Raiders sign undrafted LB

From Brian Milne at the San Luis Obispo Tribune...

Former Cal Poly linebacker Kyle Shotwell went undrafted on the final day of the NFL Draft but told The Tribune late Sunday that he has agreed to a free-agent deal with the Oakland Raiders. Shotwell, the Buck Buchanan Award winner for the top defensive player in Division I-AA, watched the draft from his parents’ home in Goleta. He said he will likely travel to Alameda this week to prepare for the Raiders’ upcoming minicamp.

Draft Weekend Recap

Grading the Raiders 2007 Draft weekend (note that means everything they did on Saturday & Sunday, not just who they drafted), I’d have to give the team a B. Many are saying the Raiders had a monster draft, but there were some major holes that didn’t get resolved. Most notable was the absence of any help on the offensive line. They got the quarterback that they missed on in 2006, but they need to shore up the roster spots that will protect their new field general.

I was pretty surprised to see the Raiders move down to start the 2nd round rather than parlay the 1st pick in that round along with something else to move up in the 1st round. The 49ers found a way to land New England’s 1st rounder (28th overall) to land tackle Joe Staley from Central Michigan.

The Raiders are traditionally the team that makes that kind of move, especially given the holes that exist on the offensive line. By swapping 2nd round picks with the Arizona Cardinals, the Raiders lost out on Arron Sears, then they made what I consider a huge blunder in passing on Justin Blalock from Texas.

Blalock is a kid that can play both tackle and guard, and he’s been a rock in terms of his durability. He started a school record 51 games at Texas, earning nominations for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award.

Not sure I also understand the move they made to take Zach Miller with the 38th overall pick. Miller was Arizona State’s only receiving option this season and was regarded as the best tight end in the draft, but pass catching tight ends are worthless if your quarterback is buried under a swarm of defensive linemen.

Oakland didn’t address its line issue until late in the 3rd round when they took Mario Henderson from Florida State. Henderson draws comparisons to former Florida St standout Walter Jones, but he was a late bloomer. He’s a tall lanky kid at 6-6, that has to work on his strength in order to deal with NFL defensive linemen.

I don’t think anyone will argue the JaMarcus Russ pick and the Raiders pick up a worthy sacrificial lamb in Josh McCown to take be the primary tackling dummy under center next season. The acquisition of Mike Williams may turn out to be the bigger part of the Raiders trade with the Detroit Lions. Williams has been considered a bust in Detroit after the Lions selected him with the 10th overall pick in 2005, but he is reunited with Kiffin, who has lots of history with the former USC star.

The steals of the draft may turn out to be Michael Bush and Quentin Moses. Bush, a RB from Louisville, was considered a Heisman candidate before breaking his leg in the Cardinal’s first game of the season in 2006. At 6-3, 250 lbs, Bush will be able to deal with the punishment that NFL defenders will dish out. He played quarterback in high school, where he was voted Kentucky’s top prep star. In three season’s at Louisville he compiled 2,508 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns on 435 carries (5.8 avg).

Moses has the athleticism to be a defensive monster. He played basketball for Georgia and is a rangy defender with quick reflexes. In 51 games at Georgia, Moses started 26 times. He recorded 137 tackles (93 solos) and finished fifth in school history with 25 quarterback sacks for minus-174 yards. He added 44½ stops for losses of 234 yards and collected 95 quarterback pressures. He recovered four fumbles, caused another and deflected three passes.

Jay Richardson will probably be converted to line backer in the NFL, although he’ll need to work on his footwork. He started 19 games at Ohio State and has a long frame that will disrupt middle range passes.

By far, the biggest move the Raiders made was ridding themselves of receiver Randy Moss. Forget the compensation that came in return for the locker room cancer. The Raiders start with a clean slate, free of the distractions that persisted even during the off-season. Jerry Porter becomes the main man in Oakland, so now he gets to prove that the Raiders made the right decision to keep him.

