2008 Season - Day 5 - List of Rookie FA's

Though nothing is official until the league office processes the paperwork, the Raiders have come to terms with 12 undrafted free agents.

One of these guys could be the next Tommy Kelly or Chris Carr, both undrafted but signed by the Raiders. More than likely, they'll be like all of last year's undrafted rookies -- none whom made the team.

Here's the list, as provided by a league source who knows about such unannounced things, with brief bios. Click on their names to get an in-depth scouting report.

Brian White, QB, Portland St.: This future camp arm threw for 2,171 yards as a senior.

Darrell Strong, TE, Pitt: At 6-foot-4 and 268 pounds, he's a converted wide receiver who will be here for short-yardage blocking packages.

Brandon Rodd, C, Arizona State: He's 6-2, 300 pounds and versatile enough to play tackle. He'll need dual capabilities to get through camp.

Matthew Hahn, FB, Penn State: He's a 6-foot, 236-pound blocking back who scored 76 touchdowns as a prep tailback.

Greyson Gunheim, DE, Washington: He's got size at 6-5, 252. His long arms make for pass-swatting potential.

Derrick Gray, DE, Texas Southern: Another long-armed long shot who has the size to play right end.

Louis Rankin, RB, Washington: He's 6-feet, 205 pounds and 40-speed fast. He ran for 1,294 yards last season. Consider him camp insurance in case someone goes down.

Malik Jackson, OLB, Louisville: Not a size and speed pick, he was disruptive just the same. The Raiders need depth at outside linebacker and he'll help on special teams.

Adam Spieker, C, Missouri: A four-year starter, he'll try to win a backup job to veteran John Wade.

Derrick Brown, CB, Southern Utah: Well, he was All-Great West Conference and is 6-1, 185 pounds. That's about as deep as the Google search got.

Chris Wagner, TE, South Dakota St.: At 6-6, 255 pounds, he'll try to find a niche as a blocker-type.

Shane Simmons, ILB, Western Washington: Not that Kirk Morrison takes a down off, the Raiders lack a capable backup. Not sure Simmons is the answer, but he'll get a try. At 6-1, 225 pounds, he could play outside just the same.

2008 Season - Day 5 - Ed Block Award

Raiders RB Justin Fargas poses for a photo with head trainer H. Rod Martin (left) and Hall of Fame center Jim Otto at the 2008 Ed Block Courage Awards ceremony.

Oakland Raiders players, past and present, executives and fans attended an Awards Gala to honor the 2008 Ed Block Courage Award winner, RB Justin Fargas., this past Monday evening in Oakland.

"It's a great honor. It's great for me to be a part of [the Fred Finch Youth Center's efforts]," Fargas said. "It's an honor and a privilege to play this game and wear this uniform. That's why you play the game, that's why you work hard...to strive toward your goals. It's something I've dreamt about doing since I was a kid."

FB Justin Griffith., a former Courage Award winner with Atlanta, added, "[Fargas] fought injury and came back and that needs to be rewarded. You can battle through injuries and still have a great season. Just to see him go out there and do well makes me happy too."

The Ed Block Courage Award annually honors one player from every NFL team who exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. The award has become one of the most esteemed honors bestowed upon a player in the NFL, primarily because his selection is based upon a vote of his peers and recognizes a player’s efforts on and off the field, as well as their ability to overcome great adversity. Courage Award recipients embody everything that is positive about professional athletes as they serve as inspirations in their locker rooms and constructive role models in their communities.

Fargas excelled during the 2007 season despite missing the final two games due to a knee injury. The running back set a career high for rushing yards (1,009) and ran for four touchdowns. Due to Fargas’ persistence and hard work to overcome his injury, the Raiders players voted him as the 2007 Ed Block Courage Award winner.

The evening also featured award presentations to several of Fred Finch Youth Center’s bravest youth for demonstrating courage, perseverance, and resilience in overcoming personal challenges, trauma and abuse.

This Awards Gala benefits The Oakland Raiders Courage House: Fred Finch Youth Center, a national leader in providing innovative programs for emotionally challenged youth and their families. Fred Finch, one of the oldest and most respected Bay Area service providers for at-risk and developmentally delayed youth, provides hope and healing to youth who struggle with the challenges of chronic mental illness, substance abuse, chronic loss and trauma, histories of abuse and neglect and, often, the compounding realities of poverty and racial injustice. Support from the Oakland Raiders and the event’s attendees is critical in allowing Fred Finch Youth Center to continue serving the area with programs that each year offer education, therapy and a safe haven for over 1,200 children and teens in need.

The Awards Gala also included dinner and both live and silent auctions.

2008 Season - Day 5 - D-Line Derrick Gray

The Raiders weren’t done adding defensive ends, when they signed Derrick Gray, DE, Texas Southern. Gray was called one of the top 40 prospects from small schools in the draft this season by NFL.com. He measures in at 6′4″, 266 lbs, and a 4.85 40 yard dash. Gray was a second team all SWAC conference player his Senior year by amassing 76 tackles, 24.5 for loss, 9.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. He has prototypical size for a defensive end with long arms and strong upper body and leg strength. His negatives are consistency and lack of quickness and agility to get off of blocks.

2008 Season - Day 5 - D-Line Greyson Gunheim

The Raiders added more depth to the defensive line by adding Greyson Gunheim, DE, Washington. Gunheim measures in at 6′5″, 252 lbs, and runs a 4.85 40 yard dash. The positives are he’s got long arms, big hands, adequate awareness and technique, has a good motor, and is a relentless pass rusher. The negatives are his lack of top end speed and overall athleticism. Sound like a former first round pick who recently signed with the Panthers? Yeah, this guy sounds a lot like Brayton. Apparently he’s always in the backfield, but rarely makes the big play due to his inability to get around the end in time. Last season, he had 41 tackles, 11 for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 4 passes defensed. Pretty good stats for a guy that doesn’t have a really good draft grade.

2008 Season - Day 5 - TE - Darrell Strong

The Raiders also signed a tight end with limitless potential and a penchant for getting into trouble. Darrell Strong, TE, Pittsburgh measures in at 6′5″, 268 lbs, and a 4.76 40 yard dash. According to scouts, he plays with a mean streak and has a rare combination of size and overall athleticism. He’s not a fan favorite due to harassment and criminal mischief citations along with being suspended for a couple of games in 2006 due to unsportsmanlike conduct in which he decided to flip off the USF fans after scoring a touchdown, but before Pitt could attempt a necessary two point conversion to get within one score of tying the Bulls. In my analysis, this guy sounds a little like Regan Upshaw, full of talent and stupid mental errors at crucial times. He’s an underachiever that only started to realize his potential during his Senior year at Pitt where he caught 29 balls for 328 yards and 3 scores. He also has a penchant for adding weight in the offseason and being inconsistent.

2008 Season - Day 5 - QB - Brian White

The Raiders signed Portland State QB, Brian White, 6′5″ and 225 pounds. White was originally with the Colorado Buffalos, before transferring to Portland State for a chance to play. In his senior season, he played in six games before getting injured, which seems to be the theme of the Raiders undrafted rookies. In those six games, White completed 175 passes on 278 attempts for a 63% completion percentage and had10 TD’s against 9 interceptions with 2,171 total passing yards. His college QB rating was 133.94. College ratings are more forgiving than pro ratings, but to give you an idea of what that rating means, Brian Brohm’s rating was 152.43. While he’s no Brian Brohm, his stats are pretty decent for DIV IAA.

2008 Season - Day 4 - 4-yr Raider - Warren Sapp

Warren Sapp was lying on the grass and watching his daughter play soccer Saturday in South Florida when his cell phone vibrated and knocked him out of his daze. A friend on the other line wanted to talk football, and after a few seconds it suddenly occurred to the recently retired defensive tackle that this was a reasonably significant afternoon.

79 points allowed in the final two games. Retired, Raider defensive lineman Warren Sapp tells Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports that the Raiders have problems on defense because owner Al Davis has put together “a team with 3-4 personnel, but they’re running a 4-3 system.” Sapp also had some harsh words for former teammate LaMont Jordan, who carried 84 times for 424 yards in September of 2007 but just 60 times for 125 yards the rest of the season. According to Sapp, that’s because Jordan was out of shape. “LaMont is like the worst offseason running back I’ve ever been around; he was out of shape and couldn’t keep it going,” Sapp tells Silver. “I love Darren McFadden to the Raiders,” Sapp said. “I think it’s a perfect fit. Then, remember late in the season, Justin Fargas was slashing and cutting and gaining all those yards? (McFadden) is the same guy, but he’s faster. I promise you, this guy will hit those holes and take it to the house, and then our offensive line will slash people up.” “There is nothing wrong with Lane Kiffin’s offensive system,” Sapp said. “There is nothing wrong with Lane Kiffin as a head coach, and now he has another stud who can help him succeed. I guess Al’s going for his last hurrah.”

