Star Spoilers
By Charles Ybarra
Sunday, December 28th, 2008 at 10:52 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Unbelievable..there is truly no other word to describe what you and I saw today!!!!
Behold World, the best Raider game of the year has been played!!!
Sure, I know I said the same damn thing last week, but that was before I witnessed THIS progressive week!!!
It’s only fitting that we end their year after they ended ours…
oh, so many years ago..
Warrick Dunn stared straight ahead, searching for words to explain how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers let a promising season slip away with a December swoon that left them out of the playoffs.
“There’s disbelief. There’s shock. There’s emotions, I’m sure, that I can’t really describe,” the veteran running back said Sunday after the team’s fourth consecutive loss, 31-24 to the Oakland Raiders, completed the biggest collapse in franchise history.
“To be 9-3, and you lose four in a row when all you have to do is win one and you’re in, it’s tough to swallow. The guys in this locker room have prepared hard, played hard. Things haven’t gone our way.”
Michael Bush rushed for a career-high 177 yards and scored on a 67-yard fourth-quarter jaunt, helping the Raiders (5-11) overcome a 10-point deficit and make their final case for interim coach Tom Cable retaining his job.
Tampa Bay (9-7) was tied for first place in the NFC South heading into December but was outscored 62-19 in the fourth quarter and overtime of losses to Carolina, Atlanta, San Diego and Oakland down the stretch.
“It’s very disappointing. … I’m sick for our players, and our fans, more than anything,” Bucs coach Jon Gruden said.
Paybacks surely a bitch, Chucky.
Losses to the Panthers and Falcons ended realistic hopes of repeating as division champions. More puzzling, though, were setbacks the last two weeks at home — where the Bucs were 6-0 before this month — against teams with losing records.
“I know we let down a lot of people … and we apologize for that,” quarterback Jeff Garcia said. “We, as a team, are better than what we have put on the field in the last four weeks.”
It’s certainly not the way Tampa Bay’s normally reliable defense wanted to go out under longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who’s leaving to join his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee.
I believe we all know by now why that little, lame pecker constantly cried to the Bay area media that our present (but not future) Defensive Coordinator, Rob Ryan wasn’t good enough for our team.
It wasn’t because of the fact that Ryan actually doesn’t do a better job in some areas,
it’s because he wanted his hand to be held by Daddy again!!!
Wah! I want my Daddy near!!!!
The Lord of the Sith really hoped you were in Tampa today, “Lance”..
“It’s all I can do. It’s the best I can do,” Cable said. “I want to be the head coach of the Raiders, but it’s not in my hands. But I certainly know I put this team together and got it going in the right direction, and today proved that.”
The Raiders were mum about Davis, but it was believed to be just the second time he has not attended a game since becoming a part of the organization in 1963.
Davis missed what Cable described as the team’s “best effort from top to bottom.”
“We went after the game that whole way,” Cable said. “Our goal was to match the intensity of a team trying to get into the playoffs.”
I think Cable has earned AT LEAST logical consideration for being our next Oakland Raider Coach in 2009.
Parcells? Cowher? Gruden? Those picks seem to be the sexy ones, but not the most realistic, Mr Fantasy.
Russell threw for 148 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders, who looked as though they were out of the game after being outgained 168-21 in the third quarter. Tampa Bay went up 24-14 with a field goal and touchdown in the first four minutes of the fourth period.
But Oakland’s young quarterback rebounded from throwing an interception that Sabby Piscitelli returned 84 yards to the Raiders’ 11 to set up Carnell “Cadillac” Williams’ 8-yard TD run.
A 43-yard pass interference penalty led to a 12-yard TD pass to Johnnie Lee Higgins that trimmed Oakland’s deficit to 24-21, and that was just the beginning of the end for the frustrated Buccaneers.
Williams, who missed the first 10 games of the season because of a career-threatening injury to his right knee from September 2007, hurt his left knee at the end of a 28-yard gain in front of the Bucs bench.
That drive stalled on downs at the Oakland 33, and Bush took over from there. He slipped through the grasp of would-be tacklers Kevin Carter and Jovan Haye on his 67-yard TD burst and carried repeatedly on the Raiders’ next possession to burn the clock and set up Sebastian Janikowski’s 25-yard field goal that made it 31-24 with 1:09 to go.
Bush, playing a bigger role because Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden were hobbled by injuries, carried 14 times for 48 yards in the first three quarters. He gained 129 on 13 attempts in the fourth quarter.
“I knew it was all on me,” Bush said. “I’m hoping that I made a statement.”
