September 11, 2008
Oakland Raiders have many needs, but is HEART one of them?
Alright, I haven't slit my wrists or gone into a funk since the end of the live blog on Monday night. I just want to set the record straight on that front before anyone starts using the term 'sensitive' about me...uh...hold on, I think it might be too late for that. However, I'm alive and well and completely finished with any and all 'feelings' that I may have had on Tuesday morning.
Speaking of Tuesday morning, that was one heck of a hangover wasn't it? Oh, I'm not talking about the hangover caused by alcoholic consumption, but instead the hangover that was caused by the play, or lack of play from the night before. This isn't what Raider Nation was expecting. Even if you thought they'd lose Monday night, they had shown no signs of total destruction...well now they have.
Until Monday night, there were comments from disgruntled former players, rumors without any proof, or the ramblings of a coach playing the media. Now, all of the offseason events are the backbone of what's to come. In 2006, the opening game was catastrophic only because it had never before been seen by many in the Raider Nation. Sure, the Raiders had been beat and had looked ugly before, but they'd never been dominated at home since Al Davis began calling himself a Raider.
While it would happen again and again throughout the season of 2006, it would never be as bad until this past Monday night. Since the game, I've read and heard from many that the Raiders need a defensive coordinator or a new owner. Some have even brought up the unthinkable and most shocking crime you could imagine, they've threatened to defect to another team.
Never have I even considered that an option, nor have I ever understood how someone could change allegiance so easily, until now. There's a reason why so many non-Raiders fans and haters call citizens of Raider Nation 'crazy,' 'insane,' or just plain 'stupid.' It's not because you wear black or paint your face. It's not because you root for a football team that they don't like. It's not because of the costumes and the unyielding love you have for your team. It's because the owner of that team has continued to do things the same way over and over expecting different results, and you have defended him and supported him along the way.
What do we know about the inside scuffles within the organization? Probably not enough and probably too much. Let me explain, we know enough of the discourse to understand that all is not good inside the buildings at 1220 Harbor BayParkway and that it is affecting the performance we see at 7000 Coliseum Way. Knowing that there are problems within the organization is probably too much information. Good organizations easily keep front office turmoil in house.
Many will think of the 2006 Raiders by which to gauge this team by. I propose another theory of thought. Think of the 2003 Raiders. You remember them, right? Bill Callahan's final year with the team. This season already has all of the markings of 2003, because if you were watching closely on Monday night you'd see that the Raiders once again have the "the dumbest team in America in terms of playing the game."
Like Callahan before him, Kiffin wanted to make sweeping changes after his first season, but was denied and told to go play in the film room and leave the football decisions to someone who knows better. If Callahan had gotten his way, the Raiders' 2003 team would've consisted of players of the average age of this team, but instead he was forced to go into the season with a team that had an average age of the occupants of an old folks home.
Callahan had a defensive line that couldn't stop a great grandmother from crossing the street, much like the line that Kiffin has. Callahan had an offensive line that continued to get beat around the edges or false start and hold when they didn't, much like Kiffin has. Callahan had a former Pro Bowl cornerback that would rather do things his own way and for himself, much like Kiffin now has.
Callahan also had receivers that were either past their prime or not seasoned enough or not good enough to be 'prime', much like Kiffin has. At the start of that fiasco now known as Callahan's last season, there were rumblings about the players losing faith and respect for their coach, and their have been some rumblings over the past two months to suggest that Kiffin may have begun to do the same.
Tuesday, Tim Brown was on a sports talk show in Sacramento hosted by Raiders preseason play-by-play man Grant Napier and former Raider Mike Lamb. Brown had been on the field prior to the start of the game Monday night and said that he never saw any emotion from the players. There was no helmet slapping, shoulder pad hitting, or calls like, "Let's GO!" He accounted for their being no real team leaders, but instead individuals. He also said that even guys, like himself when he played, who would lead by example and tap a guy on the helmet and encourage him to get going was also a necessity for the team. According to Brown, he didn't see that.
Another former Raider, Adam Treu, had another take on the game. His take was even a little more dreary than Brown's. Check out what he had to say:
"Maybe with the energy of the fans combined with a strong run defense and an early Russell/Curry connection, we might have been witness to a real game.But I don’t know any of this for sure because the only thing I noticed when the Raiders defense took the field was the secondary’s black socks. All black. From their knees to the tops of their shoes. The official NFL uniform regulations requires each player to wear two-tone socks. So as a Raider, from the middle of the calf up, the sock needs to be black and from the middle of the calf down, the sock needs to be white. Sounds trivial, I know...
...So what does this tell me? It tells me a player values appearance over his team. Looking “sharp” in front of a national television audience trumps playing sharp. When I played, this was a slap in my face because if you lacked the discipline to follow guidelines drawn by your employer, the NFL, then you’d likely lack the discipline to follow the guidelines on the field. Last night’s four (count ‘em, four) personal fouls on defense shows this."
No doubt, by now you've heard or read what Warren 'Buccaneer for life' Sapp has said about the fiasco. If you haven't, here's his take on the season ahead:
"As far as where the Raiders are going, they have unrealistic ideas about what their people can do. That was the experience I had in the four years I was there. They asked people to do stuff they were physically impossible of doing. They asked a guy who hadn’t coached for 12 years to coach. They’re going to suck."
Monday night, Lane Kiffin had the look of Art Shell two years ago. You know the look. It's the kind of look that a guy has when he's just found out that his girlfriend is leaving him for his best friend. The punched in the gut, ripped through your chest, and yanked out your heart while laughing at your scrotum size look. Yeah, that was the look he had.
Tuesday morning, he had a different look. A sadder look. He had the look of Bill Callahan in his second year, Norv Turner after the 12th game in his second season, and Art Shell towards the end of his only season (the last time). It was a look of defeat. The look that signifies that he's thrown his hands in the air and said, "Oh well!" Why is that sadder? Raider Nation can handle a team that puts out extraordinary effort and still loses, but it's unfathomable for them to watch a team that is just going through the motions. Maybe that's how Lane Kiffin feels too.
Let's look at the facts, because we pride ourselves on trying to give them to you and let you make your own mind up.
- At the end of 2003, Bill Callahan was fired and General Manager Bruce Allen left for Tampa Bay.
- (2004) Norv Turner was hired to replace Callahan and Rob Ryan was hired to be his defensive coordinator.
- (2005) Randy Moss is brought to Oakland in a limousine cavalcade as the savior of the franchise and Lamont Jordan is signed to be the next great Raider running back.
- At the end of the 2005 season, Norv Turner was fired and Rob Ryan was retained. Mike Lombardi has assumed most contract negotiations by this time.
- Still at the end of the 2005 season, Randy Moss was just being Randy, after a season of short-arming the ball, being injured, and dropping passes that his alligator arms just happened to get to, he started telling anyone who'd listen that he didn't want to be a Raider and that he was horrible because he wasn't happy.
- (2006) After an exhausted effort to bring in 'new blood' for the coaching position, Art Shell was brought back along with Tom 'bed and breakfast' Walsh. At the time, 'Ghidorah' would refer to the three headed offensive line coaching mess with Jackie Slater and Irv Eatman to bear most of the blame.
- (Summer of 2006) Jerry Porter disrespects Freddy B. and Art Shell shows him what it was like to be Marcus Allen the first time he coached the Raiders for the rest of the season.
- Randy Moss talks about great things all offseason long and then starts to smell something 'fishy' a few days before opening night. He was right, as the Raiders did stink by losing to Marty Schottenheimer's Chargers on Monday Night Football at home 27-0 (and it wasn't that close).
