I begin this post among the scuffle that has taken place with just under a minute and a half to go in the first half. After a nice penalty call against the Browns (unsportsmanlike from Center Alex Mack), the field erupted and flags were going everywhere (Youtube it, it was pretty entertaining). Two penalties offset each other, and that would have been all good and well, were it not for Richard Seymour's inability to let it go. Long story short, Seymour should have just thrown Mohammed Massaquoi over his shoulder and carried him into the end zone.
Nice job, once again, guys.
On a more positive note, Stanford Routt was ejected from the game. It's no secret that the Home Field is adamantly anti-Routt. Take a look at every big play going against the Raiders for the last couple years, and you will very likely see Routt's jersey somewhere in the mix. Bad tackling and blown coverages are just a couple tricks in Stanford's bag.
Good luck in free agency. Please sign with the San Diego Chargers.
Final note: As I was finishing this article, Janikowski booted in that epic 61-yarder. That shut a lot of Brownies up, I'll wager. Al Davis, start drafting this man's new monster contract right now.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Steroids Are Bad, mmkay?
In some very unsurprising news, Raiders fullback Luke Lawton has been suspended for the remaining two games of the season (as well as two next season) for violating the leagues substance-abuse guidelines. I don't mean to convey that it's not surprising due to Lawton's character or history (neither of which I know much about), but rather that it's no longer shocking to see athlete's being punished for using performance enhancing drugs.
It's reasonable to assume, in fact, that Lawton did not even know he was using PEDs. Many athletes being suspended today swear that they were using over-the-counter supplements which contained off-label ingredients banned by sporting authorities. This ability to buy banned substances at your local mall is something that has needed to be addressed by the FDA (or a similar body) for a long time now. Neither the NFL nor the Oakland Raiders organization has indicated what performance-enhancing drugs were at play, but the Star Caps suit has brought this trend of over-the-counter steroids into the spotlight, and should be addressed immediately before more careers are put in jeopardy.
As a final note, Luke Lawton is due to be a free agent in the off-season and probably will serve his suspension on another team. Gary Russell has been a fairly bright spot in a backfield of Russells, and will probably start next season with a free-agent pickup or draftee backing him up.
As always, you heard it here last.
It's reasonable to assume, in fact, that Lawton did not even know he was using PEDs. Many athletes being suspended today swear that they were using over-the-counter supplements which contained off-label ingredients banned by sporting authorities. This ability to buy banned substances at your local mall is something that has needed to be addressed by the FDA (or a similar body) for a long time now. Neither the NFL nor the Oakland Raiders organization has indicated what performance-enhancing drugs were at play, but the Star Caps suit has brought this trend of over-the-counter steroids into the spotlight, and should be addressed immediately before more careers are put in jeopardy.
As a final note, Luke Lawton is due to be a free agent in the off-season and probably will serve his suspension on another team. Gary Russell has been a fairly bright spot in a backfield of Russells, and will probably start next season with a free-agent pickup or draftee backing him up.
As always, you heard it here last.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Another Win in the Books
But is it really a "win"?
Any win is a good win, of course. In particular, this win assures the Raiders will finish with at least five wins (and two games left to play, one very winnable). This, in turn, assures that we will have matched or improved on our record every year since 2006. For all the hooplah about how dysfunctional this franchise is, there are at least a few other teams who have been on a finishing record roller coaster, including next week's opponent, the typically-hapless Cleveland Browns.
So what could spoil such a great occasion? Before Sunday, it was a general sentiment in the Oakland media (and evidently in the Raiders camp itself) that JaMarcus Russell would be on his way out, clearing a hell of a lot of salary cap space and also removing a player who seemingly does not care enough to be a QB in the NFL.
This sentiment was further engrained when once #3 QB Charlie Frye was given the start in Bruce Gradkowski's place. It seemed that Coach Cable would have to be out of his mind to put Russell in for the start, and his actions clearly backed this notion up. And then, lo and behold, Frye gets hurt after a lackluster yet not altogether disastrous three quarters, and Cable is backed into a wall. It's either Russell or J.P. Losman, a guy that started the season on a UFL roster and had only been signed for a week. Personally, I think I would have taken my chances with J.P., but then I would have been wrong.
