Comments on Raider Take - The Original Oakland Raiders Blog: Boom Go The Raiders!

"LB Rolando McClain, DL Richard Seymour and L...

2012-01-12T08:27:11.663-08:00

"LB Rolando McClain, DL Richard Seymour and LB Kamerion Wimbley have played in a 3-4 scheme during their NFL careers."
Uh, Rolando McClain has not played in a 3-4 defense in the NFL.

New take is up, and it's News You Can't Us...

2012-01-12T08:05:27.029-08:00

New take is up, and it's News You Can't Use.

Roy, What howling there is, is because this was a...

2012-01-12T06:25:25.897-08:00

Roy,

What howling there is, is because this was a season of missed opportunities. A fourth down stop against Buffalo, getting a first down when needed or not letting the opposition go 90+ yards to win against Detroit, going 2-3 instead of 1-4 down the stretch. Especially where many said the last five games were a relatively easy part of the schedule after starting 7-4. Any fan base would howl a little after that.

Take,

I agree with a little patience. However, the talent on this team should not equate to 8-8. Even with the injuries. McKenzie is blowing up and starting over, but the one place where his hands are somewhat tied is the roster. He has to do some tweaking there, and I don’t foresee any major changes there just yet. The only caveat there is some sort of blockbuster trade to get into the early first round of the draft. I have my blue sky conjecture on that, but I’ll keep it to myself for now. Besides, the odds are against it.

And, we were close. Which is what gives me optimism. There is talent on the defense as shown in 2010. Losing Nnamdi didn’t cause the problems. Those problems are mostly attributable to coaching, which goes to the DC and ultimately to the HC.

NYRaider,

Nope, no bar lowering. But, let’s put in a solid brass rail, some better stools and a fancy mirror on the wall.

Blanda,

Just nitpicking, but “He's been employed in some capacity by the team for 48 years.” That would have put him working for the team at age eight. I don’t think California child labor laws were that lenient back then. I think he meant he was there when Al came on board as coach. Just yanking your chain bud.

Now, as far as the speculation that we will go 3-4. Not a bad idea. We won a couple of SB’s with that defense. Also, I think our LB’s may be better suited for that. Henderson would make a good NT. Seymour could play NT or DE, depending on down and distance. Houston, at his size, is better suited for a 3-4 DE in my opinion. McClain learned that defense under one of the best at running it.

Carson Palmer’s fit in a west coast offense might be better than most people think. Against Detroit he was nailing the short to medium passes. Some of DHB’s best catches included yards after catch. Our OL went from 41 sacks to 25. Think what they could do if they don’t have to hold the blocks as long. Not to mention Bush, Reece and McFadden are all capable receivers out of the backfield.

JMNLHO

H

Honestly I thought we were very good on the offens...

2012-01-12T04:30:24.160-08:00

Honestly I thought we were very good on the offensive side of the ball and to that much of the credit has to go to Hue. Therefore I was hoping that McKenzie would leave what is working in place and work on what was terribly flawed- the d. Instead were back to phase I, new coaching staff, new system, more growing pains. Whether you're all for these moves or totally against them, you can make valid points. I would like to have seen tweaking rather than demolition. Demolition should have happened after Callahan was fired, or Norv was fired, or Shell was fired, or Kiffin etc.... not now. I am disappointed. Hopefully McKenzie knows wtf he is doing, otherwise I see many more years of bitching and moaning at the RaiderTake.

RaiderMike

Listen, Al Davis had a rare gift. He ran a 3/4 bi...

2012-01-12T04:25:56.820-08:00

Listen, Al Davis had a rare gift. He ran a 3/4 billion dollar organization almost by himself, with the help of "messengers."

There is nobody who can replace Al Davis.

That said, the process that is taking place right now is extremely sound.

I like McKenzie's approach.

Is there a chance for failure? Of course. But I wouldn't bet on it.

As a first order of business, we should ALL be thrilled that Mark Davis has such a connection with the Raiders (post Al Davis) that he plans to retain ownership of the team (with the Davis family).

The tradition lives on!

In all the doom and gloom about firing Jackson, I can't remember anybody mentioning this.

Point: "Winning should be the primary object...

2012-01-12T03:59:07.542-08:00

Point:

"Winning should be the primary objective and if it's NOT that than the objective is wrong"

These are your own words and I for one will damn sure hold you to them!!!

"trd1968"... I can NOT!!!... We have g...

2012-01-12T03:56:48.552-08:00

"trd1968"...

I can NOT!!!...

We have gone threw a long and very painful rebuilding experience already and have a very good young core of specialty players on our roster....Especially on the "O"...Your picture would waste them for several seasons while rebuilding until they are all out of their primes and in need of replacement...

NOT what I expected in 2012 "The Year of The Raider"!!!

PantyRaider...If This Be The Course Some Of You Have Set It A Very Failed Course To Follow!!!!/_

"NYR"... "Funny how folks endorsed...

2012-01-12T03:51:29.840-08:00

"NYR"...

"Funny how folks endorsed Mark Davis seeking the advice of Madden and Wolf but now question the direct results of that advice."

Not from my perspective...I questioned the firing of Hue which is well within the realm of a questionable issue...I never questioned the acquisition of Reggie as "GM' as I was Pimping it long before most of you were even on board with it...Go back and look!!!...I was no doubt the very 1st to pimp his name here!!!

I'm now waiting to see where he goes with this and until that direction is clear I'm in the dark and so all all of you!!!...So if your keeping score as it stands it's now 0-n-1 -w- 1 interview scheduled...

Are you now going to tell me that you will be happily excited with Todd Bowles as our new "HC"???

Step right up to that plate and swing!!!...

I already posted with my hopes that Al Saunders remains the "OC" and why so no need to go into that again...But that's the only move that will get me excited at this time...A move that I hadn't considered until today when I saw something posted regarding it by another Raider Fan...

Not even my original thought but It makes perfect sense so I embraced it and passed it on...

Now time for the rest of you to step up to the plate and swig...Who's our new "HC" and how does it translate into more wins than what we potentially would have had under Hue???

Enough of the "It's Gotta Be Better" than before crap...Where's the substance!!!

PantyRaider...Hyped Up Fanatical Exuberance Without A Single Foundation To Lay It Upon!!!/_

Some people were die hard supporters of Callahan e...

2012-01-12T03:37:55.722-08:00

Some people were die hard supporters of Callahan even after the Raiders collapsed in 2003. Check the Usenet postings.

The Raiders 8-8 record was not a strong 8-8er that you build on. It was inexcusable the way they finished the season.

The reason people support McKenzie's choices is because Al was still operating in the 20th century. Hue was the last of the " Al Guys" who had any power. Hue wanted more power. If it takes McKenzie 2-3 years to build a contender, it will be based on 21st century football concepts.I can live with it.

trd1968

Reggie is evidently thinking "D" backgro...

2012-01-12T02:59:30.735-08:00

Reggie is evidently thinking "D" background for his new "HC"???

I'm now really hoping that this will mean the return of Al Saunders as "OC" which would be great for our "O" which was already a top 10 unit...#9....

No changes in terminology and the players already know the game plans so no huge transitions to make...We have the personnel to run that strong Run 1st type strike quick "Vertical" "O" and that's the main issue I had with losing Hue....Continuity of the "O" with Palmer and our Receivers...

Al Saunders staying takes care of that issue for me so there's no real issue left...A very strong "D" mined hard nose "HC" would be a huge plus...He brings in his own "DC" and were NOT missing a beat!!!

I have now seen a little speculation that Reggie expects to win now NOT later so this may be in his plans???

PantyRaider....New Found Hope....Based Upon What Was Already here!!!/_

Raiders | Todd Bowles interviews for HC vacancy W...

2012-01-12T02:13:05.914-08:00

Raiders | Todd Bowles interviews for HC vacancy

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:08:37 -0800

Former Miami Dolphins interim head coach Todd Bowles interviewed Wednesday, Jan. 11, for the head coaching vacancy with the Oakland Raiders, according to a source.

Raiders | GM indicates team might switch to 3-4 defense

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:48:07 -0800

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie indicated that the team might switch from a 4-3 to 3-4 defensive alignment. "That's what I am familiar with," McKenzie said Wednesday, Jan. 11. LB Rolando McClain, DL Richard Seymour and LB Kamerion Wimbley have played in a 3-4 scheme during their NFL careers.

Raiders | GM likes West Coast offense

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:48:43 -0800

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said Wednesday, Jan. 11, that he likes the West Coast offense. Current QB Carson Palmer is not believed to be a good fit for that system.

Raiders | GM feels Carson Palmer is a good QB

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:07:50 -0800

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said Tuesday, Jan. 10, that he understood the deal for QB Carson Palmer. "Now, bringing in Carson at the time the Raiders brought him in, to me, as a player, that's a good move," McKenzie said. "I think he's a good quarterback. Period." Palmer has a $12.5 million salary for 2012, $5 million of which became guaranteed as part of the trade with the Cincinnati Bengals at midseason.

"Point me to a quote where Madden or Wolf end...

2012-01-11T21:58:06.019-08:00

"Point me to a quote where Madden or Wolf endorsed firing Hue."

Gary, You have no clue. Madden and Wolf's role was simply to interview/recommend a GM candidate. It wasn't there place to endorse the firing of Hue. The decision to hire a GM with the authority to retain or fire Jackson was step 1. Step 2 was McKenzie's (and only McKenzie) decision

"I don't know what game you are watching,...

2012-01-11T21:54:38.810-08:00

"I don't know what game you are watching, but we sucked for 7 years... now we are very close. Point to a time where we had a top 10 offense two years in row AND a franchise QB in place since this slide started. Name all the back to back 8-8 seasons before Hue joined..."

Gary, Yes we were very close this season but certainly not last year. This season if we don't collapse in the last 5 games, we are a playoff berth team.

Is it so hard for you to understand that for the organization to move forward, we needed to hire a highly qualified GM who had full authority to put his stamp on the team? BTW, who said McKenzie is blowing up the team? He made absolutely no suggestion of the idea in his PC. Quite the contrary. He specifically said he was in the process of evaluating the franchise from top to bottom, that there is a solid talent base in place, and he was going to diligently going to upgrade any area he deemed fit.

"Ok RT.. you got pissy with Al when he didn&#...

2012-01-11T21:50:09.824-08:00

"Ok RT.. you got pissy with Al when he didn't have the head coaches in place INSTANTLY in the past.

What HC do you see McKenzie zeroing in on?

I'm guessing he is waiting for GB to lose so he can hire one of his cronies."

No Gary. McKenzie already has a short list of prospective candidates. As a matter of fact, he interviewed a candidate today.

(From Cochran) New general manager Reggie McKenzie has an interview planned with Todd Bowles as a potential replacement for fired head coach Hue Jackson, according to an ESPN report.
Bowles, 48, replaced fired Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano 13 games into this season and managed a 2-1 record the rest of the way.
Bowles, who played in the NFL for eight seasons, interviewed for the Dolphins vacancy the day after the season ended, but he has yet to be told whether he is getting the job.
Bowles interviewed with the Dallas Cowboys last year for the job that went to interim coach Jason Garrett. He is considered a bright prospect who has a knack for connecting with his players and getting the most out of them.
Bowles’ history as an assistant is that of a secondary coach. Therefore, he also could help the Raiders in that problem area if he is hired by McKenzie.
McKenzie said he isn’t going to waste any time in reshaping the Raiders. This is evidence that he already has a plan in place.
He said Tuesday at his introductory news conference that he has a short list of candidates. Green Bay Packers linebackers coach Winston Moss is thought to be atop that list, though no interview has been scheduled because Moss still is in the middle of his season.

There's nothing like losing four of five games...

2012-01-11T21:25:35.668-08:00

There's nothing like losing four of five games to end the season with the division title on the line, setting the NFL's all-time record for penalties and giving up 27 points per game to make me feel that we were "very close."

Hah!

>>>> Raider Take said... Nothing ...

2012-01-11T21:20:22.382-08:00

>>>>
Raider Take said...

Nothing like hiring a GM from a first-class organization, endorsed by Ron Wolf and John Madden, and hired by the Davis family, to bring out the doom and gloom in some folks.

Guess we need to exercise a little more patience and optimism around here.
>>>

Ok RT.. you got pissy with Al when he didn't have the head coaches in place INSTANTLY in the past.

What HC do you see McKenzie zeroing in on?

I'm guessing he is waiting for GB to lose so he can hire one of his cronies.

Will you be "minty fresh" with that?

I won't.

This looks more like a power grab more than anything... like we are one of the worst teams in the NFL or something???

Oh give me the 32nd ranked defensive coach to lead us to the promised land!!

>>> nyraider said... P.S. Funny how...

2012-01-11T21:13:29.957-08:00

>>>
nyraider said...

P.S. Funny how folks endorsed Mark Davis seeking the advice of Madden and Wolf but now question the direct results of that advice.
>>>

Point me to a quote where Madden or Wolf endorsed firing Hue.

I am guessing that happened only after McKenzie was hired.

Ego trip vs ego trip?

Sign a BLUE CHIP head coach McKenzie... until then you are a moron.

DAZZLE ME!

The leader of the 32nd ranked defense isn't it.

>>> It is perplexing how some posters hav...

2012-01-11T21:08:04.447-08:00

>>>
It is perplexing how some posters have been incredibly patient for 9 years running and now they want instant results.
>>>>

I don't know what game you are watching, but we sucked for 7 years... now we are very close. Point to a time where we had a top 10 offense two years in row AND a franchise QB in place since this slide started. Name all the back to back 8-8 seasons before Hue joined...

Tap tap.

Thats what is so bewildering to me of the cheerleading for this blowing up the entire franchise.

ITS TOO LATE!

IT DIDNT NEED TO BE DONE!

This should be obvious.

...someone call McKenzie, put Calico Jack on staff...

2012-01-11T19:57:25.946-08:00

...someone call McKenzie, put Calico Jack on staff, spot-on.

"A time for patience and optimism has finally...

2012-01-11T19:09:17.223-08:00

"A time for patience and optimism has finally arrived, and now some of you sound impatient and pessimistic?" - RT

To me patience and optimism are relative terms tied to the context of the situation at hand.

If I see a solid organizational foundation being built w/sound decisions to reshape the roster being made in 2012, my patience and optimism remains buoyed going forward into 2013.

There is no question that the new era upon us in 2012 is a major transitional year.

For starters, we are looking at a significant overhaul in the entire coaching staff. McKenzie has a tall order with the limited draft picks and cap room.

It is perplexing how some posters have been incredibly patient for 9 years running and now they want instant results.

If we reach the playoffs because McKenzie has surgically tweaked our roster and upgraded our coaching and front office staff, I will be thrilled. If we don't reach the playoffs in 2012 but are clearly on the right path for 2013 and beyond, I will still applaud McKenzie's efforts.

All I have to say is...those who condoned what was...

2012-01-11T18:26:59.955-08:00

All I have to say is...those who condoned what was happening the last 8-9 yrs, have always been wrong. Now those same people are raising questions of what is happening now as bad moves....just look at the sources and that should automatically guarantee that McKenzie is going to do alright. Time after time the "...." got it wrong, their streak is continuing...keep it up boys!

JONES

Blanda - "But he is 0-0. He's not the 2n...

2012-01-11T17:31:32.456-08:00

Blanda -

"But he is 0-0. He's not the 2nd coming until we're saved."

No offense, BR, but so was every HC hired by Al Davis over the last nine years that was fully endorsed here and presented with the upmost optimism.

Roy - It does bother me. I live on the other sid...

2012-01-11T17:26:11.348-08:00

Roy -

It does bother me. I live on the other side of the country, but I never liked the first move to L.A., Among other things, I believe it provided too many distractions for the players, and certainly for the man behind the move who also was running the football operation (hopefully, wearing too many hats is a thing of the past).

The fans in Oakland proved this year that they will support a winning program.

On the flip side, the Raiders play in the most outdated stadium in the NFL. They will need to make a move soon, presumably into a top facility. So it will depend on the available options.

Oh, and will Al gone, I would think LA would now t...

2012-01-11T17:21:26.173-08:00

Oh, and will Al gone, I would think LA would now triple their efforts to lure the Raiders there.

First off, nobody's pissing on the parade. Mc...

2012-01-11T17:20:35.109-08:00

First off, nobody's pissing on the parade. McKenzie is going to make changes, and a lot of them. According to his plan, he's going to return the organization to the way it used to run. I'm all on board.

But he is 0-0. He's not the 2nd coming until we're saved.

As for LA, everybody in America has been aware that we've been talking to LA. Primarily because every football team in America has been talking to LA.

Davis will try to get something done here in good faith. However, I'd remember that the City of Oakland didn't wait six months to sue the organization after they moved in. The City of Oakland is probably one of the most hurt in the bad economy. They aren't going to do ANYTHING they have to sink ONE DIME into. So it's private funding or no stadium.

I still have my doubts the 49ers will get a stadium built in Santa Clara. Especially if they hide expenses from the voters.