Low-key Lane
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, May 23rd, 2008 at 2:59 pm in Oakland Raiders.
It was about 30 minutes or so into the Raiders’ practice Thursday at the so-called organized team activity when someone asked, “Where’s Kiffin?”
I had no idea. Hadn’t heard him, seen him or even looked for him while checking off roster numbers to get an idea of who showed up and who didn’t to the voluntary workout.
I looked harder, and there he was, standing alone, taking it all in, no more noticeable than than a member of the support staff charged with making sure there was a constant supply of footballs.
Which brings us to the column in today’s Oakland Tribune and Contra Costa Times written by Gary Peterson (misidentified initially on the Internet as having been authored by Steve Corkran).
As you probably already know, Peterson came to practice Thursday, watched low-key Lane’s act and surmised the coach knows he is on the clock and is simply awaiting the offer of a cigarette and blindfold.
Bringing up much of the tumultuous offseason as a backdrop _ the non-firing of Rob Ryan, the hiring of James Lofton, the wardrobe selection at the Senior Bowl, etc., etc., etc. _ Peterson used his license as a columnist to reach his conclusions.
I can state with certainty that less than three months ago, Kiffin really didn’t know if he would be the Raiders coach in 2008. As to what Al Davis was thinking, I would be far less certain, but can give at least an educated guess.
The owner probably thought the kid coach was being pretty ungrateful for having been given the opportunity of a lifetime, responding with a 4-12 record, and then telling the boss the best way to go about fixing his sorry franchise.
Probably not Kiffin’s best move, in retrospect.
But Kiffin, rather than quit in anger, dug in his heels and kept coming to work. He accepted his medicine, gave his input, and watched as Davis went on a spending spree to remake a roster Kiffin has said publicly was short on talent.
How much Davis listened to Kiffin, only he knows. And he’s not saying. Whether Kiffin agreed with every move, only he knows. And he’s not saying.
But there is no denying Kiffin has much more talent at his disposal, not to mention a far less daunting schedule.
He is continuing to run the offense he wants, a zone-blocking running game combined with rollouts and safe passes designed to build passing percentage, before layering in the deep strikes Davis loves.
Kiffin’s on-field demeanor has been a topic of discussion among those of us who have been at the rookie minicamp and OTAs. I’m not ready to think it’s overly significant for a few reasons.
First, Kiffin wasn’t exactly a fireball last season until training camp hit. He was similar to what we’ve seen so far _ wandering from position group to position group, supervising rather than dominating, allowing his assistants to do their work. The practice tempo hasn’t changed.
Whether Kiffin will appear more authoritative when the Raiders adjourn to Napa is anybody’s guess. He might not feel he needs to come on as strong with a program already in place. And while I may be in the minority here, I thought at times last year his enthusiasm looked forced, almost contrived, as if he were trying to resurrect Jon Gruden.
Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian used to journey to Tampa each year to study offense with Gruden, and there were times it seemed as if Lane was operating straight out of the Chucky handbook.
The problem is, Kiffin is not Gruden in terms of personality. Having done extensive background on Kiffin when he was hired, talking to old high school coaches, former teammates, coaching colleagues and family members, he is more to the Tony Dungy or Bill Belichick side of the scale than Gruden.
What Peterson sees as Kiffin “marking time” could be the coach simply showing more of his true self.
I didn’t even notice Kiffin wasn’t wearing a Raiders emblem Thursday, and while I have no doubt he was sending a message not wearing the shield during the Senior Bowl, he has worn Raiders gear publicly in recent weeks.
For now, the worst is over and everyone seems to have moved on and is concentrating on 2008.
It is going to be all about how the Raiders perform, whether they can stop the run and at the same time get an efficient performance from a quarterback in his first full season as a starter.
A poor start, and Kiffin could be shown the door before midseason, because the players will be out for themselves, knowing the coach is a short-timer. Kiffin is the only Raiders coach under Davis to survive a 12-loss season. He won’t do it a second time.
A good start and a winning season, and Davis will at some point make a public appearance and tell everyone how good he is at identifying young coaching talent.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
O.K. then
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
hmmm
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Heres what the Viqueens did with the picks for Moss.
Armed with two picks, thanks to the Randy Moss trade, the Vikings landed receiver Troy Williamson and defensive end Erasmus James.
Three years later, both are gone.
Williamson was traded to the Jaguars for a half-pack of M&Ms, and James was waived on Friday. The move came after the oft-injured James failed a physical.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Kiffin is the right coach for the Raiders. Can anyone attribute any of last years losses to a bad coaching decision. There were plenty throughout the league last year, but none I can recall with the raiders. Continuing to change coahes will just prolong the losing.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Just get it over with Baby.
Go Raiders
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Ian…I agree, to this extent…if the coach has “the ear” of his team and progress is made, then stay with the Man.
System continuity has a snowball effect thru-out the entire organization.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Lane Kiffin actually had the balls to say what talent was really on the roster. He was clear that the Raiders did not have to worry about players not making the 53 man roster being taken by other teams. There certainly was not an excess of talent.
Rob Ryan on the other hand is kidding himself and anyone esle when he sings the praises of his mediocre defensive players. The guy is a cheerleader and probably too much of a players coach. I think his schemes could use some work, but more importantly the Raiders need a defensive coordinator that holds his players accountable. I think a couple of “bad cop” type coaches on the staff woulf compliment Kiffin.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Exactly raiderlen we are on the right cant go wrong with guys like that on your team. Even if they are the 3rd string who probably wont play. Its the attitude around that decision that is gonna make our team better.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Whatever,…wake me up when the season starts.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
If you look on the raiders.com site and view thursday’s interview with Kiffin, is that a raider emblem below the neckline of his shirt?
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Jerry Mac… Thanx again for the good work, and putting this Kiffin’s body language nonsense to rest.
Do tou have any comment on Corkran’s earlier post here. That basically threw Peterson under the bus??
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
*you* errrr..
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Lane Kiffin is a used car salesman.
He is an ingrate.
He is not a leader of men.
He must go.
Al is God. Kiffin’s a fraud.
Just Win Baby.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I hear Art is still for employment. He plays a mean bad cop.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
As the kids say today…
…It is what it is.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
i love talking football i am already gettting “the fever” cant wait until we whallop the donkeys on that first monday night. to me every sunday is superbowl sunday as long as the silver and black lace em’ up!
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Fire Kiffin…Help Me out…why is Kiffin a problem.
Thanks in advance.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
“A good start and a winning season, and Davis will at some point make a public appearance and tell everyone how good he is at identifying young coaching talent.”
