Post Combine, Mid FA/Pro day who do you want?

[Langlier]

Same Question... new time

[Raider Nation]

Same question, same answer.

JaMarcus Russell (with every LSU-homer bone in my body)

[Byron2112]

I've gone from Peterson, to Jamarcus, to Johnson.

I'm actually kinda shocked at the offensive help we've been able to gather here and the way Kiff seems to be able to make believers outta players. He seems to have a real plan and know how to execute it. I'm starting to want to believe he can build an offense and scheme that may be able to resurrect Carr :D , and if we can swing that, Johnson is just too much a superfreak not to take a shot on.

Plus, I really want that dirtbag Moss the hell outta here...

[Deadbolt]

1. Russell
2. Quinn
3. Peterson

[TheNextStep]

I haven't decided between JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn yet. Since the demise of the Adrian Peterson bandwagon, I've been a rudderless ship. I think I'm going to get on a quarterback's bandwagon, but I'm having trouble deciding between the two...

[CrossBones]

But, who will Al select? Is that the question?

I'm all for Brady Quinn but not with the #1 pick. If we stay at #1 Al is going to take Calvin Johnson.

[Langlier]

I've jumped off the AP bandwagon... He's still my #2. However CJ is too much of a freak and hes now my bandwagon.

[SoCalRaider]

1. Peterson
2. Peterson
3. Peterson

[BigTron]

Adrian Peterson would be awesome. With Jordan, Rhodes and Griffith we can kiss that idea goodbye... and the Brian Leonard jihad. That really sucks. But now id say JR or Calvin #1 overall. My question is, who does everyone want in round two? I guess it depends on our first pick. Assuming that Moss is still here and we take JR. I think DE, WR or O-Line. Only because those postions are stocked in round two.

Paul Puz, Q.Moses, J.Moss, Staley, Ugoh, Blaylock, Jarrett, Rice, Meachum, Bowe...

[Whistle]

But, who will Al select? Is that the question?

I'm all for Brady Quinn but not with the #1 pick. If we stay at #1 Al is going to take Calvin Johnson.


That wouldn't suprise me at all....

If that's the case I hope Walter really is what we thought he could be. Either that or we get someone else in here to toss the rock for a year, and draft a QB next year.

8-8 this year would shock me anyway. Gotta start bulding sometime.

[Langlier]

btw... im now off the leonard in 3 bandwagon as well. ill take him in 4 however.

[Jack's sore libido]

Same question, same answer.

JaMarcus Russell (with every LSU-homer bone in my body)

You've REALLY done a 180 on this kid, haven't you?

I remember reading a long post by you about him a few months ago, and you didn't want to touch him with a 10-foot pole, iirc.

[BigPoppaPump]

I was on that rudderless AP bandwagon with TNS, then he sharted. So now I am moving over to this Calvin wagon plee.

I want Johnson, Moss moved and a couple OL and DL in the draft. I could work with that.

[007]

Im on the dual QB or bust, wagon.

Quinn or Russell for this hombre.

I could handle Johnson too...

[007]

I think we'll get suprised on draft day.

As in, Joe Thomas or Brady Quinn.

I also dont think AP will be the target (Paying LJ the bonus AND signing Rhodes killed that).

[Byron2112]

I could handle Johnson too...

Too much info dude... too much info...

[gst8]

Im on the dual QB or bust, wagon.

Quinn or Russell for this hombre.

That makes two us us, with Quinn as the frontrunner.

I just have a hard time believing he's any different now than he was last year when everyone was telling me Leinert sucked and how much better off we'd be waiting for Quinn.

[hawaiianboy]

Yeah, I don't think I'd want Al taking draft tips from whoever told you Leinart sucks...


1: JaMaaahhhcuz Russell
2: Trade down and grab St. Quinn
3: Trade for Aaron Rodgers, trade down, trade Jordan, draft Peterson
4: Trade for Aaron Rodgers, trade down and draft Gaines Adams
5: Trade for Aaron Rodgers, trade down, draft Alan Branch

[Raider Nation]

You've REALLY done a 180 on this kid, haven't you?

I remember reading a long post by you about him a few months ago, and you didn't want to touch him with a 10-foot pole, iirc.

I have done a 180 on the guy after watching him the 2nd half of last season. He's always had a big arm, could make all the throws, and was lauded for his leadership. My knock on him was his inconsistency and never quite being able to "put it all together". Well, he did that for the last 6 games of '06 and it showed just how high the guy's ceiling really is.

Up until this year, Russell had been considered a late-1st round pick. So he didn't come out of nowhere. Instead, his '06 season just vaulted him to the status of "potential #1 overall pick."

[CrossBones]

If you ask me going form a projected late 1st round pick to the #1 pick in the draft is "coming out of nowhere"...just sayin'.

[MasterRaider]

Russell or Die!

[Raider Nation]

If you ask me going form a projected late 1st round pick to the #1 pick in the draft is "coming out of nowhere"...just sayin'.


I disagree. A guy going from being considered a 1st round pick to the 1st overall isn't unprecedented (see Tim Couch, Alex Smith). I don't think that's "coming out of nowhere" as the talent level of 1st round picks isn't a mystery.

Now a guy like Mike Mamula who went from middle-round pick to top-10 selection based off of his combine workout? That's "coming out of nowhere".

[CrossBones]

So Natty...you think a guy should jump from bottom of the first round to the number 1 selection based on six games in his junior year? That's what I'm hearing. Of course I don't discount his "ceiling" but I still have a lot of questions about this cat as the #1 pick.

Anyway, trade down and draft Brady Quinn. If we stay at #1 I really do believe Al will draft Calvin Johnson. That is the ONLY reason I picked Johnson in this poll because I assume it's who we think Al will draft with the first pick.

[Raider Nation]

I've got questions on whomever the Raiders select if they stay at #1 because that's just what naturally comes with being the first player selected.

If it's Russell my question is did he really put the problems with inconsistency behind him?

If it's Johnson my question is is there any WR that's worth the #1 overall pick?

If it's Peterson my question is how productive can he be until his body starts to break down due to his upright running style?

If it's Quinn my question is can he win the big game and is he truly a franchise QB?

If it's Thomas my question is can he be a franchise LT or will he just be a good LT?



Out of all of those guys listed, there are only 2 that I would consider as physically unquestionable and that's Russell and Johnson. And given where this franchise is right now, I go with Russell over Johnson because of his potential impact. You can add WRs that will be good in your system via future drafts or Free Agency. Admittedly, they may never be as good as Johnson (we just don't know at this point) but you can't add a potential franchise QB in Free Agency because franchises simply don't allow those guys to hit the market.

The one example is Brees, and I dont' consider him a franchise QB, but because of the success the Saints enjoyed and the amount of money teams have with the new salary cap I expect teams to re-sign or trade QBs rather than let them walk.

Everyone talks about the running backs in the AFC West but look at 2 out of the 3 QB's Oakland faces twice a year. Cutler and Rivers are going to be problems for years to come, outside of Larry Johson, Tomlinson, and Travis Henry.

[Jack's sore libido]

I can't really consider the CJ question a question.

If we assume there are WRs worth the No. 3 pick, or No. 4 pick, why wouldn't there be WRs worth the No. 1 pick?

The bottom line is: Who is going to be the best player (or maybe; who is most likely not to be a bust?).

To me that's Thomas and Johnson. But I'm warming to the idea of Russell.

[CrossBones]

No argument from me on the QB vs WR idea. I take the QB every time. But I don't necessarily think Al will. I mean he never has. Johnson's measurables are right down Al's alley. It's the thing that made him trade up to #9 for Rickey Dudley. It's probably why he took Routt and Washington.

Quarterback is a different story. From Al's perspective it seems he doesn't believe physical measurables are enough. And it's so difficult to judge the mental aspects. Elway seemed a different story...Stanford guy (very smart) plus all the great measurables of the big arm, mobility and his four year record of "just winning"...upside notwitrhstanding I don't know that Russell is the sure thing (at #1) that Elway seemed to be at the time. He may be but that's the gamble.

So to me trading down and still getting a great prospect in Brady and getting extra pick(s) to add another or two good football players makes a lot more sense to me. Especially where this team is right now.

Anyway, circular argument I guess. Everybody is going to see it different. My take is the risk/reward by trading down is better on both counts.

