49ers have a ways to go to catch Raiders
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, October 1st, 2010 at 11:26 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Not a lot of Raiders news here today, because, truth be told, I had a 49ers shift and figured it would be no problem doing both.
I passed along Steve Corkran’s information regarding injured players and the like, and finished off my usual Thursday-Friday stuff (NFL rankings and NFL column for Sunday papers).
Thought I’d have time to come up with some more Raiders stuff later, but instead got hung up on a bit of drama which was old hat to me but had jaws dropping in Santa Clara.
Strong safety Michael Lewis didn’t show up for practice. His agent, Rodney Williams, told Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area that Lewis wanted his release. (Williams didn’t respond to my e-mails or phone calls _ damn it , Maiocco).
Yawn.
The first time I attended a Raiders practice after they’d re-established themselves as the Oakland Raiders, Mike White stepped to the microphone in El Segundo and announced Patrick Bates had left the team. Bates was a former first-round draft pick, the next Jack Tatum, a young talent approaching his prime. Lewis is 30 and prone to concussions.
The 49ers were already reeling, having seen Kentwan Balmer, a first-round draft pick in 2008, leave camp until he was dealt to Seattle for a sixth-round draft pick, and Glen Coffee, a third-round pick out of Alabama in 2009, decide he didn’t want to play football. Balmer may have been cut anyway. Coffee averaged under three yards a carry as a rookie and there was little or no evidence he was going to ever compete with Frank Gore for playing time.
Yes, they left after training camp began, but compared to Steve Wisniewski retiring with a couple of years still in the tank and running back Napoleon Kaufman deciding to join the ministry while still an explosive runner, this was small potatoes.
It’s true Jimmy Raye got fired this week (anyone remember he was Norv Turner’s offensive coordinator in Oakland?), but near as I can tell, no one claimed his head hit a desk or that a local district attorney was considering filing charges. Singletary’s domestic life has gone unchallenged.
At no time has the 49ers coach waged an insurgency directed at ownership or been destroyed by overhead projector.
To the Raiders credit, they’ve minimized distractions since Al Davis decided to keep Tom Cable aboard, and only time will tell if the relative serenity will pay off in the won-loss column.
So the 49ers have surpassed the Raiders for the moment in terms of dysfunction, and there is mounting evidence Singletary is more nut job than charismatic genius.
But if they truly want to be a longterm player in terms of dysfunction, Jed York is going to have to be truly bold. Michael Crabtree’s disinterest isn’t nearly enough.
Whether it’s at this year’s trade deadline or in the offseason, Randy Moss and DeAngelo Hall could be up for grabs.
And that’s only a start.
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October 1st, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Raiders!
October 1st, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Jerry,
Raider fans just want to know what’s going on with the Raiders IMO the 49ers problems while mildly interesting at times are not amusing to me for one. They don’t play in our conference the only issue is that the media tends to brush everything that goes on there under the rug and blow up Raider issues. The 49ers have long been dysfunctonal as far as I’m concerned. They can’t keep a OC worth a damn They have an orverrated QB that the media doesn’t focus on. The owner is a kid who’s trying to be something he’s not. He’s in way over his head the GM was dismissed under a shroud of secrecy.
No one knows who’s making the decisions over there and their record while better than the Raiders really stinks. They haven’t been to the playoffs in 8 years but no one focuses on that. If the Raiders weren’t in the area the 9ers would be considered a garbage franchise. Good for them the Raiders have taken away most of the sting with their own ineptitude. But the 49ers stink dude………..period
Now that I’ve said that I’d like to know what the coaches have in mind to fix our redzone offense.
October 1st, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Trouble in Ninerland? Could only be one thing… David White.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:13 am
Man there is a lot of trouble in 9erland, the new OC is who? Michael Johnson and how will he work with Singletary? what if they go 0-5 will the HC survive? Who’s their starting QB because it aint AS. That team is in real trouble of going 0-6 and in last place of their division after being pegged to win that division.
If that were the Raiders the ridicule would be staggering. But you hardly know their 0-3 and about to lose their best safety. The QB is a mess but he doesn’t get nearly the ridicule Russell gt and he’s had 6 (SIX) whole years to get his act together. The defense is falling apart and the 2 rookie Olineman are struggling. That team is a mess but you’s hardly know it based on the way the media covers them.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:27 am
Priest,does anything you state about the whiners and the way they are portrayed surprise you.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:35 am
Jerry loves to bring up garbage about Cable,but Singletary gets a free ride.Imagine if Cable dropped his drawers or got a host fired because he didn’t like the questions he was asked,or started the year 0-3 which could very easily go 0-5,or,well you get the drift.One thing that has ALWAYS bothered me is the way the Raiders and the A’s are treated as 2nd class org. compared to their SF counterparts-sometimes even by the east bay media.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:40 am
I wonder if our players are as bad off as the injury report suggests or if we are going the Belicheck way and reporting every little nick?
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:41 am
Not at all Left, they overdue everything over here and always have. But that’s why I said wha I said to Jerry. Look at the title of this blog they have a ways to go to be as dysfunctional. They are much more dysfunctional and have been just as much with their owner being thrown out of the league after he almost ruined his fathers fortune.
Loook at the way they treated Bill Walsh forcing him into retirement and firing a HC who won 12 games for a college coach with a 500 record. If Al Davis did any of that can you imagine what they’d say.
