First Few Minutes Take
Not only do we mob the receiver for pass interference, he still catches it. Then Russell fumbles, and then L.T. shuffles untouched for a touchdown. It's already getting embarassing, and we've got 55 minutes to go. Time to man up, Raiders.
Postgame Take: Clearly, Bill Callahan was right after all.
posted by Raider Take at 5:31 PM
264 Comments:
Man up? Ha! It's just getting worse.
24-0 as of now.
Too bad this isn't a heavyweight fight. Then the ref could just step in and stop it. Pure ugly.
RaidderMike
the raiders received 2 roughing penalties in the first quarter.
both were for pushing a player after the whistle.
why do the raiders believe that pushing someone in going to intimidate them ?
these guys are football players. they are crashing into each other on every play.
suddenly, they are going to be nervous because a raider gives them a shove ?
i illustrate this because it shows just how little thought the raider players put into each play, each game, each season.
it is more then just dumb, they are careless.
as a fan, i can relate to this, because i am at the point where i could care less.
wow, this is awful! another embarrassing disaster on national tv!
WHY?
2 words - al davis!
Ha ha ha....Was that "andthrew falter" in at QB for the faidas in the 1st. half? Sure looked like the faidas of 2 years ago!I love the game, "j-bustorustbucket" looks like a deer in the headlights, WHAT A PUSSY! My leg hurts... boo hoo.... 27 -0.....That says it allMakesyou proud to be a faida fanatic , doesn't it? Look out fat ugly faida wives and domestic partners! there's gonna be alot of domestic abuse calls in choketown!!!!
oh damn. sapp's talkin' again!
Internet NFL Live....Waisting my time when I should be doing something constructive...While the Raiders are totally "Destructive" to themselves....
Why waist my effort commentting on this rediculas performance...Time to look ahead to "09"....
4-1 @ 15 down 27-7....Go for it....What do you have to lose....
Raider00...
Small point...Madan was an "OL"man but as a coach he was working with the "LB"s...So...Technically we promoted a "D" coach to "HC"...But that does not mean it will happen again...
For my money I would go after Rex "He Can Coach" Ryan....With him we could finally get his twin off the conservitive game-plans...
GM....Buddy "PaPa" Ryan...What a "Joke"....
Really....I want Mike "Out-a-Touch" Ditka!!!!/_
Can't be worse than the "Bed-n-Breakfast" Club....
PantyRaider...Game is a Total Joke!!!/_
I watched as much as I could stomach.
This team is every bit as bad or worse than any other team the Raiders have fielded since 2002. Six years without a shred of progress.
JaMarcus Russell looks absolutely puzzled. BTW, did the Tuck Rule only apply to the Patriots? Because, Russell was clearly "tucking" the ball back to his side after a throwing motion.
Harris is ridiculous. He leads the league in penalties and comes back to the huddle with a smile on his face, like it wasn't his fault. If you're going to hold, at least keep the defender from crushing your QB.
NFL network pretty much trashed the Raiders and Al Davis all night, saying Davis is living in the past and the Raiders' schemes are in the dark ages (like we didn't already know).
It's ironic that the Raiders cannot execute a simple screen pass, nor can they defend one. Is anybody coaching this team, on either side of the ball?
What F'n good is another high draft pick going to do for us? We can't afford it.
NyRaider,
i don't know, that looked like a pretty good screen pass to me.
it was just an awesome tackle by wade....lol
hey, the raiders do suck, but they sure are funny.
I'm not making excuses because this sucks. But it's absolutely absurd that the fumble wasn't called a TUCK RULE. I mean it was the exact same thing as Tom Brady. That rule either needs to be called consistently or removed.
i left the bar at halftime...which i never do...i'm glad i didn't waste more money on beer to see this sh**
"j-bustomima" is a total waste of time...but don't tell the "genius" big al that, he knows talent when he see's it, like who else would pay major moola for an o-lineman like "kwanza harris" ha ha ha ha, even the 49ers knew "kwanza" wasn't worth wasting any more time on! The LOSERS will lose out the rest of the season....3-13, just bend over and kiss your ass goodnight....defend the "nation" babies.
34-7.....34-7...34-7, it could have been much worse, but the Chargers aren't the greatest team either, they are in the afc west! Right on Sapp, tell em' like it is!!!!!! big al (MR.) davis i the reason the fizzlers SUCK majorly.....Nice spelling "panty-smella"
Let Sapp and everyone else at NFL Network rip on the Raiders. Al deserves it. All of it. Until the Raiders can stop completely embarrassing themselves over and over again, they deserve every bit of it. You want them to stop ripping on the Raiders? Just win, baby.
AWESOME EFFORT
How much of this crap are we as fans going to put up with?
NO FRICKON SHAME WHAT SO EVER
All we get from Raiderhaters now is PITY.
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE MY ASS
Every fan planning to attend the next home game, go and tailgate, BUT for no frickon reason enter at game time. ENOUGH IS FRICKON ENOUGH. F### AL DAVIS!!!
Signed,
1/2 A STEP AWAY FROM BECOMING XR8RFAN
An embarrasing loss in every possible imaginable way ... penalities, fumbles, interceptions, no run D, no offensive execution, etc.
It is the first game in a long,long time where I walked out of my friends house before the completion of the 1st half. I just couldn't torture myself anymore.
Treading water at 2,3,4,5 games won a season for the past six years and getting publicly called out by the NFL network crew SHOULD and MUST cause Al to rethink his entire way of conducting business.
Major, impactful changes must be made. It starts with Al getting the help he DESPERATELY needs to rebuild the organization from the ground up. Every member of the Raider organization ... players, coaches, executives, and the entire support staff needs to be serioulsy evaluated.
Step 1: Hire a competent GM
Step 2: Allow the GM to select a HC
Step 3: Allow the GM and new HC to revamp the roster
Step 4: Bolster the scouting and personnel departments
It isn't rocket science. Every member of the organization needs to be held accountable for the performance of their respective areas. Every member of the organization should have all of the necessary support, tools, and resources to fully utilize their skills. If someone isn't cutting it ... bye, bye. Every area of the organization needs to be improved and upgraded. 2009 should be year 1 in a SERIOUS rebuilding effort. It might require blowing up the roster and staff and starting next to scratch similar to an exansion team.
I for one would welcome MAJOR changes that are tied to a REAL long term plan. The "reload not rebuild" line is complete BS. When you have averaged 4 wins a season for six consecutive seasons, it isn't rationale to "reload". Sweeping changes and dramatic alterations to the culture of Alameda need to be made.
It all starts with Al. Without Al making drastic changes to the way he handles things, it will be more of the same. Until he delegates major resonsibiliites to competent people, we will continually be stuck in quicksand.
you guys are JUST NOW figuring this out?
Just got back home after watching this DEBACLE at the Tackroom Tavern in Indio CA. Lots of Raider and Charger fans but no excitement,it seemed like the Chargers were playing by themselves.
WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!!
SCALR8R
From Warsaw Indiana......
I just couldn't watch the game anymore. What's the point?
Davis must burn for this debacle for the last 6 years.
Like Take said. " This is unacceptable." I agree and its far from being done. There's way more shit to sling our way as fans and at our team.
Question is? When will we as fans say enough is enough and all go on strike and walk away?
No more games or merchandise. DONE!
Mr. Duva
While I agree we as fans could and should do something to light a fire under "MrD"s ass....I don't believe it's posible....The only way we are united is in support of our team....I totally doubt we could unite against it as a show of strength to spark change....
Fellow fans let's face the real reality here...We are "Hooked"...."Sliver-n-Black" Blood has dripped from our vains for far too long....None of us can let go of the memory of what once was....That which made us love this team so much that some have permanate Tat-Too's across our bodies....Myself Included....Where would we go....Who would we support...Do we want to be viewed like those "Raider-Traitors" who crawled accross the Bay-Bridge to follow the "SadFranchiseWinners" in the "80"s....
We are not of that sort...Nor do we wear bags on our heads in shame...I spoke out a few weeks ago and said I'm finnished with this shit and won't watch until we win again....But than I find myself stuck to a computer screen agonizing over what is happening on the "Grid-Iron" 10,000 miles away....
Look around...We are not alone...How long did the "CheeseHeads" wait for a come-back...."SB" II in "68" they kicked our asses but fell off the edge of the Earth until Bret Farve resurected the team in the "90"s....Look at the Jets....Joe Namath...."SB III" but never to return sense....They now base all their hopes upon the "QB" that brought back the "CheeseHeads"...And yet their fans have remained faithful through time...Are we any less...I think "NOT"....
I can't find a positive here...That's something that escapes me at this low point in our glorious history...But I am a "RAIDER"...And I realize that can never change....
PantyRaider...Hopelessly-in-Love!!!!/_
Super Bowl II
Jan. 14, 1968
Orange Bowl
Miami, Florida
MVP: Bart Starr, QB, Green Bay
Green Bay Packers 33
Oakland Raiders 14
Super Bowl XI
Jan. 9, 1977
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California
MVP: Fred Biletnikoff, WR, Oakland
Oakland Raiders 32
Minnesota Vikings 14
Super Bowl XV
Jan. 25, 1981
Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana
MVP: Jim Plunkett, QB, Oakland
Oakland Raiders 27
Philadelphia Eagles 10
Super Bowl XVIII
Jan. 22, 1984
Tampa Stadium
Tampa, Florida
MVP: Marcus Allen, RB, Los Angeles
Washington Redskins 9
Los Angeles Raiders 38
Super Bowl XXXVII
Jan. 26, 2003
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, California
MVP: Dexter Jackson, FS, Tampa Bay
Oakland Raiders 21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48
http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history
I'm sure glad I turned down offers to attend the latest KC and SD games. Those would've been two massive amounts of wasted time and energy.
I'm sticking to my guns this time. I refuse to get serious about supporting the Raiders via ticket sales until they get serious about winning.
Talk is cheap Al. You won't get there on willpower alone while insisting your old ways work, and they clearly don't.
Psycho
Was this the same team that played nearly flawless football for a full half two weeks ago?
Does Cable even know you can challenge the plays? Why not at least challenge the fumble before the team gave up? Either Russell's hand was still going forward, or he was tucking it... thus incomplete either way. Maybe Cable had something to do after the game, and challenging the play would take too much time?
And I don't know if anyone watched long enough late in the second half, but for the first time I can recall under SOB's "coaching" he got burned by calling a full out blitz... so I can now assume we wont see that again this year.
Wonderful.
Oh, and the one thing it seemed Al did right this off season was sign Kelly... anyone notice how horrible the defense was after he got benched for being a moron?
One carry for McFadden? Sure glad we drafted him.
Painfull.
I am no longer buying Oakland merchandise or game tickets and if I lived in Oakland and attended the games, I would be wearing a paper bag over my head. That is how bad it is gotten in Oakland. Thanks Al.
GaryG
Calico,
in the world of "reloaders", the raiders are a musket.
and you know how long it took to reload one of those damn things.
it was reported that many raider players were laughing and having a good time in the lockerroom after the SD beatdown.
i wonder if they were laughing simply because they don't care, or because they can't believe how easy it is to steal money from old uncle al ?
For any team playing the Raiders, it's like having an extra bye week. Truly sad!
Right now, I would say KC is one full year ahead of the Raiders in rebuilding their team. The key for them is that they actually know they're rebuilding, instead of pretending they're not.
Where do you go to, in Oakland, in case of a tornado?
To the coliseum, they NEVER have a TOUCHDOWN there.
What do you call a senile owner and 47 millionaires around a TV, watching the Superbowl?
Al Davis and The Oakland Raiders!!!!
What do you call a JACKASS roaming the Raider sidelines?
Tom Cable
Hi, I'm Calico Jack, and I'm a recovering Raideraholic.
The first REAL step in correcting the problem is admitting that there is a problem ... a BIG problem.
The second REAL step in fixing the problem is getting help ... A GM would be a nice starting point.
The third REAL step in truly building something with lasting value is to have a plan ... rebuild don't reload. The bricks and mortar of any solid foundation is the Oline and DLine.
The fourth REAL step in achieving any tangible goals is to hold each member accountable for results ... this applies to everyone earning a paycheck for the organization.
All of these "remedies" take 1 thing and 1 thing only ... REAL leadership. A real leader has a vision, high standards, and inspires others to raise their "game" a notch higher or two.
The biggest hurdle to clear is cleaning up the losing culture that permeates in the organization. It is times like now where character does count. How many players are geting in extra practice reps? Spending time breaking down film? Working out extra in the gym? Besides a few professionals like Asomugha and a handful of others, most of the team is laughing to the bank without a care in the world.
No comment on the game.
However if any of you check in and are going to watch the SEC Championship Game, keep an eye on two players on the Alabama side. Andre Smith at left tackle and Antoine Caldwell at center.
Smith is a junior but may come out because he is the highest rated tackle in the country. Caldwell is a senior, but is an All American, attended year round and graduated almost a year ago so he has concentrated on football since.
Smith has only been charged with giving up one sack all year and Caldwell zero. Both have been basically injury free.
I would like to see Caldwell in a Raider uniform. He has a mean streak when it comes to protecting his QB and sometimes he will pull and be the lead blocker on a sweep.
