The Eye Patch

Chester McGlockton Dies

2011-11-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

Stanford University announced that former Raiders defensive lineman Chester McGlockton died of an apparent heart attack today. McGlockton played 6 seasons for the Raiders (1992-97), before moving on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs (1998-00), Denver Broncos (2001-02) and New York Jets (2003).

“Everyone in the Stanford Football family is deeply saddened by the passing of Chester McGlockton,” said Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football David Shaw. “For the past two seasons, Chester has been a valuable member of our football staff and a wonderful friend to us all.”

The Raiders drafted McGlockton in the 1st round in 1992. He would make four Pro Bowl appearances during his 12 year NFL career.

The big defender spent the last two seasons working for Stanford as a D-line coach. Several news sources report that McGlockton woke up complaining of chest pain.

McGlockton leaves behind his wife Zina and two children. He was 42 years old.

End of an Era: Al Davis 1929-2011

2011-10-08T08:25:00.001-07:00

Enigmatic Raiders owner Al Davis has died at age 82. His passing ends a legendary career as NFL head coach, commissioner and owner. The 1992 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee had been suffering from poor health for several years.

"Based on personal achievement, team achievement and contributions to the game, no one has had a more profound and lasting impact on professional football," Davis' biography says on the team's website, Raiders.com.

The team posted a large tribute to Davis on the team's website, also noting that more information will be posted today, regarding the circumstances of his death.

RIP Al

Raiders grab Pryor in Sup Draft

2011-08-22T11:19:00.001-07:00

The Raiders decided Terrelle Pryor was worth a 3rd round pick in next year's NFL Draft. The decision was an easy one for a team still in search of the next great passer. While Jason Campbell is a serviceable QB, he's never going to take a team to the top.

Pryor is a steal as a 3rd rounder in my opinion, so this was a gamble worth rolling the dice on.

Howard to Bengals

2011-07-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

CSN is reporting Raiders linebacker Thomas Howard will sign with the Cincinnati Bengals. QB Bruce Gradkowski is also rumored to be interested in inking a deal with the Bengals.

Cooper Carlisle's days are apparently over in Oakland as well, after he was cut by the Raiders on Thursday.

RIP Skip Thomas

2011-07-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

From Daily News Dispatches

Former Oakland Raiders cornerback Alonzo "Skip" Thomas, one of the more colorful members of the club's first Super Bowl championship team, died in Kansas on Sunday of an apparent heart attack. Thomas, a seventh-round draft pick out of USC in 1972, played six NFL seasons, all with the Raiders, and was on the 1976 team that beat Minnesota in Super Bowl XI. His death at age 61 comes just three days shy of the one-year anniversary of the death of former teammate and close friend Jack Tatum.

Thomas started in the defensive backfield along with Tatum, cornerback Willie Brown and strong safety George Atkinson in a defensive backfield dubbed the "Soul Patrol." Thomas was an imposing physical specimen who loved to play the intimidator, nicknaming himself "Dr. Death."

Thomas was one of the unsung heroes of the Raiders dynasty days, playing second fiddle to bigger name players Brown, Atkinson and Tatum. I will always remember him as a big hitter that was an imposing player because of his size.

Raider Nation lost one of its own.

Wisniewski? Really?

2011-04-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

The Raiders pulled another "we're smarter than all of you" cards out on the second day of the 2011 NFL Draft, by taking OL Stefan Wisniewski, the nephew of former Raiders lineman Steve Wisniewski (now O-Line coach).

Pro Football Weekly had Wisnieswki ranked 134th on their list of draft eligible players, but the Raiders used the 48th overall selection (16th pick of the 2nd round) to take the 6'3", 297 lb lineman out of Penn State.

There's no doubt the Raiders need to shore up the O-Line, but this pick is yet another head scratcher. After Oakland seemed to clean up its act last season with the selection of Rolando McClain, they pull another Darius Heyward-Bey by taking Wisniewski.

It wasn't the 7th overall pick (the one they used to take Heyward-Bey), but with the likes of Clint Boling, Marcus Gilbert and Marcus Cannon still available, you have just shake your head and wonder what's going on once again in Alameda.

Henderson arrested on gun charges

2011-03-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

WBBH in Fort Myers, Florida, reported that Raiders offensive lineman Mario Henderson as arrested early Thursday morning for carrying a concealed firearm.

Henderson was pulled over in downtown Fort Myers for playing his music too loud and when asked if he had any weapons in the car, Henderson said there was a gun in the glove box.

"The gun was actually between the driver's seat and the center console," WBBH reported. "A records check revealed Henderson did not have a concealed firearm permit."

Gallery Won't Return

2011-03-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

Reports out of Alameda indicate the O-liner Robert Gallery will not return next season.

Gallery released the following statement:

"With the end of the league year coming today, and the few conversations I've had with the Raiders and Mr. Davis, we've come to a mutual agreement that it's time for me to move on with my career," Gallery said Thursday from his home in the Oakland area. "I appreciate the start that they and Mr. Davis gave me and I truly have enjoyed my time wearing the silver and black. I wish them well, I thank the fans and I take away great memories of my time in Oakland."

Donald Rumsfeld thinks the Raider are "Evil"

2011-02-18T12:05:00.000-08:00

Former US Defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld gave his opinions on the Raiders in a recent interview with the Financial Times.

The interview was done on Super Bowl Sunday, and when interviewer Gideon Rachman asked Rumsfeld on his views about who would win the Super Bowl, Rumsfeld threw in his support for the Steelers.

Here's why. He doesn't like the Raiders.

Rachman explains.

As we get ready to part, we resort to the standard topic for male banter – sport. The Super Bowl – the most important game of the American football season – is being played that night, and Rumsfeld asks if I will be supporting the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Green Bay Packers. I say I like the Steelers, because I have memories of watching them play some epic games against the Oakland Raiders, in my first visits to the United States in the 1970s. “Oh nobody could support the Raiders,” he says, “they’re evil.” At this the retired boss of the Pentagon laughs heartily, and strolls back to his office and his archive of documents.

Regardless of your opinions on Rumsfeld. He got his pick wrong, which should be no surprise to anyone.

Raiders Ink Seymour to Two-Year Deal

2011-02-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

SI.com is reporting that the Raiders have signed Richard Seymour to a two-year deal worth $30 million. The veteran defender was given the Raiders franchise tag last season after being acquired from the New England Patriots in 2009.

Extending a career well beyond the NFL average, Seymour will enter his 11th NFL campaign next season.He's racked up 452 combined career tackles and 48.5 sacks, including 9.5 in his two seasons with the Raiders.

Jason La Canfora from the NFL Network also confirmed the deal.

Bush Arrested for DUI

2011-02-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

Raiders running back Michael Bush was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated Saturday morning in Indiana, according to WHAS11 in Louisville.

Not good news for the Raiders, as they transition to new head coach Hue Jackson.

Bush rushed for a career-high 655 yards in 2010 to help the Raiders establish a foothold in the ground game. The Raiders drafted Bush from Louisville in 2007.

Don't get you Detroit Free Press panties in a bunch

2011-01-29T18:48:00.000-08:00

Looks like Big Al got under the skin of the Detroit Free Press last week regarding his comments on Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Free Press writer David Birkett was responding to comments made by Davis that were quoted in San Francisco Chronicle.

“JaMarcus hurt a great deal,” Davis said, according to the Chronicle. “But the ones they wanted to take instead of JaMarcus, Brady Quinn, hasn’t played yet. There was some talk of Calvin Johnson. But you can take a look at Calvin up at Detroit. How many games did they win this year, Detroit, do you know? Six? Yeah. But up until now, Calvin hadn’t done anything for them. He had been eulogized, but he hadn’t made a lot of indelible impression on the won and lost.”

Birkett took it as a jab.

Davis was giving his opinion on the wide receiver in context to his value in helping the Lions make the playoffs. That apparently riled Birkett, who really isn't qualified to respond given the lack of anything related to the playoffs and the Lions.

The Raiders have won more Super Bowls than the Lions have even qualified for the post season, so it's rather amusing that any Detroit writer have any opinion on football. Given all the top 5 picks the Lions have amassed in the last 40 years, it's even more bewildering that any Detroit beat writer is ripping anything other than the Lions brass and the Ford Family.

The sad part is, Davis is about as easy a target to take a shot at as they come these days, but that's like shooting fish in a barrel. Where is the creativity? I suppose you have to do whatever it takes to sell newspapers these days. Given the direction that industry is going, Detroit may be seeing another employer go the way of the Edsel.

Super Bowl XVL Odds

2011-01-29T13:55:00.001-08:00

Who doesn't love prop bets.

Here are a number of odds, courtesy of the folks from Bodog.com

Super Bowl XLV Odds

Pittsburgh Steelers +3
Green Bay Packer -3
TOTAL Over/Under 45

Super Bowl XLV - Pittsburgh Steelers Total Team Points
Over/Under 21

Super Bowl XLV - Green Bay Packers Total Team Points
Over/Under 23.5

Super Bowl XLV - Pittsburgh Steelers Total 1st Half Team Points
Over/Under 11.5

Super Bowl XLV - Green Bay Packers Total 1st Half Team Points
Over/Under 12

Super Bowl Media Props

Super Bowl XLV Specials - What will the TV Rating be?
Over/Under Nielsen Rating 46

Super Bowl XLV Specials - Which region will have the higher local TV Rating?
Pittsburgh -140
Green Bay EVEN

Super Bowl XLV - How long will it take Christina Aguilera to sing the National Anthem?
Over/Under 1 minute 50 seconds

Super Bowl XLV - How long will Christina Aguilera hold the note “Brave” at the end of the National Anthem?
Over/Under 6 seconds

Super Bowl XLV Specials - Will Christina Aguilera wear a cowboy hat while singing the National Anthem?
Yes 3/1

Super Bowl XLV Specials - Will Christina Aguilera's hair color be anything except completely blonde when she sings the National Anthem?
Yes 7/4

Super Bowl XLV Specials - What will Fergie be wearing when she appears first on stage during the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
Skirt/Dress 1/1
Pants (Below Knees) 1/1
Shorts (Above Knees) 7/2
Thong/G-String/Bikini Bottom 10/1

Super Bowl XLV Specials - Will Fergie be dressed as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader at any point during the Halftime show?
Yes 5/1

Super Bowl XLV - How Many Times will FOX show Jerry Jones on TV during the Game?
Over/Under 3

(Wager is on the number of times Jerry Jones will appear on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle). Live pictures only, Any Taped Pictures or Past Video does not count towards wager.)

Super Bowl XLV – Who will FOX show first on TV during the game?
Jessica Szohr (Aaron Rodgers’ Girlfriend) -140
Ashley Harlan (Ben Roethlisberger’s Fiancée) Even

Super Bowl XLV - How Many Times will FOX mention “Brett Favre” on TV during the Game?
Over/Under 2.5

(Wager is on the number of times “Brett Favre” will be mentioned on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle). Live commentary only, Any Taped or Past Video does not count towards wager, must say “Brett Favre” exactly.)

Super Bowl XLV - How Many Times will FOX mention “Lockout” on TV during the Game?
Over/Under 2.5

(Wager is on the number of times “Lockout” will be mentioned on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle). Live commentary only, Any Taped or Past Video does not count towards wager, must say “Lockout” exactly.)

Super Bowl XLV - Who will the FOX announcers say has better hair TV during the Game?
Troy Polamalu -120
Clay Matthews -120

Super Bowl XLV - What Color will the Gatorade be that is dumped on the Head Coach of the Winning Super Bowl Team?

Yellow 3/2
Clear/Water 2/1
Orange 5/2
Lime Green 5/1
Red 15/2
Blue 10/1

Super Bowl XLV - What side of the ball will the Players that perform the Gatorade Shower be from?
Offensive +150
Defensive -200

Super Bowl XLV - Who will the Super Bowl MVP of the Game thank first?
God 3/2
Does Not Thank Anyone 2/1
Teammates 5/2
Family 4/1
Coach 10/1

Super Bowl XLV - Will a punt hit the scoreboard during the game?
Yes 10/1

Super Bowl XLV Specials - Will a Steelers player do the Aaron Rodgers Championship Belt Celebration during the game?
Yes EVEN
No -140

Super Bowl XLV Specials - Will Any Player do the Lambeau Leap after a TD?
Yes 2/1

Super Bowl XLV - Will B.J.Raji be on the field for at least 1 offensive play?
Yes -175
No +135

Super Bowl XLV - Who will President Obama pick to win the game?
Pittsburgh Steelers -140
Green Bay Packers Even

Super Bowl XLV -How many current NFL Players will be arrested during Super Bowl Week?
Over 0.5 +150
Under 0.5 -200

Super Bowl XLV - Which Super Bowl commercial will have a higher rating on USA Today's annual Ad Meter?
Bud Light 11/4
Budweiser 11/4
Doritos 11/2
Pepsi Max 6/1
GoDaddy.com 10/1
Skechers 12/1
Teleflora 15/1
Other 5/2

Super Bowl XLV Specials - If there is a picture of someone holding the Lombardi Trophy on the Cover of the USA Today on Monday February 7th, who will it be?
Aaron Rodgers 3/2
Ben Roethlisberger 3/1
Troy Polamalu 12/1
Clay Matthews 15/1
Mike Tomlin 18/1
Mike McCarthy 18/1
Any Other Pittsburgh Player 2/1
Any Other Green Bay Player 2/1
Any Other Person 15/1
Jerry Jones 100/1

Super Bowl XLV Specials - What will happen with the Dow Jones the day after the Super Bowl?
Market Up -140
Market Down EVEN

Super Bowl Game Props

Super Bowl XLV - What will be the result of the Super Bowl XLV Coin Toss?
Heads (Coin Toss) -105
Tails (Coin Toss) -105

Super Bowl XLV - Team to win the opening coin toss
Pittsburgh Steelers (Win Opening Coin Toss) -105
Green Bay Packers (Win Opening Coin Toss) -105

Super Bowl XLV - Team to score first in the game
Pittsburgh Steelers (Score First) Even
Green Bay Packers (Score First) -130

Super Bowl XLV - Will there be a score in the first 7min 30 seconds of the 1st quarter?
Yes (First 7 min 30 sec of 1st Qtr) -175
No (First 7 min 30 sec of 1st Qtr) +145

Super Bowl XLV - Will Either team score 3 unanswered times in the game?
Yes (3 Unanswered Scores) -180
No (3 Unanswered Scores) +150

Super Bowl XLV - Will there be a score in the final 2 minutes of the 1st half?
Yes (Score in Final 2 Minutes of 1st Half) -260
No (Score in Final 2 Minutes of 2nd Half) +200

Super Bowl XLV - Which Will be the Highest Scoring Quarter?
1st Quarter 4/1
2nd Quarter 8/5
3rd Quarter 4/1
4th Quarter 2/1

Super Bowl XLV - Will the game go to overtime?
Yes (Overtime) +900
No (Overtime) -1800

Super Bowl XLV - Longest Touchdown Scored in the Game (Yardage)
Over/Under 43.5

Super Bowl XLV - Shortest Touchdown Scored in the Game (Yardage)
Over/Under 1.5

Super Bowl XLV - Will there be a Special Teams or Defensive Touchdown scored in the game?
Yes (Defensive or Special Teams TD) +145
No (Defensive or Special Teams TD) -175

Super Bowl XLV - Super Bowl XLV - What will be the result of the first coaches challenge in the game?
Play Overturned -130
Play Stands Even

Player Odds

SUPER BOWL XLV - Odds to win MVP
Aaron Rodgers (GB) QB 7/4
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) QB 7/2
Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) RB 15/2
Greg Jennings (GB) WR 12/1
James Starks (GB) RB 14/1
Troy Polamalu (PIT) S 15/1
Mike Wallace (PIT) WR 16/1
Clay Matthews (GB) LB 18/1
Charles Woodson (GB) CB 20/1
James Harrison (PIT) LB 22/1
Tramon Williams (GB) CB 25/1
Hines Ward (PIT) WR 25/1
Heath Miller (PIT) TE 25/1
Donald Driver (GB) WR 25/1
James Farrior (PIT) LB 28/1
Lawrence Timmons (PIT) LB 28/1
James Jones (GB) WR 30/1
Jordy Nelson (GB) WR 30/1
A.J. Hawk (GB) LB 30/1
B.J. Raji (GB) DT 30/1
Emmanuel Sanders (PIT) WR 35/1
Sam Shields (GB) CB 35/1
Cullen Jenkins (GB) DE 50/1
Brandon Jackson (GB) RB 50/1
Field 15/1

SUPER BOWL XLV - Player to score the first TD in the game
Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) RB 5/1
Greg Jennings (GB) WR 13/2
Mike Wallace (PIT) WR 15/2
James Starks (GB) RB 17/2
John Kuhn (GB) FB 12/1
Hines Ward (PIT) WR 12/1
Heath Miller (PIT) TE 12/1
Donald Driver (GB) WR 12/1
James Jones (GB) WR 12/1
Jordy Nelson (GB) WR 14/1
Aaron Rodgers (GB) QB 14/1
Emmanuel Sanders (PIT) WR 16/1
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) QB 16/1
Brandon Jackson (GB) RB 18/1
Andrew Quarless (GB) TE 20/1
Isaac Redman (PIT) RB 20/1
Antonio Brown (PIT) WR 25/1
Mewelde Moore (PIT) RB 28/1
Donald Lee (GB) TE 28/1
Any Other Pittsburgh Player 14/1
Any Other Green Bay Player 14/1
No TD Scored In The Game 50/1

SUPER BOWL XLV - Total Passing Yards - Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
Over/Under 240.5

SUPER BOWL XLV - Total TD Passes - Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
Over TD Passes O 1½ (+125)
Under TD Passes U 1½ (-155)

SUPER BOWL XLV - Total Passing Yards – Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Over/Under 275.5

SUPER BOWL XLV - Total TD Passes – Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Over TD Passes O 2 (+125)
Under TD Passes U 2 (-155)

SUPER BOWL XLV - Who will record more Rushing Yards in the game?
James Starks (GB) RB +25½ (-115)
Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) RB -25½ (-115)

SUPER BOWL XLV - Who will record more Receiving Yards in the game?
Mike Wallace (PIT) WR +9½ (-130)
Greg Jennings (GB) WR -9½ (EVEN)

Historical Matchups

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total Passing Yards, which will be higher?
Aaron Rodgers Super Bowl XLV -29½ (-110)
Brett Favre Super Bowl XXXI (246 Passing Yards) +29½ (-120)

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total TD Passes, which will be higher?
Aaron Rodgers Super Bowl XLV +125
Brett Favre Super Bowl XXXI (2 TD Passes) -155

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Completion Percentage, which will be higher?
Aaron Rodgers Super Bowl XLV -11.5% +105
Brett Favre Super Bowl (51.8%) +11.5% -135

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total Passing yards, which will be higher?
Ben Roethlisberger Super Bowl XLV -115.5 yards
Ben Roethlisberger Super Bowl XL (123 Passing Yards) +115.5 Yards

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total Passing yards, which will be higher?
Ben Roethlisberger Super Bowl XLV ` +15½ (-115)
Ben Roethlisberger Super Bowl XLIII (256 Passing Yards) -15½ (-115)

CROSS SPORT PROPS

SUPER BOWL XLV CROSS SPORT PROPS - Blake Griffin (LAC) Total Rebounds against Miami Heat vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Total Points
Blake Griffin Rebounds vs. Miami Heat +7½ (-115)
Pittsburgh Steelers Total Points -7½ (-115)

SUPER BOWL XLV CROSS SPORT PROPS - Which Game will have the larger Winning Margin?
Super Bowl XLV Pick (-115)
Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics Pick (-115)

SUPER BOWL XLV CROSS SPORT PROPS - LeBron James 1st half points against Clippers vs. Green Bay Packers 1st Half Points
LeBron James 1st Half Points vs. LA Clippers Pick (-115)
Green Bay Packers 1st Half Points Pick (-115)

SUPER BOWL XLV CROSS SPORT PROPS - What will be higher on February 6th 2011?
Aaron Rodgers Completion % -6 (-130)
Dwight Howard Free Throw % +6 (Even)

SUPER BOWL XLV CROSS SPORT PROPS - What will be higher on February 6th 2011?
Aaron Rodgers TD Passes Pick (-150)
Alex Ovechkin Points Pick (+120)

TEP is Looking for Contributors

2011-01-29T13:51:00.001-08:00

I have to admit that my lack of time to write has really let our regular readers down, so rather than shudder the site, it makes more sense to try and find some help.

If you;re interested in contributing to The Eye Patch, please shoot me an email:

raiderblog@yahoo.com

Thanks,
Mike

Raider Legend Jack Tatum Dies

2010-07-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

CSNSportsBayArea is reporting that former Raider legen Jack Tatum died of a heart attack today in Oakland. Tatus was 61 years old.

Nicknamed "The Assassin," Tatum died of a heart attack Tuesday in Oakland, according to friend and former Ohio State teammate John Hicks.

In his nine-year NFL career, Tatum was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a member of the 1977 Super Bowl champions. He was regarded as one of the most-feared hitters in the NFL.

He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Tatum is perhaps most remembered for his hit on New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley in a game at the Oakland Coliseum that left Stingley paralyzed.
On Aug. 12, 1978, Stingley, playing for the New England Patriots, ran head-on into the hard-hitting Tatum on a crossing pattern. The blow severed Stingley's fourth and fifth veterbrae and left the receiver paralyzed.

Tatum said he tried to visit Stingley at an Oakland hospital shortly after the collision but was turned away by Stingley's family members.

Stingley died in 2007.

"We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said in a statement that was issued Tuesday. "When you think of Ohio State defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans."

Read more: Raiders Great Jack Tatum Dies
Tune to SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area for more on this story

I wrote this piece on Tatum and Darryl Stingley a couple of years ago.

Tatus was a true competitor and will be missed.

Raiders move to reclaim some of Jamarcus' stash

2010-05-27T15:35:00.001-07:00

Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Raiders are seeking to reclaim $9.55 million from JaMarcus Russell.

The grievance is based on the contention by the Raiders that the contract was changed at one point during Russell’s three-year stint with the organization and that he’s not allowed to keep all of the money he had collected prior to his May 7 release. Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, was guaranteed $32 million as part of a six-year contract reportedly worth $68 million.

Hey, our courts are here to process frivelous lawsuits and nobody knows that better than Al Davis. The biggest drawback to this of course is that it sends a dangerous message to other potential free agent candidates.

Why sign with the Raiders, when you could end up in court trying to hold on to your salary. The organization seemed headed in the right track over the past two months, with several personnel moves, including a decent draft, but actions like this just force them two steps backwards.

A Message to Al

2009-12-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted here in a while, but saw something today that was worth posting.

A new website focused on convincing Raiders owner Al Davis to step down as General Manager (he doesn't formally hold the title), but it's no secret that he makes just about personnel decision on the team.

Message To Al was formed as a grass roots effort to try and collect signatures on a petition intended to convince Davis to hire a general manager and a new head coach.

The organizers even had a billboard ad placed on Highway 880 in Oakland a half mile from the Coliseum. You can sign their petition and / or send them a donation for the cause.

The Madness Starts Early This Season

2009-08-20T01:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

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.

Raiders to don retro unis in 2009

2009-05-20T15:59:00.001-07:00

The Raiders are scheduled to wear their retro 1963 uniforms, including helmets with the "white" logo, as part of the NFL's tribute to the old AFL teams. Translation, the league is looking for ways to better market team merchandise, and jerseys command a pretty penny.

The Raiders have always had one of the most classic uniforms in the league, and these throwbacks are still fantastic looking. They'll just probably cost an arm and a leg.

The Raiders and San Diego Chargers will wear their "classics" during an opening week matchup on September 27th, which is part of a Monday night double-header.

They will folow that up on November 15th, when the New York Jets visit the Oakland Coliseum.

Oakland will wrap up the marketing tour on November 26th when the team travels to Dallas, as part of he NFL's Thanksgiving Day schedule.

Capsized Boat Found off FL coast

2009-03-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

CNN just reported that a capsized boat was discovered off the Florida coast and that a single survivor was seen clinging to the debris. No other details were provided. More to come on this breaking news.

*** UPDATE 3/2 10AM PST***

The Coast Guard says the overturned boat it found off Florida's Gulf Coast belongs to Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper. The survivor found clinging to the vessel is former University of South Florida player Nick Schuyler.

The Coast Guard says Cooper, Detroit Lions free agent Corey Smith and another former USF player, William Bleakley, remain missing.

*** UPDATE 3/2 4:30PM PST***

Still no word on additional survivors.

CNN reported that:

Schuyler told his rescuers that the boat was anchored Saturday evening when it was overturned by waves during a storm, Close said. He told them that all four men were clinging to the boat for a time, but became separated, Close said.

The four men embarked in a 21-foot single-engine boat from the Seminole Boat Ramp near Clearwater Pass about 6:30 a.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard said. The search was launched early Sunday after friends and relatives realized they had not returned from their fishing trip.

LB Marquis Cooper reported missing off Florida coast

2009-03-01T11:48:00.000-08:00

The AP reports that two NFL players are among a group of boaters reported missing off Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Sports agent Ron Del Duca said his client, Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith, and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper were two of the four boaters who were reported missing Sunday morning by the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard issued a statement saying the boaters were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass on Saturday morning for a fishing trip and did not return as expected. Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot motor-life boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday.

Is Justin Fargas' Career Up In Smoke?

2009-02-06T01:01:00.000-08:00

On the day we should be plotting (and analyzing) the next course of the good ship Silver & Black on account of the hiring of Tom Cable as head coach, we are forced to interrupt this regular program to bring word of more head scratching news out of Alameda.

A video posted at worldstarhiphop.com shows a rapper who allegedly goes by the moniker “Yukmouth”, spends an evening at Raiders running back Justin Fargas’ house rhyming about the ganja. The rapper is seen with a box full of cash and bags of what appear to be the marijuana.

Fargas is never seen holding either the cash or the herb, but he is featured in the video, while Yukmouth goes on a profanity-spree throughout the video.

You have to wonder what Fargas was thinking? The only thing missing was Snoop Dog, playing Huggy Bear in the musical rendition of Up In Smoke meets Starsky & Hutch.

On the day that Olympic demi-god Michael Phelps lost his endorsement deal with Kellogg’s, you’d think pro football players would stear clear of promotional videos touting themselves and illegal drugs.

Oh, and the NFL has a SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY.

More to come on the Cable hiring later this week…just as soon as I finish up my home movie on free basing.

The Letter

2008-09-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

So much for an amicable parting of ways. The following letter, apparently couriered to Lane Kiffin on September 12th, was released by the Raiders this afternoon following one of the nuttiest days in team history.

September 12, 2008

By Hand Delivery and Federal Express

Dear Lane:

Over the past months, you have made a number of public statements that were highly critical of, and designed to embarrass and discredit, this organization, its players and its coaches. I left you alone during training camp in hopes that you would cease your immature and destructive campaign.

However, you continue to make public statements that are critical of the organization, its players as whole as well as individual players. Such statements constitute conduct detrimental to the Raiders and I will no longer stand silently by while you continue to hurt this organization.

Further, your contract is quite clear that you work “subject to the direction and supervision of the General Partner” and that the General Partner has “the exclusive right to do all things, which in its sole discretion are necessary to maintain and improve the Club, the football organization and their activities.”

I realized when I hired you that you were young and inexperienced and that there would be a learning process for you. Your mistakes on player personnel and coaches were overlooked based on our patience with you. But I never dreamt that you would be untruthful in statements to the press as well as on so many other issues. Your actions are those of a coach looking to makes (sic) excuses for not winning, rather than a coach focused on winning.

For example, with the exception of Gibril Wilson, you were involved in recruiting all free agents and determining salaries for them and you were explicit about your desire to sign Javon Walker and DeAngelo Hall amongst others. All were a must to sign in your eyes, Hall, in particular, because he played for Greg Knapp in Atlanta and Knapp gave him high grades. Do not run from that now.

I do realize that you did not want us to draft JaMarcus Russell. He is a great player. Get over it and coach this team on the field, that is what you were hired to do. We can win with this team!

In regards to your recent fabrications about the defense, during the final cuts you made every cut on offense and every cut on defense except for (Fred) Wakefield on defense and (Seth) Wand on offense. Furthermore, during the game Monday night (defensive coordinator) Rob (Ryan) played your Cover-2 defense and we got killed on an approximately 50-yard touchdown pass and an approximately 70-yard gain that led to a field goal.

You meet every week with the defensive coaches to go over both the past game and to get a general feel for what will happen during the week in practice. You have the ability and authority to provide your input during those meetings and the preparation of the game plan. I do not have weekly meetings with Rob—you do.

During the week no one has ever told you what to do on either offense or defense. In addition, no one has ever told you during a game what to do on either offense or defense and you call every play on offense. During a game if you want to blitz more, all you have to do is let Rob know what blitz you want and he will do it.

Although you continue to use the media to express your dissatisfaction with others, no one has publicly pointed out to you that in four preseason games and one regular-season game played this year, your offense has scored one first-half touchdown. That put tremendous pressure on the defense.

I know that you wanted to bring your father in to run the defense and that Monte told me that he wanted to come here even though he as (sic) under contract to Tampa. However I did not want to tamper with another team. In any event that was over seven months ago. Do not now also run from the defense and your responsibilities.

This letter constitutes notice that if you further violate any term of your contract, in any manner whatsoever, you will be terminated for cause. I trust that this will not occur.

A.D. Football, Inc.

So now it's he said, he said. Technically, the Raiders can now market the fact that they provide an "entertaining" product to their customers. The fact that was released simply makes the organization look petty, paranoid, and any other bad "p" word you can think of. Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse...

The Kiffin Episode Ends

2008-09-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Kiffin's Biggest Fan

The most predictable soap opera in professional sports closed another chapter on its dysfunctional history on Tuesday afternoon, when the Raiders fired head coach Lane Kiffin. KGO radio, ESPN and NFL.com all reported Kiffin’s dismissal, which was as big a surprise as a Raiders loss. The beleaguered coach has been waiting for the announcement to come since last January, but there’s nothing efficient about the Raiders these days.

For as hard as Al Davis tries not to be predictable, his once storied franchise is as easy to read as a Rob Ryan blitz scheme.

What I don’t understand is, what Davis thinks all of this is actually going to accomplish? I was actually holding out hope that Davis would throw everyone a curveball, including Kiffin, and keep him at the helm for the remainder of the season.

When Mike Shanahan was fired in 1989, the Raiders righted a 1-4 start to finish the season 8-8, but that was a much different team. That roster included the like of Bo Jackson, Marcus Allen and Howie Long.

The list of possible replacements does little to incite any belief that this will turn thins around. James Lofton seems like the most obvious choice, because his name has been dangled around since the day Kiffin was hired. He also seems to be the kind of yes man Davis can manage without distraction.

What’s most baffling (oh there are many things to be baffled by) is the fact that names like Tom Cable or Tom Rathman are even being talked about. Tom Cable, head coach. Really?

The one thing about Kiffin’s hiring was that it was a fresh perspective, bringing in a young offensive mind that actually seemed to be changing the losing culture that has plagued the Raiders. Ranted, he didn’t win, but what can you expect given the tools that he was handed (and the command that he wasn’t)?

