Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Upside of Anger

I’m typically a sunny bloke, as I’ve demonstrated over the past two years here at Raider Take. If a dog crapped on my birthday cake, there’s a good chance I’d call it frosting.

So when I published my tirade on Tuesday, many seemed taken aback. It was as if I’d gone from sipping a half-full pint of Guiness to a half-empty vessel of battery acid. For some, it was as if they’d discovered that their aunt was really their uncle, if you know what I mean.

I must confess that I, too, was taken aback by my riotous outrage after Sunday’s loss. Honestly, it took me by surprise. But rather than hide it from you, I laid my soul bare. I found it to be very therapeutic. If you haven’t thrown a tantrum lately, I highly recommend it.

For the past 24 hours, I’ve been psychoanalyzing myself, trying to locate the source of my rage. And my journey, oddly enough, took me right back to where I started: with optimism.

Allow me to explain (and to paraphrase my own comments posted on Across The Silver & Black Pond, a blog that I highly recommend)…

Coach Kiffin said that no one on the team should have slept soundly on Sunday night. Yet some suggest that we, the fans, should be sleeping like babies, with visions of sugarplums and "rebuilding" dancing in our heads. Well, not this fan.

Sunday's “effort” was nothing short of shameful and unacceptable in my opinion, and I think Kiffin would agree with me. Kiffin has said there are no more scholarships, and I would include the entire organization in this new radius of accountability, from Al Davis down to the water boy.

This isn't a Kiffin issue. It's an organizational issue, and I have no problem with holding the organization's feet to the fire with regard to acquiring the right personnel to get the job done (that means executives, coaches and players), and with expecting an accelerated timetable with regards to turning things around. Remember, as fans, we’re all shareholders in this organization. As such, we have a role and a responsibility to demand, and expect, a reasonably coherent performance on the football field.

People say, well, Kiffin just doesn’t have the horses to run the race, and that it’s going to take time to groom the right player personnel. Well, whose fault is it, after four losing seasons and numerous high draft slots, that we still have relatively mediocre personnel? Yours? Mine? Kiffin’s?

But I can assure you that it’s somebody’s fault. People say we are rebuilding. Okay, then tell me: around whom are we rebuilding the future of our weak offensive and defensive lines? Thirty-two-year-old Jeremy Newberry? Barry Sims? Tyler Brayton? Warren Sapp?

Defense was supposed to be our strength, right? It’s okay if we were wrong about that. But it’s not okay if the organization was wrong about it. It’s not my job to monitor every practice and every frame of every film and determine whether we’ve got the horses or not.

When is the last time you saw one of our guys really stick someone and deliver a devastating hit? Whose fault is that? Yours? Mine? Kiffin’s? Who will take responsibility for this? Our defense looks like Cirque du Soleil this year, a bunch of acrobats flying around, hitting nothing.

I’ve witnessed an astonishing 52 losses since September of 2003. Let that number sink in for a second. And after all that, you want me to shrug my shoulders, Kerry Collins style, about last Sunday’s remarkably dismal performance, which netted us our 16th straight loss against a divisional rival, and to Norv Turner no less? No way.

In this age of parity, it is really difficult to stay on the bottom (or the top) of the NFL for four straight years. Therefore, by year five, which is this year, we should be well out of the woods. You want me to give the team another two or three or four years? No way. The first four were plenty.

This is not a unreasonable expectation. In fact, we were coming out of the woods until this recent loss. Trust me, it’s not the loss, it’s the way we lost. There is simply no more wiggle room for Art Shell-type games anymore. None. Rather than say, well, that's the breaks, just hang in there, we’re rebuilding, etc., I'm saying: No. Unacceptable. Never again.

That's not crying or hating. That's sending a message, the same message the Kiffin is surely sending in the locker room, and which had better be bouncing off the walls upstairs in Alameda, too.

Here’s the crux of what I’m saying, and what fills my glass back to half full:

Perhaps I'm being so hard on this team, so early, because I believe more than ever before that the Kiffin era will be different, that we no longer have to settle for anything less than sound, motivated, coherent and competitive football.

That is my message. There will be no more unsound, unmotivated, incoherent and uncompetitive football out of Oakland from this day forward. Sunday was the last of it. Of that, I am very optimistic.

99 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

well take? whaddawegonna do? what can we do besides wait until this thing turns around? we're all frustrated but there's nothing we can do as fans except keep showing up to support our team. you're right. this isn't a kiffin issue, it's an organizational issue. you say "But I can assure you that it’s somebody’s fault" well, wanna point a finger? i think you know where i'm going with that and it ain't the h2o boy. but i'll spare you guys this time ;o) like calico said in his #3 item in your last take, those are the priorities for next year. probably more the year after that. this just can't be fixed in one year.

i'm positive things'll turn around. thing is, we've been down sooooo long that this will be an on-going project for a while. that's what r-e-b-u-i-l-d-i-n-g is all about! no matter how we spin it thats what it is. until kiffin gets HIS type of players to play HIS game and if AL gives him that chance, we'll get there but again, it will take a LONG time. so many IF's need to fall into place. and in the meantime, the media and the haters will continue to have a field day at our expense. i don't bemoan that pats anon guy because he's right. i'm not a pat or colt fan by any means but you just gotta look at those orgs and at the back of your brain say "gee, i wish we were like those teams!". BUT WE'RE THE RAIDERS DAMMIT! WE DON'T FOLLOW THEM OR ANYONE! no my friends, we're NOT the raiders. not right now we're not.

we have some fat cats we need to get rid of and get some guys in here who are not necessarily superstars but guys who look at the team first. we're not anywhere close to being there.

but i'll keep renewing my seats as long as my accountant wife doesn't complain (actually, i'll keep renewing them even if she DOES complain!) because i wanna get back to the superbowl someday.

don't worry, we'll beat the chiefs!

10:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Take solice Take, we are with you here. It took Chucky two years to get there.

It's not going to be done all through the draft. There will have to be some solid veterans added through free agency.

As far as our run defense goes. If our linebackers would move closer to the line of scrimmage it would help. I screamed at the TV all day Sunday and during the Fish game.

Why are the linebackers lining up in the old "T" formation five yards from the line on almost every down.

The are quick enough to get back in coverage. But by the time they react to the run the back already has three yards.

I agree a better strong safety would help, but our linebackers are good enough to play run and pass. And, their primary responsibility should be the run. Phil Villapiano was right, you have to have patience to let the run come to you, but you have to be in position first.

Five yards off the line at the snap ain't in position in my book.

H

4:27 AM  
Blogger nyraider said...

Well said Take. Four years IS long enough!

As far as the D, Ryan needs to step up and correct this, now!

It's ironic that our strength might also a liability right now. Morrison and Howard represent the class of our D and have proven excellent in coverage, yet appear to be lacking in run support... which sounds like we all attribute more to coaching than lack of talent.

It's equally ironic that our top D coach behind Ryan is Martindale, our LB coach. Why can't these two guys step up and correct this?

Our problems stopping the run go beyond a couple player substitutions.

As we found out quickly that our offensive woes were almost entirely a coaching problem, after four years of getting punished on the ground by LT, LJ and the like, there's is apparently still a coaching problem on the D side of the ball.

Where's the D that gave up 17 or fewer points in like 5 or 7 straight games last year. If and when that D shows up, we will kick some ass.

6:04 AM  
Blogger Raider Take said...

I say, fine, go ahead and rebuild, but no more unsound (see: defense), unmotivated (see: entire team), incoherent (see: L.T. running untouched, Daunte taking the sack, false starts, etc.) and uncompetitive (see three-minute fifty-yard drive while down two scores at the end of the game) football. After four years of being at the bottom, that's not too much to ask. Go ahead, lose 10 games this year. Just don't lose them like we did last year and the year before that.

