Season 7 Year In Review The Raiders' faithful had a lot to cheer about this season Final Record: 13-3, Conference Championship Pro Bowlers: QB Rockford Odom, HB Kian Minor, WR MAcus Royal, TE Eric Legaux, LT Jared Veldheer, LG Brandon Hill, RG Miles Rotherman, CB Darrelle Revis Awards: QB Rockford Odom – AFC OPOTY, Best QB HB Kian Mino – Best RB WR Marcus Royal – Best WR LT Jared Veldheer – Best OL Darrelle Revis – Best DB Team Goals: 1. Clinch a playoff birth - Accomplished 2. Finish in the top 10 in team interceptions - Accomplished 3. Finish in the top 10 in team sacks - Accomplished Team Statistics: PPG: 20th Total Offense: 7th Total Defense: 1st Pass: 21st Rush: 2nd Def Pass: 1st Def Rush: 1st Total Sacks: 8th Defensive Interceptions: 1st Turnover Rank: 1st Passing Rockford Odom: 105.5 QBR, 63% completion, 3391 yards, 34 TDs, 9 INTs Rushing Kian Minor: 271 carries, 1584 yards, 5.8 avg, 12 TDs, 0 fumbles Sam Campbell: 142 carries, 590 yards, 4.2 avg, 3 TDs, 1 fumble Receiving Marcus Royal: 88 receptions, 1154 yards, 10 TDs Eric Legaux: 57 receptions, 594 yards, 8 TDs Benjamin Mims: 49 receptions, 760 yards, 8 TDs Mick Baca: 44 receptions, 572 yards, 3 TDs Blocking Jared Veldheer: 15 pcakes, 3 sacks Stefan Wisniewski: 6 pcakes, 2 sacks Miles Rotherman: 11 packaes, 0 sakcs Brandon Hill: 11 pcakes, 4 sacks Jewuane Thomas: 5 pcakes, 7 sacks Defense Marquise Duncan: 65 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 FF Kenneth Crenshaw: 57 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF Paul Kuger: 54 tackles, 11 sacks, 1 INT, 3 FF, 2 FREC Miles Burris: 56 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 FF Tyvon Branch: 50 tackles, 1 interceptions Chance Green: 49 tackles, 4 interceptions Darelle Revis: 51 tackles, 10 INTs, 3 TDs Reshaun Norwood: 41 tackles, 2 INTs Lamarr Houston: 56 tackles, 13 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR Davion Smith: 28 tackles, 7 sacks FS Aerion Hill: 48 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INTs Kicking Sebastian Janikowski: 34-45, 51 long, 98% PAT Punting Zachary Thornhill: 48.8 avg, 20 inside 20 Kick Return Mick Baca: 13 KR, 491 yards, 37.8 avg, 2 TDs Chance Green: 14 KR, 450 yards, 32.1 avg, 1 TD Punt Return Joe Bautista: 40 PR, 360 yards, 9.0 avg, 1 TD Around the League: NFL MVP: Jeremiah Saunders, QB, Falcons Coach of the Year: Coach Peench, Raiders AFC OPOTY: Rockford Odom, QB, Raiders AFC DPOTY: Robert Quinn, DE, Patriots AFC OROTY: Ryan McNeilly, QB, Texans AFC DROTY: Jason Shields, DE, Broncos NFC OPOTY: Jeremiah Saunders, QB, Falcons NFC DPOTY: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Giants NFC OROTY: Mike Garmon, HB, Packers NFC DROTY: James Gbor, FS, Vikings Key Retirees: Aaron Rodgers Greg Jennings Reggie Bush Raider Retirees: MLB Omar Gaither Analysis: Hell of a season, and I’m really proud of the way my defense played – 1st total defense, 1st run defense, 1st pass defense, 8th in total sacks and 1st in interceptions. Odom continues to ascend and establish himself as an elite QB, but it’s interesting that I passed on Saunders and he’s now the NFL MVP (I’d take Odom, who was once MVP as well, any day). Minor is a fantastic back, and my defense finally did what I’ve been trying to get it to do: make plays! I’ve got a lot of work to do this offseason, so no rest for the weary. Still thirsty for that second ring!
