Raiders pay price for keeping it simple
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 12:30 pm in Oakland Raiders.
It’s not as if the Raiders are giving away all their defensive secrets on a billboard for all to see, but it’s close.
That’s the way cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha described his team’s defensive philosophy Wednesday and the ability of opponents to attack it.
“We’re a team that chooses to be who we are regardless of who we’re playing against and regardless of the matchups or the things that the other team is going to present,” Asomugha said. “We’ve got one way of doing it and that’s what we do, and teams can get us into some tough situations. And teams know that, so communication can break down sometimes, just because we’ll see what other teams in the league won’t see, because of the nature of our defense, so it doesn’t matter what week it is.
“That stuff can happen in Week 16 if you’re not adjusting and you’re not adapting to who you’re playing against.”
Asomugha has a remarkable ability to sound reasonable and diplomatic while at the same time offer some justified criticism of his defense. Consider the following answer to the simple question, “What would you like to see different from the defense?,” which came in reference to Asomugha talking about a “simplistic” scheme.
Asomugha began a 537-word response by attempting to backtrack, only to end up in the same place _ wishing for a scheme with some variety.
Asomugha: “Simple sometimes can be good. I don’t know if simple is the right word. Simple can be good if you’re doing it right. If you’re the Bucs from earlier this decade and they’re a Cover 2 team, with some zone blitzing but it was still Cover 2. That was pretty simple for them but they were able to do it well.
“I think it’s just a matter of doing what we do, if that’s what we’re going into each game saying we’re going to do regardless of whether a team will game plan against it, which they’ve been doing and which they always do. It’s just doing it well. A lot of times it’s the player that’s going to be putting himself in the best position to make the play just because how our defense is. You have to be better than the guy in front of you. It’s not just the corners, it’s the d-line, it’s the linebackers. Because in that type of defense one missed gap and the ball is shot up for a run for a significant gain.
“It kind of speaks more to us being good at what we’re doing if that’s what we’re going to do. A guy like me, of course I say it all the time, I say it every week to coaches and they laugh and I’ll continue to do it until I leave the league. I’m a guy who likes to play the mental game with the offense. Whether you’re blitzing, whether you’re dropping back, whether you’re in zone.
“I was talking to you about Charles (Woodson) and he was saying how different it is for him to be somewhere where they do so many different things. That’s what I like, but if you’re not going to get it you have to make do with whatever system you’re in. You have to succeed in that system. Maybe we don’t want to be as multiple as other guys, maybe we don’t have to be. We have to prove that we’re good enough to win and play well doing the simple things that we’re doing. We’re not proving that right now.
“It’s not like we proved it last year or we proved it the year before. This is several years now where we haven’t been able to get over the hump of winning more than four or five games a year. Maybe you go back and you think about what we’re doing and think about ways to fix it.
“I was telling my coach earlier, Sean Payton said before the game against the Patriots. He was asked ‘Why is your defense so great?’ `What we did during the offseason is we studied the top defenses and we pulled from each of those defenses and it allows us to be multiple and it allows us to do the things that are working in the league today, the things that have been working the past few years.’
“The game changes, the game is never going to be the same as it was 10 years ago or five years ago with the rule changes and things like that. You have to be able to adapt. But it is what it is.”
UPDATE: During the media practice window, there was no sign of defensive end Greg Ellis, who left the Cowboys game on Thanksgiving with a swollen knee. Justin Fargas, who coach Tom Cable said was questionable Monday, was suited up and appeared to be joining the offense for practice.
More to come following Cable’s post-practice press briefing . . .
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December 2nd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
MR/Drama Queen,
You make Oakglen look like a rocket scientist.
Seriously, when you learn to read get back at me..
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
MR/Drama Queen
I didnt compare Oj to T Woods. You have a reading problem. Go read again.
Just like when I said Obama Marx would find a way to blame Bush for the cop killings. You turned it around and said I said 0bama Marx told the cops to kill the officers.
You are half wit nimrod that looks for an argument but cant get the FKN facts straight…get out my way Drama Queen.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Speaking of half wit nimrods, MistaClown, who came in here the other day and said that Obama was going to lose in 2012, perhaps even drop out and not run for reelection, and yet couldn’t name one single person planning on running for president in ‘12 that could beat Obama?
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Raider75 – I’m sure Al will blame Cable on not getting DHB the ball enough as well. Great offenses generally have a great QB, RB and WR to go along with a solid offensive line. I don’t think our O-Line is great but its had solid games in my opinion. Our QB play has been below average, our running game has been average and would be better if they would give Bush 20 carries a game and our WR play has been poor due to the injury to Schilens and the dropsies of DHB. It would be worse without Miller as our TE.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Here’s what I don’t understand (and for those of you actually at the game I’m sure you’ve seen it too)- why do the DBs look so confused when the other team does motion, trips, or anything out of the ordinary (although those are sort of ordinary). If you watch everyone, they motion at each other, pat shoulder pads, jam fists in hands, and generally look confused. Hey – its man to man in a simple system – what gives?
