Saturday, October 07, 2006

Raider Take Express for 10/8

Here is the latest edition of the Raider Take Express, our weekly roundup of input and observations around the turf of Raider Take. Please keep sending your ideas, tips and feedback to raidertake@yahoo.com.

1. I saw an amusing article in the Los Angeles Times entitled: “Raiders Still Winners—in Ratings.” The author scoffs at the Raiders v. 49ers game being aired on CBS’s Los Angeles affiliate at the expense of allegedly better matchups. Yet he also admits that there’s “a little logic” to the decision. You see, the Winless Bowl between the Raiders and Browns earned an 8.8 rating and a 21 share in Los Angeles, while the Chargers v. Ravens got a 7.5 rating and a 20 share. The Raiders game was the highest-rated program on television on Sunday in Los Angeles among men aged 18 to 49.

The author scratches his head and asks: “What’s the attraction?” The attraction, my friend, is loyalty. That’s how it is in the Raider Nation, win or lose. Yet the author further puzzles over the fact that “L.A. traditionally likes teams that win, and the Raiders haven't been doing much of that lately.” Mr. Los Angeles Times, I’d like to introduce you to your community. Surprise! You are living in the Raider Nation. You clearly need to get out more often.

2. Damon wrote with a link to
this article, in which some Raiders take offense to recent criticism from Tim Brown and Rich Gannon. Many in the locker room also contradict Randy Moss’s assertion that “no one cares about what's going on around here." Speak for yourself, Randy. But don’t you dare pass the buck for your half-assing. Don’t you dare insult the many Raiders who care deeply, guys like Cooper, Jordan, Carr and others who never jog with the game on the line. Our kickers are more physical than you, Mr. Moss.

3. A
blog piece by Phil Barber of the Press Democrat contrasts the situations of Randy Moss and Jerry Porter, concluding that they are a reflection of the Raiders’ “bizarre and self-defeating system of reward and punishment.” It’s a reasonable analysis. Porter, who is apparently working hard and keeping his mouth shut, remains inactive. Moss, who is not working hard while continuing to flap his negative gums, remains a supposed centerpiece of the offense.

4. The 49ers were showing serious signs of life until they walked into Arrowhead Stadium last week. The Chiefs noted that Alex Smith’s newfound success was coming from the comfort of the pocket. So they schemed to force him out of the pocket. Voila, a shutout. We must follow the Chiefs' lead and flush this guy out. Losing to the Niners is not an option.


5. I’d like to thank BlandaRocked, Raider00, AngelicRaider, Bama7, FreakingPope, Calico Jack and others who kept the lights on in this place over the past few days while I stumbled around in search of a take. Their comments can be viewed on my previous take. They waged a thoughtful debate about the root of our current problems, as well as the search for solutions. Good stuff. At the end of the day, we stand united. We may like little of what we've seen so far this year, but we all still bleed silver and black.

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hear ya on the last point, RT. I read with the greatest interest the ideas and opinions of BlandaRocked et al...I could only agree with all the arguments...Thoughtful, insightful, passionate. It's a RaiderTake thing...Thanks to everyone who kept me believing this past week...

12:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

here's my halftime take--apologize in adavnce for mistakes--too many half game refreshments.

1-there is no way AB sees another sanp unless AW gets hurt
2-as a basher of Tom Walsh, i have to give props--he comes out in 3-wide, no FB and that shows a faster adjustment than when J- gibbs took over Skins. Yikes==future looks like football!!

2:44 PM  
Blogger Roy said...

No F*#@ing way! I can't believe we are going to give THIS game away! This is the only game left that I care about.

I must agree with lk no way can we switch qb's now. Also Fargas is looking nice.

3:46 PM  
Blogger Roy said...

What the hell is Tui doing in there?????? Walter better be hurt or that is the stupidest move I have ever seen!

3:49 PM  
Blogger Roy said...

Last comment. If Shell is going to give up on Walter after 3 quarters of football then I feel perfectly justified giving up on his crappy system after 5 weeks. I really gotta hear the Shell believers defend this move. News flash we have not won 1 frickin game, develop the young QB! He made a few mistakes but overall looked really good. We all know that Tui has no future with us so why play him? Makes no damn sense.

4:10 PM  

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