As for our executives and the organization, consider this: our plan at QB going into August consisted of Josh McCown, Andrew Walter and an unsigned rookie whom many said wouldn't play this year anyway. Culpepper could have easily been NOT available or gone to another team. This "plan" was hatched by the same folks who brought you Kerry Collins and Aaron Brooks at clearly the most important position in the NFL.

No more scholarships, and that includes our executives.

6:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am with you on this one. I too got pissed and went on a tirade. I don't like to see our Raiders loose, but better to play like a champion and loose then play like a$$ and loose. I believe the Kiffin era will be bright!

7:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great explainations there, Take. As I see it, the current state of the Raiders is that we're still much improved. We're just all pissed because we've been built up for a couple weeks only to have our old deamons rear their ugly heads and remind us that we're not out of hell yet.

We're supposed to get better every week from here on out, not suddenly come out with our helmets on backwards, running into eachother, talking about "Duhhh, I like football". Some guys were ready, and some guys weren't. Maybe that is our primary measuring stick for who stays and who goes, coaches included.

Believe me I'm trying to keep from breaking my TV as I watch the film. And hell yes, it helps when that happens. But I'm going to spare this years' TV for now and chaulk it up to growing pains.

I can do this because I know Kiffin is on our side, as you said. He's echoing the same things throughout Alameda. I'll bet you can hear it from the airport over the noise of the jets. We're in good hands. The Chefs will pay for our mistakes and we'll officially be out of this divisional slump, no question about it. If this team can't get pissed enough to take it out on our most hated rival, who is limping on one foot and missing an eye, then they have no business wearing the S&B. The fate of my TV rests on this game.

Psycho

7:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

RT-
I was pissed Sunday also--it was pretty much a horseshit performance. I don't think Kiffin is in any way tolerant of horseshit performances--and that extends to Rob Ryan. I think teams that are just about to break out have fits of inconsistency before settling in to a pattern of solid play and winning. I think we're going thru that stage now. Kiffin KNOWS he has something here and that wins can come now. Lot of pressure on the D this week. I'm so confident I'm taking the S & B in my suicide pool this week...

7:49 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

RT,

to me it comes down to, as you suggest, organization, vs philosophy.

is it the organization ?
it's true that over the last 20 yrs, the raiders have shown no ability to draft safties, defensive ends, and, until very recently, linebackers.

this is a fact that cannot be overlooked. however, there are many teams that are not filled with future hall of famers that get the job done.
the patsies come to mind. they are not a star studded defense, but they do play hard, and work well within their scheme.

is it the philosophy ?
i don't care how many superstars you have on defense. if you sit back, play it safe, and wait for a mistake, you are going to lose.
unfortunately, this is the style of defense rob ryan believes in.

as far as i can recall, great defenses throughout the history of the nfl have always attacked. be aggressive and attack.
attack the pocket, attack the wr's, and attack the ballcarrier with eleven angry, swarming defenders.
it really is that simple.

until the raiders stop approaching gameday as if it is a quiet stroll in the park, i don't care who the players are, there will be more of the same, not stopping the run, or pass.

don't you find it interesting that since charles woodson went to gb packers, his production has gone way up.
is he playing harder ? maybe.
are the packers using him in better, smarter ways ? more likely.

8:23 AM  
Blogger Raider Take said...

All great points, Raider00...So whose fault is it? I don't know. All I know is that I've had enough, and those responsible need to fix it now, the four-year grace period is over.

The Patriots are, indeed, a great example. They were down to their THIRD running back on Sunday, and their top tight end was out, too. And they still destroyed the Cowboys at home. Sound football can be played by less-than-stellar talent.

The Packers are also a great example. Awful team a few years ago, smart drafts, smart signings, smart organization and, voila, they're firmly out of the woods.

When I'm talking about having the horses, I'm not just talking about raw talent or Hall-of-Fame qualities. I'm talking about whatever it takes for professionals to play sound, coherent and consistent football. I don't care if the problem is in the head or the body or the chemistry or the coaching, whatever the problem, it needs to be fixed. Now.

8:55 AM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

Backing up H, Take. We weren't as deep in losses then but we've been here before.

1994 - 9 wins 7 losses.
1995 - 8 wins 8 losses.
1996 - 7 wins 9 losses.
1997 - 4 wins 12 losses.
1998 - 8 wins 8 losses.
1999 - 8 wins 8 losses.
2000 - 11 wins 5 loses.

I count 5 seasons and three coaches between winning seasons. While the win totals are higher, it's the same damn thing.

While we give kudos to Gruden for rebuilding the team, he didn't move into the winning column until his 3rd season. And he made one huge mistake that Kiffin isn't making. When Gruden rebuilt, he rebuilt with aging veterans at the very end of their careers. Gruden wanted the experience on the field. That wasn't Davis' doing, that was Gruden's. And those aging veterans started dropping like flies after the Super Bowl season. Whatever youth we acquired thereafter was acquired according to three different philosophies under three different head coaches.

After 5 games into Kiffin's regime Rome remains unbuilt. It took Gruden 3 years to build Rome on a shakey foundation. How long should it take Kiffin to rebuild with a solid foundation? For two years under Gruden, the Raiders were making the same dumbass mistakes they are making now.

You can throw things, stamp your feet, throw tantrums all you want, but physics is physics. Brayton doesn't magically turn in to Howie Long.

That said, I have a problem with Ryan. His lack of aggressive defense, and misuse of players (something that has always been present - even last year) is making me believe that what we're seeing is the best he can do. I DID NOT want Ryan to become HC, and that's the reason why. If this defense does not improve drastically this year, Ryan should be gone at the end of it.

8:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

RT--
I agree. As fans we should be pissed off at the level of play we've been seeing the past 4 yrs. the question is, when does the lynching begin?
Last year I remember giving Art Shell until week 8 to start seeing
some improvement. We all know that didn't happen. This year I wanted to see improvement at week 1. And things were improving until "same old, same old" last Sunday. I think that is why we were all so frustrated.
I'm tired of being mocked for being a Raider fan. I'm tired of people asking me after every losing season, "Are you still a Raider fan?" The Raiders should be tired of it too. We are not the Lions, we're the Raiders, and the Raiders win. At least they're supposed to.
Let the winning begin again this Sunday. I'm boarding a plane tomorrow, on my way to the Bay Area. I remember the intesity of games in the 70's before the black hole. Can't wait to see how things have changed.
See you Sunday!!

Janfran

9:00 AM  
Blogger Raider Take said...

Blanda, I see two total losing seasons among the seven cited. The team exceeded five wins in six of those seven seasons. We haven't exceeded five wins in four straight years. Huge difference.

Additionally, during those years I never saw the type of football I've seen the past three years here, and on Sunday. Yes, I saw a lot of bad games, but never outright incoherent, non-competitive play on a consistent basis. Honestly, the Turner-Shell era blows the White-Bugel era out of the water when it comes to ineptitude. Saying it's the "same damn thing" is pure revisionism.

There is only one truly bottom-of-the NFL barrel season in that list (4-12). That's how it's supposed to work, especially if you're talking about THE RAIDERS and not the Lions or Cardinals. You slide because at some point it's inevitable, then you regroup, and you get back to at least 8-8. You don't go 4-12, 5-11, 4-12 and 2-14, then turn in a performance like last Sunday.

Tyler Brayton doesn't magically turn into Howie Long, indeed. So whose fault is that we're still counting on Tyler Brayton after all these years? Do you think Tyler Brayton survives on organizationally sound teams like the Patriots or Colts? Do you believe that literally no one is accountable and responsible for our personnel woes after all these years?

Look at my earlier comment about our QB "plan" going into this season. Is this how organizationally sound NFL teams manage that position?

