SB Nation Bay Area: All Posts by Tyler Smith

Charles Woodson determined to wear number 24 for Raiders

2013-05-23T02:49:48Z

When Charles Woodson arrived at Raiders HQ on Tuesday to make his visit, he was greeted by hundreds of fans. Many of them were wearing Woodson's #24 jersey from his first stint as a Raider. When Woodson greeted fans he held up a kid-size replica #24. It's obvious that both Woodson and the fan base have an emotional attachment to that number. The only question is, will Woodson wear it again as a Raider?

Currently that number is taken by another cornerback free agent acquistion -- Tracy Porter. During his conference call today with our fearless leader Levi Damien, Woodson had this to say about the idea of trying to talk Porter out of his former jersey number:

"We'll definitely have to have that conversation," said Woodson. "We haven't had it yet. Raider Nation has me back but I don't know if they'll have me back without the 24 on my back."

The number 24 is also very well known among Raiders fans as having been the number of Hall of Famer, Willie Brown who has been a defensive assistant with the Raiders for many years, including Woodson's first eight years on the team.

"It had been a while since I had seen Willie Brown," Woodson continued. "He is one of my favorite people ever. It was great to see him and give him a big hug. We always joke about who the real 24 is. It was good to have that bark and forth with him. Getting the deal done and calling him and saying, 'Willie Brown, I'm coming back. The real 2-4 is coming back."

It's pretty obvious that Woodson wants to be in the 24 jersey and is determined to get it. He knows it's inexorably entwined with his identity as a Raider at this point. The only thing standing in the way is Tracy Porter and whatever he demands in return for exchanging jersey numbers. Money? A gold Rolex? A lifetime supply of Nutter Butters? It remains to be seen.

From the sounds of it, I will be able to dust off my own #24 Woodson jersey that resides in the darkest reaches of my closet. Get yours ready or if you've grown taller (or wider) since you last wore it, buy a new one! I'm sure the new Woodson Raiders jersey will be a very hot seller this season.

Raiders FA Player Profile: WR Andre Holmes

2013-05-19T19:15:26Z

It's no secret that the Raiders receiving corps leaves something to be desired. As part of an effort to bolster the depth and overall talent of the receiver group, the Raiders have drafted and signed several receivers, most recently former Hillsdale College star and Jared Veldheer teammate Andre Holmes, whom they signed on May 13.

In recent years the Raiders have acquired several smaller receivers, but Holmes is a big target at 6'4" and 210 pounds. He put together the greatest receiving season in Hillsdale history in 2010, with 104 receptions for 1,368 yards, both school records. He averaged 114 receiving yards per game that year. However, unfortunately for him following that tremendous effort he went undrafted due to his small school stature.

Holmes is known as an electric playmaker who is very difficult to cover. He is not extremely fast with a 4.5 forty time, but would be an asset as a possession receiver as he knows how to use his size to shield defenders while making tough catches over the middle. He is very athletic and is a former track star and triple jump champion. He is also enthusiastic about special teams assignments.

While a member of the Cowboys and Patriots, two teams with a preponderance of receiving talent, Holmes wasn't able to crack the lineup and has been waived three times. However, the Raiders have a desperate need for receiving depth and have had success with UDFA receivers in the past. Holmes is a big body and if he excels in camp could be this year's Rod Streater or the next Chaz Schilens.

Raiders FA Player Profile: TE Jeron Mastrud

2013-05-17T00:25:41Z

The Raiders' depth at tight end coming out of last season was woefully thin. They addressed it first by taking two tight ends in the draft, and they have now signed TE Jeron Mastrud.

He is not a typical player you see getting signed from rookie minicamp, as he has spent three seasons in the league already. but was eligible for camp after not having been tendered a qualifying offer from the Dolphins after his last contract expired.

Mastrud has hardly been targeted in the passing game over the last three seasons with Miami, but before that he was a stud at Kansas State. He started 48 of a possible 49 games and is first among tight ends in KSU history with 106 career receptions resulting in 1219 yards.

Like teammate and fellow undrafted free agent tight end, Brian Leonhardt, Mastrud was an Academic All-American in all three years he was eligible to receive that honor, so he fits the profile of intelligent high-character guys the Raiders are trying to add to the mix.

