Oakland Raiders Takes: The Problem Starts at the Top
by Raybin on Sep 28, 2009 10:21 AM PDT
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PrintFirst off, let me tell you what I'm not here to do:
1) Defend JaMarcus Russell. His performance the last two weeks has been indefensible.
2) Attack Darrius Heyward-Bey. It's his third game as a pro and he was never intended to be a Calvin Johnson-esque prospect who was ready to go from day 1. Relax and ease up off the kid a bit. If he still only has one catch after three games next season, then we'll talk.
3) Berate Darren McFadden. If someone can teach him to hold onto the damn ball, he'll be an effective player. Fumbleitis is one disease that's curable.
No, what I'm here to do is lay out an argument why I believe the real problem with the Raider franchise is the direction coming from above. The man who coined the phrase "Just win, baby" is now the primary reason the Raiders aren't doing very much winning. I know many of you will say, "Al Davis doesn't suit up and play." True. But, it's also beyond question that the coaching staff are basically marionettes who dance according to Davis' commands. Inhibiting them inhibits the players which inhibits winning on the field.
Past is Prologue
Al Davis was long known as a football genius. He was innovative, a gambler and had a progressive mind. He is the ultimate players owner. In the 19 seasons spanning the years 1967-1985, the Raiders were one of the most dominant teams in professional football. In that time period, the organization had one--count it, one--losing season, a 7-9 campaign in 1981. During that stretch, the team appeared in four Super Bowls and won three of them. Four Raiders were named the overall league MVP. Starting with "The Mad Bomber" Daryl Lamonica, the Raiders were known as a team who would relentlessly attack downfield with the deep ball thrown to guys with such legendary names as Biletnikoff, Wells, Branch and Casper. The team became famous for being a haven where the misfits and castoffs from other teams could come and rehabilitate their career. Most famously, Jim Plunkett and Lyle Alzado each won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. Playing the Raiders was always a nightmare. They were faster than you, cockier than you and worst of all, tougher than you. Even if you beat them, you were going to be sore and exhausted the next day.
Starting in 1986, things began to change. With the exception of a few flashes during Art Shell's first tenure and the Gruden Era, the Raiders have been mired in mediocrity ever since.
Ever since the spectacular success of Jim Plunkett, Al has been desperately trying to recapture lightning in a bottle with a serious of journeymen quarterbacks. You know the names: Schroeder, Hostetler, George, Gannon, Collins, Culpepper. Of that list, only Gannon can be counted a true success.
This rule can actually be extended over the team as a whole. Davis is constantly trying find the quick fix, the one player that will infuse the team with its former glory. This can be seen in his constant targeting of Super Bowl MVPs (Desmond Howard, Larry Brown...hell, throw Dominic Rhodes in there too since many think he should've won the award instead of Manning) and former first round draft choices of other teams (Eric Dickerson, Harvey Williams, Jeff George, Tyrone Wheatley, Kerry Collins, Warren Sapp, Gerard Warren, DeAngelo Hall, Javon Walker, William Joseph).
The same philosophy applies with coaching. Most recently, look at the disastrous attempt to bring back Art Shell. That was a crazy, frantic attempt to reconjure past magic if there ever was one. Since 1988, if you count Art Shell twice, the Raiders have had 10 head coaches. 10 of those years are taken up by the first Shell tenure and Gruden. Think about that. Of the eight remaining, not one of them has been given more than two full seasons.
By contrast, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had a grand total of three head coaches in forty years.
I understand wanting to win now. Let's face it: Al Davis is 80 and though he can afford the best medical care possible, he probably doesn't have too many years left. We all know his fondest desire is to hoist the Lombardi Trophy one more time. But these desperate actions have hurt his chances more than they've helped him. The team is now forced into a rebuilding phase under the direction of a guy who doesn't know how to truly rebuild a franchise from the ground up. And he refuses to hire a GM who does know. Then again, what good would it do? Al would not give up total control, and no competent GM in his right mind would accept being a figurehead.
The Song Remains the Same
Al Davis is known as a man with a strong sense of history and a streak of stubborn independence. These qualities used to be his greatest assets. Unfortunately, these are now perhaps the primary anchors dragging down the team.
Starting in the 1990's the game began to change on both sides of the ball. Developments in offense such as the "run and shoot" and "West Coast" styles began to make the old styles of offense emphasizing a seven step QB drop designed to give receivers time to get far downfield obsolete. Similarly, on defense, the rise of the 3-4 system and such innovations as Cover 2 schemes and zone blitizing made the base 4-3 model all but obsolete.
Davis has shown a willingness to allow some modern offensive schemes. Gruden and Norv Turner both implemented West Coast styles of offense, though Davis grew disenchanted with the scheme once he grew disenchanted with those coaches. Upon re-hiring Art Shell in 2006, he gave his blessing to the reinstalling of the old system, co-ordinated by Tom Walsh, who had been out of football for years running a hotel. The so called "bed and breakfast" offense was a disaster, akin to trying to fight an F-16 with a Sopwith Camel. By the time Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks had completed their long drop backs, linebackers and defensive ends were already in their faces.
With Lane Kiffin's hiring, another West Coast style system emphasizing quick, short passes was brought in. However, Davis then refused Kiffin's request to draft Brady Quinn, who's weaker arm and greater accuracy made him a better fit in the new scheme than JaMarcus Russell. I'm not going to sit here and say Brady Quinn would've been any better than Russell. But Davis' insistence on drafting Russell shows that he still was unable to abandon his vision of what a quarterback should be. When Kiffin's monumental ego inevitably clashed with Davis', Lane was on his way to the University of Tennessee and Tom Cable was hired as replacement.
Back to the Future
Cable has many of the attributes of a good coach. What I believe makes him most attractive to Davis, however, is the fact that Cable has no pretensions of being a great offensive mind (Gruden, Turner) or any gargantuan sense of self-importance (Kiffin). Cable is merely content to attempt to translate Davis' wishes into a win on gameday. Unfortunately for the team and the fans, that vision contains within it the seeds of its own defeat in the modern NFL.
Though not as egregiously outdated as the bed and breakfast offense, the 2009 Raiders offensive system has many of the same flaws. A better offensive line than in 2006 helps to give Russell more time for his many seven step drops and he does occasionally make shorter ones. However, the routes the receivers are running don't give him any help at all. Mostly, they are straight go routes and very basic routes like posts (always medium or deep). Zach Miller is the only target who goes consistently over the middle. Quick slants are unheard of. The running back is almost always just a checkdown....deliberate screen passes are rare. Darrius Heyward-Bey is being utterly wasted by simply being told to run down the field on every down. No attempt is made to take other advantage of his speed with things like bubble screens or quick outs designed to net 5-7 yards before the opposing cornerback can really react. Four wide receiver sets on second and 5, say? Forget about it. Only in emergencies.
Tom Cable is a bad play caller. His underusing of Michael Bush is borderline criminal. But anyone who says that the overall offensive vision isn't 100 percent Al Davis is fooling themselves. This is the system he had success with 30 years ago and by God he is determined to prove he's still got what it takes. Notice how many pass plays are "home run" attempts? This offense doesn't have enough variety to patiently put together the pieces of a good, long sustained drive. It's all about now now now. Unfortunately, it's really just "then then then"....just like Davis.
People say the offense is too basic because it is being dumbed down for JaMarcus Russell. Maybe that's true....I don't know. What I can confidently say is that the reason the offense looks basic is that it is, at least by modern standards. None of the innovations and changes and tweaks that have sprung up over the past twenty years are apparent at all. Notice how we don't have a true offensive co-ordinator? No OC would want to step in and take charge of this. Any changes he'd try to make would be rebuffed. "Back to the Future" should replace "Commitment to Excellence" as Raiders' team motto.
Defending the Past
Not even Davis' most partisan defenders will claim that the defense isn't 100 percent Al's baby. However that baby is, well....retarded. (Okay, "developmentally disabled" if you want to be PC about it)
I'm a fan of the 3-4 defensive formation. However, there's nothing inherently wrong with the 4-3. Many very successful teams use it. But the style the Raiders use has no business appearing in the NFL in 2009. It's straight out of 1989. Hell, maybe even 1979. It re-defines the term "vanilla." I remember Steve Young making the comment during the Monday Night Football game against the Chargers that the Raiders defense looked like the base formation used in the first week of training camp, before the defense starts to work on the more complex stuff. Our problem is that there is not other complex stuff. What you see is what you get. That is death, pure and simple.
Zone coverage is largely the norm these days, but I'm not going to fault Davis for insisting on tight, man-press coverage from his corners. This is because he has managed to obtain two superb cornerbacks who excel at doing just that. But in Davis' system, they get no help from anyone else. The safeties play absurdly deep. Nothing innovative is done with the front seven. Blitzing is rare and when it is done, nothing is done to attempt to disguise the fact that the heat is coming. Forget about ever seeing a safety come with pressure.
I was absolutely delighted to see the things that were being done with Richard Seymour in the season opener. First he was on the right side, then he was at defensive tackle, then suddenly on the left side, then to the other tackle spot, then back at right end. The Charger offensive line was visibly confused and Seymour had a dominating game. "Finally," I remember thinking, "some inventiveness and new looks!" So what the hell happened? Since then, none of that flexibility has been on display. The only thing Seymour has done is slide inside on passing downs to let Trevor Scott come in. Nothing surprising or unexpected there.
Think of Dick LeBeau's defenses in Pittsburgh. First, he blitzes a lot. Secondly, when he does, the linebackers do things like cross each other's paths on the rush to confuse the offensive line. He takes advantage of Troy Polamalu's speed and explosiveness by sending him on a rush when he hasn't crept up far enough to make it look like an obvious blitz is coming. I'll bet you Tyvon Branch could be used in much the same way.
Look at what Rex Ryan is doing in New York. His may be the most exciting defense I've seen in a while. His lineman will stand up and switch spots with each other at the line of scrimmage. Sometimes he puts in SEVEN defensive backs. Other times, he'll have two down linemen and five linebackers! To say this stuff is hard as hell for an opposing quarterback to read is an understatement. But with the Raider defense? Forget elite franchise quarterbacks, even backups and career journeymen (hello Kyle Orton!) have no trouble reading the defense and picking us apart. It's the kind of thing a competent junior QB in the SEC or Big 12 could do just fine against.
If I could wave a wand and make myself defensive co-ordinator, I'd switch to a 3-4 immediately. I think we have the personnel to do it: Move Ellis to OLB where he can both rush the passer and hold the edge against the run, keep Morrison and Howard inside so they can patrol the middle passing lanes, make Warren a NT, and put Seymour and Kelly on the ends......that has possibilities. At this point, though, I'd take anything beyond what we've currently got, which is basically a teaching aid for young quarterbacks.
Looking ahead
You can't pin this all on Davis, obviously. However flawed his ideas might be, the players aren't executing very well right now. Russell has no touch. McFadden apparently greases his hands before every carry. I guess Michael Bush stole Tom Cable's lunch money and now he's pissed, because I can't think of any other reason why our big, bad running back is not getting 20-25 carries a game. I think Richard Seymour has to reach over and shake Tommy Kelly awake from time to time. I'm pretty convinced Stanford Routt is just a mirage.
But you have to wonder.....what if?
What if...Davis had never ditched Gruden?
What if...Davis had decided earlier to groom a homegrown quarterback rather than going with another reclamation project and drafted Philip Rivers or Ben Roethlisberger rather than signing Kerry Collins?
What if...Davis had been willing to surrender absolute control at some point? We could've had Sean Payton as our coach. Davis wanted him, but Payton wanted no part of it if he couldn't run things as he saw fit.
What if...Davis had taken Brady Quinn or Adrian Peterson instead of JaMarcus Russell?
What if...Davis had just been the bigger man and ignored Kiffin's arrogance?
What if...Davis had offered Brian Bilick or Mike Martz a boatload of money this spring to be offensive co-ordinator instead of stubbornly insisting things be done this way?
What if...Davis had brought in a defensive co-ordinator with fresh ideas any time over the past 10 years and let him see what he could do?
What if...Davis had brought in a personnel expert to be GM and draft football players and not just athletes?
Finally, the biggest one of all....
What if the Oakland Raiders organization had been allowed to grow and change with the times?
Looking ahead, this team is balanced on a knife blade. One touch and it'll go in the right or wrong direction. We've got talent on both sides of the ball. Some of our holes are easily identifiable and fixable. Maybe JaMarcus Russell will finally blossom. We can leap into the future if Davis can just acknowledge that his way of doing things are old, outmoded and detrimental.
Maybe that'll happen.....in the same perfect universe where Tom Brady fumbled and didn't tuck, where Ben Roethlisberger or Adrian Peterson wear the silver and black and where Al Davis will get his chance to savor that last, lovely Super Bowl championship.
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I rec'd this post before even finishing it
One more “What if…”
What if… Davis were simply to assume room temperature, and the Raiders franchise could pass to someone who is, say, alive?
"If Vin Mazzaro comes anywhere near me with shaving cream he’s gonna be coming away with a bloody stump" – Dallas Braden
Great Post
I’ve got another one:
What if when the Raiders moved back to Oakland they had a new stadium lined up. The Oakland Coliseum is woefully outdated and the lack of vision and forward thinking has put the Raiders at a competitive disadvantage. The Raiders are now last in the league in overall value, which has affected the teams attendance and resources. Living in the Bay Area, I’m glad the team moved back to Oakland, but in hindsight it was a bad business decision by the team.
I also rec’d your post, as you have given in great account of the true problems facing this organization, and until they are addressed, they will continue to be poorly run.
"If you don't take out his battery, he's going to keep going all day."
Very astute rendition of the past two decades, and Al's diabolical and tired grip on schemes
But unfortunately for us Raider fans, it barely holds any more mud than the “Al Davis, die,” or just go away arguments.
You’re totally right, and the antiquated notions of what used to work are long gone. Deep shotgun drops will always be met with crazy pressure, and put linemen at a disadvantage trying to drop back in to pass protection, and any chance of a legitimate pocket from which to throw are long gone. Cliff Branch is gone, as is the dearth of guys who can’t cover speedsters like him.
It’s true, personnel wise, we are so close it hurts; it’s also true that as long as Cable is just a puppet and he continues to bow down to Al’s antiquated notions of what works, or more appropriately what used to work, we’ll face the same woes.
It totally sucks, because the arguments all the haters posit time and time again are apparently accurate, and as long as Al infects the organization with his poor and outdated judgments of what will transform us into winners and live up to the so called committment to excellence, we will remain loyal to a dying organization that will continue to lose, and be a graveyard for otherwise great players.
I wish I could believe all of what you said wasn’t true, and that we can look forward to better days, but I’m afraid everything that you said is correct, and unfortunately our only hope will be for the day Al expires, because it appears as though he’ll never relinquish the control he exerts and is the cause for our current demise.
That's the real frustrating thing
But unfortunately for us Raider fans, it barely holds any more mud than the "Al Davis, die," or just go away arguments.
Still it helped to vent my spleen.
Definitely. The die-hard amongst us fans can clearly see the reason for our ineptitude
Which is what makes it so painful to watch. To be dripping with talent and unable to capitalize on it: frustrating is an understatement.
I enjoy the insight you all bring, regardless. We’ll all look forward to better days.
I often wonder how this losing affects Al, with the whole committment to excellence moniker; maybe something will be the proverbial straw that breaks the camels back.
Not sure whether to thank you for nailing it on the head, or to curse you!
No one can dispute how accurate you are on all accounts. I totally appreciate the insight, but man does it hurt in that it indicates we’re in for another long season, and will relegate ourselves to always looking toward the future, and next season…
Ugh.
Be careful
I’m sure John Herrera will be by later to inform you of being banned from all Raiders facilities for your truthful comments.
"If you don't take out his battery, he's going to keep going all day."
by S Jay Bruin on Sep 28, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions
lol. maybe a ban will be a positive thing, too!
for all the insight we bring, it doesn’t help us get W’s!
Hhahahahahahaha
That guy is an ass and needs to go. It’s just a hunch, but I suspect he reinforces Al’s worst tendencies.
I suspect that once again, you are correct about that, my friend
Ron Wolf, where are you? It seems Al could do no wrong with him as an advisor.
if jamarcus gets it together
than our offense will be all set. he needs to develop leadership abilities(and accuracy) or else the team will have more difficulty winning.
wish we had a real gm
only complete retards could screw things up season after season after season, its almost like they try to. how old is Al now does anyone know?
Quinn?
Is that really a choice on the poll? He might be the only QB on an NFL roster less NFL-adept than Russell.
Yeah, Calvin Johnson or Adrian Peterson
would have been more relevant choices.
"If you don't take out his battery, he's going to keep going all day."
by S Jay Bruin on Sep 28, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Like I said in the piece...
….I’m not gonna pretend Brady Quinn would’ve been the answer. Not at all.
BUT, rather than giving his new head coach his choice and seeing what happened, Al chose to overrule the HC yet again and drafted a tall guy with a huge arm.
Quinn would’ve been a perfect fit for Kiffin’s system. Does that mean he would’ve been a success? No….but we’ll never know one way or the other. Which makes it another what if.
I can only choose one?
I went with Gruden, but for long term success we need a GM with control and modern football intelligence. Davis is and always was the Raiders. He is the reason the team was the most dominant and feared organization around. However, along with the glory days, his time has passed and his techniques are no longer viable. The only thing that has carried over from the glory days is the leagues hatred for the Raiders even when they’re down.
…Anybody else ever notice how hated we are even though we have the worst winning percentage in a 6 year run? I mean the Lions are the first team to ever win 0 games in a 16 game season and no one hates them or picks on them. Why would they? That’s like picking on a handicap kid, it’s not right. But the deep ingrained hatred of the Raiders transcends the ethical and moral codes of the day to where we are still the most hated and have the largest bias against us. I love it…(not sarcastic)
Cable Bumaye! Raiders Bumaye!
It all boils down to....
Al’s swallowing his pride and giving up control, because you can say “what if” we picked this guy or that guy all we want but it boils down to how they are taught and used. I definitely would have rather had them pick Calvin Johnson then Russell, or Macklin or Harvin than Heyward-Bey, or any of the 3 QB’s that came out in Ben’s draft, but we are stuck with what we have. I actually got excited when we played like we did against San Diego thinking we might have a good team this year. But the last 2 games brought me back to reality. I am seriously debating on changing my team, but can’t bring myself to do it.
let there be no more more ifs and butts!
we have to stick with the now! no matter what! i remember we were blown out by san diego and pittsburgh last year(the pats), but the best thing to do is get over it and look forward to the next game! We know what the team’s problems are, but i think that they’ll learn more from this game, and develop the skills they need to win! WE’ve seen there potential in san diego, they just need to harness it! Develop from it, and become better! it won’t happen in one week, or maybe even two. But we KNOW the raiders are better than the last two games!
So with all the ifs and buts out there, IT’S ALL POINTLESS!!!!!!!!! Focus on the now!
Cheer for the team that SCARED san diego!
Cheer for the team that has the potential to win!
Just CHEER for an improved 2009 season no matter what happens!
The past is done, the future is unknown, but the present is all that matters.
this is true, and we should focus on the here and now
if that here and now means riding it out until Jamarcus plays like he’s capable, however, focusing on the here and now means being prepared to finish the season at the bottom of the NFL scrapheap, again.
It may well be pointless to point out the causes to our current inability to compete on a consistent level, as it very well indicates there is little hope to the future.
There is no shortage of Raiders who will continue to pull for their Silver and Black; there is becoming a shortage of reasons to remain hopeful, and it’s all too clear that the problems that have plagued us in the past are very much a part of today’s team, and that looks for a bleak future.
So we will therefore focus on the now, which means considering benching the guy supposed to be leading us at the very least, which remains a large question as well.
If Brady played as poorly as he did in the first two games, you can be damn sure Belichik would start that undrafted free agent qb you guys have that nobody knows, and you can be damned sure he’d probably make fewer mistakes than Russell. There’s no question who has control of that team. With the Raiders, there is no question, either, and we all know who is in control, so focusing on the now hurts equally as bad as looking at all signs that point to our imminent future.
GM
we need a GM in a bad way. Coaches need to coach; only feasible with a GM that both picks talent and acts as buffer to the owner. It allows the coach to change things up while defining an identity. First to admit, I was hoping for a bomb TD to spread the defence and shut the critics. I didn’t mind the first pick from our goal as we were pinned down and it’s as good as a punt. Biggest issue was how HDB didn’t fight for the ball and lamely fell down when the safety sprung to the ball. Second pick was on JR; shaken, he fought with a nice little string of throws. The confidence and trust in WRs is just not there and everyone knows; they doubled a tight end!! Defence got worn down, MCD can’t drop the ball like that. We have a lot of football left. I hope the team does not implode and shut it down. Must continue to fight and prepare for the next game. Starts in practice. They need to be a lot more polished in practice to bring to the games. That’s all about coaching, focus and energy. Disapointed but a loss is a loss no matter what the spread is.
That was my vote on this post; but the funny thing is of all Al's interference, his moves at GM should be the least criticized
Well over 50% of players ultimately work out and his decisions are vindicated by success, Jamarcus being the biggest exception to that rule. Many remain unconvinced he won’t grow out of it; I am no longer among that constituency.
But say we do get a GM, does that stop Al’s control of things he shouldn’t? Doubtful, which is becoming the crux of our chagrin. Let the coach be the coach, let the coordinators call the plays and formations, let the GM make personnel decisions, like the great owners of the league (Rooney, Kraft, Wilson) do and have success.
what if Russell and DMC were drafted by Denver
The Raiders keep drafting athletes who performed well for their college teams and yet they don’t produce once they start their NFL careers. With so many other young players contributing to their teams around the league. I wonder why can’t the Raiders get production out of their athletes. Lack of quality position coaches? Look at Denver, they seem to have a never ending supply of quality running backs who casual football fans have never heard of in college. Do they do a better job of coaching players to their potential?
Here’s hoping they find some answers before Houston, because the schedule is rough after that.
Yes continuity is poor in the Nation!
I was happy with all of our draft picks but think of the vets we had when all of these dudes showed up for work! Also think of all the coaches we have had, Jrock can’t be all that confident in his coaching staff when it keeps changing, and it looks as if Cable will be doing some jail time soon so time will tell.
show me a link that he’ll do jail time. he’s not going to jail. If charges weren’t pressed yet, they won’t be.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
I tend to agree
As Jerry McDonald said yesterday, “Remember, the only person who’s talked on the record so far is the person being paid to represent Hanson”
I hope shilens can stay healthy
He looked good in the preseason. I would love him to step in and show why they didn’t need the Crabtree drama
hey turd raiders.....
your owner is an ass. nothing personal against your team, or the silver and black… but we need a sacrificial lamb this sunday… and you guys will do just fine.
You are banned from Music City Miracles.
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
Omg thank you
I agree with this 100%, if i hadn’t seen this i probably would of written one. The problem is Al davis and primarily Al davis and his old mindset. The day he leaves the organization one way or another or realizes his mistakes is the day the raiders become a better team.
seriously big arms and fast feet don’t work anymore in the NFL, why doesn’t he get that?
Stuck in the past
He remembers the glory days and what worked then and simply will not admit that it cannot work now.
Darrius Heyward-Bey
It’s his third game as a pro and he was never intended to be a Calvin Johnson-esque prospect who was ready to go from day 1. Relax and ease up off the kid a bit.
If he played like the seventh overall pick, maybe we won’t bash Heyward-Bey. He’s not even the best rookie receiver on the team. He has fewer yards than Todd Watkins and Watkins only made the team because of Schilens’ mishap.
No one is saying that Heyward-Bey has to be Jerry Rice, but Heyward-Bey doesn’t look good at all and hasn’t really looked good at any point since being drafted.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Sep 28, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions
heyward-bey
wasn’t even supposed to be the first Receiver drafted. we could’ve picked him later in the draft.i consider crabtree, harvin, and maclin to be better than him, and i didn’t expect too much out of heyward-bey. but it’s tough for a receiver to transition in the nfl, especially since our division consists of pro bowl corners. also the problems he’s having with his hands and route running will take AWHILE to fix. it took brandon meriweather a year to fix his butter fingers.
you’re right so far, but give him time. i think he’ll be great in our future.
Dude Heyward-Bey has been open and overthrown more than hes dropped passes
You cannot even act as if DHB has gotten a good look/workout at WR. None of our WRs can be evaluated because JRock can’t put the ball on a guy. I could see if it was like the Jags WR group 2 and 3 years ago, but that is not the case. This week DHB is WIDE open on the post and JRock overthrows him and hits the safety. If that ball is on DHB and he drops it, then talk noise, but No WR, not even Murph can be evaluated cause they are not in a real NFL offense right now. Crabtree should not even be mentioned right now because he aint even on an NFL team, if u think he was the answer, you better go ask the niners why that pre-madonna has not signed!
I went with the Sean Payton “What if”. Payton could have been the next Jon Gruden for the Raiders. He would have had the vision to chose the right QB and personel for them.
"It ain't over till it's over." - Yogi Berra
Have to share that sentiment with you about Payton
But I wonder if he’d have been another casualty of Al, as well. It’s pretty apparent Al wants puppets who only want to fulfill his wishes. Raybin’s breakdown here spells out how it’s evidenced by our attempts at moving the ball.
Why aren’t we using personnel the way Pats use their receivers. Why lack of quick slants and underneath stuff, motioning slot guys and creating mismatches by crossing patterns and TEs and fullbacks doing one thing with wideouts doing another to confuse.
It’s all so vanilla, and it’s as if most of our opponents know it: Al will attempt to run to set up the deep pass, and very few passes will be anything but flys, gos, and post routes, with the occasional double move. but those won’t work either if you don’t occasionally throw to a guy on an under pattern.
That was my vote too
If Al had given him the ability to you know…..shape and build his own team like coaches are supposed to get..we might be in a very different place right now.
Things will never change until Big Al is gone
Can Big Al embarrass the Raider fans anymore than he has in the last 5 years.His time has come and gone and it is time for fresh ideas and a new atmosphere around Raider camp.Things like the Gruden breakup,the Kiffin debacle,signing players that can’t play anymore and the draft oh the draft.The draft is a time for all fans to get excited about the next season but Big Al has even sucked the life out of that.I love Seymour but a high 1st rounder? maybe if we were one player away but we are several players away and need the draft to get better.This last this with kicking Rich Gannon out of the facility for speaking the truth well AL has lost it and Herrara needs his butt kicked.The answer to me is hire a well respected G.M. and let him and the coach and Al work together.By the way I voted for Sean Peyton also.Just imagine if we had hired him and signed Drew Brees but hold on how fast does he run? Still can’t get over DHB and Mitchell they both suck.
Thank You
This note hits so many right notes. I have been a long time fan of the Raiders and am so embarassed about how things have turned out for them lately. The scary thing is, Al Davis could hang on for another 20 years folks…. I really would hate to have to sit through two more decades of this crap. The moment he let Gruden go was probably one of the worst days ever.
I have watched and been disappointed nearly every single draft… I have been upset since they passed on Drew Brees in the 2001 draft and took Derrick Gibson instead. I know we had Gannon at the time, but come on…we knew he was nearing the end of his career… they then took Tuiasosopo in the 2nd that year when they should have took Adrian Wilson….ugh… that was the first draft I remember thinking…. what the hell????
And it has not been any better since then…2002 was the year they got all the picks for letting Gruden go…they took Philip Buchanon and Napolean Harris in the 1st round and Langston Walker in the 2nd that year. 2 of the 3 are not even playing anymore and none are still on the team. 2003 could be considered a success… they took Asomugha that year and he is one of the best in the league and I think Fargas was drafted that year too… then 2004 I was really disappointed again….Larry Fitzgerald was the guy I really hoped they would go for that year…….but they took Gallery #1…. just imagine if they had Brees and Fitzgerald…… wow……2006 I wanted Matt Leinart since I thought he was the best QB in the draft but they pulled another Safety that year (Huff) just like they did in the year Brees was drafted…….I couldn’t believe it…. Huff has finally done better this year but he was looking like a bust too…..then 2007 with JaMarcus…… come on…..you pass on several QB I like and take him?? I knew he was a bust from day one…..this time I was hoping for Calvin Johnson….. you passed on Fitzgerald and I hoped they would take him that time…….. but no…… every single year I set my sights on a couple players and each time they pass on them………even this year…. I knew they were looking receiver in the first pick….so I thought Crabtree….but I would have been happy with Maclin……but they went with Heyward-Bey……… you have GOT to be kidding me……….
This organization makes it so difficult to cheer them on….. Gannon, Tim Brown….those guys were great…but Al Davis needs to go and he needs to go now………until he gives up control we will continue to suffer through this……..SIGH…….. so disappointing.
What I forgot to say
What I forgot to say during my recent rant was isn’t weird that no matter how dysfunctional the Raiders get that I’m still a fan and look forward to every season like something is going to change and it has Big Al keeps getting more paranoid.I remember when we had all those great games with great names, now the Raiders have events like the Kiffin firing ,Coach Cable breaking another coaches jaw,the Gruden episode,well the sad part is I could go on and on but back to my point I can’t understand why I still follow this team but I do.Well I hope the Raiders come out and play like they did the first couple of games when the defense wasn’t worn out from being on the field for such a long time if Big Al still had it he would know ball control and a great defense wins games, the vertical game is dead.
Season Ticket Holder Revolt - Hire a Breathing GM or Else!
Raybin is right; sad, but true. I was fortunate enough to see winning football a generation ago. You’ve got an entire generation of NFL fans who know nothing but terrible football. I’m ready to threaten the Raiders with an ultimaturm. Finish with 7-9 or else no more support. That’s right. Don’t buy tickets to the games. Al has destroyed the franchise and apparently does not care. JaMarcus is a poor excuse of a QB who does not care. He throws the ball like Iraq fires scud missiles! I sat and watched yesterday. Don’t kid yourself, fans! That game yesterday defined the season and JaMarcus’ career. What a loser! The slob has no talent and no heart. He has no competitive drive. Al Davis is going down like the Titanic! He runs an NFL franchise like a 3rd world nation. Time for me to jump off before it’s too late.
If they couldn't sell out a game against the biggest division rivals...
…things could get even grimmer next home game after that performance.
They may only draw 36,000-40,000 instead of the 46,000 that were there on Sunday.
Maybe being hit in the pocketbook is the only way to get to Al.
I'm a year ahead of you there
After a decade of having season tickets, I just couldn’t justify it to myself this year. I’m tired of losing and subsidizing such terrible decision making. Self imposed exile if you will until things truly start to change at starting at the top. It took a while because I wanted to believe that Al and the Raiders were winners, but after the Kiffin debacle, the realities of what was going on with the organazation were too bad to overlook. Nothing has changed and no one with any real control has been held accountable and it’s time for the fans to hold them accountable.
"If you don't take out his battery, he's going to keep going all day."
Al takes it personally when the Nation stops supporting the team monetarily
Perhaps that’s been a downfall. Our blind loyalty to a sinking ship, regardless of it being all Al’s fault.
Feel Sorry for Tom Cable
The Coach is in a tough situation. He has to give Russell at least 2 more shots on the road. It’s sad to think what could be awaiting at the Coliseum in Week 6. Of course, I hope JaMarcus comes out fighting in Houston. The Texans don’t know how to win. They have a terrible defense. Hopefully, Richard Seymour hasn’t thrown in the towel. Pulling a guy’s hair is a red flag, in my opinion. Is Seymour willing to fight for this team, or is his frustration level too high to care? Fans, the biggest question is not physical talent, because there are some good players here, but do they have the desire to win like most NFL players?
Excellent, excellent post
Great insight into what the rest of the NFL and its fans already think about your owner. His inability to grow with the rest of the league has made his team very hard to cheer for. I’ll admit that as a Denver fan, I get lots of enjoyment watching how Oakland conducts their business, but a part of me truly feels sorry for what you Oakland fans have to put up with. Lions fans thought they’ve had it tough, but they don’t know what it’s like to have Al Davis at the helm. I’d say that I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, but well, you know…
I wonder what the odds are of a frustrated Raider fan assassinating him just to see some semblance of progress with your team.
It bears repeating how great of a writeup this was. The author automatically qualifies as being better fit to run an NFL team than Davis.
"I'm a Michigan Wolverine, which means I'm the only one who watches 'Rudy' hoping he pulls a hamstring or pops a quad." - Rich Eisen
Al Davis
I have loved and defended Al Davis for a long time now. I want to give credit where due.
The NFL is where it is because of Al and all he has done. I can not however disagree with this article. On the $$. Now, I will say this,Mark my words: Everyone thinks that Al dying will solve the teams problems? Not so fast. How do you think he maintains the control he has? Surround yourself with enough kool-aid lovers,that’s how. Give them all they can ever drink. My prediction for who takes over the Raiders when Al dies is the one with an arm in Al’s back, and whispering in his ear that his ways still work, so he leaves them the team is his protege, Amy Trask. She has been groomed from the day she left law school to go to work for the Raiders. She has had her hand in Al’s back like a ventriloquist, making him say what she wants, lying to him about his ways still work. She is the new Mrs. Davis. She probably gives him any meds he needs and adds something to control him with. Mark Davis wants nothing to do with the team. He sees what it did to his father. She is the GM everyone says we don’t have.Think about it,if her plan works to run down the team, she can buy it for less if he doesn’t leave it in his will to her. Win/win for her.“By the way Mark,look how good I took care of you dad to the very end.”
I want to be wrong about this but, I don’t think it’s that far fetched. Her name will come up when he goes.
They should hire Gruden back as H.C. He did not sound like he was against the idea.
He gave Art 2 tries.
Anyway, I really do Love the Raiders. It breaks my heart that Al and the Greatest Raider, Mr. Tim Brown missed out on another ring. Had he not fired Gruden we would have beat either Philly or Tampa in that Super Bowl.
How a Super Bowl winning coach in his prime is still not a coach now is CRAZY.
RICH GANNON/TIM BROWN AS GM. MADDEN WONT!
GANNON SPOKE OF JR AND WHAT HE IS NOT DOING. HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH AND NOW THE RAIDERS DONT WANT HIM AROUND! TIMMMY BROWN WOULD ALSO MAKE A GREAT GM. BOTH PLAYERS ARE WINNERS AND COULD GET FREE ADVICE FROM JOHN MADDEN. BOTTOM LINE THESE 3 WOULD HELP THE RAIDERS AS A GM OR PESONAL ADVISOR. I AM SURE IT BREAKS THERE HEARTS SEEING THE RAIDERS LOSE AND PLAY LIKE THIS.
by sports with steve on Sep 29, 2009 9:27 AM PDT reply actions
There is no doubt that Al's ways can make life frustrating for fans.
The Raiders are stuck in a historically bad stretch of football! During that stretch lots of moves have been made that have left Raider fans scratching there heads and throwing items against walls.
Lets face the facts though- Al is not going anywhere! That does not mean all hope is lost. There are signs of positive change.
This past offseason, the Raiders spent their money resigning their own players and not reaching for aging free agents.
Gruden’s run with the Raiders was preceeded by futility and I know, I certainly had the sentiment that the Raiders would not win until Al was gone. But they did and Davis let Gruden have more reign over the team then any other coach in recent history, he even allowed for Gruden to bring in guys he liked (i.e. Gannon)
But Gruden got tired of Al’s involvement and he was leaving after his contract and Al knew this, so he cut his losses. Al does not place much emphasis on having a great coach, but this is exactly what this team needs to thrive.
A coach that can win enough to gain some leverage- a coach strong enough to be able to function with an overbearing owner and even get his way with a few things.
I like Cable and I think he has the potential to be this guy, although I would like to see him get an innovative OC to call the plays.
Cable broke Al’s spy face and Al did not undermine Cable’s standing after this and junked Hanson. Cable wanted to bring in players with a certain level of profesionalism this past off season and there are signs that Al paid attention to this.
This is a young team and anyone who thought there were not going to be games like the Denver game this season were kidding themselves. Denver is much better than anyone gave them credit for.
It is too early to completely jump off this ship and say the Raiders have not begun to turn things around. There will be better games this season- games that show us the promise of the youngsters and the changing of the team culture.
The thing is Al is not going anywhere and he has earned that right. The game of football is much better off because of the great things he has done. And the Raiders are the team I fell in love with because of him.
They are also the team that currently makes it hard for me to be a fan, because of him.
There is hope while Al is at the controls and the potential of this season is not over. I am looking for signs of progress, signs that some of these young guys will start to get it. Signs that Cable has control of this team!
Wherever I go, that's where I am.
Yes. Go TOM, and please stay out of jail!
Who will fill his shoes if he does? and we’ll never know if he’s a pawn or has his own mind.
SILVER & BLACK........
I amazed the direction this organization has taken the last 6 years….It doesnt make sense to me. Al Davis got left behind, in this modern game of football. He is the problem, PERIOD!! He just wont budge.. He has a vision of winning the Lombardi Trophy his way. Thats just not going to happen, hell, they cant even win a game.. The game passed him by, and the players, fans are suffering for his actions. It is time for Mr. Davis to exit the game. The man has done alot for the game, but its time to move on……….PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WILDCAT????
I would love to see the RAIDERS install the wildcat in their offense. Think about it?? MCFADDEN ran the wildcat at ARKANSAS. Actually, they were one of first teams to run this offense. MCFADDEN ran it well. He can also pass the ball. With the great speed the RAIDERS have in HAYWOOD-BEY, MURPHY, BUSH, this might be a good option. You could use RUSSELL sparingly, which would be “good”, and you would get your playmakers involved!!! The RAIDERS have some excellent talent, but its not being used.. They are the most predictable team in the NFL.. With nothing to lose, other than probably 14 games this year, they definitely need some changes……This could be a excellent option for the speedy RAIDERS………
Let's just go all wildcat all the time
that way the team can justify getting Russell off the field.
"If you don't take out his battery, he's going to keep going all day."
by S Jay Bruin on Sep 29, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
seriously
mcfadden would probably have a better passer rating than russell if they tried the wilcat offense. but I haven’t seen the mildest form of trickery this season in play-calling. could be because they are trying to be basic for russell so he can develop/get confidence
obviously its not working. I’d like to see mcfadden used more. and not just on runs to the outside.
Another minor what if
what if we had not traded for Deangelo Hall? Then we would have been able to select Desean Jackson in the second round of the 2008 draft. That guy looks like he’s going to be a top 5 wide receiver in the NFL.
Print this in the Oakland Tribune...
Hello… this is what every fan, and I won´t say in the bay area… but across the world, are thinking. We need to get this messege around. I am not american and do not live in the US, but Raider Nation holds no borders. I have been traveling to a game for the last 5 years… and it hurts investing $$ on tickets, hotel nights and flights. (good thing the bay area is a nice place to visit). My frustration is at its TOP. Can someone please start a movement to do something about it. For starters, set up a fund to print this Article in at least two local papers in the bay area… then, start a campaign against Season Ticket Renewal and Stadium attendance. I´ll tell you something…hit Davis in his pockets, and he´ll listen. I would send a a few bucks for the cause…and I would believe others would too.
javofm
Sounds good to me
Send a message to Al that he needs to turn over day to day football operations to somebody else because he can’t do it anymore. I doubt such a ploy would work on him, but sending the message would still be worthwhile. He NEEDS to hear from the fans. Needs to know just how unhappy they are.
Just step aside, Al.
Good article. Well-said. I became a serious Raider fan in 1968. Rooting for the Raiders through the 70s was the greatest thrill any fan could ask for. But their performance over the past six years in particular has made being a fan untenable. Being a fan involves an investment of time, money, but mostly emotion and heart. The Raiders of the past six years haven’t deserved that kind of commitment, from me, or anyone. Frankly, I consider them to be unwatchable. Watching the Raiders now is like watching a person get a root canal. And I’ve long thought that the biggest problem is Al Davis. As long as he remains in control of the franchise, in all aspects, they will never be a competitive team, let alone a playoff contender. When Al steps aside, I’ll be back, but not before then.
Hell of a post
But, we all know Al will not step a side. We all know we have talent its is how we utilize it. That is up to the current coaching staff. Cable is calling the plays not Al.
With that said maybe an OC that calls the plays is an option? The utilization of players to there greatest asset to the team is what we need. Cable is respected by the players but maybe play calling isn’t in his blood.
Hell my wife that knows nothing about football knows what the Raiders are going to to do!
The future is uncertain... and the end is always near. JMorrison
MADDEN SAID IT
Just before his well deserved induction into the Football Hall of Fame Coach Madden said that the reason he liked coaching in Oakland was there was nobody between him and Big Al and Big Al never turned down any request he made concerning the team.Well times change and Big Al needs to hire better scouts and a G.M. to run his operation.We seem to be years behind everybody in terms of evaluating talent and the last couple of drafts prove it .I mentioned in a earlier post that a ball control offense and a great defense is the call of the day(GIANTS,STEELERS) and that the vertical game is dead.During the 1st game against San Diego one of the people calling the game said I can’t believe The Raiders are playing this defense and its just a matter of time before San Diego starts attacking the middle (which they did).We need to get with the times and that will never happen with Al in control.Nobody can deny Big Al knows more about foot than most but when Coach Cable gets fired maybe Big Al will bring back Art for his 3rd time along with bed and breakfast coordinator because they are a perfect fit for Raider football and this is a perfect example of how out of touch this front office is.Sorry Coach Madden(one of the greatest Raiders ever!!!) but in these times we need somebody between Cable and Big Al.By the way did we have a G.M. during the coach Flores years?
Hmm..
I don’t like defending Al Davis…but you say he has no clue about building a franchise.
I’m going to disagree on the grounds that he built this franchise we all know and love, and until this latest stretch of futility, was the winningest franchise in professional sports. There has been a few years of bad days. Let’s not get outside the realm of critical thought and start blaming someone other than who is on the field, regardless of who put them on the field or who pays them, the end result is that you have to produce.
"..what you mean? I'm a legend like Kareem!"
by CommittedToExcellence on Oct 3, 2009 6:23 AM PDT reply actions
A FEW BAD DAYS ??????
You must be kidding a" few bad days",nobody can question that Big Al had some great days in the past and still knows more about football than most but this train wreak we call the Raiders has been running off the track for about 6 years with one bone head move after another and no one is to blame more than Big Al after all he is the one making the personnel moves.Signing players to crazy contracts they don’t deserve,drafting players on stats rather that football talent and the coaching staffs he has put together and last but not least embarrassing THE RAIDER NATION time after time with all the drama that is the Oakland Raiders.I still don’t think Big Al is the same since he came back from L.A.,I think it took something out of him and time has past him by.I don’t mind having an average team I just want one that gives 100% all the time and looks and plays like they actually practice. I just don’t like all the side shows and Big Al is becoming that crazy uncle the family doesn’t like to talk about.Bottom line is I want to remember Big Al for the great things he did in the past not the crazy things he is doing in the present.
reading comprehension is your friend
“a few years of bad days”
"..what you mean? I'm a legend like Kareem!"
by CommittedToExcellence on Oct 3, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
But still
Davis is living in the past and drafting wrong. Maybe he doesn’t listen to his scouts, I dunno? The game has passed him by, and if he doesn’t catch up we’re in for a looooooooooooooong few seasons.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
doesn't make up for on the field product
these athletes are paid to play this game, and the onus is on them to produce.
"..what you mean? I'm a legend like Kareem!"
by CommittedToExcellence on Oct 4, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions
You're missing the point.
Davis is drafting for the wrong talent. Speed doesn’t mean anything if you drop balls.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
And
Don’t forget, GOOD coaches to develop these young players. Keep kearing how these Raiders passing specialists are supposed to have worked with former great QBs, but were they great because of these guys, or did these assistant coaches just happen to show up at the right time?
I mean, it’s starting to look like a pattern here. IF Russell doesn’t develop, you can just say it’s his fault. But DMC doesn’t look that great, and DHB doesn’t look that great. That’s 3 number one draft picks in a row, that have haven’t exactly overwhelmed. Maybe it’s not so much bad draft picks as not being able to teach them to play in the NFL.
Well let's see DHB after 1 year
DMC is getting stopped cuz teams know we can’t pass and they stuff the box, so it falls back on Russell.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
See
I don’t buy the DMC excuse. A lot of people clinging to it, but really. Other teams have had lousy QBs and could still run the ball because the offensive line could dominate. I watched the Bears do it for years before they had McMahon and when he was hurt. Payton would have solid rushing games regardless of what idiot was under center. I don’t expect McF to run like Payton, but still. Besides, only really good passing teams set up the run with the pass. If Russell goes from playing badly to mediocre, is it going to make a difference? Because he’s made it clear he’s not going to the Pro Bowl anytime soon.
It also doesn’t address why Bush is playing better than McFadden either.
more than thoses 3
try Robert Gallery, drafted to be a franchise tackle. Michael Huff, backup, fabian washington, no longer with the team. Tyler Brayton, also no longer with team. It’s been a decade of first round busts.
The only two players that panned out are Nnamdi and Sea-Bass and they were even marked as being busts.
MEAT IS MURDER!! mmm tasty bloody murder.
by nationofblack on Oct 5, 2009 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Great Post
everything you said in this post was excellent Raybin, but I dont think we need a 3-4 D, I like the 4-3 D, but not the one that Oakland’s running there needs to be more variety maybe a little fire zone blitzing out of that 4-3 package, and doesnt Rex Ryans Defense run in a 4-3. you cant always get pressure from your D-ends and thats what Al needs to understand.
MEAT IS MURDER!! mmm tasty bloody murder.
Why are Raider fans so intent on living in the past!! So you some good years.. so have many of the teams in the NFL! Jesus Christ people!! Get a grip and come join the new millennium!! And in this centuery we are cellar garbage! Where is all this talent that everyone keeps screaming about?? So close?? Close to what?? The WR’s can’t catch… the QB can’t throw…the D line (outside of Seymour) is pure garbage.. the O line si a joke. The secondary and RB are the ONLY thing on this team with talent! So close?? So close to be kicked out of the league for being no better than most JC’s? Talk about going through life wearing Davis colored glasses! I don’t care if he was the reason the team was a success 30 YEARS AGO!! ! The day Alzheimer Al dies I will celebrate! He is a money grubbing piece of human garbage! I can only hope that the Raiders being sooo bad actually accelerates his demise!
Your right "THE NATION" IS A MESS BUTT......
We are just paying our dues and we will be back.I have never wished death on anybody but I would not be sad if Big Al left us tomorrow. With every passing day the news gets better,now our head coach could be imprisoned soon and hopefully that will complete this cycle of doom then maybe we can move on.And I would like to add that we have a very good tight end if someone could get the ball to him but seeing that he is the only one who can catch he always seems to draw a crowd of defenders.All I want for Christmas is a new front office with a G.M. , someone who can evaluate talent,a new quarterback,another defensive tackle,a couple of o-linemen, and maybe a new head coach because ours looks like he may have some legal problems to deal with in the near future.
Wonderful Post
I chose the last option of giving the control to a “real” GM.
I agree with everything you said. I haven’t been on for a while now so I’m not “Up-To-Date” with EVERYTHING going on in the raider nation.
Nnamdi Asomugha for 2010 Pro Bowl!!!
marty ball
let cable go to jail this way he can free up some money and we get marty into the picture and bring back shanann and gruden as o/c and qb coach’s
Indeed, Marty Ball
I’d love to have Schottenheimer here. Biggest mistake the Chargers ever made was getting rid of him.
gm's
lets get polian into the picture or lombardi…..
spagnola
when spagnola loses his job with the rams we will sign him as our defensive coord
drafting
lets hold on to our draft choices woodson, allen ..etc etc
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