In high school, Taiwan Jones played running back and cornerback. Jones was actually recruited as a cornerback, but switched to running back as a sophomore. Jones dominated the Big Sky Conference as an offensive player, but struggled to stay healthy. It’s not surprising that Al Davis drafted Jones in the 2011 NFL draft, because he has 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash. Davis loved speed and that’s well known. As was usually the case, though, Jones was more of an athlete than football player. Jones lacks the ideal size to play running back at the NFL level and his ball ...
Injuries have proven to be a significant obstacle for the Oakland Raiders over the past few seasons, and the biggest injury in 2012 just may have been to Jacoby Ford. While the Raiders look to rebound from a disappointing campaign on all levels, Ford's healthy return will be one of the biggest and most underrated keys to their success. They certainly need help in all phases of the game, and Ford can have a huge impact in several. Starting with the offense, assuming the current receiving corps stays as is, we can expect Jacoby Ford to be utilized as the ...
General manager Reggie McKenzie doesn't have much money to spend this offseason, but at least he'll have more than he did last year.Some of Oakland's players from last season are now free agents, and McKenzie would be wise to re-sign them.However, there are other options if he cannot.With the draft less than two months away, it's important for McKenzie to give some free agents some looks so he knows where the team's biggest needs are come draft day.Begin Slideshow
There are very few teams in the NFL that have as messy a quarterback situation as the one currently sitting on the doorstep of the Oakland Raiders. Carson Palmer, last year's starter, is owed $13 million in 2013 and another $15 million in 2014, despite a career that is clearly trending downwards.Over 25 games in Oakland, Palmer has thrown 30 interceptions and delivered just eight wins. He'll also be 34 years old by the end of 2013.Instead of wasting another year with an expensive and aging Palmer under center, the Raiders should really think about cutting all ties with a bad ...
The Oakland Raiders drafted Taiwan Jones in the middle rounds of the 2011 NFL draft to be a backup running back—he had the 40 time of a track star which appealed to Al Davis.In his first two years in the NFL, Jones has rarely gotten on the field, amassing only 22 carries for 94 yards as well as four career receptions for 36 yards.Jones has had issues with ball security, but he has also been stuck behind Darren McFadden, Michael Bush (for 2011), Marcel Reece and Mike Goodson on the depth chart since entering the NFL.The third year could be ...
There’s no denying that the Oakland Raiders are rebuilding, and by definition that means to reconstruct out of new materials. Those new materials are college prospects, many of which will participate in the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine that kicks off today in Indianapolis. The Raiders will be looking for players that can help them accelerate the franchise rebuild, because they can’t afford to waste any of their draft picks—including their first, first-round draft pick since the new regime took over last year. Despite a deck stacked against them, a disappointing 2012 campaign has left second-year general manager Reggie McKenzie and ...
With the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine getting underway on Wednesday, the Oakland Raiders begin the first of several key phases leading up to the draft. Like they did at the Senior Bowl, the Raiders’ coaching staff will once again have the advantage of being on the field with the prospects, leading them through their drills and workouts. With those advantages, and the necessity to build this team the right way, it is imperative for the Raiders to come away from this draft with a solid group to build a foundation upon. With many needs to fill, here are 10 NFL ...
While the Oakland Athletics didn’t have any legitimate stars last year, they managed to strike some magic, win the AL West and come within one win of the ALCS. However, this year the A’s won’t need a supply of magic to bring out the big-boy bats and pound opposing pitchers.Last year, the A’s ranked 14th in the MLB in offense, with 195 home runs and 713 runs. While the A’s hit just .238 as a team, they were able to hit a lot of home runs and avoid letting their strikeout woes bury them. At least until Game 5 of ...
While the Oakland Athletics didn’t have any legitimate stars last year, they managed to strike some magic, win the AL West and come within one win of the ALCS. However, this year the A’s won’t need a supply of magic to bring out the big-boy bats and pound opposing pitchers.Last year, the A’s ranked 14th in the MLB in offense, with 195 home runs and 713 runs. While the A’s hit just .238 as a team, they were able to hit a lot of home runs and avoid letting their strikeout woes bury them. At least until Game 5 of the ...
Going against Mike Mayock and Daniel Jeremiah, both of NFL Network fame, seems like a bad idea. Each worked in NFL scouting departments and know what they are talking about when it comes to evaluating draft prospects.But Mayock and Jeremiah are human—and they are wrong about Florida defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd being a good fit for the Oakland Raiders. Mayock suggested that Floyd would be a good fit for the Raiders with the third overall pick on his national conference call and Jeremiah’s most current mock draft has the Raiders taking Floyd. It makes a little sense for the Raiders ...