Perhaps some of the DBs lack the IQ to grasp our simple system – that said why would we want to do something more complex?
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Simple is Simple does.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Obama’s going to drop out, MistaClown, decline to even run for reelection, when there isn’t a Republican on the face of the earth who can beat him? Wishful thinking at its most retarded level, Clown. Things must be getting desperate these days at those Palin rallies. Obama’s not going to run for reelection. Listen to yourselves! Haaahahahahahaahahahaah!!!!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
M,
The Japanese know how to fire themselves…
…Al can take the less drastic approach as far as I am concerned, although if he chose to fall on his sword I wouldn’t try and talk him out of it….
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
What Nnamdi is saying is that AL needs to keep his nosey FKN a$$ out of the Defense and let Marshall coach!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Nnamdi slamming the owner in an articulate and nice way…always be nice to the guy that gave you a bazillion bucks!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
LMAO @ Dakota.
Fire Cable!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
1Al Davis stole the Raiders from Wayne Valley, anyway. So, as long as Davis worshipers here are going to get all sappy about this and wax poetic of how Al built the Raiders from scratch…
Everyone knows Ron Wolf built the good teams of the ’70s and early ’80s. It’s common knowledge in NFL circles. Yet, Wolf is hardly mentioned anywhere on the Raiders website. I did a search on the website once and all that came up with an interview with a former player who gave Wolf props. Al Davis is a fraud. He built absolutely nothing. People who’ve worked with the Raiders will be the first to tell you, Al Davis does not built, he destructs. He’s a human fruit fly.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
1Silver n Smac, you can’t be serious.
Football isn’t scripted, like Al Pacino’s movies. Fans want to see their teams win. And they can’t win when they have an owner who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Football is a form of entertainment, obviously. But it is not the same type of entertainment that cinema is, which is entirely scripted. Football’s entertainment centers around real, live competition. It’s the appealing factor to those who are fans.
But, it is nice to know that according to you, the Raider Nation is nothing more than a bunch of teenage girls fawning over their Jonas Brothers poster. I couldn’t insult Raider fans harder if I tried.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
1vegas raider Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:01 am
MR,
Kind of hard to hammer all this out, when you are posting at 2am to an empty audience,
…………………
Empty audience? The comment is still there, for the “audience” to read, and will remain there for anyone who happens up on this blog entry and is interested in reading the comments, today, and in the future.
And, you did in fact define a fan. “We have to keep the faith, because that’s what fans do”. That is a clear attempt to define. You’re laying out your standards as to what a fan is, and according to those standards, a fan has “faith” in their team even when they know the team can’t win with it’s current owner, and of course, you’re wrong. It is not necessary for a fan to have faith in a failing system. Fans have been protesting poor ownership/management in pro sports for years.
The true comedy in your comment is that you close by revealing you have no faith in the team yourself. You predict the Steelers will win Sunday, although you’ll be rooting for the Raiders! At a way to throw your chips down, Mr. Faithful fan.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
sec144r18 Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Here’s what I don’t understand (and for those of you actually at the game I’m sure you’ve seen it too)- why do the DBs look so confused when the other team does motion, trips, or anything out of the ordinary (although those are sort of ordinary). If you watch everyone, they motion at each other, pat shoulder pads, jam fists in hands, and generally look confused. Hey – its man to man in a simple system – what gives?
Perhaps some of the DBs lack the IQ to grasp our simple system – that said why would we want to do something more complex?
_______________________________
Because they practice day after day against an offense that thinks placing McFadden at FB and then motioning him out wide is a complex offensive scheme!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I hope JaBeefalo freezes his a$$ off on that pine bench come Sunday, that ski beanie aint gon do much for him in Pitt.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
wow, it was nice knowing you nmam. big al’s ears must be ringing. dare question teh lord of the raiders? consider yourself banished from raiderland. who knows, maybe now big al will flip him for draft picks during the offseason. doubtful that he’ll re-up with the silver and black anyway.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
DKnight007 Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
As they say on DEADLIEST CATCH…..never scorn a crazy Norwegian woman!
haha
They say Tigger messed around with two chicks….the one from NY and one little girl from San Diego?
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
AL DAVIS SUCKS!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
If Al Davis really cared about winning he would hire Mike Holmgren as the General Manager and Head of Player Personnel.
Then hire Jim Harbaugh or Jon Gruden as Head Coach.
Then Al needs to stay the hell out of the way and let them turn the miserable ship around!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
RealMadden: I usually enjoy your posts but have to comment when you apply revisionist history.
When Wayne Valley and Ed McGah hired Al Davis in 1963, the Oakland Raiders coming off a 1-13 season were a moribund franchise and there were plenty of rumors about relocation. As coach and GM in 1963, Davis took the Raiders to 10-4 which basically saved the franchise for Oakland and also helped get the Coliseum built. To solely credit Ron Wolf for the successes in the 1970s and 1980s is a huge stretch.
Say what you will about the current Raiders but in those early days Al Davis was certainly not a “fraud.”
