Random post-draft Oakland Raiders thoughts from the Dark Side

Thoughts from the Dark Side

May 4, 2008

Random post-draft Oakland Raiders thoughts from the Dark Side

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After months of build, the NFL draft is over, and the new draftees are getting ready to put their signatures on those brand new huge contracts. The Raider Nation seems to be united in its belief that Darren McFadden will bolster the offense. Lane Kiffin is surely making plans for how he can use his new toy next season. Unfortunately, the dead zone of the offseason has started, with not much happening in the NFL until training camps start in late July.

* Why couldn't Al have had a predraft deal done with Russell last year?

* I truly suck at doing mock drafts.

* So long, Dominic Rhodes, we hardly knew you.

* Why, oh why is LaMont Jordan still a Raider?

* Good health to Jay Cutler, who recently revealed that he is a diabetic. I did a write up for Thin Air on the positives that could come from Cutler's going public.

* I still feel icky from all the positive things I had to write about the Chiefs' draft.

* We had a great time at Ricky's on draft day. A hello to anyone reading that Rob & I met that day. To check out our videos from that day click here.

* AJ had a great take on the lingering fall out from the Al and Lane saga over on his site.

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

11 Comments on "Random post-draft Oakland Raiders thoughts from the Dark Side"

Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Random post-draft Oakland Raiders thoughts from the Dark Side | The Rai, May 4, 2008 9:32 AM

[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | [...]

Posted by OGKUSH, May 4, 2008 11:58 AM

I honestly don't know why people vote that the offensive line still has holes..

i'll say it once i'll say it again.. tom cable the mad scientist came in half way last year and made a busted down washed up O-Line (sims and newberry) into 6th best overall. Now that we've acquired kwame harris and john wade.. who are terrific run blockers.. i can see those 2.. robert gallery(VERY comfortable at the left guard position) and our new prospect speiker at either center/right guard working together with tom to create a fierce and slashing O-line for DMAC and fargas and bush to do their thang!

Posted by Random postdraft Thoughts from the Dark Side - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board - Where the Rai, May 4, 2008 1:18 PM

[...] postdraft Thoughts from the Dark Side Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - an Oakland Raiders blog Blog Archive Random post-draft Oakland R... __________________ "While there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a [...]

Posted by Rolni, May 4, 2008 3:47 PM

OGKUSH,

we all know that our Oline will be great in runblocking...the question mark is at pass protection...and there is a huge question mark...we have to protect Russell he is the teams future!!!and i really think that the LT spot is the only unsure position...but it is probably the most important one.

Gallery-Wade-Cooper will be great in runblocking and good\solid in pass protection.We have a lot of options at RT...I think McQuistan or Henderson will be our starting RT...McQuistan is good in runblocking and solid in pass protection, Mario showed little last year but hopefully he wasn't a waisted pick last year...in think McQuistan will be our RT next year and he will be good...the question is Kwame Harris...can he be the GUY??he was a 1st rounder so he got the talent...he wanna prove that the problem was in Friscos system not he...he will work hard and i believe Cable knows why he wanted this kid...he will be great in runblocking in our system and hopefully he can be good in pass protection too.But we will know this only after the first few games...till than there is the big question mark!!I hope that Cable already know that he will be good and that's why we didn't draft an OT,,,

Posted by Corsair214, May 4, 2008 6:40 PM

The Raiders running game needs to be strong with an average pass blocking offensive line. It will create single coverage on Walker, Curry and Miller while making Fargas and McFadden the two most dangerous outlet receivers in the league. Meaning Russell won't need a lot of time to find an open receiver. With any luck this offense will control the time of possession and score enough points to compensate for a poor run defense.

Posted by ArtBone, May 4, 2008 8:39 PM

Dito Rolni, and Kwame Harris sucks at pass blocking. Thas why he was ran outta San Fran. Offensive "pass" protection is the biggest problem area.

Posted by yayarea_raider, May 4, 2008 9:55 PM

thank you patrick

Posted by Adrian, May 4, 2008 10:54 PM

Good Article on Jay Cutler. Thanks Patrick.

Posted by Raider Blues, May 5, 2008 12:08 AM

While I'm blue in the face saying it...

Thanks Corsair! That's the plan!

That's exactly where we stand currently with the idea we'll go to the run stopping from here. We had nothing and now we have something. Something that is potentially explosive and fun to watch - thanks Al! When we build the next piece we should be looking at stopping the run or legitimate pass blocking. We were close in many games and we'll be significantly better on the scoring side now. We finally have an easy schedule so should be .500. When we improve the pass blocking and/or run stopping we'll be even better and likely become a legitimate contender again.

Just Run Up The Score Baby!

I don't care who we picked really as long it was a plan we stick to. I'd rather take the Cheatriot approach since video tape is far better than any player we could've drafted? They get video tape and only give up a late first round pick? That's the deal I want!

The only thing I don't like is why did we let McCown go? I thought he was to be the starter in Miami and that made sense but if he's going there to be their backup then why didn't he just be our backup?

#10

Posted by Rito Hernandez, May 5, 2008 8:52 AM

I agrree Cable has started turning the O Line around and they will be better this year.

#11

Posted by LDizzle, May 5, 2008 10:00 AM

A good offense will not fix our run defense. Sure time of posession is good but the best way to keep the defense off the field is A GOOD DEFENSE. If our defense makes the other team go 3 and out then they will get off the field. If they keep letting them get 1st downs they will be on the field that much longer. Pretty simple. A good offense would only slightly mask this teams shortcomings on defense. Winners are not made that way.