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Derrick Burgess should not be making less than Tommy Kelly Photo by Patrick A Patterson/TFDSsports.com
Oakland Raider analysis: What were the Oakland Raiders thinking this offseason?
Nnamdi Asomuga should have been given a deal to sign. Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com
This has been a tumultuous offseason for the Raider Nation. First there was the ongoing saga of whether or not Al Davis and Lane Kiffin were playing a game of dare to see whether Kiffin would quit, be fired, or coach for the 2008 season. Nnamdi Asomugha was given the franchise tag, and then free agents were signed fast and furious to huge contracts. Meanwhile, there was not motion on locking down Asomugha long term. Chronic malcontent Jerry Porter was jettisoned, but fellow chronic malcontent LaMont Jordan remains. What the duce is going on inside that building on Harbor Bay Parkway?
Lane Kiffin v Al Davis and Rob Ryan Steel Cage Match:
This drama started before the end of last season when rumors began surfacing on the internet that Lane Kiffin had expressed an interest in the vacant coaching job in Arkansas. This spiraled out of control following the season when the stories began floating that Rob Ryan would be moving on from the defensive coordinator position of the Raiders. The story is that Al Davis overruled that decision and forced Kiffin to work with Ryan.
The story turned for surreal to bizarre when a cloud of rumors thicker than LA smog began emanating from Alameda that Al Davis had drafted a resignation letter for Kiffin to sign, with Kiffin responding with a “fire me!” The rumors spread like wildfire with nothing official coming from Alameda except for a short terse memo saying that Rob Ryan would be on the staff for 2008. By the time the staff coached the Senior Bowl, the only Raider topic was: Would Lane Kiffin be the coach for 2008? Hardly the reputation an organization wants when its going to be recruiting talent. ESPN, NFL Network, and others could not help but chime in by talking about the lack of Raider Shields on Kiffin’s gear at the Senior Bowl. Around that time, the Raiders finally made an announcement that gave Kiffin some support, but the rumor mill was in full buzz all the way through the Scouting Combine.
Spending Like a Drunken Sailor on Shore Leave:
The Raiders opened their checkbook this year and stimulated the economy of a couple of their own players before backing up the Brinks Truck to bring in others. Justin Fargas was signed to a reasonable 3 year deal. In a head scratcher of a move unproven and injured defensive tackle Tommy Kelly was signed for a ginormous deal, that at the time was a record amount for a defensive tackle. The Raiders also stuck the “Exclusive Rights” franchise tag, which is by far the most expensive type of tag on their best player in Nnamdi Asomugha. Franchising a player is usually a good way to get on their bad side, and like the Raider that Aso has shown himself to be he has not publicly complained the way that most players do when they get the dreaded tag.
Once the unrestricted free agency period started, Al Davis began handing out monumental contracts like there was no tomorrow. Gibril Wilson got a nice check, and Javon Walker received a large payday that was promptly spent on an ill fated Vegas vacation complete with multiple bottles Dom Perignon he sprayed all over people in a club on the night he was later beaten down and found unconscious. (Thats a guy that is worth a huge payday to be the leader of the team.)
“No Respect, No Respect, I tell ya!”
–Rodney Dangerfield
Meanwhile, Asomugha can’t negotiate with other teams, and is still only looking at a one year tender, and he has to be stewing about the lack of respect considering he is one of the elite players at his position in the league. Derrick Burgess, who was rumored to be unhappy and considering a holdout last season couldn’t be too happy with his situation either, considering he has been to multiple pro-bowls and been a team leader, and Tommy Kelly who has yet to accomplish much of anything in the league and is coming off of an injury shortened season just got a healthy raise.
As if to spit in Aso’s eye, the Raiders traded a second and sixth round pick to Atlanta for cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who despite having better numbers is not nearly the cover corner that Aso is. Hall was known as a chronic malcontent in Atlanta, but he was rewarded with a $70 million long term contract. Aso still only had the one year tender.
“LaMont, you big dummy!”
–Fred Sanford
Meanwhile, through all this for some strange reason LaMont Jordan is still on the team. Jordan has admitted that he didn’t study the playbook, had been playing soft and tried taking up kickboxing in the offseason to get more aggressive (he failed miserably), and he is always injured. He is a malcontent who has also said that he is not about what happens with the team:
“For me, I’m not really concerned with how we look as a team. I’m going to worry more about myself as an individual.’”
Yet he is still on the team, and potentially going to be cashing a Raider paycheck. What in the world is going on?
Inside the Black Hole
Could this be what Warren Sapp was talking about when he said that “being with the Raiders was like being in a Black Hole?” In fact, as they left tire tracks in front of the Alameda facility former Raiders Stuart Schweigert, Chris Carr, and Jerry Porter all took their shots at the organization. Its easy to dismiss it from one of these guys as they had each underperformed in Oakland, but looking at it collectively against the backdrop of what has been seen in Oakland makes it seem like there may be something there. Art Shell’s “Fox in the Henhouse” Michael Lombardi even co-signed Sapp’s comments.
The backbone of the Raiders is supposedly “Commitment to Excellence” and “Pride and Poise.” With his performance on and off the field Nnamdi Asomugha exudes these qualities. He worked hard after regular practices to bring himself from a draft pick that was largely considered a reach at #32 to inarguably one of the true elite cover corners in the game. Where are the priorities? What does this say to other young up and comers on the Raiders such as Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison who are going to be playing out their rookie contracts in the next few years? Will they be rewarded for their hard work and dedication by being slapped with a tag and forgotten as Aso has been?
Flame me as a hater if you want, as I sit here in my faded Kaufman jersey typing this up in the middle of the night. I bleed Silver and Black, but I am wondering about the leadership and the message that its sending. I’m tired of this nonsense, and would love to see the team ran in a way that actually makes sense. Its bad enough that the haters are out there, but why oh why does the team have to give them such powerful ammunition?
Venting off some major frustrations here on TFDS
This entry was posted
on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 at 1:37 am and is filed under Javon Walker, Justin Fargas, Derrick Burgess, Raider News, Al Davis, Lane Kiffin, Nnamdi Asomugha, League Transactions, Raiders News, 2008, Thomas Howard, Kirk Morrison, DeAngelo Hall, Tommy Kelly, Raiders History, NFL News, Free agent signings, Gibril Wilson, Oakland Raiders Analysis, Oakland Raiders Coaching Staff, Kwame Harris, 2008 Raiders Offseason, Oakland Raiders Current Player Analysis, Darren McFadden, Raider Nation, Transactions.
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63 Responses to “Oakland Raider analysis: What were the Oakland Raiders thinking this offseason?”
July 17th, 2008 at 3:08 am
Well ur not a hater its just u cant help urself but be pi$$ed when hear about all this bs on raiders and what their (al davis) doing knowing tht no other kind of fan gos threw what a raider fan has to go threw year after year as a nation we live in a f@cked up world.All i hope for now is a wining season
July 17th, 2008 at 3:11 am
HAHAAAHAAHA i ment f@*ked up srrrry
July 17th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Damn! mvn dont play, im going bak to the yard shiiii
July 17th, 2008 at 4:46 am
No one should read this and think “hate,” Patrick. I share your pessimism about the state of the organization.
Nothing succeeds like success, and nothing fails like failure. Right now, the organization is a failure, and is in serious jepardy of remaining so for even longer.
It’s hard to take the positive spin on the situation when the better players on the team seem to be angling toward the door as best they can, which is what appears to be happening here. Then again, if they actually manage to win enough games that they have to use two hands to count them, they may be more inclined to stick around. Only time will tell, I suppose, but anyone who doesn’t realize that Opening Day is a must-win is kidding themselves.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:47 am
The Raiders are a cesspool of an organization who are run by an owner who is stuck in the 1970’s. The Raiders will continue to be wallowed in garbage until they are under new ownership. It is as simple as that. I will be shocked if you guys ever win more than 6 games again as long as Al Davis is calling the shots.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Patrick you are a hater!!! The Raiders are going to the Super Bowl man!! How can you not see that? We signed Kwame Harris this offseason and he is WAY better than Barry Sims! How could you not write about that? Harris is the man!! Did you see his performance in San Francisco?? He is gonna shine in the Silver and Black!! I can’t believe you are hatin the way you are. Dont you know that Al Davis is a genius? That dude one Super Bowls over 25 years ago!!! He certainly knows what he is doing in the year 2008! Come on now, dont be a hater!! If you hate the Raiders so much, the Chargers could always use some extra fans, why dont you jump on their bandwagon. Raiders are in Tampa for the Super Bowl baby!!!! Reserve your hotel rooms and start saving for tickets now!! Woo HOO!!!!!
July 17th, 2008 at 5:21 am
Great article. I couldn’t agree more. I think Nnamdi Asomugha’s days may be numbered and the team MAY have to consider trading him. I’ll trade him to Arizona for A. Bowden
July 17th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Dude you are not a hater you speak the HONEST truth, This team has been in termoil for years and will continue to be in termoil until Al learns to relinquish the reins to someone who is not stuck in the golden age of Football, The whole front organization is a joke, no leadership no future! We need a GM who has a set of B@LLS to stand up to Al and make him see the light and the other owners need to force Al to step down! And I’m not sure if Mark Davis( Al’s Son) is the right answer either. So if you want call me a hater too then but I have been a Raiders fan from the day I was born and will continue to be til the day I die! But something must give and SOON!
