Oakland's Version of Dumb and Dumber
Just read the Oakland Tribune's Jerry McDonald's latest blog and it's really disheartening.
It's about Kiffin and the defense. And guess what?
He has no say in what the Raiders do defensively.
Surprised?
I'm not.
Just read the Oakland Tribune's Jerry McDonald's latest blog and it's really disheartening.
It's about Kiffin and the defense. And guess what?
He has no say in what the Raiders do defensively.
Surprised?
I'm not.
Anyone that knows me knows I'm a Raider fan. They also know I was telling them that Oakland was about to get embarrassed on national TV. And tada! They were on Monday night.
For a while there, it looked like JaMarcus Russell was once again going to be held on a very short and tight leash.
Taking on the Tennessee Titans on Friday night in the second preseason game of the young season, the Raiders' quarterback threw dump offs and a simple slant route to start off the contest.
It looked like Russell was bound to another lackluster performance --- i.e. the one he had against the 49ers a week earlier.
However, head coach Lane Kiffin opened up the playbook a little bit more.
The Raiders appear ... keyword ... appear ready to take on the regular season with a running attack that should feature three running backs: Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.
But what about the air attack?
It might have been the initial foray into the 2008 year, but what Oakland showed against the 49ers last Thursday isn't going to cut it.
Legs can take you only so far. The Raiders are also going to have to rely on quarterback JaMarcus Russell's arm.
Just a quick entry folks.
Don't have DirectTV or satellite and can't watch any preseason action on the tube?
No worries.
NFL.com has you covered.
The site offers highlights from all the games for free (technically, if you pay for internet service, it's not free but ...) of all the preseason games the next day and it appears the site will do the same for the 2008 regular season.
It may have been the first game of the 2008 preseason. It may have been against the San Francisco 49ers. It may mean little to nothing in terms of what's going to happen during the regular season.
But from early indications, the Oakland Raiders look set to pound the ball with its running game.
Forget all the talk about a potential hold out.
The Oakland Raiders signed Darren McFadden to a six-year deal late Thursday night.
Many fans have been asking for it, and it appears, it's just around the corner.
Losing favor as quickly as he gained it, running back LaMont Jordan's time in Oakland is coming to an end.
After searching for another veteran quarterback to add to the stable, the Oakland Raiders finally found one on Thursday. And it's a familiar face, at that.
Welcome back Marques Tuiasosopo ... I think.
Got a comment from one of my blog entries today.
In fact, it seems he's the only one that seems to read this thing.
Anyhow, this is what he had to say:
"Ray. I know you love the Raiders. But I do pity you. I don't believe the Raiders will reach .500 or above while Al Davis is in control of the team." -- Andrew Bird
After covering the HSU softball teams magnificent run over the last two weeks, I finally got back onto the blog scene and the comment brought up several thoughts.
Looks like Raider fans will have to look for someone else to blame in the secondary.
Oakland released safety Stuart Schweigert on Tuesday in a move that was not very surprising.
The Oakland Raiders voluntary minicamp just got underway and to no surprise, second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell took center stage among the media in attendance.
While some were observing how the 6-foot-6 quarterback performed during the various drills, some were keeping an eye on how well he fit into his red No. 2 jersey.
For all the attention that goes into the former LSU QB's arm -- he apparently didn't show off his cannon with 50-plus yard bombs -- eyes were dead set on his physical stature, namely, his weight.
It appears Darren McFadden won't be wearing No. 5 in the NFL.
According to Raiders.com, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft will be sporting the No. 20 in the pros.
But after seeing the reaction of NFL draft pundits, analysts, experts, fans, yada, yada, yada, McFadden's new jersey won't please many of them.
It's no secret Al Davis would love to get his hands on Chris Long with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft on April 26, however, it appeared the Virginia defensive end would be -- pardon the pun -- long gone by the time the Raiders would make their selection.
For the past few weeks, through various mock drafts, publications, you name it, Long was projected as the No. 1 overall selection in the draft.
But with recent news that the Dolphins are negotiating with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, could the other Long end up a Raider?
With two weeks to go until the NFL Draft, there's a plethora of mock drafts out there. Whether on the internet, magazines, or newspapers, there are plenty of NFL analysts, experts and pundits unleashing their version of what will probably happen on April 26.
