Raiders Gab

McFadden, Russell Team Up At Raiders Mini-Camp

Matt Loede — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:16:18 +0000

Silver and Black Ink FA Linebacker Hartwell

Matt Loede — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:18:36 +0000

The Raiders offseason of looking to upgrade their defense continued on Tuesday, as the team came to terms with free-agent linebacker Edgerton Hartwell. The 30-year-old hasn’t been much of a factor, as he has been hurt most of the last three years, and didn’t play at all last season after being cut by the Bengals before the start of the season.

In 2005 and 2006 with the Falcons, he played in just a total of 13 games due to injuries to his knee and Achilles tendon. If healthy, he will add some depth to the Raiders linebacker core of Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard. Getting the Raiders defense has been a priority this offseason, as last year they allowed a league-worst 4.8 yards per carry.

Solid Draft Weekend for the Raiders Says Yahoo Sports

Matt Loede — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:39:58 +0000

The Raiders deserve high marks for the weekend draft, as writer Jason Cole has handed them an “A-”. Here is his breakdown:

Picks: RB Darren McFadden, CB Tyvon Branch, WR Arman Shields, DE Trevor Scott and WR Chaz Schilens
Positives: McFadden, McFadden and McFadden
Negatives: Branch and Shields
Bottom line: A-. The McFadden pick is a great gamble, although there’s a legit concern about whether the Raiders will give him the personal help he needs to succeed. Like the Jets (Gholston) and Atlanta (Matt Ryan), the Raiders took a player with huge boom and bust potential. However, McFadden has the biggest upside of all three. In fact, he has the biggest upside of any player in the draft and he could be a huge help to second-year QB JaMarcus Russell. Branch and Shields are desperate attempts to fill needs, but should make the team.

Rhodes Gone Two Days After Drafting of McFadden

Matt Loede — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:08:27 +0000

Two years ago Dominic Rhodes rushed for over 100 yards vs the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl for the eventual champion Colts. Now, he’s out of a job. After just one lackluster season in Oakland, the Raiders dumped Rhodes just two days after drafting Arkansas stud back Darren McFadden.

The Raiders are more than stacked at the RB spot, as they have McFadden, re-signed Justin Fargas, and often unhappy but still on the roster anyway LaMont Jordan. Rhodes ran into trouble right away in Oakland after signing his free agent deal, as he was suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

He then didn’t do much once he was able to make it on the field, as he ran for just 302 yards in 10 games. He did show a spark the last two games of the year though as he ran for 237 yards, but it was not enough to keep a roster spot with Oakland. In 2001 with the Colts he had his best season, which was also his rookie year, rushing for 1,104 yards.

There are a couple of teams that are likely to take a look at Rhodes, such as the Bengals, Eagles, Lions, Jets and Cardinals.

Raiders Select RB Darren McFadden With The Fourth Pick

Matt Loede — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:06:30 +0000

It’s McFadden - Raiders Take Arkansas RB with 4th Pick

Matt Loede — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:31:21 +0000

Things just got a lot more interesting in Oakland. The Raiders have spent a lot of money on defesne this offseason, and now will spend a lot on offense as they have gotten the back they wanted, running back Darren McFadden with the number 4 pick in the NFL Draft. The pick was likley between McFadden and DT Glenn Dorsey, who was passed up at the number three pick by Atlanta for QB Matt Ryan. Can McFadden turn the Raiders running game around with Justin Fargas and Michael Bush? Great question, and one that we will find out about in the 2008 season.

Here is a scouting report on McFadden from NFLdraftcountdown.com

Strengths:
An outstanding natural athlete…Has very good size…Excellent timed speed with a burst…Has great vision and instincts…Big play threat who can take it the distance at any time..Elusive with nice feet..Quick and agile…Real strong…Tough and loves contact…Runs hard and does not go down easy…Has decent hands and can be a weapon in the passing game..Plays with a nasty demeanor..Extremely productive.

Weaknesses:
Has some off-the-field and character questions…Legs and lower body are a little thin….Might run too high and open himself up to big hits…Could still improve as a blocker…Does not have a ton of experience as a receiver…Did not really play in a conventional offense in college and shared the workload…Ball security is an issue.

Notes:
Burst onto the scene as a true freshman…The Heisman Trophy runner-up as both a sophomore and a junior…In the summer of ‘06 he dislocated his toe (which later required surgery) while trying to kick someone during a fight outside a night club at 4am…In January of 2008 was handcuffed during a disturbance outside of a bar shortly after midnight because according to the police report he was agitated and provoking aggressive behavior inciting the incident….Often worked as a shotgun quarterback in the Razorbacks “Wildcat” package and showed the ability to throw the ball…Pure football player with all the physical tools who is as good or perhaps an even better prospect than Adrian Peterson was coming out…A rare talent who should rank amongst the top running backs in the NFL very early in his pro career.

McFadden the #4 Pick Says a Report from ESPN

Matt Loede — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:58:42 +0000

With the NFL Draft just over an hour away, the Raiders appear to have their heart set on the player they want with the #4 pick - RB Darren McFadden. Michael Smith of ESPN reports that the Raiders will select the Arkansas running back with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Reports say that Oakland was able to make their decision because the Fins have signed Jake Long, and it’s being widely reported that the Rams will take Chris Long and the Falcons will select Matt Ryan at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

Scouts Inc. Breaks Down Recent Raiders #1 Picks

Matt Loede — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:48:14 +0000

CB Nnamdi Asomugha is the only first-round pick to really get excited about on the Raiders’ list. While the jury is obviously still out on QB JaMarcus Russell, the future of Oakland’s franchise is lying squarely on his shoulders. These selections explain why the Raiders have fallen on tough times of late.

Oakland Raiders
Year	Player	Pick	Verdict	Bottom Line
2007	JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU	1		Russell failed to live up to the expectations of a No. 1 pick thanks, in part, to his reporting to preseason camp late and not getting up to speed until the season had already started.
2006	Michael Huff, S, Texas	7		It is too early to write off Huff, but so far he has not been the difference-maker Oakland envisioned.
2005	Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska	23		Washington is a good young player who is better versus the pass than the run. He is still a talented player with good cover skills, but might be best suited as a No. 3 or No. 4 corner.
2004	Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa	2		Gallery could have easily been considered a monumental flop until the new staff came in and moved him to guard, where he seems more at home. But, he still hasn’t lived up to expectations.
2004	Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, California	31		Asomugha is one of the brightest spots on a team in disarray. He is one of the biggest corners in the league and if he can continue to develop his skills should be a force for years to come.
2003	Tyler Brayton, DE, Colorado	32		Brayton plays with a high motor and great durability, but isn’t flashy — just consistent. He was a solid defender in the Raiders’ defense but was recently signed by the Panthers.
2002	Phillip Buchanon, CB, Miami (Fla.)	32		Buchanon never developed into the shutdown corner the Raiders envisioned when they selected him in the first round.
2002	Napoleon Harris, LB, Northwestern	23		Harris is a big, physical inside linebacker who can take on blocks in the running game, while possessing the play speed to be on the field during third down.
2001	Derrick Gibson, S, Florida State	28		There isn’t much good to say about Gibson’s short stay in the NFL. He was viewed by many as a do-it-all prospect, but fizzled out abruptly.
2000	Sebastian Janikowski, K, Florida State	17		He has been a solid NFL kicker over his career. He has a big-time leg and if he didn’t attempt so many 50-plus-yard field goals his percentage would be better.

Raiders Now Looking Hard at Gholston at Number Four?

Matt Loede — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:45:38 +0000

How serious is the Raiders latest interest in Ohio State LB/DE Vernon Gholston? The word in league circles is that the Raiders may have their eyes on Gholston, who has seen his stock in many mock drafts rise a great deal over the past few weeks. Gholston would probably take over the role of Jay Richardson at right defensive end if the Raiders took him with the fourth pick.

All along it seems like the Raiders have been leaning towards taking breakaway running back Darren McFadden, and that still may happen as well. Mostly it will come down to need, and while usually Al Davis makes the team take skill players that can make a difference, Gholston could improve the team in greater ways. Plus don’t forget the team already has a solid starting RB in the resigned Justin Fargas.

Site ProFootballTalk.com says that if the Raiders do pass on McFadden, it would open the door for the Cowboys to jump into the mix and take their two first-round picks (22 and 28) and move up through a trade with the Pats or Jets to select the back, which is who Jerry Jones has wanted from day one.

Raiders Sign C Wade

Jesse Rios — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:50:25 +0000

Only weeks ago Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders were being heckled for signing outrageous deals, wasting cap and forgetting to sign what they needed: a Center. To reconcile with the hecklers, they Raiders signed free agent C John Wade on Monday. The former Bucc will fill the whole in the Raiders’ offensive line and also bring experience to the often-confused Raiders offensive line. Wade started every game for Tampa Bay during his three season stay. In his career, he’s started 106 of his 126 games in the NFL since being drafted in 1998.

The Buccaneers website says about Wade:
“Athletic and talented center who has been a consistent performer in his four seasons with Tampa Bay… Has demonstrated leadership and discipline along the offensive line since joining the Buccaneers in 2003… A physical presence in middle of the offensive line… Well-conditioned athlete who has started every game for the past two seasons (2005-06)… Also has seen action at guard during his career… Has played in 110 career games with 90 starts… Started five career playoff games (one with Tampa Bay and four with Jacksonville)… Signed with Tampa Bay on March 10, 2003 after spending his first five years (1998-02) with the Jacksonville Jaguars… Originally entered the league as a fifth-round pick (148th overall) of the Jaguars during the 1998 NFL Draft.”