Raiders ready to part with Russell?

It seems like it’s almost that time – when the Raiders and Al Davis will part with former 1st overall pick JaMarcus Russell.  If the Raiders were to keep Russell on the roster for opening day they would owe him a $6 million roster bonus.  When you add that to his salary that would total almost $10 million to essentially hold a clipboard.  There’s talk that the Raiders will ask Russell to take a pay cut, but word is that Russell will not accept.  I would expect to see Russell gone before mini camp next week, as they don’t want to risk injury which would force them to pay him.

Raiders interested in Faneca?

According to multiple sources, the Raiders are interested in recently released G Alan Faneca.  At the post-draft press conference, Coach Cable brushed this off, but then again when have the Raiders ever shown their cards?  The release becomes official on Monday morning, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Undrafted Free Agents

Here’s a list of undrafted free agents that the Raiders have signed so far:

Trent Guy, WR, Louisville
Manase Tonga, FB, BYU
Brashton Satele, LB, Hawaii
Alex Daniels, DE, Cinci
Alex Parsons, RG, USC
Andre Anderson, RB, Tulane

Hopefully we’ll find a gem in there somewhere!

NFL Draft Analysis

The Raiders had one of the best drafts that I can remember and most of the media seemed to agree.  Their draft choices were as follows:

Round 1 Pick 8 – Rolando McClain (ILB Alabama) – Cable says this was the Raiders guy, and they got him.  Some analysts say that this might be a little bit of a reach at 8, but I don’t think so.  Some feel the Jaguars would have grabbed him at 10, the Broncos at 11, and the Giants at 15.  McClain will most likely start from day one, and was the best ILB prospect in the draft.  He’s a defensive leader and I fully expect him to become the leader of the Raider’s defense.  Last year the Raiders were ranked 29th against the run, and this instantly makes them better.  Great character guy as well .

Round 2 Pick 42 – Lamarr Houston (DT/DE – Texas) – This pick continues to show that they Raiders recognize their weakness at stopping the run.  A big guy at 6’2″ 300 pounds with a big motor who should be able to step in and compete right away or at least provide some depth for the d-line.  Cable hinted at sliding him back over to DE, where he played his first two years at Texas after being converted from RB.  Great value at 42 overall, especially considering they traded down twice to acquire a 5th and a 6th round pick.  Another great character guy.

Round 3 Pick 69 – Jared Velheer (OT – Hillsdale) – At first glance I wasn’t sure of this pick, but after doing some research I feel that Raider fans will absolutely love this guy.  He played at DII Hillsdale, where he did not allow a sack his entire career.  Yes, you read correctly – he did not allow a sack in his four years there.  I put a lot of stock into what Cable says about o-line prospects, and it was clear from the press conference that he is in love with this guy.  That’s good enough for me and at 6’8″ 312 he’s definitely got the size to play LT at some point in his career.

Round 4 Pick 106 – Bruce Campbell (OT – Maryland) – Great value at this selection.  It was clear that Campbell falling to the Raiders in the 4th was just to hard for them to pass up.  He has the potential to be an elite tackle in the NFL with the right coaching.  Campbell is definitely a guy that you want getting off the bus first (6’6″ 314), as he is a physical specimen.  In an conference call with some Raiders media, Campbell said that he was disappointed to have fallen and definitely has a chip on his shoulder – great news for Raiders fans.  There’s a few concerns with his technique that Cable  can hopefully address early, but I don’t necessarily see him stepping in a tackle right away.  Cable also mentioned that he could play RG.  Campbell is essentially a project, but that has the potential to pay off big time.

Round 4 Pick 108 – Jacoby Ford (WR – Clemson) – The Raiders got this pick from Jacksonville as part of a trade for Kirk Morrison.  Ford was the fastest guy at the combine with a 4.28 40 yard dash time, so he is definitely an “Al Davis” type pick.  Ford was drafted mainly for his KR/PR skills (which Cable praised), but could eventually develop into a slot-type receiver.  At first glance I questioned this pick, but once I took a look at some highlights and saw his KR/PR skills it seems that this was a solid pick.

Round 5 Pick 138 – Walter McFadden (CB – Auburn) – The Raiders are thin at the CB spot, so it was good to see the position addressed.  McFadden’s highlights show that he is a fairly good man cover corner, and possesses some serious tackling ability.  Coach Cable feels that he could come in and contribute right away on ST, and eventually become a vital part of the Raiders secondary.  (Side note – His brother, Bryan McFadden, plays for the Steelers.  The Raiders will face the Steelers in Pittsburgh on November 21st)

Round 6 Pick 190 – Travis Goethel (ILB – Arizona St) – Solid player from Arizona State who has worked his way up the draft boards lately.  He’s a hard worker who could come in and contribute on special teams right away.  Solid value in the 6th.

Round 7 Pick 215 – Jeremy Ware (CB – Michigan St) – Kind of a surprising pick, as CB was addressed earlier and there were other needs (G/DT/C).  After listening to Tom Cable it appears that this was another special teams pick, with the hope of developing him at CB.

Round 7 Pick 251 – Stevie Brown (S – Michigan) – Another potential ST player (maybe this is why the Raiders are so good at covering kicks).  Projects to be a situational run stuffing safety as well, who has potential to make some big plays.

Trade 1 – Moved down from 39 to 42 and picked up a 5th rounder from Tampa Bay.

Trade 2 – Moved down again from pick 42 to pick 44 and picked up a 6th rounder from New England.

Analysis – It’s nice to finally see the Raiders moving around and getting better value for picks.  According to Cable, they had two guys they were targeting at 39, they were both there again at 42, and then again at 44 when they selected Houston.  Great move.

Trade 3 – Traded back into the 4th to grab Jacoby Ford.  In order to move up they gave up a 5th round pick and Kirk Morrison to Jacksonville.

Analysis – I really like the pick, but I feel that Jacksonville got the better end of the deal.  Morrison was expected to be released if he wasn’t traded, so I guess it’s better than nothing.

Trade 4 – Jason Campbell for a 2012 4th round pick.  I absolutely love this pick for a couple reasons.  1. It addressed Oakland’s biggest need at the time.  2. With only giving up a 2012 4th round pick, there is little to no risk.  It was good to see them extend his contract a year, and I expect him to be the starter come training camp.  Campbell is head and shoulders better than anyone else the Raiders have, and instantly (in my opinion) puts them in contention in the AFC West.

Overall  A-

I would have liked to see the Raiders address OG/C/DT more, but overall I feel this was the strongest draft the Raiders have had in recent memory.  Great job Al and the rest of the guys!

Raiders enter the Big Ben picture?

(Mike Florio)

Not long ago, there was a belief that the Steelers hadn’t ruled out a trade of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in order to scare him regarding the possibility of being traded to Oakland.

Now, he may have good reason to be afraid.

Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reports that the Steelers have been in contact with the Raiders regarding a possible trade, and that Oakland “[m]ight be [the] only real option.”

The Steelers apparently want a top-ten pick for Roethlisberger.  If the Raiders won’t send the eighth overall selection to Pittsburgh, the next question becomes whether the Steelers would begin to consider taking pick 11, 12, or 13.

The 49ers hold the 13th pick, and Roethlisberger grew up rooting for the team.