Warren Sapp played the final four seasons of his career, in Oakland. In these 58 games, 15 wins. QB Sacks, 19.5.

Mr. Sapp played 13 seasons in the NFL, recording 96 1/2 QB Sacks with a peak of 16.5 in the 2000 Season. Winning 93 games, with 105 losses, career highlighted by a 2002 League Championship.

2008 Season - Day 4 - RB - Dominic Rhodes

Tuesday

The Raiders have a surplus of running backs.

Raiders release Dominic Rhodes.

Rhodes' release was meant to put the Raiders back under the league salary cap, which they exceeded when they traded cornerback Fabian Washington to the Baltimore Ravens. That trade gave the Raiders a nearly $1.1 million cap hit, ESPN reported. Rhodes, who had restructured his contract to remain with the Raiders, was due to earn $1.75 million this year.

The release of a running back wasn't surprising; the identity of that back was. LaMont Jordan seemed a likely candidate to depart, considering he has a $4.7 million deal this season and asked to be released last fall after losing his starting job. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin was noncommittal about Jordan's status last week. "LaMont does have a very high contract and a big number coming into this," Kiffin said before the draft. "So we have to look at what happens in the draft, look at what else is going on and make a decision."

Rhodes signed a two-year deal last year after playing for the Indianapolis Colts' 2007 Super Bowl-winning team. He was suspended for the first four games of the next season with the Raiders following an arrest for driving while intoxicated and later pleading guilty to reckless driving. Upon returning to the team, Rhodes' playing time was limited. He finished with 75 carries for 302 yards and a touchdown. Most of his production came in the final two games of the season after Justin Fargas went down with a knee injury. Rhodes had 56 carries for 237 yards in those games. He also returned 16 kickoffs for 316 yards.

The two games he started, were Weeks 16-17.

Week 16 - a 49-11 loss at Jacksonville....29 touches for 124 yards

Week 17 - a 30-17 loss to the Chargers....35 touches for 164 yards

Several teammates said they were surprised by the move after Rhodes agreed to a pay cut from $3 million to $1.75 million in the offseason. LaMont Jordan, who is owed $4.7 million next season, could be next. "I didn't foresee that happening," running back Justin Fargas said. "Dominic is a good player and a good locker-room guy (who) brings everybody else up. Those are the kind of guys you want to have around, so when they let him go, it was a little bit of a shock, a little bit of a disappointment to me."

Dominic Rhodes says, "I don't really think that Lane Kiffin wanted to take a running back in the first round, let's just put it like that."

2008 Season - Day 3 - O-Line - Adam Spieker

Adam Spieker, Offensive Lineman, Missouri

At some point, roughly five years ago, Nick Lassiter approached his best friend, Webb City football teammate Adam Spieker, and gave him a good-natured ribbing about his college choice.
“It’s weird,” Lassiter said Friday. “I actually gave him a hard time about going to Missouri, because I mean, he had offers from Nebraska, Arkansas, even Kansas.” The conversation seems like a joke now, considering that Spieker is in Kansas City today, Missouri’s starting center preparing for the Division I game of the year. The No. 3 Tigers play No. 2 Kansas at 7 tonight in Arrowhead Stadium. “This was our dream,” Spieker said Monday from Columbia. “One of the reasons I came here was because I had faith in the coaching and thought that if we work hard, we could eventually do what we’re trying to do now.” But this has nothing to do with “eventually” or “trying.” The Tigers and Jayhawks are a combined 21-1, with the only loss Missouri’s 41-31 setback at Oklahoma.

Spieker is at the center of it, and not just by his position. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound senior anchors Missouri’s stout, veteran offensive line and has started every game since his redshirt freshman year in 2004. Tonight, Spieker will start his 48th consecutive game, tying Brad Smith’s school record. He could break it next week in the Big 12 championship or in a bowl game.
Not too long ago, this seemed like a bit of pipe dream, even for Spieker and his family
“Coach (Gary) Pinkel talked about it in his in-house trip, how they wanted to be national champions, and I think he did a good job selling Adam on his beliefs,” said Curt Spieker, Adam’s dad. “But to believe we’d be two games away (from the national-championship game), it was the farthest thing from my mind.” Actually, football wasn’t the first thing on Adam’s mind as a kid, either. The Spiekers, originally from Wisconsin, moved to Indiana before Adam’s birth. “We were kind of partial to basketball,” Curt Spieker said. “Adam played football in second grade but had a bad experience with a coach that yelled at kids and wasn’t fun for the kids. So he played basketball, and he lived there until fourth grade.” Then, Curt Spieker was given an opportunity for a promotion and a job transfer to Webb City. Adam tried football again as a Webb City seventh-grader, and, even though he actually spent his first year on the B team, this time it stuck. He still played basketball in high school, but after sustaining an injury he stayed off the court his senior season. Older brother Andrew and older sister Katie (now Katie Chapman) played basketball at Pittsburg State, but Spieker was destined for a different path.“I started to get a little interest my sophomore year, and then my junior year a little more,” Adam Spieker said. “That’s when it kind of sank in, when I started getting offers.“... I wanted to stay in-state, and I also liked the coaching staff a lot. They said someday they’d be a national contender, and I bought into it.”Spieker left Webb City as a soft-spoken gentle giant, and in many ways, he still is.“I went up to the Texas A&M game (in Columbia) a couple weeks ago, and it was nice to see him and visit with him,” said Webb City coach John Roderique, who coached Spieker in high school. “He’s still the same old Adam, barely says much, mumbles a little, very unassuming. Some of those guys walk out like, ‘Look who I am,’ but he’s really a typical offensive lineman.”But Tyler Luellen, the Tigers’ senior left tackle and Spieker’s fast friend, said that isn’t entirely accurate.“Really, it depends on who you are,” Luellen said. “With the bond me and Adam have, we’ve grown to know each other so well, we’ll tell each other about anything. But if you’re just some Joe Schmoe off the street, he’s real quiet and laid-back.”Whatever the case is, Spieker’s the latest pride of Webb City, a town that’s produced its share of high-profile athletes.“I’m a huge Missouri fan just because of Adam,” said Lassiter, who now volunteers as Webb City’s wide receivers coach. “It’s nice to see what he’s done.”

• 2006 Hon. Men. All-Big 12 (Associated Press)
• 2006 Rimington Award Pre-Season Watch List
• 2005 Hon. Men. All-Big 12 (Coaches)
• 2005 1st-Team Sophomore All-American (College Football News)
• 2004 2nd-Team Freshman All-American (Rivals.com)
• 2004 1st-Team Freshman All-Big 12 (Sporting News)

2007 OUTLOOK
The anchor of Mizzou's offensive line is one of the top veteran centers in the nation, and should contend in 2007 for all-American honors as well as receive prime consideration for the Rimington Award, given annually to the nation's top center ... Is in his 4th year of starting at the center position, and has started all 36 career games at the spot ... Needs 13 more starts to break the school record of 48 consecutive starts by QB Brad Smith ... Last name is pronounced SPEE-kerr.

2006 SEASON
Anchored the Tiger offensive line in his 3rd year of starting at the center position ... Was the glue of a line that has provided protection for a Tiger offensive attack that ranked 8th in the nation in total offense (425.62 ypg) and 10th in the country in passing offense (276.15 ypg) ... Earned honorable mention All-Big 12 status from the Associated Press for his play in 2006 ... The offensive line was one of the nation's best in protecting its QB, as it ranked 24th in the country in fewest QB sacks allowed (1.46 pg).

2005 SEASON
A very talented center who anchored the Tiger offensive line for the 2nd straight season, and had an outstanding year, grading highly each week ... Was named a 1st-Team Sophomore All-American by College Football News for his stellar play ... Earned honorable mention All-Big 12 status from the league's coaches for his play in 2005 ... Was part of a line that helped MU rank 17th nationally in rushing (205.25 ypg), and helped QB Brad Smith put up only the 3rd 2,000-yard passing and 1,000-yard rushing season in NCAA Div. I-A history.

