Five Postgame Takes
1. Tony Sparano may be 0-2 as the Raiders head coach, but he's 2-0 against the Clown Car.
2. Still, I'm not about to buy into the Moral Victory business. We've lost two apparently winnable home games over the past two weeks, and we are now the only team in the NFL without a win. Anyone caught celebrating will be punished with writing each of the Raiders' two mottos (Just Win, Baby; Commitment to Excellence) a hundred times on the chalkboard.
3. Case in point, from the Trib: "The 0-6 start is the worst for a Raiders team since 1962, a year before Al Davis joined the organization."
4. Needs on defense: where do we start? Needs on offense: #1 running back; #1 receiver; #1 tight end; improved line. That's all.
5. Back, by popular demand, the Raider Take Raiders Haiku:
Victories, moral
but not real, winless, and
so with the first pick...
2. Still, I'm not about to buy into the Moral Victory business. We've lost two apparently winnable home games over the past two weeks, and we are now the only team in the NFL without a win. Anyone caught celebrating will be punished with writing each of the Raiders' two mottos (Just Win, Baby; Commitment to Excellence) a hundred times on the chalkboard.
3. Case in point, from the Trib: "The 0-6 start is the worst for a Raiders team since 1962, a year before Al Davis joined the organization."
4. Needs on defense: where do we start? Needs on offense: #1 running back; #1 receiver; #1 tight end; improved line. That's all.
5. Back, by popular demand, the Raider Take Raiders Haiku:
Victories, moral
but not real, winless, and
so with the first pick...
posted by Raider Take at 8:50 PM
24 Comments:
RT, you miss the point. Raiders are right on target under Reggies master plan.
On target for what ? The NFL's all time losing streak of 26 games by the Tampa Bucs.
Think about it. By end of this season, Raiders could be riding a 22 game losing streak.
They could be poised going into next year to break the historic record.
If anyone can pull this off, it's the amazing Reggie.
What’s there to say? We’ve hit rock bottom and we’re digging for new depths. 2014 is a lost season.
Carson Palmer, Jared Veldheer and Tommy Kelly all had big games for the Cards.
Reading post game quotes you get a feel for how business is conducted in Oakland.
“We wanted to prove that — [Carson Palmer] and I both kind of had chips on our shoulders going into this game with how we departed,” said Cardinals left offensive tackle Jared Veldheer, who played for the Raiders from 2010-13. “It was a big win for both of us.”
According to Steve Corkran, “Veldheer has said that he was led to believe by McKenzie that the Raiders were committed to offering him a long-term contract after last season. Instead, Veldheer said, the Raiders let Veldheer hit free agency without making him an offer of any kind.”
So the Raiders lied to Veldheer and the fans.
SCAR
I'm soo glad I waited until the morning to post. I think by the end of the season, I might have to wait until wednesday to post anything...
0-6. Dear Reggie McKenzie, I have been trying to hold the line for you. I have been trying to fend off all your critics. I have been accentuating the positives...But I just cant hold em off anymore. Reggie, I don't do Moral victories. Sure you don't play, but your the main architect. I was an infantryman in the army so I sometimes use army analogies to make points. And here it is. I can't defend you if you give me a rifle with no ammo. The record speaks for itself. I cant spin 0-6. I cant talk away 11 losses in a row.
Yours truly,
A fan of the Raiders since he first was exposed to football by his father in 1979, a magical year indeed for the Raiders.
SCAR
P.S. NFL officials, you still suck and I hope you spill hot scalding coffee on yourselves all week
RT,
What the defense needs is to get rid of Jason Tarver, that is where one should start. This soft zone, read-n-react defense is just plain stoooopid.
He has single-handedly cost us 2 winnable games by his crappy play calling. He does enough to make us look tough, but as soon as the Raiders get back into the game, BAM! The defense cannot stop my grandmother.
Someone please get our QB some WRs that can catch! I wonder if Derek Carr apologizes to the WRs for hitting their delicate hands. Un-freakin-believable!
This is the newest low as a Raider fan, for me. Something has got to give. I'm starting to loose heart in the franchise.
@JoshDubowAP: QBs vs #Raiders on 3rd down: 44-56, 499 yards, 8 TDs, 0 INTs, 143.4 rating
SCAR
@Raider Take, there really isn't any way to fake the numbers. The Raiders defense folds when it counts.
