Originally published on SBReport.net on April 18, 2013
Once again, for the sake of this series, lets make the assumption that the Raiders do not trade out of the third-overall pick. A draft prospect among NFL viewers has been defensive end Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah out of Brigham Young University. And why wouldn't he be? Ansah is drawing comparisons to New York Giants' star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who went 15th overall in 2010. Like JPP, Ansah is a raw football talent with freakish athleticism that has only been in football for a couple of years. Ansah, originally from Ghana, originally tried out for BYU's basketball program but didn't make the cut for two years in a row. At the time, he decided to try football after people urging him to do so, according to ESPN.com. From there, Ansah's athleticism and work ethic dazzled coaches at BYU and now NFL scouts. After being relegated to primarily the special teams unit in 2011, Ansah was able to prove his worth his senior year in 2012. Ansah once again possesses versatility that the Raiders defense desires with their "multiple" scheme, as he has played as a stand-up rushing linebacker, along with the tradition defensive end position. Ansah has even lined up in the middle of the defensive line, providing an anchor for BYU. This kind of versatility can be a strong asset in the hands of a defensive minded coach like Dennis Allen and Jason Tarver. In his senior season, the 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive lineman racked up 63 tackles, including 13 for a loss and 4.5 sacks. He also added nine passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one interception. When watching tape of Ansah, the first thing that sticks out is his amazing footwork, as was shown with his 20-yard shuttle time of 4.26 seconds, the fastest of any defensive lineman at the combine. Ansah uses his quick feet to jolt his opposing lineman back, along with shedding tackles to the side and using his closing speed to track down the ball carrier. One of the biggest upsides to Ansah is his apparent ability to be coached. It is clearly due to his work ethic and ability to absorb coaching that he has become what seems to be a top-five draft pick just two years after first stepping onto the football field. But, the fact that he only first stepped onto the football field two years ago is also a drawback on the 23 year old. His football talents are raw and his technique will need development after entering the NFL. Another weakness is his admitted lack of stamina. Overall, Ansah has scouts and teams drooling over his athletic ability and his comparisons to Pierre-Paul are reasonable. Ansah has the ability to be coached that coaches desire in every player, and there's no reason that he can't be developed into a solid, if not great, defensive end in the NFL. With the flashes he's shown in just one year of starting in college, at top-five draft pick is warranted for the athlete. Ansah's NFL Scouting Combine Results 40-yard dash: 4.63 seconds Bench press: 21 reps Vertical jump: 34.5 inches Broad jump: 118.0 inches Three-cone drill: 7.11 seconds 20-yard shuttle: 4.26 seconds
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Originally published on SBReport.net on April 17, 2013
The Raiders have announced the dates of three of their preseason games, with the fourth one still to be determined. Oakland kicks off their 54th season against the Dallas Cowboys at O.Co Coliseum on August 9th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. They will then head out on the road to take on the New Orleans Saints, before returning home to take on the Chicago Bears in week three of preseason. The Raiders end their preseason by taking on the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. The only date and time not set is the game at home against the Bears. The rest of the schedule is as follows: OAKLAND RAIDERS 2013 PRESEASON SCHEDULE WEEK 1 Friday, August 9 DALLAS 7 p.m. PT WEEK 2 Friday, August 16 at New Orleans 5 p.m. PT WEEK 3 TBA CHICAGO TBA WEEK 4 Thursday, August 29 at Seattle 7 p.m. PT While the remainder of the schedule is set to be released on Thursday at 5 p.m. PST, we do know the following list of the Raiders opponents: HOME: Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins AWAY: Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers Keep posted for an updated schedule for the regular season as it is released on Thursday evening. Originally published on SBReport.net on April 17, 2013
With the draft just eight days away, it's time to start looking at some of the Raiders' potential draft picks. For this series of pieces, lets just make the assumption that the Raiders are unable to find a trade partner to trade down with. Don't be surprised to hear commissioner Roger Goodell utter the words: "With the third-overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Raiders select defensive tackle out of the University of Florida, Sharrif Floyd." The departure of Richard Seymour, Tommy Kelly and Desmond Bryant certainly leaves a void at the defensive tackle position. Floyd would be a solid replacement on the defensive front as he has experience playing both at defensive end and at defensive tackle. Floyd was widely regarded as the top defensive tackle recruit when he joined the Gators, and immediately made his presence known by racking up 23 tackles (6.5 for a loss) enroute to being named to the 2010 All-SEC Freshman Team. For his sophomore season, Floyd played at the defensive end position and racked up 46 tackles and 1.5 sacks. It wasn't until his junior season last year that the Gators moved him to defensive tackle, where he starred in Will Muschamp's defense. In 2012, the athletic lineman tallied another 46 tackles (with 13 for a loss) and 6.5 sacks, all while making the First-Team All Conference team. The 6'3", 297-pound defensive lineman possesses great athleticism that allows