The Raiders finish 9-7 and make the playoffs.
The Oakland Raiders are not as far off from being a contender in the AFC West this season as people think they are. I know we are coming off another terrible season, and all of us Raiders fans always get hyped up every year during the offseason.
This year, however, we have legit reasons to be optimistic. Don't forget that the Raiders held the lead in the fourth quarter of five games last year. A few lucky bounces, a well timed TO by Denver, and some fair officiating and the Raiders may very well have been a .500 team last season. That was last year.
Here are a few reasons why I think the Raiders can turn things around and make a serious run at the AFC West title this year.
1. Stability at QB
Last season, we played musical chairs with our QBs. Four different players saw action under center. JaMarcus Russell will be a lot better than "Andrew McRussellpepper" from last season.
With Russell being our full-time QB, he can develop chemistry with the play makers he has around him. I can see big plays down field coming off of play action. Speaking of PA.
2. Running game
The Raiders were the sixth-best team last season when it came to running the ball, and our stable of RBs has improved. We have a very scary three-headed monster in Fargas, McFadden, and Bush. These guys complement one another so well. They all bring something different to the table. These guys are going to make JaMarcus Russell's job so much easier.
3. Secondary
The trade for DeAngelo Hall and the signing of Gibril Wilson make the entire defense better. Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha are both lock-down man-to-man corners. Nnamdi will cover the opposing team's No. 1 guy, while Hall should have an easy day matching up against the team's No. 2 WR. They also give the D-line that extra second to get to the QB.
Gibril Wilson can move down into the box and play the run. He gives us that intimidating presence in the secondary that we have missed for so long. I expect a lot of big plays from Mike Huff now that he can move to FS and roam the secondary.
4. Speed on offense
That was something we missed last year. The Raiders got a whole lot faster this year. Darren McFadden is the type of player that can take it the distance anytime he touches the ball. We also brought in Javon Walker, who has left quite a few DBs in his dust, and Drew Carter from Carolina, a man who can flat-out fly. We also have Johnie Lee Higgins coming back, who is another sub-4.4 guy.
Opposing defenses are going to have their hands full trying to match up against the speed we have on offense, as well as the potent rushing attack that we'll have. Having a pair of lock-down corners is going to do wonders for our D. We can put eight or nine in the box to stop the run with these two CBs. The season is around the corner and I can't wait!
RAIDERS FOR LIFE!!!!
98 comments Last one added 12 months ago — Leave a Comment
Brett Kettyle about 1 year ago
Great post. I would love to see the Raiders do well this year, but I still think that they might be a year away from making the playoffs. I would say this is the optomistic outlook on the season. Russell will still need some time to develop, but will be an improvement. I am really worried about the run defense though, as they were really weak in that area last year, and didn't make any significant improvements. The secondary should be loaded though. A bug problem last year was that teams could just avoid Asomugha, which they won't be able to do this year.
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Natalie Svider about 1 year ago
Nice post. The team made lots of changes in the off season, we just need to see it translate on the field this season. With all the changes, I think we stand a much better chance and are now looking in the right direction.
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joe mama about 1 year ago
stupid, stupid,stupid. Go check on their tackles on the o-line and the middle of the d-line. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about fotball and takes one look at those two positions wouldnt even think the word playoffs.
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Old Raider Fan about 1 year ago
Why is this stupid, stupid, stupid? We will see there schmoe.
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Tim Ochi about 1 year ago
Couldn't be more right! football games are won in the trenches. The giants proved this last season. You can have all the skill players in the world but if you cant control the line you dont win!!
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Joe Atwell about 1 year ago
Nothing stupid here. Remember the Raiders were 6th in the league in Rushing with Sims and Green at tackle last season. Harris is as least as good as Sims and probably better. We have compatition at RT with Henderson, Green, Wilson and Mcquistan. I wouldn't call this a strength but they can get the job done.
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Paul Kotch about 1 year ago
Until the Raiders shore up the gaping hole that they have between the tackles on defense, I dont see them posing any competition around the league ( much as I hate to say it )
I think they would be well advised to bring in Grady Jackson AND/OR Sam Adams. These guys are not every-down players, but could still be effective in a good rotation.
Happy Birthday Al
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Rick Faller about 1 year ago
Good post. I can see some are still swilling around in their collective throats about the defense and in particular the DT position. The bases of that concern probably comes from last years performance. The bottom line is wins! We lost 7 games last year that had NOTHING to do with the defense.
Detroit L-21-36, Note we did not score in the first half. Three turnovers by us (offense) late led to 17 points for Det.
At Denver L- 20-23 TIME OUT by the rat! We only scored three points in the first half.
Kansas City L 10-12 AGAIN we are shut out in the first half!!!!!!!!!
At Tennessee L 9-13, we were Shut out in the second half.
Texans L- 17-24, AGAIN, AGAIN we are shut out in the first half.
Bears L- 6-17, Just two field goals by Sea Bass?
Colts L 14-21, Inept offense and turnovers hurt our chances.
With any kind of offense we win all the above games. But even if we win only 4 that would have left us at 8-8 With the improvements this year on offense and the easier schedule I agree we can be 9-7. So I think the post is smart, smart, smart,!!!!
Raidermadness
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Luis about 1 year ago
Good comment Rick.
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Old Raider Fan about 1 year ago
Rick, yep getting Run DMC makes more sense after I read your post. Thanks.
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doobie1884 about 1 year ago
Good Post!!
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doobie1884 about 1 year ago
Sory About The Double Post.!
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
Well when sims is your left tackle and the qb has 2 secs to throw or be killed these things happen like vs San Diego 6.5 sacks and 3 strips of the QB one was run in for a TD, and one was a strip insided the chargers 5 before half time as we where going in for a score! also 1 pick the qb had no time and got creamed.
This was by far the bigest problem!
The d line has added players and should be healthy to start the season!
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Luis about 1 year ago
Good article Rock. I also see the same outcome for the 2008 season. With the new player that the Raiders acquired and the improvement of the existing ones we should be in good shape for this and future seasons to come. Rick brought up some good points for some of our losses last season. Of course we, the Raider fans are the only ones who see these details that the haters never seem to talk about. So the true stupid, stupid, stupid one here is joe.
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Taylor Gram about 1 year ago
That's a daring prediction to say the Raiders will make the playoffs but you make good points. this is a good job rock.
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Andrew Kneeland about 1 year ago
I believe you. I think Oakland is way better than people think, and they should be a threat to make the post season.
Good job.
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Old Raider Fan about 1 year ago
Yep, I agree. We will be better than people think.
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TownRaider . about 1 year ago
Yeah we about to shock the world....
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Nice Post, Rock. The Raiders will be a far better team than some people think. I have to agree with Paul the DT position is a concern and it would be nice to see the Raiders bring back Grady Jackson to place in the DT rotation. Rick made a solid point that I was going to make but it speaks volumes.
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JSpicoli about 1 year ago
When you can't score points, like last year, it makes your run defense look worse than it really is. Not to mention that we play 6 games a year against very good rushing teams in divison. The stats on run defense are overrated, and with some improved offense things could turn around quicker than a hater bashes.
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
where is mr stupid, stupid, stupid joe. for someone who talks about knowing somn about football he hasnt got a clue. ok lets start at the Oline. they have one of best oline coaches in Tom Cable, enough said. ok now with that scoring and being a far more threat on offense means a more rested Defense and other teams have to throw against us, and then what does that play towards, how about our strength, pass D. well have one of the best pass Ds in the league next year. and Sands will have his head back in it this year, making a better run D, do you know why he wasnt into it last year. and Kelly has been better against the run at DT when he first started and yet he can rush the passer too. with chemistry after having a year of same coaching staff under our belts and a far better offense and better playmakers all around we could easily make playoffs. shoot we couldve been 8-8 easily last year with a far tougher schedule and first year coaching staff, now with an easier schedule and continuity and some real nice playmakers its a whole different story.
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SNOOPY Dawg about 1 year ago
Old Raider Fan, & STEVE:
joe, mr stupid stupid stupid is a "drive by heckler" He's a guy who just signed up, has no bio and signed joe mama in order to comment and never come back again.
