Don’t worry Jerry, I’ll have enough faith for the both of us..
Speaking as a fan, I will ride that thing called faith for a damn near eternity..
Sure, it’s been rough for many years..but the honest truth is; even if the Raiders had yet another bad year (Heaven and forces forbid), I’d still be there after every game, in the northern End Zone (Dark Side), trying to figure out a way how we can and will improve our situation.
I would also keep telling myself to remember to party like it’s New Years, my Birthday and Christmas combined when the Raiders finally make it back to the Playoffs again. Life is now too short.
I would think about how much progress we have made over the past couple years and be thankful I’m not a die hard Dolphins fan.
What awful colors….
I would also realize again that there are still several teams without a Super bowl trophy in their history (including San Diego(:) while my team holds 3.
You know what, guys? Today I’m feeling optimistic. It’s going to happen. We are going to make it to the Playoffs this year.
I usually don’t like to look at the schedule very much, but when I do, I feel VERY positive.
The Falcons? a Win! The Panthers? Win! The Jets,Saints and Texans? WINS! Patriots at home? WIN!!
Ok, maybe I better just settle down a bit. I’ve been drinking “Raiderade” for far too long….so have the most of you.

If we can actually acquire more wins this year, the reason will be due to the progress of our former #1 pick.
I actually saw Mr. JaMarcus Russell at the Warrior/Laker game Monday and he looked great. Whoever told the media the guy was pushing over 300 was an idiot. The guy has been generally big since he was a teenager.
The true question is will he be ready for the trials and tribulations that come from being a true leader.
” I will be a leader on the field. If I do my best, I know that rubs off on everybody else. I know if I work as hard as I can, anything is possible.” -JR
That little tag was displayed on the season ticket holder folder every seat owner gets about this time.
I just hope he practices what he preaches, Nation.

Anyone thirsty for more Chris Long information? “And with the 4th pick, the Raiders receive…???”

2007 HIGHLIGHTS:
• Had his jersey retired prior to his final home game against Virginia Tech
• Selected the ACC Defensive Player of the Year
• First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference
• Dominating presence on the nation’s No. 17 defense (22nd against the run)
• Third on the team in tackling with an average of 6.3 tpg
• 14 sacks are tied for third in UVa history
• Has been in on 21 tackles for loss (17 solo, 4 assist), tied for the most in school history (Please note: Virginia credits 1 TFL whether solo or assisted, his NCAA total is 19.0)
• Finished with seven tackles, including two sacks, against Wyoming in the season opener
• Had six QB pressures vs. the Cowboys, the second-highest total of his career
• In the win over Duke he shared the team lead with eight tackles and had two sacks for the second game in a row
• Also had three QB pressures vs. the Blue Devils
• Made four tackles vs. North Carolina, including a sack for the third straight game
• Intercepted a pass early in the fourth quarter to set up what ultimately became UVa’s game-winning field goal in a 22-20 win
• Led the team with nine tackles in the win over Georgia Tech, the third-highest total of his career
• He also had a sack for the fourth straight game and broke up three passes, a career high
• Big effort vs. Middle Tennessee with five tackles, including two for loss
• Blocked a field goal in the second quarter that was important in UVa’s two-point win
• Four tackles, including a sack, and a caused fumble vs. UConn
• Tremendous effort in the 18-17 come-from-behind road win over Maryland
• Tied his career high with 10 tackles and was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week
• Was in on five tackles for loss (two solo, three assists), including two sacks
• Big sack for a safety in the third quarter that proved to be the difference in the one-point victory
• Made five tackles, including one sack, vs. NC State on Oct. 27
• Equaled his career high with 10 tackles in the win over reigning ACC champion Wake Forest on Nov. 3 and received the ACC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week for the second time in three weeks
• Six tackles, including two sacks, vs. Virginia Tech in his final home game

Keep it shiny and dark..
-DR

Now, that’s more like it. DeAngelo Hall will hopefully be coming our way in a few days!!!!!!!!
Let’s just hope the “Suits” finish the paper work before the former Pro Bowler changes his mind.

Hall is actually a two-time Pro Bowl selection, but he is nearly as well known for his speedy mouth. He argued with former Falcons coach Bobby Petrino last season and was benched for a half after a sideline confrontation.
Moss part Deux??? I sure as hell hope not.
Hall was the Falcons’ No. 1 pick in 2004
Raiders owner Al Davis has always valued cornerbacks who can excel playing man-to-man coverage. Pairing Hall with Nnamdi would give our team one of the top tandems in the game and perhaps the best for the Oakland Raiders since Eric Allen and C Wood locked down their opponents back in the day.
I’m now betting my silver Lightsaber we use that #4 pick for a a quality Defensive Linemen. There are no exceptions.
I know that there have been different opinions about all of the college players, but let’s face it..
with ANY of the young, vibrant beasts the Raiders will sign, we’re all going to tell each other “DAMN, that’s a nice pick!”
There also will be future arguments on who we SHOULD of picked, why we didn’t trade down and why doesn’t Al Davis loosen the grip of those evil emperor claws of his…

“Same as it ever was..”

Nation, I want you all to know I want our team to improve. I want Kelly to exceed past his limits..I want Kwame to be retrained into dominating Pass blocker, I want Javon to regain his true bad ass form and I want to observe Drew Carter having a personal best kind of year in yards…

but I’m pretty sure most of my dreams will remain just that.

How do I know?
I don’t..but I do know I’ve always believed in our players that made the commitment to join us before I witnessed a negative aftermath.
Yeah, I believed in Randy Moss..(you did too)
I believed in Daunte..
Brooks..(honest)
Art Shell..
a battered Rich Gannon (post Super Bowl)
LaMont…
etc. etc.
If you really ask anyone that truly knows me, they’ll all tell you I’d be the last to throw dirt on my beloved team. ..
But I have to tell you all..
after numerous disappointments..
thousands of dollars spent on tickets…
witnessing the last 5+ pathetic years in an occasionally empty End Zone..
I’m getting a little tired of getting let the f#^& down.
So when I write a blog out of frustration or a blog that spits more honesty than you’d like to read, please bare with me.
Know that I’ve been sitting in my section for over 10 years and have the damn right to complain, just about as much as any of the other “OG PSL” season ticket holders.
Know that my belief EVERY year is that we’re going to the almighty Playoffs.
I’m pretty sure this is the teams belief as well.
When we lose?
I’m actually a little lost..
Please know when I write any future angry blogs, know that you’re not always going to get sunshine and red roses spewing out of the Sith Lord’s mouth.
If you can’t handle it?
There’s always other blogs, kids.

I still believe there will be a day when the Raiders will matter in the NFL again..
when the Playoffs are expected and not a surprise…
when we get to play on Monday and Sunday nights again..
when the Coliseum will sell out EVERY damn game..
and finally, I believe my team will eventually be a Champion again.

I just hope it’s all sooner than later.
Have a great week my brothers and sisters,
DR

There is another Skywalker?

Javon Walker?
Eck..
I think that’s the overall opinion of the Nation right now.
Curry is respected and will hopefully be effective again.. but Javon?
That’s the best we could f#&$#*n do, Al??
Eck..

I still keep dreaming of a series of surprises on draft day…
“And with the 4th pick..WHAT? The Raiders have traded their #4 pick for Chad Johns-!!!”
And the crowd interrupts by going bonkers. Boos and Bellows follow…
The Nation takes victory shots..
mayhem erupts…
I get on my blog immediately and write you all I told you it would happen!!!!
and……..
yeah….
sure…
and maybe Brett Farve will unretire to play in the big O.

I suggest everyone not to look at Javon Walker’s 2007 stats….it’s depressing.
If you want to look at any stat, proceed to his glorious year of 2004 were he caught 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Packers.
So..he’s capable!!!!!
Yawn..
May the force be with us.

I’d rather write about our new Safety: hard hittin’, Gibril Wilson.
In his rookie season, Wilson instantly became a fan favorite in New York for his tenacious speed and hitting abilities. He also recorded three interceptions before his season was cut short due to injury. He was named Rookie of Month in October 2004.
Wilson continued his strong play in 2005 and looked to enhance his status as his team improved.
Wilson and his Giants won the NFC Eastern Division Title in 2005 before being eliminated in the Wild Card round. He led the team in tackles in 2005 with 110.
In 2006, he was second on the team in tackles with 102 and tied for the team lead in interceptions with 2. He has played the most games out of any New York Giant on defense with playing 31 of the possible 32 games the last 2 seasons.
In 2007-2008, Wilson helped the Giants receive a Lombardi trophy.
What more could ya ask for ??!?!????!?!

How about a REAL left Tackle??!?!
Kwame Harris actually signed???
Triple Eck.
I’m sorry, kid. I don’t even really know too much about you besides the fact you were not good enough to play for (sigh) the San Francisco Forty Niners.
Eh, maybe we’ll get lucky.
Tom Cable even made Robert Gallery look good at times.
No, really…
So if were trying to sign Cornell Green again that could possibly mean we’re definitely going for DT or DE in the draft.
Yeah, I’d be happy with that. Now the only problem is which one? I already wrote you how I feel about Howie’s Padawan. But what if he’s taken early like most mock drafts say he’ll be?
And we all know Dorsey was injured recently..
So does that lead us to take another USC D lineman high in the draft?
A little more insight on Sedrick Ellis…
In 2007 Ellis was a 2-time All-American first teamer, started for his third season at nose tackle as a senior in 2007 and was as dominant as ever. Overall in 2007 while starting all 13 games, he has 58 tackles, including 12.5 for losses of 75 yards (with 8.5 sacks for minus 67 yards), plus 7 deflections, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble. He was 1 of 15 semifinalists for the 2007 Bednarik Award and 1 of 8 semifinalists for the 2007 Lott Trophy. He was named to the 2007 AP (unanimous), Football Coaches, Football Writers, Walter Camp, The Sporting News, ESPN.com, SI.com, Collegefootballnews.com and Pro Football Weekly All-American first teams and Phil Steele’s All-American second team. He was named the 2007 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year (USC’s fifth such selection) and Pac-10 Morris Trophy winner (for the second year in a row), he was a unanimous choice on the 2007 All-Pac-10 first team and he made the ESPN.com All-Pac-10 first team, Collegefootballnews.com All-Pac-10 first team (he was its Pac-10 Player of the Year), Rivals.com All-Pac-10 first team and Phil Steele’s All-Pac-10 first team. He was USC’s Co-MVP and also won USC’s Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year Award and Co-Lifter of the Year Award. He also dominated in the Senior Bowl.
Not convinced are you???
Haters….
That’s why I love you all…
Have a great week, Nation!!!!
DR