Smith is a bit young even though he was a starter from day one as a freshman.
We need help on the OL and Caldwell has played every position on the line but his best is center.
Just my two bits since we are already looking toward the draft.
H
Yes we need help on the O-Line, but why do I get the feeling that Senile Al has his eye on Malcolm Jenkins, the CB out of Ohio State or Vontae Davis the CB out of Illinois? My only hope is that they run a slow 40 time at the combine so Al will lose interest in them.
How in hell can you look at the Draft.....Are you high? Do any of you think that this organization can field a team? No coach worth anything will come here or stay here. I dont care who we draft...its not about the players..or the Coach...Its about the core of the organization...There is no way we improve without a GM and a complete flushing of the building...It just blows my mind to here you guys talk about the Draft...Comic..Tunnel vision...Head in the sand kind of stuff...Our problems are WAY beyond a new Coach or Draft pick and NOTHING will change with Al running the team. Oh I forgot...Im Greg a recovering Raider fan and "im out"
Greg, the draft is an integral component of the rebuilding process, just as hiring a competent GM is another.
If we hire a GM (who in turn hires a head coach) and draft to our true needs (WR, OL & DL) in April then we will know a rebuilding process has begun in earnest. If we draft another “40-burner" CB then we can expect no change for 2009.
Yup, just like Alameda, some fans will never change. They take a losing season up their poopshoot and then gleefully start talking about the draft and if we have a good draft, Al will be on his way to his 4th title. Just insane, they can't fathom the sickness that is Alameda. Or they can't fathom what their sickness is, their inability in dealing with reality.
JONES
Heartland Raider Fan
Yeah .... the Raiders need to hire one of you geniuses for General Manager....How many more first overall picks would you waste on the likes of Russell???????
Heartland - Is that your version of a drive-by "I told you so"?
Heartland Raider Fan
Take it any way you want....It was all of you closed minded experts that chastised those of us who saw thru the Media Hype that
was "JaMarcus Russell".
Raiders have been picked to star in remake of, Wizard of Oz.
They got the part because they have no brains,no heart, and no courage.
I'm sure central casting can use a bunch of you mental midgets for Munchkins and Flying Monkeys
I HAVE TO AGREE...JA-BUSTO IS SO SOFT A LIGHT WIND COULD MAKE HIM FUMBLE....WASTE OF A PICK AND MONEY...LOOK AT THE "MAN IN MINK" ALL THE BLING AND "NO" PRODUCTION. MATT RYAN, JOE FLACCO, BOTH ARE STARTERS AND BOTH MAKE PLAYS..
DON'T EVEN GIVE ME THIS WR'S BOOWLSHIT , HE CAN'T PUT THE BALL IN THE SWEET SPOT...OR RUN...OR HOLD THE BALL...OR EVADE RUSHERS...BAD CHOICE.....
WE NEEDED OL FOR 5 SEASONS WITH POOR DRAFT PICKS AND FEW ON LINEMEN..JA-BUSTO IS JUST THAT...A "BUSTO"
I wonder if it's possible to snag one of the QB coaches or people around the QB coaches from Balt, or Atl that made Flacco, and Ryan such quick studies in the NFL?
This franchise is going nowhere unless we figure out how to get consistency out of Jruss.
We know he is CAPABLE of doing it based on his Denver performance, so it IS possible, despite what you read from the all-cap posters.
Yeah, lets just waive jruss after his rookie year, and take the enormous cap hit. BRILLIANT.
hey, why didn't the giants waive eli manning after he stuggled early on ? those dummies.
yes, if your Qb is not great right away, just waive him. what sound thinking.
Again, the problem is with the offensive scheme. YOUR MAJESTY (AL'S) playbook is so f##### up that not even the Giants or Patsies could win with it. Everybody keeps blaming the players, when their talent is just being flush down the toilet. The coaches need to put them in position to succeed and they don't. The big problem lies with Al an the coaching staff. Once Al gets out of the way, we are FINALLY going to win. After Kiffin was fired MOST of the team quit. With his MORONIC firing, Al push the team back 5 to 6 years.
SMART MOVE YOU ROCKET SCIENTIST
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT IDIOT (AL) GO
signed,
1/2 A STEP FROM BECOMING XR8RFAN
Heartland Raider Fan
Hey Gary ....Make up your mind, either Al Davis is a Genius like you for clamoring all over Russell and buying the Hype, or a doddering old fool that can't make intelligent or cognitive decisions anymore and needs to hire a General Manager.....reguardless... it's you, and a bunch of the other clowns on this blog that were on the same page with Al Davis when it came to evaluating and drafting Russell....and critical, and condenscending towards others who disagreed...So while you and the others are talking out of both sides of your mouths about Al Davis' competentcy ....repeat after me....Ryan Leaf, Aliki Smith ,Art Schlister,Cade McNown,Dan McGuire, Jim Druckenmiller, Todd Blackledge, Vince Young, Todd Marinovich???? Add Jamarcus Russell to that list.
Russell is a Multi- Million Dollar arm with a 10 cent brain...he will never have the mental faculty to make the split second decisions and reads in the NFL.....Eli Mannings problems were supporting cast... so there's no comparison.
But, keep grasping at straws and stay in denial.
And how is your boy Brian Brohm doing, hmmm Heartland? If he was so good how come he didn't beat out Aaron Rodgers? The Nation wants to know.
Well A Ninny Mouse tell us how JaMarcus would have beat out AAron Rodgers.
Heartland Raider Fan
Funny how you defend Russell when he's suffering thru the same dilemma as Andrew Walter.
Walter is still better than Russell.
Do you really want to compare a
60+ million dollar 1st overall draft pick with a 2nd round, 56th pick....that doesn't say much for Russell.
A little historical perspective:
Aikman: 0-11 1st year
P. Manning: 3-13 1st year
Russell: 3-10 1st year(counting last game of last year)
Now I'm sure fans in Dallas and Indy were frustrated after
Aikman's and Manning's first season. Yet they were given time to develop. I have a feeling the fans there are glad they had the patience to wait and let those QBs develop. I'm not ready to throw him under the bus before he's even played a full season as starter.
Part of the problem is that the Raiders are in the midst of the worst six years of their existence. I understand the frustration. But to give up on him after less than one season makes no sense whatsoever. Just like the coaching carousel we've been on since Callahan was fired. The problems in Oakland are deeper than Russell's QB growing pains.
Until there is a GM in place with a plan for this team, it wouldn't matter if you had a team of Pro Bowlers, this team would still have problems. Lack of discipline on the field, guys laughing in the locker room after that a*! whipping meted out by the Chargers, overpaying for free agents who fail to live up to expectations again and again. Until we change things at the top, things will stick suck throughout the organization.
RAIDER 00....WHY NO...I DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD WAVE HIM.....I THINK WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM....I KNOW YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE JA-BUSTO INTO THE NEXT JOE MONTANA...."RIGHT"! "PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE! THIS KIS IS SO FREEKIN SOFT ITS COMIC..."LIKE YOUR COMMENT". HOW MANY FUMBLES.....OH THATS RIGHT....NEXT SEASON HE WILL COME OUT LIKE BRET FARVE....NO FREEKIN WAY PATNA....BAD PICK....LETS TRY TO MAKE IT WORK BUT DONT BET ON IT. IF THIS KID HAD IT WE WOULD HAVE SEEN IT.....I MEAN THE "WILL TO WIN"..THE GUTS TO RUN THE BALL.....THE WISDOM TO THROW IT AWAY OR AT LEAST TUCK IT.....I GUESS YOU WOULD LOVE TO PICK SOME WR'S IN THE FIRST ROUND.....OH YEAAAAA ITS A CRAP SHOOT......WITH THE RIDERS IT IS.....
It doesn't matter who we have at QB right now. The problem is not the QB or RB. There are 3 HUGE problems that we have to deal with this offseason.
#1. The Offensive Line. We need 2 Tackles and a Center (3 out of 5 on the line). I hope we start by going after Matt Birk (C-Minnesota). That is where we need to start, the o-line.
#2. Wide Receiver. We need a quality #1 WR who can actually separate himself from the defenders and catch a pass.
#3. Play calling. We haven't had a good play caller on offense since (dare I say it?) Bill Callahan (an Offensive Line guy). Cable is trying to be too creative in his calling, instead of being focused on execution and consistency.
Now for the reality of these problems. None of this will happen without a GM, nor will it happen as long as Al Davis is owner. The Captain is going down with the ship, but the Captain is the one who sabotaged it.
Heartland... the year we drafted Russell we were desperate for a QB and Russell was the highest rated QB that year. Yea, screw Al for not KNOWING FOR A FACT he would struggle and look horrible. Sure... I can pretend I am a genius by cherry picking the draft for the best two players, lets play!!! Instead of Russell, if I were Al I would have picked CJ, and instead of McF we should have picked Flacco... oh and instead of Huff, if I were Al I would have have picked a RT... I don't know what the best RT in the draft was that year, BUT THAT IS WHAT I WOULD HAVE DRAFTED!!!!
See.. thats how I pretend to be a genius, Heartland.
Instead I am dealing with what we have and suggesting we put people around Russell that would accelaerate his development... and yes, I believe sooner or later he will become a serviceable QB (based solely on his game vs Denver).
Yes, I agree Al seems to have lost it, and I very much agree Al needs a strong GM to reign his wildness in... happy now??
Nate,
If Birk is a FA this year yes, if not Caldwell would be a good pickup if he fell to the second round. The can also play left tackle better than what we have now.
Some folks are projecting Andre Smith at LT as a top five and possibly a #1 overall if he comes out. I'm actually getting leary of underclassmen. Matt Ryan was a fifth year senior, while Russell came out his junior year. And, he's the youngest starting QB in the NFL.
I think one of the worse things the NFL has done is to allow underclassmen into the draft.
If you look at the top QB's in the league now, most of them stayed through their senior year (Favre, the Mannings, Brees and now Ryan)
More Senior QB's make it than underclass types, just look at Mike Vick.
H
Heartland Raider Fan
Well Gary keep posting.....it shows what a genius you really are.
You Football "geniuses" still don't get it....Then, and just as true now....a QB wasn't deperately needed.....it's an effective offensive and defensive line that was/is desperately needed.
You geniuses relentlessly defend Russell for the same type of miserable performances Walter was guilty of. But hey.. Walter wasn't the "Superstar Media Darling" that Russell was made out to be, the crap that you gullible geniuses were so willing to eat up with a spoon.
Yes Junior G M Wannabees now you have McFadden and Russell.
Two really nice shiny carts and no horses capable of pulling them.
A culture of losing:
Free agents who want to play football and win championships sign with teams like NE, NYG, etc.
Free agents who just want to get paid (or overpaid) sign with the Raiders.
It's become a way of life for the Raiders and Al Davis. Throw some money against the wall and hope it sticks.
Kiffin had his own learning curve as far as head coaching, but at least he saw the illness that plagues us.
anyone see this yet?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/06/sports/s181525S47.DTL
it'll be interseting to see how the guy who davis turned down does....
oops! my brain is faster than my fingers! i of course meant "interesting"
>>>>
You Football "geniuses" still don't get it....Then, and just as true now....a QB wasn't deperately needed.....it's an effective offensive and defensive line that was/is desperately needed.
>>>
I assume this means you were applauding the Gallery pick and defending him while all the Al-haters want his head on a pike here?
And name the last team to win a SB without a great QB?
Dilfer and... whom???? Lets see... tick tock tick tock... Heartland.
Get back to me soon!!!! I will be waiting....
Gary,
Brad Johnson.
H
Ok... two QB's in the last 20 years?
I guess I look around and see the teams with a lot of wins right now and I also see all of them having some damn fine QB's... Collins being the exception rather than the rule. Does this REALLY need to be said here? The quickest way to winning is a great QB.. especially with good coaching to go along with it?
We have a QB in place, now we attack the lines (something Al should have started last year, which is why I was so annoyed at the McF pick). Al tried to attack the line first with Gallery... and he got murdered here for THAT TOO!! Maybe thats my point? We have to go to war with what we have, not with what we could have had.
Heartland Raider Fan
Football games are won at the line of scrimage...Period.
Some of you Sports Center Highlights, X-Box, Instant Gratification, Cart Before the Horse, Clowns will never figure it out.
I don't care how good a QB is if he's on his back, or constantly running for his life.
This is the AFC WEST if you can't stop the run you lose....you're offense will always be spending a disproportionate amount of game time on the bench limiting scoring opportunities, and will never get to the playoffs let alone the Superbowl. Every team from the AFC West that has won the Superbowl has had a better than average to great defense....but hey....why let facts get in the way.
Defense wins Championships....not the team with the most highlights on ESPN...Period.
I take it Gary would build and Engine to 800 HP and then decide what chassis, and body to use.
"Football games are won at the line of scrimage...Period."
I agree. So why do we keep drafting speedy CBs?
Plus, can somebody tell me why we put all our eggs in the Kwame Harris basket? He wasn't good enough to compete in SF, but the Raiders thought he was good enough to not even have a contingency plan. The guy has more false starts than most teams.