- Art Shell is run out of California by Raider Nation and Al Davis. Tom Walsh is left behind so Davis can use him for target practice and Mike Lombardi's office has had the locks changed, causing him to be seen taking many long walks around the offices. Al Davis grants the media a press conference in which he blames Shell for drafting Michael Huff instead of Matt Leinart, but it's speculated that Davis wanted Vince Young all along.
- (2007) Al Davis announces that he's found himself, just 45 years or so younger when he announces Lane Kiffin as the head coach. Lane shakily tells the world that the players will "play hard and play happy." The Randy Moss jettison watch begins.
- Kiffin revamps the entire offensive staff, but oddly enough every defensive coach except for one is kept. Mark Jackson is handpicked by Kiffin to be his pseudo-GM.
- The Raiders haul in 11 picks in the 2007 draft, many of which seem to be able to actually play football. Moss is traded for one of the picks that becomes John Bowie, cornerback of course. The Randy Moss revival watch begins.
- They also pick a quarterback of the future (Russell), say goodbye to the quarterback of the future, second removed (Tuiasosopo), and move the old quarterback of the future (Walter) to the doghouse located somewhere behind the equipment room on the practice field and make him fourth string. Then they also sign another team's old quarterback of the future in McCown and Randy Moss' old best friend in Culpepper.
- The new quarterback of the future can't get signed and holds out until the first week of the new season, the third round defensive end, who looked good in preseason is mysteriously cut, and to this day rumors abound that it was a mistake done by Kiffin's GM pick, Mark Jackson. The Mark Jackson plank watch begins.
- Randy Moss indeed has a revival as he helps the Patriots set offensive records and powers them to the Super Bowl. John Bowie didn't play a down all season. Somebody has to pay - the Mark Jackson plank watch continues.
- (2008) Kiffin was right. Although the team didn't improve in record, they looked much better and they did seem happier. Rumors of Kiffin wanting the Arkansas job seem to be just that...rumors. There are rumors that Rob Ryan will be leaving the Raiders to coach for his friend Eric Mangini of the Jets.
- Rumors abound that Kiffin and Davis are holding out on each other. Each wants the same thing, for Kiffin to leave, but neither is giving the other the benifit of getting the best of the 'early out' contract clause. Meanwhile Rob Ryan is happily telling the press how much of a laugh he and his family was getting from the speculation that he was fired.
- Mark Jackson is being reported to have lost his office in the building and any control. He is no longer listed on the Raiders website as part of the front office, but instead as part of the coaching staff. This is akin to having walked the plank.
- Kiffin's attire is the news of the day. The media is in a frenzy because they can't find the Raiders shield on anything he's wearing. They didn't check his undies though did they?
- Kiffin-watch is in full force at the combine. Some reporters are wondering if they should call in a missing person's report on the young coach. When he's finally seen during combine week, it's in a bar with his dad wearing a red shirt. Kiffin hasn't spoken a word to the press since the end of the season, but makes a point to call a reporter that had printed a story about him dancing at the club. He wanted to correct him on behalf of his other boss...the wife.
- The Raiders go on a whirlwind of free agent moves and signings that brings DeAngelo Hall and Javon Walker into the fold. Tommy Kelly signs a fat (or is it phat?) contract that the entire league chuckles about. Oddly enough, the Raiders two best players remain unsigned to new deals (Asomugha and Burgess).
- Finally, Kiffin speaks at the owner's meetings and corraborates that there have been problems at the office. He also tells everyone who'll listen that there is no need for the Raiders to draft Darren McFadden.
- On draft day, the Raiders draft Darren McFadden. The next day, they attempt to create their own track and field team by drafting Tyvon Branch, Arman Shields, and Chaz Schillens. The entire haul of the draft gives the Raiders a chance to compete in Beijing over the summer in the 4x100 relay.
- Throughout training camp, Kiffin bemoans the lack of talent on the club. Javon Walker becomes a PR nightmare and then attempts to retire. Al Davis talks him out of it. Some Raiders are laughing at the US Olympic 4x100 relay team, knowing they could've done better.
- 09/08/08 - The team plays like they have better things to do with their time while the Raiders lose their starting left tackle (Kwame Harris), a backup that hadn't played the position all preseason (Paul McQuistan), their star pass rusher (Burgess), and McFadden during the game. Not one big free agent pickup or rookie draft pick played well in the loss. The most notable embarrassment, a corner that has run his mouth since becoming a Raider about being one of the best in the game (DeAngelo Hall).
Not everything has been included in the time line. Some things have been excluded due to relevance or brevity, but there is one constant since the beginning of the fall from Super Bowl contender. Al Davis is the only person that has been involved the entire time.
I've long been a faithful advocate of the man. There's no doubt that he's a great man. He is a legend. Like Paul Brown, George Halas, Amos Alonzo Stagg, and Curly Lambeau, he has affected the game of football immeasurably. There is only one Al Davis and there can never be another.
Even the 'greats' that have come before him, had to eventually leave their teams in the hands of younger suitors. They didn't need younger men (or women) because they had forgotten the game or become too senile to function within it any longer. They needed younger blood because being younger allows you the carelessness to make changes quicker and allows you to make mistakes, but fix them faster. Younger is not better, it just isn't set in stone in a way that no longer makes you successful.
"We talk about it early in the week. Rob and the owner are in communication. For the most part, I let Rob do his thing over there. He has a belief in certain things and he has a conversation with the owner about that. So that wasn’t the way the game plan ended up the other night."
That may be the most startling revelation of them all. That quote, from Kiffin's press briefing Wednesday, is not only an indictment of the system that the organization operates, but the owner that institutes the system itself. Al Davis and Rob Ryan are doing the defensive game plan together? Well that explains why defensive coordinators, especially Ryan, have longer leashes in Oakland.
Ask yourself a simple question. If your job paid you enough to live on, and you could do whatever you wanted without fear of being fired, how important would it be for you to be the best at it? If all you had to do was go through the motions and show up, you get paid and there are no questions asked, would you do it? There's no doubt that some would say no, but I venture to guess that most of us would say, "Sure! Why not?"
The top 45 players on this team are not in any jeopardy of losing their jobs. In fact, most of the entire defensive coaching staff isn't in jeopardy of losing anything either. Some still show up and work to be the best, like Asomugha or Burgess, while others are just showing up, like DeAngelo Hall and Javon Walker.
Al Davis is showing up and working to be the best too. Maybe it's time he hired someone for that position instead. Maybe it's time for him to do what the players on his team have done for the better part of 15 years, just show up. That in itself could be the most difficult thing he would ever have to do. Al Davis is not about 'ceding' control, he's about taking it.
But don't feel bad Raider Nation, it could be worse. Al Davis can't ruin run the Raiders forever. Eventually, someone else with different ideas and different ways will take control. There's also the possibility that Davis is learning from these errors, however slight that possibility may be. He may just figure out after another poor season that Rob Ryan needs to be shown the door and more control needs to be placed in the hands of his head coach.
That all may be unlikely, but you can always take heart that the Raiders could've traded up to draft Vince Young or settled for Matt Leinart and they didn't. They got Michael Huff, and at least he has always shown up. We won't hold him to the expectations of being ready to play though.
Just taking a cold hard look at the Raiders here at TFDS
Discussion
64 Comments on "Oakland Raiders have many needs, but is HEART one of them?"
#2
Posted by juice, September 11, 2008 1:03 PM
Rob, that was about as on point as someone could be on the topic. You should go to Kinko's, produce a load of copies and send it to 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway. Make sure that the Old Man gets his copy. Maybe John Madden can read it to him.
