Offseason Decision #1

[Banter]

Reggie Bush got a 6-year, $62 million dollar deal with $26.3 million guaranteed. Add 6 or 7% to that deal and thats what Adrian Peterson will get next year if we draft him 2nd overall. I could see Al finally trading down just to escape having to pay that much to a rookie.

Slide down 5 spots or so for a 2nd rounder. Those draft value charts will say we're getting screwed but so what. The important thing is we could get Lynch for half the price of Peterson and also get somebody good in the 2nd round.

 

[Madturk]

Since I'm too lazy to look it up, can someone post one of those draft value charts.

 

[Freakshow]

I have been thinking running back with our first pick BUT, I'm starting to waffle.

It's unfortunate we didn't pull the trigger on a QB in one of the last three drafts because we're right back in the same place now screwing up four straight seasons and still have no idea where we are going to go at QB. Brooks is obviously not the answer. Walter has shown nothing to indicate he is the future at the most important position on the field. Looks like Detroit may edge us for the #1 pick and they will surely take Brady Quinn so QB doesn't seem a good possibility in the draft --- especially since Al wouldn't do it anyway.

That leaves us with trying AGAIN to fix this OL. It's long been a strength on Raider teams since the beginning of time and it's the corner stone of a good offensive football team. As unsexy as it may be drafting another left tackle might be the right thing to do. Just sayin'.

Come on Bones - don't be waffeling. You know as well as anyone that a back like Peterson can make a bad line and a bad quarterback look a whole lot better. We do need a new left tackle and center, and right tackle in my opinion but good lineman come cheap in the later rounds. Addressing one or two of those spots through free agency would help as well but after the Gallery debacle I'm not sold on any sure-fire lineman coming out.

And, on the brighter side, Walter should be much improved next year. Aikman went 1-15 his first year starting. Manning went 2-14. Brees went 4-12 (with LT). Carson Palmer, McNabb, McNair, Steve Young, Bradshaw, Gannon - the list is long of qb's that struggled mightily early on. It's rare to see a guy like Romo or Rothlesburger come in and succeed right away. It would be nice, but not realistic given our offensive personel, scheme, etc. Matt Leinart was as highly decorated as it gets coming out and he's looked like crap for most of the season (although he's had a couple good games so far). Vince Young has improved every game and Tennessee should have a good one on their hands. We just have to be patient with AW and get some better blocking and receiving around him. That, along with a back like Peterson could produce remarkable results in a fairly short period of time.

 

[Ghost To The Post]

Click here you lazy ba$tard

 

[Madturk]

Click here you lazy ba$tard

Thanks Canuck

 

[Madturk]

And, on the brighter side, Walter should be much improved next year. Aikman went 1-15 his first year starting. Manning went 2-14. Brees went 4-12 (with LT). Carson Palmer, McNabb, McNair, Steve Young, Bradshaw, Gannon - the list is long of qb's that struggled mightily early on. It's rare to see a guy like Romo or Rothlesburger come in and succeed right away. It would be nice, but not realistic given our offensive personel, scheme, etc. Matt Leinart was as highly decorated as it gets coming out and he's looked like crap for most of the season (although he's had a couple good games so far). Vince Young has improved every game and Tennessee should have a good one on their hands. We just have to be patient with AW and get some better blocking and receiving around him. That, along with a back like Peterson could produce remarkable results in a fairly short period of time.

Let's hope so but what I'd initially do is dump Brooks and look to bring in someone like Brian Griese who'd be perfect for running Shoop's offense if that's the direction we decide to go in the offseason. He's solid in the short passing game, doesn't make mistakes and has one of the higest QB ratings of any active QB. Why Chicago is so enamored with Grossman is beyond me. They'd have an instant ticket to the SB if they switched QB's. I'd dangle Porter as trade bait. Another guy I'd consider is Chris Simms. Took a pretty crappy offense to the playoffs last year and has fallen out of favor with Chuckie.

 

[Limee]

It is interesting looking at the passer ratings. Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Leinart are all below the mid point. (Rivers is 7th.) Would any of them be doing any better here than in their current situation?

