Cartwright humbled, then back to business
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, March 11th, 2012 at 9:26 am in Oakland Raiders.
Rock Cartwright insisted that in the business of the NFL, it wasn’t all that unusual to be receiving an award with a dinner in his honor by a franchise which may or may not want to retain his services for the coming year.
“Not really, man,” Cartwright said before the Commitment to Excellence dinner at the Oakland Airport Hilton. “I lay my heart out there every game I was out there. I really can’t worry about stuff I can’t control. That’s between those guys and my agent, and hopefully something can be worked out. I love it here. I would like to spend the rest of my career here. How long is that, who knows? But I’m going to let the front office and my agent handle that.”
A 10-year veteran, Cartwright has won the award each of the last two seasons. It is given to the player based on hard work, leadership and excellence on the field and is voted upon by the team.
The Raiders will continue the process of putting together a roster under general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen. Both attended the dinner for Cartwright (neither spoke to the two reporters on hand, myself and Paul Gutierrez of CSN-Bay Area). Cartwright got a chance to talk to both men Friday and Saturday but seemed to have no better idea whether he is in Oakland’s plans or not.
NFL teams learn the exact salary cap number (expected to be in the $120 million range) Monday then must be compliant on Tuesday before free agency begins.
“You can’t predict anything right now,” Cartwright said. “You never know what’s going to happen. I think Tuesday is going to be an interesting day for a lot of people. A lot of people’s lives are going to change, including myself, probably. (It) may not be Tuesday, it may be a week after the draft, but it may change, and you’ve got to prepare yourself for that.”
Other Cartwright observations:
His relationship with the other running backs
“Those guys are like my brothers. I’ve known them for two years now and it seems like I’ve known them forever.”
Darren McFadden’s health
“He’s able to do everything that he used to be able to do, run routes, things like that. I know Darren. He loves the game. He’s one of the most humble first-round draft picks since I’ve been in the league. He’s working to get back and we have to surround him with good people and a good group of guys so he can do the things he’s capable of doing.”
McFadden’s history of injury
“When you see a guy that puts so much into something and gets hurt on a check-down, and it costs you your season, you feel for the guy. It’s like every time he has something going it’s like there’s something that wants to set him back. But he keeps coming back out and producing. I think he’s going to get healthy, I think he’s going to stay healthy and I think once he does he’ll probably be the best back in the league.”
The viability of free agent Michael Bush as a ever-down back
“I think Bush is an every down back. He’s able to run the ball, he’s able to catch the ball, he’s able to pick up blitzes. He’s able to do everything. I think if given 20 to 25 carries a game, I think he’d definitely be one of the top rushers in the league.”
On former coach Hue Jackson
“I spoke with Hue a couple of times. We didn’t speak about what ahppened, we just spoke about the future and what he had going on and he just told me to stay in contact. I’m sure he’ll get an opportunity (to be a head coach) again some time down the road, because I think he’s a great leader and a great man, and I wish him the best.”
Editorial aside _ with Jackson having a role helping coach the Bengals’ special teams, don’t be surprised to see him push for Cartwright with coach Marvin Lewis. As the story goes, Jackson made the draft pick as a Washington assistant when Cartwright came into the NFL.
Whether he sees himself as a teammate or mentor
“A little bit of both. But I think the big thing is, they listen to what I saw. When you have someone who listens to what you say and they go out and do it, it’s like, wow, that’s what you get excitement from. Seeing those guys have great games on Sunday, it’s like I had a good game, because I’ve seen them put in the work during the week.”
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March 11th, 2012 at 9:29 am
Bring Rock back.
You need these “glue” guys in the locker room.
March 11th, 2012 at 9:33 am
In a world with no salary cap and no guaranteed money….then the argument about “it’s not your money” is somewhat relevant.
But that is not how the NFL works. Overpay for Seymour, TK, Wimbley and Routt…..can’t make moves to get guys like Williams or Finnegan….or others.
The Raiders are gettting no production for all the pay….and can’t substantively improve the roster to get production from someone else.
Why? Because TK, Wimbley, Routt and Seymour have this team way over the cap.
Salary cap management is just as important as 3rd down conversions…..
March 11th, 2012 at 9:40 am
I don’t know about bringing Rock back, he’s getting up there in age and has only been playing special teams. I guess if we have no plans of bringing back Bush then it might not be a bad idea since our RB’s have historically not stayed healthy.
March 11th, 2012 at 9:42 am
You telling me he made $4.5M worth of plays….plus you clear him out now and you gain a bunch of money next year.
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“$4.5M worth of plays”????? What the hell does that mean?
March 11th, 2012 at 9:45 am
SnB Offense Defense Specialteams Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 9:33 am
In a world with no salary cap and no guaranteed money….then the argument about “it’s not your money” is somewhat relevant.
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Wrong. Until you OWN a team, it will NEVER be your money! Worrying about player salaries is a joke! It’s pro football folks. Guys make a lot of money. Get over it.
March 11th, 2012 at 9:47 am
4. RaiderDebo Says: March 11th, 2012 at 9:42 am
You telling me he made $4.5M worth of plays….plus you clear him out now and you gain a bunch of money next year. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
“$4.5M worth of plays”????? What the hell does that mean?
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Im wondering the same thing dude lol
March 11th, 2012 at 9:49 am
My ideal free agent signings include: williams, finnegan, Franklin.
Resign Reece
March 11th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Real fans have to think about player contracts because it directly affects what roster moves your team can make under a salary cap. That is a pretty settled argument. To think otherwise is very ignorant.
March 11th, 2012 at 9:53 am
REAL FANS? Funny
March 11th, 2012 at 9:53 am
4.5 million dollars worth of plays, is pretty simple.
Look at defensive ends in the NFL who make 4.5 million plus, and compare their production.
In Wimbley’s case, he made $11 million dollars last year. 3rd highest paid DE in the league, and he wasn’t in the top 15 in sacks for DE’s in the league.
March 11th, 2012 at 9:54 am
Dakota Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Real fans have to think about player contracts because it directly affects what roster moves your team can make under a salary cap. That is a pretty settled argument. To think otherwise is very ignorant.
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So we get rid of Kam and add who? What do we add for $4.5M in place of our best pass rusher that makes us so much better? IMO, we’ve already improved with the subtraction of Breshnahan and the addition of Allen and Tarver.
March 11th, 2012 at 9:55 am
I would change “real fans” with “intelligent fans”.
If Reggie McKenzie is worrying about it, than I am worrying about it.
Reggie is worrying about it because it impacts the teams ability to win games.
I want the team to win games.
Again, not rocket science.
March 11th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Yes, real fans. Casual fans may not track salaries and cap space and just go to games for fun etc, but real fans care about how a players contract affects the teams ability to improve.
March 11th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 9:53 am
4.5 million dollars worth of plays, is pretty simple.
Look at defensive ends in the NFL who make 4.5 million plus, and compare their production.
In Wimbley’s case, he made $11 million dollars last year. 3rd highest paid DE in the league, and he wasn’t in the top 15 in sacks for DE’s in the league.
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So it’s just about sacks? What about pressures?
March 11th, 2012 at 9:58 am
Pressures count, but not as much as sacks.
That’s like saying a Pitcher should care less about runs allowed, and more about baserunners allowed.
His job is to sack the QB on 3rd down, if he gets a “pressure” the QB can still convert said 3rd down. He can’t do so, on his backside.
I like Wimbley, but he is overpaid and we don’t have the salary cap room. Don’t like it or agree with it, take it up with Reggie McKenzie.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:00 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 9:55 am
I would change “real fans” with “intelligent fans”.
If Reggie McKenzie is worrying about it, than I am worrying about it.
Reggie is worrying about it because it impacts the teams ability to win games.
I want the team to win games.
Again, not rocket science.
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It’s Reggie’s job to worry about it, not yours. You have absolutely no say in who we keep or cut. And you have even less of a say on which players are overpaid or underpaid. “Intelligent” fans don’t lose sleep over things they can’t control.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Wimbleys contract, if not altered, will lock the raiders into paying him a guaranteed 30 million over the next 3 years. If it was as simple as looking at just next year that might be different , but the fact is you can’t allow a marginal player like wimbley to lock up that much cap space. That was the old regimes practice. That bs is over. Thankfully.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:04 am
It’s Reggie’s job to worry about it, not yours. You have absolutely no say in who we keep or cut. And you have even less of a say on which players are overpaid or underpaid. “Intelligent” fans don’t lose sleep over things they can’t control.
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Um…. I don’t lose any sleep over it and I do realize I have no say about it.
Just trying to provide some intelligent insight on the topic, something that is completely lost on you.
You just keep going around continuing your epic face-plant about Jamarcus and leave the intelligent football convo to the rest of us.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:05 am
So when Jerry or Steve post a thread about whether to cut or keep Wimbley, based strictly on his ratio of production compared to compensation, what should we all talk about?
Nothing? Come on Reggie, who cares what he makes?
LOL
March 11th, 2012 at 10:06 am
Lol
March 11th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Dakota Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Wimbleys contract, if not altered, will lock the raiders into paying him a guaranteed 30 million over the next 3 years. If it was as simple as looking at just next year that might be different , but the fact is you can’t allow a marginal player like wimbley to lock up that much cap space. That was the old regimes practice. That bs is over. Thankfully.
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Wimbley is not a “marginal” player just because you say so. He didn’t get that contract because he’s marginal. The guys who made the decision to give him that contract know a hell of a lot more about football than anyone on this board. If he was such a marginal player, Reggie would have cut him a long time ago. It may still happen, but Reggie is trying to figure it out because Kam is a damn good player. I thought the guy was our best player on D last year. He could really explode under the new regime.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Funny though Debo, you sured seem to want to play blog GM when it comes to Jamarcus Russell.
Why did you take such a stance about whether he should be cut or not? Wasn’t your decision to make, you had “no say” in it.
Why did you try to tell us that Al wouldn’t do it, because Al paid him so much money already? All NFL players make a lot of money right, get over it.
Why do you STILL try to tell us where he will land next? Not your decision to make, not sure why you are losing sleep over it.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Don’t be surprised to see wimbley still on the roster as of march 13. I don’t think his guarantees kick in until the 17th.
If he is still unwilling to alter it, and I don’t blame him for that, then we have to cut him. He is a one trick pony. Not a huge loss.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:12 am
RaiderDebo Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 9:54 am
So we get rid of Kam and add who? What do we add for $4.5M in place of our best pass rusher that makes us so much better? IMO, we’ve already improved with the subtraction of Breshnahan and the addition of Allen and Tarver.
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If the issue was ONLY the $4.5 mil for this year, I’d be all in favor of keeping Kam. But it isn’t. If he’s still here in a few days, then another $19 million in future guarantees kicks in for a guy who showed every sign last year of Kevin Duckworth Syndrome (i.e. “I’ve got my money, so no reason to play hard anymore”).
A year from now, do you really want Reggie to be hamstrung by another guaranteed $11 million against the cap (and $8 million the year after) for a player who’s completely quit trying because hey, he gets paid no matter what?
March 11th, 2012 at 10:14 am
A lot of al supporters overrate our players. Like some contagious disease or something. It will take some time to flush that mindset Out of our system.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:15 am
I wouldn’t call Kam marginal. If he were set to make $5 million this year, there would be no debate on whether he is coming back or not. None what-so-ever.
But since he is not, Reggie has to make this tough decision, and we get to debate on whether we should or shouldn’t do it.
That’s how sports media works. GM’s make the decisions, fans debate about whether they should do it or not.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:15 am
raider debo – you need anger management
March 11th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Can’t stop the run, not good in pass coverage, one pass rush move= marginal. Much like burgess.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:19 am
RaiderDebo,
In the NFL, the salary cap limits the amount of money a team can spend on its players….
Guraranteed money freezes portions of the same salary cap both immediately and into the future.
If that LIMITED salary cap is taken up by players that get pressures but no sacks….that LIMITS the team from getting a player that could get a bunch of sacks to go with those pressures.
Do you get it? For every JAMARCUS RUSSELL you sign, you have to spend another $12M on Carson Palmer….which then limits how much is available to get a real pass rusher…..
You are a guy that is there to enjoy the game. Good for you.
I would like to see the team win some games and go far in the playoffs.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:20 am
Time to go enjoy the beautiful day. I’ll argue about this with all of u later!
March 11th, 2012 at 10:22 am
The Raiders had 5 guys on that defense making top tier money…..Routt, Huff, Seymour, TK and Wimbley.
They were asked to play at a similiar level to guys like Revis, Reed, Ngata, and Ware.
We didn’t get anything f’n close to that!
One play here and there, or a good game against a 3rd string Tackle doesn’t mean shhhhhhh
Raise your freekn standards.
I am glad YOU don’t have a say in the roster decisions either.
Reggie is going to TRY to fix this mess.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:27 am
Reggie WILL fix this mess, because he understands how top-tier organizations are run, having seen it first-hand for 15 years.
Give it 2-3 years, and we will not be having this annual roster purges due to being hamstrung by the salary-cap.
And ONLY THAN, will this team be in the hunt for the playoffs every year again.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:27 am
Just Fire Baby Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Funny though Debo, you sured seem to want to play blog GM when it comes to Jamarcus Russell.
Why did you take such a stance about whether he should be cut or not? Wasn’t your decision to make, you had “no say” in it.
Why did you try to tell us that Al wouldn’t do it, because Al paid him so much money already? All NFL players make a lot of money right, get over it.
Why do you STILL try to tell us where he will land next? Not your decision to make, not sure why you are losing sleep over it.
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Apples and oranges as usual. Unlike most of you on this board, I wanted to see our #1 overall pick succeed. And I was pissed that the organization did several things to ensure that wouldn’t happen and then scapegoated him out of the organization to the glee of a bunch of sheep fans. When it came to the money Al paid him, I brought that up only because I thought that would buy him another year. At the end of the day, not really all that worried about the dumb decision the Raiders made. Wasn’t the 1st and it won’t be the last. I just enjoys checking the sheep haters on the subject.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:34 am
Enough about JaPaycheck. A starting QB who can’t be bothered over the course of three seasons to even learn the playbook is unworthy of discussion in an NFL blog.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Do you get it? For every JAMARCUS RUSSELL you sign, you have to spend another $12M on Carson Palmer….which then limits how much is available to get a real pass rusher…..
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“Have to spend another $12M on Carson Palmer”?????? Another case of Jamarcus Russell scapegoating. How the hell is it JR’s fault that we replaced JC, a player that was making $4mill and actually protected the ball and won games, with a turnover machine loser who QUIT on his previous team? Another one of those decisions I was talking about. All the salary-cap room in the world doesn’t change this.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:43 am
So I hear that Randy Moss will be doing work outs for the Niners tomorrow…
March 11th, 2012 at 10:49 am
The NFL is the Ultimate MoneyBall game…
On field productions has to be DIRECTLY tied to salary, or you get a continual bottom dweller.
MLB is a joke without a salary cap.
Rumble Reggie Rumble…
got to clean this house.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:50 am
36.hwnrdr Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 10:43 am
So I hear that Randy Moss will be doing work outs for the Niners tomorrow…
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Harbaugh rolling the dice on his team chemistry…
if Randy had anything left, he’d still be in NE.
March 11th, 2012 at 10:56 am
LOL at the teams bringing Randy Moss in. Decent wideouts aren’t THAT hard to find; the only reason we had such a drought was Al’s (RIP) fixation on speed over production.
Moss is 35 years old, and when he last played had three different teams give up on him in one season. Anybody who wants that headache is a fool.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:00 am
The best teams in the NFL are the teams with the best coaching and scouting staffs. That’s why teams like Green Bay, the Pats and Steelers are good year in and year out. As we’ve seen over and over again, the salary cap can be circumvented. It took a week for Reggie to silence the Chicken Little crowd although there’s still a few hanging on. But screwing around with the coaching staff and not allowing your team to establish true offensive and defensive system results is what we’ve had here the last 10 years, with predictable results. Again, GB is the model for this and it’s the biggest reason we should be excited about what Reggie may bring.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:00 am
With Selection Sunday today, not expecting any Raider updates today
Speaking of which , kudos to your St. Mary’s finally beating out our Spokane’s Gonzaga for the Wcc title: with that said my predilection SMC a 6th seed, Gonzaga an 8th, and BYU a 12th seed.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:01 am
sometimes the money you make says a lot about that person as a team player .it shouldnt but it does .like jaholdout .number 1 overall get your ass in there and learn,,,or holdout get high and what was i saying?
March 11th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Vegas, you bring him back at what $ ?
March 11th, 2012 at 11:58 am
Reggie McKenzie is going at this roster like Juice Jones to his girl from the song “The Rain”
These players will get the truth….
March 11th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
RaiderDebo Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Do you get it? For every JAMARCUS RUSSELL you sign, you have to spend another $12M on Carson Palmer….which then limits how much is available to get a real pass rusher…..
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“Have to spend another $12M on Carson Palmer”?????? Another case of Jamarcus Russell scapegoating. How the hell is it JR’s fault that we replaced JC, a player that was making $4mill and actually protected the ball and won games, with a turnover machine loser who QUIT on his previous team? Another one of those decisions I was talking about. All the salary-cap room in the world doesn’t change this.
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So let me get this straight: you are defending Jamarcus Russell and Jason Campbell but throwing Carson Palmer under the bus? OoooKaay. There goes your credibility.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
RaiderDebo Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 11:00 am
The best teams in the NFL are the teams with the best coaching and scouting staffs. That’s why teams like Green Bay, the Pats and Steelers are good year in and year out.
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Not necessarily. Because of the free agent system, good players that have been in marginal programs can leave, take a pay cut, and go to those “winning” programs for a shot at the playoffs and Super Bowl. Look at Peyton Manning right now. If Manning signs with the Chiefs or Bronco’s it is not going to have a lot to do with their “scouting”.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
We need more players with the heart, character, desire and commitment of Rock Cartwright.
We need less players like Rolando McLazy.
DUMP SLOWLANDO.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
http://footballscoop.com/news/5898-when-you-want-to-win-the-championship-mat-drills
Pretty sure the new CBA doesn’t allow this kinda thing, but it sure would be nice to make our defense go through about 10 sessions like this during every week of training camp. We’d find out in a hurry who wants it and who doesn’t.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
W/o Al Davis the franchise tag dollars will be going way down.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Kudos to the Rock!
Have a good sunday Nation!
March 11th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
#1 position this off season (i.e., position tagged the most), kickers. least expensive position to tag.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
http://www.freepriesttjnow.org/sign_the_petition
Welcome back Tj. Your insight is still appreciated.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
our Bush Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
RaiderDebo Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 11:00 am
The best teams in the NFL are the teams with the best coaching and scouting staffs. That’s why teams like Green Bay, the Pats and Steelers are good year in and year out.
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Not necessarily. Because of the free agent system, good players that have been in marginal programs can leave, take a pay cut, and go to those “winning” programs for a shot at the playoffs and Super Bowl. Look at Peyton Manning right now. If Manning signs with the Chiefs or Bronco’s it is not going to have a lot to do with their “scouting”.
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Precisely why you need continuity in coaching and scouting. The Steelers lose good players to free agency every year and are never big players in free agency, yet they’re always challenging for the title. I agree about Manning, but you’ll probably never have a player like him available again. We’ll still have to see how it works out though. Peyton Manning has been far and away the best QB in football for the last decade or so and the Colts have only won one SB.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
http://www.freepriesttjnow.org/sign_the_petition
RaiderDebo Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 11:00 am
The best teams in the NFL are the teams with the best coaching and scouting staffs. That’s why teams like Green Bay, the Pats and Steelers are good year in and year out.
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Agreed. We had good players on the D this year but zero to ass bad coaching. Also, GB Pitt and NE provide a level of consistency to go along with the good coaching. Players need to know what to expect, not some random hit or miss coaching carousel of bottom tier coaching that thinks schemes will work without the proper players needed to implement those schemes.
Good firm coaching staffs win championships.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Cranberry Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
http://www.freepriesttjnow.org/sign_the_petition
RaiderDebo Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 11:00 am
The best teams in the NFL are the teams with the best coaching and scouting staffs. That’s why teams like Green Bay, the Pats and Steelers are good year in and year out.
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Agreed. We had good players on the D this year but zero to ass bad coaching. Also, GB Pitt and NE provide a level of consistency to go along with the good coaching. Players need to know what to expect, not some random hit or miss coaching carousel of bottom tier coaching that thinks schemes will work without the proper players needed to implement those schemes.
Good firm coaching staffs win championships.
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Exactly. How do the Texans go from worst to 1st on D in one year, WITHOUT Mario Williams??? Two words: BUM’s SON.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
#31-SnB says”I’m glad YOU don’t have a say in the roster decisions”.
I feel the same way whenever I read one of YOUR comments.You are totally clueless.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
RaiderDebo Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Cranberry Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
http://www.freepriesttjnow.org/sign_the_petition
RaiderDebo Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 11:00 am
The best teams in the NFL are the teams with the best coaching and scouting staffs. That’s why teams like Green Bay, the Pats and Steelers are good year in and year out.
_______________________________________________
Agreed. We had good players on the D this year but zero to ass bad coaching. Also, GB Pitt and NE provide a level of consistency to go along with the good coaching. Players need to know what to expect, not some random hit or miss coaching carousel of bottom tier coaching that thinks schemes will work without the proper players needed to implement those schemes.
Good firm coaching staffs win championships.
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Exactly. How do the Texans go from worst to 1st on D in one year, WITHOUT Mario Williams??? Two words: BUM’s SON.
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Always liked Wade Phillips. A case where the players knew what to expect, and good smarts as a coach. A good coach considers building around personell into the mix of things. Coaches coach, players play.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
#25-A lot of Al supporters over-rated our players.Conversely,many Al critics disliked and undervalued players Al gave big contracts just because.
March 11th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Precisely why you need continuity in coaching and scouting. The Steelers lose good players to free agency every year and are never big players in free agency, yet they’re always challenging for the title.
>>>>
All these teams also have the best QB’s.
Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Rothy, Mannings…
Its not salary cap management that makes a consistent team.
Its having a top QB that does it. The only team even close to doing it without one is Philly.
If CP returns to his pro-bowl form… we will once again be contending every year… all this hand-ringing about the cap and dumping Kelly… etc etc, is MEANINGLESS if Palmer has a horrible year.
March 11th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Salary cap, franchise tag, and tendered numbers are now posted on NFL.com
120.6 salary cap for 2012;
6.212 franchise tag dollars for Mr. Branch
March 11th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
It is one thing to discuss rosters and certain players,but to come here and advocate just cutting all your better players because YOU feel they are overpaid is ridiculous.You don’t better by dumping your better players-even if they aren’t living up to YOUR expectations.You get better by putting more good players around them.Kelly is a perfect example.Once another good player was added next to him,he flourished.Many forget he lead the team in sacks last year as a DT.Ask any coach or QB what disrupts the passing game the most and they will all tell you pressure UP THE MIDDLE.
March 11th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Gdog Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Precisely why you need continuity in coaching and scouting. The Steelers lose good players to free agency every year and are never big players in free agency, yet they’re always challenging for the title.
>>>>
All these teams also have the best QB’s.
Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Rothy, Mannings…
Its not salary cap management that makes a consistent team.
Its having a top QB that does it. The only team even close to doing it without one is Philly.
If CP returns to his pro-bowl form… we will once again be contending every year… all this hand-ringing about the cap and dumping Kelly… etc etc, is MEANINGLESS if Palmer has a horrible year.
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I agree to an extent. Salary cap management is highly overrated. But I think these QBs benefit greatly from having consistent, good coaching. Belichik won 11 games without Brady in 2008. The Steelers won 3 of they’re 1st 4 without Big Ben 2 years ago. Joe Gibbs won 3 SBs with 3 different QBs. I thinks that’s why NO is hesitant to give Brees what he wants. They know that Brees is in a great situation. I bet a lot of people would be surpised to see how Chase Daniel would fare in that offense.
March 11th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Mcnabb was a top tier qb for years
March 11th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
lefty12 Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
It is one thing to discuss rosters and certain players,but to come here and advocate just cutting all your better players because YOU feel they are overpaid is ridiculous.You don’t better by dumping your better players-even if they aren’t living up to YOUR expectations.You get better by putting more good players around them.Kelly is a perfect example.Once another good player was added next to him,he flourished.Many forget he lead the team in sacks last year as a DT.Ask any coach or QB what disrupts the passing game the most and they will all tell you pressure UP THE MIDDLE.
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Don’t agree with you on much, but I couldn’t have said this better myself.
March 11th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
“I think Bush is an every down back. He’s able to run the ball, he’s able to catch the ball, he’s able to pick up blitzes. He’s able to do everything.
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He thinks Bush can pick up blitzes? REALLY?
Mike has more whiffs on defenders, than Stevie Wonder has at the batting cages.
March 11th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Priest, you didn’t get laid off with the new regime?
Glad to see your still around!
March 11th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Ask any coach or QB what disrupts the passing game the most and they will all tell you pressure UP THE MIDDLE.
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just like any good chess game, gotta own the middle. just like any good baseball team, gotta be good up the middle.
March 11th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
So the cap this year is $120.6 million. Where are we now? I know that we have to also factor in Branch’s tag…
March 11th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Hwn, ask the cap expert….
Your asking questions that are out of my league!
March 11th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Hwnrdr-wasn’t it mentioned we were already accounting for Branch’s tag money?
March 11th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
“I’m sure (Hue Jackson) will get an opportunity (to be a head coach) again some time down the road, because I think he’s a great leader and a great man, and I wish him the best.”
- Rock Cartwright
Team captain and two-time team CTE honoree
This is above and beyond a PC endorsement. It’s clear from the comments made by Cartwright, Seymour, Palmer, Ford and others that the team was very much behind Hue. Can we please put that “Hue lost the team” nonsense to rest now? It’s clear that we changed coaches for one of two reasons: Mark Davis wanted him out as Mike Silver hypothesized; or Reggie McKenzie wanted his own guy (as RM stated) that he could take credit for finding and hiring if things go well, rather than keep Hue and be relegated to a role of secondary importance.
March 11th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Chris in NY, 71
Chris,
Are simple enough to believe that an interviewee will never tell the truth?? You can’t say that Hue had the love of the players based on interviews of those players; they always speak falsely.
Look what happened to Hue when he really spoke truthfully at his befated last interview. He was fired as HC and had a very hard time finding employment; some suggest the only reason the Bengals hired him is because he dropped the “greatest trade in sports at their feet.”
The Mark Silver theory is blog filler completely based on hearsay evidence that Silver dreamed up. What would the new owner Mark Davis care if his father dressed him down at a meeting in which Hue was present?
Hue was totally incompetent, a lousy game manager, a self admitted liar, a braggart, and a “bully” who couldn’t back up his own words. Hue did nothing beyond what Cable had done with a much worse roster.
Most importantly, Hue carried AL’s disasterous taint, and had to go.
March 11th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
“ever**** tell the truth”
March 11th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Now if you were to ask me…I say we’re gooooood!
March 11th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
We will still have to cut/ restructure at least three more contracts.
March 11th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
RaiderRetribution Says:
March 11th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
We will still have to cut/ restructure at least three more contracts.
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they just reached “compliance”…but still need to re-do deals just to even sign
FA’s…
March 11th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
I agree to an extent. Salary cap management is highly overrated. But I think these QBs benefit greatly from having consistent, good coaching. Belichik won 11 games without Brady in 2008. The Steelers won 3 of they’re 1st 4 without Big Ben 2 years ago. Joe Gibbs won 3 SBs with 3 different QBs. I thinks that’s why NO is hesitant to give Brees what he wants. They know that Brees is in a great situation. I bet a lot of people would be surpised to see how Chase Daniel would fare in that offense.
>>>
No doubt. The NFL is Qb’s and coaching.
Not sure what I would put first… prolly QB though.
March 15th, 2012 at 11:33 am
[...] more thoughts from Cartwright, read this post by Jerry [...]
May 12th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
magic submitter discount…
[...]Cartwright humbled, then back to business – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…