Giving it one more year
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Went to the gym this morning and was greeted by a familiar face going through a set at a curl machine.
“Well, I went and did it. I don’t know why,” he said.
We’ll call him “Ray.” As in a Ray-der fan.
We have kids the same age who went to the same elementary school, the same middle school and next year will attend the same high school. He was an original PSL holder, signing up in 1995.
“My name’s up in stone on that wall for what that’s worth,” Ray said.
Ray has been mulling whether to renew his season tickets for months. He’s ignored e-mails from Fan Services, ducked their phone calls. Finally, last Friday, up against a deadline, he asked his wife if she still wanted to go to Raider games. Ray told her if she and her daughter didn’t want to go to games any more, he wouldn’t renew.
She told him they’d still go with him.
So Ray is hanging on.
Ray said if the Raiders had changed coaches again, he would have given up his tickets, not because of any great love for Lane Kiffin as much as he thinks the revolving door of head coaches since 1995 indicates problems that go all the way to the top.
Raider fans come in all shapes, sizes and colors. The loud and profane ones seem to get the most attention, even though there are just as many professionals and blue collar workers with families who wish the boorish element would add some decorum to the passion.
Ray is a retired officer from a Bay Area police force. He’s been on patrol in a high-crime neighborhood and been a member of a SWAT team. He’s seen enough in real life to have a sense of perspective about where football fits in. He’s not going to be sweating out the details of this weekend’s rookie minicamp or bury himself in roster minutia.
He pays close enough attention to know how much the Raiders have revamped the roster in the offseason, but is careful about being overly optimistic. He was puzzled by the contract impasse which robbed JaMarcus Russell of a rookie season and wonders whether the new quarterback will be the answer.
“I always hear about how good we are on paper,” Ray said, falling into the trap of one of the great myths of the Raiders _ that the organization is flush with talent every year.
He simply wants to go see his Raiders every Sunday (he usually donates his preseason tickets to police charities), root for his team, and be entertained. He has changed his seat location only once since 1995, and enjoys the company of the familiar faces in the surrounding seats. Ray said many of them feel the same way he does.
Ray has looked at the schedule. He isn’t thinking about a Super Bowl, but simply wants progress. He calls the last five years “garbage” and wants a better product.
“Seven or eight wins. That would show me something,” Ray said. “That’s not unreasonable, is it? Seven or eight wins, or I’m gone.”
Kiffin is probably saying the same thing.
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May 5th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
1st???
May 5th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
keep the faith ray
May 5th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Let’s see some physical football, the wins will follow that.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
First???
I hear you loud and clear I have been a fan for 30 years and I live near the East Coast. It’s getting difficult to stay loyal. I’m hanging in for one more year. All I want is progress.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Anybody see Peter King’s post draft/free agency ranking of the Raiders? He’s got em at #30 only a bit ahead of the chiefs and falcons. What a jerk.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Peter is a Tool!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Im a long time Raider fan and this is the 1st time I bought season tickets. In the past it was much cheaper to simply buy individual seats. This year its a real bargain. I only paid $360 for an entire season. That unheard on. I culdnt pass up that deal and neither could my buddies. Right now there is about 15 of us. I cant wait!!!
When I lived back East it always felt funny that my friends in Oakland was calling me up to hear the latest on the Raider game. I had the NFL package and saw more games than they did, not having to deal with the blackouts. Something just seems really wrong with that.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
From SI’s MMQB:
30. Oakland. We’re beating a dead Darth Vader to say it’s broke, and Al’s not fixing it. Winning 4, 5, 4, 2 and 4 games over the last five years (New England won 18 last year; Oakland’s won 19 in a half-decade) should tell you something. But it doesn’t tell the Raiders anything, except, “Let’s keep doing what we’ve been doing and see what happens.”
For this year, maybe JaMarcus Russell throwing to Javon Walker will get it done, though you can’t count on Walker with his injury history to play 16 games. And maybe DeAngelo Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha will form the best cornerback tandem in football and repel big days from Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers. Maybe. The best thing Oakland could do is hand the team to a good coach (I vote for Lane Kiffin) and let him build the team his way. It can’t be any worse than what’s happening now.
Teams he has us ranked lower than that I think we’ll be have a better record than (or at least equal): Denver (they’re gonna have a bad year, i can already tell), Chicago (Grossman or Orton? Sweet), Baltimore (hired the wrong Harbaugh, Boller’s their QB), Cincinnati (As The World Turns), Detroit (Seriously?), Miami (Serious rebuilding phase), San Francisco (they’re saying JT O’Sullivan’s in the mix to start at QB?!? Good thing he has good receivers to throw to, wait a second…)
May 5th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I also like our odds to have as good of if not a better record as St. Louis, Arizona, Tennessee and Texas.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
We will have a better record than a lot of teams especially the whiners doinks and chefs
May 5th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Im with Ray, 7 wins will make me very happy. we have an easy schedule and its very important to get off to a good start and fatten up on some of the weaker teams we face early.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I honestly do not see why everybody thinks miami may be a ‘’suprise” this year. I think they will do well not to finish dead last. There team has got a hell of a lot worse. There will be no improvement. They will finsih dead last followed by Atlanta, Kansas then its a toss up between Tennesse Texas Buffalo Denver Stlouis and Oakland
May 5th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I forgot San Fran, they really will suck
May 5th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Jerry,
Your description of “Ray” seems to take a swipe at some of us: “He’s seen enough in real life to have a sense of perspective about where football fits in. He’s not going to be sweating out the details of this weekend’s rookie minicamp or bury himself in roster minutia.”
Passion about a sports team is not antithetical to mental health. We all have free time, or time not otherwise allocated to work, family, church, friendship and other obligations. If I’m in an discussion with someone (who is also a professionally employed person with a family and life is not duochromatically silver and black)on the subject of how many DBs we may carry given the flexibility of Tyvon Branch and need for probably carrying more WRs than we carried last year, does that make us people whose perspective on life is defective?
I don’t think that was what you intended, but it sure can be read that way — caused me to ask, “Whoa!? Is he talking abut me?”
Of course, if the shoe, fits and all that. Maybe it’s the Bay Area that has people expressing thoughts in a way that gets them in trouble when taken out of context (bitter?).
