By NANCY GAY
Monday, April 30, 2007
The Oakland Raiders drafted LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell No. 1 overall, but rookie coach Lane Kiffin _ getting his first taste of true NFL gamesmanship _ did little after that to distinguish himself running a draft board against the experienced big boys.
Two trades did little or nothing to help the team. We learned this much: Kiffin essentially told the NFL he didn't have what it took, be it patience, skills or the stomach, to motivate and coach Randy Moss.
So Kiffin did what we saw coming. He allowed a Super Bowl-proven winner, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, to pilfer the former All-Pro player, who essentially has been on ice the past two seasons for nothing more than second-day draft pick.
And how about that Day 1 deal with Detroit? You have to love that, too. The Raiders picked up two players, quarterback Josh McCown (NFL record as a starter: 9-12 in five seasons) and an overweight, bad-attitude wide receiver in Mike Williams.
They gave up a fourth-round pick for two players the Lions were about to cut anyway. And McCown can't be thrilled about this _ in 2006, he told his agent he'd rather be one of a dozen or so backup quarterbacks in Detroit than sign as a free agent in Oakland.
Down the road, the 49ers gave the Raiders a look at how a draft should be run. They get an "A" for foresight, effort and creativity, drafting a high-character, playmaking linebacker, Patrick Willis, in the first round. They made the bold move of grabbing a franchise offensive tackle, Joe Staley, with a trade for a late-first-round pick. Their other picks were sound and filled specific needs.
Coach Mike Nolan and personnel executive Scot McCloughan also completed a timely trade to get Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson in the fold, in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
Couple all this with a helluva free-agent haul, and it's a good day to be a 49ers fan.
Raiders fans have every right to feel a little uneasy right now.
Russell should be a superstar. But will he have the targets and the protection to really be successful any time soon? We know this: He won't have Moss.
Russell said over and over Saturday how thrilled he was to play on the same team with Moss. Now the franchise quarterback will throw deep to Doug Gabriel. A player, coincidentally, whom Belichick cut last season.
There's your vertical threat.
Sure, Moss lost his passion because of all the losing in Oakland. Tough to blame him. He was injured much of 2005, and more than a few players checked out mentally in last season's 2-14 disaster. And you know it had to gnaw at Al Davis, letting a proven playmaker get away for nothing after paying him millions and giving up so much to get him.
Sunday's dumping of Moss overshadowed the rest of the Raiders' draft performance, which was extremely mediocre considering the team had so many needs.
The Raiders should have made the move to grab Staley. They needed to upgrade an offensive line that surrendered an NFL-high 72 sacks. Instead, they drafted a slow, pass-catching tight end (Zach Miller), an underachieving defensive end (Quentin Moses) and two more wide receivers they don't need.
Other than selecting Russell, what did Kiffin get right?
Picking Louisville running back Michael Bush with the 100th overall selection. A 1,143-yard rusher in 2005 who had an NCAA-record 23 touchdowns, Bush broke his leg in last season's opener and required two surgeries and a titanium rod to repair the damage. Bush has been cleared medically and the Raiders got a break when he was still on the board.
Looking across the NFL, let's take a random look at some of the best and the worst draft moves:
Thumbs up
_ Browns: Cleveland GM Phil Savage cost Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn about $16 million in bonus money by picking him 22nd overall (through a trade) rather than third. But the Browns got the best offensive lineman in the draft, Joe Thomas, with that third pick. And Savage needs to personally thank the Dolphins for passing on Quinn at No. 9.
_ Buffalo: Drafting former Cal running back Marshawn Lynch at No. 12 was a surprise, but a good move for a Bills' team looking for an every-down back. Buffalo also grabbed Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny, a four-year starter, in the second round and stole Stanford quarterback Trent Edwards in the third round.
_ Cowboys: Owner Jerry Jones loves to deal on draft day and he pulled a coup, getting the Browns' second rounder and a No. 1 in 2008 to move down four spots. Then the Cowboys drafted a pass-rushing defensive end, Purdue's Anthony Spencer, to fit their 3-4 scheme.
Thumbs down
_ Dolphins: Considering all the questions at quarterback _ will that Trent Green trade ever happen? Will Daunte Culpepper ever be healthy? _ Miami coach Cam Cameron was rightfully booed for passing on Quinn. Ted Ginn Jr. is a speedy receiver and a good return man, but will he stay healthy?
