I hate to be Peter pessimist, but I can’t help to think about the current negatives regarding our team….
then again, I’m the evil, dreadful, Darth F$##ing Raider.
How do you not even score a field goal against the C-list, scrub filled, Flea Market brand Arizona Cardinals???
I understand the fact that Kiffin had to find out what kind of passing ability the offense had to offer, but to pass on almost every down!?!? That’s not really simulating what the team is actually trying to do this year.
C’mooon…Every Coach knows that you have to set up the pass by running and also vice-versa. I mean Jam’s currently a gifted passer with tons of potential, but he’s not Mr. Super accurate, Rich Gannon (yet).
Perhaps a more realistic game plan will be implemented against the Seahawks…..
uh, hopefully.

At least Javon Skywalker FINALLY showed some moves on the dance floor. 4 for 60 yards is not what you’re fully capable of, but it will have to do for now, Trooper.
May the Force be with you.
Defense, in the first half, you all played like you wanted to break the Pre-season interception record.
I know the main reason was due to the crappy play of Matt “I banged Paris” Leinart, but it was still impressive. Let’s just hope the stamina of the entire team works just as well as the Corners and Safeties hands.

Drew Carter, Oren O’ Neal..you will be missed. Fans will now have to wonder how many great plays both players could of contributed to the team.

I guess Luke Lawton has his work cut out for him. Anyone really know this guy?
I looked at his stats, and nothing really stood out. The real test is if he can block for our group of talented Running Backs.
Mike Bush…to block? This might be a work in progress. He is big enough, (6′1, 245 pounds) but blocking may not be his strong point. I love the idea of having him in the backfield with D-mac or Fargas..but SOMEBODY has to bang and block to save the QB…
especially on those nasty blitz packages.

The bigger problem seems to be filling out the WR roster.
We know Ronald Curry has shown he can play…Javon; sort of…
but everyone else?
Much to learn, they still have.
Joe Horn or Koren Robinson?
Eck and eek.
Maybe we should stick with trusting Johnnie Lee Higgins..
or just pray to all religious Gods in the Universe…

#63.. you will be remembered as one of the best to ever wear the Silver and Black..
I am thankful for watching a real Guard of your power to play like a Giant crushing his tiny victims with his enormous arms and hands.
Quotes:
“Gene was a true pioneer as one of the few African American leaders of a major union. He was the equal of owners in negotiations and made the league a better place for all players. Playing alongside of Gene was an honor and a privilege. He was a pillar of strength and leadership for our great Raider teams.” - statement released by former Oakland Raiders player and coach Art Shell, and his wife Janice.

“Few people in the history of the National Football League have played the game as well as Gene and then had another career in football with so much positive impact on the structure and competitiveness of the entire league as Gene. In both careers, if you hit him in the head, he could hit you back twice as hard - but he didn’t always do so.He was very tough but also a good listener. He never lost sight of the interests of the game and the big picture.” - former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Gene was a great player. He was an All-Pro. He was a Hall of Famer. If you look at the history of the NFL you’re going to find out that he was one of the most influential people that the league has known. He did so much, not only for the players, but also for the owners, the teams, and the game of pro football,” John Madden,

Rest in Peace, Governor.

-DR

Now that’s more like it, Jam. That drive was marvelous, magical and mighty, boiiii!!
That kind of drive makes us die hard yocals feel all warm inside as we envision good things to come in 2008. That kind of drive brings hope to the future of the Oakland Raiders….
JaMarcus Russell is for real. While the Raiders second-year QB was shaky early (3-of-5 for 7 yards on Oakland’s first three drives), he bounced back and proved why he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2007. Russell showed mobility, avoiding an aggressive Titans pass rush on a rollout to hit TE Zach Miller for a touchdown, and a strong arm throughout the game, finishing 10-of-17 for 75 yards and the touchdown.
The real fans witnessed this tight connection at the end of last year. After all of the turmoil, after the training wheels finally broke off, after all the half ass Raider fans left the stadium to beat the traffic…there was something brewing between #80 and #2..
and I’m happy as hell they’re still working on being Oakland’s version of the infamous “Dynamic Duo”.

I mean, who else could join Jam? Javon “Make it rain with Champagne” Walker?!?
Foo, please…
I’m sure you read the latest Kiffin comments on ol’ J-Dub…
“The discouraging play was Javon dropping that slant pass on third down, our first shot at keeping a drive alive,” Kiffin said.

“There’s a couple of balls there that we would have liked him to come up with. At the end of everything, all that matters as you take everything in is how do you perform on game day,” Kiffin said. “For him not to make those plays or the first game there was a fade that we throw to him that he didn’t go up and get, that’s discouraging because he was paid an awful lot of money, paid like one of the top five receivers in the NFL. We need him to make those plays.”

Ouch.. I would think there’s a serious problem on deck if Javon doesn’t come up with a few grabs and big yardage this Saturday against the Cards. His future playing time and entire Football career may depend on it.

So with Adimchinobe Echemandu’s great showing last Friday (3 for 77 yards in the second half) that makes us FIVE deep in the Running Back position. Man, our Back scouts are looking better and better as the weeks pass. I’m tellin’ ya, give those guys raises!!!
What happens next? Oren O’ Neal for 150 yards? Hey, you stick to blocking, big brother!