Heartland Raider Fan
"Football games are won at the line of scrimage...Period."
I agree. So why do we keep drafting speedy CBs?
You ever hear of special teams???
How about winning the batte of Field Position?
With a duo of kickers like Janokowski and Lechler, who can kick high and deep, then along with speedy DB's for all intents and purposes you should be able to pin your opponent back deep in his own territory or force a lot of fair catches....unfortuntely The Raider DB's for the most part are crappy tacklers.
How many times did the special teams bury the opponents deep, only to let the defense give it up and let them score on long drives that ate up the clock...and wear down an already horrible defense?
Heartland... you ignored my challenge.
How many teams have won a SB without a great QB, or at the very least, the hottest QB at the time (Doug Williams).
We have came up with three.
Three crappy QB's in 40 years? Just a coincidence huh?
Denver has one of the best o-lines in football and we beat the living shit out of them because Plummer stunk out loud that game.
Yes, I agree, the lines are important. but not nearly as important as the QB. Not even close.
Lets use your car analogy... would you stick a dude engine in the best chassis on the planet?
If so, why? What are you accomplishing really?
I meant "dud" engine. [smile]
>>>
I take it Gary would build and Engine to 800 HP and then decide what chassis, and body to use.
>>>
Actually I know people that do that... especially in hot rods where the body needs work. I was in one of them when he was drunk showing off the engine... thought I was going to die.
Heartland Raider Fan
What challenge???
To be a part of your illogical stupidity.
Was it really important for you to have me repeat the answers to your ridiculous challenge after another poster already had?
Get a life and take a Football 101 class.
Heartland - With each new post you contradict your previous post. Now we should draft special teams players instead of O-linemen?
And despite the fact we have followed this pattern, our special teams still suck. Brilliant!
Heartland Raider Fan
Leave it to a Nooo Yawkah to misunderstand simple Engish.
"Football games are won at the line of scrimage...Period."
Someone asked why draft DB's like they're is something wrong with the concept of speed for Special teams' players,
Maybe in Noo Yawk you don't get too much real information about the Raiders but...The Raiders have (up to now) forgone drafting OL because Tom Cable had been successful at Atlanta acquiring OL thru free agency and the later rounds of the draft to find the players that fit his "Zone Blocking System".
Heartland - Do you think when you write or do you just write? Yeah Cable did a great job picking our O-line, especially the waste of a LT which he endorsed and the Raiders signed.
You actually think - in your twisted logic - you justified drafting speedy CBs over linemen?
You're the one that wrote, and I quote, "Football games are won at the line of scrimage...Period."
Since when do speedy second-string CBs that play special teams contribute to LOS play?
Here's another choice Heartland quote: "I don't care how good a QB is if he's on his back, or constantly running for his life."
How do speedy CBs help here?
And another choice quote: "This is the AFC WEST if you can't stop the run you lose..."
What, more CBs to play D-line too?
Maybe you should go back and read your own posts.
Heartland Raider Fan
Do they have schools in Noo Yawk????
My GOD you're pathetically stupid!!!
Here Let me cut and paste the conversation for you....
Anonymous said...
Heartland Raider Fan
"Football games are won at the line of scrimage...Period."
I agree. So why do we keep drafting speedy CBs?
See Moron....someone was asking me what the logic was behind drafting DB"s
So let me spell this out for you as simply as I can....try and keep up.... By explaining the logic of drafting DB's does in any way shape or form deter from the fact that offensive and defensive lineman are the determining factor in building a successful team...Period
Get It yet?????
Someone who posted a question anonymously asked me a question.
Heartland said - "Someone who posted a question anonymously asked me a question."
Take a close look at my 3:09 post.
Who's the moron? Moron!
For somebody who disappeared from this blog for about a year, you sure have a lot to say. You just came back to rub this season in our faces, like it's our fault.
Get a clue.
****
"Heartland Raider Fan
I take it Gary would build and Engine to 800 HP and then decide what chassis, and body to use."
****
Tell that to Carroll Shelby.
JMHO
OTOH, my opinion is that you start at the O-line. Then, when you get a franchise QB with your next pick, he doesn't die on the field.
---Jeff
---Jeff
Let’s take a look at our DB drafting prowess.
2008
-DB Tyvone Branch - IR (taken with our 2nd pick while the rest of the NFL was asking, Tyrone who?).
Zero offensive lineman taken and only 1 DL
2007
-CB John “David” Bowie - never made the active roster, then IR (our compensation for Randy Moss).
-S Eric “Peter” Frampton - waived (initially touted as a hard hitter and ST gamer)
Of 11 picks, only 1 OL was drafted (Mario “sure to be a bust” Henderson).
2006
-S Michael Huff - MIA (7th overall pick)
-S Darnell Bing - waived before pre-season
2005 - a blockbuster year
-CB Fabian Washington (1st pick).
-CB Stanford Routt (2nd pick).
2004
S Schweigert (nuff said)
2003
CB Nnamdi Aso (a law of averages HR).
2002
-CB Phillip Buchanon was drafted with our top pick.
2001
-S Derrick Gibson was our top pick.
2000
RB Sabastian Janikowski was our top pick. Ooops, not a CB, but much more ridiculous.
Heartland Raider Fan
You know what Nooo Yawk moron....
Thanks for reminding me why I got tired of this blog and found better things to do.
Heartland Raider: Welcome back ... I guess. It seems like you have a major axe to grind.
I agree that ONE of the major components to building a top team is the OLine/DLine. But let's get 1 thing straight ... a franchise QB is THE most important element to any successful team in the NFL. I would argue that unless you have a competent GM and HC, it will continue to be uphill sleding.
Yes, there have been a few teams that have won with "game manager" type QBs (Dilfer, Johnson) but these teams had #1 defenses. This is clearly the exception.
Going into the 2007 draft we had Andrew Walter and Tui and the #1 pick. Since Al does NOT trade down and there weren't any good FA QBs, Russell was a no brainer. Russell has yet to play a full season and you are writing him off. Nice. Regardless of whether you think Russell will continue to develop, it serves no purpose to play the "what if" game. What is discouraging to many people on this board is that there were many poor choices made this past off season. Our 2 biggest FA tickets were Walker and Hall ... 2 overpaid skilled players who were/are a complete waste of cap space.
I personally believe Russell has all the tools and mental fortitude to become a top echelon QB ... but in due time, certainly not overnight without the support and time he needs.
Heartland said, “You know what Nooo Yawk moron.... Thanks for reminding me why I got tired of this blog and found better things to do.”
That’s it? That’s your comeback? Why can’t you have a civil discussion about the Raiders on this forum? Instead, anyone who disagrees with you is a moron.
FYI, I’m not from Long Island, if that’s your attempt to phonetically spell NY with an LI accent.
Heartland: Agreed. Everyone on this blog is a complete moron except you. You are the Oz ... the guy with all the insight, answers, and knowledge that we only wished we possessed. Your football acumen is second to none. Let's take this moment to bow down to the Almighty Heartland who blesses us with his mere prescence after being a ghost for a year. One question for Lord Heartland ... why all the hostility? I get the fact that you don't agree with some of the posters. I get the fact that you think Russell is a bust. I get the fact that it is very difficult being a Raider fan. What I don't get is why you bothered to revist RT's site, take a crap on the welcome mat, and then moan like a little bitch.
>>>
But let's get 1 thing straight ... a franchise QB is THE most important element to any successful team in the NFL.
>>>
Thanx Calico.. I thought maybe I was losing my marbles or something.
The interesting thing now is to see how valuable the QB's coming out THIS year are going to be now that two franchises hit the MOTHER LOAD with Flacco and Ryan.
I guess we all have to remember once again how clueless and lost Drew Brees looked until his third season. Seriously.. he made JRuss look like Joe Montana.
Oh, and interestingly enough, both the two non-franchise QB's that won SB's ironically might not even have won a ring if not for two hard-headed RAIDER coaches unwilling to change their game plans.
Gruden running every down against the top ranked run defense in NFL history, and Callahan passing every down when Gannon was completely off his game.
Calico, & Gary,
i have to disagree with the idea that a franchise Qb is the most important element for building a team.
in their primes, john madden and al davis always disagreed with where you start to build a team.
coach madden believed you start with the 0-line, while davis favored 2 shut down corners.
yes, i saw joe flacco the other night. he sure looked great sitting in that pocket firing away.
but the point is, he had time to sit back, look over the field, and make a play. nice.
on the raiders, flacco would be flat on his back, then, sitting on the sidelines with an ice pack on his head.
i think we would see a totally different russel, and mcfadden, if they had a quality 0-line in front of them.
we better fix our 0-line, because without it, there is no time to throw, no holes to run, and no points on the board.
Raider OO: It really is a matter of timing ... at some point a franchise QB is the engine and leader of any successful team. Whether you get the franchise QB first and build a competent OLine to support the QB or whether you have the OLine already in place and add a franchise QB is a matter of circumstances. Under the circumstances prior to the 2007 season ... #1 draft pick and Russell staring us in the face, it was a no brainer.
The problem lies in what happened immediately following the selection of Russell. There was an entire 2007 draft and free agency and entire 2008 draft and free agency. We failed to make OLine a priority to properly support our young QB.
The OLine will always be the glue to a team but a franchise QB is the leader that has the ball in his hands every play and makes all the key decisions.
All of us can go around and around on this but the simple point is this ... Russell is our franchise QB and has been since 2007. What are we doing as an organization to support our young leader? Do we have a stable coaching staff? No, 3 playcallers in 1 season. Do we have a good OLine? No, our 2 OTs are marginal at best. Do we have a playmaking #1 WR and adequate depth at this position? No, we have Shillens, Curry, and Lelie. Have we had good playcalling? No, for the most part we had one playcaller who was way too conservative (Kiffin), another who was too pass happy (Knapp) and another who botches too many plays trying to get too tricky.
What the team needs is strong leadership and 1 vision/system where there is a rhyme to the reason for everything that is done. What is crushing us from year to year is instability and a haphazard, reload approach that has failed misearbly for six straight years. When you win 23% of your games, the entire organization needs to be reevaluated from top to bottom. To change the culture, there needs to be a GM, a Head Coach, and an owner that form a true partnership to BUILDING a team.
It's really a matter of timing if you want to get your franchise QB first and run the risk of permanant injury or damaging his pysche and have him never reach his potential, or build an offensive line and good running game to take the pressure off your new multi million dollar investment both physically and mentally which will in turn shorten his learning curve.
Of course to do it right you will incurr the wrath of your most uninformed and impatient fans.
So what came first the horse or the cart....
The answer is according to price and availability at the time of purchase....
If there was a great cart available but no studs to pull it than the smart man would take the cart now and get his stud later...
Or if there was a great stud but you had no cart why wouldn't you select the stud first and than look for the cart....
Now what great "OL" was available when we took the "QB" at #1....
O what great "OL" was available when we took the "RB" at #4...
That is according to price....We spent a #1 -n- #4 pick not a #3-5 or #12....Go back and look it up befor you shoot off you mouth.......Or "Key-Board"...
"09" NFL Draft...."WR"-"OL"-"DL"....
If we are looking now at who or what may be available than that makes us...."Stupid-n-Blind"..????
We are now set to pick 6th....
PantyRaider...Logical Discussion!!!!?_
Hi, I'm Raider Nate. And I'm a Raider-holic.
CJ,
Though I agree that a Franchise QB is the most important element; where I feel the Raiders went array, and why Jamarcus is not fairing well, is because there was no Offensive Line in place.
When the Steelers drafted Big Ben, they had an O-line in place (Faneca and Starks was a good place to start). When the Falcons drafted Matt Ryan, they had an O-line in place. When the Ravens drafted Flacco, they had an O-line in place.
When the Raiders drafted Jamarcus, they were in offensive turmoil. We could draft any of the others I mentioned, and we would still be in the same boat. Outside of front office changes; the first place we start player wise is with the O-line. Then we move to the D-line, and then WR in that order.
So even though I agree with you and Gary, I also see where Heartland is coming from. A lot of our offensive failures is the inabilities we have on the Offensive Line to execute. It is completely deplorable to watch an Offensive Lineman whiff on a block, and consistently make mental mistakes like going after the wrong assignment (Kwame Harris, Cornell Green, and Jake Grove are who I have in mind here).
So in a sense, all of you are right, but THE most important element (A Franchise QB, in case you forgot); is sought when you have the pieces of an O-Line together. Something we didn't do, because of a lack of a scouting team and a General Manager.
After a long quest, I now finally know who is most responsible for the past six years: the fan.
It all makes sense now. Car buyers are responsible for the automaker mess, too.
The point I was trying to make about 'timing' and 'circumstances' is we had 2 choices going into the 2007 draft:
Either take a franchise QB at #1 or trade down and build the OLine. We know Al is trading down so it is a moot point.
I totally understand in a perfect world your team already has a cohesive, solid OLine in place BEFORE taking a franchise QB. Unfortunately, the circumstances, timing, and Davis dictated that we get the franchise QB then build around him. Unfortunately, Davis has been negligent in building around Russell.
For the record, some of the 'support' pieces are in place for Russell ... a high quality TE & a game changing RB. Both of these guys (Miller, McF) are secruity blanket pieces for Russell. Now we need to concentrate on the OLine and WR.