Season 7 Re-Sign Players Resigned C Stefan Wisniewski: Contract accepted, 4/$16.2 million TE Eric Legaux: Contract accepted, 5/$38 million LT Jared Veldheer: Contract accepted, 5/$50.5 million SS Quinton Carter: Contract accepted, 2/$2.2 million CB Joe Bautista: Contract accepted, 2/$1.7 million Not resigned/Rejected CB Chance Green: Contract rejected MLB AJ Hawk: Not resigned HB Emmanuel Humphrey: Not resigned LG Amini Silatolu: Not resigned C Joe Hawley: Not resigned WR Jermichael Colvin: Not resigned Analysis: I got everyone back I wanted, with the exception of Chance Green. Green is a huge need, as the former #4 overall pick has incredible ball skills and great return ability. With an aging Darrelle Revis, this was an essential guy to get back. I’m contemplating tagging him for $11 million. Update: For a steep price, the Raiders have franchise tagged CB Chance Green. The former LSU star hopes to work out a long term deal this season, though he is unhappy with his role as the starting Nickel. CB Chance Green: Franchise Tag
Season 7 Free Agency Cap Room $19.4 million Star players LT Eugene Monroe (92): Signed – Eagles WR Dwayne Bowe (91): Signed – Browns WR Hakeem Nicks (91): Signed – Packers DE Adrian Clayborn (90): Signed – Rams FS Sebastian White (89): Signed – Bills WR Michael Crabtree (88): Signed – Ravens MLB Shane Duncan (88): Signed – Bengals MLB Brandon Spikes (87): Signed – Eagles QB Ladarris Vaughn (87): Signed - Rams OLB Takoby Brown (86): Signed – Bucs Targets DE Cameron Heyward LG Sean Duncan MLB Demario Davis FS James Sanders Signings DE Cameron Heyward MLB Demario Davis FS James Sanders Analysis: I really, really wanted to go after the 25 year old FS Sebastian White (89), but after tagging Chance Green I really can’t afford to do so.
A Look Back at the Year 2 Draft Miami 1(1): CB, Zoey Royster His career: Royster has had a very solid career, clinching a pro bowl bid in his 4th season. He has 18 career interceptions, and has solidified himself as the Dolphins #1 CB. Where he is now: He’s still with Miami as their top corner (87 overall) Ravens 1(2): HB Andrew Chandler His career: Chandler looked like an absolute monster coming out, but I was concerned he’d be buried behind Ray Rice and not used efficiently. Where he is now: As expected, he’s been buried behind Rice – and it’s really unfortunate. As a matter of fact, he’s failed to register more than 20 attempts and is an 84 overall. Jets 1(3): QB Matt Williams His career: It was a shocker when the Jets passed on Jason Marian for Williams, but turns out he came out with a higher overall Where he is now: : Both Williams and Marian are now backups. After 5 very solid seasons for the Jets, they moved up in the first to get Notre Dame QB Terry Carter. Carter took over, and as a result, Williams is a back-up. He’s now an 81 overall. Packers 1(4): MLB Simon Jones His career: After sitting his rookie season, Jones assumed a starting spot for the Packers. He had four decent years, but had only one season of 70+ tackles. Where he is now: Jones became a free agent this past offseason and joined the Browns, where he is their #2 MLB behind D’Qwell Jackson, and has an overall of 88. Dolphins (5): DE Emmanuel Cook His career: Cook was by all accounts a bust. He never started a game for the Dolphins. Where he is now: Cook is now a FA. Panthers (6): WR Pierce Cherry His career: Much like Cook, he failed to make an impact with the Panthers. Where he is now: After falling out of favor in Carolina, Cherry moved on to Falcons as a starting slot receiver. There, he’s had a good deal of success – catching 10 TD passes last season. He’s rated a 79. Lions (7): WR Jeremiah Silver His career: After sitting his first three seasons, Silver assumed the role of slot WR for the Lions. He’s had a good bit of success since, averaging 50 catches and 5 TDs over the last 3 seasons. Where he is now: He is the 3rd WR in a stacked position for the LIions (Megatron, AJ Greene, Silver). He’s rated an 84. Cardinals (8): UNC QB Jason Merian His career: After sitting for 4 years on the Arizona roster, Marian blew up in his contract year (QBR 94, 4400 yards 33 TDs 17 INTs). He was voted MVP and OPOTY, but his rookie contract wasn’t renewed. Where he is now: Marian is now the back-up at Tennessee, and is listed as an 81 overall. Bengals (9): Kenneth Rogers, OLB His career: Rogers never started for the Bengals, and has since been released. Where he is now: Rogers is now a FA. Bust, bust, bust. Seahawks (10): RT Jayme Arnold His career: Arnold assumed the starting RT role immediately, and hasn’t looked back since. He’s been named a pro-bowler several times, and is the cornerstone of Seattle’s OL Where he is now: Arnold is still the starting RT for Seattle, and a 93 overall Analysis: This was a pretty weird draft, and it has come to showcase just how poorly the CPU handles first round talent. It pains me to see Chandler so buried in that depth chart, as I would’ve loved to have him myself.