While Mastrud is not huge at 6'5" and 253 lbs, he was an excellent run blocker in college and developed into a consistent red zone threat. He never really has gotten the opportunity to show what he can do receiving-wise in the NFL, recording only one catch for eight yards thus far in his three seasons. At this point he is considered purely a blocker and would be an asset in the power running game if the Raiders hold onto him.

He's has bounced around a bit over the years, first being signed as an UDFA by the Bucs and then being signed to the Patriots practice squad and released a day later. He managed to stick with Miami, but they chose not to renew his contract.

Mastrud has never really been on a team that has been so hungry for production from its tight ends as Oakland is now, and if he can regain the form that made him a star tight end at Kansas State he might be able to make the Raiders squad as quality depth at the position.

Raiders UDFA Player Profile: DB Chance Casey-Thomas

2013-05-16T17:57:12Z

Recently the Raiders made a few signings following tryouts in their rookie minicamp. One of the players to be signed was former Baylor defensive back Chance Casey-Thomas.

Casey-Thomas's career at Baylor began well as he started six games his freshman season, earning a place on the All-Big 12 freshman team. While his performance on the field continued to be strong throughout his career he struggled to stay on the field with injury issues.

The 5-11, 190 pound defensive back is very athletic and was a state prep hurdles champion. Considering that state is Texas, it makes it all the more an accomplishment. He went on to earn All-Big 12 honors in hurdles for Baylor's track team as a sophomore. Despite his track background, he doesn't possess blazing speed (4.5 40-yard dash).

Finished his career at Baylor totaling 212 tackles (161 solo), 6 for loss, 3 interceptions, and 18 passes defended. His best season came as a senior when he had 80 combined tackles (61 solo).

He played primarily at safety for the Bears but also played some cornerback. He strengths are his tackling and his quick feet. His weakness is biting on double moves. With the Raiders need at safety, that's where he fits in.

Expected to be a priority free agent going into the draft, Casey-Thomas offers plenty in the way of physical tools. He is versatile and has plenty of upside. As is usually the case, he will have to show up on special teams to make the squad. He returned punts at Baylor so that helps his chances.

Before a knee ligament injury his junior season, scouts had taken notice of him. He missed five games as a junior and fell off the radar. His best tackling numbers came as a senior but the fact that he hasn't had an interception for two seasons may have loomed large in the lack of interest in him as a priority free agent. There is a lot of potential there and winning a spot on the team in a tryout shows it.

Marcel Reece to Tweetup with fans for United Way

2013-05-13T22:06:07Z

On Friday the Raiders announced the Marcel Reece would be joining United Way Team NFL, a group of NFL players whose goal it is to encourage high school students to graduate on time and pursue the best education they can. You can read the full article from raiders.com here.

"I was first in my family to graduate from college," said Reece via press release. "It was important to me to set a good example for my six brothers because I know for a fact that school is a gateway to future success. That’s why I was honored that United Way invited me to get involved in this important work."

Reece is well known for his charity work and last year was nominated for the Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award, presented by the NFL each year to player whose the community and charitable organizations are most outstanding. He is known as a very high character player and is a perfect guy for the Team NFL program and for changing the culture of the Raider team.

As part of Reece's new partnership with the United Way he will be conducting a "Tweet up" with fans at the Raider Image store in Oakland tomorrow (Tuesday, May 14) to do a meet and greet and sign autographs. He will be there from 1 PM to 2:30 PM.

"A Tweet up is basically social media promotion," Reece explained on Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game. "We'll be tweeting for most of the time we're there and just having fun with the fans, signing autographs, taking pictures, and just talk more to each other and see what we can do to help kids as a community to enjoy school and graduate."

At the event, the Raider Image will give away Raider Image re-usable bags for the first 25 people who show up as well as a 25% off discount in the store from 1-2:30 pm to all who show up for the event.

Raiders UDFA John Wetzel Player Profile

2013-05-02T13:00:12Z

in recent years, Boston College has produced several NFL-caliber linemen. Marc Colombo, Gosder Cherilus, and most recently Anthony Castonzo have all been very high draft picks within the last decade. Castonzo was a first round pick of the Colts in 2011. Castonzo's understudy his junior and senior year was John Wetzel, who took over the left tackle position in 2011 and then switched to right tackle for the 2012 season.

