Groves stays true to his school
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011 at 4:26 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Raiders linebacker Quentin Groves put up an impassioned defense for his alma mater Wednesday in the wake of an HBO “Real Sports” segment alleging payment to players at Auburn.
Groves described the four players who said they received money from boosters as “medicore at best” and said their comments were simply made out of bitterness and poor decisions made while in college regarding their academic and athletic well-being.
A few of Groves comments on WJOX 94.5-AM in Birmingham, Ala.:
“The only thing I heard guys receiving was a great education, a great experience and great memories.”
“Why would they pay (those) guys when they had Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown, Carlos Rogers and Jason Campbell?”
“You had Ronnie Brown who was arguably one of the best players in his senior year, driving around a (early 1990s) Honda Accord with the back window busted out.”
Groves said he and many other Auburn players were asked to participate, but the only players who responded _ Chaz Williams, Stanley McClover, Troy Reddick and Raven Gray, were marginal players.
He said he was actually close to McClover, and even called him after seeing the accusations. He said McClover told him HBO “helped with my camp.”
“Everything will be out in the open tonight and if that’s what he did, I have no words for him because the simple fact is, if you’re going to turn your back on the schull that made you over something as little as this, then there’s no telling what you’ll do to me.”
Groves scheduled a Ustream video to discuss the allegations this evening.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
March 30th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Jer, did you see the article I posted about Warriors GM Larry Riley, and his assessment that GM’s & Sr Execs in personnel, that seeing Players in person was of utmost importance, and that the film work back home is the follow-up.
Being able to look a player in the eye, see how he carries himself around teammates & coaches………..etc, etc, etc.
Would you ask Al Davis if he put’s any stock into that kind of thinking?
March 30th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Slow blog day too.
March 30th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Thank you Jerry for the new post.
March 30th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Another slow Raider news day. Ho-Humm.
March 30th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Thought Groves was gonna be a bust in Oaklnd too based on his play in the 1st half of the season. Tentative to the point of laziness it seemed.
Might have been dinged and was adjusting to the new.
Started to come on in the back half shooting gaps and making plays.
Hope he works out for us.
March 30th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
5:06pm
March 30th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Pitos
March 30th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Never thought of it this way. Players would/have striked when they think the deal is unfair. They just don’t want the big bad owners to have any leverage that they themselves have enjoyed.
————————————————–
In a way, the players are trying to have it both ways
Posted by Mike Florio on March 30, 2011, 6:57 PM EDT
APWe remain committed to striking an appropriate balance between the players and the owners in the slowly-unfolding labor dispute, and we’re prepared to raise questions about the tactics employed by either side, when those questions need to be raised.
For example, we think the NFL’s contention that the personal conduct policy applies during a lockout imposed by the owners is one of the most ludicrous things we’ve ever heard. We also think that the players badly have mishandled the draft issue, and that the players have lost significant P.R. points in that area. And we think that the league suddenly has launched an obvious back-patting P.R. campaign aimed at telling the world about all the great things done for the current and former players, before locking the current players out. (This afternoon, for example, we’ve received multiple e-mails from the league and one of its teams pointing out that the owners spent $245 million on player benefits in 2010.)
After reading every word of the transcript of the multi-part interview of Colts center Jeff Saturday by Rich Eisen of NFL Network’s Total Access (the video is available at NFL.com) and after receiving an e-mail from an astute reader, we need to articulate a source of discomfort that we have with the strategy the players have employed.
Basically, the players decided when faced with the strong possibility of a lockout to pull the ripcord on a decertification parachute, which converts the situation from a labor dispute into a class-action antitrust lawsuit against the league.
Let’s assume that the owners got a great deal in 2006 and that the players wanted to get more in 2011. The players could have gone on strike. And the owners couldn’t have done anything to stop it.
Just as the players have the right to strike if they don’t like the terms that are being offered, the owners have the right to lock the players out. But the players have launched the decertify-and-sue tactic as a way to prevent the owners from doing precisely what the players would be doing if the shoe were on the other foot — stopping all work until a deal is worked out.
So, basically, the players’ plan disrupts the proverbial yin and yang of strike and lockout. Setting aside all statutes and precedents and legal arguments, there’s something about this that, at a visceral level, seems unfair.
If Judge Susan Nelson feels the same way, she’ll be able to instruct her law clerks to construct based on all statutes and precedents and legal arguments a path to a ruling that the lockout should not be lifted due to the players’ maneuverings.
Once again, we simply wish the two sides would resume communications and work out a mutually acceptable deal. But if, as it appears, this fight will land in a courtroom on April 6, the idea that the players are using a device to block a lockout when the owners would have had no similar way to block a strike strikes us as inequitable, regardless of whether it’s ultimately determined to be appropriate.
March 30th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Kim Newton was a terrifying force when he broke containment and scrambled through collegiate secondaries. Looked like a man amongst boys.
Will he be able to dominate like that in the NFL ?
No.
But he will still remain a terrific threat to scramble and break long runs at any time. Additionally, he should be able to convert 3rd downs with his running ability alone, and extend drives.
Will he put in the time and effort to master all the intricacies of being a top notch NFL QB ?
He has excellent arm strength. Whether he’s going to be very accurate or develop ‘touch’ at the next level is debatable.
Only time will tell.
If I’m an NFL GM the only way I pass on Kim is if I’m certain he’s not going to be dedicated and I’m convinced he can’t develop into an accurate thrower.
There’s no way in hell I miss the opportunity to draft a potentially dominating franchise QB.
You bet there’s a huge risk of Kim being a bust, but also remember there’s no sure thing in this or any other draft.
After the JaMoron debacle it’s understandable why Raider fans would be especially dubious about Kim and lean towards not drafting him, but I don’t share that mindset.
If the Raids had a premium pick and Kim was available, I think they’d be foolish not to take him.
March 30th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Jerry, thanks for the new post,and what are you hearing from youre sources,if ANYTHING,on talks with the league and players? Guess we all must wait for the April 6th court date,and what exactly will be determined then? Final question, is Al going to get more involved in neg or just let it play out? Raiders!!!!!!!!!!
March 30th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
2 – CB Curtis Brown (Texas)
3 – OT/OG Marcus Gilbert (Florida)
4 – DT/NT Ian Williams (Notre Dame)
5 – C/OG Brandon Fusco (Slippery Rock)
6 – DE/DT Cedric Thornton (Southern Arkansas)
7 – TE Zach Pianalto (North Carolina)
7 – QB Josh Portis (Cal PA)
March 30th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
319.Buckeyeraider Says:
March 30th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Jim Mora Jr. just said on NFLN that he expects the Raiders to take a big step back this year. They fired Tom Cable who was doing an excellent job, and hired Hue Jackson who’s “mostly smoke and Mirrors”.
To hell with him. Didn’t AD call him a chickensh*t lil biotch a couple of years ago?
He predicts San Diego to reclaim the division. WRONG. Their window is now CLOSED.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Of course that dumbass said that. Cable was his OL coach in Atlanta. Getting rid of that scrub was the 1st step back to the playoffs.
March 30th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
You know… I kinda feel like Al Davis probably loves seeing this out of a Raider player. He’s even going to do an online presentation to defend himself and his school and everything, taking after the owner a little bit…
March 30th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
KoolKell Says:
“Being able to look a player in the eye, see how he carries himself around teammates & coaches…
Would you ask Al Davis if he put’s any stock into that kind of thinking?”
You must have forgotten that the first thing Davis does after evaluating a player’s calibur is he meets one on one and talks football to assess the player’s off-tape abilities.
Find a better way to arbitrarily dis the GM of the Raiders.
March 31st, 2011 at 2:34 am
Always trying to down Big Al… U know the other day I was getting a haircut and me an the barber started talking football , the strike, and of course I gotta mention is that I was a raiders fan… Then I gotta hear how the raiders ain’t never gonna win anything until Al Davis dies… I hear that crap way too often… First of all none of these people like the raiders and our very ignorant about Big Al… When he does pass, this franchise will lose the flair that has made us the team you love to hate…. If you call urself a raiders fan then u better respect Big Al cuz he is the reason for more good memories of this franchise, than bad ones…. Sure recent struggles have clouded the minds of most us…. It would be great to see one more ring before he goes….. To just have the last laugh is the raider way, and I swear if we win one before he takes the big nap, I won’t care if we lose the next 10 seasons… Cuz poetic justice is very rare, especially in Raiderland….
March 31st, 2011 at 2:44 am
[...] stays true to his school (Oakland Raiders) Raiders linebacker Quentin Groves put up an impassioned defense for his alma mater Wednesday in [...]
March 31st, 2011 at 3:01 am
I think you mean Cam Newton, Raiderman99.
March 31st, 2011 at 4:37 am
Good Morning Nation!!!
1eyedpirate…post #15, I agree!
March 31st, 2011 at 5:21 am
@Souldogdave, I think Raiderman99 refers to Al Davis’ pressconference where he spoke of Cam as Kim Newton..
Looking forward to the draft, just to bad there won’t be any blockbuster trades during it.. But it could prove to be a Raider advantage – After the draft we will know which positions of need we still have, especially as we have locked up some of our own big FA’s, so we will be free to focus solely on pursuing key UFA’s in the positions of most need.. Not that bad of a situation for us..
March 31st, 2011 at 6:03 am
Harder, from what I understand, teams cannot sign UFA’s after the draft since you can’t even sign your own players. That was where the comment that the UFL will be going hard after those players since you can’t even bring them into camp.
March 31st, 2011 at 7:28 am
Harder, from what I understand, teams cannot sign UFA’s after the draft since you can’t even sign your own players.
********
Correct. Until a CBA is agreed upon NO players can be signed. Teams can not even contact the players they draft to welcome them to the team. The NFL and NFL Teams can have absolutely ZERO contact of any kind with the players.
March 31st, 2011 at 7:33 am
Let’s just hope it is bcz
March 31st, 2011 at 7:34 am
So the 18 game schedule is not even going to come up again? Good…I was never a believer in that one!
March 31st, 2011 at 7:35 am
Bcz24..no my last post jumped up 2 because it is still on standard time for me
March 31st, 2011 at 7:55 am
Ah! Speaking of Groves..I think he was the weak link on the right side of the run defense last year. I wouldn’t be opposed to drafting Martez Wilson, Bruce Carter, or Mason Foster to shore up the weakside. Groves is a situational player and gap shooter
March 31st, 2011 at 8:14 am
Florio is siding with the billionaires. What a shock.
If he was on top of things he’d know the owners lost footing when FORMER players and those yet to be drtafted filed a suit and destroyed 3/4ths of the owners counter suit.
**** the ultra rich for wanting to increase the season by 2 games while cutting pay by 18% AND wanting an EXTRA BILLION off the top before sharing revenue ALL without explaining why.
Its not like the League is tanking and they need to do this to survive, they just want to be greedy pigs.
