Bey on Display

 

"Though he clunked several catches in his first real outing with the Raiders, Bey's resume has one thing on display and its one of the things Raider football needs the most.

Unadulterated speed.

Bey's hands and Russell's sometimes inaccurate cannon may make for an interesting year, but the former Maryland Terp will affect the field just by being on it." 

 

 

 

 

                  
 Photo Ezra Shaw / AP

                                                                                    WR Darrius Heyward Bey                             

 

One thing is clear after todays practice. Bey could’ve used some extra time with Russell.

Not to say every pass he’s missed was thrown by Russell, I don’t know, but what I do know is that Russell throws like no other person on earth.

Russell’s powerful and quick delivery is likely very, very different than that of Bey's Maryland QBs, Chris Turner or Jordan Steffy.

Russell, the former LSU Tiger QB, completed 232 of 342 passing attempts his Junior year for a 68.9% completion rating, but that may be in part to receivers like Dwayne Bowe, Early Doucet and Craig Davis (all 3 still in the NFL with varying degrees of success) who tracked errant passes down and fought for receptions.

Russell didn’t have that luxury last year and his lack of consistent accuracy was exposed.

Russell will need to find that accuracy in the NFL because DB’s at the pro level aren’t going to let him lob balls up into the heavens uncontested.

Bey has the size at 6-2, 210 lbs and a 38.5 inch vertical to high point balls, but its something he needs work on along with his route tree, crispness and blocking.

But he can do one thing very well and thats why he’s was drafted and is a system fit for the Raiders.

He can run...fast.

Have no illusions, Heyward Bey is a project with great potential, but his role this year will be to stretch the field with his speed, opening underneath and the middle for his fellow pass catchers.

If he can haul in a long bomb or two early on, it could have lasting effects through out the year in how defensive coordinators prepare for Oakland.

Bey’s speed may make defenses stay honest and not stuff the box as much as they’d like against the dangerous running back duo of McFadden and Bush.

It should also help free number one target TE Zach Miller who already has a connection with Russell and always seems to find the open spot.

Bey has a long way to go to be a top flight receiver in Oakland, but his natural gifts should help the Raiders even when he’s not catching the ball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Weapon of Choice

 

 

"For the first time in far too long owner Al Davis finally has offensive weapons to execute his philosophy of football based on baseball. Trust us, in Davis's wild, upside down world, it makes perfect sense.

Is potential offensive firepower and dedication to an old school philosophy enough to set the Raiders back on a winning course or are Davis's detractors right? Has the game passed him by?

2009 will go a long way toward proving one of them right."

 

 

 

 

                            
Photo / Getty Images

                                                                                 Sir Al Davis                  

 

Many fans steeped in Raider lore are familiar with New York raised Alphonse Davis’s love of the Big apple’s baseball teams of yore, that dominated the major leagues in his era and how he melded those two great baseball teams philosophies into Oakland Raider football.

Davis admired the Brooklyn Dodgers innovative attack and speed and loved the Yankees power and intimidation.

Combining the two led to some great Raider victories, endless highlights and one of the best records in sports history.

According to some, its also responsible for the 6 year disaster endured by Oakland faithful.

But, over the last few seasons Sir Al has quietly assembled another youthful offense packed with the elements he cherished so much in those Championship baseball dynasties.

It will be up to new Coach Tom Cable and crew to add the innovation, but with Darren McFadden capable of Westbrookian / Reggie Bush type of versatility Oakland could and should be able to throw some new wrinkles into what has been a vanilla play book of late.

New receivers in the form of dangerous Johnnie Lee Higgins, 7^th round 2008 selection Chaz Schilens and 2009 7^th overall pick Darrius Heyward Bey all have after burners and the type of 40 times Davis covets.

For the Raiders DMC and their speedy new wides represent the old school Dodgers.

Speed and innovation.

At the other end of the spectrum...

Michael Bush showed he was healthy enough to play toward the end of the year and despite rancor over his supposed refusal to play FB in a pinch, Oakland knows they have a winner with the former Louisville Cardinal. Even if the rest of the League doesn’t know it...yet.

