Seymour’s play must equal ability to lead
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, May 28th, 2011 at 12:45 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Richard Seymour was by all accounts the dominant figure during the passing camp he helped organize this week.
He urged his teammates with an e-mail talking about all the hard work it would take for the Raiders to be winners this year. In lieu of a coach, Seymour spoke to the team as the authoritative figure in the absence of Hue Jackson or the coaching staff. His camp, with help from Competitive Edge Sports in the Atlanta area, appeared to match or exceed anything done by any other team during the lockout.
Seymour has been the big man in the Raiders’ locker room since he arrived by trade from the New England Patriots. Coaches respect him, young players look up to him. He has a championship pedigree and an aura to match.
When it comes to presence and professionalism off the field, the Raiders could hardly ask for more.
On the field, however the Raiders will need more than they’ve gotten in the 29 games Seymour has been a Raider.
Given his age (he’ll be 32 in October) and the amount of tread on the tires from 11 seasons as a defensive lineman, the Raiders wisely committed to only two years on Seymour’s contract extension. The fact that he accepted it demonstrates Seymour understands he’s nearing the end of the line.
What the Raiders need is what they got from Rod Woodson _ at least one last glorious season or two before heading off into retirement and then a possible induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The voting for the HOF is always trick but Seymour’s three Super Bowl rings, six Pro Bowls and reputation could serve him well. Finishing by helping lead the Raiders back into the post season would add to his legacy.
The question is whether Seymour is up to it. There have been times when Seymour has given the Raiders their most dominant defensive line play since the prime of Howie Long, a player similar in terms of strength and versatility.
But there have also been stretches where Seymour has blended in with a defense that has had way too many games of mediocrity or worse.
The season-opener in 2009 against San Diego was Seymour at his best, blowing up offensive linemen and blocking schemes, registering two sacks and being a factor on almost every play. Later in the season, it was the same thing in a win over Philadelphia. He had two sacks against Donovan McNabb that day _ and those four sacks represented his entire season total.
Sacks are only a part of his game, but the Raiders were weak against the run all season despite the ripple effect Seymour’s presence should bring.
Last season, moved inside to the three technique, Seymour had the best stretch of play by a defensive lineman since the Raiders returned to Oakland in 1995, particularly during a three-game win streak that put Oakland at 5-4 going into its bye week. At the time I wrote Seymour was a legitimate defensive player of the year candidate.
And then . . .
As much as I enjoyed Seymour’s decking of Ben Roethlisberger from the perspective of a father of a teenaged daughter, it happened at a time when the Raiders were getting pushed around in a 35-3 loss to the Steelers. In his last five games, Seymour never had more than three tackles in a game and exactly one sack. He missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
When players voted for the winner of the Eric Turner award as the defensive MVP, the winner wasn’t Seymour, but fellow defensive tackle Tommy Kelly.
Much of Kelly’s success can probably be attributed to the man he calls “Big Rich.” Seymour helped prod Kelly into getting in better shape and by example demonstrated what it was like to be a pro. It would be hard to overstate his effect on young linemen such as Matt Shaughnessy and Lamarr Houston.
But make no mistake, the Raiders didn’t extend Seymour two years and $28.5 million in guaranteed money to be a coach on the field. They need those last two years to be Seymour at his dominant best as often as possible as they attempt to eliminate the periods of defensive inconsistency which have plagued them since 2003.
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May 28th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
First. And, probably last.
May 28th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Big Sey, #92, is the real deal and was every bit worth the #1 pick we gave in exchange for his services. While I don’t agree with doing things that get you ejected, I will forever remember that single stroke shot to Rothlisberger’s facemask sending him flying onto his large arse. Big Sey sent a message of respect us or pay the price. He was telling his felow D-linemen that they don’t take schit from anybody any longer. They can now run with the big dogs and Big Sey will lead them to victory. Every one of our D-linemen has benefited from #92’s presence. They have all become better players and will continue to improve under his tutelage. IMO, that was one of the best trades AD has ever made. 2011 will prove to be one of Seymour’s finest seasons. I can’t wait. Let’s all agree to this contract and get back to football.
May 28th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Raider fans never give a player props without somehow giving the organization props for landing him. As if the organization deserves just as much credit. As if Al Davis is down there making the tackles. We have to be the only fans in the league that do this. It’s silly.
May 28th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Wassup Aig?
Saw you comment bout how you asian geeks are doing well in this economy?
As I recall, you proudly stated you don’t work. You are a stay at home dad, while your wife works.
Hence you commenting about “taking off to gym” now, while most are working.
I don’t think you represent the typical hard working asian, do you?
Dropping off kids at school, and picking them up is hardly taxing.
May 28th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
“let’s all agree to this contract and get back to football”. lol. Something tells me you’d be perfectly fine with the players caving in to the owners’ terms, too.
May 28th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
At least he got married and is a stay at home dad, Hobs. You’re still a stay at home son.
May 28th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
JB I couldn’t agree more King Richard has been more than anything the Raiders could’ve imagined. I think he played the second half of the season injured. But he gave it all he had but at a certain point you’re hurting the team playing hurt. He gave way to Des bryant and Bryant flourished into a very solid DT. Bryant tends to remind of a young Seymour at 6′6 290 he ws very active. Seymour has said he was born to be a Raider and he’s putting in work demonstrating that.
It’s a shame we can’t look forward to a season without this lockout because I think we have a chance to pretty good.
May 28th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Great article, Richard Seymour is an important part of the Raiders. Remember he takes two guys to cover, which is part of why our front line is getting all those sacks. He is giving up his own numbers in order to get the new guys in position to cash in on chumps like Cassel and Rivers. Love to see them both eating turf!
Stopping the run is another question that needs answering though…
My thoughts on the legacy of the Raiders quarterback:
http://theoaklandraiders.wordpress.com/
May 28th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
post #2 post #7 ,right on the money they had some swagger at times last year .rich also sent the message that if you are ahead 35-3 you still will get your a$$ kicked (vintage raiders style)if we couldve been in the playoffs last year i think thats when we would have peaked ,but thats just going off the way they pushed the chiefs around on the last game compared to the first one.i know the chiefs werent concerned with the final record,but to get your butt handed to you in the manner that they did had to make them question their abilities rep the afc west
May 28th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Hobs Gnarly Says:
May 28th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Wassup Aig?
Saw you comment bout how you asian geeks are doing well in this economy?
As I recall, you proudly stated you don’t work. You are a stay at home dad, while your wife works.
Hence you commenting about “taking off to gym” now, while most are working.
I don’t think you represent the typical hard working asian, do you?
Dropping off kids at school, and picking them up is hardly taxing.
——————–
Hobs,
Howdy and thanks for asking. Here it goes.
1. I was fortunate enough to make and save money from the boom of dot com and mortgage to work an easier schedule now.
2. I work from home here in Memphis supporting mortgage brokers in California. In our industry, we do everything over the phone and internet so they dont even know I am out of state. I’ve done business calls while in the Bahamas a few times as well. That’s a perk in our industry. I dont remember ever claiming that I dont work. My wife is in med school and almost done. Who do you think is paying the bills while she is in school and we got a 3 yr old?
4. Asian geeks who hugs their computers as a group I think are doing better than most in the Silicon Valley. They make up a big chunk of the hitech work force (engineers) in the Silicon Valley. So trying to poke fun and stereotype us as a group of Asian Computer Geeks is actually a compliment imo. I think there are a lot of people that wished they hugged their computers more so that their skillsets are more employable in the Valley.
5. There aint crap to do here in Memphis so I’ve taken up weight lifting as a way to let out my energy and get out of the house. That is why you find me annoucing “off to the gym” when the wife comes home.
Hope I answered your questions.
May 28th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Hobs,
You’re confusing me with Ricochet or whatever other name he goes by on here. He’s the one that claimed I dont work and live off my wife when I shared on this blog that I work from home and take care of my son while my wife is in school.
May 28th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
BTW, JFB have seen my work email. He can vouch for what I do for a living. I’ll be seeing him in late August when we start moving back.
May 28th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
It doesn’t matter what Seymour does, if we can’t stop the run.
When are we going to be able to stop the run?
May 28th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Jerry, you keep calling Lamarr Houston, Lemarr.. Lamarr. Two ‘a’s
May 28th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Kirk in your opinion what do we need to stop the run, what are we missing?
May 28th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
I remember an old joke that goes something like this:
“What do you call a hundred lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? … A good start.”
My point is that to end this lockout and have football resume the judges and lawyers need to be sent to the sidelines. They are the scum of the earth and are only concerned with billable hours.
May 28th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
My mistake Aig.
Was quite a while ago, and I don’t stop by all that often. I remember thinking it was a sweet gig, and wouldn’t mind the opportunity to spend quality time with the kids before they grow up.
May 28th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
RAIDER Says:
May 28th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
At least he got married and is a stay at home dad, Hobs. You’re still a stay at home son.
============
Weak. Even for you, weak.
Don’t get all huffy, MR.
You live with your mom.
You admit you live with your mom.
You don’t work. Then you try to run the “I work at nights, and on weekends” except you are here all day, all night, during week, on weekends.
No girl.
No friends.
No life.
Just this blog site.
Nothing else.
In other words, you have zero life.
At least I just made your day, MR.
You got a reply.
The only thing in life you look forward to.
May 28th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Hobs,
I make a quarter of what I used to make but I dont think I’d trade anything for time with my son and wife. It allowed me to snap out of the golf addiction/rat race I was stuck in as well. We’re back in the Bay next May and the rat race starts all over again.
May 28th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Lamarr Houston will be the2nd coming of Richard Seymour very soon- guaranteed!!
May 28th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Aig, are you hiring?
May 28th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Anyone know if single game tickets are being sold yet? I’m hoping to go to the game Oct. 2nd. (if it happens)
May 28th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Theoaklandraiders, I don’t know what we can do to stop the run. A lot of posters here believe that if we ran more zone defense, that would help. It is hard to stop the run, when you are running away from line of scrimmage with your back turned.
May 28th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
Take a look at this article – makes me appreciate that Mr. Davis is the owner/general partner of the Silver & Black:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&page=wojciechowski/110527&sportCat=nfl
May 28th, 2011 at 7:41 pm
3.RAIDER Says:
May 28th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Raider fans never give a player props without somehow giving the organization props for landing him. As if the organization deserves just as much credit. As if Al Davis is down there making the tackles. We have to be the only fans in the league that do this. It’s silly.
———————–
RMR you’re the biggest jackazz in history.
May 28th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
23. The way Oaklands D plays man alot means every player has to be on point. Big runs are an inevitablity but if the O can put up enuff points the other team will have to abandon their run game evetually.
May 28th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Fukc the lockout, screw the greedy owners (cept Coach Davis) and the greedy nflpa and all the lawyers that go with it. And the nfl and all the conspirators.
The ones who will suffer will be the companies and emplyees who supply game day items from food to beer, the individual workers who walk the aisles or the parking lot attendees, cab drivers, ticket and staff reps for nfl teams, grounds crew people, hotel workers who clean rooms from teams and fans that travel, street musicians and hookers, local eateries and pubs, and the list can go on and on. The economic fall out of a lock-out will devestate our already fragile economy. Flat out all around shame. All in the name of greed.
May 28th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
r8eray Says:
May 28th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Aig, are you hiring?
——————–
Sorry bro. Not at the moment. Mortgage is a very bad industry to get in right now. Very bad with the lawyers making all the new rules and reforms that dont even make any sense. We almost launched a new lending company but backed out due to new regulations that no one has any clue on. We’ll try again next May. You need work?
May 28th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Nnamdi21 Says:
May 28th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
23. The way Oaklands D plays man alot means every player has to be on point. Big runs are an inevitablity but if the O can put up enuff points the other team will have to abandon their run game evetually.
————-
sad but true. Hopefully a more experienced Romac can reduce this issue.
May 28th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Does everyone remember the season opener against SD? Seymour’s play was completely overshadowed by the terrible call that took a td away from Louis Murphy. What pissed me off about that so much was the patriots game just before ours their TE caught a td in the exact same manner as Murphy but it held up. Anyways it cost us the game vs. SD. Btw Seymour deserves hof if for nothing else putting big Jen down. I still picture that douche bag rolling around on the ground in the fetal position.
May 29th, 2011 at 2:38 am
Shuffling rearranging the cards by sliding them over each other quickly:
Its happening to the NFL right now with this lock-out and the Raiders must be licking their lips at this as it seems like a happy ship and most of the players are on board. the staff are working together even more so before…….many other NFL teams staff members will be returning discontented and un-happy and with bad feelings maybe and team moral will be low i think it could all play into our hands its time to strike back
ALL ABOARD !!!!GO RAIDERS!!
May 29th, 2011 at 7:49 am
I said it during the season and i will say it again i think the light went on for Tommy Kelly i have always liked the guy Kelly will just keep getting better due to Big Rich showing him how much talent Kelly has and how to use it and be a pro
May 29th, 2011 at 7:53 am
Seymour will play well, but obviously he can no longer dominate entire games, look for Tommy Kelly to have a career season in 2011.
But it will be up to 2nd and 3rd year players Lamarr Houston, Matt Shaughnessy and Desmond Bryant to take the next step so we don’t have to rely on Seymour and Kelly so much.
By the way, found a nice read from espn on the future of Lamarr Houston.
“Soon to be stars: Lamarr Houston.
May, 25, 2011
By Matt WilliamsonScouts from Scouts Inc.’s
I discussed Lamarr Houston quite a bit in my recent Scouts Eye column profiling all the defensive lines in the AFC West. But he still had to be the choice for me.
Houston will be one of the best defensive linemen in the league. I firmly believe that.
The Oakland Raiders are deep up front, and he can be brought along somewhat slowly. Houston has an immense talent level and showed very good production as a rookie.
Houston proved to be a great run defender with an excellent combination of power and quickness.
He plays low, is quick to shed and will get better and better with this as he enhances his hand placement when taking on a block. And who better than Richard Seymour to teach Houston such a skill?
Houston also is raw as a pass-rusher and should benefit a great deal from watching and studying Seymour in this department as well.
Houston just explodes off the football, and I have a hard time coming up with a defensive tackle in the league who is a better athlete than Houston.
Houston was a little up and down during his rookie season, which was to be expected. But he will only be 24 years old when the season starts.
As he becomes more comfortable in the NFL and enhances his fundamental skills, I expect those inconsistencies to quickly disappear.
Then? Look out.”
May 29th, 2011 at 7:55 am
I’ll say it again I like what Mr. Davis is doing and big Rich and my man JC. You know good things are happening when big Rich and JC are pulling it together.
May 29th, 2011 at 9:59 am
#31
you’ve got a point there. what i like about this offseason is that al davis is known league wide as a people’s coach. i bet the farm that there isn’t a single raider on the roster including coaches and rookies that is hurting right now. al davis doesn’t care about the league lockout i’m sure he made arrangements with all the players before and during. while other teams have players and staff scrambling to make ends meet i think the raiders are one of the few teams to come out of this with a level head and focused roster.
May 29th, 2011 at 10:06 am
Good things are happening, meaning, the Raiders will be good this year, because Richard Seymour and Jason Campbell are working out? Isn’t that kind of what they’re supposed to do anyway?
May 29th, 2011 at 10:07 am
irjonny Says:
May 29th, 2011 at 9:59 am
al davis is known league wide as a people’s coach.
……………
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 29th, 2011 at 10:09 am
The question is, will Al Davis keep our potentially good front 7 in tact? How much of it is more due to Cable? He seems more the meat and potatoes coach who believes games are won in the trenches. Al has NEVER believed in that. He’s always prioritized speed around the perimeter over the lines. Always, his whole life. You expect me to believe he changed his views overnight?
May 29th, 2011 at 10:15 am
Big Rich will have a all-star calibre season ( I hate the term probowl as popularity usually overrules great play as a deciding factor) In large part to the supporting cast( Waufle included). This line will put it all together this year and be the dominating force it showed it can be.
May 29th, 2011 at 10:16 am
In other news, I hope somebody signs Tiki and he gets Tatum-ed in preseason.
May 29th, 2011 at 10:23 am
RAIDER
you make a good point. that’s the flip side of this lockout…we have no idea what davis’ priorities are for 2011 personnel yet.
however nobody can say that al davis is anything but a people’s….oops i meant owner. just woke up lol.
my point is that al davis is taking care of his employees financially regardless of rules of the lockout. that helps keep the team united while other teams are building disdain for the owners davis is gaining favor imo. he has never agreed with the way the NFL handles things and i’m sure he is doing his own thing with his business and employees.
and nobody here thinks the raiders will be better because they are working out…we think they will be better because they are hanging out, building chemistry and camaraderie without anyone making it mandatory…that’s all, but of course it has to translate to the field. it’s ok to be skeptical but if training camp is on in july i think the raiders are way ahead as far as language, team building and fitness.
May 29th, 2011 at 10:26 am
in other words, the raiders will be a step ahead of the average team not because of what they are doing, but because of what other teams are NOT doing. that’s the silver lining…pun intended.
May 29th, 2011 at 10:29 am
Irjonny, Al Davis is one of the most hated people in all of sports, and it’s well deserved. Some of the greatest Raider players in history won’t have anything to do with Al, so don’t tell me he’s all about his players, either.
May 29th, 2011 at 10:33 am
The reason the owners want a rookie cap is because of Al Davis’s situation with Russell. Al Davis is part of the reason the owners are doing what they’re doing. And I think everyone knows where Al Davis stands on the rookie cap. It’s like asking a rape victim where she stands on rape laws.
I’m sorry, Irjonny. I know you love Al and want to see the Raiders win, HIS way, but you’re incredibly delusional. You’re reaching. You’re not reading between the lines.
May 29th, 2011 at 10:52 am
RAIDER
if the raiders had the the 17th pick in the 2007 draft someone else would’ve picked russell and made the same mistake. it’s not al’s fault, it’s russel’s. i don’t agree with everything al does but i do know the league will not let al have anything to say about the labor situation because he would side with the players like he did when upshaw was president of NFLPA.
Also if you think money matters to davis you are the delusional one my friend. all davis cares about is winning. he hates russell for not playing, he doesn’t give two poops about the money lost to him.
May 29th, 2011 at 10:53 am
http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2011/5/28/2187244/video-oakland-raiders-top-10-plays-of-2010
something to watch. kinda cool
May 29th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Nobody else would have picked Russell with the number one overall pick. It’s likely nobody else would have even picked Russell in the first round. So, it is Al’s fault. To take such a risk with the number one overall pick is buffoonery at best.