Porter, Doug Gabriel, Alvis Whitted, Ronald Curry and Mike Williams doesn’t exactly strike fear in the minds of defensive backs, but if one or two of those guys can demonstrate an ability to get past secondary coverages, then it may not matter, because you have a cannon armed quarterback who can just chuck the ball over defenders in a couple of years.

Raider Draft Day Live - Day 2

• And finally, the Raiders take Jonthan Halland, WR, Louisiana Tech - Analysis from NFL.com: Has a well-defined frame that can carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk … Has good upper-body and leg-muscle definition … Has good field vision and moves to set up the defender, but doesn't play up to his timed speed … Efficient at locating soft areas on the field to settle under rather than being utilized as a deep threat

• 12:15pm - Michael Bush Profile: Has rushed for 2,380 yards and 36 touchdowns. Avg 5.7 yards per carry. 7th in school history in rushing yards and second in touchdowns. Started 15 of 35 games. Recorded nine 100-yard games and one 200-yard game. Was a legit Heisman candidate before breaking his right tibia in the first game of the 2006 season.

• 12:08pm - On Richardson from CSTV.com: Has been a key reserve and frequent starter at end the past two years ... divided time with David Patterson in 2005, but with Patterson moving inside this year, is the leading candidate to take over on a full-time basis ... tall, rangy athlete who can put pressure on the passer, drop into coverage or run down the ball carrier ... is physical enough to stuff the run and disciplined enough to rarely be out of position ... has been bothered by injuries throughout his career, including the 2004 season when he missed the last half of the season with a knee injury ... was really playing well before being hurt ... wound up the 2005 campaign with 11 tackles, including two sacks ... also credited with a pair of passes broken up and a forced fumble ... is a veteran of 26 games and has 27 career tackles ... hard worker who hopes to have his best year in 2006. More from CSTV.com.

• 12:05pm - On Bowie from Yahoo Sports: Bowie is a fast, athletic senior cornerback. He is a late developing prospect who sustained several injuries over his limited college career. He shows the ability to tackle in the open field with a great burst of speed to make tackles. He has a strong frame and shows explosive speed to match up in the deep game. More on Bowie from Yahoo.

• 12:03pm - On Frampton from Cougfan.com: Athletic safety who has shown tremendous progress the past two years. Displays solid sideline-to-sideline range, flashes on the scene and is strong at the point of attack. Physical and possesses solid open-field tackling skills. Has a good head for the ball and displays skill in man coverage. More from the gang at Cougfan.

• 11:53am - Dennis Dodd article on O'Neal from CBS Sportsline.com

Orenthal O'Neal

• 11:51am - On O'Neal (from Vic Carucci at NFL.com): Positives: Aggressive when lead blocking. Strength. Toughness. Inside running ability. Negatives: Speed. Needs to become better at reading blitzes and improve his pass-protection skills. Rated by Carucci as the 5th best FB available in the draft.

• 11:47am - The Raiders now get to wait until the 2nd to last pick in the draft (254th overall) to use their final pick, a compensatory selection in the 7th round.

• 11:40am - The Raiders take Orenthal O'Neal, FB, Arkansas St. with the 1st pick in the 5th round (175th overall).

• 11:29am - on Frampton: Started all 11 games for WSU in 2005 (87 tackles, 1 sack, 1 int). Started all 12 games in 2006 (100 tackles, 1 sack, 5 int, 1 fum rec, and 2 forced fum). 1st team All-Pac 10 in 2006.

• 11:20am - The Raiders select S Eric Frampton from the Washington State with
another 5th round pick (165th overall acquired from New England).

• 10:30am - Perusing some of the feedback on Lane Kiffin's first draft, I found these comments from John Clayton:

They had to take a quarterback. The franchise was set back by not taking Matt Leinart or Jay Cutler a year ago. The 31-year-old coach and the ageless Davis played catch-up Saturday. They had to take JaMarcus Russell instead of playing around with second- or third-round prospects. Getting TE Zach Miller in the second round was the right call, too. The Raiders topped the day off by acquiring quarterback Josh McCown and wide receiver Mike Williams from Detroit for a fourth-round choice. McCown, who comes to the team on a one-year contract, can carry the team into the season as the starter, buying Russell time to learn the offense and feel comfortable in the NFL. The Raiders' quarterback problems will be solved for the start of the 2007 season with McCown, and hopefully in the future with Russell.