 

                   

Photo / Reuters

                                                                                                                    RB Michael Bush

 

Bush can catch, throw and run out of the backfield and is thought of by Raider coaches as a "finisher", using his 6-1, 245 lb frame to bash tired defenses, pick up time killing first downs late in games and power his way into the end zone in short yardage, and like late last year, on long break aways.

Likely assisting his abuse of winded defenses will be almost mythical FB Lorenzo Neal who’s devastating second level blocks have led running backs to 1,000 yd seasons 11 times in a row until last years La Ron McClain managed only 900.

Not only is he as new Raider Head Coach Tom Cable put it, "Probably the best blocking FB in the last 15-20 years."

And the 16 year vet can pass block too.

Bush and Lorenzo Neal represent the old Yankees "power and fear."

Davis’s unwillingness to compromise a system some think of as outdated reminds me of a show I watched once about WW II fighter pilots experiencing jet combat in Korea for the first time.

The wily old combat ace stated quite simply there was no difference despite what others less informed might’ve had to say.

The game remains the same.

"So the speeds are faster. So what? Your going 600 miles and hour, he’s going 600 miles and hour. No difference."

In Davis’s philosophy, power, versatility and intimidation are still valid and relevant no matter the era.

In 2009, for the first time in far too long, he finally has pieces in place to test whether or not that notion is correct and whether his vision of Raider football can still win.

Once again trademark speed, size and power are in place to execute Davis’s battle plan and help secure his legacy as an innovator, genius and football master mind.

If he’s right, we should begin to see the benefits this year.

If he’s wrong and Oakland doesn’t show marked improvement, it could be the beginning of the end of Raider football as we’ve known it.

All or nothing.

You have to imagine thats exactly how the old gambler likes it.

　

　

　

 

 

 Can Bey Save The Day?

 

"Alot depends on his fellow wide outs and team mates, but if he and the Raiders receivers can begin to realize their vast potential, 09' could see the resurrection of Raider football."

 
 

                                                      

                      

                                                                  WR Darrius Heyward Bey

 

 

Whether Javon Walker will ever make a comeback (DO call it a come back) will be played out this season. Odds are, he won’t and even if he does, who knows for how much longer.

At 6-3, 215 lbs Walker has big time potential to dominate, but if his surgery scarred knees can’t stay healthy, it’s a mute point. So enter...

Darrius Heyward Bey.

7^th overall pick Bey gets a fair amount of press about his supposed lack of hands and or natural ball catching skills and frankly he has double clutched a few passes, but unless he has multiple drops by game three, expect this media hype to die fairly quickly.

Its Bey’s blocking and route tree that should concern Raider fans more.

He’s been called a bit of a one trick pony at this point, but it’s the trick Oaklands mad design on offense needs, a vertical threat.

Bey’s 4.3 at the combine was no fluke and he can and will stretch the field on every play. At the college level Bey suffered constant double coverage and may again if his fellow receivers like Walker and Chaz Schilens can’t stay healthy.

Questions about Bey’s sore hamstring already have the shell shocked Raider masses grumbling under their breath. Even though camp is scheduled to start July 29^th, theirs still ample time before opening day.

The 6-2, 210 lb Bey’s speed and quickness made it very difficult for DB’s in the ACC to cover him in press. If Russell can get his footwork and accuracy down, the Russell to Bey combination could become a major threat, opening the Raiders run game even more.

                           

Photo Brandt Ward / The Chronicle

                                                                         WR Johnnie Lee Higgins

 

Couple that with 6-0, 186 lb WR Johnnie Lee Higgins quickness and 4.42 40 time and 6-4, 208 lb Chaz Schilens 4.38 and Oaklands pas catchers have the ability to give secondaries fits.

Thats if they can settle some of their protection issues and thats another article to come.

As opposed to last years complete absence of receivers, Oakland seems to have some home grown depth on tap for 09 and beyond, especially if Higgins and Schilens can live up to the potential they showed in 08'.

With Bey’s fellow wide outs posing legitimate threats to coverage, Bey could have a better year than many expect. Teams crowding the box could suddenly be vulnerable. Teams playing deep could be vulnerable to Oaklands productive and potentially explosive back field.

All courtesy of Bey.

Or so they hope...

It wouldn’t be fair to expect a pro bowl out of Bey immediately, but if he can contribute in a meaningful way in 09' Oakland’s days of languishing in the cellar could be over and Raider football could be re born.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Safety First:

      In Al Davis's Built    

      Backward World,

 The Last Line is Priority

                One 

 

 

 

                                    

                                                                     New Raider Safety Michael Mitchell

                                       

On Al Davis’s built backward secondaries, safety, naturally becomes the first position you want manned by the best you can get.

Whether their decline coincides with their lack of play at the position is debatable, but the fact the position is still a huge question mark looms large as they enter 09'.

2000 Anthony Dorsett, Marques Pope

Dorsett took consistently bad angles and thought he was faster than he was. Pope got burned by Shannon Sharpe on a 96 yd TD in the 2000 AFC Championship.

The next year Oakland spent its first round pick (28^th overall) on one Derrick Gibson.

2001 Anthony Dorsett, Derrick Gibson

Gibson had exactly 3 interceptions in 5 seasons.

2002 Derrick Gibson, Rod Woodsen

Though Dorsett was still on the team, he’d played himself and been drafted out of his job by Gibson as Oakland shored its youngster with the veteran and eventual Hall of Famer Rod Woodsen who snagged 8 interceptions and scored 2 TDs as Gruden’s geezer parade finally fought their way to the Super Bowl.

Gibson made 54 solo tackles in 02', but it was becoming clear he was not going to be the answer.

2003 Derrick Gibson Rod Woodsen

Woodsen’s production for the year dropped significantly. He finished with only 2 picks for the year.

One less than Gibson caught in 5 years.

2004 Ray Buchanan, Marques Anderson

Dubbed "No play Ray" by some fans, the Raiders woes at Safety were now even more glaringly apparent as they skidded into the sewer.

04's draft marked the beginning of years of boring controversy over just how bad 3^rd round draft pick and future starter, Stuart Schweigert actually was.

2005 Jarrod Cooper, Stuart Schweigert

Nick named "Beef Stu" by the kinder Oakland fans who appreciated his unquestionable community spirit, many others had harsher words and criticism for the former Purdue Boiler Maker.

Excited that Gibson was back after missing the entire 2004 season from a shoulder injury suffered in the last game of that years pre season, the Raiders waived former Packer Marques Anderson, who’s 72 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and recoveries had impressed Oakland.

His arrest for public intoxication with Charles Woodsen did not.

Gibson took a pay cut to around League minimum, around $455, 000, to prove himself, but by week six in late October, suffered a dislocated wrist that ended his season. Again. Though Oakland won the game against Buffalo 38-17, they also lost Charles Woodsen for the year with a broken leg.

2006 Michael Huff Stuart Schweigert

If declining his 2006 roster bonus wasn’t clue enough, Oakland spent its 7^th overall draft pick on Texas safety Michael Huff and again igniting a controversy in the secondary.

By 2007, Gibson was gone.

2007 Michael Huff Stuart Schweigert

Hiram Eugene replaced Schweigert who’s tackling left a lot to be desired and contributed 27 stops, but hardly alleviated Oaklands safety dilemma.

Huff’s shadow like appearance was beginning to worry, but rising CB Nnamdi Asomugha had taken a little time to develop and was turning into quite a force.

Maybe next year...

 

                             

                                                             Safety Michael Huff

 

2008 Michael Huff, Gibril Wilson

If Raider fans were praying for a break out from Michael Huff, they were sorely disappointed.

Again.

He was benched in favor of the 6-2, 200 lb Eugene who made some noise with TD saving tackles, solid pass coverage and a few violent collisions that rocked opposing receivers.

Wilson had a solid, if unspectacular year in Oakland, but despite 129 tackles, a forced fumble and 2 picks was summarily released after publicly lamenting the Silver and Black.

Even with an injury plagued rookie outing Oakland feels strong enough about 4^th round U Conn DB Tyvon Branch to give the 6-0, 205 lb hitter the benefit of the doubt.

2009 ???

No doubt Huff may play a role if he remains on the team ala an Al Davis scholarship, but its hoped the heavy hitting Branch’s 08' injuries were simply a fluke and that he, along with the wildly surprising pick of Ohio University’s Michael Mitchell will finally form the basis of a fearsome safety tandem Oaklands backward system demands.