May 29th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
[...] Seymour’s play must equal ability to lead Richard Seymour was by all accounts the dominant figure during the passing camp he helped organize this week. [...]
May 29th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Mr Raider hater 31 other teams too choose from cok sucker.
May 29th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
RAIDER
you must be really bored to try and start an argument this ridiculous. you can’t really believe the things you say. russell was coveted by every team and even mike mayock said he was one of the most gifted prospects to come out in years. he would have gone no.1 to the lions or no.2 at latest.
either way it’s over, al cut his losses and learned his lesson and that’s the important part. no more questionable character on the team. i find it a little silly to be so negative towards a team you are a so called fan of especially when we are finally out of the NFL’s dog house and on our way to positive records.
May 29th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
i see vernon gholston, santana moss and jared gaither as our 3 primary free agent targets if and when we get free agency. thoughts?
May 29th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Of course….
If you don’t believe the Raiders are going to win the Super Bowl this year because Jason Campbell and Richard Seymour are playing catch with each other on a high school field somewhere in Georgia, you’re not a real Raider fan.
May 29th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
what would you say if we did win the super bowl this year?
May 29th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
i see vernon gholston, santana moss and jared gaither as our 3 primary free agent targets if and when we get free agency. thoughts?
no to Santana moss but ill take Steve smith or even T.O. but moss has done nothing at his best the guys i listed both went to the superbowl
May 29th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Why are we talking about Russell? It’s very simple. He was the right pick at the time. He never gave it his all, and turned out to be the worst pick ever. At least by the Raiders. Many other teams have had horrible turn outs on players they picked with high hopes. But like I said, he was the right pick at the time. We needed a QB, he was the “most talented” QB ever to come out of college, his potential was through the roof, and all he needed was some footwork. At the time, any team in our situation with our pick would have made that choice.
If you want to bring in the money factor, that is not the Raiders fault, that is the league’s fault for not having a rookie salary cap and handing out millions to 20 year olds. Some will know how to act with it, others will get a diamond crusted figurine of themselves with the saying “chosen one” on it. You can’t really tell for sure who is who. All you can do is roll the dice and hope for the best. Sometimes you flip the nuts on the river, sometimes you draw dead. What you do next is you learn from your mistake and move on to the next hand.
May 29th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Russell was coveted by every team? Ha! He was coveted by no one! Look how low in the draft Brady Quinn wound up going, and he was another QB the media overhyped. Russell was coveted by the media because he was a QB, one of two. Media’s always going to covet the QBs. If Al doesn’t draft Russell, it’s likely he goes to the second round. I’m not picking a petty argument by fact checking you on your exaggeration of Russell’s pre-draft status. He’s a QB made for Al Davis. Al is the only GM in the game that would have drafted Russell with the number one overall pick.
May 29th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Irjonny, if we win the Super Bowl this year, I will admit I was wrong, just as I admitted I was wrong on my 4 win prediction last year. My prediction percentage regarding everything Raiders is still around .900.
May 29th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Russell was not the right pick number one overall, ever, at any time. It was a huge gamble. And the Raiders were the worst team Russell could go to, because they’re the worst at developing QBs.
May 29th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
RAIDER Says:
May 29th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Nobody else would have picked Russell with the number one overall pick. It’s likely nobody else would have even picked Russell in the first round. So, it is Al’s fault. To take such a risk with the number one overall pick is buffoonery at best.
————————————————————————————————————–
Wrong dude. That Cleveland GM Savage was extremely high on Russell and knew Russell and his family since high school. He was gonna take him and admitted as such before the draft. It was on local news down here in the N.O. I think Cleveland was picking 3rd or 6th. Russell was not falling out of the top 10.
May 29th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
RAIDER
totally agree with you. just curious is all.
anyways. i think gholston is worth a try. see if he fits at OLB in a 4-3. who knows. he will be cheap though.
May 29th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
MR has hindsight that measures out at 20-20. Dont let this dude fool ya. A couple of years ago he was hyping his brand new Russell jersey. The dude is a flake. Hey MR, where is my 20 bones fool????
May 29th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
MR you are a funny dude. You are always playing devils advocate with everyone in here about the Raiders yet I remember during the season on this blog during that 3 game win streak, you were beginning sentences with “We” while the games were live. I guess you got caught up in the moment and the True Raider Fan in you came out. Because I kept saying to myself while you were doing it: “Where the hell MR going with the WE sh!t?”
May 29th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Cleveland was not going to take Russell. You didn’t see that on the news in Cleveland. You saw it on Sesame Street. If that were true, why didn’t they make a move for him? They wanted Russell, they settle for Brady Quinn? Stop it.
May 29th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
I call the Raiders “we” now, and we’re not exactly on top of the world.
May 29th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Oh, but Campbell did just hit Seymour on a 30 yard cross pattern, with no defense on the field, on the high school practice field. So maybe we are back! lol
May 29th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
irjonny Says:
May 29th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
RAIDER
totally agree with you. just curious is all.
anyways. i think gholston is worth a try. see if he fits at OLB in a 4-3. who knows. he will be cheap though.
this could work if he understands the scheme but i hate this santana moss talk
May 29th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Hey MR, wheres that Russell jersey?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
why do p-people want Santana moss he was OK at best with Campbell he even took steroids and wasn’t s_hit
May 29th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Hey MR, Did Russell start the 2010 season?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Hey MR, did you make any bets saying that Russell would be the unquestioned starter in 2010?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Hey MR, how long are you gonna ignore the fact that you lost?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Hey MR, tell me about the lockout.
May 29th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Hey MR,you were all over Russells jock 2 years ago and you know it. Just ask Richo.
May 29th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
NFL Analysis: Al Davis Continues to Lead Raiders Nowhere
Blog by TheXLog
(May 17, 2011) in Sports / Raiders
Al Davis is the NFL’s version of the Dos Equis guy, he’s easily the most interesting man in football. Instead of wanting you to stay thirsty, he just wants to win…baby. Davis’ image is as recognizable to professional football fans as the NFL shield itself. As the years have gone by though, his movie like appearance has changed from that of a wise guy with ties to Joe Pesci and Robert Deniro in “Casino”, to the brother of Smeagol in Lord of the Rings.
As Davis has aged, his appearance hasn’t been the only decline in his life. His beloved Raiders franchise has crumbled under the weight of his horrific decision making of the last decade. The once storied “Black Hole”, that opposing fans feared to enter in Oakland has seemed more like a vacation spot of sorts as of late. The nickname the “Black Hole” now better describes the part of his heart meant to hold the affection for his coaches. Davis goes through coaches these days like an evil crypt keeper goes through souls that have been damned to come into contact with him.
Davis helped lead the AFL and the Raiders into a prominent position back in the 1960′s. He kept them competitive and even dominant for a few decades as they merged into the NFL. By the time Jon Gruden came into the death clutch of Mr. Davis, the Raiders hadn’t been a factor for quite some time. Gruden still managed to overcome the handicap that had become of having Al as a boss and led Oakland to an AFC Championship game and an apparent Super Bowl berth, until the infamous “tuck rule” changed all of that. The next year, Davis thought the best way to reward Gruden for this and to keep his organization moving forward was to trade Gruden to Tampa Bay.
Bill Callahan, who was Gruden’s offensive coordinator replaced him in Oakland and led the Raiders to face off against Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers team in the very next Super Bowl. What looked to be a brilliant move at a first glance quickly became apparent to everyone to be a colossal mistake. The Bucs destroyed Oakland’s team, partly because Callahan was still running the same offense that Gruden helped install with the personnel that Gruden help develop.
Since Smeagol sold his treasure to Tampa Bay, he’s been searching all of middle-earth for his precious. For those of you that watched Lord of the Rings, you realize that I’m not talking about Gruden here, but instead the jewelry loving Davis. Al is looking for the ring that he holds so dear. His precious has made him callous. And when you factor that in with the diminishing mental aptitude he’s developed over the years, you can see how he’s run his franchise into the dirt. Even when he lucks out to hiring a good fit and having a great draft, he undermines it and sets the organization back, 5 more years.
When it comes to the draft, the golden rule is that a franchise quarterback trumps all else. Davis doesn’t give his head coaches the leeway to draft their own personnel. This was always known but brought more to the light when Lane Kiffin stated that he never wanted Jamarcus Russell. Since their Super Bowl appearance, the Raiders haven’t been over .500 once. When they finally made it back to 8-8 and 6-0 in their conference, Davis decided to not resign the coach that got them there.
The biggest problem here is how Davis forced his coaches to draft since the Super Bowl. Below you will find the coaches and their records the year after Davis dipped his hand into the talent pool to make the selections. I’ve also added some key notes on who the Raiders could have drafted instead in the coming picks. It’s important to note that the Raiders haven’t had a dynamic skill position player since the Super Bowl season. Instead of drafting a franchise quarterback, Davis has placed more value on the secondary, but then in large part has chosen not to resign them?
2003 – Bill Callahan (4-12)
1st Round #31- Nnamdi Asomugha – Great pick but they already had Rod Woodson, Charles Woodson, and Phillip Buchanon and didn’t have a franchise quarterback. I still wouldn’t complain about this pick, if the Raiders plan on resigning him this year.
1st Round #32 – Tyler Brayton – Osi Umenyiora was still on the board and went several picks later.
3rd Round #63 – Teyo Johnson – Jason Witten was still on the board and went a few picks later.
2004 – Norv Turner (5-11)
1st Round #2 – Robert Gallery – They obviously needed a franchise quarterback, not named Kerry Collins. Instead they drafted an offensive tackle that had to move inside to guard. Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger were both still available. They also could have drafted Larry Fitzgerald.
2nd Round #45 – Jake Grove – They drafted two interior offensive lineman and could have taken Darnell Dockett with this pick and a franchise QB with their first selection. Where do you think they would have been now?
2005 – Norv Turner (4-12)
1st Round #23 – Fabian Washington – So, the Kerry Collins/Rich Gannon project didn’t work the prior year. Norv Turner had to pass on Roethlisberger / Rivers in 2004, how the hell would an organization pass on Aaron Rodgers when he slid to them? Instead Davis selected a cornerback and the Packers took Rodgers with the next pick, then the following year, the Raiders didn’t resign Charles Woodson, and he ended up with the Packers. Fast forward five years and the Packers win a Super Bowl while the Raiders look to not resign Nnamdi Asomugha. Also, 2 picks after Oakland took Fabian Washington, the Washington Redskins drafted Jason Campbell, who ironically is now the Raiders starting quarterback and should be replaced.
2nd Round #38 – Stanford Routt – Oakland wasted the 2nd overall pick the prior year on a guy who can’t play offensive tackle. This year, Michael Roos was still on the board, but yet they still went for another cornerback. Also, Frank Gore went several picks later.
2006 – Art Shell (2-14)
1st Round #7 – Michael Huff – Oakland let go of Kerry Collins and brought in Aaron Brooks instead of drafting a franchise quarterback. They once again choose secondary over quarterback. They could have drafted Jay Cutler, or could have gotten that franchise running back in Deangelo Williams after passing on Frank Gore or after not drafting Darnell Dockett, they could have taken Haloti Ngata here.
Round #38 – Thomas Howard – This wasn’t a bad pick but they could have gotten a playmaker at running back or receiver with Greg Jennings or Maurice Jones-Drew. Marcus McNeil would have been a better left tackle than Gallery, who was drafted 2nd overall 2 years prior. The Raiders also liked Vince Young in this draft. (Hint Hint – Al Davis might go after him this year.)
2007 – Lane Kiffin (4-12)
1st Round #1 – Jamarcus Russell – Surprised that Art Shell didn’t work out 12 years later, after getting fired the first time. Davis hires a 31 year old coach and after passing on several Super Bowl winning quarterbacks the last few drafts, forces him to draft the biggest bust in NFL draft history. Kiffin probably would have selected Calvin Johnson here. He also could have taken Adrian Peterson, Joe Thomas, Patrick Willis, or Darrelle Revis. Basically, anybody except Russell.
2nd Round #38 – Zach Miller – Miller is a good tight end but they could have drafted Jason Witten a few years prior and taken Lamarr Woodley here.
2008 – Kiffin / Tom Cable (5-11)
1st Round #4 – Darren McFadden – After passing on Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, and Maurice Jones-Drew, they go after their running back. They could have gotten Chris Johnson later. McFadden can’t stay healthy. They could have taken Ryan Clady here.
2009 – Tom Cable (5-11)
1st Round #7 – Darius Heyward-Bey – C’mon on man! They could have taken Michael Crabtree. If they would have taken Calvin Johnson in 2007, they could have taken BJ Raji, Brian Orakpo, Brian Cushing, or Clay Matthews. They also could have taken Josh Freeman here but wouldn’t because Davis loved Russell.
Round 2 #47 – Mike Mitchell – Back to the secondary. This could have been Lesean McCoy or Paul Kruger.
2010 – Tom Cable (8-8)
1st Round #8 – Rolando McClain – After the heavy backlash on the 2009 draft, Cable got to make some input on this draft. He had a great draft and had a solid choice here.
2nd Round #44 – Lamarr Houston- Cable follows it up with another great pick here. It becomes apparent, who’s in charge of this draft.
2011 – Hue Jackson…..
Smeagol shows how completely insane the pursuit of the ring has made him. He fires the first coach that’s be able to get him back to .500 and was able to convince Davis of drafting talented football players instead of track stars. Since Cable was not resigned, Al Davis decided to name the new head coach, Hue Jackson. As soon as Cable was let go and Jackson hired, we all knew that the 2011 draft would have an Al Davis stench to it. That’s exactly what happened as Cable wasn’t in the room anymore to convince Davis to take talented players, he made Jackson draft more track stars. Fitting the mold of Davis secondary picks with track speed is Demarcus Van Dyke from Miami.
Well, welcome back to the Black Hole which is known as the AFC West basement, because that’s where Smeagol feels most comfortable in his pursuit of the ring.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/nfl-analysis-al-davis-continues-to-lead-raiders-nowhere
May 29th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
MR is a straight up sucka and I think im gonna tell him about it everytime I see a comment from him. Find a new blog b*tch cause Daddy is kickin you the fuk out.
May 29th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
We don’t need a steve smith or T.O. we have to give DHB his 3rd year like we did mcfadden. so i think moss would be able to come in and know the scheme with campbell. would be a good teacher and could come in when he needs to especially if DHB fails. if we sign a star WR like smith what do we do with murphy, DHB, ford, Shilens. moss would be insurance for DHB/Schilens and a sideline warrior which is what we need in 2011
May 29th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Mr can copy and paste everlasting comments. Originality is not his strongsuit. MR wanna cracker? You fukin parrot….
May 29th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Hey MR, tell us about when you went out and bought your Russell jersey?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Hey MR, tell us how great Gruden is….
May 29th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Hey MR, tell us great Kiffin is….
May 29th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Hey MR, you left already, that was easy….
May 29th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
The 13 Worst-Run Franchises in Sports
By
Antwan Fields
(Contributor) on May 28, 2011
When I think of Skeletor…I mean, Al Davis, I think of Botchamania icon Jim Cornette’a rant about the Hogan/Piper cage match. In that rant, Cornette finishes with what is quickly becoming my favorite wrestling line ever. “Memo to Hollywood Hogan: You may be a household word, but so is garbage. And it stinks when it gets old too.”
Al’s negotiating skills sure went south after he turned 99. Wait. He’s not 99? You’re kidding! It was Al’s decision to give a fat, bad QB with loads of arm strength and NO ACCURACY (except to the other team) a $68 million dollar contract with nearly $32 million of it guaranteed. This decision not only was the worst in Raider history, not only did it cripple the franchise for a long, long time, but indirectly, it led to the lockout going on currently in the NFL.
You see, when you pay $31 million for this stat line (52.1 completion percentage, 18-23 TD-INT ratio, 65.2 passer rating, and 15 lost fumbles), it tends to make the other owners a bit skittish.
Unlike the old days, players have agents now. And when those agents see Jamarcus Russell getting a $68 million dollar contract, and then playing like Rick Mirer, it doesn’t look good for your so-called bottom line. So you eventually spend too much money and end up selling the team.
Al also seems to not understand that wide receivers have to catch the ball…or score touchdowns. His 2009 seventh overall pick was Darrius Heyward-Bey. In two seasons, Heyward-Bey has 35 receptions and two touchdowns. Troy Williamson V2, he is. Comparatively, Michael Crabtree, taken in that same draft by the team across the bay, has 103 receptions and eight touchdowns. And he’s getting the ball from ALEX SMITH. (And Troy Smith, and whatever sad sack the Niners could dredge up)
In conclusion, I submit that Al Smith has officially become incompetent to stand trial for crimes against sports. But he should still be punished somehow.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/715602-the-13-worst-run-franchises-in-sports/page/13
May 29th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Bleacher report? Now you have reduced yourself to copy and pasting those clowns? Are you a member? Did you sign up for a subscription?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Irjonny, you think Louis Murphy is better than Steve Smith?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Hey MR, have you read that article? Did you write it?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Are you Antawn? Scott?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Hey MR, you think Louis Murphy cares what you think?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Hey MR, you think Steve Smith cares what you think?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Hey MR, tell us who you think is better. Im sure we are all dying to know?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Who is better MR? Smith or Murphy?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
This thing I have been doing to you the last hour or so is exactly what you do to others in here. Think about that psycho. Im outtie b*tch….:)
May 29th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Raider,
who cares about a bunch of articles from other websites? If you like them so much, go there. Anyway, to answer at least one valid point you made, no, I don’t think Louis Murphy is better than Steve Smith. But if you had read IrJonny’s entire comment, you’d see that wasn’t his point.
May 29th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Uh, I read his entire comment. He asks why we would want Steve Smith when we have already have Louis Murphy. Is that not an insinuation that Murphy is better than Smith? I’m only responding to peoples points, dude. I’m not making anything up.
May 29th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
actually it’s kinda disturbing that you think i was implying murphy is better than smith.
anyhoo. assuming some desirable players are not free agents and we have to trade for them. who is expendable with value? any ideas?
schaunnessy?
branch?
bush?
May 29th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
On the field, however the Raiders will need more than they’ve gotten in the 29 games Seymour has been a Raider.
Given his age (he’ll be 32 in October) and the amount of tread on the tires from 11 seasons as a defensive lineman, the Raiders wisely committed to only two years on Seymour’s contract extension. The fact that he accepted it demonstrates Seymour understands he’s nearing the end of the line.
***
excellent post, Jer!
RRS stamp of approval
May 29th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
is it Tuesday yet ???
go Heat!
