Oakland Raider Takes: Did Yesterday's Nightmare Really Happen?
I've just wiped the sleep away from my eyes and logged on to my computer and try as I may to put yesterday's game behind me, I just can't. There is so much that bothers me from yesterday, that I am still seething. Here are some talking points for today, and please feel free to add some of your own:
1) From the highlights I've seen of yesterday's game, I believe that, the fix was in. There is no way that an officiating crew could be THAT bad.
The nightmare that was the 95 yard drive to end the 1st half for Washington was started on a terrible call, a call on Hiram Eugene for hitting the return man early, which he didn't, and then compounded by a very mediocre, at best, special teams coach, Fassel, coming onto the field and getting 15 more yards.
That is truly where the downfall began.
Later in the game, there were even more terrible calls, and I have to believe, once again, that the League doesn't want this team to succeed and that this team does not deal well with adversity.
2) Man, it would have been nice to have drafted Brian Orakpo. He ended the day with 4 sacks against a pretty good LT, Al's Pick, in Mario Henderson. The kid is a beast!!! It looks like Bud Light was right on this one!!! Again!!! He also wanted Calvin Johnson over JaMarcus Russell.
Then again, part of me wonders how whether or not Mario let Brian get by a few times. The players may not be saying it in the media, but you have to believe, to a man, that they did not appreciate JaMarcus's passing the blame onto them.
3) Charlie Fye needs to start against the Broncos. JaMarcus Russell is just a big, fat, mouth-breathing target in the backfield with no idea how to read the defense or his receivers breaks. He has blamed his receivers in the past, yet, Bruce seemed to read their breaks and the defense much better than him and they instantly became play makers.
I also believe that we have a better chance of not getting our receivers killed if someone NOT named JaMarcus Russell is under Center. He hangs them out to dry on nearly every pass over the middle.
Time to get the kids off to school! Some of us work for a living around here, JaMarcus.
Go Raiders!!!!
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59 comments
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Comments
Worst #1 pick of all time...
Ive said it before and i’ll say it again Jamarcus (3&out) Russell is the WORST #1 draft pick of all time! There is no reason to believe this will ever change. Raiders just need to cut their loses and draft a QB in next years draft and hope for the best or try and get Michael Vick from the Eagles…Russell will never be close to earning a starting job in the NFL and I really dont think he cares after get a 30,000,000 signing bonus.
Can anyone say Rookie salary cap next year!
God Willing...
by RunTMCfan on Dec 14, 2009 7:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
yes that is right
i have no words to sum up what j-russ is! hell at this point i would even want mark wilson back under center, and that dude sucked!!!!!!!
by antspad101 on Dec 14, 2009 3:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
knine
You know I am sick of hearing how bad J Russel is. This kid is getting a raw deal. The raiders sucked before he got there. The first game of the season they should have beaten the Chargers, but our big play letting defense gave up the winning touch down. No quarterback could be sucsseful in with that offensive line let alone a struggling quarterback. If the Raiders wanted a scrambbling quarterback they should have drafted one. It is obvious to me that Coach Cable can’t coach him or the offensive line. Look at the proof the great Gradkawski has 2 broken legs. I think that Russell is one tough man to have servived with offensive line.
Knine
by Knine on Dec 16, 2009 6:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What about a Chucky and Cable episode! I think Cable is okay but lacks the offensive savy we need. Oh and lets not forget the most important ingredient…AL to let them coach!
by R8Der4Life on Dec 14, 2009 8:11 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
When I saw you talking about watching the highlights saint
I have to rememeber that I guess a lot of you guys didn’t get to see the game since it was blacked out.
As a Raiders fan who no longer lives in California but does have the NFL package on Direct TV I’ve gotten to see every play and sometimes I think you guys who don’t have to suffer through all of this crap are the lucky ones.
Another good post saint.
by sirbed on Dec 14, 2009 8:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
And how much cash have we wasted on that DirecTV package?
Every year I threaten to discontinue it but alas, I am a fool for the Raiders.
by Rusty23 on Dec 14, 2009 8:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm a fool for the Raiders as well
as much as I bitch and moan I’ll be getting the NFL package once again next year.
by sirbed on Dec 14, 2009 11:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I spend 300 a game to watch this crap
It is very very very sad state of affairs in OAK.
Get a GM( allow him to GM), who can hire HIS Coach (and let him coach)
The D is good, they just get asked to do to much because of Offensive woo’s.
And Yes Saint – Leinart at QB tossing to CJ, with Orakpo coming off the edge would have been my picks. Although I did like the OT’s available at #7 this year too.
Next year Raiders need Russell Okung, Bruce Campbell or Trent Williams at #1. With one of the Florida guys falling due to character concerns in the 2nd in Carlos Dunlap or Brandon Spikes. Grab a QB in 3rd (Snead from ole Miss) and the biggest dude available in the 4th to plug the middle. Finding a zone blocking guard to groom in the latter shouldn’t be to hard.
by Bud Light on Dec 14, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
"There is no way that an officiating crew could be THAT bad."
After pacing the house pissed off and heading for the beer fridge early, I turned on another game, New York game I believe…watched a quick touchdown pass where the receiver went to one knee in celebration and no flag! You see that, like this stupid call at the end of the first half, is only a call made on the Raiders. I hate the fucking refs!
I live, breath and breed Silver and Black!
by sabp on Dec 14, 2009 8:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Cable's Post Game Interview Said It All
There was blame to go around for yesterday’s loss. The offensive line played awful yesterday, getting Gradkowski hurt then simply standing around to let Russell get demolished, all the while never establishing a running attack to take the pressure off either of our QBs. The defense was status quo, always losing heart and giving up big yardage in the second half. Tons of penalties. Plus, once the Redskins got a two-possession lead they all pinned their ears back because they knew we’d have to throw vertically, and we had nothing to stop them.
But if you hadn’t watched the game and merely poked around S&BP yesterday and today you’d think this team was headed to the Super Bowl had it not been for Gradkowski’s untimely injury. I can appreciate everyone’s frustration with JaMarcus Russell, but singling him out for blame is lazy and ignorant. No, he didn’t play very well. Yes, he deserves to be on the bench for having lost the confidence of his team. Is he the root of all evil? No.
On a side note, I too lobbied for Brian Orakpo.
I'm in the smallest of minorities, but I'm still a big supporter of JaMarcus Russell.
by LiveAdam on Dec 14, 2009 8:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Disagree
The game was competitive untill JaMarcus came in..But, when JaMarcus came in, everyone gave up. It was obvious that the OL didn’t care much to block for someone who blames his team for his failure. The Defense was exhausted after endless 3&Outs..And even Tom was just giving up, he knows with that fool at QB, he has no chance at keepin his job
There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.
by Remix. on Dec 14, 2009 11:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
J RUSSELL IS TERRIBLE
J RUSSELL is by far the worst draft pick in the Al Davis era! How can a man, be that ignorant to not even accept any sort of responsibility. The fat ass guy blames his recievers, blames his o-lineman, hell he would prob even blame the equipment guy if he could on why he can’t hit the ocean from a charter boat. He will NEVER live up to anything he was supposed to be because he is a lazy ass man who will not take responsibility for anything, He doesn’t want to work for anything so treat him like that. Make him the #3 QB and cut his punk ass after this yr. Might as well stop the bleeding now rather then later where he can spread like cancer cells!
by edubb06 on Dec 14, 2009 9:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Russell is Terrible
I agree with you that Russell is probably the worst #1 pick of the Raiders, but Bey is not far behind him! I was hoping with his being benched that Al and JaMarcus would use the ‘Alex Smith’ situation as a template for Russell. I doubt either have enough intelligence.
by donlee on Dec 14, 2009 10:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The worst part is
on the rare occasion where the line holds up, the receivers run their routes good, and Russel makes the correct read, he still misses the wide open receiver.
The fact that a QB like Bruce – who I love, but let’s face it, he was not even a top 3 QB on the Bucs and pretty much every other team in the league passed on him – can come in and make the offense look semi effective leads me to believe that the Russell era should end as soon as possible. I know we have not put him in a position to be successful, but he should be better than he is. I just don’t see any fight in him, and worse, the team does not have his back.
by markdog333 on Dec 14, 2009 12:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well Bey
Just had his 1st TD in the last game he played and the person who threw it was umm Bruce Gradkowski is he a pro-bowler, hall of famer, 1st round draft pick NO he is just a average QB maybe that’s what this team needs?
"The Silver and Black are Back" -Greg Papa 2002 AFC Championship game
by nishal26 on Dec 14, 2009 5:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Usually I jump right in when someone
blames the officials for another Raider loss but in reality, the officials in the NFL are so bad almost every team could have the same complaints. I have a lot of free time so get to watch more football than I should, it is astounding the inconsistency in this league, you watch one game and a penalty is called for some infraction, in another game, same set of circumstances and it is not called. It has always been the case with pass interference, half are mystery calls, and others no calls. The Raiders this year have certainly had some bad calls, but not much worse than other teams, simply stated the officials in the NFL are just awful.
by Laoren on Dec 14, 2009 10:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Last Monday night
I think there were about 15 Penalties called that game
"The Silver and Black are Back" -Greg Papa 2002 AFC Championship game
by nishal26 on Dec 14, 2009 5:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Season Tickets
If the Raiders do not make improvement (as they had with Bruce) over the last 3 games of the season, or if they do not make significant changes (either getting rid of Russell or drafting/trading for quality playes) I will not be spending $600 next year for season tickets. Al needs to get his head out of his Raider Rectum, or his need to sell pieces of the team to raise cash will continue.
by donlee on Dec 14, 2009 10:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
yes. it really happened.
how much of that mess was because of a lack of ROBERT GALLERY ???
by raidersutah on Dec 14, 2009 10:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Does any other Raider fan hear that...?
That’s the final nails being hammered into the coffin for our season. With Russell sucking in vast amounts of oxygen, we are going to suffocate in this coffin. Bruce; sadly I think you know that it’s over, for us and likely you as well. Denver couldn’t be happier now, we actually had a chance before this! No it’s not ALL Russell’s fault, but lets get real, without a leader, this teams isn’t going anywhere.
by Joesickness on Dec 14, 2009 10:32 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Once J. Russ came into the game....
I knew it was over. The score didn’t matter at that point. The final score was pretty much a formality.
by tbone64 on Dec 14, 2009 6:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
knine
I don’t understand that way of thinking. Before Russel came in they had not even converted a third down. They gave up a touch down before the half was over. Our defense plays well for the most part but they up to many big plays. It is not often that you will have a team 3rd & 24yds and you give them the first down on a running play. That is not J Russel that is poor defense.
Knine
by Knine on Dec 16, 2009 6:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks to both- the truth does sting
and in J-Bus’s case, it stinks too.
by Joesickness on Dec 15, 2009 7:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
we are happy russell is playing
you guys were looking like a decent team with a vet qb
luckily im a bronco and a blazer fan......#52 is family
by chikndnnr on Dec 14, 2009 4:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
for all those who called me crazy for wanting Orakpo
I say SUCK IT!!!
but back to the matters at hand. If it weren’t for Grad’s injury, I’d be pretty darn happy. Just means we have better chances for a Suh, Gerald McCoy, Spikes, McClain, etc.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
by KA1Z3R on Dec 14, 2009 12:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
But we'll probably draft the DB from Cal
It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09
by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Dec 14, 2009 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing
CJ is kinda oldish and we need some better CB depth. maybe CJ as nickel
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
by KA1Z3R on Dec 14, 2009 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Syd'Quan Thompson
He’s really good.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Dec 14, 2009 6:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He may be good
But would you want him with all the other problems on this team? If we draft a DB with our 1st pick, I might just die a little inside
There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.
by Remix. on Dec 14, 2009 11:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No
I’d rather go with a cornerback around the fifth round.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Dec 15, 2009 12:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
We won't get Suh,
unless Al does some crazy trading combined with a thick white envelope.
But It’s looking like if the big three DT’s are taken by the time our turn comes around, and if he’s still available, Russell Okung (unless KC or Detroit snag him) would be a smart pick; with a 2nd round pick of D’Anthony Smith or Tyson Alualu for our DT needs.
Our linebacker needs would then be addressed in the third.
by xville on Dec 14, 2009 3:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly
I wanted Vernon Gholston over DMC…He was a natural 4-3 DE..And NY tryed converting him to a 3-4 OLB..Anyone know hows he’s doing over there?
There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.
by Remix. on Dec 14, 2009 11:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
26 tackles
in his entire career. Nothing else just 26 tackles…
Punjabi by Nature
by Robby1987 on Dec 18, 2009 10:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hope can only last so long for the Raider Nation.
Gradowski is a good QB, he makes plays and the team supports him and has confidence in him. I was soooo happy he was starting and he played great.! i had hope in this team pulling off another win but then it happened… he is injured, probably for the rest of the season. Now we have no chance of getting more than 5 wins this season.
This should be an eye opener to Al Davis… Jamarcus will NEVER be a decent QB… anyone watching could tell the team did not want to be lead by Russell at all. The spark and their hope was taken away with the vision of Jamarcuss taking the QB position.
START CHARLIE FRYE.! PLZ.!
by ButtMunch on Dec 14, 2009 3:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Couldn't be said any better
It was apparent that the entire team’s attitude changed once Russell came in. The writing is on the wall, Russell needs to go now. There is no way we are ever going to win with him, so whats the point of keeping him around?
by I Bleed Silver and Black on Dec 14, 2009 3:39 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
When you cut your team like that in the media
I wouldn’t expect to them to step up.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Dec 15, 2009 5:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The Fix is In?
I don’t believe in fixed games, but even if there were, why would the refs favor the Redskins? This isn’t one of their best seasons as you well know. The Broncos lost to the Redskins when they were playing much worse than this and we Broncos fans took the loss with dignity. Unfortunately for you Raiders fans, Orton isn’t hurt this week, so it could get pretty ugly for you.
Brad James
by the Bradfather on Dec 14, 2009 4:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Russell's Return
THAT WAS A TOTALLY INCOMPETENT MANAGEMENT DECISION!!! WHY WHY WHY would you play Russell?… he’s learned in a month what he couldn’t in 2 years?…. Even if Charlie Frye took no snaps in the week he could hand off without getting sacked or fumbling. This game was so much more frustrating than the other losses because we’ve seen the last few weeks that we do have a team… that can play. RUSSELL IS A BUST; he can’t read the defense, can’t move in or out of the pocket, doesn’t know when to step up, can’t call an audible, can’t avoid a sack, can’t hold on to the ball when sacked, and can’t throw accurately long or short with any consistence… and the more he plays the more he looks like he is not ready to play in the NFL.
BUT I’M NOT BLAMING RUSSELL, he’s in over his head…. We have great players just dying to make plays… the team is still worth more than his paycheck, and they want to win… the Chargers seem to have recovered from the Ryan Leaf era, and holding on to the QB to the detriment of the team and the frustration of the fans is just plain BAD BUSINESS!
I just heard Russell will start next week….. if that’s true it’s a shame he didn’t play out the season, ’cos maybe if we went 1-15 or 0-16 Al Davis would admit he needs help! GM GM GM GM GM.
ps. Charlie Frye plays QB… I heard a rumor he’s on our roster
by Barry J on Dec 14, 2009 5:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Clawback clause
Is there a clawback clause in football, can we take the money given to JMAARCUS and throw him away?
He is a lazy bum who should be banned from football.
by FootballDog on Dec 14, 2009 8:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yesterday, the dark cloud that is Jamarcus Russel, was once again cast over this team
you could see the immediate result on the entire team; we went immediately flat, horrible calls put our young receivers in position the get injured, no more run game, and even the opposing defense began drooling.
We got so caught up in the moment with Bruce, the reality of his getting as quickly taken out of the equation didn’t quite hit home.
The fact that Frye didn’t come in speaks volumes about this organizations unwillingness to cut its losses, admit to mistakes, and move forward towards a brighter future. Instead, they allow cancerous parts to fester until they infect the entire team, staff, locker room.
by brhynno on Dec 14, 2009 8:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Frye was listed as inactive
once your listed as inactive, I don’t think you’re allowed to play that game at all.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Dec 15, 2009 5:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm wrong
Each team, assuming it has a full 53-man roster, must submit a list of eight inactive player prior to each game, including the third quarterback. If the third quarterback enters a game during the first three periods, the other two quarterbacks are prohibited from re-entering the game. Coaches must submit their inactive lists no later than 1:15 prior to kickoff. I don’t know if the information is publicly available in a formal way. The rationale behind is to try to level the playing field in the event of injuries that do not force a player to injured reserve. If the Giants are playing say, Philadelphia, and they have several injured players, they would be at a disadvantage if they could dress only 45 or 46 players and a healthy Eagles team could put 53 players in uniform. With inactives, both teams dress 45 (plus a third quarterback), and the players missing due to injury presumably aren’t as big a factor.
So I guess he could’ve went in
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Dec 15, 2009 5:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Rusty23's theory gains ground here; Cable could have played Frye
but chose to rub Al’s nose in it (‘it’ being JMR).
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 15, 2009 10:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
An even better question would be
Why is this guy number two on the depth chart? Not only doesn’t he lift the performance of his fellow players, he takes them down several notches! How is it possible? I’m not sure, but it’s clear.
Instant karma’s gonna get you, JRock! It went from being excited to having that sinking feeling again, and not wanting to watch another snap…
by brhynno on Dec 15, 2009 3:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The situation we are in is like the one Dallas had
they were literally chanting his name and what does he do?? since 2006 he threw 103 tds and 53 picks!!! Back to us, we were chanting for Gradkowski and what does he do?? He wins the AFC Offensive player of the week and he has 6 pass touch downs over 1000 pass yards in about 4 or 5 games. GRADKOWSKI IS OUR FUTURE!!!
Fear is the Mind Killer
by dubzero23 on Dec 14, 2009 10:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Ummm...
Not for this season. We all WISH he could be, but he’s not coming back and I’m pretty sure Al won’t keep him because he made him look like a fool. Al never keeps ANYONE that makes him look stupid.
by Joesickness on Dec 15, 2009 7:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Al brought in Gradkowski in the first place. Gradkowski made the Garcia cut look like not that bad of a decision. I don’t think he is making Al look bad, Russell is the one making Al look bad.
by I Bleed Silver and Black on Dec 15, 2009 3:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
watch a blackout
hey all you deprived Raider fans if you want to watch the blacked out games try lagerassassin.com not that watching will ease the pain (or make JaFatass an better)but hey its like i always tell my friends, i would like a win but i really just want to watch the game.
by V Vampire on Dec 15, 2009 2:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I Wuz There....12/13/09
Lord help this team. I was there at the game and I couldn’t believe, but I saw it with my own eyes….Jamarcus was booed before his foot even touch the field. I was livid that he came back in, livid that Grad got hurt (O-Line should have done a better job of protecting him, if they did, we would have won). The players mouths are wrapped in a straight jacket as they can’t say WHAT they REALLY want to say….that JaMarcus is the wrong QB for this team and PHLEASE let’s get rid of him. Bruce may be just a mid-tier QB, but he came in & played with heart and passion, which this team DESPARATELY needs right now. I was so mad when I left that stadium on Sunday, I wasn’t mad because we lost, I was mad because as Deion Sanders said on NFL GameDay Final which commenting on the Raiders vs. Redskin game, “It’s just more of the same.” Seven years? Seven years of ten or more losses?? Lord help us! It’s tough being a RAIDER fan!!!!
by JoDean on Dec 16, 2009 8:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
JMR was on the roster BUT that doesn't mean Cable had to play him.
You think Russell just walked onto the field without Cable telling him to go? I was there too when that tag-team of saboteurs, Cable and Russell, undermined any chance we had to win.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 16, 2009 11:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I am in Russell corner
I am a Raider fan and I will continue to be. However J Russell is not the reason that the Raiders are losing games. The Raiders drafted this guy for his arm and thats what they got. Lets face it the Raider system of developing quarterback has not been one of there strong points. They usually get more production from a veteran than from a young starting quarterback. Russell was not so bad when they beat Kansas city and Philidelphia. Gradkawski is a more mobile and likeable guy than Russell, but he came in to play after several key players returned from juries. There were a number of injuried and missing player during the losing streak for J Russell. (1) vargas, (2) R Gallery, (3) Schilling (4) T Steward (5) Mc Fadden (6) J Higgins. My point is that when all of these players were in for both quarterbacks they won. The Raiders biggest problem is that they have no depth on that offensive line and the defense gives up to many big plays. Then we also have to play against the bad officiating that the Raiders recieve. It is easy to say that Russell suck when you don’t look at the whole picture. So any way Russels out and Frye is in. I sure hope that he survives with an offensive line that can’t run block or pass block. Gradkawski could run but he could not run forever and it caught up with him. One last comment Russell may have put the blame right wher it belongs. The truth hurts and maybe thats why the team does not care to work with him.
Knine
by Knine on Dec 16, 2009 6:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

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