Look at the money they paid that corner wh hasn’t lived up to it. The big mouth HC who hasn’t done anything yet. Yet the Raiders are considered a joke. lol what a joke!!
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:43 am
The corner Nate Clements is average at best and he almost makes as much money as Nnamdi. You never hear that mentioned.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:50 am
It’s the East Bay media that’s the worst IMO, Carl Stewart, Monte Poole, Peterson and all of them because of Mr Davis. Look hw long it took them to honor Jerry Rice, and then lose the game. They get away with murder over there.
There’s no GM over there worth a damn do you ever hear that mentioned, no.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:51 am
They still treat Eddie D. like some kind of deity.And I totally agree about the HC.Hell,even on here when he was hired people talked about what a great hire he was and how he brought ‘credibility’ to them.What did he ever do?Also,look at their TE.Although he is a good player,not great-at least not yet-they made him the highest paid TE EVER and nobody blinked an eye.Total hypocrisy concerning the medias treatment of the 2 teams.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:58 am
Oh well,no use complaining about it,but it is frustrating.Maybe if we were to string some W’s together a couple of them would be fairer.But I have totally given up on Poole,Inman,Kawakami,and a couple others.BTW,Chronicle Live is just as bad and Papa hosts that show.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:59 am
I know man our own Jerry included, they don’t think they do any wrong. Craptree is starting to look like an average player I honestly think Murphy is a much better player and DHB is on back. They’ve had several bust in the 1st rnd but it doesn’t get a mention.
Anyway I’m hoping we use this Texans game as a springboard to respectability. I think we can beat this team Left I’m telling you I’ve had a god feeling about this game all week.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:00 am
good feeling*
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:02 am
It’s amazing the media can be so disrespectful to the great Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders. We’ve been one of the best teams in the league over the past 7 years.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:03 am
Lets hope we start the head turning with a W this week.I’d like to see us just shove the ball up their arses when we get inside the 5,but i’m not sure we can with our present line.They are good in space(run blocking),but don’t seem to get the push in short yardage situations.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:05 am
Kefty12 man I’m telling ya’ I used to watch Chronicle Live religiously, I can’t stand it now. Everything is the Giants and the 9ers at the end they’ll spend 60 sec. on the Raiders before they go off.
I stopped watching it, Comcast sports net as well. I just don’t get it man Raider and A’s fans have no where to go. It sucks.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:07 am
Lefty I think we can run on this team, I really do because of the way DMC is running we just can’t get down by 2 scores and just pound it.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:12 am
I don’t worry about moving the ball,we do that with regularity.What we have to do is take advantage of the times we get close and score TDs.But at the same time,if we get down close even if we can’t punch it in,we have to put points on the board.I believe in the Madden rule-take the points!
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:16 am
Madden won a lot of games with that rule. He always took a shot in the endzone when he got in the redzone. I really think Grads will perform much better this game. I just like where were at right now things are really starting to gel. It’s exciting to watch.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:26 am
Well,here is to a win Sunday.Talk to you later.Almost forgot,the other night I mentioned that it was hot in Ariz. and that is why Jano. was sweating and Vegas mentioned it was a closed stadium and around 72 inside.While that isn’t too hot,in full uniform being over 70 is still warm.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:26 am
Well Adios Left, I gotta get some sleep!
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:55 am
“Trailing Arizona 17-13, the Raiders faced second-and-goal on the Cardinals’ 2 with 15 seconds remaining in the first half, out of timeouts. Standard tactics dictate either a field goal attempt or a pass into the end zone so that any incompletion stops the clock; because of this, Arizona expected a pass. Instead the Raiders ran a toss sweep to Darren McFadden, touchdown. That’s the kind of bold call the football gods usually reward with victory. Instead the Raiders went on to lose on a missed short field goal on the game’s final snap”.
Doesn’t happen very often,but the Raiders getting some love from from Gregg Easterbrook in his TMQ column.
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:10 am
Maybe we’ll give Nick Miller a chance to be in some plays with our top three WRs hobbled a bit….
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81a3ba54/Nick-Miller-TD
October 2nd, 2010 at 6:48 am
ok to start with i was born a raider fan ,and ill die a raider fan .having said that ,ill admit i havent been to a raider game since the last game in los angelas on christmas eve ,but only because i live down here ,i know piss poor excuse i admit that also ,i have one more thing to say people in so cal are straight up your either with us or against us ,we dont talk sh t unless your there to respond and that seems like all i read on here there is no pride on this page this is not the raider nation there is nothing but a bunch of posers here im convinced this page is based in denver ,san diego ,or kc,real raider fans dont talk sh t like this not about the raiders anyway ,the first time i found this page i had to go check and make sure this was a raider page you people are not raider fans ,where i come from raider fans are brothers and we are against every one else not our team ,you guys sound like a bunch of band wagon jumpers ,,,am i the only one that sees this…where the hell is the raider nation??????????????
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:00 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wPPOrmCcJI
Raider Nation
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:30 am
Good morning my dearest friends in here,..this story terrifies me to no end,…its leading up to my worst fear,…if what I fear happens I will walk away from the Oakland Raiders once and for all,…and I fear its more a reality today then ever before,…ok here it is,…if the felons nephew, (in case you need to be brought up to speed, the felon is Eddie D, and of course youre aware who his nephew is),…so if the felons nephew uses some of that dirty Debartolo money to hire Jon Gruden and secure him with a nice 5-6 year deal with complete authority,..Im outta here,…it will be the final straw for me,…I will walk away from the NFL…I will hold Al Davis personally responsible, and well if I do something drastic, that will be the focal point of my defense at my trial….have a great weekend.