Ummm…Jerry, when has this have ever happened? I realize you hate Al Davis, but let’s not make up crap like your head cheerleader mmmmm-k?
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
…which is to say, not much.
Body language!?!
This is the bigs, people.
Kiffin is the coach. If they don’t win, he won’t be next year.
There’s really not much else to say, is there?
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Al is good enough to win with or without Kiff. Its time to get on board the bandwagon.
You wont enjoy this season if you whine and moan all year long.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Seatown…Can’t wait to see the “new” O and the revamped D. It’s like being a kid at Christmas.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
maddenraiderslapper: Al has done this many times. Don’t be so protective of the old goat — he doesn’t need your help.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
How can these guys report whats happening behind the shield when the Raiders are the most secretive franchise out there. Peterson’s piece today tells of (body language)?and sources ? It sounds like a tabloid reporter speculating on Britney Spears’ next rehab stint. I would like to know how the running backs and wide outs fared in practice than this kind of stuff. Kiffin will get his shot to prove if he’s head coach or still an apprentice in this league, Al will decide that for sure. It’s still early and you can begin the Kiffen hot seat watch as soon as he loses two in a row. This kind of conjecture is why Raider fans are so paranoid and frustrated.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Andrews Mom…whining is for men. PLEASE (foreplay) moaning is for Women. Crap! Alright.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Good job Jerry. Kiffin will have to earn his keep this year; however, the schedule could not have broke too much better for him. I think he will survive this season. The Raiders have above average talent and I think the coaching staff is capable of getting them ready to win ball games.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
“I have no doubt he was sending a message not wearing the shield during the Senior Bowl.”
Jerry, Mike Nolan is wearing the same Under Armour gear during the game that Kiffin did. Is it possible that they were required to wear Under Armour because they sponsored the senior bowl?
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Davis Sends Message with Aggressive Moves
by Christopher Scheer
Here’s what’s weird about my Raiders these days: You could summarize their last season in a single sentence – “Not good, but some hopeful signs” – but it would take a Tolstoy a thousand pages to do justice to their offseason.
We only significantly less space here, but we’ll do our best to grapple with a bizarre few months which started with media reports telling us defensive coordinator Rob “Department Store Santa” Ryan had been fired, only he hadn’t been, then telling us head coach Lane “The Kid” Kiffin would soon be fired, only he wasn’t either, then telling us nobody would come to the cash-strapped, chaotically run Raiders – before Al “Who Said I Was Dead?” Davis went on one of the all-time free agent spending sprees.
Before the draft, Davis had already netted top safety Gibril Wilson, fallen first round LT Kwame Harris (from across the Bay), DE Kalimba Edwards, on-again-off-again WR Javon Walker (to huge $$), veteran center John Wade, and role players WR Drew Carter and DT William Joseph. Overshadowing all of these, however, was the blockbuster trade for Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a potentially amazing bookend to pair with home-grown stud Nnamdi Asomugha for years to come.
Add to this the resigning of breakthrough running back Justin Fargas, the return of a healthy RB Michael Bush, the re-signing to big money of DT Tommy Kelly and the #4 pick in the NFL draft, and you have a the makings of lively off-season. The national media rather predictably panned the Raiders’ moves, citing chaos inside the team’s Alameda HQ and claiming they overpaid mediocre players to come to the East Bay. They even trashed Hall as overrated.
Whatever. It’s not my money, and the Raiders have never been bothered by a salary cap that is likely to be phased out after next season anyway. Davis is clearly upping the ante for his besieged coaches, no doubt miserable about the recent dismal stretch of that began at kickoff of the 2003 Super Bowl. He’s saying, here are your damn thoroughbreds, now get me into the playoffs.
If it doesn’t work, we can at least look forward to another pyrotechnic offseason next Spring!
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
alright every1 have a good nite ill check in with u 2moro u guys have been a big help for me as i await 2 level lumbar fusion in the coming month or two. So I may be out for the night but “I’M IN 4 LIFE!”
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
RaiderLen - Show some respect.
Andrew’s mom is the bomb.
Just win baby.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Post #26…Madden Raider Slapper…Stop that! That would make too much sense.
Didn’t know that by the way. Thanks.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
chill the f out Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
maddenraiderslapper: Al has done this many times. Don’t be so protective of the old goat — he doesn’t need your help.
—-
Sure, right when you get off Jerry’s beanbag. Al Davis is a guy who RARELY gives press conferences, yet I’m all ears to know when Al came out early in Gruden’s tenure, Flores or Madden’s time as well, and said ‘Look at me, I found a great young coaching talent, so shower me with praises’ I mean if it’s happened many times, it shouldn’t be too hard to give me some feedback as to when it ACTUALLY happened.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
whats up with Namdi. When will this kid get his doe. He is better than D. Hall and he is a stand up guy.
Also what up with Jason Taylor, he is worth a 09 second rd pick: get him on the other side of Burgess. Granted the raiders will be really soft against the run, but Kiffin is supposed to be a an offensive guru that can score points: especially with the infusion of talent Al got him: Javon Walker, McFadden, Drew Carter…and to a lesser extent Kwame Harris at LT.
I am excited about the 4th rd pick Arman Shields. when I saw he ranked at the top of almost every combine workout measurable, I instantly realized that the Raiders found a diamond in the rough. Granted he has done little on the field: Richmond University, but it is up to the coaches to coach the kid. He seems like a bright kid, and he obviously is a hard worker based off his workout results.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Fire Kiffin…Ok..certainly no disrespect intended.
Andrew’s Mom…My apologies?
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Hey Len you’re welcome, within the first 10 seconds of this clip, you’ll see this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2laN7_enwQQ
It’s amazing what a little research does for a person. If only the media tried it once in awhile.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
If you look at the football dynasties throughout the existence of the NFL, the one thing those teams had in common was stability. The Steelers, 49ers, Cowboys, even the old Dolphins (hate em). We might’ve had as many headcoaches as all those teams combined. Something’s wrong with that. Like I said last blog, the only thing thats been consistant with the Raiders are the uniforms. We need the evolving door of headcoaches to be closed for at least 3-4yrs so that the players dont have to keep learning new playbooks every year like rookies and can actually perfect the system they’re currently in. For the love of GOD please create a stable environment so we can become a Dynasty and reign dominant for years rather than go 12-4 one year, then go 3-13 the next year, then 9-7 the following year. Yet,,, I still love the Raiders. YA KNOW?!
