Doug Gabriel Traded...

In Dante Stallworth's case he went for a fourth round pick but it will be upgraded to a third round pick should he sign an extension with the Eagles. Stallworth's hands were comparable to Gabriels.

The Saints organization was not happy with Stallworth. He had a poor attitude in practice. Besides that, here is Joe Horn...

He didn't practice that much. I guess he didn't show enough to merit him staying here," Saints wideout Joe Horn told AP. "I'm not saying Coach Reid and Donovan [McNabb] can't pull Donte' aside and sprinkle some magic on him and make him a 1,500-yard receiver.

"He has some talent and it wouldn't shock me at all to see Donte' catching 10 or 15 passes a game from Donovan McNabb, but it didn't happen here in New Orleans and that's the sad part."
Click to expand...

The Saints also received a player in that trade.

On the other hand, the Saints fans feel the same way we do about losing their receiver, that is, that we didn't get enough for him.

Terrell Owens, Javon Walker, and Ashly Lelie were had for earlier picks. The difference is that they all made a huge amount of noise wanting to be traded. Gabriel was content here. The Patriots needed a receiver in the worst way and we could have made room for him...in my opinion.

The last part is that we got exactly the draft pick for Gabriel that we used to acquire him. That is like saying that Gabriel did not improve any since we drafted him which is not true.
 
Well, it's essentially true because the most important part of his game as WR didn't improve at all, his hands. He got open more, ran better routes, adjusted better to the ball (an aspect of his game that still needs work) but would still drop the ball. So I think it goes without saying that if a receiver has not improved his ability to seal the deal, he hasn't improved as a receiver.

And we're speculating it's a 5th. Let's wait until we see what it was. It's nice that the Saints got a player for Stallworth, but we didn't need or want a player this late in the pre-season. So it's all about where you are when you make the deal.
 
Yes, but running better routes, adjusting to the ball and getting open more and very significant things in any receivers performance. For me, just because he fumbles some kickoffs doesn't necessarily mean that he didn't improve in his catching. I think that his pass catching has improved since we signed him.

It is not that we wanted a player like the Saints got but that the Saints received something in excess of a draft pick irregardless of the quality of that player.

The Boston Globe article also mentions fifth round pick as does Clayton and the other two mentioned yesterday.

I agree that it is where you are when you make the deal. The problem is that we were in a position of strength. We had receivers and the Patriots were in a pinch for receivers.
 
I don't agree that Gabriel hasn't improved his pass catching. I think he has. Where is the stat on his drops? I doubt it's all that bad. He's been getting open more than others. The thing we forget is that we have had shitty QB's trying to get him the ball. Watch how he does with Brady tossing the rock. I think you'll see Gab catching lots of balls. He never even saw passes like he's likely to see now. JMO.
 
Well, I disagree about the hands. Gabriel's hands are not good. Period. They didn't improve while he was here either. He still drops easy catches. The purpose of pointing out the kickoff and punt returns is he uses the same hands to catch a pass. Nothing about his pass catching or kick fielding has changed since he's been here. And getting open is a significant thing. But dropping an easy catch when you're wide open is also a significant thing. Disagree all you want.
 
There must be something we don't know. I read the trade is for a 5th round pick... Gabriel is much more valuable than that. It is a sign things are not OK in the offence.
 
I don't know Abelardo, there are better credentialed guys going for 4th round picks, so it seems like the going rate right about now.

But what can you really do with a guy you started all pre-season that has to drop down the depth charts because an injured player is healthy, or a doghouse guy with better talent can't be traded? It's a tough call. Additionally, Morant looks to be his equal at a minimum and still has room to grow because he's got better hands.

Yeah, I'd have liked the Raiders to get better compensation, especially considering the need New England had. But it looks like it was market rate. maybe Denver wasn't willing to send Lelie to New England, but maybe New England wasn't going to give up a 4th for him. We'll never know the conversations that took place.
 
Raiders unload Gabriel
The receiver, traded to New England, is among 21 team parts ways with

By Steve Corkran

ALAMEDA - Twenty one players packed their bags Saturday and left the place they called home for at least the past six weeks. In some cases, years. Most of the players cut no doubt expected the inevitable.

However, wide receiver Doug Gabriel had no idea what awaited him. The Raiders traded the fourth-year receiver to the New England Patriots for the rights to a fifth-round draft selection only nine days before the regular-season opener.

This qualifies as a huge surprise, given Gabriel started all five of Oakland's exhibition games and played opposite Randy Moss with the first-team offense throughout training camp.

Yet, it signified the transient nature of the NFL and just how unstable life as an NFL player can be.

"Everybody came in thinking he was going to be a big part of the offense," fellow receiver Ronald Curry said. "So, it's definitely surprising."

Raiders coach Art Shell said the depth at receiver, as well as adequate compensation, made Gabriel expendable.

"We had enough receivers that we felt we could part with him," Shell said. "He's been a big part of this organization for many years. That was tough, to let him go, but we have some people that we feel we can win with."

Coincidentally, Curry stands to benefit from Gabriel's departure. Shell inserted Curry into the No. 3 slot upon Curry's return from a ruptured left Achilles tendon.

