Biggest Cable weakness was his supposed strength
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 6:53 pm in Oakland Raiders.
If and when Tom Cable gets the chance to plead his case with Al Davis about retaining job as head coach, the hardest part will be explaining the play of the Raiders offensive line.
It’s the only thing he has in common with Art Shell. Cable is an expert and an offensive line guru of sorts. But like Shell in 2006, possibly the greatest tackle in the history of the NFL, the unit with which he has the most expertise was most responsible for a poor season.
Warren Sapp can say all he wants “stats are for losers,” but the stats of the Raiders offensive line make it pretty clear why the Raiders were losers in 2009.
A top 10 rushing team each of the last two years, they finished 21st in 2009.
The Raiders played 16 games and had seven rushing touchdowns.
They were tied for 19th in yards per carry at 4.1 yards per attempt.
As far as protecting the quarterback, the Raiders surrendered 49 sacks, third most in the NFL. And while JaMarcus Russell undoubtedly had issues other than Las Vegas excursions that led to too many sacks, both of the quarterbacks who supplanted him _ Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye _ were knockout victims at the hands of an opposing pass rush.
It was Cable who in 2008, stuck with Kwame Harris beyond all reason. It was Cable who pushed hard for free agent Khalif Barnes, who never made an impact even though he made a relatively quick recovery from a broken ankle sustained in training camp.
At left tackle Mario Henderson started the season well enough but seemed to fade. Cable has long been effusive of his praise for right tackle Cornell Green, who finished with 12 penalties in 12 games and was never intended to be anything more than a backup when he was signed.
Right guard Cooper Carlisle, signed because of his experience as a zone blocker in Denver, may have been the Raiders best lineman in 2007 and has regressed in each of the past two years.
Chris Morris, a smallish guard/center with zone blocking skills, ranged from a game ball performance against Pittsburgh to be being benched in favor of 362-pound Langston Walker for a poor performance against Washington.
Erik Pears, another ex-Bronco with zone blocking experience, did his best work as a blocker when forced into action as an emergency tight end.
It wasn’t Cable’s fault that it amounted to a lost season for Robert Gallery, who opened the season with an emergency appendectomy and followed it up with a broken fibula and a serious back injury that required surgery.
There is no denying Cable’s passion and expertise with regard to coaching an offensive line. Before he was the head coach, during training camp his unit was a must-see just for the way he worked and interacted with his players. When the unit was struggling under Jim Michalczik, Cable stepped in to such an extent it was if Michalczik was a bystander for more than a month.
But the Raiders never managed a truly dominating game from their offensive line, one in which they simply seized the game in the fourth quarter and made it their own despite a trio of capable backs in Michael Bush, Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas.
Oakland spent much of its training camp assuming it would run the ball well and working on its passing game to bring Russell and Co. up to speed. Cable said he will look hard at whether that decision ended up hurting their ability to run.
When quizzed about the shortcomings of the offensive line, Cable included the defensive line play as well.
“You’re asking specifically about the offensive line, but I think on both sides we have to get better,” Cable said. “ “There’s no question. The good teams in this league, they’re built on the line of scrimmage. And the cohesiveness it takes, whether it be on offense or defense, is extreme. And I don’t think we had enough on either side this year.”
Cable remains a staunch supporter of zone blocking, the scheme he became sold on while working in Atlanta for Alex Gibbs.
“The teams that are leading the league are still predominately zone blocking teams,” Cable said. “So I’m not sure whether it’s the scheme that’s the issue, it’s how we are teaching it, how we are a playing it.”
Coaching for an owner whose 1970s powerhouse teams were built on offensive line play, Cable will need to come up with some answers.
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January 5th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Look, KK!! New music!! Kool And The Gang!!!
January 5th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
How can ANY Raider Fan support a General Manager who produces this?
09′ 5-11
08′ 5-11
07′ 4-12
06′ 2-14
05′ 4-12
04′ 5-11
03′ 4-12
5 Head Coaches, 8 Starting QB’s.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
How can any FAN live his entire life to hate the owner of his local team? What made you a fan, Kell? The winning? The winning that AL brought? What made you a non-fan, Kell? The losing? If that’s the case…that is the literal definition of a bandwagon jumper, old-timer.
KK = THE BIGGEST BANDWAGON JUMPER ON THE FORUM.
At least Rickielake and MR don’t pretend to be REAL FANS of the team. Well, MR tries sometimes, but we all know better.
KK = THE BIGGEST BANDWAGON JUMPER ON THE FORUM.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
How can any Raider fan support a Black QB who produces crap like JaFatazz..
January 5th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
A white man, a polish man, and a black man step onto a football field. The black man makes the most money and sucks, the white man and the polish man have better stats than the black man over a measly 4 game stretch. LMFAO. JaFatazz can eat a d1ck.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
This is the first post in a long time worth reading and I agree with every word. It is also biggest point of contention with T Cable. This is inexcusable. It also is IMO the REAL reason for our record. Russell certainly had his problems but if Cable makes this a strength we win. The running game was paramount if we were going to contend at all. I said before the season started and it was obvious throughout the season. We exposed a sorry passing game oblivious to the need establish the line of scrimmage.
We had a GOLDEN opportunity to strengthen the OLine in the draft but Cable in all his wisdom neglected FOUR very good OT’s and then never addressed the Oline in the draft. It was INEXCUSABLE he is so sure that he can take a tomato can and plug it in run smoothly. I hate his approach to the running game and his selection of players on the most important unit on this team and the team suffered constantly due to his oversight. We had two QB’s get beaten down and the other damn near ruined as a result of this.
He constantly wants to pass the blame to a young unplished QB who’s looking for guidance rather protect him with a stout running game. And a smart approach to the passing game instead he plaugs in two rookies and ask the young QB to perform a freakin miracle with no running game and no WR’s worth their salt.
But a ignorant fan base and stupid media using specious logic to victimize a kid who’s struggling. When the problem has been and still is the OLINE and a refusal to run the football.
But the best thing about this mess is the owner is not a fan and is extremely football savy. He can’t pull the wool over his eyes the way he done a gullible desparate fanbase.
Kudos Jerry!! for once you’ve done yourself proud.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
The cohesiveness of the O-line is probably more important than any other position group. The O-line’s woes are directly related to the health of its best player (Gallery), and the lack of continuity up and down the line.
If Cable had an OC to handle the majority of the game-planning and play-calling, his O-line may have been able to hold up a little better…but any patchwork O-line is going to have a tough year in the NFL.
Cable needs a little more help — as does Al — and the O-line will be top-10 again in a hurry. When JaMarcus is on the bench, it’s already improved.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
If Cable stays, (hope NOT if JIM harbaugh is available) it sounds like Cable is hinting on Drafting TRENCHMEN (o-oline/d-line) to before up both sides of the ball…
January 5th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
C’mon, BHP — The 23-year-old “kid” being victimized has done plenty to bring it on himself…whether or not the Vegas story pans out.
If JaMarcus would’ve said something like, “You know, I’m young, and I didn’t study enough, or work hard enough…and I really appreciate my teammates for their hard work (much harder than mine), and the amount of effort they put in…”
Then, and only then, would he deserve the benefit of the doubt.
JaMarcus Russell’s a nice kid. A nice guy from small-town Southern USA…he may need to go back to that slower pace and grow up some. Maybe by the time he’s 30, he’ll have it figured out.
JaMarcus is no victim…he’s the product of his own devices.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Solve all of this BS now. HIRE GRUDEN. Nuff said bishes…
January 5th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
What makes Al Davis such a scumbag, is that he calls all the shots, yet blames everybody else. Totally classless.
Does he have the character to appear before the media, and answer questions about his own performance? Heck no.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Russell was setup to fail the probability of that working was nil.
At least the Jets undeerstood that and they’re in the playoffs as are Ravens again. For one reason and one only they protected themselves from their young QB by RUNNING. If this team ever wants to get to the next level. Biuld that unit and make Michael Bush the focal point of the offense and work around him. He can make the rest of the game easier for any of these QB’s.
I firmly believe if they can get that fixed they will win. A big physical Oline and a FB with Mike Bush getting 20+ carries a game.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Please-blaming Cable for the draft?EVERYONE knows who picks the draft choices.and it isn’t the HC,OC,DC,or any other assistant.saying we would have won with a better Oline AND the anchor.you’ve got to be kidding.as long as Russell was/is the starting QB on this team we lose.that being said,as someone who believes Cable should return,the Oline progress under him is a real concern.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
HD37,I have my opinion man and I stated it. If we had surrounded that kid with some talent and a running game and not asked him to carry the offense he can win…………period
I know for a fact he’s better than Mark Sanchez and every bit as good as Flacco. But they have a support system he doesn’t.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
BHP — Your MBush comments are correct. He should be the #1 RB…a year ago.
DMC is a complimentary back, and now that we ALL know it, we’ll be better for it.
However, MBush needs to deliver that load every carry…something he sometimes does not do.
Just like at QB…the Raiders must find another young RB to bring along this Spring. The “3-headed monster” of the Raiders’ running game is really lacking at least one full-time head.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Well, Lefty12 that’s why this is a forum we can all agree to disagree. There was NO WAY that was going to work. And it didn’t, but the only one who gets the blame is the one who needed the most support. He got none.
Take your charlie Fyre’s and Grads and let’s see how far we get. I want to see who’s the blame next year.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Priest,wasn’t one of your main complaints against Lance was he wouldn’t let Russell turn it loose and ran the ball too much?now it’s Cables fault because made Russell throw the ball too much and didn’t protect him enough?
January 5th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I think it would be nice for Mike Bush to actually beat Fargas or DMC out for the job instead of handing it to him cause some Raider fans think he deserves it. But thats just me.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Priest
I actually agree with you, most of us figured we should lean on those Running Backs until the Passing game developed.
But Al Davis drafted DHB, Then Cable said we need to pass to score. Coinky-dinky?
You be the judge.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Lefty12, you know damn well what I’m talking about. He gave him TWO ROOKIES and no running game. Give Russell Boldin and Fitzgerald. Then he can throw. Once Chaz came back he was benched and then Cable cmes out and says Grads is playing with the same players.
A FLAT OUT LIE!!!
January 5th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
# priesttj Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
I know for a fact he’s better than Mark Sanchez and every bit as good as Flacco. But they have a support system he doesn’t.
**************************************
Except for his complete lack of pocket presence, his utter inability to read defenses, his astounding inaccuracy, and his fumbles, you mean.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
And Priest is correct in saying Russell was set up to fail. The organization did not do the things it takes to develop a young QB. There is no debate on that fact. However, Russell simply has not done the things HE needs to do to be a NFL QB. The blame falls on both parties.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
BHP — Much respect. But, you’re wrong if you say you “know for a fact” JaMarcus is better than either Sanchez or Flacco. He’s done nothing to show that.
An occassional great looking throw form a strong-armed QB doesn’t mean he’s ready for greatness. Either of those kids could be great…and one of them may be. Maybe even more than one. But, anyone who says they KNOW JaMarcus is capable of being a great QB is either drinking too much, smoking too much, or is plain delusional.
Slow-thinking QB’s are worse than slow-moving QB’s. JaMarcus exhibits both those traits, and then some. Nobody can make JaMarcus Russell great, if he can’t compute and react fast enough.
Give JaMarcus an O-line and HOF WR’s — and he would’ve still been atrocious this year. He may never, ever, get it…and is it worth mortgaging the team’s future for another 3-years to continue to find that out?
January 5th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Priest,
How do you know Russell is better than Sanchez and on par with Flacco? I mean you stated it as fact so what makes it so?
January 5th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I am the freakin judge and I listened to everything he’s said about DHB and it leads me to believe he was fully on board with drafting DHB at the expense of the OT’s available. That was LUNACY he also cut a very good RG in Marcus Johnson. He has neglected this Oline and it has cost us dearly. Grads would’ve played out the year with a decent running game.
But no he wants to show Big Al he’s the next Bill Walsh. His ego has gotten in the way of his better judgement and he’s thrown a young struggling QB under the bus and put out smoke screens to the media and fans.
because he knows that the media and the fans will side with him.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Priest,i will admit i totally dislike Russell.nothing you say will convince me we would have been successful with him as QB.he drug the team down with his attitude,work ethic,and lack of dedication to his job.i look at him as nothing more than a thief.the worst part is he did it to the team i love and have followed since i was a kid(before most on here were born,btw).i also don’t buy the line that he is better than-you put in a name.he isn’t!could he be-possibly,but as of now he isn’t and the only person or reason is himself.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
as far as jafatass goes him skipping out of the last meeting and ending up in vegas shows how much he cares about the raiders as well as his weight his work ethic cut his useless ass and take the 3 million hit the only way u give him another chance is if he restructures his contract and get his sorry ass in shape
January 5th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Because I know football, and you don’t. Sanchez is TERRIBLE and Flacco was exposed.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
LOL! Yep, you know football allright. Your comments on this blog and your laughable radio appearances REALLY show it. Good ol Priest always good for a laugh.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
I only wish I could live in suspended reality like Priest does. How fun it must be.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
wrong,Priest.those guys can make the basic throws accurately,Russell can’t.both of those guys can sense a pass rush,Russell can’t.both of those guys can read a Def.,Russell can’t.i could go on but it wouldn’t do any good because you refuse to acknowledge those problems with him-it’s always someone else’s fault.no wonder the guy is like he is-he is never required to look at himself!
January 5th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Lefty12, you liking Russell is neither here nor there. That kid needs mentoring and I think he needs to sit a while. But to ask him to carry this team with two rookies was sinful. No other QB in the history pof this league could’ve been successful doing that without a running game.
If Russell never makes it as a Raider I say the Raiders are as much at fault as he is…………period
January 5th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Jamarcu Russell is THE worst starting QB in the NFL. His footwork is horrible which causes him to be innaccurate. He has zero pocket awarness. He is not a leader. And he doesnt work hard. Those are facts.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Bullcrap left, I saw the kid make every throw this Sunday. I’ve seen this kid lead us from behind on the road in a hostile environment and WIN!!
He got off his ass after getting blasted in Denver and lead this team to victory and so did you. But your hatred wont allow you to admit it. He’s DONE IT!!
January 5th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Bruce Gradkowski has DONE IT!! 2 Priest. Doesnt mean hes a great QB either.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
if Schilens hadn’t gotten hurt he wouldn’t have had 2 rookie WRs starting.i find it hard to believe that starting DHB every week was a coaching decision,especially after Davis made a big deal about how we should have started the young WRs last year.that being said,an at best 2nd team QB(Gradkowski) looked better than him when they both played with the same supporting cast.Hell,Frye looked better than he did.and in both Gradkowski’s and Frye’s case,the team seemed to have more fire than when Russell played.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
as the saying goes-even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
12:27
jerrymac:
Having been through a number of these, it would seem that some in the building who can be identified as very much pro-Davis don’t think much of Cable. That’s not a good sign.
————————–
Coinky-dinky #1 Davis lackey is in here blaming Cable?
You be the judge.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
The difference in the way the team played with both journeyman QBs(Gradkowski and Frye) compared to Russell is undeniable. I would love to see someone deny that FACT.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
R.Leaf made the throws once in a while.J.George made the great throws once in a while.did that make either of them great QBs?making great and proper throws 45% of the time does not make a great QB-or even a mediocre one.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
That’s the difference between me and you Lefty12, you think like the rest of the fans. Al Davis makes all decisions, well guess again.
And that’s the excuse all coaches have under Mr Davis they’re never held accountable by the fans and the media. I’m 90% convinced by Cable that he drafted DHB just by all his comments and excuses and I really believe that Russell was benched for not throwing to MR. Stonehands.
DHB was a horrible pick we should’ve drafted Monroe or Oher. We should biult the Oline with stout physical players instead of these misfits Cable loves.
Mr Davis warned him that we need to be more physical up front and he didn’t do it and it’s going to cost him his job.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Lefty12, let’s let this argument go because you think I’m defending Russell and I’m not I’m condemning Cable.
I’ve stated over and over again about Russell’s struggles but you can’t see it. I know he struggles I’m not making him out to be Joe Namath. But we could’ve won with him the same way the Jets win with Sanchez. I know Ruissell is inconsistent but so is Flacco but they win………….Get it!!
