BTSC 2010 Community Mock Draft - Pick #8 by the Oakland Raiders: Taylor Mays, Safety, Southern California

by Michael Bean on Apr 7, 2010 1:22 AM EDT

I love this pick and writeup from carolinaeasy. Funny stuff, informative, and at the end of the day, could turn out to be spot on. I will say though that I think some of his assessments of the Raiders recent 1st round draft choices are a bit harsh. Not sure I'd call Michael Huff a 'bust' for example. Anyway, still good stuff and many thanks to him for the selection. Next up? The Buffalo Bills at #9, represented by mojo88. -Michael Bean (Blitz) -

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2010 BTSC Community Mock Draft:

The Oakland Raiders' recent draft history is like listening to the sad, and incoherent ramblings of a senile old man. Oh wait, they are the work of a senile old man, sorry! Here is a quick breakdown of the Raiders' first round draft picks since 2000.

2009 (#7): Darrius Heyward-Bey - 9 catches, 124 yards, and a touchdown, for the entire season. This after the Raiders passed up Michael Crabtree who had 48 catches, 625 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 11 games. Bust?

2008 (#4): Darren McFadden RB- The jury is still out on McFadden who has had mixed results since entering the league two years ago.

2007 (#1): JaMarcus Russell QB - Bust, Bust, Bust anyone?

2006 (#7): Michael Huff S - Another bust, he is no longer the starter and has had a terrible time in coverage, and making tackles in run support.

2005 (#23): Fabian Washington CB - Another bust, Washington was traded in 08 for a fourth round draft pick.

2004 (#2): Robert Gallery OT - Bust as a tackle, he has never been able to overcome his flexibility and agility issues, but as a guard he has been pretty decent. So overall? A push.

2003 (#31): Nnamdi Asomugha DB - This was akin to the Heyard-Bey pick in '09, Asomugha was an unknown, and this was seen as a reach. Since then he has blossomed into a fine star.

2002 (#17): Phillip Buchanon DB - Pburnt was a bust who was traded on draft day in 2005.

2002 (#23): Napoleon Harris LB- Had initial success but since then slide to the point of being traded to bring in Randy Moss. Bust

2001 (#28): Derrick Gibson DB - Can't cover, can't tackle, not playing NFL football today. BUST.

2000 (#17): Sebastian Janikowski K- Maybe a bit of a reach, but you really can't argue with the stability that Sea bass has provided in the kicking game for the Raiders.

Out of 11 picks 7 are busts, the last 4 picks are all top ten, and there are four busts. Recent history has not been kind to Al Davis. We know that Davis will be unpredictable, and we know he loves speed,. So based upon this history, and the fact that Al Davis is nuts I am going to select Taylor Mays Safety from USC. I know it is a reach at #8, I know he isn't fundamentally sound and is prone to being out of position and is known primarily for his highlight real head shots. But hell this is the Raiders baby! It won't make sense!

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quack

Ben is INNOCENT!

by Hi5Steeler on Apr 7, 2010 5:30 AM EDT reply actions

+1

by c63tho on Apr 7, 2010 7:03 AM EDT reply actions

Some of the stuff is way too critical, even for the Raiders

I know I am overly defensive of Hey-Bey-Bey, but calling someone a bust after their rookie year is way too soon IMO.

Rookie Years:
Hines Ward 15 recs 246 yards….BUST?
Isaac Bruce 21 recs 272 yards….BUST?
Derrick Mason 14 recs 186 yards…BUST?
John Stallworth 16 recs 269 yards….BUST?
Cris Carter 5 recs 64 yards…BUST?
etc…

I am not saying the kid is going to be a star, but give him a chance. Keep in mind he had Russell throwing to him for a good portion of the year.

Providing you your Daily Six Pack. If you have something good for a six pack, shoot me an email at john.stephens8@yahoo.com

by John Stephens on Apr 7, 2010 8:40 AM EDT reply actions

According to PFF he was thrown at 38 times and only had 5 drops. Sounds like he was getting some bad balls thrown his way or still does not have route running down well, which is not uncommon for a rookie.