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:33 am
Cut SeaPerch!
3 times in his career he has missed 3 FG’s in a single game.
Show the team scholarships are no longer accepted. Show the fans you want to win.
Commitment to Excellence!
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:41 am
Waive Mike Mitchell and promote Stevie Brown.
Mitchell missed the tackle on the 102 yard touchdown run.
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:44 am
One last thing before I head to the big lake to get high and drink some beer…(I will be at Meeks Bay all day)…you all like to hate on our owner, obsess over him,..fine, thats your thing, its not my job to stop you, I think its very misguided but I guess you need something to fill in the cracks of your life, something to vent about, to make up for the things that are really bothering you but cant outwardly vent about,..anyway,…I know more about Eddie D then you do,…I grew up in the bay area,…San Jose…but spent countless years on the peninsula,…know what Eddie D did?…well lets digress a bit,….one day for Christmas when you guys got Tonka trucks, his old man gave him an NFL team,…he floundered away with it while doing coke,..then Al Davis gave him some great advice,..hire Bill Walsh,..so far so good for Eddie D right?…hmmm,..well he had also a serious drinking problem,…(Lott said so publicly once)…in a swanky bar in San Mateo he thought as a rich kid he could sexually assault whomever he felt like,…so he did,…the cops got involved,…that assault cost him just under 10 million dollars,…years later he gets in a gambling scheme, riverboat scheme with a high profile dirtbag in Lousiana,…the feds busted them,…Eddie D couldnt even handle a night in jail, couldnt wait for the family lawyer to bail him out, he had to get out asap,…so he said yes to the feds, he will testify against his crime partner,…and did so…take a guess why Eddie D never visits New Orleans anymore,..he would be dead in a swamp within an hour…then what happened?…the NFL took his Christmas present away from him,..gave it to his sister,…end result?…now when he wants to attend a Niner game, or go to a Niner legends retirement celebration at a halftime, he needs not only baby sisters permission but also Roger Goodells,…say what you want about Al Davis,…hes not perfect,..but in NFL circles Eddie D is a daddys boy who never earned a thing in his life and is also a rat fink snitch for the feds. Take care.
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:44 am
Sounds good Kirk lets cut players when they miss one tackle!
Kirk for GM!
October 2nd, 2010 at 8:54 am
Hey Norco isn’t it even worse than that doesn’t he have to get the OK from his little nephew HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Love whenever they show Steve Young no Deion on that team no SB Prime leaves Niners goes to Cowboys and bye bye relevance in the NFL Niners!
October 2nd, 2010 at 8:59 am
You people!
-Some want to cut MM?! A player drafted in the 2nd RD, playing in his 2nd season, and he is not starting, and you people want to cut him because he missed ONE tackle!!
-You want to cut Jano?! Our 1st RD Kicker?! He missed 3 FGs, but it was Cable’s fault we lost that game.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:01 am
Cut:
1- H Eugene
2- S Williams
3- M Bennett or Rock
4- N Miller
5- Cooper C
6- Tom Cable
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:11 am
You idiots want to cut a player who missed a tackle on a kickoff?…lol…first of all, our kick coverage has been the worst in the nfl for a couple years now,..to me that smells of a lousy coaching staff,…the truth is you all want MM cut because you believed the story that Al overruled a release, that other coaches wanted him cut,..I never bought that internet lie, you did,..MM will be fine, once we get a competent coaching staff in place.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:14 am
I know for a fact that Cable lost us one game (AZ), and he contributed a lot to the Titans loss by playing Veldheer at C, and he didn’t have our OL prepared!
Cable’s mistakes IMO:
1- Bad OL (since he is suppose to be an OL Guru)
2- Soft Camp and practice
3- He started players like Fargas over Bush & DMC, he started Eugene over Huff in 08, he starts Veldheer over Campbell, and startef Figurs over Ford & JLH.
4- He is playing our best athlete (and former LT at college) on the OL at G while we have a need a LT.
5- He is an idiot!
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:18 am
Tell’em Bob!
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:19 am
I will say this for the last mother F`n time before I head to the white sands of Meeks Bay to get drunk and stoned,…Tom Cable has done only 2 things Im proud of,..breaking the jaw of the snitch,..and slappin around that ex pig of his that went on ESPN for 5K,…they both deserved it, and I will also say again OJ`s ex wife got what she deserved too,..I wish the President would pardon him…(but hes so gutless and without any balls whatsoever he wont do it)…Tom Cable can either be a truck driver or manager of a bowling alley,..thats about it…Im real and Im getting wasted today and will carry it over to tomorrow. Brian, hit me with a text, see ya tomorrow bro.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 am
LMAO BOB!