Kiffin can only change things so much. The organization needs to meet him halfway, right now. The excuses need to stop, from the organization and the fans. No more excuses.

9:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bama7
Listen up. Please read my take. Here's the problem with our Raiders:
We don't have blue collar, physical players. How many times am I gonna read after a game that "our defenders need to get in their gaps/lanes... guys weren't in their positions/assignments."? It's always blamed as mistakes and miscues.
It's not. here's what the real problem with us is:
As a football player, you have to WANT to be in those gaps/lanes. Those gaps should be, and are, horrific collisions. Most of our guys aren't in those gaps because they DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE COLLISION. They are not physical.
Parcells' said if they are not hitting as puppies (college) then they won't hit in the pros.
In football, as all of us that watched seventies and early eighties raider football know, the more physical team wins the game... probably at about 99% of the time. Whenever we're not more physical, we lose i.e., It's as simple as that (think every Bronco and Charger game since Romo left) Last Sunday, the Chargers did just like Shotty said, "punch 'em in the nose and the raiders quit". And again that's what happened.
We need to start making "physical playing nature" the biggest pre-requisite to being on our team. That rule would 86 probably 80% of our existing roster.
Our O-line is an example, as is Sam Williams, all of our DE's (Burgess is a speed pass rusher only), Schwiegert and many others. I guy like Huff is an exception, he should be surrounded by physical teammates and playing FS where he can athletically benefit from the hits happening around him. Huff is simply not an SS. he is a FS or CB. I have the Pro Draft Scout book from his year that says that.
Al simply does not know physical football anymore. Hell, Romo had to call him to get a job on our team, remember?
Every time I watch Rodney Harrison i think about how we fu*&^% up.

9:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blandarocked,

As an add on to your post, in 2000 I remember watching a preseason show where they listed and discussed all sorts of things about the upcoming season.

One topic was "Coaches on the Hot Seat". Number one on the list was Jon Gruden. In fact, if memory serves, one Hater on the panel said Gruden would be gone before week 8. At week 8 we were 7-1 (I look that one up, my memory isn't that good).

In any event I saw better effort games 1-4 than at anytime last year. We've had a setback. We will find out how temporary it is in roughly 75 hours and 8 minutes.

H

9:52 AM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

RT:

Note at the end of my post where I talk about Rob Ryan, and I think you'll understand I think this more about Ryan than about the organization. Brayton would not be here if Ryan didn't want him. He posted one good rookie year at his natural position, DE. Then Rob decided he was an outside LB. If that isn't a WTF I don't what is. Bad enough that Rob hung him out of position in a 3-4, but outside LB the subsequent year when we returned to a 4-3? WTF?
Then the attitude when he moved him to DE last year was, "this guy's been here for three years! Why isn't he polished DE?" Well, I can hazard a guess. This year Brayton is playing better. Not great, but better.

The continual complaint is that defenders are leaving their assignments and allowing the ball carrier to slip through the vacated position. This has been a problem for each year Ryan has been here. If the defence has no discipline, it's Rob Ryan's job to instill it. In spite of the fact that we like Rob because he looks like a Raider coach, he has yet to coach like a Raider coach.

The organization can bring in the tools, but it's up to the coaches how those tools get used and managed. Rob's tools have been misused and left out in the rain.

10:13 AM  
Blogger nyraider said...

Our problem is that is was never really about rebuilding... it was always re-tooling. That's why we have sustained four years of misery and never climbed out of the cellar. Each attempt to re-tool failed, so each successive attempt was like starting over. We've created our own failure inertia.

It's always been about immediate gratification with the Raiders. They simply resist long-term strategy. If we had instead attempted to rebuild four years ago, there's no way we're in this mess now.

Kiffin is our only hope, because without the insight and direction that he offers, it's not going to get done (ala Shell, Turner, et al).

I only hope Kiffin has as little tolerance of the coaches production as he does the players. Ryan and company need to be put on notice. Change the defensive game plan that's not working or walk the plank.

10:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bama,

All your points are good. But, we must have replacements for the players we rid ourselves of. It's going to take a bit. The Saints were an anomaly. Under the current scheduling format there really isn't a "Last Place Schedule".

We have some good young players. Some of whom, unfortunately, we will lose due to salary cap situations.

Under the current draft alignment it's tough to completely rebuild there. Players, both rookies and vets, we released have already been released by the teams that picked them up.

Right now we are scoring more and giving up about the same at this point last year. Last year we were 0-5.

The dust will settle over the next year and we will see who is left standing. The Raiders and we fans can't do anything about what happend the last few years. Except learn from it and move on.

We will see how the learning process proceeds.

H

10:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think what we have here is a combination of an owner that values speed over collision-making on defense (a bone here to Bama) a defensive coach that DOESNT KNOW WHAT THE HELL HE IS DOING; and a rookie coach that has tons of potential but is still learning on the job.

We've played five games and only one has been horrible, which is pretty damn good considering the above.

There will prolly be a few more horrible games this season, but I expect more decent games against teams that don't match up as well as SD does against us.

BTW, in regards to SOB lining up the three linebackers five yards off the line... here's some excellent words from a friend on Usenet:

Defensive front: No secret that the DL is not getting it done. But,
frankly, Ryan is not helping them much. He not only is not blitzing
AT ALL, but he is not even FAKING it. I'm sorry, but if I'm a QB in
the NFL and I see 3 LBs 5 yards deep, I not only know that there is no
Blitz, but I also know that it is Zone coverage. Hell, the RAIDERS
are giving for free what Bellichick had to steal with a video-camera.

10:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bama7
I just think we should look hard at any out of work player that might possess a bit of nasty... bring them if they are/were once physical. Chad Brown comes to mind. Was he ever picked up? What would hurt to bring him in and cut a guy like Hiram Eugene or Tyler Brayton? What the hell would that hurt? Chad had a nose for the ball and liked contact... so what if he is now slow and old. We need hitters to get something started becuase hitting can be contageous.

10:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bama7
And now that Darius was dumped by the Dolphins, I say pick him back up. He had 9 tackles against us didn't he? At least he once was a hitter. Is he hurt?

11:04 AM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

Gary, your friend is absolutely right. With the speed we have at LB, if anything, these guys should always be showing blitz because they have the speed to drop into coverage. Howard has 4.4 speed, for cryin' out loud, there's no way he requires that five yard buffer.

11:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blandarocked and Gary,

From my 4:27 Post:

"Why are the linebackers lining up in the old "T" formation five yards from the line on almost every down.

The are quick enough to get back in coverage. But by the time they react to the run the back already has three yards."

I love being ahead of the curve.

H

11:11 AM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

H, I'm glad you showed up here. Used to be that I relied on Panty to back me up, but he's not around that much anymore.

11:41 AM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

This issue also addresses the Sam Williams issue. SW was drafted as an underweight DE who was an excellent pass rusher. Ryan converted him to OLB his first season.

Ryan plays him five yards off the line as well, sending him into coverage at which he posesses the least talent. SW is also pretty fast for an LB (espescially a DE). But he has zero coverage skills. In order to get the best out him as an out of position player, Ryan should be using him as a hybrid. He's very tall and he can obstruct passing lanes if playing close to the line of scrimage. He'd also be available for blitz duty, should Ryan ever attempt a blitz.

1:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really hated losing to the Dolts. Whether they were a better team or not. I wanted us to be competivity. That shows me that we are trying and have the skills to get it done.

What the heck was C-Pepper throwing to? It's funny how many of us wanted McCown head and wanted C.P in there. Now look at him. Now what we throw in JR? I think Culpepper was trying to do somethings that he shouldn't have. Kiffin's calling the plays and Cul is trying to do something else.

Offensive line got their butt's handed to them. There was not protection. San Diego's denfensive front 7 are real good. I will give them that. But they got beat in the trenches. And to start a game by losing there, you can't build upon that.

