From the pit of Hell: The Nation thinks its way out
by Sons-of-Blanda on May 8, 2010 7:34 AM PDT
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PrintLast season, the Raiders proved to themselves what most of the world already knew, that a mindless body - no matter how awesome that body (acting collectively like a herd or individually) hasn't a chance in hell for success in today's NFL.
The darkest night or bottom of the pit (choose your metaphor) came to Oakland during week 7 against the NYJets on a perfect day in October, 70 degrees, sunny sky, slight breeze, homefield, grass, before 39,354 witnesses. With 5:51 remaining before halftime, the Jets went up 21-0 by scoring their 3rd rushing touchdown. The volume of "Boos" coming from tens of thousands was an experience I'll never forget. We could not stop the run, our offense was nothing short of ridiculous. Our O-line, decimated by injury in the prior two weeks, was without the services of Robert Gallery, Langston Walker and Cornell Green. Jamarcus Russell had completed 6 of 11 passes (not counting two completions to Jets DBs Revis and Leonhard) - his QB rating that day was an unheard of 31.1. We played that half like mindless brutes. Poor tackling and blocking, horrendous ball security (JaRusse and Grad each fumbling once) and, most of all, mindlessness in every facet of the game, including play calling and total lack of imagination and execution on defense.
October 25, 2009 was "rock bottom" for the Raiders - the worst home game defeat in our franchise history.
After that humiliation, the fan base went ballistic in what could be described as a paradigm shift. The outcry against Cable's ZBS O-line, JaRussell's ineptitudes (cf. Grad had a QB rating of 67.2 behind that same o-line after Russell was benched) and the tragically comic rush defense that allowed 316 Jet rushing yards off 54 carries, was only a continuation of the irate booing and cursing heard at the coliseum that day. Blog sites ran posts, articles and fanshots expressing their assessments. Suddenly, all players, coaches, owner, CEOs, the whole organization was examined with merciless scrutiny. Nobody was exempt, John Marshall's timidness, Kirk Morrison's cluelessness, Tom Cable's buffoonery, Al Davis' draft choices, Amy Trask's responsibility for possibly feminizing the team, as well as the obviously poor performers on the team.
So much ink and vociferation came out of the Nation in late October and into November that many now, in retrospect, conclude that we, the Nation, were the agents of change, the catalyst, that brought about the radical change over the past 7 months.
While I salute Al Davis, Tom Cable, Hue Jackson, Mike Waufle, Amy Trask, and the others responsible for cleaning out the rotten fruit and bringing in the good, I also acknowledge the part played by the loyal and passionate Raider fan base, The Nation, who kept their minds engaged and analyzed the Raiders out of the pit well before our leaders did.
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I agree SoB
If it wasn’t for us blog writers and the fans, this team might still be in the pits of hell. Couldn’t have said it any better than that.
Don't Trade Nnamdi Idiots!!!
Bring Back Bruce!!!
I definitely think I had some pretty hard hitting comments that the official Raider board trawlers would have taken note of.
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'
thanks man
;)
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'
You know Al Davis reads SBaP on a daily basis
Bueller? Bueller?
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
I feel obliged to comment on this thread
if for no other reason than it is NOT a JaMarcus thread. He plays a part, but at least a small part. Indeed it was a low day in Raider history. Who could have imagined on that day that a few weeks later the Raiders would beat Pittsburgh, the best day of the season which indeed was a long season. Who knows what might have happened if the Raiders had put Gradkowski in early in the season? I guess looking back he would just have been injured earlier.
I really do see a 7-9 or 8-8 season for us
We have a good running game, a top 5 TE, a really good draft(plus additions of Kamerion Wimbley, Quentin Groves, and Jason Campbell) and everybody on the team has another year of experience notched in their belt. I see great things coming out of Oakland!!
Fear is the Mind Killer
While we are on the topic of Raiders Offensive Linemen-
Anybody see Campbell actually sticking at Guard??
Maybe this is just a ploy to get him NFL reps ASAP?
I understand putting Campbell at RG gives him reps with the second team. If he was to play OT, he would be buried on the depth chart at this time. Cable said he wants to give Campbell all the reps he can get regardless where he lines up. So lining him up at RG gives Campbell a lot of work.
by Captain Chaos on May 10, 2010 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
No one analyzed anything
including you SoB. Just a lot of complaining and incorrect assumptions. The Raider Nation has no thinkers and no one has climbed out of any pit as of yet, just different players who need to show something.
why no pie chart to support your isolated stance?
What?
If not for the lack of analysis by fans who care about their team, I suppose then we should now all feel saddened by the release of our former #1 pick, the great JaMarcus Russell. We must be insane to boo at the team we love as if it is an act of insubordination. Never mind the fact that last year’s team couldn’t run, pass or let alone score near the league average and had such a porous defense that we just traded our middle linebacker and replaced him with a player who has no NFL experience.
Oh, I forgot my pie chart to remind me what dog poop smells like. All I had to do was watch my favorite team since 1970 play at a level of incompetence that I had nothing to relate it to for the past 7 seasons. Come on, this team doesn’t have too many outlets where opinions can be expressed. Saint has done a great job of getting this one going and while we may not all agree about the factors that plagued this team, we can mostly agree that the team, led by Cable and staff have made what critics can claim to be a serious effort to improve the state of the team.
I would like to know which incorrect assumptions were made? Furthermore, so what? We’re just fans who care about our team. I frankly think Cable deserves credit for not being another Davis “yes man” and having the courage to help this team persevere through some tough times. It’s funny but Lane Kiffin once said that a coach’s 3rd season is the one that will determine if his program is making a difference. While Cable is not exactly starting his 3rd season, he has been around enough to have most observers believe that this team may actually make a significant upgrade in their performance.
"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King
by Gerard on May 8, 2010 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
where's the pie chart?
If it was up your ass you’d know it.
by golfswithglock on May 11, 2010 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Fans
I think the lack of fans in the stands late last season spoke volumes. You do not need any charts to support that finding.
by Mallard Davis on May 8, 2010 1:33 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
More than just the addition of talented players...
I think the thing that will get this team back to winning is a new attitude.we caught glimpse’s of it last year when Russell was benched and Grad took over.they will be going into games this year knowing they have a chance to win,not just hoping they don’t lose.that kind of thing can make a huge difference in how someone plays,yes there are guys that play hard on every down and may even dominate at times,but add that little spark of a winning attitude and there production may increase two fold.
That Attitude Change Has Been Building For 2 Seasons now....It Takes Time To Change
Some just now started to wake up and see it because their too focused on the scores n stats instead of the players on the field….If they fight to the last tick of the clock win or lose they had heart and their heads were in the game…Piss poor Schemes n Gameplans without the slightest Adjustments at half or 4th quarter are NOT the responsibility of the players…Al has now addressed that issue so we wait to see if it can take us to the next step….
Yea!!
RAIDERS!!! RAIDERS!!!! Let’s Do This!
Poetic
But really, the Raiders had to start doing things right eventually. 7 years of losing and high round draft picks to show for it, better eventually amount to something. Was it the fans’ analysis or collectively screaming for Al to finally get his s**t together?
I agree!
yes,that winning attitude was started a couple of years ago,and it does take time to build that in a team.with all of the coaching up grades.Jackson and Whauffel,and the addition of high caliber,high character players that attitude will come to the for front this year.
I'm proud of the progress we are FINALLY making in improving our team....
…but I still think we have a ways to go before we’re completely out of the pit. I don’t think we can fully climb out of a 7 year hell in only 1 year of progress. I think a lot of our FA signings will make a big difference in keeping us in games, and I think we can finally start beating teams we’re supposed to beat, but in my 20 years of being a Raiders fan, I’ve learned that Al Davis can destroy a good team just as fast as he can build one. I’ll just take it one day at a time before I start saying that we finally made it. I’m hoping for the best, but I’ll expect the worse….
I guess the last 7 years has me jaded, but if by next season, Al keeps relying on his coaches and staff, and continues to make smart decisions concerning our team, I’ll be more inclined to get hella excited at the slightest signs of progress…..
This year will be one for the ages though. This is the best I’ve felt since Rich Gannon threw his first interception in the 2003 Super Bowl.
I understand and feel that way myself
This is the best I’ve felt since Rich Gannon threw his first interception in the 2003 Super Bowl.
Completely true, except for me, I would pinpoint to Super Bowl morning
and I heard a certain Center for the Raiders may be missing and not available for the game. There was still hope, but the clouds were rolling in.
I don’t have those dark clouds now, finally. The Raiders had a great draft and made solid moves. They may not make the playoffs this year, but the tide is changing. They are bringing in people that I fully expect will build a foundation of winning. It is a great feeling.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 10, 2010 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember October 25. I was sooo upset after that game, I pretty much gave up all hope.
But, Oakland has really turned it around. I’m proud of us all. We’ve stuck together through the tough times, and we shall soon rise to the top. Maybe, just maybe, we can act cocky towards a NE fan without being being proved wrong the following week. Go Raiders!
A recent interview with Nnamdi
On ESPN’s 1st take almost make me tear up. I guess Mr. Davis himself reached out to nnamdi and told him that we need to win now because he doesn’t know how much longer he’s got. This is a great column as always SOB and I don’t mean to discount it. But Mr Davis doesn’t give a damn what anybody thinks. The draft and off-season moves show his dedication to right the ship for his eyes to see.
by golfswithglock on May 11, 2010 10:11 AM PDT reply actions
the blogging is great and i enjoy the threads but dont be so delusional, Al does not read your blogs and could give a flying F*&^ what you think or anyone else for that matter, get real boys new life will be breathed into this franchise after Al takes his last. One decent draft in ten years doesnt turn a franchise around , we waited to address real needs in the third and fourth rounds and still wasted picks on the fastest DB and receiver in the draft once more, some things never change at least he waited till later in the draft to pick guys who will never make it in the league but they sure are fast, no production in college but great 40 times
You're naive if you believe a CEO like Trask hasn't assigned an assistant to monitor the fanbase - or she performs the task
Also, coaches and players read this blog too.
by Sons-of-Blanda on May 11, 2010 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree. Amy Trask's phone was ringing off the hook with fans screaming for the entire front office to be replaced for the longest time.
Of course they pay attention to what the fans have to say. Whether it impacts their decisions is another story but this year does seem to be Al’s swan song.
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