Oakland Raiders News: 10 Reasons To Be Hyped For 2008

by saint on Feb 10, 2008 9:39 AM PST in News Comment 32 comments

Over the next 10 days I will be writing about 10 reasons EVERY Raider fan should be HYPED for 2008.

Today, I will start with reason #1.

The number one reason that I am hyped for 2008 is the player who wears number 2, JaMarcus Russell.

After the final play of the 2007 Season, Raider Coach, Lane Kiffin announced that JaMarcus Russell would be the starter in 2008.

2008 would have been the year that he came out of college had he stayed at LSU. Do you think that Miami would be drooling all over their BIG TUNA if he were available?

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that JaMarcus would have been chosen #1 overall this year if he'd have stayed in school and he is BY FAR the best QB taken since the 2004 draft, which produced, Philip Rivers, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. Jay Cutler and Alex Smith just AREN'T as good as these four.

Two of those quarterbacks have already won Super Bowls, Big Ben and Eli, while Rivers has led his team to the playoffs in consecutive years and could have been facing off against Eli this year, had he and LT been healthy in the AFC Championship.

Now, I am NOT saying that JaMarcus Russell is going to lead us to the playoffs in his first season starting. No, expecting that of a player on a team with so many holes at this time that it makes the...Hold on did I say holes?

Actually, there are only FIVE holes ON this team.

Two wideouts, one dominant DT, one run stuffing LB and a hard hitting SS.

That entire situation can be solved in the draft, we have FIVE picks, and free agency beginning on February 28th...Damn, the Raiders can make the playoffs THIS YEAR because we have a "potential" elite QB, in JaMarcus Russell!!!

With a QB at the helm with J-Russ's intangibles, the "Rocket Arm", "Escapability" in the pocket and "Pinpoint" accuracy, how can we lose if the defense is solidified and we can add a speedy receiver for him to go deep to?

I found a YouTube video of J-Russ before he was drafted. If you haven't seen this you should watch it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx1iaBhEujY&NR=1

When I looked up Eli Manning's numbers from his rookie season his QB Rating was within JaMarcus Russell's by 1 point at 55.4. In his second season he threw for 24 TDs and by his his 5th season in the League he was a Super Bowl Champ.

Phillip Rivers took a total of 8 snaps in his rookie campaign and 12 in his second, then led the team, along with LT of course, to a 14-2 record in his third season.

We all know how Big Ben did, he won the Super Bowl in his rookie season and has been a Pro-Bowler ever since!!!

So, what can we expect from JaMarcus in 2008?

Like most of you, I loved what I saw from JaMarcus last season and with an improved O-Line, I expect a lot from him in 2008...Who knows? Under his leadership we may just be playing some January football.

Are you getting HYPED YET???

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Saint, I hope we have 10 articles in the

next 10 days. As much as I read AN, and GS of M, I like to read about the Raiders as much. You are correct in your assessment of the teams needs, and every time you mention we only have 5 picks I cringe. You are correct in that we have hitched our wagon to Russell, and I am willing to take that chance. Oddly enough so has Kiffin, which makes me even more surprised that he would entertain going anywhere else. My god, if you are an NFL coach and have a talent like Russell on your team you are set for 10 years, ask McCarthy with Favre, or Dungy with Peyton. I know that 1st round QB's can fail, Couch, Marinovich, and dozens of others come to mind, but from where I sit, Russell is very special with a very special arm. Nobody can throw as far and as fast as Russell, that doesn't drop into your lap very often. As I have said ad nauseum, the key to winning football games is the QB. You cannot have a porous defense and win, but you cannot have a mediocre QB and win either. YEs, yes, I know, Dilfer has a ring but that defense was really, really special. That kind of defense comes by every 20 or so years. If Kiffin stays and now I suspect he will then I am very optimistic about this coming year. He knows who performed and he knows who didn't, and he has said this year will be different, I think it will. Russell is a good start. The free agent signings and the #1 and #2 picks are crucial. In the NFL trades are almost non-existent.

by chinabob on Feb 10, 2008 2:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

There will be 10 for sure:

As far as the Kiffin leaving comments go, let's just make a pact as a Nation that we will forget that ESPN reported anything in regard to this.

