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It is obvious we have edge rushers to spare now. For us to move from good to great- we need someone who can collapse the pocket. I think the guys we have are good but not anyone that we can count on to break the middle of the opposing O-line.
What is even scarier is that the line is so potentially scary without even factoring in Aldon Smith.
I did not hear that about him and, while I did not read about him being a McSorley type enforcer I did love what I read about all the effort he put in just to make it to practice. Guy is a hard worker and my guess is that there isn't much "back-down" in him. IMO he is built like a John Henderson, albeit slightly smaller, and JDR knew how to use Henderson in the middle and I think the plan is to develop him into that role.
That's why I said he reminds me of a slightly smaller (2" & 32 lbs, not ~40) version of Henderson. Henderson was long for his weight and so is Ward. I don't think they drafted him to be a DE, at least not according to everything I heard during the draft.
I always believe the pinnacle of goondom is Tiger Williams, but love the old time hockey reference regardless.Chaka said:
Well....
I have a hard time figuring out if it's just the homer in me or not but I'm buy Latavius everywhere I can where people aren't valuing him like crazy. Major upgraded O-line, they're not afraid to workhorse him. He should be in for a good year. Thinking if he gets close to matching the same carries as last year that last year should be his absolute floor.
Still a long shot. Oakland has nothing to offer. A's have no interest or desire to work with the Raiders and a 10 year lease that is yet another roadblock. Literally the only positive is the NFL offering another $100 Million on top as consolation for missing out on L.A. and likely the only reason this development group is getting any attention is because it is a minority owned group lead by past NFL players.
Latavius flashed some great potential before last year. Then if you look at his game log last year, the first three games are what you want to see and then he slowed leading to the bye week. Comes back from the bye week and is back in the 5's for YPC and then sputtered again after 4 games.massraider said:
Yeah. They had every opportunity to grab Henry in the 2nd. IMO I think they believe he's adequate. He's not a punishing runner, nor does he have the greatest hands out of the backfield and he will fumble on occasion. But when he finds a crease, he's gone like a rocket. I think they'll see how he does as the bell cow behind that new and improved OL. Regardless of how he does, I doubt he comes back.FreshiZ said:
If the NFL let the Raider back into the LA market, I have absolutely no doubt they would draw better than either the Rams or Chargers. What color best captures that gang mentality, blue, powder blue or black?
Murray left a lot of plays on the field last year, and it hurt the Raiders. That said he may be undervalued at the moment given the situation, but if you pursue that strategy I recommend handcuffing him to DeWash. My gut tells me the rook may end up playing a much bigger role than expected.massraider said:
Fantasy-wise, agree with the 1-year buy, with the caveat that if Washington looks good in preseason and situational use, he may eat into Murray's carries sooner rather than later. I'd like to totally believe in Murray as you have, as he is the ostensible workhorse behind an upgraded line. But not having seen enough flash from Murray, hesitant to really go all in on him.FreshiZ said:
Great post, thanks -- the ability to find opportunity to get Mack, Edwards, Smith, and Irvin into the game at the same time has us all salivating, as (as the article points out) the strengths of these players accentuate the strengths of others. Example: Edwards's strong interior play only makes Irvin's rush abilities more potent when they wouldn't be just on their own. Mack will likely be a monster regardless, but if all four of these guys are able to see the field on some downs, it will cause mayhem.
Oakland Raiders: Khalil Mack
My only wonder on this would be in this lineup if we pushed Mack inside then are we really getting the most out of him? I wonder if he would be better on the edge to fit his skillset or if his talent would overwhelm your typical NFL guard. Not sure. I could see it going either way.
Irvin can cover. So, perhaps Aldon for Irvin at DE and Irving at LB. The is the thing about Irvin. Perhaps to his detriment in Seattle as they asked him to cover a lot.
Coming out of college, most thought Irvin was a one-dimensional pass-rusher, and that's how Seattle used him initially in situational passing downs -- believe he had 8 sacks his rookie year.Chadstroma said:
Like its simplicity. Like the subtlety of the Event Horizon line -- takes the Black Hole metaphor a step further. There is no escaping the Event Horizon line.
Not original; Seahawks and Dom Capers in GB used that one a few years back referring to a 6 DB backfield with 4 LBs on the line.