Defense, Defense, Defense. You know I met with Rob duing training camp in Napa. And he was so fired up about what was done last year and to build upon it. He is a really a nice guy. He'll stop and B.S. with anyone and doesn't mind chatting. But the players are just as much to blame as Rob and Al(or Kiffin) however you want to look at it? There is no pressure at all. We walk in with no testicular juice to mall the other teams down. And why is it that no one can tackle?

Football is about two concepts. Scoring points and not allowing points to be scored. It's that simple. You have to tackle, hard and fast. I am tired of watching our beloved team get a foot in the butt while the other team walks a mud hole in it. Tackling is critical. And for some reason that aggressive nature is not there. I want to know Why?

1:08 PM  
Blogger Raider Take said...

Anon, I hear you: why? I can assure you that it is someone's responsibility to answer that question, and to fix the problem.

Do whatever it is that smart organizations do to get enough of the right coaches and the right horses to play sound, physical football.

If it's the players, fix it. If, in fact, it's Ryan himself, as some are suggesting, deal with it. That's not my job, it's the organization's job. I have my own job. They have theirs.

If that means finding the next Ron Wolf or Bruce Allen, do it. Is that Mark Jackson? Perhaps. Just know the following: "Most recently, Jackson was Vice President of Athlete Development at A2 Holdings, in Los Angeles, which focused on rebuilding the sport of boxing in the United States at all levels."

1:27 PM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

Just sayin', after two crappy efforts, Ryan put up what looked like a very competitive defense last year. But it is looking more and more like folks who said that was only because there was no offense for other teams to concern themselves with were absolutely correct.

Ryan was the only coach that was handed to Kiffin by the management. A bad SOB this year would clearly be the fault of AD for failing to recognize it. Earlier we discussed that Al does best when he follows his own instincts, but Ryan was impressed on Al by the players and by the fans. I think that it will be fully up to Kiff, at season's end, whether Ryan is retained. At that point it will be on Kiffin.

During the off season, Ryan's defense was essentially a "hand's off" affair as a work in progress. As it turns out, it appears to be a work in regression.

This is Ryan's defensive scheme. His scheme demands player discipline to stay at home and protect their assignments. If Ryan can't collect that kind of discipline, then again it's on him. Right now, it looks like the defense is the only part of this team that is still running scholarships.

1:42 PM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

Added:

At no point will we see any member of the mediots (with the possible exception of Jerry Mac) say what I just said. The mediots really like SOB, and they never say anything bad about people they like.

1:46 PM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

Game's a sellout. TV for locals.

3:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

well said son!ditto.

3:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was upset on Sunday only because I really thought we had a shot at winning the game. I think most of you also believed that. If you look at that statement, especially after what the Bolts did to Denver at Denver, that is truly amazing. As poorly as we played, we were in the game.

I think the coaching, especially in the first quarter sucked. Not a problem for me as Kiff is in his first year, and has shown an ability to adjust. But we have a rookie coach, and this will cause growing pains.

Of more concern is Pepper's play. totally unacceptable from a Pro Bowl player. If this continues, the wins will be few. It is also his first year, so again some issues will pop up.

Someone mentioned penalties. I remember last year when I would have been ecstatic with 8/65. We had 2 in Miami. When was the last time the Raiders did that?

Defense is a mystery. They did sit Washington after he failed in run support, and he did well in SD. It appears to me that Ryan is introducing a lot more zone, hopefully to be able to disguise coverages when the players learn to play it. Ryan has fallen into the old prevent D a few times, and I always thought of him as smarter than that. The D seems less aggressive, especially on the blitz schemes, and this does need to change.

I think we have the players, the attitude, the coaches and the motivation. Many folks, including myself said it will take till mid season to see what kind of team we have. I think next game will tell us. If we lose to the Chiefs, I am a 9ers fan. (J/K) :)

4:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

RT - One thing that has definitely changed from the old days to the modern era, has been the philosophy of the Raiders offense. In the old days they used to really make a commitment to throw the bomb. It's important that the coaching staffs understand the importance of this, because throwing very deep often enough, regardless of whether you complete the pass or not, will soften up the defense. The cliff Branch's and Bob Chandlers and Fred Biletnikoffs didn't always catch every bomb thrown to them, but they helped put fear into the opposing Db's and I that softens up the underbelly of the defense for short and medium passes, the entire running game, and trick plays as well. This is one fundamental that Al believed in and it is something that helped ensure Raider greatness in the pass. If you don't throw deep you severely limit your offense. THe Raiders simply need to start thinking and acting like REAL raiders first..... then have the coaches work out the logistics.

4:50 PM  
Blogger nyraider said...

Zx3- the problem with the deep pass is you have to be able to protect the QB, which is something we can't seem to do.

Kiffin said our 5.4 yards per carry allowed is "high school."

He said players need to stay in their assignments (play the gaps) and that's part of the problem. The other is tackling.

According to Kiff, the reason we haven't seen much QB pressure correlates to poor run D where we end up defending 2nd and short or 3rd and short (not pure passing situations). If we tighten our run D and leave 2nd or 3rd and long, our pass rush will come alive... per Kiffin.

5:00 PM  
Blogger Doobie said...

RT, going back to your initial post (man, I hate arriving several dozen comments in), your anger is justified.

In a way, you reacted like someone who saw their recovering alcoholic brother fall off the wagon for the first time. Just when everything was looking better, WHAM, it's the S.O.S. all over again (and, hopefully, nobody takes offense to me using this analogy). Frankly, I respect your decision to not post a post-game haiku. Since it would have been filled with expletives, you probably could have called it a Four-Kyu (rimshot).

Unfortunately, like with a recovering alcoholic, patience is going to be required. This team has gone through some bad stretches over the last few years and you can't it by game five with a new coach...especially when your team has been down that "new coach" path oh-so-many times recently. You'll hopefully see gradual improvement over the course of the first couple of years, but there are going to be times when a relapse is going to occur. You just hope they don't occur too often, like last year.

As for Son of Buddy, I'm not ready to panic. After what I saw last year (run defense aside), he's allowed some slack in my book. just like what Bama7 alluded to earlier...we need more smash mouth blue collar players on this team. Heck, even one or two leaders might inspire the rest of the D. Unfortunately, you can't teach character traits. If we want a glass-eater, we're going to have to pick them up in the offseason.

5:09 PM  
Blogger Raider Take said...

DOOBIE HAIKU

He came and talked me
down from the ledge, they say his
name's Spearmint Prozac.

5:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

in regard to our defense, i would say the eagles would be a good blueprint to follow.

they have dawkins, and usually a good pass rushing De, burgess, douglas, kearse.
and they use speedy linebackers to blitz, pursue, and pressure all over the field.

in other words, they attack, force the action, and get much more mileage out of the talent they have.

take a look at the ny giants. they hired an eagle defensive asst. as their D-coordinator in the off season, and after a rocky start, their idea of pressure football seems to be paying off now.

9:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blandarocked,

Reference your 11:41 post, glad to be of assistance. I'm just an old guy who's been with this team since Big Al was the coach.

Now, in retrospect on the defense. After all is said and done they kept the game close enough to win and chipped in a touchdown. I took a look and Gates only had 58 yards on three. He was primarily Huff's responsibility during the game.

But that means we only got half the job done. And, Huff did make that one big mistake against him. Had he made the interception we probably would have scored and we would have bee praising him to the heavens.

I still think this team is a work in progress. Even on the defense. They are, for the most part a very young defense. Not an excuse, just a fact. However several are entering their third and fourth years. They should be well over the hump on the learning curve.

The game was winnable primarily because of the defense. They just totally screwed the pooch on that last possession.