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Wow, topthecharts, that was impressive. You proved I was wrong about Ron Wolf with, well, absolutely nothing whatsoever. You just say it isn’t so. You showed me.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Nnamdi is right on both options…
1. You can win playing simple man-to-man base defense if every player executes on every down
2. You can win with multiple schemes that confuse offenses and attacks their weaknesses
The difference between the 2 philosophies is simple IMO.
- Man-to-man base defense with a 4 man front will only be successful if you have SUPERIOR athletes at EVERY position. The chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
- Multiple schemes allows the defensive coordinator to cover weaknesses and doesn’t allow an opposing offense to exploit one man or one side of the field.
So when he talks about the defense of the Raiders he is saying that they need multiple schemes to cover their weaknesses, but he knows they aren’t going to get it.
He also doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for not performing and understands that every player needs to get better if they are to be successful with a basic defense.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Idea for next billboard: “Al, You’re One Sick Mutha”
Thoughts?
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I see the new strategy of the Davis kool aid quacks is to keep saying “revisionist history” whenever someone talks about obvious things, like Al Davis stealing the Raiders from the Wayne Valley and Ron Wolf building the great Raider teams in the ’70s and ’80s. So, Al Davis’s version of Raiders’ history is fact? Bwaaaaaaahahahahaahahah!!!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
The Real MaddenRaider Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I see the new strategy of the Davis kool aid quacks is to keep saying “revisionist history”
……..
I liked giving you hard time with that one the other night.
Its fun getting you all riled up.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
What Nnamdi said is exactly what a lot of players said in that ‘96 SI article I posted a few days ago. In fact, what he said today almost mirrors what Marcus Allen said. We lose games by doing things Al’s way. Another player to publicly criticize Al and his system. This is just the beginning. Fans putting up billboards, players publicly taking shots at Al…Al’s days are numbered. Thank God!!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Raider75, you made an ass out of yourself the other day. You flat out threw a fit because I posted that SI article, and it was quite entertaining. Go review the thread if you forgot how it went down. You were the only one riled up.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Go Al.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Raider75 Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Nnamdi is right on both options…
1. You can win playing simple man-to-man base defense if every player executes on every down
2. You can win with multiple schemes that confuse offenses and attacks their weaknesses
The difference between the 2 philosophies is simple IMO.
- Man-to-man base defense with a 4 man front will only be successful if you have SUPERIOR athletes at EVERY position. The chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
- Multiple schemes allows the defensive coordinator to cover weaknesses and doesn’t allow an opposing offense to exploit one man or one side of the field.
So when he talks about the defense of the Raiders he is saying that they need multiple schemes to cover their weaknesses, but he knows they aren’t going to get it.
He also doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for not performing and understands that every player needs to get better if they are to be successful with a basic defense.
^^^^^^^Nnamdi is always right!
Al Davis is WRONG!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
If Al Davis was to hire a General Manager and Head of Personnel, I would assume that he would want to pick his own Coach. If he was not a eunich to start with. imho
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Yep….this article basically states the obvious.
Raider football….so easy a caveman can do it!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
First off, who gives a crap if it’s scripted or not scripted???
The bottom line is that you have a CHOICE to put your time or money into each form of entertainment. If you are a big-time fan of a particular actor, you’re probably going to watch every single movie that actor takes a part in. And by doing that, you’re putting money in that actor’s pocket, regardless of the crappy quality of the product. You have absolutely no say in whether or not that product improves. You can stop going to his movies and that probably will have no impact on that person’s future performances.
Football, as you mentioned, is not scripted and that definitely creates a different kind of appeal. But regardless, are you so ignorant as to think that YOU can improve the quality on the field by protesting Al Davis?
Are YOU serious?
Get a life man. I’ll keep saying it. If you don’t like it, stop watching.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
The Real MaddenRaider Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Silver n Smac, you can’t be serious.
Football isn’t scripted, like Al Pacino’s movies. Fans want to see their teams win. And they can’t win when they have an owner who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Football is a form of entertainment, obviously. But it is not the same type of entertainment that cinema is, which is entirely scripted. Football’s entertainment centers around real, live competition. It’s the appealing factor to those who are fans.
**********************************************
First off, who gives a crap if it’s scripted or not scripted???
The bottom line is that you have a CHOICE to put your time or money into each form of entertainment. If you are a big-time fan of a particular actor, you’re probably going to watch every single movie that actor takes a part in. And by doing that, you’re putting money in that actor’s pocket, regardless of the crappy quality of the product. You have absolutely no say in whether or not that product improves. You can stop going to his movies and that probably will have no impact on that person’s future performances.
Football, as you mentioned, is not scripted and that definitely creates a different kind of appeal. But regardless, are you so ignorant as to think that YOU can improve the quality on the field by protesting Al Davis?
Are YOU serious?
Get a life man. I’ll keep saying it. If you don’t like it, stop watching.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
MaddenRaider says:
This is just the beginning. Fans putting up billboards, players publicly taking shots at Al…Al’s days are numbered. Thank God!!!
