I regret that I read Tim Kawakami’s column in the San Jose Mercury (Winners and losers of the NFL draft) because I added a “hit” to that web page, possibly adding to the false conclusion that Kawakami’s regurgitated words mean anything. I regret even going to the Merc’s site - their writing is sub-par, their insights are rethreads from other sporting sites and they don’t add any value to Bay Area sports.

Memo to Tim - can you just write “I hate the Raiders and they suck to all hell” and just put more ads on your column? I think that will make more click-through dollars for you guys.

Memo to Tim’s boss - can you just dump this guy and put a link to my blog?

Let’s get to the bottom of all this and go bullet for bullet against Tim’s incredible insight.

1. Why did the Raiders choose DHB as the overall 7th pick?

They’ve always wanted DHB. They didn’t want Crabtree or Maclin.

2. If the entire planet sees DHB as the 3rd best receiver, why not drop down and pick him up somewhere in the teens or late first round?

First, everyone assumes that they could trade down. What if they couldn’t? What if the only possible trade-down they could have made was so late in the first round that another team would’ve selected DHB. Then what do you have?

3. Why don’t they want Crabtree or Maclin?

Crabtree made it clear he didn’t want to go to Oakland. Would you dish out millions of dollars to some kid who didn’t care for your team? Maclin and DHB may have been so close in their skills that DHB won out because of this personality, work ethic, pro-style offense, insert more reasons here.

Regardless of the reason, they like DHB and wanted him all along - but they couldn’t trade down. Conclusion: just take him.

4. Tim has seen DHB play. In fact, he has watched every Maryland game and according to his own personal cornerback, wide receiver and quarterbacking experience, DHB is simply unreliable.

Should I even go here? Is football really that simple? Are there stats on open field drops? You mean Maclin and Crabtree had zero drops? I saw a highlight film for DHB and he looked pretty reliable to me. Maybe the announcers in those Maryland games should eat their own shit for saying things like “how do you not cover the best player on this team” (DHB catching a pass for a touchdown).

5. What about Mitchell - who is this guy?

Browns and Bears had him high on their board (2nd round). If the Raiders didn’t take him, he would have been taken by the 47th pick or sooner.

6. No offensive tackles or quality defensive ends to get?

That’s been addressed by a coach who specializes on offensive lines. I think I would believe Cable over Kawakami on this one

7. Are the Raiders only drafting fast guys?

It does seem like it. But here’s a clue… when you apply for a job, you submit a resume. Because there could be many applicants, you have to screen them by looking at some pre-requisites (school, degree, gpa, blah, blah). The Raiders use the speed filter - is that so bad? Ok, so now you have the top 5 safeties based on speed… now you can drill down further on what makes each one better….

Screw that - here’s a better answer. A coach can teach you how to run routes, catch a ball, hit another player - YOU CAN’T TEACH SPEED.

8. Why is Kawakami saying that Cable has a horrendous job as the Oakland Coach?

Hmmm… on the one hand, I sympathize with Cable in being at the center of an incredibly challenging job - where he has the opportunity to turn a franchise around into something special. There’s a lot of obstacles. It’s genuine hard work. But he’s in the middle of it and some would think that’s just great.

On the other hand, Tim works for a newspaper company, a dinosour media outlet that will probably disappear in less than five years. Does anyone even pay for the San Jose Mercury anymore?

Stop killing trees and read your news online? It’s free.