May 29th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
there have been stretches where Seymour has blended in with a defense that has had way too many games of mediocrity or worse.
the Raiders were weak against the run all season despite the ripple effect Seymour’s presence should bring.
***
that’s why we made him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL, right?
way to go AL!
May 29th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
The thing that’s being missed in the “typical Al Davis speed guys draft” comments is that there were three particular positions of need that the Raiders had to address this year; offensive line, defensive back, and wide receiver.
Offensive line because of a need for improved performance, the age of two of the starters, and potential losses due to free agency and/or retirement. Response: Wisniewski and Barksdale.
Wide receiver because it has become painfully obvious over the past couple of years that we need a receiver or two that can catch the ball in traffic and move the chains, and that is also big and strong enough to be a threat in the red zone. Although it would be nice if Schilens could stay healthy for an entire season, the odds don’t favor it. Ausberry is a late-rounder and may or may not make the team, but Denarious Moore is considered by many to be a steal in the 5th round and demonstrated the ability to make the tough catches while at Tennessee.
Cornerback, because all signs point to Asomugha taking his talents elsewhere and because Chris Johnson, while an adequate NFL corner, is approaching 30 and may or may not be around much longer.
The other guys? Taiwan Jones provides versatility in the return game and is a viable threat with his speed to hit the home run as both a returner and as another weapon on offense. Gordon is by all accounts a terrific blocker as a tight end, and according to those who have watched him closely, better as a pass receiver than his career staistics would indicate.
It’s easy to say “oh, there goes Al again, drafting the fastest players on the board”. A closer look would indicate that while that may be true, he didn’t ignore other, more pressing needs when he drafted these guys.
We’ll find out if these guys can play, but falling back on “Al’s love for speed” as a way to ridicule this draft is way oversimplifying things.
May 29th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
In his last five games, Seymour never had more than three tackles in a game and exactly one sack. He missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
When players voted for the winner of the Eric Turner award as the defensive MVP, the winner wasn’t Seymour, but fellow defensive tackle Tommy Kelly.
***
Ouch! truth hurts
I hope Washington dumps Fat Albert soon so we can sign him and add him to the DT rotation
Seymour-Kelly-Henderson-Haynesworth sounds good
move Desmond Bryant to reserve DE and chop either Scott or Moss off the roster (flip a coin – similar skill set)
May 29th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
The thing that’s being missed in the “typical Al Davis speed guys draft” comments is that there were three particular positions of need that the Raiders had to address this year; offensive line, defensive back, and wide receiver.
***
ET, I’m not gonna lie. It hurt not having a 1st rounder and it hurt when the 49ers traded up and stole Colin K.
we made the best of it, imo. However, we didn’t address a run defense that has been atrocious since the Super Bowl loss. We didn’t draft a WR until Round 5 and our backup QB is Kyle Boller. the passing game stinks. Jason Campbell got benched 3 times last year and banged up a few other times. I hope we can address a few things in free agency or else we’re in trouble
May 29th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Rockstar,
In my humble opinion this QB class was crap. I may be proved wrong down the road, but when we’re talking about not getting the second-best QB in the Western Athletic Conference in the second round as a “loss”, that tells me everything I need to know about this year’s class. Kaepernick is viewed by some in here as viable, but I saw the guy play a lot in college and I just don’t see it. I’d rather address an aging, free-agent dominated offensive line first.
Everyone on that defensive front 7 is coming back, and Travis Goethel (who the coaching staff allegedly had penciled in as a starter last season before he got hurt) will return as well. I agree that the run defense has to improve, but we’re not losing any starters on the front 7, and if we didn’t address the o-line with that many guys leaving we’d really be in trouble.
Also, Seymour represents our first rounder this year and I just don’t know how much more of an impact anyone we chose at 17 would have in that department than he would.
May 29th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Next year, the Raiders will have several QBs to choose from who are much more pro-ready than Kaepernick. They’ll also have a group of guys along the offensive line who have had a year to gel and develop. Not to mention a more talented offensive line than if they had traded up to get Kaepernick.
I’d take Luck, Jones, Lindley and Foles over Kaepernick. Hell, I’d take any of those four guys over every QB in the 2011 draft class.
May 29th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
I tell ya’ along with Lamaar Houston look for Des Bryant to make a serous mark, Those two I think are the future of this Dline. Matt Shuaughnessy is another, Richasr zseymour has shown these guys the way. He can basically play 30 snaps a game and let the young dogs get it done. Because I just don’t think you can keep Bryant on the bench much longer.
May 29th, 2011 at 6:58 pm
I think you can add Terrelle Pryor’s name to that list he is basically a cross between Kaepernick and Newton. There are roughly 5 outstanding QB’s coming out next year I think they are a level higher than the crop from last draft. Especially with Luck. Pryor is more polished than Newton and Luck is the best QB in the last 10 yesrs better than Sam Bradford.
May 29th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
No Thanks to Pryor.
And if we’re talking about Luck, then that means we had a horrible season.
I would like to see an upgrade to the QB position though. Not a Boeller fan at all, so at best we are 1 deep at QB.
May 29th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Bryant looked real good at DE towards the end of the year. Might be his ultimate position if/when Houston moves to DT.
Kinda anxious to see if Moss picks up where he left off last year.
May 29th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
i would trade most of my picks and 2 future #1’s to get luck. qbs like him dont come around very often. he wouldnt even have to carry this team for a few years with the weapons being paced on the team. the running game will destroy everyone if the oline gets it 2gether.
May 29th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
jweezy wassup mayne!!. i see that u have now been called a house nigg by the resident black hater aig. i told him he had black issues cuz he never goes at any other race like that. dont know why he does that considering he can actually talk football unlike a lot of people in here.
May 29th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
And if we’re talking about Luck, then that means we had a horrible season.
——————
True, but at least there’s a silver lining if the s*** hits the fan.
Landry Jones will likely be a Top 5 pick as well, but if Lindley improves his completion percentage this season he’ll be a late first rounder. The same could happen with Foles, as well, if he has a strong season.
May 29th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
yep i hope we have a great season and campbell is the answer…BUT if we are in week 9 at 3-5 i may just sub-consciously start rooting for our opponents…only a little. Andrew Luck is that good
May 29th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Not a whole helluva lot Armond. How they treatin you out there?
I really get a chuckle outta that guy and how he comes at the Bruhs. I was LMFAO at the HN crack. That was too funny. Did you catch the Al Sharpton crack?
Anyway, how about the Jerry West hire?
May 29th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
2 #1’s AND most of this year’s pick’s?????
I think that may be a bit much.
May 29th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
YA,
There is no way in heck we are going to have the worst record in the league, so we have NO shot at Luck
I do believe that QB will be our 1st rd pick next year.
May 29th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Yeah, I think at worst the Raiders will be picking at #8, and at best at #20.
May 29th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Raiders at least need to pick up Kyle Orton or somebody. According to Al’s press conf. Grads might be gone and Boller at #2 is SCARY.
I wish J. Camp the best of luck but I’m not sold on him.
Hopefully he is successful for the next 5 yrs. If not we are F**KED.
May 29th, 2011 at 11:27 pm
imo the season rides on campbell so who cares who we get to backup. if campbell fails we need to draft a qb to start day one. campbell does have one of the better play action fakes i’ve ever seen though and with mcfadden and another year i have high hopes.
May 29th, 2011 at 11:43 pm
I guess my point is that JC has his little stinger issues, or if he fails miserably……..it might be in the best interest of the Raider org to have a compentent backup. (not Boller @ #2)
May 30th, 2011 at 2:23 am
107.armond Says:
May 29th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
i would trade most of my picks and 2 future #1’s to get luck. qbs like him dont come around very often. he wouldnt even have to carry this team for a few years with the weapons being paced on the team. the running game will destroy everyone if the oline gets it 2gether.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don’t think I’d go that far Armond but I sure would give up a lot.
You’re absolutely right when you say QB’s like him don’t come along often.
I don’t think we’re going to do 8-8 this year, and our ist pick will be higher as a consequence but not high enough to get Luck.
It’s going to be really damn annoying if Luck goes where I think he will-to the whiners.
May 30th, 2011 at 5:56 am
The main issue with drafting a QB next year in the first round, is that he won’t get the benefit of getting to sit and watch for a little while.
No way do we re-sign Soup for one year. He will either hit the bricks, or play real well this year and get rewarded with multiple years. If that’s the case, than we won’t be drafting a QB.
But if Al decides to move on, we draft a QB, and that guy is going to be starting really soon, and probably too soon.
We need a better backup QB this year. What if Soup just goes down for 2-3 weeks? What if it is weeks 12 and 13, and we are 6-4 at that time heading into those vital games?
I don’t want Mr. Prejean out there, reminding us all how the guy actually went 0-11 one year in college.
May 30th, 2011 at 6:06 am
Getting old (older) stinks.
Had a friend from the bay come out to ABQ for the weekend, fired off 54 holes of golf in 3 days, and I can barely move this morning.
Sun-burnt to all hell, back stiffer than stiff, feet hurt, shoulder hurts.
(Sigh)
May 30th, 2011 at 9:27 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 5:56 am
The main issue with drafting a QB next year in the first round, is that he won’t get the benefit of getting to sit and watch for a little while.
———–
If the Raiders had traded into the first round and drafted Kaepernick, guaranteed he’d be starting at some point this season. AND with a shortened offseason.
It’s unfortunate that the days when a rookie QB could sit and learn are gone for the most part. Chances are if you have the luxury of being able to let a rookie hold a clipboard for a season or two, you already have a settled QB situation (Brett Favre, Tom Brady, etc.).
May 30th, 2011 at 9:59 am
—”Sports Illustrated’s Peter King “guesses” the Jets, Eagles and Raiders will be among the teams that give free agent Plaxico Burress a look this summer”—
I wouldnt mind it a bit, having him on our roster… we need just a guy like him, just for a season or two…
May 30th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Until that run defense becomes a top 15 unit…the front 7 is nothing but a BIG question mark.
There is NO EXCUSE…for the raggedy run defense this team puts out year after year after year..and is a direct contributor to the equally raggedy records of late.
Good defenses stop the run….big plays or not!
May 30th, 2011 at 11:07 am
You guys still searching for our very own “Manning or Brady”
Forget it. It takes TIME to develop a young QB…Al Davis is a reload type of guy. In addition, the coaching chaos makes it very unlikely that the necessary stability and environment will give the young QB the best environment to succeed.
Andrew Luck? LOL….I am not being a “hater” here, but the reality is that with the Raider track record, its a good chance that such a top tier QB would go Eli Manning / John Elway on them and refuse to play for them.
Raiders best bet is a vet like Jason Campbell…..a solid veteran, with a good head on his shoulders to at least handle the special circumstances in Oakland and is hungry for a shot…..
Or some late round pick that is also just hungry for an opportunity.
If JC fails…get another veteran…Al is 80+ years old…he isn’t waiting around for another kid
May 30th, 2011 at 11:09 am
A big HELL NO to Terrell Pryor. Very poor character….Raiders don’t need a guy like this.
Just finish college….and he helps bring down his school for violating rules he knew about.
PLus he cant throw
May 30th, 2011 at 11:26 am
SnB Production Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 11:09 am
A big HELL NO to Terrell Pryor. Very poor character….Raiders don’t need a guy like this.
Just finish college….and he helps bring down his school for violating rules he knew about.
PLus he cant throw
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
What’s wrong with his character? But I agree, the guy can’t throw.
May 30th, 2011 at 11:27 am
snb u r just 2 damn negative. if the team is improving eventually players will want to be here. teams dont let players dictate anything. we traded for eric allen in 98 who didnt want to play here. not only did he play, he enjoyed it here with c wood. seymour didnt like the idea of coming here to the point the raiders sent a letter demanding he come. he is going to play atleast 5 years for this team. spare me the we cant do sh!t right crap cuz eventually we will get it right. u can really whine about stuff man.
May 30th, 2011 at 11:32 am
england raider, i know its a lot for luck. whoever picks 1rst is going to want the world for him. if a team has their qb of the future they will hold that pick for ransom knowing several teams r going to want him bad. if a teams needs a qb then forget about them giving that pick away unless u wow them. i would give up 2 future 1rst rndrs and maybe a few of next years picks. look at what it cost atlanta to move from 27 to 6 just for julio jones. i doubt thats enuff for luck at #1 but i could be wrong.
May 30th, 2011 at 11:35 am
YoungAmerican Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 9:27 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 5:56 am
The main issue with drafting a QB next year in the first round, is that he won’t get the benefit of getting to sit and watch for a little while.
———–
If the Raiders had traded into the first round and drafted Kaepernick, guaranteed he’d be starting at some point this season. AND with a shortened offseason.
It’s unfortunate that the days when a rookie QB could sit and learn are gone for the most part. Chances are if you have the luxury of being able to let a rookie hold a clipboard for a season or two, you already have a settled QB situation (Brett Favre, Tom Brady, etc.).
***********************
You are right. What changed everything was free agency. Prior to that, a player belonged to one team for their entire career unless the owners traded them away for something/someone else. The secondary cause is the ridiculous salaries that some of these unproved rookies now get – witness JaLoser). The owners can’t afford to let these high priced talents sit and ferment.
If nothing else, this CBA agreement should include a rookie cap & contract arrangement where all rookies get a flat amount based on which round they were selected – the #1 through #10 players picked would get a signing bonus and all contracts would be three years long. At that point the owners would have first right of refusal in signing the RFA. After 6 years, the players would be UFA and could go where they please and negotiate for whatever money they might be worth. Taking this approach, the players that were actually performing would be best rewarded and rookie do nothings would be out of the league by end of year three. THat, IMO, would be a win-win proposition for owner & player alike. The fans would win too because the game would ultimately get better.
May 30th, 2011 at 11:38 am
Getting old (older) stinks.
============================
Beats the alternative though.
May 30th, 2011 at 11:45 am
Armond,
I am talking about Luck. The Raiders track record with young QBs has been very, very bad. If the Raiders could draft Luck, its doubtful that the environment or reputation would have improved. I think he would do the holdout thing.
As for whining…you call it what you want. Fact is, being a good team is more than just saying “We’re #1!”
Bottom 5th run defense is a fact. I don’t care who is playing the line. What’s changing in 2011 so that the run defense is at least average this year.
Good defenses stop the run…bad ones don’t
May 30th, 2011 at 11:46 am
Debo,
Pryor is part of that memorabilia selling controversy at Ohio State.
May 30th, 2011 at 11:52 am
snb when the hell did i say we are #1? u just complain about anything. the team is getting better and u have no idea if he would holdout or not. we were 8-8 on the verge of being 10-6. u act as if we were 2-14 looking worse than that. the offense looks like it can get even better and our d will improve. the colts run d was horrible the year they won the Superbowl. plenty of teams have had poor run d’s or defenses in general. like jfb has said, if u have a good to great qb u can make up for defensive deficiencies. u seem to not understand that.
May 30th, 2011 at 11:59 am
explosive play making is a fact.a great return man is a fact. very good pass rush is a fact. u overlook a lot of good the team has becuz u wanna biotch about the same tired sh!t. the environment seems to be improving nd we are setup much better for any qb than we have been for years. we dont need a qb that we make better, we need a qb that will make US better. jc is getting his chance now so hopefully he can do it. we still need to get young qb whether he does or not cuz we dont have anyone worth a damn behind him.
May 30th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Armond,
Relax…
Great QBs, as you know, are extremely difficult to find. Building a solid defense is a bit more common. And as you all say.. “a great qb can make up for defensive deficiencies”…I say “a great defense can make up for mediocre QB play”
The defense has to become the strength of this team. The wide receivers are “developing” the offensive line will have 3 to 4 new starters, and JC still has to get better….
and you guys are expecting the offense to carry the team…..
May 30th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Armond,
Also, I think Jason Campbell is the perfect QB for this team. I would rather see any high round picks going to shoring up other areas.
A young QB can be found in any round or even free agency with good scouting.
If JC fails…then go find another veteran to plug in.
May 30th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
I think we’re really going to miss Bruce Gradkowski. You have to remember, part of our success last year was having Bruce to go in and bail Jason Campbell out. Jason Campbell has some potential, but when he’s off, HE’S OFF. In fact, I think if Gradkowski had gone into the Steeler game sooner, we could have won. And that extra win would have eventually earned us a playoff birth. With Bruce gone, we have a questionable starting QB (if his last year’s performance is any indication), and nobody proven and reliable, like Gradkowski, to back him up. Campbell stinks up the joint, he stays in, and continues to stink up the joint. We didn’t have that problem last year. We could put Bruce in. And he almost always got us back into the game.
May 30th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
It’s going to be neat to see what happens when Al is gone, and when draft a franchise QB. Imagine that, a franchise QB, drafted in Oakland, who plays here for most of his career. It’s the one thing we’ve been missing in the past couple of decades. I like Al Davis and I think he can do a lot of things to make the Raiders good, but this is one thing he lacks in. Some day, he has to be gone. As we all leave this planet. And even though I’ll be sad that day because we’ll have lost a great football owner, the one thing good about it is that the Raiders will finally be run in a more modern, effective fashion, and we will soon see that franchise QB in Oakland. A hero that Oakland can hang their hat on for 7 or 8 years, maybe 10. While Al’s absence would sadden us, there would also be a lot to look forward to.
May 30th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Indeed, the Raids should not count on the offense carrying the team.
It is reasonable to expect that the Raids can continue to have a very good running attack (as they did last year) as long as DMAC stays healthy. Bush and hopefully Jones can also be very good RBs.
It is unreasonable to expect that the passing attack will ever be very good with JaJason at QB. Even if one believes JaJason isn’t the real problem, but that the OL and WR’s are – it is still unreasonable to expect a dramatic improvement in the passing game given the revamping of the OL and pretty much the same WR corps returning.
Therefore, on offense, we should hope that the running game shows signs of dominance as it did last year and that JaJason is asked to MANAGE games, rather than relying on JaJason to WIN games.
If the defense can consistently perform like it did against KC in the finale, the Raids will be fine. If the defense plays like it did against Jax and Houston, then the Raids will be in for a long season.
I honestly believe this defense is close to being one of the better units in the NFL, even if Nnamdi doesn’t return. A lot depends on whether RoMac can develop into a top notch MLB. I think the DL is stacked and there’s more than adequate talent at LB and in the secondary for the defense to perform at a high level.
If the Raids had someone better than JaJason at QB, I’d be very optimistic about a playoff run. With JaJason, the job is more difficult, but not impossible.
Either way, the Raids have got to add another QB to the roster. They can’t go into the season with just JaJason and Boller.
May 30th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I agree Raiderman99.