***************************************
You really ARE an idiot.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
RealMadden: Ron Wolf left the Raiders in 1976 to help start the Tampa Bay Bucs. He returned in 1979. But according to you, we should give him sole credit for the Raiders success in those years including Super Bowl XI.
Also you might check Amazon for my book “Black Knight, Al Davis and His Raiders” which I wrote in 1990. It is long out of print. Rather than insult me, you may be shocked that I also know a little bit about Al Davis and the history of the Raiders.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Al’s days are not numbered. As much as I would love to see the culture of the Raiders change, specially in the front office and with personnel decisions, Al is still the majority owner and all of the decisions are his. Al is not going anywhere soon. you can bank on that. As far as a GM and the billboard, c’mon man. if having the worst football team the past 7 years and stadium not selling out on a consistent basis is not gonna change Al, so you think a billboard will? I am not an alcolyte by the way.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
U.S. troops have been on the ground in Afghanistan since before the “Tuck Game”.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Every time #21 gets injured and does not play…we win
its time to let him go,for multiple draft picks
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
This off season has to bring change in the way of a GM. If we want to keep Namdi, Seymour, Miller, and the rest of the quality players on this team and quit drafting first round XLBS’s(EXTRA LARGE BAGS of SH!T). It sure sounds like Nnamdi would love to be playing somewhere else right about now.
If the draft and following season still have Davis in command the 30,000 in the stands now will look like a saving grace.
Time for change Big Al, face the f*$king music… And I have been an AD supporter, hell just look at my username.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
SilverNSmac,
You’re the one who made the comparison between a Raider fan and an…Al Pacino fan?
I’m sorry, but the comparison is absurd, and I laid out my reasons as to why. If you don’t want an asinine comparison to get mocked, keep it to yourself.
Most Raider fans are motivated by competition. When they’re watching a Raider game, they’re not watching for dialogue, plot, or story. They would be perfectly happy with a boring game where the Raiders win 45-0 just running the ball and using short passes. As long as the Raiders win. (hence, the full stadiums when Gruden was coach…). It is competition that drives their fanaticism. If fans feel that a protest might influence the team’s owner to hire a GM and help the team win games, which is all that matters to them, then the effort is worth it.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Topthecharts:
RealMadden is a moron. Once you realize that, it’s all good.
He and Richochet sit at one desk, giggling while they type together.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I don’t care if you wrote a book, topthecharts. why not post under your real name, then? Ashamed? If you wrote a book glorifying Al Davis, I can see why.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Madden:
Please explain how your protest will change the ways of Al Davis.
No shiot we want to win. Who doesn’t?
The comparison is rather obvious. It’s entertainment and you, as the consumer, have no ability to change the product being distributed.
Whether or not you like to hear that is not of my concern.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Topthecharts, Your book was a collection of cut and pastes. Here’s the review:
Don’t Bother, January 21, 1999
By A Customer
Ira Simmons is a die-hard Raiders fan who simply strung together a series of newspaper articles written by others to write this tedious book. Despite the fact that the book is highly complimentary to Al Davis, Davis had the good sense not to participate in this foolishness.
If you really want some insight into Al Davis, try reading one, or preferably all, of the following:
1. “Slick: The Silver-and-Black Life of Al Davis” by Mark Ribowsky.
2. “Just Win, Baby: Al Davis and His Raiders” by Glenn Dickey.
3. “The League” by David Harris.
Each is a fine book in its own way, and you’ll come away having learned a great deal about the self-described “Genius”. Ira Simmons to the contrary, some things don’t lend themselves to genius–like driving a taxi, playing Beethoven’s Ninth on the kazoo, or running a professional sports team.
————————————–
I haver never supported you MR, but this is the exception.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Yet another player has come out against Al and his system today. Nnamdi Asomugha. He joins the likes of Marcus Allen (hall of famer), Warren Sapp (future hall of famer), and Rich Gannon (former pro bowl QB). Fans are now putting together effective marketing campaigns to, at the very minimal, humiliate Al Davis, if not outright force him to resign. It’s coming from all ends. And it’s about time. Al deserves nothing different considering the things he’s done in his life.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
You think a billboard is gonna sting Al Davis more than 7 years of being the worst team in football???
This is a man who loves the Raiders more than most people love ANYTHING in their entire lives.
And you think a billboard is gonna suddenly hurt his feelings and make him change something???
WOW!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Silver n Smac, even if the billboards don’t force Al to resign, they at least humiliate him. That’s part of the strategy. That’s what a protest is designed to do. Humiliate someone or an organization with bad and/or embarrassing publicity until they change their policy. It probably won’t work. But as long as there displays around the bay area mocking and humiliating Al Davis and those who are loyal to him, the pressure is on.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Hey everyone,
RealMaddenRaider and his troops are gonna “outright force” Al Davis to resign!
Hey, can you land Jessica Alba on my lap next?!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Ira Simmons, huh? Why didn’t you just post under your real name, Ira? Are you embarrassed that you actually wrote a book glorifying Al Davis? I don’t blame you.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
“The game changes, the game is never going to be the same as it was 10 years ago or five years ago with the rule changes and things like that. You have to be able to adapt. But it is what it is.”
