Should the Raiders Draft Manti Te'o to end the McClain Era?

[blazin1]

Some headaches onset immediately but others take it slowly. For the Oakland Raiders, Rolando McClain has become a grade infinity migraine the past few seasons. Is it time to usher in his replacement with somebody like Manti Te'o?

Reggie McKenzie must focused on McClain after latest arrest

Quarterback Carson Palmer and the offensive line held center stage for Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie through the past few weeks as the team prepares their resources for an important offseason. That was until he got a grim reminder of how bad things have gotten on the Raiders defense. Middle linebacker Rolando McClain was tagged to become a fixture for the Silver and Black for the next decade given the talent he had. Sadly, like many pro athletes he has let bad decisions rule his life. The latest came when he got arrested by Alabama police for violating a window tint code and then giving a false name when questioned. This incident comes on the heels of a two-game suspension for a dispute with Raiders head coach Dennis Allen and a guilty misdemeanor charge for reckless endangerment back in November. If any player represents the need for change in Oakland it's McClain. Given McKenzie will hold the 4th overall pick in the draft, will he use it to get things pointed up on defense?

Te'o takes hit in NFL draft stock but Notre Dame season still viable

Initial thoughts are to use the high pick on a big name player like left tackle Luke Joeckel or a defensive lineman but the Raiders must think hard about their situation. The team is still lacking in many areas for talent on the 4th overall pick can fetch a nice price for the right NFL team. If they were to trade down they could collect more picks for McKenzie while at the same time having their eyes on a particular player who could change the culture on their defense. Most experts and fans now remember Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o for his forgettable showing in the BCS national championship against Alabama. The rough game overshadows a season where he came within a hair of winning the Heisman trophy and getting the Fighting Irish back into contention for big bowl games. Combined with some questions about his athletic potential it's believed he could fall not only out of the top 15 but out of the first round of the draft. Only teams who can ignore his performance in the championship game will hold serve on that outcome. Oakland is certainly one of those teams. Te'o is the polar opposite of McClain. He plays with infectious energy, offers great leadership and makes plays all over the field. Elite athlete or not his impact on the Raiders defense would become immediate the second he entered the locker room.

Spending such a valuable draft pick on Manti Te'o sounds too risky for Oakland Raiders fans but after the fiasco with Rolando McClain it reinforces the value of character. Reggie McKenzie must not only overturn a roster but a culture this offseason.

LINK: http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981836114

[RIPDanBirdwell]

Yeah, the BCS title game was just one game. It was, however, a game against the best O-line and ground game the Irish faced all season, and Te'o did not show. That is worrisome. Anyone who DVR'd the game could watch play by play, but from a single viewing I saw Te'o out of position often, a step late to many tackles, and just not effective. But the D was exposed as a whole, and that is also a reflection on the MIKE if they are repeatedly out of position and not stopping straight-ahead power runs. I mean, it's not as if 'Bama ran a whole bunch of misdirection and trickery stuff.

No question the guy is a hard worker, team player, and all that. Me, I'd trade down and get maybe two of the linemen who made Te'o's BCS an evening of hell. Start with Chance Warmack in round one, and with whatever you pick up in round two Barrett Jones if he's still there.

If we keep the pick, nothing worse than Jarvis Jones or Damontre Moore. Take me some Bjoern Werner for character and better every-down player who can make an immediate impact. Luke Joeckel makes no sense, because we have our starting LT, and you don't draft a RT in the first round. A guy like Brennan Williams outta UNC should be around for us in the third and projects very well if his medical checks out.

[DeadRinger]

I agree on Te'o. I was high on the kid but he completely blew it in the championship game. Personally I didn't see him do a single thing I thought was really good. Fuck that. You don't spend a high pick on someone who disappears in big games. As far as I'm concerned, Te'o booted himself out of the first round.

You know who I DID see in that game? Dee Milliner. For some idiotic reason ND made the conscious decision to throw at him, with disastrous results. That kid MIGHT be worth the #3, depending on what happens at the combine. I'm not sure he has that killer quickness you need to play CB in the NFL. We shall see.

I'd pass on Moss because of his spine issues. The #3 pick is too big to risk like that. Moore or Werner, fine. Maybe the DT out of Utah, but IMO there are plenty of interior guys in FA who can do a great job for us.

Maybe we trade back and pick up Mingo in the middle of the round, get a 2nd rounder and start really building out the defense.

[790thSFS]

Pick him up and let the nfl level coaches fine tune him

[bigboy3333]

I agree on Te'o, maybe a mid second at best, but if Luke Joeckel or the DT from Utah is still on the board at #3 U got to take one or the other. if both gone, trade down, get warmack in the first, then the cb from FSU in the second.

[R8ers4evr]

no... im all about drafting the flashy player... big name... but we NEED to trade down this year... pick up an xtra 3rd round pick or a 2nd... we dont have a 2nd this year... or 5th i believe... so we should trade down and try and pick up extra picks IF WE CAN... if not we need DL... someone like star latouiei or w/e his name is... sorry i didnt start looking at prospects yet... but idc if we have urlacher/ray lewis IN THEIR PRIME... if our DL sucks... they arent doing crap... draft DL if we cant trade down... burris and wheeler (assuming we resign him) can use their speed and playmaking ability to do what they gotta do if we have a solid DL...

[R8ers4evr]

I agree on Te'o, maybe a mid second at best, but if Luke Joeckel or the DT from Utah is still on the board at #3 U got to take one or the other. if both gone, trade down, get warmack in the first, then the cb from FSU in the second.

im with you. if joeckel is there... him all day. him and veldheer and we have our 2 OT for years to come... and the DT from utah i believe is the guy i just posted between this post and urs... star latouiei or w/e his name is...

only issue with ur post... we dont currently have a 2nd round pick i dont believe... last years 1st and this years 2nd for palmer... unless u meant trade down get warmack and with that trading down we got a 2nd round pick???

[DeadRinger]

I agree on Te'o, maybe a mid second at best, but if Luke Joeckel or the DT from Utah is still on the board at #3 U got to take one or the other. if both gone, trade down, get warmack in the first, then the cb from FSU in the second.

im with you. if joeckel is there... him all day. him and veldheer and we have our 2 OT for years to come... and the DT from utah i believe is the guy i just posted between this post and urs... star latouiei or w/e his name is...

only issue with ur post... we dont currently have a 2nd round pick i dont believe... last years 1st and this years 2nd for palmer... unless u meant trade down get warmack and with that trading down we got a 2nd round pick???

Yeah, he's saying we trade down in the 1st and pick up a 2nd rounder we can use on a CB.