Ask Raider Nation: Dan “D-Rock” Racadio
Oct 13, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Sio Moore (55) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
“So looking at this now, the picture becomes a little clearer on positions that we could use either more depth, and/or a big playmaker. As you can see, Reggie has set the foundation: veteran leadership and depth and that’s all it is… A foundation.”
“On offense I see an obvious need for some kind of a QB situation and a big play-making WR. We do have a need to draft a TE in the later rounds too. On defense it seems to me that we are stacked with talent and young depth at all the DB positions and our LB corps is talented and deep. I see a need for a young impact player at DE and DT. Those positions will be addressed this draft.”
“So what do we do with the #5 pick?”
“My thoughts: I WANT JOHNNY FOOTBALL. If Reggie and DA feel that he is the future of this franchise they will trade up to get him. To me he is the only player in the 1st round I would spend a vital #5 pick on. If Reggie and DA don’t see him as our future franchise QB, then my money is on trading down as deep as #12, possibly still able to grab Mike Evans, a LB, or pull the trigger on a QB such as Fales, McCarron, or Carr and adding two more late-round picks and possibly a ’15 2nd round pick.”
“More draft picks is important to a rebuilding franchise not only to groom the rookies to become an impact at their position, but to more importantly add talent and youth to Special Teams. Yes, we do have a 3rd element to our team called Special Teams and this element gets very overshadowed in the weeks leading up to the draft. Special Teams is made up of 2nd and 3rd stringers and can completely change the outcome of a game. ST gives the offense their field position and puts the stamp on scoring drives. The kickoff team sets the tone for every defensive series, not to mention field goals and PAT’s. Talented depth all around means a talented Special Teams which is a vital component to a team trying to be a competitive force in their division.”
“We can all comb over daily mock drafts every day until the draft, but there are only two people who know our draft strategy… DA and Reggie Mac and nothing we say or write about will change that. That’s the beauty of fandom. We leave our hopes and dreams in the hands of the top brass and hope that they make the best decisions for the greater of the franchise.”
“My point with all of this again is don’t be distracted with hopes of winning the AFC West this season. It’s not going to happen. Suck it up and keep your focus on a year from now and for this to work a year from now we have to settle on building on the foundation that has been laid. Let’s finish this rebuild. Take a patience pill (although tough to swallow) and let’s all be excited for the possibility of going 9-7 which would be the best record since our last Super Bowl… ELEVEN YEARS AGO.”
“We can still be the Phenix but we have to rise from the ashes before we just fly off again.”
“RAIDER NATION!”
“Long live the General, Al Davis.”
Wow, it is definitely a very good insight as to how the rebuilding process of the Raiders is going. There are holes that need to be filled, and the draft would be a good place to do it.
One of the coolest things Dan told me is that he displays a Raiders mini-helmet while playing his instrument on stage. He travels all over the country, and he especially likes to make it known in Denver, San Diego, and Kansas City, that he is a Raiders Fan! Way to rock the helmet Dan!
Keep the responses coming Raider Nation. The best fans in the world should be heard.