Kiffin addresses Arkansas _ sort of
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 at 6:12 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Lane Kiffin’s apparent strategy regarding potential college openings?
The less said, the better.
Here is how Kiffin addressed the rumor that has him “interested” in replacing Houston Nutt at Arkansas:
Q: Arkansas newspapers (and an ESPN radio report) have you as a candidate for their job. How do you respond to that?
Kiffin: That’s news to me.
Q: Have you been contacted by anyone from Arkansas?
Kiffin: No.
Q: Have any other colleges with openings attempted to reach you or your agent?
Kiffin: No. You can call him and ask him.
Q: Any fond memories of Arkansas?
Kiffin: I was three years old.
That last question was tongue-in-cheek _ Kiffin was barely out of diapers when his father, Monte, coached under Lou Holtz at Arkansas.
So where does that leave us?
With Kiffin coaching the Raiders next season, most likely.
The tough part with coaching searches, particularly for college jobs, is the fact that few people are actually telling the truth. When colleague Bill Soliday broke the story of Bobby Petrino interviewing for the Raiders job that eventually went to Art Shell, the University of Louisville responded by saying Petrino was on the other side of the country recruiting and the Raiders said no interview had ever taken place.
When Shell was hired, Al Davis conceded the job had been offered to Petrino _ so obviously he had interviewed when both sides said he had not.
Miami coach Nick Saban insisted a year ago he had no interest in the job at Alabama _ all the way up to the point where he accepted the job at Alabama.
But there is only a faint wisp of smoke here, not enough to consider it a real fire.
Near as I can tell, the whole thing started with a statement by ESPN college football analyst Joe Schad, who was going over a list of Arkansas candidates and closed with the sentence, “Believe it or not, one guy who would listen, I’m told, is Lane Kiffin, coach of the Oakland Raiders.”
Voila!
You have a candidate.
A blogger or two in Arkansas (you know you can’t trust those guys) target Kiffin as their guy and push for it. It begins to build momentum.
We went through this with Jon Gruden with openings at Notre Dame and Ohio State, even though he had the NFL job he always wanted and had helped restore a tarnished franchise. ESPN even reported Gruden on a plane to Columbus. Turned out he was in Pleasanton, shopping for a guitar with his son.
You know how the Notre Dame rumors started?
In a weekly Internet diary Gruden did on NFL.com, one of the topics had to do with home field advantage. He talked about Tennessee, where he was a graduate assistant. He talked about Lambeau Field, where he was a Packers assistant. He talked about Veterans Stadium, where he was offensive coordinator with the Eagles. He talked about the Oakland Coliseum.
There was one paragraph where he waxed poetic about the tradition of Notre Dame, because his father was an assistant there and he grew up in South Bend.
One paragraph.
I know because I wrote it. I was commissioned by NFL.com to be Gruden’s ghostwriter, talking to him every Tuesday night on the phone and sending in a diary entry every Wednesday.
When Bob Davie was fired, that paragraph was picked up and quoted in many newspapers which ran a story about Gruden’s “candidacy.”
Was Notre Dame interested in Gruden? Yes. But it never got anywhere because Gruden already had a job.
Kiffin, obviously still has a job. He’s a 32-year-old head coach in the NFL. I’m biased, having lived in the Bay Area my entire life, but does anyone voluntarily leave here for Arkansas?
I suppose there is a miniscule possibility Kiffin could feel he is in over his head and want to go back to dealing with college kids on scholarship as opposed to adults making millions. Or that he is finding life working for Davis more difficult than he envisioned at 3-8 than it was when he was the fair-haired prodigy.
Kiffin didn’t go out of his way to say, “No chance. I’ll be here until they kick me out out the door. This is the greatest job in the world.”
But from what we’ve been able to glean so far, that’s not his style.
Bottom line _ there isn’t nearly enough credible information to consider Kiffin-to-Arkansas anything more than a throw-it-against-a-wall-and-see-if-it-sticks rumor.
News, notes and obsevations from Wednesday:
– No word on whether JaMarcus Russell or Josh McCown will be the backup for Daunte Culpepper against Denver. Kiffin said they split service reps Wednesday, with Russell getting a little more work for the sake of experience.
No hard evidence, but the guess here is it will be Russell _ and that he could see his first action. If Russell is No. 3, we’re probably looking at Dec. 16 against Indianapolis unless Kiffin wants to make the unveiling agianst Brett Favre at Lambeau Field.
– Jarrod Cooper underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL and will be placed on injured reserve, although that move was not made Wednesday. Kiffin said the Raiders were on the lookout for another player, including looking at the practice squads of other teams.
– S Stuart Schweigert (calf), C Jake Grove (knee) and LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (foot) all said they would practice Monday. Surprise! They all indeed practiced. More often than not, half the players who insist they’ll practice wind up sitting out. Other than missing Cooper, the Raiders look to be in good shape physically.
– C Jeremy Newberry took his customary Wednesday off.
– According to the official NFL injury report, DE Derrick Burgess was limited with an Achilles injury, although Kiffin didn’t mention it.
– Mike Shanahan dodged the question of whether the Raiders success’ against Devin Hester had anything to do with the Broncos kicking to the Bears’ return specialist.
“What are you going to do? Are you going to kick it out of bounds every time?,” Shanahan said. “We just had to play the second half the way we did the first half. You can’t make a mistake either kicking it or in covering lanes, or he’ll take advantage of it. That’s the nature of the business.”
– Third-round draft pick Mario Henderson suited up for the first time against Kansas City, and was listed in the final stats as having been in the game. Josh McCown was the only player who did not play, according to the official stats. Henderson, however, said he did not play.
– Some fascinating answers from Denver cornerback Champ Bailey in a conference call with regard to how professional athletes can protect themselves from the kind of violence which claimed the life of Washington safety Sean Taylor.
Bailey said players need to be cautious about their surroundings and in confrontations. Bailey’s teammate, Darrent Williams, was shot and killed after a night when a group he was with got into a verbal exchange with another group.
“It could be somebody in your crew, and they could come back and take it out on you because your name is bigger,” Bailey said. “You’ve got to be careful about that. You can’t let your pride get in the way. If somebody’s in your face, you know you’re not doing anything wrong so swallow your pride and walk away. That’s probably the best way to avoid confrontations. But if somebody wants you, they can get you. It’s unfortunate that you can’t really do anything about it.”
Bailey said he was uncomfortable with the notion of having guns in the home, and wouldn’t say if he had one. But he said he understood why some players believe they need protection.
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November 28th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Why is media so interested in destroying the Raiders!!! Man this rumor could destroy locker room!
They just see some progress and try to destroy it using their own weapons…
Damn is so great to be on this side… the dark side!
Better Dead Than Out!!!!!!!!!
P.S. Great input Jerry
November 28th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I think this Is A good thing for the Raiders….. here is why?
1) People actually know that Coach Kiffin is turning things around in Oakland, And I think that scares some people…… ESPN, Denver, KC, Sandiego.
2) Kiffin the one of the best things Al Davis has done since Jon Gruden.
P.S. Al give this guy whatever he wants, Money, power the works.
This is all PURE speculation, and should never even be reported.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Jerry,
This is why your blog is the best Raiders blog in the universe. MUMU or YAYA in the other discussion thread from the pre-practice update cut-and-pasted the entire blog entry from David White over at the Chronicle, who updates his SilverandBlack blog like once a month. You did some actual reporting, going back and looking at your old columns and revisiting the Gruden situation. Plus it was interesting to read that you were Chuckie’s ghostwriter.
Keep up the great work.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
If Raiders win this sunday then ESPN and Madam Shefter will “Report” another crap:
“Lane Kiffin is on a plane to Miami to take on the HC position of the Miami Dolphins…”
IS SO GOOD TO BE ON THIS SIDE… THE DARK SIDE!!!
November 28th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
JarMarcus won’t start, but he’ll be the #2 QB. If the game is a blow-out we’ll get to see JarMarcus play for the first time this season.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Kiffin is (wrong) for not shooting the rumors down. That’s not gonna sit to well with Davis. And that is what got Davis pissed off at Gruden.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Do you think Denver’s D is more suitable to give some playing time to JRuss?
I think he will be 3rd QB and see little action untill 4th qtr… no need to risk him if DC goes down for any reason…
If the game is controled then he wil enter to give the closure…
November 28th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
ESPN - The “ESP” Network - They get their info from psychics.
“One guy who would listen” - SPECULATION
“I’m told” - BY WHO? This kind of rumor mongering is why I rarely watch ESPN any more.
ESPN was called out by profootballtalk for using each other as sources.
Joe at ESPN: So Bob, who do you think will coach at Ark.?
Bob at ESPN: I got no idea; I cover Women’s Field Hockey.
Joe: You can’t think of anybody?
Bob: My cousin is a 49ers fan and he says everybody hates working for Al Davis. Maybe the Raiders coach will listen to Ark?
Joe: Lane Kiffin? Yeah, that’s great!
“one person who’d listen I’m told is Lane Kiffin…”
pathetic - Maybe Jerry could use me as a source.
“a source that follows the Raiders says there is a definate chance we’ll see Russell in some action against Denver…”
November 28th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I like the fact Kiffin said little about Arkansas. It means he has more important things to focus on like, say, beating the Broncos.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Thanks for the info on this rumor J Mac……I do know that if I worked for a company that is in the public arena like the NFL I would be one angry man about such rumors if they were not true….and my big mouth would be going a mile a minute in attack mode towards anyone that was endangering my livelihood in such a manner.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Q: Any fond memories of Arkansas?
Kiffin: I was three years old.
That last question was tongue-in-cheek
Uhm what does that “tongue-in-cheek” means?!?! Kiffin is hard to read… but that is???
November 28th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
just having a little fun. As I said, ain’t gonna happen.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Amen, bdlraider…
November 28th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Exactly bd - He has things to worry about besides worrying about every idiot rumor ESPN starts. Think about it. It is just another attack on Al Davis by espn. Coaches would rathergo to arkansas than coach in the NFL for Al is what they’re implying.
Maybe they should be worrying about how their lovechild Herm Ewards can destroy the NYJets and KC back-to-back and still be coaching. They treat that guy like he’s a friggin guru and he’s got a losing career record and 1 playoff appearance in 8 or 9 seasons.
What about 0-11 Cam Cameron and his coaching future?
November 28th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
now, who wants to start breaking down the Denver game???? Here I’ll go first. I think on O you identify 47 out there, and go AT HIM. He doesn’t look like 47 to me, and hasn’t looked that way for weeks. I say we lead with fullbacks on him, RB’s, throw TE’s to block his ass, set him up for screens with our linemen to drub his ass and let the defenders around him clean up.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Us against the world baby!
November 28th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Coach on Wheels….That is pretty funny that you don’t hear much about Cam Cameron being 0/11….last year our coaches were constantly fried on the air by any and all in the media. Sure … they deserved it but is shows the double standard we all know is there.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Guys, I know it´s off-topic, but these guy keeps making a fool of himself so allow me to call out his b.s.
And maybe it´s not that off-topic…since all kind of stupid unfounded crap is surrounding our franchise…..
MaddenRaider,
This was you after the first K.C. game…..Oct. 22…..
”Rich Gannon even said during the Denver game that Mike Shannahan was taking advantage of the fact that the Raiders traditionally don’t practice hard. Is there a better source than Rich Gannon? Are you going to argue with him? Is he just another Al basher? LOL.”
”Rich Gannon should qualify as a viable source. After all, it’s safe to say he’s been on the inside.”
”And, yes, I will take Rich Gannon’s word for it because he played here.”
—- A couple of days ago, I mentioned Rich Gannon´s take on our team, published by the K.C. Star, last thursday…before sunday´s game…it went like this:
“Lane Kiffin is starting to remind some people of Jon Gruden,” said CBS Sports analyst Rich Gannon, who was the NFL’s MVP in 2002 while playing for Oakland. “The thing I’ve been impressed with in games I’ve seen is the team never quits.”
“In the past, in games like that, you’d expect them to fold their tent and go home, because they didn’t have a lot of toughness, a lot of finish, a lot of leadership. This guy has instilled some of that.”
“I don’t think they’re completely out of the woods, but they’ve got it going in the right direction.”
—- I posted this comment later on that day…..
Hey MaddenRaider…
Now that Gannon is singing a different tune…..when will you??…..Or don´t you recall that argument???
MaddenRaider you answered……..
”Bob Marley,
I watch what I see on the field, and the only commentator I’m going to take seriously is one who comments on what I am seeing, not one who sits there with rose colored glasses on, like all of the ones remotely connected to the Raiders.
I call it as I see it. You call it as you wish it, and cherry pick whatever quotes from various commentators you have to in order to back your delusions of grandeur.”
———————————————————————————————————-
As I have proven time and again, you my friend, are full of it. Gannon is a great source yeah, but only if you like what you hear right?, otherwise he´s a rose colored glass wearing commentator who knows nothing.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Good Bob. Nice work bro. That made me laugh out loud because you are so right! I wouldn’t expect a response though. That guy is never wrong.
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
November 28th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Jerry,
Why dont you guys (reporters) just ask Kiffin straight up if he were offered the job would he take it yes or no? Don’t beat around the bush with this guy. He’ll play games all day long. Just ask him straight up and see what he says.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Baily’s assessment of the issue smacks of AFRITUDE; Taylor and Williams were in those situations because they had egos bigger than brains. That is the consequence of wanting to live the thug life. Grow up! You were hand-picked out of high school, attended university, and then made it to the NFL. None of you were bangers so get a life! If this assessment is wrong, tell me how come this stuff does not happen to level-headed people??
November 28th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
COACH - I’ll take Coop’s spot on the roster!
Thanks Jerry, for clearing up the Notre Dame fiasco…To many people think Gruden went after that job before Al low balled him…
November 28th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
kiffin’s not going anywhere after only 1yr.no doubt he would have a huge buy-out and he probably didn’t make enough in 1yr to afford it.and you know AD would make ark pay up the you know what to get him & they probably couldn’t afford it either.besides,like jerry said,why would a guy who’s spent so much time in cal WANT to go to ark.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Do we really need Stu out there? Offensively I’m not worried as long as we dont pass more than 25 times. Running the ball is always our best chance to win a game. We can’t be a pass happy squad and make it happen. Tackles suck too bad to try. Defensively, I just don’t feel good. Sapp will still be playing alot of snaps and Stu starts again. It’s pathetic my optimism has be wiped away.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Brien I’ll reinstate your optimism to some extent. The defensive tackles played fairly well last game. And the offensive line played incredibly well. Maybe a tiny bit of things to be happy about.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
brien,last week our tackles did a great job.after big red settled down he opened some huge holes for JF to run thru.nobody on the donkeys is good enough to give our tackles fits.as far as stu goes,in 2005 &2006 he was the 3rd leading tackler on the team-not bad for someone who can’t tackle.he may not lay people out but he does tackle people.maybe if the front 7 did a better job of tackling he could take more chances-but then again maybe not.like i’ve said many times he’s not tatum but he’s not as bad as some of you make him out to be.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Maddenraider…
Just for the sake of it, here is some more……
Maddenraider comments on the Raiders, Oct.22 after K.C. loss at home….
”I think Kiffin’s buckled under Al. If I’m right, Kiffin will not be our next Gruden. He’ll be gone after next year because this team will never break the 5 win mark.”
”If we don’t play the best football game of our season thus far next week, I really don’t think Kiffin’s ever going to get control of this team”….(Note: we lost the next 4).
”I don’t like the regression in focus and intensity I see now. In our franchise, such leadership from a head coach is usually irreversible. Once Al smells your timidness, he owns you.”
”Kiffin has not left that mark. And, it’s likely he won’t get another chance. He probably is a little bit too young. He had the right idea. But recently he’s buckled under Al. He got his team back from Kiffin after a couple of months.”
————After aaall of that, now you show up after we win on sunday and proclaim:
”The week leading to this game, Kiffin told Davis to talk to the hand. And it showed on the field. Hopefully now, he can keep doing it. And, I think he will. He’s not Norv Turner. He’s not Art Shell.”
