Al Davis is crazy, but he's not stupid. (1 Viewer)

[Colin Dowling]

Late night discussion: I've read a dozen articles about how Matt Millen is in the de facto driver's seat tomorrow b/c he'll have the pick where CJ can be selected. The assumption is that Oakland takes a QB b/c they need one and despite this being a poor class (relative to 06 and 08), they have to get a top-notch signal caller. Toss in that Moss, Porter, and Gabriel make taking a WR tough and it seems as if everyone is certain Oakland will pass on Johnson.

I'm wondering why. Anyone with two eyes knows that Johnson is the most talented player in the draft. Similarly, it's pretty easy to surmise that other teams are thinking Oakland will pass on him. WHy WOULDN'T Al Davis call their bluff? Why wouldn't he take Johnson, pick up the phone and call Tampa and say "Draft Russell/Quinn and send us a 2nd and another pick and Calvin is yours" or call Atlanta and get a bevy of picks for Johnson.

Just saying that the longer we don't hear what they're going to do, the more I won't be surprised if Roger steps up and says, "With the first selection, Oakland takes Calvin Johnson, wr, Gt..."

 

[Saints-Man]

When crazy morphs into senility, it can resemble stupidity.

I agree with your point. Any team with as many holes as the Raiders(and other teams also) should always take the best player available. When you start forcing players based on need, you have a tendency to stay bad.

 

[LawFitz]

When crazy morphs into senility, it can resemble stupidity.I agree with your point. Any team with as many holes as the Raiders(and other teams also) should always take the best player available. When you start forcing players based on need, you have a tendency to stay bad.

The best teams use need as a tie breaker, not as the main decision maker. CJ should be the pick if the Raiders are smart and if they intend to maximize the value of having the #1 overall choice.That said, I think Kiffin wants Quinn and that they'll take him at #1 b/c otherwise Cle will take him, regardless of whether or not JR is still available.

 

[The Jerminator]

Late night discussion: I've read a dozen articles about how Matt Millen is in the de facto driver's seat tomorrow b/c he'll have the pick where CJ can be selected. The assumption is that Oakland takes a QB b/c they need one and despite this being a poor class (relative to 06 and 08), they have to get a top-notch signal caller. Toss in that Moss, Porter, and Gabriel make taking a WR tough and it seems as if everyone is certain Oakland will pass on Johnson.I'm wondering why. Anyone with two eyes knows that Johnson is the most talented player in the draft. Similarly, it's pretty easy to surmise that other teams are thinking Oakland will pass on him. WHy WOULDN'T Al Davis call their bluff? Why wouldn't he take Johnson, pick up the phone and call Tampa and say "Draft Russell/Quinn and send us a 2nd and another pick and Calvin is yours" or call Atlanta and get a bevy of picks for Johnson.Just saying that the longer we don't hear what they're going to do, the more I won't be surprised if Roger steps up and says, "With the first selection, Oakland takes Calvin Johnson, wr, Gt..."

I'm guessing the Raiders, like most teams crappy enough to "earn" the #1 overall pick, are entertaining offers to trade down, a smart move for them to be sure. This rarely happens, particularly when there has been no one claiming that they won't sign with the team that holds the top pick (see: Elway, E. Manning). If no one is biting on the trade front now, it may be because they THINK the Raiders are going to pass on the hottest comodity in the draft, CJ, and are busy negotiating with the next few teams teams in the draft. SalPal just said on ESPNNews that the Lions will draft CJ at #2 (if available) and hold out for the best trade offer.Why wouldn't the Raiders just beat them to it?Oh yeah, they're the RAIDERS

 

[radballs]

Late night discussion: I've read a dozen articles about how Matt Millen is in the de facto driver's seat tomorrow b/c he'll have the pick where CJ can be selected. The assumption is that Oakland takes a QB b/c they need one and despite this being a poor class (relative to 06 and 08), they have to get a top-notch signal caller. Toss in that Moss, Porter, and Gabriel make taking a WR tough and it seems as if everyone is certain Oakland will pass on Johnson.I'm wondering why. Anyone with two eyes knows that Johnson is the most talented player in the draft. Similarly, it's pretty easy to surmise that other teams are thinking Oakland will pass on him. WHy WOULDN'T Al Davis call their bluff? Why wouldn't he take Johnson, pick up the phone and call Tampa and say "Draft Russell/Quinn and send us a 2nd and another pick and Calvin is yours" or call Atlanta and get a bevy of picks for Johnson.Just saying that the longer we don't hear what they're going to do, the more I won't be surprised if Roger steps up and says, "With the first selection, Oakland takes Calvin Johnson, wr, Gt..."

I've been saying this all along. The Raiders will have much more trading power by just taking CJ and trading down for one of the QBs after they have him aboard. Add to the fact that Davis has neither the time nor the historical inclination to take a QB early, and I'll be surprised if Oakland takes one of the QBs with their pick. Now, I could see them ending up with one of those QBs. But, they'll be getting some additional compensation to make that happen. Why are you posting this now when you keep mocking Oakland to take Russell?

