Darnell Bing Waived by Faiders

[KCStud]

http://www.raiders.com/Team/Default.aspx?id=152

Wow I remember Faider fans really hyping this guy up. If I remember correctly they played him at LB and S and I guess he just couldn't hack it.
Very interesting that Lane Kiffin, a former USC coach, would let one of the guys on his old USC team go

[Master___Pain]

Back when Bing was drafted I had a buddy tell me Bing would not hack it as a DB in the NFL. He said he had really stiff hips and that he was slow out of his breaks. He told me he thought Bing would be lucky to have a 3-4 year career. I need to listen to this buddy more often

[RhymesayersDU]

Back when Bing was drafted I had a buddy tell me Bing would not hack it as a DB in the NFL. He said he had really stiff hips and that he was slow out of his breaks. He told me he thought Bing would be lucky to have a 3-4 year career. I need to listen to this buddy more often

I was that buddy. Told ya so.

[TheNextStep]

When Bing was drafted everybody said that he wouldn't hack it as a DB. The guy was projected to be a total liability in coverage, so the Raiders switched him to LB. As a LB in the pre-season (yeah, I know), he showed good quicks and had some pop in his hits... but the guy just couldn't make/maintain the weight needed to play that position so he requested to be moved back to his college position.

Where everyone initially said he couldn't hack it, unfortunately.

Sucks to have to cut a guy who is obviously talented on the one hand... on the other, the sheer number of safeties the Raiders have brought in stacked the odds against him from the outset... particularly the recent signing of Darius.

On another note, Jarrod Cooper was released today as well. Yet another safety down.

[CBF1]

There were more than a few posters on the mane that wanted us to draft him. He had a 1-2 round draft grade when his senior season ended.

[TheNextStep]

Apparently not, since he wasn't drafted until the 4th round. What Johnny-internet-blogger thinks is a first round grade apparently doesn't quite mesh with the opinion of professional scouts...

Don't get me wrong, I like the guy and all, but he is what he is... too slow to play DB in most if not all systems and too light in the a$$ to play linebacker in most if not all systems.

[phisig150]

When Bing was drafted everybody said that he wouldn't hack it as a DB. The guy was projected to be a total liability in coverage, so the Raiders switched him to LB. As a LB in the pre-season (yeah, I know), he showed good quicks and had some pop in his hits... but the guy just couldn't make/maintain the weight needed to play that position so he requested to be moved back to his college position.

Where everyone initially said he couldn't hack it, unfortunately.

Sucks to have to cut a guy who is obviously talented on the one hand... on the other, the sheer number of safeties the Raiders have brought in stacked the odds against him from the outset... particularly the recent signing of Darius.

On another note, Jarrod Cooper was released today as well. Yet another safety down.


I'll admit I thought he was going to be a steal. Oh well I guess there goes my scouting career. Status as unabashed SC homer remains in tact though.

[BroncoBuff]

Wasn't he the 2nd or 3rd ranked safety coming out last year?

It was Michael Huff from UT #1 .... then Ko Simpson from South Carolina (a bad actor), and Bing from USC. What a complete free fall for this guy. I recall they said he wasn't all that fast, but apparently had a nose for the ball and was a big hitter.

[BroncoBuff]

There were more than a few posters on the mane that wanted us to draft him. He had a 1-2 round draft grade when his senior season ended.

That's what I remember ... maybe he benefitted from the USC back to back hype-machine. I don't even remmber him in his last game - that great NC game against Vince Young and Texas. Don't recall him even making a tackle.

[TheNextStep]

Wasn't he the 2nd or 3rd ranked safety coming out last year?

It was Michael Huff from UT #1 .... then Ko Simpson from South Carolina (a bad actor), and Bing from USC. What a complete free fall for this guy. I recall they said he wasn't all that fast, but apparently had a nose for the ball and was a big hitter.

