Starting WRs per rotoworld

[Langlier]

Jerry Porter will be the Raiders' starting flanker this season.

He'll start opposite Ronald Curry. Slot candidates are Johnnie Morant, Doug Gabriel, and Johnnie Lee Higgins. Mike Williams is also in the mix.
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I think the Moss trade was great for Curry. He's going to be a sleeper FF WR next year and I think its great that hes finally a starter.

[Raider Nation]

Wouldn't surprise me one bit to see Curry slide inside when Kiffin goes 3-WR and 4-WR. Gabriel's a flanker by definition and Morant's not exactly a slot guy either. Come to think of it, if Higgin's comes in focused and motivated he has an outside shot of cracking the 4-WR lineup this year.

Williams should strictly be seen as a "matchup" guy right now until he proves he's committed to the game. Let Kiffin move him around inside the 20s and dictate matchups with Anderson as a #2 TE. That's a lot of heigth to account for.

[Banter]

I'm thinking with a $1.7M salary Gabriel better be #3 or better on the depth chart or he could be a cut victim.

[Byron2112]

Someone else posted that Anderson is outta here.

[hawaiianboy]

I think it'll eventually be:

Porter: Flanker
BMW: Split end
Curry: slot
Higgins: 4th WR


Somehow, Gabe seems to have gotten on Al's shitlist so it wouldn't surprise me to see him moved or cut...





Someone else posted that Anderson is outta here.


To Green Bay or someone right?... Some posters on the Dolphins board also claim that Dolphins and Raiders had discussed an Andrew Walter trade, but I don't know if that one has any merit...

[BigTron]

Today on around the horn one of the guys said Gabriel was on Bills shit list in NE for being late all the time.

[R4Life]

Oakland Tribune (scroll down): "According to a source, the Raiders have informed TE Courtney Anderson, a starter the last two years, that he is on the trading block and free to seek another team."

[TheNextStep]

I also think that Jerry Porter and Mike Williams will end up the starters, with Curry coming out of the slot.

[007]

Porter-Williams flanking and Curry-Higgins-Zach Miller in the inside of the field is a formidable package.

Im very comfortable with our playmakers right now. Especially if McCown uses his mobility like he should...

[Madturk]

And with Rhodes presumably to be used in a Reggie Bush capacity and Griffith's pass catching ability, that should give us a few viable options. I'm actually looking forward to watching our offense this upcoming season. Can't say I felt this optimistic heading into last season.

[RHC]

And with Rhodes presumably to be used in a Reggie Bush capacity This is funny to me. We cn say we're going to do this all we want, but Rhodes ain't Reggie Bush. You have to have a broad spectrum of talents to play like that, and Rhodes isn't even close IMO.

I hope we don't get stuck on this pipe dream and refuse to adjust when it doesn't pan out.

[Knight]

This is funny to me. We cn say we're going to do this all we want, but Rhodes ain't Reggie Bush. You have to have a broad spectrum of talents to play like that, and Rhodes isn't even close IMO.

I hope we don't get stuck on this pipe dream and refuse to adjust when it doesn't pan out.

Rhodes really did break out as a receiver last season. I don't see him as being a player like Reggie Bush where you split him out wide and make him a receiver, but out of the backfield he's got fine hands. So does Griffith, which is why I can tolerate that he isn't a dominant lead blocker. I like our options in that regard. I also think Curry's skillset is ideal in the WR screen. As long as the coaching staff is willing to set it up, we could have a very good short passing game next year, QB willing.

[RaiderIVlife]

My only concern with starting LaMont Jordan, Jerry Porter, Mike Williams, Ronald Curry and Zach Miller is speed? None of these players has much "explosion" IMO.

This team will have to get it done with a strong running game, quick outs and good route running it would seem.

Look for Dominic Rhoades to unseat LJ by week 6 and Higgins could very well surpise some people and cut into the PT of the starting 3 WR's as the season progresses.....

[Langlier]

Deep Speed - Porter, Gabriel, Higgins, Holland, Whitted, Francis
Tough Catch/YAC - Porter, Gabriel, Curry, Williams, Higgins, Morant, Miller, Madsen
Route Running - Curry, Williams, Miller, Griffith, Madsen
Outlet - Jordan, Rhodes, Griffith, Miller, Bush, Stewart
Screens - Curry, Higgins, Porter, Griffith, Jordan, Rhodes, Bush
Jump Ball - Porter, Gabriel, Williams

[gst8]

My only concern with starting LaMont Jordan, Jerry Porter, Mike Williams, Ronald Curry and Zach Miller is speed? None of these players has much "explosion" IMO.

This team will have to get it done with a strong running game, quick outs and good route running it would seem.

Look for Dominic Rhoades to unseat LJ by week 6 and Higgins could very well surpise some people and cut into the PT of the starting 3 WR's as the season progresses.....

I was thinking the same thing regarding the lack of explosion.

Odd really, when you consider who is running this team.

Also, don't count out Bush at RB. Kiffin was on the drive yesterday and stated that he would absolutely be %100 by training camp. A Bush/Rhodes backfield sounds so much better than Jordin/Rhodes.

*fingers crossed*

[R4Life]

I was thinking the same thing regarding the lack of explosion.

Odd really, when you consider who is running this team.


JL Higgins ran a 4.35 according to nfl.com and that is why he will see playing time this year if he can avoid the dropsies. Did anyone else know that he's Quentin Jammer's cousin?

Twice a year, baby. Family style.

[Stanny]

Higgins returns punts and will unseat Carr...he returns kicks and the kid can line up wide and can run out of the backfield with screens, reverses etc. I see him used as Dante Hall, Eric Metcalf, Reggie Bush, Randle El etc....I don't see him as an everydown WR. I think he could be a good weapon for Kiff.

[NIPS]

I think BMW is gonna have a helluva turn around with JaMarcus Russell

Getting a young vet QB and a top 10 picked WR like BMW for a 4th (Randy Moss) could turn out to be one helluva sweet move by Al

[R4Life]

I think BMW is gonna have a helluva turn around with JaMarcus Russell

Getting a young vet QB and a top 10 picked WR like BMW for a 4th (Randy Moss) could turn out to be one helluva sweet move by Al

Agreed 100%.

[Madturk]

Also, don't count out Bush at RB. Kiffin was on the drive yesterday and stated that he would absolutely be %100 by training camp. A Bush/Rhodes backfield sounds so much better than Jordin/Rhodes.

*fingers crossed*

The one thing I sense from Kiffin is that everyone's going to have to earn their jobs so nothing is really etched in stone. If Bush is ready to go at 100%, then I think LJ becomes expendable. Not really sure how much trade value he has but I sure would like to swing a deal for another veteran DT at some point.

[RaiderIVlife]

I was thinking the same thing regarding the lack of explosion.

Odd really, when you consider who is running this team.

Also, don't count out Bush at RB. Kiffin was on the drive yesterday and stated that he would absolutely be %100 by training camp. A Bush/Rhodes backfield sounds so much better than Jordin/Rhodes.

*fingers crossed*

I'd love to see Bush emerge this year. I've seen enough of Jordan & Walter to consider them 2nd tier options at best.

The upside of the "big lineup" above of course is run blocking. Griffith is a "do everything FB" that provides an immediate upgrade over Crockett, and Williams/Porter/Curry should all provide better run blocking than Moss/Whited. Certainly Miller/Stewart will be vastly better than Williams/Anderson at TE. Courtney was maybe the softest 260+ TE I've ever seen in my life. Good riddance.

[raider60]

The thing that concerns me about Jordan is his attitude. From the comments I have read from him he doesn't sound like he's completely on board with the new regime--

[BigTron]

The thing that concerns me about Jordan is his attitude. From the comments I have read from him he doesn't sound like he's completely on board with the new regime--

Michael Bush and Dominick Rhodes are eventually going to be the 1 & 2. If Bush is healthy Jordan is in trouble.

[RaiderIVlife]

Michael Bush and Dominick Rhodes are eventually going to be the 1 & 2. If Bush is healthy Jordan is in trouble.

I think Jordan is in trouble if Justin Fargas builds on what he did last year. Seriously.

Fargas looked better behind the same crap line & same crap QB than Jordan did IMO. Much better.

If Bush emerges, you certainly stick a fork in Jordan.

[007]

I never understood the people saying Fargas looked better than LJ, because I didnt see it.

Fargas averaged 3.7 YPC and had 1 TD and 1 20+ yarder last season in way more time...

LJ had a 3.8 YPC average with 2 TD's and 2 20+ yarders (Including that big 50+ yarder) with 70 less carries.

More TD's more big runs, a higher average and more catches in less time.

Adding to that, LJ had a top 10 total yards from scrimmage season in 05, and can catch 70 balls out of the backfield...This isnt even a discussion.

If healthy, LJ is much better than Fargas (Who is usually the injured one anyways)

I see us running with LJ-Rhodes-Fargas and then bringing Bush in cautously.

[raider60]

Michael Bush and Dominick Rhodes are eventually going to be the 1 & 2. If Bush is healthy Jordan is in trouble.

I'm fine with that--

[RaiderIVlife]

I never understood the people saying Fargas looked better than LJ, because I didnt see it.

Fargas averaged 3.7 YPC and had 1 TD and 1 20+ yarder last season in way more time...