July 17th, 2008 at 5:42 am
alright… Jerel… your and idiot…. its A.Boldin, and we dont need him. We need the second comming of L. Hayes and M.Haynes. D.Hall (who even i think is over rated) will be that much better with a shut down corner like N.Asomuga. Can you imagine having the chance to blitz almost every down because your corners can handle it with out any help. I hate to say it but out defence can be like the blitz happy steelers ( god i hate the steelers). bottom line is we need to keep Nnamdi and also Burgess. i hope the raider organization knows some thing we dont.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:02 am
Just 19-61 it, baby!
The Raiders are a trainwreck. Get over it.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Don417 is a woman!
July 17th, 2008 at 6:22 am
[…] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | […]
July 17th, 2008 at 7:29 am
It’s easy to look at contracts and say, “I would have done this” or “I would have done that” but you weren’t there in negotiations, you don’t know.
Nnamdi has always been a class guy about this and I expect no less than that from him this season. If this secondary turns out to be half as good as we all think it will be, Nnamdi will get his money.
Burgess has also been the non-squeaky wheel in all of this. He will continue to do so. Plus, if you haven’t noticed, he kind of fell off last year. Prove it was a fluke and you will get paid.
As for the hate from former players, I have yet to hear Timmy Brown chime in or anyone else who actually mattered. Sapp is Sapp. He challenged the Packer coach to a fight, for God’s sake. That’s what they mike him for is to say stuff like that.
And please don’t believe the Tim Kawakima, Nancy Gay blown out of proportion BS. These people are haters and will try to pick at any little thing to bring down the big bad Raiders who pick on their poor little 49ers. JaMarcus didn’t look like he was 300 lbs, did he?
“Behold, there was a 5th Horseman, astride a Pink Horse, and his name was called Stupidity.”
July 17th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Don417 and Koolaiddrinker are the same woman!
July 17th, 2008 at 8:12 am
I think kool aid drinker is mike40whiner is disguise.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Patrick - Great article buddy. Very well stated rants.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Kelly and Sands got big pay days and long contracts. Walker has been rewarded for his strong play too and got a healthy contract. Wilson and Hall got big pay days as well as long contracts. If Aso can be the type of player that Javon Walker or Sands is, maybe he gets his big contract in a year or two. I honestly believe that makes complete sense to Raider ownership. I must be the one who doesn’t get it. WTF?
Kiff said that performance is what gets you a starting spot. Al Davis rewards guys like Javon Walker, Sands, etc. Does ownership seem to be in direct conflict with what Kiff is preaching?
Are guys like Sapp, Porter, etc just a bunch of whiners? I think so, but I also know that running a successful business means there is one direction and everyone is in lock-step with that direction. Somehow I can’t say that we have one clear direction. Worst of all, the lack of leadership at the top allows two-bit sports writers to bash our team and create a rumor-mill about our team. In this world, perception is reality. Allowing these guys to set the tone about our team is unacceptable and shows a clear lack of leadership at the top.
Whether true or unfounded, when your team is perceived to be a managerial disaster, you must pay big money to attract average players. I think we have proven that some of the acquisitions this offseason got paid more by our team than they would have been paid elsewhere. The icing on the cake is not locking up a team player but instead giving $50M to a guy who puts himself in situations where he can get beat up.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:03 am
good article pat, good healthy reality check! .. im so sick of al davis.. that guy ale made such a good point.. why not franchise tommy kelly like haynesworth got from the titans… and give aso the 50 mill.. ridiculous man.. classic AD.. he really needs to step down.. but i dont think itll happen till he’s ACTUALLY dead.
and yes kool aid is mikey whiner.. hey mike u still gonna meet me in the parking lot at the raider niner preseason? lets see if u talk yer shit in real life.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Pat… all I have to say is AMEN! I bleed silver and black with you and feel like I’ve been hemorrhaging with all the crazy stuff that is been going on (not only this year as you documented so well, but the last few years). Why people would call you a hater for speaking the truth I have no idea. At some point blind faith has to stop, and people have to take a look at what is really going on. I have all the respect in the world for what Al has done, but I’m convinced that over the last several years he has lost his mind. I’m hoping for a big step forward this season, but if it happens, it will be in spite of leadership and phone calls from above, instead of because of it.
Thanks for speaking the truth, and keep up the great work!
July 17th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Some of the signs that a loved one may be developing Alzheimer’s:
Problems with judgment.
Repeats the same things over and over.
Trouble handling complicated financial affairs.
Giving away large sums of money.