Again it comes down to who you believe. Here are all the safeties drafted before Bing:

Michael Huff (1)
Donte Whitner (1)
Jason Allen (1)
Daniel Bullocks (2)
Danieal Manning (2)
Roman Harper (2)
Bernard Pollard (2)
Anthony Smith (3)
Eric Smith (3)

Sure, maybe "wowisn'tthedraftthegreatestthingever.com" had him as the #1 overall pick... but there's no denying reality when you're drafted in the 4th round.

Understand, too, that I'm not your typical guy in here saying "Oh, the guy sucked" or anything. The guy was obviously very talented at the college level. To me, he was just a guy who couldn't translate that into the NFL. As said earlier - too slow for DB, to light for LB, talented though he may be.

[BroncoBuff]

Yeah, I remember a little too highly ... this is NFLDraftCountdown.com's rankings:

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5759/safeties06draftyc4.jpg
Ko Simpson had major intelligence/character issues as I recall, he's with Buffalo ... I gave Huff my "BroncoBuff NeonGreen STAR" award because the Faders selected him at #6, when both Cutler and Leinart were still on the board! ROFL! Al Davis later fired Art SHell and said that mistake set the franchise back 10 years....

I'll say! Had Davis chosen Cutler or Leinart, right now they'd have CUTLER + RANDY MOSS + CALVIN JOHNSON (but no Michael Huff or JaMarcus Russell). As Raoul Julia said, "what a colossal blunder!" :~ohyah!:


I highlighted SoCal's guy Greg Threat ... for no other reason than "Threat" is a great name for a safety ...

[TheNextStep]

Personally, I was HUGE on Jarrad Page in the later rounds. I freakin' hated that KC picked him up... which was exacerbated when he picked off a bone-headed Aaron Brooks pass in the red zone that probably would have given us a win.

That said, Al Davis never said that not picking Leinart set the franchise back ten years. Further, between Cutler and Russell, I'd rather have Russell. Okay, okay... I'd rather not have suffered through the 2-14 season required to get Russell... but I like him better than Cutler, anyway.

Additionally, Cutler would not have made a difference on last year's team. Thus, Randy Moss would have still been a quitter and still would have had to leave. It is easy to strap on those hindsight goggles and lose sight of the big picture... but, really, if Cutler was Oakland's QB last year, he'd have been behind the worst offensive line in the NFL. And he would have gotten killed and Oakland's offense would have gone nowhere. And, with Oakland's offense going nowhere, Oakland would have lost a ton of games. ANd, with Oakland losing a ton of games, Randy Moss would have still quit.

So... to say that the Raiders could have had Cutler, Moss, and Calvin Johnson (who I think is the most overrated prospect in the history of prospects) is disingenuous.

[CBF1]

Apparently not, since he wasn't drafted until the 4th round. What Johnny-internet-blogger thinks is a first round grade apparently doesn't quite mesh with the opinion of professional scouts...

Don't get me wrong, I like the guy and all, but he is what he is... too slow to play DB in most if not all systems and too light in the a$$ to play linebacker in most if not all systems.

Appearently you are talking out your azz. I said when the season ended he had a 1-2 round draft grade. He was either #3 or #4 depending on who was doing the talking/writing/reporting. He had a bad workout day at USC and he dropped then.

Marcus Thomas had a 1st round grade until he got suspened and ended up a 4th rounder as well.

[TheNextStep]

Apparently you think your opinion counts more than professional scouts who obviously had him ranked as AT BEST a 4th round guy. My point stands. You can call him a 1st or 2nd round talent all you want but that doesn't change the fact that he was drafted in the 4th round.

Unlike 3rd grade, saying "I called it" doesn't make it inarguable these days. Sorry to be the one to break it to you.

EDIT: Oh, so now you're talking "1st round grade before any combines or private workouts or anything."

Great... Then Antajj Hawthorne is the greatest steal in NFL history. And, you know what? Here in the real world, it still doesn't mean a damned thing.

[Ugly Duck]

I just saw this on a Raider board:

"My neigbor's daughter dates Darnell Bing, and for what its worth she said he knew he was getting the axe days ago. Said denver might be a landing spot for him."


