DT Signed

Myles Wade, a Portland State product, last with the Seahawks was recently signed to help absorb the rep count with McGee being out and Sims looking to work his way back slowly after missing some time.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/scott-bair/raiders-sign-dt-myles-wade

TC: Raw Footage and Coach Allen

Lots of good drill work here.  Thanks to RaiderNationPodcast!

Omar Gaither Signed

Linebacker Omar Gaither, who spent some time with Oakland last season has been signed.  Likely because of Burris and Maiava being knicked up...or the lack of depth behind Roach in the middle.  Gaither can play special teams as well.

All PCs and News

Draft Season is heating up...for all current news and press conferences try RaiderCentral on YouTube, raiders.com, Silver and Black Report or raiderfans.net!  Thanks again to all of you for you outstanding and never-ending coverage

2014 ORDW Draft Profile: CB Antone Exum - Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech Profile

Name:  Antone Exum

Position:  Cornerback

Class:  RS Senior

Height:  6'-1"

Weight:  224 lbs.

Date of Birth:  2/27/91

High School:  Deep Run

Hometown:   Glen Allen, Va.

Hokie Career:

2013 RS Senior:  N/A  (Coming back from torn ACL, lateral and medial meniscus and suffered a bone fracture in his right knee while playing pickup basketball on campus this past January. He is hopeful to play Alabama in the teams first game, but it is possible he misses that game and more.)

2012 RS Junior: An All-ACC Second-Team honoree at corner as selected by both the media and coaches … Earned honorable mention All-America honors from SI.com … Earned SI.com all-bowl team honors after being named MVP of the Russell Athletic Bowl … Started all 13 games … Played over 900 plays, logging 835 at corner and 72 more on special teams … Recorded 48 tackles, including 1.5 for loss … Led the team with five interceptions … Also had 16 pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … Made his first start at corner in the season-opening win over Georgia Tech … Made nine tackles and intercepted one pass at Pittsburgh … Had four tackles and an interception against Bowling Green … Broke up a pass and made three tackles against Cincinnati … Had four tackles and two break-ups at North Carolina … Made six tackles against Duke … Broke up a pass and made five tackles at Clemson … Broke up four passes and made two tackles at Miami … Made it back-to-back games with four pass break-ups, while also forcing a fumble and making five tackles against Florida State … Made two tackles, adding an interception and pass break-up at Boston College … Helped set up Tech’s game-winning drive with a 12-yard interception return in the final minutes against Virginia, finishing the game with five tackles … Returned an interception 32 yards in the win over Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl … Suffered a torn ACL and lateral meniscus of his right knee in January of 2013 … Was unable to participate in off-season workouts and spring drills.

2011 RS Sophomore: An honorable mention All-ACC selection at safety ... Started all 14 games, including 11 at free safety and three at rover ... Played over 850 snaps on defense and 42 on special teams ... Led the team with 89 tackles ... Added five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception on the season ... Also had 10 pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery ... Had three tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery in the season opening win over Appalachian State ... Registered three tackles and two pass breakups at East Carolina ... Contributed three tackles in the win over Arkansas State ... Returned his first career interception 36 yards and contributed three tackles with a breakup at Marshall ... Posted 10 tackles and two breakups in the Clemson game ... Led the team with 10 more tackles, including six solo in the win over Miami ... Racked up eight tackles, a sack for seven lost yards, a breakup and a hurry in the win at Wake Forest ... Forced a fumble and tied for the team lead with seven tackles against Boston College ... Added three pass breakups ... Tallied four stops and a breakup at Duke ... Contributed two tackles, including half a tackle for loss at Georgia Tech ... Had a big game against UNC with 12 tackles ... Also forced a key fumble at the Tech 5-yard line late in the first quarter to halt a Tar Heel drive ... Tied for the team lead with 10 tackles at Virginia ... Again posted double-digit tackles with 10, including two for losses against Clemson in the ACC Championship Game … Had four tackles, including half a sack, in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan … Earned Super Iron Hokie honors in the spring testing … Moved to cornerback during the spring … Was given the Don Williams TEAM UNITED Award, presented to the defensive player who puts the team first during spring workouts.