January 5th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Al Davis made the DHB pick. That is fact. 100%.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Priest-he does make the final decisions.that is common knowledge. everyone who has ever worked there admits it.sure,others give their opinions,but he makes the final choice.i find it hard to believe DHB wasn’t his choice,no matter what you think.did he want the line to be more physical-probably,but i don’t think there is any doubt he is the one who picked DHB.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
but,you are right,arguing about Russell is fruitless.neither of us will change our minds.Later.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Cable:
“You’re asking specifically about the offensive line, but I think on both sides we have to get better,” Cable said. “ “There’s no question. The good teams in this league, they’re build on the line of scrimmage. And the cohesiveness it takes, whether it be on offense or defense, is extreme. And I don’t think we had enough on either side this year.”
Al,
Do not brush these needs off again this offseason. Bring in the freakin lineman! Oh and how bout a random drug test tomorrow starting with the qb’s.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
12:27
jerrymac:
Having been through a number of these, it would seem that some in the building who can be identified as very much pro-Davis don’t think much of Cable. That’s not a good sign.
————————–
Coincidence Davis #1 fan is in here blaming Cable?
You be the judge.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Flacco is like Russell?
Flacco – 21 TD’S 12 INT’S
Russell – 3 TD’S 11 INT’S
No comparison.
Sanchez threw more INT’s (20), yes.
But he also threw 4 times more TD’s(12) than Jamarcus.
And Sanchez is a rookie. Jamarcus is not.
Comparing Jamarcus to either Flacco or Sanchez is a reach at best.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Today’s Live Chat:
12:27
jerrymac:
Having been through a number of these, it would seem that some in the building who can be identified as very much pro-Davis don’t think much of Cable. That’s not a good sign.
————————–
Coincidence Davis #1 fan, Priest, is in here blaming Cable?
You be the judge.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
GO RAIDERS! YAY!!!
January 5th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
I think it’s telling that:
Priest is in here sh@tting on Cable, when the one constant during these crappy seasons is…Al Davis!
But hey, maybe that’s just me.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Oh Crap! This may be old news by now but shhhiiiidddddd. Rivals getting better and were sitting on our diapers.
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Trenches/entry/view/50465/weis-could-be-headed-to-chiefs-not-bears
January 5th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
# RaiderResurrection Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Look guys we’re all die hard Raider fans. Ww all have a few different ways to show our love for our team. Most of us about (70%) are angry at Al Davis for not hiring a GM. As far as I’m concerned, before we fire Cable or the NFL draft. Need a bonafide man in that Front Office calling the shots. Al Davis can no longer be that man. Hell he doesn’t even have the health anymore.
^^^^^^^^^^
That undead Al Davis is killing this franchise and the fans.
Enough is enough….
January 5th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
that being said,an at best 2nd team QB(Gradkowski) looked better than him when they both played with the same supporting cast.
——————————————————-
More propaganda, lol!
They did NOT play with the same supporting cast. Gallery went down in week 2 and didn’t return until week 9. Chaz was out until week 9. JLH started week 9. Cornell Green was out early in the season and Barnes and Pears played RT. McFadden was hurt in the Houston game and didn’t come back until after the bye week, right?
Same supporting cast? Todd Watkins and Justing Fargas are not Schillens and DMAC!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
# HayesDaze37 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I’d fire a GM with that record. But, I don’t own the team. Al can do with it what he wants…if I don’t like it, I can leave. I’ll stick around, thanks.
^^^^^^^^^^
Sure…and I’ll stick around and not buy season tickets and keep on monitoring the constant crappy moves and decisions by the old fart and be happy when a REAL GM and REAL head coach come onboard to turn this franchise around into a winner again.
Once AL DAVIS is gone…..then you Al Davis worshippers can leave as well and start rooting for another team. LOL
January 5th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
How were we a top ten team running the ball last year with all those 9 man fronts and we couldn’t get it done this year?
January 5th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
DK,
Let’s talk draft, I like your picks.
Needs are: DT, ILB, RT, RG, FB, and CB. In that order, Agreed?
What do you think we should do with Kirk, let him go or move him outside? If you move him outside, then you have 3 OLBs: Kirk, Scott, and TH?
I think we should move Seymour inside, and that should help with 1 DT, but we still need another one. TK and Warren are overpaid backups!!!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
It sure would be nice to tighten up the defense. Would love to be able to count on 2 or 3 turnovers EACH game, with a chance to score.
I’m thinking McClain at 8 and a RT in Rd 2!
Trade for a NT!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Walker is going to be our RT next year, O.
We need a CB though!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
We can draft an OT, DT, or ILB in the 1st. Anything else is just Crazy!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
# 504 Raider Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Oh Crap! This may be old news by now but shhhiiiidddddd. Rivals getting better and were sitting on our diapers.
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Trenches/entry/view/50465/weis-could-be-headed-to-chiefs-not-bears
^^^^^^^^^^
It also says Pitt OC Bruce Arians will be fired.
Thats an OC the next Raider head coach should hire as the play caller whether it be Cable or Fassel as head coach.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Dude Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I think it would be nice for Mike Bush to actually beat Fargas or DMC out for the job instead of handing it to him cause some Raider fans think he deserves it. But thats just me.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
oh for schits sake… what the fork does Bush have to do to beat fargas or dmc???
really… tell me what it is…
because there is no category that you can point to where Bush isn’t the best…
freaking clowns…
January 5th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
I don’t know Jhill, we let him go, so did the Bills, and both teams needed help at the OL.
He can stay and compete, but we should still invest one of our top 4 picks in a RT or RG. I would like Walker to play RG, but again that only my opinion.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Walker was let go as an OT. He was clearly some needed beef at OG when Gallery went down. Played really well in Pitts, and he was a clear upgrade from Morris after the Washington game.
I see no reason he shouldn’t be back at OG for us next year.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Agree with RT in the draft. I say Rd 2 after we pick up McClain!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
We can’t fix all of our problems with one draft. We have to use FA. We can sign J Campbell, I heard on NFLN that Shanarat wants to draft his own QB with the 4th pick.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
at least i am honest Jhill.BTW,Gallery didn’t play when Frye passed for over 300 yds.Green was on you sh!t list all year.Frye also had to play with Morris at guard instead of either Gallery or Walker.Dmac was there most of the year,but was never a factor.Grad played with the same WRs as the anchor until DHB got hurt.but none of that should make any difference since YOU wanted Russell benched after the 2nd week.LOL.if you wanted him benched and saw he should have been benched,why did you make excuses for him every week?lmao.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
McClain!!!!
What if Dunlap is available in the 2nd Jhill?!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
To be fair to Cable, ” you can’t make chicken salad out of chicken sh!!t.”
The ZBS is based on smaller, quicker linemen who can get out in space and make cut blocks, etc.
Instead Cable is stuck with 6-8 Henderson, 6-8 Walker, 6-7 Gallery. And he has Satele at center, who was replaced in Miami by Jake Grove.
Carlyle and Green are marginal at best, and would be back-ups on most other teams.
It was not Cable’s fault that the O-line underproduced.
The real problem is that he didn’t compensate for the bad O-line with his play calling. He was terrible as an O co-ordinator.
He deserves to be fired, not for the play of the O-line, but for his play calling and on field decisions. If you are going to take over the play calling duties, then you make sure you do a better job at it.
He should have kept his fat fingers off the OC’s job and stuck to diredcting the overall direction of the team.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
jhill Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Agree with RT in the draft. I say Rd 2 after we pick up McClain!
=================================
#8 is way too high for a RT. Henderson would have to slide over and plug in a rookie LT.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Priestj
Did you watch the games with JR in??? This was a guy that missed backs out of the backfield by 5 yards at times. Through behind WRs and through high and almost got them killed. Defenses that I say playing against the Raiders were lining up to take the run away daring JR to throw. As LT said to the boys in the Waterboy your posts illustrates the point to “don’t smoke crack.”
Your posts are some of the worst revisionist crap I have ever read. JR looked horrible out there and digressed from the year before for whatever reason and looked terrible even in the preseason against vanilla defenses. If we had an average BU QB all year I think we would have been at least 8-8 because teams would not have been able to stack the run like they did.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Still running with the why did you make excuses line? How tired is that?
Yeah he didn’t play when he passed for 300 yds … you left out the 3 picks,the sacks, the 9 points, and the LOSS, lol.
Green was on my shyt list? So what? He was still better than Pears and Barnes, so what’s your point?
When Frye played with Morris at G, he got knocked out of the game, lol! AND WE LOST!
Grads played with the same WRs? Really? Schillens wasn’t a part of that winning TD drive against Cincy? Which game did he play in for #2? Schillens and JLH weren’t starting for Grads? Are you sure? LMFAO!
WTF does none of it make any difference mean? WTF does that mean Lefty? You’re being silly!
My point hasn’t changed! This entry is talking about it from Jerry. Is he making excuses for Russell, lol?
Move on! The team has A LOT of holes and we were no better than a 7 win team MAX regardless of who played QB. Grads and Frye got their shots and they got knocked the fugg out! It’s not Russell’s fault they got knocked the fugg out man, CMON!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
1st: ILB McClain
2nd: DE Dunlap
3rd: DT Mike Neal Purdue, or Vince Oghobase Duke.
3rd: RT Sam Young Or Kyle Calloway
4th: CB Syd Thompson Cal if available or CB/ KR Leroy Vann
All 5 picks can start right away and contribute. IMO
January 5th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
NorthernD Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
jhill Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Agree with RT in the draft. I say Rd 2 after we pick up McClain!
=================================
#8 is way too high for a RT. Henderson would have to slide over and plug in a rookie LT.
—————————————————–
I said Rd 2 AFTER we pick up McClain! McClain at 8.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
# Raider O Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
DK,
Let’s talk draft, I like your picks.
Needs are: DT, ILB, RT, RG, FB, and CB. In that order, Agreed?
What do you think we should do with Kirk, let him go or move him outside? If you move him outside, then you have 3 OLBs: Kirk, Scott, and TH?
I think we should move Seymour inside, and that should help with 1 DT, but we still need another one. TK and Warren are overpaid backups!!!
^^^^^^^^^
Well, if Kirk is NOT kept, then I can see McClain being the pick at #8. He will be better than Morrison. Bigger, faster, stronger and not afraid to fill the gaps and is a leader.
If they keep Kirk than DT or OT should be the #8 pick. Suh and McCoy will be gone, so Cody maybe a REAL possibility at #8, even tho I think it would be slight reach due to the risk of him being out of shape and playing only two downs in the NFL. However, the Raiders need a two gao run stuffer. If Cody is taken, then TK will take another paycut and Warren will either retire or be cut. Kelly and Cody can play side by side with Seymour staying as the RDE and Shaunessy rotating with Ellis on the left side.
T Scott can come in and play as a down RDE from time to time in certain passing situations while Seymour goes back inside with Bryant along side him in passing situations.
If Cody is indeed taken at #8 they need to implement the 3-4 more often to confuse offenses.
If Cody is taken at #8, I would love to see OG John Jerry picked in Round 2. He would bring some POWER to that RG position. The two 3rd round picks can be used on a RT and MLB like Micah Johnson.
Johnsons’ stock will fall due to him hurting his MCL and he may not be able to work out until maybe right before the draft IF he is lucky.
If Johnson slips to the 3rd round the Raiders should take him….without hesitation.
If they go OT with that 8th pick….there should be some good ones in Bruce Campbell, Trent Williams and Anthony Smith.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
What if Dunlap is available in the 2nd Jhill?!
——————————————————-
Have to stay true to the draft board O, lol!
DE is not a need.
OT or DT is RD 2!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Then a RG may not be needed in the draft due to L Walker most likely being moved to RG next year if they want more beef and power on the 0-Line. L Walker can’t play RT anymore….he doesn’t have the feet IMO.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
# jhill Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
What if Dunlap is available in the 2nd Jhill?!
——————————————————-
Have to stay true to the draft board O, lol!
DE is not a need.
OT or DT is RD 2!
^^^^^^^^
Well, a speed and power RDE is kinda a need actually. Seymour can be moved inside full time…potentially.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
If we take Cody, and go more 3-4, I see TK and Seymour at DE!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Dunlap is NOT lasting until Rd 2.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Offensive tackle and defensive tackle.
Please!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
DK,
I’m not sold on Cody. I dont want another 1st RD pick out of shape!!!
As far as M Johnson, if we don’t draft McClain then we should draft him even if we keep Kirk. I agree with Jhill and I think Walker can be our RG.
I think Al will draft Haden!!!!!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
# jhill Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
If we take Cody, and go more 3-4, I see TK and Seymour at DE!
^^^^^^^^^
Seymour can definitely fill the RDE spot in a 3-4 alignment.
Seymours’ flexibility and versatility are his greatest assets for a D-Line.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
# Raider O Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
DK,
I’m not sold on Cody. I dont want another 1st RD pick out of shape!!!
As far as M Johnson, if we don’t draft McClain then we should draft him even if we keep Kirk. I agree with Jhill and I think Walker can be our RG.
I think Al will draft Haden!!!!!
^^^^^^^^^^
I’m sorry, but if the old fool drafts Haden, then someone needs to put that old dog out of his misery. A CB is not that big of a need to take #8 overall in this draft. They can take one later or sign a nickel back in FA. Enough is enough with drafting 1st round CB’s and Safeties. Sheesh…..
January 5th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
priestj is right,
of course jamarcus should have prepared himself in a much more earnest fashion. However there was no chance for him to do well even if he lived at the facility full time. First, why get rid of duante culpeper? This is an accomplished qb with a similar build and style of play to jamarcus. He is more mobile, but there are striking similarities. culpepper has taken his knocks, including the tag of not being serious enough about his preperation, early in his career. Culpepper was also a notorious party animal, (sex boat). This is guy that could have shared and tuaght jamarcus a lot, while at the same time giving jamarcus a chance to grow from the side line, since he clearly wasnt ready to go. Not to mention the fact that culpepper could have stepped in an won us some games, he is head and shoulders better than the qb’s we have on our roster. Did yo really think you could put an illpreparde 23 year old behind a makeshift offensive line completely devoid of talent, along with 2 rookie recievers? Add that in with a unbelievably bad running game, and a suspect defense and its a powder keg. Cable should be sacked for allowing this mess to shape up this way. jamarcus didnt stand a chance.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Scott and Ellis on the outsides!
I like it, but I’m still not sold on Cody in the 1st. If he falls to the 2nd then we should draft him.
Dunlap didn’t have a great year, and had a DUI in DEC. I like Dunlap in the 2nd!!
Dunlap!!
Dunlap!!
6′6 280 and runs a sub 4.7!!
Al will draft him!!! lol
January 5th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
All jokes aside, we NEED a CB this year!
CJ is NOT the player he was last year, and he is over 30.
Routt is a FA and should not be brought back unless he starts on the outside. He is HORRIBLE matched up against the slot!
Uhhh … John Holland is our 4th corner!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
jhill,
I agree w/ McLain. A tough MLB should be the first need addressed.
I think the Raiders realize they need to stop the run. That’s why they picked up Shaugnessy, and the other DE’s last year. He was a run stuffer in college.
Warren and Kelly are nothing more than over-paid blocking sleds and need to go. I wouldn’t go anywhere near Cody until the 2nd round. Give him a huge signing bonus and I think he’ll get content, and eat himself out of the league.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
“At left tackle Mario Henderson started the season well enough but seemed to fade.”
Gallery helped Henderson tremendously not only by being good at guard, but by helping Henderson with assignments. Morris was better at Center and bullied at guard. Satele whiffs on reads and assignments. He’s no good.
Carlisle been in decline like Jerry said and Green? He’s the Alvis Whitted of the O line, but unlike Whitted, this joker actually has to play.
Want him gone next year!
Jerry’s point is one I’ve been making for some time now, Cable has no business choosing line men ESPECIALLY in the 1st round of the draft! Maybe we luck into one if decide to go that way just because the best guys their at our number, but man, Harris was enough for me to question his judgement on linemen…
January 5th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Jhill,
If we move Seymour inside then DE will be a need! Dunlap can fix that problem and start right away at RE and Ellis and Matt S can play LE.
Dunlap!
Dunlap!
