Return of “Big Boy”
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 1:53 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Aside from one ball that slipped out of his hand as he dropped back to pass, there were no glaring errors from JaMarcus Russell Thursday, and no sensational plays either.
On balance, the Raiders would probably take that level of performance right into the regular season if they could.
Russell made his first public appearance as the Raiders quarterback since last Dec. 30, the day he completed 23 of 31 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 30-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers.
That Russell was a marked improvement over the Russell who was 7-for-23 for 83 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in a 49-11 loss to Jacksonville, a game which coach Lane Kiffin was mystified by his quarterback’s decision-making process.
Judging from a single OTA practice, always a risky proposition, the Raiders are working on getting Russell to make quick, safe decisions, get the ball out of his hands, and sacrifice risk-taking in the name of efficiency.
“It’s going to get better,” Russell said. “Everything doesn’t get better in a day.”
Russell threw mostly short and medium range passes, never once showing off his legendary arm with a laser 50 to 60 yards in the air. He rarely threw from a dropback position, rolling to his left or right. Infrequent dropbacks were short and usually deliveries were made quickly.
And to hear Kiffin tell it, the Raiders were wheeling and dealing.
“We’re throwing a lot at him right now to let him still make those mistakes right now,” Russell said. “Then, as we get closer, we’ll go back to exactly what we’re going to do in the order on game day. But right now we’re still taking a lot of chances with him and see what he can do and let him make those mistakes now.”
Maybe all those chances happened on Tuesday and Wednesday, rather than Thursday. Or maybe Kiffin was simply filling time answering questions. Either way, there wasn’t a lot flash in the Raiders offense Thursday, and that’s a good thing. Better to get the young quarterback making smart plays from the ground up and work in the bells and whistles at a later date.
Russell cheerfully addresed the story of his supposed out-of-control weight problem, with CNN-SI reporting Russell was north of 300 pounds. Although it was tough to tell body definitition in loose fiiting red jersey, Russell’s face looked thinner than it did last year and he looked nimble and quick, covering a lot of ground on his rollouts with a giant stride.
His weight?
“Right now I’m 269,” Russell said. “I was never close to 300 pounds.”
(Maybe not. But if Russell weighs 269 now, then he had to be 285 when he reported after his contract impasse last year, and he probably hasn’t seen the officially listed weight of 255 since high school).
Russell said he’s looking to lose five or six more pounds, but no more. He seemed relaxed, confident and in control. He said the report of his weight caused Kiffin to give him a call, with the coach greeting him, “Hey, big boy!”
“They said I was 300 and that was before I had gotten back to California and no one had seen me. That’s why it was kind of funny,” Russell said. “People have their opinions. They get paid to make a story and a reason for people to read it. That’s why they get paid.”
Kiffin made no pretense about the fact that the Raiders are all about JaMarcus, his comfort level with the system and his relationship with his teammates.
“We really feel good about JaMarcus’s shape and the way he’s throwing the ball,” Kiffin said. “Now we’ve got to get all the pieces around him to come together and working with him at his OTA days. As important as anything out here, as far as the rest of our team, is getting that chemistry.”
More OTA news and snap shots:
– The Raiders spent a lot of time playing 3-4 defense, but Kiffin said it was only because the media happened upon a red zone day during which the Raiders go heavy with the 3-4.
“You happen to hit the red zone day which is the first day we install 3-4 and we’ve done it before down there,” Kiffin said. “It may be a little more but it’s not a major change.”
In the 3-4, the Raiders put Robert Thomas on the inside along with Kirk Morrison, with Thomas Howard and Sam Williams on the outside.
The first team 3-4 defensive front was Kalimba Edwards at left end, Terdell Sands at nose tackle and William Joseph at right end.
– Linebacker Edgerton Hartwell, signed last week, worked as a middle linebacker in the 4-3 and on the inside in the 3-4, the positions he played with Atlanta and the Baltimore Ravens.
“That’s where we’re looking at him right now. We’ll give him a shot to make the team and he’s got a lot of work to do,” Kiffin said.
– Just a guess _ if Hartwell looks like he could handle a fulltime gig in the middle, don’t rule out the possibility of Morrison moving to the strong side. His coverage skills match up well with tight ends and running backs over the middle, and he wasn’t always stout last season in terms of playing off blocks in the middle.
– With Robert Gallery away, the Raiders first team offensve line lined up with Cornell Green at right tackle. Cooper Carlisle at right guard, Chris Morris at center, Paul McQuistan at left guard and Kwame Harris at left tackle.
Morris consistently played with the No. 1 team offense, with free agent acquisition John Wade lining up with the second team.
Kiffin warned against attatching too much significance to starting lineups during an OTA.
“I’m not worried about that right now. We put these guys in there and let them play and we’re not really concerned about a depth chart right now,” Kiffin said. “We’ve got a lot to figure out with this team and find out who the best guys are.”
– Among the players who didn’t attend were Gallery, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, running back LaMont Jordan and defensive end Derrick Burgess.
Gallery got married recently and is expected back next week. Asomugha has not signed his tender, is not under contract and not eligible to participate. Kiffin said he has talked to Jordan but won’t elaborate. Burgess is an annual no-show, because as he said dryly last year, “It’s voluntary.”
– Wide receiver Ronald Curry, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, center Jake Grove, safety Stuart Schweigert,strong safety Jarrod Cooper and linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba were among the players who were injured or rehabbing and did not participate in practice.
Curry had surgery on his foot two weeks to go and could be ready in another two weeks, Kiffin said. Kelly, who had reconstructive ACL surgery after seven games last season and was awarded $18.125 million in guaranteed money, is shooting for the start of training camp.
Grove was also rehabbing a knee injury, while Schweigert, Kiffin said “tweaked” a leg and is expected back next week. Ekejiuba missed the end of last season with a foot injury.
– Javon Walker and Drew Carter got most of the work with Russell and the first team at wide receiver with Curry away. Todd Watkins, who excelled at the rookie/free agent minicamp, also has had a strong OTA, Kiffin said.
