It was Gannon all along
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 6:36 pm in Oakland Raiders.
So we finally know what has been wrong with the Raiders all these years.
It was Rich Gannon, of course.
The same Gannon who led the Raiders to three consecutive AFC West titles and a conference championship.
As reported by David White of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Raiders responded to Gannon’s brutal honesty regarding his former team by attempting to ban him from a Saturday production meeting with players and coaches.
UPDATE: The Associated Press is reporting the Raiders have backed off on the attempt to ban Gannon from the production meeting.
And when we say the Raiders, we mean one Raider.
Senior executive John Herrera was the source quoted in the story, but this was an Al Davis move. Herrera doesn’t have the authority to do this on his own, and Davis, whose old school code of loyalty is everything, surely feels Gannon is a traitor. I talked to Herrera and he stood behind all the quotes in the Chronicle story added that Gannon had been critical as recently as two weeks ago on a local radio station.
(Here is a link to a transcription of an interview Gannon did with KTHK in Sacramento on Sept. 8).
“Everything he said was negative, even saying that he liked coming out here but it was hard to watch,” Herrera said. “He was a journeyman quarterback when he came here, we gave him an opportunity, then he retires and all he does is attack us.”
He said Gannon has talked of “blowing up the building” and starting over and considered the quotes “incendiary” in a post-9/11 world.
Personally, I can’t recall Gannon saying anything like that, but Herrera assured me they exist and have been “documented.” Without even getting in to the paranoia that goes in to having someone keep a running file of all the mean things said about the organization, I’m speechless at the notion that if Gannon did say these things, that they were taken literally.
I asked Herrera if his comments were coming straight from Davis and his response was, “I think we’re done here.”
Production meetings are often on Friday, but there was no sign of Gannon at the facility today.
After Tom Cable wrapped up his press briefing today he asked me if I’d seen Gannon. I wonder if he even knew Gannon had been silver and blacklisted. May have even wanted to thank Gannon for saying what a great job he was doing as head coach.
That’s right. Included in Gannon’s most recent assessment on the Raiders was an endorsement of Cable.
Here was Gannon’s take his Sirius Satellite radio show on the job Cable is doing with the Raiders:
“I give Tom Cable a lot of credit, not a little bit of credit, a lot of credit. He knows exactly what he has in terms of his personnel and he is not going to try to beat you throwing the ball 35 or 40 times. He understands the strength of that football team right now, and last year as well, without question is not the play of the quarterback, it’s the three running backs he has in Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush.
“And that, combined with the fact that they have an offensive line that was really bad a year ago in terms of pass protection, and with a young quarterback and with inexperience at the wide receivers, he’d be crazy not to run the football.
So I tip my hat to Tom Cable and what he’s been able to accomplish the first two weeks of the season. They are a better football team defensively, they can run the ball, and that has to be the M.O. as they head down the road the next six or eight weeks until JaMarcus can come along, until their young receivers can develop.
“But I think guys like Greg Ellis and Richard Seymour, their ability to stop the run, something they didn’t do a very good job of a year ago, that has to be the strength of this football team. Tom Cable knows what he has and he’s done a good job the first two weeks in making sure that’s a point of emphasis.”
Take a look at Gannon’s breakdown of Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, as well as the one by passing game coordinator Ted Tollner, and both men make a lot of the same points.
Herrera repeated the belief that Gannon was trying to deflect blame from his poor Super Bowl, when he threw five interceptions.
That would indicate the blame for the Super Bowl loss rests squarely with Gannon, coming during a week where the Raiders have maintained the failures of the Oakland passing game are a collective effort, and not simply the fault of Russell.
Years ago, Jon Gruden told a reporter a story about how Gannon, angered that he couldn’t get in the building early enough to get started on the day’s work, would throw pebbles at his window so he could get in the building early.
Looks like he’ll need more than a pebble this time around.
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September 25th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Here we go again!
September 25th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
3rd! (or first?)
September 25th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
The Raiders are wrong for trying to ban Gannon.
With that said, Gannon owes the Raiders everything he has. He would not have that job at CBS if the Raiders don’t give him a chance at QB. He’s obviously bitter about something that happened there. But I can really understand the “how dare he” mode Al is in.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Jerry,
You forgot that during the seymour hold out Gannon was blasting the Raiders for the trade and the handling of it. Gannon has been consistently sharing with the public how things are behind the scene in Oakland. He should not have done that. Every family has its issues and some things are better kept quiet.
Jerry, if you going to point out Gannon’s latest quotations then you might as well balance it with his other recent criticisms before the season started.
Gannon didnt know jack then about the Raiders and now he’s on the bandwagon!!! Talk about a guy who got overpaid as a Raider QB.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
“silver and blacklisted”….lol
September 25th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I’m In
September 25th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Al Davis is just sooooooooooo petty!
September 25th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Jerry,
here I did some homework for you. It was only a few weeks ago he made these comments. So is he saying now we have leadership when he was blasting us for not having it a few weeks ago. Or perhaps, he didnt jack about whats going on with the team.
Former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon weighed in on the team’s plight in light of the negativity surrounding their trade for defensive lineman Richard Seymour and other recent goings-on. The interview was conducted by KHTK radio in Sacramento:
On if it’s tough for him to see what’s going on in Oakland, the team he most associates his playing career with:
“Yeah, no, listen. I want nothing more than to see them do well. It’s just hard for me to watch. And I can’t say honestly that I’m surprised. I can’t look at it and say well gee, that’s a shocker to me. It’s really not. I can’t say that I’m surprised by anything I see or hear that comes out of that place. I just think that – listen – I’ve been criticized for being what some would refer to as overly critical, but listen, it’s clear when you look at the football team, there’s not enough…they certainly have players, but you look at each level of the organization, I just don’t know if there’s enough leadership there and I think that’s what holds them back.”
On how the Raiders organization seems to be getting worse year in and year out:
“All you have to do is look around the league and see teams that are successful and I think they have leadership at every level. I’m talking about the owner, I’m talking about the general manager. I’m talking about player personnel. I’m talking about the coaching staff and I’m talking about the players. I just think it’s really important when you put together a team certainly to keep that in mind. But also, in each of those meeting rooms – I’m talking about a defensive line, the linebackers, the secondary, the offensive line – you have to have a dominant personality, a leader that is going to make a difference, who is going to demand excellence from his teammates. And again, when I was there, that was the hardest part. That was a struggle for me. Listen, I just wanted to come to work, do my job, focus in on what I had to do, but I felt like I had to worry about what everybody else was doing so we could accomplish our goals. And that’s what could be frustrating. Because listen, it’s tough enough business, but when you’re having to worry about guys being on time, or guys showing up, or guys knowing what they’re supposed to do. Then it becomes – then it’s not fun anymore.”
September 25th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
SC,
Like Al, I remember everyone’s criticism of our team. All the sudden we hear Gannon praises our team and then Jerry thinks he is on our side. BS!! He was blasting us only a few weeks ago when he didnt know jackschytt about the situation. If he really paid attention to us, he could have easily seen that Cable and Al has done a tremendous job of turnign this team around since late last year, into the offseason and now.
I frickin hate it when a former Raider insider doesnt bother to do his homework.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I guess this means Rich wont be stopping by Al’s suite before the game to say hello…
September 25th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
This “Alisgod” has way too much in information in such a short time…..hummmmmmm Wonder if he knew before hand this subject on this blog was about to appear…hummmm..
Forget Gannon…How about banning ESPN from Oakland…period!
September 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
“He said Gannon has talked of “blowing up the building” and starting over and considered the quotes “incendiary” in a post-9/11 world.”
———
That is actually laughable they threw that in a post-9/11 world bit out there about Gannon’s comments. That’s something Sean Hannity would come up with if Gannon was a liberal.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
There’s nothing wrong with Al feeling this way about Gannon. I just wish he would keep it to himself. But since this has been put out there, believe we’ll be seeing some more fishy calls come this Sunday….That’s the NFL’s way of getting at Old man Al. Hopefully we’ll be able to overcome it.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Interested to see Holland getting a shot to return kicks. Of course, I was interested to see what Rankin could do with it and the answer was, not much. Rankin was surprisingly tenative in that role. Looked nothing like the guy who shined in the last two preseasons.
Confused about the move of Holland to CB though. Seemed to look like a young WR with a ton of upside in the preseason.
I could see Rankin going to the practice squad, but I could also see Nick Miller going to IR. How many times do you save a roster spot for half a season for an undrafted rookie KR? I’d like to see Miller this season, but I wouldn’t want him to get hurt again.
If Holland doesn’t work out that should try JLH on KRs again.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Alisgod….
Jerry must have read your post, he updated with a link to the interview of Gannon you quoted…check it out..
September 25th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
There was a time when Al worried more about football and less about how the media criticized his team. Al has made a few good moves of late. He needs to focus more on that and less on the analysis of the Raiders from the mouth pieces. That’s what they are paid to do – to analyze which in today’s world means to be critical. Win, and everyone will love you and heap praise on you. That will also shut up the critics. The battle that Al should worry about is 120 yards long and leave the other stuff alone. We need more Richard Seymour-like deals and less John Herrera rhetoric about “who cares”.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I know Al is fiercely loyal to the point of it almost being mafia like or a gang. But, do they realize that coming out and saying these things in people only makes them look worse in the publics eyes. This does not help the public perception.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
“He was a journeyman quarterback when he came here, we gave him an opportunity, then he retires and all he does is attack us.” John Herrera about Gannon
——————————————————-
The Raiders are trying to develop a long-term solution to the QB position. Gannon was a short-term solution.
The Raiders need to develop players that are type of Raiders that stay for a decade plus. They have to develop a culture that the players live and breathe.
Can’t do that with journeyman…you need to build institutional loyalty through winning and developing players that are in line with the culture.
So, the Raiders will, to the haters dismay, continue to develop guys like Russell, Heyward-Bey, Murphy, Mitchell, Schilens, Miller, Branch, etc….and will get them up to speed regardless of the “short-term” pain that has to be incurred.
Screw the haters. The Raiders are getting it right on the field in the right way. Playing the young players and teaching a system based on Raider football…not some flavor of the month.
If others don’t like it….too bad
September 25th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
He said Gannon has talked of “blowing up the building” and starting over and considered the quotes “incendiary” in a post-9/11 world.”
ive thought of doing that myself except just with big al, herrera, and japotroast rusell in the building.
c’mon its only a joke dont send the feds to my house.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Wow! Now we know why some of the lame brains in here like to try and rip Gannon.
They are blind stubborn Al Davis lapdogs like John Herrera or maybe even John Herrera himself??
What a waste of time and energy on the part of the old stubborn man Al Davis and his lap dog “executives” like John Herrera and probably Mike Taylor to try to ban Gannon who played great for the Raiders and helped turn this freakin franchise around from losing because he cares about the organization and doesn’t agree with the way it is being ran currently.