LMAO
January 5th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
# jhill Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
All jokes aside, we NEED a CB this year!
CJ is NOT the player he was last year, and he is over 30.
Routt is a FA and should not be brought back unless he starts on the outside. He is HORRIBLE matched up against the slot!
Uhhh … John Holland is our 4th corner!
^^^^^^^^^^
I’m sorry, but if the old fool drafts Haden, then someone needs to put that old dog out of his misery. A CB is not that big of a need to take #8 overall in this draft. They can take one later or sign a nickel back in FA. Enough is enough with drafting 1st round CB’s and Safeties. That’s one of the things that has got this team in trouble the last 7 years.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
We need a big fat run stuffer at DT, not another 6′6 300 guy. Leave Seymour to DT on passing downs.
Add a big fat guy to a Warren, Kelly, and Bryant!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
# Raider O Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Jhill,
If we move Seymour inside then DE will be a need! Dunlap can fix that problem and start right away at RE and Ellis and Matt S can play LE.
Dunlap!
Dunlap!
LMAO
^^^^^^^^^
Dunlap in Round 2 sure…..Dunlap with the #8 pick?
No way!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Jhill,
Stop It!!! Al is a great teacher, and we great students. No more DBs and athletes!! We need football players.
In the last 12 1st RD picks, Al drafted 5 DBs!! How many DBs does a team need. 3 were CBs!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
No Dunlap at 8th!! I like Athletes, but I’m not Crazy!!
Too bad Al is crazy! lol
January 5th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
jhill Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
All jokes aside, we NEED a CB this year!
CJ is NOT the player he was last year, and he is over 30.
Routt is a FA and should not be brought back unless he starts on the outside. He is HORRIBLE matched up against the slot!
Uhhh … John Holland is our 4th corner!
===============
Agreed. You break the bank and give away all our draft picks for this year andn next for Darelle Revis. That’ll fix our offense!
We do need DB depth, thats no lie. Thank gawd Holland didn’t have to play much if at all on the D.
Routt’s been a slouch for many years now. Ain’t never gonna play up to his potential. Watching him get burned a few times this year, it was sad really, his laziness covering a guy in motion while playing “tight” man cost us a huge momentum shift that ended up with points for the enemy and the game.
He could be good as Nnamdi if he wanted. Should get his azz to PRIME U this off season. Hope he’s not in silver an black next year.
I hear Taylor Mays may be over rated and I’m not sure any of our current safties could transition to CB that quickly if needed.
Yikes, Davis and the draft. To think I used to be stupid enough to look forward to it.
I don’t think its all the players, I think its the system and the lack of accountability.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Enough is enough with drafting 1st round CB’s and Safeties. That’s one of the things that has got this team in trouble the last 7 years.
——————————————————-
Huff is the last DB we drafted in Rd 1 and he’s playing rather well.
Again, I’d prefer McClain at 8 as I agree MLB, OT, and DT are bigger needs. But CB is WITHOUT QUESTION a need this year.
CJ is declining, and he wasn’t great to begin with. And Routt is a FA. No one else on the roster man!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
einstien, I dont call people out on her often, but your black qb take makes me want to puke. It is a fact that for many years black players were not allowed to play qb. It is also a known fact that before the 99 draft most black qb’s were forced to change position or go to canada. I know most people in america cant stand to see a black man play qb, or get paid, but at least they have the decency to keep it to themselves. Black qb’s are now the wave of the future, and if we can get a couple more like young and macnabb, that play on good teams and have a legit chance to win you will soon see another black qb win the super bowl. Maybe one day you might have the heart to say you are wrong, be we wont be able to hear you until you take off the white hood, and take jimmy the greek and archie bunker’s dik out of your mouth!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Nnamdi21,
I don’t think Cable decides who to draft. If he had any pull what-so-ever, they would have taken at least one in the draft last year.
Bringing in a has-been like Walker or Barnes is not a big deal, and Davis probably doesn’t care about that.
That should be a GM’s job anyway. The coach should tell him what type of player he needs, which ones will fit his system, then the GM goes out and gets them.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Raider O Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Jhill,
If we move Seymour inside then DE will be a need! Dunlap can fix that problem and start right away at RE and Ellis and Matt S can play LE.
Dunlap!
Dunlap
=======================
You get Seymour and Suh on the same field you almost have to run 3-4
January 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
mikeyd1963 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
I think it’s telling that:
Priest is in here sh@tting on Cable, when the one constant during these crappy seasons is…Al Davis!
But hey, maybe that’s just me.
=================
Not just you, at all.
That’s priest’s MO.
Dropped ball thrown too high, too low, behind receiver? Blame the receiver.
Overthrow? Blame the play calling.
Fumble from JR? Blame the Oline.
Total crap game from JR? HAS TO BE CABLE’S FAULT..not JR.
Want to hear funny? The call in show after the game? Some guy calls in, sluring his words, sounding like an uneducated hick from the sticks, ghetto ebonics…making every excuse why JR sucked, or why it’s not his fault, or how it’s not fair that Grad or Frye succeeded where JR failed, because CABLE SET HIM UP..where the radio hosts say “yeah, yeah…whatever” and hang up on the guy?
That’s priest, lol..no lie.
Only person I ever heard talk who makes JR sound lucid.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
# Raider O Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
DK,
I’m not sold on Cody. I dont want another 1st RD pick out of shape!!!
As far as M Johnson, if we don’t draft McClain then we should draft him even if we keep Kirk. I agree with Jhill and I think Walker can be our RG.
I think Al will draft Haden!!!!!
^^^^^^^^^
McClain or an OT would be the best picks at that #8 spot. Cody has too many question marks with his weight and if can only play two downs in the NFL.
An good to great OT prospect will be there at #8 as well to either start at LT and move Mario over to RT or start at the RT position. Maybe Barnes can be moved to RG as well with him and L Walker competing for that spot? Carlisle is done.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
mistic1 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
einstien, I dont call people out on her often, but your black qb take makes me want to puke. It is a fact that for many years black players were not allowed to play qb. It is also a known fact that before the 99 draft most black qb’s were forced to change position or go to canada. I know most people in america cant stand to see a black man play qb, or get paid, but at least they have the decency to keep it to themselves. Black qb’s are now the wave of the future, and if we can get a couple more like young and macnabb, that play on good teams and have a legit chance to win you will soon see another black qb win the super bowl. Maybe one day you might have the heart to say you are wrong, be we wont be able to hear you until you take off the white hood, and take jimmy the greek and archie bunker’s dik out of your mouth!
==================================
Maybe one day we won’t notice the color of the super bowl winning QB…
January 5th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
all this russell stuff is annoying. lets just put it to rest this way. HE is at fault and the organization is too. davis knew he wanted russ when the season was over after he declared for the draft and shouldve hired the best coach who wanted russell and could develope him while having a veteran here. everyone said that russ needed structure and to sit for awhile before being ready and we did the complete opposite.to salvage this both parties need to grow up immediately or part ways. all the “haters” were right about us being the worst team for him especially considering how we are wasting dmac and bush away. the team quitting gets no love from me cuz they are paid to play. u think al davis wants to hear about these babies quitting on the field? this will be the most important offseason in the teams history.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I like that MLB from Iowa.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
NorthernD Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Nnamdi21,
I don’t think Cable decides who to draft. If he had any pull what-so-ever, they would have taken at least one in the draft last year.
Bringing in a has-been like Walker or Barnes is not a big deal, and Davis probably doesn’t care about that.
That should be a GM’s job anyway. The coach should tell him what type of player he needs, which ones will fit his system, then the GM goes out and gets them.
============================
Thats all assuming a rational approach to the draft. How it SHOULD go down and how it does in Raiderland are two different things especially on draft day.
It seems more like specimen collecting then it does getting guys who love and can play the game sometimes.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
# jhill Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Enough is enough with drafting 1st round CB’s and Safeties. That’s one of the things that has got this team in trouble the last 7 years.
——————————————————-
Huff is the last DB we drafted in Rd 1 and he’s playing rather well.
Again, I’d prefer McClain at 8 as I agree MLB, OT, and DT are bigger needs. But CB is WITHOUT QUESTION a need this year.
CJ is declining, and he wasn’t great to begin with. And Routt is a FA. No one else on the roster man!
^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah but it took Huff 4 freakin years to develop. Raiders have drafted so freakin high the last 4 years, that they were no CB’s to draft in the top 5. LOL.
Remember Philip Buchanon?? Bust…..
The Raiders should have taken Ngata ahead of Huff that year and I will admit…I wanted Huff, because there were no freakin safeties that were any good then.
Chris Johnson can hold his own long enough for another year. They need to focus on the LINES and a MLB and a kick returner this year. Maybe even a FB.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
also as for this vegas thing what does it matter for most u? if he was excused blame davis for excusing him or maybe davis wanted him out considering the mess going on here. personal issues is always a cover up which teams will never tell us what that really is. Downthebay would post on here saying how russell has mentioned hackett not liking him and not teaching him enuff based on russ not being his kind of qb. well jhill pointed out how they didnt even acknowledge each other sunday so there is somethin behind the scenes we all dont know thats a bigger issue. it will all come out after he is gone im sure.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Nnamdi,
Let’s say Suh falls to 8 and we draft him, him and Seymour play DEs in our new 3-4, but who plays NT?
January 5th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Of course russell has bad foot work this happens to every qb that cant trust his o-line or recievers. I think seymore should move inside this would help our run defense, drafting and end to take his spot makes good sense, especially if you take into consideration a few tid bits. seymore does not generate enough pressure from the outside to justify him being in that spot. Warren is getting older and has played like crap, tommy keely has a huge contract, he may be there for a while, next to seymore might make him better. Kelly and seymore do a good job of penetrating the line from the inside. also the devlopment of shaugnessy demandes more playing time for him, paired with ellis an a new pass rushing d- end would really upgrade this unit.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
> oh for schits sake… what the fork does Bush have to do to beat fargas or dmc???
really… tell me what it is…
because there is no category that you can point to where Bush isn’t the best…
freaking clowns…
============================
How about throwing right handed?
Seriously, Fargas is much better in pass protection than either DMAC or Bush. That’s why he’s the every down back when healthy. When Bush is in the game, it signals the defense that a heavy dose of running is likely.
DMAC is more proficient to shift out into a WR slot to force a sudden mismatch. Again, his presence helps to keep the defense off balance.
Those reasons above are why you don’t see a lot of Bush (when the others are healthy) until late in the game when it’s time to pound a tired defense. Ideally with a lead to protect.
I’m as big a Bush fan as anyone (pun intended, and I ain’t talking about the ex-Presidents
but he’s not the second coming of Hershel Walker. He’s a solid power runner with decent speed and vision. But he has his flaws too. For one, he’s often too slow to the hole, thinking that he can patiently pick his holes a la Barry Sanders. Until he starts to realize that he’s more of a Jerome Bettis and hits the hole with intent to smash through it, he’ll never reach his full potential.
The ironic thing is that Fargas has the running mentality that would best fit Bush’s body and vice-versa.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
as for the punk who snitched on russ and cam inman who just reports $hit without making sure what the whole reason is are completely ignorant. people want posters in vegas to march down to the palms and give russ a piece of their mind is flat out pu$$y. alot of yall sound like gossipin women biotchin about this.i could care less about his haircuts and his clothes i aint fuk!!n him. now we gotta hear up to minute reports on him all offseason. i dont give an F what they do cuz i got my own life and ill be damned if i let a snot nosed 24 year old millionaire ruin my day being silly. STOP SNITCHIN AND NO HOMO!!! btw, wassup jhizzie!!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
armond Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
all this russell stuff is annoying. lets just put it to rest this way. HE is at fault and the organization is too. davis knew he wanted russ when the season was over after he declared for the draft and shouldve hired the best coach who wanted russell and could develope him while having a veteran here. everyone said that russ needed structure and to sit for awhile before being ready and we did the complete opposite.
=======================
Hiring a rookie novice in Kiffin who would need to learn the NFL ropes while at the same time throwing a Junior QB who needs big time polish was a drastic error I agree, but to say Russell didn’t sit is incorrect. He was on his azz most of the first year and only played the last few games I think.
Really sad to think he may not pan for us, what a waste. I’d love to see him come in and command cuz he could guide this team to great heights if he only chose to.
He’ll likely get help next year with some linemen who can either pass protect or run block so well play actions a given (lets hope)and his wides will have another off season to work on their craft with master artisan SanJay Lal.
Maybe more of them will attend Russell’s off season QB camp.
I really think if Schilens hadn’t have gotten hurt (he’s looking too fragile to be a reliable go to hope I’m wrong) he was on pace to catch for about 800 yds realistically and it likely would’ve made a difference for Russell and in the win column.
Complicated machine whose parts affect the others.
Whats it come down to though?
The O line is the bottom line.
Cable spent time polishing Oaklands turds and got them in the top 10 rushing teams before the promotion, but wothout his undivided, they didn’t fare as well. Granted injuries and under performance devastated, but still, its obvious upgrades NEED to be made if this team is to progress.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Raider O Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Nnamdi,
Let’s say Suh falls to 8 and we draft him, him and Seymour play DEs in our new 3-4, but who plays NT?
=======================
I know, thats the hardest guy to find. Thats why Fat Albert got $100 milly. Knew that guy was a contract year player. Stupid Washington. DeAngleo Hall earning his $28 million?
Suh’s a looong shot and not a stout run defender but remind me of Seymour in a lot of ways.
Would be potentially dynamite and a serious departure from reality in actuality. But still…SUH!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
cody is the best option in the first. this would be the year to trade down if taking cody at 8 is 2 high. pick up an extra 3rd or 2nd to get more beef on both lines and lb. we better make sure we get cody and that angerer dude from iowa is tuff. we do need a de cuz our pass rush is too slow from the outside. i like jerry hughes of tcu alot. we need to get as many picks as possible. this is a very deep defensive draft. havili at fb from usc is a need also.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
mistic1 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
priestj is right,
of course jamarcus should have prepared himself in a much more earnest fashion. However there was no chance for him to do well even if he lived at the facility full time. First, why get rid of duante culpeper? This is an accomplished qb with a similar build and style of play to jamarcus. He is more mobile, but there are striking similarities. culpepper has taken his knocks, including the tag of not being serious enough about his preperation, early in his career. Culpepper was also a notorious party animal, (sex boat). This is guy that could have shared and tuaght jamarcus a lot, while at the same time giving jamarcus a chance to grow from the side line, since he clearly wasnt ready to go. Not to mention the fact that culpepper could have stepped in an won us some games, he is head and shoulders better than the qb’s we have on our roster. Did yo really think you could put an illpreparde 23 year old behind a makeshift offensive line completely devoid of talent, along with 2 rookie recievers? Add that in with a unbelievably bad running game, and a suspect defense and its a powder keg. Cable should be sacked for allowing this mess to shape up this way. jamarcus didnt stand a chance.
================================================
That Culpepper thing, that’s on Al. With all his years being around the league, he should have known better than to try and throw a green, multi-millionaire fur coat wearing kid out there. It would have been worth Als’ money to keep DC for that very reason. JR looked lost most of the time. Al basically fed him to the lions. However that may be, JR also blew an opportunity to take it upon himself to get better. When he signed for all that money, surely he and his agent knew what they were getting into. And if they didn’t, then the joke really was on Al.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
# Nnamdi21 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
jhill Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
All jokes aside, we NEED a CB this year!
CJ is NOT the player he was last year, and he is over 30.
Routt is a FA and should not be brought back unless he starts on the outside. He is HORRIBLE matched up against the slot!
Uhhh … John Holland is our 4th corner!
===============
Agreed. You break the bank and give away all our draft picks for this year andn next for Darelle Revis. That’ll fix our offense!
We do need DB depth, thats no lie. Thank gawd Holland didn’t have to play much if at all on the D.
Routt’s been a slouch for many years now. Ain’t never gonna play up to his potential. Watching him get burned a few times this year, it was sad really, his laziness covering a guy in motion while playing “tight” man cost us a huge momentum shift that ended up with points for the enemy and the game.
He could be good as Nnamdi if he wanted. Should get his azz to PRIME U this off season. Hope he’s not in silver an black next year.
I hear Taylor Mays may be over rated and I’m not sure any of our current safties could transition to CB that quickly if needed.
Yikes, Davis and the draft. To think I used to be stupid enough to look forward to it.
I don’t think its all the players, I think its the system and the lack of accountability.
^^^^^^^^^^
Another thing that will help Routt out as would any CB is the amount of pressure put on the opposing QB.
Get a DT and RDE to out some more consistent pressure on that QB or blitz more.
Get a MLB who is a thumper.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I think Ellis and Seymour have added a lot of character to the D.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Wassup Armond!
Like Priest said, Russell, Russell …. Russell farted.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Even if davis was to hire a gm, the gm is second in command. The gm is a buffer between the owner and the coach and ideally has a feel for scouting. The gm is not a person that overides the vision of the owner. In situations where the gm has more football knowledge and experience than the owner, he usually will get more play. this is not the case in the town. what gm would have more football acumen than AL DAVIS. One thing is true across the board , owners run the show, gm’s coaches, and the like are there to carry out and execute the owners plan. this is the way it works in pro sports. Lets not pretend that its only Davis that has his finger prints all over his team, they all do. Thank goodness that at least davis is a real foot ball man, and is willing to spend his money. It could be worse we could have daniel snyder, or some other rich guy with no clue.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
namm u gotta remember that cuz of the holdout he wasnt around in the preseason and he was 3rd string in 07. he really didnt do much until the last 3 games. also he probably didnt need to start right away in 08 either. the point is if everything was done right we would be in better position.u are right about tha damn oline. and that is part of my criticism too. u had one of the worst oline debacles in history in 06 yet we draft 1 oline since 07. does that make sense to you? of course not.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
if we’re going 3-4… and even if we’re not…
i gotta say Dan Williams, Temmessee…
gotta get the big boys…
January 5th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Pathetic.
Jamarcus Russell didn’t bother with the final team meeting so he could go to Las Vegas?!
Even Javonn Walker didn’t leave town that fast to go to Vegas.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Nnamdi21,
Thats all assuming a rational approach to the draft. How it SHOULD go down and how it does in Raiderland are two different things especially on draft day.
It seems more like specimen collecting then it does getting guys who love and can play the game sometimes.
====================================
specimen collecting
an appropriate choice of words…
January 5th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
110. Ellis is gone. He was lucky to get this year done by not practicing all week and only playing in the games.
Bad knees, great player. I’d be shocked if he comes back next year and can impact.
Say, Burgess didn’t exactly light the world on fire in NE did he? 28 tackles and 5 sacks. Not horrible, but not pro bowl either.
Shaughnessy’s got knee and injury issues. Tough as nails, but slow off the ball and still learning.
Scott’s moving into hybrid mode, Richardson, shows flashes and hustle on occasion, but not enough.
DE is still a need IMHO.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
mistic makes good points about ownership. the OWNER makes the decisions just like bud adams made fisher play young when he didnt want to. owners want to see a return on their investment and will wait until THEYVE seen enuff before moving on. davis has every right to give russell what he feels will help him and quitting azz babies that have been LOSING wont force his hand. not us, the media, nobody. they play for cable but they dont win for him and they quit on russell. what the hell makes u think davis will listen to that? i say get parcells to help run the show and see what happens regardless who is the qb.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
mistic1 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Even if davis was to hire a gm, the gm is second in command. The gm is a buffer between the owner and the coach and ideally has a feel for scouting. The gm is not a person that overides the vision of the owner. In situations where the gm has more football knowledge and experience than the owner, he usually will get more play. this is not the case in the town. what gm would have more football acumen than AL DAVIS. One thing is true across the board , owners run the show, gm’s coaches, and the like are there to carry out and execute the owners plan. this is the way it works in pro sports. Lets not pretend that its only Davis that has his finger prints all over his team, they all do. Thank goodness that at least davis is a real foot ball man, and is willing to spend his money. It could be worse we could have daniel snyder, or some other rich guy with no clue.
================================================
We were good when we had a gm. Didn’t snyder just hire a gm? Al used to be a rich guy with a clue, now Al has become a rich guy with no clue. You’re correct why and what gm’s are for. That’s why we need one.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Corners are a dime dozen but a press man cover corner, a rare find indeed. after you adress the o-line, and d-line, it becomes a matter of the best players left on the board its a pretty thin lb draft once you get past the top 3. The later rounds will be a toss up between db-and lb. Is it easier to plug in a lb- or a bump and run db through free agency? This is the make or break.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
they play for cable but they dont win for him and they quit on russell. what the hell makes u think davis will listen to that?
——————————————————
Exactly!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
# KoolKell Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
How can ANY Raider Fan support a General Manager who produces this?
09′ 5-11
08′ 5-11
07′ 4-12
06′ 2-14
05′ 4-12
04′ 5-11
03′ 4-12
5 Head Coaches, 8 Starting QB’s.
^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah it’s a sick demented joke isn’t it?
January 5th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
mistic1,
Culpepper wanted a chance to start, and get some good coin. He wasn’t going to get that in Oakland.
The biggest complaint about Russell is not the production, it is the lack of effort and his demenour. It looks like he doesn’t care at all.
I think people would cut him some slack if he showed up early and tried harder. That’s not much to ask for.
The rest us of don’t have his ability, so we have to work hard each day. So we expect to see the same from him as well.
He could be great, but he’s a slob. That’s what gets people so angry with him.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
i’m starting to think Scott is going to be special for us…
think Karl Mecklenberg…
January 5th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
NFL’s All Time Worst 5 General Managers.
————————–
Wow, a one-time genius is now stuck in the past. When an owner/general manager continues to use the phrase “commitment to excellence” over and over again to describe a team that has a record of 29-83 since 2003, 7 consecutive seasons of 11 loses or more, and 4 coaches in 6 years, you know he’s living in the past. The once proud franchise took a page out of Daniel Snyder’s business handbook on Football management. At one time, this franchise had the greatest winning percentage in all of professional sports, was a perennial playoff team and contender year after year. Somewhere along the way, Al Davis went completely insane, hired and fired coaches over and over again, and displayed a complete lack of understanding not typical of someone in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known as a ‘maverick’, he’s certainly that as he’s ignored the conventional wisdom of hiring good people and leaving them alone. Instead, he’s known to interfere in play calling, chasing over the hill free agents, and drafting complete duds like Jamarcus Russell whose 3 year quarterback rating is an abysmal 65.2%.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2557245/the_nfls_top_5_alltime_worst_general_pg2.html?cat=14
January 5th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
The owner believes the gm is doing just fine. Get over it…………………………………………
January 5th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
# Nnamdi21 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
110. Ellis is gone. He was lucky to get this year done by not practicing all week and only playing in the games.
Bad knees, great player. I’d be shocked if he comes back next year and can impact.
Say, Burgess didn’t exactly light the world on fire in NE did he? 28 tackles and 5 sacks. Not horrible, but not pro bowl either.
Shaughnessy’s got knee and injury issues. Tough as nails, but slow off the ball and still learning.
Scott’s moving into hybrid mode, Richardson, shows flashes and hustle on occasion, but not enough.
DE is still a need IMHO.
^^^^^^^^^
DE Derrick Morgan would be another great pick at #8
January 5th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
the very exact moment the Raiders started downhill was when they traded Jim Lachey…
and got Jay Schroeder…
January 5th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
# islandraider Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
The owner believes the gm is doing just fine. Get over it…………………………………………
^^^^^^^^^
The Owner AND the GM both SUCK balls! LOL
January 5th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Nnamdi21 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Raider O Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Nnamdi,
Let’s say Suh falls to 8 and we draft him, him and Seymour play DEs in our new 3-4, but who plays NT?
=======================
I know, thats the hardest guy to find. Thats why Fat Albert got $100 milly. Knew that guy was a contract year player. Stupid Washington. DeAngleo Hall earning his $28 million?
Suh’s a looong shot and not a stout run defender but remind me of Seymour in a lot of ways.
Would be potentially dynamite and a serious departure from reality in actuality. But still…SUH!
————————————————————————————————————–
Suh dropping that far down?
Assuming you guys are in the United States, both of you go outside right now and look into the sky. The color of it would most likely match your piss.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
I agree a good gm could help, I just dont like the idea that to hire a gm means you will instantly become a great team. There plenty of bad gm’s out there. As a matter of fact even bruce allen was fired in tampa. everyone here seems to think he and gruden walk on water. Davis should only hire a gm if a really good gm is out there, and not simply for the sake of having a gm. By the way identifying talent at gm is another knack that davis seems have. Also i would argue that it is not just having a gm that makes davis better, but it is also davis that makes the gm better. case and point ron wolfe and the affore mentioned bruce allen
January 5th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Florida Pete Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
i’m starting to think Scott is going to be special for us…
think Karl Mecklenberg…
________________________
I think Davis always wanted one. He wreaked havoc on us for Denver all those years. Hate him for it, but he was special in his day.
A true hybrid.
I always suspected Tyler Brayton may have got the nod hoping he was the next Meck.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
135. DKKnight: I’m just not sure Al’s going to pay a D line guy that much. Don’t know though…
January 5th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
In the draft I meant
January 5th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
# mistic1 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Corners are a dime dozen but a press man cover corner, a rare find indeed. after you adress the o-line, and d-line, it becomes a matter of the best players left on the board its a pretty thin lb draft once you get past the top 3. The later rounds will be a toss up between db-and lb. Is it easier to plug in a lb- or a bump and run db through free agency? This is the make or break.
^^^^^^^^^
Yeah at 5′11, 185, Haden is not big or long enouth to be taken that by the Raiders at #8, especially since CB is not a GREAT need.
You take a CB that high he needs to have the size and skills of Nnamdi, Woodson and Revis.
No thanks to Haden as the #8 pick for the Raiders….if the old man does that…he may have a lynch mob after him in Alameda!
Hire a REAL GM you silly stubborn egotistial old man Al!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
schroeder was better than marc wilson, but they both sucked
January 5th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
138. A trade up isn’t out of the realm is it? ANd how about the ole, “He may have failed a pee test!” or “Suspicious X rays!” at the combine or just before the draft.
It happens…
Again, pure fantasy but its not completey insane man!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Al Davis is a guy that believs the offense must score to win, I cant see him passing on the o=line this year. Also he famous for the quarter back must go down and must go down hard, you gotta beleive he wants a monster pass rusher as well, it compliments his press man cover guys, and it lets th single high saftey read the qb, pick off passes and lay out receivers. real raider foot ball.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Mays plays center field and Tyvon becomes a CB.
Mays is more straight line speed and has excellent recovery time, but his games more suited to a Tampa 2 or much more zone, then again, Oakland played alot of that old school lone deep safety thing this year.
Mays just seems a little over rated. Good reads, disciplined, phenominal straight line speed, can tackle on an island, but has 4 career pics and tight hips.
#8 overall? Not to Oakland I think…if he did, he might be a project. Great size and speed. a 4.2 at 230?!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Florida Pete Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
the very exact moment the Raiders started downhill was when they traded Jim Lachey…
and got Jay Schroeder…
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
November 30th, 1986. 33-27 loss to the Eagles. Plunkett had back to back bombs to Hester. Allen fumbles late in the game. Goes into OT. Raiders were 8-4, ended 8-8. That loss was flat-out sickening. Except for the Gruden years, I blame it on that game.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
The Raiders may have had a GM in title, but not really in function. Wasn’t Bruce Allen’s claim to fame in Oakland his magic as a “capologist”? Al called the shots and Bruce was the interface to the players and agents to keep them happy.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
1st : DE Suh
2nd: NT Dan Williams
3rd: ILB M Johnson
3rd: RT Sam young/ Kyle Calloway
4th: CB Syd Thompson if available or Leroy Vann
That should give us a good 3-4 defense:
NT: Dan Williams
DEs: Seymour, Suh, and Jay as backup,
OLB: Scott, Ellis, Matt S
ILB: Kirk & M Johnson
CBs: Nnamdi, CJ, and Huff
FS: Branch
SS: M Mitchell
January 5th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Actually this reminds me of the pre gruden era, the team was a floundering miserable mess. Davis tried some quick fixes that did not work, everybody said davis had lost it, then boom raiders came back behind a few brilliant strokes from the master. Including hiring an un heard of coordinator that was largly panned by the public. Dont take of the saftey belt jut yet band wagon jumpers, the old mn still has a few tricks up his sleeve.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
# Nnamdi21 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Mays plays center field and Tyvon becomes a CB.
Mays is more straight line speed and has excellent recovery time, but his games more suited to a Tampa 2 or much more zone, then again, Oakland played alot of that old school lone deep safety thing this year.
Mays just seems a little over rated. Good reads, disciplined, phenominal straight line speed, can tackle on an island, but has 4 career pics and tight hips.
#8 overall? Not to Oakland I think…if he did, he might be a project. Great size and speed. a 4.2 at 230?!
^^^^^^^^^
Mays is more of a SS than a FS anyways and Branch and Mitchell are already there with Huff playing better as the FS.
Mays has problems in coverage and that will be a problem if he were to play FS in the NFL.
Mays would be a stupid pick at #8 to play FS.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
# Zymurge Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
The Raiders may have had a GM in title, but not really in function. Wasn’t Bruce Allen’s claim to fame in Oakland his magic as a “capologist”? Al called the shots and Bruce was the interface to the players and agents to keep them happy.
^^^^^^^^^
Bruce Allen was named Executive of the Year here in Oakland…….NOT Al Davis.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Nnamdi21 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Florida Pete Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
i’m starting to think Scott is going to be special for us…
think Karl Mecklenberg…
________________________
I think Davis always wanted one. He wreaked havoc on us for Denver all those years. Hate him for it, but he was special in his day.
A true hybrid.
I always suspected Tyler Brayton may have got the nod hoping he was the next Meck.
===================================
You gotta think like crazy Al thinks. ( I build model airplanes in an unventilated room to get that effect)
Scott is like Ted Hendricks.
If I were Scott, I would change my number to his and wear those forearm shivers the stork wore.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
mistic1 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Al Davis is a guy that believs the offense must score to win, I cant see him passing on the o=line this year. Also he famous for the quarter back must go down and must go down hard, you gotta beleive he wants a monster pass rusher as well, it compliments his press man cover guys, and it lets th single high saftey read the qb, pick off passes and lay out receivers. real raider foot ball.
==============================
And even before 2006 the offense has been beyond HORRIBLE at doing just that.
Scoring.
Defense has played well enough to win games if we could’ve managed 3 TDs.
All those picks spent on offensive weapons in Bush, DMC, Russell and *gulp* Bey and crap is what we have to show for it.
Bottom line FIX THE LINE~
January 5th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
154. And grow a cheesy mustache!
January 5th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
152. Don’t get me wrong, I think so too, but you can see how Al might approach it…
January 5th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Why can’t Trevor Scott play middle linebacker?
January 5th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
zymurge,
You are exactly right, allen did what a gm is suppossed to do. Administrative work that supports the vision of the owner. What else does he do? the gm does not call the shots he must clear his decisions with the boss, or he is fired. i dont know where this idea that a gm makes the moves comes from, he may give input but that is it. This is the way it goes in all sports.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Nnamdi21 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
152. Don’t get me wrong, I think so too, but you can see how Al might approach it…
==============================
You said it!!!
How Al might approach it. I remember Madden saying he had to fight with him, to get Al to draft O-linemen. Gruden could probably ‘guide” Al decisions. But Tom Cable? Not a chance.
Crazy Al loves his safeties. And Mays fits the bill.
PS(That mustache was awesome…)
January 5th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Russells new tune.. there a road that keeps on callin me…
January 5th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Since the most disgusting game in Raider history in my opinion, 11/30/1986, the Raiders are 164 and 208. Hardly a commitment to anything. That game did more to deflate an 8 & 4 team at the time. And it lingered til Gruden came. Davis was impatient when he wasn’t on Grudens side. No wonder he wanted out of Oakland. Give Gruden credit: he put asses in the seats. I wonder if Al remembers what that was like.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Kirk Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Why can’t Trevor Scott play middle linebacker?
==================================
Too tall.
He won’t get leverage against the shorter guards and will get pushed out of the hole. Too thin in the legs, won’t be able to bend at the knees and hold his ground.
There’s no 6-5″ MLB’s out there (to my knowledge).
