Silver And Black Pride: FanPosts

Raiders vs. B-Y-E: An Epic Battle For The Ages

2009-11-07T10:03:44Z

It is finally here! The week all Raiders fans await like Christmas. The week which, upon its unveiling, is eagerly circled with pen breaking vigor on all calendars.

In a schedule filled with bitter rivals and compelling match-ups, this week takes a back seat to none. That’s right, this is the week the Raiders face those dreaded, measly, cheap-shot-artist punks: B-Y-E.

With the Raiders offensive ineptness, this looks to be one of the most compelling match-ups in the history of this famed series—a series burnt into our psyche since 1990.

Since its inception, this has been as one-sided and even a battle the game has ever known. The Raiders have never beaten B-Y-E yet they have never lost. If that is not the definition of compelling, I don’t know what is.

With that little morsel of goodness for your expectant baby bird mouths, let’s take a look at what we can expect.

Match-ups:

Raiders Offense vs. B-Y-E Defense

This is a marvelous opportunity for the Raiders to get the aforementioned inept offense going. B-Y-E’s cover zero defense leaves them vulnerable all over the field.

On plays in which the Raiders receivers manage not to tackle each other, Jamarcus Russell should have open targets to target. But can he hit them? And when he does, can they catch it?

With all of these question marks in the passing game, the Raiders would be best served to stick to the running game. The Raiders patchwork offensive line is getting healthy and is about to be not so patchwork. But will it matter? Damn, more question marks!

B-Y-E is likely to use their patented zero in the box strategy—this means the offensive line will only have to concentrate on not running into each other or tackling their own ball carriers (like this guy). Execution will be the name of the game here—unfortunately this is not a strong point of the Raiders offense.

B-Y-E Offense vs. Raiders Defense

I literally see no way in which B-Y-E will be able to move the ball against the Raiders, however, the Raiders have surprised me before. They posses an uncanny ability to completely blow even the most simple of coverages and assignments.

B-Y-E needs to run early and often against this beleaguered rush defense. When they do pass, they would be wise to throw it toward Chris Johnson or Stanford Routt, who will be doing their best to pass interfere the air.

B-Y-E’s receivers literally have no hands and will likely not be able to catch the ball. They do, however, stand a great chance at drawing a pass interference call or eight on the Raiders DB’s. Some of the calls will be questionable, but the refs will bring up some arcane never-before-heard-of rule to justify them.

Prediction:

All signs point to this is being a tight game.

B-Y-E, despite not having any players on the field, is going to find a way to exploit one of the Raiders blown coverages for a big play touchdown.

B-Y-E will also receive two points from a safety. The safety will come after the Raiders struggling kick return team fails to advance the ball past the two on the opening kickoff.

Despite the horrible field position Tom Cable is going to call for a deep pass. At the snap of the ball every single Raider, having forgot the play, is going to run into each other and fall down, except for Russell. Russell, overwhelmed with confusion, will simply run out of the back of the endzone in an attempt to hide behind the field goal post and mutter to himself “It’s not my fault—it’s not my fault.”

B-Y-E: 9

The Raiders are going to enjoy decent success moving the ball, but the return of Cornell Green to the lineup will mean the return of those crucial drive-killing penalties. Although the Raiders will continually move the ball into the redzone they will have to settle for field goals.

This will setup a dramatic finish. With the score knotted at nine, the Raiders will win this on a last second drop kick field goal by all world kicker Shane Lechler.

Lechler will attempt the drop kick after injuries force him into action. The injuries will occur when the B-Y-E coach calls a time out right before the Raiders other all world kicker, Sebastian Janikowski, can get his game winning attempt off.

The only player on the field to hear the whistle will be the holder. Upon hearing the whistle he will lean over to stand up, which tragically places his head right in the otherworldly powerful arc of Janikowski’s foot. Unable to stop, Janikowski will kick his holder in the head—causing it to detach from his body and send it tumbling exactly through the midpoint of the uprights.

Unfortunately, this breaks Janikowski’s foot rendering him unable to attempt the field goal. The holder, unable to get his head reattached in time, is unavailable for the next play—forcing Lechler to attempt the historic drop kick.

Raiders 12

As always, let's see your predictions in the comments below.

Chiefs vs. Raiders

2009-11-07T06:37:54Z

Okay! So who is going to the 11/15 game against the Chiefs? I will be there in the Hole, punking off Chiefs fans, booing JaMarcus Russel and hopefully watching the return of DMC. I am confident we will beat the Chiefs, but I am beginning to think we will be lucky to break 5 wins.

Sad but true!... either way I bleed Silver and Black. Let's go Raiders! Scalp those motherfudgers!

Prediction - Raiders - 16, Chiefs 10

Innocent Until Proven Guilty: Tom Cable is the Victim

2009-11-06T23:46:37Z

First, I feel the need to make it clear that I believe violence is only acceptable in self-defense.

Second, I want to say that if the allegations against Tom Cable are found to be true I would be in full support of him being removed of his duties as a NFL head coach.

With that said, let’s get to what we know so far:

Tom Cable released this statement to the associated press:

“During my first marriage, I became aware that my wife Sandy had committed adultery. I became very angry and slapped her with an open hand. What I did was wrong and I have regretted and felt sorrow about that moment ever since."

Two women came forward in an ESPN and accused Cable of abusing them.