Jay Richardson

• 10:00am - Oakland starts the 5th round by taking DE Jay Richardson from Ohio State. Richardson started all 13 games for the Buckeyes earning an All-Big Ten honorable mention.

• 9:40am - Randy Moss is no longer a Raider. The New England Patriots take the cancer off the Raiders hands for a 4th round draft pick.

• 8:30am - The Raiders select CB John Bowie from Cincinnati.

• 8:15am - Oakland may lands a steal in Louisville RB Michael Bush. Bush was considered a potential 1st round pick entering the 2006 NCAA season but injuries curtailed those projections.

Raider Draft Day Live

It's the NFL's version of Christmas Day and we're blogging throughout the day. Refresh your browser often...

>> On to Day 2

• The Raiders acquire QB Josh McCown and WR Mike Williams from Detroit for the Raiders 4th round pick (105th overall)

• Round 3 - 99th overall (compensatory) Johnnie Lee Higgins WR UTEP. Played in all 13 games in 2003 season (25 rec for 362 yards). Started 11 of 12 games in 2004 (34 rec for 700 yards, and 10 TD's). Started 10 of 12 games in 2005 (49 rec for 837 yards, and 9 TD's). Started 11of 12 games in 2006 (82 rec, and 13 TD's). 1st Team All-C-USA Honors

• Round 3 - 91st overall Mario Henderson OT Florida St. Played in 11 of 12 games as a true freshman in 2003. Played in 12 games in 2004 as a backup left tackle. Played in all 13 games in 2005, starting the final two at left tackle. Started all 13 games in 2006 at left tackle.

• Round 3 - 65th overall Quentin Moses DE Georgia. Played 14 games as a backup in 2003 (37 tackles, 2.5 sacks). Played in 11 games in 2004 (23 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble). Started 13 games in 2005 (44 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries). Started all 13 games in 2006 (33 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery).

• 4:34pm - And the Dwayne Jarrett in silver & black dream dies. 6'4" with great hands. Remember that Rice guy. Dwayne Jarret reminds me more of him than Randy Moss. A proven winner. Too bad.

• 4:00pm - I'm wondering, are the Raiders planning on running a two tight-end set on every down next season to stop the DT parade that filled the backfield last season? Look for another fullback with their 3rd pick, so they can build a double walled pocket. 2 TEs and 2 FBs maybe? Hmmmm, now that's innovative. You'll have nobody to throw the ball to, but hey, they won't lead the league in sacks allowed!

• 3:58pm - OK, had to wait an extra 30 minutes, but, with their 2nd round pick (38th overall), the Raiders selec Zach Miller, TE from Arizona St?????? Um, can he play Guard or Tackle? I don't understand this selection at all.

• 3:30pm - Raiders receive Arizona's 2nd round and 4th round picks (38th and 105th overall) for their 2nd round pick (33rd overall).

• 3:24pm - With the 1st pick of the 2nd round (33rd overall pick), the Oakland Raiders select....Raiders trade the pick...details pending.

• 3:19pm - The longest first round in the history of the NFL Draft comes to an end with the Colts selecting Anthony Gonzalez from Ohio St.

• 3:18pm - Dwayne Jarrett is still available.

• 3:00pm - No takers for Randy Moss? Russell to Moss doesn't sound that bad, does it? ~30 minutes to the Raiders next pick.

• 10:51am - Still no word on Moss. Dolphins pass on Quinn. What is going on???

• 10:15am - Tom Condon fighting for his life to attract new clients next year. He's right about value on theboard in Quinn and Petersen, but he's still a slimy agent.