Enjoy your day.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:34 am
norco i thought u were a dick but i like ur style i wish i had the life were i could drink n get high on saturday AND sunday, go get it…
imaquaman Says:
October 2nd, 2010 at 6:48 am
ok to start with i was born a raider fan ,and ill die a raider fan .having said that ,ill admit i havent been to a raider game since the last game in los angelas on christmas eve ,but only because i live down here ,i know piss poor excuse i admit that also ,i have one more thing to say people in so cal are straight up your either with us or against us ,we dont talk sh t unless your there to respond and that seems like all i read on here there is no pride on this page this is not the raider nation there is nothing but a bunch of posers here im convinced this page is based in denver ,san diego ,or kc,real raider fans dont talk sh t like this not about the raiders anyway ,the first time i found this page i had to go check and make sure this was a raider page you people are not raider fans ,where i come from raider fans are brothers and we are against every one else not our team ,you guys sound like a bunch of band wagon jumpers ,,,am i the only one that sees this…where the hell is the raider nation??????????????
I agree, im guilty for arguing with dude of course, but his negativity forced me to say something…we are all brothers..
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:37 am
Sorry Jerry, but this story falls under the “who gives a crap” category. Both orgs are crap and we know it. No one cares who’s crap #1 or crap #2.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 am
Weird story.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:41 am
Tell us how you really feel Bob.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:48 am
What does the 49ers have to do with the Raiders winning football games? I could care less what happens with the 49ers. Must be a local Bay Area thing.
Anyway, I will be at this game tomorrow. First home game. I hope the Raiders show up, play hard and play smart. Would like to see a win obviously…but will take a good football game.
Anyone else going?
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:53 am
I will be here in my hometown watching it from the east coast…4pm, should be hammered by then, hopefully we play well and win which i think we will, u guys will hear me from philly lol..
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:15 am
Enjoy the game SnB.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:22 am
Should be a nice beach day up here in Tahoe Bob. You’ll like the weather. Little cool at night but warms up nicely Enjoy it while you can though. Supposed to rain and maybe snow this week. fall is here.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
Bruce will keep it close for you.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:38 am
So we are coming to the end of the first quarter of the season with the conclusion of tomorrows game. Need to finish it strong and get back to .500. We have a good stretch of home cookin’ here: two home games and a road game in SF. We can win these next three games. Texas is beatable as the Cowboys showed. SD is not playing that impressive. We should have beat them last year on Monday night. We will beat them next week. Gotta get to Rivers though, and often. Who knows what the hell is going on with the niners. They’re a mess right now.
Thes next three games will make or break the season as far as I am concerned. We need to get some people back to make this happen and maybe get some luck on our side for once but it’s possible we would be 4-2 heading into Denver on the 24th.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:43 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
Bruce will keep it close for you.
============================================
I hope you are right! Row 24 at the 45 yardline. Keep it close and pull something out late in the 4th!
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:43 am
not feelin too comfortable with the lack of WR depth…doubt Murph or DHB will be very effective on Sunday.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 am
hope it dont come down to Shankikowski again. dude looks in horrible shape, sweating like a beast in temperature controlled stadium…to be honest i think he was hungover…GHB cocktail anyone?
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:47 am
We are beat up right now, there’s no question about that, the injury bug has moved in, built a house and has a 401K.
But this will be a character game for this team. Exactly who are the 2010 Oakland Raiders?? This game will say alot.
But we have some good depth in some areas. Especially in the secondary. And I’d like to see what our rookie wide outs can do.
But no question the man that needs to be called out….
TOMMY KELLY!!!
No one has forgotten that big contract, your new athletic appearance gives us hope, but now it’s time to be more than just serviceable. It’s time for Tom Kelly to take this game into his own hands, and be the star we hope he is. (Honorable mention goes to King Richard, don’t forget you are also our number 1 draft pick this year)
Every one gets banged up during an NFL season, but our D-Line has to own the game tomorrow.
The speed bump that was the Arizona game is behind us, next up the Texans, and our “2nd Ranked Defence” has to step up and deliver.
Bang the ball on the ground, own the clock, and punish Houston on Defence. Schuab needs to feel the pressure all day tomorrow and that pressure needs to come from the likes of Tom Kelly, Richard Seymour, Matt Shaughnessy, and Houston.
That being said, Rolando Mclain needs to stop guessing out there, see the gap, recognize and fill, on a few of his good plays, and a few of his “oops” plays he’s guessing which gap to fill, and that will cost us in the long run.
Go Raiders! Go Tommy Kelly! Go McFadden! Go Bruuuuucce!
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:48 am
I like to see Ford catch a few passes.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
gonna need him O….as well as Nick Miller…JLH is non-existent.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:14 am
SnB…..whats up man? Where ya at in the bay?
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:17 am
Lol Norco Bob just ripped it hahaha but I dont feel him on the gruden issue
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:17 am
Nick Miller has to play this week!!!
Crap or get off the pot with him already.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:24 am
I agree Nick Miller needs to be at the very least on Punt Return duties, let’s face it, JLH is a good 3rd wide out, but on PR duties he’s just there to catch the ball and not make a mistake, we need to have a look at N Miller to see if he can a) make a play and b) is worth taking a roster spot.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:29 am
Will Tom Cable wear something besides the bowling shirt tomorrow?
Hey Tom, why don’t you go throw back and bust out Tom Landry style! Throw on the tie and wear the fedora, do something, because the bowling shirt it terrible…
You’re the head coach of an NFL team, start looking like it.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:36 am
didn’t Al pull the ultimate snake bit?