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
MaddenRaider Slapper
was Nolan given a resignation letter to, he has no forty niner emblem on, what’s up with that?
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Slapper…Thanks…Do You realize that NOLAN may be fired any day now. Hell the RAIDERS ARE GONNA HIRE HIM. He was wearing Black afterall.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Hunter…You are absolutely right…gotta have a stable coaching situation. the raiders success has always followed this path.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
No need to apoligize. Just your veggies and get on board
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Maybe when the so called “Media”, has access at the mini. Kiff should put a sheild decal, smack dab in the middle of his forehead.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Post #36, I can state with certainty that Nolan was given a resignation letter. And when I say ’state with certainty’ I mean I’m making it up.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Andrews Mom… I’m In… : )
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
#41 Slapper…LOL
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Obviously, changing coaches every year makes it tough to get in a groove. Al’s been changing coaches like he’s on rock of love. We need to get a system in and stay with it .
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Al says dynasties are overated. The real test of a team is its ability to go to the SB or dam close to it on a more consistent basis throughout the decades.
The flounders, crackboys and gayniners all suck. Al would slap you with his cane for comparing the Raiders to such vapid whores.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Nice response, Jerry. Reasoned analysis always resonates more true than the sort of vitriolic tosh written by Peterson.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
“vapid whores”….. LOL…
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
This team is still weak in the offensive and defensive lines. They will probably win 4 or 5 games this season and we will have another head coach for 2009.
Kiffin just shows he is unhappy but cannot leave.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
4FER…Yes…Competent or Great CONTINUITY…lets not re-invent the wheel every other year or so.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Jerry, your OTA Wrap was weak, like you weren’t even there. After reading Petersen’s article, yours seems even weaker.
You didn’t notice Kiffin wasn’t wearing Raider gear???? After all the off-season talk???
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Raider Len, you’re “in” Andrew’s mom?
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Manu Gianobli, has a ripped off fingernail ooouch… On his shooting hand..
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
O’Shea…The D was weak against the run
The O ran the ball real well.
So if We can give up fewer sacks and contain the run we might be pretty good.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Thats hillarious. Nolan didnt even have on any S.F. colors, Gold or Pink…I mean Red.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
909, and the growing bald spot to prove it.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Jerry, why would anybody, particularly someone who coaches at USC, seek guidance from YOUR BOY, Jon Gruden about Offensive football?
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Quags..LOL…NO… I’m on her bandwagon…was the a metaphorical reference by Her?…I wonder…
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
#54 Tay…Pink…LOL
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Oh, ok….just checkin’, RaiderLen…lol.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Jerry, since ALL THINGS RAIDER stops at Al Davis’s desk, why do you ignore him as a topic?
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
KK, cause Jerry has a well-documented, secret man-crush on Al’s wrinkled ass, but he just won’t give him the time of day…lol.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
You gotta to be kiddin. Now were analyzing Body gesture to get a story out. Can Gary Peterson be any more of a Raider Hater. Thanks Jerry for laying it on the line. If the Raiders lose .. Kiff will be gone. If they win Al will need to kiss and make up to keep him. Does anyone remember Bill Callahan, Art Shell. Not just anyone can be a head coach and I’m sure the only thing G. Peterson has ever done is been the water boy for his middle school badminton team.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I think Jerry sleeps better at night when he isnt worried that Al may go RayLewis on him.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I realize the Raiders are a major advertiser, but does that trump journalistic integrity?
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
How foolish of me, of course it does.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Gary Peterson is an idiot , period. I wander if anybody in the media saw the senior bowl. If so, I wander how much is being said of Mike Nolan (who coached against Lane Kiffin in that game)wearing a Raiders colors Under Armor jacket just like Lane Kiffin?
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Lets set one thing straight.
Al aint slapping nobody with his cane. He cant lift it to begin with.
Those teams mentioned before were examples not comparisons. I know the Raiders are in a class by itself. But the truth is those teams did it the right way, even though we may hate those teams they still kept all the players and coaches on the same page, and thats something we need to do.
Yet,,, I still love the Raider Nation. YA KNOW?!
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Im not related to Gary Peterson.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
66, you’re a little late on that, look at post #34
But nice post anyway, LOL
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Jerry and his paper, slink around with their tails between their legs, when it comes to asking tough questions regarding the Raiders.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Kevn — vitriolic tosh. That was perfect.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
It seems to me, Lane Kiffin is just one of about 30 other head coaches on the hot seat in 2008,…I never put any weight on what a media hack writes,..they have no sources,..make things up…are without credibility,..hated and ignored by all players and staff of pro sports teams,…players and coaches only get interviewed when required to…media days and whatnot…for fans these days to believe anything written by sports writers is silly.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Then Scott, where do you get your info from?
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
The National Inquirer.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Ahhh!
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Once again they figured out how to get attention. GP probably lives in SF
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Honestly,..I remember at the combine,..Jerry peeking around corners of hotel lobby,..hiding by elevators,..trying to snare Kiffin for a chat,…when he was ignored he took it out on the coach in this blog and in his fishwrap for quite a while…thats an example of the typical sports writer.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
For that weirdo GP to write about body language,..crap like that,..shows hes a clueless person,..grasping at anything,…in my opinion, Kiffin is thrilled he was not canned after going 4-12,..presented with superior talent in the offseason,..drafted the stud running back that he wanted,…just because Kiffin wasnt seen doing cartwheels at the OTA Gary Peterson came to the conclusion hes sad and getting ready to be fired,..total hogwash….Garys an idiot and other sportswriters now know it.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
If I gave you a typical example of the fan who consumes the product of sports writers, it would be just as silly.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
@KoolKell:
“Jerry and his paper, slink around with their tails between their legs, when it comes to asking tough questions regarding the Raiders.”
How interesting is it to hear “No comment” 5,000 times in a row no matter WHAT kind of question you ask?
I’d like better info too, but until Uncle Al passes, it just ain’t gonna happen.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Sam,
Pointed articles regarding The operation of the Raiders would force the organization to respond. Being intimidated by the advertising dollars does not inform the fans.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Moobs,…how about dont ask questions then?…Jerry and the others dont deserve anything but a no comment,…they twist things,..lie,..make things up,…I applaud the Raiders for not giving them jack squat.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
koolkell, the ota coverage left me wanting more… it did fell like jerry wasn’t there. barely a peep about the running backs.
since ota start, we haven’t heard anything on the line, d’hall, fargas, how warren is looking, etc.