H

2:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wanna' get the players pissed off for the game? Someone slip this Jared Allen quote into our locker room:

"I really enjoy going to Oakland and seeing the misery on the faces of the Raiders and their fans everytime we beat them." -Jared Allen

Bring your batteries
Psycho

6:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know that the Riaders do things differently than the rest of the league. Although someone has had to take notice of teams that have caught lightning in a bottle and are poor one year and then are in the playoffs the next. I don't do fantasy or watch lots of other games like you guys but last year NO comes to mind and this year TN.

I don't agree with chasing the dragon. RT presenting the staggering number of 52 losses shows how screwed up things have been the past few years.

I would prefer that Kiffin put his stamp on this thing and although it looks like he has started to, 5 games into his fist season is too soon to tell.

RT hits on the Ron Wolf/Bruce Allen part of the equation we don't tak about much. We don't know what is going on behind closed doors but it seems that no one at this time has emerged to be the personnel faces these two were.
It appeared to me that they helped mold those teams as much as anyone.

I hope that the disappointments are few and that these are truly growing pains. The operative being "growth" as in progress and moving forward. All things considered, so far so good.....

My original thought began as:
if there are more dolt type loses,
is the defenses' poor performance coaching related enough to warrant a change next year. Would Kiffin make a change if he thought so and would he bring (be able to) in his guy? I like Ryan as much as the next fan but he had a three year head start on this vs Kiffin.

7:28 AM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

H, think back to the rookie year of one Lester Hayes. I never saw a player so toasty. Lester played aggressively, frequently going for the ball, letting the receiver run for the score when he didn't get it. I also saw Lester, in pre season games, intentionally coming as close to pass interference as he could get (the same thing I saw Nhamdi do last pre season). Turns out Lester was just learning his limitations, what he could get away with, and how tight he could actually play without being flagged.

Huff getting aggressive at going for the ball is a good sign. He won't know what he can do until he tries. So Huff's mistake against Gates is a mistake I'll take. It's a process the great ones have to go through to become shut down DBs.

8:24 AM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

Raiders 42 Chiefs 10

8:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

>>>>
According to Kiff, the reason we haven't seen much QB pressure correlates to poor run D where we end up defending 2nd and short or 3rd and short (not pure passing situations). If we tighten our run D and leave 2nd or 3rd and long, our pass rush will come alive... per Kiffin.
>>>>


Yea but 3rd and long is an exercise in agony for me... we do the same thing everytime... rush four and hope the QB doesn't have enough time to pick his target. It's been the same defense for two years now.

If I can see it from a teevee set and half plowed on beers, I think the opposing teams OC can figure it out and design plays accordingly.

Is SOB on his last year of contract? I hope so... I think Kiffin will want to pick his own DC like he did with the rest of his coaches.

9:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not giving up on caveman just yet. This D will come around. Just as we were probably wrong for making him our 'savior' during the entire 2nd half of last year and the off-season, we'd be wrong to throw in the towel after a slow start.

Our slow start last year transformed into a Super Bowl caliber finish by this same group of guys we see today. I'll say it every week, once Burgess gets rolling we'll be back where we need to be. Sapp & Burgess both have zero sacks, and Sapp needs the boost from his left to get going. This won't last long.

If we had a solid offense and special teams we wouldn't even be having this conversation because we'd be winning. Caveman has expressed his loyalty to Al & the Raiders time & time again, and the players play hard for him, so I'm expressing my loyalty to him. We have bigger fish to fry than worry about one of our better people, one who maintains the positive chemistry on our D.

Now just get a little aggressive, caveman. And Bama is right, we need hitters, we're not intimidating anyone. Caveman is working with what he has, which overall is a bunch of finesse players who can run fast.

Psycho

10:28 AM  
Blogger BlandaRocked said...

One thing is clear. The defensive players have been showing their love for SOB since last year's training camp. They all believe that he's a great DC. They also know that their performance hasn't reflected that, and the criticism of SOB is on the rise.

The question then becomes, how much love will they show to SOB in their performance this Sunday? If the D doesn't improve, the players, whether or not they remain Raiders, will be working for a different boss next year. This team has certainly learned in the past that they can get rid of coaches they don't like by not playing for him. Let's see if they can play for somebody they do like.

My bet is that they will. While I don't think they'll stop Johnson, I think they'll contain him enough so that a strong showing by the offense will make him irrelevant to the game. I also want to see if Kiffin learned a lesson last week, and attacks KC's strength before shredding their weaknesses.

Kiffin has shown a remarkable learning curve, and from a mistake filled game (both coaching in players) there's a lot you can learn from. Kiffin will attempt to spread the KC D North to South instead of West to East. I think we might even see Curry throw a pass.

Sticking with my prediction of Raiders 42 Chefs 10. See you all back here on Monday.

10:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blandarocked,

Small dissagreement. I think we will do a fair job on Johnson. Possibly under 100, if we crowd the line. The Chefs main problem is the offensive line.

I like your prediction. I don't plan to go with a final score this week, just a W.

Gary, I'm in agreement with you. I don't know how many times over the last few years if said, "Third and long, they've got us right where they want us."

Poor run defense also correlates into my post earlier in the use of the linebackers. Five yards for the line of scrimmage. At least put two of them at three yards or less. That would at least make it harder to run between the tackles and force them outside for the corners and safeties to do their bit.

Just my two bits.

I'll be out of pocket and away from my internet connection for the next 48 hours. See you after the game.

H

11:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I lied. One quick thing before I sign off. Things are not going well in Mule Land. Shannarat is trying to get the league to move the Monday night game so he doesn't have to compete with the Rockies World Series game.

I hope they tell him no. The schedule was set in April, it is what it is.

Signing off until after the game.

H

11:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

>>>>
I don't know how many times over the last few years if said, "Third and long, they've got us right where they want us."
>>>>


PFFFTT!!! So true... so agonizingly true! He seems to be coaching the defense to not lose, instead of coaching them to win.

...as our losses pile up. The defense has let us down on all three losses. I never would have guessed this before the season.

Its why I thought we had an outside shot at the playoffs... I thought we had a playoff defense. This looks like anything BUT a playoff defense this year.

I'd actually kinda be HAPPY to see Kiffin and SOB get into almost a fistfight on the sidelines like his father and Ditka (IIRC).

He can't be happy with the defensive play calling can he?

2:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We must be related!! I have said this whole blog the whole week. I AGREE 200%!!!

3:23 PM  
Blogger nyraider said...

On NFL.com, our own Rod Woodson claimed the Raiders have NO strong safety. They have two free safeties, but "when they play 8-in-the-box it's like having 7-in-the-box."

We need a hard hitting, no nonsense SS. Why can't we resign Darius? We needed his veteran presence from the beginning.

Darius may be a liability in pass D, but I'll take that any day over the "high school-like" run D we've played. Besides, isn't that what nickle and dime packages are for, to shore up the coverage on passing downs?

Come on! Just sign him and get him on the field.

And why are H and Blanda signing off for the weekend? Do these guys turn into pumpkins? Fella's, come on, get computers at home. Just kidding. Enjoy the game fellas! Go Raiders!

4:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The thing that amazes me is that all these AFC West teams get so up to kick our ass (even though we haven't been good in a while)and I yet to see a real pissed off response by our guys. They should at the very least be anxious to go out and make a statement to these other teams-you know go out and smack somebody in the mouth! But we're so goddamm passive. I know I'm from the old school (been a fan since 70)and I know at some point for the Raiders to be the Raiders someone is gonna have to put a hurtin on someone. I need to see some attitude! R.T. that's why you and the rest of us are so frustrated. Last Sunday was the time to piss on one of the teams that's been bitch slappin us the last couple of years and to send a message to the rest of the division. That not only was not accomplished, it also cemented alot of the crap that has been said and continues to be said of our organization. Hopefully this Sun a statement is made- and we can go from there. I'm still in (just a litlle staggered).