_ Packers: After months of floating bogus Moss rumors, Green Bay didn't complete the giveaway deal to land him Sunday. Their loss. The Packers also didn't get a RB to replace Ahman Green. Then they drafted a defensive tackle, Justin Harrell, they didn't really need. Their fans aren't very happy right now.
_ Broncos: What has gotten into coach Mike Shanahan? He traded up four spots in the first round with the Jaguars to get a player, Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss, who probably would have been there at No. 21. And after all the warnings from Commissioner Roger Goodell about picking bad character players, the Broncos traded three picks and drafted one of the most troubled players on the board, defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, who was kicked off Florida's national championship team for multiple offenses.
On the fence
_ Patriots: Landing Moss was brilliant; there is little risk here. But rumors that Belichick might be looking to bolt after this season sure bear fruit when you look at his win-at-all-costs first-round choice, free safety Brandon Meriweather, whose stock fell because of accusations of firing a gun at an assailant and his role as instigator in the Miami-Florida International brawl.
Raider Draft
nancy gay's article was one of the worst I have read. Moss was traded for one reason-money. The nearly $20 million he was to get is earmarked for JRussell. MCcown RECENTLY stated he wanted to be traded to the Raiders if he could start, and his record is based on the losing team he played for. He will easily beat out Walter and get at least the first 4 games when the Raiders get their only easy stretch. Mike Williams has talent to go with attitude, and he'll play for Kiffin. Michael Bush will turn out to be the steal of the draft. Gota DE and didn't really need an OL due to free agency. Overall not a bad draft. B+.
I completly agree with Joe.
I completly agree with Joe. Unfortunatley in the world of sports media, the people reporting the information know absolutley nothing about it. I can't imagine that Nacy Gay had a sucessful career in football. With that being said journalist say things to get attention, and what better way to get that attention than to say controversial things.
Anyways better luck next time Nacy, mabey you should stick to writing articles about the home shopping network, and leave the football world to people with intelligent things to say.
This article is a complete
This article is a complete piece of rubbish. ESPN, and other long timer Raider Haters, have praised Kiffen, even calling Oakland a "force" in this draft.
Leave it to a woman to understand Randy Moss' delicate emotional state during his overpriced tenure in the bay! Honestly, I've read some bad articles after going 2-14, but this is the saddest excuse for journalism I've seen to date.
Huh?
Michael Bush was considered by most to be the 2nd rated player at RB before his injury, some people even listed him ahead of Peterson. He broke his leg, but didnt do any terrible luigament damage. He will be fine. Which brings me to my point, this team drafted a top 5 talent in the 4th round. That alone makes it a good draft.
The addition of the #1 QB in the draft, a solid tight end and a big time KR in Higgins all work for me, and then there is the McCown and Williams pickup. Remember when Williams was known as the most dominant WR coming out of college since Randy Moss? Remember who he was playing for when he was the best in the nation? Well anyway, Peter King gave the Raiders a B+, Kiper loved every pick but for some reason gave them a C+, and Nancy Gay says.....wait a minute, who is Nancy Gay?
Sad, all around
It's sad that you decided to right this piece without doing the proper research. Most experts think that unloading Moss was a sign that Kiffin isn't going to coddle malcontents like Moss. Trey Wingo (ESPN anchor) remarked "There's a new sheriff in town, and his name is Lane Kiffin" when he reported on the trade. All of our day one picks were very good and if Williams is half of what we thought he was coming out of college then that trade was amazing. The Bush pick was, as Kiffin says, a no brainer.
I am sorry that you wrote this piece, but I am also sorry that all these guys turn straight to sexism to make their points. Have your say fellas, leave the misogyny at home.
Kiffin's Draft
Kiffin is smart not to to tangle with punk ass Moss - at least he knows when to take on a project and when not to. That's a wise move...unfortunately Moss will probably do ok in New England.
It seems like Kiffin is trying to establish an air of quality personnel, like the Niners have started doing. If you look at all good sports dynasties, they all have bought into the team ethic...if a player doesn't buy in, L A T E R!!