Here's a pre-draft blurb:

You could not dream up a better physical specimen at safety. Bing has excellent size, is strong, athletic, and fast. On the field, Bing plays with a lot of aggression. He excels at attacking the line and stuffing the run. He hits like a linebacker, and makes you think twice about crossing the middle. Darnell also shows the athleticism and speed to play in coverage. Bing may not have amazing statistics, but his impact is much greater than they lead you to believe. He also brings value on special teams, as he displayed very good kickoff return skills this season.

The biggest problem with Darnell Bing has been staying healthy. He has been consistently banged up during his time at USC. He has had multiple shoulder and leg injuries, and has had troubles with his hip this season. When healthy, he is an impact performer. But he has played quite a bit at less than 100% and it has left him vulnerable in deep coverage.

Physically and based on his play when healthy, Darnell Bing has the ability to be a rare Top 15 pick as a safety.

[SoCalBronco]

I just saw this on a Raider board:

"My neigbor's daughter dates Darnell Bing, and for what its worth she said he knew he was getting the axe days ago. Said denver might be a landing spot for him."


.

Good. Give him a shot.

Hopefully, Bates can use him in a way that helps to minimize his weaknesses and highlights his strengths.....maybe he can get back to his former U$C Trojan/Long Beach Poly Jackrabbit form.....or at least be serviceable.

[chaz]

so does this mean he is completely hopeless at LB...cuz last time i checked we could use a little more competition...unless he is too small to play anything except weak-side, we already have "tiny"

[BroncoBuff]

With Brandon on his way out, we DO need a safety...

[Ugly Duck]

last time i checked we could use a little more competition...unless he is too small to play anything except weak-side, we already have "tiny"

Bing is 6-2 220, but he's fast & hits big. When healthy.

[TheNextStep]

so does this mean he is completely hopeless at LB...cuz last time i checked we could use a little more competition...unless he is too small to play anything except weak-side, we already have "tiny"

Everything I've heard and read says that the guy struggled to even come close to making weight and then, once he got close, couldn't keep the weight on. That said, when I saw him, he was (as stated earlier) fast and nasty. Denver typically uses smallish linbackers anyway...

Maybe there's a chance for something beautiful to happen... but it is a long shot.

[BroncoBuff]

I think we're fine at LB ... Louis Green is an excellent special-teamer and Gold's backup at Will (pay no attention to that dumb blogger who says Green will start at Sam - he's stricly a Will.). Warrick Holdman is better than advertised and will probably start ahead of Moore at Sam. So we're fairly set at:

W: Ian Gold, Louis Green
M: D.J. Williams
S: Warrick Holdman, Eddie Moore

So unless somebody falls out (Moore?), there's max 1-2 spots left as backups between: DD Lewis, Steve Cargile, Nate Webster, Cameron Vaughn, etc .... not so bad really. I'm more worried about safety now with Brandon on his way out. Lots of hopes pinned on Hamza Abdullah.

[maher_tyler]

Why not pick him up..see what he's got, back up safety and plays ST's and can play LB as well..pretty versitile player there!!

[broncocalijohn]

I'll admit I thought he was going to be a steal. Oh well I guess there goes my scouting career. Status as unabashed SC homer remains in tact though.

You and me both as well as a ton of Pac 10 fans. Even though he was a Faider for a little while, I hoped he would have a great career. His talented player just shows what the difference is between college and NFL. If he wants to show what he DOES have, he can try Arena or Europa. BTW: I like saying EURRRRRROOOPPA. Like UMPA from My Greek wedding.

[Taco John]

I'd rather give Darnell Bing a shot than give up *anything* for Greg Wesley.

[KCStud]

Personally, I was HUGE on Jarrad Page in the later rounds. I freakin' hated that KC picked him up... which was exacerbated when he picked off a bone-headed Aaron Brooks pass in the red zone that probably would have given us a win.

I didn't expect much from this guy and thought he was only drafted because Carl Peterson went to UCLA and drafts players from UCLA every once and awhile, but wow I was wrong. Page looks to be a special player for our team for years to come...

[footstepsfrom#27]

Sign him.

[ward63]

Apparently you think your opinion counts more than professional scouts who obviously had him ranked as AT BEST a 4th round guy. My point stands. You can call him a 1st or 2nd round talent all you want but that doesn't change the fact that he was drafted in the 4th round.

Unlike 3rd grade, saying "I called it" doesn't make it inarguable these days. Sorry to be the one to break it to you.

EDIT: Oh, so now you're talking "1st round grade before any combines or private workouts or anything."

Great... Then Antajj Hawthorne is the greatest steal in NFL history. And, you know what? Here in the real world, it still doesn't mean a damned thing.

Don't you mean a man named Tom Brady?

Also, as for Bing, I was also upset when the Raiders got him, but right now, if he got cut by the Raiders, do you really want him? If he just didn't fit the system there, then ok, go get him, but this late in the offseason, Idk if it'd work to get him.

[MechanicalBull]

I'll say! Had Davis chosen Cutler or Leinart, right now they'd have CUTLER + RANDY MOSS + CALVIN JOHNSON (but no Michael Huff or JaMarcus Russell). As Raoul Julia said, "what a colossal blunder!" :~ohyah!:


Huff turned out real good for the Raiders and Mel Kiper said the same during the draft that if the Raiders picked Leinart or Cutler last year than they could've had Calvin Johnson this year.

Who knows how the season would've played out with one of them at QB instead of Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter. Not saying they would've been great but probably would've won a few more games I think and probably wouldn't have had the 1st or 2nd pick to land Calvin Johnson.

[vancejohnson82]

so wait, this is a guy who is a liability in coverage but can lay the wood when stopping the run????


Darnell Bing = 2006 John Lynch

[ND Bronco Fan]

and a little more news on the Raiders front..........what if Warren Sapp gets cut....(wow am I going to get flamed for this) but does he have anything left in the tank? Is he an upgrade over the meat we got in the middle now?

My opinion-no, old and washed up and his mouth and pain in the ass attitude is not worth what he brings on the field any more.

[Ugly Duck]

and a little more news on the Raiders front..........what if Warren Sapp gets cut....(wow am I going to get flamed for this) but does he have anything left in the tank? Is he an upgrade over the meat we got in the middle now?

My opinion-no, old and washed up and his mouth and pain in the ass attitude is not worth what he brings on the field any more.

But he's a fresh & reviatalized new Sapp:

Minicamp article....... The two major players on the Raiders' defensive line were present and accounted for Friday at the team's mini-camp - which qualifies as good news for the Oakland defense.

All 6-foot-2, 260 pounds of defensive end Derrick Burgess was there, ending speculation he might hold out in pursuit of a new contract.

Most of Warren Sapp was there. There had been talk he might retire after a dozen years in the NFL, but that appears to be water under the bridge. The section of Sapp that was missing was, ahem, in the midsection.

Sapp was noticeably lighter than the estimated 320 pounds he played at last season.

How many pounds has he shed?

"I haven't seen a scale in a while, and I'm not looking for one," Sapp said.

"It looks like a lot," running buddy Burgess said. "He looks funny, doesn't he? Looks good though. I like what he did for himself. That should add about six more sacks, I bet."

After practice, though, new coach Lane Kiffin revealed the secret - Sapp had played a 334 pounds a year ago, but reported for the weekend at 285.

Burgess and Sapp were the team's sack leaders last season - Burgess with 11, Sapp with 10.

[vancejohnson82]

ugly duck,

how come you don't list the amount of CHARGERS postseason victories in your sig??

[vancejohnson82]

oh i see,

you are a raiders fan

haha, have fun during training camp....there won't be much to have during the season

[socalorado]

For the record, Bing is never healthy. Ever. Guy is sooo injury prone he makes Brian Greise look like Brett Farve.
Thats why he got cut. Horrid in coverge as well. Not worth the broncos time.
Dude was overrated by a mile in that draft and most of us knew it.

[TheNextStep]

and a little more news on the Raiders front..........what if Warren Sapp gets cut....(wow am I going to get flamed for this) but does he have anything left in the tank? Is he an upgrade over the meat we got in the middle now?