He's probably reading us and hitting his head against the wall because he probably already forgot his access code
He's not just a hater he's also a coward and we've already dedicate too much to this poor, sad, excuse for a human bean.
TRuth be known is with the schedule and a better team we have nowhere to go but up. Do we have holes yes, many. And a whole bunch of major HOLES like this clown joe but regardless.
We are on the Rise my friends We know it and they know it and the NFL's apprehension is noticalble baby. We don't get all of these bozo drive by hecklers for nothing.
FACT, being a Raider fan is a choice. Most other football fans inherited their loyalties thru birth, about 30 or 31 of them have. Save for 1 other maybe 2 (& that's a stretch) teams.
EVERYONE loves the team where they grew up and when that team moves? They stop following them like here in so Cal just ask Ram fans... or should I say Ex-RAM fans. Most of'm follow the Chokers. Well at least now that they're good but this is recent LOL!!!
BAltimore follows the Ravens or original BROWNS, NOT the "COLTS. Brown fans follow a XEROX copy coz the real browns are called the Raven now LOL.
Towns claim the rights to the team names so they will always have the Bengals in Cincinnati
But we are the Nation baby and the Raiders could move to "Beijing China" (GOD FORBID )and we'd still be as rabbit a fan base as always. I'm in OC/LA Cali. Raised in Chicago. Saw Gail Sayers play. But I and my entire family are proud citizens of the Raider Nation!
WE are the Nation, not only by name, we are all over the world baby.
Our Time Has COME!!!!
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Smush Higgins about 1 year ago
Nice article, although Johnnie Lee Higgins was a fourth round pick and will problably be a 3rd or 4th receiver who can mostly run.
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Caleb Lites about 1 year ago
Here's an idea, put Russell on the O-line (hell he's big enough), put McFadden at QB, and Fargas at RB. It might work pretty well...though regardless Oakland is looking at another 5-11, 6-10 season.
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
caleb what kinda bs is that?
JR is the franchise and Rodgers is unable to carry Brets jock!
We watched him at Cal and dude trust he aint all that!
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Chris Radez about 1 year ago
"Andrew McRussellpepper"
HAHA ... Awesome.
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
Funny.. I didn't know that the Oakland fans were senile like the owner?!... anyways I do agree you have 3 great running backs... bout it... Russell is a bust.
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Raider Card Addict about 1 year ago
Um, adam. You realize, that Russell has started, how many games, and you're calling him a bust?
What does that make Alex Smith, overcooked cabbage? Or Ryan Leaf, sour milk?
I'd give a QB, a rookie who missed all of training camp, and had a spotty chance at the game, more than two games to evaluate.
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Spenser T. Harrison about 1 year ago
He's bitter LSU beat down his Buckeyes.......
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Justin Hokanson about 1 year ago
No way Russell leads the Raiders to a 9-7 record in his first season. ZERO chance. McFadden will help, but the Raiders should have drafted Dorsey or someone else since they already have a few RB's.
But not 9-7, not this year.
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
why
normally people make comments then give reasons why?
Run DMC ran all over Dorsey the bust and LSU everytime they played and I don't see any reason that changes!
Dorsey is a 3 tec not a nose tackle he's not even a run stuffer that's a preety obvious fact you obviously don't get!
DMC is the top tallent in the draft this year and if he would have come out next year he would have been the top tallent then!
Who was better?
The MAtt Ryan Bust the Dorsey ouch my legs hurt bust or the long left tackle that can't stop ghoston or anyother speed rusher he'll face bust. Who the wright Long was gone and I don't know if you take him over RUN DMC ANYWAY!
So who?
Gholston only beat michigan's long besides that was riding the pine behind Jay Richardson who was The Oakland Raiders first pick in the 5th round (#138 overall) from Ohio State in the 2007 NFL Draft.
So Who smart guy the answer is Run DMC stop listening to Mayok he was against drafting Adrian Peterson last year! Now he loves the guy!
Tink Faster and not injury proned as well as a more versitile all around better athlete that's who the Raiders took and believe me the Jets and Dallas wanted him bad!
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
I'm sorry... i guess what I meant to say was that Russell was overrated going into the draft... overrated in college and now he is an overrated player that hasn't played enough games in the NFL to call him a bust. As for the Alex Smith comment...... im a 49er fan and he I was hoping for a serious but not deadly injury to him so that they would maybe draft a new qb this year... didn't happen. At this point I'd rather have him than a tall overweight quarterback who only had one good college season and was drafted #1 overall because he could throw the ball 80 yards or whatever... big whoop. And as for his athletic ability??.... where... he rushed for a total of 79 yards in college.
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
Here is what the guy did in college!
And this is against SEC not the wac or big sky or mt west or where ever that bust of all bust played in mormanland!
#2JaMarcus Russell QBTeam Roster
Position QBHeight 6-6Weight 255Birthdate 08/09/1985Hometown Mobile, ALGlove Hand RightRoster Status Team RosterCollege LSUDrafted NFL Exp 2Raiders Exp Acquired D1-07Injury Status Active HIGHLIGHTSCAREERSTATSCOLLEGEPRO: The Oakland Raiders selected LSU QB JaMarcus Russell with the #1 overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. The 6'6", 255-pound Russell was the 2007 Sugar Bowl Most Valuable Player and was named 2006 First-Team All-SEC (AP, SEC Coaches)...Made his first career start on Dec. 30th against the San Diego Chargers.
PERSONAL: One of the nation's top rated high school quarterbacks...A consensus top five national pro-style quarterback by every major recruiting publication...Named to the prestigious Parade All-America Team...Considered the No. 4 quarterback prospect in the country by College Football News...Named Alabama's Mr. Football and SuperPrep Dixie Offensive Player of the Year...Member of SuperPrep All-America Team, FSN South's Countdown to Signing Day “All-South” First Team, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 and the Orlando Sentinel All-Southern team...The all-time leading passer in Alabama history, throwing for 10,744 yards, eclipsing the mark set by former Alabama and current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle...A two-time 5A all-state selection who rewrote the record books with 84 touchdown passes...Connected on 219-of-372 passes for 3,332 yards and 22 TDs as a senior...On the ground, added 400 yards and 5 TDs in 2002...Passed for 1,850 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior...A standout basketball star as well...Coached by Bobby Parrish...Born on Aug. 9, 1985, in Mobile, Ala....Parents are Bobby Lloyd and Zina Russell-Anderson...Has one sister, Jalesia...Majoring in general studies...Made national news in the fall of 2005 after sharing his apartment with legendary musician Fats Domino in the days following Hurricane Katrina...Actually housed over a dozen family and friends for a week following the storm.