Walker said his injury problems last season occurred because he came back too soon from arthroscopic knee surgery and that he is healthy now. As for playing with Russell, Walker compared it to his early years in Green Bay when the quarterback was Brett Favre.
“He has a good arm. I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to play with a quarterback who had a strong arm, and that’s something I developed into, catching a fast ball,” Walker said. “He’s one of those guys that has that ball. The more and more we work together, the better that we’re going to be.”
– Watkins, Michael Bush and a few others were eligible play in the OTA after participating in the rookie minicamp. However, true rookies (draftees and undrafted free agents) were not eligible to participate and are expected next week. That means the first hookups between Russell and first-round pick Darren McFadden.
“I can’t wait until he gets here,” Russell said. “I played against him. To see that guy going against me and the rest of my teammates at LSU it will be a lot of fun to have him as a teammate. I’ve seen him do numerous things on the field. I just can’t wait to be a part of it.”
– Kiffin said he expects Asomugha to attend the June minicamp even if he has not yet signed his tender as a sign of solidarity. With Asomugha out, Stanford Routt still got most of his work as a slot corner, indicating the Raiders are planning on having Asomugha around.
– Fred Wakefield, a tight end/offensive lineman who was on injured reserve last year, is working at defensive end during the OTA. Kiffin said the Raiders simply wanted to get a look at him on that side of the ball and already know what he can do on offense.
– The Raiders will hold three-day OTAs in each of the next two weeks, with one day availavble to the media.
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May 15th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Finally!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
MR…
you’re mostly right, but about the loading dock for cocaine is plain wrong, that would be Spain or Netherlands… but once you’re in the EU, you are free to roam across the boarders…
May 15th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
It’s like “Big Boy” never left.
Just say “no” to Sam Williams, Stu Schweigert, and LaMont Jordan.
Go Raiders.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Not gonna do it
May 15th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
279 lbs?? He is bigger than most of the DE’s that will be coming at him. Cant wait to see him shrug off a pass-rusher, then rifle it down field.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Move Morrison outside and leave Jordan on the sidelines!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
First… I think we have something big going on here, forget big ben and fast willie (giggle) thios is going to be huge…
Second… I like the talk about Morrison and Howard on the outside, I hope Hartwell is IT!
Third… who was it who said Jarry Mac better write something about Jammy? well he listens to you…
May 15th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Trade Burgess…
May 15th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
bye bye jordan……….enjoy unemployment
JR sounded giddy about having DMC on the Raiders, Awesome.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
O and thanx Jerry!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
did he just say trade burgess?
May 15th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
at 269 I can’t wait to see a punk LB from SD try to bring the Foundation down. I would love to see him drop a hit on Merriman as Bush or O’neil hit him on a crack back……..Lights OUT! hehehehehe.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
MR…
sorry man… I misread your post. I thought yuo meant Denmark was a loading dock, yes you are right the US are.
Spain and Netherlands are the loading dock in the EU, its moved on land from there, once its within the boarder of EU country its in!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
i hate merriman.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Running a 3-4 more huh…….I hope the Turd can actually handle NT duties this season.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
and his gay dance.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
OldMan…
you said point taken, what point did I make? please clarify…
May 15th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I hate the chargers, and thier gay fans.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I hate the Q, i hate the bolts, i hater powder blue, and i hate yellow.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
O-
Stop saying that name on this board. Chokers, norv’s powder puff’s, super chicken’s, all acceptable…..
May 15th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Raider O…
This is a claim, I dont now if its true, but I believe most Chargers Fans hate the Chargers too =)
May 15th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
951,
I like that nick for JaMarcus. “The Foundation”
May 15th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Try living in the same city as the sorry dolt’s and their fans. IT SUCKS, at least when they actually have a winning team. When they suck its ok because all you see are Raiders fans sporting their gear. Fair Weather fans drive me nuts!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Jerry Mac… Thanx for the fix, now don’t let your competitors beat you to the punch next week.
Keep your pencils sharp..
May 15th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Thanks BBB.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Powder puffs, I LOVE IT.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
951, I live in SD.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
NFLN just showed Tony SorryGoosa……I still want to smash that sorry MFSOB everytime I see him!!!!!!!! That cheapshotting M(&(&*&^%% f*^^*&^())%…….
May 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
WooHoo!!
It’s on Big Boy. I like the comparison to the GB QB guy.
“He rarely threw from a dropback position, rolling to his left or right”.
Message to Lane, Keep Big Boy out of harms way.
OTA’s will help Jamungus lose 5 or 10 lbs just because it’s 110 degrees out today.
Oldman
May 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
O,
I did say trade Burgess, but it was half hearted. I don’t like that loser attitude that “I don’t show up cuz is voluntary”. If you want to win the Bowl, then show up with your teammates and put in the work…
done venting
May 15th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Thank Gawd finally a new post…
Glad to hear that Kiffin is using a lot of rollouts with Jamarcus. I still have visions of Walter getting mauled in a 5-7 step drop that we all knew was coming. Keep JRuss healthy! Oh and put Stu on the PUP already…
And where the heck did Tommy Trojan and BlackHolePriest go? Post-draft hangover?
May 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Lived their until 2003 then had to move north to get my sanity back. Still make the drive down town everyday for work. I would rather drive 80 miles each way at $4.00 a gal for gas the put up with all the crap SD has to offer…….But that is a story for another day.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
LMN,
That if a change is needed for the betterment of the franchise, then so be it.
Oldman
May 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Jerry you still suck…………….
Hartwell please be healthy Morrison doesnt need to be a MLB in this league. If they plan to use 3-4 no way Burgess is in the game and I expect Tommy Kelly is be one of the DEs in that formation.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Looking at last years Salary on Fox Sports page, Burgess and Thomas made the same $$ last season……WOW, no wonder Burgess was pissed. Thomas Sucks!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Oldman….
ahh yeah, I forgot that, suddenly I had to answer 4 different people =)
I was affraid I said something blunt or harsh, so you said “point taken” pueeeew =)
no franchise deserves what we’ve been through the last 5 years… well besides KC, SD, DEN, NE, SF, BAL and PIT =)
May 15th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
this is going to be a good year for the raiders, I can feel it.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I say trade Burgess for Jason Taylor. He’s older, but much less injury prone and stays in great shape. PLUS he is solid against the run as well as the pass. We all know DBurg is gone after this year anyway, and the Tuna can use him like Lawrence Taylor. JT would have to restructure first however…
May 15th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Wow, 2 people said trade burgess today, thats a 1st.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
RN951
about tony saragusa, totally agree, when he is on the sideline, reporting, i start throwing things around and start yelling at the TV.. hate him, he ruined the start of the dynasty..