Justin Tuck has been a decent pickup, while Woodley has sorely disappointed. Nick Roach has been missed. Burris has heart, but to me seems like he is just outta his league. The 2 outside backers will start for the next 5 years. Woodson is an ageless wonder, but its just not enough for the secondary that is getting burned more than its making plays...
I was in Charleson S.C this weekend. I was at a small shop eating breakfast sunday morning. I was wearing some Raider shwag which got another Raider fan and his girlfriend to notice and we struck up a conversation. Needless to say, The Raiders situation is so bad, women(girlfriend mentioned above) who know very little about football expect the Raiders to lose. The conversation quickly turned into a "why do you root for the Raiders when they lose so much?" I faked bravado by saying the Raiders would get off the schneid... The Raiders are what everyone says they are.
SCAR
Aaaaah, Dennis Green needs to coach the Raiders, and crown our @$$e$! Thanks for reminding me of who needs to be our next HC, SCAR.
I have similar conversations with Cowgirl and Longhorn fans here in TX. It is easy for the Longhorn fans to get it right now, but Cowgirl fans do not understand (though they should). Even when I compare Jerry Jones to Al Davis, I get arguments from them.
There is a Defensive Tackle on the Longhorns that we need to pick first overall. Malcom Brown. He's big, he's tough, and he's gonna be a beast at the next level.
I'm sure it's hard for all of us to wrap our brains around, but the fact is that the Raiders are considered a joke among avid and casual fans alike, not unlike the "Aints" and the Creamsicle Buccaneers of yesteryear, and the Jaguars of today.
It's hard to fully absorb, because when we see the Silver & Black, we remember a different time, and a proud legacy.
But a 21-year-old college student today who started watching football at 10 years old, has seen nothing but clown play from the Raiders his entire NFL viewing life; and even older fans have become conditioned to view the Raiders as a running joke.
We see the Silver & Black, and we see something that matters. But outside of our little Raider Nation snow globe, everyone else just sees a trifle.
When you have veterans on the defense saying that they don't know how to change what is happening defensively points squarely to the coaching staff.
Think about it, when was the last time the Raiders had an above par defense?
From 1970 through current, the highest the Raiders defense(Points per game) has ever been ranked (according to nfl.com) was in 1973-74 with a ranking of #3. The second highest ranking was in 1984-85 at #4. The third highest ranking defense in total points allowed came in 2002-03 (Super Bowl appearance)with a #6.
The lowest ranking was 2004, we were #31 of 32. Raiders are currently #19 in points allowed, and were #28 in 2012, and 29th last season.
0-6 in year 3. Is there anyone who believes that Reggie should get a whiff of a chance to continue to be employed?
Bryan
I don't think McKenzie can just fire Dennis Allen then sit back and wait for next year to start managing up the team... assuming he'll be given that chance.
IMO, he should be applying pressure on Jason Tarver to figure out the defense. After all, it's McKenzie's roster, and defense was clearly his area of focus during the offseason.
Players are saying they're uncertain how to correct the problem(s). That kind of speaks to the lack of coaching.
This is really scary.
You can tell how turned off Raider Nation is by the lack of traffic on this blog.
Put a fork in me, I'm flat done with this team this year.
And I agree, Reggie is probably a goner.
We need somebody with some real juice to lead this team.
Think about it: Chiefs go 1-15, hire new GM and Reid and are in playoffs; Texans go 2-14, bring in new coach and are a compettive team.
Us? After 3 years we've gotten progressively worse each year.
Next meaningful game is next preseason.
Tinfoil
Raider Take,
Question. Of the 11 starters on D how many do you think will be starting for the Raiders 36 months from now? I I count 2 only both outside lbs. Your thoughts please.
Best Regards
Sandy
SCAR
Sandy, T.J. Carrie is looking and playing promising. Justin Ellis is also playing pretty good as a rookie, so I would have them as starters in 36 months.
And yes I am going to say that D.J. Hayden will be starting in 36 months. He cant be hurt that long can he???
SCAR
3 years is a long time in the NFL. Assuming the next GM doesn't pull a McKenzie roster purge, there are a several worthy players, IMO.
IMO, the Raiders should sit a lot of their vets and play younger guys as much as possible. This season is toast except for some player evaluations which should be ongoing anyway.
At some point, even with McKenzie still at the helm, this team has to turn a corner.
