DHB might be too rusty for finale
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, January 1st, 2010 at 12:56 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Sounds as if we might have seen the last of wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey for the season.
Raiders coach Tom Cable said Friday a tape of Heyward-Bey’s practice performance would be evaluated to see if he is ready to play in the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Heyward-Bey has been out the last four games with a foot strain.
“We’re not sure he’s ready, so we’ll evaluate it, look at it on tape, the little bit he did today,” Cable said. “If he was ready to go and all that I think it would be valuable, but if he’s not, it wouldn’t be right to do it.”
If Heyward-Bey does not play, he’ll finish the season with nine receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown as the No. 7 overall pick in the draft. Not exactly what the Raiders had in mind when Heyward-Bey arrived in training camp, with Cable saying his speed was already making a difference in terms of clearing out areas for other receivers.
It’s probably just as well that Heyward-Bey not play. He was struggling when starting every week. After four weeks off, the last thing he needs is the sound of thunderous boos chasing him into the offseason after a dropped pass. Better to work at his game in the offseason and come back a better player in Year 2.
Heyward-Bey’s first season has only been slightly more depressing than that of Darren McFadden, who will get ample time Sunday against one of the NFL’s toughest run defenses to live up to his status as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 draft.
You want to see what the Raiders had hoped for McFadden, look on the opposite sideline at Ray Rice, taken 52 selections after McFadden by the Ravens in the second round. The former Rutgers star, downgraded slightly because he’s 5-foot-8, has the sort of stats which had been forecast for McFadden as a runner-receiver _ 1,269 yards rushing, a 5.3 yards per carry average and a team-leading 74 receptions for 683 yards.
“He’s complete, runs it tough, great, great vision, good acceleration, catches it extremely well,” Cable said. “The thing that jumps out at you that kind of shocks you a little bit is how good a blocker he is. A very complete back.”
Asked if Rice’s production and use is a best-case model for McFadden, Cable said, “You hope so, absolutely. I think that because they do so much with him, that really fits the mold of what we’d like to get to with Darren.”
In other injury-related matters, strong safety Tyvon Branch (hip flexor) was limited in practice and listed as questionable, although Cable’s gut feeling is that he will start. Cornerback Chris Johnson (hamstring) missed practice again, was listed as questionable, and Cable said he was getting better.
Running back Justin Fargas (knee) and left guard Langston Walker did not practice and were doubtful. Defensive end Greg Ellis (knee) didn’t practice and is questionable but will probably start. Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski (knees) is out. Defensive tackle Gerard Warren (shoulders) practiced in full and will start.
More to come . . .
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January 1st, 2010 at 1:15 pm
HAPPY NEW YEAR RAIDER NATION!
January 1st, 2010 at 1:16 pm
uh, one…
January 1st, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Sit him. He needs to get go work this offseason and hopefully come back ready in year two to catch 40-50 balls with 5 or six td’s…
January 1st, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I don’t think we will see any dramatic changes this off season. We ended the year the same way we did 7 years in a row, and most likely will pick it up where we left off next season…
January 1st, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Ducks 37
Acorns 17
January 1st, 2010 at 1:50 pm
That’s why QB, RB, and WR should never be taken in the top 10.
Raiders had the chance to upgrade the o-line, d-line, and LBs, but chose to WASTE picks instead.
January 1st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
January 1st, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Happy New Year Nation! May this be our year.
January 1st, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Asked if Rice’s production and use is a best-case model for McFadden, Cable said, “You hope so, absolutely. I think that because they do so much with him, that really fits the mold of what we’d like to get to with Darren.”
————————————————————————————————————–
This quote should be highlighted on Al’s overhead projector at Cable’s termination presser. Al Davis is gonna question Cable for saying this and wonder how in the hell he expects DMac to do this with around 5 touches a game.
January 1st, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Saw Wisniewski play today and he was handling LSU DT Drake Nevis pretty easily. Looks like a good center.
January 1st, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Happy New Year Jerry,
Maybe you’ll grow a pair this year.
January 1st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
why do our beloved raiders come up so short every year? havent we all suffered enough? this is 1 of the greatest franchises in all of sports & we’ve become the laughing stock of the league! this blows! ‘10 has got 2 be better than the last 7 dreadful seasons…here’s 2 a fresh start in the new year, salud!
January 1st, 2010 at 2:34 pm
you know, it wasn’t that long ago that the norm for a rookie wide out was to struggle. we’ve been spoiled with guys like jackson from philli, wallace from the steelers, colston from the saints and so on. i guess we can just hope that dhb bounces back and ends up developing on a more historical track. false hope perhaps, but what other option is there? i’m not exactly holding my breath for him to pan out.
January 1st, 2010 at 2:40 pm
DHB might be too rusty for finale
!
bahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha…
bahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahah…
oh, you’re killing us jerry… shoulda been a comedian…
January 1st, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Im optimistic about dhb. He is very fast and his attitude seems to be good – ready & willing to work at his craft & strive to be great. Not just having great talent and assuming that’s all you need to be succesful. This league is filled with exceptional talents, its the best of the best; for guys like Russell to seemingly feel like his God given talent will be enough to make him a great player is sooo frustrating! Peyton Manning coming out of college was a super talented prospect and he got paid a huge contract (comparable to JR’s @ the time), and when asked what he was going to do with all the money he just got, his answer was “I’m going to earn it.” That mindstate is the difference between a successful qb and JR. He doesn’t at all seem obligated to the fans or the organization that has made him filthy rich, to work tirelessly to become the best. Gradkowski doesn’t have 1/2 the talent JR has but his drive and his determination is what makes him a Much better NFL qb. Wake up and get it together JR, you owe it to all of us, especially Mr. Davis who has repeatedly put his neck out ther for you! Get it together young man!
January 1st, 2010 at 3:00 pm
# Florida Pete Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 4:48 am
you left one part out of your assessment of the Tuck rule game…
Gruden quit… he gave up…
and the team followed him…
==============================
And we have a winner for FIRST DUMB POST OF THE DECADE.
And to think you can’t lose it..EVER.
Are you honestly this freaking stupid?
Gruden quit? HOW THE HELL DOES A HEAD COACH QUIT, ALL OF A SUDDEN, AT THE END OF A GAME?
You dumbass.
Gruden wasn’t on the field when the offense failed to convert.
Gruden wasn’t on the field as the Pats offense marched down the field to kick the FG.
And to state the team quit?
You suck as a fan. No..I take that back..you have your head up your ass as a fan.
Stick to the only thing you live for..which is posting yet another idiot list of ‘OH GOODY..THIS IS WHO I THINK WE SHOULD DRAFT”..oh…”no..I CHANGED MY MIND..THIS GUY IS BETTER”..”oh, it’s Friday..I HAVE A NEW LIST FOR WHO WE SHOULD DRAFT’
Now is when you beg off, knowing damn well you should NEVER attempt to challenge my comments.
Takes balls. You have none.
Takes some knowledge of the game. You were dead in the water on that alone.
Now..go mow your lawn, fool..and cry, yet again, how “I’M DONE WITH THE RAIDERS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR’..only to show up 3 days later, tail between legs, jumping back on after a Raider win…
You’re a lemming..nothing more.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Happy New Year, Krappy! Looking for our friendship to blossom even further in 2010.
Things I’m excited for:
- less crapping in your old man drawers
- keeping you head OUT of your microwave, while putting your hot pockets IN the microwave
- cutting down significantly on lame cut and pasting
- stop harping all day on jerry like a broken record
Let’s ring in the new year right, Krap Krap!
January 1st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
# Raider O Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 9:15 am
I think McClain can be as good as P Willis if not better.
=============================
Willis?
Patrick Willis?
Better?
LOL..sure..Willis only led the NFL in tackles his rookie year. Got to the Pro Bowl both years.