• 10:15am - The first thing LaRon Landry better do with that contract money is buy whoever is hosting his draft day a new couch!

• 10:12am - Adrian Petersen may turn out to be the steal of the draft. This guy was the consensus #1 player entering the 2006 NCAA season.

• 9:56am - Unbelievably, the Miami Dolphins may get their QB without having to do anything.

• 9:54am - Bucs take Gaines Adams. Chuckie irritated with having to "waste" a 1st round pick on a defender.

• 9:51am - Raiders.com has yet to update its draft tracker. Does that mean JaMarcus Russell isn't staying?

• 9:42am - Browns fool everyone and take Joe Thomas. Chuckie forced to rethink his strategy.

• 9:31am - Lions take Calvin Johnson...how long till they fumble him?

• 9:30am - Adam Schefter reports that the Raiders demanded a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick this year and a 1st round pick next year from the Cleveland Browns for the 1st overall pick.

• 9:22am - Russell's black suit, black shirt and black tie look pretty good accessorized with the silver & black baseball hat eh?

• 9:21am - Kuiper: Russll's mobility us under rated. His arm strength is unquestioned.

• 9:20am - With the 1st overall pick, the Oakland Raiders select JaMarcus Russell - QB LSU

• 9:15am - Watching those clips of JaMarcus Russell's arm strength, it's tough to think the Raiders may be shopping this pick. Can't forget the economics of today's NFL. Can Al work a way to trade down and still pick up Russell. If anyone can, it's Big Al.

• 9:11am - Ed Werder reports the Al Davis was talked out of taking Matt Leinart last year by then head coach Art Shell, and now it's "Davis' mess to cleanup."

• 9:09am - The Raiders are officially ON THE CLOCK!

• 8:59am - Steve Young continues to lobby the Raiders to take Calvin Johnson, then pick up Stanford QB Trent Edwards.

• 8:57am - Ed Werder reports that Lane Kiffin has indicated that the Raiders are still in active discussions to move the 1st overall pick. Lions trying to figure out how to muff the #2 overall pick.

• 8:52am - Duing a tribute to those that died at Virgina Tech 2 weeks ago, fans in attendence at the draft boo Bruce Smith, Deangelo Hall and Michael Vick (all VT alums). Come on jackasses, put your homeristic ignorance aside for 2 minutes.

• 8:42am - Iron Fist Goodell responds to Boomer's questions about reefer report. Remarkably, Randy Moss' name not slipped into the question or response.

• 8:38am - Packers are rumored to be offering a 4th round pick for Randy Moss. The Raiders are holding out for a Day 1 pick. Patriots also rumored to be back in the equation.

• 8:30am - T-minus 30 minutes before the clock begins...so tack on another 15 minutes, because Al is going to make you wait.

• 8:29am - Chris Mortenson experiencing microphone problems. Can the audio technician responsible please do the same for Mel Kuiper?

• 8:17am - Randy Moss is still a Raider. Should the Packers make the move for the receiver, what do the Raiders get in return? If Aaron Rodgers isn't part of the deal, are the Packers dumb enough to deal the 16th overall pick for him?

• 8:11am - Joe Thomas boards a boat to go fishing on Lake Michigan. Lack of committment to the game? Nerves? or too cool? A contrarian like that is the type of player Al Davis loves.

• 8:06am - Ed Werder reports that the Raiders deny that they have told JaMarcus Russell has been gauranteed that the Raiders will take him as the #1 overfall pick. Werder also reports that the Raiders have indicated that there is a 20% chance of moving the pick.

• 8:05am - Mel Kuiper begins to spew. Just checked NFL.com...if you're on a dial up connection, don't even bother hitting that site. The traffic hitting that site now is already insane.

• 8:00am - ESPN broadcast is LIVE! Get ready for two hours of "candid" shots of JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn and Calvin Johnson. Hey, Boomer just stole my Christmas line.

• 7:58am - Christmas Day indeed. It's not even 8am on a Saturday and my big butt is parked in my living room ready to open my presents. If that isn't Christmas Day, I don't know what is!

