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Al Was Right - Gradkowski is Not The Man

After last season, much of the Raider Nation felt that Bruce Gradkowski was the man to lead the team at QB. I felt that way too, especially since nothing meaningful was done to improve the offensive line. Grad's mobility was the only saving grace the offense had other than Zach Miller. In fact, it seemed the only option possible was to have a QB who can improvise and make plays.

Al Davis felt differently and brought in two strong armed pocket passers, Jason Campbell and Kyle Boller. Charlie Frye was kept around as well. No doubt about Campbell being brought in to start. He's not a very mobile guy except under severe pressure. Boller and Frye are somewhat mobile but in contrast, none are similar to Gradkowski.

As it turns out, Grad's happy feet have not been as effective this season and he's been hammered when he hangs in the pocket. He gets hammered when he's on the run too because he takes on defenders. Grad is done for the season and I would not be surprised if he was done as a Raider.

I see Al's QB preferential logic but what I will never get is how he can let his QB investments become fodder for bull rushing defenses. Is it a secret that every NFL team places a priority on being able to maul an offensive line and pressure the QB? is it a secret that every NFL team specifically looks for defensive ends who are athletic and can easily out maneuver a lumbering, clumsy offensive tackle? Shouldn't the idea with building an OL be to match speed, power and finesse? How is Al Davis so blind to these realities that he places his faith in a scrub OL?

Any Raiders QB is going to get hammered in the pocket. Coaches Laying Cable and Hue Jackson have tried a few methods to keep the pressure off the QB. Sometimes those plays are effective. However, as a consistent game plan, more is needed.

Darren McFadden's emergence this season has been the lone factor in proving me wrong on bashing the OL. McFadden has been rushing straight ahead for much of his yardage. He is also excellent at catching passes and gaining yards. The problem is in pass protection, not with run blocking which has been 50-50 when McFadden is healthy, he gets a hole to work with. I made up that 50-50 ratio as a general example based on what I see.

Gradkowski made up his mind he was going to run just about every time he was asked to pass. That's when he is at his best but unfortunately for Grad, that is not how Al wants his offense to be played. Most likely, that is not how Hue Jackson wants it either.

If they bring in right and left offensive tackles that have some credibility, maybe the Raiders can manage to find some run-pass balance regardless of who plays QB.

Comment 49 comments  |  3 recs  | 

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Holy wingcrap wingman you mean Al davis isn't plotting to destroy the universe?

"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here." - Al Davis

by Ozraider on Dec 2, 2010 12:28 AM PST reply actions  

Guess you took your head out of your ass after your last blog....

Civilization ends at the waterline, after that we're all part of the food chain, and not always on top...

by Villapiano41 on Dec 2, 2010 2:17 AM PST reply actions  

You

are a fucktard of the first order. Go back to your mom’s basement, sipping on Lonestar beer, using that gargantuan abdomen as a coaster and continue to drool at pictures of Pamela Anderson in Bay Watch reruns while collecting SA.

Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.

by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Dec 2, 2010 3:49 AM PST reply actions  

+1

Success is not measuredby what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds...
-Orison Swett Marden

by NYraider29 on Dec 2, 2010 10:19 AM PST up reply actions  

‎"There is nothing like a wise phrase or quote to help convince others that your decision makes sense." - Anon

"If you're ever in a fair fight, then your tactics suck." ಠ_ಠ

by dubzfan on Dec 2, 2010 2:36 PM PST up reply actions  

who are you talking to loser boy?

check your breath and the woman you are with, see what the results are.

by Al's Wingman on Dec 2, 2010 8:53 PM PST up reply actions  

Well beerbelly driver

I will tell you that your mom cries in my arms every night using that as your special name when she discusses your accomplishments in life so far. Everyone agrees and knows that you are a piece of shit and whatever you say you could never back up. Your all talk and only write things to get some attention to make up for what you can’t get from home even after paying for the corner street crack whores with your SA checks. Lay down, roll over into your vomit from last night and continue with your dream of delusional popularity. Remember to say hello to the guys down at the recycling depot where you take the neighborhood’s empty beer cans.

Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.

by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Dec 3, 2010 5:30 AM PST up reply actions  

i think i just pee'd a lil

and then sharted after reading that. excellent one.

I'll Get Inside Your FACE!

Yes, that me with Lois Griffin...

by VaderBDCRaider on Dec 9, 2010 4:59 PM PST up reply actions  

Again I'll come to Mr Davis' defense

You can’t have it all. When healthy, I’d say our O-line is our only GLARING downfall. By that I mean they aren’t even close to being serviceable by NFL standards. Mr Davis has drafted by need and we’ve needed every position. Just so happens that O-line has been the last to get attention. Could be that he trust his head coach, a supposed O-line guru, can make something out of the dregs he’s been handed. And in the O-line’s defense, they have been consistantly solid at run blocking. I’m sure O-line will be priority this off season. If we keep they identity of run 1st, I don’t think there’s a need to gamble on a QB in the draft.

by golfswithglock on Dec 2, 2010 5:35 AM PST reply actions  

The OL has been a glaring weakness for YEARS

So, while Al may have listened to Cable and thought that it could be made serviceable, it was already a shambles when Cable was brought in. That is a situation that can clearly be laid at Al’s feet.

True, the team has had needs all over, but again, how and why did that happen?

While much progress has been made the last few years, there had been an erosion of talent for longer than that, and there is only one person that has control over the roster. I give Al credit for the influx of talent, but I also know who is to blame for the prior lack of the same…

Failure builds character; success reveals it

by signcut on Dec 2, 2010 7:05 AM PST up reply actions  

Exactly

The line is shit. We have 2 ok guys on the line and I am stretching that I think. Draft, trade and develop. This Bellevue reject just puts out posts that blow with the wind like his mom. He constantly changes his obtuse viewpoints to flow with what he thinks will get a response from people.

Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.

by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Dec 2, 2010 7:44 AM PST up reply actions  

+2

I’d also add that we could probably use 1 or 2 sure handed WR’s to fix that “glaring downfall.”

Don't shoot, I'm a man.

by Rusty23 on Dec 2, 2010 12:44 PM PST up reply actions  

Yes

and has been discussed recently AND previously………………… get rid of that no fucking name obviously useless WR coach. ALL of the WRs cannot suck this bad.

Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.

by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Dec 2, 2010 3:47 PM PST up reply actions  

Most bizarre choice for a coach to ever be on this team.

I mean seriously, if he wasn’t on the Raiders, what other NFL team would sign him as a WR coach? I love our Raiders but most days I alternate between laughing and crying only taking breaks to hope for a better tomorrow.

Don't shoot, I'm a man.

by Rusty23 on Dec 2, 2010 4:57 PM PST up reply actions  

true, OL is the only glaring. it's a dead horse

not much to choose from this past season in FA or the draft for a QB

by Al's Wingman on Dec 2, 2010 8:54 PM PST up reply actions  

Good post.

The QB position is going to be a problem for the forseeable future since I don’t see us drafting a franchise QB in the 2nd rd or later in this upcoming draft and no one worth two shits is going to be available. The idea of improving the offensive line is priority number one. I don’t like how everybody usually assumes an old Raider’s son is always the answer but in this case I agree about Wisnewski. He is better than anything we have at center and I believe unlike Mario, Veldheer is the answer at RT. I am assuming we make finding the best LT available in free agency or via trade the organization’s top priority. I figure Matt Light is not going to be a Pat and Dick Seymour can woo him. Also if healthy maybe Gaither. Also as much as your last post made me think you were a worthless, attention-starved, pacifier sucking fruit cake with an Edipus complex I am rec’ this post. It was weel-done sir.