My opinion-no, old and washed up and his mouth and pain in the ass attitude is not worth what he brings on the field any more.

Old and washed up notched 10 sacks last season and was a leader on that defense. There's no way he gets cut, IMO, so it is bit of a moot point... but anybody that says that he's washed up at this point hasn't been watching him play.

[FantomForce]

This thread coming from a KC fan putting all his hopes on Brody Croyle? Brody not even starting over huard, soon this will be a thread about how the Chefs waived Croyle

[cmhargrove]

Personally, I was HUGE on Jarrad Page in the later rounds. I freakin' hated that KC picked him up... which was exacerbated when he picked off a bone-headed Aaron Brooks pass in the red zone that probably would have given us a win.

That said, Al Davis never said that not picking Leinart set the franchise back ten years. Further, between Cutler and Russell, I'd rather have Russell. Okay, okay... I'd rather not have suffered through the 2-14 season required to get Russell... but I like him better than Cutler, anyway.

Additionally, Cutler would not have made a difference on last year's team. Thus, Randy Moss would have still been a quitter and still would have had to leave. It is easy to strap on those hindsight goggles and lose sight of the big picture... but, really, if Cutler was Oakland's QB last year, he'd have been behind the worst offensive line in the NFL. And he would have gotten killed and Oakland's offense would have gone nowhere. And, with Oakland's offense going nowhere, Oakland would have lost a ton of games. ANd, with Oakland losing a ton of games, Randy Moss would have still quit.

So... to say that the Raiders could have had Cutler, Moss, and Calvin Johnson (who I think is the most overrated prospect in the history of prospects) is disingenuous.

Maybe this is worthless to debate, but I'll take the hook. Ever watch Cutler in college? Dude was running for his life and pulling plays our of his a$$ half the time. That's why his team had a losing record, but he won SEC player of the year with average receivers.
Ever watch Russell? He had a lot more time and a more talented team around him. Why was Russell off everyone's board until the end of his last year? He got a lot of hype at the very end which helped him because there were too many doubts about Quinn.
Cutler will be a better QB than Russell now, and in the future.
And, Cutler had every chance to make the Raiders much, much better last year (at least 3-4 games better). The real point is that they wouldn't have ended up with the first or second pick in the draft (so forget Calvin Johnson).

[cutthemdown]

Why in the hell would you people want Bing? He isn't a good prospect at all. Keep the Raider trash off our team we don't need the dbacks that werent even good enough to make the woefull Afraiders.

[ND Bronco Fan]

Old and washed up notched 10 sacks last season and was a leader on that defense. There's no way he gets cut, IMO, so it is bit of a moot point... but anybody that says that he's washed up at this point hasn't been watching him play.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/25/SPGOUR6B961.DTL

-- Why did the Raiders release long snapper and center Adam Treu? Word has it that Treu -- an acknowledged team leader and very personable player -- did not get off on the "right foot" with coach Lane Kiffin's staff. He was cut loose despite being a personal favorite of owner Al Davis.

Remember this day. Treu, 33, will not be the last older player to be waived. Numerous NFL sources have suggested Kiffin, 32, wants to rid the team of players who are close to his age or older.

Kiffin, sources say, doesn't want players with influence who might threaten his authority.

So team leaders such as fullback Zack Crockett, 34, and -- yes, believe it -- defensive tackle Warren Sapp, 34, are in big trouble. Even if Sapp, who admirably dropped 49 pounds in six months, comes to camp looking like a Pro Bowler, he's probably wasting his time.

[elsid13]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/25/SPGOUR6B961.DTL

-- Why did the Raiders release long snapper and center Adam Treu? Word has it that Treu -- an acknowledged team leader and very personable player -- did not get off on the "right foot" with coach Lane Kiffin's staff. He was cut loose despite being a personal favorite of owner Al Davis.

Remember this day. Treu, 33, will not be the last older player to be waived. Numerous NFL sources have suggested Kiffin, 32, wants to rid the team of players who are close to his age or older.

