Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Scouting News

Looking ahead to the draft, the Raiders' gamble on draft picks early paid off - the Raiders have the 1st overall pick.

Raiders' 1st round picks:
1st
5th
6th
7th
28th
So not only do the Raiders not need to move up, they will get whoever they want and those other picks can be used to take other kids or move down in the draft.
The Raiders have put together their last scouting list of the year. Some of the kids the team will look for include:

CB J.J. Smoke (UCF) - assuming he stays a CB on draft day, he'll be the first overall pick since the Raiders own it.

WR Nick Yates (LSU) - well-rounded receiver that could work in the slot and play off the attention Moore and Green should draw.

QB Kip Ricketts (Arizona) - strong arm and better on deeper passes than shorter ones, Ricketts needs refinement, but could serve as a back up.

DE Keithen Lett (USC) - while most focus on K.C. Williams, the Raiders are more likely to let teams fight over the pick to draft him (assuming he's not taken before 5th overall) and target this kid.

LB James Hazzard (Akron) - Likely a late round pick, but mostly because teams think he's a loose cannon. Raiders will try to get him in the second half of the draft as psycho linebackers are in this organization's genes.

LB Kendle Maeweather (BC) - Raiders will likely target him at #28 to not risk another team needing a MLB also trying to take him for a steal (late 2nd? As if).

SS Marquess Fuqua (Penn State) - whether Branch stays or goes, the team needs a prospect at SS to develop as Branch isn't getting any younger. Fuqua needs work, but the basis is there and he's a hard hitter.

LT James Buchannon (E. Carolina) - plays the "wrong" side as the Raiders need a RT, but the team could snag him and try him there until a true RT arrives.

C Patrick Seaver (W. New Mexico) - conditioning remains a concern, but the team wouldn't pass him up if he's there in the middle rounds.

DT Omari Forrest (E. Carolina) - another East Carolina product makes the list. Forrest plays with leverage and should develop into a solid interior lineman in the future.

[tflash81]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Looks like the Raiders are set for a crazy draft. This draft could be one of those legendary ones that's remembered for putting a dynasty in motion. JJ Smoke/Maeweather are ridiculous if you land both of them.

[daniel77733]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

How did you acquire FIVE first round draft picks including four of them in the top seven?

And if you draft C Patrick Seaver, please let me know if he's one of those players that cant have his sleeves removed. Thanks.

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

How did you acquire FIVE first round draft picks including four of them in the top seven?

And if you draft C Patrick Seaver, please let me know if he's one of those players that cant have his sleeves removed. Thanks.

Earlier trades during the prior season, and probably a draft day trade. IIRC, I didn't like anyone high in the last draft and probably traded out for next year's (this year's) picks. Would have to look back.

I had no idea what place in the order they would be, just what they were projected to be based on last year's record. Edit: One of the picks I went for were in the top 10 at the time, and some were in the bottom half, but I guess those teams sucked (or got 'good' luck in tie breakers) more than expected.

The pick that was in the the top 10 was #3 projected. Don't know who it belonged to, though, other than it didn't belong to team that owned it. One of the picks was #19 - one of the teams that must have sucked much more than expected.

[JHeyBraves]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Smoke and Maeweather is going to be so awesome.

With that LB crew, there may not be any tackles left for the rest of the guys

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Smoke and Maeweather is going to be so awesome.

With that LB crew, there may not be any tackles left for the rest of the guys

LOL

Poor Immanuel Dawn might not get to play much. I need to be in 2-4-5 instead of 3-3-5 to get the LBs there hitting time, but Dawn doesn't play there (Suh and Walters). I was thinking of 4-3 with subbing out the RE for Ash and using three of Wagner, Bullock, Maeweather, Olsen, Williams... Or maybe sub both RE and LE out for Ash and Bullock, Olsen comes in during Nickle and maybe pick Falcons D for the 46 and Olsen acts as Strong Safety.

I don't know, but yeah, it's getting complicated without custom playbooks! Gotta get my realistic-but-creative hat on.

It's bad enough trying to decide who gets benched in 3-4 between Peterson, Smoke, and Madison!