"We've got some talented guys here," Curry said.

Indeed. Incumbent starter Jerry Porter was banished from the first-team offense during training camp and received scant playing time in the three games he played after he returned from a calf injury.

Suddenly, the Raiders are more dependent upon Porter, regardless of the rift between he and Shell that stemmed from an offseason meeting that ended with Shell kicking Porter out of his office.

Shell said Porter's attitude has been satisfactory and that he views Porter as an integral part of the team.

"He comes to work," Shell said. "He's like the rest of the guys. He's been working. I have no problem with that."

Yet, Shell refused to define Porter's role or to specify who will replace Gabriel in the starting lineup.

"There is no plan," Shell said in regard to Porter's role. "He's a player. He'll play when we want him to play."

Veteran Alvis Whitted and third-year player Johnnie Morant are other options beyond Moss, Curry and Porter.

Gabriel, 26, finished third among Raider receivers in receptions last season with 37. He had 33 in 2005.

The Raiders also cut veteran quarterback Jeff George, only five days after they signed him as insurance against backup Andrew Walter's shoulder injury.

"When we brought Jeff in here, it was a precaution, having Andrew like he was," Shell said. "We weren't sure, so we wanted to make sure we take a look at a veteran quarterback that we like for our football team."

The only other notable cut was veteran linebacker Danny Clark. He started 31 games the past two seasons and performed well on a defense that didn't play well overall.

However, the maturation of second-year player Kirk Morrison into a bona fide starter relegated Clark to a backup role.

"That one was the hardest," Shell said. "He's a good guy. He gave us everything he had, worked hard. Not to say the rest of them didn't, but this kid was demoted to the second team and he worked his tail off and never said a word. Just kept working."

Oakland's 2006 seventh-round draft selections Chris Morris and Kevin McMahan were among the players cut. Four of its five other draftees made the team. They are strong safety Michael Huff, outside linebacker Thomas Howard, right guard Paul McQuistan and offensive lineman Kevin Boothe. Linebacker Darnell Bing sustained a neck injury in Oakland's fourth exhibition game and was placed on injured reserve.

Notes: Starting center Jake Grove (left shoulder) practiced for the first time since he sustained his injury Aug. 22. He said he might be ready for the regular-season opener. ... Tight end John Madsen had his right ankle placed in a walking boot. He said he is expected to be in the boot for 10 days or so. That places in jeopardy his availability for the regular-season opener Sept. 11. ... The Raiders reached an injury settlement with running back Joe Hall. He had been placed on injured reserve Tuesday. ... Shell said he expects to sign some of the players cut this week to the practice squad, as soon as today. The players cut Saturday have to clear waivers and can't be re-signed until 24 hours have elapsed.
 
In retrospect, the trade value seems about right. Maybe a 4th would be a little better but Gabriel hasn't really done anything exceptional to warrant a 3rd -- that's for sure. I originally thought that we traded our starting WR for a 5th but that really isn't the case. Gab was starting because of circumstances not because he was head and shoulders above everybody else.

Anyway, hopefully it's a "conditional" 5th which would be a good thing.
 
Rupert: It's a tough call indeed, but if you had to pick among Whitted, Curry and Gabriel, the less suited to go was Doug. Considering he was the starter in preseason, it has to make you wonder something happened that we don't know, or maybe not... he simply didn't improve enough, but why the staff did notice it until now? Had they know something, the reps should've gone to some other player. In the end, what the Raiders probably wasted were those plays with the first team in preseason, no big deal.
 
Abelaredo, I'll give you Whitted, but not Curry. Curry is obviously better than Gabriel. Whitted is about equivalent (after 9 years though) has better hands and is a world class sprinter. I'd have kept Gabriel over Whitted for sure, but New England wouldn't have traded for him, so....

Was it Bones that said the Raiders were showcasing Gabriel? In hindsight I think that was the case. I think Curry on the PUP was part of the plan. Porter putting himself in the doghouse only helped Gabriel get the starter's nod in pre-season. The stories about Morant being lost on the field must have been plants since he went straight to 1st team #3 when Whitted got dinged.

It all looked a little odd, even in retrospect, but it seems to add up now in a strange accidental sort of way.

Precisely, 1st team reps in pre-season, no big deal.
 
Rupert

I Agree Curry is better than Gabriel, but two serious Achilles ligament injuries make him suspicious, even if it was for bowling not football. Overall, of the three guys, Gabriel seemed the more adequate to replace Porter.

The important thing here may not be Whitted or Curry, it may be the fact Porter got to an agreement with the staff (we also don't know), so a controversy about the third WR is not that critical.
 
And maybe the Dark Lord told Art..``hey you two fix this shit..I want JP on the field".

That is a very distinct possibility.
 
Q+A with Doug Gabriel


New Patriots wide receiver Doug Gabriel met the media for the first time this morning down in Foxboro, and here's a quick portion of his exchange with the media.

What is your first reaction about being traded to the Patriots?
It’s a good reaction. It’s a good opportunity to be on a great team. I’m happy.

What have the last couple of days been like since you found out?
For me and my family, it’s a good chance for me and a good opportunity Coach Belichick gave me. I’m happy. I’m real happy.

What kind of conversations have you had with Coach Belichick about your role on this team?
Just come in and help out the team, that’s about it.

How much have you talked with Brady?
Actually, a lot since I got here. We’ve been talking a lot.

What has he told you?
Basically, it’s just more physical than mental. It’s good for me.

When did you get to town? When did you arrive?
Yesterday morning.

How do you go from working with the 1’s with one team, and then get traded the next?
I don’t know. [laughter] Honestly, I don’t know.

Did it upset you? Were you curious as to why Oakland would do that?
I’m not going to say I was upset. I’ll just say I was clueless about it, and that’s about it.

What can you bring to this offense? I’m thinking an outside receiver…Whatever they need from the offensive side of the ball or special teams.

What do you think your strengths are?
What do I think my strengths are? You have to find out that one.

In your early work on the playbook, which spot would we be more likely to see you at?
They haven’t decided yet. Basically, just get in where you can fit in.

How comfortable do you think you can become for this first game?
I’m comfortable in myself, so basically, I get in my books, I’ll be ready. It’s going to be real good.

What are your expectations coming in here both on an individual basis and a team basis?
I just want to come in and do the same thing, just come in and help the team.

As an outsider, with Oakland, what were some of your impressions of Brady and the Patriots and the offense in general?
He has a knowledge of the game. I’m glad I’m here and to be in the same system with him. He gets the ball to whoever is open, so that’s a good thing.

What was the situation like in Oakland with that receiver group?
That was a good group of guys, a good group of guys. There was no bickering. Everyone was trying to help out everybody.

What was Randy like?
He was Randy. Randy helped me out a lot, so I love him. He’s like my brother.
 
Damn, I hate watching Gabriel in patsie uniform... I hope the Raiders will make the best out of the pick. BTW we all know it was a fumble...
 
I'm sure Al spoke to both Art and Jerry individually and told them to work it out.
 
Gabriel exit a puzzler
Trade shocks teammates, tests receiving corps depth


By PHIL BARBER

ALAMEDA - Two days after the Raiders traded wide receiver Doug Gabriel - reportedly for New England's fifth-round draft choice - his teammates were still trying to wrap their minds around the move.

"It hit everybody hard, because no one was really expecting it," fellow receiver Alvis Whitted said Monday. "He was going to be the starter. Doug was just coming into his own. We're going to miss him."

"There was like a moment of silence, you know what I'm saying?" quarterback Aaron Brooks noted. "A moment of absenteeism. .. . He's going to be missed. I wish he was here. (But) you can't do nothing about it."

Three thousand miles away, after being handed a new playbook and being introduced to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Gabriel didn't have any better grasp of the situation.

"It did come out of nowhere," he told reporters in Boston. "I'm not going to say I'm upset, but I'm just clueless about it."

It isn't hard to imagine why so many were shocked about the trade. Think of the Raiders' receiving corps. It was a deep group, but once you get past superstar Randy Moss, you now have disgruntled Jerry Porter, chronically injured Ronald Curry, one-dimensional Whitted and not-ready-for-prime-time Johnnie Morant.

In 2004, the Raiders started the season with seven wide receivers. Last year, they listed six. Right now, they have five - unless you count the three who have been converted to tight end. Gabriel, who had a career-high 37 catches last season, seemed to be one of the least likely candidates to get traded.

As the dust from the surprising news settles, the Raiders must now figure out how to divide Gabriel's playing time. The leading candidates to start would seem to be Curry and Porter. Coach Art Shell said that Curry was the first to work with the starters Monday, but he wouldn't cop to much more than that.

"Someone will line up on Monday night, yes," Shell said.

Curry refused to acknowledge that his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury made Gabriel expendable. But he insisted he is ready to step into the starting lineup if called on.

Curry played substantially in the Seahawks game Thursday and reported no ill effects on his left leg.

Whitted, nursing a minor groin strain, also stands to gain from Gabriel's departure. He isn't as stocky as Gabriel. But he has the straight-line speed to run the go routes the Raiders often assigned to Gabriel. In three-receiver sets, Curry could move inside to the slot, with Whitted taking one of the outside spots.

"It's a great opportunity for myself and a lot of guys, to step in and do things Doug was capable of doing," Whitted said.

The X factor is still Porter. He caught 76 passes for 942 yards last season but remains lost somewhere on the Oakland depth chart, the fallout of an offseason spat with Shell. Recently, the coach seemed to draw a hard line while simultaneously throwing Porter a bone.

"There's no plan," Shell said. "He's a player, and he'll play where we want him to play. But he comes to work. He's been working."

EXTRA POINTS

The Raiders signed LB Ricky Brown, WR Will Buchanon, DE Bryant McNeal, TE Derek Miller, C Chris Morris and WR Burl Toler to their practice squad.

Three jerseys were reassigned: LB Robert Thomas is wearing 55, TE James Adkisson 88 and TE John Madsen 85.

Shell said he expects LG Barry Sims (elbow) to play against the Chargers next Monday. C Jake Grove (shoulder) still is in doubt.
 
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