Raiders Release Sixth Round Pick, Former Missouri Tiger Stryker Sulak

by Joel Thorman on Jul 13, 2009 4:21 PM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Offseason

How can I get out of Oakland? Seriously...someone has to help me out here (Photo Source).

When the Oakland Raiders selected Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, those of us in the know thought, 'Are you kidding me?' By many accounts, passing over Michael Crabtree was not the best move. When the team selected Michael Mitchell in the second round, those of us in the know thought, 'Who?' That includes ESPN, who didn't have any tape on the biggest perceived reach of the draft.

By the time we got to the sixth round of the draft, I'd already given up hope on the Raiders draft picks.

Apparently, so have they. According to Pro Football Talk, the Raiders have waived/did-not-sign sixth round pick Stryker Sulak.

Before training camp. Before a contract was signed. Heck, even if a deal were signed it wouldn't be guaranteed (save the minimal signing bonus) until the start of the season.

PFT's source said, "I've never seen that happen before." It's not that unusual for a late round pick like Sulak to not make the team. But to be cut before training camp even starts? To be cut in the dead of July? Something tells me there's more to this story.

Sulak will hit the waiver wire which means the Chiefs will have a crack at him if the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams pass.

Sulak is a 6'3", 251 pound defensive end who some say could project as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme with his 4.63 40 yard dash times. He finished second in Mizzou history with 22.5 sacks and accumulated 14 forced fumbles.

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WOW!!!

That is freakin crazy! The Raiders have no freaking idea what the hell they are doing over there.
Any chance the Chiefs will take a look at him???

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jul 13, 2009 4:26 PM CDT reply actions

My gawd! I honestly feel for the Raiders fans. It's nuts!

Anyone with that size and speed should get a look. especially when we consider our linebackers. I certainly hope we check him out.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!

by Buck'O on Jul 13, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

bring him on

Why not?

I’d love to see him succeed here, just to prove the Raiders wrong again!

by stagdsp on Jul 13, 2009 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

If the Raiders liked him and drafted him

we should probably stay away. On the other hand, the Raiders just CUT him, in which case, there is probably a chance he is pretty good.

D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.

by Patrick Allen on Jul 13, 2009 4:31 PM CDT reply actions

thats the raiders for ya

I say, pick bring his ass in…

by Arrowhead816 on Jul 13, 2009 4:35 PM CDT reply actions

Yes, bring him in

He was 2nd in the Big 12 in sacks in 08 with 10.5. I would say that would qualify him for a good long look.

by Spunky on Jul 13, 2009 4:40 PM CDT reply actions

I just watched his highlight reel.

Kid is fast and he seems to be a decent tackler. He could be a gem. Definitely worth a look. The price is definitely right.
How cool would it be to snag a guy off waivers like that and find that all he needs is a little development.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jul 13, 2009 4:42 PM CDT reply actions

How cool would it be to snag a guy off waivers like that and find that all he needs is a little development.

Didn’t we find a pretty decent QB that way? =)

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Jul 14, 2009 6:52 AM CDT up reply actions

This is the kind of bargain bin players that Pioli will be looking for.

I think Sulak might fit the profile.
Think about it: he won’t cost us any kind of picks and he can learn behind ZT and Vrabel for a year or two before we need him to start. If he can contribute on special teams, this kid could be a gem. I am really pulling for this guy.
It doesn’t hurt my feelings that he is an MU kid either.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jul 14, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

He fits a position of need.

I think the most glaring hole on the roster is the bigger OLD that plays the same position as Suggs. Hali? Seriously, the guy didn’t seem athletic enough as a 4-3 DE.

I can’t figure this one out. If he is hurt, why not sign him and then put him on IR? I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chiefs take a look at him or a look at the Kentucky guy in the supplemental draft.

Consistency is only a value if you are not a screw up.

by schraggyj on Jul 13, 2009 4:42 PM CDT reply actions

WOW!! the Raiders are stupid it is mind numbing.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jul 13, 2009 4:44 PM CDT reply actions

Combine numbers

22 reps bench press
31.0 vertical
9-5 broad
7.31 3-cone
4.58 20 yard shuttle

nothing too impressive, for a DE…not that that’s what you judge a player on (surprised Oakland took him, maybe Chicago said they wanted him;)

by Kane on Jul 13, 2009 4:46 PM CDT reply actions

Stryker Sulak

Now that’s a linebacker name! Bring him in!

Inifinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations

by carthagechief on Jul 13, 2009 4:50 PM CDT reply actions

or the next

AMERICAN GLADIATOR!

D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.

by Patrick Allen on Jul 13, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't go by combine numbers.