Wayne valley got him in as a partner, then while valley was out of country, al went to the 3rd partner, who had dimentia, and conned him into signing over to al his share, screwing over valley?
does it get any lower than that?
in many circles that would get you a one way ticket.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:37 am
while tom is at it, do something about the stubble.
makes you look like you just stumbled in from a 5 day binge
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:38 am
lmao @ the thought of Tom in a suit, tie and fedora. I just spit green tea all over my monitor… he’d look more at home in an animal skin like Fred Flinstone or Barney…
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
I hear comments about raider nation.
what happened to the nation?
what happened to representing your team?
what s the season ticket number at? 24,000 or so?
used to be a waiting list. now the stadium can’t sell out a damn game. none expected this year. had tough time selling out during sb year in ‘02. where did all the fans go
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:48 am
Will Tom Cable wear something besides the bowling shirt tomorrow?
——————————————————
LOL!
Thiiiis guy …
I mean what chance do we really have with this cat at the helm?
7-9 maybe?
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:50 am
I laughed out loud at the thought of Tom Cable in a Silver and Black Flintsone skin.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:51 am
Hue Jackson is learning on the job, as well as Gardowski.
This is going to be a big week for the two of them. Will Hue get in Gardowski’s arsse for throwing the ball 11 times to DHBeast? That number needs to be cut in half with the balance going to Miller and DMac.
Gardowski could take some lessons in the art of the checkdown from Camplunkett!
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:53 am
S’up J Hill!
Go Raiders.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:57 am
This week I’d like to see a good balance of MBush and DMac.
It doesn’t have to be cute, Bush chewing up hard yards up the middle, and DMac flashing to the outside.
Get the run going early and stick to it.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
And get BCampbell in there on running downs, the guys is a monster, why not run off of his hip?
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Sup mayne!
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
And get BCampbell in there on running downs, the guys is a monster, why not run off of his hip?
——————————————————
Won’t be too long before we see Beast Campbell.
Also suspect Stevie Brown takes over for Eugene full time.
The move I’m looking for besides the obvious Veldheer for Henderson, is Trevor Scott being moved BACK to pass rush specialist. He’s TERRIBLE against the run!
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Hopefully we can get a solid effort from the STs this week.
This area has been an utter disaster for us since last year.
Have no idea how Fassell still has a job!
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Fassell having a job = Third degree nepotism…
Yeah, we could most definitely use an upgrade at ST coach.
I can’t argue with the Trevor Scott call, but I want to see more of Shaughnessy, his been almost invisible this year, and I thought we’d see a lot more from that cat.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Scott is a pass rusher. I like him alot and knows he can help the team but Shaughnessy deserves to play at RDE as starter
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
There are a few head scratching things going on with this team personell wise.
Veldheer should be starting at one of the OT spots
ShoNasty should be starting over Scott.
Stevie Brown should be a STs starter.
Miller and JLH should be getting snaps over the 3rd OT.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:38 pm
What do you guys think of Routt so far? I think hes been solid, I don’t think hes given up many big plays this year if any at all.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:38 pm
All I can say, is that I hope we come out fired up tomorrow, we’ve yet to see this team come out with that fire in there eyes.
After last week, let’s face it, it’s desperation time, some people may disagree with me when I say, right now in week 4, it’s desperation time, but for this team, for this moment in time, we need to be 2-2 not 1-3. Yeah last week was tough, and a game we should have one, but it’s all part of the process, you’re going to have games like that, but it’s how you bounce back that tells the tale.
I don’t think we have the psyche to be 1-3. 2-2 is where we need to be, we’re a blue collar team with a lot of talent, we need to scratch and claw all season long.
In my mind tomorrows game is a defining moment for Bruce Gradkowski, (sorry Jim Plunkett, I meant Gradowski…) and for Bruce Gradkowski’s career.
Is he a journey man QB, or is he the guy we saw in Pittsburgh last year? (Sidenote: Last year’s Pittsburgh game is currently the greatest moment of my 25 years of the Raiders, just had to say it again, loved that game.)
From time to time #5 shows flashes of that guy in Pittsburgh, but showing flashes is what Journey men do. Who are you Bruce? How good is this team? Young stars, or also-rans?
Tomorrow is a BIG game, we’re beat up, but are we defeated? Or are we ready to take that next step?
6-10, 7-9, or are we going to be banging on the door of the playoffs?
I’m pumped for tomorrows game… but I’ve been burned before.
Go Raiders!
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:41 pm
The injury factor…
“Injuries could play a key role in Sundays home match up with the Texans. Who’ll play, how much and who’s out all loom large.”
http://www.raidernationstation.com/raider_war_room
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Gradkowski would have been a lot better if he didn’t force the ball to DHB too much, playbook broke down Heyward Bey’s problems pretty well this week. He dropped some easy ones and always jumps for the ball. Im also fine with Gradkowski because like some said before, he got us in position to win. His record in Oakland should be 4-1.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
J Hill Says:
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
There are a few head scratching things going on with this team personell wise.
Veldheer should be starting at one of the OT spots
ShoNasty should be starting over Scott.
Stevie Brown should be a STs starter.
Miller and JLH should be getting snaps over the 3rd OT.
========
Veldheer is no where near ready and frankly shouldn’t even be on the field let alone at the tackle spot.
He’s big and strong but just not ready to play in the bigs. Once he locks onto a guy he’s got him but man is he suceptible.
“Shonasty” (ugh) IS playing more than Scott at DE.
