The first pick will be Maclin

[Rupert]

Dt's take time to play at a high level too. Look at Dorsey last year and many many others. If we need a NT why draft Raji at #7 and place him next to T.Kelly? They both will be playing like UT's in no time. We can draft Brace or T.Taylor late and solve that problem IMO.

I think Raji is better suited at UT and so is TK.

We obviously have a ton of holes so it can go any direction. I would like an OT/WR because we have a young Qb who needs every chance to succeed. If we get JaMarcus rolling the franchise will be in great shape with a strong young QB. If he gets killed the defense wont be addressed next year and we will only have Raji instead. If we finish off the offense by adding a WR/OL we can let JaMArcus learn for another full year and go all defense for the next 2 offseason's. We would have OL/TE/QB/RB/WR all filled.

Tom Cable is an offensive coach. We should let him focus on what he does best and help him and JR with more talent. The D will have to wait another season sadly. I really dont see us making the playoffs if we cant stop the run and/or pass the ball, so which ever one we fix doesnt matter IMO. We should not be drafting for next season anyway but for the next 5+ years.

Solid, EXCEPT, I don't think we have a "ton" of holes.

We don't have a "franchise LT" but I think Mario is very good. We signed three guys to compete for RT and fill out the depth chart. All three have starting experience in zone blocking schemes. And none of them are a "franchise RT", but they should be solid. We're solid at G and C too.

WR = we have a need. Even if you're (and 'm not saying you are) sold on JLH and CS. Sure there's Arman Shields (the hamstring waiting to pop) and Walker, but what are they going to bring to the table? It's about as certain as what a rook will bring.

DE = we have a need. And I think the biggest need is a base end behind Richardson, not a pass rusher.

NT = If we're going to use the under scheme, we need a NT. Our best one is Sands "Oh GOD!" Dude is depth or a wave guy at best.

Safety and Sam could use someone to push our "starter" and need the depth.

Corner could use depth.

TE is solid. There's no-one to replace Miller, but who is 2-deep with that kind of quality at TE?

RB is 3 deep.

QB is like TE, but we do have a quality short-term starter riding the pine.

I don't see a LOT of holes.

I think we can fill most of those holes in this draft.

We should be able to land at least one top flight player ad one solid starter each of the next two seasons, and we'll be in position for a playoff run.

 

[Jack's sore libido]

Which is why we MUST draft Raji. Looking at our current roster, our DT unit is our weakest link, and is in greatest need of our #7 pick.

Psssht.

How many DTs come in and make an immediate impact?

I'd rather trade for disgruntled Shaun Rogers.

 

[RaiderRobert]

Psssht.

How many DTs come in and make an immediate impact?

I'd rather trade for disgruntled Shaun Rogers.

Really? You want us to pay big bucks, and give up picks for a guy with a couple years left? Sure you're not a Den/KC/SD fan?

 

[Rupert]

Run-stopping is our biggest weakness, agree 100%. But on paper, S, WR and DE are all bigger weaknesses than DT. When you play 4-3, and don't blitz, and your DE's are getting 5 sacks, that's not going to get it done. S is a complete question mark at this point. We know more about our young wr's than we do Tyvon Branch, I think we've seen what Huff/Eugene can do. Raji would help out yes, but I honestly don't see him as an AD guy at #7 overall. We drafted a QB #1 overall, and JLH had 22 catches last year, AD has to give the kid the tools to succeed, and I think that will take priority. Run D DEFINATELY needs addressed though. Would love to see Raji, and trade up for a WR later, but I just think Al is sold on Maclin. And he's probably pretty confident he can find a Grady Jackson-like guy later in the day/draft. Scoring more should theoretically help as well. As will not having Rob "We have the lead, lets play zone !" Ryan, as our overrated D-coordinator.

QFT. It's true. It's damned true.

 

[Jack's sore libido]

Really? You want us to pay big bucks, and give up picks for a guy with a couple years left? Sure you're not a Den/KC/SD fan?

I don't think it will take much to get Rogers, given his relationship with Mangini. Especially if the Browns take Raji.

I also think Rogers has more than "a couple" years left.

 

[poptart]

I said "decent" so don't jump down my throat. JLH is decent, and a playmaker. Chaz Schilens at the end of the season proved to be a decent wr, and a playmaker. I said decent. Those 2 are decent.

There are 64 starting receivers in a 32 team league.

A DECENT starting receiver would be around, say, the 32nd best in the league.

The 32nd most productive NFL receiver last year caught 64 passes for 800 yds.

Our BEST receiver last year caught 22 for 366 yds.

It's a piss drip.


What we have at receiver is a whole lot of ... HOPE.

What we have at our overall skill positions is a lot of ... HOPE.

Bush and McFadden haven't proved that they can get it done.

They might get it done for us ... I HOPE.

Outside of Miller, we have NOTHING proven that can help Russell.

This is a problem.


I'm with hb, I just can't see the outrage in selecting arguably the most dynamic playmaking receiver in the draft with the #7 overall pick.

 

[RaiderRobert]

There are 64 starting receivers in a 32 team league.

A DECENT starting receiver would be around, say, the 32nd best in the league.

The 32nd most productive NFL receiver last year caught 64 passes for 800 yds.

Our BEST receiver last year caught 22 for 366 yds.

It's a piss drip.


What we have at receiver is a whole lot of ... HOPE.

What we have at our overall skill positions is a lot of ... HOPE.

Bush and McFadden haven't proved that they can get it done.

They might get it done for us ... I HOPE.

Outside of Miller, we have NOTHING proven that can help Russell.

This is a problem.


I'm with hb, I just can't see the outrage in selecting arguably the most dynamic playmaking receiver in the draft with the #7 overall pick.

