Bleacher Report - Articles by Eian Bell

Raiders-49ers: Oakland's Defense Was Too Much for San Francisco

Eian Bell — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:56:14 -0400

I know it's only the preseason. This game doesn't even count, right?

WRONG!

Maybe this game doesn't count for stats and record keeping, but to see a Raider team come out and dominate a game the way they did tonight: Well, even the most unintelligent football fan would have to see that this new Raider squad will be a force to be reckoned with over the next several years.

The Raiders racked up 248 yards on the ground with an explosive running game. In the first quarter, Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas split the runs pretty equally, with DMC racking up 48 yards on 12 carries.

Michael Bush converted four of five short-yardage situations, turned a screen pass into 23 yards, and scored a rushing touchdown. But the biggest run of the night was from a player who isn't even listed on the depth chart.

Louis Rankin ran the ball 72 yards immediately following an interception in the red zone, which brings me to the real story of the game.

The defense of the Oakland Raiders was relentless tonight, recovering two fumbles and recording two interceptions. The Niners failed to establish a running game against this tenacious defense, and the constant pressure on the SF quarterbacks was just too much to handle.

The Niners were unable to find their way into the end zone, with two red-zone passes getting picked off.

The only touchdown besides Bush's rushing TD was a 53-yard punt return by Johnny Lee Higgins for the Raiders, in which he showcased his amazing speed. I may be a bit biased here, but watching Higgins tonight, the first thing that came to mind was Devin Hester. He looked THAT good!

Higgins was drafted in 2007 for his speed, and with some hand development, the Raiders would like to see him as a WR. He's got the speed, and if his catching ability improves, move over Mr. Moss.

The only question mark left for me after tonight is in the form of a J for JaMarcus Russell. Throwing two for five with 15 yards in his first preseason game was disappointing. He only played two possessions, so it is my hope that with more playing time, he will develop into the leader we need at the quarterback position.

The Raiders had the opportunity to put at least six more points on the board in the form of two field goals, but on all but one fourth down, Lane Kiffin elected to go for it. Kiffin gave his players situational experience by going for it, even on 4th-and-7 from midfield.

All in all, the Raiders played well. I know it's preseason, but if the way this entire team played tonight is any indication of the season to come, it's going to be a good season to be an Oakland Raiders fan.

OAKLAND RAIDERS' DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ROB RYAN CUTS HAIR FOR CHARITY

Eian Bell — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:51:04 -0400

The Oakland Raiders. When you hear that name, chances is one of two things come to mind. You either love us or hate us. For those that hate us, everybody has their own reasons, but they usually fall in the same categories.

The most recent being "Your team sucks, quit living in the past" or something along those lines. Well, for that all I can say is, yes.

Over the past five years, our team has been terrible, down right atrocious, but unlike some other teams' bandwagon fans, we're still here bleeding silver and black.

I think that the biggest reason we are hated is because our team represents the bad boys of the NFL. From the top, Mr. Davis, all the way down to our fans dressed to kill in the Black Hole. Raider Nation is amongst the most hated teams in the NFL.

I was reading a story on Raiders.com today that made me think.

I know for some of you haters out there, thinking is a foreign concept, and I will get inevitably get haters' comments on this thread to tell me how the Raiders' suck, and how we will only win two games this year (yeah right!).

Also, I will get comments from the people that don't think this is an appropriate article for a sports site.

This is a human interest story, and if you don't like it, then go read something else about Favre not retiring, or the Pats cheating, or anything else for that matter.

As I was saying, I was reading a story on Raiders.com today. The headline read “Coach Ryan's locks of love."

Now I would have read the article simply because it was on Raiders.com, but the fact that it used words like "locks of love" drew my interest simply because it looked out of place for a team with a reputation of being badasses.

First of all, let me explain what Locks of Love is.

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that helps financially disadvantaged children who suffer from long-term medical hair loss receive hairpieces.

Its mission is to return a sense of self, confidence, and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss. For more information, visit www.locksoflove.org.

According to the story, Ryan was approached by his daughter's classmate, who was trying to raise awareness for the organization. Asked why the donation hit home, Ryan stated, “I have been familiar with cancer. My family has been through several bouts of cancer."

Ryan intends to donate his hair again as soon as it reaches length, and as far as losing his hair, Ryan stated, “[My hair] it’s really kind of me,” Ryan says laughing at his new buzz cut, “but this little girl won my heart.”