Peace.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
(repost) 8-8 would be great progress, but would not be close to a great season.
If this team pulls to 8-8, competitive in nearly every game (like pulling out games it couldn’t/didn’t last year), then Kiffin will be expected to have them in the playoffs every year thereafter — and that’s where great seasons are defined.
Key for this team will be to start fast, build momentum — and a winning attitude — and learn what it feels like to get used to winning again.
Winning. Ah, I remember it well.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I am also really sick of watching the Raiders. I have been paying for Directv NFL ticket because I live in Jersy and I get so frustrated that I want to kick my TV in. But How can I have high expectations like I do every year. I don’t think we need anymore superstars. We need consistency. That is it. Stick with a coach and a quarterback and you can build around that. Yes, there are so many other problems we faced in the last 5 years. But how do you win games without consistent coaching. Did Al really think he would hire Norv or Shell and they would turn around a building team in a year or two.
This year does look good though given we have the best schedule in over 5 years. We have the same coaching staff for the most part and a returning QB that will indefinitely will be the starter - no guessing game Kif. I see the light.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Jerry,
I think we are all giving it one more year. Just like we said last year…and the year before that. We know that Al Davis’ management of this franchise is, at best, idiosyncratic and, at worse, incompetent. We all know that we need stability and consistency in both coaching and roster. But we all, for some inexplicable reasons, love this team.
I actually think the outcry in this blog and others in January about the potential sacking of Lane Kiffin was a pivotal moment. We know that Al reads everything even though he says nothing. He may not respect the press, listen to his family, trust his coaches but, I guess he may have a closer bond with the Nation than most commentators would credit.
After all, the Raider Nation is Al Davis’ finest creation. Not teams, not players, but us.
Peter King was right about the need for a coach-led franchise and for stability. He overlooked the significant improvements in FA and the catalytic effect that Darren McFadden could and should have on this team. I think we might well go 8:8, and 10:6 is not ridiculous if the D stands up and the O keeps developing.
Ray may not be interested in the minutia of pre-camp rosters, but there have been some interesting moves elsewhere in the league. Including, the release by the Vikings of the ex-USC LB Dallas Sartz. I wonder if Kiff will give him a try here?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I’m too far out of town to buy a PSL. Maybe if I were a PSL holder I’d feel different, but I’m in for life. It’s too deep in my blood at this stage. See you in Detroit in 2010, Jerry.
The best part of the article was the stuff about the myth regarding our “talent”. Everyone in the NFL has talent or they wouldn’t be there. So what? I think Al is living in the past that way - bring in raw athletic ability and nurture it with a good environment. We haven’t exactly been winning a lot of games lately, though. Does Davis know this? The world wonders.
I agree with Birdwell that the blog entry for today is intended as a needle, just a bit. It’s OK though, we all could use it. It was good to discover Coach Sean is still reading the blog.
This will be a good draft if McFadden works, it just takes one. Seriously, if (if if if) this guy is the next Marcus, the whole team is picked up. He got us from 7-9 to 8-1. Beware, Marcus fumbled a lot, too.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
And the Colts have just release OG Dylan Gandy. Gandy was a 4th round pick in 2005 from Texas Tech. He has only been a back-up for the Colts but may suit a Cable scheme.
He also long-snapper in college and we need to give Jon Condo some competition.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
# albert bigelow paine Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Oakglenn does not want to talk to you MR.
………
Oh, believe me, I don’t want to talk to him, either. I’m mocking him because he’s talking less football than anyone else in here, despite being the one constantly griping about people “ruining” this blog. Oakglenn is doing as much to ruin this place as anyone.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Whats the story with this guy E. Hartwell LB from the Falcons!!
Is he any good????
He last played with the Falcons in 2006…..Was he hurt in 2007???
May 5th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Scottish Raider @ 19
May 5th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Ray, to me, represents the real fans of this team. Thank you Jerry, for putting real fans like Ray in contrast to the kool aid drinking blowhards that have permeated your comments section like rats in a wall.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I agree RIP Dan Birdwell. I thought that was a little swipe as well. When you consider the fact that professionals like myself spend 10 hours a day in front of a computer. Its no big deal to spend some time on a Raider blog. Its a release from the grind and the depressing news. Some take smoke breaks. Some surf the net. I like to discuss the Raiders.
Jerry would be silly so assume that we are all losers sitting in our mothers basements. Im willing to bet that I make more than he does.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Scottish Raider @ 19
(Sorry, y’all, dunno how that posted)
Condo was almost certainly one of the top three LSs in coverage last year, league-wide. Don’t recall an issue on FGs. Did I miss something?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Glory,
Yes, Hartwell was injured for most of his time with the Falcons. The Falcons gave him a six-year $26.25 million contract in 2004/5. However, he played in only 13 games recording 63 tackles and one sack before being cut.
If fit (big IF) then Hartwell could provide us with the big, run-stuffing MLB we so desperately lack. He has real talent but the injury record is a big concern.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
RIP, I am also a big Jon Condo fan but he is the only long-snapper on the roster and some competition would be healthy.
I wonder if Dallas Sartz can long-snap?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
RaiderTay @ 24,
I don’t think that Jerry was actually taking a swipe at us, but wanted to raise the issue. Like I implied, it’s easy to take things out of context.
Certainly there are some folks who scream at each other here with a fire that makes me wonder, but they seem to be among the least, not the most, knowledgeable on the forum.
(I don’t personally put much stock into who makes what money — look at those Enron boys, for example; or the local hospice workers.
Peace.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Scottish Raider @ 28,
Gotcha. They bring a PK and P in every year, too, but I’m not sure of that’s competition or for the same reason that some guys are called “camp arms.” Still, point well taken.
Peace.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Insider…. Until you need one.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
MaddenRaider Says:
October 1st, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Last week, we played Culpepper most of the game and our defense still allowed Cleveland into field goal range to win it, only to fall short due to a blocked kick.
Our real area in need of repair is actually our defense. It just so happens we didn’t need a defense at all yesterday. Our offense was on the field practically all day.
So, if Kiffin decides to go with a healthy McNown over Culpepper, I’m behind him. Does anyone want to name a better game time personnel man in this organization than Lane Kiffin? I’m all ears.