What a lot of people do not recall is that Kiffin was on record saying he didn't have the time last year to complete his staff the way he wanted to because by the time he was hired a lot of talented coaches were already taken. This year, he has already added TWO HOFers to his staff.

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 10, 2008 6:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Forget ESPN

One thing that we as Raider Nation MUST ALWAYS remember is that there is no love from the Eastern Boys. We are always looked upon as jokes, mocked on their segments and even when we do something significant we are given the cold shoulder!

ESPN is a great resource, true, but they have a bias(toward west coast teams) that is larger than NYC itself! Where are the Kiffen reports NOW?! Now that the Raiders denounced them and all of us here at S+BP went crazy just thinking that our own coach Kiff would leave us! ESPN wanted to get out those reports for one sole purpose....They cant see us PROGRESS. Period

Which brings me to the end of this comment....SCREW ESPN, NBC, and All the rest of the HATERS. I can't wait to see their faces when we make our comeback. GO RAIDERS!!!!!

You don't adjust. You just DOMINATE.- Al Davis

by DarksideJU08 on Feb 10, 2008 8:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

forget espn

you know darkside i have to agree with you. it seems now more than ever that the eastcoast news doesn't give any love to the westcoast teams. eversince bill walsh's death when al davis came out and talked about coming up with an award in bill's name and commenting on the bias of the eastcoast press. only sports ills. gave al davis props for calling the way for the giants to beat the patriots, and that was on the last page. even chris burman, who i thought was a longtime raider supporter, seems to have turned traitor to the raider nation! to bad for him. forget espn and the eastcoast press? i've got a stronger word that!FU..'EM ALL!! as for adam schefter, just another bronco fan trying to stire the shit.

bleed silver and black!

by phredex on Feb 11, 2008 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With ESPN

add TNT and that Bay Area hater, Sir Fatso Charles Barkley.

I know he bags mostly on the Warriors, but he called out the whole region.

Black Battle Axe

by oaklandSMASH on Feb 11, 2008 11:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In the offseason...hope springs eternal

The playoffs might be asking a bit much of a club being led by, lets face it, a rookie quarterback that has a recieving corp that's sub par. Eight and eight this year, in my opinion, would have been an exceptional year but with all the holes to fill 8-8 or 9-7 seem more likely this season (2008). Chad Johnson would be great, that guy wants "W"s and has the tallent to back it up, I think TJ Who's Your Momma is in for a rude awakening this season if he's the Bengals number 1 reciever, just ask Porter how its been since Rice and Brown left. I flew down from Seattle, my current residence, for a couple of games this season (Broncos, Colts)and was impressed with the progress the team had made, the only thing they lacked in those two games was the killer instinct that was supposed to be a staple of ALL Raider teams. They could have beaten the Colts that day and Denver should have been even more one sided. But this is the offseason and hope springs eternal, with the draft and, sallary cap permitting, the free agency market maybe the silver and black CAN be a force once again.

by Bleeding Silver and Black on Feb 11, 2008 4:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

With the schedules the

way they are now, sometimes a teams' record is a product of their schedule. For the past few years the Raiders have had a tough schedule. Having said that, there were many games last season the Raiders should have won, Texans, Bears, & Colts come to mind. The 2008 schedule is quite favorable as we sit here now, only the Pats are a dominant team. One of the reasons teams go from 4 to 10 wins in a season is a reflection of the schedule makers. It would not take a dramatic turnaround to see the Raiders win 10 this year. In the NFL the margin between winning and losing is quite small. A TD here, a pass interference there, you win or you lose. The Raiders beat Denver in Denver but then lost, they were ahead of several teams late in games but couldn't close the door. They are not that far from winning again.

by chinabob on Feb 11, 2008 8:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Beating Denver last year isn't saying much

Al Davis would have gashed the Broncos D for 100 yards last year. If anything, the Broncos are closer to sharing the cellar with the Raiders than the Raiders are to winning again.

by Zappa on Feb 14, 2008 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You are coorect about the plight of your:

OLD team...Take it from me, when your best players get too old to be effective, it can take a while to replace them...It's a good thing, for you, that KC stinks because they will be your company for quite some time.

