Rivalries. They are a big part of the NFL with emphasis on those that have become historic. The Packers vs. Vikings, the Browns vs. Steelers are just some of a few. One rivalry that can be included will be a Week One matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos.
Want more added excitement to this? It's the Monday Night Football opener. The big stage.
The struggles within the division for Oakland have been one thing that has made them the laughing stock of the NFL for the past half decade. However, with their recent rise in talent, better coaching, and the addition of better personnel, the tides are changing in the AFC West.
This was shown last year as Oakland went 2-4 in the division and was a time out from going 3-3. Now the stage is set for them to start the '08-'09 campaign 1-0.
Let's revisit the Broncos recent team activity.
Travis Henry is a guy the Broncos signed last season who they had amazingly high hopes for, and they were not the only ones. Fantasy drafts had Henry usually going in the first round as Denver is well known for producing unknown running backs into stars. So with a proven back, the sky was supposedly the limit. Well, speaking of getting high, Henry is no longer with the team, leaving a giant hole at the running back spot.
Selvin Young and Michael Pittman are the leading candidates for the open spot now. We all know about Young's recent prediction, so while laughing at the current RB situation, let's all take time to acknowledge that too. The guy has a great career as a comedian following his NFL career. Don't get me wrong, he could do it, anything is possible, but it's unlikely, which leads me to my next point.
The offensive line. Matt Lepsis was a great talent, but he's gone. Tom Nalen, another great talent, has already been hurt this preseason with his status for Week One in question. At the age of 37, we cannot be sure, especially with the wear and tear that goes with being an offensive lineman. Ryan Clady was their early draft pick and while he has potential, will he have success like Joe Thomas, or struggle like Robert Gallery? Only time will tell.
New starters, older personnel, this isn't something you want on the starting line. This will obviously make the already weak running game even weaker. Conventional thinking would make you think they could just air it out to get those needed points on the board. If only it was that easy against the Raiders.
Nnamdi Asomugha is one of the best corners in the league and has shown no signs of slowing down as he is having a great preseason.
DeAngelo Hall is now the new corner on the opposite side of the field and the traditional fan would be quick to jump to say he's just as good as Nnamdi, but that's not even close to being the case. Hall is a decent corner but not great. In this game, he'll fare well and I will explain why later.
Michael Huff is moving back to his normal spot at free safety where he will be able to do what he did well in college. Expectations for him this year are very high. Although he hasn't lived up to his seventh overall pick status, this could be the year where he starts opening everyone's eyes. He has the talent; we all just hope he can utilize it to the best of his ability.
And now the newcomer, Gibril Wilson. Wilson is a good safety taking the spot from a very poor one in Stuart Schweigert. There aren't many places where you can have as big of an upgrade as this. Stu has been terrible for the Raiders recently while Wilson has been generally consistent with his play on the defending champion New York Giants.
I just went through the Raider's secondary to show the point that these guys are good, and I haven't even mentioned the two linebackers in Howard and Morrison, whom are also very good in coverage. Why would I be doing this you might ask? I'll explain that now.
The Broncos have a young QB, an unstable offensive line, barely a running game, and now after today we all found out that their stud receiver Brandon Marshall will not be able to play in this game. No it's not for an injury obtained when he "slipped on a McDonald's wrapper," it's for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Being arrested three times in seventeen months also doesn't help.
So now that great Oakland secondary doesn't even have to cover one of the league's premier receivers, it now has the job of covering Brandon Stokely, Darrell Jackson, and Keary Colbert. This might not sound bad to the naive ear, but it's nothing great. It's barely even good.
Colbert, playing opposite of Steve Smith has been injured the past couple years and produced very little. He should not be a viable threat to the Oakland secondary in the first game of the season.
Jackson is coming over from his first and only season with the 49ers where people probably barely even remember. What are remembered of Darrell are his years in Seattle where he had a couple of years with 1,000 plus receiving yards.
We are now three years removed since Jackson's last 1,000 yard season plus he doesn't have Matt Hasselbeck throwing him the football. While I'm high on Cutler, he's not Hasselbeck and no one can argue that. Show me something Jackson before we say you can do it.
