Quote:
Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan
I love to hate the Raiders, but one thing I noticed this year under Kiffin is how hard they played. That's something that has not been there the last several seasons IMO.
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They did play hard(er) last season which was a nice change. With Moss, Porter and the majority of the offense dogging it the past couple seasons (especially under the watchful eye, er, blank stare of Art Shell), some effort was appreciated.
We need major help on offense (other than the QB position) and our d-line is in need of a major facelift. With either the #3 or #4 pick some big names available are: McFadden, Long (OT - Michigan), Long (DE - Virginia) who is the son of Howie Long, Dorsey (DT - LSU), or Sweed (WR - Texas).
Rumor has it that Jerry Jones would love to move up to get McFadden (a fellow Razorback) which might be what the Raiders need - a package of players to fill lots of holes (the Cowboys also have the #22 (from Cleveland - Quinn deal) and #29 overall picks). I wouldnt be excited about Jones or Barber coming as part of the trade, but we'll see. I dont think the Cowboys could part with enough roster players for the Raiders to justify dropping from #3/4 to #22 and/or #29... maybe the Cowboys will have to take two steps to get up that high.
There could be interest from teams wanting to move up to take Matt Ryan (QB - BC) before Atlanta can draft him (assuming the Raiders get the #3 pick). Perhaps Baltimore (#8 overall) if they favor Ryan over Brohm (Louisville) or the Bears (#14) who are definitely in need of a future QB. Right now the QB order looks to be Ryan, Brohm and Woodson (Kentucky).
An interesting development would be if the Raiders could sign UFA DT - Albert Hainsworth in the offseason. He was a monster last year and despite his spotty record (the head stomp), he showed that he had changed this past season. That would shore up our D-line and allow us to either draft McFadden, Long (OT) or trade down. I would love to draft Howie's son, but our offense needs a threat and we're losing WR and potentially all of our RBs.
Enough about me though. What about some other teams' futures?
