Across the Pond by Dave Wilson
The Rise of Cerberus, and a New Hope
I have had my successes in predicting NFL Drafts. I got the Robert Gallery and Michael Huff picks right. I said that Jake Long wouldn’t get past number 2, and that Atlanta wouldn’t pass on Matt Ryan, but I was spectacularly wrong about where Oakland would go this time around.
As our play had been so poor in this area last year, I strongly felt that Al and Lane Kiffin would strengthen a poor defensive line, especially in a year where this position was so strong in the draft. I really believed it would have been the right move for us. Well, I guess that plan is moot.
My immediate feeling when the Commissioner read out Darren McFadden’s name was one of extreme disappointment. When the draft was over, none of the other names he read out for Oakland had done anything to make me feel any better. In the fourth round there were still players available who could have helped us on the defensive line, and we passed on them too. A statement then, that the coaching staff think we can succeed with the players we have. I personally felt that such confidence was ill founded.
But I can’t stay down for long, and I am generally a very positive person in my outlook on things, especially if they are silver and black. One thing that had nothing to do with my feelings about the McFadden pick was McFadden himself. He is truly an awesome player, and whilst running back was never a need area for us, every team has a need to score touchdowns (which a number of people pointed out), and he certainly can do that. And while we are about it, let’s put to rest any concerns over McFadden’s character.
McFadden is dedicated to football, and that has something that has been consistent throughout his life. The area where he grew up, and the problems he faced, were beyond what most of us ever had to contend with in life. So let’s give him some credit for the way he has turned out, his troubles have been minor, and I believe that he’s a good kid.
So whether you agree with the pick or not, we have to take the positives out of it (of which there are many). Firstly, the AFC West has been the strongest rushing division in the league for many years (apart from us!). We have been continually victimized by Kansas City (Larry Johnson), the Broncos (take your pick), and the Chargers (LT). With the running game we have now put together, it’s our chance to do the inflicting.
The other franchises in our division are on the decline, and now is our chance to rise and reclaim our position at the top. With a solid offensive line, two excellent full backs, and now three tailbacks who are all first class players with different strengths and abilities, it will be a running game to be reckoned with It will certainly take the pressure of JaMarcus Russell. Each team needs an identity, and maybe this is ours.
Cerberus. The name of the three headed monster from Greek Mythology. The dog that guarded the entrance to the underworld, the Kingdom of the Dark God Hades (Al Davis anybody? You have to admit there’s a similarity…).
Even Hercules battled him in vain and lost. Now we have a three headed monster as a running attack to savage the opposition with. Fargas, Bush, and McFadden (when he signs) will all be under contract for at least three years giving us great continuity. The current trend in the NFL has been a two back system. Now Al has cut his own path and gone to three, our three headed monster, the Cerberus offense.
If ever the Raider Nation had a mascot, Cerberus would be it. Can’t you just imagine Al Davies stroking its head(s) before setting it on Mike Shanahan.
Imagine the damage McFadden could do to a tired defense late in the game, coming on with fresh legs and pace after Fargas and Bush have pounded away early. When you have a weakness against the run like the Chiefs and the Broncos, that must be frightening.
You know what? Opening day for the 2008 season is looking good already. A first week victory at home against the donkeys would really light the season up.
If this monster is able to stay on the field, pound defenses and chew up the clock, then that will take the heat off the defense. Fresh defenses always perform better. If we can run up some points, the opponents will be forced to the air more, and the secondary is the strength of the Raider defense.
So the future as crafted by Al and Lane is bright.
I will still mourn the fact that Chris Long didn’t end up where he belonged, I tracked him all through his college career and desperately hoped he would be a Raider, I know he would have been a great one. Now he is gone to the Rams, and that Raider bloodline is lost to us. We have to watch him play for the Rams. As Obiwan Kenobi said to Master Yoda about Luke Skywalker, “That boy was our last hope”.
And Yoda replied “No, there is another”
Yes, there is another Raider bloodline. Another descendent of a Raider great who we can hope ends up in Oakland. The son of the Wiz. Stefan Wisniewski is currently a sophomore guard for Penn State, where his father played. At 6’3 and 288 lbs, he looks good and has the room to bet a lot bigger and better. I will watch and hope, hope that we can succeed where we failed with Chris Long, and bring him to Oakland. I will update on ‘Junior Wiz watch’ this coming year.
Raider on brothers,
Keep those e mails coming.
Dave
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