Kiffin, sources say, doesn't want players with influence who might threaten his authority.

So team leaders such as fullback Zack Crockett, 34, and -- yes, believe it -- defensive tackle Warren Sapp, 34, are in big trouble. Even if Sapp, who admirably dropped 49 pounds in six months, comes to camp looking like a Pro Bowler, he's probably wasting his time.

That smack of head football coach that doesn't have enough confidence in himself to be the leader of the team. IF he was any good, age wouldn't matter

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

Bing signed with SF.

Eh.

[skunk]

i cant wait to see him in a BATES SYSTEM, a BATES SYSTEM will get the most out of this guy just like the BATES SYSTEM did for HIXON.

i also cant wait to see this guy in a HIXON SYSTEM.

:strong:

[sirhcyennek81]

Why not sign Bing and Rice, and make it even more convoluted before training camp...


:Broncos:

[KCStud]

This thread coming from a KC fan putting all his hopes on Brody Croyle? Brody not even starting over huard, soon this will be a thread about how the Chefs waived Croyle

It's amazingly stupid when fans from other teams think they know about their rivals teams...

[Maximus]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/25/SPGOUR6B961.DTL

-- Why did the Raiders release long snapper and center Adam Treu? Word has it that Treu -- an acknowledged team leader and very personable player -- did not get off on the "right foot" with coach Lane Kiffin's staff. He was cut loose despite being a personal favorite of owner Al Davis.

Remember this day. Treu, 33, will not be the last older player to be waived. Numerous NFL sources have suggested Kiffin, 32, wants to rid the team of players who are close to his age or older.

Kiffin, sources say, doesn't want players with influence who might threaten his authority.

So team leaders such as fullback Zack Crockett, 34, and -- yes, believe it -- defensive tackle Warren Sapp, 34, are in big trouble. Even if Sapp, who admirably dropped 49 pounds in six months, comes to camp looking like a Pro Bowler, he's probably wasting his time.

You and Nancy Gay must have watched a lot of Mr. Rogers while growing up.... Step out of the land of make believe and join us in the real world. Adam Treu was released because he failed a physical. He never recovered from his quadracepts injury from last season.

[Ugly Duck]

The 9ers picked up Bing

[Ugly Duck]

ugly duck,

how come you don't list the amount of CHARGERS postseason victories in your sig??

I would on a Chargers board. I list the Chiefs number on their board.

8 total postseason wins. Heh-heh.

[Maximus]

The 9ers picked up Bing

Courtney Anderson is gone also.

[TheNextStep]

Maybe this is worthless to debate, but I'll take the hook. Ever watch Cutler in college? Dude was running for his life and pulling plays our of his a$$ half the time. That's why his team had a losing record, but he won SEC player of the year with average receivers.
Ever watch Russell? He had a lot more time and a more talented team around him. Why was Russell off everyone's board until the end of his last year? He got a lot of hype at the very end which helped him because there were too many doubts about Quinn.

Okay, a couple of things...

For starters, I wasn't dangling a hook. I was putting my honest opinion out there. You're mostly right in saying that it is useless to debate it because our opinions are based largely on televised games (which are not nearly as informative as game tape, I assume) and what we've read. For everytime you or I have correctly predicted that "player X is going to be a great player" I'm sure that we've both got some football prediction skeletons hiding in our respective closets where we liked an Akili Smith or thought little of a Warrick Dunn. It happens. Even more than that though, time will tell more than anything. That said, it does pass the time.

Secondly, yes, I saw Cutler play in college, albeit not much. I also saw JaMarcus Russell, albeit not much. I'm more of a Big XII guy, personally.

At any rate, saying that Russell "got a lot of hype at the very end" could not be more disingenuous. And saying that he was "off of people's boards?" Come on, man, that's just plain incorrect. Who had him "off" of their board? Russell got hype because he's got a rocket launcher for an arm, improved every year that he was in college, had a 67.8% completion percentage last year, completely blew Quinn away in their head to head match up in the Sugar Bowl (where he won MVP), was first team All-SEC, was SEC player of the week three times (in September, October, and November so you can't say it was "at the very end"), and accomplished all that against top notch competition (including a come from behind win against then 8th ranked Tennessee.

