Cable still irked by line of scrimmage issues
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, October 4th, 2010 at 3:32 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Upon further review, the ruling still stands.
The Raiders got their butts kicked at the line of scrimmage.
That was coach Tom Cable’s day-after assessment Monday of a 31-24 loss to the Houston Texans at the Coliseum.
For a veteran line coach, the way the Raiders lost far overshadowed any grit or progress the they may have shown in other areas. Football is for tough people, and the Raiders were far from it.
“It’s just playing, throwing the fight at them, and we didn’t do that,’’ Cable said at his weekly press briefing. “What matters is what you do on game day, and to know what’s coming at you and not handle it better than we did is disappointing, but we can’t sit around and dwell on it all week.’’
The players talked about it some on Monday, conceding the Texans had pushed them around and pointing out the season wasn’t over at 1-3 with the first division game approaching against the San Diego Chargers.
“They just came out and played better to tell you the truth,’’ safety Tyvon Branch said. “It took us too long to start stopping the run, and once we started stopping it it was too late.’’
Branch is apparently talking about the final 10 carries, when the Texans gained just 37 yards while milking the clock, carries which included five plays designed to do nothing but avoid fumbles following the Raiders’ final interception.
Cable said the coaching staff would continue to look for answers while putting together a game plan to begin introducing Tuesday against the Chargers.
“For us to be the kind of team we think we can be, we can’t have days like yesterday,’’ Cable said. “That’s just unacceptable. We all know that. I think it’s very clear in everyone’s mind that it’s unacceptable.
“So yeah, it’s exciting to be playing San Diego this week, it’s a division game and all that comes with that. It’s a great week for us and a good time to come, but we need to clear some things up.’’
More news, notes and quotes from Monday’s media availability and Cable’s press briefing:
— The early injury report update finds running backs Darren McFadden and Michael Bennett and starting weak side linebacker Quentin Groves with hamstring injuries, linebacker Thomas Howard with a knee strain and quarterback Bruce Gradkowski with a sore A-C joint in his throwing shoulder.
Gradkowski seemed to be the least serious of the four, Cable said, with more known about McFadden, Bennett and Howard by Wednesday.
“Normal Monday,’’ said Gradkowski with a smile, “except my feelings are hurt.’’
– Sat in the press box Sunday next to veteran reporter Frank Cooney, the Raiders presenter for the Hall of Fame and a guy who has been around long enough to have helped George Blanda carry his belongings to his car after he was waived.
In talking bout the rash of hamstring injuries for the Raiders, Cooney noted it was a cool summer and that perhaps it wasn’t hot enough at training camp. An old school theory to be sure, but what the heck, I asked Cable about if that could have any effect on muscle pulls.
“I don’t know,’’ Cable said. “You would have to really dig into some fitness or exercise physiologist or something like that.’’
Cable said the Raiders are continuing to look into it the problem, and again invoked the possibility of overtraining. He finds it strange that it’s still happening in early October.
“Now that we’re in to the season, you’re kind of in your routine, so we’ll look at how much we’re doing and that sort of thing in terms of the skills players, how much they’re running during the week and see if something there,’’ Cable said.
Cable said McFadden and Bennett both reported feeling better Monday, and that McFadden told him his new injury isn’t nearly as bad as the one that cost him there weeks in training camp.
– Defensive tackle John Henderson is undergoing more tests on his injured foot “to see if we can really figure out what’s going on with this. He was getting better every day and then Saturday and Sunday it got really sore doing nothing,’’ Cable said.
Regarding the other long-term absences _ wide receiver Chaz Schilens (knee), left guard Robert Gallery (hamstring) and linebacker Travis Goethel (lower back), Cable said, “This week, you have the potential for one or two of those guys, but we’re looking more like next week or the week after.’’
– The Raiders committed only two penalties, perhaps because the players have been taking it upon themselves with a little peer pressure to try and eliminate them.
“The players have started a deal. If the defense jumps offside’s they’re running and same with the offense now. They’ve kind of taken that on their own shoulders, which is good. I like that. Yesterday when you look at the film it was just really a clean football game all over the place by both teams.’’