2007: 9/9 vs. DET: Not on active roster. 9/16 @ DEN: Not on active roster. 9/23 vs. CLE: Not on active roster. 9/30 @ MIA: Inactive (3rd QB). 10/14 @ SD: Inactive. 10/21 vs. KC: Inactive. 10/28 @ TEN: Inactive (3rd QB). 11/4 vs. HOU: Inactive (3rd QB). 11/11 vs. CHI: Inactive (3rd QB). 11/18 @ MIN: Inactive (3rd QB). 11/25 @ KC: Inactive (3rd QB). 12/2 vs. DEN: Made his NFL debut at QB…Completed 4 of 7 passes for 56 yards…Ran the ball 3 times for 4 yards. 12/9 @ GB: Inactive. 12/16 vs. IND: Saw time at QB…Completed 2 of 5 passes for 10 yards. 12/23 @ JAC: Saw significant time at QB…Completed 7 of 23 passes for 83 yards…Engineered a 12-play, 70-yard drive which he capped off with his first NFL touchdown pass. 12/30 vs. SD: Started at QB…Completed 23 of 31 passes for 224 yards…Connected with WR Jerry Porter on a 32-yard touchdown pass.Year Team Att Comp Pct Yds Lg TD Int Rat
2007 Oak 66 36 54.5 373 32T 2 0 55.9
Total 66 36 54.5 373 32 2 0 55.9
COLLEGE: First-team All-SEC by both the AP and the SEC Coaches...Joined Tommy Hodson (1987) as the only quarterbacks in LSU history to be named First-Team All-SEC by the AP and the SEC Coaches in the same season...Capped junior season by leading the Tigers to a 41-14 win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl...Named the MVP of the Sugar Bowl after throwing for a career-best 332 yards and two touchdowns in the victory...Also rushed for a score against the Irish...Finished the game by connecting on 21 of 34 passes...Guided LSU to come-from-behind wins over Tennessee and Ole Miss this year...Connected with WR Early Doucet on a 9-yard pass wtih nine seconds left to beat No. 8 Tennessee, 28-24...Followed that with a 5-yard TD pass to WR Dwayne Bowe on fourth down with 14 seconds left to force overtime against Ole Miss...Led the SEC and ranked third in the NCAA in passing efficiency (167.0)...Completed 232-of-342 passes (67.8 percent) for 3,129 yards and a school-record tying 28 touchdowns with eight interceptions this season...His 67.8 completion percentage set the LSU single-season mark, while his 3,129 yards ranks second in school history...Joined Rohan Davey as the only quarterbacks in school history to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season...Also set the school-record for completions in a season with 232, breaking the previous mark of 229 held by Matt Mauck (2003)...Named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week a league-leading three times...Most recently honored after engineering a come-from-behind victory against eighth-ranked Tennessee, connecting with WR Early Doucet on a four-yard pass with nine seconds to go in regulation for the go ahead score...Finished the day against the Vols going 24-of-36 for 247 yards and three touchdowns, to go along with a career-high 71 rushing yards...Also honored by the conference following the Tigers’ victories over Kentucky and Mississippi State...Completed 15-of-18 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns versus UK...Connected on 18-of-20 passes for a career-high 330 yards and three TDs against the Bulldogs...With the performance against MSU he broke LSU’s record for passing yards in a half (272) and tied the school records for consecutive completions in a contest (14) and completion percentage in a game (.900)...Was also responsible for three TDs in each of the Tigers’ victories over ULL, Alabama and Ole Miss...LSU’s starting quarterback for first 12 games in 2005 and fashioned a 10-2 record as the starter...Led the Tigers to 4 fourth quarter comeback or overtime wins in 2005...Ranked third in the SEC in pass efficiency...Connected on 188-of-311 passes for 2,443 yards, 15 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions...Missed the Miami game in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl due to his shoulder injury suffered against Georgia in the SEC Championship game...Injury came on a sack in the third quarter and he did not return to the contest...Threw at least 1 TD pass in 9 straight games, a streak that came to an end against Georgia...Threw a 39-yard TD pass to Early Doucet on a fourth-and-10 situation with just over a minute left to lift the Tigers to a 35-31 win over Arizona State in the season opener...Hit Dwayne Bowe with a 13-yard TD pass in overtime to beat previously unbeaten Alabama...Guided the Tigers to an overtime win over Auburn as well as a fourth quarter comeback victory against Florida...Had consecutive 21-completion games against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, both LSU wins...Threw for a career-best 285 yards and 2 TDs in win over Vanderbilt...The 2,443 passing yards ranks as the fifth-highest single-season total in school history...His 188 completions also ranks fifth in school history, while the 15 TD passes is tied for eighth...Served as Marcus Randall's backup for most of 2004...Played in 11 games, starting four times...Engineered what was thought to be a fourth quarter comeback win against Iowa...Trailing 24-12, he guided the Tigers on a pair of fourth quarter scoring drives against Iowa, giving LSU a 25-24 lead over the Hawkeyes with just 46 seconds remaining in the contest on a 3-yard TD pass to Skyler Green...In the fourth quarter alone against Iowa, completed 12-of-15 passes for 128 yards and 2 TDs...Got first career start against Florida,...Started consecutive games against Vanderbilt, Alabama and Ole Miss...Played sparingly in the season finale against Arkansas...Guided the Tigers to a comeback win in overtime against Oregon State in the season opener...Finished the season connecting on 73-of-144 passes for 1,053 yards, 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions...Tossed 2 TDs in first collegiate game vs. Oregon State...Followed that with a pair of TD passes the week after against Arkansas State...Tossed for a career-best 151 yards on 7-of-11 passing against the Indians...Connected on 9-of-12 passes for 137 yards and 1 score in a 51-0 win over Mississippi State...Also rushed for a TD against Mississippi State...Redshirted as a freshman in 2003.
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
Player Stats
Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
J. Russell 23/31 224 1 1
This is what he did in his 1st start against the team that went to the AFC championship game.
This is more yards then the bust of all bust ha in any game last year, as well as Smith never threw for more then 1 td in any of the 7 games he played. Don't compare the two, there really is no comparrison Smith is ryan leafe all over with less arm strength and well less ability!
Also when it comes to the whinners this year and the M&M system of spead offense no pass protection beeing added to the worst pass blocking line in the nfl OMG 75 sacks seems possible and so does 45 turnovers. All I can say is
RUN ALEX RUN!
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Ben Weixlmann about 1 year ago
We'll see, I'm still not convinced on these Raiders.
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
why ben?
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
anyone who says JR is a bust hasnt got a clue of what their talking about. he has been the hardest working Raider this offseason, has the study habits of a Peyton Manning, who he favored growing up and his wunderlic score is only 2 points behind. oh yeah and he did pretty well against the Chargers in his only start of the season, in which Chargers had to have that game for Playoff positioning.
Just because theyve gone crazy with salaries for the Rookies doesnt mean they should play first year, i think it was good they held out and didnt rush him in there so he could develope. JR has already shown more signs of being a winner than a bust in his limited time and not even playing a full season as a starter. wait till after this season, youll be eating those bust words pretty well.
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
Troy Smith had a better two games than Russell.... and thank you frank for proving my point.... 1 good season in college.
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
Troy Smith didn't throw for over 200 yards in any start?
Troy Smith didn't throw for more then 1 td in any start?
Troy smith is not Alex Smith and Alex is the the one who will be running for his life behind the worst o line in the universe!
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
You call this one year?
COLLEGE: First-team All-SEC by both the AP and the SEC Coaches...Joined Tommy Hodson (1987) as the only quarterbacks in LSU history to be named First-Team All-SEC by the AP and the SEC Coaches in the same season...Capped junior season by leading the Tigers to a 41-14 win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl...Named the MVP of the Sugar Bowl after throwing for a career-best 332 yards and two touchdowns in the victory...Also rushed for a score against the Irish...Finished the game by connecting on 21 of 34 passes...Guided LSU to come-from-behind wins over Tennessee and Ole Miss this year...Connected with WR Early Doucet on a 9-yard pass wtih nine seconds left to beat No. 8 Tennessee, 28-24...Followed that with a 5-yard TD pass to WR Dwayne Bowe on fourth down with 14 seconds left to force overtime against Ole Miss...Led the SEC and ranked third in the NCAA in passing efficiency (167.0)...Completed 232-of-342 passes (67.8 percent) for 3,129 yards and a school-record tying 28 touchdowns with eight interceptions this season...His 67.8 completion percentage set the LSU single-season mark, while his 3,129 yards ranks second in school history...Joined Rohan Davey as the only quarterbacks in school history to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season...Also set the school-record for completions in a season with 232, breaking the previous mark of 229 held by Matt Mauck (2003)...Named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week a league-leading three times...Most recently honored after engineering a come-from-behind victory against eighth-ranked Tennessee, connecting with WR Early Doucet on a four-yard pass with nine seconds to go in regulation for the go ahead score...Finished the day against the Vols going 24-of-36 for 247 yards and three touchdowns, to go along with a career-high 71 rushing yards...Also honored by the conference following the Tigers’ victories over Kentucky and Mississippi State...Completed 15-of-18 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns versus UK...Connected on 18-of-20 passes for a career-high 330 yards and three TDs against the Bulldogs...With the performance against MSU he broke LSU’s record for passing yards in a half (272) and tied the school records for consecutive completions in a contest (14) and completion percentage in a game (.900)...Was also responsible for three TDs in each of the Tigers’ victories over ULL, Alabama and Ole Miss...LSU’s starting quarterback for first 12 games in 2005 and fashioned a 10-2 record as the starter...Led the Tigers to 4 fourth quarter comeback or overtime wins in 2005...Ranked third in the SEC in pass efficiency...Connected on 188-of-311 passes for 2,443 yards, 15 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions...Missed the Miami game in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl due to his shoulder injury suffered against Georgia in the SEC Championship game...Injury came on a sack in the third quarter and he did not return to the contest...Threw at least 1 TD pass in 9 straight games, a streak that came to an end against Georgia...Threw a 39-yard TD pass to Early Doucet on a fourth-and-10 situation with just over a minute left to lift the Tigers to a 35-31 win over Arizona State in the season opener...Hit Dwayne Bowe with a 13-yard TD pass in overtime to beat previously unbeaten Alabama...Guided the Tigers to an overtime win over Auburn as well as a fourth quarter comeback victory against Florida...Had consecutive 21-completion games against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, both LSU wins...Threw for a career-best 285 yards and 2 TDs in win over Vanderbilt...The 2,443 passing yards ranks as the fifth-highest single-season total in school history...His 188 completions also ranks fifth in school history, while the 15 TD passes is tied for eighth...Served as Marcus Randall's backup for most of 2004...Played in 11 games, starting four times...Engineered what was thought to be a fourth quarter comeback win against Iowa...Trailing 24-12, he guided the Tigers on a pair of fourth quarter scoring drives against Iowa, giving LSU a 25-24 lead over the Hawkeyes with just 46 seconds remaining in the contest on a 3-yard TD pass to Skyler Green...In the fourth quarter alone against Iowa, completed 12-of-15 passes for 128 yards and 2 TDs...Got first career start against Florida,...Started consecutive games against Vanderbilt, Alabama and Ole Miss...Played sparingly in the season finale against Arkansas...Guided the Tigers to a comeback win in overtime against Oregon State in the season opener...Finished the season connecting on 73-of-144 passes for 1,053 yards, 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions...Tossed 2 TDs in first collegiate game vs. Oregon State...Followed that with a pair of TD passes the week after against Arkansas State...Tossed for a career-best 151 yards on 7-of-11 passing against the Indians...Connected on 9-of-12 passes for 137 yards and 1 score in a 51-0 win over Mississippi State...Also rushed for a TD against Mississippi State...Redshirted as a freshman in 2003.
