Q&A with Lane Kiffin
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, December 31st, 2007 at 1:34 pm in Oakland Raiders.
A transcript of Monday’s season-ending press conference with Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, with news, notes and observations to follow later today:
Introduction: Back to yesterday’s game, very disappointing loss, game that we really felt we were going to win and felt we were very prepared to win, and did some things that we learned from the first time around against them that we felt we were going to be able to do better than we did the first time because as you back to the first time we played them, we did not play very well that day, and it was the worst game that we played of the season so far up to that point. I think it’s a glaring example of how you win and lose football games, the turnover margin, you can look at the stats, as you read them are very equal throughout that game, rushing yards, I think, we had more rushing yards then them. Turnover margin, to be minus-3 in the turnover margin, turn it over four times and only get it back once, you’re going to lose, I think it’s 98 percent of the time, so we have to continue to find a way to get better at that. I want to say we ended up minus-11 in the turnover margin, which is disappointing. We had improvement from minus-23 before, but we’ve got a long ways to go and that will be big thing in fixing the win and loss column. As far as individual players, reinforcing what I said yesterday, I thought JaMarcus played extremely well. His turnover there for the touchdown wasn’t his fault on the back side and really made very good decisions throughout the game. It was great to see that in one week, that a guy could get so much better in one week. He could improve, had a number of situations where he was in the exact same scenario he was the week before. There were a number of times where he could have forced the ball back across the field to try and make a great play that ends up in turnovers, and he didn’t do it, and he managed the game really well, and that’s a great defense, that was playing out there. There’s a reason they lead the league in takeaways, and they’re very challenging, too. His first start, to be against a really schematically-challenging defense with great players, because they come after you. They blitz as much as anyone we’ve played all year long, so, very pleased with him, and I think you saw a glimpse of the future with the young guys as you’ve seen all year long, but for Zach to finish on such a good game versus great players as well because he goes against Merriman and Phillips every play, and I believe he ends up with the most catches in the history of the Raiders as a rookie, passing Tim Brown, pretty good company. And Johnnie Lee with an exciting punt return, and Jay Richardson making some plays, and really a lot o first-year Raiders, as you go to Justin Griffith making some guys miss there and O’Neal playing well, and Dominic with his back-to-back 100-yard games, and the first 100-yard games in 20 games against those guys, so it was good to see a number of our first-year guys play really well.
Q: If JaMarcus improved that much in one week, what can you expect with a whole off-season and training camp?
Kiffin: The thing about it is one game will never define you as a player or as a team. To think he’s going to play great all the time, we know that probably won’t be the case, but he’s going to get so much better because he’s going to get stuff he’s never had before. He didn’t have a true offseason from the beginning, he didn’t have a training camp, he didn’t have preseason. If you believe in coaching, and you believe that’s how players get better, he didn’t have that, so it was really good to see him play that well and I’m glad that we managed it the way we did because I don’t believe there was any way he was able to play the way he did yesterday in Week 6 or 7 because of the amount of practice reps that he’s had and the amount of exposure to other guys playing and all the game plans has helped him and prepared him for that game. It wasn’t just last week, it was all the time leading up to it.
Q: How critical for JaMarcus to go into the offseason on a good note?
Kiffin: I think it was really important for our whole franchise. I think it was really important for our fans, our building, our players, everyone, to see him play very well and make some dynamic plays at times that he did. It’s very valuable because it just increases their faith and trust in him and where we’re going. I think it was really, really powerful and important. Would have been much better if we won the game, but it was very good for him.
Q: What is the schedule for JaMarcus now that the season is over?
Kiffin: He’ll take a little time off here but he’ll be out here. We’ve got a lot of work to do and he’s ready to go. He’s fired up about being a leader on this team and being the guy calling the plays and in that huddle and getting the guys around him, and getting the timing and getting familiar with these guys and he’s ready.
Q: You mentioned that 4-12 would not happen again, could you amplify on that statement with regard to everyone in the building buying in?
Kiffin: Well, I think first of all, that if you do it right, the most improvement comes from Year 1 to Year 2 because you’ve had a year to evaluate everything. As you guys who’ve been covering us, you know that one of the first things that we did, we talked about everybody having a clean slate here when we got here. Everything you do from here on counts and we’re going to judge you on that, and we didn’t care what people said, or what coaches said about you before here or in the building or any of that, so we didn’t care about that because we’re going to make our opinions on you. And that helped us, too. I’m not going to get into individuals, but there’s a number of guys that if we would have listened to what people said about them before, we would have ran them out of here. They came the other way around and were good players for us, and leaders and the whole thing. And when you do that, we didn’t make a number of changes before the year but when you give people opportunities, sometimes that hurts you a little bit, too, because you don’t listen to what people said. Did we hang on to some guys longer than we should have? Sure. We’ll make some changes this offseason and we’ll get ready to go for Year 2 and make sure that everybody’s on board. Now they understand us better and what our expectations are. And the major point was to understand that that’s not OK because we played some teams well and we won a couple divisional games. That’s not OK. This season was not a success. We’re 4-12. That means that you lost more than you won and we’ve got to get that fixed. We’re going to work on that right now and we’re going to look at every single way we can to fix that, whether that’s free agency, draft, anything. And so we’ll evaluate everything and find a way to get better.
Q: Did you underestimate the effects of four straight seasons of double-digit losses?
Kiffin: Probably. It’s difficult. It’s a difficult mentality to have when people are so used to losing that it’s just what they know. It’s what happens. You lose games. You find a way to lose them. It is difficult. It’s more difficult than if a team had just had one year of it. With a team that we have that’s pretty young, that’s kind of all that some of them know.
Q: What are the specific areas that need to be addressed?
Kiffin: I’m not going to get into that today with you guys because there’s too much information still. We’re going to go back, we’re going to look at all the cut-ups, we’re going to look at everything, we’re going to look at what’s out there before I come across and say where we need to attack in free agency and the draft. I don’t have all that information in right now to make that judgment.
Q: Was Sunday Rob Ryan’s final game with the Raiders?
Kiffin: First of all, we haven’t made any decisions yet. Those will come pretty soon. Just like I said, with players and stuff, we’re still going to get all the information in and get it all together before we make any changes. Like I said before, we’re going to do everything we can to put us in the best position to win. Whatever that is, whatever we have to look at, no different that what we did with players, putting players on the bench that had been starters, or whatever it is. We’re not worried about people’s feelings or any of that. We’re worried about winning. And we need to start winning. We need to do everything we can to put us in that position. So, we’ll look at everything.
Q: What’s your preference for your backup quarterback, youth or veteran?
Kiffin: There are too many different scenarios because there were two backups. Who’s two? Who’s three? There’s a bunch of different ways to do it. You can have a young guy that you’re developing, even though you have another young guy, and your third guy can be a veteran. But, Andrew Walter’s still here. He did a good job in the limited time that he had and played well in preseason. He has gotten comfortable with our system. We’ll add a third quarterback. I can’t give you right now what that’s going to be, whether that’s re-signing Josh or whether that’s going and drafting a guy late, or something like that. I don’t know that right now.
Q: Were there any adjustments you had to make as a college coach working in the NFL for the first time with regard to length of season?
Kiffin: It seemed long because we lost. that’s why it seemed long. it didn’t seem long because of the amount of work or the weeks but because we kept losing. That will make it long … especially since I had been fortunate enough to lose eight games over the last five seasons. So when you lose 12 and 2 preseason, that’s 14 losses. That makes for a long time. but I didn’t get a sense that it was about you had a clock that was used to being done three weeks ago or anything like that.
Q: Rhodes finished strong, is he part of the future?