In the spirit of keeping up, here's a mock from Associated Press NFL Writer Dave Goldberg:
It sure took him a while didn't it?
Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin finally spoke to the media on Tuesday at the NFL owners meeting in Florida.
Babyface Lane broke his silence and sounded enthusiastic about his job as the Raiders' sideline boss.
They may have been dreadful last season, however, through sheer luck or because of the hated rivalry, the Oakland Raiders open the 2008 season on Prime Time television.
Come September 8, the Silver and Black will take on AFC West Rival Denver in Oakland as part of Monday Night Football's season-opening doubleheader.
The Oakland Tribune's Jerry McDonald brought up a key stressing point in regards to Oakland's addition of cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
Paring the loquacious Hall with Nnamdi Asomugha has given the Raiders a dangerous combo at corner. Visions of Charles Woodson and Eric Allen may have returned to the minds of the Raider Nation.
The Hall-Asomugha connection has even brought the visions of Mike Haynes and Lester Hayes -- the glory days of Raider DB's -- back into the fold.
But like McDonald said in his blog Haynes and Hayes had something Hall and Asomugha don't -- a lethal pass rush.
DeAngelo Hall is officially an Oakland Raider. After viewing wire reports and various websites, I hoped onto Raiders.com. There's a photo of Hall in Raiders' garb with his new $70 million smile ($25 million of it guaranteed).
Al Davis seven-year, $70 million deal which he negotiated himself, according to Nancy Gay of the San Francisco Chronicle
Davis himself ... now that's an interesting thing. However, I don't believe, not for one second, Big Al is done rockin' the NFL's boat. Not by a long shot.
Well, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter, DeAngelo Hall is an Oakland Raider.
It appears the Falcons-Raiders trade will happen after all.
Corner back DeAngelo Hall told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday he will be signing a contract with Oakland shortly and be a Raider by the end of the week.
The draft is a crap-shoot and no one really knows who's going to go where. But here's a quick peek at why Oakland should take Vernon Gholston with the fourth overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Seemed to me making a mock draft before the initial frenetic spending spree that is Free Agency wasn't the way to go.
After waiting to see what teams did once the green light came on to sign unrestricted free agents -- as well as waiting for squads to designate franchise players -- now seems a great time to predict what will happen on April 26.
Yes, I know how strange that sounds. Good in Oakland can be identified as any oxymoron these days. However, the Raiders did something that many expected on Wednesday — apply the franchise tag to cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
Stay tuned for an NFL Mock Draft from the T-S sports guys in the coming days.
Well, at least they're off to the right foot.
With all the controversy and speculation running rampant in terms of the Oakland Raiders' head coaching situation, the organization, the team has gotten a jump start on personnel matters.
Namely, re-signing tail back Justin Fargas to a 3-year deal.
When his name was called as the 31st pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, analysts and draft pundits alike were left scratching their heads. Even worse, then league commissioner Paul Tagliabue couldn’t even pronounce his last name.
No one knew what to make of 6-foot, 2-inch, safety out of Cal back then. Now, with the NFL's free agency period just beyond the horizon, he’ll be a hot commodity if he hits the open market.
That’s why it’s imperative the Oakland Raiders put the vice grip on No. 21 before he even gets a hint of the free-agent air.
Continue reading "No if-ands-or-buts Raiders need to re-sign Nnamdi" »
Sean Quincey
Patriots 55, Giants 17
Vegas was right to set the line the way they did. Giving the Patriots 12 points got millions to say, “What?! I’ll take that!” No, they’ll take you.
New England’s going to run away with this one. At whatever party you’re at, get your fill before the half because they’ll be up by three touchdowns by then.
Eli won’t move the ball against Belichick and his defensive genius, while Brady’s weapons, now thawed, will be on a fast track. Watch out, more records will today.
MVP — Tom Brady
The hiatus between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl just wore on us here at the Times-Standard.
Tired of waiting, some of us decided to simulate the Super Bowl, through a video game, Madden 08 for the Xbox 360.
The x-factor Sunday for the Giants was ... Lawrence Tynes?
Yes indeed.
Lawrence James Henry Tynes, a 29-year-old Troy alum, proved to be the difference against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game on Sunday night.