No pressure.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:11 pm
# gaccamac Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Happy New Year RAIDERS NATION.
I am a Baltimore Ravens fan, but I am old enough to have been a BALTIMORE Colts fan and remember the great Raiders teams with the “Snake” Stabler, Biletnikoff, Chester, Casper, etc.
The “Ghost to the Post” broke our hearts in Baltimore in a great playoff game back at old Memorial Stadium.
When Baltimore did not have a team for 12 years I was a devout Raiders’ fan. There are still many Raiders’ fans in the Baltimore area.
I can only tell you it will get better. You are great fans and after 7 consecutive non-sellouts, I am hopeful that Mr. Davis will take the correct route and hire someone like Ozzie Newsome (but not Ozzie) of the Ravens. He gives the Ravens stability and an amazing ability to evaluate talent in all aspects of team operations. Just look around the NFL and see how many coaches and executives were hired from the Baltimore Ravens’ staff.
My best to you, but not this Sunday.
……………………………………………
WOW. Happy new year to you too.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Wow, that little silly pants ricochet must’ve really pigged out on new years goodies because he’s wired like a pimply 13 year old in line for Avatar!
Hey where’s my pal Charged Down? That goofball should be paying up a visit any day soon – with the Chargers set for their yearly playoff disintegration.
Speaking of missing weirdos, Krappy – where’s your grandson Brian?
January 1st, 2010 at 3:17 pm
# KoolKell Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Happy New Year Jerry,
Maybe you’ll grow a pair this year.
==============================
Then you can borrow them.
Then you can post the same silly drivel, over and over again, obviously entertained on the same vein 8 year olds are by pulling Susie’s hair, over and over, hoping for attention.
Oh wait.
You already do that.
Damn..
I recall someone stating “Definition of insanity is someone doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result”..which is exactly what you do with your incessant whining to Jerry.
Oh wait.
that was YOU who make the “insanity” take.
LOL..great self diagnosis.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:32 pm
YES, A NEW DECADE.
Good news?
It just can’t get any worse this year..can it?
Drafting a qb at #1 who actually has Ryan Leaf sighing in relief that he’s no longer the punchline for bad picks?
Drafting a RB, when you didn’t need a RB, who’s basically 3rd on the ever revolving “who’s on first” depth chart..I.E. BUST.
By passing the generally accepted best WR in the draft, who held pretty much every single receiver record in college, for a guy who can’t catch a cold, much less a football?
7 straight blackouts in a row to end the final season of the decade? Starting out the new decade with a blackout? Basically ensuring that the amount of posts by “challenged” Raider fans that state “We’re the best fans in the world. We always support out team” would be reduced from 80,000 to 79, 950.
Another year of another fired head coach..which will be followed by that Old Fart deciding, yet again, to wait until AFTER the SB to announce his choice, actually believing he’s still viewed as eccentric instead of just being viewed as pathetic, all the while hoping someone who’s not a total flake will take the job.
Another year of NO GM in Oakland.
Another year of “soon to be former players” ripping the Raiders organization, saying “OMG..I am so thankful to be out of there”..where there will be no shortage of some of you fools saying “We didn’t like you anyway”..even though you did.
Another year of your friends laughing at you for stupidly buying Russel’s jersey, and you stating ‘oh, I still have it..it’s in the wash” when they question why you don’t wear it.
A year of you doing the exact same with your Bey jersey, as you did with your Russell jersey..vowing you’ll never buy another jersey..well, at least not until Al drafts the next “reach” this coming April.
Another year of disgruntled fans actually paying for more billboards on 880 than THE TEAM PAYS FOR..
And another year of fans whining about how ‘We got screwed on the tuck rule” as if that would erase the worst seven year stretch in team history.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Is this fun…or what??
January 1st, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Jerry New Year! Hope this next one is the same as, better than or NOTHING LIKE last year!
Appreciate you keepin’ it re-AL. can’t be easy with some of us fans and a team that continues to embarass and struggle.
Lets hope they bash the Ravens out of the play offs and finish with a sense of pride.
C’mon Raiders!
Davis drafts athletes and Bey is an athlete. Not sure Javon Walker, SanJay Lal and a host of newbies was the best learning enviroment but man, I’ve seen tackles and linebackers who have better technique when catching the ball.
Is it Davis or the system or both that is RUINING smoe very promising football careers.
People seem to think its the draft Al’s messing up.
Seems like a combo sometimes.
Like Jerry aludes, the common denominator is Al…
January 1st, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Ricochet my dear.
Being miserable is a choice. You think it protects you, makes you smarter to KNOW how crap everything is and how STUPID everyone is for not seeing things as plainly and bleakly as you.
You ARE right about many things, but relentless negativity is its own punishment.
Choose to see the positive. Its a choice.
Peace and happiness in the New Year. after all, its only a game…one that Al’s is helping to ruin for me…
C’mon Raiders!
January 1st, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Go Buckeyes!!!
January 1st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Nnamdi21 Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Jerry New Year! Hope this next one is the same as, better than or NOTHING LIKE last year!
Appreciate you keepin’ it re-AL. can’t be easy with some of us fans and a team that continues to embarass and struggle.
Lets hope they bash the Ravens out of the play offs and finish with a sense of pride.
C’mon Raiders!
Davis drafts athletes and Bey is an athlete. Not sure Javon Walker, SanJay Lal and a host of newbies was the best learning enviroment but man, I’ve seen tackles and linebackers who have better technique when catching the ball.
Is it Davis or the system or both that is RUINING smoe very promising football careers.
People seem to think its the draft Al’s messing up.
Seems like a combo sometimes.
Like Jerry aludes, the common denominator is Al…
———————————–
Don’t say anything like that about MR. DAVIS, some people on here are still praying for the day he can make them happy again.
January 1st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Rich,
I think Willis is the best MLB in the NFL, and McClain has the size and speed to be even better, but he will need a lot more than that. I think he is a special player like Willis, Ray, and Brian U.
January 1st, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Let’s to Defense!!!
Go Buckeyes!!
January 1st, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Cmon Man!!!’
January 1st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Has anyone started a Cable firing poll?
Put me down for the Tuesday before the stuporbowl at 2 PM eastern time
January 1st, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Pete’s Draft – 1st Edition
1st Round – Center
Stefen Wisniewski*, Penn State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 298.
Projected 40 Time: 5.13.
We should trade down to pick up an extra pick in the 2nd or 3rd and then take this kid. A real live, smart center with a little bit of a pedigree…
2nd Round – Defensive Tackle
Dan Williams, Tennessee
Height: 6-3. Weight: 327.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
2nd Team All SEC – I like big, mean, heavy loads in the middle…
3rd Round (1st pick) – Middle Linebacker
Micah Johnson, Kentucky
Height: 6-2. Weight: 254.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
2nd Team All SEC – I like big mean heavy loads in the middle…
3rd Round (2nd Pick) – Right Tackle
Anthony Davis*, Rutgers
Height: 6-6. Weight: 330.
Projected 40 Time: 5.24.
Big, strong guy… may not be there when we pick…
4th Round – Right Tackle
Chris Scott, Tennessee
Height: 6-5. Weight: 341.
Projected 40 Time: 5.43.
Big, strong guy… should be there when we pick…
7th Round – Defensive Tackle
DeMarcus Granger, Oklahoma
Height: 6-3. Weight: 330.
Projected 40 Time: 5.40.
He’s a medical basket case… but if he’s there… and he might be… we should take him…
January 1st, 2010 at 4:16 pm
The Ravens’ have Rice and Ray, but we’ll see if Oakland can dent their play off hopes.
The Jets don’t belong in the post an probably won’t make it.
Lets hope the Broncos MISS the playoffs.
Not looking forward to Cincy’s loving tribute to dirt bag Chris Henry.
The world is better off without the 5 times menace to society who perished while assaulting his fleeing girl friend.
What an A h-ole.
Hoping to see the Chargers bounced from the playoff ala the curse of Norvelle.