Kiffin: We will look at everything. Dominic played extremely well in the chances he got. It hurt Dominic initially because he had the four games suspension and was out. We talk to our guys all the time — if you give somebody a chance they may take it and run with it. we’re not going to hold spots or do anything based on what except what you have done and what’s going on,. Justin seized that. LaMont was starting off great then Justin got a chance when LaMont got hurt, seized it and never gave it up. Kept it until he got injured. Finally Dominic got a chance and he played extremely well.
Q: How much did not having a true vertical receiver limit the dimension of your offense?
Kiffin: You know, as you look at the whole thing and go back thru the season, Jerry did make some plays for us. You can look at it that way. Just got done meeting with Ronald and we have a good plan on how he is going to improve and what he needs to do to get better because we expect him to have a big year next year. And we tried Johnnie a little bit. Johnnie didn’t come around as much as we’d like but part of that is our fault. We didn’t give him enough opportunities to show that. We have high expectations for Johnnie that he can fill that role for us and obviously we will go look in other places as well.
Q: Is franchising Nnamdi Asomugha a no-brainer?
Kiffin: Not necessarily. there are a couple of possibilities there. we’re still dealing with his agent (on) a couple of different scenarios as far as length of contract or whether we go that route. But we definitely want him back here and we are going to make sure he is on our team.
Q: Have you talked to Warren Sapp about whether he is retiring?
Kiffin: I have talked to warren. I am not going to comment on that until warren talks to you guys. Warren has already made it known what he’s doing but I’m not going to take that from him. He’ll tell you guys whenever he’s ready.
Q: How much of passing woes can be explained by having so many different quarterbacks?
Kiffin: Yeah, it’s a combination of a couple things. One, we weren’t very aggressive in the way we went about a lot of games. We played conservative at times because we needed to, cause that’s how we were built against certain opponents, and what we need to do to win. That leads into what did you try to do this year, what was your plan initially. Well, our plan initially was, to me, if you come in somewhere and we hadn’t had very much success, and as you look at the makeup of the team - the defense returning 11 starters, and I think on offense we were only going to start two guys that had been starting in those spots before, so you got nine guys starting in new spots - the thought was how are we going to win? What’s the best chance to win? Well, it’s going to be to run the ball and to stop the run. And to build off the defense with 11 returning starters. And it wasn’t gonna be to really attack in the passing game, cause we really couldn’t take the chance to turn the ball over a lot, and throwing it downfield and getting a bunch of sacks. That wasn’t how we were gonna win right now. Now eventually that may be, when we change some things and our system starts to unfold with the proper players. We did do the running part, and defense, we all know we didn’t play as well as we’d like. The passing game, we didn’t give it enough opportunities really to show itself. And when you play four different quarterbacks - really three, cause Andrew played a little bit and made it four - that doesn’t help. And then JaMarcus missing the timing, Daunte coming in late - we didn’t have Daunte for the offseason either - none of that helps that situation. Cause it is about timing and things coming together and people working with each other.
Q: What did the defense have so much trouble stopping the run?
Kiffin: We’ve got to look at everything. And it really was disappointing, because I really felt that the defense was gonna be our strength. I never told the offense that, but that’s what I felt was we were going to play great defense, we were gonna build off… There had been a lot of improvement from two years ago to last year on defense, so I thought we’d continue to build that with returning 11 guys. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it worked. So as we discussed, we’ve gotta look at everything. And we will, and we’ll figure out a way to get it fixed.
Q: What held this team to together?
Kiffin: Well, I just think that’s a credit to everything. Coaches, players, the whole thing. And it’s not easy to do, as you guys have seen before. Especially when you’re playing four teams in a row that have a lot at stake - you’re not playing anybody like yourself. I’m proud of our staff and I’m proud of our players for doing that. And you didn’t see the blowups in the media. You didn’t see players lashing out at coaches or at each other. So I was proud of the way guys protected our team, as far as that, and kept competing.”
Q: How come?
Kiffin: I don’t think it’s that easy to just say one thing. That’s my job, and that’s what you spend all day thinking about, and how are you gonna motivate ‘em, how are you gonna get ‘em to practice? Well, how you gonna get ‘em not to start attacking each other? How you gonna get, when the defense is playing good in those games, not to go after the offense for not playing well, or vice-versa? We were able to do it. That’s a positive. But let’s go back to reality. We’re 4-12. So regardless of how we ended those games, we got a lot to fix.”
Q: Did you get what you wanted out of Gallery when you moved him to guard?
A: I do think definitely as you guys would agree that’s the best position for him. With Rob, what we’ve got to continue to work on is about decision making. Too many poor penalties and we’ve got to get that fixed, with the penalties between he and Barry. But he played well. And another thing we talked About was not listening to what other people said before. A number of people said before ‘how much does he love football?’ and all those things that you guys have heard about him for years. He loves football now. This guy loves playing football and he’s tough as can be. So anybody that ever thought that before was wrong from what I’ve seen in a year and I’m glad we have him. And I know the players around him really respect him and what he brings every single day. I’ve never heard the guy in 11 months of being with him complain about one thing.
Q: Talked early about fixing the locker room. Was that accomplished?
Kiffin: We’ve got a ways to go. But we’ve made some strides and that’s a huge reason why that didn’t happen this year (the locker room didn’t revolt) we did make those strides or else it would be the same old story. And that’s why I said you credit the players because in the end they have to do it. So we’ll continue to work on it and we’ll continue to build around players that are team players and understand what you have to do to buy in and what it really takes to win. And we’ll continue to find more of those players and just keep building those players up as the leaders of our team.
Q:What did you talk the guys about today?
Kiffin: We went for a while. I spoke to them for a while. Some real deep talk about the offseason where the direction of what we said our first meeting and what we got done and what we didn’t get done and where we need to go and what we need to do. for the guys in this room that we’re going to bring back, what our expectations is for you and what we need to do to get over this hump and start winning these games. And I thought it was a really good meeting and I think they understand there’s a commitment here to get this thing fixed and get it going in the right direction. From talking to some of them afterwards, maybe I need to pay attention more to the media and stuff, because it was a good meeting. I had a couple of players afterward say well I guess that means you’re staying. I hadn’t even thought to address that. They said well we read all over the internet and everything says your going somewhere. But I guess it helped that too.
Q: Your experience with Sapp?
Kiffin: I was fortunate because of my dad being with Warren, really prior to here, really the only person that had coached Warren for a coordinator standpoint because Warren had the same coordinator every year he was there. So I was able to have a pretty good understanding for him. I think they spent 10 years together. That really helped me with Warren and I think it helped me too that I know Warren has a ton of respect for my father as my father does for Warren. And I think that helped him initially too, made it easier to come talk about things. And for whatever reason, Warren and I hit it off pretty good right away. And he liked what he saw in the team meetings. He liked what we talked about, the practice tempo, a bunch of things he’d been disappointed in before and he really got behind us and what we were doing. It was a good experience.
Q: What do you think of your running back situation going into next season?
Kiffin: You know, a lot of decisions to be made there and some thing we don’t know. We really don’t know about Michael yet. Michael Bush hasn’t played for us yet so it’ll be exciting to see him in the offseason and the preseason. And there’s some guys in free agency that are coming open too so we’ll look at all of it. And that’s one thing I can tell you about all these things, we’re going to find the best way to win and we’re going to figure out a way to get a fixed. And whatever it is we’re just not going to be satisfied with we played pretty well and say oh we played pretty well. In all these games we’re looking for a competitive edge.
Q: What did you think of Bush?
Kiffin: I like him a lot. When Michael came here he was a little bit heavy. We told him what he needed to do, where we wanted him, how he needed to work and he responded. I really like it because everything’s a test when you first meet these young players and how do they respond. His was a hard one because he didn’t have a lot to be motivated for. It was kind of like, ‘I don’t really know if I’m going to get to play’ and everything. He’s been great and he’s continued to work out extremely hard.
Q: Does the system you run make it less likely to have a marquee name in the backfield?
Kiffin: We’ll never just try to find a big name. We’re going to go to the film. We’re never going to sign somebody because of their stats or because of what they’re supposed to be. We’re going to go off our evaluation. We may find somebody that we think’s really good that isn’t a big name because of the way they fit in the system. But that being said, that doesn’t mean that there’s not a big name guy that’s a really good player that we’re not going to go after because we don’t need a big name guy because anybody can run in the system. No. Anybody can’t run in the system. Some guys can be effective and then some guys can be even more effective and be great players in the system.
Q: How is Tommy Kelly’s rehab?
Kiffin: Tommy’s going real well. He’s been working extremely hard and I know he’s extremely excited and hopefully we get this thing done and get Tommy here for a long time.
Q: Your views on officiating and the Raiders getting the short end of the stick?
Kiffin: You mean am I finally going to buy in that everyone’s against the Raiders in this league? No I’m not. There’s call that go both ways and I’m never going to buy into that theory. You always see the ones that go the other way. Trust me, we had a facemask yesterday that wasn’t called and they go the other way too and their fans think that they get the bad end of the deal as well. We’re going to play smarter, we’re going to make better decisions, we’re going to go back to our fundamentals and techniques that don’t put us in position to get as many penalties as we have.
Q: Had time to study the draft or do you have to do your homework?
Kiffin: I’ve got to do a lot of homework because there’s no way that you could be following the college year and how players are doing. What is neat is that a number of these names that will come out I will have had background with them and know their families through recruiting, know who they are and the type of competitors they are, stuff that you have to research and find, so that helps a little bit. We’ll dive into it and get going. There’s a ton of work to do on it. We don’t have our third pick but we have two picks coming up that we need to find starters and guys that can come in and contribute right away. Our second pick, we just talked about Zach Miller, ends up catching the most passes in the history of the Raiders as a rookie so hopefully we continue to make really good decisions and find the right type of players, the right type of competitors, the right type of team players. Zach’s one of those examples.
Q: Where you sit in the first round?
Kiffin: I didn’t even study it yet. I was just in to this game. Somebody told me this morning so I don’t even know how that fell the way it did.
Q: Is it good knowing you’re picking third or fourth, less players to evaluate than if seventh or eighth?
Kiffin: It helps by lack of scenarios but I still take it and I go study everybody because you don’t know what’s going to happen. If all you do is look at that, there may be a chance to trade down five picks or something and there’s a player there and you can pick up more picks. We’ll study everything. We won’t ever say we’ll draft right here so we know the variables. We’ll look at everybody because you never know what’s going to happen.
Q: Do you want Jarrod Cooper back?
Kiffin: Coop’s a pretty dynamic individual as far as the energy he brings. You need those guys. You need guys like him and guys like Isaiah. Those are guys that have a special thing about them. It’s not just the way they play, it’s the energy they bring and the way everybody feeds off of them. We’ll look to bring Coop back and excited to have him hopefully for the full year and he won’t have to miss some time like he did this year.
Q: How much did Huff improve?
Kiffin: I thought Michael improved. I think you saw him be more aggressive and really compete better during the games. Michael was sitting back too much, waiting for things to happen. Our hope was from year one to year two that there was going to be this big improvement and playing more aggressive and going after things. Rookies some times are more tentative, especially with DBs because they don’t want to make a mistake. Right away Michael wasn’t doing that like we wanted right away. I thought he improved and played better. This offseason we’ll look at different things with him as well.
Q: Might he play free safety or corner instead of strong?
Kiffin: That’s what I kind of hinted at. We’ll look at some things in the offseason. I’d rather not get into what that is exactly right now. But we’re going to look at some different things with Michael.
Q: What was up with home/away rushing defense stats?
Kiffin: Well I think before you make that … Study the rankings of the teams we played because we did play some really good running teams on the road and some subpar teams at home in the nonconference schedule so I think you want to look at that first. I did feel that our defense feeds off of our fans, they definitely do. Being at home, when our fans have it going there is a different feeling, our whole team does, especially our defense. I really did notice that.
Q: Does Newberry have another year?
Kiffin:I don’t know. We’ll look at it and talk to him. He knows himself better than anybody. You always have to watch Jeremy in the offseason, how much you work him and so forth. We’ll have a conversation with him and see where he is too and how he feels about doing it again.
Q: When will OTAs be?
Kiffin: I don’t have that right now for you.
Q: What did you accomplish?
Kiffin: I think establishing the running game. I feel with a team that’s just coming together like we talked about at the beginning. Until you have all the things in place that you need to be, you need to run the football. As a young team coming together with a young quarterback, you need to do that. The first year and to do it with three different backs. I don’t know how many 100-yard rushing games they had between them. You know, Dominic ends up 2-for-2. Justin has some great games and LaMont early on was really good to see. That’s with a line we talked about with everybody in new spots and moving around and guys coming in, a brand new center, a brand new right tackle who gets hurt so a guard going to tackle and a left tackle most people said was done and Gallery and all the issues with him. I’m really proud of that and how it came together. Because I think that will go a long way for us and long way in the development of JaMarcus.
Q: Any injuries that will affect offseason?
Kiffin: Not right now. We’re going to obviously take care of the guys and get them back as fast as we can and get ready because we have a big offseason coming up.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
December 31st, 2007 at 1:41 pm
wow
December 31st, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Huff,
Do you really think we should pass up McFadden for a need position like DT, and probably the second best DT in the draft at that? Can’t we pick up a DT early in the second round, or sign a free agent DT? Why pass up a possible star RB for a need position?
As to RBs, the “system” argument simply does not hold water. Look at the Broncos, when they had a star RB, T. Davis (maybe Portis), in the system they were unstoppable. When they had average backs like Gary, Bell, Droughns and Anderson they were above average, but not unstoppable. Fargas and Rhodes are not studs like TD or even Portis. How many rushing tds did we have this year? Why not pick up the Star RB we will eventually need anyhow to go to the next level instead of the DT that we could pick up via free agency or trades, or later in the draft.
I would hate to see us pass on McFadden for need. We would regret it for years and years to come. We can only fix one thing at a time, so why not pick a star to fix one problem and find other ways to fix the other problems? If there was a sure-thing stud DT that could change our defense by himself in the draft, then yeah take him, but even if Dorsey is that kind of player he is not going to be around at #3 or #4.
Always draft the star in round one and fuk need.
December 31st, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I love the honesty coach brings, its refreshing, its not just a bunch of BS.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Glad to see Kiffin is staying. I think he has the Raiders on the right track to respectability. I like the way he is doing this. His attitude is just exactly what this organization needed.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:00 pm
how refreshing to listen to the mind of Kid Coach. The young man has the commitment and energy to do as he says. I agree Bs, wow.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:02 pm
“We’re never going to sign somebody because of their stats or because of what they’re supposed to be.”
Good!!!!!
December 31st, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Kiffin knows exactly what he is doing. And he speaks with an air of confidence and poise that make it clear, at least in my mind, that he is definitely not a puppet who is just going through the motions and being controlled by Al Davis. People call Kiffin ‘The Kid’. I think I’m gonna start calling him ‘The Boy Wonder’, because he is light years ahead of alot of older coaches in the NFL.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I like what he had to say. I think Kiffin is a keeper. Next year will be better than this season was. I think this team is going to go from being a place where nobody wanted to play to being a place where people really want to come and play. It’s exciting. I already can’t wait to see what changes are made. The shake-up will, I think, surprise some people.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Jerry, good year end wrap up with a lot of valuable insight from Kiffin. Off hand I’d say these are what I read and remember without going back for review (in no order of importance):
• Sapp is going to retire. Just a matter of when he announces it.
• It is highly likely that Rob Ryan is history. And, if not, Kiffin will be right over his shoulder telling him what to do.
• Nhamdi will be ion the squad one way or another.
• Newberry may be moire short-lived than many of us thought.
• Huff will be at corner or FS next year.
• Kiffin is not against a named player in the running game. Can you spell McFadden?
• Porter may be back next year.
• Gallery will be at guard next season. Tommy Kelley will be back with the Raiders.
• Expect to see some of the draftees next year to come from USC.
• Andrew Walter will be the back-up with a possibly keeping JM as the #3 QB.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Kiffin is going to be A great coach.
I hope he is with the Raiders for the next 10 + years.
1) Need A DT in the first round. (Dorsey)
2) Need A #1 WR (Manningham) 2-4 round.
3) Need A new Left Tackle and it must be addressed, Sims is getting to old to play at a high level and will get JaMarcus Killed.
4) Need to sign A vet at SS, move Huff to FS.
if we can pull something like this off, we will be capable of beating anyone in the NFL.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:13 pm
interesting how some players asked if he was going to be here next year.
ryan, jordan and sims are gone. sounds like sapp is retiring too. maybe he’ll be our d-cord. lol.
huff will have a new position.
free agency will give us an idea of our interest in mcfadden.
i really want a lt and dt upgrade.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:14 pm
So when Kiffin said “But we definitely want him back here and we are going to make sure he is on our team.” Does that mean I can go ahead & order my Asoumugha jersey?
December 31st, 2007 at 2:15 pm
beat me to the punch jb.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Kush
I couldn’t agree with you more or said it better as you did in post #7. It’s well worth reading again.
Kiffin may have been one of the smartest decisions AD has ever made. Only time will tell but I think we all know what the answer is already.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:17 pm
bs Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 2:13 pm
interesting how some players asked if he was going to be here next year
This shows me Kiffin does not listen to the media propaganda at all, and didnt even think it was an issue to address.
Proves to me it was never in his mind.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:19 pm
that comment will feed those that make up rumors, they know people/players listen and wonder if they are true.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:19 pm
The last time the Raiders had an allpro running back was 23 years ago. That was also the last time the Raiders won the Superbowl. Coincidence? I think not.
Al Davis has drafted DBs in the first round of 5 of the last 8 drafts. That is why we suck. Davis does not understand that quarterback and running back are the two most important positions on the football field. If McFadden is available, you pick McFadden. Take a DT in the second round.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:20 pm
If Kiffin thought it was an issue he would have addressed it, I mean it seems like he has been honest in everything he has said all year to the players and the press.
Shoes me he never had the intention to leave this team and he just blew the media rumors off.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:22 pm
If Porter expects to really cash in during FA then he will be back because no team will shell out a whole lot of cash for him.
For the need of safety. I just saw the list of FA & it looks really bleak. Maybe address it thru the draft, but, Stuart was a 3rd pick so I don’t think the Raiders will find their player this coming off season
December 31st, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Sometime i wonder if people remember a guy named Michael Bush?
He would have been A top 10 pick if not for the INJ.
Fargas/Rhodes/Bush is very very solid.
I would not complain about McFadden thow.
We must stop the run and that makes #3 pick Glen Dorsey.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:23 pm
His early years of training in the NFL with his dad are really showing in his maturity as evidenced by his approach to getting the job done while not being distracted by all the minutia. He is no doubt a task oriented manager who knows what it takes to make things work. This year, as he put it, was unacceptable but necessary to correctly evaluate the current situation and to develop a plan to get to where he is going. How refreshing! And look mom, no clipboard!
December 31st, 2007 at 2:23 pm
you know, even under Breshnahan’s coaching, our defense played soft zone defense almost all the time. When is the last time we had an attacking style of defense? Willie Shaw’s first year? damn that’s a while ago!! For being linked to “vertical offensive play calling” and being known for his quote, “the quarterback must go down and go down…HARD!” Why does Mr. Davis insist on his D playing on thier heels with the read and react? Am I totally off here? please let me know. Thanks ya’ll!
December 31st, 2007 at 2:25 pm
How does Russell not see that big Russian dude he threw the ball to on the first play of the game? Russell is going to give us fits. I can tell that right away.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:25 pm
The more I read your guy’s arguements for McFadden the more I become fickled with my choices. There is no doubt the D line & O line will need to be address. But, with the success of Adirian Peterson, the more I would like to see McFadden. Kiffin has alot of experince evualting college talent so, I am confident he will chosse the best player-pending Al D doesnt want to take a safety with 4.2 speed
December 31st, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Mr. Sinister, you are sooo right. Our defense is so vanilla. That’s why we lose the turnover battle. We need to blitz, blitz, and blitz some more.
Why we should draft McFadden…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_22deDk9DZE
December 31st, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Kiffin:(And I Quote…)
“But that being said, that doesn’t mean that there’s not a big name guy that’s a really good player that we’re not going to go after because we don’t need a big name guy because anybody can run in the system. No. Anybody can’t run in the system. Some guys can be effective and then some guys can be even more effective and be great players in the system.”
Like I been saying…If Mcfadden is available, you grab him. He immediately gives our offense the same THREAT that San Diego has with L.T. and Minnesota has with A.P. and like I said, with him,Jamarcus Russell,and our ALREADY PROVEN BLOCKING SCHEME, you instantly have an offense that opposing defenses RESPECT and FEAR at the same time. Wide receivers can be addressed in free agency and the second round of the draft. NUFF SAID.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:28 pm
We cant label Russel a bust for another 2 years-now Gallerey…..
December 31st, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Memo….lol
I’m not going to wait 2 more years. I’ve seen enough.
Freakin’ Gallery. Dude shoulda been released after last season.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:34 pm
This will be the first draft year where Kiffin has had a real insight as to what we need, what’s available in FA and from the drafting ranks and he now will have plenty of cap space, a lot of blank checks and beau coup $’s in the bank. I’m really looking forward to see what goodies we are going to get from Kiffin’s shopping spree.
Last year’s draft, when Kiffin was a “newbie”, appears to have resulted in relatively good success. This years results should be extraordinary. At last, we have someone other than AD who can really evaluate talent.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:35 pm
For once, I’m totally comfortable with the decision making in the organization.
I have been IN w/ Kiffin since his first presser, and now I’m more sold.
He and JR will take us back to the Post Season, and who knows fron there…
I was really frustrated w/ JR last night, but upon rewatching the game,he showed so much of what I like about his game.
I know, there are better days ahead, I only wish Sept. wasn’t so far away!
December 31st, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Kirk you are right on the money with that clip. And like someone else said earlier, the last time we won a superbowl was when we had a star running back. QB,RB, and O-Line are the most essential aspects of the offense. A running game that defenses fear opens up all other aspects of the offense. Right now our running game is gaining RESPECT. Now we have to add FEAR to that respect!
December 31st, 2007 at 2:45 pm
To quote Paul Spicer “Gallerey doesnt deserve to get paid”
December 31st, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Do not get McFadden. We already got a playmaking superstar at RB, and his name is Michael Bush.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Thanks for the transcript…
http://mvn.com/nfl-raiders/
December 31st, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Now yu know why I compare him to Bill Walsh and Mr. Davis. Is there a better football mind at such a tender age, very meticulous. Boys your looking at a young Al Davis. Big Al you’ve done it again!!
Boy! does he have his ducks in a row? If Bush shows in mini camp that he’s got ‘IT’ they will never draft McFadden. If they see a need then you might see it, but there’s so much that will get done long B4 the draft comes that to speculate while it is fun. Is really pointless. Especially if he likes what he sees in Bush.
To be honest I see Ellis as a Raider, I could be wrong but if Sapp retires you’ll see Ellis or Long, depending on what they do in freeagency. If there’s anything that I got out of this Q & A it’s that they will address this defense first and foremost. When he says they will get it fixed, That’s the first thing that comes to my mind ‘the run defense’.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:55 pm
“It helps by lack of scenarios but I still take it and I go study everybody because you don’t know what’s going to happen. If all you do is look at that, there may be a chance to trade down five picks or something and there’s a player there and you can pick up more picks. We’ll study everything. We won’t ever say we’ll draft right here so we know the variables. We’ll look at everybody because you never know what’s going to happen.”
I’ve never heard a Raiders head coach talk about trading down. Anyone else?
December 31st, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Too all of those who wanted Russell to start earlier, this is why Kiffin waited as long as he did to start him.
“That’s with a line we talked about with everybody in new spots and moving around and guys coming in, a brand new center, a brand new right tackle who gets hurt so a guard going to tackle and a left tackle most people said was done and Gallery and all the issues with him. I’m really proud of that and how it came together. Because I think that will go a long way for us and long way in the development of JaMarcus.”
December 31st, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Tien,
On paper perhaps but we don’t even know if he can pass the physical. That’s still a big question mark - his health and recovery from the broken leg.
Q. What’s better than one marquee running back?
A. Two marquee running backs.
The great teams usually have 2 fully capable running backs to provide a change-up when necessary or just a break for a breather. MacFadden, Bush (assuming he’s healthy & recovered) and Rhodes will make one dynamic offensive force. By the way, I believe all three have a passing ability so the opposition will never ever really know if it’s a run or a pass. When combined with JR, ZM & the gang, this will no doubt produce an offense that will be feared and more importantly one that generates tons of points!
December 31st, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Without getting into special teams, you have run/pass O and run/pass D. They set out to get our Run O going, and they got it going. Good job. Porter is gone. I HIGHLY doubt the Raiders are gonna pay this guy AGAIN, big $$$ based on his production. Porter is looking for a pass first team ala NE to pay him big bux, not a run first like us. I REALLY like what Kiff said about Ron Curry. Now that player, I like.
The pass D is good, very good considering our lack of a pass rush. Our pass rush and run defense are very disappointing. Something the head coach REALLY needs to focus on, especially if he isn’t a defense minded head coach ala Dungy or Jack Del Rio.
This is something I thought of, Kiffin will have a BIG advantage in this draft and possibly one more in that he has seen these kids play in college, met them and their families and knows them. That will help.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:03 pm
JB, there are lots of people in that organization that can evaluate talent. What do you think the personnel dept. does? And the coaches. Guy’s this is an organization, not one man wielding power like some maniac, like the media would have you believe. They make decisions as an organization. If there’s someone Mr. D. feels strongly about then yeah! he will pull rank but only if it’s something he feels strongly about. It’s very rare when he does something that no one else agrees with. Why do you think he hires them?
Well that’s my tirade for the day
December 31st, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Heres a thought and I am almost always wrong about these kind of thoughts but….
If McFaddon is avaialble at the 3-4 slot in the Draft there might be some teams with acute needs at RB ready to trade up. What if one of these teams has a pick at number 10 or so and also is willing to give up a second and other picks. Do we trade down? I think the Tuna may trade down cheap to a team wanting McFadden and he probably will not be available anyways. However, if Maimi trades out and someone takes McFadden and then at the two slot St Lois takes Long we will have one of the premiere DTs sitting in our lap at 3 or 4.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Hers a twist to the draft, trade our third round pick, alond with Fab. Wasington if we win the toss w/Atlanta to Dallas for there 2 first round picks along with either there 3rd or 4rd pick and OT Pat McQuistan (Pauls brother),since they want DMAC.Dallas takes DMAC 3rd, we take WR Limas Sweed from Texas 22nd from Dallas, OT Jeff Otah from Pitt 31st pick from Dallas, with or 2rd pick we take DT Kentwan Balmer from North Carolina, and with the 3rd or frd pick we get from Dallas, we tak SS Dennis Keys out of UCLA(or the best aviliable SS) and move Michael Huff to FS. This would give us two young OT’s, Deep threat at reciever, young DT, and the SS our run defense needs!!!
December 31st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
We will draft Chris Long
December 31st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Let´s see…..
NE, Maroney 20 something pick
Indy, Addai 20 something pick
Jax, Taylor not a top 5 pick, MJD 2nd ronder
Pitt, Parker even thouh hurt their main back 6th?ufa?.
SD, LDT the exception.
Tenn, LenDale, 2nd rounder.
Dallas, Barber 4th rounder.
GB Grant..ufa? cut by NYG.
Sea, Alexander (cooked) but still a 20 something pick.
TB, Ernest Graham…6th? ufa?.
Was, Portis..2nd rounder.
NYG..Jacobs..4th rounder.
Catch my drift???…..
December 31st, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Jeremy, they talk about it every draft. They were going to trade the pick for Gallery but changed at the last minute. Watch this draft or look at past drafts they move back and forth all the time. In late rounds and early rounds.
I don’t know where you guy’s get this stuff.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Terrel Davis 7th RD
December 31st, 2007 at 3:12 pm
RUSSELL’S A BUST? Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 2:25 pm
How does Russell not see that big Russian dude he threw the ball to on the first play of the game? Russell is going to give us fits. I can tell that right away.
Give me A break.
Payton Manning was 3-13 his first year. 1 TD 3 INTs his first start.
Russell looked like Joe Montana compared to Manning first start.
some people.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:15 pm
BHPriest
The recent past does not speak well for the “staffs” ability to judge talent well. Over the last 10 years or so they’ve missed a lot more than they’ve hit. I do think AD knows talent when he sees it but it’s been awhile since we’ve had someone with Kiffin’s experience at judging Raw talent. I would estimate that it’s much harder judging high school talent for college level play than it is to judge college level talent for the pros.
I get the feeling that you take it upon yourself to defend the “organization” as you put it. So be it. we just happen to disagree on the level of judgment that’s been present within the “organization” in the recent past.
I’m sure you will agree that we are better off now than we have been prior to Kiffin’s arrival.
I’ve followed the Raiders since 65 and have seen both the good & the bad. We were BAD. Now we are much better.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
I think the 2007 draft was excellent for Kiffin based on thsi year’s results. JR, Miller, O’Neal, Richardson look very promising. Bush is not known but giving Kiffin the benefit of doubt, he will be good too. So that makes it 5 out of 8 good selection based on year 1. How many teams can boast of that? The future does look promising for the first time since 2002. I am sure we will attack FA, Draft and next year our offense will open up even more. playoffs for sure in 2008, baby.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
You kool-aid drinkers should know: The Chargers deployed vanilla schemes on BOTH sides of the ball yesterday. They don’t want show anything to any of their playoff opponents. They did little to try to confuse Russell. They were obviously confident the kid couldn’t hurt them too bad. And they were right. Russell coughed up the ball three times. He threw an INT to a defensive lineman. He fumbled the ball away for a Chargers’ TD. All of this against a vanilla defense. If they had really been trying to confuse Russell, imagine how bad it would have been yesterday. I don’t see Russell as a pro QB. He was a decent college QB who excelled because he had outstanding weapons around him. But as a pro, I see him as another Aaron Brooks. Strong arm. Good mobility. Bad decision-maker. What was Russell’s Wonderlic score?
You kool-aid drinkers who think there was something positive to find in this season, in yesterday’s defeat, are setting yourself up for disappointment. This franchise is a mess. The Raiders will not win more than 4,5,6 games a season until Al Davis is gone. Deep down, we all know that. It’s just that some of us are more willing to admit it now. There is nothing positive about losing 12 games, after losing 14 games, after losing 12 games. Kiffin is in over his head. He doesn’t know how to coach on the pro level. He can’t control his players, as Sapp let us know weekend before last.
You kool-aid drinkers can continue living in the State of Denial for all I care. It’s a free country. But sooner or later you’re all going to realize what a sham the Raiders have become since Gru departed.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Russell made a bad throw he threw the ball about 3 yards too short so I’m not sure it was a matter of not seeing “the big russian guy”. Many of JR’s throws were low. I think he was pressing in the beginning but as the game went on he looked a little more comfortable. Imagine the pressure on this kid without training camp and preseason to go out and perform like he wants to perform and some schmuck on a blog is calling him a bust after 1 complete game.
JR is going to be great if you had any idea of what you were watching you would know this. Sounds like you might be a 49er fan and you’re venting your frustrations with Alex Smith on this blog.
# RUSSELL’S A BUST? Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 2:25 pm
How does Russell not see that big Russian dude he threw the ball to on the first play of the game? Russell is going to give us fits. I can tell that right away.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Apparently, we were not that far off by suggesting Huff might be better suited at CB or FS for that matter.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:27 pm
RUSSELL’S A BUST? Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
You kool-aid drinkers should know: The Chargers deployed vanilla schemes on BOTH sides of the ball yesterday. They don’t want show anything to any of their playoff opponents. They did little to try to confuse Russell. They were obviously confident the kid couldn’t hurt them too bad. And they were right. Russell coughed up the ball three times. He threw an INT to a defensive lineman. He fumbled the ball away for a Chargers’ TD. All of this against a vanilla defense. If they had really been trying to confuse Russell, imagine how bad it would have been yesterday. I don’t see Russell as a pro QB. He was a decent college QB who excelled because he had outstanding weapons around him. But as a pro, I see him as another Aaron Brooks. Strong arm. Good mobility. Bad decision-maker. What was Russell’s Wonderlic score?
One word, your A dumb shit.
Charges played the first team defense the whole game.
Sims let the DE in on the Russell fumble even Kiffin said it himself not his fault.
Russell had the best first start out of
1) Farve
2) Elway
3) Manning
4) Montana
you do the math kool aid
December 31st, 2007 at 3:27 pm
the word being “dumb.”
December 31st, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Ok now I see your post #49 and your a Charger fan. Comeback when you’re out of the playoffs.
FYI…Phillip Rivers is garbage.
RUSSELL’S A BUST? Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
You kool-aid drinkers should know: The Chargers deployed vanilla schemes on BOTH sides of the ball yesterday.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:30 pm
they are still bitter about Ryan Leaf.
Looks like they got another class act in Rivers.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Russell looked better than Rivers in spite of Rivers being a 4 year veteran and also having ALl Pro talent with him. You Charger Fans, Russell will kick your butts for the next 10 years.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:30 pm
russel’s a bust — Obviously, we may be drinking coolaid but for sure you aint got one ounce of football IQ. How can you blame that fumble..on a blindside sack given up by Simms? Russell didnt even have a chance. You’re a moron.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Russell to Miller is sure going to be nice to hear for years to come. Coach finally has us going in the right direction, a run stopping DT and some O-line help, and a true #1 WR we will be a force to be reckoned with and everyone knows it.
Just Win Baby!
P.S. I was born in
December 31st, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Russell to Miller is sure going to be nice to hear for years to come.
I agree 100%
December 31st, 2007 at 3:34 pm
RUSSELL’S A BUST aka TWERP aka a bunch of others
Get a clue. Your week of glory is over in 7 days when the Bolts show their true colors and eat another big one. You guys have been going backwards ever since you let Brees go to N.O. Rivers folds under pressure and that will show next week when Haynesworth stuffs LT and the game falls on Rivers’s shoulders. He will fold as expected and your season will be over.
Next year will see your reign of success over the S&B end. Kiffin & company will be coming to town to eat your lunch and take your girlfriend out for evening activities.
Right now I’m glad I’m a Raider fan. My future is bright looking to the next 10+ years. Yours is about over. Without LT, you have nothing to write home about and he’s only got a few years left. Then what are you going to do?
December 31st, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Shawnraiders. Dude. The Chargers pulled most of their 1st-teamers by the 2nd half on both sides of the ball. They didn’t even start their 1st-team NT, Jamal Williams. A 2nd-stringer started for him. Who sacked Russell 3 times, forced 2 fumbles and scored a TD off one of them? A freakin’ practice squad player.
Dude, you a kool-aid drinker like most of the clueless who exchange comments here. Again, the Chargers defense was vanilla. That means they showed no schemes that defenses normally deploy in order to confuse a QB. Russell is not going to see plain defenses like that next season.
Dude, like I said. You can live in the State of Denial. Just remember that I warned you when it unravels next season.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:35 pm
That’s what all organizations go through. If yu go back to the early days you will find bust then as well. The draft is a very inexact science because you can’t read minds. But I can remember when there was Davis and 3 other guy’s. Then he surrounded himself with brilliant generals. Now it’s much more diverse and comprehensive. There is a ton that goes into the draft. 35 years ago is light years away from the way it is now. It’s much more complex. He relies on all there input. Kiffin will probably run this draft the same as Art did his, If Mr. Davis sees something he feels strongly about they take it under consideration as an organization then they make the pick. And that’s exactly how Russell was selected.
He has a phylosophy and they all know what it is but it’s now more of a guideline than what he used to do 30 years ago. You have to understand he knows how to negotiate the draft as well as anyone. So he has a lot of influence other GM’s around the league. Having Mr. davis guide the young coach is a plus not a negative as most of you suppose. Why do you think guy’s like Rob-O and others want to stay here. Contrary to popular belief coaches want to coach here. Why else would they interview?
December 31st, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Why are you here?
December 31st, 2007 at 3:36 pm
We need to use Madsen at WR more I think.
he has good hands, and was A wr in college.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Dude, like I said. You can live in the State of Denial. Just remember that I warned you when it unravels next season.
Time will tell who is in the state of denial.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Russell looked better than Rivers did yesterday.
I think I know who is in denial.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:39 pm
He is here because he knows the dolts dont have any true fans just a bunch of bandwagoneers. this will be the last time we hear from him, after haynesworth kicks Lt in the side of the head and ends their laughable so called glory.
Just Win Baby
December 31st, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Time to ignore the “Dude-Master” and continue the business at hand. We will own his ass next year and that’s all that is important.
Back to the business at hand…
December 31st, 2007 at 3:40 pm
right, so what did we decide on Dorsey or McFadden?
December 31st, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Has anyone hear what will happen to that fat guy that plays for the cheaters that stuck his finger in Jacobs eye?
Whats that guys name?
if it was A Raider the guy would be out for the year.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:41 pm
You´re right, sorry dude…it must be nice to interact with real fans for a change.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Shawnraider. Dude. For five seasons I’ve been hearing and reading, “wait until next season, we’re going to kick ass.” Can’t believe anybody is falling for that AGAIN. How many 4-12, 2-14 seasons is it going to take for you to remove your heads from the sand? Go ahead, continue to delude yourselves. You’ll be on this blog next season screaming and ranting and raving. I guarantee it.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:42 pm
The discharge played vanilla on both sides of the ball. That was the dumbest statement posted on this site in months. Discharge LAST YEAR was your shot. You gagged it like the cheap porn bitch you are. See ya back in face plant land you dumbass loser. What a dumb ass loser. BTW, even “Crying”Ryan Leaf thinks Phillip Rivers sux.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:42 pm
we where in the superbowl in 02.
there are teams that have never played in one.
one again stop complaining and do the math.
it’s easy 1+1 = 2.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:43 pm
jah - we don’t have a 3rd pick.
bob - grant was via a trade (was on their practice squad), not cut.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Let’s just please ignore Russell’s a Bust. So far we’ve all been having intelligent, intellectual, and productive conversations, so let’s not cheapen the integrity of this discussion by responding to someone who obviously doesn’t have the best interest of The Raiders in mind.
John Elway had a quarterback rating of 0.0 his first start, so why pay attention to that foolishness about Jamarcus Russell being a bust.