May 15th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Raider O -
I explained my reasoning in post 30…
May 15th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Brien,
I think the optimum 3:4 could be Kelly, Sands and Joseph, backed up with Howard, Hartwell, Morrison and possibly Edwards.
Joseph has played DT and DE. He might have more substance than Richardson. Edwards has the speed to play the Merriman role.
I think Kiff is playing games. Since when would a team start its OTA with a red-zone practice?
May 15th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
McFlash and Jam together for the first time next Tuesday…
But we have to wait till Thursday for an update…
Hate waiting…
May 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
It’s still basically the same Front 7, and let’s hope Tommy Kelly’s knee holds up, is he a Warrior or a wimp?
May 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
LosT
I understand why you said it, but still to hear 2 people say trade burgess, our best D-lineman is still a little strange.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I told you guys long ago that the offense will be identical to the Titans, lots of ball control with play action passes from a moving pocket. It’s going to be nice to see a bigger McNair with deep ball accuracy running the Raiders offense for years to come. McFadden will add the big play till Russell fully developes, cudos to Al and Lane for making it all happen!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I only say trade Burgess if we can get another Pro Bowl DE who can dominate against the run AND pass.
DBurg’s trade value will drop off soon. I predict he either gets injured sometime this season and is gone in 09 or he plays his azz off in a contract year and we wont pay him enough to stay anyway.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Aside from the weather, Diego blows. Used to do a lot of work down that way, back in the day. Had my work truck spat on, half full sodas thrown at, middle fingers etc.
Why? must have been the big Raider sheild on the back window. rusted Bolt fans are punks!!
Would get the occasional thumbs up from fellow NATION members though. Always nice to see when behind enemy lines.
J Russ can’t wait to see D-Mac.
neither can we!!!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Thanks for the good right up Jerry. Good to hear Russell is making progress.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Burgess has 35 sacks in 3 years with the raiders, and last year he was hurt.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I looks and sounds like Uncle Al is allow Kiffy to run these OTA’s.
Don’t work’em too hard coach. Remember what happened last year, someone snitched that coach was bustin their tails?
I’m in.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Blame Gruden for ruining the start of a dynasty for sticking with Hoying as a backup and loading up on receivers that can’t stretch the field. He should have stuck with Wheatly and the running game that year instead of relying on Rison.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I’m gonna tellyou like i tell everybody:
Raiders winning atleast 1 superbowl in the next 3 yrs. Period.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I dont think it is a good idea to trade a 29YO probowler for a 34yo year probowler that will retire after this season.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I wonder if the “I’m In!” banner is still up at HQ? Maybe Kiff changed it to “I’m STILL In!”
May 15th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
This is the youngest team in decades overall for the Raiders, thats promising in itself.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Goon, my response from previous thread:
Agreed. Al Davis did a fine job of hiring the right people in the ’70s and ’80s. Since then, with Gruden’s brief tenure being an exception, he’s failed to do that. Kiffin has brought improvements, but it seems Al is now running him out, too.
Which bring me to my response to your second post:
Our overall offense has improved under Kiffin. That’s a fact. We were ranked 32nd in both points and yards in ‘06. We improved to 23rd in points and 25th in yards under Kiffin in ‘07. That’s not great, but mathematically it is a significant improvement. So, check your facts.
And, I agree, Randy Moss is a whiner. But his analysis of the Raiders when he was here, was spot on. It was certainly “fishy”, and it still is today, considering that this off season Kiffin was the one put on the bubble while Ryan was given a vote of confidence, despite Kiffin bringing improvement and Ryan’s defense declining. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. So, well put, Randy. Things in Oakland remain “fishy”.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
No problem, LMN. I figured you’d just misread it. And, you made some great points, as well.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
With an experienced DE in Spires to rotate with Richardson, Edwards and Scott, Burgess isn’t the essential keeper that he was a month ago. Both Kelly and Joseph have also proved capable DEs in the past.
And if we are genuinely going to play more 3:4, Burgess becomes even more expendable.
Peter King was convinced that Burgess was going to be traded on draft day. That didn’t materialise, but Burgess is no lock to be here in September.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Scottish,
They may start today’s OTA with red-zone defense because today is the THIRD day of OTAs…so it would make sense. Right?
May 15th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Jerry didn’t make it to OTA’s until day 3……shame on you Jerry…….We should be your most important base…….
That is why he saw the Redzone practice…..he was 2 days late getting there.
Any other reporter would have been hiding under the seats taking notes so he could get back to his base in a timely manner…….Thanks for finally stepping up Jerry
May 15th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
The thing about old people, is their unwillingness to learn new tricks.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
MR what is your name in the 49er blog? Anyway the early 90’s feature the Bo Jackson blowouts till he got hurt, no telling how many Superbowls he would have ran us to, then the Torin Dorn phantom pass interferance call in Buffalo derailed another Superbowl run. Then Gruden. Get your facts straight.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Always been IN!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
If Taylor were gonna retire next season he’d do it now as a Fish. He’s got 2-3 years left, is always healthy, and would be the veteran presence we need with Sapp gone. Mr. “It’s voluntary” Burgess hasn’t shown the locker room leadership we need on such a young team.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Mr.McDonald, that was a great article. Much thanks and praise to you my friend.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Eyepatch Says:
May 15th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Blame Gruden for ruining the start of a dynasty
i agree 100%.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
look at what he’s doing in TB.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
[...] Of "Big Boy" Return of “Big Boy” - Inside The Oakland Raiders - A look inside the world of the highly… [...]
