The readers decided that the Bengals would go with in-state power running Beenie Wells with the 6th pick in the draft; which brings us to the Oakland Raiders. They were really a tale of two teams last season—there were things they did really well and there were things they did horribly. There was the team that was awful at the beginning of the season and there was the team that showed signs of life towards the end. You could say that it was pre-Lane Kiffin and post-Lane Kiffin… but I choose to look at the team with and without the incomparable DeAngelo Hall! So who will help the Raiders prove that the end of last season was more than just a fluke?
Here are the previous 6 picks in our mock draft, determined by the readers:
1. Detroit Lions: Aaron Curry
2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Orakpo
4. Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe
5. Cleveland Browns: Michael Crabtree
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Beenie Wells
2008 Record: 5-11
Record in Division: 2-4
Total Offense Ranking: 29th (272.2 yds/game)
Passing: 32nd (148.1 yds/game)
Rushing: 10th (124.2 yds/game)
Total Defense Ranking: 27th (360.9 yds/game)
Passing: 10th (201.2 yds/game)
Rushing: 31st (159.7 yds/game)
Key Off-Season Acquisitions: Samson Satele (C); Khalif Barnes (OT);
Key Off-Season Losses: Gibril Wilson (S); Jake Grove (C)
Tell Me Something Good:
Nnamdi "Don't Even Think about Throwing it Towards Me" Asomugha
For a team that hasn’t won more than 5 games in the past 6 seasons, the 2008 version of the Raiders had a lot going for it! As a team, they were able to run the ball pretty effectively all season—especially down the stretch. On defense, they were one of the better teams against the pass. Of course, any time you have Nnamdi Asomugha locking up an entire side of the field, it’s going to help you stop anyone’s passing attack!
What Sucks? There are two sides to every coin, and last year’s Raiders team exemplified the point. It’s true; their rushing attack was one of the better squads in the league last year. Unfortunately, their passing attack was one of the worst. JaMarcus Russell showed signs towards the end of last season, but he still hasn’t developed into the player that the organization dreamed he’d be when they selected him #1 overall. When you look on the outside, it’s not like he has any help. The questionable signing of Javon Walker did nothing to change the fact that Johnnie Lee Higgins was the #1 receiver for the team last season! But the passing attack was nothing compared to their problems when they tried to stop the run. The only team worst against the run was the Detroit Lions—so they weren’t exactly respectable. On paper, Tommie Kelly, Gerard Warren and William Joseph should make a decent interior line. Of course, the Raiders don’t play their games on paper—they play them in that minimum security prison across the freeway from the Oakland Airport.
Biggest Needs: Clearly, they need someone that can help in those two areas that were previously listed. A defensive tackle that could clog the middle would go a long way to helping solidify their run defense. A genuine #1 receiver may help JaMarcus Russell in his progression towards a legitimate NFL starting quarterback. Regardless, they have too much money invested in Russell to give up on him yet—whether they think he’ll succeed in the league or not. But forget crazy things like “need,” “fit,” and “character.” We all know that Al Davis will go with the guy that has the fastest 40 time! Anything beyond that and we’re only clouding the issue!
Some Helpful Links
| 2009 Draft Order | Draft Order for the first 2 Rounds |
| DraftCountdown.com | Scott Wright’s Top 32 Prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft |
| fftoolbox.com | Top Prospects by Position |
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
It doesn’t matter who they pick, where in the order they pick, or what position they think they need. The plague that is the Oakland Raiders organization is worst then cancer. What once was a first class organization that demanded and delivered excellence now sucks the talent and life force out of even the best players. Warren Sapp, Randy Moss, Jamarcus Russel, Javon Walker, Robert Gallery. I go on for ever. Great players go to the Raiders and seem to play like JV Girls Highschool players. Often times the media makes them out to be washed up or to have personality problems. Funny thing is most of these players return to their previous greatness after they get free from the cript keepers grasp. I am convinsed that Al Davis died in 1985 and has been kept alive by machines and heavy chemicals. How do you build a team or choose a direction with the draft when you go through 5 coaches in 5 years? I have to stop. I am acctually putting myself in a bad mood and I won’t let Al Davis ruin my day. OUT
Phan (the hater of all things non-philly related)your posts are classic. Al is putting you in a bad mood? You wake up in a bad mood! When you say a positive thing about anything (besides philly teams) I’ll go in shock. Even with your beloved hockey you cant say anything good about the ECHL.But thats good, gives us something to discuss. Its so easy to kick a team when they are down but if you look at 3/4 of the nfl teams I know the raiders have more super bowls and Hall of Fame players up until Tim Brown who retired what 4 years ago? But its good to know out of all the teams the Raiders and relevant to you and in your head that much, you could have easily said the same thing about any team besides the Steelers. And I know why, 1981 was a long time ago let it go. But in the mean time keep posting your unbiased views and keep reaching for you goal of those NFC championship games, I mean who needs 1 superbowl victory. Its overrated anyway, right?
No You have me on the super bowls. And I think the Raiders have been one of the best clubs in football. But live in the now man. Even you have to admitt you are going no where untill Davis no longer controls your team this years draft should be the icing on the cake.
As for my beloved hockey and the ECHL. That was a joke between Cheep Seats and I. Where do you think he got that story. I have been a season ticket holder for the ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers for 4 years.
OUT
Did I sense a semi-positive post? Anyway, i’m a realist I know we have falling on hard times theres no sugar coating that fact. but I wouldnt be a fan if I tucked tail and ran when the going got tough. You of all fans should know that, you gotta defend your teams. The only reason I brought up the past was in repsonse to “sucking the talent and life force out of the best players” I think the raiders have made more hall of fame careers than wasted. And as a organization I stand behind the top people they made the franchise into one of the best in the NFL. If you compare bodies of work to most any other franchise. Just remember nobody stays on top forever and everything comes full circle, with the exception of a few organizations! Oh yeah, I went to one Reign game it sucked! i’m kidding it was cool. Viva ECHL!