– Middle linebacker Rolando McClain has probably never been part of a team which gave ground as easily as the Raiders did Sunday. He was right in the middle of it, as responsible as anyone else for the poor play, but unavailable for comment Sunday or Monday.
“He sent me a text this morning with some of his thoughts, and it is important to him and he’s embarrassed about it like everybody,’’ Cable said.
– Wide receiver Louis Murphy offered no alibis for the fourth-and-16 drop which ended up a diving interception by Houston’s Troy Nolan, saying it was a catch he should have made.
Murphy talked after the game about the soreness in his bruised clavicle and conceded he didn’t know until just before game time if he’d be good to go. It was still sore on Monday, he said, but improving.
Asked directly if Murphy should have been playing, Cable said, “Oh, yeah. He was fine. He’s fine this morning.’’
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October 4th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
The Raiders don’t practice blocking & tackling much at their wine country training camp. What the heck, another Al Davis ism……
Yet, they’re always poor at blocking & tackling….??????
October 4th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Middle linebacker Rolando McClain has probably never been part of a team which gave ground as easily as the Raiders did Sunday. He was right in the middle of it, as responsible as anyone else for the poor play, but unavailable for comment Sunday or Monday.
————————————
No class, just like Al Davis. Organizational policy.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Dear Cable…Please stop the run on Sunday..if it takes 8 in the box…put 8…if it takes 9…put 9. if it takes 12 men on the field…use 12…better to give up 5 yard penalties than 70 on 1 play.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
On Hamstrings…
Hamstring injuries are common among athletes who play sports that require powerful accelerations, decelerations or lots of running. Like most sprains and strains hamstring injuries are usually caused by excessive stretching. Less commonly, a hamstring injury is the result of a direct blow to the muscle. Some of the factors which may contribute to a hamstring injury includes:
* Doing too much, too soon or pushing beyond your limits.
* Poor flexibility.
* Poor muscle strength.
* Muscle imbalance between the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups.
* Muscle fatigue that leads to over exertion.
* Leg Length Differences. A shorter leg may have tighter hamstrings which are more likely to pull.
* Improper or no warm-up.
* History of hamstring injury.
Preventative measures:
* Warm up thoroughly. This is probably the most important muscle to warm-up and stretch before a workout.
* Stretching after the workout may be helpful.
* Try adding a couple sessions per week of retro-running or backward running which has been should decrease knee pain and hamstring injuries.
* Follow the “Ten Percent Rule” and limit training increases in volume or distance to no more than ten percent per week.
* Other ways to prevent injury are to avoid doing too much, too soon, avoid drastic increases in intensity or duration, and take it easy if you are fatigued.
Ie…the thing that stands out the most in all that and from what I read from Cable during camp etc…the players are running too excessively. Muscles getting fatigued.
Meanwhile, us not doing enough tackling, blocking and hitting, probably has an effect during live games, as players then over-extend themselves. As well as the fact that not practicing this enough means we don’t become as good as it as teams who do hit/tackle/block in camp.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
HOW ABOUT HIRING A CONDITIONING COACH WHO DIDN’T GET WHACKED BY THE RAMS
October 4th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Key Stone Cops. They should play the Benny Hill song over the loud speakers while these guys play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK6TXMsvgQg
October 4th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Common mcclain quit hiding from the media. Ur suppose to be the anchor for this deffense. Step up to the plate man up. Seems like everytime you here something from the players. That there ok with everything. They always say ” I missed the tackle” are ” I should of made that catch ” no crap guys. Do something about it. Show us ur upset about things. Not joking around, laughing and crap.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
I knew the offensive line was going to be a challenge this season — Raiders still need two OTs, among other things — but I had hoped the defense was going to be much better. But Sunday, no pressure from the pass rush, nobody cleaning up against the run.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
KoolKell Says:
October 4th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
The Raiders don’t practice blocking & tackling much at their wine country training camp. What the heck, another Al Davis ism……
Yet, they’re always poor at blocking & tackling….??????
^^^^^^^
Heck, they don’t even practice stretching correctly either!
LOL! Oh man…all we can is laugh at the consistent non sense and losing.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil’s decision to flip the bird at the officials on Sunday will cost him.
Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that the NFL has fined Cecil $40,000 for the gesture, which was caught by the TV cameras.
………
Raiders do this to the fans every week. NFL should fine Al Davis after every game.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Where is the weak link on the D line. It’s not Seymore or Houston. There motors are always running. Someone is resposible for allowing running backs to cosistantly reach the second level untouched. The Defense relies on a big play before they show up. Can’t have players like that! Something has to change at every level. Shake up on the line at linebacker and at safety. The corners are the only one playing consistant right now.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Tom Cable is gonna clean some things up on wednesday, and this team is gonna get over the hump!…that sounds like 2008 to me!
October 4th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I know the real problem is Al, its just that hating on Cable is so dammned easy!
October 4th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
The weak link in the Dline is the same weak link in the O-line. The talented people we have are playing outside their natural position, the rest of the people are not supposed to be playing in the NFL.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
SEYMOUR IS NEAR THE END.HOUSTON IS THE ONLY REAL TALENT WE HAVE AT D-TACKLE-AND HE IS PLAYING END
October 4th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
You know what. At least games are interesting until the 4th quarter. Yeah, yeah, we get terribly outcoached and manhandled once every 3 games, but the rest of the games have been watchable.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
KoolKell Says:
October 4th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Middle linebacker Rolando McClain has probably never been part of a team which gave ground as easily as the Raiders did Sunday. He was right in the middle of it, as responsible as anyone else for the poor play, but unavailable for comment Sunday or Monday.
————————————
No class, just like Al Davis. Organizational policy.
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Get off your high horse stalker.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
RoMac is better suited to be playing in a 21st century defensive scheme. But when you got lemons, you make lemonaid!
October 4th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Interesting stats, that I read in the box score from my local fish wrap…
Houston punted six times, for a 42.0 yd. avg.
JLH returned three punts, for FOUR YARDS…
I know that we aren’t blocking worth a crap for him, but he could double that total just by falling forward, after he catches the goldurn ball……
October 4th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
If the players feel the way the fans do we don’t have a chance Sunday
October 4th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
inonewordraider Says:
October 4th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
If the players feel the way the fans do we don’t have a chance Sunday
D quit loooooong before the fans did. After the long Houston TD run on their first possesion of the 3rd quarter.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I knew the loss in AZ would be huge. After what happened today we wouldve still been 2-2
October 4th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
“I don’t know,’’ Cable said. “You would have to really dig into some fitness or exercise physiologist or something like that.’’
**********************************
You telling me there isn’t a exercise physiologist or “something like that” in the building?
I think I had two for my Junior College baseball team!!!
October 4th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Macho Man Randy Savage Says:
October 4th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
You know what. At least games are interesting until the 4th quarter. Yeah, yeah, we get terribly outcoached and manhandled once every 3 games, but the rest of the games have been watchable.
—————-
I mean let’s keep the season in perspective. We’re one good kick from playing 500 ball. We still have a looooong way to go.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Our starting D-Line is great…for a nickel package.
Scott should not be our starting D-End.
Seymour should be our starting D-End
Kelly Should move back to 3-tech
NEED UT/NT or big fat guy to take up space and keep blockers off McClain.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
I don’t think Cable is getting through to the team. The problem may lie in that most of the players don’t speak hillbilly.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
San Diego looked good the other night. I don’t think a win is realistically possible.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Our best chance to win in the next two games is San Francisco. If we don’t get a win in the next two games, which historically we haven’t, then stick a fork in our season. And to think, all we had to do was beat AZ!
That’s a shame :-/
October 4th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
how sad is it that Al decided to play his swan song with Cable at the helm? wow.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Yeah um, theres more than 3 I’m pretty sure…
http://www.raidernationstation.com/film_room
October 4th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Cable: “We need to clear some things up”,,,,,No sh-t Dick Tracey!!! How about you clear your office so we can get a real football coach in there.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Raiders need to hire Kenny the Snake Stabler as trainer.
Shot of Whiskey at the timeout keeps those hammies loose.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
mcsorry ass, is never gonna step up to the plate, another sorry asss overated s.e.c. player from alabama. i recorded the game and went back to some plays and he looks no better than captain kirk out there.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
I am a bit shocked at how bad our defense has been. I thought they had retooled things more and were on the verge of Defensive greatness. Perhaps I was premature in thinking that.
Branch has gone 4 steps backward. He was MUCH better last year. Same with Huff. I thought MH24 had a nice 2009.
Dline is just getting blown out. Can’t happen. Big John Hendu was supposed to help. Gotta stay on the field.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
[...] feeling fine after shoulder injury The News According to Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times, Bruce Gradkowski says he’s doing fine after suffering a shoulder [...]
October 4th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Hearing the same old story after every single loss is just humiliating. Us Raiders fans are taken as fools by the organization, because we are mostly fools for being optimistic about the turnaround coming every offseason. This Cable guy (he’s such a terrible coach, that is how he needs to be referred to as) has absolutely no clue. Its why he is the coach–he is easily manipulated. He will eventually be fired in favor of Hue Jackson, who is quickly getting good at talking the company line–who will be manipulated just the same. It is painfully obvious that this team will go nowhere with its vanilla defensive scheme, soft personnel, and yes man coach in tact under an 81 year old batsh!t, egomaniacal owner. Say what you want about the 3 SB winning teams, those all came when the NFL was still a rudimentary game, that any forward thinking/finesse team could have a chance at winning. They were lifetimes ago, and the seasons since then have been marked by insane moves, soft teams, and coaches that know less about the current game than a JV QB. The Raiders and their fans are rightfully the laughing stock as we invest our money and time more to a sociopathic old coot than an NFL football team. At least most of you have an excuse being from or around California…I just do not know what mine is other than being a damned fool.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Anyone who thought this team was a 500 team, was out of touch with reality.
Anyone that Crabkowski could win week in week out as an nfl starter was just as delusional.
Anyone that thought our depleted front four could compete with the number 1 rush attack, doesnt understand football.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Mistic, why are you here? Are you that lonely. You really have nothing better to do?
October 4th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Raiders could not blitz for several reasons.
Our secondary is banged up and lacks depth, blitzing exposes the secondary.
The raiders did not defend the run well enough to have an effective blitz. You can only blitz when the opponent is long passing downs.
The texans boot legs slowed down the pass rush, this takes you out of your blitz package, again you must stop the run to make the blitz worth the risk.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
This team, like most past Raiders teams has no discipline, no heart, and no real football instincts. The coaches have no real coaching experience, or coaching knowledge. We have a few good players that can look good on the statline, one that is even elite (Nnamdi)…but in the positions where it matters most–OL, DL, Middle Defense, are occupied by draft busts for us or other teams, scrub journeymen, or rookies. Our QB play is the only place there seems to be any real heart, but will always be hindered somehow or another b/c of our inability to block, run correct routes, and catch the ball.
The defense is a team with some talent, but the real talent is scattered about with no coherence, or reliability from the bit players.
This team is missing some huge pieces…but could be much much better with just a little bit of coherence and organization. It obviously is the way it is because every level of the team and management has no idea what it means or takes to be good.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
# JLofty Says:
October 4th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Mistic, why are you here? Are you that lonely. You really have nothing better to do?
===============================================================
I love my team, but you must look at it for what it really is. Although we are getting better, the team as it stands today is not a 500 team. This year should be about developing young talent and trying to improve.
Cable playing to win now was fools gold, but of course what else is he supposed to do he wants to save his job.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Mistic:
I’m going to question you…this is not an attack…just a question.
You are killing Gradkowski in the last two threads. Main concern is turnovers. I’m with you in that he is turning the ball over at a a poor rate, and got saved by several missed opportunities by the Cardinals.
My question:
What do you propose the Raiders do about it?
October 4th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
“This year should be about developing young talent and trying to improve.” – I can go along with that but I understand Cable’s trying to save his job. I don’t blame him.
That stadium yesterday was sparse. Parking lot was too.
Beat the Chowgirls and all will be right with the world.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Ill bet cable and davis are barley speaking these days. Al is standing back letting cable make his bed, not meddling like some of you want to claim.
Face it, cable stinks, his o-line is a joke. Grads is a good kid but not stater material.
This team needs to give b campbell some run.
On the positive hu jack is putting more points on the board and moving the ball. i suspect when he has a cahnce to get his guys for his system things will continue on the upswing, but that is at least an off season away.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
“Crabkowski”-CRAB?
Why, cause he is crabby!
You mean Crapkowski?
Cause Crabkowski is pretty lame and does not make any sense.
Your opinion, was that the 3 turnovers were Gradkowski’s fault?
Who owns more responsibility for the loss: QB, D-Line, O-Line, WRs or coaches.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
i want to trade z. miller just cause i feel bad for that player. only and i mean only player on this team who comes to play hard every day all day, see him fighting for 1st downs? extra yardage put the ball anywhere around him and its caught. man i feel bad for him, top 3 t.e. in the league on a real team.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
mcthompso Says:
Mistic:
I’m going to question you…this is not an attack…just a question.
You are killing Gradkowski in the last two threads. Main concern is turnovers. I’m with you in that he is turning the ball over at a a poor rate, and got saved by several missed opportunities by the Cardinals.
My question:
What do you propose the Raiders do about it?
=============================================================
Give b campbell some run on the o-line to start with.
Find away to get all of our young talent on the field. from j ford on reverses and bubble screens, to mm 34 at strong and steveie brown at free safety.
The qb issue is tricky. JC wasnt ready and was benched. Grads has been worse. You could go back to JC, but you lose credibility. I say yo have to allow grads to continue to play his way out of the job. This way there is no doubt when you make the switch. Also you will find out what jc is all about. Remember he has never been benched in his career.We dont know how he will respond to it. Clearly the focus is next year at this point, and grads cant be the answer at qb for next year.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Guys are crazy to complain about Jackson and the Offense. This is the best offense I’ve seen with this team in years. They move the chains. They the ball as good as any team with either DMAC or Bush. They struggled in the Red Zone and the coaches credit changed some things and they looked good this week.
What needs to stop is relying on DHB in crucial 3rd down situations. He has zero body control and is clueless in blocking off defenders from the ball.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
# DutchRaider77 Says:
October 4th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
“Crabkowski”-CRAB?
Why, cause he is crabby!
You mean Crapkowski?
Cause Crabkowski is pretty lame and does not make any sense.
Your opinion, was that the 3 turnovers were Gradkowski’s fault?
Who owns more responsibility for the loss: QB, D-Line, O-Line, WRs or coaches.
=============================================================
I have used both crabs, and crapkowski,a crab is a louse, and crabs game has been lousy.
Its not about who is more or less responsible football is a team game. I dont like the way so many people were so quick to run our stater out of town after six quarters of sub par football, but after 2 1/2 games of terrible football crabs gets a pass.
Besides the fact that these bandwagon grads fans wont admit that he sucks, or at the least has sucked since entering the line up.
October 4th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
“They just came out and played better to tell you the truth,’’ safety Tyvon Branch said. “It took us too long to start stopping the run, and once we started stopping it it was too late.’’
Pretty much sums up more of the same after 86 losses since the beginning of the 2003 NFL regular season (post Super Bowl). The excuses are like a broken record… Why bother to let it bother us? I don’t see an end in sight.
Only time I really saw the team fired up was the last home opener against the Bolts. If they could only muster that kind of intensity. Money spoils a lot of things, and I think it has spoiled the mystic of the Raiders. Raider players of old played for pride. Raider players of today play for money, 40 times and scholarships. Not much to do about winning. The only place Al won’t pay top dollar is in a coach, with all things being equal is more important now than ever. Al is stubborn and wants to prove he can get it done his way.
Oh yeah, and Wimbley rushing and letting the TE go scott free… every third down, you know that’s coming. I’m not even studying film and know it’s coming… why can’t the coaches mix it up a little. Oh, that’s right, we are playing to the old days. Duh-OH!
October 4th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Misty,
Tell me exactly how “Crabby” is worst than Jason. I’m all ears “bra”. Please point to some credible evidence that you can back up.
