Al Has His Pick

By Rick Richardson
I would like to create a mock draft, but there are a lot of quality well thought out scenarios already out there. One of the best is by Matt Mosley, author of The Hashmarks at ESPN.COM. I have a hard time disagreeing with most of the picks, especially number 4.

I have stated in the past that I believe it will be Darren Mcfadden, and after reading that he is coming in for an interview Monday I am even more convinced this will be the case. I still think the best scenario would be to trade down, but I am starting to get on board albeit a little late with this pick. Take a look at the Sacbee's, Raiders blog by Jason Jones and tell me that it wouldn’t be fun to see Mcfadden in Silver and Black, and absolutely disgusting to see him donning the Chiefs red and yellow. http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/raiders/ If you don’t think they would grab him with the pick below us, think again. They would love a two back attack of Larry Johnson and Darren Mcfadden, with Mcfadden pushing Johnson for the starting role in his rookie season. He has the potential to make an immediate impact. Much more than a left tackle and arguably more than a defensive linemen. Of course I would also be disgusted by Kansas City selecting Glenn Dorsey, but that pretty much goes for anyone they eventually select.

Mcfadden could take a lot of heat off of Jamarcus Russell as well as whomever claims the left tackle position. A strong running game slows that rush down to a crawl, bringing much needed relief to Jamarcus and a less than stellar left tackle.

Maybe the interview is just a smoke screen by Al . After all this time of year General Managers remind me of the paranoid George Costanza in the Seinfeld episode about the car dealership. George is being his usual hyper suspicious self, and when a salesman approaches him and Jerry, Jerry tells the salesman that he likes a certain car. George tells Jerry “What is wrong with you? You never tell 'em you like the car. You're not sure what you want. You don't even know why you're here. Later he gives another nugget pulled from his extensive experience by telling a salesman that Jerry is interested in a car but, “you don’t know what I’m doin’ here.” This is the approach club officials use as draft day nears. They purposely contradict themselves. Showing interest in players everyone in their right mind knows they are not interested in, just trying to spook someone into a trade. Al may be doing this to Dallas. Nevertheless, my bets are on the Raiders working the phones on April 26, and then running to the stage to pick the guy Al has wanted all along. DMC.