>> On to Day 2

Pre-Draft Notes: Moss to be Traded?

• The latest out of Alameda has the Raiders trading the 1st overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns 1st round pick (3rd overall) and wide receiver Braylon Edwards.

• Rumors are swirling that wide receiver Randy Moss will be traded eiather before or during this weekend's draft. The Green Bay Packers supposedly held a meeting recently to debate whether it was worth acquiring the disgruntled Moss. We'll post news as it comes along.

• Will the Raiders pull a patented “Raider Draft Day End Around” and fool everyone with their pick? Would it surprise you if they did? JaMarcus Russell is the primary target, but Calvin Johnson sure would look good in silver & black.

• The bigger mystery on Saturday will be who the Raiders take in the 2nd round. That’s assuming they have a 2nd round pick to use come Saturday morning. Do the Raiders package that pick for a late QB addition? I’ve seen a lot of talk about using it on USC receiver Dwayne Jarret, but frankly, I don’t think Jarret is going to last.

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Remembering Darryl Stingley and Jack Tatum

Stingley never walked again

Former New England Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley finally succumbed to the prison that was his paralysis earlier this week. Stingley died in a Chicago hospital on Thursday after spending the last 29 years as a quadriplegic. His paralysis, the effect of a hit by former Raiders safety Jack Tatum.

Stingley’s story is undoubtedly a sad one. A star athlete cut down in the prime of his career. In passing, Stingley’s death revived all the criticisms of Tatum and the nature of his playing style.

Tatum’s nickname was the “assassin”. A moniker befitting a hard hitting defender that prowled the secondary during the Raiders hay days. Tatum is a legend in Raider land, because of the fear he instilled in opposing receivers who dared to run crossing patterns. There was no other peer that commanded the same amount of respect that Tatum did, yet his legacy will forever be forged by a hit he made in a meaningless pre-season game in 1978.

To this day, Tatum holds no regrets for his decision to level Stingley on that early autumn afternoon. He was doing his job. He was playing with the same ferocity that any modern day NFL defender plays with. Yet, he is considered by some to be a dirty player.

What true NFL fan wouldn’t want Jack Tatum roaming their secondary in his prime? What true fan would want a defender who lets up on an opponent? Those kinds of players don’t last in the NFL.

Tatum need not burden himself with regrets. He didn’t beat up his wife or take performance enhancing drugs. Tatum played the game the way any honest player should play the game. It was a football injury that could happen on any lay to any player. It just happened to involve Tatum.

"I don't think I did anything wrong that I need to apologize for. It was a clean hit”, Tatum would say countless times after the play.

The two never met to reconcile whatever needed reconciling, but Tatum at least made an attempt. He claims to have paid a visit to Stingley in the hospital shortly after the incident, but Stingley’s family refused to let Tatum see the injured receiver. The two never met again.

I remember watching that game with my dad, and seeing the play unfold. It was nothing extraordinary. A guy running across the middle, leaps for the ball and gets popped on the way down. He just didn’t get up.

People would criticize the fact that it was a meaningless pre-season game and that Tatum was overzealous. Anyone that’s ever played the game will tell you that getting hit in the pre-season is no less jarring as a hit in the regular season. Was Tatum supposed to tone it down? Was there an unwritten rule that tackles should be made at 50%?

"Yeah, everybody is supposed to play really hard and then get up at the end like nobody is hurt," Tatum said Friday from his home in Oakland, Calif. "It's unrealistic. If you want to play football for a living, you're going to get injured.

Yet here we are almost 30 years later justifying or defending claims that Tatum was a dirty player. Jack Tatum was no dirty player.

"I feel sorry for what happened to him," said Tatum. "I tried to apologize to him a number of times, but people around him wouldn't let that happen."

That’s the thing. Tatum didn’t owe Stingley anything, much less an apology. It was a football play that ended badly for one person, but has haunted another for 30 years.