Sapp’s on board with McFadden
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 7:59 am in Oakland Raiders.
Reached by Yahoo.com sports columnist Mike Silver, retired defensive tackle Warren Sapp heartily endorsed the selection of Arkansas running back Darren McFadden.
“I understand that (coach) Lane Kiffin and Greg Knapp are supposed to be these guyhs who make their living by throwing the ball, but our offense is made for downhill guys, and this kid will make that offense go,” Sapp said. “After three games, LaMont Jordan led the NFL in rushing. But LaMont is like the worwst offseason running back I’ve ever been around; he was out of shape and couldn’t keep it going.
“Then, remember late in the season, Justin Fargas was slashing and cutting and gaining all those yards? (McFadden) is the same guy, but he’s faster. I promise you, this guy will hit those holes and take it to the house, then our offensive line will slash people up.”
As for Oakland’s leaky defense, Sapp reasoned that Al Davis has put together “a team with 3-4 personnel, but they’re running a 4-3 system.”
More Sapp: “There is nothing wrong with Lane Kiffin’s offensive system,” Sapp insisted. “There is nothing wrong with Lane Kiffin as a head coach, and now he has another stud who can help him succeed. I guess Al’s going for his last hurrah.”
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April 29th, 2008 at 8:15 am
1
April 29th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Jerry can we get an update on grady jackson? Is he still a consideration?
April 29th, 2008 at 8:16 am
The Raider critics are hilarious right now:
Everyone is giving the Chiefs raving reviews, but giving the Raiders “so-so” grades.
The Chiefs did have a VERY GOOD draft, but they had to give up their best defensive player (Jared Allen) to get the extra picks. I gaurantee all three AFC West opponents were toasting champagne when the Jared Allen trade was completed.
The Raiders first two picks were Darren McFadden and DeAngelo hall (24 year old, 2 Time Pro Bowler). THERE IS NOBODY WHO GOT BETTER PLAYERS WITH THEIR FIRST TWO PICKS!
Raider Nation, there is a war going on and we’re currently under attack. It’s esseential we all stay together and believe in our offseason additions.
When September rolls around and McFadden, DeAngelo, Gibril, Javon and Tommy Kelly get their chance to prove they deserve their contracts (and draft positions) I’ll be standing front and center.
I look forward to watching the media give oral pleasure to Lane Kiffin when the games start.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Sapp who?
April 29th, 2008 at 8:23 am
“But LaMont is like the worst offseason running back I’ve ever been around…”
What a punch in the mouth. A well-deserved punch from what I’ve seen and read over the last couple seasons, but you’d think a teamate concerned about winning might say or do something to change the mentality while part of the team and not just take shots after he’s left.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:26 am
o/~
I’m countin’ the cattle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…
I’m countin’ the cattle
Just to check if there alive
I’m countin’ the cattle: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
I’m countin’ the cattle once again.
Well, the first little cow
She went for a climb, fell off the
Mountain - and then we were 9
The second little cow, she went out
For a date
Discovered it was Wolfie
And then we were 8
I’m countin’… o/~
April 29th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Sapp did say something to him and about him last year.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:30 am
From Jason Jones…
“The Raiders are serious about bringing speed to the offense.
They have signed seven rookie free agents, among them Washington running back Louis Rankin, a Stockton native noted for his speed. He reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, the fastest among a group of players who worked out for the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month.
Rankin joins a running back group that features Justin Fargas, first-round draft pick Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and LaMont Jordan.
“I really didn’t have an idea what was going to happen, but after the fifth round, I was hoping I didn’t get drafted so I could be a free agent and decide where I wanted to go,” Rankin told the Stockton Record.
No undrafted rookies made the Raiders’ roster last year, and Rankin’s odds are long. But he also can return kicks, an area in which the Raiders have struggled.
Rankin ran for 1,294 yards as a senior for the Huskies and was the first Washington running back to top 1,000 yards in 10 years. Rankin ran for six touchdowns and caught passes for two more. He returned 40 kickoffs for 976 yards and one touchdown last season. The Raiders haven’t returned a kickoff or punt for a touchdown since Dec. 28, 2003.
Rookie debuts – The Raiders will hold a minicamp for rookies and other players who don’t have a year of accrued service starting May 9.
Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said Sunday that Bush is eligible to participate because he spent all of last season on the physically unable to perform list.
The Raiders also will have a mandatory minicamp in the offseason.”
April 29th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Run DMC finally gives the Raiders a RB at the same level as the other AFC West teams. It’ll be fun to see him and LT take turns trying to out do each other when we face SD.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:57 am
CT Construction, here’s the problem. The Raiders offseason constitutes a futile attempt to compete right away.
The Chiefs offseason sets them up to be very good 4+ years from now, when they can realistically compete.
To steal a line usually attributed to the Jets, “It’s obvious to me that the Raiders just don’t know what the draft is all about.”
With the lousy players we have on our defensive front seven and offensive line, I’m sorry but there is no chance we are going to win the Super Bowl when Manning and Brady are still around. Drafting an expensive RB and signing an expensive veteran CB (even a young one) means these guys are going to be more useful now but will have a shorter window to help us. And guys like Walker and Wilson will only help us for a relatively short time as well. When I say relatively, I mean relative to how long it is going to take us to shore up our deficiencies in the trenches. It takes TIME to develop offensive linemen and players in the defensive front seven. We’ve got a LT that can’t pass block, a RT who can’t stay healthy and is a journeyman anyway, a C who is a journeyman and will have to get used to unfamiliar players playing next to him at G. On the defensive side our entire front seven is filled with guys that are either good at stopping the run OR the pass, but not both. We missed a great opportunity to set those positions up for the future by not spending two draft picks in the top 35 of the draft on these positions of need.
Kansas City 3-4 years from now, when Country Club Herm Edwards is gone and LJ and TG are sent to the glue factory, they will be in good shape. They will have a great young core with Dorsey, Albert, etc. Regarding Jared Allen, they got rid of a guy who is one strike away from being suspended for a year. They raped Minnesota on that deal, especially getting Albert with the pick. KC’s picks will just be hitting their stride and will still be playing at a high level after McFadden and Hall have lost 2+ steps in their game. On top of that McFadden is purely a sprinter, he can’t break tackles and he can’t make sharp cuts, and he is mediocre as a receiver and blocker. The talent he does have will be wasted by a passing game that can’t bring an element of consistency to compliment the inconsistency that McFadden will play with. Hall’s talent will be wasted because we can’t stop the run and can’t pressure the quarterback.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:11 am
being first aint so great! where is every1 @
April 29th, 2008 at 9:13 am
or 11th
April 29th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I agree with TrevJo. Al made a Faustian decision to draft DMAC. He sold the soul of the team (the trenches) in order to upgrade a non-need position on offense.
Even if DMAC is the next Bo (who was not a fumbler), remember we only used a 7th rd. pick for Bo and already HAD a solid Oline (can the Wiz unretire pls?).
Our chances look slim that Al’s gamble will not hurt us in the long run.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Jerry,
I wonder what Sapp is thinking of when he says we have 3-4 personnel — the LB corps, maybe, but Burgess sure isn’t suited to playing DE in a 3-4, and while Kelly and Richardson would be fairly well-suited to that scheme, who plays nose? Sands? Warren? Nope.
