Bye, George
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 at 12:19 am in Oakland Raiders.
“Waiting for the snap . . . fourth down . . . here it is . . .snap! spotted down! It’s kicked. That’s got a chance. That is — good! It’s good — Holy Toledo! Holy Toledo! This place has gone wild. I don’t believe it! I do not believe it! There are three seconds left in the game. If you can hear me, this place has gone wild . . . the Oakland Raiders 23! . . . the Cleveland Browns 20!
“George Blanda has just been elected king of the world! I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it! Holy Toledo! It went 53 . . . no 52 yards! George Blanda has just been elected king of the world!”
That was Raiders radio announcer Bill King’s call of George Blanda’s 52-yard field goal to beat the Cleveland Browns at the Coliseum on Nov. 20, 1970.
I remember it all, and not just because I’ve heard the replay dozens of time since as well as thousands of times in my mind. King’s inflection . . . “that’s got a chance . . . told listeners something truly remarkable was happening, and happening a week after Blanda pulled out a 17-17 tie with the Chiefs in Kansas City with a 48-yard field goal.
If you’re old enough to remember rollling your eyes when your parents told you stories about huddling around the radio as if it were a television set, you may remember that at the time Blanda was in his five-week streak of miracles, the NFL blackout rule was even more ridiculous than it is today.
Home games were blacked out. Period. Didn’t matter if it was a sellout or not. I watched the 17-17 tie with Kansas City on television (while at the same time listening to King on the radio, of course). The Cleveland game was for ears only, yet remains one of the most memorable moments in my mind in club history.
It was the quintissential Bill King call corresponding with the perfect Blanda moment. It happened when I was 12 years old, but thinking about it can bring chills to the spine, one of those instances that lets me know that although I haven’t been a fan for years, I remember what it’s like.
I was delighted when my dad eventually go a chance to get season tickets, even if they were only for half of the games for the first year or two.
I eventually met King, having covered a lot of baseball when he was the A’s radio announcer. I met Blanda only in passing, saying hello when introduced by a Raiders employee.
He had a reputation for being difficult with reporters, so I figured it was best if I didn’t mention to him that I remembered the time the Raiders practiced in my neighborhood at Chabot College in Hayward. My dad had heard about it somehow, and I rounded up a few friends to go watch.
We stood in the end zone as Blanda, square-toed shoe and all, practiced kicking field goals while a bunch of kids _ me included _ shagged balls. I don’t remember who the holder was, but the center was Jim Otto. Two future Hall of Famers getting in some work and entertaining some kids in the process.
Those are my most vivid Blanda memories.
A few more Blanda links:
My Blanda obituary for the Bay Area News group.
Monte Poole’s column on Blanda.
Jeff Faraudo’s story and interview with Blanda last month regarding his longevity.
A sampling of what people are saying about Blanda and his legacy.
A look back at the five-game run that made Blanda famous in 1970.
A MediaNews editorial which calls Blanda “one of a kind.”
A slide show tribute to Blanda.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
September 28th, 2010 at 12:32 am
1. I’m still not sure how the Bears have found their way to 3-0 for the first time since 2006, but I do know they’re the last and most unlikely team to be perfect in the NFC. This Chicago team is living something of a charmed existence so far in 2010; and in its own way, this game deserves to be right there alongside the Week 1 win over the Lions, in terms of winning with good fortune. It’s true that Chicago hasn’t played a complete game yet, but it’s also true the Bears haven’t lost yet, either. Would you rather be lucky or good?
Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler was his team’s poster child for this peculiar game. He threw one interception against Green Bay, but it could have easily been five. The Packers dropped two passes that were right in their hands (Nick Collins and Charles Woodson) and penalties wiped out two other Green Bay picks. When you add in Green Bay’s team-record 18 penalties for 152 yards (breaking a record set in 1945), and the Packers’ special-team lapses, this had the feel of a self-inflicted Green Bay loss more than an impressive Chicago victory.
Relax, Bears fans. I applaud Chicago’s resiliency and its opportunistic style of play against the more talented Packers. The Bears made the most of what they had to work with Monday night. But I still can’t see Chicago keeping this kind of mojo going throughout the season, looking downright outmatched in some parts of every game, but still finding a way to win. It happened against Detroit, in Chicago’s shaky second half. It happened at Dallas, where the Bears started the game looking overmatched on the offensive line. And it happened against Green Bay, a team that dominated Chicago statistically for most of the night.