Honestly, the only place I thought I’d see a NFL team run go undefeated and win the grand daddy of them all was in a video game. It was in Madden NFL 2008 to be exact.
But after watching the Patriots top the San Diego Chargers 21-12 at the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, everyone might just see New England reach perfection, live and in color.
The mystery surrounding the future of the Raiders' head coach can certainly wear of both media and fans.
Without a single word coming out of the Silver and Black headquarters in Alameda and the rumors that persist both on the web and in Bay Area papers, no one but Al Davis and perhaps Lane Kiffin himself know if the 32-year-old head coach will be back roaming the sidelines.
However, there was a slight piece of evidence that Kiffin will remain the Raiders' sideline boss for at least one more season on Thursday.
See the title?
That's the only words I could think of when I found out Rob Ryan was returning as the Raiders defensive coordinator next year. Well, maybe not in those exact words ... my real reaction is not quite proper for print.
According to Josh Dubow -- the Associated Press Raiders' beat writer -- Ryan will return for another year at the helm of Oakland's defense (if we can call it that).
Well, that's it.
Warren Sapp officially retired today. He spoke with Raiders' beat writer Steve Corkran from the Contra Costa Times and said, "I'm done."
Sapp actually told Raiders' owner Al Davis on Friday he was planning on calling it a career and -- per the Times -- Davis wanted Warren to think it over and give him a final answer.
The 35-year-old defensive tackle didn't change his mind.
We've come to the time of year where some NFL fans are getting set for playoff fever while others are wondering why they still follow their beloved team.
The 2007 NFL regular season came to an end on Sunday. For the Redskins, Seahawks, Jaguars, Steelers, Giants, Buccaneers, Titans and Chargers, the journey to the Super Bowl starts next Sunday.
For the Cowboys, Packers, Colts and Patriots, they have one more week before they hit the ground running on the road to glory.
All of the playoff-bound squads have their eyes set on claiming 2007's top prize. However ...
When was the last time that an NFL player — a LINEMAN — was carried off the field on his appreciative teammates' shoulders at the end of a game?
B.Y. (Bryant Young) was a tremendous and persistent warrior in the trenches for 14 years. The guy played hurt, was routinely double-teamed and still made good tackles, timely sacks, and added emotional stability to the 49ers. I still can see the game he wrecked his knee, with Coach Steve Mariucci kneeling on the field next to BY, gripping his hand. Now, as others have written, with BY retiring after this Sunday's game vs. the Browns, the link to the '94 Super Bowl champs is broken. I now have to accept that the crimson and gold basically stink ... except for Patrick Willis, who looks like the real deal ... fast, strong, and as sure a tackler as there is (#1 in the NFL) ... so with Ronnie Lott long retired, and BY about to join him, I think I will pay attention to #52.
Need more proof to why Oakland defensive coordinator Rob Ryan should be fired at season’s end?
Here’s reason No. 1: the Raiders defense has become an undisciplined bunch of ragamuffins. On a series of plays before halftime against Jacksonville last Sunday Warren Sapp was hit with three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and his eventual ejection.
Now I know, that’s a bit of a contradiction in itself. Oakland disciplined? Please ...
When the San Francisco 49ers traded their 2008 first-round draft pick to the New England Patriots last year to grab Joe Staley, they did so without a second thought.
The Crimson and Gold was coming off a 7-9 season and improving upon that was first and foremost, hence the trade to land an anchor on the offensive line as Staley. What would a first-round pick really be worth if the team were able to finish .500 or better.
When they say hindsight is 20/20, boy did they mean it in this case.
The NFL Pro Bowl selections were announced yesterday and I bet there are a number of fans and players alike wondering what happened.
While there aren't enough roster slots to get every all-pro in, some of the selections have people scratching their heads.
Here's a list of 10 guys who should have been mailed a ticket to Hawaii this year:
1. Charles Woodson - Cornerback - Green Bay Packers: When C-Wood was in Oakland, he was given his ticket to Hawaii based on reputation for the last two years. He's a four-time all-pro and to be honest, only two of his invites were legit. However, this year, the former Wolverine and Heisman Trophy winner has been on a tear. Can someone please explain how his defensive-backfield mate Al Harris (35 tackles, 2 interceptions and 9 pass deflections) gets a nod over Woodson (57 tackles, 4 interceptions and 9 pass deflections)?