===========
This was Nnamdi talking directly to Al Davis.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
The pressure is on? Who are you kidding man?
Writers like Ira Miller, Nancy Gay, Scott Osler have been humiliating Al Davis in the newspaper, for the past 20 years.
FYI – people READ the newspaper every day.
But a Billboard. . . .ooooooh a Billboard!!!
OOoooh! Yeah, now you’re talkin’ – that’s really gonna cut deep into the inner soul of Al Davis.
Moron.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Silver N Smac, my “troops” are 20,000 deep and growing. 10,000 more and we have the average attendance of a Raider game. I don’t think you’re fully appreciating the number of fans who are now actively trying to kick your pimp out of the Raiders’ headquarters. There’s money behind this, now. And there will only be more now that the MessageToAl is being marketed on billboards. Marketing always works. It’s the only reason Al Davis still has 30,000 idiots willing to pay for tickets.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Man, I don’t care if you pull all 30,000 out of the stadium.
You just don’t get it do you?
Al Davis doesn’t give a rat’s ass what you think.
I’m not saying that’s right. But that’s the way it is.
So get your head out of your ass and come join the rest of us in reality.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Silver N Smac, reporters have not humiliated Al Davis in this fashion. Al Davis has never seen anything like this in his life. His own fans, who he thought would be loyal to him no matter what, are turning on him in a huge way. They’re hitting his wallet and his image. All Nancy Gay and co. do is criticize Al’s management in their columns, which is their job. This is an active movement to remove Al from the Raiders. Reporters love Al being owner of the Raiders because his consistent failure gives them something to write about. Fans don’t love it. They want to win. And that’s what this is about.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
If the Raiders were playing in an empty stadium, Al Davis would still do what HE felt was in the best interest of HIS team.
So put up more billboards. Put em’ up at every freakin’ intersection.
Hell, let’s install intercoms bashing Al in public streets everywhere.
Yeah. . .yeah. . . .that’ll do the trick!!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
SilverNSmac, time will tell if Al Davis doesn’t care about this. It’s just getting started. Billboards right down the street from one’s place of business are hard to ignore. And I just don’t buy that Al doesn’t care what people think of him. What’s with all of these goofy, glossy magazines he put out, “legends of the bay area”, where he’s listed at number one? lol. Al Davis is full of himself, and a billboard, by FANS, bashing him is going to make him shat.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
The real way to force al to change is, hit him in the wallet. quit going to games. quit buying raider gear. if you must go to games, park outside the stadium and do not buy anything once in the stadium. I mean, he is already trying to sell 10% of the team and sold 10% a few years back. do you think he would be selling off portions of the team if it was selling out and he was rolling in dough?
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
You’re hitting his wallet?
Man, you really are stupid. Al Davis is in his 80’s.
He’s got more money than you’ll EVER have, regardless of the worth of his franchise in comparison with others.
He never shies from spending money on his team and he never will.
So again, get a life.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Silver-n-Smac Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
So put up more billboards. Put em’ up at every freakin’ intersection.
…………
It’s coming. Stay tuned. One’s up now, right down the street from the coliseum. Isn’t she a beauty?
http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/324629/img_billboard_photo_medium.jpg
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Al Davis owns approximately 67 percent of the interests in the Raider partnership through his company, A.D. Football, Inc. He sells 10% of the team and would still control 57%.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
# The Real MaddenRaider Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Raider75, you made an ass out of yourself the other day. You flat out threw a fit because I posted that SI article, and it was quite entertaining. Go review the thread if you forgot how it went down. You were the only one riled up.
…….
You are a drama queen. Your just mad because I owned you in those arguments and made you look foolish.
You were really defending the Fords and the Bidwells. Really? C’mon, really?
Al Davis may suck as an owner, but Al being at his worst is still 3 times (3 Trophies) better than those guys.
Al Davis teams have lost more Super Bowls than the Lions have played in.
Who hired Matt Millen? You always blame Al for hiring loser coaches and players, so the Fords should take the blame for Millen and all his crappy draft picks.
Who hired Wolf? Who hired Gruden? Who hired Madden? Who hired Flores?
Al needs to go, but placing him below the Fords or Bidwells is not only stupid, it borders on insanity.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Silver N Smac, Al is a business man. He has to make a profit to survive. Do you honestly think his objective is to have a half empty stadium every Sunday? Are you naive enough to think that he doesn’t care when he’s only selling 30,000 seats per week, which doesn’t come close to his industry’s standard? The NFL is only going to carry him for so long. That’s how this protest hurts his wallet. More fans won’t attend games. Al’s profits will suffer, and the other owners, who are pulling their own weight and not dragging the league down, will find a way to get rid of him.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
NNAMDI FOR GM!
NNAMDI FOR GM!
NNAMDI FOR GM!