Believe me, the entire league sh*tted their pants when they saw that laser pass to Jerry Porter for the TD because they caught a glimpse of what’s in store from the Raiders in the near future. And that was with second rate receivers too. The Raiders will return to dominance soon folks. The rest of the league are just dead men walking, it’s just a matter of time.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:44 pm
This blog takes the cake for having the most clueless commenters. Oh well. We weren’t all born with equal mental facilities. God ordained it that way for some reason. Enjoy your delusion, dudes.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:46 pm
bob, i’ve read up on your dc choice. if we want to go to a cover 2, he sounds like a good option. i’d like bud foster, aggressive and proven, but it would be highly unlikely he’d come here, he’s trying to land a head coaching gig in college.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:46 pm
BS
Based on coin flip at combine, we will either be the #3 or #4 draft choice depending on which way the coin flops.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Just imagine how good this team would be with an inside pass rush and dominant defense, a Dorsey, Ellis or Long would bring improving both the Run and Pass defense. That being said, if McFadden is on the board, I feel you have to take him, not because of his natural athletic abilities, but because of his knowledge of running an offense. THAT’S, pretty impressive.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Bs…duly noted…didn´t feel like looking it up…thx.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:48 pm
BS
Sorry misread your statement. You were talking about the 3rd round pick I presume? You are correct We are also sans a 5tn round pick too. Denver got that for Warren.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Kush, post #77 was brilliant.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Kiffin: “we didn’t care what people said, or what coaches said about you before here or in the building or any of that, so we didn’t care about that because we’re going to make our opinions on you.”
I guess Moss didn’t cut the Kiffin mustard.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:50 pm
WE NEED TO TRADE DOWN FOR A GRIP OF PICS. We don’t have a third rounder this year. We need to trade our first round pick for a few 2nd and 3rds. All you wanting and acutally thinking we are going to pickup McAFadden are absolute morons.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:51 pm
jb, ya i’ve read that. we’ll all have to have a mock draft, maybe post one a few times before the draft. then one right before the draft, see who among us can call it closest.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:51 pm
we could also trade if the player coach is looking for is still on the board and gain a few picks. look to this past draft with our second round pick Miller.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:52 pm
yes, someone was proposing a trade scenario sending our 3rd to another team, i was just letting him know we didn’t have that pick to be offering…unfortunately.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:52 pm
WE NEED TO TRADE DOWN FOR A GRIP OF PICS. We don’t have a third rounder this year. We need to trade our first round pick for a few 2nd and 3rds. All you wanting and acutally thinking we are going to pickup McAFadden are absolute morons
December 31st, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Thanks Black Hole Priest.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Some1 call Chris Berman and tell em to use the name Phillip “Cry me a” Rivers. LOL!!!!
December 31st, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Bs
Yeah, I think if we wanted to go that direction he seems like a good candidate and Monte can probably endorse or diss the guy according to what he´s seen from the guy.
Foster should be a college coach by now, you´re right he probably has it coming soon.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:54 pm
WE NEED TO TRADE DOWN FOR A GRIP OF PICS. We don’t have a third rounder this year. We need to trade our first round pick for a few 2nd and 3rds. All you wanting and acutally thinking we are going to pickup McAFadden are absolute morons..
December 31st, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Dynomite that was kind of gay dude.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:56 pm
thats a good one Dynomite. i also read one hear the other day that was pretty good. Phillip Leaf.
haha still get a chuckle out of me
Just Win Baby
December 31st, 2007 at 3:57 pm
HUFF SUCKS!
The name you’ve chosen says it all. Not very creative. As far as a majority of the Nation who favor McFadden being morons, please elaborate on what you bring to the table that qualifies you to assess the judgment of heretofore seemingly intelligent football fans with varying degrees of expertise.
From where I sit, the only jerk-off here, aside from RUSSELL’S A BUST, is you. If you don’t anything morte worthwhile to add, buzz off.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:58 pm
its the same person
December 31st, 2007 at 3:59 pm
and i use the term person lightly
December 31st, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I don’t agree with all this trading our first round pick stuff. That’s very unwise. Between Dorsey, Mcfadden, Long, etc,there is someone in the first round who we can draft and make immediate and significant contributions. Whether it’s on offense or defense it doesn’t matter we have upgrades to make on both sides of the ball. No way Kiffin passes up every player in the first round for some untested second and third rookies.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:00 pm
if monte likes morris i can see kiffin giving him series consideration.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:01 pm
i dont necessarily agree with either but we are not picking first so they could all be gone by the time we pick. just one of many options
December 31st, 2007 at 4:02 pm
I am going to go get drunk, and cheers the Raiders and coach Kiffin!
And a special toast to my man Al Davis whom has that knack of finding the “Diamonds in the ruff” aka…Kiffin. Peace Nation, work hard…Play Hard!
PS
I hope I don’t drink whatever HUFFSUCKS!! is drinking, its MADDENRULES, but he typed a different name. Can’t say I missed the worthless comments, the abuse of the word moron. It is guys like that who remind many of us how much we have grown up.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:03 pm
kush-in your post#77 you hit the nail on the head on why we shouldn’t pick DM.JR did what he did”and that was with 2nd rate receivers”.even if JLH pans out we need WRs.if as everyone suggests JP is gone,what do we have.Curry.thar’s it.we need a young WR that can grow with JR.BTW,i’ve been calling Kiffin Boy Wonder most of the year.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:04 pm
time to go celebrate the new year. remember if you drink and drive, please remember to drive fast.
Just Win Baby!!
have a good new year all
December 31st, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Marcus Allen
First round pick
December 31st, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Good gracious lord, anyone watched the lakers yesterday? with the retro shorts?…Fisher specially looked hilariously atrocious.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Russel A Bust - If you’re going to brag about your football knowledge then please explain how you blame russell for that fumble that resulted from a sack given up by simms? Only a dumbass like you would go on the net and let yourself be heard…never heard of a qb being blamed for a backside sack.
YEAH I DRANK THE COOLAID. Now go root for an expansion team or something. It took Russel 1 start to make a TD pass. It took Alex Smith 8 games to get his first TD pass. Puhleez…..
December 31st, 2007 at 4:10 pm
someone said if we draft DM we could have our QB&RB for the next10 yrs.i guarantee you DM will not be playing in 10 yrs.RBs don’t last that long.granted RBs are the quickest to make an impact,but they’re also the 1st to get used up.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:12 pm
the good ones last 10 years
December 31st, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Actuallly Al-Is God, just to back up what you’re saying, Jamarcus made his first TD pass in a game that he DIDNT start in, last week against the Jaguars, so that puts him even further ahead of the other great quarterbacks of the past and present when they were at his level of experience in the NFL.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Heres a interesting stat.
In his final four games, Adrian Peterson carried 54 times for 144 yards (2.7 ypc).
If McFadden looks like superman at the combines the Falcons should take him.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:13 pm
I’ve never bothered to look, but do you think any of us spend time on Donkey, Quief, Discharger, or Whiner blogs trolling like these MFers do on this one? Just goes to show how jealous the rest of these haters are, that even after a 4-12 season, they have to come in here and try to rile us up. I saw the future yesterday, it’s Silver, and it’s black, and it’s wearing #2.
I like the comment from Kiffin about dealing with the media and being asked by some of the players if he was going to be here. It tells me he has better sh*t to do than read Ira, Nancy, or Profootballtalk.com.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Kirk-mid 1st rounder.i know the guy is talanted,but why spend so much $ on a player who will probably only play about 10-12 games a year.a stud DT will probably play 14-19 games a year.more for the $.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:14 pm
lol Bob. I saw the pics today. Hard to believe back in the day everybody wore those shorts.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Alex Smith is a bust too.
Enjoy the kool-aid, clueless ones. It’s cheap, but in the long run it will kill you.
Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Russell’s A Bust? m
Maybe Darrell…
December 31st, 2007 at 4:17 pm
a few of the good ones do.remember Bo,G Sayers and i’m sure there are others.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:17 pm
i never go on other teams blogs
December 31st, 2007 at 4:17 pm
RUSSELL’s A BUST?: I hope you get a DUI tonight, then while you’re in jail you get an STD from one of Andy Reid’s kids.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Lefty 12, why spend money on a great running back?
Because running backs score touchdowns.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Kirk…If we had the 10th pick like the year Marcus Allen came out and McFadden was there.. cool, but the 3rd or 4th might be too high, for me anyways.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Kirk-how do you know Bush won’t be a TD machine-bigger and just as fast as DM.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:22 pm
POSTED 6:53 p.m. EST, December 31, 2007
NOLAN IN THE BALANCE
Another head coach whom many presumed to be safe could end up out of a job.
49ers coach Mike Nolan’s press conference, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. local time on Monday, was first bumped by two hours and then canceled.
Nolan currently is meeting with ownership.
It has been reported that V.P. of player personnel Scot McCloughan is expected to be named General Manager. His first order of business could be hiring a new head coach.
In three years under Nolan, the 49ers are 16-32.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I´m kinda tired of the McFadden debate already and it´s been 24 hours into the offseason….damns it´s gonna be a long 4 months till draft day.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:23 pm
POSTED 5:16 p.m. EST, December 31, 2007
SAPP CALLING IT QUITS?
Signs are pointing to the retirement of veteran defensive tackle Warren Sapp.
One of our friends in the media has pointed out to us the comments of Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, who was asked on Monday about whether Sapp is calling it quits.
Said Kiffin: “I am not going to comment on that until Warren talks to you guys. Warren has already made it known what he’s doing, but I’m not going to take that from him. He’ll tell you guys whenever he’s ready.”
Stay tuned.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:23 pm
thanks Bob,you said it better than i.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Lefty 12, I will leave it to Kiffin to decide if Bush is fully recovered. Kiffin will know before the draft.
In the meantime for your viewing pleasure…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E614oMO0tp8
December 31st, 2007 at 4:24 pm
It’s seems ludicrous that we would spend out 1st rounder on an offensive player. If Sapp retires we have to go with a DT. I know this will piss some off but the guy is a leader and has learned to use his knowledge to compensate for his lack of size/strength. If he stays, why not trade down to a late 1st round + a 2nd for a top 5 DT and use the 2nd on top 10 WR or top 5 SS?
December 31st, 2007 at 4:27 pm
My vote goes for Philip Leaf.
That cracks me up.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I will be happy if we get either McFadden, Dorsey, or Chris Long. The worse case would be to pick 4rth and have all three gone but Ellis or Jake Long wouldn’t be bad either.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Kirk,i think you misunderstand where i’m coming from.DM is a great talent,no doubt.i just don’t see spending the 3or 4 pick for a RB.watch Stewart from oregon-we could possibly get him later and there’s really not that much difference.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I hope somebody takes McFadden before we pick, I don’t want to pick him, but I don’t want to pass on him either. We have a top 5 running game and just don’t need him. My first pick would be Jake Long. He’s a beast and would be a nice gaurdian for JaMarcus. If he’s gone, I think Dorsey or Ellis would be nice. Who knows, maybe we sign a D coordinator who runs a 3-4, then Chris long would work too. Were in a good spot in the draft, big time talent at positions we need to upgrade.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:37 pm
The thing that makes me nervious about Jake Long is that Gallery was suppose to be a beast and a can’t miss LT that you could just plug in and not have to worry about it for the next 10 years. From the same overated conferance too.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I think we WILL end up trading down. We’re not just ONE PLAYER away unfortunately. We’re a few. I think the over looked pick is (assuming we’re four) the 35th overall, since NE loses their number one. This is a deep draft, I would be in favor of trading a number 4 overall, for a 10-20 with a 2nd rounder thrown in as well.
FYI, Phillip Rivers 21TD’s 15 Ints, and a rating just above Harrington, Huard, Brian Griese, and K. Boller. Can you say average at best???? And that’s with a HOF back. The San Diego Discharge are going the wrong way, joining Denver and Kansas Shitty.
If we do one thing, I would think it would be robbing Jared Allen out of the Cheats. That would be niiice.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:40 pm
I am not entirely convinced that picking McFadden in the first round is the best thing for the Raiders. I understand how good he is and how good he could be in the future. We have a beast already who has not taken a snap in any NFL game, that is Michael Bush. He is an animal who I believe can be the game breaker that we are looking for in a running back. I sure would have liked to have seen him play this year, but I guess it was not meant to be. I believe that next year we will have a dominant running game without spending the money and draft choice on McFadden.
I would like us to either draft a DL or trade the draft choice to get a lot more draft choices. There are going to be teams looking at moving up, and we could use extra draft choices. Trading the draft pick gives us a few more options for improving the OL and WR situation. Both of which we need a lot of help in.
Everyone have a great New Year, and it has been awesome reading everyone’s opinions on here. Glad I found this. Hard to see a lot of Raiders’ stuff on the east coast
December 31st, 2007 at 4:44 pm
agreed Oakglenn-we wouldn’t have to trade down too far just a few spots-still get a starter plus another high rd. pick.Kiffin said he wants at least 2 starters.from what he’s shown this year,another 2nd rd pick could = another starter.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Some people think that we should take McFadden because of the success of Adrian Peterson. Peterson is exactly what the scouting reports said about him, “an exceptional talent who is somewhat injury prone”. I don’t think you ever give that much money to a RB, they are the most “injury prone” player on the field. Raider fans have fond memories of Bo Jackson but those memories were short because he was a RB. One funky tackle and he was done. I know it can happen to any position but the odds are increased at RB.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:49 pm
My thinking is that we can not go wrong with either picking Jake Long, Glenn Dorsey, Darren McFadden, or Chris Long. All of these players can come in right away and contribute. My theory with the draft is that you always take the player that is the highest rated no matter what your need is. All the great Drafters in history draft according to this method. You find a place to put that great player and you watch them go make plays for you.
December 31st, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Think the Donkeys will work Walker our way? Doubt it, but he is a very good wideout(injury prone though).
December 31st, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Thepope…
Agree with you 100%. I’m perfectly fine going into next season with Rhodes/Bush as #1 and #2 (fight it out in camp), and take a chance on a RB who might be viewed as having some flaws, but with potential upside. (As mentioned earlier, Terrell Davis was a 6th round pick.)
No matter who much talent the people at the skill positions have, you have to rebuild a bad team at the O and D lines first. As great a season as Adrian Peterson had, it still wasn’t enough to get the Vikings into the playoffs.
I love how teams like the Jags and Steelers are built - tough, talented lines that just beat their opponents into submission, which allows good (but not great) players at the skills positions to do just enough to beat you.
That’s the kind of club I want to see built here, and it sure seems like Kiffin is intent on doing exactly that.
The record be damned. For the first time in years, I’m actually looking forward to the offseason and 2008.
Sure couldn’t say that this time last year.
December 31st, 2007 at 5:42 pm
For example….
Cal’s Justin Forsett - a guy with some upside who was a bit nicked up this year. Kiffin is somewhat familiar with him as well.
He’s the kind of guy who could slip to Round 5 or 6 (as predicted at NFLDraftScout.com), and is worth taking a flyer on as your #3 back.
December 31st, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Nodaclu….
I don’t remember feeling so optimistic about the Raiders future. A really bright young coach, a young QB with rare ability, and one more high draft pick to get another big time player. I don’t want to pick in the top twenty for the next 15 years(unless we get some fools to trade picks with us like with SF and NE).
December 31st, 2007 at 7:09 pm
You draft Chris Long, Howie’s son. Instant starter from Day One.
You got two scat backs in Rhodes and Fargas. Bush is your bruiser.
Sapp is retiring. Draft defense.