Greetings my fellow members of the Silver and Black Pride community! I am pleased to bring to all of you the 11th installment in the series, Talkin' With Tyvon, from Raiders starting strong safety Tyvon Branch.

This week's edition is a little longer as it covers some of the period during the bye-week when we only had one installment. Tyvon discusses the various topic both prior to and following the Chiefs game.

The Community is invited to pose some questions for Tyvon in the comments section and he will do his best to get as many of them answered as quickly as possible:

Hello Raider Fans...sorry I was unable to get in touch with you last week. It was a busy week, and we all had some time to rest up. I also had the opportunity to reconnect with some of my UCONN teammates and discuss the tragedy that occurred there. It makes you really value what we have. My thoughts and prayers are with Howard family. It definitely puts things into perspective.

Unfortunately we were unable to come away with a win yesterday, but the bye week allowed us to go over some much needed adjustments. I thought we had them this week, but we were unable to capitalize on some of their mistakes. That was one of the key points Coach Cable stressed. We have to take advantage of every opportunity. People always say good teams find ways to win. Well we need to start finding those ways. We felt great coming into the game, some things just did not go our way.

TB

 SABP: With a 2-7 record, it's very easy to get discouraged, but it is evident that you are playing with a lot of energy out there. What are the things that you are doing to keep yourself motivated under the circumstances of this season?

TB: Having the opportunity to play football for a living keeps me motivated. We put in an extensive amount of time, but it is great to be out there on Sunday's with the fans. You guys keep us going. Thank you for your support.

SABP: You were in the Chiefs game all the way and the defense held them to 16 points. Does the defense feel any add pressure thinking that they have to keep teams to 10 points or less to have a chance for win?

TB: Our goal is to always go for a shutout. Obviously this is a tough task, but we never feel pressure to keep them to a certain point level. We just go out and try to make plays. Putting pressure on your self can cause unnecessary mistakes, and that is something we do not need.

SABP: You have the surprising high-flying Bengals coming in with all of their offensive talent. What are your thoughts on how you will personally prepare for the challenges of that offense?

TB: They are going to be tough. Offensively I do not think they scored a TD this week, but their D looks great. We need to go out and shut down their running attack. That has been a surprise this year, but with Carson back there they are tough all around. Once I get a chance to watch more film this week, I will have a better idea of our gameplan.

(Editor's note: The following two questions were asked to Tyvon during the bye-week prior to the Chiefs game)

SABP: It has been reported that during the Raiders bye-week that the team practiced last Wednesday and Thursday and worked exclusively on correcting the various problems the team had during the first 8 games. How did that go and do you think the various problems were corrected?

TB: Practices went well. I know we have the talent out here. We continually give up some big plays and that hurts us. Minimizing those was a big focus. I think we did a relatively decent job against the Chiefs keeping the big plays to a minimum. We need to build on that.

SABP: The bye-week must have been good for everyone to get healthy, in fact Coach Cable believes that the returning injured players are going to make a big difference in the teams' play. Can you say if noticed a difference on the practice field with the returning injured players?

TB: I would say there was more confidence all week. The team realizes we need to be healthy, and getting some guys back will help. There was also a more upbeat feel to practice.

 

Thanks Tyvon for taking the time to answer all the questions and good luck against the Bengals.

More photos » by Paul Sakuma - AP

What's a screen pass? That's a dumb name for a pass! I'll never call one of those!!! Let's throw another one deep to Darius!!! (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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Once again the Oakland Raider Red Zone perfomance was anaemic, to say the least.

After starting the game with THE DRIVE we had been waiting for all year, a 60 yard burst by Michael Bush (Who, inexpli-CABLE-y, only saw the pigskin 15 more times), then a short burst by Fargas and the team was up 7-0.

Unfortunately, that would be the ONLY time that the offense led the team to the Red Zone.

Despite beginning drives from the Kansas City 37 and Oakland's 37 43 and 49, the team would only manage 3 more points.

For a team that has Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas and averaged 6.1 yards a carry, there is NO excuse for throwing the ball 32 times to receivers who can't catch (Miller only had one catch) from QB's with terrible completion percentages.

One trip to the Red Zone and 10 total points for the game against Kansas City!?!?!

Cable needs to delegate the play calling immediately.

The Defense is doing entirely too much for this clown to be costing us games. That's right Tom, you are a clown of a play caller. Truly. I know you may want to punch me for saying this, but, just look at the facts man, you are a TERRIBLE play caller. Period.

As my old boss used to say, "Fix it".

This post was brought to you by Comcast Red Zone

More photos » by Paul Sakuma - AP

"Hey Mo!" (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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On a day when the Oakland Raiders were begining to show the signs of their earlier heritage, the thing that stood out the most was a wide receiver, drafted number 7 over-all, who was selected over numerous more talented AND proven guys by an old man who has lost his mind.

There have been signs all around us, but, when Heyward-Bey let that last pass bounce off of his chest and into the Chief's arms it became clear to me that Al Davis', losing his mind, has really cost this team too much this time.

Instead of keeping the second rounder last year, it was shipped off to Atlanta for 'Angelo Hall. The one who left the "D" somewhere between Atlanta and Oakland.

Wouldn't you just know that DeSean Jackson was available when that pick was made and the Falcons ended up getting a bookend O-Lineman, Sam Baker.

What did the Raiders get? 8 Million dollars of NOTHING but Burnt Toast that smelled like the "Scrip Club" while the Falcons and Eagles have "Landed", pardon the pun, Huge pieces to their franchises.

Then, this season the Raiders drafted the laughing stock rookie wide-out of All-Time, and that was before he'd even attempted to catch a pass in the OTA's...He's gotten worse.

I mean, before the season started, you still had hope that MAYBE the Old Man had outfoxed the entire League by finding the next Cliff Branch and Jack Tatum. Perhaps the old man had one more one finger salute for the "Liars" and was two fisting the "Professional Liars"!

Now, all we see is a franchise being run into the ground with the same gusto with which it became a symbol of the NFL.

When you get the chance to draft the Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Macklin or Percy Harvin's of the World, you do not take a project with hands of stone. You just don't. THEN, when you realize he can't catch, at the very least, you let a veteran, like ummm, I don't know...Javon Walker maybe!?!?...step in until the kid calms down a bit.

That is unless you just really DON'T see it. And at this point, I don't think that Mr. Davis does see reality any more. I bet, after hearing him speak, that he is still wondering WHY Cliff Branch missed that last pass.

I have often wrote, "Today is the DAY", before Raider games, and for me, yesterday was the day that I lost faith in AL's ability to run things. I'd questioned it, and have been in doubt about it for a while. Now I KNOW, it is time to get someone in here to run things. It has to be someone that Al trusts and it has to be soon, otherwise his great legacy will be forever tarnished.

Yesterday was a day of reckoning for you Mr. Davis. You have either lost your touch or have lost touch with reality. You choose.

Well it seems more and more that Gradkowski might be starting next week. Russell got benched again and Gradkowski came in and led us on what would have been a game-winning 2:00 minute drill if only DHB didn't create an interception on a pass he should have caught in the red zone.

 If Gradkowski is starting, you know Cable wouldn't be doing it unless..........Davis might be wanting him to? If Al didn't want Grad starting, you bet that he'd make sure it didn't happen. Could Al finally be seeing that Russell isn't the future of this team? It's clear from the post-game interview with Gradkowski that he already is a better leader and is definitely a better QB.

 So what of QB options after this season? Next year is uncapped after all so Russell can be cut without cap ramifications leaving Davis plenty of dollars to throw at a newer shinier QB. I've done a post on this before yes, but let's take a look at some other QB choices.

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Chiefs up 13 - 10 at the half. The Raiders are going to wear out Lechler's leg before this one is over, unless they find a way to create some offense. If they can continue to keep this close, Jano can win this from about anywhere!!

Lets GO R-A-I-D-E-R-S!!!!!

More photos » by Ed Zurga - AP

This is what Cable SHOULD have had Seabass do last year, at home, against the Chiefs(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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I am not sure if there is a Raider fan on the planet that can forget the "Pitch to the Polish Sausage" on 4th and forever that doomed the Raider's chances of beating the Chiefs in Oakland last season. I could not stop saying, "What the (Insert Expletive)!", over and over when I left that game. It may be the worst call in sports history. Not the BIGGEST worst call, Like Barry Switzer going for it on 4th Down and killing the Cowboys, but just straight up play calling Tom-Foolery that ended in disaster.

Like Raider Way has pointed out, there will be NO excuses this week. NONE!

Chaz, McFadden, Green and GALLERY will be back, so the INJURY excuse will be GONE!!!

We are playing a Division Rival, so the intensity should be there.

We have had two weeks to game plan for them.

My keys to this game will be the health of the four players that I just mentioned and the ability fo our defense to force turnovers. We will need to win the turnover battel in order to win this game. Period!!!

This is the first home game I'm missing as the family and I are in Disneyland, and man do I miss Chewbacca's grilling and all of the Tom-Foolery in the parking lot, but, this really is the happiest place on Earth, even in a Depression. So, if any of you make it to the Fox Sports Bar and Grill in the Disney Village, that is where I'll be.

Can I get an "OOOAAAKKLLLAAANNDDDD!!!!!"

Then A "RRAAAAIIDDDEERRSS!!!!"

Let's Open up a CAN of Whompum!! On these Fake Chiefs!!!

The Season starts TODAY!!!!

RRRAAAIIDDDEERRSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More photos » by Chris Park - AP

Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable pondering whether he will be going to anger management, the unemployment line or both. What he should be pondering, is his play calling and finding someone else to do it. (AP Photo/Chris Park)

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The Raiders have now had their mid-season bye-week and now it's time for all of us to get back to some football, Raider football that is, and I hope the Raiders will play "Raider Football".

During the first part of their bye-week, the Raiders were said to be concentrating on the things that had gone wrong during the season's first 8 games. Tom Cable has also stated that injuries to four key offensive players has played a roll in the offense performing way below expectations. Well, those four players, namely Robert Gallery, Cornell Green, Darren McFadden and Chaz Schilins are all healthy enough to play this Sunday against the Chiefs.

I don't know really how much improvement they are going to get with the return of Cornell Green, except that there will be more false start penalties, but to be sure, the return of Gallery to the O-line will be significant. In their last meeting with the Chiefs, McFadden was unable to find any room to run until the game winning TD run. Coincidentally, Gallery was out of that game and now will be the time to see if that was all that McFadden was missing. No excuses for McFadden, he needs to show NOW, why he was the number 4 overall pick in the 2008 draft.

Chaz Schilins, with the 4 week injury that turned into a 10 week injury, is finally set to make his first appearance on the field for the Silver & Black. Schilins, who only caught 15 passes last season, has shown great potential because of his size and speed. He supposedly has a great rapport with JaMarcus Russell and that needs to show up this Sunday against the Chiefs. Russell needs to find his wide receivers and show that he has made strides resulting from the bye-week practices... NO EXCUSES.

The excuses from Cable are over and now it is time to start the 2nd half of the season with a victory against the Chiefs. Since the Raiders barely beat the Chiefs in their last meeting at Arrowhead, where the Chiefs thoroughly outplayed the Raiders statistically, this game Sunday is where we need to see that the Raiders made good work of the bye-week. There may not be any playoffs for this team this season, but they have to beat the Chiefs this Sunday. No excuses...NO EXCUSES, Period.

For the Chiefs, Jamal Charles has officially taken over for Larry Johnson in the Chiefs' backfield after Johnson was cut earlier this week. Charles has run 10 times in his last two games for a total of 69 yards, but is still looking for his first career rushing TD. This will be a good time for the Raiders run defense to show that they have made the strides from the bye-week practices and shutdown the Chiefs running game so that they can force the pass. Then they can unleash their pass rush from the defensive line to get to Cassel. The raiders defensive line may or may not have defensive end Greg Ellis available, but that's o.k., because rookie Matt Shaughnessy is ready and very capable of starting in his stead.  Look for the Chiefs to crowd the box with extra defenders as the Raiders average only 25 passes a game, the fewest in the NFL. Russell struggles when he has to read the whole field and is pressured, so the Raiders want to run the ball early and often. Expect Kansas City to do everything possible to make the Raiders one-dimensional by taking away their strength, the ground game.

The Raiders will also have to protect the ball well, as when they play the Chiefs, there always seems to be a game changing turnover to kill the Raiders path to victory. The other key will for the Raiders will be to get out to an early lead in order to maintain confidence with the team, especially the defense, which gets demoralized easily when the offense is inept and puts the defense in a bad position.

Prediction: Raiders 23 Chiefs 16

What are your keys to the game and are you expecting the bye-week and the returning previously injured offensive players to have an immediate impact?

When I thought of the questions that I posed in Yesterday's Segment, Oakland Raider Trivia, I was struggling to think of question that were pertinent and gave me hope. I didn't know the answers to 4 of the questions, but I wanted to know, and tonight I will know.

Here are the answers:

1) Which team loaned the Raiders 400k in order to continue playing football? What was the owner's name?

That team was the Buffalo Bills. Ralph Wilson was the means to this end. Without Upstate New York, there would be NO Oakland Raiders. And to think that without without Marshawn Lynch and Langston Walker there would be NO...Well...On Second Thought...Nevermind!

2) What is the Current Value of the team?

In 2008, the Oakland Raiders were valued at $861 Million Dollars. In 2009, their value has fallen to $797 Million. That is not bad, especially considering that the team was bought for 180k by Al Davis in 1966!

3) Who is the Raider Fanchise Leader in Tackles? Sacks?

This question is more of an "Opinion Section". Tackles were not counted as an official stat in the NFL until 2001, so Tatum is my choice..Followed by Stuart Schweigert.

As for the sacks, they weren't official until 1982, there is no way to say who the Raider leader really is. I mean how many times did our defensive line, linebackers or defensive backs get the opposing QB behind the line of scrimmage before there was a stat for it?

I'd have to say Sean Jones, but I am probably WAY off.

4) Who played the most seasons in an Oakland Raider Uniform?

Jim Otto played in the silver and black for 15 years. From 1960-1974, he was the backbone of the team, and to this day is Mr. Raider. I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Otto, and he is class...pure class.

5) How many Raiders have won the NFL MVP while playing for the organization? Names?

The answer is 3, and, none of them repeated.

Kenny Stabler was the first Silver and Black MVP in 1974.

Marcus Allen stepped up in LA 11 Sseasons later, in 1985 and won the MVP.

Rich Gannon picked up the hardware in 2002.

So, there is some history, I feel much better now. Just being able to throw around the names of past and bask in past glory makes me proud to be a Raider fan and it is good to have this new knowledge.

Go RAIDERS!!!!

Today, I decided to re-open an old idea, which is to have a trivia segment where you can answer the question, off the top of your head (No Google-Cheating), and then get the answers the next day.

1) Which team loaned the Raiders 400k in order to continue playing football? What was the owner's name?

2) What is the Current Value of the team?

3) Who is the Raider Fanchise Leader in Tackles? Sacks?

4) Who played the most seasons in an Oakland Raider Uniform?

5) How many Raiders have won the NFL MVP while playing for the organization? Names?

I was starting to write the second piece of the Aw-fence-ive First Half Break Down, when my mind began to be amused by the duality of the word that is spelled "O-F-F-E-N-S-I-V-E", so I turned to Dictionary.com for a closer look as the break down of the word.

Here is what I found:

The root of the word, "Offensive", begins with the Latin Word for "Us", Offens, then goes into the Latin word for "To Strike Against or  Displease" and then wraps up with the common "ive", or showing characteristics of being.

As it relates to our football team, I would have to say that, the word, aw-fensive, would be either, a team striking against another with the ball in our hands as a unit and showing those characteristics by consistently executing a game plan with success.

I don't think that the 2009 Raiders, on the surface, with zero regard to actual stats, are anywhere near resembling that definition.

Mentally, the leader of the unit, JaMarcus Russell has said that it is not his fault. He has failed to take his lumps with his squad and also failed to realize that without the "us" in the word, there is no "offens", only an "ive". Therefor they have no chance of being Aw-fensive.

No, the form of the word that this squad has resembled is the Us-Displease-Ive.

Consistently, this team has been booed by the displeased patrons at the Coliseum. From the play calling to the execution the entire way through the play, the uh-fensive side of the ball has been unpleasant and disagreeable to the senses (Another definition of the word).

Taking the O-Line out of it, let's see which of our Aw-fensive skill positions players stack up:

Aw-Fensive

Zach Miller, Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, Louis Murphy (Maybe, because he drops too many balls)

Uh-Fensive

Darren McFadden (Always being hurt is unpleasant to my senses), Darrius Heyward-Bey, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Todd Wadtkins, JaMarcus Russell

As a unit, this crew is so Uh-fensive that, they rank at or near the bottom in every Aw-fensive Category. So, Raider fans there is nowhere to go but UP and I really feel that by just trying to STRIKE AGAINST others, as a team, would be a HUGE step in the right direction, because, even if the numbers still lag, we couls at least call them Aw-fensive and be grammatically correct, which is one heckuva step in the right direction.