My beef is that we had numerous opportunities to build the OLine once Russell was selected. 2 drafts, 2 free agencies, potential trades, etc. Think of all the picks, FAs we took over the past 2 years ... once again it comes down to priorities. The priority should be to protect your $66M investment (Russell) before adding speedy but worthless CBs (Hall) and WRs (Walker).
I meant 'Al ISNT trading down' ...
Good point RT. Now I know why Heartland is in such a foul mood. The fans pissed in his cereal bowl by ruining his team. After all the fans are the ones making all the key executive decisions for the Raiders ... unpaid of course.
CJ... one thing to think about though, even if Al had WANTED to trade down, there very easily could have been no takers. I know Jerry Jones said he didn't know anyone that wanted to move into the top ten because it costs too much to bring them into camp.
So it is what it is.. maybe Al should have just swallowed his pride and picked CLaddy.. so at least Ratface wouldn't have gotten him.
FWIW, I actually do agree with Heartland that we should have been addressing our o-line sooner. Just that QB took precedence when we picked JRuss.
QB is king in the NFL... imagine if a complete team like the Vikings had one?
The notion that our predicament is rooted in either/or equations is absurd.
We are in a six-year tailspin with no end in sight. This isn't about the O-Line, the D-Line QB, WR, RB, DBs or coaching. It's about all of these things. Good teams aren't made up of solely first-round draft picks. They are made up of smart draft picks and smart acquisitions across the board.
The NFL is rooted in parity. The cap, the draft ordering, revenue sharing...it's all designed to make sure teams can be competitive in the long run.
To grossly underperform parity for six straight years is a sign of gross incompetence across the board.
Calcio, you're exactly right. We had 10 draft picks after Russell was drafted 1st overall in 2007, and we failed to address probably the most critical need at that time (i.e., immediately after we drafted a franchise QB). Oh yeah, we drafted Mario Henderson, but using a pick well ahead of his draft worth.
Also, there was no intention of playing Russell right after he was drafted, so there was additional time to assemble a reasonable cast of protectors.
So who do we sign? Kwame Harris, whom the Raiders knew had issues with pass protection.
Then there's that six years of "gross incompetence" thing too.
>>>
To grossly underperform parity for six straight years is a sign of gross incompetence across the board.
>>>
I agree... but something just occurred to me. You kept asking people that defend Al (like me) what is the one constant through out all of this.
Isn't there two?
AD and SOB?
Our defense for the most part has stunk out loud the entire six years... wasn't SOB here the entire time?
Yes, and he should have already been fired by Al Davis. He's not going to fire himself. A boss is always more responsible than his employees, because he is responsible FOR the employees.
Wow, you guys have been busy in the last 24 hours.
Q. Why do we keep drafting speedy CB's?
A. In one of John Madden's books, "One Knee Equals Two Feet", I believe Maddent said one of the areas where he and Al dissagreed was he thought you built your team starting at the guard position, Al Davis thought you started at the CB position. I'm paraphrasing and woking from memory so don't hold me to it exactly.
I've always thought you started with the line on both sides of the ball. Just my not so humble opinion.
Take,
It's not the Fan's fault. It's the stadium. McAfee was voted the second most vegetrarian friendly in the league.
Football isn't veggies and wine, it's meat and beer.
Anyway, that's my drive by post for the day.
H
NY Raider laid my view out for me.....Look at all those drafts of DB's and see only one is good....We picked "one time" for QB......What are the chances we got it right?? I will see him fade from Oakland in two more seasons....He is SOFT! He has NO quickness...I know...You guys think he needs OL support and WR's and I say...Booooowlshit! He shows himself each game......He has time....He has a place to run...He has a place to throw..(oops high again)..He can tuck the ball and run......NOPE....HE can't because this is his 1st or 1st and a half season.....I aint Buyin it!
ALL of You
I'm a wannabee football expert...
I dont care about all the facets of a football team that make it successful, and competetive.
I want a flashy QB who throws the ball alot. I want charismatic Wide Receivers that make alot of jestures after good plays and do cool dances and stuff when they score. I want to brag to my friends and co- workers about how great my team looked on SportsCenter.
I could care less about Offensive and Defensive linemen or Special teams. Who cares about Field Position or Time of Possession...
BORING !...I want an Offensive powerhouse because thats all my little mind, and total lack of understanding can comprehend.Oh Yeah....Sacks are cool!
I want my team to win and if they don't I'll piss and moan and blame it on everything that I'm clueless about....and if they don't make the changes I want I whine even more.
Hah! I got it! #100!!!!!!
;^)
---Jeff
Speaking of 100, where is Psycho?
Anonymous Wannabe Whoever the Heck You Are.
I want my team to win. I don't care about flashy and dance, in fact I prefer grinding into the dust. A slow death of the opponent, if you will. I want the opponent black and blue and sore. I could care less about bragging to my friends.
I want my team walking off the field in victory with nothing left, having given their all.
Bob Golic once said if at the end of the game he had any energy left he didn't play hard enough. He played every play as if it was his last. Win, lose or draw.
That's what I want, that's the Raider teams of the past. That's the attitude of the team that went to the Super Bowl in the 2002 season and won three straight division titles.
That is what is missing on this team. It's what Nnamdi and Curry aluded to in their interviews.
If Sanity Clause is listening, that's what I want for Christmas.
H
look, we've had some great Qb's over the years.
lamonica, stabler, plunkett, gannon, but none are in the hall of fame.
on the other hand, shell, upshaw, otto, are all in, and you can make a great case for dave dalby too.
see where i'm going with this ?
RT... I assert that Al's biggest blunder was keeping SOB and firing all the other HC's... he had it backwards.
He should have given all HC's at least three years (starting with Callahan) and fired SOB's ass long ago.
THAT is what has cost us more games than his draft picks or his wild gambles in FA, IMO.
If you always have the worst defense in the NFL, you are never going to win many games regardless of anything else.
For whatever reason I thought the Jerry Mac live chat was tomorrow. I planned to participate instead, it was today.
Highlights include:
The deeper the hole the harder AD tries to dig out.
Minority owners have no say.
People in the org. care deeply about what is going on but it is still AD's call on things.
(Sounds like IAAF to me- I've been thinking that for years...what do I know)
Of interest:
Trestman now coaching the Montreal Alouettes as a HC mention. Jack Del Rio mentioned also if Jax is unhappy as he is a CA guy.
Who would want the team if they leave Oak. - no one after AD's La-Oak shuffle.
(RT any word on the stadium deal?)
The rest of the questions were more player/performance related. Which to me is as much a waste of time as talking about the draft.
Nothing will change with this org. until AD gives it up....
Gary: I think you missed the overall point RT was trying to make with his "The notion that our predicament is rooted in either/or equations is absurd."
The way I view it is that we have had a blind man trying to put together a jig saw puzzle.
One can point to a number of areas as the source of the poor results. The OLine, DLine, DC, WR, HC, lack of a GM, imprudent use of the cap space, bad drafting, poor FA selections, etc.
Ultimately, all of the sources of discontent point back to Davis. Davis selects the FAs, the draftees, the HC, keeping the GM spot vacant, how the team is assembled.
Until Davis gets the help he desperately needs by hiring a GM AND views the owner/GM/HC as a leadership partnership ... it will be an a BIG hill to climb.
The fact that DC Ryan has been gainfully employed for 5 years is merely a symptom to a much larger problem ... accountability.
Where does the buck stop? You fanatics all know it should stop at the "genius" .....But you know he won't take the rap for the garbage you dupes have been making excuses for over thw last 6 years! Get more used to it, it's gonna stay the same and get WORSE for another few years, but then the "teem" will be playing in another city then, so you won't have to shoulder all of the shame! Just good riddence baby, yeah babyyyyyy keep defending the "natuon"....Ha ha ha ha ha....
I would say the teams issues, while real, are dwarfed by the psychological instability of a mental midget who trolls blog sites of a 3-10 team that he/she is not a fan in order to meaninglessly post half-witted dribble.
CJ, I don't disagree with you much, just that I don't think this is a Detroit like situation where there is NO hope. We do have two of the top rated players coming out of college at our skill positions... and a QB that has shown brief glimpses of greatness.
I kind of like many of our base defensive players like Asum, Kelly, Morrison, and Howard... the o-line needs an anchor RT and more depth. A go-to WR is obviously needed.
My point was in all our energy in pointing out the main culprit of our struggles isn't all just Al.
Our defense has stunk out loud the entire time, and I don't think its a coincidence. We have had tackling problems the entire six year skid, and I don't think its a coincidence. The defense never seems to have any game-planning to specific opponents, and I don't think its a coincidence.
Al is not going anywhere, so that isn't something that is gong to change, so I see no hope there.
If SOB is gone next year, I think the team will improve by leaps and bounds next year is my point. THAT is where I see the most hope for improvement.
The finger pointing at Al seems pointless, and hopeless.
NYRaider,
Add to that the gutlessneess of remaining Anonymous. Yes we use handles but make it easy to identify each other when we have specific comments or dissagreements.
H
Moshbucket said....
If the O can score 24 points a game through the 6 years, I wonder what our record would be?
Not giveing the D a pass, just reitterating that leafian O impacts your D.
As far as 'glimpses of greatness', I would say 'glimpses of acceptable'. At the almost 2yr mark, I am a bit concerned about JRuss, but just can't give any verdict because the rest of the offense is so crappy.
I've always been a 'deep ball' kinda guy, but the Gannon/Chuckie years have shown me the light. You need to get your run game or your 'west coast' short yardage stuff on and get that clicking naturally, then mix in the deep shots. I'm still down with the deep ball, but even if you have the personell, it's still difficult to setup the run with the bomb with consistency. Especially with no WR's.
My concern is that Jruss is just never even going to be close to Gannon with reading D's and going through progressions.
But then again, Gannon had how many years backup with some starts before he finally got in for us.
If Cable stays on as o-line coach,
let him keep what he wants, and give him what he needs.
If Cable is gone, I say flush the whole damn line. Probably have to keep Gallery and Grove just because how the hell do you find a full line? Sure wish we had got mangold.
-moshbucket
PS: We MUST trade down this year, (JMHO). Not just for number of bodies, but for the cap numbers. Oh, sure there might not be a cap. I doubt it.
I sat next to Mawae in senior english in high school. Kevin is an all around great guy. I just don't see any scenario where he would allow it to go to a strike.
Moshbucket said...
Just saw this Matt Cassle's father just died. My heart goes out to the kid.
The point? Just hope he doesn't pull a brett favre on us.
I would like to see him lob a few up there and see if we can't take Randy out.
Mosh, as far as trading down, this mock draft has FOUR tackles going in the top seven, and I don't think we should risk losing one of them.
http://tinyurl.com/3pyfev
I don't see any chance of us being high enough to take Crabtree, so maybe Al can see having Gallery and a high-rated RT next to each other to help Jruss out?
Lets hope!
Al Davis
As long as I am the Managing Partner and maintain control of the ownership of the Raiders I will run this team as I see fit. It's my team, and as always, I will do what "I" feel is right to make the Raiders the best organiztion in History.
I could care less what a bunch of losers who neglect their jobs (those who have jobs) to congregate on blogs, or whine over their drinks in bars or mope thru their lives as if they have some stake in my team, have to say about how I run my team.
My team is still filling the Oakland Alameda Stadium and I still get 1/32 of the 3 billion dollar plus television contract not to mention the merchandise and copyright deals I have with beverage and other advertising companies . So you see I really don't need your opinions or critcism. It's water off a duck's back.
The Raiders are "my" life not yours...I won't be responsible for any puposeless joy or sorrow you derive from making the Raiders the centerpiece of your shallow little lives. Get a real life...the Raiders are a professional sports franchise not a religion.
I am well aware of the clock ticking away the short time I have left on this earth.
"I" therefore am doing everything I can, and know how to do, to once again take the Raiders back to their rightful place as World Champions and the pillar of success. But, make no mistakes or hold any dillusions, I will do it my way. I have earned the right to run this team and will not relinguish that priviledge while I still draw a breathe in this world.
Gary said, "CJ, I don't disagree with you much, just that I don't think this is a Detroit like situation where there is NO hope. We do have two of the top rated players coming out of college at our skill positions... and a QB that has shown brief glimpses of greatness."
Gary, Detroit had some top rated players at skill positions as well. Just because Joey Harrington, Kalimba Edwards, Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, Mike Williams and others were either busts or no longer on the team, doesn't mean they were not top rated when drafted; and look how hopeless they seem.
We can sign and draft top rated players, but that doesn't equate to going from a terrible football team, to improved. Yes, it gives us hope (ask any Lions' fan, they had hope after some of these moves); but they still have to perform and prove themselves as being "top rated."
My hope as a Raider fan is dwindling by the game. This is not going to be a short term fix, even if we do get a GM this offseason. Why? Al Davis, that's why. We have an "Al Davis Factor" in our equation. Until that factor is gone, nothing will change much.
The scary part is he has said he will "hang them up" after 2 more Super Bowl wins; which is another reason my hope as a Raider fan continues to dwindle.