I refuse to fault Kiffin until we lose our 9th game. There is no reason for this squad to not go at least 8-8 with the overall talent, if a good game plan is used. So at that point, I would agree that Kiffin may have been the wrong choice. Therefore, you Kiffin doubters have 7 losses to go before you have my ear.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
hello raider nation.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
MR Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
# albert bigelow paine Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Oakglenn does not want to talk to you MR.
………
Oh, believe me, I don’t want to talk to him, either. I’m mocking him because he’s talking less football than anyone else in here, despite being the one constantly griping about people “ruining” this blog. Oakglenn is doing as much to ruin this place as anyone.
No one wants to talk to you. Everytime you are here there is a problem. oakglenn is here positng and not causing problems. everytime you are here there are problems. i hope you die hard.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
any news about the raiders?
May 5th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
is there a good DT out there grabs?
and no not grady, dude is old and pushing 370.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
sorry, for grabs.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
No offence but this wasnt one of your best articles. I need my Raider fix not my Raider FAN fix.
Other then that, i look forward to reading your next blog.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Lamest blog ever.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
how about rodney bailey and ethan kelley?
what do you guys think?
May 5th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
So, Insider — Does that mean you wouldn’t welcome a off-duty, Raiders-fan cop to one of your tailgates? Sure you haven’t already?
May 5th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Raider O,…Im not convinced Sapp is done,..stay tuned,..I did not get that off the island, just my own opinion.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
No matter how bad they were/are/will be, I can’t walk away. I have too much emotion invested into this organization.
No matter how many times Al has made a mockery out of us, or champions out of us, or made a stupid offseason pickup, flip flopped coaches, drafted stupidly, there is too much pride in me to turn my back on them.
If I turn tail and run now, I will be no better than all of those fake Red Sox and Yankees fans I see at every single A’s game.
I’m in it for the long haul. Just give me a glimmer of hope this year, Al…just a glimmer, that’s all I’m asking. Is that so much after enduring these last 5 years and not turning my back? Just give me 7 wins, please…and hold onto Kiff.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
what do you guys think, do we still nees a DT?
May 5th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Alameda, thx for responding,i hope you that doesnt happen, he is a good pass rusher, but not a run stuffer. and we have good pass rushers in kelley and warren.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Thank you Eric,..as I said, if that cop threatens to stay away if we dont win 7 or 8, I hope we win 6.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Dont worry Raider O,…we will stop the run this year….seriously, I like Warren,..look for him to have a huge year.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
i want a nasty DT with big body like wilfork, we passed on him for gallery?
May 5th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
i like him too, he played well b4 getting injured.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
real raiders fans will never give up on the silver & black!! Come on NATION get with the program…..weak post 2 Jerry….
May 5th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Jerry: Ray is right on with all the coaching changes.
Callahan…that was more than suspect. On paper he was the coach, but we all know that Gannon ran the offense. Of course, Gannon couldn’t do it all during the Super Bowl and Gruden knew exactly what to do.
When AD let Gruden go, he actually let the Super Bowl go. In fact, one could argue that we may have won back to back Super Bowls with Gruden at that time. But no, AD
went for some “stupid-ass-money” and some draft picks. In the process, he was losing the next years Super Bowl. The year prior to that, he lost the Super Bowl because of the “tuck-rule,” which really translates to the: ” THE NFL SAYING, LETS F&*K THE RAIDERS.”
Then there is the Norv Turner hiring. Here’s a born loser at that position, as he communicates with his players through other coaches. He may be a fair “offensive coordinator,” as he showed in Dallas, but that’s his limit. (the discharges will con-
tinue to decline under his coaching.)
The Art Shell tragedy was doomed when he hired a Walsh, a man running a bed and breakfact up in Utah (Idaho?) who had been out of actual coaching for eleven years.
What was Shell thinking at the time?
Ya, AD is a great football coach and owner and he has put his money where his mouth is this year in an attempt to bring us back to the glory we once had, that we deserve and to what some would say is our destiny. How-
ever, there is a problem with all are coaching changes and I agree with your RAY that Al has to leave it alone already. Let
Kiffen do his thing.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
These days a corner is only as good as the pass rush, so don’t expect Nnamdi and Hall to go out there and be world beater’s. Press coverage all day long makes the Defense vulnerable to pass interference or big plays down field…8-8 would be an awesome season for us
May 5th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Dunno who you think are paying for tickets, but there a lots of cops, as well as every other kind of occupation represented at games. This team needs every real fan it can get.
For an alleged fan, you make the worst arguments, and shallowest points of almost anybody who comes in here. Whether or not you like cops has nothing to do with how a real fan supports a team.
Methinks you’ve lost all perspective as to what the word “sport” means.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
i like to play a game called we could had him.instead og gallery.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Thats funny. The Raiders is like that one girl who continues to dog you out, but for some reason you cant frickin get enough. No matter what I will always be a Raider fan.
Although the Art Shell year was beyond low. That was the first time that I actually had a hard time watching the game. I would get so depressed and drunk that I would pass out and miss the rest of the game. Those were some dark days.
Regardless, there is nothing like going to a Raider game. Its beyond electric.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Why don’t you come INTO OOakland, Jerr, and interview a guy on or in those same streets Ray is patrolling, and ask them what they think about this upcoming season. Being that the majority of the people whose area Ray patrols are most likely black, I, being one of those people in the high crime area Ray patrols, would beg to differ on the state of this year’s Raiders. When in the last 5 years have the Raiders have all star, injury free talent at cornerback? When in the last 5 years have the Raiders had a decent FS/SS combination? The last time the team did, they went to the Super Bowl. Hell, when is the last time a Raider QB actually had the respect of the opposing Defense? The last time the Raiders had a dynamic element added to their stout running game, and the Raiders WERE a good running team last year, they went to the Super Bowl (remember Charlie Garner?). I would say Darren McFadden brings that, yes, even as a rookie. People want to talk about the run defense, but OUR running game will be the best defense..does RAY realizw we have two of the SEC’s most talented players to come out of that conference in decades? Ask most people around and in Oakland, and not just passing thru, we think that these two, along with Lane Kiffin, is what this team has been missing that last couple of years…explosiveness, speed, and youth…
May 5th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
we could have gotten:
wilfork
roy williams
larry fitz
the late taylor(god bless his soul)
May 5th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
#55, Roy — Right on about the tough job the CB’s have in covering guys with no pass rush.
The best-ever CB’s in the NFL, including HOF’ers (and should-be HOF’ers like Lester) get burned when they have no pass rush help.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
And for the record, I know an Oakland bred police officer who went to school right here in Oakland, and he isn’t too “old” to know what’s really up on Oakland streets
May 5th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Al doesn’t put much stock in lockerroom chemistry or Coaches. Go figure.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
and plenty others, but NO, NO, NO. we took the safe pick gallery, 2nd overall to play gaurd,GAURD.maybe one of the best late drafts and we ended up wih a GAURD, not a probowl gaurd, but just a gaurd.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
CAN WE DRAFT? washington, phillip,gibson,dudley,collins,stinchom(i think i cnt remember his name he was a gaurd plays with TB),washington, REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I can’t remember a Guard ever getting drafted in the 1st round.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
did i forget someone?
May 5th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
wonder why other teams do better, like the pats, ravens, and stealers, its cause of the 1st round drafts.not everyone is going to find value in later rounds but the first round, cmon.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I remember my dad all through the 70s and 80s being a huge Packer fan since he was from Wisconsin. “Son”, he would say, “This is the year that the Pack is back!”
Every year the Pack was 4-10 (70s) or 6-10 (80s), he uttered that same phrase. He didn’t care who coached the team, who the GM was, heck, even who the player were. He just cared for his team and set an example for me as a child that I have adopted.
If you believe, you alway have hope. Regardless of system, coach, owner, player, etc.
I have hated being a Raider fan the last 5 years. Not because of the ridicule or the bashing or the losing. I have hated it because I’ve seen numerous fair weather fans leave the Nation.
I will always have hope. Call me a cool aid drinker. Call me stupid. Call me anything. Just don’t call me anything other that a Raider Fan!
May 5th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
lets look at the ravens last 10 years 1 rounders, the only 2 that didnt really work out are boler, and starks, and i really cant call starks a bust, he didnt live up to the hype but not a bust, so one in the last 10 years. the raiders,atleast 7 if you wanna include brayton.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
iowafan, that what a fan is suppose to do, be true to his team, thats not stupid, thats called loyalty.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
MR Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
# albert bigelow paine Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Oakglenn does not want to talk to you MR.
………
“Oh, believe me, I don’t want to talk to him, either. I’m mocking him because he’s talking less football than anyone else in here, despite being the one constantly griping about people “ruining” this blog. Oakglenn is doing as much to ruin this place as anyone.”
As much as this pains me to agree with MaddenRaider this has become true. Oakglenn has gotten out of control with all of his constant wars with many posters.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
now, why cant we draft, can anyone answer me?
May 5th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
You know although Im very optimistic about this season, Im also verry worried about this season. Im optismistic becuase I believe this team actually has the talent to compete. Contrary to popular belief our wr. group is better this year and our line IS improving. I believe keeping Kelly was a good move instead of signing over the hill big names like we’ve done in the past. We have a good team this year.
Now what makes me worry is Al Davis;
I worry that he may make Kiffin’s job so difficult that it may be impossible to get the team behind him 100%. Kiffin needs Al Davis to allow him to be the coach and not be so hands on. Be patient, allow him to utilize his game plan, Allow him to have autority over the players so that they show the proper respect that every coach is entitled to, then we will see the results in the win columns. YA KNOW?!
May 5th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
My post disappeared. Ray must have his deadlines confused…
For season ticket payments, the first payment was due on March 21. Next installment was due May 2, and the final payment is due June 6th.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
i have no complains about the last 2 picks, regardless if they work out or not, JR was a need,and dmac was the best talent on the board( it scares if we didnt pick him and he becomes the next AP,and he fits our ZB perfect)
May 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
South Bay Bill, you can go back thousands of posts and the guy who posts as oakglenn doesn’t fight with anyone. I’ve noticed a couple of the bad posters want him out of here so there making stuff up and positng under his name. It’s really crazy, but oakglenn is one of the solid posters here. maddenraider is evil and awful.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
ASO, was a great pick, no one seen that one coming. but the rest, cmon. 3/10, thats ugly.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
FYI
Ray doesn’t exist. He is a fictional charcater that Jerry created to allow himself the freedom to bash Al and the Raiders without it actually being him doing the bashing. Pretty transparent really…
May 5th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
i like oak, he is ok.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
we cant deppend on FA to keep getting talent, if we cant do well in the 1st round lets trade it for great players.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Raider O,
Our drafts are negatively impacted, in my opinion, because the GM is 78 yrs old in a walker and unable to visit & eyeball talent himself. Therefore he drafts excluseively on measurable such as 40 times and size.
The intangibles he’s unable to uncover because of his feeble physical circumstances.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Raider O says “why can’t we draft? The problem is the draft is a crap shoot. Not all players drafted in the first few rounds become successful.Some only last one or two years. We have not drafted all-stars but every day role players.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
south, oak never got into it with me, and i disagree with him a lot, he likes RR, and i dont eachone stated his views and never went beyond that.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I like Oak too but he has regressed. In his quest to be an all mighty troll killer he has become very troll like in the process. Lots of name calling and warring when people don’t agree with him. Don’t get me wrong I DESPISE MaddenRaider, he is a cancer. But Oakglenn is becoming very similar…
May 5th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
when we draft well we have a problem developing the players. yeah, oakglen has fought with the loser and mistabrown. who else?? and it seems like koolkell, and south bay bill is madden idiot.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
raider1, i dont expect us to draft allpro all the time but 3/10, cmon.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
you wanna tell me gibson is a role player, what role is he playing now, dudley, and the list goes on.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
what is going on here is some of the best posters have a few people coming in here attacking them. black hole priest, tommy trojan, bob marley, g raider, all have had there names highjacked lately. same with the oak guy. someone is trying to make a mess of this site and a few of the guys stand and fight. good for them.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
phillip, washington,gibson,brayton,collins, dudley,russel,washington, what roles did they play?
May 5th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
phllip and washington traded after a few seasons,collins and brayton lost in FA with cotributing much to the raiders, bibson dudley and russl are out of the nfl,CMON>
May 5th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
thats our draft in the last 10 years,SORRY.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
if its a crab shoot, we should stop gambling. and trade our first, or get staff from the pats or stealers cause its not a crab shoot with them.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
O — craps-shoot, my friend.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Crab-shoot doesn’t leave much meat.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Wow- Ray must be my brother from a different mother. I too went through the same thoughts. If Kiff was gone so was I. Again not for the love of Kiff, but the insane nature of our owner.My name is also up on that wall. I’m reminded of that old PSL line …Please Stop Losing. Raider till I Die.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I want to know what happened to Coach Sean, BlackHolePriest, Bob Marley, Raider Dogg, SilverNBlack666, SouthTexasRaider and many others? I used to enjoy interacting and reading all of those poster’s stuff and now they never come around. I guess I can see why they wouldn’t want to be around, this place has become a shell of it’s former self.
Every time I check in Oakglenn is warring with either MaddenRaider or Mistabrown, Dakota is posting links to unrelated photos and talking nonsense about the Lakers, LMN and others are talking about soccer or books and people are posing as other posters trying to ruin their reputations.
This place used to be the spot. By the time I’m done skimming through all of the nonsense I am lucky if I see 2 or 3 useful and informative posters. The rest is just nonsense.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
it justs kills me when we have to go and pay walker that much money when we could have roy williams a guy who wanted to play for the raiders, we needed a safety when we could had taylor.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Jerry was taking a shot at some of the nerds on this blog (Tommy Trojan). But the truth is, without them there would be no blog.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
well, when someone is here posting as other people and coming in her to fight and then the other guy comes in saying I never come into fight, and then okglenn exposes him and then he won’t honor his agreement what do you expect??? the sewage workers are running this place now. the good posters are all leaving.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Hayes, crab,crap, its all SH1T.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
RaiderKen Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
“Wow- Ray must be my brother from a different mother. I too went through the same thoughts. If Kiff was gone so was I. Again not for the love of Kiff, but the insane nature of our owner.My name is also up on that wall. I’m reminded of that old PSL line …Please Stop Losing. Raider till I Die.”
Ken -
First you say “If Kiff was gone so was I.” then you follow with “Raider till I Die.” How about making up your mind and stop being a walking contradiction. It’s fans like you that should not renew. Take your name off that wall please.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Lighten up South Bay, the wars and the odd postings are what make this blog entertaining. They sure beat the endless and pointless debates about who should be the Raiders 3rd string guard. I understand this is a football blog, but you can only engage in hypothetical discourse for so long.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Silver and Black Attack = Oakglenn.
Just post as yourself chickensh*t!
May 5th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Hello Raider O, whats up?
May 5th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
we new staff incharge of the draft or scouting department.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
O — the term applies to the gambling game of craps. Nothing to do with doo-doo.
Now, we’ve had a few crappy selections in drafts, but we’re, by far, not the only team with failures there.
The most successful teams recently have been a mixture of young, drafted players combined with a few key veterans. Back in the day, these moves worked here in Oakland. Lately, we haven’t been so fortunate, but things change. Things eventually change. Even for the Raiders.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
crabs are good.. unless they are the itchy kind.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
albert, not much, angry with our last 10 year draft.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
How are you guys going to spend your rebate check?
I am going to buy a brand new flat screen TV so I can watch the Raiders demolish the Broncos on Monday night.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
but most of all the gallery pick. its killing me.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Albert Bigelow Paine -
Some of us actually enjoy intellectual stimulation over instant gratification. I bet you are a big fan of reality shows too…
May 5th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Yeah, I agree Raider O. And we all know who to blame for that.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
whats up ith you albert, any newws about the raiders?
May 5th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
SChefter on NFLT just called the raiders CLASSY!!!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
No South Bay, I happen to loathe reality TV. I much prefer Master Piece Theater and Frontline. The problem with your assertion, however, is that I do not see too much intellectual stimulation going on around here.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
The Raiders are classy, otherwise I would not be a fan.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
hayes, i know bro, i was having fun with it.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Why yes Raider O, I do have some news. It just happens that the Raiders sponsored the 2008 Aztec Run this past Sunday.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
albert bigelow paine Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
“Yeah, I agree Raider O. And we all know who to blame for that.”
The entire league thought that Gallery was a lock, not just the Raiders. Maybe do a little research before you pretend to know what you are talking about.
So who’s to be blame? Uninformed fans that pretend to know what they are talking about would blame Al Davis. Might as well blame every scouting department in the league with that flawed logic.
get a clue
May 5th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
i know the raiders are classy, its just strange comming from schefer’s mouth, the guy never says anything good about the raiders.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
albert bigelow paine Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
“No South Bay, I happen to loathe reality TV. I much prefer Master Piece Theater and Frontline. The problem with your assertion, however, is that I do not see too much intellectual stimulation going on around here.”
Thank you for re-iterating my point without even realizing that you were doing so.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
There won’t be any news, unless we sign another FA.
Rookie camp is next weekend, there will be some then.
1st. day is open to the media hacks. Are you going Jerry??
May 5th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Gallery just might be a starter in this league for 10-12 years. Let him stay in the same system for 2-straight years before he’s labeled a bust. Simms was far worse than Gallery, even when Gallery was a rookie.
Plunkett was labeled a bust once, too.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
thick or thin im with the team GO RAIDERS JUST WIN BABY
May 5th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Oh please. I think you need a “reality check” Reality Check. Ha! LOL! I really do not want to hear you talk about flawed logic. You cherry picked one scenario to prove your weak argument. The fact is, the Raiders’ drafts have been dismal. Yes, maybe Gallery was universally approved of, but the Raiders have failed in the draft. You can’t deny that.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
no, i’m act5ually not oakglenn. sorry.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
but we know madden raider posts as MR, raider glory, south bay bill. how sad and pathetic.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
reality, (the entire league) how do you know that, mel told you that it is the safest pick, unless you are a GM and talk to other GMs in the league, you dont know what the entire league thinks.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
All this whinning about the Raiders.
We would have been 8-8 last year if two things had happened.
1. If Kiffin knew how to handle short yardage situations. Third and short, you run your FULLBACK, not your HALFBACK. Fourth and short, KICK THE FIELD GOAL.
