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Clever_Iggy · 01-21-2008, 05:45 PM

As a Raiders fan I've been dying since 2002. We shipped out John Gruden and that was the beginning of the end. Since 2002 our first round draft picks have been:

2002 #17 - Phillip Buchanon (CB) - softest CB in the league. Sent to Houston.

2002 #23 (from TB for Gruden) - Napoleon Harris (LB) - sent to the Vikings for Moss. No longer with the Vikings (I believe).

2003 #31 Nnamdi Asomugha (CB) - great CB. Took time to develop but a good pick.

2003 #32 (from TB for Gruden) - Tyler Brayton (DE) - part time player - shifted to a hybrid LB position for awhile. I dont think he'll be back this year.

2004 #2 - Robert Gallery (OT) - brutal. Moved to guard because he's too slow to play OT. Probably wouldnt be with the team if it wasnt for his massive rookie contract. Set the team back at least a couple seasons.

2005 #23 (originally had the #7 pick but traded for Moss... ugh)- Fabian Washington (CB) - part time starter. Decent.

2006 #7 - Michael Huff (SS) - became a starter this year, but we had a chance to address our QB needs with Leinart/Cutler available. A good pick, but not the right pick... which leads us to:

2007 #1 - JaMarcus Russell (QB) - Skeletor was mesmerized by Russells ability to throw a ball 120 yards while lying on his back. A big arm, above average mobility and a big body. Tools to be a successful QB, but Im not holding my breath. If we didnt screw up 2006, we could have looked to trade down to fill more holes or blown the pick on another OT.

With Sapp retiring and us actually holding onto a coach for more than a season (dont get me started on Art Shell), there are lots of changes in Raider land. D-Coordinator Rob Ryan was retained despite Lane Kiffen's objection (and the Raiders finishing 22nd in total defense). The offense is going to be going through growing pains with Russel getting the ball from the start but at least this year we are definitely in the rebuilding mode (not hanging on with Gannon, Culpepper, Brooks, etc...). Porter (WR) is finally going to be let go (about 3 seasons overdue) but that leave a huge hole at WR... which may be where we're looking in this years draft with the #3 or #4 pick. Our defense is good in the secondary (it better be with the number of draft picks we're spent back there) and at linebacker (our strongest position) but very weak on the defensive line (a rejuvinated Sapp was great along with Burgess... we need more though).

Second year of the Kiffen experiment. First year of the Russell experiment (I purposely avoided the use of the word "era" because, I dont buy it yet). The Raiders have a plan... I think.

01-21-2008, 05:45 PM	#28
Clever_Iggy Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: City by the Bay Exp:	As a Raiders fan I've been dying since 2002. We shipped out John Gruden and that was the beginning of the end. Since 2002 our first round draft picks have been: 2002 #17 - Phillip Buchanon (CB) - softest CB in the league. Sent to Houston. 2002 #23 (from TB for Gruden) - Napoleon Harris (LB) - sent to the Vikings for Moss. No longer with the Vikings (I believe). 2003 #31 Nnamdi Asomugha (CB) - great CB. Took time to develop but a good pick. 2003 #32 (from TB for Gruden) - Tyler Brayton (DE) - part time player - shifted to a hybrid LB position for awhile. I dont think he'll be back this year. 2004 #2 - Robert Gallery (OT) - brutal. Moved to guard because he's too slow to play OT. Probably wouldnt be with the team if it wasnt for his massive rookie contract. Set the team back at least a couple seasons. 2005 #23 (originally had the #7 pick but traded for Moss... ugh)- Fabian Washington (CB) - part time starter. Decent. 2006 #7 - Michael Huff (SS) - became a starter this year, but we had a chance to address our QB needs with Leinart/Cutler available. A good pick, but not the right pick... which leads us to: 2007 #1 - JaMarcus Russell (QB) - Skeletor was mesmerized by Russells ability to throw a ball 120 yards while lying on his back. A big arm, above average mobility and a big body. Tools to be a successful QB, but Im not holding my breath. If we didnt screw up 2006, we could have looked to trade down to fill more holes or blown the pick on another OT. With Sapp retiring and us actually holding onto a coach for more than a season (dont get me started on Art Shell), there are lots of changes in Raider land. D-Coordinator Rob Ryan was retained despite Lane Kiffen's objection (and the Raiders finishing 22nd in total defense). The offense is going to be going through growing pains with Russel getting the ball from the start but at least this year we are definitely in the rebuilding mode (not hanging on with Gannon, Culpepper, Brooks, etc...). Porter (WR) is finally going to be let go (about 3 seasons overdue) but that leave a huge hole at WR... which may be where we're looking in this years draft with the #3 or #4 pick. Our defense is good in the secondary (it better be with the number of draft picks we're spent back there) and at linebacker (our strongest position) but very weak on the defensive line (a rejuvinated Sapp was great along with Burgess... we need more though). Second year of the Kiffen experiment. First year of the Russell experiment (I purposely avoided the use of the word "era" because, I dont buy it yet). The Raiders have a plan... I think. Last edited by Clever_Iggy; 01-21-2008 at 05:49 PM.