2004 SEASON
Started all 11 games at center, and had a solid debut season as a redshirt freshman, despite facing the daunting task of replacing A.J. Ricker, who set a school record by making 47 consecutive starts over the ball from 2000-03 ... Was named a 2nd-Team Freshman All-American for his efforts by Rivals.com, and also landed a spot on the 1st-Team Freshman All-Big 12 squad picked by The Sporting News ... Had a solid spring, one that was encouraging enough to see him listed at No. 1 on the depth chart heading into the fall.

2003 SEASON
Redshirt season ... Earned scout team MVP honors in practice for his work leading up to the Oklahoma game.

HIGH SCHOOL
Rated as the No. 3 offensive lineman in the Missouri-Kansas region by MoKan Football ... Rivals.com had him as the No. 26 offensive guard prospect in the country, and as the No. 8 prospect in the state of Missouri (all positions) ... Rated as the No. 53 overall prospect in the Midland region by SuperPrep Magazine ... Earned all-state mention as a defensive lineman each of his last two seasons at Webb City, where he was an all-area performer for two years on the offensive line ... Rated as the No. 1 offensive and defensive lineman (all classes) in 2002 by Danny Heitert of STC Grid Report ... Three-sport standout (football, basketball and track) who won the 3A state championship in 2003 and took 5th place in the state championships in the shot put in 2002 ... Holds school records in the shot put and discus ... High school coach - John Roderigue.

PERSONAL
Son of Curt & Holly Spieker ... National Honor Society Member ... Academic interest lies in business at MU ... Chose Mizzou over Nebraska, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Illinois, among others.

2008 Season - Day 3 - O-Line - Brandon Rodd

Brandon Rodd, Offensive Lineman from Arizona State.



Brandon Rodd measures in at 6′3″, 300 lbs, and runs the 40 in 5.2. He’s smart too. Rodd was given Pac-10 All Academic honors all four years and a two time Second Team Pac-10 All Acedemic Football player. He was also on the 2007 preseason Lombardi award watch list. Rodd tore his ACL in his redshirt freshman year, but came back to play primarily at the left tackle position. In 2007, he started all 13 games at left tackle for the Sun Devils. He projects as an offensive guard in the NFL, due to a lack of explosiveness at the line and a lack of physicality (sounds like a finesse zone blocker). He is a versatile lineman that will fight for a spot on the depth chart at four positions.

BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter at the left tackle and left guard spots.

POSITIVES: Hard-working small-area college tackle who projects to guard in the NFL. Blocks with good knee-bend, keeps his feet moving throughout the action, and quick in all aspects of the game. Stays with the action, makes good use of angles, and seals defenders from the play. Fights with his hands and works to hit as many people as possible.

NEGATIVES: Lacks footwork and range and struggles to adjust. Must improve the strength of his base.

ANALYSIS: Rodd was an adequate college blocker who showed improvement in his game the past two seasons. He'll have a chance at the next level if he improves his run-blocking strength.

PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent

Arizona State University senior linemen Mike Pollak - 2nd round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts (center) and Brandon Rodd (left tackle) have been invited to play in the 62nd annual Hula Bowl game, to be played on January 22, 2008 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

2008 Season - Day 3 - LB - Shane Simmons

Shane Simmons, Linebacker, Western Washington
Western Washington University linebacker Shane Simmons has signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders. Projected as a possible sixth or seventh round pick in the NFL draft held Saturday and Sunday, Simmons was hoping to become just the second player in school history and the first in 30 years to be selected, but it did not happen. "It was a long day, but to get this chance is more than I could ever ask for," said Simmons, who also received offers from Detroit, Green Bay and San Francisco. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Simmons is hoping to become just the third Western player to see action for a NFL team. The other two are Michael Koenen, a punter and placekicker the last three years for the Atlanta Falcons, and safety Erik Totten, who played in two games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002. "I think it's a good place for him to go," said Western head football coach Robin Ross, who was an assistant for two years at Oakland. "They're looking for more speed at linebacker and he can give them that." Simmons, a graduate of Kentlake High School, completed his collegiate eligibility last fall and is expected to graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree in recreation. In 2007, Simmons was a D2Football.com honorable mention All-American and a first-team North Central Conference all-star. He led the NCC (12.5 avg.) and ranked fourth nationally among NCAA Division II schools in total tackles, and was ninth nationally in solo tackles (6.3 avg.). Simmons was credited with double-figure stops in nine of 10 games. That included a career-high 18 versus Minnesota Duluth when he was named co-NCC Defensive Player of the Week. In Western's 18-15 win over St. Cloud State, Simmons forced a fumble in the final seconds after the Huskies drove inside the WWU 25-yard line. He also had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in the Vikings' 28-21 upset of NCAA Division I-FCS UC Davis in their season opener. A preseason D2Football.com second-team All-American, Simmons also was listed as one of the website's 15 Pro Hopefuls. The site stated, "Simmons is a high character kid with the work ethic and passion scouts look for in a player. He can play both inside and outside linebacker and adds value by being able to play all special teams." As a junior, Simmons was the national leader in solo tackles (9.8 avg. per game) and topped the NCC in total tackles (11.2 avg.) through the first five games before suffering a season-ending injury. He earned NCC POW honors that season for his performance in Western's 16-13 upset of No.15 Washburn, being credited with 11 tackles and forcing a fumble that led to the winning field goal with 2.7 seconds left. Simmons was a first-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star as a sophomore for the Vikings after seeing action as a true freshman at Division I-BCS University of Idaho.

Shane Simmons (9), Linebacker, Senior, 6-1, 230, 22, 8/9/85, Kent, WA

COLLEGE: D2Football.com honorable mention All-American ... Played in 2008 Cactus Bowl Division II Senior All-Star Game ... Led North Central Conference in total tackles and ranked fourth nationally in NCAA Division II with 125 (12.5 avg.) in 2007... Ranked ninth nationally in solo tackles with 63 (6.3 avg.) ... First-team North Central Conference all-star ... Also had 6.0 tackles for losses of 30 yards and 2.0 quarterback sacks for minus-16 yards, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery ... Had double-figure tackles in nine of 10 games ... Credited with career-high 18 stops versus Minnesota Duluth in being named NCC Player of the Week ... Forced fumble in final seconds after St. Cloud State drove inside WWU 25-yard line for 18-15 win ... Had 11 tackles and fumble recovery in Vikings' 28-21 upset of NCAA I-FCS UC Davis ... 2007 D2Football.com second-team preseason All-America and listed among that website's 15 Pro Hopefuls ... WWU Captain's Award winner and Defensive Player of the Year ... Second-team North Central Conference all-star in 2006 ... Started first five games before suffering season-ending injury against Minnesota-Duluth ... Prior to that was leading NCAA II nationally in solo stops (9.8 avg. per game) and topped NCC in total tackles (11.2) ... Credited with 56 tackles (49 solo), including 7.0 for losses of 26 yards and 1.0 sack for minus-4 yards ... Also had 2 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble ... Named NCC Defensive Player of the Week for performance in 16-13 upset of No.15 Washburn, being credited with 11 tackles and forcing a fumble that led to the winning field goal with 2.7 seconds left ... Had double-figure tackle total in four of five games played ... First-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star in 2005 ... Voted team's Defensive Player of the Year ... Played in all 10 games, starting first nine ... Credited with 66 tackles (41 solo), second on team, 8.5 for losses of 50 yards and 5.0 sacks for minus-41 yards ... Also had 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 pass breakups and 1 pass interception ... GNAC Defensive Player of the Week for performance against Central Washington on 10/29/05, having 9 tackles and forcing 3 turnovers (forced fumble, fumble recovery and pass interception) ... Three letters ... Also attended University of Idaho ... Played in three games for Vandals as true freshman in 2004 ... Credited with 8 tackles, 1 for loss of minus-1 yard.

HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Seattle Times, Seattle P-I and Tacoma News Tribune all-Area pick as senior at Kentlake High School ... South Puget Sound League North Division Offensive Player of the Year as quarterback ... First-team all-league both ways ... Listed among Seattle Times Top 100 (white chip) state high school seniors ...Selected to play in East-West all-star game ... Completed 49-of-96 passes for 1,052 yards and 8 touchdowns, and ran for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns ... Had 73 tackles, 2 pass interceptions, 2 blocked punts and 1 fumble recovery ... Helped Falcons to 9-2 record, SPSL North Division title and second round of Class 4A state playoffs ... Team co-captain and MVP ... First-team all-league as safety as junior, despite missing five games with broken leg ... Honorable mention all-league on offense as junior and defense as sophomore ... Started both ways and lettered three years ... Also earned two letters in baseball ... First-team all-league as sophomore. PERSONAL: Major is recreation.

As the clock ticked down in the final rounds of this weekend's NFL draft, former Western linebacker Shane Simmons paced the backyard of his parent’s home in Kent, Wash. He was waiting for a phone call.

Once the draft entered the final rounds, Simmons knew he wasn't going to get picked because teams weren't targeting linebackers, he said.

Then he finally received the call from his agent, Cameron Foster, who informed him the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders were interested in signing him.

After getting word Detroit and Oakland were most serious about courting him, Simmons signed a three-year deal with the Raiders.

When the decision was made, Simmons, his sister, mother and father embraced in a group hug.

“That was definitely one of the best moments of my life,” he said.

Simmons said Oakland’s offer was surprising because he hadn’t talked to them. Although he had focused on teams such as the Seahawks and 49ers because he had met with them in the weeks leading up to the draft, Simmons said joining a team as prestigious and celebrated as the Raiders is exciting.

Simmons said having the chance to play on any NFL team is all he could have asked for, but being on the West Coast and close to home is a bonus.

The decision to accept Oakland’s offer was also based on the fact they did not draft any linebackers, which gives him a better chance of making the team.

Western head coach Robin Ross said having the chance to choose the team that presents the best opportunity for playing time is one of the advantages of being a free agent.

Preseason games will be a pivotal time for Simmons because that is when he will have the chance to show the Raiders what he is capable of in game situations, Ross said.

With veteran starters usually playing no more than one quarter of each preseason game, rookies are given the opportunity to showcase their talent.

For two years, Ross was the linebacker coach for the Oakland Raiders. He said the team has always emphasized speed at that position, which Simmons possesses.

Simmons ran a 4.58 second 40-yard dash in front of scouts from the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots March 13 at Western’s turf field.

“His goal was to get an opportunity to play in the NFL, and now he’s got that,” Ross said.

Former Western teammate Taylor Wade said Simmons has all the physical tools to succeed in any level of football, but his determination is what sets him apart.

Getting NFL teams to take a chance on a Division II player is difficult, but Simmons always worked hard and put in the extra effort to show he was capable of competing at the professional level, Wade said.

“He played the game like he was playing for a higher goal,” Wade said.

With all of this anticipation finally behind him, Simmons will now be able to focus on the future, Wade said.

Simmons will be in California May 8-11 attending the Raiders first mini-camp. Mini-camp is a time when new players get to meet the coaching staff and participate in drills.

At the end of camp, Simmons will return to Washington, where he will remain until mid-June when he moves Oakland to pursue his dreams.

“It’s time to move on to the next chapter of my life and try to make a football team,” Simmons said.

2008 Season - Day 3 - LB - Malik Jackson

Malik Jackson, Linebacker, Louisville.

Malik Jackson Class: Senior Hometown: Dunwoody, Ga. High School: Dunwoody Height / Weight: 6-2 / 230 Position: LB Birthdate: 06/10/1985

At Louisville: Finally realized his talent and had a huge season... earned All-League honors... showed a knack for getting to the quarterback and always being around the football.

2006: Named second team All-BIG EAST... started 13 games at linebacker... third on the team in tackles with 57... ranked second in the BIG EAST in sacks and second in tackles for loss... led the team in sacks (9.0) and tackles for loss (16.0)... recorded four tackles and two tackles for loss in the Orange Bowl... also registered a sack and forced and recovered a fumble... forced a fumble against Connecticut... registered six tackles and a sack versus Pittsburgh... recorded eight tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks against South Florida... recorded four tackles and one for a loss versus Rutgers... returned a fumble 13 yards for a touchdown against West Virginia... also recorded five tackles and a sack... tallied a career-high nine tackles and a sack versus Cincinnati... registered eight tackles and three tackles for loss against Middle Tennessee... recorded three tackles and 10-yard sack versus Miami.

2005: Appeared in 12 games... recorded a career-best 30 tackles... made his first career start against North Carolina... recorded four tackles against the Tar Heels... tallied a career-best seven tackles in a win over Oregon State... recorded two tackles versus Kentucky.

2004: Appeared in 11 games, mainly on special teams... recorded eight tackles... recorded a career-high three tackles in 52-21 win over Army... registered two tackles in win over Cincinnati.

Before Louisville: Extremely physical, hard-hitting defensive back ... three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Dunwoody High School ... logged 93 tackles, including 65 solo stops, two tackles for loss and four forced fumbles as a senior when he earned All-Region and second-team All-County honors ... clocked at 4.45 in the 40... son of Romona and Anthony Jackson... born 6/10/85... sports administration major.

2008 Season - Day 3 - Rankin

Louis Rankin, Running Back from Washington.
"I really didn't have an idea what was going to happen, but after the fifth round, I was hoping I didn't get drafted so I could be a free agent and decide where I wanted to go," Rankin told the Stockton Record. He reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, the fastest among a group of players who worked out for the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month. Rankin ran for 1,294 yards as a senior for the Huskies and was the first Washington running back to top 1,000 yards in 10 years. Rankin ran for six touchdowns and caught passes for two more. He returned 40 kickoffs for 976 yards and one touchdown last season. The Raiders haven't returned a kickoff or punt for a touchdown since Dec. 28, 2003.
2007: Had, by nearly any measure, the best season by a Husky tailback since 1997 ... became the first 1,000-yard rusher at Washington since Rashaan Shehee in 1997, passing the 1,000-yard mark in the season's 11th game (thus not benefitting from the extra games to pass the milestone) ... earned second-team All-Pac-10 ... named team's MVP (as voted by his teammates) and was a team captain ... 1,294 yards ranked fifth in UW history ... only third UW runner ever to post two 200-yard games in a career (both of them came in 2007 season) ... 2,396 all-purpose yds. ranked second in UW history ... ranks second in Pac-10 in all-purpose yards, fourth in rushing and sixth in kick returns ... rushed for 72 yards on 23 carries vs. Washington State, when he also had 89-yard TD on opening kickoff return ... rushed for 224 yards on 21 carries vs. California, the eighth-highest single-game total in UW history ... had a career game at Stanford, rushing for 255 yards and one touchdown on 36 carries ... 255 yards were fourth-most in UW single-game history while 36 carries tied for fourth ... 20 carries for 60 yards at Oregon St. ... great game at Syracuse: 17 carries, 147 yards and 3 touchdowns ... scored on runs of 13, 47 and 20 yards vs. Orange ... posted 100 or more yards in the season opener in third straight season ... 17 carries for 45 yards vs. Boise State, when he also passed for a 16-yard TD ... 11 carries for 80 yards with 147 yards on kickoff returns at Arizona State ... 73 yards on 11 carries and a 43-yard TD reception vs. Oregon ... 16 carries for 70 yards rushing and four receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown receiving vs. Arizona ... named the Pac-10 Player of the Week after the Stanford and Cal games ... named the UW's offensive team MVP after four times (Syracuse, Arizona State, Stanford, Cal) and the special teams MVP after the Ohio State and Washington State games ... invited to participate in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge ... finalist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sports Star of the Year Award.

2006: Won the Husky Fever 12th Man (offense) award at the team's postseason banquet ... played in all 12 games at tailback ... started vs. Arizona State and Oregon ... led the Huskies in rushing with 666 yards on 142 carries, an average of 4.7 yards per rush ... shared the team lead with four rushing touchdowns ... finished the season ranked eighth in the Pac-10 in rushing at 55.5 yards per game ... also fourth on the team (and first among non-wide receivers) in receiving with 13 catches for 75 yards ... posted three 100-yard rushing games during the season ... opened the year rushing for 145 yards and two touchdowns on only 10 carries vs. San Jose State ... scored on runs of 34 and 68 yards vs. the Spartans ... followed that with a 17-carry, 112-yard game at Oklahoma ... ran for 118 yards on 17 carries at Washington State, including a 77-yard touchdown run, the Huskies' longest play from scrimmage all season ... also scored an eight-yard touchdown in the Apple Cup ... rushed for 63 yards and caught two passes in win at Arizona ... rushed for 88 yards on 22 carries at Cal ... ran for 67 yards vs. Arizona State, when he also caught a season-high six passes for 46 yards ... won the UW's Pepsi Player of the Week Award after the Washington State win.

