Done this the past couple years, I really enjoyed it and personally found it cathartic in a masturbatory kind of way. Of course take with a grain of salt.
1.) Replace Shell
The guy is–at this point in his life, at least–not capable of communicating effectively enough to succeed at this. He holds grudges, he's petty. He's out of his element and league in so many ways. That's just the reality of it. The only reason for giving the guy a second go 'round would be the inability to confess a mistake. As for replacements...well, there are many possibilities. Many who would do better. But that's really a topic in and of itself. Let's just say it should be someone modern, someone who can game plan and adjust with the best of them, have backup plans, get along with various personalities in a locker room, be open-minded and flexible, and show a pulse.
2.) Trades
a. Randy Moss >>> Baltimore for a 3rd round pick
Billick might think he can rejuvenate his career. Perhaps if they fall short this year they’d take a chance; with so many vets they might think next year could be their one last go at it all.
b. Jerry Porter >>> Tennessee for a 4th round pick (the Steve McNair pick)
Fisher is a guy who saw up close and personal over the years what Porter is capable of. They’re going to want to surround Young with talent. They have extra picks on day two so they might be willing to move some.
c. LaMont Jordan >>> Detroit for a 4th round pick
With the status of Kevin Jones up in the air, they might look at somewhat of a backup plan while not giving up too much. Cleveland, ironically, could also be a possibility if you’re hopeful, simply because they were one of the few teams as putrid as we were offensively. And of course, whichever team between the two misses out on Adrian Peterson one way or another may have added incentive to pick up a back who’s proven he can produce in a couple ways. Don’t believe it could happen? Hey, it’s the Lions. You never know, right? Maybe. Hopefully.
d. Oakland trades its 2007 second, third, and fourth round picks, plus the fourth round pick acquired for LaMont Jordan, to Green Bay for the 15th overall selection.
e. Oakland trades its 2008 second round pick to the New York Jets for its 2007 second round pick previously acquired from the Washington Redskins in exchange for the rights to Rocky McIntosh. (NYJ looks to be one of a couple teams with multiple second rounders, and the odds are teams will be banking on us being bad next year as well, thus improving the chart value of the pick.)
3. In-House Free Agents
Re-Sign:
Anttaj Hawthorne
Kevin Huntley
Grant Irons
Tommy Kelly
ReShard Lee
Terdell Sands
Chad Slaughter
Robert Thomas
Let walk:
James Adkisson
Adimchinobe Echemandu
Isaiah Ekejiuba
Derrick Gibson
DeJuan Green
Corey Hulsey
Michael Quarshie
Duane Starks
Marques Tuiasosopo
Alvis Whitted
4. Free Agency
1.) Jeff Garcia, QB (PHI)
He's from the area so it's not that much of a long shot. You'd have to promise him a starting spot for a year or two and overpay to actually make it happen.
Other targets: Damon Huard (KC), Tim Rattay (TB)
2.) Leonard Davis, OT (ARI)
Again, you'd have to overpay. Perhaps Shell can flash his HOF credentials and we can work that Slater card, too.
3.) Eric Johnson, TE (SF)
This guy is a tremendously reliable and consistent receiver. Nothing jaw-dropping, but steady. He's not going to start again across the Bay. We could offer him that and he wouldn't even have to move.
Other targets: Visanthe Shiancoe (NYG), Daniel Graham (NE)
4.) Eric Steinbach, OG (CIN)
Gallery's college line mate. Again, probably would have to overpay, but it'd be worth it. If that makes any sense. Vince Manuwai of the Jaguars would do especially right by me as well. Heap a big load of cash in his lap.
Other targets: Andre Gurode (DAL), Vince Manuwai (JAX), Floyd Womack (SEA)
5.) Cory Redding, DE (DET)
Would be a terrific complement to Burgess. Has the size and strength to play the run but also put up eight sacks this past season. Justin Smith would actually be ideal but that's somewhat of a pipe dream.
Other targets: Even more plentiful than the offensive linemen: Robert Geathers (CIN), Chris Kelsay (BUF), Leonard Little (STL), Bobby McCray (JAX), Justin Smith (CIN), Dewayne White (TB)
5. The Selection Meeting
1.1. QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
1.15. (from GB) RB Marshawn Lynch, UC Berkeley
2.6. (from NYJ) FB Brian Leonard, Rutgers
3.30. (from BAL) C Kyle Young, Fresno State
4.19. (from TEN) OG Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech
5.1. TE Clark Harris, Rutgers
5.28. (from NE) OT Brandon Frye, Virginia Tech
6.1. WR Brandon Myles, West Virginia
7.1. WR Legedu Naanee, Boise State
7.26. (from NYJ) NT Paul Soliai, Utah
Yes, that's right. I'm coming out of the closet. Mark me down for Quinn. Tentatively. I'm writing this the night before his Bowl game.
I think Lynch is going to be a better pro than Peterson. Mark me down for that. His vision, his lateral quickness, his center of gravity I think are all better than AP's, and for those reasons, he reminds me much more of Tomlinson than the oft-compared Peterson, who I think is too straight line and upright, frankly.
Leonard can hurt you in so many ways. He would be a godsend for this offense.
I'm getting big, and I'm getting nasty with the line. While I agree with those that we need to start coaching and growing, I like these prospects and competition is good.
Harris is a lot like Johnson; nothing flashy or stunning, just very solid and steady. In other words, something our tight ends are not.
Myles would be a steal but he will probably shoot up at the combine. He's the latest of a lineage of freak WRs to come out of West Virginia and as usual for whatever reason he's beginning the process rated too low.
Naanee is just an athlete I like, and I think he's a hard-working kid. Practice squad material.
Yes, I waited until the last pick for defense, but face it, when you score the second fewest points in the NFL since 1978, you don't have the luxury to get greedy early. Soliai is a big kid with some potential. He probably needs to get in better shape and perhaps hasn't faced the best competition yet but for where he's going to be taken, that kind of size doesn't come around too often. Worth a try at this point because NT is obviously our biggest defensive need and I already took every offensive position.
6. Cuts
Aaron Brooks
Carlos Francis
Courtney Anderson
Randal Williams
Barry Sims
Adam Treu
Chris Morris
Brad Badger
Langston Walker
Lance Johnstone
Isaiah Ekejiuba
Ricky Brown
Hiram Eugene
The 2007 Oakland Raiders
QB Jeff Garcia, Brady Quinn, Andrew Walter
RB Marshawn Lynch, Justin Fargas, ReShard Lee
FB Brian Leonard, Zack Crockett
WR Ronald Curry, John Madsen, Brandon Myles, Legedu Naanee
WR Doug Gabriel, Johnnie Morant, William Buchanon
TE Eric Johnson, Clark Harris, Derek Miller
LT Leonard Davis, Brandon Frye
LG Eric Steinbach, Paul McQuistan
C Kyle Young, Jake Grove
RG Kevin Boothe, Manuel Ramirez
RT Robert Gallery, Chad Slaughter
RDE Cory Redding, Tyler Brayton
RDT Terdell Sands, Tommy Kelly, Paul Soliai
LDT Warren Sapp, Anttaj Hawthorne
LDE Derrick Burgess, Kevin Huntley
SLB Sam Williams, Grant Irons
MLB Kirk Morrison, Robert Thomas
WLB Thomas Howard, Darnell Bing
RCB Fabian Washington, Stanford Routt
LCB Nnamdi Asomugha, Tyrone Poole, Chris Carr
FS Stuart Schweigert
SS Michael Huff, Jarrod Cooper
K Sebastian Janikowski
P Shane Lechler
1.) Replace Shell
The guy is–at this point in his life, at least–not capable of communicating effectively enough to succeed at this. He holds grudges, he's petty. He's out of his element and league in so many ways. That's just the reality of it. The only reason for giving the guy a second go 'round would be the inability to confess a mistake. As for replacements...well, there are many possibilities. Many who would do better. But that's really a topic in and of itself. Let's just say it should be someone modern, someone who can game plan and adjust with the best of them, have backup plans, get along with various personalities in a locker room, be open-minded and flexible, and show a pulse.
2.) Trades
a. Randy Moss >>> Baltimore for a 3rd round pick
Billick might think he can rejuvenate his career. Perhaps if they fall short this year they’d take a chance; with so many vets they might think next year could be their one last go at it all.
b. Jerry Porter >>> Tennessee for a 4th round pick (the Steve McNair pick)
Fisher is a guy who saw up close and personal over the years what Porter is capable of. They’re going to want to surround Young with talent. They have extra picks on day two so they might be willing to move some.
c. LaMont Jordan >>> Detroit for a 4th round pick
With the status of Kevin Jones up in the air, they might look at somewhat of a backup plan while not giving up too much. Cleveland, ironically, could also be a possibility if you’re hopeful, simply because they were one of the few teams as putrid as we were offensively. And of course, whichever team between the two misses out on Adrian Peterson one way or another may have added incentive to pick up a back who’s proven he can produce in a couple ways. Don’t believe it could happen? Hey, it’s the Lions. You never know, right? Maybe. Hopefully.
d. Oakland trades its 2007 second, third, and fourth round picks, plus the fourth round pick acquired for LaMont Jordan, to Green Bay for the 15th overall selection.
e. Oakland trades its 2008 second round pick to the New York Jets for its 2007 second round pick previously acquired from the Washington Redskins in exchange for the rights to Rocky McIntosh. (NYJ looks to be one of a couple teams with multiple second rounders, and the odds are teams will be banking on us being bad next year as well, thus improving the chart value of the pick.)
3. In-House Free Agents
Re-Sign:
Anttaj Hawthorne
Kevin Huntley
Grant Irons
Tommy Kelly
ReShard Lee
Terdell Sands
Chad Slaughter
Robert Thomas
Let walk:
James Adkisson
Adimchinobe Echemandu
Isaiah Ekejiuba
Derrick Gibson
DeJuan Green
Corey Hulsey
Michael Quarshie
Duane Starks
Marques Tuiasosopo
Alvis Whitted
4. Free Agency
1.) Jeff Garcia, QB (PHI)
He's from the area so it's not that much of a long shot. You'd have to promise him a starting spot for a year or two and overpay to actually make it happen.