I know there isn’t a ton of activity, but some quick snippets on more of the none rook’s would be nice.
last years ota coverage was great… the reason I started coming back every day. this years is more of a drive by approach. just enough to shut us up.
I hope traning camp is better.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Kiffins got to be loving this and playing head games with the writers
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Good post Jerry,
the media wants to keep bringing this up because it is a story.
1) Kiffin and Davis are not “best friends.”
But I don’t think thats what you want in the NFL anyway, at least Kiffin has enough balls to stand up to Davis, and Davis has keept the coach. = 50-50 so far.
Listen if big Al wanted Kiffin gone, it would have happened by now, why is the media missing that?
For God sakes the man (Al Davis) drafted a KICKER in the first round, he will do whatever he wants. If Kiffin was going to be fired, he would have fired the man.
this maybe just maybe will be a match made in heaven if the Raiders start winning games.
Jon Madden
“winning is the perfect deoderant.”
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I don’t belive that the Raiders would pull ad dollars from a newspaper because of something somebody wrote.
Unless of course the stadium is sold out and the season ticket base is 60,000.
Jerry is not “slinking around” He’s reporting what He see’s (from his perspective) within the exposure the Raiders provide.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:07 pm
ShawnRaiders81…Yep
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
if the Raiders start winning some games……..
Jerrys posts will be …..
“Kiffin and Davis seen kissing eachother in the press box.”
the media, ESPN, NFL network will all jump on the bandwagon.
Don’t you see the media will never be wrong, they just jump on the easy side and act like they had everything figured out in the first place.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
don’t forget the media had said Rob ryan was fired…
not the Raiders.
When the story never happened, who had to take the fall?
Al Davis vs. Lane Kiffin =
TOTAL SPECULATION, i’m not saying Lane and Al saw eye to eye. but about what? no one knows.
I do know if Davis wanted Kiffin fired it would have happened.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Al Davis drafts “The Foundation” ,and locks him out of camp, depriving him precious development coming into this year. (wasted year)
Al Davis goes out this season, brings in noted head cases DeAngelo Hall and Javon Walker, then very publicly castrates his very young coach, can you say Undermine? (Randy Moss perhaps)
No need to applaud a 19-61 record over the last 5 years.
No need to applaud a losing overall record since the advent of Free Agency.
No need applauding 5 coaches in the last 6 years.
You need to be asking questions and, asking for better.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Well as a Raider fan i am going to fire Al Davis
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
KK…19-61 speaks for itself. 5 coaches in the last 6 years assures turmoil.
I do believe however Hall and Walker need to be “judged” on what they say, do and contribute from here on out.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I hope for the best. But you shouldn’t be weakening your coach when he has to deal with guys like that.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Great write up as always, Jerry.
http://mvn.com/nfl-raiders/
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
KK..I hope for the best too. Lane Kiffin is a grown Man. It’s my opinion that any coach will have His preference as to the personell provided…but to suggest that He is weakend..if true… would indicate that He’s not the Man for the job.
Based on recent history, cutting scholorship players etc…I think Kiffen has the balls to stare down any prima donnas
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
No, he’s weakened because it’s widely reported Al Davis has asked for his resignation.
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:15 pm
How so? How is He weakened. Everybody in the Raider organization know’s the buck stops with Al.
It’s always been that way.
The players gotta play…and they will play for Kiffen.
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
To follow up…Hell the player played for Shell and (susie homemaker what’s His name.) Walsh.
Other than Moss. loser.
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
If you call 19-61 playing, so be it.
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
no…i call that 5 coaches in 6 years.
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
KK…what I would like to see is 1 coach for 10 Years and a 110 - 50.
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
KK - What I would like to see…is some of your legendary, world famous, Koolkell RAP.
Just win Baby.
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:03 pm
so wassup raidernation we have a new generalation
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:19 pm
How ’bout this…have some real Bay Area folks get in there and cover the team, and not these quasi surburbanites who weren’t even in the Bay Area the first time the Raiders were here…
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I read the article by Gary this morning when I opened up the paper. Given the manner in which it was written, it could easily be said that he is just another “media guy” piling on the team and its coach. I’m sure that’s exactly what many Raiders faithful felt when they read the article.
But, here is what makes more sense: in a bay area market where there is no playoff basketball team, and the two baseball teams are full of guys that you could sit next to in a bar a never know they are MLB players, the paper needed to make “news”. A narrative built outward from the well-publicized strife of the offseason between Kiffin and Davis can be easily constructed. What’s more, if one mentions any rift between the coach and Davis, people involuntarily conjure up all the beliefs about the oppressive dictator (Davis) that they’ve been told to believe. Kiffin is a likeable guy for the average joe, so most people will take his side. If the reader takes Kiffin’s side, then they have a vested emotional interest in hoping/believing he can turn things around…yada yada yada
What all this means is that a story like this makes for great drama and will sell newspapers, regardless if it is based in fact or not.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
The only inflammatory thing in that article was the title of it. The article itself was nothing but a hit-job of old news and conjecture.
Just another alleged journalist I won’t read, knowing he won’t present a (mostly) fair piece of work.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Andrews mom Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Al says dynasties are overated. The real test of a team is its ability to go to the SB or dam close to it on a more consistent basis throughout the decades.
The flounders, crackboys and gayniners all suck. Al would slap you with his cane for comparing the Raiders to such vapid whores.
======================================================
bay sports publishing Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Davis Sends Message with Aggressive Moves
by Christopher Scheer
Here’s what’s weird about my Raiders these days: You could summarize their last season in a single sentence – “Not good, but some hopeful signs” – but it would take a Tolstoy a thousand pages to do justice to their offseason.
We only significantly less space here, but we’ll do our best to grapple with a bizarre few months which started with media reports telling us defensive coordinator Rob “Department Store Santa” Ryan had been fired, only he hadn’t been, then telling us head coach Lane “The Kid” Kiffin would soon be fired, only he wasn’t either, then telling us nobody would come to the cash-strapped, chaotically run Raiders – before Al “Who Said I Was Dead?” Davis went on one of the all-time free agent spending sprees.
Before the draft, Davis had already netted top safety Gibril Wilson, fallen first round LT Kwame Harris (from across the Bay), DE Kalimba Edwards, on-again-off-again WR Javon Walker (to huge $$), veteran center John Wade, and role players WR Drew Carter and DT William Joseph. Overshadowing all of these, however, was the blockbuster trade for Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a potentially amazing bookend to pair with home-grown stud Nnamdi Asomugha for years to come.