Stevie is in on special teams now and Miller who Nick? He probably will see more time IF Bey and Murph are out or severely limted but frankly what has he done to deserve any faith?
JLH has been erratic to say the least.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Guy Says:
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Gradkowski would have been a lot better if he didn’t force the ball to DHB too much, playbook broke down Heyward Bey’s problems pretty well this week. He dropped some easy ones and always jumps for the ball. Im also fine with Gradkowski because like some said before, he got us in position to win. His record in Oakland should be 4-1.
=======================
Grads blew reads and didn’t audible out of obvious blitzes, He missed throws and mismanaged the clock.
The fact that came as a surprise to many is a surprise itself.
He’s not a great Qb, he’s not even adequately prepared after injures suffered over the last year.
Love how he moves the ball and makes those around him better but to expect him to be great isn’t realistic.
Now I hope he comes out and throws for 5 TDs against Houston…
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Great article Nnamdi21.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
“JLH has been erratic to say the least.” – Nnamdi21
JLH is a trustworthy reciever, and from my perspective over the last few years may have the best hands on the team (outside of Z Miller), especially over the middle. JLH is a very servicable 3rd wide out.
But I have to ask your opinion re:
“Miller and JLH should be getting snaps over the 3rd OT.” – JHill
What is with all of the max protections?? Granted the O-line can be below average, but why the heck aren’t we doing what works, moving the pocket, instead of throwing Khalif Barnes and Pears in there?
I have to call out the coaching on this, and I have to say the Max protection calls reek of Tom Cable, not Hue Jackson, but if it is Hue making those calls, I’m not sure he’s as “creative” as others have suggested.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:01 pm
….as well, where is the 3rd TE?? Myers needs to step it up, quite frankly I never thought I’d say I miss Tony Stewart.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Away for a week. Was so discussed by that lost it just turned me away from football. Didn’t want to watch another snap.
I had Arizona as a W. Texans as a L. We’ll see what happens.
One thing I would say about Hue Jackson is man does that guy attack. They are throwing down field more than I’ve seen in years and they are close to breaking many. He attacks so much I worry that he doesn’t take the time to slow the game down sometimes and wear out the defense with the run game. But I’m not going to complain – haven’t seen this much action on offense in years!
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
And Nnam did an absolutely superb job last week. I think he may have settled the “who is the best cb in the league” question. Completely shut down LF who is probably the 2nd best WR in the league behind Moss (at least in the Top 5 no doubt).
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:10 pm
If Cable wants to save his job, he should show up tomorrow in an “Official Al Davis White Polyester Jogging Suit”.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Nnam was awesome last week, and that PI call was BS, no question about that.
I hope some TV guy has the bright idea to break down the film on that match up, Nnamdi put on a clinic.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:11 pm
He’d look like the marshmellow from Ghostbusters.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Luv the Cable fashion talk. Hilarious.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Seriously, I’m hoping for Cable to bust out the white shirt, 3/4 sleeves, and the black tie, maybe even, throw in a Raiders tie pin, and dark avaitor shades.
The shades may get laughed at, but that would be the right touch for a sunny fall day in Oakland, and the right touch for the Raiders head coach. (Note, not mirrors, but dark black.)
C’mon Tom, bust it out! Bring the swagger to this team.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Great Nnamdi21
It makes me wonder exactly why so many are so hyped over Veldheer. I think he canbe a very good player in time but he’s got a ways to go IMO.
I have to agree with the max protection we just need to play action off off it. The only way to do that is run the ball more. Grads was back the with time several plays due to max pro.
The only real problem I saw was whenhe would get pressure he tends to throw it anyway. Sometimes a sack is the most prudent thing to do, if he can’t get the checkdown. He has to anticipate pressure and victimize the defense accordingly. But that’s something that will come in time. Grads is still a young QB who’s learning so you have to expect a certain amount of mistakes.
If we run the football more it simplifies everything. We have two great HB’s which is the strength of this offense IMO. Let’s use them puhleeeeze!!
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Andre Johnson’s “ankle injury” sounds like posturing to me so he can have a built in excuse when Nnamdi shuts him down.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
http://www.nfl.com/videos/oakland-raiders/09000d5d81af5a09/Playbook-Texans-vs-Raiders
as we were discussing yesterday, here’s some video feed showing areas where DHB has to grow fast if he’s going to be relied on as a starter…his speed is un real, but he has to continue to get better catching and locating the ball correctly
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Nnamdi always shuts him down but at some point the big feller will get Nnamdi. I think it’s been 4-5 years since Nnamdi gave up a TD, the last one was in Kiffin’s first year. And he only gave up one that year.
Darrelle Revis is on the East Coast so he gett 10x’s the pub. But Nnamdi is as good as they come, because the refs make him play clean. Revis gets away with all kinds of interference he plays about as physcial a style as the rules can possibly allow. His hands are always all over the WR and the refs wont call it. Nnam touches a guy an 1/8th of an inch past the 5 yard marker and it’s holding.
Nnamdi technically speaking is as clean a cover corner as you’ll ever find.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Wow …Baldinger was coming down pretty hard on DHB. Saying HE is holding the team back? Thats a pretty damn ridiculous statement with all do respect. It basically shows that he doesn’t even watch the games – just saying what may be popular. That comme is down right irresponsible.
And now they are calling Nnam the best in the game when last week it was Revis? WTF, these commentators are like feathers in the wind – they just go whichever way the breeze is blowing.