I think Crabtree, Sam Brafford, Colt McCoy, and Jeremy Maclin stay another year; so we won't be in a position to get Crabtree. McCoy confirmed that earlier this week. The only "big name" player who is an underclassman that I see coming into the draft is Tim Tebow, after Florida wins another BCS Championship; and the Lions will take him with the overall #1 pick.
I think the Raiders pick at #3, and they take Michael Oher, OT Mississippi (6’5”, 318 lbs). I think Javon Walker retires, we sign Nnamdi to a long-term deal, because we won't be able to franchise him after he is elected to the Pro-Bowl; and we go after TJ Houshmandzadeh. We also have the opportunity to sign Khalif Barnes, OT, Jaguars.
Here are some quality players we can get for cheap $$:
Shaun Cody, DT, Lions
Pete Kendall, OG, Redskins
Chris Kemoeatu, OG, Steelers
Ashley Lelie, WR, Raiders
Drew Carter, WR, Raiders
Jabar Gaffney, WR, Patriots
Grady Jackson, DT, Falcons
Gabe Watson, DT, Cardinals
Brad Meester, C, Jaguars
Jon Stinchcomb, OT, Saints
George Foster, OT, Lions
Milford Brown, OG, Jaguars
>>>
I think the Raiders pick at #3, and they take Michael Oher, OT Mississippi (6’5”, 318 lbs).
>>>
I don't see Al coveting anyone besides Crabtree, so I truly believe he will take a RT, and I'd love to have Oher, but right now we are drafting 6th, so who knows?
That would be two big MF's on our left side!!
>>>
Gary, Detroit had some top rated players at skill positions as well. Just because Joey Harrington, Kalimba Edwards, Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, Mike Williams and others were either busts or no longer on the team, doesn't mean they were not top rated when drafted; and look how hopeless they seem.
>>>
Point made, but we at least have some studs on defense. The reason Detroit hasn't won a game is similar to our situation but WORSE. Their defense can't close out any games.
I am sure there are a lot of DC's that would like to work with Asum, Howard, Morrison, and Kelly as a good young base.
The only reason it isn't working now is we have a complete moron as DC.
NY Raider said, "I would say the teams issues, while real, are dwarfed by the psychological instability of a mental midget who trolls blog sites of a 3-10 team that he/she is not a fan in order to meaninglessly post half-witted dribble"
Let me take it 1 step further and shed additional light on these mental midgets.
For the sake of argument and simplicity ... let's all assume that the majority of posters on this site are Raider fans. As fans we consider our interest in the Raiders as 1 or more of the following;
* A hobby
* An interest
* As entertainment
Forget for a minute how passionate the fan is about his interest, hobby, and entertainment. You can be a fan of 67 Corvettes, the NY Jets, building model planes, a movie buff etc. It doesn't really matter.
Now put yourself in the shoes of the anonymous trolls ... I know it isn't easy but try. Why on earth would you visit a site on a regular basis where clearly you aren't interested in the 'hobby'? What is the motivation? What is the purpose? Is your life so empty and hollow where you haven't developed your own interests? It is a pathetic existence.
In the past I got upset with the daily barrage of spineless trolls clogging up this forum. It annoyed me. The trolls take glee in poking their finger in the Raider fans' eyes "Ha, Ha, the Faidas suck ... you guys are morons, etc."
When you realize that the thought never crossed your mind to visit the site of another hobby or team even once you understand just how low these losers have sunk.
In a nutshell: The trolls have no life. Being a Raider fan isn't for the faint of heart but it is certainly a hell of a lot easier and enjoyable than going through the life these scumbags must lead.
Think about it ... the first thing Faida Boy thinks to himself after he finishes his fruit loops and makes his bed for mommy is "Yup, I'm going to go to Raider Take and drop a few drive by bombs today!"
Yippe. Have fun.
Gary: I'm glad we can agree to disagree in a cordial manner.
You write:
"If SOB is gone next year, I think the team will improve by leaps and bounds next year is my point. THAT is where I see the most hope for improvement."
In the very next sentence you write:
"The finger pointing at Al seems pointless, and hopeless."
Who was responsible for hiring Ryan? Who has been responsible for keeping Ryan employed in spite of 5 years of bad results?
Doesn't this in fact point back to Al?
In another post, you write:
"The only reason it isn't working now is we have a complete moron as DC."
I agree it isn't working with Ryan but who has the authority and power to make this change? Davis.
The larger point I was trying to convey in my past posts is this 1 indisputable fact:
Davis, as the owner, is the one responsible for making all of the key decisions.
He is the one with the authority. He is the ALPHA boss. He determines who stays and who goes. Because the buck truly stops with Davis and he has the ability to make the greatest impact in the team's fortunes, he is largely responsible for pulling the team out of quicksand.
I fully understand that "Davis isn't going anywhere". IMHO, the only way for this team to make real, tangible, sustainable progress is if and only if Davis changes his ways and mindset for how to run the organization.
This means hiring the best possible people. This means trusting these people. This means delegating responsibility and being less meddlesome. It means holding your staff accountable for results. This means giving your key people all of the support, resources, and tools to be successful both short and long term. It means having a plan, a vision, building relationships, forming real partnerships, giving everyone a vested interest in the organization's wellfare. Above all it requires real leadership and sacrifice.
Is any of this possible. Yes but it would be the result of a MAJOR change in Davis' mindset on how the organization is run and how he conducts business.
My small glimmer of hope is that after six humiliating seasons he reaches a point where he realizes he needs to make some BIG changes in order to reach the pinnacle of his profession again.
i don't know calico.
al davis was spotted at raider headquarters with a silver and black shovel in his hands.
he was overheard spitting out the words, "hell no, i still think i can reach china".
and then, he kept diggin.
Al Davis
You Clowns don't know how or what I think or have even the slightest inclination (well, maybe some of you have inclinations towards other men) of what drives me to run the team I love, and have made my legacy in life.
Davis won't fire SOB because he is Davis' puppet. Our only hope is that SOB finds other employment when his contract expires.
I see in the news that Matt Cassel's father died this week. Last time we played against a QB with similar circumstances, Brett Favre tore the Raiders a new one.
The Kwame Harris debacle may be finally over. Henderson to start at LT. Warning: the Raiders should not be surprised to find out they still don't have a LT. Watching this LT rotation is almost as pathetic as previously watching Schweigert and Eugene swap back and forth (only now, insert Michael Huff for Schweigert).
Gary, Crabtree is an underclassman who may not enter the draft; and indication here in Texas is that he stays. The same with McCoy (who announced as much earlier this week) and Sam Bradford in Oklahoma. So scratch Crabtree off the list.
CJ, I thought I agreed with you that Al is the source of all problems, I am simply choosing to dwell on the positives. I am pretty sure SOB will be gone next year.
That alone should be worth an extra 2-3 wins minimum.
I also think there is a good chance that Al hires a GM type person. That should help also.
A competent HC will help.
JRuss simply getting older will help.
I know I said the same thing last year, but I truly think this franchise will turn the corner next season, and I don't see the point in bellyaching about Al every post.
Now if SOB gets a new contract next year, all bets are off... lol.
>>>
So scratch Crabtree off the list.
>>>
This could be great news actually.
I thought that Al would make a sensible pick last year, but he let me down because of McF and his track speed.
This is the year he picks because of need.
This team needs a RT more than prolly any franchise. If Al can't see that, he has truly lost it.
Hey, Fake Al:
Quit whining and shut your piehole.
If you don't like fans talking about you and your team, then find something else to do. NFL owners are public figures. NFL teams have fans who talk about them. It's the nature of the beast.
If you can't handle it, find another business, like tire manufacturing or sheep herding. They don't have 24-hour networks dedicated to sheep herding. They don't sell tickets to sheep herding. You could live in peace and stop spending significant time on blogs that you say are insignificant to you.
Signed,
The Raider Nation
Sheep herding? Classic!
I may not understand all the "ins and outs" of owning a team, but if given the chance, I think I could run mine a lot better than Mr Davis has his the last 6 years. You can quote me on that too.
So, Fake Al-who I wish was the real one because I'd say it to your face, if you don't like what fans are saying about you, do something to change it. Like putting together an actual football team on the field that can win games. We're complaining because you haven't done that in 7 years; and you fail to see that you didn't do it alone. Better product means better players, better coaching, better GM, better front office, and a better way to run your dysfunctional organization. Get a clue, or get out of the way.
Al Davis
Who made you the representative or the Raider Nation?
If you don't like the way I run "MY" team....find another to devote your pathetic little lives to.
Fake Al:
Quit your moaning and quit roaming blogs instead of interviewing GM candidates. If you don't care what we think, then quit reading our takes. It's YOUR team, well, this is MY blog, and I don't care what you think. Sound familiar?
David Ogilvy, the Advertising Legend said:
"If we always hire people who are smaller than we are, we shall become an organization of dwarfs.
If we always hire people that are bigger than we are, we shall become an organization of giants."
God knows that Davis has turned this marvelous franchise into an organization of dwarfs. Not to mention an unwatchable embarassment.
It's time to hire a giant to run the day to day football operations: draft, free angents, and coaching staff selection; bring in good people with great character that make winning possible,
One canidate I'd like to see considered would be Floyd Reese, ex of the Oilers/Titans and now parked next to Stink on the Daily RaiderHater show called NFL Live.
Made it home....Now comes the pain of watching the games live...
RT...If you still want to sell a ticket for the game with Houston let me know...I will torcher myself and go to the game....
PantyRaider...."Sick"....Just Plain Sick!!!!/_
Hey, guys...
Still busy, but wanted to chime in for a moment. I disagree that the problems are so all encompassing as discussed here. I'm going to say a couple of things that will spark some disagreement. How unusual for me.
The coaching staff is not the failure it looks like. In fact, I think it's a good coaching staff. I'd replace Knapp. I'd keep Ryan. The D isn't the problem.
Al is not the problem, but he's the entity that allows the problem to flourish. The changes are going to have come from him and be dramatic, otherwise this will continue.
The look inside the lockerroom after the Charger game told me all I needed to know. LAUGHTER!
It's not coming from all of them, but clinkers in a few key positions do the trick in bringing down an organization.
Although it has never really been true, the perception on the part of the players and most of the fan base is that Al provides no authority for his coaching staff and does not hold his players accountable. That has to change.
When Hall was released, it was the perception that Cable pulled the trigger. Hall couldn't have been released without Al himself pulling the trigger. Cable could have benched him, but he could only be released with Al's approval. Note also that Hall was the one spouting that he could ignore the HC because Al was on his side. I believe that this was Al's first attempt to send the message to players that they could not hide behind the owner.
There are, of course, many more issues, but this one is the key. I think there will be front office changes in the off season. Al has already said as much. But the major change will be Al publicly giving someone some real authority and admonishing them to use it.
The perception of why things are as they are has to change, because the perception is now doing more damage than the reality and I think Al knows it.
As for any further progress for this team this season, I don't think we'll see any improvement. Folks inside the walls in Alemeda are looking toward reworking the off season plans. There are about five or six players the Raiders will need to secure, and the rest are open game.
Blanda - allow me to add my 2 cents.
“Al is not the problem, but he's the entity that allows the problem to flourish.”
That’s called neglect. Neglect is worse than making the wrong decisions? At least when you’re making bad decisions there is some guise that you’re trying.
Six years of neglect is a long time to let a near billion dollar franchise fester.
Of course Al released Hall. It was Hall that said he should have taken the old man for more money. Anyone would have canned him after that statement.
As for looking ahead, I’ll believe it when I see it. Six years of the status quo has made me skeptical.
IMO, neglect and bad decision-making has plagued us for the last six years. I just don't know who else to blame... but Al Davis, a man determined to destroy his own legacy.
By my math, below should reflect OL players drafted and/or added to the active roster since JaMarcus Russell was drafted.
2008
Draft - 0
FA - 2 (plus re-signing Cornell Green)
2007
Draft - 1 (that's 1 of 11 picks)
FA - 3
With the exception of Cooper Carlisle, FA OL signings were pretty much a bust; and the draft, well, that's a big ZERO.
This is just one example of neglect.
Meanwhile, Davis is making blockbuster deals for guys like Hall and Walker.
These are just a couple examples of bad decisions.
Memo to Fake Al:
When your team flourishes, you deserve your fair share of credit and are rightfully entitled to bask in the glory.
When your team has six consecutive years of 11 or more losses, you deserve the slings and arrows coming your way.
Get off your skinny ass and off this blog and start compiling a list of prospective GMs and HCs ... you know, the guys who will give your best chance to once again bask in the glory.
RT: Al could always cash out and start a men's jumpsuit business.
BR: Welcome back. It is nice to see you haven't missed a beat. I wouldn't have a pulse if I didn't take issue with a few of your statements.
Blast 1:
"The coaching staff is not the failure it looks like. In fact, I think it's a good coaching staff"
Really? By what measure? Our OC was stripped of his primary duty of playcalling and is partly responsible for one of the most impotent offenses in modern history. 1 TD in 175 first half possessions.
Our DC has had 5 years to prove his worth and mettle. Although the D has played well in fits and spurts, by every measurable statistic, the D has been a bottom third performer.
