His early success had Viking fans having visions of Tommy Kramer... After defenses adjusted to him, he was exposed as a mediocre signal caller. Can't we have just one of the ball-boys hold the clipboard? Son of Al! Kudos for The Bowl Cut for saying no. The Raiders of old used to be regarded as a halfway house for discards, wackos and malcontents...not suspected criminals.
Ponder signing looks official. Less official: Raiders signing P Steven Clark. Clark averaged 40.8, 39.8, and 42.6 yards per punt at Auburn from 2011-2013.
Some great quotes from Dockery here: http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/dockery-signing-raiders-‘personal’-matter
^Oooh man, we gots ourselves a "live" one... He's a 6-1 corner with an attitude and a chip on his shoulder. OK...I hope he produces in camp, makes the squad and contributes. If Dockery went undrafted, yet got picked up and is still around, then he's no stiff.
Man I am loving Oakland cleaning house and building a "TEAM" McFadden was a huge disappointment to me and while I thought he had talent I wanted him gone.
I think McFadden was a good guy who had the misfortune of being an undersized power back and playing for a team that was built for him to fail. I bet he will do well as a spot back for the boys, but I am certainly glad he is gone. His performance last year was depressing and he was squarely apart of the previous era of mediocrity at best which is hopefully in the past tense.
^McFadden had a pair of good seasons with the S&B notably under Hue Jackson. He was great with power blocking schemes not so much with zone reads. As you said, McFadden was on personnel that was not very good. Quarterbacks that won't cause opposing DC's to stay awake late and makeshift offensive lines. Injuries had sapped him of his explosion and was not able to shake off contact.
Seems like a high reward low risk kinda gamble. They already have two backs and if he can be signed for cheap works hard take the starting spot good and lives UPS to his potential great! if he stays over weight and doesn't he gets cut.
I don't hate McFadden as a person and I actually rooted for him as a player. His upside was amazing but the last couple seasons I pretty much had the same thought when he got the ball "sh** aint going nowhere" and usually I was right. I agree the schemes weren't the best for him but he needed to many "perfect" variables to be effective for my liking. I wanted him to get some catches in the open field and use his speed but even when we tried that he seemed ineffective. If Dallas uses him like a power back he will be injured by week 6 IMO. I do wish him well though I even have his jersey lol. Now, I am curious why the Raiders picked up the ONLY RB that was behind McFadden on yards after scrimmage? That is baffling.
I think the big difference is one is 24, with no serious injuries, was in a bad place, and if all else fails will be cut during camp. Worth a roll of the dice in my uneducated football mind.
^McFadden was just used up...didn't have the goods anymore. He has been two-three years removed from his best. Richardson? Agree with KS... He is only 24 years old. If Richardson can only get his head in the game, away from the dinner table and work it...he could contribute.
Followed the Colts since they drafted Luck... Richardson is garbage. Side-to-side runner who is built for power but doesn't run like it. Don't hold out hope for much.
Oh I don't think he is going to develop into anything but at best a spot back. Hope I'm wrong, but I would bet on Murray starting or splitting time with the new guy.
I'm a DMC fan. He's one of my favorite Raiders of all time, but it's time to move on - so I'm glad we did. Meanwhile I'm kinda upbeat about Richardson. He's not making a ton of money, and it gives Oakland some options. He's a low risk, high reward pick.
From what I saw, he couldn't break tackles for a "power" back. Richardson can probably grind out a three to four yard gain but not much else. He is quoted that he is still a starting caliber, impact player.
He could definitely grind out yards if he had the heart for it. maybe a change of scenery wakes something up in him, but in Indy he was a completely heartless runner. Didn't hit the holes hard, didn't run through contact, didn't go North - South consistently... Just bad.