The Raiders seem to be on the verge of being a solid team. It starts with the front 7 on D, and the o-line.
We won’t be elite until we have an elite QB, it just doesn’t happen. Unless you have a 1985 Bears or 2000 Ravens D, but that’s a rare thing.
I think we can be a team that makes some noise, if Campbell can improve and we stop the run. Everybody sees that, they just have to get it done.
May 30th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
I couldn’t agree more Armond, SnB is head in sand type of dude. He’s afraid to look up because he might see something. We can develope a QB just like anyone else drafting developing a QB is not like anything else. You must have the infrustructure for him to thrive. We have that now. When Russell was here he had a HC who didn’t wnat him and a bad team (Oline &WR’s) it made it tough on him pus he had just wasn’t ready to lead.
That has nothing to do with Luck who is of the highest character and one of the best talents I can think and a great athlete. His talent is on par if not better than Elways. Although he doesn’t have that kind of arm strength he may have better judgement. He is pro-ready and take over from day one with the talent we have on this team. h ewould be almost an instant success.
May 30th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
You cannot take SnB seriously he just is the type who alwyas sees the glass half empty no matter what. He thinks if you stop the run you can a championship. Stopping the run doesn’t gaurantee a damn thing except stopping the run. To win a champiosnship you have to have solid QB play a great running game and a opportunistic defense. If you have a great QB that can make up for a lot. But IMO the biggest need is an Oline and playmakers and a defense that can take the ball away. Stopping the run is great but I would rather have a defense that takes the ball and can score with it. Lets someone else spend all their time stopping the run.
May 30th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
We have a good a front7 as there is in the league IMO it’s young and ferocious has a great leader with great young talent coming into their own. The bigest thing I like is the MLB aint no joke. The safeties are as good as it gets and very solid corners. You can’t ask for a more talented defense. Whether we’re inthe top 10 stoppng the run frankly I don’t care I just want them be at the top in sacks and t/o’s.
If this Oline comes together we’ll be very good for a while. I’m not the least bit worried about the QB as I was 2 years ago. I think we have one of the better QB’s in the game.
May 30th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
I hope Washington dumps Fat Albert soon so we can sign him and add him to the DT rotation
Seymour-Kelly-Henderson-Haynesworth sounds good
_____________________________________________________
Yeah, depending on what Albert wants now…Football is a business, but legacy is also important for players. Am I crazy to think that adding Albert into the mix could potentially make the Raiders D-Line somthing people could talk about for a long time?
Albert could come into oakland, at a reduced salary and flourish in the Raiders D-Sceheme.
May 30th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Now this is what I like. Reading the thread an itall raider
good job guys!!! Love it
May 30th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
I’d love to bring Haynesworth in at a reasonable salary – one that is big on incentive bonuses like X$’s per sack & Y$’s for each stuffed run & Z$’s for strips and more $’s for recovered fumbles – all the things that good D-linemen are measured on. Lastly, a bonus for being a good teammate, leader & mentor. Granted this last one would be very subjective but incentives are what usually motivates people. A motivated Hanesworth next to Big Sey bookended by Shonasty & Houston makes for a steel curtain of our own. The possibilities would be endless.
May 30th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
I don’t see it happening but if it did I’d love it. He wouldn’t have to play NG and He and Seymour could see eye to eye getting Albert would be like when we got Matuzak years ago. Matuzak was a bad ass malcontent with a nasty attitude. But he fit right in because Gene Upshaw pretty much kept him in line. The same King Richard would keep Albert in line.
And I think Big Al would definitely speak with Seymour prior to bringing him in.
May 30th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Sounds like the haynesworth idea might work!!
May 30th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
I agree Albert could fit in well. Rotate him in keeping him fresh an his play should be…well lights out
May 30th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
With a rotating D-line of Houston, Seymour, Kelly, Haynesworth, Bryant, Shonasty & Scott there should never be a time when a prevent defensive effort was required by this D-line. They could be pressuring the opponents 100% of the time thereby nullifying the infamous Bresnahan Prevent victory strategy.
The best defense is a QB on the ground, the ball in his hands and the defender(s) on top of him – sacktime!
May 30th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
The Haynesworth idea is a good one in theory in my opinion. If he could behave and be a good teammate than it would work fine, but otherwise it would go against the whole “no knuckleheads” thing we got going on now. Don’t ya’ll think?
If it happens and it works out, than we would be in for a treat though.
May 30th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
It’s a great Memorial Day to be a Raiders fan. Isn’t it?!
Plax Burress? Definitely worth a shot (pun intended)… but only for a reasonable fee. He’ll have a few suitors, but we gotta remember his age, and the fact he always seemed to have a nagging something-or-other when he was playing. Great talent, no doubt.
Haynesworth?? Another great talent…with a seething bitterness that can be good on the field, but devastating in a locker room (or sideline) now bursting with a Team-first attitude. With all players working toward a common goal: winning the Super Bowl/s. I don’t see Haynesworth ever being that all-for-one guy.
Strong negative under-currents are exactly what this Team does NOT need.
May 30th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
What this D-line could use is another (healthy) John Parella-like veteran. Brings that lunchpail and goes to work every day, always plugging-along for The Cause…never swinging his head, pacing and glowering on the sideline, or blaming others for his actions or the results of said actions.
I love the young Raiders’ D-line…LOVE it. But, just like with the WR corps, I think the right veteran addition could get it over the hump.
May 30th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
But…even if we don’t find another addition to the D-line, they MUST play better vs the run.
There are plenty of reasons why one or two big runs happen during games: Concentration lapses, players out of position, bad scheme/play-calls, missed tackles, etc. Problem is, the Raiders tend to have these things happen multiple times a game, even while dominating in every other regard.
Complacency and failing to revert to basics has cost this Defense dearly, and it’s time for it to finally learn to play 4 full quarters of football, without collapsing at crucial moments…game after game.
Like Jerry’s article says, it’s up to Seymour to fill the very big shoes he himself laid out. His legacy might depend on it…and the Raiders’ near future definitely depends on it.
May 30th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
I am a Raider fan since 1970 who loves the team but loathes Davis (Some of you can’t get your head around this I know. Sorry, not my problem). None of you, however, can question my bona fides. I went to USC rather then UCLA just so I could walk across the street to watch them play. Get that, Father Pride & Poise?
So my take on the current state of things is the lockout hurts a young team like ours, with potentially catastrophic consequences if it doesn’t get resolved soon, not withstanding what Seymour is doing in Georgia.
Second, the Old Creeper hasn’t done anything to address the run defense, 29th in the league last year in case you forgot, undoubtedly feeling confident that Kelly is going to peak soon, and the youngsters can continue to be coached up. Frankly, I’m dubious about this.
And, lastly, the Old Creeper’s intensive meddling in this year’s draft is a significant set back, and signifies of course that he refuses to recognize his growing limitations as a talent evaluator. I graded out this draft as a C-, while the national pundits mainly had it around a C. Again, not a good portent for success.
So you Davis apologists can continue to ignore the obvious, while us realists grow even more frustrated–if that’s possible–but I defy any of you delusional die hards to predict a playoff appearance this year. But, eh, go ahead if you want. Persuade the rest of us.
I say that if the lock out turns out to be no factor, and there are no other disruptions, major injuries (like to JC, for example), then this remains an 8 or 9 win team at best. But a prolonged crisis will throw all predictions out the window, and in fact the team could regress.
May 30th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Out to the BBQ…
It’s a great day to be a Veteran, and a Raiders fan! Isn’t it?!
May 30th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
I’ll play until the steaks are done…
What does being an Al Davis “apologist” have to do with what the D needs to do this year?
How was Al’s “intensive meddling” this year any different than last year’s? Was last year’s draft any good? Any of the past few drafts or players drafted any good at all? Seems to me, Al picks the good ones, just like he picks the bad ones.
It’s waaaaay too early to say Al has done nothing to address the run D. First…we’ve got one of the best young D-lines in the League, hopefully to be even much better. Second…with the condensed opportunities to add new players to the roster, it’s impossible to tell what the Team’s got in mind for additional players. Given the chance, more help will likely be here if it’s available…and the Seymour deal shows just how willing Al is to bring in the player he thinks can get the job done.
And…if I’m willing to talk about Al’s failures, as well as his successes, am I still an apologist? I just don’t worry about replacing Al…I’m all for Al replacing Al whenever he’s ready. It’s exactly what I would do in his position (even if I might manage things a little differently along the way).
BTW… I AM a realist. A realist who suffers with the rest of the real fans who suffer when the Team doesn’t do well. One can be a realist, and still support Al Davis. The realism is the poor record, and carnival atmosphere the Team has suffered of late.
Al’s to blame for the bad as well as the good…and I happen to have faith he’s got things back on track. But, some of us actually can separate faith from reality. And, the reality of our recent record can’t be erased or ignored by us “apologists.”
Only wins can change a poor record. Like it or not, we’ll win or lose with Al at the helm. No apologies necessary in my book, even when he makes the wrong move…as long as he made the move with the right intentions.
Can one be a realist-apologist?
May 30th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Al’s better than the Bill’s GM.
May 30th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
The safeties are as good as it gets
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Which safeties, Priest?
Looks like it’s going to be Stevie Brown at FS. He played there a lot last year when Huff was playing corner.
Branch was the worst S in the NFL last year according to an article Jer posted towards the end of the season, and there were not to many arguments against it.
Mike Mitchell will probably get a shot a to start at SS. He made more plays than Branch did, imo. Of course that’s relative to the time he had on the field.
So are you saying Brown and Mitchell are as good as it gets????
May 30th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Al Davis signed Javon Walker and drafted Jamarcus Russell. That’s really the only thing the Al haters have to hand their hats on.
Other than that, the team has simply been rebuilding since Gannon, Brown, Rice, and the rest of the HOFrs left the team.
May 30th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
OhioRaider he doesn’t meddle in the draft ‘HE RUNS IT’ he always has and always will whether you like it or not it’s his team so if that doesn’t suit you find another one to root for.
May 30th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Jhill IMO Branch struggles in coverage NOT the run and he always plays the way I LIKE a safety to play. The difference is at FS he will not have to cover TE’s which is what he struggled at. Put T Branch at FS and think he can be better than Huff and Mitchell at SS which is strong suit. IMO Mitchell could be one of the better safties in the game watching his play last year his enthusiasm and aggressiveness is infectuous. Those two plus Eugene and Brown I like that foursome a lot.
I also like where we are a corner even if Nnamdi goes which at some point WILL happen. We’re talented just very young but we do have two tried and true vets in n CJ and Routt. No one player can replace Nnam so we wont even go there but I think we have drafted very talented kids that can be coached up.
May 30th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
RAIDER Says:
May 29th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
NFL Analysis: Al Davis Continues to Lead Raiders Nowhere
Blog by TheXLog
(May 17, 2011) in Sports / Raiders
Al Davis is the NFL’s version of the Dos Equis guy, he’s easily the most interesting man in football. Instead of wanting you to stay thirsty, he just wants to win…baby. Davis’ image is as recognizable to professional football fans as the NFL shield itself. As the years have gone by though, his movie like appearance has changed from that of a wise guy with ties to Joe Pesci and Robert Deniro in “Casino”, to the brother of Smeagol in Lord of the Rings.
As Davis has aged, his appearance hasn’t been the only decline in his life. His beloved Raiders franchise has crumbled under the weight of his horrific decision making of the last decade. The once storied “Black Hole”, that opposing fans feared to enter in Oakland has seemed more like a vacation spot of sorts as of late. The nickname the “Black Hole” now better describes the part of his heart meant to hold the affection for his coaches. Davis goes through coaches these days like an evil crypt keeper goes through souls that have been damned to come into contact with him.
Davis helped lead the AFL and the Raiders into a prominent position back in the 1960′s. He kept them competitive and even dominant for a few decades as they merged into the NFL. By the time Jon Gruden came into the death clutch of Mr. Davis, the Raiders hadn’t been a factor for quite some time. Gruden still managed to overcome the handicap that had become of having Al as a boss and led Oakland to an AFC Championship game and an apparent Super Bowl berth, until the infamous “tuck rule” changed all of that. The next year, Davis thought the best way to reward Gruden for this and to keep his organization moving forward was to trade Gruden to Tampa Bay.
Bill Callahan, who was Gruden’s offensive coordinator replaced him in Oakland and led the Raiders to face off against Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers team in the very next Super Bowl. What looked to be a brilliant move at a first glance quickly became apparent to everyone to be a colossal mistake. The Bucs destroyed Oakland’s team, partly because Callahan was still running the same offense that Gruden helped install with the personnel that Gruden help develop.
Since Smeagol sold his treasure to Tampa Bay, he’s been searching all of middle-earth for his precious. For those of you that watched Lord of the Rings, you realize that I’m not talking about Gruden here, but instead the jewelry loving Davis. Al is looking for the ring that he holds so dear. His precious has made him callous. And when you factor that in with the diminishing mental aptitude he’s developed over the years, you can see how he’s run his franchise into the dirt. Even when he lucks out to hiring a good fit and having a great draft, he undermines it and sets the organization back, 5 more years.
When it comes to the draft, the golden rule is that a franchise quarterback trumps all else. Davis doesn’t give his head coaches the leeway to draft their own personnel. This was always known but brought more to the light when Lane Kiffin stated that he never wanted Jamarcus Russell. Since their Super Bowl appearance, the Raiders haven’t been over .500 once. When they finally made it back to 8-8 and 6-0 in their conference, Davis decided to not resign the coach that got them there.
The biggest problem here is how Davis forced his coaches to draft since the Super Bowl. Below you will find the coaches and their records the year after Davis dipped his hand into the talent pool to make the selections. I’ve also added some key notes on who the Raiders could have drafted instead in the coming picks. It’s important to note that the Raiders haven’t had a dynamic skill position player since the Super Bowl season. Instead of drafting a franchise quarterback, Davis has placed more value on the secondary, but then in large part has chosen not to resign them?
2003 – Bill Callahan (4-12)
1st Round #31- Nnamdi Asomugha – Great pick but they already had Rod Woodson, Charles Woodson, and Phillip Buchanon and didn’t have a franchise quarterback. I still wouldn’t complain about this pick, if the Raiders plan on resigning him this year.
1st Round #32 – Tyler Brayton – Osi Umenyiora was still on the board and went several picks later.
3rd Round #63 – Teyo Johnson – Jason Witten was still on the board and went a few picks later.
2004 – Norv Turner (5-11)
1st Round #2 – Robert Gallery – They obviously needed a franchise quarterback, not named Kerry Collins. Instead they drafted an offensive tackle that had to move inside to guard. Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger were both still available. They also could have drafted Larry Fitzgerald.
2nd Round #45 – Jake Grove – They drafted two interior offensive lineman and could have taken Darnell Dockett with this pick and a franchise QB with their first selection. Where do you think they would have been now?
2005 – Norv Turner (4-12)
1st Round #23 – Fabian Washington – So, the Kerry Collins/Rich Gannon project didn’t work the prior year. Norv Turner had to pass on Roethlisberger / Rivers in 2004, how the hell would an organization pass on Aaron Rodgers when he slid to them? Instead Davis selected a cornerback and the Packers took Rodgers with the next pick, then the following year, the Raiders didn’t resign Charles Woodson, and he ended up with the Packers. Fast forward five years and the Packers win a Super Bowl while the Raiders look to not resign Nnamdi Asomugha. Also, 2 picks after Oakland took Fabian Washington, the Washington Redskins drafted Jason Campbell, who ironically is now the Raiders starting quarterback and should be replaced.
2nd Round #38 – Stanford Routt – Oakland wasted the 2nd overall pick the prior year on a guy who can’t play offensive tackle. This year, Michael Roos was still on the board, but yet they still went for another cornerback. Also, Frank Gore went several picks later.
2006 – Art Shell (2-14)
1st Round #7 – Michael Huff – Oakland let go of Kerry Collins and brought in Aaron Brooks instead of drafting a franchise quarterback. They once again choose secondary over quarterback. They could have drafted Jay Cutler, or could have gotten that franchise running back in Deangelo Williams after passing on Frank Gore or after not drafting Darnell Dockett, they could have taken Haloti Ngata here.
Round #38 – Thomas Howard – This wasn’t a bad pick but they could have gotten a playmaker at running back or receiver with Greg Jennings or Maurice Jones-Drew. Marcus McNeil would have been a better left tackle than Gallery, who was drafted 2nd overall 2 years prior. The Raiders also liked Vince Young in this draft. (Hint Hint – Al Davis might go after him this year.)
2007 – Lane Kiffin (4-12)
1st Round #1 – Jamarcus Russell – Surprised that Art Shell didn’t work out 12 years later, after getting fired the first time. Davis hires a 31 year old coach and after passing on several Super Bowl winning quarterbacks the last few drafts, forces him to draft the biggest bust in NFL draft history. Kiffin probably would have selected Calvin Johnson here. He also could have taken Adrian Peterson, Joe Thomas, Patrick Willis, or Darrelle Revis. Basically, anybody except Russell.
2nd Round #38 – Zach Miller – Miller is a good tight end but they could have drafted Jason Witten a few years prior and taken Lamarr Woodley here.
2008 – Kiffin / Tom Cable (5-11)
1st Round #4 – Darren McFadden – After passing on Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, and Maurice Jones-Drew, they go after their running back. They could have gotten Chris Johnson later. McFadden can’t stay healthy. They could have taken Ryan Clady here.
2009 – Tom Cable (5-11)
1st Round #7 – Darius Heyward-Bey – C’mon on man! They could have taken Michael Crabtree. If they would have taken Calvin Johnson in 2007, they could have taken BJ Raji, Brian Orakpo, Brian Cushing, or Clay Matthews. They also could have taken Josh Freeman here but wouldn’t because Davis loved Russell.
Round 2 #47 – Mike Mitchell – Back to the secondary. This could have been Lesean McCoy or Paul Kruger.
2010 – Tom Cable (8-8)
1st Round #8 – Rolando McClain – After the heavy backlash on the 2009 draft, Cable got to make some input on this draft. He had a great draft and had a solid choice here.
2nd Round #44 – Lamarr Houston- Cable follows it up with another great pick here. It becomes apparent, who’s in charge of this draft.
2011 – Hue Jackson…..
Smeagol shows how completely insane the pursuit of the ring has made him. He fires the first coach that’s be able to get him back to .500 and was able to convince Davis of drafting talented football players instead of track stars. Since Cable was not resigned, Al Davis decided to name the new head coach, Hue Jackson. As soon as Cable was let go and Jackson hired, we all knew that the 2011 draft would have an Al Davis stench to it. That’s exactly what happened as Cable wasn’t in the room anymore to convince Davis to take talented players, he made Jackson draft more track stars. Fitting the mold of Davis secondary picks with track speed is Demarcus Van Dyke from Miami.