2010 RS Freshman: Played in all 14 games with five starts … Worked at free safety but was moved around in the nickel defense … Saw some starting time on special teams during the first half of the season … Had 45 tackles and a team-high nine pass breakups for the season … Had a tackle and broke up a pass in his debut against Boise State … Saw special teams duty in the JMU game … Started in the ECU game and was in on 10 tackles … Posted six tackles at BC … Played 60 downs on defense against NC State, breaking up four passes and making three tackles … Had three tackles and two breakups in the Central Michigan game … Collected four tackles, including one for a loss, during the Wake Forest game … Started and played 70 snaps against Duke, garnering seven tackles and a break up … Started at UNC and collected three tackles and three QB hurries during 39 plays … Played 28 snaps at Miami and was in on a pair of tackles … Had two tackles, a pass breakup and caused a fumble in the Virginia game … Contributed three tackles during the win over Florida State … Was an Iron Hokie in the weight room over the off-season … Switched to rover for spring practice … Posted five tackles, two behind the line, and broke up a pass during the final full scrimmage of the spring … Had a tackle for loss and two total tackles in the Maroon-White game to go with a fumble recovery.

2009 Freshman: Redshirted as a free safety during the fall … His 385-pound front squat was tops among defensive backs during off-season testing … Also had a 36 1/2-inch vertical jump on the way to Iron Hokie honors … Was in on nine tackles during Tech’s first major scrimmage of spring practice … Posted four tackles and broke up three passes during the spring Maroon-White game.

2012 RS Junior Highlights:



2011 RS Sophomore Highlights:

Strengths (+):

Exum shines in man-to-man coverage.  He has enough long speed to usually cover receivers downfield and enough length to deflect passes anywhere around his man.  Very hands-on in coverage and was called at least twice for pass interference that should have been no calls.  Has good length and size (6'-1" 224lbs.) for the postition moving forward.

Weaknesses (-):

Exum has quite a few problems with his game that can be fixed and others that are unlikely.  The thing that stood out the most from watching him was a lack of urgency to close on the WR in zone coverage and RB on run plays.  His play on running downs also shows poor angles, bad form tackling, and an almost reluctance to attack the run game.  This seeming lack of physicality is also glaring against bigger/taller receivers particuarly in his attempts to press at the line.  This lack of physicality is disappointing given his length and size as he should be exerting his will on WRs and dominating them at the line of scrimmage.  Doesn't offer enough punch and will too often let the receiver get the inside edge on slant routes because he won't attack his man at the line.  Needs to make sure his hands-on approach to coverage stays under control or he will have yellow flags raining down on him in the NFL.  Doesn't show the ability to back pedal as he usually opens up right away or just turns and runs with WR.  Despite the tight coverage he shows in man coverage he rarely went for the interception and would settle for the tipping passes.

Raiders Outlook:

As a Virginia Tech alumni it pains me to say that I hope the Raiders would pass on Exum in 2014 unless he's able to greatly improve upon his zone coverage,his run defense, and overall game. A corner of his size should play much more physical than he does and the lack of that in his game makes me think HC Dennis Allen would not be too interested anyway. If you have read any of my DB breakdowns you know that I love guys that show off a "playmaking gene" -- guys that are constantly forcing turnovers and constantly around the ball -- and Exum just doesn't seem to possess that. His limited ability or training in backpedaling is worrisome given strength in man coverage as well. With the season quickly approaching we will see if Exum is able to improve in any of these areas before the 2014 draft. After taking Hayden in the 1st round this past year I think Reggie McKenzie could very easily pass on a corner in the top 100 (Rounds 1-3) unless Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter have terrible seasons and the other young guys fail to develop.

Coach Allen Day 2 PC

Thanks to RaiderCentral on YouTube and raiders.com

Camp Quotes

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7-26-13 News

Thanks to RaiderCentral on YouTube

Raiders Work Out Veteran Center

5 time Pro Bowl Center Andre Gurode worked out for Oakland today.  Gurode was a long time Cowboy from 2002 to 2010.  Most recently saw action with Baltimore in 2011 (5 starts), and spent time with Chicago in 2012 (0 games).

Update on Gurode: Signed

Training Camp Opens

Thanks to RaiderCentral2013 on YouTube

Hayden Agrees to Terms

10/10, All Rookies Signed

Hayden Deal Update: Link (NBC Sports)

In exchange for keeping offset language in the deal, Hayden will receive guaranteed training-camp roster bonuses of $379,000 in 2014, $758,000 in 2015, and $1.1 million in 2016. He’ll also get guaranteed base salaries of $405,000 in 2013, $495,000 in 2014, $585,000 in 2015, and $675,000 in 2016. 

Hayden’s signing bonus was $5.88 million.

Travelle Wharton

Reports are that the Raiders are looking hard at Travelle Wharton, formerly of the Panthers and Bengals.  The 6'-4", 315 lb. offensive tackle is coming off of ACL surgery in 2012, an injury that had him out of football all of last season.  Wharton has started 99 games in his 9 year NFL career.

NBC Sports Reports

Local Coverage: 7/24/13

Thanks to RaiderCentral2013 on YouTube

Training Camp and It's Elementary...

