Better take another look at Howard’s college career. He started four years at linebacker, not defensive back as you stated. And while you may not be particularly enamored with this pick, to say that it’s a reach just shows your ignorance. Just about everyone had Howard going in the late first, early second round. He’s gonna be a major asset to the Raiders, like him or not…

Reply to this: comment | thread

Hey Jersey Raider,

I know he played LB for most of his career, but he actually started out as a safety.  In any case, again, this is just my opinion and like I said, he’s solid.  I just don’t think he’s a gamebreaker, which of course you’re not necessarily expecting in the second round.  But, the LB was pretty deep this year.  I think the Raiders should have made a splash and take a chance on someone like Winston Justice or actually take one of the second tier QBs after the triumvirate of Young, Leinart, Cutler.  Seriously, is Brooks going to take you to the promised land?  He might have had a chance several seasons ago, but not anymore.  Don’t get me wrong, he’ll be okay because you can’t help but be okay with Moss and company catching the balls you’re throwing… but I would have planned for the future at QB.

But, what do I know… this is why I’m a sportsblogger and not in the front office.  Thanks for the comments… keep them coming.  Trying to build a community here at EndScore… even if I’m called ignorant. 

Reply to this: comment | thread

I’m proud of the Raiders and their choice of day one picks.  This is the best draft the Raiders have had in several years.  Michael Huff should have been the Raiders number one pick even if Vince Young was available.  Aaron Brooks may not be a pro bowl quarterback but he is better now than Young or Leinart.  Let’s not forget the kid from Arizona State that, had he not had a shoulder injury, may well have been the number one quarterback taken in last year’s draft.  Andrew Walter broke nearly every pac 10 passing record including those set by the great John Elway.  So don’t give up on this kid because he’s a big, strong armed, accurate kinda passer.  He may not be as mobile as Vince Young but neither is Peyton Manning…

Reply to this: comment | thread

I think the Raiders did what they had to do for This season, and drafted players who will start this year (Huff, Howard). Dont get me wrong I would love to have Young, or Leinart on my team, but neither would start in front of Aaron Brooks. The Raiders need help now, and dont have time to groom another young QB.

Also I think Aaron Brooks finally has a chance to be a Pro-Bowl QB. He is a bigger playmaker then Kerry Collins, And will not keep throwing the ball out of bounds, and taking sacks like Collins is famous for. If you look at Brooks Stats you will see that he is a great Qb, So anyone who is talking trash now will be forced to eat their words later. 

The Raiders have made the correct moves to be a good team this year, and it all started by not taking Culpepper in the free agent market. They we patient and ended up with a better Qb. I say that because Culpepper destroyed his knee, and can’t even run or workout untill the end of preseason (Sorry Dolpfans).however Brooks has not been hurt in the last few years, and was only benched at the end of the season because the Aint’s (Saint’s) knew their season was over, and Were trying to give their backups a chance to gain some Experience.

Oakland did the same thing last year by starting Tui against the Jets, Not because Tui gave us the best chance of winning, but to get him ready for next season. I know that Tui is a bust pick, and he wont be on the raiders roster come next season. Andrew Walter will be our Qb of the future.
I watched this guy in preseason last year, and was blown away by his ability to make plays. This guy can drop back shake off a LB or two, Then heave the ball 60 yards downfield, and put it right on the money.

Neither Vince Young or Leinart is Accurate on deep passes, And when you have receivers like Moss and Porter You better be accurate on the deep ball.

I think if worst comes to worst with our Qb situation
Dont be shocked to see Ron Curry take some snaps at Qb. After all didnt we draft him as a Qb a few years ago.

What Im really getting at is I couldn’t agree more with Art Shell when he said “We are very happy about our QB’s we have”

It is now time for the Raider Nation to rise,
As we are ready for are return to glory.
Our Comittment to Excellence!

Reply to this: comment | thread

First I wanna say #### haters its all about the Raiders baby.No matter what the Raiders do I’ll always be with them because I know they are doing their best efforts to take us to the grand stage-THE SUPER BOWL-and now that Mr.Sacked (collins) is not here anymore I think we can win the next 2 or 3+ SUPER BOWLS. Michael Huff is our next better version of Charles Woodson.I think that with Huff,Howard,Bing,Morrison,Burgees,Gallery, Cooper,Moss,Gabriel,Porter,Jordan,Crockett, and Brooks the Raiders are going to be the better team and next Champions.

Reply to this: comment | thread

I absolutely LOVE you Raiders Nation guys.  Your team can do no wrong.   Seriously, I personally do not think the Raiders will make the playoffs or that Howard will be any good.  SO how about this… I’m willing to bet that the Raiders will not make the playoffs and Howard won’t break 75 total tackles.  If I win, all of you Raiders Nation dudes must proclaim how great I am on a post I’ll call - Dennis Is Great: Just Ask Raider Nation.  IF I somehow lose, I’ll post a pic of myself in silver and black face paint wearing a dress.

So, which one of PUNK Raiders fans are down? 

Reply to this: comment | thread

Sorry, no biting on the bet mr. dennis… espeically because any REAL Raider fan (i.e. - someone who doesn’t drink the Kool Aid and actually pays attention) knows that the Raiders are rebuilding, and it’s all good. Half these guys who say things like “Super Bowl” in the same sentence as “Raiders, BRO!” think Rich Gannon is still on the team and can’t figure out why Howie isn’t out there…
I’m a Raider fan. Lifelong curse, unfortunately. We are rebuilding, and we actually had what appears to be a decent draft (of course, everyone in the world said the Raiders scored an A+ in ‘02 when we drafted Buchanon, Harris, Walker and Jolley… and only Walker is still on the team… barely) and didn’t take the bait on Leinart. He’s one of my favorite college players, but if his old OC and the USC alumnus HC didn’t take him… something’s funky. Cutler… who really knows anything about him? And I will say that if the Raiders drafted him, everyone would have focused on the risk vs. the reward - unlike the Shanahan-arse-kissing media-ESPN-former-Broncos’ assesment of the “bold” pick by Lil’ Red Man.
We have, as Debo pointed out, as much potential (and unquestionable arm strength) in Walter as anyone of those guys but Young, so Huff was the best player available - and hopefully the missing piece to Defense in desperate need of an identity.
IMHO, that’s how crap teams actually rebuild and win - Defense. Our secondary, line, and now linebacking corps are easily the yougest in the league, and now we see what this coaching staff can do. My biggest fear: that, like the numerous staffs before this one, they will not… DEVELOP these young players.
Ugh! The Raiders have lately been where young talent goes to die, let’s hope that all changes with this cutting edge, damn-near futuristic coaching staff
Yeah. Let’s just see…

Reply to this: comment | thread