February 29, 2008: my new favorite day of the year!
Why, you may ask? It's like getting out of jail, being pardoned from execution, or giving hope that my team may return to greatness!
It's a new national holiday that can be summed up in nine everlasting words: "Barry Sims has been released by the Oakland Raiders."
I don't want to seem like an ingrate, but I'm glad you and your 20-plus sacks a year are gone!
If you haven't been watching the Silver and Black since the Super Bowl loss, then you might think I'm referring to a super DE. Painfully, I'm talking about the harbinger of death, the Grinch that stole Christmas, the giver of four games a year (to the other team): The one, the only No. 65.
I'm a lifelong Raider fan. I attended my first game when I was 4. I'm nearing 40 now. I have made trips to L.A. when my sunshine was taken away. I bought my season tickets on the day of its return to me! Call me a fanatic, obsessive or just insane, but never ever take my Raiders away!
I feel the excitement in the boards in May, my father and brother talk Raiders all day and we and many of you feel we are back!
I don't want to rain on any Raider parade and I'm sorry but there's one thing I can't shake. Maybe it's the flashbacks that come from the scars Sims has left on me for the last five years, but I still think we need a tackle in the house!
I'm not okay with throwing my franchise QB to the blindside protection of a benched RT from the worst team in the league (despite their record). They benched him for a guy in Staley that is not the equal of Mario Henderson and although he actually can run block, I wouldn't trust him to block my 2-year-old son!
So Nation, although we can rejoice in the heavenly knowledge that No. 65 is gone, I'm under the rude awakening of knowing "Kry me a river" Harris might be nothing more then a notch above our dearly departed brother (formerly known as the guy pretending to be a football player, No. 65)!
I know you some of you will post if Cable must have seen something or you trust Cable to turn him around. Before you start typing those thoughts, remember this Cable couldn't fix the guy pretending to be a football player, No. 65! Then some will say well none could fix the guy pretending to be a football player, No. 65. To which I will say that's right. So why are we sure he can fix "Kry me a River" Harris?
I have an even better question while we sit back and (Stu) on this. Why should Cable have to use baling wire and chicken fencing? I hear this one coming too, well, we drafted Gallery or Stichcomb or Collins who never filled the void. I say ok well that's right we did and they did and we have been here since the bed and breakfast guy knew so.
All that proves is we haven't drafted well for tackles since the #78 Big Bad Hall A Famer! (Thank you for the years at Left Tackle, MR. ART SHELL, do you have any eligibility left?)
If you know you can't draft for tackles at all, why do you try? Why don't you trade for a top notch all pro or better yet spend the free agent dollars to the guys in the trenches that win games, not go up in free agent flames? (no offense, Larry Brown)
Is there a tackle in the house?
Silver and Black Championship dreams to all in the Nation!
By SECTION 116 ROW 11 SEATS 12 & 13
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about 1 month ago
Are you forgetting John Clay. The guy was great.
about 1 month ago
Sims was a warrior.
about 1 month ago
Hey Frank, nice piece, although i do have to kind of defend #65 for a bit, Yes its true he led the raider O line in penalties and stuff like that, but lets not talk to much Shhh about him, remember, we never had anything better than him. How many 1st rounders did he take the job away from? how many years in and out the raiders would bring other LT and yet coulnd unseat him from that possition. As i said, I'm defending him just a little because he was our LT for 5yrs for a reason. I honestly do believe the LT we brought from san fagsisco will be really good once he understands and knows the new blocking system, i guarantee he'll do great, it's just one of those feelings i have about this guy. Anyways, nice article, Peace out. RAIDERS FOR LIFE!!!
about 1 month ago
You are right that we have not drafted well for a tackle in many years. I do as you mentioned it think that Tom Cable will make all of the necessary corrections to Harris' game. He may not be lights out his first year at left tackle but I do think that he will be an upgrade over Sims. I do not remember where I read it but it was a quote from Harris talking about how he felt after meeting with Cable and looking at film. He basically said that he felt like he was playing out of position his entire football career. Cable is also the one who moved Gallery to guard and made him successful there. Still some bugs to work out but his progression is nice. I am confident that the line will progress nicely this year as it did last year. With turnstyle Sims gone it can only get better.