 

[Colin Dowling]

Late night discussion: I've read a dozen articles about how Matt Millen is in the de facto driver's seat tomorrow b/c he'll have the pick where CJ can be selected. The assumption is that Oakland takes a QB b/c they need one and despite this being a poor class (relative to 06 and 08), they have to get a top-notch signal caller. Toss in that Moss, Porter, and Gabriel make taking a WR tough and it seems as if everyone is certain Oakland will pass on Johnson.I'm wondering why. Anyone with two eyes knows that Johnson is the most talented player in the draft. Similarly, it's pretty easy to surmise that other teams are thinking Oakland will pass on him. WHy WOULDN'T Al Davis call their bluff? Why wouldn't he take Johnson, pick up the phone and call Tampa and say "Draft Russell/Quinn and send us a 2nd and another pick and Calvin is yours" or call Atlanta and get a bevy of picks for Johnson.Just saying that the longer we don't hear what they're going to do, the more I won't be surprised if Roger steps up and says, "With the first selection, Oakland takes Calvin Johnson, wr, Gt..."

I've been saying this all along. The Raiders will have much more trading power by just taking CJ and trading down for one of the QBs after they have him aboard. Add to the fact that Davis has neither the time nor the historical inclination to take a QB early, and I'll be surprised if Oakland takes one of the QBs with their pick. Now, I could see them ending up with one of those QBs. But, they'll be getting some additional compensation to make that happen. Why are you posting this now when you keep mocking Oakland to take Russell?

B/c I have had more to then when I mocked. I think i'll do a new mock shortly, I have some beer left.

 

[One]

Oh yeah, they're the RAIDERS

It's funny to hear people rip on a team that was in the Super Bowl just 4 years ago like as though they will and have always been a doormat of the league.Was your team in the SB in the last 5 years?

 

[radballs]

B/c I have had more to then when I mocked. I think i'll do a new mock shortly, I have some beer left.

Make sure to keep a few around for tomorrow.

 

[Kleck.]

Late night discussion: I've read a dozen articles about how Matt Millen is in the de facto driver's seat tomorrow b/c he'll have the pick where CJ can be selected. The assumption is that Oakland takes a QB b/c they need one and despite this being a poor class (relative to 06 and 08), they have to get a top-notch signal caller. Toss in that Moss, Porter, and Gabriel make taking a WR tough and it seems as if everyone is certain Oakland will pass on Johnson.I'm wondering why. Anyone with two eyes knows that Johnson is the most talented player in the draft. Similarly, it's pretty easy to surmise that other teams are thinking Oakland will pass on him. WHy WOULDN'T Al Davis call their bluff? Why wouldn't he take Johnson, pick up the phone and call Tampa and say "Draft Russell/Quinn and send us a 2nd and another pick and Calvin is yours" or call Atlanta and get a bevy of picks for Johnson.Just saying that the longer we don't hear what they're going to do, the more I won't be surprised if Roger steps up and says, "With the first selection, Oakland takes Calvin Johnson, wr, Gt..."

I've been saying this all along. The Raiders will have much more trading power by just taking CJ and trading down for one of the QBs after they have him aboard. Add to the fact that Davis has neither the time nor the historical inclination to take a QB early, and I'll be surprised if Oakland takes one of the QBs with their pick. Now, I could see them ending up with one of those QBs. But, they'll be getting some additional compensation to make that happen. Why are you posting this now when you keep mocking Oakland to take Russell?

B/c I have had more to then when I mocked. I think i'll do a new mock shortly, I have some beer left.

Reminds me of last year (maybe the year before that) when you and Rud were up all night making changes to your mocks. I think I drank a 12 pack while reading all your guys stuff that night.

 

[The Jerminator]

Oh yeah, they're the RAIDERS

It's funny to hear people rip on a team that was in the Super Bowl just 4 years ago like as though they will and have always been a doormat of the league.Was your team in the SB in the last 5 years?

Yep. Of course we lost to the Pats as 14-point favorites... Its more an Al-Davis-has-lost-it critique than a true hit on the Raiders. I do feel that Gruden and Gannon were responsible for most of that success several years ago, despite Davis.Of course the Raiders have a franchise soooo bad (currently) that they can't get anyone with any legit credentials to coach them. Plus, didn't they look at Jeff George at one point last year? That's pretty bad...

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Since when is no one talking about Oakland taking CJ?

 

[PatsWillWin]

Late night discussion: I've read a dozen articles about how Matt Millen is in the de facto driver's seat tomorrow b/c he'll have the pick where CJ can be selected. The assumption is that Oakland takes a QB b/c they need one and despite this being a poor class (relative to 06 and 08), they have to get a top-notch signal caller. Toss in that Moss, Porter, and Gabriel make taking a WR tough and it seems as if everyone is certain Oakland will pass on Johnson.I'm wondering why. Anyone with two eyes knows that Johnson is the most talented player in the draft. Similarly, it's pretty easy to surmise that other teams are thinking Oakland will pass on him. WHy WOULDN'T Al Davis call their bluff? Why wouldn't he take Johnson, pick up the phone and call Tampa and say "Draft Russell/Quinn and send us a 2nd and another pick and Calvin is yours" or call Atlanta and get a bevy of picks for Johnson.Just saying that the longer we don't hear what they're going to do, the more I won't be surprised if Roger steps up and says, "With the first selection, Oakland takes Calvin Johnson, wr, Gt..."

I've been saying this all along. The Raiders will have much more trading power by just taking CJ and trading down for one of the QBs after they have him aboard. Add to the fact that Davis has neither the time nor the historical inclination to take a QB early, and I'll be surprised if Oakland takes one of the QBs with their pick. Now, I could see them ending up with one of those QBs. But, they'll be getting some additional compensation to make that happen. Why are you posting this now when you keep mocking Oakland to take Russell?

Oops.