Raiders ink Shaughnessy
6'6 253
Last year, we asked the Raiders to put us on the list of press releases announcing player transactions, which are sent out via email to the media.
We were told that the team uses no such service.
We later learned that the Raiders do have such a program, and we were placed on the list.
We've since learned that they rarely if ever use the service to announce player transactions.
And thus no one knew that the Raiders signed third-round pick Matt Shaughnessy five days ago. We've learned that the defensive end inked a four-year deal, which included a signing bonus of $852,250.
The fourth-year salary escalates to the higher of the $1.308 million or the low restricted free agency tender if Shaughnessy participates in 35 percent of the defensive snaps as a rookie, or 45 percent in 2010 or 2011.
Amazingly, no one noticed that the deal was done. Indeed, there was a report that a contract between Shaughnessy and the Raiders was "close" . . . two days after the deal was completed.
We're not sure why the Raiders don't take advantage of these fairly basic opportunities to inject the franchise's brand into the never-ending news cycle. But, then again, some would say that they don't know what the Raiders do many of the things they do.
2009 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:
Defensive End, Wisconsin
Matt Shaughnessy is the type of player that every coach loves to have on their team.
He's not only the hardest worker, he's also extremely talented. Shaughnessy has been incredibly productive during his career at Wisconsin, after taking over a starting role as a sophomore. He's another one of the new breed of college defensive ends. Shaughnessy is small, quick, and hard for big tackles to block. He seems to always be in the backfield disrupting plays, having recorded 33.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in his first three seasons. Shaughnessy might need to add a little bulk to play every down in the NFL. He plays at 253 pounds right now, and if it doesn't affect his speed, could stand to gain 15 to 20 pounds. He is very alert, and makes all the little plays that make a defense great. Shaughnessy is excellent at using his 6'6" frame to bat balls down at the line of scrimmage. He broke up 9 pass attempts during his career when asked to drop into coverage. Shaughnessy had a slow season in 2008, finishing with only 40 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. The Badger senior is probably a third round prospect at this point in time. However, if Shaughnessy can have a productive off season and run a good time at the NFL Combine, he could go as high as the middle of the second round.
Matt Shaughnessy had a solid, but uneventful week at the East-West Shrine Game in January. He made few mistakes during practice, but failed to really wow any coaches either. More than anything, Shaughnessy showed off his non-stop motor to potential employers. During the weekend's game, he recorded 4 tackles, a tackle for loss, and even batted down 2 passes at the line of scrimmage.
Matt Shaughnessy ran slower than expected at the NFL Combine, but because of the unusually slow times all around it may not have hurt his stock too much. He only logged a 4.91 second 40 yard dash time, but coaches will be more interested in his effort and consistency as a pass rusher. He should be drafted in the late third or early fourth round this year.
Overview
Shaughnessy is the kind of player you could envision stepping out on the field in a leather helmet playing for George Halas. He's overcome doubters to prove he can play on the defensive line as a 230-pound freshman, only to start seven games before a late-season knee injury.
As a sophomore, he made a rapid recovery from knee surgery and would start the final 33 games of his career. He continued to battle knee and foot injuries, but when he was counted out, Shaughnessy would just put on his jersey, step on the field and give his coaches more than they could ever ask for from a player.
At Norwich Free Academy, Shaughnessy earned Super Prep All-American honors and was rated one of the top 30 defensive ends in the nation according to Rivals.com. He was rated one of top 35 players in the East by Prep Football Report and named to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association and New Haven Register All-State teams in 2004. He also earned All-Conference and All-Area accolades in each of his three final seasons, adding three more letters in basketball and two in track.
Shaughnessy enrolled at Wisconsin as a 230-pound true freshman in 2005. He earned Freshman All-American recognition and was named All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention. In his first campaign with the Badgers, he collected 39 tackles (20 solos), 2.5 sacks and 7.5 stops for losses before his season came to an end when he suffered a torn ligament in his left knee vs. Iowa, sitting out the last two contests.
As a sophomore, Shaughnessy garnered All-Big Ten Conference second-team honors. He started all year at right defensive end, delivering 35 tackles (19 solo) and eight stops behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks. He also caused and recovered a fumble.
Shaughnessy ranked fourth in the league and 19th nationally, as the team MVP and second-team All-Big Ten pick totaled 18 stops for loss. He was second on the team with five sacks and posted a career-high 60 tackles (41 solo) in 13 games as a junior in 2007. His tackle-for-loss total of 84 yards rank eighth on the school season-record list.
In 2008 spring camp, Shaughnessy suffered a right fibula fracture. Even though he started all year, you could see early in the season that he was still not fully recovered. The All-Big Ten honorable mention managed 40 tackles (29 solo), but did more chasing down the opposing quarterback (10 pressures) than "close the deal" on the passer (four sacks).
High School
Attended Norwich (Ct.) Free Academy, playing football for head coach Steve Robichaud...Earned Super Prep All-American honors and was rated one of the top 30 defensive ends in the nation according to Rivals.com...Rated one of top 35 players in the East by Prep Football Report and named to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association and New Haven Register All-State teams in 2004...Earned All-Conference and All-Area accolades in each of his three final seasons, adding three more letters in basketball and two in track.
Raiders Defensive Ends
Matt Shaughnessy - Jay Richardson - Trevor Scott
Raiders need this trio to rank in the top 14 in the NFL against the run & to achieve a combined minimum of 24 quarterback sacks (with an appropriate ratio of quarterback hurries). It will be recent draft picks such as these three players, who will decide the best case scenario prospects of the Oakland Raiders.
I like the intensity displayed by Trevor Scott in 2008. If Shaughnessy is a comparable player in 2009, then the combo could surprise this year. I expect mighty things.
Stopping the run is a priority, crashing the quarterback is the icing.
In 2009, veteran NFL defensive end Greg Ellis will play alongside these three recent additions.
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