RaiderMike

5:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hahahahahaha Blandarocked actually picked the Raiders to win 42-10??? Blanda my boy, you have that score confused with the Patriots win over the Dolphins. Kansas City is going to take Oakland down by the score of 24-13. You guys could not stop Bozo the Clown toting the rock and Larry Johnson is going to have about 130 yards and 2 TD's. I can't wait to see you show up here on Monday when you are wrong (as usual)

7:16 PM  
Blogger nyraider said...

Calico- here’s another WTF: Why does Kiffin continue to preach that division games are “just another game on the schedule we want to win?” He may think he’s keeping it real, but he’s not.

It’s NOT just another game. We have lost 8 straight to KC, and 16 straight in the division. And the fact that he wasn’t here last year doesn’t change that.

So, WTF? Fire up the players. Tell them this is not just another game. Turn them up a notch and get it done. Then, next week come up with some other excuse to get it done.

If we simply flatline through every game, we'll end up drafting #1 again. Kiffin needs to play this card for what it's worth. Then, after we kick their ass, he can preach the level of intensity it takes to win in the NFL.

6:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bama7
Show me, Raiders:
Porter: have a big game, dude. Have a big game when it matters, when the season's not over. One time, stud. Porter's a waste of money and should be gone after this season. I can't stand the guy. Said it before, he's TO without the production. Very, very lame.
Kiffen: You brought in Rhodes and you or Al one made a play for Bush. Play the MOTHERF*&^%s. Quit babying Bush. He's a damn kid. They heal fast. He broke the leg over a damn year ago. Even Bush is scratching his head as to his situation. Rhodes is not great but at least he'd be someone on the field that has won some football in the last few years. Line up Rhodes and Jordan and cut back run right at the speed rushers like Allen. Guys like Allen, Derrik Thomas they don't like playing the run for 4 qtrs. They just want to pin their ears back and pass rush. Run at him all day long. And forget Fargas... he's career back-up at best, but he's Al's boy so we have to live with him while our hair grays.
Huff: Huff said this week, "i guess my jobs covering TE's." Sounds to me like he is unhappy and frustrated with his role. He's a damn FS or CB. I think Huff was Al's pick all along... the latest brilliant move to negate the opposing teams TE's (Gates, GOnzales) Sort of like when Al brought in Upshaw to deal with the Chiefs. Al's always trying to recreate his old magic... and repeatedly failing. What we need is a new GM and an owner to stay out of the way.
Maybe we'll get a little wild and have some good things happen tomorrow. This fan can only hope.
And to Patriot boy: All of us who hate the patriots have one thing in our favor right now: Time. Lot of season left. We can only hope that Brady goes down and a few other bad things happen to you. It might not happen, but this is the NFL where frustrated 300 pound men like Siragusa make a name for themselves by trying to hurt key people. It could happen. Time is on everyone but the patriots's side right now. And if something really bad happens to your team, I bet you'll mysteriously vanish from this board, and they way you've run your mouth will make the pain we know you're feeling, that much sweeter for us Raider fans.

6:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah root for Brady to go down with an injury, that is really mature. You don't see me on here rooting for Culpepper to blow out the three ligaments in his other knee, do you? Wishing injury on another player, that is just a classless act. You know the only way my Patriots will go down is if Brady is gone, so you want him injured. Since you hate the Patriots so much, wouldn't you rather them be defeated when they have all their best players in the starting lineup, so the victory will be that much sweeter? Total lack of class by the above poster.

8:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bama7
I want to see Brady hammered senseless. It's football, pus. Grow some nads, you little bit67

10:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You know what? If the Patriots were to play the Raiders in the AFC Championship game (haha fat chance that would be) then I would want to see my Patriots go up against Lamont Jordan and Daunte Culpepper. I would not want them to face the Raiders if they were starting Andrew Walter or Justin Fargas cause then a victory would be somewhat hollow and I would have to listen to all of the Raider crybaby fans whine about how the game would have been different had their best players been in there. Its obvious that since the Raiders fear Tom Brady, they are wishing injury upon him. You all know you wouldn't even come within 21 points of the Pats if the two teams played. Talk about cowardice.

10:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The one with the lack of class is you troll. Coming on to our board with personnel attacks on more than one occasion. In case you had not noticed this place is about the RAIDERS.

Not only that but extensive knowledge of the game of football overall. Compared to your posts which amount to a 10 year olds nah-nah-na-nah-nah my teams better than your team garbage. You should be embarassed.

I am convinced the only reason you come here is because your fellow band wagon cheater fans have shoo-ed you away like the annoying gnat that you are.

As for Brady getting hurt. He's always been the golden boy but the horeshoe has to fall out of is ass sometime. Let's hope it is very soon! Now go away little man.

11:07 AM  
Blogger Calico Jack said...

Patsie Boy: Answer this simple question truthfully.

What is your motivation for coming on to a Raider blog and posting?

You talk about showing maturity and not being a coward.

Well guess what? If you answered the above question truthfully it would clearly show that you act like a 12 year old with the balls the size of marbles.

1:40 PM  
Blogger nyraider said...

Fast fact for Patsie Boy from nfl.com:

"In Week 14 of last year, Miami's defense allowed New England only 189 total net yards of offense and sacked Tom Brady five times to collect its first shutout since 2000, 21-0."

GO FISH!

2:37 PM  
Blogger nyraider said...

You guys that can go to the home games are really lucky. This is one I wish I could attend. I have a good feeling.

I meant to ask before, does anyone know a guy who the black hole regulars refer to as "Spacoli Raider" ala Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Dude moved to Oakland from NY with basically nothing... because he's such a diehard Raiders fan... just to go to the home games.

When I was in Oakland in 2002 to see a game, me and another Raider bud hooked up with Spacoli (who seemed to have little money at the time) and he bought us dinner.

If you're out there...shout out to you my brother.

5:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Where's "pantyslobber" when you need him? I sure hope he's not back in the slammer with half of the "faida nation" he used to bring a little intelligence to the site, now without "pantysmeller" you got bubkis, I am gonna tell you the outcome of tomorrows game, so you might want to try and dump your tickets off on some DIMWIT faida fanatic and recoup some of your hard stolen moola, I see faida fanatics around at stores and places and they stand out amoung the average crowd, they are stupid, belligerent slovenly, usually with a fat ugly wife ofr girlfriend/boyfriendmand they tend to have the speaking skills of a 12 or 13 year old on the dumb side (not you average intelligent 13 year old) They are LOUD, sloppy, and smell. Be proud "nation" just keep defending the "notion" Oh yeah, K C Chiefs 35- choketown faidas 3....one "seabiscuit" field goal. You wanna pay to see that? Ha ha ha ha Go Patriots and 49ers!!!!! faidas 2-14..

12:27 AM  
Blogger TheFreakingPope said...

Anyone else miss Josh?

2:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Get Culpepper out of the game put in Walters already. C Pete sucks ass he doesnt give us a chance to win. takes to long in the pocket, doesnt have great down filed vision, or short view on check downs, not accurate passer, over throws receivers, bad clock management,doesnt read defenses well...etc. given our play calls are way to predictable, and are run caters to the faster KC defense with Lamont Jordan bulky slow runner,and Mr dancing machine instead of running straight foward like he was in the beginning of the season, should put in more Dominic Rhodes the faster, more shiftier , quick to hit the hole without all that dancing around....

3:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No, but I do miss an effective passing game where the receivers caught the ball.

3:03 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

Isn't it ironic that last year Rob Ryan could have been elected mayor and this year folks are calling for his head? One thing the Raiders have got to do next year is make those first day draft picks count. We can't afford anymore third rounders getting cut before the season starts.

