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.

How important is the Combine?

The NFL combine is just a few days away from getting underway. This is a time where Coaches,GM'S and Owners have a chance to see the top 320 NFL prospects under one roof. Although there is a select group of prospects every year that opt not to do the on-field drills whether it's due to prior injuries or because the prospect's might not want to hurt there draft stock. But at the combine running 40's,lifting, getting poked and prodded isn't the most important part of the process. These prospect's have three plus years of game film that every team will break down over the next month and a half. But the main thing these Coaches, GM's and Owners want is to interview the athletes face to face to see first hand and gauge what he is or isn't all about. They also want to see each players medical records and see if everything checks out physically and mentally.
In the 1998 draft the Indianapolis Colts drafted a guy by the name of Peyton Manning (some of you may have heard of him) anyway, that choice wasn't easy at the time, as hindsight might have made it seem. Colts president Bill Polian had a tough decision to make with the number 1 overall selection in a "hype" heavy '98 draft at the quarterback position. "Ryan Leaf or Peyton Manning, Ryan or Peyton?" this was a question that came down to the eleventh hour in the colts war room the night before the draft. The colts honestly didn't know who to pick, both players in college had accolades for days and physical tools that were pretty much a wash. So what did it come down to for Bill Polian and the Colts to select a future Hall of Famer over the NFL's biggest bust of all time? It was the interview process. Both quarterbacks were asked "If we make you the first overall pick in the draft,what's the first thing you're going to do?" Manning replied he would immediately ask for the Colts playbook so he can learn the offense as fast as he could and that he would do everything in his power to start as soon as possible. Leaf on the other hand said "Oh man. If I'm the number one pick, the first thing I'm gonna do is call up my buddies and we are going to Vegas".If that wasn't as a sign,then I don't know what is. These are the types of answers "Big wigs" in each organization use to evaluate the prospects, along with the film compiled over the course of a career and combine evaluations. Over the next month we will hear a lot about the NFL Draft stock market, many stocks will rise and many will plummet, it will be very interesting to see if teams are buying, what these players are selling.

Jus' give him the dam ball

Don't Scoff at a 4 yard gain. Three of them, get a first down and keep the chains moving. But scoring touchdowns at that rate requires long drives and keeps the clock spinning which isnt a bad thing but those types of drives are practically obsolete in this day and age. Why? Because there are so many explosive and dynamic players that can make explosive plays from anywhere on the field. Whether its a screen pass, quick slant , deep bomb, quick pitch out of the backfield or a return in the kicking game, there's many big plays to be made throughout the course of 60 minutes. Here is my Top 10 most Dynamic players with the ball in there hands in the NFL ( DON'T MISCONSTRUED best with the ball in there hands with best players in the league).....

1. Chris Johnson Tennessee Titans RB
2. DeSean Jackson Philadelphia Eagles WR/PR
3. Joshua Cribbs Cleveland Browns WR/PR/KR
4. Devin Hester Chicago Bears WR/PR
5. William Percival Harvin Minnesota Vikings WR/KR
6. Steve Smith Carolina Panthers WR
7. Felix Jones Dallas Cowboys RB/KR
8. Darren Sproles San Diego Chargers RB/PR
9. Reggie Bush New Orleans Saints RB/PR
10. Maurice Jones-Drew Jacksonville Jaguars RB
    

"Party Like its 1999"

The comparison was flung around liberally at the time, but the quarterback draft of 1983, this was not. It looked like it could be, or at least for a little while. When the first 3 players selected and five of the top 12 were QB's. But unlike the '83 first round which produced three Hall of Famers (John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan marino) two were solid, serviceable performers (Tony Eason and Ken O'Brien) and really the only bust was the number 7 overall ( Todd Blackledge), on the other hand the 1999 draft had more whiffs than hits.

Tim Couch, Akili Smith and Cade McNown were all flat out garbage, and Daunte Culpepper didn't win much but he put up some pretty gaudy numbers until that knee injury suffered in Carolina. But only Donovan Mcnabb could legitimately be called a franchise QB.