Johnnie Lee Higgins..WTF?
That was the difference in the game, son! You’d think a good returner would know when to let a Football sail into the End Zone…
but NOooooooooo! You HAD to try to make a play.
Learn and get on it, sir. I don’t care if you don’t have other guys competing for your job to motivate you. You want to beat someone? Beat the guy who fumbled in the End Zone last Friday!!!! Auughh!

Rob Ryan….congratulations, you’ve found out how to blitz again! Unbelievable!! The Lord of the Sith is still trying to figure out why you abandoned the best defensive play in the playbook in the first place! Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison, this could mean more Sack Sandwiches in the near future for ya both!! Stay Hungry, men!!!!
Praise the damn Force!

Notes on our next Victim…
Raiders/ Cardinals Pre Season Series:
This Saturday night’s game marks the 11th preseason game between the Raiders and Cardinals, with the Raiders holding a 7-3 advantage.
Raiders/ Cardinals Regular Season Series:
The Raiders hold a 5-2 advantage over the Cardinals since they first met in 1973.
Last time in Pre Season, the Oakland Raiders defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland on August 11, 1007. RB Adimchinobi Echemandu rushed 17 times for 75 yards and DB Hiram Eugene returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown.

Let’s hope Saturday’s outcome mirrors the last..
Go S n B!!!!

Cheers,
Darth Raider

What it do, Oaktown?

How about our boys whuppin’ up on that 9-er ace??!?????????!?!?!
To be honest, the game took a while to heat up..but in the end? My brothers came up victorious and also realizing that:

#1 We still have a MAGNIFICENT Running game! Lead Back Justin Fargas was running off the right blockers and gaining monster yards.
Run DMC? You knew he was quick.. but not THIS quick! (Especially off of screen passes) I’m telling you all over the world..this guy is even quicker when he’s live, 20 yards in front of ya!
Mike Bush was the MVP out of this group in my book. He has the look of a Ty Wheatley or Zack Crockett (he doesn’t earn the comparison to Bo…uh,yet) BOOM! BAM!!! THANK YA MY MAIN MAN! He ran over Niner DJ Parker like he was instant road kill! Stockton’s own, Louis Rankin was also running hard like a man among boys in the 2nd half. With us or not, he’s getting a job in the NFL.

#2 I believe when our starting defense is finally healthy, we’re going to see one hell of an improvement from last year. The Niners couldn’t get into a passing groove until Alex Smith arrived, and by then, our 1st team D was on the sideline. I also noticed #94 Greg Spires and #95 Josh Shaw were responsible for making JT O’ Sullivan throw that gift to Stanford Routt. Sully was about to be sacked by both biggies.. Tom Kelly also looked good by moving the O-line like they had cheap Roller Skates on.

#3…Hell, I ran out of positives…anyone????? anyone??? Oh Yeah, Higgins….that was some kind of Punt running, foo. I still wonder if you have what it takes during the regular season. In last Year’s Pre Season, Johnnie Lee had yet another punt return TD..once the season started? Doo doo butter. Nice Slant catch, sir. I actually think that was JaMarcus’s best pass thrown.

NEGATIVES
#1 Where in the hell is our passing attack? Javon Walker still hasn’t impressd me since day 1. I heard he had a good practice today, but I need consistancy!! JaMarcus Russell is still wet behind the ears and still looks at his receivers WAY too often. Drew Carter…ehh..ok…
Zach Miller…did he play?
Guys, teams will figure out how to stop our running attack eventually by putting 8 men in the box…then what???

#2 The O line still kind of makes my head and helmet turn away. On one blitz play, Jake Grove, Kwame Harris AND Cornell Green lost hold of their men resulting in a sack on Russell. All of these guys still seem like your average Football line….band aid fixes. Yes, I know it’s only game 1 of pre-season, but I think I’m basing my negatives written on their shady pasts..
prove me wrong big guys!!!

#3 Niner Fans. You assh*les were the worst crowd visiting our stadium in years. I witnessed a lot of druken thug life EXPECTING Raider fans to fight…
and when they didn’t? You figured you create something.
There was a guy in the 120’s knocking Raider fans down one by one…who didn’t even have their fists up. I hope your mother was proud,boy…
even after several fans pulled you to the ground while kicking you in retaliation. You wanted a fight and you got it, chum……..p.
Enough..those idiots are not even worth writing about.

Wha-??? Scary Collins is still on the Titans roster!?!?! We’re coming for you this Friday, old man!
Facts:
RAIDERS-TITANS PRESEASON SERIES: This Friday night’s contest will mark the 10th time the Raiders and the Tennessee franchise have met in the preseason, with the Silver and Black holding a 5-4 advantage. The teams first met in the preseason in 1961 when the Titans were known as the Houston Oilers.

