Williams is waived
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 3:27 pm in Oakland Raiders.
When the fourth-and-14 pass intended for Mike Williams fell to the ground Sunday, his spot on the Raiders roster went with it.
Williams was waived Tuesday to make room for Tim Dwight, who was in the process of being signed to a contract.
For the time being, quarterback Andrew Walter remains as a fourth quarterback on the roster, although more moves may be necessary if Tommy Kelly’s knee injury is as serious as coach Lane Kiffin thinks it is.
Williams arrived with Josh McCown for a fourth-round draft pick. He was essentially a throw-in because the Lions wanted no part of him after he flopped as the No. 10 overall selection in Kiffin expressed hope Williams could return to the form he had at USC, where he had recruited him as a Florida high school athlete.
Williams immediately pulled a hamstring, and has been inconsistent from the outset. He caught seven passes for 90 yards. His one touchdown reception was called back on an offensive interference penalty.
Unless Dwight can step right in as an extra receiver, the move could leave the Raiders — who are carrying only four wide receivers — short in that department.
Kiffin has not shown a lot of faith in rookie Johnnie Lee Higgins as a receiver, leaving only starters Ronald Curry and Jerry Porter.
Where the Raiders are overflowing is at quarterback. They’re the only team in the league that carries as many quarterbacks as wide receivers.
Walter isn’t even getting work with the practice squad as the Raiders try to get No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell as much work as possible and also try and get Josh McCown to where he can be a viable alternative if Daunte Culpepper continues to struggle.
You wonder if Al Davis is reluctant to let Walter go, even if Kiffin isn’t sold on him. At a press conference in Napa, Davis made it obvious he thinks Walter’s problems last season were not of his own doing.
In eight starts last season in the Art Shell-Tom Walsh offense, Walter had three touchdown passes with 13 interceptions lost nine fumbles and was sacked 46 times. He was the starting quarterback for Oakland’s two wins over Pittsburgh and Arizona.
“That poor Andrew Walter last year got hit so many times, I don’t think he knew where they were coming from,” Davis said. “What I’m saying is, he’s got to come back, we’ve got to bring him along, and he’ll get his confidence back.”
Kiffin said the Raiders had trade offers for Walter before the deadline but didn’t act on them because McCown was injured and Russell wasn’t ready to play.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
October 30th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I wonder why they released PK Sam as well. He was only on the practice squad, plus he is a wr, which the Raiders are very short on. Is there another move about to happen? Jerry give us your valuable insight.
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
October 30th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Assuming that they don’t make any changes at WR, I suppose that Madsen is unofficially the 5th WR. I wonder which of the plethora of DBs is an emergency wide out.
I know that people here aren’t very high on Carr, but he might be an interesting option to use on screens and/or as a stretch the field decoy. He’s no Hester but in a pinch, he’s fast, does have some elusiveness and has at least shown good hands when handling kick duties.
Then again, Johnnie Morton is still available . . .
October 30th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Kiffin is not the end all when it comes to talent evaluation. Why Sims and Gallery even made the team is beyond me, let alone Mike Williams. And, why wasn’t a more aggressive approach in going after free agent O linemen a priority in the offseason? We might as well line up cardboard cutouts for the remainder of the season on the entire left side of the O line or just play 9 men on offense. It couldn’t be much different.
October 30th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Sorry Mike…I was pullin for you but Kiffin give you the ax nonethless….good luck
Well can we stop with the AD conspiracies now? “MW is ADs boy”…get real
October 30th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
my guess is they made room for dwight and possibly bring moses back on the practice squad
October 30th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Terrapin -
That’s what I’ve been saying all along, thanks for the validation. What are your thoughts about my previous post regarding the PK Sam release? Is something else in the works?
MaddenRaider’s argument has just left the building with MW!
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
October 30th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Thats a good question RaiderDogg - 2 cuts today…thats 2 spots open….MB announcement?
Was PK Sam even on the active roster? We need quality WRs
October 30th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Good point Philly Raider, make Moses earn that free money he got from us earlier this year!
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
October 30th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I also think they should bring back Johnnie Morant
October 30th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Well, one waste of sperm is gone. Now if Culpepper, Schweigart, Sims, Sands, etc. can find another home next season, we’ll have freed up some more space to improve. The team needs to maks a decision soon, by 11/4 I believe, about activating Bush from the pup. That’s where Culpepper gets his walking papers. Personally, I say if Bush is healthy, unleash him on the NFL. If he returns to his college form before the injury, we have the biggest RB steal in recent drafts. Kiffin is doing what he can with this lack of talent roster he inherited. I’m hopeful we’ll be very agressive in FA next off-season and address some serious needs through FA and the draft. At this point, why not see what Henderson has to offer at LT? We gave up next years 3rd to the Pats of all teams to get him, so let’s see what the kid’s got. With no 3rd or 5th in next years draft, we must pound the FA market, but be wise at the same time and not overpay for hasbeens or one game wonders like SB MVP’s in years past.
October 30th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
“and also try and get Josh McCown to where he can be a viable alternative if Daunte Culpepper continues to struggle.”
Does this mean Daunte is still practicing with the first team and is starting this Sunday?
October 30th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
GOOD MOVE BY THE RAIDERS.
I was hoping for the best when we acquired Williams from Detroit. It wasn’t working out for the team and Williams didn’t show anything that would indicate that his performance would change.
Hope Dwight can add something to the return game.
Looks like Higgins and/or Madsen will be getting more reps at the WR position.
Personally I would like to see Zach Miller get more involved in the passing game.
October 30th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
When was the last time we had this many cuts this late in the year? This goes to show everyone that Kiffin is still trying to mold a team we can win with and we currently don’t have the right personell. Give him time.
We’ll know by tomorrow or tonight who’s IN. I think MBush is definitely one of them. The newbe WR is the other. I’m not so sure if AW will be gone now. Its almost like we’re just holding onto him (business decision maybe).
If MBush is signed we have to cut an RB IMO. LJs days may be numbered. Either him or Rhodes but Kiffin already came out put down the DR trade talk. No one on this roster is safe.
October 30th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Culpepper has fumbled 91 times in 90 starts in the NFL. We all crapped in our shorts when we were infants, but if we kept doing it over and over again don’t you think someone would think there was a problem? McCown is a decent 2nd string guy, good mobility, smart player. He’s just inaccurate and has happy feet. He would be fine in back of JR for the next several years. But, Culpepper should be let go. Just my opinion. Maybe it stinks, but it’s just like everyone else’s!
October 30th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
P.K Sam did not make a roster spot for Bush… cutting him only opened up a practice squad spot
October 30th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
stratch that last post…since PK Sam is PSquad we still need to cut an active member of the roster to make room for MBush assuming the newbee signing will be announced soon.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Cutting both Williams and Sams now is very strange. An injury to either Curry or Porter and we are left with just Higgins (too inexperienced), Dwight (never an effective WR, just a returner and Madsen (basically a TE). This feels a huge and unnecessary risk….unless we have another WR lined up. Unless another new WR signs this week, I think cutting Mike Williams is a dumb move.
This season, Kiffin has cut Gabriel, Buchanon, Morant, Francis, Whitted (mercifully), Taylor, Sams, McFoy, Parsons, Lauren Williams and now Mike Williams. Eleven WRs cut. Just amazing.
As for the Andrew Walter saga. For pete’s sake, put the poor guy out of his misery. We owee AW for the battering he took last season. Can we at least treat him with some decency and allow him the chance to restart his career somewhere else.
I am worried about Kiffin today. These moves feel impetuous, not properly considered and, sorry to say, a bit immature.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
what if someone like Alston is demoted back to the psquad, that would free up a spot for MBush on the active roster and fioll PK Sam’s spot on the psquad. I am starting to get pumped about seeing Bush play. Kiffin is running things, no one is safe!
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
October 30th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
You have to give Kiffin credit. Most teams don’t make moves into the middle of the season. It’s obvious that Kiffin realizes this season is coming to an end as we speak and hes making necessary moves to get rid of the guys who are not producing and trying out guys who could possibly produce for us this year as well as next year. Walter was on his way out the minute JR was drafted. Culpepper is playing his way out of a contract with another team but I’m sure he will end up as a backup somewhere. McCown hurt himself out of a contract and he might stay because nobody else will want him. Jordan has proven that he can’t hold up in the NFL and will surely get the axe after the season. Fargas seems to be a lock. Bush is the future so far and Rhodes will more than likely be gone after this season. I also see changes for the WR core and Williams just happens to be the first to go. Porter has been quiet all season and Curry has not been as reliable. You can blame the QB and other factors here but it is what it is and I think Kiffin will find some new talent all over this offense. We had to go with the offensive line guys that we had because its tough to spend millions on so-so talent (see Langston Walker). Kiffin had to take a chance this year and see where are strengths and weaknesses are and now he’s starting to find out. Tom Cable, Greg Knapp and Tom Rathman should have some good insight and input in the 2nd year as they collectively weed out the players that have made this team bad for the last 5 years. I see some big changes ahead. Next year will be a year where we see alot of new faces.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Whoever said Madsen will be the 5th wide-out, good call. Hell, I’d make him the 3rd WR. I liked Joe Fernandez, local kid from Fresno State, and was a late cut by Seattle. He’s not afraid to go over the middle, would be hungry to make the team, plus can return punts, kickoff and play special teams if not the returner.
I think the Raiders are going to do whatever they can do to keep Walter. Other than Russell, he’s the only QB signed past this year.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
PhillyRaider thxs for the clarification…well that my idiotic post for today…i must ban myself until the next blog…lol
October 30th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I don’t feel sorry for Walter. He had an opportunity and it was destroyed by the players around him but hes been treated fairly by Kiffin in my mind. Kiffin tried to trade Walter but circumstances changed things around and I’m sure Walter understands and respects that. Theres not alot of opportunities for Walter to enjoy right now anyways. It would be hard to jump onto a team mid-season and perform so he gets to sit on the couch at home and collect a paycheck until his time with the Raiders is up. At least we won’t have another Tuiasosopo situation on our hands.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Huffy, I am not disagreeing with your comments about the need for a major roster overhaul in the off-season. My issue is with the timing. For all his problems with drops, as far as I can see, Mike Williams is better than any other WR on the FA list. Why cut him now and not in January?
October 30th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
This makes you wonder more and more why we cut Travis Taylor. He seemed to be playing well in preseason. Can the return of Alvis Whitted or Doug Gabriel be far behind given our current lack of receivers? I still think we need to get Higgins out there and stretch the field to give Porter, Curry and Miller some room to work underneath.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Please whatever they do….no Alvis Whitted!!
October 30th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Were going back to running the ball and throw to the TEs. mc cowm will start because we cant run the ball out of the shotgun with slo pepper. I say keep cleaning house until we get the players that can contribute.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Scottish - I honestly think MW’s success at USC has blinded us all. I thought the trade for him was great but lets be honest…what has he done with the Raiders? What did he do with the Lions? He is a guy that lives in the past based off his prior success. Trust me…I was rooting for MW all the way and really thought that Kiffin of all people could turn this guy into a legitimate #1 WR but the project failed miserably and Kiffin would know why better than anybody. Kiffin ain’t fukin around and this also sends a message out to the rest of the team that not even Kiffin will play favorites because he could have easily been all about USC and kept a guy that couldn’t hold onto a pass. Thats not the 1st important drop that he made and it surely wasn’t about to change. MW may be better than the guys on the FA market but thats a pretty horrible list if you think about it so its not saying much. Look…we’re 2-5 and we have sucked for too long. We need to get rid of anybody and everybody that isn’t pulling their weight and NOW!!! Theres a big reason we’re losing and it starts with the talent of the players and the attitude in the locker room. I don’t care who goes anymore because I want to win already. None of these guys have proven that they can win…so fuk em.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
might as well audition everybody for next season and see who sticks because this bunch wasnt getyting it done
October 30th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Q. What do you do when you have receivers with decent hands but lack speed?
A. You run the ball and run it again and again and again. Then you throw sparingly when everybody thinks you are going to run.
If we can get Bush on line with Fargas & Rhodes and just run the hell out of it we can make this work. Use a double TE set and have the wideout run a fly pattern on every play then just pound that rock. Play can be sweetened with a play action pass every now & then. Maybe an 85-90% ratio of run to pass sounds about right. They could even get away with letting DC & JM go and use AW to hand the ball of. He’s got a better stronger & more accurate arm than either of them anyway
October 30th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Alvis Whitted return would be like the those Halloween horror movies that went on too
long.
I believe the roster move of PK Sams is to open a spot for Jon Alston and when he clears waivers the move most logical will be to have Chris McFoy be that fourth receiver.
I believe Sam Williams is ready to play again.
Thus the move.
You have to believe McFoy must be impressive if he has lasted this long on the practice
squad.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Brant,
Never, ever, even in jest, mention the possibility of Whitted returning to the roster. It is a thought too horrible to contemplate. If Whitted was to come back, Lane becomes Lame, and we are doomed to eternal mediocrity.
The horror, the horror.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
RIGHTIOUS
October 30th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I see grady signed with the jags great
October 30th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
We should just put Walter to use at WR. OH YEAH!!!
Anybody notice how much better the defense has been with Burgess back and Robert Thomas playing Strong Side?
Madsen reminds me of Ed McCaffrey, Brandon Stokely and Joe Jurevious. Madsen would tear it up as the #3. Lets get it done.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Wasn’t Madsen a WR in college that the Raiders converted to TE? It would make a lot sense to make him our #4 or #5 WR.
Hey Huff24 doesn’t McCown have some experience at WR too? like you said OH YEAH!
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
October 30th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
He was berought over by Kiff to see if there was anything to salvage. He got his shots, he dint work out. C’ya. This season is like extended training camp to see what we got. The real changes won’t be until next season. Or so I hope. (Rebuilding).
October 30th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Lets not forget JM can also play WR as well which might explain why they readily released MW.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
SCOTTISH:
I don’t think losing Williams and especially Sams will have a negative impact on the team.
The Raiders are a run first team. If we were stressing the pass then things might be different. But we do have Madsen how is a WR trying to make the transition to TE. Size wise its a wash…Both are big receivers. Speed and athletic ability the edge goe to Madsen. Better hands…Madsen.
As for Andrew Walter. Kiffin basically apologized for not letting Walter go. JaMarcus’s late signing and McCown’s injury was the reason for holding on to Walter this long.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
williams should have never beat out Buchanon or Gabriel in the first place. His deparuture is great news because that will force Kiffen to utilize Higgins more. As I said in a previous post, I would rather watch Higgins commit motion penalties and drop passes than watch that waste of mass do it.
Madsen can do what ever Kiffen wanted Williams to do. In fact madsen has already done it it over the past 23 games as a Raider as opposed to crossing your fingers and hoping Williams fufills promise. Madsen can be the same goal line threat. Not to mention the players have to respect Kiffen more for being fare and not keeping his little big buddy on the roster.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Curry can play QB too. So where do we go with that?
LOL
October 30th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
curry to mc cown touchdown raiders
October 30th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
What kills me is that Madsen was used properly during the pre-season and he was kicking ass. Then all of a sudden…no Madsen. WTF!!!
October 30th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
OK, OK. You guys seem to be cool with it so I guess I will too. I’m talking about this other dude who’s posting as THE philly raider. Besides, dude you make a good point about Johnnie Morant. I never thought he got a good shake with us anyway. He has good size and adequate speed and I never saw him drop what little passes he got. Tim Dwight is a good pick up for us because he has speed (or had) tremendous hands, work ethic and grande cahunas!! We need that everywhere on this team. I also agree that we need to utilize Madsen and Miller more like we did in the early games. Anyway, see you MW lazy a$$holes are out of vogue in this league!!
October 30th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
For the record I was kidding when I said McCown could play WR just as Huff24 was kidding about AW playing WR.
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
October 30th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Buchanon was o.k. It’s really not a big deal that he didn’t make it. Gabriel even being a Raider was a shock after trading him to the Patriots so I don’t care that he is gone either. I don’t think either of them could have been better. We just need more talent on this roster and not people who can fill a space on the roster. I don’t care if we have 5 new WR’s on the roster next year as long as they produce.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
But, Curry can play QB. He’s got good hands and is mobile. He’s also a true Raider with heart.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
jonny morant seemeed to be good in the preseason then disappear in the regular season or didnt get that many oppertunities,. madsen might just find a niche inthis offense
October 30th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Why would they put their best receiver at QB? I wish MW the best but lets face it, he didnt step up. Do you think this is sending the team a message? And is it positive or negative?
October 30th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
I remember Morant fumbling twice in a game last year. We should cut anybody who fumbles like that. (Culpepper). Its just careless and if they don’t care…then I don’t care.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Kiffen likes this ball control I-back offense with some 3-Wide sets sprinkled in from time to time. Sooo, we need a down and dirty slot guy who can go over the middle with adequate speed. Not necesarily a burner but DEFINATELY not afraid of contact! Anyone know where that guy is!?!
October 30th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Is Madsen as big as Mike? I bet he runs faster
October 30th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Good point, Memo. I think a loud and clear message was sent. I mean Kiffen admitted that MW was his project and he admitted the project failed by today’s actions.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Sorry - Kiffin.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
How about we activate Bush and move Rhodes to WR since he has good hands.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I was kidding about Curry at QB. Point was that given DC & JM as the QB choice, there are a number of people who can do as well most notably AW.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Kiffin’s Body langauge after that drop said it all. Man was he pissed!!. Yu work that hard and the game is in your hands. Plus Mike went to Kiffin and convinced him to run that play, and Kiffin did and he dropped it so Kiffin dropped him. “THE KID” is lethal if he doesn’t see in you what he wants. He just cut a good reciever, I’m not disagreeing with him, I just think he hates losing and some times a coach will do something rash to send a message he’s tired of LOSING, bottom line.
Mike williams can play he just, made the wrong mistake at the wrong time. Now Kiffin is really starting to remind me of a young Bill Walsh. I remember the revolving door with the 49ers when Walsh took over. He was down right ruthless just like Jimmie Johnson.
You either start getting it right or you wont be here. He knows what he’s looking for and he’s going to get it or else.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Whoever put this roster together didn’t do such a good job. May I speak to the General Manager please?
October 30th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Blackholepriest, per your comments, are saying that Kiffin did this out of anger?
October 30th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
But, that’s what happens in Raider world. Coach and GM are rarely on the same page.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Something always smelt fishy around there.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
what gm?
October 30th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
John Madsen TE 6-5 240
Mike Williams 6-5 229
But I think he weighed more than 229. I post that because maybe Madsen can do the same thing Mike was expected to do. I recall Madsen making some nice catches; although, the Raiders have Porter & Miller as red zone threats already
October 30th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
No not anger. Frustration. It’s not that unusal. But it is a very aggressive move. Because I think Mike can play. Kiffin wants to stop the bleeding and he is gambling that this will help.
Walsh used to d the same thing. I remember woundering if he knew wht he was doing. But he was such a good talent evaluater that he got away with a lot of stuff. The same is true of Jimmie Johnson. And Kiffin has those same attributes. He knows talent and he knows what he wants.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
The team’s problems go beyond Mike Williams dropped pass. I know you guys know a tad bit about football, & the game is won in the trenches. Why doesn’t Kiffin send a message by cutting Sims? A veteran Raider. I know there might be cap ramifications, but lets say there isnt. This could send a message to the rest of the line men who, lets face it, is the weak link on this team
October 30th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
i hated to see mike go but yeah it was the right move. He just didn’t make plays but oh did he make mistakes we are all familiar with. Now we must address the OL, DL, RB and Safety positions. I’m shocked to say the only thing that did improve was Seabass’s kicking. I believee Kiff will make wholesale changes with all the weak position players and hack accordingly.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Memo, Who would replace Sim’s.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Nah I think he just got pissed for the second when he dropped it, and was like steeling himself for the move he had to make. Mostly the end of a frustrating run in Oakland for him and MW. I mean he took him under his wing after he flopped in Det, stood by him when he took a DAYS off for a hammy pull, and this isnt the first time he has dropped a ball… just it was time for action not words. so cya mike
October 30th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Losing a backup WR is not as harsh as losing a starting LT. We already have 2 starting WR’s but we don’t have another starter at LT. Totally different situation.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
If we have a Bill Walsh or Jimmy Johnson in the making, then do whatever the hell ya want because I sure don’t mind that at all.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Well given Cornell Green’s injury, I guess there wont be a replacement. Mario Henderson comes to mind, but my point is; I saw a hell of alot more mistakes & miss plays come from Sims.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Well, he mentioned (sic) that there would be some roster moves ahead, so I think this may be the tip of the iceburg. I’d like to see Gallery go next. Gawd I hate when Baby Huey gets pushed down like a 13 yr old. Not sure what his cap number is now, but at least bench his goofy ass…
October 30th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Calling Sims a starter on this team isn’t saying much.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Sorry Memo, but that’s just crazy! I agree that the guy is a bum nowadays but who would replace him. The other O-linemen are either just as inept or not ready yet.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
If someone tells you give a chance and I’ll make this play for you. You have other options and you ignore them and listen to his request. It’s 4th down and the game is on the line. He stuck out his neck for Mike and he dropped it. Upset for a second does not describe how he felt.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I believe our o-line problems are the other Defensive coordinators placing 8 in the box and daring us to throw.
Prior to the KC game the o-line was doing a lot better, and Jerry one day blogged
Tom Cable MVP?
I was at the KC game and believe me there was run blitzes by KC almost every play.
Our best play was to complete short passes and move the ball with our running game when KC played cover two.
It looked like to me Tenn rushed a backer almost every play and dared us to throw.
I know our o-line will be better through draft, free agency. But for right now it is what it is.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
He’s not going to cut off his nose to spite his face. There’s only so much he can do right now. Sims had a bad day, but he’s had some good ones and he’ll play better. He’s not as bad as you make him out to be.
This is a tough league. Now he played horribly and he knows it. he wont get many chances to do that and get away with it. He’s gone with another performance like that. It just seems that anyone who has a bad game you guy’s think he’s a bum. That position is the most exposed on the O-line.
Mike talked the coach into something and didn’t deliver and it cost the team a game.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Too bad we cannot trade anymore. Sure would like to try for Chad Johnson.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Robert Gallery 18.5 million in guaranteed money, 48 Million overall. Who was the GM in charge of that pick?
October 30th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
with madsens size and speed he should be used at varios possitions, 6 foot 5 ,
4.5 speed., 38 inch verticle and man look at that body 240 lbs about 8 percent body fat.
all the reporters at the first of the year was saying the coaches had to kick him out of the weight room because he would not quit, not to mention he has not dropped a ball yet, also the games we have won he has had catches and big things have happened, he is a total
mismatch for any defender, two tight end sets with zach is perfect or line him out wide
also i think last year they lined him up in the back field and he made a great catch,
it is time we utilize the talent we have this kid was awsome in college, go back and watch some hi-lites we got him for a steel of a deal. he needs to be used
October 30th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
RM-Gallery was the most sure pick in that draft. Every publication and draft guru
thought Gallery was the sure thing. All the experts thought who ever picked him was going to have a left tackle for 10 years.
He was so sure, teams were actually trying to trade up for him.
I guess every GM got fooled.
The Raiders went for the sure pick, or so they thought.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
What you need in the Raider Nation is me
October 30th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Raider Dell, you’re using facts and common sense. NOT FAIR!!
October 30th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I agree
October 30th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
memo that weight for mike was in college he was 260 plus
October 30th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
We need you Coach Ditka
October 30th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
4 Wide Recievers, 4 Quarterbacks, Quarterback Controversy, 2 Wins, 5 Losses, No 1 draft pick locked out. The Ship Dead in the Water. Oh yeah, nice progress. Who they drafting next year, Hmmmm can’t wait. Seven games into the season and it’s finished already.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I can run the show when Al Davis retires
October 30th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
I think that kiffin needs 2 clean house nxt yr & bring in a ton of new faces. I mean lets face
it, we r not a good football team now and haven’t been 1 for a while but I do remember
the 05 saints going sumthin like 3-13 or 4-12 that year. Then sean payton comes in a cleans
house & brings in about 22 new players that weren’t on the 05 saints and they end up going
13-3 and makin it 2 the NFC championship game last yr. so I don’t believe it’s not possible
2 have a quick turnound. Teams have been doing so the last couple of years. We just need
2 bring in sum football players who have heart, smarts, hungry and who have the desire to
play the game. Also I know that every1 is bashing the o-line cuz they r the weak link of this
team but if could take one postive out of all those negitives it would have to be the former
Denver Bronco Cooper Carlisle. Every1 talks about how bad Sims and Gallery and Co. r but
no 1 mentions CC. I don’t even recall if he’s had a penalty this year or a missed assignment.
I thought this was a great addition 2 our weak line. Now if only we could finds sum more
guys out there like him.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
KoolKell it could be worse we could be like the Rams or Dolphins and have a defense
like Cinn.
I like our direction, name me one head coach that would cut one of Al boys, those
scholarship players we were stuck with for years. James jett, Whitted just to name a few.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
BMW never came back from the idea to petition the NFL to enter early.
A year out of ball at 20-21 is along time for a BIG wr.
Madsen will play well out of the slot, or 2 TE sets, he’s deceptively quick, and seems hungry to make plays.
I agree w/ the BlackHole Priest about Sims, he’s had trouble w/ the Elite DE’s he’s drawn adn probably can’t afford another Sunday like last week.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
A comment before signing off:
You build championship teams with a offense that runs the ball
And a defense that stops the run
Thats it
Add no penalties & no turnovers
And youre a playoff team each year
Thats it
So we need to get DLinemen that can stop the run
October 30th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
hope we can trade 4 CHAD JOHNSON next year b 4 the draft.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
madsen & miller got good hands, can play be slot/receiver, with porter and curry as wr,
m-bush and fargas at rb, 2 or 3 games josh-m at qb, then jr as qb the rest of the year,
these guys can get it done. the team is close to turning the corner. kiffin is doing a
great job but he is putting the pieces together, players that dont cut it, get cut, as
bj ward or m-williams. players take notice of this. kiffin needs next years draft to put
a kik ass team together, you can already see it happening.
so go to the game this weekend and support the raiders and quit your crying.
ps: dante culpepper must go now before he fumbles 10 times a game and 4 or 5 It-s.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
kelly out for the season. new post by jerry
October 30th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
I was reading on Profootballtalk.com about the Patriots and how they are running up the score on all the teams that they play and how people are wondering whether the ownership (the Krafts) of the Patriots would have trouble with the other owners of the league because of it. I find it similiar to the Raiders of old when the Raiders used to beat up and try to hurt the opposing teams. I bet the owners back then felt like Al Davis was being unprofessional and betraying them by not playing by the code. Al Davis was a true Raider and played by his own code and that was domination at all costs. The Patriots seem to have that Raider mentality of old and I kind of like it. It will be interesting to see whether Kraft slowly gets looked at in the same light as Al Davis down the road as he beats on teams just like the Raiders of past.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
THE HAPLESS RAIDERS ACCORDING TO THE TWERP
The Silver & Crap waive pathetic Mike Williams.
HA, HA, HA!
And “The Al” has to pay the remainder of this sorry ex-#1 pick’s salary for ‘07.
Well, Al, here’s another excremental personnel reclamation project gone array… Commitment to Senility.
TWERP’S FINAL THOUGHTS
To the Silver & Crap and their gangbanging filth followers, “Just lose, baby.”
In the words of Gov. Schwarzenegger, “GO, CHARGERS, GO!”
October 30th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
I hope Z-Miller is going to play more. I think he shows promise. I see the followers of the team (geniuses) that fires coaches for going 14-2 are hanging out at this site.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
To All Madsen and Miller Fans; cut it out, both guys have decent hands and run like truckss, just another two slow white guys who cannot get open on a regular basis.
They are both worthy of their roster spots, but not real deep threat options or go to guys.
October 31st, 2007 at 12:50 am
I’m befuddle Madsen didn’t get any play calls too. Madsen woulda made that catch MW dropped. I still believe WM have talent but ain’t using it for whatever reasons unknown. But, I’m sticking to Lane decison, he knows the team best, we’d all are just guessing right now.
October 31st, 2007 at 12:56 am
I am not going to say that Tim Dwight is going to come in and change the team but I think he has something special. He brings to the table the one thing the team lacks and that is speed at the WR position hopefully he can add a new element to the team
October 31st, 2007 at 3:04 am
What are the likes of Morant and Gabriel up to nowadays? Bring one back?
Who was the last white WR for the Raiders before Dwight? Can’t think any since Bob Chandler. (Not that it matters - just a trivial observation…)
October 31st, 2007 at 5:46 am
Tim Dwight and Gallery are both from Iowa, maybe Dwight will tell him to get his act together!
Gallery is not a good OL, but he his freakin’ huge among normal people, so I want him to know that I’m just kidding!
October 31st, 2007 at 6:28 am
Please enough with the Chad Johnson talk. He would be the reincarnation of Randy Moss in Silver and Black. He will probably go to the Patriots or Colts. U know they rule the world. I don’t even think he is the # 1 guy in Cin Housh is playing better than him.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:02 am
Hey twerpfan1,
When the dolts come here you’ll be singing a sadder songt!
October 31st, 2007 at 7:06 am
TommyB, Housh is “playing better” because opposing defenses have to focus on Chad. That’s how it works when you have two great receivers. Most defenses don’t have two great corners, so the focus is put on the biggest threat. That remains Chad. This opens up the game for Housh. Housh is a great receiver, but his numbers will drop off if they trade away Chad. I guarantee it.
And I definitely am not advocating a trade for Johnson by the Raiders. We’ve been through that mess once already. Guys like that will never be happy on teams that lose as often as the Raiders do. The Raiders have to become contenders before they can ever think a guy like Moss or Chad will be happy to play here.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:24 am
RaidingTexas I agree with that reasoning, but Chad seems to be more one dimensional as a deep threat. I don’t see him catching short and intermediate routes and I rarely see him catch the ball over the middle in the 8-12 yard range. He does occassionally catch the lesser routes when a matchup will get him open in space but rarley with a defender on his hip on those routes. We drafted the supposed deep threat in Higgins. Would he be better than anyone on the roster - yes, but after the Moss fiasco my heart cannot bear another let down like that.
October 31st, 2007 at 8:17 am
I thought all Silver and Black fans knew about Casper and Christansen!
October 31st, 2007 at 8:45 am
This is all great stuff to read. As a Raider fan living in SD, i’m about sick of hearing
charger fans even remotely coming close to dreaming of a superbowl appearance with they’re infamous playoff choke records. But one thing i’m just about getting sick off is seeing L.J. lining what looks close to 7 or 8 yards in the backfield and just hitting the hole fast enough to get caught on the line of scrimmage. What had impressed me is Fargas’ ability to hit those holes a lot faster and fight for POSITIVE yardage. To me it looks like he’s severely close to starting over of Lamont. But that’s just me. On Rhodes’ what… 2 carries, looks like a nice blend
L.J.’s power with some fargas speed, who should be seeing more touches. But what do I know I’m just a fan by blood living in a town that dreams of ever owning an “NFL” championship! Holla!
October 31st, 2007 at 9:03 am
In the immortal words of Everlast from House of Pain fame: “The time has come, for everyone
to clean up their own back yard, before they go knockin’ on their neighbor’s door”.
Take out the f’in trash Kiff.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:57 am
Why do so many of you keep listing John Madsen as the saviour? He’s never done jack squat…….he’s not the answer…just a good 2nd string tight end.
October 31st, 2007 at 11:46 am
The reason why the TE’s aren’t more involved in the passing game is because they are being used heavily in pass proctection. The RB’s and TE’s are helping the Tackles on a lot of the passing plays to try to sure up the protection. Yes the O-Line is still an obvious problem but people need to be patient. There’s no instant cure out there. You can’t just over pay for FA lineman, like Langston Walker and Jones Jennings or find the solution in a bunch of rookies. The o-line has to be coached up and you have to find the right conbination of veterans and youth. Yes the team is only 2 - 5 but any fan has to admit that this is much better coached and is playing a lot harder than last year. The bottomline is that there just isn’t enough talent all around to win. Kiffin isn’t working with any difference makers right now especially on offense. But he’s gotten a bunch of average players to play hard which is a good first step. Getting rid of Mike Williams sends a clear and strong message that now to be a Raider, you have to be about producing.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Here are suggestions for Kiffin, review the two games that the Raiders won, note that the
Raiders relied on the run primarily. In those two game Culpepper threw less than 20
passes. Rely on the run, pass from play action as your primary weapon. Punt when
needed. Note: the games the Raiders have lost, the number of passing plays, also pay
close attention to the number of penalties during passing plays! Coach Cable has
made great improvement on the Raiders in their run blocking. The Raiders are more
effective passing from pass action! Since, Kiffin has made the major move to waive
Williams, now it is time to make the following moves 1) make FARGAS the primary running
back and Dominic Rhodes the backup. Jordan must sit! He is ineffective! 2) Kiffin must
also let McCown go. McCown is not the present QB, or the future QB, everyone knows
JaMarcus is the Future! Kiffin is wasting a position being loyal to McCown who cannot get
the job done, the position can be filled by another WR, or left Tackle! 3) Schweigert must
sit, he is not a hitter and is confused on zone responsibilities, start Cooper at strong
safety and move Huff to free safety. Offensively, use more screens, and throw more to
the backs in the flat. Use play action and throw to the TE down the hash marks.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:26 am
I think releasing williams has Al Davis’ fingerprints all over it. We all know Davis does not tolerate players costing him games. Look at Buchanon, and Marcus. One could not tackle and the other gave up and started fumbling in key situations. Look what happened to them.