2. If you have no pass rush in the fourth quarter, you have to BLITZ.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
hayes, if gallery is so good, why is he playing gaurd, i remember drafting a left tackle, not a gaurd.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I don’t think Madden Raider is South Bay Bill, he doesn’t seem smart enough.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Kirk… 3.) Tackle the guy with the BALL.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Come on Rick the Hunter, keep it classy.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
just cause mal says it, doesnt mean the league is thinking it, otherwise his mock will always be right. the entire league thinks so, now thats funny.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Raider O, it is spelled guard not (gaurd).
May 5th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
mel is the espn mock draft master. he knows everything and the entire league agrees with him.cmon man get a clue.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
sorry man, im the worst speller ever.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
the worst by far, i ask my immigrant wife for spelling.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Rick The Hunter…. Damn. I know the same girl, man she does get around doesn’t she?
May 5th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
im more of a math guy.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
O — lots of kids get drafted, then moved to a position that suits them better in the NFL. Ask Ronald Curry.
I’m just saying that Gallery had a decent year last year (lost among all the other madness), and he should have a better year this season. If not, he’ll be gone soon enough. I’d put money on him (already have, actually) being not only around, but playing at a high level for the rest of his career.
If I’m wrong, that’s only bad news. So, here’s hoping I’m right. (kinda like what Al says every day)
May 5th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Alright, talk to you later Raider O. I have work to do. Besides, I want to get out of here before the creepy guys come back.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Best line of the day thus far:
Crab-shoot doesn’t leave much meat (HayesDaze#37 post 92)
FYI, the reason that some of the regulars are not here at all hours every day is that it is May 5th. Comprende?
May 5th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
hayes, im not saying gallery is a bad GUARD, but he was drafted as a leaft tackle, 2nd pick overall on a guard is high, now curry was a 2nd day pick so even if he didnt workout it’ll be ok.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
later albert.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
This from Scott Ostler:
– Raiders draftee Tyvon Branch says of an incident where he was wheelman as his buddies shot up a 55-year-old woman’s car with a pellet gun, “That was my only incident, really.”
– OK, then, no problem. Party on.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Hey, NORTH PHILLY RAIDER…
Do you have any inside Philadelphia info, on the “Dirty Harry” Harrison story ?
May 5th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
what about may 5th?M
May 5th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
M, are you saying that they don’t have jobs. Because I would think that on normal days they would be at work. Besides, shouldn’t they be working today. I don’t recall May 5 being a national holiday. I am not working because I live in my mom’s basement and don’t have a life.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
We haven’t even gotten to training camp and look at all the players weve added. Al isn’t done yet………..When we start our first game we will have almost 50% new people. Were starting to move……..Watch out………The bitchen is going to be were to strong……….The good old days.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I, personally, have been kinda lit for the whole afternoon. Happy Cinco to everybody, even the trolls!
Tequila, baby.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Hasta luego amigos!
May 5th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Pinole, right on…the good NEW days
May 5th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
patron please, no training wheels, thank you
May 5th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Who is that loser saying am I now???? Sorry to say, I’ve been out all afternoon. Nice to come back tho and see loser boy hasn’t been using my name like he was all morning.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
909,,,
Yeah she gets around, but we’re hoping she can now can evolve into a “CLASSY” lady. I guess the word for today is classy. I hope our Raiders can get back to being “CLASSY”. YA KNOW?!
May 5th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
This question may be absurd but; Was the old woman actually in the car?
May 5th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Classy lady…did you see we have a Raiderette deployed to Afghanistan?
May 5th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Rick The Hunter…I hear ya..
JUST WIN BABY!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
When Al drops dead, we can look to the future with a positive attitude. Until then we are doomed to wallow in last place.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I still don’t see Hartwell added to the roster or in the transactions on Raiders.com so whats the deal? Its not official until its actually official.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Amen AI on post #45 he can take his you know what the you know what outta here. He aint no Raider fan…………..period.
There are Lins fans that have been loyal alll this time and haven’t won a thing.
Boston Red Sox fans that suffered 86 years I’m a fan of the Raiders not a record.
So Jerry, do me a favor and tell your boy Ray to just call it a day forget we exist.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
is it me or has jerry ever broken a significant raider story?
I always look forward to his blog updates, but he discusses the same information that has already been broken by the national media.
I’m not knocking him (too much), but give us some “insider” news once in a while.
4 example: Specifically who do the Raiders have their sights on signing next. Has anyone been to raider headquarters since the draft? Etc Etc Etc
May 5th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Raider86 then why are you here? there’s at team across the bay you can follow adios.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Hmm,, one too many cans. oh well you all know what I mean. Im out. 1luv.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Raider68,
Matter a fact why don’t you drop dead
May 5th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Adam Spieker is listed as a tackle on Raiders.com but he played center in college. This is very interesting. Is this an error or is it for real? Is he really converting to tackle in the ZBS? I swear this is one confusing system.
And please let us do better than Green. Henderson? …please brother, show up and dominate this game.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Jerry — what’s going on with this comment section???
Name-calling, blatant racism, and trolls are OK all day long. But, a couple of my team and NFL-related comments have somehow required moderation — at least one of which was never posted, and it was completely benign.
Seems like the moderator isn’t exactly moderating.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
And I like this guy Branch. I have that same feeling about him as I did Miller. I think we’ve got something here. On STs one player can make a huge difference (see Coop) esp when that person is a Gunner and KR’er. If Coop can come back strong to team up with Branch, we’ve really got something here on our STs coverage units. I suspect Branch will be regulated to KR and JLH, that new RB or someone else as a PR’er.
Last year we finally got a run game. This year we finally get great field position on KRs.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I will take a good KR I was really tired of Carr gettin’ us to the 25 and dying. Hopfully tghis kid has some thunder and can bust a few. From what I’ve read of him on defense Mike Huff might be in trouble.
If we can get some pressure off the edge and force some errand throws things will change quickly.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
one too many cans?what does that mean?
May 5th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Russell in 2nd year (But basically his first)
Miller in 2nd year (Began to show some skills towards the end last season)
Bush (First year playing)
McFadden (Rookie)
Kiffin = Youngest head coach going into his 2nd year
ONE YEAR! Give me a f’n break!
How long did it take the Colts to put a winning team together around Manning?
All the young talent the Raiders have, and they only get ONE YEAR in the minds of some fans?