Becomes confused, suspicious.
Can’t remember where they are or how they got there.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Okay I have to agree with a lot that is being said here. Kelly should have been given the tag not Aso. Aso needs the money. He is the best player on the D if not on the whole team. I believe that we will be the best team on D from the LB back. I worried about the four up front. I know that we don’t like paying out the money for guys like Walker and Kelly. They both were the best in their position that was availible during that time. When you have had a losing record four years straight you have to give lots of money out to get guys to play for your team. If Walker can stay health he will be worth it. Now what I don’t understand is why Jorden is still a Raiders. Cut him and get him off of the team. I know there is a chance he would sign with someone in our division. Thats fine because he would get hurt mid way threw the season anyways. I honestly think that we will have a winning season this year. I still wish we could get steonger up front but we will have to do with what we got. The Raiders this year will be giving the Chargers a run for first place in the AFC West. I say the Raiders go 10-6 this year with a sweep of Denver and Chiefs. We do need to resign Aso as soon as week can. We need to start building a team from the ground up.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I have to disagree with over half of what you guys are sayin. I think if you look at Patrick’s post near the end. He talks about a lack of leadership. Thats is the missing player or players that the Raiders lack. The last leaders we had were Tim Brown and Rich Gannon. I know we got some good young guys like Aso, Morrison ect. But these guys are not leaders, they are young play makers. In a few years they will become leaders. But will they be leaders for someone else? The Raiders need to keep there drafted talent. Rod Coleman? Woodson? is Aso next? You can’t always hope to find these guys from others teams cast offs. Rich Gannon is a rare find. I also wish everyone would quit blaming Al Davis for everything. The Raiders suck because the players suck. They have no leadership and are out on the field looking out for themselves. The Raiders need to build up a core group of drafted players to be leaders. They do that buy resigning they good draft picks and letting the bad ones go. Al Davis dose not make all the desisions in Oakland. There are alot of other people on the payroll too. The organization as a whole needs to wake up. I’m sure Al has alot of whispering in his ear and trys to make the best decision possible that everyone can agree on. unfortantly is has been the wrong ones the past few years.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Gave Tommy and Javon way too much money, but like all the other signings (Fargas, Mcfadden, Joseph, Edwards, Hartwell, Wilson, Carter, Hall). Lamont will be gone and Nnamdi is a business that I can’t be too upset by.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:56 am
all relevant thoughts but nothing new unfortunately.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:05 am
This is a really good article, and it echoes many of my sentiments in questioning Davis’ competence. I’m glad Rob obviously read it…LOL!
July 17th, 2008 at 11:17 am
“Al Davis dose not make all the desisions in Oakland.”
Bull. Shit.
July 17th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Patrick, you bought a Asomuga jersey didn’t you? Ya, I’d be pissed too. You should stick with career players and HOFers. Really though, I feel your frustration. You guys have been so positive all off season and the final straw got broke with Aso. This is tough. It’s not easy being a Raiders fan sometimes but it’s in your blood and you can’t get it out. Hang in there, Al wont live forever. When he goes his son will end up hiring a good GM and all will be well.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Guys, thanks for all the well reasoned, well written responses. Give me some things to think about.
OR-No, I don’t have an Asomugha jersey. All I have is my faded Kaufman right now. Would like to get a Wiznewski though.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I am a big Nnamdi supporter, but he had only one good season 2006. So the Organization is taking a calculated gamble this season by not signing Nnamdi to a long term deal. With Hall on the other side Nnamdi has the opportunity to prove himself this season and if he continues to play at a Pro Bowl level he can write his own check and Al Davis will sign it. As for Burgess if he plays like we all know he can he will be signing for big A$$ dollars as well in 2009. With the roster being gutted this off season and all the dollars flying around Oakland just chill out, I mean if Al Davis resigned Kelly he surely will resign Burgess and Nnamdi if their playing at a high level. plus that slug known as Jordan is still on the books for about $4.5 million and that most likely is Nnamdi’s money tied up. Training Camp is almost here stop finding things to B*tch about and look at what has been done to make this team better…
July 17th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
great article, much talked about topic……………
how about this thought !!
Ndami will have a completely different secondary feel this year. Two years ago he had his breakout season with 8 int’s.
Last year after studying film and realising he had shutdown moves the opposing O’s wouldn’t throw to him. With Hall, wilson and Huff roaming around and stepping up he is gonna get the opportunity to post great stats. we just need to stop the run and score early………the silver and black three headed monster Justin Macbush should see to that ll
The ball will be offered up to him. So he gets 10 mil this year (not bad) and the next Al davis is able to finance a contract to recognise his monster feats in 2008……….. everybody wins………Go Raiders
July 17th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Al Davis is awesome!! He is so in touch with football and knows how to build a team to win football games in the year 2008!! Who cares that we have only won 19 games in 5 years, when we won a Super Bowl in 1983 baby!!! 1983 was not that long ago, remember that Trading Places and Return of the Jedi came out that year!! And the next year was The Karate Kid!! We won Super Bowls baby!!! We can win in 2008!! Kwame Harris, Javon Walker, Sam Williams, Lamont Jordan and others are gonna pave the way for another Lombardi for the greatest and most relevant football mind of all time. Al Davis all the way baby!!
July 17th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
YEA AND THE NINERS NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITHOUT STEVE YOUNG. GO NINERS!! MIKE WHINER HAS NO BALLS!!
July 17th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Well Patrick all I gotta say is “welcome aboard. Sit down, have a beer and enjoy the ride”. I had it quite a while ago with these shenanigans.
If Nnamdi goes to another team, I will never forgive Al for that. You don’t lowball and play hardass with the best player on the defense that has played above and beyond along with being a hometown favorite.
You also don’t throw retarded money at unproven guys and proven problem players. AD knows better than this. Loyalty is what I have always loved about him and perhaps even that has gone bye bye with his sanity.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
OregonRaider I know what you are saying about the jerseys. I bought a J Russ authentic jersey before the season last year and then he held out all year so it has been sitting in my closet collecting dust. Beautiful jersey though. Other jerseys I have owned are Tim Brown, Charles Woodson and Rich Gannon. Not bad choices I think.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
The Jersey thing gets me too. I played LB and DE in H/S and usally buy those jerseys. Right now I have a Morrison jersey. How long will I be able to wear it? The jersey before that was Harris and before that Barton. With the past two I had just got the jersey and then they were gone. Anthony, here is my point to saying that Al does not make all the decisions that cause us to lose. Dose Al write up the Offence or the Defence? Dose Al play any of the positions on the field? I once thought it was Al missing field goals but no its was our first round kicker! Oh ya John “Chucky” Gruden got us that guy. Who was the bone head that wanted Tui so bad in the 2nd round? Oh ya that was that Chucky fella again. What bone head had our O Line use blocking sceems from the 70’s? That was Art Shell. I would really like an Educated answer to why the Raiders losing ways are all of Al’s fault. Pat or Rob, what are your guys opinions on Al Davis? From what I see is a guy trying real hard to make his team a winner. Some of those choices back fire on him. Wrong coaches wrong players. There are people in the organization that help him make those decisions. What about the scouts who sold us Gallery as the next great LT? Is that Al’s fault? What about Huff? I just think we should lay off Al a little. Our Raiders suck right now (so what) I’m a fan now and i’ll be a fan tomarrow. No team can win them all (right pat’s fans). I can not belive I hear Raider Fans wishing for the greatest owner in the NFL to die. If there was no Al there would be no Raiders. Inmagine being a sackless 49er fan, no thanks!
July 17th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
One more thing to ad. Pat’s post was not titled What was Al thinking. It was titled what were The Oakland Raiders Thinking. As in the Organization not one man.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I also think that Big Al is done.I remember the days when he would have rewarded the play of Aso and Burgess first and signed the new guys after taking care of his loyal players who have performed
as well as these two have.I just hope Big Al comes to his senses soon and sells the team to someone that is young and dynamic and bring back the days when our team practiced and played together as one.AND JUST WIN BABY!!!!!!!!!!!
July 17th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
What does it take for Raider fans to learn the difference between bad football and fraudulent football?
July 17th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Long live Al Davis! Personally I hope he lives to be 150.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I noticed an increase in the amount of haters and it means one thing…. you are doing something right here Pat and Rob. Newbies are showin up left and right. Keep up the good work. As for Al, I lost hope on him in the midst of the Kiffin Drama. Regardless of the truth, it seems Al wants the now to be great because he doesn’t have the future. It puzzles me though, how he hasn’t signed Nnamdi and Burgess long term
July 17th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
i just bought a throwback tim brown jersey in korea for only 20$$$$$ … can u believe that… and a jruss jersey for 30$$$… now thats what i call a deal…
July 17th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Jamarcus Russell is your QB? Good luck with that! Now I am not calling Russell dumb or anything like that, but it takes the man an hour and a half to watch sixty minutes.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I don’t know the Raiders made good aquisitions…..and in my opinion have the best defensive backfield in the NFL. with the addition of Hall….but still i think thier O-line is still weak…..I think thier Defensive line is overrated, I think JAvon walker is one of the most overpayed players in the game….and didn’t deserve that contract…..and behind him the radiers receivers aren’t that good and frankly im not sold on J- Russel….but hey im a chiefs and look at all the problems they have……I think that the AFC West is going to be one of the worst divisions in the NFL this year and i think virtually any of the three teams…..Denver, Oakland, Kc could battle it out for second in the divison but i’d give the edge to the Broncos…..but i will say you guys will be three or four games better than last year…..even though it pains me to say that….you have gotten better….. and i wish your team the best of luck until they play KC and then the gloves are off….lol
Go Chiefs!!!!
July 17th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Great article Patrick, I think we’ve all been a little exasperated over the Nnamdi situation. It just doesn’t make sense. I just hope there is a Nnamdi plan that we are all unaware of. Is it really out of the realm of possibility that he signs long term?
One Nation…
July 17th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Good stufffff, Raider fans. You still remain the most hauntedly optimistic followers in all of sports. Is there a difference betqween bad and fraudulent football? No. Is Javon Walker worth the money? Al thinks so.
Questions not asked in this blog: How many games will Sebastian Janikowski win this year? What is the warranty on Shane Lechler’s right leg? When was the last time the Raiders had a good special teams defense? What does Al Davis think of the tight end position? What are the two most important games the Raiders will play this season? How many yards will Russell throw for? What will be Russell’s TD-INT breakdown?
July 18th, 2008 at 1:29 am
hey Ian brennan… of course it would come from a chiefs fan to put down our organiztion?? u guys arent looking too good either.. u have qb issues as well and trading jared allen ?? think that was a smart move too?? gonzales is getting old and do u really think u can stop our run this year????? let me know … i just wanna see how u feel?? is larry johnson gonna show up this year??
July 18th, 2008 at 2:12 am
***I”ve Been A Die Hard Raiders Fan Sence Bo*Jackson Days,&Im Only 26.I Havent MIissed A Game Every Sence Then.& Just Like One Of The Guy’s Said”Being A Raiders Fan Is Like Joyning A Game”I Bleed Black & Sliver,I Wonted Give A Dam If We Went 0-16 The Raiders Will Always B My Team.& If We Are Raiders Fans We Have 2Stick With The Man That All Made It Happen(And ThatZ Mr.Al Davis!!!
Cause There No Bigger Badder Raider Than Mr.Davis.Yes He’s Gettin Old,Yes He’s Made Some Bad Mistake(Like We’ve All Have)But Cut The Man Some Slack,It Not Like He’s Tryin 2Make Bad Moves
On Purpose.Last Time I Checked Since Damn Near The 60’s He Owned The RAIDERS!!!
The Way I Look At Is Reguardless Of What ANother
Team Or There Fan’s Feel About The Black&Silver,
We As RAIDERS Fans Have 2Go Wit What Al Think Is Best 4The RAIDERS!!!(LIKE IT OR NOT)
U Not Finna Let No 1Tell U That Your Mom Was Wrong About Some Shit She Did ,Even If U Know She Was Wrong(So If U Not N The Family STAY THE F#CK OUT OF OUR BUISNESS)That Goes 2All RAIDER Hater’s!!!
So LetZ Not Tare Our Owner Down So Much,& LetZ Praise Him 4The Thing He Has Done Right…
Because With Out Some Off TheseOff Season Moves We Have Made This Year We Might Win 4Games Again This Year!!!
GO RAIDERS,GO RAIDER NATION,GO BIG AL!!!
“”WE LOVE YA”"”
***JUST WIN BABY***
July 18th, 2008 at 2:17 am
…. GEE MR.321…. MY EAR IS RINGING FROM HEARING U YELL SO LOUD?? U R RIGHT….. LIVE AND LET LIVE…. HE STARTED IT SO WE RIDE WITH IT…. GOOD POINT…..
July 18th, 2008 at 2:33 am
***AND IF YOUR NOT A RAIDERS FAN,STAY THE F#CK OFF OUR PAGE WITH YOUR OPINIONS,WE DONT WANNA HERE THAT SH#T!!!
THIS IS A OAKLAND RAIDERS PAGE HATTERS
WE DONE NEED YA(4REAL)
IM SICK OF COMIN 2OUR PAGE &GOTTA C, YA”LL CANT DO THIS,OUR HOW YA”LL GONNA STOP THAT???DONT F*CKIN WORRY ABOUT IT,THE SEASON IS ON ITZ WAY,&THEN U CAN ANSERW YOUR OWN DAMN QUESTION!!!HOW ABOUT THAT!!!
2B ALL THE WAY REAL,I COULD TELL U HOW A CHIEF’S PAGE LOOK OR A BRONCOS,NORE THE CHARGERS!!!
SO WE MUST B DOING SOMETHIN RIGHT YA”LL STAY ON OUR PAGE…
!!!GO RAIDER NATION!!!
(((AND O”YEAH I AINT EVEN FROM OAKLAND)))
IM FROM ATLANTA BORN AND RAISED
&STILL THE BIGGEST RAIDERS FAN U HAVE EVER HEARD FROM!!!
July 18th, 2008 at 6:06 am
BIll –
“Anthony, here is my point to saying that Al does not make all the decisions that cause us to lose. Dose Al write up the Offence or the Defence? Dose Al play any of the positions on the field? I once thought it was Al missing field goals but no its was our first round kicker! Oh ya John “Chucky” Gruden got us that guy. Who was the bone head that wanted Tui so bad in the 2nd round? Oh ya that was that Chucky fella again. What bone head had our O Line use blocking sceems from the 70’s? That was Art Shell.”
Alright, I’ll take you at this, then. Does Al Davis “write up” the offense and defense?
YES!
Let’s run down the litany of times Davis has done so:
- “Bench Allen, no matter what.”
- “Screw Tim Brown, I want Willie Gault out there.”
More recently:
- “I want a kicker, we’re taking a kicker. Alexander be damned.” (a decision that might have cost them at least one Super Bowl, btw, and if you think that WASN’T Al, well . . . )
- “I don’t care if the season IS lost, I want Collins in there, and I’m going to publicly humiliate you in front of the whole team to prove my point. Take that, Norv!”
Oh, and what was Sapp saying, about the sideline phones constantly ringing? Who, pray tell, do you think is on the other end? Domino’s, confirming the post-game order?
Al takes the blame for Sea Bass over Alexander, not Gruden. Anyone who watched the draft and watched Gruden try — and fail — to control his body language as he discussed that pick from the “Raiders’ War Room” knows that.
Al takes some of the blame for the Tui experiment going awry, for two reasons. First, he ran Gruden out of town, at least a year too early, as it turned out, and then, once he got rid of Gruden’s successor, immediately turned away from the only offensive philosophy that was even moderately relevant to the contemporary NFL and turned back the clock — with such obvious success thus far. (Note: I retain some hope from Kiffin, since he seems to be at least somewhat willing to tell Al to stick it and run the game he sees fit. Win or lose, he gets props for that.)
Second, when Tui had a genuine chance in a truly lost season, he played an awful game and Al went apeshit on the team plane, lambasting his coach in front of the whole team. Great move, fella. Classy, and utterly effective — just not the effect I suspect he had in mind. Or maybe he did.
What bonehead drew up blocking schemes from the 70s? Fair question, but let me respond with a question:
What bonehead forces his coaches to try and win with playbooks from the 70s? When the Raiders start mixing in zones and truly turning away from trying for the home run every third play, let me know. Until then, yes, Al DOES make all of the (relevant) decisions in Oakland.
To the extent that there is a franchise beyond Al, they’re a bunch of yes-men (and women) not worth worrying about, because none of them appear to have the requisite fortitude to do the right thing and tell the boss “NO” when he’s off the rails. C’est la vie.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I’m reading a lot of, “If Al does’nt resign Aso I’ll never forgive him,” comments. Is anybody considering that maybe Aso wants out and wants to be on a winning team and thats why he hasn’t resigned? Certainly, if I were losing year after year after year, I might want out too as much as I love the Raiders. No one wants to be a loser their whole career.
July 18th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
c,on now this our year. no more of that career of loosing talk. we got skills, pieces in place. nothing like a few w’s to boost morale. the stage is set nation! I WANT TO BELIEVE
July 18th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Well I am back after doing my homework on this years upcoming season…..What are the raiders thinking….Simple….securing talent for the next few upcoming seasons before the new fa rules take place and the cba….Clearly there has been some smart moves and some moves that need the player to perform as expected…regarding Aso….his best move is to wait for the the 2010 rules to take place while being tagged this year and next at a very good value…followed by by a fa in 2010…He is after big pay dirt…deservidly..but none the less…the cards are in his hands unless Davis guarentees over 22 mill for this year and next and even larger value 4 years afterwards…which is the minimal that Aso will get if he choses to not come to terms with the raiders….really locking down Aso is unlikely and highly un affordable at this point…Hall is insurance and motivation for Aso…We will see whar happens… So far the raiders have performed well towards the future… Training camp will tell more….Thanks for the articles.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
are you kidding me i said my opion of the raiders and then said but who am i to talk i am a chiefs fan……read my f*&*ing post i said i wish you guys the best of luck this year unless your playing the chiefs……the chiefs suck i know i didn’t say they didn’t in fact other than the draft the raiders have had a better offseason….The raiders could be the second best team in the decison and could make tanywhere between 7-9 to 9-7 which is a far better prediction i will make for the chiefs….the chiefs will be lucky to go 8-8……just casue im a chiefs fan doesn’t mean im an asshole…..i hope you guys do well so we can make the divison one of the best in the league…..holy sh%t Mr.3@21″ if you want me off this board tell your fellow oakies to get off the chiefs board….
