2012 Raiders Draft Discussion

[Raiderz4Life]

Originally Posted by RaiderNation

Both guys have visited other teams and left without deals so far and Raiders insiders have said the Raiders have interest. So hopefully this might turn out as a waiting game to see what UDFA impress teams.

Also it's rumored Tommy Kely will be used as a NT when we give a 3-4 front, with Seymour and Houston likely getting the starting jobs at DE. Tollefson will hopefully be used as a stand up pass rusher to go with Burris and Wheeler. I'm so excited to see our defense finally have an up to date scheme.

Love those 4-3/3-4 hybrid systems. I'm preferably a 4-3 guy but the hybrid Ds just appeal to me haha

[Komp]

Not sure I like Kelly as a 3-4 NT....he seems too interested in getting to the QB to be a dominant run stuffer. Him/Seymour/Houston would make a fairly lethal rotation of 3/4 DE's tho, and I think Shaughnessy has the athleticism to rotate in at the rush LB spot.

3-4 NT's are born, not made.

[Stash]

I don't know if I'm sold on Kelly as a NT either, that's one of the reasons I really wanted a NT in the draft.

[Abaddon]

Since we're likely to remain a 1 gap style defense, we don't need a clogger at NT. I'd love to have one, but that's not what this type of defense uses. We need a guy who can jump into the A gap and blow plays up. Kelly might be able to handle that.

He's certainly a better fit as a DE in a 34, but...in Dennis Allen we trust...I guess.

[Raiderz4Life]

If we run the hybrid defense that's being talked about he won't be in at NT all game anyways.

[RaiderNation]

Originally Posted by raiderz4life

If we run the hybrid defense that's being talked about he won't be in at NT all game anyways.

Exactly, I see us being more a base 4-3, with some 3 DL looks as well. Kelly excelled at collapsing the pocket inside and he should be a good pass rushing threat at NT for us. Have Seymour and Houston/Shaughnessy at DE, with Wheeler/Burris and Tollefson standing up as pash rushers.

[Bulldogs]

Was working out with Christo today, he's pretty f'ing huge. I'm really hopeful he makes your roster. He's definitely working his ass off right now.

[RaiderNation]

Here's some non-football related Raiders news:

DHB has been charged with a DUI

DMC was seen clubbing with Rihanna according to TMZ

[RaiderNation]

Here is my projected 53 man roster for the 2012 season now that the draft is over and UDFA are signed:

QB Carson Palmer
Matt Leinart
Terrelle Pryor

RB Darren McFadden
Mike Goodson
Taiwan Jones

FB Marcel Reece
Owen Schimitt

WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
Denarius Moore
Jacoby Ford
Juron Criner
Louis Murphy

TE Brandon Myers
David Ausberry
Richard Gordon

LT Jared Veldheer
LG Cooper Carlisle
C Stefen Wisniewski
RG Mike Brisiel
RT Khalif Barnes

OT/G Tony Bergstrom
OT/G Joseph Barksdale
C Colin Miller
G Lucas Nix

4-3 Defense

DE Matt Shaughnessy
Jack Crawford

DT Tommy Kelly
Christo Bilukidi
Travis Ivey

DT Richard Seymour
Desmond Bryant

DE Lamarr Houston
Dave Tollefson

SLB Phillip Wheeler
Miles Burris

MLB Rolando McClain
Nathan Stupar

WLB Aaron Curry
Travis Goethel

CB Ron Bartell
Shawntae Spencer
DeMarcus Van Dyke
Chimdi Chekwa
Brandon Underwood

SS Tyvon Branch
Mike Mitchell
Aaron Henry

FS Michael Huff
Matt Giordano

Special Teams:

K Sebastian Janikowski
P Shane Lechler
LS Jon Condo

Potential 3-4 DLINE depth chart

DE Richard Seymour
Desmond Bryant

NT Tommy Kelly
Travis Ivey

DE Lamarr Houston
Christo Bilukidi

It's too hard to project how the OLB's will look depending on certain players look standing up. Players like Matt Shaughnessy and Jack Crawford are 270lbs+ which is a odd weight in 3-4 schemes since usually OLB's are in the 240-265 range and Dline is 285-320lbs+ range. Miles Burris has the potential to play some ILB and OLB in both the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes. A player who I think might do well in the 3-4 is Aaron Curry who will likely play ILB. We basically played a 5-2-4 last year with Wimbley lining up on the TE usually with McClain and Curry at LB.

[Raiderz4Life]

Gooing over our Rookie MC pics...McKenzie is one ugly sombitch lol

[Raiderz4Life]

I hope someone beats out Carlisle...I can't stand him and want him gone really bad. Barksdale or Bergstrom will have to step up and take that spot, Barksdale has been with us for a few years now and should be ready to take it...least I can hope.

