Team Report 09.11.2006...

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Angry Pope

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Raiders Team Report


September 10, 2006

Steve Corkran

The team's decision to start WR Alvis Whitted indicates that WR Jerry Porter's me-first ways won't be tolerated. It also means that coach Art Shell is serious about throwing deep more often because Whitted is the fastest Oakland receiver, and stretching the field is his strength.

SLEEPER: Backup DT Terdell Sands is a massive player who can occupy two blockers at once. Sands is different from DT Warren Sapp in that he relies more on his raw strength and size to do his job. He figures to get significant playing time as part of Oakland's line rotation this season.

YOUTH MOVEMENT: Rookie John Madsen has made a seamless transition from wide receiver to tight end. Now, he is looked upon as a future key contributor based on his ability to get open downfield, solid route running and exceptional hands. Madsen doesn't have any glaring weakness.
 
Other notes...
We’re told not to assume that the Raiders’ trade of WR Doug Gabriel to New England meant Jerry Porter was getting back in the good graces of head coach Art Shell. Porter opened the season fourth on the depth chart, as speedster Alvis Whitted was named the starter opposite Randy Moss.

Raiders WR Ronald Curry sees more confidence in CB Fabian Washington as the former first-round pick enters his second season. “He’s more aggressive at the line of scrimmage and more fluid with his reads,” Curry said. “And technique-wise, he’s gotten a lot better and is playing with more patience. He played well last year, but I know this year he’s going to be even stronger.”

We hear the Patriots believe they got a steal in surrendering a reported fifth-round pick in the 2007 draft to the Raiders for WR Doug Gabriel. New England believes Gabriel will be a big-play, downfield weapon this season. The Pats also love his size — at 6-2, 215 pounds, he’s bigger than departed WR David Givens.
 
Deion Branch was traded to the Seahawks for a first round draft choice.
 
YOUTH MOVEMENT: Rookie John Madsen has made a seamless transition from wide receiver to tight end. Now, he is looked upon as a future key contributor based on his ability to get open downfield, solid route running and exceptional hands. Madsen doesn't have any glaring weakness.

Blocking....but he will get better.
 
Well, he blocks well for a WR, but that's not good enough for a TE.

He's a willing blocker, which means he'll improve. Now add the bulk, and some practice and the kid will be worth it. The #1 element of blocking is desire.
 
Angry Pope said:
Deion Branch was traded to the Seahawks for a first round draft choice.
So a 3rd for Porter isn't unreasonable.
 
Rupert said:
Well, he blocks well for a WR, but that's not good enough for a TE.

He's a willing blocker, which means he'll improve. Now add the bulk, and some practice and the kid will be worth it. The #1 element of blocking is desire.

That is what I meant since he will ultimately be a TE with us. I have no doubt he will eventually become a very good all around TE.
 
Angry Pope said:
Deion Branch was traded to the Seahawks for a first round draft choice.
Isn't that a bitch? And we got a fifth for Gab? I know Branch is probably better but we'll see how Gabirel does with Bray throwing him the rock. NE got a steal IMO getting a #1 albeit a low #1. :mad:
 
I am puzzled too.

Now finding out that Porter has been banished what sense does it realy make? We have Whitted who has caught like 13 passes in his career and Curry who has blow out his heel two straight years yet we trade Gabriel who was penciled in to start and get almost nothing for him. I dunno.
 
No, trading Gabriel doesn't make sense if Porter remains banished. But what if Al let Porter use his parking spot as a means of communicating that Porter is still in Al's good graces? We just assume Art and Al are on the same page about Porter. There's no confirmation of that. It's all supposition right now. For all we know it's a collosal smoke screen from the old days.

Tonight we find out for sure. Are we there yet?
 
Rupert said:
No, trading Gabriel doesn't make sense if Porter remains banished. But what if Al let Porter use his parking spot as a means of communicating that Porter is still in Al's good graces? We just assume Art and Al are on the same page about Porter. There's no confirmation of that. It's all supposition right now. For all we know it's a collosal smoke screen from the old days.

Tonight we find out for sure. Are we there yet?

So we didn't trade Gabriel?

I KNEW there was a reason he didn't suit up this weekend. ;)
 
If John Madsen is anything close to Ed McCaffrey, I'd like to see him NOT add the weight and remain a traditional WR.
 
RaiderIVlife said:
If John Madsen is anything close to Ed McCaffrey, I'd like to see him NOT add the weight and remain a traditional WR.
I saw Madsen up close at the Hag game. He lokked great. Solid IMO. He really looked like a WR and if his hands are as good as advertised maybe THAT is why we let Gab go. I don't know...I'm reaching for a good reason. :D
 
My guess is twofold about Doug Gabriel:

1.) The Raiders (Al Davis) felt that he had reached his peak as a player and since we presumeably weren't going to re-sign him in 2007, we might as well get something in return.

2.) The team is convinced that one or more of the following players would emerge in a big way this season: Ronald Curry, Jonnie Morant and John Madsen.

I suppose I'm grasping at straws as well.
 
Well, part of the reason we didn't get Porter a one-way ticket to go-screw-yourself is he's got $4 mil we want back. If we can sneak some Kool-aid into his Gatorade...
 
I guess Porter's love for the $4 million outweighs his hate for the Raiders, eh?
 
And yeah, we're higher on Curry and Morant than Gabriel. Curry is already better (provided he stays healthy), and Morant is at a comparable level. We've got Buchanon and possibly Madsen waiting in the wings.

HEY! I'm forgetting the recently emerged Whitted. You know, the guy with maybe 2 years left in his career. Sigh.
 
I want to see Morant get a shot. Maybe if Whitted doesn't get it done...although I don't want Whitted to fail but Morant to me has done everything he can and has perfromed well.
 
You know if Alvis Whitted scores on a 80 yard pass play and the Raiders win, we'll all be singing his praises !!!!
 
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