3:11 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

I don't think McCown could make that throw.

3:12 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

We just had our first lay 'em out hit of the season...and Schweigert delivered it.

3:18 PM  
Blogger TheFreakingPope said...

Daunte is a f*cking loser, but wait, I knew that, didn't I?!

4:12 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

RT,

What you're talking about with accountability sounds rather similar to decimation, how the Romans would severely discipline their troops when one of their legions disgraced itself on the battlefield.

The Romans would single out 10 men execute them before the rest of the legion. Hence, failure was not an option for the Romans. Of course in our case somebody in the front office, the scouting department, the coaching staff and from the team would get canned.

4:18 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

Not until he threw that pick did you know that. Besides, your boy McCown is still hurt. Do you really want to put Walter out there now?

4:20 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

What bothers me is that this team still doesn't look like it knows how to run the two minute drill.

Another thing is all the short passing. Even Phil Simms was saying you need to throw deep just to keep the defense honest.

4:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

C Pete fucking sucks people time to fucken move on and fuck Mc Clown starting next game .... bring in Walters before he is traded to the fucken Broncos and becomes are worst nightmare...and no its not Jamarcus Era (just another big arm , but dumb QB uh hum C pete like but just bigger size) and give Walters another shot... i mean there is a better line in front of him, better running game as long as we spread the defense with better play calling. Walters smart decision making QB, sees the whole filed, is mobile enough for his size, steps in or out of the pocket, handles the pressure very well, reads defense very well....but nope we will trade him away and see him blossom some where else and left with Mc Clown, C Pete, and future bust Jamarcus Russell

4:26 PM  
Blogger TheFreakingPope said...

Realist,

You can go back and look. I've doubted bringing in that washed up SOB since day one. Hell, I've argued against it for the last two years. Just and Blanda or RT. :) It didn't take that pass to confirm it.

Say what you want about "my boy", but our offense moved the ball with him under center.

And yes, I'd rather see Walter. He isn't a proven loser.

4:29 PM  
Blogger TheFreakingPope said...

Err...

Just ASK Blanda or RT. :)

4:33 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

And what exactly has your boy done in his time in the league? Have you forgotten game two against Denver already? 73yds passing and 3 INTs? I want the QB that gives us the best chance to win, period. Yes I know you've doubted Culpepper since Day One. Just why are you so enthralled by a guy that wound up playing receiver last year in Detroit?

4:35 PM  
Blogger TheFreakingPope said...

There is no argument that Josh struggled against Denver. Daunte has now struggled against two division foes. Anyone could have beat Miami. Hell, everyone has. I just want someone to explain why there was outrage over Josh and Daunte gets a pass?

I've admitted that I like Josh 'cause he's a Texas High School QB from where I grew up. What's your fascination with the reincarnation of KFC?

4:42 PM  
Blogger TheFreakingPope said...

Wait, I take it all back. I don't want to fight. I'm not mad at you guys. This team is kill'n me. :)

Peace?

4:45 PM  
Blogger nyraider said...

Painful game to watch. That was a very beatable Chiefs team that walked away with a gift (what else is new?).

A completely wasted first half. That turned out to be a huge 4th down mistake when we should have kicked a FG. It wasn't the fact that we went for it so much as the play call, which KC had already stopped several times.

Another D collapse after a score in the second half.

So you really can't teach an old dog new tricks. Culpepper refuses to throw the ball away in critical situations. He had time and he had downs, yet he forced the ball right into coverage to end the game.

Why did we wait until the end of the game when we know they're going to run before we we stack the line of scrimmage? We finally blitz, but on a freakin run play, and the runner bursts right by the blitz.

Schweigert made the single best play of his career (which almost looked like an accident), but also missed a critical tackle, and Huff made what was maybe his best play as a pro with a big stop behind the line.

We need to activate Michael Bush and get Russell up to speed. Hopefully, Kiffin won't wait until Russell can split an atom before putting him in sometime this year. Sad, but it's about time we start getting our future players some meaningful reps.

5:13 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

Agreed Pope, peace.

Like I said, I want the option that gives us the best chance to win. From these past two games, it looks as if we've gone back to last season.

I think Daunte would be more effective if they let him throw deep more often(like the Daunte in Minnesota). Instead we're relying on the run and short passes which wind up being check down passes to the RB. But as everyone knows, if all you do is run and show yourself to be hesitant to pass, the D is going to load up the box to stop the run. Did you see what happened when we finally did throw it deep to Porter? He got behind the D for a 57 yard gain. Yet we'll go right back to that dinking and dunking that of late is leading to a lot of three and outs and low scores.

Just like last week when we were on the one yard line. We got the FB from ATL and drafted one, yet we decide to get cute at the one and try to pass. We wound up getting no points, and basically that is where the game turned. Who's doing the play calling, anyway?

5:14 PM  
Blogger nyraider said...

Oh yeah, did I say I was disgusted! I only hope we win another division game before my 3-year-old son goes to college.

5:15 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

NY Raider,

Remember earlier this year when we did a position by position need for the team in the draft? There's still a lot of football to be played, but I think it might be a good idea to start scouting the college ranks now for next year's draft.

5:18 PM  
Blogger nyraider said...

One last thought before I go puke... Once again, we did not take a shot down field at the end of the half. I mean, come on! Even if for no other reason than to try and draw a penalty. Sometimes a little luck goes a long way.

Realist- I agree, and have said this is not going to be easy, but I didn't think it would be this painful either.

5:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to get on with my life, so I'm over it. But, for an hour I was extremely angry.

The defense finally shows up. The offense seems to have forgotten how to block.

I'm also tired of our head coaches strolling the sidelines with this placid look of contentment on their faces.

I really miss John Madden jumping up and down working the refs. Jon Gruden making faces and showing his displeasure.

I don't want it in the press conference. I want it in the game.

And, who's bright idea was it to waste a timeout on that challange. The first replay clearly showed he was in.

Nnamdi Asomugha bit on a non scrambling quarterback 25 yards back up the field. He let a rookie take him to the cleaners on that one play.

Now, the play calling absolutely stunk the place up. Where is this hybrid innovative stuff Kiffin is supposed to be brining in.

This one goes squarely on his shoulders.

H

6:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bama7
Well, my viking friend told me that Culpepper would break my heart. I didn't listen.
Was listening to the game on internet and heard Schweigert's hit on Gonzales... Flores actually said it was the first time he'd really seen Schweigert lay it on someone. Speaks volumes about a safety that has been playing now for what, three years? Starting safety's first big hit? Wow, stu... how'd it feel?
Our O-line was whipped, once again. Can't do shit if you can't control the line.
We have so many holes to fill next year. Maybe if we get the first pick again we can take McFadden.

6:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Before I begin my post, I want to take the time out to once again thank Al Davis for sending the Patriots Randy Moss, and only for a fourth round draft pick. Thanks again Al!


Now onto my review of the Raiders/Chiefs game. I actually watched this game with my Raider fan cousin after the Pats game was over. Your defense came out at the beginning and played with fire, and that surprised me. I had LJ pegged for a monster game just as LT had the week before. Obviously Rob Ryan lit a fire under your defense's ass and at first they were aggressive and were swarming the ballcarrier. But your offense looked soft today, you lack playmakers at just about every skill position on the field, and Culpepper is past his prime and he is not going to take you anywhere. Since I watch alot of Raider games with my cousin, I have seen games under the last three coaching staffs (Turner, Shell, and not Kiffin). The execution has been the same, the game tempo the same, and the same mistakes are being made. Its time Al and Kiffin realize that the players on the Raiders are just not very good. The entire offense needs a major overhaul. I think your defense started out slow, but will get better as the year goes along.