Check the stats bud! DHB is better than your great Crab-diva 3 weeks into the season!
Sure he needs to get better but so does Murphy, JLH and the rest of the corp. To say that HE is the reason, HE is holding this team back (due to inconsistencies) is freakin’ ludicrious!
This dude will be the difference maker for a long time in this league. I think we are only getting a glimpse of what this guy will be capable of doing once it all starts to come together. Even from his 1st year to his 2nd has been a tremendous leap. And he has the desire most importantly to get there. As this season goes on, heads will begin to turn and then next year if he remains healthy I expect major production out of this kid. He’s already running free all over the field. He now needs to be more consistent and learn how to use his body to make seperation. Then there’s no stopping this kid.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Guy’s DHB is growing as we speak his flaws are common to a 2nd year WR, he’s got to finish routes and run to the ball instead of jump for it. He does that because he’s having troouble gaging the flight of the ball once he’s use to adjusting to the flight of the ball he’ll be fine. Then they’ll be able to thrw it up and let him go get it. But all of that is timing and maturity. It take most WR about 3-4 years to polish his route running, right now he’s just starting to see the ball correctly in competition.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Veldheer should absolutely be starting over Henderson. He may not be up to HIS potential yet, but I have every confidence that the MENTAL improvement at the position will make the line stronger.
I really think we need to put Gallery back at LT and have Veldheer play RT.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:57 pm
T’pin I think he was seeing DHB’s potential and what he could do if he were more polished. To say he’s hlding the TEAM back is ridiculous. But when you look at DHB it boggles the mind just how good this kid can be if he continues to work as hard as he has. He will be the most lethal weapon in the league if he reaches his entire potential.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
His route running will come in time, that’s for sure. His tracking of the ball may or may not develope. 9 times out of 10, that is pure instinct that you either have or don’t have. I hope he can improve in that area, but that’s no given. Equivalent of being a ball hawk on offense if you will, either you know how to attack the ball or you don’t. I’m rooting fort he guy to pick up these nuances, but that’s where he HAS to improve to make that next step to every down threat.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:00 pm
If you watch DHB he does not use his arms to seperate from the defender – to provide distance if you will. Watch him. He never does. That’s what he has to learn next. His route running is much improved and will get better; but its this little technique he must master. Not just his arms but using his body as well.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Jhill IMO Mario is still growing as a LT he can get a lot better if he wrks at it. However I also really like Veldheer at OT whomever of those two wins the LT spot the other should play RT IMO.
Then get BCampbell in at RG this line would settle down in a hurry. I’m starting to think we have the material for a very good line they’re just very young including Mario. But the most important aspect of any line is continuity they have to gel and there is just way too much movement in this line for that to happen.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Take Jerry Rice for example: obviously he wasn’t the fastest guy on the field yet he would burn defenders deep all the time. What Jerry did (as I remember being commented) was he would use his body to slowdown the DBs then accelerate out of it to the ball.
You watch DHB he never does. He’s now only focusing on his route – which has clearly gotten better – but eventually he will come to use his body as well once he becomes aware and comfortable in the routes. Steps.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:06 pm
T’pin that is spot on those are the tricks of trade the vets use to get separation. Now he doesn’t have to do that quite as much because he flat beats guy’s with his speed only the great corners will give him trouble.
That’s when those tricks will help him succeed. But right now he’s just tryng to settle down and get the game to slow down for him. The rest will come..
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Terrapin, totally agree, the reasson he doesn’t use his body in this manner IMO is he’s not very good at tracking the ball right now, he doesn’t anticipate how nor where to position himself for the catch, hopefully he developes this. That is usually more of an IT factor, but he’s such a hard worker, I am pulling for him to figure it out.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I don’t think Veldheer is your LT. I keep saying it. And I’ll keep saying it until he proves me wrong. But he has not. Velheer may be your RT not LT. Get Campbell practicing LT imho ..not starting ..but at least practicing to see what you can build there. He is the most gifted Olinman we have. To have him solely at RG is a mistake imho.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
priesttj Says:
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Jhill IMO Mario is still growing as a LT he can get a lot better if he wrks at it. However I also really like Veldheer at OT whomever of those two wins the LT spot the other should play RT IMO.
——
How much better do you think Mario can get? What I see is a tackle who has lost all confience and is seriously regressing, I’m not sure he could ever be anything more than what he is at this point
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:22 pm
I don’t know what to say about Mario. Still was a good draft pick in the mid rounds for his services so far. I’m still a little reluctant to say, OK put Veldheer there to see what he can do, becuase in Veldheer’s limited snaps he has been beaten repeadily.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Terrapin,no offense,but your opinion on the Oline is very biased.The Terrapin colored glasses get in the way of any evaluation.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Mario is our LT for the rest of the year barring injury IMO, but we’ve got to address that in the offseason, Veldheer hasn’t shone enough although in limited time to make me confident if he were annointed starting LT next season.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I think Mario has the ability to be a great LT if he gets his weight down and watches more film and uses better technigue he has everything it takes. And that will help his confidence, good preparation.
