Question: Do you think the Raider's overall draft picks satisfied many of their needs? Couldn't they have gotten more for Randy Moss? I predict that he will be a star with New England.
- Jerry Schrec, Roseville
Answer: I think the Raiders draft satisfied several needs. I thought the offense had to be addressed at quarterback and tight end, which they did with JaMarcus Russell and Zach Miller. I like the choice of Quentin Moses, a pass rusher who could help immediately. I think he, along with Kevin Huntley from last season, gives the Raiders options off the edge to help out Derrick Burgess.
I also love the Michael Bush selection and a physical safety in Eric Frampton.
As for Moss, the highest I thought they could have gotten for Moss would have been a late third-round choice.
Why? He has been injured each of the last three seasons. He's 30 and a player whose biggest asset was his amazing speed and athleticism. He's at the age where he could lose a step. Several teams didn't double cover him last year, partly because they didn't have to, partly because they wouldn't waste an extra defender on him knowing the Raiders couldn't get him the ball.
And don't forget that in Commissioner Roger Goodell's era of punishing players for their conduct, Moss is still seen as a risk by a lot of executives. What if Moss has another interview and admits to marijuana use "every blue moon" again? That might get him suspended by Goodell.
He might be a star in New England, but it was never going to happen in Oakland. He didn't want to be a Raider and it showed in his play. So if he puts up big numbers for the Patriots, don't thing about what he would have done in Oakland because he wouldn't have done it in Oakland. He has a chance to reach the Super Bowl, which is what he wants. Helping a young team develop isn't on his agenda.
- Jason Jones
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