#3
Posted by Oakland Raiders have many needs, but is HEART one of them? - Oakland Raiders Forum, September 11, 2008 1:21 PM
[...] Oakland Raiders have many needs, but is HEART one of them? Pretty good post about the state of the Raiders [...]
#4
Posted by Coach Elkins, September 11, 2008 1:28 PM
Nicely written Rob, but again, I respectfully disagree. The only leader I see in this whole situation is Mr. Al Davis. Mr. Davis would love for someone to assume this role but sadly, this country only produces self serving individuals.
I have a question.
Can someone please point out to me where Mr. Al Davis has publically blamed someone for the Raiders lack of success? You know what, you cannot. This is the type of honor this man shows his players, his fans, and even his coaches.
Those who have worked work him disrespectfully play their cards leaving the organzaition and show that they never truely had bought in-in the first place. Those of you who take the bait, and listen to these fools are also part of the problem.
Lets not forget fella's. A man has to be given an opportunity to be the coach of the Oakland Raiders before he can be fired as coach of the Oakland Raiders. Since Lane Kiffin came on board over a year ago, he has complained to his boss and now he is using the media. Is this the type of leadership that will lead us to victories? No, it is not! Leadership takes the blame even when a situation is out of their control. This is how leadership is built, in fact, it is the only way it's built.
Each day that passes some former Raider takes a stab at Mr. Davis, incorrectly assuming his silence for weakness. Silence is an attribute of the strong when in a position of power. People who have responsibilities to those who work for them understand this fact. It's would be very easy for Mr. Davis to respond to any of the absurd claims, but what would that solve? Why should he drop to Kiffin's level? Instead, he is letting the kid hang himself publically. Why is it so hard for you all to accept this. Many, including myself, have seen this coming for months now.
Al Davis and the Oakland raiders will be on top of the NFL universe again, it's just a matter of time.
END OF STORY!
#5
Posted by OregonRaider, September 11, 2008 1:29 PM
Boy that just bummed me out. Anyone want to buy some tickets?
#6
Posted by RaiderDoc, September 11, 2008 1:45 PM
Amen to you too Juice. The madness has to stop. I completely understand your "hangover" Rob. Watching the Raiders over the last few years I feel like I get my heart torn out week in and week out. I could never changes teams, but I can understand why some might consider it. Its hard to root for a team that crushes your spirit so often. Al built us, and for that I am extremely grateful, but now he is tearing us apart. Somehow, we need to rise up as a Nation and get Al to listen. I know he wants to win. I don't doubt that. But he doesn't know how anymore. Maybe we all need to write him a letter, maybe if there were thousands and thousands of letters, one would accidentally get through... maybe the whole black hole needs to raise a sign... maybe the entire Coliseum needs to be empty for a game (or part of it)... I don't know the answer (maybe it's as simple as a better pair of glasses), but the hemorrhaging has to stop.
Thanks for putting so many of our thoughts into words Rob.
-Raider fan for life
#7
Posted by RaiderDoc, September 11, 2008 2:16 PM
Elkins - Sorry, but I respectfully disagree. I agree that silence usually shows strength, and someone who is in the right usually need not respond to senseless criticism. That said, silence does not exonerate anyone of anything. His silence proves nothing, so you can't use that as an argument that he is correct, or proof that he is great. Al doesn't publicly blame anyone, but he doesn't step up and publicly take the blame either. He show's who he thinks is at fault by firing people. Then he picks new people, and fires them. Either he is picking the wrong people, or he is firing the wrong people... no matter what you think of the coaches, the buck stops with Al.
You said it best yourself. "Lets not forget fella’s. A man has to be given an opportunity to be the coach of the Oakland Raiders before he can be fired as coach of the Oakland Raiders." The key part being "A MAN HAS TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COACH..." Tell me, who was the last person actually given the opportunity to coach? You call yourself a coach, how would you feel if I (as the owner) undermined every decision you made. If I took your vision of how the offense should be run, and said, "yeah, that's great, but here's what we are going to do instead." If I discarded your advise on where our player needs are... If I made it clear to everyone on the team that you are not the decision maker, you are not the authority... that you are my puppet... Tell me Elkins, as a coach, as a leader, how would you feel? And if I did all those things, and our team sucked, would it be your fault, or mine?
I have a ton of respect for Al, the Raider Nation owes him homage. But sometimes when we love someone an intervention has to take place to save them from themselves. Mr. Davis no longer knows how to help himself and save his team. I feel sad for us as fans, but I feel even worse for him. I can't imagine how hard it must be to watch this and believe you are doing everything to fix it, only to fail over and over again. I have no control over how bad the Raiders are... but in a way, I think he has even less.
Let's hope Kiffin (or whomever get stuck in his spot next), can stand at the top. Let's hope he says I know you don't like the blitz Al, but I'm gonna do it anyway. I know you want us to do 7 step drops, but we just don't have the line or the receivers to do it, so I am going to ignore your request. Fire me if you must, but this is how I think it should be done. It will get him fired (or shipped off like Gruden), but I will respect him for doing as much.
Win or lose, I'm hoping next week we see a group of men out there playing as hard as they can... playing with heart. What I saw put on the field does not deserve to wear the shield on the side of the helmet. Perhaps they should strip it off and use the practice helmets the give to people who haven't yet made the team... as with few exceptions, I don't see many true Raiders out there.
#8
Posted by eks, September 11, 2008 2:47 PM
for the record. I can't stand Davis. Kiffin, grab Ryan by the throat during the K.C game and tell him to get his head out of davis' ass and just blitz the hell out of the chiefs. It would be so great if all the coaches could get on the same page with all of the players and just rebel against this half witted dictator al davis. Would be so cool to see al screaming off the top of his lungs in his box overlooking the the field of play saying "What are you doing....this is my team!!!!!, You must listen to me!!! Ryyyyyaaaaannnnnnn, don't bliiiiiiitzzzzzz!, don't listen to kiiiiifffffiinnnnnn. WHY IS NO ONE LISTENING TO MEEEEEE!!!!!!! " end quote. Just for the record, I dont like al davis. I won't even cap his letters in his name.
#9
Posted by eks, September 11, 2008 2:58 PM
why can't the NFL force davis out? there has got to be something the league can do?
#10
Posted by WHITE E (The Raiders Fan), September 11, 2008 2:58 PM
Rob,
I'm glad that they got rid of Callahan. He sucked. I'm a Nebraska Huskers fan and when he cam in I knew that the team was going to be in disarray and crappy. Sure enough, he turned Nebraska football into a joke. I count the season that we went to the Superbowl as John Grudens team (he had Dungys). Like it or not, Chucky was the one that got that team on track. Callahan took over and then everyone was "past their prime"? Sorry, I just can't agree with that. It was unfortunate what happened to Gannon, but who in the hell that Kerry Freaking Collins was going to be the next Gannon was an idot. The hiring of Art Shell was a dumb move. But I, like a lot of people got on board and got exited about the team. It kind of seems like a neverending cycle. Get exited, get crushed. Al is messing the organization up. For once Kiffin is a decent coach (IMO) compared to what we have had. Davis will probably fire Kiff and give the head coaching job to Ryan. What a sad day in hell if that happens...
#11
Posted by Lee, September 11, 2008 3:23 PM
Al is way too old.
He needs to step down, and let someone else GM.
Al has no clue on talent, or coaches, ..same old chaos!! its 2008 not 1965?
Please Al, the only hope is for you to step down.
Thats why many companies have a mandatory retirement age, so they can bring in new talent with skills matching the current times.
#13
Posted by Coach Elkins, September 11, 2008 3:53 PM
Doc....
Two great posts. I will answer your questions.
