Faith and Long
By Charles Ybarra
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 at 6:31 pm in Oakland Raiders.
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
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March 27th, 2008 at 1:58 am
first
March 27th, 2008 at 1:59 am
we need jake long not chris. hopefully he’s not a bust like Gallery. IF not the Glen Dorsey. Looked good for his pro DAY.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Third!
March 27th, 2008 at 6:44 am
Iam a long time Raider Fan and I would like to see
the Raiders get Chris Long, ENOUGH SAID.
Iam In
Radlady
March 27th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Draft Chris Long, Baby!
March 27th, 2008 at 7:28 am
I’m not sold on Jake Long…Chris will be a better player than Jared Allen
March 27th, 2008 at 8:16 am
We won’t have to worry about Chris Long playing for us unless we plan to trade up for the first pick. Long will be long gone by the 1.04 pick.
Gholston will likely be our best option at 1.04.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I’ve been living on shaken faith ever since the morning of the SB when I heard Barrett Robbins went AWOL. Having said that, we are in good shape to make a playoff run this year, since DEN and KC are looking real bad. We know we can beat both of them - twice.
The question will be Javon Walker. If he can play all year and be the player he was, playoffs are in reach. If not, we’ll fall short.
Oh, and we gotta take a DE (Long or Gholston) with pick #1. We need more sacks/pressure so our DB’s can rack up the interceptions. I can taste it already.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I sure could use a 3+ game winning streak to pump the faith back up to proper levels.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Theres no way we get Chris Long unless we trade up which is not feasible..GHOLSTON or DORSEY!!! JUST WIN BABY!
March 27th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Trade down!!!! Its time to stockpile young talent.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I love what Al has done this off season I dont give a Damn about what all the haters say they know we had a bad ass off season. Dont know who to pick but if Lil Howie is there take him I would hate to see him w/KC but I trust Al cant wait to take a trip up the Yay Area watch my Raiders play
March 27th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Clearly we will get an impact player in the first round that will contribute directly to another win or two this season. What is of more concern is that the Raiders won’t pick until the fourth round. The Raiders need to address their OL, DL and WR concerns as well as possiblity finding a CB to fill Namdi’s shoes if they can’t get him under a long-term contract.
Can’t go FA because of Al’s spending binger.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Draft Priority:
Chris Long
Glenn Dorsey
Darren McFadden
March 27th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Please get off the fantasy of Howie and Chris Long. Yes Howie was a great Raider, but he decided to stay in LA and retire early for an acting career??? Jones isn’t going to sell the farm to get him, unless the Jets do it we will have McFadden at #4.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Run DMC is going to be the pick or the trade point
We could milk him for more picks from JETS,BEARS,RAVENS,CARDINALS,etc…
all willing to give up picks for a RB
We made good moves in the off-season. We had the 5th rushing offense in the league with the guys we have now!!!
We need Ellis aka lil SAPP
A cannonball of thunder and power. With all the drive in the world.
But I think we will get DMC
March 27th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Once again, love the optimism and infectious hope that bleeds from this blog. I too would love to see Chris Long in Silver and Black, but as many “experts” keep yammering about Vernon Gholston and Darren McFadden. What do you think, Darth & Nation? I just want to win, baby…regardless of who we draft.
Been in & am in for life.
March 27th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
gholston,ellis or dorsey. long will be gone.
al will probably take d-mac. speed. al loves that.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I llove the idea of Chris Long playing for the Raiders (I remember seeing him and his brothers at games when daddy was tearing things up). That said, we don’t need him as much. Run stopping should be a priority…and, inside pressure is much more disruptive to passing games than outside. Force the QB outside and even Tyler Brayton might get a “sack”.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
The smart move would be to set a trade for DMc and draft him to move down for more picks. If not take J. Long, C. Long, Dorsey or Gholston in that order. Although it is looking more like Gholston and DMc will be our choices given the current trend.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Tyler Brayton is no longer a Raider. We need pressure from inside and outside, but in addition to pressure from the outside we especially need containment. After picking up a FA DT and re-signing T.Kelley and already having G.Warren under contract we are not desperate for a DT. Also after picking up DE K.Edwards and already having J.Richardson under contract we are not thin at DE. Big AL may just surprise us all with the #4 pick.
March 28th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
It’s not an absolute certainty that ATL will pass on McFadden with #3 since Warrick Dunn is back in TB and ATL’s depth at RB is weak. In theory, RB isn’t a big need behind the Zone Blocking scheme so drafting McFadden and paying him a lot of money doesn’t make sense especially since Fargas, Bush, and Rhodes are already locked in for next year. DT is the primary need since Kelly will most likely be moved to the outside. If Baby Long is off the board, I pray for Dorsey or Ellis.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I know Brayton is gone (should have said: “might have gotten a sack”). I don’t see that recycling last years D line is a great idea; it is still a weakness.
Also, I think it is telling that all we’ve heard from Kiff recently is how talented our defense now is. Looks like there might be a little pressure on Ryan’s
March 31st, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Fab Washington to the Browns?
Their first pick is the 4th round.
http://rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=3174
April 8th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Please AL - try a dfensive draft,we need to stop being the laughing stock of the N.F.L. against the run, Please AL pick one of those animal’s at #4. Stop the run and our RAIDERS will be in alot of game’s,and the win’s will pile up, anybody agree.