|
|
|
|
|
Raiders go big in this year's draft
By Jeremy Harness May 10, 2004 |
||
|
|
|||
|
ALAMEDA - Many said that the Raiders would be better served to get a new quarterback to replace the aging Rich Gannon. However, before they do that, they knew that rebuilding the offensive line was more necessary at this time. After using the previous two months to revamp the defense, the Raiders spent the first two rounds of this year's NFL Draft to upgrade the offensive line for the long run, taking an tackle and a center. "We got a lot better today up front," Raiders head coach Norv Turner said. Robert Gallery, the massive tackle out of the University of Iowa, was selected as the No. 2 overall pick by the Raiders, who are looking for a left tackle to replace the recently-retired Lincoln Kennedy and protect quarterback Rich Gannon's blind side. "He's a great athlete for his position," Turner said. "He made a very, very strong impression on everyone in this organization. I think he'll be a long-term, long-time, big-time player for us." When asked if Gallery has the tools to start immediately, Turner said that is a strong possibility. He also pointed out that in three of the past five years, he has coached on teams that had started rookie tackles. "I know it can be done," Turner said. "I think with his background, the type of athlete he is, (and) his seriousness about football, I think he's got a great chance to be ready to play." Gallery said the possibility of being an NFL player didn't really start until the scouting combine, during which he ran a 4.98 in the 40-yard dash, which is phenomenal - almost unheard of - for an offensive lineman. He said the move from tight end made all the difference. "It was a great move for me," Gallery said. "I don't think I could've made it as a tight end. (Moving to tackle) was the best thing that happened to me." Immediately following the selection of Gallery, there was plenty of speculation that the Raiders would elect to trade the pick, but that would soon come to pass. In the second round, the Raiders picked up center-guard Jake Grove out of Virginia Tech, who primarily played center his senior season. "He was the best player we could have taken in that spot," Turner said. What makes this pick interesting is the uncertain immediate future of starting center Barret Robbins, who underwent knee surgery in (March). Turner said Robbins' surgery may have played a part in the Raiders taking Grove. "How long it takes him (to recover) is unknown," he said. The Raiders used a seventh-round pick to take a local guy, San Jose State tight end Courtney Anderson. The 6-foot-6 ¼, 269-pound pass catcher finished his senior season with 23 catches for 433 yards. He is described in scouting reports as being raw, and will need to use better technique as a blocker. Here is a quick rundown of the Raiders' other draft choices: Round 3, Pick 67: Stuart Schweigert, Purdue Height: 6'1 Weight: 215 Hometown: Saginaw, MI The skinny: Good speed, terrific range. He is aggressive, but he lacks size and strength and needs to work on improving angles to the ballcarrier. Was twice cited for underage drinking, but has reportedly stayed out of trouble the past two years. Round 4, Pick 99: WR Carlos Francis, Texas Tech Height: 5'9 Weight: 198 Hometown: Fort Worth, TX The skinny: Extremely fast. In fact, he had the fastest 40 time at the scouting combine with a 4.31. Finished career with 216 catches for 3,031 yards. Not afraid to go over the middle or catch the ball in traffic, and he has the speed and burst to separate after the catch. Began preaching as an 11-year-old boy. Only knock on him seems to be his height. Round 5, Pick 134: WR Johnnie Morant, Syracuse Height: 6'4 Weight: 229 Hometown: Parsippany, NJ The skinny: Excellent size for a wide receiver. Loaded with potential, which he was able to flash in only his senior season. Has deep acceleration, which allows him to stretch the field. His father, Johnnie Morant, Sr., is a former Mr. Olympia and has been featured in different top muscle magazines. However, Johnnie Jr. has some baggage; he was involved in a fight with a Syracuse lacrosse player two years ago, and was arrested after giving state troopers false identification after being stopped for speeding. Round 6, Pick 166: DE Shawn Johnson, Delaware Height: 6'4 Weight: 273 Hometown: Fairport, NY The skinny: Has great burst off the snap. Shows good foot technique to accelerate to the ball and is relentless in pursuit. Spent three losing, frustrating seasons at Duke, during which he was known to yell at coaches and teammates. Upon graduating from Duke, he transferred to Delaware, who he helped win the Division 1-AA national championship in 2003. Scored 47 out of a possible 50 on the Wonderlic test, which is given to potential draftees that involves problem solving. Round 6, Pick 182: ILB Cody Spencer, North Texas Height: 6'2 Weight: 242 Hometown: Grapevine, TX The skinny: Three-year starter at North Texas who began career as an outside linebacker, but soon moved inside. Finished with 297 tackles for his career. Is quick to read and react to the ball, and has great hands - he also spent time as a fullback. In 2000, as a senior in high school, the Grapevine Independent School District eliminated the letter grade "D" in order to give Spencer a chance to get a Division I scholarship. Round 7, Pick 255: OLB Andre Sommersell, Colorado State Height: 6'2 Weight: 227 Hometown: Fountain Valley, CA The skinny: The final pick of the entire draft, otherwise known as Mr. Irrelevant. The native of Guyana started 17 of 34 games in his college career with the Rams, collecting 106 tackles and four sacks. Ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the combine. Has great quickness to the ball, but he is inconsistent with his use of hands. Speaking of Mr. Irrelevant, did you see how much bigger last year's recipient, Ryan Hoag - who has since signed with the New York Giants - looked Sunday afternoon? |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||