Trust No One

by TAW on Dec 2, 2010 7:56 AM PST reply actions  

Not tired of being frustrated Welcome to the Raider Nation

HEllo MY Raider Nation.

First let me say excuse the earlier rant.and bad typing. I love my team just sick of watching such a great franchise bite the bullet over and over again due to mediocrity, and lack of talent. Our O line sucks, very few are even worth mentioning in a conversation about quality players on the team. Don’t get me wrong we do have some, we just have way more simple minded, quitters.

Get mad at me if you want to for these comments. We suck, we do not have a front line worth their collective weight in salt. Talent, your talking to me about talent, talent right? You kidding me? I do not keep shelling out my hard earned money for this joke of a squad.
Kiss my A$$, I have been a fan for too long to keep putting up with, as the coach says a work in progress. Hey coach it was a work in progress before you showed up !! It has gotten worse. Blame AL for players on the team all you want (FANS) It is about not doing your part ,members of my team. We the fans pay you to kick butt and take names. Look how you have rewarded US !! YOu call yourself proud to represent this team? I don’t think so, How can you be proud of your efforts. It’s really too bad some of you can’t quit your day jobs.

This is the last comment from me this season so I know you guys will be happy not to read my comments anymore. Fisrt: this is my last season in paying in person to see this crap, I work to hard for the team to be this dissapointing, I thought maybe you guys felt the same way, but that is not the case. Get that paycheck and roll to the club is all your good for. We tried to feed those monster egos with our hard earned dollars, and purchases of products from the company line.(Still the best selling football clothes in the football industry) After eight seasons ( including this one), and this is the best you can do for us? It does not matter where you go as a team you will always have that sticking connotation of being from NIGGERVILLE, California. What I can say it !! I am black after all. just cause you all say it behind close doors at meetings and such. Doesn’t mean it ain’t true. Check the commentary during the game against Miami. Why is it always against Oakland?

Here’s why we lose folks :

PRIDE, first and foremost. I should say lack of pride actually. Mental errors, lack of intensity, quiting on each other in the middle of plays, the philosophy of you do your job I’ll do mine, even though I am not very good at, but the staff likes me so I can collect a check attitude. We can not win games this way,

Four games we lost this year alone,. We can’t protect worth squat. Who cares right now about the quarterback? It does not matter, we can’t protect them for any lenght of time ( a QB only needes 4 seconds to deliver a strike. we can’t protect ours long enough for that , thus another lost game. The lack of discipline and intensity. We are way, too slow at getting off the line when on offense. I wanted to make this replie short and quick , and not nit pick like I did previously, and without so many typing errors.

GOD KNOWS I REALLY LOVE MY RAIDERS, but welcome to the team of frustrated fans. No more home games for me, until we show that we are not a mirage in the desert of California. First time in 15 years, I have sold off my tickets, 15 years people. I’ll be back when the team is done with the SMOKE AND MIRRORS !!

by Mr. Warlock on Dec 2, 2010 10:05 AM PST reply actions  

Personally, we should all stop paying until Al leaves I say.

(Which he won’t.) But, I still need my Raiders calendar :)

by MyKing555 on Dec 2, 2010 10:14 AM PST up reply actions  

Dude, I think we all understand where you are coming from

The last draft we had was good, the whole draft made the team, but that also tells you how bad Al has screwed the pooch in most of the drafts and in free agency the previous seven years and how much help we really needed. That many young guys in major roles are bound to make mistakes in the learning process.
I feel we are closer to being respectable than we’ve been since 2002, but we still need, in this order, O-linemen, wide receivers that can actually catch the ball and run consistent patterns and a real QB.
Campbell may be that guy or he may not, but until we build a O-line that protect him or anyone else and give him the above mentioned receivers we will not know for sure.

JUST DOMINATE BABY !!!

by rambis64 on Dec 2, 2010 10:27 AM PST up reply actions  

Not sure there's a need for the N-word, but ...

It certainly seems to me that the Raiders are purposefully portrayed by every TV camera at home games as hailing from Scary Minorityville, California.

Personally, as I’ve said before, I love the diversity of The Nation (and Cali as a whole), but I’ve always found it odd that the TV camera’s seem to love to show Mr. and Mrs. White America (and their adorable toe-headed, face-painted kids) in the stands at least a few times in every game that happens at every other NFL stadium … but they never go for that in O-town … even though I’ve been to plenty enough games to know there’s plenty of such scenes if one cares to look for them.

Anyways, who cares about that crap anyways. I totally feel where you’re coming from in general, brother.

Too many of my hard-earned bucks spent to go to the Coliseum over the years, way too much frustration, and not enough enjoyment. Too many times of feeling like the Team doesn’t give it their all, like the coaching is a joke, like there’s no real fire or leadership, just dudes out there going through the motions and collecting a check … that I helped pay for.

I feel your pain and frustration, and don’t blame ya one bit for not wanting to come out and spend your cash until ‘the product’ is of a higher quality.

I feel the same way … however, I’m still a Raider fan for life. That will never change.

by Brett J Valjalo on Dec 2, 2010 1:17 PM PST up reply actions  

Thank You

 I am Black I don’t even use the word. Because i don’t want to be called it so I don’t say it.

by Micheal Y on Dec 3, 2010 11:26 AM PST up reply actions  

Good...don't let the door hit you in the ass as you exit....

No fucking excuse for your language. That pretty much sums up your perspective and intellect. Yea…it hasnt gone very well in the last few years, but if its the team you choose, its the team you stay with. But go pout, spew hateful verbiage, take your ball and go fucking home. Don;t forget your asshat, as it fits nice and snug.
Youre just lightweight fecal debris…no more, no less…

Civilization ends at the waterline, after that we're all part of the food chain, and not always on top...

by Villapiano41 on Dec 2, 2010 3:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Warlock

i did not like the N-word commant i live in the south sadly there is hints of raceium in my hometown but more 2 hours nouth that word offend me because of slavely iussies to me black and white everyone shouild be treated equal i been dismanteed against because of my chair no ramps some peopie in my town think i am dumb because of my phical but mentilly i am there i am glad i am in a chair because i have more fight than the ava joe

okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider

by j-man on Dec 2, 2010 5:19 PM PST up reply actions  

J-man, can I say, your presence makes up for the presence of these douchebags

who really don’t even deserve the dignity of our response with such bigotry. We really should pity the fools that haven’t learned to not judge books by their covers: something they should have learned long before reading and writing. Thanks for the wise words, as always.

"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."--John Madden

by brhynno on Dec 2, 2010 6:14 PM PST up reply actions  

np

bry u shouild message me on facebook

okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider

by j-man on Dec 2, 2010 6:45 PM PST up reply actions  

Al is slowly giving up control to Hue and Cable..

Maybe he’ll bring back Gruden and let him work. :)

by MyKing555 on Dec 2, 2010 3:15 PM PST reply actions  

Sad, but more than likely true

Plus someone was saying Gruden is going to coach the Hurricanes. I’d of thought he would go for a pro job, but that Miami gig probably pays better with more autonomy. Certainly more of both than Al would ever give.

JUST DOMINATE BABY !!!

by rambis64 on Dec 2, 2010 11:02 PM PST up reply actions  

your headline doesnt make much sense lol

quit trying to find creative ways to praise al. hes done us wrong for a long time. and will continue to until his dying day. he aint giving up control maybe a little but not much. he did a good job on this draft tho ill throw that in so everyone dont say im being negative lol. saying al did something right is like saying … i got nothing

by goodjobal on Dec 2, 2010 3:46 PM PST reply actions  

Niggerville, Really !!!

Sounds of self loathing, if you ask me !!! You say your black, but from your words, I take it, that’s on the outside ONLY, and that your quite comfortable being That token BLANK, wherever you live !!! I would, & could say more to drop down to your level, WARLOCK !!! But I thank GOD for, Just for today, I’m practicing some spiritual principles !!! Reading this BS from you, really makes me want to say fuck it, plz meet me somewhere, where we could “DISCUSS” your point of view, in person!!! Personally , IMO, your part of the problem today in the U.S., and truely won’t be missed here, or anywhere else, if you went “MIA” !!!

by papabegood on Dec 3, 2010 6:51 PM PST reply actions  

+1

Civilization ends at the waterline, after that we're all part of the food chain, and not always on top...

by Villapiano41 on Dec 4, 2010 7:53 AM PST up reply actions  

I dont care

 If your black, white, asian, hispanic, polynesian, mediterrainian, or alien. You say nigger, your just a fucking moron,.. Even saying Nigga is stupid and everyone needs to quit that too. Grow up and get a friggin MIND. Lets stop all the racist BS.. People Like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson keep fueling this shit. They work hard to keep blacks and whites segragated, because by keeping this racial tension alive, they have power, if racism is gone, they have no power.. They have nothing.. We are all the same, we eat, we shit, we sleep, we love football, what the hell more do you need to know?

by Jim Koontz on Dec 9, 2010 8:59 PM PST reply actions  

and for the record

I aint white or black, I’m a mix of more than I can even list.. I am a mutt of many nations. But I’m AMERICAN, not African american. not italian american, not mexdican american, I am just AMERICAN.

by Jim Koontz on Dec 9, 2010 9:01 PM PST up reply actions  

There are only two breeds - pure Raider and Barbarian

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"We had to get back to who we are, and that's physical and smash-mouth." - Robert Gallery 12/5/2010

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 9, 2010 9:12 PM PST up reply actions  

actually

I believe Pure Raider and Barbarian are the same.. the breeds are

 Pure Raider Barbarian, and DUMB ASS HATER

by Jim Koontz on Dec 9, 2010 9:23 PM PST up reply actions  

The word has taken on romantic connotations but the Barbarian was originally the one outside the civilized Nation

whose mind was benighted and whose speech sounded like, ‘barbarbarbar’

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"We had to get back to who we are, and that's physical and smash-mouth." - Robert Gallery 12/5/2010

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 9, 2010 9:32 PM PST up reply actions  

yes,

I am very familiar with the origin of the term, Though being as we are in the 21st century, and The term barbarian means more along the lines of Fierce, Warrior, Outsiders in an otherwise civilized, domesticated group. The NFL is full of “Civilized, Domesticated” teams, where as the Riader Nation are outsiders, uncivilized, wild, Fierce. ;-) Ok, I guess I’ve spread the compost pile thick enough… Enjoy your night..

by Jim Koontz on Dec 9, 2010 9:54 PM PST reply actions  

I hear you, and I'm all for fierce and warrior ... even outsider, depending on what the inside is all about

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"We had to get back to who we are, and that's physical and smash-mouth." - Robert Gallery 12/5/2010

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 9, 2010 10:06 PM PST up reply actions  

I think we are

Finally getting back to the OLD RAIDERS, The days when the Raiders where FEARED. With guys like Richard “LL COOL J” Seymour, if he aint sackin your QB, he’s punchin him in the face, I like the look of our team today.. BTW, If you don’t understand the LL COOL J Reference, your prolly too young, or not cool. SO, I’ll splain it, if I have to.. Just ask..

by Jim Koontz on Dec 10, 2010 10:18 AM PST reply actions  

Don't bother, he's a rapper out of NY built like a RB

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"We had to get back to who we are, and that's physical and smash-mouth." - Robert Gallery 12/5/2010

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 10, 2010 10:45 AM PST up reply actions  

MOMMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT!

by Jim Koontz on Dec 10, 2010 2:10 PM PST reply actions  

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