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
Frank are you high or something.... Troy Smith.... not Alex Smith dumbass... Troy Smith started two games and looked better than Russell last year...
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
I can see you talent evaluation is the same as the Nolan team!
I find it funny to see you trying to crack on JR when if Alex Smith would have come out when JE came out he would have been available in the second round for a whole lot less money!
But Yorkies got it to burn right?
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
yes... will you quit copying and pasting life stories on here... HE HAD ONE GOOD YEAR!
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
Troy Smith didn't throw for over 200 yards in any start?
Troy Smith didn't throw for more then 1 td in any start?
are you high?
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
Adam
1 minute ago yes... will you quit copying and pasting life stories on here... HE HAD ONE GOOD YEAR!
obviously you can't count!
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
Troy Smith threw for more yards in the season.. ran for more yards... had more rushing touchdowns... completed more passes.. didn't throw any interceptions to Russells 4... had a better qb rating and was sacked a less amount of times than russell.. oh and most importantly.. led his team to a victory last game of the year over Pittsburgh... still wanna argue?
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Spenser T. Harrison about 1 year ago
Haha you're right about those stats but you forget to mention that pittsburgh was resting their starters in that game.......
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
So how many Turnovers will the whinners have this season?
So how many sacks will the whinners have this season?
So how many fumbles will the whinners have this season?
So how many int's will the whinners have this season?
With the offense givving the ball up all the time and unable to move the ball in the air because of the sacks will the whinners defense be the highest ranked in time on the field and plays defended?
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
Either your a complete idiot and lost what the argument was about or you just gave up and started crying?... either way.. your obviously senile like your owner.
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
complete idiot yeah that must be it you're obviously sooooo smart you talk about or QB and his 1 start vs your Qb that is a proven bust so you throw up stats from a qb you could have had but didn't take and try to compare his numbers when he's started more games that makes all the sense in the world?
lost what the argument was about
I had tons of extra time to post while the smoke was comming from your dome!
gave up and started crying?
I'm not a forty Whinner fan I don't need to cry!
Do you need a hanky or something
Joke!
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
I was comparing come because they were both rookies... you keep making yourself sound dumber and dumber... you done yet?.. you don't think I already know and admit Alex Smith is terrible... fully aware of it. I haven't once brought the 9ers into the convo either except when I admitted he was terrible..... so someone (you) like I said.. has mental problems like your owner.
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
what the hell are you talking about... seriously?...
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
1 game started vs 2 dumba$$
higher % in start
higher rating in start
higher avg in start
only 1 int in start and that was a line blow up that he had 2 secs to throw as a 1st tart that works for me!
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
he didnt start but he threw 20 something passes in the game..... altogether Smith had 76 attempts and Russell had 66.... HUGE difference huh... keep the arguing coming.. glad to see you finally found out who Troy Smith is too by the way...
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
last game of the year over Pittsburgh when they rested everyone?
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
starting is different then comming in to run specific plays reguardless of defense
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
glad to see you finally found out who Troy Smith is too by the way...
WTF you are a idiot
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
hahaha... alright nevermind I'm done arguing with you... your just sound pitiful now... chalk one up for me ... Adam 1 / Frank 0
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
This was my post retard!
Troy Smith didn't throw for over 200 yards in any start?
Troy Smith didn't throw for more then 1 td in any start?
Troy smith is not Alex Smith and Alex is the the one who will be running for his life behind the worst o line in the universe!
after
Player Stats
Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
J. Russell 23/31 224 1 1
This is what he did in his 1st start against the team that went to the AFC championship game.
This is more yards then the bust of all bust ha in any game last year, as well as Smith never threw for more then 1 td in any of the 7 games he played. Don't compare the two, there really is no comparrison Smith is ryan leafe all over with less arm strength and well less ability!
Also when it comes to the whinners this year and the M&M system of spead offense no pass protection beeing added to the worst pass blocking line in the nfl OMG 75 sacks seems possible and so does 45 turnovers. All I can say is
RUN ALEX RUN!
So how do you not get that retard!
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
good job you made yourself look a little better.... either way... better rookie year?.... Troy Smith... Adam 1 / Frank 0.....
PEACE
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
hahaha... alright nevermind I'm done arguing with you... your just sound pitiful now... chalk one up for me ... Adam 1 / Frank 0
I guess it's like alternet universe time you get kicked all acrooss the site with drible comming from your mouth like most whinners fans!
Then try to slink off like a clubed baby seal
alright nevermind I'm done arguing with you
Then claim victory what are you 2?
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
good job you made yourself look a little better
Yeah compared to you there really was no comparrision you lack any points of merit and try to fall back on destraction when you comment keep to the facts!
Russle is the starter this year all year if you want to call him a bust after a year of starting and numbers to base it on maybe someone would listen to you until then you're just a guy with no stats to back himself up and a joke for a
QB
o-line
WR's
TE
OC
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
better rookie year
Smith probably both smiths will be back riding the pine where they belong!
While JR has the 1st of many great years in Silver and Black!
Take these stats and multiply them out over a season
23 31 74.2 224
isn't that like 3,500 yards
and a qb rating of 91 +
Yeah Smith Jones adams whatever the name is of your QB I'm take Jr over the bust of all bust
Alex Smith!
Ryan "Adam" Leafe JR
Loser!
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
The funniest part is your QB sucks sooooo bad you have to try to argue with someone elses smith or Johnson or whatever!
So well below avg.
When someone on this page actually cares what you have to say come back until then
Have fun with the
Indians losers
9ers losers
Buck "shot in the" Eyes by the SEC (Lsu and Florida)losers
I didn't get your hockey team yellow red or blue jacks! losers!
and I guess Cavalers fan? losers
Adam Loser!
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FRANK YRAY about 1 year ago
Now I'm done with you Loser
Frank 1,000,000,000 Loser adam 0
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Michael Inglis about 1 year ago
I read you and Adam's whole argument and to tell you the truth you lost. You made yourself look pretty stupid and i don't like either Russell or Smith.
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
who is this Adam guy, you have no relevance to saying Troy Smith had a better rookie year. really well lets compare starts. lets see you can only compare 1 start since thats all that JR got. not only is JR far better right now, hes got the work ethic and study habit of Peyton Manning. hes night and day compared to last year. and in his 1 start he did pretty darn well against an elite playoff team that was playing all out, not just for Playoff positioning but its a rivalry game too. Troy Smith will be a faded memory, he already is. JR will be starting from day one, how about that oh so great Troy Smith, is he starting now. you know why hes not, because everyone knows JR has far far better tools than Smith. Smith at only 6'0, cant see over the line, doesnt have anywhere close to the arm of JR, who btw probably has best arm in league, and hes a backup at best. trying to carry over from last year saying how Smith was better is about the most ignorant thing to say. oh and what was Smiths wunderlic like a 10 like your comprehension. lol smith better than JR, lol good one. its so worthless to say, its not even worth mentioning anymore. what a joke this guy is. thats true homerism at its best.
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
steve steve.... chill. First off I know that Russell has slimmed to a fat 270 pounds... so im not listening to the media when they say he is a fatter 300 ok.
2nd off... you totally missed why I mentioned Drew Brees' name obviously.. no point in saying all that over again... my only point was that a 6'0 quarterback can see over the line. You speak about Drew Brees like he didn't have a good year last year after throwing for 4,423 yards and 28 Td's (career bests).. on top of that he completed 50 more passes than any other qb and attempted 80 more passes than anyone else and still had the 3rd best completion % in the league... so your telling me to learn something?!! so you really proved a great point there... And again your missing the point that ALL I was saying was that Smith had a better rookie year last year.... did I ever once say anything about who had a better wunderlic... or who would have a better career... did I even say who I thought was the better player.... NO!... all I was saying was that Smith had a better rookie year christ... and all of your comments about Al Davis... I didn't realize that you Raider fans actually liked him.. I thought you were like the rest of the planet and could plainly see the man is insane!
Don't say I go by speculation either... if I went by speculation I would have though Alex Smith would have been good... but I knew from day 1 he wouldn't do crap. Same goes for Matt Ryan.. the best qb in the draft last year was Brian Brohm.. why do I think this... because I follow a lot of players from high school to the pros my man... don't be sitting there telling me I don't have brains about football are you serious?... the wunderlic is the dumbest thing in the entire world and I'm glad you keep bringing it up cuz it's making me laugh. And the whole thing about quarterback height... I never said that tall quarterbacks weren't better did I.. of course tall quarterbacks are better.
Fact of the matter is this.... The Oakland Raiders have the leagues worst coaching staff... worst owner... worst pass protection... disgusting passing offense.... a highly overpaid NOBODY defensive lineman (I won't lie I can't even remember his name) that the almighty king of retardation Al Davis resigned...
Now with all that being said.. I won't lie and say the backfield of the Raiders doesn't look great. The running backs they have can easily be the best in the league. BUT.. football is a team game.. who gets the sacks on your team?... Burgess... other than him who can do anything to stop the run game of other teams?! If you couldn't stop the run with Sapp you sure as hell won't be doing it this year. RETARDED RAIDER FANS HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
Let me lay it all out straight for you so that maybe you can understand me. I wasn't questioning who was the BETTER QUARTERBACK... I was stating the fact that Troy Smith STATISTICALLY had a better ROOKIE SEASON LAST YEAR.
I absolutely believe that JR CAN SUCCEED in the NFL with PROPER COACHING... that he WONT RECEIVE while playing for the Raiders. He was drafted into a bad position and if he can get out before it is too late.. he may do well somewhere. Remember Byron Leftwich... same build.. JR has more athleticism but comparing him to Leftwich in college... Leftwich was by far the better passing qb. He was drafted to a team that was known for running.. and didn't have great receivers or a good qb coach. Look at him now... he sucks because of all that. JR will not succeed in Oakland for the same reasons.... he can study all he wants and have good practices... woooooahh practice. Everyone plays full speed in practice right?.. ha.
Is that better analysis for you there... boy.
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Josh Prope about 1 year ago
russel is a great athlete but a horrible quarterback. and it is kind of crazy how dominated this site is by raiders fans
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
there is no homerism going on.... I stated the facts... Troy Smith statistically had a better rookie season than Russell and only threw 10 more passes than Russell... if you want to say that oh Troy started 2 games and Russell only started 1 and played 3/4 of another one and not count the 3/4 of a game.... ok?... Smith won his game against a good Pittsburgh team and Russell lost in his start just to add to it... Smith had a better rookie year and that was my point... never made any comments on who would have the better career now did i?... nope. But hey lets talk about the wunderlic some more because that shows how good of a pro athlete you are?... idiot. Can Drew Brees see over the line.. I'm not sure?... he is only 6'0 and according to you that is to short to be a qb just because you have a fat 6'6 qb. I guess Brees was just throwing the ball up in the air all year long hoping one of his players would catch it?... 4,400 yards and 28Td's.. not bad for not being able to see over the line?... Strongest arm in the league.. but no brains... do you realize that throwing the ball farther than other quarterbacks is not a big deal?.. you can throw the ball 800 yards but if you can't be accurate and be able to read defenses than nobody could care less... ok so you have a designated hail mary thrower... awesome! If anyone on this site it being a homer it is the both of you senile raider fans as I have stated before... just like your owner.
By the way.. shouldn't compare anyone to Peyton Manning... if he had the work ethic of a Peyton Manning he wouldn't have been crying about wanting more money for half the season last year. Keep comparing him to Manning though.. throw Tom Brady in there as well just to further prove my point of how stupid the Al Davis gang really is.
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
see this is why you are a true homer and dont know anything but speculation just like the rest of them, throwin out false stuff. so how did drew brees do this past year again. oh yeah i forgot, after they surprised people they were onto them. lol. yeah i will compare JR to peyton with brains, apparently this is where you and many others dont know squat. JRs wunderlic was 24, Peytons 26. now although i dont put much wt into it, it does show up relatively when you see the correlation between QBs wunderlic scores and their performance. Vince Young was a 6, yeah he had a nice rookie season then became a bust because he was all athleticism and no brains. and JR didnt need to be rushed into playing first year, so it was actually good that the deal was not done early. and btw the deal was between his agent and Davis it had nothing to do with him or his brains idiot. do you even know why they got the deal done so early for Dmac as opposed to JR last year, because their actually planning on using Dmac right away. Davis knew last year that if he could hold out as much as possible maybe he could get a good deal since high picked rookies get such huge deals. but Davis knew JR will need development not being rushed in, if you had any brains you would know QB takes development. even a charger fan said JR should sit out another year for development. QB takes time, but RB can be inserted right away. wow, you know nothing about progress of football, or maybe sports in general. dude if you think JR is all about arm, then you are another one of the most ignorant fans around. just stick to watching cuz you know nothing about analysis.
and its amazing seeing how pittsburg rested their starters yet Chargers played full force. and not to mention it was our run D that gave up alot of pts. we had no playmakers last year, now we have a ton on offense. JR has been said to be night and day different person. the guy is first in and last out of offseason workouts. he has studied the playbook so well he was way ahead of the curve when the coaching staff tested him. he was also soo accurate in practice that not one corner who we have great ones could get a hand on the ball because of JRs pin point accuracy and the corners were draped all over them. it may be practice, but even then when a player says somn they know it makes a difference.
troy smith, bahahaha, what a joke. and yes size does matter. Peyton manning 6'5 and his brother too, Tom Brady i believe around 6'5, Big ben 6'5, shall i go on. i would say those QBs have won SBs have they not. JR is 6'6 and 269, and quite mobile even more so now, are you still listening to media saying he was 300, are you that mindless that you listen to media lol. try getting past the surface maybe youll learn somn.