January 5th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Anyone on here that touts Taylor Mays should never say anything negative about Al Davis. Al Davis gets roasted constantly for taking tape measure guys and not football players. Taylor Mays is the poster boy for tape measure guy. He can’t cover and can’t read defenses. And by the way, Mays does not run a 4.2 if he does it came from Al Davis’ stopwatch. If Mays runs a 4.2 then Al Davis will draft the WR from Boston College at #8 who smoked Mays on that pitch and catch. Guy must run a 3.1 the way he left Mays.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
scott is speed guy good for rushing passeres and covering space in zones, great for back side pursuit. you need a power guy in the middle. This is the issue I have with morrison, trouble getting of blocks. He is hard to judge because the tackles are so soft. Couple his shedding issue with the fat that he always seems to guess wrong and run his self out of he play.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
IMHO, the game that killed the Raiders?
Playoff game in Buffalo.
51-3.
They’ve never been the same. (Except for the Gruden years)
January 5th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
If a guy like spikes falls in your lap you have to take him
January 5th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Florida Pete, 136 got me started. Somewhere the wheels fell off, and we’ve been clunking along ever since.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Sorry, Mays can’t read offenses.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
#158 Kirk
Thats not a bad idea! Only Who would fil his spot? Morrison will be gone like Dany Clark if we draft a MLB
Big Al doesnt ever draft for need, he goes for speed or long hair with tats!
January 5th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
> ^^^^^^^^^
Bruce Allen was named Executive of the Year here in Oakland…….NOT Al Davis.
——
And then he proceeded to drive a Super Bowl defending champion Bucs team into the ground when actually performing the talent evaluation role of a GM and then got himself canned a few years later.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
First of all, I don’t think Scott is really 6′5″.
Secondly, Dick Butkus, Lawrence Taylor, and Jack Lambert were all 6′3″.
I believe Scott could do it.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
NorthernD Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
IMHO, the game that killed the Raiders?
Playoff game in Buffalo.
51-3.
They’ve never been the same. (Except for the Gruden years)
********************************************************
I still think of that game as a lost family member!
Seeing Bo on the sideline made me cringe and almost puke!
January 5th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
January 5th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Remember when we got Seymour the first person to make a comment was Morrison: “oh yeah the run D is fixed now.”
Turns out it ain’t fixed just yet. Now I would LMFAO if Depends drafts McClain in the 1st rnd and Spikes in the 2nd. Morrison: “this time i’m for real the run D is….what a minute, Depends about to cut my ass.”
January 5th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
NorthernD Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
IMHO, the game that killed the Raiders?
Playoff game in Buffalo.
51-3.
They’ve never been the same. (Except for the Gruden years)
————————————————–
Ah yes, 1990. Was a good year. How can a team be so good at times and this just simply shlt the bed.
7 winning seasons since 1986, 17 non winning seasons
January 5th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Kirk Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
First of all, I don’t think Scott is really 6′5″.
Secondly, Dick Butkus, Lawrence Taylor, and Jack Lambert were all 6′3″.
I believe Scott could do it.
===================================
I don’t think Butkus was even 6′1″.
LT played OLB. Lambert may have been 6′3″, but he had Joe Greene and Ernie Holmes in front of him.
I think the best way to use Scott is the way they have been using him. Move him around, taking advantage of mismatches. Don’t leave him at the same spot, otherwise the other team will game plan against him.
Scott has been productive in certain situations, but he’s not great at any one thing.
He can’t get around the corner on the pass rush like Freeny. He can’t bull rush like Peppers. He’s not a great pursuer like a Patrick Willis. He not a run stuffer like a Ray Lewis. But he doea a lot of things well.
If they try to use in just one specific way, the other teams will eat him up.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Hey Vegas Raider,
Did you blow the whistle on JaMarcus?
January 5th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Priest says that Cable had a golden opportunity to strengthen the OL in the draft.
There certainly was a golden opportunity there for OL improvement but don’t blame Cable. He was all for it.
He said repeatedly before the draft that he wanted to draft OL guys and often named the ones he wanted-just read Jerry’s old reports. Personally, I really wanted Mack but Cable had a number of other OL players in his sites including Michael Oher.
It seems to me it was more a case of Cable being over-ruled in the draft.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
This just in:
JaMarcus just fumbled 2 donuts on the buffet line at the Palms … and a drink he sent over to a fine, young POA was intercepted by a drunken used car salesman from Topeka.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
ENGLANDRAIDER,
I agree. Cable doesn’t have the pull to get the players he wants. Madden did, Gruden maybe, but Cable? Not a chance.
He just gets to pick from whatever comes across the waiver wire.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:02 am
Why even talk about this myth that Cable had say in the draft. Seriously. When was the last time any Raiders HC picked the guy they wanted? Quite the contrary. Recent history has a few coaches saying (or implying through a very thin veil) that they were stuck with Al’s pick instead of the guy that they wanted.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:03 am
Chris in NY Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
This just in:
JaMarcus just fumbled 2 donuts on the buffet line at the Palms … and a drink he sent over to a fine, young POA was intercepted by a drunken used car salesman from Topeka.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JaMarcus wanted to make sure he was 1st in line for the ‘Top 100 Chinese Resturant in USA Awards Convention’
January 6th, 2010 at 12:06 am
Some people like to think Raider coaches have the say in draft. That way, you can blame the coach when things don’t work out as hoped.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:27 am
Cable might be the worst coach in NFL history. Definitely the worst coach in Raider history.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:51 am
The Real MaddenRaider Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:27 am
Cable might be the worst coach in NFL history. Definitely the worst coach in Raider history.
=====================================
I was thinking about some of the coaches out there.
Herm Edwards has to rank among the worst ever.
He basically killed two franchises. He was awful. I cried when they fired him from K.C.
He must have memorized 100 inspirational quotes and stories and used them on his teams.
He offered nothing more than words of wisdom. I cringe when I hear him speak now. He was famous for scooping up the ball in “the miracle in the meadowlands,” and that propelled him into the coaching ranks. I don’t know how he ever gained the status he has now.
” Coach, that was a great speech about the little girl overcoming cancer and all that, but you still haven’t told me who I’m supposed to block.”
January 6th, 2010 at 1:14 am
Herm Edwards worse than Cable? Will you quit it? Edwards has been in the playoffs 4 times, including his first year. He also improved his team in his first year from their previous season, which is the true measuring stick of a coaches’ ability. Edwards isn’t great. But he is Vince Lombardi compared to Cable.
Tom Cable = worst head coach in NFL history.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:59 am
Rick Venturi.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:26 am
I don’t think Cable is as bad as you say. I think he was trying to fit in with the company line and didn’t fight for his own running things enough. He seemed to take more responsibility and decision making towards the end of the year and it definitely showed in the results.
I think with an Offensive Coordinator and now that he’s more comfortable in his working relationship with Al Davis it should go better.
I don’t want to have another coach coming in and tiptoeing around what he can or can’t do with Al and their relationship. The Defense started getting more ballsy and needs a change in MLB and DT but at least it was more creative.
Offense started performing better towards the end of the year and with an Offensive Coordinator is already middle-of-the pack with no changes or additions and can be top 10 material. A couple new O-Linemen, and a stable QB and we’ve got a descent offense.
Why go through the whole thing again with starting over from scratch? We’ve got a lot of young players who are getting better. Keeping changing schemes, assignments etc. will not help.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:51 am
raiderzmaverick,
Well said.
I think his play calling was his downfall. He’ll need an experienced OC next year. I think it’s 50-50 if he comes back or not.
Sometimes it’s better the devil you know.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:12 am
Rick Venturi
W L
NFL 2-17
NCAA 1-31
January 6th, 2010 at 3:41 am
Morning Nation!!!!
Didnt priesttj say he was done with this board and all the pos on it?
January 6th, 2010 at 3:41 am
Why can’t Trevor Scott play middle linebacker?
==================================
Too tall.
He won’t get leverage against the shorter guards and will get pushed out of the hole. Too thin in the legs, won’t be able to bend at the knees and hold his ground.
There’s no 6-5″ MLB’s out there (to my knowledge).
——————————————–
Eagles MLB is Stewart Bradley (6′4” 255), he is on IR right now, but he was pretty good last season.
Anyway, I cant see Scott as a MIKE, he was TE and DE in College, and a pass rusher in the NFL. I would keep him as an OLB/pass rusher and let see what he can do.
I think he could be a beast as a 3-4 pass rush OLB, if he can get 7 sacks as a 4-3 OLB he should be able to get 10+ sacks playing 3-4 outside LB.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:45 am
If we are going to stay in the 4-3 DEFENSE, move Seymour inside along with Kelly, and play Ellis and Shaughnessy at DE.
Backups, DT Warren, DE Richardson and DT/DE Bryant.
Seymour played 4-3 DT in College and the first 2 seasons in New England.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:26 am
Bring in Leach (as OC) and let’s try the 4-5 foot splits on the offensive line. Hell, why not? Can it get any worse? Texas Tech has been pretty good at protecting its QBs.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:41 am
Good Morning Nation, The Only Nation.
This is by far my exact feelings since making Russell our pic. Kiffin kind of had an idea even though he did not want Russell he held no grudges against him but against Al instead. He understood we had to pound the rock. Nice job BHP love the post and agree 100%.
priesttj Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
This is the first post in a long time worth reading and I agree with every word. It is also biggest point of contention with T Cable. This is inexcusable. It also is IMO the REAL reason for our record. Russell certainly had his problems but if Cable makes this a strength we win. The running game was paramount if we were going to contend at all. I said before the season started and it was obvious throughout the season. We exposed a sorry passing game oblivious to the need establish the line of scrimmage.
We had a GOLDEN opportunity to strengthen the OLine in the draft but Cable in all his wisdom neglected FOUR very good OT’s and then never addressed the Oline in the draft. It was INEXCUSABLE he is so sure that he can take a tomato can and plug it in run smoothly. I hate his approach to the running game and his selection of players on the most important unit on this team and the team suffered constantly due to his oversight. We had two QB’s get beaten down and the other damn near ruined as a result of this.
He constantly wants to pass the blame to a young unplished QB who’s looking for guidance rather protect him with a stout running game. And a smart approach to the passing game instead he plaugs in two rookies and ask the young QB to perform a freakin miracle with no running game and no WR’s worth their salt.
But a ignorant fan base and stupid media using specious logic to victimize a kid who’s struggling. When the problem has been and still is the OLINE and a refusal to run the football.
But the best thing about this mess is the owner is not a fan and is extremely football savy. He can’t pull the wool over his eyes the way he done a gullible desparate fanbase.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:46 am
NorthernD Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Nnamdi21 Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Florida Pete Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
i’m starting to think Scott is going to be special for us…
think Karl Mecklenberg…
________________________
I think Davis always wanted one. He wreaked havoc on us for Denver all those years. Hate him for it, but he was special in his day.
A true hybrid.
I always suspected Tyler Brayton may have got the nod hoping he was the next Meck.
===================================
You gotta think like crazy Al thinks. ( I build model airplanes in an unventilated room to get that effect)
Scott is like Ted Hendricks.
If I were Scott, I would change my number to his and wear those forearm shivers the stork wore.
************************************************
and the face-mask!
January 6th, 2010 at 5:01 am
priesttj Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
This is the first post in a long time worth reading and I agree with every word. It is also biggest point of contention with T Cable. This is inexcusable. It also is IMO the REAL reason for our record. Russell certainly had his problems but if Cable makes this a strength we win
*******************************************
If Cable makes Jmacs problems a strength we win?
Yep it’s all of the rest of us that are delusional
January 6th, 2010 at 5:06 am
Come on 4eva were fans and that in no means that we can judge talent, it’s easy to do when you dont have to be held accountable. You tell me you would have kept Nnamdi after his slow start, tell me Janikowski would still be here in line for a pay raise. You wouldnt cause as fans we can dump this guy and get that guy, this is not fantasy football these are kids that are trying to be successful. Maybe Jmac does not work hard enough, i said before get on him for that. But his failures go beyond working hard cause if that were the case the rest of the team would be blowing up that stat sheets according to there work ethic.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Chaz hard worker injured, Gallery hard worker injured, Gradkowski hard worker injured, Frye hard worker injured, Mcfadden hard worker injured, Nnamdi hard worker injured, JLH hard worker scared to get hit, DHB hard worker cant catch, Fargas hard worker injured. Come on give me some more hard workers so i can show you that it takes more then work in a team oriented game.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:13 am
For the life of me I dont know how you get ALL OF THIS…
***********************
r8dr4lfe21 Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 5:06 am
Come on 4eva were fans and that in no means that we can judge talent, it’s easy to do when you dont have to be held accountable. You tell me you would have kept Nnamdi after his slow start, tell me Janikowski would still be here in line for a pay raise. You wouldnt cause as fans we can dump this guy and get that guy, this is not fantasy football these are kids that are trying to be successful. Maybe Jmac does not work hard enough, i said before get on him for that. But his failures go beyond working hard cause if that were the case the rest of the team would be blowing up that stat sheets according to there work ethic.
**************************************************
Out of this….
Russell certainly had his problems but if Cable makes this a strength we win
January 6th, 2010 at 5:17 am
BHP wrote it, but what it means is if Cable would have made the running game our strength we would have been more competitive. He neglected it and said so himself he whent all out pass in training camp assuming we could run. So that means not only did he neglect to run in practice but he neglected to know that this O-Line was a mess. As head coach he is being paid to know more then us how come he doesnt.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:20 am
This is what follows the sentence you are asking about, talking about the line of scrimmage.
————————
The running game was paramount if we were going to contend at all. I said before the season started and it was obvious throughout the season. We exposed a sorry passing game oblivious to the need establish the line of scrimmage.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:27 am
well no daaaaaaa
the running game has always been paramount to us,we ALL know this…..
the way priesttj wrote it for all 2 see is this way….
Russell certainly had his problems but if Cable makes this a strength we win….Period
January 6th, 2010 at 5:28 am
No wonder they hang up on him
January 6th, 2010 at 5:31 am
A good morning to the AM crew.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:32 am
And to you Neilb!
January 6th, 2010 at 5:36 am
Im not staying long.I’ve just read about Russell and his trip to Vegas.
Rage doesn’t come close right now.
I’m not a violent person or hateful but,I hope the crew that beat the crap outta Walker do the same to Russell.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:36 am
Hahaha well i understood what he ment. I’m not the best speller or punctuator there is and i dont try to be. But i understood his meaning and i agree with it. We all love the Raiders and we all have suggesstions but thats what they are just our thoughts. We choose wether to spend time and money on this team but that does not give us the right to tell a man how to run his business.
We chose this for the good and the bad, hey i’m not happy with this mess but i understand it’s entertainment.
Shoot i think this team needs to ditch the past flat out, We hire coaches who love the mystic we force our players to learn it. Well last i checked we havent been any good, i think we ditch AC/DC and get more modern something that makes our young players get pumped. Instead of preaching the history of the Raiders we should be preaching the history of teams that made quick turnarounds and were underdogs.
I’m done with this old school way of doing things and it starts with the music on down. Keep the bells though i love that sound but follow it up with something newer.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:37 am
Good morning 4eva….
I’ll be back tomorrow when hopefully I’ll be a little calmer.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:38 am
Par for the course Neilb,imo
January 6th, 2010 at 5:39 am
Later my friends.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Last I checked,I dont think we been any good either R8er4lfe21
January 6th, 2010 at 5:55 am
Thats the point, lets focus on getting better instead of preaching a history lesson.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:01 am
How about the Qb sucked the line sucked our wr sucked , run D sucked , pass rush sucked , coach sucked and our 1 rd draft picks have sucked but hey were just so close. Bad Angle Morrison is the lead problem on run D just awful.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:05 am
noMorefargas,
now that is knowledge the team as a whole sucked. Jmacs excuse he is not a worker, what is the rest of the teams excuse and the coach for sucking?
January 6th, 2010 at 6:06 am
GOOD MORNING SPORT’S FAN’S, 4EVA, NOMOREFARGAS, R8DR4LIFE21, WINNING CHANGES EVERYTHING !!!
January 6th, 2010 at 6:08 am
WINNING IS CONTAGIOUS, GOOD MORNING DIRT-LOT.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Morning Dirt-Lot….
I agree with #215 NMF
January 6th, 2010 at 6:11 am
SO IS LOOSING..
January 6th, 2010 at 6:14 am
Losing is a curse lol.
How do we get these youngsters and Vets from winning teams where they are used to winning and the they flounder.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:15 am
yep
January 6th, 2010 at 6:21 am
MY PIONT EXACTLY R8DR..
January 6th, 2010 at 6:22 am
The main problem is we do not have a GM. We need a Casserly type of GM active and knowledgable. How many of us jumped down his throat for drafting M-Williams instead of R-Bush wow. With his knowledge and big Al thank you for everything but please step aside and reap the benefits you are and will always be the RAIDERS in our minds.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:26 am
Allow Casserly to decide on Cable, also allow him to hire a whole new scouting department. Give him the keys to drive this franchise back to glory. Allow him to get rid of anchors on this team as he has no emotional ties with these players only production knowledge.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:28 am
Good morning Nation!!!
Won’t be here long but I have to update my boy Jhill real quick.
You are right that Bruce didn’t play with the same cast as Russell did, especially at WR. Huge upgrade in the WR position from what Russell had to work with.
But what about RB? By my count, in Bruce’s 3 starts, Bush had all of 7 carries, Darren around 20 and Fargas 32!!! Fargas was never more prominent than in Bruce’s starts.
What do you think he could have done in Denver when Bush had the 100+ yards and Fargas was on ice?
January 6th, 2010 at 6:30 am
AGREED..BUT WHY WOULD CASSERLY LEAVE A SOFT T.V. GIG AND PROBABLY TAKE A PAY CUT. HAVE ALWAY’S LIKE’D THAT GUY.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:33 am
VR if you dont mind me answering this ? please. With Fargas in the game it assured Cable that Gradkowski would have a better blitz pickup, and he ran more power blocking schemes with Gradkowski in the game. As a matter of fact the last 7 games we ran more power blocking.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:35 am
Well that the point Al has to suck it up and say i’m done. Then he needs to offer Casserly the keys to this franchise, what GM or coach wouldnt love to be the 1 to say hey look what i did with the Raiders. That would be a hall of fame resume.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:35 am
That makes some sense, because we were passing a lot more in the games Bruce played.
But our most productive RB played the least amount he played all year in the stretch of games that Bruce played. I think Bush averaged 1 carry a half in the 3 and half games Bruce played.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:38 am
Jamarcus made the Las Vegas gossip section today. Said he was spotted at the Palms, and “ignited a storm in Oakland after skipping a meeting on Monday”.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:39 am
Morning NATION!
Hey Vegas.. Can you have your people arrange a visit 4 Jamarcus?
January 6th, 2010 at 6:41 am
Power blocking with Fargas????
When Grads came in other teams respected his passing ability….Fargas was getting 10 yards on 1st downs with quick-pitches!!!! that NOT power blocking
January 6th, 2010 at 6:42 am
Why would Jmac stick around, if indeed he feels he is out of here. He knows the coach blames him, he knows the players dogged him, so why would he stick around?
So easy to point fingers but i dont think 1 of us in here wouldnt ask for his autograph or be man enough to question him in person. So easy to judge when you dont have to be accountable for things that you have done.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:42 am
My people are a bunch of pencil-pushers lol.
I don’t hope any ill will towards him and the LV economy can use a little boost, so I hope he enjoys his time here.
I just hope it is Al’s last straw and they can this clown. Football in not a priority and never will be again for this guy. It seems pretty obvious to me.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:42 am
yeah Vegas,can you?
January 6th, 2010 at 6:43 am
Armond
You want us to get beyond Russell but 1/4 of the people posting think he is something between Vince Young and Flacco and maybe has a little Payton in him. I think he is Ryan Leaf’s second comming. I have consistently said this but was pleasntly surprised at the end of last year. Bottom line is this guy regressed because he did not put in the time and effort to get better or maybe he got DC attention and they schemed him better and he could not go to the next level. I don’t think that was the case because of the horrible preseason he had where they play vanilla defenses.
Bottom line, I just don’t think he has what it takes to be a QB in the NFL mentally. When you throw the ball behind people or too high or out of timing there is a propensity to drop the ball! When you miss RBs by 5 yards you get Ints and Incompletes. When you are that bad defenses are going to stack the run and force you to beat them with the pass and this will take a top five running game and turn it into a top 20 running game.
To all the reverse racists out there – this has nothing to do with his skin color. Culpepper McNair and Warren Moon proves that! But even if these players had not shown that there would be no reason to believe a QB can not perform just becuase he has more pigment in his skin. It is about Russell and him only but also about ADs judgement in taking him in the draft when also breaking in a college coordinator as coach, a perfect illustration of why he needs to back off and delegate.
What fries me (no pun intended) is the apologists for Russell that can’t see or admit how bad Russell truly is. They are worse than AD in judgement becuase even AD came to his senses and allowed Cable to bench him.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:44 am
Power blocking as in man to man blocking, it’s so much easier to know who you got before the snap. Less of a read then if your zone blocking. Running a sweep is asking 1 guy to pull that is it everyone else gets the guy in front of them.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:45 am
How is it that a city with a 80% black population lorded over by a bunch of rich white folk has a team named the Redskins?
And with Ratface at the helm, hell I now have to even pull for the Cowgirls twice a year.
Life is often just a total mindfu*k.
morning to the crew.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:47 am
[...] McD: Biggest Cable weakness was his supposed strength Biggest Cable weakness was his supposed strength – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the wo… __________________ RaideroftheSith aka [...]
January 6th, 2010 at 6:49 am
Raider O Says:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
1st : DE Suh
2nd: NT Dan Williams
3rd: ILB M Johnson
3rd: RT Sam young/ Kyle Calloway
4th: CB Syd Thompson if available or Leroy Vann
That should give us a good 3-4 defense:
NT: Dan Williams
DEs: Seymour, Suh, and Jay as backup,
OLB: Scott, Ellis, Matt S
ILB: Kirk & M Johnson
CBs: Nnamdi, CJ, and Huff
FS: Branch
SS: M Mitchell
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
at my age my pecker doesn’t respond like it used to…
but Raider O’s draft & defensive lineup made my friend stand right up!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 6:51 am
1960AutumnWind ,
I can agree and i’am not an apologist i simply ask do you think he was given every opportunity to be successful under so much drama. Gradkowski has had Hackett for 3 years now, Jmac has had 4 offensive playcallers in his short tenure.
Gradkowski is mobile witch is what you need behind our sad O-Line. So the problem is Cable selected this O-Line trying to make diamonds out of Crap. So him getting banged up i think gets in his head and becomes damged goods. How good was Gradkowski sitting on the bench cause of injury, or Frye for that matter. Like i said…..Chaz hard worker injured, Gallery hard worker injured, Gradkowski hard worker injured, Frye hard worker injured, Mcfadden hard worker injured, Nnamdi hard worker injured, JLH hard worker scared to get hit, DHB hard worker cant catch, Fargas hard worker injured. Come on give me some more hard workers so i can show you that it takes more then work in a team oriented game.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:52 am
TMI Pete… Ha!
January 6th, 2010 at 6:55 am
Jmac lazy, fat, doesnt work hard, gets sacked numerous times, cant read a defense, underthrows, ovewrthrows, gets hit on almost everyplay healthy spending his riches in VEGAS…. IRONY
January 6th, 2010 at 7:00 am
To people that say quit talking about Russell lets just talk about how to get better here is my reply:
1. If we don’t can Russell and move on with players that want to be here and play like Gradowski or other vetern QBs that may come in – we will not get better! I believe if we would have benched Russell during preseason because he played so bad and started with Grads we would have been 8-8+ not 5-11. That was how bad Russell was for us. If we would have kept him for the whole season we would have been 3-13. I can only imagine what we would have been with Calvin Johnson and veterns over this span of the last couple of years! (btw I am not a Grads worshiper, I think any decent QB that bought into the system could have got us that far).
2. A definition for instanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result. AD must delegate as most of us say. We need men with experience evaluating talent and building the roster of this franchise that can put in the necessary time and effort to find those nuggets in the rough. This is really important in an uncapped year with all the changes going on. You can talk all day about who to take with the 8th pick but bottom line AD is going to make that choice and also which high profile FAs we sign.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:06 am
Gradkowski should have started the whole season i wont argue that. But for reason of this O-Line sucking so bad they cant block so Gradkowski would have gotten hurt sooner. So knowing Gradkowski should have started the opener why didnt he, as i remember Cable had good things to say about Jmac at the end of last season. Did he say this to get the job, or did he mean it? Either way Cable has to go if he and Jmac go so be it. I want Jmac to stay but with an open competition. I would hate for him to succeed elswhere like Randy Moss, or even Cris Carr who i think is playing better then C-Johnson. We can give up on players all we want it’s easy we dont pay them, but unless you have a better solution in witch you will be held accountable all you have is your opinion.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Get Michael Vick on this team.
If you liked what Gradkowski did as a starter, you will love Vick.
And the thought of having a castoff like Vick coming back to form may be enough to make Al forget about JaMarcus for a while, that’s the kind of move Davis loves.
Otherwise, I don’t see Al giving up on JaMarcus anytime soon, certainly not for a journeyman like Gradkowski, but he might do it for Vick.
What have we got to lose? getting Vick would certinly make the upcoming season much more interesting.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:24 am
If Cable’s past with Vick can help us get him, then let him stay one more year.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Bring him in but make him compete for the job just to be fair.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Vick is the perfect QB for this offense, his feet buy you time for the deeper routes and his feet also makes there be a spy at LB so running the ball would be an upgrade. With our young WR it gives them more time to get open and fight off the press coverage.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:32 am
Dream scenario would be Casserly as GM, Dungy as headcoach, Vick as QB and upgrade the O-Line. Al sell another 10 % of the team and get this done and it is almost a sure in to the big dance next season.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:32 am
Not sure why people are upset & surprised about JR going to Vegas. I got the memo last month that he was the new featured performer with Siegfried & Roy. He is much safer & slower than any tiger.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:36 am
Why is it the people who are pro Al Davis, never like the current head coach?
Priest, you say that Cable got too caught up in trying to show Al he’s the next Bill Walsh? Isn’t that what your supposed to do, show your boss you are the real deal? Al let’s his ego get in the way. Period. He is not interested in winning anymore, his interests lie in his legacy (which is shot) and money. You haven’t changed…I still think you are Herrera incognito. Russell is not good and never will be, doesn’t have the mental capacity to be a pro QB and let
us face it, that is the number one prerequisite.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Richochet
you use the word “lemmings” too much. a few years ago there was a poster under the name “charger” who used that very often too, I wonder if you are the same bloke?
January 6th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Vick as QB is part of your dream? Yikes!
Why don’t we get a real qb instead?
January 6th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Hobs Gnarly Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 7:36 am
Why is it the people who are pro Al Davis, never like the current head coach?
___________________________
I can’t stand Davis, Cable or Russell!!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 7:49 am
^^ or McFadden!
January 6th, 2010 at 7:55 am
I for one would love to have Mike Vick for our quarterback.He’s proven and he’s got something to prove.What better time than now to get him.Our quaterback situation is a mess.Vick would be a major upgrade.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:01 am
No I am serious Dakota, Davis probably has never liked any of his head coaches. Probably thought they were all trying to undermine his authority. What kind of ego maniac is he? Maybe he is over compensating for something else? Why why why? The coach and the owner/gm gotta work in unison for sucess.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:04 am
success (sp)
better watch my p’s and q’s or MR will jump on my grammar issues
January 6th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Anyway, here is my two cents on annual look for hc.
Al will try and get Winston Moss, bank on it. If he can’t he will stay with Cable.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Hobs Gnarly Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Anyway, here is my two cents on annual look for hc.
Al will try and get Winston Moss, bank on it. If he can’t he will stay with Cable.
——————–
That’s not a bad call. I could definitely see Moss — a former Raider — as a somewhat off-the-radar candidate.
Not sure what you mean by “if he can’t”. Moss is the LBs coach at Green Bay, right? You seriously think he’d turn down a HC job to remain a position coach? I find that almost impossible to imagine.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Green Bay would have to let him go. Not a unheard of thing, more than likely they would. Also, he will be hot commodity, no laugh. He can wait like other candidateds did.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Pete,
No way Al drafts 2 DTs in the 1st and 2nd. He will only do that if they were CBs. ( Washington and Routt)
I have a dream…..
January 6th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Winston Moss is a defensive coach. The raiders’ HC have always been offensive side coaches.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:56 am
We all know what we need. We can’t slow down the run, and we haven’t been able to do that in the last 6-7 years! Draft guys that can fix this problem!!!! DBs can’t fix this problem, we need DL and LBs. I like Scott and TH at OLBs, but Kirk is NO MLB! We also need a Big Huge DT who demands double teams and can hold his own. Most big runs have been up the middle which means we have apriblem with DTs and MLB!!
January 6th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Al’s gonna trade down. He has no money left to sign top 10 draft picks. The Seymore trade was a money saving strategy…I hope he trades down, Al still can find gems in later rounds.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:57 am
All NFL contracts have promotion clauses in them. If he was going for the same position, they would have a veto. Green Bay has no choice but to let Moss interview.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:59 am
#265
That’s not True!! Madden was a LBs coach!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Morning Nation!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:05 am
> Power blocking as in man to man blocking, it’s so much easier to know who you got before the snap. Less of a read then if your zone blocking. Running a sweep is asking 1 guy to pull that is it everyone else gets the guy in front of them.
——
It’s a helluva lot easier to know who your man is when there are 7 in the box as opposed to being outnumbered with 8 and sometimes 9 in the box. When the D stacks the box, you can’t man block without leaving a couple to break through clean, so you have to zone to some extent.
And that’s where the QB makes all the difference. With JR in the game, there’s no fear of the passing game. DCs put 9 in the box and defy him to try and beat them in the air. Why worry about keeping safeties back to protect against underneath crossing routes when the QB has proven time and again that he can’t properly lead a WR and hit him in stride?
Contrast that to when Grads enters the game and shows he can accurately hit his targets. Back to 7 in the box and suddenly the run blocking doesn’t look so bad, does it?
January 6th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hobs Gnarly Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Green Bay would have to let him go. Not a unheard of thing, more than likely they would. Also, he will be hot commodity, no laugh. He can wait like other candidateds did.
——————
Teams can’t hold position coaches and coordinators back from accepting HC jobs elsewhere. They can only opt to hold them back from accepting position coaching and coordinator jobs elsewhere in the NFL.
I could see Moss as a HC in the league before long. Black coach, good former player, his LB unit is doing a nice job in Green Bay. If they make a run in the playoffs I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see him get some HC interviews.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:07 am
1. Hire any GM (anyone is better than Al)
2. Harbaugh for HC
3. Weiss for OC
4. Keep Marshall
5. Fire ST’s,RB, OL, WR’s coach
6. Draft or pick up a true MLB
7. Sign Seymore and move him to DT
8. Draft OL or sign a few free agents to fix the right side of the line
9. Sign Grads and cut Jaskittle
10. Draft Clausen if he’s available in later rounds
January 6th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Thanks for the info.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Is it me or is Shanarat overrated?! Dude had Elway, Sharp, and TD! He only won 2 SBs!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:14 am
2 SB is something though.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:14 am
The team may have averaged 4.1 yards per rush but Bush averaged 4.8 yards. Cable – you wanna explain why Bush didn’t get more touches?
And Jerry, why don’t you ask Cable this question? Fans wanna know. Why wasn’t Bush used more? Nearly 5 yards per carry yet only received 123 carries…are you kidding me?
January 6th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Raider O,
I agree. He averaged 8-8 his last 3 seasons and won only 1 AFC West title this decade … 2 fewer than the Raiders. I don’t think he’s bad, he’s got a good record, but it’s not like he’s Bill Walsh or something.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Can we please hire a REAL HC?
Harbaugh, Moss, Del Rio, and even Fassel will all be better than Tom Cable.
Cable didn’t earn the job last year, and he didn’t a damn thing this year to stay!
Fire Cable!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:18 am
If Al isn’t going to keep Cable,then I like the idea of Winston Moss interviewing for the coaching position of our Raiders.He’s a former Raider and he loved it here.Then hire me to do the drafting for our Raiders and things will change for the better around here thats for sure.I love the Raiders and I will put my heart and soul into bringing us back to dominance.Calm down,it can’t hurt to dream.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Sorry, got too excited.
Cable should be Fired Now.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:21 am
The Big Banana Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:14 am
The team may have averaged 4.1 yards per rush but Bush averaged 4.8 yards. Cable – you wanna explain why Bush didn’t get more touches?
And Jerry, why don’t you ask Cable this question? Fans wanna know. Why wasn’t Bush used more? Nearly 5 yards per carry yet only received 123 carries…are you kidding me?
______________________________
Here is what Cable will say about Bush: “Well, the course of the game kinda dictated that for us, but we really wanted to get him in the mix with the other guys, it just didn’t work out that way.”
Here is what Cable is really thinking: “Play Michael Bush? Are you fuking kidding me? Last offseason that guy came out and endorsed Gilbride over me for the head coaching position and you dumbasses think I should play that disloyal dog? Not in my lifetime! I’d rather lose my job riding Fargas to loss after loss than play that POS Bush!”
January 6th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Bank-bank, this team is money in the later rounds lately but maybe they can hire you to run the first and second rounds. I’m sure you can’t do any worse than Russell and DHB.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Ok Back to dreaming!
1st- ILB R McClain
2nd- DE Carlos Dunlap ( move Seymour inside)
3rd- DT Mike Neal or DT Vince Oghobaase.
3rd- RT Sam Young or Kyle Calloway
4th- CB Syd thompson ( if available), or CB/ KR Laroy Vann.
Or
1st- OT Bruce Campbell
2nd- DT Dan Williams
3rd- ILB M Johnson
3rd- Same as above
4th- same as above
January 6th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Dakota – lol. Did Bush really endorse Gilbride last year?
January 6th, 2010 at 9:33 am
The Big Banana Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Dakota – lol. Did Bush really endorse Gilbride last year?
_________________
Oh yeah, he came out and said Gilbride would be a great choice and would really know how to use the RBs.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Hire me!!!!
My picks are Bank.lol
January 6th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Trade DMAC for picks!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Hey O,
I really like the kid Syd from Cal, but I think he’s gone by the 2nd round.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:36 am
The irony is that last season Bush saved Cable’s job when Cable was forced to play him in Tampa Bay…and this season, Cable’s last win was mainly due to Bush’s performance against the Broncos.
Bush might have saved Cable’s job for the second consecutive season despite Cable making him ride the pine most of the time.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Trade Al fir picks!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Trade Jaskittle for Mr. Irrelevant!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Trade DMAC for John Fox.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Trade Bo for Kiffin.
LMAO
January 6th, 2010 at 9:40 am
for*
I think Syd will be gone too, but maybe due to his size he may fall. I add him to mock drafts but I always add if Available.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:41 am
He’s still a pretty physical corner at his size. Great tackler.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Trade Cable!!! PLEASE!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Raider O Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Is it me or is Shanarat overrated?! Dude had Elway, Sharp, and TD! He only won 2 SBs!
_________________________________
I think he is a very good coach and OC, but he was not a great GM, much like Gruden. Ashlie Lelie? Are you kidding me?
Although his 2006 draft was pretty damned good:
1 Jay Cutler
2 Tony Scheffler
4 Brandon Marshall
4 Elvis Dumervil
January 6th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Personally I’d like to see Cable back if we can’t get an impact dream coach (Gruden). The consistency would work wonders. I just think Al thinks he needs to make a change because his people are telling him to fire cable (they don’t like any head coach, esp one with balls) and I think he has to to fill seats. It’s Jafukus that keeps people out of seats, can’t watch them play disfunctionally with him in it, it’s painful.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:44 am
I like him to play the Slot, but I don’t want him on the outside against the big AFC WRs. He is only 5′9!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Yeah your right on that one.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Forgot he’s a punt returner as well.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Cut Fargas, wait til he gets picked up off waivers and then trade DMAC for him.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Keep Cable…”The consistency would work wonders.”
That is what most of you said last season…but a 5-11 record with a 23 point loss at Houston, a 37 point loss New York a two touchdown loss at Cleveland, a 20 point loss to Denver, a 21 point loss to Washingtonin and a 38 point loss to the Jets later you guys still ask for more?
NO THANK YOU!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:50 am
The ONLY two positions this team needs to worry about in the draft are OL & DL.
That being said I’m sure Davis will be looking at WR,CB,S.
And the hits just keep on coming,another double digit loss season is on the bleak horizon.
Sucks to be a Raider fan right now.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:51 am
We need to really think about fixing the right side of the line. Please sign at least one of these OL.
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2010/fa/ol.html
January 6th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Bush didn’t have a significant number of carries to use average yards as a valid statistic. At that few carries, his single long run of 60 yards is worth an extra .5 average. Napolean Kaufmann had the highest average per carry in the league for a season or two, but I didn’t hear anyone screaming to make him an every down back.
Meanwhile, Reggie Bush had a better avg than either Thomas or Bell, yet only got 70 carries for the potent Saints offense. Sproles had a better avg than LT but doesn’t start. Both Greene and Washington out averaged Thomas Jones for the Jets, yet they lead the league in rushing with Jones getting the majority of carries.
That’s not saying that Bush is purely a change of pace back like those mentioned above, but that he is more situational. Fargas is the superior pass blocking RB so he had to endure the Russell half of the season. That meant running mostly against 8+ man fronts. Bush had his biggest games with anyone not named Russell at QB and faced looser defenses because of it. Fargas was injured during those same stints, so who’s to say that he wouldn’t have ran as well or better in those situation?
Also, Bush was used as a 4th quarter hammer to come in against tired defenses to grind out the clock. As the Raiders defense has repeatedly shown us, in that situation you have gambling defenses that often end up giving up huge chunks of yards. If I recall, Bush was the benefit of a few of those, which helped to embellish his average.
Furthermore, both Fargas and DMac out averaged Bush in yards per catch (albeit it at low enough numbers to also call not very statistically signficant). The point being, an RBs value has to be measured as yards per touch and not just yards per carry.
Just to be clear — I’m not a Bush basher, I love having him on the Raiders. I’m just pointing out that until he develops better pass blocking and route running skills, he won’t be effective as a starter. One dimensional backs make it to easy for the defense to scheme against. Meanwhile, Fargas, for as much unjustified crap as he takes from the Raiders fan base, is a more complete every down back. His biggest drawback is his selfless, reckless style that gets him injured every season. Otherwise, he’d have a few more 1000 yard seasons under his belt even playing in this crappy offense.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Dakota,
That’s a great draft!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Hell maybe there’s a DL or OL out there with 4.5 speed,then he’s a lock to be in Oakland.
Davis can give him 30 mil. guaranteed to be a backup while he sits on the bench eatin burgers and joking around with the other multi-million dollar washouts the Raiders are collecting.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Did GB really offer Aaron Rogers for Randy Moss when we had him?
January 6th, 2010 at 9:58 am
OFL,
There is, and His name is Carlos Dunlap!
He is 6′6 280, and runs a sub 4.7!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:59 am
O,
No sh*t?
Well welcome to Oakland Carlos.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Dakota,
You can’t change the attitude of players used to doing whatever they want overnight. Players need consistency and motivation and to keep changing coaches hurts that. They figure why bother if next year someone else will come in. This team is lazy that way. Cable has handled things very well he just needs Grads and a OC to call plays. Unless Al can get a real HC and that’s doubtful, Cable is our best option.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Someone get him a gift card to Giant Burger…wait…he can just go with JM,he’s probably got lifetime supply worked into his contract.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:01 am
OFL71
We said that last year….and the year before
The 2008 draft had 3 or 4 great Tackles and we didn’t pick one we went with DHB instead.
The year before we could have had some good DL prospects but we took McFadden
So now I get to type the same joke I have posted in here for about 4 years now….
This is how we should draft….
1st round OL
2nd round DL
3rd round MLB
Here is how Al Davis will draft
1st round Fastest guy on the board
2nd round CB
3rd round WR
And like you said already the beatings will continue because of the retarded drafting done by an 80 year old man who has to wear a drool rag to work.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:03 am
And that’s where the QB makes all the difference. With JR in the game, there’s no fear of the passing game. DCs put 9 in the box and defy him to try and beat them in the air. Why worry about keeping safeties back to protect against underneath crossing routes when the QB has proven time and again that he can’t properly lead a WR and hit him in stride?
——————————————————-
Didn’t we have a top 10 rushing offense last year?
Hmmmmm ….
January 6th, 2010 at 10:03 am
“Davis can give him 30 mil. guaranteed to be a backup while he sits on the bench eatin burgers and joking around with the other multi-million dollar washouts the Raiders are collecting.”
Damn funny but so true it hurts!
A bunch of check collectors is what we have in Oakland!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Would really like to see Martz as OC, I think Grads can handle him.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Looking back on the past 7 drafts or so it’s easy to see that anyone with 1/2 a brain could have been putting together an awesome young team.
However the Raiders have been operating far under that 1/2 a brain level.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Lucifer, have you come to collect on your deal with Al?
January 6th, 2010 at 10:07 am
lmao Bo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Hobs Gnarly Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Dakota,
You can’t change the attitude of players used to doing whatever they want overnight. Players need consistency and motivation and to keep changing coaches hurts that. They figure why bother if next year someone else will come in. This team is lazy that way. Cable has handled things very well he just needs Grads and a OC to call plays. Unless Al can get a real HC and that’s doubtful, Cable is our best option.
_______________________________________
Nearly two seasons is more than enough time for him to get that job done. He didn’t do it. A team that is well coached does not lay down as often as we did in 2009, nor do they follow a “great win” by stepping on their deeks the next week EVERY GODDAMNED TIME!
You might get your wish…another 5-11 or 6-10 season will be the result.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:08 am
I see hope in the team. I think the defense needs more help than offense (without JR of course)and unfortunately that’s the part AD can ‘t keep his fingers out of.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:09 am
As long as Cable is around championing Garbagekowski, Fargas, Green, Cooper and Satele we are going nowhere fast.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:10 am
If this football team was a corporation they would have Al Davis removed but its not and no one can do anything about it.
I can say that I have not given Al Davis any of my money in the last two years since I decided that it was up to us fans to show him he needs to hire a GM to run this team or step down.
I went from Season ticket holder in 96 to a guy who went to 4 or 5 games a year in 2002-06 to a guy who refuses to go to any games or buy any team paraphernalia until Al Davis is removed or hires a GM.
I know that there are others out there who think like me looking at the attendance during the Baltimore game.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:11 am
I’m telling you a true MLB will do wonders for our defense. The DL isn’t too bad.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Who is your option? I’m sorry but some lame up and comer isn’t going to cut it this time and a proven coach is not coming to our rescue. Cable was severly handicapped by JR this season. Everytime a HC shows some authority, Al’s minions start to whisper in the old mans ears with poison.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Hobs,
regarding Martz/Gradkowski,that will never happen because Davis is gonna sh*tcan Cable partly due to his disloyalty to Russell.
Davis WANTS Russell to be our QB so any coach he brings in here will have to fall in line.
Grads EARNED the starting spot therefor Raider/Davis logic says bench him.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Hobs Gnarly
I have been trying to collect his soul but that senile old man keeps avoiding me!!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Those players are players, they play tough and with the right attitude, it’s no wonder they are his players.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:13 am
“The year before we could have had some good DL prospects but we took McFadden…”
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
As well as OL prospects, but instead we got a guy who tackles himself when he isn’t fumbling or hurt (or ignoring the sound advice of Planned Parenthood).
January 6th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Good to know there are others of superior intellect lol
***************************************************
Zymurge Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Bush didn’t have a significant number of carries to use average yards as a valid statistic. At that few carries, his single long run of 60 yards is worth an extra .5 average. Napolean Kaufmann had the highest average per carry in the league for a season or two, but I didn’t hear anyone screaming to make him an every down back.
Meanwhile, Reggie Bush had a better avg than either Thomas or Bell, yet only got 70 carries for the potent Saints offense. Sproles had a better avg than LT but doesn’t start. Both Greene and Washington out averaged Thomas Jones for the Jets, yet they lead the league in rushing with Jones getting the majority of carries.
That’s not saying that Bush is purely a change of pace back like those mentioned above, but that he is more situational. Fargas is the superior pass blocking RB so he had to endure the Russell half of the season. That meant running mostly against 8+ man fronts. Bush had his biggest games with anyone not named Russell at QB and faced looser defenses because of it. Fargas was injured during those same stints, so who’s to say that he wouldn’t have ran as well or better in those situation?
Also, Bush was used as a 4th quarter hammer to come in against tired defenses to grind out the clock. As the Raiders defense has repeatedly shown us, in that situation you have gambling defenses that often end up giving up huge chunks of yards. If I recall, Bush was the benefit of a few of those, which helped to embellish his average.
Furthermore, both Fargas and DMac out averaged Bush in yards per catch (albeit it at low enough numbers to also call not very statistically signficant). The point being, an RBs value has to be measured as yards per touch and not just yards per carry.
Just to be clear — I’m not a Bush basher, I love having him on the Raiders. I’m just pointing out that until he develops better pass blocking and route running skills, he won’t be effective as a starter. One dimensional backs make it to easy for the defense to scheme against. Meanwhile, Fargas, for as much unjustified crap as he takes from the Raiders fan base, is a more complete every down back. His biggest drawback is his selfless, reckless style that gets him injured every season. Otherwise, he’d have a few more 1000 yard seasons under his belt even playing in this crappy offense.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:14 am
OFL, I know that but this is my opinion of what is best for the team right now. No good real other options
January 6th, 2010 at 10:15 am
got to go, have a good evening
January 6th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Fargas a complete back…?
Completely average maybe…
January 6th, 2010 at 10:18 am
I am the same way. No more games for me until things change. I always have to laugh when people say ‘Meh, it’s not my money so I don’t care if they overspent for that guy’ or ‘We can’t do anything about it’.
I personally don’t think Al will keep Cable. He’ll think about it but he’s gonna have to shake some things up to get some butts in the seats.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:18 am
I wouldn’t mind having Marshan Lynch. I’m sure he’s available w/ the right trade.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:21 am
+ he’s from Oakland.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Trade DMAC for Lynch!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:22 am
OL,DL,and a REAL MLB.
Morrison and Howard at SLB,WLB,but a REAL MLB would help our run defense immensely,Morrison is playing out of position.IMO
January 6th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Hobs Gnarly,
I agree that Al and his minions are poison. No question about that.
However, just because one area is broken (Al) does not mean we should fail to fix other areas that are also broken (Cable).
Cable has failed because he is unqualified to be an NFL head coach. Al struggled with the decision to hire him last offseason, but he fell for (as most fans also did) the mirage of progress those two end of year wins portrayed. Cable did not improve us one bit in 2009…we still can’t stop the run, we still can’t pass the ball, we still can’t run the ball, and our o-line (his baby) was fuggin terrible…and he even managed to take our one strength, special teams, and turn it into a weakness. He never once demonstrated an ability to make adjustments and improve the team other than the obvious change of QB.
Now you certainly have valid points about the difficulty of hiring a good HC to come to Oakland. You are absolutely correct in that sense. However, since our current HC is bottom of the barrell and proved it after 29 games, and is also an Al Davis yes man to the core, it is time to look in another direction.
We could at least hire another Al Davis yes man, but one with some talent and a proven track record: Jim Fassel, or Dennis Green.
We could hire a guy like Brian Billick, who is desperate for another chance.
We could hire an up and comer…you may not like that, but Al has nailed it with up and comers twice, Gruden and Shanny, and it looks like Kiffin can coach as well, so I am not afraid of Al selecting a young guy as HC.
Gilbride? I don’t know about that one, but could his offense really be worse than Cable’s? At least he would be willing to run the ball. Cable started our third string QB and let him pass the ball at a 2-1 ratio against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, the Browns, in the first half when the score was still close! He flat out just doesn’t get it. Any of those coaches above-mentioned would be a major improvement over Cable.
Continuity doesn’t mean schit when what you want continued is garbage.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:29 am
yeah trade DMAC for Lynch.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:29 am
In a heart beat!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:30 am
7 years 10 rushing touchdowns
January 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
who?
January 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
While I am not a proponent of fan bashing by any team’s fans, I still have a dark spot in my Raider heart for the events that occurred in New England on Jan. 19, 2002.
To most of the football-eating world, the ruling by Walt Coleman and the NFL was a travesty that enabled the New England Patriots to win the first, of what many consider, three tainted Super Bowls.
Cheating allegations aside, I have the utmost respect for the abilities of Tom Brady and the organization that Bill Belichick has built in NE. I just wish he hadn’t tarnished his achievements with his win-at-all-costs mentality.
In the six years since the “Snow Job” game, I have had many a conversations with NE fans. For the most part, they have been obnoxious and arrogant about their team’s achievements, which has given me quite a bias against them.
I have run into a few articulate and genuine individuals with whom I’ve had great football discussions, and I choose to believe that they are the majority in NE, not the very vocal minority.
That said, I would like to relate an experience from a good friend at last year’s Giants-Patriots Super Bowl. It was his own little revenge party, which he pulled off with an audience, and quite frankly, one of the funniest stories I’ve heard in years.
My buddy, who I’ll call “Pancho”, to protect his identity, is well connected in the NFL party circles, and had been in Phoenix attending many of the Super Bowl extravaganzas.
Let’s face it, Pancho goes where the women are, and has had the success in life to pursue hottest of the hot. Where you and I might be just a bit overwhelmed by the Playboy girls, Pancho is in his element.
One of his acquaintances has been kind enough to see to it that he had a very good single seat to the big game. Having been tainted by the very same bias against the Patriots and their fans, he didn’t have any desire to watch what we all felt would be another New England victory, so he decided to sell the ticket the morning of the game.
No doubt that decision was also fueled by having an outrageous hangover from several days of partying, and a fine, shall we say, accoutrement taking up residence in his hotel suite.
Being the businessman that he is, he’d heard that the going price for his ticket was fairly substantial and decided, on a whim, to post a local ad on Craigslist. It wasn’t the smartest move. He’d posted his cell number and received 50 calls in an hour.
Pancho, always one to make the best of a bad situation, decided to have a little fun wheeling and dealing. He quickly figured out, by the area code of the callers, who was calling from a New England number vs. a New York/Jersey digit.
He developed a script and returned the first call from a Pats fan.
“Pancho here, returning your call regarding the Super Bowl ticket.”
“Yo…You still got that ticket? How much?”
“Yes sir, and thanks for calling. Allow me to put something out front before we talk about you buying my ticket. There are special requirements for purchase. I am a Raider fan and I’m going to need you to admit that we got f***ed in the Tuck Rule incident.”
“You serious?”
“Yes, I have a ticket in my hand (gave out the section and seat), and it is a great seat. If you want me to sell it to you, then I am going to need to hear these words: ‘New England did not deserve to go to the SB the year of the Snow Job. It was a bad call and a fumble. We don’t talk about it, but we all know it deep down the Raiders were screwed.’”
The first guy, in an accent that sounded like he has a wad of bread in his mouth said, “Aw forget about that, do you want to sell the ticket or not?”
Pancho hung up. If they weren’t going to play the game his way, then they weren’t going to get to the second step of negotiating a completely unreasonable price for the ticket.
The guy calls back and says, “Are you fricking serious?”
Pancho replies, “About as serious as a heart attack, sir. This is your Karma you have on the line. I have the ticket, and you are going to have to sing to get it. Do you have your confession ready or should I move on to your next-door neighbor whom I have on hold? Listen, I’m in a hurry.”
This time bread mouth hung up. I have the utmost respect for that particular fan, he was a true believer and couldn’t bring himself to making the admission.
Pancho decided to field the calls with his phone on speaker while hanging out in the sports bar at his hotel. By the time he was finished, he had coerced eight confessions as a crowd stood around his table laughing uproariously while being thoroughly entertained by his nefarious activities. It’s not only Raiders fans who hold a grudge with the Pats fans.
Eventually he sold the ticket to a Giants fan of 30 years. He slept well that night knowing that the elderly gentleman had been able to live his football dream, while at the same time he was able to exact his own little bit of sweet revenge for the years of ugliness we’ve seen from the vocal minority.
Pancho watched the game from a legendary local sports bar, and ironically there were four Pats fans (two couples) in full gear a couple of tables over, as Pancho recalled, “They were making a whole lot of noise and yelling 18-0 over and over, then 18-0-and-a-half at the intermission.”
“After the game, I watched both the female Pats fans weep uncontrollably, and their men just too devastated to console them, after Eli engineered that sweet last-minute drive. I thought about that elderly gentleman I sold the ticket to. This was meant to be. He was meant to be there and to witness that, and I was meant to be in that bar to enjoy every last tear.”
Over the years, if we are lucky, our teams will be great, and almost certainly great disappointments. It’s always a good idea to practice humility in victory and be stoic in defeat. You just never know when Karma is going to run over your Dogma.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Trade DMAC for Briggs!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I rather take Urlacher!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:39 am
I would love to see McFadden traded…then we could see what he could do under a legit NFL coaching staff.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:45 am
Stabler76 Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 10:30 am
7 years 10 rushing touchdowns
DMAC Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
who?
——
Fargas.
I guess I should not be so hard on him. After all
in the last 7 years Fargas has more rushing TD’s than LT had passing TD’s.
Fargas rushing = 10
LT passing = 7
Gannon had more rushing TD’s from the QB position in 4 years than Fargas from the RB position in 7 years.
Fargas rushing = 10
Gannon rushing = 11
January 6th, 2010 at 10:46 am
“We needed a guy like Mike Shanahan,” cornerback DeAngelo Hall said. “We needed a proven leader, a proven winner. He’s definitely going to get these guys motivated and get the most out of all of them.”
***
all of them? LOL. what about “all of us”?
Toast Hall obviously thinks he’s not part of the problem. watch him be the first one cut. hahaha
January 6th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Zymurge – Bush has been considered an above average pass catcher in the backfield. Maybe he won’t line up as WR like Dmac but I only remember one drop he made this season also. Just doesn’t get thrown at much. But in past he looked good in that area..
January 6th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Mike Bush reminds me of Brandon Jacobs or LenDale White …
Play the man !!!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Zymurge – So, Bush’s average can’t be factored because he has too few carries? Haha! Nice. What came first, the chicken or the egg? All 3 RBs have a similar number of carries. Tell me….how should we compare their rushing ability?
And Bush was used as a 4th quarter hammer? I seem to remember Cable forgetting about Bush in the second half. Besides, we were behind in most of our games in the 4th and, therefore, passing.
As for receiving, nobody is arguing against having DMAC on the field. He is clearly best suited as a pass catcher at this point.
Fargas is a complete every down back? LOL! Funny guy, you.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:02 am
According to my Raiders source (The Chronicle’s David White), Al Davis was “livid” about Tom Cable last week.
Cable told the media the Raiders would have been a playoff team if not for JaMarcus Russell. When the owner and coach met Monday, Davis’ tirade probably went something like this:
“I am so angry! Livid, in fact! I am so dad-burn mad at myself for putting you in this situation, Tommy, where I expect you to win football games with a quarterback who makes Frankenstein’s monster look like Kenny Stabler on a moped. Not that it mattered, because I also forced you to start a wide receiver whose hands are on backward. Geez, I could just kick myself! No, here, you do it.”
But seriously. Can you blame Davis for being mad at Cable? Davis caught his coach red-handed in the act of coaching.
When Cable heard that Davis was livid, I bet Cable was livid.
Cable has to be livid that Davis didn’t get livid about Russell’s three-year reign of sloth. Cable should be livid that when a flunky rushed into Davis’ office the first day of training camp this season with news that the franchise quarterback weighed 300 (or so) pounds, Davis probably said, “This is unacceptable! Summon the team carpenter and have him expand the lad’s locker-room cubicle. And fire the man who weighed him.”
Davis gets my vote for NFL Executive of the Year, because he made all the other executives look good. When it comes to first-round draft picks, Davis has set the bar so low that ants do the Fosbury Flop over it.
When Russell displayed the work ethic of a mattress tester, was Davis livid? No, Davis beamed with pride that his quarterback was his own man. … or two.
Was Davis livid when he read Tuesday’s online reports that Russell checked into a Las Vegas hotel after skipping the final team meeting for “personal reasons”? No, because the owner knew his quarterback was there to train for next season by hitting the slot machines – standing in one place, staring straight ahead and repeatedly cranking his right arm.
E-mail Scott Ostler at sostler@sfchronicle.com.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:08 am
three-year reign of sloth
has set the bar so low that ants do the Fosbury Flop over it.
————————————————-
Now that’s funny—- you are wasting your time here, you should be writing comedy
January 6th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Hobs Gnarly Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Would really like to see Martz as OC, I think Grads can handle him.
===================
Martz already interviewed for the job.
Interview went great.
Al was jazzed.
Al wanted Martz.
Martz left meeting.
Martz called agent.
Agent sent message to raiders: “Thanks, but no thanks. Not interested in the job”
Martz made it VERY CLEAR he has no desire to work for a total control freak like Al Davis, especially considering that Martz is also a control freak.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Stabler76 Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:08 am
three-year reign of sloth
has set the bar so low that ants do the Fosbury Flop over it.
————————————————-
Now that’s funny—- you are wasting your time here, you should be writing comedy
===========================
Uh…dude?
That was a cut and paste article written by Scott Ostler, from the Chronicle..hence the email address at the bottom.
However, I’m sure Scott appreciates the fact you also enjoyed it.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Hobs Gnarly Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Richochet
you use the word “lemmings” too much. a few years ago there was a poster under the name “charger” who used that very often too, I wonder if you are the same bloke?
==================================
Nope..not charger.
“use lemmings too much”??
describe “too much”?
When someone, or a certain group, is led blindly..who just accepts whatever is told them..who just goes with the flow, never daring to step up..what other way is there to describe them, besides lemmings?
Ok..how’s this?
“Spineless cowardly sorry excuse for a man lemming”?
that better?
January 6th, 2010 at 11:21 am
DMAC Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I rather take Urlacher!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Briggs is the better run stopper, is cheaper, and isn’t hurt as often. Fills a bigger need for us.
Of course, the upside is divesting in McFelldown.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:22 am
1.Dead Owner
2.Real GM/Director of Football Operations
3.Real coach
4.3-4 years of competent drafting
Then maybe it’ll get back on track,til then it is what it is…
January 6th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Seems I missed the byline, thanks for your attention to detail.
I think Dick Fosbury appreciates the fact that Scott thought of him.
What a feel good moment all around.
Is Uh…dude? meant to be funny ???
I just want to make sure you get credit for saying something funny, like you wanted to make sure I gave Scott credit for saying something funny.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:26 am
“McFelldown”
Damn that’s funny!
January 6th, 2010 at 11:30 am
We need someone in the middle, not the outside.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:31 am
All the talk about “needing consistency” just cracks me the fu(k up!
There is NO consistency when you have a scatterbrain paranoid,misanthropic senior citizen behind the wheel.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Hobs Gnarly Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 7:36 am
Why is it the people who are pro Al Davis, never like the current head coach?
Priest, you say that Cable got too caught up in trying to show Al he’s the next Bill Walsh? Isn’t that what your supposed to do, show your boss you are the real deal? Al let’s his ego get in the way. Period. He is not interested in winning anymore, his interests lie in his legacy (which is shot) and money. You haven’t changed…I still think you are Herrera incognito. Russell is not good and never will be, doesn’t have the mental capacity to be a pro QB and let
us face it, that is the number one prerequisite.
============================================
And priest would be at the top of the “spineless cowardly sorry excuse for a man lemming” list.
Of course that’s what HC’s are supposed to do.
But not with Al.
Showing up Al is verboten.
In answer to your question..the Al “lovers”..the Priests, the board gumby Silver N Smac, couple of others, are always looking for a scapegoat when Al’s decisions backfire.
Hence:
“Russell sucks”
Al lovers: “not his fault, Al signed him..so it must be how the HC used him” OFF WITH THE HEAD COACHES HEAD.
And so it goes…
January 6th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Samson Satele, Erik Pears & Khalif Barnes sure made for a dominant o-line, eh fellas?
I thought ANYBODY would be an upgrade over Morris, Carlisle & Green. guess I was wrong
Instead of ridding the o-line of scrubs, Cable simply added more. I don’t miss Kwame Harris, John Wade or Paul McQuistan though.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Not doing what Al says is reason for dismissal…unless you win a lot….then it’s reason for trade.
You either follow the line or get fired quickly.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:40 am
I’d really like to see a big mean Pro Bowl caliber center for 2010.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:41 am
Did you guys see this from D. White?
Russell has been criticized by Cable publicly, and teammates privately, for not working hard enough off the field. The reason reporters knew about Russell’s absence Monday was because of a tip from a teammate in the locker room who couldn’t hide his disgust.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/raiders/detail?entry_id=54655#ixzz0brZCs3Tu
January 6th, 2010 at 11:41 am
Hows about a REALISTIC list of possible HC that could land in Oakland.
REALISTIC,not Gruden,Cowher and the like but guys who might actually come coach for Al.
Any names…..?
January 6th, 2010 at 11:41 am
@ #352 — I didn’t say anything about Bush’s hands. In fact, I’d say that he catches better than Fargas does. I mentioned his route running, which involves the ability to read, react, no when to chip a guy and flare out, how to find the soft dump off spots underneath a zone, etc. Fargas, IMO, is better at getting open as well as staying in and blocking. Hence, he plays more 1st and 2nd down snaps.
@ #354 — Please don’t take statements out of context. I said that Fargas “is a more complete back” in comparison to Bush. That’s different than saying that he “is a complete every down back”.
In fact, the issue is that the Raiders don’t have a true every down back. That’s why they have to play the trio and don’t have a bonfide number one. Yes, all three of them are legit NFL players and each of them would make pretty much every team in the league — and some might even start for teams hurting in the ground game. But none of them currently have the tools to be considered a top 15 RB in the league.
That said, Bush does have the most upside and at this point is the only one of the three that might develop into a top 15. We’ve seen everything that Fargas can do, and he ain’t getting younger or healthier. But so far, I haven’t seen him advance enough in the passing game, both as a blocker and receiver, to start seeing more 1st and 2nd down snaps.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:42 am
We need someone in the middle, not the outside.
***
exactly right DMAC. Morrison, Howard & Scott at OLB is good enough. Ricky Brown, Jon Alston & Sam Williams are good for ST or depth, but should NEVER be inserted into the starting line-up.
Maybe we can develop Slade Norris or David Nixon ?
re-sign Frantz Joseph. the next Ray Lewis! LOL
January 6th, 2010 at 11:42 am
Stabler76 Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Seems I missed the byline, thanks for your attention to detail.
I think Dick Fosbury appreciates the fact that Scott thought of him.
What a feel good moment all around.
Is Uh…dude? meant to be funny ???
I just want to make sure you get credit for saying something funny, like you wanted to make sure I gave Scott credit for saying something funny.
=========================
Is ‘dude’ meant to be funny?
Hadn’t really thought about it.
Prefer something else?
Dudette? Bud? Pal? Yo? Sasquatch? Ole buddy, ole pal? Bro? Cuz? Homie?
I’m easy…pick one, or insert your own
January 6th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Russell has been criticized by Cable publicly, and teammates privately, for not working hard enough off the field. The reason reporters knew about Russell’s absence Monday was because of a tip from a teammate in the locker room who couldn’t hide his disgust.
***
blame the OL & WR’s. right KK?
JaWalrus for 4000 yards & 30 TD’s in 2010
January 6th, 2010 at 11:45 am
new post!
January 6th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Kinda partial to —Sasquatch
Uh….
January 7th, 2010 at 9:39 am
[...] Biggest Cable weakness was his supposed strength – Inside the … [...]
January 7th, 2010 at 10:46 am
7 straight yrs of 11 losses or more…is disheartening for a fan. Its not even worth the effort to speculate on what could fix this. I just hope the other teams with 3 SuperBowl wins dont get to 4 before the Raiders.
January 9th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
[...] Biggest Cable weakness was his supposed strength – Inside the … [...]
January 12th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
[...] Biggest Cable weakness was his supposed strength – Inside the … [...]