[Raider Nation]

No argument from me on the QB vs WR idea. I take the QB every time. But I don't necessarily think Al will. I mean he never has. Johnson's measurables are right down Al's alley. It's the thing that made him trade up to #9 for Rickey Dudley. It's probably why he took Routt and Washington.

Quarterback is a different story. From Al's perspective it seems he doesn't believe physical measurables are enough. And it's so difficult to judge the mental aspects. Elway seemed a different story...Stanford guy (very smart) plus all the great measurables of the big arm, mobility and his four year record of "just winning"...upside notwitrhstanding I don't know that Russell is the sure thing (at #1) that Elway seemed to be at the time. He may be but that's the gamble.

So to me trading down and still getting a great prospect in Brady and getting extra pick(s) to add another or two good football players makes a lot more sense to me. Especially where this team is right now.

Anyway, circular argument I guess. Everybody is going to see it different. My take is the risk/reward by trading down is better on both counts.

I agree with most of what you say but would point out that we really don't know what Al will do at #1 because Oakland's never had the #1 pick before. Also, if we're going off of physical measurables then Russell's every bit the prospect that Johnson is due to his arm strength, which Al loves to measure.

And while you mention that Al has never taken a QB #1 it also bears pointing out that trading down happens with the same amount of frequency. So while I agree that moving back and getting more picks would seem prudent, there very little historical evidence that supports that theory... less so than if Al were to take a QB.

Like you said, it's definitely a cirucular argument... all I know is we better come out of the first round with a blue-chipper.

[jatfly]

Wow this is tough for me, I have been on the Russell bandwagon for some time, I also like the other top guys.....
Right now I would be real happy taking CJ or moving down to get us Lynch and possible the 2nd or 3rd WR on the board?

I am still up for taking a QB Today, but I am so confused............
To me I need to know who else we are bringing in at QB if we stand pat with Walter.

[gst8]

Wow this is tough for me, I have been on the Russell bandwagon for some time, I also like the other top guys.....
Right now I would be real happy taking CJ or moving down to get us Lynch and possible the 2nd or 3rd WR on the board?

I am still up for taking a QB Today, but I am so confused............
To me I need to know who else we are bringing in at QB if we stand pat with Walter.

Isn't that the truth.

We're desparate for a legit QB but there is no way we can afford to miss on the pick. Hopefully Russell and/or Quinn will do something to force our hand one way or the other.

[Swords]

The Rhodes signing threw me off of the AP train.

The questions that have to be answered are these two.

Does Kiffen and Al believe that AW is their guy? Can Kiffen take AW's skills and implement them into his offense? Kiff is familiar with AW since they were both in the Pac10. So he should have more than a working knowledge of AW's skills.

If the answer is yes to the above questions then I believe you have to take CJ or Thomas. There is no reason to take a QB when you believe that AW can be your guy.

I'll admit that last year was a great year for rookie QB's. Young practically came in mid-season and saved Fishers job. Cutler and Leinart both supplanted veteran QB's and were the clear choice for their teams future. But really last year was an anomaly with that respect and shouldn't be a measuring stick. IMO

I'd take Thomas and another lineman in R2 or R3,...bolster the OL and alot of your problems will go away.

.... but then again if it was me I'd have stayed pat and took AP instead of signing Rhodes so wtf do I know?

[CrossBones]

And while you mention that Al has never taken a QB #1Actually Al has never taken a QB this high before but he has ventured into the QB crap shoot at #16 (Wilson) and lower for Maranivoch. I argued about three years ago that this was because Al was never in a poition to draft a QB high...i.,e. there was never anybody worth taking when the Raiders were in the top 10. But that theory has been washed away with the Raiders passing on Roethlishberger, Cutler and Leinart...so who knows.

It also bears pointing out that trading down happens with the same amount of frequency. Actually it has never happened in the first round. So my great idea about trading down is likely just a pipe dream.

So while I agree that moving back and getting more picks would seem prudent, there very little historical evidence that supports that theory... less so than if Al were to take a QB.Again, there is no historical evidence to suggest anything but that trading back won't happen.

Like you said, it's definitely a cirucular argument... all I know is we better come out of the first round with a blue-chipper.Right now my guess would be one of two things happen: (1) If we trade Moss we'll take CJ. (2) If we keep Moss we'll draft Russell.

The draft is a funny thing. I think for the most part teams think too much and in many situations talk themselves out of certain players/positions because they just have too much information and too much time to wring their hands. The real question is whether the player in question is a good football player and can be a star in this league. Based on that I'd say Johnson is the least likely to bust out of any of the top players. But then again who knows.

[BigTron]

CJ is the cant miss player. JR is the gamble for a superbowl calibur QB.

[Texas Raider]

I have done a 180 on the guy after watching him the 2nd half of last season. He's always had a big arm, could make all the throws, and was lauded for his leadership. My knock on him was his inconsistency and never quite being able to "put it all together". Well, he did that for the last 6 games of '06 and it showed just how high the guy's ceiling really is.

Up until this year, Russell had been considered a late-1st round pick. So he didn't come out of nowhere. Instead, his '06 season just vaulted him to the status of "potential #1 overall pick."

A couple months ago, prior to the hooplaw that followed the Sugar Bowl, you persuaded me to abandon my interest in the Raiders selecting Russell because of your experience with teaching one of his courses at LSU--something about his having difficulty putting a sentence together.

Why is this no longer a major concern?

What you said months backs coupled with his not showing up in top condition at the combine has me concerned with his work ethic.

[Freakshow]

Russell is our guy. As Natty so elequently points out, the quarterback can have the biggest impact on a team and if we can land a great college qb with HUGE upside I can't fault them for it. The reward is greater than the risk with him. We can take probably take Bowe, Meachem, Ginn, or Miller in the second to bolster our WR corps and come away from this draft with some excellent weapons. And, if we suck in '07, which is highly likely, we can move to take McFaddan next year. I know it's premature but can you imagine an offense featuring Russell, McFaddan, Miller, Porter, Curry, and Zach Miller? Mix in some o-line help and this group would be dancing in '09.

[Raider Nation]

A couple months ago, prior to the hooplaw that followed the Sugar Bowl, you persuaded me to abandon my interest in the Raiders selecting Russell because of your experience with teaching one of his courses at LSU--something about his having difficulty putting a sentence together.

Why is this no longer a major concern?



Russell's not the brightest bulb in the box, without question. He's also very soft-spoken and shy. On the football field the guy is a leader, but in the classroom he's a mystery. Is it because he's dumb or because he's a bumpkin? Admittedly, Vince Young of a year ago makes me think that he has a chance because he's pretty much in the same mold mentally.

I'd venture to say about 30% of college athletes at big-time programs have problems with written test-taking or constructing an essay. That's more of a judgment on universities offering an education to their athletes than anything else, however.

[Rupert]

I'd venture to say about 30% of college athletes at big-time programs have problems with written test-taking or constructing an essay. That's more of a judgment on universities offering an education to their athletes than anything else, however.
Not just the colleges, but why the hell aren't high schools asking more of their athletes? I can understand a guy slipping through college with ALL the time and effort spent in training and travel. Let's not even mention the money these programs bring into the school. So I can understand how this happens at college, but in high school? The limits on time and the more regional travel frees up a LOT of study time for the student to actually study. I guess it's more of an idictment of our value system than the actual education system.

[celticraider]

Actually Al has never taken a QB this high before but he has ventured into the QB crap shoot at #16 (Wilson) and lower for Maranivoch. I argued about three years ago that this was because Al was never in a poition to draft a QB high...i.,e. there was never anybody worth taking when the Raiders were in the top 10. But that theory has been washed away with the Raiders passing on Roethlishberger, Cutler and Leinart...so who knows.

We also drafted Eldridge Dickey in rd 1 back in the stone age.

[007]

To be frank, until the last five years, the Raiders havent been picking a lot in the top 5 picks...

I dont think we can go off of past patterns on this number one pick, for a couple reasons:

1) We've never picked #1 before
2) Our history shows we barely ever draft RB's, QB's or WR's early...I posted a big huge paragraph a while back showing how Al has drafted as many kickers in the first round as WR's, RB's and QB's.

If Al has show one pattern, its that there is no pattern.

I could legitimately see him taking Joe Thomas or Brady Quinn first overall.

[CrossBones]

Well that explains why he never drafted a QB in the top 10 after that (Dickey). :p And that was pre-merger (1968) so I'm not even counting that debacle since teams in the AFL were doing crazy shit in those years because they knew they had little chance of signing the top players -- especially QB's... although the Jets did sign Joe Namath I think in 1965 -- it was still a long shot at the time to get the top players on AFL teams.

BTW, that same year (1968) the Raiders drafted Stabler in the second round.

And we can't count Roman Gabriel being taken #1 by the Raiders in 1962...Before AD.

[Turo]

But, who will Al select? Is that the question?

I'm all for Brady Quinn but not with the #1 pick. If we stay at #1 Al is going to take Calvin Johnson.

I can get on with that. If we trade down (twice?) and still pick up Brady, the extra picks we acquire would make up for passing on Calvin. I also wouldn't mind seeing us trade down twice and still pick up Alan Branch.

[007]

Is it me, or is Brady making a bit of a revival in recent weeks?

It seems as though he went from number 1 worthy (Last season) to a falling prospect (Bowl season-Senior bowl) to an 'in style' pick recently...

I'd rather trade with Cle-Tampa-Arizona and pick up Quinn, but if he is the target at the 1st overall pick, I could live with that.

[gst8]

Is it me, or is Brady making a bit of a revival in recent weeks?

Root for the underdog and hate the guy on top.

It's human nature... at least on message boards.

[BigTron]

Is it me, or is Brady making a bit of a revival in recent weeks?

It seems as though he went from number 1 worthy (Last season) to a falling prospect (Bowl season-Senior bowl) to an 'in style' pick recently...

I'd rather trade with Cle-Tampa-Arizona and pick up Quinn, but if he is the target at the 1st overall pick, I could live with that.

By draft day it will be someone new...

[Madturk]

I can get on with that. If we trade down (twice?) and still pick up Brady, the extra picks we acquire would make up for passing on Calvin. I also wouldn't mind seeing us trade down twice and still pick up Alan Branch.

Mike Mayock felt that Branch was going to be either a boom or bust type player which I thought was interesting. I'm waffling with our first pick but am going to stick with Jamarcus. There was a nice read on ESPN about him. Mostly talking about his upbringing and such.

I think once he has his pro day workout, he'll clearly distinguish himself above Brady Quinn once again. I think some of his southern traits have been misconstrued as being somewhat lazy and aloof. So he doesn't give a great interview, big fuggin deal. I don't want to hear that we passed on another franchise type QB next year.

[Freakshow]

I'll tell you who looks like a real player and that's Jarvis Moss from Florida. Dude's always in the backfield reaking havoc and the way he times the snap of the ball and explodes totally reminds me of Howie. If he's available at the top of round two I'd love to see that stud wearing the S/B. Tyler Brayton, meet your new replacement...

[Madturk]

If we're going to draft a defensive player in the second, it's going to be a corner back:p Give me Ryan Khalil in the second and I'm a happy man.

[hawaiianboy]

. So while I agree that moving back and getting more picks would seem prudent,

I think one could actually argue that there is a greater risk in doing this than there is in taking JaMarcus... I don't think anyone will argue that JaMarcus has freakish physical skills that just don't come around that often... The way I look at that if we trade back, both the player we take at 3 or 4 be it Quinn or whoever, AND the guy we take with the extra draft pick we pick up, better BOTH become great players if JaMarcus ends up playing to his physical skills... I mean the Colts got a QB, a LT that became a 7 time Pro Bowler and a OG that made the Pro Bowl a couple of times out of the Elway trade but how many people even remember that outside of Colt fans lamenting what could have/should have been?...

To me when the stars line up where a player with freakish talent at an important position like QB actually is available to you at a draft position that doesn't require you to deal up to, you go ahead and take the bat off your shoulder and take a chance... Yes most people didn't expect JaMarcus to be pinging the top of the draft til next year, but he showed this year that he could progress and play to a high level... He's not a polished product ala Quinn yet, but it's also clear that unlike Quinn, he's only begun to really scratch the surface of his ability IMO... That to me is exciting...

I hope we take the chance, and if we don't, I really hope we don't end up regretting it for the next decade...

[BigTron]

Im hoping Paul Puz or Q.Moses/Spencer is our round two pick.

[Jack's sore libido]

Much as I like Posluszny, I don't think there's a position of less need on the Raiders' team right now.

[TheNextStep]

I think I'm defaulting to the JaMarcus Russell bandwagon... because I think that the Raiders have already made up their mind to go that way.

[BigTron]

Much as I like Posluszny, I don't think there's a position of less need on the Raiders' team right now.

CB would be less of a need. But i agree it isnt high on the list of many. Sometimes you cant pass up a slipping player who is the BPA. Puz would be a money strong side backer we still dont have. A player to finish the LB core with Kirk and Howard. He is the run stuffer that Sam Williams is not. Lack of DT depth and a good tackling SAM have hurt us alot. Howard is the speed and Posluszny is the run stopper. They would play to each other strength's. I agree it isnt a strong need but i think we still need one more backer in there who can digest the run plays and disrupt them. I doubt he will even be there, because he is also suffering from hype'itis like Brady Quinn. Posz was up there with AJ Hawk until his knee injury. Then he battled back all year and is now finally getting back to 100%. If AJ Hawk went so high then Paul in Rnd 2 would be monster value IMO.

For our Defense to be complete we still need a young SAM, SS, DE and DT. We need offense more than D right now so i wont be suprised if all day one picks go that way. But i would be all for taking a slipping Rnd 1 value defender. We cant just rest on last years performance and expect the defense to put up the same #'s. Great defensive teams like the Ravens add players even when they could stand pat, and that philosophy eventually allows them to let players like Adalius Thomas walk without suffering. Just some random thoughts.

It seems like DE, OLB, FS, WR and O-Line first round talent might slip to our 2nd pick.
The players i could see us looking at after a slip are.

Oline- Staley, Kalil, Blaylock, Grubbs
WR-Jarrett, Rice, Meachum, Bowe
DE-Jarvis Moss(olb/de), Q.Moses, Carriker(unlikley)
OLB, Timmons, Paul P
FS- Merriweather, R.Nelson
DT-Harrell
Im forgetting some first round graded players but if we select BPA it should be one of these guys. I wanted to put Michael Bush on that list because he is running at his pro-day and could work his way back into round 1.

[Jack's sore libido]

Of those players, the guys I don't think we have a prayer in hell of getting are:

Timmons, Moss, Carriker, Meachem, Nelson

I like Merriweather a lot, but can't see us taking a safety with Schweig and Huff penciled in as starters.

Love to get Moses or any of the OLinement.

Poszluzsny has a chance to fall to us because some teams might be scared off by the knee. If he's there and he's clearly the best guy available, I'm all for it, I guess. But I don't think he'll be the best available if he's there.

[007]

Poz-Morrison-Howard is downright nasty...

[donovan]

No one here likes Sam Williams?

We've already got Darnell Bing and Robert Thomas as backups, anyway. That's solid.

When you have the second worst offense the NFL's seen since 1978 I think you absolutely HAVE to spend virtually all your picks on that side of the ball.

Only thing on defense we should even be considering is NT, or an end to replace Brayton. Not a LB.

JMO.

[donovan]

Oh BTW, the more I think about Quinn he kind of reminds me of Donovan McNabb. ('Can't win the big games' and so forth. Style of play, mobile.) Not sure how that makes me feel about him in relation to Russell (who I'm not sure who to compare to... the 2004 Daunte?).

[RaiderIVlife]

No one here likes Sam Williams?

We've already got Darnell Bing and Robert Thomas as backups, anyway. That's solid.

When you have the second worst offense the NFL's seen since 1978 I think you absolutely HAVE to spend virtually all your picks on that side of the ball.

Only thing on defense we should even be considering is NT, or an end to replace Brayton. Not a LB.

JMO.


I like Sam Williams. I've backed him for some time, but I do agree with the sentiment that you take the BPA over "need" in most cases and while LB'er is not a glaring weakness, we must remember that Williams has a history of major injury AND Darnell Bing has proven nada up to this point. I like his potential, but a lot of guys have potential in this league.

If "Poz" is the player some think he is, I wouldn't be that distressed. The Raiders also figure to employ the hybrid 34 - 43 defense so you can't have too many linebackers anyway.

Again, a lot of this is predicated on how we view Andrew Walter and what we do with Randy Moss. Answer me those two questions and the draft has much more clarity IMO. Personally, I'd LOVE to believe that AW is "the guy", Moss is moved ASAP, we trade down and still take a Calvin Johnson or Adrian Petersen and acquire more picks.

