Gurley's Take
Oakland Raiders provide laughs-a-plenty in NFL draft
By: Dan Gurley
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Sports
I want to take some time and thank the Oakland Raiders for bringing some much-needed comic relief to the 2009 NFL Draft. Come to think of it, thank you for the laughter you've created by the many questionable and downright bone-headed moves you guys have made over the years.
In a day and age when winning is everything, the Raiders spend months preparing for an otherwise boring draft before spicing it up with some stupidity.
On Saturday, the Oakland Raiders were sitting pretty with the seventh overall pick in the draft. Making their pick even better was when future All-Pro receiver Michael Crabtree out of Texas Tech was available. Crabtree, widely regarded not as only as the best receiver in the draft but also maybe the best overall player, had to have known he was about to be a Raider. Oakland needed a big-time receiver for young quarterback JaMarcus Russell, and with Darren McFadden in the backfield, it would actually give the Raiders a chance to be an explosive offense.
Then the pick came in. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stepped up to the podium with the announcement. Raider fans, all three of them, were ready to welcome the Larry Fitzgerald clone to the Bay area.
"With the seventh pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select Darrius Heyward-Bey."
I'd have to see a replay, but I'm pretty sure Goodell slapped himself before announcing that name. Heyward-Bey? The guy was projected by many experts to go in the late first round at the earliest. Don't get me wrong, I think this guy can be a solid receiver someday, but we're talking about a serious reach here.
I'd like to share the text messages I received immediately following the pick.
"Al Davis needs to be committed."
"I thought if the Raiders didn't take Crabtree, they'd at least be smart enough to take Maclin...but Heyward-Bey?!"
"I just decided what I'm gonna do with my life...I'm declaring for the NFL Draft next year and the Raiders are going to take me number one overall to play offensive tackle."
In a day and age when winning is everything, the Raiders spend months preparing for an otherwise boring draft before spicing it up with some stupidity.
On Saturday, the Oakland Raiders were sitting pretty with the seventh overall pick in the draft. Making their pick even better was when future All-Pro receiver Michael Crabtree out of Texas Tech was available. Crabtree, widely regarded not as only as the best receiver in the draft but also maybe the best overall player, had to have known he was about to be a Raider. Oakland needed a big-time receiver for young quarterback JaMarcus Russell, and with Darren McFadden in the backfield, it would actually give the Raiders a chance to be an explosive offense.
Then the pick came in. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stepped up to the podium with the announcement. Raider fans, all three of them, were ready to welcome the Larry Fitzgerald clone to the Bay area.
"With the seventh pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select Darrius Heyward-Bey."
I'd have to see a replay, but I'm pretty sure Goodell slapped himself before announcing that name. Heyward-Bey? The guy was projected by many experts to go in the late first round at the earliest. Don't get me wrong, I think this guy can be a solid receiver someday, but we're talking about a serious reach here.
I'd like to share the text messages I received immediately following the pick.
"Al Davis needs to be committed."
"I thought if the Raiders didn't take Crabtree, they'd at least be smart enough to take Maclin...but Heyward-Bey?!"
"I just decided what I'm gonna do with my life...I'm declaring for the NFL Draft next year and the Raiders are going to take me number one overall to play offensive tackle."