2006 Shell back in Oakland
DRAFT 2006: Shell back in Oakland
JANIE McCAULEY
Associated Press
ALAMEDA, Calif. - Art Shell's first draft in his return as coach of the Oakland Raiders could be pivotal in determining how long he lasts in his latest tenure under owner Al Davis.
The Raiders have the No. 7 overall selection Saturday in the NFL draft and could easily find themselves in position to pick either Southern California's Matt Leinart or his Rose Bowl counterpart, Texas quarterback Vince Young.
"I think our attitude has always been to get the best player available, particularly early - or you could end up missing out on a guy," said Jon Kingdon, the Raiders' director of college scouting. "Later on in the draft, you can zero in on a position you're light at. You rank them based on who's best from the top on down and cross them out as they get picked."
The last time Davis approved using a first-round pick on a quarterback was in 1991, when the Raiders took another USC star, Todd Marinovich - during Shell's first run as coach - and that didn't work out.
Marinovich lasted only two seasons in the league, and Shell was fired following a 9-7 campaign in 1994.
Leinart and Young are the top-rated quarterbacks in the draft and there's a chance both could be gone by the time the Raiders are on the clock. The Tennessee Titans, who have banned quarterback Steve McNair from working out at team headquarters, are likely to take a quarterback with the third overall pick.
At the NFL combine in Indianapolis last month, the Raiders courted Young and spent significant time getting to know him. Young visited the Raiders in California last week.
Oakland released Kerry Collins last month in an expected salary-cap move after the 33-year-old quarterback went 7-21 in two years as Oakland's starter. That left Shell with backup Marques Tuiasosopo and Andrew Walter before the Raiders signed Aaron Brooks to a two-year contract in March.
Shell has not yet given the job to Brooks, who started 82 straight games before being benched for the final three contests of 2005 with the Saints.
If no quarterbacks are available once Oakland picks, the Raiders might try to continue the upgrade of a defense that made strides last season but still finished among the league's worst.
Shell, hired in February to replace the fired Norv Turner, has been around this organization long enough to know Davis' approach to the draft has changed little over the years.
For the rest of this story, check out www.belleville.com
JANIE McCAULEY
Associated Press
ALAMEDA, Calif. - Art Shell's first draft in his return as coach of the Oakland Raiders could be pivotal in determining how long he lasts in his latest tenure under owner Al Davis.
The Raiders have the No. 7 overall selection Saturday in the NFL draft and could easily find themselves in position to pick either Southern California's Matt Leinart or his Rose Bowl counterpart, Texas quarterback Vince Young.
"I think our attitude has always been to get the best player available, particularly early - or you could end up missing out on a guy," said Jon Kingdon, the Raiders' director of college scouting. "Later on in the draft, you can zero in on a position you're light at. You rank them based on who's best from the top on down and cross them out as they get picked."
The last time Davis approved using a first-round pick on a quarterback was in 1991, when the Raiders took another USC star, Todd Marinovich - during Shell's first run as coach - and that didn't work out.
Marinovich lasted only two seasons in the league, and Shell was fired following a 9-7 campaign in 1994.
Leinart and Young are the top-rated quarterbacks in the draft and there's a chance both could be gone by the time the Raiders are on the clock. The Tennessee Titans, who have banned quarterback Steve McNair from working out at team headquarters, are likely to take a quarterback with the third overall pick.
At the NFL combine in Indianapolis last month, the Raiders courted Young and spent significant time getting to know him. Young visited the Raiders in California last week.
Oakland released Kerry Collins last month in an expected salary-cap move after the 33-year-old quarterback went 7-21 in two years as Oakland's starter. That left Shell with backup Marques Tuiasosopo and Andrew Walter before the Raiders signed Aaron Brooks to a two-year contract in March.
Shell has not yet given the job to Brooks, who started 82 straight games before being benched for the final three contests of 2005 with the Saints.
If no quarterbacks are available once Oakland picks, the Raiders might try to continue the upgrade of a defense that made strides last season but still finished among the league's worst.
Shell, hired in February to replace the fired Norv Turner, has been around this organization long enough to know Davis' approach to the draft has changed little over the years.
For the rest of this story, check out www.belleville.com
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