State of the Franchise

The National Football League is a league constructed to where bad franchises can become good franchises within an off season or two. It goes both ways for that matter, good one's can become bad just the same. But over the last decade we have seen a great proud franchise put a terrible product on the field for the better part of the 2000's. After Putting together deep playoff runs and a Super Bowl appearance at the early turn of the century. The Oakland Raiders a storied franchise with rich history and tradition has been in the basement of the AFC west division since 2003.

Legendary team owner Al Davis is known for his quotes and one liners over the years. "Just win, baby" is one of them. Which the Oakland Raiders have not done much of over the latter part of the past decade. Winning no more than 5 games in a single season for the last 7 years is not going to get it done. It stems from a number of areas within the organization. Starting at the top with the man pushing the buttons and calling all shots in Al Davis. In the past decade the Raiders have only produced 2 Pro Bowl players out of 77 draft picks. One of those players is Punter Shane Lechler(5) and the other is Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (2). Someone on the college player scouting and evaluation committee needs to have a talking to, that is ridiculous. That kind of miss evaluation of talent gets coaches fired. Just ask Bill Callahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell, Lane Kiffin and current coach soon to be fired Tom Cable. Having said all of that, it all goes back to one man, Al Davis. The draft is one big beauty contest to him. If the player looks good in shorts, runs fast and presses 225 pounds 30 time he wants him, no matter what is on the tape. Prime example is Oakland's most recent first round number seven overall pick in 2009 Darrius Heyward-Bey. He was a workout warrior at the NFL scouting combine running the fastest 40 with a 4.25, had a 38 inch vertical he had all of the measurable....yadda yadda yadda but it didn't all measure up on the tape. It always comes back to the game tape. On most NFL team draft boards, Heyward-Bey was the fifth best receiver in the 2009 draft behind Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Macline, Percy Harvin and Hakeem Nicks. It was all set up perfectly. In 2007 Mr. Davis drafted his (quote) franchise quarterback JaMarcus Russell and in 2008 running back Darren McFadden, so it was a no brainer. If Michael Crabtree, the top rated wide receiver is their with the number seven pick, Al Davis will pull trigger and get him. " With the seventh pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select (wait for it).................Darrius Heyward-Bey". Many eyes bugged out and heads went back collectively around the country after that selection. That was a surprising selection even for Al Davis's standards.

Many sports people in the nation live by the creed "you win some, and you lose some". But with Al Davis at the helm, Raider nation lives by a different creed, "we win hardly, and we lose most"

Star Trek: kyle Wilson

Kyle Wilson is a tough kid from New Jersey,who was not highly touted coming out of high school in Piscataway. The same can not be said coming out of college though. At Boise State Kyle put together a great college career leading his team to BCS bowl games. Standing at a solid 5-10 190 pounds he likes to play a physical brand of football, in run support he is like an Antoine Winfield in that manner, plays "without a seat belt". He can play in any defensive scheme. He is great in off-man technique and even better in press-man coverage. With tremendous feet and arguably the most instinctive corner, in a cornerback heavy draft.


Granted he played in a lower level of Division I football, it was important for him to go down to Mobile,AL and show out at the Senior Bowl. Which he did, he was without a doubt, the top cornerback their and he cemented himself as a first round caliber talent. His ball skills are top notch (11 career picks – 27 pass breakups) and his ability to read a quarterback and time his breaks on routes are NFL ready. His intangibles are top notch and the options he brings to the table as a solid return specialist will only increase draft value, possibly in to the top 20. With the NFL constantly looking for athletes that can fulfill multiple roles each week, Wilson is going to catch the eye of a lot of evaluators.

Sliders and Risers

The NFL draft should be held in Las Vegas every year, because it's an absolute crap shoot. Teams are built through the draft, one miss (Ryan Leaf) and you're favorite team could be reeling for years to come. That's why coaches and general manager's do there do diligence from January to April on each prospect on their "Big Board" with hopes of finding a hidden gem like a Joe Montana or Tom Brady in the late rounds.

