or anything. But this guy was really really impressive with John Beck at BYU. lets see if it comes through for him.
BTW he is a deep threat. This guy was just killing and catching deep bombs from John Beck.
: 10/6/07
