SB Nation Bay Area - Features

49ers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh Looking for "Creative Destruction" at Workouts

2012-05-14T15:24:35Z

In the 2012 offseason, the 49ers added some much needed depth to their team. But 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh is expecting a few diamonds in the rough to come out and cause a stir. For more on the 49ers, visit Niners Nation

"Who that guy is, that newcomer, that new startup guy that's going to be more motivated. Who is going to be more talented, going to be hungrier - going to be a harder worker. Somebody that is going to come in here and kind of upset a position that's already established on this team. I know it'll be somebody," 49ers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh is keeping an eye out for the next up and comer. Entering the 2012 offseason, Harbaugh, along with the front office was determined to load up Niners camp with competition at every position. For the 49ers, it was an offseason mainly dedicated to adding depth to an already stacked roster.

However, coach Harbaugh believes that not only will these guys provide depth, but he expects at least one of them to cause a stir on the depth chart. Whether it's a starting position or a featured No. 2 or No. 3 slot, he expects the new blood to make waves.

Potential Candidates:

Chris Owusu, WR

Owusu was the best depth threat for Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal. He's a fast, tough, versatile guy with dependable hands and playmaking ability. There were a number of pre-draft boards that had a round 2 grade on him, and in some, he was ranked higher than 49ers first round pick A.J. Jenkins.

Familiar with Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers offensive system, Owusu has an edge that other newcomers don't have. Owusu has both the tangibles and intangibles to not only make the 49ers' roster, but compete for playing time at a position San Francisco was looking to upgrade.

Kyle Williams and Ted Ginn Jr. should be wary of Owusu because he brings a similar skill set, but has the potential to be better. There's nothing fancy about Owusu but he does a lot of little things well, and when ex-players and coaches talk about greatness, that's how they describe it. Besides being a deep threat in Stanford's pro-style offense, Owusu was used to get a lot of the tough short yardage as well.

Owusu runs all the routes and is competing at a virtually wide open position group. He's got the potential to be a solid receiver for San Francisco and erase the spell of No. 81 in the Bay Area.

LaMichael James, RB

Frankly, it's hard to imagine LaMichael James not causing a stir at 49ers camp - the kid is a human highlight reel. He's also a humble youngster with a very good head on his shoulders and the desire to be great. He has a homerun hitting ability that Brandon Jacobs and Anthony Dixon do not have, and since San Francisco is looking for big plays, James could have the edge.

James also has the potential to be a better running back than second-year player Kendall Hunter. A second-round pick in 2012, James is going to be competing hard at OTA's and training camp to earn significant time during the season. If San Francisco's coaching staff sees that they got the same LaMichael James who was a regular rushing-leader in the NCAA, it'd be hard to keep him on the bench.

Their goal was to add speed and explosiveness to an offense that lacked both; they did that by drafting James. He will be used but Harbaugh and the coaches are going to need to see him earn it, which I believe he will. Whether it means carrying more running backs or Dixon and/or Jacobs being released, I wouldn't bet against LaMichael James.

Andrew Iupati, DT

The 49ers defense should remain untouched, but depth-wise, they needed to add pieces. An undrafted free agent out of Humboldt State University could bring enough tenacity to earn a roster spot and provide depth beside Ricky Jean-Francois. Younger brother of the 49ers' starting left guard, Andrew Iupati brings the same ferocity in the trenches.

At 6'1, 300-pounds, I love the idea of Iupati as an understudy to nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga. His brother was a first round selection who has started since day one. And while they are not expecting the same results out of Andrew, his similar competitiveness and toughness could help him tremendously in camp. He won't be pushing any starters for time, but the reserves should have their eye on Andrew Iupati.

49ers Rookie Wide Receiver A.J. Jenkins: Willing to Do Whatever it Takes

2012-05-11T15:00:32Z

A.J. Jenkins was a surprise selection, but if he's productive in 2012, it won't be any surprise, given the work he's put in and the work that he's going to put in. For more on the 49ers, head on over to Niners Nation.

We've been around the tree a number of times on the 49ers' first-round draft-pick A.J. Jenkins. It was a surprise hearing his name called on day one. Some say he's too small to play on the outside. Still others are convinced the 49ers weren't the only team interested in Jenkins as one of the best receivers in the draft.

