Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

[Cre8]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Pryor was ATROCIOUS! wow... like madball asked... What's the plan this off-season?

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Definitely have to address the receivers. The passing attack is too reliant on just one guy, and that's not the way to win over the long term. There's some prospects being heavily looked at for the draft, and will definitely keep an eye on how the free agent pool is looking.

Defensively, another issue showed up, a lack of pass rush. Fortunately, the coverage came through, but we didn't get a single sack. Hopefully, Quinterrius Fields will find a way to stay healthy, since he's sensational when healthy, but other defensive players are being scouted, especially with the potential switch to a 3-4, or at least some 3-4 influence to try to disguise things is a possibility.

As far as the existing players - the ones that are still around are definitely going to be going through drills relating to ball skills. We put the ball on the ground too much all year - both on drops and fumbles. Caulder is our halfback, but we need depth.

Terrelle definitely had issues. There's a kid we like with Pryor's skill set but more accuracy, and he's high on our list. In fairness to him, at least 30-40% of those incompletions he had were drops. If our guys could hold on to the ball, game might have been different.

[OG_McNabb]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Great franchise. I meant to ask after an earlier game but why pass so much? 49 passes with an erratic passing attack in such a close game

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Great franchise. I meant to ask after an earlier game but why pass so much? 49 passes with an erratic passing attack in such a close game

For a long time, the run game was no help and I really don't trust those two (Jones and Bolden). Jones is a fumble waiting to happen, and didn't think Jones would do it.

Then he started doing well, but then the 49ers would clamp down on it, calling run blitzes and such.

A lot of the passes were short passes trying to catch them blitzing, but never could get a good read in this game.

After that little spurt of run success, it didn't work out. Then it got late and needing a TD.

A lot of it, though, stemmed from not trusting the HBs, especially against a hot front seven like the 49ers.

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

2013 Offseason Begins

Coach's Comment
"First, I would like to thank all the fans that have supported us during the improbable run at the end of last season and during the postseason. Your support was invaluable. I would like to thank my players for fighting together and believing in what their coaches were teaching them and for giving max effort on the field of battle.

I want to emphasize that we want nothing less than to bring the Lombardi to Raider Nation. Being so close didn't satisfy us, it made us hungrier. It is like a starving man watching another man eat a sirloin stake.

We will evaluate our needs and do what it takes to achieve the ultimate prize."


Top XP Totals
With all the games done, here's the top 5 XP, according to sources:

Julio Caulder, HB, 52,447
Rolando McClain, MLB, 48,721
Denarius Moore, WR, 42,183
Jake Olsen, MLB, 34,870
Sebastian Janikowski, K, 31,948

Stage 1

Breaking News - Brian Billick has returned to coaching. No word yet on which team he will choose.

Major Retirements:
CB Charles Woodson (Packers)
WR Reggie Wayne (Colts)
WR Chad Johnson (FA)

Contract News:
Broncos franchise tag LB D.J. Williams.
Chiefs franchise tag OL Branden Albert.
Colts franchise tag CB Vontae Davis.
Dolphins franchise tag OL Randy Starks.
Jaguars franchise tag FB Greg Jones.
Packers franchise tag LB Clay Matthews.

DE Tyson Jackson rejects offer from Chiefs.
DE Andre Carter rejects offer from Jaguars.

Raiders Contract News
WR Jacoby Ford agrees to a 4 year, $8.8 M contract extension.
TE Matthew Mulligan rejects the Raiders' offer.
RT Sean Locklear rejects the Raiders' offer.

Non-Tendered:
WR Josh Morgan
CB Andre Goodman
HB Branden Bolden
C Bryan Mattison
LG C.J. Davis
FS Emanuel Cook
OLB Vic So'oto
TE Bear Pascoe
RE Antwan Applewhite
OLB Keenan Clayton
DT Shalon Baker

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Stage 2

Major Retirements:
CB Champ Bailey (Broncos)
DE Julius Peppers (Bears)
HB Thomas Jones (FA)

Top FAs:
FB Michael Robinson
DT Terrance Knighton
DT Donata Peko
QB Matt Ryan
LG T.J. Lang
ROLB Parys Haralson
QB Tony Romo
QB Josh Freeman

Stage 3

Major Retirements:
FS Ed Reed (Ravens)
WR Randy Moss (FA)

Stage 4

Major Signing:
QB Tony Romo signs with Falcons for 3 years, $24.2 M.

Raiders Signing:
LOLB Sergio Kindle signs with Raiders for 1 year, $650 K.

Stage 5

Major Signing:
MLB Jonathan Vilma signs with Redskins for 3 years, $8.1 M.


Stage 6

Major Signings:
Chiefs sign Ty Warren for 4 years, $18.1 M.
Falcons sign Michael Robinson for 4 years, $10.8 M.
Titans sign Chad Henne for 4 years, $15.2 M.
Colts sign Larry Foote to an undisclosed contract.

Raiders Signings:
Raiders sign Jeff Otah for 3 years, $12.9 M.
Raiders sign Josh Johnson for 1 year, $900 K.