Who would have guessed that JaMarcus would lead this team to a last minute touchdown with less than forty seconds remaining, against one of the best pass defenses in the league, a team that had shut us out of the end zone in Oakland earlier this year? Well, it happened, and that had to restore some confidence from Al Davis, who like it or not will ultimately decide his fate at the end of the season.
So was it a perfect win? Not by a long shot. We're back in limbo on who it is we should be paying to lead this team, and who should be kicked to the curb. Ideally, I would hope that it comes down to who shows the commitment and work ethic needed to be a quarterback in this league. Any other factor is simply icing on the cake. It all comes down to commitment, which is a fact that holds true in many areas of life.
This would be post #100 by the way. Here's to a 100,000 more to come!
Any win is a good win, of course. In particular, this win assures the Raiders will finish with at least five wins (and two games left to play, one very winnable). This, in turn, assures that we will have matched or improved on our record every year since 2006. For all the hooplah about how dysfunctional this franchise is, there are at least a few other teams who have been on a finishing record roller coaster, including next week's opponent, the typically-hapless Cleveland Browns.
So what could spoil such a great occasion? Before Sunday, it was a general sentiment in the Oakland media (and evidently in the Raiders camp itself) that JaMarcus Russell would be on his way out, clearing a hell of a lot of salary cap space and also removing a player who seemingly does not care enough to be a QB in the NFL.
This sentiment was further engrained when once #3 QB Charlie Frye was given the start in Bruce Gradkowski's place. It seemed that Coach Cable would have to be out of his mind to put Russell in for the start, and his actions clearly backed this notion up. And then, lo and behold, Frye gets hurt after a lackluster yet not altogether disastrous three quarters, and Cable is backed into a wall. It's either Russell or J.P. Losman, a guy that started the season on a UFL roster and had only been signed for a week. Personally, I think I would have taken my chances with J.P., but then I would have been wrong.
Who would have guessed that JaMarcus would lead this team to a last minute touchdown with less than forty seconds remaining, against one of the best pass defenses in the league, a team that had shut us out of the end zone in Oakland earlier this year? Well, it happened, and that had to restore some confidence from Al Davis, who like it or not will ultimately decide his fate at the end of the season.
So was it a perfect win? Not by a long shot. We're back in limbo on who it is we should be paying to lead this team, and who should be kicked to the curb. Ideally, I would hope that it comes down to who shows the commitment and work ethic needed to be a quarterback in this league. Any other factor is simply icing on the cake. It all comes down to commitment, which is a fact that holds true in many areas of life.
This would be post #100 by the way. Here's to a 100,000 more to come!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
A Free Agent QB Wish List
Now that the JaMarcus Russell experiment has clearly failed miserably (apparently, even Al's quietly supporting the notion), a lot of commentary has been produced about what kind of move the Raiders could decide to make in the draft. It's highly likely the Raiders will be making a pick in the top ten this year, and many have speculated that Notre Dame standout Jimmy Clausen or Oklahoma's Sam Bradford could be top candidates for consideration. The clear alternative would be giving one of our other current QB's a shot at full-season starter. Gradkowski's given this team a breath of life, to be certain, but I don't see him as a long-term solution to bring back the glory days.
With this in mind, I've created a list of field general free agents to be, though it's very likely some of them won't make it to the open market.
1. Kyle Orton - Without a doubt, Orton would be the most desirable free agent quarterback on the market. However, it's very unlikely, given the success he's had in Denver, that he will be allowed to walk away or even test the free agency waters. Couple this with the fact that Orton was probably terrified of free agency only a year ago, and it seems highly likely that he'll stay a Bronco for years to come. It's also worth mentioning that he's hardly a prototype player in Al Davis' strong-armed system. He's a smart, check-down passer, not a long ball type.
2. Tarvaris Jackson - Many would argue that the quarterback in the #3 spot here would be a better choice, but I would love to see what Tarvaris Jackson could do in a new system. Not that the Oakland system would be the very best for him, but a new coach with a new offensive coordinator could build around a mobile passer and really make some interesting things happen. He's shown a lot of spunk coming off the bench, which means he's committed and hard-working, something we can't say about our current not-so-mobile passer. Unfortunately, he'll only become a restricted free agent if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement isn't reached. Even if it isn't reached, the Vikings will likely do what they can to keep him locked up.