Whatever the case may be it's clear to this guy that Jenkins is focusing on the only thing he can control: being as prepared as he can be to prove himself.

In his post-selection interview Jenkins indicated that he wouldn't be arriving to the Bay Area until after his college graduation ceremony held on May 13th. This would mean he was planning to miss the entire rookie mini-camp taking place May 11th thru 13th.

It seemed honorable enough, and I'm sure Jim Harbaugh wouldn't have had a major issue with it. The young man put in four hard years and rather than leave school as an underclassmen, he stayed and earned a degree. Who could fault the man for wanting to walk across the stage and be handed that special piece of paper?

There wasn't a big-deal made of it, at all.

But now it seems that Jenkins perhaps hadn't realized that his graduation ceremony was in-fact going to coincide with the 49ers rookie mini-camp. He's since decided he will arrive in the Bay on Thursday May 10th and not only will he attend the camp...he's making the move long-term as of that day, as well.

He knows he needs to get a jump on learning the offense, getting to know the coaches better, the facility, the area. He's doing all he can to set himself up for success.

Jenkins' agent even indicated that while he doesn't foresee any snags in the contract negotiation process, his client will sign an injury waiver in order to participate fully in all off-season activities.

One of these activities, while not team-sanctioned, includes an invitation from the greatest receiver of all time: Jerry Rice.

Rice tweeted Jenkins soon after the latter was drafted, saying he would take the rookie to "The Hill".

@Ajjenkins8 congrats on being a niner! Holla at me will take you to the hill. Lol
— Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) April 27, 2012

Jenkins was humbled.

Am I still dreaming? My idol and everyone's childhood idol and the GOAT is following me. Mr @JerryRice #wow what an honor
— AJ Jenkins (@17AJJenkins) April 27, 2012

In the last week the two have exchanged tweets as well, each promising to be ready to take-on The Hill. According to Rice, if you can make it up the 2.5 mile dirt trail you'll be more likely to have something left in the tank come the fourth quarter of an NFL football game.

Jenkins promises to be ready, and I have to believe him. Thus-far he's doing everything right to prepare himself for what's ahead. Following someone like Rice, known by everyone to be among the most maniacally hard-working guys in the world, is a good start.

Here is more on The Hill:

Monte Poole Questions Oakland Raiders Fans' Dedication to Team

2012-05-10T14:00:10Z

The passion and dedication of Oakland's Raiders fan bas is called into question by a local journalist. Now read a response from a passionate Raider fan who grew up in Oakland.

The Oakland Raiders are known for having some of the most dedicated and passionate fans in all of professional sports. In fact, many would consider the Raider Nation second only to the hooligans of European soccer in terms of the seriousness in which the fans take their respective franchises. From the west coast home of the Raiders, clear accross to the east coast, one will find Raiders fans spread throughout this country. In fact, The Raider identity spans oceans. I have seen cars with Raiders stickers on them in remote towns in eastern Europe and people with Raiders apparel as far away as Asia. There is no questioning the devotion which Raiders fans have for their team, unless of course, you are a Raider fan from Oakland, then your fandom is questioned.

Earlier this week, local sports writer Monte Poole penned an article in which he declared that the magic between Oakland fans and the Raiders had been destroyed by their move to Los Angeles in the 80's and has never recovered. Now, before I go on my tirade, I would like to note that Monte Poole has been writing about the Bay Area sports scene for years and is a well respected journalist. In fact, I am a fan and read the majority of his pieces with a smile on my face. This, however, was not such an instance.

Poole argues that the Raiders support in Oakland was hurt so badly by the move to Los Angeles, that there is no longer the magical connection to the franchise that Oakland fans once felt. Seemingly, Poole's only argument to show that the Oakland Raiders fans do not have the same pride and passion as they once did is the fact that last season was the first sell out season since the Raiders moved back to Oakland. That argument, however, is drastically flawed. Poole leaves out two major factors to consider when judging the Raiders fans. First, when the Raiders moved back to Oakland, Al Davis instituted a personal seating license (PSL) requirement to purchasing tickets. Second, after the PSL was removed, the Raiders suffered one of the NFL's worst periods of struggle.