The scheme the Raiders DO seem to have acquired the personnel to play is a 4-3 with all four down linemen playing an odd gap, something like a 75-53 or 75-51. The Giants used that scheme to pretty great effect in the SB.
If you could keep your eyes open at any sighting of OTAs or camp (I know you’re not allowed in, but things happen sometimes, people say things, we’d love to hear.
Peace.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:21 am
My other big fear is we are developing talent (esp. on Oline) to play in a system that will be gone when the offensive coaches split. Even if we win 8+ games, I worry Cable/Knapp will find more stable jobs. Will Al bring in another ZBS disciple? Doubtful.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:23 am
We will be at least 7-9. Things can change in a hurry.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:32 am
7-9 = coaching change in a hurry
April 29th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Yeah….but that is the minimum in my opinion…I am hoping for 10-6
April 29th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Im more excited than worried! If J.Russ is doing as good as they have been sayin we should be fine. Maby even a wild card game @ home! How great would that be?
April 29th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Two Points:
I can see a space for Louis Rankin in the roster because we might go for 4 RBs instead of 3 - possibly at the expense of a 3rd TE or a 6th DB. Rankin offers something different to McFadden, Fargas and Bush - he is smaller, very explosive and is a proven returner.
Michael Bush also has a lot to prove and isn’t a lock for the roster. He may be over the injury but he has to prove he hasn’t lost the speed and the confidence.
In terms of the 3:4 versus 4:3, Sapp is right - to a point. Sands could play nose, with Kelly and Richardson as the two DTs. Burgess could also drop into the wider LB position. However, we are very light at ILB - Morrison is a converted OLB and we still lack a true run-stuffing MLB.
I think that Ryan will mix things up this season. Our basic set-up will be 4:3 but we run some 3:4s in passing situations and I would like to see more of the 5:2 we ran a few times last season. We have more depth this season, more options and hopefully we can be more adaptable.
Shane Simmons must have a chance of making the roster. He has to compete with Williams, Alston, Brown, Thomas and Ekejuiba. None of whom are locks. I think Simmons will be more OLB than ILB but he does possess speed and is known as a reliable tackler. For me, Sam Williams is on borrowed time.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I dont get why guys are complaining about one of the best Raider offseasons I can ever remember. Stop whining.
Noboby can honestly say that this team has not improved from last year. What more do you want??
Sapp has me even more excited about DMC. I cant wait. September seems like forever.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:01 am
408Raider…
Do you have any friends in San Jose who follows your soccer team?
April 29th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Darrick Brown is another interesting FA - although he may need to spend the year on the Practice Squad. He is 6-4, 200lbs and can run in the 4.3s. I assume he was recommended by former McNeese assistant coach Adam Henry who is now on the Raider’s staff.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:04 am
LMN
Na most of us follow the sharks tho soccer asnt realy that popular around here!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:06 am
pluss they left us for a few years but I use to go to the earthquake games when I was a kid
April 29th, 2008 at 10:07 am
However, the best UFA may turn out to be the Missouri Center, Adam Spieker. In October, Chris Steuber of Scout.com wrote about him:
“Spieker is a big, tough, physical interior lineman who is a tremendous leader. He has a wide base, stays square to his defender and drives off the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. He delivers a devastating initial punch that jolts defenders. He has strong hand placement and solid technique and can hold the opposition at the line without any penetration. He has good lateral movement and is able to take on multiple defenders. He understands everyone’s assignment on the offensive line and makes good decisions signaling blocking schemes.
Spieker’s leadership ability and fundamental game are key attributes for being a solid player at the next level. He’s the top center in the country and a likely early to mid-second-round draft pick.”
Well, to get the top center in the country for free in April must be one fantastic bargain. Especially given our doubts about Grove and Cable’s preference for Morris as a Guard. I can see Spieker and Boone pressing very hard for the back-up role behind Wade. Center is definitely an interesting position to watch through the camps.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:11 am
408Raider…
its because theres is a dane there as technical coach, but whats really interesting is they leased a player from my local club, for the rest of the year
April 29th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Kiffin better put in a lot of screen plays this year for Mcfadden and Bush.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:15 am
LMN
Thats cool! Been readin this blog 4 like 8 months just started postin bout a month ago but I must say you Bob dakota oakglen and the rest have me laughing all the time @ work!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Screens, Play-actions, options, reverses….Kiff is going to call any play that creates space for DMC. And some time for JR to look for Walker and Carter downfield.
Sapp is right. This is a running team. But Kiff will not be too unhappy if the opposing LBs and Safeties are forced into the box to defend the run, leaving our WRs in single coverage.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:17 am
has any 1 found any site that has more about sapp bashing on lamont
April 29th, 2008 at 10:18 am
columnist=mcshay_todd&id=3372132&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2fdraft08%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dmcshay_todd%26id%3d3372132
Todd McShay from ESPN says the Raiders will pick 6th in next years 2009 Draft. That must mean he’s picking us in the bottom of the league. What an idiot. If he took the wonderlic, he probably score a 5!
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/insider/columns/story?
April 29th, 2008 at 10:20 am
“Tay Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Noboby can honestly say that this team has not improved from last year. What more do you want?? ”
What I want is for the Raiders to win the Super Bowl. Going all out to improve from 4-12 to 8-8 and sacrificing the future to do so, does not help accomplish that. Will the 2008 Raiders better than the 2007 Raiders? No question about it. Will the 2008 Raiders compete for the Super Bowl? No chance. Will the 2010+ Raiders compete for the Super Bowl? After this offseason, I highly doubt it.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:21 am
408Raider….
Peguero Jean Phillipe got injured last year, and he isn’t good enough to our 1st team and the 2nd team wasn’t technical enough so it was better to let go back to MSL and try to get good again in an easy league…
…I thought Peguero was his surname… LOL
April 29th, 2008 at 10:21 am
408Raider…
thats what we are here for. To make peoples work day much easier =)
April 29th, 2008 at 10:26 am
LMN
Yeah MLS is a joke I dont even think anybody even cares. Its like if a tree falls in the forest and no 1 is around to hear it dose it make a sound?
More like if MLS is on tv dose anybody watch?
April 29th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Those dolts on ESPN are Raider bashing again..what is their fascination with spewing so much hate towards the Raiders?
It reminds me of those guys that buy super big trucks because they have no johnson.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Sapp is saying Lamont is the worst off -season back ever! Why is he still on our roster? CUT HIM NOW!!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Every 1 bash’s on the RAIDERS! Thats why we are the NATION! The most hardcore die hard fans on the planet!!
Go RAIDERS
April 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I’m In!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Joey B
we cant cut him till july 1 or we take a cap hit. I think
April 29th, 2008 at 10:36 am
It’s nice to see we finally addressed our kick return position with Rankin, McFadden and Branch all possibilities with blazing speed to take over that role from the capable but unspectacular Chris Carr.
I wonder if one of those guys will return punts too. I think they said they’d use DeAngelo some but not full-time in that role. Johnnie Lee Higgins looked great in preseason but scared and a 50-50 chance of fumbling the kick during the regular season. Look at the Bears (Hester) and Browns (Cribbs) for evidence of what a dynamic return man can mean to a team.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:38 am
you know, i think we could do ok running a 3-4. Sands at nose, kelly and Richardson at ends, burgess at rush lb, morrison and thomas at mlb, and howard olb.. If sands can rebound and be in shape it could work. he is a monster when he wants to be.. Wilson can play more in the box and leave hall and aso on islands, and huff can still cover the TE.. If ryan wasn’t so sorry and could develop a good scheme, we have the personnel to pull it off.. big ifs with sands and ryans scheme tho..
April 29th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Sapp says we have 3-4 personnel but we run a 4-3??
Interesting…but hard for me to believe that we have 3-4 personnel. In the 3-4 you need LB’s…we have 3….and i know Howard would be able to play the OLB/elephant type who can rush the passer….who would play the NT position in the middle? Sands….Warren….Joseph??
April 29th, 2008 at 10:42 am
And Im sick of all these other wanna be nations! There is only 1 NATION (under AL) & that is the RAIDER NATION
April 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
The big key to our D is with Sands. I really hope he drowns his sorrows into his work outs this off-season and becomes the difference maker we NEED him to be. And reguardless of what espn says, Kelly is very good at the 3 tech DT, and we will watch him play great this year. I believe we are much closer to being very good than most think. If Russell can read a defense, watch out!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I dont know about Sapp. Didnt Jordan take up kick boxing or reg boxing last year to get himself in shape ? Jordan needs to go Im not gettin his back but I never saw him winded after running the ball.
3/4 personnel ?
Warren put the blunt down!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:50 am
What does Sapp mean by “our offensive linemen”? Last i check he is retired.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:52 am
DarkKnight…
“As for Oakland’s leaky defense, Sapp reasoned that Al Davis has put together “a team with 3-4 personnel, but they’re running a 4-3 system.””
yeah that supports my claims that we this year will see more 3-4 than we have done in the last few years… and in ‘09 3-4 will be our default formation
April 29th, 2008 at 10:52 am
if you trade out the branch pick for red bryant it would be hard to argue against the raiders draft. but considering that didn’t happen there are questions. why didn’t we draft any big men (OT or DT)? we haven’t even signed a free agent tackle (after the draft). cable must be thinking he can rebuild harris and maybe get mario some work on either side. defensively, it sounds like sands was removed from last season but does that guarantee he has a great year. we should have brought in bryant, solid 2 gappers are hard to find and it wouldn’t hurt to have two (assuming sands returns to form). but hey the coaches obviously know more about the situation than i do and i just hope they are right about harris and sands.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:53 am
once a raider always a raider
April 29th, 2008 at 10:53 am
It is also interesting how Kiffen has almost parted ties from the defense. He has made it clear the defense is going in a different direction than what he wants, said Al is very hands on when it comes to defense, and said it was Al who choose to keep Ryan. Seems to me that big Al’s defense is under a bit of pressure and he is spending the money to try and prove the kid wrong. Battles breed improvement…”85″ Bears made hate work great!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Cho-Be…
I think its okay… I say our team too, and I never been to a game… so if this mean Sapp raiders fan like us then im ok with it =)
April 29th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I like his loyality to us still, maybe he’s thinking of making last run backing up Kelly.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I agree that we do have the personnel to run the 3-4 and we ‘ll use a lot of different schemes in that base.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:58 am
R8R, who is the nose and who is the 4th LB ?
April 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
howcome most fans and members of the Nation, cant write names right? are you all dyslexics or what?
Kiffen, Fargus, Dante, Roades, Namdi, and the latest member speiker…
LOL
April 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
/CT Construction Says:
/
/The Raiders first two picks were Darren McFadden and /DeAngelo hall (24 year old, 2 Time Pro Bowler). THERE IS /NOBODY WHO GOT BETTER PLAYERS WITH THEIR FIRST TWO /PICKS!
very good point. why so may Raida hataz out there???
April 29th, 2008 at 11:01 am
LMN
howcome is not a word
April 29th, 2008 at 11:01 am
KD
That would be sick cuz we still need a leader on D. Hopefully Kirk 52 Morrison can step into that role for us!
April 29th, 2008 at 11:01 am
mista
sands and sam williams
April 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
if you think we can successfully run a 3-4 with sands at nose you have a lot more faith in him than i do. i think our linebackers are a great fit for the 3-4 if we had another one to go with morrison and howard and then bounce burgess outside. but i don’t think any 3 man front anchored by sands has any chance of holding the line of scrimage or even just eating enough blockers to free the backers.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Ok get grady to play the nose
April 29th, 2008 at 11:03 am
The only thing we as Raider fans need to worry about is not the talent that we have added , but the schemes that is being run,on offense and defense we have the talent but the coaching staff has not been able to utilize the players in game situations. So all this about not drafting the right players in this draft is a bunch BS. The coaching staff needs to be more creative and then no matter who we get, the players will be sucessful in the system. The one thing that makes great teams prosper is the system they play and believe in. So in saying this Al needs to let Kiffin coach and watch the Raiders will return to the GLORY.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:05 am
the guywhostabbedthatchargerfantwice
great name realy a classic
April 29th, 2008 at 11:06 am
systems and schemes, i don’t care about any of that crap. games are won and lost in the trenches and we do not have adequate talent on either line.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Philly, your crazy.
Our linebackers can not play a 3-4. Besides Howard and Morrison, who else do we have?
We should have drafted linebacker Keith Rivers.
In this league you need 5 prolific Linebackers. We only have 2, the other guys still have something to prove or are bunch os nobodies. Williams, Iekujuwhateverthehellhisnameis, Brown and Alston. Boooo’. I mnot buying it.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:09 am
“I promise you, this guy will hit those holes and take it to the house, and then our offensive line will slash people up.”
Our offensive line?? Is Sapp coming back??
April 29th, 2008 at 11:10 am
R8R
Kiffin said Kelly will move to the inside and there would be no more moving him in and out so the 3/4 is not going to happen imo.
So SW, KM, TH and ?
Robert Thomas as 4th? Or Ricky Brown ?
I just dont see the LB’s to run a 3/4
April 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I don’t care which direction the defense is going,we must make a commitment to STOPPING-THE-RUN,STOPPING-THE-RUN can anybody hear me.It’s a mute point around here.We can’t worry what BSPN or anyone else thinks about us.If we take care of our business,then those mockers will go away.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am
that’s what i was saying joey we have 2 really good 3-4 backers. if we are going to switch we need at least one more and then bump burgess to OLB
April 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Did anyone see PTI yesterday?
They made some comment about JaMarcus but I missed it.
Hook a brother up.
Go Raiders.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am
After his first year under Turner, JORDAN admitted that he did not work out or learn the play book in the off season…This was the second time he stated that he did not work out in the off season…He should have been CUT right then…
S
April 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Oh yeah and as for what we got with our second round pick, is there anyone else who paid their second round pick $25M in guaranteed money? Nope. Moves like that are why we have no depth on this team.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am
“I guess Al’s going for his last hurrah.”
RAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYDDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSS
April 29th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Robert Comer
They just said happy anniver last year you were drafted #1 overall - Thats it.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Thanks Doe Doe.
You the man.
Go Raiders.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:15 am
NATION What is UP???? just checking in to read this latest salvo from Sapp. I like his quote:
I promise you, this guy will hit those holes and take it to the house, and then our offensive line will slash people up.”
April 29th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Our defense looks like we can run a 5-2.
Burgess Kelly Sands Warren Richardson
Howard Morrisson
April 29th, 2008 at 11:18 am
grady is already 35. can he really be our stop gap nose until we find an adequate (at the least) replacement? but i guess he would help sands a bit in the development of his game. either way it would be a good addition because we desperately need some more linemen.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Is it just me or do you also get tired of ESPN and the east coast sports bias? Jesus they think the world revolves around Boston and New York….Like the west coast is an afterthought…..They also make you wait 90 minutes for a story you can get online in 2 minutes..They are sad,too bad they have no competition except the net,know what i mean guys?……GO LAKERS……Pete
April 29th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Trevjo quit your bitching.
You sound like a little girl.
Go Raiders.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Anyone looking for Grady Jackson can find him at Everett & Jones. Sounds like LaMont has a tab there as well
April 29th, 2008 at 11:24 am
NFL football players have a “dream job”.
Some of the accoutrements:
1. Make Great money.
2. Access to the best looking women.
3. Great food.
4. Work out and keep in shape “lift weights”.
what are you asked to do as a player:
1. Be professional.
2. Stay in shape.
3. Study playbok, films etc.
4. Keep out of trouble.
I have greatly over simplified the process but any player who does not do any of these steps deserves to be cut not only from the team but should be banned from the league.
NFL players get paid to play a game. At a minimum you should stay in shape.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Right on, Robert Comer, all this negative BS.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:28 am
mcfadden is great but until al davis is out of his old school ways the raiders will never get over the hump you have 3-4 coaches but you run a 4-3 thats crazy the 60’s are over and so is al davis.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Thec - Nice post.
You FAT bastard.
Go Raiders,
April 29th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Rob comer,
WTF is jordan on….just want to know so I can stay clear of that crap. He is an idiot to even admit that.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Robert Comer
Why are you attacking every1 theres realy no need 4 that! Save it 4 our afc west rivals
April 29th, 2008 at 11:38 am
You know what, Robert Comer? I don’t give a s*** what you think. I am going to say what I think because I care about the Raiders and I don’t like to see them making bad moves. And some of the people here, yourself included, need to hear it because you need a wake up call.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I’m sorry.
I suffer from low self esteem.
Go Raiders.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I think the troll’s back
April 29th, 2008 at 11:42 am
TeSt
April 29th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Steady Boys,
The BSPN hacks don’t stay up late enough to know what’s happ’n on the west coast. To remedy this, we need to win 8 to 10 games this year. Sweep KC and the Donkeys and a split with SD couldn’t hurt. We’ve always talked the talk, now it’s time to walk the walk.
“I’m In”.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Warren Sapp was lying on the grass and watching his daughter play soccer Saturday in South Florida when his cell phone vibrated and knocked him out of his daze. A friend on the other line wanted to talk football, and after a few seconds it suddenly occurred to the recently retired defensive tackle that this was a reasonably significant afternoon.
“Oh, (expletive), it’s draft day!” Sapp exclaimed. But after learning of the first seven picks or so, he became disinterested in the subsequent selections, explaining, “I don’t know any of these (expletive) kids.” He wanted to know if “my streak was alive” – since Sapp went 12th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995, at least one University of Miami player had gone in the first round in each successive year – and sweated it out until the New York Giants took former Hurricanes safety Kenny Phillips with the 31st pick.
One other selection made Sapp smile. “I love Darren McFadden to the Raiders,” he said Monday. “I think it’s a perfect fit.”
I started to argue with Sapp, which isn’t surprising – some of our arguments have literally lasted years, and I almost stayed in exile in London after getting a particularly salty text message last October from the smart, funny and very, very large defensive menace.
Citing what I perceive to be conventional wisdom, I told Sapp that given Oakland’s run-stopping struggles last season (it gave up 145.9 rushing yards per game, the NFL’s second-worst figure) – and the fact that Sapp, one of the league’s best interior linemen of the modern era, just called it quits – the Raiders would have been much better served taking stud defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey than adding another halfback. And Sapp, as he is prone to doing, face-planted conventional wisdom like a defenseless quarterback in the pocket.
“I understand that (coach) Lane Kiffin and (offensive coordinator) Gregg Knapp are supposed to be these guys who make their living by throwing the ball,” Sapp said. “But our offense is made for downhill guys. And this kid will make that offense go.”
Sapp reminded me that, “after three games last season, LaMont Jordan led the NFL in rushing. But LaMont is like the worst offseason running back I’ve ever been around; he was out of shape and couldn’t keep it going. Then, remember late in the season, Justin Fargas was slashing and cutting and gaining all those yards? (McFadden) is the same guy, but he’s faster. I promise you, this guy will hit those holes and take it to the house, and then our offensive line will slash people up.”
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None of that addressed the fact that the Raiders’ defense, particularly when it comes to stopping the run, has serious problems. Sapp didn’t argue that point – the basic problem, he said, is that owner Al Davis has put together “a team with 3-4 personnel, but they’re running a 4-3 system.” Sapp insisted that a sound, two-gap approach would be more effective than the macho, one-gap system employed by defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Given that Ryan managed to avoid getting pink-slipped and is back for another season, this is not likely to change in ‘08.
All of which brings us back to embattled second-year coach Lane Kiffin.
When Davis made Kiffin the league’s youngest coach following the 2006 season, he was counting on the former USC assistant bringing a fresh and innovative offensive approach to a team that, in one miserable season under coach Art Shell and coordinator Tom Walsh, had set offense back a half-century. To demonstrate his commitment, the owner took a freakishly gifted quarterback, JaMarcus Russell, with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2007 draft – though Davis didn’t bother to get him signed until after the start of the regular season, essentially washing out Russell’s rookie campaign.
Things went poorly enough that Kiffin nearly lost his job at season’s end, surviving only because his boss was too cheap to buy out the remaining two years of his contract. The owner made a stand on Ryan, resisting Kiffin’s attempt to bring in a new defensive coordinator, and seemed to be doing his best to force Kiffin to resign.
It has since become clear that Davis is stuck with Kiffin for at least another season. But here’s the weird thing: By signing talented deep threat Javon Walker to a reported six-year, $55-million contract in March and by drafting McFadden fourth overall Saturday, Davis has given Kiffin a golden opportunity to prove him wrong.
If Kiffin can get the Raiders’ offense humming it will, at the very least, set him up nicely for his next job. If it can hum enough to overcome a seriously flawed defense more often than not, he and Davis may actually be able to coexist while crafting a strained but mutually beneficial partnership.
I don’t know if I’m completely on board with this line of thinking – the franchise’s inherent dysfunction always seems to surface at inopportune times – but I guess it’s possible that the drafting of McFadden could be the best thing to happen to Kiffin’s career.
“There is nothing wrong with Lane Kiffin’s offensive system,” Sapp insisted. “There is nothing wrong with Lane Kiffin as a head coach, and now he has another stud who can help him succeed. I guess Al’s going for his last hurrah.”
