Oakland Raiders

Commitment to Excellence flying the friendly skies

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:40:21 -0800

Last week, the Oakland Raiders officially became the subject for the paint job on an airplane that will never carry a passenger to the United States. The airline, Air Asia X, became an official sponsor of the Oakland Raiders not long ago and have unveiled the airplane to prove it.

A few of the photos that exist of the plane have been cobbled together for this story. Patrick was the first to break the story on Examiner.com after the tail of the plane had been caught by the pop culture website jaunted.com.

Kirk Morrison needs to step it up- Guest Writer

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:21:05 -0800

After a couple of recent interviews, it has occured to our guest writer AJ Demello that Kirk Morrison may be a bit overrated. One of the articles from Just Blog Baby called "Thoughts on Kirk Morrison", inspired him to put together an argument that may just directly contradict the opinions expressed in that article.

He goes out on a limb in his opinion on Morrison and his thoughts on the overall opinion held by the Raider Nation. Carefully laying out the reasons why he thinks the Raiders middle line backer needs his play to catch up with his talk.

And he thinks you should take the same critical eye when analyzing Morrison's production and leadership.

Raiders Superbowl XI: Ballers and Busters, Offense

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:41:58 -0800

For those of you who are familiar with my Ballers and Busters series, you know how this works. I put out the list of those players who were part of the solution and those who were part of the problem. Not everyone gets a mention because these two lists are reserved for those who really stood out, either to get credit for their accomplishments or blame for their shortcomings.

In this case, though, instead of breaking down the game of the week (since there isn't one), we turn back the clock to 1977 and the Raiders' first Superbowl win.

NFL Top 10: The Best Offseason Moves Not Made

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:00:00 -0500

We tend to judge coaches by how their actions effect games. We tend to judge front office types by their acquisitions. These are fair game of course, but the best offseason moves are often the ones that weren't made.

In today's NFL Top 10 column, we'll take a look back at all aspects of the offseason, and narrow down just ten player personnel moves that were not made, and how the discussed party is much better off.

10. The Detroit Lions pass on an offensive lineman in the first round of the NFL Draft
This is coming from a man who thinks that Jason Smith should have been the pick at No. 1, the prior Lions regime might have decided that after taking Matthew Stafford at No. 1, the No. 20 pick should have been the best lineman available. And even with OT Michael Oher available, the Lions decided that TE Brandon Pettigrew was a more irreplaceable player, and snagged him. In the running game, he's basically another offensive tackle. The Lions decided that even if their pass blocking struggles again this year, they still have plenty of options going forward to address it. The team has extended the contracts of two interior lineman this year, so once you pass on that franchise LT, they were better off going the developmental prospect route, which they did.

9. The 49ers do not go out and sign/draft a quarterback
This would have been a very defensible move if it happened, but they aren't a) one QB away from contending, or b) in a position where they can cast off any of the current crew without risking losing your potential franchise QB. The shine is off of Alex Smith, but we're still not real sure what, if anything, he is. The thing about Shaun Hill is that you can put the ball in his hands for the time being if no one else steps up, and he won't embarrass himself. And the 49ers were one of the few teams who took advantage of a QB class that was far deeper than it was strong, landing Nate Davis in the 5th round. Davis could be a potential franchise player if he can overcome a learning disability that scared away most NFL teams. It makes sense to give Singletary a season to see if he can get his team to the doorstep of the playoffs before you worry about the next QB of the 49ers.

8. Marc Tauscher was not signed in the free agency rush
Tauscher, a right tackle who was coming off his worst season, not to mention a mid year-ending knee injury, was supposed to be one of the first OTs off the market in March this year. Given his health and declining play, a multi year contract would have been disastrous for the team that took the risk. Tauscher is much better served as a player on a one year deal this year. He remains unsigned, so he'll be allowed to rehab at his own pace, maybe even sit out the 2009 season, and get back on the field next year or in the middle of the season and he can hopefully contribute to someone's playoff push.

7. The Philadelphia Eagles do not match Denver's offer to Brian Dawkins
Denver just gave Brian Dawkins a lot of money for his age 36, 37, and 38 seasons. We all know how big a part of the Eagles defensive units he has been, but we also know how quickly these older players can become a weak link on their own units. The aspirations are too high for the Eagles this year to offer Dawkins more than they believe he is worth to them, and then to put his satisfaction before the team. I'm not at all suggesting Dawkins is a selfish player, just that he's human, and he's worth more to Denver right now than he is to the Eagles.

6. Nnamdi Asomugha does not bolt a bad situation in Oakland
The Raiders may be a total laughingstock, but they could have easily let a mismanaged situation turn into the loss of their best player, CB Nnamdi Asomugha. But the Raiders did the right thing, they stuck to their guns, didn't extend their top player for longer than they were comfortable (the deal is three years) and compensated him like the best defensive player in football, which he just might be. These trade offs have bitten the Raiders in the past, but they avoided a Doomsday scenario with some shrewd negotiations.

5. Ray Lewis stays with the Ravens
The Ravens would have been okay letting their leader walk, but considering that they were willing to offer 8 million dollars per year to the pro bowl linebacker, it would have been unfathomable if Ray had spurned them and gone elsewhere. Because of the legend that Lewis roles with, and the fact that the Ravens are on the verge of something special, it would have been just weird had the team played deep into the playoffs to have Ray sitting and watching from his couch.

4. The Ravens don't overpay for Jason Brown
About four days before free agency began, contract negotiations between the Baltimore Ravens and Center Jason Brown stalled, and Brown publicly criticized the team in leaving them. He got the money he was looking for for the Rams, but ultimately Brown loses out. For less money, the team brought in pro bowl C Matt Birk from Minnesota, who was also being lowballed, and used their first round selection to draft an offensive lineman, Ole Miss' Michael Oher. If they had gone over the top for Brown, I'm not sure those moves are possible, and Birk would still be a Viking.

3. The Browns don't sell low on Braylon Edwards
Yes, his year last year was horrific. Which is all the more reason not to go and trade him. The Browns are a team that needs to hoard their talent right now, not deal it. This is especially true since the team decided that Kellen Winslow was too much of a cancer, and sent him to Tampa for a second round pick. Losing Edwards and Winslow in the same offseason might have handicapped the Browns a bit too much, so by choosing to move Winslow, keeping Edwards became the right move, and allows Edwards to re-establish himself in 2009.

2. The Redskins do not replace Jason Campbell
The one move this year that could have easily been an unmitigated disaster was the proposed three team deal between the Bucs, the Redskins, and the Broncos that would have sent Campbell to Tampa for a second round pick in 2010, and Jay Cutler to the Redskins for two firsts. Cutler would have found himself in a Vanderbilt-like offense with only one competent target and a declining defense. Instead, the Redskins invested in a pass rusher and a cornerback in the 2009 draft, and now have young reinforcements to help out an aging starting defense. The offense is better off as well. Cutler and Campbell don't play the same game, and Campbell's the one who may win more games this year going forward.

1. The Cardinals don't lose an integral part of the 2008 NFL runner-up team
Between Bertrand Berry, Karlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin, Adrian Wilson, and Kurt Warner, and the limited amount of cap space the team had, it's amazing that they've kept all of those parts, have extended Wilson, are close with Dansby, and have made all moves without jeopardizing the team's ability to improve itself elsewhere, via the draft (Beanie Wells) and free agency (Bryant McFadden). It's a remarkable adjustment from the same old Cardinals talk that had flooded airwaves when they let Kurt Warner take a cursory tour of the Niners practice facility. But much more importantly, it gives the current group another go at it, without having to spend a critical season or two replacing the talent lost. This was the very best offseason move not made.

Under the Raider: Michael Bush

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:27:33 -0800

Michael Bush was drafted by the Oakland Raiders out of the University of Louisville in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. He was unable to play his rookie season, as he recovered from a broken leg, however the Raiders will be expecting big things from him in the 2009 season.

It is Bush who is the next player that is being spotlighted in the "Under the Raider" series. Outside of the Raider Nation, Bush is mostly a forgotten man, but inside the Raider Nation he is well known.

Could the Raiders end up with another Heisman runner?

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:21:54 -0800

While researching an article for Examiner.com, I came across an interesting quote from a player thought to be a favorite in the coming season's Heisman voting. It's no secret that Al Davis loves three things in a football player: speed, Heisman trophies, and Super Bowl MVP winners. It's an added bonus if the player is a legacy, (a son of a great NFL player), or he's a Raiders fan as a kid.

If Jahvid Best wins the Heisman this season, he will have three of the five qualities that attracts Davis to a player. Best, who won the California track and field championships as a high school senior with a 10.31s 100-meter dash, is plenty fast. He's also on track to unseat Tim Tebow as the Heisman winner this season. Now, he's revealed that he has always been a fan of the Raiders.

Three New Coaches Will Help Cable and Raiders Offense Significantly: Guest writer

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:11:19 -0800

On behalf of Rob and Dizzle, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the TFDS family, AJ DeMello. DeMello has covered the Raiders and the NFL on Bleacher Report as well as his own personal blog.

Today, DeMello looks at the a few of the additions to the Oakland Raiders coaching staff and explains his thoughts on the enormous effect it should have on the offense.

Raider Nation Celebration date announced

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:31:06 -0800

The Oakland Raiders announced the date for the Raider Nation Celebration late yesterday. The event will be held Saturday, August 8th from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Oakland - Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland.

Last year, the RNC came in the midst of rumors of a rift between Lane Kiffin and Al Davis, putting a little bit of a damper on the day's events. We all now know that there was some truth to those rumors.

Heyward-Bey likely won't start season

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:48:37 -0800

With the chronic soreness in the hamstring of Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, he was nearly non-existent at mini camp and OTA's.

When he was drafted, he was seen as an extremely durable player who never misses games but that is about to change.

Hamstring problems can be nasty and lingering. They can keep a player out an entire season and often end a player's career. Heyward-Bey is just that kind of player. Without his speed, he is an average receiver. Perhaps even pedestrian. Even if he was slowed by his hamstring, it would mean big trouble.

Justin Fargas gets no respect from the Raider Nation

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:45:41 -0800

There are few players in the NFL who play with the complete reckless abandon that Justin Fargas brings on every play. He has earned the nickname "Crash Test Dummy" from his teammates because of his intense physical style of running. In 2007, he became the first Raider to rush for 1000 yards since Tyrone Wheatley in 2000. He is a two time "Commitment to Excellence" award winner, which is an award voted on by his teammates as two who best embodies the Commitment to Excellence of the Raiders.

Despite those acheivements and accolades, message boards and comment threads all over the Internet are littered with Raider fans who want to see Fargas traded. Since the Raiders drafted Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, Fargas has become expendable in the eyes of much of the Raider Nation.

Is Mario Henderson the next great left tackle?

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:56:29 -0800

Is it premature to say that the Raiders have finally found somebody that can close the revolving door on the left side of the offensive line? Maybe. Today Drew Rosenhaus Twittered, or Tweeted, the signing of a new player - Mario Henderson.

Henderson started the final three games of 2008 and did so without letting up a sack - something that the Raiders have been looking for since they were punched in the gut at Super Bowl 37. Even so, the Raiders didn't hesitate to bring in a veteran who would also like to start at left tackle - Khalif Barnes.

Under the Raider: Jon Alston

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:45:30 -0800

Today, we continue the "Under the Raider" series that looks at players who are currently under the radar who look to be important parts of the 2009 Oakland Raider team. Last time, it was wide receiver Chaz Schilens, and today we look at a player on the other side of the ball in Jon Alston.

Jon Alston is a classic under the radar type player, as he joined the Raiders following one year with the St Louis Rams. With the Raiders, he spent part of 2007 in the practice squad before he was promoted to the active roster. His primary role in 2007 and the beginning of 2008 was as a special teams player. When Ricky Brown went down to injury, he stepped into the starting strongside linebacker position.

Forget Russell, Asomugha needs to lead by example

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:20:00 -0800

Let me apologize for getting back to this a little later than I thought I would. I guess saying that I would be back 'tomorrow' really meant next week. We are back at TFDS, so you can rest assured that we are going to begin heating up this site with more Raiders content than we have in the recent months.

Someone else that might want to consider getting back is Nnamdi Asomugha. Last week, Patrick and I attended the final OTA session open to the media, before training camp starts at the end of July. The surprise of the day was the absence of the Raiders highest paid player - more an oddity because his attendance has always been perfect in the past.

Can JaMarcus Russell Prove He Can Be an Elite Quarterback in 2009?

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:27:15 +0000

"With the first pick in the NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select...JaMarcus Russell, quarterback from LSU."

Many people believed in the 2007-2008 season that Russell would lead the Raiders and have a pretty good year. But Russell was in competition in the starting quarterback spot against three other quarterbacks.

There was Josh McCown, who did have some playing time in his career (mostly with Arizona), and he looked to lead the Raiders as well.

Also, there was Andrew Walter, who really didn't have that much experience, who had some capability as well.

That season, Russell didn't start even though he did sign a valuable deal: a six-year, $68M contract. But Russell got that contract when the NFL season started so he held out of training camp.

Many fans were outraged of the decision of Russell not starting. Rumors were saying that Oakland was about to bring in David Carr as well, who was the backup for the Carolina Panthers that year.

"That way we can really control what he is doing, play for this set amount of time for this many plays. He doesn't have to have everything mastered," Lane Kiffin said of Russell not starting.

That year, the Raiders had a little rotation of quarterbacks playing.

Josh McCown played okay with his ten touchdowns and eleven interceptions. Andrew Walter really didn't do anything that year due to his three touchdowns and 13 interceptions the previous year.

But there was also another quarterback who came to help Oakland as well, and he was Daunte Culpepper. I didn't want to mention him because I just wanted to test you guys out. Well, now that I did, let's see how Culpepper did that year: he did the best out of all the quarterbacks on Oakland's squad.

Culpepper had five touchdowns for five interceptions as well with a 78.0 quarterback rating, while all the other Raider quarterbacks had failed to even reach 69.5!

Russell barely did anything that year, having two touchdowns and four interceptions for a 55.9 quarterback rating. He also had thrown for 373 passing yards. After that season, many talks about JaMarcus were involving the word, "bust."

That year, the Raiders selected Darren McFadden, a star running back from Arkansas who looked to be the next Adrian Peterson. McFadden, though, had to share the load with Justin Fargas and Michael Bush that year as well.

That year, the Raiders improved, but by only one game.

But it didn't matter about the record the Raiders had that year. They were re-building, and JaMarcus Russell was improving.

Russell had a much better year than most experts expected, throwing for 2,423 yards along with 13 touchdown and only eight interceptions. He also had a 77.1 quarterback rating, much better than the 55.9 rating he had last year.

Russell also found some new targets for himself, having Johnnie Lee Higgins to throw to who was truly amazing last year. The Raiders also got a speedy wide receiver in Darrius Heyward-Bey. They also got a great tight end in Zach Miller.

With that being said, JaMarcus Russell has more targets, and a rushing attack the Arizona Cardinals could have died for last year. With Michael Bush, Darren McFadden, and Justin Fargas in the running back rotation, a rushing attack has literally formed.

And with Lorenzo Neal in as well, the rushing attack is now dangerous as Neal is famous for blocking for many 1,000 yard rushers. And also, if Javon Walker can perform this year, Russell can build a good tandem.

The Raiders also have two other receivers that I think may have big contributions to Oakland: Todd Watkins and Samie Parker.

This year, can JaMarcus Russell improve? Can he prove all the experts wrong that he is capable of being an elite quarterback? Can he prove that he is not a bust in what people call him?

I expect Russell to be at his best this year, and with that said, a playoff berth may be coming their way