Providing you your Daily Six Pack. If you have something good for a six pack, shoot me an email at john.stephens8@yahoo.com

by John Stephens on Apr 7, 2010 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

only 5 drops???

you mean 5 drops isn’t a lot? someone please pass this info to Limas Sweed and tell him to stop waking up in cold sweats at night and get out there and play some football!

Steelers football is 60 mins.

by tannofsteel84 on Apr 7, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Well if he was thrown to 38 times, caught 9, and dropped 5 that leaves 24 that were neither. That leads me to believe one of those things I mentioned. And I don’t know the stats because drops are not a well kept stat, but I would not be surprised if the majority of rookie WRs who see significant snaps have around 5 drops.

Sweed was crucified so much because of the significance of his drops. They were all on a big stage and “less” excusable by most fans. Not to add Sweed was targeted maybe 15 times in 2008 and had 3 or 4 drops, a much bigger portion.

Providing you your Daily Six Pack. If you have something good for a six pack, shoot me an email at john.stephens8@yahoo.com

by John Stephens on Apr 7, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea

I think we need to take the pressure of Sweed.

Steelers football is 60 mins.

by tannofsteel84 on Apr 7, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzybdYNCHvE&feature=related

He caught at least one pass

Steelers football is 60 mins.

by tannofsteel84 on Apr 7, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

The only problem i have is that Huff started to preform like a football player last year and undead Al drafted Mike Mitchell in the second last draft. Both of those could be upgraded no doubt but Al Davis won’t like giving up on his perfect picks, see JaMarcus Russell.

by archon095 on Apr 7, 2010 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

Awesome!

I haven’t read the whole post, but this is how I know you’re probably spot on: I had the exact same “spit Coke on the screen” type of reaction to you pick that I always have to the Raiders’ actual picks! Remember the guy they picked in the second round last year and ESPN didn’t even have a picture of the kid. Good stuff, Easy.

by seanachie on Apr 7, 2010 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

This is a Raiders pick...

I mean, look at the guy.

That said, the bust word was thrown around quite a bit in this post. So I ask the question, is a player a bust because of a lack of talent, or is a player a bust because he never was put in an oppurtunity to succeed? Certainly it can be both. But, in all honesty, name one player the Raiders have done a good job of coaching up? The bottom line is, they have been very poor in the coaching department, and have drafted overwhelmingly raw athletes. That’s a recipe for disaster.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 7, 2010 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

That’s what I look into the mirror and see. Except white skin. The Taco Bell diet worked for me.

Providing you your Daily Six Pack. If you have something good for a six pack, shoot me an email at john.stephens8@yahoo.com

by John Stephens on Apr 7, 2010 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Riiiiight...

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 7, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

note to self

don’t get into a fight with Taylor Mays

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"they dont foul do they ref???" Bob Huggins
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 7, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Raiders pick

I agree with the selector of this pick. Oakland will do something out of whack that no ones expects and overdraft someone with their pick. Taylor Mays seems about as good a bet as anyone.

I will disagree though with some of the bust characterizations. Napoleon Harris isn’t a complete bust because he did have success in the league his first two years. Phillip Buchanan isn’t a complete bust either. The guy had 6 INTs his 2nd year in the league and has been able to stick around for quite some time. It’s also way too early to make any proclomation on Heyward-Bey. And Crabtree outperforming him his rookie year means nothing. Troy Edwards outperformed Hines Ward their rookie years when they played together. What did that mean?

As for Darren McFadden, the jury has come back and already made it’s verdict – BUST. After two seasons a running back has either established himself in the NFL or not. McFadden has been mediocre, especially for where he was drafted. Robert Gallery is no push either. He’s a collossal bust. Who cares if he’s had modest success as a guard? The guy was the 2nd overall pick in the draft. You don’t pick a guard 2nd overall. Considering the talent in the early part of that draft for the Raiders to come out with an average starting guard is flat out pathetic.

by catesinator on Apr 7, 2010 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

Robert Gallery has quietly turned himself into a great guard...

