By Paul Wexler
RaiderBeat.com Staff Writer
JaMarcus Russell is gone. And so to, is the Raiders biggest excuse for losing games. Players lack of production is going to stand out where it once hid in the enormous shadow of Russell’s failure.
Middle linebacker Kirk Morrison was already sent packing. Morrison led the team in tackles for the last five years, but coaches realized he was chasing the play and cleaning up versus making the play and changing the game.
The crosshairs now fall upon running back Darren McFadden and Darrius Heyward-Bey. The last two first round picks that have been major disappointments early in their careers. McFadden is the bigger surprise because he was a productive college player that has never found his stride in the NFL. Heyward-Bey was simply drafted too high. He is the same player he was in college. He still can’t catch the ball, and he still hears footsteps. He should have been drafted much later as a slot receiver by a team in need of a third or fourth receiver, not as a number one receiver facing the other team’s top corner.
The question is how long will managing general partner Al Davis keep Heyward-Bey after the Russell fiasco? Will the Raiders go to all ends of the earth to make it look like he was a good pick or realize quickly he just is not comfortable catching the ball and move on?
McFadden and Heyward-Bey are not the only ones who need to show up and produce, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly has been getting away with doing very little while collecting a huge paycheck. Kelly does not even have a viable back up, but with Russell gone he is the 300 pounder that has thrown no touchdowns and collected over $39 million.
The Raiders have begun to clean house. With Russell gone the team has a chance to step in the right direction.
Tags: 2010 NFL Draft, Al Davis, Darrius Heyward-Bey, JaMarcus Russell, RaiderBeat.com, Raiders, Raidersbeat.com, Wex
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i still have major concerns about our o-line. Langston finished up the year strong but im not quite sure he can hold up for 16 games. I still believe we are a few things away from becoming a legitimate contender. 1 wr we need a possesion receiver, yea chaz is good but hes always hurt. We also should make a pitch for omar gaither and bring in kevin mawae, Satelle is too small and gets pushed around. are dt unit might actually be ok since we got four 300lb guys instead of two 300s and two smaller de’s on the edge getting pushed around.
Walker was ok when we drafted him and then later on his career he started to play off I rember seeing him in a club in frisco before he left too buffalo.yea I wanted the raiders to upgrade our center he did not play that good
it’s jared gaither
Again while I like the idea of adding Gaither it’s going to cost us something, and if that something is a second round pick (as has been the reported amount needed for Gaither) we’d be without a first OR a second next year… Gaither is better than anything they would draft in the second or third round, so perhaps he would be a good move, just don’t think it’ll happen because they’re not goin to just not draft 1st or 2nd round next year.
As for Mawae I like him, always have, but he has one season left in the NFL and he’s done, since the Raiders aren’t superbowl contenders it seems like maybe a waste to get him on a one year rental… I’d rather see for sure what the deal is with Satele… Because he’s young enough that if he’s solid with a good supporting cast around him he’ll be here for a while… Mawae even the best case scenario he’s gone in two years just in time to start getting aclimated we’re going to need a new guy…
I wouldn’t mind adding to the OL, but right now I think it’s probably average… And an average OL is fine… Rome wasn’t build overnight. It’s been a great offseason and we added two potential starters on the OL, plus we have a STUD LG and Mario Henderson will be just fine in time, but I do think he’s better suited for RT… Regardless this OL could be very good in time…
You’re right Raaaaaaaaaaiderrrrs, adding Gaither through trade will cost us, but i’m not sure it will be as high as the 2′nd rd. reported around the draft.. They demoted him to RT to make room for Oher, and he’s really pricy for a RT, so they’ll have a problem next year when he is unrestricted - he will demand starting LT money, cause that what he will get in another franchise, so getting a little value now, might be good enough for them to go for it.. 3rd., maybe, or a 3rd. + a 5rd., but definately think ha could get here cheaper than a 2rd.! Also, why are everyone forgetting about Barnes? He was injured aout of the gate last season, which is why he failed, but look at his production before he came here - pretty good actually!
I agree that Mawae is a bit too old, since we’re reconstructing the team, but he could be added as a back up, since no one seems to want him.. If we could be able to get Gaither, which i hope as long as the price is not too steep, we could use a line with LT: Gaither, LG: Gallery, C: Satele, RG: Barnes, RT: Henderson.. Then Veldheer could be worked in at tackle at a steady pace, Campbell as well, while taking snaps at G as well, and Mawae could possibly be brought in to support, help and guide the young line, as well as take on the powerfull NT’s that Satele struggles with.. Would be a good and very powerfull O-line in my mind, and our running game would definately benefit from it!
Also, regarding Dline, i’m really looking forward to see Desmond Bryant this season! Heard he gaine 20 lbs, and is weighing 310 now - all muscle, and with the developement he underwent last season, he could really show up! Great motor, strength and he’s intelligent, think he will have a breakthrough year!
My two cents…. I find it very humorous when I read post on how the Raiders need to pick up guys such as WR T.O. or LT Gaither let me remind you Raider Nation it was these types of guys that helped get us in the current situation that Tom Cable is trying to get us out of. (Do you remember the high priced free agents such as Moss, or Hall just to name a few that where suppose to come in and save our franchise?)Signing these very talented players to huge contracts would be like taking 3 steps backwards for every one step we take forward. I agree that they have the potential to have an immediate impact on the field but it’s the off the field and locker room stuff that divides a team. Everyone in the Nation hammered Russell because of his laziness and work ethics but we want to sign Gaither who is rumored to have some of the same issues. Coach Cable seems to putting his stamp on this team and this organization by surrounding himself with guys that have the desire to play, the willingness to learn, and the speed and talent to perform…. They might not be the most talented but I would rather have DHB, Murphy, and Shillens than Owens of Crabtree. The latter 2 might be more talented on the field but will cause more problems in the locker room and probably cost more money in the long run…Well Raider Nation that my two cents for what it’s worth…
I know, I know, we just had the draft and we have a whole season in front of us, but here are a couple of centers to keep an eye on that may be available in the second round next year:
Kristofer O’Dowd, C, USC
Height: 6-5. Weight: 298
Stefen Wisniewski, C/G, Penn State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 298
It’s only the beginning of may, no reason to panic yet. I’m sure durning and after OTA’s the Raiders will make some moves to solidify a few positions. Good players get released or traded for a reasonable price all the time now and until the beginning of the season. Yes, it works a little differently in uncapped season, but a good player will get shit canned for some reason or another, just wait and see. I wouldn’t doubt if Haynesworth gets flat out released at some point by the Redskins. He would fit nicely in the Raiders defense, but not at his current contract. Be patient Raiders nation. So far so good.
Pretty sure the Raiders have asked Hue Jackson his comments about Jared Gaither.The jury says he’s lazy,but gifted,so do we need another guy like J-Russ???I don’t want another player like that.
По моему мнению Вы не правы. Я уверен. Давайте обсудим это….
By Paul Wexler
RaiderBeat.com Staff Writer
JaMarcus Russell is gone. And so to, is the Raiders biggest excuse for losing games…..
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