Stokely was a great third option for Peyton Manning. I was also once fooled because we often heard his name and that's no lie. Facts are, he's only had one year with a 1,000 yards receiving in that pass happy Colt offense. He's also 32 and has had injury problems his whole career.
So, this Raider secondary, which is looked at as a preseason best, will have the "trouble" of covering those guys? I doubt that will be a problem.
Let's revisit: unknown running game, shaky offensive line, young QB, and poor wide receivers. Shanahan is a great coach; don't get me wrong, but on paper, where are the points going to come from? At least they had Marshall to offer a distraction and stretch the field. Now, with his suspension, this should be one the Raiders should be able to take. Good luck Denver...did I mention that the game is in Oakland also??
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2 months ago
wow whoever rote this is very stupid!!! yes brandon marshall is suspended but that dnt meen shit!!!! Jay Cutler is a very good QB better then Matt Hasleback!! there runing game was #8 nd they dnt need travis henry he has prob and the recivers a very talented better then any okland player and there QB russel is a retard he cant play 4 shit darren mcfadden is talented but funbles 2 much!!! did i mention the broncos running game is better and still better then okland srry but u will have another 4_)12 season agin get used 2 it!! While the broncos take on the chargers 4 afc west and in the next couple years well i a couple the broncos will b rapeing the chargers and raider!!! o srry the already rape the raiders whoops!!!! JAY Cutler is the future and we all no it!!! and he is already a top 10 Q and now its his 3rd year and well they will make the play offs
from 2 months ago
LOL...learn how to spell before you ever post a comment again.
what are you?, like 6 years old?
look at how you spelled:
OAKLAND-OKLAND
WROTE-ROTE
RECIEVERS-RECIVERS
FUMBLES-FUNBLES
KNOW-NO
HASSELBECK-HASLEBACK
and you called the person who wrote this "very stupid"...that's comical...
AND, no...Jay Cuttler is NOT better than Matt HASSELBECK...
from 2 months ago
Ok, is it just me or did everyone else have to decipher that to read it? How in the hell is Denver's running game better than Oakland.
Justin Fargas 1009 yards 14 games. Your best was Selvin Young with 729 yards in 15 games. And excuse me the Raiders were 6th in Rushing and your beloved Broncos were 9th. Remember, the higher the number, the better you are. So next time you want to throw out stats, have them right first. www.nfl.com is good place to start.
from 2 months ago
i dont' feel i need to reply to this..
i feel bad for you and your parents..
from 2 months ago
since the Raider family has already commented on the lack of english skills, and foolishness, I won't poke any more fun matt....just go back to bed.
from 2 months ago
cutler isn't better then hasselback he has less experience and has always had RB's to rely on without a running game he can't produce shit. as for your #8 running game we had the number 6? right? check it..as for mcfadden fumbling check the stats and see which positions he played in college when he fumbled, his fumbles came from punt and kick returns and playing quarterback shit changes moron. as for your team making the playoffs and beating the chargers and cutler being the future, i'll gaurentee you right now the raiders will win both games played between the 2 teams and it wont be close, the only reason why we didnt sweep last years series between the 2 is because your punkass coach called a timeout that barely saved your poor sorry scared asses...
don't even brag about your team its the most faulty peice of shit team in the division other then the chiefs.
from 2 months ago
cutler isn't better then hasselback he has less experience and has always had RB's to rely on without a running game he can't produce shit. as for your #8 running game we had the number 6? right? check it..as for mcfadden fumbling check the stats and see which positions he played in college when he fumbled, his fumbles came from punt and kick returns and playing quarterback shit changes moron. as for your team making the playoffs and beating the chargers and cutler being the future, i'll gaurentee you right now the raiders will win both games played between the 2 teams and it wont be close, the only reason why we didnt sweep last years series between the 2 is because your punkass coach called a timeout that barely saved your poor sorry scared asses... don't even brag about your team its the most faulty peice of shit team in the division other then the chiefs.
