Gallery's selection is still contentious in the 'Nation
Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com
One of the chief debates going on in the Raider Nation through the six seasons in the abyss of losing has been whether or not the team has enough talent. The Raiders have had top ten picks in each of the last five drafts, with yet another top ten pick coming in April. In addition, the Raiders have brought in no shortage of high priced and high profile free agents over this span, yet they have not been able to turn the corner.
With all of these high picks and high profile players, the Raiders have not been able to secure more than five wins in a season since 2002. Guys like Warren Sapp and Randy Moss have come and gone. The Raiders have invested their top picks in guys like Robert Gallery, Michael Huff, JaMarcus Russell, and Darren McFadden, but neither unit was able to show up consistently in 2008. What gives?
To hear some in the Raider Nation it would be like the Raiders are picking their players from junior colleges, whilst the rest of the NFL is drafting from division I universities. There are times throughout the season where it has appeared that the Raiders were completely outmatched and outclassed. (The losses to the Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Atlanta Falcons stick out as games where neither unit came to play.)
There are also frequent criticisims of the Raiders coaching staff, which are also valid. The question becomes is it the coaching or the lack of talent which has been the reason for the Raiders silde into oblivion?
One of the common refrains that is heard in the Raider Nation these days is that "Not many of these guys would start on other teams." However, there are many recent Raider players who were practically ran out of town on a rail who have found success with other teams. A perfect example of this would be Tyler Brayton, who was booed out of Oakland, but was a solid starter for a Carolina Panthers team that has made the playoffs, or Fabian Washington who is starting for the Baltimore Ravens who are now in the AFC Championship game.
The key to the success of a player is the proper system and coaching. Robert Gallery is a sterling example of a player who was on the fast track to bustville, but was able to turn it around and become one of the better players in the league at his position once he received proper coaching. In 2008 he had only two penalties and one sack allowed at left guard, and in true lineman form, his name was largely uncalled. That is the best show of success for a lineman, not to mention most of the Raiders best running plays went to the left side and right behind his blocks.
Prior to fining his home at left guard, Gallery was moved around from right guard to right then left tackle. During all this motion, he had more offensive line coaches than he had years of service. His rookie year, the Raiders used a zone blocking system under Norv Turner, then the Raiders moved him to left tackle but put him in a man blocking system that was part of Tom Walsh's bed and breakfast offense, which was set up for everyone to fail. He looked atrocious, as could be expected when he was supposed to hold blocks for a week and a half, but instead got quarterbacks Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter mugged. It was Tom Cable's arrival in 07 when Gallery was moved to left guard and put in one system with one coach where he was able to step up his game.
In the safety position, the Raiders problems are also wll documented. Stuart Schweigert was run out of town on a rail, and Michael Huff is the next up for that treatment. Huff was a consensus top pick, and when the Raiders drafted him at seventh overall, there were many who felt that was the right pick. However, Huff has not worked out as expected. He was benched in 08 for Hiram Eugene. Part of the problem is that the Raiders run a defensive scheme where most of the defense is playing a straight up man defense, whilst the free safety has to play the entire rear third of the field. By comparison, there are two deep safeties in the famed Tampa-2 defense. The free safety has to in effect guess where the ball is going to be going, and if he is wrong he has to run all the way across the field to make the play. This is not to say that Huff is a great player, but like Schweigert before him he is put in a difficult situation.
Any player who is drafted into the NFL has talent. In order to get into a school that is in the NCAA Division I they have to be one of the top players at the high school level, and out of all of the players in that level, only a select few actually make the NFL. However, the players have to be utilized in a manner that is consistent with their talents. They also have to receive proper coaching to help them transition into the pro game.
That doesn't mean that there are not players who get overrated by a great performance in a Bowl Game or at the NFL scouting combine, who can't cut it at the NFL level, because that happens every year. There are also players who just peak whilst in college and don't have the right stuff to take it to the next level. More often than not, that is more a matter of attitude than of talent. A perfect example of that would be the poster boy for bust-ism in Ryan Leaf. He had all the physical tools that anyone could want from an NFL quarterback, and he could have been a very good hone. However, Leaf had a major attitude problem, and would not take coaching, which is why he became a major bust.
The key to success is to get the players who fit the system that a team is looking to implement. In order for that to happen, there has to be consistent coaching and a consistent workable system. Players have to be put in a position to succeed. If they are not put in that position, the chances of failure increase exponentially.
SEE ALSO:
Raiders need to build a team on offense
The Redemption of Robert Gallery
Wide Receiver a position of concern
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Offseason changes only beginning
Comments
Yes, the Raider coaching staff has been inept at developing and scheming their talent as Al Davis has been inept at finding a credible HC. However, the Raider's biggest problem has been the lack of talent on the "O" line and "D" line. You can get to the playoffs every year with dominate lines and mediocre skill positions but the reverse is not true.
Howard is right. It's a philosophic thing that starts at the top of the organization, read Al Davis. Al has had this disagreement with the rest of the world forever. He and John Madden used to argue over it all the time. Al believes you build a team via strong cornerbacks and the rest of the world believes you start with line play.
So here we are. Unless the person behind the curtain fundamentally changes his beliefs, the Raiders are doomed to failure. Even though this is a perfect year to totally revamp the O line and make it a force for years to come with this incredibly deep draft class, my fear is the opportunity will be wasted by drafting with only combine numbers in mind and just taking the fastest guy on the board - as usual.
The poor drafting is really becoming tediously difficult to endure. As is the poor coaching. But hey, when you believe that coaches aren't important, you screw them financially, treat them like second class citizens and never let your head coach choose his own staff as Al does, no self respecting coach of quality is going to want to work for you.
So, again, here we are. The less that things change at the top of this joke of an organization, the more they will stay the same.
Good article.We have talent,but for 5 deferent systems.Thats why we should hire Cable and try to stay with the same system,or blow the whole thing up and start over.
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