LJ had a 3.8 YPC average with 2 TD's and 2 20+ yarders (Including that big 50+ yarder) with 70 less carries.

More TD's more big runs, a higher average and more catches in less time.

Adding to that, LJ had a top 10 total yards from scrimmage season in 05, and can catch 70 balls out of the backfield...This isnt even a discussion.

If healthy, LJ is much better than Fargas (Who is usually the injured one anyways)

I see us running with LJ-Rhodes-Fargas and then bringing Bush in cautously.

It depends on how you are evaluating this also. First of all, let's forget 2005 and compare apples-to-apples (2006).

Sure, the stats are statiscally speaking (though marginally) in favor of LJ. However, I look at other factors such as salary, which we are paying LJ a vastly higher wage and certain intangibles. On one hand, Fargas ran hard and decisively behind a piss poor offensive line, played through a shoulder injury and in brief periods, carried the offense. Or as much as anyone could carry that abortion.

On the other hand, Jordan ran tentatively and soft IMO and also made boneheaded players to boot. Remember the dropped behind the LOS pass that was by rule a fumble. While LJ is whining to the ref, our opponents were running that gaff back for 6 points.

Granted, Fargas is probably not a franchise RB, but on the other hand, he comes much cheaper, plays with far more energy (IMO) and has actually shown improvement. Jordan seems to be regressing and is costing us far more 'scratch'. You can throw in his dubious (at best) attitude. While most current Raiders have expressed some geniune positve vibe, what about LJ? I'm not "feeling" that from him at all.

LJ could certainly not come to camp (much like Walter) and surprise me, but I'm not betting on it. I think he (and Walter) will become not too distant memories in Oakland because guys like Rhoades, Bush and Russell will eclipse them in a short order.

Thank God for that BTW.

Besides, Justin Fargas played for USC. Case closed. Bwahahahahahahaha

[007]

Good post.

Considering all factors, (And the fact LJ is a dick) I'd agree with you.

I just don't like the argument that Fargas outplayed Jordan, because thats not true, IMO.

Fargas is cheaper, more known to Kiffin, works harder, runs harder and might fit into the ZBS better though...

Rhodes-Bush-Fargas is plenty enough RB, although that all hinges on if Bush is 100% by preseason.

[BigTron]

Porter and Lamont are the only guys I worry about being assholes... I dont think either are in the plans after this season.

[RaiderIVlife]

Porter and Lamont are the only guys I worry about being assholes... I dont think either are in the plans after this season.

Based on nothing concrete, I'm thinking that Jerry Porter comes around, has a good season and embraces what is happening in Oakland. Again based on nothing, but I think he will become a poor man's Tim Brown for this team. By that I mean, he will occasionally say or do something that we all don't agree with, but he does put of consistent numbers, plays hard, is viewed as a team leader and does have the ear of the owner. Could be wrong of course. He could also tweak a hammy in camp, play inconsistently, see his PT eroded by Mike Williams & Jonnie Lee Higgins and start to gripe? I'm betting on the positve on this one.

LaMont Jordan? Who the hell knows. This could go in any number of directions. I'm hoping that he becomes the player that I assumed he would 2 years ago. The irony is that no one was initially more excited about his signing than I was. I was convinced that this offense would excell with him, Moss & Kerry Collins. Ooops. Two of these dudes have been dumped and the 3rd could very well see the door in the next 3 months....

Hopefully the competition will spur him on to greater effort (and performance)...

I'll be glad to eat that sandwhich with a double serving of crow.

[massraider]

Yeah, I'm not so sure that Porter is lock to be a goner after this year. I could see him getting on board. He's affordable, so he'd really have to screw the pooch to get traded. And if he screws the pooch, who's gonna trade for him?

Lamont? Well, let's just say the bumper crop of RB's in the draft next year could not have come at a better time.

[R4Life]

Yeah, I'm not so sure that Porter is lock to be a goner after this year. I could see him getting on board. He's affordable, so he'd really have to screw the pooch to get traded. And if he screws the pooch, who's gonna trade for him?

Lamont? Well, let's just say the bumper crop of RB's in the draft next year could not have come at a better time.

JP can void his contract after this year, not requiring a trade. That said, he should play his A** off.

[massraider]

JP can void his contract after this year, not requiring a trade. That said, he should play his A** off.

Forgot that.

Mario Manningham jihad!

[Limee]

Some randon thoughts.

Jordans better year came with the ZBS scheme and the signing of Rhodes may have stirred him. Does it not cost more to cut or trade him this year than keep him?

Doesn't Fargas play a role on special teams, could be a factor when it comes to choosing between players.

It is a shame we will be drafting too low to get McFadden next year.