Trades:
Michael Huff was traded to the Bengals for their 2nd round pick. The Raiders are reported to have included their 6th round pick as part of the deal.

Bucs are shopping Da'Quan Bowers. No indication on interests from other teams. The Raiders have mentioned that they don't intend to get involved.

Stage 7

Major Signings:
Packers sign Donata Peko for 4 years, $24 M.
Jaguars sign Terrance Knighton for 5 years, $29.3 M
Bears sign T.J. Lang for 5 years, $39 M
Titans sign Beanie Wells for 4 years, $13.32 M

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Stage 8 - NFL Draft
(Italics = summary of storyline given by Trey Wingo on the player)

Round 1:
1 - Bengals: SS Brett Davis
2 - Lions: LE Bryan Matthews
3 - Dolphins: DT Jabari Dawn
4 - Jets: QB Terry Carter - Carter did very well...until his injury and then poor effort in the clutch at his Bowl game, causing people to question his big game mentality. Physical tools are there in spades.
5 - Cardinals: Traded to Bengals: WR Ravonne Winters
6 - Ravens: CB Vaetuitonga Taue'etia
7 - Rams: LT Antonio Green
8 - Rams: DT Kameel Brown
9 - Broncos: Traded to Raiders: HB Steven Grant - athletic HB with great performance in the combine with 4.37 speed and best times in the agility drills. Injury risk is a concern, but his athleticism has been proven.
10 - Ravens: Traded to Seattle: LE Xavier Sims (wonder if we screwed up the Ravens, they took forever to act)
11 - Giants: Traded to Bills: LE Troy Florence
12 - Falcons: WR Marcus Delany
13 - Cowboys: WR Marvin Carroll
14 - Giants: Traded to Colts: DT Latawan Smith
15 - Jaguars: Traded to Bills: LOLB John Hurst - Started off hot and looked like a top 10 pick, then fell off, and then got hurt. Considered somewhere between a true LB or a DE, his team will need to find a way to use his physical talent.
16 - Patriots: HB Damion Young
17 - Chiefs: QB Tim Maggitt
18 - Ravens: Traded to Packers: LT Bronson Haffner (Ravens must either hate this draft or have targets lower they are trying to stockpile)
19 - Saints: Traded to Packers: LG Travis Hadley
20 - Giants: Traded to Falcons: LE Bill Cross
21 - Rams: ROLB Charone Watkins
22 - Ravens: DT Andre Tarver
23 - Giants: Traded to Jets: TE Blake Lindsly
24 - Chargers: Traded to Patriots: DT Blake Flowers
25 - Giants: TE Donterius Celestin
26 - Titans: LT Bayele Gee
27 - Jaguars: Traded to Steelers: ROLB Brennen Randolph
28 - Giants: Traded to Dolphins: WR John Craft
29 - Eagles: Traded to Browns: CB David Martinez
30 - Jaguars: Traded to Saints: FS Taylor Sherrod
31 - Seahawks: C Shawn Hess
32 - 49ers: MLB Dillon Dyles


Raiders Picks:
2nd round
1 - WR Corey McCants
16 - WR D'Andre Ware
32 - MLB Tanner Bailey - Bayless wonders if Raiders could have gotten this pick earlier...like it matters (nice to see Madden captured his saying stuff that is not relevant nicely).

3rd round
No selection

4th round
CB Fred Marshall - A great college player until he got hurt, he tried to get a redshirt year but was rejected. He hurried to get ready for the Combine, but turned in an impressive performance. Health may be a concern, but his cover skills are said to be excellent.

LG Aaryn DePriest - McShay loves this selection for our team. Considered it a smart pick.


5th Round
DT Keon Howard - Chris Mortensnen thinks this pick fills a needed spot for the team.

CB Brandon Madison

6th Round
No Selection

7th Round
WR Daniel Raymond


Raiders Draft Trades:
Raiders trade DT Richard Seymour, TE Marcus Harper, Raiders 5th round pick 2015 to Broncos for 9th overall pick.

Raiders trade WR Mike Williams and OAK 2015 1st round pick to Falcons for ATL 2nd Round Pick

Raiders trade LT Comardelle and OAK 2015 6th round pick to Cardinals for ARZ 4th round pick

[Cole416]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Would you mind telling me where Blaine Giles went?

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

2014 Dawns

Hall of Fame
Charles Woodson is inducted into the Hall of Fame

Out:
WR Reggie Wayne, DE Julius Peppers, WR Randy Moss

Coaching News
Brian Billick signed on as the Cardinals' head coach.


Trade Rumors
The Raiders are getting flooded with offers for SS Mike Mitchell. Most are in the realm of a 4th and a 7th in 2015 draft, though some teams are offering players. LOLB Greg Jones and TE Brandon Pettigrew are among the names mentioned.

On the block:
HB Willis McGahee
DT Mike Patterson
RT Khalif Barnes
TE Brandon Pettigrew
LB Sean Hamilton-Lecky

Rookies Scouting Report
Steven Grant, HB, is rated as an elite speed halfback, which is why he's getting downplayed with the Raiders considered a power run team. But, not only could Grant develop into that type of runner, scouts forget that Taiwan Jones was used to mix up the inside-outside run game.

