The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Raiders to hire TV draft expert?
Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on May 3rd, 2007

If the television draft gurus are so good, why aren't they working for NFL teams?

The Raiders apparently think the NFL Network's Mike Mayock is more than a talking head, endlessly spouting the worth of upsides and 3-cone drills.

The word I'm getting is Mayock, who worked for ABC Sports, CBS Sports and Fox Sports Net before becoming Mel Kiper Jr.'s chief competition for the league-run NFL Network, is a serious candidate to become a personnel executive with the Raiders.

Mayock is one of a number of possibilities for what is seen as the inevitable replacement of Mike Lombardi.

Lombardi was involved in a much-publicized rift with Art Shell last season, with the former Raiders coach blaming the personnel man for being the source of anonymous quotes given to various media outlets criticizing the Shell regime in general and offensive coordinator Tom Walsh in particular.

Lombardi retained his position after Shell was fired and was even seen on the field at a recent voluntary minicamp practice. He had been banned from the practice field by Shell and was usually taking a jog around the Raiders facility during practice.

Why did Lombardi survive so long?

Because he had information regarding free agency and the Raiders' draft. Now that the Raiders team is virtually set except for a second wave of free agency, Lombardi can be freed to look for another job.

Mayock has been in television since 1996, even working as a reporter for NCAA Tournament basketball coverage from 1997-99, but was a safety at Boston College and was drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers in the 10th round of the 1981 NFL draft. His NFL career consisted of nine games for the New York Giants in 1982 and 1983.

While Lombardi had some administrative duties he assumed at the outset after Bruce Allen left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, chances are Mayock, if he were hired, would concentrate on personnel.

Al Davis has the final say in all personnel matters, with Kiffin having more input than any other Raiders coach by virtue of his recruiting background at USC. Many of the administrative duties once handled by Allen are in the hands of Mark Jackson, Kiffin's hand-picked choice as director of football development.

Another name to keep in mind is Pat Kirwan, also an analyst for the NFL Network and NFLcom. Kirwan has a background in both coaching and personnel with the New York Jets.

Kirwan is close friends with USC coach Pete Carroll and is often seen on the sidelines at USC games, where Kiffin worked as an assistant coach.

The first whiff of Detroit quarterback Josh McCown coming to the Raiders came from a Kirwan report, and he was steadfast in his belief the Raiders would deal for McCown and draft Russell.

In Kirwan's recent story on NFL.com, he notes that Keyshawn Johnson was picked No. 1 overall by the Jets on his watch, and floats the idea that, "I always thought Johnson would finish his career on the West Coast, probably as a Raider."

Lane Kiffin, in a radio interivew on Fox Sports Radio, told host Chris Myers the other day he just happened to be watching a video cut-up of Johnson in action for the Carolina Panthers last season but was vague regarding his level of interest.

The Panthers cut Johnson a day after drafting another USC receiver, Dwayne Jarrett, in the second round.

In 2003, Kirwan, working on behalf of agent David Dunn, helped prepare Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer for the NFL draft. Kirwan ranked Palmer as his top prospect on NFL.com, while at the same time accepting the a free from the agent.

The NFL concluded there was no conflict of interest.

Irn-Bru wrote:Actually, I think that, in general, there's a good reason why the talking heads are on TV and not in a draft war room. (Does anyone seriously want Joe Buck to be head coach of the Skins?)

Can't say that I can defend Vinny, though.

brad7686 wrote:Mel Kiper or Todd Mcshay would do wonders from a GM standpoint for any team.

Countertrey wrote:

brad7686 wrote:Mel Kiper or Todd Mcshay would do wonders from a GM standpoint for any team.

There are no long term consequences to the bonehead predictions that either might make in the course of hyping their draft projections. How many of them do you remember from 2002 or even from last year?

OTOH, the Redskins still pay for such actual honest to goodness moves made by Cerrato and the Danny over the years.

It's one thing to simply put projections on paper (media draft gurus)... it's quite another to do that, and THEN live with the consequences of the choices you have made (actual personnel people).

