i was afraid that jaback-up would start. i know that doesn't make sense, but stranger things have happened in oakland.

Finally we get to see what Frye can do. Just try to avoid Champ, please. Time to put the donkeys to sleep!

Yeah, I'm pleased by this one. Here's my ideal scenario:
Frye sees Grads grab 'em by the balls attitude and provides exactly the same leadership & performance. We beat Denver (or push them very close) and the Browns the following week. Grad comes back in a shock win over the Ravens to close the season. The battle for the starting QB is an open and fair one next year and the most productive guy wins. Russell does nothing to address his work issues, weight, footwork, lack of vision etc and refuses to restructure his contract in line for a 3rd string QB position and gets cut. We draft on O-line, DT, MLB and forget the nightmare of the last few years. Be a nice start for the new year!

Devon that would be a perfect scenario, I just cant see it happening! I would like to see us cut J-Bust, give Grad a full year to show his stuff and maybe sign Chad Pennington as a veteran backup. As for help on the OL I think Logan Mankins may be available in FA to pick up and on the DL a DT like Tony Brown and/or DE like Ray Edwards would be awesome.

Nilby- This guy looks gooooood. What I like about him most is that he looks like a fine athlete with a great motor, not just a space eater. Means we'll draft another RB or WR whoever is the fastest.

Devon - I agree he does look really good and he is going to be a star. I would love us to draft him if we get the chance. Ellis, Suh, Kelly, Seymour. Thats a decent, good DL. With a little bit more depth we would be even more set. But lets be honest, with AD around, we will be drafting WR or RB no doubt like you said.

I like that line up but although Ellis has been great when he's been on the field I reckon his knees are gone. He seems to have trouble with them on a weekly basis and it wouldn't surprise me if he calls it a day at the end of the season. Richardson is a solid back-up but I want to see Shaughnessy brought on next year. He's a fantastic athlete and great pass rusher. With Scott doing very nicely at WLB and Howard being better than I thought he would strong side, we should be seriously worrying QB's if we can just get those DT and MLB pieces of the jigsaw. Are you listening Santa Al?

I agree with Shaughnessy. He has shown some great potential so far and Richardson is a good backup. I think we need to draft/bring in via FA 1 more DT and 1 more DE and a MLB and our defense will be set. I would be estactic if we got Suh, just cant see him as a AD draft pick unfortunately.

I think Suh will go early. He's a gem in what appears to be not a very deep draft as far as DT goes. We should have got Raji last year. College ball isn't a strong point of mine as we dont get the coverage but I've checked out a few prospects on the net. I reckon if the Raiders are true to form we might get Terrence Cody. He's got the size that Al loves but could end up being another Terdell Sands, only bigger. We may have to address that position via FA or look a bit harder at Desmond Bryant. He's got 25 tackles and not started a game. Gerrard Warren has 31 and started all 13! Be interesting to see his stats if he started.

For MLB this is the guy we need to draft: Micah Johnson. Forget Brandon Spikes (no hustle) and Sean Lee (undersized) Johnson has me totally convinced. Check out the Highlights. Size, strength, good speed, he can find his way through traffic blindfolded. Talk about a sure tackler too, this guy has cornered the market on shoestring tackles. Not much seems to get away from him. From an ex MLB this guy is the real deal- should n't be too difficult to get even if it means taking him earlier. I'm sold on your idea of trading away our no.1 pick as well for more depth later, makes complete sense if we cant get an instant impact making starter.