Official Announcement: Sons of Blanda Has Agreed To Be An Author on Silver and Black Pride:
by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Feb 7, 2010 1:53 PM PST
68 comments
For those of you that have enjoyed his discourse and especially those of us who have enjoyed his company, in person, I am sure that you will agree that he is as passionate about the Oakland Raiders as anyone you have met.
It is with great honor and pride that I welcome him into the fold and I am sure that I am with all of you in waiting, with near baited breath, to see how he develops as a writer and contributor in our Community.
I know that anything in life that he chooses to embrace, he envelopes himself in, and we are quite fortunate to have that passion on board as we grow as a Community throughout the years.
Welcome Sons of Blanda, now get to work and write something!!! ;)
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Welcome
This should be fun.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Feb 7, 2010 2:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I realized that you were not on the bottom:
So now there you are, Rated R is a Blog Star!!! Woo-Hooo!!! ;)
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 Feb 7, 2010 2:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome
Thanks, I appreciate it.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Feb 7, 2010 2:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, lol the bastard probably planned it since the beginning to get promoted. He is good, had me fooled...lol
But by all means Congrats! Long live The Raider Nation!
The RaiderLaker
by Raider9 on Feb 7, 2010 2:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I hate when people say
Haha lol, Its like, How much can you laguh?
BR3AKF4 St 0N CR4ACK
by Remix. on Feb 7, 2010 2:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Dont apologize dude!
Its no biggy, Im just saivng you from future akward moments.haha
BR3AKF4 St 0N CR4ACK
by Remix. on Feb 7, 2010 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thought u were serious... I was getting worked up...disregard my other post ,its untrue i dont hate that.
The RaiderLaker
by Raider9 on Feb 7, 2010 2:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I hate it when people miss-spell its laugh not laguh, its like, ewwww.
The RaiderLaker
by Raider9 on Feb 7, 2010 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I love it!
RRS and SOB, Two great writers are finally getting their well deserved “Author” status
BR3AKF4 St 0N CR4ACK
by Remix. on Feb 7, 2010 2:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Here here! To RRS, as well, although I always regarded him as an author
I never really looked at the bottom of the page, and rather, have formed my opinions over time. But congrats are in effect, nonetheless!
"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 Feb 8, 2010 12:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome back sons :)
You have been a vital member of this blog which has become a major part of my day (a bit sad i admit) and I am looking forward to disagreeing with many of your posts in the future :D
GO RAAAAAIIIIDDDEEERRRRSSSS!!!!!
"Mel Kiper has his opinion and I respect it. But what does it mean? My 9-year-old nephew can watch film and make an opinion. I think I value the opinion of scouts who get paid to make their opinions. It will carry me through my career. It will serve as motivation for me." - Mike Mitchell
"I'll be the guy on top of the Quarterback" - Richard Seymour
Here they come baby, Just win baby, Feel the storm of the cold autum wind baby
Its the Oakland Raiders, Get your mouthpiece
You in the black hole, With the black beast! - Ice Cube 'Raider Nation'
by Ozraider on Feb 7, 2010 3:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Is this your way of apologizing to him, Saint?
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 7, 2010 4:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
think this is a huge misunderstanding of what took place, Mike
I agree that transparency and communication improvement can make this site better, and should be a major focus from here on out. I believe what has transpired has opened the lines of communication where they were perhaps either blocked, stifled, or somehow obfuscated by a number of things, for whatever reasons.
The bottom line is, I look forward to the day many other deserving writers, including yourself—should you express the interest—deserve authorship status, whether they wear the title, or even remotely possess the desire to do so. It would pain me equally to see even the least contributor leave, for whatever reason, especially if it were for something grossly misunderstood. I think even SOB would admit that he has a propensity to respond in ways that do not best represent his abilities, and like the rest of us, is striving to become a better communicator, writer, and person in that respect.
Once again, your frank point of view is among the most important here, and is largely appreciated by all; when you said I am the only one who defends your position, you could not be more wrong. We all appreciate it in our own way, and no one can make an argument I’d agree with that sabp would be the same without your presence.
Hope you can see the replay of the game; it was an awesome one! Love to see another team added to the list of Lombardi recipients; the league is better because, and it is a great victory for the city of New Orleans.
If I have learned one thing about Sons, is that he’d never coax or ask anyone to speak on his behalf; quite the contrary: he would only want for us all to respond in a passionate, well-thought out way, on any subject, and this absolutely includes your point of view here.