...Dear Watson.  Menelik signed today, Mr. Khalif Barnes take notice.

Oakland Tribune Reports

Also, this just in from Twitter @_Go_DJ_  "I'm good folks"

Photo courtesy of Tony Gonzalez - raiders.com

Fales to Feature More Pro Looks

San Jose State Spartan QB David Fales will be ditching the Pistol formation his senior season and be under center much, MUCH more.  This should give NFL evaluators a better look at what Fales can bring to the table in the NFL.

A local South Bay product from Salinas, CA, Fales produced eye-popping numbers in his first season of WAC play.  Completing passes at a 72.5% clip for nearly 4,200 yards and 33 touchdowns with only 9 INTs.  The 2012 SJSU schedule wasn't overly difficult but Fales did manage to lead the Spartans to a home victory against a very stout BYU defense and out-dueled the high powered offense of Louisiana Tech, winning 52-43.

ORDW believes Fales' numbers will slip with the new Pro look system, but he should be much better prepared come the full post-season, draft evaluation process.  Fales does possess good pocket awareness, and has very good accuracy.  It should be interesting to see how he fares in the new system.  The Spartans face Stanford and Minnesota early in the season, both on the road.  SJSU lost a close one to the Cardinal in 2012, narrowly losing 20-17.

RotoWorld (David Fales): Link

Position Breakdown & Other Stuff

 Thanks to RaiderCentral on YouTube

Ohio State CB Bradley Roby

Probably the highest rated CB Prospect going into the 2013 season, Buckeye corner Bradley Roby is facing a battery charge.

The incident occurred in Bloomington, IN...at a bar.  As the wise man once said, "Alcohol does it every time."  Ohio State has also recently dismissed former starting RB Carlos Hyde, so the Buckeye roster isn't getting any stronger with these off the field incidents.  To Urban Meyer's credit however, he seems to complying and doing the right things with these issues.

CBS Sports Reports

Lots O' Press

Can't thank RaiderCentral enough for filling in the gaps this summer...

Thanks to RaiderCentral on YouTube

Kluwe on Conan

Recently, newly acquired free agent punter Chris Kluwe visited with Conan...

You Don't Know Bo

Analysis on the upcoming College Football Season will be up soon.  Obviously, Bridgewater and Clowney are the 2 top prizes on paper at the moment, hopefully, the Raiders will improve enough so they're not picking in the Top 2...then again, it may be a blessing in disguise.  We'll also get a roster breakdown in August as the NFL season approaches.  A lot of question marks with the current roster...2nd Year Head Coach Dennis Allen and 2nd Year GM Reggie McKenzie are far from putting this roster together in full, working order.

30 for 30

The Year Was 1987
Agent: "Hey, you still want to play football?"
Bo: "What are you talking about?"
Agent: "Because there is a team out there that wants to know."
Bo: "Well, that depends on who the team is.  Because if it's Tampa Bay you can tell them to go shove it."
Agent: "It's the LA Raiders."
Bo: "Hell yeah."

2014 NFL Draft Senior Safety Prospects

Ty Zimmerman -- Kansas State
(vs Oklahoma 12, vs WVU 12)

Strengths:
- Generally takes good angles to the ball carrier
- Nose for the football (with an interception & fumble recovery vs Oklahoma and interception vs WVU)

Needs to work on in 2013:
- Wrap up on tackles better
- Trust his eyes more in coverage
- Prove he has the range to play sideline to sideline

While watching Zimmerman I first though he was more of a downhill thumper and a liability in coverage down field. Quickly changed my mind there and now after watching both games I think he, if he can prove he can go sideline to sideline consistently, would best fit as a FS/coverage safety in the league (though many teams are blurring the distinction a bit) and move around covering receivers in man and zone coverage. That playmaking ability, the nose for the football, is something I covet in defenders, especially safeties and corners, so I could see Zimmerman becoming a solid starter and being a high (top 100 at least) draft pick in 2014 if he can build upon this season and shore up his tackling.

                      

Ed Reynolds -- Stanford
(vs UCLA 12, vs Oregon State 12)

Strengths:
- Good in coverage (INT vs UCLA and had two dropped vs Oregon State)

Needs to work on in 2013:
- Take much better angles
- Wrap up the ball carrier every time
- Focus his aggression

Reynolds too often overruns the ball carrier and then makes a halfhearted tackle attempt. If he can curb his aggression and actually utilize proper technique every time instead of just sometimes he could greatly improve that aspect of his game. Average speed and burst are cause for concern about his ability to defend sideline-to-sideline as well as playing the deep ball. Reynolds also seemed to struggle with play fakes, motions, etc. by the opposing offense. I am not sure if this is him not trusting his eyes or somehow lacking the football IQ to see through the ruses. Least impressive of the Senior safeties I watched as he was the worst against the run and in open space.