from 2 months ago
cutler isn't better then hasselback he has less experience and has always had RB's to rely on without a running game he can't produce shit. as for your #8 running game we had the number 6? right? check it..as for mcfadden fumbling check the stats and see which positions he played in college when he fumbled, his fumbles came from punt and kick returns and playing quarterback shit changes moron. as for your team making the playoffs and beating the chargers and cutler being the future, i'll gaurentee you right now the raiders will win both games played between the 2 teams and it wont be close, the only reason why we didnt sweep last years series between the 2 is because your punkass coach called a timeout that barely saved your poor sorry scared asses... don't even brag about your team its the most faulty peice of shit team in the division other then the chiefs.
from 2 months ago
wow since when being ranked 8th better than sixth. The raiders were ranked 6th
from 2 months ago
Sorry, Matt. I'm with Joey.Where's your basis for Russell? He's only started one game. And I'm sick of people using the "DMac fumbles too much" argument. One, they never taught him how to carry the ball at Arkansas, something they will MAKE him do the right way in the NFL. Plus, it wasn't as bad as people thought. Most of that came from the LSU game, and I'm pretty sure he made up for it. Talented? Try special my freind. He's more than just "talented". And, no, Cutler is not better than Hassleback.
2 months ago
Uh...Lori, its actually better to have a lower number. Low=Good, you know, like 'We're number one"! Only a Raider fan would cheer "we're number 32.....we're number 32".
from 2 months ago
Actually, the higher number she refers to, is in yardage....in this case, Fargas vs Young.
from 2 months ago
Before you go and claim your prize, know exactly what I am talking about. If your RB has 1009 yard in rushing and the other teams RB only has 729 yards, then the higher number is better. I wasn't talking about us being 6th in rushing and them being 9th, if that confused you.
2 months ago
I always support bay area teams, but I believe people should not write without doing research. Selvin Young is scheduled as starter, however Cecil Sapp is the Fullback not Halfback, that means he is not going to be much of the running game. Runningback order is tentatively as follows 1) Selvin Young 2) Michael Pittman and 3) the rookie who I believe is really the #2 Ryan Torain.
Selvin young is extremely fast and a decent size, what he has going for him is he’s in a hard competition for starting RB as Denver has not agreed that he will actually be the starter yet. This is similar to Justin Fargas last year fighting to be the #1 for Oakland. When a player is put into a position like that they tend to have break out seasons. Because of this I think Selvin Young will have a great year. Main Drawback, he is injury prone.
As for QB position, im sorry but Cutler is a proven QB who got 100 times better last year over the previous year. He took young no named receivers and made one of them allstar caliber in Marshal.
Look at the running attempts the Raiders averaged last year to that of the Broncos and you may see why there is a yardage difference. Raiders could not through the ball and had to run, Broncos had a successful passing game.
Those are just statistics and I think that heart has the most to do with a team winning, but if your going to comment on statistics research them first.
from 2 months ago
please research?? ok whatever you say, i did none of that explaining the WRs situations and talking about Lepsis and Nalen's ages respectively.. putting Sapp in there was a mistake and i'm gonna fix that and thanks for pointing that out..
as for your Cutler thing, sure, he got better but that doesn't mean he's a top tier QB.. i would barely call him a second tier QB.. he's not better than Palmer, McNabb, Hassellbeck, Romo etc etc..
it's funny how you tell me to research, yet you offer really no counterpoints to what i said.. you simply pointed out a mistake which i have acknowledged and will change..
from 2 months ago
Steven, I hate to break the bad news to you, but Cutler's job is only going to get harder, since the line he has, that's trying to protect him, is aging like milk.
Losing Lynch, is going to prove bad, worse than last year, considering the team finished near the bottom in stopping the run. Call it a bad omen, but when teams start making your defense look like LT vs the Raiders...things need to be done.
With Marshall out, this game isn't going to be pretty. Not only because it's in Oakland, but because, I see a Broncos team that looks a lot like the 2003 Raiders.....pieces are slowing down, and teams will be able to dictate how to move the ball....by the end of the year, people are going to be on the IR, wondering what happened to that season of promise.....and Shanahan will be looking in the NFL classifieds for a new job.
from 2 months ago
If you are talking about me, you would have seen that I made no comment about Cutler, at all. As for research, I was commenting on Mr. Phonics' post about Denver's running game being better than the Raiders. And you can talk statistics about Cutler and Russell as this year (2008) is really gonna be his rookie year. First training camp and full season, barring injury. So we can't even discuss QB's YET! But as for the running game, the Raiders definitely put the numbers up last year whether they were fighting for a roster spot or not. And as I look at it, these players are always fighting for roster spots. If a #1 receiver isn't pulling his weight, would he or wouldn't he be pulled out and the #2 be put in. Absolutely. No Research needed!