Well, welcome back to the Black Hole which is known as the AFC West basement, because that’s where Smeagol feels most comfortable in his pursuit of the ring.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/nfl-analysis-al-davis-continues-to-lead-raiders-nowhere
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It would be EXTREMELY easy to rip this insipid and comically ridiculous hate peice to shreds (EVERYONE thought Gallery was the safest bet in the draft. CABLE drafted NO ONE!!! First you give Al credit when it sucks, then you take it away when its good. Flip flop hypocrits Remember CABLE’S personnel choices?! Kwame Harris anyone?! **** off weak sauce)
The REAL point here is that this POS is written by a BLOGGER on a glorified BS site like Bleacher report WHICH of course MR posts too.
GREAT sources for true objective journalism.
Any ****ing idiot can post what ever they want and have it called “news” or “truth”. THIS is partially what wrong with this country.
In fact, if the writing didn’t show some signs of schooling I’d say ole ***hole MR himself probably wrote it.
It does parrot the same ole word v-omit MR has chummed out there year after year to get some pathetic attention from someone. ANYONE other than his Mother. I get the feeling she pays a little TOO much attention to her baby boy.
No one else will.
May 30th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Most Raider fans don’t know this but Jack Tatum wasn’t very good in coverage either, Atkinson was the SS and was tremendous in coverage. Jack’s game was his aggression and hitting he didn’t get a lot of picks but he caused fumbles and intimidated players. In the same way I think Branch can be very effective he can hit and the biggest thing is he has tremendous range and speed he has a nose for the ball. The same is true with Steve Brown his ball skills are better than any of them and he has great instincts. Eugene is a vet and can fill in at either position.
May 30th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
J Hill Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
The safeties are as good as it gets
——————————————————-
Which safeties, Priest?
Looks like it’s going to be Stevie Brown at FS. He played there a lot last year when Huff was playing corner.
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I completely agree. Priest doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Safeties been a trouble spot since…Woodsen left
May 30th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
164. Priest, what position did you play?
Google back?
May 30th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Huff should probably go. Yes, he’s finally playin the dreaded single high better but its been SIX years and I’m always wary of anyone who “suddenly” breaks out during a CONTRACT year.
May 30th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
The entire post is based on hindsight, as IF the poster expects Mr Davis to have. Evry GM in history would be geniuses with that trait. Mr Davis has made some ill-fated moves no doubt. He never should’ve hired Kiffin it’s taken us until now to rid ourselves of his stench. Bad move
The hiring of Hue Jackson good move getting JC good move getting Richard Seymour great move. He has retooled the team with very talented players in 4 years of drafting. You make stupid mistakes you pay for them and he has. But I like where we are now.
As for who got us to 8-8 I would definitely give that to Hue Jackson his getting Hue and Camp more than made up for Kiffin and Cable. That’s what got us to 8-8 IMO. Now for the first time in years I see playoff potential and it’s not a dream it’s realistic, if Cable doesn’t screw the pooch we go 10-6 last year.
Hindsight is 20/20 anyone can pick apart anyones draft after the fact and say he should’ve done this but can you do it BEFORE the draft?? if you can’t then shutup!!
May 30th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
None but since you’re asking what position did YOIU play??
May 30th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Just say you disagree no need to get personal…….I’m better at that than most if that’s what you want to do.
I don’t give my opinion for you to agree to it IT”S MY opinion…………get it!
May 30th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
BTW I said what I said about Jack because he himself said and George has said the same thing. I’ve talk to both of them personally THAT’S why I said what I said. George was great in coverage. But Jack wasn’t those are the facts………..Jack!!
May 30th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
priesttj Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
You cannot take SnB seriously he just is the type who alwyas sees the glass half empty no matter what. He thinks if you stop the run you can a championship. Stopping the run doesn’t gaurantee a damn thing except stopping the run. To win a champiosnship you have to have solid QB play a great running game and a opportunistic defense. If you have a great QB that can make up for a lot. But IMO the biggest need is an Oline and playmakers and a defense that can take the ball away. Stopping the run is great but I would rather have a defense that takes the ball and can score with it. Lets someone else spend all their time stopping the run.
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I’m probably gonna need a piss test for agreeing with Priest but he hit the nail on the head.
Exhibit A: New Orleans Saints
May 30th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
You needing a piss test has nothing to do with me, they should piss test you everyday.
May 30th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Don’t get sensitive Priest it was just a mild insult. I got love for all my IBA bloggers. Even MR.
May 30th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Hey priest, did you really talk to Tatum and George? How? I’m just curious because that is pretty cool.
May 30th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Let me state my meaning more clearly for those who can’t decipher it. Stopping the run is beautiful it’s great it’sa glowing stat but winning games doesn’t nessarily depend on it. This is if never before a passing league the running game sets up the pass. Even the Steelers have gone pass happy, you must be balanced. The t/o ratio is the single most important stat in football it decides more games that any one single thing.
If your defense is stingy vs the run but gices up huge passing stats you’ll get killed in most games. So it’s not necessarily all about “stopping the run” as it is stopping the posession. If you can take the ball away and even score with it you’ll win many more times the the best run defense in the league.
IOW great defense is great defense any way you slice it, and great defenses get the ball back for their offenseand that is what wins games…………….period
May 30th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Yeah I taked to George a lot I haven’t talked to Tatun as much because he suffered badly with diabetes later in his life so you rarely saw him. But George and i talked a lot a few years back. Now this is not something I noticed when they played, George told me this. And Tatum admitted as much, you see Tatum ran a 4.3 but he was 5′10″ at best while George was taller and just more agile. I used to talk to George when we were scouting Nnamdi, at the East West shrine practices. I was out there with Mike Lombardi and Norv Turner looking at Andrew Walter.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
I think all this Defensive talk can be summed up like this.
A true good defense is a COMPLETE defense. Which means that you are good both against the run and the pass. You can’t really be good against one and poor against the other because then the other team will simply abuse you on whatever weakness your defense has. Take a look at our D the these past years. We were pretty good vs the pass but our run D was horrible. Which in a way it gave us a misleading stat vs the pass, because teams would just run the ball on us.
This is why I think that a true great defense has to be a balanced D. One that is at least decent against both the run and pass, one that can create turn overs, and stop drives, like priest said. Pretty obvious when you think about it.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
So you were a scout of some sort?… for the raiders?
May 30th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
its funny to see snb tell me to relax when he starts the whining about the same subjects. stopping the run doesnt guarantee anything. people act as if u just play defense thats enuff. they also think that u can get a qb in any round but not other positions. carl nicks i believe was a 5th rdnr like gaither. saturday went undrafted like clabo. harrison went undrafted and was cut 3 times and twice by the steelers. randle went undrafted and is in the hall of fame. what is this bs about having to get certain positions in certain rounds? u get the talent when its there. luck will be the most coveted PLAYER since manning and he is a better overall talent than he was coming out. u do what u have to do get that guy if u want to win.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
No I was never on staff….
Armond he can’t help it man I’ve talked to dude about his opinions many times he just can’t see past his emotions.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Armond SnB can’t help himself man, and I’ve said many times talent can be found in every rnd and even in UDFA as we’ve seen in TK and Des bryant. People get overly excited about #1’s for obvious reasons but Chaz Schilens is hnad sdown our most complete rec. we got him in the 7th.
You do what you have to do……………period
May 30th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
em raider u have said it best. the packers d outplayed the steelersin the SB cuz they are more balanced. they have playmakers at every level of the defense and in some cases they have 2. c -wood and t-will at cb/ collins at s/ matthews barnett bishop at lb/ jenkins and raji on the line. not to mention some quality backups and they had several guys hurt. they hit u, force to’s and can stop the run when NEEDED. they just make plays. for all the tough talk about pitts run d, GB kicked their azz and it wouldve been a blowout if not for some td drops by jones and nelson. and guess what, c-wood got hurt and they still made plays. why, cuz they are deep and they force to’s. thats the kind of d i want. a vicious athletic playmaking d that will challenge our offense to be more consistent and explosive. we also have firepower in our return unit. we have the makings of being a COMPLETE team than that ravens bullsh!t snb loves so much.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
29th against the run is as unacceptable as a 29th ranked pass defense.
You all think the Raiders are going to come out here and just flat out light up the scoreboard? You all think that rookies and new free agents just come in and are playing at a high level? Go with it if it makes you feel better.
The Raiders season comes down to Rolando McClain’s ability to grasp the defense and the D-Line occupying their blockers.
Teams will continue to run the doggone football on this team until they can stop it.
What’s the point in a Million Dollar Secondary if the opponent does bother testing it? — How does Nnamdi go an entire season with only 2 or 3 balls per game thrown at him?
BEcause the opponent is running the m-fn ball down the Raiders collective throats!
May 30th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Armond man I’m glad there’s someone with some damn insight in here beyond the normal gibberish that gets uttered in here. Everybody parrots the same crap. Of course you need to stop the run to some extent but it’s not the end all to be all they make it out to be.
It’s exactly as you stated a balanced D that makes plays is much more dangerous. All GB did was spread the Steelers out so they couldn’t focus on the run and sliced them to pieces. If they don’t drop those early TD’s they beat the Steelers by 14-20 points. They Steelers focus so much on stopping the run the can’t cover their secondary stinks!!
May 30th, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Well, the Raiders believe they can move forward successfully next year without the best cornerback in the NFL.
So the secondary is set. The reason why this defense isn’t as “balanced” as we would like is because the run defense is atrocious.
You can’t sugarcoat the 4th worst run defense in the NFL.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:34 pm
As for draft picks…I don’t care what player is drafted where…just address the needs.
They need a big run stuffer on 1st and 2nd downs, a younger John Henderson and a WLB.
As for the secondary, you all are going in with a big assumption that there won’t be any “learning curves” with whoever replaces Nnamdi and the new safety lineup.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
3 to 4 new O-Line starters and receivers still “learning the game” and this offense is going to carry the team?
I like defense, not because of a love for the “Ravens”, but because a good defense can help nurse a struggling offense trying to find itself.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
who says we like the defense as is? i said before the draft that i wanted 2 dlineman and a lb. snb u do realize that we are 1 of the youngest teams in the league and will go thru struggles before we get better dont u?
May 30th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Al Davis signed Javon Walker and drafted Jamarcus Russell. That’s really the only thing the Al haters have to hand their hats on.
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Ah, if only this were true.
I’m a Davis loyalist, but I must admit there have been many other missteps Al has taken, that are responsible for the darkest years this franchise has endured.
JaMoron was the worst of the draft mistakes, but certainly not the only one. Obviously, the draft is a crapshot and hindsight is 20-20, but it’s fair to say the Raids have failed to get good return on the top 10 and high draft picks they have had.
Gallery at nbr 2 overall was a big bust. Grove was a washout. Those 2 failures really set the OL back.
Huff at nbr 7 overall has been a failure. DHB, also nbr 7 overall, hasn’t looked good or delivered thus far.
To be fair, there have been good picks, especially in the middle rounds along the way, but Al’s whiffing on the top 10 picks has been disastrous.
Javon stands out as a terrible signing. But it’d be negligent to fail to point out that besides the Walker mistake, there hasn’t been any free agent signings that have had an impact or improved the team either. The failure to bolster the roster through free agency falls on Mr. Davis.
Then there were the bad trades. The DeAngelo Hall mistake was costly. Trading a high first round pick for Randy Moss (understandable based on his ability and past performance), and then only getting a 4th in return after he washed out in Oakland was a mistake.
Then there’s the bad hirings and the coaching carousel that falls on Mr. Davis. Callahan, Shell, Turner. The Lame Kiffin disaster. And then Cable.
I admire and have great respect for Al Davis, but he’s got to take responsibility for the Raiders’ dismal performance over almost an entire decade.
The Davis haters have more than just Javon and JaMoron to hang their hats on.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
SnB everyone on earth knows you can’t just SUCK vs the run but I prefer a balanced aggressive ball hawking D. You’re not telling anyone something we don’t know. It’s been stated in here adnauseum but it’s not what’s foing to make this defense great.
It’s going to be great when they can do both almost equally as good. if you’re dfense is ranked in the top10 but it’s not dominant vs the run you can WIN BIG. IF and I say IF they have a great t/o ratio say plus 15+ you’re better off than a team great vs the but does get t/o’s. In short your defense must be great.
You’re not telling us nothing we don’t know.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
priest, people in here panic 2 much. u had people sayin matt shawny sucked becuz he kept sayin “u know” in an interview. they even said he was stupid and now they kiss his azz. some said lamar houston sucked cuz he wasnt cody, now they kiss his azz 2. they also believed that bs story about mm34 and now they kiss his azz. the lists goes on and on in here with these guys. i still cant believe some of yall wanted dmac to be a 3rd down back and even said cut him and bush. hahaha this sh!t is too damn ridiculous in here at times.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
priesttj Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Armond SnB can’t help himself man, and I’ve said many times talent can be found in every rnd and even in UDFA as we’ve seen in TK and Des bryant. People get overly excited about #1’s for obvious reasons but Chaz Schilens is hnad sdown our most complete rec. we got him in the 7th.
You do what you have to do……………period
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LMAO Priest. The only people game-planning for Shilens are Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
my favorite tho is when snb gets all hyped up for the season and then pulls a hissy fit the moment they have a bad game only to keep comin back for more. HAHAHA now thats some funny shiiiit!!!!!!!
May 30th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Snb are you blind son??? struggling offense ???
what strugglinng offense this offense peeled off 25 pts a game how is that struggling?? This promises to be one of the most explosive O’s in the game and a good defense not a great one but a good defense with this O can win 10 games. And I’m saying know ing this defense will be a very good defense. So your worrries about stopping the run IMO on this team aren’t as well founded as youy think. We won 8 games last year and I know we’ll get better on both sides of the ball.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Armond it’s worse than a bunch of old women getting together for bidge sometimes. They just can’t see past their own silly bias’s if THEY don’t like a player all of a sudden he sucks!! because THEY don’t like him.
Theeir saying this draft was just for speed when we drafetd 2 Olineman in the 1st 3 picks. And a TE to boot but that doesn’t count we drafted all speed because DMoore and TJ and DVD all run 4.2’s I guess of they ran 4.5’s it would be better.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
snb i agree about the run defense but it doesnt stop there. our defense will get better but we are young all over. the run d can improve simply by tackling better. there are several examples i could give. 2 many runs break off cuz guys dont tackle in space well enuff like huff, routt and the lb’s. i believe once free agency hits we will be aggressive on the defensive side and the oline. u gotta let the lockout end before u get all pissy. u act as if there was already FA and we did nothing. when was the last time al davis didnt go get some players? dont be surprised if he does let naamdi go so he can get 3 or more players like he said. just chill.
May 30th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Nope, none of this losing is funny Armond. Not a bit of it
May 30th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
We all want to win man, none of us would be here besides a couple of nutcases, But we all want to win and we know what we’re looking at even if you don’t. Now we know it has to happen on the field on Sunday. just saying it before you do…
May 30th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
priest i just want this lockout to end so there is new stuff for them to biotch about. atleast it would be refreshing.im excited about this class even tho i wouldve traded dvd for kendrick ellis and chekwa for
marecic or matthews. u know i really liked marecic. it tells me they are prepared to move on without naamdi if he wants 2 much. i think this class will play better than it looks. they wont be asked to do as much and some may even surprise us. dvd is suppose to be a good st guy. id like to see him and branch as gunners. people forget our st is an up and coming unit. ford/ jones as return men with lech and sebass kicking. im not a huge sebass fan but paired with lech is as good a duo in the nfl. we are building a complete team.
May 30th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
198.SnB Production Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Nope, none of this losing is funny Armond. Not a bit of it
not sayin the losin is funny. u flippin your emotions is funny.
May 30th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Armond I said this after the draft I really think this draft would’ve been different if FA could’ve taken place before the draft. But this lockout is forcing teams to do a lot of tings they don’t want to do. I think Nnamdi would’ve been signed if there was no lockout.
As you said biulding a complete team, that takes YEARS not months it’s starting to come together it’s taken us too long to get the QB but I like this defense. I don’t carwe what anybody says I think this is a very talented defense.
May 30th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Also I do remember how pissed off this entire board was after the draft when we picked Branch and Schilens. I think we got T Scott also in that draft. people were saying we didn’t get a single player other than DMC, well 4out 5 aint half bad.
May 30th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
priest, correction: You want to win Al Davis’s way. If Hue Jackson benches all of Davis’s scholarships, goes against Davis at every turn, criticizes Davis’s meddling to the press, and goes 16-0? You’ll turn your back and sneer. You don’t want to win. You just want Al Davis to win, his way, with his system. And NO OTHER WAY. You’d rather lose Al’s way than win anyone else’s way.
May 30th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
priest they listen to these so called experts on tv who dont pay as much attention to the raiders as they do. willie mcginest gave us a d just cuz we took a couple wrs and some dbs. no insight as to why due to the players we picked. mayock referred to chekwa as another hws guy with a lil smirk on his face like he could do better. i stopped taking what these analysts say so seriously cuz i can do my own research. talk to ohio st fans and they say chekwa was damn good. i saw where he was 1rst team all big 10 and was in the running for some top defensive awards. we rely on these “experts” to give us sound info on guys we dont see but instead they give us their ignorant and biased opinions based on who drafts them. notice how everything the patriot do is great? even teddy bruschi has been critical of them passing on some top pass rushers by trading down 2 much.
May 30th, 2011 at 8:53 pm
How can you talk to ANYBODY about bias feelings?? You are the worst offender of this on earth! Every year its the same song and dance with you…every pick made by the Raiders is a future HOFer…every guy taken in the late rounds you claim to know about and have a “good feeling” about….LOL…hypocrisy
May 30th, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Armond this is something I’m very passionate about, ut’s what started m ecalling radio stations 30 years ago. Talking heads are just there to get a paycheck and most of the things they say are half researched and some of it is being told to them as they speak (expecially on radio) I use to know a producer for KNBR and he told those guys a lot of what they said.
Anyway It’s impossible for a national outlet to know everything there is about local teams. They rely on the local beat writers for most of their info. but it gets stale. Critiging drafts and things of taht sort is soo freakin subjective it broders on irrelevance. Because the best draftniks just simoly cannot do all the neccesary research that scouting staffs can do and tailor to each system. So they have to say something so they say what’s POPULAR!!
Sometimes you’ll have a guy who really does have good contacts and can give solid info but they are so far and few between you cannot who actually has the right info. Now look at Mitchell he’s everything they said he wasn’t. They are at a distinct disadvantage because most of them just have piecemeal info.
The local guys tend to be somewhat bias and then you have some who peand everyday with that team who really know what they’re talking about a lot of the time. The rest just parrot what everyone else said.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Armond, those “so called experts” on t.v. are right far more often than you and priest.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Mike Mitchell is not a good player. He has done nothing to justify being taken so early in the draft. That is fact. Un debateable. Youll never answer this cuz your a complete coward Priest…How is it that EVERY pick the Raiders make you claim to be the right one?? I mean really, every pick.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
206.Dan Land Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 8:53 pm
How can you talk to ANYBODY about bias feelings?? You are the worst offender of this on earth! Every year its the same song and dance with you…every pick made by the Raiders is a future HOFer…every guy taken in the late rounds you claim to know about and have a “good feeling” about….LOL…hypocrisy
see waht i mean? now who is this biotch?
May 30th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Armond remember on this very blog when Jerry was asked after Mr Davis fired Kiffin if Mr Davis was capable of rebiulding the Raiders without kiffin?
Jerry flat said I don’t think so… lol
jerry actually thought Mr Davis needed freakin Kiffin to tell him how to rebiuld the Raiders. This entire blog damn near bought that crap……..people were jumping off cliffs yelling and screaming that’s when they put up that stupid billboard. lol
Mr Davis never broke stride doing what he knows and “voila” this is one of the better young teams in the league because he has his own blueprint. He does things his way no matter who says what. Now he has a coach who can reallly coach to work with him and we’ll see what happens.
But I just laughed my butt off…………Jerry thinking Mr Davis needs that snot nosed punk to rebiuld his team. What a joke!!!!
May 30th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
i mean what. well i guess mr i mean “raider” wants to jump in this. mr ive told u im not into battling with u like other posters. id rather knock u the fugg out and be done with it. ive told yo azz before to leave me alone now back off.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Back due to popular demand. I’ll be posting this frequently.
NFL Analysis: Al Davis Continues to Lead Raiders Nowhere
Blog by TheXLog
(May 17, 2011) in Sports / Raiders
Al Davis is the NFL’s version of the Dos Equis guy, he’s easily the most interesting man in football. Instead of wanting you to stay thirsty, he just wants to win…baby. Davis’ image is as recognizable to professional football fans as the NFL shield itself. As the years have gone by though, his movie like appearance has changed from that of a wise guy with ties to Joe Pesci and Robert Deniro in “Casino”, to the brother of Smeagol in Lord of the Rings.
As Davis has aged, his appearance hasn’t been the only decline in his life. His beloved Raiders franchise has crumbled under the weight of his horrific decision making of the last decade. The once storied “Black Hole”, that opposing fans feared to enter in Oakland has seemed more like a vacation spot of sorts as of late. The nickname the “Black Hole” now better describes the part of his heart meant to hold the affection for his coaches. Davis goes through coaches these days like an evil crypt keeper goes through souls that have been damned to come into contact with him.
Davis helped lead the AFL and the Raiders into a prominent position back in the 1960′s. He kept them competitive and even dominant for a few decades as they merged into the NFL. By the time Jon Gruden came into the death clutch of Mr. Davis, the Raiders hadn’t been a factor for quite some time. Gruden still managed to overcome the handicap that had become of having Al as a boss and led Oakland to an AFC Championship game and an apparent Super Bowl berth, until the infamous “tuck rule” changed all of that. The next year, Davis thought the best way to reward Gruden for this and to keep his organization moving forward was to trade Gruden to Tampa Bay.
Bill Callahan, who was Gruden’s offensive coordinator replaced him in Oakland and led the Raiders to face off against Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers team in the very next Super Bowl. What looked to be a brilliant move at a first glance quickly became apparent to everyone to be a colossal mistake. The Bucs destroyed Oakland’s team, partly because Callahan was still running the same offense that Gruden helped install with the personnel that Gruden help develop.
Since Smeagol sold his treasure to Tampa Bay, he’s been searching all of middle-earth for his precious. For those of you that watched Lord of the Rings, you realize that I’m not talking about Gruden here, but instead the jewelry loving Davis. Al is looking for the ring that he holds so dear. His precious has made him callous. And when you factor that in with the diminishing mental aptitude he’s developed over the years, you can see how he’s run his franchise into the dirt. Even when he lucks out to hiring a good fit and having a great draft, he undermines it and sets the organization back, 5 more years.
When it comes to the draft, the golden rule is that a franchise quarterback trumps all else. Davis doesn’t give his head coaches the leeway to draft their own personnel. This was always known but brought more to the light when Lane Kiffin stated that he never wanted Jamarcus Russell. Since their Super Bowl appearance, the Raiders haven’t been over .500 once. When they finally made it back to 8-8 and 6-0 in their conference, Davis decided to not resign the coach that got them there.
The biggest problem here is how Davis forced his coaches to draft since the Super Bowl. Below you will find the coaches and their records the year after Davis dipped his hand into the talent pool to make the selections. I’ve also added some key notes on who the Raiders could have drafted instead in the coming picks. It’s important to note that the Raiders haven’t had a dynamic skill position player since the Super Bowl season. Instead of drafting a franchise quarterback, Davis has placed more value on the secondary, but then in large part has chosen not to resign them?
2003 – Bill Callahan (4-12)
1st Round #31- Nnamdi Asomugha – Great pick but they already had Rod Woodson, Charles Woodson, and Phillip Buchanon and didn’t have a franchise quarterback. I still wouldn’t complain about this pick, if the Raiders plan on resigning him this year.
1st Round #32 – Tyler Brayton – Osi Umenyiora was still on the board and went several picks later.
3rd Round #63 – Teyo Johnson – Jason Witten was still on the board and went a few picks later.
2004 – Norv Turner (5-11)
1st Round #2 – Robert Gallery – They obviously needed a franchise quarterback, not named Kerry Collins. Instead they drafted an offensive tackle that had to move inside to guard. Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger were both still available. They also could have drafted Larry Fitzgerald.
2nd Round #45 – Jake Grove – They drafted two interior offensive lineman and could have taken Darnell Dockett with this pick and a franchise QB with their first selection. Where do you think they would have been now?
2005 – Norv Turner (4-12)
1st Round #23 – Fabian Washington – So, the Kerry Collins/Rich Gannon project didn’t work the prior year. Norv Turner had to pass on Roethlisberger / Rivers in 2004, how the hell would an organization pass on Aaron Rodgers when he slid to them? Instead Davis selected a cornerback and the Packers took Rodgers with the next pick, then the following year, the Raiders didn’t resign Charles Woodson, and he ended up with the Packers. Fast forward five years and the Packers win a Super Bowl while the Raiders look to not resign Nnamdi Asomugha. Also, 2 picks after Oakland took Fabian Washington, the Washington Redskins drafted Jason Campbell, who ironically is now the Raiders starting quarterback and should be replaced.
2nd Round #38 – Stanford Routt – Oakland wasted the 2nd overall pick the prior year on a guy who can’t play offensive tackle. This year, Michael Roos was still on the board, but yet they still went for another cornerback. Also, Frank Gore went several picks later.
2006 – Art Shell (2-14)
1st Round #7 – Michael Huff – Oakland let go of Kerry Collins and brought in Aaron Brooks instead of drafting a franchise quarterback. They once again choose secondary over quarterback. They could have drafted Jay Cutler, or could have gotten that franchise running back in Deangelo Williams after passing on Frank Gore or after not drafting Darnell Dockett, they could have taken Haloti Ngata here.
Round #38 – Thomas Howard – This wasn’t a bad pick but they could have gotten a playmaker at running back or receiver with Greg Jennings or Maurice Jones-Drew. Marcus McNeil would have been a better left tackle than Gallery, who was drafted 2nd overall 2 years prior. The Raiders also liked Vince Young in this draft. (Hint Hint – Al Davis might go after him this year.)
2007 – Lane Kiffin (4-12)
1st Round #1 – Jamarcus Russell – Surprised that Art Shell didn’t work out 12 years later, after getting fired the first time. Davis hires a 31 year old coach and after passing on several Super Bowl winning quarterbacks the last few drafts, forces him to draft the biggest bust in NFL draft history. Kiffin probably would have selected Calvin Johnson here. He also could have taken Adrian Peterson, Joe Thomas, Patrick Willis, or Darrelle Revis. Basically, anybody except Russell.
2nd Round #38 – Zach Miller – Miller is a good tight end but they could have drafted Jason Witten a few years prior and taken Lamarr Woodley here.
2008 – Kiffin / Tom Cable (5-11)
1st Round #4 – Darren McFadden – After passing on Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, and Maurice Jones-Drew, they go after their running back. They could have gotten Chris Johnson later. McFadden can’t stay healthy. They could have taken Ryan Clady here.
2009 – Tom Cable (5-11)
1st Round #7 – Darius Heyward-Bey – C’mon on man! They could have taken Michael Crabtree. If they would have taken Calvin Johnson in 2007, they could have taken BJ Raji, Brian Orakpo, Brian Cushing, or Clay Matthews. They also could have taken Josh Freeman here but wouldn’t because Davis loved Russell.
Round 2 #47 – Mike Mitchell – Back to the secondary. This could have been Lesean McCoy or Paul Kruger.
2010 – Tom Cable (8-8)
1st Round #8 – Rolando McClain – After the heavy backlash on the 2009 draft, Cable got to make some input on this draft. He had a great draft and had a solid choice here.
2nd Round #44 – Lamarr Houston- Cable follows it up with another great pick here. It becomes apparent, who’s in charge of this draft.
2011 – Hue Jackson…..
Smeagol shows how completely insane the pursuit of the ring has made him. He fires the first coach that’s be able to get him back to .500 and was able to convince Davis of drafting talented football players instead of track stars. Since Cable was not resigned, Al Davis decided to name the new head coach, Hue Jackson. As soon as Cable was let go and Jackson hired, we all knew that the 2011 draft would have an Al Davis stench to it. That’s exactly what happened as Cable wasn’t in the room anymore to convince Davis to take talented players, he made Jackson draft more track stars. Fitting the mold of Davis secondary picks with track speed is Demarcus Van Dyke from Miami.
Well, welcome back to the Black Hole which is known as the AFC West basement, because that’s where Smeagol feels most comfortable in his pursuit of the ring.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/nfl-analysis-al-davis-continues-to-lead-raiders-nowhere
May 30th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Who asked you Armond? Learn to type or spell and then get back to me…
May 30th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Ooh, was that a threat, Armond? LOL.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Better young teams in the league??? Holy mother of god you are dillusional….Un real
May 30th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Hed rather just knock you the fugg out… LOL! What a tool bag
May 30th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
priest i also remember thec07 saying ford would be rroy while mayock said he was a track guy. a lot of fans are very astute and know more about this team than the talking heads. several bloggers called for the zone blocking to change and it was for the best. these same experts never go back and admit they were wrong but pump their chest out when they are right. ill give mayock credit for at least owning up to ford. notice he wont touch quinn tho.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Yeah, what a cyber chump. Whatever.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
armond Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
these same experts never go back and admit they were wrong but pump their chest out when they are right.
…………….
Describes you to a “t”. Oh, except the chest bumping when you’re right. Because you’ve never been right about anything since I’ve been commenting here.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
That’s MR Armond in his 6th personality, he has about 10 of them so get ready this sucka is sick fo’real!!!
May 30th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
priest, do you honestly think there’s only one person here who doesn’t worship Al?
May 30th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Hey MR,
Let me see you and Dan Land post something at the exact same minute.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Mayock never admit Quinn because that weakens his case against Russell. I’ll give him credit he called Russell dismissive attitude towards dedication to the game but he totally whiffed on Quinn.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Hey Priest….If Al Davis is soooo adept at building a club how is it that hes working on a losing streak never seen before in modern NFL??
May 30th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
How many winning seasons for Al Davis in the last 20 years??
May 30th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
504 they post something at the same time everytime just not with the different names. He’s 3different people at once.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
I’ll bet this Raider losing streak has a positive correlation to MR, Dan Land, and Raider all NOT getting laid.
Don’t Fret MR or Raider or Dan Land, This will be OUR year. The Raiders and MR or Dan Land, or Raider are Back Baby.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
How many times a day are you caught talking to your other personalities??? Like maybe 20?
May 30th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
I didnt catch your answer Priest…How nany winning seasons has Al put together in last 20 years??
May 30th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
mayock breaks things down very well no doubt. he makes the same mistakes as the other experts tho. these talk shows are a joke half the time. a lot of times they have people build a case for each side just to entertain us like they do on those political talk shows. sometimes i wonder if they even believe the things they are sayin. radio is the worst. i cant even listen to that jeff sheen after rick tittle. that new station 95.7 isnt good at all. cant stand chris townsend and those morining guys are a joke. the 4pm show was garbage. these guys are on air to entertain more than they are to have a reasonable conversation. thats why i dont listen or call in like i use to aside from tittles show.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
I’ll answer that MR. The answer is 20. Al Davis wins every year. He makes more money than we can dream of while cats like you argue over how he spends it.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
hey MR…werent you the dick that got into with me because you said AD would most certainly bring back gruden?? which is it??…..you love or hate AD??….or is it that you just cruise on here looking for a fight??…..i dont get it….
May 30th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Armond Rick Tittle is all I can take I can’t listen like I used to. It’s just total garbage. When Pete Franklin was here was the best of the best. Since then it’s just declined and declined everyone tries to be like Gary Radnich who stinks. Everything is yuck yuck yuck hahhaha who doing who and trivia. It;s sickening!!
May 30th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
LOL!! Nice answer 504….funny how none of you Al is God guys will ever admit how much of a failure he has been in the last 20 to 25 years…. HILARIOUS
May 30th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
Priest,
Last 20 years…how many??
May 30th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
230.Dan Land Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
I didnt catch your answer Priest…How nany winning seasons has Al put together in last 20 years??
about as many winning seasons as u had with a woman. thats a free one for ya on me.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Imisstimbrown No! you do get it. That is exactly what he does come in here to fight and blast Mr Davis that sums him up perfectly.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Armond,
Are you retarded? I will take it easy on you if you are, but your posts lead me to think your a little slow….”about as many winning seasons as u had with a woman”…What in the hell does that even mean?? Just let me know and I will move on lil buddy.
May 30th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
None of you Davis schills have the answer??
May 30th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
priest i had to warm up to tittle cuz i didnt know if he would be like the rest. dont agree with everything he says but hes cool. he actually believes in talking with his callers and not at them. radnich is garbage. havent heard him in a couple years now so i guess its the same stuff. dont even get me started on barbieri. everytime i heard him i thought of tattoo on fantasy island. the plane the plane!!!
May 30th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
It’s a great night to be a Raiders fan. Isn’t it?!
Man…great grilled porterhouse steak BBQ today. Steak n shrimp n tequila n cerveza n hot babe. Excellent Memorial Day!!
Interesting to watch The Fans in here ignoring the troll as he talks to/about/reference himself and his (its) points of view. Sad, that one. Almost pathetic enough to make me lose my buzz.
May 30th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Hayes,
Go f yourself. Who gives a funk what your trailer park livin ass ate today
May 30th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Glad to see someone else had a great day, too!
May 30th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
This game is too easy sometimes.
May 30th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
LOL Ralph is a joke a run on joke! I rarely agree with Tittle he’s just too negative at times. Everything is gloom and doom. Part of the fun of sports is seeing if something you thought you’d never see. The ups and the downs and then watching a team get back up. It’s not about just winning all the time because it never happens for anyone everyone goe sthru bad times.
But I do like the fact that he will let you talk and listen, something that’s a lost art in sports talk. It’s sports smack……..no one listens!!
I go all the way back to Dave Newhouse long b4 Ralph and Gary.
May 30th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Dan Land Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Hayes,
Go f yourself. Who gives a funk what your trailer park livin ass ate today
————————————————————————————————————–
LMFAO! And on the one I’m out. Night All.
May 30th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
HD37 the dude is background noise as far as I’m concerned. I don’t read his post .
May 30th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
MMMM-mmmm!!!
I had a big ol’ porterhouse…medium rare…4 big ol’ spice-buttered shrimp…excellent rice smothered in grilled peppers…a number of excellent ice-cold cervezas…and a few hits o’ Patron Silver. Dessert yet to come! What a great day. AND…I’m a Raiders fan!
May 30th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
BHP, it (MR) and its make-believe pals are no sweat to me. I love it when it’s perturbed, though… especially if it’s because someone else actually is enjoying something!
May 30th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
I get cha’ I just ignore it and I’vs added KK to the list that I ignore along with StankyBrown they are all the same they come in here for the exact same reason hate on Mr Davis and argue with posters.
I see you had an historic day, great 4 u bro. I’m jealous!!
May 30th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
504, Al Davis doesn’t make that much money. It’s been reported several times he’s going broke. So if it’s Al’s money we’re supposedly jealous of, there’s 31 other owners we’re even more jealous of, according to your logic.
May 30th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Hayez, you have a “hot babe” with you and you decided to come here? What did you do, tell her, “I’ll be right back”, run upstairs, turn on your laptop, and type as quietly as possible? Of course not. Your blow up doll wouldn’t hear you anyway.
May 30th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
HayesDaze37 Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
MMMM-mmmm!!!
I had a big ol’ porterhouse…medium rare…4 big ol’ spice-buttered shrimp…excellent rice smothered in grilled peppers…a number of excellent ice-cold cervezas…and a few hits o’ Patron Silver. Dessert yet to come! What a great day. AND…I’m a Raiders fan!
…………………
You didn’t mention the “babe” this time. Did you just forget that small detail? Did she leave? Did you already let the air out of her?
May 30th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Actually…she’s making me a late night dessert. You know, something other than cheezy-poofs.
And…I can come and go here at me own leisure…I don’t need mommy’s permission or anything!
Glad to share me good time with you, MR…me thinks you wouldn’t know what one was without it.
Glad I stopped by…I shall continue my great evening now.
Good evening, BHP and other fans!
It’s a great night to be a Raiders fan. Isn’t it?!
Ohhh…chocolate-covered, yeah it is!
May 30th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
easy HD37!!
May 30th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Ha ha ha! A dessert. That’s what a woman would say! “He’s making me dessert.” Men don’t brag about that. You know we only want to know one thing, Hayes. Not whether or not she made you dessert. lol. I can tell right now, if you really do have a woman with you, she’s your friend. You two are going to have dessert and watch a movie. Then she’s going to go to another guy’s house to get satisfied. Of course, this is assuming there is a woman there.