One of these women was the ex-wife Cable admits to having struck, her account differs from his. She alleges Cable punched her and that he hit her on two occasions. After the second incident she sought a temporary order of protection.

The other accusation made in the ESPN report is by an ex-girlfriend, Sandy Lutz. Lutz claimed to ESPN that Cable struck her "three, four times." She added that she visited his house in January and found another woman there, at which time she demanded to meet the woman. She then alleges, Cable grabbed her by the arm and eventually pushed her out the door.

Concerning this incident Cable was quoted in the USA Today as saying:

"I never battered her in any way," Cable said. "It is most unfortunate that ESPN has given Ms. Lutz this forum to revisit this incident when I did nothing wrong and further chose not to provide me with an appropriate opportunity to respond."

Cable’s current wife, Carol, issued this statement through Cable’s attorney:

"I was present at Tom's house when Marie Lutz came to the house in January of this year. At approximately 5 a.m., we heard someone pounding very loudly on the front door and ringing the doorbell over and over again. When Tom opened the door, Ms. Lutz told him she needed to talk to him, that she needed his help, and begged him to let her into the house. After she entered the house, the two of them had a verbal exchange. At no time did Tom commit any act of violence toward her. After not getting what she wanted from Tom, Ms. Lutz screamed at Tom "I am going to ruin your [expletive deleted] life and I am going to ruin your [expletive deleted] career if it is the last thing I ever do."

The police were called after this incident and cleared Cable of any wrongdoing.

Cable’s second ex-wife, Glenda, stated in her 2008 divorce papers that Tom Cable was physically and verbally abusive towards her.

She declined to participate in the ESPN report, but issued a statement through her attorney saying:

"I have known Tom Cable for more than 20 years, including 17 years of marriage. Throughout the time I have known him, Tom has never been violent to me or our children. I chose not to speak to the media before now to protect my privacy and that of my children. However, I am very troubled by what is being claimed by others and I felt compelled to speak out about my own lengthy experience with Tom."

Donald Yee, Cable’s attorney, released a statement Sunday saying ESPN refused to provide details about the story when the network asked for comment. In this statement Yee also questioned the network's motives.

"In our view, ESPN has quite purposefully chosen not to provide a fair and balanced story," Yee said. "To us, this represents ambush journalism and utterly fails to meet the standards and practices of responsible journalists."

The other accusation of assault against Tom Cable came from co-worker Randy Hanson. Hanson alleged Cable struck him and broke his jaw. The Napa County DA released this statement saying they did not see a reasonable amount of evidence to press charges.

Regarding the history of violent actions by Tom Cable those are the facts, as we know them.

The phrase “innocent until proven guilty” keeps popping into my head, but apparently not everyone’s.

The vultures are out and they are circling around Tom Cable. Fairly or unfairly it is obvious that it is true.

Enter NOW (National Organization for Women). The founder of that organization is apparently appalled that Cable is allowed to work despite the allegations that have been made against him.

Here is the statement released on the NOW website (I have added my thoughts in brackets and italicized and what I think the author was thinking in parenthesis and italicized):

Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill

November 5, 2009

Tom Cable's history [does one incident make a history?] of violence against women raises a question: why is he still the head coach of an NFL team? Mr. Cable admits having battered his first wife, and he stands accused of battering two [one of the two released a statement saying he was never violent towards her] other intimate partners as well.

As a survivor of domestic violence (at which point I gained the psychic ability to know things with absolute truth like), I know that women do not make such accusations lightly. Indeed, women (in every single case of accused domestic violence ever) have much more to lose than to gain by coming forward to tell their stories. The Oakland Raiders, properly, say they are undergoing a "serious evaluation" (we spend out time releasing statements, not conducting investigations) of these recent allegations. At the very least (at the most castrated and then put to death) Mr. Cable should be suspended during this process. But I don't understand why he doesn't simply step down, admit he has a problem, and get some help [because not all psychotically out of touch people who like power realize they should step down]. A man who had admitted battering his wife has no business being a role model for all of us who would like to be able to look up to the head coach (and when I say us, I mean others, because coaches that are have accusations of battery are good for my career) of an NFL football team.

O’Neill’s statements are rooted in leaps of judgment and falsehoods.

Her conclusions are based on the fact that: since she was a victim of domestic violence she knows women do not make these accusations lightly.

Apparently once she was battered she became so in tune with the universe she knew that no women would ever make an accusation like this with out it being true. She is also apparently basing this knowledge on the fact that women in this situation have a lot more to lose than they do to gain.

While I agree that, for far too many women, this is the case, I have a hard time believing this in Lutz’s case. What exactly does Lutz stand to lose by making this accusation? It is completely reasonable to question that these statements may be made in attempts for personal retribution.

Some of her statement is based on the fact that he admitted to domestic violence, however, this was twenty years ago and it was public knowledge prior to this report.

I am not trying to excuse this action, but as it stands now there is as much to say Cable learned from this and paid the price as there is to say it points to a pattern.

There are lots of other people in public positions that have been guilty of spousal battery, why O’Neill felt the need to single out Tom Cable and wait until now to share her outrage, seems to be nothing but a power ploy.

O’Neill’s statements are shamelessly done in a pathetic attempt to promote herself and her cause by using this vehicle as a means to free publicity. I am all for raising awareness to help limit the amount of spousal abuse in this world, but not when it is done in a low rent, sleaze ball way.