2 months ago
Good Read, Jeremy. I can't wait for the season to start and that game.
2 months ago
Broncos predicting playoffs. Thats a bold statement by himself, considering he doesn't have the team to do it. We should have beat them last year twice, they got away with one. However, there is no reason why we shouldn't smash on the Broncos wining by double digits and letting the rest of the league know, the Raider are back!
Good Read, Jeremy. Keem em coming
2 months ago
LOL..the more I look at "MATT's" comment up top, I crack up laughing at his spelling as I hear a retarded kids voice in the back of my head while I read. Kinda reminds me of Arnie Grape
2 months ago
hey matt smell some reality , the broncos suck and they're not going to the playoffs, they dont have much of nothing going on right now and when the raiders clean the floor with them on mnf you can comeback and tell us how great cutler is, on the other hand this article is cool.
2 months ago
Hold up. I think last year was the first time the raiders had a good running game. Just think about there previous running backs. We all know the broncos have always had a bad ass running game. Between all the broncos starters last year they missed 72 GAMES!!! We were so depleted on the line on both sides, our receivers, and our running backs were jacked, and not to mention cutler was playing with diabetes and still posted numbers while the raiders couldn't even find a starting QB. And russell is about as big as clady is. Our d coordinator did not know how to use our personnel. And I know you hate to admit it but our defense has tons of talent. The raiders secondary scares me but that's about it. Not one player on the raiders offense has proved they can play in the nfl for the exception of fargas. I don think the raiders o line has ever had a pro bowler and you failed to mention that they cannot protect whatever QB starts. Denvers receivers are decent and scheffler is on the brink of stardom. Our o line will still protect cutler and produce a thousand yard rusher. J walk was good but he all washed up. Come on raider fans you know its gonna be another long dissapointing season, but hey there's always next year. Im lookin forward to that monday night game. Oh ya and joey you didn't spell receivers right....
2 months ago
And again, you can see David's got the classical symptoms of a teenager. If he can't convince you, he goes into name-calling, and then more insults. Perhaps David needs to go read the Terms of Use link found at the bottom of this page, and scroll down to item 6....so far, he's violated it 4 times to count.
2 months ago
gramps i will be a man an apologize my bad. im still going to point out the things that the raiders wont get them no where.
from 2 months ago
And as a loyal fan, I'll stand up for the team I enjoy watching play.
Sure, it's been a crazy 5 years, but after the bottoming out Shell year, they've started the road back out. Cable's done wonders for the Offensive Line, the Defensive line seems more responsive, now that Wilson is there to play Strong Safety. It also helps Huff out, letting him roam, and look for picks in progress.
One thing that Cutler is going to have fits with, is trying to find a WR that can catch the ball....Nmandi, no one throws in his neck of the woods, and there's about 5 other choices to pick the ball off with.
2 months ago
Jeremy good article, lots of good points. Matt: Calling you and idiot would be a insult to all stupid people. Looking past the donkeys eyes set on AFC WEST.
2 months ago
i dont see how the raiders have been the laughing stock for the past DECADE and a half....i remember us being in the superbowl in 2002 and in playoffs previous years in this decade......other than that good read....and what is it with every bronco fan they think jay cutler is god...he has POTENTIAL to be very good but right now hes nothing special.
from 2 months ago
Damien,. thanks for catching that... i meant to put "half decade" and obviously that slipped.. my bad, and thanks for letting me know and it has been corrected..
2 months ago
The Raiders suck
2 months ago
by matt
about 14 hours ago
wow whoever rote this is very stupid!!! yes brandon marshall is suspended but that dnt meen shit!!!! Jay Cutler is a very good QB better then Matt Hasleback!! there runing game was #8 nd they dnt need travis henry he has prob and the recivers a very talented better then any okland player and there QB russel is a retard he cant play 4 shit darren mcfadden is talented but funbles 2 much!!! did i mention the broncos running game is better and still better then okland srry but u will have another 4_)12 season agin get used 2 it!! While the broncos take on the chargers 4 afc west and in the next couple years well i a couple the broncos will b rapeing the chargers and raider!!! o srry the already rape the raiders whoops!!!! JAY Cutler is the future and we all no it!!! and he is already a top 10 Q and now its his 3rd year and well they will make the play offs
AH ha ha ha ha.