May 15th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
951… Media was not let in, until today. Have to blame AL not Jerry on that one..
May 15th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Oh god, I can see it now; from today to training camp the 3-4 geeks are going to be analyzing how we can play Turd at NG and stand Burgess up to play LB etc, etc, etc…
…and then when the season rolls around it will be almost all 4-3 defense because we do not have the HG or LBs to play a 3-4…
May 15th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
NG, not HG…
May 15th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
DE will be an interesting battle in the pre-season.
Trevor Scott
Greg Spires
Kalimba Edwards
Derrick Burgess
Jay Richardson
Fred Wakefield
Greyson Gunheim
It is no sure thing that Burgess is around at the start of the season. Interesting that Richardson was starting as the LDE in the 4-3, and Edwards was the RDE.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Sands is too tall to play a 3-4 nose tackle.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
So is Kelly, I smell a 46 defense coming or some hybrid of it.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
hahaha, and for the last couple of month the talk have been that Dorsey, Ellis and Laws is to short =)
May 15th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
You want to stop the run and you have 2 shutdown corners then just scheme for it.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Studs Freaks and Steals lol….
May 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
First off eyepatch………Rison is the freakin man!! Way better than that 49er punk Rice. We shoulda kept Rison after 2000 never should have signed that b—- Rice. Gruden should have stuck with Wheatley in the 2000 game vs the Ravens? I hope you aren’t eluding to that because if you are then stop right now. The Raiders lost that game because Gruden changed the gamplan saturday night that was gonna be consisting of 3 and 4 WR formations. Zack Crockett was on the radio speaking about it. Hence Gruden getting cussed out by Al. There was no way we were winning that year when Nap was injured and Ritchie not in the game. These are facts.
Oh please shut up with defending Burgess. He sucks verse the run and your best pass rusher should be your RE hands down. We can live without Burgess trust that.
Scottish…….Edwards playing the Merroids role? Come now. That formation you speak of would have Howard as that guy since he plays on the weakside. Edwards would be doing the Shaun Phillips role(actually better than Merroids). IMO the 3-4 may be used a little to confuse but should never be a based defense since Howard will get killed on the outside of that.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Sands is 6-7 Kelly 6-6.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Gruden and Allen have had the buc’s back to the playoffs since they destroyed the calabum disaster. Hell, Bummbling Bill has even lost his College gig since he didn’t show up aginst chucky in the big game. what a punk..I don’t blame gruden for using what he knen aginst a team that cut ties with him, I blame Bill for not taking the steps he should have known he needed to take to change up the game. he didn’t do it. Gruden had the buc’s ready for everything bumbling bill could come up with. That is just another blimish on our Fabled Franchise. Now it looks like the ship is being righted and there are still the power that be that seem dead set on sinking the progress that was made last year.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
We are a 4-3 team that will use 3-4 at some plays.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Sands is too small at 6′7 335? LOL, watch Sands have a bounce back year in 2008.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Ok, what are the odds of Schweigert remaining with the team?
May 15th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
No Wheatly said in an interview they should have stayed with the run and I agree. But the problem was they had nobody to get deep against the Ravens fast secondary. I watched the game and that is exactly how it played out. Rison was a punk compared to Rice but both were too slowww.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Yawwwwwwwwnnnnn to fixed super bowl 37 talk. Raiders ran the ball 11 times or something liek that. The team that runs the ball the most wins the super bowl. And Garner aint nothing but a 49er 3rd down back……….only a bruiser would hurt that defense TB had in 2002. Go look at the stats that year in when they were gauged
May 15th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Burgess trade on draft day was contingent on us getting lil Howie. Since we didn’t get CLong, Kiffin will need to analyze the group of DE’s we have before making a final decision on Burgess. I’ll bet he would prefer to have Richardson as his rock on the left side though.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Eyepatch=lies……Zack Crockett got on the Ticket 1050 here in the bay area and said it
May 15th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Gruden made the playoffs because he got an obove average veteran quarter back just like when he coached the Raiders.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
You name is eyepatches because both eyes are covered…………..run at Ray Lewis with Sam Adams and Goose in the middle without a change of pace back? You sound dumb as hell
May 15th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
No Wheatly was interviewed too look it up.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
909-
I know media wasn’t allowed in, I was just busting Jerry’s chops. He should have risked his career to get us the scoop…..:)
May 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Fatso gets tired fast but Gruden tried to be Bill Walsh and got squashed.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Brad Johnson= truly average and dont use your BS stats on his dink and dunk numbers that year. Brad Johnson was good in 1999 and has been very mediocure since
May 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Running the west coast offense with Hoying lol what a joke.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Eyepatch i dont doubt wheat’s interview but zack crockett told the true story of gruden scrapping the all week plan since nap and richtie werent gonna be available
May 15th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Ya burgess aucks!!!only averages 12 sacks a season.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
The run that game was awful and the raiders didnt change until the damn 4th quarter I was at that damn game and everyone was wondering why we took so long
May 15th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Burgess is a LE that plays the strongside and cant stop the run………..yes he sucks to be a guy who wants to get cheesed out…..phugg him and his situational play ass
May 15th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
but who needs 12 sacks!!!!!!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I remember it was a slug fest early on and could have gotten ugly early for the Ravens until horse mouth went 99 yards for a touchdown and we started throwing a lot.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
LosT…
“I did say trade Burgess, but it was half hearted. I don’t like that loser attitude that “I don’t show up cuz is voluntary”. If you want to win the Bowl, then show up with your teammates and put in the work…”
Completely agree with this post… Dude should quit his whiny poutfest every offseason and just get to F’ing work with his teammates..
May 15th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
it was M pope fault.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
666, yes he souldnt complain since he and Sapp would get pushed up the field all day last year against the run
May 15th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
RaiderO= he was in on the 49er sabotage on us yes
May 15th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
The Raiders ran the ball 17 times that game you call that running till the 4th quarter. Baltimore ran the ball 46 times get real dude.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
eyepatch not true at all………the score was 0-0 until the 96 yard TD play when we should have used the sticks formation on 3rd and 18………no we kept running the rock until deep into the 2nd half
May 15th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
37 passes Brien explain that away. I don’t know why you guys loved Gruden so much.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
ok here is a link
May 15th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Are you guys discussing the 2000 AFC Championship Game?