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
and heres another reason why your completely ignorant about the comparison. JR was moved along real slow and didnt have an offseason to learn playbook so his time and plays were very simple. now with the whole offseason and all his work ethic its no surprise that he is a completely different person than last year. Kiffin wanted to not put him in and just develop him, mostly because he hadnt had the offseason to work with team, but also even if he did i wouldnt start him too until late in season and only then to get him some real game experience. last year was a complete methodical move him along very slowly and develop, this year hes ready to take the reigns. oh he has alot more than just a big arm. hes alot smarter than people realize. and a great work ethic attitude which is why i know hell do just fine. btw i havnt heard about Troy Smith this offseason, hmm i wonder why. and size also does matter because seeing over the line matters much more, and being able to just pass over it too matters alot. thats why the SB winning QBs are tall, all around 6'5. name the last QB that was 6'0 and won the SB, oh and saying Smith is 6'0 is being generous, i heard a guy on the radio talking about seeing him in person and said he looks more like 5'10. JR has the size, the mobility, the amazing physical skills, the knowledge, the work ethic, the study habit and leadership to become a great QB.
just watch and learn boy.
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William Berry about 1 year ago
I won't be shocked. I'll be amazed.:)
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Curly Morris about 1 year ago
Strength of schedule (or lack thereof)!
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Marcus Hagness about 1 year ago
Lets look at their schedule and then decide.
1 - Vs. Denver
2 - @ Kansas City
3 - @ Buffalo
4 - Vs. San Diego
5 - Bye
6 - @ New Orleans
7 - Vs. New York Jets
8 - @ Baltimore
9 - Vs. Atlanta
10- Vs. Carolina
11- Vs. @ Miami
12- @ Denver
13- Vs. Kansas City
14- @ San Diego
15- Vs. New England
16- Vs. Houston
17- @ Tampa Bay
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Marcus Hagness about 1 year ago
They've got tough road games against Tamp Bay, New Orleans, and Buffalo. They've got to play New England at home. I'm going to guess they'll get beat by San Diego twice and at least once by Denver. Miami on the road won't be easy either. They've got the tuna in charge now and they were sort of like Oakland last year losing many close games. Even if Oakland goes 9-7 this year, there is no chance that's good enough to get into the AFC playoffs.
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Derek Mathews about 1 year ago
Darren McFadden is a big pickup, but they have way too many holes to make the playoffs. Maybe a few more years.
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
glad someone is finally helping me out with this steve guy who clearly knows nothing about football....
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
oh Adam Adam Adam. im sorry you are trusting mikeys ignorance to help you. ive already proven this guy off the map wrong many times elsewhere with the help of many that proved his irrelevance before i even got there, then i just shut the door on him. and now w/out a brain cell of insight and useless stats he has no where to go, hes like a rat in a maze with no exit, its quite funny.
you would be better off following a blind man through the streets of New York City than to claim any affiliation with this fool. at least find someone who has a brain cell of insight. he will never help you out.
im sure your a good guy Adam at least dont look for help with mikey, hell lead you down the wrong path and youll never get up. just come up with some insight. stats dont say anything, games arent played on paper, its all about the process and the outlook not blind stats, which is what mikey does, blindfully bring up useless stats that actually come back to haunt him, so then he frantically goes around looking for a way out. its quite funny.
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
also Adam, mikey is a jealous hateful 49er who only posts against the Raiders. he has no insight about 9ers cuz ah they have no relevance and havnt mattered in over 13 years. hes just an angry little 9er who cant stand the Raiders and will have absolutely no insight about anything. anyone can critique someone, but until he stands on his own 2 feet and writes an article, he has well uh nothing.
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Michael Inglis about 1 year ago
Radiers will be improved but i agree wont make the playoffs. They could 7 or 8 games though with their easy schedule
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
i really dont know how their record will end up, but i cant say they wont make playoffs. they may or may not, but its not out of the question, if all came together they could surprise even me lol.
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
actually.. steve never said a thing to my last post.. so honestly steve im not hateful towards the Raiders like 49ers fans are because I don't understand the whole san fran/oakland rivalry thing... I have lived in Ohio my entire life ha... guess I'm just asking for you admit I was right.
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
lets see what happens this year, because your comparing apples and oranges to the situations of last year. are you actually going to take Troy Smith over JR in starting a team. one year doesnt mean diddly and its about the whole team coming together. is Troy Smith going to start all the time now, because that is the point. your not right until you wait a few years and see who pans out better because its all a part of the process. JR started one game at end of season w/out using the full playbook, Kiffin wasnt going to boggle him down because he knew that he was the future, so saying Smith did better supposedly in a couple stats doesnt say diddly. the real key is whose going to start now, and over a whole season for both QBs starting who does better. i mean what good is it to say, oh Troy Smith had better stats than JR, but for the next ten years JR wins a couple SBs and Smith isnt even in the league anymore, you get my drift. so in that sense this is where your completely wrong for not recognizing that. Vince Young did great first year, what happened last year, understand yet.
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steve tripe about 1 year ago
is mikey still tripping all over his words. have you still not got it yet. all your little irrelevant stats mean nothing. saying JR hasnt provin anything statistically w/out getting the big picture shows your ignorance. you like to bring up stats w/out recognizing what goes behind them. here you go little mikey if you can comprehend, but i know youll just deny it again, just because you cant create an article with an ounce of insight nor can you take the hit.
and it goes like this. JR didnt do well cuz his stats say he didnt, so what was Randy Moss before he went to Pats, huh. did the fact the worst coach in NFL and sidekick B&B boy have anything to do with it. was it never about team, or attitude or just overall content of the team. would he have gotten all those TDs and help lead the team to almost a perfect record. if he was so great with pats why couldnt he do same with Raiders, or Vikings or or. yeah mikey you again fail to recongnize what goes into stats, and this is why your stats are forever meaningless cuz you havnt a shred of insight to recognize why a player does what he does. JR cant win the game himself, this isnt a bugs bunny cartoon which you definitely resemble. its about team, chemistry, coaching etc. not individual stats. how many times has a great player had poor stats and they win. shoot Rex Grossman was probably one of the worst QBs ever that didnt lead his team to SB, they got there having to overcome his intercepting behind.
again you fail to see that stats dont mean squat. Aso has few ints last year, but the common fan who looks at the glory stats like you would fail to see that he didnt get thrown his way, only allowed nine catches and they only threw his way around 22 times the whole season. yeah but because he didnt have like 9 ints he shouldnt be in probowl. you guys trying to only use stats crack me up, especially when you claim to know somn, spit all your garbage and cant see past the hand in front of your face.
so mikey whenever you can get out of the kiddy pool and come to the big boys pool with a deep end then maybe we can converse, but until then you will always be the surfacy lame brained kid being near sighted to blind.
whats the matter others prove me right but you look for the few and i do mean very few to make you feel good. ive had tons of people and not just Raider fans compliment my insight unlike you. and i dont go looking for reasurance i already know the truth and been around alot longer to see it. thats why you havnt a shred of insight bringing up all your surfacy stats. and exactly where did i say JR is already a winner, and even if i did, do you know the context it was made. see this is why your so surfacy, get out of the 1 ft kiddy pool, im in the olympic sized deep end. just take some baby steps maybe youll get there one of these days. my comments arent meant what you think all the time, which is again why you havnt an ounce of insight.
for every useless stat you try to thwart me with i could go back and look up several to thwart you back. but the real essence of the sport isnt played in a stat book.
so tell me you and Adam, you would start a team with Troy Smith before JR, are you serious, Troy Smith had nothing to do with the success of ohio state they were a great team despite him, how overrated can you be. i just laugh at the stupidity of where your comments lead. its funny because you and my other Raider buddy sit there and spat all these stats back and forth and it goes nowhere, because thats not what its about. do you actually think Tom Brady wouldve had the same production on the Raiders as he did with pats last year, cuz thats what your saying with all your BS.
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Adam Rothlisberger about 1 year ago
Your asking a bunch of questions and just saying a bunch of stuff that makes no sense.. maybe you didn't read my other comments... I was never saying who I thought would be the better pro and was never saying I'd rather have either quarterback on my team.. period. ALL I was doing was pointing out who had the better rookie year... that's all.. and your freaking out?...
As for you saying that Troy Smith had nothing to do with the success of Ohio State.... I don't even want to waste my time commenting on that one... I think the Heisman award says enough there.. and I'll just mention the fact that he won the award by a complete landslide... oh and how about the fact that he actually led his team to a National Championship... got killed.. but got there nonetheless.