You asked,
"Tell me, who was the last person actually given the opportunity to coach? You call yourself a coach, how would you feel if I (as the owner) undermined every decision you made. If I took your vision of how the offense should be run, and said, “yeah, that’s great, but here’s what we are going to do instead.” If I discarded your advise on where our player needs are… If I made it clear to everyone on the team that you are not the decision maker, you are not the authority… that you are my puppet… Tell me Elkins, as a coach, as a leader, how would you feel? And if I did all those things, and our team sucked, would it be your fault, or mine"?
The last person given the opportunity to coach is obviously Lane Kiffin. Everyone assumes Mr. Davis makes all of the important decisions, I say he leaves the most important decision of all, to his Head Coach.
How?
Being a football coach has many facets involved. There is coaching the players at practice, there ios game planning, and there is “calling the game” Of all of these, calling the game seems most important. Sadly, this is where the Raiders fail each and every week in my estimation. They are always a step behind when it comes to making a mental decision DURING the game. We are beaten to the punch, always re-acting, instead of forcing the action. During a game, variable are changing as quickly as in any sport. Weather, injuries, personnel, x’s and o’s, everything to be determined in a span of seconds. It is during these seconds that we fail. Mr. Al Davis may be responsible for personnel, he may write up the entire game plan for all I know, but he does not call the game. It was very apparent last Monday he was watching, just like any other owner. The fact that he gets on the phone from time to time is no different from Jerry Jones roaming his own sideline.
If I felt the coach was undermining decisions I was making I would attempt to communicate with him. We both want the same outcome, it shouldn’t be hard to come up with a plan we can both agree with. I’ll tell you what I wouldn’t do, I wouldn’t display my unhappiness in the media, that’s for sure. Look at it this way, who is the man responsible for giving Lane his opportunity? Who has paid this man millions of dollars? Regardless of his wealth, as it does not apply.
When has Davis stated that Lane is his puppet? It seems to me Lane is making it appear that way. Perhaps that is how he feels. No one can know Mr. Davis’s intention.
Football is the best sport ever invented. When a team is losing, blame can never be placed on any one man. In fact, once the blame game starts, so do the losses. A team is only as good as the diversity it can overcome. You never know where that adversity is going to come. It could be an injury to your FB and WR in a span of five minutes. It could come in the form of a demanding owner. The fact of the matter is, you can make excuses, or you can get to work.
Lane Kiffin spent his Tuesday living in the past. He was answering questions from the game the day before when he should have been game planning for the KC game. He is so far away mentally from where he would need to be to become any sort of successful Head Coach in this league.
So when you see Lane buried in his call sheet this weekend and the Raiders are getting out coached once again, ask yourself this question.....
That’s the objective reality of this situation!
#14
Posted by Coach Elkins, September 11, 2008 3:57 PM
Question?
Is Lane Kiffin a Head Football Coach or is he just COACHING FOOTBALL.
Answer...
He is just coaching football!
#15
Posted by Coach Elkins, September 11, 2008 4:03 PM
And you can all bet your ass we're gonna turn this mother fucker around....
I promise you that!
#16
Posted by RaiderDoc, September 11, 2008 4:47 PM
I like your attitude Elkins. And I agree a lot of the decisions are left to the "coach" by Al, hence the reason I said whomever the coach is should do what they want and ignore Al's game planning. I do think it is tough however to maintain the respect and therefore motivate players when they know you are just a man with a title. The me first players these days are tough enough to keep in line. The slightest bit of adversity and if they don't think you have complete control, you will lose them. I think players were starting to buy into Kiffin toward the end of last year... Al did everything in his power to undermine that during the off season.
Nobody gets to be a "head football coach" under Al, that is the problem. Every coach working for Al is forced to "just coach football" as you would say.
Do you really think the coaches don't try to go to Davis and "communicate?" I think the problem is, that he doesn't listen. Sometimes he even puts a resignation letter on your desk. :)
The fact that Al has never actually said that the coach is his puppet, doesn't mean it isn't so. There is a reason nobody wants to coach the Raiders... have you ever heard of a pro team having trouble finding coaches like the Raiders have the last few searches. Remember everyone turning us down before Shell. There were even some who said thanks, but no thanks before Kiffin.
I have a feeling you, like me, would just tell the owner (in this case Mr. Davis) where he can shove it if he executed the control over you that I suggested in my earlier post. Both of us would try to work within the system (as I even believe Kiffin was trying to), but when every idea and suggestion we had got squashed and we knew there was nothing to do to fix it, we would not accept it.
#17
Posted by RaiderDoc, September 11, 2008 4:48 PM
One thing I 100% agree on is that we are going to turn it around... partly because it can't get a heck of a lot worse... partly because sooner or later Al will have to let go (and if he is still alive 20 years from now, the offenses and defenses of the 70's might be the "way" again as things tend to cycle in football)... and partly because I am a fan, and my heart will never give up and accept otherwise.
#18
Posted by Raiderkev25, September 11, 2008 5:06 PM
We'll turn it around, stop bashing our players please! We played terrible, but we coached terrible also! Our defensive scheme sucks!!! With all that speed and talent we should be flying around blitzing the hell out of teams. We got to put that hurt on teams on defense as well as offense. Don't be afraid to use all three running backs in the game.
#19
Posted by Raiderkev25, September 11, 2008 5:08 PM
Everyone on the 53 man roster is here for a purpose! Utilize all their talents, that's why they are on the team! Stop worrying about fans seeing the marquee players, let others get in the rotation and I bet we start winning.
#20
Posted by Coach Elkins, September 11, 2008 5:15 PM
If you didn't hear, Coach Rob Ryan accepted responsibility for the Defense's poor performance Monday night.
Here is the http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2008/09/11/ryan-fires-back/link...
Sounds to me like the Coaches are reading what is written about them!
Like I said earlier....we're gonna turn this thing around...just need to get Kiffin outta the way!
#21
Posted by Coach Elkins, September 11, 2008 5:53 PM
Speaking of leadership and taking responsibility
Check this out!
http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2008/09/11/ryan-fires-back/
Sounds as if coaches are paying attention
#22
Posted by Ex_Raider_Fan, September 11, 2008 5:57 PM
I used to be a loyal GM customer. I exclusively bought nothing but GM cars and trucks over many years for me and my family. A point eventually came though where I got tired of the inevitable breakdowns and premature wear-outs. I finally understood that GM makes a crappy product. I've since moved on to Ford and Honda and have been much better off overall. That was about 10 years ago and I haven't looked back. I am now at that point with the Raiders. I have been a loyal fan since way back but I just can't take it anymore. They field a crappy product year after year. I'm tired of it, and I'm not buying into it anymore. I'm sure that some of you loyalists and die-hards will claim I was never loyal, never a true member, but I can assure you that I was in every way. All I can say to you is that the Raiders I grew to love and admire are long gone. The only part that remains is the name, and that name is now synonymous with a crappy product.
#23
Posted by s&b, September 11, 2008 6:01 PM
Coach Elkins--Your post actually made me pause and think. I tend to agree that Kiffin should tone it down somewhat with the media. I'll give you that. But its not press conferences that are losing these games. The problem most people have is they want to know who is responsible for making sure that we don't give up 41 points again. That is what has us all really upset.
What can Lane Kiffin do to fix the defense? I don't know if anyone has that answer. But we will find out this weekend if anyone fixed the defense.
#24
Posted by Cujo, September 11, 2008 6:09 PM
Nice write up Rob, but what the hell you use my quote about insanity and don't even give me props for it? (doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results)
#25
Posted by Cujo, September 11, 2008 6:39 PM
Elkins, You are wrong here for one no former raider disagrees that al davis is a modern marvel for the game of football, if it was not for him this game we love would not be what it is today, however he has lost his "golden" touch to the game that is played today. Have you ever heard the term "quicksand" related to sports??? its when you have everything in control then there's a mistake, doesn't matter by who but it happens, so you work thru it but before you know it there's another mistake, you try to put it past you but then another one comes along, then another before you can try to regroup, then before you know it it's no longer fixable you cant make anymore moves but you keep trying till you can no longer do anything, this is where al is today, I never will have ill feelings towards the man but he has to let go and let someone else build back this great franchise. he has the talent to find the person, he just can no longer do it by himself. he needs help, he's too proud to ask for it, however he needs to step aside and let it happen, when he hired Kiffen he said he saw himself, who better then to lay this burden upon??? he needs to let the coach make the best choices for HIS team because that's what it is Kiffen's team, Davis owns them but Kiffen runs them, from attitude to style of play, and on the football field this is what matters.
#26
Posted by The Fifth Horseman, September 11, 2008 7:02 PM
lmao, this is gonna be another fine Raiders season folks!!!! Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
#27
Posted by The Fifth Horseman, September 11, 2008 7:03 PM
By the way, LDizzle, here I am. I thought you said I was going away after Monday night? lmao, RAYDUHS!!!!! RAYDUHS!!! hahahahahahaha
#28
Posted by Cujo, September 11, 2008 7:03 PM
Doc, great posts I agree with most all of it, ex raider fan, I'll be the first to say it, your loyalty is obviously not what the word actually means, If you are a fan of a team the reason for that is because they are the ones that made you love the game and if you can deny that love then it wasn't actually love of this game, it was something more along the lines of lust, you loved the image of the raiders and not the true feeling they gave you when they took the field, you feel like they have let you down, but if you love something how can it ever let you down?? you have no love or loyalty for the raiders, and as a TRUE raider fan I am glad you are no longer one, because the nation does not need you, the nation is the nation because of the LOVE and LOYALTY they show in good times as well as bad, this is the reason everyone hates the nation, because they do net have the same feeling for their team that we have for ours, there are few and far between but those one will not talk the hate that others do because they understand, they are the old time fans of teams like the colts and the lions, the teams that have never seen alot of triumph until late, they waited their time and now it appears that we must wait ours. I am proud to do so because I will never waiver in my loyalty to the team that made me LOVE football.
#29
Posted by The Fifth Horseman, September 11, 2008 7:04 PM
Hey Patrick, what is your prediction for the Raiders now? Have you bumped that final record down to 9-7 yet? lmao. You clowns will be lucky if you finish with a better record than Shell's 2006 team. lmao.
#30
Posted by jreed, September 11, 2008 7:14 PM
Rob,
Great write-up, and I appreciate the candor. My heart's been breaking long before the 2002 season when everyone seems to start counting lately (see: Hostetler, Marinovich, Joe Bugel, & Bo Jackson's hip). I'm only 29, so I'm sure some of you old schoolers have a longer, deeper list than mine. Leaving the Raiders fan base should be like trying to leave the mob.
Doc and Elk,
I know it gets testy in here sometimes, but at least you both want the same thing: to get better. That's all that really matters even if you have different ideas how to get there. Reading your two blogs is great entertainment, it's like good cop/bad cop, and I hope you two keep it up.
Cujo,
Sorry man but nobody hates on the two best (Pat & Rob) Raider bloggers on the net. The line about insanity Rob used is actually the definition of the word, so unless you're giving props to Merriam, Webster or Oxford back up off the man behind the keyboard. And please use periods and caps, it'll make your blogs so much easier to read and stop that 49'er douche, who's too scared to use one name, from busting your balls.
#31
Posted by Cujo, September 11, 2008 7:58 PM
jreed,
I have no issues with Pat and Rob, in fact I've come to depend on thier posts as their is no other that will tell the full truth with optimistic point of views, The only reason I said that is that I used that same comment in a previous comment earlier this week.
#32
Posted by Jay, September 11, 2008 8:03 PM
At least one thing went good for the Raiders in your "timeline", the Raiders didn't get Leinart or Young. It would seem that 3 years down the road, Huff is looking more attractive than both at the moment. Defense will be better. Shannahan had a good gameplan and a grudge firing his team up. As much as i hate to admit it, they played a good game.
Most of the skilled players on the offensive side of the ball are young. If they show improvement from week to week , i will be happy as a loyal raiders fan. With a well deserved flags the other way (I.E. the holding of Zach Miller in the red zone which wasn't called) the Raiders would've had a better chance to tie up the score in the first Quarter. A few Curry catches and a little defense the raiders could've kept the score close. Doesn't that sound better than the the 50 sack game against the Chargers a few years back with Arron Brooks and Art Shell.
As much as I love Rob Ryan, he better send out some resumes if his defense shows that side on the field again. That defensive performance had to be a fluke. Other than that, i am speechless at how the defense underperformed.
NNAMDI'S THE MAN!!!!!!!
#33
Posted by juice, September 11, 2008 8:53 PM
The thing that I gather from everyone in here is that we all want things to turn around and get better for the Silver & Black. But in order to do that, it has become crystal clear yet again that things need to change throughout this franchise. The coaches need to be aloud to "coach" thier players, not just relay the gameplan from the man upstairs. The gameplan needs to get the hell out of the 70's, because it should be obvious that that shit just doesn't work anymore. Personnel decisions need to be left up to those who are most qualified to make those decisions. Signing players who previously played for division rivals in a hopeless attempt to resucitate thier career when in reality it's just a middle finger to thier former team needs to stop. Signing decent players coming off of injuries or are past thier prime to long term star contracts needs to stop as well. Constantly screwing up the draft with countless busts who ran blazing 40 times (oops there goes another defensive back...) and misevaluating players needs to stop. Neglecting the obvious weaknesses that consistently hold our team back, only to strengthen one of our "strengths" needs to stop. Essentially trading your head coach (seriously) needs to stop. Trying to fix the team overnight and then canning whomever was saddled with that unenviable tax because he couldn't turn it around by season's end needs to stop. Lastly, the complete and utter lack of PATIENCE needs to change, so that the franchise can actually be afforded the time to "build" a team. These things all need to change people, but as long as old man is still stabbing his franchise in the back, I doubt will see any of those things I mentioned change.
#35
Posted by RaiderDoc, September 11, 2008 9:49 PM
Cujo - Thanks for the complement. When I saw Rob's comment on insanity, it made me think of what you said in the other post. He didn't credit you, but it means they are reading all the crap we are spewing out, so that's good. Though if you want to be technical the quote/saying originates from Albert Einstein, Ben Franklin, or Rita Mae Brown (an author) depending who you want to believe.
Ex_Raider_Fan - I can completely respect how you feel in a lot of ways. We are being sold a bad bad product (and that is putting it nicely). No doubt it is hard to buy it. Especially when you invest a lot of your heart into it. It hurts to watch. And as Rob alluded to, you even feel like crap the next couple days (the hangover). That said, hang in there. The Raider Nation is more like a family in my eyes. If your just a fan, I guess you can pick new people to be fans off, but if you are family... you may not like what your brother does, and may even be mad at him when he screws something up, but at the end of the day, you still love him. Sometimes your brother just needs a little sense knocked into him.
Jreed - Yeah, Elkins and I have been going back and forth quite a bit, but I have a lot of respect for what he has said (even if I don't always agree). At first I thought he was just one of the guys looking to rev people up (which I guess is still a possibility as you can be whatever you want on-line) but gave a good post on his "fanhood" when I challenged him to do so. The way I see it, if you can give a well thought out argument for whatever you believe, and even better, if you are willing to listen to others arguments, I respect you. --- as I re-read that, I wish Al Davis would give that a try!
#36
Posted by R8DER4LIFE, September 11, 2008 11:06 PM
Y did we run the ball when Russel had a passer rating of over 110 ?If were gna win Sunday we need to establish a pass game 1st then enforce the run game or else things can get out of hand early
#37
Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, September 12, 2008 12:54 AM
:) I'm going to have fun with this :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~````
Coach Elkins says:
September 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Nicely written Rob, but again, I respectfully disagree. The only leader I see in this whole situation is Mr. Al Davis. Mr. Davis would love for someone to assume this role but sadly, this country only produces self serving individuals.
Mike: You can't seriously be this stupid? Al Davis? The geezer? Fonzie wannabee? That guy? Wants someone to assume the role?
What is this? A candid camera skit?
---
Elkins:
I have a question.
Can someone please point out to me where Mr. Al Davis has publically blamed someone for the Raiders lack of success? You know what, you cannot. This is the type of honor this man shows his players, his fans, and even his coaches.
Mike: Geez...lol..talk about slapping a target on your forehead??
Honor? Where the hell has Davis shown honor to players, and ESPECIALLY TO COACHES AND FANS?
Damn dude, that wasn't just sorryass...that was ignorant.
The guy routinely shits on his coaches. Makes a mockery of the position. It's well known that because of Al butting in Madden got out. Save the "it's his team" That's bullshit. Point is he showed NO HONOR TO COACH AFTER COACH AFTER COACH. He literally chased Tom Flores out, where he went up to Seattle, Raiders rival at the time, to coach. Shanahan didn't kiss his ass, and made changes as coaches do, and expected players to do as he told them..so he fired him in mid-season.
Honor? WTF?
It's not that he hired jokes like White, or Bugel, or Callahan, or Kiffin, it's how he treats the position.
He PUBLICLY blamed Shell for not choosing Leinart in the draft, even though it was Al's choice. That's not honor, that's tossing his coach under the bus.
He publicly BLAMED GRUDEN for the Raiders late collapse in the year, saying he was "distracted" by the Notre Dame offer, and let the team get off focus, which is why he wasn't going to pay Gruden what he wanted in his new contract.
Honor?? He screwed him publicly ..which OF COURSE, everyone knows it was that he wanted Gruden gone, because Gruden had done two things Davis would never allow..ran the team Gruden's way, and Gruden became the face of the Raiders. You mentioned the Raiders, and it was Gruden who got the attention, not Al.
Was only AFTER Gruden stated, publicly, when asked 'if Al comes up with his offer, will you stay coaching the Raiders?" did Gruden reply "There isn't enough money in the world for me to stay and coach for that man."
Hell, it's public knowledge Al will just ride a cart out onto the field, and regardless of what's going on, just interrupt to call over the D backs to "coach" them on how to play defense. or wherever he feels he wants to butt in.
There's no honor in undermining a coach IN FRONT OF HIS WHOLE TEAM...ever. Save the "it's his team" bullshit.
Means he'll undermine whenever because he can.
Proves my point.
Hell, why is it NO ONE WANTS TO COACH FOR THE RAIDERS? The list is long on coaches who interviewed and who let the Raiders know don’t even bother drawing up a contract..NOT INTERESTED…
Because of what I've mentioned above, and a lot more.
Norv Turner: "4 games left in the year. The year is shot. I'm benching Collins because he's gone at the end of this year, and starting Tui. He's got 4 games to show us what he's got."
See, that's what a good coach does.
AL PROMPTLY OVER RULED NORV, and put Collins back in as starter. This is after a week of all the talk about Tui getting his shot, learning by experience, getting his snaps. Norv looked like a complete fool (actually he didn't, Al did.) When Collins was inserted back in, only to lose out the remaining games of the year.
Al, being a spineless bitch, DIDN'T STATE TO THE MEDIA THAT HE WANTED COLLINS BACK IN...that HE had overruled Turner. Instead he made the call to Turner, and told him what he wanted done, and left it to Turner to jog Collins out, when everyone was expecting Tui.
That alone is about as low and dishonorable a thing you can do to your coach.
Reporter after reporter asked ‘You said Tui was playing?”
All Norv would state is “Changes were made.”
Everyone knew who made the changes.
And everyone also knew the one who made it didn’t have the balls to step forward and say it.
The list is long regarding players that couldn't stand playing for Davis....and of course, who can forget Al royally screwing over Marcus Allen???
You call that honor??? lol...you don't have a clue what it means.
Al's vindictive ass cares MORE ABOUT DOING THINGS HIS WAY, than winning. The Raiders needed Marcus Allen, yet while they were losing game after game, Al made it clear "you don't mess with me. I'm going to ruin your career." and he tried to.
20 years ago players were leaving and hating Al.
2007/2008 players are leaving and hating Al.
Hell, you have 4 players just this year, on record, stating how backasswards the Raiders are, because the coaches hands are tied, and that no one's in charge.
20 PLUS years of pissed off, can’t stand the guy coaches, and that many years of players bad mouthing Al.
Either 20 years of players are right..or you are.
I think I’ll take door number one.
And fans??? Geez...amazed you even would state that.
Considering that on every single Raider board...EVERY ONE OUT THERE, the list is getting longer and longer and longer of fans who feel Al is PERSONALLY SCREWING THEM...because???
HE IS!!!
Fans are paying FOR A PRODUCT.. a product that they're led to believe is going to be delivered. They look at the competition, and believe as LONG AS NO ONE SCREWS THINGS UP, then we should get the PRODUCT WE PAID FOR.
(It's not a TV. They can't bring it back when it doesn't show up as promised. )
And when someone DOESN'T DO THEIR JOB, in this case Al, those “holders”
in the company should be pissed, and are expected to be pissed. Al SCREWS OVER THE FANS every time he makes a personal decision that affects the team..all to stroke his massive ego...all because he's a stubborn stubborn old old man who refuses to listen to anyone.
Hell...let's talk about actual facts, things you can’t wishy washy out of…
Super Bowl, '02. First he lied to THE FANS. Fans received some ridiculously low number of SB tickets, only to have a pundit of the press do some homework, and lo and behold, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of tickets that were slated for fans were missing. Raiders stated 'oh, those went to front office personnel." More homework says "Even if everyone including the janitor got 10 tickets each, there are still THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS not accounted for. Then, and only then was it admitted that tickets were held back to entice luxury box owners.
The Raiders were literally sitting on thousands of tickets slated BY THE NFL to have gone to the fans.
Fans were pissed, BUT..hopeful..because they were told "We'll call you on Thursday. You have to be home to answer the phone or we go to the next one". THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of fans stayed home, hoping for a call.
Then? to those that got a call? "Sorry, no time to mail. Go pick up at box office." LOTS had to go on Saturday, and then leave directly to drive to San Diego, and SLEEP IN THEIR CARS because all the rooms were booked up by then.
Yeah, THOSE FANS got screwed.
Want more? lol...sure.
County of Alameda said 'We want to have a parade. Tell us what day, and we'll have a parade." Raider fans wanted to know 'When's the parade"? County replied 'Waiting for Al Davis to return our call. Whenever he says, we're ready" Al REFUSED to let the Raiders, ANY RAIDER PLAYER to show up for any function put on by the county...yeah...HE SCREWED THE FANS AGAIN.
County was amazed. Fans were upset. Neither could believe Al would be that petty that he would keep the team from being celebrated, and keep the fans from showing their appreciation.
Instead he SCREWED THE TEAM, AND THE FANS…because his sorryass was pissed off at the whole country because of him wanting out of the lease.
And yes, as if that's not enough, considering Al wouldn't OK a parade, city of Oakland planned a "Fan Appreciation Day" where fans were going to show up to show appreciation for the team.
Date and place was set…I believe was at Jack London Square.. Al Davis made a blanket statement to every person in the organization that they are not allowed to attend. Players were pissed, including Gannon and Jerry Rice, who publicly stated "his problems with the county has nothing to do with the fans. This isn't right."
Yeah, lol...Elkins, Al has made it his life to screw over the players, the coaches, and especially the fans.
--
-------
Elkin=Those who have worked work him disrespectfully play their cards leaving the organzaition and show that they never truely had bought in-in the first place.
Mike: Disrespectfully? YOU DUMBASS..these are high paid professional players. They aren't little dweebs like you. They don't have to kiss ass like YOU ARE. They state what they feel. Buy in? What are you, a mouse? A lemming? Only a sorryass follower lemming would make that comment 'Oh...just TAKE ALL THE BULLSHIT BECAUSE AT ONE POINT THIS GUY SIGNED YOUR CHECK."
You don't know much about business, do you?
When someone burns a bridge, why is that?
Simple, even for you. because they know THERE ISN'T A SNOWBALLS CHANCE IN HELL OF THEM EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, going back to play for that man...ever. They're men, not little fleas.
See, THEY bought “In”..only to find out Al didn’t.
--
Elkins:
Those of you who take the bait, and listen to these fools are also part of the problem.
Mike: LOL..yep..you're a pussy. "Take the bait"?? Player says the organization has no leadership, and the whole world knows there is no leadership, and the owner makes it clear no one but he may lead..what, in your minuscule brain, does that tell you?
Gosh..you think..that maybe..just MAYBE their telling the truth?
You know?? Instead of brown nosing kissass comments?
Kind of like opposite of yours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#38
Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, September 12, 2008 12:55 AM
Elkins:
Lets not forget fella’s. A man has to be given an opportunity to be the coach of the Oakland Raiders before he can be fired as coach of the Oakland Raiders. Since Lane Kiffin came on board over a year ago, he has complained to his boss and now he is using the media.
Mike: This is tooo easy.
Complained? you mean like "Moss is a distraction. He should be gone" complaining? The "we need to draft a qb instead of you stupidly signing the Collins, and the Aaron Brooks of the league" complaining? Wrong. That's coaching. That's his job.
As far as the "media"?? Man has yet to this day actually state "That geezer sumbitch wanted me to quit. I laughed in his face". All he did was, when asked about why he has no depth, is stated 'out of my control". because IT IS OUT OF HIS CONTROL,
When he stated he wanted a defensive lineman, but didn't get one, is because THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
oh...I get it.
You buy into the 'A coach is a puppet" mode..don't you?
One of those "leave your spine, your opinion, and your balls at the door" type of positions????
Oh..sorry...that's the cheerleading squad you're referring to.
This is football.
NO PROSPECTIVE OWNER WANTS A SPINELESS BALL LESS PUPPET running their team..
Well..no owner except for Al.
Oh...and apparently YOU, if you were in that position.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is this the type of leadership that will lead us to victories? No, it is not! Leadership takes the blame even when a situation is out of their control. This is how leadership is built, in fact, it is the only way it’s built.
Mike: *sigh*..amazing you're so naive'.
Pay attention. Raise your hand when you're confused.
"leadership"??? You understand what the word means?
I don't think so.
Being the "ACTUAL" leader? Means...well...YOU LEAD. You don't make "suggestions"..you don't make "hints" and you sure as don't tell someone to do something, where they look at you with a smirk, knowing YOU'RE NOT THE LEADER...see...Kiffin KNOWS he's not the leader. He WANTS to be the leader, but he knew damn well when he was hired he was not going to be the guy in charge. That he was a "token" leader.
See, Bill Walsh was the "leader" of the 49ers.
Shanahan is the "leader" of the Bronco's.
Both made decisions, knowing they lived and died with whatever happens. Both knew mistakes were kept in house, no fingers pointed, where they stated 'I'll take care of it. The buck stops here. I'm in charge, and I take full responsibility."..see...Elkins, they KNEW THAT EVEN IF SOMEONE ELSE SCREWED UP that that person next time
would either do it exactly the way they told them to, or they would get rid of their ass.
Kiffin does NOT have that position.
He can't get rid of ANYONE..hence he is NOT THE LEADER, and he, and the world know it.
Where did you fall down and hit your head?
Now, here's what someone who WANTS to be a leader does.
Someone who is “supposed” to be the leader, who gets the “blame” that a leader does, yet knows he won’t be around long…
When questioned about something that went wrong, YOU DON'T BE A SPINELESS MOUSE and just clam up, and state nothing.
You grow a pair of balls, you let those who ask know what YOU would have done.
Kiffin is talking to prospective employers.
Those who want someone who isn't a mouse. Who can stand up for themselves.
Kiffin GOT SCREWED OVER BY AL, and Kiffin is standing up to the old man.
As he should.
Oh..BTW..how stupid is it for you to mention ex-players leaving who have stated THERE IS NO LEADERSHIP, because Al butts in, only to follow that with "Kiffin should just shut up, because that's what leaders do"?
====================================
Each day that passes some former Raider takes a stab at Mr. Davis, incorrectly assuming his silence for weakness.
Mike: WRONG. Each day some former Raider takes a stab at Geritol Al because they're happy as hell to be away from that incessant controlling senile old man. They could care less if he ultimately replies or not.
It's the MEDIA, and the FANS that view his silence as not having the balls to stand up and take the blame when things go wrong.
I'm sorry..did that confuse you?
See, as YOU STATED, a TRUE LEADER SHOULD ACCEPT THE BLAME. a true LEADER would NOT pass off to others what THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR...so..by YOUR ADMISSION, Al Davis is the worst of the worst.
He screws up. He butts in. He won't let others do their job..yet..when all of those paying fans want answers? When all of those reporters writing a report ask questions on why something was, or wasn't done? When all of Al's decisions backfire, and everyone wants answers????
Al's nowhere to be found.
the spineless old fart smugly sits up on his throne, looking down at "his peons", smirking as they squirm, while he knows IF ANYONE DARES TO POINT THE FINGER AT THE BLAME, he'll immediately fire their ass.
See?? THAT'S WHY PLAYERS WHO ARE ON THE TEAM HAVE NOTHING TO SAY..until they leave..and then they gladly call a spade a spade, and make it very clear...there is one problem on the Raiders, one problem only..and it's Al Davis.
See, they're gone. He can't fire them. They're never coming back.
THERE IS NO OWNER IN SPORTS who has so many players crucify them as much as Al Davis does.
Why is that?
Hell, why is it that more Raider players, in the last 10 years have bought out their contracts, just to leave, than any other team??
Yeah, I'll ask it again, when you feign amnesia, disinterest, or yet another moment of stupidity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Silence is an attribute of the strong when in a position of power. People who have responsibilities to those who work for them understand this fact.
Mike: Bullshit. Most powerful man in the country, Bill Gates never backs down from a conflict or situation. Anything affecting the COMPANY, ESPECIALLY BAD PR, and he's on top of it, and addresses it.
He’s constantly addressing stockholders. I know. I’m one of them.
Same with Buffet.
Same with Ellison.
Want to know why? INDECISION CAN BE COSTLY. Stockholders don't react kindly to indecision, or inattention.
Kiss of death? Just allow rumors to fester, while refusing to answer questions.
That's why all of the above very bright, very successful LEADERS are always stepping up when THEY SHOULD.
Get it?
When they SHOULD.
Al NEVER steps up.
Ever.
Oh…BY THE WAY..just to prove yet again the folly of his ways?
Stockholders of the above companies react by buying/selling their stock.
Fans?? They react by buying or NOT buying tickets to games.
Get it?
That “leader”?? The one you genuflect to every time you pass his poster? HAS THE MOST GAMES BLACKED OUT OF ANY TEAM IN THE NFL.
Shall I repeat that?
Now, in YOUR opinion, why, exactly, do you think that is?
Oh..in ’02? In week 15 or so, when the game decided the home field advantage throughout the playoffs?? THE RAIDERS WERE BLACKED OUT. Now, that fact negates the “team was losing, that’s why it was blacked out”.
Let me help you with the answer.
Fans spoke with their pocketbooks, and have been for a DECADE.
Last 10 years the team with the most blackouts are the Raiders.
25 years ago Raider fans rabidly sold out every game.
Now, like it or not, many are staying away until the old man passes on.
They’ve lost faith in the old man, and he’s done what he’s always done..just snubbed his nose at them, as if they don’t matter.
They’re tired of his stupid self-serving decisions. Tired of him refusing to get out of the 70’s. Tired of him guaranteeing no top quality coach will ever coach the Raiders as long as Al is alive.
Tired of him drafting players you don’t need. Or signing players past their prime. Or overpaying players 3 fold their worth.
And really really really tired of him not letting coaches do their job.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Elkin:
Why should he drop to Kiffin’s level? Instead, he is letting the kid hang himself publically. Why is it so hard for you all to accept this. Many, including myself, have seen this coming for months now.
Mike: You’ve seen WHAT coming? That Kiffin wasn’t going to take Al’s shit? That Kiffin knows he’s going to get fired, and knows how Al screwed over so many others, and is making it clear Al’s not going to do the same to him?
Or? You knew the team was going to start out that horribly? And that all of Al’s decisions would backfire on him? And that Kiffin wouldn’t be a lemming??
Wow.
Cool.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elkins:
Al Davis and the Oakland raiders will be on top of the NFL universe again, it’s just a matter of time.
Mike:I love your sense of humor.
I’m curious about something.
Last time the Raiders were on top of the NFL universe was a quarter century or so ago.
Describe “soon”.
#39
Posted by Fan since '76, September 12, 2008 1:21 AM
I first started watching the NFL in 1976. I was 11 years old. I liked the raiders because they were underdogs - they had players other teams had given up on. They played the game with heart. they played the game smart. They bled. They won the superbowl that year and I was a fan for life.
They won a couple more Superbowls using that same method of using other teams castoffs and being successful.
They almost won a superbowl with the guy KC got rid of in favor of Elvis G (this one always makes me chuckle)
There was a consistency during those times:
1) Good offensive line
2) Seasoned smart QBs
3) VERY Good recieving corp
4) bruising backs
5) hard hitting defense
People are searching for answers now when it is right in front of them like it has been for quite some time:
1) A really bad offensive line - remember how Hostetler used to get killed?
Don't even get me started on Gallery and our present line . . .
2) Seasoned (not so smart) QBs and now Rookies
3) WHAT recieving corp?
4) done pretty good with backs
5) Defense was good until the Sapp era/cancer
I am gonna skip a bunch to get to the point and finish with my observations of the Broncos game -
When Sapp came he brought his skill and his cancerous attitude - it infected a couple of conerbacks, a couple of recievers and became self perpetuating - he still has an attitude - great player - not a great leader.
Norv Turner was hated in washington because Jimmy ran the team in Dallas not Norv and washington soon found that out. someone called him an offensive genius because he was on a winning team. He wasn't - Washington fans know it, radiers fans know it and soon San diego fans will know it.
From the Superbowl with Gannon where the center goes AWOL, the offensive line has never been right since. It has declined to the point that QBs are getting killed in Oakland.
How important is the Offensive line in the NFL? EVERY SINGLE QB in the league has skill and can throw if given time - Not many are skilled enough to win without a good line.
Here is the litmus test:
Put Brady or Peyton on the Raiders before he got hurt and they would look sub-par
Put Jamarcus or Collins or yes even Brooks on the Patriots or Indy and they would be getting endorsement deals galore.
We have recievers starting that would not make the top 2 on many squads.
the list is long but you get the point -
OK so the Denver game:
Like I said before, ANY QB can throw if given time and Cutler had years to throw the ball - YEARS!!!
The raiders front 5 is so inept that I believe some good college teams could pressure our QBs.
I saw Kiffen have no idea about ebb and flow of game - run works so lets throw instead of wearing out the defense.
Pass works so lets run in an obvious run situation.
He ran that game like a BAD college coach against a lesser team.
Lets not put any pressure on Cutler and see if our corners can make up for that lack of pressure in one on one situations - DOH!
Back to ebb and flo: Kiffen was so afraid of going to the well one time too many that he never even got close to the well. Jamarcus did amazingly well considering he couldn't get into a rythym. Fargas proved he should be there and ran despite a lack of rythym from the team.
Recievers (you know who you are curry) that can't even make the regualr plays - JR was on the money and Curry proved why he should be a 3 at best.
OK anyone can come up with problems - Solutions are what matters:
RUN SCREENS! RUN OPTION SCREENS! RUN THE BALL DOWN THEIR THROATS! BANG IT AT THEM UNTIL THEY CHEAT and then PLAY ACTION them to death!!!!! Even with a bad line and no rythym we are moving the ball on the ground in chunks.
When you get ahead, Then and only then take a shot once in awhile to keep the safteys honest.
DEFENSE - (words escape me) We have a good corp of defensive players. Because of this, I am not even going to go into Rob Ryan.
I'm tired and if I don't end this rant here, i will still be writing on this 3 years from now :-P
#40
Posted by Raider Blues, September 12, 2008 8:04 AM
start a new thread!
Damn! Coach Elkins that's the first time you actually sounded like a Raider Fan!
MFer around? You actually made sense. Kidding you've made sense other times. People are most critical of others doing the same thing they do only differently. Meaning when someone has a job and they see another doing the same or similar job and they do it different from them they are the most critical.
Someone actually spelled Defense correctly. I know int he UK it's Defence and on football signs it's a play on words like Defence. Now about the I before e except after c in the receiving corps piece.
Good job Fan Since - funny I'm a fan since 76' as well. I was six.
#41
Posted by SpokaneOakfan, September 12, 2008 8:05 AM
Elk- once again you prove yourself a fraud.
You can have the best gameplan on earth, and call the best gameplan in history, but if your players don't EXECUTE, you will lose. Period. A pee-wee league coach could tell you that.
A double reverse to a wide open field that caroms off of the WRs hands into a 12 yard loss is not Kiffin's fault.
A screen pass that would easily have scored fumbled into a turnover is not Kiffin's fault.
Sometimes, the game gets away from you. It happens. We'll see if it keeps happening.
#42
Posted by RVS, September 12, 2008 9:02 AM
I've been a Raider fan all of my life....through some very good time and some very bad times. But after the extreme dysfunction over the past year, I can't stand reading about the team, let alone watch them. They have even taken away my passion for watching any football because it just remins me of how bad the Raiders suck. This is squarely on Al Davis. He is more concerned about exerting power instead of winning games. His way hasn't worked for the last 5 years and he isn't willing to change. As long as he's alive, the situation will not change. Really sad.
#43
#1
Posted by RaiderDoc, September 11, 2008 12:44 AM
Amen
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