May 30th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
HayesDaze37 Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
It’s a great night to be a Raiders fan. Isn’t it?!
Ohhh…chocolate-covered, yeah it is!
…………………
http://bit.ly/lj0sgI
May 30th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
“chocolate covered”. wow.
Page saved.
May 31st, 2011 at 3:11 am
priesttj Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
None but since you’re asking what position did YOIU play??
================
QB, FS, WR
May 31st, 2011 at 3:14 am
How sick is it when MR is on here as Dan Land AND Raider? *shudder* Creeeepeeee!
May 31st, 2011 at 5:25 am
How come with all the bloggers draft insight on here, mixed with national media and Jerry, I just learned that this Chimdi Chekwa guy severely dislocated his wrist in his bowl game, and had to have surgery and pins inserted a few months before the draft.
Read that he was expected to be a 2nd rounder, but said injury bumped him down a few rounds.
Hope it is not a potentially lingering type thing.
May 31st, 2011 at 5:59 am
I remember that being mentioned in one of the writeups here.
May 31st, 2011 at 6:08 am
Does Chekwa have a lot of tattoos ?
May 31st, 2011 at 6:26 am
He’s got an accounting degree, so I am going to guess no on the tattoo’s.
May 31st, 2011 at 6:50 am
Q: Who compared Jamarcus Russell to John Elway predraft?
A: MR/RAIDER/Dan Land/Gust’s favorite man-crush, Jon Gruden!
May 31st, 2011 at 7:22 am
Adios preppie Tressel! The lying cheater gets his due…
May 31st, 2011 at 7:31 am
Davy Jones Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 6:50 am
Q: Who compared Jamarcus Russell to John Elway predraft?
A: MR/RAIDER/Dan Land/Gust’s favorite man-crush, Jon Gruden!
_______________________________________________________
Davy Jones…
ahhh, so MR is Al Davis????
May 31st, 2011 at 8:01 am
so if we get T.O. and Steve smith for cheap would u guys be happy or would it be a lot of hate trade fragile chaz and a 5th 2013 pick and that should do and if not T.O. than Plaxico Burress but two vets would be a great thing one on the field at a time to preserve the legs and get all these old guys have left if we cant do something like this we can give up our sb prayers
May 31st, 2011 at 8:03 am
MR is not smart enough to be Al Davis I think he is actually Andy Dick.
May 31st, 2011 at 8:08 am
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
May 31st, 2011 at 8:11 am
Good morning fellas.
Hope everybody had a nice holiday weekend.
BSJ-
You go ahead and enjoy your cheep giggles and thrills now. We’ll see who has the last laugh.
When a tanned and rested, former OSU asst and Ohio native Urban Meyer is stalking the sideline in Columbus a lil over a year from now.
You Meeeeeeeshigan fans will look back to your lost decade vs The Vest as the good ol days. lol.
May 31st, 2011 at 8:13 am
cuz if T.O goes to SD we are in trouble T.O and V.jax yikes
May 31st, 2011 at 8:27 am
Now that all the cheaters like Mich, OSU and USC have been exposed the rise of Notre Dame shall begin again!
May 31st, 2011 at 8:36 am
Dakota,
What, you didn’t heed the good Dr’s call to boycott Jerry Mac’s here blog?
May 31st, 2011 at 8:37 am
Buckeyeraider,
I must have missed that….what happened?
May 31st, 2011 at 8:38 am
What about these athletes that graduate from the SEC and can barely read?
When are we going to see some of those schools get busted?
May 31st, 2011 at 8:47 am
Dakota,
I was scrolling through the previous thread, and the good Dr. and several others were urging a boycott of this site and all other NFL media as a fan backlash against the current labor standoff.
Your BFF assured everyone, at least he wouldn’t be back after June 1.
May 31st, 2011 at 8:49 am
Buckeyeraider Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 8:11 am
You go ahead and enjoy your cheep giggles and thrills now. We’ll see who has the last laugh.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nah, I’ll get the last laugh when you forfeit every 2010 victory.
BTW Fakota, offseason practices that went over time limits is no way similar to:
Covering up major NCAA violations and knowingly fielding ineligible players for a whole season. Plus Pryor is now getting caught with possessing 3+ cars he did not pay for.
Sh!thole state, sh!thole program.
May 31st, 2011 at 8:51 am
Next OSU coach will be that pillar of Suckeye integrity: Art Schlichter.
May 31st, 2011 at 8:52 am
Trade Jon Condo for Cole Ford!
May 31st, 2011 at 8:53 am
Trade DMAC for Steve Howe!
May 31st, 2011 at 8:54 am
What the hell is boycotting this site going to do to the NFL labor issue? NOTHING. The owners are prepared to cancel real games with real income, and someone actually thinks the give a shiz about a website where a few fans blog?
May 31st, 2011 at 8:54 am
Where is Mustafa when you need him?
May 31st, 2011 at 8:56 am
278.Buckeyeraider Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 8:47 am
Dakota,
I was scrolling through the previous thread, and the good Dr. and several others were urging a boycott of this site and all other NFL media as a fan backlash against the current labor standoff.
Your BFF assured everyone, at least he wouldn’t be back after June 1.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Poor mental midgets….yeah, hurting Jerry McDonald and his paper will really put the pressure on the NFL and the players to resolve their labor issues lol.
I hope the sad little creature has fun commenting on a baking blog or whatever!
May 31st, 2011 at 8:59 am
Wow I didn’t know Steve Howe is dead. RIP.
If we boycott the blog, JMac will just get more furlough time. I would, however, get more work done.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:06 am
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 8:49 am
Buckeyeraider Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 8:11 am
You go ahead and enjoy your cheep giggles and thrills now. We’ll see who has the last laugh.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nah, I’ll get the last laugh when you forfeit every 2010 victory.
BTW Fakota, offseason practices that went over time limits is no way similar to:
Covering up major NCAA violations and knowingly fielding ineligible players for a whole season. Plus Pryor is now getting caught with possessing 3+ cars he did not pay for.
Sh!thole state, sh!thole program.
————————-
Too funny. Feel sorry for Buckeye fans today. Holy Shcyttttt. Will they have to forfeit titles now?
May 31st, 2011 at 9:08 am
boycotting this blog would put Jerry out of job and I doubt would hurt the NFL owners in any way.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:11 am
Nobody is as astute on whiffing as you tj so I guess that makes you the blog expert on “whiffing”.
______
Priesttj Says:
May 30th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Mayock never admit Quinn because that weakens his case against Russell. I’ll give him credit he called Russell dismissive attitude towards dedication to the game but he totally whiffed on Quinn.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:17 am
pres purp lips has put a record 44 mil on food stamps I don’t see the harm in 1 more.
____
Aig-Raiders Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 9:08 am
boycotting this blog would put Jerry out of job and I doubt would hurt the NFL owners in any way.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:20 am
BSJ,
I don’t know that some stupid players trading their personal property and awards for tatoos is a MAJOR violation. Shows how damn dumb they are, though.SMH.
It’s not like the prized recruit’s family was living in a free beach house.
This is defenitely a case of the coverup being worse than the crime. For Tressel not to immediately turn over any evidence of wrongdoing to the AD and compliance office is inexcusable. Incredible lack of judgement.
That is why he is no longer the Head Coach. I think it shows what happens when you pull back the facade of amatuer athletics and shine a spotlight on the upturned rock…you’ll find what a cesspool big time college football really is.
Surely, you’re not naive enough to think this crap only goes on at USC and OSU. They’re just the latest two big fish to get caught.
But make no mistake. They will pay the price..do the time for their crimes..and return to curb stomp the Wolverines on an annual basis. Fair and square.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:20 am
Seymour represents our first rounder this year and I just don’t know how much more of an impact anyone we chose at 17 would have in that department than he would
***
ET # 101,
I’ve heard this many times and I still don’t understand how it makes any sense. Jerry Mac just described what we’ve been getting from Seymour on the field in his article above and it ain’t much. A guy like Seymour might be worth 2-years $30+ million to a team on the verge of making some noise in the playoffs. The Oakland Raiders are not that team. Run Defense is trash. Passing game is trash. Yet another Head Coach. You’ve got asst coaches selling tickets. 4 new starters on the O-Line and Asomugha & Huff likely leaving the secondary
Call me crazy, but I’d rather have a rookie that might give you 12 years, especially if they install a rookie cap or some sort of wage scale. Nate Solder was the PATRIOTS 1st rounder – not ours.
CB’s Prince Amukamara & Jimmy Smith would have been nice if #21 can’t be retained at the right price.
DT Phil Taylor might be a beastly run stuffer, especially with Mike Waufle coaching him up.
WR Jonathan Baldwin would have eased the burden of force feeding fellow 1st rounder DHBust.
Feel free to throw Al’s track record (no pun intended) of first rounders at me, but if Hue Jackson had any say in a Top 20 draft choice and he’s the real deal, you gotta assume that pick wouldn’t be a bust
May 31st, 2011 at 9:26 am
boycotting this blog would put Jerry out of job
***
AIG,
Jerry Mac is untouchable
better yet … irreplaceable!
if the newspaper fired him, they’d become the Detroit Lions post Barry Sanders and he’d go on to work for the New York Times
May 31st, 2011 at 9:29 am
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/15182382/decision-to-make-beck-new-skins-qb-a-baffling-one/rss?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cbssportsline%2FPetePrisco_columns+%28Pete+
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
This is the kind of bullschitt I can’t stand! Had to suffer through it here with Cable/Tollner/Whackitt/Scabs. Glad Al finally woke up, but losing your #1 overall pick was a big price to pay. Poor JR.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:34 am
I just learned that this Chimdi Chekwa guy severely dislocated his wrist in his bowl game, and had to have surgery and pins inserted a few months before the draft.
***
thanks for the info, JFB
maybe he won’t contribute much this year, but he’ll turn out to be a late rounder gym the next 3 years (like Michael Bush)
I can see him stepping up when CJ37 (Fargas) leaves town next offseason
May 31st, 2011 at 9:35 am
Poor JR.
LMFAO
May 31st, 2011 at 9:35 am
With the frequency Jerry posts, it’s possible he’s boycotting the blog.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:36 am
RRS
If you can’t see the valus in Richard Seymour then IMO it’s just flat out ignorance on your part. And Jerry made no indication that his impact on the field wasn’t much. I think his impact on the field was very evident but if you need Jerry to tell what it was then I’m obviously wasting this post on you.
Does Jerry also tell you what to do with your life and if you’ve been a success or failure? Does Jerry always direct your opinion?
May 31st, 2011 at 9:40 am
Had to suffer through it here with Cable/Tollner/Whackitt/Scabs. Glad Al finally woke up, but losing your #1 overall pick was a big price to pay. Poor JR.
***
Paul Hackett = coach since 1970
Ted Tollner = coach since 1968
Tom Cable = coach since 1990
Scabs = ???
JaWalrus = 3 years in the NFL. 7 wins. biggest bust in NFL history
Print That!
May 31st, 2011 at 9:43 am
tj the “WHIFFER”, good morning!
May 31st, 2011 at 9:44 am
Good point, however there is nothing to report during the lockout.
_____
RAIDERMAN99 Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 9:35 am
With the frequency Jerry posts, it’s possible he’s boycotting the blog.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:44 am
Jerry made no indication that his impact on the field wasn’t much
***
TJ, he didn’t?
what does all this stuff mean then?
<
On the field, however the Raiders will need more than they’ve gotten in the 29 games Seymour has been a Raider.
Given his age (he’ll be 32 in October) and the amount of tread on the tires from 11 seasons as a defensive lineman, the Raiders wisely committed to only two years on Seymour’s contract extension. The fact that he accepted it demonstrates Seymour understands he’s nearing the end of the line.
there have been stretches where Seymour has blended in with a defense that has had way too many games of mediocrity or worse.
the Raiders were weak against the run all season despite the ripple effect Seymour’s presence should bring.
In his last five games, Seymour never had more than three tackles in a game and exactly one sack. He missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
When players voted for the winner of the Eric Turner award as the defensive MVP, the winner wasn’t Seymour, but fellow defensive tackle Tommy Kelly.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:50 am
RRs do you watch the games or do you need Jerry to tell you what happened? are you really that clueless?
May 31st, 2011 at 9:57 am
Jerry is a writer man, that is all he is he is not some knowledgable football man. I give him full credit for disiminating the info and doing his best to tell the story. But Jerry’s football acumen is terrible………I’m sorry but it is. He doesn’t know anything more than what he is told. He’s a good football fan just like the rest of you and that is all he is.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:58 am
I think it’s fair to question the value we got for the #17 pick in this years draft. Nick Solder has a good chance to make an impact for a decade or so. Or he may be a wasted first rounder. The Raiders track history with first rounders has been lousy, and the cost to sign the top 10 picks has been a burden.
I like to look at the rental of Seymour as the missing cog that allowed some others like Tommy Kelly to finally blossom and reach their potential. Clearly, Seymour is on the downside of his career, but if he can lead this team through effort and example, it sets up as a worthwhile first round pick. It was certainly no worse than failed first round picks we have had in the past.
May 31st, 2011 at 9:59 am
He’s a good football fan just like the rest of you and that is all he is.
*********
Except for the fact that Jerry vehemently declines that he’s a fan at all.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:04 am
C’mon, everyone knows JaMoron being the biggest bust in NFL history was Cable/Tollner/Whackitt/Scabs’ fault.
Whatever happened to Al’s lawsuit against JaMoron ? Wasn’t Al trying to recover something like 10 million dollars ?
I’d love to read the briefs on that one. Are the filings public record ?
May 31st, 2011 at 10:08 am
Guest as much as enjoy watching Seymour play his leadership on this team far exceeds his play on the field. It’s hard to quantify leadership because you’d have to see what things would be like without him but his affect on LHouston and TK as well as Des Bryant seems very evident to me. And maybe some others now that doesn’t say he hasn’t played well because he has. Regardless to what Jerry says. He forces HB’s to bounce plays often and his push up the middle is significant. It doesn’t mena he’ll make the play but he forces things so others CAN make plays. We were tied for sacks in the league I think and some of that is due to Seymour forcing doubles. TK led DT’s in sacks and that is directly attributable to Seymmour.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:14 am
tj has there ever been a bigger “whif” than your bromance luv affair with JaMeatball?
Im only asking because you are an “authority” on “whiffing”.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:16 am
I think Seymour’s impact is huge, especially on a team that changes coaches every two years. I think you need a leader like that who can set the example of hard work good study habits and a will to win so the rookies see what it takes to be successful.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:16 am
Rockstar,
There’s a whole lot more going on on the field than stats indicate, and I’m surprised you’re falling back on Jerry’s comments regarding Seymour.
Tommy Kelly was the defensive MVP last year. He happens to play right next to Richard Seymour. That is not a coincidence, especially when you look at TK’s play with Terdell Sands et al next to him in previous years. It’s not a fluke that TK’s results improved when Seymour was moved from DE to DT. Our opponents are going to try and take somebody out of the game with their blocking schemes, and I’m pretty sure they’re going to choose Seymour over Kelly.
Jerry is paid to make statements like that in order to get people to comment, so he can probably be excused for the lack of presenting the complete picture. You should know better.
As far as your comments about the two db’s, they were both taken before we picked. We did address the WR position, with a guy that by all accounts has the skillset and college production to come in and contribute. Jon Baldwin is a noted headcase, and I think we can say that the last few Raider drafts have evidenced a lack of interest in that type of player.
Also, the two db’s, the d-lineman and the WR you mention would have come at the expense of addressing an offensive line that has needed improvement for quite some time now and that is alarmingly high on aging and free agent players. I’m not even counting your earlier post where you said that if Kaepernick was available in the second round we should have taken him.
There are only so many picks.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:18 am
Fat warren Sapp was brought in here to do exactly what Seymour is doing, but couldn’t do it. Like a politician fat lazy Sapp was good at talking but when it came time to back it up on the field he failed. I think Sapp helped develop the collect a check mentality a lot of the players had at the time.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:26 am
Didn’t Sapp lose something like 30 lbs coming into his last season with the Raiders? Some fluff pieces before that season had Sapp saying he was fit and ready. That didn’t end well though.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:30 am
priesttj:
I am A-OK with having Seymour as our 2011 first rounder. We already got 2 good years in the books out of him and probably 2 more. Go and look at the percentage of first round picks that have highly productive 4 year career and I bet it’s not that great of a list.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:36 am
Sapp wasn’t half the player Seymour has been, and no where near the leader. I agree 100% about the paycheck mentality comment he was here for a retirement fund.
In short Seymour has been golden….I would do that trade 100 x’s out of 100. If he plays at or near what he did early last year b4 he was hurt this team will be hard to beat with that O we have.
I can’t believe you called the passing game trash…… we haven’t been able to pass like that in 7 years and it promises to be much improved this year.
I’m not knocking Jerry as a blogger as far as that is concerned he’s aces but if you’re relying on him for football knowledge I would say just watch the game and draw your own conclusion you’d do just as well. He can give you stats and facts but you have to know the game a little.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:42 am
I agree about the Seymour trade, and it was a pretty gutsy move, having picked in the top 10 three straight years to deal a #1. If it was another top 10 pick to NEP, the press would have had a field day, laughing and clowning Al Davis for the trade. Now, it looks like it was a fair deal. If we were able to trade a future #1 for an established vet at a position of need, I’d go all in again.
May 31st, 2011 at 10:47 am
I agree Guest but beyond that I think his leadership has been pivotal, and i can’t stress that enough it’s HUGE. Guys this team was a hot mess and Mr Davis knew it he had to do something to change the attitude he paid Nnamdi a ton of money trying to do that Nnamdi is not a leader so he had to make that trade. Why do you think he’s questioning how much he needs Nnamdi? Have you ever seen him question how much a player was getting??? huh? it’s because Nnamdi doesn’t lead………………..period
May 31st, 2011 at 11:00 am
I think Nnamdi isn’t in a position of leadership. He’s basically like a starting pitcher in baseball. The game for him is his solo assignment and he keeps his guy locked down. What he does on the field doesn’t translate to the other guys the way it does with Seymour. However if they had another good lockdown CB on the other side, it would. I’d not call out Nnamdi for not being a leader, though. What seriously do you want him to do? He’s been a leader both on and off the field. There’s only so much he can do.