This is the OWNERS fault NOT the players.
March 31st, 2011 at 8:28 am
excellent posts by Buckeye yesterday at 1:58pm (#307) and 4:30pm (#319) !!!
March 31st, 2011 at 8:30 am
You do realize that the owners took the 18 game schedule out of the negotiations after their first offer right?
March 31st, 2011 at 8:30 am
Seems like maybe… just maybe the blog might be fixed?
March 31st, 2011 at 8:51 am
You also fail to address about losing one or both those players and getting ZERO in return?
***
Won’t we get comp picks next year for Aso and Huff? Aso at least a 3rd rounder and Huff? That is why if we do not resign Huff, I am pulling for him to get a HUGE contract and a pro bowl year on a NFC team. Maybe a 4th rounder comp pick?
March 31st, 2011 at 8:56 am
D’oh…
March 31st, 2011 at 9:28 am
Stanford Routt has been mediocre until his contract year. Who knows what he plays like next year. Counting on him to replace Nnamdi is, iffy.
March 31st, 2011 at 9:30 am
26.Nnamdi21 Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:14 am
Florio is siding with the billionaires. What a shock.
If he was on top of things he’d know the owners lost footing when FORMER players and those yet to be drtafted filed a suit and destroyed 3/4ths of the owners counter suit.
**** the ultra rich for wanting to increase the season by 2 games while cutting pay by 18% AND wanting an EXTRA BILLION off the top before sharing revenue ALL without explaining why.
Its not like the League is tanking and they need to do this to survive, they just want to be greedy pigs.
This is the OWNERS fault NOT the players.
^^^^^^
Exactly!
March 31st, 2011 at 9:32 am
@Dknight007
“You act like CJ and Routt can handle their own full time and I am VERY skeptical about that and VERY skeptical about Branch or Mitchell or Eugene being able to play the high FS spot? Branch for sure can’t, Eugene can’t and hoping Mitchell is prayer. S Brown might be able to…..in maybe 2 or 3 years, but not next year”
***
Hiram Eugene & Stevie Brown are not quality NFL starters. Not starting material anyways. If one of these guys end up starting over Missile Mike & Ty Branch we’ll have a safety that can’t tackle OR cover
Stuart Schweigert, anyone?
CJ37 & Routt are solid starting CB’s in the Raiders man2man system. That’s proven. They aren’t Nnamdi, but nobody else is either and #21 wasn’t being used to the best of his ability in Oakland. He’s gone. Move on bro
throw that $25 million at a proven WR that isn’t injury prone. That’ll make a bigger impact in the W/L column!
March 31st, 2011 at 9:39 am
If and when there is a free agency I think we should absolutely go after a WR and CB (if we lose Nnamdi, we will need the depth at the very least)
March 31st, 2011 at 9:44 am
You also fail to address about losing one or both those players and getting ZERO in return?
***
Bad moves by Al the GM, not getting picks or players in return for 2 stud DB’s
We don’t know what contract negotiations were like with Nnamdi’s agent when we gave him the last whopping contract to avoid the tag. We just ASSUME that the Raiders wanted that clause that said he’s free to leave if he doesn’t meet certain incentives. Making the Pro Bowl as a starter (again) and giving up zero TD receptions are pretty impressive to me and Al is a pretty detailed guy. I think he just did whatever it took to get #21 inked and this is the result of that. I think he’ll make Nnamdi Asomugha a pretty nice offer to return, but nothing out of this universe. Aso is going to the highest bidder that he feels has a chance to net him a Super Bowl ring
Huff OPTED OUT of the final year of his contract, which is pretty common. Jake Grove, Rod Coleman, Eric Barton & Charlie Garner all did it and ended up with different teams. The Raiders didn’t CUT him and his contract didn’t expire. He wanted more money than the contract originally scheduled him to earn. His choice to leave. Sort of like Gallery – if he wanted to be a Raider bad enough, he’d be one … regardless of what he might say to the media
March 31st, 2011 at 9:55 am
277.RaiderRockstar Says:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:45 am
Losing BOTH Nnamdi and Huff and not getting anything in return would be a freakin DISASTER for the secondary and will stunt the defenses development from last year IMO.
Especially with Chuck B as the DC!
***
@DKnight #231,
You wont know the difference between CJ37-Mitchell-Branch-Routt and Asomugha-Huff-Branch-Routt if the Run Defense finally gets fixed for the first time since Chuck B was Defensive Coordinator (previous stint) and the pass rush looks anything like last year
Dumps all of your eggs in 1 basket if you’re Hue Jackson. How can you “build a bully” when you’re giving up 130-150 rushing yards per game?
Asomugha & Huff will cost a fortune to keep and wont help the Run Defense one bit. I want to see the Raiders become a physical football team. Paying a combined $25 million per season for these 2 players and ignoring more pressing needs doesn’t prove to Raider fans that we’re serious about winning. Business as usual doesn’t go anywhere when the business has been bankrupt for the better part of a decade!
^^^^^^^
Well, that’s old man Al’s fault for paying big money to freakin backups like Eugene and Routt and not using that money to try and keep your best secondary players in Nnamdi and Huff.
The schedule is tougher next year than it was last year and they need to add tougher physical FOOTBALL players on the O-Line,DT,and OLB position.
March 31st, 2011 at 10:04 am
too all the jokers/clowns out there in raiders land. U dont fix a problem, by replacing an asset.
-Let me get this str8, the notion of losing huff and nnamdi to sure up the run game is better????/
I can picture it now, the new look raiders with a great dline but no pass coverage
ohhhhhhHHHhhh…reminds my of the texans ( who want Huff)
So the Raiders will be a poor mans texans team, w/o star wr, qb,oline and rb at best 8-8(still no playoffs) but hey, those raiders can stop the run!!
March 31st, 2011 at 10:32 am
Stanford Routt has been mediocre his whole career, until his contract year. Who knows what he plays like next year. Counting on him to replace Nnamdi is, iffy.
March 31st, 2011 at 10:46 am
Bad moves by Al the GM, not getting picks or players in return for 2 stud DB’s
*******
We will get compensatory picks for those guys. Nnamdi will certainly give us the 97th overall pick (the highest compensatory pick available) it is not what he is worth, but its certainly not ‘nothing’
March 31st, 2011 at 11:00 am
i don’t believe the Routt stats the Raiders published. They are biased to prove Al right fpr drafting him. Look at the games, Routt is nowhere near Nnamdi or Revis. He looks disoriented half the time and is undisciplined. Huge step-back playing this kid as a shutdown corner.
March 31st, 2011 at 11:01 am
Macho Man Randy Savage Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 11:00 am
i don’t believe the Routt stats the Raiders published. They are biased to prove Al right fpr drafting him. Look at the games, Routt is nowhere near Nnamdi or Revis. He looks disoriented half the time and is undisciplined. Huge step-back playing this kid as a shutdown corner.
***********************
You are wrong. The stats on Routt were not published by the Raiders, they were published by Stats Inc which is a third party group, and happens to be the most respected grouping of sports statistitions in the world.
You guys keep saying Routt only performed well in a contract year, but completely glaze over the fact that a slot corner who is in and out of the line up (unable to get into the rythem of the game) constantly through the game is NOT the same thing as a starting cornerback on the outside. I will remind you again that when Nnamdi covered the slot early in his career he was pretty crappy. His breakout year was when he was moved to the outside.
Contract year or not Routt was a top 5 cornerback in the NFL last year and playing opposite of Nnamdi, he was tested pretty regularly. Losing Nnamdi is obviously NOT addition by subtraction. You simply dont replace an all-pro like that, but Routt is not the slouch you guys say he is. Makes no sense to me how you guys cant see that the guy drastically improved when he was moved to a different position.
March 31st, 2011 at 11:05 am
I can picture it now, the new look raiders with a great dline but no pass coverage
ohhhhhhHHHhhh…reminds my of the texans ( who want Huff)
So the Raiders will be a poor mans texans team, w/o star wr, qb,oline and rb at best 8-8(still no playoffs) but hey, those raiders can stop the run!!
***
Truth,
the Texans gave up 2 more rushing TD’s than the Raiders did last year!
the only reason they finished 13th in rushing yards per game (allowed) was because teams could pass the ball AT WILL against them. They weren’t even Top 15 in rushing attempts per game. To say that they have a stout Run Defense is based on stats and easily disproved by watching games
the Raiders becoming a physical football team means stuffing the run in games, not on paper
March 31st, 2011 at 11:16 am
that’s old man Al’s fault for paying big money to freakin backups like Eugene and Routt and not using that money to try and keep your best secondary players in Nnamdi and Huff.
***
No way Huff would have signed for 4-years $10 million or Asomugha would have accepted 3-years $31 million !!!
Mike Mitchell is making $480,000
Tyvon Branch is making $555,000
those are your starters. Plus CJ37 will start and is scheduled to earn $3.2 million
thats $15 million for your entire secondary (including Routt). Nnamdi alone would have cost more than that!
March 31st, 2011 at 11:18 am
Comments #43 & #44 were made at 2:20 pm Central (12:20 PST)
Argh!
March 31st, 2011 at 11:24 am
The schedule is tougher next year than it was last year and they need to add tougher physical FOOTBALL players on the O-Line,DT,and OLB position.
***
so spending $25 million per season on Nnam & huff daddy solves these issues?
I think we’re fine at DT & OLB
fix the passing game, Hue!
O-Line & WR’s are a must
JCamp being protected by Veldheer-Loper-Satele-Campbell-Barnes/Walker and throwing to DHB-Murphy-Ford-Schilens-Nmiller/Bodiford is not good enough imo
March 31st, 2011 at 11:25 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 11:57 am
Employees are employees, the cream of the crop is tough to replace, but the average NFL life is 3 years. These guys gets replaced yearly and the league never skips a beat. Why? Because the league and the owners have put together such a good product.
More money to the owers I say, and I will be happy with playoff baseball and college football if I have to for 2011 to teach these players not to bite the hand that feeds them.
————————————
Pretty Plain, if any of you work for wages, Republicans think you’re a piece of schit.
March 31st, 2011 at 11:27 am
if any of you work for wages, Republicans think you’re a piece of
***
Kell :::
since you don’t work, feel free to keep your mouth shut. Thanks
March 31st, 2011 at 11:30 am
Half of all the NFL Owners inherited their teams, and almost ALL of their House’s of Business (Stadiums) were paid for by Taxpayers.
March 31st, 2011 at 11:36 am
‘Sup fellas.
How’s it going Vegas. Year off, WTF? Things are lookin up for the S&B.
Couldn’t disagree more ’bout the labor situation,btw.
More importantly, ready for openin day? Your boys begin the defense of their title tonight.
Volzquez is gettin slapped around GABP by the Brew Crew right now. But, it’s still early.
March 31st, 2011 at 11:57 am
Its not like the League is tanking and they need to do this to survive, they just want to be greedy pigs.
