NFL Draft Coverage of Oakland Raiders and MLB Talk with Redsox

Round 1, day 1 is hard. Hard on the players waiting to be picked, hard on the families, hard on how to predict who will be taken next; especially hard on the hard-core NFL fans as of myself.


At no surprise to me, I did predict the top 4 selections this year, however after that it got really hard to predict, but that is not my job. My job is to be a true fan and defend my teams decision on who they draft.


There were talks all week long about who Oakland would take, and I was hearing QB Jimmy Clausen who i was not high on at 8th overall, and there was speculation that Oakland would take OT Bruce Campbell from MD. Campbell is a speedster an Al Davis specialty, thats what scared me. Campbell can be seen taken late in the 2nd round or an early 3rd round. Oakland is on the clock, and with a little surprise, the Roger Goodell announces, "Oakland Raiders have selected LB Rolando McClain, Alabama." I had a huge smile on my face, and I was a happy Oakland Fan after the end of Round 1.


McClain comes in at 6ft 3, 254Lbs a very nice size linebacker. McClain will fit right in with the Oakland Defense. McClain will join the likes of Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, and Kamerion Wimbley. Morrison is said to be on the block, but who is not on the block these days. McClain brings with him 101 tackles, 1 FF, and 2 INT from last season.


Oakland will have to boost there defense and stand pat if they expect to compete this year, not only with the other divisions, but just alone the AFC West. Oaklands first 3 opponets have excellent running game. Tennessee in Chris Johnson, St. Louis with Stephen Jackson, and Arizona with Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower.


Chiefs take Eric Berry with the 5th overall pick, and that doesnt help us out much. Denver selects WR Demaryius Thomas and QB Tim Teabow. Thomas will have to fill the shoes of Brandon Marshall, and being an opponent of Denver that will not be an easy option. Tim Teabow confuses me here, but then again I guess I am glad becuase i dont want to say the word "useless" but I am not quiet sure what Denvers expectations of Teabow is.


Chargers select RB Ryan Mathews out of Fresno state and he brings 1800 yds and 19 Td's along with him to the sunny city. All 3 division opponents have decent running games, therefore oakland is prepared with the decision of McClain.





Day 2 I would like to see Oakland Land a QB in Colt McCoy, however i would be fine with Jimmy Clausen as well. Not sure why I like Colt more but I feel he will fit Oaklands roster a bit better than Clausen. We also need a OT immediatley. I would not be surprised if we move LB Kirk Morrison for a 2nd or 3rd Round pick to acquire a OT, or either McCoy or Clausen.




Day 1 Grades





"A"-Seattle Seahawks and Coach Pete Carroll with OT Russell Okung and S Earl Thomas


"B"-Detroit Lions with the additions of DE Suh and RB Javhid Best


"C"-New York Jets with CB Kyle Wilson


"D"-Jacksonville Jaguars DT Tyson Alualu


"F"-Philidelphia Eagles with DE Brandon Graham


More to come on Day 2 of Oaklands War Room





BOSTON REDSOX TIMES


Boston drops another game to take the record to 6-10 on the season. The season is young but my paitence is running thin. Boston is dropping games to rediculous reasons. The offense has always been a plus in Boston, however, this year it does not seem this way. 3-0 loss to the Rangers and Bucholtz did what he could do. 6 2/3 innings, 3 ER, and 10 SO, cant ask much more from a young pitcher like this.


Ortiz needs to hit the road, he is nothing but a distraction, and I cant wait for Ellsbury to get back from the DL. Mike Cameron can stay there, not a fan at all. I believe he left his Social Security card back in Miliwaukee. Dice-k will take the rotation spot away from Tim "Knuckleball" Wakefeild, and he will be working out of the bullpen. I would love nothing more than to see Dice-k come back to his 2008 numbers-18-3, 2.90era.


Baltimore comes to town, and I must say this is a must sweep for the Redsox to try to come back into the divison. Boston is 6 games back and it does not look like the Rays nor the Yankees are hitting the brakes anytime soon.


Jeremey Guthrie (0-2) vs. Jon Lester (0-2)


Lester is not a March/April Pitcher with a carerr 2-6 record and 5.46 era in those months, however superstitous or not, Lester needs a good outing tonight.


I will be back to cover the rest of the Series tomm Night as well as the Day 2 of the NFL draft. I will also have an occasional Fantasy post approx once a week. Readers can Expect readings from Boston Redsox and the AL East, Oakland Raiders and the AFC West, AirForce Falcons Football and Oregon State Beavers College Baseball. Also to come, odds and ends.