Seymour is someone that helps the entire unit because he is clever and knows where he must play and helps others align themselves. The exposure he brings to some of the younger guys is invaluable and helps them become true vets. Without that veteran leader, this team would have continued to be a hot mess. Some of the guys jettisoned probably could have saved their Raider career if they had only had a talent level of a Seymour to play behind.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:00 am
Can’t wait to see Richard play the Pats this year.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:15 am
Guest123 I agree to a certain extent, but what nnamdi lacks you see in spades with Mike Mitchell his enthusiasm his aggressiveness. WhennRod Woodson was here he brought supreme leadership in that secondary. When have you EVER seen Nnamdi get in another players face? He is the preeminant corner in this league and he has never chastised a teammate for screwing up. If he doesn’t have that right WHO DOES???? The owner didn’t give him ?????$$$mill just to shut down his man. He gave it to him because the rest of the team LOOKED UP to him. He helped the guys inn the secondary to watch film but on the field…..nada!!
I watch Seymour literally point at guys at guys LB’s and tell them play your assignment. Get the job done!! I see more leadership from MM34 than I ever did from Nnamdi and Nnam is my guy!!
If you watch Camp he does the same thing when he’s on the field he gets guys lined up and if they don’t know he personalizes the convo. He doesn’t show them up but he gets them straight. Camp’s professionalism and they way he goes about his job was SORELY needed. He’s not a rah rah guy but in no uncertain terms he’s leading. And I for one couldn’t be happier, him telling DHB “you can do it” makes a world of difference to that kid. Some don’t like Camp but IMO that guy is very underrated. I’ve watched several games over and over again and his contrinutin last year largely goes unnoticed.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:17 am
JFB is there any question why Seymour is doing what he’s doing? in no underatin terms he wants to BURY the Pat’s……….period
May 31st, 2011 at 11:18 am
uncertain* i can believe that word turned out like that……haha!
May 31st, 2011 at 11:20 am
Mr and kk are raider hating lovers sucking every last drop of each others azz pie out and gargling with it.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:26 am
RaiderRockstar Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 9:40 am
Had to suffer through it here with Cable/Tollner/Whackitt/Scabs. Glad Al finally woke up, but losing your #1 overall pick was a big price to pay. Poor JR.
***
Paul Hackett = coach since 1970
Ted Tollner = coach since 1968
Tom Cable = coach since 1990
Scabs = ???
JaWalrus = 3 years in the NFL. 7 wins. biggest bust in NFL history
Print That!
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Doing something for a long time doesn’t mean you’re any good at it. Whackitt sucked ass. I think I’ll go with Vinny’s opinion over yours.
After leaving USC – as their head coach, Hackett served as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets from 2001 to 2004. He was forced to resign from the team after the 2004 season.[8][9] During his time with the Jets, he was criticized by Vinny Testaverde for questionable play calling,[10] and by the media for an ultra-conservative “play it safe” offensive philosophy.[11] He was the Tampa Bay quarterbacks coach from 2005 to 2007. From 2008 to 2010, Hackett worked as the quarterback coach for the Oakland Raiders. Hackett is married and has two sons, David and Nathaniel.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:31 am
Paul Hackett as a playcaller makes Jon Gruden look like Don Coryell but he is a one of the best QB coaches and widely respected as such.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:34 am
In late 2007 it was announced that he would serve as offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers in a late season attempt to revive the lacking offense and is expected to help Jim Hostler in the play calling.[4]
In early 2008 Tollner was named quarterbacks coach/assistant to the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers to get a permanent role in the organization again.[5]
On December 30, 2008, Tollner was dismissed from the 49ers along with running backs coach Tony Nathan and offensive coordinator Mike Martz.
On February 4, 2009, Tollner was introduced as a part of the Oakland Raiders’ coaching staff as he was named the passing game coordinator of the team. When Hue Jackson was hired as the Raiders head coach he dismissed Toller and several others from their positions.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
The 2009 Oakland Raiders had the worst offensive coaching staff in the NFL by a longshot.
Print that!!
May 31st, 2011 at 11:35 am
Debo i know you’re going to get pissed at me, but Russell would still be a Raider if he was smart. He should’ve taken the paycut and put in the work. It would’ve engraciated him to the fans and put him in good standing with Mr Davis but he left him no excuse to keep him. You cannot blame everyone else for his poor attitude no matter what happened he was paid more than anyone on this team.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:38 am
Russelll still could be a very good QB in this league but at some point he needs to grow up..
May 31st, 2011 at 11:39 am
priesttj Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 11:31 am
Paul Hackett as a playcaller makes Jon Gruden look like Don Coryell.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
And BHP as a scout makes Bobby Beathard look like Ron Wolf.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:41 am
Yo JFB how did you shoot this past weekend?
May 31st, 2011 at 11:45 am
Russell is a cautionary tale of taking players with drug habits. Anyone with a drug habit can get so rolled up into a lifestyle where they forget they had any love for the game. They like being players and living the lifestyle of a playa without putting in the work.
I think you see a guy like JCamp quietly lead this team. He’s not into the sideshow. He’s not a freak. He is the kind of guy that can look his teammate in the eye and not lose contact. Teammates who love the game don’t want to let down their teammates. They work hard to not make the other guy’s hard work go in vain. They see the effort of some to kill themselves daily, and it bothers them to lose because they werent prepared.
I doubt JaMarcus ever felt that way. He was all about leaving the stadium ASAP after a loss and going back to the clubs and zizzurping again. He was a tragic pick, and no matter the talent level, a reminder that guys with drug pasts should be passed on in the draft.
That’s why we don’t go and get Jimmy Smith and Ryan Mallett. Those are loaded dice.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:48 am
priesttj Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 11:38 am
Russelll still could be a very good QB in this league but at some point he needs to grow up..
************
It’s too late for Russell. At least he won the lottery and is set for life, (or should be). Guys that big only go downhill from there once the metabolism slows, and it’s hard to regain any of that youth and athletisism. Russell is done.
May 31st, 2011 at 11:50 am
The only problem I have with Hackett is that wasn’t his highlights of his career experience all centered around WCO’s?
May 31st, 2011 at 12:04 pm
he is not some knowledgable football man. I give him full credit for disiminating the info and doing his best to tell the story. But Jerry’s football acumen is terrible………I’m sorry but it is. He doesn’t know anything more than what he is told. He’s a good football fan just like the rest of you and that is all he is
***
LOL @ TJ!
why do you come here, then?
to educate those of us who you don’t beleive “watch the games” because they have a different opinion than you?
May 31st, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Bo Bobby Beathard was one of the top GM’s ever he biult three title winners in Washington.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:08 pm
RRS your opinion is your own, That’s why I said watch the game and draw YOUR OWN conclusion. Jerry just has an opinion no better than yours.
Hell! my opinion is mine alone if yours differs fine by me.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Actually he built four SB winners Priest. Do your research. 2 in Wash and 2 in Miami.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:18 pm
The Bust was too stupid to ever be a decent QB in the NFL,IMO.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:18 pm
I can’t believe you called the passing game trash…… we haven’t been able to pass like that in 7 years and it promises to be much improved this year.
***
TJ,
the Raiders had less than 200 passing yards per game. 18 TD’s to 16 INT’s. QB Rating under 78. Completion Percentage under 57. Our leading WR only caught 41 balls last year. QB’s were sacked 44 times
excuse me for not wanting to polish a turd!
May 31st, 2011 at 12:23 pm
my opinion is mine alone if yours differs fine by me
***
TJ,
are you sure?
It sure didn’t seem that way when you questionned whether or not I watch games, called me out for agreeing with Jerry and labeled me ignorant
ah well. you’re a Democrat. I guess I should expect this sort of behavior
May 31st, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Regarding the Turd passing game:
That’s half-true and half-untrue.
Jerry hit the nail on the head when he did a piece awhile back saying that JCamp had a stellar QB rating when the Raiders were able to put up a solid run game. But the QB rating plummets without the run.
That tells me that Campbell’s limited success is a byproduct of a strong run game and not the other way around. We need to devise a plan to consistently win on the ground and let Campbell’s throwing complement the game plan. As much as I like Campbells leadership, he can’t take the team on his shoulders and win because of his QB play. His game is derivative of the running success.
He’s no Peyton Manning, but a full season and consistent ground game could bring the passing stats up out of the polished turd status.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:28 pm
big oak boy Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 8:01 am
so if we get T.O. and Steve smith for cheap would u guys be happy or would it be a lot of hate trade fragile chaz and a 5th 2013 pick and that should do and if not T.O. than Plaxico Burress but two vets would be a great thing one on the field at a time to preserve the legs and get all these old guys have left if we cant do something like this we can give up our sb prayers
so no thoughts on this topic
May 31st, 2011 at 12:30 pm
JCamp had a stellar QB rating when the Raiders were able to put up a solid run game
***
G123,
I think thats true with ANY qb around the league. the running game is a QB’s best friend. a TE is his security blanket
even with these things, the fact remains.
passing game = stinky poo poo. stats don’t lie
May 31st, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Though Goodell sidestepped a couple of issues — the window needed for free agency, most notably — he was refreshingly candid about the damage done by the lockout
“I think it’s clearly had an impact on our fans,” Goodell said. “You can see that in the various metrics that we have — whether it’s ratings or for traffic on NFL.com. We see that.
“And that is a reflection on the uncertainty and frustration of our fans. And we all understand that. There are also financial consequences because of that, but clearly — if we’re not successful, that’s clearly to come.”
Asked as a follow-up if the lockout had affected season-ticket sales, Goodell didn’t hesitate to point out that the respective clubs were all suffering when it came to locking down ticket sales.
“It clearly has an impact [on season ticket sales],” Goodell said. “Fans want certainty. I don’t think you can ever underestimate — fans are still going through challenges, just in the general economy. And those challenges continue to impact on their decisions. And rightfully so.
Owners Meetings/Labor News
And that’s something they have to balance when they want to put down money for a season ticket or a club seat or whatever else. And so we have to keep that in mind. The ownership has been reminded of that during the past couple of days, and they don’t need reminding, because they’re on the front line.”
Most interesting was Goodell’s response to a request for “specific data” about the impact of the lockout. He seemed absolutely amenable to providing the requested information, if only because it clearly showed the problems that the lockout is causing around the league, from the standpoint of keeping fans interested and generating revenue.
“It’s a noticeable change,” Goodell said. “I think you guys are aware of it — our ratings were down in the draft for example. Roughly four million people — that’s a noticeable decrease … about a 10 percent decrease as I recall.”
While no fans want to hear about the revenue that the league, its teams and the players are currently losing, it is a significant point of interest, because money that gets thrown out the window during a labor impasse directly correlates to the difficulty in finding an agreement down the road.
“The longer it goes the more damage is done to the game and the more revenue’s down and that means less money that can be divided between the parties,” Goodell said.
Owners were presented the full range of plans for opening weekend, from the first game on Thursday night at Lambeau Field to commemorations of the Sept. 11 attacks on the first full Sunday of games. Those dates are not in jeopardy yet, but the longer the impasse, the more in danger they would become, particularly with the league’s marketing partners, sponsors and advertisers who must commit dollars to those events well in advance.
“We’re not at an Armageddon date,” Eric Grubman, executive vice president of business operations for the NFL, told the Associated Press. “We’re not staring that in the face this week.”
But like any event looming on the horizon, the theoretically non-existent drop-dead date isn’t actually that far off. But, apparently, it won’t impact the way Goodell and the NFL head into the next season.
STRIKE JERRY’S BLOG STARTING JUNE 1!
May 31st, 2011 at 12:33 pm
big oak boy : I’ll take Terrell Owens or Plaxico Burress (but not both)
No thanks on Steve Smith or Santana Moss!
May 31st, 2011 at 12:37 pm
STRIKE JERRY’S BLOG STARTING JUNE 1!
***
doc thompson,
Jerry’s blog traffic is off the charts whether it’s St Pattys Day (March) or Turkey Day (November)
he’s the writer’s version or Manning or Brady. all he does is produce on a week-to-week basis
Jerry Mac for the Pulitzer Prize!
May 31st, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Ahh Scott, if you think it is reasonable to pigeonhole all Democrats (or all of any group), then you most certainly ARE ignorant.
And thanks for introducing partisan politics into an otherwise football related discussion. Just shows what you stoop to when someone challenges your prejudices.
Jesus does not approve, methinks.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:39 pm
STRIKE JERRY’S BLOG!
Most interesting was Goodell’s response to a request for “specific data” about the impact of the lockout. He seemed absolutely amenable to providing the requested information, if only because it clearly showed the problems that the lockout is causing around the league, from the standpoint of keeping fans interested and generating revenue.
“It’s a noticeable change,” Goodell said. “I think you guys are aware of it — our ratings were down in the draft for example. Roughly four million people — that’s a noticeable decrease … about a 10 percent decrease as I recall.”
May 31st, 2011 at 12:42 pm
big oak boy
I felt like we needed a veteran presence at the WR position because of the lack of quality leadership we have there “Sanjay”
However it is my opinion that Al Davis thinks he has done enough at WR and is looking at improving other positions once the CBA is settled. So we will not see an experienced WR come in this year.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Hunter S
Have you seen this article?
There are actually more season tickets being sold now than last year.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/31/nfl-somehowahead-of-last-years-season-ticket-pace/
May 31st, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Notice how when both Murphy and Miller were out with injuries, we started that midseason swoon. If those guys are healthy, who knows if that would have made the difference?
The passing stats were indeed the “stinky poo poo” LOL
But it’s not like it couldn’t have been incrementally better. Enough to make the playoffs? Sure, you betcha!
Is JCamp anything more than a stopgap QB till we get a real franchise QB? Nope…
May 31st, 2011 at 12:45 pm
I can’t read.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Striking Jerry’s blog wont have an affect on the league Doc, I wish it would I’d do it oin a heartbeat. They feel no financial woes if this blog is shut down completely.
It’s NFLN and NFL subsidized sites and the like that hurts them. Don’t watch NFLN or go to NFL.com that will get their attention.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
To the extent that we all recognize the effectiveness of JCamp as the running game goes, we need to “build-a-bully” in Hue Jacks verbiage. We need to invest in the O-line. We already have a bully on the D-line. If we can get BCamp bruising down low inside of Veldheer and bring in some quality high $ OL vets, we don’t need to bring in any of those vet WR’s.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Striking a blog does what exactly? The NFL doesn’t know or care what we think. They have their blinders on. We don’t as a blog even carry a blip on the Nielsen ratings scale of NFL fans.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:54 pm
They are checking the metrics.
Every time you refresh the page it is reflected in the metrics.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Last years passing game helped the running game when you see screens and even checkdowns gain yardage that augments the run game. If Cable had not played so many games with the QB’s that passing game would’ve been better. You guys base everything on stats you don’t have the ability to understand the game without stats. Had JC started all year that passsing game would’ve been a lot better. While stats wise it seemed minuscule it helped us score 25 points a game. There aren’t many teams that can say that. Sure we need to double the output stats wise but I’ll take 25 a game any year.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I am and have been a loyal fan of the Raiders for as long as I remember (4 complete decades). But if they cancel the season, I am going to put this blog and NFL out of sight and out of mind. And it will be hard to get any energy up for it again. May take a year or two.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
priesttj Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Last years passing game helped the running game when you see screens and even checkdowns gain yardage that augments the run game. If Cable had not played so many games with the QB’s that passing game would’ve been better. You guys base everything on stats you don’t have the ability to understand the game without stats. Had JC started all year that passsing game would’ve been a lot better. While stats wise it seemed minuscule it helped us score 25 points a game. There aren’t many teams that can say that. Sure we need to double the output stats wise but I’ll take 25 a game any year.
***********
Of course you remember the 49er game, right? That was just one of a few clunkers that JC had. But that was him. He was terrible. He had his opportunities to make plays and he didn’t.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Do you think you guys COULD abstain from Jerry’s blog for the duration of the lockout?
I think some are addicted.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Take the summer off.
The Billionaires and millionaires are in no rush to get back.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Doc that may welll be the case about the metrics i don’t know. But it can only gage interest that is all. They don’t get a dime from this even if they do advertise. If you’re going to affect what they do don’t watch NFLN or go to NFL.com. And definitely don’t buy NFLrewind games or gear of any team. That goes directly to their bank.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
JCamp has the slowest release in the NFL, and a real fear of going downfield. That’s why the coaches wanted Grads to pump up the passing game last year – executing a game plan predicated on the accurate timing of 15+ yard throws. If Hackett couldn’t solve it, Campbell will NEVER do that well.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
The Raiders cannot afford to squander their first momentum in a decade.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
if your are serious about hurting them hurt them in the pocket. They know we are interested………it goes without saying.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Everyone has one vote.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
It is about sending a message.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Bo you don’t know that, Carson Palmer didn’t do a thing under Hackett. When he got fired Palmer won the Heisman.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:07 pm
They are paying attention.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:08 pm
priesttj Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
if your are serious about hurting them hurt them in the pocket.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
If Danny Southwick calls me again pitching season seats, well… I’m sorry. I’m payin.
But if Herrera or Taylor call, they’re getting my Jon Condo speech and nothing more.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:08 pm
“if your are serious about hurting them hurt them in the pocket”
Its the only thing they understand, profit and loss.
Your absolutely correct in that if we stop watching NFLN and stop buying paraphernalia or season tickets it is the only way to get our voice heard.
This blog will go on as we all need to take a break from our work to vent and talk football from time to time.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:09 pm
The longer this goes on the worse it is for young teams with new coaches.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:11 pm
priesttj Says:
May 31st, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Bo you don’t know that, Carson Palmer didn’t do a thing under Hackett. When he got fired Palmer won the Heisman.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
So you’re saying Carson’s success was totally unrelated to the coaching he got before that year? WhatEVER.
Tell me why the actual coaches (whom you always point out are the experts in the field) yanked JCamp last year.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:15 pm
STRIKE JUNE 1st!
For the severely addicted just take the morning off.
Go Raiders!
May 31st, 2011 at 1:18 pm
I’m saying I talked many times with an NFL exec about Palmers struggles under Hackett and he swears by Hackett. Palmer learned a ton of technigue from Hackett he was under him fro 2 or 3 years I’m talking about his PLAYCALLING!!.
Campbell’s been here one year and I think Hujack will do wonders for Camp. JMHO!! especially with Saunders aboard.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:23 pm
So Terrell Pryor might be going in the supplemental draft. I say go Al go.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Okay. You guys convinced me. Screw June 1st.
Lets do something else as a protest.
Lets make it NEXT POST.
Just for fun let’s see who can go the longest without posting after the next post.
I know some of you can’t go one day.
May 31st, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Bo could you root for Pryor?
May 31st, 2011 at 1:27 pm
new post go!
June 1st, 2011 at 2:06 am
[...] Raiders DE Richard Seymour play as well as he has led this offseason? Chargers assistant John Pagano has found a way to coach during the [...]
November 16th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
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