Ridiculous….
September 25th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
As I said earlier in the week…Cable and Tollner better get back to smash mouth football this week and run the ball against the Donks. Better implement that ZBS system, mixed with some counter treys, power sweeps, mis direction reverses and mis direction running plays, with some WildCat formations featuring both DMC and Bush to confuse the Donks defense and keep them off balance. Then they need to mix in the short and intermediate passing game with some bubble screens to DHB, some curl routes and quick out with Murphy and then throw the deep ball from time to time, but over 50% percent of the freakin time!
We need to see plenty of double TE sets as well and get ALL TE’s involved with Miller, Stewart,and Myers!
If they don’t run the ball well this weekend against the Donks….they will lose.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I’m a Raider fan of over 30 years. This is the worst kind of all the kinds of BS there is in the Raider organization. Herrera is a two bit punk and lackey, Trask (did she sign off on this nonsense?) is a fool (if she did) and Al…. Al, Al, Al, the man from whom all this garbage comes from.
Rich Gannon and Jon Gruden were the last great Raiders there have been. If Gannon has to tell it like it is these days, then so be it. As for Gruden, if Al kept him one more year…..ONE MORE YEAR… the Raiders win the Superbowl in 2003. No Doubt.
I’ll be at the Coliseum Sunday to see a win. I root for the team, not the moronic management.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
lets kill the donkeys!!!
September 25th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
DKNIGHT: Agreed. Al can think and feel anything he wants to. But why was this given to a spokesman to discuss with the press? Idiotic any way you look at it.
And, oh sure, we’ll get jobbed Sunday. Done deal. But we’ll win by 10 (instead of 17) and get the win Sunday.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
# SilverAndBlackBleeder Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
There’s nothing wrong with Al feeling this way about Gannon. I just wish he would keep it to himself. But since this has been put out there, believe we’ll be seeing some more fishy calls come this Sunday….That’s the NFL’s way of getting at Old man Al. Hopefully we’ll be able to overcome it.
^^^^^^^^Yep!
The NFL and their puppets the refs and officials always look to screw the Raiders with shady BS phantom calls….ESPECIALLY when they play at home against a divisional opponent…..ever notice that??
It’s a disturbing trend that’s for damn sure!
September 25th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
i think they should ban the refs from the colesium also
September 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
i really hope jaBigMac will get better with the return of chaz.
i believe we will slaughter denver with heavy doses of dmac and bush. but after that our schedule is tough.
i hope he will have zach and chaz and the chemistry will show if not its going to be a rough few weeks after denver
but for now scre the donkeys their going down.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
We must destroy the Donkeys!
September 25th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Raiders will stick with the youth movement. Signed two QUALITY free agents that actually make the team better (Ellis, Seymour).
Stay the course! Develop the QB and Free Safety despite challenges. Play stout defense and run the football.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Alisgod says:
Talk about a guy who got overpaid as a Raider QB.
Have you drank so much koolaid that your brain has turned to mush. You should be kissing Rich Gannon’s feet. If it weren’t for him, the Raiders would be on level with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I dont think Gannon has been nearly as critical of the Raiders as people like Sapp have. He has said some negative things but also that he hopes the see the organization get back to being decent. He has also commended Cable for the job he has done as coach so far. This was just a completely ridiculous move by the Raider organization. Hell even Tim Brown said some negative things about the Raiders before. Get over it people. Gannon is the only decent quarterback this team has had in years. The super bowl loss is not on Gannon is because our ex coach was playing against us in the super bowl and knew all our plays and calls.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Also, notice how all the critics, haters, pundits and everyone else are now hedging their bets.
Prior to the S.D game, the Raiders were the worst team in the NFL. Now, its that the Raiders could be a tough out if the QB plays well.
See how they cover their backside. WHEN Russell starts winning (starting this weekend) then the same critics and so-called fans using clever nicknames for the QB will be saying…I’ve always known they could win…..
Meanwhile, teams like Tennessee, Miami, Denver with journeyman QBs will be facing a deadend.
They fixed the run defense. That alone will help a developing offense and allow the Raiders to be IN EVERY GAME this year!
Stay the course Oakland!
September 25th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Sanitation Officer Albert Bigelow Paine Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Alisgod says:
Talk about a guy who got overpaid as a Raider QB.
Have you drank so much koolaid that your brain has turned to mush. You should be kissing Rich Gannon’s feet. If it weren’t for him, the Raiders would be on level with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.
=======================================================
How can a team with 3 SB championships and numerous playoff victories (not withstanding the Gannon yrs) ever be on the level of Detroit or Cincy?
September 25th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
The Raiders team let Gannon look so good. Period. We had a very good team at the time, and let a very ordinary QB look good. Look at the new mess in NE!
September 25th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
If we could have Gannon in his prime right now this team would be really good. If Russel could step up to be a better than average quarterback we could win our division. We are just a quarterback away right now. I am hoping that JaMarcus can develop into that QB very quickly, like maybe this week.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
My boy Holland is back!!!!!!!!
Very amateur-hourish by Al and his minions.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
# BornInOakland Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I’m a Raider fan of over 30 years. This is the worst kind of all the kinds of BS there is in the Raider organization. Herrera is a two bit punk and lackey, Trask (did she sign off on this nonsense?) is a fool (if she did) and Al…. Al, Al, Al, the man from whom all this garbage comes from.
Rich Gannon and Jon Gruden were the last great Raiders there have been. If Gannon has to tell it like it is these days, then so be it. As for Gruden, if Al kept him one more year…..ONE MORE YEAR… the Raiders win the Superbowl in 2003. No Doubt.
I’ll be at the Coliseum Sunday to see a win. I root for the team, not the moronic management.
^^^^^^^Agreed!
September 25th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
If we run the wildcat we need to put some different twist in it that we did last year. Last year we were totally ineffective with it.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
# SnB offense defense specialteams Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Also, notice how all the critics, haters, pundits and everyone else are now hedging their bets.
Prior to the S.D game, the Raiders were the worst team in the NFL. Now, its that the Raiders could be a tough out if the QB plays well.
See how they cover their backside. WHEN Russell starts winning (starting this weekend) then the same critics and so-called fans using clever nicknames for the QB will be saying…I’ve always known they could win…..
Meanwhile, teams like Tennessee, Miami, Denver with journeyman QBs will be facing a deadend.
They fixed the run defense. That alone will help a developing offense and allow the Raiders to be IN EVERY GAME this year!
Stay the course Oakland!
^^^^^^^^They need to run the football this weekend…EFFECTIVELY, stop the run, and of course not turn the ball over and hope Russell can complete 50% of his passes this weekend at least 1 TD and NO INT’s to win!
WILDCAT…with some effective POWER ZONE running and DMC, BUSH AND FARGAS need to be UNLEASHED!
September 25th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
DKnight,
When the coach is calling for 10 to 12 deep patterns per game…you only have to complete a few of them to get points. With that said, they need to complete the short and medium passes to have a chance. And they have struggled mightily with some basic passes
Hopefully the playcalling is a little more clever and Russell and his receivers worked whatever they had to in practice.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I’m tired of all this she said, she said nonsense. Just a bunch of Sallies yapping about something some guy who used to play here said about someone who plays here now.
What Gannon says and how those in the front office react has no bearing on what happens on the field. That is all I care about as a Raider Fan…beating Denver!
Gannon has jack to do with that.
Jerry why do you promote such meaningless drivel?
September 25th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Agree, DK, running opens up the pass, but we historically throw a deep one, minutes into the game, to stun the opponent. Kiffy and crew could not understand this. This takes an opponent out of his game, and on yours. Look at any wars throughout history, the early agressor has always taken the atvantage, but not necessiarelly won the war. Wars have lasted for years, in the football wars, they last 60 minutes! It has worked for us for years, we just need the “Soldiers” to start to earn their pay.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I’m backing off any predictions on Murphy getting two TD’s this weekend, unlike my prophecy that nearly came true in week one, save for the usual NFL screw job…Champ is coming to town. Hate the broncos, respect Champ, but I’ll predict ONE Louis Murphy TD this weekend.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I predict a wild, high-scoring, lots of turnovers and a few trick plays.
DHB gets first TD on trick play, flea-flicker or Mike Bush pass.
Huff will get another pick.
Jamarcus will throw at least one.
But the Raiders win 31-27….
First place in 44 hours!!!!
September 25th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I’m with Vegas, you in?
September 25th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I’ve been sitting back for a long time just reading and not posting. I’m not an Al basher nor I’m I blind. I love my Raiders but at some point we have to be honest with ourselves and say “Self, we need help”. Honestly I don’t think Big Al can do it on his own. The simple truth is he needs to get a GM and I’m not saying be completely hands off but he needs to pass the reigns to someone quickly. All you peeps bashing Gannon-I’m sorry you guys quickly forget how before we got him, he used to torch us whenever we played KC. Al picking him up was as Guiness drinkers say “Brilliant”!!
Gannon was the closest thing to a leader at QB that we’ve had for a lllloooonnnggg time. I’m not wishing ill will on Jruss but we are running a vanilla offense and he still can’t run it. I really want him to succeed. I miss being in line on the damn freeway waiting to get in to a playoff game!!
Man it’s only been 7 years since the SB run but it seems so damn long. These young players need to become leaders. Although he is super young Schilens seems to be a young Tim Brown. Not a blazer but a crisp rout runner, good hands and willing to work.
I’m hoping JRuss sees the light and improves so we can start becoming more creative on offense. JRuss needs a WR that he can count on. I don’t understand why we didn’t call on someone like Marvin Harrison in the off season. It’s a little late now. We have to kind of roll with what we got. Hopefully Murphy can keep it up and Schillens comes in and runs good routs cuz DAMN him and JRuss looked good in the preseason!! Those 2 running routs and DHB spreading the field would be so damn awesome if Jruss could just get his stuff together. Man Dallas and Indi had the three amigos/three headed monster. If we can get our QB straight we have the damn 6 headed monster!!
September 25th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I’m right their w/you Vegas but I don’t see the donkeys scoring 27-maybe like 17. Oh and the TD will be thrown by DMac. Miller will be the recipient of Jruss’ TD from around the 18. Oh and by the way DMac or Bush will break one at least from 30 yards out!!
September 25th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Dar, give him a chance. Everyone is out to beat on the messenger. He’s a young kid, a learning kid, and by no means a bust. Did you ever get a bloody nose? You learned from it, and then started giving them back. The haters in here never even give him one game? That show’s what they are made of, not JR. Given his history of this club and its influences upon his brief tenure, I’m kind of thinking he’s doing ok, so he had a bad game personally, but he pulled it out in the end. This kid’s gonna do it, but not the way all these young internet thugs want instant results, via google, to solve this teams problems.
Say what you want, the team see’s these problems, and has tried to address them as they show up, but to be honest, we have players that have not shown up and opperated to their true abilities. Some are coming into their own, they are now playing, we have a very young team, our prospects for the next ten years are looking VERY good. We are rebuilding, we will stumble, but the faith in these Raiders will not die because of a web log.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I kind of think this is just funny.
More free sideshow entertainment from the Oakland Raiders.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Raiders 27-13.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
# 20 DKnight007
# 22 BornInOakland
Agree with you. Gruden ad Gannon were great Raiders.
It’s very frustrating to see lackeys like John Herrera try to make themselves relevant by making stupid statements against someone like Rich Gannon.
All Gannon did for the Raiders is make them ‘relevant’ for a few years by winning Division Titles, League MVP, AFC Champs, making them an offensive juggernaut and entertaining to watch, putting fans in the seats, etc. etc…
What really irritates me is, I doubt that Jamarcus has ever thought of doing the same type of study on his own work as Gannon did on him…
September 25th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
OLSK, read post 48, Gannon came into a team that needed a QB, not a team rebuilding. Look at NE, made a back-up QB a champion, where is he now, 0-2?
September 25th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Rich Gannon didn’t become Rich Gannon overnight. He was a “journeyman” QB that was bouncing around the league. He wasn’t even a footnote his first couple of years in the league.
As for Russell, his 1st two years were spent with NO ONE there to give him guidance (INCLUDING THE COACHING STAFFS).
He finally gets competent coaching. But here’s the rub…those coaches are teaching Russell techniques and approaches that are probably different from what Kiffin/DeFilipo were trying to teach or not teach him.
Clearly we have some non-athletes in here. Ever have a coach change your motion, the way you read a play, your swing, how you run, throw, block or whatever….sometimes a change in fundamentals is easy and sometimes its not.
860 put it best. You have to let the process play itself out. This is not a video game
September 25th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
All you gotta do is keep Jabuffaloass away from Kwikways and he will lose weight.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I haven’t read the posts yet. I felt I had to comment first. John Herrera is an idiot. People like him are a great part of why the Raiders are so screwed up. He’s got his nose buried so far up AD’s posterior that he may never see light again. AD is the responsible person for this team – good or bad. Nothing happens without his nod.
On to Gannon. I’ve been a Raider fan since 1964. I seen them all. There’s been Lamonica, Stabler, Plunkett, Gannon and a host of other Wannabes. Some might want to say the Snake was the best ever, others might say Plunkett gets the nod. I liked all the ones I’ve mentioned but they were all different in different environments. I personally think the best two were Stabler & Gannon. Gannon was the best we’ve seen in recent times. He was truly a field general, worked hard demanded like type effort from the other players – a REAL LEADER. Something that JaBeefRoll is not and may never be. the fact that he’s not of the Raider payroll espousing the company speel is a positive thing in his favor. He didn’t lose bthe last SB effort. That was sterictly on Barrett Robbins and John Gruden – the guy who schooled the Bucs in all our plays. Adam True, Robbins replacement, was always a third stringer and as a O-Line leader, he wasn’t. Davis traded away our coach so he’s as much at fault as everyone else. We were lucky to have Gannon around as long as we did. When he went down, so did the team and they never recovered.
So Mr. John Herrera, quit bad-mouthing one of the best QB’s we’ve ever had just because he won’t bow in front on Mt. Davis. Rich Gannon says it like it is and if you don’t like what he has to say, don’t listen. Personally, I want to hear what he has to say because he’s earned the right to do so.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Night all, 12:16am here, have to be in to work @ 06:00, My take on Sunday, Raiders= 27, Donks=13. My honest assessment. D and ST will have an event this game, so will JR> Night!
September 25th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
JB,
Here is the downside of going the vet route at QB. They only last a couple of years. Then you start over.
You need a QB that can play a decade or more AND you get the best years of his career.
You can’t win consistently with veterans. And they are as much of a roll of the dice as a draft pick.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
860Todd Christensen – you’re making excuses for why JR is doing bad – stop it.
I’ll give you 32 million reasons (or whatever his guaranteed money is) why JR should be completing passes to open receivers.
It’s not like he just start playing football last year and we’re expecting him to be QB of an NFL team. He’s been playing QB for goodness knows how long, it’s second nature to complete a pass to an open WR. I’d give JR the benefit of the doubt if the WR was being covered tightly, but they’re not – they’re wide open! If a WR is open, 32 million dollars demands that JR complete the pass, period.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
SNB
No argument tere. I just don’t like the buttholes of this world (i.e. John Herrera) put down good people unjustifiably. I’d love to get a Peyton Manning type day 1. JaBeefRool will get no respect from me until he earns it. His work ethic to date leaves much to be desired and that is proven with the results. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to see him come into his own. I just don’t know if he has the right ambition or desire to do it. Unfortunately, the sport itself is at fault. Take a 21 year old kid, give him a guaranteed $30 million dollar bank account and then wonder why he doesn’t really give a schit. He’s just a good old country boy who now has the world by the ballz. He’s not someone who has had to work his way through the ranks and it is that process that often makes the difference. I don’t know if he’s going to be able to turn the corner. I hope he does but we will just have to wait and see.
The first thing he should have done was call a press conference and apologized to his fellow players and Raider fans everywhere for his terrible play. He should let us all know that he’s aware of how bad he’s performing and make some sort of public commitment to turn things around. That would go a ,long way to show everyone that he really cares. Right now we don’t really know if he cares on not.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
If when I was twenty years old someone had given me thirty million dollars guarantied to do any job, I would have come to work every day and tried to work hard, but my mind would have been other places.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
jhill Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
The Raiders are wrong for trying to ban Gannon.
With that said, Gannon owes the Raiders everything he has. He would not have that job at CBS if the Raiders don’t give him a chance at QB. He’s obviously bitter about something that happened there. But I can really understand the “how dare he” mode Al is in.
—————————-
So, according to you, no player SHOULD EVER DISS A TEAM HE HAS PLAYED FOR?
Well? Or is it selective? The lowly guard can, but the SB starting qb shouldn’t?
What the hell planet do you live on?
Want to know why the bitter?
You watch a team you played for, that you WERE proud to say you played your ass off for, slowly disintegrate. You watch the GM leave..the HC you first played under gets royally screwed, you then watch the carousel of HC’s who, one by one, get shafted..you have people ask you “=wow, what’s going on with the Raiders”..to “Raiders are having problems” to “Raiders are in total chaos”..AND HE SEES IT ALL.
What should he do? IGNORE THE COMMENTS FROM TIM BROWN? RICE? SAPP? WASHINGTON? GARNER? NEWBERRY? SIMMS?..on and on..and ignore what HE SEES?
Oh..I know..you want him to LIE..where his credibility is now shot?
OK..try this on for size…DID HE LIE?
Well, Raider fans..DID GANNON LIE?
No..but you wanted him to.
You, ma’am, are a mouse.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
That Superbowl loss was 90% Gannon (the MVP of the league) threw 5 picks in the most important three hours of his career. On the big stage he was real small. What happened to his foot work when Tampa pick sixed his A55 series after series??? Where the hell was his accuracy? How in the game that is suppose to define your career, if you are good or great, did he perform and how was he on that stage that musch better than JaMarcus Russell is now? Freakin sell out!!!!
September 25th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
90% Gannon?
don’t you think that maybe a good part of those 5 turnovers should go on the coaches?
I mean, how stupid could Callahan possibly be that he kept the same plays? SAME CADENCES?
I mean, here’s Chucky, running the offense against his D, going through the EXACT same plays?
Actually calling out the EXACT same cadences at the line, when audiblizing?
“SLUGGO SEAM, SLUGGO SEAM” WHICH is pump fake to the primary receiver, and throw underneath. The knew exactly what Gannon was going to do, and broke on the plays. Minimum 3 of those picks were on the idiot HC.
Still amazes me that Callahan just kept the same plays.
Truly dumb.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Oh, the other 10% is that super loser Bill “can’t” Coach-a-hand.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I predict that a lot of all recent high draft pick busts would not have been busts had they not received tons of guaranteed cash. The rules need to change. Reasonable caps for all rookies should be put in place. Save tthe big bucks for veterans who’ve proved their worth. The game would definitely benefit from a change of this type.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Preach JB Preach!! Mo money-mo problems. Can make a dog hungry the next day if your feeding him a 3 pound prime rib every single night!!
September 25th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Rich Gannon is responsible for the only success this stupid team has had in the last 20 years. Al Davis is an idiot.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Sanitation Officer Albert Bigelow Paine Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Alisgod says:
Talk about a guy who got overpaid as a Raider QB.
Have you drank so much koolaid that your brain has turned to mush. You should be kissing Rich Gannon’s feet. If it weren’t for him, the Raiders would be on level with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.
—————-
Al Davis won 3 SB’s prior to Gannon. Gannon won none. Gannon was a product of our system and a product of THE FANTASTIC LINE THAT AL PUT TOGETHER FOR HIM AS WELL AS THE TWO BEST POSESSION RECEIVERs AND THE BEST CATCHING BACK IN THE GAME AT THAT TIME. Did you forget how much time he had back there to find a receiver? We owned the trench on the Oline in the SB season. When we couldnt hold the line against Tampa, Gannon got exposed and threw 5 picks.
Gannon should learn to be more like Gruden. Learn to be a diplomat and grateful to the guy that gave you a chance to pad your stats.
I may be an Al Davis Koolaid drinker but at least I can recognize the game for what it is. What about you?
September 25th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Gannon was a fabulous field general and competitor. His desire and preparation were second to none. Unfortunately, he had a pea shooter for an arm. He fit in well with Gruden’s dink and dunk offense and was blessed to play behind a very very good offensive line. He was definitely a player that made the most out of his ability.
Those were some good years. The Raiders were always in every game. Were close to getting their 4th Lombardi Trophy.
Should the Raiders have tried to ban Gannon ? No.
I’ve heard Gannon’s commentary on some broadcasts and it seemed to me he went beyond being merely critical of the Raiders and exhibited outright hostility towards the organization.
I don’t believe his claims that he wants the Raiders to do well. I’m convinced he holds a personal grudge against the Raiders, for whatever reason. He’s entitled to do that. But as a broadcaster, he’s got to maintain and show some objectivity, and that facet of his announcing has been questionable.
I don’t blame Al Davis for not wanting Gannon and his negativity in production meetings or the broadcast booth.
However, trying to ban Gannon or get him booted from broadcasting Raider games is an effort in futility and a losing battle. Really, nothing good can come of it, other than letting the media know the team is tired of what it perceives to be biased coverage against the Raiders.
The only way to shut Gannon and the rest of the detractors up is to start winning again.
I’m a Davis loyalist. No way I throw the old man under the bus. It’s undeniable Al has made some terrible moves and the team has sucked for 6 long years now. But that doesn’t erase all the great things Al and the Raiders have done.
I’m rooting harder than ever for Al, Cable and the Raiders to get this thing turned around. And if it happens, watching the haters eat crow is going to be all that much sweeter.
BEAT THE BRONCOS !
September 25th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Well said Raidermann99. A very fair appraisal for the most part.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Raidermann99,
We the fans were fed up with him and wanted Kerry Collins in the game. There was a group loyal to Gannon but there was also another group that wanted Kerry in there. After the SB year and our line was gone, Gannon was never the same QB. Gannon were never a Raider and never will be. He simply played for us but I never once believed that he lived our tradition nor wanted any part of it.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Raidermann99 – the fans were not fed up with him – how can you be fed up with winning, which is all Gannon did as Raider QB.
If you’re a true Raider fan, then you’d know the Raiders ‘tradition’ was all about winning, everything else was incidental to that.
What do you mean by ‘our’ tradition? What capacity did you serve within the Raiders organization? ‘Our’ implies that you were part of the organization, anything less than that means you’re a loyal fan like the rest of us. And, the rest of us loyal fans want a QB who can win and bring back the ‘Raider tradition’.
…and you actually liked Kerry Collins?
September 25th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
By the way, I live in Reno and watch line movements on games pretty closely.
Opening number for this weeks game was Raids -2. Game went to Broncs -1.5 overnight.
A 3.5 point line move on an NFL game overnight is extremely unusual. When I saw the move I was certain there must have been a huge injury or something extraordinary happening, but there’s been nothing.
There’s little chance that the amount of wagers on the Mules necessary to move the line that much overnight came from John Q Public. More likely, some syndicates hammered the hell out of the opening number. They’ve either got some inside dope on this game or think the man put up a ridiculous number.
Even as a kid, I was aware of how many Bronco games were ‘green circled’ (limited wagering) in Vegas. There’s a particular stink when it comes to the Broncos and NFL wagering. This game already has that odd odor.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
RaiderRobG Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I’m tired of all this she said, she said nonsense. Just a bunch of Sallies yapping about something some guy who used to play here said about someone who plays here now.
What Gannon says and how those in the front office react has no bearing on what happens on the field. That is all I care about as a Raider Fan…beating Denver!
Gannon has jack to do with that.
Jerry why do you promote such meaningless drivel?
============================
Have you SEEN most of these posters?
Formulating cohesive thoughts is not most of the posters objectives.
Most wait for someone to think for them, then they wait and see what the popular opinion is, then they profess full loyalty, undying.
If Jerry didn’t tell them what to think about, most would never post.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
September 25th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Raiders are a qb,mlb,and a new owner away from winning THE SHOW. Really!
September 25th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Gannon talked about the chaos in Oakland a year ago. How when he was here, it was constant and it made concentrating an uphill battle. As the Raiders deny Gannon’s claims, they create even more chaos by even responding to him and banning him from the facility as a journalist. Again, it’s chaos, chaos, chaos. Now Cable is juggling the game plan and this B.S.. The players, as well. This is why fans like me are so critical of Al Davis. JUST WIN BABY. That means ignore Gannon, and don’t create ANY DISTRACTIONS for the team. Al had other plans. I can only hope Cable continues to do what he’s been doing since week one and just focus on getting the team prepared.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Lol 860Todd Christensen an ordinary QB. IF you remember correctly he set the record for the most consecutive passes completed in a row in a single game. It was like 23 passes in a row or something. Right now our qb cant even complete 10 passes in a single game. Granted some of that is on the rookie wr’s. Point is Gannon was not the greatest but he was not scrub either. Dude was willing to put himself at risk to win for us
September 25th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
If Gannon realy wanted to help or reach back and be a good enfluence why not do it directly to the owner.
Listen something stinks, why the overt derogatoy remarks. Tim Brown could say the same thing. and it’s not like he and Jerry Rice are blind. They jus don’e takethe cheap shots like Sapp and Gannon. I remember when Big Al talked of bringing Gannon back as a QB coach.
Maybe Gannon thought that job was beneath him maybe he feels he should be considered for GM. Gannon says all this stuff about the Raiders but he was with 4 teams and only went to the SB with one the Raiders.
But the only team he ever blas is th Raiders and I find that odd. Minn hasn’t done anything neither has KC but the only organization he blast is the Raiders and look at the Chiefs. They stink and the Vikings haven’t won anything since I’ve been watching football. But his so-called righteous indignation only boils over when he sees the Raiders. hmmmmmmm!!!
We gave him his only shot at being a winner he played with the best players ofhis era here. That didn’t happen in KC where they benched his ass after helping them qualify for the playoffs and then released him.
He wants a job in the front office and can’t get it, that’s my guess. That job is reserved or Wiznieski.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
If you’re going to say that Rich Gannon would be nobody without Al Davis, you also have to say that Al Davis would be nobody without Wayne Valley. Same logic. There’s no way around it. Davis gave Gannon the opportunity, Valley gave Davis the opportunity. And you want to talk about stabbing people in the back… For those of you who still don’t know the history of this team, Al Davis took control via getting Valley’s partners to sign the team over to him while Valley was on vacation, and without Valley’s knowledge. Fast forward about a half century, and here’s an 80 year old Al Davis crying like a little baby because former players keep airing out to the public the chaotic environment that goes on behind closed doors in Oakland. This man has no character. I have no respect for Al Davis. I’m still fan of this team, and I think Cable’s going to make things happen. I think we could be a wild card team this year. Al Davis? He won’t even enjoy it. He’ll be too marred with personal grudges. No point in saying that Al Davis is going to h ell. He’s already there.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
priestj, what has wiziewski done in his lifetime to convince you he’d be a good GM? Every time I see this guy speak he sounds like there’s nothing but rocks between his ears. But it doesn’t surprise me that Al Davis is set on making him an executive.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
preist, I don’t think Gannon wants an executive job here. What has Gannon done, or said, in his lifetime to convince you he’s lobbying for an exec job here? I’ve seen nothing. He’s done nothing but criticize the team since leaving here. Heck, even when he was here! That is not the behavior of someone sucking up for a job. You’re the one who needs to get a clue.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
The only former players who’d even consider an executive job here, and taking the fall for Davis’s b.s., are airheads like Wizneiski.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
MR, when will you get a clue? damn fool!
September 25th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
“Hell ain’t a bad place to be”
Bon Scott
September 25th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
if al davis really wanted to ban someone it should be fat ass warren sapp. he has been very disrespectful and unlike gannon didnt win sheit here. a two faced fool who couldnt even give the team respect after the san diego game. he was surprised when micahel irvin talked up the raiders and how seymour expressed his happiness here. gannon has said some very harsh things but no more than sapp. and gannon has taken a liking to blast the team regardless of what u 5 pick super bowl lovers of his thinks.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Priesttj Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
If Gannon realy wanted to help or reach back and be a good enfluence why not do it directly to the owner.
————————
Because nobody can tell the owner ANYTHING!
Probably why John Madden stayed clear.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
You guys take this stuff way too personally. These are just former players telling it like it is. Goodnight.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
SnB offense defense specialteams Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
“He was a journeyman quarterback when he came here, we gave him an opportunity, then he retires and all he does is attack us.” John Herrera about Gannon
——————————————————-
The Raiders are trying to develop a long-term solution to the QB position. Gannon was a short-term solution.
The Raiders need to develop players that are type of Raiders that stay for a decade plus. They have to develop a culture that the players live and breathe.
Can’t do that with journeyman…you need to build institutional loyalty through winning and developing players that are in line with the culture.
So, the Raiders will, to the haters dismay, continue to develop guys like Russell, Heyward-Bey, Murphy, Mitchell, Schilens, Miller, Branch, etc….and will get them up to speed regardless of the “short-term” pain that has to be incurred.
Screw the haters. The Raiders are getting it right on the field in the right way. Playing the young players and teaching a system based on Raider football…not some flavor of the month.
If others don’t like it….too bad
====================
Loyalty?
Long time players?
You mean..oh..like Tim Brown?
Wait..I’m at a loss here..In the last 10 years, who’s on that list of players who adopted the …what was it? Oh yeah…lol..the “culture”..
What a sap .. “institutional loyalty”?? This is the NFL, Not for Long..which isn’t just staying on one team, it’s not for long for players like Russell and Bey, who got the bucks, and on the field their play sucks.
And dude, NEVER mention “continue to develop players like” and put Russell and Bey in that sentence. You lose all credibility with that stupid take. One is the worst qb in the league, the other is the biggest bust of the ‘09 1st round draft.
Bey has ONE catch, and has been paid 800,000.
Good choice, lol..yep..what a “development”.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
people who get mad at mike herrera should apply for the job and then refuse to do what al davis tells u to do. the man is doing his job so stop all the name callin. how many of u tell your boss to do the damn thing himself? yeah just what i thought. herrera is so irrelevant yall shouldnt even trip off him.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
KK, and you know this how? how much time have YOU spent with the owner? since you speak as if it’s FACT!
As far as I’ve seen many people tell him many things and he listens. I know this for a fact.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
The Real MaddenRaider Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
You guys take this stuff way too personally. These are just former players telling it like it is. Goodnight.
=========
Get your ass to bed, mama’s boy.
I know she’s been yelling at you “Bennnnnnnnyyyyy..brush your teeth Benny”
She’s so proud of you. New Russell jersey, a mahvelous silver and blah purse. You rock, dude.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
jerry u are really starting to act like a scorn woman. u claim dhb is “supposedly” opening up holes in the defense and now just side with any hack who jacks up the team. the players say how dhb is opening up holes and if u stop being so damn girlish u could see that too. when do u ever admit that there are hacks out there in the media who go too far with their comments? there are 2 sides to the story and u never go on about how some fat lazy slob like sapp cracks on us even tho he played like crap while he was here. he distances himself from here like he wasnt part of the problem just like some other players. jerry why dont u write for some other team if this is so damn bad?
September 25th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
sorry jerry i meant a scourned woman.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
You’re an idiot.
You say the Raiders gave GANNON A SHOT AT BEING A WINNER? lol..uh..ask Gannon who MADE WHO A WINNER? You think the Raiders go to the SB WITHOUT Gannon?
No way in hell. Gannon is why the Raiders got to the playoffs the other years, and the SB when they did. Gannon owes squat. He was signed to do a job, he did it better than MOST OF HIS COMPETITORS.
On the other hand, Al Davis’s job is to run the organization, and he’s done it WORSE THAN ANYONE ELSE.
And your dumbest comment is you think he wanted to be GM? NO ONE WANTS TO BE GM..Who in the hell wants to deal with Al? Looking over your sholder? Overruling whereever he wants? Never listening to reason?
Gannon is much to smart for that..
Isn’t everyone?
===========================
priesttj Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
If Gannon realy wanted to help or reach back and be a good enfluence why not do it directly to the owner.
Listen something stinks, why the overt derogatoy remarks. Tim Brown could say the same thing. and it’s not like he and Jerry Rice are blind. They jus don’e takethe cheap shots like Sapp and Gannon. I remember when Big Al talked of bringing Gannon back as a QB coach.
Maybe Gannon thought that job was beneath him maybe he feels he should be considered for GM. Gannon says all this stuff about the Raiders but he was with 4 teams and only went to the SB with one the Raiders.
But the only team he ever blas is th Raiders and I find that odd. Minn hasn’t done anything neither has KC but the only organization he blast is the Raiders and look at the Chiefs. They stink and the Vikings haven’t won anything since I’ve been watching football. But his so-called righteous indignation only boils over when he sees the Raiders. hmmmmmmm!!!
We gave him his only shot at being a winner he played with the best players ofhis era here. That didn’t happen in KC where they benched his ass after helping them qualify for the playoffs and then released him.
He wants a job in the front office and can’t get it, that’s my guess. That job is reserved or Wiznieski.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Al Nation is in total denial, paranoid, petty, and counterproductive.
Professional Football is public business, ya know.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:04 am
After breaking Russ Francis noses on opening drive Stabler asked Atkinson why he did that “He is 6′5 230 im 5′11 180 and just had to let him know that’s the way it’s gonna be today”.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Geezus, do the Raiders stalk all Football Analysts?
Just like the trolls in here. coinky-dinky?
September 26th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Hey Richo:
Still waiting for you to respond to Post #76. . . .
Still waiting. . . .
Still waiting. . . .
Perhaps you realized how ignorant you came off?
Nah, that would never happen, would it?
September 26th, 2009 at 12:18 am
76. 90210 Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Raiders are a qb,mlb,and a new owner away from winning THE SHOW. Really!
———————-
Yeah, Sliver and Slow..I see what you mean.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:20 am
THAT WASN’T POST 76..
anyway…
Silver-n-Smac Says:
September 26th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Richochet Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
You’re an idiot.
You say the Raiders gave GANNON A SHOT AT BEING A WINNER? lol..uh..ask Gannon who MADE WHO A WINNER? You think the Raiders go to the SB WITHOUT Gannon?
**************************************************
Uh. . . .your point is rather lame Richochet.
It’s pretty obvious it goes both ways. As Priest correctly stated, Gannon never sniffs a Superbowl without the Raiders. You really think he was going somewhere with the Chefs? LOL And yet, as you say, he definitely WAS an integral part in the Raiders turning the corner (one of the few times anything intelligent came from you – dang! Didn’t know you were capable of that!)
Richochet: Stop with the babble. Point was the baffoons here, especially Priest, act like Gannon should NEVER have the gall to TELL THE TRUTH..that he should just shut up, avoid all questions about the Raiders, because..THE RAIDERS GAVE HIM HIS SHOT. No one said he was going to win with KC, but NO ONE WILL EVER SAY THE RAIDERS WIN WITHOUT GANNON.
So..who owes who? NEITHER DOES. Gannon had a job to do, and he did it. Raiders PAID HIM to do it.
What has Raider fans all pissy is that he dare TO TELL THE TRUTH.
Why shouldn’t he?
—————————
With that being said, the Raiders were winning Superbowls when Gannon was a little pup.
Richochet: Idiot reply. What you mean is the Raiders HAVEN’T WON A SB SINCE GANNON WAS A LITTLE PUP…been OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY…so..what’s obvious..is the Raiders have forgotten what it takes to win a SB..and still can’t remember.
===============
So give it a rest already with the insinuations that Gannon was the Messiah for the Raiders.
Richochet: right about the time the dumbasses quit with the “My panties are all wadded up everytime I read that Gannon states we’re the most dysfunctional organization in sports…HE OWES US.”
September 26th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Richochet Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
You’re an idiot.
You say the Raiders gave GANNON A SHOT AT BEING A WINNER? lol..uh..ask Gannon who MADE WHO A WINNER? You think the Raiders go to the SB WITHOUT Gannon?
**************************************************
Uh. . . .your point is rather lame Richochet.
It’s pretty obvious it goes both ways. As Priest correctly stated, Gannon never sniffs a Superbowl without the Raiders. You really think he was going somewhere with the Chefs? LOL And yet, as you say, he definitely WAS an integral part in the Raiders turning the corner (one of the few times anything intelligent came from you – dang! Didn’t know you were capable of that!)
With that being said, the Raiders were winning Superbowls when Gannon was a little pup.
So give it a rest already with the insinuations that Gannon was the Messiah for the Raiders.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:25 am
And by the way, I was a HUGE Gannon fan.
The boy had balls when we needed some balls.
But, what he’s doing now is a bit over-the-top.
He’s an analyst, so there’s nothing wrong with being critical. Hell, that’s his job.
But, most of us. . . somewhere deep in our souls, would never go out of our way to constantly take shots at a person or persons that gave us our life’s biggest opportunity.
That’s what Al & John G. did for Gannon.
Most Raider players understand the term “once a Raider, always a Raider”
Some guys don’t take that term to heart.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Come on Smac..”once a Raider, always a Raider”???
Are you serious?
that’s for fans, NOT players. Players will state that if pressed, because they know FANS like to hear it.
to them? It’s business. For most of them, nothing more.
You don’t really believe they buy into the big “rivalry” thing, do you? Oh sure, they want to win the division, play the other team twice each year, and KNOW about it..but living it?
Doesn’t happen.
You ever see the field after the game? it’s a big lovefest. Guys hugging, chatting it up, laughing..like long lost buddies. They know they’ll be traded or released, at some point.
Long gone are the days where most retire with their team. Now, almost no one retires with the team that signed them in the draft..very rarely.
They all know they’ll end up somewhere else, playing for who knows who.
Can’t every teams fans say what you did?
“Once a Bronco”? “One a Patroit”? “Once a Charger”?
Players don’t care.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Alright, I’ll give you that.
I’d be naive to argue with much of that point.
But, I gotta tell you man, there are a lot of Raider players who could have been doing a lot of talking during these past 6 years and I think most of them have shown the class not to.
What’s the point? What do you gain? To me, a guy simply sounds stupid ripping into an organization that’s played in 5 superbowls.
It would be one thing if we were talking about the Lions here.
The reason I mentioned “Once a Raider, always a Raider” is that you can’t deny that Al Davis (with all his attributes and all his faults) takes care of his players, 95% of the time, down to the last guy on the Roster.
Hell, the man helped pay for Derrick Thomas’ funeral. And he HATES the Chiefs.
So, my point is. . . .yeah, it may not hold as much ground as it once did, but, the Raiders are STILL different from all other teams in that way and I think that’s cool.
That’s one of the things I love about the team. But, I’ll get into that in another post.
Damn! Am I having a civilized interaction with you?
September 26th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Well, I’m done for now.
Goodnight Raider Nation.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Seeing the organization as a laughing stock, hurts former players and fans alike, no?
Sometimes things need to be said, rather than accept the same ole same ole.
September 26th, 2009 at 1:51 am
priesttj Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
If Gannon realy wanted to help or reach back and be a good enfluence why not do it directly to the owner.
…………
What makes you think he didn’t try to? Do you honestly believe that, knowing what we know about Gannon, he didn’t break down Al’s door repeatedly in his final couple of years here, when the team was horrendous? If anything, Gannon’s discourse these days is more likely payback for Al ignoring his wishes and ruining the final years of his career than it is payback for Gannon being rejected for an executive job. Gannon wanting an executive job with the Raiders.. Ha ha ha!!!!! I challenge you to name one thing Gannon has every done or said in his life that would even remotely indicate he wants to be an executive under Al. In fact, he’s only behaved in ways that would indicate the contrary.
September 26th, 2009 at 1:55 am
Again, as far as Gannon burning Davis…
Davis burned Valley, in a way twenty times more grand that Gannon burned him. Those of you who feel Gannon betrayed Al, or you guys, for crying out loud, get into one big circle hug, cry it out, and get the F over it. Al Davis lives by the sword and dies by the sword, and right now he’s dying by it.
September 26th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Richochet, when you accuse other people of living with their mothers, you do give the impression that you’re living in a beach house and dating 3 different NFL cheerleaders. Seriously.
September 26th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Good Morning NATION!!!
September 26th, 2009 at 4:34 am
1st PLACE IN ROUGHLY 30 HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 26th, 2009 at 4:50 am
Yep airing dirty laundry is just that…
Sapp is way more critical than 5interception in da S/B Gannon.
It figures herrera would talk 9/11 and Gannon in the same breath,gawd that one is the biggest reach of all
Back-stabbing has always been the M/O in Oaktown,why should anything change now???
I can see a little paranoia creeping in,but live by the sword die by it 2
Big Al thought he and only himself could take da Raiders to the next step,thats wy he did what he had 2 do,IMHO
Worked out good didnt it.So what last 6 years have been worse than hell,you cant win all the time in this league…
So 42 years out of 50 aint to bad in the scheme of things.I’ll take it
4 all you did 2 get us where we are Big Al this sticky bud is 4 you!!!
September 26th, 2009 at 5:51 am
I’ll go back to JB post 55……pretty much right on the money.
My 2 cents……although I don’t like ex-players bad mouthing the Raiders,I’ll give Gannon a pass.The effort he put in,his will to win-as far as I’m concerned he can say what he wants within reason.I think he’s earned that right.IMO what he’s saying is more a constructive criticism.
When you compare what Gannon has said to what Warren “who ate all the pies” Sapp has said,it’s like night and day.You’ve got one who obviously cares about the team and another who just wants copy.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:55 am
Sorry,forgot my manners.Item got my blood up a little…….
Morning all.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Hey
Our winning percentage since the superbowl year is as bad as Jam Russells throwing percentage this year. It has been 6 years and the 2006 team was the worse Raider team relative to the rest of the leauge I have ever seen. They were lucky to get 2 wins. The bottom line is the critism is justified. Any sugar coating on this turd is what it is. I agree though that I think Cable is doing well so he is not all negative. I agree with Jerry….
September 26th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Yep continuity is what this team NEEDED most,imo.
Cable is a perfect
September 26th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Anyone who wants to bad mouth Gannon,just ask yourself this.If we had the 2002 Gannon under centre right now,how many games do you think we’d win ?
I’ll give you a clue…..play-offs.
September 26th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Jerry ref:Gannon.You forgot to say he was also the league MVP in 2002 and at this moment in time holds 8 Raider franchise records.
September 26th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Morning nation. This whole gannon thing is laughs and all but id rather speak on how were gonna destroy the donkeys. Pound that rock play action and get miller involved early 23-17 raiders.
September 26th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Big al is too sensitive
September 26th, 2009 at 7:26 am
Morning 408!!!
I tink we win by 10 points or more
September 26th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Herrera is an idiot and a clown. Every time he opens his mouth he embarrasses the team and looks like a jackass. The only thing keeping this worthless moron around is his exceptional ass kissing skills.
On top of this, Al Davis’s dumbass paranoia and 19th century era leadership skills make him look like a crusty old turd who is about 80 years old. Oh wait…
September 26th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Rich Gannon is responsible for the only success this stupid team has had in the last 20 years.
He is also speaking the truth.
September 26th, 2009 at 7:56 am
I cringed when we signed Gannon after his journeyman career in Mpls, Wash, and K.C. He succeeded in Oakland because of a great offensive system, good W.R.’s, good R.B.’s, a great offensive line, and yes, his dedication to film study and turning his weakness’s into strengths (For ex., lack of a cannon arm).
But I put equal blame on Gannon and Callahan for not changing the snap counts, and plays for a team that knew what we were going to to in the S.B. The lost his credibility and my support after that.
That being said, Let’s Kill the Donkey’s and shut Gannon’s and Sapp’s pie holes.
September 26th, 2009 at 7:57 am
AirRade thinks, no, AirRade KNOWS succesful organizations do not do and say things like Jon Herrerra/Al Davis do and say. Simple as that. Jon Herrera is an absolute embarrasment and every time he opens his big mouth AirRade cringes.
September 26th, 2009 at 7:57 am
corrections:
But I put equal blame on Gannon and Callahan for not changing the snap counts, and plays for a team that knew what we were going to do in the S.B. He lost his credibility and my support after that.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Always good to beat the donkeys…..even better if we’re the first team to beat ‘em.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Interesting that Callahan is the Asst. Head Coach of the Jets and in charge of Ryan’s offense. Sanchez’s development has been remarkable. Some can be great assistants but poor Head Coaches. Right Norv?
September 26th, 2009 at 8:09 am
yep
September 26th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Anyone a F1 fan ? Hamiltons got pole in Singapore.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Ya, F 1 Bronco! LOL
September 26th, 2009 at 8:19 am
what’s even more interesting is how a lot of you forget that Gannon’s exit with the Raiders was not a good one. Everyone remembers his 2002 season but they all forgot that he was not the same guy in 2003 and 2004. You are all nolstalgic about Gannon now but I do remember vividly that a good portion of the fans were favoring Kerry Collins AT THAT TIME after he beat Tampa.
2002 67% completion
2003 55%
2004 doesnt count since he only played 2 games and got hurt after 2 plays against TB
September 26th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Kirk,
Actually, Gannon should be more thankful that he got paid for his services in Oak and got paid well after a hold out in 2003. He shouldnt be sharing dirty laundry in public. He should be more like Gruden…
September 26th, 2009 at 8:23 am
lmao
September 26th, 2009 at 8:23 am
The race can be watched live at http://www.channelsurfing.net
September 26th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Exla……Dick LeBeau is another one…..
You seen Hamiltons’ girlfriend ? She’d be getting the pole if I had my way.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:24 am
By the way, Gannon got the pole in Alameda.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Exla….we’ve got it live over here on normal TV.1pm start,so that’s about 5am for you ( I think )
September 26th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Lmao!!
September 26th, 2009 at 8:29 am
In 1982, I worked for a company that was one of the sponsors of the F1 Race through the parking lots of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. We sold the racing jackets with the team logos. Style Auto. Clint Eastwood wore our leather jacket in the Dirty Harry film.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Lmao for the Gannon joke,rather than you’re having to get up early…
September 26th, 2009 at 8:32 am
From Wiki:
The Caesars Palace Grand Prix was a car race which was a Formula One World Championship event in 1981 and 1982. Nissan/Datsun was a presenting sponsor of both races.
When Watkins Glen went off the schedule after 1980, F1 continued to look west and put an event in Las Vegas for the 1981 campaign. The new race ended the year, whereas Long Beach started it, but it was not popular among the drivers, primarily because of the desert heat. The track was laid out in the parking lot of the Caesars Palace hotel and was surprisingly well set up for a temporary circuit: wide enough for overtaking, it provided ample run-off areas filled with sand, and had a surface that was as smooth as glass. Its counter-clockwise direction, however, put a tremendous strain on the drivers’ necks. When Nelson Piquet clinched his first World Championship by finishing fifth in 1981, it took him fifteen minutes to recover from heat exhaustion after barely making it to the finish. The 1982 race was won by Michele Alboreto in a Tyrrell, but that was the end of Formula One racing in Las Vegas since the races had drawn only tiny crowds.
The 1983-4 races were C.A.R.T.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Gannon’s stats his 1st 4 yrs in the league
1990 14gms 182comp 349att 52.1% 2,278yds 16td 16int 68.9 rating
1989 Did not play
1988 3gms 7comp 15att 46.7% 90yds 0tds 0int 66.0 rating
1987 4gms 2comp 6att 33.3% 18yds 0TD 1INT 2.8rating
You guys are comparing Gannon after 13 yrs of experience where he bounced around the league to some 3 or 4 different teams. Be thankful for the three short yrs he gave the franchise.
As we have seen over the last 20yrs…swapping out QBs and Coaches every couple of years leads to disaster
September 26th, 2009 at 8:34 am
4sure
September 26th, 2009 at 8:37 am
U2
September 26th, 2009 at 8:38 am
It’s a beautiful early Autumn day over here and I’m away out with the dog.Enjoy your Saturday….
September 26th, 2009 at 8:44 am
AirRade has been trying to track down Joke Herreras email adress but has thus far been unsuccessful. When AriRade finds it he will be sending him a nice message and will share the address with the rest of you. AirRade OUT!
September 26th, 2009 at 8:52 am
here’s an article from Bleacher Report from before Lance’s firing about Herrera.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/61290-oakland-raiders-front-office-profile-john-herrera-and-friends
September 26th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Neilb is right…It’s a beautiful day…have fun NATION
September 26th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Too quiet here. Tomorrow.
September 26th, 2009 at 9:11 am
My take: Gannon, like Gruden, was nothing before Al found him and gave him a chance to be an MVP and a CBS broadcaster.
I whole heartedly agree that Gannon is trying to deflect the blame for his odious performance in the SB. The league MVP throws 5 INTS?! Because of a lax organization? What an ungrateful idiot.
September 26th, 2009 at 9:37 am
No, Gannon wasn’t solely responsible for the Super Bowl loss. He had plenty of help from Bill Callahan.I appreciate what Gannon did for us, but if you watched that Super Bowl and think he wasn’t responsible in a major way, you are a fool. Rich Gannon realized every NFL players dream of making it to the Super Bowl, and when he got there, he choked.Big time.Gannon folded under the pressure of the biggest game in all of professional sports.There is bno argument on that point.None.No shame, John Elway choked in the Super Bowl and got blown out 55-10 and he’s in the Hall of Fame.Peyton Manning always choked in the big game until they won the Super Bowl.Marty Schottenheimer couldn’t win the big game. But if a guy throws 5 interceptions in any game, you can’t ignore his role in the loss. I am disappointed in Gannon attacking the Raiders regularly.He’s not as bile spewing as Warren Sapp, but bad enough.
September 26th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Constructive criticism is good at this point, the Raiders are not that good, They will be, but for now, what Rich Gannon put out their is true. I think he cares about the Raiders…hell I agree with him and I really think the Raiders will get better. The Raiders better be more critical of themselves than Mr. Gannon,or us “the Fans” after all, they know their weaknesses better than anyone.
Oh Yea…I wanna see the Raiders kill the Broncos this weekend.
GO RAIDERS
Go Raiders
September 26th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Gannon.
Biggest choke job ever in a Super bowl.
I mean, they knew our plays, but he was throwing right into Bucs’ hands.
September 26th, 2009 at 9:51 am
As I recall he had 6 interceptions all year.
Then 5 in the Super Bowl.
September 26th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I don’t like this crap.
I have no problem with Rich Gannon, he earned my respect and it will stay that way, if not for the tuck game and Siragusa landing on top of him, we would have won a SB with him.
I’m guessing we don’t know the whole story here, we never do when it comes to Al Davis, but whatever it was, the Raiders need to stop going public with this nonsense, I’m a hadcore fan and a Davis “loyalist” and even I don’t like it.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:11 am
as far as i’m concerned, rich gannon is the best raider quarterback in the last two decades, and he can say whatever he wants about the raiders(MOST of its true;truth hurts). who cares. the raiders as a whole organization-top to bottom- have sucked for the better part of a decade now, so i think MOST of his jabs are warranted. there is a difference between being critical and being disrespectful. gannon’s just calling it as he sees it.
if al davis had a shred of rationality left, he’d make gannon a consultant AND listen to everything rich has to say. that’s why the raiders were so good when he and gruden were at the wheel; no BS!!
john herrera is a puppet/tool/meathead/pet
September 26th, 2009 at 10:12 am
It just seems so amateur-hourish, Bush-league to go after a broadcaster BEFORE the game.
Go out and win, and than take a few pot shots at him. Don’t create this negative BS 2 days before the game. I don’t see the benefit to the organization by doing this.
What if CBS obliged and removed Gannon from the booth? Do you think the replacement anchor would just zip his lip and spew all positive’s of the Raiders?? Yeah right!!! The guy would look at it as his opportunity to make a name and would bag on the team even worse, IMO.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I watche the opener the other day, and it calmed off the ledge in regards to Jamarcus. In the opener he seemed fired up, yelled at himself and teammates, made some plays, and I totally forget about him on the lead block on the reverse (should do that more often).
He needs to show that type of emotion weekly. He was like shell-shocked for 57 minutes in KC, no emotion.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:19 am
So what are you folks in the Bay or Valley not going to the game going to do? Greg Papa and Flores on the dial? Go to Fresno? Find a bar with a Fresno/Chico feed?
Just curious.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Gannon is a jerk.he was a jerk when he was given the opportunity to play here and he is a jerk today.he was a perfect fit for Chuckie’s Off.-weak armed dink and dunk QB.he played with great talent around him.most decent QBs would have had success on the Raider teams he lead.his ego is soooo great,he can’t accept the fact he was mainly responsible for the SB lose,so he attacks the organization that finally gave him a huge opportunity.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:31 am
any coincidence that the raider game is blacked out locally AND gannon is doing the game. I’ve been skeptical at how these raiders games have been sold old. I can easily see the raiders by the 5K tickets available at each of these games… And I can easily see he raiders NOT doing that for this game b/c of gannon… Ridiculous… what about the local fans?? Oh yeah,Big Al doesn’t care much, does he? It is what it is.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Bob Marley nailed it (157). That’s pretty much exactly how I feel about the whole stupid thing. But the thing is, I can kind of understand where Al’s coming from. With a few notable exceptions (Marcus, Beuerlein, a handful of others), he loves his players and treats them extremely well. It has to gall him no end when guys like Gannon and Sapp, as soon as they leave, put on a network blazer, grab a microphone and start talking about what a garbage organization the Raiders are. But still, like I say, I wish he would just bite his tongue.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:33 am
This team is such an embarrassment. Gannon may have been speaking figuratively, but literally blowing up the building doesn’t sound like such a bad idea either.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:34 am
it’s so funny how some “fans” will jump ship on a guy who is arguably the best raider player over the last ten years, just for speaking his mind AND, more accurately,speaking the truth. let’s not forget who got rid of gruden, and in turn pretty much got rid of gannon. kinda like taking the engine out of a ferrari, and replacing it with 4-cylinder. how many games have we won since then??
am i missing something?? have the raiders been good since gannon left? baffles me why ANY raider fan would talk trash on gannon. who’s next? tim brown? he hasn’t exactly been very kind when speaking of the raiders OR al davis.
i guarantee you, if the raiders win 7-8-9 games this year, and jamarcus plays well, rich gannon will be the first to give praise.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:44 am
also, if gannon didn’t care about the raiders, he’d do the same thing that ALL espn analysts do. he’d snicker, joke, roll his eyes, and ridicule anytime the raiders were mentioned. i don’t believe for a second gannon doesn’t care about the organization. while some may think he’s bashing the team, most rational, sane, lucid people understand he’s offering sharp, yet truthful critisism. when i read gannon’s remarks, i didn’t disagree with ONE thing he said. does that make me less of a fan??
like i said, if he didn’t care, he wouldn’t say a word. how many time s has he critiqued the detroit lions?? exactly…who cares.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:45 am
what the Raiders are doing is petty and wrong,but Gannon is wrong also.he was interviewed on the radio.the person doing the interview tried to change the topic more than once and noodle arm kept on attacking the team.he was never a real Raider,just one of the many mercenaries who was given a last chance to stay in the league.he wouldn’t have done squat if it wasn’t for Gruden.Rich Gannon is a punk-plain and simple.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Lucky, you are dead on in post 163. I dont doubt it at all that the Raiders let this game get blacked out because of Gannon. I wonder if CBS lost money due to sponsorship from local businesses when the game is blacked out.
We all know Herrera is a tool but please dont tell let yourself be fooled by the Gannon and Kitten’s fake “I do care for this org in the public media”. Most of you drank the Kitten coolaid presser until he was exposed. Please dont do the same for Gannon. 2 weeks ago he was blasting us on khtk for lack of leadership and now he is praising us. What a fake.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:53 am
MT,
Wait a minute. If Gannon said we had a horrible structure from top to bottom then how does he explain that the very same structure allowed him to become a journeyman qb to a league mvp, trip to SB, and a huge contract holdout extension?
he can’t have it both ways. Either it works or it doesnt.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:53 am
All this petty and vindictive nonsense over someone voicing his opinion. This is the one great fault of the Raiders organization. And I live and die with the Raiders. I don’t suppose for a moment they’ll change until Al steps down. And as much as I admire the man, that is really his weakness.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:55 am
The last 15 yrs, the only years the raiders played ABOVE .500, meaning at least 9 or more wins were the 3 Gannon years.
And the Raiders throw him under the bus.
Narcistic owner, big ego.
Quite sad the Al Davis doesn’t have relationships with Howie Long, Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, and now Rich Gannon.
Very Sad.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:01 am
BAG,
here on the east coast, the media is starting to criticize the Pats for their lack of D and passrush resulting from the loss of Seymour. Only 2 weeks ago, they were praising how lopsided this trade was and now they are all turning on the Pats.
Good points on Gannon being surrounded by great talents. In 2002, we had the following.
1. The best O line in the league period! Gannon had all the time in the world.
2. Rice, Brown, Porter and Garner…arguably the best catching set group that year.
Everyone seems to put way too much credit to Gannon.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:02 am
How about speaking the truth just alittle in some of your post. Rich Gannon is not arguably the best Raider anything over any years. Rich Gannon was nothing more than a journeyman QB that lucked up on being signed by a solid Raider team that was on the brink of getting a lot better through free agency. Where was all of Gannon’s greatness in Washington, Minnesota, or even KC? Gannon was past his prime when we signed him, but we surrounded him with great veteran players many also past their prime.
Gannon also wasn’t got rid of he sustained a severe career ending neck injury. No need to cry for Gannon Big Al paid Gannon very well. Also, Big AL didn’t get rid of Gruden. Gruden wanted to get paid and Big AL wasn’t willing to pay him the amount he wanted. Tampa was willing and they paid him and them some. You say you don’t like that Big AL traded Gruden for 2 first round picks and some cash, but I bet you love Nnmadi. Gannon wanted a job with the media so he’s doing what he has to do. The media doesn’t like Big AL, thus the media doesn’t like the Raiders. Gannon is a media hack.
Stop being a blind media hack. Listening and following eveything they report as truth when you know different. The Seymour situation is a perfect example. The media ripped Big AL and the Raiders about this trade. When Seymour finally spoke at the press conference you found out the complete truth and that the media lied. Did the media report or print an apology for getting the story wrong? Of course not. They just went on to the next negative story they could find or think up about the Raiders. Raider fans stop being media hacks.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:10 am
what is a “true raider”??
isn’t the mantra “just win baby” or “commitment to excellence”
who was the the last raider QB to win 12 games, to go to the super bowl, to win an AFC championship, to be MVP, to go to a pro bowl, to be a pro bowl MVP,to be compared to steve young AND joe montana by a future HOF WR, to break his neck on a scramble, trying to score a TD. commitment to excellence, indeed. a true raider.
i’ll be shocked/floored if jamarcus russell accomplishes ONE of those things!!
this is the first time in the history of the franchise they’ve been truly bad. instead of being so stubborn and sensitive, maybe big al should looking for answers and maybe, just maybe listen to the man that last made him look like a genius: rich gannon.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:21 am
i’d much rather be a blind “media hack” than a blind “al davis hack”.
poor al davis, the media hates him so much. i can’t believe they bash an owner whose team has lost 70+ games in the last six years. they should throw him a parade, and give him ANOTHER HOF induction.
and yes, i love, LOVE asomugha, but i would’ve much preferred another 2-3 years of gruden-gannon. besides, we could’ve gotten nnamdi in the 2nd or 3rd round anyway.
ps..the signing of kerry collins wasn’t an endorsement of rich gannon, so ya, al did get rid of gannon.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Alisgod,
So true. Gannon get’s way to much credit. Sure he was a very solid QB for us, but he had his faults as well. If Gannon really wanted a job with the Raiders he would have gotten one in some capacity. I mean hey, if Zack Crockett can get a job with the Raiders I’m sure Rich Gannon could.
But that’s not what Gannon wanted. Gannon want’s to shine and be in the spotlight running his mouth. Remember sportsbroadcasting is still entertainment. Gannon is employed with the media to do as he is told and entertain. If everyone else in the media is ripping the Raiders and have been for decades did you really expect Rich Gannon to take a stand and not be negative when it comes to the Raiders? The Redskins haven’t won a Super Bowl or been in a Super Bowl in many years. Do you hear Gannon ripping the Redskins? When was the last time either the Vikings or the Chiefs were in a Super Bowl? Or won it? Do hear Gannon ripping either of these teams? The Raiders have won three Super Bowls and were last in the Super Bowl in 2002, but they deserve to be ripped by Rich Gannon?
September 26th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Look no further. This kind of BS is precisely what is wrong with Al & the Raiders. Organizational paranoia.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:38 am
why on earth would gannon want a job with THESE raiders, or the raiders of the last 3-4 years. so he could work with great minds like lane kiffin or tom walsh? why climb aboard a sinking ship??
you say sports broadcasting is entertainment, you’re right. the reason gannon doesn’t rip those teams?? they don’t matter nearly as much as the raiders do. the raiders ARE the NFL, they’re in the fabric. the media has to keep the raiders afloat. they’re marketable, they’re the “bad guys”, the antagonist. and, you’re right,gannon’s just doing his job. the NFL is better when the raiders are a part of the landscape, especially better when they’re winning games. al davis SHOULD be above this and realize this is merely a former player being critical of his former team, no more, no less. instead, he tries to ban him from the building. nice.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Gannon is throwing the Raiders under the bus,not the other way around.last year he had to be reprimanded by the network for the comments he was making towards the Raiders.
you can support Gannon all you wish,but don’t say because you do only you are a sane,lucid,rational person-you just make yourself look like a narrow-minded fool.actually,no sane,rational person would call Gannon a great player-he was far from it.he just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Gannon is preaching the truth and Senile Al doesn’t like it….Guess the truth hurts!
September 26th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Once again speak alittle truth in your post….self proclaimed media hack. Nice group your associating yourself with. Last year the Detriot Lions went 0-16 for the season, yet the media still proclaimed the Raiders as the worst team in the NFL. Yeah, that’s deserving.
Again, no-one including your number one Raider-hate target got rid of Rich Gannon. Gannon sustained a career ending neck injury. Afterwards Gannon retired on his own and continued to collect checks from Big AL. Kerry Collins was brought in to be a veteran back-up just in case Gannon went down, again. Well, the last time Gannon went down he wasn’t able to return and the starting QB job went to the back-up Kerry Collins. Again, Big AL picking up Kerry Collins to play back-up QB had nothing to do with Rich Gannon getting hurt and retiring.
Lastly, it’s interesting that your crystal ball gives you hindsight information like Nnmadi would have been available in the 2nd and 3rd round, to bad these type of day late, dollar short predictions can never be proven.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:51 am
you misunderstood me lefty12….
you’re not the one lacking sanity, rationality, OR lucidity.
someone on Mt Davis is , though.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Huff bought nnamdi a benz because he had 2 picks last week and if he goes to the pro bowl he’s going to buy him a house
September 26th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Yeah. There’s something else going on that we don’t know. But who care’s about this mini soap opera anyway. Broncos tomorrow!
Just imagine. If they win tomorrow the Raiders would’ve been so-so close to being 3-0 and the clear lead in the AFC West. That would’ve set the stage. Oh well.
You know …not to bring this back up …but I found it interesting …looking back at Jam’s numbers vs KC last year and they were equally horrific – both games – 35.3%, 35.7% completion percentage. Interesting. Could be that its just KC?
September 26th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Gannon could have been talking about the roster or the coaching staff, or both! Im pretty sure he didnt mean to blow up the building. Nothing wrong with his comments coming off the heels of the Kiffin chaos. There was also no reason for the Network to bow to AL’s ridiculous request.
# Crow Says:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:33 am
This team is such an embarrassment. Gannon may have been speaking figuratively, but literally blowing up the building doesn’t sound like such a bad idea either.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:57 am
MT-that could very well be true.i can’t agree with the pettiness shown by the Raiders in many instances,but unfortunately,it may be the older one gets,the more petty they become.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Why would Gannon want to work for the Raiders? Many former Raider players are empolyed and continue to seek employment with the Raiders whether it was this year, last year or 3, 4, or 10 years ago. Hey don’t believe me, check it out for yourself. The Raiders take care of their own. Family baby!
Why climb aboard a sinking ship? To help get it afloat. If he truly bleeds Silver and Black why would he not want to help get things back to where they should be? And fully agree with you about the Raiders being the NFL, and that the NFL is better when the Raiders are good. However, that stuff about the media keeping the Raiders afloat is just plain wrong. If the media could completely ignore the Raiders they would. The Raiders are a thorn in the side of the media. Why you ask? A portion of the short list includes: the Raiders give very little if any information or access to the media. The Raiders still have closed practices to the media. The Raiders still don’t allow the media full access to all the coaches and players like basically all the other teams in the NFL.
Again, this is just a portion of the short list of why the media hates Big AL and the Raiders.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Maybe Jam doesn’t like red… HA!
September 26th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Best thing Jerry said:
“Without even getting in to the paranoia that goes in to having someone keep a running file of all the mean things said about the organization . . .”
This has to be the most dysfunctional organization on the planet. Maybe Gannon is not as loyal as the Raiders would like him to be, but the stuff coming out of headquarters is just ludicrous. You can’t operate this way and think that you’re creating a winning culture.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
if you think al davis brought in kerry collins (a prototypical al davis qb, mind you) to back up rich gannon, you have either suffered major head trauma or you need to lower your dosage to 8 bong rips a day.
as far as being a ‘”self proclaimed” media hack, try re-reading my post AND keep in mind words have meaning. given the CHOICE of being embedded with the “raider-hating” media or being in al davis’ inner circle of puppets and “yes” men, then yes, sign me up for the former. even though the thought of being part of either is undesirable, at best.
ps..i hope this site ISN’T part of this massive, churning, media machine you speak of, because then you’d look ignorant and hypocritical.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
If Gannon commented about their strengths and weaknesses on the field, his comments would be in the bounds of his job as a commentator. Instead he will make a comment about what happens on the field and then go on to elaborate about how it is a symptom of the dysfunction of the entire organization. Even if is is true that The Raiders have made organizational mistakes that have contributed heavily to their lack of success on the field for the last six years, to criticize them for their personal character instead of the actual tactical and personnel decisions is beyond the scope of what his job is. I never hear Jerry Jones or Daniel Snyder, or any other team or management group criticized in similar manner.
To say that The Raiders have made mistakes in their decision over coaches, players, and even tactic over the last six years goes without even saying. To simply blast them as being inept and incapable makes it an even more difficult job for a team that, if anyone hasn’t noticed, has change direction over the last three year and gone to a program of building with young players. This team is on the cusp of being very good. The keystone is the development of the quarterback, and the team is being patient in giving him every chance, although I suspect that by the end of this year if the hasn’t been clear signs of that patient paying off then they will be looking for another option.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
The mediots are the mediots. And they wonder why the Raider fan base completely ignores them or feed them plenty of venom.
Good point. Detriot goes winless yet the Raiders get all the ‘worse team in history’ bs.
When I first heard the new of Seymour I couldn’t believe it – absolutely stunned and excited – I knew this was a big big big big B.I.G. deal for us! But all you heard from the mediots is how much the Raiders got screwed.
They are who they are. I bunch of hatin, lame brain, mediots
September 26th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
The news of Raider Nation never stops, good or bad, always bad.
It’s great to see new comments from people who I’ve never have read before. Stick around and join us in this blog and don’t just stop on bye to blame Davis, we have guys in here do that constantly, so you will feel at home.
I know the older Raider Nation will remember the constant criticisim from the media, it has not changed. To the younger Raider Nation, this is how it was before you were even Raider Men.
Today with the internet, cable which is 24/7 and a continuous news cycle, only news that can be negative will be repeated.
The news has not changed, some of you older Raider Men a long time have to remember, this news is no different than 20 years ago, just more of the news.
Do you remember, how Davis controlled Madden, we watered down the Coliseum before games, we had a microphone in the visitors dressing room, the criminal element was Atkinson, Tatum,(this was before the Stingley hit) the balls had Helium in them when Ray Guy punted, Tooz was a bust and they laughed at Davis for picking him up, Stabler was to be traded every year because, he didn’t have a strong arm to go verticle. I can go on, the media is what it is, I get up everyday and it has not changed, just more of it.
My take on Gannon is this, his critique of the Raiders is his opinion, yet his choice of words could have been less dramatic, with words like “blow it up” and his blame only on Davis. The players still throw, tackle and run, Davis does none of those.
Davis has blame, we have had 6 losing seasons, we hold the NFL record for most double digit losses for 6 seasons consecutively.
The media doesn’t care if we win or lose, just the story to have news is and always will be negative about the Raiders as long as AL Davis is the show.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
BAG…
i’m all for getting the ship afloat. although, as long as the current captain of said ship maintains control, the ship will surely sink.
not all of media hates al davis, most are fascinated by him. again, don’t confuse critisism as disrespect.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Truth. Let there be truth. Kerry Colins may have been the prototypical QB that Big AL may like, but this was not the case in 2004. In the game against Tampa Bay (2004 season) Rich Gannon was hit by Derrick Brooks and injured his neck. Kerry Collins was Rich Gannon’s back-up. If Rich Gannon had not sustaned the neck injury Kerry Collins would not have started.
Gannon went down the year prior in 2003 due to a shoulder injury. Big AL sured that up the following year by picking up Kerry Collins to back-up Gannon. Me a life long Raider fan, if posting on a Raider blog makes me ignorant and hypocritical in your eyes, then so be it!! Stop the Raider-hate…
September 26th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
No need to soft shoe the media hate. It is what it is. There’s very few if any media types that like Big AL and even fewer that will give him credit for anything or than being the worst owner in the NFL history. Constructive critisism is always welcome, but unyielding, crafted, premeditated critisism is disrespectful.
Critisism like, “Blow it up!” “The Raiders are the worst team in the NFL.” etc. is not constructive. It’s disrespect. And it’s meant as disrespect as the media hacks laugh as they say it.
Raider Dell provided a much broader and better perspective to this whole argument in his post #194. Great post Raider Dell.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
# 408RAIDER Says:
September 26th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Big al is too sensitive
……………
Here, here.
September 26th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Jerry, why do a story on this when you & David white & all the rest of the bayarea reporters knowt he truth.You sound like a complete idiot when you try to get opinions from the Raiders especially the Brown noser John herrera?
Please Jerry & the rest write something intriguing
for once
R
September 26th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Geez the Raider fans on here are really to stupid to
process any thought?..Please if you haven’t finished the 7th grade in elementary don’t blog on here.
September 26th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
lefty12 Says:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Gannon is a jerk.he was a jerk when he was given the opportunity to play here and he is a jerk today.he was a perfect fit for Chuckie’s Off.-weak armed dink and dunk QB.he played with great talent around him.most decent QBs would have had success on the Raider teams he lead.his ego is soooo great,he can’t accept the fact he was mainly responsible for the SB lose,so he attacks the organization that finally gave him a huge opportunity.
^^^^^^^Utter bullcrap is what you are spewing…..the main men responsible for the SB loss was Al Davis by trading Chuckie….and moron Callahan not changing the game plan to attack Tampas weaknesses and not realizing that Chuckie would be 3 steps ahead of him.
You must be John Herrera fan?? haha
September 26th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
This story smacks of jerry rushing to the defense of a fellow medi-ite.
Up yours Gannon. we know all too well what the problems are and losers like you and Sapp can make your bones by bashing the Raiders.
Lovely for you.
BTFW Gannon, its ATHLETES not ATH-UH-LETES!!!
September 26th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
of course it was Mr. Gannon’s fault.
He held his teammates accountable and expected them to give a hundred percent for the team to win each and every game.
Once he retired there was no one else to hold the team to such standards and the players figured they could just be insubordinate to the head coaches and collect Mr. Al Davis’ paychecks without having to earn it.
clearly Mr. Gannon is not only responsible for his incompletions, he is also responsible for Mr. Collins, Mr. Walter, Tui’s, Culpepper’s, McCown’s, and Mr. Russel’s incomplete passes.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
RaiderRetribution Says:
September 26th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
“Once he retired there was no one else to hold the team to such standards and the players figured they could just be insubordinate to the head coaches and collect Mr. Al Davis’ paychecks without having to earn it”
====================================================
Exactly. Things will come to a head on Sunday, when Seymour (the newest Raider with an iota of leadership and past success) will see the things that have always plagued the team following a sloppy win…im hoping the Raiders actually get up for the game, but Gannon was dead on.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
[...] got to agree with Jerry Mac, David White, the AP’s Dubow, and even Tim Kawakami on this [...]
September 26th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Nnamdi21 Says:
Another retard Raider fan with a 3rd grade education..Please go watch Romper-room. Is all of the Eastbay/Raider fans full of failed SAT scores
Jerry,David,Tim & all of the rest of the writers who couldn’t play organized sports you should all be FIRED!!!
R
September 27th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Let’s see the Raiders donkey punch the Broncos & start them on their 6 game downward slide. Man, they have a tough schedule ahead, last year we started their skid to keep them out of the playoffs & Shanahan’s firing!!
Go Raiders!!!
September 27th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Alisgod – YOU ARE AN IDIOT! This all came straight from Al Davis. If you think Herrera (or anyone else there for that matter) can come out with something like this without Al writing it out for him, well you are sadly mistaken. Those are the facts. The Raiders have become a classless organization full of “yes” men who protect their own well being. These idiots will be the first ones out the door once Al is not longer in charge.
They can start with that DOLT, Amy Trask. Here is a person not qualified to run to the store, but Al has put her in charge (except without the blame) of RUINING this once great franchise.
What they did or tried to pull with Gannon, Who by the way did more for the organization than TRASH or Herrera or any of these other morons will ever think of doing, was despicable. Without Gannon, does anyone think the Raiders would have sniffed their first Super Bowl in 20 years? Last time I checked he was the MVP of the whole league that year. Yeah, it’ll be AT LEAST ANOTHER 20 before they see another one with this set of CLOWNS running the show.
I am disgusted and repulsed. True fans who are in denial should be too instead for sticking your head in the sand like a bunch of Lemmings. (look it up dolts).
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:15 am
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[...] got to agree with Jerry Mac, David White, the AP’s Dubow, and even Tim Kawakami on this [...]
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