Al keeps ‘em guessing
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 at 9:10 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Keeping score of today’s draft rumors:
– Profootballtalk.com reported the Raiders made a lowball offer to Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and were prepared to make him the first pick of the NFL draft if the price was right.
– NFL Network reported the Raiders had “reached out” to the agents of Quinn, JaMarcus Russell and Calvin Johnson, but that Russell is all but a lock to be the No. 1 pick.
– ESPN.com reported the Raiders had no serious offers to any of the prospective candidates and were unlikely to strike a deal before Saturday’s first pick.
In other words, the Raiders are doing what they do best _ keeping their intentions a secret.
NFL Network also reported something I’ve been hearing lately regarding the Raiders front office. Mark Jackson, the man brought in by Lane Kiffin as the director of football development, has essentially become the new Bruce Allen _ the man charged with working on contract issues and carrying out the business of Davis and Kiffin.
The day’s biggest draft story _ a CNN-Sports Illustrated report that Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson could miss all of training camp following surgery on his collarbone _ has no effect on Oakland.
Once the Raiders got LaMont Jordan to take a reduced signing bonus and signed free agent Dominic Rhodes, they weren’t in the market for a running back as the top pick.
The best educated guess remains that Russell will be announced as a Raider Saturday morning, mostly due to his freakish size and physical skill which Davis won’t be able to pass up.
With any luck, the Raiders won’t reach a deal with Russell or anyone else and keep the drama alive until Roger Goodell takes the podium Saturday morning.
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April 25th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Hello Russell…what number jersey are you gonna wear? How about No3?
April 25th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Stop this ride now!!! I want to get off!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 25th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Espn draft central have the Broncos at the No.3 slot NOW. Check it out fellow bloggers, the one with Russell throwing the football. Click it.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
All this mean is the trade with Browns have been consummated by the Broncos taking Calvin Johnson with the No.3 pick. I guess we’d see Calvin Johnson twice a season now.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
So, the CONSPIRACY is exposed. The NFL and media wants Raiders to select Russell, the Broncos trade to No.3 slot taking Calvin Johnson, the Raiders lose for a few season under Russell so he learn on the spot, Broncos win the division for 2-3 years, Raiders draft high again for the next 2-3 years assuming Russell is ready after that, and maybe see him BUST out as a Raider. Just my thoughts.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Al has to be loving the limellight…
http://mvn.com/nfl-raiders/
April 25th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
RF R U sure about the Bronco deal??? I just went on to ESPN and still see the Browns at #3. R U sure????
April 25th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
The Browns Savage save his job by taking Broncos boat load of picks including next years 1st selection if the points values are used. LOL.. I guess Quinn was NEVER even consider as the Browns pick cause they traded it away to the Broncos for Calvin Johnson.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Check it out! Click Russell, then insiders. LOL.. The Broncos No.3 after the Lions.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Why would the Donkeys show their hand??? Knowing Al picks before them, this could be a perfect way to screw the Broncos. I don’t think anything goes down until AFTER the Raiders pick. Again, are you sure this trade went down????
April 25th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
RF is not even sure what planet he is on. As I’ve said before, if a post says Raiders Fanatics! Says: stop reading and move on to the next post.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Espn.com RUMOR CENTRAL. The slots the teams are projected to pick.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
The Snake is a Bronco fan IMO.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Do all the fellow bloggers see it? Go to ESPN.com football NOW.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Thank you Snake for exposing yourself.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
I see it, but keep in mind it is listed under “RUMOR central.” This is what COULD happen. It ain’t going down because Al will F k the Donkeys and pick CJ just to give them the business and trade him to the NFC. Al would choose who CJ played for……….
April 25th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Rumor Central. The slots projected AND next INSIDER ONLY. The Broncos are slotted No.3 right now. A trade had gone done but not exposed to everyone. You gotta thank ESPN for exposing this early so Raiders brass know what’s going on thru out the NFL.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
LOL.. no wonder everyone wants the Raiders to SELECT Russell. Raiders being DAGGER behind their backs by the NFL. LOL
April 25th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I’m NOT a fan of players, just the team, you bloggers gotta apologize for attacking me. LOL
April 25th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
All bloggers interesting posts from RF, look back at previous blog topic (draft buzz) see RF’s take on April 24th from 5:17pm to 6:02pm.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Sorry Snake Bronco… for exposing yourself as a Raiders fan.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
I meant FAKE Raiders fan. I appreciate that you disappear and go back to the Broncos board.
April 25th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
The 24/7 blogging all over the internet was meant for the Raiders to get sucker in to Russell, who, many pro scout say is a low 1st to 2nd round pick. That’s way everyone wanted the Raiders to select Russell so they all see the Raiders franchise DEMISE. I say take CJ 1st and if Raiders want Russell they trade down cause NO TEAM want Russell except the Raiders. The trade to the Falcons is the ONLY feasible move if Raiders want CJ out of the AFC conference.
April 25th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Why the hell isn’t anyone talking about the Raiders taking Joe Thomas? Is Al Davis simply not going to take an OL after the Gallery near-bust?
April 25th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Plus, the CAP RAMIFICATION demise of the Raiders if Russell BUST. 60 million dollars CAP HELL for the next 4-5 years, I’m pretty sure it’s make or break for this franchise with the 1st selection!
April 25th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
The FAKE Raiders blogger are everywhere vouching Russell or maybe Quinn? Who knows the NFL want the Raiders DEMISE IMO.
April 25th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
I guess the maverick made alot of enemies thru out the NFL. LOL.. Daggers everywhere!
April 25th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
I say trade CJ to Bucs.. get Russell with the 4th selection if that’s the way to go, Browns will select Quinn if the Broncos trade FALLS THRU. This is the way to go getting Russell without Broncos getting Calvin Johnson. We’d all know the Bucs ain’t gonna turn around and trade CJ cause they are keeping him.
April 25th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
I’m gonna call it a night.. cya!
April 25th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
The raiders will select CALVIN JOHNSON and not trade him I guarantee it
April 26th, 2007 at 1:14 am
CJ!!!
April 26th, 2007 at 1:18 am
“Al keeps ‘em guessing”
More like, the 49ers and Tampa Bay keep Al guessing. No doubt both of these teams are feigning interest in players just so Al will draft one of them out of spite, CERTAINLY his style, as it’s common knowledge he drafted Jano just to spite the Broncos, who were looking to get him late. Nobody knows this better than Gruden, who was sitting right next to the old man when he made the move back in 2000.
So, Al Davis is not keeping anyone guessing. It’s really Jon Gruden that’s keeping us guessing. He controls Al Davis’s mind, just like Shannahan does, and just like anyone who works for the 49ers does. Al puts spiting these teams above the Raiders winning, and his loyal followers LOVE IT!
April 26th, 2007 at 1:23 am
Hey Raider fans, just curious. What is the worst record ever by a team during any 4 year span? How close are you guys to that record re: the last 4 years?
I’m playing, man. Truth is, I like Raider fans. I like their loyalty and the way they stick together, etc. But these guys are just in such denial as to how bad Al Davis is.
April 26th, 2007 at 5:07 am
How’s this for a conspiracy…
We all know Matt Millen was drafted and become a star via the Raiders. Many former Raiders maintain a relationship with thier former boss. I think Millen and Davis are still friends. Maybe Al Davis has already made a trade with the Lions for Josh McCown and is keeping it quiet. Come draft day, the cat is let out of the bag as the Raiders select Calvin Johnson and teams like the Broncos and the other two AFC rivals poop in thier pants. The Bucs also get screwed (a way to get back at them for Gruden wanting to leave and for Allen departing for there. And Al Davis, will get what he wants most, the Raiders to occupy the lead storyof the sports news cast. Not too far fetched I think.