There is a reason teams consult them for info.

Countertrey wrote:

There is a reason teams consult them for info.

Yet, somehow, teams continue to make mistakes. Go figure.

brad7686 wrote:Mel Kiper or Todd Mcshay would do wonders from a GM standpoint for any team.

KazooSkinsFan wrote:

brad7686 wrote:Mel Kiper or Todd Mcshay would do wonders from a GM standpoint for any team.

Sure, now there's no accountability, no team lives with the consequence of their pick, they are never fired or criticized for drafting the wrong guy. As long as they stay where they are they can always be the ultimate GM. The only way to blow it is to become a real one.

BTW, they're more to being a GM then drafting.

1niksder wrote:Vinny was working at ESPN when "the Danny" brought him back. Not such a great idea when you think about.

frankcal20 wrote:I don't think it could get worse for us. Hell, when is the last player we drafted that turned into a stud? Uhhhh, he just went to Buffalo. ST hasn't come to fruition. He makes big hits but that it. So let me know if I'm forgetting something.

Irn-Bru wrote:

frankcal20 wrote:I don't think it could get worse for us. Hell, when is the last player we drafted that turned into a stud? Uhhhh, he just went to Buffalo. ST hasn't come to fruition. He makes big hits but that it. So let me know if I'm forgetting something.

* That seems like quite the selective memory when it comes to Sean Taylor. He had a down year last year but at times seemed like he was the only guy making plays on D. I would definitely give the man 'stud' status.

* Chris Samuels has been solid for almost his entire career in D.C. Not always a pro-bowler, but at times he's been elite.

* Champ Bailey put in a few very solid years for us. He's in Denver now, so why would I bring him up? Well, without Champ there is no Portis. The player-for-player trade is far different than bringing in a FA, in my opinion; we really turned a terrible situation into something.

* Is Chris Cooley not a stud?

* Since you seem to be saying that Derrick Dockery is a stud, I'll throw in Lamar Marshall, who is (in my opinion) at least as valuable a player to the Skins as Dockery was.

* Jon Jansen, anyone?

* I say we hold our judgment on Jason Campbell, Carlos Rogers, Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston, Ladell Betts, and Rock Cartwright for now. Not every draft pick needs to be stud, but if we have success this season (and beyond) we may look back on these guys as invaluable pieces of our victory.

frankcal20 wrote:

Irn-Bru wrote:

frankcal20 wrote:I don't think it could get worse for us. Hell, when is the last player we drafted that turned into a stud? Uhhhh, he just went to Buffalo. ST hasn't come to fruition. He makes big hits but that it. So let me know if I'm forgetting something.

* That seems like quite the selective memory when it comes to Sean Taylor. He had a down year last year but at times seemed like he was the only guy making plays on D. I would definitely give the man 'stud' status.

* Chris Samuels has been solid for almost his entire career in D.C. Not always a pro-bowler, but at times he's been elite.

* Champ Bailey put in a few very solid years for us. He's in Denver now, so why would I bring him up? Well, without Champ there is no Portis. The player-for-player trade is far different than bringing in a FA, in my opinion; we really turned a terrible situation into something.

* Is Chris ey not a stud?

* Since you seem to be saying that Derrick Dockery is a stud, I'll throw in Lamar Marshall, who is (in my opinion) at least as valuable a player to the Skins as Dockery was.

* Jon Jansen, anyone?

* I say we hold our judgment on Jason Campbell, Carlos Rogers, Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston, Ladell Betts, and Rock Cartwright for now. Not every draft pick needs to be stud, but if we have success this season (and beyond) we may look back on these guys as invaluable pieces of our victory.

I totally said that out of frustration without properly analyzing my thoughts before I typed. You have pointed out some good players but I would like to see us be able to keep guys here longer. I guess I'm the type of guy who takes care of his own as long as they are doing their job. If they are not, well then you've got to let them go. Something tells me that this is what we are getting back to.