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Raiders to hire TV draft expert?
Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on May 3rd, 2007
If the television draft gurus are so good, why aren't they working for NFL teams?
The Raiders apparently think the NFL Network's Mike Mayock is more than a talking head, endlessly spouting the worth of upsides and 3-cone drills.
The word I'm getting is Mayock, who worked for ABC Sports, CBS Sports and Fox Sports Net before becoming Mel Kiper Jr.'s chief competition for the league-run NFL Network, is a serious candidate to become a personnel executive with the Raiders.
Mayock is one of a number of possibilities for what is seen as the inevitable replacement of Mike Lombardi.
Lombardi was involved in a much-publicized rift with Art Shell last season, with the former Raiders coach blaming the personnel man for being the source of anonymous quotes given to various media outlets criticizing the Shell regime in general and offensive coordinator Tom Walsh in particular.
Lombardi retained his position after Shell was fired and was even seen on the field at a recent voluntary minicamp practice. He had been banned from the practice field by Shell and was usually taking a jog around the Raiders facility during practice.
Why did Lombardi survive so long?
Because he had information regarding free agency and the Raiders' draft. Now that the Raiders team is virtually set except for a second wave of free agency, Lombardi can be freed to look for another job.
Mayock has been in television since 1996, even working as a reporter for NCAA Tournament basketball coverage from 1997-99, but was a safety at Boston College and was drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers in the 10th round of the 1981 NFL draft. His NFL career consisted of nine games for the New York Giants in 1982 and 1983.
While Lombardi had some administrative duties he assumed at the outset after Bruce Allen left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, chances are Mayock, if he were hired, would concentrate on personnel.
Al Davis has the final say in all personnel matters, with Kiffin having more input than any other Raiders coach by virtue of his recruiting background at USC. Many of the administrative duties once handled by Allen are in the hands of Mark Jackson, Kiffin's hand-picked choice as director of football development.
Another name to keep in mind is Pat Kirwan, also an analyst for the NFL Network and NFLcom. Kirwan has a background in both coaching and personnel with the New York Jets.
Kirwan is close friends with USC coach Pete Carroll and is often seen on the sidelines at USC games, where Kiffin worked as an assistant coach.
The first whiff of Detroit quarterback Josh McCown coming to the Raiders came from a Kirwan report, and he was steadfast in his belief the Raiders would deal for McCown and draft Russell.
In Kirwan's recent story on NFL.com, he notes that Keyshawn Johnson was picked No. 1 overall by the Jets on his watch, and floats the idea that, "I always thought Johnson would finish his career on the West Coast, probably as a Raider."
Lane Kiffin, in a radio interivew on Fox Sports Radio, told host Chris Myers the other day he just happened to be watching a video cut-up of Johnson in action for the Carolina Panthers last season but was vague regarding his level of interest.
The Panthers cut Johnson a day after drafting another USC receiver, Dwayne Jarrett, in the second round.
In 2003, Kirwan, working on behalf of agent David Dunn, helped prepare Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer for the NFL draft. Kirwan ranked Palmer as his top prospect on NFL.com, while at the same time accepting the a free from the agent.
The NFL concluded there was no conflict of interest.
LINK
Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on May 3rd, 2007
If the television draft gurus are so good, why aren't they working for NFL teams?
The Raiders apparently think the NFL Network's Mike Mayock is more than a talking head, endlessly spouting the worth of upsides and 3-cone drills.
The word I'm getting is Mayock, who worked for ABC Sports, CBS Sports and Fox Sports Net before becoming Mel Kiper Jr.'s chief competition for the league-run NFL Network, is a serious candidate to become a personnel executive with the Raiders.
Mayock is one of a number of possibilities for what is seen as the inevitable replacement of Mike Lombardi.
Lombardi was involved in a much-publicized rift with Art Shell last season, with the former Raiders coach blaming the personnel man for being the source of anonymous quotes given to various media outlets criticizing the Shell regime in general and offensive coordinator Tom Walsh in particular.
Lombardi retained his position after Shell was fired and was even seen on the field at a recent voluntary minicamp practice. He had been banned from the practice field by Shell and was usually taking a jog around the Raiders facility during practice.
Why did Lombardi survive so long?
Because he had information regarding free agency and the Raiders' draft. Now that the Raiders team is virtually set except for a second wave of free agency, Lombardi can be freed to look for another job.
Mayock has been in television since 1996, even working as a reporter for NCAA Tournament basketball coverage from 1997-99, but was a safety at Boston College and was drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers in the 10th round of the 1981 NFL draft. His NFL career consisted of nine games for the New York Giants in 1982 and 1983.
While Lombardi had some administrative duties he assumed at the outset after Bruce Allen left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, chances are Mayock, if he were hired, would concentrate on personnel.
Al Davis has the final say in all personnel matters, with Kiffin having more input than any other Raiders coach by virtue of his recruiting background at USC. Many of the administrative duties once handled by Allen are in the hands of Mark Jackson, Kiffin's hand-picked choice as director of football development.
Another name to keep in mind is Pat Kirwan, also an analyst for the NFL Network and NFLcom. Kirwan has a background in both coaching and personnel with the New York Jets.
Kirwan is close friends with USC coach Pete Carroll and is often seen on the sidelines at USC games, where Kiffin worked as an assistant coach.
The first whiff of Detroit quarterback Josh McCown coming to the Raiders came from a Kirwan report, and he was steadfast in his belief the Raiders would deal for McCown and draft Russell.
In Kirwan's recent story on NFL.com, he notes that Keyshawn Johnson was picked No. 1 overall by the Jets on his watch, and floats the idea that, "I always thought Johnson would finish his career on the West Coast, probably as a Raider."
Lane Kiffin, in a radio interivew on Fox Sports Radio, told host Chris Myers the other day he just happened to be watching a video cut-up of Johnson in action for the Carolina Panthers last season but was vague regarding his level of interest.
The Panthers cut Johnson a day after drafting another USC receiver, Dwayne Jarrett, in the second round.
In 2003, Kirwan, working on behalf of agent David Dunn, helped prepare Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer for the NFL draft. Kirwan ranked Palmer as his top prospect on NFL.com, while at the same time accepting the a free from the agent.
The NFL concluded there was no conflict of interest.
LINK
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