The love to go defensive in the first round of the NFL draft

It's no secret. The love to go defensive in the first round of the NFL draft. Dating back to 2001, five out of the last six first-round selections of Oakland have been on the defensive side of the football. In 2001, it was SS Derrick Gibson. In 2002, it was CB Philip Buchanon and LB Napoleon Harris. In '03, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and defensive end Tyler Brayton were selected. The 2004 draft was the lone exception to this defensive pattern, as they selected offensive tackle Robert Gallery with the second pick overall. Last year, Al Davis and company continued their previous trend, choosing speedy cornerback Fabian Washington out of Nebraska. Will the trend continue in 2006? If either A.J. Hawk or Michael Huff remains on the board, one could certainly go to the Raiders. With the Texans, Saints, Titans, Jets, Packers, and 49ers ahead of Oakland, the chances of either Hawk or Huff remaining on board are very probable. Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, and Vince Young could respectively go one, two, and three.With the fourth pick and a decrepit offensive front five, offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson out of Virginia would likely go to the NY Jets. At number five, DE Mario Williams will be difficult to overlook for a Packers team that has had recent struggles on defense-and the comparisons to Julius Peppers have already begun. Toss into the mix the rising stock of Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler and TE Vernon Davis, who at the combine registered an implausible 4.38 40-yard dash, and the 49ers and Raiders could have their eyes focused on two of the best defensive players in the Nation.Either way, the would win in this situation.Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk - the 2005 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year - would find a place very quickly in the depleted linebacking corps of Oakland. After serving as a backup as a true freshman in 2002, Hawk took over the Buckeye's defense in his sophomore season and simply did not look back. In 2003, he led all members of his team with 106 total tackles and four sacks. As a junior, he increased the total to an outstanding 141 tackles. Finally, as a senior in 2005, he tallied 121 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one interception, and three forced fumbles. With the mounting play of 2005 third-round linebacker Kirk Morrison, who as a rookie registered 112 total tackles, and the veteran leadership of MLB Danny Clark, stealing A.J. Hawk with the seventh overall pick could complete the final one-third of Oakland's linebacking crew.If Hawk is gone, Michael Huff out of Texas could be a very viable option for the Raiders. Listed at 6'1, 198 pounds, the Thorpe award-winning DB tallied 66 tackles, six passes deflections, and two interceptions as a sophomore. As a junior, he improved with 73 tackles, 14 passes defended, and two interceptions. And to end his career, Huff showed incredible versatility and flexibility, compiling 109 tackles, two sacks, 14 pass deflections, and an interception.With the recent release of former 2001 first-rounder Derrick Gibson, a huge void is present at the safety position. Oakland's 2005 interception leader, Stuart Schweigert has shown great potential in his first two years and appears to have the free safety position in lockdown. With the gap at SS present, the acquisition of Huff could satisfy Oakland's safety arrangement for years to come.Nevertheless, as the last several years have proven, the outcome of the NFL Draft is something that can hardly be predicted without flaw. However, if the find themselves with the opportunity to select one of these two highly-rated defensive prospects, this forecast could become fact.-
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标题: Daunte Culpepper Kerry Collins Minnesota Vikings - Realfootball365.com
内容: Got something to say?Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!It was rumored that the would once again steal a primary offensive weapon from the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. On Saturday, those rumors went out the door at the NFL scouting combine. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf revealed to reporters his plan to shell out a $6 million roster bonus to Culpepper on March 17th. "That is our plan...Always was," Wilf said concerning the future of his starting quarterback. In that regard, the owner seemed very confident in assuring the media that Culpepper will be wearing purple for the 2006 season. But, as a first-year owner, Wilf hasn't seemed very confident in responding to questions about trade rumors: "I don't know. I'm not involved with anything like that." Sounds more like selective memory than a lack of knowledge, but either way, it seems pretty safe to say that the will not have a 6'4, 264 pound quarterback at the helm next season.In the interim, the Raiders will have their hands full in the upcoming days deciding on the future of their current quarterback Kerry Collins. Collins is due to make a total of $8.5 million next season with a $12.6 million cap value. For someone who has won just one-third of their 21 starts for two seasons at quarterback, its hard to see Al Davis bringing him back for another shot.Collins' agent David Dunn and the Raiders' front office are expected to continue talks early this week about the future of Collins. But, if Collins wants to stay in the silver and black, Dunn will have to reduce his client's 2006 salary a considerable amount.On another small, but potentially huge note, only two teams talked with National Champion Vince Young on Thursday at the combine. One of the teams has the seventh overall pick, a quarterback quandary, and an owner that doesn't shy away from a risk.Nowadays, it seems you have a better chance hitting the lottery-twice-than predicting the next move of the .
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标题: Tom Walsh Jackie Slater Daryl Sims - Realfootball365.com
内容: Got something to say?Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!The mayor of Swan Valley, Idaho will leave his 200 or so residents behind to coordinate the offense next year. Tom Walsh, who led several areas of the Oakland offense from 1982-1994, was fired alongside Shell in ?4. With Shell now back to call the shots, Walsh will get his chance to coordinate again after over a decade of isolation from the NFL.In his 13 years with the , Walsh worked as a quarterbacks coach, wide receivers coach, and also as an offensive coordinator. His last stint of coaching ended in 1998, after resigning as the head coach at Idaho State, where he registered a 6-16 record in two seasons.Before the staffing move became official, Walsh commented to the local Idaho Falls Post Register that he would resign as mayor if presented the opportunity to coach in Oakland. Concerning the matter, he acknowledged: "I'm going to have to resign, if 6 Sanchez Purple AFL50th jersey
I go. I cannot be mayor long distance. I don't think it'd be fair to the community, to the citizens as far as the issues and concerns out there." Walsh is expected to reach Indianapolis in time for the NFL Scouting Combine.Oakland's offensive line will also see a new face at camp within the upcoming days. Art Shell has chosen Jackie Slater to work alongside Irv Eatman in replacing fired Jim Colletto. Slater, who interviewed with Shell on Monday, was a vital anchor to the Rams offensive line for 20 years-19 years as Los Angles and one final year as St. Louis. In his twenty years of action, Slater reached the Pro Bowl seven times-missing the game just one time from 1983-1990. In 2001, he was rightfully inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The impressive background of Slater should prove to be a very valuable asset in the molding of youngsters Robert Gallery and Jake Grove.The defensive staff will also be welcoming a new element to their workforce. Daryl Sims, who was just recently appointed as head coach of the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europe, will serve as an assistant defensive line coach under head defensive line coach Keith Millard. Regarding the upgrade, Sims stated: "This is the realization of a life-long dream and I am very grateful to the NFL Europe League for this opportunity."See, some people do want to come to Oakland after all.