Raiders fans on Jihad Ward

Techsass said:
We'll see. He "appeared" in only 3 games last season & was a healthy scratch for most of it. Had some kind of foot injury around early December, then tweeted out "Thank y'all for the opportunity".

At least we've had a chance to coach him for the Senior Bowl(?), so ought to be familiar to the staff. Besides he speaks proper American.
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hey Tech----- it seems coaching staff is not as concerned at the 1-tech as we fans are?....i have this feeling though that the cowboys overestimate their players at times
 
I don't care what random fan thinks. What I have read about Ward is that in 2016 the Raiders suffered an injury and Ward was asked to play 2 different positions. Being a raw JUCO transfer out of Illinois he was overwhelmed and didn't play well although he did improve over the year.

He broke his foot and basically didn't play last year.

Now he is in his third year and he can build from here. He has several guys that can play in front of him in Irving, Collins, Crawford, Price, and Ash. He is not going to be forced into playing before he is ready. And people can hate on Marinelli but the guy can develop DL talent.
 
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irving said:
There is reason NFL teams have professional scouts and don't rely on fans to do that job.
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Can you post it please? There's a whole bunch of folks around here that have either forgotten it or never heard of it.
 
America's Cowboy said:
Jihad Ward = Chaz Green

Jihad against this idiotic trade.
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mr Am-cowboy--- initially i was very against the trade and may still be....but for some reason the coaches really like him...when i looked at his combine results...he is both slow and not strong and cant jump...i think he was projected as 5th round pick but Raiders took him in second round...it really seems cowboy coaches are not nearly concerned about 1-tech as we fans are...but i have seen cowboys overestimate their players talent at times
 
I posted this in another thread. Seems appropriate here also..

I don’t understand why people are so bent out of shape over Switzer. Personally, he was a ‘head scratcher’ pick last year. Exp when a player like 2x college TE of the year Jake Butt was available. (Which would have been real nice to have right now with Wittens imminent retirement) Yes, I like the player and sold myself on Switzer’s potential.. but he wasn’t untouchable. He was a projected 5rd player drafted in the 4th.. traded a year later for a former 2nd rd 6’6” 295 DT. I feel like it’s great value at a position of need on our DL. I digress.

Now Jihad Ward. Yeah, I hear ya.. Jihad is a bust! Jerry being Jerry again.. blah blah blah.. As others mentioned, many said the same ab Lawrence after year two. Ward shouldn’t be labeled a bust just yet.. could he be? Sure, but he showed some potential under Marinelli’s tudorledge at the 2016 Senior Bowl.
Here’s what one person said...

“It's funny to me how Ward is starring at the Senior Bowl. I think a large reason for that is because he has a coach like Marinelli doing wonders for him and his draft stock.”

Some fans believe players are added to teams like Madden football with no regard to scheme fit. I’m not convinced Oak was using him properly. Add his injuries to start his career.. it’s lazy to label him a bust. I believe a fresh start will work wonders, exp under Marinelli. I mean Marenilli made players like Jeremy Mincey and George Selvie look good. Plucked off KC’s practice squad, just look at what Marinelli has done for Irving.. a player very similar to Ward. For all those clamoring for a DT, well here you go. Imagine 6’7” Irving and 6’6” Ward in the middle creating havoc, batting balls down, and both have the athleticism to punish OL and QBs alike. I find it hard to imagine RBs will be running them over anytime soon. I like the trade. We’re a far cry from 2rd gambles.. so if we want to trade a 6th for Tavon Austin or trade our 6th Wr To strengthen our DL. I’m in.
https://www.___GET_REAL_URL___/s/www.bl...8882/jihad-ward-scouting-the-2016-senior-bowl

Side note: for those that think he’s weak based on his pre-draft measurables.. It’s widely known how much strength a player gains from thier rookie season to year 2. I suspect he’s gained considerable strength exp being regulated to the weight room over the past year or so since his injury. And to those that speak of how the Raider fans view them.. well I can’t much blame him, bc he hasn’t proved it on the field. But Lawrence is an excellent example how this doesn’t mean a player can’t turn things around. I personally love the trade. I can only believe Ward wants to prove to not only the Raiders fans, but to himself that he’s fully capable of being a ‘real’ player. I have full confidence that if any coach can do this.. Marinelli will. I predicted last year our DL was better than most gave them credit. I’m doubling up that prediction. Our DL is going to be fierce. Are draft pick Armstrong prob needs a ‘redshirt’ year in the weight room.. but with DEs Lawrence, Taco, Ealy, Tapper, and I still haven’t lost hope Gregory will return this year. Add DT’s Irving, Collins, Crawford, Ward, and under appreciated Price. Throw in our trio of LBs and young, but talented, secondary.. our defense will surprise even the faithful fans.