Wetzel is a mammoth of a man, standing 6'7" and weighing a solid 315 pounds. He uses his size and strength well, as he is able to get leverage on defensive linemen easily and keep them at bay in pass protection or "road-grader" in run blocking. He is very good at redirecting defenders out of rushing lanes.

With Wetzel at right tackle last season, Boston College had their finest pass offense in many years. He paved the way for some record-breaking rushing efforts as well, including a 372-yard performance against Maryland in 2011.

Many scouts had Wetzel pegged as a mid to late round selection based on his college production, but the rest of the league passed on him. The main flaw Wetzel has is a lack of speed or quickness on the outside, and he has trouble with elite edge rushers. He was able to get by in college but could have trouble with defensive ends in the NFL. His best shot in the pros is probably to move inside to the guard position, where he can use his strength against defensive tackles rather than dealing with edge rushers.

While it's hard to say if Wetzel has enough athleticism to succeed in the NFL, the Raiders will come to value his versatility- he started 12 games at LT and 12 at RT in consecutive years with equal success. If the Raiders choose to move him inside, he would be able to play any guard or tackle position and provide quality depth at each position. Considering Reggie McKenzie drafted Tony Bergstrom in the third round last season based on much these same attributes, that versatility will be key to having any chance of making this team.

Raiders UDFA Conner Vernon player profile

2013-05-01T13:00:12Z

One of the Raiders' weak spots in recent seasons has been the wide receiving corps. The team only selected one WR in the draft, Brice Butler from San Diego State. However, they also elected to sign a few receivers as undrafted free agents, most notably among them Duke's Conner Vernon.

Vernon comes into the league with good bloodlines, being cousins with NFL great Al Del Greco who was the placekicker for several teams including the Packers and Oilers over a 17-year career.

For his own part, Vernon is the all-time ACC leader in receptions and receiving yards. He had 20 touchdowns as a four-year starter at Duke, with 273 receptions for 3,630 yards including 85 catches for 1074 yards and 8 touchdowns as a senior helping him to earn All ACC second team three consecutive seasons. He was projected by most draft publications as a mid-round pick in the draft and could still prove he is was indeed worthy of such a grade.

While he may not be exceptionally fast, he is known as an outstanding route runner with hands of glue. He won't be a serious deep threat, but with his 4.5 speed he is ideal for a slot underneath role similar to what Wes Welker has run in New England for the last several seasons. Vernon, however, is almost four inches taller than Welker and can go up to make the tough catches over the middle.

Vernon has a legitimate shot at making the team and I can foresee him having a role for the 2013 Raiders similar to that of Rod Streater in 2012, or Jacoby Ford in previous seasons when healthy. With the departure of Darrius Heyward-Bey there is a roster spot up for grabs and Vernon has shown the skills and dependability to fill that spot.

Raiders make Missouri Western DE David Bass final pick in seventh round

2013-04-27T23:08:27Z

In the seventh round at pick #233, the Raiders picked Missouri Western defensive end David Bass. He is a guy that most college football viewers ave never seen or heard of, but he has some serious talent. He was a four-year starter in college and dominated the (admittedly low-level) competition. He broke the school record for sacks by tallying 39.5 in his career.

Bass measures in at 6'4", 262 lbs. He ran a relatively sluggish 40 at 4.79 seconds, which knocked his stock down. He still had a fifth round grade from some observers. Bass played in the East-West Shrine Game and shined during practices against high level competition, showing that the promise and ability displayed on tape was not a fluke. Bass clearly would have excelled no matter what school he had attended.

It is likely that Bass can be a hybrid DE/OLB in the NFL and allow the Raiders to more effectively switch from 4-3 to 3-4 and back again at will. He is extremely quick and can diagnose plays easily to disrupt the offense. He has natural pass rushing moves and good speed off the edge, playing faster than his 40 time would suggest.

Hopefully, the acquisition of Bass will enable Jason Tarver to further implement his hybrid defense. Bass can both defend the run and rush the pass from the DE or OLB position. He seems to be a key piece going forward as Oakland seeks to establish its defensive scheme with new personnel.