July 18th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
teofilo dimaano…..your exactly right and if you read my post i said who am i to talk im a chiefs fan….i was just stating my opinion…..I know the chiefs are bad……we have an extremely young defense that may become one of the best dow n the road but right now they are really immature….. we have D-bowe but nobody who is truly a legit # 2 behind him….yes Gonzo is getting old but i guarntee he has a better year than your TE….and to be honest idk if LJ will show up….hes playing behind a weak line and can’t really cut well so idk…… I personallky think that trading Allen was the best move and i think we got really good players out of it…..and yeah we have QB issues which could determine our season…. inever said the chiefs were going to be good….cause they aren’t but that doesn’t mean im not entitled to my own opinion
July 19th, 2008 at 2:41 am
hey ian.. no hard feelings… seriously .. its all in fun.. i wish u the best of luck too… take care..
July 19th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Tenacious P says:
July 17th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Questions not asked in this blog:
How many games will Sebastian Janikowski win this year? - 2
What is the warranty on Shane Lechler’s right leg? - He will be the top punter yet again - an next year too
When was the last time the Raiders had a good special teams defense? - Every game Cooper is Healthy
What does Al Davis think of the tight end position? - We are set for years to come
What are the two most important games the Raiders will play this season? - Both Charger games
How many yards will Russell throw for? - 3500
What will be Russell’s TD-INT breakdown? 28TD/22INT
July 19th, 2008 at 8:56 am
The basic underpinning of the article is that since the Raiders failed to sign Aso, the Raiders are a failed off-season team, and it’s all Al Davis’ fault. The author starts by re-hashing the “cloud of rumors” which is more informative for the reader about the author than it is about the team. Then he quickly reviews some of the better trades and the questionable & risky contracts. But, the coverage of the Asomugha hold out, while strongly judgemental against Davis, is vacant of details of the actual negotiations. The author doesn’t know what transpired in those negotiations. I’d like to know how much Aso’s agent was asking, for starters. Was it reasonable or extreme? Teams do have budget limits. But, when we plod through these articles, we don’t get that. We only get fodder for the haters. That’s sports writing?
July 19th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Really the only mistake i think we made was not resigning Asomogha… Hopefully Al can pull a miracle out of his ass and resign him before next years offseason… But we’ll see…
And subzero dude your smoking some of that good stuff if you think Russell will throw for 28 TD’s next year…. Some of the best QB’s dont throw that many TD’s…. And our most important games will be every divisional game and the game against the Pats, we all know Al & every normal Raider fan would love to see someone pop Randy Moss’s helmet off….
GO RAIDERS!!!
July 19th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
i don’t believe all the naysayers out there. yes, it is true that the money could have been better deserved to the veteran players who have earned it. that being said remember the nfl is a business not a feel good story. say those players were rewarded. the new signings didn’t come. now we have happy veterans. now we have no new talent. the uncapped season is inevitable. sign valuable prospects now. win now. while happy players make for a better team they are but 3-4 players out of 22 starting. new talent was a must. stop the whining bleed the black and silver when its over.
the season hasn’t even started and already you condemn them to failure?! i wear the black and silver proudly and remain optimistic till the last drop of black n silver falls from my eye patch. this team has an entire nation of naysayers sitting in clouds of judgement. they need it not from their own.
July 19th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
While i agree with a little from both sides still think, lets say Derrick Burgess should’ve gotten that 60 million dollar contract over Tommy Kelly… But if we win i think the veterans will be happy… I dont know why Al didnt resign Nnamdi, the only couple of reasons i can think of are because he wants to trade him(i doubt it and i sure hope not) and if he would’ve been resigned he would’ve been easier to work into the cap… Or maybe because he wants t see how him and Hall will work this season and if Nnamdi is the real deal( i think he is, but we all know Al)… And if not one of those than i guess he had a problem with Nnamdi or he(Nnamdi) just doesnt wanna play in Oakland anymore(i know he had said he was interested in staying but so much losing can change your thought… Or maybe because he didnt want to be franchised, but Al still did it…
GO RAIDERS!!!
July 20th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
teofilo dimaano - thanks…..it should be a very entertaining year for both teams….
July 21st, 2008 at 3:20 am
Have to agree that maybe, just maybe, Aso may be wanting more money than what any of us realise. Its unfortunate, as he is ,my fav player with Capt Kirk, but hopefully it will work it self out.
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