Because he’s not the best tackle in the league he’s a bust? I don’t get it. He’s a good player. People’s expectations are getting unrealistic.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 7, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

No. 2 overall

I’m just saying…

Next up : Rooney family facing RICO charges. Franchise sold to Disney who appoints Hannah Montana as GM and moves the team to L.A. The team is to be called The Glitters.

by Steelfrog on Apr 7, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Right, because that is where the Raiders drafted...

But he’s still a good player. And the fact he was drafted at second overall shouldn’t blind us to the fact the guy can play. If he was out of the league, okay, I get it. But he’s a mauler at guard. He’s not total garbage, by any stretch of the imagination. If his name was Mike Iupati, and he was drafted at 15th overall, people would be slobbering over him right now.

I guess, because he was the second overall pick, he should be allowing zero sacks every week at left tackle. Get real, there’s maybe two guys in the world who can do that. Not everything goes according to plan. Expectations are that every player drafted early should be great. That’s not the case. If you get a good player, and he plays well for you for more than a season, I don’t see how that’s a bust. If you want to make the case he’s overpaid, you’re right, but that’s more of a problem with the system as a whole.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 7, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Good Point

I think that it is indicative of a poor system in Oakland. It just seems a bit underwhelming that he was drafted so high as a tackle and had to move to guard to be effective in the league. Seems a bit expensive to have a guard #2 overall…but that’s dysfunctional Al at his finest.

"Whaddya' mean all the beer is gone..?

by OhioYinzer on Apr 7, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Gallery was a bust as a tackle

No doubt, he couldn’t move. As I said he is a decent guard, so I would say that is a push. Not a bust, but there were better picks who have panned out in that spot. But what we need to remember is that everyone was projecting Gallery as the next “BIG THING” as a LT.

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Apr 7, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

youʻre right, Gallery was seen as a Very safe pick that year

by tkired on Apr 8, 2010 6:27 AM EDT up reply actions

he should be allowing zero sacks every week at left tackle. Get real, there’s maybe two guys in the world who can do that

You’re right, what was I thinking saying he should be allowing zero sacks every week… Oh wait… I DIDN’T!

What I did suggest is that nobody wants their no.2 overall pick, the guy who was picked ahead of Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers and Pig Ben, to turn out being only a serviceable guard.

Next up : Rooney family facing RICO charges. Franchise sold to Disney who appoints Hannah Montana as GM and moves the team to L.A. The team is to be called The Glitters.

by Steelfrog on Apr 8, 2010 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps I would have gotten that point...

If you had written more than six words frog. I’m sorry I offended you, I didn’t mean to.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 8, 2010 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions

No, no

I wasn’t offended NYSF4, I was just playing around your arguing with yourself as if it was dialogue. It was tongue in cheek, not vindicative at all.

You’re right of course, six words hardly constitutes enough material to enunciate a point… Unless it’s something like: Stop Mr. Roethlisburger, you’re hurting me!

Next up : Rooney family facing RICO charges. Franchise sold to Disney who appoints Hannah Montana as GM and moves the team to L.A. The team is to be called The Glitters.

by Steelfrog on Apr 8, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm giving Mcfadden this last year to prove himself

If Mcfadden is a bust, Reggie Bush is a bust. Mcfadden has struggled with injury like Bush, has had less heraled RBs in front of him (Mcallister Thomas for Bush, Fargas for Mcfadden.) Unlike Bush Mcfadden hasn’t had great coaches making decisions. Davis continued to start Fargas over Mcfadden. Bush had a great QB, a top notch WR corp and a average D. Mcfadden doesn’t even have a O-line!

I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
McCourty! McCourty! McCourty! McCourty! McCourty! McCourty!

by Steel in FL on Apr 7, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess I need to clarify my use of the word bust since some people have apparently taken umbridge with its flagarant use in my post

If you pick someone top 10 and they are not the clear cut starter 3-4 years later that is a bust. Sorry to sound harsh, and all but if your top 10 you need to be a starter, and should be an impact starter.

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Apr 7, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Also the reason I took the Raiders was so I could make a complete dumb ass pick

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Apr 7, 2010 1:09 PM EDT reply actions

you did well my friend, you did well

Good stuff.

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Apr 7, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions