Positives to take away from this season. there are quite a few...
by brhynno on Jan 3, 2010 7:20 PM PST
Email
Print
We all saw our worst nightmares manifest themselves once again, when Jamarcus took the field, to once again squander a potential victory the rest of the team never stopped scratching to hold on to, demonstrating a resolve that it would be just a matter of time, until our last resort became a reality.
It's clear the team performs notches below it's normal level when he takes the field; it's also clear that we'd probably be in the playoffs if we'd have had even mediocre play consistently from qb.
Instead, we had subpar play from Jamarcus almost the entire first half of the season, only to see Gradkowski eclipse his stats in yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and even the win category in just one quarter.
Tom Cable said it, in a classless, unchampionlike coach response to the media pointing out that the team should shoulder a large portion of the blame. Shame on you, Tom Cable, for doing what no coach should ever do: blast the guys who've merely bought into the philosophy you've sold them-exactly what you expect from a leader--that it in fact the reason we've suffered many losing battles we could've, and rightfully should've, won, with the right use of personnel, calls, and most importantly, decision to start the right guys at qb.
In a way, when I saw Jamarcus take the field today, it was my worst nightmare in that it suddenly became a lose-lose situation. He leads the team to victory, and the Russell apologists and the media alike come out in defense of a guy that is the reason we lost almost all the games he started. You might be able to make an argument against some of the other phases of the team in a couple of his starts, but I still think you'd have seen a different team on the field had we fielded an adequate leader sooner in the season. It was obvious, we saw the players respond to Gradkowski in a way we had not yet seen until he started and was given a real opportunity to lead this team; Jamarcus never embraced it, and for that I'll never forgive him.
But today proved what all the other games did when he started; the team plays down to his level when he comes on the field, and can play with the best in the league when we field a competitive qb, passing game, and offensive leader. It proved our team is essentially an effective passing game away from being competitive with the best teams in the league, and coming into the season we lacked a defensive identity, the ability to use our offensive weapons to our strength and to exploit opponents' weaknesses, and any semblance of consistency or how to move forward or a foundation on which to build. Today proved we have most of the essential ingredients you need to compete in this league. I pray we use our resources wisely to address those few missing ingredients most of us have seen as clearly lacking from the current roster.
I won't spend time distributing where you lay the blame for the decision to stay with Russell for so long, or not doing whatever we needed to do to keep Jeff Garcia on the roster as an alternative, or realizing Gradkowski was a much better option than Jamarcus all along. I won't point fingers at the suspect blocking that once could say put a serious damper on McFadden's career, was perhaps at least partially responsible for some of the turnovers and fumbles Jamarcus committed, and was unable to spring Bush to paydirt this season (he got more carries today, for those of you who've been screaming for him to get them, with the same two yard result we got from Fargas and McFadden),
or even the dismal playcalling, which I'll agree was as puzzling as it could possibly be, most of the time, especially the rare times we found ourselves in the red zone.
While Gradkowski proved able to read the defenses enough to exploit the quick drops and find an open guy or two, today drove home how poorly our line protects our qb, how fragile Charlie Frye is, how poorly Jamarcus is without all kindza time and a decent pocket and maybe how durable he is (though he can't hold on to the ball or complete one before he gets nailed, he doesn't get taken out for the season from the mauling our qbs take, but I still look forward to the day he's not on the roster).
We have some amazing leadership in the locker room as opposed to last year, and some young talent that has established itself among NFL elite.
I'm with a lot of you die hards here on the site in my feelings about Cable: He can't call a game to save his fat ass; he's wearing too many hats' he's perhaps not suitable for head coach and doesn't possess the chudzpa to butt heads successfully with Davis, or just doesn't have enough of a brain of his own to have his own philosophy.
I do, however, believe the players who say the team is behind him, and ambivalent as to whether moving in a new direction at this point is the correct move at this juncture. I think you give him better blockers, a qb at least as good as Bruce in the leadership and competitiveness departments, and a DT to bolster the pass rush and run D and another corner to complement Nnamdi (both CJ and Routt need to go)
Bottom line: We have a pretty clear picture of where we are, and where we need to go from here. All signs point to it all being an upward climb, but one we are for the most part poised to take head on, and provided we can fill a few key positions--DT, OT and OG and probably C, MLB and CB--we can be a playoff and super bowl contender, sooner than later.
I've enjoyed discussing the season with you all. Please feel free to give all your POSITIVE feedback on the season.
We've exhausted the negatives, of which there is never a shortage for this organization; save them for another post, please!
Consider this an opportunity to laud that which we can be proud of, and speculate as to who we hope will be the missing ingredients to propel this Raider team back amongst the historic Raider teams and a dominant force in this league, where we belong!
116 comments
|
6 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
my one problem
you think CJ needs to go? Why? Consistency is definitely an issue for him, but if we can get another corner to make him the nickel, or at least rotate in for him, you’d see CJ is still a pretty good corner.
As for Cable, head coach belongs to him. Because he has a staff he picked around him that supports him, he has players that will give their all for him, and the ability motivate his players and keep their morale high.
We need an offensive coordinator for sure to handle playcalling, but Cable is exactly what you would want from a head coach.
As for starting Russell for too long, you can argue he did better in preseason and some even said in camp than Grad or Frye. Cable was hoping for Russell to catch on and with wins over KC and more so Philly, you saw potential for him.
When it was plainly obvious that the players would no longer play for Russell, you saw the bench become his new home.
After today’s game, I think these things are now obvious to Davis.
1) Russell is not your QB. He came in and lost a game which Frye had us in position to win and no one will play for him anymore.
2) It’s finally time to draft a DT in the first. This defense isn’t ready to win these grind-it-out games while your offense is growing. Watch how these ravens grew to what they are now and learn from it. Draft up this defense while the offense grows.
3) You can’t let this offensive line continue as it has. Stop drafting WR’s long enough to get a line that can allow for enough to time for your receivers to get the ball.
This is the year we see Davis finally stop drafting 4.3’s and draft 300 pounders. Whether it be on the defensive line or the offensive line, a couple 300 pounders should be drafted. And Al Davis knows it by now.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
absolutely. I meant to mention, add an OC, give Cable the chance
and see how he does. Also provided we finally get some consistent play at qb and in the passing game.
Also, as for CJ, I agree with you 100%. I was refering to his being the guy who mans up on the number two opposite Nnamdi. It takes a special guy to do that. CJ has flashes of the ability, but ultimately is a liability because he gives up too many big plays, bites on double moves, and gets caught out of position too often. He’d be much better with more consistent pass rush too.
I’ll vomit and shit blue twinkies at the same time if we draft track stars and completely ignore the hole that is our defensive middle. If we can’t get Suh, take Cody or McCoy, unless of course Kris Jenkins, Wilfork, or Ngata somehow miraculously became available to us.
and we were told Jamarcus outplayed Grad and Frye in camp, by Cable I believe, but in preseason
I remember both Grad and Frye looking at least as good or better. I have to believe that there were other reasons, perhaps some beyond Cable’s control, that factored in his getting the starting nod.
Amen on the WRs
I think we need to get rid of Russell, convince Morrison to stay (because i heard he might not re-sign), draft some DTs and OLs , and get another QB to learn behind Gradkowski and Frye. I am not sure about Cable though but definitely get a GM and OC. I think the WRs are young and decent. And maybe Heyward-Bey can catch some balls with a QB that can put the ball where it needs to be.
Your other points were so good that I'm second guessing my damnation of Cable
The o-line quality he’s working with, after all, would be a challenge for any NFL coach. And, IF he was compelled to play Russell until Cincinnati then that helps his report card some to.
Still, there’s little excuse for either his game strategies or overall play selections.
You saw the Baltimore game in the same light as I did. Our D-linemen, including DEs, were ragdolled, out-maneuvered, and dominated by the Raven’s. I began thinking today that a team of Japanese Sumo wrestlers on both lines might be the way to go. Like Fordham’s famous 4 blocks of granite some massive bodies that can explode forward and move quickly about 3-4’ forward and sideways. Then the LBs drop the ball carriers as they shoot through the gaps. But now we see our LBs having no momentum coming into tackles because the line as pushed passed scrimmage and a wall of men is at their feet. When the tackle is made the gains are often significant. We need mass and strength now more than speed and skill.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 4, 2010 2:39 PM PST up reply actions
yea our DT play
has made it really hard for our LBs. they cant move lateral when the Dts are taking them out, and morrison has taken more heat than maybe he should have. our ends have played pretty well, and got more pf a pass rush this year than last, but still not one stud rusher putting up 12 or more sacks and making it a nightmare for opposing Qbs, and we need that comsistantly.
reason there's no "stud" rusher
is because of how frequently we rotate our DE’s. This way team’s face so many different DE’s, each with their own pass rush abilities, that they don’t know where to expect the pass rush to come from.
It actually is a rather brilliant technique and keeps everyone on the line fresh, which was something I noticed this year compared to last. The D-Line didn’t looks as worn out as it usually does after so much time on the field. The rotations are there and they’re definitely working. The linebackers however are pretty winded and the secondary isn’t much better (especially since Nnamdi would need rotated for a breather, meaning Routt and CJ were often on the field together)
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
Rotation or not the front 4 don't cut it for pass rush
and our DEs and LBs were either pushed or faked out of position way too often Sunday.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 5, 2010 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
apparently
he didnt read that i said we got good play and outside rush from our ends, but not from our DTs, who cant rush nor can they stuff consistant runs
by rodeosnake12 on Jan 5, 2010 11:44 AM PST up reply actions
As if your words or his could change the facts of history ... which are
the DEs played poorly against the run Sunday, Ellis was better than the others but he also lost containment; he too was hooked in like the others. Scott, wherever he ended up was not in the play – probably his worst game as a Raider.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 5, 2010 11:52 AM PST up reply actions
the line would be a true challenge, but it demonstrated Tom was unable to counter-attack
When he knew week after week we’d be exploited for our inability to block, Jamarcus inability to heed the clock {not} in his head, and that we had mostly bad assitance blocking from the backs, he could’ve made calls to exploit the quick blitzes by getting one or two in space quickly, or some direct snaps to backs with pulling blockers. No ability to improvise in this man’s game, whatsoever, while I like his ability to lead the team and maintain their faith in him throughout some shaky times. So, the damnation is warranted, especially for the inability to adapt, an all important skill for a game planner; it is often the contingency plan necessary to emerge victorious.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
POSITIVES
1) Bruce Gradkoski, Even behind our shaky O-Line, He suceeded..When healthy, He will lead this team to the top
2) Michael Bush, A top notch back, that when given the right amount of carries, can be a Top 5 HB in the NFL
3) The Defense, Besides our mediorce D Line, The Defense is nothing short of amazing..We need to resign a couple of Key Players…Such as Thomas Howard!!!
4) The WR’s, At first, Everyone thought they were the worst of the worst..Thats is, untill JaFatass came out. With Bruce Gradkowksi under center, Our WR’s looked rather decent..And with time and Bruce back..They will shine
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.
Your totally right!
Yes our wr’s are looking great especially louis murphy,he has alot of aggresion and determination going out there & catching them passes especially the ones that were really uncatchable out there today from jbust’.but all around with grad in there our recievers really have a chance and a future,chaz is coming out and doing the job also and mcfad’ they are all kicking ass,get rid of heyward bust & jbust’ get that line together AL hire a gm get a qualified qb coach, or just please bring back CHUCKY’ and i guarantee the future or imean 8 months from now we’ll be contending for a playoff spot for 2010’’’’ FUCKYEA’’’RAIDER NATION GET EXCITED!!!!! Raider 4 Life…………
by raiderrich70 on Jan 3, 2010 10:59 PM PST up reply actions
calling this D-Line mediocre is pretty harsh
since it once again led in the league in sacks by D-Line players for the second straight year and gave us a pretty mean pass rush at times. Run-D on the line needs help, but it’s not like the line can’t do anything.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
yes. we must be specific about defensive middle and run play ability
pass rush was allways in top percentile in the league. It’s almost that two pieces are missing from the middle in NT and MLB, but one could expect 100% better play from the lb corps with an unmovable force in the center of the D line.
but we need something on that linebacker corps
at SLB that isn’t named Alston, Brown, or Sam Williams. Those are not starter quality linebackers. Either move Morrison there or draft something there. We can’t let the strongside backer go unchecked any longer.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
Williams is getting old; Alston never been more than a backup or special teamer; Kirk would be the obvious choice
But the Sulak and Norris picks this year indicate it’s an area they at least somewhat acknowledged needed work. Let’s hope we get better candidates next time around.
I’m inclined to think NT should be the primary concern, and the first round pick, should the guy we need be available at the position.
what about slade?
he flew around the ball in oregon and is a fast lb at 250. i would like to see what he could do with more playing time if hes still here.
totally, dude. The guy had crazy speed, and even made some plays on the ball in special teams
in practice and mini-camp. I think they thought he was definitely too far off in his ability to both rush and being able to cover the mismatches that the other guys we had were better options. But none of those other optionns turned out to be great. Arguable good at times; not great, by any means. Done discussing where they played. If you have adequate personnel and depth at lb you can work several guys at Sam, Will, or Mike, and probably a couple of the six or seven or eight on your roster can and have played multiple roles before.
I say we get the stud NT, move to a primarily but not exclusively 34 alignment, and compile linebackers that are versatile both in coverage, with a hand in the dirt, and who could be converted to down DE in a 43, or 46 base, or even the dollar.
I’m almost in agreement with Al on the defensive thing with blitzing; if you’re personnel you’ve got in the game is doing their jobs individually, the line, middle, and secondary are doing their jobs as units, and not only avoiding giving up big plays, but getting and cashing in on opportunities the front creates within the first seconds from the snap. Let’s get the guys we need. The defense did some great things despite missing some key personnel, and often games were planned and schemed for to help our defensive studs compensate for the weaker links; this formula wins fewer times than it fails, and depends more on offensive production, time of possession, and a legitimate downfield threat in the passing game.
No clue as to his current whereabouts. The team might keep in touch, however.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Slade was kept on the practice squad
and looks to be the next developmental project.
In preseason many were saying he looked better than any other of the other SLB’s and he made a few good plays in training camp. I think he’ll definitely be getting another shot next year at getting the job, and I’d love to see him get it. But only if he can improve his coverage abilities. If he doesn’t, then we have a younger Sam Williams on roster.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
well, that's another positive, in my book
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
So we push Morrison...
…to strongside backer and acquire a stud MLB either via draft (McClain) or free agency (DeMeco Ryans/Barrett Ruud); best scenario would be to draft a DT in the first round (whoever’s left from Cody/McCoy/Suh) and scoop a FA MLB; instant run stuffing and our linebacking corps turns from suspect to slobberknocking with minimal turnover (keep Kelly as a UT and chop Warren and a couple of those previously mentioned scrubs at OLB).
When the ride gets rough, only the Ruff Ryde...
This also allows them
to go after OL help early and often starting in the 2d round…now if Al can just hire a GM to make this viable…
When the ride gets rough, only the Ruff Ryde...
You might be on to something with Kelly
He is great sometimes, and terrible others. Maybe it has everything to do with his fellow guy’s performances, at least to a certain degree.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Positives??
we won 5 games and are number one pick is a busted are owner is killing us and we make the stupiest mistakes. some fucking positives.
There is no secret
the problem is and has been the QB since Gannon left. The biggest problem I have is that they are unwatchable because there is no offense and hasn’t been any for years. 17 TD’s in 16 games? Really? Is that possible? I have become indifferent to it all. By the way it is not the D line but the linebackers that is the problem. The Raiders have to go heavily in linebackers and O linemen. Time for Green, Carlisle to exit stage right. As I see it now the Raiders will draft around 7th or 8th, think there is a 4 way tie for teams with 5 losses.
I have no idea whether dirty Al will dump Cable or not, but if he thinks Fassel or Gilbright will be any better then dirty Al is as nutty as other people think. Will Al cut the cord with JaMarcus, doubt it, dirty Al stated publicly that JaMarcus will be great, he is not a man to swallow crow that easily. Would any coach really want to come in knowing their record is based on Russell winning games? Not me for sure.
Maybe Gradkowski remedies that problem, for now. Get blockers to replace the weak spots
Green and Carlisle represent, as you pointed out, and probably center too.
I’m not sure how you can say the problem is backers and not D line. True, our ends our solid, even spectacular, and we need to fix the problems at linebacker. I think getting a true NT would do a lot in helping out the linebackers. Some of these guys are suited for 3-4 schemes, but we do need a true MLB, one that can keep the front seven working together, effectively cuttinng the gashing up the middle to which we’re constantly suspect.
We can only hope with Russell, but I don’t see him winning a starting job even if we do not cut him like we should. Fassel or Gilbride are defnitely not the answers, either.
Most of us are in agreement with what kind of coach this team needs to catapult them to success; I think it’s a more realistic thing we do in speculating he might have some success if he were not calling plays, and if the qb problem were adequately addressed to the point it wasn’t a glaring weakness and the cause for our offensive ineptitude.
While Bush did struggle in this game
for the season he averaged 5.1 yards per rush compared to McFadden at 3.5 and Fargas at 3.8.
I strongly feel Bush should get the majority of the carries going into next season.
Other positives are the kickers as both Lechler and Janikowski had great seasons.
Asomugha was great as usual and Michael Huff and Tyvone Branch took real strides this season.
If Chaz Schilens can stay healthy and Louis Murphy continues to grow that could be nice tandem of starting wideouts.
Zach Miller is a top 10 TE and uh…..that’s about it I think. I know a lot of you guys are high on Gradkowski but I guess I need to see more before my opinion changes on him as far as being the starter.
I just hope that when next season is over the “streak of shame” of 11 or more loses in a season ends as I can’t take this losing much longer.
True about Bush. I was just pointing out that it wouldn't always equate to better performances
and McFadden and Fargas performed pretty well despite the lack of a passing game that demands enough respect to keep the box from getting stacked. The blockers got beat at the point of attack for all of those guys, too, and they did pretty good despite that.
I’m with you on being over losing. Somehow, I feel better about next year than i did at this point last year, and I’m not even sure a win today would have made me feel any better right now. Glad to see Jamarcus consistently show he’s a piece of shit not worthy of playing.
I noticed Frye hobbling at one point, and told a guy that JP Losman would probably get some snaps…
Shows you how right I am about where we are with the qb problem most of the time…I’m not so much sold on Gradkowski being a great qb, but I think we work on everything else that’s wrong with the team, and see how Bruce can do. Maybe get a late round guy you just can’t pass up and Bruce and JP compete enough for the starting job to be winners.
I remember at this point last year, even following the TB victory, I felt like shit about the future of this team. That game also lent to my blindness about Jamarcus too, and no doubt that of our coaches and the organization.
I'm all for bringing Gradkowski back and giving him a chance to compete for the starting job
and I think the Raiders should be able to get him for a fair price as I can’t imagine many other teams offering him the chance to battle for the starting job.
If the Raiders bring in Fassel to be the head coach you’d have to think J.P. Losman could get a look but I fear JaMarcus Russell will be given every chance to be the starter once again next season.
Maybe we can get JaMarcus to put on another 60 pounds and he can move to DT. He couldn’t do worse there than he’s done at QB could he?
Good blocking is the key for any running game and in that area the Raiders have a lot of work ahead of them.
I’d love to see where Bush would be if he got 18-22 carries a game. My guess is 1,200 yards or so for the season which would be something we haven’t seen in years.
I think you’re dead on about DT being a big need for the Raiders brhynno. I’d kill to see a big run stuffing monster in the middle of that D-Line and I hope the Raiders find one.
Yup. Bush is that guy who gets better as the game progresses
and until we give him the recquisite 18-22, we won’t see his break out potential. He’ll wear down defenses and break the big one to seal the games.
Thanks. First one.
SOB pointed out that the Ravens did us a favor by emphasizing our biggest weaknesses witht the game yesterday. For the educated on the site, and for most of the regulars, this obviously just kind of echoes a lot of what we’ve discussed over the past season, but i just feel a different optimism about the state of the Raiders than I have for a few years, especially following another 5-11 season, but saw there are great building blocks here, and was compelled to share them.
I knew there would be at least a few who couldn’t resist to add their two cents of negativity, but notice they don’t bring any substantial arguments with them.
I’ve been talking to Pat Kirwan, Tim Ryan, Howard Balzer, Alex Marvez, Gil Brandt, and Solomon Wilcots all season on NFL radio (I call in on the road often) and most of them agree, in certain aspects, we’re light years ahead of where we’ve been in the past.
The very interesting part will be how Cable’s future turns out, and what an uncapped year will bring for FA’s, trades, and moving up and down in the draft.
Talk about delusional!
There was NOTHING to be proud of and NOTHING positive about this team this year. And YES it can go backwards! This is Al’s team. Never underestimate that assclowns ability to screw things up worse. I can’t wait for the day that rotting corpse is dead… The blame lies squarely with Alzheimer Al for not firing the wife beater Cable and dumping Jabuster last year when it was OBVIOUS he was human garbage. I got such shit this year from idiot fans for not supporting that pile of human trash just bcuz he wear the jersey!! The only good thing about today’s game is that the season is over and we don’t have watch this joke of an organization steal people’s money anymore.
Hmmm
There is alot of people who will disagree with you about there being no positives…Actually, If you look above your comment..There are dozens of Positives with well supported details and reasons
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.
I feel your pain, G_M, and hell, God knows we need one!
But had you been visiting this site from about week 3 or 4, you’d find guys defending you for not supporting Jamarcus Bustle.
And furthermore, we’re quite over the wishing Al would die, or just go away; it’ ain’t gonna happen, so as die hard fans, we support him and wish the team the best. Our greatest hope is that he softens enough in his old age to realize he needs help at GM.
And the folks who use the argument of wishing for Al to disappear ignore the fact that ushering in a new ownership, and a complete change in the organization does not equate to immediate winning season and a return to playoff glory.
And despite the Raiders having become a money losing franchise this year, there is still no shortage of folks who’ll gladly pay their hard earned money to watch the team they’ve always loved, and hope for the future.
Some good friends approached me at the bar we watch games, where an impressive mix of fans always attend (Raiders usually outnumber any other teams, despite the tough season—we’re loyal) and asked, with all your football knowledge, how is it you’re a Raiders fan.
My answer, quite simply, was 1) A real fan doesn’t abandon their team no matter how bleak it looks 2) I went down the list of players and hall of famers that made me a fan of the Silver and Black: Kenny Stabler, Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, Fred Biletnikoff, Jim Otto, Doug Christensen, Marcus Allen, Lester Hayes, Mike Haynes, Ronnie Lott, Rod Woodson, Jack Tatum, Steve Wisniewski, Howie Long, Lyle Alzado, Tim Brown, Rich Gannon, where do I stop?
And today’s young nucleus is a group of guys in the greats’ molds, for which I am truly grateful.
Listen guys, we have Nnamdi Asomugha and Tyvon Branch, we have Louis Murphy and Chaz Schilens, we have Zach Miller and Brandon Myers, we have Mario Henderson and Mike Bush. We have Matt Schaughnessy and Trevor Scott and Tony Richardson. We have Bruce Gradkowski. We have many reasons to be positive about our future, and I for one, consider this a better year than any of the last five. Hang in there, keep your head up, and look forward to better days.
this guy sounds
like a last year lions fan ^
quick and simple.
give cable one more year
bring in a highly qualified OC
bring back grad AND frye cuz frye does more on the sidelines then anyone really gives him credit for
draft a monster DT in the first
get workin on that Oline
I agree
And by workin on that O-Line, Do you mean Draft or FA?
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.
Both
I think we need a mix.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 4, 2010 3:28 AM PST up reply actions
I think
Sign a C and Draft a RT, Because right now, It looks like Langston Walker could wind up playing RG
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.
Henderson to RT
Henderson failed as a left tackle this year, much to my surprise, especially after Gallery went out. LT is once again the need and Henderson will either be a backup or moved to the right side.
Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.
Henderson failed?
Other than the Washington game i think he was pretty good. He’s definitely very good with Gallery, but he’s not that bad without him there.
And Henderson to right tackle would make him even worse than however bad you think he is. Even worse guard play beside him, plus he’s pretty much purely a pass blocker. Putting him at the right side where most runs are focused is a bad idea.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
he did?
link?
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
Link
This is what I could find so far here
but, that story was with still 3 games to play and Henderson did not have a good game in Denver either, which this report does not include. I will get you the final stats when they are provided in about a week. But I’ll can tell you is that Henderson is at best, average and certainly far from elite.
Is that what you want for your left tackle? To say that Henderson and the left tackle spot are o.k. is ignoring a glaring problem with this offensive line that I think the Raiders will not be ignoring this offseason. Henderson will improve, but will he improve to the level that that cornerstone position demands? I think not the Raiders will loook elswhere.
Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.
he had 9.5 against him
which was leading the league into the final week, but had none against him in the Balt. game. he only had 3 penalties against him though, 1 false start and 2 holds.
by rodeosnake12 on Jan 5, 2010 11:58 AM PST up reply actions
okay thanks
wow didn’t know he had such a bad year.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
your welcome
i read he was responsible for 2 against the ravens, but its not on the sheets so who knows. go to mercurynews and go to raiders roster(or whatever team you want) and it breaks down olineman stats, sacks, penalties, etc.. over their careers
how many of those sack came at washington. i think that was just a bad game and inflated his over all numbers
3 in the wash. game
seen 1 agaisnt a linebacker in the balt. game, got beat bad. i think the wash game might have been him letting some freebees get by him on pupose.
Idk about those freebees
I hear that Henderson is the only player that still supports JaFaggot..Im hoping that he can get his shit together before the opener. We cant have issues at such an important position
Thats what she said
DT 1st pick and OT with our 2nd unless we can get McClain with the 1st, in that case
OT 3rd pick and DT 2nd pick
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 5, 2010 4:53 PM PST up reply actions
sons
lets get oline help first, but i wouldnt mind a dt or mlb in the first knowing how al can draft. okung prob. wont be there but williams should, and he could start at LT and fill in the RT with henderson,walker(if he doesnt move to guard) or a DECENT FA(no greens or barnes anymore) in the 2nd lets get that samoan we talked about out of cal, aluala. 3rd round get a promissing hard working corner to learn from nnamdi, and rotate him with johnson for a year and then move cj to the nickel in 2011.
Aluala is good but passing up McClain for an O-lineman isn't how I'd go
Rolando is a leader, for all I know Aluala might also be but hey, let’s continue this discussion after Thursday when we can see McClain in the championship.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 5, 2010 7:55 PM PST up reply actions
for sure
and aluala wont be a 1st rounder i dont think, take him in the 2nd, and he is a team capt.
by rodeosnake12 on Jan 5, 2010 10:17 PM PST up reply actions
i think satele has played well.
especially for a 3rd year guy. only gave up 2 sacks this year and 1 penalty against him, i think illegally down field, but has been pretty good. make him gain another 20 pounds this offseason and convert langston to RG. draft a stud OT and get a solid proven OT in FA. but a more mobile qb that can make plays either with his arm or legs will greatly improve the oline and limit the 8 in the box and bringing blitzer after blitzer in their faces from the start of the year.
you're right. Satele was hardly the weak spot, often making up for the guards sandwiching him
and their mistakes. Jake’s just a bigger guy, and I’m in agreement with the folks who want to get some rhinos on the line. But Satele can be developed, especially if we address the weaknesses and lack of depth at tackle and guard.
And if Walker is moved to RG
like I expect him to, that gives Satele a Pro Bowl guard and a pretty decent guard to help him deal with the big NT’s (which I think Walker would be a huge help with) and make him a much better center. Satele to me will be a great center in this league, we just need to stick with him and let him develop.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
totally,
add weight to him and henderson(6’7 300) thats to much height with no meaty base, and have some beef on the oline. even if walker doesnt move to the guard hole, and if we go away from the ZBS put him back at tackle. when he left oakland he bacame an every starter for 2 years and played really well in buff.
by rodeosnake12 on Jan 5, 2010 12:01 PM PST up reply actions
right on. we'll have to pick our poisons here.
the drafts never fall the way you expect them. so we must use them on the right guys, and free agency to supplement.
gotta give you props, frank, 'cuz no one else recognized the sideline presence Charlie brings
I have to admit I didn’t either, and we need all we can get, considering the vacuum of presence that is Jamarcus Russell.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
well
depends cuz with the collective barganing agreement, we could possibly looking at a reallllly weak FA this year, so more then likely it will be throught the draft. thats alright though cuz the prospects throughout the whole draft are pretty good.
Now, now, Mike. I said save the negativity for another post here!
Lol! I caught your sarcasm here, and realize that possiblity could become a reality, too.
If we got all bad ones, and got ride of Jamarcus, would it be an improved roster?
Hmm… very interesting.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
well I may have been a little harsh
there’s always 1 bright spot. However, if we got rid of JaMarcus, and got more “projects” it may not be a bad thing depending who we start and what position. We could draft some projects for depth and have them learn as they sit 2nd string. I think DHB was a bad draft due to where we took him, I think had Russell not been starting most of the season, DHB would be further along. So to your question, it’s a not necessarily.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
out with the old in with the new
its obvious we need players that work in als scheme cause hes not goin to change cj out routt out thomas out howard out russell definitely out no particular players in mind just think these players includin more need to b off our roster next year dbs i mentioned burned week in n out our lb cant seem to fill their gaps or cover te or out of the backfield rbs n russell evrybody knows his problems!big year for us next year tho!raider nation is alive!
by 21shtdowndosuno on Jan 7, 2010 12:20 AM PST reply actions
i would like a LT in the second and LG in the third even if walker gets swiched to LG. we need some depth LG and RG because god forbid that gallery gets hurt again. we need to keep the ball longer and keep drives going. and not go threw four QB in a season
random idea..not sure if anyones thrown this out already
but what about trying to acquire josh cribbs. he is demanding a trade from the Browns (although i suspect its just him playing hardball to get a fat contract). He can be an excellent kick return, and can also help us implement the wildcat into our offense, which could in turn help take some pressure off of the QBs.
I also don’t think it would cost too much. perhaps a 3rd round pick at the most to get him from the Browns and a 4 year 4 mill per year type contract…
Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!
He'll be heavily sought and our focus is on both lines and the MLB - so it isn't likely ... but Cribbs would definitely help
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 8, 2010 6:21 PM PST up reply actions
he's definitely not a need
but i wouldnt mind throwing ourselves into the bidding to see exactly what the cost of him would be. I also dont think an immediate need is the MLB, unless Morrison isn’t resigned, although I think he should be replaced if an option with more upside is available.
Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!
We have a good shot at McClain and better take it - he's the best LB coming out
and the DTs are deep in this draft so we can address that too (unless Al pulls off a miracle and arranges for Suh).
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 8, 2010 6:44 PM PST up reply actions
you probably know more about the draft than I do
but that being said, I say we just let the draft fall to us. It doesnt make sense to me to set up a system in which we know well draft a LB in the 1st, OT in the 2nd, etc, etc…its much more efficient to just take the best player available at a position of need (OT,OG,DT,CB,LB)
Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!
Right, our need is a MLB and 2 DTs and 1 CB and 1 DE and 2 OTs and 1 OG
and 1 coach or OC who can effectively match strategies to the next opponent and call effective plays on the spot.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 8, 2010 6:52 PM PST up reply actions
now you've lost me
we get rid of cable, we regress about 3 years. Basically, w/o Cable, the team is heading straight for shambles. We’d be losing the heart that this team rallied around despite all of the adversity. I’d love to see him hire an OC to call the plays though, which he already said he would.
Kirk Morrison, Tommy Kelly and (especially) Mario Henderson.are all quality players, for different reasons. I’d be open to replacing Kelly and Morrison come along, if a better option is available, but that goes to anyone.
Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!
Are we to believe that Cable is "the heart that this team rallied around"?
Please. I openly laugh at your words.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 8, 2010 7:38 PM PST up reply actions
while that comment is a good demonstration of blind arrogance
you don’t really throw out any constructive arguments. im all for using rhetoric and poetry, but you have to throw out some kind of argument or evidence. trust me, a legitimate argument is much more respectable than the typical “name calling,hypocritical criticism, etc” i’ve come to expect. and if there is a legitimate argument to ur case of firing cable, let’s hear it?
Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!
Please, this is over the top, it is you who have offered the unsubstantiabed
claim re Cable. I only reacted as a reasonable man.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 8, 2010 8:00 PM PST up reply actions
I would take back every bad thing I've ever said about Al
If he could pull that off.
As much as i can hate Al’s actions, he never ceases to amaze me with the occasional strokes of brilliance. And of matters like these, I never count out the possibilities.
He still has a way with the league, no other owner enjoys…
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Suh or McClain?
Who would you rather have? I would rather have Rolando because a player of his caliber is hard to come by now a days. Plus, like you’ve said, this draft is filled with DT’s
Thats what she said
McClain
You’ve already pleaded the case; Morrison can move to SLB and the whole LB corps is substantially improved. Find one of those sumo wrestlers in the draft to put at the nose and Howard’s play will even improve significantly, since he’ll no longer have to deal with free guards/tackles on a regular basis in the run game.
When the ride gets rough, only the Ruff Ryde...
Then again
…you could draft Suh (I seriously doubt he’ll still be around by pick #8 and I don’t advocate trading up) and scoop Ruud/Ryans in free agency, a pair of proven stud MLBs that will bring instant leadership to the defense. In fact, I like this plan better. Draft Suh/McCoy/Cody/Price at #8, get the next best DT left in the 2d round and the D is set. We can find corner depth either later in the draft or in FA. If we can stuff the run and bring more consistent pressure to force increasingly bad decision-making from opposing QB’s, then replacing Routt/CJ shouldn’t be a particularly high priority.
When the ride gets rough, only the Ruff Ryde...
Both excellent choices
I like Demeco a little more.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
your soliloquy (the fruit of your desert experience?) is working - the trickle down effect
of a better D-line will reduce the security level of Routt/CJ from orange to yellow. To your other musings I’ll add that DTs are more abundant in this draft than LBs and McClain is an extraordinary talent we should capture for ourselves. I love Suh and Cody, but Suh will be taken at once and Alualu, Price and other quality DTs will be around in the 2nd round. Btw of the two great bama players I prefer Rolando over Terrance for his obvious physical prowess, leadership, conditioning and potential for getting even bigger and stronger, football acumen, commitment and stability of personality/humility.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 10, 2010 8:40 AM PST up reply actions
I love the emphasis on character guys these days
So you’ve edged me to McClain at this point, too. Will he be there? Do we take him? This will be a long offseason!
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
If indeed we do have three (where do we find this?) and I think Remix is right
We could do something packaging picks to take Suh. We might also have some guys the Rams are interested in, especially if an extra third rounder were thrown in, but that puts in question how we’ll address that list you just mentioned.
I agree with them all, by the way, and am beginning to think McClain looks like the right first pick, and the DT in the second. But Cody probably doesn’t fall that far, unfortunately, especially with all the teams that can use a big NT like him. Al can work some miracles to get the picks, but then we often scratch our heads in amazement at who we take.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
thought i replied to Sons, there...
in reference to the list of guys he mentioned. Most of us are reciting the acronyms in our sleep at this point. MLB, DT, OT, CB, OG, OT, DE….
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
DT
There are so many good DT’s falling into Rds 2-3
Arthur Jones: 6’3 300 lbs
Tyson Alaula 6’2 295 lbs
Both projected to be drafted in Rd. 2 and with Oakland having 2 picks in the 2nd including an early one, Going DT in the 2nd may be best
Thats what she said
AD is not in question - he will die in office a fixture that must be accepted. Just accept and learn to enjoy it as a given in this otherwise uncertain world
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 8, 2010 7:19 PM PST up reply actions
Al Davis
He’s not going anywhere. We just need to pray that he isnt as insane as he comes off. I think he said he wont retire untill he wins 2 more Lombardi’s. Lets give him 1 more next year. Maybe that will help
Thats what she said
I think Al is insane
or at least suffering from senile dementia.
by Spirals galore on Jan 8, 2010 7:52 PM PST up reply actions
Its so sad
To see him at his state. The have to watch him give an interview when he was in his prime. It just makes me wish that Oakland can start off the new decade with a trophy and give Al his dream retirement
Thats what she said
Many of the greatest men of history were called insane. Are you a licensed psychiatrist?
No. And you certainly haven’t examined the man. So, sit down.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 8, 2010 8:09 PM PST up reply actions
Tell me. He valued animals more than humans, believed himself to be
the incarnation of Charlemagne, was a satanist. I’ve read a few books about him and this one may be the most insightful into his personality “Spear of Destiny” by Ravenscroft
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 8, 2010 8:50 PM PST up reply actions
you are smart too. You are just a late bloomer--like me.
by Spirals galore on Jan 8, 2010 9:21 PM PST up reply actions
why would you?
Keep your mind fresh—dots connect later.
(My best students are the ones who flunked high school.)
by Spirals galore on Jan 8, 2010 9:50 PM PST up reply actions
sports attract you so your mind engages. the mind has unlimited
potential but that potential is developed to the degree it’s engaged and the engagement depends on attraction. So, we learn best what we love best.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 8, 2010 9:55 PM PST up reply actions
I have, and I've actually come around to thinking he must see what we have been
and the picks might actually resemble something we desired for a change. But, then again, I have made that mistake in the past. I’m actually holding out hope this time around.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
before the BCS
i was sold on getting a DT or an Olineman but that game alone, sold me on mcclain. this guy was literally in every single play. if he wasnt the one makin the tackle he was the one making the assist. if not the assist then he was helpin put pressure on the QB and when he flooded out into coverage i was impressed with his speed. this guy is a rare talent boys and we need to snag him at #8
I'm totally leaning toward him being our primary goal
Amazing speed, instincts, coverage ability, and he’s a true captain that will make the whole front seven better. Then whatever player is better at OT or DT in second.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
and the way you pointed out how he is always in on the play
demonstrates how he lifts the ability of his teammates to make plays.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
i was just amazed
at how in every play he was in the camera’s picture around the ball. if we cant get him then Oline. cuz we were fortunate to see mt. cody in that same game and i gotta say, i was not impressed at all.
If McClain is taken then we proceed with the best OT or DT available then select the
best OT or DT in the 2nd and so on. Once our lines resemble something like the Raven’s we will dominate because, by comparison, we’ve better DBs, better QB and only slightly inferior RBs than the Baltimore juggernaut.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 12, 2010 6:41 AM PST up reply actions
Insightful. The Ravens are playing over their heads
because their lines are that good. I voted for Michael Oher for rookie of the year; Jets fans will scream Sanchez, but put him on a lesser defensive team and he’s not demonstrating this ability because he’s not in the playoffs.
You watch their games, and you see the dominance in the trenches. New England was exposed for that group of lineman that gave Brady more time than any qb has ever been blessed with for being half the guys they once were.
And their lack of defense-yes, they have missed Dick Seymour—on the D line, and the losses of Vrabel and Bruschi at LB, and you have the recipe for a big Ray Rice day. Baltimore’s pass game was relatively quiet, and that game was never close.
Granted, NE’s turnovers gave Ravens excellent field position, but they never had an answer for their lines. You have to still give them credit for advancing as far as they did, in what you can very much call a transitional year for them (Pats).
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
New England, a thorn not likely to simply fester, smell, ooze puss and vacate
more like a hunnish dog, either at your throat or your feat. I say, acquire every stalwart Scandinavian (over 6’6" 285 lbs and every Japanese Sumo (over 5’6" 435 lbs) and build our lines to such great prowess as to make each and every AFC rival soil themselves in anxious fear of crossing our path.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 12, 2010 7:40 PM PST up reply actions
I'm getting an amazing visual here...
I wish I were an artist! I’d get started right now!
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
and I visualize those gaping Raven holes that even McFadden could find
which could be ours along with 260 yard rushing games demoralizing our foes and sending the women of our opponents into swoons and tearful fits of hysteria.
Son-of-Blanda
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jan 12, 2010 9:47 PM PST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