Colts are quietly looking like the best.
Patriots are always a threat because, well, they cheat.
Wheels are falling off the Saints machine at just the wrong time.
Eagles O line woes could haunt them and McNabb has the the knack for making at least one crucial mistake in every big game.
Vikings could go to the big dance. If you believe in fixes like the Tuck game or the Seahawks Super Bowl, Favre has the kind of global recognition and “retirement” potential to make this a sickeningly logical choice for them to do so. Great D and O lines and of course…”The Grown Man” at RB.
The Cards may have one left up their sleeve. Larry’s the best Wr playing right now. Period.
Green bay may be next years contender and Dallas can create, but you live by the sword…
Its been said the League is better when the Raiders are in the post and as a fan I whole heartedly agree. Lets hope this year we defy the trend and win again.
January 1st, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Plunketthead Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Has anyone started a Cable firing poll?
Put me down for the Tuesday before the stuporbowl at 2 PM eastern time
=========================
Cable = continuity. Can’t change out the line to a straightline over night, so he stays.
Hopefully we get a play caller and people to help so he doesn’t have so many hats.
Hopefully, Cable has NOTHING to do with drafting if we do select linemen.
Kwame and Khalil should be reason enough.
January 1st, 2010 at 4:56 pm
# Nnamdi21 Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Ricochet my dear.
Being miserable is a choice.
RICHOCHET: So is being happy, and smiling. I’m smiling. So far so good.
###############3
You think it protects you, makes you smarter to KNOW how crap everything is and how STUPID everyone is for not seeing things as plainly and bleakly as you.
RICHOCHET: I’m simply the voice of reason…stark reality…the guiding light to the blind masses. Someone has to do it, right?
#################################
You ARE right about many things, but relentless negativity is its own punishment.
Choose to see the positive. Its a choice.
RICHOCHET: Ok..sure..why not?
How’s this?
“Even though JR came into camp out of shape, I’m glad he didn’t come in with athlete’s foot.”?
“Bey dropped a lot of balls, but boy, he sure looked fast when he did that”??
“McFadden might fall down on a stiff breeze, but he didn’t break a single leg..what a stud”???
that better?
January 1st, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Florida Pete LOVES “big, mean, heavy loads in the middle….” in the middle of your face?!?! hahaha
January 1st, 2010 at 5:14 pm
“Hey Mike Leach, what did the five fingers say to the face? Slap! LOL! You can’t f’k with me, I’m Craig James B’tch!”
January 1st, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Buckeyes!!!!
January 1st, 2010 at 5:35 pm
# Plunketthead Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Has anyone started a Cable firing poll?
Put me down for the Tuesday before the stuporbowl at 2 PM eastern time
=============================
Wow.
Giving Al a month after the season ends?
I think Al likes the drama. IF he was to can the Puppet, I would imagine he would do it Tuesday, 11:23 AM..followed by a break, where cookies will be available.
Then there will be 4 weeks of “so and so would be great” followed by laughter from so and so’s camp, followed by “maybe so and so from wherever would do great IF Al just let him coach”..where, after much ballyhoo (never knew what a ballyhoo was, but I imagine it’s a hoot) Al picks yet another washed up never was previously fired HC, or a “promising” asst.
The bigger question is when will the assts be hired, and how Al will let us know that the new, as of yet unhired HC, is the one who actually hired them.
January 1st, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Cable must stay as HC….
January 1st, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Cable is a Fat Talking Monkey who can’t coach or call plays.
January 1st, 2010 at 5:43 pm
The last stud we got in the draft was Charles Woodson…that was how long ago? Late round pick have been pretty good but please, don’t reach on another diamond in the rough, or an “I’m smarter than everybody else by picking him here” pick, or a “best guy on the board”, somebody any other team would pick that turns out to be a bum. Can we shake this 7 year dark cloud that’s hangin over our beloved team and return to respectability at least?
January 1st, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Cmon Man!!! I don’t even want this fat Monkey coaching my OL.
Let’s go back to power blocking! I don’t like this ZBS.
January 1st, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Hell, let DHB start! He’s never played a game with a real NFL quarterback at the helm.
Oh. That’s right. It’s Charles Lester Frye. Never mind.
January 1st, 2010 at 6:02 pm
DHB was too rusty for the opener. I would like one of the following free agents:
Aubrayo Franklin
Dre Bly
Adewale Ogunleye
Brandon Marshall
Karlos Dansby
Marcus McNeil
Marlin Jackson
Kellen Clemens
Logan Mankins
Casey Hampton
DeMeco Ryans
Kyle Vanden Bosch
January 1st, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Jim Fassell = 5-11 guaranteed
January 1st, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Raiders need Consistency…Keep Cable the wife beater
January 1st, 2010 at 6:17 pm
The KC Chiefs running scheme and o-line when priest holmes was the king should be what the Raidas due next year
January 1st, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Dark Forces,
why’n'da’hell would ya want a woman-beating self-serving a$$hole like Marshall. Dude is trying to cost his team a playoff berth as we sit. Don’t mind him Fu#^ing up the Donks but that creature sure ain’t gonna change his stripes anywhere he goes.
January 1st, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Happy New Year Raider Nation!!!
January 1st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Patriots are always a threat because, well, they cheat.
*****************************************************
Yep
January 1st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
# miketyson Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Raiders need Consistency…Keep Cable the wife beater
====================
???
Cable consistently SUCKED.
Why would you want to continue on with a failing program?
January 1st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
richochet, i have decided i don’t like you
January 1st, 2010 at 6:56 pm
You must be dreaming to get any of these, they will either be signed or franchised or restricted with a first and third rounder.
—————————————-
# Dark Forces Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 6:02 pm
DHB was too rusty for the opener. I would like one of the following free agents:
Aubrayo Franklin
Dre Bly
Adewale Ogunleye
Brandon Marshall
Karlos Dansby
Marcus McNeil
Marlin Jackson
Kellen Clemens
Logan Mankins
Casey Hampton
DeMeco Ryans
Kyle Vanden Bosch
January 1st, 2010 at 6:57 pm
# raiderdavenv Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
richochet, i have decided i don’t like you
============
Davey?
I have decided that anyone who can’t master the fine art of using simple grammar is either a full blown idiot, or a dumb kid.
I suspect the latter of the two to be the case.
I in other words, I don’t give a flying rats ass.
But thanks for sharing your inner feelings, kid..now get back to your new Xbox.
January 1st, 2010 at 6:59 pm
You guys watching Tim Tebow??
January 1st, 2010 at 7:01 pm
hey dumsht, rats ass is possessive, i.e., rat’s ass, get yourself ejukated
January 1st, 2010 at 7:04 pm
richochet, if it’s more than one rat, it’s rats’
January 1st, 2010 at 7:05 pm
FloridaPete
We never trade down, AL will take who he wants but will never trade down for more picks thats not his formula. Therefore, be more realistic with your mock draft. Your number 1, 2 and 3 picks are way off. Dan Williams and Micah Johnson are both outside our ranch unless they mess up in the combine. You going with the top names which is good but most teams also want them. Lions and Rams would snatch them up b4 us. To be honest with you, I would rather trade our picks for proven veterans rather then dealing with rookies. Trade a third rounder for Casey the NT for the Steelers or Shaun Rogers from the Browns. Trade a second for DT Docket from Arizona something like that is much better then rookies, proven veterans better then rookies who might not excel.
January 1st, 2010 at 7:06 pm
non-noun knowing mofo
January 1st, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Tim Tebow, Brandon Spikes, or Carlos Dunlap??
January 1st, 2010 at 7:16 pm
what’s wrong richochet, not the grammer queen you thought you were? kitty got you’re tounge. are you a girl?
January 1st, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Where you at Vegas??
January 1st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
[...] The Oakland Tribune is reporting that Oakland rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey’s season may be over. [...]
January 1st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
sitting in the galley of my boat watching florida/cin on my sat, so cal, but live in vegas
January 1st, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Where in Vegas?
January 1st, 2010 at 7:31 pm
r8eray, guess you were asking about “vegas raider”, my bad
January 1st, 2010 at 7:32 pm
r8eray, green valley
January 1st, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Aliante! Good to know there is more then one here!!
January 1st, 2010 at 7:40 pm
We’re deep!!lol
Hey.. they are showing the game on TV this weekend!
January 1st, 2010 at 7:42 pm
r8eray, we are everywhere, hear that richochet?
January 1st, 2010 at 7:46 pm
From L.A. to the Bay and Las Vegas!!
January 1st, 2010 at 7:48 pm
r8eray, i have had heated words with the channel 8 program director on why last year they started showing anyrthing but raiders, got a bunch of crap about great match ups, etc. vegas used to show every raider game, even had the local raider shows on channel 12. finally beat into submission, got the direct tv internet option for another hundred bucks.
January 1st, 2010 at 7:55 pm
richochet, done doing your makeup, big friday night plans?
January 1st, 2010 at 7:55 pm
RaiderDave..they still show the Silver&Black show every Saturday!!
I know what you mean.. They would show every game till they decided they were getting no feedback from the team.
I uasaully watch it on-line, tough times can’t afford to go to the casino or Buffalo Wild Wings every Sunday!!
January 1st, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Save yourself a hundred bucks next season.
Check out Justintv.com, zomse.com, p2p4u.net, ilemi.com!! It’s freeeeee!!!!
You’ll thank me later!
January 1st, 2010 at 8:04 pm
rberay, doesn’t matter how you watch, just that you watch, no matter what, it’s being part of the nation, very unique, very unusual, but it is what it is, for the most part i consider being a raider fan a wonderful curse, by the way, log on to k whatever in sf and pick up the radio broadcast, not bill king, but still good and free
January 1st, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Here you go!
Check this out!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/244543-college-footballs-40-hottest-fanbases#page/18
January 1st, 2010 at 8:12 pm
think maybe those “students” might be supplementing their income
January 1st, 2010 at 8:18 pm
I’ve been living out here for about 8 years now.
From L.A. so im a big USC fan, but UNLV has grown on me!
You know what I mean?
January 1st, 2010 at 8:26 pm
# raiderdavenv Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:01 pm
hey dumsht, rats ass is possessive, i.e., rat’s ass, get yourself ejukated
=======================
# raiderdavenv Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:04 pm
richochet, if it’s more than one rat, it’s rats’
============================
# raiderdavenv Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:16 pm
what’s wrong richochet, not the grammer queen you thought you were? kitty got you’re tounge. are you a girl?
========================================
LMFAO..something tells me I’m going to have fun with your dumbass.
First off, moron, what’s a tounge? What’s grammer?
Oh..right..idiot kid. While you were looking up “rats” you should have looked up DUMBASS to see if you agree with your current picture on file.
Second, look at the above times where you post, lol.
Back to back messages, minutes apart, means you read and comprehend slowly, or it means your all but burned up little 15w bulb that goes off when you try and think is, in fact, down to 8w.
“rats ass” is SLANG.. an interjection, an exclamation of disbelief or dis-interest YOU FREAKING MORON…where it’s spelled RATS, not rat’s..dumbass.
January 1st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
# raiderdavenv Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:42 pm
r8eray, we are everywhere, hear that richochet?
================================
First off, moron, it’s “we’re” as in WE ARE..and don’t even set your dumbass up with the “we’re everywhere”.
NO TEAM has sorrier, weaker, bandwagon, fair weather fans than the Raiders.
NO TEAM HAS MORE BLACKOUTS IN THE LAST 15 YEARS THAN THE RAIDERS.
Hell..look across the bay. Niners have sold out every game since 1981..that’s 28 years of sellouts. Niners haven’t been to the SB in over a decade, yet they still sell out.
Raiders couldn’t even sell out every game in THE YEAR THEY WENT TO THE SUPER BOWL.
Dude..you’re not even in the same league..so stick to one sentence “I is dumber than cotton” comments with some of the other slow hicks on this board.
Save you a lot of embarrassment.
January 1st, 2010 at 8:35 pm
dichochet, i have longed for the day when i could engage you in a consversation, evidently i have my wish, you quite spectacular in you’re stupidity, and evidently have issues with you sexuality, oh by the way, it’s 830, no date?
January 1st, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Ricochet my dear.
Being miserable is a choice.
RICHOCHET: So is being happy, and smiling. I’m smiling. So far so good
========================
Your smiling because you’re spreading your misery and ugliness. Thats your joy.
====================
You think it protects you, makes you smarter to KNOW how crap everything is and how STUPID everyone is for not seeing things as plainly and bleakly as you.
RICHOCHET: I’m simply the voice of reason…stark reality…the guiding light to the blind masses. Someone has to do it, right?
===============================
Delusions of granduer.
===============
Aaaaaaand I’m bored.
January 1st, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Richochet Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
# raiderdavenv Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:42 pm
r8eray, we are everywhere, hear that richochet?
================================
First off, moron, it’s “we’re” as in WE ARE..and don’t even set your dumbass up with the “we’re everywhere”.
NO TEAM has sorrier, weaker, bandwagon, fair weather fans than the Raiders.
NO TEAM HAS MORE BLACKOUTS IN THE LAST 15 YEARS THAN THE RAIDERS.
Hell..look across the bay. Niners have sold out every game since 1981..that’s 28 years of sellouts. Niners haven’t been to the SB in over a decade, yet they still sell out.
Raiders couldn’t even sell out every game in THE YEAR THEY WENT TO THE SUPER BOWL.
_______________________________________________________
Move them out here to Vegas!!
They’ll sell out every game!!!
January 1st, 2010 at 8:46 pm
richochet, do you have gender issues?
January 1st, 2010 at 8:53 pm
r8eray Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:40 pm
We’re deep!!lol
Hey.. they are showing the game on TV this weekend!
*********************
Hey better late than never, lol. Other than opening night this is the only game on regular TV right?
Florida is winning me some good dough right now. I knew they would smash them, but even I didn’t think it would be this bad.
Mountain West got screwed. TCU should have gotten Florida.
January 1st, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Richard Seymours a positive. Pulling Russell showed that even with a mid level 2nd string game manager, Oaklands O could move the ball.
Kirk Morrison’s contract is up and hopefully he’s out, or moves to SAM.
Scott looks promising as a monster.
Murphy may make a solid wide and motivator.
Lechler and Seabass are the best.
We have O weapons, now we need Oline.
If Russell’s done as a Raider, Troy Smith’s a RFA.
Schilens could be good if he can stay healthy.
If Cable stays he may get help and not wear so many hats.
Nnamdi’s solid and we’ll likely add some depth in the off.
Shaunessy is making some good noise at DE.
Routt may be gone finally.
Higgins may go the way of Curry.
Michael Bush could be good.
Just some positives.
January 1st, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Hey Vegas….did you you check out the UNLV fans?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/244543-college-footballs-40-hottest-fanbases#page/18
Wait a few seconds!
January 1st, 2010 at 8:58 pm
richoiossue, did i hit a nerve
January 1st, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Good to see they mad the list, tough list to crack.
My vote is for the Kentucky girl, followed by the UCLA chick.
January 1st, 2010 at 9:06 pm
So we got one guy from Aliante, one in Green Valley, and I live in Summerlin.
Just need someone from the East Side and we got the town covered, lol.
January 1st, 2010 at 9:13 pm
problem is nobody we would like lives on the east side
January 1st, 2010 at 9:14 pm
maybe if rickochet would relocate
January 1st, 2010 at 9:17 pm
oak drafts teebow in first round, and it turns out to be the greatest draft pick of all time
January 1st, 2010 at 9:20 pm
I think he’ll be there in the 2nd RD!
January 1st, 2010 at 9:29 pm
You have to like Tebow’s attitude about playing QB in the NFL.