Now, we're supposed to be the bad boys, the guys who supposedly don't play by the rules. We are the outcasts of a 32 team league of professional football players. We're supposed to be a bunch of a—holes!

Rob Ryan showed compassion for a cause that touched his heart, and I'm sure that many members of Raider Nation show compassion on a regular basis.

We've been labeled as the worst of the worst, thugs, and criminals, and to some extent we welcome the image of the bad boy, but don't forget that above all else, we are human beings with human hearts and given the chance to help a fellow human being, most of us will be right there.

SUPER BOWL CURSE: Anybody in New England feeling a little superstitous?

Eian Bell — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:50:06 -0400

Curses are no laughing matter, just ask the Boston Red Sox.

Beginning with the '98-'99 Atlanta Falcons, the majority of teams that have gone to the "big game" have failed to live up to the hype the following season.

Here is the list of losers and their following season records.

Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl XXXIII 1988-99 14-2 following year 5-11

New York Giants Super Bowl XXXV 2000-01 12-4 following year 7-9

Saint Louis Rams Super Bowl XXXVI 2001-02 14-2 following year 7-9

Oakland Raiders Super Bowl XXXVII 2002-03 11-5 following year 14-5

Carolina Panthers Super Bowl XXXVIII 2003-04 11-5 following year 7-9

Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl XXXIX 2004-05 13-3 following year 6-10

Chicago Bears Super Bowl XLI 2006-07 13-3 following year 7-9

The only exceptions to the curse have been the 2000-01 Tennessee Titans who followed up their Super Bowl appearance with a 13-3 record, and the 2006-07 Seattle Seahawks who went 10-7 after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL.

So as we approach the 2008-09 NFL season, I have to ask, will Tom Brady and company fall victim to the curse? After all it was a New England team that fell victim to the worst curse in major sports history. Will the Pats post a losing record this season? 7-9? maybe 6-10?

Get real! anyone who thinks the Pats are going to post a losing record this year is out of their mind. I am the furthest thing from a Pats fan, but you don't have to be a genius to see that curse or no curse, the Pats have talent with a capital T. Add in the combo of Brady to Moss, which is resembling of another famous combo from not too long ago, remember Montana to Rice? I am no fan of Randy Moss, in fact I can't stand him, but the man is almost unstoppable.

As much as I'd like to see the Patriots fall victim to the Super Bowl curse, it just isn't going to happen. And if it does happen, please feel free to message me and rub it in my face, because I will be too happy to care.

NFL Team Monikers: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Eian Bell — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:52:00 -0400

When I think of the NFL, I think tough, rugged, and hard hitting. I think of it as brutal—the definition of the words manly and masculine.

So, shouldn't an NFL team have a nickname that strikes fear in the hearts of opponents?

I believe that it should. Many teams do, but on the flip side, some teams carry nicknames that remind me more of a picnic in the park.

I am a fan of the Oakland Raiders. I believe that with their name, team colors, and fans, this team exceeds the qualifications of being a man's team. However, in an effort to write this article in an unbiased fashion, I will exclude the Raiders from further mention.

Also, remember that these are just my opinions, and this article is written purely for fun. I don't believe there is a wrong or right as far as this kind of reporting is concerned. If I offend you, I am sorry, it is not intentional.

The Good

Dallas Cowboys

I think that "Cowboys" is one of the best, if not the very best, team names.

What is more manly than a real-life cowboy? Not a big city yuppie who puts on his cowboy hat and goes to the dude ranch a couple times a year, but a real cowboy who rides bulls and ropes cattle.

Just think back to when you were a kid playing cowboys and indians. Didn't you always want to be the cowboy? And didn't the cowboys always win?

Chicago Bears

Although I've never heard of a bear running through the streets of Chicago, there aren't too many things tougher than a 500 pound grizzly bear.

Enough said.

Pittsburgh Steelers

When I think of Steelers, I imagine big tough steel workers. For all of you guys who sit in an office all day, believe me: I know you work hard. But try being a steel worker for a week.

I personally am not a steel worker, but I've been in construction for a long time and at the end of the day I come home tired, no matter how long I've been doing it.

Minnesota Vikings

If you even have to ask why I have included the Vikings, go to your local library and read about the Norman conquest and any other viking literature you may be able to find.

Then, remember that I'm looking for team names that might strike fear in an opponent's heart.