Rather than arm Kiffin with the tools he needed to be successful, the Raiders blew most of their cap space on defensive retreads. You can argue that Darren McFadden cost the Raiders a pretty penny, but he was a draft pick. Where was the receiver the Raiders so dearly needed? Javon Walker? Ashley Lelie? Seriously?

I’m surprised Davis didn’t throw a couple million at Vince Evans to come out of retirement.

What’s worse is the fact that Kiffin appeared to be righting the ship. Blowing two 4th quarter leads isn’t the model of success, but put those loses into perspective. They came against a surprising 4-0 Buffalo Bills team and a San Diego Chargers team that’s supposed to compete for a Super Bowl this year.

What we’ll find out is if those two games were motivated by a roster that was playing to save their coach’s job. If it was, what does that mean for the remainder of the season?

Now Davis gets to select a fill-in for the remainder of the season, and we get wait for the next episode of this soap opera to play out. Who will be Davis’ next protégé turned nemesis? What head scratching moves come next?

Like Terdell Sands through the hourglass, these are the days of your Raiders lives.

No Control

2008-09-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

This is a franchise in control? This is the behavior of an NFL senior executive? Even if San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami did fabricate the infamous story of a Raider official handing out an ESPN story that discredited Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin (along with a bunch of other reporters), it doesn't excuse the fact that John Herrera's behavior oozes of paranoia and dysfunction.

Where will it end? I suppose a shooting in the press room isn't beyond this franschise right now. Heck if you're going to send a senior executive out to pick a fight with a beat reporter half your size, anything's possible.

If the job requirments for "Senior Executive" with the Raiders simply means you're willing to make a jackass out of yourself in front of a room full of reporters, sign me up!

There are only two possible explanations for this latest episode. Either Herrera was acting on his on volition, or he was ordered to confront Kawakami. It seems unlikely that anyone is dumb enough to confront a reporter in a room full of other reporters and cameras. Who would do that? So it would seem that this was yet another peculiar move orchastrated from the top.

If the Raiders brass didn't order the confrontation, then this team is more dysfunctional than anyone can imagine. I suspect that this is one that back fired on the Raiders, and in an attempt to save face, they tried to discredit Kawakami with a public spectacle.

The "us against the world" mentality will only go so far, so you have to question how this plays out on the field. If I'm a rookie and I pick up the paper and read what will certainly be coverage which leans in Kawakami's defense, so questions get planted in my head. Fresh out of the gate and those players already develop a huge mistrust of reporters, which doesn't bode well for their careers. Like it or not, the media plays a role in how the public perceives the character of many players. Does a Darren McFadden establish a good repoire with a Michael Silver as a result of something like this?

If I'm a veteran, I may start questioning the professionalism of the franchise that I represent. How do I focus on football, when there's a circus going on all around me. What the Raiders don't need right now is another distraction.

Guys like Jamarcus Russell need to be focused on developing their game, not focusing on how they're supposede to deal with the "evil media."

Regardless of how this latest ordeal was spawned, if the Raiders want to right this ship, they can Greg Herrera today. Make him he fall guy if it was a grander plot, or run him out of town for his stupidity if it was his own idea.

This organization needs a shakeup, plain and simple. Start playing by the rules. The renegade ways of yesteryear don't cut it in the multi-million dollar world of professional sports anymore.

Pathetic Season Opener

2008-09-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

I think Mike Ditka is a clown, but he said it best on Monday night with his comment about the Raiders.

“You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken shit,” said the ESPN analyst during the Raiders pathetic showing in their season opener.

When the visiting Denver Broncos weren’t moving the ball at will, the Raiders were tacking on 15 yard penalties by the bushel full. A porous defense, anemic offense and dumb penalty after dumb penalty, simply resulted in more of the same from a team that has won less than 30% of its games over the past six years.

The Raiders were embarrassed at home before a national audience, reaffirming the fact that this franchise is as dysfunctional as ever. The dumbfounded look on Al Davis face from the owner’s box reaffirmed the fact that it’s time for Davis to move on.

I’ve been a supporter of Davis’ for far too long. His legacy has afforded him far too many mulligans.

I don’t think anybody anticipated the pasting the Raiders would endure on opening night. I certainly didn’t. The difference on this night was that the Raiders seemed to take ten steps backwards (as if that were possible). There was nothing positive to take away from this game.

Well, except for the fact that Lane Kiffin will be able to resume his football coaching career sooner than later. This debacle will obviously fall on Kiffin’s shoulders, which means he’ll get canned that much quicker. Kiffin doesn’t fit in with the Raider mystique. He’s too progressive. Not a company man. Not an Al Davis man.

It was Kiffin after all, who wanted defensive coordinator Rob Ryan out. The same Rob Ryan, who’s defensive schemes allowed Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler to roam untouched all night long.

OK, maybe that’s not entirely fair…unless it was Ryan who convinced Davis to spend all that money on Tommy Kelly during the off season. Kelly played like a $50 million paper weight on Monday night. The Raiders defensive front did the impossible, making Namdhi Asomugha, Gibril Wilson, Deangelo Hall and Michael Huff look like a high school secondary unit.

It took the Raiders 48 minutes before they finally put any points in the board, but that’s because the Broncos were starting to pack for the trip home.

To make matters worse, 1st round draft pick Darren McFadden left the game with an apparent shoulder injury, and Derrick Burgess also left the contest with an injury.

And that was just week 1 folks. Painful.

Al Davis departure can’t come soon enough.

2008 Camp Musings

2008-08-06T23:23:00.000-07:00

Training camp. It marks the end of summer and the launching pad to the start of another NFL season. It’s that time of year when the rust is supposed to come off, so when the games count, your players are ready to play for real. While it’s important to ramp up on the intensity, keeping those players healthy should be the number one goal of any NFL team.

So when they decide to hold practices with other NFL teams, I scratch my head and wonder if the schedulers really understand how important a healthy team is. You get 16 chances a season to bash your opponents into oblivion, so that you can earn the right to play for a championship.

The Raiders practice with the San Francisco 49ers is one of those situations that really is hard to understand. What real benefit do you get from practicing with another team, especially one that you’re set to face in the preseason that week?

I think back to 1994 when the Raiders decided to hold several practices with the Dallas Cowboys. Don Mosebar, a three time All-Pro center for the Raiders, got caught up in a pile of players, Raiders and Cowboys alike. In the middle of that pile, Cowboy’s defensive tackle Chad Hennings got his fingers inside Mosebar’s facemask and gouged out the eyeball of the 12-year veteran.

Just like that, Mosebar’s career was over. Freak accident or barbaric trench warfare, it could have been avoided altogether had there been no inter-team practice. These were players from opposing teams. Intensity got the best of Mosebar that day, and it cost the Raiders one of their all-time greats.

49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz summed it up best.

“This is pointless,” said the former Rams head coach.

Pointless indeed.

To Play or Not to Play

News out of camp that $55 million wide receiver Javon Walker almost hung up his cleats last week doesn’t really come as a shock. The 29-year old receiver has had a lot of distractions before playing a single down for the Raiders.

Getting beaten unconscious and left for dead in a Las Vegas gutter isn’t the best way to kick off a career with a new team. Practicing with his head in the clouds doesn’t make that situation any better.

Those distractions have irked Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin enough that Walker was being fast-tracked in the coach’s dog house. But as is the case with any $55 million that needs to be baby-sat, Kiffin (with or without the direction of his boss) straightened the matter out and Walker is “committed” to playing football again.
Hats off to Kiffin for at least voicing his displeasure.

"I'm not into the whole, you know, 'When the lights go on, I play well, 100%" Kiffin told the San Jose Mercury News. "That's not my deal. Trying to work him out of that mentality."

I say he’s out of the lineup by week 10 and inactive by week 12. Can you say “sounds like Jerry Porter all over again”?

Open Practice Sunday

Missed out on training camp this year. Don’t worry, everyone not on the Raiders payroll is in the same boat. Closed training camp has become the Raiders modus operandi as of late, but don’t fret. You can catch the team’s open practice at the Coliseum on Sunday as part of the Raider Nation Celebration.

The shin dig kicks off at noon, and you don’t need to pay a dime to get in.

Top 10 Greats Not in the HOF

2008-08-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

NFL Network's Top 10 show features the 10 greatest players NOT in the Hall of Fame. #6 on their list is none other than the great Kenny Stabler. Canton has eluded the Snake for far too long. It's bad enough Ray Guy and Cliff Branch still wait for their calling, but this show got it right when it ranked Stabler as one of the greats still waiting for the call.

The former Alabama star led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl victory in SB XI against the Minnesota Vikings in 1976. He threw 150 career touchdowns for the Silver & Black during a career that spanned 11 seasons (1968-79).

There are 17 men in the Hall of Fame that held some association with the Raiders, but only George Blanda played QB for the Raiders. When you compare Stabler's accomplishments to Blanda, it's hard to understand why he's not in the Hall.

Silver Black-Balls Big Al

2008-07-22T23:54:00.000-07:00

Yahoo Sports (and former SI) columnist Michael Silver rates NFL ownership from the bottom up. The Raider's Al Davis ranks 31st (out of 32).

31. Oakland Raiders – Al Davis: Davis, 79, hasn’t just lost his fastball; the man has lost his changeup, and his metaphorical catcher keeps assuring him he’s better than Bob Gibson in his prime. The decline of a once-brilliant football mind would be sad if it weren’t so damaging, not to mention his behavior so nonsensical. Davis, after hiring 31-year-old Lane Kiffin as coach in January of ‘07, grew so disenchanted with him in less than a year that he drafted a resignation letter. But when Kiffin balked, Davis – in an apparent effort to save what a source says was $1.7 million – kept him around, albeit in emasculated fashion. Then, surrounded by yes men (along with top executive Amy Trask, who is smart enough to know better) and armed with the estimated $150 million he scored after selling 20 percent of the team to a trio of hedge-fund managers last fall, Davis went on a spending spree that baffled his peers, handing out huge bonuses for players like wideout Javon Walker, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly and cornerback DeAngelo Hall. Equally perplexing was the way he caved and gave a fair-market contract to No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell last September after the season had started, when the quarterback’s rookie year was essentially a washout. The Raiders, since their Super Bowl XXXVII defeat to the Bucs, are 19-61 over the past five seasons, the NFL’s worst record during that span. But in Davis’s distorted world, it’s always somebody else’s fault.

Can't say that I can argue with him. There just doesn't seem to be a silver lining in the direction the Raiders are headed.

Catch Silver's breakdown of those ranked from 17-32 on Yahoo Sports.

What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas

2008-06-16T23:13:00.001-07:00

So much for a quiet summer, leading up to training camp. Javon Walker, one of the Raiders off season acquisitions was discovered unconscious on the streets of Las Vegas with his face caved in on Monday morning.

KVVU, Sin City's Fox affiliate reported that Walker was mugged after a wild party at the Wynn Hotel. according to the city’s Fox affiliate. Walker was reportedly seen “spraying the crowd with some of the 15 bottles of Dom Perignon Rose champagne he ordered,” according to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

So now what happens to the Raiders already weak receiving corps if the guy slated to be the team's top wide out has a serious injury? Already a suspect signing, Walker was good for eight games in 2007 with the Denver Broncos. He had a paltry 26 catches for 287 yards and zero touchdowns.

The Raiders were hoping for some smash-mouthed football from their free-agent pickups this season, but this is rediculous.

McFadden Inked

2008-06-06T00:54:00.000-07:00

Reports out of Alameda suggest that the Raiders have signed Darren McFadden to a six-year $60 million contract. The deal calls for $26 million in gauranteed money. The Raiders are believed to be holding a press conference at 11am on Friday.

The Jamarcus Russell debacle last year prompted the Raiders to get their 2008 draft day prize signed so he would be in camp from day one. That ordeal turned out to be a plus or a minus, depending on how you look at it.

McFadden won't be a hold out like Russell was last season, but did that force the Raiders to sign the rookie running back at a higher price than they would have paid with a little more negotiating leverage?

Raiders Add Spires

2008-05-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

The Raiders added veteran defensive end Greg Spires to the defensive corps on Tuesday. Spires has 39.5 sacks in his 10-year career. He saw action in 10 games last year with Tampa Bay. A calf injury sidelined him for 6 games.

Spires had eight sacks in 2004 for the Bucs.

The Raiders also signed receiver Marcel Reece, an undrafted rookie from Washington.

Oakland also cut veteran cornerback Duane Starks and waived undrafted free agent fullback Matt Hahn.

Sapp says McFadden was the right choice

2008-05-01T21:25:00.001-07:00

Michael Silver, aka the best football writer in the NFL, writes about a conversation he had with Warren Sapp on Monday regarding the draft in a Yahoo Sports column.

“I understand that (coach) Lane Kiffin and (offensive coordinator) Gregg Knapp are supposed to be these guys who make their living by throwing the ball,” Sapp said. “But our offense is made for downhill guys. And this kid will make that offense go.”

Read more of Sapp's comments in the complete article.

And oh, I do intend to post more often. I'm almost over my 2007 season hangover.

Bucs considering Culpepper

2008-02-11T22:14:00.000-08:00

The St Petersburg Times reports that the Tampa Bay Bucaneers are considering signing Daunte Culpepper to backup Jeff Garcia. Checkout the story here.

Randy Moss: Super Bowl Loser

2008-02-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

Randy Moss

It was roughly a year ago that I launched TheEyePatch, after watching the Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. I did it to express my opinions on the state of the Raiders, which at the time was pretty bad. So here I am, basking in the depression that is another year without a Raiders Super Bowl. If you’re anything like me, it’s a pretty sad day.

I’m certainly not getting any younger, and recent news on more in fighting at the Raiders Alameda headquarters just brings more disdain for the whole situation. Super Bowl Sunday has become more of a day of mourning than a day to celebrate the best the NFL has to offer, because the day is so far from including anything resembling silver & black that it’s just down right depressing.

The funny thing, today looked like it was going to go from bad to worse. Outside of the Raiders current situation, the only thing that could have made it worse was watching Randy Moss win a ring. To have him catch the game winning touchdown in the final 2 minutes of the game would have iced this day as one of the worst ever.

I made it no secret that my disdain for Moss is unparalleled. Moss quit on the Raiders. He quit on every one that supports the Raiders. To see him have a monster year in New England only a season removed from his pout-fest in Oakland was revolting. He’s a “me” guy, not a team guy. And me guys make me sick.

So before you chalk me up as some homer, I’ll tell you that I think the New England Patriots are one heck of a team and that I envy their offensive line. Logan Mankins is a stud, and he’s probably the third best lineman on that team (although today didn’t really reflect that).

Randy Moss, for all his worthlessness today, still had the class to make that swimming move after catching the TD that put the Patriots up late in the 4th. Up to that point he did nothing. In the biggest game of his life, he did nothing to help carry the load, and for that I can only bask in the pleasure of the fact that Randy Moss will get no ring this year. Hopefully ever.

His touchdown came after the defender that was covering him fell down. Yet, the guy acts as if the center of the football universe should take note that he’s some sort of football god.

No Randy, you’re the epitome of selfish, and karma got the better of you today.

More Super Bowl Musings

Besides Moss, I couldn’t be happier that Bill Belichick, Rodney Harrison and Tom Brady get to stew on this loss for a while. Belichick is a cheater. Harrison is a cheap shot artist and Brady was exposed today as the overrated quarterback that he is.

Without guys like Mankins, Brady is a mediocre signal caller. The Giants showed the world that by putting a little pressure on him, he’s just no football demi-god. I just hope the rest of the league takes notice and starts putting him on his back more often.

Good for Kurt Warner pressing the subject on the Pats spygate rumor now swirling around Super Bowl XXXVI. If the Pats did in fact tape the Rams walkthrough before the Super Bowl, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell should have the stones to really ding the Patriots. Losing a 1st round draft pick and some cash was a slap on the wrist.

Hit’em where it hurts commish!

I can’t wait to hear Tiki Barber’s spin on Eli Manning. Wasn’t it Barber who ripped his former teammate after retiring last spring? Barber questioned Manning’s leadership ability and effectiveness as a passer. The guy looked pretty darn good to me on that final Giants drive.

Oh, and no, they don’t give rings out to retirees.

Live Blogging Game 13

2007-12-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 13th game of the season vs the Green Bay Packers.

• (END OF REGULATION) GB 38 - OAK 7 And it ends...thank God. Raiders were overmatched by a team playing for something. Fret not, the Raiders help their draft position with their 9th loss of the season.

• (Q4 4:11) Favre hits Donald Lee who then carries Hiram Eugene and Schweigert 46 yards on his back. How these guys have jobs in the NFL is baffling. Schweigert couldn't tackle my grandmother. GB 38 - OAK 7

• (Q4 5:15) Packers killing the clock on the ground. Raiders run defense finally doing something right (allowing it to happen, so this game can mercifully end!)

• (Q4 8:21) Zach Miller 's catch falls a yard short on 4th down and the Raiders turn the ball over on downs.

• (Q4 12:09) Andrew Walter makes his 2007 debut. Kiffin throws in the towel, and rolls out the sacrificial lamb in Walter.

• (End of Q3) GB 31 - OAK 7 What a disaster of a period. 17 unanswered points off mistakes, missed tackles, and a lack of execution.

• (Q3 :34) McCown chucks the ball into traffic and it's picked off by Atari Bigby. Bigby rumbles 73 yards for the touchdown, but a gutless hit by Cullen Jenkins on McCown during the return brings the ball back to the Packers 23 yard line. I don't understand how the league allows crap like that to happen. If there's going to be intent to protect the QB, then do it.

• (Q3 3:10) 3rd & 1 and the Raiders give the ball to Lamont Jordan, who has the acceleration of molasses in January. Run is stuffed. Drive stalled.

• (Q3 4:50) Tim Dwight takes the punt then losses the ball on the tackle. Green Bay scoops it up, then recovers the ball in the end zone. Nothing is going right for the raiders today. Dwight is called down on the 11 yard line, but it is overturned on the challenge. Raiders would be wise to get on the plane now. GB 31 - OAK 7

• (Q3 8:53) Raiders fail to convert on 3rd and long because the Packers bring the house on top of McCown. It's baffling that the Raiders don't do the same thing when the Packers are in the e same situation. Sebastien Janikowski misses teh 44 yard field goal to add to Oakland's misery.

• (Q3 8:26) Ronald Curry makes his first catch of the day, beating Woddson for 29 yards.

• (Q3 9:11) Stanford Routt gets used by Greg Jennings, going 80 yards for the Green Bay touchdown. Routt totally mistimes the jump, then falls flat on his face as Jennings walks into the end zone. GB 24 - OAK 7

• (Q3 9:37) Former Raider Charles Woodson gets away with a push and the Raiders drive stalls. McCown missing the magic he had last week against Denver. The inabilitiy to establish teh running game has left the Raiders with some unmanageble situations.

• (Q3 10:46) Big Warren Sapp stuffs the 3rd down attempt, forcing the 44 yard field goal attempt. Crosby hits it, to push the Packers lead to 10 points. GB 17 - OAK 7

• (Q3 13:30) Raiders had the Packers 3rd and 18, and they allow the 20 yard pass play to Greg Jennings. No pressure on Favre means lights out.

• (HALFTIME) GB 14 - OAK 7 That drive to end the half has revitalized the Raiders. Hopefully they figure out that Favre is a weaker QB when he's on his back.

• (Q2 :26) Jerry Porter makes a HUGE catch, taking the ball away from Al Harris and a TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The 26 yard pass play is now being reviewed. Officials looking for any reason to take the points away from Oakland, but unfortunately for them, Porter did not step out of bounds. The catch stands. GB 14 - OAK 7

• (Q2 :40) Raiders move the ball quickly to midfield, then call timeout with 40 seconds left in the half.

• (Q2 1:12) Raiders finally bring pressure on Favre and the Packers QB is forced to get rid of the ball, stalling the Green Bay drive. Nathan Crosby then misses the long field goal.

• (Q2 3:06) Favre starting to heat up. Picking the Raiders apart. Somebody needs to hit Brett Favre.

• (Q2 5:23) McCown goes deep. Al Harris outruns Jerry Porter to the ball for the pick. Raiders simply forgo having their drive killed by the officials and simply hand the ball back to Favre.

• (Q2 5:40) Chris Carr takes the onsuing kickoff, then scampers 100 yards. Nope, referees call Carr down by contact, even though whistle is blown. Carr gets to exert all that energy for nothing, because the officiating team can't blow a whistle...they have no issues throwing flags however.

• (Q2 5:44) Raiders forced to punt from deep within their own zone. Will Blackmon takes the kick 57 yards for a touchdown. It's the 1st punt returned for a TD in Shane Lechler's career (573 punts). GB 14 - OAK 0

• (Q2 7:40) Now a 25 yard plass play to Zach Miller is called back on a holding penalty. Incredible.

• (Q2 8:03) 26 yard pass play is negated on the bogus pass interference call on Porter. Horrible call. The penalty not only takes away the big play, but it forces the Raiders back again.

• (Q2 8:51) 4 linebacker set on 2nd & goal from the 6 and there is nobody there to tqackle Ryan Grant. How is Hiram Eugene the only guy there to fill the gap? Grant easily raches teh goal line. GB 7 - OAK 0

• (Q2 13:47) Gerrard Warrenmakes a nice tackle behind the line to force a 3rd & 7. Favre converts with an 11 yard pass play. Not sure what the Raiders are doing dropping Warren Sapp into coverage? Favre is not 100%, so you go after him with relentless pressure. Raiders are too passive in passing situations.

• (END OF Q1) Gah! McCown had Porter wide open along the left sideline, but he throws the ball too far, carrying Porter out of bounds before the catch.

• (Q1 1:18) A holding penalty on Jeremy Newberry backs the Raiders up to thier own 7 yard line.

• (Q1 1:47) Stu Schweigert comes up with the deflection off Koren Robinson. Big INT to stop another Packers drive.

• (Q1 4:54) Raiders gamble on 4th down and lose. I like the call. I like the play selection. It just didn't work out. Great defensive play to bring down Fargas behind the line.

• (Q1 6:59) Nice call on the sweep left on 3rd & 1. Fargas makes the 1st down easily.

• (Q1 8:20) Raiders stop the Packers on downs after Green Bay drives the ball to the Oakland 26 yard line. Raiders got away with a push in the secondary on the Pacakers 4th down play.

• (Q1 14:11) First drive stalls. Raiders do move the ball to midfield however. Not a great start, but not a bad one either.

• (15:00 before kickoff) Green Bay Packers Inactives: QB Aaron Rodgers, TE Bubba Franks, WR Shaun Bodiford, RB Brandon Jackson, LB Tracy White, G Allen Barbre, DT Daniel Muir, DT Johnny Jolly.

• (15:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Daunte Culpepper, RB Dominic Rhodes, CB John Bowie, C Jake Grove, T Mario Henderson, DT Josh Shaw.

Live Blogging Game 12

2007-12-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 12th game of the season vs the Denver Broncos.

• Game Balls: Josh McCown (14/21, 141 yards, 3 TDs), Justin Fargas (33 attempts, 146 yards, 1 TD), Raiders Defensive Fron 4 (29 rushing attempts, 86 yards rushing allowed).

• (END of REGULATION) OAK 34 - DEN 20 And there you have it. 2nd win in a row. 2nd win in a row vs AFC West opponents. Unbelievable performance against a pretty decent Broncos team.

• (2 Minute Warning) We get 2 minutes to savor this one. The Black Hole starts the taunts. Where is Shannon Sharp? Bet he's not flapping his gums right now.

• (Q4 2:20) Stokely out of bounds killing the Broncos drive on 4th down. Raiders ball.

• (Q4 3:04) Put a form in em! Fargas goes for 5 with the monster block from Oren O'Neill for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Huge game for Fargas today. huge game for the Raiders offensive line today. Man alive! OAK 34 - DEN 20

• (Q4 3:08) Timeout Broncos. Shenannigan paces the sideline nervously. Hopefully he pays for this season with his job.

• (Q4 3:48) Ha! Kiffin waits a play for the bootleg, rolls left and get teh 1st down. 1st and goal on teh 5.

• (Q4 4:45) Fargas is stopped on 2nd down. I would have liked to see Kiffin call play action and go to the end zone on that play. Broncos loading up the box.

• (Q4 5:31) Holy Toledo what an effort by Griffith to convert the 3rd down after slipping three tackles. 13 yards on 3rd & 11. McCown calls timeout as the play clock winds down.

• (Q4 6:48) Fargas goes around the left end for the first down byt Robert Gallery gets flagged for holding.

• (Q4 7:14) Fargas goes 9 to bring up a 3rd and short.

• (Q4 7:29) McCown can't convert on the 3rd down, but the Broncos are flagged for illegal contact. 1st down Raiders! Nice to see someone else shooting themselves in the foot for once...even better that it's the Broncos.

• (Q4 7:50) Raiders now go to work on the clock. More points would make the clock meaningless.

• (Q4 8:48) Offcials taking forever to figure out if the play stands. Finally after 5 minutes, the play is ruled as stands. Raiders ball on the Broncos 43.

• (Q4 8:48) Fabian Washington with the MONSTER pick. Oh man what a nice catch. Shenannigan throws the red flag, challenging the play.

• (Q4 8:59) McCown ends the drive with a dying quail that falls short on a screen play. Fargas had nothing but green in front of him if he makes that catch. Janikowski barely slips in teh 44 yard field goal to push the Raiders lead to 7. OAK 27 - DEN 20

• (Q4 10:35) McCown threads a needle with a 26 yard plass play to Miller. Miller follows that up with a 19 yard catch.

• (Q4 11:21) Travis Henry waltzes in to the end zone, capitalizing on the McCown fumble. Henry was untouched on the 3-yard run. OAK 24 - DEN 20

• (Q4 11:46) Raiders holding the Broncos to 74 yards rushing thus far.

• (Q4 12:54) Michael Huff blows up Henry on a screen misdirection. 3rd down and long for Denver. Cutler then converts it with another bullet. Raiders need to keep Denver out of the end zone.

• (End of Q3) OAK 24 - DEN 13 Raiders letting the Broncos back into this game with careless mistakes. First Janikowski's miss, then the big pass play to Stokely, followed by the McCown fumble.

• (Q3 :02) Oh no! McCown fumbles the snap and DJ Williams recovers on the Raiders 35 yqard line. First turnover by Oakland today.

• (Q3 1:37) Jay Richardson sacks Cutler on a big 3rd down play to stop the Broncos drive. Even when the Broncos begin to pick up some momentum , the Raiders shut them down. Elam converts the 44 yard field goal, but that wqas a big stop. OAK 24 - DEN 13

• (Q3 3:23) Cutler drills Stokely with a 33 yard bullet. Cutler follows that up with another long pass to tight end Tony Scheffler. Broncos turn two plays into 50 yards, now sitting on the Raiders 20 yard line.

• (Q3 4:40) Raiders botch the shovel pass, but McCown runs for 9 before getting popped. Janikowski MISSES the 35 yard field goal.

• (Q3 6:36) Fargas coughs up the ball, but the Raiders recover. Fargas makes up for it by filling a 10 foot hole then scampering 29 yards to the Broncos 25 yard line.

• (Q3 7:25) Even special teams is getting it done. Carr brings back the kick return 38 yards.

• (Q3 7:25) Culter gets flattened by Clemmons on 3rd down. Conversion fails. Jason Elam punches home the easy 29-yarder to cut the Raiders lead to 14 points. OAK 24 - DEN 10

• (Q3 10:02) Brandon Stokely slips past the Raiders secondary and goes for 58 yards on the play. If Cutler doesn't throw that ball short, Stokely goes for 6 easily.

• (Q3 11:04) McCown drifts left, waits, throws, then gets blasted by Ian Gold. Oh, and the pass lands in Porter's arms in the back of the end zone for a TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Gutsy play by McCown to stay with the play as long as he did. OAK 24 - DEN 7

• (Q3 11:40) Henry coughs up the ball on a strange inside misdirection play. Chris Clemons recovers the ball.

• (Q3 12:45) Jerry Porter makes a circus catch with the left hand, but th eRiaders drive stalls. Janikowski converts the 38-yard field goal to push the Raiders lead to 10 points. OAK 17 - DEN 7

• (Q3 14:12) Thomas Howard openes the 3rd quarter with a big INT deep in Raiders territory.

• (HALFTIME) OAK 14 - DEN 7 One of the best openeing halfs of the season for the Raiders. Fargas 84 yards on 17 carries. McCown with a 128.9 QB rating. Broncos had 41 yards of offense on the 4 drives following their openeing TD drive.

• (Q2 :50) Hey look what play action buys you! McCown with the bootleg right to Zach Miller for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The rookie tight end pays some dividends with thise big mitts. Leads all rookie TE's with 28 catches on teh season. OAK 14 - DEN 7

• (Q2 :56) Justin Griffith with the catch, then makes three Broncos pay! Time out Oakland.

• (Q2 2:00) 2 Minute Warning. Raiders have a decent shot at going into halftime with the lead. Let's see what McCown can do.

• (Q2 2:58) McCown back in at QB. Good call by Kiffin. Bring the kid up to speed slowly. McCown with the 1st down conversion on a nice pass to Jerry Porter.

• (Q2 3:07) Henry coughs it up on the Broncos 35 yard line. Raider ball! Tyler Brayton with the recovery. Robert Thomas with the huge strip.

• (Q2 4:13) Kiffin elects to go for it on 4th down & 1 and the Broncos defense stuffs Fargas. Janikowski's injury most likely helped with that decision. WOuld have preferred to see somre more creativity in the play calling. Run left is about as predictable as it gets.

• (Q2 5:03) Russell shows some decent mobility in the pocket, sidestepping a defender then running for 4 yards.

• (Q2 6:40) Big Russ shows off that ar with a bullet that hits Ronald Curry after Champ Bailey slips.

• (Q2 7:00) Raiders running game starting to establish itself. Fargas has 71 yards on 12 carries thus far.

• (Q2 8:14) Raiders defense holds for the second straight series. Could it be the day the D returns? Dwight with the decent return, puts the ball on the 30.

• (Q2 9:56) Sebastien Janikowski's 58-yard field goal attempt is a line drive that falls short. Janikowski looks like he's hurt on the play, hobbling over to the sideline.

• (Q2 10:13) Russell's first drive dies on a bad snap that floats outside his grasp. The kid looks poised.

• (Q2 12:35) Nice call by Kiffin with the screen play call. Russell floats the pass over the right end to Fargas who goes for 13 yards and a 1st down. Fargas follows that up with a 19 more.

• (Q2 13:41) The Jamarcus Russell in Oakland begins. The big guy boot-legs right then hits Jerry Porter with a 16 yard bullet to the right sideline.

• (Q2 13:59) Raiders stop DEnver's drive, but Dwight almost costs the Silver & Black by coughing up the punt on his own 18 yard line.

• (Q2 14:54) McCown has all day, but can't find a receiver. Drive stalls. Now we get to see if this defense is going to help win a game this season.

• (END of Q1) OAK 7 - DEN 7 Nice to see the Raiders capitalize on Denver's big mistake, but the defense has got to show up at least once this season.

• (Q1 :51) Travis Henry right up the gut for 4 yards a nd a touchdown. Incredible how bad the defense is. OAK 7 - DEN 7

• (Q1 4:16) Selvin Young with three straight carries for a combined 24 yards. Raiders horrendous tackling still killing this team.