But at 3-0, the Bears look to be in pretty good shape for turning this streak into an even longer run. In the next six weeks, Chicago plays at the Giants, at Carolina, Seattle, Washington and at Buffalo, with a bye thrown in, as well. That’s the makings of a 7-1 first half, maybe 6-2 in a worst-case scenario. The Bears don’t face another NFC North foe until Week 10, when Minnesota visits. Lucky may be prevailing over good right now in Chicago, but I have a feeling the Bears will take it and offer no apologies.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don_banks/09/28/packers.bears.5things/index.html#ixzz10o6d3uV4
Hmmm…. Sound familiar? Except for one thing: The Cards still beat us!
September 28th, 2010 at 12:38 am
Jerry, nice writing.
R.I.P George Blanda.
One of the Raider greats. In just over a year we’ve had Upshaw, Tatum, and now Blanda. All part of that great Raider team led by Snake and put together by Al.
Al’s got to be looking at the clock.
September 28th, 2010 at 12:40 am
R.I.P Mr.Blanda
Just recovering from sundays game,i was really pissed at Jano…but alot of points got left on that field
{1st and goal on the 2 yard line}….run Bush 3 times become the BULLY im not convinced any defence can stop Bush 3 times from the 2 ..apart from that we did ok
September 28th, 2010 at 12:47 am
Man, what an effin combination: Snake Stabler holding and George Blanda kicking!
September 28th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Great Job Jerry,
Blessed that I am old enough to have seen all the great Raiders teams of 70’s and 80’s. Al must be very sad right now, losing so many of the all time greats and team not doing well. Stay Strong Mr. Davis.
September 28th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Barnes needs a shot at LT…im done with the V+Mario thing
September 28th, 2010 at 12:56 am
Unfortunately I didn’t get to HEAR the call live,but I had the privIlege of watching him live.I’ll never forget those games or years,but The Sea of Hands will probably be my most remembered great Raider moment-the immaculate deception was the worst. The thing about King George’s great run is it was probably the beginning of the end for D. Lamonica.How I long for those days.
September 28th, 2010 at 1:11 am
post 4, RIP,Mr Blanda, I was 19 and will never forget those games,a great clutch Raider, made me proud,made us all proud of the RAIDERS!
September 28th, 2010 at 1:14 am
we’re going to work it out NATION. We’re going to be OK. Be patient. WE WILL REGAIN OUR REIGN. No kool-aid involved. Please believe.
September 28th, 2010 at 3:16 am
Screw “Mr. Davis.” He’s crazy old Al to those of us not stupid enough to have any confidence in this ridiculous regime. Blanda’s passing only heightens the poignancy of this franchise’s fall from grace.
September 28th, 2010 at 3:34 am
RIP ALL RAIDER GREATS OF THE 70s…When football was real before the cant touch a guy before he catches it league of the mid 80s till now . I just watched the game again from sunday. I still say the raiders coaches panic with jason campbell and the program. Bruce was ok but some people on here might be hiding there heads had some of those timely INTS that could have been. The 11 minute mark on the game wow , it made me see something and that was. Ah when pressured bruce is crazy with the ball and thats why i like campbell. He s smart just give him time , he s pocket passer. RUN HARD PLAY ACTION THROW DEEP. The raider way, if anything I think AL for once didnt step in and say stay with the program. He let them bench the starter too soon . Yes our kicker missed the field goal but just as he missed we could had three ints and in te 4th quarter very much so. I dont who to blame for the lack luster getting to the line scrimage. You cant go back to the opening day starter like I said before. I wouldnt fight for the team if I treated that way and I thoughht after reading all these post for a week or so wow none of these guys on here would fight either being treated that way. He was the scape goat for terrible line play AL s fault center tackle even guard. Didnt bruce fumble just like campbell when he got hit blindside just like someone else in preseason and during regular season. How accurate was bruce once hit a few times. watch fourth quarter? This team is still a decent team they fight and i like that. We have to continue with bruce until that 3 INT day comes and I hate to say it but its coming and a lot people will hiding. The next two games are gonna be fun. Also the talk of DHB , watch the throws he had jump for the 1st throw and the end zone bomb was late and weak throw. DHB is fine he should go get that ball more not wait for it. Raider fans we have to stick to the program and decisions that have been made. Continue running and short ball play action and hang in there until we can steal the game.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:39 am
there is a silver and black universe at the center is al davis.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:45 am
When Al Davis spoke to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
September 28th, 2010 at 4:51 am
Q: Mitchell got some time in base defense as a strong safety, is he making a push for a starting job?
Cable: No, actually it was more because of guys getting knocked out – put Mike in there for a few snaps. It was really just out of need.
Q: Plan on keeping Stevie Brown on the roster?
Cable: Well, I hope so. We’ll see.
***
LOL!
can you say “puppet” ???
this guy obviously has NO CONTROL …
September 28th, 2010 at 5:02 am
Barnes needs a shot at LT…im done with the V+Mario thing
***
couldn’t agreed more.
Barnes at LT. Can Loper play RT? is BCamp ready yet?
We know Gallery failed as a tackle and Pears sucks!
Walker is slow and has a banged up elbow
need a change at both tackle spots. tired of reading Cable transcipts saying “we’re close. almost over the hump” after a loss
September 28th, 2010 at 5:13 am
Texans-31 Raiders-17 next coach will be,,,,
September 28th, 2010 at 5:14 am
next coach will be,,,,
***
hopefully Jim Harbaugh or Jon Gruden
most likely Hue Jackson, Kevin Gilbride or Jim Fassel
September 28th, 2010 at 5:20 am
The usual suspects, I said the same thing on the Cable quick notes thread. Sad.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:21 am
Rick, sincere appologies
I forgot Rob Ryan!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:25 am
Forgeting Rob Ryan is a good thing bruh.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:32 am
Rick,
if your choices were Hue Jackson, Kevin Gilbride, Jim Fassel or Rob Ryan … who would you pick ???
of course we could always get a wildcard candidate like Winston Moss, Sanjay Lal or Randy Hansen
September 28th, 2010 at 5:35 am
Hue Jackson looks no different than Tom Cable as a co-ordinator.
Total confusion at important times, questionable clock management, and tons of 20 yard passes, and very minimal 5-10 yard passes, mixed with a crappy O-line.
Really, after 3 games, I can’t tell them apart.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:36 am
RaiderRockstar Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 5:32 am
Rick,
if your choices were Hue Jackson, Kevin Gilbride, Jim Fassel or Rob Ryan … who would you pick ???
Steve mariucci
September 28th, 2010 at 5:37 am
questionable clock management
***
Cable: Really the clock was running down. Made the assumption that the quarterback would get time out and we wouldn’t have an issue. He didn’t and when I tried to it was too late.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:37 am
nice one fatty … I forgot about Mooch!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:37 am
Jim Fassel,,he atleast has a Super bowl appearance on his resume’ but its still terrible list of candidates.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:40 am
What about at the end of the first half? If McFadden gets tackled they come away with zero points.
Bruce ABSOLUTELY has to call that timeout. Inexcusable.
At the same time, it is not his job to send in the play and the players. They had guys running into the huddle with 10 seconds on the play-clock.
For a QB sneak no less!!!!! How hard is it to call that play and send in the formation?
September 28th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Jim Fassel,,he atleast has a Super bowl appearance on his resume
***
his first task as Head Coach would be to fire his son!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:48 am
Good Morning Nation!!!
R.I.P. George Blanda! Another Raider Legend!!! Another sad passing! I was old enough, but still too young to see him play…but seen enough highlights during the 70’s that made me know who he was!!!
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~
Now, we’re talking coaching changes already? Has everyone given up hope? LOL…well, I don’t think a coaching change now would help anything! Sorry…look at the list of candidates….ummmm…no!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:50 am
I wonder if Cable will tell Janishanki he loves him after he(Cable) is out of a job?
It will take a miracle game against the Texans to save this season.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:52 am
It will take a miracle game against the Texans to save this season.
***
Agreed, we can’t keep saying “well, at least the 49ers, donks & dolts ALSO lost” every week!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:54 am
Jon Gruden needs to sit down with Al Davis & say ” Look Al enough with the bullsh@t I wanna coach again & you need a coach,,give me my job back,,pay me my muthaf@cking money this time, & sit down & shut up,& let me get this damn thing turned around.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:57 am
Jon Gruden needs to sit down with Al Davis & say
***
Rick, nobody plays hardball with Al
that chat would last about 3 minutes before Herrera escorts him out
September 28th, 2010 at 6:00 am
Well my man, we’ll just have to get used to losing for years to come. 8 yrs & counting. Atleast the Raiders are good on Madden 11.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:06 am
At least the Raiders are good on Madden 11
***
LOL
at least theres that
I usually just look forward to fantasy football when the Raiders are losing, but I’m in 4 leagues this year and in 3 of them my teams suck!
