Angel
05-03-2006, 11:49 AM
Analysis: A complete remodel job by Raiders
The Raiders' draft - and other moves - are for the long term.
By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff Writer
ALAMEDA - Shortly after coach Art Shell detailed the virtues of the Raiders' first-round draft pick Saturday, chief executive officer Amy Trask poked her head into the press room and invited reporters on a tour of the team's new ticket operation.
The timing was interesting.
Here was the coach bragging about a player, Texas defensive back Michael Huff, expected to help on the Raiders this season. Then along comes a front-office honcho to point out the team also is trying to get its act together off the field.
It's rare for the Raiders, whose secrecy is legendary and whose practices are closed, to let any non-employees into their building. There's a better chance of slipping into the Pentagon. But there appeared to be a motive to depart from routine.
For the first time since leaving Los Angeles in 1995 to return to their franchise roots, the Raiders are running their own ticket office and want the word spread they are making progress in contrast to the muddled procedures of an outside agency.
At any rate, their phones looked busy. Ticket prices have been restructured. No longer are personal-seat-license fees required to buy season tickets, a system that fueled bitter legal fights with city and county officials.
According to Trask, the Raiders' season-ticket base has hovered below 30,000 for quite awhile, but 2006 sales are projected to surpass that. By how much she wouldn't say, except to underscore the obvious: the franchise's fate is pretty much in its own hands now.
If there was a general theme to the Raiders' weekend, maybe it was "starting over" - a new head coach, overhauled box office and perhaps some new, exciting players to make for a marketable product and put an end to three straight dismal seasons.
To that end, Shell, the Hall-of-Fame tackle who grew up in the organization and is back for a second stint as coach, believes the Raiders are on track.
The notable offensive retooling that has been done so far was addressed in the early months of free agency, highlighted by the signing of former New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Aaron Brooks as the replacement for Kerry Collins.
The draft was a clear attempt to shore up weaknesses on defense, beginning with Huff. The versatile cornerback/safety who played for national champion Texas, was chosen No. 7 overall and was the Raiders' fifth defensive back selected in the first round in the past six drafts.
At 6-foot, 203 pounds, he claims he is the "kind of guy who does everything." The Raiders soon will find out. A couple of the NFL's best tight ends lurk in the AFC West where Oakland dwells. One is Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers, who visit the Raiders in their season opener.
Huff isn't the only defensive newcomer of whom much is expected. With a need to add speed on defense, the Raiders spent their second-round pick on Texas-El Paso linebacker Thomas Howard, who will be counted on to help both run and pass coverage.
Oakland turned to its offensive line, an injury-plagued area of concern last season, with its third pick, tackle Paul McQuistan of Weber State. He was followed by guard/tackle Kevin Boothe of Cornell in the sixth round and center Chris Morris of Michigan State in the seventh.
The fourth-round pick to start the second day again went for defense with USC's Darnell Bing. He's regarded as one of the better safeties in the draft, but at 6-2, 227 is deemed strong enough to also play linebacker, Shell said.
Positions noticeably absent among the Raiders' picks were running back and defensive tackle. LaMont Jordan was a 1,000-yard rusher last year, but there was no alternate threat. In the middle of the defensive line, Ted Washington, a salary-cap casualty, no longer is around, and Warren Sapp is rehabilitating a shoulder injury.
Though it was an intriguing two-day haul, expect more signings outside the draft. The cash registers might depend on it.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14250831p-15067411c.html
The Raiders' draft - and other moves - are for the long term.
By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff Writer
ALAMEDA - Shortly after coach Art Shell detailed the virtues of the Raiders' first-round draft pick Saturday, chief executive officer Amy Trask poked her head into the press room and invited reporters on a tour of the team's new ticket operation.
The timing was interesting.
Here was the coach bragging about a player, Texas defensive back Michael Huff, expected to help on the Raiders this season. Then along comes a front-office honcho to point out the team also is trying to get its act together off the field.
It's rare for the Raiders, whose secrecy is legendary and whose practices are closed, to let any non-employees into their building. There's a better chance of slipping into the Pentagon. But there appeared to be a motive to depart from routine.
For the first time since leaving Los Angeles in 1995 to return to their franchise roots, the Raiders are running their own ticket office and want the word spread they are making progress in contrast to the muddled procedures of an outside agency.
At any rate, their phones looked busy. Ticket prices have been restructured. No longer are personal-seat-license fees required to buy season tickets, a system that fueled bitter legal fights with city and county officials.
According to Trask, the Raiders' season-ticket base has hovered below 30,000 for quite awhile, but 2006 sales are projected to surpass that. By how much she wouldn't say, except to underscore the obvious: the franchise's fate is pretty much in its own hands now.
If there was a general theme to the Raiders' weekend, maybe it was "starting over" - a new head coach, overhauled box office and perhaps some new, exciting players to make for a marketable product and put an end to three straight dismal seasons.
To that end, Shell, the Hall-of-Fame tackle who grew up in the organization and is back for a second stint as coach, believes the Raiders are on track.
The notable offensive retooling that has been done so far was addressed in the early months of free agency, highlighted by the signing of former New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Aaron Brooks as the replacement for Kerry Collins.
The draft was a clear attempt to shore up weaknesses on defense, beginning with Huff. The versatile cornerback/safety who played for national champion Texas, was chosen No. 7 overall and was the Raiders' fifth defensive back selected in the first round in the past six drafts.
At 6-foot, 203 pounds, he claims he is the "kind of guy who does everything." The Raiders soon will find out. A couple of the NFL's best tight ends lurk in the AFC West where Oakland dwells. One is Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers, who visit the Raiders in their season opener.
Huff isn't the only defensive newcomer of whom much is expected. With a need to add speed on defense, the Raiders spent their second-round pick on Texas-El Paso linebacker Thomas Howard, who will be counted on to help both run and pass coverage.
Oakland turned to its offensive line, an injury-plagued area of concern last season, with its third pick, tackle Paul McQuistan of Weber State. He was followed by guard/tackle Kevin Boothe of Cornell in the sixth round and center Chris Morris of Michigan State in the seventh.
The fourth-round pick to start the second day again went for defense with USC's Darnell Bing. He's regarded as one of the better safeties in the draft, but at 6-2, 227 is deemed strong enough to also play linebacker, Shell said.
Positions noticeably absent among the Raiders' picks were running back and defensive tackle. LaMont Jordan was a 1,000-yard rusher last year, but there was no alternate threat. In the middle of the defensive line, Ted Washington, a salary-cap casualty, no longer is around, and Warren Sapp is rehabilitating a shoulder injury.
Though it was an intriguing two-day haul, expect more signings outside the draft. The cash registers might depend on it.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14250831p-15067411c.html