May 15th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
yes, join in.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Links are down but go look it up. Yes the 2000 year is correct and we ran the ball 17 times and threw 37.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
re: Burgess…
Yep, not hatin’ on the dude, but let’s see.. 16, 11, and 8 sacks.. So we can roughly expect 5 this year from him? Give or take a couple?
Yeah, I’d say his “offseason program” is working well for him huh? Like alot of us have already said, just get to work with your boys and maybe you’ll get back to double digit sacks again one day…
May 15th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
The beginning of the end for Gruden and Davis.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
The “Foundation” will be solid this season. Past discressions of coaches that are no longer associated with this team will be topics of the past as this years team rockets to a AFC West Championship. The Pass O will be back in the top 10 where it belongs, the Run O will be top 2 period. DMC/Bush will destroy the sorry run d of the AFC West as other that attempt to slow their roll. The Run D will be improved into a top 15 due to the Raiders O keeping the clock moving and ball control. Raiders pass D will be top 2. This secondary is stacked. With all the competetion on the DL this team is going to be down right scarry. Lets just hope RR can hold up his end of the team. We know Kiffin won’t have a problem on his side!
I am soooooo in!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
much of those passes were in the 4th quarter
May 15th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
M Pope got eaten up by horse mouth, and we drafted D gibson that year.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Thats not possible, Baltimore had the ball over 34 minutes.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I just remember That fat a** sitting on Gannon and having to depend on Gruden’s boy B.Hoying to win the game for us. That 00 Ravens D was pretty damn good, but still cant hold a candle to the 85 Bears 46 D.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
virtually the 4th quarter hoying was passing all day
May 15th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Raider O -
Pope went for the strip (instead of tackling) and missed…sharpe off to the races…
Still pisses me off!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
trade burgess cause he doesnt show up to OTA? yeah that makes a lot of sense.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
We would have schooled the Giants in the Super Bowl.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
man I was arguing until my face turned blue about dropping Burgess before the draft, and now all of a sudden the Raiders get some washed-up vets and un-drafted rookies, and everyone else has turned on him to. The guy doesn’t want to play for this team, he doesn’t want to be a leader, he doesn’t want to adapt to new schemes, he just wants to get paid one last time before he retires. If Kiffin feels that Edwards/Spires/Scott can get the job done, Burgess will be on the table, fa show.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Goose didn’t sit on Gannon, he f-ing torpeedoed him! There is still an indention in the field where his chest was 4″ deep in the dirt. sorry fat a)* Mo)*)*& F(*&(&&)&(- N piece of )*)(*! OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH, I hate the Gooose!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
keep looking those stats up to try to justify that bogus as plan
May 15th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Yeah, that Shannon Sharpe T.D in that game didnt look right. How in the hell didnt C.Wood or T.James run him down? Sharpe wasnt that fast.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Im with you RaiderNation951!!!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
idiots Gannon was hurt the third play of the game by rob burnett
May 15th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | [...]
May 15th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Burgess is our only proven pass rusher. No way should he be traded. And for what? They should be thinking about signing him to an extension instead.
If you ask me, a veteran pass-rusher doesn’t need to hang around playing two-hand touch in May to be effective in the fall. He should do whatever is best to get his mind and body ready for the season. For a lot of guys that means taking as long a break as possible in the off-season. Burgess has earned the benefit of the doubt with his play in the past and the fact that he’s been underpaid but hasn’t yet held out.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Burgess has a little bit of a reason to be pissed. He wasn’t rewarded for his production. When Howard Thomas is making just as much as Burgess is and Burgess should have 2 pro bowls since he signed with the Raiders, I think he has a right to be pissed. he was never given a chance to get a new contract. That is why his production has dropped off. Watch out this year. Hs is in a contract year, he will have bouble digit sacks yet again. He still won’t stop the run but he will put Rivers OUT!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Rewarded for his production?? We saved Burgess… I’m tired of people asking for more after they’ve signed for what they’re getting…
May 15th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Having said that… I hope he does play lights out this year for us
then … he can go bet paid elsewhere…
May 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
2009 is actually Burgess’ contract year, he signed a 5-year contract 3 years ago. I made that same mistake awhile back and somebody corrected me.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Nah, we cant trade D.Burgess. Unless The Panthers wanna trade J.Peppers straight up for him.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
He was given a crappy 3 year deal after coming off an injury. Last time I checked, Kelly (who missed this OTA) is coming off an injury and has never had Dereks production. Yes, Pay the man so we don’t have to face the man! He hits the open market how fast do you think it would take to get him to KC or Den? Screw that! Offer him an extension with good triggers for incentives. Include something for OTA’s. Its easy to do.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
so he’s gonna bitch for the next “2″ years?
May 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
RN951…
agree, but it was apparent that he was ordered to smash Gannons arm, he tried all night, but couldn’t get all through… except that one when he got through! smash, Gannon out, tui in, we lose!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
BBB he can void the last 2. The 5th is a team option.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
D. Burgess would have a lot of trade value on the open market, after the trade that Jared Allen got. If the team was comfortable moving forward without an out-of-position, 29 year-old malcontent, then his value would never be higher than it is right now.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
LMN-
Don’t make me start throwing stuff at the T.V. again. Everytime I think about his fat A*& pulling his arms back into his side, arching his back and landing on Rich, who was on his side, I want to go goose hunting! That should have been a late hit, personal foul and when rich couldn’t continue, Goose should have been sent out of the game! ewwwwwwwwwww that pisses me off
May 15th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
BBB
Agreed. I just don’t know of an NFC team that would give up the goods to get him. There is no way Al would let him stay in the AFC.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
What do you guys think about Schweigert? Will he be on our roster come opening day 2008?
May 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Sith
Doubtful, Unless he learned ho to take proper angles, tackle, hit, you know, the little things.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
good point 951, and that might be the catch of this whole thing. Either way something needs to be done about the Burgess situation, because we have a lot of DE’s going to mini-camp this year, both young and old. Even though Burgess is our best known commodity at DE, he is also a distraction to the team, a prima donna that leaves the rest of the defense hanging, an injury concern every season, and an older player on a young team that offers nothing in the way of leadership. I like his production on the field, but much like Warren Sapp, getting rid of Burgess might be addition by subtraction.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I agree, he is a nice guy, but man, he is kinda like Anthony Dorsett Jr.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Gannon did not leave the game totally till midway through the 4th quarter. I assume you were drinking heavly that day Brien if you think Hoying through most of those 37 passes in the last 8 minutes of the game. The Raiders could not throw deep and abandoned the running game simple as that.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I like Stu as a person…..Just cant stand to see that many missed tackles. I saw a play a couple of days ago where we were in SD and he was one on one with LT. He hit LT, LT stood him up, pushed him back, Stu hit him again, and LT pushed him all the way back into the Endzone. It was like 18 yards of Stu playing patty-cake with him insted of pushing him out or wraping him up.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Stu sucks and we need to be rid of his misery.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Well said BBB.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I cant wait to see G.Wilson play, maybe he can show Huff how it’s done.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Our Saftey play has been just as bad as our D-line play, if not worse!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
God forbid an injury to Huff or Wilson would make it necessary to have a back up even in this season. I like the “Potential” strengh of Huff in his natural position and Wilson smashing TE’s and RB’s that try to come over the middle. I can see Wilson developing into a hard hitter. Not Lott hard, but still a hard hitter.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
That being said, I hope Burgess can remain on the team. Playing every down like he is trying to earn a new contract, and teaching Scott and Gunheim a few tricks while he is at it.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Hoying threw total of 16 of the 37 passes on that fateful day. I just think Gannon got too much dope at halftime. He was out of it when he cam ebackin the third quarter.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
DE’s: Burgess and Richardson
DT’s: Kelly (if 100%), Sands
LB’s: Morrison, Howard, Hartwell
S’s: Huff and Wilson
CB’s: Hall and Aso
This looks pretty good as long as the front can pick up the pieces and hold solid this season. Kelly still not 100% is worrysome. I had hoped he was good to go when he signed that contract. Otherwise that move is still looking a little suspect.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I guess they were saying that T.Branch will be playing Safety too, I like that kid he looks very quick and really agile too.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Wilson, Hall (70 tackles last year), hopefully Hartwell in the middle, our run D should be much improved, at least to the right side of the field and against long runs with Wilson making the tackles Huff and Stu missed on last season.
Now, if we can somehow get Turd to play like it is 2006, and if Kelly can play better against the run than Sapp could, our run D might actually be in the top 20! (unless RR f@#ks it up)
10-6 here we come!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Don’t forget Warren, he was a bad ass last year when healthy.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
With all the other guys in camp our line “should” be much improved. RR should be getting these guy’s to gel early and work on fundimentals like wraping up the RB. Then they can work to confuse the opponents offence. Something they haven’t done since RR came onboard.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Shaw will be hard to beat out of the rotation too.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
so, we’re banking the safety of “the foundation”, in other words, the season, on kwame harris. no one seems concerned, so i guess i should relax too. is this correct?
May 15th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
# 125 -
He actually wrapped him up and drove his shoulder into the ground. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Eff that fat goose m.fugga!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Harris can only be better than Sims yes.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
coinman,
two words: Barry Sims
May 15th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Eyepatch,
I lost faith in Warren when he sat out 6 straight games (or whatever) with a calf boo boo. What a puss, but I will always remember the safety he had against the Broncos in Denver…I was at the game and I think 71,000 Broncos’ fans gave me the evil eye when I stood up as the play was developing and screamed SAAAAAAAAAAAAAFETY!
Or it may have just seemed that way at the time lol.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
This year feels like rebuilding to me from the ground up, there is really no telling who will be on the final roster but just a few players.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
have any of you guys seen the movie “25th Hour”? Siragusa is in that movie, and at the end his own guys shoot him while he is crying for mercy. Very satisfying scene for Raider fans
May 15th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Kwame Harris was a first round pick, just like Lincoln Kennedy was. Maybe he can have the same turn arround???
May 15th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Well we could stop the run with him in there, I remember that, and I will be in Oakland for the Broncos opening night
May 15th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
If you look at the schedule, and none of the other teams take a step forward then the Raiders could go 13-3. Now, even with my pain meds, all of the other teams on the schedule should be improving at least a little. Now, that being said, with a little luck yes 13-3 is do-able. Not likely, but it could happen. just like I could win the Lotto tomorrow
) I see atleast a 10-6 Season.
If they hit the bye week 4-0, 13-3 is going to be looking really good!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Kwame Harris may be the reason Kiffin has Russell rolling out instead of dropping back to pass!
Russell, stay light on your feet next year, we will try and find you a decent LT with the #18 pick in next spring’s draft!
May 15th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
With a rookie qb and such a young team 8-8 or 9-7 seems more reasonable to me but Al still has the greatest one year turn around in profootball history, so who knows. It all depends on JR.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Calm down 951! 7-9 to 10-6…no better. Remember, our QB is a rookie and we still have RR as our D-coordinator!
May 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Kiffin runs the same offense as Jeff Fisher and the rest of the USC coaching tree is why JR will be rolling out.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
schweigert was a star at every stop in his early career. you know he had a bad season, he knows he had a bad season, i think he should be given a chance to show whether he has worked on his tackling during the off-season and in camp. the 2006 season was, as someone said, a “mirage”, and 2007 was a collapse of much more than stu. give the guy a chance, he has just been the goat for a poor defense.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Forgive if I am wrong but Stu has always had bad seasons for one reason or another, special teams for him or cut him loose.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Coin, give him a chance,C’mon, the guy had plenty, he eather restrcture his contract he is do a 2.3mil, or cut his sorry @ss.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
2006 does not count for our defense. We had one of the worst offenses in NFL history and the worst head coaching and staff ever, period.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
stu will get a chance; in mini-camp he is gonna have to beat out Hiram Eugene as the back-up Free Safety, or he is getting cut.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
the only thing Stu is good for is blogging, and maybe a backup.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Dakota, let my pain meds do the talking and listen to them would ya.