SLIDERS

Joe Haden Florida Cornerback
The former Florida Gator had a very disappointing combine. He didn't run as well as expected. He appeared to be a low 4.3 guy on tape, but he ended up running a 4.57 unofficial time. In the on-field drills he was all over the place with his foot work and seemed tight in the hips and ankles. On tape he played alot faster than the time posted at the combine. As a press man to man corner, he's a technician in coverage, a sure tackler and a ball hawk. Haden is still the best corner in the draft, despite some speed deficiencies.


Taylor Mays USC Safety
Lets play a game of word association to describe Taylor...."Specimen". This guy is a freak physically a 6-3 230 lbs Safety that plays "without a seat belt"...Absolutely reckless, fearless heat seeking missile. On tape he was always looking to knock some ones head off. Now entering a pass happy league different skill are going to be tested, everyone in the league can run and hit, not everyone can cover and make plays on the back end. And playing safety making plays and covering is his biggest concern entering the league. So many defenses now days are geared toward rangy guys that have incredible ball skills and crazy play making ability. Taylor has the skill and ability but does he have the will?


Others.....Georgia Tech RB Johnathan Dwyer, Rutgers T Anthony Davis, Florida LB Brandon Spikes, Central Mich. QB Dan LeFevour

RISERS

Golden Tate Notre Dame Wide Receiver
He made himself some money at the combine. He answered alot of questions by running a 4.42 forty. That was really the only question that needed to be answered. His game tape speaks for it self. At Notre Dame he was statistically the most productive wide receiver in the history of the program. A very dynamic playmaker, makes alot out of nothing. A high school running back turned wide out can help out in the return game, run and pass game. Kind of a middle class man's William Percival Harvin for the vikings. Expected to be the second reciever taken mid to late first round.


Bruce Campbell Maryland Tackle
Standing at 6-6 315 pounds, he looks like Hercules in shoulder pads. A prototypical left tackle with superior athletic ability.Campbell ran a staggering 4.82 forty, he jumped 32 inches and put up 34 reps on the bench. On tape he is a good to great pass blocker, he has a great first step, a quick kick slide and great balance, with strong hands and punch. In the run game he isn't the premier road grader that NFL teams are looking for and is very inconsistent. But to be sure he turned heads at the combine with his performance. A top 10 talent but has late first round production in college, a team might reach for him mid first round.


Others....USC DE Everson Griffen, TCU DE Jerry Huges, OSU DE/LB Thaddus Gibson, VA Tech S Kam Chancellor, Cal RB Jahvid Best, Texas DE Sergio Kindle, Pitt TE Dorin Dickerson


........Sliders and Risers, who knows what the future really holds for these prospects,reality is some will make it and some won't, that is the nature of the beast which is the NFL

He is SUH dam good

Ndamukong Suh is the name and Ndomination is the game. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches 305 pounds, Suh is a rare combo- platter of athleticism, speed,power and dominance. Suh emerged as the nations most dominant defensive player during his junior season in 2008. He was a fixture in many offensive backfields. Playing for a program that is known for producing great defensive lineman over the years, he was the first D-lineman to lead the team in tackles with 77 as a junior since 1973, and in 2009 he topped his previous campaign with 82 tackles...12 sacks...26 QB hurries...and 23 tackles for loss . Suh led all Big 12 defensive linemen in tackles per game, and produced several critical game-changing plays throughout his career, just put the 2009 Big 12 championship game tape on. With his ability to control the line of scrimmage at the point of attack in the run game and in the passing game he has the strength and power to push the pocket to get pressure up the middle.

At the combine Suh impressed with his measurable's, benching 225lbs 32 times and jumping 35 1/2 inches on the vertical jump demonstrating explosiveness and power in both upper and lower body. But even more impressing was how smooth and fluid he moved on the field. Moving his 305 pound frame like a D back, flipping his hips, planting and cutting with ease,showing good flexibility. He also has great feet for a big guy and is very instinctive. Expect his name to be the first called on April 22,2010.