************************
The league is at it’s highest peak succes wise, because the NFL has done a great job of promoting teams and rivalries and not players.
Fans don’t go to games to see a certain player play, they go to root on their team.
The league has made massive amounts of INCREASED profits since the last labor-deal, and they deserve to get more rewards from that.
Employees are employees, the cream of the crop is tough to replace, but the average NFL life is 3 years. These guys gets replaced yearly and the league never skips a beat. Why? Because the league and the owners have put together such a good product.
More money to the owers I say, and I will be happy with playoff baseball and college football if I have to for 2011 to teach these players not to bite the hand that feeds them.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Speaking of opening day.. Nice column on the great Vin Scully.
http://www.latimes.com/la-sp-simers-20110329,0,5387655,full.column
@1:07pm PDT.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Being a 30 year old Raider fan, football seasons and Sundays, are more often colossal disappointments more than anything else.
I can use a year off.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:32 pm
48.Just Fire Baby Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Being a 30 year old Raider fan, football seasons and Sundays, are more often colossal disappointments more than anything else.
I can use a year off.
—————–
let’s not be hasty
March 31st, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Rockstar
I do work, for myself, I pay taxes, and I hope that poor child of yours escapes Podunk.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Players don’t WORK for wages, they are given a salary, whether they ball out like Jacoby Ford or screw off like Jamarcus Russell.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:38 pm
54.Just Fire Baby Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Players don’t WORK for wages, they are given a salary, whether they ball out like Jacoby Ford or screw off like Jamarcus Russell.
————————-
If they don’t “work” like Jacoby, they will be out on the streets like Jamarcus.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Wages = Salary, Republican.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:39 pm
KoolKell Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 11:30 am
Half of all the NFL Owners inherited their teams,
****************************
What’s wrong with a family inheritance??
Some families work hard and pass down legacies, and others (as in your case) just get passed down the man-boob gene.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
I see this friggin site still isn’t fixed. My first comment goes 5 spots AHEAD of the post I was responding to. WTF?
C’mon IBA.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Just got the posting too quickly BS, even though I hadn’t posted in over 15 mins. Ugh. I’ll try again…
I believe Chapman is going to be groomed to take over for Coco Cordero as the closer, eventually. Although the Giants didn’t help the cause any by knocking him around for five runs w/out retiring a batter the other day. Ouch.
I like your mock draft the other day, btw.
I think it would be a wise move to draft a young QB for the future, especially Kaepernick. That guy has impressive upside..and could hopefully sit and learn from JC for a couple of years.
And I’m alot higher on JC than you are, I believe. JC got off to a horrific start last year, then really came on. I like his mobility and play action ability.
Hopefully, JC seizes the starting job next year and runs with it. If not, they’d have his succesor on hand and ready to go. Worst case scenario, they would have a quality backup. Or even a Kevin Kolb-like bargaining chip to dangle as trade bait in a few years if JC proves the long term answer.
It’s a win-win, IMO and a wise move..even if it’s not a pressing need. There should still be starting quality O-lineman like Wiz 2.0, Moffit or Franklin available in the 3rd and even later.
As far as WR, I’d rather see them bring in an established vet like Santana Moss or even Plaxico than draft another rookie. If and when there is free agency.
March 31st, 2011 at 12:47 pm
NFL news is pretty slow when Bucs CB Aqib Talib get’s a feature on sportscenter. SAD
March 31st, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Buck,
What’s going on my man!!
Yeah, I’m sure I would miss NFL football in September, but really right now, not a top priority.
And lately I have become more and more jaded on the Raiders, especially after the SF Giants won the WS.
A handful of playoff appearances (always ending in major disappointment) during my whole lifetime?? My chlosterol and hair-line could use a season off, LOL.
So what are the Reds doing with Chapman?
March 31st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
BRING ON FREE AGENCY ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 31st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
I guess I’ll just focus on the Celtics/Spurs tonite.
March 31st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Funny, Following the 49ers game many posters on this site felt the Jacoby Ford was:
-”Lamar Houston (the invisible man)is the biggest disappointment from this draft class followed by Jacoby Francis Ford.”
-”I can’t watch players like James Jett, Jacoby Ford, Mike Huff, Stanford Routt, Alvis Whitted, James Trapp. They have no business on a football field”
-”Wow, a passer rating of 10? I wonder what the lowest in the history of the NFL is. Even Donald Hollas and Josh McKown probably didn’t have passer ratings lower than 12. Yikes.
Tyvon Branch: sucks
Michael Huff: sucks
Jacoby Ford: sucks”
-”Replacements should be played. And Jacoby Ford should not see the field either.”
March 31st, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Without a first rounder this year, at least we don’t have to cycle through all the Trade-down scenarios that are always posted in here.
Al has traded down in the later rounds (he traded down a few spots before taking MM34) and he may do so again this year.
March 31st, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Vin is awesome, but he needs to retire so my cousin can take his job, and we can have some Vin Scully money in the family.
March 31st, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Oakland: The Raiders have been predictably quiet about the players they are visiting with. In fact, in a radio interview, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett rattled off the names of several teams he is set to visit with and then he dropped a juicy one. He said there was another visit that he couldn’t mention. It made me the think of the secretive Raiders, who could use a strong-armed quarterback prospect. I’m not saying Mallett will visit the Raiders. Just connecting the dots.
Anyway, here is a reported visit for Oakland: Clemson offensive tackle Chris Hairston. He is expected to be a mid-round pick.
March 31st, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Rolando McClain, Buster Posey, Ekpe Udoh.
Three Bay-Area rookies for their teams last/this year, who the organization will be relying on for years to come.
RoMac improved as the year went along, and I look forward to his second season, whenever that is.
Posey already won a WS, and Cooperstown will be waiting for him when it is all said and done.
We need to get Udoh a little meaner and knock some dudes on their tail instead of these touch-fouls, but he is easily the best Warrior defender already, and it is not even close.
These three guys give me hope for years to come.
March 31st, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Off topic but here’s news about our beloved Silver & Black: Raiders | Scheduled to work out Chris Hairston
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:48:20 -0700
The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to conduct a private workout with Clemson OT Chris Hairston before the 2011 NFL Draft, a source told Aaron Wilson, of NationalFootballPost.com.
Comment (0) | Share: | Source: NationalFootballPost.com – Aaron Wilson
Here’s a bio on Hairston:
http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hairston_chris01.html
March 31st, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Jerry,
Why can’t your great tech staff fix this problem? You had this exact problem once before and they fixed it then….wtf is the deal? Just look in the log book and follow the instruction from how it was resolved last time you friggin idiots.
What, are they too busy working on the Y2K problem to get this fixed?
March 31st, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Might be nice to pick Hairston in the 5th rd.
March 31st, 2011 at 1:37 pm
# Just Fire Baby Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 11:57 am
More money to the owers I say, and I will be happy with playoff baseball and college football if I have to for 2011 to teach these players not to bite the hand that feeds them.
———————————–
Monkey, I think you have it ass-backwards, like most Republicans.
Trickle down economics has been emphatically disproved.
March 31st, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@ RaidersRockStar
the Texans gave up 2 more rushing TD’s than the Raiders did last year!
the only reason they finished 13th in rushing yards per game (allowed) was because teams could pass the ball AT WILL against them. They weren’t even Top 15 in rushing attempts per game. To say that they have a stout Run Defense is based on stats and easily disproved by watching games
——————————-
I never said the texans have a stout defense, but if we lose Nnamdi and Huff, we start to look alot like there secondary( the worst)
The notion that fix the run makes the raiders a better def is absurd, esp of we lose nnamdi and huff.
The pass def and run def play off of eacthother, if you lose one, the other will falter
the KEY POINT, “personal doesnt stop the run…its attitude”. period
the steeler and ravens are the best not bc of players but the attitude they have abput the run
March 31st, 2011 at 2:04 pm
This blog is still jacked….
My last post went through some sort of Bay Area News Group time warp and appeared an hour in the past. Right out of Star Trek or Dr. Who or something.
Craziness…
March 31st, 2011 at 2:08 pm
JFB….
Vin is still the best, been lucky enough to hear him for about 45 years. I’m more of a Angel fan than Dodger, for the fact Angel stadium is closer to where I live and that’s where I go a few times a year to see a game live, but I’ll check out Dodger games when Vin is on the call..
I have heard your cousin a few times this spring, he seems capable for the job when it becomes available, and I hope he gets it. He’s way better than Charley effin Steiner..I’m in no hurry for Vin to hang ‘em up anytime soon though..
@2:07pm PDT…..
March 31st, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Random thought:
Am I the only one that would like to see M. Reece return Punts or Kicks? If Ford was out of course?
March 31st, 2011 at 2:19 pm
R8eray Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Oakland: The Raiders have been predictably quiet about the players they are visiting with. In fact, in a radio interview, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett rattled off the names of several teams he is set to visit with and then he dropped a juicy one. He said there was another visit that he couldn’t mention. It made me the think of the secretive Raiders, who could use a strong-armed quarterback prospect. I’m not saying Mallett will visit the Raiders. Just connecting the dots.
Anyway, here is a reported visit for Oakland: Clemson offensive tackle Chris Hairston. He is expected to be a mid-round pick.
———-
POSTED THAT @ 2:19PM
C’MON JERRY!!!!
March 31st, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Man, slim pickins both in Raider talk, prospects, and blog management.
Well, MLB starts up today, so at least the lull me to sleep portion of the year is over.
March 31st, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Hey? My post was in order.
I fixed the blog.
Yaaa for me.
March 31st, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Yep, pretty slim pickins.
Posters trying to justify JC still, I see, even with his qb rating outings of 10, and 7.
Posters discussing our first round pick, when we don’t have one.
And as usual, Koolkell complaining about salaries, and such, when he’s admitted he hasn’t worked in years, and admits its his wife who works, while he blogs all day and night.
Some things won’t change. JC will still be spotty. First round will be a yawner. Kookeykell will still continue to collect his unemployment checks, that the rest of us pay for.
March 31st, 2011 at 2:35 pm
# Just Fire Baby Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 11:57 am
More money to the owers I say, and I will be happy with playoff baseball and college football if I have to for 2011 to teach these players not to bite the hand that feeds them.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Screw the owners, and the players. both are far too greedy.
both make ridiculous money, while charging fans ridiculous prices
March 31st, 2011 at 2:40 pm
# Just Fire Baby Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 11:57 am
More money to the owers I say, and I will be happy with playoff baseball and college football if I have to for 2011 to teach these players not to bite the hand that feeds them.
———————————–
Monkey, I think you have it ass-backwards, like most Republicans.
Trickle down theories of economics has been emphatically disproved.
March 31st, 2011 at 3:19 pm
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Chris-Culliver-to-work-out-for-Raiders.html
Fast CB projected to be in 3rd or 4th round working out for the Raider? Guess we will reach for him in round 2.
March 31st, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Red States Feed at Federal Trough, Blue States Supply the Feed:
Welfate State South Dakota receives $1.59 for every $1.00 they pay in taxes.
March 31st, 2011 at 3:30 pm
The report shows that of the 32 states (and the District of Columbia) that are “winners” — receiving more in federal spending than they pay in federal taxes — 76% are Red States that voted for George Bush in 2000. Indeed, 17 of the 20 (85%) states receiving the most federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid are Red States. Here are the Top 10 states that feed at the federal trough (with Red States highlighted in bold):
States Receiving Most in Federal Spending Per Dollar of Federal Taxes Paid:
1. D.C. ($6.17)
2. North Dakota ($2.03)
3. New Mexico ($1.89)
4. Mississippi ($1.84)
5. Alaska ($1.82)
6. West Virginia ($1.74)
7. Montana ($1.64)
8. Alabama ($1.61)
9. South Dakota ($1.59)
10. Arkansas ($1.53)
In contrast, of the 16 states that are “losers” — receiving less in federal spending than they pay in federal taxes — 69% are Blue States that voted for Al Gore in 2000. Indeed, 11 of the 14 (79%) of the states receiving the least federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid are Blue States. Here are the Top 10 states that supply feed for the federal trough (with Blue States highlighted in bold):
States Receiving Least in Federal Spending Per Dollar of Federal Taxes Paid:
1. New Jersey ($0.62)
2. Connecticut ($0.64)
3. New Hampshire ($0.68)
4. Nevada ($0.73)
5. Illinois ($0.77)
6. Minnesota ($0.77)
7. Colorado ($0.79)
8. Massachusetts ($0.79)
9. California ($0.81)
10. New York ($0.81)
There’s Republican hypocrisy for ya!
March 31st, 2011 at 3:41 pm
909RaiderLifer Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:08 pm
JFB….
Vin is still the best, been lucky enough to hear him for about 45 years.
*********************************
Vin is definately the best. Had the benefit of listening to him for a few years when I lived in Vegas. Nobody asks a question……waits for the pitch……than seamlessly answers his own question like he does. Dude is brilliant.
Glad you are with me on Steiner, he stinks to high-heaven. My cousin used to do the Sunday night Dodger Talk with Steve Lyons, seems they replaced Lyons with someone this year, and they should let them do the booth together whenever it is that Vin fades into the sunset.
March 31st, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Mallett in a private workout for the Raiders???? Probably just a rumor but who knows.
The minute Hue said that the Raiders were absolutely not looking at a QB, you had to think that was exactly what they are doing.
They have been very mis-leading (like every team) the last few years with the pre-draft talk.
Remember Cable on all the talk of the “Cadillac” O-lineman that one year? Than we went out and drafted two WR’s and a Safety in 3 of our first 4 picks and zero O-lineman.
I would rather have Colin or Locker, but Mallett is the big, strong armd guy that Al covets.
March 31st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
State of the Raiders on NFLN Total Access coming up @ 7:00 et. With the newly wealthy Stan Routt in studio. lol.
March 31st, 2011 at 4:03 pm
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Chris-Culliver-to-work-out-for-Raiders.html
Fast CB projected to be in 3rd or 4th round working out for the Raider? Guess we will reach for him in round 2.
_______________________________________________________
Dakota, I think you are right. Telling sign in the article is “He was moved from safety to cornerback prior to last season.” So would the Raiders really be looking at him to play the FS position?
March 31st, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Testing…1,2,3…
March 31st, 2011 at 6:38 pm
Echo…echo…echo…
March 31st, 2011 at 7:33 pm
I agree with Dknight and others. Subtracting out Nnamdi and Huff and keeping everything else the same = a weaker defense.
The Houston Texans comparisons were sadly appropriate.
A very iffy Stanford Routt who is AVERAGE…and a bunch of guys.
Not good.
Run defense? Same ole story “they have to play better” but they never do.
Offense better score A LOT of points.
March 31st, 2011 at 8:12 pm
JFB that’s why he does what he does…..just get players scheme are as interchangable as clothes if the team is well schooled. Defensive fronts based on personnel rather than running a scheme the players can’t execute. If you can be dominant in a base defense you are very talented. If you need exotic blitzes to be great you have average talent. I’d much rather have great talent and not have to blitz than blitz out of necessity. Because you can be victimized easier. If you have a dominant front4 you can play dominant defense with whatever coverage you choose.
I’ve been saying that all the 5 years I’ve been ob this blog and you guys still don’t get it. You think blitzing is GREAT! just because it’s a blitz. It’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, all you guys ever talk about is blitz….lol
The Steelers in trheir heyday rarely ever blitzed and they played cover2 mostly b ut their front4 was so dominant it didn’t matter what they played in coverage. Same with Purple people eaters and the Fearsome Foursome. The front4 is the thing that’s how the Giants won vs the best team we’ve seen in 20 years the undefeated Pats.
But in here all you ever hear is BLITZ!!! LOL
March 31st, 2011 at 8:26 pm
My personal opinion on the QB’a in this draft is I like Cam newton Ryan Mallett and Colin Kaepernick. Blaine Gabbert has Alex Smith written all over him.
I would take any of them in the first 20 picks Cam should’ve stayed in school. The rest are late 1st rnd or later picks. Locker is a 3rd rndr IMO. I would take kaepernick over him.
March 31st, 2011 at 8:47 pm
I think Routt acquitted himself well on that NFLN show/interview.
Mora Jr kept trying to grill him about losing coach Cable but Routt seems like a sharp dude.
Was interesting, Routt’s take on if having a new DC without a training camp would be an issue.
Routt said it’s all basically football, whether it was a cover 2, cover 0 or cover 4. Than he said maybe we can sprinkle in a few more zone blitzes.
Basically, the 4 man pressure front, Al Davis defense, doesn’t really matter who the DC is.
March 31st, 2011 at 8:58 pm
SnB Production Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 7:33 pm
I agree with Dknight and others. Subtracting out Nnamdi and Huff and keeping everything else the same = a weaker defense.
The Houston Texans comparisons were sadly appropriate.
A very iffy Stanford Routt who is AVERAGE…and a bunch of guys.
Not good.
Run defense? Same ole story “they have to play better” but they never do.
Offense better score A LOT of points
^^^^^^^^
Yep! The offense is going to need to score points just like how they did last year, if not do better.
March 31st, 2011 at 9:55 pm
IMO, part of the poor run defense is directly attributable to the style of defense we run (i.e. Man to Man in the defensive backfield) almost 100% of the time. Instead of having 11 run defenders, we only have 7 or 8. The remainders are running away from the runner, in their man to man coverage while looking away from the runner. Perhaps if we ran less man to man and mixed things up more we would be more effective defending the run. This theory seems to be even more credible in 3rd & long plays where we are always in tight man coverage.
March 31st, 2011 at 10:05 pm
That’s why there’s two sides of the ball offense and defense. The offense is supposed to do it’s part as well as the defense. That’s how you win championships. I thought the run defense at times was very good last year. It just needs to be consistent………..period
March 31st, 2011 at 10:59 pm
I see the servers are screwed up time wise. I just posted at 10:55 and it says 9:55PM. Jerry,. get your techs out of bed and have them check ALL the servers. There is one or two with incorrect clocks.
March 31st, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Hopefully RoMac is quicker in his reads next year, so that he attacks the OG’s before they attack him. He got locked up a lot last year.
April 1st, 2011 at 12:01 am
# noteasilyimpressed Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Off topic but here’s news about our beloved Silver & Black: Raiders | Scheduled to work out Chris Hairston
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:48:20 -0700
The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to conduct a private workout with Clemson OT Chris Hairston before the 2011 NFL Draft, a source told Aaron Wilson, of NationalFootballPost.com.
Comment (0) | Share: | Source: NationalFootballPost.com – Aaron Wilson
Here’s a bio on Hairston:
http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hairston_chris01.html
^^^^^^^
Hmm…Hairston would be a good 3rd or 4th Rounder.
He would probably be able to start at RT right away as well!
April 1st, 2011 at 12:40 am
Cable’s lone confidant Jim Mora jr tried to ambush Routt, saying we are always cheating as corners, and Billick says receviers don’t cheat. Laughable push off, laugh again receivers dont create contact?
April 1st, 2011 at 2:27 am
“The silver and black have attracted an unholy fan base of hell-raiders, gangbangers and inveterate knife-lickers, all of whom firmly believe that skipping town for an away game is well worth the parole violation.”
—GQ Magazine in naming the Raiders the fourth-worst fan base in the country.
——————————————————-
Always makes me laugh when I read crap like this.
April 1st, 2011 at 4:45 am
The more i watch and read about Marcus Cannon, the more i like him to wear the Raider jersey come draftday.. He could be the kind of mauler that would open up giant holes for D-Mac and Bush to blast through, and he has that mean streak and punishing style that would be well coveted by HJ and Wiz sr..
He could have the same troubles at RT as L Walker did due to his size and lack of athleticism (it is great for his size, but not overly great for NFL tackles), but if he were stationed at G (most likely LG), he could be a beast out the gate!
Veldheer and Cannon would be a good team on the leftside, and would definately create some runninglanes for the Backs! If B Campbell wins the RG spot, which he probably will, it would be two HUGE guards with great strength! This could help the Center (being it Satele or a late rd draftpick to develope) anchor better against large NT’s..
If Joseph Barksdale should drop into the 4th rd, which a lot of experts predicts, he could be a valuable pick to the RT spot as well.. Moffit, Fusco, Lil Zane and especially Kirkpatrick could be great late round editions to the interior line as well..
Havent seen much of the 4-3 OLB group, is there any potential out the gate starters in the middle to later rounds?
April 1st, 2011 at 5:55 am
Good Morning Nation!!!
Neil…good afternoon to ya! Yeah, I always laugh at that sh*t too because it is always started by someone who have NEVER been to a Raider Game!
Happy April Fools Day Nation!!!
April 1st, 2011 at 6:31 am
G’morning Hwnrdr, AM crew,
‘Sup fellas. Happy April Fool’s Day!
…Speaking of, that was a pretty good one NFLN pulled on MerroidMan last year. That was funny.
I thought Routt handled himself well on NFLN last night. Just wished he woulda slapped that Howdy Doody-looking Mora Jr.
Routt has that annoying habit of injecting “you know” into every sentence, though. Must have said it 100 times in 5 min interview.
Probably just nervous reaction to having bright lights, cameras and microphones in your face. You know.
April 1st, 2011 at 6:35 am
Could it be? That the site is fixed?
Good Morning Buckeye! F Jim Mora Jr…was his dad even successful at any point besides being known for “Playoffs! Playoffs?”
April 1st, 2011 at 7:15 am
On NFL total access last night Routt held his own for the most part, But there were definate parts where he was struggling. Not bad, just not Nnamdi. (both on and off the field.
April 1st, 2011 at 7:17 am
Hwnrdr,
I’ve got no problem with his old man. Those “Playoffs, Playoffs?” clips are classic. He was actually a solid coach who helped turn two of the most downtrodden franchises in league history into winners. The Saints and Colts. Sounds kinda funny now, doesn’t it? Prior to Peyton (and Mora) the Colts were a laughingstock.
I don’t care too much for Jr, though. There seems to be some bad blood between him and the Raiders. Besides the firing of his buddy Cable. Al called him a “chickensh*t” a few years back. Mora Jr. couldn’t help but take some not-so-subtle jabs at the Raiders on NFLN.
He’s one of those guys that seems to have a constant smirk on his face. He also has a bit of that young Lance “used car/snakeoil salesman” aura about him.
April 1st, 2011 at 7:42 am
Ok…you’re right though. Mora Jr does remind me of an older “Lance”
Mora Sr at least was a good coach. Just wasn’t too sure if he was responsible for turning those 2 franchises around.
April 1st, 2011 at 8:35 am
86.KoolKell Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Red States Feed at Federal Trough, Blue States Supply the Feed:
Welfate State South Dakota receives $1.59 for every $1.00 they pay in taxes.
=================
Facts, reason and logic are lost on Repubs. They know what they know and only accept things that enforce their often ugly, spiteful and incorrect beLIEfs.
DC no longer represnts anyone with under a $100 mill. Time to kick the door in and watch the whole rotten structure fall…
April 1st, 2011 at 8:36 am
Blog fixed? NOPE. Pretty sure its ONE tiny setting. Can’t remember the guys name who fixes this thing but I hope he gets his azz fired with a quickness. Go In, click the tab and FIX IT.
April 1st, 2011 at 8:47 am
86.KoolKell Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Red States Feed at Federal Trough, Blue States Supply the Feed:
Welfate State South Dakota receives $1.59 for every $1.00 they pay in taxes.
__________
Says the guy who lives off his wife’s income. lol
April 1st, 2011 at 8:51 am
Hey Dakota…can you smack down last night?
April 1st, 2011 at 8:56 am
Hwnrdr,
Yeah, good stuff last night….Lakers made them look like fools.
April 1st, 2011 at 8:57 am
test
April 1st, 2011 at 8:57 am
Hey is this place finally fixed?
April 1st, 2011 at 9:03 am
Looks like it…
April 1st, 2011 at 9:29 am
Are we fixed?????
April 1st, 2011 at 9:39 am
That posting too quickly message really fries me!!!!!!
April 1st, 2011 at 9:40 am
I f the strike eliminates pre season and camps it’ll hurt the Raiders young squad trying to get new HC Jackson up to speed.
April 1st, 2011 at 9:50 am
122. WORD!
April 1st, 2011 at 9:52 am
Being that the Raiders coaching staff typically brings a knife to a gunfight every Sunday, and that the defense never really changes, you can make the arguement that the shortened camps and OTA’s will help the Raiders, or negatively impact them less, than our opponents.
April 1st, 2011 at 11:09 am
As far as WR, I’d rather see them bring in an established vet like Santana Moss or even Plaxico than draft another rookie. If and when there is free agency.
***
Agreed with Buckeye #61
DHB, Murphy, Ford & Nmiller are still learning their craft and who is the man responsible for their progress & development? Sanjay Lal
We definately need a veteran presence at WR that isn’t hurt every year like Chaz Schilens!
April 1st, 2011 at 11:13 am
That’s why there’s two sides of the ball offense and defense. The offense is supposed to do it’s part as well as the defense. That’s how you win championships. I thought the run defense at times was very good last year. It just needs to be consistent………..period
***
I don’t normally agree with anything written (or typed) by Priest TJ, but he was right on the money with the above statement
April 1st, 2011 at 11:27 am
Myth and reality with Cam Newton
April, 1, 2011 Apr 111:20AM ETEmail Print Comments131 By Kevin SeifertI’ve watched as the Cam Newton conversation has escalated, and most would say, devolved into personal attacks and accusations of racism. There’s no doubt that any team deciding whether to draft the Auburn quarterback, including the Minnesota Vikings, has watched it unfold as well.
Character is subject to opinion, and it’s fair to question the motives of someone making a harsh judgment. But ultimately, the entire conversation is relevant to the extent that it impacts Newton’s performance on the field. So let’s go there. What objective measures can we take of Newton’s character and intangible abilities to be a quarterback?
[+] EnlargeNelson Chenault/US Presswire
No one can deny that Cam Newton was a winner in college, as he led his teams to championships in both 2009 and 2010.First, we have to remember that Newton was the quarterback on two different teams that won national championships. In 2009, he took Blinn (Texas) College to the NJCAA National Football Championship. Last year, he led Auburn to the BCS Championship.
It’s possible that his personality has rubbed some people the wrong way, but to me championships are the best tangible evidence of leadership we can find. You could argue that Newton’s raw athletic ability simply overpowered opponents, but to me there is too much that goes into a college season to credit one supremely talented player for a title. Maybe in high school, and possibly junior college, but not at the level of the SEC.
I wasn’t inside Auburn’s locker room last season, or Blinn’s the year before, but you would have to stack up a lot of hard evidence for me to convince me that Newton isn’t a leader of some measure. If any specific examples have been cited, I’ve missed them.
Second, as you know, we here at ESPN.com get the enormous benefit of statistics that help us pull back the curtain on a player’s performance. Everything must be taken with context, of course, but our friends at ESPN Stats & Information have circulated some information that reflects a higher level of so-called “football intelligence” than some of Newton’s detractors might suggest.
For starters, Newton completed 73.5 percent of his passes last season against the blitz in conference games. He threw five touchdowns and did not throw an interception. For context, consider that Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert, the other top quarterback in this draft, completed 44.8 percent of his passes in the same situation.
There are plenty of possible explanations for why Newton threw so efficiently against the blitz. His offensive line could have blocked exceptionally. His scheme might have lent itself to friendly dump-off passes. But it could also be a hint — gasp! — of football intelligence — an ability to process a defensive alignment quickly and make a positive play based on a combination of instincts and knowledge of scheme.
This much is clear: Generally speaking, the best quarterbacks in the NFL are usually the best at handling the blitz. In 2010, for example, here were the top seven NFL quarterbacks against the blitz based on passer rating:
Tom Brady
Tony Romo
Aaron Rodgers
Matt Cassel
Josh Freeman
Ben Roethlisberger
Matt Ryan
Here’s another measure we can consider: Pocket passing. Someone (like me) who doesn’t watch a ton of college football might have an impression of Newton as a freelancing athlete who prefers to run if given an opportunity. Similar quarterbacks rarely succeed in the NFL because of the complex passing decisions they’ll ultimately have to make in a pro system.
Year Of The Quarterback
ESPN has dedicated 2011 to examining one of the most crucial positions in all of sports — the quarterback.
Year of the QB »
So for what it’s worth, Newton also outperformed Gabbert when it came to making traditional throws from the pocket. In conference games last season, Newton completed 67.6 percent of his pocket throws for 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. Gabbert completed 61.1 percent, with nine touchdowns and four interceptions.
I realize Newton and Gabbert played in much difference schemes last season, making the comparison something less than apples and apples. But I still think it’s instructive to compare Newton’s pocket performance against the quarterback who seems to be considered the more “polished” player.
I have no idea what type of personality Newton has, whether he was well-liked by his teammates or if they simply tolerated him. And I also acknowledge that character, leadership qualities and football intelligence are critical to the success of an NFL quarterback.
But here we have a quarterback who has won consecutive national championships, who handled blitzes well against some of the fastest defenses in the country last season and was a better pocket passer than the presumptive top quarterback in the draft. Shouldn’t we at least give that kind of resume the benefit of the doubt? It’s not necessarily racist to question Newton on those qualities. It just doesn’t fit the objective facts as we know them.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Wow! This guy nailed it.
April 1st, 2011 at 11:28 am
the KEY POINT, “personal doesnt stop the run…its attitude”. period
the steeler and ravens are the best not bc of players but the attitude they have abput the run
***
Truth (comment #75),
personnel doesn’t stop the run?
do you think the Ravens would trade us Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis & Terrell Suggs for John Henderson, Quinton Groves & Ricky Brown?
do the think the Steelers would trade us Casey Hampton, James Harrison & LaMarr Woodley in exchange for Desmond Bryant, Sam Williams & Thomas Howard?
Coaching is important, but talent is too.
and this has nothing to do with keeping Asomugha & Huff … if anything, you bringing up the Ravens & Steelers only proves my point that a solid pass rush & stout run defense can make a crappy secondary look adequate or a good secondary GREAT
April 1st, 2011 at 11:37 am
Offense better score A LOT of points.
***
SnB,
Hue Jackson needs to get more out of this passing offense regardless of what happens to the Defense. We have Jason Campbell throwing to a WR Corps of DHB, Murphy, Ford, Schilens & Nmiller. He’s being protected by Veldheer, Loper, Satele, Campbell & Barnes. Sanjay Lal is the WR Coach. Hue Jackson called a few stinker games last year (SF, which everybody blames JC for is one of them) and takes on MORE responsibility. Al Saunders replaces Hackett & Tollner with his 700 page playbook and at age 64, who knows how many new & creative ideas he has swirling about in his head?
This group isn’t going to set the world on fire. Just hope that the running game is as good as last year (without Cable, Michalczik, Gallery and possibly Walker or Carlisle) and the passing game improves because JCamp isn’t jerked in & out of the lineup and his WR’s stay healthy
April 1st, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Ask ESPN Stats to pull-up the same stats for Ryan Leaf and Jamarcus Russell. Lets start to get real, please.
April 1st, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Stanford Routt’s appearance on NFL Total Access, only confirmed that Players have nothing to say about anything in Oakland.
April 1st, 2011 at 12:31 pm
15.1eyedpirate Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:34 am
Always trying to down Big Al… U know the other day I was getting a haircut and me an the barber started talking football , the strike, and of course I gotta mention is that I was a raiders fan… Then I gotta hear how the raiders ain’t never gonna win anything until Al Davis dies… I hear that crap way too often… First of all none of these people like the raiders and our very ignorant about Big Al… When he does pass, this franchise will lose the flair that has made us the team you love to hate…. If you call urself a raiders fan then u better respect Big Al cuz he is the reason for more good memories of this franchise, than bad ones…. Sure recent struggles have clouded the minds of most us…. It would be great to see one more ring before he goes….. To just have the last laugh is the raider way, and I swear if we win one before he takes the big nap, I won’t care if we lose the next 10 seasons… Cuz poetic justice is very rare, especially in Raiderland….
————————————————-
Frankly, it sounds to me that folks out in the Bay Area have wised up to the reality of the situation. And, by the way, it’s a complete myth that those of us who believe Al needs to move on aren’t true fans. I’ve been a hardcore fan since 1970. The only “unique” character Davis imparts anymore is that of eccentricity, incompentence, and feebleness. The franchise will survive him, and probably be the better for it.
April 1st, 2011 at 12:44 pm
* Subtracting out Nnamdi and Huff and keeping everything else the same = a weaker defense.
The Houston Texans comparisons were sadly appropriate.
* if we lose Nnamdi and Huff, we start to look alot like there secondary( the worst)
The notion that fix the run makes the raiders a better def is absurd, esp of we lose nnamdi and huff
Truth & SnB,
30 Jason Allen CB
37 Antonio Baker FS
34 Dominique Barber SS
39 Quintin Demps SS
25 Kareem Jackson CB
21 Brice McCain CB
22 Sherrick McManis CB
28 Antwaun Molden CB
33 Troy Nolan FS
29 Glover Quin CB
42 Torri Williams SS
How many of these guys would start for the Raiders over CJ37, Mitchell, Branch & Routt ???
April 1st, 2011 at 1:32 pm
And I also acknowledge that character, leadership qualities and football intelligence are critical to the success of an NFL quarterback.
********************************
Debo,
I’ve been saying this about ALL QB’s for the last two years, and everytime you feel the need to disagree and debate it with me.
Than some scribe says the same thing in regards to Cam, and you link the whole article and claim he “nailed it”.
WTF???????
April 1st, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Jason Campbell is a high character guy. Yet, his “critics” want him to act like Cam Newton, and swagger around.
Just another insidious way to be duplicitous.
April 1st, 2011 at 1:48 pm
One NFC executive on Ryan Mallett, via Albert Breer of NFL.com: “He’s the best pure passer in the draft, hands down. He’s Jeff George as a passer, Jim Everett as a person.” (That’s not a compliment.)
And finally, a G.M. on Mallet via Cole: “I would never take him. Never. He’s irresponsible, selfish and not a leader.”
*****************************************
I don’t know if Mallet has a “mentor” but if so, it is time for him to hit the radio waves talking about the blatant racisim towards tall, crew-cutted QB’s.
April 1st, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Ohio raider thanx for the response and just wanted to let u know I truly respect ur opinion and love to hear true old school fans with wisdom to their words, like yourself…. Every thing u say is true and the time u put in as a fan garners the respect…. Ive been a fan since 84…. I am 34 years young…. I am the type of guy who will ride with Al cuz I respect him…. But yeah he is all what u say but u forgot impulsive… Cuz he is so quick to pull the trigger on big moves ( gruden trade, hiring and firing like a mad man, and throw in all the horrible FA signings )…. Let’s just hope hue can do what gruden did, build a fundamentally sound team of hard wokers to overcome all of Al’s meddling around….
April 1st, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Cam Newton’s persona on the field, mixed with Soup’s off the field would be a perfect mix, and a GM’s wet dream.
Instead, Cam is a meat-head off the field, and Soup looks like he is about to cry at times on the field.
April 1st, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Bill Parcells rules for drafting collegiate QB’s
26+ Wonderlic, 60+ completion %, and at least 29 collegiate starts.
I think the only one that applies in this years draft is Greg McElroy.
I think Tyrod Taylor would make the cut, but I can’t find his Wonderlic score.
April 1st, 2011 at 3:18 pm
The problem with Routts stats from Stats Inc BURN PERCENTAGE:
According to Stats Inc. Routt, Nnamdi, & CJohnson ranked 2nd, 3rd and 6th CBs in the NFL. The Raiders gave up 29 passing TDs, 5th worse in the NFL.
How can a defense that has 3 of the top 6 CBs in the NFL rank 5th worse in passong TDs? Watch the games, Routt sucks.
April 1st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
In 2010, CEO Pay Went Up 27% While Worker Pay Went Up 2%
Households across the country are still feeling the effects of the Great Recession, with unemployment falling very slowly, while foreclosures are still increasing, along with poverty rates and oil prices. However, one group of Americans is doing very well — corporate CEOs, whose pay is returning to pre-recession levels:
At a time most employees can barely remember their last substantial raise, median CEO pay jumped 27% in 2010 as the executives’ compensation started working its way back to prerecession levels, a USA TODAY analysis of data from GovernanceMetrics International found. Workers in private industry, meanwhile, saw their compensation grow just 2.1% in the 12 months ended December 2010, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median CEO pay last year was $9 million, the highest since 2007. The median CEO bonus was $2.2 million. Family wealth, meanwhile, is currently down $12.8 trillion from its 2007 peak
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/04/01/ceo-recession-return/
April 1st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
It’s possible that his personality has rubbed some people the wrong way, but to me championships are the best tangible evidence of leadership we can find. You could argue that Newton’s raw athletic ability simply overpowered opponents, but to me there is too much that goes into a college season to credit one supremely talented player for a title. Maybe in high school, and possibly junior college, but not at the level of the SEC.
I wasn’t inside Auburn’s locker room last season, or Blinn’s the year before, but you would have to stack up a lot of hard evidence for me to convince me that Newton isn’t a leader of some measure. If any specific examples have been cited, I’ve missed them.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
JFB,
I’ve never had a problem with the idea that leadership and intangibles are important to a QB’s success. My issue with you is how you decide whether a guy has these things or not. You see Bruise come onto the field pumping his fist or giving some cheesy line in an interview and decide right then and there he’s General Patton or something. You’re idea of leadership is corny and overly simplistic. There are lots of ways to lead. Cam’s body of work oozes leadership in my opinion. And I think the guys that get paid to figure this stuff out agree.
April 1st, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Well compared to the dead fish that preceded him, Bruce did seem like General Patton.
Louis Murphy was amazed enough in having a QB show up on time to work, he proclaimed it to the media.
April 1st, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Hmm, the Cam Newton debate. Odds are stacked against any QB coming into the NFL. Seems to me that stong armed kids with high IQs and strong work ethic are the ones that make it in the NFL. Being a freakish athlete helps in most positions, not so much at QB.
April 1st, 2011 at 5:00 pm
145. agreed.
Peterson’s accusation smacks of manuevering by teams with later draft picks maybe hoping he’ll slip and they can draft or miove up for him.
He should go top 5 based on talent.
Wish he was a Raider
April 1st, 2011 at 5:08 pm
142. Facts are lost on moronic chest thumping Repubs.
Even when they can see the results all around them.
The gulf between the haves and have nots or Eloys and Morlocks if you will, is now a chasm. The ultra rich are out to destroy everyone else plain and simple.
Unchecked greed is the greatest evil this country has ever faced.
Its destroying the Bill of Rights and our Constitution.
April 1st, 2011 at 5:14 pm
150. Its only “class warfare” when the ultra rich are being held accountable.
When they attack the poorest of the poor its “cutting big Gov.”
Lying ***holes responsible for the ra-pe of America for their won unmitigated greed.
April 1st, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@ 138
It seems that when Al has a solid coach that can build a foundation, the big name moves he pulls tend to compliment the foundation laid by the coach.
However, if conflict arises between Al and the coach, or the coach is not competent enough to lay the foundation the flashy moves by Al end up bringing the team down.
April 1st, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Traditionally a Republican constituency, police and firefighters are rapidly turning to Democrats after assaults on their union rights in Wisconsin, Ohio, and elsewhere. “Who are these evil teachers who teach your children, these evil policemen who protect them, these evil firemen who pull them from burning buildings? When did we all become evil?” asked the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police.
http://thinkprogress.org/
April 1st, 2011 at 6:04 pm
GOP Rep. Woodall’s Response To Exxon Paying Nothing In Taxes: We Need ‘Lowest Corporate Tax Rate We Can Get’
Last week, Rep. Rob Woodall held a tele-town hall meeting with his constituents, allowing them to call in and ask questions. At one point, a constituent called in and challenged Woodall’s belief that all we need is spending cuts to move towards a more balanced budget. The caller pointed out that closing corporate tax loopholes on big companies like Exxon Mobil — which paid zero federal corporate income taxes in 2009 — and Google, which only paid a 4.2 percent rate in taxes, would do a lot to help balance the budget as well.
Woodall replied by saying he’s “not a fan of class warfare” and that the only people who’ve ever employed him are rich people. He then went on to say that corporate taxes are really taxes on the customers of these companies and that we need to get “corporate taxes as low as we can in this country”:
April 1st, 2011 at 6:23 pm
I work quite a bit with the FOP.
Those are my peeps, and what butters my bread.
But make no mistake, there aren’t people being pulled from burning buildings anymore. House fires are at all-time lows in this country, and really the only places that catch on fire are old run-down buildings that they should just let burn down anyways.
So the need for 48 hour shifts for fire-fighters is ridiculous. When I go in on shift changes at 8am to talk to the guys about their retirement, half these guys are sleeping off the last 6-7 hours of their shift.
And they are getting paid overtime for it!!!!
Police are needed more than ever, and fire fighters less than ever.
April 1st, 2011 at 6:24 pm
This blog is ****ed
April 1st, 2011 at 6:40 pm
**** Warren Moon for making the Newton analysis a race issue. **** you Moon you idiot.
Nolan’s report came from a bu-tt load of interviews with people who’ve dealt with Cram.
Moon says he feels the report was racist cuz it reminded him of how he was discriminated against IN 1978!
33 YEARS AGO!!!
Someone tell Warren theirs an African American in the White House.
April 1st, 2011 at 7:15 pm
LMAO…..on the MLB network they were doing the pre-game to the A’s-Mariners game.
Someone in the studio said that there were only about 25K there, but that they will be a loud 25,000.
The host than chimed in, “They are all Raider fans…….and they are still hacked off at Jamarcus Russell.”
A round of laughter followed in the studio.
I think we still have a good 10 years until Jamarcus Russell punchline jokes fall out of favor.
April 1st, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Just Fire Baby Says:
April 1st, 2011 at 6:23 pm
I work quite a bit with the FOP.
Those are my peeps, and what butters my bread.
But make no mistake, there aren’t people being pulled from burning buildings anymore. House fires are at all-time lows in this country, and really the only places that catch on fire are old run-down buildings that they should just let burn down anyways.
—————————–
What an Idiot! geez.
April 1st, 2011 at 9:29 pm
What in the world does a black president hav eto do with ideas about black QB’s from people who’ve been thinking that way for their entire life. Nothing that’s what.
I think everything Warren said was as valid as the report he was referring to. If not much more this kind of thinking has permeated sports for decades. In this new post racism society as they call it. Their is tons of residue still manifesting itself. In a variety of ways in every arena.
I listen to Mike Mayock try to explain the difference between Newton and Gabbert and it is downright laughable. He sounds like a damn fool trying to justify a long held belief that the same thing in a different color is much different. Gabbert is unpolished and will take at least two years as well as Newton. But to him Gabbert gets more credit for doing absolutely nothing other than being white. Cam has won the Heisman and TWO national championships and Gabbert hasn’t even won his conference yet he’s more NFL ready. It’s flat out LUNACY…………period
April 1st, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Learn yourself something.
Fire-fighters are asked to do less and less each year.
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/estimates/trend_overall.shtm
April 1st, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Señor Fresco Kell, por favor, dejar de ser decir a la gente.
April 1st, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Señor Fresco Kell, Larga Entrenador Davis en vivo.
April 1st, 2011 at 10:44 pm
QB’ing is about competing at a high level when it’s winning time however you do it it’s about oinstilling the confidence in your teammates that the game is not over until we win. Going undefeated in the SEC is much tougher than in the Big 12 which Gabbert couldn’t even do. Throwing 30 TD’s and running for an additional 20 is much better than 16 TD’s tosses and 4-5 runs it’s a 50-22 disparity in a much tougher conference and I don’t care how or why he did it, if those #’s belonged to Gabbert the discussion would be laughed at by all the pundits. Reverse those #’s for those to athletes and Gabbert would be being hailed as the best QB prospect in the last 30 years. Yet Cam Newton is looked upon as a RISK…….lol
April 1st, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Señor Fresco Kell, El Entrenador Davis es el dueño de los Raiders de Oakland. Usted mi amigo, no lo hacen.
April 1st, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Señor Fresco Kell, El Entrenador Davis es el director generales. Eso es lo que es.
April 1st, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Señor Fresco Kell, El Entrenador Davis levantar el trofeo Lombardi este año. Usted será feliz.
April 1st, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Señor Fresco Kell, Usted va a ser muy, muy, muy feliz con una victoria de los Raiders en el Super Bowl.
April 1st, 2011 at 11:29 pm
Señor Fresco Kell, El Entrenador Davis ha vuelto. Los Raiders de Oakland volverá a ser grande.
April 2nd, 2011 at 4:03 am
Dodger fans attack, critically injure Giants fan
PUBLISHED Friday, Apr 1, 2011 at 1:54 pm EDT
LAST UPDATED 13 hours and 54 minutes ago
Staff report
Sporting News Text size A A A A San Francisco Giants fan was critically beaten in the parking lot at Dodger Stadium following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ season-opening win over the Giants on Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
“The man suffered a serious head injury during the assault after the game,” Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Sanford Rosenberg told the newspaper.
The Dodgers hosted the Giants on Thursday’s opening day. (AP Photo)The police are searching for two Dodgers fans who they suspect are responsible for the assault, which also included the beatings of two other Giants fans.
According to the police, the two Dodgers fans kicked and punched the three Giants fans while shouting expletives about the Giants.
The Los Angeles Times reports the critically-wounded man is hospitalized in stable condition.
April 2nd, 2011 at 6:44 am
So everyone keeps heaping praise on Cam for winning TWO national championships, counting his year at Blinn College.
So I figured I would look up some things to see how pertinant that fact is.
First thing I noticed, Blinn Community College has won 6 of the last 15 NJCAA championships. So they are a powerhouse, with or without Cam.
Than I looked at the championsip game boxscore.
Cam was 11-25 for 111 yards, 0 TD’s and an INT, a lost fumble, and a sack for a safety.
He did have 14 carries for 110 yards and a TD.
http://www.njcaa.org/Teams/football/2009/09_NJCAA_FOOTBALL_CHAMP_STATS.htm
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:06 am
Priest,
The answer to your riddle is simple, collegiate success at QB has proven to not translate to the NFL. Literally, there is not one BCS championship winning QB that is worth a crap in the NFL, although the book isn’t closed yet on a few.
Here they are in order:
Tee Martin, Chris Weinke, Josh Hypl, Ken Dorsey, Craig Krenzel, Matt Mauck, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Chris Leak, Matt Flynn, Tim Tebow, Gregg McElroy and Cam Newton.
The scrutiny that Cam is getting as a QB, is the same as what Tebow got. The risk is there. People look and see that Tebow’s last collegiate game was a BCS bowl game, and he threw for like 450 yards and 5 TD’s. 6 months later in the NFL, he can’t complete an 8 yard out pattern consistantly.
Cam may go on to be a great QB, hell maybe the greatest ever. But it won’t be the same way as he did it in college, his skill set will have to evolve.
Race has nothing to do with the on-field criticism (off the field is another debate).
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:45 am
He’s not black he’s bi racial. He’s also a muslim thats why he wont show his birth certificate.
2012
______
priesttj Says:
April 1st, 2011 at 9:29 pm
What in the world does a black president hav eto do with ideas about black QB’s
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:54 am
KK, you said the recession was over 15 months ago, what happened?
Pres purple lips is a human wrecking ball destroying everything in front of him. Keep carrying his water you moron.
______
KoolKell Says:
April 1st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
In 2010, CEO Pay Went Up 27% While Worker Pay Went Up 2%
Households across the country are still feeling the effects of the Great Recession, with unemployment falling very slowly, while foreclosures are still increasing, along with poverty rates and oil prices. However, one group of Americans is doing very well — corporate CEOs, whose pay is returning to pre-recession levels:
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:56 am
Jerry,
Not only is your blog a fk’d up mess but most of your registered guests are derelict idiots.
What happened to RMR did his welfare checks run out?
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:58 am
KK, the pot calling the kettle again?
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:08 am
KK, the war in Libya 550 mil so far!
Way to go Brownie!!
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:34 am
KK doesn’t want to talk about the war in Libya but if GW was pres he would be on the white house lawn throwing a temper tantrum, wouldn’t you KK?
You hypocritical moron…
550 mil down the drain, way to go Brownie!
800 mil jog stimulus down the drain, way to go Brownie!
2012, right KK ?
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:43 am
Mistabr0wn Says:
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:54 am
KK, you said the recession was over 15 months ago, what happened?
——————————————
Jesus Christ, you’re dumb.
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:54 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:06 am
Priest,
The answer to your riddle is simple, collegiate success at QB has proven to not translate to the NFL. Literally, there is not one BCS championship winning QB that is worth a crap in the NFL, although the book isn’t closed yet on a few.
Here they are in order:
Tee Martin, Chris Weinke, Josh Hypl, Ken Dorsey, Craig Krenzel, Matt Mauck, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Chris Leak, Matt Flynn, Tim Tebow, Gregg McElroy and Cam Newton.
========================
Troy Smith too
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:11 am
Cam’s a freakish athlete but at Auburn he played an extremely pared down system predominantly with one read and throw. Reminds me of Jamarcus when theirs a clearly open receiver on the field he simply doesn’t see and throws it to the 1st read covered or not.
Can Cam read defenses? No.
Will he put in the time required or will he Leinart out?
No one knows but by his attitude it leans toward gthe latter.
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:20 am
Who knows, It depends on what Organization/coaching staff he get’s hooked up with.
But, he’s very raw, and he won’t be able to manhandle NFL Front 7’s like he did in college.
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:38 am
So Newton was manhandling O-lines huh? WOW he played LT, RT, Guard and Center?
He is fresh!
_____
KoolKell Says:
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:20 am
But, he’s very raw, and he won’t be able to manhandle NFL Front 7’s like he did in college.
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:51 am
You fools should just shut up.
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:14 am
Jezus Christ BrownStains, you’re dumb.
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:16 am
Troy Smith too
***********************
I only listed BCS championship game winners.
Smith got housed by Chris Leak and Florida.
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:23 am
The US unemployment rate fell to a new two-year low in March of 8.8%, from 8.9% in February.
It was the fourth monthly fall in a row. The unemployment rate has fallen by a percentage point during the last four months.
Employers created 216,000 jobs in March, the US Department of Labor said, higher than market expectations.
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:32 am
It was 6% when GW left office. Purple lips spent 800 mil on a failed “job stimulus” he confiscated from the Amer tax payers and unemployment went up the next 2 years, keep carrying that water.
Idiot
____
KoolKell Says:
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:23 am
The US unemployment rate fell to a new two-year low in March of 8.8%, from 8.9% in February.
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:34 am
Cam Newton reminds me more of Ryan Leaf than Jamarcus Russell. He seems like an arrogant jerk.
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:37 am
KK, why dont you stick to things you know such as the barbershop, sponging off your wife, stalking football players @ Safeway, and carrying water for a failure.
Just a suggestion old man…
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:51 am
MistabrOwn, why don’t you stick to things you know like burying your head in Rush Limbaugh’s anus.
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:22 am
Transocean increases safety bonus pay for executives.
NEW YORK, April 2 (UPI) — The company that lost nine employees in the Gulf of Mexico oil rig explosion, increased bonus pay based on safety for 2010, a regulatory filing said.
Nine of the 11 workers killed at the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform in an explosion that also triggered a massive oil spill last year worked for Transocean, where 25 percent of executive bonus pay is based on achieving goals for safety, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
In its filing on executive compensation, Transocean said, “Notwithstanding the tragic loss of life in the Gulf of Mexico, we achieved an exemplary statistical safety record.”
The firm said, “We recorded the best year in safety performance in our company’s history,” in 2010
The filing said executives would receive two-thirds of the bonus pay that is based on safety performance, the Journal said.
Newspapers around the country declared the bonus pay “preposterous” or “an absurdity.”
Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2011/04/02/Transocean-increases-safety-bonus-pay/UPI-49731301754802/#ixzz1IOKENBJq
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:29 am
Was up MR Pain the III?
Scotty?
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:35 am
I think the DHB era is over.
2 garbage time TD’s in two years, and two drops, zero catches and a lost fumble in his last game in KC.
He touched the ball three times……two drops and a lost fumble, lol.
Since he is such a good blocker, maybe we can hook him up with Romo and he can add 30 pounds and be a TE like that guy we had a few years ago.
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:41 am
Ideally, it would be Chaz and Ford as the starters, with Ford the deep threat (an actual deep threat, not like DHB the supreme clear out decoy) and Chaz the chain-mover.
Murphy as the #3 in the slot, and DHB in on 3rd and longs to block for the draws and screens.
April 2nd, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Hue Jackson says Jacoby Ford can be a star Raiders coach Hue Jackson told FOX Sports’ Adam Caplan that he believes Jacoby Ford “can be as good as any receiver in the league.”
Caplan says Ford’s play down the stretch “reminded me of Steve Smith of the Panthers.” Ford wasn’t playing consistent snaps until Week 7, but made the most of them with seven all-purpose TDs, two 100-yard games, and an 18.8 yards per catch average the rest of the way. The Raiders would be smart to start Ford opposite Louis Murphy in 2011, relegating Darrius Heyward-Bey to the bench.- Fox sports
April 2nd, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Señor Fresco Kell, ¿Por qué es usted una persona enojada? La vida es corta. No hay necesidad de ello.
April 2nd, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Señor Fresco Kell, Ser feliz. Los Raiders de Oakland será victorius en la Super Bowl. Entrenador Davis recibirá el Lombardi.