RAIDERS-TITANS REGULAR SEASON SERIES: The Raiders hold a 23-18 advantage over Tennessee in regular season contests since 1960 when the teams began pro football competition as original members of the American Football League. The Titans were based in Houston and named the Oilers. The Houston franchise relocated to Tennessee in 1997. The Raiders are 4-0 versus the Tennessee franchise in playoff games, including the AFC Championship win in 2002.

Let’s take it to them, Nation!!!!
Peace,
DR

Greetings Nation of Knights, Sights and Fights!!,
It is truly a gift and a blessing to finally get what we’ve all been waiting for all summer long..
constant Oakland Raider camp updates!!!
I watch every show, read every online article, gander at every newspaper quote..
etc, etc…
and it’s still not enough!!!!!!!

I have to tell you all, it’s been great hearing about the progress made by everyone..
From JAM Russell’s improved passing accuracy to Nnamdi’s nice mitts grabbing an INT for a TD practically every AM/PM practice! Calm down, son! Save some for Denver!!

We ALL know about what kind back potential powers we have with Fargas and Rookie RUN DMC, but what about biggie Mike Bush?
6′1 - 245 pounds and counting..what do YOU think will happen on 4th and 1 in a goal line situation? The kid seems like one hell of a wrecking ball and may be the equivalent of ol’ man Zack Crockett from back in the day. I just hope the guys still hungry after grabbing wood, bub. A year is like a lifetime in the NFL.

The secondary looks more solid then it’s been since the days of Chuck Woodson and the great Eric Allen. Nnamdi’s still angry about not being selected to the Pro Bowl while D-Hall is aching to prove he still has what it takes to be an all star corner in the NFL. Newcomer Gibril Wilson seems like a heavy hitter that excels at mashing and tackling, while at the same time, Mike Huff is soaking in all he can from the 2008 Super Bowl Champion.

Linebackers were never a problem for this team. From what I hear, Ricky Brown is making a strong push for making it in the starting lineup as a strong side Linebacker. Captain Kirk and Thomas Howard will only get better with a faster LB by their sides.
Sam Williams…….
are you still alive? Pre season will be a great time to prove your still worth a damn.

AH-HA! Where would you all be without reading the major individual concerns written by the Dark Lord of the Sith?!?!??
Let’s start with…
AL DAVIS
Big surprise I chose the Emperor? Not if you read enough articles as I have. I’m not sure if it was a major story, but it DOES deserve more exposure to the mighty masses…

Warren Sapp Q and A:
Q: How would you describe your experience with the Raiders?

“As dark as a black hole. Stuff went on in that organization that shouldn’t go on in sports. I don’t think there’s one person who knows who or what is making the call. Let’s just say the Oakland experience is unique. The phone rings quite a bit on that sideline. Insubordination is grounds for termination in any company”.

No, the man on the phone WASN’T John Madden wanting his job back..
Not me asking if I could kick for Sea bass..
Not Steve Wisnewski wanting to make a comeback..

It was none other than the big cheese..the man in charge..the HDIC. (head dictator in charge)
the captain of the ship..King of the Castle..
you get the idea.

I remember an insider story a while back that involved Al passing a note through the chain of command. That note would eventually reach whatever sucky Coach we had at the time (think mid nineties) and was made sure to open ASAP.
The note read “Throw it Deep”.
I remember feeling nauseous after I heard about it from a source that worked for the Raiders.
I never believed in the story ENTIRELY until I read the above statement from the old fatman from Tampa.
Hey, I have an idea..
FOR OUR FUTURE SUCCESS; AL HAS TO LET THE COACH, COACH!!!!
Kiffin is obviously the best Coach we’ve had in years. He’s fierce, intelligent, honest and right to the point. If he’s to remain with us, I’d prefer less interference from MR. BAT PHONE himself.
Somebody just get rid of that phone please…give the guy a text only sidekick…or just put it down all together, Monte Burns..PLEASE, FOR THE SAKE OF THE TEAM!!!!
..thank you.

JAVON WALKER
In my mind, there was a tremor in the force as soon as this guy was signed..
and the recent reports suggested he wanted to f%$##ing retire??
Lord, do I hate being right sometimes…
Lane Kiffin on the situation:
“I worry a lot about it. For someone to discuss retirement, and then to come back and change his mind a day later. I’m worried a lot about it. I’m worried about where he’s at mentally, because these things happen sometimes and they come back up again, because maybe they come back and maybe it isn’t necessarily for the right reasons, so we’re going to continue to communicate with him and push him out there on the field and get him better.”

So what I’m really hearing from the Coach is this:

“Drew Carter, it’s your spot if you want it.”

I could also mention the negatives regarding Tommy Kelly, Kwame Harris, Mario Henderson, etc etc.

But that damn Jerry McDonald stole my thunder.

Heh..like I ever had it.

I hope to see you all in 5 days, Nation.

HERE COMES OAKLAND RAIDER FOOTBALL!!!!! IN OAKLAND!!!! YAHOOOO!!!!!!

NINERS, VENGEANCE WILL BE OURS!!!!

DARK SIDE, B###^TCHES!!! (:

peace,

DR

ps you HAVE to check this video out if you’ve seen “Coming to America” and my beloved “Star Wars” AH-HA!!!

http://www.break.com/index/star-wars-coming-to-america.html