FanNation

Making the Final Roster

Ideally, the 53 man NFL roster consists of 3 QBs, 2 FBs, 3 TBs, 3 TEs, 5 WRs, 3 Centers, 3 Guards, 3 Tackles, 4 DEs, 4 DTs, 6 LBs, 4 Safeties, 4 Corners, 1 Kicker, 1 Punter, and 4 other players that play positions that allot for special teams purposes.  A lot of that depends on what positions your Kick returners and deep snapper play.   Your deep snapper is normally a reserve center, but if he happens to be a linebacker then you might want to carry an extra linebacker and one less center unless he can play elsewhere on the line.  If your kick returner is also a WR then you would want an extra WR in one of those places so that you have less risk of an injury.  However, if say you have a reserve lineman on either side that can play multiple positions, then if frees up space for another good special teams player.  Let's take a look at our current roster and see who is competing where. 

Oakland Raider Draft report...

And with the #4 overall pick, the Oakland Raiders select RB Darren McFadden.  There was a lot of talk about trading down and after the selection was made, it was revealed by coach Kiffin that trading down was gonna be looked at only if McFadden wasn't available.  This was probably a tough choice, but elite players like McFadden don't come around often, so Kiffin decided that it was best to go with him.  He also stated several times prior to the draft that we were stacked at the running back position, but McFadden is a rare breed.  Defensive coordinatior Rob Ryan is optimistic about moving Tommy Kelly back inside to DT will help the run stopping issue and believes in Gerrard Warren, who had 4 sacks last year and Terdell Sands, plus the addition of William Joseph will add good depth to the position.  He also believes the anothe rnew comer on the DL Kalimba Edwards will be a great compliment to Derrick Burgess.  When you have a guy like Darren McFadden on your offense, (one that can possibly go the distance every time he touches the ball), you have improved your team greatly as a team.  I was shocked myself to see them pass on DT Glen Dorsey and DE/LB Vernon Gholston and was quite discouraged because it seemed like Al Davis was wanting to do the drafting and McFadden was his choice and Kiffin wanted the best available DL, but once I found out that McFadden was Kiffin's choice all a long, I wasn't as mad about it.  For several years now, I've been saying they need to draft the best offensive playmaker available and I think McFadden is the man they've been waiting on. 

Remember the good times RaiderNation???

RaiderNation, 

Way too many blogs on this site, and even this group have been ridiciously negative about our beloved Raiders. Many people forget that while Al Davis is an old, senile, crazy dinosaur, the fact of the matter is that in his prime, he was a man that shook fear into the league, and put the Raiders on the map. He is in the NFL Hall of Fame, which stands for nothing now, I know. But we just can't forget what he did for this organization, and we have to think to thank him from time to time, even if he does sign potted plants to multi-million dollar contracts (thanks Ram!). And Kiffin? He has some potential as a coach at the NFL level...I just know it. Under the right circumstances, this coaching staff can be very productive. We have a great stable of running backs, a quarterback fit for the Raider style and future, and we have a maturing defense (well it took a step backward with the maturing part by signing Hall but you know what I mean.) I know it is hard. But let us remember the days when the Raiders were the big bad boys on the block, and how they humiliated many a team in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Remember the AFC West 3-peats, the Rich Gannon times, the F*** rule, (I meant tuck rule which should have been a fumble, so therefore it is a good memory), and just remember to stay strong. We are RaiderNation!