Let's face facts here, Oakland is not Marin county. The majority of people who reside in Oakland, and a large part of the Raiders east bay fan base are working class people who simply could not afford to go to many Raiders games due to the PSL issue. I can attest to this, as I was one of those fans. That, however, does NOT mean that I abandoned my team. In fact, when I was born, the Raiders were already in Los Angeles, but that did not stop me from bleeding Silver and Black. My family had been Raiders fans before they left, and that passion was put into me despite the team's residence in LA.

Besides the prohibative costs of Raiders games upon their return to Oakland, Poole fails to mention the rather large number of people who traveled to Los Angeles from the Bay Area weekly to watch Raiders games at the LA Coliseum. Or the large number of fans that would go to Ricky's sports bar and other locations throughout the Bay to watch the Raiders, both when they were in LA and upon their return. In all my time as a Raiders fan, I have never missed watching a game. Whether it was due to distance or prohibitive costs, I always found a way to see the Raiders play on Sundays. The fact that I was not always at the stadium in person has nothing to do with my status as a fan.

Now, the Raiders did eventually do away with the PSL requirements. However, that came at a time when the Raiders were experiencing one of the worst periods of football in NFL history. It should not be surprising that the Raiders were unable to sell out the stadium for full seasons when they were one of the worst teams in the NFL, and it certainly should not be seen as a commentary on the relationship between the fans and the team. Once again, using myself as an example, I watched every Raiders game during this time, but went to very few. The fact is, I was a poor student through most of that time, and I could barely afford top ramen, let alone tickets to Raiders games. Despite that, no one can tell me that I was not and have not always been a die hard Raiders fan just because I did not always have season tickets as I do now.

The fact that the Raiders sold out the stadium for an entire season for the first time since moving back to Oakland is more of a commentary on the economic status of many East Bay fans combined with a commentary on how bad the Raiders were for a long stretch of time. To take it as a commentary on the dedication of Oakland's Raiders fan base is an ignorant slap in the face. All one needs to do in order to determine whether or not the Raiders fans of Oakland still feel the magic is to go to a game. Walk around the parking lot before a game and you will experience the passion of Raiders fans from Oakland. Sit in the cheap seats during a game and feel the Coliseum shake with the roar of the crowd. Or simply take a look at my friends and I, a group of people who were born while the Raiders were in Los Angeles, but who still bleed Silver and Black because the Raider Nation has a bond with its team that is not broken as simply as Poole would suggest. I was raised in Oakland and believe it is one of the greatest cities in America, but being a part of the Raider Nation is bigger than the location of the team. It transcends locality, Raiders fans do not jump ship simply because the team is not located in driving distance from one's home. Regardless of where one calls home, a Raider fan is a Raider fan for life.

Oakland Raiders Who Could Have a Breakout Season in 2012

2012-05-08T14:00:05Z

The Raiders are chalked full of young talent. Here is a look at some of the young players who could have a breakout season in 2012.

The Oakland Raiders have had a rather tumultuous off season. There was an overhaul of the entire football side of operations with the hiring of new general manager Reggie McKenzie. There is an almost entirely new coaching staff complete with a head coach that is relatively unknown. On top of the changes to the front office and coaching staff, the Raiders also saw a large turnover on the roster due to salary cap issues.

However, despite all of the off season turmoil, the Raider Nation remains optimistic for the 2012 season. One of the big reasons Raider fans remain excited is due to the age of many on the roster. The Raiders have one of the younger rosters in the NFL and boast a large number of players who show a ton of potential. Not all of those players will break out in 2012, and some will never reach their full potential. With that being said, here is a look at a few of the young Raiders that I expect to have a breakout season.

David Ausberry, TE

One of the more surprising moves by the Raiders this off season was the decision to cut former starting tight end Kevin Boss. Perhaps even more surprising was the decision not to sign or draft another tight end to help make up for the loss of Boss. These decisions did not surprise me, but rather, got me excited. The reason is that the Raiders have a young tight end by the name of David Ausberry who could wind up being a big time impact player. Ausberry is a college wide receiver who was converted to tight end in the NFL. He has good speed, good hands and is the type of tight end who can create mismatches and be a solid target for Carson Palmer.

Marcel Reece, FB

Many in the Raider Nation are likely confused by this because they believe that Reece has already broken out. Many outside of the Raider Nation are likely confused by the idea that a FB can have a break out season. Let me address both with one observation: we have not yet seen how impactful Reece can be. He too is a former college wide receiver who was converted to another position when he reached the NFL. Reece is a match up nightmare for defenses. He has a ton of speed and a big body that makes it near impossible to find a linebacker who can cover him well. Despite his obvious talent and big play ability, the Raiders have yet to take full advantage of his skill set, something I expect to change this season. This guy may wind up completely changing the way fullback position is thought of in the NFL.

Denarius Moore, WR

Moore had a great rookie season, but once again, he only showed a fraction of what he is capable of. Part of that was due to injuries and a lack of playing time early in the season. The lack of playing time will certainly not be an issue this season as he could very well beat out Jacoby Ford and the rest of the Raiders receiving corps for a starting position. His dynamic play making ability along with great hands and route running skills akin to a seasoned veteran, make Moore a serious threat to have a pro bowl caliber season.

Juron Criner, WR

Criner was the Raiders fifth round pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Some may call me crazy to say that a fifth round pick will have a break out season as a rookie, and to those naysayers, I simply ask that they look at Denarius Moore. Despite Criner's lack of speed and big play capability, he will likely surprise everyone in the NFL this year. This guy is a very polished receiver who only went to late because of the NFL's bias against receivers who are perceived to be slow. I say perceived because this is almost always based on 40 times. Just take a look at Criner's game tape and you will not be concerned with his speed. No, he is not a burner, but he has enough speed, and his polished route running skills allow him to create separation. Without any other big bodied receivers, Criner will likely become a Carson Palmer favorite early in his rookie season, and could wind up with more impressive numbers than Denarius Moore put up in his rookie season.

Chimdi Chekwa, CB

This pick may confuse more people than the Criner pick did. Chekwa did not have a very impactful season as a rookie in 2011. However, I contend that was in large part due to injuries sidelining him much of the year. When Chekwa was on the field early in the season, he showed the ability to be a very good corner in the NFL. He has a good combination of size and speed, but those are not his best attributes. As a rookie, Chekwa showed a pension for doing something that many seasoned corner backs (think Stanford Routt) have not yet learned to do. Chekwa almost always got his head around to look for the ball in time to try and make a play on it, and often did. If Chekwa continues to hone his skills, I would not be surprised if he was one of the Raiders starting corner backs by the end of the 2012 season.

There are obviously a lot of other young players on the Raiders roster who could have a break out season in 2012, but these are the guys who I believe have the chance not only to break out, but could be big time players for the Raiders this season.

San Francisco 49ers Position Battles: Wide Receivers

2012-05-07T14:00:36Z

In 2012, the San Francisco 49ers look to have a very competitive group at wide receiver. In this piece, we breakdown the receivers and possible training camp battles to take place. For more on the 49ers, visit Niners Nation

In the span of an offseason, the San Francisco 49ers went from having too few wide receivers to too many. Because of this, it's going to make for an extremely competitive training camp in Santa Clara at that particular position.

In 2011, the Niners fielded a roster with five active receivers; with bigger rosters and considering their shortage by the end of last year, it's possible the 49ers carry six or seven receivers in 2012.

Among the notables--

Randy Moss: The future first ballot Hall of Famer receiver is signed on with the 49ers for 2012, with the hopes that he provides the team with a seasoned deep threat. San Francisco has been in need of a No. 1 to stretch the field, and if the Moss gamble pans out, that's what they've got.

Michael Crabtree: Entering his fourth year in the league, Crabtree will finally have the surrounding cast he needs to be a true impact player his first round status suggested in 2009. Crabtree is going to be battling it out with Manningham in camp, but should claim a starting spot opposite Moss in 2012.

Mario Manningham: Manningham is expected to be one of the top-three receivers for the 49ers in 2012, however the roster plays out. He was the only receiver San Francisco signed to more than a one-year deal this past offseason. Manningham is explosive and still young, and if he performs well, he could find his home in the Bay.

Kyle Williams: If we forget about the one game in the playoffs, Kyle Williams had a solid year when called upon in 2011. Williams will report to camp motivated and eager to prove himself in a more competitive receiving group. I expect Williams to rebound big-time in 2012.

Ted Ginn Jr.: The catch with Ginn is that he has top-three value in the league as a return man, and it's a real asset in San Francisco for a team that values special teams as much as they do. Ginn has little value as a receiver besides taking handoffs on sweeps and reverses; but should still find a spot on the team unless Jenkins, Williams, Owusu or even Chris Culliver or Perrish Cox prove to be solid return men. Also on a one-year deal, Ginn's status with the team could change as training camp progresses.

A.J. Jenkins: San Francisco won't give him more than he can handle in year-one, but they do like his promise for the future. Jenkins will be utilized carefully, but often, in an attempt to build his confidence and allow him to let his physical ability take over. The 2012 first rounder will have a chance to make an impact with the Niners as a rookie.

Brett Swain: Swain understands the system, and he was signed to a one-year deal before the 49ers had their draft, which leads me to believe it was more of a security measure. I think Swain has an uphill battle if he wants to make the team, but could be squeezed out by younger, more athletically gifted receivers with more upside.

Chris Owusu: A lot of folks had a second-round label on the Stanford wide receiver, but he went undrafted and landed right in Jim Harbaugh's lap - reunited. The 49ers have been trying to add speed to the offense, and that could be Owusu's edge to make the team. That and the fact that Harbaugh coached him once before and probably wouldn't have brought him in if he wasn't willing to give Owusu a roster spot if he earns it.

The 49ers also have Joe Hastings, Brian Tyms, John Matthews, Nathan Palmer and Kyle Nelson in camp to compete but it's already a full house in San Francisco. These players should be hoping to make the practice squad with a chance to either get signed by another team or eventually get called up.

At this point, my projections at receiver for the final roster read: Moss, Crabtree, Manningham, Williams, Ginn Jr., Jenkins and Owusu.

It's going to be extremely competitive and highly scrutinized with San Francisco looking to make a title run in 2012. It's a position group they were looking to fix, and they made that clear with how their front office operated in free agency and the draft. I'd like to see San Francisco carry more receivers this year than last to prevent a repeat of last year's slide.

I can see the competition heating up between Crabtree and Manningham, Jenkins and Moss, as well as Ginn and Owusu. Manningham has been a No. 3 before, and is going to push Crabtree in camp for the betterment of the team. Jenkins is going to be learning from Moss, as they have a more similar skillset with their downfield speed and ability to make odd-angle catches.

Ginn and Owusu could be going at it because Owusu has great speed and value as a returner. Owusu also has the potential to be a much better receiver than Ginn, so depending on how many players they carry at the position I could see Owusu edging out Ginn.

It's all speculation and educated guesses at this time, but training camp at this position will surely be a fiery competition.

Sneaking Into the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City

2012-05-05T14:15:03Z

In this article, we discuss the experience of the 2012 NFL Draft from a 49ers writer and enthusiast who had to find an unorthodox way in. For more on the 49ers, visit Niners Nation

For those of you who follow me on Twitter understand the stress and frustration I had regarding the attendance process for the 2012 NFL Draft. For some reason the NFL decides to not sell tickets for which thousands of fans would purchase, but instead make people wait in theme park sized lines in the middle of New York City during a week day until 12 o'clock at night.

And that line is the line preceding the line you'd have to wait in the following day. That's correct, the first line is only for a wristband - you have to return the next day with the wristband and wait at least another two and half hours to secure a ticket.

I live in the New Jersey and was able to hop a train from my town to Penn Station with hopes that if I was persistent enough, I would get in. I arrived Thursday night to find out that W 50^th and 6^th Ave was an absolute circus in a 2-3 block radius in every direction. The NFL had police shut down and redirect not only the cars on the street, but all of New York's residents that were walking down that particular sidewalk.

New York City's finest were patrolling the area, as is the case when such a major event is put on in the city. On night one, I couldn't even get on the same block as Radio City without a ticket, 1Iota printout or media credentials.

The first night was a bust. But I was down, not out.

DAY 2

After staying the night at my cousin's in Manhattan, I journeyed back over to the Radio City area that was already buzzing with activity. I had a meeting with an NFL scout as well as a radio and TV personality with the Indianapolis Colts and the NFL. In my time in the area speaking with them, legends like Gil Brandt and Bill Polian rubbed shoulders as they passed by me.