All in all, a good game for the Raiders. You are not the worst team in the league, but I will be shocked if you win more than 6 games.

And where is the genius Blandarocked? I like that score prediction of his Raiders 42 Chiefs 10. That guy sure knows his football.

6:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Remember when I told you that "skullpumper" wasn't worth a shizzle? Do you recall that I told you that "miss kiffy" Yes elaine kiffen wouldn't be shizzle? Just keep beleiving and all your dreams will come true........Yes and there is a tooth fairy and Santa Claus is a faida fanatic too! You DOOFUS' who paid an average of $68.38 to go to that stanky black bunghole of a stadium crack me up, you actually thought thtat the faidas were going to win....Just keep dreaming babies, keep defending the "notion"...It will get uglier if you can beleive it! 2-14 coming to a murder capital near you soon....At least you can brag that the 49ers UCKED almost as bad as the faidas.....Maybe if your're lucky, john york the dork will send you DUMBELLS nike nowin-nolan along with his trusty offensive coordinator.....at least you guys might win 5 next year with nolan.

6:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

>>>
Now, the play calling absolutely stunk the place up. Where is this hybrid innovative stuff Kiffin is supposed to be brining in.

This one goes squarely on his shoulders.
>>>>


The defense did great except for two plays... what more can you ask in the NFL?

Kiffins play calling was either horrible or he doesn't have a QB with enough sack to run it.

Culp called maybe 5 audibles, all of them to a run, and at least two of them were when they had 8 in the box...WTF? Why would ANY veteran QB audible to a run then? He should have audibled OUT OF THE RUN on ALL of our first and tens.

The ST's fucked us again... when will we get all three phases playing decent at once? We had a good enough defense to win this and the offense stuck didn't start playing until the second half again... too much like last season.

Kiffin and this team have a long way to go.

JR next week IMO!

6:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

P S I mis-spelled stuff so that you guys could think of "punkybrewtersmeller", I know you all miss his in depth , intelligent, well written posts. Who's next up to break the faidas rice bowl? (you intelligent faida fanatics will get that one) Oh Randy Mossman had 2 more td's..WOW he is the man...Just think what he could have done with a great QB like "Dumb-tay skullpumper" Woooooo wooo, 2-14

6:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anyone with an anonymous sign in should use one we all can recognize until then I will only read the regulars posting to avoid ass wipes.

I told my wife that 6 points might win the game. I do question leaving the 3 points out there on 4th, especially with such a poor play call.

I am going to read what you guys have to say and not watch this game over and over as I usually do. This one hurts because the chefs are not that good.

7:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why don't you go snatch the pebble off some patsie website, grass smoker?

7:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Patriot fans have now surpassed Yankee fans as the worst sports fans in the world hands down. Trolling a teams fans that have been the dregs of the NFL the last four years? WHY?

We all know the truth... you are still feeling guilty about the tuck game and you don't remember all the decades YOU were the NFL's worst because you have only been a fan of the Patriots for 6 years.

Amazing... every fan in the NFL sez the same thing... there have never been worse fans than the current Patriot fans. There is no close second... proof? Do you see any Indy fans here? They're pretty damn good too!

7:22 PM  
Blogger RaiderRealist said...

Here are the coaches that we might want to direct our questions to with regard to the debacle that was the game with the Chiefs:

Tom Cable- O Line

Charles Coe- WRs

John DeFilippo- QBs

Gregg Knapp- OC

Brian Schneider- STs

Curtis Fuller- Quality Control, STs

Adam Henry- Quality Control, Off.

Lane Kiffin- Head Coach

7:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

H & Gary,,

i disagree that the defense played well. i know it looks good on the surface, only yielding 12 points, but right after we take a 7-6 lead, the D lets a big play happen and in like seconds, we're behind again.

we need a pick in that spot, or a sack, or a turnover.
but our D never seems to get these things when we need them most.

trust me, had we scored 26 points in this game, our D would have given up 27.

that's just how these sleepy defenders roll i guess.

7:54 PM  
Blogger x said...

To someone who said you can't throw deep unless you have time to throw deep, how about this brilliant idea (yeah, and I thought of it all by myself)....try throwing on freakin' first down or obvious running downs, dammit!

Raiders did not attack on offense until the Porter throw. Just play passive, baby. Al's gotta be pissed.

And what's Ryan's excuse for not having the right personnel on the field on the FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME! I think that ended up being a nine yard Johnson run. That was not a sign of good things to come.

It especially hurts to let a guy who grew up in Oakland, yet rooted for Tampa Bay, make the game ending pick (Page). The same guy that caught Aaron Brooks errant throw in the end zone last year in a 17-13 loss.

This is getting to be a really bad, broken record.

8:00 PM  
Blogger x said...

raider00...

Exactly, when the Raiders went up 7-6, defense just couldn't put forth that one little bit of effort needed - Morrison drops a pick, Sapp can't wrap up Huard on a sack, and Burgess jumps offsides on a 3rd down incompletion....all this on the Chef drive that led to the winning TD.

This crap is all too familiar in division games, especially vs KC.

8:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

raiderrealist,

i can understand that you want to hold the raiders coaching staff's feet to the fire.
especially considering the last two gameplans have been less then inspiring.

but i prefer to keep the spotlight shining bightly on the players on the field. they are the ones who cough up the game each week. they are the ones that lack the raiders famous 'will to win".
i say this because, well, they never win.

it seems to me that many of these players are brought back season after season, only to find that we have finished the year in last place.

i think there is a connection here.
can we finally get rid of some of these bums ???

i believe it was Bama7 who observed the raiders, great athlete/lousy football player, problem that plagues us.

bother bama, you are a prophet. allow me to jump on this bandwagon right now.
perhaps together we can sound the alarm of change.

i am always very down after a raider loss, but i must say, they are becoming so regular, that i simply just accept it these days.

i find myself shrugging the shoulders, what can i do ??
i have no faith in the players that wear, or should i say, disgrace the proud colors of silver & black.
it is a nightmare, week after week, loss after loss, and it has grown very old, and tired.

the raiders had better FINALLY clean house this off season, or i may have to skip my first football season in 37 years.

please find some players that WANT to, that ENJOY, that LOVE playing football. that LOVE playing for the raiders.
they can't be that hard to find. it just can't be that hard.

this thing is taking years off my life. it really is making me sick.

RT, you want anger, i am beyond anger.
i am staring ahead, much like art shell used to stare.
i think i understand now art, we just can't believe what we are seeing.

9:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This game reminded me too much of last year. I saw more imagination in a 26 year old offensive coordinator in the Alabama/Tennessee game on Sunday than was evident in the debacle that was Sunday's game.

You can say all you want about Kiffin needing HIS types of players, if the Head Coach isn't at least trying to win games, why should the players bother.

Once again I saw all the emotion on the defensive side of the ball (sound familiar) and an offense seemingly going through the motions with the exception of Curry/Miller.

Also, that is the second time this year Newberry has blown a snap in the shotgun formation. Isn't he supposed to know that formation is called? Can't he feel the quarterbacks hands on his backside?

I understand this won't be turned around in one year. However, I do expect to see marked improvement. We took a major step backward on Sunday in my opinion.

If Kiffin wants people to remain "IN" he's got three winnable games coming up, including back to back at home. At least show some attitude on the sideline.

H

8:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

One last comment,

Raider00,

You can't put it all on the players on the field either. There's a thing called a gameplan, and another called in game adjustments.

I saw a defensive game plan for the first time this season. I saw tackling that hadn't been there in a while. I was Schweigert put Gonzalez on the ground and out of the game for a few plays.

What I didn't see was an in game adjustment by the offensive coaches when the gameplan wasn't working. We took the lead on two plays then went back to run, run, pass.

H

8:25 AM  
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7:47 PM  

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