The saints thought they had their cornerstone when they traded their six '99 draft picks and a couple of '00 selections to the skins for a chance to take the 1998 "HE-IS-MAN" award winner Ricky Williams, whom the colts had wisely passed up for Edgerrin James(hind sight is 20/20). That was alot to give up for one guys, and the return on New Orleans investment could be measured more in publicity stunts than in production.

But not every teams draft went up in flames. The ''99 draft produced one of the decades best WR ( Torry Holt) and top cornerback (Champ Bailey) along with (Donovan McNabb and Edgerrin James) oh yeah and "THE FREAK"...here is a look at some of '99 draft notables.

1.Cleveland - Tim Couch QB Kentucky
2. Philly- Donovan McNabb QB Syracuse
3. Cincinnati- Akili Smith QB Oregon
4. Indy- Edgerrin James RB Miami
5. New Orleans- Ricky Williams RB Texas
6. St. Louis- Torry Holt WR NC State
7. Washington- Champ Bailey CB Georgia
8. Arizona- David Boston WR Ohio State
10. Baltimore- Chris McAlister CB Arizona
11. Minnesota- Daunte Culpepper QB UCF
12. Chicago- Cade McNown QB UCLA
15. Tampa Bay- Anthony McFarland DT LSU
16.Tennessee- Jevon Kearse DE Florida
23. Buffalo- Antoine Winfield CB Ohio State
30. Atlanta- Patrick Kerney DE Virginia
31. Denver- Al Wilson MLB Tennessee
....................other '99 best sleepers Donald Driver 7th rd, Joey Porter 3rd rd, Desmond Clark 6th rd, Aaron Smith 4th rd

Is 30 the new 40?

On average an NFL players career is about 3 season. Imagine being a premiere running back in that league for 8 years to a decade none the less. Where 300 lbs defensive lineman who can run sub 4.6 40 yard-dashes and bench press 400 lbs consistently, teeing off for 20 to 25 times every Sunday. There is not enough icy hot, cold tubs and treatment in the world to be able to withstand that sort of punishment week in and week out. A thousand yards rushing for a season usually constitutes as a pretty successful season for a running back. For a premiere back 1200 yards usually is the 'X' that marks the spot for a successful season. But once he hits "30" years old anything more than thousand is money in the bank for Hall of Fame voters to mull over once it comes time to get into the hall of fame, IF he is lucky enough to even be considered for that honor. Over the past decade their has been a few premiere backs and possible future Hall of Famers to hit that proverbial bold brick ''30'' wall.

• Shaun Alexander rushed for 1435 yards and 14 TD's in 2004, in 2005 the year Seattle went to the super bowl he had his best season of his career and arguably one of best season ever for a running back with 1880 yards rushing 28 total TD's a 5.1 average in a super bowl run....the very next season he had 896 rushing yards and 7 TD's, over half of his production depleted and eroded skills in a matter of 7 months.



• Edgerrin James turned 30 in 2008 he rushed for 514 yards and had 4 TD's with a 3.9 average per attempt...in 2005 he rushed for 1506 yards with 13 TD's, in 2006 he had 1159 yards rushing and 6 TD's and in 2007 he had 1222 yards and 7 TD's, many may say it was the system he played under in Arizona but let's not forget he produced like a hall of famer in Indy.



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  LaDainian Tomlinson has had 7 straight season over 1000 yards averaging 1466 per season with 141 total TD's with a touchdown average of 17.75...in 2009 when LT hit the 30 year mark he had only 730 yards and 12 TD's. I think its safe say he isn't setting any D coordinators hair on fire when trying to game plan to stop him anymore.

When I was a kid, I would always ask my dad how old he was? And he would tell me his age and I would say "man, dad your getting old" and he would reply '' No I'm not getting old, I'm getting better". That saying might be the case for the average being, but in the world of an NFL running back, getting better after 30 is rare to nearly impossible. When I look at the numbers/production of these running backs in the NFL, their is one common number that they all share "30"...Age is one defender these guys can not juke or truck over in the open field...AP, Chris Johnson and Mo Jo D time is tickin'....tick tock, tick tock.

Opening Kickoff

welcome all football fans to "Cover 1 Football Talk". This is a spot where you can come read and react to my point of views, insight and opinions on all things football. Everything from the classroom to canton... 70% of the gridiron is covered by grass and the rest is covered by yours truly.