Monday Morning Musings: Draft Aftermath

[RaiderInNY]

MONDAY MORNING MUSINGS: DRAFT AFTERMATH
Raiders select McFadden over Dorsey, Draft Assessment and Washington Traded
Monday, April 28, 2008
By Victor Cotto Raiderfans.net Staff Columnist


Raiders elected to go with 'their guy' instead of Dorsey on Saturday

Raider fans across the nation were not surprised to see Oakland select Darren McFadden on Saturday with the 4th overall pick. But they were taken aback knowing that one of the players available as the Silver & Black selected was Glenn Dorsey, the incredibly gifted defensive tackle out of LSU.

Considering that the Raiders have had issues along the defensive line for years, have been ineffective stopping the run consistently since 2003 and are depending on Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands to solidify that unit in 2008, you can make the case that Oakland missed out on opportunity to grab the best defensive talent on the board.

Kelly prior to his injury in 2007 was outstanding. But that was at defensive end. And now, he is being moved back to tackle, coming off a torn ACL and after signing a seven-year, $50.5 million contract that has $18.125 million in guarantees and will earn him $25.125 million in the first three years of the deal.

Sands is entering the second year of his 4-year deal worth $17 million. A contract that has not been earned by many accounts as evidenced by his play last season and lack of impact along the defensive line.

And these numbers: 156.9 rushing yards allowed per game in 2003, 125.8 in 2004, 128.1 in 2005, 134.0 in 2006 and 145.9 in 2008, in my opinion will not improve in the run happy AFC West with the same personnel that has occupied the roster for some time.

Lane Kiffin commented on Dorsey and gave some insight on why they stayed away from the LSU product. “Glenn is going to be a great three-technique in this league. And to take a guy at fourth overall, and put at nose tackle with Tommy [Kelly] already there at the three-technique, it just doesn’t make very much sense to do.”

There is no guarantee that moving Kelly to tackle will help solve the Raiders issues versus the run. And depending on Sands to develop into a competent and disciplined rush defender is a risky proposition.

With no immediate solution at the other end opposite of Derrick Burgess, leaving Kelly at defensive end, placing Dorsey at tackle and pairing him up with Sands and the rest of the tackles on the Raider roster would have been a nice way to complete the makeover given to this defense in 2008.

A defense that took a major step back after showing positive signs in 2007.

Prior to last year, the talk was that Oakland needed to upgrade the offense and aide Rob Ryan’s bunch, which felt they had to win games single-handedly due to the lack of offensive production.

Well the Raiders ended 2007 with the 6th ranked rushing attack in the NFL. Justin Fargas produced a career best 1,009 yards on the ground and was given a three-year deal worth $14 million with incentives and $6 million guarantees. They still have Dominic Rhodes under contract for one more season and have last year’s 4th round draft choice Michael Bush in limbo.

The addition of McFadden clogs up the backfield and really puts Bush’s future in question with the Raiders.

LaMont Jordan will likely be cut as camp approaches.

You can make the case that Rhodes will be gone after 2008. And many skeptics still don’t rely on Fargas’ ability to stay healthy for an entire season – all viable reasons take the Arkansas star. But why select a running back with the 4th overall pick when there is no immediate need there?

Kiffin stated on Saturday, “I mentioned a number of times that running back was not a need for us. We are kind of piled up there with number of really good running backs…”

The reason for selecting McFadden may be because of what they did last season with their no. 1 overall selection.

With JaMarcus Russell taking over at quarterback, and being the key to why this organization will or will not flourish in the coming years, Kiffin decided to surround his franchise passer with a dynamic player that was to good to pass up.

Yes the Raiders have ball carriers that can carry the load. Yes they have added solid targets this off-season to improve the passing game. But no player on the Raider roster can be a game-breaker like a McFadden.

And a year after taking a ‘franchise defining’ player – a quarterback. The Raiders decided to complement that choice with a ‘franchise rusher.’

Using that logic, it is hard to fault the Raiders for passing up Dorsey and taking the flashy ball carrier. But if McFadden does not put up gaudy stats, cannot bring pop to the Raider offense and gets lost in the mix of other rushers on the roster – and the defense continues to be a sieve – Oakland will never be able to live down passing up the defensive tackle they will face twice a year.

As for the offense, the coach raised the bar saying, “Have we increased expectations – yes!”

DRAFT OUTLOOK:
ROUND 1, PICK #4 – DARREN MCFADDEN – It will be fun to see how they utilize him with Fargas, Rhodes and Bush on the roster. Kiffin stated, “We have to get these guys together and gelling together.” Unlike the others, Kiffin feels that McFadden can be utilized as a wide receiver split out wide, and out of the backfield as a pass catcher in a dynamic fashion. With Javon Walker, Ronald Curry, Drew Carter and Zach Miller in the mix, the already solid rush attack and McFadden’s presence with Russell’s big arm will have Raider fans looking for more big plays and points on the score board. Problem is, that offensive line has a lot of question marks and Russell is still learning to play QB at the pro level.

ROUND 4 PICK #100 – Tyvon Branch – A CB with speed. The proto-typical Raider selection. But with the loss of Chris Carr, it was important to get a player in who may be able to compete for the return duties on special teams.

ROUND 4 PICK #125 – Arman Shields – Highly questionable selection at WR due to injury sustained in 2007 and lack of resume in college. Oakland has open spots at the back end of their WR unit, so he will have to compete for a back-up role to make the squad.