The heart of this Raider team is YOUNG and HUNGRY...Watch!!!

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 14, 2008 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Broncos are young and talented..

Cutler, Marshall(aka FREAK STUD), Sheffler, Moss, Doom, Crowder, Thomas, Williams, Graham

The only old farts are Lynch, Gold, and the OL.

Gold is gone and Walker...who is old? Our kicker? I'll take Elam over choke master Janikowski. ;)

by Zappa on Feb 14, 2008 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Losing Rod Smith hurt:

I'm sure.

Smith and Lynch are difficult players to replace. It goes so much further than the box score.

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 14, 2008 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

More holes in the Raiders than you think

It has been a long time since the Raider's "Committment to Excellance" has meant much. Excellance begins in the trenches with players that can dominate. We did not win and were embarrassed in our last Superbowl because our "O" line fell apart and our defense was not dominate enough to do to the Buccaneers like they did to us. The Raiders have wholes along the "O" line starting with LT position, with no long term insurance at center and possibly RG. A perfect free agency and draft acquistions will be the only way the Raiders return to the playoffs. Perfection is not likely but the quickest way to dominance in the AFC West conference and the playoffs is to fill the wholes on the "O" & "D" lines with dominate players. The skill positions must wait until the foundation is laid. We do not need an RB in the 1st or 2nd round of the draft! We need dominate linemen that come from highest of draft picks and free agency.

"Unsung Heroes"

by Mad Home Dog on Feb 11, 2008 8:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Uh........

OK, i am anything but 'hyped' we don't know what craziness is going on in alemeda - if Kiffin is canned, its all over for '08. Another year, another new coach, forget it.

As far as JR, how can you say he "is BY FAR the best QB taken since the 2004 draft".... I mean he barely played, and when he did he didnt look that great.

Lastly, only 5 holes to fill? Are you kidding me, you didn't even mention the O-Line! That has been our biggest weakness in 5 years, and you don't mention it - with 3 of the starters likely gone .... wow. I guess if you think our o-line is ok as is, then you probably could get hyped for next season... and I have some property in Florida i want to sell you

New Mottos: "ego and greed" & "committment to AL"

by mike88p on Feb 11, 2008 3:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I Am Talking About Holes:

LT may be a hole, BUT, as I've addressed before, I am not sure what Henderson has to offer. So, before we go wasting a pick on a LT, it is imperative to see what the LT that we took in the third round last yearn has to offer.

I like Gallery, McQuistan, Carlisle and Newberry/Grove.

There MY be a hole at LT, but we don't know what Henderson has to offer yet...Do we.

I know that we DO need two wideouts (If Porter Leaves), a tackling hard hitting LB and SS as well as a run stuffing DF Lineman.

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 12, 2008 10:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

From 2005 til Now:

Who would you take over JaMarcus Russell?

Jay Cutler? Please!?!?!

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 12, 2008 12:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We could use more support on the O-Line

but if last year was any indication, our line is getting a whole lot better because of the coaching.

One year of Cable Car made us all thankful we were past our stay at the Bed and Breakfast.

I'm thinking we are one move away from giving JaMarc the pocket time he needs.

Black Battle Axe

by oaklandSMASH on Feb 11, 2008 11:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

You are retarded if you think

JaMarcus is better than Jay Cutler...or even Alex Smith.

JaMarcus has done NOTHING and has proven NOTHING. Jay Cutler has led more 4th quarter drives to win games than JaMarcus has played games. Alex Smith has done more injured than JaMarcus has done healthy.

I will come back here in 2 years and laugh at your bust of a number 1 draft pick. I feel sorry for JaMarcus, he is going to get ruined by the cancer called the Oakland Raiders.

You people are delusional. Good luck next year, keep the cellar warm for us. :)

by Zappa on Feb 14, 2008 9:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I smell FEAR...Donkey Fear!!!

Facts are facts, so here are some facts.

If JaMarcus Russell had stayed in school he would have been the #1 pick again this year. Fact.

JaMarcus is 2 years and 4 months younger that Jay "Soon To Be Perennial 88 QB rating" Cutler.

Let's take a look at JaMarcus's "Rookie Effort" GAME BY GAME...

He made his debut against Denver and he looked pretty good, completing 4-7 passes for 56 yards. It's a small sample size, but not bad for someone who missed all of camp AND was barely 22 years old.

In limited play against Indy he was 2-4 for 10 yards...

Against Jacksonville the ENTIRE team got destroyed!!! Russell was 7-23 for a mere 83 yards. he also threw 3 picks. I recall at one point he had the worst rating I'd ever seen.

Even though things were going against him and the BUZZ SAW that was Jacksonville at the end of the season, remember they sat their starters on the last weekend, the coaches left him out there to get punched in the mouth. Unlike many starters that I've seen fold under that kind of pressure, JaMarcus bounced back and led a touchdown drive on his final drive of the day. I felt that on that drive he grew up.

His ONLY start in 2007 came against a Charger team that started the day playing for a Home Playoff game. It was a playoff game for the Chargers.

In his first start, at 22 years of age, in a playoff atmosphere, he went 23-31 and led many drives into scoring territory. Unfortunately, a missed field goal, questionable fourth down gamble on 4th and 3 from the Charger 25 and a fumbled punt on the Charger 4 yard line cost him a shot at winning his first start, but I walked away VERY impressed.

By the way, the week before, against that same San Diego team, Jay Cutler was 14-32 for 155 yards, with 2 picks and 0 TDs.

The thing that sticks out the most to me about Cutler's rookie season is that he took the reigns of a 7-4 team that many thought would make the playoffs and managed to go 2-3 and lose out on the playoffs by an OT field goal to the Niners and Alex Smith.

This year he took that team to 7-9 while throwing 14 picks and 20 TDs. That takes them from a perennial playoff team to an 9-12 team that even the "Lowly Raiders" are looking forward to playing twice a year.

Heck, in two years, when JaMarcus Russell is 24 to start the season, I'd see 20 TDs and 14 picks as a failure.

Oh yeah, and another stat, that 163 college passer rating in his JUNIOR year, says a lot about how "High" I am on J-Russ.

The rivalry is BACK Guru, it will just take a couple of more years until we can compete with San Diego for the AFC West throne again.

For what it's worth, I do like Cutler more than Leinart or Young in the long term, but JaMarcus Russell IS, in my opinion, the best QB to come out since 2004.

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 14, 2008 12:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ok.

Compare Cutler to JaMarcus against their other common opponent. JACKSONVILLE.

Your whole theory blows up in your face when you do that.

Face it, last years win over Denver was a once in three year thing. 2004, 2007, so call me again to talk smack in 2010. :)

by Zappa on Feb 14, 2008 12:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

btw,

Cutler was one 4th down drop by Daniel Graham from driving down the field for the winning score against Jacksonville.

Cutler is scary when the game is on the line, JaMarcus just looks awkward. :)

by Zappa on Feb 14, 2008 12:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

RRRTTTTT!!!! Wrong Again:

In common opponents, as in teams that most resemble the teams that one plays, Cutler was OWNED by San Diego only one week before J-Russ led WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GAME WINNING DRIVES against San Diego.

The Jacksonville team that played in week 3 was not as strong as the team that played in Week 16.

Cutler is good when the game is on the line, in fact his 9-12 record as a starter prove it!!!

heck the Broncos may have the same record as the Raiders over the last 21 games if it weren't for your gift from Santa Claus...Santa Claus Indiana that is.

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 14, 2008 1:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't even be here ranting and raving right

now if you hadn't put Jay Cutler in the same realm as Alex freakin Smith. JaMarcus Russel isn't the answer to your future. The answer lies in new ownership. The cancer will never leave your organization while he is mucking things up. I firmly believe that JaMarcus will flounder and eventually be ruined by the Raider organization.

It really is sad. I enjoy football alot more when it was the Broncos and Raiders battling it out for the division title. San Diego? Come on! What has the AFC West come too where the Chargers are the franchise to beat? That's almost as laughable as you guys being bottom feeders for 5 consecutive years. That is a streak the Broncos haven't matched since their horrible teams back in the 60's and early 70's.

Make sure to draft a kicker in the first round this year.