NNAMDI FOR GM!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Raider75, all I did was post highlights from a magazine article. Did you own the magazine article? If so, I didn’t see it. All I remember was you just throwing a fit. Going to the usual, “look how bad the Cardinals are” argument, which is hilarious considering the Cardinals just went to a Super Bowl. You call that owning? I call it a crazy person who needed a nap. And, it looks like your’e slipping back into it. Grab your chairs, folks. Raider75 meltdowns are classics.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
With his unencumbered share of the Raiders being worth over 500 mil and his other assets, I wish I had his financial issues. Also, all sports teams sell at a premium to worth. There are only 32 teams and it’s an exclusive club.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
MR,
calling on someone else to use their real name on this blog is quite humorous. You could use your own real name. hahahahahahahahaha.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
You were owned once again MR.
You dodge questions like Bush dodging shoes.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
M Lonetree, he said he wrote a book. that’s the only reason I asked him for his real name.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
What question did I dodge, Raider75? Just ask the question. Because I stop reading your long winded diatribes at the first ridiculous point. I don’t read all of them. What was your question?
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I’ll always respect Al Davis for what he has put together for us. Our passion for the Raiders is because of him-both love and hate. I’ll respect him more, now, for doing the right thing, and facing the reality of the situation. He’s had a great run, coming from nothing, but don’t leave it in nothing. It’s “not retiring”, it’s “graduating,” Mr. Davis!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Silver and smac, relax. And yes, hitting Al in the pocketbook makes most sense. i mean think about it for a minute before you come of with what you feel is a witty comeback. he is shopping 10% of the team. think about it for a moment. it may sink in.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I didn’t mean to scare away Topthecharts. Where did Ira go? I was enjoying the argument. LOL
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Al pulled out all the stops the last few years.
1. Hired the young brash egotistical coach. fail
2. Spent huge money bringing in multiple high priced free agents. fail
3. Traded away a first round pick for Seymour. fail (not that seymour is doing bad, but the defense is still getting gashed)
There isn’t a play left in the playbook except hiring a gm and a quality coach. (or even better, hire a gm and let him hire a coach)
I don’t see any other play Al can make.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Nnamdi 2009:
“We’re a team that chooses to be who we are regardless of who we’re playing against and regardless of the matchups or the things that the other team is going to present,” Asomugha said. “We’ve got one way of doing it and that’s what we do, and teams can get us into some tough situations. And teams know that, so communication can break down sometimes, just because we’ll see what other teams in the league won’t see, because of the nature of our defense, so it doesn’t matter what week it is.
Marcus Allen 1996
Says Allen, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 1993, “I always felt we had the best personnel in football, but the best personnel wasn’t always on the field. We had to win a certain way or no way. Sometimes we sacrificed winning for a philosophy—or one man’s philosophy.”
—————————
See what I’m saying? Can you now see the pattern?
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Raider75, what question did I dodge? You said I ducked a question? What question was that?
And, you’re lying in your most recent comment. Al hired a young coach, but refused to let him coach. Also, Al spent money on players that were never even worth the money, and weren’t even in demand. Made Tommy Kelly the highest paid defensive tackle in the league. Nobody wanted him. Nobody even knows who he is.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Raider75 Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Al pulled out all the stops the last few years.
1. Hired the young brash egotistical coach. fail
2. Spent huge money bringing in multiple high priced free agents. fail
3. Traded away a first round pick for Seymour. fail (not that seymour is doing bad, but the defense is still getting gashed)
There isn’t a play left in the playbook except hiring a gm and a quality coach. (or even better, hire a gm and let him hire a coach)
I don’t see any other play Al can make.
_________________________________________
He might go back to Art Shell and the B&B offense…heck, couldn’t be much worse than Tom Cable and his team of clowns!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
ExLa, he bolted when I asked him if the reason he hides his real name is because he’s embarrassed he wrote a book glorifying Al Davis. I haven’t seen him since.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
How’s this fool going to try to win an argument by saying he wrote a book? Like that just settles it. I wrote a book, so I win. How arrogant is that? He came in here and made the same bonehead arguments all of the Davis worshipers make. I can only imagine how bad his book is.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I wrote a book once…it was called: GOOOOO LAKERS!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Kell, ever notice how a lot of these Davis worshipers tend to bolt out of here at the same time?
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
ATTENTION
TOPthecharts
Dont let the Raider haters run you off Jerrys ragontheraidersblog.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
topofthecharts (Ira), Silvernsmac, both were on fire earlier, now they’re both gone. OK…
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
plunkethead, if you don’t like this blog, what are you doing here? You help this blog every time you direct your browser here and send a comment, numb nuts.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Nnamdi 2009:
“We’re a team that chooses to be who we are regardless of who we’re playing against and regardless of the matchups or the things that the other team is going to present,” Asomugha said. “We’ve got one way of doing it and that’s what we do, and teams can get us into some tough situations. And teams know that, so communication can break down sometimes, just because we’ll see what other teams in the league won’t see, because of the nature of our defense, so it doesn’t matter what week it is.
“That stuff can happen in Week 16 if you’re not adjusting and you’re not adapting to who you’re playing against.”