Don't forget that Maclin hasn't stepped foot in a pro system or on a NFL team, so he is just "A HOPE" too... Don't call him better than JLH or Schilens, because right now, he ain't...

 

[poptart]

ANYONE who is drafted is a hope.

 

[Rupert]

ANYONE who is drafted is a hope.

Damn! All our playoff dreams dashed to bits by this simple truth.

You suck!

 

[Crossbones]

ANYONE who is drafted is a hope.

I hope so.

 

[poptart]

I would prefer for us to bring in a "quality" veteran receiver to help Russell, but it doesn't look like that's happening.

But the guy needs help, so I have no problem burning #7 on a guy with Maclin's ability.

 

[RaiderRobert]

I would prefer for us to bring in a "quality" veteran receiver to help Russell, but it doesn't look like that's happening.

But the guy needs help, so I have no problem burning #7 on a guy with Maclin's ability.

I'd rather not "burn" our pick at all... My opinion on drafting is that your #1 must be used for your greatest need with largest impact. I don't think that is WR for us right now. I do think DT is. We need a legit Monster in the middle. Makes everyone around him better. And I agree we do need a veteran that can still play at a high level. I see us grabbing somebody after the draft, maybe after June cuts. Maybe.

 

[poptart]

That's fair enough.

I won't cry if we draft Raji, either.

One could surely defend that pick.

Our run defense has sucked Perez Hilton's left gonad for ... like, EVER.

 

[007]

There are other people in this draft outside of Raji. Many fans may want him, but we have no idea how Oaklands draft board is shaping up.

Geezus.

No on Maclin, no on Crabtree, no on Brown, no on Smith, No on Orakpo etc. etc.

I HOPE Raji is gone at the #6 pick so we'll have other people to talk about for a few hours until we NEED to draft Robiskie in round two.

 

[Byron2112]

There are other people in this draft outside of Raji. Many fans may want him, but we have no idea how Oaklands draft board is shaping up.

Geezus.

Relax, just take a look at my Lil' Al entry... no need to thank me, happy to help out bro.

 

[Crossbones]

I'm burned out...

 

[Byron2112]

Dt's take time to play at a high level too. Look at Dorsey last year and many many others. If we need a NT why draft Raji at #7 and place him next to T.Kelly? They both will be playing like UT's in no time. We can draft Brace or T.Taylor late and solve that problem IMO.

I think Raji is better suited at UT and so is TK.

We obviously have a ton of holes so it can go any direction. I would like an OT/WR because we have a young Qb who needs every chance to succeed. If we get JaMarcus rolling the franchise will be in great shape with a strong young QB. If he gets killed the defense wont be addressed next year and we will only have Raji instead. If we finish off the offense by adding a WR/OL we can let JaMArcus learn for another full year and go all defense for the next 2 offseason's. We would have OL/TE/QB/RB/WR all filled.

Tom Cable is an offensive coach. We should let him focus on what he does best and help him and JR with more talent. The D will have to wait another season sadly. I really dont see us making the playoffs if we cant stop the run and/or pass the ball, so which ever one we fix doesnt matter IMO. We should not be drafting for next season anyway but for the next 5+ years.

Good post.

I don't think it will take long for Raji to make a difference in the run D, you're adding a very athletic 335 pounder to the rotation... and you don't draft Raji at #7 just to soak up blocks, you draft him there because he has the rare kind of combination of size/athleticism to wreak havoc in the backfield and control the middle of line of scrimmage when he approaches his prime.

I agree that getting Russ weapons is a top priority, but suspect Macklin will take significantly more time to give Russell what he needs. He is a "playmaker" prospect playing WR that will need time to learn how to run routes and how to be where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be there.... kinda like the two guys we've got starting at WR right now... I just think we can find someone similar, or maybe a more refined receiving prospect in the second or third round.

Look, the middle of our defense is shot. We're back to square one at safety. We don't even know who the starters will be and no one on the roster has ever produced at the position. Buncha fans are trying to kick Morrison outta the middle cause he can't do shit against the run, obviously our DT rotation isn't helping anybody as we've been consistently at the bottom of the league in run D for years.

It's a truism that you have to stop the run to win. Madden didn't just record that cliche' for the video game... and Cable's a line coach, you can bet he'll be in tune with the importance of the position on both sides.

 

[007]

Byron= Lil Al smokescreen.

 

[Limee]

Tom Cable is an offensive coach. We should let him focus on what he does best and help him and JR with more talent. The D will have to wait another season sadly. I really dont see us making the playoffs if we cant stop the run and/or pass the ball, so which ever one we fix doesnt matter IMO. We should not be drafting for next season anyway but for the next 5+ years.

Excellent post. We need to pick the player we think is going to be one of the best in his position in the NFL. It's not about who is going to be the best player for us in 09, but who is going to have the greatest impact for us from 09 to our threepeat superbowl win in 2015. We need some help at quite a few positions, but we are gradually getting there. Personally I can't argue with taking a WR,DE,DT or even OT. Maclin wouldn't be my first, second or third choice, but I certainly don't see him as JLH version 1.5. The mention of Tim Brown is an interesting one and if he could get anywhere near that then who wouldn't want to add that to our team?

 

[Madturk]

No player we draft is going to instantly put us in the playoffs. So saying we should draft a DL over a WR is kinda silly dontcha think?

ANY one guy is simply going to be a building block for the complete team.

That's what Cable is aiming for. A complete team.

True Dat but I think a rookie DT on our DL would make more of an immediate impact than a rookie wr in our offense. If we had a high powered offense like Denver or Indys than the reverse would be true.

I guess my logic is based on the fact that our DL has sucked for so many years and our inability to develop good young receivers.