It is clear this offense needs to be completely rebuilt. We need to decide what our identity is going to be. If we are going to be a power running team then we need a back who can carry the load. The line needs some major work so if we could get some of that done in FA that would be a huge help. Walter has not convinced me he is the future although I am not sure who could in the current situation so that remains a huge question mark. We also need to deal with the Moss and Porter situation. If either are gone then we need to look for at least one proven replacement. If we could get an NFL quality TE then that would take some pressure off the WRs.

If we could come out of this off-season with a solid line and an upgraded RB and receiving core then next season should certainly be a lot more fun.

 

[Limee]

Took a pretty crappy offense to the playoffs last year and has fallen out of favor with Chuckie.

Is it me or does Gruden change his favourite QB as often as Bones changes his socks?

 

[Madturk]

Is it me or does Gruden change his favourite QB as often as Bones changes his socks?

Just been an injury situation, first Griese then Simms himself. To Simm's credit he didn't exactly have an arsenal of weapons to work with last season. It did help that Cadillac had a stellar rookie season.

 

[Rupert]

It is clear this offense needs to be completely rebuilt. We need to decide what our identity is going to be. If we are going to be a power running team then we need a back who can carry the load. The line needs some major work so if we could get some of that done in FA that would be a huge help. Walter has not convinced me he is the future although I am not sure who could in the current situation so that remains a huge question mark. We also need to deal with the Moss and Porter situation. If either are gone then we need to look for at least one proven replacement. If we could get an NFL quality TE then that would take some pressure off the WRs.

You know, that's the issue. What will our identity be?

Last year, I consoled myself that the OL had problems implementing zone blocking. I've watched several teams that use the philosophy and have seen some similarities to our efforts last season. This season we return to a base blocking system and we look just as bad. People have suggested the scheme is at fault, or the play calls, or the plays themselves. The beat has just gone on and on without laying full blame on the players. I can understand some of the constantly rotating schemes messing with their ability to fine tune their skills. But at some point, lined up man-to-man and blocking, the player has to accept responsibility. Our line just isn't good enough.

Whatever our identity, it's time to get the line sorted out and matched to the scheme.

WR, TE, RB, QB will take care of themselves after the line is sorted out.

Our current RB's are good enough (not great). With better blocking, we wouldn't have too much to complain about. We'd still dream about having a horse to carry the running game, but we'd be alright with what we've got.

WR is a problem with Moss and Porter, and getting rid of them both would require an addition. How about a possession receiver since we're stocked with speed guys.

TE is decent. I know there are complaints about not having the prototypical NFL receiver, but we've got guys who can do the job. They just need to bring their game up a little. They're all young and have talent, time to refine that raw material.

QB is in a similar boat. Walter should be good. Brooks is okay. The passing game will require better protection no matter how deep the drop. I'm not sure what we're going to do with Tui, but we'll need a #3 next season because Gruden will probably want Tui as his backup.

 

[Madturk]

TE is decent. I know there are complaints about not having the prototypical NFL receiver, but we've got guys who can do the job. They just need to bring their game up a little. They're all young and have talent, time to refine that raw material.

Totally disagree. Anderson is just too inconsistent for my tastes, he'll make an acrobatic catch then cost us a scoring opportunity with a critical drop. I thought he might have been the diamond in the rough find but the more I see of him, the more disullusioned I've become. Randall Williams just can't catch the ball. These guys would be 3rd options at best on most NFL teams. Madsen's the only one I'd consider keeping. We need a huge upgrade here.

 

[Rupert]

Totally disagree. Anderson is just too inconsistent for my tastes, he'll make an acrobatic catch then cost us a scoring opportunity with a critical drop. I thought he might have been the diamond in the rough find but the more I see of him, the more disullusioned I've become. Randall Williams just can't catch the ball. These guys would be 3rd options at best on most NFL teams. Madsen's the only one I'd consider keeping. We need a huge upgrade here.

I'm on the fence on Anderson. He's got potential, but he disappears too. He'll block well, and then screw up. Too inconsistent, I agree, but I'll give him another year.

