This Winning Thing Is Neat

Except for 2-3 plays, the guy has been a leader in the huddle so far and I always see him in on tackles at the LOS.

But DMC excites me the most, FINALLY he shows he can truly be a boss

We know McFadden can be good. We Know Grad can run the offense. What we didnt know was if DHB would ever develop. This was a big step forward.

You know, I’m giving Ro a pass for that tackle. It’s the NFL, what was he supposed to do? Set him down gently? No. He slung that fucker clear over his head ‘cause that’s what we do!

That Rams team was tough; I’ll take nothing away from them. I’m giving Rolando a break on that one. That’s what it looks like when a huge guy like Ro tackles a little guy like Amendola and Ro needs to pull him down with a suplex style wrestling move. I’m not surprised it gets called in today’s game. If I’m his coach, I don’t tell him to change a thing.

I’ve backed DHB all along! We KNEW he was a developmental guy, and while his high pick comes with very high expectations, I’ll keep most of them for when they’re appropriate. He’s a strong, young, young guy! Watch his press conference following the game—he looks like a little kid! Not in stature when he’s suited up, and just think how good he’ll be as he becomes a real NFL man! I almost cried when we didn’t take Crabtree, but have come to love that we got DHB instead of Gucci boy holdout, and stand by that.

Thomas Howard: The guy has a limited role as the nickel backer. It is a role he seems perfectly suited for. What impresses me most with Howard though is his attitude. It would’ve been easy for him to pout and give up on this team, but he is playing with passion and intensity.

and there were those among you who said trade him! I told you all we’d have a time and place for Howard, and that he’d step up to the plate when that time and place called for him to do so… Nuff said.

I love how we’re utilizing the strengths of our guys on defense! Tyvon worries me in coverage too, but I suspect when he can focus his game on that aspect, and not cleaning up after the front seven trash like most of his last year, he’ll come around. I’ll be pleased to see a healthy rotation of all our safeties against the right guys in the right situations, and on special teams.

That’s right! Special teams looked special! I knew a lot of that talent we acquired in the offseason would eventually show up. The alarming thing was, Pittsburgh sure made Tennessee look like a different team at home. I’ll leave water under the bridge under the bridge, so long as we keep seeing this team grow.

Arizona is looking like an entirely different team, too, so this is another great chance for a W. Let’s hope we bring it, and establish a road identity again.

Nice writeup, noon, and GOOOO RRRAAAAAIIIIDDDEEERRRRSSSSS

I’ll let DMac show the nation what a beast he is a few more times before I say I told you so…

I’m gonna take it easy on Coop, too, and the O line, since Grads seems able to make them look at least competent. No danger of any pro bowlers happening there, but I’ll take it for now. Grads is a no-brainer for next game, and I think Cable hinted towards that already (according to a JMac tweet, anyways).

Just haven’t seen that level of play out of this guy. I’ve been frustrated with him being seemingly being taken down to easy in past seasons, but yesterday he was punishing guys. He was bringing it and running hard with every play. As disappointing as he’s been in the past, you could tell there was still something there. I hope this goes a long way to him becoming the elite back he has the potential to be.

The O-Line still stinks, but with Bruce making quick reads and passes the line was able to mask some of their weaknesses, but you have to give it up for their ability to run the ball.

Damn if I’d love to eat my words on this guy, but DHB finally showed he belongs on the field. Much like McFadden, the guy was showing some confidence out there. The guy can be a beast with the ball, if he can bring it in consistantly he might just turn into the real deal. (Keep it going DHB).

The run D was really frustrating in the first half, but they finally started to key on Jackson and shut him down. After that stopping the Rams seems to be much easier. Still need to eliminate some of the mental gaffes, but good showing against a decent run offense (and an elite back). As a Raider fan I loved McClain’s hit, but it could have contributed to blowing the game. I’m glad he made his presense felt, as Rusty said earlier, I think Jackson was a little wary after it. Hopefully more receivers witness McClain’s toughness in the middle when the run in the middle of the field. Overall I want to see them play smarter, while maintaining a level of toughness.

I think the Raiders finally showed how physical they can be and were the better team on the field when it was said and done. Some mistakes down the stretch made a comfy lead into a close game, but thanks the Bruce & co. they made some clutch first downs to get it done.

Special shout out to those of you who have been banging the drum for Gradkowski, as I think I fell into the trap of conventional wisdom with our QB situation. The tape is pretty clear at this point though that Bruce gives us the best chance to win and move the football. Whenever he’s been given a shot, he’s shined. I don’t want to get to high on this win due to the team we beat, but for this team a win is a win and hopefully there will be many more this season.

As for best hit of the day – no question – San Quentin’s hit in the 3rd qtr shook the house, Gilyard needed assistance finding the bench.

when he got in the whole tempo of the game changed.

I voted D-Mac. He became an explosive weapon for our offense. Throughout his couple years here, he was being bashed in for not being the 4th pick for us.

I clap my hands to you DMac. You are making us proud. :)

I’m pretty sure you’re not smoking anything since you seem like a generic fellow (and I mean that in an unflattering kind of way). It’s good Stanford Routt looked competent against the Rams but they don’t have a lot of threats in their offense. A rookie is going to make rookie throws. Clayton is still new to their team. You are really digging deep if you need something to cheer about. Let’s see how he does against better receivers. We already know he could not handle the Titans guys.

Then there is your obligatory virtual high five shout out which paints noontide as a chiuaua leg humper.

I’m still not sure what the run defense did differently in the second half to change things around. We were joking during the first half that Jackson was going to go for 200 yards. It was like a whole different game in the second half on both sides of the ball.
You guys were right about Gradkowski he gets the ball off much quicker than JC, hard to sack when he gets rid of the ball so quickly.
DMC and DHB both looked like first round draft picks. I believe that DHB will be a really good player, he looked strong and fast, like he has been really working at it, trying to get better.
DMC looked like Marcus Allen in his prime, nuff said.
We even got good calls from the refs, it was like backwards day.

is waking up, and bringing em down.

McFaddy is looking good, and we’re looking like we know how to use him.

We should look into a more involved quarterback rotation and adjustment strategy going forward.

Has got to instill more confidence towards next week, yes?

i woulda said grad but iexpect him to lead us when he is he b/c he has shown thats what he does i l love dmac but i expect him to perform b/c not only is he a high draft pick he proved ALTHOUGH it might of been only 1 game he could run in the nfl as a rookie to me dhb did what a wr is suppose to catch a few balls the run d was my choice mainly cuz i thought we might still be feeling the effect of the titans game but the most impressive thing to me was the cable guy makin the half time switch from jc to grad

finally living up to his potential this year

I don’t give a damn if it’s the only second game of the season .. When’s the last time we’ve had a RB in the top 5 at any point in the last seven years? This is why DMac got my vote. Gradkowski really does have that spark. It shows on the field. It even made our defense play better.

While Veldheer was beaten a few times, he stuck with his man. He didn’t give up the easy play like we’ve seen Henderson do so many times. I remember seeing Veldheer getting blown up on a play, land on his knees, and still have the stregnth to knock the defender out of the play. Henderson would have simply given up. I think Veldheer needs some time, but he’s shown enough in my opinion to start over Henderson. He looks like he’ll be at least above average one day. And I’ll take above average any day with this line.

It’s funny cause I swear I didn’t have that mich to drink till I got home! Winning sure couldn’t cure my raging hangover! I hope we can steal a win in Arizona!

but we barely beat out the worst team in the NFL @ home nonetheless… im trying my hardest not to read into it that much

thanks for putting in Super 5 before it was too late ,the whole team rallied around him even the D. I thought we were going to lose with Campbell back there but with Super 5 you feel that the team fights just a little harder. Also it helps the D bigtime when were not going 3 and out .
GO RAIDERS beat AZ and were 2-1 !!!!!

1: Just say Bruce! 2: the fact that the Cable guy pulled the switch at halftime won the game for us …..PERIOD! Noon , Mitchell IS in the wings guided by the spirit of MR. Jack Tatum. Sons………..Stevie Brown, YES! rightnasty, you are right Bro, WHY isn’t Nnam covering the other squads best receiver? Noon, Moss. I feel the same way Brother, you NEVER quit on your Club for Stats,glory or “the almighty dollar”. Rusty23- the energy Grad brings? Nuff said Bro!!! And last, but not least. “Number 69 has reported in as an eligible receiver”. When we need it most, it will happen Brothers!Sloppy but tasty win, I’ll take a dozen to go , thank you! R.F.F.R.

I dont just mean Bruce. Every aspect of our team looked rejuvanated. I have to give credit to the coaching staff.
 Nice to see we are capable of agressive second half adjustments too.

We do need to convert these fg’s into td’s though. This aspect has to change, especially w/ Jano missing a few already.