Our HC is by most accounts a good OLine coach and loyal soldier BUT ... and this is a BIG BUT, under his watch the past 9 games, the team has taken steps backward. There is absolutely no sign of progress or improvement. This isn't one thing that can be pointed out that Cable has done to improve the team, locker room, performance, etc.
So to review we have an OC, DC, and HC who all need to be shown the door by any measurable standard ... wins & losses, statistics, tangible improvement of any sort.
The good news would be for a GM like Reece or James Harris to be hired and in turn allow a new HC to hand pick his new OC & DC. At that moment, there would be hope that we can wash away the past six years and truly rebuild for long term, sustainable success.
Blast 2:
"Al is not the problem, but he's the entity that allows the problem to flourish"
Al is the problem and as long as his runs the team, the only solution provider.
* Al picks the players
* Al decides how much to pay the players.
* Al chooses the coaches
* Al decides who stays and who goes
* Al decides whether the GM spot remains vacant (or not)
* Al decides how to allocate the available cap space
To "allow the problems to flourish" is negligence to the highest degree. Real leadership would be for Al to hire a capable GM and HC to resolve these problems.
Over the past six seasons, the Raiders have won 23% of the games. On average that is less than 4 wins per season. The perception of the players, fans, and media is that Oakland is a dysfunctional bottom feeder. Dysfunctional because we've had six head coaches in the past 8 seasons with no GM. Bottom feeders because we have lost 11 or more games for six consecutive seasons. Perception has become reality.
Front office changes would be the first significant step in a serious rebuilding effort.
Blandarocked,
you say, "perception is now doing more damage than reality".
wow, it's hard to beat the reality of what we are watching wekk after week.
the reality is, we suck. have sucked for 6 years, and maybe suck even more now, than before.
nothing, and i mean nothing, can be worse than the reality that is the oakland raiders.
Blanda... the Raiders defense under SOB:
2004 31st scoring, 30th pts
2005 25th/27th
2006 18th/3rd
2007 26th/22nd
2008 21st/26th
Average 24.2/21.6
24th in the league in points given up over the last 5 years? Thats crazy train horrible. And lets not forget these stats are actually slightly skewed UP because in 2006 nobody even tried to score because they knew they didn't have to.
What do you see that I am missing that makes you think SOB should be (I can't even type this without throwing up in my mouth a little) resigned?
[gag]
Blanda, picking up where Calico, Raider00 and Gary left off, what you don't seem to understand is that we have a CULTURE problem that starts from the top, and that permeates the organization and the staff and the locker room. Specifically, a losing culture problem.
This isn't Baltimore, which just needed a few pieces and a few tweaks to tip the scales. This is Miami (or Miami on crack), which needs a Parcells-style housecleaning. You are still in denial, which is astonishing to me. I thought that yet another year of this garbage might at least prompt you to face the obvious fact that Rob Ryan should go. He need to go for several reasons, performance being one of them, but symbolism being another. You don't change a culture without symbolic acts.
Al always defends Rob, Rob always defends the players, and the players ultimately become complacent, and the losing culture persists. THIS is why they were laughing after a loss. Because they can. And they will.
If a proven winner like Parcells was handed the keys at this moment in time, Ryan (and the laughers) would last a millisecond. That alone should be a pretty good hint at what needs to be done.
Eh, RT...
"Blanda, picking up where Calico, Raider00 and Gary left off, what you don't seem to understand is that we have a CULTURE problem that starts from the top, and that permeates the organization and the staff and the locker room. Specifically, a losing culture problem."
If you re-read my post, that's pretty much what I said. I was talking about the losing culture. And you can continue to blame Al, and only Al, for it, or you can realize that the culture came from a lot things, but the cure must eminate from Al.
Every member of this coaching staff has had success elsewhere. They haven't had a problem with coaching, they've had a problem with players who feel that they don't have to listen to the coaches because Al determines their continued future with this franchise.
Why do they feel that way? They didn't get that from Al. At least not directly, because the individual players don't spend much time with Al. They take their cues from the media, and what their friends are saying throughout the league. And THAT is based on perception, and not reality.
Davis cutting Hall loose was a positive step in changing that culture. But Davis is also going to have to cut Cable loose (even though I think Al would prefer to retain Cable) to change the culture. He may also dump Ryan.
Don't forget, I've been complaining about the "culture" in the Raider locker room since before Shell. Davis doesn't spend much of time on the practice field or the locker room as he used to. And he hasn't for about 10 years. Al's problem has been that he doesn't have his finger on the pulse of the players anymore, but he has made the mistake of still believing that he does. I think Hall opened his eyes.
I think that Al has awakened to the reality that he has allowed at least two people to bullshit him into giving them jobs with the Raiders. One was Kiffin, and the other was Hall. Don't know quite what he feels about Walker, but he can't be happy.
The problem with the theories I see around here is that they presume that Al wants nothing more than to lose, or that he really doesn't care if they lose so long as he feels like he's in charge. Those theories are completely laughable. Trust me on this, not winning is killing Al Davis.
Blanda,
I believe your right about Kiffin BSing Al pretty good. That being said the whole Kiffin thing was handled so poorly by Al that the situation totally destroyed the 08 season. He said he held onto Kiffin after the 07 season because he really wanted it to work. I think he just didn't want to say he made a mistake and more importantly lose the money. How can anybody give Al a pass for that. As far as Hall is concerned how can a guy be an integral part of the solution one day and then 10 weeks later be the core of the problem? I love Al and I was a hold out for him as long as I could be but he has clearly lost his way with running this team. It's time to pass the torch and he has to realize this. In the words of Phil Collins "The old days are gone and they're better left alone".
RaiderMike
Good coaching staff?
Keep Ryan?
Someone mentioned crack in an older comment and that's what Blandarocked must be smoking.
See Gary's stats for the D these last 5 years and add in the fact that when this defense has had opportunities to win games - i.e. make one stop or let the opposing offense drive for a winning score - it has failed miserably.
Ryan must go. Period.
here are some new slogans for the raiders.
"commitment not to become as bad as the lions"
"just win at least one game every year, baby"
"pride & poise are fond memories"
Blanda, I foresee no remedy to the losing culture that includes retaining an underperforming defensive coordinator who is a pure symbol of that culture. That's my main beef with your take. It's like you want to make mashed potatoes while skipping the potatoes.
The consistently poor performance of Ryan's units, including things that don't show up in statistics like repeatedly blowing games in the final minutes, has yet to affect his job security. Since lack of accountability is a huge part of the current culture, Ryan is a vivid example of the culture.
Furthermore, the hiring of head coaches who have no say in Ryan's status and who are not empowered to bring in their own guys underscores that the culture of losing is enabled straight from the top.
Any coach (or GM) actually up to the challenge of changing the culture would fire Ryan in a heartbeat.
The retention of Ryan, by nature, would mean that the necessary steps aren't being taken to remedy the culture, because it would mean that the right people are not being hired, nor being given the necessary authority.
Read JMac today, and tell me that the Raiders' problems are all about Al Davis and SOB.
But I don't think the problem is all Bill Callahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell, Lane Kiffin, and Tom Cable either.
The only way the current offensive line seems to be able to function is if Tom Cable is the line coach and he's standing over them on every snap. They have returned to atrociousness since Cable became HC. At the beginning of the season, the O-Line wasn't great, but they were adequate and improving.
What exactly did Al Davis do to make the line get so bad again?
The problem we have here is mostly attitude. Our players, once they leave, play decently elsewhere. It seems to be about what the players believe is expected of them. The players are not being held accountable. They are being babied.
As the active GM, it's Davis' job to hold them accountable, but he's failing to do that because he's not around and not witnessing the lack of accountability except on Sundays from the owner's box.
This is what has to be fixed. And that falls mostly on Davis. Somebody who the players fear has to be in front of the players every day, and it can't be Davis because of his age and health.
This is what Davis has to realize. Even in the glory days he had strong people around to push the players and the coaches. Now Davis can't do it, and there is no one on the staff to do it.
Davis hasn't lost his football touch, but he's lost touch with the working components of his team because of his inabilty to get around.
During the press conference where Davis explained the Kiffin firing, the one where everyone accused him of raving like a lunatic - he said as much. He said he needed help, and that he was currently looking at people - mentioning a mysterious figure from the other side of the bay whom I happen to think is Jim Harbaugh.
But those are changes that will come about in the off season. I don't expect to see anything happening for the remainder of this one. From here on, we're just getting through the season. If the players want to "play for pride," that's up to them, but they won't. They have no pride (many of 'em), only bank accounts.
If none of this is addressed in the off season, and early on, you guys will have a new convert. I have no objections to Al Davis' involvement with his own team. He brings a lot of value as an owner. He no longer brings value as either a GM or a coach (but would as a consulting owner), and that is what he has to realize.
If he makes the changes, he can still do it with dignity. If he refuses to make changes, it is at that point that he becomes pathetic.
BR: Most true Raider fans want Davis to get the help that he desperately needs.
Is it reasonable to think that a 79 year old man is capable of the dual, demanding responsibilities of owner and GM? No.
Is it reasonable to think that a 79 year old man has the time, energy, focus, and daily attention to devote to both owner and GM? Of coure not.
The point being that there is nothing wrong with a 79 year old man hiring, trusting, and delegating authority and responsibility to capable football men who will give him the best possible chance to return the organization to it's proper place.
Think about it ... Davis loosening his grip on the steering wheel is the best and only chance he has to once again bask in the glory. By keeping a tight grip on the wheel he is only tarnishing his legacy and piloting the franchise into the rocks. He can still take on an important role as owner. He can still be involved in key decisions. He can still be a VERY valuable resource because of his vast knowledge. The key is how does he use this knowledge to best serve the organization and ultimately his own legacy?
The bottom line:
When a team is successful, EVERYONE shares in the glory regardless of their individual role.
I know Davis has an enourmous ego. I know Davis is a very proud man. I know Davis is dying a slow death with each miserable season. If the true essence of the man is "Just Win Baby" ... then it is time for him to flip the script with the singular aim of putting meaning behind the words "Just Win Baby". Just Win Baby means that he puts his ego to the side and gets the help he needs and deserves.
it is so true that al davis needs help badly.
look at george steinbrenner for a second.
the yanks went from 1978 to 1996 without a championship.
during those 18 years, the boss was a loose cannon, wildly signing free agents to overblown contracts.
underwhelming players like ed whitson, john mayberry, and steve kemp, were cashing in, and laughing all the way to the bank.
finally, steinbrenner stepped back into the shadows.
he let gene michaels revamp the farm system, and suddenly, top, young talent like jeter, williams, pettite, & rivera appeared.
that was the core group the yanks built their champ teams around.
sure they mixed in smart trades for paul o'neil, and wade boggs, but the team was mainly built from within.
the point is, steinbrenner got tired of wasting money, and losing games.
he gave up some of his precious headlines, and let someone with a real plan take control, and it worked.
and guess what ? steinbrenner ended up getting most of the credit anyway.
so the next time al davis has the urge to sign a jevon walker, or d'angelo hall.
the next time he wants to control most of the draft picks(db's), he ought to think of his good friend, george steinbrenner.
better yet, he should remember the words of dirty harry, "a mans got to know his limitations".
Al Davis
Calico Jack said...
BR: Most true Raider fans want Davis to get the help that he desperately needs.
What would you know abot a "TRUE"
Raider fan????
Maybe you could define it for everyone.
Al Davis
Calico Jack said...
BR: Most true Raider fans want Davis to get the help that he desperately needs.
What would you know abot a "TRUE"
Raider fan????
Maybe you could define it for everyone.
An anonymous loser posing as a fake Al wants me to define 'true Raider fan' ... yeah, right.
S
H
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Y
O
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P
I
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H
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L
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Sincerely,
Calico Jack
Ok, I can name ten things off the top of my head that needs to be fixed...
1. The coaching on both sides of the ball.
2. A person as old as my Mom trying to run a business as complicated as a NFL team by himself (actually she is 79 too... she takes care of her dog as her job, and THAT wears her out.)
3. Underachieving QB's (see number one).
4. Poor drafting (mostly Al)
5. Horrible FA pickups (used to be the best thing about Al, now, not so much.)
6. Mediocre O and D lines.
7. Predictable game planning on both sides of the ball (see number one)
8. Tackling tackling tackling (see number one).
9.Can I buy a blitz on third and long??? (see number one).
10. JRuss wearing NO pimp clothes or 20C earrings until he completes 20 passes in a win.
Nice list Gary.
If item #2 is resolved (by hiring a competent GM), all of the other items on the list can be fixed excluding item #10.
Frankly, I don't care how Russell dresses as long as he is dedicated to improving and committed to becoming the franchise QB.
>>>>
Frankly, I don't care how Russell dresses as long as he is dedicated to improving and committed to becoming the franchise QB.
>>>>
In a Gannon interview the other day, he said he couldn't understand why it took this long for any of the coaches to make it clear to Russell that he has to start putting extra work in if he expects to improve. I think that sez more than anything else in this situation.
What the hell was St. Kiffin doing in not getting his ass in on Tuesdays to watch film all that time?