New England Patriots

Okay, this one might stir some controversy, but this isn't about which team is most liked or which team is most talented.

I say that "Patriots" is a good team name for one reason: Most American men feel patriotism for their country.

What is more manly than soldiers who are giving up their lives for their countries? These men are real patriots.

The Bad

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals? Come on. What's manly or tough about this bird?

Sure they are cool to look at, but do they strike fear in anything but an earthworm? I'm not a big fan of bird names, unless they are birds of prey, and even those are borderline to me.

Miami Dolphins

Do I really have to say anything? When was the last time you heard of a dolphin attack? Dolphins are magnificent creatures but not "manly."

Indianapolis Colts

A colt by definition is a young male horse, or a pony. Obviously, as a Raiders fan, I am not a proponent of the Denver Broncos, but at least they got the name right. The only way the Colts could be considered even remotely masculine is if they were to trade in the horseshoe on the helmet for a .45.

San Francisco 49ers

Okay, any team with San Francisco in its name is going to have a hard time appearing manly for obvious reasons.

Yes, I know that 49ers were the men who came out during the gold rush of 1849 to stake their claim. No, I can't argue the toughness of those men. The reason I list the 49ers in the bad column is because I don't think "49er" stands the test of time as a name to be reckoned with.

People know how violent and brutal Vikings were over 1,200 years ago. 49ers, although manly in their own time, are not remembered for their brutality or toughness.

Green Bay Packers

Okay, I'll probably get some hate mail for this one, but let me explain.

First of all, yes I know that the ultimate prize in football is named after Vince Lombardi, a football legend and storied Green Bay coach. I just researched the Green Bay Packers because I wanted to know where they got their name:

In the Green Bay Press-Gazette on Aug. 29, 1919, two weeks before the team's first organized game, sports editor and Packers co-founder George Calhoun first publicly identified the team as the "Indian Packers."

Curly Lambeau received $500 from his employer, the Indian Packing Co., for uniforms and equipment, and for use of the company's lot for practice. In exchange, Lambeau and Calhoun agreed to call the team "Packers." Early fans, many of whom were working-class citizens, immediately embraced the name, widely publicized by Calhoun.

Calhoun also called them simply "Indians" briefly in 1919, but that moniker seemed to fold with the company, soon purchased—along with the team—by Acme Packing Co. In 1921, the team's first season in what is now the NFL, its owners had "Acme Packers" put on the jersey, setting the name in stone.

The Ugly

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are named after former head coach Paul Brown.

According to my research, in 1945 Arthur McBride brought the AAFC team to Cleveland. He ran a contest in the newspaper for suggestions on team name, offering a $1,000 war bond to the winner. Many entries suggested that the team be named the Cleveland Browns after their head coach, but Brown felt it was improper to name the team after himself.

Instead, they chose the "Panthers" as the winning suggestion. However, there was already a semi-pro team in the '20s named the Panthers, and the owner still held the rights to the team name, so Coach Brown agreed to the name "Browns."

All I can say is, I'm sure glad the Raiders didn't become known as the Oakland Erdelatzs.

New Orleans Saints

This has got to be one of the worst names for a team. I am not bashing religion or religous people, but seriously, how does this name strike fear?

Seattle Seahawks

Okay, I didn't really know what a seahawk was, so I Googled it. I always associated it with a seagull, which is way off, as I have found.

Seahawk is another name for the osprey. The bird's common name is derived from the Latin word ossifragus, meaning "bone breaker."

Okay, that sounds pretty tough to me, but if you don't know what a seahawk is then does it really sound tough? I assumed they were pansy birds until about five minutes ago.

Oh, and I found something else when I Googled "seahawk." Apparently, seahawk was the name of a character in the animated series "She-ra," and that is why the Seattle Seahawks get my vote for ugly.

These are my views and opinions, and again, this article is written purely for fun, so I'd like to hear your opinions on good and bad team names. There is no right or wrong answer, so have fun with it.

Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire: Ahh, the Yesteryears of the Oakland A's

Eian Bell — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:59:07 -0400

Okay, Ill start off by saying that I am not a baseball fan.

Now before you bash me for posting articles regarding MLB when I obviously don't know anything, let me explain.

I was a baseball fan, but it seems like it's been so long. Well, maybe it has. Back in the late '80s, early '90s. Wow, has it been that long?