3. Jason Campbell - He's taken a lot of heat in D.C., but there's no denying that he's been better than what we've been looking at for the past five seasons or so. He had a career game against the New Orleans Saints defense that has been a turnover machine this season, which is a sure sign that he's got the right stuff, when used correctly. Let's face it, the offense of the Redskins was a mess this season, and they can't really know what they have until they get it resolved. Should they decide to look another way (early suggestions point to Bradford), I wouldn't be all that disappointed to see Oakland give him a chance at competing for the starting role.
4. David Carr - Most members of the Nation would probably rather not consider this scenario, but in reality it could be a great fit. He's had a great deal of success as a backup in New York (as much as a rarely used backup can enjoy) and he's got that strong arm that Al loves. It's almost unfair to judge him from his years in Houston, as in those days he was setting sack records all the time. Sometimes it didn't look like they were using an offensive line. This would be a great pickup by the Raiders if they can get him for a reasonable price. Worst case scenario, we get a reliable backup.
Now that the possible free agents are out of the way, there's a few potential cast-off's that could also be interesting fits in Oakland.
1. Sage Rosenfels - If Brett Favre somehow manages to get another season in, and Tarvaris Jackson stays put, they are going to have so much money tied up in the QB position that they will simply have to make a cut somewhere. That cut could end up being Rosenfels. Expected to take the starting role prior to the Favre saga, Sage showed some great stuff in his backup role with Houston, and could really bring a great mental presence (not to mention some leadership) to a team that's needed some for years. If I had to pick one of any of these QBs, free agents or not, this may very well end up being my pick. He's got a lot of good years left in him and some unseen potential.
2. Michael Vick - Well, the heat's blown over, no one's pissed anymore and it wouldn't seem quite so typical for the Raiders to take a chance on him. The Eagles sure as hell have no good use for him, so why not send him off into the sunset to clear some cap space? They got him for dirt cheap this season, but if they pick up his option he gets a bit more pricey. I've always felt a mobile passer like Vick or Vince Young would be a great look for Oakland. This would be a bit of a risky move, however, as we still haven't gotten a great look at whether this guy still has the goods or not.
In case you're still looking for an answer, here's the rest of the expected free agent QBs to come, along with the team they currently are signed with and their ages.
Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh Steelers (35)
Kyle Boller, St. Louis Rams (29)
Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs (27)
Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions (33)
Rex Grossman, Houston Texans (30)
Joey Harrington, New Orleans Saints (31)
Jon Kitna, Dallas Cowboys (37)
Matt Moore, Carolina Panthers (26) – Restricted FA
Chris Redman, Atlanta Falcons (33)
Brett Ratliff, Cleveland Browns (25) – Exclusive Rights FA
Troy Smith, Baltimore Ravens (26) – Restricted FA
With this in mind, I've created a list of field general free agents to be, though it's very likely some of them won't make it to the open market.
1. Kyle Orton - Without a doubt, Orton would be the most desirable free agent quarterback on the market. However, it's very unlikely, given the success he's had in Denver, that he will be allowed to walk away or even test the free agency waters. Couple this with the fact that Orton was probably terrified of free agency only a year ago, and it seems highly likely that he'll stay a Bronco for years to come. It's also worth mentioning that he's hardly a prototype player in Al Davis' strong-armed system. He's a smart, check-down passer, not a long ball type.
2. Tarvaris Jackson - Many would argue that the quarterback in the #3 spot here would be a better choice, but I would love to see what Tarvaris Jackson could do in a new system. Not that the Oakland system would be the very best for him, but a new coach with a new offensive coordinator could build around a mobile passer and really make some interesting things happen. He's shown a lot of spunk coming off the bench, which means he's committed and hard-working, something we can't say about our current not-so-mobile passer. Unfortunately, he'll only become a restricted free agent if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement isn't reached. Even if it isn't reached, the Vikings will likely do what they can to keep him locked up.
3. Jason Campbell - He's taken a lot of heat in D.C., but there's no denying that he's been better than what we've been looking at for the past five seasons or so. He had a career game against the New Orleans Saints defense that has been a turnover machine this season, which is a sure sign that he's got the right stuff, when used correctly. Let's face it, the offense of the Redskins was a mess this season, and they can't really know what they have until they get it resolved. Should they decide to look another way (early suggestions point to Bradford), I wouldn't be all that disappointed to see Oakland give him a chance at competing for the starting role.
4. David Carr - Most members of the Nation would probably rather not consider this scenario, but in reality it could be a great fit. He's had a great deal of success as a backup in New York (as much as a rarely used backup can enjoy) and he's got that strong arm that Al loves. It's almost unfair to judge him from his years in Houston, as in those days he was setting sack records all the time. Sometimes it didn't look like they were using an offensive line. This would be a great pickup by the Raiders if they can get him for a reasonable price. Worst case scenario, we get a reliable backup.
Now that the possible free agents are out of the way, there's a few potential cast-off's that could also be interesting fits in Oakland.
1. Sage Rosenfels - If Brett Favre somehow manages to get another season in, and Tarvaris Jackson stays put, they are going to have so much money tied up in the QB position that they will simply have to make a cut somewhere. That cut could end up being Rosenfels. Expected to take the starting role prior to the Favre saga, Sage showed some great stuff in his backup role with Houston, and could really bring a great mental presence (not to mention some leadership) to a team that's needed some for years. If I had to pick one of any of these QBs, free agents or not, this may very well end up being my pick. He's got a lot of good years left in him and some unseen potential.
2. Michael Vick - Well, the heat's blown over, no one's pissed anymore and it wouldn't seem quite so typical for the Raiders to take a chance on him. The Eagles sure as hell have no good use for him, so why not send him off into the sunset to clear some cap space? They got him for dirt cheap this season, but if they pick up his option he gets a bit more pricey. I've always felt a mobile passer like Vick or Vince Young would be a great look for Oakland. This would be a bit of a risky move, however, as we still haven't gotten a great look at whether this guy still has the goods or not.
In case you're still looking for an answer, here's the rest of the expected free agent QBs to come, along with the team they currently are signed with and their ages.
Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh Steelers (35)
Kyle Boller, St. Louis Rams (29)
Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs (27)
Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions (33)
Rex Grossman, Houston Texans (30)
Joey Harrington, New Orleans Saints (31)
Jon Kitna, Dallas Cowboys (37)
Matt Moore, Carolina Panthers (26) – Restricted FA
Chris Redman, Atlanta Falcons (33)
Brett Ratliff, Cleveland Browns (25) – Exclusive Rights FA
Troy Smith, Baltimore Ravens (26) – Restricted FA
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Frye to Start Over Russell in Relief of Injured Bruce
Cable: Frye, not Russell, as Raiders' starting QB is 'best thing for us'
And JaMarcus thinks he's going to make $15 million next season...
In case you don't know what I'm referring to, JaMarcus Russell, in his first interview since being unceremoniously benched, stated clearly and decisively that there would no restructuring of his contract. He's due to make $10 million in base salary next year, and get a $5 million roster bonus if he's still with the team shortly after the season ends. There should be at least a few Pro Bowlers who make a lot less than that this year.
When the #3 is guy is starting over you, the healthy once-number-one, you've probably got to take a good hard look at what your deserved pay grade is.
You heard it here last!
And JaMarcus thinks he's going to make $15 million next season...
In case you don't know what I'm referring to, JaMarcus Russell, in his first interview since being unceremoniously benched, stated clearly and decisively that there would no restructuring of his contract. He's due to make $10 million in base salary next year, and get a $5 million roster bonus if he's still with the team shortly after the season ends. There should be at least a few Pro Bowlers who make a lot less than that this year.
When the #3 is guy is starting over you, the healthy once-number-one, you've probably got to take a good hard look at what your deserved pay grade is.
You heard it here last!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Who's laughing now?
When Derrick Burgess was sent packing to the Patriots I thought the Raiders got a pretty raw deal. They gave up a third and fourth, maybe a fifth. Well, the Pats have gotten 2 sacks and 11 or so solo tackles out of that "pass rush specialist", and the Raiders picked up in the fourth round of the last draft what so far has been game-breaking receiver in Louis Murphy.
Who knows what we'll get with these picks next year?
Of course, if we don't get Richard Seymour signed before he hits the market, that will be a first-round pick down the crapper.
Who knows what we'll get with these picks next year?
Of course, if we don't get Richard Seymour signed before he hits the market, that will be a first-round pick down the crapper.