”Kiffin’s running things his way, Al’s been wheeled into the cold, dark, spare bedroom, and the team is finally heading upward.”
Wow!!….
So, Kiffin must be some kind of bi-polar, mercurial guy who ”took over” for preseason and the first 4 weeks (2-2 record)…but then Al came down and meddled while Kiffin noded yes master Al and we lost the next 6…..but all of a sudden, last week Kiffin..uh…”took over” again resulting in a win….gee.
Talk about delusional.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
RaiderDogg
Glad you liked it, knowing Madderaider, he will either disappear for a while and never comment on it or he´ll resort back to one of his other nicknames to make his ”points”.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
oakglen, how did the defensive tackles play well if the opposing running back gained 150 yards?
November 28th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Nice job Bob Marley!! holding us accountable for the statements we make is indeed a good idea. Maybe we’ll all start to think B4 we type and use a little discernment if at all possible
November 28th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
bdraider says:
“I like the fact Kiffin said little about Arkansas. It means he has more important things to focus on like, say, beating the Broncos.”
He would’nt have to focus on it, All he had to say is, No, I’m happy here. viola.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Kirk, there is NO ONE more critical of the defensive line in the universe than me. But watching the tape, what’s his name the KC RB, got most of his yardage in the first quarter on one big gain on a fourth down where Ryan called a run blitz, the D line stacked the O line and the FB just BLEW UP a blitzing safety which sprung Smith. That wasn’t the D lines fault. If you remember late in the lst half Zach Miller fumbles the ball deep in the Oakland end and our Defensive line just takes control of the game and just SMASHES Kansas city. What was amazing is on a third and twenty Welbourne the right guard I believe grabs Gerard Warren and throws him to the ground, CLEARLY holding doesn’t get called, and still the play goes nowhere. No points. NADA. Give the D line that. And they played better in the 2nd half.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Al controls Kiffin via his contract for the next couple of years. If Kiffin continues to keep the franchise headed in the right direction, he isn’t going anywhere.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Blackholepriest…..thanks…
Coach on Wheels….right on.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
As I recall, Gruden had a contract too.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Bravo, Bob Marley! The first one, the Gannon one, is absolutely bullet-proof. There’s no way MR (gotta love those initials, by the way) can wriggle out of that one — although god knows he’ll try, and act as if he pulled it off. When I read his ‘cherry picking’ line this morning, I swear to god, I thought to myself, “I could’ve sworn at some point MR was quoting Gannon.” But I was too lazy to track it down. Again, good work.
As for second one, I’ll predict right now how he’s going to counter that one. He’s been going on and on with his pet theory about ‘after the bye, Al told Kiffin to ease up on the players, not make them practice so hard, etc.’ So he’ll just claim that for weeks 1-4, Kiffin was running the show; then from the bye until the second Kansas City game, Al was in charge; then Kiffin overpowered Al, retook charge (pushed him into the dark, spare bedroom, remember?), and, voila, the Raiders won.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Kiffin isn’t going anywhere. He didn’t leave USC to coach the Raiders, just to go back to a school like Arkansas.
Maybe USC, but not Arkansas.
I will FLIP if JR is #2. I can’t wait to see him on the field.
D will be the key Sunday, we will definitely give up yards, but hopefully not too many points. I expect the Raiders to play well and be in the game at the end. A couple of turnovers wouldn’t hurt, maybe we could close them out and let JR mop up….
I’ll take another division win anyway we can get it!
JUST GET THE FRANCHISE SOME SNAPS BABY!!!
November 28th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
True KoolKell, just think Al would at the very least hold a ransom. Without any draft picks, it would cost Arkansa a fortune
November 28th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
The battle of Al Davis & Kiffin sounds like a fantasy story between 2 Sorcerors (eeerrr) and their battle over control. A story of Magic and Illusion and Power. Everytime Al whips Kiffin with his walking stick, Kiffin just pushes him back into the Black Hole but little does Kiffin know, Al’s energy is replenished in the Black Hole and comes back full force with donuts to keep the team from playing hard. He pulls Porter aside and tells him to eat the sprinkles and that hes got plenty more in his castle but tells him not to tell Kiffin. Really…we could make quite a story out of this. Anybody with some ideas that can be added? =)
November 28th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
There is absolutely no way in hell that Davis would let Kiffin go back to college without something big in return and I doubt the college can come up with anything good enough to please Al, especially for a guy that is yet to prove himself in the NFL. He’s doing good so far but they would have to wait until he starts winning on a consistent basis. Al would throw Kiffin into the scouting department and tell him to earn his paycheck before he went anywhere else and if he did leave…it would be on Al’s terms…period. Kiffin could also lose credibility for leaving because people could view him as a quitter and unpredictable considering he couldn’t finish one year as a HC…that doesn’t show much good on a resume. The fact is…Kiffin can’t just opt out of his contract and leave without consequences and its just not worth him finding that out…and I believe he knows that. Besides, I truly believe he has enough ego to believe he can turn this thing around and if given the chance…I think he can do it.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Another thing is…if Kiffin tried to leave…Al could technically take Kiffin to court for breach of contract I’m sure. If theres anything about Al…You don’t want to go to court against him because he will spend the rest of his life trying to win that battle.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Kiffin said “No” twice in the exchange. Sure, he could have said something like “Don’t even ask, I’m not going anywhere,” but seriously, he shouldn’t have to. I drove across Arkansas once. It sucks.
Did Alabama have to pay Saban’s buyout? I think the draft picks/buyout rules apply when a coach makes a lateral move, NFL-NFL or college-college. That’s why Tampa gave up two picks and $8m to get Chuckie. Arkansas wouldn’t owe Al a goddam thing, if anything they’d have to pay Kiffin extra to make up for any contract settlement that Al might have owed him, which he would NEVER pay. Ask Shanny.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
It’s a shame so much has been made about Coach and Arkansas. All I want to think about is the interaction between our boys and Coach once we realized the game was in hand last Sunday. Even Jordan had a big smile on his face, shaking Lane’s hand. That’s respect, Nation. Something we haven’t seen in a long time!
November 28th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
And another thing… Let’s start talking about the fricken Donkeys! Last week was huge, finally getting the division loss streak off our back, and to do it in KC no less. Let’s keep the new steak going so I can start talking some smack out here in Donkey country… Elway’s a pigeon-toed used car salesman! Damn, that feels good…
November 28th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
He should have quashed it, instead of playing cute. It’s two different messages.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Enough about Arkansas already!
Unless you know a good Hillbilly joke!
November 28th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
John, basically if you sign a contract and the team doesn’t want you to perform on that contract anymore, i.e, Saban, the team would have to “buy you out” of the remaining contract, unless their is a “mutual agreement.” In Kiff’s case, for him to forgo the rest of his contract would be very bad, unless there was a”mutual agreement” in other words, we all wanted him the hell out of here anyway. In Grudens case, he had one year remaining, which if you know players and coaches, they hate that. In a players case, they get hurt, well that’s it. In a coach or managers case it really undermines them with the players, cause “theoretically” the coach or manager is short timer, in other words he this guy was Vince Lombardi or Bill Belicheck why wasn’t he extended??? We as players, don’t have to listen to him. In Grudens case, Tampon Bay essentially paid for Gruden to be bought out of his agreement. And we all got refunds. You got yours right??
November 28th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Yeah, I’ve been trying to break down Bonko game for hours here dudes, no one wants to discuss it. Good for you, 666.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
@#$% ESPN. It’s a @%$# network. We need that minimalist approach at QB Sunday and run it down their @#$%&# throats. We also need to do better job of stopping the run than we did at KC.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Is it true that McCown is going to Arkansas as well?
November 28th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Thanks JohnS that was funny!
I know that we have better special teams than Denver because if the Hester challenges by both teams. We both have horrible run defenses. Their backfield has been a revolving door this year as has ours.
The difference will be how Culpepper handles the ball. If he throws a couple of interceptions and fumbles we will lose the game. If he doesn’t turn the ball over we should win this game. That’s my breakdown today.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Kirk
That’s is the funniest thing I have ever read in here!!
November 28th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Repost from prior thread:
Raider Joe
“Do you think Shane Lechler is HOF caliber?? Ray Guy was a very very good player, but how much compared to Shane”?
Ray Guy was the FIRST Big Boomer of a kicker. He had hang times of 5+ seconds. He actually hit the gondola, near the roof of the Dallas stadium (I think it was Dallas may have been one of the other domes too). When he came on the scene, the players in general weren’t as fast as they are now. His kicks really changed the field position in the favor of the Raiders. Shane Lechler is a HOF’er in his own right. He doesn’t kick as high as Ray Guy for the 5+ hang time but he’s a longer kicker than Ray Guy - not by a large margin but still longer on average. Either would be a great addition to an NFL team. I’d rate them 1 & 2. I just can’t say which is which. They are/were both GREAT kickers. We are lucky to have/had them.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
YES! Since we dont have a decent QB at this time, we need to keep the QB’s participation in the game to a minimum. This was done to near perfection against KC.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
I don’t know if any of you guys saw my initial breakdown of this game. Basically, offensively for us, I would find 47 on their side and send the freaking kitchen sink at him. He doesn’t look like 47 to me anymore. He hasn’t looked like 47 for weeks. I’d send FB’s, RB’s, TE’s, I’d diagnose screens where he comes up in support and effing send O linemen to smash him into oblivion. And that would just be the first five or six plays.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Kirk M. and Thomas H. are both due for a pick or two!!!!!
November 28th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Sure it would have been nice if Kiffin said “I’m only going to say this once, I’m not going to Arkansas”. IMO, he feels he’s above it all and has better things to do. Plus, if he were to directly acknowldege it, the next time his name comes up and he doesn’t directly address it, then the media will have field day saying his hiding something.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
I think Daunte’s the Key, too. LaMont averaged 6.4 a carry on the way to 159. Team total rushing: 200. We should be able to duplicate that this week, since Denver hasn’t really been stopping anybody.
McClown:
8/16, 73 yards, 1 TD, 3 Ints.
Take away those Ints and the game never goes to overtime. Daunte fumbles some snaps but is MUCH less TO prone.
People remember Curry’s catch in the snow game, because it was spectacular. But JP also made Champ Bailey his personal Bitch in that game. I’m not defending Kerry Collins, but he had a gun when he was standing upright. So does Daunte. Play-action, go over the top and let’s see what happens!
November 28th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
he ain”t leavin…..2 be cont.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
The Broncos run well, the Raiders are running a little better. The Broncos don’t stop the run very well, the Raiders are worse at stopping the run. Jay Cutler is having a nice passing year. The Raiders defend the pass game pretty well. Shanahan is a shrewd, confident play-caller. Hopefully Kiffin is gaining confidence per the KC game.
I expect the Raiders to run the ball, but also go for it when called for, instead of the cautious play-calling of the past. Like they did in KC. I expect Denver to run the ball too. Close game probably decided by timely turnovers.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
One thing that I harked on repeatedly that the Raiders did in the KC game, was throw on first down. They were LAST in the conference in throwing on first down, and believe me if I know this, every team in the league knows this. If you remember lst play from scrimmage in KC Daunte airs it out, complete to Porter, KC is in full run d mode. I think throwing on first, will REALLY help this O. And it’s gonna help the running game.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
the reason i think we’ll beat the broncos is because of cutler. he’s always been good for a pick or two. this leads me to my weekly bitchfest: CAN SOMEONE TELL RYAN TO BLITZ THE QB. last week the game would’ve been over midway through the fourth had we thrown some blitzes croyle’s way. do you think opposing teams will be shy about blitzing jruss once he steps in? absolutely not. i don’t know if this is a ryan thing, or an al thing, or both, but whoever’s idea it not to blitz needs to pull their head out and realize we’re the only team that doesn’t get after the QB will an extra pass rusher. jerry has quoted a mystery source many times saying “whenever you needed to score against the raiders, you could.” this is more than likely true due to fact that teams don’t have to put in a blitz-pick-up package against us. you don’t gameplan for thing you don’t think will happen. teams know we don’t like to blitz, and they take advantage of it. i can’t believe we didn’t make a rookie RB and QB in his 2nd start read and pick up more blitzes. they sould’ve been running a “fire-drill” all game long. instead, for the most part, they looked like seasoned vets.
the game this weekend SHOULD be something like 27-14 raiders, but because our reluctance to send an extra man after the QB it’ll probably something to the tune of 24-21 raiders.
am i splitting hairs here??
November 28th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Kirk….that McCown post….lol.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
We all know winning against the donkeys AT HOME will be bigger than the win in KC, as far as changing the teams mentality goes. We NEED to win in OUR HOUSE, and do it convincingly. The donkeys are a better team than KC, but home field advantage SHOULD neutralize them. We’re on the cusp, and a win Sunday would be another break through, and an even bigger boost to the teams growing confidence. They got lucky the first time around, and Coach has that game to draw and game plan from. Can’t wait till Sunday!
November 28th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
RGLC– I have to agree that we should have tested the rookie running back (Kolby Smith) by seeing if he could pick up the blitz from odd places. Denver is a little lean on RBs, too. I wonder if our linebackers are just more comfortable working laterally than on a line.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Considering we played a lot better on offense against K.C. the second time around, I think Kiffin will call a much improved gameplan against Denver too. We only scored 10 points on offense in Denver, the D put up the other 9.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
i am definately biased, but i don’t think the broncos are a very good team. in fact, THEY”RE the worst team in the west, not us. don’t be fooled by the record. did you see how they lost last weekend??? definately not the calling card of team playing together. that game was OVER, and they let the punchless bears right back in it. i know we’ve put together some stinkers, but if it weren’t for jason elam, they might only have 1 win this season.
this is an important game. not in terms of playoff positioning or standings(obviously), but rather from the standpoint of beating a team that we’re better than. that is what good teams do; win the games their supoosed to. a win this weekend could do a ton for the rebuilding process. plus ANY win versus the broncos is good.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Send McCown—anywhere.
What do NFL players and Ark. women have in common? They take a shower after the
fourth period.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Another great update Jerry. Thanks for the reliable stuff…
Think Coach Kiffin should really consider getting some JaMarcus minutes if only to give the bronco a preview of the future first…
Really want to get back that feeling of fourth quarter offense moving smoothly down field of the go-ahead score, defense kicking butt and taking names, victory.
Now we olds remember that with several leaders on and off the field, but always Mr. Davis.
Sure feels good to have that feeling coming around again.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Very interesting take on the Taylor incident. I almost can not believe this guy was allowed to post this article.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7499442?MSNHPHCP>1=10637
As far as the Broncos are concerned, I want to see the D step up and stop the run game. And please cover the TE on the little roll out to the right. The Broncos run that play alot, it has killed us in the past. If we can step up and play another complete game we should have no problem. The stadium should be electric this Sunday. For the past couple of years that I have had season tickets I have noticed that there is something different about Bronco weekend. The fans are pumped up and if we come out swinging the crowd will be going crazy.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
ahh, chris clemons…….
mr.clemons is the perfect reason we should be blitzing more. maybe if an opposing running back wasn’t used to “chip” burgess or clemons, but rather a blitzing LB or S, #56 and or #58 could run wild. there is no downside to blitzing more.
it’s not rocket surgery gentleman….and ladies.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Joe Schad is officially on my #1 A-hole list. If any thing this whole rumor teaches us is how furtunate we are to have a Coach Kiffin with us. We need to keep this in mind and consider the alternatives such as the Norv Turner’s and the rest of the retreads of the world. We’ve got a guy who if nothing else gives us a sence of expectancy and hope, dont deny it when a spec of rumor starts off a fire storm within the Nation! Al for the sake of the future stay the hel* out of freakin* way BUD!!!
November 28th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
raiders420,
Do you think he was able to write that article because he is black too? It always amazes me how your skin color can dictate what you can and cannot say in the public domain. If Keith Oberman had written that article all heck would have broken loose.
Double standard?
I noticed as I read the Bo Jackson article on BSPN he joked about shooting a bear and that he was not worried about the bear because he knew he could out run his white friend who was with him…was that labeled a racist statement? No, it was funny, but if a white person said something like that, which could be considered a racial slam, the poo would have hit the fan.
Seems kind of wrong to me.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
i am betting money that Coach Kiffin is staying, I believe he will be here for the long haul
like someone said earlier, a large ego. He believes that he can turn this team around, and he will be able to do it pretty quickly. There has only been a couple of games that we have not
been in until the end. Last couple of years the game was over with about the time the coin hit the ground at the toss.
I would like to see the same aggressive offensive play calling that we had last weekend. Play
action, throwing deep. This game is definetly winnable. Wish I could be there. It is nice to be able to brag about a win vs a divisional team. Been too long between those, and a win against
the sorry Broncos would be even better.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
It is more of a compliment to Kiffen that he is being mentioned in other coaching vacancies. I hope he is mentioned as a candidate for every major coaching job in the off season because that would be a strong indicator of the buzz that Kiffen has created for turning the Raiders around.
After watching USC slug through this season with Sarkisian, I am convinced the Raiders got the right guy. Sark might be good in a few years once he learns how to call plays but I think that guy just has not found him self as a play caller yet.
You notice you haven’t heard Sark’s name anywhere for an opening.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
only reason i dont want Jrock to play some reps is because i dont get that channel this sunday.
every college coach wants to coach in the nfl, why would he go backwards. kinda annoying how he keeps saying “thats news to me”. oh well. lets do it this sunday boys
November 28th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
This is certainly a winnable game. Said the same thing last week. As a matter of fact, all including GB in Lambeau seem winnable to me, with the exception of Joke-sonville in Joke-sonville. They’re playing really well right now. Indy and GB are both starting to rack up injuries. SD is looking average, at best.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
When you at this guy Kiffins background, I mean it’s ridiculous. This guy is a perfect coach, and hey, if you’re Bill Walsh or Prince or the Rolling Stones, after you’ve been to the mountain top you can go to smaller situations or venues. Anyone REALLY COMPETITIVE, is gonna go against the best. Hate to say it, but Herm got schooled last week.
November 28th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
oakglenn- i don’t know so much about schooled, Herm made some poor choices. I did like Kiffy’s aggressive approach in the 4th though. Either way I will take the win. BTW Prince did open for the Rolling Stones at the Dodger Stadium during the Controversy tour and was booed off stage.
November 28th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Way too funny!!!
November 28th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Thanks a lot S&B 666,
You cleaned out the Raider chat room!! lol
You asked for hillbilly jokes, boy you gottem!!LOL
Im outta here!!
November 28th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
How did Piniochio find out He was a real Boy; His hand caught on fire!
I could have prefaced it with a “red neck” piniochio
November 28th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
IDIB, I remember prince opening for stones ‘78 tour, most dates. just wearing briefs, and being booed mercilessly.
November 28th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
IDIB, you’re right about the schooling part too, looking at the tape tho, Kiff called a good game. A real good game. I’m proud of him. As I’ve said for months, rookies are gonna make rookie mistakes, be they players or coaches. Hence why I wanted Russell and Kiffin to make mistakes together. Alas,…At least Kiff is learning. And he’s learning fast.
November 28th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Yeah Oakglenn,
He is a fast learner…it only took him 11 gamse to realize Arkansas is a better gig than Oakland!
November 28th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
just kidding!
November 28th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Wasn’t the original rumor that Monte Kiffin, not Lane, was reportedly interested in the job? This rumor is just stupid, and I think Lane answered the questions perfectly, and in typical Lane fashion: Answer the question honestly, with nothing more to add.
There’s gonna be a STRONG energy at the Coliseum this weekend, and I think the D is gonna come out PUMPED!!! If JaMarcus is our #2, I hope we can say that it’s BYE BYE JOSH time! I don’t think we would release Andrew, because he’s still got a year left, and would be a great #3 QB next year. If we resign Daunte to be the backup (and “compete” for the starting job), we would be set, and save ourselves a 3rd round pick by not choosing a young QB.
Kiffin seemed pretty enthused about Hiram’s play at FS. Please bench STU!!!
November 29th, 2007 at 12:21 am
It would be nice if the Raiders could keep a coach for more than a year. I really like Kiffin and truly believe he is going to turn this thing around in time. Unfortunatlely, Al Davis does not value his coaches nearly enough and won’t do whatever it takes to keep him around. This is why the Raiders are where they are. Gruden turned it around and was shipped out. 6 year mistake and counting.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:35 am
Stallion,
I would think that based on the last 10 years, Al has realized that keeping a young, talented head coach, and keeping him happy is very important to having the level of success he desires (us, too). He must obviously realize that losing Gruden essentially lost us a Superbowl. I don’t know if it gets any clearer than that.
Also, with the utter lack of success in retreads Norv and Art, it must be blatantly obvious how important cultivating and keeping Kiffin is to our beloved franchise.
There are some very impatient Raider fans on this blog who are calling for his head, but the true fans know a keeper when we see one. Kiffin has the qualities, intelligence, moxie, and work ethic to be special. I think others are also starting to take notice…hence, these ridiculous HC rumors.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:45 am
Raul,
I completely agree with your assesment of Kiffin and hope you’re right about Al. From what I can see Kiffin is intelligent and not easily phased and he’s only 32. He’s only going to get better with experience. This team needs some damn consistency. Hopefully Davis pays Kiffin enough to keep him out of the college ranks.
November 29th, 2007 at 1:13 am
Not to worry all! Every Raider Donkeys game I’ve attend the Raiders have won. I personaly broke the our 9 or 10 game losing streak to Denver by being in attendance. I will be there this weekend bring the boy to his first Raider game. We will win.
If not Bob Marley will call me out on it.
November 29th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Marley, you are a f’n idiot. All you demonstrate by stalking all of my comments and rounding them up in some desperate attempt to make yourself seem relevant is that, get this…People can change their mind from week to week considering the circumstances before them. Yes, after we lost to Kansas City at home, I didn’t think Kiffin would ever take control of the team. Turns out, he did. And, it’s supposed to be a crime that I point it out? Get a life, man.
We won this game on the ground. We did not win forcing the pass, the way your demented “dark lord” would have liked. Davis does not believe in a run heavy offense. At least, he’s never said so in his NFL films segments, you know, the ones where he talks of the Raiders going deep any down they want, regardless of the defense their facing.
Marley, I have an idea for you; Instead of constantly trying to lie to make Al look good, why not just back him up as is? You know, I actually like what you said a couple of weeks ago, about how being a Raider fan isn’t about being from Oakland or the team winning, or anything like that. It’s about just supporting Al Davis. Right? If that’s the case, why can’t you just support him for the dumb ass he is? Why do you constantly have to spin to make him seem smart? Just say, “yes, he’s a stupid man. But I don’t care. I love him. He’s Al Davis.”. Instead, you want to convince us he’s smart for paying Robert Gallery what he does.
Truthfully, I think people like you are more ashamed of Al Davis than anyone. That’s why you have to lie to make him look good. If you really loved Al, you would embrace him, with his flaws; Not try to convince us those flaws actually don’t exist.
Whatever though, man. Nobody here takes you seriously outside of Chad E, Raiders Glory, and the other screen names they use. Especially now. We win our first game in KC since god knows when, and we do it on the ground. It is now clear as day that in order for us to win, we have to do everything Al would NOT do. That’s the formula. Kiffin not only showed Al up last week, he showed up his idiot minions, like you. Your credibility it shot. IT’s Kiffin’s Raiders, or it’s lose, lose, lose baby. Most fans know this. You and the Davis loyals can deny it and commiserate over how Al should get the credit, outside of merely hiring Kiffin, all you want. We don’t need you, or your tired, repetitive shilling for a philosophy, a system, and a man in which all three are now defunct. Put that in your spliff.
November 29th, 2007 at 2:40 am
The Denver game:
If we can run the ball effectively, and not make turnovers we’ll win period!
DC has actually put two games together that were not a total failure by the QB.
The games where our QB didn’t lose it for us, have been wins.
One important thing to note about this year. We’ve been in every SINGLE game in the 4th quarter except for San Diego. Now we just need to learn how to not self destruct and we’ll be winners soon. Just think of all of the basic problems we have had this year. Fumbling the snap, picks, penalties at innoportune times, mental errors, missed assignments and tackles.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:11 am
To beat Denver we need to do the following:
1) Establish the run. Their defense is only 29th against the run. Get Fargas in the channels and use Oren O’Neal ‘the human bowling ball’ to smash block some holes. Sims and McQuistan had their best games of the season last week. Gallery, Cooper and Newberry were very solid. I think we can really attack this Denver DLine.
2) Force their LBs and SS close to the line to defend the run. Then spring Miller and/or Madsen into the short centre. The Broncos have excellent corners but they are weak in the middle.
3) Stop the run. The Denver scheme is very familiar - we know what they will do, so we should have a plan to stop them. All their RBs are unhealthy. I would like to see Ryan use the 5:2 option more often, with Sands playing nose and Sapp and Warren attacking the guard/center channels.
4) Pressure Culter from the outside. We need big games from Burgess, Clemmons and Richardson. Keep Culter trapped inside and don’t give him easy bail-outs.
All the so-called experts believe Denver will win. I think we are the team on the up and that a repeat of last Sunday’s intensity will see us victorious.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:13 am
who beater to notch up 400 Raider wins than at home to Denver and hopefully an appearance by JR sometine in the game - what better way to start new era of JR!!!
November 29th, 2007 at 4:14 am
who better*
November 29th, 2007 at 4:53 am
well weve come full circle on defense !! 2007 so far we are now bottom of the barrell!
vs the run , we are worse then last year ! we are LAST ! 340atts -1690yds allwd-5.0att,
154yards per game!!! ROBRYAN has allowed 18 tds also placing a DISTANT last 32nd!
the 31st ranKED team is WINLESS MIAMI @ 13 TDS, so 18 tds on ground i not even
measurable!!!!well back in 2004 this is where we were also !!!!
it was ineteresting to
read gerrys’story about “TAYLOR SEEMeD LIKE A RAIDER” the significance to that is
what i keep getting back to in 2004 RYAN was brought in to revamp with his self anointed
3-4/4-3 attack style defense!!! blitzing vs the pass while the 3-4 wide bodies he had
washigton-parella-sapp etc !!! would stifle the run !!!! he had the pieces to start with
and he aslo got the draft choices since to improve !!!
lets look at the roster today and see
if maybe we are lacking talent !!! out of the 18 spots on def that starts during the course
of a game !!! 7-def linemen, 4 lbrs , 7 def backs . WE HAVE 7 PLAYERS DRAFTED IN
ROUND 1 , 6 players drafted in round 2 & 3 , and 5 drafted in rounsd 4-7 !!!
comparing to the number ranked defense PITTSBURGH, they use 16 diffrent spots during
course of game , their breakdown is 4 PLAYERS DRAFTED IN ROUND 1 ,rds 2-3 they have
3 players , rounds 4-7 they have 9 guys !!!!!
now what this clearly shows is a commitment by aklnd to this FAILED DEF CORD ROBRYAN,
he has been given 13 out of 18 starters in rds 1-3 in 4 years now and still has failed to
delivery any semblance of a top flite defense!!! how is pittsburgh doing it with hardly
the same commitment !! well that is simple !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COACHNG !! COACHING!COACHING!
lebea doesnt take a guy like HARRISON ( nosetckle) in 1st round and play him at lbr’!!
for instnce harrison was nosetckle in college , and was immedialty groomed there since
day #1 ,
ryan on other hand does the exact opposite ! he gets handed WARREN SAPP first and proceeds to play him
at DEF END IN A 3-4 DEFENSE??! for the first time in his career! with bad results!
then with CHARLES WOODSON
he proceeds to play him everywher but corner !!with BAD results!! first @ ROVERBACK IN HIS WOLVERINE
PACKAGE?? (ya know i still dont know what exactly this was supposed to do. he used this
on first downs ?? so vs the run in the aAFC WEST of all divisions! he used a 3-3-5 with
his best cover guy woodson playing like a lbr!!! and his fastest corner buchanon playing
vs the other teams biggest flanker!!??? , no wonder these 2 1st runders never worked
out @ oakland ).
so all in all once again here we are again dead last where it counts vs
the run , minimal pass rush , with all the talent in the world!!!! it has got to be the
coaching !!!!!!!
November 29th, 2007 at 5:49 am
yeah..Ryan needs to step it up. It’s not like we have totally lousy players on D!
Clemmons has proven to be a good second rusher, Burgess is pro-bowl quality (though hurt this year), Warren has proven to be ok and Sapp is solid. Tommy Kelly is solid. Two of our linebackers are great atheletes…Mo and Ho…..Sam Williams is also a physical presence when he’s healthy. We have 3 quality corners, one a pro-bowler and Huff has proven to be a great cover guy who has shut down some stud tight ends. SO WHAT UP RYAN?
The fact that our D stinks at times can’t be Stu’s fault??? We have solid guys! make it work for the love of God
November 29th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Hey Marley, Thanks for the laughs. Notice he comes back and goes an all-out attack on Al Davis and you. Anything to take the focus off what a big effin hypocrite and the double-standars he employs.
No he claims Al Davis has never believed in a “power running game” even though he’s said that about 5,000 times.
Again, Marley thanks for the laughs. And no, I’m not Chad, Glory or anyone else, I’m just someone that realizes that it’s dumb to hate the person that is the Raiders and then claime EVERY possible success that comes from the organization is not his decision.
November 29th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Greatness, I agree that on paper our D does not seem short on talent. I just think that the balance is wrong and that we are short in three positions:
Problem 1: Sands seems more effective playing in a nose type, one-on-one situation than as part of a four. He doesn’t seem to be working effectively with the other DT. Sapp and Warren are trying to attack the gaps but Sands seems lost. This is why I would like us to switch occasionally to a 3:4 or a 5:2.
Problem 2: Our two best LBs, Morrison and Howard, are essentially OLBs and not natural MLBs. They are great at coverage and make their tackles but neither is a real run-stuffer. That is why we should consider drafting someone like James Laurinaitis (Ohio) or Rey Maualuga (USC). That would allow Morrison to play outside and put better coverage behind the DTs.
Problem 3: Schweigert is a nice guy, tries hard, gives everything but he just seems a fraction too slow to react to danger. As we play man2man at corner, the onus is on the FS to dominate the middle. Schweigert is a bit too passive. QBs don’t respect his speed and WRs, or breaking TEs, don’t fear the hit. With Huff assigned to marking the TEs, we need a dominant FS. I don’t see one in FA, I don’t like the idea of moving Asomugha (if he signs a new contract), so we might have to gamble on a second day pick.
The other question is whether Kiffin believes that Ryan has the right plan to address the very obvious problems. I personally think that it is in Ryan’s and the Raider’s interest to say thankyou and goodbye.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:31 am
“– S Stuart Schweigert (calf), C Jake Grove (knee) and LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (foot) all said they would practice Monday. Surprise! They all indeed practiced. More often than not, half the players who insist they’ll practice wind up sitting out.”
*****************
A WIN against KC in Arrowhead does wonders for the pyshce
November 29th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Thanks for clearing that up Jerry!
You know, another thing I noticed was the discussion of the 0-11 Dolphins and how everyone feels so sorry for them almost like it’s a horrible tragedy. However, when the Raiders were having a bad season. It was more of a hostile, those jerks are getting what they deserve. What a joke they are. I don’t get this media hostility towards the Raiders.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Scottish Raider…
If we are so lucky to draft Chris Long, we would have to change to a 3-4 style defense, otherwise Chris Long would be just as big a failure as Tyler Brayton.
Howard - Morrison - Thomas - Long
Burgess - Sands/Gerard - Richardson/Clemons
November 29th, 2007 at 8:04 am
So if the Raiders played a 3-4 Brayton would be a great player ? Didn’t they try that a couple of years ago ?
November 29th, 2007 at 8:08 am
IVE noticed scottraider that youve been dead on needs in the past !!
this guy ryan has put morrison there to early! kirk is to good of a “athlete” type “read”
type pursuer , then a big low to ground hitter! usually you wait for a guy like that to play
mlbr’ later in career! so this move can prove to be catastrophic! prematurly!! hope iam wrong
and also it really has
been in-effective! a mlbr is rated with tackles first sacks/ints’ second! so far kirk has
been lower tier @mlbr due to tackles! there is a big drop off from the elite guys! lewis
zach thomes etc! 125 tackles aint enuff!
now ROBRYANseems to be anti- vet- run stuffr
mlbr on run downs, ( like a TROTTER weve had 5 chances to draft/trade or sign this guy,
its’ to late now ) which getting this type like a trotter-al wilson or adownee from jax as
a freeagent last year wouldve been prfect!( he is now w- cowboys!!) this type guy gives
us 85 + tackles(as a 2down player!) and makes the 2 olbs much better!!! we need the next pepperjohnson!
here @ that spot! teams wont be so eager to run on us ! they will audible to pass! we
then turn teams ONE DIMENSIONAL! pass first ! then thru qtrs2&3 we squeeze the field
and get TOS’ !!! that is the way it is supposed to work ! we just need a DEF CORD that under-
stands this!! and we dont!!!
as for sands he is a quik 1st step guy/ he is not a “NATURAL” @ SDT! he is 6-7 which
means he gets to high initially,but he is one strong mutha! (tellya’ the best thing to do with
him is to rotate him @sde/sdt/wdt thru out game to max out his physical abilty/ not just
strenght) !
the problem is he plays
next to a 255 lb end (burgess ,who i ilke) that is commonly blocked by a TIGHTEND!vs run ,
that leaves
it to easy for ROT to seal off the SDT on that side , the ROG then can easily shoot
out the mblr (explaining kirks lowr tackle output)/2nd te or fb then blocks the solb!
this explains the bad run def , and why sands kelly warren etc have all looked bad
@ SDT! robryan jsut really seems convinced that this insane alignment needs to
used over & over again!!?? why ? it doesnt work ?? somebody kill him please!!
now for STU ! what a waste of talent ! he has to be the worst coached player in
NFL HISTORY!!he had a good rookie year, then his play has degenrated!why?? coaching!
look at evryone else they have 1-1/2 good years then there play declines due to the
beating they get! STU is one of those!!! i just cant ever blame the player! h is cut to
play FREE SFTY IN THIS NFL!6-2-210 4.50fourty! he was great @purdue!
this has got to
be ryans’ problem! i mean take him out of game & teach him better ! but rite now this
guy must be so SHELLSHOCKED ! from getting abused& embarassed every game that
i am afraid weve lost him !!!! it is no coincidence that the only game stu dont play in
last 2 years we actually best K.C..finally!!! anD HUFF finally hets his first INT!!! THIS WAS
NOT A COINCIDENCE! IF stu played tack on 55 more yds for kcs’run game & 90+more
yards fo kcs’ qb NO QUESTION!!!!!! which probably results in a loss!!!! a close one !!!
so scottish raider i agree and hopefully you can elaborate on my findings! thanks!
oh p.s.s (sarcasm) we didnt need TANK OR GRADY DID WE!!!NAHH!!!!
November 29th, 2007 at 8:16 am
JH….
well, brayton would be better than he is now, that for sure. but the problem then was Sapp isn’t a one-tackle guy, he needs support from another DT.
JH, we would just create a problem if we drafted Long and not change the system…
November 29th, 2007 at 8:26 am
Sorry, I meant LMN, not Scottish Raider.-My bad. My post will be pulled anyway.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:44 am
# RaiderCanuck Says:
November 28th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Baily’s assessment of the issue smacks of AFRITUDE; Taylor and Williams were in those situations because they had egos bigger than brains. That is the consequence of wanting to live the thug life. Grow up! You were hand-picked out of high school, attended university, and then made it to the NFL. None of you were bangers so get a life! If this assessment is wrong, tell me how come this stuff does not happen to level-headed people??
What a idiot comment , single guys go out to night clubs to meet women , that doesn’t make them thugs! If someone comes onto your property and steals from you while you’r e watching them are you gonna call the police or try to stop them yourself? Explain to me exactly what is the thug life?
November 29th, 2007 at 8:45 am
I bleed Silver and Black w/ a hint of Razorback Red. Just so you know, it is great that we have a coach that would come up in so many head coaching talks. I haven’t heard anyboyd mentioning Art Shell’s name nor do I hear Callahan’s name coming up for the Arkansas or Michigan jobs…..but to keep everybody at ease, Lane Kiffens name is dropping off the rumor monger list (and it was all started by just that: rumor mongers) and Kiffen’s name is starting to be replaced by Coach Cowher to come coach at Arkansas. Here is how that rumor has started: Jeff Long will be the new A.D. starting January 1st. Jeff Long was A.D. at Pitt. Supoosedly Jeff Long and Coach Cowher played golf in Baton Rouge last Saturday, the day after Arkansas ended LSU’s national title hopes. One can only speculate what was discussed. Furthermore, the rumor mill once produced Jimmy Johnson as a candidate for the Arkansas job b/c he was on the 1964 National Championship team at Arkansas and played for current A.D. Frank Broyles. Jimmy Johnson nipped that rumor in the bud saying coaching college football “is too hard of work for me anymore.” He’s got it made as an analyst. Should I hear another crazy rumor, I’ll be happy to add it to Jerry’s blog.
Scottish Raider, great insight, I too agree that a solid MLB is what we need and put Howard and Morrison on the outside. And also, you are right, we may just have to stay content with Schweigert a little while longer. I keep crossing my fingers that Hiram Eugene will step up. Does anybody know the status of our WR’s? Those guys have been taking some poundings lately………
November 29th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Stu is fourth on the team in tackles and he did not even play in the last game and split time in another game this year. He gets a bad rap, but if we did not have him last year we would have been completely blown out of almost every game. He made a bunch of TD saving tackles last year and again this year. The Safety should not be making the tackle on running plays. Let that sink in for a second. The Safety should not be making the tackle on running plays. Sometimes in coverage he gives up the catch, but he is always in position to make the tackle. I think as a whole we would all like to see both of our S making more INT’s and laying the wood, Huff has been as much of a disapointment as Stu.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:51 am
just win baby…
well trash im not… this wasn’t posted against you or americans in general. It was just so obvious that the post was made by a guy with nearly zip education, who thinks we still are ruled by Kings or queens here en europe… so I had to react…
lastly yeah the americans soldiers helped us during WW2, but im sorry to say it was the British soldiers that really won it for us, remember you just joined the war for the 2min warning, the British were there the entire game… furthermore the americans were okay with sovjets should rule my country, the british wasn’t! So our country was free from 45 because of the british… (which later was quite funny because Greenland is our territory - the most important cold war radar is based on our soil - it could have been sovjet that was that close to you…)
But don’t get me wrong it was clearly the last great generation of Americans, and i hope you treat them right… all the wealth the US made in the following years was based on the outcome of that war…
November 29th, 2007 at 8:56 am
KOOL KELL - Nice post!! Thanks again for showing us all what an ignorant biggot you are.
RAIDERS420 - You might want to do a little more reading about the Sean Taylor shooting before passing judgement on one of the best articles that I’ve seen written in a while. BTW, if you look hard enough, you’ll find that one of his childhood friends, Antrelle Rolle, pretty much backs it up too.
MaddenRaider - Marley nailed you to the wall perfectly! It amazes me that you are even a Raider fan. My only question is why? What is it about the Raiders that makes you a fan? Is that they wear black? For you to post how you think Al Davis is an idiot and that the only time the Raiders do good is when Al Davis isn’t involved, exposes you as an extremely thought challenged loser! The Raiders didn’t build one of the most winningest franchises in the world through Lane Kiffin. I love coach, but the greatness of the Raiders is due to the man that you claim is an idiot. The fact that rumors are abound about Kiffin in Arkansas, Nebraska, or Duke are proof that people that know football hold Mr. Davis in very high esteem. You don’t hear the same rumors about Sarkisian do you? There’s a reason that every coach that Davis has interviewed over the past 4 years has gotten offers elsewhere and it’s not because everyone knew them already. It was Davis that gave Gruden a shot when nobody else was calling him for their coaching vacancies. Also, you and others like you keep saying things like, “Davis is running the show and trying to be the coach.” If you learned nothing else from last year, you should’ve learned that Davis doesn’t meddle as BSPN or some of the haters in the media would have you believe.
I’d also like to point out to the poster that said something to the effect that Davis is stupid fro paying Gallery what he’s paying him. You might, hopefully not, but might be saying that about JR in a couple of years too. It’s due to the first round signing slot that Gallery was able to get by being the selected in the draft. EVERY TEAM DOES IT!! Now when Gallery’s contract is up, and he gets another big contract, then you’ll have something to say about it.
Lastly, if Kiffin were to leave to be a head coach somewhere else, he’d still have to buyout his contract which means that the school that wants Kiffin to be their head coach would be the one coughing up that money.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Let’s not forget about European wealth built by slaughtering the peoples of Mexico, Central America and South America in the name of oro under the guise of Christianity.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:58 am
that was some funny schit marley my man and typical for the al bashing to come out in retaliation, lol
November 29th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Raider420, you are right, Stu shouldn’t be making all of those tackles. He does get a bad rap. I just wish we had a head hunter back there. I can remember watching old Raider games and us getting beat in games, but we could always count on Eddie Anderson or Ronnie Lott to knock the soup out of somebody. Maybe that is all I want to really see. That hit Stu put on Tony G this year I’ll never forget. Too bad Stu was hurt this go around w/ the Chefs. I would’ve like to have seen if Tony G remembered Stu or not.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:08 am
NVMIKE,
Thank you for your service, my family wishes you the best holiday season.
Keep the faith.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:08 am
posted on the wrong blog>
Its quite a conundrum. We have all the talent in the world on Defense but we are dead last vs the run, which is embarrassing!
The list: DBurgess, Warren Sapp, G.Warren, JRich, Kelly, et al. We have some serious talent out there but for some reason we can’t get it done. Its quite a conundrum.
I like Rob Ryan, but I’ll even admit that 4 years and we are still last vs the run is not a good showing. All those high draft picks w/ nothing to show for it is not a good showing. (a number of mock drafts have us taking another defensive player …Calais Campbell/Chris Long ….in the 1st).
So unfortunately thats what I’m left with - to question Rob Ryan. Hopefully he can get this squad to perform. There are already rumblings on whether he’ll be canned this offseason (KSFO).
November 29th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Just Win Baby…
true - so true…. i’m not pointing fingers. Any war of religions is never good, sadly most wars have been about religion…
Last i was in the US i saw a vet from WW2 looking like sh1t, and i was then thinking “i would not treat heroes like that” I talked to him, he had been in france and right after the war had ended, in the northern part of Germany, which is close to Denmark, he remembered the water and the girls =). I gave him 20$ it was all i had in change, but seeing him sitting there really made me sick.
It was the best generation of americans, the best citizens of a young nation, and he was sitting in filth…
November 29th, 2007 at 9:25 am
War talk again?
As an American I am ashamed of the way we treat our veterans.
I am already against the next war.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:26 am
nvmike… you do know that Hitler and Mussolini wasn’t communists right?
that hopefully will be my last history talk today =) LOL
_______
But Sapp was the main reason we didn’t succeed in teh 3-4 formation. My guess is Sapp has his last season as a raider this year. Which mean we could finally could change system
Brayton would have been a better backup if we had fared in another system, but still 1st rounder should be a starter not a backup. So if we draft Chris Long ( which I hope) we need to change system, or he would be just as big as failure as Brayton was/is….
November 29th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Back to hating the Bronco’s.
If Culpepper doesn’t throw any interceptions of fumble the ball on Sunday we should win the teams are pretty evenly matched except for our Special Teams, which are way better than theirs.
Any opinions on our Special Teams?
November 29th, 2007 at 9:31 am
We would need another good LB to make the switch as well as a huge run stopper. Teams that have the players run the 3-4 defenses. We don’t have the talent to run that style or we would. I remember when Ryan toyed with that and how bad it made Sapp look that year.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:32 am
i have relatives that have gone to war, die in the war and are at war now, so im not even getting into that discussion…….so……….but ill comment on the war sunday against the donkeys.
back-to-back division wins WILL BE THE SCHIT!
November 29th, 2007 at 9:35 am
I HATE THE F-ING BRONCOS! I hope we crush them this weekend.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:36 am
SNB666…
all vikings fans used to say the same thing… “if Culpepper doesn’t make that late 4th q int/fum then we’ll win”
I just wan’t their run stopped and 8-10 sack on cutler, and I, and I and I JUST WANNA STOP THOSE DONKEYS!
November 29th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Our STs are hurt. It will be interesting to see how well they can perform and do it consistently.
What would be great is seeing the RAIDERS dominate Denver. Another commentor pointed out what LJs yards were vs denver and how Terrible JM was vs denver. JM threw 3 picks which basically cost us that game. TERRIBLE!
So IF DC delivers a performance better than JM (highly likely), JF matches LJs numbers (likely), and this defense actually stops the run (?); we stand a good chance to dominate them.
The biggest question mark is this D imo. What a reversal from last year….
November 29th, 2007 at 9:38 am
SNB666
I think Robert Thomas is good.
Howard and Chris Long on the sides, Morrison and Thomas in the middle…
This will only work if we let Sapp go…
November 29th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Um, JustWin Baby, you must’ve missed the part about European Immigration to North America resulting in the single greatest act of genocide ever perpetrated upon others. Perhaps a history lesson or two might shed some light for you.
Raiders should hammer the bunkos.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:48 am
M you’re right. It was a EUROPEAN act of genocide. I am American, not European. Perhaps you are in need of a goegraphy lesson. Thanks for trying to take part in something you can’t comprehend.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Loss of life is unacceptable for any reason. But a bad person is a bad person. It is human nature to think, that when you are young that you are invincible and that you are the baddest thing walking the street. When you do bad things those things catch up with you. Just because the guy was trying to turn things around does not make him a good person. Rolle said that this was not a Random incident. How should that be interpreted? The article that I posted was very good, I have no problem with it. I am very suprised that Fox sports allowed it to be posted on their website. It is very controversial. As a poster pointed out earlier, that article would never be allowed to be in print if it was not written by a Black man.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:55 am
The Snake and Lester Hayes are on the semifinal ballot for the HOF !
I hope one of them makes it this year!
http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/story.jsp?story_id=2607
November 29th, 2007 at 9:59 am
RAIDERS have 3 players on the semi-final list for HOF out of 26.
1. Ray Guy
2. Lester Hayes ??? Is there any logical reason he’s not in yet??? wtf??
3. Snake (the original)
November 29th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Milicia,
Am I reading you correctly……….If we got Chris Long, you would want him to play linebacker???
If so, thats absurd!! Thats like wanting MCCown to play defensive end!!
Chris Long is a chip off the old block ………..The best position for him is the one he’s playing now……DEFENSIVE END…….Just like his RAIDER great hall of fame dad!!
November 29th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Im going to the Denver game & got Black HOle seats. This is my first Raider game & I hear the tailgateing is awsome. Does anyone know if there are any spots where we can catch the morning games?
November 29th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Raider Glory is right,
I cant see Chris Long playing LB, he is 6′4” and 285 pounds, he would be the biggest LB in the NFL.
I dont think he has the speed that a LB needs, he is a strong Defensive End.
November 29th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Memo,
There is’nt any sports bars near the Oakland Coliseum, not that I know of. The closest restaurant is a Denny’s.
The whole experience is AWESOME!!
It’s a very blue collar crowd, so dont get scared of the rough looking Raider crowd!!
If you have your Raider colors on……….You have nothing to worry about!!
The fun really begins when you get into the stadium!!!
The comraderie inside is incredible!! If your a Raider fan!!
Have a GREAT time man!! Hopefully you bring us some luck and the Raiders WIN!!
Raider Glory.
November