| When analysing the Raiders selection of Darrius | | | | by choice in an effort to disguise his lack of speed |
| Heywaryd-Bey I choose to be more open minded | | | | in unknown but one thing is for certain: Crabtree is |
| about the selection than many in the Raider | | | | not going to be running the 100 meter relay |
| Nation have proved to be. My only beef with the | | | | anytime soon. Furthermore, his height has been |
| Raiders concerning this pick is the fact that they | | | | exposed as well. Originally, Crabtree was listed at |
| could have traded down numerous spots to get | | | | 6'3" but we all found out at the draft that he is |
| Heyward-Bey so I greatly question his value at | | | | only 6'1 1/4 so now essentially the 49ers have a |
| number 7 overall. However, in terms of all of | | | | short/slow receiver that they are banking on for |
| these receivers coming into the NFL from college | | | | the next 10 years. |
| nobody and I stress NOBODY knows how this will | | | | By contrast Heyward-Bey is at least an inch or |
| all play out. This is the NFL not the NCAA and all | | | | inch and a half taller than Crabtree and the speed |
| the stats and TD's that Crabtree put up in college | | | | factor is not even a question. Jeremy Maclin is |
| doesn't mean crap at this level. Let me repeat. All | | | | close to his speed but Crabtree is not. When you |
| the stats Crabtree put up at Texas Tech do not | | | | examine what the Raiders are trying to do it |
| mean CRAP at the NFL level. Just look at all the | | | | becomes painfully clear why DHB was the |
| WR busts throughout the years in the NFL who | | | | selection. As I mentioned my only problem with it |
| were studs in college. Charles Rogers, Mike | | | | is that they didn't trade down to get him when |
| Williams, Troy Williamson, and Reggie Williams are | | | | that could have been an option. Perhaps the |
| just a few of the first round busts that come to | | | | Raiders could have nabbed DHB and someone like |
| mind. With that in mind I have researched | | | | University of Arizona tackle Eben Britton thus |
| Heyward-Bey and Crabtree and I truly believe | | | | filling 2 glaring weaknesses. However, when |
| Heyward-Bey will turn out to be the better NFL | | | | analysing the measurables and all of the health |
| player and I am about to explain to you why. | | | | variables as well you clearly see why the Raiders |
| During the past 10 years 4 receivers that have | | | | favored Heyward-Bey over Maclin and especially |
| been taken in the Top Ten in the NFL Draft have | | | | Crabtree and that is not even including personality |
| turned into playmakers while the others have | | | | or "character" traits. All you need to see is one |
| been busts. They are as follows: | | | | interview from Crabtree for you to see that he is |
| Calvin Johnson (Detroit) | | | | extremely arrogant. |
| Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona) | | | | Not confident. Arrogant. Arrogant to the point |
| Braylon Edwards (Cleveland) | | | | that I think he already has people working on his |
| Roy Williams (Dallas) | | | | HOF bust before he has even run and NFL route |
| What traits do these receivers share? They are | | | | yet. By contrast DHB is humble and has come to |
| all 6'3" or better and they possessed at least | | | | Oakland ready to work and I have liked every |
| better than average speed if not blazing. I am not | | | | interview that I have seen of him to this point. |
| seeing either out of Crabtree. For starters, | | | | People question DHB's production at Maryland as |
| nobody knows how fast Crabtree truly is. The | | | | well as his hands but theses concerns are |
| only publicly recorded time of Crabtree running | | | | unjustified. First, unlike Crabtree DHB did not play |
| the 40 is 4.53 however that came from a site | | | | in a spread offense in college and both Maclin and |
| that also greatly exaggerated his height so how | | | | Crabtree played with far superior QB's at their |
| can you really believe them? Throw in the fact | | | | respective schools than DHB did at Maryland. |
| that Crabtree played in a spread offense at | | | | Everyone is saying that DHB is a bust and has |
| Texas Tech and also has a foot injury that | | | | Troy Williamson written all over him. I concede |
| numerous NFL GM's were concerned with and one | | | | that there will probably be a bust at WR from this |
| has to wonder how fast Crabtree truly is. I have | | | | draft class but I differ by believing that Crabtree |
| seen a bunch of his games in college and it always | | | | has a much higher risk for this distinction than |
| seemed that he would take the angle on DB's | | | | DHB does. In summary: GIVE THE KID A |
| rather than blowing by them. Whether this was | | | | CHANCE!!!!! You just might be surprised. |