WR D'Andre Ware is not the fastest or quickest receiver on the field, but he's tough, doesn't let go of the ball, and will take the hits to make the catch. The only problem might be his running style, he never makes sure to wrap up the ball. Hopefully, it doesn't cause fumble issues.

WR Corey McCants' best strength is his route running. He grades at a solid 82 in the area (Moore is an 84) and has decent top speed. Flexibility in his hips and explosive burst are two areas that might limit his production initially, and may need even sharper routes to get separation.

WR Daniel Raymond has very good hands and doesn't lose concentration when having to make the catch in traffic. Has enough speed to succeed and moves with reasonable agility. His instincts are going to need some time to develop, and he'll need film study to learn the finer points of the game, but for a project type player, not bad.

LG Aaryn DePriest grades out like his fellow guard Cale Welsh, right down to the weakness for pass blocking. Cale worked on this area and is now serviceable (and improving) while being a monster in run blocking. If DePriest can do the same, Caulder should have some fun on inside runs.

DT Keon Howard is a good prospect. He needs time to refine his skills at the next level, but already shows good awareness and tackling. Getting off blocks and reading his keys are going to be the areas he is going to work on the most, and if he can get that down, he should work out well.

MLB Tanner Bailey should help the Raiders out. It is likely that Jake Olsen will stay on the outside since Bailey looks like he's better playing on the inside. Bailey is solid in pretty much every area right now, and has potential to improve his coverage. If the only difference between Bailey and Olsen is man coverage, the Raiders should be pleased with Tanner.

CB Brandon Madison was woefully underrated in the draft and this could be a steal for the team. He might not be the fastest, but he's not slow and plays tight man coverage. He also has very good hands for a DB, which could make him dangerous to pass against. Zone coverage and mental awareness are going to be his challenges, but that's something time and experience can fix.

CB Fred Marshall's severe injury in his senior year might have taken more of a toll than the Raiders are thinking. He is still fast and very agile on the field, and he still has a solid-for-a-rookie ability to diagnose plays and route combinations. But the time off has left him unable to keep up with his cover skills, ball skills, and of course his conditioning. He is, however, a VERY dangerous returner, and that might be how he makes his first impact to the team.


Raiders Signings
FS Archie Bracey - Hits like, and is about as smart as, a ton of bricks. Raiders might have to make a move here...

DT Cam Thomas - BIG nose tackle type (97 STR). Just what the Raiders need. Kelly can then play one end with draftee Keon Howard on the other end. Shaughnessy and Houston could come in on pass rush situations.

LOLB Jason Worilds - Could come in on packages and adds depth along with Kindle. Neither is expected to challenge Olsen as starter.

TE Tony Moeaki - Reece might be returning to fullback if Moeaki can finally give the Raiders a true receiving threat at tight end.

TE Matthew Mulligan returns after getting no bites in free agency. For now, he'll be the 2nd TE and come in on Ace and other multiple TE sets. For now. If Moeaki doesn't work or goes down with injury, the setup the team ran last year with Reece and Mulligan could go back in action.


Top FAs
Some unsigned talent that might go quickly as teams sort out their rosters:

QB Matt Ryan
MLB Sean Lee
QB Josh Freeman (target for Oakland?)
LT Charles Brown
DT Tyson Alualu

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Would you mind telling me where Blaine Giles went?

He went at 2.11 with the Cleveland Browns' selection.

[Cole416]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

He went at 2.11 with the Cleveland Browns' selection.

Exactly where I thought he would go! Thanks

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Exactly where I thought he would go! Thanks

Heh. No problem.

Was frustrating because:

a) Browns already had 3 QBs...why do they need a 4th.
b) it looked like he would fall

*sigh*

And since the Redskins aren't going to let go of Robert Griffin any time soon guess it's Pryor or Johnson if I want a fast QB for the offense who can add some running yards.

[JHeyBraves]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Hate to see you make it all the way to the Super Bowl and lose, but that was a great season.

Did you give McClain any consistency boost with all that XP or did you decide to 'not mess with what's working'?

I'm interested in the Reece/Moeaki battle after how well Reece handled the switch. I can't believe the CPU is allowing Matt Ryan and Sean Lee to sit in FA

[Cole416]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Who do you user on defense? If you dont user McCain you should give him some Awareness boosts. It will be better with the non-user tackles. BTW, Is there anyone you are looking to trade before the deadline?

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Hate to see you make it all the way to the Super Bowl and lose, but that was a great season.

Did you give McClain any consistency boost with all that XP or did you decide to 'not mess with what's working'?

I'm interested in the Reece/Moeaki battle after how well Reece handled the switch. I can't believe the CPU is allowing Matt Ryan and Sean Lee to sit in FA

Haven't done anything with any of the XP yet (trying to decide still, but will use it before preseason)

And, yeah. I can't believe that either about the FAs - they didn't even get a sniff during the stages either. Guess they wanted too much money and it's a cap thing. Wish that would happen with RG3...