But you say he was off of people's boards? No way. No freakin' way at all.

EDIT: and now that I think of it, if anybody "got a lot of hype at the end" it was Cutler. He was considered a second or third round prospect until the Senior Bowl.

Cutler will be a better QB than Russell now, and in the future.

Now, yeah, he probably will be. He's had a year's more experience and is on a better overall offense at the moment. In the future, I disagree... but, again, time will have to tell on that one.

And, Cutler had every chance to make the Raiders much, much better last year (at least 3-4 games better). The real point is that they wouldn't have ended up with the first or second pick in the draft (so forget Calvin Johnson).

I'll be perfectly honest with you here: I wanted the Raiders to take Cutler. That said, Cutler would not have improved the Raiders by 3-4 games. No way, no how. Cutler would have been on IR by week 8 if he was on the Raiders last year. The offensive line didn't know how to block anybody (surrendering 9 sacks in a game... twice) and the offense was so predictable that players were openly questioning both the playcalling and scheme in the media by mid-season. On top of that, Cutler didn't post a winning record in the games he started last year, when he was playing for a Bronco team that was just flat out better than the Raiders... but if you put him on the Raiders he'd have doubled or tripled their win total? Sorry, but I don't buy it. Yes, the Raiders would still have been picking in the top two or three had Cutler been behind center last year. They were just that bad.

And as for Calvin Johnson... I think he's probably the most overrated prospect to come out since Keyshawn Johnson. People were calling him "the best prospect to come out in the last 25 years!" Are you freakin' kidding me? I'm not saying that Calvin Johnson sucks... but if you want to talk about a kid getting HYPE, Calvin's your guy.

ND Bronco Fan - I've already that article and, frankly, Nancy Gay is out to lunch on that one. Crockett may be a goner, true... but that's got nothing to do with Kiffin being insecure about his age. Crockett is getting old and the Raiders just happened to sign Justin Griffith as a free agent. He was the starting FB for the Falcons for the last couple of years, knows Cable's and Knapp's system inside and out, and comes at a much more palatable price tag. Crockett was on the bubble from the moment Griffith signed. Making matters worse for Crockett, the Raiders also picked up a FB in the draft. Griffith and Harris (the draftee) could combine their salaries this year and it would still be cheaper than what Crockett is scheduled to make, if I'm not mistaken.

Sapp, on the other hand, is a guy that they didn't try to replace through free agency (no free agent DT signings) nor the draft. Kiffin raves about Sapp and the guy is coming off of a ten sack year. Trust me, the guy isn't going anywhere.

[elsid13]

Okay, a couple of things...



EDIT: and now that I think of it, if anybody "got a lot of hype at the end" it was Cutler. He was considered a second or third round prospect until the Senior Bowl.




Nextstep that is not true for NFL scout or those that closely followed college football. Two year ago early, early in the season- ESPN College Game Day had piece saying Cutler was consider the best QB in the SEC and the country and might be first QB taken in NFL draft. Search the draft forum and you will find a thread I started about it, asking who he was - No one see Vandy football on the East Coast. Maybe the casual fan thought Cutler came from no where, but he was on the NFL radar for long time

Here the link - notice the date
http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=30531&highlight=cutler

[ND Bronco Fan]

You and Nancy Gay must have watched a lot of Mr. Rogers while growing up.... Step out of the land of make believe and join us in the real world. Adam Treu was released because he failed a physical. He never recovered from his quadracepts injury from last season.


Wow your internet cock is huge........hey ahole, I posted a link to a sportswriter and the article....its not my imagination, its quoting an article, read the damn link before you flame me jackass.

[Ugly Duck]

Courtney Anderson is gone also.