April 2nd, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Though Nawrocki won’t disclose his sources, he claims that he obtained information from more than General Managers and scouts. “[I] talked to a lot of people in the Auburn program and a lot of people throughout Cam’s career,” Nawrocki said. “Talking to NFL sources, just tracking down his background.
“I’d rather not go into any specific sources, but anybody that questions what was written can go back and do the homework. Close the door and talk to people. But it all comes down to trust — trusting relationships. And I think you’ll find the view of people that know the kid and have been around him, they’ll tell you that everything in that report is very accurate.”
****************************
Guarantee that this Nawrocki, has spoken to more people about Cam Newton than Warren Moon has.
Will be interesting to see how it unfolds. Will Moon bail on Cam at the first sign of trouble like Deon did with Dez Bryant? Or will there be no trouble, and Nawrocki will be shown to completly wiff on Cam.
Time will tell.
April 2nd, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Go Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Cam newton and Gabbert played in the same system same level with major difference inn production. Gabbert enjoyed an excellent offense with very little pressure on the passer with wide open rec’s. He was sacked maybe 10 times all year long he rarely ever saw an pressure. He was allowed to stand there and throw to wide open rec’s yet he only threw 16 TD’s and had (9) picks. Yet he is looked upon as the better prospect by the GM’s. Gabbert reminds me of Tim Couch and Alex Smith. I remember studying Smith and thinking why is this guy so highly rated over say Aaron Rodgers and Jason Campbell. When both of them played in much tougher conferences and had as good or better results. Alex Smith was looked upon as extremely gifted and brilliant. What hurt Rodgers is his predecessors at Cal had failed and it scared off the GM’s but Campbell was every bit the player Smith was even better. But GM’s fell inn love with Smiths smarts.
An objective observer could see that if you simply went on the game situation and film that Smith was 3rd amongst the 3 but for some reason (use your imagination) white QB’s are given extra credit for just being WHITE. because there was NOTHING on film that said Smith was better than Campbell NOTHING in fact it was Campbell who should’ve been drafted 1st based on the film. Rodgers IMO was exciting to watch play it was just that stigma on Call QB’s that stuck in your head. Other than that I might have drafted Rodgers in the top 5 and Campbell in the top 10 and Smith in the 2nd rnd………..period
I feel the same is true with Gabbert he is no where near a top 5 pick IMO. Neither is Cam Newton Cam is a late 1st rndr IMHO. I would take either Ryan Mallett or Christian Ponder before I would take Gabbert. Jake Locker is a 3rd or 4th rndr IMO I would take Colin Keapernick 5th overall of the QB’s. Starting with Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder, maybe Blaine Gabbert 4th then Keapernick, followed the kid from TCU Dalton. I wouldn’t touch Newton higher than 20th overall everyone else later.
Truth be told I like Dalton better than Gabbert I think Gabbert is all hype…………period
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:24 pm
The thing with Gabbert that the GM’s love, is that he has been receiving the type of football guru teaching that Cam just started getting this offseason, since he was 15 years old.
The Gabbert family has been paying some well-regarded football “guru” type guy who has coached all kinds of pro’s to teach Blaine since he was sophmore in college.
So in the workouts, the guy is as polished as it comes. Footwork is flawless, throwing motion is perfect, and he speaks the QB “language”.
I would always look at tape first, but we all know many NFL teams weigh the private workouts just as much as a collegiate career.
Gabbert will go no later than #4 overall to AZ, and you can book that.
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:29 pm
KoolKell Says:
April 1st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
In 2010, CEO Pay Went Up 27% While Worker Pay Went Up 2%
Households across the country are still feeling the effects of the Great Recession, with unemployment falling very slowly, while foreclosures are still increasing, along with poverty rates and oil prices. However, one group of Americans is doing very well — corporate CEOs, whose pay is returning to pre-recession levels:
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Señor Fresco Kell, ¿Qué tiene eso que ver con el fútbol Raider y Entrenador Davis?
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Ha ha
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Wow, that was interesting, Just Fire Baby. You should see if any sports magazines are hiring writers that basically just search google and plagiarize.
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:40 pm
KoolKell Says:
April 1st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
In 2010, CEO Pay Went Up 27% While Worker Pay Went Up 2%
Households across the country are still feeling the effects of the Great Recession, with unemployment falling very slowly, while foreclosures are still increasing, along with poverty rates and oil prices. However, one group of Americans is doing very well — corporate CEOs, whose pay is returning to pre-recession levels:
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
Señor Fresco Kell, Usted debe estar contento. La temporada de Oakland Raider estará disponible muy pronto.
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:13 pm
184.KoolKell Says:
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:23 am
The US unemployment rate fell to a new two-year low in March of 8.8%, from 8.9% in February.
It was the fourth monthly fall in a row. The unemployment rate has fallen by a percentage point during the last four months.
Employers created 216,000 jobs in March, the US Department of Labor said, higher than market expectations.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Señor Fresco Kell, El tema es el fútbol Raider, por favor!
April 3rd, 2011 at 3:09 am
Jer, how’d you miss this? Raiders host a private workout for Div II sack leader:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Av584G9dkH.8cVLgNLccdJFDubYF?slug=nfp-20110401_division_iis_alltime_sack_leader_schiechl_getting_noticed
April 3rd, 2011 at 3:10 am
7:12am EST… still problems around here?!
April 3rd, 2011 at 6:27 am
I haven’t bought or even glanced through a magazine in about ten years, other than taking a peek at the top shelf at a gas bar, but if I ever have the chance to piss on one, it’ll be GQ.
Found this at CBS, Raider team report:
QUOTE TO NOTE
“The silver and black have attracted an unholy fan base of hell-raiders, gangbangers and inveterate knife-lickers, all of whom firmly believe that skipping town for an away game is well worth the parole violation.” — GQ Magazine in naming the Raiders the fourth-worst fan base in the country.
April 3rd, 2011 at 6:44 am
Gust372 Says:
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Wow, that was interesting, Just Fire Baby. You should see if any sports magazines are hiring writers that basically just search google and plagiarize.
**********************************
WTF are you talking about????
April 3rd, 2011 at 7:00 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
April 3rd, 2011 at 6:44 am
Gust372 Says:
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Wow, that was interesting, Just Fire Baby. You should see if any sports magazines are hiring writers that basically just search google and plagiarize.
**********************************
WTF are you talking about????
==================
No doubt Gust.
JFB, its considered very bad form to copy and paste large parts or ENTIRE articles.
Now ya know…
April 3rd, 2011 at 7:47 am
this stale post is still up here? must be no news no where. com’on jer give us some fresh meat instead of suckin’ on dry bones
April 3rd, 2011 at 8:19 am
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Come on Jerry give us something, Run a story how Rolando McClain is going to crash wrestlemania and start body slamming everybody in sight.
I’m in Raider withdrawl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 3rd, 2011 at 9:19 am
LOL….
I wrote that post, while on the can.
Never copied or pasted one word of it.
I read about Blaine’s parents paying for this QB guru in The Sporting News, and just relayed the thought of it in response to Priests comments on him.
Sorry that some quality commenting and flawless grammar wowed you two clowns.
April 3rd, 2011 at 9:56 am
The Gabbert family has been paying some well-regarded football “guru” type guy
******************************
I mean seriously, if you think that is sports writer material that I plagerized, you are about as sharp as a butterknife.
April 3rd, 2011 at 11:52 am
Priest,
I like you’re analysis of Gabbert. Honestly, I never really watched the guy that much in college. Looking at highlights, he reminds me a lot of Josh Freeman. Similar size and stature and a quick release. Both are Missouri kids that initially committed to Nebraska and ended up staying close to home. Both had marginal production in college. I think Gabbert has a lot of questions to answer about his play on the field, along with at least one incident off it according to PFT. He also comes off to me as manufactured, no doubt due to the coaching he’s recieved on dealing with the press provided by daddy. But with the right coaching staff, I think, just like Freeman, he should turn out to be a better pro than collegian. What I like about Gabbert, Newton and Mallett is that they were all five-star recruits out of high school according to Rivals. And none of them busted in college. They all have the requisite skills to make it. Locker was a four-star, so you know he has the skills. But the guy was basically a bust at Washington. This may be a weak class of QBs, but I’m more interested in seeing how this group turns out than any of the classes in recent memory.
April 3rd, 2011 at 11:57 am
JFB,
Is that the reason I always think you’re posts are pretty solid, albeit drenched with tired cliches?? I know you flat out make up stuff from time to time, but c’mon man. Just post a link every now and then to make your point. Same impact withougt destroying your credibility. Just a suggestion. LOL!
April 3rd, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Well we’ll see if he can win games in the NFL because he was average in college. Technigue aside you have to win games…………period
Where he goes in the draft doesn’t mean a hill of beans it’s what he does after the draft.
April 3rd, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Murph arrested ..drugs
April 3rd, 2011 at 12:44 pm
213.Just Fire Baby Says:
April 3rd, 2011 at 9:19 am
LOL….
I wrote that post, while on the can.
Never copied or pasted one word of it.
I read about Blaine’s parents paying for this QB guru in The Sporting News, and just relayed the thought of it in response to Priests comments on him.
Sorry that some quality commenting and flawless grammar wowed you two clowns.
==================
La,e attempt at deflection. Maybe THIS one you wrote but you have been plagirazing ALOT of posts THTS what everones talking about clown.
April 3rd, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Not much point in writing for a busted a-zz blog is there?
April 3rd, 2011 at 1:12 pm
post212, who friggin cares if Vegas or Dakota cut and paste, or Mrs or Kookell,its friggin boring in here! Its not OUR JOB for coming up with NEW ideas,its Jerrys,and then react w/opinions of our own! At least jfb is posting with his thoughts and maybe others,again, WHO CARES! Raiders!!!
April 3rd, 2011 at 1:31 pm
More I think about it, wish JFB could post as Jerry,then we would have a topic for conversation!! At the moment,nothing from Jerry,isnt the NFL Draft comin up? HELLO
April 3rd, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Raiders wide receiver Louis Murphy was arrested in Florida and charged with drug possession without a prescription, disobeying a police officer and resisting arrest without violence.
The drug Murphy allegedly was in possession of was Viagra. The bottle had no label and Murphy could not provide the prescription for it to the police.
This marks the third arrest for the Raiders this offseason, following the DUI arrest of Michael Bush and Mario Henderson’s arrest for carrying a concealed firearm.
All the charges against Murphy are misdemeanors and likely carry nothing more than a hefty fine. Viagra seems like an odd thing for the 23-year-old Murphy to use. Why he would resist arrest for a simple traffic citation?
April 3rd, 2011 at 1:52 pm
So, how many articles has Just Fire Baby lifted today and tried to pass off in here as his own opinion? I’m guessing at least 10. That’s usually his average before 2pm.
October 6th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Movie Gadgets…
[...]Groves stays true to his school – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…
October 25th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Databáze firem…
[...]Groves stays true to his school – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…