him to play any position on the line, even standing up outside of the tackles at times with Florida. This versatility could be appealing to Raiders head coach Dennis Allen, who aspires to have a defense that is "multiple". Floyd's quick first step and strength give offensive lineman fits as he uses them to get into the backfield. Floyd also appears to use his hands well to get offensive linemen off of him. Though, when watching tape, it appears that Floyd has a tendency to sometimes get too high on the offensive lineman, losing the leverage battle. Overall, selecting Floyd with the third-overall pick would be a solid addition to a defense that is rebuilding. His experience, size, and athleticism allows him to serve as a 3-4 defensive end or a 4-3 defensive tackle, giving him versatility that the Raiders coaching staff desires. Floyd's NFL Scouting Combine Results 40-yard dash: 4.92 seconds Vertical jump: 30.0 inches Broad jump: 106.0 inches Three-cone drill: 7.40 seconds 20-yard shuttle: 4.75 seconds Originally published on SBReport.net on April 10, 2013
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has been busy over the last couple of days, signing numerous players to help replenish a roster devastated by departures. Former Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings is the latest to apparently reach an agreement with the Raiders front office, tweeting to his followers on Wednesday ""@RashadJennings: Its official! I'll be rocking that Black and Silver this yr." Jennings spent his first three seasons in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars after coming out of Liberty University. Jennings showed explosiveness his first two seasons in the league but struggled last season when he got the opportunity to prove his ability when Maurice Jones-Drew went down with a foot injury. Jennings started six games in place of Jones-Drew but averaged just 2.8 yards per carry and was benched because of his ineffectiveness. New offensive coordinator Greg Olson spent last season as the quarterbacks coach for the Jaguars. But Jennings wasn't the only free agent to tweet that he was heading to the Raiders today. Free agent safety Reggie Smith also tweeted an Instagram picture of himself signing a contract with the Oakland Raiders. Smith has been primarily a strong safety, a position that could use some depth with the departure of Mike Mitchell. Ironically, Smith was in camp with the Carolina Panthers last season (the team Mitchell departed for) after spending his first four seasons with the San Francisco 49er's. Smith was drafted in the third round out of Oklahoma University. In 45 games played, Smith has tallied 64 tackles and seven passes defensed. McKenzie was also able to re-sign two of his players from last season: veteran defensive end Andre Carter and cornerback Joselio Hanson. Hanson joined the squad last season and appeared in all 16 games, while starting five. His career totals include six interceptions, 51 passes defensed, 3½ sacks and one forced fumble since entering the NFL as a non-drafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2004. Carter is entering his 13th season and originally joined the Raiders during the season last year after rehabbing from surgery. Playing in 12 games for the Silver & Black in 2012, Carter tallied posted 28 tackles (18 solo), 2½ sacks and one forced fumble. Originally published on SBReport.net on April 9, 2013
The Raiders have relied heavily on free agency to help rebuild their defense, and continued to do so as they signed cornerback Mike Jenkins and now safety Usama Young. It has been reported that the Raiders have agreed to a one-year deal with Jenkins, who spent his last five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Jenkins is a former first-round draft pick, as well as a former Pro Bowler, that lost out on an opportunity to start when the Cowboys signed free agent Brandon Carr last season. Jenkins has played in 71 games, while recording 161 tackles, eight interceptions and 43 passes defensed. The addition of Jenkins gives the Raiders two former starters with Tracy Porter recently signed, to go along with Phillip Adams, who started for the first time last season for the Raiders. Young spent his last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns after spending his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, where he worked under Raiders head coach Dennis Allen who was the secondary coach at the time. A third-round draft pick out of Kent State, Young has appeared in 81 games with 25 career starts. Young's career high in tackles came in 2011 when he played in all 16 games and notched 70 tackles (51 solo). The 27-year-old safety appeared in 13 games last season (starting 11) and tallied a career high in interceptions (3) and sacks (1.5). Terms of the contracts have not been released. Originally published on SBReport.net on April 5, 2013
News surfaced Friday that the Raiders front office intends to place former first round draft pick Rolando McClain on waivers. McClain struggled in Oakland after winning the Dick Butkus award at the University of Alabama, given to the top collegiate linebacker in the nation. McClain was drafted 8th overall in 2010 by the late Al Davis. The troubled linebacker had legal problems while back in Alabama for his grandfather's funeral in 2011, though charges were dropped after being found guilty on four misdemeanors. McClain also expressed his frustration last season after being demoted in place of rookie linebacker Miles Burris. In 41 games with the Raiders, McClain racked up 244 tackles, 6.5 sacks and one interception. The release of McClain marks the third top 10 draft pick selected by Davis that has been released by Reggie McKenzie. Safety Michael Huff and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey were released just last month. McKenzie is the first general manager to take over the position in Oakland since Davis did in 1966. Originally published on SBReport.net on April 2, 2013
One of the biggest holes on the Raiders roster appeared to be the cornerback position at the start of free agency, and it appears the Raiders have finally found someone to help fill that void. The Oakland Raiders have reportedly signed cornerback Tracy Porter to a one-year deal. Porter played under current Raiders head coach Dennis Allen in New Orleans when the Saints won the Super Bowl, with Allen as the Saints' secondary coach. ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the deal and it has since been reported that the one-year deal is worth $2.5 million. Porter struggled last season with the Denver Broncos after suffering a seizure in August and eventually losing his starting job. The signing instantly puts Porter into the top cornerback position for the time being, with Phillip Adams slated to start opposite of Porter. Adams started for the first time last season. Porter presents the Raiders with a solid, young cornerback that showed the potential to be a solid corner prior to suffering the seizure last August. Porter has played in 49 games over his five year career, racking up 215 tackles, one sack, 38 passes defensed, and eight interceptions. The Raiders have yet to announce the signing. Originally published on SBReport.net on April 2, 2013
The Oakland Raiders announced the trade of quarterback Carson Palmer to the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday, just one day after they traded for Seattle quarterback Matt Flynn. The Raiders had asked Palmer to restructure his contract and take a paycut but it quickly became apparent that he was unwilling to accept. Palmer, who became the first Raiders quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season since Rich Gannon did it in 2002, only lasted one and a half seasons in Oakland after former head coach Hue Jackson traded a first-round and second-round selection for him. Jackson dubbed the trade "the greatest trade in football". In the trade, Oakland sends the 219th overall pick and Palmer to the Cardinals and obtain Arizona's 176th overall selection and a conditional 2014 draft pick in return. It was largely believed that the Raiders would outright release Palmer if he did not take the requested paycut, so getting anything in return for him can be looked at as a victory by Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie. It is expected that Terrelle Pryor and newly acquired Flynn will battle it out for the starting gig, as well as any other quarterback the Raiders may bring in. Follow @SB_ChrisMcClain Follow @SBReportNet Originally published on SBReport.net on April 1, 2013
Just a season and a half after being called "the greatest trade in football" by then-head coach Hue Jackson, it appears that the Carson Palmer era is coming to an end. Jackson, after the passing of Al Davis, traded a first-round draft pick in last season's draft and the Raiders' second-round draft pick this year for Palmer, who only appeared 25 games, including starting in 15 games last season and racking up 4,018 yards, 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in a struggling offense. The season marked the first Raiders quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards since Rich Gannon threw for 4,689 yards in his MVP season in 2002. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, along with other reputable outlets, are reporting that Carson Palmer will be traded to the Arizona Cardinals, likely for late pick compensation. The Raiders had been in talks with Palmer about restructuring his contract but it quickly became learned that the two sides were not seeing eye to eye. It was largely believed that the Raiders would release the veteran quarterback to avoid having to pay his heavy contract, but getting anything in return for Palmer's departure should be considered a victory for Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie. The Raiders will still have to pay Palmer about $9 million in dead money with the trade, but avoid his upcoming years' salaries. It is believed that Palmer will restructure his contract for the trade to the Cardinals. The Raiders brought in Matt Flynn from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade on Monday morning as part of their attempt to replace Palmer. Originally published on SBReport.net on April 1, 2013
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports has reported that the Raiders have traded two draft picks for Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn. Glazer tweeted that the Raiders have given up two late-round picks stating that "The 2 picks the Raiders sent for Flynn are in 2014 and 2015 draft. Both are later rounds" on twitter. It was later reported that the 2015 draft pick is a conditional draft pick. The trade reunites Flynn with Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie who served time in the Green Bay Packers front office and helped bring in the quarterback to serve under Aaron Rodgers. Flynn has been in the league for five seasons since leaving LSU and has appeared in only 37 games. Flynn's most notable start game in week 16 for the Packers against the Detroit Lions, throwing for 480 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions on 31-44 throwing. Flynn promptly signed a three-year, $19.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks but lost the starting job to rookie sensation Russell Wilson. The move means it may have just gotten harder for Terrelle Pryor to earn the starting job, as it appears McKenzie has belief in Flynn, giving up two draft picks for him. The move may also mean the end of the Carson Palmer era in Oakland, whom the Raiders have been trying to talk into taking a pay cut to remain with the team. Adam Schefter of ESPN and many others have reported that the Raiders are working on a deal with the Arizona Cardinals to send Palmer to the Valley of the Sun. |
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