Raiders Promise New Offensive Lineman They Will Not Draft Offensive Tackle

[kpholmes]

From Jerry McDonald's Blog

Former club exec Mike Lombardi reported in both the National Football Post and on NFL.com that the Raiders promised Khalif Barnes during negotiations not to select a tackle in the upcoming NFL draft.

 

We’ll bypass the debate as to whether Lombardi’s story is right or not _ he reported it, he will certainly stand by it _ in favor of the idea of making such a promise.

 

I’m going to assume Lombardi meant the Raiders wouldn’t take a tackle with their first (or possibly second) pick, because the promise couldn’t possibly have meant the entire draft.

 

(The Raiders have picks in the third, fourth, sixth and seventh rounds in addition to the first and second).

 

Well... I usually take very little of what Lombardi says seriously, however if this is the case - I wouldn't mind one bit.

Means Oakland has their eyes set on Crabtree/Maclin or Raji.

 

I'm still not sure if this is the best negotiation tactic for a team to be taking however.

[byron2112]

I find it hard to believe that a player commanding a kingly contract of 1 year at 1.25 million is dictating the Raiders draft strategy... but I agree with your draft preferences.