• (Q1 6:47) Damn! Raiders fail to bring down Brandon Marshall who goes for 32 yards and converts on 3rd down. Raiders had the Broncos stopped.

• (Q1 8:13) What a catch by Tim Dwight in the left corner for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Pass interference on Denver is declined. Man, what a nice toss by McCown. OAK 7 - DAN 0

• (Q1 11:14) Another nice run by Fargas. 7 yards for the 3rd down conversion.

• (Q1 12:42) Thank you Cecil Sapp. The Bronco runs into Shane Lechler, and the Raiders get the ball back with the penalty. 1st down at midfield.

• (Q1 12:49) Risky pass by McCown into coverage. Drive stalls.

• (Q1 14:43) Justin Fargas picks up where he left off. Busts the 17 yard run for a 1st down.

• (Q1 15:00) Raiders win the toss elect to receive. Chris Carr takes th touchback.

Limit Russell's PT

2007-11-29T22:07:00.000-08:00

Jamarcus Russell

So the notion of playing Jamarcus Russell this weekend against the Denver Broncos isn’t the worst idea in the world, granted Lane Kiffin doesn’t get greedy and play the kid significant reps, or worse on a continuing basis the remainder of the season. Here’s why I say that. The Raiders are banged up everywhere, but most notably on the offensive line. Sticking Russell out there for the wolves to devour makes no sense if the intent is to simply get his feet wet.

Kiffin needs to limit Russell’s stint to 10-15 plays from scrimmage this weekend, preferably with the game out of reach (one way or the other). I think Mike Shanahan would like nothing more than to knock around the Raiders future, regardless of his own job status in Denver. Don’t give Shanahan the opportunity to muddy the waters by either injuring the kid or making his first taste of NFL caliber ball a thumping.

The fact that the Raiders decided to do this at home is smart. Russell won’t be playing in a hostile environment, and the Coliseum has no shortage of his supporters.

I’d love nothing more than to see Russell tear up the Broncos secondary with laser beam passes being delivered all over the place, but the Raiders need to be patient. Let him get a taste of the pace, before extending him against hostile defenders.

Of the teams remaining on the Raiders schedule, this is probably the weakest opponent remaining. Jacksonville is ranked 28th in passing defense, so let him air things out in week 16 against the Jags. The Raiders face the Colts and Charges at home, but both of those teams are embroiled in division chases.

Forget about giving Russell any lengthy time over center next week at Lambeau. The weather will most likely be bad and the Packers will still be battling for some semblance of home field in the playoffs. Brett Favre’s injury on Thursday night may make that game more interesting from Green Bay’s perspective, but the Packers pass defense has been one of their strong suits this season.

Let Russell build confidence against teams he’ll have any opportunity to succeed against. Yes, Jacksonville is in the playoff hunt, but that secondary is just what Dr Kiffin ordered. Yes, I’ve heard that the Raiders are a “running team” (or at least until Big Al reminds Kiffin that he isn’t shelling out $80 million to someone so they can hand off the ball), but Russell needs to cut his teeth in the air.

Limit his reps against Denver, extend them against Jacksonville, then wait and see if San Diego is playing for anything on December 30th. If they’re not, turn him loose then.

Then start scouting offensive lineman that you can build an offense around. Russell won’t do squat laying on his back 5-10 times a game or on the IR.

Live Blogging Game 11

2007-11-25T10:06:00.001-08:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 11th game of the season vs the Kansas City Chiefs.

• Game Balls: Justin Fargas (119 yards rushing, 1 TD), Jerry Porter (3 catches 75 yards receiving), Michael Huff (7 tackles, 2 assists, 1 INT).

• (END OF REGULATION) OAK 20 - KC 17 The Raiders break a 9 game losing streak against Kansas City and a 17 game losing streak against the division. And the Raiders do it on the road. Kiffin learned a thing or two about his opponent and finally had a chance to apply it. The Raiders were a running team today.

• (Q4 1:54) 3rd & 11, Chiefs take their last timeout. That challenge by KC may prove costly. Raiders can end it with a 1st down. Justin Fargas scampers 21 HUGE yards to hammer the final nail in the coffin. Holy Toledo!

• (Q4 2:00) Two Minute Warning. 2nd and 14 on the Chiefs 47 yard line. Get that ball another 15 yards to give Janikowski a chance to force the Chiefs to have to drive the entire length of the field to take this one.

• (Q4 3:23) Play action fake on the obvious run down, Culpepper to Curry for 9 yards.

• (Q4 3:51) Fargas rumbles for 12 yards and a 1st down. Tack on another 11.

• (Q4 4:26) Chiefs lose the challenge and go for it on 4th and 1. Smith is stacked up two yards short of the marker. Raiders defense tackles a runner for the first time today...parade scheduled for downtown Oakland tomorrow morning!

• (Q4 4:26) Kennison makes a crazy catch between his knees. Cheifs are short of the 1st down by a yard. KC calls timeout to figure out what they want to do. Now Herm Edwards challenges the spot of the catch. If he loses, that means KC will have burned two timeouts on the play.

• (Q4 6:36) Croyle finally figuring out how to use Gonzalez. The big Tight End converts his second 1st down of the drive. Smith with 150 rushing yards is killing the Raiders.

• (Q4 9:34) Justin Fargas busts up the middle for 14 yards and a TOUHDOWN RAIDERS! HUGE run by the Raiders tailback. 96 yards on the day for the USC alum. Raiders reclaim the lead. OAK 20 - KC 17

• (Q4 9:45) Culpepper hits Miller for 28 yards, then follows it up a 35 yard pass to Porter. Raiders inside the red zone for the 3rd time today.

• (Q4 10:51) Croyle kills the Cheifs drive with two bad passes. Rayner hooks the field goal attempt badly, keeping the game a 4 point ballgame.

• (Q4 12:20) Raiders finally stop the run, but Michael Huff commits teh personal foul facemask infraction. Move the ball another 15 yards.

• (Q4 14:25) Chiefs open thier drive with a run. Note to Rob Ryan: The Cheifs are going to run the ball this quarter. Run, run, run, run, run. Load up the box and tell your guys to gang tackle for god's sake.

• (Q4 14:44) Raiders open the 4th quarter with a dud. 3 & out, followed by a 30 yard punt. Bleccchh.

• (END of Q3) KC 17 - OAK 13 Nice to see the Dominic Rhodes contributing with his 3rd kickoff return of the game. The Raiders offense is so potent, they can relegate a guy like Rhodes to kickoff returns.

• (Q3 :47) Smith goes 5 for his 2nd touchdown of the day. Raiders defense hucks up all the momentum the offense had generated with that awful series. KC 17 - OAK 13

• (Q3 4:17) Tony Gonzalez makes a big 22 yard catch to extend his consecutive catch streak to 110 games.

• (Q3 5:15) Derrick Burgess follows up Richardson's gaff with the big sack.

• (Q3 5:49) Brainless penalty by Jay Richardson, tacking on an additional 15 yards to Croyle's run.

• (Q3 6:10) Lamont "Release Me" Jordan takes the pitch right, then rumbles for 5 yards and the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Give Culpepper credit for getting that drive started early. Fargas added two key runs for 1st downs. OAK 13 - KC 10

• (Q3 8:00) Raiders try a little razzle dazzle and Tim Dwight turns it into a 9 yard gain after the containment looked like they had him trapped.

• (Q3 12:35) McQuistan kills a 3rd and inches opportunity with a false start. Inexcusable penalties.

• (HALFTIME) KC 10 - OAK 6 The rookie Smith goes for 94 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The only thing that has stopped the Chiefs offense thus far, is the Cheifs offense. Penalties after teh Miller turnover saved the Raiders at teh end of the half.

• (Q2 :22) Why would the Raiders burn two timeouts with 4 downs to go and under 30 seconds???? That makes absolutely no sense.

• (Q2 1:42) Raiders playing out the half with the goal of keeping teh Chiefs off the board. "We're a running team"

• (Q2 3:11) Miller now with the false start to back the Raiders up to their own 2 yard line. Fargas 12-yard run then called back because fo a hold on Paul McQuistan.

• (Q2 3:33) Cheifs offense looks like the Raiders on the ensuing series, moving backwards, then punting. Raiders will start on their own 5-yard line.

• (Q2 4:30) Zach Miller coughs up the ball deep in the Raiders zone, but the bigger question is why Culpepper is throwing the ball 10-yards short of the markers on 3rd down? This guy is supposed to be the seasoned veteran? What exactly is he teaching Jamarcus Russell?

• (Q2 5:30) Raiders stop the Chiefs drive, but not before KC moves the ball 68 yards to the Raiders 12-yard line. Dave Rayner converts the short field goal to push the Chiefs lead to 4. KC 10 - OAK 6

• (Q2 9:41) Missed tackle by Michael Huff, followed up by the lack of a pass rush allowing Cheifs to march down the field. Down to the Raiders 32 yard line.

• (Q2 10:43) Porter catch is now ruled a drop. Drive stalls. Janikowski nails the 54-yard field goal to cut the Cheifs lead to a point. KC 7 - OAK 6

• (Q2 10:54) 3rd and long, Jerry Porter makes the catch, then gets popped. 16 yard gain to keep the drive alive. Chiefs will challenge.

• (End of Q1) KC 7 - OAK 3 Run defense needs to buckle down and make Croyle put the ball in the air.

• (Q1 0:49) Ronald Curry drops a very catchable ball to stall the Raiders drive. Gotta make those catches.

• (Q1 1:53) I like the play action fake after the sequence of run plays. Way to mix it up a bit. Patrick Surtain hurt on the play.

• (Q1 6:02) Smith dances through the pylons for a 10 yard touchdown run. Raiders defense is pathetic. KC 7 - OAK 3

• (Q1 7:25) Smith busts another 16 yard run. Why even bother to throw the ball against this papier mache run defense?

• (Q1 8:23) Herman Edwards got the scouting report on the Raiders run defense. Goes for it on 4th and inches, and converts with a 19 yard run.

• (Q1 10:55) Jarrod Cooper injured on the kickoff. Sports Illustrated ranked the top 4 most losing players in teh NFL (team winning % as a member of the teams that player has suited up for)...Cooper was ranked 2nd. Cooper being carted off the field

• (Q1 11:15) Raiders drive stalls, even though they move the ball inside the 20. Sebastian Janikowski converts the short pooch chot for the first score of the game. OAK 3 - KC 0

• (Q1 13:23) First big play of the game...Michael Huff picks off Croyle giving the Raiders the ball deep in Chiefs territory

• (15:00 before kickoff) Kansas City Chiefs Inactives: QB Tyler Thigpen (3rd QB), RB Larry Johnson, CB Rashad Barksdale, T Herbert Taylor, T Will Svitek, WR Eddie Drummond, DT James Reed, LB Kendrell Bell.

• (15:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Andrew Walter, FS Stuart Schweigert, CB John Bowie, LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, C Jake Grove, T Seth Wand, DT Josh Shaw.

Live Blogging Game 10

2007-11-18T10:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 10th game of the season vs the Minnesota Vikings.

• (END OF REGULATION) MIN 29 - OAK 22 Chester Taylor, a backup, 2nd rate running back, runs for a rediculous 164 yards and 3 TDs. Tack on the 38 receiving yards for 202 total yards. My grandmother could go for 100 against this Raiders defense. Taylor carried teh ball 22 times, none for a loss.

• (Q4 :00) Final Hail Mary gets bated down in the end zone...I'm surprised Culpepper had enough time to get the throw off.

• (Q4 :12) Raiders stop the clock by downing the ball, but they get called for a false start, forcing 10 seconds to be removed. This is comedy at its finest.

• (Q4 :44) Raiders chipping away with 4 and 5 yard plays.

• (Q4 1:48) 83 yards to go to tie the game...Culpepper throws the pick, but Chad Greeway then fumbles the ball back to Oakland.

• (Q4 2:00) Taylor carries teh ball right down to the 1st down marker. The measurement says short. Raiders will get the ball back, so we can agonize for a few more minutes.

• (Q4 3:04) Morrison shoots the gap to stop Taylor (one of the the few times today), the Raiders burn their final timeout.

• (Q4 3:23) Fake onside kick, pooch it over the blockers and the ball dribbles out of bounds. Raiders football at its finest folks.

• (Q4 3:23) Raiders can't sustain the drive, but they lean on Janikowski for yet another field goal. Down by 7 with 3:23 to play. MIN 29 - OAK 22

• (Q4 7:24) Taylor draws the peronal foul for the leg whip. I think that may be the first penalty called ont eh Vikings in the 2nd half.

• (Q4 8:05) Vikings milking the clock, inching the Raiders closer to that top 5 draft pick.

• (Q4 11:35) Culpepper sacked for teh 4th time today, offense continues to go backwards. 3rd & 22, all the Raiders cando is dump off the screen play...which nets 2 yards.

• (Q4 14:52) Vikings take the Culpepper turnover and drive it 75 yards, capped by a rediculous touchdown run by Taylor. The Vikings running back leaps over the pile at the 5, but he's stood up and the pile carries him forward for 5 yards. MIN 29 - OAK 19

• (End of Q3) Vikings driving downfield. Quarter ends on a receiver pass, that floats like a duck, but a Vikings receiver still makes a shoestring grab to convert the 1st down.

• (Q3 2:44) Culpepper gets hit, fumbles teh ball, then two Raider lineman have a chance to fall on the ball, but they fight each other for it, spitting it up to the Vikings. This team isn't 2-7 for no reason.

• (Q3 3:01) Culpepper dances around the rush, then finds Jerry Porterfor the 31-yard gain. Backing the Vikings into the red zone, the Raiders elect to run on the subsequent play for no gain. Fall start Paul McQuistan to back the Raiders up another 5.

• (Q3 4:42) Chris Clemons with his 2nd sack of the day, ending a Minessota drive. The front 4 has shown life today.

• (Q3 5:53) Run, run, pass, drive stalls. The Raiders might be the only team the Patriots don't need to cheat agains, because everyone already knows what's coming.

• (Q3 8:23) Vikings march down field, capped by Taylor's 15 yard run. Longwell hits another mid-distance field goal to give teh Vikings the lead back. MIN 22 - OAK 19

• (Q3 11:07) For whatever reason, Kiffin & Knaoo are intent on establishing a run game. Drive nets 13 yards after 7 plays, then the drive stalls.

• (HALFTIME) OAK 19 - MIN 19 Raiders running game has gone nowhere. They're moving the ball when putting it up top. Defense still needs to start wrapping up people.

• (Q2 0:00) Raiders move teh ball downfield, then Janikowski cashes in to end teh half all tied up. Nice sequence to draw even. OAK 19 - MIN 19

• (Q2 :58) Tarvaris Jackson is leveled, then fumbles the ball. Sapp recovers. Raiders back in business.

• (Q2 1:47) Two incompletions stal the drive. Janikowski converts to cut the Vikings lead to 3. MIN 19 - OAK 16

• (Q2 2:00) Nice play action fake on 3rd & short, then Culpepper finds Curry for a big gainer. THAT is the kid of play calling the Raiders need more of. 2 minute warning, Raiders in striking distance.

• (Q2 3:25) Justin Fargas blows up Lieber with a monster block.

• (Q2 8:30) The brain trust calls for a short plass play on 3rd & 15, but Curry is tackled well short of the sticks. Drive stalls.

• (Q2 9:17) Raiders learn to tackle this week...ah, just kidding... tackling is as shoddy as ever. Taylor rumbles 38 yards for the TD. Vikings retake the lead. MIN 19 - OAK 13

• (Q2 12:00) 3 & 12 deep in Vikings territory, playing the worst pass defense int eh league, and the Raides run a sweep right for no gain. Janikowski converts the short field goal, but the Raiders fail for the second time today to get the ball in teh end zone from the red zone. OAK 13 - MIN 12

• (Q2 12:44) Holy Toledo, the Vikings cough up the ball again. Sapp knocks the ball loose from Taylor, and Jarrod Cooper pounces on it.

• (Q2 12:57) Culpepper finds John Madsen all alone in the end zone, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The O-line started to collapse, but Culpepper slid forward to avoid the rush. MIN 12 - OAK 10

• (Q2 14:12) WOW! What a catch by Ron Curry. Splits two defenders in the secondary and snatches the ball out of the air for the 49 yards.

• (Q2 14:56) Ryan Longwell converts the 30-yard pooch shot to put the Vikings back up by 9. MIN 12 - OAK 3

• (End of Q1) Minnesota having their way on the line of scrimmage (both offense and defense). This could be a long afternoon. MIN 9 - OAK 3

• (Q1 1:14) Schweigert is on the sidelines nursing a hip injury. Hiram Eugene in at safety. Chester Taylor looking like Ladanian Tomlinson against the porous Raiders defense.

• (Q1 4:45) The turnstiles allow Culpepper to get sacked again. Sebastian Janikowski converts the 42 yard field goal to get on the board. MIN 9 - OAK 3

• (Q1 5:33) Culpepper prefers throwing 15 yard touchdowns to 6 yarders, so he backs the line of scrimmage up by taking a 9 yard sack.

• (Q1 6:20) Culpepper unleashes the cannon and hits Curry with the big 46 yard pass play. 1st & goal on the Vikings 6 yard line.

• (Q1 6:50) Kirk Morrison pounces on the Minnesota fumble. Finally a break in the Raiders direction.

• (Q1 8:30) So Asomugha's brain cramp results in 2 points for the Vikings. The Raiders offense stays consistent in moving the ball backwards. MIN 9 - OAK 0

• (Q1 9:51) Vikings get great field posession, then drive the ball right down teh Raider's throats again. Namndi Asomugha stops the drive with a pick in the end zone, then runs the ball out and gets tackled on teh 2 yard line. Brilliant. Help your inept offense by starting their drive on the 2 rather than the 20.

• (Q1 14:10) Chester Taylor pounces into the end zone for the easy 5 yard TD run. Schweigert playing deep in the end zone so he doesn't get burned again. MIN 7 - OAK 0

• (Q1 14:30) My computer's not even warm and Stu Schweigert bites on the end around and gives up the deep ball. Only reason it wasn't a touchdown was that the ball was under thrown.

Live Blogging Game 9

2007-11-11T13:16:00.001-08:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 9th game of the season vs the Chicago Bears.

• Game Balls: The parking attendants (they had the Coliseum gates open on time. It was the only thing that wnet as planned today.

• (END OF REGULATION) Ah, the icing on the cake with an INT by McCown. Hopefully the Raiders wrote (un)incentives into McCown's contrac...like he pays the Raiders for every INT he throws. this season. CHI 17 - OAK 6

• (Q4 1:06) If you're going to go through the motions, why not just chuck it downfield on every play from here on out? What does a 10 yard dump off do?

• (Q4 1:39) McCown hit, fumbles, Bears recover on the Raiders 3. Cedric Benson punches it in for a TD. Paper bags available at all Raider Image stores on Monday. CHI 17 - OAK 6

• (Q4 2:24) Just over two minutes to play, Raiders need 4 to tie and they elect to punt. It's unreal that these people get paid as much as they do to make these kinds of decisions.

• (Q4 2:36) Raiders need a first down to extend the drive, and McCown elects to chuck it downfield, then overthrows his receiver by 10 yards.

• (Q4 2:58) Raiders couldn't sustain a drive al lseason, and there's no reason to believe they're going to do it here. McCown can't even hit a wide open Zach Miller.

• (Q4 3:11) Grossman to Berrian with the 59 yard TD with 3 minutes to play. Raiders football at its finest. Who are the top 3 draft prospects again? Why does Chris Carr have a job in the NFL? He should be parking cars for a living. Berrian ran right past hm and had 15 yards on him as he crossed teh end zone. CHI 10 - OAK 6

• (Q4 4:04) Janikowski hits from 52-yards. Could he be the Raiders savior? OAK 6 - CHI 3

• (Q4 7:12) Oh my god, are you kidding me? How can this team continue to try running up the middle on 1st & 2nd down? This is absolutely rediculous.

• (Q4 11:18) Run, Run, incomplete pass. Lane Kifin is supposed to be an offensive genius??? I'll do his job for half the pay and give the same dead ends.

• (Q4 12:44) Back-to-back sacks will give the Raiders the ball back at midfield. If the offense is going to do anything today, this is the drive to do it.

• (Q4 14:06) Incomplete pass, penalty, penalty, draw, end of drive. This is Pride & Poise? I'd hate to see Indifference & Futility.

• (End of Q3) OAK 3 - CHI 3 I could take a nap and still be more productive than either of these offenses.

• (Q3 5:09) Magic 8 Ball is correct. The offensive turnstiles let the Bears bust into the Raidres backfield. McCown throws it 2 yards out of bounds.

• (Q3 5:33) 3rd & 8...I'm guessing a pass play. I can't tell you if they'll convert or not. Magic 8 Ball says "unlikely".

• (Q3 7:29) Here is where the Raiders will lose this game if they can't move the ball out of their own end. Chicago will get the ball with great field position.

• (Q3 10:13) Raiders play calling is becoming so predictable, the Bears are loading up the box on run plays. Now Fargas coughs it up.

• (Q3 11:36) Gould misses the 53-yard attempt short.

• (Q3 11:44) Officials turning a blind eye to the holding while Gross man rolls out. No Fair League.

• (Q3 12:40) Muhammed goes for another 33 yards on the reception from Grossman. Blitz fails.

• (Q3 13:40) 2nd down and long and the Raidres elect to run the ball setting up 3rd and long. Ensuing play goes for a pass play well short of the sticks, which is irrelevant because the receiver drops the ball. Do any of these coaches know how down & distance works?

• (Q3 14:15) First 1st down of the drive killed because of a holding penalty. More of the same. Moving backwards.

• (HALFTIME) OAK 3 - CHI 3 Raiders can do nothing on offense and the defense has dodged bullets. Only bright spot has been kick coverage, which has not allowed Devin Hester to return anything.

• (Q2 :25) McCown gets sacked, then has to scramble for his life, thus ending any chance for a late score before the half. Raiders offense is pathetic.

• (Q2 :44) Griese, left shoulder injury. Taken into the lockerroom for x-rays.

• (Q2 1:08) Tim Dwight replaces Higgins on punt returns. He doesn't fumble on his first chance...good start.

• (Q2 1:22) Nice to see Grossman in his prefered position...laid out on on the turf

• (Q2 1:32) Rex Grossman warming up after Griese gets banged up on the Kirk Morrison sack.

• (Q2 3:54) Awful play selection and exceution on 3rd & 3. Another drive stalled. Terrible.

• (Q2 5:41) Justin Fargas pounding out yards, but he needs to bust one to get the offense kick started.

• (Q2 6:51) Raiders defense bends, but doesn't break. Robbie Gould hits the 31-yard field goal to tie the game. OAK 3 - CHI 3

• (Q2 11:45) Secondary exposed. Mushin Muhammed for 45 yards.

• (END of Q1) OAK 3 - CHI 0 No offense to speak of from either side.

• (Q1 1:00) Johnnie Lee Higgins resumed his punt return duties today...that may may have been his last of the day (season maybe).

• (Q1 1:07) Nice coverage by Chris Carr to stall the Bears drive

• (Q1 1:53) Brainless penalty by Jarrod Cooper. Uncontrolled mayhem does not win championships

• (Q1 4:55) Stu Schweigart lays out Bernard Berrian on that sideline throw. Gotta send a message with Asomugha and Washington out in the secondary.

• (Q1 9:22) Drive stalls, but Sebastian Janikowski converts the 37-yard field goal for the lead. OAK 3 - CHI 0

• (Q1 12:40) I told you McCown should be the starting tailback on this team! 45 yards on the opening offensive play.

• (Q1 13:20) 3 & out for the bears. Good opening defensive series for the Raiders

• (20:00 before kickoff) Chicago Bears Inactives: QB Kyle Orton (3rd QB), CB Nathan Vasher, DB Brandon McGowan, RB Lousaka Polite, LB Rod Wilson, G Josh Beekman, WR Mike Haas, DE Antonio Garay.

• (20:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Andrew Walter, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Fabian Washington, LB Sam Williams, C Jake Grove, T Mario Henderson, DT Josh Shaw.

Live Blogging Game 8

2007-11-04T13:12:00.001-08:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 8th game of the season vs the Houston Texans.

• (END OF REGULATION) HOU 24 - OAK 17 4th consecutive loss, including the 3rd straight to the Texans. The Raiders are 0-3 all time vs the expansion team. Raiders get the defending NFC Champion Chicago Bears next week.

• (Q4 1:28) Raiders attempt the onside kick, fail to recover it. Ballgame.

• (Q4 1:37) McCown heaes into the end zone and recently signed receiver Tim Dwight hauls it in for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! HOU 24 - OAK 17

• (Q4 1:57) Barry Sims false start...again.

• (Q4 1:57) No timeouts and under 2 minutes to play. Only question will be if McCown can throw a 4th pick today.

• (Q4 2:04) Matt Turk shanks the punt, giving the Raiders the ball on the Houston 31 yard line.

• (Q4 4:24) Raiders burn another timeout, before allowing the Texans to make the 1st down. Attention Raiders coaching staff...Ron Dayne is going to carry the ball. Oakland burns its final TO, resulting in 6 additional hot dog sales.

• (Q4 4:37) Raiders call timeout. Stop the clock with the intent of dragging this out a few minutes longer so they can sell some more concessions.

• (Q4 4:47) Ah, there's the INT by Ryan. This one counts. McCown's 3rd pick of the day into a three white jerseys. Raiders did one smart thing in cutting Mike Williams...let's hope they can follow that up by sendig mcCown packing.

• (Q4 5:17) McCown scrambles for the 1st down. The guy can't pass for his life, but he can run. Hmmmm, make him your starting tailback once Russell is ready to go.

• (Q4 5:30) Lamont Jordan had a 1st down, but he redirects it in the air directly in the hands of Dameco Ryans for the INT. No, the play is ruled incomplete. Raiders need to go for the 4th and 7.

• (Q4 7:05) Now they huddle up after earning a 1st down. Coem on guys, why is this so hard to understand?

• (Q4 7:42) Down by 14 points, and the first play Lane Kiffin calls is a running play. This isn't your USC offense Kif, gotta huck that ball.

• (Q4 7:58) Rosenfels to Andre Davis for the 42 yard bomb. Touchdown Texans. Raiders don't have the team to comeback from a 14 point defecit this late in the game. Drive home safely folks. HOU 24 - OAK 10

• (Q4 10:05) Ron Dayne continues to pound the ball, rumbling for 15 yards up the gut. Ball is now at midfield. Raiders can't allow anymore points, much less the clock to dribble down to nothing.

• (Q4 11:26) Fargas finally breaks through into the end zone, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The Rsiders first D in 2 games. HOU 17 - OAK 10

• (Q4 12:24) 3rd and 10 on the 12, Raiders pass short, then draw the another personal foul. Hope they realize you can't score a TD on a personal foul.

• (Q4 13:33) 3rd and 7 on the Texans 24 and the Raiders convert the old fashoined way...they let Houston commit a personal foul - facemask penalty.

• (End of Q3) HOU 17 - OAK 3 Raiders need two touchdowns just to tie.

• (Q3 1:28) Jerry porter breaks a tackle and runs 32 yards into Texans territory

• (Q3 6:51) Texans moving the ball again. If the Raiders can't stop the Houston Texans with a backup QB at the helm, who can they stop?

• (Q3 7:41) Namndi Asomugha on the sideline with an icepack strapped to his shoulder.

• (Q3 7:41) Janikowski hits the pooch shot for the Raiders first points of the game. They needed 7 and got 3. Story of the season. HOU 17 - OAK 3

• (Q3 7:47) 1st and goal at the 7 and the Raiders can't get the ball in the end zone. Why is Josh McCown still in the NFL, much less the game?

• (Q3 11:52) Jay Richardon blocks a kick by Brown to stop the bleeding.

• (Q3 11:59) One of the best runners in camp, Adimchinobe Echemandu who was waived by teh Raiders, gets in on the act and runs twice for 6 yards. Setting up another Texans field goal try.

• (Q3 13:40) Dane busts for another 39 yards around the end. The umpire is not able to make the tackle on that play.

• (Q3 14:41) The Riaders make a tackle, stopping Ron Dane who busts for 9 yards on first down. Check that, it was teh umpire that brought Dane down. Raiders still can't tackle.

• (HALFTIME) HOU 17 - OAK 0 The Texans are torching the Raiders porous defense with a castoff running back in Ahman Green and a 3rd string QB in Sage Rosenfels. That makes sense when you have a 4th string QB leading the Raiders and a back in Justin Fargas that has had one big game in his career.

• (Q2 :06) Brown hits the 40 yard field goal to take the 17 point lead. The Raiders defense is a joke. HOU 17 - OAK 0

• (Q2 :39) Houston now gets to drive downfield points of their own. Rosenfels hits Walter for 11 yards to the Raiders 30, then again for another 10 yards to the Raiders 20.

• (Q2 1:18) Janikowski doinks it off the right upright, missing the would be NFL record kick. The Raiders get NO breaks.

• (Q2 1:18) The interception is overturned. McCown is only really bad instead of extremely bad. 4th and 9 and the Raiders are going to go for teh field goal...a 64 yarder, which would be an NFL record.

• (Q2 1:18) McCown throws his 3rd pick of the half to Vaughn Hutchins. The play is under review.

• (Q2 1:53) 3rd and 4 on the Texans 37 with 1:53 to play and Barry Sims jumps again. His 8th false start infraction of the season.

• (Q2 2:00) 2 minute warning and Lamont Jordan has touched tehball once in the half. Is he hurt? No inury report on him..

• (Q2 4:09) Ron Dane busts a 14 yard run up the gut for the touchdown. Again, more Pop Warner tackling. Rediculous. HOU 14 - OAK 0

• (Q2 4:15) McCown tries a deep pass. only to have it picked for another turnover. Bennet makes another play and returns it to the Raiders 15.

• (Q2 10:15) Another stalled drive. Jamarcus Russell, calling Mr. Jamarcus Russell. Please report to the sidelines.

• (Q2 14:21) Schweigart makes the pick on the Texans 1 yard line. Returns it to the 6, so the Raiders have some work to do to get out of their own end zone

• (End of Q1) HOU 7 - OAK 0 A turnover and shoddy tackling leave the Raiders down to tend the 1st quarter.

• (Q1 1:03) McCown's pass is deflected and intercepted by former Raider Danny Clark.

• (Q1 1:27) Daunte Robinson is down, after getting his leg caught underneath himself. Looks like his right knee is torn up. Raiders bringing the cart out on the field to collect him.

• (Q1 1:27) Gah! Raiders convert the 1st down, but Zach Miller is whistled for holding.

• (Q1 4:14) Ronald Curry catches a ball for a 1st down, then get leveled by Fred Bennet along the sideline. Both players are down for the count. Vicious hit.

• (Q1 6:34) Oh no, Raiders turn to the run for the first two plays, setting up a long 3rd down conversion attempt. Only a scrambling McCown saves the drive.

• (Q1 6:51) more of the same thinning technique at the line and Green makes Schweigart look like a Pop Warner tackler at the line of scrimmage. HOU 7 - OAK 0

• (Q1 8:28) 4th and inches on the Raiders 4, and Sage Rosenfels sneaks for the 1st down. Raiders bite on the 3 receiver set and Green in motion, thinning out the line.