And your Tom Brady statement made me laugh because you finally admitted that your team sucks.. either that or you are claiming that JR will be better than Tom Brady.
I haven't said any BS.. your putting words in my mouth that I have never said. Get over it.. JR is fat and overrated.
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steve tripe 12 months ago
Adam your the one freaking out, to say JR is fat and overrated just contradicts what you said. my bunch of stuff makes sense to lots of people just because you dont get it doesnt make it false. and the way you overrate Troy Smith is unbelievable. and in what way is JR overrated, you cant say that until you have at least 3 years to evaluate. Peyton Manning came into league and went 3-13, and now look. Troy Aikman was 1-15 first year and won a couple SBs by end of career. unless you have a time machine or somn you cant say JR is overrated, what just because they have to give him a large contract for #1 picks hes labeled overrated, you cant judge him on that because everyone picked high is overrated based on that point. Jake Long is overrated, Dmac is overrated, Chris Long is overrated based on rookie salaries that owners have no choice but to give those deals, are you that blind. i believe all rookies should have to prove themselves, so i dont call anyone overrated based on the ridiculous salaries they have to dish out. you need to wait and see. but based on last year to this year JR has been working hard and to say hes fat and overrated is just a knee jerk reaction to someone who cant handle the fact that JR is better than troy smith and dont bring last years meaningless stats up because they dont correlate to this year. and yes Raiders did stink 2 years ago, not last year, record doesnt tell the story. you think just because they were 4-12 they stink. do you listen to anything, its about a building process, they couldve easily won 8 games, easily and were in every game except one, considering they had nothing to work with on offense in playmakers and the run D was bad, but mostly due to the fact they are on the field all the time with no rest, shows that the coaching plans were great with so little to work with and having to resurrect the debacle that shell made. are you really that ignorant.
im sorry if you think i freak out, but basing some stats about Troy Smith to JR last year and saying he was better is just so ignorant to the dynamics of the situations of teams, and play time etc. your going to sit here and say Troy Smith is better because he did a little better stat wise than JR when JR was limited much more than Smith to what he was going to be allowed to do by the coaching staff. you still dont get it do you. its about the coaching process. so is if Troy Smith is better than JR why isnt he the starter, its not like the Ravens have anything great at QB right now. in fact ill bet Mcnown and culpep would be better choices than what they had. get a clue boy before you come to me with your lame comments and lame ignorant stats.
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steve tripe 12 months ago
and do you actually think that Troy Smith was the reason that they got to the BCS championship game, are you kidding me. either your an Ohio State fan with true homerism or your just another blind fan. so many people on the radio or tv or wherever were saying how overrated he was. but i knew it because that team was great w/out him. why do you think he didnt go high in the draft if he was soo great. everyone knew that they got there despite Troy Smith. now that is about the most overrated statement ive heard. its quite laughable because its so typical. people who dont see the whole picture kinda like you dont with JR and the Raiders. in fact do you actually think you have a better grasp of the team i love and look at all kinds of stuff off and on the field. only true Raider fans will know cuz they do the same. constantly looking for new things in everyway about our team because we cant wait for the season. i didnt do that 2 years ago cuz i knew i didnt feel good about Shell and co, but when Kiffin came and the way he worked and made it so intense that they were the only ones mentioned about practices being too intense was awesome, because it meant committment to excellence again. so of course im excited in every way, not because of who we got but because of the work ethic and the determination, and the new innovative mind of Kiffin bringing in a great staff around him. and i dont know about the Ryan thing, but our problem has been on the offensive side, and yet we also acquired some top talent in needs on the defensive side too with wilson and nice upgrade with Hall. and do you even know what Hall did when he got signed by Raiders how much he intensified his committment to being better, he hired a couple of olympians to help him with some workouts in which they worked him harder than hes ever gone before which just adds to the level of committment by the team since Kiffin has been here. hes been instilling a great new mindset and work ethic. you people just dont get it, and its stuff that cant be measured by some useless stats. unless your a Raider fan i pay attention to every detail more than you, and you havnt got a clue about what JR and co have been doing. oh yeah and another rookie WR at 6'3 240 has been working harder than alot this offseason too. it just permeates through the team. JR is 6'6 269 how is that fat, and hes much more mobile than hes ever been, after this year you can eat your words and ill be waiting to ram it down your throat, so either relax or be prepared for the onslaught:)
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Adam Rothlisberger 12 months ago
Again........ I was never saying Troy Smith was better than JR in the long run.... all I was pointing out was who had the better rookie year statistically... and you are saying how you know so much about the Raiders more than me.. agreed 100%.. but now your talking about MY team in Ohio State and claiming you think they could have made it to the NC without Troy Smith.... why don't you check out some stuff about the backup... a top 3 quarterback in the nation coming out of high school.. who started some games due to Troy Smith's suspension... did you ever see the games he played in... i guarantee you didn't.. dude couldn't even throw a spiral man... so I'm not sure if you actually believe Ohio State had an offense without him or if your just dogging Troy cuz I'm dogging JR.... but you oughta learn some football before you speak... you honestly think Kiffin will get the job done there... that's good for you man.. I won't speak on that anymore than I have... and I am not hating on the Raiders in any way shape or form... I don't have a problem with the Raiders as a team at all... I'm basically giving my opinion (which is many others) about your team.. and I will be honest and say maybe I shouldn't be saying so much because I am a 49er fan... but at least my owner isn't senile you know. Is JR better than Alex Smith... you know what I don't know..... I already hate Alex Smith... I think he is worthless.. but JR hasn't proven anything to me yet either... do I think he will be better than Alex Smith... YES... but that isn't saying much is it.
Again.. the only thing I ever wanted to say was that Troy Smith had a better rookie year... and it is saying nothing about the future... nothing about the past.... nothing about draft picks.... nothing about who is taller... nothing about who is more mobile... nothing about who has the stronger arm.... nothing about who is faster.... nothing about who's team was better in college.... nothing about who won the heisman... and I'm not trying to dog your quarterback by making the statement either... none of that. It was a simple statement that Troy Smith had the better rookie year statisically... period.
And as for the Deangelo Hall statement.... dude if I sat here and said he was anything but the best corner in the league.. I'd be a complete idiot... I know my football... Deangelo was a HUGE pickup in the offseason and dude.... actually read this when I say this to you because I mean it.. I wish your team the best of luck.. I don't have a problem with Oakland man... you just totally took my one comment out of hand. Ok so I don't think JR was the best 1st overall pick ever.... and I don't think he will ever live up to a #1 pick standard... but lets be honest... if he can be a top 15 quarterback in the league that is good enough... there are not many GREAT quarterbacks in the league right now. I rooted for Oakland in the Superbowl when you had old brown ear pads Gannon back there alright... I'm NOT dogging your team... chill.
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steve tripe 12 months ago
Alright Adam i got you. but you still didnt understand my point about who had the better rookie year. i looked at the stats and just statistically theres nothing to boast about. but the thing is JR played in only a few games in spotty situations, you cant really compare them for rookie seasons. the only way to compare is in same situations over a whole season, but does it really matter. but also when your saying Troy Smith did better than JR it implies that hes better and i dont think you realized thats how you came across so thats why i went into now and ever after and all the other stuff that goes into it. nothing personal but when people bring up stats blindly w/out getting the big picture it really annoys me, and its not just you. you know the word overredundant, well im see overredundancy with this stuff ten fold and im sure you can see why i go off. when you claim someone with better stats you are in fact saying hes better are you not. do you understand what im saying about what your saying. and for goodness sake dont even fall down the darkpath listenting to mikey, hes a 9er fan that makes you guys look worse than anyone. theres anti Raider fans on Raiders message boards that look like great people compared to him, and some of them are downright abominable. he hasnt a shread of insight because he blindly uses stats which can always be refuted.
i hate when people try to use stats and dont look at the big picture. games arent played on paper. you know Aso only allowed nine catches hardly anyone threw his way and he made 2 great QBs alter their gameplan yet only had a few ints so he doesnt go to probowl because its just a popularity contest. do you understand what im saying about stats not telling the story.
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steve tripe 12 months ago
and i know Adam that you were just bringing up the stats, but even then, the only game you can say anything with relateability that statistically you can compare is the last game for both, since JR played the whole game and i believe so did Smith, at least so it would seem and ive heard.
so technically its the only game you can compare for the two and JR beats Smith.
JR had a better rating, percentage and yds for the game. also Steelers werent playing all their starters and obviously resting. but Chargers played full force because they had to win to claim a better spot for home field advantage. so with a limited plays, no preseason and barely brought along, JR did better in the only game you can compare both which is last game of season, and yet JR did better against tougher competition, the final score doesnt mean anything cuz thats the result of the rest of the teams, but Steelers rested and Chargers didnt not to mention Chargers have a better D anyway than Steelers.
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steve tripe 12 months ago
and something else im wondering Adam when you bring up that Smith had better stats except of course for the only game they both played the whole game in, what is your point. i mean isnt the whole point to say Smith was Better. does it really prove anything in relation to this year. whats the significance of saying Smith had better stats than JR. do you understand what im getting at. even if Smith had all these better stats what does that mean, whats the point. is Smith better because of having a couple stats better in a few spotty places in games like JR had when JR didnt have anything to really build on for the year. not to mention rookie QBs should sit and learn for a year and play in couple spots to get a little experience in real game action. but its a meaningless statistical statement to say who had better stats. its comparing apples and oranges. it just doesnt relate. the whole point is who is going to do better and JR had a great game against one of toughest teams in league in his only start of year, who played full force not resting any starters btw. and now he is night and day difference this year even more so.
stats come and go but its the person who will make those stats in the future by what they do and JRs work ethic to go along with his physical freakness is what excites me. if it wasnt for the work ethic of JR this year and his just incredible attitude to succeed i wouldnt say a word. its all about the process not just some stats that dont relate.
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Adam Rothlisberger 12 months ago
I get your stats argument but that was just my whole point that Troy had the better rookie year statistically. Mentally Troy was with it the whole year competing for the nasty qb job in Baltimore and when he got his shot he did very well for a rookie. JR was studying the playbook but he didn't even get to practice many of the plays until what halfway through the year?? correct me if I am wrong. I'm not saying he didn't want to be practicing and learning everything he needed to know... but the truth is that he wasn't there getting any timing down or anything....
And by me saying that Troy had a better rookie year was not implying anything about the future. If I sat here and said that Ben Roethlisberger had a better rookie year than Peyton Manning... would I be saying Ben was better?... because he did have a better rookie year but is not even close to what Manning is... see my point.. my whole thing was about ROOKIE stats which whether you like it or not are part of the game.
If you want to see the BIG PICTURE think about it a bit I explained it all to you. While Troy was working his ass off for a spot.. JR was having money issues and sitting around looking at a playbook. Both got to play significant time in 2 games... Troy started two full games... and JR came into one game and threw over 20 passes and then started the next game. So it is very easy to compare both games as significant time for both of them and gather up those two games stats and clearly see who had the better rookie year statistically.
One last thing... this comment you keep making... "and now he is night and day difference this year even more so." Ok so you talk to me about speculation and the media and stuff yet your hearing all of this speculation of how he is now.. how he has changed and so on and so forth. You have no idea how he will actually be man... no idea.
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steve tripe 12 months ago
why dont i have an idea. the same idea ive had for the committment about players has always panned out. yes we cant tell the future, and thats my point about wait until 3 years before saying hes way overrated as you said. you said he was fat and overrated. well statistically hes not fat, hes in great shape and if you heard him and kiffin on behind the shield you would see what a joke for people to make up stuff about him it is. I actually do feel i have an idea. i mean when you get in the car and go somewhere you have an idea how to get where your going, something might interupt that plan but you have an idea.
you see its not hard to speculate when people show great work ethic, cuz it always pays off. its the ones all you hear is talent but not much else are the ones you truly have no idea. he played great against a charger team that had to win in final game of year. and hes now had all that with the offseason to really go to work, which he has. how can you say i have no idea based on rationale educated guesses. this isnt rocket science you can easily see the trend of what will happen based on certain things. ive seen enough stats combined with work ethic and a whole lot more to see somn great from him. and the thing about it is he doesnt have to necessarily carry the load, even though hes becoming a leader on and off the field this offseason. but the running game with Dmac and co could take so much pressure off him itll just flow even better for him. dont be fooled by how he talks hell surprise alot of people maybe even me because of his work ethic.
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Adam Rothlisberger 12 months ago
Maybe I worded it wrong... or maybe you took it wrong. I'm just saying that you shouldn't bt sitting there talking to me about listening to media and speculating on how things will be from listening to others talk about someone. In all honesty I doubt you have gone to any of the team meetings or practices... sorry man. I'm not saying he isn't working hard.. but what coach or team personel person is going to come out and say anything bad about the guy. I know you have an idea of how he will be from what you saw last year and that is fine.... but its like in baseball if you watch it... a pitcher is only as good as his mind allows him to be. I've seen many pitchers go into the league and dominate a few games until people break down film of them and find things about the way they go about their business to stop them. Then a lot of those pitchers that started off hot fade away.. except the smart ones who find out what people are finding out about their approach and fix it.
Now when I say this.... this is only my personal opinion on JR. The man has a great upside... but not the coaching that he needs right now to be GREAT.... as I stated before.. if he doesn't get that coaching within the first 3 to 4 years.... he will be way to far behind to ever do squat in the NFL... there are many examples of this situation too..... Leftwich, Harrington, Boller... and I am sure many more examples... and then there are some guys who just don't have what it takes to be in the NFL like Alex Smith haha.... and in no way shape or form am I sticking JR in that category at all... he has the tools... just not the coaches.
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steve tripe 12 months ago
oh i totally believe in the coaching. and yes if anything happens with the guys who are coaching him now, especially Kiffin, yes it could hurt him. but then again, all im saying is, they dont just say false things about what hes doing. yes coaches are going to beef him up, but i think its the nature of where you get the info from. when your watching a long press conference at their training facility when they come fresh off the practice field just reiterating whats been happening thats not coming from the media. its when you dont hear the players or the coaches tell it themselves and you just see written material by the media. JR being first in and last off for the offseason workouts isnt some speculated comment, thats factual and you can take that as someone working hard and leading their team which is what a QB should do, lead by example. i know exactly what your saying, but my info comes on fact and tendencies. if the coaching stays solid with him for another couple years and hes developed then all will be fine.
and did you say that the coaching he has now isnt great. are you kidding, cuz this has been the best coaching since Gruden, which is why ill go bezerk if Al lets any of them go. like i said with things being constant JR and the rest of the team will do great. ive blasted Al before so im not going to say everythings great if he messes it up again, but right now it looks great, and Kiffin has that great work ethic he expects out of the team. its not just JR, but the rest of the team is following. have you heard about one of our WR rookie pickups. the guy is 6'3 240 and is in the wt room around 5 am, being first in to work hard, but the others arent far behind. and the list can go on. i really dont think you understand the dynamics of what im talking about. but well have to wait about 3 years to see.
oh and JRs mind is great, hes a big admirer of Peyton who hes wanted to emulate. and judging by his study habits and work ethic hes doing great. and he scored 2 pts behind Peyton for the wunderlick test. this test has a good correlation for QBs in league in which the mind aspect is most important. the intangibles are awesome for JR and its not the media im hearing it from. if anything media plays down the Raiders and just puts out generic stuff that has no depth. i look into what the players and coaches are saying, media couldnt get enough insight on the Raiders if their life depended on it. its amazing how surfacy they are. i could do a better job easily about the Raiders than many of them. occasionally someone might say somn good but not too often, and im talking about good insight not complimenting the Raiders. i just want good solid insight, dont give me the generic stuff that ive heard a 1000 times before it goes mainstream the next day.
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Andrew Spray 12 months ago
I would love to see the Raiders make it to the post season, but I don't expect it to happen. I think that most of the pieces are in place, but it seems to be very dependent on a Jamarcus Russel and Darren Mcfadden. While I believe both could develop into great players, they will need time to develop. If the Raiders make it to the post season it would not be the biggest surprise, but if they don't, the season will still be far from a bust as your younger players have another season under their belts.
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