In my dreams.
I have no beef with Jamarcus Russell. In fact, I like the idea of having a guy as big and strong as he is at QB. I like the idea of having a guy that can throw 80+ yards.
I like the idea of having a franchise quarterback.
I'm just not sure he is it.
Kyle Boller could throw the ball a mile. So can Mike Vick.
What you can't teach a player is awareness, great decision making, patience in the pocket, and leadership. Russell may or may not have or develop these talents. He may or may not
be a star in the league someday.
Make no mistake about it; there are no ifs, ands, or buts about Calvin Johnson. Johnson is the most talented player in the draft; he is built like a house, and has incredible speed. He also has that magnetic field effect that if you throw the ball in his general direction, it will be caught, no doubt about it. This guy will be a star in the league for years to come, and will make a serious impact on whatever team he joins THIS year.
Randy Moss hates Oakland; whether he isn't trying or is traded, he is no longer much more than an ultra-recognizable name to this team. Jerry Porter is the real deal, but he can't be the only guy. Ronald Curry is a perfect 3rd WR.
Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan, and Justin Fargas make up an unspectacular but solid backfield.
The O-line leaves much to be desired, but there is still time for at least one or two of these guys to develop into something. 3 more O-linemen get drafted in this draft. You can only hope someone pans out.
Quarterback? Walters was not given a fair chance last year. No offensive line, no running game to take pressure off the passing game, no time to throw and no weapons to throw to (Moss was either not trying or being double covered at all times). QB of the future, highly unlikely; but the guys got potential.
Defense is excellent, and young. It will continue to improve and impress, especially when the offense actually lets it stay off the field for more than 3 downs every once in a while.
So the Raiders over the next few years need to address 4 positions; QB, RB, OT, and WR.
OT - Joe Thomas; absolute sure thing, house, impenetrable. So was Robert Gallery. Just like the Lions can't draft a WR high again, the Raiders can't draft an O-lineman high again after that bust.
RB - Adrian Peterson; love him, but not a 1st overall pick. Would love to trade down to get him, but Jordan/Rhodes isn't all that bad, plus Peterson just might be injury prone and somewhat of a risk.
QB - Quinn or Russell? I concur with the overall consensus that Jamarcus is the pick; he's got the size and strength over Quinn. And forget the Sugar Bowl; Quinn is flat out overrated. I think both of these guys are very high risk. This coming from the guy who said Tom Brady was a one-hit-wonder, and that Vick and Harrington would both make great pro QBs... maybe I should just leave QB ranking alone.
WR - Calvin Johnson. Best player in the draft. Flat out amazing.
Seems simple enough to me. Best argument I've heard against drafting Calvin Johnson? "Who is going to throw to him?" That is short term thinking. This season, yes, it just might be frustrating to be a Raider fan again. But next year's draft will be chock full of QBs, plus free agency; look at how the Saints went out and signed Drew Brees.
The right pick is Calvin Johnson.
Jamarcus Russell isn't the "wrong" pick, and I hope more than anyone that he comes into the league and excels for the Raiders.
...because Johnson WILL be excelling wherever he ends up.
My Mock Top 5
1. Oakland Raiders - Jamarcus Russell
2. Detroit Lions - Joe Thomas
3. Cleveland Browns - Brady Quinn
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calvin Johnson
5. Arizona Cardinals - Adrian Peterson
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2 comments:
Johnson could have been yours...if only you took Leinart last year.
Huff may be good, but your offense would have been 1,000 times better if you had a real QB.
Jamarcus Jamarcus Jamrcus, you know my feelings on this on!
Good fact about Leinart
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