The Bucs gave up 564 yards rushing and allowed Carolina, Atlanta and San Diego to convert 21 of 37 third downs the previous three weeks. Oakland finished with 192 yards rushing and converted 6 of 13 third downs.
Russell was also 14-of-21 and was intercepted once. He threw a 3-yard TD pass to Chaz Schilens in the second quarter that was right on the money. He threw the ball just before he was about to be sacked.
Mario Henderson looks like he has earned a spot at Left Tackle for the 2009 season. Kwame Harris? Start packing…or empty your pockets..
Kirk Morrison had 8 tackles with 5 assists..never did I ever think there was a better middle LB for our team. Right tackle, WR and Safety are the positions we should be looking into in the offseason…
PLEASE don’t disagree!!!
It is useless to resist, my sons..
I guess it’s still a good idea to keep 3 capable backs.
Fargas left the game with a knee strain and McFadden didn’t finish because of an ankle sprain. I also think we received a little break since Bucs LB Derrick Brooks left with a hamstring injury that prevented him from chasing Bush on his long TD sprint and other important runs in the 4th Quarter .
Heh, no crying over spilt f#ing milk!!! That’s a wrap, Raider Nation!!!! Enjoy being the Star Spoilers!!!!!
Enjoy the Playoffs!!! WITHOUT Moss or T.O…. Yahoooo!!!!
Cheers and have a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-DR
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December 29th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Finally, the raiders show some heart and actually show
they can compete. It’s better late than never JM
needs a lot of work in the offseason. He can stand to
lose some weight too. His size inhibits his ability
to scramble outside the pocket he tends to look very
clumsy and awkward when he runs It reminds me of “pork
face” plunkett he got the job done but very sloppy.
Hopefully they can build on this last victory and
and make the proper adjustments in the offseason
“BEEF UP THE LINE” and “PICK UP SOME GOOD RECEIVERS”.
December 29th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Great,Great win, should have most of our guy’s feeling very good about themselves,Beating gruden in his house to knock em out of playoffs-SWEET. Well lets regroup and find a way to field a decent team for next year,A good draft,-O-line please, JRuss would be very dangerous with time to throw,Garcia had all day to throw. We need to BLITZ more, i hope your long gone rob ryan,I think he sucks but AL likes him,defense has gotten worse every year with this SLOB. Plese AL who ever coaches next year-LET THEM COACH,JUST STAY OUT IT, get a G.M. and kick back and relax,its a young mans game. THANKS-FOXRAIDER
December 29th, 2008 at 7:22 am
I agree with Foxraider (”LET THEM COACH,JUST STAY OUT IT”) and I still think CABLE should be given the chance to keep things going. It takes time for any coach/boss/leader to rally his troops and make progress. I can only pray that AL opens his eyes and looks at the fact that Cable coached his heart out and gave it his all. That’s a lot more than I can say for some of the others who have held that position. Keep Cable in…and I sense we’ll be IN and not watching the playoffs in 2009.
Thankfully, we end the year on a high note. Back to back wins (first time since Dec. 2, 2007) is nice, progress is nice, and heck givin’ back to Tampa Bay…even nicer. Have an awesome break, Nation and a very happy, blessed new year!
And as always — a big THANK YOU to Darth! Living in South Florida I am not afforded the luxury of hearing about my beloved RAIDERS (I unfortunately hear the dribs and drabs of the Dol-Fans). But you keep me (and the rest of us) in the loop and keep a positive spin to it all. On that…may the force be with you and the rest of your family this awesome new year!
December 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I don’t agree that Cable was all that. I think Kiffin was actually doing better in terms of getting players to play. But with that said, let’s get a new coach and new GM and see what we can draft. I say Crabtree with round 1 and Alex Mack, C, CAL with round 2. he will be there starting for 10 years. Smartest guy at the smartest university and awarded best O-lineman in pac-10 2 years in a row. Then draft 5 more linemen with the rest of the draft. crabtree, carter and the current rookies with a better o line will be good enough for this draft. then we can sign a new safety and sign a real interior run blocker. Of course, pay Nnamdi whatever he wants.
GO Raiduhs!!
December 29th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Although the Raiders only won 5 games this year, 3 of those wins were the difference between in & out of the playoffs - the Bucs, the Donkeys & the Jets.
If you don’t want to debate the positions that the Raiders need to improve, it’s cool, it’s your blog. But check this out: People vote on the 3 positions they think the Raiders most need improvement. Assume the Raiders can re-sign Nnamdi & Lechler. Everybody promises to vote once only. I’d like to see what the Nation is thinking.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Yes, yes, yes…get rid of ryan, gallery and pick up a safety a wide reciever and legimate run stopper on the line!!