The defensive players on this current roster I keep:
TJ Carrie
Sio Moore
Khalil Mack
Neiko Thorpe
CJ Wilson
Justin Ellis
Chimdi Chekwa
Tarrell Brown
Nick Roach
C-Wood (if he wants to stay)
On offense I keep:
Donald Penn
Gabe Jackson
Derek Carr
Austin Howard
Kevin Boothe
Stefan Wiz
Brian Leonhardt
Mychal Rivera
Andre Holmes
Brice Butler
Marcel Reece
Matt Schaub
Of course I keep Jon Condo, Jano, and Marquette King.
I give the following a chance to prove it one last time:
Menelik Watson
Tony Bergstrom
Latavius Murray
Kory Sheets
Jamar Chaney
Bojay Filimoeatu
Benson Mayowa
Brandian Ross
Pat Sims
George Atkinson
Shelby Harris
Rod Streater
David Ausberry
Everyone else I torch.
Nate - Ouch! With that line-up shouldn't we be winning now?
What do you suppose is the problem?
My list is much smaller, and I would include Olawale. He's a better receiver out of the backfield than Reece. Plus, Reece has trade value.
For what it's worth, and it's not much, James Jones has been our best WR.
Carrie has been solid (adding ST to his resume) but that's about it for DBs. Woodson is 38. Raiders need to find his replacement ASAP.
Personally, I think this roster is much thinner than you give credit.
I don't understand the Raiders infatuation with David Ausberry.
Has this guy played in more than a handful of games, in like, 5 years ?
Ausberry is making a Raiders career by sitting in the trainers room.
And I'm starting to feel the same way about DJ "Can't play today", Hayden.
Please waive Ausberry tomorrow, and put Hayden on notice.
It might shake things up a litle.
Scar I hope ur right about those three on D.
But consider this. Even if I see your Ellis and that is a bit of stretch after he has played in like 3 games? That still means there is only one D lineman currently on the team who may be starting 3 years from now.
That is messed up my friend and a long way from the days of Howie and Greg Townsend. Wait that is even a long way from the days of Chester, Grady, Russell
Sad sad
Regards
Sandy
Tinfoils right Ive checked out partially. Been a long time since I've been by here. This from a guy that brought a Raider Take sign to the Raiders MN game couple three years ago.
Headed to St. Louis for the Nov. 30 game. Bought tickets for under face. Wifes idea for the most part. Says "Things can't get any worse" But they have every year 12 years running. At least we have Carr.
Check this podcast out if you have not already
http://www.raidersfinesthour.com
James Jones may be the leading WR on our team, but Andre Holmes has been the most consistent.
There are a lot of players that I would choose to keep that are not every down players on the team currently, but when they are, they are showing us some fight.
Those that are every down players that I have put that I would keep, are the same. They're intense players who do not like to fail.
With that said, NY, we should be winning. But how can you expect to win if your D-Coord is putting his players in a position to fail by being soft? The majority of guys on this defense are aggressive players who are being asked to play a soft zone. Deplorable.
I linked to a URL (below) off the comments section on Corks article.
This article gives a better assessment of the Raiders than any Raiders beat writer has given. Actually, lots of complementary remarks, but the stats don't lie. Raiders are bad!
Worthwhile read... and read the comments below the article. Lots are props to Carr.
We know these facts....
- Raiders have lost 12 in a row.
- Raiders have lost 15 straight east coast games
But here's a new one...
- no team has ever lost back-to-back games against winless teams after Week 7. Brownies lost last week to previously winless Jags.
Oddsmakers say there's no such thing as "law of averages"... so don't bet on any of these things to change without major effort by the Raiders.
Check this out.
http://tinyurl.com/po2wyeo
NY
Not sure how to understand some of those stats but based on what those numbers Howard has been another ass clown of a signing by Reggie and all of fawning over Gabe might just be wishful thinking.
What are your thoughts on that
Sandy
Sandy, I've said signing Howard, a tackle, to play guard seemed stupid. Jackson is learning but at least he's playing his natural position.
Obviously, Jackson's biggest blunder was falling on a defender and getting called for holding on the McFadden TD that would have tied the Pats game. My understanding is he's known more as a run blocker than pass protector, which probably explains why the Raiders often run behind him.
Enjoy the game Sunday. We need a win!
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