Silver and Black Report

Marques Tuiasosopo was taken in the 2nd round by the Oakland Raiders

ESPN’s NFL draft expert Todd McShay answered one question regarding each team in the AFC West in a blog. He gave insight on what prospects may be a good fit for the Oakland Raiders at quarterback.

Here’s the excerpt:

“They have other needs, but if there is a guy like [Nevada’s] Colin Kaepernick is there in the third round, that could be a good fit. He has a big arm that the Raiders like. [TCU’s] Andy Dalton isn’t a perfect fit because of his arm, but it’s good enough. He could be a fit in the third round. I tell you what, [Arkansas’] Ryan Mallett could easily fall all the way down to No. 48. Oakland would have to think about it. He has the big arm. He is a risk, but he is an incredible value at No. 48.”

Here’s a look at the quarterbacks selected by the Raiders in recent memory:

JaMarcus Russell (1^st round 2007)

One of the biggest busts in league history.

Andrew Walter (3^rd round 2005)

Was best known for taking a beating during the 2006 season, behind a horrific offensive line.

Ronald Curry (7^th round 2002)

Drafted as a passer, converted into a serviceable wide receiver.

Marques Tuiasosopo (2^nd round 2001)

Career back-up who never got a shot to lead the Silver & Black. Had a chance to start in 2003, but sustained knee injury versus Lions.

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Hue Jackson has insisted that he’s happy with the current crop of targets on the Silver & Black, but you have to wonder what would have been going through the Raiders’ mind this morning if they had a selection in the first round after seeing Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones’ 4.39 40-yard dash and 11’3 broad jump. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, and coming off a 78-catch 1,100 yard campaign with seven scores in the SEC, it would have been enticing for the Raiders to give him a serious look.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Two areas that the Oakland Raiders do not need to fill with prospects in next week’s draft are quarterback and running back.

JaMarcus Russell will either make or break the organization with his development or lack thereof, Jeff Garcia signed this off-season, giving the Raiders a reliable veteran presence behind their most expensive commodity and Bruce Gradkowski, Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo bring up the rear for the battle at the bottom of the depth chart.

Garcia knows that Russell has been chosen to lead this team in the near future. And he also knows that he is in Oakland to support and push him in any way to get the best out of his massive potential. The Raiders are in good hands with Garcia if any injuries keep Russell out of the line-up; really the only way the former 49er, Eagle, Brown, Lion and Buccaneer will see action on the field in 2009.

There is no need for the Raiders to even glance at any passers in this draft with the mix of veterans and youth in their crowded quarterback corps.

The same can be said at running back.

Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush can all stake their claim to getting the majority of the carries on any given Sunday.

Fargas’ durability is always a concern, especially with his reckless style of running. His body takes a pounding every year, and because of this, the Raiders can make the case that keep all three in rotation will be imperative.

McFadden needs to be utilized more as a rusher, and not just a gimmick player. You don’t draft a rusher number four overall and just use him as a change of pace ball carrier.

As for Bush, his performance late in the season versus Tampa Bay opened up eyes and demonstrated what he can do at this level. His size and skill set adds another dimension to this offense.

Fullback may be the only position in the backfield the Raiders will try to improve next week.

Last year, Oakland lost Oren O’Neal for the season with a knee injury, but Tom Cable has stated that he expects him to be ready at the start of camp. With Marcel Reece and Luke Lawton being the only two other fullbacks on the roster, the Raiders may have to add some competition to this unit.

Justin Griffith, released in the off-season, was a steady veteran who understood the zone-blocking scheme and was an outlet for the quarterback on short dump offs. O’Neal is more of bulldozing blocker, so if they do fill the fullback spot in the draft, expect a player with similar attributes to what Griffith had.

PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Will Ta’ufo’ou, FB, California

Big blocker, great work ethic and a leader type. Just the type of player Tom Cable likes. And if they feel O’Neal won’t be ready at the start of camp, this California prospect could be surprise addition to the roster.

Eddie Williams, FB, Idaho

More of the Griffith type with soft hands, good route running and ‘tweener’ skills.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

• The defense showed some teeth against the run early on during team drills. The offense would however reel off some nice long runs against them eventually.
• Tackle Mario Henderson looked much better today.
• Cornerback Michael Waddell continued to have more difficulty, as he got burned on individual WR/CB drills.
• Derrick Burgess put in some time working with the linebackers.
• Free safety Rashad Baker picked off a Marques Tuiasosopo on a bomb intended for Johnnie Lee Higgins.
• Gerard Warren and Derrick Burgess were penalized with laps for jumping offsides.
• Robert Gallery also participated in the lap-fest. It was unclear as to what he was running for. In any case, while he was nearing the end of his lap, coach Kiffin yelled, “Nice work there Gallery! Nice work!” The comment put a big smile on Gallery’s face as he was facing away from Kiffin.
• Running back Michael Bush put Gibril Wilson on his backside as the the string safety came in to blitz. Bush crushed Wilson and the “thud” could be heard everywhere on the field.
• Tuiasosopo reeled off a beautiful play-action pass to Todd Watkins that was a thing of beauty!
• Thomas Howard blew up rookie Darren McFadden. Howard said that he was just running to the point and “ran through him.” The hit put McFadden on his keister. No running backs were actually harmed in this dramatization.
• William Joseph made a great play in the backfield stopping fullback Justin Griffith before he could get started in the backfield.

Marques Tuiasosopo.

By Eric Strauss, S&B Report Staff Columnist

The Raiders brought back a familiar face today, re-signing former backup quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo.

“Tui,” as he is known to fans and teammates, spent last season as the New York Jets’ No. 3 quarterback after signing with New York as a free agent.

Read more…