about 1 month ago
It is a problem that we cannot refute. It is not our fault that Gallery has been a subpar player and cannot do the job that we hired him to do. Instead he is giving a last ditch effort at guard. I know what you are saying, that although Sims sucked, so does Harris. And you are right, but I dont think that you should be kicking an ex-Raider in the A** on his way out of town. He played hard for us, and gave us everything he had, it wasn't good enough, but he tried hard and hasn't bad mouthed his ex team so why should we bad mouth him.
I am not happy with this Harris thing in the least, especially because he will be blocking for our franchise future JRuss. But we gotta give him a chance I guess, because we have no other alternative. It sucks, but that is the way it is. Unfortunately if Harris gets JRuss Killed, Al Davis and Lane Kiffin have noone to blame but themselves. Cable isnt culpable here because he doesnt pick the free agents, or the draftees, AL does. So who then is to blame if Jruss gets Mauled because we picked up a horrible inferior OT. Harris or AL? Harris has shown what he can't do, so why is he on our team?
about 1 month ago
angel that's my point in those 5since the super bowl sims was leading the NFL in sacks from the left tackle position so why did we try to draft when we obviously have such an issue with it? Flozel Adams was a free agent this year did we go and get him to protect JR?
This is only one example no one but Al know why but Iguess he got the message when JR got poped a couple times last year!
I also hope "Kry me a river" Harris does well but I've watched him in college and the 9ers and he sucks at pass protection period dot com!
about 1 month ago
by LA
from about 4 hours ago Sims was a warrior.
I'm sorry I didn't don't and will never remember it that way but you are intitled to your opinion!
about 1 month ago
by James
from about 8 hours ago Are you forgetting John Clay. The guy was great.
LOL
The old John Clay trick!
about 1 month ago
Eusebio
I do think that he will be an upgrade over Sims
We are an upgrade to sims he led the nfl in sacks allowed over the last 5 years what starting left tackle is worse?
That said I'm saying why give Cable broken parts off the scrap heap?
Why can't you protect JR with an all pro?
about 1 month ago
Michael
I love the fact that #65 tried hard played hrut and it's not his fault he sucks! I just won't give a guy a pass for failing because he's a boy scout and I've been saying this since Simion Rice dismembered him in the super lose!
It is 100% true we have no choice but hope the june 1st cuts a left tackle comes available to salvage this sitution!
We do have a right to complain even though the truth is if they were a pee wee football team with the Raiders uni's on I'ld root for them just as much!
Remember I said I was a fanatic, obsessive or just insane, but never ever take my Raiders away!
about 1 month ago
Sims was a worthless jumping offsides 3 or four times a game, P.O.S. if you are playing offense and you know the damn snap count, why the hell was he jumping offsides all the f*cking time. i think this is a great move to cut off some DEAD WEIGHT!!!!!!
about 1 month ago
on top of sims being gone, let me chime in on the cutting of stuart schweigert. This guy was almost always late covering his man and couldn’t hardly keep his feet some times. Good ridence to the both of you, and welcome Gabril Wilson and Kwame Harris
about 1 month ago
Raider fan in AZ
Well I took some flak for Sims beeing a nice guy one guy said he was a warrior but ultimatly he's gone what ever my opinion is, and it would only get better if he landed a starting gig with one of our 2008 opponets!
As for Stu another nice guy not getting the job done!