I should also mention, I’m one of those fans that still doesn’t think the whole Earl Thomas trade is over..that ship hasn’t sailed just yet. Seattle still wants to move him and Dallas’s door is still open.. even if that means a next years pick. Thomas would put this D over he top. Fingers are still crossed.
 
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Dallas brought this guy in to be a rotational piece and a depth guy. And all it cost them was a receiver that wasn't going to play anyway after the signing of Hurns/Thompson and the drafting of Gallup.

Ward isn't arriving with illusions of grandeur. It's a free look at a guy at least some team thought was worth a second round pick.
 
TheCount said:
I don't get the move for Ward, but he was playing DE in a 3-4, so there's a chance he's a better 4-3 fit.

Even with that said, however, he is a poor athlete that isn't exactly a point of attack guy. I don't think those guys are hard to find.
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I don't get fans trying to make sense of a Jerry-Stephen draft. They saw a wide body for a cheap price, that's all.
 
GORICO said:
yes...we certainly will..by the way...what do you think of our current receiving corps...Hurns..Gallop...TWill...Beasely...maybe count Tavon Austin..

Deonte..( speedster forgot last name? )...Brown..and cedric Wilson and one other UFA?...personally...i think Dez was stunting development of Dak
so many forced throws and such...Dez in Dak's ear all the time?...ok we no longer have a true #1 but some good #2's & #3's who can run good routes and if this sanjay passing guru can develop a good scheme i think we are good enough to keep other teams from loading the box on every play?...what is your first thought on this?
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Dez wasn't a number one. That's why no one wants him.
 
GORICO said:
mr Corso--- You might have seen some of my posts being critical about Dak's mechanics and field recognition....I hope i just got overly focused on how Dak responded after the Atlanta game when in fact his deterioration is not due to inablility as maybe being traumatized?...i dont know if you ever watch game film presentation from Akoye media but he did a breakdown of Dak in 2017 and it was not good..in fact it left me feeling concerned that Dak may never be a successful and consistent down field passer from the pocket?....but as time has passed i feel i probably allowed my criticism to become extreme about Dak as a passer...and i at least need to see what he can do in year three under better circumstances before making a judgment...also i do have personal concerns about myself allowing a game and a sports team to influence me as much as it does..i mean its only a game...get a life GORICO
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Let's not kid ourselves - the young man has some real issues with mechanics, field awareness, getting rattled and accuracy. Some of that is experience, some of that appears a bit... scary.
He needs to show tangible improvement next year, or this team could be in real trouble.
 
FuzzyLumpkins said:
Huh? What kind of expectation do you have for 300 lbs athletes.

A guys with 34" arms putting up 20 press is not weak. His agility and jumps are good for a man that size. His 40 time is completely meaningless.

And I find it interesting that you claim that he is a 5th round guys when the NFLDS page has him listed as the 94th overall. That is top 100.

Now if you want to say that the Raiders reached then fine but that is immaterial considering we gave up a pick from the 100s. FWIW, NFLDS has Switzer 180 overall. That actually is a day 3 pick.

Frankly you read like you are trying to not like the trade.
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Fuzzy---yes for me a 300 + lb DT who only presses 20 on bench is not strong...but more precisely 20 is probably the cut-off point before coaches have concern...so i agree i was a little over the top on that one...and you are correct...when i went back to check he was projected 3rd round not 5th...but saying his jumps are good for a man his size...25 verticle is not good sir and a 4.63 shuttle is slow sir and a 1.75 10 yd dash is very slow sir..but thank you for the corrections
 
Hes a JAG. I think they could have gotten more for Switzer, but I also think Switzer's days were numbered once they got Austin. Other teams knew that too, which decreases his value.
 