I'm pulling really hard for Christo...Idk why but he's my guy from this class.

Our TE situation looks a little messy, none of those guys instill confidence in me.

[Abaddon]

We already know Stupar is a MLB now, so that's one adjustment I see.

I'm also doubting Christo makes the roster this year. Someone like Kaelin Burnett, Derek Carrier or Rod Streater would be more likely.

Also can't imagine rolling with the same 3 TEs as last season. That would be the biggest surprise of all to me.

Dropping Giordano for one of Reggie's hand picked youngsters also seems extremely likely.

That's also an ugly backfield. We need another RB in the worst way.

[RaiderNation]

Benson or Grant in would be great additions to our back field to back up DMC, the team might feel comfortable with Goodson/Jones if they can stay healthy.

[Raiderz4Life]

I think Christo can make it. I really want him to, idk why.

Taiwan Jones will be solid but I'd feel better with someone like Benson tbh.

[Abaddon]

Not feeling Benson or Grant at all. I'd rather gamble on some youngster in the 4 hole than pay vet minimum to either of those bottom of the barrel types.

[Bulldogs]

Originally Posted by raiderz4life

I think Christo can make it. I really want him to, idk why.

Taiwan Jones will be solid but I'd feel better with someone like Benson tbh.

Underdog story for life! Haha, I still think it's crazy that I guy I would hang around might be on an NFL roster. He's my older brother's friend more than anything. Here's his highlight tape, it's pretty solid. I'm not going to make any guarantees, again, he's very raw. He didn't even play football until Grade 12, he was a basketball guy throughout high school and one of the top soccer goalies in the province at an even younger age.

[RaiderNation]

So Criner made some awesome catches today according to twitter reports, and also Palmer looked like he has more zip on the ball. David Ausberry was he 2nd team TE, he's bulked up and still has the hands.

Andre Hardy was released, along with Rhett Bomar

[Raiderz4Life]

Was almost a sure thing Bomar would get released so no surprise there.

[GallopingGhost]

Originally Posted by Bulldogs

Underdog story for life! Haha, I still think it's crazy that I guy I would hang around might be on an NFL roster. He's my older brother's friend more than anything. Here's his highlight tape, it's pretty solid. I'm not going to make any guarantees, again, he's very raw. He didn't even play football until Grade 12, he was a basketball guy throughout high school and one of the top soccer goalies in the province at an even younger age.

Kids a freaking beast, and he's a saint.

[RaiderNation]

Also looks like we signed FB Owen Schimitt, who can be a blocking FB behind Reece and already has experience in Knapps offense from his Seattle days. Upgrade over Tonga

[RaiderNation]

Seems to be very likely that we bring in a veteran TE depending on how Knapp feels about our TE's. He said he thinks he are probably set at WR for now, but will see how the TE situation turns out. I think the coaching staff is hoping for Ausberry/Reece to be TE weapons on roll outs. If Ausberry can show enough in the mini camps we might not sign a TE, but if we do expect it be Visanthe Shiancoe or Jeremy Shockey . Both are vet experienced TE's that can block and still be a decent weapon in the pass game. I'm don't like the feeling of having Myers slotted in as our starting TE.

McClain court situation might have took a bad turn. A video has emerged of the incident in Alabama last year, showing McClain doing some the claimed charges on the victim. If he ends up getting a 8+ suspension we will have to look for a LB depth.

[Raiderz4Life]

I think I'd rather roll with Shiancoe over Shockey. I used to love Shockey but not no mores!!

[Stash]

Originally Posted by RaiderNation

McClain court situation might have took a bad turn. A video has emerged of the incident in Alabama last year, showing McClain doing some the claimed charges on the victim. If he ends up getting a 8+ suspension we will have to look for a LB depth.

Sounds like he's getting 6 months jail time, there's a pretty good chance Goodell suspends the crap outta him on top of that.

[Abaddon]

Originally Posted by RaiderNation

Also looks like we signed FB Owen Schimitt, who can be a blocking FB behind Reece and already has experience in Knapps offense from his Seattle days. Upgrade over Tonga

Not if you put any stock in what PFF says. Apparently, they don't like Owen at all.

[Abaddon]

Originally Posted by Stash

Sounds like he's getting 6 months jail time, there's a pretty good chance Goodell suspends the crap outta him on top of that.

Reading now that he's set to have a trial by jury, so this sentence is meaningless now. I've never heard of such a thing, but I also don't have the funds to manipulate the justice system. It's amazing what a little money can do.