You continually spew your ignorance on here. But keep on hating cuz I doubt you’ll see Jason score 24 points per game this year. And please none of this Jason’s feelings are hurt or whatever, He’s been benched before. It’s called trying to bring Cutler in last year and dumping his a$$ by Ratface this year in favor of McNabb. Are you sure he’s never been benched?
October 4th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
“It’s just playing, throwing the fight at them, and we didn’t do that,’’
——————————————–
In my own words, it’s called a bunch of pansies playing football. Schaub should have been wearing an apron yesterday. A bunch of effin pathetic losers who have no pride.
October 4th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
mistic1 Says
Besides the fact that these bandwagon grads fans wont admit that he sucks, or at the least has sucked since entering the line up.
—————————————————
Compared to any QB I’ve seen suit up the past 8 seasons, I’ll take Bruce and his 24 points to the bank any and every day.
October 4th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
have used both crabs, and crapkowski,a crab is a louse, and crabs game has been lousy.
Its not about who is more or less responsible football is a team game. I dont like the way so many people were so quick to run our stater out of town after six quarters of sub par football, but after 2 1/2 games of terrible football crabs gets a pass.
Besides the fact that these bandwagon grads fans wont admit that he sucks, or at the least has sucked since entering the line up.
*******************************************************
Crabs getting a pass because he’s putting up points/yards on defenses that won’t crack the top 20 this year. It’s BS. He hasn’t scored once in the third quarter as a starter but everyone keeps talking about how we just barely missed winning.
October 4th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Cut Michael Huff NOW!!!!! We need safeties that knows how to do a basic tackle. Your safeties are you last line of defense and they should be good tacklers.
October 4th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Misty,
Tell me exactly how “Crabby” is worst than Jason. I’m all ears “bra”. Please point to some credible evidence that you can back up.
You continually spew your ignorance on here. But keep on hating cuz I doubt you’ll see Jason score 24 points per game this year. And please none of this Jason’s feelings are hurt or whatever, He’s been benched before. It’s called trying to bring Cutler in last year and dumping his a$$ by Ratface this year in favor of McNabb. Are you sure he’s never been benched?
*******************************************************
You’re right JC won’t get 24 points again because we won’t be playing the Cards (29.5 per game) or the Texans (25.5 per game). That’s why Cable pulled that lame crap and put the Brucester in the second half. He knew he would have two games where he would look like a genius. The alternative was to fix the damn offensive line so that a pocket passer could pass. Neither happened. We lost the next two games and now we’re playing teams where the defense wears pants instead of skirts. Hence, why we were experimenting with all the checkdowns (ala JC) in the Texans game. He could have dialed those up in the second game against the Rams with JC but he wanted you to be happy so he threw in the Brucester. Now that you’re happy and we’re still 1-3, he doesn’t know what to do. It’s not in his Coaching for Dummies book so he’s clueless.
October 4th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Its sad when the highest paid team has the lowest attendance – and the owner still spends money like a drunken sailor on washed up past talent and overated draft picks. Word is this strike is going to happen and the succesful teams are tired of carrying and sharing revenue with the likes of this team and therefore would prefer to trim the league way down to
ONLY the succesful markets. what a concept!
October 4th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Misty … the Raiders only got blown out once this year … that’s when Jason Campbell was the QB.
Gradkowski is NOT the problem he’s just an average QB with heart and leadership … when was the last time scored more than 20 points 2 games in arow. I think you have to get over this thing about a black QB leading us to the promised land … never going to happen.
The defence had a bad game … that’s it … next week will be different … Gradkowski will beat the Chargers next week … take it to the bank.
October 4th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
I though Al drafts the fastest guys … it seems like every team has a fast KR return that actually returns kicks for TDs or good yardaged … so where’s Al’s man.
October 4th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
If this keeps up our attendance will be shot..
I was bagging grocery’s today and I asked a fellow raider fan if he went to the game, and he responded, “naw mon, too expensive.. why would I spend my hardearned money on a bad product.”
Is there anyway our team become so horrible and pathetic that the NFL intervene and force Al Davis to let go?
Clear the coaching staff and bring in Gruden?
Reduce the ticket prices to $30-$60 dollars?
We could be 4-0 if you think about it.. maybe.. just maybe if Jason Campbell and Bruce Campbell started in a huddle together.. some Campbell soup phenomenon would occur and start some win. As Bruce and Jason Campbell would then have telekinesis and Jason would know if his blind side impacted.
October 4th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Misty … the Raiders only got blown out once this year … that’s when Jason Campbell was the QB.
Gradkowski is NOT the problem he’s just an average QB with heart and leadership … when was the last time scored more than 20 points 2 games in arow. I think you have to get over this thing about a black QB leading us to the promised land … never going to happen.
The defence had a bad game … that’s it … next week will be different … Gradkowski will beat the Chargers next week … take it to the bank.
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This is exactly what I’m talking about. We’ve only played one team that has a legitimate defense. The Titans are averaging 4 sacks a game and are number 8 in defense. They’re supposed to be good. The Cards and Texans didn’t even know you were supposed to sack before they played us. But Campbell gets a rookie Division II left tackle for center who played the position 1 time in the preseason. That’s the protection he gets being a pocket passer. But he doesn’t get the cupcakes or the playcalling. When was the last time the Raiders ever went for it on 4 and 1 on the opening drive? Never. this is BS.
October 4th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
[...] better to tell you the truth,” safety Tyvon Branch said Monday, per Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune. “It took us too long to start stopping the run, and once we started stopping it it was too [...]
October 4th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
This team is very satisfied with it’s mediocrity it seems. Tyvon Branch seems to think they stopped the run…But too late. They crammed the ball down your throat the last minute and a half. Converted a first down on you failing to get the offense the ball back. When everyone in the whole world knew that run was coming every play.. Sad. First because it happened. Second because they are in denial. Third because I am a fan for life and will have to go through this again next week. FYI we have the second highest payroll in the NFL. When half of the team belongs in UFL. I am disgusted. See you next week. Beat the damn Chargers!!!
October 5th, 2010 at 1:01 am
[...] Monday,” Gradkowski told Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune, “except my feelings are [...]
October 5th, 2010 at 6:44 am
There is no way the Raiders win against the dolts. Make it 14 in a row, which seems like 140.
Branch is the worst of all to talk, typical loser that somehow keeps his job. It’s like if you can spin it like Cable Al Davis likes it and keeps you employed. If you’re like Chucky Woods you’re gone.
After the dolts is the niners, and the Raiders will no doubt gift wrap the niners’ first win. So that’ll make it 1-5, any chance of turning it around after that with this kind of coaching and lack of discipline spells doom.
In all honesty true Raider fans knew this well, yes there were expectations at the beginning of the season, one can only dream, but once the season started it was back to the same crap we’ve seen for the last 8 years and counting.
Cable is a lame duck coach, every player knows this and wouldn’t play for him if their life depended on it. Added to Cable’s plain incompetency and ineptness. Why would the players care to step it up or man up? When they’ll just keep taking their checks to the bank, this is after all the team with highest payroll in the NFL, Raider fans know this very well because this is also the team with the lowest attendance in the league.
Great way to run a business Al. What a shame.
October 5th, 2010 at 8:03 am
This team is missing some huge pieces…but could be much much better with just a little bit of coherence and organization. It obviously is the way it is because every level of the team and management has no idea what it means or takes to be good.
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This is absolutely a correct assessment of the franchise. Never will be SB competitive so long as Al still runs things, but it could be an 8 or 9 win team if it simply got the basics consistently right and showed a little heart. Withs the exception of Grads, the team is completely heartless, beginning with the crusty old corpse at the top.
October 5th, 2010 at 9:56 am
This team’s performance cannot be sugar-coated. They flat out stink. They have stunk for the last seven years. Nothing ever changes – O-line is a bunch of has beens and never-will-be’s and the D-line can’t stop the run. How come other teams can get better (ex. Chiefs)? This is the same circus as the last seven years except the names of a few clowns have changed.
February 19th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
bob marley t-shirts…
[...]Cable still irked by line of scrimmage issues – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…