The Calm Before The Storm: Tomorrow will Dictate Where the 2010 Oakland Raiders Finish

by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Oct 2, 2010 9:29 AM PDT

This question of whether or not the 2010 Oakland Raider team is better than any we have seen in the past 7 seasons is simple to answer. Yes.

The question of whether or not this team will win more than five games may be answered tomorrow.

Long have we, of the silver and black, languished for a silver lining to accompany our black cloud. Long have we waited for this once proud organization to rise to the top, it's rightful place. For nothing says hard nosed, in the trenches, swashbuckling football like the name, Oakland Raiders.

Once upon a time, the Oakland Raiders were the winningest franchise in MAJOR sports history. Once upon a time there were players with names that are etched on the walls of football history. Blanda, Stabler, Otto, Hendricks, Tatum and Madden all gave a face to an organization that was as committed to winning as any the World had seen since the Gladiators in Rome.

Today's version of the Oakland Raiders has said some of the same things that the greats of old professed, they just haven't made the plays to back them up.

Tomorrow's game will show us all if they are a good team or if we should be thinking more of 5-11 than 11-5.

The Texans are a good team, and in order for the Raiders to be a good team, they need to beat good teams at home.

Can the Raiders win more than 5 games if they lose tomorrow? Of course. Will they win 8 if they lose tomorrow? Not likely.

So, let's bring it tomorrow Nation. Let's be Loud and Proud, get behind our boys and root them to victory. Who knows, maybe Blanda will enter the body of Sebastian Janikowski and Jano will throw a game winning TD? Anything can happen, and tomorrow, let's have that "Anything" be the Oakland Raiders ending up in the winner's circle against a team that embarrassed them, 29-6, last season.

RRRAAAIIDDEEERRSSS!!!!!

Tweet Comment 36 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Im with you there Saint

For this team to show that it is different from the past seven years it needs to win tomorrow, and the following week against StD a team they havent been able to beat in their past 11 meetings.

by 818Raiderguy on Oct 2, 2010 9:56 AM PDT reply actions

Good teams win their home games, have to take care of business at home.

Great article Saint.

I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.
-Jack Tatum

by R.I.P. JACK TATUM RAIDER D GOAT on Oct 2, 2010 10:29 AM PDT reply actions

I expect a close game with a lot of enjoyable brutality and surprises

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Oct 2, 2010 10:34 AM PDT reply actions

win it for fucking George, not asking a lot, let's see what kind of balls this year's team has.

I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.
-Jack Tatum

by R.I.P. JACK TATUM RAIDER D GOAT on Oct 2, 2010 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

George was an Oiler. But, yes, a Raider in the HOF and at his core. We've got well balled players. Ro and Co. won't let us ever quit

Hope Branch, Scott and Groves have better games this week or we adjust in time with Brown, Shaughnessy and Howard.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Oct 2, 2010 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions

I know Ro has got balls a lineman wish he had.

I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.
-Jack Tatum

by R.I.P. JACK TATUM RAIDER D GOAT on Oct 2, 2010 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Speaking of linemen, Jay Alford was a good acquistion and John Henderson and Seymour were Beasts in Tenn

Henderson continued playing at a high level against St.L – we missed him last week and now, probably he’s out Sunday. Kelly was terrific against St.Louis but tapered off as is his custom (the following week) so he’s due for being impressive tomorrow. Desmond, like Kelly, played really well 2-weeks ago and I hope he hasn’t picked up on Kelly’s bi-weekly circadian rhythm.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Oct 2, 2010 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

... but if Desmond has become like Kelly, then he's due for a good game this week.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Oct 2, 2010 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Des was thrown out of his performance zone a bit

with Henderson out and Dick limited.

My profile pic is a Todd Marinovich painting.

by Rich Langford on Oct 3, 2010 12:12 AM PDT up reply actions

that would explain it; he's still on a steep learning curve

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Oct 3, 2010 5:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Sons, Lamarr has versatility, what do you think about him working as DT for

a few snaps here and there, could create a lot of different options?

I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.
-Jack Tatum

by R.I.P. JACK TATUM RAIDER D GOAT on Oct 2, 2010 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions

LaMauler played well in Tenn and was Excellent against St.L but far from spectacular in Az.

But, if Seymour and Henderson are hurt and Kelly unable to play a whole game (he did take 49 of 60 defensive snaps last week) then we may not have a choice. Scott isn’t very good against the rush but does have a gift for pressuring QBs. And Matt Shaughnessy and Houston are about equal on pass rushing, so if the Texans are going to throw the ball – like 25-30 times then having Matt & Trevor at DE works well and being thin at DT now – it’s certainly a reasonable idea to try LaHou at DT.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Oct 2, 2010 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Biggest thing sto watch in tomorrows for Radiers to get a W

I minimzing penalties of defense and having three outs instead of keeping their drive going with a stupid penalty, containg AF from his long runs on cut backs. Minimizing penalties on offense so we wont have 3rd down and a mile to go… This will help the running game as well as if it is 3rd and short to go we can utitlize play action, having bruce roll out away from Mario Willaims and if a receiver cant get open he can dump it to Mcfadden or run for the first down.

by 818Raiderguy on Oct 2, 2010 1:26 PM PDT reply actions

We lose and you can cancel the Cable...

1-3 is not a good look for a team that has tshirts made that say “win the west and then win the superbowl.” I hope Cable doesn’t have premade superbowl tshirts already.

aka GOLDENBOYWARRIOR

by gogomaplata on Oct 2, 2010 4:32 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

The only positive

we have is we have a team to cheer for in Oakland. Too bad a third of our weak o-line is hurt and there has been no additions (not even from the practice squad.) A quarter of our starting defensive line is questionable because of injuries and there has been no additions. Thanks for giving us hope(?) Cable guy.

by Realtooreal on Oct 2, 2010 7:02 PM PDT reply actions

Loper has actually been doing ok in Gallery's place

by Ctb3 on Oct 2, 2010 8:49 PM PDT reply actions

True:

The Inter-Loper has fit the casting call.

It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09

by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Oct 2, 2010 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions

+ 1 (just break (someone's) leg, baby)

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Oct 3, 2010 6:01 AM PDT up reply actions

This game is the absolute indicator of this season's results

We either emerge victorious, and continue on a path to better days…

or another loss at our own hands (we should win, by all accounts, with the defense we’re fielding) would be the harbinger of doom for 2010, exposing further weaknesses to be exploited league-wide.

Carpe Diem, Raiders.

"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

by brhynno on Oct 2, 2010 11:08 PM PDT reply actions

Think it might be too early in the year

For this sort of mode. We got A LOT of young players here who will get better as they go on. True there’s some teams we’re definitely not going to beat, but most of the rest are winnable. Really it comes down to whether the Raiders can bring the intensity, stay focused and keep the dumb mistakes to a minimum. But hopefully all of that will get better as the season goes on. Last year they just plain gave up for much of the season because of JaMarcus. This year they got no excuses.

Besides, at this stage, we probably ought to just be more concerned with them making steady improvement from week to week. The Super Bowl ain’t gonna happen this season, but our time will come.

by rightnasty on Oct 2, 2010 11:59 PM PDT reply actions

Here's the real question, folks

If the Raiders put forth a solid effort today, play tough, keep the mistakes down, and still lose will you be satisfied that they played a good team tough, or is a loss a loss and heads must roll?

by rightnasty on Oct 3, 2010 12:53 AM PDT reply actions

Depends on how they lose

It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09

by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Oct 3, 2010 1:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Okay

The score’s tied 24-24, and with 2 seconds on the clock, Houston kicks the winning field goal.

by rightnasty on Oct 3, 2010 1:43 AM PDT up reply actions

that was last weeks game...this week

its a must win simply because its the 1st quarter of the season…. we need to set the tone for the season. A loss would put Cable on EDD.

aka GOLDENBOYWARRIOR

by gogomaplata on Oct 3, 2010 6:03 AM PDT up reply actions

I think that the end of that is like a "Do it for'a Blanda" speech

It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09

by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Oct 3, 2010 1:06 AM PDT reply actions

its 605 am.. pretailgate doin last minute checks

on my way to oakland… had to check on S&B before we left… good luck nation, hopefully we have something to celebrate later this afternoon…. hmmmmmmm AFTERNOON DELIGHT!!!!

aka GOLDENBOYWARRIOR

by gogomaplata on Oct 3, 2010 6:07 AM PDT reply actions

good luck Raiders

Do it for Blanda and the Assassin.

I want to be the modern day version of Super Mario Brothers!!! Dont care for *shrooms*, but would love to *get large* and *spit fire*...unless im constantly told "thanks, but your girl is in another castle". That would rate a 8.9 on the ole *Suck-ometer*!!!

by Kobe Won Kenobi on Oct 3, 2010 7:14 AM PDT reply actions

I will be happy as long as we don't have a reply of week 1.

Good luck and win one for the Old Timer.

Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar

by TAW on Oct 3, 2010 7:34 AM PDT reply actions

Grad throws 300+ today, Nick Miller makes his presents felt and Mario has his comparativley best game

This will be a shootout with Raiders breaking the Red-Zone curse (Blanda’s in heaven lobbying hard) and Darren run’s amok. Raiderdamus realizes too late that he’d listened to the whisperings (ravings actually) of the wrong spirits.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Oct 3, 2010 7:45 AM PDT reply actions

I'm sticking with my OT prediction but with this new info on Louis Murphy I am just going to be happy if we play them hard and its close.

If they can pull this one out with all the questionable players on the front four including our best wide receiver I will sleep well tonight.

Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar

by TAW on Oct 3, 2010 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Last week we lost

because there was an obvious disturbance in the force.

Let’s see if we can disturb a few Texans today.

by xville on Oct 3, 2010 7:46 AM PDT reply actions

"Distort the rope" were Cable's very words

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Oct 3, 2010 7:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Potentially really really dumb question

I’m living in Sacramento, blacked out from the game, and not very web savy. Is there anyway to get the game online?

"Once again i still dont get it. We have the best backcourt in the league. 1 of the best front courts in the West. A nice bench. What team in the west cant we compete with besides the Lakers? What team in the west u guys can look at and say damn they’re much better than us? Seriously? Not being a homer at all." ~ J-Ridah's Golden State Warriors analysis.

by wallywagon11 on Oct 3, 2010 11:29 AM PDT reply actions