The Madness Starts Early This Season

I‘m trying to be more positive this season, so I’ll begin this post by trying to find the upside on the whole Tom Cable punching allegations. The good news is, the big distraction of the year has come before the regular season has even started. We don’t have to worry about a messy distraction getting in the way of things in the middle of a push to a possible playoff run.

No, things will be in disarray from the get-go this season. The Raiders also have a great excuse, should they lay another egg in the standings. They’re primed to make a run for the number one overall draft pick next year, which they can waste on someone like Tim Tebow, who they can then try to convert to a tight end or a free safety.

From the reports out of Napa, the Raiders offense was clearly focused on the game in day two of the integrated practice with the 49ers. A practice in which JaMarcus Russell threw five interceptions, fueling a week’s worth of fodder for San Francisco’s secondary. They held nothing back in post practice interviews, yuking it up with local reporters.

As for the alleged Cable incident, what more can you say. The regularity of these head scratching episodes have become so common, that they’re starting to lose the sensational effect that something like a fist fight between coaches would once garner. The baffling has become passé.

Since the organization’s better judgment is something in short supply, let me try and provide a litmus. If your actions would make Raider alumni from the 70’s squirm, it’s probably wrong. The renegade behavior of the great Raider teams never interfered with the ultimate goal.

Cable is obviously too stupid to know any better.

An NFL head coach punching someone is ridiculous. An NFL head coach punching one of his subordinate coaches is ludicrous.

Even in the military, where a primary job description entails killing other human beings, there is a code of conduct which prohibits any officer from striking a subordinate. Do it in any of the U.S. service branches, and you get kicked out.

How are any of the players supposed to buy into the concept of discipline? Not that discipline will be a problem for the team ranked third in penalties in 2008. If the coach can’t stay disciplined, why should the players?

The story is already old and we haven’t seen a down of football that counts.

Sad.

Raiders Trade Burgess to Pats

Man-o-man, someone please tell me why the Raiders continue to trade ANYONE to the New England Patriots. It's bad enough that they trade players within the conference, but to the Patriots?

They did that, by dealing holdout DE Derrick Burgess on Thursday.

New England isn't going to suck all of a sudden, and net you a decent pick. It also sends a terrible message. I despise the notion of guys signing contracts, then turning around and whining that they're under paid. If that's the case, DON'T SIGN THE FREAKING CONTRACT.

Another head scratcher. If Al Davis can let Marcus Allen sit and rot on the bench, then why not Burgess? At the very least, trade the guy out of the conference, so he's not the guy exacting any revenge on you.

From AP:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP)—The New England Patriots obtained defensive end Derrick Burgess(notes) on Thursday after the two-time Pro Bowl player held out of the Oakland Raiders training camp in hopes of being traded.

The Patriots gave up undisclosed draft considerations for Burgess, who is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he had 3 1/2 sacks in 10 games. New England released offensive lineman Al Johnson(notes).

The trade was announced on the ninth day of Burgess’ holdout from the team he recorded 38 1/2 sacks with in four seasons, including a club-record and league-best 16 in 2005. He had 11 the next year and made the Pro Bowl both times.

His total dropped to eight in 2007, but he missed two games.

In three seasons with Philadelphia and four with Oakland, the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Burgess had 47 sacks in 85 games. He also missed the 2003 season with a torn Achilles’ tendon.

The Patriots were 11-5 last season but had 31 sacks, tied for 14th. The Raiders were 5-11 with 32 sacks.

Burgess is entering the final year of his contract with a $2 million salary and felt underpaid for most of his time with the Raiders. He joined them when he signed a five-year, $18 million contract as a free agent before the 2005 season.

New England and Oakland held discussions around the time of the draft in late April. Then Burgess stayed away from all the Raiders optional offseason workouts and did not go onto the field during May’s mandatory minicamp because of a reported upset stomach.