Monday, December 7, 2009
A Proposition for the Oakland Raiders
After yesterday's rockin' upset of the reigning champion Pittsburgh Steelers (and really, before it) I've come to the conclusion that the roster's contracts need to be upgraded and revised.
Here's the Facts:
Fourth-round selection Louis Murphy, a former Florida Gator standout, gets a contract for four years worth $2.18 million.
1st round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, a (snicker) Maryland Terrapin, gets a contract for five years and $38.25 million.
Yesterday, Louis Murphy posts a career game (along with his QB, Bruce Gradkowski) by netting 128 yards and 2 touchdowns with a long run of 75 yards for one of those scores. To date for the year, he has 411 yards on 23 carries (a miracle for this lame duck passing offense) which, if you look at the numbers, is a 17.9 yards-per-carry average.
So how did Darrius Heyward-Bey play yesterday? Well, actually, it appears he didn't, because he did not post a single catch. Is he injured? Well, if he is someone failed to report it. For the year, Heyward-Bey has posted 9 receptions for 124 yards, a much more pedestrian 13.8 yards-per-carry. This the deep threat? Really?
The Proposal:
Still with me? Greeeat.
Both players have been drafted in the same year, given the same opportunities (though at less compensation for some), and one player has truly outperformed the other in every manner. Therefore, I propose we just do a little swap of their contracts and pay the man that deserves to be paid. If I had the power to transfer a minority share of ownership to Louis Murphy, I'd probably pull the trigger there. That's how high I am on this guy. He deserves the big money, and he's not getting it.
Hell, while we're at it, let's divert some of that JaMarcus money too. And toss some Gradkowski's way too (though I acknowledge he's not "the answer").
I'm not giving up on DHB, not by any means. I think in time, he can be a speedy solution for a quality QB that can bullet that ball straight into the numbers (because he won't bring it in any other way). He just needs to make scale, and right now he's making Randy Moss money.
In case you were wondering, this is a solid case for a rookie salary cap.
On a side note, this place has been dormant through nearly an entire season, which is sort of strange seeing as how it's a football blog. I got a bit too busy with my career to support an NFL-wide blog, and thus have decided to re-tool into an Oakland Raiders blog. I'm thinking of calling it "The Long Ball". But then again I already own this domain, so screw it.
Here's the Facts:
Fourth-round selection Louis Murphy, a former Florida Gator standout, gets a contract for four years worth $2.18 million.
1st round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, a (snicker) Maryland Terrapin, gets a contract for five years and $38.25 million.
Yesterday, Louis Murphy posts a career game (along with his QB, Bruce Gradkowski) by netting 128 yards and 2 touchdowns with a long run of 75 yards for one of those scores. To date for the year, he has 411 yards on 23 carries (a miracle for this lame duck passing offense) which, if you look at the numbers, is a 17.9 yards-per-carry average.
So how did Darrius Heyward-Bey play yesterday? Well, actually, it appears he didn't, because he did not post a single catch. Is he injured? Well, if he is someone failed to report it. For the year, Heyward-Bey has posted 9 receptions for 124 yards, a much more pedestrian 13.8 yards-per-carry. This the deep threat? Really?
The Proposal:
Still with me? Greeeat.
Both players have been drafted in the same year, given the same opportunities (though at less compensation for some), and one player has truly outperformed the other in every manner. Therefore, I propose we just do a little swap of their contracts and pay the man that deserves to be paid. If I had the power to transfer a minority share of ownership to Louis Murphy, I'd probably pull the trigger there. That's how high I am on this guy. He deserves the big money, and he's not getting it.
Hell, while we're at it, let's divert some of that JaMarcus money too. And toss some Gradkowski's way too (though I acknowledge he's not "the answer").
I'm not giving up on DHB, not by any means. I think in time, he can be a speedy solution for a quality QB that can bullet that ball straight into the numbers (because he won't bring it in any other way). He just needs to make scale, and right now he's making Randy Moss money.
In case you were wondering, this is a solid case for a rookie salary cap.
On a side note, this place has been dormant through nearly an entire season, which is sort of strange seeing as how it's a football blog. I got a bit too busy with my career to support an NFL-wide blog, and thus have decided to re-tool into an Oakland Raiders blog. I'm thinking of calling it "The Long Ball". But then again I already own this domain, so screw it.
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