Pretty in Pink

Per Dan, and I have to say I agree, Belichik looks like a guy who never dresses up when he dresses up.


He just said something condescending to Bryan Billick, and approves of the speeded up draft.

AndOhByTheWay, fuck Bill Belichick.

The Pick

I think Chris Long would have been ideal. We could have used the help stopping the run and solidifying the DE spot long term.

But that wasn't to be. McFadden is our guy, and according to Kiffin he was our guy all along. Ok cool, so now it's time to get excited about him.

This is going to be an interesting offense. Kiffin will be able to split out McFadden and use him in creative ways to take pressure off JaMarcus. Maybe we'll even see a 4-RB set this year with DMC, Fargas, Rhodes, and Bush.

Was this our biggest need? No. But one can actually spin this as a need pick in terms of an offensive playmaker, especially given the lack of depth at WR. More justification later...

Just Asking

But has every defensive lineman drafted got a highlight wherein they blow up Jake Long?

With the 4th Pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...

The Oakland Raiders take....

I got a text from my lawyer saying Mort says we're trading the pick...we were watching NFLN so we didn't see it...Madame Schefter says no trade with New Orleans...The Autumn Wind is a Raider...it's become such a cliche that Al loves "Speed and Size" that even Marshall Faulk is saying it...Al's Brother made the trip from Brooklyn to Radio City and is "On the Phone"...They keep saying what "Al Davis Loves"...Nobody's on the phone...

And the Pick?

McFadden!

Number Four

No, my Favre tribute still isn't ready. But the Raiders are almost on the clock for their now annual very high draft pick. So who will it be?

Glenn Dorsey - apparently his leg has healed, because it's now accepted that he'll be gone by the time the Raiders draft. With so many guards in Morrison's face last year and a terrible run defense, Dorsey would seem to be an ideal pick. Then again, he's labeled the Raider defensive buzzword of the year: "Three Technique." And Tommy Kelly has been paid to do that job.

Chris Long - if jersey sales are the top priority, Little Howie should be the pick. If stopping the run is the top priority, you could make quite an argument for this pick as well. And DE is somewhat thin this year, potentially getting thinner next year when Burgess finally gets paid.

Vernon Gholston - considered a weight room guy, he's a pass rusher who could combine with Burgess to cause major heartburn. He could also take Burgess' place next year. Apparently has a lot of upside, but could be a bit of a project.

Darren McFadden - the consensus mock draft choice, Kiffin has said we don't need him. Perhaps he is baiting Al into defying him so he can have an electric talent to couple with JaMarcus? I'm not sure why most draft analysts justify this pick with the explanation that Al Davis always picks the flashiest athlete given the Gallery, Huff, and JaMarcus picks - each to fill the team's top need. Maybe if DMC were a CB, but Al's already satisfied his fetish this year with the Hall acquisition.

Sedrick Ellis - for whatever reason he seems to be out of the conversation. But he does fit a big need to stuff the run, and Raider coaches got a good look at him at the Senior Bowl.

Matt Ryan - just kidding.

And then there's the option to trade down...

King Kaufman is a Hater

King Kaufman writes about Jake Long's contract with Miami, and compares it to what happened to JaMarcus Russell last year:

That's a step down from last year's No. 1 contract, which guaranteed Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell as much as $32 million if he reaches certain milestones. But the more important difference is the timing. Russell held out for all of training camp and the exhibition season, finally signing in September. His rookie season was almost a total loss. Long signed before he was even drafted, and he'll be present at the first workout.

Skipping your first NFL training camp while haggling over a few million dollars -- out of dozens of millions on the table -- is a good way to get yourself into this photo gallery, part of Sports Illustrated's fabulous new online archive, known as the S.I. Vault.

The photo gallery of which he writes is a list of the Top 21 Draft Busts of all time.

Now, plenty of local sportswriters (although I believe Kaufman also lives in the Bay Area) have made this comparison, but so far none of them have suggested flat out that JaMarcus is going to be a bust. Even Nancy Gay--while she does get in another fat joke--stops short of suggesting JaMarcus is going to be a bust.

King's just lucky Sal Paolantonio wrote a stupid-ass column this week, or might have won our award.

Hater of the Week: Sal Paolantonio

Sal Paolantonio, perhaps best know for being "outraged" that Tony Soprano was watching him on TV during an episode of the The Sopranos, has just written something that's even MORE ignorant:

The Raiders will regret trading for DeAngelo Hall and signing him to a $70 million contract.

So now it's MY turn to be outraged.

Congratulations, Sal, you're our Nancy Gay Memorial Hater of the Week.

The Raiders need help stopping the run, says Sal:

And what did the Raiders get? One of the most overrated defensive backs in recent league history.

One of the great "SportsCenter" highlights of Hall's career is from a game against the Steelers in 2006. You remember that -- when Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward sprinted past Hall for a spectacular 70-yard touchdown catch and run. What's so remarkable about that play? Ward was missing one shoe.

And that play was unusual. Most opposing receivers beat Hall deep while still wearing both shoes.

Wow. Tell us how you really feel. He also has a choice quote from Roy Williams, the leading receiver on the Offensive Juggernaut Detroit Lions. "Everybody pumps him up like he's Deion Sanders. But he's not Deion Sanders."

Hey Sal, did you have to a use a dictaphone to get that quote? Or did you just you type "Roy Williams DeAngelo Hall Deion Sanders Tautology" into Google and cut-and-paste?

Why don't you stick to what you know about: giving weather updates before NFC East games, inspiring backlash Sopranos Episodes, and uni-brow waxing.