"O" Line
I don't care who you get to play Quarterback, if you don't do some-
thing about the Offensive Line your whole draft is useless and next
year is going to be the same...The Raiders were always know for having
a great Offensive Line but for the last ten + years they have been terrible. big, fat and slow. With an offensive line Andrew Walter is all the Quarterback you need, give him time and he can do the job. I
guess with the size of Russell you probably figure he can block for Himself..
I think you certainly missed
I think you certainly missed the mark with this article. So let me get this straight:
Kiffin essentially told the NFL he didn't have what it took, be it patience, skills or the stomach, to motivate and coach Randy Moss. It's not about getting rid of a guy who completely quit on his team when things were incredibly tough. The Raiders weren't winning so what did he do? Not run routes, not show up and short arm almost all passes thrown his way. Then sitting out with BS injuries. Sometimes you cut your losses and move on. And let me make this very clear, that is NOT a reflection on Kiffin it's a reflection on Moss. It takes a lot to be completely reviled by RaiderNation, but Moss managed to do it.
So why isn't the flip true? Where's the rant at Nolan for not having the guts to take Marcus Thomas when they desperately needed and still need a pass rush? So only the Raiders are bagged for shipping out a malcontent. It's not about Moss devaluing himself to where he was only worth a 4th round pick, but Kiffin's deficiencies.
And I can't figure out if the Gabriel comment was to stay in tune with the Patriots theme or just plain laziness on your part. You can say alot about the Raiders, a dirth at WR isn't one of them. JaMarcus will have a plethora of recievers to pick from starting with a supposedly re-engergized Porter.
As far as McCown, he just recently stated he thought it would be a perfect fit for him to come to Oakland and quarterback. So he said something differently in 2004? Great fact checking there. Kudos to you. And Williams I'm sure was a throw in. He was an amazing talent coming out of USC, if Kiffin can't turn his career around then he'll be cut. So what exactly is the risk?
And for the Miller pick in the second round. Have you even watched a game over the last two years? There were basically two TE's in the draft and Miller was the other one. Yes he's not exceedingly fast, but he can block, go over the middle and catch the damn ball.
As for Bush, he'll probalby start the season on IR, get completely healthy and compete next year for the starting RB position. I wonder what you said about the Niner's Gore pick?
I admit I don't know much about Quentin Moses, but not sure where you get that he's underachieving. What exactly are you basing this on? He's undersized and had a down during his senior year, but he could also be a steal in the third round. Also in the 3rd round we picked an OT in Henderson.
I just wish occassionally a sports writer would extend the same fairness and unbaised reporting as they do the Niners to the Raiders.
Worst Reporter Ever
Wow, I have no idea how you were given a job doing sports journalism. Obviously ESPN hasn't brought you onto their staff for a reason. Kiffin inadequate? The Raiders fans have a reason to "feel uneasy?" Where do you get this crap? I think every fan I've talked to feels eccstatic to have basically swindled a 1st round talent Michael Bush. Moses was also a great player to take a risk on at a need position. TE Zach Miller, ANOTHER need position. I think the only legitimate thing you said, but in an idiotic way, was that Al Davis wished he could've gotten more for Moss. However, even before the draft it was highly speculated that they were gonna drop his unproductive Arse anyway. That is A LOT of money to pay a turd. Now we can reinvest it in young talent. And you are supposed to be a 'professional' analyst? wow...
What?
Over the years I've tried to avoid the word hate. I came close to an exception in your case. However, it appears your extreme dislike for the Raiders shines through brightly. Quentin Moses, with all due respect, was the Georgia pass rush. He found himself double and triple teamed most of the year since he was not surrounded by the talent Georgia normally puts on the field on defense. It was a down year for Georgia in general. And I am no fan of the Bulldogs, but at least I can be objective about them.
Mel Kiper rated Zach Miller as the second best tight end in college. He projected him as a possible late first rounder. He went pretty much exactly there. If Michael Bush makes it back, he will be a steal. Many medical experts state his leg could be stronger with the rod in it.
No coach should have the patience to put up with Moss. If a coach is spending half his time soothing the ego of one player, he’s an idiot. The mark of a true professional is to step to the fore front and try even harder when his team is going through adversity. Moss is not a “true†professional.
I think you should seriously consider returning the portion of you salary that would cover this article. Your research was incomplete and had the appearance of being shoddy and lazy.
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