Add to this the resigning of breakthrough running back Justin Fargas, the return of a healthy RB Michael Bush, the re-signing to big money of DT Tommy Kelly and the #4 pick in the NFL draft, and you have a the makings of lively off-season. The national media rather predictably panned the Raiders’ moves, citing chaos inside the team’s Alameda HQ and claiming they overpaid mediocre players to come to the East Bay. They even trashed Hall as overrated.
Whatever. It’s not my money, and the Raiders have never been bothered by a salary cap that is likely to be phased out after next season anyway. Davis is clearly upping the ante for his besieged coaches, no doubt miserable about the recent dismal stretch of that began at kickoff of the 2003 Super Bowl. He’s saying, here are your damn thoroughbreds, now get me into the playoffs.
If it doesn’t work, we can at least look forward to another pyrotechnic offseason next Spring!
——————————————————
MaddenRaider Slapper Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Hey Len you’re welcome, within the first 10 seconds of this clip, you’ll see this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2laN7_enwQQ
It’s amazing what a little research does for a person. If only the media tried it once in awhile.
======================================================
RaiderTay Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Thats hillarious. Nolan didnt even have on any S.F. colors, Gold or Pink…I mean Red.
=======================================================
Best reads of the day - Have a good one Nation -
As Greg Papa would say TouchDown RAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEERRRRRRSSS
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:27 pm
And he would be in the right to let everyone know how good he is at selecting young talented coaches. Who has done it better?……Mr Davis knows he has a potential great young coach Jerry but for a minute that yung coach was feeling and smelling himself a little too strongly, in Grudenesque fashion.
It was important for him to understand the tremendous opportunity he was getting and start listening better in order to benefit from what was at his disposal. Now he has a chance to do great things with the talent he has, and be known as ne of the great young talents of his era.
Big Al is biulding him a very talented team while navigates the more important business at the NFL offices to save the league from itself. So don’t you think it’s time that you and your cohorts gave him just a tad bit more respect if he pulls this off. because he could’ve brought it all crashing down on Kiffin’s head for being so ungrateful and some would not have blamed him.
Kiffin has one of the truely great young talents at QB in NFL history(yet to be proven)IMO, very few young coaches have that to look forward to, it will save his career. Ask Bill Walsh and Belichik.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Wasteland well said but it has been said over and over again. Some of us are just sick and tired of bein g sick and tired of these shanangans from the media.
We know why they do it, but can’t they come up something different occasionally, based on fact but yet provocative and insightful.
Yeah I guess your right, look at who we’re dealing with. No chance I guess………..well one can always hope. WOW what was I thinking???
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
If JaMarcus can become one of the league’s top-5(ish) QB’s, he and Kiffin might just enjoy a great, long ride together. There are fine-lines between bad teams, average teams, and great teams. Confidence will help obliterate those lines — for Kiff, JaMarcus, and eventually everybody on the team. It will be great to see a confident team again.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
HayesDayes, it’s just around the corner my friend everyone who has some understanding should remember these times because they will be a distant memory but they will serve you well in understanding the process.
The usual suspects need not heed but those that will jump the bandwagon can become quite intoxicated when the winning starts.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:48 pm
FIRE KIFFIN Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
KK - What I would like to see…is some of your legendary, world famous, Koolkell RAP.
someone else was asking KK to spit down some of his rap instead of spewing MR like quotes. Guess we know who has taken the KK name.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | [...]
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
i have a ?? does anything that kwame harris will win the job at LT i feel that he can happen it
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Dating myself, but I watched the Raiders build from a small-league, small-market team into a sports icon…spoiling generations of fans by giving them a winner almost every year.
Fans of this generation haven’t seen anything except one single, sub-par Super bowl effort. They don’t even know what it’s like to feel the team’s confidence exude from a TV screen. Better yet, in-person.
Back in the day…when the Raiders came to town, other teams didn’t want to face them — all false bravado aside. That is the respect this young team needs to earn, and then they need to bottle the feeling — it’s so tantalizingly within this team’s grasp.
Is it September yet?
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:38 pm
We’re five years removed from getting dismantled in the SB as a finesse team. The days of dominance are long long gone. We still have the softest offensive and defensive lines in the league. That #6th ranked rushing attack is a mirage. Our passs blocking is beyond pathetic. I shudder to think what our run defense will look like this year without even Sapp, who wasn’t great against the run but was our best linemen. Sorry guys but it’s going to be another long season. 6-10 even with the easy schedule is my prediction.
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Blackholepriest Says: “Kiffin has one of the truely great young talents at QB in NFL history(yet to be proven)”
Priest there is no doubt the kid has some talent, but your assessment seems a little over the top. Based on last years performance what am I not seeing that tells me he is the next Montana?
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Johnnyrocko,..with all your doom and gloom, why not commit suicide?…you must be fun at parties.
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Anything near .500 is success, and will keep kiff in his job. Might not do the same for RR.
More than .500? A great dream, but one that could happen in one year. Think all the way back to last year…a relative no-name in Cleveland took a 4-12 team to 10-wins, and almost to the playoffs.
The Raiders can do the same thing. Likely? No, but it absolutely could happen. And 10-wins in the AFC West this year will probably vie for the division title.
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
The west is ours,…SD will fade,..KC and Denver will fight for the cellar,…we will win the west,..I dont care about prior records.
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
# Scott Peterson Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
The west is ours,…SD will fade,..KC and Denver will fight for the cellar,…we will win the west,..I dont care about prior records
Come on man- SD is a BETTER team, I will take second place but be realistic.
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:57 pm
I’m kinda with Daze on this one. I think .500 is do-able. Anything more is gravy. To me the first game of the season is going to be huge. Expectations are going to be high, the Raiders HAVE to roll the Donks.
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Hey I wear a black dress: You go ahead and hope for 2nd place,..I dont roll like that…and why do you need to copy my post and attach it to yours?
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
do you really expect kiffin to get in everybody’s business? like art shell did? telling the o-line what to do (which was opposite of what the Oline coach was telling them) it’ll just confuse them. his job is to come up with those plays and give speeches before and after practice(for the most part)
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
IDIB my assessment has little to do with what I saw last year, he barely played. It’s my picking his game apart prior to his becoming a Raider. Last year confirmed some of that but wa just glimpses here and there. This year yu should start to see some of why I say what say. It may take 30 to 40 starts before it really materializes. But his skill set is better than anything I’ve ever seen……….period.
