Seriously, it gets old. We in Raider Nation constantly hear about JaMarcus Russell, Todd Marinovich, and even Robert Gallery.
There's actually an article on the Oakland Raiders homepage naming 10 Raider busts. A couple of weeks ago, there was a piece of work virtually identical on the page.
But are Al Davis and the Raiders really that bad at drafting?
Not at all.
Listen, it's really just a cliche that Oakland constantly drafts busts. My thing is that for every bust the Raiders draft, there is a pro-bowl caliber player they also draft.
Take 2007 for example. Obviously, that was the year that Oakland decided to take JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 overall selection. Needless to say, four years later Mr. Russell is unemployed.
The former LSU QB was called the African American version of John Elway in one scouting report.
While Russell was a dud, the Raiders did draft two very good players in that draft: Pro Bowl tight end Zach Miller in round two and running back Michael Bush in round four.
Bush has had multiple 100-yard rushing games, while Miller is quietly turning into a perennial Pro Bowler.
My point here is that Russell was considered by most to be a can't-miss prospect. You can't blame the Raiders for drafting him; they were just the victims of having the No. 1 overall pick that year.
The consensus is that every first rounder is bound to bust in Oakland. I beg to differ. The Raiders have found themselves making some very good picks in round one, including finding starters Nnamdi Asomugha, Darren McFadden and Rolando McClain.
Oakland has done a fantastic job after round one, however. Some players include Matt Shaugnessey, Tyvon Branch, Trevor Scott, Stevie Brown, LaMarr Houston, Zach Miller, Michael Bush, Johnnie Lee-Higgi...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