I will give them this team several years because they are building something special IMO.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
stu should be cut if hes realy making 2.3 mil.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
“They are who we thought they were!” game is on NFL Replay. LOL
That crap still cracks me up!
“If you want to crown them, then crown their ass!”
May 5th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
i like branch better for back up cause hes alot cheaper.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
is huff gonna play free or strong, the site has still listed at ss
May 5th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
K rock… I agree… and yet the premise is if they stay together… ie: if Kiff is still here… with Jmac, DMC, Bush… etc… that’s going to be the key… period… I’m in the 3-5 year plan…and we’re in year two… I expect us to be better this year… and much much better next year…
as far as Branch and the special teams… I’m with you to… I hope we can get some decent field position… as much as I appreciated Carrs quickness… it just meant he got to the 25 faster than anyone else… … and stayed there…
May 5th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I think Huff’s primary position will be free safety … w/ Gibril holding down the strong… … though like last year… they’ll both play both (did that make sense???)
May 5th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
im looking for huff to have a good year, i dont think it will come if hes playing ss.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Carr was a good guy I’m sure, but I too just got so damn tired if watching him take one lick and he’s on the ground. He couldn’t make anybody miss. And to think Tenn thinks that they have something now? I laugh at that. He’ll consistently get you to the 20, but that’s about it.
Scouting reports, as I remember reading them, peg Branch as playing stellar vs run. Huff may very well be in trouble. Maybe not this year per say but next.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Huff and Wilson are interchangable and they are both hybrids. Both can come up in the box and both can drop back which will help in confusing the offense I’m thinking but Huff will be officially listed as the FS with Wilson as the SS from what it sounds like.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
ya, but gibril is a better tackler than huff and huff has more speed than gibril, IMO huff should stay at free and he will be a monster.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Wait till Cooper blows Carr up on a return… that’s gonna be funny!
May 5th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
i didnt like huff in the box last year.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Huff will be fine and Branch will be a nice rotation safety. Who knows…maybe we can finally see the 3 Safety set we all thought we’d see with Schweigert, Huff and Darius. Instead it can be Huff, Wilson and Branch so its even better. Huff covering the TE, Wilson in the box and Branch at Deep middle. the possibilities are endless.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
The dude just fills so many roles on the team its not funny. He’s a huge asset IF he pans out. KR/GUNNER/FS/CB …that means more roster spots could be open to carry an extra RB to return punts per say or an extra LB, Tackle or what have you.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
hopefully being free will allow huff to be who he was supposed to be when we drafted him… 5 int’s on the year ?
May 5th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
The nice thing…if a corner gets hurt and Branch steps up, we can always have Huff play Corner until we’re healthy. Huff gives us alot of options because hes so talented.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Branch… can definitely cover some ground … that’s a big if … if he pans out… we’re all definitely hoping with this kid…
May 5th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Huff should /could be the Woodson of the safety core… CW was awesome… (reckless… but awesome)…
May 5th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Tonio - Schweigert never had Aso and Hall but Huff should benefit greatly from that tandem and adding Routt to the nickel with Wilson at strong just makes the opportunties for turn overs skyrocket. Huff could look like Rod Woodson this year.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Exactly what I’m hoping for Huff… re: Schweigert… wow… what a disappointment… can you say Dorsett? If he could only tackle…we’d not be tripping on him so much… he’s not a horrible player…but… I don’t know… dude needs to hit the geometry books to work on his angles … (too late though… he’s already grown)
May 5th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I have a ton of faith in the secondary. I just hope our defensive line can be a force with Burgess, Sands, Kelly and Richardson. If those guys step up, our linebackers and secondary will be picking passes off at will…it will should be considered murder in the 1st degree.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
what do you make of the comments from sapp that we have 3 v 4 personnel running a 4 v 3 scheme?
May 5th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Tonio - Well, to Schweigerts defense…I think the stress of stopping the run compelled him to come up sooner than he should have. Stu was forced to make too many tackles and he made alot of tackles but it was the whiffed tackles that got the most attention. The thing that disappointed me was he was supposed to be a ball hawk. He just didn’t get the interceptions and that was more disheartening than missing the tackles. There had to be opportunities but he just never seemed to be around. I don’t expect him to be a linebacker, I expected him to make plays.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
scheigert should be released to free cap space, he is making 2.3 mil this year.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Agreed… that’s what killed me the most too… the resemblance to Dorsett and his lack of tackling abilities… I’ll give in with the… he was forced to do more than he should have …but damn… when you have your hands on them man… drag his ass down…
May 5th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Tonio - I can see how that is possible but I dont know. I think you can make any team look like they can fit a different scheme.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I love the current make up of our secondary… I’m very excited about what they and the backers can do… and yet agree that it’s all going to start with the 4 up front… and I think(hope,believe)we have the horses capable of doing it… we just have to see it consistently…
May 5th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Wow, I thought it was just me who felt that way. I too am an original season ticket holder from 1995 and was about ready to give it up if the raiders fired kiffin. It is ridiculous how many coaching changes the raiders have had. If they want to improve, they better keep kiffin. Glad to see I am not alone. Thanks.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
huff at free will be great, his speed is killer, i think part of the reason he didnt make so many plays for us last year was hes doing the wrong things that dont fit him, playing in the box and shadowing TEs.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
i’m in the same boat as “ray”. i’m in the “prove it to me” stage. that is what the raiders have to do this year, enough talk! it’s time to walk it.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Yeah…Schweigert was not aggressive enough. I was lucky to be at the Raiders - Chiefs game when I actually saw Stu lay the wood on someone. I think it was Tony Gonzales. Anyways, he put his shoulder down and really tackled right through him and for a second I though…maybe he found the force? Nope…right back to passive Stu. I think his problem is that hes too nice and nice guys finish last. Stop blogging and get your butt on the practice field STU!