2005: Started the first seven games of he year before being sidelined with a toe injury ... rushed for 112 yards in first-career start vs. Air Force ... is the first UW back since Corey Dillon (1996) to top 100 yards in his starting debut ... average of 4.7 yards per carry in 2005 was highest by UW back with at least 100 carries since 2001 ... also caught seven passes for 54 yards ... was the first UW back since Rich Alexis (2004) with three 100-yard games in one season ... ironically, Alexis also appeared in only the first seven games that year ... set a new career high with 115 yards on 19 carries vs. Idaho ... scored his first career touchdown on 48-yard run vs. the Vandals ... ran 18 times for 109 yards at UCLA ... also had a 50-yard touchdown run called back against the Bruins for holding.

2004: Appeared in eight games, including each of the final six ... was a regular on special teams as a kick returner ... saw first career game action at Notre Dame, gaining 25 yards on five carries ... returned kicks last five games of the year ... had a 53-yard kick return at Oregon, longest of the year by a Husky ... also had a 46 yard kickoff return vs. California. 2003: Redshirted the season ... received the Bob Jarvis Award as Offensive Scout Squad MVP following the season ... also earned a weekly scout-squad MVP honor, for his work prior to UW's win over Oregon State.

HIGH SCHOOL & PERSONAL: Parents are Cliff and Wendy Smith ... scored 41 touchdowns as a senior to rank second in California ... 41 touchdowns was top mark ever for Stockton prep player and fifth best mark by a San Joaquin Section player ... 34 of Rankin's touchdowns came on the ground ... rushed for 2,245 yards ... 14 receptions led to five scores and 272 yards .... also scored twice on kick returns ... first-team all-state pick by CalHi Sports as a multi-purpose player ... team was 12-2 his senior season and won the San Joaquin League for the second consecutive season ... reached the championship game of the Division I playoffs ... team was 11-2 his junior season ... one of 10 finalists for the Cal-Hi Sports California Mr. Football player of the year award ... also a member of the Trojans' basketball and track teams ... named to PrepStar's All-West Region team. Louis Rankin's uncle is former NFL receiver Webster Slaughter. Slaughter played for five teams in the NFL from 1986-98.

2008 Season - Day 3 - Hahn

Matt Hahn, Fullback from Penn State.

Matt Hahn is beloved by Penn State faithful fans. He is a hard-nosed, blue collar, team first player. A highly recruited halfback out of high school, he was converted to fullback. He never complained and rarely carried the ball. While at Penn State, he carried the ball 30 times in four years and had 27 catches. Hahn measures in at 6′0, 236 lbs and is coming off of a knee injury suffered in the middle of his Senior year. Thought to be more of an H-back, he can play fullback or tight end. He looks at blocking the same as scoring touchdowns, and is selfless for the good of the team. The knee injury was serious, though I couldn’t find which ligament(s) were torn. Added note of interest, while perusing the Penn State athletic site looking for more information about Hahn’s knee injury, I found a Stefen Wisniewski. Seems his dad, Leo and his uncle Steve (yes, our Steve) both attended Penn State as well. His nickname is ‘The Wiz’ and he was an Army All American before signing to play with Penn State. If you think you’ll have a hard time watching Chris Long, wait until ‘The Wiz’ II comes out in the draft. He plays guard. Is it a coincidence the Raiders signed Hahn, a FB coming off of a serious knee injury with little or no stats? Hmmm, if this kid works out I guess we have an idea who to thank.

Matt Hahn was having one of his best days carrying the ball for Penn State, with 43 yards on five carries against Indiana last Oct. 20. But on his final carry, a 14-yard gain in the fourth quarter, Hahn tore his right ACL, ending his college career. The 6-foot, 236-pound fullback knew being drafted into the NFL was a long shot, but the injury derailed any hopes at all of his being selected. It did not, however, deter him from continuing to pursue a pro football career. After an arduous rehab process, Hahn was signed by the Oakland Raiders yesterday as an undrafted free agent. "I'm blessed that my opportunity came right away," said the Dix Hills product, who played for St. Anthony's. "I'm surprised how quickly it happened. The Raiders liked my film and gave me a chance. It couldn't have worked out better for me. I'm in a good spot."Hahn, who turned 23 Friday, participated at pro day last month on a limited basis. He took the Wonderlic test, did bench-press reps and spoke with several coaches. "It was tough to stay positive," he said. "It was easy in the beginning because I was still around my [college] teammates. Then you see guys getting ready for pro day and you can't do anything and it got frustrating. I was getting some positive feedback, but some teams weren't interested at all. I just had to continue my rehab." Hahn, who rushed for 3,920 yards for St. Anthony's, said he can run, jump and cut right now, six months after surgery. He will attend the Raiders' rookie camp May 8 and expects to be fine because there will not be any contact. He said the knee is 95 percent at the moment and that he expects to be fully recovered for the start of training camp in July. Hahn is lifting weights and doing agility drills. The process of rehabbing the knee has tapered off to a half-hour per day.
Hahn's contributions to a football team can't be completely measured in stats. He opens holes for running backs and catches passes out of the backfield. He was a key part of Penn State's offense, and although fullback isn't a glamorous position, he embraces the role. "You have to be a guy without a big ego," he said. "You put personal accolades on the back burner. You let other people get the credit. I know I can play in the NFL. Now I have to prove it."

2008 Season - Day 3 - Knapp

Coach Knapp Interview
Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp spoke with the media in the press room at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility at the conclusion of the 2008 NFL Draft and discussed the offensive prospects the Raiders selected, QB JaMarcus Russell. and more.

Q: What about the people who look at the running backs here and say, ‘Oh my goodness.’ Is it kind of one of those things where it is a nice problem to have?

Raiders Offensive Coordinator Greg Knapp: It is. My background from being in the league is that you need more than one; you need two for sure and probably three. Last year was a case and example, we went through three guys at the running back spot. There is no doubt you need a definite combination because the season is so long and now the game is so physical because the defensive side has got much faster, stronger and quicker. So, you can’t have enough backs in my opinion. This kid’s versatility is just unbelievable watching the things he has done from quarterback and outside; catching the ball out of the backfield, not to mention the running back himself and so to me it made a lot of sense when you have a guy with that kind of ability that even though we had some quality guys already in place; it is just a great weapon to have.

Q: Can you draw any comparisons to him with any other players you have coached or coached against?

Knapp: No, he is unique to me in my experiences. His homerun ability is very unique from what I have seen on the college tape and hopefully that will transfer over to the pros as well. What does make it even more so is that ability to move him around and put him in different places.

Q: Was it important to add speed at wide receiver?

Knapp: You bet. We definitely wanted to increase the speed. Chaz and Arman…one ran a 4.41 and one a 4.42 (40-yard dash) and they really can stretch the field and with Chaz you get a 6’4’’ guy, a big target for the quarterbacks to throw to. With Arman you get a little more experience.

Q: How much of a project is Chaz? You look at what he did in this pro day and Arman as well, but he wasn’t getting a ton of national interest. Is that because he is going to take a little time to get adjusted?

Knapp: I don’t know. Sometimes the guy is from a program that maybe wasn’t exposed as much, just didn’t get that exposure to bolt them higher in the draft and they go to the right place that has the right fit that allows that guy to grow faster. That’s kind of how we see him fitting in with us. He is going to be a really good fit for what we do on offense, so he may grow faster than maybe his draft round was for him.

Q: So many quality defensive lineman at the top of the draft, do you as a coordinator get greedy when you see that one homerun hitter?

Knapp: Heck yeah! Ultimately it is what’s best for the team, but when you got a guy on the board that gives you that kind of potential that every time he touches the ball he could go the distance, yeah, I would be lying to you if I said you don’t get a little greedy sometimes, but ultimately what’s best the team is what counts because that is what makes this game great. It is a team sport.

Q : What was it that you guys saw in [Kwame Harris]?

Knapp: I was in San Francisco the year he got drafted and really liked what I saw in his athletic ability, his smarts and power. He is an excellent run blocker. His power in the run game is outstanding and his protection is good. We just have to develop some of the techniques to be more consistent.

Q: From what you have seen with WR Javon Walker, do you think he could be at the level where he was at the All-Star level?

Knapp: Yes, definitely. His progress has been excellent and what I have found is that guys like that, that have already reached a certain status - and I was with him at the Pro Bowl back in ’04, when he went there for Green Bay - they have something to prove now and they got a little hunger and they get a little fire. He is going to make it exciting for us because he is that determined and the pros who are like that you want around because he is going to make it show to everybody, ‘Hey, I wasn’t done. Here I am again.’ He is doing it right now in the off season.

Q: What do you know look for in the guys that didn’t get drafted, free agents?

Knapp: Yeah, It’s more based on what our needs are. What are our open slots? We have done a great job. Our personnel department, and front office in conjunction with the coaching staff have filled the needs whether it be through free agency or our draft. One of those slots may be a quarterback. We only have two proven guys on the roster right now. The fullback situation, we only have two on the roster right now. So we are going to look at our needs to fill the rest of the roster spots.

Q: What has JaMarcus done this off-season? How much has he progressed?

Knapp: Because we are not allowed to do team settings it is hard to tell, but as far as the classroom goes he is done a great job. He has been meeting with me for an hour and 45 minutes on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday since March 10th. We have been on the field an hour on those same respective days and to see the progress of the footwork and the correlation that we are getting in the classroom as far as quizzing and taking the tests. We give him a study guide each week to take home and bring back. The quizzes we give him in the classroom, he really has progressed and it’s exciting to see. The time we get to spend now really wiring the guy’s brain on how to really play the position and our offense is during this time. We have seen great strides in the classroom and in the individual stuff and now we hope to see it carry over to [Organized Team Activities] when we start practice.

Q: For these quizzes do you grade him?

Knapp: No, a lot of it would be like right now I would throw, in the middle of watching a play, ‘what would be your progression right here? What is your footwork? Who is your first read on defense?’ And obviously the feedback I get, ‘oh that’s good, he is stepping that much quicker.’ Some of the things he has brought up to us really has impressed me, like when we started this off-season back in March; we showed something on the board and he goes, ‘Well why did you ask me that question coach? That is the question you asked me before my Pro Day at LSU.’ And he is exactly right. That is exciting because if he has that kind of recall on a night that was very important to him a year ago way before the draft, than you know he is into it and he really wants to become a better quarterback.

Q: What does John Wade do for you? What does he bring to the table?

Knapp: Great experience, 10 years in the NFL, very familiar with our protection schemes. He has to learn the terminology, but the same types of reads will be applied with what he was running at Tampa Bay and just knowledge of the run game. He did some of the stuff that we did, not as much as we do here but he does seem to be a quick learner from what we are finding out from offensive line coach Tom Cable and their classroom meetings and on the field.

2008 Season - Day 3 - Ryan

Coach Ryan Interview
Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan spoke with the media in the press room at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility at the conclusion of the 2008 NFL Draft and discussed the two defensive prospects the Raiders selected, off-season acquisitions and more.

Q: Tyvon Branch is a fast guy and hard hitter. How do you use a guy like this right away?

Raiders Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan: We think he’s going to be a safety for us. He’s a good, solid player. You talk about his versatility and that jumps off the tapes when you watch him. He’s a hard-hitting young man who’s really fun to watch. We’ve seen about every game they played this year and really we’re excited about him. I know our special teams coach Brian Schneider is real excited about his return ability also.

Q: With a guy like that, do you just watch a tape and say that guy could be a safety or do you talk to his old coaches about what that transition would be like?

Ryan: We do all the research there is and talk to his coaches. We want to find out as much information about a young man as possible. The two guys that we picked on defense are both real solid character people and guys that we think are real serious about football. We’re excited about them. Both of them have redeeming qualities and we really like the way that young man hits. It’s fun to see a guy throw his body around and tackling. We know we had an issue there and we’re looking to upgrade and we did that with that pick.

Q: With only two years in playing defense…Trevor Scott. Where is he in terms of learning that and do you see a lot of potential because if it?

Ryan: Yeah that’s the thing when you see that young man. You do see potential and a guy that, to me, is getting stronger every day. You see his even his weight is going up. His strength is going up every day. It’s interesting he moved from tight end where he was obviously a good player for two years but really took off with pretty good production as a defensive end.

Q: Is he playing only on the right end or does he go back and forth?

Ryan: We’ve seen him at both. He played in the All-Star game where my father coached. Fortunately, they got clipped at the end in a nail biter but this guy is a good, talented young guy and I know Keith Millard will really make something special out of him.

Q: Branch had the best 40-[yard dash time] at the combine for a cornerback and even Scott has a pretty impressive 40 time for a defensive end. Is speed really a focal point of this draft?

Ryan: I think in the National Football League, speed is always huge. It’s so important. That’s the difference between saving touchdowns on defense and making touchdowns on offense. We got two excellent prospects that can run. They are good, solid young players but the thing we like about them is both of them can run and both of them are very talented.

Q : How do you feel going into the season with Terdell Sands. and Tommy Kelly.?

Ryan: I think we have very talented defensive tackles here. I think the first thing is we have to fundamentally work on our tackling, which we are going to address. There are a couple things in our scheme that we are getting fixed. We’re tired of watching tape, we can’t wait to get back at it. Obviously moving Tommy Kelly. inside is going to be huge for us. Also, Gerard Warren is out here working every single day. We’re excited about those tackles. No question about it.

Q: Is Trevor Scott a defensive end because as some people have projected him as an outside linebacker?

Ryan: No, he is a defensive end. Maybe those were 3-4 teams or whatever. He does have that outstanding speed so I could see how people would project him there. We see Trevor as a developing defensive end.

Q: When you look at Scott and you know that he’s had only two years as a defensive end. Can you watch film and see that he’s been able to get past guys because he’s got that great speed and maybe the technique you’ll work on when you get him?

Ryan: Oh yeah, you can tell when you look at him. He’s a little bit green obviously with playing two years at the position. Guys can make great leaps when you take them and mold them and teach them technique and I think this guy is going to ascend. I think this guy is a good player right now even before we get him and we are looking forward to developing him and watching him grow.

Q: How hard were you pushing for that DeAngelo Hall trade and what does he do to your defense as a whole?

Ryan: DeAngelo Hall, when I see him I get a swagger. I get an excitement and I feel good about it. It’s his attitude and everything about him says you just can’t wait for the season. You can really feel good about what you have in front of you when you see the eyes of DeAngelo and what he brings to the table. I’m just a coach but I’m excited because I know what he’s going to bring and I know what it’s going to be for us on defense.

Q: Two guys that came in this off-season but not a lot of people have talked about are DT William Joseph and DE Kalimba Edwards. What do have there?

Ryan: I think we have two guys in my mind that are proven players that we’re excited about. It’s not every day that you can add players that have been in the league and have been successful in this league. We added two fine players here.

2008 Season - Day 3

Monday

Rookie Free Agents Signed.

Derrick Brown, CB, Southern Utah
Brown is a four year letterman in track and field and also in football. Three-year deal with a $2,500 signing bonus. 6'1 185.


Chris Wagner, TE, South Dakota.

2008 Season - Day 2 - Schilens

226th overall.
Chaz Schilens, wide receiver from San Diego State.
4.39 at 208.

More imposing than productive, Schilens never had more than 35 catches in a season in his college career. Some teams looked at him as a potential H-back should he put on weight, but the Raiders see him as an outside or slot threat who is not only bigger than most of the player she faces but also has run the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds. Very raw, Schilens could end up on the practice squad, assuming Shields sticks on the roster.

BIGTIME POTENTIAL - NFL ALL PRO!!!
SPEED-n-SIZE
sub 4.4 @ 6'4
Final three games of college career: 22 receptions, 495 yards, 1 td.
(vs Air Force, TCU, BYU - nearly 50% of teams passing offense)

Measured a height of 6-foot-3 7/8 and a weight of 208 pounds at his Pro Day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds and 4.39 seconds, the short shuttle in 4.14 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.82 seconds. He measured a 43-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-3 broad jump and completed 16 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press.

A prototype wideout, who is a two-year starter ... Has 34 receptions in each of the last two seasons ... Has at least one catch in 17 of his last 18 games.

2006: Started all 12 games at wideout ... Second on the team in receptions (34) and receiving yards (483) ... First in yards per catch (14.2) ... Caught six passes for 67 yards with a long of 20 yards versus UTEP ... Two catches, including one for 25 yards, at Wisconsin ... One reception for 26 yards (season-long) against Utah ... Limited to just one catch for five yards at San Jose State ... Matched a then career long with a 40-yard reception at BYU, ending the afternoon with four grabs for 77 yards ... First touchdown of the year on a career-long 49-yard reception against Air Force ... Five receptions for 69 yards in the loss to Cal Poly ... Caught a career-long 60-yard pass for a touchdown at Wyoming ... Three catches versus UNLV ... Failed to log a catch for the first time in the last 16 games at TCU ... Rebounded with a season-high seven receptions for 56 yards at New Mexico.

2005: The team's starting flanker, who also saw action on special teams, recording six tackles ... Played in all 12 games, starting seven times ... First career 100-yard receiving game at Hawai'i, logging eight catches for 119 yards and a touchdown ... Career-long of 41 yards in the third quarter against the Warriors ... Six catches for 85 yards, including his first career TD (20 yards), at Colorado State... Also made a then career-long 22-yard catch against the Rams. .. Three catches against TCU, Ohio State and Air Force ... Four catches for 42 yards at Utah ... Logged his first career reception in the third quarter of the UCLA game ... Ended up with a pair of catches for 25 yards versus the Bruins.

2004: Did not catch a pass as a freshman, but saw spot duty in three games.

2003: Redshirted his first year on campus.

High School: An all-region pick in Arizona as a free safety and receiver ... Caught 35 passes for 648 yards ... Recorded 53 tackles with six interceptions on the defensive side ... Credited with four pass break-ups and caused three fumbles ... Also earned four varsity letters in baseball and was an all-region selection as an outfielder ... An invitee to the Arizona state all-star football game ... Was drafted in the 34th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers out of high school.

Personal: Born Nov. 7, 1985, in Lancaster, Calif. ... Son of Tim and Kim Schilens ... An anthropology major.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3w92pPUDL8

Analysis

Positives: His frame can carry at least another 15 pounds of bulk...Not flashy, but is a steady effort type, a tireless worker with a team-first attitude...Adjusts smoothly to the off-target throws...Has the explosive burst needed to gain separation after the catch...Does not shy away from the crowd, using his hands well to force his way through traffic...Plants and drives sharply on deep routes, showing good knee bend and weave, along with the ability to make adjustments on the move to get under the throw without breaking stride...Has the lateral agility to shake free of press coverage at the line of scrimmage...Very effective on vertical-type routes, showing elusive moves to the corner, doing a nice job of working to uncover and find the open area...Can adjust his frame to scoop up the low tosses and has good reach and extension going after the off-target throws...Can create space with his acceleration and knows how to drive toward the sidelines in clock management...Flashes to the ball with his hands properly extended and never hesitates going over the middle for the ball...Shows the athletic ability to adjust to the ball and take it away from the defender...Has a keen knowledge for moving the chains, knowing how to stay uncovered once the coverage spreads...Displays the speed to find the end zone when he catches the ball in stride...Does a good job of catching the ball away from his body.

Negatives: Comes out of his stance a little slow, showing hesitation before getting into gear a few steps past the line (has some hip stiffness)...Not very quick in and out of his cuts and will revert to rounding them at times...While he can catch very effectively with his hands extended, he tends to cradle-catch the ball at times...Needs to show better sideline awareness, as he tends to struggle keeping his feet inbounds...Struggles at times to adjust to the defenders, running into them rather than looking for ways to avoid...Has to secure the ball better before turning upfield after the catch...Has to get more aggressive with his hands to prevent the initial tackler from making the hit at the point of the catch.

Compares To: DREW BENNETT-St. Louis...Schilens has impressive athletic ability. He has good knee bend and weave for a player his size and you really have to like the way he goes after the ball. He's a natural hands catcher, but is prone to concentration lapses, which will frustrate a coach with the passes he leaves on the ground. For a player with such impressive timed speed, he is forever slow getting off the line.

Injury Report

2007: Missed the Portland State (9/22), Cincinnati (9/29), Colorado State (10/06) and Utah (10/13) games with a foot stress fracture.

2008 Season - Day 2 - Scott

169th overall.
Trevor Scott, defensive lineman from Buffalo.
4.62 at 256.
V. Gholston 4.58 at 266.
A. Studebaker 4.61 at 251.
H. Taylor 4.57 at 244.
B. Wilson 4.56 at 249.
Just OK as a tight end at Buffalo, Scott moved to defense and had 19 sacks in two seasons helping a moribund program get five wins in 2007. Wowed scouts during a pro day workout with his 4.54 40-yard dash. His tapes showed a good motor and a zest for getting to the quarterback. He is coming to a team with just one proven pass rusher in Derrick Burgess. Trevor Scott of Potsdam was taken by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, an overall 169th pick. At 6′5, 258 lbs., Trevor said a woman called from the Oakland Raiders and said congratulations, welcome to the Oakland Raiders. “I said are you kidding me? It’s an indescribable feeling,” he said. He became the first University at Buffalo player selected in the NFL draft since 2000. Two years ago, Scott was a tight end with nine career receptions when he was converted to defensive end because then first-year coach Turner Gill had little depth at the position. Nineteen sacks later, Scott is a member of the Raiders, the first team Scott visited during the offseason. “I wasn’t expecting anything,” Scott said. “That way if I didn’t get drafted I wouldn’t feel down. I didn’t get my hopes up, but at the same time I wanted to be drafted and I stayed cool about the whole thing. I wasn’t even watching the draft.” Instead, Scott’s parents and brothers watched the draft unfold while he watched movies and took long drives near his home in Potsdam. “I watched Gladiators and 300,” he said. “You know, guy movies.” Scott was sitting in an easy chair when a Raiders secretary called and informed him he had been selected. “She called and told me they were going to take me in the draft as a Raider and I started freaking out,” he said. Then Scott spoke with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and defensive line coach Keith Millard. “We told you we liked you,” they told Scott, “did you think we were playing?”

2008 Season - Day 2 - Shields

125th overall.
This was the result of a trade. For former first round choice, corner back, Fabian Washington. Dealt to the Baltimore Ravens. In the Baltimore Ravens' estimation, speedy Oakland Raiders reserve cornerback Fabian Washington was superior to any incoming rookie at his position during the second day of the NFL draft. So, the Ravens traded a fourth-round draft pick (125th overall) to Oakland for Washington in order to alleviate a pressing need in the secondary. He could eventually push Samari Rolle for a starting job and will be a strong candidate to be the nickel back. "Hopefully, he will come in and compete," general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "I think that's what makes our team as good as it is. In our division, they throw three wide receivers at you in a hurry."

Oakland traded up in the draft three years ago to take Washington with the 23rd overall pick. He started 11 games as a rookie and played very well his second season before losing his starting job to Stanford Routt early last season. Washington had five interceptions and 28 passes defensed in his three seasons in Oakland. Although Washington was the fastest player at the 2005 NFL scouting combine with a 4.29 time in the 40-yard dash prior to being picked in the first round with the 23rd overall pick, he lost his starting job to Stanford Routt after the third game last season and became even more expendable with the offseason trade for Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall. "We have been talking with the Raiders about Fabian Washington even before they made the trade for DeAngelo Hall," Newsome said. "He's very excited. The thing is guys know about our defense and their play gets elevated when they come to Baltimore. They realize that they have to take their play to another level. "That's how he felt on the phone. That allows us to have a veteran player who has started games in the NFL, brings more depth to our secondary, an area where we felt like in the draft we didn't think there was any other player favorable to Fabian." Washington, 24, arrives with some off-field baggage, though. He was arrested in February for domestic battery in an incident involving his 21-year-old girlfriend. Last week, he found out that he would be allowed to avoid prosecution if he completes a 26-week intervention program for first-time offenders and stays out of trouble. "As far as the domestic charge, I spoke to him today about that," Newsome said. "Based on the information that we have at this point and what he's undergoing, I don't think at this point there can be any league discipline, but that's not for me to say. That's for the league to make that determination." Washington, 24, was arrested at his home in East Manatee County, Fla., after a responding police officer noticed a red mark on the neck of his girlfriend. "I observed slight red marks on the victim's neck," the arresting officer wrote in the report after responding to her 911 call. Washington pleaded not guilty to the charge, denying that the altercation became physical. His girlfriend later said that she didn't want him prosecuted. There's still a pending paternity lawsuit to determine if Washington is the father of his girlfriend's infant daughter. Washington has had his issues on the field, too. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder reportedly lost confidence after being burnt repeatedly by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson in December 2006. In three wide receiver sets last season, quarterbacks repeatedly went after Washington. The upside with Washington is his rare speed and the fact that he'll be coached by Chuck Pagano, his secondary coach in Oakland. He's also under contract through 2009 with base salaries of $750,000 this season and $1.515 million next year. Washington, who has 112 career tackles, 24 pass deflections and five interceptions, has to report to Baltimore to take his physical in the next few days. The Ravens have been high on Washington ever since his days as a three-time All-Big 12 selection at Nebraska and considered trading back for him if they had been unable to pick Oklahoma wide receiver Mark Clayton. "If Mark would have gotten picked that year, we already had some trades set to move back," Newsome said. "Fabian would have been one of the players we would have targeted."