"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 Feb 8, 2010 11:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
no
I don’t ever want to be an author on this site. I had zero desire before and even less now. It’s turning into political bull and things aren’t handled right. And I don’t think it’ll ever change. So I’m quite fine just being a normal user.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 4:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
it's much easier
like being just a student. I love the freedom of being just a student.
by Spirals galore on Feb 8, 2010 5:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It has nothing to do with freedom.
It has to do with trust of my posts actually remaining in tact and on the site. You’ll forgive me if I find that trust lacking lately.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 6:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
OH MY GAWD!!! Give it a rest!!!
And you criticized Sons for acting like a baby…
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 Feb 8, 2010 6:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I answered a comment
I didn’t run away. What is there being a baby about here? I just mention what happened. I didn’t make it happen.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 6:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hence, the reason, I said should you ( should've said one, instead), but my point is the site wouldn't be the same without your presence
I’ve never been big on titles, and not sure I’d have time to accept any responsibilities that might come from wearing one here. Just pointing out that we are one voice, and enhance each other’s perspectives in many ways. By bringing different perspectives; by calling bs when it’s clearly bs; by agreeing in large part by most of the posters bringing it with substantial, backed up perspectives—we come to a greater understanding of the current situation we’re in.
As it is, I find that a much better was of uncovering the facts than taking the collective media’s word for it.
"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 Feb 8, 2010 6:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Getting closer to the truth - and thereby helping the Raiders - is what the debate or
argument here does … besides providing amusement. I agree with you. We are reaching a closer consensus about a number of things and that consensus is coming about in the best possible way – by insight brought about by communal discourse and a willingness to surrender one’s opinion when a better one is provided.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Feb 8, 2010 8:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It is our Oakland Raider Senate
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 Feb 8, 2010 8:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
much better way, that is.
"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 Feb 8, 2010 6:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Gentlemen and Lady(s)
At this moment, words fail me. I don’t believe it’s the ‘writers’ block’ though and expect normality soon. For now, I simply thank you all for your warm endorsement and for your contributions to this forum that concerns everything related to (and for the greater glory of) the Oakland Raiders.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Feb 7, 2010 8:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I must say
this whole situation was handled badly on both sides. I have lost some repsect for you, Sons-of-Blanda. The fact that you would resort to 5 year old mentality over this instead of being diplomatic and trying to get to the bottom of the problem by e-mailing someone and investigating (as Sprirals did on your behalf. I hope on your behalf and not because you asked her to. That would make it even moer sad) saddens me as both a member of this blog (which I’m sure I won’t be long after this post) and a member of the Raider Nation. A person of your seemingly intelligence and also an educator of young minds should be a little more mature in a situaiton like this. If I was your student and saw how this was handled I do think I would seriously consider dropping your class or at the very least avoid taking a class by you again. Your post really shouldn’t have been promoted to front page in my opinion any way. It was fine in fanposts for us to debate over but no significant football or Raiders news per se. And then to liken yourself to a rape victim over something trivial like this was one of the most crude and offensive comments I’ve read in quite some time.
Saint, if this blog is as big and important as you believe it is, then you sure are not treating it as such. To change a heading of someone’s post without asking them to clarify before you do the change or to remove a post without explaining would have caused less debate and heartache. Then to promoting someone to author status out of guilt should make Raider-R-Superstart and KAIZ3R feel a little cheap. Especially when someone like brhynno took the time to ask permission, get the questions, contact Rich Gannon, send the questions, and then posts them.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 7, 2010 10:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Sorry to hear you're taking the game tonight so badly - I was pulling for the Sainst myself
and am enjoying a better humor. As for the particulars of your thoughtful rant, I probably did act as some might consider a child would act if he discovered that something he treasured was taken from him unjustly; and like a child might also feel powerless when the very means of expression through language is withdrawn, e.g. by a tonsillectomy. I believe in free-speech and hate all forms of censorship of ideas – not only my own. So, on that principle and the belief that it had been violated – I reacted passionately.
I did not ask Spirals to do anything; in fact, I encouraged her to do the same thing that I had chosen to do – withdraw. But, she is her own person and very strong willed.
I could stop here and let Saint answer your allegations concerning him; I will only say that he had already been considering me for authorship well before the events of the last 3 days.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Feb 8, 2010 12:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't take the game badly.
I didn’t even watch it. I slept cuz I work 3rd shift. I don’t mind when people speak their minds. You know that by seeing what I comment and post. And I believe in free speech too. However, if this blog is so important as Saint belives it is, then a certan level of tact should be used since we are representing this blog as well as the Raider Nation. You acted like the people from other team sites do when they come here and we blast them for it. How does that look towards the Nation and the blog. Especially when the majority of the people that make a post take the time to think it out and make intelligent comments. Then you come and in 4 or 5 different posts complained about your post being meddled with. We got the point. Then made a post crying about and saying you’ll pack your bags and leave. When what you should have done, especially if being considered for authorship, is talk to an editor about it. Though had Saint actually communicated, maybe he needs to take a class, none of this would have happened. His actions need to back his words.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 12:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Also
running away from a problem never fixes anything. You wouldn’t tell your students to ignore something and play ostrich would you?
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 12:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Blanda is not the teacher--I am
by Spirals galore on Feb 8, 2010 12:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he meant I'm an informal teacher who gently guides and corrects those he meats
It is a burden sometimes but “not heavy if carried well” as Seneca used to say.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Feb 8, 2010 12:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How does one "meat" one's students?
by Spirals galore on Feb 8, 2010 12:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought I remember saying you taught a course
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 12:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Used to teach karate
I go to Spiral’s Attic Greek course, as a student, but that’s it these days. When she’s teaching Latin (Sat.) I have something to read; recently it’s Performance Riding Techniques by Ibbott.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Feb 8, 2010 12:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
well my fault then
I misread one of your comments a while back, but I still stand by my point that if this site is what Saints believes it to be things need to change. Tact needs to be used and transparency must be a staple. We’ve all spent way to much time getting off track debating things that should never ever have been. And if things happen then proper communication needs to happen. We can’t all go running away crying about things. That won’t get anything done and it makes it seem like this is an internet kindergarten. Communication is key to life and this blog, whether we admit it or not, is part of our life because the Raiders are part ouf our life.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 12:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Aren't you making a big deal out of something
yourself?
I’m not seeing the sense or need for your own little lecture.
by xville on Feb 8, 2010 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well if you can defend Rusell all the time
I can make a lecture. So go away.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 4:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
by that reasoning, I can have another beer
by Sons-of-Blanda on Feb 8, 2010 8:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
MMMMM...Beer!!!
I’m way too hung over to drink today…I’m on Gatorade and H2O
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 Feb 8, 2010 8:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You see, even you
can cry.
As a sensitive man myself, I know the power and solace that this can bring.
Now just borrow those tissues you handed to Sons-of-Blanda earlier, and I’ll tell you the story of a misunderstood player by the name of Rickey Dudley.
by xville on Feb 9, 2010 4:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Blanda taught me how to throw a football
but at halftime today I sucked.
by Spirals galore on Feb 8, 2010 12:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Untrue, you learned last summer and were dubbed "Spirals"
at the class reunion. I insist on accuracy, both on the practice field and on this site.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Feb 8, 2010 1:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Those photos and breakdowns by what goes through the rider's heads are amazing.
It has me wanting to get the book, even though I don’t ride a bike anymore!
"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 Feb 8, 2010 12:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that it could have been handled better on both sides, but let me add
that you resort to speculation which is based on other people’s speculations about Blanda and Saint. If I had found your email anywhere on the web—and believe me, I spent two hours doing it—I would have emailed you as well, because I believe communication is the only way to prevent, neutralize, or in the worst case, minimize miscommunications.
While I think Blanda overreacted with with his “Why I am Leaving This Blog” post, he was planning to change it to “Why I left and why I am returning.” The reason why he didn’t do it immediately was complex, and one of the factors was that Blanda wanted to develop and refine the demographics post before “returning.” Brhynno, who visited us on Friday, Blanda and I discussed ways to develop and clarify the demographics post, as well as the other issues with the blog, the perennial Raiders themes (coaching, JR etc.) Then the infamous post was removed and I took energetic action. I can’t stand unresolved conflicts, especially when they stem from poor communication.
As for teachers who handled things badly—you know Blanda is not a professional teacher right? I, on the other hand, am—and can tell you plenty of stories to tell you. (Funny, I despised teachers as I was going through school and got mighty pissed at my physics teacher, an arch enemy, when he said that I had a knack for it.) Being a student is a piece of cake. Teachers do blow up—very often it is student-induced (for example, some students start behaving aggressively when they feel inadequate), and it’s not an easy thing to apologize afterwards. I do apologize when it happens, b/c even though in most cases it is the result of student peevishness, I am the one in a position of power and feel it is my responsibility to keep the classroom peaceful and productive.
by Spirals galore on Feb 8, 2010 12:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought I remember him saying he taught a course in Latin or somethign
and you taught a course in Greek History. My email isn’t on the site for a reason. I don’t like unsolicited e-mail and I’m not an adminstrator and have no reason deal with administration problems. I do mind people that can’t handle conflicts well and run away from them. Especially people who have above average intelligence. Plus, there was no reason to even put why he was leaving the blog post up. If he had a problem then it should have been handled behind scenese like you attempted to do. Then to change it to why he’s returning, well who cares? This blog is for us all about the Raiders not about 1 person. One guy did mention he was leaving for personal problems, to which we all wished him well. And when he returned we welcomed him back. He was just saying farewell. He didn’t make it sound like it was the end of the world and we should all beg for him to return.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 12:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
yes, mis-takes happen
But what exactly makes you think Blanda was expecting people to beg him to return?
by Spirals galore on Feb 8, 2010 12:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There is no perfection in this World:
When I began writing, almost 10 years ago, I used to get very upset when someone criticisized me or my work. Now, I really don’t care. I do the best that I can, and I know that I do a pretty damn good job. Of course there are things to be learned every day as this medium and this community as a whole grows.
I promoted Blanda because he is a passionate writer and I have met him myself. I feel like it was a good choice. You can disgree with it all you want, or applaud it, that is your right, BUT, it had nothing to do with his “Leaving This Blog” post.
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 Feb 8, 2010 3:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I see.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Feb 8, 2010 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No wonder he's always cranky...I smell envy...back to homework now...
The RaiderLaker
by JaggerJaw on Feb 8, 2010 12:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hooded skull, what is the hw you're working on?
by Spirals galore on Feb 8, 2010 12:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Food and Nutrition packet due tomorrow, im a busy bee, but its actually very easy...
The RaiderLaker
by JaggerJaw on Feb 8, 2010 12:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And like the dummy that I am I just started it today...lol
The RaiderLaker
by JaggerJaw on Feb 8, 2010 12:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I am also a procrastinator
especially when I have to grade
by Spirals galore on Feb 8, 2010 12:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
"One of Us, One of Us..."
;=8)
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Feb 8, 2010 9:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
This is good news, I love opinionated contributers.
It’s good to see there can be a happy conclusion as lots of insight will be needed as we go into yet another pivitol offseason (please Raiders, get it right this year). Without a 1st rd pick next year, this year’s draft is going to need to be a home run. We do have extra picks w the Burgess trade, and hopefully some of the young guys will step up.
Woohoo, I get to look forward to another 7-6 season ("at best") in 2010! There's nothing like going to Idaho for a bowl game.
by S Jay Bruin on Feb 8, 2010 10:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
after all that...
all i can say is welcome onboard
by bojackson34 on Feb 8, 2010 3:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm Glad
That uis a good choice, it is obvious this iste recognizes its contributors, and SOB is a great choice for writer, now WHERE IS THE ARTICLES???
by B.A.Armstrong on Feb 8, 2010 4:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Congrats SOB
Now convince everyone we need Rolando McClain
by rambis64 on Feb 10, 2010 11:25 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Ultimately one has to watch Rolando play and make their own assessment
Here’s what his school has to say about him
here’s what Walter has to say about him
Pro Scout McGuire on his strengths:
- Strengths: Huge frame for ILB
- Very long arms
- Good level of production
- Comfortable in coverage
- Excellent tackling technique
- Stacks and sheds blocks well
- Very good pass rusher
- Love his timing on blitzes
- Nice agility; smooth change of direction
- Highly experienced
- Takes good angles to the ball
- Stays in control
- Nice versatility especially in 3-4 defense
- Vocal leader
- Intelligent
- Very young prospect (20 years old)
- Doesn’t take plays off
- Outstanding instincts
- Well versed in 3-4 defense
And on his negatives: - Unimpressive speed
- Overpursues against run
- Questionable 4-3 inside linebacker
- Average sideline-sideline range
- Good, but not an exceptional athlete
- Could be exposed in man scheme
- Doesn’t have huge upside
- A little uncomfortable in space
by Sons-of-Blanda on Feb 10, 2010 1:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
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