Did you catch Chris Carr backstabing the Raiders that ingrate was an undrafted free agent we gave a chance to and has been running scared on returns all last year!
about 1 month ago
Some interesting stats for the 2007 Raider QB's
Rank Player Team Pos Comp Att Pct Att/G Yds Avg Yds/G TD Int 1st 1st% Lng 20+ 40+ Sck Rate
55 Daunte Culpepper OAK QB 108 186 58.1 26.6 1,331 7.2 190.1 5 5 60 32.3 59 17 3 21 78.0
55 Josh McCown OAK QB 111 190 58.4 21.1 1,151 6.1 127.9 10 11 54 28.4 46T 12 3 14 69.4
55 JaMarcus Russell OAK QB 36 66 54.5 16.5 373 5.7 93.2 2 4 17 25.8 32T 2 0 6 55.9
55 Andrew Walter OAK QB 5 8 62.5 8.0 38 4.8 38.0 0 0 2 25.0 19 0 0 0 74.0
Andrew had only one cameo last year for anyone who thinks we need a vet like pep back.
This included 5 for 8 no ints 62.5% completion ratio. I sorry we didn't see more of him he is a very capible QB in the NFL and now with #65 gone he might go to 70% when he's called on this year.
As for JR's #65 got him for 3 sacks and 1 fumble that we lost and the pos couldn't even jump on the ball or knock it out of the endzone! Another loss delivered by the #65!
about 1 month ago
Raidersteve
I will never wish for #65 to come back!
He lead the NFL in sacks over the last 5 years, why would you want him?
I know "Kry me a river" Harris also sucks!
I would rather trot out my 2 year old son to play left tackle then see that 65 guy!
about 1 month ago
Good Read, Frank. As stated, the tenure of #65 was a few years too long. I agree, the Raiders have drafted horribly at the Offensive Tackle and several other positions for years. Picking up Kwame Harris isn't as bad as you're making it out to be. Will he be the second coming of Art Shell or Anthony Munoz? No - not even close.
He isn't being asked to be. Tom Cable is an outstanding offensive line coach who gets the most out of his players, he will make the Raider offensive line effective even with Kwame Harris. The zone blocking scheme is the best system for him. One of the keys to the scheme is the initial double-team block. A double team block with Gallery would mean 650 lbs. of push to uproot and move any DT.
At that point he will be able to handle his one on one match up and the goal is for JR to get the ball out of his hands quickly. He is a excellent run blocker, his struggles have come in pass protection and his problem has been with his technique.
He needs to stop taking false steps, struggling to get his pad level down , overextending and getting out of balance. These are items that are correctable. Will he correct them? It is yet to be seen. That is what coaching is for. He has a clean slate right now and a new start. Coming to Oakland as a free agent gives this veteran lineman with great size an opportunity to prove himself. He gives Tom Cable a OT with great size to work with.
about 1 month ago
by Jeff
from 5 minutes ago
It sounds like e agree with almost everything the additional point to you I've made is why?why not a pro bowler? I'm sick of junk in my trunk? I wouldn't leave anything to chance. This position can cost you 3-4 games as we have seen Will that be the case for Kry me a river I don't think so will he be in the double digits for sacks yes will that change what we could do? I think so!
about 1 month ago
Oakland Raiders: Don't Sleep on Todd Watkins
Written by Jeff Little 45 10,444 reads
I liked this article a lot too good read and well thought out!
I think it was a good pick up to find a guy that can do what you need him to do to fit your system!
I do also think the same of Chaz and I think Chaz will be on this roster this year!
about 1 month ago
Sims may have sucked, Harris may suck in the future, but IMHO the following statement is pretty ignorant and detracts from an otherwise insightful article:
I know you some of you will post if Cable must have seen something or you trust Cable to turn him around. Before you start typing those thoughts, remember this Cable couldn't fix the guy pretending to be a football player, No. 65! Then some will say well none could fix the guy pretending to be a football player, No. 65. To which I will say that's right. So why are we sure he can fix "Kry me a River" Harris?
Uh, because Cable has proven he knows what he's doing?? ...and because Tom Cable is the one who sees promise in Harris?? Sims was already here when Cable was hired, right?