If his coach harnesses his wealth of talent and allows it to grow properly you may see a top 5 QB in NFL history by the time he’s finished. They are putting premium talent around him but they’re not close to finished. The backfield is set but the WR’s largey underdevelped and the defense has yet to be biult. when those are in place look out, our future is going bring about unprecedented success for the Silver & Black. We have never quite put it together like we have the chance to do now.
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
With this schedule n the teams in r div we win 11games if JR is 3400YD 25TD 14 INT SEASON.
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Taht’s very optimistic for young QB starting his first season. He more than likely will have some 3int games and will have some 3td games 20 td’s 17 int’s is more realistic 3000, yards. His second season will be the unleashing of his immense talent. Kiffin will keep him under wraps so that he’s progressing to his liking.
But you will see some unbelievable throws and some drives where you think he’s unstoppable. that’s where the inconsistency will drive you nuts because he will do things no other QB has ever done.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:05 am
I’m glad Kiffin is still on board. God knows Dysfunctional Al can’t win without him.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Giving MistaBrown props for prior support on Stu and the scheme - just wanted everyone to know - there are three types of bloggers/comments here - Know Nothings, Know Somethings, and Knowalots. All of us are Raider fans, and this IS the most intelligent football forum in all of the NFL bar none, but if you don’t realize scheme is important is today’s NFL, then you are a knownothing - scheme and continuity are the most important things in the NFL (period emphasized). Every team has its up and downs in the salary cap era, and we’ve done well to rebuild a contender in five years, especially given the fact that we wasted 3 years on trying to reload with half a** coaches and players.
This year, at the Mac, we should expect nothing less than a playoff caliber team - SD has one year left (how sad that they didn’t even make it to a super bowl with all that talent), KC is rebuilding, and Denver is a year away from firing Shanahan and realizing it needs to rebuild, so we are prepped for a long run -
F’n Go Raiders!
May 24th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Well, looks like it was never substantiated that Gannon2Brown was MaddenRaider, but boy did we jump the gun to celebrate. How many times now have we celebrated fraud boy’s departure, only for him to return within hours? But hey, that’s the life of a Raider fan. Stay in denial.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:23 am
LOL. Even the posts by “system moderator” were removed. And, btw, it’s pretty obvious that it was RaiderDell who posted as a mod. Expect that idiot to be the one disappearing, soon. Fraudulently posting as a mod is a no no, too. We’ve got some real idiots in here.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Oakglenn, stop talking junk about me when I’m not here. Be a man. Alright? We’re supposed to be boys.
But, I agree, we do suck.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Johnny Rocko, post 116:
Johnny…not so. This is the year everything gets turned around. Almost all the pieces are together and that’s all we need….look for 11-5 minimum.
Our running attack, passing attack (missels and rockets in small spaces) and our multiple options with Darren & Bush, we’re going to do just fine. Don’t let the last five years lean you toward conservatism. Just look at whats in place and ENJOY the show.
SHOW started 9/8/08, against the donkeys. Can you think of any other team (even the dischargers & cooks) that you would want to destroy more than them and Shanarat. It’s going to be great. We win 34-17.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:50 am
Blackholepriest post 125:
Well said…nothing further to add.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Blackholepriest..post 127:
You’re leaving me speechless…nothing further to add.
EX-CEL-LENT-TE!!! GO RAIDERS. 11-5 minimum, 13-3 possible.
May 24th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Well, it looks like everyone is calling it a nite. Not much happening until June and the next mini-camp.
Besides Jordan, I wonder who else is going to get cut?
Maybe Jake Grove?
Good nite too all the Raiders fans, also good morning as it’s now Saturday am. Have a super Memorial weekend.
May 24th, 2008 at 1:04 am
hey i am here
May 24th, 2008 at 1:05 am
who is still there
May 24th, 2008 at 1:06 am
me
May 24th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Jorden i know there should be more they just jorden i also think Walker too
May 24th, 2008 at 1:08 am
June 1st should be an important day for Jordan.
May 24th, 2008 at 1:08 am
hey k-rock wassup
May 24th, 2008 at 1:09 am
You think Walker should be cut?
May 24th, 2008 at 1:09 am
i think we also have to many Tight ends you know
May 24th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Not much…
not far from sleep.
May 24th, 2008 at 1:10 am
yea i believe there will be enough talent there in that group
May 24th, 2008 at 1:10 am
An interesting fact is that these “stories” always come out just when we get some momentum flowing and need to get to work.
Last time it was at the Senior Bowl and through the Combine. Now we’re in camp and another creep rears his ugly head with more junk on a done story.
The fact of the matter is that Davis made some demands and put Kiffin in his place (right or wrong). Then Al and Kiffin got to WORK and had probably the most active off-season of any team in the NFL, attempting to categorically address every need we had in some way.
May 24th, 2008 at 1:11 am
so besides jorden who do u think should be cut
May 24th, 2008 at 1:13 am
what are you talkin about
May 24th, 2008 at 1:17 am
where is everyone
May 24th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Jedi, I’m going to try to get this across to you one more time. There is no football without a scheme, which means schemes are obviously very important. Get it? very important that means you can’t play without them. But schemes don’t make players, players make schemes successful. If you don’t understand that then I can’t help you. What’s more important the WCO or the QB that runs the WCO? What’s more important the Tampa2 or the players playing the Tampa2? Do I need to make this any simpler?
A retard should be able to answer that. Have I dummied this down enough for you?………now move on because this is getting very ignorant.
May 24th, 2008 at 1:48 am
And petty I should’ve said.
“If you don’t think schemes are important in todays NFL”, as if they weren’t important in yesterday’s NFL. Any 5 year old would know you can’t play football without a scheme.
Please from this point on leave me out your references. OK pumpkin.
May 24th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Let’s see….
1)no football without a scheme…
2)Schemes important
3)Schemes don’t make players
4) Players make schemes successful
Your attempt to dummy it down is pretty convoluted and unintelligible.
I’ll take a guess and postulate that you mean…
“as long as we have the best players in the league with SPEED, then we’ll win no matter what antiquated “scheme” we run?”
Don’t be such a prick…….
May 24th, 2008 at 1:53 am
The upside of Jamarcus Russell has not yet been displayed. At no point last season, or this off season, has the media or public seen a trademark Russell BOMB. Sure, there was the 40yds in the air LASER to Porter, but we have yet to witness a towering skyscraper-high sideline pass. But besides the deep ball, Jamarcus can rifle 20-40 strikes splitting defenders like nobody’s business. There have even been reports of receivers in minicamp not being able to handle the heat. Don’t worry Nation, Jamarcus is not the 2nd coming of ANYBODY. He’s a unique talent and he will leave his mark on the NFL.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:01 am
I would venture to say that a scheme can be made successful by plugging the correct players in.