ROUND 6 PICK #169 – TREVOR SCOTT – Project player that has skills to transition into the NFL, but will have to beat out a lot of competition to make the roster in 2008.

ROUND 7 PICK #226 – Chaz Schilens – Looks to be a John Madsen type player, with size, but may not have the explosiveness to be a WR. If he can learn to block effectively and become a factor in the red zone, he may have a shot at making it on the roster.


BYE-BYE WASHINGTON

The Silver & Black traded 2005 first-round pick Fabian Washington to the Baltimore Ravens for a fourth-round selection in the NFL draft on Sunday.

Three years ago, Oakland moved up to take the fleet foot cornerback and ultimately became a starter on a secondary that was ranked atop the NFL in 2007 in passing yards allowed.

But with the acquisition of DeAngelo Hall, and the steady play of Stanford Routt, Washington became expendable.

The former Nebraska Cornhusker posted the fastest 40 yard dash at the 2005 NFL Combine with a time of 4.29 seconds. In 2006, Washington recorded 4 interceptions and 43 tackles as a full time starter.

OUTLOOK:
Routt as a rookie was ahead of Washington in the depth chart, and initially, even received more playing time during their rookie campaign. As his Washington’s tenure in Oakland wound down, Routt was looked at as the more reliable cornerback due to his consistency, size and versatility. Oakland will start DeAngelo Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha at cornerback. Routt can play Safety, nickel/dime back and will be a nice fit on special teams, which eventually was the deciding factor in moving Washington. Plus, Routt’s contract and importance as oppose to Washington’s market value made the trade an easy decision for the Silver & Black.


(Quotes from: Raiders.com)

[urb0inick]

thanks NY

[pantera55]

schilens ran a 4.37 at his combine or pro day didn't he? That would count as explosive in my book.....

[j. ViLLA]

About the D, can't forget about the acquisition of DT William Joseph as well as the return of Gerald Warren, who caused havoc in the backfeild during the time he was healthy.

[SuckMyEyepatch]

Good post man.

[MT Raider]

Good analysis and good post. I was sure with Dorsey in our grasp, we would take him. I think we will regret not taking Dorsey for many years to come. Our weak areas coming into the draft are still our weak areas. Sands and Kelly have never impressed me and I am fearful that we will not be able to stop the run..........again...still.

[elvistcb]

Regret not taking Dorsey? Hey we played KC two times last year and Allen did NOT beat us all by himself. We will be fine with out Dorsey. Our Offense just got better!

[Binary]

Originally Posted by elvistcb

Regret not taking Dorsey? Hey we played KC two times last year and Allen did NOT beat us all by himself. We will be fine with out Dorsey. Our Offense just got better!

haha.. yeah. And personally I rather play vs dorsey twice a year rather than Allen... And with allen gone, we're looking good, haha.

[Raiderrooter]

I don't think that the Raiders D was as bad as the 32nd D in the league last year, I also don't think that they were as good as the 3rd ranked season's a year before that. My guess they are somewhere betwen 15th and the 20th D in the NFL. That being said passing up Dorsey wasn't all that bad when you consider that DM can bring it to the house anytime he touches the ball. If we had picked up Dorsey instead the double teams would have fustrated both us and Dorsey to the point where it would have taken 2 draft's to really appreciate Dorsey's effect on the Raiders. Again 3 things that could have happened would have pleased me including drafting Dorsey but I'm excited about McFadden maybe more so that drafting Russell.

[Raidafan]

Nice write up

[Caveman72]

Originally Posted by Raiderrooter

I don't think that the Raiders D was as bad as the 32nd D in the league last year, I also don't think that they were as good as the 3rd ranked season's a year before that. My guess they are somewhere betwen 15th and the 20th D in the NFL. That being said passing up Dorsey wasn't all that bad when you consider that DM can bring it to the house anytime he touches the ball. If we had picked up Dorsey instead the double teams would have fustrated both us and Dorsey to the point where it would have taken 2 draft's to really appreciate Dorsey's effect on the Raiders. Again 3 things that could have happened would have pleased me including drafting Dorsey but I'm excited about McFadden maybe more so that drafting Russell.

this isnt exactly true, because if you were to put dorsey on the same side as burgess, it would create matchup havoc where you cannot double them both, unless you keep a TE on that side, and even then, it would not be easy. plus, 2 doubles on the line creates more 1-on-1s for our other Defensive players such as our all pro caliber linebackers.

[HollandRobbie]

If Scot turns out a Baller, he did okay on draft day

PS just saw the highlite real of Chaz...that looked awsome...if he turns out to be this year Colston..we are if for something.

[S&B_BO34]

Originally Posted by pantera55

schilens ran a 4.37 at his combine or pro day didn't he? That would count as explosive in my book.....

Almost positive I saw that Schilens' 40 was in the high 4.6 range if not 4.7. So he definitely does not have elite speed, but is a big target and will be a nice possession guy. Even though I do remember hearing that 40 time somewhere, I looked up the stats myself and this guy timed at 4.38 and a 40 inch vertical. So disregard the not having elite speed, kid apparently can burn
As far as DMC over Dorsey... McFadden has gamebreaking potential and can be our version of LT or LJ. He is a franchise back and even though we had several sol