[JHeyBraves]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

LOL

Poor Immanuel Dawn might not get to play much. I need to be in 2-4-5 instead of 3-3-5 to get the LBs there hitting time, but Dawn doesn't play there (Suh and Walters). I was thinking of 4-3 with subbing out the RE for Ash and using three of Wagner, Bullock, Maeweather, Olsen, Williams... Or maybe sub both RE and LE out for Ash and Bullock, Olsen comes in during Nickle and maybe pick Falcons D for the 46 and Olsen acts as Strong Safety.

I don't know, but yeah, it's getting complicated without custom playbooks! Gotta get my realistic-but-creative hat on.

It's bad enough trying to decide who gets benched in 3-4 between Peterson, Smoke, and Madison!

Custom playbacks… why did you have to leave?

Hate seeing Dawn and any one of those corners on the bench. It's survival of the fittest in Oakland, haha. The injury bug tends to bite enough that everyone could still see some time.

4-3 would be tough with all those choices. If you did, I'd think about a Wagner, Bullock and Maeweather trio. I know Williams is reigning DROY, but, call it a hunch, I think Maeweather could be G-man 2.0.

Is it criminal for me to make that comparison? Can anyone be compared to the great Gibson?

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Custom playbacks… why did you have to leave?

Hate seeing Dawn and any one of those corners on the bench. It's survival of the fittest in Oakland, haha. The injury bug tends to bite enough that everyone could still see some time.

4-3 would be tough with all those choices. If you did, I'd think about a Wagner, Bullock and Maeweather trio. I know Williams is reigning DROY, but, call it a hunch, I think Maeweather could be G-man 2.0.

Is it criminal for me to make that comparison? Can anyone be compared to the great Gibson?

If not criminal - it's exceptionally bold!

But Maeweather is the closest I've seen so far. His coverage is pretty bad, though, that's about the biggest difference.

If I went 4-3, I would probably put Bullock at LE. Let him continue his Freeney impersonation. Williams would go to LOLB (or maybe Olsen?), but yeah, Wagner and Maeweather would be the other two.

I need a six linebacker defense LOL.

[Gronk4M13]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Eagles won the Superbowl? Good for them. It'd be even more of a storyline ending to have the Browns win. Romo to Bills? In my experience, he's a journeyman. After the Cowboys don't resign him, I've seen him go to the Colts, Jaguars and Rams...all in the same CCM. Bush and Cole to Broncos, could give you some extra divisional competition.

Schumacher to Cards? Good, he wasn't a quality player IMO.

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Eagles won the Superbowl? Good for them. It'd be even more of a storyline ending to have the Browns win. Romo to Bills? In my experience, he's a journeyman. After the Cowboys don't resign him, I've seen him go to the Colts, Jaguars and Rams...all in the same CCM. Bush and Cole to Broncos, could give you some extra divisional competition.

Schumacher to Cards? Good, he wasn't a quality player IMO.

Yeah, I don't like Denver getting those two. Not at all. Happy Chiefs lost their QB though. So, unless the Chargers come up, might just be one team in the way this year. But who knows.

I agree, would have been much better if the Browns won it all. So close.

[tdawg3782]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Scouting News

Looking ahead to the draft, the Raiders' gamble on draft picks early paid off - the Raiders have the 1st overall pick.

Raiders' 1st round picks:
1st
5th
6th
7th
28th
So not only do the Raiders not need to move up, they will get whoever they want and those other picks can be used to take other kids or move down in the draft.
The Raiders have put together their last scouting list of the year. Some of the kids the team will look for include:

CB J.J. Smoke (UCF) - assuming he stays a CB on draft day, he'll be the first overall pick since the Raiders own it.

WR Nick Yates (LSU) - well-rounded receiver that could work in the slot and play off the attention Moore and Green should draw.

QB Kip Ricketts (Arizona) - strong arm and better on deeper passes than shorter ones, Ricketts needs refinement, but could serve as a back up.

DE Keithen Lett (USC) - while most focus on K.C. Williams, the Raiders are more likely to let teams fight over the pick to draft him (assuming he's not taken before 5th overall) and target this kid.

LB James Hazzard (Akron) - Likely a late round pick, but mostly because teams think he's a loose cannon. Raiders will try to get him in the second half of the draft as psycho linebackers are in this organization's genes.

LB Kendle Maeweather (BC) - Raiders will likely target him at #28 to not risk another team needing a MLB also trying to take him for a steal (late 2nd? As if).

SS Marquess Fuqua (Penn State) - whether Branch stays or goes, the team needs a prospect at SS to develop as Branch isn't getting any younger. Fuqua needs work, but the basis is there and he's a hard hitter.

LT James Buchannon (E. Carolina) - plays the "wrong" side as the Raiders need a RT, but the team could snag him and try him there until a true RT arrives.

C Patrick Seaver (W. New Mexico) - conditioning remains a concern, but the team wouldn't pass him up if he's there in the middle rounds.

DT Omari Forrest (E. Carolina) - another East Carolina product makes the list. Forrest plays with leverage and should develop into a solid interior lineman in the future.

SMOKE!!!!! Dude you will not regret this guy at all. So shut down. In his 2nd year (using your current oak sliders) he tied the single season INT record. I don't change for user picks either. That was all him. He just shuts down half the field. When guys do get a catch off him its a shock. It's to the point if he allows 3-4 catches a game I get mad lol. also QB's just don't throw at him. It's like the know lol.

As for Seaver for some reason he was on the trade block in my Broncos CCM and I snatched him up with the quickness. Physical freak with solid intangibles.

Maeweather.....all I can say is I have to play him twice a year (he's on the Chiefs) and I dread it everytime. He should fit well in your scheme.

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

2017 NFL Draft

Storyline Players:
QB Rob Robonovitch - 1.14 Titans (character might interfere with career potential)
CB J.J. Smoke - 1.1 Raiders (said that there's nothing he can't do and compares to Deion Sanders)
WR Denny Thompson - 5.27 Giants (started at QB, but wasn't going to be drafted as a QB, so he changed to WR and has a strong work ethic)
TE Ruckas Cage - 1.30 Lions (makes clutch catches, but is a raw player lacking in fundamentals)
HB Lucious Dufree - 5.4 Redskins (Often injured, then left the team after getting benched; however, he has high upside)
LT Otto Freese - 1.18 Raiders (talented player, but lost focus and was eventually treated for depression)
RE K.C. Williams - 1.6 Eagles (small size concerns some, but others think he's another Julius Peppers)
LB James Hazzard - 6.9 Cardinals (Highly aggressive, if not angry, on the field, but all the physical attributes are there)

NFL Draft - Round 1 Recap
Pick	Team	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
1	OAK	J.J. Smoke	CB
2	KC	Andrew Houston	DE
3	TEN	Jordan Williams	HB
4	DET	Juwan Bethune-Jones	DT
5	HOU via OAK	Dylan Hagerup	WR
6	PHI via OAK	K.C. Williams	DE
7	CIN via OAK	Silas Olaniyan	WR
8	SF	Chase Bolinger	DT
9	SD via ARI	Luke Bearden	TE
10	WAS via ARI via SD	Blake Hall	WR
11	PHI via ATL	T.J. Johnson	LB
12	STL via GB	Harry Peeples	LB
13	OAK via HOU	Kendle Maeweather (was booed according to tweets)	LB
14	TEN via DET	Rob Robonovich	QB
15	CLE via BUF	Micahel Pfeifer	QB
16	ATL via DAL	Devin Patterson	DE
17	DAL	Ricardo Sparks	HB
18	OAK via CIN	Otto Freese	LT
19	JAX	Tobias Thompson	DT
20	CHI via BAL	Timothy Skov	TE
21	STL via CIN	Devae Williams	RG
22	HOU via TB	Demetric Dawson	CB
23	DEN	Andrew Cook	DT
24	DEN via CAR	Jeffrey Tillman	LG
25	GB	Demetruce Pair	DE
26	DET	Griffin Ward	LB
27	PIT via BAL	Jake Anderson	LB
28	NO via OAK	Yvon McMullen	LB
29	DET via KC	Monte White	RT
30	DET	Ruckas Cage	TE
31	NYJ	Jamen Bucannon	LT
32	CHI via OAK	Jamel McCray	RE

NFL Draft - Raiders' Later Picks
Pick	Team	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
2.8	Traded to DAL	Marques Fuqua	SS
2.9	OAK	Patrick Seaver	C
2.16	OAK	Keithen Lett	DE
2.21	OAK	Kip Ricketts	QB
2.28	Traded to DAL	Taylor Vivace	TE
3.6	OAK	Ramonn Majors	WR
3.16	OAK	Mylan Green	SS
4.28	OAK	Julian Shade	DE
6.17*	OAK	Patrick Papagianopoulos (Had to take him just for the name)	QB
6.18*	OAK	Max Justice	RG
6.28*	OAK	Dane Wehby	P
7.17*	OAK	Je-Marc Gibbs (let the CPU pick one...and picked another Punter...guess we got a position battle)	P
7.18*	OAK	Chuck Christenson (6'8!)	RT
7.26*	OAK	Sterlin Jones	HB
	* denotes unknown grab bag player

For what it's worth, the analysts liked pretty much all of the grab bag picks, but...we'll see.

Raiders' Draft Trades

OAK trades 5th overall to HOU for 2018 13th overall and 2019 #1.
OAK trades 6th overall to PHI for 2018 11th overall, #6 and 2019 #1.
OAK trades 7th overall to CIN for 2018 18th overall and #2.
OAK trades 28th overall to NO for 2019 1st and 6th.
OAK trades 32nd overall to CHI for 2018 #2 and 2019 #7.
OAK trades 40th overall to DAL for 2018 #2 and #7.

[DoubleRussia]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Dude Patrick Pagagianopolos is a great player! a great back up QB, if he gets a year or two with some XP.

[KBLover]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

2018 Dawns
Raiders Expected to at Least Make
Super Bowl, if not Win

The Raiders had an active and exciting draft (and hopefully fruitful). At least the team should enjoy depth, although much of it unproven depth. Some targets were missed like Fuqua, Shepard, and Hazzard, but overall, it seemed the Raiders were able to stay on target through the first half of the draft.


Hall of Fame Voting

TE Antonio Gates crosses the threshold of Canton as he was inducted in to the Hall of Fame. However, nearly everyone was stunned that DeMarcus Ware did not make it on the first ballot. One of the most feared outside pass rushers, Ware racked up over 100 sacks in his career. Not good enough, evidently.

WR Greg Jennings, maybe not as much of a "slam dunk" case, was also left waiting outside the hallowed halls.


Preseason Rumor Mill

As always, the trade blocks heat up at this time of year. Raiders players are not immune to this, of course. Reports are that Tyvon Branch and Kooper Cosbert are two that might be in different uniforms before the regular season begins.

Other interesting players include HB Sylvester Sanders (Buffalo), RE Patrick Gjere (New Orleans) and DT Phil Taylor (Browns).


Position Battles/Situations:

QB
Some are pushing for Kip Ricketts to get a real look at QB. However, it is very unlikely that he will unseat Martens after his rookie campaign. QB stability is not something Oakland has been known for, however. Just ask Wade Schumacher what a good rookie season means if not followed up with more of the same in short order. Patrick Papagianopolus is going to give the jersey department nightmares trying to get that name on the back of his jersey. Other than that, he is not going to be close to starting this year, barring injuries...and probably not then.

HB
Nothing to see here. Bull Griggs is the man and Caulder is far better than draftee Sterlin Jones. Jones might not even be on the roster, depending on how the cut days go.

WR
The Raiders surprised some folks by taking Ramonn Majors when most thought Nick Yates would be the guy they went with. Majors lacks speed, but has exceptional hands, rating as high on the scouts' grades as Denarius Moore and higher than Akia Green. Route running and agility might be an issue; however, the Raiders will give him a chance to beat Blackmon and Favors for the slot WR job.

TE
Nothing here - Kruger is #1. If the Raiders can find a 2nd FB, Reece might go to TE #2 on 2 TE sets.

OL
Patrick Seaver was taken by the Raiders, and it will be a fierce fight between him and Wainwright for the starting job. Wainwright came on strong as the season improved, showing recovery from his injury. Seaver, however, has scouts salivating with his 98 (!) Impact Blocking score. Seaver will also threaten RT where Otto Freese will have to battle for the starting job.

DL
Defensive line is up in the air because it depends on if the team is going 3-4 or 4-3. If going with a 4-man line with no use of linebackers, Julian Shade is home free at LE. Keiwone Walters would likely play on the interior with Dawn and Suh will anchor RE, leaving Cosbert and Lett in the cold. In the 3-4, Suh is still safe, but Dawn, Shade, Cosbert and Walters will all be battling for two spots. If linebackers get involved - then anything goes. That seems less likely now in the base sets since only one LB was taken in the draft.

LB
It seems that the LB log jam is more bark than bite. With guys like K.J. Wright departing and only Meaweather coming in from the draft, it seems the starting 3 or 4 will be set as Wagner, Meaweather, Bullock from right to left. Earl Williams is likely to appear if the team goes with the 3-4. Olsen will likely be the LOLB in passing situations while Bullock puts his hand on the ground as a pass rusher, especially in a typical 4-2-5 type nickle set. Ash might get the same treatment on the right side in some formations, if only to give Suh some rest. No positions battles, per se, though Williams, Ash and Olsen will try to prove their worth.


CB
This will be interesting. J.J. Smoke's skills demand at least a heavy look out of the gate as a starting CB. Patrick Peterson's play style sometimes gets him burned, but he also led the league in picks, including a pick-six. For about 12 weeks, Brandon Madison was untouchable and often outright avoided. In some games he literally shut out his man, sometimes not even permitting an attempt in his direction. When he was challenged, he picked up 5 INTs, which is perhaps even more impressive given how infrequently the ball was thrown his away (unlike Peterson who was habitually challenged). How those three get arranged is anyone's guess. The team might actually entertain some dime looks this year with Hopkins as the dime back. That will help the team against spread offensive sets. That was one of the few weaknesses of the defense last year, defending against four- and five-wideout sets.

FS/SS
No position battles here, but instead the team's biggest weakness. Branch is solid, but can get beat by athletic receivers and makes some mistakes in coverage. Lamel Seawood hopefully will improve, but until (and if) he does, he's a liability at times in coverage.

K/P
There is a position battle between the two drafted punters. Both seem downright average, though Je-Marc Gibbs has better awareness of the situation. That should give him a leg up, no pun intended.



Training Camp Invitees

TE Tim Wilson - big, strong (92 STR), but needs a LOT of work. Given his strength and some knowledge of blocking, he seems like a converted offensive lineman. With development, he might be the perfect #2 TE.

LG Austin Venson - decent run blocker, but has issues in pass protection and reading defensive sets. Still, as a back up, it could be worse.

RT Troy Kropog - this nine-year veteran will get a chance to stick as depth at the in-flux RT position.

LB Rocky McIntosh - the 35-year-old McIntosh gets a chance to work on special teams while being decent enough to step in for injury.

LB Akeem Jordan - another veteran LB that still has enough physical ability to be useful if called upon to start.


Troubled Players (for development system)
These players enter the season with a distraction of some sort and has let it affect their play. They can leave this status by passing the same check they failed to entered this status. If the same situation exists (on trade block, for example) or the issues is storyline related - then this check is made each week. Troubled status inflicts 20% penalty to development chance each week it exists.)

Kooper Cosbert (demanding trade - placed on trade block when season rolled over)

Otto Freese (storyline related - is being treated for depression and his focus wavers in and out)

Ndamukong Suh (storyline related - got into a fight in a club over the offseason and faced misdemeanor charges)

[Gronk4M13]

Re: Rebuilding the Fear - Oakland Raiders M13 CCM

Great draft. Two storyline players and two serviceable backup QB's! I like to watch Madden CCM's on Youtube, and one channel, Mr. Hurricane (my favorite of the Youtube CCM's) drafted Papagianopoulos in the first draft. He's starting, pretty decent but injury prone. I like the storyline-troubled players a lot; adds even more realism to this.