The taking of 6-1, 220 lb Mitchell is claimed by some to show the desperation of old man Davis and the depths he has sunk to finally fill the key and troublesome position, but have no illusions, after benching 225 22 times, posting a 371/2 inch vertical and running a 4.43 40 time, Safety Mike Mitchell was on other teams radars as well.

He has a ton to prove and in all fairness should be given the benefit of the doubt for at least a couple of years as he acclimates from the ACC to the NFL, but if he does start from day one (a nagging hammy has loomed this off season) and makes an impact, things could finally be looking up for the silver and black at a position that has plagued them since the losing began.

Mitchell and Branch look like they could be solid performers and possess the "football speed" Davis covets, but whether they can stay healthy enough to contribute at this level remains to be seen.

For the first time in a while Oakland has the size and speed at safety they desire, but time will tell if they’ve finally scored a par of aces or need to go back the deck and continue drawing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Reason for optimism

               in 09'?

 

 

                                                              
 Photo Charlie Riedel / AP

                                                                                                                      QB JaMarcus Russell

 

 

Some, like profootballtalk.com contributor Mike Florio have surmised the Oakland Raiders may be a sleeper pick in 2009.

There is talent donning the silver and black this season, but many, many questions remain and Raider fans have been bitterly disappointed far too often the last few years.

Still, is Florio and others onto something?

Odds are, yes. Yes they are.

At the risk of being labeled a homer by sophomoric Raider brethren, the optimism in Oakland has a foundation in reality.

Some point to Oaklands strong finish at the end of the season which is significant considering Oaklands recent tradition of sub par play in December, but not quite as impressive as it might seem.

While the Raiders manhandled the upstart Texans, who finished 8-8, they struggled at times against the Bucs rushing attack until Tampa Bay’s Cadillac Williams destroyed his knee...again.

Oakland RB Michael Bush steam rolled the Bucs defense on his way to a multiple TD finish and 177 yds, but remember, Oaklands coach at the start of the season managed to wrangle a new job at the college level and entice his dad, Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin away from Tampa Bay like a rat leaving...well, you know.

The play off contending Bucs defense gave up faster than Paris on prom night and their outing against Oakland was the final humiliation to a squad that quit on its fans, its self and its coach. Fittingly, the coach that left Oakland to claim a Super bowl at the Raiders expense.

Chucky will menace a microphone on game days with his humble and charming banter and demeanor.

One of the lone bright spots last year was Oaklands special teams play. While erratic at times, especially at the beginning of the year, managed to come on strong with fine mid season acquisitions in the Jets DB / KR Justin Miller (Just don’t ask him to cover and we’ll be fine) and the late Marquis Cooper who was a pleasant surprise on special teams.

Cooper’s not the only regrettable loss that could affect Oakland in 09'.

One of the Leagues off season rule changes banishes the flying wedge. Now, no more than two players can form to block for return men.

How this affects Oakland’s rather special, special teams remains to be seen, but could be complicated by the departure of the man who groomed Oaklands return / kick coverage game the last two years, Brian Schneider, was stolen away to perform the same task for the prolific USC.

The move didn’t come as quite a shock to those who remembered him as a Kiffin hire. Its hoped first time Special teams coordinator John Fassell was paying attention in his last two seasons assisting "the Schneid".

If Oakland can continue to improve on special teams and Janikowski can just once have a pro bowl year worthy of his howitzer strength leg, they could be one of the top units in the game.

Signing long term with All Pro punter Shane Lechler was a considered by some as a minor coup.

Aside from interim to anointed Head Coach Tom Cable, another first timer at his new position is SanJay Lal, the three season Raider vet promoted for the first time in any capacity, as head coach of last years troubled wide receiver corps.

Though some at the professional level balked at the suggestion, the assertion 08's WR coach, Hall of Famer James Lofton was a large part of the problem last year, his low key departure after only one season spoke volumes.

Blame JaMarcus, blame the Tackles, blame injury, but theirs no hiding Oaklands wide outs were woefully inadequate and seemingly ill at ease with Lofton as their mentor and quite possibly, tor- mentor. *Remember Javon Walker’s pre season tirade in 08'?

Considering the rumors of Lofton being named head coach during "Kiffin Gate"and considering the years it took for Lofton on the Raiders to finally come together, his shockingly brief and terribly unproductive time in Oakland came to an abrupt and early end.

Effectively, the Raiders have stated, in not so many words, they’d rather have a complete unknown than a legendary WR coach their 7^th overall investment and its extremely inexperienced young wide receiver talent.

Radical, but frankly, it may be a move in the right direction.

The Raiders seem to be doing that lately and that in and of itself is a welcome change.

There is hope for optimism in Oakland in 09', if they can finally increase production in their passing a game, sustain drives and put points on the board with their new offensive weapons, the defense will theoretically improve and Oakland could contend in a weakened and rebuilding division.

With an infusion of new blood and a seemingly different attitude, the slack jawed "collect the check" days endured by Oakland faithful may finally be turning around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

         Eyeing Oaklands

    Wide Outs in 09'

 

 

          

Photo Getty Images              

                                                                                   WR Javon Walker

 

 Almost anything would've been an improvement over last years receiving corpse and I do mean corpse.

Propping a dead guy ala Week end at Bernie's might have yeilded better results.

Playing the stiff last year was Javon Walker who's restructured yet is already dinged from OTA's...

Higgins lit up a few times but mostly in the return game. His route tree needs serious work.

Schilens has heart and something the Raiders desperately need, desire, but is far from complete and question remain about his ability to stay healthy.

Even the vaunted Heyward Bey has been described as a one trick pony, but if he can translate to the next level, its a trick Oakland has traditionally liked.

Oaklands most intriguing reciever for 09' (Now that it seems dry docked wide out Arman Shields may never be healthy enough to sustain and NFL career) is actuall a running back.

Darren McFadden confused defenses, caused mismatches and caught balls from the slot and spread out wide. By comparison, he looked good doing it.

To many, taking Bey instead of a run stuffing DT or an Offensive tackle made little sense, but in Al Davis's backward plan, it makes perfect sense, if other cogs in the offense can step up.

Depending on another group of fresh talent, the tackles, our beloved Raiders may not be ready to set the world on fire with their passing game, but unlike last year, at least they've got some matches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Keeping the Wolves at

                 Bey

          

            "The media isn't likely to relent anytime soon about

             Davis's selection of Bey, but there is method to his

                                           madness."

 

                       

 

                                                                                    WR Darrius Heyward Bey

 

Once the dust settled on Oaklands shocking 09' draft, several media types backpedaled off their initial scepticism, but whether it has merit or not will be proven on the success or failure of this years picks.

Crazy and wild as the picks may seem, they are not with out merit or fore thought.

Contrary to the norm, Oakland runs a very specific scheme and philosophy. Its different from everyone else and that has its benefits and drawbacks.

A benefit of being opposite is it makes other teams have to adjust their attack.

A draw back is it takes specific, special players and athletes to execute.

If those players aren’t there, or fail to produce, the system suffers.

The Raiders may have reached for Bey at seven, but its likely they felt he is so crucial to their game plan they didn't want to risk it. (After all, six wide receivers were taken in 2009's 1st round draft compared to zero taken in 08'.)

The "over reach" by Oakland for Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward Bey makes perfect sense if you look at it from the right perspective.

Most teams assess and draft according to a chart, graph and imposed value index and take the BPA or best player available and adjust their schemes to enhance their special talents, at least to an extent.

For Oakland, your going to take a player that compliments a system already in play.

In 2009, that was Darrius Heyward Bey.

Raider owner Al Davis knows that in combat, speed kills and every advantage one can gain, is exactly that, an advantage.

The advantage Oakland hopes to garner from Bey is a vertical stretch of the field that includes more than the occasional bomb.

Bey's blazing speed and size opens the middle of the field and spreads defenders at the second level, extending running plays that break beyond the line of scrimmage and creating bigger gains from screens and tight end passes.

Bey’s presence not only serves Russell, it serves running backs Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.

It also serves veteran wide out Javon Walker, providing a back up at the X position.

It serves youngsters Arman Shields, Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schillens by providing a higher level of competition.

It serves Oaklands shaky and untested offensive line by letting Russell get rid of the ball down field faster.

It serves Russell with a legitimate red zone target.

It serves Oaklands scheme.