The Silver lining

by bslack32 on Jan 2, 2012 8:09 AM PST

My fellow Raider nationites, like you I am sadden by the fact that the Raiders will not be in the playoffs and that they will not have a winning record since 2002, but I want to point out a few positives for this season. This season, though not a winning season, is the second consective season that we didn't have a losing record. It was only a few years ago, that we were losing 10 or more games a season. DHB improved dramatically. He caught 64 balls for close to 1000 yards receiving. If he can keep improving the way he is he could be a 100 catch 1000 yard receiver year in and year out. Michael Bush showed that we have two guys who have 1000 yard potential in both Bush and Run DMC. We need to resign Bush and if we do, it is very possible that we could have 2 1,000 yard rushers next season. SeaBass is going to his first ever pro bowl and currently is one of only 3 kickers to kick a 63 yard field goal. I believe that he'll break that record. Shane Lechler again showed why he is the best punter in the NFL. Every game at the Black Hole was a sell out. There were even positives about the defense. McClain, despite some bad plays, improved his tackling stats to become the #2 tackler for the team. Aaron Curry showed that he wasn't a complete bust and had a pretty good season with the Raiders. Matt Giodarno or however you spell his name while he won't be a great player will be a good player. So I hope this helps my fellow Raider Nationites in a small way.

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There is no "silver lining" to loosing!

That’s part of the culture that has to fng change!

Al Davis the Greatest Raider of all times... You will live forever in the hearts of true Raider fans...RIP

by samiam2112 on Jan 2, 2012 10:38 AM PST reply actions

And I dont like the 8-8 culture either. Still fucking sick thinking of the game...

The cowards never started, the weak died along the way....

by BlackHeartSilverEyes on Jan 2, 2012 11:16 AM PST up reply actions

I hate loosing at home!!!!!

The players should be placed at the exits and have to apologize personally then they may understand how the nation feels!!

Al Davis the Greatest Raider of all times... You will live forever in the hearts of true Raider fans...RIP

by samiam2112 on Jan 2, 2012 1:05 PM PST up reply actions

I didn't say

that there was a silver lining in losing, I said that there were some positive things that we can take into next season. Things like the vast improvements of our young players like DHB, Denarius Moore and others. And yes I agree 8-8 isn’t great, but the fact that we had back to back non losing seasons since 2002. Now we should have had winning records this year and last year, but after 7 seasons have 11 or more loses per season I call 8-8 a pretty positive thing that is a step in the right direction. I hate to tell you all this, but going from a losing team to a winning team doesn’t happen over night. Also the culture is changing slowly. We went from a team that for 7 years was the losingest team in the NFL and during that time, there was a team that was 0-16 to a team that finished 500 the last two years. We went from a team that was the joke of the NFL. The Raiders were the team that was always picked to finish last in the AFC west, now we are a team that experts are picking to finish first in the AFC West and make the playoffs. But since some only wants to see the negatives, ok let’s go with the negatives.

You want to know who cost the Raiders winning seasons, the Raiders. Want to change the culture, then the culture we need to change is the damn penalty culture. But everytime someone brings this up someone else go oh well that’s the Raider way. I’ll grant you I’m not a big fan of the defensive scheme, but in many cases our players were out of position or used poor tackling technique. Our starting QB had more interceptions than touchdowns.

See I can do nothing but dwell on the negatives and forget the postives that happened this season. But if we do that, we’ll go back to being the damn joke of the league again. We need to enhance the positive things whle improving on the negatives, something I believe will happen. In fact I’m so positive that the Raiders will improve more next season and will not only win the AFC West but will also play deep into the playoffs, at least to the AFC championship.

by bslack32 on Jan 2, 2012 12:34 PM PST reply actions

Yea, we shot ourselves in the foot a lot...

“Our starting QB had more interceptions than touchdowns.”

The dude came off a couch, speed read the playbook, started playing with new WRs nd RBs, and pretty much , without counting his being thrown to the wolves against KC when he was woefully unprepared went .500 for remainder of the season…and had the D not played like they were a high school JV team, might have had a better record.
No one, for many many years have stretched the field and been so adept at Al’s coveted vertical game. Gannon didnt have that arm…even Plunkett. Stabler & Wilson could, and Stabler in late 70’s not so much.
Yes, Palmer threw some picks, but I am looking forward to a full preseason n camp, conditioning, more chemistry between him and receivers. I pity DBs facing him next season.
He’s our QB. Live with it.

The cowards never started, the weak died along the way....

by BlackHeartSilverEyes on Jan 2, 2012 2:13 PM PST reply actions

You are right on one thing...

I may be a little hard on him, but so you know I only brought that up as a way that I can keep dwelling on the negatives, but don’t forget, Palmer had 20 INTs last year when he was a Bengal. Now I’m like you, I can’t wait to see Palmer with a full season with these wide receivers and I hope he passes to Boss more. I’ve already accepted that Palmer is going to be our starting QB next few years. I just hope he doesn’t have 20 INT seasons for the Raiders

by bslack32 on Jan 2, 2012 6:44 PM PST up reply actions

None of us want to see 20 picks!

Its cool..I understand what youre saying. The day after a game like that, theres a lot of pain expressed here as well as anger..
Take care, dude.

The cowards never started, the weak died along the way....

by BlackHeartSilverEyes on Jan 2, 2012 6:51 PM PST up reply actions

No problem

so who do you think we’ll bring in as the DC. Del Rio, Morris, Sag or keep Chuck

by bslack32 on Jan 2, 2012 6:54 PM PST up reply actions

would rather have Marshall back than Panda

by Canadian Raider on Jan 2, 2012 7:09 PM PST up reply actions

Chuck needs to be fired NOW

So we can move on someone. Al would wait too long and we would miss hiring good guys.
One thing that pissed me off was the slack hiring attitude for HC. I wish to hell we had gotten Harbough.
The consensus is Del Rio. IChristmas hipped me to fact Morris’ defense sucks, yet as bad as Jax offense was, tje D was ranked like 5th!

The cowards never started, the weak died along the way....

by BlackHeartSilverEyes on Jan 2, 2012 7:09 PM PST up reply actions

+1

by Canadian Raider on Jan 2, 2012 7:11 PM PST up reply actions

Not just Chuck

Probably most of that D staff should go, except Wauffle. I know Willie Brown is a Raider legend, but…

by rightnasty on Jan 2, 2012 8:07 PM PST up reply actions

Chuckles needs to be fired yesterday!

as far as replacements go, I’d like to see Spagnuolo or Mike Nolan before Del Rio and Raheem needs to be a successful DC before I’d consider him.

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Jan 3, 2012 8:34 AM PST up reply actions

Optimistic outlook

What I’m sick of saying is “Well there is always next year.” As a Raider fan, been saying it for nearly 11 years now. This year the defense was so pathetic and terrible. Our offense overcame a hell of a lot to be sufficient and at times spectacular. Last Sunday’s game was infuriating and heartbreaking. Still, I remain more positive this year than normal. I think we are set on offense. If healthy, this team is a top 10 offense. I say that from what I’ve seen from this team without their play makers. DMC provides a whole other dimension to the offense. Reece is a nightmare in the waiting. Moore and Ford are the deep threats and DHB is a solid possesion receiver. And Palmer throws a great deep ball and gets yards. 3rd and 10 doesn’t feel so scary anymore. The O line could be better, but I think Barksdale and Cambell will greatly help that out. Apparently though, it depends on the health of these guys. As for the D, I’m looking forward to sweeping reform. We are short a strong leader in both the LB and Safety positions. And we lack a semi decent coordinator too. So from that perspective, I’m very excited.

by lakers007raiders on Jan 3, 2012 9:10 AM PST reply actions