January 25, 2013; Ko Olina, HI, USA; AFC wide receiver Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans (80) looks on during practice at AFC media day for the 2013 Pro Bowl at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

With three days left until Roger Goodell is booed off the stage at the 2013 NFL Draft, I decided to analyze the number three picks of the last decade. Of course the Oakland Raiders are up to bat at number three in 2013, and Reggie McKenzie is set on finding a cornerstone.

2003 – WR, Andre Johnson (Miami (FLA))

Andre Johnson has been a polarizing figure for the Texans ever since he arrived. When people think of the Houston Texans, Johnson comes to mind. One of the league’s most talented players, Johnson has helped turn what was once a newborn expansion team into a formidable foe. Today Johnson battles injuries, but at full speed and equipped with a capable quarterback in Matt Shaub he is still as dangerous as a deathclaw in an elevator.

Fun Fact – Carson Palmer was the number one pick.

2004 – WR, Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh)

This receiver has become a household name as one of the best at what he does. His great size and speed has made for some of the NFL’s best circus grabs ever. Whether it is Kurt Warner or Kevin Kolb at quarterback, Fitz makes plays. In 2009 the long time Arizona Cardinal brought his team to their first ever Super Bowl. Fitzgerald played outstanding, including a 64 yard touchdown snag and run. This receiver is sure to go down as one of the best, compared to the likes of Jerry Rice and Calvin Johnson Jr.

Fun Fact – Robert Gallery was picked at number two. Another great pickup Al.

2005 – WR, Braylon Edwards (Michigan)

With all these receiver picks, one would think the Detroit Lions draft third every year. This former Wolverine standout has not lived up to expectations. Drafted by the Browns, Braylon has bounced around the league and landed with the Vikings after his latest stint with the Jets. Edwards still has his day, but the number three pick has never played like a true number three pick.

Fun Fact – Antrel Rolle is probably the best pick in the top ten. He was number eight. #baddraftclass

2006 – QB, Vince Young (Texas)

This former Titan drafted quarterback, has had more issues then Playboy Magazine. Between mental breakdowns and throwing his shoulder pads into the crowd during games, Young has not lived up to his draft status. Ironically after a couple stints as a mediocre backup, Young has found himself in talks with the Raiders. The former Longhorn claims he has renewed his ability on the field but still proves to be a risk.

Fun Fact – Brandon Mashall fell to pick 119 in this draft.

2007 – OT, Joe Thomas (Wisconsin)

One of the best lineman in the NFL today, was selected by the Cleveland Browns at number three. The 6-time Pro Bowler has become a building stone for this franchise to work off of, and is one of very few players whom have made said Pro Bowl every year of their career. In 2012, Thomas protected quarterback Brandon Weeden and allowed a personal best, 3.5 sacks.

Fun Fact – The era of Jamarcus Russell.

2008 – QB, Matt Ryan (Boston College)

Matty Ice is another number three standout. The quarterback is currently a key part of one of the NFL’s deadliest offenses. A team that features an exciting young running back and in my opinion, the absolute best receiving corps in the league. Leave Matt Ryan 20 seconds on the clock and the Atlanta Falcons will find themselves in field goal range with 3 seconds left. This team will be a future contender for the Lombardi for the next decade with Matt Ryan at the helm.

Fun Fact – The first two picks both shared the name Long (Jake Long/Chris Long).

2009 – DE, Tyson Jackson (Louisiana State)

Jackson, who originally held out his rookie season, has not lived up to his draft status. This end was brought in to Kansas City to usher in the Chief’s new 3-4 defense. Mediocre play has lead to Jackson being labeled as a work in progress.

Fun Fact – Could have pick B.J. Raji who fell to the ninth pick.

2010 – DT, Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)

McCoy was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his rookie season McCoy tore his left bicep, resulting in his placement on the Injured Reserve. After fully recovering from his injury McCoy became a force to be reckoned with on the Buc’s defensive line. In 2012 he found himself being selected to his first ever Pro Bowl.

Fun Fact – Picked after Ndamukong Suh

2011 – DT, Marcell Dareus (Alabama)

Dareus became a threat for the Buffalo Bills. In his rookie season the defensive tackle recorded 5.5 sacks. However, in the 2012 season the Bill suffered tremendous tragedy when he lost his brother in a shooting. Dareus has yet to show if he will truly live up to his draft status as a number three overall pick.

Fun Fact – Picked in between Von Miller and A.J. Green

2012 – RB, Trent Richardson (Alabama)

Roll Tide. Another member of the Crimson tide was chosen at number three in 2012. Despite Dareus’s NFL career being a work in progress, Trent Richardson has most definitely lived up to his draft status. Running behind former number three pick Joe Thomas, this Cleveland Brown has made Cleveland rock again. His rookie season featured him pushing off fearsome defenses like the Steelers and Ravens. No easy task for a rookie. The future of this franchise will rely a lot on this kids shoulder pads.

Fun Fact – The top 4 draft picks of this class all proved their worth. (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffith 3, Trent Richardson, Matt Kalil)

Well, there you have it. A decade of the number three. Some good, some bad, some ugly. Just remember the good thing about picking third. At least Jamarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, and David Carr are already picked.

Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

If this were a football game played on a Friday or Saturday then the effort the Oakland Raiders gave today in Atlanta would be something to hang your hat on. Unfortunately this is the only type of football that is played on Sundays, a cutthroat business where only the bottom line matters.

Today the Raiders nearly shocked the football world by giving the undefeated Falcons all they could handle. In the end it still wasn’t enough as the ATL come out on top 23-20.

Anyone who watched the game knows the Silver and Black controlled the contest. Darren McFadden’s 70 yards on 27 carries might not look impressive but the way the Raiders ran the rock on Atlanta did turn heads. Finally the zone scheme is coming together…kind of.

Greg Knapp’s offense finally clicked as Carson Palmer played perhaps his best game as a Raider.

That said Palmer’s costly pick six in the fourth will be the headline but the way he led his offense down the field time and time again today was truly impressive. Showing the mental toughness only pros possess, Palmer shook off his biggest mistake of the afternoon to lead the Raiders on a drive that would give them the lead late in the fourth.

Unfortunately the Raiders left too much time on the clock for Matt Ryan.

Matty Ice led yet another game winning drive as Matt Bryant nailed a 55-yarder to seal the deal with one second left.

Despite the Falcons success moving the rock late in the contest this was by far and away the most inspired effort Oakland’s defense has given all season. Wes still aren’t seeing much in terms of QB pressure when compared to last season but Ryan was certainly forced into a few errors.

Coming into the game the Raiders had exactly zero interceptions on the season. By game’s end that total was tripled.

However the Raiders were unable to punish Atlanta for those costly turnovers. In the end it would be Oakland that paid the price as Asante Samuel took one to the house that pretty much setup Atlanta’s dramatic win.

This was truly an effort to be proud of as many pegged the Raiders as ripe to be blown out today. Again, this is the NFL where merit badges don’t exist. There is no solace taken in playing a close contest with one of the league’s elite. Only winning matters.

That said it was refreshing to see playmakers like Denarius Moore finally get theirs. D-Moe notched his first 100-yard game of the season and made the Falcons defenders looks silly with each touch of the rock he got. It was even more refreshing to see the Raiders hold Atlanta to just 2 of 9 on third down conversions and the Falcons running attack to just 45 yards rushing. Both are major positives.

Still, the record will show the Raiders as mired in the cellar of the AFC Worst with those pathetic Kansas City Chiefs. The effort as very inspired but the end result was still the same. No matter the how well the team played we’re still looking at a 1-4 record with playoff chances seeming more evaporating by the week.

Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

You know what time it is, Nation. Our Raiders are in the ATL and JBB wants to get you prepped in the only way we know how – by harassing a blogger for the Falcons with our patented 5 quirky questions.

Greg Huseth is the senior editor of Blogging Dirty and if you stop by there often enough then you know that’s exactly what he and his staff do. But how will he handle the pressure of our Out Of Bounds blitz? For that answer keep your eyes moving towards the (Dirty) South.

Q: If Matt Ryan hosted SNL what would be the premise of one of the sketches he performs in?

A: I think the sketch would probably have to do with saying the most politically correct thing possible to the media. In Atlanta both Ryan and head coach Mike Smith are well known for always saying the right thing, not giving other teams bulletin board material, that sort of thing. It might be something that isn’t well known around the league, but that would be a huge, great, terrific joke that Atlanta fans would get.

Q: Roddy White receiving yards or Darren McFadden rushing yards: Which will be greater on Sunday?

A: The Falcons spread the ball around a lot when throwing the ball. I would expect White to get a solid amount of yards, but since the Raiders are expecting to re-commit to the run, I think McFadden will get more total yards than White will.

Q: Mike Smith or the Curse of Tony Gonzalez: Which is more responsible for Atlanta’s early playoff exits?

A: Is either possible? Tony Gonzalez came to the Falcons in 2009, a season after Atlanta’s first playoff appearance under the Smith/Ryan era. So it’s not him. Is it Smith, the head coach who has helped lead this team to 4 consecutive winning seasons, something unprecedented in Falcons history? Maybe. I guess it’s as much his responsibility as anyone else. I think the past offensive and defensive coordinator are most responsible, but they aren’t options in this question.

Q: If Julio Jones and Jacquizz Rodgers were a musical act what would their group be called and what would be their hit single?

A: That’s an easy one. J-man Crew. Their hit single would be ‘Tear da Turf Up’. For those of you familiar with Three 6 Mafia’s ‘Tear da Club Up’, you’ll understand.

And finally the most important question of all…

Q: Atlanta defense/special teams: Start or Sit?

A: That’s a tough one. Fantasy football defenses are all about sacks and interceptions/fumbles and if you return those for a touchdown, that’s fantasy gold. I could see the Falcons getting a couple sacks and maybe a turnover or two. I guess it really depends, because fantasy defenses are a complete crapshoot. Go with your gut. I don’t want to be responsible for messing up your fantasy season.