He said he wants to be proven he can’t play QB, basically give me a chance, and if he fails he will gladly go to another position.
January 1st, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I think Jax will draft him in the 1st. I don’t think he will last to the 2nd after the Sugar Ball!
January 1st, 2010 at 9:35 pm
good night nation, good night Richochet, we are the most accepting, the most gernerous and the most inclusive fans on earth. my wife was watching a game six or seven years ago at the sports bar at sunset station. she was being bothered by some drunks, i always said, if you are in trouble, just yell out “raider nation” she did, they came to her side, did ask her a few questions, one about seabass, needless to say all ended well. f all the haters, go raiders, it’s a curse, i hope for more curses
January 1st, 2010 at 9:38 pm
I don’t know…I think he’ll be there in the 2nd!
Imagine Tebow, Bruce, and Troy Smith competing for starting QB in Oakland!!
January 1st, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Have a good one RaiderDave!
January 1st, 2010 at 9:42 pm
what, not gonna give jafatass another chance?
January 1st, 2010 at 9:43 pm
r8era, u 2
January 1st, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Speaking of hottest fan bases…
I was walking down the hall before a basketball game one time and walking toward me came the USC cheerleading team. I walked right through them.
Ay Caramba!
January 1st, 2010 at 9:58 pm
# Raider O Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Cable is a Fat Talking Monkey who can’t coach or call plays.
=========================================
That comment is insulting to monkeys.
January 1st, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Let start the Troy Smith movement now. He is the RFA that could bring the Raiders back to greatness. Forget JsBustus! Kick his sorry large ass to the curb. He’s a bad dream that got worse. And, he doesn;t have the skils, intelligence, desire & ability to turn it around to become a NFL caliber QB.On the other hand, Troy Smith does have the tools, skills, desire and ability to become our next Rich Gannon. Hopefully the old man will know this and go get him while he’s available. He wants to start and we need a starter. A match made in heaven. Nothing against Gradkowski but bruce will make a great teammate and solid back-up QB. That was his destiny all along.
The missing piece of the puzzle is Troy Smith, RFA Ravens. He’s available and wans a trade to a place where he can start and make a difference. That’s us and he won’t cost an outrageous amount to sign.
Get 3 new starters for the O-line, a run-stuffing MLB, a back-up CB more d-line help and we’re good to go.
Start the chant now! TROY SMITH – TROY SMITH – TROY SMITH – TROY SMITH!
January 1st, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Please guys
Can we stop coming with dumb ideas?
Troy Smith wont come to Oakland as long as JR is here. First of all, I doubt Ravens will let him leave without at least a second round pick plus if a team would pick him up, then it might be a team like the Jaqs,Bills, Seattle maybe even Browns under Holmgren before us. Lets be honest, Raiders have bad rap and players who leave the Raiders always say that they are happy they left this team aka Randy Moss. Troy is high commodity and only way he comes if AL releases JR. Until then lets talk about somethings along with the owner we got.
January 1st, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Raiders4eve
Troy Smith is a RFA. He doesn’t need the Ravens blessing. He can sign with whomever he wants. The Ravens are given a compensating draft pick not to exceed what the original draft pick was – in this case the fifth round.
As far as JaBustus being in the equation, I don’t believe he’s going to be here but even if he is, he is no competition for anybody other than perhaps the equipment manager.
Oaklnand may not be the best place to play right now but it does have two things that would interest Smith. An immediate need for a starting QB & AD pays well. Right now Smith is at an entry level salary. AD can match anyone’s bid if he chooses to do so. Another plus for Oakland is that there is a nucleus of talent here, if we only had a QB. Smith will not be worried about competing against JR – he’s seen him play & there’s no contest.
There’s only one thing that would prevent Smith from becomming a Raider. That’s if AD doesn’t want him. AD has to know by now that JaBustus is a dead end AND he only has so many more years left to get back to the SB. Smith would be his best shot at making the Raiders successful once again.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:05 pm
I love Monkeys, so I do apologize to all monkeys around the world!
I don’t want to start the new year by insulting Monkeys. Happy New Year Monkeys!
Happy new year STL. lol
January 1st, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Shanny getting 10 million from the Redskins ?!?!?!?!
Gawd Damn!
Oh well! So much for a big named coach coming to Oakland! NO way Al pays ANYWHERE near that jack!
January 1st, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Too funny. I was just about to call it a night and checked back in.
Happy new year O.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:15 pm
I like Smith ( I’m an OSU fan), but there is a reason that the Ravens drafted Flacco. Smith is 5′11 !
January 1st, 2010 at 11:19 pm
The only short QB I know that played/ plays well is D Brees. He is 6′0
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:36 am
Flutie was 5-10.
Y.A. Tittle
Eddie LeBaron
Fran Tarkenton
Joe Thiesmann
All 6 ft or under. All had success.
Gradkowski’s barely 6-1. Its called throwing thru lanes.
Like Flutie said. “I’ve been playing at this heigth all my life.”
Smith’s a winner in waiting.
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:39 am
jhill Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Shanny getting 10 million from the Redskins ?!?!?!?!
Gawd Damn!
Oh well! So much for a big named coach coming to Oakland! NO way Al pays ANYWHERE near that jack!
=====================
Tranny will need help not to run the organization into the ground like he eventually did in Denver. MAN did they ride that f’in O line to death or WHAT?! Nalen must’ve played for 16 f’in years…
Once the old guard fell away Shanny’s meddling, mortgaging and bad DP’s came back to haunt.
Long as he’s out of our Division. Who cares.
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:12 am
It’s funny – when you read Cable, it really seems that playing DHB and Russell as starters wasn’t really his idea but he didn’t want to fight it. Now that he’s given more free reign he is playing his best players.
The exception to that is BUSH which I think is his choice and for whatever reason he doesn’t have any faith in him despite his IMPRESSIVE numbers.
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:14 am
Chris Johnson (drafted same year as McFadden) is smoking everybody with a 5.8ypc average!
Bush ain’t bad though. With RBs who average at least a few carries per game, he’s only behind Johnson, Correll Buckhalter (5.5ypc), Ray Rice (5.3ypc), DeAngelo Williams (5.2).
Bush is averaging over 5 yards per carry. Meaning if you keep giving him the ball there’s a darned good chance you’ll get a lot of 1st downs. Yet, he hasn’t had a game with over 20 carries. Makes ZERO sense.
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:19 am
I’d say bring Cable back. Since he’s been able to not play DHB and Russell he’s been 3 – 3. But, PLEASE bring in an O-Coordinator who will call the plays. That’s my biggest beef (except for not utilizing Bush).
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:05 am
Raiders4eve Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:05 pm
FloridaPete
We never trade down, AL will take who he wants but will never trade down for more picks thats not his formula. Therefore, be more realistic with your mock draft. Your number 1, 2 and 3 picks are way off. Dan Williams and Micah Johnson are both outside our ranch unless they mess up in the combine. You going with the top names which is good but most teams also want them. Lions and Rams would snatch them up b4 us. To be honest with you, I would rather trade our picks for proven veterans rather then dealing with rookies. Trade a third rounder for Casey the NT for the Steelers or Shaun Rogers from the Browns. Trade a second for DT Docket from Arizona something like that is much better then rookies, proven veterans better then rookies who might not excel.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
i first constructed my draft about 6 weeks ago…
DT williams, mlb Johnson, and ot Davis weren’t rated that high at the time…
honestly, i do try to not be ridiculous when i select people…
as for trading down… it looks like we’re going to be a top ten pick… so no trading down…
i’ll do a new one… it’ll be very much changed because of the movement of the players…
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:13 am
Good Morning NATION!!!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:14 am
Awwwww…..DHB is a little Rusty Hilger lol
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:29 am
JB
as far as I understand the CPA, restricted free agents can be tendered depending on the one year deal the team offers meaning if Troy Smith is offered a high tender which I believe is around 2.15. mill then if he signs somewhere else that team would have to give up a first n third. Even if he is not tendered high, teams can use what they call poison pill (I guess), but only the Vikings n Seattle used this loophole. Regardless of that there a reason Troy requested a trade from the ravens after the trading deadline, the concensus around the league is that the Ravens will keep him for another year and without CPA they can keep a player with them as long as he is not a six year veteren cause then he would be unrestricted. There is a difference between the high tender n franchise tag as the latter provides top 5 money in their respected position. Hope I am right if not please correct me but I can also happily state that AL would go after Vick rather then Troy if he wanted a QB.
January 2nd, 2010 at 5:29 am
Sad but true
********************************
SERIES: This Sunday’s game marks the sixth regular season encounter between the Raiders and Ravens. The Ravens lead the series, 4-1. The Raiders have hosted the Ravens only once, on December 14, 2003 with the Silver and Black prevailing, 20-12 at the Coliseum in Oakland.
January 2nd, 2010 at 5:30 am
* of course that was from Raiders official web-site
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:38 am
I think that just being 6 feet tall is not an excuse for not being let play QB.
If Troy Smith was good at College, he could be good in the NFL too (or not), Gradkowski is 6 feet tall, and Drew Brees too. I think adding Troy Smith would be great.
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:41 am
Gradkowski needs to be resigned, Frye would be cheap to resign too (as a backup, 3rd QB)
JaMarcus should take a paycut and perform in trainig camp, if not he should be cut
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:56 am
To appear in locker room after game on Sunday
MEMO
TO: ALL RAIDERS PLAYERS
FROM: AL
RE: OFF SEASON
As you know we have traditionally been a ‘players team’ with my strict belief that players ‘police’ themselves, and that great players are irrepressible – and always make plays. However during this off season, I have decided to change with the times, and I am thereby implementing a new policy known as the ‘Earn It’!
If you are a current or previous pro-bowler; or have been in the league more than seven years – you may stop reading this memo now. We’ll see you at OTAs, or in the case of the great Richard Seymour or the dominating Nnambi Asomugha, you can just show up for the first game. You are the type of player I love and that I’m used to. Janikowski – because of your recent personal best kick, your improved percentages – I’m tempted to let you have the off season off, but for your own good, and to ensure that you are not jailed in the off season, I’m going to ask that you take part in the ‘earn it’ program.
‘Earn it’ takes advantage of the expiration of the CBA and the coming uncapped year. For that reason I’m instituting something I like to call ‘Unorganized Team Activities’, or UTAs.
If you are a skill position player, I expect you to be back at the facilities throwing to one another, running, and working on your craft beginning one month after the end of the season. You will be excused from UTAs if you have a team doctor’s note, there is a death in the family, or if I personally excuse you.
DHB, I’d be ‘tempted’ to excuse you if you could go five UTAs without dropping a pass.
Jamarcus, I’d be tempted to excuse you if you could pass a written test about the defense of every team in the league, beat Frye into the office every day, threw 25 swing passes to Bush or DMAC without it hitting them in the shoelaces, didn’t throw an INT in 40 attempts 10 times, and show me general initiative.
Bush – we are going to run you until you are so well conditioned that you NEVER ask to come out of a game.
DMAC – well we are going to ask you to run 40 x 40 yard dashes with everyone on their back grabbing for your feet, when you can complete 40 straight dashes without falling down, you can go home.
Defensive players – there are two things that I would like to work on during UTAs – tackling and tackling. To help with this, I originally was thinking of bringing in an outsider, but then I realized that I had the perfect tackling instructor right here in our back yard – the great John Madden. Enjoy.
For seven years, our great franchise has languished near the bottom of the NFL. I’ve overpaid under performing players. The earn it program allows you to ‘earn’ the money that you so clearly haven’t earned during the regular season.
The greatness of the Raiders will continue. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to clear out your locker.
Best,
Al
January 2nd, 2010 at 7:02 am
Happy New Year Raider Nation!
Has Cable been fired yet?
Have they cut Jaloser yet?
That is what I asked for in the New Year!
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:07 am
If Troy Smith is so good, then why did the Ravens draft Flacco?!
If he was so good, then why was he a 5th RD pick?!
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:14 am
You guys think everyone will be a Gannon if we give them a chance. There is a reason those QBs were cut. They were not good enough to win the job with their team, but you think they can be stars in Oakland!!
Crazy!!!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:20 am
Fire Cable!
Cut Walker, Green, Cooper, Warren, Euk, Fargas, and TK if he doesn’t restructure.
Draft Ol, DL, LBs, and a CB!
Hire Harbaugh, Fassel, Gilbride, fox, Del Rio, or John G!
Sign a proven vet QB who can compete and teach Jabustus!
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:32 am
Nnamdi,
It’s called running for your life trying to find those throwing lanes! I remember Flutie Flake!
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:38 am
Why did the Chargers draft Rivers ( Eli) when they had the great Brees??!!
Why did the Bills draft Robo Johnoson when they had the great Flutie?!
Why did the Ravens draft Flacco when they had the great Smith?!
Brees is the exception and not the Norm!
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:52 am
I like Troy Smith the person, and he may deserve his chance to start a few games in the NFL.
But for those that say Bruce is too short, too small and not strong enough of arm, well Troy is shorter, smaller, and has even less of an arm than Bruce.
If the Ravens didn’t draft him late in the 5th round, he would have been border-line undrafted.
Besides, he is a Heisman winning QB. Most of those guys turn out to be no good. (Jason White, Leinart, Crouch, Wuerfel, Torreta and on and on)
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:53 am
Vegas…. did you see that true freshman RB for Oregon….Barner is his name I think
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:55 am
Vegas,
“Less of an arm than Bruce”
I don’t know about that. Bruce has a Girls Arm!
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:57 am
4eva,
He was really good, buy not good enough to win against the Great OSU!!!
Go Buckeyes!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:02 am
He did look good, and returning kicks right? He was almost single-handly keeping them in the game.
Did you watch that Williams kid at Va Tech? He was shut down most of the first half but than got going before he got hurt.
He is a red-shirt and may come out next year. Top 10 pick, guaranteed.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:03 am
Happy New Year to you Raider O and to your beautiful family as well =)
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:04 am
No Vegas I didnt get a chance 2 see Williams but will keep an eye-out 4him in future =)
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:06 am
Raider O Says:
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:55 am
Vegas,
“Less of an arm than Bruce”
I don’t know about that. Bruce has a Girls Arm!
**********************************
A girls arm huh? Can you think of any examples where he was unable to complete a pass due to being underthrown? I saw him OVERTHROW a few guys, and the Murphy TD in Pitt was beautifully thrown away from the defender.
You don’t need to throw the ball 60 yards in the NFL. How many of those are completed a year by a team? Maybe 10 if your lucky. Accuracy and leadership are easily the two most important qualities of an NFL QB, and those happen to be Bruce’s 2 biggest strengths of his game.
RE-sign Bruce!!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:06 am
Gruden was honored during a festive night at Ricky’s in which former and current Raiders employees showed up to party with the former coach.
That infuriated Davis, and a team staffer called Ricky’s to ask it to remove photos of Gruden posing with current Raiders employees from its Web site. Gruden is seen in a No. 34 Bo Jackson jersey and Raiders visor that he purchased on site. Fans chanted for him to return to Oakland, and Gruden wasn’t dismissing the possibility.
“It was a pro-Raider party,” said Ricardo, not understanding Davis’ distress. “The guy (Gruden) is working for ESPN. … It’s like the Gestapo over there.”
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:07 am
Happy new year my friend. Its going to be a good year for us 4eva.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:07 am
MUST MUST MUST CONCUR VEGAS!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:08 am
Happy New Year 2U2 CaptainBlack and the WHOLE GREAT RAIDERS NATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:08 am
And you say Davis is not the problem? WRONG! Davis is all that is wrong with the Raiders.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:11 am
Is that he said-she said bullsh!t Captn or you got a link?
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:11 am
Davis fears Gruden. Look at the Raiders Web site. It’s all about Al. Did anyone notice he focused on the 1967 Raiders team. Not once is Madden or the best Raider teams from the 70s mentioned. John Madden was the Raiders. Al is a pretender.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:12 am
Vegas,
Having a strong arm allies the QB to make hard throws: against his body, off his back foot, etc..
A QB doesn’t need to throw the ball 60 yards, but it sure helps to have a strong arm. The ball gets to the WRs faster, so less chances of INTs.
Look at Rivers and that game against the Pats in the POs. He couldn’t throw against the wind.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:12 am
4eva, go to the chronicle
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:13 am
Al needs a Head Coach pliable like Gumby. Hey, have Al build a HC with Play-doh.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:14 am
Allows*
BTW, I like my QBs to have a strong arm, and I like My DBs and WRs to run fast. It’s am advantage!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:15 am
Gruden was honored during a festive night at Ricky’s in which former and current Raiders employees showed up to party with the former coach.
That infuriated Davis, and a team staffer called Ricky’s to ask it to remove photos of Gruden posing with current Raiders employees from its Web site. Gruden is seen in a No. 34 Bo Jackson jersey and Raiders visor that he purchased on site. Fans chanted for him to return to Oakland, and Gruden wasn’t dismissing the possibility.
“It was a pro-Raider party,” said Ricardo, not understanding Davis’ distress. “The guy (Gruden) is working for ESPN. … It’s like the Gestapo over there.”
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:20 am
Winning feeling just a memory in Oakland
John Shea, Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, January 2, 2010
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——————————————————————————–
(01-01) 16:23 PST — Greg Papa, for years the voice of pro sports teams in Oakland, has seen and broadcast better times.
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Images
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John Shea
Winning feeling just a memory in Oakland 01.01.10
GIANTS DeRosa gives GM options 12.29.09
Radmanovic’s funk has team scouring D-League 12.17.09
Selig’s committee lacks diversity 12.17.09
More John Shea » .
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He called Warriors games when Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin were “Run TMC.” He did the A’s in the 1990 World Series and early 2000s, when playoff appearances were annual. As the Raiders’ play-by-play man, he was behind the microphone for the Super Bowl in 2003.
At various stages of Papa’s career, the Coliseum and its adjacent arena were hopping with good teams and good times.
Now?
“If you lay out a map and put teams in the most desirable places, I don’t think Oakland would be in the top 50 anymore,” Papa said. “It’s sad to say because I live in the East Bay and have worked with all these teams.”
Oakland once was a city of champions. Its sports teams now are about lousy records, frustrated fan bases and questionable management decisions.
While the Raiders and A’s would prefer to relocate because of the outdated Coliseum, the Warriors draw well as the only Oakland team without a San Francisco rival. Yet they’re no better in the standings than the Raiders and A’s.
A sampling:
– The Warriors have had two winning records since the 1994-95 season, reaching the playoffs once (by going 42-40). During that 16-year funk, they’ve gone 460-769 (only the Los Angeles Clippers are worse) while burning through nine coaches. They haven’t had an All-Star since 1997.
– The Raiders have had 11 or more losses in six straight years, an NFL first – remarkably, the streak began immediately after their 2003 Super Bowl appearance. They’re last in the NFL in attendance, averaging 45,125, their lowest since 1967, and seven of this season’s eight home games were blacked out in the Bay Area after failing to sell out.
– The A’s have had three straight losing seasons since reaching the 2006 American League Championship Series. Their attendance has dropped six straight years, and they ranked last in the majors in 2009 with their lowest fan count since 1998, 1.4 million. They were last in their league in payroll.
“I think it’s the owners and bad management,” Oakland fan Morie Kahane said recently at Ricky’s Sports Theatre and Grill in San Leandro. “Al (Davis, Raiders owner) needs a general manager, someone to make personnel decisions. The Warriors, with or without (Anthony) Randolph, they don’t know what they’re doing. The A’s, you can’t buy a jersey because they won’t keep players year to year. They’re only looking at the bottom line.”
Silver, black and blue
Davis remains the Raiders’ boss at 80 despite deteriorating health and poor decision-making. He guaranteed $84 million to his past three first-round draft picks: quarterback JaMarcus Russell, running back Darren McFadden and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, and the result is an offense that ranks second to last in the NFL.
He has little luck with coaches, having fired four since the Super Bowl. That came after he “traded” Jon Gruden to Tampa Bay because of a contract squabble and clash of egos, only to lose to Gruden’s Buccaneers a year later in the Super Bowl.
“It’s probably the worst decision they made,” said Ricky Ricardo Jr., proprietor of Ricky’s. “If Gruden stays, we would’ve won that Super Bowl. You wouldn’t have had the other coach knowing your game plan.”
Gruden, now on the “Monday Night Football” broadcast team, remains popular among Raiders fans. On the eve of the Dec. 14 broadcast at Candlestick Park, Gruden was honored during a festive night at Ricky’s in which former and current Raiders employees showed up to party with the former coach.
That infuriated Davis, and a team staffer called Ricky’s to ask it to remove photos of Gruden posing with current Raiders employees from its Web site. Gruden is seen in a No. 34 Bo Jackson jersey and Raiders visor that he purchased on site. Fans chanted for him to return to Oakland, and Gruden wasn’t dismissing the possibility.
“It was a pro-Raider party,” said Ricardo, not understanding Davis’ distress. “The guy (Gruden) is working for ESPN. … It’s like the Gestapo over there.”
A team spokesman ignored several requests for interviews for this story before finally saying the entire Raiders organization had no comment.
It wouldn’t be so bad if the Raiders weren’t perennial losers. They’re 30-82 since their Super Bowl appearance – the third-worst seven-year run in NFL history (behind the 1983-89 Buccaneers and 2003-09 Lions).
Compounding the problem is Davis’ resistance to hiring decision-making assistants. Bruce Allen, who exited in 2003, was the last closest thing to a general manager, prompting Raiders fans to rent a billboard this season near the Coliseum with this message: “MR. DAVIS, DO THE RIGHT THING. PLEASE HIRE A GM.”
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:21 am
4evaRaider Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Patriots are always a threat because, well, they cheat.
*****************************************************
Yep
=======================================
Creative interpretation of the rules
History is written by the victors…
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 am
Thanks Captn
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:26 am
Thats 4sure D
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:27 am
O,
Surely it helps, but a strong arm with no leadership or accuracy equals…….Jamarcus Russell!!!!
Accuracy and timing of the pass is what matters most. There is no amount of arm-strength that can compensate for being just a half-second late on your read.
And certain people just make everyone around them better, in all facets of life. Bruce is a leader, and everyone around him played better during his 3 game and a half game stretch than at any time during the year.
It is no coincidence.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:30 am
Al has destroyed his legacy, and the Raiders reputation. Great job, Al.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:34 am
Baltimore might be missing some big names on Sunday
Posted by Mike Florio on January 2, 2010 12:11 PM ET
As the Baltimore Ravens prepare for a win-and-in Week 17 game against the Raiders, the visiting team might be without a few key players.
He doesn’t mention a competitive game, just that they are playing the Raiders and preparing to win. Nice!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:34 am
I was talking with this guy this weekend on the strip, from the East Bay he told me, and we talked about the damned of you damned if you don’t with Al dying.
If he doesn’t pass-on and hire a new GM, we will continue with what we have going right now.
If he dies with the franchise in this state, his families could ditch the team for money (always happens with large estates) and they may just become the LA Glitz, or London Fog or something else but the Raiders.