Knotamus said:
I posted this in another thread. Seems appropriate here also..

I don’t understand why people are so bent out of shape over Switzer. Personally, he was a ‘head scratcher’ pick last year. Exp when a player like 2x college TE of the year Jake Butt was available. (Which would have been real nice to have right now with Wittens imminent retirement) Yes, I like the player and sold myself on Switzer’s potential.. but he wasn’t untouchable. He was a projected 5rd player drafted in the 4th.. traded a year later for a former 2nd rd 6’6” 295 DT. I feel like it’s great value at a position of need on our DL. I digress.

Now Jihad Ward. Yeah, I hear ya.. Jihad is a bust! Jerry being Jerry again.. blah blah blah.. As others mentioned, many said the same ab Lawrence after year two. Ward shouldn’t be labeled a bust just yet.. could he be? Sure, but he showed some potential under Marinelli’s tudorledge at the 2016 Senior Bowl.
Here’s what one person said...

“It's funny to me how Ward is starring at the Senior Bowl. I think a large reason for that is because he has a coach like Marinelli doing wonders for him and his draft stock.”

Some fans believe players are added to teams like Madden football with no regard to scheme fit. I’m not convinced Oak was using him properly. Add his injuries to start his career.. it’s lazy to label him a bust. I believe a fresh start will work wonders, exp under Marinelli. I mean Marenilli made players like Jeremy Mincey and George Selvie look good. Plucked off KC’s practice squad, just look at what Marinelli has done for Irving.. a player very similar to Ward. For all those clamoring for a DT, well here you go. Imagine 6’7” Irving and 6’6” Ward in the middle creating havoc, batting balls down, and both have the athleticism to punish OL and QBs alike. I find it hard to imagine RBs will be running them over anytime soon. I like the trade. We’re a far cry from 2rd gambles.. so if we want to trade a 6th for Tavon Austin or trade our 6th Wr To strengthen our DL. I’m in.
https://www.___GET_REAL_URL___/s/www.bl...8882/jihad-ward-scouting-the-2016-senior-bowl

Side note: for those that think he’s weak based on his pre-draft measurables.. It’s widely known how much strength a player gains from thier rookie season to year 2. I suspect he’s gained considerable strength exp being regulated to the weight room over the past year or so since his injury. And to those that speak of how the Raider fans view him.. well I can’t much blame him, bc he hasn’t proved it on the field. But Lawrence is an excellent example how this doesn’t mean a player can’t turn things around. I personally love the trade. I can only believe Ward wants to prove to not only the Raiders fans, but to himself that he’s fully capable of being a ‘real’ player. I have full confidence that if any coach can do this.. Marinelli will. I predicted last year our DL was better than most gave them credit. I’m doubling up that prediction. Our DL is going to be fierce. Are draft pick Armstrong prob needs a ‘redshirt’ year in the weight room.. but with DEs Lawrence, Taco, Ealy, Tapper, and I still haven’t lost hope Gregory will return this year. Add DT’s Irving, Collins, Crawford, Ward, and under appreciated Price. Throw in our trio of LBs and young, but talented, secondary.. our defense will surprise even the faithful fans.

I should also mention, I’m one of those fans that still doesn’t think the whole Earl Thomas trade is over..that ship hasn’t sailed just yet. Seattle still wants to move him and Dallas’s door is still open.. even if that means a next years pick. Thomas would put this D over he top. Fingers are still crossed.
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i like the post through and through. Ward put up 20 reps and has 34" arms. His Bj was over 100 inches. That is not weak and people who say that he is based on his combine are ignorant.
 
Corso said:
Let's not kid ourselves - the young man has some real issues with mechanics, field awareness, getting rattled and accuracy. Some of that is experience, some of that appears a bit... scary.
He needs to show tangible improvement next year, or this team could be in real trouble.
Click to expand...

All of what you said is correct, but none of that stuff was there in 2016, except for the occasional flutter ball. If the Cowboys can pass protect again, run the ball like they want to, and make Dak a complementary part of the offense, he and the offense will be just fine again.
 
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