The Raiders and First Round Draft Pick QBs

Thoughts from the Dark Side

February 11, 2007

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Twice in the history of the Oakland Raiders organization they have drafted a quarterback in round one. Both of those names make Raider fans groan all these years later.

1991- Todd Marinovich

Marinovich was a bust of epic proportions. His bust was so epic that it was second only to the tale of Ryan Leaf on an ESPN List of the greatest busts of all time. Marinovich played only two seasons with the Raiders before fading off into oblivion and legal troubles.

1980- Marc Wilson

Marc Wilson is the poster boy for mediocrity. He would have moments where he looked good, but would frequently turn around and look awful. His time in Silver and Black are remembered more for his overthrows and interceptions than anything else.

These two picks have left Al Davis gun shy when it comes to picking a quarterback in the first round. In fact, he has said that after Marinovich he would never pick another quarterback in round one. The question becomes does JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn have what it takes to get Al Davis to relent on the above statement?

No one knows what Al is thinking besides Al. He has to be loving this moment in that all eyes are on him and what he is going to do with that first pick. Any move he makes can have repercussions several slots down the draft board. Another Al Davis maxim that makes this pick interesting is that he always says that he is going to get the guy that he wants regardless of where he is ranked by others.

I think that with what has transpired this off-season Al has shown that he is open to some new ideas, and if Lane Kiffin believes in JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn he will be able to convince Al to set aside the Marinovich incident and select a quarterback in the first round.

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

5 Comments on "The Raiders and First Round Draft Pick QBs"

Posted by t, February 12, 2007 1:11 AM

another nice read, thnx Pat

Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » Updated Thoug, March 10, 2007 9:16 PM

[...] It would seem that either JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn would be the obvious pick, but Al Davis has had a long standing aversion to picking first round QB’s, and I am not sure that Russell or Quinn have what it takes to get Al to change that position. Both have their positives, and both have their detractors. I am sure that the Raiders’ scouting department is working overtime evaluating those two. [...]

Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » On the Clock, April 7, 2007 10:32 PM

[...] Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame. Brady is considered a top flight prospect, and very pro ready after having been in Charlie Wiess’s offense at Notre Dame. It is said that Brady can’t win the big game, and that was reinforced by ND’s loss to LSU in the Sugar Bowl. Granted, it takes a team to win or lose a game not just a QB. Brady showed up to the NFL scouting combine in the best shape of his life. The other big question about him is his supposed arm strength. Then there is Al Davis and his aversion to picking a QB in round one. [...]

Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » With the Firs, April 8, 2007 11:21 PM

[...] The general consensus says that the Raiders should select a quarterback with this selection, but Al Davis has a long standing aversion to selecting a quarterback in the first round. I also believe that he still has a high degree of confidence in the abilities of Andrew Walter. As a football man he knows that Walter did not have time to do anything in the pocket last year. In the words of Jerry Porter, “if Andrew dropped back three steps he had three guys on him, and if Andrew dropped back seven steps the coach would be on him.” [...]

Posted by NFL Draft University | MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » 1. Oakland Raiders -, April 9, 2007 6:49 AM