I think hearing this it almost gives me more hope. He's prolly relied so much on his athletic ability his entire life that the thought that he has to do EXTRA work never crossed his mind... he's always got by without having to do it.
He was prolly more dedicated to the weight room than the film room... just guessing here.
Blanda, you truly are a fool. So you blame the media, the players, the coaches but never Al Davis. The players change, the coaches change, but the culture stays the same...DUUUHHH. Figure it out if you can, most people can, but those who dwell in fantasy world and deny the truth can't = YOU!!!! It is Al Davis, he undermines the coaches, he's the one who hates the media = brings it on himself, he is the one who signs the players. It is on Al Davis, when you want COMPLETE control, then you get the blame.
You are defending a LOSING culture by blaming it on everything but the place it should be. Players who play for this team don't have any pride because they get disgusted with playing for such a disorganized organization. If it was run properly, the players wouldn't be so defragmented. THINK BLUNDA.
JONES
Gary, you truly are a fool. Jemucus is propably spending too much time in the weight room? Good one. Gannon saying Jemucus doesn't give enough in preperation and it makes you feel better because he said it? Extra work has never crossed his mind? Even after signing for MILLIONS? What world do the 3 dreamers live in? You guys wouldn't know the truth if it sat on your face and dumped a hot steamer in your eyes. You guys are just way to whacked, seems like you have "Altimers" disease.
JONES
Jones, if JRuss sucks because he isn't working hard enough, that is something that can be FIXED.
If he sucks because he is an imbecile, that is something that can't be fixed (something you should be familiar with.)
Well, the offense had 334 yards and three TD's, a spectacular (for us) 38% on third downs, and the ST's scored a TD... we won, right!?!
Oh wait...
Al Davis is insane and here is your proof.
Einstein defined "Insanity" as doing the same thing over & over again, and expecting different results.
Psycho
What ? Nobody has anything to say about the GREAT game "J-rustobustomima" had today in choketown? # td's!!!! WOW He is GREAT!!!!! Just like you faida fanatics, he is the MAN! It's not important that the PATRIOTS majorly BI-ATCH SLAPPED the fizzlers into another time zone! 3-13 here we come!!!!!! Another faida record....The only "teem" to lose 11 games in 6 consecutive seasons! I predict thatr they will make it 7 consecutive seasons with 11 or more loses! You heard it here first on "faida take" from me....The Great KarnaK.....Just binge baby....Defend the "nation".
Nextbup to BI-ATCH slap your faidas is the HOUSTON TEXANS, They WILL kick the fizzlers collective asses with no problem! If you are a smart faida fanatic you go to the bank, get ALL of your money out, YES ALL OF YOUR MONEY, EVERY PENNY, and put it on the HOUSTON TEXANS to kick the faidas asses! You will make a few bucks since the odds will be in favor of the TEXANS, but you can't lose if you bet against the fizzlers!!!!! I have tried to help you LOSERS in these financially hard times, so just do it babies, and keep defending the "nation". 3-13 is the reality...Thank you big al (MR.) davis SIR, "genius"!!!
"Faida-Boy" feels rejected because we don't want to talk about the game....What a freakin shame....
What in the hell is there to talk about....A "Melt-Down" from the very first play....Wait 5 seconds in the end-zone and than try to run it out all the way to the "5"...Like No-One will expect this one and I will catch them by surprise"....The Raider don't play the "ZBS"....It's the "NBS"....NO-Blocking-Scheem....
On to other things...
Seatle is now tied with us at 3 wins....KC had all the opertunity in the world to beat "SD" but choaked....And Why...because they did not want to draft behind the Raiders...We are now tied for the 5th pick in the "09" NFL Draft....What else is good to look forward to....
"Losing Culture"....Someone said it was intentional...OK...Let's take a look at that shall we....
"The Great Raider Conspirisy"....
Amass several years of high draft picks of speciality position players....Go threw a completely disfunctional period with a swinging door at "HC" to give credit to the losing but allow one man to stay...."DC"-Rob "CaveMan" Ryan........WHY!!!!!
Al's favorite son has proven himself faithful threw time and this is what Al loves in a man...So now it's time to give him his just reward....Promotion to "HC"....He will become "Coach-o-da-Year" "09" for his acheivement in bringing the Raiders back in one season and maney will say he should have been named "HC" years ago....
How does this happen....
Off-Season moves...
Franchise tagged Albert Hainsworth becomes a Raider and solves the problems up the middle...#1 draft choice fills the "WR" spot....Key acquisitions are made on the "OL" in "FA"-n-Draft....A good "OC" is hired and we will now have a real "DC" to replace "CaveMan"..."MrD" remains our "GM"...
Well That's all nice to look at but now back to the reality of Life...
"Hi...My name is PantyRaider...I'm a Disfunctional Raider Fan"....
"pantysmella", How you spell so good, I enveus uv yoo, yoo mus gradjiated vari hi in you're clas, sumday I wan be sart lge yoo! The faidas mi favurut teem cause dey bad, an dey hab da bess onner in de worl! Missa al dabis, yoo keep studing "pantysmella" an sum dey yoo be de hed coch uv da faidas!
Besides the Pats scoring 4 TDs on their first 4 possessions ... the key moment in the game for me was late in the 2nd quarter. The CBS camera panned the Raiders sideline and caught Ryan ranting and raving and rah, rahing to the D on the bench. If you noticed, the defensive players completely tuned him out and were paying no attention to him. 1 of the players just walked away from him.
Gary, you are so naive. You see, when a player signs for big bucks and dogs it, 9 out of 10 times that can't be fixed. If he doesn't have the work ethic, he probably never will, especially if the owner promotes it. No Gary, a dog is a dog, if he doesn't know that he needs to work his ass off by now......as far as the imbecile comment, yes I am familiar with it, I just read posts like yours and I get what an imbecile is for sure.
JONES
Panty.. are you SERIOUSLY suggesting we should use our first pick on a WR???
Why?
Jones... are you 13 years old? We gots to know.
BTW Panty.. I watched the Denver game yesterday mostly to watch how Claddy did vs Peppers (you remember what he did to our RT, right?) and he not only held his own, he DOMINATED him. The announcer even said they should send him on the other side of the line.
This team does need a WR, but RT's are always gone by the first round.
We don't need another McF pick.
I'm pretty sure Clady is playing LT, and he should get rookie of the year.
JF
>>>
I'm pretty sure Clady is playing LT, and he should get rookie of the year.
>>>
Oops.. good catch.
I meant LT, of course. THAT is what we need more than any position. Move Henderson to RT.
A WR is worthless without all other pieces in place on offense. We already tried that with Moss... and as Detroit is finding out with CJ.
What a surprise, an extra bye week for the Patriots.
McFadden apparently isn't good enough to get full-time employment with the Raiders, who have lost 11 games this year... and counting. From the RunDmC highlights I saw, he would probably start on most teams. The Raiders must be pretty good to not need his services.
Gary
By your naive comments you must be in your early teens. No one that has any experience in life could write what you write. Face it, you are either really dumb or really young. Don't forget little boy, who was writing that Al Davis was finished long before anyone else on this site even had a clue about it. That's right, it was me, so how could a person who was 13 be so wise? You really are a fool. Get a brain and get a life and quit sucking on pantyinabunch and Blunda's teets.
JONES
of course we need to fix the 0-line, first and foremost.
it's a no brainer.
look at it this way, if the raiders were able to go in a time warp, and bring back ken stabler, they probably would be better, but not much.
however, if they could bring back the entire 1976 0-line, i'd bet that would back a great deal of difference.
suddenly there would be holes for running backs to run through, and time for wr's to run routes, and qb's to throw.
the 0-line is the heart of any offense.
and the raiders have been heartless for far to long now.
Raider00 - even with the best O-line in football, there's little chance we could score over 50 points a game. This defense is pathetic. They allowed Moss and Jordan to make fools of us.
If Ryan comes back next year something is really wrong, on an institutional level.
Why do I get the feeling Ryan WILL be back and we'll draft a couple speedy CBs to help his D?
Gary..."Sarcasm"....
I was speaking "Disfunctional" as a Raider fan looking at what "MrD"s next move might very well be....
NO team could be this bad and still be making an effort to become a winning franchise....So by deduction....It must be intentional whether it's on purpose or not....As in we were trying to improve without a purpose in sight....We intentioally went out and made our team more disfunctional while we thought we were improving....
Confusing...YES....But there is NO way this mess could be explained by sanity...Only an In-Sane approach could lead us to this total melt-down....
So now throw out the logical and look for something "Spictacular" and that will lead us to the proper deduction of what will take place in the Off-Season....
With the 1st pick in the "09" NFL Draft the Oakland Raiders select....So-n-So...."WR"....From So-n-So....
GOOOOoooooo raiders.....
PantyRaider....Bliss!!!!/_
Anyone notice we promoted Louis Rankin "RB" to the active roster...I hope that was for his special teams play and not to take away "McFab"s one carry per game...
P.S.sssss
Why would anyone respond to "Faida" Boy or anyone who sounds like him as in the case of "Mr Negativity" with his silly childish name calling....
Just sweep that "Crap" under the carpet and ignor it....
PantyRaider....Can't Hear It!!!/_
Hey, Jones. You want some respect on this site? Try not starting every post with an insult to another poster. Maybe we're all fools, but you're an ass.
Why would anyone take pantyinabunch serious? He can't spell, everyone of his take's are so way off. He writes like he just came out of the ghetto after spraying graffiti on a wall. He makes out like he is the only one who has a life or has experienced life. Usually people who do that don't really have a life...sniff, sniff, I smell a FRAUD.
JONES
Blunda,
If you want respect, then get a clue. You and your ilk ran me when I was telling you how it is, now it is payback, how you like it? I don't want your respect, you and your ilk clearly don't want to treat me with it so....SCREW YOU.
Wrote on here that I would bury the hatchet, not a peep from any of you 3, so obviously you are not interested in it.
JONES
Oh Thy Hatchet...
Thart Thy Enimies...
Burry Thy-Self in da Scull...
NY Raider hit a bulls eye with his comment,
"If Ryan comes back next year something is really wrong, on an institutional level."
I will take it 1 step further ... you can draw a clear line in the sand with the status of Ryan.
If he remains the DC the organization just doesn't care about winning. Favoritism, cronyism, loyal "yes" men would trump winning and accountability.
If Ryan is shown the door it is at least 1 practical and highly symbolic move that performance does in fact count for job security.
Of all the Raiders coaches, Ryan, in my mind, with his 5 year tenure of piss poor results on D, is the most associated with the losing culture that needs to be changed.
Whomever becomes HC in 2009 will quickly know if he has any authority when it comes to retaining or discharging Ryan.
NyRaider,
i agree that ryan is a mess, and our defense sucks.
all i am saying is that, if we want to see some real improvement in our offense, we must finally address the 0-line.
it makes no sense to pick a so called franchise qb, jruss, and a so called, franchise rb, mcfadden, and then to provide them with no blocking or pass protection.
the defense is a whole other story. yes rob ryan must go, but, that's not enough.
we cannot have al davis hiring the DC , or any of the coaches, including the HC any longer.
in other words, if there is not a real GM, with real authority, to hire the HC, and in turn, a HC that can bring in his entire staff. plus, giving the two men complete control of the draft picks, i will probably not waste my time following the oakland raiders in 2009.
and i do not make this statement lightly, as i have been a fan since 1974.
but really, what is the point if al davis is going to keep going blindly down the road ?
more of the same ? sorry, been there, and done that.
tired of it is what i am. as roger daltry said, "won't be fooled again".
Raider00....
I totally understand the feelings but where can I go...I still beed "Sliver-n-Black" and my love for this team is permanately labled on 3 sides of my body and in my heart...So as painful as it is I will continue to be what I am...
I'm a Raider...
That's all that I am til the day I die...
Disfunctional True but a Raider none the less....
I will continue to Live-n-Die with this team and hope the best is yet to come even though there is NO hope in site...
Die-Hard to the end I will go down with the Ship...
But if there ba a Resurection I shall be amongst the proudest proclaimg "I Never Left nor Lost Faith"....
Now I go back into the darkness of the Abyss in which I dwell....
PantyRaider....Lost at Sea!!!/_
PantyRaider,
please do not misunderstand. i would never, could never, not be an oakland raiders fan.
i know what you mean. it's gets in the blood. that is why we care enough to take time to blog in the first place.
all i am saying is i will not follow the season next year, unless given some real solid reasons to do so.
no more al davis mind games. no more smoke and mirrors.
i'm tired of the garbage.
what else can i do ? i can build a birdhouse, go to the movies, or the indoor batting cage.
i can stare at the wall and watch paint dry, which would be less predictable than the raiders have been the last 6 seasons.
i can do anything except watch al davis drive his garbage truck of a team down to the dump, and dump it all over us fans.
i want real change this off season, and no more davis tricks.
it starts with a real, not puppet, Gm.
nothing less will do.
What do you call 2 INCOMPETENT BAFFOONS roaming the Raider sidelines, week in - week out?
None other than,
TOM CABLE AND ROB RYAN
Without a GM, the hope for tangible progress is simply a fantasy.