Marcus Allen 1996
Says Allen, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 1993, “I always felt we had the best personnel in football, but the best personnel wasn’t always on the field. We had to win a certain way or no way. Sometimes we sacrificed winning for a philosophy—or one man’s philosophy.”
—————————
See what I’m saying? Can you now see the pattern?
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Hey numbnuts
Who said I ddnt like this blog?
You are like a piglet on mamahogs fat teat.
You get slapped around all day but nothing stops you from sucking on the teat that is hatred for Al Davis.
Dont bother responding
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
You have proven to everyone time and time again that your hate for Al is just a front for your hatred of the team.
I am just smart enough to go back to Grads start in this blog and reprint you having a conniption and barking up your dark soul over the possibility that the Raiders would win the game.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
You proved in one hour that you are a bigot, a racist and a Raider hating fool.
Truth is many, many, many posters over the years have exposed you over the past 4 years that I know of, so its nothing.
Exposing you for the fool you are has become old and boring.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Now I am sure this billboard thing will not work, but it is a nice expression of some fans’ feelings.
For those of you who think Al doesn’t care what the fans think, well I remember back when Kiffin hinted that Al Davis helped in implementing the weekly defensive scheme there was an uproar and many fans on this blog called in or e-mailed the Raiders over and over again…the Raiders then sent Rob Ryan out to claim Al had nothing to do with the weekly defensive game plan (yeah…no need to meet weekly to decided to play the same way year in and year out)
So I think Al hears the fans…he may say FU, but he hears us, and the billboard will certainly piss him off…which makes me smile.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
# Silver-n-Smac Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:48 am
I think this protest stuff is nonsense when it involves entertainment. And that’s what football is: ENTERTAINMENT.
RICHOCHET: Except YOU ran the “I got into the Raiders because of Al. Because I always hoped the pirate t-shirt would stop the girls from kicking my ass. IF YOU DON’T LOVE AL DAVIS, GO SUPPORT ANOTHER TEAM.”
Well? lol…awwww..what’s the matter, worm? You all knotted up because Al is now officially the laughing stock of THE COUNTRY? Deal with it, little boy. Just like you had to deal with the little girls continuing to slap you down.
##############################
Hell, what’s next? Are you gonna put up a billboard, begging Al Pacino to stop playing in totally stupid movies like he has in the past decade?
RICHOCHET: Only a flea would run that sorry weak take. Read that again, and tell me you don’t feel embarrassed? Seriously..all you did was prove you’re not a fan. Not a raider fan..just an Old Man Al fan. In other words, you’re a joke.
###########################
So, if the Raiders’ performance, (and Al Davis’ poor performance in particular) has you fed up, then just turn off your TV. Don’t buy the ticket. Pretty simple fellas.
RICHOCHET: Simple..if you don’t have any balls.
Simple if you’re a lemming, and wait to be told what to do.
Simple if you refuse to demand better, and have no spine.
#####################
And if you’re in the minority, like myself, and feel that Al will turn this team around again, then you keep enjoying the games until they do. If you don’t enjoy it, don’t watch it.
RICHOCHET: in other words, you’re a ball less, spineless worm.
Yeah, we know.
#####################
But, all this protest crap isn’t going to alter anything he does.
RICHOCHET: one thing al has proven is that it bugs the hell out of him reading all of the stuff YOU STATE HE COULD CARE LESS ABOUT. That’s because you’re an idiot. Al was soiling himself trying to explain away Seymour. Was babbling like a slapped on fool trying to explain the comments about players not wanting to play for the Raiders, etc. HE KNOWS DAMN WELL WHAT’S BEING SAID.
Point is..world is made up of leaders..of those who take a stand…of those who demand better..of those who hold people accountable.
Then there is you.
People like you wait to be told what to do.
People like you are desperate to believe your heroes can do no wrong, and when they do, you meekly accept it, as a loyal peasant would.
#################
Personally, I think we’ll have a GM next year and it won’t have anything to do with some billboard on I-880.
RICHOCHET: Ohhhhh….riiiiiiiiight….just “conveniently” believe that NOW Al will get a GM? Now? I mean, he’s only been GM since Allen left..but just coincidentially you think he’ll NOW get a GM? And..has nothing to do with the whole world laughing?
You’re a flea..nothing more.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
According to Nnamdi there doesn’t appear to be a lot of football knowledge At Raiders HQ.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Maybe a Season Ticker holder group will get together and put up a billboard on Hegenberger, so you can see it going in/out of the Airport.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
KK,
You should sell your land in Switzerland and your Corvette and put up a billboard expressing your concerns about Al Davis.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Dakota, quit fking around, ok?
Serious question: Is a situation where the Raiders are blacked out constantly in the 5th largest Media Market in the US, tenable?
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
So, our defensive scheme dates back to the 70’s. What else is new?…Re. the billboard: Old Al just pushed those heels deeper into the sand, no way he is changing anything now…Re the worst offense in Raiders history: Thank you Al…The most hated person in this blog: Al. Numero 2: MR…keep up the good work you two.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
KoolKell Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Dakota, quit fking around, ok?
