Oakland Raiders Sack New York

By MikeBullock  |   Thursday, April 29, 2010  |  Comments( 1 )

Oakland Raiders
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The buck stops here.

Finally.

No more of the “idiotic draft day blunder” discussions. No more rants about Oakland’s inability to manage a draft intelligently. Finally, Al Davis and his entourage pulled off a solid, respectable outing in New York during last weekend’s NFL draft and it’s almost surreal.

When many, me included, were expecting some far reaching pick at the number eight slot, Oakland grabbed a great linebacker in Alabama’s Rolando McClain. While you just never know who turns into a draft bust or boom until the season is well underway, from where we’re standing now, the Raiders struck gold with this pick.

Next on the docket was Texas Longhorn run stuffer LeMarr Houston who began his collegiate career as a defensive end before moving to tackle in his junior year. Under the tutelage of great Raider defensive line coach Mike Waufle, expect Houston to bounce around a bit on the line, blowing up running attacks more often than not.

These two picks combine to address a sorely porous run defense and should go a long way to slowing down opposing run games.

Next up came Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell, a pair of offensive tackles who also address a glaring weakness on the Raiders. Veldheer is a mountain of a man, at 6’8” and 312 lbs. Hailing from a small division II school, Hillsdale, it’s quite possible he fell under the radar of many scouts. Campbell, a high profile tackle out of Maryland is more a fit for Oakland’s standard height-weight-speed picks, and put on one of the most impressive workouts at the NFL scouting combine. It could go either way with these two.

Next up was Clemson’s “lightning in cleats” receiver and return man Jacoby Ford. While many start to put the old sneer back on, bashing Davis for drafting another track star, the fact is this kid can catch and he’s lethal in the return game. Expect him to hit the lineup this season, as long as he can get chemistry with new quarterback, Jason Campbell.

Walter McFadden, another fleet footed player, this time a DB from Auburn, was next up in Oakland’s draft. McFadden comes with a pedigree of sorts, as he’s the younger brother of two time Superbowl champion cornerback Bryant McFadden of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many consider McFadden a ball hawking star in the making and he’s certainly a great pick for Oakland in the fifth round. With Nnamdi Asomugha to show him the ropes, McFadden’s upside could be huge.

Round six saw Davis go west for ASU’s standout linebacker, Travis Goethel, who played in 50 games for the Sun Devils, racking up 228 tackles, 19 for a loss and two sacks. He’s a big, physical kid who loves to hit. Oakland’s days of needing help in the linebacker corps may be coming to an end.

Jeremy Ware and Stevie Brown rounded out the draft class. Ware, the All-Big Ten honorable mention recipient was the second best corner on Michigan State’s 2009 team. Brown, Michigan’s safety/linebacker hybrid played in 50 consecutive games for the Wolverines and brought 186 tackles, four forced fumbles and four picks to the team.

Only time will tell if the Raider’s coaching staff can teach these guys to play like NFL caliber athletes, but overall, this is about as solid a draft class as Oakland has had in years, with Ware and Campbell the only remotely questionable picks. Hopefully, the same will still be said looking back on it once the players have made their mark on the field.
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