There are plenty of public figures with a substantiated history of domestic violence that NOW can speak out against, but instead they choose to stretch out their power based on allegations aired on a story hungry sports network.

NOW has not conducted their own interview or looked into these allegations themselves (well other than psychic understanding of these kinds of situations O’Neill possesses).

It is harmful and slanderous to jump to conclusions before all of the facts are acquired. At this point there is, at the very least, as much of a reason to take Cable for his word as there is his accusers.

I do not know what happened any more than anyone else, but I do know there is enough to go on to let an investigation take place before punishing Cable.

Tom Cable very well may have a problem with violence and should be subject to any investigation that the laws of the land and the rules of his profession dictate. At this point that is all he should be subjected to. Save your comments and judgments until informed conclusion arise, otherwise it is just another form of abuse.

Poll

Should Tom Cable be suspended, for his off the field issues, right now?

Using Creativeness To Find The Next Coach

2009-11-05T06:04:59Z

Mercury News has a some what tongue-in-cheek article about picking Cable's replacement:

We're here to help with the second half of that next move — lining up a successor. As you know, this gets more challenging with every failed Raiders coaching regime. Once it was easy enough to compile a short list of familiar names and unheralded wunderkinds. These days the short list of men who would even consider the job could be scribbled on the back of a business card.

Ted Tollner. Currently a Raiders assistant, he's available and on-site. That's not the only reason he'd be an ideal battlefield promotion. He's been a head coach at three different levels — junior college (College of San Mateo), college (San Diego State), and semipro (USC). Given that he's currently the team's passing game coordinator, he might be eager for a new assignment. Odds: 9-1.

Paul Hackett. Currently the Raiders quarterbacks coach, he might be even more eager than Tollner for a change of scenery. Served as head coach at Pitt and USC. Odds: 15-1

Joe the Plumber. It's been quite a year for Samuel Wurzelbacher, who rocketed to prominence during John McCain's presidential bid last fall. Ol' Sammy Joe is a hard worker, as evidenced by his desperate struggle to maintain his infamy. Odds: The-biggest-number-you-can-think-of-divided-by-2-1.

Jim Fassel. You know the story. Led the New York Giants to the Super Bowl. Crazy-mad to get another NFL head coaching job. Informed Davis of his interest in the Raiders position in a letter written last fall. Odds: 20-1

Rush Limbaugh. Bitter after being dropped from the group trying to buy the St. Louis Rams, this could be his sweet revenge. Yes, there would be the obligatory jokes about conservative game plans and running to the right. But after blaming his failed bid on "the hatred that exists ... in the sports writer community," his news conferences would be priceless. Then again, he'd have to take a 97 percent pay cut. Odds: 500-1.

Jim Haslett. Briefly a linebackers coach for the L.A. Raiders, he once spoke to Davis about being the head coach in Oakland. Had a respectable six-year run as coach of the New Orleans Saints, and a forgettable 12-game interim slog with the St. Louis Rams. Odds: 50-1

Javon Walker. Hey, you might as well get something for all that money. Odds: 250-1.

I'm actually surprised to see this.

2009-11-04T19:54:19Z

Know what this is? I didn't actually think people would go through this...

http://www.examiner.com/x-514-Oakland-Raiders-Examiner~y2009m11d3-Raider-Nation-sends-message-to-Al-Davis

This, is a petition for Al Davis to:

1) Step down as General Manager,

2) Hire a GM

3) Hire a real Coach (I like Tom Cable..>_>)

4) Allow the Coach to pick his assistants and what not.

Am I gonna sign it? I don't know. Will you?

Poll

Will You Sign, or have already signed the petition?

Dwaine Board

2009-11-03T22:42:44Z

With Tom Cable in the hot seat, there is a great chance that he will be fired. Al Davis fired Lane Kiffin during last years bye week so don't be suprised if he does the same this year. If Tom is fired then Al would most likely appoint an interim head coach. Just like last year. But, this year I hope he makes a decent choice. I hopes he appoints veteran Defensive Coach Dwaine Board.

Dwaine Board has coached in the league for 19 seasons now. He is a brilliant Defensive LIne coach with plenty of expeirence. He has sent 10 players to the Pro Bowl and coached 1 Defensive Player of the Year. Dwaine has proved his worth in the NFL, unlike Tom Cable.

Defensive Coaches have proved to be great Head Coaches in the Past. Bill Belichick was a Defensive Coach in the beggining. As was Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy. All three have at least 1 SuperBowl ring. All three are future Hall of Fame inductee's.

What do you think? Should Tom Cable even be fired? Will He be fired? And if he is then would Dwaine be a good or bad idea? Or is there someone you think deserves it more? Will this be a paragraph consisted of only questions? Leave your questions and comments.haha

R.I.P. Ray Ray Russell

2009-11-03T13:59:50Z

Although anyone can see JaMarcus Russell's play on the field this season at times this season one very under reported factor is the fact that in April this year JaMarcus's Uncle and Father figure Ray Ray Russell passed away.

There is a great article at:

http://www.sacbee.com/raiders/story/1927287.html

ALAMEDA – He was his rock. His deflector. His father figure.

And now, he's gone.

Ray Russell, uncle to Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, passed away at 42 years young April 17 of congestive heart failure. He was everything to the face of the Raiders franchise, trying to keep temptation at bay for a youngster with $60 million in his pocket and wanting to keep his nephew grounded.

JaMarcus Russell is the Quarterback for the Oakland Raiders and has the world against him right now he is also a 24 year old who has recently lost the closest person in the world to him.

I have no evidence that this is a factor other than my own logic but it would have to be on his mind.

There is the obvious argument that if he is emotionally unstable at all he shouldn't be playing but I really don't see any great benefit in playing Gradkowski (or Garcia) as he isn't taking us to the playoffs either and these young guys are only going to learn together by going through the hard times together.

I know he is playing pretty shitty at the moment but to me he looks like a good player in bad form rather than just a straight out bad player, he isn't going anywhere we might as well get behind the guy and push him to success rather than failure.

At least this year we have a bunch of young guys with potential to root for than a bunch of pissed off vets.

R.I.P. Ray Ray Russell

Few Quick Stats on the Season's First Half

2009-11-03T05:18:00Z

Oh me brothers, a tale of the first half:

- Be glad for Sebastian: 48% of first half points were field goals. Average distance: 41 yards... including two at 46, 3 of 48, and one 54 yard moonshot. 12 for 12 attempts.

- Average points per game: 9.4

- Average touchdowns per game: .75

- Average points and touchdowns per game excluding the first SD game: 7.9 points, .57 touchdowns.

- Be scared of JR:

- Total touchdown passes: 2

- Total sacks: 23 Total Interceptions: 9

- For every TD Pass: Sacks: 11.5 Interceptions: 4.5

- Total Yards: 1,000 Per Game: 125

"Been down so long, looks like up from here"

Return of Duh Vuhtical Game

2009-11-03T02:53:38Z

The loyalty of the Oakland Raiders fan base has been tested and confirmed. For over six years I, and many others, have rolled out of bed with visions of the greatness and glory of the raiders dancing in my head. We wait for the return of the cannon arm gunslinger, the lock down secondary, the gazelles at wideout sprinting under 50 yard rainbows. We wait patiently for the return of what is rightfully ours, THE VERTICAL GAME. RAIDER FOOTBALL. We've waited patiently for the return of our IDENTITY.

Ahhh, but for over six years I have spent chilled Sundays lamenting failure. For six years my beloved Oakland Raiders, with a historic TRADITION and IDENTITY matching any in the NFL, have not been able to execute the fundamental plays virtually every other team executes routinely. You can't build a golden palace without laying a basic foundation. For six years we've been building our Vertical game on sand, and it falls over every Sunday.

I LOVE our system, I want it to work. I love that many of our traditions fly in the face of modern football, I want it to work. The rest of the league gets so caught up following each other in one direction they leave gaps in the rear. Check out the "innovative" Wildcat. That's just old school offense taking advantage of new school defense getting a little too fancy. Raider ball can succeed, the Vertical Game can win, It can be awesome once more.

But not like this. We need to fix it, tweak it. Gonna take some more time. Sucks, I know. Oh well, it's been six years, I'm still here. We're going to get it, Vertical Game 2.0......

VERTICAL GAME 2.0!!!! The greatest show on sunday. We're still all about speed. we still lock you down on the outside. But we're not neglecting basics most every other team has down pat. Raiders, Madden, Al, Oakland. We love ya, fix this shit and give us The Raiders again.

+ 1st Down Interceptions.

I'm going to say 1st down interceptions/not knowing what a check down is. What team/coach/quarterback goes into games knowing you're passing game is FILL IN THE BLANK, repeatedly throws 1st down interceptions? It's scary. We all saw Cable put the clamp on Russell after this last one against the Chargers. Looks like this problem is almost entirely the fault of 1. Russell's sloth in the pocket and poor quick read ability. 2. poor protection. 3. Not enough check down/crossing routes. 4. Cable not controlling the 1st down interception problem sooner. As a coach, it just can't happen. If Russell can't control himself, you have to. And I'm cool with that. I'll roll with J Russell. He's still a kid. He's a country kid in over his head right now. The coaches are paid to raise his obviously lacking situational awareness, and not allow his known lack of awareness to so drastically effect our game plan and chance of success. Russell throws a deep pass for an interception, not extraordinary. Russell throws deep interception on 1st down??? Russell fumbles on YOUR 4 YARD LINE, because you thought you'd take the other team off guard???? Ugh, just stop with the 1st down turn overs. Give us 1 damn down to cheer, please. One down a drive, not too much to ask.

+ZONE COVERAGE/BLITZES -

Seriously.... you just have to. We need to blitz more, we need to zone more. We even need to, get this, do them both at the same time. Funny thing about leading the league in various stats. It's good if you're good, bad if you're bad. We blitz less and play man more than any team. What ever happened to "the Quarterback must go down, and he must go down hard." You can't win a Madden game without mixing it up, let alone an NFL game. What's wrong? we'd need a pro bowl player at most every position for it to truly click. Game after game, the coaches say "well it was basically every man had a gap on that play, we just need to make the tackle there." What that means is the defense is so predictable and over burdened, the other teams offense can miss direct players all over the field and wait for the inevitable breakdowns. MIX IT UP. I love targeting our secondary as a strength, let's man up. But damn, mix it up. And while we're at it, when we man up, stick Nnam on the god damn threat!!!! That Chargers game was ridiculous! 6'5" V Jack lines up on man coverage, over and over, Nnam is mere feet away, but uselessly shutting down a non factor. C'mon, he's the best, I'm tired of watching the other teams best guys soar over other CB's.

+LINEMEN, LINEMEN, LINEMEN

We need a line, all teams do, you need to build it, year after year, all the time. West Coast, Vertical Game, Single Wing, doesn't matter. I like Gallery, EVERY TIME we went to the Super Bowl with a bad ass O line , we need an O line. We need drafts and free agents, every year, let's do it. Focus. Can't have any recognizable system without a bad ass line.

+HEIGHT AND SPEED

You want to real throw deep, you need an abundance of speed and height. Did you see that the Chargers just waived Chris Chambers. Their receivers now average 6'4"!!!!! We need that. Chaz has looked raw but good. Late round pick. We need more. We need some more beef, more effective big sets, and we need height. Stretch the feild baby. Duh Vuhtical Game Baby!!!!!!!!

Vertical Game 2.0. Call me crazy, I think it's coming..... you?

Poll

The Vertical Game will win another Lombardi Trophy

Chargers Release Chris Chambers!

2009-11-03T01:09:06Z

I dont know what your thinking right now but all I am thinking is that we HAVE to jump on this opportunity to improve our team. The Raiders as you all very well know have been struggling at wide receiver this season and i truly think that if Jamarcus has a proven wide receiver then he will do a lot better than hes doing right now. (just think about him and chaz in the preseason). And that brings me to my next point i know chaz is coming back and he is a great wide receiver but every team needs a number 1 and 2 receiver to have a true threat in the passing game. So feel free to comment and tell me your opinion on this subject. And be sure to vote!!!!!!!

GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poll

Do you think the raiders should pick up Chris Chambers?

Oakland Raiders Postgame Recap: Raiders 16, Chargers 24

2009-11-02T02:08:40Z

                             Originally Posted: Sunday, November 1: 6:05 p.m.

      Are they yelling or shaking hands? You be the judge. [via www.pe.com]

Coming in as 17-point underdogs, many people expected the Oakland Raiders to get blown out at the hands of the San Diego Chargers. While Oakland never led at any point in the ball game, they battled back from down 21-7 to make it a little too close for comfort for San Diego in a 24-16 defeat.

Early on, it was "here we go again" with the Raiders. A good drive was halted due to a terrible pass by quarterback JaMarcus Russell resulting in an interception for Antonio Cromartie. Russell, 14-for-22 on the day, was much more accurate due to more passes being from a short range. That pass, however, was deeper down the field and ill-advised. A deep bomb from Philip Rivers to Malcom Floyd set up a six-yard touchdown for LaDainian Tomlinson, who had 56 yards on the ground. Just minutes into the second quarter, though, the Raiders cashed in on an interception of their own. A three-yard run by tough-running Justin Fargas capped a very short 27-yard drive to tie things up. Fargas' 59 yards led the team in rushing for the third straight game.

Malcom Floyd's impressive catch against Michael Huff was the key play in the drive. [via a.espncdn.com]

Moving along, the Chargers utilized wide receiver Vincent Jackson to perfection. Jackson alone had almost 60 yards on the team's next scoring drive on five grabs. Fittingly, he scored the touchdown to end it. Another LaDainian Tomlinson touchdown with 54 seconds to go had many thinking that it was over right there with halftime approaching. In the words of college football analyst Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friends." Kickoff return "specialist" Jonathan Holland, who the announcers repeatedly referred to as being from Louisiana Tech, had the best return of his career that eventually set up a Sebastian Janikowski field goal. You had to feel good about points before the half.

LaDainian Tomlinson had two touchdown runs against the Raiders on the day. [via a.espncdn.com]

To start the second half, the Raiders defense came up with a three-and-out. The offense responded with a field goal to make it a one possession game, 21-13. Later on in the quarter, a reverse to Louis Murphy had Oakland on San Diego's 18 to close the quarter. Unfortunately, the drive stalled and the team had to settle for three points. A field goal by Nate Kaeding had made it a 24-16 game with just over four minutes to play in regulation. Could JaMarcus Russell lead the troops down the field to tie it up?

The Chargers brought the blitz all day, led by linebacker Shaun Phillips. [via a.espncdn.com]

With the game on the line and a first down at San Diego's 44, Russell dropped back to pass; however, Shaun Phillips' sack had killed basically all of the momentum right there. A penalty and Shawne Merriman's first sack of the season had made things basically impossible. An 11-yard pass to Zach Miller, leading the team with 52 receiving yards for the day, had set up a fourth down with the team needing 20 yards. A bullet over the middle to Johnnie Lee Higgins was incomplete, as the attempted to quickly grab it and toss it back to Darrius Heyward-Bey. Well, Higgins never caught the ball. It would have definitely been interesting to see what Heyward-Bey would have done as it appeared that he had some space to make something happen. With 54 seconds to go, the Chargers took two knees and came away with a 24-16 victory.

Head coaches Tom Cable and Norv Turner shake hands after the game. [via a.espncdn.com]

The Raiders, now 2-6, have a bye and then take on the Kansas City Chiefs to complete the season series with them on November 15. The Chargers, 4-3 and two games behind the Denver Broncos for first place, will be heading to New Jersey to take on the New York Giants.

Vincent Jackson was the player of the game, posting 103 yards and a touchdown. [via a.espncdn.com]

All in all, with the way some of these games have gone for the Raiders this season, it was nice to see some competitive football. The end result wasn't what we wanted, sure, but the team played hard and continued to fight until the end. The defense was marvelous in the second half and gave us a chance to win. Drives stalled and we had to settle for field goals, so it would have been nice to see them punch it for six. Wide receivers had only two grabs for 16 yards on the day, so production from that spot continues to be the weakest in the league. I hope to get healthy with the bye week coming up. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that we'd like to have Chaz Schilens, Robert Gallery and Darren McFadden back against the Chiefs in two weeks.

For all Oakland Raiders coverage, check out Comcast SportsNet California. [via csnbayarea.com]

Is Our Cable Going to be Cut Off?

2009-11-02T04:54:31Z

Outside the lines video. The interviewees allege that Randy Hanson may not be the only victim of Raider's Coach Tom Cable's actions. This story has not gone away. Tom Calbe has karma coming back to bite him. These are questions that still haven't been answered.

There is now more evidence that Tom Calbe's judgement is in question. His leadership has not been as stellar as we would have hoped. The Raiders and Jamarcus Russell need the best leadership and judgement available especially with their young team but instead may be received mediocre leadership from the coaching staff.

Poll

Should Cable be fired?

DARIUS HEYWARD BEY BEFORE HE WAS A RAIDER

2009-10-30T22:51:41Z

THIS IS WHAT THE NFL COMMUNITY IN PARICULAR THE RAVENS THOUGHT OF DHB BEFORE HE WAS TAKEN 7TH OVERALL AND BECAME A RAIDER

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2009/03/Heyward-Bey_Shines_at_Pro_Day.aspx

I WANT THIS KID TO SUCCEED AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO GIVE HIM A BREAK HE IS UNDER IMMMENSE PRESSURE NOT MANY ROOKIE WR'S START IN THE NFL AND ARE ASKED TO CARRY AN OFFENSE WITH ANOTHER ROOKIE AND A STRUGGLING QB HE WILL GET BETTER BECUZ HE IS A CLASS ACT AND HAS THE INTANGIBLES TO SUCCEED

I WANNA SEE GRADKOWSKI PLAY QB TO SEE IF DHB WILL DO ANY BETER I KNOW HE MISSED THE FADE IN THE ENDZONE BUT ONCE HE GETS HIS FIRST TD HE WILL RELAX

GOD DAMMIT I KNOW WE SUCK BUT THIS IS OUR TEAM AND IMAGINE WHAT UR LIFE WOULD BE LIKE WITHOUT THE RAIDERS...YEA THATS WHAT I THOUGHT PRETTY SHITTY NOW WE ARENT THE ONLY TEAM TO MISS ON DRAFT PICKS AND HAVE A QB STRUGGLE BUT WE ARE THE ONLY TEAM TO HAVE THE SAME FRONT OFFICE THROUGH ALL THE LOSING YEARS OTHER TEAMS HAVE TURNOVER AT THE TOP THAT LIMITS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PAST MISTAKES ... JUST BE GRATEFUL UR TEAM IS ONE OF THE FEW TEAMS THAT HAVE 3 ... YES 3 SUPERBOWL WINS ... WE PLAYED VINCE LOMBARDI IN SUPER BOWL TWO AND THAT JUST A SMALL BIT OF OUR AWESOME HISTORY THATS AMAZING STUFF...JOHN MADDEN THE BEST HC OF ALL TIME COME ON WE ARE AWESOME... WE COULD LOSE FOR THE NEXT 7 YRS AND STILL HAVE WINNING RECORDS AGAINST MOST TEAMS

A serious and very accurate conspiracy theory here

2009-10-28T20:01:00Z

Year after year, the Raiders have led the league or been at the top of the list in regards to penalties.

The Raiders have simply been described as an undisciplined team by announcers and analysts. This is what the franchise is known for.

Different players year after year. New coaches and personnel with new and different styles and philosiphies year after year.

For some strange reason though, the yellow flags are thrown against us, and the zebras score points for themselves. How many times can you remember converted 3rd downs called back for some sort of penalty? And on the flip side of that, how many times have you seen the Raiders kill a drive only to have it brought back to life by a ghost pass interfernce or defensive holding call? How many times have we had questionable calls against us? A few examples from this year alone would be the Murphy TD against the Chargers and the pick 6 for Route against the Eagles.

The infamous "TUCK RULE". Never heard of before that "SNOW JOB" game, and never heard or seen since.

A great game, by two very good teams. Fovever known, not for the play on the field. Not even for the droves of snow that fell on the field throughout the game. Fovever etched in our minds for Charles Woodson forcing Tom Brady to FUMBLE the ball and the Raiders recovery. Only to be overturned for the bullshit "tuck rule".

That game was basically over when Greg Biekert fell on top of the ball. The zebras and the NFL couldn't allow it to end that way for the Patriots.

Can anyone remember any kind of major event that had happened only a few months before this game? Think for a second.

9/11

Many of us may easily be able to remember where we were and what we were doing when that all took place. We can also remember everyone coming together, waving their flags in show of their patriotism.

What better way, for america's game (no not baseball), to have this heart warming story of a "Patriots" team winning the Super Bowl. What better way to get America back on track than to have a story like this that everyone, young and old, football fan or not get behind and smile.

NFL'S PATRIOTS WIN SUPER BOWL XXXVI

So you can believe there was no way the Oakland Raiders were gonna be allowed the chance to ruin the NFL's grand scheme.

Sure it is well known that Super Bowl teams don't have the greatest season the following year. But for the Raiders to have the bottom complete fall out like this. Years of 11 plus losses. Can there really be more to this story?

Now try to stay with me on this one. When was the last time you read or heard some kind of national report of any kind of good news regarding the Oakland Raiders? Probably never.

No matter what moves the Raiders make, it's all bad. Even when we traded for Richard Seymour, it was portrayed as all bad. He was a Super Bowl Champ we acquired for his leadership and tremendous skills. Two things the media said this team lacked. We got traded away some draft picks, which the media said we don't use very well anyway. So we basically got something great for something we had that we didn't use great. Sounds like we did something good right?

Not by the media standards. It was basically a dumb move by Al Davis. He gave away to much. He was said to be the Patriots idiot step brother for continually giving the Patriots quality for close to nothing. The media jumped all over the fact that Richard didn't immediately report to camp. "Speculation" and spectulation only, had all the reports on ESPN and NFL Network saying he didn't want to come to Oakland, and who could blame him. When he finally did report to the Raiders, he came out and said he had family to worry about and their livelyhood to take care of first before he could just up and leave the east coast for the west coast. Of course the media wouldn't have anyone believe that though. These are the Raiders we're talking about here. Nothing can ever go right there.

So here we have a horrible name put out there in the media 24/7, whether it be tv, radio or the internet, which has everyone and there momma to believe this is the most dysfuntional franchise ever created.

We have ridiculous calls and penalties against us game after game that kills our offensive drives and prolongs opponents clock consumption.

You don't think these two things alone will kill a teams sense of family and self esteem.

Basically being called shit and the outcomes of the games coming out to look like shit.

How would you wake up every morning and put on your suit and tie, hard hat and boots, or whatever you wear to work with this image of yourself everywhere you look?

The sad part about it is now we, THE RAIDER NATION, are now truely buying into this fucking bullshit!!!! Talks of rooting for our second favorite team the rest of the year. Talks of boycotting games. Even talks of going to JR's house to give him a piece of your mind.

WAKE UP and don't let the shit you read,hear, and see continue to pollute your minds. Do any of you bale on your kids when they bring some failing grades home from school?

Here's an article I came across that got me to write this fanpost. Lots to open your eyes to here.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/272717-why-raider-hatred-and-why-they-want-raiders-to-lose

Stay strong RAIDER NATION. Don't be lost by the chaos and confusion the media force feeds you.

Please rec this fanpost to keep it at the top for all that enjoy this great Silver and Black Pride blog will read and realize what's really going on.

Take a page out of the niners book

2009-10-28T18:39:00Z

Now I wrote up a little fanpost a few days ago, DRAFTING ANOTHER QB, NOT A GOOD IDEA, and I came across this article that adds a little more light to the debate.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091026/NEWS/910269934?Title=Raiders-could-learn-from-49ers-about-handling-QBs

This article talks about how Mike Singletary played it right by starting the season with Shaun Hill and has now shifted over to Alex Smith. It talks about him learning and shaping his game from what he saw on the sidelines of the veteran in the game.

That was one thing that we were all excited about this offseason. The signing of Jeff Garcia who was without a doubt a proven veteran. He was going to come in and help mold our "Qb of the future".

Obviously he saw that he was more there as an insurance policy for injury and not there to compete for the starting job. It was made clear to him, no matter what, Jamarcus was going to be the starter. A tough pill to swallow for any proven vet, later in his football years, with limited time left in the NFL.

This should have been a red flag waving that Garcia still had the drive to lead a team. He displayed he still had the ability in training camp. He definately had the tract record of leading the Bucs and Eagles before.

Not sure whether Gradko just had some regular season rust or what. He didn't have much more than JR in the Jets game. I will give him high marks for his enthusiasm and displays of leadership.

So I gotta ask you NATION, should the Raiders look into trying to get Garcia for the remainder of the season? I'm sure we could get him for pretty cheap. Cable has shown a glimpse of balls, maybe just the left nut, that he may be willing to bench JR. Hopefully with another subpar performance against SD, he might bench him again headed into the bye week.

Wouldn't this be a great time to come out of the bye week with a new life and a new leader at the QB position? Show JR that he is expendable and let him learn by example.

Poll

Is there an answer to fixing the Qb situation this year?

Which is more disgraceful?

2009-10-28T04:04:26Z

Marcus Allen was a great running back, now in the HOF, with many productive years in Oakland. Despite his excellent play, he was benched during the 91 and 92 seasons. The motive behind this outrage is not sane. On the other hand, JaMarcus Russell currently enjoys a QB rating that places him 34th among 32 NFL starters. So I ask you, which is more disgraceful: benching someone who will significantly help the team win or not benching someone who will significantly help the team lose?

Poll

Which is the more disgraceful act of a coach and owner:

Protest at JRussell's Home?

2009-10-27T23:39:51Z

Please join me for a protest at Jamarcus Russell's home to voice our disgust with his play. Three years and he can't throw a simple check down pass. He can't throw to wide open receivers. He doesn't put in enough work throughout the week.

I'm totally disgusted. If he is not getting the picture, then we should bring it to his front door.

Tell your friends, everyone can participate in this protest.

Poll

How many people can and want to protest at JRussell's?

After 7yrs the Raiders are still under the Gruden Curse

2009-10-27T20:36:29Z

You guys can say what ya want but I still can't believe we lost superbowl XXXVII ,and what makes matters worst is having to watch the raiders being trashed every week for 7 years.... I've waited for Russell and his crew to bring this Raider team back to the glory it once was , but lets be real.... The raiders will NEVER be good again until Al Davis either retires or die one of the two ,and if some of you guys think tom cable is a good coach and needs more time to develop his players.... well you might as well jump ships cause real fans know the Motto "Just win baby" doesn't work with waiting for something that'll never happen. Having Talent is one thing but it's worthless when people are just there to get their pay checks! Al Davis needs to wake up , This is the year 2009!!! NOT 1980 Football!!! Please more on and give the team to Gruden cause people aren't going come watch a bunch of losers =/

via media.sacbee.com

Jamarcus Russell's QB Ranking!

2009-10-27T15:29:28Z

Okay, there are 32 teams in the NFL and apparently every week, the quarterbacks from each team are given a rank based on their performance over the weekend. Out of 32 starting QB's, guess what JM's rank was after the Jets game? An embarrassing #34th out of 32.

That's a damn shame!

I am a die hard Raider fan! However, I don't go to very many games. Only about 1, maybe 2 every season. Some friends that I grew up with come to town so we can all get together, and we go to a game together once a year. We had planned to attend the Eagles game, but 1 guy couldn't make that game so we changed it to the Jet's game. Last year was the 9th year in a row that we went to our annual Raider game together. It was against Favre and the Jets, and would you believe that in 9 years it was the first "annual" game that we attended, that we won! Not only that, but that was the game when Janokowski appeared to have won the game in the last seconds of the 4th Qtr and we were all exstatic! Not so fast buddy! The Jet's pulled the old "time out" trip and Sebass had to do it again. As luck would have it, he just missed that sucker so suddenly we were faced with the realization that we could actually lose this game like the 8 before it! Come on Man!

Well, it took another whole quarter and for a minute there, I thought we were gonna have to settle for a tie, until finally, with like a minute or 2 left in the 5th qtr, Janikowski made a 54 yard field goal I believe and we did witness our first victory in our "annual" traditional setting.

So, naturally it seemed as if perhaps not making the Eagle game was a blessing, since it pushed us up to the Jets game where we were poised to continue where we left off against the Eagles, ride the momentum wave after the public statement made by Seymour that "The Raiders would be in the Playoffs", and beat an AFC team on our way back to one game under 500%! What's more, I brought my son because he was with me all of the previous games that we lost but not the game last year that we won.

Being born and raised in Oakland myself, I was raised by my father as a Raider Fan. That meant, turning on the TV every Sunday, and turning down the sound, and then turning on the Radio in order to hear Bill King do the play by play as we watched the TV. Those are some of the best memories of my childhood and I'm welling up with tears right now, just reliving those days, of our Bad Ass, highly respected, Oakland Raiders who were known as the NFL's "Most Winningest Team". To this day, just hearing any old Bill King play by play, brings the tears to my eyes every time! And to this day, I still turn down the sound and turn on the Radio for Greg Papa and Tom Flores to give me the play by play.

Point being, back then, in the "Pre LA" days, I managed to attend at least 5 Raider Games, 2 of which were in our Cindarella year when we were the first wildcard team to win a Super Bowl. So it wasn't until after 1995, when they returned from LA that I ever saw a game live, where the Raiders lost. Every single game I went to as a kid, we won! And every Super Bowl we played in, we won! So when we made it to the Super Bowl in 2001, it happened to be the like the first season that my own son had taken an interest to football and I was so happy that he was gonna see them win a Super Bowl in his first year following the team! I assured him not to worry because "We don't Lose Super Bowls" I promised him. Well, we all know how that story ends. We lost! And to top it off, every game he's ever gone to, we've also lost. Man, I feel so bad for him. Here, I never saw the Raiders lose a game when I was a kid, but my poor son has never seen them win. My how things have changed.

So this time I was all excited for him about to see his first Raider win live against the Jets. And just as were getting to our seats, the Jets are scoring a touch down. I mean, the clock still had over 13 minutes left in the first quarter and we're already down 7! And you know, it didn't get any better, with the final result being the Raiders getting smoked like a rock, 38-0!

Now, after benching Russell, Cable teased us with the idea of making a change. And although Grabowski didn't do much better, I honestly think that he should be allowed to start a game instead of being put in after were losing 24-0. At least the guy was mobile, in good shape, accurate and able to move the football. No, he's not the future but I really believe that it would suit Russell to watch a game from the bench and be given the understanding that he needs to work for his start, and not a moment before. Once he shows that he's dedicated to becoming the first string QB, put his slimmer ass in and let his hard work reap some rewards. But until he earns his spot, he will continue to repeat the same piss poor performances. That's the way I see it. Thanks for Reading!

Listen to the post game show to hear my weekly comments live on the radio with Rich, George and Hummer.

I'm "White Mike from Oakland"

BFTB Answers Your Chargers Questions

2009-10-27T10:11:13Z

Hey guys. I'm John, the Managing Editor over at Bolts From The Blue, and I'm back to answer any questions you have about the San Diego Chargers.

The last two weeks I've asked Broncos and Chiefs fans to avoid any trash-talking in the comments of these posts, I really want it to be a place for straight-forward questions and answers, and it's turned into twice as much trash-talk as it would've normally. So I'll just ask that you keep in mind that I'm not here as a troll, I'm here to help you guys get more knowledgeable about the upcoming game.

Put your questions in the comments below and please Rec this post to keep it at the top of the page until Sunday's game.