                  
Alden Darby -- Arizona State
(vs Oregon 12, vs Arizona 12)

Strengths:
- Strong tackler
- Good short area burst
- Better in the box against run vs open field

Needs to work on in 2013:
- Take better angles in the open field
- Work on getting of blocks faster/better
- Learn to find the ball faster

Struggled more often than not on actually taking a good angle to the ball carrier, particularly in the open field. Were often times in both games where the play action or option game got him looking the wrong way. The agility and speed of Oregon also got to him as his hips seem a little tight and his straight-line speed seems average. His short area burst (coupled with his generally strong tackling) makes him a strong candidate for an in the box safety in the pros. Range, mainly a speed issue in his case, will limit his ability to play the deep ball and cover from sideline to sideline at the next level. Lacks the playmaking gene at the level that is evident in Zimmerman's game but is also never far from the football. His game reminded me a lot of Roman Harper's -- strong downhill thumper who is a pretty sure tackler.

More

Thanks to RaiderCentral on YouTube

 

2014 NFL Draft Senior Prospects

Below is the first segment of my 2014 NFL Draft Senior Prospects breakdowns before the upcoming season. I am planning to give you my analysis of  them by position groups and keep them relatively short. The lists will only be comprised players that I was able to find at least two full games of so it will be devoid of quite a few players that will play huge roles for their teams in 2013 and likely get drafted fairly high in 2014.

With each player I breakdown I will also be providing the list of games I made use of for my analysis. I would like to thank all of the people who have taken time to make the full game cut-ups that made this all possible.
_______________________________________________________________________

2014 NFL Draft Senior RB Prospects

 

RB Alfred Blue -- LSU

(vs Washington 12, vs North Texas 12)
 
Strengths:
- Solid as a pass catcher
- Patient runner
- Always seems to fall forward allowing him to gain extra yards
- Does a good job protecting the football
- Strong enough to run through arm tackles
- Enough speed to take it to the house
- Strong burst on his first step
- Smooth runner

Needs to work on in 2013:
- Utilize his stiff arm more to fight off single defenders
- Show he can stay healthy (Week 3 season-ending knee injury in 2012 and missed two games in 2010)
- Runs too upright; would like to see him lower his pad level a bit

Blue is a giant (6'-2"; 220lbs.) one-cut, downhill runner with solid burst and straight-line speed. Not exactly the home run threat Archer is, but is still a threat between bowling over defenders and moving the chains.  Offers solid hands in the passing game. While watching the games of Blue I was immediately reminded of another (former) LSU RB - Stevan Ridley. Blue is definitely a bigger back than Ridley, but their running style, burst, and toughness are eerily similar. Most likely of the three to be drafted as a starter/future starter at RB by a team early next year.

RB Dri Archer -- Kent State

(vs Towson/Buffalo/Bowling Green '12, vs Arkansas State '12, vs Rutgers '12, vs Miami (OH) '12)

Strengths:
- Doubles as a kick returner
- Agility
- Vision
- Speed and more speed
- Runs with no fear despite his frame
- Smooth runner

Needs to work on in 2013:
- Show greater patience for finding the initial lane
- Improve focus as a pass catcher
- Improve pass blocking
- Too often a body-catcher
- "Show up" against bigger schools
- Prove his frame can take the punishment

At the point I am doubtful, given his size (5'-8", 175lbs), that he could be anymore than a change of pace back or "offensive weapon" for a team. If he is able to bulk up some, though I am not sure how much more his frame could handle, without losing his speed and shiftiness then that may change the situation for him. Unless something changes I see him in the mold of a Percy Harvin, Darren Sproles, Tavon Austin, or Denard Robinson type player -- someone you want to feed the ball in space and let them work their magic.  Would like to see Archer raise his level of play against the bigger competition he plays as Rutgers (the best team I watched him play) slowed him down quite a bit. Given his explosive nature, shiftiness, and return man skills it would seem likely that Archer will hear his name early in 2014.

RB Roderick McDowell -- Clemson

(vs GT/NC State/South Carolina 12)

Strengths:
- Enough strength to run through arm tackles

Needs to work on in 2013:
- Show greater patience
- Work on his vision (too often picked the wrong lane)
- Limit his negatvive/no-gain plays

McDowell appears to lack the speed and burst that Archer and even Blue possess. He does show slight shiftiness that allows him to make up for his poor vision and lack of acceleration from time to time. From the three games I watched I would say I do not see him as any more than a potential solid backup in the NFL at this point. Least impressive of the three Senior RBs I watched.

Mas News

Thanks to RaiderCentral on YouTube: