[ThePundit]

I felt they should have taken Leinart. As I've said before, I'm against taking defensive backs that high. Nobody has ever one a Super Bowl because of their cornerback. But a franchise QB is everything.

[thundrwagn]

The Raiders already have Brooks, Tuiasasopo and Walter. They do not need another QB.

With the departure of C-Wood, our secondary has a hole. Huff helps our secondary out because he has the capability to start right away. Leinart, while good, may start, but he is not the mold of Vick or Peyton Manning and would have a very rough rookie year (just like Vick and Manning).

Our issue is the OL. If they get it together this year, our QB is going to be productive and help the team. Walter is the heir to the team. The Raiders do not need him (Leinart). What they need is the secondary, run defense and the OL to step up.

Nuff.

Thundrwagn

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by thundrwagn

The Raiders already have Brooks, Tuiasasopo and Walter. They do not need another QB.

With the departure of C-Wood, our secondary has a hole. Huff helps our secondary out because he has the capability to start right away. Leinart, while good, may start, but he is not the mold of Vick or Peyton Manning and would have a very rough rookie year (just like Vick and Manning).

Our issue is the OL. If they get it together this year, our QB is going to be productive and help the team. Walter is the heir to the team. The Raiders do not need him (Leinart). What they need is the secondary, run defense and the OL to step up.

Nuff.

Thundrwagn

I disagree...Huff is a safety and not a corner...even Al Davis, who believes in the shut down corner as the key to a D, should know that much...

You jsut don't pass on a Leinart, they are not available every draft...and who said anything about startign him?...For that they got Brooks...long term though is upside is much higher than Walters...

By the way, since the Raiders are not going anywhere this year...what's wrong with waiting a year to develop him?

[thundrwagn]

Regarding the Huff secondary opinion. I was not referring that Huff should play CB, I was referring that he should come in the secondary and contribute as a safety. I apologize for not clarifying that.

Regarding developing Leinart for one year. They already have Walter. Art Shell stated that they are perfectly content with the QB's that they currently have and that the pressing issue was making sure the defense had someone that could contribute this year. Art has also said that he would never start a young QB for at least 3 years. The reason would be Rusty Hilger and Todd Marinovich. Regarding the upswing on Leinart is higher than Walter is debateable. Leinart is lefthanded (reminds us of Stabler) and can make quick decisions on the line. Walter has a stronger arm and also can make good decisions on the line. Leinart works well with a West Coast type of offense with high percentage passing in the short to medium range. Walter, though not as skilled, in the short range is actually decent medium range and better long. The Raiders are returning to the vertical game, not west coast which is why they passed up on Leinart and chose Huff.

Now, we can disagree and have an opinion on whether they made an error or not, but I am more inclined to trust in Art and Al's judgment and see if it pays off in December. The offense sputtered because the OL was lost. My belief is that with an improved OL, the QB (most likely Brooks) will be able to make the right decisions and be effective.

Nuffers

Thundrwagn