Game day is the only way to look at the potential of a player.
Big 12 is a tough conference with some decent defenses and he was second in the conference in sacks… I hope they take a look at this guy.
i know he won’t contribute immediately but still, he’s worth a look.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jul 13, 2009 4:51 PM CDT reply actions

Decent defenses in the Big12?

Thats a joke, right?

New Stiga table?!?! Return of the Brookside Pongers???

by HIV 2 Elway on Jul 13, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I said decent, not great!!!

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jul 13, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

not a joke

But the offenses are crazy good. It would take a lot of work to call any of them Great!

Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.

by Zodeman on Jul 13, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

How bout

it’s tough to get sacks in the Big 12 with all the spread O’s

Rule 49. " Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jul 13, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Thats better...

still I doubt this guy was cut because he was lighting it up in practices. Rather, he probably should have never been taken anywhere near the 6th round.

New Stiga table?!?! Return of the Brookside Pongers???

by HIV 2 Elway on Jul 13, 2009 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions

He was a 7th-FA prospect

Maybe a bit of a stretch but that kinda production usually gets someone drafted (Insert Graham Harrell comment here).

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Jul 13, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Why not,

I wouldn’t mind looking at him. Seems like a tough kid. If I were drafted by the Raiders, and they cut me even before Training Camp…It would modivate the hell out of me. I would work twice as hard as anybody out there just to prove myself that I wasn’t a joke and that they made a huge mistake. Hopefully he has this same mentality. Good Luck Sulak, Where ever you end up.

by Wrestler189s on Jul 13, 2009 5:03 PM CDT reply actions

At least a special teams player

Definitely worth a look

by RatsoReily on Jul 13, 2009 5:15 PM CDT reply actions

Sacks

With the spread offense, it’s tough to get sacks. His stats were pretty good, and if Haley’s rep is to be believed, he’s making the players work in practice. I say bring him in, at least for a tryout, if nothing else.

by GonzosDirtyTrailer on Jul 13, 2009 5:35 PM CDT reply actions

Is there an injury or anything like that???

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jul 13, 2009 5:40 PM CDT reply actions

or maybe an off-the-field incident?

by benfunke on Jul 13, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe just getting down to the limit

Just like the Chiefs let 4 go right after OTAs. Don’t they have to be at 80 players max for camp? I think if the Chiefs sign all the draft picks we will still have to let one more go before camp.

Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.

by Zodeman on Jul 13, 2009 6:25 PM CDT reply actions

80 heading into camp...

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Jul 13, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions

And

I think you’re right re: having to let one player go. Nice memory..

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Jul 13, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions

ONE... IF...

they will cut 1, unless they don’t sign anyone else…

I wouldn’t be surprised to see more than one cut, with a signing or two…

but, who really knows what the Don will do

by stagdsp on Jul 13, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, now two

Because they signed Mike Brown after those cuts. So if all the draft picks sign, Chiefs have to let 2 go before camp.

Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.

by Zodeman on Jul 14, 2009 1:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Just Read On PFT

that he wasnt in any trouble and that he hasnt even been contacted by the Raiders

by tomahawk44 on Jul 13, 2009 7:01 PM CDT reply actions

Maybe Al should have traded that 6th rndr

instead of just wasting it.

Rule 49. " Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jul 13, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Oakland DID sign Greg Ellis, after all.

Not sure I see the Chiefs wanting a cast-off, when they passed on the real deal when they had a chance. This Stryker kid could reappear if somebody gets hurt. I think the Chiefs will remain quiet on this front until and unless they see something they really don’t like when they strap on the pads in camp.

I have a personal liking for McAlister and Cribbs, but that’s just me. I especially like Cribbs, because he’s such a versatile athlete. Here’s the semi-latest on him:

Cribbs said that the Browns’ previous regime of GM Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel promised to re-do his contract, but they were fired. Mangini and Kokinis said they aren’t beholden to any commitments made by the prior administration.

Taken from NFL.COM Blogs. An electrifying return man with WR, HB, and Safety potential. A great speed, quickness, and power combo.

by hmills110 on Jul 13, 2009 8:03 PM CDT reply actions

Probably A Result Of The Ellis Signing

But if the Chiefs have a shot at him, I’d be happy to see them give him a chance considering the state of our LB corps (which has two projected starters near the end of their careers). I don’t expect much out of a 6th round pick, but you never know.

Predictions for 2009

1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.
3. Maurice Carthon will be the most hated man on the Chiefs' coaching staff within two years.
4. Larry Johnson has already played his last meaningful game for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's gone before the 2009 season starts.
5. Larry Johnson will gain 0 yards rushing for the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs.

by UCrawford on Jul 14, 2009 8:24 AM CDT reply actions