May 5th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
It comes down to this again… if the d-line is “decent” the rest will be much improved…because it’s a better group behind them… same for the O-line… imagine if henderson and harris do pan out as tackles… and are able to keep the sacks down…and if this new center is truly a younger newberry… how much better Jmac, fargas, dmc, bush and the new wr toys… will be…
as for the topic of the day “Give it one more year”
We as fans are fans because we do the exact opposite… we don’t just give it one more year… we give it to the team… no matter what they’re giving to us.
out for now… Nation forever.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I will give it one more year, and whether it turns out to be a good year or bad, I will give it another year, and then another year as long as I am alive. Why? Because I have no where else to go. I am hopelessly addicted, and I am optimistic. I look at the improvements over the off season, and the more favorable schedule, and I think there is legitimate hope. The D backfield promises to be good, as do the LB’s. The D line is a cause for concern, but obviously Mr. Davis and the coaches feel they have the ability or they would have made more changes in that area. The RB’s as a group I think will be the deepest, best corp in the NFL, the O line did a good job run blocking last year and should get better. The pass protection was much improved last year and figures to get better. The wide reciever corp I am sure will be better than last years thin group. The tight end is good and only in his second year. And our full time starting quarterback is going to be much better than the Pepper McCown circus we had last year. I think Peter King is an idiot for not seeing the improvement in every area of the team, wich was competitive, but lost a lot of close games last year.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
i wish i live in oakland. you guys are lucky, watch the games on and off the field.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
You know what? Who cares if you guys are on a 1 year Raider fan contract? Who effin cares? I have to admit, most of us are happy with the progress of the team and we have alot of hope but a blog like this comes up and we have fans coming out the wood works talking about whether they want to be fans or not. This really isn’t the time to be talkin about that. We’re going through some positive steps and you guys are crying about the what ifs and possibilities of what might happen? Why don’t we let the year go by first and then you can decide whether you want to retire? How about that?
May 5th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
i live in SD, people here really hate the raiders, with passion.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Raider O - The fans in the area don’t always get to watch the games off the field my friend. I can’t tell you how many games I’ve missed because of blackouts. I can blame myself for not buying a ticket but honestly, its because I’m picky with my money and that has nothing to do with the Raiders.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
i agree with huff. ive never been to oakland and will always be a fan, ill givem 1 2 3 10 as long as takes, thats my team win or lose. the people that live in oakland should be happy to go to games tailgate and talk raiders with thier family and friends.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
still, better than living in SD. SD is home i mean sports.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
bro, if you watch 3 games, thats 1 more than i get to watch, i have to go to a sports bar to watch the game, and then the place is full of chargers fans and i got hear all the crap that they talk about the raiders.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
but its ok people love to hate the raiders.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I’m not going to diss the city of San Diego. Thats a beautiful place. The city cannot be blamed for having such a crappy team. I feel sorry for San Diego…they should just kick the Chargers out. We can send the Chargers to Montana where it makes sense. They suck, nobody cares about them and theres actually lightning there.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Raider O - Get the NFL Ticket.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I live 140 miles away, but I make it to two or three games per year. I also have to work sometimes, but I always listen on the radio is I can’t watch on TV, and then I always record the games so that I can watch them later. I like to watch the recordings of games that I go to, to see the different perspective of live and on TV.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
the fans here are wagon jumpers, 6yrs ago they hated the team, and now they dont want them to move.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
i have cable, and most my friends do too, and there is no nfl ticket on cable.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
this year i promised my self ill go every sunday to the sports bar.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Raider O - I’m saying…get Dish Network instead. You and your friends can group up and get The NFL ticket at one of your houses and you can all pay for it. It will be dirt cheap that way if you can all be sure that everyone’s going to pay. Then, you have a great excuse on Sunday’s to hang out at your buddies house for a Raider game. Pick the friend with the biggest TV.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
i cant wait for the first game, its on tv JR is starting, hes been putting extra time preparing, he willbe great.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I’ll chat some more later. Peace.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Does dish carry NFL ticket? I thought only DirecTV had it.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
we talked about it b4, i think we may do it this year. i have a feeling about this year, last year we lost 3 games by a total of less than 7 points, if we won them we would have been 7-9, this year i think we will go 9-7 or 10-6.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
later bro.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
San Diego has more bandwagon fans than any team in the NFL.
I had cable and ditched it for Direct TV and the Sunday Ticket… Prices are about the same.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
SD fans are diff than raiders fans. they only like the team when its winning, and they still talk about the LA rams for some reason.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
It’s funny how some not so bright people took the post about “Ray” and thought the post was saying he was not going to be a Raiders fan, while all the post was about was this guy choosing not to pay the amount to see the games live.
Parking alone is atleast 240 a year. season tix start at 360 for nose bleed seats. this guys been paying a lot dunring the time. Some of you have never even been to one game, let alone a whole season.
While it sucks that Al’s crazy antics are driving some real fans from the stadium, I can understand it.
The only reason I haven’t stopped attending every game is because of the Nation. I have made some good friends at the games. Hopefully our guys will remember how to win and allow me to attend another play off game at home.
The beating we gave the dolphins at home was great to see.
Anyways. to the Ray like fans, keep your head up. eventually we will win again and the raiders will justify you spending your hard earned money to come and see them.
Adios!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Jerry
I unlike “Ray” watch the Raiders from afar…. Moved out of Oakland in the early 70’s and have not lived there since… On the board we have people from all over the the country and the World as you well know. The Raiders have fans in every port….
Also unlike Ray I get into some details. I do have a stressful job but this is like an escape for me. I am sure there are all kinds of people on this website and it is hard to prejudge someone just because they post on the site and get into film or watch games carefully. This could be because they are “losers” or it could be that they use this as escape recreation and everything in between.
Here is a football related question - What is up with McQuinstan? He seemed to do well but no one is counting on him for RT? Very odd… Is there any indication that Sands and/or Henderson is getting his head on striagtht?
May 5th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Btw, I too am the kool-aid drinking type the hopes every year will be the year the Raiders turns it around.
That’s all that us as fans have left. Hope. So it does hurt to see all this Raider Fan or Raider Fan bashingl
kool-aid drinkers, realists, optimists, or pecimist…. we are all part of the nation. doesn’t matter if its for a month, year or from birth. we are all the Raider Nation.
We will get there again. “Hopefully” this year!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
At least you guys have cable. I have been in Japan the last two years and they only show like 3 or 4 games per week on Armed Forces Network. And I would have to get up at 2 in the morning to watch the early game on Monday morning and then go to work to watch the rest of the late game. Now I live off base and I dont get Armed Forces Network so I am going to resort to NFL.com for NFL gameday.