If AW is not "the guy" and Moss is still on the squad, it changes everything.

[Swords]

I'm not ga-ga over the Puz guy. The one guy on defense that I got cold bumps for is LaRon Landry. He has great speed for his size, hits like a truck and when he tackles you, you go down. Tackling is something that our D can definately improve on.


You team him up with Huff and we'd be pretty solid at the safety position for awhile. If somehow we could parlay a trade for Moss that would get us Laron while still drafting CJ #1,... I would be in paradise.... drunken paradise

[jatfly]

.....................
If AW is not "the guy" and Moss is still on the squad, it changes everything.


Preach it Brother......You and I are on the same page. If Moss is here and AW stinks it up and we don't draft a #1 QB, and have Walter and some bums behind him. We are in trouble........Moss turns on us once again....

[BigTron]

I'm not ga-ga over the Puz guy. The one guy on defense that I got cold bumps for is LaRon Landry. He has great speed for his size, hits like a truck and when he tackles you, you go down. Tackling is something that our D can definately improve on.


You team him up with Huff and we'd be pretty solid at the safety position for awhile. If somehow we could parlay a trade for Moss that would get us Laron while still drafting CJ #1,... I would be in paradise.... drunken paradise

Your on point with that take. LaRon is the best defender in this draft. He is nasty as hell and fast.

[R4Life]

Tech WR Johnson draws Raiders' interest at pro day

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 03/15/07

Georgia Tech's Rose Bowl Field was crowded with about 100 NFL scouts and coaches Thursday.

Most were there to see Calvin Johnson.

Johnson and other former teammates took part in Georgia Tech Pro Day. Among those in attendance was Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin, holder of the No. 1 pick in April's NFL draft.

Johnson noticed that Kiffin was in the crowd of logoed golf shirts, stop watches and clip boards.

"He's a great guy, I met him at the [NFL scouting] combine," Johnson said. "I talked to him out here a little bit. It's always good talking to those guys."

Johnson is rated as the top talent in the draft, but the Raiders may opt for LSU quarterback JeMarcus Russell, whom Kiffin watched in Baton Rouge on Wednesday.

Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs was also on hand. The Falcons, who have the 10th pick in the draft, were represented by pro scout Shepley Heard.

Johnson got measured, had a 42 1/2-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 11 feet, 7 seven inches. He didn't run the 40-yard dash, electing to sit on the 4.35 seconds he ran at the scouting combine.

Johnson, Reggie Ball and Chris Dunlap ran routes for the scouts. Former Tech quarterback/wide receiver Damarius Bilbo and Liberty's Drew McKay threw passes to the receivers.

Johnson would not be opposed to playing for the Raiders.

"Silver and Black, they have some great fans out there in the black hole," Johnson said.

He didn't exactly lobby Kiffin to be the top pick.

"I didn't tell him why they should take me No. 1," Johnson said. "It's all their choice, but we'll see what they do with it."

If the Raiders pass on Johnson, Detroit, Cleveland and Tampa Bay pick next. Johnson is not expected to drop past Tampa Bay.

"I think character is probably one of the biggest contributors to that," Tech coach Chan Gailey said. "There are a lot of talented guys, but the character that he possesses moves him to the top of the list."

Ball, a four-year starter at quarterback, worked out at wide receiver and quarterback. He ran a decidedly faster 40-time of 4.6 seconds than he did at the combine (4.78).

"I'm an athlete, so it's not too hard for me to adjust," Ball said. "I'm just taking it in stride and doing whatever they ask."

Ball is holding out hope that he'll get a shot at quarterback.

"I'm just trying to keep my options open and not just be one dimensional," Ball said. "I consider myself an athlete and I can basically do a lot of things on the field."

Other Tech players to work out included linebacker KaMichael Hall, defensive tackle Joe Anoai, offensive lineman Mansfield Wrotto, defensive back Kenny Scott, wide receiver Xavier McGuire, tight ends Michael Matthews and George Cooper.

Anoai, who wasn't invited to the combine, helped himself by lifting 225 pounds, 25 times. Hall also ran a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.

Scott is scheduled to visit the Falcons in the coming weeks.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/gatech/stories/2007/03/15/0316johnson.html#