At this point I have no wristband, no ticket and I've finished my meetings. I'm at Radio City, the draft is set to continue in a matter of hours and all I want to do is get inside.

There are four separate lines on both sides of the building. The lines are the width of the sidewalk, shoulder-to-shoulder and not 49er friendly. I dive into the sea of Giant blue and Jet green, with the occasional Tom Brady jersey mixed in. I nonchalantly cut about 350 people, sneaking into one of the bigger lines closer to the entrance.

After which, I waited three hours before the line started to move. This is when I realized that I am eventually going to get to the front of the line, but have no ticket or coupon print out to prove I'm supposed to be there. But in my defense, if they made it easier to acquire tickets, I might not be taking these desperate actions.

We get to the front of the line and I see the first security guy is checking both tickets and any bags. Since I took the train from New Jersey, I had a backpack but no ticket. I figured I might as well work with what I've got and just unzip my bag for him.

I tailed a group of six pretty closely who were adamant about going in as one, and blended in more or less. I open my bag for the security guard, and he lets me pass under the assumption I was with the group.

I have gained entrance to Radio City on day two of the draft. But at the door inside, they were scanning tickets to get into the main hall - but I still didn't have a ticket. I told the girl at the door that I was meeting someone inside who had my ticket, but she said I should just grab one from the table inside.

At the front table, there is a holy grail of draft tickets where people who have reserved them via the many mysterious ways online could claim their tickets. Since I had gotten this far, the girl had assumed that I had the paperwork and I was given a ticket.

ROUND 2

I stayed for round 2 of the draft where the 49ers were selecting near the back half. Not long after I took my seat nearby the stage with Mike Mayock, Brian Billick and Rich Eisen, draft guru Todd McShay had walked up the ramp right past me. He wasn't interested in conversing with any of the fans shouting his name at that time.

With the 61^st overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected LaMichael James. My reaction immediately was excitement. Not only did they call a familiar name, but someone who dominated his position for his entire college career.

Since I was wearing a 49ers hat, some other NFL fans chatted me up when the pick was made. A lot of them were surprised, mentioning Frank Gore's name, but thought it was a good pick because of the added explosiveness. I liked the pick then and I like the pick now.

I left Radio City with a big smile on my face and a bag of free NFL swag. It was a great day, between the 49ers adding LaMichael James and being able to see it happen. I felt I was the only one thrilled to see Jesse Sopulu announce the pick for San Francisco. I also felt I was the only one there who knew who he was.

It was an exciting couple days to say the least, but hopefully next year the NFL change how they distribute tickets, or I might just have to sneak in again.

Oakland Raiders Still Have Options to Help Team in Free Agency

2012-05-04T17:45:21Z

While most of the big name free agents have already signed with teams, there are still plenty of quality football players that the Raiders could pursue in order to strengthen the team.

The Oakland Raiders still have plenty of needs on their roster despite making moves in free agency and draftng six players. Luckily for them, there are still quality football players available in free agency. The best part is that the players still left on the market will not be able to command high salaries due to the amount of time that they have remained unsigned. This means that Reggie McKenzie could find some quality players who the Raiders can afford despite cap issues.

Here is a look at just some of the players still available in free agency that popped out at me.

Leigh Bodden, CB - The Raiders signed two cornerbacks in Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell. However, with only two second year players to back them up, the Raiders could use some veteran depth at the position. Bodden is a quality cb who will come cheap due to the fact that he is coming off of back surgery. There is a chance he will not be able to start the season, but he could add quality depth later in the season.

Vernon Carey, OG - Carey is a big bodied guard with a good amount of agility. His age and teh fact that he has played in the NFL for eight years now means he does not have a whole lot left in the tank. However, that is all the Raiders would be looking for. He could step in right away and be an upgrade over Cooper Carlisle for a year or two while rookie Tony Bergstrom gets used to play at the NFL level.

Oshiomogho Atogwe, FS - Michael Huff is clearly the Raiders starting free safety. However, with the loss of Hiram Eugene, the Raiders are lacking any depth at free safety. Matt Giordano had an admirable season for the Raiders last year, but he also showed that he can be a liability at times as well. In addition, if the rumors are true that Huff will spend some time playing as a nickel corner, the Raiders will need a soid FS to play center field on passing downs while Huff is playing corner.