This is the biggest overhaul in the history of the Raiders. The front office, the coaching staff, the fav vets.... felled, all felled. Axed by a brand new HC younger than some of the players, a HC that has never been a HC, a HC granted powers by Mr. Davis even beyond what he granted Gruden. New blocking scheme, new philosophy - this is an experiment of monumental proportions. If our team even does OK this season, it would be a miracle. If this is to be a successful experiment, it will be next season when it begins to bear fruit.

[El Guapo]

http://www.raiders.com/Team/Default.aspx?id=152

Wow I remember Faider fans really hyping this guy up. If I remember correctly they played him at LB and S and I guess he just couldn't hack it.
Very interesting that Lane Kiffin, a former USC coach, would let one of the guys on his old USC team go

Instead a solid guy from UTEP shows up and takes up their head LB spot, GO THOMAS HOWARD! :strong:

(and then they go and find two WR's from UTEP during the draft. watch out for johnnie lee higgins..)

[Raider Bill]

We managed to get the one friggin Nebraska OL that couldn't run block in Adam Treu.


I don't think Sapp is going anywhere, nor do I see him as a guy trying to undermine Kiffin. He's pretty tight with Lane's old man.

[FantomForce]

It's amazingly stupid when fans from other teams think they know about their rivals teams...

Croyle is a waste of contract. You should know that by now

[socalorado]

Instead a solid guy from UTEP shows up and takes up their head LB spot, GO THOMAS HOWARD! :strong:

(and then they go and find two WR's from UTEP during the draft. watch out for johnnie lee higgins..)

I will say that both Howard AND Higgins are great prospects!
Jeez, i cant believe chokeland made a couple of good draft picks!
Oh well!

[TheNextStep]

Nextstep that is not true for NFL scout or those that closely followed college football. Two year ago early, early in the season- ESPN College Game Day had piece saying Cutler was consider the best QB in the SEC and the country and might be first QB taken in NFL draft. Search the draft forum and you will find a thread I started about it, asking who he was - No one see Vandy football on the East Coast. Maybe the casual fan thought Cutler came from no where, but he was on the NFL radar for long time

Here the link - notice the date
http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=30531&highlight=cutler

No, no... don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that Cutler went from "Who's that?" to first round pick at the senior bowl. I'm saying he went from day one pick to first round pick after the senior bowl and, frankly, that's one hell of an impressive jump. This is from the draft profile on nfl.com at the time:

Cutler is a player who has made a meteoric rise since the postseason began. After the 2005 season ended, Cutler was generally regarded as a second- or third-round pick based on his on-field performance. But then during the Senior Bowl practices, he really lit it up, and then went to the Combine and really helped himself by being willing to workout in front of all the NFL teams. He is definitely physically talented enough to become a good starting quarterback in the NFL, but in order to become the player he is capable of, Cutler is going to need to become much more consistent in his throwing technique and decision-making. Overall, Cutler has flown up draft charts a ton over the last three months, but he may struggle to become the consistent quarterback he has the talent to make. No doubt Cutler is going to go in the upper part of the first round, which is scary because his footwork/passing technique are not consistent and really keeps him from throwing down the field accurately. Additionally, he needs to do a much better job of staying focused on every snap in order to become a consistent passer. He will start for someone, but will struggle to become the consistent quarterback from week to week.
Lnk:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/cutler_jay

Now, ignore all the stuff about consistency and foot work and just focus on the fact that they really hammered home the point that they're talking about a guy who, essentially, "got a lot of hype at the end." I'm not running trash talk and saying the guy sucks - hell, I already admitted that I wanted the Raiders to take him - but I am saying that you can't pimp Cutler on one hand but slam Russell on the other over the subject of "late hype" as the original poster I was responding to did.

Maverick 7 - I freakin' love Thomas Howard... but I think Kirk Morrison still has to be considered the guy in the "head LB spot."

[cutthemdown]

We managed to get the one friggin Nebraska OL that couldn't run block in Adam Treu.


I don't think Sapp is going anywhere, nor do I see him as a guy trying to undermine Kiffin. He's pretty tight with Lane's old man.

That's the bad news. The worst news is that Grove is a bust and stinks also.