• (Q1 10:52) Ahman Green on the screen, and leaves Stuart Schweigart in the dust for 52 yards. Apparently the Raiders did not learn to tackle in the last week.

• (Q1 13:40) Michael Huff pops Owen Daniels, jarring the ball loose, but Houston pounces on it.

• (Q1 14:00) McCown starts under center. 3 pass plays to open the game...Good. Incomplete, Incomplete, QB run for nothing...Bad.

• (2:00 before kickoff) Raiders win the toss and elect to receive the opening kickoff

• (20:00 before kickoff) Houston Texans Inactives: T Jordan Black, DB Jamar Fletcher, OT Brandon Frye, WR Andre Johnson, LB Shantee Orr, TE Jeb Putzier, QB Matt Schaub, G Kasey Studdard.

• (20:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: C Jake Grove, T Mario Henderson, DB Chris Johnson, QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Andrew Walter, DT Gerard Warren, LB Sam Williams.

Live Blogging Game 7

2007-10-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 7th game of the season vs the Tennessee Titans.

• (END OF REGULATION) TEN 13 - OAK 9 Warren Sapp yapping it up on at midfield. Apparently losing isn;t that big a deal. What does he care, he still gets paid. Can't tackle anyone, but he still gets paid.

• (Q4 1:17) Culpepper fires a bullet to Mike Williams who drops the ball. It hit him in the numbers, and he dropped the ball. Cut him before the team catches the bus back home. The guy is a bust.

• (Q4 1:21) 4th and 14. Magic 8 ball says "unlikely they pull this was out.

• (Q4 1:45) Culpepper sacked for the 5th time today.

• (Q4 2:00) Barry SIms with his 4th penalty of teh day to back up Oakland another 5.

• (Q4 2:00) Culpepper to Curry over the middle for 24 yards. 2-minute warning.

• (Q4 2:12) Raiders get one last chance to pull this one out. 55 yards to to the win. Can they do it. Odds say no. Let's see.

• (Q4 2:28) Young fumbles the snap on his own 10 yard line, but he recovers. Bad teams get no breaks.

• (Q4 2:35) Culpepper heaves up the ball into double coverage. Chris Hope gets the pick. Ballgame.

• (Q4 5:03) Finally the offense moves forward. Fargas bust the 15 yard run.

• (Q4 5:25) Culpepper is sacked by the facemask. Biggest offensive play of the half for Oakland.

• (Q4 5:31) Raiders defense holds. Raiders penalized again on the punt return. That's nine penalties on the day.

• (Q4 10:20) Another run, only this time for a loss. Forces another long 3rd down, which the Raiders fail to convert on.

• (Q4 10:54) Culpepper fumbles the ball again, but Lamont Jordan has the presence of mind to pick the ball up then vault forward for 4 yards.

• (Q4 11:40) Bironas kicks the ball off to the right side, destined for the side line, but Chris Carr grabs the ball before it has a chance to, then runs out of bounds on the Raiders 28. Do any of these guys understand the rules to the game? They just give up 12 yards, which is as bad a penalty. Brainless.

• (Q4 11:42) Raiders don't give up the TD, but they gift wrap another 3 points, which now requires a TD to comeback. TEN 13 - OAK 9

• (Q4 12:21) Culpepper fumbles on hus own 10, Titans recover. I'd say "unbelievable", but it's not really anymore. This is Raiders football.

• (Q4 12:53) Raiders run again on 2nd & 10...HOLDING. 2nd and 20. BEt they throw now.

• (Q4 13:54) Raiders had Tennessee on 3rd and 5 and they can't contain a gimpy Vince Young. Titans drive continues.

• (End of Q3) TEN 10 - OAK 9 Jeff Fisher finally figures out to run agaisnt the Raiders. Oakland better learn to tackle in the next two minutes or this game is over.

• (Q3 0:50) Raiders respond to Tenessee's touchdown with a rediculous disjointed display.

• (Q3 2:11) Note to Lane Kiffin: The right side of the line is not containing the pressure on that side. 86 the bootleg right. Culepper has been sacked three times today from that side.

• (Q3 2:24) There's the Raiders run defense we all know and despise. 24 yard TD run for Chris Henry. TEN 10 - OAK 9

• (Q3 3:34) Lendell White with another big run. Where are the linebackers?

• (Q3 5:04) Raiders convert on the long 3rd down, but Mike Williams gets called for the illegal shift. Ronald Curry's circus catch is wasted. Raiders run to give Lechler some room and drive stalls. Stupid penalty.

• (Q3 5:38) Barry Sims with his 3rd consecutive penalty. 8th of the day for the Raiders.

• (Q3 7:20) Derrick Burgess with the big sack on 3rd down. Young throws the ball away, so tack on the delay of game penalty. Raiders defense buckled, but didn't break.

• (Q3 9:45) Tommy Kelly injured on a running play. Clutchnig his knee.

• (Q3 11:02) Run, run, run right into 4th down. Bad throw by Culpepper on 3rd down eliminates Williams chance to run for the 1st down. No creativity in that series and the Raiders hand the ball over. I don't like it.

• (Q3 12:45) Three straight runs put the Raiders in a 3rd and 9 situation, but Culpepper runs for the 1st down. Gotta mix this play calling up. It's getting predictable.

• (Q3 14:48) Justin Fargas opens the 3rd qtr with a nice 15 yard scamper.

• (HALFTIME) Raiders defense has finally showed up. They've stuffed the Titans, including 4 three-and-outs.

• (Q2 0:00) Janikowski doing his Rob Bironas impersonation by booming his 3rd field goal of the day. A 54-yarder no less. SeaBass has been impressive today with his field goal AND kickoff play. OAK 9 - TEN 3

• (Q2 0:03) It wasn't pretty, but the Raiders move the ball into field goal position.

• (Q2 1:27) Another Mike WIlliams sighting. The big receiver converts a 14 yard pass play.

• (Q2 3:15) Another big stop for the defense! Raiders will get the ball back with 3 minutes to play in the half.

• (Q2 5:22) Raiders eat up 8 minutes on a sustained drive that fizzles, but Janikowski converts to give the aiders the lead. OAK 6 - TEN 3

• (Q2 6:10) Man, gotta question the play calling at the end of this drive. Run, run after driving the ball down the field.

• (Q2 7:43) Zach Miller with the big 10 yard reception.

• (Q1 1:18) Rob Bironas continues his hot footed ways with a 35 yard field goal. OAK 3 - TEN 3

• (Q1 2:00) Raiders dodge a bullet with Ben Troupe dropping a TD. Young then scrambles on 3rd down and fails to convert.

• (Q1 7:54) Raiders in reverse. Holding, holding, fumble. Ball started on the 35, now on the their own 6.

• (Q1 8:50) Raiders defense holds again, stalling out the Titans. Vince Young chose to run, but Kirk Morrison keeps him contained.

• (Q1 10:38) Of course the moment I comment on the drive, it stalls. What do I know. Sebastian Janikowski cashes in though with the big footed 50-yard field goal. OAK 3 - TEN 0

• (Q1 11:03) Raiders mixing things up on offense. Nice little drive being established as a result. Albert Hainsworth leaving the field with an injury.

• (Q1 14:02) Right Tackle Cordell Green with the false start. First penalty of the game. Jerry Porter answers with the big 22 yard reception.

• (Q1 14:18) First 3rd down situation of the day for TEN. Raiders hold. Vince Young tries to force the throw. Defensive line applies a little pressure. Good sign.

• (2:00 before kickoff) Titans win the toss. Electt to receive.

• (10:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Andrew Walter, CB John Bowie, DB Chris Johnson, C Chris Morris, LB Sam Williams, DT Gerard Warren, T Mario Henderson

• (10:00 before kickoff) Tennessee Titans Inactives: WR Paul Williams, RB Chris Brown, DB Kelly Herndon, FB Ahmard Hall, C Leroy Harris, DE Sean Conover, WR Brandon Jones

Live Blogging Game 6

2007-10-21T12:48:00.001-07:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 6th game of the season vs the Kansas City Chiefs.

• Raiders lose their 17th consecutive game to an AFC West opponent and the 9th in a row against the Chiefs. Raiders also fall to 2-4.

• (END of REGULATION) KC 12 - OAK 10 Raiders were absolute crap in every facet of the game today. Offense couldn't move the ball, defense couldn't tackle, special teams just awful.

• (Q4 0:35) Jarred Page picks off Culpepper! Ballgame.

• (Q4 1:55) Raiders hold with the sack of Huard. Time to convert

• (Q4 2:49) Chiefs just casually moving the ball down field, burning clock. This is where the run defense needs to step up.

• (Q4 5:49) Sebastian Janikowski kicks the field goal to cut the Chiefs leaf to 2 points. It's Janikowski's 162nd career field goal, tying him with Chris Barr. KC 12 - OAK 10

• (Q4 6:17) Close call - Dominic Rhodeslost the ball, but the call is down by contact. Herman Edwards chooses to calls his last timeout of the half.

• (Q4 7:13) Culpepper to Miller on another 3rd down conversion. 1st and 10 on the KC 19.

• (Q4 9:20) Huge run by Jordan on the check down in the flat. 24 yard play to tyhe Cheifs 33.

• (Q4 11:30) Johnson powers into the end zone for the Chiefs touchdown. Kansas City goes for 2 points, but the Raiders only have 10 players on the field. Now they challenge the play. Johnson did get into the end zone, so the TD counts. 2-pt conversion fails. KC 12 - OAK 7

• (Q4 12:54) More mistakes. Burgess gives them a free 5, then Huard converts the 3rd down.

• (Q4 14:04) Noooooooo, Huard slips the sack, then heaves a 58-yard pass to Duane Bowe. Asomugha gets burned. How does Bowe get that far past Nnamdi???

• (Q4 14:27) Morrison just misses his 4th pick of the season.

• (Q4 14:57) Gah! Jeremy Newberry snaps the ball as if Culpepper was under center (he was in the shotgun). The gaff kills the 3rd down conversion attempt.

• (End of Q3) OAK 7 - KC 6

• (Q3 2:30) Stuart Schweigart levels Tony Gonzolez, knocking the ball loose on a would be 15 yard plass play. Defense coming alive?

• (Q3 2:41) Ronald Curry wide open off play action for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Wow, what a turnaround off the missed field goal. Curry slips past former Raider linebacker Napolean Harris. OAK 7 - KC 6

• (Q3 3:07) Culpepper bootlegs than heaves it down field to Jerry Porter for the big gainer. 60 yards from scrimmage, Holy Cow!

• (Q3 3:28) Rayner hooks a pooch attempt, which is a HUGE break for the Raiders. Thsi game is still within one score, even though the Raiders can't move the ball.

• (Q3 6:40) And there is is, the defensive lapse that busts the big one. Larry Johnson rubmbles 54 yards because the Raiders don't know how to tackle.

• (Q3 7:17) Curry drops another pass, stalling yet another drive. He had nothing but daylight in front of him had he caught that ball. Raiders need to punt on 1st down from here on out. Their defense has a better chance of scoring than the offense.

• (Q3 8:36) Nice interrception by Stanford Routt. Ball is on the Raiders 6 yard line, but it's not Chief points.

• (Q3 9:59) The Chiefs run into Shane Lechler on 4th and 1, but that penalty is offset by Hiram Eugene who is called for running out of bounds. THIS is pathetic. Great teams don't make stupid mistakes like this.

• (Q3 13:00) Warren Sapp bags his 1st sack of the season.

• (Q3 13:30) Another stalled drive. Mike Williams stayed back to pass protect (why?) and let Jarred Allen right by on the way to Culpepper. Why is a wide receiver providing pass protection?

• (HALFTIME) KC 6 - OAK 0 Good god what a stinker offensively. The Cheifs have 71 yards passing, but the Raiders only have 46 through 2 quarters. KC leads in rushing 33 to 19. That's 52 yards comibined between the two teams!

• (Q2 0:19) The battle of futility continues. Both teams stall drives inside of 2 minutes. So neither team can scrap out a field goal. This game could end 6-0.

• (Q2 5:55) Raiders offenive line gets bulldozed and the 4th down attempt fails. Give Kiffin credit for going for it, but man that offensive line should be man handling the Chiefs.

• (Q2 6:14) Ugh, would have preferred a little more creativity on that 3rd and 2 call. Raiders will go for it on 4th down though.

• (Q2 7:45) Two big 3rd down catches for Zach Miller on the drive.

• (Q2 9:50) HOLDING on Robert Gallery on a FREE PLAY! The Raiders convert the 3rd down with a long play and Gallery pisses it all away.

• (Q2 13:01) Shane Lechler's punt is either muffed or the wind does something with it, because it only goes 39 yards, dying on the KC 33 yard line.

• (Q2 13:15) Dominic Rhodes makes his debut in Silver & Black with a short carry. Lousy play calling kills the drive with a draw play that goes nowhere.

• (Q2 14:01) Rayner adds another field goal after the Raiders defense holds. Oakland should be grateful they only gave up 3 on that blundered punt play. KC 6 - OAK 0

• (End of Q1) KC 3 - OAK 0 Chiefs outgain the Raiders 76 to 12 yards in the quarter.

• (Q1 1:14) Chris Carr muffs the punt on the fair catch after getting hit by Nnamdi Asomugha. Chiefs recover onthe Raiders 29. Unbelievable. Special teams has been a joke this season.

• (Q1 1:57) Priest Holmes makes his first appearance in 721 days. Huard feeds the screen to Holmes, who then gets nailed by the Raides.

• (Q1 3:35) 3 and out for the Raiders. Not sure what Culpepper thinks is going to happen with a dump off throw on 3rd and 17???

• (Q1 4:59) Raiders hold on the Chiefs second drive. Michael Huff just missed the pick. Had the ball in his mitts. Gotta hold on to that.

• (Q1 9:06) Heck of a catch by Ron Curry after getting popped. The ball was dilodged by the hit, but he stayed with the play and hauled in the rebound. Curry is hurt the play.

• (Q1 9:40) Raiders trying to establish the run early. First two plays from scrimmage to Jordan.

• (Q1 11:15) The Raiders front 4 force the Chiefs to stall out their opening drive, but Dave Rayner punches the 41-yard field goal right down the middle of the goal posts for the 3 points. KC 3 - OAK 0

• (Q1 12:10) Dwayne Bowe kills the Raiders with the YAC, earning a 1st down on 3rd down and long. Raiders defense looks porous on this drive. Where is the pass defense?

• (Q1 15:00) Sebastian Janikowski booms the opening kickoff into the endzone for a touchback

• (2:00 before kickoff) KC wins the coin toss and elects to receive.

• (22:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: CB John Bowie, T Mario Henderson, DB Chris Johnson, QB Josh McCown, C Chris Morris, QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), DT Gerard Warren, LB Sam Williams.

• (23:00 before kickoff) Kansas City Chiefs Inactives: LB Keyaron Fox, WR Eddie Kennison, DB Dimitri Patterson, DT James Reed, WR Bobby Sippio, T Herbert Taylor, QB Tyler Thigpen (3rd QB), T Kyle Turley.

• (25:00 before kickoff) Checking in for Game #6 against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs

Live Blogging Game 5

2007-10-14T13:12:00.001-07:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 5th game of the season vs the San Diego Chargers.

(END OF REGULATION) SD 28 - OAK 14 That's 16 straight division losses. Network couldn't wait to switch over to the Patriots - Cowboys game.

• (Q4 0:02) Illegal procedure to mercifully end this game.

• (Q4 0:20) 6th Culpepper sack.

• (Q4 0:54) YAHP - Yet Another Holding Penalty. Barry Sims.

• (Q4 1:26) Raiders need two TDs, so they attacke with 10 yard dump offs that stay in bounds to keep the clock running. Who is calling these plays?

• (Q4 2:20) Jordan scampers for 12 on the screen, no facemask call at the end of the play...not that it matters now.

• (Q4 2:43) Put a form in em. Tomlinson rambles for 42 yards for a touchdown. 198 yards total rushing for LT.

• (Q4 3:42) Tomlinson is just running rampant. Can the Raiders tackle anyone?

• (Q4 5:00) Five minutes to play. Raiders need a big defensive stop.

• (Q4 5:20) Phew, Raiders convert on 4th down with the 1 yard pass to Zach Miller for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! That failed conversion to end the first half looms large now. Game should be tied. SD 21 - OAK 14

• (Q4 8:20) Raiders convert on the pass play to Ronald Curry.

• (Q4 8:46) 4th and 12 and Barry Sims jumps the gun. The sloppiness is inexcusible.

• (Q4 9:35) Raiders burn on time out because they couldn't get to the line of scrimmage in time. More poor mistakes.

• (Q4 10:12) Nice conversion by Culpepper to Fargas with the 10 yard pass.

• (Q4 11:28) Culpepper goes down for the 5th time in the game on that bootleg rollout that has been stopped by the Chargers left end every time today.

• (Q4 13:22) Kaeding misses the 50 yard field goal.

• (Q4 13:32) Fabian Washington is celebrating like he actually intercepted that underthrown pass into the end zone.

• (End of Q4) SD 21 - OAK 7

• (Q3 1:10) Awful punt coverage onteh Sprowles return. BAd kick, turns into a lengthy return, assisted by shoddy tackling.

• (Q3 2:42) Questionable call on Cromartie on that interfering with the kicker call there. Raiders finally get a call in their favor, albeit a bad one.

• (Q3 6:24) First NFL INT for Cromartie. Horrible throw by Culpepper.

• (Q3 8:16) Yet another holding penalty.

• (Q3 9:42) Raider opening drive stalls, Tomlinson makes them pay with his 3rd TD of the day. Raiders still can't tackle. SD 21 - OAK 7

• (HALFTIME) SD 14 - OAK 7 Raiders should be tied, but stupid mistakes cost them dearly. Hopefully they can carry the momentum through the 2nd half.

• (Q2 0:03) Culpepper takes ANOTHER sack and fumbles the ball. Unbelievable. Raiders get nothing out of a fantastic drive down to the Chargers 1 yard line.

• (Q2 0:10) THROW THE BALL AWAY Daute!!!! Come on. Ball goes from teh 1 yard line to the 6 on that boneheaded play.

• (Q2 0:20) Oh mama what a play by culpepper to Ronald Curry. Jammer saves teh TD by knocking the Raiders receiver out at the 1.

• (Q2 0:27) Offense coming to life on this 2-minute drill. Can the Raiders convert?

• (Q2 6:54) Thomas Howard with ANOTHER huge pick and a touchdown! 65 yards. Man, where would the Raiders be without Howard and Morrison this season? Those guys are single handedly making the dfensive plays for this team. SD 14 - OAK 7

• (Q2 7:50) Um, if you're going to call a fake punt with a shovel pass, shouldn't the guy that's supposed to be the shovelee KNOW he's supposed to look for the ball? It's 2006 all over again.

• (Q2 8:40) Culpepper has been playing loing enough to know that if you're standing in the pocket, you have to get rid of the ball. Merriman gets the sack and goes into his steroid induced seizure after the play.

• (Q2 10:40) Mike Williams catches a ball and doesn't fumble. Stop the presses.

• (End of Q1) SD 14 - OAK 0 Running game isn't there. Culpepper needs to starts airing it out or this is going to be a laugher.

• (Q1 4:28) The Raiders drive starts on their own 40 yard line and they move teh ball 20 yards...BACKWARDS.

• (Q1 4:28) Three white shirts stand and watch Castillo sack Culpepper on a designed rollout. The 2006 Raiders are back in the house.

• (Q1 5:09) Clipping on an offensive guard???? Guess what folks, the Raiders make some noise in the West and the yellow starts flying. Unreal.

• (Q1 6:51) Bam, just like that it's 14-0. Love the pats on the back to Tomlinson by the Raider defender. They may as well carry him into the end zone. SD 14 - OAK 0

• (Q1 8:19) Here we go. First turnover of the game. Not sure who Culpepper was throwing that ball to???

• (Q1 9:24) Chargers drive the ball right down the Raiders throats for the 80 yard drive. Defense is supposedly the strong suit of this team? SD 7 - OAK 0

• (2:00 before kickoff) Raiders lose coin toss. Will kickoff from east to west. Dressed in white.

• (5:00 before kickoff) National Anthem

• (0:45 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: CB John Bowie, SS Jarrod Cooper, T Mario Henderson, QB Josh McCown, C Chris Morris, QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), DT Gerard Warren, LB Sam Williams.

• (0:47 before kickoff)San Diego Chargers Inactives: TE Scott Chandler, WR Legedu Naanee, T Roman Oben, CB Paul Oliver, WR Eric Parker, FB Andrew Pinnock, LB Anthony Waters, QB Charlie Whitehurst (3rd QB).

Game Grades: @ Miami Dolphins

2007-10-03T00:14:00.000-07:00

Huge win for the Raiders, although I’ll try to temper my glee with the fact that the win did come against an 0-4 team. Great all around win, although tackling is still an issue. The defense has yet to put together a dominating game, but a win is a win. And with that, here are my grades for week 4:

Passing Game: B+
Do you credit a passing game with running touchdowns by the quarterback? If you do, then the Raiders get an A+ in the passing game, considering that QB Daunte Culpepper ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more. From a passing efficiency perspective, Culpepper didn’t exactly tear it up in the passing department. He only completed 5 of 12 passes for 75 yards, but since 2 of those 5 completions ended up in the end zone, it’s hard to argue with Culpepper’s impact on this game.

Running Game: A
Culpepper’s 3 TD’s aside, the Raiders torched the Dolphins defense with 299 rushing yards. Justin Fargas had a career high 179 yards on 22 carries, and that was after the Raiders feature back, Lamont Jordan, injured his back. Jordan had racked up 74 yards before having to leave, so there’s no telling what he would have done against the banged up Dolphins. Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin made it no secret that he was going to run the ball, and Miami still couldn’t stop Oakland’s ground game.

Pass Defense: B-
Oakland’s defense is still in need of a huge game, but this game was a start. Trent Green was only able to pass for 158 yards and touchdown, and the Raiders picked off two passes to stop two big Dolphin drives. Thomas Howard continued his hot streak by setting up the Raiders first touchdown with a pick on Miami’s opening drive deep in Dolphin territory. Stanford Routt kept the Dolphins from seizing control of the game’s momentum with a pick on the Raiders 2 yard line after Miami marched almost 90 yards for what would have been the tying score.

Run Defense: C-
The one area Oakland is most in need of help is the run defense. Ronnie Brown continued to expose Oakland by running for 134 yards. Brown capped a 51 yard drive with a 9 yard scamper through the Raiders defense. On the next Dolphins drive, Brown kicked things off with a 60 yard run, setup by shoddy tackling. The Raiders have two weeks to solve their run defense ills, before squaring off against Ladanian Tomlinson.

Special Teams: A-
For starters, Sebastian Janikowski did not miss a field goal. That accomplishment was made easier by the fact that the Raiders had no field goal attempts, but we’ll take any positive we can when it comes to Janikowski. The maligned Raiders kicker did have two touchbacks on kickoffs. The Raiders special teams unit also kept speedster Ted Ginn Jr. in check. Ginn had a 33 yard kickoff return, but that was it.

Coaching: A-
Was Lane Kiffin’s game plan setup to run the ball because he didn’t want to throw Culpepper to the wolves in his first start as a Raider, or because he knew the Dolphins run defense was comprised of moldy Swiss cheese? Regardless of the reason, the plan worked. Kiffin now gets to make the fun decision of deciding who his starting quarterback is. Culpepper’s enthusiasm alone gets our vote for a second start.

Intangibles: B+
This wasn’t a playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, but it was a huge step forward for the Raiders. A road win in the NFL isn’t something that comes easy, but the Raiders got the job done. If anything, this was almost a redemption game for several Raiders. Jerry Porter played a role in he offense and the much maligned offensive line looked like people movers out there. The real test comes in two weeks. The Chargers will have something to prove and Norv Turner will want some payback.

Officiating: C-
There were only two glaring calls that come to mind. The offensive pass interference call against Mike Williams in the 1st quarter was ridiculous. If a defender falls down, it’s not offensive pass interference. Williams was mauled midway through the 3rd quarter by Michael Lehan, but no Williams drew no flag.

Live Blogging Game 4

2007-09-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 4th game of the season vs the Miami Dolphins.

• GAME BALLS: Daunte Culpepper (5 of 9 for 75 yds, 2 TDs, 28 yds rushing for 3 TDs), Justin Fargas (179 yds on 22 carries), Jerry Porter (3 catches for 52 yards and 2 TDs), Raiders Offensive Line (299 yds rushing, 3 rushing TDs, 2 passing TDs, 1 sack allowed)

• (END OF REGULATION) OAK 35 - MIA 17 Oakland snaps a road losing streak that extends back to October of 2005.

• (Q4 0:23) Raiders opt to go for it on 4th down rather than kick the field goal. Culpepper bootlegs right for his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game. Again, he can't run. Why is he running? TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! OAK 35 - MIA 17

• (Q4 1:52) Raiders look content to just pound the ball and run out the clock.

• (Q4 3:02) Fargas takes the inside handoff on a fake bootleg, then rumbles 28 yards to the Dolphins 7. Clock is ticking.

• (Q4 3:12) Cameron does challenge...and loses. Dolphins burn their last timeout.

• (Q4 3:12) Gah! Fargas coughs up the ball, but the officials call him down. Replay shows that it could go either way. 3rd and 8, and Kiffin calls a timeout because the game clock is winding down. Will Cameron challenge the call on the field?

• (Q4 5:29) Tack on another 13 yards for Fargas. Monster game.

• (Q4 6:08) Fargas busts for 32 yards, pushing him to 132 yards on 15 carries. This is a redemption game for the O-line.

• (Q4 6:17) Raiders takeover after the Brandon Fields punt. Johnnie Lee Higgins watches from the sideline as Chris Carr takes over on punt returns now as well.

• (Q4 7:02) Down by 11 the Dolphins run twice to start their drive. Cam Cameron is an offensive genius? Not without Ladanian Tomlinson he's not.

• (Q4 7:58) Forget the 1st down. How about a touchdown. Beautiful pass to Porter down the right sideline, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Wow! Every time the Dolphins get close, the Raiders have answered. OAK 28 - MIA 17

• (Q4 8:04) Nine straight running plays have burned 7 minutes off the clock. Raiders face a big 3rd and 8 from the Dolphins 28. This could be the ball game. Culpepper calls timeout to talk it over with Kiffin. Do you have any fingernails left?

• (End of Q3) OAK 21 - MIA 17 Raiders start on their own 20 after another special teams mistake. Adimchinobe Echemandu catches the kickoff rather than letting Chris Carr grab it.

• (Q3 0:08) Justin Peele must be wearing an invisible uniform, because the Raiders defense doesn't seem to see him when he's on the field. Wide open for the 4 yard TD pass from Green. The Dolphins make the Raiders pay for Higgins fumble. OAK 21 - MIA 17

• (Q3 2:45) Johnnie Lee Higgins coughs up the ball on a punt return to negate all the fine work by the defense on the last series.

• (Q3 2:58) Thomas Howard with a nice tip on a Green pass to snuff out another Miami 3rd down conversion. The Howard - Morrison combo have been just awesome.

• (Q3 4:00) The immobile Daunte Culpepper rolls left for the 9 yard run and dive for the pylon, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Man, that guy can't run. What does he think he's doing? Someone needs to tell him he can't run anymore. OAK 21 - MIA 10

• (Q3 5:10) Fargas busts a 34 yard run. Tack on an additional 15 for the horse-collar tackle for the 1st anf goal from the 9.

• (Q3 6:10) The defense has done a great job of containing the Dolphins. Miami has only converted on 3 of 9 3rd down chances. Time for the Raiders offense to earn their pay. I'd like to see Kiffin open up the offense a bit more.

• (Q3 6:10) Thomas Howard makes a nice tackle to prevent David Martin from converting the 3rd down. Jay Feeley converts the 29 yard FG to cut the Raiders lead to 4. OAK 14 - MIA 10

• (Q3 8:00) Dolphins putting together a sustained drive. In the red zone. Raiders need to hold or lose all their 1st half momentum.

• (Q3 11:15) Michael Lehan all over Mike Williams on a failed 3rd down conversion try. No flag. Not sure how that's not pass interference and Williams gets called for the tickey tack call in the 1st quarter?

• (Q3 11:54) Jordan did indeed injure his back and is out for eh 2nd half of the game. Justin Fargas will get the majority of carries now.

• (Q3 12:42) WR Derek Hagan does the Raiders a big favor by dropping a sure 3rd down conversion on the Dolphins opening drive.

• (HALTFIME) OAK 14 - MIA 0 Some great coaching moves on both sides of the field have made this a fun onw thus far.

• (Q2 0:23) Gutsy call with the play action fake, but Currey can't hold onto the ball. Dolphions take over on downs on their own 33 yard line.

• (Q2 0:29) Kiffin elects to go for it on 4th down, pulling Sebastian Janikowski off the field. The quick personnel change forces the Dolphins to burn a timeout.

• (Q2 0:29) Raiders medical staff is walking Jordan gingerly off the field. He had a back issue this week in practice, and the way he's moving would suggest that this is the problem. He is being carted off from teh sideline.

• (Q2 0:29) Jordan makes a grab right at the sticks, but he's injured. Not sure what the problem is, but he is face down on the turf. Raiders did not convert the 3rd down. Ball is roughly on the Dolphins 33 yard line. Would be a 52 yard field goal attempt.

• (Q2 1:55) Now Ronald Curry gets in on the act with a nice grab, stealing teh ball away from Will Allen for another 3rd down convesion.

• (Q2 5:26) Porter makes a big grab, going up high to convert on 3rd down. Nice to see JP being included in the offense. The guy has skills, so use them.

• (Q2 6:51) Stanford Routt makes the pick on an under thrown pass from Green. Routt helps stop a huge momentumf shift by the Dolphins. Routt got the start over Fabian Washington this week and it pays dividends. That's Green's 6th INT of the season. How did the Dolphins think this guy was a better option than Culpepper?

• (Q2 7:43) 4th and 7 and Tommy Kelly jumps offsides. Inexcusable! Brown runs it again through another 5 tackles for the 1st down. Raiders still have lots of work to do.

• (Q2 9:50) Brown busts a huge 60 yard run after shoddy tackling. Raiders had the Dolphins pinned deep and they let them tilt the field.

• (Q2 12:45) Ronnie Brown bull rushes threw two tacklers for the Dolphins TD. Again, the Raiders need to put away the opposition now by shutting down the opposing offense. OAK 14 - MIA 7

• (Q2 13:15) Gah! Justin Peelle with the 35 yard 4th down conversion. The TE was all alone on the right flat.

• (END OF Q1) OAK 14 - MIA 0

• (Q1 0:15) Ronnie Brown runs for the first Dolphins 1st down of the game. The Raiders have made all of their games nail biters this season because they've not finished the opposition off. They have a chance to do that early in the game, by grounding the Dolphins offense. No letup boys!

• (Q1 2:01) Culpepper with the sneak off the left guard. TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Robert Gallery and Barry Sims create the hole. Cooper Carlisle snuffs Jason Taylor to prevent the backside. What is this concept...offensive line play. Props to Coach Kiffin for going for the TD on 4th down. OAK 14 - MIA 0

• (Q1 2:18) Horrible spot on Justi Fargas' run. Raiders are short by the nose of the ball. Raiders going to go for it on 4th down.

• (Q1 4:32) Jordan with another big run. Is this guy redeaming himself from a miserable 2006 or what? Justin Griffith helps to pile on the yards.

• (Q1 6:24) Culpepper runs for a 1st down. First McCown, now Culpepper with the ability to move out of the pocket is something we're not used to seeing. Having that option is a nice change. Offense if moving forward...another nice novelty.

• (Q1 7:46) Veteran DT Vonnie Holiday is down. Dolphins medical crew are looking at his left knee. This could be huge if Holiday misses any snaps. Would mean two starters from the Dolphins front 7 are out. Rookie Paul Soliai replaces Holiday.

• (Q1 9:08) Gerard Warren with a big sack to stal lthe Dolphins 2nd drive. Warren has 3 sacks in his first 4 games as a Raider. Nice pickup from the Broncos would be an understatement given the Derrick Burgess health issue.

• (Q1 10:36) Culpepper to Jerry Porter on a slant at the goalline, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Oakland makes the Dolphins pay for the Green INT. Porter beats all 12 defenders on the field (one in stripes). OAK 7 - MIA 0

• (Q1 11:41) Mike Williams first TD as a Raider is negated for offensive pass interference. HORRIBLE CALL. No push, barely any contact. Absolutely horrible call.

• (Q1 12:26) Thomas Howard is an ANIMAL! Picks off Green for this 3rd INT of the season. Howard returns the ball 30 yards to the Dolphins 11 yard line. Is this guy unreal or what?

• (Q1 14:45) Raiders want to run, especially with Zach Thomas out of the lineup. Dolphins are waiting. Lamont Jordan up the middle for a short gain on the first play from scrimmage.

• (GAME DELAY 0:31) We are ready to go. The field has been re-striped. Raiders did win the coin-toss 30 minutes ago and will receive the ball. Chris Carr awaits the kickoff.

• (GAME DELAY 0:19) Grounds crew is smoothing out the infield, which should ensure true ground balls from Trent Green.

• (GAME DELAY 0:11) The tarp is being removed from the field. Rain is still falling. Joey Porter guarantees the field will dry out before halftime.

• (GAME DELAY) The field is being covered with a tarp. Culpepper gets to plot his triumphant return to Miami for a few more minutes. Forecast indicates that the storm front could be a while to clear out.

• (0:01 before kickoff) Game has been delayed for weather for the second time this season. Lightning near the stadium. Dolphin fans have already given up on their 0-3 team, or they're smarter then they look, getting out of the weather as well.

• (0:01 before kickoff) Raiders win the toss in a downpour. Oakland elects to receive. In weather like this, I would have deferred the ball and kicked the ball.

• (0:04 before kickoff) The absence of Thomas of defense for the Dolphins will be interesting. The veteran linebacker avgs almost 10 tackles per game
Channing Crowder becomes the focus point at LB. Edmond Miles replaces Thomas.

• (0:09 before kickoff) The Raiders take the field, led by your QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER. Dolphins fans pickup where they left off the last time they saw Culpepper on Miami soil with a round of boos.

• (0:09 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB Josh McCown, CB John Bowie, FB Oren O'Neal, LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, LB Robert Thomas, DE Derrick Burgess, T Mario Henderson.

• (0:10 before kickoff) Miami Dolphins Inactives: QB John Beck (3rd QB), RB Lorenzo Booker, DB Courtney Bryan, LB Abraham Wright, LB Zach Thomas, DT Steve Fifita, DE Rob Ninkovich.

• (0:17 before kickoff) Tailgaiters, first call for kickoff, first call for kickoff

Guarantees and Other Pre-Game Notes

2007-09-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

So Joey Porter is guaranteeing that his Miami Dolphins will beat the Raiders on Sunday? Gotta love anyone who creates any incentive for the opposition to play their best. The 0-3 Dolphins are 4 point favorites heading into the AFC showdown in South Florida.

"Of course he's going to have some things he's going to want to take care of, to feel like he's the difference maker when they come out here and try and win this game," Porter said. "But it's not going to happen."

Home field certainly provides an advantage and the weather may play a role. Heat & humidity are always an issue, but the forecast also calls for scattered showers and wind on Sunday. Throw in temps in the mid-80's to go with the South Florida humidity and you have all kinds of variables that could influence the outcome of the game.

The Daunte Culpepper factor could go either way for the Raiders. Obviously the guy wants to show the Dolphins that they made a mistake in letting him go, but retribution isn't always a good thing. Adrenaline can force you to do things you hadn't intended. Culpepper is a seasoned veteran, but he's also starting for the Raiders for the first time AND he missed most of training camp, so he's been in fast track playbook learning mode for the past 6 weeks.

The Dolphins are likely to be without the services of tackling mad-man Zach Thomas, who sustained a concussion last week. Thomas has not yet been cleared by the Dolphins medical staff to play, so he will be a game time decision. Safety Travares Tillman is all questionable for the game on Sunday.

Raiders training camp castoff Donovin Darius was signed by the Dolphins right before the start of the regular season, but Darius has not appeared in any games for the Dolphins.

Be sure to join us for in-game Live Blogging on Sunday morning. I'll be here chiming in on pre-game and in-game events.

Live Blogging Game 3

2007-09-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live blog coverage of the Raiders third regular season game vs. the Cleveland Browns. Refresh this page throughout the game to see updates.

• Game Balls: Lamont Jordan (29 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD), Thomas Howard (5 tackles, 3 assists, 1 INT, 1 Fum Rec), Sebastian Janikowski (4 FGs, Long of 48 yards)

• The Raiders break an 11-game losing streak dating back to last season.

• Lane Kiffin wins his first game as an NFL head coach. The kid learns fast.

• (END OF REGULATION) OAK 26 - CLE 24

• (Q4 0:00) BLOCKED BLOCKED BLOCKED! The Raiders Block the kick! Raiders win! Raiders win! Lane Kiffin is a genius. Tommy Kelly blocks the kick for the win! Unbelievable. Wow!

• (Q4 0:03) Dawson's field goal kick is up and good...no kick. Time out Raiders. Where on earth did Kiffin figure out out to do that?

• (Q4 0:03) Pass completion to Jurevisiouc on the Raiders 30.

• (Q4 0:16) Winslow with another catch to the Raiders 35. 23 yard conversion.

• (Q4 0:36) Winslow with the 32-yard plass play across the middle. Jeez, it's never easy with this team.

• (Q4 1:04) Anderson throws the ball into noweresville.

• (Q4 1:04) No snap. Raiders call time out. Oakland to punt the ball. Raiders down the ball on the Browns 9 yard line!

• (Q4 1:48) Jordan bulls ahead for 7 yards. 1 yard shy of the 1st down. The Raiders are going to go for it...or play for the offsides.

• (Q4 1:54) Jordan with another run. No gain. 3rd and 8. CLE uses their last time out.

• (Q4 2:00) 2-minute warning. 2nd down and 8 to go on the Raiders 42 yard line. Cleveland has 1 time out remaining. COnver the first down and the Browns are done.

• (Q4 2:18) Culpepper to Jerry Porter up high for the 1st down. HUGE conversion. Time Out Cleveland. Porter's first catch of the game.

• (Q4 3:10) Jordan runs twice for 5 yards. Big 3rd down conversion coming up. False start Cornell Green. Now it's 3rd and 10. Winning teams don't make those kind of mistakes.

• (Q4 3:33) Raiders start from their own 22 yard line. They need to kill 3 and half minutes and hold the ball to win the game.

• (Q4 3:33) Anderson sneaks it in for a Browns touchdown. The prevent does nothing but prevent the Raiders from stopping the Browns. 77 yard drive on 7 plays. OAK 26 - CLE 24

• (Q4 4:16) Braylon Edwards with another big catch, down to the Raiders 2 yard line.

• (Q4 5:27) Browns marching down the field. 45 yards on 5 plays.

• (Q4 8:11) Janikowski nails a 48 yard field goal to push the Raiders lead to two scores. Janikowski is a perfect 4-for-4 today in field goal attempts. Funny what the pressure of losing your job can do for your output. OAK 26 - CLE 17

• (Q4 8:21) Culpepper overthrows Ronald Curry and misses the 3rd down conversion and Curry pays the price by getting creamed.

• (Q4 10:02) Jordan with a checkdown pass and a 27 yard scamper for s HUGE 1st down. Lamont Jordan for Mayor!

• (Q4 10:19) Culpepper gets sacked to back up the Raiders and put Oakland in a pinch. Tack on a false start and just like that it's 3rd and 23.

• (Q4 14:09) Jordan with another big run. 25 yards and a 1st down. Robert Gallery is injured on the play. Looks like he's nursing his shoulder.

• (END of the 3RD QUARTER) OAK 23 - CLE 17

• (Q3 0:10) Lamont Jordan is rewarded for his yeomans perfomance with carry up the middle for a TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Oakland opts to kick for the extra point, rather than try for the 2-point conversion. Raiders consume 9:16 on the drive. OAK 23 - CLE 17

• (Q3 3:23) Madsen with another catch. The tight end is having a huge game for the Raiders. 3 catches on the day for 61 yards.

• (Q3 6:03) 4th down attempt by the Raiders. Jordan powers for the 1st down!

• (Q3 8:39) Lamont Jordan tries to ignite some fire by running for 21 yards off the right side.

• (Q3 9:22) Barylon Edwards burns Asomugha for a touchdown. Un-freaking-believable. No first half lead is safe until the Raiders figure out how to play 4 quarters CLE 17 - OAK 16

• (Q3 10:50) Williams finally makes a catch for a big 3rd down conversion, then fumbles it away. Can the Raiders shoot themselves in the foot any more?

• (Q3 11:12) Braylon Edwards drops a 3rd down conversion attempt for Cleveland. The Browns are 1-for-9 in 3rd down conversions today.

• (Q3 13:20) Mike Williams has another ball punched out of his mitts. This time on a 3rd down conversion attempt. Maybe the Lions knew what they were doing when they jettisoned him last summer.

• (Q3 14:50) Culpepper starts the 3rd quarter at QB

• (HALFTIME) OAK 16 - CLE 10 Raiders piss away a dominating 1st half with careless mistakes in the last 2 minutes of the half.

• (Q2 0:14) Phil Dawson converts the field goal to cut the Raiders lead to 6. Jordan's fumble proves costly. OAK 16 - CLE 10

• (Q2 0:23) 3rd & goal from the Raiders 5, Derek Anderson throws the ball away even with Steve Heiden wide open in the back of the end zone.

• (Q2 0:47) Jamal Lewis converts on a play fake reception to the Raiders 5 yard line.

• (Q2 1:04) Winslow with the 3rd down catch, then Gerard Warren pushes him forward oward the sticks. Browns are short by inches. They're going for it on 4th down.

• (Q2 1:43) Lamont Jordan fumbles the ball! Browns ball inside the Raiders 30. Unbelievable. It's deja vu all over again. Oakland coughed up a 21-3 lead against the Browns last seson, eventually losing the game.

• (Q2 2:05) Josh Cribbs with the 99-yard kickoff return for the touchdown. Oakland's special teams just hands all the momentum the Raiders established in the 1st half right over to the Browns. Janikowski whiffs on a tackle. OAK 16 - CLE 7

• (Q2 2:08) Janikowski slices his 3rd field goal of the game. OAK 16 - CLE 0

• (Q2 2:13) Raiders miss on a chance to put a dagger in Cleveland's heart with a 1st and goal on the CLE 7, but they fail to get the ball into the end zone. Awful excecution!

• (Q2 4:00) Kirk Morrison with a DIVING interception! Then he gets up and rumbles down the left sideline for 46 yards. Morrison fumbles the ball, but Thomas Howard recovers teh loose ball.

• (Q2 4:39) Another questionable Nnamdi Asomugha pass interference penalty on an uncatchable ball. Where is the interference?

• (Q2 4:45) McCown with play-action, throws the 41-yarder to a wide open Ronald Curry. TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The Raiders setup that play with 7 straight running plays (including a McCown scramble), then the nice deception play by McCown. OAK 13 - CLE 0

• (Q2 7:00) 3rd down and 1 for the Raiders and Justin Fargas busts a 21-yard run to midfield.

• (Q2 11:03) Janikowski with another field goal to push the lead to 6. OAK 6 - CLE 0

• (Q2 11:09) Mike Williams has a touchdown that has the ball punched out of his hands, Got to make those catches.

• (Q2 12:08) Pass interference on CLE DB Brodney Pool. Moves the ball to the CLE 22.

• (Q2 13:35) Josh McCown is back in at QB

• (Q2 13:44) Thomas Howard with the BIG interception, then runs it back 26 yards. Another turnover by the Raiders defense. Has the sleeping giant been awakened?

• (END OF THE 1ST QUARTER) OAK 3 - CLE 0

• (Q1 0:40) Sebasitan Janikowski kicks a 34-yard field goal for the first score of the game. OAK 3 - CLE 0

• (Q1 1:16) Culpepper's first play from scrimmage (3rd and 13), he dumps a pass off to Lamont Jordan for a short gain.

• (Q1 1:56) McCown is hurt. Daunte Culpepper makes his Raiders debut.

• (Q1 3:12) John Madsen hauls in a 39-yard pass right up the gut for a big 1st down.

• (Q1 6:22) Kirk Morrison with a big stop to stuff another Browns drive.

• (Q1 8:32) 3 and out for the Raiders. Another sluggish start for Josh McCown.

• (Q1 10:08) Browns punt, but eat up 5 minutes in drive that moves a total of 13 yards.

Game Grades: @ Denver Broncos

2007-09-18T22:59:00.000-07:00

Alright, I needed more than 24 hours to cool down after the Raiders 23-20 loss to the Broncos in week 2. Mike Shanahan iced Sebastian Janikowski masterfully, but take solace in knowing that the Broncos don’t have a shot in hell in winning anything this season. Denver escaped losses against Buffalo & Oakland. They’ll get demolished against teams like Indianapolis and New England. And with that, here are my grades for week 2:

Passing Game: D-
Josh McCown only completed 8 of 16 passes for a measly 73 yards and a touchdown, but three interceptions will kill you every time. McCown’s first pick was initiated by a bad decision. He tried forcing a pass deep in his own zone and it cost him. We’ll never know if Champ Bailey was out of bounds on the play, thanks in part to poor television coverage and no challenge by the Raiders. The second pick was unlucky. The capper however is McCown’s final pick on what could have been the drive to win the game in regulation. Key Stat: Raiders netted +2 yards in passing in the 1st half.

Running Game: B+
What McCown couldn’t accomplish in the air, Lamont Jordan made up for it on the ground with a career high 159 yards on 25 carries. The only thing that was missing was a touchdown for Jordan. The Raiders challenged the Broncos front four all day, and Denver couldn’t stop the run. Jordan’s 33-yard run in overtime should have provided the boost to get the Raiders in the win column, but the drive was stalled after the passing game couldn’t help balance the attack.

Pass Defense: C+
The Raiders defense did pick off Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler twice (once for a big score), but the 2nd year signal caller did rip off 269 yards and a touchdown on 23 off 33 attempts. Thomas Howard’s interception and ensuing TD was the defensive highlight of the game for Oakland. The tackling woes continue, although not as glaringly as the run defense.

Run Defense: D+
Travis Henry seemingly had his way with the Raider defense all afternoon, but the most glaring failure of the run defense was on the game-winning drive. Henry’s 13-yard scamper on 3rd down, followed by a 7-yard run setup Jason Elam’s field winning goal. Henry amassed 128 yards. The Broncos combined for 181 yards total on the ground and a Cecil Sapp TD. Selvin Young busts a 40-yard run because of poor tackling.

Special Teams: C
Sebastian Janikowski does not make up the entire special teams unit, so his would be game-winning miss in overtime isn’t the only thing that goes into this grade. Janikowski’s failure to deliver is getting old, and it’s time for the Raiders to cut their losses (literally). The kicking game did net an onside kick recovery and held the Broncos to 6 yards on punt coverage.

Coaching: C+
Not having a passing game to balance things out did limit some of Lane Kiffin’s options, but there were flashes of creativity. Several running plays on obvious passing situations netted a couple of key first downs. One big blunder was a draw play called early in the 4th quarter that killed a drive. Loved the onside kick call.

Intangibles: C
This was a moral victory for the Raiders, because it showed that this team could compete with its divisional foe. Unfortunately, moral victories are for losers. Still, this team is showing signs of life, and players are competing. Hopefully defensive coordinator spends an entire practice on tackling fundamentals.

Officiating: C-
I can’t say that the officiating was horrible, but I certainly won’t say that is was great. Raiders drew 10 penalties for 70 yards. Broncos only draw 6 penalties for 34 yards. Nnamdi Asomugha is whistled for pass interference while running stride for stride with Javon Walker, but Dre Bly gets away with interference with Jerry Porter on what should have been a sure touchdown…no flag. An awful defensive holding call on Gerard Warren after Travis Henry runs for 10 yards.

Live Blogging Game 2

2007-09-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's blog coverage of the Raiders second regular season game vs. the Denver Broncos. Refresh this page throughout the game to see updates.

• CUT JANIKOWSKI NOW

• (OT 6:48) Elam punches home the 23-yard field goal for the win. DEN 23 - OAK 20

• (OT 6:58) Bootleg right, complete, ball own the Raiders 5 yard line.

• (OT 9:35) Travis Henry busts the first down because the Raider continue to play matador on defense.

• (OT 11:09) 53 yard field goal attempt by Janikowski is....off teh left upright. Raiders should leave Janikowski in Denver. Don't even let him board the plane home.

• (OT 11:11) 53 yard field goal attempt by Janikowski is....Good! Timeout called by Shannahan at the snap and the refs give them the TO. Unbelievable!

• (OT 13:05) Lamont Jordan busts the 33-yard run, even after Lynch tries to trip him after getting juked out of his shoes. 155 yards on 24 carries for Jordan on the day.

• (OT 13:35) Raiders defense holds. Huge stop. Now it's time to score.

• (OT 15:00) Coin toss: Raiders call tails, two-headed coin comes up...heads. Denver gets the ball.

• (Q4 0:17) Bly picks McCown with an underthrown ball. No game winning drive. Broncos will take a knee and take it to OT. Porter had a chance to break up the pass, but never reacted. Was he surprised the ball was coming to him?

• (Q4 0:27) McCown overthrows a wide open Jerry Porter who is held by Dre Bly. no flag. No catch. Porter had Bly beat and would have walked into the end zone but the DB disrupted the pattern with a hand check 15 yards downfield. No flag.

• (Q4 0:32) Run, false start, holding, big run. Crazy drive.

• (Q4 2:18) Raiders start what they hope to be the game winning drive from their 26-yard line.

• (Q4 2:18) Elam converts the 20-yard field goal to tie the game. OAK 20 - DEN 20

• (Q4 2:22) Defense HOLDS! Javon Walker with the catch short of eh end zone, then gets pushed out of bounds. Preserves some clock.

• (Q4 3:53) Raiders defense needs to make the stop. This Denver drive is the ballgame.

• (Q4 8:55) Interception Thomas Howard!!!! TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The linebacker rumbles 44 yards for the score. Last year's defense makes an appearance to help turn the game late. Warren Sapp sets up the pick by deflecting the ball at the line of scrimmage. McCown to Porter for the 2-point conversion! OAK 20 - DEN 17

• (Q4 10:55) Ugly failed 3rd down conversion attempt on a screen play that never materialized. I disagree with the call. Where are the 5-receiver sets. Bly and Bailey can't cover 5 receivers by themselves.

• (Q4 14:15) Shannahan challenges teh safety and loses. He's out of challenges for the remainder of regulation. That could be a big factor.

• (Q4 14:15) Gerard Warren with the SAFETY! How's that for a homecoming for the former Bronco? DEN 17 - OAK 12

• (Q3 0:53) Gah! After the great onside kick recovery, the Raiders do nothing with the opportunity after two offensive penalties. Wasted opportunity.

• (Q3 3:29) Wow, what a 1st down conversion. McCown to Miller for the big pass conversion after having to roll right with pressure in his face.

• (Q3 6:19) Onside Kick - RAIDERS RECOVER! Holy Toledo what a call. Alright, now that's the kind of thinking the Raiders need to turn things around.

• (Q3 6:19) Pump fake, then a beautiful pass to Jerry Porter for a TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Bly bites on the fake by McCown, then gets burned for the 46-yard score. 3rd Qtr McCown is back! DEN 17 - OAK 10

• (Q3 7:00) Ballsy call to let Jordan run for a first down on 3rd and 6. Three straight run plays. McCown lit up th eLions in the 3rd quarter. Will we see the same now?

• (Q3 8:34) Jason Elam - WIDE RIGHT! Raiders hold on the opening drive of the 2nd half.

• (Q3 9:09) Finally an offensive pass intereference call on Denver. The call nullifies a long pass play for a TD by Brandon Marshall.

• (Q3 11:10) Tommy Kelly, Stu Schweigert, go directly to tackling detention. Travis Henry slips two more tackles for a 16 yard gain.

• (HALFTIME) Denver outgaines Oakland 208 yards to 85. MCown is 5 of 8 for 12 yards passing. With sacks, the passing game has a net +2 yards in the half. Ground game has amassed a whopping 78 yards. 5 total 1st downs. I guess I should have spelled out what thunder & lightning meant.

• (Q2 0:18) Raiders stop Young on 3rd down, then claim they recover a fumble. Officials rule forward progress ended the play before the fumble. Raiders call time out for a review. No review. I don't understand why this league can't get it's business in order. Jason Elam kicks a field goal. DEN 17 - OAK 3

• (Q2 2:20) Did the Raiders forget how to tackle over the summer??? What in John Matuzak's ghost is going on! Rediculous.

• (Q2 3:02) Time-out Raiders because they have the wrong personnel on the field. Stupid mistakes cost you games. The TO gives Cutler and Shannahan time to orchastrate their drive.

• (Q2 5:45) Raiders drive stalls after McCown throws a swing pass to Justin Griffith that ends with a 3-yard loss. Questionable call when you're trying to pull back from an 11-point deficit with under 6 to play in the half. Raiders need to air the ball out down field.

• (Q2 7:34) Selvin Young rewarded for his hustle with a carry into the end zone for 6. DEN 14 - OAK 3

• (Q2 7:37) AWFUL pass interference call on Nnamdi Asomugha. Running stride for stride along side Javon Walker, he gets flagged for a head scrathing penalty.

• (Q2 9:00) Ugh! Half-assed tackling kills the Raiders again. Selvin Young slips two tackles and rumbles for 40 yards.

• (Q2 10:41) Sebastian Janikowski makes a field goal. I repeat, Sebastian Janikowski makes a field goal. In doing so, avoids being the first kicker to be cut in the middle of a game. DEN 7 - OAK 3

• (Q2 12:25) Gutsy run by McCown to pick up the 1st down, but he's got to get down in traffic. Nick Ferguson lights him up with a hit. You're already hurt in two places Josh...you can't lead this team from the infirmary.

• (Q2 13:57) Kirk Morrison starts it off with a PICK! Gah, then he fumbles it. Thomas Howard recovers! Can't this ever be easy???

• (Q2 14:53) 25 minute delay coming to an end. Game resuming. Time for the Raiders to apply some thunder.

• (Q2 14:53) Weather delay will last a minimum of 15 minutes. The wind is kicking up a bit and rain has started.

• (Q2 14:53) Not sure this the kind of thunder & lightning Lane Kiffin had hoped for. The game has been delayed because of a lightning strike near the stadium. all players have been instructed to head to the locker rooms. Broncos fans insstructed to stand tall and hold hands...especially those in the upper deck!

• (Q2 14:53) Unlucky interception. Ball bounces off Porter and floats forever. McCown forced it a bit, but I'm not ready to rip him yet. He had an open receiver that couldn't haul it in.

• (End of Q1) Offense is begining to pick things up a bit. I like the end-around pass attempt. Yes, it's a gimmick play, but the Raiders have had no creativity in the offense for so long, that it's a refreshing change. Nobody taking control of this game yet.

• (Q1 5:02) In case you were looking forward to next week, Cleveland put up 51 on Cincinnati today for their first victory of the season.

• (Q1 5:02) Pass defense fails again. Stokely converts the 9-yard pass play. DEN 7 - OAK 0

• (Q1 5:52) Horrible tackling. 4 guys on Marshall and he squirts through for 3 extra yards. Lazy tackling this early in the game?

• (Q1 8:50) Horrible throw by McCown. Reply shows Bailey was out of bounds, but no challenge. NOT a great start.

• (Q1 15:00) 19-yard draw to Lamont Jordan to open the game. THAT is what this team needs to do to control this game.

• (0:04 until kickoff) Harmony in Motion with the National Anthem

• (0:08 until kickoff) McCown will start at QB.

• (0:28 until kickoff) Josh McCown is taking snaps in warm-ups.

• (1:05 until kickoff) Still no word on the Raiders starter at QB. Temps in the 90's at Invesco Field.

• (2:05 until kickoff) I'll state the obvious in my keys to the game: The Raiders must establish a running game in order to be effective today. If Oakland is forced to pass every down, Dre' Bly, Champ Bailey and John Lynch will have a field day. Oakland will also need to shut down Travis Henry. Jay Cutler won't be as effective if he's placed in a role where he has to play catch up.

• (2:20 until kickoff) Walker is expected to start for Denver. Culpepper is expected to start fo rthe Raiders.

• (2:25 until kickoff) Oakland Raiders Injury Report -- Out: LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (foot); Doubtful: QB Josh McCown (foot), C Jeremy Newberry (hamstring), CB Duane Starks (groin); Questionable: G Robert Gallery (hamstring).

• (2:26 until kickoff) Denver Broncos Injury Report -- Out: G Ben Hamilton (concussion), T Ryan Harris (back); Questionable: TE Stephen Alexander (calf), CB Domonique Foxworth (ankle), CB Karl Paymah (concussion); Probable: DE Tim Crowder (ankle), S John Lynch (ankle), WR Javon Walker (shoulder) DE Tim Crowder (ankle), S John Lynch (ankle), WR Javon Walker (shoulder).

Game Grades: vs Detroit Lions

2007-09-10T22:23:00.000-07:00

I’ve decided to grade out each Raider game this season. Grades will be posted no less than 24 hours after the completion of each game, so that I (hopefully) eliminate emotion from the grading. It’s difficult to be impartial immediately after a win or loss, because emotion is sure to cloud my judgment. Sunday’s 36-21 loss was a tough one to take on the chin, so I thought better of trying to dole out my opinions right away.

Passing Game: C+
Josh McCown completed 30 of 40 passes for 313 yards and 2 TDs, but the turnovers initiated by the passing game were atrocious. 2 picks and 3 fumbles by McCown alone killed the Raiders. Part of the 4th quarter implosion was McCown’s fault, but the offensive line didn’t help by allowing Detroit’s defensive line to reek havoc throughout the game. Eliminate the turnovers and this game turns out much differently.

Running Game: C
Lamont Jordan‘s 70 yards on 15 carries (and a TD) wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but the Raiders never established any dominance on the ground. Falling behind 17-0 forced an aerial response, but the Raiders needed more from Jordan and Justin Fargas earlier in the game. Every time the Raiders busted a decent run, they’d follow it up with a goose egg. The highlight of the afternoon was Jordan’s 12-yard scamper for the Raiders 2nd TD of the day.

Pass Defense: F
Lions QB Jon Kitna had all day to pick the Raiders apart. Only a Kirk Morrison interception in the end zone kept the game within reach in the 1st half. The Raiders only sacked Kitna twice, for a paltry 5 yards, and the lack of pressure was none more evident than on Shaun McDonald’s TD catch late in the game. The secondary was no better, allowing McDonald to roam free in the end zone on the play. Of course, Kitna & McDonald don’t even get a chance to make that play if Hiram Eugene wraps up McDonald on the previous play, a back breaking 9-yard 3rd down conversion at midfield. That kept the game winning drive alive.

Run Defense: B-
Take away Tatum Bell’s meaningless 14-yard TD at the end of the game and the Raiders run defense held the Lions to 94 yards on the ground. 18 rushing attempts (not counting 3 by Kitna) netted the Lions 91 yards. The Lions only converted 4 rushing first-downs. The one glaring blemish was Bell’s 24-yard scamper midway through the 2nd quarter, setting up Kitna’s TD pass to Roy Williams for Detroit’s first score of the game.

Special Teams: F
Yes, Sebastian Janikowski’s first field goal attempt was blocked, but the muffs on his 2nd & 3rd attempts turned out to haunt the Raiders. The closest Janikowski came to putting a ball through the uprights was on a kickoff after Justin Griffith’s touchdown the put the Raiders up 21-20. The Raiders kick coverage allowed an 18-yard punt return, which setup Detroit’s first TD and a 33-yard kickoff return at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Coaching: C-
You could tell things were a little different than last year when the Raiders opened the game with a 5-receiver set and an empty backfield. That play resulted in a 13-yard pass completion to Ronald Curry, but then the Raiders went into an offensive shell (no pun intended). Head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp didn’t open things up until the 3rd quarter, but once they did the Raiders moved the ball. Coaching didn’t cost the Raiders the game, execution did.

Intangibles: C
The Raiders came together as a team after Griffith’s TD, showing emotion that hasn’t been seen at the Coliseum in a while. The Raiders moved the ball when they had to, which is a far cry from last season. We’ll see if the defensive lapses were an anomaly or not.

Officiating: B-
Sad that I even have to include an officiating category, buy officiating has played such a large part of most Raider contests that I thought it was necessary. All in all, I thought the officiating was ok. The one play that raised my ire was an incident late in the contest, when a Lions offensive lineman took a cheap shot at a Raider defender with 6 minutes to play in the contest and no flag was thrown (even though the Raiders were penalized for the exact same thing earlier in the game). The officials issued a “sideline warning” because half the Raider coaching staff was standing on the field of play screaming for a flag.

Live Blogging Game 1

2007-09-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Eye Patch's blog coverage of the Raiders season opener vs. the Detroit Lions. Refresh this page throughout the game to see updates.

• Leading tackler Kirk Morrison will be at Everett & Jones BBQ at Jack London Square for the radio game recap show.

• Tell tale stat of the game: TE Zach Miller 5th on the team with 3 tackles on the day.

• (END OF REGULATION) And it mercifully ends. DET 36 - OAK 21

• (Q4 :04) Last play of regulation, McCown is hit from behind, fumbling the ball...again. Sims recovers. Clock runs out.

• (Q4 7:43) Tatum Bell gets the last laugh by prancing up the gut for a 14-yard touchdown. Bell chucks the bal linto the Black Hole then begins to taunt the crowd. He is subsequently doused with beer and anything else the Hole can get their hands on. DET 36 - OAK 21

• (Q4 1:35) McCown sacked. Fumble. Miller picks it up. Tackled. Fumble. Lions recover. And that is the circus that is Raiders football. Rediculous. 2 fumbles on one play.

• (Q4 1:56) Hanson chips in another field goal to push the Lions lead to 8 points. Turn out the lights Raiders fans. DET 29 - OAK 21

• (Q4 3:10) Dewayne White ends the Raiders comeback hopes with a pick on the Raiders 38, then returns it for 28 yards. McCown was staring right at White as he floated it right to the big lineman. Another head scratching decision.

• (Q4 4:15) Shaun McDonald breaks the Raiders back with a rediculous touchdown. No Raider defender within 10 yards of him as he roams the back of the end zone. 2-pt attempt fails. DET 26 - OAK 21

• (Q4 4:24) Hiram Eugene misses a key tackle behind the 1st down marker, allowing the Lions to convert a late 3rd down play. Those types of plays were disasterous last season.

• (Q4 6:00) Lions offensive linemen hitting people late, but no calls. Raiders defensive coaches going nuts. Ref issue a sideline warning. Hey refs, try watching the game, rather than the Raiders coaches.

• (Q4 7:43) The entire team is huddled on the side line and bouncing up and down in unnison. Wow, what a turnaround.

• (Q4 7:43) TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! FB Justin Griffith takes a play-action pass from McCown and powers in for the score. The bootlegs have been confusing the Lions defense, which opened up the left side of the field for the big full back. DET 20 - OAK 21

• (Q4 9:33) Jordan comes up gimpy after taking a screen play for 19 yards.

• (Q4 12:13) Hanson makes another 46 yard field goal to extend their lead to 6 points. Janikowski's three misses really hurting now. DET 20 - OAK 14

• (Q3 :49) TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Lamont Jordan with a 13-yard scamper for another Raiders score. Are the Raiders just teasing us, or will they seal the deal?. DET 17 - OAK 14.

• (Q3 2:15) Stanford Routt picks Kitna and returns it 30 yards! Momentum shift? Williams gift wraps that ball by letting it slip through his fingers right to the Raiders DB.

• (Q3 3:49) It took almost 3 quarters but TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! McCown to Curry from 4 yards out. DET 17 - OAK 7

• (Q3 8:45) Kalimba Edwards rips past Barry Sims and blindsides McCown, forcing a fumble. The Raiders luckly jump on the ball. That's one upside to last season...lots of fumble recovery practice for the O-line last season.

• (Q3 9:05) The Coliseum crowd errupts in boos as McCown heads onto the field to lead the Raiders offense. Daunte Culpepper begins to salivate.

• (Q3 9:15) Raiders pass on Calvin Johnson in the draft. Johnson passes the Raiders secondary for his first career TD. DET 17 - OAK 0

• (Q3 13:04) McCown called for "not being set", offsetting a 3rd and 1. When is the league going to lose the part time officiating? Raiders forced to throw on 3rd and 6, and McCown gets picked. Unbelievable.

• (Q3 13:04) Jerry Porter makes his first catch in what seems like 3 years. It goes for 9.

• (HALFTIME) The first half comes to an end much like the end of last season. No offense to be found. Defense is showing cracks now as well. Only reason this game isn't 17-0 is because of Kirk Morrison's pick. Ugly.

• (Q2 :03) Janikowski misses his third field goal attempt of the day, ending the latest Raiders drive with nothing to show for it. Three words: First Round Pick.

• (Q2 :44) 70 yards to go and the Raiders are throwing 10-15 yard dumps. This offense isn't efficient enough to move in small increments with no time on the clock.

• (Q2 1:10) Jason Hansen demonstrates how to knock down a field goal, putting a 46-yarder straight through the middle of the uprights from the dirt infield. Hopefully Janikowski was paying attention. DET 10 - OAK 0

• (Q2 3:27) Janikowski misses wide right from 47 yards. Lions take over on their own 36 yard line with 2 TOs. His 62% efficiency from outside 40 yards is something the Raiders have to consider if they're really going to get better.

• (Q2 3:27) Shaun Rogers is destroying Jake Grove inside. Losing Newberry's size against Rogers 340 lbs is killing the running game.

• (Q2 8:27) Lamont Jordan has 12 yards on 5 carries. The Raiders need to establish a running game if they're going to make some noise in this game.

• (Q2 8:27) Roy Williams rains on the Raiders parade with a 13-yard TD from Jon Kitna. Not sure where the Raiders secondary is on the play. Mike Martz's offense is shredding Oaklan's secondary. DET 7 - OAK 0

• (Q2 11:10) Chris Clemons records the Raiders first sack of the season, stalling the Lions drive. Defense appears to be picking up the tempo after bending to the brink in the opening quarter.

• (Q2 13:30) Zach Miller is looking good. 2 recep[tions for short yardage, but he's hanging on to the ball. He's also changed his number from training camp to #80.

• (Q2 13:30) Guh! Jano shanks one bad off the dirt infield. Still scoreless.

• (End of Q1) Detroit outgains Oakland 104yds to 57yds. McCown 4/4 47 yds passing. Not feeling to good about that Detroit drive, which consumed more than 9 minutes.

• (Q1 2:30) Jeremy Newberry is replaced by Jake Grove. No word on Newberry's condition.

• (Q1 3:31) Raiders dodge a bullet with Kirk Morrison's pick in the end zone.

• (Q1 13:31) Here's our first look at the Raiders new offense. 5-receiver set, Ronald Curry takes a slot screen for 13 yards.

• (Q1 15:00) First play of scrimmage, run, snuffed by Derrick Burgess.

• (KICKOFF) We are underway! Sebastian Janikowski kicks it through the end zone.

• (0:02 until kickoff) Lions win the coin toss and elect to receive the ball

• (0:04 until kickoff) Jason Elam nails a 42-yard field goal at the gun to stun the Bills 15-14.

• (0:07 until kickoff) Gloria Lauring with the National Anthem.

• (0:11 until kickoff) Warren Sapp leads the Raiders out of the tunnel. Defense to be introduced.

• (0:15 until kickoff) 15 minutes to go...The autumn wind is a pirate.

• (0:21 until kickoff) Jason Elam just misses a field goal that would have given the Broncos a 15-14 lead. 3:32 remaining in that game.

• (0:22 until kickoff) Chiefs lose 20-3. Larry Johnson held to 43-yards rushing.

• (0:30 until kickoff) Raiders captains: Sims, Burgess, Sapp, Lechler, Asomugha, Curry

• (0:46 until kickoff) In a pre-game interview with Lane Kiffin, Kiffin explains that McCown gets the nod over Daunte Culpepper, because Culpepper's late addition to training camp. "Culpepper had a strong camp, but he trailed in the little things, "Kiffin said.

• (0:48 until kickoff) Oakland Inactives List: CB John Bowie, LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, T Mario Henderson, C Chris Morris, CB Duane Starks, WR Travis Taylor, QB Andrew Walter (3rd QB).

• (0:49 until kickoff) Detroit Inactives List: DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE Jared DeVries, RB Kevin Jones, WR Brandon Middleton, QB Dan Orlovsky, G Stephen Peterman, G Manny Ramirez.

• (0:57 until kickoff) McCown sounds eager to square off agsint his former team in a pre-game interview.

• (1:00 until kickoff) It's official, Josh McCown will start at QB for the Raiders.

• (1:02 until kickoff) Guys I can't wait to see play today: Johnnie Lee Higgins, Zach Miller, and Mike Williams.

• (1:05 until kickoff) For those of you who care, Randy Moss has a 51-yard TD reception from Tom Brady in New England's shallacking of the Jets.

• (1:12 until kickoff) East Bay native Marshawn Lynch just rumbles 23-yards for his first NFL touchdown against the Broncos to put the Bills up 14-6.

• (1:19 until kickoff) More AFC West goodness. Kansas City trails Houston 17-0 with 9 minutes to play in the 3rd Qtr.

• (1:25 until kickoff) Buffalo's Kevin Everett taken off the field on a stretcher after getting knocked out on a punt return. Broncos trail the Bills 7-6 with 13 minutes to play in the 3rd Qtr.

• (1:28 until kickoff) Traffic on 880 is clear. Minor backups entering the Coliseum from both 880 exits.

• (1:35 until kickoff) So it begins! Radio coverage is in full effect. No upsets brewing in other games so far.

Raiders hoping for a helping of Bell Fumbalaya

2007-09-08T13:36:00.001-07:00

Found this rather amusing article:

"Lions RB Bell 'ticked off' about Raiders' trash talk" - (Detroit Free Press)

The "Tatum Bell Drill"??? Fantastic. Here's hoping Bell lives up to his reputation on Sunday and coughs up a couple of carries (or 5).

Newberry to Start at Center

2007-09-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

Jeremy Newberry

Several reports indicate that Jeremy Newberry will start at center for the Raiders on Sunday, replacing Jake Grove who started at 16 games last year at the position. Grove has started 32 games at center over the previous three seasons.

Newberry is larger than Grove, suggesting that the Raiders want to beef up on the offensive line. Grove has quicker feet than Newberry, but that did little to stop opposing defenses last season.

2007 Predictions

2007-09-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

As I sit preparing to hunker down for the evening to watch the NFL kickoff the 2007 season, with Indianapolis and New Orleans squaring off, I thought I’d put together a little evaluation of how I think the Raiders season will turn out. There are a number of factors that will influence the outcome of the latest campaign, but pre-season prognostication is half the fun of following a team right?

So with that, here’s my crack at predicting the Raider’s 2007 campaign.

Sept 9 vs Detroit – (W 1-0)
Raiders should squeak out a win versus an offense that did little to upgrade beyond the addition of Calvin Johnson. John Kitna and Tatum Bell don’t exactly strike fear in the defenses like Oakland’s, but offensive coordinator Mike Martz should make things interesting. Detroit’s 28th ranked defense a year ago should provide a nice warm up for Lane Kiffin’s new offense.

Sept 16 at Denver – (L 1-1)
Reality sets in when the Raiders drop their first of the season against their bitter rival. Denver’s run defense may be a weak spot, but playing at Invesco Field is always tough.

Sept 23 vs Cleveland – (W 2-1)
Assuming the Browns haven’t figured out that Charlie Frye isn’t the answer by week 3, the Raiders should win this game handily. Jamal Lewis’ better days are behind him and the Browns offensive line won’t provide much support in his quest to turn around his career.

Sept 30 at Miami – (L 2-2)
This could be one of the more interesting games of the season if the Raiders actually do play Daunte Culpepper at quarterback. Culpepper wants nothing more then to rip the team that bailed on him after one season. Miami will have more stability at quarterback with Trent Green. The Dolphins defense will decide this game.

Oct 14 at San Diego (L 2-3)
Norv Turner isn’t going to get the Chargers over the Super Bowl hump, but he has all the weapons to take out the Raiders. He also has a little motivation. Nothing beats beating the team that fired you.

Oct 21 vs Kansas City (L 2-4)
Kansas City is a middle of the pack team that will be better offensively than many expect. Larry Johnson is one of the top 5 backs in the league and Damon Huard will surprise some people this season.

Oct 28 at Tennessee – (W 3-4)
Vince Young may have been a rookie phenom, but the Titans were still only ranked 27th in offense last season and dead last in team defense. Giving up almost 400 yards per game is something the Raiders should exploit. The Raiders running combo of Lamont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes should be in gear in Rhodes 3rd game back after serving his four-game suspension.

Nov 4 vs Houston -- (W 4-4)
For as big a mess the Raiders were in 2006, then came within two bad series from easily knocking off one of the worst teams in the league. Oakland will exact some retribution for Houston’s 23-14 win in Oakland last season. The Raiders can turn to the air, in attempt to exploit the Texan’s porous secondary.

Nov 11 vs Chicago – (L 4-5)
The defending NFC Champs should bum-rush the Raiders defensively. Home field advantage will have little effect against the best team in the NFC.

Nov 18 at Minnesota – (L 4-6)
A weak offense overshadowed the best run defense in the league in 2006, but that defense will force the Raiders to put the ball in the air. The Raiders have proven ineffective when forced to rely on a single aspect on offense.

Nov 25 at Kansas City – (L 4-7)
The Raiders almost pulled out a win at Arrowhead in 2006, but the home field advantage still plays an important role in this series. The Chiefs offense will again carry the day for Kansas City.

Dec 2 vs Denver – (L 4-8)
The pressures of a three-game losing streak will weigh heavily on the Raiders, and the Broncos will be clawing for a playoff spot come the first week of December. Mike Shanahan still has the motivation to beat the Raiders and his players seem to rally around that.

Dec 9 at Green Bay – (W 5-8)
Don’t let the Packers 9th ranked offense in 2006 fool you. This is a team on the decline and Brett Favre will be wishing he decided to retire last year. Green Bay has started rebuilding and will feel the affects of that late in the season.

Dec 16 vs Indianapolis – (L 5-9)
The highlight of this game will be that Raider fans will get to see the defending World Champions on their romp to another strong playoff showing in 2007. Hopefully the Raiders put up a fight.

Dec 23 at Jacksonville – (L 5-10)
The Jags got serious about taking the next step by cutting ties with Byron Leftwich. 2006 was no fluke. Too much consistency on offense and defense will prove too much for the Raiders.

Dec 30 vs San Diego – (L 5-11)
San Diego will have the AFC West locked up well before this game, but home field throughout the playoffs may be at stake for the Chargers. Again, too much firepower stacked up against a team that will be playing to close out their season.

So there you have it. A 5-11 season. I’m sure many that read this will think that’s anywhere from 2 to 5 wins shy of where the Raiders will end up in 2007. The way I think of it, Oakland will have improved from their horrific 2-14 2006 season. If the Raiders can get JaMarcus Russell locked up to a deal, and land a decent receiver and lineman in next year’s draft, this team isn’t that far away from a 10 win season.

But 2-14 teams don’t make 8 win leaps in a single season. This team is headed in the right direction, and 5 wins is more than 2 wins. The math is simple, the waiting will be the hard part.

Pre-Season Game 1 Notes

2007-08-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

• It was the first game of the pre-season, but any win is better than last year. The reclamation has begun.

• Don’t read too much into the pre-season though. Oakland was 4-1 last year before the games really counted and Edgerrin James, Anquan Boldin, and Matt Leinart saw limited action.

• Games balls to Adimchinobe Echemandu, Hiram Eugene, Mike Williams and the Raiders offensive line.

• When was the last time you heard “game ball” and “offensive line” mentioned in the same sentence?

• Props to Neil Rackers for hitting a 59-yard field goal from the dirt right as the 1st half ended.

• Speaking of Echemandu, the former Cal running back would make a nice Nigerian Nightmare II. His 75 yards on 17 carries was one of the bright spots on offense. Here’s hoping he sticks

• Johnnie Lee Higgins had 2 catches for 59 yards (including a big 50-yarder), but he also dropped a sure catch on a bullet from Dante Culpepper late in the game. Those are the plays the coaches are watching.

• After fumbling his first snap in Silver in Black, Culpepper showed flashes of why he’s a former Pro Bowler. The guy can still throw darts.

• Nice tackle by kicker Tyler Fredrickson on Steve Breston with 2 minutes to play.

• The defense looked solid, except for that Kurt Warner to Bryant Johnson 59-yard TD.

• Nice sell job by Tyler Brayton on his would be 80-yard interception return for a TD. Replay clearly showed the ball hit the ground before Brayton caught it, but give him an ! for effort.

• All three Raider quarterbacks who saw action were average. Walter’s TD pass to Mike Williams in the 2nd quarter had some nice touch. We all saw what Walter could do with some time to throw (8-for-11). Culpepper showed off his gun, but he has lots of work to do. Jury’s still out on McCown, who’s TD drive was penalty aided.

• Nice to see the TE getting mixed into the passing game again. John Madsen and Zach Miller combined for 4 catches.

• 2nd year linebacker Ricky Brown led the Raiders with 7 tackles. Rookie Jay Richardson had 3 tackles and a big sack.

• Welcome to the Black Hole Dominic Rhodes.

• Williams TD catch looked a looked a lot like that Randy Moss guy, only Williams came down with the ball in the end zone.

Camp Notes: Day 15

2007-08-10T22:28:00.000-07:00

• Don't read too much into Josh McCown's stat at QB on Saturday. Daunte Culpepper has been peppering receivers in camp since signing his 1-year deal with the Raiders.

• Not that Raider fans should get too excited about the preseason anyway, but the offense has a way to go, before you can call it a cohesive unit.

• The one offensive bright spot in camp continues to be TE Zach Miller

• JaMarcus Russell has reportedly purchased a home in the Oakland Hills, but he won't be moving in until his deal with the Raiders is done.

• Derrick Burgess will not play in Saturday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. The Pro-Bowl defender returned to practice this week, but the Raiders don't want to rush him into live action. They would prefer to give his surgically repaired hernia more time to heal.

• CB Stanford Routt injured his right knee on Thursday, allowing Chris Carr to pick up some reps at nickle back.

Around the Nation--

ESPN.com: Notorious image sticks with these Raiders

ESPN.com: Culpepper making Raiders regret draft-day decision?

Gene Upshaw: Labor Legend

2007-08-07T23:08:00.001-07:00

Gene Upshaw

OK, so I took some heat earlier this summer for my portrayal of Gene Upshaw as the good guy in the debate over NFLPA pension plans. I still think Upshaw is the good guy here.

I found this outstanding article posted by ESPN.com Tuesday Morning Quarterback columist Gregg Easterbrook. Here are some of the most relevant points pertaining to Upshaw and the NFLPA...

The foremost responsibilities of a labor union are to maximize wages and jobs; on these scores, the NFLPA numbers among the most-accomplished unions ever. Consider NFL wage trends since 1993, when the salary-cap system and current collective-bargaining format were adopted. Stated in today's dollars -- all money figures in this section are converted to 2007 dollars -- in 1993, the salary cap was $47 million. This year, the NFL salary cap is $109 million. That's a 132-percent increase in per-team player spending over 14 years, roughly a 10-percent annual improvement.

Easterbrook addresses the debate over the NFLPA's accomplishments:

...remember that pro football free agency did not pop out of the air, it was won by the union. Once free agency was achieved, the NFLPA resumed collective bargaining and decided to abandon confrontation for cooperative negotiation. Fourteen years of cooperative negotiation have proven a better model for NFL players, including the retired players, than the confrontation that came before -- much higher pay, no lost wages from strikes or lockouts. The proof is in the pudding: Why are ESPN, CBS, Fox and NBC willing to pay astounding sums for NFL broadcast rights? Labor peace assures the networks a steady supply of quality games.

and the coup de grace...

Beginning at age 55, current players will receive $5,600 per year for life, per NFL season played. So the average player who's in the league three seasons will get a $16,800 annual pension; a five-year performer gets a $28,000 pension and a 10-year veteran gets $56,000 annually. The start year of 55 is sooner than most corporate and public-sector pensions. And the key point is that they are pensions for only a few years of employment.

Corporate or government employees in traditional plans get their pensions in return for decades of work. The average NFL player who will get $16,800 per annum starting at age 55 worked three years and clocked out for his final time at age 26. "Retired" has never been the right word for former pro athletes, since most players leaving the NFL don't retire, rather, go to some other career for most of their adult lives. Current-player benefits also include an annuity that if invested conservatively would provide roughly another $5,000 annually beginning at 55, and a 401(k) with $20,000 in annual matching payments for those smart enough to use it. Thus even the average player who stays in the NFL only three seasons can put himself in solid long-term financial position if he makes smart choices.

Doesn't Major League Baseball promise retirees a lot more? Yes and no. A currently retiring 10-year MLB player will qualify for a $175,000 pension, versus $56,000 for the 10-year NFL player. But the MLB pension does not start until age 62, so the 10-year NFL veteran is $392,000 ahead on the day the baseball benefits begin. Because the NFL employs many more players than MLB, football's benefits are spread to a larger group of pensioners. Finally, the NFL pension fund is in better financial shape than its MLB counterpart. The NFL fund has $1.1 billion in the bank, while the MLB pension system has roughly $1 billion in unfunded liabilities.

For older NFL retirees, pension benefits are generally about half the level of those for current players. An NFL athlete who retired before 1982 gets $3,000 per year per season played, so a five-year older retired player draws $15,000 annually, a 10-season older player draws $30,000. But bear in mind, many older retired players had few or no pension rights in their contracts, and left the NFL expecting little or nothing when they aged. Before 1959, there were no NFL pensions. A system established for those retiring in the 1960s and 1970s originally paid only about $1,000 per season played and did not kick in unless the veteran had five seasons -- with an average three-season career, the typical player never vested. Retroactive pension increases in the 1993, 1998, 2002 and 2006 contracts upped the older player's pension from $1,000 to $3,000 annually per year played and eliminated the five-year floor. So older players generally get only half what current players will get. But that amount is more than double what older players received before 1993.

As for the whiners...

The older players you've seen quoted denouncing the current union -- Herb Adderley, DeLamielleure, Ditka, Bernie Parrish and others -- never won significant pension rights when they were active members with NFLPA voting power. The big pension increases for older players have come since the advent of cooperative bargaining, while the earlier fist-shaking approach, which the old timers extol, failed to win decent pensions. Older players such as Ditka who today pound the table saying the union should be confrontational are overlooking that it was the cooperative years that got the older players practically everything they have. Had the union remained confrontational, NFL income would not have risen so spectacularly, and there would have been less revenue to assign to the older retirees.

So let these idiots blame Gene Upshaw until they are blue in the face. No labor leader has done more for the constiuents that he represents or the industry that his constinuents make their living in. Are my views tainted by the fact that he was a Raidedr? Absolutely not. He's done plenty for the players. Give the guy some credit, and don't believe everything you see thrown at you by grown men who didn't have the common sense to save for a rainy day.

Easterbrook's entire article can be found here

Raiders & Russell need to figure our gaurantees

2007-08-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders are reported to be miles apart in reaching a deal, and until the Raiders are prepared to include basic gaurantees into a deal for the rookie QB, it may take awhile before Russell signs.

ESPN's John Clayton reports:

"JaMarcus Russell's holdout could go well into the exhibition season. The Raiders don't want to pay the standard guarantees given to top picks. Russell wants the typical deal, which includes skill and injury guarantees. The guarantees would likely be in excess of $30 million. Expect a subtle, behind-the-scenes battle in which each side will leak out why the other is wrong in its bargaining position. If Russell can't get a market deal, he will continue his holdout."

Russell's camp indicated to the Raiders back in May that there were certain expectations they had in terms of compensation, and if the Raiders were unprepared to match those demands, they shouldn't draft him.

Granted, posturing by players, agents and teams is part of the courtship process, but by all accounts, the gaurantees that Russell seeks are standard fare. The deal the Raiders have reportedly offered is equal to the deal Alex Smith received two years ago from the 49ers.

If this guy is the face of the franchise, the Raiders need to resolve this issue soon. Daunte Culpepper gives the Raiders some leverage, but Russell is the guy the Raiders want to build around. Nickle and diming your franchise player just doesn't make sense, especially if you're trying to offer up less than the going rate for talent in the NFL.

Camp Musings - Day 7

2007-08-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

• Lane Kiffin continues to impress when it comes to dealing with the media. He’s as cool as a cucumber in front of the press. His responses are forthright and to the point. No beating around the bush, or dodging questions.

• As for Kiffin on the field, preparation and fundamentals continue to be the focus of his workouts.

• Continuing a storied tradition of innovation, the Raiders have invited kicker Li Chaoran of China to training camp for a week. With the league always looking to expand and China being the country with the largest population in the world, it was only a matter of time before some figured out to start marketing the game by inviting a national to camp.

• On the national theme, the Raiders have Alfredo Flores of Mexico and Larry Lishey of Sweden in camp as guest coaches. Both promote football in the coaching ranks abroad.

• RB ReShard Lee was waived after injuring a knee earlier in the week.

• Daunte Culpepper showed no signs of the injury that hampered him last season in the afternoon practice. Culpepper hit Will Buchanon for a 50-yard TD pass.

• Practices are being spaced out farther than last year, which has received rave reviews from players. Down time between practices has given the team more down time to recover.

• Al Davis’ proposal to create a quarterback award in honor of Bill Walsh was timely and yet another reminder of Davis’ brand of loyalty. Davis and Walsh maintained a friendship that sadly ended on Monday with Walsh’s passing. Too bad for Walsh that his own team couldn’t think up the idea on their own.

Raiders sign Culpepper

2007-07-31T18:01:00.000-07:00

CBS5 reports that the Raiders have signed Free agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper to a one-year deal. The former Minnesota Viking and Miami Dolphin QB conducted a private workout for the Raiders in Florida, before flying out to Alameda on Tuesday for a full work out.

Financial terms of the deal are unknown. Culpepper's signing was motivated by the Raiders inability to sign 1st round draft pick JaMarcus Russell, who remains a holdout.

"We are very excited to have Daunte, and add him to the mix and see if he can help us," Coach Kiffin said. "We think that he adds definite competition."

Culpepper was released by Miami in June after they acquired former Kansas City Chiefs QB Trent Green. Miami tried to deal Culpepper, but they found no takers.

The signing gives the Raiders some new found depth at quarterback, although Culpepper wasn't exactly evasive in the pocket for Miami last season. Mirroring Andrew Walters woes, Culpepper was sacked 21 times in the first 4 games for the Dolphins.

Offensive line coach Tom Cable will have his work cut out for him, given the immobility of the Raiders QBs.

Camp Musings - Day 4

2007-07-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

* Getting rookie TE Zach Miller signed and in camp was huge. Too bad things never worked out for Courtney Anderson.

* Not having 1st round pick JaMarcus Russell signed isn't the end of the world, given that he won't see a snap in a meaningful game in 2007.

* After 4 days of camp, 3rd round draft pick DE Quintin Moses is the rookie making the most obvious impression.

* Mike Lombardi joined the Denver Broncos as a personnel assistant. The over / under on Lombardi claiming the Raiders owe him back salary OR that he starts secretly bad mouthing Mike Shanahan is 6 weeks.

* Camp hasn't even broken yet and the Raiders are 150 to 1 long shots at taking the Super Bowl this season.

* If the Raiders are smart, they get Derrick Burgess inked to a new deal as soon as they can. While Lane Kiffen tries to mold an offense, the defense can turn itself into one of the best if the pieces are in place.

* Wonder if anyone will get to realize Jarrod Cooper's talents?

* What a difference a year makes. Jerry Porter is in camp, the coaching staff appears to have a plan and that Moss guy isn't stinking things up.

* Kiffen reminds me a Jon Gruden, minus the attitude. The can certainly handle the media. Offensive Coordinator Greg Knapp raves about his maturity. Can't wait to see the offense in action against real opposition.

First a Raider

2007-07-30T20:38:00.001-07:00

Walsh at SJSU 1955

Football lost a giant on Monday. It's certainly not news to anyone reading this, because Bill Walsh, the legendary coach of the 49ers and Stanford Cardinal, was an icon. When icons pass, news travels like lightning.

The Raiders issued a simple statement...

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bill Walsh. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Geri, and two children, Craig and Elizabeth. He was a giant among giants and an innovator whose commitment to excellence was unparalleled.

"Bill began his legendary pro coaching career with the Oakland Raiders as offensive backs coach in 1966 and went on to achieve greatness in the coaching ranks, both at the college and professional level. Bill will be sorely missed."

The list of Walsh’s disciples is a who’s who of NFL coaches, and the list of those that tried to mirror his patented offense is even longer. Even with three Super Bowl rings, mentoring up & coming coaches was where Walsh found the greatest satisfaction. Passing on football knowledge was something he first learned to appreciate as a member of the Raiders coaching staff in ’66.

Under the wing of a renegade leader named Al Davis, Walsh was given his first shot in the NFL. 15 years later, he would turn a hapless franchise into a dynasty. There’s no doubt that Davis was responsible in part for the evolution of a coaching genius, and through it all the two remained friends.

The rivalry that the Raiders and 49ers maintain will always be bitter, but outside the lines, legends like Walsh and Davis always maintained a mutual respect.

In the begging, Walsh was a Raider. Once a Raider, always a Raider. May he rest in peace.

Preseason Power Rankings

2007-07-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Jason Cole and Charles Robinson from Yahoo Sports provide their preseason power rankings, with the Raiders firmly planted in the cellar.

From Cole:

The Michael Vick news dropped the Falcons from a spot in the middle all the way down to the bottom of the league. Wait, you say, Oakland is at the bottom of the league. Well, the Raiders are so bad that they are in a class by themselves at the bottom of the barrel.

From Robinson:

...Minnesota, Oakland and Cleveland all have major quarterback issues to be sorted out.

Checkout their complete rankings at [Yahoo Sports]

Big Hits, Bigger Headaches

2007-07-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

Timely announcement coinciding with Sports Illustrated's article on "Big Hits" in the NFL.

NeuroLogica Corporation, a neuroscience-based medical imaging company, today announced that The Oakland Raiders will use the CereTom® portable and cordless CT scanner on site during the 2007 NFL season. The Raiders are the first NFL team to incorporate a technology that will allow for on-site and rapid assessment and diagnosis of head injuries. The CereTom produces instant high-quality images of the neck and head to diagnose various brain injuries and brain bleeds, as well as injuries occurring in the extremities including elbows, knees and ankles.

“Player safety is of paramount importance to us. We felt that the best interest of the Raiders organization was to ensure our players have access to this technology,” said The Oakland Raiders.

The CereTom allows a player to be scanned and diagnosed within minutes of leaving the field. The CereTom’s portability and small size allows it to be used anywhere in the stadium, including the locker room and training room. Scans will be instantly and wirelessly transmitted to a radiologist for diagnosis. The CereTom can also be used to scan and diagnose injuries occurring in the extremities within minutes from when they occur – which is more effective, efficient and comprehensive than the X-ray scans currently used by many NFL teams.

Well, I suppose if you can't upgrade the offensive line, you may as well invest in CT scanning equipment.

A bad week to be Mike Taylor

2007-07-06T00:09:00.000-07:00

It’s been a hum-dinger of a week for the Raiders. It’s certainly been no picnic for team spokesman Mike Taylor. First the team gets rejected in the California Supreme Court on a long standing dispute with the league, then newly signed running back Dominic Rhodes is suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

It can’t be much fun for Taylor, who has to deal with the questions that arise when things like this happen.

Heck even the practice squad guys are finding a way to make the wrong kind of headlines. On Thursday, backup defensive end Bryant McNeal was arrested on an outstanding warrant for defrauding a pawn broker back in 2005.

Bryant allegedly sold a Ranger Rover to a Florida pawn broker, even though he didn’t actually own the automobile. What I want to know is, why did the Raiders have this guy on the practice squad? They should have had him in the ticket office, hawking all those empty Coliseum seats last season.

While Bryant awaits extradition back to Florida, Rhodes gets to prepare himself for 4 weeks of R&R, while his teammates attempt to claw back to some semblance of respectability.

It’s baffling to think that high profile athletes still think they can get away with stuff like this. Rhodes hasn’t taken a snap in silver & black and he’s already sending the wrong message.

If the Raiders are serious about turning their ship around, then they need to come down hard on Rhodes. At least as hard as the NFLPA will allow (don’t get me started on the protections that they provide).

Lave Kiffin needs to nip this public relations fiasco in the bud by making an example of Rhodes. Would these shenanigans take place if Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick or Mike Shanahan were at the helm? Nobody is bigger then the team, and that’s the environment that Kiffin needs to establish.

Court loss is a chance for a new beginning

2007-07-02T23:43:00.000-07:00

Monday was a bad day for the Raiders, and also a good day. It all depends on the perspective you take. After years of litigation and law suits, the Raiders closed the book on an ugly part of their history when the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the NFL on an appeal to a 2001 ruling.

The case stemmed from a lawsuit that Al Davis brought against the league for undermining a stadium deal at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles. The case was appealed after Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Richard Hubbell ordered a new trial amid accusations that a juror was biased against the team and Davis for losing money on a football bet.

The court ruled in favor of the league because the judge didn’t provide details of the juror’s misconduct. Losing a court case isn’t exactly the best way to kick off your week, but what Davis really needs to do is to cut his losses and use this as the first day of the rest of his team’s life so to speak.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the Raiders have suffered on the field as a result of Davis’ legal exploits. How many new rules have been enacted because some referee twisted the spirit of the rule book on a fluke play by the Raiders?

The NFL is a club and Davis tried to exploit the club because he felt that he was being singled out. The result of those actions have resulted in 20 years of inequalities on the field. I’m not saying that referees were instructed to deal with the Raiders differently, but it’s only human nature for those referees to exact a little spite on behalf of the league. Who pays their salaries?

So now Davis has that litigation behind him. It’s time to move forward. Heck, why not even attempt to establish a little good will with the league and the other owners. There is no doubt that Al Davis is a respected football man. The same can’t be said for his reputation as a businessman.

The fact of the matter is, the league is not like any other business in the world. In the real world, you defeat your opponents by eating them for lunch. The NFL’s success is largely dependent on the ability for the league to market its product as a whole. It’s not communism, but football owners are franchisees. If the franchise goes belly up, so do the franchisees. Eating your own doesn’t work in this type of business.

In attempting to strengthen his franchise, he ended up doing more harm than good along the way. The slate will never be wiped clean if he doesn’t make amends with the rest of the league. As he spends the twilight years of his ownership run, he should be revered not reviled.

Dropping his existing lawsuits with the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority was a start. Now he needs to show the rest of the league that the Raiders can be a contributor to the greater good of the league. When that happens, the wins will follow.

The desperado needs to come in from the rain and start mending fences.

For the Arena Football League’s Lincoln Kennedy, the Game Beckons

2007-06-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

By Gregg Hayim
Arena Football League

Lincoln Kennedy’s Tampa Bay Storm play host to the Columbus Destroyers on Saturday June 30th, 12:00PM ET.ON ESPN

In 1993, 6 foot 7, 350-pound Lincoln Kennedy- a man who makes at least three of the seven continents seem petite in comparison- stepped onto the field as a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons with a goal in mind; to play 12 seasons of professional football. Eleven years later, he walked off the field an Oakland Raider, one shy of completing the mission.

After three seasons of work in the broadcast booth, off-the field but not yet completely removed from the game, Kennedy began to regret his decision. To a man as passionate as Lincoln Kennedy, the playing-bug is not easily remedied. Kennedy decided to hit the weight-room, get back into shape and give the game one last go-around. As luck would have it- for Arena Football fans that is- that final season would be played as a member of the Tampa Bay Storm.

Truth be told, Lincoln Kennedy didn’t think much of the Arena Football League. After all, what can a former top-10 draft pick, a two-time all-pro and one-time almost Super Bowl Champion (2002 Oakland Raiders) learn about the game of football that hasn’t already been taught. For starters, how about to never underestimate the talent that resides on the fast-tracked AFL field. “After being in this league and seeing the talent level, it makes me appreciate what these guys do, and I have the utmost respect for them” Kennedy was quoted as saying to Gary Bond of Pro Football Weekly.

When Kennedy first put on his AFL helmet, he expected the hard hits and ferocious play that inherently accompanies a battle in the trenches- wherever those trenches may be. What he didn’t expect was the element that all who have witnessed the exhilarating game of Arena Football swear by, the pace. “The biggest shock for me was the speed of the game” remarked Kennedy. “And because it’s played on a shorter field and everything is cut down, you can’t hide a player like you can in the NFL.” Indeed, you cannot. The 50-yard field provides the ideal canvas for the high-octane arena artists to display their world-class talents; and in this world, speed serves as the perfect primer.

When Lincoln Kennedy steps onto the field Saturday afternoon- playing in his first post-season game in over five years- he will have already achieved his goal of playing 12 seasons of professional football. Lincoln Kennedy now sets his sights on a new goal, a ticket to New Orleans and a chance to play for an ArenaBowl Championship- his first as a pro.

Upshaw should plug DeLamielleure's (pie) hole

2007-06-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

Gene Upshaw and Joe DeLamielleure agree on one thing. They don’t like each other much.

In response to DeLamielleure’s outspoken criticism of Upshaw’s handling of NFL Players Association pensions, Upshaw was quoted by the AP as saying, "A guy like DeLamielleure says the things he said about me; you think I'm going to invite him to dinner? No. I'm going to break his ... damn neck.”

DeLamielleure takes the “I’m the innocent good guy” approach, who could be snapped in two by the former Raiders great.

"He is the head of a union. He has the wherewithal to do it," DeLamielleure said Tuesday.

Give me a break. Nobody is buying that. DeLamielleure has taken offense to the treatment of retired veterans by the NFL Players Association, and he’s singled out union boss Upshaw as the scapegoat.

What I find amusing is that a Hall of Fame player, who played in countless Pro-Bowls and many more seasons in the NFL can’t keep his own house in order. DeLamielleure is upset because he feels that NFL pensions aren’t what they should be.

This is a former professional athlete whining about a pension plan. DeLamielleure needs to spend a little time here on planet earth, where 99.99% of the worlds population don’t make NFL salaries.

Perhaps DeLamielleure’s argument is that he’s been unable to manage his own money because of all the head slaps he took as part of a porous Buffalo offensive line in the 70’s. Taking it out on Upshaw is down right laughable.

The Raiders Hall-of-Famer has done more for NFL players in his tenure as the head of the NFLPA, than any other person in the role. He has kept labor strife out of the game by negotiating contracts that have worked both players as well as the league.

The fact that players that collected fat paychecks in their hay day, now require pensions is a joke in itself. If DeLamielleure was in fact a union guy, he’d make sure the guys that made a pittance collect a pension. Distributing it to former upper echelon players who cashed in back in the day is just plain disgusting.

Keyshawn headed west?

2007-05-03T23:29:00.000-07:00

Recently waived and former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson is looking for a home. Word on the street is that Oakland could actually be a decent fit for the much maligned wide out.

Could Johnson, a former USC Trojan, serve as a mentor to Mike Williams, another USC alum? Johnson has some history with Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin, and Johnson has two children that live in the Bay Area.

It’s not like the Raiders are stacked at the position, and the $20 million that they just reclaimed in dealing Randy Moss frees up some cap space (not that signing a #1 overall pick is going to cost them much!). With Jerry Porter, Williams, Alvis Whitted, Doug Gabriel and Ronald Curry set as the team receiving corps, Johnson doesn’t seem all that bad.

Don’t get me wrong. Johnson can be a malcontent, and the Raiders don’t need more malcontents, but Johnson also provides a legitimate option at receiver. With a guy like JaMarcus Russell waiting in the wings, having a healthy dose of receiver will help make that transition all the smoother.

If you can land the guy on the cheap, why not? The Raiders would have to compete against Green Bay and Baltimore, who are rumored to be in the running for Johnson’s services.

Raiders sign undrafted LB

2007-04-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

From Brian Milne at the San Luis Obispo Tribune...

Former Cal Poly linebacker Kyle Shotwell went undrafted on the final day of the NFL Draft but told The Tribune late Sunday that he has agreed to a free-agent deal with the Oakland Raiders. Shotwell, the Buck Buchanan Award winner for the top defensive player in Division I-AA, watched the draft from his parents’ home in Goleta. He said he will likely travel to Alameda this week to prepare for the Raiders’ upcoming minicamp.

Draft Weekend Recap

2007-04-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

Grading the Raiders 2007 Draft weekend (note that means everything they did on Saturday & Sunday, not just who they drafted), I’d have to give the team a B. Many are saying the Raiders had a monster draft, but there were some major holes that didn’t get resolved. Most notable was the absence of any help on the offensive line. They got the quarterback that they missed on in 2006, but they need to shore up the roster spots that will protect their new field general.

I was pretty surprised to see the Raiders move down to start the 2nd round rather than parlay the 1st pick in that round along with something else to move up in the 1st round. The 49ers found a way to land New England’s 1st rounder (28th overall) to land tackle Joe Staley from Central Michigan.

The Raiders are traditionally the team that makes that kind of move, especially given the holes that exist on the offensive line. By swapping 2nd round picks with the Arizona Cardinals, the Raiders lost out on Arron Sears, then they made what I consider a huge blunder in passing on Justin Blalock from Texas.

Blalock is a kid that can play both tackle and guard, and he’s been a rock in terms of his durability. He started a school record 51 games at Texas, earning nominations for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award.

Not sure I also understand the move they made to take Zach Miller with the 38th overall pick. Miller was Arizona State’s only receiving option this season and was regarded as the best tight end in the draft, but pass catching tight ends are worthless if your quarterback is buried under a swarm of defensive linemen.

Oakland didn’t address its line issue until late in the 3rd round when they took Mario Henderson from Florida State. Henderson draws comparisons to former Florida St standout Walter Jones, but he was a late bloomer. He’s a tall lanky kid at 6-6, that has to work on his strength in order to deal with NFL defensive linemen.

I don’t think anyone will argue the JaMarcus Russ pick and the Raiders pick up a worthy sacrificial lamb in Josh McCown to take be the primary tackling dummy under center next season. The acquisition of Mike Williams may turn out to be the bigger part of the Raiders trade with the Detroit Lions. Williams has been considered a bust in Detroit after the Lions selected him with the 10th overall pick in 2005, but he is reunited with Kiffin, who has lots of history with the former USC star.

The steals of the draft may turn out to be Michael Bush and Quentin Moses. Bush, a RB from Louisville, was considered a Heisman candidate before breaking his leg in the Cardinal’s first game of the season in 2006. At 6-3, 250 lbs, Bush will be able to deal with the punishment that NFL defenders will dish out. He played quarterback in high school, where he was voted Kentucky’s top prep star. In three season’s at Louisville he compiled 2,508 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns on 435 carries (5.8 avg).

Moses has the athleticism to be a defensive monster. He played basketball for Georgia and is a rangy defender with quick reflexes. In 51 games at Georgia, Moses started 26 times. He recorded 137 tackles (93 solos) and finished fifth in school history with 25 quarterback sacks for minus-174 yards. He added 44½ stops for losses of 234 yards and collected 95 quarterback pressures. He recovered four fumbles, caused another and deflected three passes.

Jay Richardson will probably be converted to line backer in the NFL, although he’ll need to work on his footwork. He started 19 games at Ohio State and has a long frame that will disrupt middle range passes.

By far, the biggest move the Raiders made was ridding themselves of receiver Randy Moss. Forget the compensation that came in return for the locker room cancer. The Raiders start with a clean slate, free of the distractions that persisted even during the off-season. Jerry Porter becomes the main man in Oakland, so now he gets to prove that the Raiders made the right decision to keep him.

Porter, Doug Gabriel, Alvis Whitted, Ronald Curry and Mike Williams doesn’t exactly strike fear in the minds of defensive backs, but if one or two of those guys can demonstrate an ability to get past secondary coverages, then it may not matter, because you have a cannon armed quarterback who can just chuck the ball over defenders in a couple of years.

Raider Draft Day Live - Day 2

2007-04-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

• And finally, the Raiders take Jonthan Halland, WR, Louisiana Tech - Analysis from NFL.com: Has a well-defined frame that can carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk … Has good upper-body and leg-muscle definition … Has good field vision and moves to set up the defender, but doesn't play up to his timed speed … Efficient at locating soft areas on the field to settle under rather than being utilized as a deep threat

• 12:15pm - Michael Bush Profile: Has rushed for 2,380 yards and 36 touchdowns. Avg 5.7 yards per carry. 7th in school history in rushing yards and second in touchdowns. Started 15 of 35 games. Recorded nine 100-yard games and one 200-yard game. Was a legit Heisman candidate before breaking his right tibia in the first game of the 2006 season.

• 12:08pm - On Richardson from CSTV.com: Has been a key reserve and frequent starter at end the past two years ... divided time with David Patterson in 2005, but with Patterson moving inside this year, is the leading candidate to take over on a full-time basis ... tall, rangy athlete who can put pressure on the passer, drop into coverage or run down the ball carrier ... is physical enough to stuff the run and disciplined enough to rarely be out of position ... has been bothered by injuries throughout his career, including the 2004 season when he missed the last half of the season with a knee injury ... was really playing well before being hurt ... wound up the 2005 campaign with 11 tackles, including two sacks ... also credited with a pair of passes broken up and a forced fumble ... is a veteran of 26 games and has 27 career tackles ... hard worker who hopes to have his best year in 2006. More from CSTV.com.

• 12:05pm - On Bowie from Yahoo Sports: Bowie is a fast, athletic senior cornerback. He is a late developing prospect who sustained several injuries over his limited college career. He shows the ability to tackle in the open field with a great burst of speed to make tackles. He has a strong frame and shows explosive speed to match up in the deep game. More on Bowie from Yahoo.

• 12:03pm - On Frampton from Cougfan.com: Athletic safety who has shown tremendous progress the past two years. Displays solid sideline-to-sideline range, flashes on the scene and is strong at the point of attack. Physical and possesses solid open-field tackling skills. Has a good head for the ball and displays skill in man coverage. More from the gang at Cougfan.

• 11:53am - Dennis Dodd article on O'Neal from CBS Sportsline.com

Orenthal O'Neal

• 11:51am - On O'Neal (from Vic Carucci at NFL.com): Positives: Aggressive when lead blocking. Strength. Toughness. Inside running ability. Negatives: Speed. Needs to become better at reading blitzes and improve his pass-protection skills. Rated by Carucci as the 5th best FB available in the draft.

• 11:47am - The Raiders now get to wait until the 2nd to last pick in the draft (254th overall) to use their final pick, a compensatory selection in the 7th round.

• 11:40am - The Raiders take Orenthal O'Neal, FB, Arkansas St. with the 1st pick in the 5th round (175th overall).

• 11:29am - on Frampton: Started all 11 games for WSU in 2005 (87 tackles, 1 sack, 1 int). Started all 12 games in 2006 (100 tackles, 1 sack, 5 int, 1 fum rec, and 2 forced fum). 1st team All-Pac 10 in 2006.

• 11:20am - The Raiders select S Eric Frampton from the Washington State with
another 5th round pick (165th overall acquired from New England).

• 10:30am - Perusing some of the feedback on Lane Kiffin's first draft, I found these comments from John Clayton:

They had to take a quarterback. The franchise was set back by not taking Matt Leinart or Jay Cutler a year ago. The 31-year-old coach and the ageless Davis played catch-up Saturday. They had to take JaMarcus Russell instead of playing around with second- or third-round prospects. Getting TE Zach Miller in the second round was the right call, too. The Raiders topped the day off by acquiring quarterback Josh McCown and wide receiver Mike Williams from Detroit for a fourth-round choice. McCown, who comes to the team on a one-year contract, can carry the team into the season as the starter, buying Russell time to learn the offense and feel comfortable in the NFL. The Raiders' quarterback problems will be solved for the start of the 2007 season with McCown, and hopefully in the future with Russell.

Jay Richardson

• 10:00am - Oakland starts the 5th round by taking DE Jay Richardson from Ohio State. Richardson started all 13 games for the Buckeyes earning an All-Big Ten honorable mention.

• 9:40am - Randy Moss is no longer a Raider. The New England Patriots take the cancer off the Raiders hands for a 4th round draft pick.

• 8:30am - The Raiders select CB John Bowie from Cincinnati.

• 8:15am - Oakland may lands a steal in Louisville RB Michael Bush. Bush was considered a potential 1st round pick entering the 2006 NCAA season but injuries curtailed those projections.

Raider Draft Day Live

2007-04-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

It's the NFL's version of Christmas Day and we're blogging throughout the day. Refresh your browser often...

>> On to Day 2

• The Raiders acquire QB Josh McCown and WR Mike Williams from Detroit for the Raiders 4th round pick (105th overall)

• Round 3 - 99th overall (compensatory) Johnnie Lee Higgins WR UTEP. Played in all 13 games in 2003 season (25 rec for 362 yards). Started 11 of 12 games in 2004 (34 rec for 700 yards, and 10 TD's). Started 10 of 12 games in 2005 (49 rec for 837 yards, and 9 TD's). Started 11of 12 games in 2006 (82 rec, and 13 TD's). 1st Team All-C-USA Honors

• Round 3 - 91st overall Mario Henderson OT Florida St. Played in 11 of 12 games as a true freshman in 2003. Played in 12 games in 2004 as a backup left tackle. Played in all 13 games in 2005, starting the final two at left tackle. Started all 13 games in 2006 at left tackle.

• Round 3 - 65th overall Quentin Moses DE Georgia. Played 14 games as a backup in 2003 (37 tackles, 2.5 sacks). Played in 11 games in 2004 (23 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble). Started 13 games in 2005 (44 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries). Started all 13 games in 2006 (33 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery).

• 4:34pm - And the Dwayne Jarrett in silver & black dream dies. 6'4" with great hands. Remember that Rice guy. Dwayne Jarret reminds me more of him than Randy Moss. A proven winner. Too bad.

• 4:00pm - I'm wondering, are the Raiders planning on running a two tight-end set on every down next season to stop the DT parade that filled the backfield last season? Look for another fullback with their 3rd pick, so they can build a double walled pocket. 2 TEs and 2 FBs maybe? Hmmmm, now that's innovative. You'll have nobody to throw the ball to, but hey, they won't lead the league in sacks allowed!

• 3:58pm - OK, had to wait an extra 30 minutes, but, with their 2nd round pick (38th overall), the Raiders selec Zach Miller, TE from Arizona St?????? Um, can he play Guard or Tackle? I don't understand this selection at all.

• 3:30pm - Raiders receive Arizona's 2nd round and 4th round picks (38th and 105th overall) for their 2nd round pick (33rd overall).

• 3:24pm - With the 1st pick of the 2nd round (33rd overall pick), the Oakland Raiders select....Raiders trade the pick...details pending.

• 3:19pm - The longest first round in the history of the NFL Draft comes to an end with the Colts selecting Anthony Gonzalez from Ohio St.

• 3:18pm - Dwayne Jarrett is still available.

• 3:00pm - No takers for Randy Moss? Russell to Moss doesn't sound that bad, does it? ~30 minutes to the Raiders next pick.

• 10:51am - Still no word on Moss. Dolphins pass on Quinn. What is going on???

• 10:15am - Tom Condon fighting for his life to attract new clients next year. He's right about value on theboard in Quinn and Petersen, but he's still a slimy agent.

• 10:15am - The first thing LaRon Landry better do with that contract money is buy whoever is hosting his draft day a new couch!

• 10:12am - Adrian Petersen may turn out to be the steal of the draft. This guy was the consensus #1 player entering the 2006 NCAA season.

• 9:56am - Unbelievably, the Miami Dolphins may get their QB without having to do anything.

• 9:54am - Bucs take Gaines Adams. Chuckie irritated with having to "waste" a 1st round pick on a defender.

• 9:51am - Raiders.com has yet to update its draft tracker. Does that mean JaMarcus Russell isn't staying?

• 9:42am - Browns fool everyone and take Joe Thomas. Chuckie forced to rethink his strategy.

• 9:31am - Lions take Calvin Johnson...how long till they fumble him?

• 9:30am - Adam Schefter reports that the Raiders demanded a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick this year and a 1st round pick next year from the Cleveland Browns for the 1st overall pick.

• 9:22am - Russell's black suit, black shirt and black tie look pretty good accessorized with the silver & black baseball hat eh?

• 9:21am - Kuiper: Russll's mobility us under rated. His arm strength is unquestioned.

• 9:20am - With the 1st overall pick, the Oakland Raiders select JaMarcus Russell - QB LSU

• 9:15am - Watching those clips of JaMarcus Russell's arm strength, it's tough to think the Raiders may be shopping this pick. Can't forget the economics of today's NFL. Can Al work a way to trade down and still pick up Russell. If anyone can, it's Big Al.

• 9:11am - Ed Werder reports the Al Davis was talked out of taking Matt Leinart last year by then head coach Art Shell, and now it's "Davis' mess to cleanup."

• 9:09am - The Raiders are officially ON THE CLOCK!

• 8:59am - Steve Young continues to lobby the Raiders to take Calvin Johnson, then pick up Stanford QB Trent Edwards.

• 8:57am - Ed Werder reports that Lane Kiffin has indicated that the Raiders are still in active discussions to move the 1st overall pick. Lions trying to figure out how to muff the #2 overall pick.

• 8:52am - Duing a tribute to those that died at Virgina Tech 2 weeks ago, fans in attendence at the draft boo Bruce Smith, Deangelo Hall and Michael Vick (all VT alums). Come on jackasses, put your homeristic ignorance aside for 2 minutes.

• 8:42am - Iron Fist Goodell responds to Boomer's questions about reefer report. Remarkably, Randy Moss' name not slipped into the question or response.

• 8:38am - Packers are rumored to be offering a 4th round pick for Randy Moss. The Raiders are holding out for a Day 1 pick. Patriots also rumored to be back in the equation.

• 8:30am - T-minus 30 minutes before the clock begins...so tack on another 15 minutes, because Al is going to make you wait.

• 8:29am - Chris Mortenson experiencing microphone problems. Can the audio technician responsible please do the same for Mel Kuiper?

• 8:17am - Randy Moss is still a Raider. Should the Packers make the move for the receiver, what do the Raiders get in return? If Aaron Rodgers isn't part of the deal, are the Packers dumb enough to deal the 16th overall pick for him?

• 8:11am - Joe Thomas boards a boat to go fishing on Lake Michigan. Lack of committment to the game? Nerves? or too cool? A contrarian like that is the type of player Al Davis loves.

• 8:06am - Ed Werder reports that the Raiders deny that they have told JaMarcus Russell has been gauranteed that the Raiders will take him as the #1 overfall pick. Werder also reports that the Raiders have indicated that there is a 20% chance of moving the pick.

• 8:05am - Mel Kuiper begins to spew. Just checked NFL.com...if you're on a dial up connection, don't even bother hitting that site. The traffic hitting that site now is already insane.

• 8:00am - ESPN broadcast is LIVE! Get ready for two hours of "candid" shots of JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn and Calvin Johnson. Hey, Boomer just stole my Christmas line.

• 7:58am - Christmas Day indeed. It's not even 8am on a Saturday and my big butt is parked in my living room ready to open my presents. If that isn't Christmas Day, I don't know what is!

>> On to Day 2

Pre-Draft Notes: Moss to be Traded?

2007-04-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

• The latest out of Alameda has the Raiders trading the 1st overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns 1st round pick (3rd overall) and wide receiver Braylon Edwards.

• Rumors are swirling that wide receiver Randy Moss will be traded eiather before or during this weekend's draft. The Green Bay Packers supposedly held a meeting recently to debate whether it was worth acquiring the disgruntled Moss. We'll post news as it comes along.

• Will the Raiders pull a patented “Raider Draft Day End Around” and fool everyone with their pick? Would it surprise you if they did? JaMarcus Russell is the primary target, but Calvin Johnson sure would look good in silver & black.

• The bigger mystery on Saturday will be who the Raiders take in the 2nd round. That’s assuming they have a 2nd round pick to use come Saturday morning. Do the Raiders package that pick for a late QB addition? I’ve seen a lot of talk about using it on USC receiver Dwayne Jarret, but frankly, I don’t think Jarret is going to last.

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2007-04-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

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Remembering Darryl Stingley and Jack Tatum

2007-04-06T22:14:00.000-07:00

Stingley never walked again

Former New England Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley finally succumbed to the prison that was his paralysis earlier this week. Stingley died in a Chicago hospital on Thursday after spending the last 29 years as a quadriplegic. His paralysis, the effect of a hit by former Raiders safety Jack Tatum.

Stingley’s story is undoubtedly a sad one. A star athlete cut down in the prime of his career. In passing, Stingley’s death revived all the criticisms of Tatum and the nature of his playing style.

Tatum’s nickname was the “assassin”. A moniker befitting a hard hitting defender that prowled the secondary during the Raiders hay days. Tatum is a legend in Raider land, because of the fear he instilled in opposing receivers who dared to run crossing patterns. There was no other peer that commanded the same amount of respect that Tatum did, yet his legacy will forever be forged by a hit he made in a meaningless pre-season game in 1978.

To this day, Tatum holds no regrets for his decision to level Stingley on that early autumn afternoon. He was doing his job. He was playing with the same ferocity that any modern day NFL defender plays with. Yet, he is considered by some to be a dirty player.

What true NFL fan wouldn’t want Jack Tatum roaming their secondary in his prime? What true fan would want a defender who lets up on an opponent? Those kinds of players don’t last in the NFL.

Tatum need not burden himself with regrets. He didn’t beat up his wife or take performance enhancing drugs. Tatum played the game the way any honest player should play the game. It was a football injury that could happen on any lay to any player. It just happened to involve Tatum.

"I don't think I did anything wrong that I need to apologize for. It was a clean hit”, Tatum would say countless times after the play.

The two never met to reconcile whatever needed reconciling, but Tatum at least made an attempt. He claims to have paid a visit to Stingley in the hospital shortly after the incident, but Stingley’s family refused to let Tatum see the injured receiver. The two never met again.

I remember watching that game with my dad, and seeing the play unfold. It was nothing extraordinary. A guy running across the middle, leaps for the ball and gets popped on the way down. He just didn’t get up.

People would criticize the fact that it was a meaningless pre-season game and that Tatum was overzealous. Anyone that’s ever played the game will tell you that getting hit in the pre-season is no less jarring as a hit in the regular season. Was Tatum supposed to tone it down? Was there an unwritten rule that tackles should be made at 50%?

"Yeah, everybody is supposed to play really hard and then get up at the end like nobody is hurt," Tatum said Friday from his home in Oakland, Calif. "It's unrealistic. If you want to play football for a living, you're going to get injured.

Yet here we are almost 30 years later justifying or defending claims that Tatum was a dirty player. Jack Tatum was no dirty player.

"I feel sorry for what happened to him," said Tatum. "I tried to apologize to him a number of times, but people around him wouldn't let that happen."

That’s the thing. Tatum didn’t owe Stingley anything, much less an apology. It was a football play that ended badly for one person, but has haunted another for 30 years.

QBs 'R Us

2007-03-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Raiders appear to be poised to go on a quarterback stockpile binge. Everyone knows about the JaMarcus Russell / Brady Quinn decision looming with the upcoming NFL Draft, but the Raiders also keep coming up in free agent signing rumors.

David Carr, the former Houston Texans and Fresno State Bulldogs QB hit the open market last week after the Texans decided to acquire Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons. Carr's name immediately becomes synonymous with the Raiders, who are in the uncomfortable position of being without a clear #1 at the position.

Carr, faltered in Houston, where the absence of an offensive line made it difficult for him to be successful. The Raiders are in a similar situation and desperately need to rebuild their line in order to start any serious talk about having a quality offense. What Carr has proven, is that he is ineffective when faced with constant pressure. The Texans allowed an average of 3.4 sacks per game during Carr’s tenure.

With the Raiders line in such disarray, it’s impractical to call Carr anything more than a stopgap solution until one of their younger quarterbacks develops (assuming they draft Russell or Quinn).

Andrew Walter is also someone the Raiders need to decide what to do with. Walter is still a work in progress. Giving up on him would be a mistake, although the Raiders need to decide what to do with him should they take one of the two QBs that are sure to go in the top 10 in this year’s draft.

Keeping Walter and bypassing Russell or Quinn would be a mistake, which means that you either have to make him a backup lifer, or you move him. The Raiders should take the San Diego Chargers approach to a similar problem they had three season ago, when they acquired Philip Rivers and still had Drew Brees.

The Raiders should commit the position to Walter next season. Place his destiny in his own hands by making him the starter in 2007. The Raiders don’t cast rookies into the heat of the fire anyway, so Russell or Quinn will sit next season anyway.

What the Raiders shouldn’t do is pass on the QBs in the draft and proceed with Walter as their committed #1 without a viable option down the road. A Carr and Walter battle doesn’t sound like the best answer, but who knows what the Raiders will do. Calvin Johnson is widely regarded as the best available player in the draft, and the Raiders could need another receiver should they move Randy Moss.

Interestingly, the Texans supposedly were forced to up the ante on Schaub, because the Raiders expressed interest in the former Falcons backup.

Oakland made a peculiar move on Wednesday by signing former Seattle Seahawks QB Josh Booty. The LSU star (and NFL bust) has been out of football since 2003, but the Raiders have him under contract. Unless they intend on using him for sack drill fodder for the defense, the signing makes you scratch your head.

Raiders add Griffith

2007-03-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

The Raiders fullback Justin Griffith to a $3.8 million, three-year contract on Saturday. The deal with Griffith comes a day after Oakland signed running back Dominic Rhodes to a $7.5 million contract. The addition of the two backs provides some needed depth to the Raiders running game. LaMont Jordan missed half the season in 2006 due to injury.

Griffith's addition provides a true blocker at fullback. Zack Crockett has provided more situational help at the full back position, but wasn't the blocking answer the Raiders need.

Bucs now interested in Moss

2007-03-08T11:29:00.000-08:00

The St Petersburg Times is reporting that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now in the race to acquire Raiders receiver Randy Moss.

Story: Bucs Curious About Moss?

The Newberry experiment begins

2007-03-07T23:20:00.000-08:00

I hope I’m wrong. Flat out wrong. I made no bones about my objection to the potential signing of offensive lineman Jeremy Newberry in a post several weeks ago. Do the Raiders need help up front? Of course they do. Is Newberry the best option out there? Out 448 possible free agents available (not all O-linemen mind you), was Newberry the first priority?

I say no.

Not that there aren’t plenty of places Newberry could play on Oakland’s line. He’s a natural center, and Jake Grove can’t be considered a serious long term solution at the position. Grove did start all 16 games at center for Oakland in 2006, but he was a minor obstacle for opposing defenses.

Finances, as is more the norm, unfortunately contributed to the Raiders decision. Their cap situation didn’t leave them in a position where they could spend big dollars on free agents. There’s also the issue of availability at the position.

Newberry comes at a reasonable $1.5 million, and his deal is limited to a single season.

Tampa Bay’s Sean Mayhan is the only free agent lineman with center experience that’s still available. Mayhan spent all of 2006 at left guard, but he’s an option in the middle. Denver guard Cooper Carlisle also remains an option.

Oakland missed out on Eric Steinbach (signed with Cleveland). Shaun O'Hara and Pro-Bowler Rueben Brown are out of Oakland’s price range (and Brown’s too old). And that’s all she wrote folks. No mas on the free agent market.

So the Newberry experiment begins. The guy’s credentials are decent, but those knees are a huge liability.

I hope I’m wrong about Jeremy Newberry.

News & Notes:

The Raiders also added four more assistant coaches: John DeFilippo (QBs), James Cregg (Assistant O-Line), Randy Hanson (Assistant DBs) and Sanjay Lal (Quality Control, Offense). Kelly Skipper, who was hired last month, will coach tight ends.

Moss talks back on?

2007-03-04T21:12:00.000-08:00

Profootballtalk.com reports that discussions between the Raiders and Packers picked up where they left off on a possible transaction which would send Randy Moss to Green Bay. The deal apparently stalled while the Raiders were trying to lure QB Jeff Garcia to Oakland.

The Packers are rumored to be offering Aaron Rodgers or a second round draft pick in exchange for Moss. Seems a little light in terms of compensation for Moss, but maybe the Raiders are willing to cut their losses and get the high priced headache out of Oakland once and for all.

PFT also mentions the Jags and Patriots as potential suitors for Moss’ services. Can’t really see Bill Belichick putting up with Randy Moss’s nonsense.

Glad to hear the Raiders inked Ronald Curry to a one year deal on Sunday. Curry is one of those guys that always seems to be on the verge of taking that next step, but circumstances always seem to get in the way. Who will ever forget that one-handed grab he made in Denver in the end-zone on that snowy Monday night a couple of years ago.

Injuries have been Curry’s biggest obstacles. The guys has skills, he just needs to get past the IR every year. I’d love to see him thrive as the Raiders # 2 receiver (which assumes that I get my wish and Moss is dealt before the start of training camp).

As for the other free agents being considered by Oakland, Daniel Graham seems like a reasonable solution to help establish more blocking presence on the line AND catch a few balls. Reggie Kelly is another option.

Ahman Green is a has-been, which means the Raiders will probably ink him to a multi-year deal.

New Number, New Porter?

2007-02-22T00:09:00.000-08:00

Will the real Jerry
Porter please stand up

So Jerry Porter is ready to join the party. Good for Jerry. I think. It’s no secret that he and former Raiders head coach Art Shell butted heads from day one. It’s also no secret that Porter was deactivated and / or suspended for the majority of the 2006 season. With Shell’s departure, Porter was re-born. His career as a Raider salvaged in the blink of an eye.

On Wednesday, Porter released a statement through the Raiders, re-engaging himself as part of the Raider Nation, albeit in the form of a number change from 84 to 81.

"For me the new number represents a new start, a new beginning and new attitude," he said in a statement released by the team. "I've had multiple meetings with coach Kiffin and I am very excited about the direction of our team and especially our offense. I can't wait to get started."

It’s too bad something as simple as a number change can’t wipe away all past transgressions.

For the record, I used to be a big Jerry Porter fan. Granted, I don’t know what happened behind closed doors, but I do know that Porter demanded a trade last season. I do know that Porter was in the middle of a feud that divided the Raiders last season, and for that I have issues with Jerry Porter.

To frame my issue, you have to take a step back to the 2001 season. That was the year the Raiders signed Jerry Rice. Porter was entering his second season with Oakland, and was the heir apparent to Tim Brown as the Raiders #1 receiver.

Only a second year receiver, Porter had a lot to learn about life in the NFL. He was smart enough to recognize that he had the two greatest receivers in NFL history as mentors in Rice and Brown. He was smart enough to watch, listen and learn over the course of the next three seasons.

Jerry Porter, for all intent purposes, was not a problem child. By 2003 Brown was gone. Less than a year later, Rice would be put to pasture. Porter was finally the man.

Fast forward to the winter of 2005 and the Raiders acquire Randy Moss. Still, Porter plays the loyal Raider and accepts his role as Moss’ second. He’s not Moss’ understudy, but he’s also not the Raiders number one receiver.

Certainly, not a great position to be in if you’re Porter, but he handled it as a professional.

That is, until 2006. Enter Shell, and the wheels fall off.

My issue with Jerry Porter and the great implosion of 2006 is that we all know he can be a team guy. He’s proven it. So why all the grief last season? Did he throw in the towel, knowing that the Raiders were destined to lay an egg in 2006? Did Jerry Porter force Art Shell’s hand in an attempt to bail on the situation?

Raider lifers don’t behave that way. Raider lifers don’t ask for trades. That’s what makes them Raider lifers. Nothing is bigger than the team. The sum of all parts is more important than one piece. That applies to Jerry Porter more than anyone, because he led us all to believe that he was a lifer.

Now he wants back in. What worries me more than anything is what convinced him to change his tune. What are the Raiders promising him? Asking for a trade is not something that many former Raiders have lived to tell about (at least as Raiders).

Marcus Allen, Ken Stabler, Dave Casper. They were all Raider greats. But when they forced Al Davis’ hand, the trigger was pulled. Those guys were jettisoned. So why not Porter?

I think Porter is an incredible talent. If I line up Porter today versus, say a Randy Moss, I’d take Porter over Moss for pure upside. In the right mindset, Porter is a better investment. But the question over his change of heart will always be something that tests the trust factor.

Is he in or is he out? If things go south in terms of wins & losses, is Jerry Porter going to be a guy that motivates his teammates to be better, or does he jump ship ala Moss? The Raiders already have a major headache in Moss. If Porter suddenly decides he doesn’t want to be a Raider, kiss the next two to three seasons goodbye. Add any Porter distractions to the Moss rifts and the damage will be catastrophic. Those two would do more damage than anything the Raiders have seen before.

Here’s hoping we see Porter return to his 2004-05 form and helps turn the Raiders around, rather than further divide a team in dire need of unification.

5 Holes Worth Plugging

2007-02-17T00:03:00.000-08:00

Is O-Line support in
the Raiders 2007 draft plans?

The NFL draft is a little more than two months away, but the prognosticators have been busy trying to figure out which prospects are headed to which teams since early January. Rather than focus on the “who’s available”, I thought I’d share my opinions on where the Raiders deepest holes exist in their current roster.

It’s obvious that one of the weakest offenses in the league is due for a major overhaul, but more importantly, the Raiders need to establish more reliable depth at a number of offensive positions. They had too many key positions filled with 2nd and 3rd options last season because of injury, suspension, you name it. These are not changes that are going to turn around a team in a season, because few draft picks do that, but they are areas that need to be upgraded.

These are the areas the Raiders MUST improve in order to have any shot at being competitive in the next 2-3 years. You take the best player available, when you’re in a position to do so. The Raiders have so many holes, it’s going to be hard for them not to address two or three just by showing up to the draft. Jamarcus Russell appears to be he consensus #1 pick, but it’s not the Raiders #1 need.

So here they are. My top 5 Raider needs entering the April 28-29 NFL Draft (in priority order):

Need #1: Right Tackle
Langston Walker has voided the final year of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Bishop O’Dowd and Cal alum could be resigned by the Raiders, but it’s unlikely. Brad Badger’s is no longer a viable option at the position, so it will be priority 1 to fill this position. If Robert Gallery kicks things into gear, Chad Slaughter is an option at left tackle, but Gallery’s injury plagued 2006 is a constant liability for the Raiders.

Need #2: Left Guard
Barry Sims is about to enter his 9th season in the league, but it’s unlikely to be as a Raider. From 2001 through mid 2006, Sims started 85 of 87 games for Oakland (including 68 straight), but a sports hernia sidelined him for five games last year. A $4.533 million roster bonus that’s due in March and a $1 million base salary in 2007 will most likely force the Raiders to cut Sims. Corey Hulsey didn’t provide much relief in Sims absence and the Raiders don’t have much else in terms of depth at the position. The Raiders are expected to move 2nd year guard Paul McQuistan over to the left side (his natural position is at left tackle).

Need #3: Running Back
LaMont Jordan is not a feature back, no matter what his contract says. His 1000-yard season in 2006 showed promise, but that may have been the high point of Jordan’s mediocre 6-year career. Marquee feature backs consistently turn out 1000-yard+ seasons, and Jordan has one under his belt. Jordan would complement a marquee back and provide the Raiders with some punch from the backfield, but the Raiders can’t rely on him as the main man if they’re serious about moving the ball down the field. Justin Fargas was a nice experiment, but he’s destiny is a 3rd-string option. If the Raiders could somehow find a decent running back, Fargas becomes expendable.

Need #4: Quarterback
Aaron Brooks is not the answer. His 61.7 QB rating was abysmal, and it’s declined every year for the past three seasons. His 88.8 rating in 2003 was the best rating he’s had in 8 NFL seasons. It’s time for Oakland to cut its losses with Brooks. The jury is still out on Andrew Walter, but his statuesque (as in he's as mobile as a statue) performance during his 8-game stint as the starter last season exposed a huge liability. Yes, he had defensive linemen in his grill on just about every passing play, but his 13 interceptions in 276 attempts proved that he made a lot of bad decisions as well. His visible frustration with kissing the turf as often as he did may have turned off many of his teammates as well. His 53.3 completion percentage wasn’t horrible, but it also wasn’t great.

Need #5: Free Safety
Stuart Schweigert had a career high 86 tackles in 2006, but he’s marginal at best in pass coverage, is weak in run support and is an average tackler. Jarrod Cooper is a career backup and the Derrick Gibson has never been able to lay claim to his spot in the secondary. The oft-injured Gibson enters his 7th season behind Michael Huff at strong safety, but could spell Schweigert at the free position if the Raiders are unable to solve this problem thru the draft or free-agency.

The Question Mark: Wide Receiver
Who knows how this soap opera is going to play out. Will Randy Moss grow up overnight and honor his contractual commitment to the Raider? Unlikely. Will the real Jerry Porter show up? Will he be on the active roster for us to find out? Who knows? Is Johnnie Morant the answer? The 8-Ball says no. Can Ronald Curry stay healthy? Wouldn’t count on it.

Around the Nation

2007-02-15T19:59:00.000-08:00

• John Clayton thinks it's time to let coaches stay coaches :: ESPN.com
• I totally disagree with Anthony Carroll's suggestion that Jeff Fish needs to be fired :: RealFootball365
• Some capatology news :: NFL.com
• There is someone who thinks th Raiders will draft Quinn :: AOL Fanhouse

Just coach baby!

2007-02-13T23:24:00.000-08:00

Coaching turmoil leads to team turmoil! No, that’s not the latest news out of Alameda (for once). That’s news from San Diego, where head coach Marty Schottenheimer was dismissed on Monday after another clash with Chargers GM A.J. Smith.

Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy you say? The head of the Oakland Raiders Fan Club, Schottenheimer was not. He did manage to lead his team to a 14-2 record in arguably the toughest division in pro football, so his firing is a bit surprising.

NFL insiders say the writing was on the wall, when Schottenheimer refused to sign a one-year extension to his contract and that his relationship with Smith has been tenuous at best. But the word now on the street is that Schottenheimer was let go over a disagreement with Smith and owner Dean Spanos over a decision to hire Schottenheimer’s brother Kurt, as defensive coordinator.

With the Chargers losing Cam Cameron and Wade Phillips, San Diego was left with two huge holes in its coaching corps. The rumor mill alleges that Schottenheimer demanded control of hiring decisions when it came to his coaches. Smith and Spanos disagreed, and the rest is history.

This leads me to the question of the day in Alameda. How much authority has Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin been extended in the hiring department? Has Al Davis given Kiffin the authority to bring in the people that he feels are best qualified for the job?

How much experience has Kiffin even had in the coaching evaluation department? The early signs suggest that Davis has extended a little latitude. Kiffin courted offensive coordinator Greg Knapp at the Senior Bowl in Mobile back in January.

It’s difficult to say how much influence Kiffin has had in the handful of hires that have taken place over the past month. Kiffin was supposedly responsible for notifying former coaches Tom Walsh and Jackie Slater that they were being let go, but that doesn’t mean he had the ultimate authority to decide on the release those coaches.

Certainly any head coach wants to work with the people he finds most comfortable to be around, but how much influence does a 31-year-old first year coach in the NFL have over a guy like Al Davis? Was hiring control part of the deal? Did he even demand it?

Kiffin certainly had no authority over the defensive coaching alignment. Then again, why would anyone want to tinker with the one bright spot in Alameda?

When Jon Gruden was hired by the Raiders in 1998, sweeping changes followed in the coaching ranks. Gruden was reported to have negotiated some control of personnel decisions, but it was never widely know how much control Gruden really had. After achieving relative success at the helm of the Raiders, Gruden’s eventual “trade” to Tampa Bay was expedited by Gruden’s demands for more control of football operations.

In any case, Kiffin has a mighty big job on his hands, and having a mentor like Al Davis isn't the worst thing in the world. At the very least, he's a month ahead of whomever San Diego fills their vacancy with.

A good day to be Shane Lechler

2007-02-11T11:46:00.000-08:00

When Raiders punter Shane Lechler woke up on Saturday morning, it was understandable for him to still be miffed at his Pro Bowl snubbing. Lechler was the topped ranked punter in the AFC, trailing only Mat McBriar for the title of league’s best. Lechler was passed over for the NFL’s All-Star game in favor of Brian Moorman from Buffalo.

By the end of Saturday’s contest, Lechler was probably thinking that enjoying the game from the comfort of his home in Texas turned out to be the better scenario. It certainly wasn’t the kind of day you dream about for Moorman.

The Bills punter didn’t get a chance to meet all of the NFC squad before the game, so Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor went out of his way to make his acquaintance on a foolish fake punt attempt. Moorman swept around the right side, only to be leveled by Taylor. The safety had about a 30 yard running start before knocking Moorman back to last Thursday.

Leave it Bill Belichick to call a play like that…with SOMEONE ELSE’S PUNTER! Mr. Sunshine was probably thinking back to Moorman’s 40 yard average in the Patriot's week 1 matchup with Buffalo, telling himself, “never again!” (Mr. Sunshine apparently doesn’t say more than two words at a time these days).

Lechler went to bed on Saturday with his head still firmly attached to his neck. We’re not so sure if Moorman can say the same thing.

Not sure what to think about Rathman

2007-02-09T23:50:00.000-08:00

I’m not sure what to think of Tom Rathman’s appointment as running backs coach by the Raiders this week. The guy was as solid as they come when he played for the 49ers back in the 80’s. In 1989 his 73 receptions led all running backs in the category.

Yes, a majority of those receptions were on quick swings out of the backfield, but when Rathman made those catches, they were typically for positive yards. We all know what the 49ers offense did in 1989 and Rathman was a big reason San Francisco was successful that year.

But as a coach, Rathman doesn’t make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. When Al Davis hired Jon Gruden, the hair stood up. There was so much talk of Gruden’s football aptitude, that it was hard not to get excited about the possibilities. I can’t say that any of Oakland’s recent coaching hires have had that ”wow” effect on me, but the Rathman one has me the most crossed up. It could be a good thing. Then again, it couldn’t.

You know you’re going to get a real professional, but are you going to get a true teacher or motivator. Being a success at the running back position is more about talent than technique. How a player fills a hole or shakes off a tackle is about physical skill. You don’t teach those things. Does Rathman have the coaching experience necessary to turn one of the weakest rushing attacks in the league around? I’m worried enough about having a head coach who is at the helm of a team for the first time in his coaching career.

What Rathman brings to the table is a wealth of knowledge about receiving out of the backfield. LaMont Jordan is no Tom Rathman when it comes to landing a reception as a second or third option for whomever is going to quarterback the Raiders offense. So perhaps there is some value in this hire.

Rathman was also a fullback. Does Jordan need to understand how to throw a lead block? The Raiders haven’t even had a true fullback since Jon Ritchie (no Zack Crockett isn’t a true fullback), so unless they’re planning on drafting a true bruising blocker, what expertise will Rathman bring to the Raiders backfield?

The one thing I hope Rathman does bring is a winning attitude. The frustration that Jordan exhibited in his last few games of the 2006 season told me that Jordan cared enough about losing, that a guy like Rathman could revitalize someone like him.

A reclamation project the Raiders should pass on

2007-02-08T01:55:00.000-08:00

The offensive line the Raiders put out on the field in 2006 was downright offensive. The league’s worst in total offense was anchored by a quintet that only averaged 246 yards per game last season. Oakland should be looking at every option available to improve on one of the biggest disappointments of 2006. Well, almost every option.

Former 49ers center Jeremy Newberry has expressed interest in playing for the Raiders after ten seasons in San Francisco. Newberry’s motivations are that he wants to remain in the Bay Area. He grew up in Antioch and played college ball at Cal, so it makes perfect sense for him to stick close to home.

What wouldn’t make sense is the Raiders taking a chance on lineman who has essentially missed the past two seasons because of knee problems. The cartilage in Newberry’s knees are mush, and so is his ability to be a reliable option at center.

The 49ers had the common sense to cut the two-time Pro Bowler after paying him millions to watch from the sidelines the past two seasons. The Raiders need a transformation on the O-line, but this isn’t the answer.

Raiders owner Al Davis loves reclamation projects. He especially loves taking in 49er castoffs and getting quality production out of them, just to rub it in his closest rival’s nose. Davis’ history of this is long and storied. He’s actually struck gold with a couple of these project. Remember that guy named Plunkett? What about Rice? That name ring a bell?

That history is what scares me about a potential move by the Raiders to sign Newberry. Davis would still love to show the 49ers that he can sniff out talent. If that talent is someone they passed on, even better. Problem is, San Francisco made the right move in ridding themselves of a liability that is nothing more than a crap-shoot.

This is one 49er castoff the Raiders need to stay away from.

A brief recap of some of the Raider reclamation projects that came from across the bay:

Riki Ellison (90-92)	Backup linebacker that served in spot role for 3 seasons
Charlie Garner (2001-03)	1900 all-purpose yards in 2002, and was key piece to the 03 Super Bowl team
Cedrick Hardman (80-81)	Won a ring in SB XV
Ronnie Lott (91-92)	8 picks in 91, but was on downside of his career
Jim Plunkett (78-86)	Led the Silver Black to two Super Bowl titles. The mother of all reclamation projects!
Marquez Pope (2000-01)	Spent two forgettable seasons in Oakland
Tom Rathman (94)	Quality fullback put to pasture after his final year in the NFL
Jerry Rice (2001-04)	243 receptions and 3,286 receiving yards in 3+ seasons and a Super Bowl appearance in '03
Bill Romanowski (2002-03)	Solidified linebacking corps in 2003, leading to SB XXXVII
Dana Stubblefield (2003)	Only played in 8 games in his one season in Oakland
Ted Washington (2004-05)	Started his career in SF, spent two seasons in Oakland

Coaching Staff Continues to Take Shape

2007-02-08T00:54:00.000-08:00

The Raiders added to their coaching staff on Wednesday, hiring Washington State running backs coach Kelly Skipper to the assistant offensive line coaching position. Skipper will assist recently hired O-line coach Tom Cable.

Skipper spent the last four years with the Cougars, and was with UCLA for four seasons prior to his stint in Pullman. He served as the Bruins offensive coordinator from 2001-02.

USC graduate assistant Yogi Roth declined the assistant wide receives position with the Raiders. Roth will remain with USC to assist with mentoring quarterbacks as he works toward his doctorate in communications management.

David Reaves, quarterbacks coach at South Carolina removed himself from consideration for the Raiders quarterbacks coach position. Reaves is the brother-in-law of Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin.

Re-Building the O-Line with Cable

2007-02-07T00:39:00.000-08:00

Tom Cable

The Raiders hired Tom Cable as their new offensive line coach on Tuesday, bringing in the former Atlanta Falcons line coach to take over wear Jackie Slater left off. You might be asking yourself right about now, why the hiring of an offensive line coach is a) newsworthy, b) interesting and/or c) of any relevance to fixing the Raiders offensive woes, the answer is, because the Atlanta Falcons led the NFL in rushing last season.

Can you name one running back on the Atlanta Falcons roster? Their 183.7 yards per game was tops in the NFL by more than 20 yards per game. In comparison, the Raiders averaged 94.9 yards per game. That’s almost double the rushing production over an entire season.

Now comes the bad news. The Raiders don’t have Michael Vick serving as a third back like the Falcons did last season, and with that league leading average, the Falcons were still tied for 26th in the league in rushing touchdowns with 9.

9 TDs is almost double the 5 the Raiders put into the end zone, but still, 9 does not compete with a LaDainian Tomlinson or Larry Johnson.

Flipping back to the positive, Cable knows new Raider offensive coordinator Greg Knapp’s system, so the transition should be easier than if he were walking into a blind situation. There is a history there.

Can the guy coach is the big question. He knows offenses. He served as the offensive coordinator at UCLA for two season (2004-05) and served as the head coach at Idaho for three years (2001-03). He also spent six years at Cal, serving as the O-line coach in Berkley.

If anything, the guy at least looks like an offensive line coach. If Oakland has guys getting hurt on the like they've had to endure the past few years, they can slap a helmet on the guy and send him out there!

Raiders add Perry to coaching staff

2007-02-05T20:17:00.000-08:00

The Raiders added former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Darren Perry to coach the secondary. Perry spent the last four years coaching defensive backs for the Steelers. Prior to that, Perrry spent a year in Cincinnati, as a safeties coach.

Before coaching, the 38-year-old played 139 games in the NFL for Pittsburgh and New Orleans. He signed with San Diego in 1999, but didn't play due to a neck injury. His first seven years in the league were spent with the Steelers, appearing in Super Bowl XXX.

"Darren's track record speaks for itself in Pittsburgh, first as an outstanding player and then equally as a proven coach," said Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin on Raiders.com. "His work in the defensive backfield has resulted in championship caliber play from all areas. More specifically, his work with Troy Polamalu, whom I'm very familiar with, has been outstanding and will translate well with the great talent we have here."

Perry’s appointment raises speculation on what long time defensive backs coach Willie Brown’s role will be with Perry in the coaching mix.

Perry was a decent defensive back in his day, starting his first 110 NFL games right out of Penn State in 1992. He had 35 career interceptions and 1 touchdown. There was no mention of Brown in Kiffin's statements.

What the Raiders can learn from SB XLI

2007-02-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl XLI is now complete. The Indianapolis Colts are World Champions. That certainly doesn’t have the same vile taste that it would if it began with “Denver Broncos” or “Kansas City Chiefs”. It’s not football nirvana for Raiders fans, but it’s something I can live with.

Tony Dungy got screwed in Tampa, although I don’t think the Bucs win Super Bowl XXXVI if Dungy is at the helm. The whole Jon Gruden angle is what put the Bucs over the top in that game. Gruden’s players actually won that game for Chuckie. It certainly wasn’t Brad Johnson. It was Dungy’s defense.

So now, Tony D. has a ring to call his very own. He deserved it. The Colts were the better team. Certainly better than the Bears defense. Much-maligned Bears quarterback Rex Grossman will be eaten alive over the next few days, but if you dissect this game, Grossman was no worse than a defense that couldn’t stop Joseph Addai or Dominic Rhodes.

The two Colts backs shredded the Bears for 190 rushing yards and a TD. The 247 yards of passing wasn’t vintage Manning, but it didn’t need to be. Chicago expected to face a passing barrage from the Colts, but they failed to compensate for the early warnings. Namely, the weather.

The 40% chance of rain turned into a monsoon in South Florida, but the Bears never adjusted for a rushing attack that few thought would be a problem for the Bears defense. Least of all, the Bears defense themselves.

The weather also turned what should have been a showcase of the best two teams in the NFL into a game of “he who makes the fewest mistakes, wins” game. The Super Bowl shouldn’t be decided by the elements, but this one had 6 fumbles that were rain induced. It’s too bad, because we’ll never know what could have been had this game been played in on a dry field. If Al Davis had gotten his wish, today's game would have been played at teh Coliseum. Sunny skies and mid 60's in Oakland sure looked more inviting than the rain drenched Miami marshlands.

Manning can now forever shed the underachiever tag that has haunted his career, and the Colts defense can take solace in the fact that they stepped up in the only game that mattered.

What was the most evident today is the fact that championship franchises in today’s NFL have a few things in common:

• They don’t have problem players on their rosters
• Their coaches are sensible, level headed leaders who have the flexibility to lead
• They have quarterbacks that can carry a team
• They have players who step up when it counts
• They don't need an all-star laden roster to be great

I hope the Raiders brass takes this to heart as they take steps to build the franchise back to the prominence that made it great. Distractions have been far too commonplace in Oakland, so it's time to get to work.

Every team is tied starting tomorrow. Don't expect the Raiders to be a pre-season favorite to appear in SB XLII, but they should be working to move forward. It's time to mimic the two teams that played today in so many ways.

They’ll get to take notes while in the presence of greatness as early as next season, as they’ll square off against both Super Bowl participants in the regular season.

Super Bowl Links that Matter

2007-02-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

• Super Halftime Show Guide at Deadly Hippos
• Peyton Manning As Jack Bauer at Sports Gone South
• The Star-Spangled Banner Lyrics at Music Lyrics Blog
• You may want to reconsider your church SB Pool at Managing Editor’s Weblog
• Lingerie Bowl 4 if you're not into Prince
• The Battle For the Universe at Rumors and Rants

Super Bowl Monday

2007-02-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

The Raiders aren't in the big game, so is it even worth celebrating? Ah what the hell, it's the Super Bowl. If you're anything like the throngs of Americans who will be plopped in front of the tube this afternoon (if you're reading the chances are pretty good), then you'll be engaged in the NFL's version of New Year's Eve. If you're a Bears or Colts fan, it'll be like Christmas.

So for those of you celebrating the end of the NFL season tonight, it makes perfect sense that Monday be declared a national holiday. So say the folks at SuperBowlMonday.com.

The grass roots effort is building a petition that will get our nation's lawmakers to get the holiday written into law. They even provide a handy list of contact information for your state's Senate and House representatives.

Guy's HOF Punt Blocked

2007-02-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

Ray Guy

Ray Guy had his Hall of Fame punt blocked on Saturday. It was a slap in the face to arguably the greatest punter in NFL history. The veteran of 14 seasons, all with the Raiders, was eligible for the 6th time since retiring in 1986 and once again he’s left wondering if a punter will ever get into the hall.

If not Guy, what other punter is worthy of the distinguished honor? The answer is simple. There is no punter who is more deserving than Guy. His contributions to the Raiders during the glory days of the 70’s & 80’s are no less important than any other player who donned the silver & black.

When opposing teams stopped Raider drives, they knew that there was the added burden of having the Raiders punter boom the ball 70 yards if the field would allow or having a pooch punt pinned inside the 5 anytime Guy touched the ball.

“Hang time”, the term used to measure the period a punted ball stays in the air, was coined because of Guy’s prodigious blasts. Guy’s precision with the ball left many an opponent pinned to their own end zone after a coffin corner deposit.

In 1985, Guy’s 15th year in the league, he left opponents inside their own 20 yard-line 32 times. He had punts over 70 yards in three seasons and he averaged less than 40 yards per punt in a season only once. That came in 1982, the Raiders first year in Los Angeles, when Guy only played in 9 of 16 games.

In his illustrious career, Guy totaled fore than 44,000 yards in punt length. 44,000 yards! In 1,049 regular season games, Guy was only blocked 3 times. He’s been kept out of the Hall of Fame twice as many times as he was blocked in 16 years of punting.

The fact that Guy spent 16 years with the same franchise is a feat in itself, especially when you consider the fickleness (or greed) of today’s player. For a punter to last that long is a remarkable achievement. Punting for the same franchise for 16 years is Herculean.

2007 HOF inductee Charlie Sanders had 31 receiving touchdowns over a 10 year career with Detroit, a team that had winning seasons four times over that span. Guy’s Raiders finished 7-9 in 1981 and 8-8 in 1986. Sanders’ championship affiliations? None. Guy has three rings.

6 straight Pro Bowl appearances (7 total) and a collegiate award named in his honor are simply icing on a Hall of Fame career. Plain and simple.

The voters need to see past the position and do what’s right. Let’s hope they make amends for this in 2008.

The commish needs to grow some teeth

2007-02-02T22:32:00.000-08:00

Does NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell really mean what he says, or is the first year head of the most powerful league in North American sports just paying lip service to the rash of black eyes the league has endured in the past year? Speaking at his first Super Bowl press conference since taking the reigns from Paul Tagliabue, Goodell told reporters on Friday that the league had to take a harder look at the rash of off-field incidents that players have been involved in this year.

"I don't see it happening in droves. I think it's just a few, but that's a few too many," said Goodell. "We recognize some players don't do what we would hope they do and when that happens, we will be very aggressive in dealing with that."

If you don’t consider the nine arrests alone that have gone down in Cincinnati this year droves, then what qualifies?

Remember when the Raiders used to be the bad boys of the NFL? Heck, they’re the choir boys of the AFC West these days, when you consider the likes of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams (murdered outside a club in January) and San Diego’s Steve Foley (league’s best Butch Cassidy vs. armed police impersonation last Summer). Don’t even get me started on Sean Merriman.

Tank Willams needed special permission to leave Illinois, so he could participate in the Super Bowl on Sunday. Goodell, doesn’t just have a problem on his hands, he has a plague to deal with.

"We are raised to a higher standard in the NFL. We must make sure the players are more accountable and our clubs are more accountable,” added Goodell.

I think he may be on to something. Hold the clubs more accountable to whip their soldiers into shape. If someone on your roster gets shot by police, you should lose a 1st round draft pick. Just think how motivated these teams would be if they had to make that type of concession.

Holding the players accountable has done squadoosh to curb the recklessness and disregard for common civility. So hit the teams up for this insanity. If a team starts to pay the price for the transgressions of its players, then perhaps they’ll get serious about imposing harsher punishments on players.

Former Raider great Gene Upshaw has proven to be a champion of the players rights and privileges, but I’m almost embarrassed for him. He’s like a death row lawyer who fights to save the lives of his clients, regardless of their crime.

Upshaw can score one more victory if he were to move proactively with the league to set higher standards for the players that he represents. It’ll probably never happen, but I can only imagine what heinous act it’s going to take before the players open their eyes. For the league’s sake, I hope Goodell means business.

Raiders All-Super Bowl Team: Defense

2007-02-02T00:04:00.000-08:00

Finishing off my selections for all-time Raider greats in Super Bowls, here are the best players at each defensive position:

DL – John Matuzak (SB XI, XV)
DL – Reggie Kinlaw (SB XV, XVIII)
DL – Howie Long (SB XVIII)
LB – Ted Hendricks (SB XI, XV)
LB – Rod Martin (SB XV, XVIII) 3 int, 44 yds
LB – Matt Millen (SB XV, XVIII)
LB – Jack Squirek (SB XVIII) 1 int, 5 yds, 1 TD
CB – Willie Brown (SB XI) 1 int, 75 yds, 1 TD
CB – Lester Hayes (SB XV, XVIII)
FS – Jack Tatum (SB XI)
SS – Mike Davis (SB XV, XVIII)

Defensive evaluations are made strictly on game impact. The NFL did not record sacks until the 1982 Super Bowl. Likewise, tackle information is not recorded in SB records.

Brown and Squirek’s interceptions may be the most memorable because they both scored touchdowns, but Rod Martin’s three picks may have been the most influential defensive performance in any of the five Raider Super Bowl appearances. His first setup the first Raiders score against Philadelphia in SB XV, and his second stopped a drive that the Eagles were mounting during a tightly contested game. His third pick iced the game for the Raiders.

Jack Tatum’s hit on Sammy White in SB XI goes down as the biggest tackle in Raider’s Super Bowl history. The shot knocked White’s helmet off, intimidating the Vikings receivers for the rest of the game.

I can’t forget Special Teams:

P – Ray Guy (SB XI, XV, XVIII) 40.5, 42.0 and 47.0 Avg
K – Chris Bahr (SB XV, XVIII) 8 PATs, 3 FGs (21, 35, 46 yds)
PR – Neal Colzie (SB XI)
KR – Carl Garrett (SB XI)
SP – Derrick Jensen (SB XVIII) 1 blocked punt, TD