.....Pick?

Arman Shields, wide receiver from Richmond
4.41 at 194.

Of top 101 rated receivers, 6 ran a faster time - all in the 4.32 to 4.39 range.
A. Caldwell 4.39 at 204.
W. Franklin 4.39 at 214.
C. Schilens 4.39 at 208.
G. Bracey 4.32 at 201.
A knee injury which required surgery caused Shields to miss 10 games, but great workout numbers at the combine convinced the Raiders he was an athlete which could be added to the receiving corps, joining newcomers Javon Walker and Drew Carter and holdover Ronald Curry. Shields is considered a strong run-after-the-catch player and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp loves his ability to go up and get the ball. Shields had 12 catches in the season opener against Vanderbilt last year before missing most of the rest of the season with a knee injury. Shields had 160 catches for 1,930 yards and 13 touchdowns in his college career. Arman Shields knew what he was waiting for -- that draft day phone call hopeful players are told about, the one that will change their lives and mark the completion of a dream. For Shields, that began when he was just 6 years old. But before any phone rang in the Shields house just outside of College Park, the Richmond wide receiver who attended Gonzaga saw his picture pop up on the TV screen, and the crawl displayed he was a fourth-round pick, 125th overall, by the Oakland Raiders. He had no warning, but there the dream was -- he was a professional football player. Shields, one of 11 players with local ties to be selected in the final five rounds of the NFL draft, immediately began to cry. Then the call came. "We've been trying to call you for a while now," an Oakland representative said before passing Shields on to Raiders coaches. "But your phone was always busy." Shields laughed as he recounted the conversation, still in disbelief. He hadn't been on his phone all day, he told the Raiders, but rather intently staring at it. "When I saw my face I was shocked," Shields said. "Was it really there? You try to think about how you'll react, but it wasn't anything like I expected it to be." But the draft process had never been anything like Shields expected. After missing all but one game of his senior season because of a torn posterior cruciate ligament, the 6-foot-1, 194-pound Shields attracted significant attention as a top performer among receivers in every workout evaluation at the draft combine, earning the most attention for his 4.44 average in the 40-yard dash. Oakland "always showed a lot of interest in me," Shields said. "I had one strike against me coming from a non-traditional football school, then another when I got hurt. But my family, my dad, always told me to keep dreaming, and now I'll be wearing black and silver. All of the hard work really does pay off." Shields joins an Oakland's receiving corps that's no stranger to injury -- Ronald Curry, Javon Walker and Drew Carter all have missed time because of knee or foot problems -- but the Raiders are looking to give quarterback JaMarcus Russell more options.

2007: Preseason All-CAA Football selection.

2006: Second Team All-Atlantic 10 selection... Second Team All-Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) selection... Started 10 games (missed the season-finale with an injury)... Reeled in a career-high five touchdown passes on the season... Was ranked 47th in the country (fifth in the A-10) with 64.3 receiving yards/game... Shields was also ranked 29th nationally (seventh in the A-10) with 5.4 receptions/game... In Richmond's season-opening 13-0 win at Duke, Shields caught five passes for 69 yards and a touchdown... He broke off a career-best 41-yard kick off return against Delaware... He also caught seven passes for 83 yards versus the Blue Hens... Caught two touchdown passes and collected 124 yards receiving in a late-season game at Villanova... Hauled eight passes in each of Richmond's final three games of the season.

2005: Helped an offense which scored 349 points on the season, second-most all-time at Richmond... Was part of an offense which averaged 381.3 yards a game, ranking 41st in the country... Helped the Spiders to a total of 4,957 yards on the season, most-ever in Spider football history... Recorded five 100+ yard receiving games, the first Spider to break the century mark five times in a season since Rod Boothes did it six times in 1992... Hauled in 62 catches for 842 yards and four touchdowns... His 62 catches ranked third on the Richmond all-time single-season reception list... His 842 yards were sixth-best in a single-season at Richmond... Garnered a 14-catch game in the Spiders' double-overtime win over Hofstra, the third highest single-game total in Spider history and the most since Walker Gillette's 20-catch game in 1968.

2004: Played in 10 games, starting three... Second on team with 30 receptions and 320 receiving yards... Tied for team lead with four receiving touchdowns... Five catches for 80 yards and two scores against James Madison (Oct. 23)... Season-high seven catches for 81 yards at Hofstra (Oct. 30)... Season-long 50-yard reception against the Pride.

2003: Redshirted.

High School: Earned All-Conference honors after leading his team to its first conference championship under head coach Kenny Lucas in 2002... Made 26 receptions for 350 yards and five touchdowns as a senior... Recorded 22 tackles, four pass break-ups and one interception for the Conference's top-ranked defense... Also helped lead the track team to a conference title.

Personal: Son of Beverly and Bartie Shields... Born July 10, 1985.

Overview

Standout lower level prospect who was invited to the NFL Combine despite missing all but the first game of the 2007 season due to a knee injury. Shields will have to prove his knee has healed to have any shot at getting drafted, of course, but when healthy he has shown the combination of size, strength, burst, straight-line speed and reliable hands to surprise at the next level - just as the last Spider to earn an invitation to the Combine (veteran linebacker Shawn Barber) has.

High School

Earned All-Conference honors after leading his team to its first conference championship under head coach Kenny Lucas in 2002... Made 26 receptions for 350 yards and five touchdowns as a senior... Recorded 22 tackles, four pass break-ups and one interception for the Conference's top-ranked defense... Also helped lead the track team to a conference title.

Analysis

Positives: Lanky frame with room for additional growth. ... Has the straight-line speed to challenge deep and is able to generate consistent separation from defenders due to his burst out of his breaks and effective upper body fakes. ... Reliable receiver who catches the ball with his hands. ... Hard-worker who takes his role as a downfield blocker seriously.

Negatives: Has to prove he has recovered from the knee injury that limited him to only one game in 2007 (Vanderbilt). ... Adequate physical tools in all areas, but may lack the special speed or burst to operate effectively against elite competition. ... Marginal quickness off the snap and can be re-routed with physical coverage. ... Struggled tracking passes over his shoulder.

Growing up, who was your favorite NFL player and why?

Jerry Rice because of his work ethic.

In college, what player hit you the hardest? Who was the recipient of your best hit?

Catching the winning touchdown in triple overtime against Hofstra in 2005; Being named the Godfather of my niece.

What TV-show marathon will keep you on the couch all day?

Martin and the Jamie Foxx Show

What are the five most-played songs in your iPod? What's the one song you hope nobody ever finds out is in your iPod?

Any Lil' Wayne song or Sizzla. All of my songs are on point.

What celebrity would play you in the movie version of your life and why?

Denzel Washington because he brings a lot of emotion to the screen.

What is one thing your teammates don't know about you?

They don't know the hard work I put in off the field to make myself better.

What reality TV show would you like to be on and why?

Real World because it looks like a lot of fun.

What's your proudest moment in football? Proudest moment off the field?

They don't know the hard work I put in off the field to make myself better.

When you play Madden, what team do you use? Do you put yourself on the team?

Don't play

Who has been the biggest influence on your football career and how?

My dad for teaching me how to push my body and what hard work is. Coach Toby Settles, he gave me my first knowledge on being a wide out along with drills. Caoch Latrell Scott he made me a smarter player and he also taught me how to push myself at the college level.