Other targets: Damon Huard (KC), Tim Rattay (TB)
2.) Leonard Davis, OT (ARI)
Again, you'd have to overpay. Perhaps Shell can flash his HOF credentials and we can work that Slater card, too.
3.) Eric Johnson, TE (SF)
This guy is a tremendously reliable and consistent receiver. Nothing jaw-dropping, but steady. He's not going to start again across the Bay. We could offer him that and he wouldn't even have to move.
Other targets: Visanthe Shiancoe (NYG), Daniel Graham (NE)
4.) Eric Steinbach, OG (CIN)
Gallery's college line mate. Again, probably would have to overpay, but it'd be worth it. If that makes any sense. Vince Manuwai of the Jaguars would do especially right by me as well. Heap a big load of cash in his lap.
Other targets: Andre Gurode (DAL), Vince Manuwai (JAX), Floyd Womack (SEA)
5.) Cory Redding, DE (DET)
Would be a terrific complement to Burgess. Has the size and strength to play the run but also put up eight sacks this past season. Justin Smith would actually be ideal but that's somewhat of a pipe dream.
Other targets: Even more plentiful than the offensive linemen: Robert Geathers (CIN), Chris Kelsay (BUF), Leonard Little (STL), Bobby McCray (JAX), Justin Smith (CIN), Dewayne White (TB)
5. The Selection Meeting
1.1. QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
1.15. (from GB) RB Marshawn Lynch, UC Berkeley
2.6. (from NYJ) FB Brian Leonard, Rutgers
3.30. (from BAL) C Kyle Young, Fresno State
4.19. (from TEN) OG Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech
5.1. TE Clark Harris, Rutgers
5.28. (from NE) OT Brandon Frye, Virginia Tech
6.1. WR Brandon Myles, West Virginia
7.1. WR Legedu Naanee, Boise State
7.26. (from NYJ) NT Paul Soliai, Utah
Yes, that's right. I'm coming out of the closet. Mark me down for Quinn. Tentatively. I'm writing this the night before his Bowl game.
I think Lynch is going to be a better pro than Peterson. Mark me down for that. His vision, his lateral quickness, his center of gravity I think are all better than AP's, and for those reasons, he reminds me much more of Tomlinson than the oft-compared Peterson, who I think is too straight line and upright, frankly.
Leonard can hurt you in so many ways. He would be a godsend for this offense.
I'm getting big, and I'm getting nasty with the line. While I agree with those that we need to start coaching and growing, I like these prospects and competition is good.
Harris is a lot like Johnson; nothing flashy or stunning, just very solid and steady. In other words, something our tight ends are not.
Myles would be a steal but he will probably shoot up at the combine. He's the latest of a lineage of freak WRs to come out of West Virginia and as usual for whatever reason he's beginning the process rated too low.
Naanee is just an athlete I like, and I think he's a hard-working kid. Practice squad material.
Yes, I waited until the last pick for defense, but face it, when you score the second fewest points in the NFL since 1978, you don't have the luxury to get greedy early. Soliai is a big kid with some potential. He probably needs to get in better shape and perhaps hasn't faced the best competition yet but for where he's going to be taken, that kind of size doesn't come around too often. Worth a try at this point because NT is obviously our biggest defensive need and I already took every offensive position.
6. Cuts
Aaron Brooks
Carlos Francis
Courtney Anderson
Randal Williams
Barry Sims
Adam Treu
Chris Morris
Brad Badger
Langston Walker
Lance Johnstone
Isaiah Ekejiuba
Ricky Brown
Hiram Eugene
The 2007 Oakland Raiders
QB Jeff Garcia, Brady Quinn, Andrew Walter
RB Marshawn Lynch, Justin Fargas, ReShard Lee
FB Brian Leonard, Zack Crockett
WR Ronald Curry, John Madsen, Brandon Myles, Legedu Naanee
WR Doug Gabriel, Johnnie Morant, William Buchanon
TE Eric Johnson, Clark Harris, Derek Miller
LT Leonard Davis, Brandon Frye
LG Eric Steinbach, Paul McQuistan
C Kyle Young, Jake Grove
RG Kevin Boothe, Manuel Ramirez
RT Robert Gallery, Chad Slaughter
RDE Cory Redding, Tyler Brayton
RDT Terdell Sands, Tommy Kelly, Paul Soliai
LDT Warren Sapp, Anttaj Hawthorne
LDE Derrick Burgess, Kevin Huntley
SLB Sam Williams, Grant Irons
MLB Kirk Morrison, Robert Thomas
WLB Thomas Howard, Darnell Bing
RCB Fabian Washington, Stanford Routt
LCB Nnamdi Asomugha, Tyrone Poole, Chris Carr
FS Stuart Schweigert
SS Michael Huff, Jarrod Cooper
K Sebastian Janikowski
P Shane Lechler