Williams is adjusting to a new body. Dude has made some incredible catches. WR stuff from a TE. I'll give him another year to adjust to his body and clean up those hands. I think it can be done. I won't give up on him that quickly. If all else fails, add another 10 pounds and make him a blocker with occasional catch duties.

I'm concerned about Madsen. Dude needs another 15-25 lbs to help bring his blocking up to spec. Williams put the weight on too fast and it cost him his hands. So realistically, Madsen needs another two years to get his body right and not lose his hands.

There's the problem: all three are developing. I'd definitely add someone next year. You know, a genuine TE, and between Anderson and Williams, the guy who doesn't measure up turns in his playbook. Madsen has two more years on the development trail before getting the same treatment.

 

[Chris_77]

I'd personally like to see Lamont scrapped.

Who cares about the cap hit

We'd still be getting the same production for the money as if he stayed.

Nada.

 

[Banter]

Williams is adjusting to a new body. Dude has made some incredible catches. WR stuff from a TE. I'll give him another year to adjust to his body and clean up those hands. I think it can be done. I won't give up on him that quickly. If all else fails, add another 10 pounds and make him a blocker with occasional catch duties.

If he had hands he'd be making a fortune as a 200lbs WR with 4.25 speed. The guys body seems to be breaking down like David Boston's. Too much muscle mass for that frame.

 

[007]

If he had hands he'd be making a fortune as a 200lbs WR with 4.25 speed. The guys body seems to be breaking down like David Boston's. Too much muscle mass for that frame.

Agreed.

After six years of worse than mediocre play, I think we can all close the book on Randal Freakin Williams.

The dude sucked hard as a WR. He's no good at Tight End either.

 

[RaiderIVlife]

Rup - I agree 1000% that the offensive line is the crux of the problem. IRREGARDLESS of scheme, play calling, etc. I've been banging that War Drum for years, but I don't want to see us expend a 1st round pick on a lineman. Not at all. I want the Blue Chip Young player that can score TD's. Period.

Between FA dollars & moderate trade bait in Porter & Moss, we can still acquire 2-3 proven veteran offensive lineman to compete with the incumbents IMO.

BTW, I think we have a potential possession WR in form of John Madsen. I say let him drop a few lbs. and allow him to become a very solid WR. Sign a FA veteran that can actually block and catch steady ability and you can still retain the project du jour in (fill in the blank WR conversion), but Madsen at WR already. Much like Drew Bennett, he could create decent matchup problems IMO.

 

[007]

Irregardless is my new pet peeve.

I hate that 'word'

 

[Rupert]

Agreed.

After six years of worse than mediocre play, I think we can all close the book on Randal Freakin Williams.

The dude sucked hard as a WR. He's no good at Tight End either.

Irregardless of your opinion of the guy, how does my plan of having him win a job in pre-season hurt us? It doesn't. And giving him more time to prove he belongs on the football field doesn't hurt us. Planning for him to be on the field would be a mistake, but ruling him out would also be a mistake. He's shown skills. He's been a special teams guy for 4 years.

 

[hawaiianboy]

Williams is adjusting to a new body. Dude has made some incredible catches. WR stuff from a TE. I'll give him another year to adjust to his body and clean up those hands. I think it can be done. I won't give up on him that quickly. If all else fails, add another 10 pounds and make him a blocker with occasional catch duties.

JMO, but putting 10 more pounds on Williams will have him on whirlpool watch... He already has the constant hamstring/lower back problems associated with someone carrying more weight than his fast twitch sprinters frame is built for... If we're insistent on blowing up a WR and making him a TE, the best candidate would probably be Johnnie Morant... He's got the build of a guy that could carry 240 pounds pretty naturally IMO, not to mention his genetics are a weight room match to say the least....

That said, I'd much rather go and get a full grown TE... Let guys like Williams and Madsen play at their comfortable, natural weight at their natural positions....

 

[Crossbones]

What's with all the projects? I'm fuckin' sick of this shit. Go get a football player who plays the damn position. Randall Williams? Fuck him. We're wasting our time. Got way bigger fish to fry.