As bizarre as it seems, this just might work.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:44 am
#90
Nice passion keep it up!
April 29th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I don’t understand all of the rave over the chefs draft. They got a DT who could be potentially great but has a questionable knee, and they got project O lineman who they are going to try to convert from guard to tackle. I think people just think there draft was so good because they had 13 picks, but they will be lucky to have even half of them make the roster and actually contribute.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Quick thoughts for the day -
1) Sapp was the main reason we didn’t stick with the 3-4 Ryan tried to install when he came here.
2) I said numerous times last year we were btter suited to run a 3-4.
3) If Rankin beats out Branch for KR duties that will prove the point I made yesterday about spending too much in terms of picks to get a KR.
4) No DL signed as UDFA? Sapp may be in the know about the switch I told you could be coming when he retired. Ryan’s 3-4.
Watch for it:
Burgess-Kelly-Richardson
Howard-Morrison-Thomas-(Williams/Scott/Brown someone!)
Thomas at LB is a better run stopper than any of our DT’s (except Kelly) so put your best 7 on the field. Rush 4 but keep the offense guessing as to where #4 is coming from.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Muhahhhaaha
Scholes is fantastic!
As Lineker once said, “If Scholes had Beckhams looks, then Scholes would be a even bigger star than Beckham”
April 29th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Lunch time
April 29th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
COW– You hit the nail on the head once again.I can see Ryan at least try to run more 3-4 next season, IF Al will let him.Time will tell.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
SOUNDS TO ME LIKE SOME OF YOU (TREVJO) SHOULD BE CHIEFS FANS. WE HAVE NOT HAD A TEAM THAT COULD COMPETE FOR 7 YEARS. WE HAVE SOME GOOD YOUNG PLAYERS WITH ALOT OF TALENT WHO JUST NEED SOMEONE TO TEACH THEM HOW TO COMPETE. I AM SICK OF WATCHING OUR TEAM LOSE. AND AS FAR THE DRAFT AND THE RAIDERS NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW IT WORKS, MAYBE YOU SHOULD REMEMBER SOME OF THE PLAYERS THAT WERE DRAFTED AND ARE IN, OR WILL BE IN THE HALL OF FAME. WE MAY NOT WIN THE SUPER BOWL BUT MORE THAN FOUR GAMES WOULD BE A GOOD START.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
COW how adept is kelly at playing the nose?
April 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Why isnt Dakota in here gloating about McSkinny
April 29th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Mistabrown…
sorry, we have something ‘called combined sentences’ when you connect two words, you remove the space between… Sorry…
but as a Fan you should not be a master of the language but a master of the team, and when people keeps misspelling their names its somewhat disrespectful because thats the least thing you could do, thats knowing their names….
and all football talk loses some of its merits when a person in its argument keep spelling names wrong…IMO
April 29th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
does anybody know how kelly looks at nose?
April 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
well to answer my own question (with a little help from google)kelly is not really a good fit for nose. in a 3-4 he is more of an end than a NT.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
“Things went poorly enough that Kiffin nearly lost his job at season’s end, surviving only because his boss was too cheap to buy out the remaining two years of his contract.”
After this past offseason how can anybody ever call Al Davis cheap. Al Davis spends over $200 million money in free agency, but dont want to spend $5 million to buy out Kiff. That makes absolutely no sense. Kiff is here because Al wants him here. Al just had to remind Kiff who’s frickin team it was….mission accomplished.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
i still think people are overlooking the fact that we can now, get into managable 3rd downs and actually a chance for converting them, this in a big way will help our D. the reason we were so bad against the run was because every team w/ a lead jammed it down our throat in the 4th. remember our D was impressive in 2006 so w/ some offensive weapons dont count out our draft process or our current players
April 29th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Northphilly…
Kelly is 4 technique DT or a 3 technique DE….
April 29th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Coach on wheels, nice post.
Davis is working to get talent but his defensive system is outdated. You can’t live in the past.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
tay you hit the nail on the head. imo kiffin was never going anywhere. if al really wanted him gone he’d be gone. and i think the whole RR thing was started because ryan wanted out of oakland not because kiffin wanted him gone (although kiffen agreed with ryan that leaving was in the best interest of the team, al just didn’t see it that way).
April 29th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
NorthPhilly…
I agree 100%
April 29th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
TrevJo I think you are a bit mistaken. What do teams do to set themselves up for years to come? They get a franshice QB and RB. We just did both the last 2 years. The team as a whole has been pretty crappy for some time now but once you have a decent qb throwing passes and running good then all you really need is a barely above average rest of the team and you will start getting better
April 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Everyone is on KCs nuts. Dorsey is okay, but its like they forgot what McFadden did to LSU in two games. Alot of those plays were right up the gut. Hopefully he does the same thing to him when we play KC.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Let me say this; Im so sick of the criticism the Raiders continue to have to take from these media clowns who job description apparently is the talk bad about the Raiders. Warren Sapp and Bill Bellicheck (however you spell his name) acknowledge Tommy Kelly as premier DT. So who are you gonna listen to, white-collar clowns like Jim Rome and Adam Shefter who’s never played the sport or a hall of fame DT and a hall of fame football coach whose life IS football. Right now the only reporters I can give true props to is Chris Mortensen and Micheal Smith for actually have something positive to say about the Raiders without it being followed by an insult. Funny,, as Im posting my comment these clowns on 1st&10 are bad mouthing the Raiders on ESPN. Terrible I tell ya. Hey I guess the only way to shut everyone the hell up is to win. YA KNOW?!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
DoeDoe– #95 Thanks. Sounds like the killa, thinks Kiff will be able to open up the playbook with the new options he will have with D-Mac. I just hope that RR can get the D to STOP the run. pleeeeez.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
tay, dorsey has the highest up side of any defensive player drafted. albert is also a good pick because at the least you have a really good OG and at the best a solid OT. i think people are patting herm and co. on the back because they built from the trenches (the 13 picks didn’t hurt either)
April 29th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Im juiced about DMC. The rest of the draft left me scratchin my head. Considering that we only had one 1st day pick, it doesnt matter much. If one of those other draft picks contribute I’ll consider it a succesful draft.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Tay…
good point, and I hope you’re right, I was against the McF thing but it is almost sunk in now… If bush stays, and Mcfadden shows the same he did in college and more than reggie bush - then dorsey wont help much =)
I hope this coexisting Marcus Allen and Bo Jeacson scenario… I hope McFadden and Bush will share the same amount of snaps…
I guess when Fargas is gone you would use Bush to make the D-line tired and put in Mcfadden a bit later to put on the afterburner…
April 29th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Rick the Hunter,
I have to add to your list Woody Paige from Around the Horn. He was the first analyst/reporter that I saw defend the Raiders’ o-line and say that McFadden is going to blow up next year (paraphrasing of course).
Bob Ryan and Jay Mariotti disagreed, but I think Kevin Blackistone (sp?) also thought McFadden was going to kick azz in Oakland.
The clowns on NFLN and ESPN just kept harping on how bad our o-line is and that McFadden is doomed to failure because of it…a-holes never came out and stated the fact that we were 6th in rushing last year.
They either do not do their homework, or they have it out for the Raiders…my guess is the former, but the latter would not surprise me either I guess.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
It really would be nice if we switched to a 3-4. Sands could play one-gap NT, while Kelly, Richardson, Warren, and Joseph play DE, and Warren could even move inside to spell Sands on occasion, Morrison and Howard could play ILB while Burgess. Edwards, and even Scott could be the pass rushing OLBs, this would make our defense far less predictable and far more difficult to plan for and execute against, and a man-to-man secondary with a 3-4 D allows the front 7 to so much more versatile, I agree with Sapp we have 3-4 personnel who are miscast in a 4-3. we should be playing 3-4. What type of defense were we running when we won our Super Bowls? That’s what I thought………..
April 29th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
“So who are you gonna listen to, white-collar clowns like Jim Rome and Adam Shefter who’s never played the sport or a hall of fame DT and a hall of fame football coach whose life IS football.”
white-collar means upperclass-ish, right?
April 29th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Noshadowking, I totally disagree on the franchise RB being something you get to set up your team for the future. RB is hands down the easiest position to come in right away. We should have waited 2-3 years and fixed our other big long term problems and when we’re ready to compete draft a studly young RB then. Tell me, which of these Super Bowl teams developed a blue chip RB for a few years before they won a Super Bowl? ‘07 Giants? ‘06 Colts? ‘05 Steelers? ‘04 Patriots? ‘03 Patriots? ‘02 Bucs? ‘01 Patriots? ‘00 Ravens? ‘99 Rams? ‘98 Broncos? ‘97 Broncos? The answer is none of the above. Most of the teams did it with average RBs. The Colts and Ravens did it with rookies. The Rams traded a high pick for an RB and won it right away. Now was not the time for us to splurge on a blue chip RB, knowing that our window of opportunity is a few years away.
As for QB, no one is going to look like a franchise QB without good pass blocking. Not JaMarcus, not anyone else. Our pass protection was a joke last year and we have arguably taken a step back this year.
Tay, McFadden played against LSU when Dorsey wasn’t even playing, nor was LSU’s other starting D-lineman. You are also forgetting that McFadden fumbled 4 times in that game.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
NorthPhillyRaider,
Dorsey dominates when he wants to. There are times in the games when he disappears. Mayby Herm can motivate the guy. Also he has that fracture in his leg from 2 years ago that has still not completey healed.
Besides the leg Dorsey has had his share of injuries. They said he played a lot of games hurt. You can see that as being even more impressive or a concern that he is injury prone. To me its scary if you are injury prone and you play in the trenches.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
who would you name our defense and offensive line starters????? anyone
April 29th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
LMN yeah if bush is back to form i say he should start from day 1. i just hope that with fargas and dmc both getting touches bush doesn’t get lost on the bench. because to be honest i feel he is a better all-around (and for emphasis ALL-AROUND)rb than dmc. so like i was saying bush and dmc from day 1 with bush taking first downs and roughly 60-70% of 2nds. dmc getting the rest and spending time in the slot. this doesn’t account for any formations that have them both in at the same time. fargas shouldn’t see much field time imo because we have these young guys to develop, he is a good character guy though so i don’t want to see him leave.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Run DMC
different defenses for different times… Though NYG 4-3 was phenomenal but many thinks NE 3-4 is the reason for what they done in this decade…
the main thing is run what D you got the players for…
Rob Ryan was hired to implement the 3-4 he did and it suck! main reason was that sapp is a pure DT for the 4-3 so we switched back…. I think Ryan will be a lot better now because Sapp isn’t there not that its sap fault… its just like bringing a lot of bacon to a kosher-chef (if those excist) he would not know what to do with it…
April 29th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
NorthPhilly…
Amen to that, I absolutely agree
April 29th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I’m just stoked that we got another gunner and KR in here. I can’t tell you guys how pissed I was watching year after year our STs get their asses handed to them. Other teams start at the 30/40 yard line and we’ve gotta start at the 20 (at best). It makes a huge difference esp if we can get that damn kicker’s head right. Chris Carr may have been a nice guy and all but I was just dying for another KR’er - I mean you could see the opportunities there but Carr just couldn’t cash in.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
LMN isn’t kelly just like sapp though? would we be wasting 50 mil playing him out of position?
April 29th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
909 Raiderforlifer at post#117 that’s exactly what I’m also talking about STOPPING-THE-RUN it’s as simple as that we just have to be committed to doing just that.Again,once that happen BSPN,1ST AND TEN,AND ALL OF THOSE SO-CALLED RAIDER HATERS GO AND TAKE A GOOD SH!T FOR THEMSELVES.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Terrapin….
THANKS MAN! Finally somebody other than me says what should be said about Carr…
I would love to drink a beer with carr or something, but as KR, he sucked! His records are based on quantity and not quality! his avg suck, thats how you judge a KR!….then TD’s and Carr didn’t do that a lot, did he?
April 29th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
White-collar meaning suit and tie reporters who’s probably afraid to get their hands dirty. lol Yes I did hear Wacky Paige give the Raiders props as well, but they’re totally out numbered by the haters. They insist Kiffen’s getting axed. I wish I was back in Cali so I could go to Mc Caffee with a Keep Kiffen shirt on. Hey there’s an idea. Everybody should go to all home games with Keep Kiffen T-shirts. Let uncle Al know the fans are serious. Ya Know?!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
NorthPhilly
yup but we need on to play some 4-3 this year, and then we need the fast DT at Sands side…
Warren and Kelly in some situation, I think we will se a lot of rotation on position and formation this year
April 29th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Why do we need sports coulumnists and journalists to predict what is going on with OUR team? I for one Am starting to think the media as a whole is outdated and most of their opinions are not in line with today’s thinking, being that most of them are late 40’s early 50’s…we need new blood, people we can relate to the circumstances reporting…a lot of these guys have been getting there predictions very wrong as of late and I question their analysis…
April 29th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Rick the Hunter….
have you ever seen a blue-collar tv-reporter?
uhh and btw its Kiffin…. =)
April 29th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
LMN, terrapin i agree carr sucked. hopefully everybody in here can agree with that. did carr have any td’s on kick returns? ever?
that said i just don’t think that a KR should have been drafted over what some believe will be the best NT from this class.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I think it was Dan Patrick who said:”Sportswriters are lazy”.
Most are.And most of those have some sort of an ax to grind. And let’s face it, we have been an easy target the last five long years, for those lazy ax swingers.
The only way to get them to change their tune is to win games and win them impressively.Yet even then some will still find a reason to hate, just a fact of life. F ‘em and feed ‘em beans say’s I.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
That guy Jeff Chadira or whatever his name is needs to get slapped…guys like him are the reason why I think I’m better than most of those guys…anyway, these guys have a national view on teams not in their immediate market, so when they are questioned about a team like the Raiders, it’s not mostly on insight but just on what’s being reported in some papers…
April 29th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Kelly is much better than Sapp except for years back when Sapp was in his prime at TB.
Dorsey will be a terrific player if his knee holds up, but I am not sure he will be great. I watched several of LSU’s games on TV last year, as well as several USC games and I was much more impressed with Sedric Ellis. I am glad KC did not get Ellis. If Albert does not make the transition to tackle he will probably be a pretty good guard, but not worth a first rnd pick. That would be just salvages something out of his carreer, just like we are doing with Gallery.
All of this ripping of our O line is unfounded. They ran blocked very well last year and there pass blocking was much improved. With McFadden and Bush this year our running game will be lethal and that will help the pass blocking to improve that much more.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Rick the Hundter says
“Warren Sapp and Bill Bellicheck (however you spell his name) acknowledge Tommy Kelly is a premier DT.”
Exactly - Bill said he was the best in the league when he made those comments and Sapp said when all is said and done he was going to break all of his records - And Thomas Howard raved about Sands but like Matt Barnes he went thru a ruff year last year w/ losing his mother. It is so key that Sands comes into camp in shape and plays his heart out - Also very key for Kelly and Sands to stay healty all year in order for the Raiders to be legit cuz we are very thin when it comes to depth after Gerrard Warren
Just for you Rick The Hunter ill bring a Keep coach Kif shirt
April 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Greg Papa put it perfect in the Trib today…our 2nd rounder, D Hall…3rd, Henderson (LT), the 5th Warren…that was a great analysis, something other journalists should learn..Monte Poole, he doesn’t hate the Raiders, he’s like that big brother that is constantly calling on the little brother to step his game up when he’s slipping..not the best analogy because in no way is Monte bigger than the Raiders, but the best I can come up with
April 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
LMN - misspelling someone’s name is an honest mistake and I am tired of you constantly pointing it out. It is NO BIG DEAL so LET IT GO! Please!
Also, I think people should actually have laughed out loud if they are going to use the stupid ‘lol’ thing.
Ok. I’m off my soap box.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Byan…
I’m sorry you feel like that… of course its an honest mistake… I for one misspelled Sapps name with one ‘P’ in a recent post…
but if you keep spelling our Head Coach’s name wrong, then i think its something completely different - he has been here for over 14 month how long is the learning curve?
And what about Fargas? why is it so hard? he has been here for years, where is this gus coming from?
I wont let it go, and it is a big deal….
April 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Stop with the Belichick/Tommy Kelly stuff. Belichick said that stuff the week before the Patriots were going to play the Raiders. New England is notorious for praising their opponents right before they play them, then disrespecting their opponents after (and during) the game. His comments mean absolutely nothing. I can’t believe how many people buy into that garbage.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Rick the hunter…
just to clarify… i wasn’t trying to diss you or something…
But I have never seen a sports reporter form america not being ‘white-collar’ or to appear as one on TV.. not here in DK either =)
April 29th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
And Warren Sapp is just a nobody i guess - he dont know anything - my badd he’s gonna suck than - he’s garbage - lets just cut him than
April 29th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Sapp has obviously reverted back to his marijuana days if he really said that we have the personnel to run the 3-4.
What, is Burgess going to convert to OLB? Who plays NT, certainly not Kelly, Sands or Warren.
Crazy talk.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Hopefully Kiffin will get over it. If he has a problem with it maybe the $2,000,000 per year salary will help.
The funny thing is, someone tries to help you out by answering a question and you bash him for spelling a name wrong. That is pathetic and rude.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
sapp was talking up kelly though as well. and i’ll trust an elite 3 technique tackle’s opinion over anyone’s in here. if sapp says kelly is elite than he’s elite.
if sands plays well kelly is gonna look fantastic. but if he get’s double teamed all the time because they can control sands than kelly might not look quite as good. we need a big year from both of them.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
The Autumn Wind is a pirate
Blustering in from sea
With a rollicking song he sweeps along
swaggering boisterously
His face is weather beaten
He wears a hooded sash
With his silver hat about his head
And a bristly black moustache
He growls as he storms the country
A villain big and bold
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake
As he robs them of their gold
The Autumn wind is a Raider
Pillaging just for fun
He’ll knock you ’round and upside down
And laugh when he’s conquered and won.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
we’re definitely playing a 4-3
April 29th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
The only people we can convince that raiders are back, with great off season moves is the people on this blog.
Its a waste of breath to try and convince people that the raiders are back. Non raider nation fans, and the media will not give Al Davis and the raiders an inch, until we prove it on the field with “W”’s.
I’ve told all my non-raider nation friends that you wait and see the raiders in ‘08.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
COW,
I’m no coach, but can you play a 3-4 with a 3 technique D Tackle?
They’ve made it pretty clear That Kelly is a 3 technique guy and will play there excusively. I don’t understand the 3-4 talk.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
However, intention misspelling of someone’s name could be considered disrespectful.
You disrespecting me is case in point.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
CT construction says:
The Raiders first two picks were Darren McFadden and DeAngelo hall (24 year old, 2 Time Pro Bowler). THERE IS NOBODY WHO GOT BETTER PLAYERS WITH THEIR FIRST TWO PICKS!
that is a point i never even considered!!! well played.
it’s gonna be really hard for ESPN to watch a “thug” succeed. some of the questions they(ESPN) asked dmac were nauseating. happiest day in this kid’s life and he’s gotta field questions about his “crack-addict” mother. classy.
i WAS pro-dorsey. i AM pro-mcfadden. hope he AND jbone tear it up. NOW!!!!
doesn’t matter now, dorsey plays for the chiefs. they suck….i think.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
is that what were calling jamarcus now? Jbone? i like it.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
jbone doesn’t really fit though because he certainly ain’t boney.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
LMN: I never took it as a dis,, btw thats from not form. See its all good bruh! its only football. And Im gonna do research to see if I can find a blue-collar reporter too. No need for any feelings to get hurt. Im from South Central L.A. Pointing out that I misspelled a word isnt gonna destroy me. Its all love over here. Anyway back to football. We seriously need to represent with some Keep Kiffin shirts to make a point the we need stability from our team. And for those who say we should’ve taken Dorsey, either way it would’ve been a great pick but I see it like this,, there will be more Glenn Dorseys in next years draft, but I dont think we’ll see another McFadden for long time. So I think it was the smart pick. YA KNOW?!
April 29th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
My buddy asked me a good question. Do you this DMC will start from day one or do you bing him in slowely. I wouldnt mind starting with Fargas getting DMC a few reps while the OL works out some kinks.
I was even thinking maybe DMC can start with returning punts.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
TrevJo (No. 124),
You make some good points. I didn’t love the McFadden pick but I’ll have to hope for the best and I’ll admit I am excited about his speed, particularly in the zone-blocking system where he can make one cut and be gone (which Sapp alluded to).
I think the point you’re missing is that the Raiders are pushing to make a run at the title in the next 1-3 years. Look at all the off-season signings and big money thrown around. They’re not waiting to build for a few years down the line. They feel they’ve spent enough time rebuilding and are gambling on a dramatic leap right now.
The thing I really don’t like about McFadden is the knock on him for not being able to break tackles and going down on first contact. He’ll have to improve that if he’s going to make it in the NFL.
However, I don’t think the Reggie Bush comparrisons are valid. The problem with Bush is that he dances around in the hole and then tries to outrun everyone to the edge. That allows the defense too much time to react. McFadden bounces things outside a lot too, but he’s more of a slashing type who gets going upfield a lot quicker. I can see that style working in the Raiders system. That’s very much how Fargas runs, and I think McFadden has better vision, speed and instincts than Fargas, although Fargas does run tougher.