I was an Oakland A's fan. I played little-league baseball, albeit I was not very good, but unfortunately, at that age, they did not yet have Pop Warner football in my area ( I would have excelled at that).

I was an Oakland A's fan back when the game was exciting to me, and how could it not be?

Playing first base and bashing home runs was Mark McGwire. Honestly, I always have trouble remembering who was on second, but shortstop was Walt Weiss, third base was Carney Lansford, and the catcher was Terry Steinbach.

In the outfield, from left to right, was: Dave Henderson, Rickey Henderson, and McGwire's brother in bash, Jose Canseco.

I don't remember a lot of the pitching staff, to be honest, but I do remember Bob Welch and Dennis Eckersly.

Here's the thing.

I was into the game. I watched nine, 10, or 11 innings every night, if it was televised, which was just about every night in this part of the country.

I remember Canseco becoming the first 40/40 man. I remember when Rickey Henderson stole second base to beat Lou Brock's record, and I remember him hoisting that base high above his head.

I remember Dennis Eckersly coming out to the mound in the ninth inning of any given game, with his curly locks hanging rebelliously low, to save yet another game.

I remember the battle of the bay, and I remember the very next year when we were swept by the Reds in the Series.

Here's what I don't remember. When did watching baseball become boring to me? I know that it wasn't long after losing that series to the Reds, but it wasn't because we lost. It was because that was smack dab in the middle of football season, and right about the time that my beloved Raiders became my one true sports love.

Over the years, I have seen baseball on TV, and I have quickly changed the channel because it just doesn't hold the excitement it once did. I have watched my childhood heroes achieve greatness and then fall from their pedestal.

When I saw the highlight of the ball bouncing of Canseco's head in Texas, I couldn't believe it was the same guy I once worshipped. And when McGwire got wrapped up in the steroid scandal, it blew my mind. He always seemed like the clean-cut "good guy" to me.

Recently I have watched a couple games, only because my bedroom TV is limited to basic channels these days, but I've watched and I've felt a twinge of the enthusiasm I once did.

I'd really like to be a fan again. I need something to cheer for between January and September. Maybe I should even become a Royals fan, so I don't have to worry about the postseason interfering with my Raiders games.

Anyways, I'm not sure why I even wrote this article, other than maybe nostalgia for the past. I know that if those '89 Oakland A's were still around, playing for the A's at the same age, as if they were immortal, I wouldn't be typing this, because I'd be too busy watching them.

JaMarcus Russell: Will the Oakland O-line Give Him Time?

Eian Bell — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:19:47 -0400

In response to a comment on another one of my articles, I believe this is a subject worthy of its own article.

Will the Oakland offensive line step up and give Russell time to throw?

I've read comments both bad and good regarding last year's o-line, and one game in particular stands out to me. I remember watching the Oakland vs. Tennessee matchup last year, and what I remember is blue jerseys all over Culpepper the whole game.

No quarterback can be great when he is consistently hurried and constantly sacked, so what do you guys think?

Can the Oakland O-line give JaMarcus time to throw?

Is JaMarcus Russell the QB of the future in Oakland?

Eian Bell — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:56:14 -0400

Is JaMarcus Russell the future franchise QB here in Oakland? I hope so.

Through my years as a fan we have had problems at the qb position time and time again, and other than Gannon we have not had an answer.

When I became a fan we had Jay Schroeder, and I remember as a kid out throwing the pigskin with my friends. They would invariabally pretend to be Joe Montana or John Elway, but i was always Jay Schroeder. He wasn't a great QB but I was a Raiders fan, and he was the Raiders qb, that was all that mattered to me.

Over the years since then we have had plenty of QB's mostly washed up and I dont even remember them all.

I remember Jeff Hostetler, Jeff George and Kerry Collins.

Of course I remember Rich Gannon, because hes the one that gave us a reason to cheer other than the fact that were Raiders fans and we cheer win or lose.

But in my years as a fan we have not had a Montana, Manning, or Brady. We havent had an Elway or an Aikman. We have had some good players elsewhere on the field such as Howie Long, Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson, but where is our franchise QB?

I am hoping that if JaMarcus lives up to the hype of being last year's first-rounder, we do whatever is necessary to keep him in a silver and black uniform and not lose him to a division rival.

I am hoping that in about six or seven years when my son is out there playing catch with me or his friends he is pretending to be JaMarcus Russell, not just because he is a Raider, but because he has delivered us once again to the promised land.