Serious question: Is a situation where the Raiders are blacked out constantly in the 5th largest Media Market in the US, tenable?
_________________________
Lol…fine…sheesh!
To answer your question, yes it is tenable when Al receives $125 million per year from the TV contract alone. But a couple more offseasons like the 2008 offseason and Al might have to sell a few tickets to keep his majority interest in the team.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Sounds like Nnamdi signed that “message to Al” petition.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I’ll admit my book wasn’t exactly Pulitzer Prize material but it is interesting how exlaraiderseasonticketholder uses one review on Amazon to trash me.
That review mentions Glenn Dickey’s book which not surprisingly was basically “bash Al all the time.” Both MaddenRaider and exlaraiderseasonticketholder would love it!
Funny, but for the most part I agree with all of the criticism here about the current team and this lost decade. At the end of my book I questioned whether Al’s time as a productive leader had passed. Now 20 years later we know the answer.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
New post!
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
It might have been put into a cover and pressed but we have cut and pastes here all day and no one plays it off as a book.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Thanks I needed that Dakota. lol. I’m out of here.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Stop going to the games until Al gives up control.
Let the seagulls fly.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
topthecharts Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I’ll admit my book wasn’t exactly Pulitzer Prize material but it is interesting how exlaraiderseasonticketholder uses one review on Amazon to trash me.
That review mentions Glenn Dickey’s book which not surprisingly was basically “bash Al all the time.” Both MaddenRaider and exlaraiderseasonticketholder would love it!
————————————————
For your f’in onfo, I am not an Al basher. I respect what he has done in the past, but I am now of the opinion shared by many that AD needs help. He can not do it by himself anymore. I don’t think he has to sell the team and he should give his input. But he needs some help to make HIS team succeed.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Dakota says:
To answer your question, yes it is tenable when Al receives $125 million per year from the TV contract alone. But a couple more offseasons like the 2008 offseason and Al might have to sell a few tickets to keep his majority interest in the team.
—————————-
Then why is he pawning off part of the team every other year? Seriously.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Good night Raider Nation.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock
The days of Al Davis are numbered…
In the meantime, just sit back and enjoy the debacle! Hell, do you think Browns and Lions fans are this entertained on a weekly basis? Heck no, they just lose with no pizzazz, no intrigue, no flavor!
At least old Al dragging his team to hell with him sure does make for an interesting trip!
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Dakota
Have you heard the Tiger Woods tapes.
. Too funny.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Raiders Defense can’t communicate when they run the same basic set, game in game out. But Nnamdi wants the defense to run multiple sets? How about we get one set right first and then build on that.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:51 pm
DT42 Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Raiders Defense can’t communicate when they run the same basic set, game in game out. But Nnamdi wants the defense to run multiple sets? How about we get one set right first and then build on that.
—————————
The Oakland Retards are just too easy for opposing coaches to pick apart.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
KK,
Al has been in panic mode the last few years…he sold part of the team back in 2008 or 2007 in order to raise capital to sign all those great players to huge money deals…he thought throwing money at the problem would fix it…nope, it just got him Wilson, Walker, Hall and Kelly and a payroll exceeding $152 million for a handful of wins.
The real question is what will he use the money for this time if he sells 10% of the team? More crap free agents?
Or maybe…he is finally setting aside some money to hire a GM and a prominent head coach?
LMFAO, okay, even I can’t say that with a straight face!
If Al can keep his spending ways under control another year or two he will be right back to making money in the NFL.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/12/02/sports/s152854S96.DTL
This has already been mentioned by some but…does this put Asomugha in the doghouse?
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I have not KK, can you hook me up with a link?
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/raiders/detail?&entry_id=52750
Better Nnamdi Article.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Plunketthead Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
You proved in one hour that you are a bigot, a racist and a Raider hating fool.
Truth is many, many, many posters over the years have exposed you over the past 4 years that I know of, so its nothing.
Exposing you for the fool you are has become old and boring.
—————————
Isn’t it funny how whenever someone shows MR for what he really is, he goes away?
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Breaking News:
The Oakland Raiders have announced that Justin Fargas will now start at CB over Nnamdi Asomugha.
More on this story at 10.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Texguy,
MR just went away to rustle up a sleeping bag so he can live atop his beloved billboard. Putting his azz where his mouth is so to speak.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Nnamdi Asomugha Said:
Maybe you go back and you think about what we’re doing and think about ways to fix it. Sean Payton said, I was telling my coach earlier, Sean Payton said before the game against the Patriots. He was asked ‘Why is your defense so great?’ ‘What we did during the offseason is we studied the top defenses and we pulled from each of those defenses and it allows us to be multiple and it allows us to do the things that are working in the league today, the things that have been working the past few years.’ The game changes, the game is never going to be the same as it was 10 years ago or five years ago with the rule changes and things like that. You have to be able to adapt. But it is what it is.”
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
New Post!
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:23 am
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