I hope the Raiders return to respectability, because its just not as much fun pounding on a crappy team. I'd rather beat a good team.

PS Yes I know the Raiders beat us last year, but like I said, its a once every three year kind of deal. 2004, 2007, see you in 2010. :)

by Zappa on Feb 14, 2008 2:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We Were One Well Placed Time-out:

Away from sweeping your beloved Donkeys last year.

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 14, 2008 3:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I've gotten of track a little,

I actually like Russell even though he is a Faider. You got me all wiled up, but I must say that we need to come together and remember that Phyllis Rivers is who we really despise. Let's not forget the common hatred here. I do not want to battle it out with mediocrity...I want to win the damn division. Take care and I honestly hope you beat out the Chefs for 3rd place next year. :)

by Zappa on Feb 14, 2008 9:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sweet:

you must be sitting on the toilet with Zappa and smoking some of that peaceful stuff right now... :)

I played a show with Ike Willis a few years ago in the City and it is one of my all time favorite jams.

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 14, 2008 11:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Cutler

In the words of Stan and Kyle on South Park when they meet Cutler "Nice to meet you. I mean, you kinda suck, but my dad says you might be good some day."

Cutler is still largely unproven as is JaMac. My money (and Al's) is on JaMac.

by sabp on Feb 14, 2008 1:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Each QB is a good fit for their organization

This was also posted at the MHR, but it is relevant to the Russell/Cutler debate. A shame that there aren't more of your fans taking part in the debate.

Russell was particularly appealing to Al Davis because he had the arm to reestablish the vertical passing game. He also came from a winning college program and has the relaxed demeanor necessary for a struggling program. His ability to adapt to the speed of the NFL and his innate ability to learn from mistakes has yet to be evaluated. The question is whether Oakland's vertical passing game is still effective against modern NFL defenses.

As all of us Broncos fans know, Cutler has the ideal skill set for the WC offense. His mobility, ability to throw on the run and the arm strength that keeps defenses from crowding the line against run happy Denver make him one of the best fits amongst all the QBs in the NFL for Denver. His 4th quarter leadership and quick learning curve have been impressive.

The biggest question is not the respective skills and potential of Russell and Cutler, but rather the organizational skills of the front offices. Both QBs will continue to need to have complimentary players added to their rosters. This process will determine the success of each team and each of the QBs. The acquisiton of talent and the development of team chemistry will be a very interesting process to watch over the next several years.

by Arctic Bronco on Feb 17, 2008 12:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Very Well Said:

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 17, 2008 8:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think this is a question

of whether or not Russell will be a failure. Neither QB existed in a vaccuum either now or during their respective college careers. They both have different leadups to NFl football, different ways of approaching NFL football and different ways of playing NFL football.

I like the way Russell is getting himself ready. He probably isn't as cerebral as Cutler, but all that means is that he needs to approach preparation differently. He seems to be doing that, and his particular style is to just play it cool. Unlike Rivers, I think that is one aspect of both Cutler and Russell that will make The Rivalry even better down the line.

But it isn't Russell's failure or success that should be anyone's concern.

Worry about whether or not he is going to be RUINED. Cutler has a solid offensive staff, and one of the best QB molders in the game, in Shanahan. Kiffen is good for the faders, but that very fact probably means that Al won't stand for him for long. And if Kiffen sticks around, it will be because implicitly or explicitly he has come to accept the premises by which Davis runs the faders now, which by its nature means that Kiffen won't be running things right anymore... and Russell is caught in the middle of all this turmoil.

The good news for the faders is that RUINING a young, talented, humble QB is just the sort of thing that should be a reality check for Al Davis. 1st round tackles can be swept under the rug. Years of 1st day picks on defense can be put into perspective in a tough, offensive minded division.

But ruining your first honest chance to be a competitor in the AFC West and the NFL since falling from grace, can only be what it is, and nothing more.

A failure.

Mile High Report

by styg50 on Feb 14, 2008 7:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Wow!!!

First off his name is Lane "Kiffin".

Secondly, who has Shana-Rat ever groomed?

Third of all DO NOT EVER come over here and call the Raider Nation...faders...Especially when we wiped the floor up with your Donkeys with Josh McCown at the helm.

You think that Al Davis has a history of ruining coaches?

He gave the Rat his first shot, as well as the first Latino, Tom Flores (Two SB victories) and two other young coaches who have won Super Bowls, Gruden and Madden.

If you take TD away from Elway and BOTH of them away from the RAT, you get air balls..Nothing but air balls for Championships.

JaMarcus Russell IS the best QB to come out in the last four drafts and that IS that.

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 14, 2008 11:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I know, impressive ain't it?

Kiff-I-n. Got it.
Who is this Shana-rat you speak of?
Fair enough. For what its worth, bringing up Josh McCown hurts infinitely worse than any namecalling I could possibly do...
I do not think AD has a history of ruining coaches, quite the opposite. I look at shell and Norv, and they were pre-ruined upon arrival (or maybe you could say, 'unruinable'), so they aren't worth looking at. Your examples are all great ones of why there is a patina of dark respect around my vision of Al Davis. My only question is "What in the hell has happened to him?" I have no doubt that winning and losing aren't front and center in his mind, but that winning 'his way' holds the most value for him. But everything I see him do seems to be sabotaging himself...I can only assume that his goal simply isn't terribly obvious, but it SHOULD feature winning somewhere in there. I don't know. Davis baffles me. How can someone who knows so damn much about football be so stunningly obtuse? It has to be deliberate for some unfathomable reason. And I'm not worried about him ruining Kiff-i-n. Kiff-i-n is in the mold of Gruden: if he doesn't like it, he'll just leave. But there has to be a better way to test the mettle of your coach than some of the stuff that has cropped up since Kiff-i-n arrived. (I'm thinking specifically of his late hire, effectively putting him behind the eight ball in terms of assembling a staff for 07, and then the recent whirlwind with letters of resignation, fired coaches who aren't fired, hired coaches who aren't hired. Admittedly, the mess this offseason has 'media screwup' written all over it but, they almost deserve a pass since they were merely responding out of habit to the type of rumors that always seem to come out of oakland).
Again with the mysterious rat... Regarding TD being taken away, 29 of 30 teams had the opportunity to do just that, some of them 6 or more times, in the 1995 draft. And as far as the IF 'air balls' are concerned, IF my aunt had 'air balls' she'd be my uncle.
I'll meet you halfway. JaMarcus Russell has all the physical tools to warrant getting excited about. You SHOULD be hanging your hopes on him and he CAN deliver for oakland. Lets leave the 'best' talk until we have some history to really sink our teeth into. But I will say this: he is an 'at-risk' youth in Al Davis' house. Your WRs aren't as good as they should have been, your offensive line isn't as good as it should have been. Michael Bush should be going into his second year as a fulltime starter. Russell SHOULD have stepped into an ideal offensive situation, but instead he is stepping into a question mark, and he is fighting history...

Mile High Report

by styg50 on Feb 16, 2008 4:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well Said:

The Shana-Rat is Mike Shanahan. I call him that because he looks like a mouse.

I don't think that he has groomed anyone yet. He may be grooming Cutler, but there is no way that groomed John Elway OR Jake Plummer.

The thing about the Raiders and the press is that the Raiders don't tell them smack. So, they make stuff up and stir, once again, like rats to nibble on any piece of table scraps that they are fortunate enough to gather and then they start putting the pieces together in their own way.

As far as dealing with the media the way they do, I kinda like it. I also know that tight ships don't like loose lips and Al Davis is still the Captain of the Oakland Raiders and is not afraid to dispose of these he feels are inadequate or unloyal.

I also know that Al Davis believes in winning SO MUCH that he goes for it every year. Whether it is bringing in Randy Moss to a losing team that could have used their #1 pick that year to get younger and free up some cap space, or bringing in Daunte Culpepper to lead the team back to GREATNESS, he does go out and try to win every year.

The Raiders don't rebuild, they re-attack.

To the last point, 2-14 teams have holes everywhere...Not just in personal or in coaching. With some of the executive positions retooled and an entirely new offensive coaching staff as well as nearly 20 new players, last year was an overhaul that Al blessed. Now I look forward to seeing what it produces.

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Feb 16, 2008 10:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs