dspbuckle
All-Star
Oakland, Ca -- Greg Papa, The Voice of The Raiders here providing you with insights and commentary for the team of the decades. With the draft now over and no sign of any follow up from the team in sight, the Oakland Raiders have left us all to speculate what their plan is. We know little of their intensions but from recent events we can gather a few things. Here's what I can gather.
1. The Raiders are beefing up their O-Line. But for what?
With the #2 overall pick the Oakland Raiders chose to go with Cam Robinson out of Alabama to replace veteran Donald Penn who recently retired. Cam Robinson arrived at Alabama with high expectations and he's more than lived up to them. He anchored an offensive line that paved the way for a Heisman Trophy winner (Derrick Henry) and he was a major reason Alabama captured another national championship during his tenure there.
Other additions include Ohio State's Billy Price at offensive guard and North Carolina's offensive tackle Jon Heck. These young men should add depth to an offensive line that was promising last season, but for whome? Derek Carr through an insane ammount of picks and his hit and sack count was reminisant of his older brother. Perhaps the team is looking to buy him more thinking time? A good thought, but I believe the team is looking to involve Latavius Murray more in the scheme. They have superstar wide outs but when you can't run the ball the corners know what to expect. Cam Robinson, Derek Henry, Running, Latavius Murray being franchise tagged; it says a lot about what may be happening. Odds are the team tagged Murray in hopes to salvage an oppertunity to see if he still has it in the tank before offering him a big contract. Then there's that: money!
2. The Raiders are preparing for their economic future
After weeks of speculation Conner Cook has been set to be traded (verbally) to the Chicago Bears for two future draft picks. The details have yet to be released but with the team's #1 defense being mostly young, many contracts will be due at the same time for both vets and young anchors alike. The team could not possibly afford to keep QB Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Khalil Mack and other emerging team anchors in three seasons.
Enter the ability to replace high end price players with younger rookie contracts. Carr is the QB of the franchise so Cook would have been on the bench express for many seasons unless an injury occurred. The Raiders clearly have faith in the preseason MVP QB Matt McGloin and have decided it was best to part ways with the great potential of Cook to preserve their economic future. I wonder if it will pay off.
3. After Sebas, Kicking still matters in Oakland
Other picks in this draft included depth at line backer and safety, but the final pick was Kicker out of Nebraska, Brennan Kettani or Legume Durpix as his former team mates called him in the locker room. While at Nebraska Legume Duprix had an incredible leg with quite the accuracy. The Raiders signed a free agent kicker during the off season so there is no telling who will stay on the squad. I wouldn't be surprised to see the golden age of half field kicks continue with Legume Duprix in the post Sebas Era.
Only time will tell what this franchise will do. Pull out your popcorn kids, it will be interesting.
Last edited:
