Hue Jackson hit up the airwaves on SiriusXM’s NFL Radio Show Late Hits with hosts Bryan McGovern and Gil Brandt. He reevaluated his first draft class and gave a little bit more insight into how and why it came to be the way it is. Here are some highlights of the conversation that took place on Wednesday night.
Overall, a good draft class for the Raiders
“Absolutely I want to take you back because you’re right; a lot say we didn’t have a first round draft pick but we felt like we did because of Richard Seymour. We feel like we had the best first round draft choice in the draft.”
On Stefen Wisniewski
“I feel really good about where he’s headed; tremendous talent, going to play center for us. From an offensive standpoint someone who can come in and lead a group. We’re looking for guys that are very physical, very dominant, and he fit that bill and we are happy we were able to draft him. “
On Joseph Barksdale
“Barksdale can play every position along the offensive front from left tackle, right guard. He has long arms, he’s big, athletic, and likes to play the game. Very solid — not a lot of injuries, and he’ll help bolster our offensive line.”
People don’t understand how important it is to have a smart guy when you are drafting a center, does it help that Wisniewski was an academic All-American?
“It sure does because that guy ties the other four or five guys — along with the tight end – together along the front. Some people and sometimes the fans don’t understand when you draft a center how important that is. You have to be strong up the middle because that’s the fastest way to the quarterback.”
Is it going to be harder to get your rookies ready in the midst of the lockout?
“All those guys are going to be ready because we are going to create an environment for them to be the best they can be. When they are going to be ready? We hope game one but it may take until game five. Each of these guys was drafted based on his abilities to make plays that will help us become champions.”
You guys have put together quite a coaching staff, how much does it help to have a guy like Al Saunders or Steve Wisniewski?
“Al knows me… he knows my vision of how I want the offense to play. I need to be able to touch every part of this football team that I can. I have a guy I can trust and he knows what my vision is and it’s really a great match.
“Steve is going to be — and is — one of the most aggressive, determined coaches I’ve ever been around. He has a true desire to put this line among the elite. I like the rest of my guys I’ve been able to get here, to be a part of this Raider organization. I want it to be to a certain way and these guys will help it be the team I want them to be.”
A lot of speed…
“We don’t make a point about our ability to run; we are a pro football team first and foremost. We just happen to be a team that can run really fast.”
On Taiwan Jones
“Excited to have him; he jumps off the video tape. He can run it, he can catch it, he can return on special teams. He reminds me so much of Chris Johnson. I don’t want to make any comparisons but he has that kind of skill. We have two very good halfbacks there but he’s the type of player you don’t want to pass up.”
Penn State has manufactured some good offensive linemen
“No question Stefen is known for being a really good lineman. He’s a guy that came out and played since the moment he got on campus. He is one of those guys that really worked hard; did a great job in school. He’s bright, he’s tough, and he likes to play the game. He understands this Raiders’ culture, understands the commitment to excellence, understands we’re chasing perfection, and that we’re committed to winning.”
On Demarcus Van Dyke
“We got two very young talented players, we believe, in this draft. Demarcus, we took him because he impressed us at the combine with his speed. But I sent Rod Woodson down to Florida to look at him and Rod said, ‘Hue, this guy can do it. He has the hips, the feet, the wherewithal, and the smarts to cover, and he understands the game.’ I believe in Rod. It just so happened he could run fast and that added up for us.”
On Chimdi Chekwa
“He’s feisty; he’ll stick his body in there. He’s not afraid to tackle. He played on special teams and made numerous plays. He’s a guy that most likely fell because of his wrist problem, but he’s a big athletic guy that runs in the 4.3’s. He loves to put his hands on you and that’s the way we play. We’re going to challenge every receiver in the NFL because that’s how we play.”
You’re 45, but you have the spirit of a 25 year old man
“I love my job, I love what I do, I love bonding and teaching young men. I love fighting for a purpose, this city and organization, and Al Davis and what he has meant to the game of football. I want to put Raiders where they belong, the team of decades. I would be remiss if that wasn’t my goal. It’s all about winning. We have very talented players that are not afraid to play anybody, anywhere, anytime, because we are the Raiders and we need to get to practicing so we can do that.
“I hope all of our fans are burning up the phone lines and listening because we’re building something special. My goal is to have the first two home games sold out and rocking. I want this to be the place everybody wants to be, in Oakland on Sundays.”
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