The “Foundation” ins’t a Rookie. He missed alot last season, but he showed huge improvment from the Jag’s game to the Dolts game. If he can keep on level like the Dolts game or show improvement over the season……The kid is going to be very good this year, the following year he might be near greatness. I’m not going to annoint him to the PB this year. Look at his stats aginst SD. If Uslessburger in PA can have worse stats than that and make it to the SB, then I am going to give the Raiders the same respect and chance to show what they can do this season.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Jets suck, flipp a coin to see who starts as QB,C’MON, what a sorry team they are.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Just think of what McFadden will do to a defense that keys on him on those off tackle runs, but no its a fake and there goes Russell down the sidelines running over another 195 pound db on his way to a first down.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I LOVE MY RAIDERS.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
BBB…
yup, its a spike lee, when I saw it at the movies, I stood up and shouted at him
LOL - how pathetic is that, at least there was only 20 guests and 10 of them was my friends
May 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Imagine if we the fans can own the team like GB.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Where did the Jets come in? did I miss something?
May 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
What the hell are they waiting for to get Aso signed?
May 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
BBB…
stu needs to take a pay cut too, to stay, eugene is way cheaper, I think stu has too high a salary to be a backup, but not the gifts to be starter….
cut or trade for a 6th or 7th round pick - that would be sweeet
May 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
LMN,
I own that movie, its actually one of my all-time favorites; and I still crack a smile everytime I watch the goose start blubbering, right before he dies. Spike Lee must be a Giants fan, probably why he decided to do Siragusa’s character like that at the end.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
951, no I’m watching NFLTA, and thought it was funny.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
They may have to wait until after June 1 to free up cap space from cutting Jordan and a couple of other over paid pieces of riffraff.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
They are still sorting out the cap and waiting on spreading Jordan’s salary over 2 years after June first. Plus the market is not settled until the rest of the top 10 draft picks are signed.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I doubt Aso will have to sign his “Franchise Tender”. I think they will get a 6-7 year deal done after June 1 and DMC’s deal is done.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
America’s game at 7 pm est NFL network. 83′ Raiders one of the greatest teams of all time!
May 15th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Man I hope the Chefs, donkeys or chargers pick up Stu after we cut him. Can you imagine watching him try and stop McFadden, that would be instant ‘poster’ material.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I won a case of beer from my buddy who was a Redskin fan at the time, in his home, as he cried.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
JR,Miller,and 1 of the 2 if not both RBs will be our offense for years to come, we might not need a great WR cause of our 2 backs, but knowing AD we will get 1 soon, and what an ofense we will be.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
NFL network about to show Russell interview about his weight.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I was 8. My step dad was a foreskin fan. I was instantly a Raiders fan. Have been every since.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Most of this has been covered, with a few new quotes.
AP filed this report:
JaMarcus Russell just laughed when he heard reports that his weight had ballooned to more than 300 pounds in the offseason.
Coach Lane Kiffin began calling him “Big Boy” and his friends teased him a bit, but Russell just went on with his offseason workouts as he prepares for his first full season as a quarterback in the NFL.
“It was funny to me,” Russell said Thursday. “But most of my family, like my grandmother, she kind of took it hard. But at the same time I think it’s all fun and jokes, just a reason to get myself better and just keep myself in shape.”
Russell said he weighed in at 269 pounds and looked thinner than he did a year ago as the Raiders began their offseason workouts and wanted to drop five or six more pounds before the season begins.
The 6-foot-6 strong-armed passer will never be svelte, but the Raiders are happy with the offseason work from their franchise player. Russell returned to the Raiders facility for workouts, classroom work and individual drills March 10.
He made it back to the practice field with his teammates this week for organized team activities.
“I think it shows his commitment to the team and to the players. They see that,” Kiffin said. “They notice his body being different, he’s got great energy about himself, and he looks really good. He’s moving around great and making plays on the run. I know it just creates a good feeling around the locker room as well.”
The Raiders have become Russell’s team after a difficult rookie season. He played catch up after missing all of training camp before signing his $61 million contract three days after the season began.
He didn’t step on the field until December, playing as a reserve in three games before starting the season finale against San Diego.
He completed 23 of 31 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers after turning the ball over four times the previous week against Jacksonville.
“I’m happy those guys got me out there early so I could get a chance to get a feel and see what it’s like,” Russell said. “Now I kind of got an idea what it’s going to be like and now I just get ready and try to prepare for it.”
Kiffin said the difference in Russell’s knowledge and comfort level is “night and day” from last season.
Russell wasn’t asked to throw deep much in Thursday’s practice and was off-target with some of his shorter throws, but Kiffin has been impressed with what he has seen so far.
“His confidence level is so much different,” Kiffin said. “He knows his team, he knows his teammates, he has a different presence about him. Instead of being in the huddle and just trying to get the play call out and getting to the line of scrimmage, he’s giving them reminders in there. He’s way more comfortable than he was before.”
Russell has some new play-makers to work with this season, including first-round pick Darren McFadden. Oakland also signed a pair of veteran receivers in former Pro Bowl player Javon Walker and Drew Carter.
Walker began his career in Green Bay with Brett Favre and said that was good preparation for trying to catch Russell’s hard passes.
“I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to play with a quarterback who had a strong arm, and that’s something I developed into, catching a fast ball,” Walker said. “He’s one of those guys that has that ball. The more and more we work together, the better that we’re going to be.”