Ask yourself 1 straight forward question:
How likely is to attract, recruit, and hire a qualified and capable HC without a GM on board? Very unlikely.
If you hire a HC without a GM on board ...
How long will the HC last or how successful will the HC be without a GM to act as bridge, buffer, advisor, and confidante between the owner and HC? Not long, not successful.
All of the areas for progress stem from the hiring of a GM and real authority being granted by Davis.
If you cut it down to the bone, it is selfish, destructive, and negligent for any owner in the NFL to have the GM spot vacant.
Panty... phew. You scared me there for a second.
The LAST thing this team needs right now is a WR with that first pick.
Al needs to go in this order:
LT first round.
DT 2nd.
WR (or another lineman) 3rd round.
Hell I don't care... just pick linemen in every round.
Oh, we will need a punter too. A buddy partied with an agent at Rickies and he told him Lechler wants out of dodge and Al wanted him to meet with him to discuss it.. and Lechler blew him off.
Hence the new punter on our roster.
Wonderful news huh?
Course if Al was smart he'd franchise his ass.
here are some of al davis' smoke and mirror classics to be on lookout for this off season.
he'll hire a bright young coach, and let him pick "some" of his staff. NOT GOOD ENOUGH !!!!!
he'll hire an old retread like jim fassell who is so desperate for a HC job, it will be go along, get along time again. NOT GOOD ENOUGH !!!!
he'll bring in someone to help with player personnel and salary cap issues.
this person will not have the title "GM".
the raiders will still pick DB's, track stars, and "project players" in the draft. NOT GOOD ENOUGH !!!!
he'll fire rob ryan, but, mysteriously, a DC with the same philosophy as ryan will be hired. NOT GOOD ENOUGH !!!!!!
we suffering raider fans can sniff out al davis' garbage from a mile away, because it, like his team, stinks to high heaven.
PantyRaider, are you still interested in Texans tickets?
The latest rumor is Kevin Gilbride. My own assessment of Tom Cable is that he can be a good HC because he's a good leader. I think he needs the opportunity to build his own team and, for the most part, to select his own coaching staff. I'd like to see Gilbride as the OC, but as an HC he's basically a retread that hasn't made it elsewhere.
As for Cable, he's been asked to do the toughest thing you can ask a coach to do. Not only did he take command in the middle of the season, he had to do it with players and coaching staff primarily loyal to Kiffin after a nasty dispute.
Just how bush league is it to do as Glegg did and jump ship with two weeks left to go in the season so he can get an extra week of vacation before starting his new job?
Nobody can get a serious handle on the quality of Cable unless he's given a fair opportunity to succeed, and we can see by Clegg's departure that Cable's been fighting an uphill battle all the way. Cable really had no choice but to have Clegg take over the O-Line, and the O-Line has gone south since the transition - then Clegg simply walks away.
Somehow the mentality in this organization has been turned on it's NFL head. The players aren't going to put out an effort to be winners until a coach comes in who will make their fantasies come true without personal responsibilty or effort.
The point I've been trying to make lately is that the problems with the Raiders are bottom to top (rather than top to bottom), but the man at the top is no longer physically capable of being the ring leader at this circus. And no matter where your problems eminate, it's the guy at the top who has to take responsibilty for the cure. At this point, the cure must simply be the appointment of someone with the strength of personality to come in an run the football opperations efficiently and with an iron fist.
Putting up signs that say, "I'm In!" just ain't gonna cut it no more. How about a sign that says, "I WIN, or I'm GONE!"
BR said, "Just how bush league is it to do as Glegg did and jump ship with two weeks left to go in the season so he can get an extra week of vacation before starting his new job?"
Just as Bush League as the players who were laughing in the locker room after a 34-7 beatdown! That's how Bush League.
With that, it is official. Shane Lechler and Nnamdi Asomugah have been named to the Pro-Bowl. What's the big deal with this? The big deal with this is that neither one can have the infamous "Franchise Tag" slapped on them at the end of this season; and both will be Free Agents in 2 weeks (officially after the Super Bowl). Both are looking to jump ship, and at this point I cannot say that I blame them.
As far as Kevin Gilbride taking the job, my bet is that he never returns Mr. D's phone call because trust me, if the Giants go to the big dance this year (win or lose); he will have his pick of where he wants to go.
This is maddening. I never have even thought about switching teams to root for; I've always been in it through thick and thin; as any true Raider fan. But truly, these last 6 years, and the garbage of this season; I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. Remember at the beginning of the season I said that we should win at LEAST 6 games; and that I wasn't hopeful of a playoff birth this year; but if we could pull a few more out of our hats, we could be in the picture. 3 WINS! 7 WINS the last 2 seasons, 9 Wins in the last 3 seasons (swallow that one); and our offensive production has declined from last season back down to the epic numbers that Art Shell II and Bed-n-Breakfast put up. The worse thing is that these coaches have been consistent in their time with the League; unlike Shell and Walsh.
This points back to Al. He has been the only constant with the Raiders good or bad. This recent turmoil is on him for not replacing Bruce Allen (or at least even convincing him to stay).
The questions I have to answer are:
Am I a loyal fan of the Raiders, or Al Davis?
The reason I am asking myself this is because the ship is going down with the captain. Do I want to continue being a Raider fan, and complain about the Captain's choices? Or do I want to jump ship and wallow in the memory of what a good ship it once was and find another ship? It is not an easy question for me to answer because of the commitment that I have as a loyal fan. But I am pained by this team, and to me, it's like deciding, "Do I put my dog down, or let him suffer and die naturally?" It's ugly and painful either way.
Blunda says
"Somehow the mentality in this organization has been turned on it's NFL head. The players aren't going to put out an effort to be winners until a coach comes in who will make their fantasies come true without personal responsibilty or effort."
And a coach worth a damn won't come unless the dictator gets off the throne. The players would put an effort if the coaches had authority to gain their respect. The players don't respect the coaches because they know the coaches are Al's puppets, the players only have to answer to Al. See how Al mungs it up? Of course you don't Blunda because your man love for Al makes your vision very cloudy. The players don't respect the organization because it is run like a poorly managed Mcdonalds. The coaches get frustrated and the ones who are not a puppet to Al, express it, ala Kiffin.
Why do you continue to pretend that it is caused by something other than a poorly run franchise? It's like blaming traders on the floor at wall street for the collapse of the companies. Get a clue.
JONES
SOUNDS LIKE RODGER G. CAME TO TALK TO AL ABOUT MOVING BACK TO L.A........HUMMM NO TALK ABOUT A CONTRACT EXTENSION IN OAKLAND FOR THE 2010 SEASON. I SAY, GOODBY.....NICE TALKIN TO YA....DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YA ON THE WAY OUT!! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH DRAMA WITH THIS TEAM AND AS FOR THE TEAM LEAVING WELL......BUY A BIG SCREEN TV AND WATCH "EVERY" GAME WITHOUT BLACKOUTS......
THIS TEAM HAS SHOWN NO LOVE FOR THE HOME FIELD FOR 6 STRAIT SEASONS...."ONE" WIN AT HOME THIS YEAR...ONE! WHAT A STATEMENT......THE MOVE WOULD SAVE ME ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE A GREAT VACATION........SEE YA AL.....THANKS FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS OF MEMOROIDS!
BR you cracked me up when you wrote:
"The point I've been trying to make lately is that the problems with the Raiders are bottom to top (rather than top to bottom), but the man at the top is no longer physically capable of being the ring leader at this circus. And no matter where your problems eminate, it's the guy at the top who has to take responsibilty for the cure"
I totally disagree 100000000%
Who picked the players?
Who selects the Head Coach?
Who decided to keep the GM vacant?
Who decides how much to pay the players?
Who decides how to allocate the salary cap dollars?
The problems the Raiders are facing is clearly "top to bottom" not vice versa.
This $800M+ organization is being run like a mom & pop dry cleaners outfit. All of the key decisions are made by 1 man, Al Davis. Until Davis hires competent people to help him ... until Davis delegates the responsibility and authority to the key leaders, this franchise will continue to flounder.
In a way, you statement above is curious ... the last sentence you in are in effect saying the opposite of what you say in the beginning of the paragraph.
Yes, the solution to the problems lies in the hands of Davis. So how exactly is this a "bottom to the top" problem?
When "the man at the top is no longer physically capable of being the ring leader at this circus" isn't it completely negligent on his part to not get the help he desperately needs? Is it 'ok' for our owner to be asleep at the wheel?
I'm with Raider 00 in the fact that half measures no longer will suffice. It will take sound, fundamental change to the way business is being conducted for there to be true hope of rebuilding this team into a winner.
I, too, was tripping out on the "bottom to top problem" concept, as such a thing doesn't exist in the natural order of organizations and companies.
Still, Blanda has made some progress, because he's no longer trying to convince us that everything's normal and functional in Oakland.
Jones, please try to restrain the personal stuff.
>>>
The big deal with this is that neither one can have the infamous "Franchise Tag" slapped on them at the end of this season;
>>>
Why do you say this? I'm pretty sure any FA can get slapped with the franchise tag, the only limitations are that you only get one per team, and it costs 15% more per year to franchise the same player every year.
I'm guessing Al will (and should) franchise Lechler and try to sign Asum to a long term contract.
When I get a chance tomorrow, I will post the "insider information" a friend from Usenet wrote about team from an agent he met that represents some Raider players. It's pretty interesting if anyone is interested...
>>>
Still, Blanda has made some progress, because he's no longer trying to convince us that everything's normal and functional in Oakland.
>>>
Actually it might have been if Al and Kiffin had found a way to get along.
They were BOTH to blame and the players knew it..
More to come on this...
I posted a link a while ago that I don't think anyone listened to because you were to busy calling each other names.
Listen to this Gannon interview and shut you pieholes.
http://www.sports1140.com/topic/play...udioId=3215664
I posted a link a while ago that I don't think anyone listened to because you were too busy calling each other names.
Listen to this Gannon interview and shut your pieholes.
http://www.sports1140.com/topic/play...udioId=3215664
(with grammar corrections)
Lechler is again a no-brainer in the Pro Bowl based on his numbers, however, Asomugha's selection demonstrates he truly is an outstanding player. To be lost on the worst team in professional sports for the last six years and still get selected... congrats!
Top to bottom, bottom to top, it's all bad at this point. Every facet of this team and this organization has failed miserably.
Common sense suggests there is only one place to start the correction, and that's to free us of this twisted dictatorship... one that holds personal vendetta above all else.
IMO, the NFL has a better case for "cause" to remove Al Davis than Davis had to remove Kiffin.
Gary, I say that because I mis-read one of Jerry Mc's blog articles at the beginning of the season, that if Nnamdi were to be a Pro Bowl selection, they wouldn't be able to apply the Franchise Tag. But if he were to be tagged at the beginning of the Year as "Exclusive Franchise" and made the Pro-Bowl, then he wouldn't be able to be Franchised this year. This is the case with Albert Haynesworth.
With that said, J-Mc asked them both a funny question yesterday that they both side stepped, "Which one of you get the Franchise tag?"
Lechler has made it clear that he wants out, and that he is not willing to sit and discuss things with Al Davis, who has tried to reach out to him, and Lechler has refused (through his agent) to answer his call. Interesting!
With that said, Nnamdi has hired the same agent that Lechler uses; which tells me that he is considering bolting out of Oakland as well. We will know more if Al tries to contact Nnamdi and how he responds. If Al can use the franchise on Nnamdi and tries to; I bet a team will deal for him. I think this will force Al's hand to possibly use the "Exclusive Franchise" tag, leaving it open for Nnamdi to play hard and get to the Pro-Bowl next season too; so he can become a true free agent. One thing is for sure, we are going to lose one of these guys (if not both) this offseason.
All of this is more proof that Al should let go. He wasted $$$ on Javon Walker, Tommy Kelly, and DeAngelo Hall, when he could have locked up Nnamdi; and pursued a better receiver, o-line, and d-line. Now we stand to loose Lechler this season, and Nnamdi; if not this offseason, then next year. Thanks for nothing Al.
No question that Nhamdi and Lechler will be gone after this season. What to do, what to do?
We're just going to have to watch Lechler's back, walking away. We'll get nothing for him. But punting isn't our issue right now anyway.
We should franchize Nhamdi, and then trade him. Nobody will give up two first round picks for him, so the exclusive tag is pointless. I figure we can get a first round pick and either a proven LT or DT. That would give us two first round picks. The higher of the two, we trade down for additional picks. The lower of the two we spend on a WR.
I do not think we should really take the risk of drafting O-Linemen and hoping they'll be ready to start for us. When you're building an O-Line from scratch, you have to start with experience - then you bring in the youngsters so that they can learn the trade from the veterans. So rather than draft rookie linemen, I'd much rather find the quality material already on the market and use draft picks to trade for them.
We need desperately to bring in a veteran leader on the defensive line or at LB. Preferably at LB. We need someone who can recognize what the offense is doing, and bark out traffic directions before the snap. Beikert wasn't a great LB, but he was great at recognizing what the offense was doing and directing traffic. We need that again.
We need a veteran interior lineman to take leadership of the O-Line. Surprisingly, this could turn out to be Gallery.
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