We can be like the Browns in the 90’s when they became the Ravens. No team for a few years, than an expansion team afterwards. Either scenario does not sound very promising.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:36 am
Silver, black and blue
Davis remains the Raiders’ boss at 80 despite deteriorating health and poor decision-making. He guaranteed $84 million to his past three first-round draft picks: quarterback JaMarcus Russell, running back Darren McFadden and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, and the result is an offense that ranks second to last in the NFL.
He has little luck with coaches, having fired four since the Super Bowl. That came after he “traded” Jon Gruden to Tampa Bay because of a contract squabble and clash of egos, only to lose to Gruden’s Buccaneers a year later in the Super Bowl.
“It’s probably the worst decision they made,” said Ricky Ricardo Jr., proprietor of Ricky’s. “If Gruden stays, we would’ve won that Super Bowl. You wouldn’t have had the other coach knowing your game plan.”
Gruden, now on the “Monday Night Football” broadcast team, remains popular among Raiders fans. On the eve of the Dec. 14 broadcast at Candlestick Park, Gruden was honored during a festive night at Ricky’s in which former and current Raiders employees showed up to party with the former coach.
That infuriated Davis, and a team staffer called Ricky’s to ask it to remove photos of Gruden posing with current Raiders employees from its Web site. Gruden is seen in a No. 34 Bo Jackson jersey and Raiders visor that he purchased on site. Fans chanted for him to return to Oakland, and Gruden wasn’t dismissing the possibility.
“It was a pro-Raider party,” said Ricardo, not understanding Davis’ distress. “The guy (Gruden) is working for ESPN. … It’s like the Gestapo over there.”
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:37 am
Al Davis is the sole cause of this shipwreck, and yet he takes ZERO responsibility. Disgusting. Makes you feel sorry for people like Cable, JR, and DHB, even though they suck and have their own problems. No one can survive the dark karma of Al.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:43 am
Al wants everyone to believe that all the good things with the Raiders happened because of him, and thus, he has tried erasing Madden and the teams of the seventies, because the greatness of those teams were actually what made the Raiders great, and Al’s role was very limited. Madden ran the team.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:43 am
CaptainBlack Says:
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:30 am
Al has destroyed his legacy, and the Raiders reputation. Great job, Al.
=============================================
I wonder what must be going through his mind these days (other than the breeze).
He spent most of his life building the Raiders dynasty, only to see it crumble near the end of his time.
He must have self doubts as to whether his way is actually the best way.
Or more likely, he’s wallowing in the self belief that the people he has hired are not smart enough to win with his “fool-proof” system. That the Tom Cables of the world are not smart enough to implement the genius of his plan.
He will probably go to grave unwilling to change, spiting people all along the way.
Go Raiders.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:43 am
I don’t feel sorry for JR. He might be the only guy in the league who did worse at his job than Al Davis this year.
Guy has no desire to play, just to get paid. Al should have sniffed that out, but Russell is not dumb and can put on the ‘ol southern charm when needed. Russell didn’t just hoodwink the Raiders, but the entire NFL, and future rookies will make less money in the future due to the actions of Jamarcus Russell.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:44 am
You can’t rewrite or manipulate Raiders history.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:47 am
If Al would just hire a real football operation department, not just a GM but an actual staff, and if the team started winning some games and playoff-experiences, almost all would be forgotten over time.
Just about every athlete hangs on too long, and Al is definately hanging on too long and embarrassing himself at the end of his great career.
Ali did it, Emmit Smith did it, Wille Mays did it, Joe Namath did it. All will be forgotten eventually, but he most walk-away after this year. Just do it AL!!!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:47 am
I agree Vegas….As the old saying goes….be careful of what you wish 4
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:51 am
vegas raider,
Perhaps 30 years ago, Al would have sniffed out JR’s lack of desire. He once prided himself on getting players who loved the game.
I think he must have known about JR’s heart and just decided to overlook it. Perhaps a sense of panic with his advancing years has caused him to be more reckless in his choices. A bit of desparation to return to the glory years.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:51 am
Here are some pictures of that day Gruden was at Ricky’s!!
http://www.rickys.com/photos/index.cfm
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:52 am
Even tho,when Al goes the team could be moved and become the,say….London Fog or something…..well at least Neilb and ENGLANDRAIDER would be happy
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:53 am
While it was going on, everybody was talking about Ali tarnishing his legend during the Holmes fight, or Willie Mays tarnishing his legend as the greatest defensive outfielder by dropping fly balls for the Mets.
But as time goes on, people forgot and focus on the positive aspects of that great career.
Just hurry it along would you Al!!!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:54 am
4evaRaider Says:
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:52 am
Even tho,when Al goes the team could be moved and become the,say….London Fog or something…..well at least Neilb and ENGLANDRAIDER would be happy
==========================
LA first, then Toronto…
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:54 am
D, Al is trying to prove to everyone that the greatness of the Raiders was all his doing, which is untrue.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:58 am
That is soo true CaptainBlack….Just as 1 man cant take full credit for the greatness of the Raiders….1 man cant take credit for its failure…..I’m glad you finally se this Captn =)
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:00 am
Al wont bring in people once like him because he knows what they will attempt to do.
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:03 am
4eva, I know it. Al doesn’t That is why he ignores the teams from the 70s which made the Raiders great. He had little to do, and he lost the team to Madden, so he drove him off.
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:05 am
The team’s failures are Al’s alone. He makes ALL decisions. Make no mistake young man who makes the decisions around here. Heard that one before?
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:06 am
The EGO must go. It’s all about WINNING. That is what Al has lost
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:07 am
Just watching Ravens players stats I saw former Raider KR Chris Carr is a Nickelback and backup CB in Baltimore.
The guy has 38 tackles, 1,5 sacks, 2 FF and 2 INTs in 3 starts at CB and nickelback play, the guy can play, he is better than Routt.
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:08 am
Those great 70’s teams started in 1967 when the Raiders went 13-1 under coach John Rauch,imo
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:10 am
Well then if all the failures are Al’s alone….then all the raiders successes were Al’s alone CaptainBlack.YOU CANT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:11 am
Good points Vegas. I don’t feel sorry for Russell either; should have mentioned Nnamdi instead. Too bad Al can’t suffer a career-ending injury and retire like he should. Worse than sad; it’s painfully sad.
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:29 am
appears to be “a posteriori” day here at Ranch Raider.
hashing and re-hashing to come to the conclusion that it is hash.
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:38 am
What sucks about Cable getting fired, and believe me it’s the only thing that sucks, is that we lose him as a very good OL coach.
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:39 am
HASH IS GOOD
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:43 am
Saint,
I would have understood that argument a couple of years ago but the Raider run game has taken a nose dive the past couple of seasons under Cable’s watchful eye so I don’t quite know what to make of the whole “good O-line coach” idea.
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:14 am
A valid point M.
Was it Kiffin then? They both came in at the same time. Cable isn’t fond of the FB I formations as Kiffin was. Perhaps is cut blocking scheme is missing an element that Kiffin had employed.
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:26 am
merry new year, or something…. =)
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:57 am
1) dhb is the #3 on our team behind schillens and murphy. he should be #4 behind javon walker as well (but that is another story)
2) dhb sucks and is in no way a difference maker. whats the difference if he plays?
can someone explain to me why we let crabtree slip outta our grasp? raiders (al davis) are pathetic. i cant wait for al to die already.
January 2nd, 2010 at 7:04 pm
DHB is such a bust, I cannot believe the talent the Raiders passed up and took this track guy bust. Jabust and DHB need to go, please just leave. I cannot understand why Raider fans have to continue to suffer through poor play and even worse draft picks. I just hope the Raiders move forward and get rid of all the crap on this team. They need to let go of a bunch of these bums. It is so frustrating being a Raider fan when you have to suffer through crap players like Jabust and DHB. Jabust has made the Ryan Leaf pick by the Chargers the second biggest bust ever. DHB is going to go down as another huge bust. These guys are as bad as Bernie Madoff.
For the sake of the Raider fans, please get rid of Jabust and DHB.