Oh ha ha ha ho ho he he ho.
Whew!
Thanks for the laugh to get my day started!
Ha ha ha ha heh heh heeee.
Man. That. Is. Funny!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good times, good times..........
2 months ago
It is very likely that the scenario Jeremy painted in his article will turn out to be reality come opening night. I have said it before, it all comes down to Shanahan ans his ego. While he is still trying to reincarnate John Elway, it seems to me that he believes all the hype regarding his own supposed "genius"as an offensive coordinator and his beloved zone blocking running game. By this I mean it has seemed to me that he has bought into the B.S. that Shanahan is a football god and it doesn't matter who he suits up to run the football or who plays on the line ( isn't Nalen as old as John McCain), his scheme will turn them into 1000+ yard rusher. Because nobody can stop Mike Shanahan or his rushing attack. Well in the last couple of years, it has become apparent that isn't necessarily so. Jeremy is absolutely right. From an outsiders perspective it looks like Shanahan is thinking,we don't need Travis Henry,just plug Pittman into my system he runs for 1800 yards. Easy. Wrong.Jeremy also nailed their WR problem, no need to address that. Denver will not be in the AFC Championship in 2008. They may pull off 8-8 to finish at best, and thats being generous.
from 2 months ago
8-8 is being real generous. You're right on with Shannahan. He's done and is being exposed for the terrible personnel guy he is. The amount of talent he's let go of is just crazy. Has he even done anything since Elway and Davis retired?
Denver had no run defense last year and did nothing to address that, in fact they lost Ian Gold one of their best run defenders. They lost their best WR in Walker and Marshall will be out for the first three games. On top of that their Oline lost a vet and will be starting a rookie. To think Denver will be even remotely good is laughable. The Raiders spanked them in the second game last year and are a much better team, while Denver has only gotten worse. I expect two blowouts this year and the Bronco's will more then likely take over the cellar of the AFC West for years.
2 months ago
glad you guys all seem to like it.. maybe i should continue doing these.. if you noticed, i've only done a couple articles, so maybe i'll do some more.. we'll see what happens..
2 months ago
Damn raider fans act like the raiders are so damn good and their gonna be some kind of nfl giant this season 8-8 is generous, whatever. oakland hasn't done anything since they stunk it up in the super bowl and got there asses handed to them. You guys can really talk crap about the broncos goin 8-8 but the raiders probably won't even win 6, and that's bein generous. Your secondary can't do it all. I mean your offense has to score some points and who is gonna do it? You might as well put russell at LT cuz he could probably block a hell of a lot better than the starter. Russells knowledge and accuracy has always been a problem and when he was a rookie tryin to even see the field before he was gettin rushed on, cutler was settin rookie QB records that greats like dan marino held. Im high on the raiders defense, but the offense and special teams is gonna struggle so bad. Guaranteed they won't finish in the top 20 in any kind of statistical category and its gonna be another losing season. You guys need to jus promote your d coordinator to head coach. All this talk, lets jus let time tell and when MNF rolls around we'll see who's the better TEAM!!
from 2 months ago
when did i say they were that good?? i'm talking about one game homey..
would you like to jump to more conclusions??
from 2 months ago
You're right on one thing, Kyle.
You'll see who's the better team, come monday.
The last time we played Shanahan, in Oakland, we handed him his hat, and beat him by two touchdowns......forget that?
How about the facts that Lynch is gone, Marshall's suspended, and now Nalen may be gone all training camp, if not longer?
Would you like to add more foolish comments, or are you done?
from 2 months ago
More of this delusionl " Shanahan will just plug some unknowns into his godlike system and we roll through the playoffs. Didn't ESPN pick Denver to win it all this year like they have for the past 20 years. " Oakland probably won't be great this year but speaking as an NFL fan, not just a Raider fan, Denver will be worse. It's become all about Mike Shanahan, and it is starting to fail which was inevitable. Since Elway retired it's been a long slow decline. Comparing Cutler to Marino is the biggest Homer move of all time. Cutler isn't cutting it( translation: not John Elway), and won't be around in a couple of years. The Patriots are a clone of Denver in the respect taht Belichick thinks he can plug anyone in and if they do as he says they are invincible. But like Denver with Elway, without Tom Brady, they got nothing.
2 months ago
lol i agree with kyle the raiders suck
2 months ago
Kyle, how do you KNOW the Raiders LT won't perform?
What records did Cutler set? I'm not finding anything, anywhere???
Why would you be here, reading a Raider article, if you weren't scared piss-less of the Raiders? You're weak. Bronco's 13, Raiders 37, week one. Get your Tums ready, geek!
2 months ago
This is how i put it. raider fans you guys have a good rushing game and pass defense and a bit of luck that got you 4 wins thats it do your research and did you notice that the raiders averaged 17.7 points per game theres no way there going to get 37 dan, broncos i have to say good passing, pass defense is straight defense and yes cutler will be better than hasselbeck. and im kinda confused cutler setting records.
2 months ago
“Cutler set an NFL record by having multiple touchdown passes in his first four games as a starter”
-
Dan:
One google search turned this up; you must not have looked very hard.
Ian gold wasn't heavy enough for our system.
Marlon McCree will more than make up for John Lynch at safety.
Rookie Ryan Clady will solidify our O line with his great hands and size.
Dumervil, at 5-foot-11 and 260 pounds, has led the Broncos in sacks in each of his first two seasons - 8 1/2 in 2006 and 12 1/2 in 2007.
The slot machine Stokley still has some of the best hands in the NFL and is a threat in the middle, which is inconsequential because rookie Eddie Royal will be the #3 receiver according to the latest depth chart released 8/3/08.
Your secondary is stacked, but your offense is one dimentional.
Broncos win 10-7
from 2 months ago
Um, Michael...that might be the score, if say, the 7 was for the special teams picking off Cutler for a TD....
I doubt McCree is going to know what hit him, when he tries to stop McFadden, and winds up on the ground, looking at the stars.
Dumervil.....where was he last year when Oakland owned the Broncos?
2 months ago
theres a reason why they had 4 wins an they had 8 duh see the difference. i still put them last behind the chiefs.
2 months ago
this so funny how a transvisite fan and a minature pony fan are fighting over 3 and last place lol GO CHARGERS!!!
from 2 months ago
how that trophy case looking fan boy??
the Chiefs will finish last in the division PS... at least they should..
2 months ago
I am ready for Fantasy Football! - www.fantasyfootballhalloffame.com (Yes - the fans can actually become the legends). Check it out!
2 months ago
Jeremy I wasn't talkin to you, homie. Look at all your raider buddys comments. I said raider fans, so stop jumping to conclusions. Thank you michael. Cutler did set records as a rookie by throwing multiple td passes in consecutive games. Held by dan marino. Im sure jeremy could tell you that since he seems to know everything about our offense. Dan, you don even know me and I bet I know more about oakland than you do since I grew up around football and raider fans and never heard the end of it. And why wouldn't I read an article about the raiders beating my team in week one, shit you would too. Its one of the biggest rivalries in the league. Why don you tell me some stats about some records the raiders have had the past couple years besides most consecutive losses. Ha ha. Who's to say your LT wont perform? Same goes for our WRs and O line, right? Shoot I bet our second string QB could have a better season then russell, but that's MY OPINION!!!
2 months ago
"Henry is no longer with the team, leaving a giant hole at the running back spot.
Oh the "giant" hole that Henry also left the Broncos with last year when he got hurt?"
- When Selvin Young emerged and played better than Henry. That hole? Seems like the hole will be alright in my book. Especially since the O line is getting better (not worse as the author might point out). How does our line get worse when we get Hamilton back, Nalen back and a top pick in Clady?? Explain to me how the line gets worse? If Nalen and Hamilton go down than we still have the same line as last year but with Clady and Wiegmann, so it’s even better.
"Selvin Young and Michael Pittman are the leading candidates for the open spot now."
- Do your research man. Pittman isn’t even slotted as the 4th back on the depth chart. He is the 3rd the option at FULLBACK. 5th option running backs and 3rd option fullbacks aren’t leading candidates for the starting RB job.
"The offensive line. Matt Lepsis was a great talent, but he’s gone."
- Oh the great talent that stunk last year and retired because he said he wasn’t able to perform at the NFL level?? That Lepsis? Because the Broncos certainly didn’t lose the Pro Bowl LT Lepsis from years back. That Lepsis was gone three years ago. So yeah, losing him and drafting Clady makes the Broncos offensive line wayyyy worse than last years.....
"Tom Nalen, another great talent, has already been hurt this preseason with his status for Week One in question."
- Again, do your research buddy. Nalen said he would start if the season started tomorrow. It’s preseason and he’s a veteran. If your not 100% in preseason and your a Pro Bowl veteran, you get to miss a few afternoon practices. Wiegmann’s also not to shabby as an understudy (see his 111 consecutive games starting streak, third in the NFL for active offensive linemen).
"New starters, older personnel, this isn’t something you want on the starting line. This will obviously make the already weak running game even weaker."
- What kind of statement is this? New starters are fine as long as they can play (which Clady can) and older personnel is never an issue on offensive line. I’m quote a Bronco great and now Hall of Famer:
"When you’re young, you’re surviving on your athletic ability and your quickness. Your recovery time is so quick. As you get a little bit older, your recovery time goes down and your smarts go up and pretty soon your smarts take over. That’s kind of where I ended up with Denver was the smarts were taking over." - Gary Zimmerman
I think a combination of young, athletic talent mixed in with proven veterans is the ideal recipe for success. So the Broncos go down as a team because they lost the veteran leadership of Lynch but than this author says that the O line will get worse because they have still have "older personnel??"
"Nnamdi Asomugha is one of the best corners in the league and has shown no signs of slowing down as he is having a great preseason."
- Yeah I mean it’s not like the Broncos don’t have a stud corner back either. Oh wait... BTW Champ is also having a great preseason.
"Michael Huff is moving back to his normal spot at free safety where he will be able to do what he did well in college."
- How can you take this writer seriously? I think Huff will benefit from moving back to his more natural position but he was the most dominating safety in college when he got drafted. For him to be the most dominating safety in the NFL just because he moves over is a completely dumb statement to make.
"The Broncos have a young QB."
....with more way experience than Russell.
"an unstable offensive line"
....that is still way better than the Raiders.
"barely a running game"
....that still was 9th in the league despite the injuries from the O line and the running backs themselves. Not to mention Selvin averaged 5.2 ypg (3rd best in the league) in his ROOKIE year.
"We are now three years removed since Jackson’s last 1, 000 yard season."
- Oh sorry, I guess his 956 yards and 10 TD’s just over a year ago aren’t worthy of mentioning. I guess it’s 1, 000 yards or bust for number 2 receivers these days.
"So, this Raider secondary, which is looked at as a preseason best, will have the "trouble" of covering those guys? I doubt that will be a problem."
- It’s always going to be a problem when the Raiders have no pass rush or run stuffers. The Raiders secondary will have their hands full.
"Stokely was a great third option for Peyton Manning. I was also once fooled because we often heard his name and that’s no lie. Facts are, he’s only had one year with a 1, 000 yards receiving in that pass happy Colt offense."
- I like how he puts down Stokley for only having one 1, 000 yard season when he has been a slot receiver his whole career. Last time I checked there was only one other slot receiver to go over 1, 000 yards in a season in the last decade and that was the Pro Bowler Wes Welker.
This guy is completely one sided. It’s easy to attack the Broncos weaknesses (which he blows way out of proportion) and than praise the other teams strengths. The funny thing is you could flip this article and say the exact same thing about the Raider offensive line and receivers and say the same thing about the Broncos secondary.
I think it will be a great a game and will come down to the 4th quarter. The NFL is a game that is won in the trenches and the Broncos have better lines on both sides of the ball. If the Raiders O line can give Russell time and their D line can manage the run than they win but that’s two big IF’s from the Raiders. Like I said, a lot of you guys are underestimating the Broncos and really shouldn’t be surprised if they are the second best team in the division. They didn’t make any blockbuster moves or draft any big names but the moves they made have make this team a lot better than last years.
2 months ago
WOW
2 months ago
"he is already a top 10 Q"
Top ten Q? whats that atop ten Queer?
No, seriously the game will be enterttaining on Monday night but I say the Raiders Drive out with a win. The game has teams that are probably gong to do the same thing: RUN THE F'N BALL
Last 2 games the Raiders looked like the better team, but hey this season will be fun to watch Raider and Bronco Rivalry is back both fighting for 2nd, maybe 1st (if Norv implodes the Chargers or LT gets hurt), in the west.
2008 RAIDERS Time To Turn The Corner
2 months ago
I couldn't even read through all the donkey fans bs... But I have to retort to donkey fan "Denver" and his bs, he stated that "(R)aiders might not score 37 this season let alone a game". Well, how about the 34 to 20 ass whooping we gave you guys last year in week 13 without Run DMC? Clown, go to a Donkey blog where someone might appreciate you DS (donkeyshit).
2 months ago
Derrick: If you were twice as smart you’ll still be stupid
2 months ago
Raider Card said "I doubt McCree is going to know what hit him, when he tries to stop McFadden, and winds up on the ground, looking at the stars."
McFadden out weighs him by a whopping 6 pounds, wow...
Like I said before, one dimentional.
2 months ago
You know why all these DENDORKS and CHEFS fans are here commenting about the OAKLAND RAIDERS? They know that the only thing they have GOING for them IS their MOUTHS(in this case keyboard). What IMPROVEMENT has the DenDORKS MULES or KC Chefs made this off season, Draft picks? Comment on THIS please !
2 months ago
Good points made, but even with Nalen and Marshall out for the Broncos, I don't think the Raiders have enough to beat them. They have an unproven coach, and unproven quarterback, and freakly, an unproven organization since they made the Super Bowl. But every season a team surprises us, maybe this will be Oaklands year.
2 months ago
judt one question why the hell are opposing team fans posting on a raider fans sight and second didnt JaMarcus play well against denver in that 2 nd game maybe thats why there sore about him but that doesnt matter our QB wont collapse on the field from a candy bar or hit cutler looks a little small to me. Any way you slice it Anything can happen on any given sunday and last years stats dont mean anything its a new season. so all you bronco fans go back to your corral or pen what ever you live in and be happy with your team and let us raider fans be happy with ours. Then on Monady night in Oakland who ever wins has the rights til just shut the hell up let us enjoy.
2 months ago
I think that the raiders have talent to become a good team in the future but its to early because they have a young players but there time will come. As for the first game I say broncos.
2 months ago
Derrick, you sayin some funny shit!! And who the hell cares about the patriots anyway, at least the broncos or the sorry ass raiders dont go and cheat. You guys didn't win the superbowl so you can't talk shit. And im not comparing cutler to marinos career, but its kinda hard not to compare them as of now when cutlers BREAKIN HIS RECORDS!!! I can't wait bitches!!
2 months ago
Derrick you are an idiot and the next time you post please do yourself a favor and learn to use spelling and grammar. You know you can always call hooked on phonics? They worked for other kids they can work for you too! You, like so many others just sit around with nothing else to do with your life then find Raider articles and come on and bash the fans and team. According to your bio you have not even written a post yet...tisk, tisk, tisk on you young man! So how about you try this post something about your team and let us read it. you would be respected more that way....I mean really.
2 months ago
Bronco fans show how these raider fags how they suck by running them over an letting them R.I.P.
2 months ago
WOW! McFadden really tore it up! 12 rushes for 48 yards! He's the future!!! What a stud!!! You Raider fans hopes for the next Barry Sanders just went down the tube, it looks like another dismal year! HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
2 months ago
Yeah he's terrible, 4 yards a carry between the tackles with all eyes on him. No team could use a back like that right? All we found out is that he is just a little bit tougher runner than one that runs a 4.3 but flops soon as someone touches him. I'm not worried in the least, with a running back like that with a 1000 yard rusher in front of him and versatile big man behind him he's gonna get all the touches he needs and not so many that he gets injured from being over worked.
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