Cedric Benson, RB - Benson is yet another guy who would come cheap. His off the field issues and age have left him unsigned despite the fact that he is coming off of three straight thousand yard rushing seasons. The Raiders cannot count on McFadden to stay healthy and are in need of a bruising running back after the departure of Michael Bush to the Chicago Bears. Benson would be a great insurance policy while adding versatility to the Raiders backfield.

Aubrayo Franklin, DT - For years now the Raiders have struggled against the run. Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour are a force to be wreckoned with on passing downs, but continue to struggle when asked to clog up the middle of the line on running playrs. Franklin is a big boy who can easily take on double teams. He would also make a nice nose tackle for when the Raiders line up in a 3-4 defense.

I strongly believe that the Raiders are not done signing free agents yet. I expect at least two more signings before the pre-season, but only time will tell if that happens and if so, who the Raiders will add to their roster. But in my opinion, any of these five players would represent a major upgrade to the Raiders in an area of need.

Jeremy Lin Wouldn't Have Saved These New York Knicks

2012-05-04T09:27:38Z

Jeremy Lin might have helped the New York Knicks be more competitive against the Miami Heat, but it's hard to see him helping them score the upset.

The New York Knicks have been dominated, eviscerated, and totally humiliated over the span of three games against the Miami Heat. They were run off the court in Game 1, as the Melo-centric offense crumbled by halftime to turnover after turnover. They gave the Heat their best shot in Game 2 but eventually bowed down to an outside three point barrage and easy interior buckets. Then after finally trying to out-defend the Heat, their offense totally vanished down the stretch and Miami used a few runs from D-Wade and LeBron to distance themselves from the pack.

Can the Knicks really believe that Jeremy Lin would have really saved them from this ignominious fate?

There's no doubt the Knicks have missed Lin in this series, and his potential return offered a modicum of hope to the gloom and doom New York fans felt after that torturous Game 1. Just look at the mothball point guards New York has had to play. New York has had to start Baron Davis and rely on Mike Bibby for clutch threes, which would have been a deadly combo about five years ago. Davis got pumped up after a crucial and-one bucket, probably at the very surprise of finding himself blowing by someone and getting to the rim. Bibby triples almost feel like just as much accident as necessity.

The coaching hasn't been much better. As good as Mike Woodson has been at making the Knicks run through Carmelo Anthony to power them into the playoffs, he's been just as bad at running offense and adjusting during the course of the series. The Heat have looked toward shutting down Melo early, and there really hasn't been much motion off the ball. "Iso-ball and hope for the best" has been Woodson's only real strategy so far, and it hasn't gone swimmingly.

The Knicks had eight assists and 18 turnovers in Game 3. Sustainable! It's safe to say Woodson will be looking for new employment in a week or two.

So could Lin have improved this? Certainly. Put Lin in the starting lineup and he can feed Tyson Chandler in pick and rolls in a way that no one has been able to do so during this series. Lin could force the defense to account for the point guard and at least provide opportunities for wide open shots Steve Novak currently isn't getting. And Lin would be able to find Anthony without having to engage in a three act Shakespearean drama.

That being said, it probably wouldn't have been enough. Lin would also have been needed for his scoring, and it's hard to see him handling this Heat defense correctly with or without Iman Shumpert or Amare Stoudemire around. Even if Shump had kept his ACL intact or Amare had been smart enough not to let hand meet glass, Lin would also have added to the many defensive woes the Knicks have had to deal with.

In his first meeting with the Heat, Lin was overwhelmed and shut down by Mario Chalmers, who's arguably the sixth or seventh best defender on this team. Getting past Chalmers would have only funneled him into Udonis Haslem or Chris Bosh, and with Shumpert out, Dwyane Wade probably would've gotten his turn. That's too much for one point guard (a good one, but far from a franchise cornerstone) to overcome in a seven game series.

No, Linsanity wouldn't have been enough. It was a fun enough phenomenon, but it was only a bout of madness on a maddening team that could never get it all together. Lin's journey has just begun in the league, and the Heat are playing on a level most of these Knicks just aren't ready to match. It's best to look toward next season (whether it involves Phil Jackson or not) and hope that Linsanity can last a whole season and bring the Knicks back on the path toward greatness.