T’pin I’m not going to arguie with you on Bruce Campbell because if that guy wants to he can do whatever he wants. He’s a better version of Mario IMO when Mario came in he was very athletic and light on his feet very agile. Now Bruce is somewhat stiffer than Mario but he’s got long powerful arms just like Mario and quick like Mario maybe just as powerful if not more. The reason I like him better at RG is his ability to pull. Think about it if Mario settles in at LT with BC at RG the power game would be better than anytime in our history. A G at 315-20 lbs. that fast out on the edge pulling or on a counter tre (17 bob trey-O) would be ridiculous.
I’m looking at the line in totality as a working unit that’s why I like them at ths positions. BC a pulling G what could be scarier.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
lefty12 Says:
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Terrapin,no offense,but your opinion on the Oline is very biased.The Terrapin colored glasses get in the way of any evaluation.
***************************
lol. com’on man …i’m being fair & balanced here ..i’m just keeping it real ..its how i see it.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:34 pm
priesttj Says:
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:26 pm
The reason I like him better at RG is his ability to pull. Think about it if Mario settles in at LT with BC at RG the power game would be better than anytime in our history
*****************************
Yes, I understand this logic. This is the same logic Cable is using – i.e. leveraging Campbell’s tremendous punch and pull. He has showed the ability in the preseason. That’s why I’m not all gun hoe about Campbell stop practicing at RG. I think he can have the most Immediate impact at RG.
All I’m saying is at least have the guy practice at LT because over the longer term thats the area on most need. I guess I’m more focused on the long haul than immediate gratification.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:37 pm
If I had to chose a position for him to practice solely that would be LT not RG. He can fail at LT and then be moved into the RG position imho.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Speaking of immediate gratification. I think Kiffin & Cable to a lesser extent may have done us a huge service with stickin with McFadden between the tackles vs using him like the Saints use RBush. He’s finally getting it and he’s running like a big time RB back there.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:40 pm
LT and C, the two anchor points, we get those figured out, we can fill in the blanks, agree there Terrapin
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Thats think over the long haul
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:44 pm
That is true T’pin but I think Veldheer is a good OT in the making it’s just a matter of where left or right the sam eis true of Mario. I know most fans have given up on him but I haven’t he can play he’s just a bit immature yet. He’s maybe 25-6 years old that’s still very young. I think Cable needs to leave the Oline alone so they can have one voice in their ear. If Cable ants to be an Oline coach then give up the HC job because I believe he is confusing these kids.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:55 pm
There is no question Henderson has the physical ability to play LT.The question is does he have the mental toughness to hold down the position?
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:13 pm
I agreee lefty12! that’s what I was trying to say, thanks.
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:22 pm
If Mario Henderson was ever gonna be great, he would already be good. He is not good, hes terrible.
Bruce Campbell has never played Guard so how in the hell does Priest pretend to know hes a good puller?? LOL! Typical Priest comment.
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Dude
It’s OK! man it proves you have no idea who can do what, if you can’t tell Bruce would be great pulling you need to stop watching football. Why do you think they have him there for cosmetic purposes? lol
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:23 pm
What a horse!
Zenyatta just won her 19th Grade 1 race in a row. Still undefeated.. Amazing….
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:27 pm
**Correction**
19 for 19 carreer wins, 9 G1 in a row, 14 G1 over all…
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Jerry….
Got another 9er update for us yet ????
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Raiders will need to outrun the Texans by at least one hundred yards to win the game.
Hopefully Mr. D. McFadden will run for at least 62 yards more than Foster, then he will the leading rusher in the NFL.
Raiders have both Mr. Bush & Darren run for over a hundred just put this game in the win column for the Raiders now(barring multiple turnovers and another 1:5 TD to red zone ratio).
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Raiders 17 Texans 10.
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Tackling the Texans
“What does Oakland have to do to come awy with a win on Sunday?”
http://www.raidernationstation.com/film_room
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Nice horsey…
Whatever you may think of the 49er fans, they sold out their opening game. They will sell out their next week’s game too. Maybe the SF area is just richer, but I would sure like to see the Raiders start selling out their games. More fan support in the stadium could not hurt, especially tomorrow. Why do you think the Raiders don’t sell out? Just lousy team or something else?
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Terrapin,
I agree 100% with post #107.
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Balldy’s hack job on Bey was revisionist and deceptive.
“Aw, he’s gotta catch that pass!” Balldy has waaay too much football and film room experience NOT to know those were poorly thrown balls that were well covered.
Granted he had some poitns about Bey’s technique but the fact is some of these a-zz clowns do NOT want to admit they may have been wrong and the kids showing improvement.
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Roch R Says:
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Andre Johnson’s “ankle injury” sounds like posturing to me so he can have a built in excuse when Nnamdi shuts him down
===================
No doubt!
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Mario’s deal is mental.
I think his chrtistian god fearing ways are interfering with him kicking azz getting nasty and getting it done.
Veldheer start LT?!
OMG, you can tell you haven’t seen any of the games.
He did block for a McFadden TD against Arizona but has been unbelieveably bad at protection. whiff whiff!
October 2nd, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Terraapin & Raider O I also concur, Mr. Bruce Campbell should be trained to be a tackle, either side not a guard, he is way to gifted and he trains hard.
Both rookie tackles are talented, great work ethic, intelligent, and coachable and both are going to get stronger and bigger each season.
Mr. Vehldeer & Mr. Campbell could be our bookend tackles for the next ten years.
October 2nd, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Since Mr. Henderson is a great run-blocking tackle and weak at pass protection, he should be a RT (period).
It’s that simple.