Season 7 NFL Draft Preview: Sitting at the back end of the draft, but do own two 2nds and 2 6ths. Looks like a relatively top-heavy draft, so I’ll be looking to fill some needs early on. Yet again, there don’t seem to be any elite 34 edge rushers (getting very annoying). CB Vaetuitonga Tauue’etia is the highest rated player on my board, but I doubt he falls to me. Remember, Revis is 34 years old now. Needs: FB, WR, OLB, CB, S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1(1) Jets: QB Terry Carter -This pick doesn’t make much sense to me. They drafted Matt Williams in the top five just a few years ago, and he’s been solid (81). 1(2) Giants: SS Brett Davis 1(3) Chiefs: WR Ravonne Winters 1(4) Eagles: LE Xavier Sims 1(5) Cowboys: DT Kameel Brown 1(6) Cardinals: LT Antonio Green 1(7) Seahawks: DT Jabari Dawn 1(8) Chargers: DT Latwan Smith 1(9) Broncos: CB Vaetuitonga Tauue’etia -Would’ve loved this guy – looked like a stud 1(10) Broncos: HB Damon Young ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -OLB Charone Watkins is definitely my target here, but I highly doubt he’s around when I pick. -Watkins goes 20th overall to Baltimore ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1(30) The candidates: CB David Martinez: We all know I love LSU corners, and this looks to be a fine one here with good size and coverage skills. Will need another CB for when Revis hangs em up. SS Zoey Thompson: A high flying, big hitting strong safety. Tyvon Branch is getting up there in age, I need to start grooming his replacement The pick: CB David Martinez, LSU. 6’1/185 Looks like he could be a solid player, either on the outside or in the nickel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -The guy I really want here is the FB Connor “Hammer” Ratliff. Again, I have a FB who is getting very old, so I may move up to get this guy. -Zoey Thompson goes to the Saints with the 6th pick in the 2nd -With Thompson gone, I’m going to make a move. -I traded the 31st pick in the 2nd, my 6th, and my 7th to move up and grab Hammer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2(7) The pick: FB Conrad “Hammer” Ratliff, PSU, 6’0/248 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -So far I’ve hit on two needs with two solid player. I’m quite happy, but need to keep finding guys to inject some youth into aging positions. DT Winford McElhaney is the highest rated player left on my board, and RE Vincent Little isn’t far behind. -McElhaney goes with the 10th pick in the 2nd (Dolphins) -Ahh, Vincnet Little goes two picks before me (Redskins) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2(30) The pick: Traded to Miami for a 1st next season Didn’t have anyone that fit need/value here, so I move on. An awful lot for Miami to give up, will have to take note of who they get ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Miami takes QB Brice Dobeef . With a young, successful QB already, this pick makes no sense. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -I know focus on some edge rushers. Angelo Likely, Durrel Tomlinson, and Desmond Lovett are the highest rated players on my board at that position. -And just like that, Lovett goes the pick before me to Washington. Ugh. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3(3) The candidates: OLB Durrell Tomlinson: Kid out of Southern Miss who seems to have good speed (B), acc (B), and hit power (B). His instincts are definitely lacking. OLB Angelo Likely: Another big edge rusher, this one from Florida A&M. What Tomlinson lacks in instincts, Likely has in intangibles. The pick: OLB Durrell Tomlinson, Southern Miss, 6’4/250. I chose athleticism over intangibles here, and it’ll be interesting to see how that works out. Generally, I’d say the athletic guy is the better guy, but remember that I’m simming these games. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -There is a LG Aryn Depriest left, and he’s one of the highest rated guys left on my board. Aside from that, there are a few WRs left that have some return ability that I covet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Ugh, my game glitched – I couldn’t make a pick or pause, so it autopicked 4(30) The pick: WR Jason Phillips Not a guy I had on my radar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -My LG Aryn Depriest goes right after as a result (Bears) -OLB Angelo Likely goes to the Chiefs with the 25th pick in the 5th. Fell way down. Probably a good sign for me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5(30) The candidates: WR Clarence Miller, UCLA: Small, nimble, elusive (A), and fast WR with A return skills WR Desmond Walden, Wyoming: Big, great athlete (A Spd A Ac), with solid pass catching ability. The pick: Desmond Walden, Wymoing, 6’2/204 This was a really tough call for me. Miller looked to be the better returner, but Walden had more value as a receiver (still solid return skills). Only time will tell if I made the right call here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -With no safeties left of any value, it will likely come down to defensive end. I have three DE prospects, as well as a nose tackle in play. -Both DE picks go before my pick, will have to hope the NT falls. -And he does, Raiders on the clock. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6(30) The pick: DT Keon Howard, Oklahoma. 6’2/342 Huge nose tackle who was the last player on my board with a draft-able grade. If anything, he provides some good depth as a space eater. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -After trading my 7th rounder, that ends my draft. Pleased with this haul, though the auto-pick hurts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall Impressions: Other than the auto-pick, I’m really happy with this draft. The class was sub-par, but I found some good value in areas of real need. Projected Draft Grade (without knowing overalls): B Riskiest move: Auto picked WR Jason Phillips Safe bet: FB Connor Ratliff looks like a monster. Safe to say he’ll be ready to take over when Reece retires. Guys to keep an eye on: The LG I would’ve taken if not auto picked (Aryn Depriest), and the OLB Lovett that went right before me to the Redskins. Unfulfilled needs: Safety
Season 7 Draft Review Round 1 (30): CB David Martinez, LSU, 6’1/185 Rating: 78 Evaluation: Pleased with the value/need of this pick. Revis is 34, and Green had to be tagged. This is a good insurance policy against either player leaving. Round 2 (7): FB Conrad “The Hammer” Ratliff, PSU, 6’0//261 Rating: 88 overall Evaluation: Traded up to get the storyline player, and it looks like it was worthwhile to do so. The Hammer is a monster run blocker, and should be set to take over when Reece (340 retires). Round 3 (3): OLB Durrell Tomlinson, Southern Miss, 6’4/250. Rating: 75 overall Evaluation: He’s a solid rush backer with developmental skills and quick development. Hard to complain about this pick, as I need some young depth with Burris in a contract year and Kruger getting old. Round 4 (30): WR Jason Phillips, Oregon, 5’11/194 Rating: 64 overall Evaluation: This auto-pick was a killer. He brings nothing to the table. Round 5 (30): Desmond Walden, Wyoming, 6’2/204 Rating: 69 Evaluation: Walden has 99 speed and acceleration, and is a great returner (94). He brings value, and this is a good pick for the end of the 5th. Round 6 (30): DT Keon Howard, Oklahoma. 6’2/342 Rating: 75 overall Evaluation: Big nose guard who has incredible value this late in the draft. A really, really good pick for me at this spot. Upon further review: The LG I was going to take until being auto-picked turned out to be an 81 overall, while the OLB Lovett was only a 69 overall. Draft Grade: B+ Analysis: I got really good need and value in this draft, as I successfully injected youth at positions of need (or aging positions). The auto-pick is the only thing preventing me from an A. Getting that guard would’ve made this a slam dunk draft.
Season 8 5 Burning Questions Heading into Preseason 1. Can the defense continue to dominate? The #1 defense in the NFL last season helped propel this team to the conference championship. In order to get back, they’ll need to be equally as good. 2. Is Marcel Reece’s time up? He’s 34 years old and the Raiders just drafted Conrad “The Hammer” Ratliff in the 2nd round. It’ll be interesting to see if Reece can hold off Ratliff. 3. Can Benjamin Mims continue to ascend? Mims has been good, but it’s hard to say he’s justified his #3 overall pick. Perhaps this is the year he breaks through. 4. How will Revis perform following a Pro Bowl season? He’s now 34 years of age, and not getting any younger. Is this the year he starts to decline? 5. Can Kenneth Crenshaw step up? Ever since releasing oft-troubled Rolando McClain, the Raiders have failed to find a solution at the second MLB spot. Crenshaw has incredible physical tools, but they’ve yet to translate on the field.