Short answer if you're still confused: Cable picked Harris, Cable didn't pick Sims. Nice logic, Mr. Spock.
go Raiders!
about 1 month ago
Lanky the bottom line is did he make sims better?
no in fact this it was probably his worse season!
I like Cable have shook his hand and thanked him for the job he did, but he has his hands full with kry me a river agree or disagree?
The guy got benched by the 9ers at right tackle which is code for second best de coming at you!
I think he can run block fine I'm concerned about the pass blocking and why we can't throw the ball long because #65 sucked last year and we got marginally better with harris 18 sacks vs 20 or 22 I lost count!
Mr spock?
WTF are you sipping must be the koolaid I'm at every game on the 47 yard line with the best sets in the house I could see for years sims sucked!
can you?
about 1 month ago
I agreed with you about Sims, man, so why are we arguing about that?
I also agree big time with you about pass blocking.
Harris is no friend of mine, but dude, your argument was that "Harris is so bad that you doubt even Cable can fix his performance". Cable picked the guy, so obviously _Cable_ thinks he can integrate Harris into our ZBS. Explain to me why Cable would pick the guy if he didn't think he has a chance.
Cable was stuck with Sims' sorry azz when Cable got here, compared to KH who we just got, so I don't see how you can know more than our own coaches about a guy coming over from the whiners system.
about 1 month ago
Cable picked the guy, so obviously _Cable_ thinks he can integrate Harris into our ZBS. Explain to me why Cable would pick the guy if he didn't think he has a chance.
while you can go to the store and buy a bottle of wine heres 3 dollars!
That's the choice not who do you want money no object pick the $200 bottle!
about 1 month ago
Cable was stuck with Sims' sorry azz when Cable got here, compared to KH who we just got, so I don't see how you can know more than our own coaches about a guy coming over from the whiners system.
I don't think I know more did I miss an article the kiffin or cable said the offensive tackle problem was fixed they said they would have k.m.a.r. harris working over there thats the endorsement I heard!
about 1 month ago
I have not heard any ringing endorsements from camp I asked someone who writes for the IJ to do me a favor and look over the offensive line guys still waitting for him to get back to me but other have said although its hard to tell (no contact) the same stiff refering to K.M.A.R.
Side note we as fans can know more then the coaches I told kiffin the shape of the o line he keot #65 and he payed for it in no passing game!
about 1 month ago
LOL, true, those are legit points. I never said anything was "fixed" - but it seemed like you just lumped KH into your Sims article to make your point, then you gave me the "Cable couldn't fix Sims, so he can't fix Harris" argument. WTF back atcha. KH is young, underachieving, improving, fast, and maybe has a chance in the ZBS - we picked him after Kif's staff was installed.
Compare 2007 to 2006, look at Gallery's improvement. I mean, I don't know how much vertical game we intend to use in 2008, but even with Jamarcus rolling out for more time, Kiffin must expect he'll have some kind of pass protection, or the whole thing falls apart if Jamarcus is getting Andrew Walter-ized for 4 quarters.
I don't think there's any specific Cable interview saying that KH is a pro-bowler or anything. I just think it's way too early to be sure he sucks. I'm more worried about our d-line.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to respond. No Kool-aid here bro. (just $3 bottles LOL)
about 1 month ago
Hey, I'll be clear - I think you generally really know your Raider football. If KH turns out to be a bust, then credit to you for calling it. Didn't mean to sound like a dick. Raiders!
about 1 month ago
Dont forget that No. 65 was an undrfated free agent who made the roster showing that he was a capable enough player to protect Rich Gannon in the eyes of Al Davis during the Raider glory days of 2000-2001. He did a good job blocking for Gannon and exceptionally well job for an undrafted tackle but was owned by Simeon Rice in the superbowl (You cant blame the guy, Gruden knew all of our offense and snap count!). His performance declined due to his age in the last couple of years.
Anyways, in the case of Harris, that man was a former first rounder and if you ask me with Cable's expertise and his sheer potential; Russell will have some good job security and wont need insurance!
lets just hope for the best!
about 1 month ago
I'm hoping for the best and glade you like the read I enjoyed writting it!
about 1 month ago
Lanky
maybe we'll see ya at the games ?
from about 1 month ago
Hope so - I'm trying to figure out which games my brother and I will fly down for. (I grew up in Berkeley, but I'm up in Portland now)
I intend to move back down in 2 or 3 years, but until then, the commute sucks.
about 1 month ago
that's a commute only a true fan would do!
from about 1 month ago
I'm very jealous of your season tickets, Frank! Can't wait to move back home.
Also - I just found an article about Harris; I don't think it detracts from your points about Sims, or the importance you placed on our Tackles: http://oak.scout.com/2/756817.html (not sure if it requires a subscription or not...)
-----
At left tackle, though, the job belongs to Kwame Harris. Harris will be primarily responsible for protecting Russell’s blind side, a factor that will be critical to the development of the second-year quarterback.
Harris was a decent enough right tackle during his early years with San Francisco but fell out of favor with the 49ers in 2007 and lost his starting job.
Greg Knapp, the Raiders offensive coordinator, was coaching in San Francisco the year the 49ers drafted Harris and convinced Oakland head coach Lane Kiffin and the front office to bring the veteran offensive lineman in for a workout.
“H’s a very good run blocker,“ Knapp said. “He just, unfortunately, went through what’s very tough in this business – three coaches in four years. And so he has unfortunately not had a very strong foundation for him to build from. But the traits that I saw coming out, we evaluated as a staff and we saw, ‘Hey, here’s something he still does well.’ And he just needs to hopefully get a steady hand of teaching it and training him a certain way.”
That’s where Cable comes in.
Cable was successful in creating the foundation for the Raiders’ rushing attack last year and played a key role in Gallery’s transition from tackle to guard. If he can do the same with Harris, the Raiders will have a much better chance of improving upon their 31st-ranked passing game from a year ago.
Harris himself is convinced that a new environment and working with Cable will make a difference.
“The pass blocking system in San Francisco was much more technique driven,” Harris said. “Very strict, in a sense. Here one of the great things about coach Cable is that yes, you have a set of fundamentals, techniques and principle you have to work inside of but you also need to go out and block he guy. Don’t let the guy get to the quarterback, that is the main goal.
about 1 month ago
I saw the article on raiders.com I think it's still there it points to the fact that our oc wanted the kry me a river harris not necessarily cable I'm still waitting for someone to show me the article that cable said I wanted him I told the team to get him and all this other hyperbally commonly spoken on the boards.
Knapp drafted him saw some of the same things he liked in him when they drafted him in the first round. Knapp didn't stick around to see what he had become! He can run block no doubt thats very true and the scouting from silver and black illistrated sad the same we knew he stuggles with pass protection looks stiff and awkward has problems ith speed rushers!
Hey did you see erasmusin james not sure if thats the spelling him and odell thurman are available he is a full time rush end not a situational guy like edwards spires or richardson he could be a good risk his biggest problem is staying healthy!
from about 1 month ago
i dont know if Cable isnt the guy who wanted Harris, but i do know that Cable already has instructed him on what he was doing wrong, and Harris said he was eager to get to work on it. i will guarantee everyone that our Oline pass blocking will not be a problem, because its about game planning and Kiffin did what he could with lesser talent on offense than we have this year. he played conservative relying on the D. but the D did not set them free, so now Kiffin will have the O doing a whole lot more. it still boggles my mind that everyone is still commenting about our oline like that was the problem last year. offensive playmakers and Dline was the problem.
about 1 month ago
Erasmus James - 3rd knee surgery in 2 years; sounds like a gamble, but I don't know enough about the risk.
Odell Thurman is only 6ft tall I thought, maybe to small for a sam LB, and we already have Thomas Howard. I'd do it if the price was right, I guess. He's a baller!
I don't know what to tell you about the o-line; you obviously know your stuff, so either:
a) the Raiders will agree with you and increase our o-line guard/tackle depth before the season, or
b) the Raiders won't agree with you but the combination of Cable's instruction, our play-calling, and an improved run game will mean our pass protection will be okay, or
c) the Raiders won't agree with you and Jamarcus will get rushed or hit or sacked 15 times/game and get hurt by mid-season, and we'll only go 5-11.
I don't FEEL like I'm "drinking the koolaid", like I'm overly optimistic, I'd be okay with 8-8 after 4-12, but since neither of us is inside the meetings, we can either assume we know what's goin' on inside the organization, or we can admit we don't.
????
If you think c) above, all I can say, even though I can't prove you're wrong, is I hope you're wrong!
peace - go raiders!
about 1 month ago
Nice read. Could you check out and comment some of my articles?
about 1 month ago
Nice read. Could you check out and comment some of my articles?
about 1 month ago
by steve
from 2 days ago i dont know if Cable isnt the guy who wanted Harris, but i do know that Cable already has instructed him on what he was doing wrong, and Harris said he was eager to get to work on it. i will guarantee everyone that our Oline pass blocking will not be a problem, because its about game planning and Kiffin did what he could with lesser talent on offense than we have this year. he played conservative relying on the D. but the D did not set them free, so now Kiffin will have the O doing a whole lot more. it still boggles my mind that everyone is still commenting about our oline like that was the problem last year. offensive playmakers and Dline was the problem.
steve you seem like a good guy and a good fan the oline was leaky we made progress but mostly on run blocking the concern is pass blocking two different animals if the raiders brought in a guy that was a good pass blocker and was a horrible run blocker a tackle it would have shut me up but they did't I hate to say and we are not set at the oline as kiffin said spots are open compitition is started, they are trying kry me at left tackle I'm still waitting for the 1st. The other deal with wade is morris is at the 1 right now and grove was at one last year until he got hurt so wade is no shoe in for center plus morris plays multiple positions and is way younger.
about 1 month ago
Lanky
i don't think jr will be killed like last year I think you are an upgrade to our lef tackle last year but I think to throw deep and utilize walker carter and any of the young burners we will need an up grade from harris if not I think we will only have fixed part of the puzzle and we are stairing at 8-8 we fix that and we could really push san diego and make a run in the playoffs!
I really want the rather so I'm pointing now so maybe our voices will carry past my emails to kiffin.
harris stays and starts all year 18 sacks 8-8
we get a proo bowler or top 15 tackle 8 saks or less 3 less fumbles by the qb 3-5 less ints and we can now go deep.
The last note I give to back up my point is look at the ota's the media keeps saying JR is running high percentage dink and dunk stuff. JR said well right know that's what coach want's I think as we get in it more we will open it up......
The b is smart he's covering but still statting.
about 1 month ago
Erasmus James - 3rd knee surgery in 2 years; sounds like a gamble, but I don't know enough about the risk
It would be a 1st round money which he wont get anymore. On the cheep looky lou at him and like hartwell if he gets it together he stays if not it cost us time only to see.
about 1 month ago
Dallas
sure love to!
about 1 month ago
hey new article for you to check out "What did my Oakland Raiders need to do to win the West?"
You can find it at:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/26408-What-did-my-Oakland-Raiders-need-to-do-to-win-the-West-
about 1 month ago
Both left and right tackles were beaten easily in pass defense by most accounts.
http://mvn.com/nfl-raiders/2008/06/04/oakland-raiders-continue-to-build-excitement-for-2008/
about 1 month ago
congrates to RUNDMC welcome to the Blackhole!
Raiders Sign Darren McFadden
June 5, 2008
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RB Darren McFadden signs his contract in the Hall of Fame room at the Raiders Alameda, Calif., facility.
Raiders.com
The Oakland Raiders have signed 2008 first round selection Darren McFadden. Log on to www.raiders.com for complete press conference coverage Friday, June 6, starting at 11:00 a.m. PT.
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