The Raiders should just go ahead and cut Jordan right now. Nobody is going to trade for him and pay $5 mill per.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
One thing I notice is that DMC and Bush both are amazing at the screen play. Kiff definitely loves the screen. I’ll bet we’ll see a lot of screen plays this season.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I think it’ll depend upon how well they all do in pre season games… both for DMC… and Bush… they’ll most likely “start” Fargas… but… all 3 should see play time…
April 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I think Bush will be our next Crocket…for the hard short line needs…
April 29th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
McFadden may not start right away, but he will certainly play in game one. RB is the easiest position to learn, and as long as he is signed 1 month prior to the season begining, he will contribute right away.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
i think we start fargas and bring in DMC when the defense gets a little tired. Same thing minnesota did last year. taylor started most of the season with AP coming in and ripping up the tired D.. DMC will return kicks too imo. i doubt punts..
April 29th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
TrevJo:
Yes I agree Dorsey would have been a GREAT addition at a position of need, but Mcfadden was also a GREAT addition that upgraded our RB position.
Where you and I differ is you believe the ONLY problems the Raiders have are on O-Line & D-Line.
I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE:
OAKLAND HAS MANY AREAS OF CONCERN!!!!
Secondly, whether you agree w/ the pick or not, please don’t argue that McFadden isn’t an explosive RB. He’s got just as much potential to become a pro bowler as ANY other player drafted last weekend (Dorsey, Chris Long, Gholston, etc). There is nothing about his college career that would indicate he’s not going to be successful in the NFL. The critics saying his legs are too skinny, he doesn’t block, he can’t catch, he doesn’t break tackles, etc etc etc, are simply hating. Nothing more, nothing less!
The fact is Fargas prolly ranks 30th out of the 32 starting RB’s in the NFL. He’s a very tough runner, but in no way does he keep opposing defensive coordinators awake at night because “Fargas and The Raiders are coming this Sunday”.
Seriously, can you see Bill Belichick, Mike Shanahan, Ray Lewis, Shawn Merriman (etc, etc) on ESPN saying “we have our work cut out this week because Justin Fargas causes a serious match-up problem for our defense. If we’re not careful, he’s gonna shred us.”………NOT!
The beauty of all of this chatter is everything will be settled on the field. Like I said in my previous post:
I look forward to watching The Raiders prove themselves on Sundays.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I think they are in for a stomach full football season when all the haters are eating their words!
April 29th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Rick The Hunter
Do you still live in South Central L.A.?
April 29th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Rick The Hunter…
hehe good one… ‘from’ it is =)
about Dorsey…. yeah lets hope we boost up the team with some nice picks next year… I just hope we keep our first 4 picks next year, it will hurt us too much if we do it like this in continuing years…
Hey if you find that ‘blue-collar TV-reporter’ holler! I think that would be great thing to know… but you were right about Adam schefter, he looks like he walks around with a stick up his, ehm, well.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
WTF, why is my comment awaiting moderation? No swear words or links…what gives moderator?
April 29th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
CT Construction wrote:
“The critics saying his legs are too skinny, he doesn’t block, he can’t catch, he doesn’t break tackles, etc etc etc, are simply hating. Nothing more, nothing less!”
Um, it’s also possible they’re calling it as they see it…
April 29th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I don’t buy all the 3-4 talk either. Maybe it’ll be thrown in at times as a wrinkle but I don’t see how it works without a NT (Sands or Warren would be the only two on the current roster who you’d even try in that role and neither is well-suited). Plus LB is one of our thinnest positions and you need 4 guys out there for that.
If they got Grady Jackson or some other whale to an the middle it could work with:
Kelly, DE | Jackson, NT | Richardson, DE
Burgess, Rush OLB | Thomas & Morrison, ILBs | Howard, OLB
That lineup strikes me as a little awkward. I’m not sure Burgess can drop back in coverage and I don’t think we have the depth at LB to make it work if anyone gets injured.
On a side note, I really think Jay Richardson could have a breakout season. I think the kid is gonna be very good. He’s probably better suited for the 4-3 too.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Ryan…
exactly! you got my point…
April 29th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Kiffins the one who praised the completeness of DMC as a back… blocking, catching.. blitz pick up etc…
April 29th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Anyone else having trouble posting links from Yahoo?
April 29th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Hey Dakota…
how goes… have you been celebrating?
April 29th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Dakota…Crangrats on winning your bet!!! So far so good?
April 29th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
XLa….
posting urls, in general
April 29th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Congrats**
April 29th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
# Tonio Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I think Bush will be our next Crocket…for the hard short line needs…
…..
I hope the real life Bush is better than the Bush on Madden, then. Because the Bush on Madden is worthless in short yardage. I usually have to go either play action to the TE, or Russell Qb sneak. Jordan was good in short yardage but he got injured on my franchise. Bush is a joke. Again, I know this is just a stupid video game, but I hope the people who program the Madden game didn’t know what they were doing when they designed Bush’s features.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Yea I agree start with Fargas and bring in McFadden to close the deal. Splitting caries is the preferred option, with Fargas getting most of the carries in the beginning and DMC geting the load in the end.
Despite what Ive been hearing I think that DMC can carry the load if needed.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Yeah, Chris, I don’t understand it. And I too think Jay Richardson was good last year, and hopefully he improves this year.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
“John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Oakland Raiders are back under the salary cap after releasing RB Dominic Rhodes Monday, April 28. The team took a $1.093,750 cap hit when they traded CB Fabian Washington Sunday, April 27, putting them over the salary cap. Rhodes had a $1.75 million salary, enough to put the Raiders back under the salary cap.”
April 29th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Probably old news, to you guys, but I haven’t seen the numbers yet
April 29th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Hey KoolKell…
Long time - no posts…
how do you feel about the draft now?
April 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
i think DMC can carry the load too if needed, but its better for his long term value and value to the team if he splits carries for a year or two.. Don’t work him too hard too early and he could last into his 30s..
Richardson is going to be a great 2 down DE. Both Kelly and Richardson were good against the run last year so it will only help our team to have them both playing at the same time.. Sapp was never a run stopper and never claimed to be.. Kelly can and that will help. All Sands has to do is not get pushed backwards and we’ll be much improved..
April 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
ryan420raider Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
“Its a waste of breath to try and convince people that the raiders are back. Non raider nation fans, and the media will not give Al Davis and the raiders an inch, until we prove it on the field with “W”’s.”
Finally some common sense in here. And, it’s not because there’s a conspiracy against the Raider Nation. It’s because this team has sucked for 5 straight years, and we haven’t even addressed our biggest need yet this off season; STOPPING THE RUN. You bet the critics are waiting for us to win before they give us their props, because they know it’s not going to happen.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I sure look forward to seeing Jordan released. Never liked that guy.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I love the McFadden Pick, the rest I don’t know much about. Speed guys who I hope can play football.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
KD Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Dakota…Crangrats on winning your bet!!! So far so good?
___________________________________________________
I am not holding my breath on that one KD, lol.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Hmm, ByeBye Barca…
April 29th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
La Milicia Negra Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Hey Dakota…