If you don’t have the right players with the appropriate attributes to carry out the scheme then the scheme is useless.
Last year we had no playmakers on offense, and Kiffin was forced to play it safe almost all the time. His scheme was limited because of the lack of people who could threaten the defense.
As a result he was forced to go for it on 4th down, go for long FG’s, rarely streched the defense etc. The focus of the offense was to NOT turn the ball over and not get sacked.
So in essence, last year we didn’t have the players OR a complete and well functioning scheme. Let’s hope that the new players meet the demands of the scheme we’re on the way to implementing so the scheme can reach it’s true fruition.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:10 am
What about the zone-blocking scheme?? That seemed to work pretty well. I think COACHING is just as important as Scheme or Personell. Tom Cable is awesome. Rob Ryan SUCKS.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Listen all, How many times do you remember a brand new group of players along with a brand new coach, comming in and doing miracles. I dont remember any. Im not comparing the niners to the raiders with this im giving an example of what it takes to get rolling, what was Bill Walshs w/l record his first year, 2nd yr. How long did it take before he got things going. Like i said im not comparing im stating the obvious. It is going to take a couple yrs before anyone should expect things to turn around. Since Chucky there really hasnt been a fresh coach with fresh ideas that you would really care to give a few yrs to set things up. Those coaches were doomed from the start. This kid Lane is someone who is worth the investment of a few yrs to fully implement a system that could carry over for yrs to come as in a Madden tenure. He has the new tools in his tool box thanks to AD. A QB that will last a good long career for both himself and Lane. The raiders have a tradition of doing what they gotta do to win. And if that dont work throw it long baby. All the pieces are in place my friends so kick back grab a cold one dont let any whinner fans in your house on sunday and enjoy the next ten yrs. Its going to be fun.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Raider Raul…yeah the zone-blocking scheme was the only thing that worked out for us last year.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Was that meant for you?? or did I hurt your feelings because I insulted your girl friend?
I don’t care what particular scheme you want to run, TALENT will make it go not necessarily SPEED chump. Speed helps, Talent is what wins games and makes schemes successful.
So you obviously didn’t get it, but I forgive you since you obviously suffer from the same disease.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Old School, I wonder why didn’t Bill Walsh’s WCO work wnoders from the outset, It was a great scheme s these guy’s want to believe but it sucked until he got some talent t run it and breath life into.
But excuse me for being logical that obviously has no place here.
And Bill Walsh was as close to an innovator as they come but until he got the talent he couldn’t win. I wonder what the Patriot offense would look like without Tom Brady?
May 24th, 2008 at 2:39 am
I responded to your post, not because of any homo-erotic relationship, as you so pedestrianly try to infer, but I responded because I found your it offensive. You’re an abusive power hungry cretin who believes that he knows it all.
If you truly believed in your own intelligence you would have no need to throw around terms like, “retarded, stupid etc”.
If you can’t make your arguments logically, in a coherent form of English so people can understand, maybe that makes you “stupid”.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Maybe things would be different if you hunkered down and got yourselv a high school proficiency degree
May 24th, 2008 at 2:49 am
Maybe this forum doesn’t require that I do that or even care for that matter. How ’bout that pumpkin.
And sense they’re so unintelligent maybe you should just skip them, does that work for you
Mr Grammar and BTW do you also do spell check? because you could use the help
May 24th, 2008 at 2:49 am
Nice…CF mixin it up with BHP!!
Look, an ideal system would have a great scheme run by great coaches that fit talented personell. The difficulty is getting all 3 ingredients to work together. Last year, we brought in some good coaches. We even upgraded our WR coach to Lofton. What’s missing on defense is a Good coach running a good scheme, cuz God knows we have talent on D. This is make it or break it year for Rob Ryan. Our offense is gonna be AWESOME.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:56 am
EgoCreep…I master 3 languages better than you so spare me for the spell check.
If talent is what counts and what makes a scheme successful then is it also your opinion that Al has been a failure as “GM”?
May 24th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Hey Copenhagen!! buddy, what power would derive from this forum by the way because I’m suddenly interested.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:00 am
hop i seng gammel sur kælling efter du gokker din usle pik
May 24th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Al has good years, and Al has bad years (as GM). This offseason, Al has really stepped it up and is holding nothing back. If we are 8-8 or better, Nancy Gay, ESPN, Gary Peterson, Kawakami, and ALL the Haters better own up and kiss Big Al’s you-know-what!!!
May 24th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Blackie…if you go around bashing people and abusing them verbally, calling them stupid or making off color comments questioning their sexuality then it reeks of somebody on a power trip.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Speak english!! how rude, name calling in whatever langauge is still name calling, come correct or bow out.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:05 am
Adios, see I can do that to. Hey!! Copenhagen say goodbye to sweetie for me.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Muhahahhaa
good one =)
May 24th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Does that go for everyone in here because when someone insults me, then get ready because I probably will respond. But obviously you ignored his insults to me and jumped all over mine but hey! he’s your baby.
So I’ll leave you two to confer since that’s where your heart is.
!
Adios again I’ve gotta get some sleep. Whitie!!
May 24th, 2008 at 3:10 am
you know we all have our opinions on what will make for a winning season. You are all right in what you say. And a good old narly debate is good for the soul. But just remember this were all on the same side..
In order for BWs system to work it took time to impliment that system into the team as much as it took the team to get into the system. The talent showed up allright but that system was going to florish regardless.. You could plug any “able body” quarterback into New England and have succsess.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:10 am
BHP…
all he said was go to bed… more or less =)
May 24th, 2008 at 3:11 am
LMN jeg blev træt af, at høre på hans pis og hans bedrevidende attitude. Du må undskyld mit sprog.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:17 am
LMN I really don’t need anyone’s help explaning anything I couldn’t care less what he said because I can’t read it and he knows that, so he can jump for all I care, And stay out of my discussion when they don’t concern him. Just to protect his comrad. OK!
May 24th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Hey bhp lets find this dude and kick his ass all the way back to whereever
May 24th, 2008 at 3:20 am
BHP…
Sorry mate… I don’t know why you are pissed, I just translated the post you were b1tching about, but Okay I’ll stay out of your discussion
May 24th, 2008 at 3:20 am
Whatever I’m consistent at it’s not for you to interfere so take your sorry ass down to the beach and check out the hair, because you don’t run me or what goes on in here.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Adios fellas!!
