Davis, Raiders Go for Blood in Draft, Uphold Tradition

Give Los Angeles Raiders boss Al Davis the starring role in this version of “Back To The Future III.”

Trying to revive the mean-streets traditions of the Silver-and-Black, Davis tried to move the franchise back to Oakland. That was an apparent failure. Oakland doesn’t want them.

A month ago, they signed former Raider Lyle Alzado to a player-coach contract even though he is 41 years old.

Sunday’s moves were Raider-like and risky. They drafted Arizona defensive end Anthony Smith and Texas A&M; linebacker Aaron Wallace with their first two choices.

Wallace was a top-five choice who dropped to the second round because of bad work habits.

Smith, admittedly is a reformed thug.

Al, what are you doing? This was a rich draft filled with safer alternatives. Why gamble on two of the riskiest players in the draft?

In his recommitment to Raider tradition, he might have grabbed the ultimate Raider in Smith. Here is a guy who spent two years in a drug alcohol treatment center. He’s been arrested 14 or 15 times, mostly for theft and muggings.

“I almost got framed in an armed robbery,” Smith said. “They were going to take the money themselves and leave. They were holding a lady at gunpoint, She had a heart attack and died.”

For a while, he ran with the Black Spades gang. Sensing his need for a family life during a Christmas, his friends in the gang broke into Macy’s and stole a train set for him.

As for the drug rehab, Smith said, “The serious time was when they put me in the jackets and in the soft room when I was 14. It was a serious, serious situation.”

Just your typical Raider. But the Raiders might end up with a big zero if Smith, a pass-rusher, and Wallace, a talented blitzing linebacker, fail. They also might end up with two potential Pro Bowlers.

Still, there were safer picks that could have pushed the Raiders back to the playoffs, so the Raiders might have had the strangest draft Sunday.

The big winner, though, was the Atlanta Falcons franchise. By sticking the Indianapolis Colts with quarterback Jeff George, the man some consider the $15-million Tony Eason, the Falcons gained Pro Bowl tackle Chris Hinton, potential Pro Bowl receiver Andre Rison and a first-round choice next year. They also drafted the perfect run-and-shoot halfback, Steve Broussard, and top possible starters for their defense--linebacker Darion Conner and defensive end Oliver Barnett.

By trading up to get defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, the Seattle Seahawks drew positive grades. They also added two other starters to their defense--linebacker Terry Wooden and strong safety Robert Blackmon.

The AFC West as a whole improved defensively. The San Diego Chargers plan to use USC’s Junior Seau as an inside linebacker on a defense that features three of the best pass-rushers in football--Burt Grossman, Leslie O’Neal and Lee Williams. The Kansas City Chiefs grabbed solid inside linebacker Percy Snow. Denver Broncos Coach Dan Reeves was relatively silent, but he revamped his defense last season.

Other winners were the New England Patriots, who drafted two defensive starters--linebacker Chris Singleton and defensive tackle Ray Agnew--and some offensive help--quarterback Tommy Hodson and wide receiver Greg McMurtry. The New York Jets improved their offense with halfback Blair Thomas and wide receiver Reggie Rembert.

Good grades also go to the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins.

Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Chuck Noll, following a couple of impressive drafts, reached for three choices that made him Sunday’s second worst selector. In the first round, he selected a tight end, Eric Green, for an offense that ignores the position. And where did he come up with defensive end Kenny Davidson and quarterback Neil O’Donnell?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Ray Perkins gambled his staff’s future on two risky players--linebacker Keith McCants and halfback Reggie Cobb. McCants will need knee surgery next week, but he is expected to be ready for training camp. Cobb had drug problems at Tennessee but might be the best back in this draft.

Green Bay Packers General Manager Tom Braatz took two second-round players with his two first-round choices--running back Darrell Thompson and linebacker Tony Bennett.

The Chicago Bears had a strange draft. They made the sixth choice the cheapest player they could find. They took USC safety Mark Carrier because he agreed to play for the same contract given to the sixth choice in last year’s draft. Coach Mike Ditka said the Bears decided last week to draft a player they could sign.

But the goat of his draft was Indianapolis Colts General Manager Jimmy Irsay. Irsay robbed two starters on his offense for George. Then, instead of repairing his weak offensive line in the second round, he drafted fullback Anthony Johnson of Notre Dame, which should push halfback Eric Dickerson into the Turner Broadcasting System analyst chair.

Give the Colts a few months and fans will start wearing bags on their head again. The Dolts are back.