May 15th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
BBB…
ohh he IS a NYG fan, but a few years ago he and his son was more into Soccer, I guess he is Football fan again after the SB win =)
May 15th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
ITS 8 pm EST
May 15th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I hope you’re right 951 re: Nnamdi
between he… Hall…and if Stanford pans out…that situation could be covered for nearly a decade… (add tyvon and a new “huff” to it…then pow.. the back end is settled past AD’s memorial)
May 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
If only we would have had Plunkett earlier instead of Stabler. Stabler was a great qb but was a drunk.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I liked J. Walkers comments. I think he will be able to step up at least this year to allow a younger guy time to develope. Either JLH or one of the two guys drafted this year. Both are big, fast guys. Can you imagine JR, DMC, Bush, JLH, and either Sheilds or Schilens. Young and incharge for years to come. OOOOOHHHHH, the future is looking BRIGHT in the Nation!
May 15th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
0125 denmark time…fyi
May 15th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I love dutch girls.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
RS: good observation about lincoln kennedy. you give me (a little) hope…
May 15th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
The guy that just bought the house across the street from me is Dutch. His wife is Portugeese…….Funny as hell to see them get excited and try to talk to each other. Even after 40 years together they were still confusing each other with their accents! Funny as hell.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
we dont need hope, we have JR,Miller,thunder and lightning, we dont need hope, we need run Deffense.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Cable said Harris was playing in the wrong system in SF. If that is the case and Cable feels that he is now in the proper system then I believe him. He knows much more about the OL then I do and I think after last year he has shown to know what he’s doing. If Harris is his LT then thats good enough for me.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I hope Shields N Schilens are strong enough to make it and grow with JMac… they could be an offensive juggernaut for ages… with bush and DMC… imagine a young Kiffen…and that offense… growing… they can eclipse what happened with horseface Elway …
May 15th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I love the Dutch accent.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
In Cable we trust.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
They just showed JR on NFLTA.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
This year the Offense will be able to help the Defense. Something that hasn’t happened for years.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
The O will control the clock, put up points and put pressure on the opposing O as well as D. That will keep their O from being able to run the ball 35 times a game. With our O putting up points and the opponent having to throw into our secondary……….High scoring D next year too……..I’m getting Raider bumps just thinking about it!
May 15th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I see the Falcons have started contract negotiations with Matt Ryan. Any word when we will start contract negotiations with DMAC? Or has it already started?
May 15th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I’m sure noting will come out of Alameda until its a done deal.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I’m getting a good feeling about where this team is headed.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Eyepatch: was on a cruise with stabler and several other raiders just after he won league mvp and just before he won superbowl. he was very accessible and personable. his drinking was normal for the 1970s. moreover, he was always honest about his habits. he was a great raider: (see “glory days”). one of the first things they teach you in history is: don’t judge people of the past by today’s standards. just doesn’t work. check out the drinking of the “founding fathers”!
May 15th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I wouldnt worry too much about Dmac signing, JR holding out was a 1st for us, we always sign our draft picks early.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
This defense isn’t scary without Asomugha. He shuts down one half of the field. Routt is good but not great. The team really has to figure out how to afford the contracts of Aso and McFadden while also trying to re-work the deal for Burgess. If anything, the team knows we may not have a salary cap by 2010 so they may be making promises with people at this point.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I think the holdout of JR was a good thing. AD is always the first at something and he had to battle it out to find out how to win the draft signing battle. The inflation of the draft and their contracts has gotten way out of hand and AD was man enough to stand up to it and try to stop it but the system is powerful. If AD let these guys get away with everything, we’d eventually get screwed in the end. To me, AD was looking out for his investments. Don’t sell out, fight for a better deal if you can.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I’m trying to keep my emotions out of my thoughts as to just how good this team is going to be and it is hard. I want to put the last 5 years behind me and the strides the Raiders are making is making it hard for me to stay humble. I can’t see anything less then 10-6 this year. I know 8-8 is an improvment, hell 5-11 is an improvment, but the strength of schedule, improvments on D, The huge improvments on O, more play makers in camp competing for a roster spot which will lead to improved special teams play……….Its hard not to get over excited about this season.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Huff24…
Where have you been bro, you used to be here more than I
May 15th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
(If this were to happen, we’d never have another Pro Bowler again.)
FINALLY, AN IDEA WE LIKE
Posted by Mike Florio on May 15, 2008, 4:58 p.m.
Once per day, yours truly does a Google news search of “profootballtalk” to see whether any members of the “real” media are calling us bad names. (Roughly three times per week, the answer is “yes.”)
Over the past couple of days we’ve seen in different formats an article from Tony Moss of The Sports Network, in which he lists a few things that the NFL should change.
Though we’re not big on ideas conjured by folks other than, you know, us, we really like Moss’s offering for the improvement of the Pro Bowl experience.
Moss thinks that the league should “form a Pro Bowl selection committee of no more than five people who cover the league nationally but have no discernable agenda, including but not limited to Peter King (Sports Illustrated), John Clayton or Len Pasquarelli (ESPN), Mike Florio (profootballtalk.com, The Sporting News), Adam Schefter (NFL Network) and someone from FOX or CBS or NBC who knows what they’re doing, to make the picks.”
Tony, I don’t know you, but I already love you. Not that way. (Not that there would be anything wrong with it if I did. Except for the fact that I’m married.)
Anyway, we like the idea on the surface, especially since it would give yours truly a seat at the grown-ups’ table. Then again, it would actually require me to expend effort, so maybe it’s not such a good idea, after all.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
LMN - I’m “trying” to stay away from this blog so I can actually live a life. My house is a mess, the lady wants my attention and I have a business that doesn’t grow without me so…I’m going through personal rehab.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Worse case scenario Burgess will get the Franchise tag next year. Aso will get a long term deal keeping the secondary locked up for 4 years before anyone is up for a contract (or is it 3 left for Huff?). If burgess prides himself enough to come in and shut it down like we expect him to, he will get the contract he is looking for, either from us or someone else. But like I said, worse case he will get tagged next year.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Huff24…
good to hear its only good things that keeps you away
May 15th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I can’t stand Saragusa ever since what I call the “fat man flop” he pulled on Gannon in the 2000 championship game. Actually I hated the way he ran his mouth before that. He didn’t even draw a flag. But was it Dorsett or Pope that missed the tackle that cost us the game?
May 15th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I believe Burgess and Huff both have 2 years left on their contra