September 28th, 2010 at 6:09 am
There’s 3 games in row that we have to win and I don’t give a rat’s arse how we do it! Weeks 5-7 and 2 are on the road!!!
September 28th, 2010 at 6:10 am
mike vick vs d. mcnabb this weekend that should be interesting.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:10 am
JOHN HERRERA DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO ESCORT ANYBODY RIGHT NOW,HE IS WASHING AL’S CAR.THEN THE LAWN NEED’S 2 B CUT.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:16 am
DIRT-LOT FOOTBALL Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 6:10 am
JOHN HERRERA DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO ESCORT ANYBODY RIGHT NOW,HE IS WASHING AL’S CAR.THEN THE LAWN NEED’S 2 B CUT.
He needs to be…well, I won’t say it for fear of being banned!
September 28th, 2010 at 6:17 am
The next 2 games are critical for the season.
If the Raiders fall to 1-4, look for a 5 win season at best.
I know Janishanki feels bad and all, but a team this close to the edge can’t afford to have their vets choke in game winning situations.
The early momentum of winning 2 in a row and feeding off of that could carry a team through some tough losses. Now that is up in smoke and 1 good push from the Texans could send this group into the abyss.
Thanks a lot Janikowski. Nice to know we can count on you.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:18 am
we need to look past this weeks game too the next i ran a computor simulation of this weeks game it has us winning by a last minute field goal thats only a chip shot.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:22 am
There’s 3 games in row that we have to win
***
hwnrdr: we should have beat the Titans & Cards bro
much easier games than the Texans or Chargers!
September 28th, 2010 at 6:25 am
Well written, Jerry.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:27 am
Rockstar… I know…but I was thinking more along the lines of SD, SF, and DEN…of course going 4 in a row starting with Houston (ummm…it could happen) would be nice too, but I would lke those 3 and I don’t care what happens after that!
Let me ask you this…do you think, if Bruce was the starter against Tenn and Satele was the Center, that we could have won that game? Anythings possible, but what is your take?
September 28th, 2010 at 6:30 am
Hmmm, Jerry says Otto did the longsnapping?
September 28th, 2010 at 6:31 am
Let me ask you this…do you think, if Bruce was the starter against Tenn and Satele was the Center, that we could have won that game? Anythings possible, but what is your take?
***
Hwnrdr, if we can’t beat the Cards with Bruce & Samson theres no stinking way we beat the Titans!
maybe we lose by 10 instead of 25, but a loss is a loss imo (still 1-2)
September 28th, 2010 at 6:32 am
Anyone who thinks that Jerry is a hater needs to read what he wrote above. Being a journalist you are supposed to be impartial and critical. Jerry used to listen to Raiders home games over the radio, his father was (obviously) a fan… ya think that deep down Jerry wants the Raiders to win???
September 28th, 2010 at 6:35 am
We need to shake off that heartbreaking loss to the Cardinals already. We have seen that we have some good players on both sides of the ball, but are razor thin at depth. If we get healthy, this team is going to roll at some point.
I look to the home game against Houston as our turning point. The Houston secondary has been God awful to this point. We should be able to exploit them through the air.
On the other side, Houston’s uber-stud WR Andre Johnson is hobbled. He may just be a decoy if he plays. Have heard that Foster may be nursing a bum shoulder as well. Foster was wearing an ice pack on his right shoulder after the game vs. Dallas, and was reportedly visibly wincing anytime he moved his right arm.
This is about a must win a game for the Raiders as we can get. 2-2 puts us right back in the race.
If we can just float around .500 ball ‘till mid November, then we got a chance in this division.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:37 am
BSJ,OTTO DID ALL THE SNAPPING,FROM CAMP THROUGH PLAYOFFS.FROM 1960 UNTIL HE RETIRED.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:38 am
Guest123 with the Kool-Aid splash this morning!
thanks brother!
we will dominate the Texans like the Cowgirls did.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:38 am
I think Jerry is a cynical sportswriter. He is not a FAN like you and me.
We expect the Raiders to win and hope against all odds.
Jerry looks at the evidence and makes a rational judgment of the team based on what he sees.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:39 am
We all need a fresh batch of kool aid. Drink up!
September 28th, 2010 at 6:44 am
guest123 Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 6:39 am
We all need a fresh batch of kool aid. Drink up!
I think we need to SPKIE that Kool Aid! I think that is what is needed!
Rockstar…just asking
September 28th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Hate break the news to you 75, but that’s a sports writer’s job — objectivity.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:46 am
Did you know that no matter how big a fan you are as a sports writer, cheering in the press box is prohibited.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:48 am
# guest123 Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 6:39 am
We all need a fresh batch of kool aid. Drink up!
……….
Not enough kool aid in the world to wash down the bad taste left in my mouth after watching Janishanki’s kick go wide left Sunday.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:49 am
If Jerry once was an avid Raiders fan, and I get the feeling he was, he has done a good job of separating himself from that. As a sports writer, there is no room for being a fan. It’s a job, and you must approach it that way.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:50 am
Sad news about Blanda, of course. Glad I got to see the end of his career with the Raiders.
But now the Raiders’ GM — Al Davis — will spend the next few weeks thinking about the old days and remembering all his late friends instead of focusing on what’s wrong with his team TODAY. He loves living in the past (like many people in their 80s).
What’s become obvious over the last three weeks is that we simply don’t have enough offensive talent to win. Our O line will be destroyed by good defensive fronts and our WR corps is simply non-competitive.
Loper, a journeyman, may be our best lineman. We need two new tackles. If Veldheer and Campbell aren’t ready to go next year — and right now, it doesn’t look good — there is little hope here.
How many times will Raiders QBs throw to DHB when he can’t get separation from any CB in the league? DHB has been the focal point of the passing offense so far and he doesn’t belong on the field. Murphy is the only legit WR on the team and he’s a number 2 guy who needs a dominant receiver on the other side.
And, shoot, we probably still need a QB. I love Gradkowski’s moxie, but he was terribly inaccurate in the second half.
We need 4 or 5 new starters on offense and we have no first-round pick next spring. And I’m not even thinking about the thus-far mediocre defense.
The offensive scheme remains mystifying. One screen against the Cardinals? Hardly any passes to McFadden in the flat all season? Hardly any slants in front of the linebackers. Gradkowski is looking downfield first on every play, even though we don’t have the line to support a deep passing game. Why throw to DHB in the back of the end zone instead of throwing a short dart just over the goal line like Arizona threw to Fitzgerald for the winning score? Mystifying.
Call me crazy, but I don’t see more than 2 or 3 offensive players on this roster who care capable of stepping up and helping the team win consistently.
This week’s game is a must-win if the Raiders are to stay competitive this season. If we lose, we have to go 7-5 the rest of the way just to finish .500.
But Big Al will surely spend today reminiscing about when Blanda was a Real Raiduh.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:50 am
# ghosttothepost Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Hate break the news to you 75, but that’s a sports writer’s job — objectivity.
…….
Don’t have to break it to me. I’m not mad at him.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:51 am
I was only answering the question in #47
September 28th, 2010 at 6:53 am
NY — a lot of of spot on, even if depressing, points in your post. The Raiders are light years away from moving into the NFL elite.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:55 am
Jerry does his job well in being neutral to hometown bias. But he does seem to easily distance himself from the blogger fans when we lose. He kind of throws out postgame loss posts that encourage us to vent at Al Davis and Cable. When we win, it’s also a guarded optimisim style. He seems to be saying, “don’t go getting your hopes up”.
I wish that Jerry would allow himself to be a Raider fan, if only to commiserate with the rest of us. If only for a few minutes and let the hurt of a close loss sink in and fester a bit.
It hurts to lose. Physically hurts the body. Can’t sleep till one am dwelling on it. I internalize the pain, and smile at my wife and kids and don’t take it out on them. But my head still hurts afterward, and beer just dulls the pain a bit. Losing sucks.
I’d like to think that Jerry has as much emotionally invested as we do. Even if it breaks protocol for a brief moment.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:56 am
Al is old. Old people, who have had success, tend to live in the past. Al lives there. That’s when he was young, vibrant and the Raiders ruled. I’m sure it’s hard for him not to live there in his mind. So, in some respects, I give him a pass. But God he’s made a mess of the Raiders.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:59 am
Guest, I understand what you are saying. But if Jerry did that, he would comprising his integrity. Sports writer sounds great doesn’t it? But remember, you work every weekend, most night, wages are low and you perform mostly a thankless job. And trust me, it’s not that easy.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:06 am
I think NY brings up a good point about the Raiders defense … supposedly the strength of the team, it has been mediocre — at best — so far.
The Raiders are 26th in total defense, and, once again, hapless against the run — 29th in rushing defense.
Same old, same old.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:07 am
did everybody else leave?
September 28th, 2010 at 7:07 am
Coming in to this week…Jano is going to try and channel his inner Blanda! Is he going to play QB too?
September 28th, 2010 at 7:09 am
those stats were bad … i was looking at 2009
scratch last post … the raiders are actually 2nd in total defense through 3 games … well above average, I’d say
September 28th, 2010 at 7:10 am
but the run defense is still porous … 24th in league compared to second against the pass
September 28th, 2010 at 7:12 am
Jerry Mac is a Raiders fan, but he’s also a realist.
he calls it like he sees it and he tells it how it is.
I like that. I don’t like it when people talk in circles or sugar coat everything. it builds false hope & security and makes the let down even worse when the Raiders crash n burn on Sundays
September 28th, 2010 at 7:12 am
I agree Ghost. I have seen little change in the run defense, 3rd down defense, or any other CB besides Nnamdi.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:14 am
# ghosttothepost Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 7:09 am
those stats were bad … i was looking at 2009
scratch last post … the raiders are actually 2nd in total defense through 3 games … well above average, I’d say
………..
Stats are an illusion. Raiders have played 2 of the worst Offenses in the league. Against the only mediocre offense, the Titans, the raiders were blew out by halftime.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:14 am
Generally Marshall’s run defense is in the bottom 1/3. What else do you expect? Garbage in, garbage out.
Generally, Tom Cable loses games. Garbage in, garbage out. Of the 77 games Cable has coached in his lifetime, he has lost 56 of them. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that means he LOSES 72.72727% of his games.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:16 am
Raiders should have held Cards to 14 or below easily.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:16 am
did you know the raiders have 2 INT and ZERO fumble recoveries in 3 games … Cincy has 4 and KC 3 fumble recoveries … causing turnovers is huge — the best teams always do it well
September 28th, 2010 at 7:16 am
More koolaid:
DHB is being targeted on critical 4th down plays, and making clutch catches. He’s being held all game long, all season long so far. His stats don’t show it, but he is just as much a contributor as Louis Murphy.
Murphy has been clutch, and Grads just seems to find him when it is most needed. Miller is coming to life as well.
McFadden has been getting it done, behind a shaky patchwork line.
I like our offensive playmakers. Our defense is good when we have all our pieces together. It’s always eiher Seymour is out or Henderson is out. If we could get Seymour/Henderson/TK all on the same field, and healthy, it’d make a world of difference.
Our safety’s need to play better. Mike Mitchell, I am looking at you son.
Our ST’s are horrific. Absolutely cost us the game against AZ.
If we get marginal improvement from the defense, status quo on offense, and improve to average on defense, we can get on a roll this Sunday.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Dakota … his record is abysmal … raiders fans deserve a real coach
September 28th, 2010 at 7:17 am
The Raiders are 26th in total defense, and, once again, hapless against the run — 29th in rushing defense
***
JFB: thoughts ???
Redskins lost to the Rams last week and the Bears are 3-0!
Gradkowski didn’t even pass for 300 yards or 2 TD’s against the lowly Cards
McFadden is a beast
have you been right about anything man?
well, you did beat me in fantasy football last week … i’ll give you that
September 28th, 2010 at 7:18 am
72.72727% loser! And an admitted wife beater too!
September 28th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Generally Marshall’s run defense is in the bottom 1/3. What else do you expect? Garbage in, garbage out.
Generally, Tom Cable loses games. Garbage in, garbage out. Of the 77 games Cable has coached in his lifetime, he has lost 56 of them. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that means he LOSES 72.72727% of his games.
***
do you have a man crush on Hue Jackson or something?
post his losing record as an OC too please!
September 28th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Raiders should have held Cards to 14 or below easily
***
the Raiders are supposed to have the best secondary in the league and Derek Anderson threw 2 TD’s on us … with Larry Fitz & Steve Breaston both banged up and Early Doucet OUT
September 28th, 2010 at 7:22 am
and how many years in a row do we have to suck at special teams … NUMBER 1 reason we lost to Cards — 102 yard KO return and three missed FGS …
September 28th, 2010 at 7:24 am
the great raiders team always had great special teams play … i remember when the raiders used to block punts and recover fumbles on kicks and punts on a regular basis … you never see either anymore
September 28th, 2010 at 7:25 am
Guest123: I have been saying this for a LONG time man
fix the lines = fix the Raiders
Tom Cable thinks he can make more with less on the o-line and the Raiders only nose tackle (John Henderson) is banged up. and he backed up Tommy friggin Kelly in WK1
Seymour & Kelly have a similar skill set. both penetrators, neither is a dominant force against the run inside – probably why McClain looks so average thus far, even against bad teams
September 28th, 2010 at 7:29 am
time for a meeting – be back later gents!
September 28th, 2010 at 7:31 am
Hue Jackson
2003 OC Washington (Spurrier HC, Patrick Ramsey and Tim Hasselback QBs)
21st Passing
23rd Rushing
2007 OC Atlanta (Bobby Petrino HC, Byron Leftwich and Joey Harrington QBs)
18th Passing
26th Rushing
September 28th, 2010 at 7:32 am
RaiderRockstar Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Raiders should have held Cards to 14 or below easily
***
the Raiders are supposed to have the best secondary in the league and Derek Anderson threw 2 TD’s on us … with Larry Fitz & Steve Breaston both banged up and Early Doucet OUT
_________________
LMAO, the only time our secondary looks like the best in the league is when teams just run it down our throats. It is Nnamdi and a bunch of scrubs out there.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:33 am
Come on Dakota…Yaba Daba Doo!
Well, maybe after Grey Goose and Red Bulls…
i think that Cable is starting to show his emotions on the sideline! Maybe he can channel his inner wife beater and whoop on some of his players!
September 28th, 2010 at 7:38 am
I can’t wait till Cable is fired. Only one more week till the ax comes down. Unless the Raiders miraculously beat the Texans, there is no way he survives. Bring on the Hue Jackson era!
September 28th, 2010 at 7:39 am
Hey, I guess Cable just needs to win 35 straight games to become a .500 head coach!
September 28th, 2010 at 7:39 am
2 short td’s against our very weak zone coverage. Who says we have the best secondary in the league though? I would say it would be a toss up between buffalo and cincy for that distinction, maybe the jests with a healthy revis and crow playing well. Stan Routt CJ and Branch are all more liability than all-pro.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:41 am
C’mon guys … I think Cable is a tool, too … but, check previous post … Bill Walsh could not win with this team … avg QBs, young WRs, crappy O line … poor special teams … porous run defense … heck, God would have trouble winning with this team
September 28th, 2010 at 7:42 am
2011 Raiders head coach:
http://www.govandals.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87199&SPID=10352&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=17100&ATCLID=1088165&Q_SEASON=2010
September 28th, 2010 at 7:43 am
Ghosttothepost Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 7:41 am
C’mon guys … I think Cable is a tool, too … but, check previous post … Bill Walsh could not win with this team … avg QBs, young WRs, crappy O line … poor special teams … porous run defense … heck, God would have trouble winning with this team
————————–
Cable is a scrub, a puppet, a loser, and a wife beater.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:44 am
it takes talent to win in the NFL … I know, da Bears and Chefs are both 3-0 without much talent … but they will come back to the pack … everything has gone there way so far … the Raiders never have everything go there way … it’s called the curse of Al
September 28th, 2010 at 7:45 am
We have a good chance to beat the Texans. Andre Johnson said his high ankle sprain has become more of an issue than he predicted… If he is out, or even limited, then we can focus heavily on stopping Foster. Our run D has improved (rank 23rd in the NFL, Jacksonville is ranked 29th for those of you named RaiderRockstar keeping track of such things). We are the number 1 team in football at moving the ball into the opposing red zone, if we can start to capitalize on those opportunities then we should start winning these games we should be winning.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Trade DMAC for Bill Walsh!
September 28th, 2010 at 7:45 am
The curse of Al? LOL The curse of Al is that he is old, meddling, and sleazy, and has no business running an NFL franchise anymore.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:46 am
I love Hue’s gutsy call with no timeouts and running McFadden in from the 2 yard line just before the half. Made Cable look like less of a moron as they went in up 20-17.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:47 am
luck plays a role in wins and losses … Seabass missed a 32-yard gimmee to lose against Cards … 98 out of 100 he nails that … that’s just bad luck that his miss — and they all miss once in a while — came up there … if he makes it, and he’ll probably makes the rest of those all season, we’re 2-1 and all the conversation in here is different … but how different would it be really? … we’re not ready for prime time, and maybe not for a long time
September 28th, 2010 at 7:48 am
ghosttothepost Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 7:41 am
C’mon guys … I think Cable is a tool, too … but, check previous post … Bill Walsh could not win with this team … avg QBs, young WRs, crappy O line … poor special teams … porous run defense … heck, God would have trouble winning with this team
_____________
Coaching matters.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:50 am
there are signs of life … I believe that … but it takes a top QB to win the super bowl in the NFL, almost without exception … we had our chance at that … we picked JaWalrus … game, set, match … then we trade for Can of Soup … pinch me I must be dreaming … now we have Grads. He’s OK, big heart, but never, I repeat never, a Super Bowl QB
September 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
And the truth
shall set you free !
September 28th, 2010 at 7:57 am
A good coach and GM could win with both Campbell and Gradkowski.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Jordan fades back. Swoosh !
And that’s the game !
September 28th, 2010 at 7:59 am
iffy, at best Paine … neither are as talented as say, Cutler and Rodgers … and those two aren’t even elite QBs
September 28th, 2010 at 7:59 am
maybe a good coach could win with them … but win the big one … whole new ball game
September 28th, 2010 at 8:02 am
Rodgers has to be considered an elite QB at this point. He may not be on an elite team quite yet, but he is definitely a great qb
September 28th, 2010 at 8:02 am
A.B. Paine III Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 7:57 am
A good coach and GM could win with both Campbell and Gradkowski.
______________________
Coaching matters, but not that much!
A good coach with those guys could make the playoffs, but would never win the SB. Brad Johnson and Dilfer are probably the worst two QBs talent wise to win the SB, but they both had brains and didn’t take chances. It would be a miracle if a team won the SB with Garbageman or Campbell.
September 28th, 2010 at 8:03 am
I am not delusional to think we have a team to make it the superbowl.
I just want my team to compete, improve. Maybe beat some heavyweights along the way, and have a chance at a wildcard near the end of the season.
Of course we don’t have the coach/QB/etc…
to go to the SB.
Stop killing yourself over it. We are what we are.
September 28th, 2010 at 8:06 am
Dakota Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 8:02 am
A.B. Paine III Says:
September 28th, 2010 at 7:57 am
A good coach and GM could win with both Campbell and Gradkowski.
______________________
Coaching matters, but not that much!
A good coach with those guys could make the playoffs, but would never win the SB. Brad Johnson and Dilfer are probably the worst two QBs talent wise to win the SB, but they both had brains and didn’t take chances. It would be a miracle if a team won the SB with Garbageman or Campbell.
————————–
With the right team, Campbell is better than Johnson and Dilfer. The Steelers are 3-0 with QBs equal to Gradkowski.
September 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Like I said, they could win some games with those guys, but it would take a miraculous set of circumstances for a team to win the SB with either of those guys. Just common sense.
September 28th, 2010 at 8:14 am
I tend to think that Gradkowski could be a playoff QB with a decent O line and B-plus receivers.
But we have a patchwork O line and D-plus receivers.
The Cable question is almost moot if Davis would replace him with another guy who couldn’t get another job in the NFL.
It only matters if Davis would give big money to Bill Cowher (my choice for a truly desperate franchise) or Jim Harbaugh or someone else he would have to cede some power to.
September 28th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Regard the great George Blanda. He played the game when football players were football players. Not just specialists. He was a leader of men, what I feel Gradkowski is.
I don’t remember the Blanda days, although I am sure I have seen a couple of his games when I was a toddler.
Hope Jano’s kick wasn’t what put Blanda over the edge.
September 28th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Great story Jerry. I remember going to a MNF game against the Cowboys. Marvyn Gaye sang the national anthem and the Raiders were looking pretty lethargic until George came in for Stabler, his first play he throws a TD to Branch.
…That might slightly be revisionist history but that’s the way i remember it
September 28th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Pitos
September 28th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
hh