December 29th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Cable earned a shot at remaining as the HC. He rallied the troops and proved to be innovative in his play calling. Get rid of Ryan and let Cable choose his own DC. Have Harris take a pay cut, move him to right guard, move Henderson to RT, draft a LT and center. Next, draft a MLB and a big, young DT. The rest “D” linemen. We are set at the rest of the positions if we give Lechler his money and then franchise Aso or trade him if he does not want to stay.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Cut Kwame, Javon Walker, Ronald Curry, and Ashley Lelie then pick me up in free agency and sign 21 to a long term deal.
After that, draft Crabtree with #1 if he’s available then get some help on the O-Line and at FS!
December 31st, 2008 at 9:42 am
Love the blog Darth. The force is strong with this one.
January 1st, 2009 at 10:53 am
I believe Doc-Raider is right,Give the Cable Guy another year and see what happens,I believe he is truly a Raider as all of us are,I think he can better 5 wins next season,I know we all want more W’s,But this is rebuilding for us,I know,I know 6 years of rebuilding,But if we can keep our owner out of our coaches way at least till midseason and if things are not good- then but in. A good draft,some free agents and a new Defensive Cordinator for CHRIST SAKES maybe we can take Baby step’s toward Respectabilty again. Thanks Foxraider!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 3rd, 2009 at 5:21 am
AMEN Foxraider!
January 5th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
09 belong to the RAIDERS.
Raider for life.
January 5th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Every body always trying to make the Raiders sound like a team that has never won anything. Out of the temas we play next year, only three have more wins aginst us than we do them. the Ravens lead the series 4-1, the eagles lead the searies 5-4, and the texans lead the series 3-1.
All the a$$es we kicked over the years is why everyone loves to hate Al Davis’s Raiders.
Go Al
Raider for life.
January 16th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I don’t know too many people who’ve said that the Raiders have never won anything. But a lot of fans are pissed off about 6 straight years of losing and Al being reluctant to make any big moves to fix the problem, if that’s what you’re talking about.
Retire Al
Raider for life.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
What happened to the blog?
January 17th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
hello?
January 17th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
RAMS HIRE SPAGNUOLO
Posted by Josh Alper on January 17, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
Reports out of St. Louis were all over the place over the last couple of days, but the Rams have finally landed their man. Adam Schefter is reporting that the Rams have hired Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as their new head coach.
Per Schefter, it is a four-year, $11.5 million deal.
That leaves the Raiders and Jets as the only NFL teams without head coaches and leaves Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, all rumored to be front-runners for the job at one point or another, to chase other positions or return to their current jobs.
January 18th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Well Guy’s & Girl’s look’s more & more like the cable guy, with all job’s being filled quickly, AL know’s with cable in there he’s still in charge of everything, just like the hiring of the young Fassell kid, he was with us a few year’s now and is a yes sir AL man, I’m not saying I dislike ethier guy,they did a decent job considering. He does’nt want Gruden again, he had to much control of the team, Draft, free agent’s,coach’s. I myself would love to see that fire & energy on the sideline’s of Gruden, He did not clapp and say that’s alright guy’s when something went wrong, he would get in their face’s and their would be no that’s alright guy’s, he would FIX-IT right then and their. Bruce Allen would be awesome as a G.M., He did a great job with us before, and Gruden would be an great O.C., well we’ll see what happen’s, But the final say on everything will be AL’s,He does not no where the smart $$money should go, look at what we paid some of these mediocore player’s last season, and now we will lose the like’s of Asomuah & Lechler, So we franchise Asomuah, I know that’s not spelled right but close enough, Point being he is one of the best around and should have already been signed to a long term deal, No we will just keep farting around untill we lose everybody were suppose to keep, Please bring in Bruce Allen as G.M. because Big AL is really fading fast, I don’t know if he’s stuck in the 70’s or 80’s, But he is not up to today’s standard’s of Football, Still a very smart man, Just behind times, He’s hurting us Fan’s as much as the Team, I’ll alway’s be a Raider fan, But it should not take 7 or 8 year’s to turn a team around in the right direction. Thank you for listening!!!!!!!!!!
January 21st, 2009 at 7:53 am
JERRY, YOUR SHIT IS BROKE AGAIN!
January 21st, 2009 at 10:41 am
Jerry, what da heck?
January 21st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Sorry fellas,.but Im gay,..and dont know how to keep my blog up and running well.
January 24th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Jerry McDonald, is a class act.