April 26th, 2007 at 5:19 am
KEEPS THEM GUESSINGS EH?? AS USUAL THE IDIOT WILL END UP FOOLING
ONLY HIMSELF, JUST TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WOEFUL RECORD
April 26th, 2007 at 5:21 am
Sign me.
April 26th, 2007 at 5:23 am
And see how similar the Raiders record is to Exraiderlike Matt Millen’s
Detroit Lions record? 2 losers. Now thats a conspiracy!!
April 26th, 2007 at 5:27 am
Ive suspected something like that for a while, too Dave. The Lions get nothing
by keeping McCown. But again, who knows.
April 26th, 2007 at 5:32 am
I ACTUALLY FOUND A SITE THAT WAS SAYING THE BUCS WERE MAKING DEALS WITH THE RAIDERS WHERE THE BUCS MIGHT BE WILLING TO THROW THEIR WHOLE DRAFT AWAY TO SELECT CJ ALMOST LIKE THE DEAL FOR GRUDEN LITURALLY GIVE UP ALL THEIR PICKS FOR THIS DUDE I GUESS THE DRAFT WORKS ON A POINT SYSTEM THAT WOULD MAKE OR PICK WORTH THEIR WHOLE DRAFT I WILL FIND THE ARTICAL AND POST HERE IT IS;Ever vigilant, Pic has uncovered more dirt on the Bucs and their ongoing trade talks with the Oakland Raiders:
Yahoo Sports has the Bucs-Raider trade rumor going strong. From: Yahoo Sports:
Three weeks ago, Tampa Bay general manager Bruce Allen said he had been in contact with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis.
“Al talked to me about what he wants to do, but I’m not sharing that with you,” Allen said with a smile. There was speculation that the Bucs had already offered Oakland all four of their picks in the first three rounds (Nos. 4, 35, 64 and 68 overall) to move up.
The Tampa Tribune picked up the Yahoo article in their blog. TBO.com
According to Yahoo Sports, the Bucs and the Oakland Raiders owner have been discussing a trade for the Raiders No. 1 pick. It would be a costly deal for Tampa Bay, maybe even all of their first four picks.
Knowing how much Davis got for Coach Jon Gruden when Tampa Bay made the deal for him in 2002 (two first round and two second round picks), its not out of the realm of possibility that Davis is asking for a lot. And given Johnsons credentials and potential for greatness, it wouldnt be far fetched to believe the Bucs would give up all of their first day picks for him.
A contingency of Bucs personnel and players, including quarterback Chris Simms, traveled to Atlanta last Friday for the former Georgia Tech receivers workout.
If the Bucs do pull off this trade, it will become evident the team is in win now or else mode. Because why else would they mortgage the future by giving up all those picks for one player? If they dont, perhaps the team learned its lesson about how difficult it is to sustain a playoff-caliber team without draft picks.
But the friends of Pewter Propaganda, the National Inquirer of the NFL, took the story one step further. Profootballtalk.com
Though we realize that much of our own stuff comes from unnamed executives and other league sources, it’s hard to put much credence in the above quote without knowing who said it. The Browns, for example, would have a strong interest in seeing such a deal go down, since it would ensure that either quarterback JaMarcus Russell or quarterback Brady Quinn will be available when Cleveland picks at No. 3.
Per the report, there is also speculation that the Bucs have offered four first-day picks ( No. 4, No. 35, No. 64, and No. 68 ) for the No. 1 pick. Under the trade chart, however, that quartet of picks falls 130 points short of the value of the first overall selection. As a result, the Bucs would have to give up all of their remaining picks — with the exception of two compensatory picks at the bottom of round seven — to make up the entire difference.
Bottom line: If Al Davis is going to give up the No. 1 pick to two of his former employees (Gruden and G.M. Bruce Allen), it will have to be on the Raiders’ terms. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Davis ask for all of Tampa’s picks in 2007 and a first-rounder in 2008.
And we also wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bucs give all of it up; for Gruden and Allen, having to worry about not having a first-round pick in 2008 will be a good thing, since it will mean that they did well enough in 2007 to still have jobs.
April 26th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Raiders Fanatics! … how can someone so neqative get up every day and just open the door? (LOOK OUT A PLAIN CAN BE FALLING FROM THE SKY AND HIT YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD!)
Relax dude, it will be ok… This is just a game after all. We all want toe Raiders to succeed but… I somehow think guys like you will find the dark in the silver lining…
As always, 1 nation, the only Nation… The Raider Nation!!!!
April 26th, 2007 at 5:57 am
Thursday before the draft and the following are possible
1. BQ to Oakland for a low offer that alters Rookies salaries
2. CJ to Atlanta from Oakland with Oakland getting many picks and being in a wildcard game this year led by veteran QB McKnown who gets comeback player of the year.
3. JR to Oakland and 4 more years just like the last four years! Except we will hear Cutler to Johnson touchdown Broncos or Russell to Lynch touchdown broncos. And we will hear in two years the new Coach of the Raiders is Art Shell one more time with his side kick BB Walsh.
4. CJ to Oakland with Moss going bye bye yea! Raiders double their win total.
5. CJ to TB for many picks and I bet one QB or the other available at 4 (note there are only two slots between 1-4 for members on this board
6. CJ to Oakland then they trade for picks or players as the draft progresses and possibly get one of the QBs with the 4 Pick. Russell is there and we later hear Russell to Lynch touchdown broncos… but at least we don’t hear Cutler to Johnson touchdown broncos.
This is the most up in the air draft coming into it ever… Thanks Al.
April 26th, 2007 at 6:06 am
Thank god we get to get excited for once in 4 years. Al LOVES this sh!#, the whole league waiting to see what he is going to do. I have us taking Jamarcus since January. Now the way the draft is laid out, if we take CJ, the whole draft gets thrown into the grinder.
Al might do it!
48 hours and NOBODY knows what we are gonna do. The Raider Nation is gonna have to wait until our 15 minute clock ticks down to 0:00, to see what we are gonna do. I Luv it.
April 26th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Believe me RAIDAHS NATION Al Hates picking first, Als a winner, and it’s painfully obvious to Al why we’re picking first. But if anyone can snatch victory from defeat, Al can. I agree alan420raider we won’t know ’til the last tick of the clock, and I love it!!!
April 26th, 2007 at 7:02 am
I just have one question for the folks that continue to slam Al Davis: Can you name the last AFC West team to go to the Super Bowl?
That’s right, boys and girls. And with Shanapanic in Denver stockpiling expensive free agents like there’s no tomorrow, and Herman and Norv working their magic on the Chefs and Dolts, respectively, we’ll probably be the next one to get there, too.
Won’t be next year, probably won’t be the year after that. But I’m betting we get there again before any of them do.
It’s all about beating the West, and I think we’re trackin’.
April 26th, 2007 at 7:05 am
There is tons of value in the second/third round of this draft. Raiders should focus on TB at number 4, if TB does not bite, then pick CJ and let TB know that they are still interested in trading down. If TB declines, Raiders offer CJ to top 2,3,5…upto the point Adrian Peterson gets taken off the board. If they can not trade CJ…no big deal, Raiders get the best player in the draft.
If they do trade CJ and collect additional second and third round picks, they still may have a chance to pick Quinn or Russell…and have extra picks to grab a talented WR, DE, Guard/Center or Safety all of which there is a deep class for these positions. How does draft sound
CJ and Trade Option
Quinn/Russell/Peterson/Thomas/Adams/Landry with first pick
Beck, Edwards, Kalil, Moss, Jarret with first second rounder
Rice, Leonard, Merriweather, Blaylock, Grubbs with second second rounder
Trade some of the many 3rd round to get another pick in second for someone who is in freefall
Keep CJ option
Pick a QB in the second round and look for veteran pu to groom
April 26th, 2007 at 7:35 am
With all the possible scenarios going around, what a buzz kill it will be if JR’s name is mentioned as the #1 pick. That means someone else wins the “CJ and trade for a bounty” sweepstakes, and we did not get Quinn at a reduced price.
Let’s face it, its not the kill, its the thrill of the chase. Anything less than what I mentioned above will require “uppers” to get us through the rest of the draft.
Keep your fingers crossed!!
April 26th, 2007 at 7:59 am
with any luck? Saturday? The suspense is killing me!
April 26th, 2007 at 8:04 am
FACT:
Russel is such an amazing athlete with immense talent he barely even won the starting job at LSU this season… Can’t wait till Davis out thinks himself again and take Derrick Gibson I mean Jamarcus Russell
April 26th, 2007 at 8:05 am
No one is going to trade up to number one for CJ people, get over it. TB is not going to give up their entire first day for a WR, write it down.
April 26th, 2007 at 8:10 am
How about Moss, all of our 2007 picks (except #1) and our 2008 #1 to Detroit for their #1 this year?
Just kidding.
April 26th, 2007 at 8:26 am
POSTED 11:24 a.m. EDT, April 26, 2007
FAVRE STILL CERTAIN MOSS WILL BE A PACKER
In the process of tracking down rumors regarding whether the Raiders will trade receiver Randy Moss to the Packers (or anyone else) before or during the draft, we’ve re-confirmed that Packers quarterback Brett Favre is “certain” that Moss will be a member of the team in 2007.
This doesn’t mean that Moss will be traded to Green Bay on Thursday or Friday, or that the trade will come during the first day of the draft.
It also doesn’t mean that Moss ever will be a Packer. It only means that Favre was — and still is — “certain” that Moss will join the team.
It could be that Favre, through his agent Bus Cook, is privy to Randy’s plan to refuse any and all overtures aimed at reducing his $9.75 million salary for 2007. The Raiders surely can’t keep him around at that number, which means that at worst he’d be cut in August — and then would be free to sign with the Packers.
If, of course, Moss is cut, the next question becomes whether he’d choose the Packers over any other team. But the fact that Favre is certain of the eventual arrival suggests to us that Brett has been talking to Randy, and that Randy is every bit as excited about playing for the Packers in 2007 as he was about playing for the Raiders in 2005.
Profootballtalk.com
April 26th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Again, no need to get another teams entire draft to trade out of the #1 pick. Which would you rather have -
1. CJ
2. JR
3. BQ
4. TB’s #4 pick plus their 2nd rounder and one of JR, BQ, AP or GA
Isn’t option 4 above so stupidly clear? Top flight talent, extra 2nd rounder and less guaranteed money!
April 26th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Stupidly clear like Heap over Gibson or Huff over Leinart? Fact is Al Davis is a retard that takes physical freaks over talent… The problem with guys with potential is that if they were ever going to use it they would have already… JR has so much potential he barely won the starting job at LSU this year?
April 26th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Danny… Al is not a retard, and if you look around, hasn’t really made any more draft mistakes than anyone else. You want to look at retards, look at the number of busts Cleveland and Cincinnatti have had in the first round, and the Texans have to be the poster boys for stupidity.
Michael Huff made way more of an impact last year than Matt Leinart did. He played out of his normal position and started on the NFL’s third-ranked defense. I think competent coaching will show you and others that a couple of other recent picks weren’t so bad, either.
April 26th, 2007 at 8:54 am
What I find so mind numbing is that the guy who has #1 value is the GUY WHO IS PICKED #1! Raiders can decide that any one of 6 players is worth the #1 pick. Does that mean that the other 5 aren’t as good? Hell no. That is why something so simple as moving back to #4 for JUST an additional 2nd rounder makes sense. The reason no one goes from #4 to #1 is because the team owning that #1 pick gets ridiculously greedy and makes it impossible to get a trade done. If you give the appearance that the deal heavily favors the team trading up, the deal gets done in seconds. Then word gets out that Oakland only wants a 2nd rounder to allow a team to move up 3 spots. This creates your bidding war. You don’t create a bidding war by overpricing the market initially. Isn’t this Economics 101?
April 26th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Al is a retard who other than him selects a kicker with a drinking problem and facing possible deportation in the first round? He is so busy trying to sue the NFL and stick it to everybody the only ones getting the short end are the fans who have watched this franchise go into the ground.
April 26th, 2007 at 8:58 am
Damn it’s good to see all you future GM’s out there. HA HA HA HA !!!!! It doesn’t matter who we pick in the draft. Cause as long as they wear the SILVER and BLACK I’ll be cheering for them. And that post about the Donco’s moving up to the number 3 pick is BS. And so what if they get CJ. You all need to just kick back and enjoy because like I said a true fan will support no matter who we get.
Win,lose or tie Silver and Balck till I die.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:06 am
JR– 68% completion rate, 25-4 as a starter, 8 comeback victories, more accurate than Quinn, can throw running to his right or left, described by Tom Martinez as “the Shaq of the quarterback position” with better mechanics than any other player in the draft. Why are we even discussing taking CJ or BQ when we already have 3 good receivers and BQ doesn’t measure up to JR?
April 26th, 2007 at 9:12 am
Just be glad you don’t live in Ohio, Danny. Those guys will never see the Super Bowl. Nor will Houston. Everyone, and I mean, everyone, has a bad patch periodically. The important hing is that they get BACK. Sorry, but I don’t see the Dolphins doing that. Or the Cowboys. Wouldn’t want to be a Giants fan, or root for the Lions. Storied franchises; look at them now.
The Raiders were great when the Cowboys, Dolphins, Vikings and Bills were. They will be again, and I’m betting we see that before we see the aforementioned teams doing anything of note.
The only constant in all that time, is Al Davis. We all need to remember that.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:14 am
David Carr’s completion percentage was 68.3% that doesn’t mean crap
JR was on a team that was ranked #3 overall largely in part because of their superior defense that was ranked #3
April 26th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Can you honestly tell me that hiring Art Shell, or Norv Turner were moves that a succesful franchise would have made? Al has run the team so far into the ground coaches take themselves out of contention for the job.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Danny, you are the retard!
You call yourself a Raider Fan with a comment like that? Al is the Raiders, built the franchise that I, and many others love. The Raiders will always be a premiere franchise because what he has done over the last 50 years. With the busts he has made, he has done genious things. (Plunkett, Madden, Bo, Gruden & the picks for him) He now appears to be giving Lane the ability to choose a direction and to go with it. The guy knows football, and built the greatest franchise from nothing. You ain’t in the Raider Nation, fake ass fan.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:18 am
CT-Raider you are right on the mark. Why would the Raiders take anyone but CJ at #1 if they can trade for the #4 spot and get the player they want (JR) or the player they need (BQ) plus a good 2nd rounder and probably another pick in round 3 or 4?
It’s stupid to pick JR at #1. No one else wants him as much as we do and he’ll be there at 4. If someone trades up to get him, we take Quinn of at worst keep CJ and have the best player in the draft.
Then we package the 2 2nd rounders to move up a few spots and get Kalil. No offense Grove, but last year we had, you know, no offense…
April 26th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Raider From Birth. I read your scenario about owning both the #1 AND #2 picks. Love it!!! One HUGE problem—-we don’t have the cash to do it. Would have been a great situation—Quarterback and Receiver ALL in one full swoop.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:21 am
yes, but Carr was throwing 3 yd passes–JR’s average completion is higher than Quinn’s. I do agree that the organization has made many horrible decisions–does anybody know anything about our QB coach? Looking at the website, it doesn’t look like he’s done much of anything, other than working at Columbia (that perennial powerhouse) and with the NY Giants as a offensive quality control dude (what does that mean?) That’s one thing about the 49ers in the 80s, they had great coaches that took previously failing QBs (Young and Bono) and made them great (or at least good in Bono’s case).
April 26th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I don’t have to be a fan of the owner’s decisions of recent coaches, and personnel to be a fan you mindless drone… I can be a fan and still disagree with the things that the team does, unlike you I have a mind and I use it freely and that does not diminish the fact that I am still watching the games win or lose every Sunday and posting on this blog and reading news about my team every day.
ryan420raider you are the type of fan that comes on here and tears another fan for expressing their opinion, I don’t remember ripping you for any of your views and especially don’t remember calling you a retard.
I guarantee if we were face to face something like that wouldn’t come out of your mouth so maybe you should consider not saying something like that when you are hiding behind a blog.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Carr’s average per pass was 6.26 not 3 yards but nice try
April 26th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Russell was 9.15 but you are also talking about College football compared to pro… If he was so great how is it that nobody had heard of him before the sugar bowl?
April 26th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Holy Toledo… everyone seems a little tense today, so I thought I’d lighten the mood a little. BTW, I like your screen name. It’s not the same without Bill. We could be up by 35 with 8 seconds to play and there’d still be a sense of panic amongst the faithful. He had a way o0f keeping you riveted to your radio until the very end.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Al Davis is the Raiders, he made the franchise that you call your team, you can “disagree” but throw out the retard name, not necessarily an opinion.
If i heard u say that at the coliseum, i’d get right in your face. I’ve read all your opinions, but to call him a retard, aint an opinion, thats talking sh!#.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Danny,
You may not have called Ryan a retard, but you call Al Davis one, me and many others take that personal as well.
I don`t question your “Raiderness” at all, and you are right about not agreeing with the owners moves while remaining a true fan, but for a lot of us Al Davis is the Raiders so go on and disagree but don`t disrespect the man.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:29 am
There is NO way Al Davis will not make the decision on who is picked first. It is an historic moment for him, and the last chance he has to pick a franchise quarterback. So ramble on, everyone; he’s the guy who knows (or will know). I think he may step aside after that and proceed by consensus for the rest of the draft. But not for the first pick.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:30 am
an exaggeration, obviously–but 6.26 is still a lot less than JR’s 9.15. In any case, Danny, what about the rest of the argument? I agree that it would be nice if JR had played an extra season, and if we knew for sure that he would work as hard as Quinn, but taking my previous statements into account (stats, throwing accuracy, poise, comeback victories), he’s still the best choice. Also, what WR has ever turned a franchise around? You can point to a lot of QBs that have made the difference for their teams, but not WRs.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:32 am
David Carr’s senior year college stats:
Completions: 344
Attempts: 533
Yards: 4,839
Completion %: 64.5%
Average Per Completion: 14.06
TD’s: 46
INT’s: 9
Games Started throughout college career: 26
Record in college: 18-8
Scouting Report:
Prototype quarterback with cannon arm…accurate and productive throughout career at Fresno State.
Sounds pretty similar to another cannon arm QB
April 26th, 2007 at 9:33 am
except for the last three words…”at fresno state”
April 26th, 2007 at 9:35 am
and the record
plus, I don’t think people were saying things like”I hope I don’t have to face him for the next 10 years” ( A. J. Smith) or “I’m glad I won’t have to face him” (Dick Vermeil)
April 26th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Latest blog from Fox`s Czar posted today:
“The biggest rumor on Wednesday was that Falcons owner Arthur Blank wants Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson and is prepared to trade his team’s top four picks in the draft to the Lions for the right to draft Johnson should the Raiders select LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the first overall selection.
Detroit owns the second overall selection on Saturday and has been desperately attempting to trade down in hopes of acquiring more picks. A possible deal with Atlanta would give the Lions the eighth overall pick in the first round, one acquired from Houston in the Matt Schaub trade. The Lions would also receive the Falcons’ two second-round picks, 39th and 44th overall in the draft, plus a third-rounder, 75th overall.
By moving down, the Lions would miss out on coveted pass rusher Gaines Adams and Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas, but could end up with LSU safety LaRon Landry, Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson or Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye.
The word in Oakland is that rookie head coach Lane Kiffin prefers Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn to Russell, meaning that Johnson could end up being a settlement-like choice between the young coach and owner Al Davis”.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:41 am
check the last paragraph……….
April 26th, 2007 at 9:42 am
please….
It’s about potential. P. Manning NEVER won the big game but look at him now. Don’t even try to compare BQ to P. Manning. JR has the potential. When was the last time A RECEIVER took a team to the SB? NEVER. NOT ONCE HAS IT HAPPENED. A wr might have gotten a SB MVP but the QB put the ball where he needed to. A QB wills his team to the big dance and to draft a WR would put this franchise, ONCE AGAIN, the first pick in the draft. Anybody who has played a team sport knows without a great QB, Guard, or pitching you end up last in the standings. PERIOD. It’s the guy who gets the most touches that wins games.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:43 am
The great thing about this is some “draft expert” is going to be able to say I told you so, because there is bound to be one story written that guesses right.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:47 am
People, we can get JR at #4!!! Detroit will not take a QB and Browns want Quinn, the local hero. We can get JR AND a 2nd rounder from TB just by taking CJ #1.
I find it baffling how those who want JR are willing to play the Gambler with the #1 pick but are afraid to get JR and a mere 2nd rounder at #4. Do you have balls or don’t you????
April 26th, 2007 at 9:47 am
I can guarantee that once you seen how big I am you wouldn’t be in anyone’s face and I don’t mean fat either… The decisions Al has made with the franchise have been disgraceful, his refusal to put the teams winning ahead of his own ego is the exact reason we are where we are… He refused to draft the players Gruden wanted causing him to leave (I dare one of you to tell me that he was right to not take Heap over Gibson) and ever since Gruden left the team has been in total disarray and his penchant for not allowing his coaches to coach have led us to long coaching searches that have turned out Norv Turner for 2 season and Art Shell for 1.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:49 am
JR is not going to last. Cleveland and Detroit must be on crack if they don’t draft a QB and JR is clearly the best QB. Kitna’s old and Frye’s not working.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Here is Jay Glazer`s article on draft rumors and stuff, posted today also:
“The following is a Top 10 look at players and rumors linked to certain teams that I believe is either a farce or, in my opinion, would not be a wise selection.
Raiders — Calvin Johnson, Brady Quinn. I believe it’s JaMarcus Russell all the way and while some inside the NFL are questioning the veracity of such a choice, I’m not one of them. Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler all proved last year that a youngster can step in without much seasoning and at times excel. This kid can throw routes that only .0001 percent of the existing and past NFL population could throw — if that. Teams negotiating with the Raiders are not going through their former acting GM Mike Lombardi, who now seems like he’s out after the draft. However, like a mold that won’t go away, he’s survived past rumors of his demise over and over. Actually, they’ve been using a conglomerate of people to deal with their top 3 prospects”.
Not that it matters to anyone but there are very few “insiders” that I give some respect to: Pasquarelli, Czar and Glazer…with King way way behind.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:50 am
What do you all think about getting Leak or Troy Smith in the later rounds? We need a backup anyway, and if they turn out to be great and steal the starting job, even better
April 26th, 2007 at 9:51 am
David Carr took Fresno state to two bowl games in his 2 years as a starter
April 26th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Doesn’t the Brown GM love JR?
“The things that people saw today were the things I saw in the camp when JaMarcus was 14 – that arm strength from a kid that was 6[-foot]-4 and 185 pounds back then,” Savage said, referring to the summer football camp he has held for youths since 1991. Savage, like Russell, is a native of Mobile, Ala.
“When I went back to training camp with the Baltimore Ravens that year I saw JaMarcus, I told (Ravens general manager) Ozzie Newsome, ‘You’ve got to see this kid, Oz. He can really throw it. I wish we could draft him now and stash him away,’” Savage recalls.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=cr-russell031407&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
April 26th, 2007 at 9:53 am
So for you 4 bad years out of 50 and he’s a retard. Forgetting all the good things that he’s done for this team in the 46 previous years. He is seeing this, and has Lane as a younger version of him to take control. 4 years, a-hole.
i dont care how big you are?
go be a (browns, lions, cardinals, bengals, jets, dolphins) fan who haven’t even achieved half of what he has with his franchise.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Sure they’ll take Brady Quinn…….
April 26th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Not one supposed expert has said JR is the best QB, they only have him going number 1 because Al Davis can’t pass up on this athletic freak of nature, or Al Davis can’t pass up the guy with the strongest arm in the NFL to bring back the verticle attack… Showing me one Mock Draft that has the Raiders taking JR because he is the best QB and I will concede that he is the savior of the franchise as those of you seem to think
Fact:
JR has to sit for a year or two meaning Walter or someone else is starting during this time meaning JR helps the team in no way for the next year at least. Why take a QB with the #1 pick that despite all his athletic ability barely won the starting job at LSU and can’t even come in and play for you right away? David Carr was the #1 pick and played pretty well his first few seasons despite no talent around him but the beatings he took broke him as a QB.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Danny… could you refresh my memory? Since winning the Super Bowl with Tony Dungy’s players and Bill Callahan’s playbook, what exactly has he done in Tampa?
That’s what I thought. Once again, the constant is Al Davis.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:02 am
MD Raider - Savage loves and drools over JR? Once again, JR has a strong arm…BFD. If Cleveland wants him, why don’t they trade up from #3 to #1 if JR is the next Elway? Words are BS, actions are what matters. You and I both know that the Browns don’t want him because he is right there for the taking and they are turning their back on him. That doesn’t sound to me like a “can’t miss franchise QB for years to come”. Does it sound that way to you? Be honest. Browns haven’t had a solid QB in like 15 years. They would NOT let JR get away if he was the next coming of JC.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Mike Mayock, NFL Network
NFL Network analyst Greg Cosell
April 26th, 2007 at 10:04 am
this article lists multiple people that have Russell as the best QB (including the two above) http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/draft/2007-04-25-sw-draft-preview_N.htm
April 26th, 2007 at 10:04 am
You need to stop running your mouth and insulting me, disagree with me if you want but insulting me is a punk move… You act big and bad behind this blog but until you say it to my face don’t try to sit here and call me names acting big and bad… Fact is I don’t call names thats for girls, you are not tough behind this blog so close your mouth… Like I said disagree if you want and give reasons for why but don’t try to insult me and act tought you make yourself look stupid.
And it’s been more than 4 years do you not remember the Marcus Allen debacle? or 1990-1998? When every coach worth anything turns you down to even interview its for a reason
April 26th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Danny… sorry, but you’re bringing this on yourself. Real “experts” don’t do mock drafts. They do the real ones.
I know I’ve posted these names before, and my apologies for being redundant, but Danny’s asking for references. Joe Gibbs, AJ Smith, Pete Carroll, Marc Trestman. I’ll take those guys over Jamie Dukes, Len Pasquarelli, Adam Shefter, Sean Salisbury, Mel Kiper, or any other media “expert” you can come up with.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Danny,
I guess bulidng a defense with the draft: Kelly, Brayton, Hawthorne, Morrison, Howard, Williams, Washington, Ashomuga, Schweigert and Huff…..a couple of FA hits: Sapp, Burguess and plenty of rotation contribuitors FA`s like Huntley, Snds, R.Thomas, Starks, Cooper, Carr…..means nothing.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:10 am
They also gave up all their draft picks to get Gruden from us so how was he supposed to build the team after that? Gruden is a good coach but Tampa Bay gave up too much to get him and they are feeling the effects of the ransom we took from them for him… But of that ransom what do we have to show for it?
And kotrabela read the article again not once does it say he is the best just says he has the most “upside”… Ryan Leaf had the most “upside” between him and Manning
April 26th, 2007 at 10:11 am
You really think any GM or personnel person is going to give away who they really like in the draft? that is stupid to list those guys they are all blowing smoke right now hoping someone is dumb enough to take players they don’t want so they have more options available of players they like when their pick comes around.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Here is an article written today by Gil Brandt from NFL.com. We can all agree that he is highly knowledgeable and his opinions are well respected. And BTW, he is an extremely close friend of one MR. Al Davis -
I have spent many hours trying to figure out who the best quarterback is; I’m still working to separate the big three. I do believe that all three have the ability to be very productive in the NFL in the future.
1. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame (6-3¾, 232; 4.80)
Quinn did not work out at the Combine; all he did was lift 24 times. He worked out twice at Notre Dame, one time (March 4) doing only passing drills, the second time (March 22) running drills. He ran his 40s in 4.76 and 4.84 seconds. He also recorded a 36-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-7 long jump, a 4.24 short shuttle and a 6.85 three-cone drill. He has 10¼-inch hands. He played quarterback (two-year starter and two-time captain) and baseball in high school. In his senior season, he registered 25 touchdown passes and four interceptions and rushed for six touchdowns. At Notre Dame, he started nine games as a true freshman and wound up with 46 in his career. He had two outstanding years under Charlie Weis. Quinn was a team captain, an outstanding worker with a great personality and very aware and alert. He’s smart with good arm strength and makes good decisions. He’s athletic in the pocket and has shown he can bring a team back. He’ll miss some throws and is not as accurate; in his freshman season, he completed less than 50 percent of his passes. He had streaks of 130, 143 and 226 consecutive passes without an interception. He passed for 7,345 yards and 69 touchdowns over the past two years. He will be a Pro Bowl player and will be able to take a team to the playoffs.
2. JaMarcus Russell, LSU (6-5½, 256; 4.84)
Russell did not work out at the Combine. At LSU’s Pro Day on March 14, he ran one 40 in 4.86 seconds, recorded no jumps or shuttles, and measured 9½-inch hands and 34½-inch arms. He played quarterback in high school and was also a very good basketball player. He was the all-time leading passer in Alabama high school history with 10,744 yards and 84 touchdowns. At LSU, he was a redshirt in 2003. He played as a backup to Marcus Randall in 2004 and started four games. He brought the team back against Iowa in the bowl game in the fourth quarter after trailing 24-12, passing for 128 yards and two touchdowns (while completing 12 of 15 passes). In his first two years as a starter in 2004 and 2005, he led LSU to six fourth-quarter or overtime victories (four in 2005, two in 2004). He won 25 of 29 games he started. A most gifted player, Russell has size, great arm strength and is hard to sack. He can flick the ball 60 yards and has the agility to move out of the pocket and throw. He’s somewhat of a high-risk but very high-reward pick. He needs to control his weight and is not as athletic — he doesn’t have Daunte Culpepper’s (pre-injury) scrambling ability. He’ll need a veteran quarterback coach this season. He can be all-world if he works at it.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Defense is the only area he has hit on early in the draft but I wouldn’t put Brayton in there as support for your argument.
What was the last pro bowl player we drafted on offense? or even free agent offensive player other than Gannon or Rice
April 26th, 2007 at 10:14 am
This started with you, calling Al Davis a name “retard”, like a girl as you say. Then u brought up saying it to your face. Obviously others think the same about you calling Al a retard. YOu can only focus on what ESPN says about Al. You are as bad as all the Raider Haters out there.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:15 am
I wasn’t referring to the opinion of the article, but the opinions of the experts in the article and the ones I mentioned do have Russell #1:”Brady Quinn is not on the same planet throwing the ball as Russell,” Cosell says.
“Mechanically, JaMarcus is better than anybody I’ve seen by far, including Tom Brady,” says Martinez, who has coached Brady since age 13.
Mayock views Oakland’s decision through the prism of last year’s top quarterbacks, who all showed flashes of something special. Young went third, Leinart 10th to Arizona and Cutler 11th to Denver. Mayock says Russell has the potential to be best of the bunch and that Quinn would rank fifth on that quarterback value board.”But if you’re taking him for upside, he’d be the No. 1 quarterback among all of them, and I’d put Quinn at the end,” Mayock says.
and if you’ve ever watched path to the draft, you’d know that Mayock has Russell #1 on his board
April 26th, 2007 at 10:17 am
You can’t argue with what Al has done. Marriages go through years of crap - that doesn’t mean the marriage sucks. Just a low point. You can’t show another owner with consistent, continued success like Al. Kraft, he got it right these couple of years, let’s see him in ten, twenty. J. Jones once again, 10, 20 years we’ll see what he does. Al, through the 70s, 80s, 90, 2000s ->SB, AFC W division titles and conference championships. Show me another owner with that record.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:19 am
I have to agree with Danny. I wouldnt go as far as calling Al a retard but he was f*ck drafts in the past, especially in the 1st RD. Philip Buchannon, Teyo Johnson, Tyler Brayton, Derek Gibson dont ring a bell?
April 26th, 2007 at 10:19 am
The thing that concerns me most about Brandt’s comments on JR -
“He can be all-world if he works at it.”
JR has made it public in interviews(I have seen a couple) that he is not a big fan of working out, and he doesn’t like to study film.
Can you JR supporters please accept this as a HUGE red flag. Who in their right mind, in any sports or business, builds a successful franchise around someone who is lazy????
April 26th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Who was the last Cannon armed QB to win the Superbowl? Elway almost 10 years ago and Favre more than 10 years ago… And neither would have won without a solid running game and spectacular defenses… The most succesful QB’s for the last 10 years and throughout the history of the NFL have been the QB’s that work hard and are smart. Joe Montana couldn’t flick the ball 60 yards but he won games, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning out study and out practice every other QB in the league and that why they are also the top 3 QB’s… JR couldn’t even get into shape for arguably the most important time of his life, what do you think he is going to do after he gets paid 30 million guaranteed?
Key word in Brandt’s article is “if he works at it” has he shown anyone that he is willing to work at anything? All the talent in the world means nothing without the drive and desire.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Danny… I’m taking the high road here. I won’t call you stupid or retarded if you don’t do it tio me. I know it’s important, and I know it’s emotional, but please keep in mind that none of us has a say in what actually happens on Saturday.
As far as the GMs and their opinions, I think it’s safe to say that none of those people has an impact on what the Raiders will do. AJ Smith already has a QB, and so does Joe Gibbs. The Redskins are not in a position to trade up for Quinn or Russell if they wanted to, so his expressing his feelings about JR really should be taken as nothing but personal opinion.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Al Davis is not going to be influenced by what someone else says about who he should draft. That’s why the opinions of qualified, competent people should have an effect on how we feel about a prospect. It’s the only information we have that’s reasonably credible, and I’ll take it over Mel Kiper’s views any day.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:28 am
POSTED 1:17 p.m. EDT, April 26, 2007
PACKERS MAKING A PLAY FOR L.J.?
Scout.com is reporting that the Packers have offered a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for running back Larry Johnson.
If true, the report is a stunner. Packers G.M. Ted Thompson doesn’t like to pay big money to strangers to the team, and it’s going to take really big money to keep Johnson beyond 2007, the last year of his rookie deal.
And if an offer that big has been made to the Chiefs for Johnson’s rights, the Packers surely have reached a tentative agreement with Johnson’s agent on a long-term deal. Otherwise, the Packers would be picking up Johnson for only one season before having to either use the franchise tag or let him walk away.
——————————————————————————–
Lets hope this is true he has been killing us for years I would love to see him in the NFC
April 26th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Detroit wants out of the No. 2 overall pick, but the Lions might be stuck if Oakland takes Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson. He appears to be the only player any team wants to move that far up to get.
The player the Lions want is Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams, but they can’t go much lower than No. 4 or No. 5 to get him. If they stay at No. 2, they just may take him there.
There is some irony in the fact that Tampa Bay, which wants Johnson in the worse way and is willing to trade a lot to move up from No. 4 to No. 1 or No. 2 to get him, is at the mercy of Al Davis and the Raiders.
Remember the ugly breakup Davis had with Tampa head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen?
If Oakland does take Johnson with the No. 1 pick, the Raiders will look to grab Stanford quarterback Trent Edwards with the first pick of the second round.
The problem there is everyone knows that, and teams like Detroit and especially Cleveland covet Edwards, too.
Don’t be surprised to see some team trade from high in the second round to the bottom of the first round to select the Stanford QB. And don’t be shocked if the Eagles, at No. 26, are involved.
Look for the Randy Moss-to-Green Bay talk to come back soon, and look for the trade to happen some time Saturday or Sunday, especially if the Packers pass on a wide receiver in the first round.
Some people feel the deal already is done, but both teams do not want to lose leverage in the draft by announcing it now.
———————————————————————————————
http://www.nj.com/columns/times/eckel/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/117756044726130.xml&coll=5&thispage=2
April 26th, 2007 at 10:30 am
you can’t say someone’s lazy or doesn’t study just because they show up overweight for a combine where he isn’t even going to work out. It was bad, no doubt, but that one thing doesn’t mean he’s lazy. What other proof do you have that he is lazy?
April 26th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Raider From Birth I respect your response and your taking the high road, that is all I have asked of anyone is that if you disagree with me respond with why not insults… That is a very compelling argument but you also have to remember they are saying this not just for the Raiders but other teams also ahead of them in the draft because it is a possibility that they wont take JR and if they can convince another team through media hype that he is going to be the best thing since sliced bread it works in their favor since they don’t need QB’s and so they want to encourage other teams to draft positions that they don’t need to address leaving other players they do need available for them to select
April 26th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Did you really just say that you can’t say someone’s lazy because they show up overweight for the NFL Combine? What does that tell you about them? It tell me they are lazy and do just enough to get by, is that what you want from your “Franchise” QB… Great QB’s lead by example with hard work, Brady, Manning, Elway, Montana, Gannon etc… If he wont put in the time to even be in shape for the biggest even of his life what makes you think he would put it in to prepare for the season?
April 26th, 2007 at 10:37 am
i read these reports that we’ll only draft russell if we can’t get mccown or culpepper. this is complete BS. we shouldn’t be “forced” into drafting someone. why would we let other teams dictate what we do on draft day?! i love the raiders, but drafting Jruss will be just another al davis draft day mistake that will set us back at least 5 years.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:40 am
MD & Ryan420, There are just some Mr.Davis haters out there and no matter what he does they will never give him credit. They read and believe in what the media writes and say’s about Big Al.
Win,lose or tie Silver and Black till I die.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Think about this:
JR is not ready to play now and has to sit for 2 years well in the mean time there will be free agents like McCown who is free after next year and also Marc Bulger, if we are going to have to play with another QB this year anyway why waste the 60 Million on him when we can just wait a year and get McCown if Walter isn’t the answer for free and take CJ and keep him or trade him for more picks.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:45 am
If that Packers trade for LJ is true, there goes the chances of Moss going to GB.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Fair enough, Danny. Like I said, I’m no expert, and you do have a valid point. I just feel like there’s so much more going on than what we see in the media. In my humble opinion, I don’t think anybody making the REAL decisions is swayed one bit by the blather on the airwaves. I just really hope that whatever we end up doing, works. That way we can get back to the business at hand, which is winning ballgames and telling the league to go f*** themselves …
Because, after all, isn’t that what being a Raider is all about?
April 26th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Danny did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or has it been a while since you last got laid. Your rants are reminding me of KluelessKells and his actions. Al Davis is the owner of the team we love, you have the right to disagree with the man, but you can expect the loyal fans to come to his defense if you insult him and play the childish name calling game (acting like a girl I think you called it, when someone called you a name you don’t like).
April 26th, 2007 at 10:58 am
I Luuuuuuuuuuuuv that sh!$, raider from birth:
just really hope that whatever we end up doing, works. That way we can get back to the business at hand, which is winning ballgames and telling the league to go f*** themselves …
Thats what being a Raider is all about (what Al built for us!)
Thats why the league, media hate on Al Davis for, that mentality. So when he’s down, they trounce all over him.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:58 am
JR may be a lock at #1 but that doesn’t mean we keep him.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Just draft russell first overall and then draft dwayne bowe in the first pick of round 2,
because you keep continuity between both players and they have a rapport with each
other and can develop for a nubmer of years to come.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Kotrabela - This is the Webster’s dictionary definition of the word lazy - averse or disinclined to work hard.
I am calling JR “lazy” because JR himself said that he doesn’t like to spend too much time working out and he doesn’t like to spend a lot of time studying film. His own words are the mere definition of the word. Don’t get mad at me….JR is the one who said it.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Solidarity, brother. (Easier when you’re winning, but you find out who your friends are when you’re not.)
We’ll be back, you know we will.
Had fun this morning, thanks everyone…. gotta go be productive…
April 26th, 2007 at 11:04 am
The difference between me stating my opinion on Al Davis and what ryan was doing is that I am making a statement about someone based on my opinion of his actions in how he has run the team lately… Ryan on the other hand is using his name calling to try and insult me personally and act like a tough guy… that is what I was referring to as acting like a girl… Arguing back and forth and name calling is for girls, I’m not the type to do that if you want to fight me then do it I have no time for someone just running their mouth… But as i stated also if you disagree with me I respect your opinion as long as you tell me why you believe differently from me and support it with some kind of fact… He on the other hand disagreed with my opinion and decided to attack me personally and not my opinion, not many people take anyone acting tough on a blog seriously for a reason so in my opinion theres no place for it… This is a place of discussion, so if you want to discuss my opinion that is welcome but not to try and attack me personally with name calling
April 26th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Not that I want to bear the wrath of Raider Nation, but it has been a very long time since Al Davis has been great. Sure he had his time, and when it was his time, there were few if anyone better. I haved always loved Al for everything he has meant to the NFL, especially the Raiders. Like ships, cars, and horses, Al’s time has passed. Give him his due but see the writing that has been on the wall for some time now.
Let Kiff do the job he was hired for, let him evaluate the talent available coming out of college. Al earned some rest!
Peace out.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:28 am
i love al davis too, but it’s not insulting to say he’s past his prime….especially when it’s the truth. this doesn’t make me or anyone LES of a fan. players can’t play forever, and coaches can’t coach forever. it’s a bitter pill to swallow. it’s like watching your once-sharp and attentive grandparent slowly fade away. i realize that if there were no al davis, there would be no raiders. i really hope al has at least one shread of rational thought left and lets kiffin control this draft……..that’s a stretch.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:31 am
but to call him a “retard”?
April 26th, 2007 at 11:34 am
What abou senile?
April 26th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Here is the perfect example of JR being the big armed QB but BQ being the QB we should take and this is from the same writer.
http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/9999370
http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/10149382
April 26th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Thats fine then question me calling him that but to do so and insult me at the same time accomplishes nothing
April 26th, 2007 at 11:39 am
i didn’t call him, nor do i think he’s a retard. al WAS at one time a brilliant football mind, and will forever have my complete and total repect. however, no one, even the most loyal raider fans, can’t deny that he has run this once-proud franchise into the ground. his stubbornness to progress with the rest of the league is frustrating. i know it’s the “raider way” to go against the grain, but come on….the days of the vertical game and raider intimidation are long gone!!!
April 26th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Yeah Al’s lost it, lets see. Namdi,Washington,Morrison,R.Thomas,Burgess,Sands,Huff,Stew, and of course Mr. Sapp. And I don’t care what you all think of Moss but I know the Nation was very excited when we traded for him. You can sit there and lie and say you weren’t. But I was and I still I’m. Last year was a fluke because of coaching and scheme. And J. Gruden hasn’t done nothing in TB. Since the 2002 season.
Win,lose or tie Silver and Black till I die
April 26th, 2007 at 11:44 am
gannon, you didn’t say it, danny said it earlier, thats what this discussion has been about.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:48 am
driving gruden away was the first domino of our current downfall. if al could’ve just gotten over himself we’d be in the midst of a dynasty. al’s model for success hasn’t work since, let’s see, 1984!!!!
April 26th, 2007 at 11:49 am
But again my point is question my opinion without insulting me, I don’t insult any of you not even KoolKel despite some very off the wall posts… Maybe the use of retard was a bit over the top but I am frustrated over the last 5 years the records we have posted considering they have been in large part to Al Davis’s refusal to allow coaches and executives do their jobs… His ego has driven the team into the ground as of late.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:52 am
He drove Marcus Allen to the chefs for gods sake, he almost drove away Tim Brown… What about letting go of Grady Jackson, Rod Coleman, Eric Barton, Tory James, and Greg Beikert
April 26th, 2007 at 11:53 am
i completely agree danny
April 26th, 2007 at 11:56 am
CT: I’d love to see JR in a Raiders uniform and am totally willing to roll the dice on him … but I like your point even better — if there is any truth to the Tampa trade rumor the Raiders should jump on it. There is even a decent chance that they’d get JR or Quinn at #4 (if the Lions went DE). Even as someone who’d like JR in Oakland, I still think that other move would an even better play for the team’s immediate and long term future.
And yes, it will be weird if, after all this talk of wheeling and dealing, there turn out to be no trades involving the Raiders on draft day … Can’t wait to get to the bottom of this.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:57 am
al’s so proud(or stubborn) he’d would rather lose with his ideals than win with someone else’s
April 26th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
The one thing Al has forgotten was that his ways in the past were that he would draft or sign or do anything to help the team win, now he does them just to stick it to the NFL and for his own pride… He has forgotten that the greatness of the Raiders as an organization top to bottom is that they did whatever it took to win on Sunday.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I don`t think Al has lost it, when we have failed the past 20 years it has been due to Al`s going away from his instincts, like when he hired older retreads such as White, Bugel, Turner and Shell`s 2nd stint. Why did he do that? only he knows and as much as it hurt us to loose our glory, I`m sure it was harder on him. He paid for his mistakes.
That`s not his thing, during the same span he also gave Shanahan a chance, Gruden a chance, was willing to give Belichick a second chance but he was beaten out by Gruden, put Sean Payton and Bobby Petrino in the national picture….now it`s Lane Kiffin`s chance.
The pattern is there for another succesful run.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Marcus Allen wanted out because we had BO JACKSON! You can’t pay both of them starter money.
And we wouldnt be a dynasty because we were REALLY old when we went to the super bowl. Re building was in evitable.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
wouldn’t you define “going against your instints” as “losing it”? c’mon bob. al hired all thos e guys because they were puppets.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
NC - I made up the point about TB giving us just their 2nd rounder to move up to #1. My point was that the Raiders don’t need to get all of their 1st day picks(4 in total by the draft value calculator for the value between a tradedown from #1 to #4) for the Raiders to make a move that is in the Raiders best interest. If we took CJ #1, let Detroit and Browns pick, and then went to TB and said “give us your #4 overall pick and your 2nd rounder for CJ” they would cirlce jerk in their own war room.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
You all will miss AL when he is gone and some asshole moves the team OUT of CALI
April 26th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
billy beane should buy the raiders!!!
April 26th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Q: Is either top QB prospect, JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn, a surefire prospect?
CC: I do not think so. Both are talented prospects but have some questions. In fact, I would rate both Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart ahead of both Russell and Quinn. On Brady Quinn: I like a number of things about him. What people have told me he is smart, a good leader, and has good work habits. All important things. On the tape I watched of him (six games), he did a lot of things well. He showed enough arm strength to make all the throws. He showed he could be smooth and quick in his operation as well as be a good decision maker. He was also very productive while not being surrounded by a very talented team (in my opinion).
My biggest issue with him is accuracy — there are times where he will flat-out miss throws. I talked to two QB coaches I trust and neither one could point to an obvious consistent technique flaw. This accuracy issue is why I would rank him below Cutler and Leinart. That being said, in the right spot, I would still take him in the first round and be happy to have him.
Brady Quinn would be ranked behind Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler. (Getty Images)
I asked 16 teams last fall for my segment on the CBS pregame show: If you take Brady Quinn in the draft, do you have your QB problems solved? All 16 said yes, and I agree with them. As for JaMarcus Russell, he has a terrific arm as well as a very quick release. I watched five tapes on him and found some inconsistencies on him.
He does possess very good throwing talent. He has stretches where he is very accurate, but other times, because of poor lower body mechanics, he will miss passes. He can throw an excellent deep ball but other times will just throw it up for grabs. He does have surprising mobility, for a big man. He is more mobile than Byron Leftwich coming out of college, but I think Leftwich was a more complete passer.
Some people have compared Russell to Daunte Culpepper. I think Russell was more mobile than Culpepper in college, but Culpepper was further along as a QB coming out of college. Also I think that Russell was not asked to make as many decisions when throwing the ball as Cutler and Leinart were. I believe Russell can have a terrific career in the NFL, but it won’t happen right away. By the way, in comparing both of these players to Vince Young, both are ahead of Vince Young as a passer coming out of college, but are nowhere near the runner Vince Young is.
_________________________________________________________________________
This is from former General Manager Charlie Casserly and yah he passed over Bush but he also drafted Demeco Ryans and numerous other players that went on to success.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Emmenim should buy the Raiders
April 26th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
anyone who can’t admit to themselves that Al isn’t what he used to be is just ignoring reality, and acknowledging that doesn’t make anyone any less of a fan. Learn to think for yourselves people and don’t just act like blind sheep.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
RGLC
Thing is, the man does f*** up sometimes, it`s only human nature.
But you have a point, I guess you can equate what I said with what you said.
One last thing, Al always spends the money and tries hard, the results haven`t been what we expect sometimes but at least he runs a football team and everyone here can be sure he`s got winning in mind, this ain`t a corporate entity just looking to grab cash anyway they can, as almost every other franchise nowadays.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Al is the same person, smart as ever. Al cant put heart into our picks, these kids just dont have it anymore makes it hard to pick the right one. Back in the day, the boys would cut a pinkie off to play.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Al is not as smart as ever, the man is old now and it’s taken its toll on him unfortunately.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Exactly learn to think for yourselves and stop being blind sheep, and listen to whatever ESPN says.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
You guys will see!! before he kicks the bucket he will do something great
April 26th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
You gotta love the old fella, I think the mind`s still there, check this out from NYtimes and Tony Ugoh:
“For his visit with Oakland, Ugoh first saw a team doctor for another physical exam……..
A Raiders official then picked up Ugoh to take him to his hotel. On the way out, he met the Raiders’ owner, the 77-year-old Al Davis. “Is this who I think it is?” Davis said, according to Ugoh. “Tony Ugoh from Arkansas, right?”
As Ugoh recalled it: “I said, ‘Yes sir.’.. I said, ‘You’re from Brooklyn, right?’.. He was like, ‘Yep, I’m the king of Brooklyn.’ We just started laughing.”
“He was amazing,” Ugoh said of Davis. “He had a great personality and was real fun to talk to.”
Now what other of owner can relate to that?…..the king of brooklyn lol.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
dwayne bowe, jamarcus russell, and zach miller.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
There are many owners, in many sports that have as much say as Al Davis.
Everyone who talks to him personally or in an interview says the same thing about him, great mind to talk to, an honor to talk to him, funny, engaging.
But when it comes from the media, its grumpy, senile old man that knows nothing.
We all know the media and league have it against him, as a Raider fan if you fall into that and believe all the haters, then go for it.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
I love you guys. WE are true raider fans that just give a sh t about our team. My afternoon fix is reading all the stories. Some I simply skip because they are too long but for the most part I am thoroughly entertained. The best fix is when someone reports something they just read or heard. I was hoping that the closer we got to Saturday, the more chatter there would be. Hopefully it will pick up and one of you guys reports it to the rest of us as we snick a pick without the boss looking. No matter what happens, stick together guys……………………….
April 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
i believe in wins and loses……..
April 26th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
If I may offer my opinion on this. I think what Danny was trying to say was that Al has gotten away from the ways that made him successful in the past. That, and the games has changed significantly in the last 10-15 years. Those that can change with the times, in any profession or walk of life, will continue to be successful. There is question as to whether or not Al has kept up with the times. One such example is his continual desire to sue the NFL. This certainly does not work to the Raiders benefit on the field. Another questionable ideology is his constant infatuation with players that clouds his judgement. If you get an emotional attachment to a player(aka big arm, freak size, etc) your thinking will be skewed.
Just my 2 cents…
April 26th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
# Snoopy Says:
April 26th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Raiders Fanatics! … how can someone so neqative get up every day and just open the door? (LOOK OUT A PLAIN CAN BE FALLING FROM THE SKY AND HIT YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD!)
Relax dude, it will be ok… This is just a game after all. We all want toe Raiders to succeed but… I somehow think guys like you will find the dark in the silver lining…
As always, 1 nation, the only Nation… The Raider Nation!!!!
………
What does the philosophy of doomsday have to do with pointing out how lousy of an owner Al Davis is?
Nobody said the sky was falling. They just said that Al Davis sucks. You’re the one equating the Raiders with the existence of the universe by drawing the faulty parallel between criticism of Al Davis and a doomsday belief. So, you relax.
Al Davis is a crap owner. He has been for some time. He makes good coaching decisions once in a blue moon and screws those up eventually, too. (see: GRUDEN, Jon)
The sky is not falling. To quote George Carlin, “The world is fine”. However, the Raiders are not, as long as Al Davis is in charge. As long as Al Davis is in charge, the sky certainly is falling on the Raiders, and the end is certainly nigh. But, the difference is that when Davis’s reign is over, the Raiders may actually be good again, on a consistent level. So, it’s those who wish for Davis to jump off a cliff who are really the optimists when it comes to the Raiders. It’s people like you trying to slow down the inevitable fall to the bottom.