May 24th, 2008 at 3:29 am
Old School
Hahaha, so he isn’t a raider fan because of the way he talks? who decides who is a raider fan or who isn’t?
just because he he comes with an intelligent tone, and uses logic, then he isn’t a raider fan???
well thats exactly what most raider haters say about us, that we doesn’t use logic or that we are
intelligent… but CP clearly is a fan and intelligent, I speak 3 language and understand 2 more and I’ve been a fan of the raiders from the first second I saw that weird looking ball…
but just come around and kick his ass, I bet you need to save money for a year to get here =)
lastly, real men, doesn’t need to threat anybody… those who do, well, they are just as pathetic as men hitting women.. A sign that they don’t master the skills of communication, their frustration for not being able to say what the mean and feel, results in threats and violence…
May 24th, 2008 at 3:32 am
Glad to know I’m not the only gay, here.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:34 am
Show me, old school. Show me, baby.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:34 am
All up in the kool aid and don’t know the flavor. Shoot.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:36 am
CopenhagenFan Says:
May 24th, 2008 at 3:10 am
“look up “latent homosexuality” on the Net. Then you’ll realize that people that who use such insults are most likely to have undercover gay tendencies.”
…..
Duh! See: “Oakglenn”.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Hahahah… we all for equality, aren’t we?
I just read, that our green and red men, light signals that show you that you can walk over the street (idon’t know what its called but you know what i’,m talking about) they will now be changed so 50% will be tiny red and green WOMEN =) hahaha I would probably have used the money on something else, but Okay =)
May 24th, 2008 at 3:38 am
This is the real RaiderDell. MaddenRaider, I’m contacting the FBI about you fraudulently using my name. I was a junior G man when I was a kid and still have my coloring book with my pledge to say no to drugs…signed. I know people, and now you’re in trouble.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Come and get me, sweetie. That goes for you and Oakie Poke. And, what ever happened to the moderator putting out my ip address? Oh, his post got deleted. What a rough day it’s been for Oakglenn.
FRAUD BOY LIVES!
May 24th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Oakglenn is just like Al Davis; Out of touch, delusional, and pretty much a retard.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Why the dig at Davis at the end? Why doesn’t anyone bring up the fact that coaches at the senior bowl wore shirts with sponsors logos on them, especially the two head coaches? I just hope these writers keep bashing the Raiders after they start winning just as much as they love to bash them when they are loosing.
May 24th, 2008 at 4:00 am
I’m gonna do as CP, go to the park check out the topless chicks, God I love this time a year
May 24th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Here is a link to settle this shirt thing once and for all. Notice in the youtube video above Nolan and kiffin were wearing identical white Armour shirts because they were one of the sponsors of the Senior Bowl.
http://www.underarmour.com/
May 24th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Another excellent article Jerry, you are concise and provide the best opinions of what appears reasonable - thanks!
Your comment about awaiting the “cigarette and the blindfold” had me rolling.
Also, when you said “He is continuing to run the offense he wants, a zone-blocking running game combined rollouts and safe passes designed to build passing percentage, before layering in the deep strikes Davis loves.” This is exactly what I like to hear, and Mr. Davis doesn’t just love the deep strike, all of Raider Nation loves the deep strike!
Carter/Walker down the sideline w/McFadden and Fargas as split backs - who do you cover? Best of luck JaMarcus and let’s stop the run (wrap ‘em up early)!
Go Raiders!
btw - Still waiting to punch your ticket at as Raiders “fan” Jerry…come on in, the water is fine in Raider Nation.
May 24th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Thank you Jerry for bringing some clarity to the situation. You are also correct about winning solving alot of problems.
About the only time I did not see that happen was with Marty down in SD.
May 24th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Please keep in mind that The Autumn Wind is a pirate
Blustering in from sea
With a rollicking song he sweeps along
swaggering boisterously
His face is weather beaten
He wears a hooded sash
With his silver hat about his head
And a bristly black moustache
He growls as he storms the country
A villain big and bold
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake
As he robs them of their gold
The Autumn wind is a Raider
Pillaging just for fun
He’ll knock you ’round and upside down
And laugh when he’s conquered and won.
May 24th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Jerry, great article. Very logicial, i think it speaks the truth. This year will be about winning. Period.
May 24th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Next blog will be about how the team looked I hope, especially Russell and McFadden.
May 24th, 2008 at 7:50 am
I remember it well that day on September 9, 1962 Frank Youell Field when the Raiders lost that day to the NY Titans 28 to 17. I had just moved from a small town in Colorado to the Bay Area. It was the first professional game for me. I was immediately taken in by the Raiders. Since then through the blinding shine of their performance to their stumbling and bumbling of recent years I have remained an undaunted fan. Over the course of my travels, I have lived in Cleavland, Houston, and now NYC. I have watched from stadium to stadium and no matter who is out there, not one team stacks up to the Raiders in my blood. But when I see an article that was recently written about Kiffin, it makes my blood boil and I have to put my comments out there particularly to this generation of sports reporters that can’t seem to fill their satiety receptors for browbeating the Raiders. My response to the Peterson Article that portends to tell the future of Lane Kiffin in the most negative light is this. If Mr. Peterson had any analytical depth he would have shone that light on the weak link in Kiffin’s system which Kiffin tried to correct last season, which Al Davis blocked…Rob Ryan.
That is where the Peterson Light should have been aimed, Rob Ryan. What I see and what was misinterpreted by Mr. Peterson is a coach that is organizing a team to win. How to motivate a Defensive Coach to coach rather than win a popularity contest with his players. Do you think Parcels is popular? He is loathed. But where he goes he leaves in his wake, success. Rob Ryan is too easy. Al Davis is too stubborn but he knows football, his flaw, he has his favorites. But if he were to give Lane Kiffin his head, he would win a Superbowl in three to four years with this recently acquired talent. Let Kiffin coach!
May 24th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Kiffin is coaching thats the whole point. Even in the blog above Jerry still takes a jab at the shirt myth at the senior bowl saying Kiffin was trying to make a statement when Armour asked the two head coaches to wear their shirts and both did. In a nutt shell Kiffin shopped around last year for other jobs, probably at the advice of Gruden whom he had been seeing during the summers at USC to discuss football, which is safe to assume pissed off Davis. Kiffin patches up the team and goes 4-12 and wants to fire Ryan. Davis objects and Kiffin throws a fit and Davis tells him if he does not like it, quit. If Davis truly wanted him gone Lofton would already be the head coach. Obviously they have patched things up because Kiffin is still here.