Bleacher Report - Articles by Pat Cowan

Oakland Raiders: Is JaMarcus Russell Betraying Raider Nation?

Pat Cowan — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:33:19 -0400

On Sunday afternoon, the Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders 23-3 on their home field. For Raider Nation, the loss couldn't be more painful. For the first time in six years, the Raiders had a reason to be optimistic: The 2008 season ended with two back-to-back wins (in convincing fashion I might add) over teams that had playoff aspirations.

In the offseason the run defense, offensive line, and wide receiving core were all addressed in the draft and free agency.

To help coach JaMarcus Russell, Raiders hired not one, but two offensive gurus to help his mechanics. Ted Tollner, a disciple of "Air Coryell" and "The Greatest Show On Turf" was hired to be the passing game coordinator. Paul Hackett, whose coaching resume included quarterbacks Joe Montana, Rich Gannon, and Jeff Garcia, was also signed to aid and mentor Russell.

It all looked so perfect. So what happened? The answer to that question is in a timetable that started in OTAs and continues to last Sunday.

JaMarcus Russell showed up for camp early to workout at the facility. That was good news to Raider Nation, until OTAs started and he was missing for the better part of a week. When he did show up, he was once again overweight.

When he took the field his passes were described as "inaccurate," "wild," and "nowhere near the targeted receiver." Pictures surfaced of JaMarcus Russell partying it up in a nightclub. Although he didn't look as "compromised" as Matt Leinart or Vince Young, rumors began to circulate about his commitment.

Yet, Raider Nation stood behind him, after all, he was learning new footwork from the great Paul Hackett. It takes time.

Things quieted down after that, as he began to do much better.

When training camp started, Russell was described as being very streaky. Some good-looking throws followed by some horrible throws. Russell was also drawing criticism for not being approachable by the media.

Meanwhile Jeff Garcia was hitting the airwaves and making his case for the starting position by stating that the Raiders need to field the best quarterback.

And Raider Nation stood beside him.

During the preseason, Russell had good games against the Cowboys and 49ers, but fell to pieces in the third game against the Saints. After the game, Greg Ellis called out the team, without naming names, about their partying before a game.

We all assumed he was calling out the defense.

Opening night against the Chargers, Russell had a good night with modest numbers; he looked like he was ready to lead the Raiders offense. He drove the offense down the field making big passes when he had to including a fourth down touchdown pass to Louis Murphy.

However, since then Russell has been nothing short of putrid, only matched by his leadership skills.

After the Bronco game some tailgaters, who were parked by the road where the players come and go, said this was what they saw:

"Our tailgate happens next to the road the players drive in and out of the stadium. After the dismal game, some of the boys went back to do a bit more tailgating and eat...a white Rolls Royce is leaving the stadium with JaMarcus Russell driving...fans know this and are booing...the passenger side window rolls down and with JaMarcus driving one of his home boys on the passenger side yells out 'Well at least we are eating good, you guys are still broke'...and JaMarcus visibly chuckles in the driver's seat..."

Raider Nation has supported Russell, but it became crystal clear last Sunday that he hasn't been doing anything to improve his game.

Worse, he doesn't seem to have any remorse about his woeful performances. He apparently is oblivious to the fact that time is running out on his sorry career.

Is this what Jeff Garcia was trying to communicate in his interviews? Could this be why he wanted his release and didn't want any part of Russell?

Soon, Russell will join the ranks of Matt Leinart and Vince Young, who also let their wealth and need for social life overrule their responsibility to their teammates and fans.

Raider Nation deserves better than this, and to allow one player to scuttle a promising season is nauseating. It took six years to get Oakland's head above water and I for one do not want a self-centered player to push it back under.

Raider Nation to NFL Analysts: Shame on You

Pat Cowan — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:00:09 -0400

Well, Raider Nation, it's déjà vu all over again. Remember Draft Day, when the Raider-hating media dragged the Raiders through the mud? Since the draft, the media have fallen way short of apologizing for degrading Darrius Heward-Bey and judging him unworthy of a No. 7 pick as the Raiders passed over the "great" Michael Crabtree.

Crabtree was picked at No. 10 by the 49ers, and Crabtree was instantly crowned the steal of the draft and the kind of pick the Raiders would regret not making. However, Crabtree continues to hold out, showing that the only talent he has over Heyward-Bey is greed. While Heyward-Bey is drawing double-teams, the real steal of the draft, Louis Murphy, is looking like the elite receiver that the Raiders allegedly passed on.

Advantage, Raiders.

On the other side of the ball, the defense struggled to contain the run in preseason, as it has the last six years. It looked as if they were facing the same struggle once again this upcoming season.

The cry was heard by Al Davis and a big step was achieved on Saturday when New England announced that the Raiders acquired five-time Pro Bowl and three-time defensive tackle Richard Seymour from the New England Patriots for a 2011 first-round draft pick.

The Raider-hating media of the likes of Adam Schefter, Nancy Gay and others pounced on the story with a negative spin in an attempt to once again make Al Davis and the Raiders look like bumbling idiots.

But here's a few things that these "consummate professionals" may have overlooked and why the advantage, once again, goes to the Raiders.

No. 1—Derrick Burgess was traded for a third- and fifth-round choice. How does that affect the Seymour trade? Essentially, Burgess and the 2011 first round pick were traded for Seymour plus a third and fifth-rounder. Burgess was a good pass rusher, but was too small to contain the run. He also is very injury-prone.

No. 2—Seymour wasn't traded because he is "washed up" like the haters would want everyone to believe. No, he was traded because both Seymour and Wilfork were in contract years. They couldn't keep both, and since nose tackles are harder to develop and are a commodity in the NFL, Seymour became expendable.

No. 3—2010 is an uncapped year, 2011 is a question mark. It may even end up a strike season. Al Davis has been instrumental in every deal struck between the players and the owners. He knows what 2011 will bring.

No. 4—A first-round pick in 2011 to fix problems now makes total sense. The defense is young and a three-time Super Bowl champion and a five-time Pro Bowler will have a great impact on the development of the younger players.

No. 5—Since Tom Cable has been a part of the Raiders, they have drafted well in all seven rounds of the draft. Both Cable and Davis have a knack for finding the talent overlooked by the rest of the NFL.

No. 6—The "consummate professionals" in the media have claimed that Raiders tackle Mario Henderson manhandled Seymour for the whole game in last year's meeting between the two. They are using that example to try and show that Seymour's best years are behind him. What they have failed to mention is that Seymour matched his best year last year, compiling eight sacks. He also often switched to a defensive tackle in the 4-3 alignment, negating any talk of him not being effective in anything other than a 3-4.

The other thing the media have failed to mention is that Mario Henderson also manhandled the Texans' Mario Williams last year. I'm guessing just maybe that Mario Henderson guy might be pretty good. Oh wait, he plays for the Raiders...sorry media, I forgot my place.

Critics have complained that the Raiders should trade their first round pick. Now they did, and they don't like that, either. If Richard Seymour was traded to one of the "darling" clubs of the NFL, like Green Bay, San Fran, Denver, the Steelers, the Ravens or the Cowboys, there would be nothing but praise and elation right now. But since it was the Raiders then it obviously was a bad deal.

So, welcome to the Raiders, Richard Seymour. The media will hate you forever now...

Raider Nation Has Yet to See "Raider Ball"...and That's a Good Thing

Pat Cowan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:06:46 -0400

45-7!

That was the final score when the Raiders hosted the New Orleans Saints last Saturday. Since that day, Raider Nation has been anything but positive. There has been panic, anger, and even depression...over a preseason game.

A preseason game?

So far what I have seen is a coach that has used the preseason not to practice what the Raiders do well, but to work on what they don't. To see this, one will have to look at every preseason game.

En route to winning 31-10 against the Cowboys, the Raiders rushed the ball 29 times for 127 yards and held the ball for 30 minutes. They also passed 37 times for 280 yards and totaled 457 yards. Not bad, but the defensive line showed cracks during the game, yielding 176 yards.

In the next game against the 49ers, the Raiders rushed only 18 times vs. 27 passing attempts. Even with a 14-3 lead, the Raiders continued to evaluate the passing game, sacrificing a sure win and forcing the defense to play 38 minutes. The defense gave up a gaudy 275 yards on the ground on 47 attempts.

The question that came to mind was: If the 49ers plan to name their QB after that game, why did they choose to run 47 times? Which coach was evaluating the team and which coach wanted to simply win the game?

Last week the Raiders hosted the New Orleans Saints and the result was a 45-7 shellacking, but looking at the game closer, a route was inevitable. The Raiders threw the rock 33 times vs. 11 rushes. Of those 11 rushes, only nine were by running backs. At the half, the score was 31-0 and the Raiders had rushed just four times.

In other words, Cable sent his offense out to have a shootout against 2008's No. 1 offense and against only the second quarterback in NFL history to eclipse the 5,000 yards passing mark. Drew Brees was one dropped ball away from breaking Dan Marino's record!

Maybe this will put things in perspective:

New Orleans-2008

Point per game- 28.9 (1st)

Yards per game- 410.7 (1st)

Passing yards per game- 311.1 (1st)

Cable's plan was to pass the whole game to get the timing down between Jamarcus Russell and his young receiving corps. The result was a game of near misses, drops, and miscues. Problems were exposed. Meanwhile, it forced the defense into the undesirable situation of having to fend off the NFL's No. 1 offense for a staggering 39 minutes!

During the Cowboys game, the defense showed many fronts. There were stunts, zone blitzes, and a lot of different packages, and even though they surrendered 176 rushing yards, they stiffened up and yielded only 10 points.

The following week the first and second string defenses yielded six points. It wasn't until the starting rotation was off the field that a touchdown was surrendered and that was without a game plan from defensive coordinator John Marshall, who stated that he wasn't going to send them out with one. Against New Orleans there wasn't anything special going on, other than sending a massive blitz at a pro bowl quarterback with a lightning quick release. That's a no-no.

Before Raider Nation gets too depressed, they need to sit back and reflect on last year at this time. The Raiders had a successful preseason, showing that they could run the ball and get pressure on the quarterback only to get bludgeoned in the season opener by the Denver Broncos. No one expected the Raiders defense to look that bad, but then again, no one addressed it during preseason so there was no time to fix it.

Cable already knows that the strength of this team will be it's stable of running backs. However, with Chaz Schillens getting hurt and Javon Walker having yet to show that he is still effective, the Raiders are left with a young receiving corps that has to grow up in a hurry.

The other thing that has become a revelation is that the defense has regressed under pressure by missing tackles and not being responsible for their assignments. If there were any egos that needed bruised, mission accomplished.

One pleasant surprise was yielded from Saturday’s game. Voices that haven't been heard in a long time began to cry out. Greg Ellis and Ricky Brown spoke up and reprimanded the defenses effort. They accused the team of not preparing and taking responsibility. They put it on the player’s shoulders and not the coaches. Finally! The defensive line and linebackers have a voice.

Now that the weaknesses have been exposed there will be opportunities to fix them. Soon, teams around the NFL will be cutting down to 53 man roster and anyone who hasn’t performed will be cut and replaced by players who just missed the cut on other teams.

Cable has taken the approach that preseason football is there to evaluate players and to expose potential weakness, and unlike last year it is not too late to correct these mistakes. Many good teams have been routed in preseason and go on to win their divisions. There's no reason to think differently at this point.

When the season starts, the Raiders will have a balanced offense, something they haven't exhibited in the preseason. They will be all about ball control and controlling the clock. Raider Nation has to take a step back and realize that they have yet to see the Raider's play their game.

Other teams are doing what they do well in preseason, while the Raiders are addressing what they can and can't do and are fixing what needs to be fixed greatly, like Tom Landry did while he was coach of the Cowboys. He had a notoriously bad preseason record. I, for one, am not panicking because we have yet to see 2009 Raider football.

Oakland Raiders Defense: Cause for Alarm or a Glimmer of Hope?

Pat Cowan — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:03:37 -0400

For the Oakland Raiders, the annual "Battle of the Bay" matchup vs the 49ers ended up in surrendering 275 yards on the ground on their way to a 21-20 loss. One hundred-forty nine of those yards were to a rookie back named Glenn Coffee.

If I were a 49er fan, I wouldn't get too excited, because Juan Valdez could have walked his pack mule through those holes for a buck twenty on the Raider defense that day.

After watching the game for the fourth time the thing that caught my ear was that, a reporter who talked to Defensive Coordinator John Marshall before the game, said that he was sending them out without a game plan.

In other words he was looking to see how they handled one-on-one matchups and was going to treat that game like a preseason game.

After that, I saw a few things that repaired my calm. Even though I still see a lot of cause for concern, I no longer believe I have to call 911 and report a murder.

The first sign of hope came with linebacker Morlon Greenwood, a Texans castoff who signed with the Raiders in the offseason. Greenwood was winning his matchups and shedding his blocks on a regular basis. Ricky Brown and Slade Norris turned in good performances too.

Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly can get penetration when he is not being double teamed, Gerrard Warren and William Joeseph spotty at best, but the guy to watch is Desmond Bryant. Bryant is taking on the double teams better than any of the defensive lineman so far and if he lines up next to Kelly, thay may just be the best duo for the job.

Defensive end Trevor Scott seems to have "Derrick Burgess" disease. He is willing to sacrifice the running lane to go after the QB, But Jay Richardson is showing that he has improved at the end position and is sufficient at stopping the run. Watch for him and Ellis to secure the outside.

Matt Shaughnessy has shown flashes of high level play, but he has yet to put together any consistency and is hesitant at times, when it comes to reading and reacting. Greg Ellis was all over the field and will be the vocal leader of the defensive line, a role that Derrick Burgess was unable to fill.

Safeties Tyvon Branch, Hiram Eugene, and Jeremy Boyd have shined in camp and preseason, for the first time since 2002 the Raiders should have solid safeties.

Mike Mitchell is a head scratcher due to missing alot of time over a strained hamstring. Rashaad Baker is back in silver and black after a short stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he is a solid backup. Michael Huff hasn't been spectacular, but he has dramatically improved and is finally determined to shed the bust label.

During the 49er game most of the players who made the plays were not on the field at the same time, and based on performance thus far the starting defensive unit would look like:

Defensive tackles: Tommy Kelly, Desmond Bryant. Defensive ends: Greg Ellis and Jay Richardson. Linebackers: Ricky Brown, Morlon Greenwood, and Thomas Howard. Safeties: Hiram Eugene and Jeremy Boyd (there's no need to go into the cornerbacks, they are as solid as concrete).

Soon teams will have to make cuts to achieve the 53-man roster. I will be anxious to see if the "Cable Company" will pick up what they need, which is a solid defensive tackle/nose tackle to consistently push the opposing center back. Another run stopping defensive end would be welcome too.

The Raiders defense is far from a polished group, but getting rid of Rob Ryan and hiring John Marshall was an instant up grade. He is evaluating players and expect him to put the best players on the field, despite the the order that they were drafted in.

Marshall has to teach this team how to blitz and be assignment responsible. Something Ryan was not willing to do. The preseason run defense has been ugly so far, but in this writer's opinion, the eventual starters have yet to take the field as a unit.

Oakland Raiders Positional Battles: Let the Competition Begin

Pat Cowan — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:11:39 -0400

It's been a strange offseason in Oakland. In the past, superstar/prima donna's with character issues have found a huge payday waiting for them in Oaktown.

After they would sign, we would sit back and watch their lackluster efforts for an entire season, their inflated salary and reputation guaranteed that, despite their hideous numbers, they would start every week.

After that player retires or moves on, they don't miss the opportunity to throw the organization under the bus to explain their poor performance during their stay. The next year, another high profile player would be plugged in and underachieve like the one before.

The collateral damage was evident in the players who were drafted. Behind these prima donnas, the players were learning nothing about what it took to be a starter in the league, how hard they would have to work to achieve success.

And so it went for six long years...

In the last six years their have been only three exceptions. Nnamdi Asomougha, Justin Fargas, and Robert Gallery (whose numbers are Pro Bowl worthy, yet somehow Gallery still carries the bust label).

Not only did all three work their asses off to shed the bust label, but they became an example of the toughness that it takes to turn a franchise around, but it still wasn't enough.

Tom Cable became a coach through the same diligence as Asomougha, Fargas, and Gallery showed. With Pro Bowler Shane Lechler on special teams, a common thread was now shared in all three phases of the game, as well as the coaching staff.

Already, in OTAs, the competition is fierce. Defensive tackle Terdell Sands has heard the footsteps of offseason acquisition Ryan Boschetti and drafted "tweener" Matt Shaugnessy. Sands showed up at OTA's in the best shape in years.

Micheal Huff seems to be making a valiant effort, but to no avail. He still is a step behind and will likely not see the field in Oakland. Incumbent Hiram Eugene, along with Tyvon Branch, are looking over their shoulders at Mike Mitchell, whose college highlight reel consists of almost seven minutes of attempted murder on anyone who touched the ball.

Controversial draft pick Darrius Heyward-Bey and fourth rounder Louis Murphy have given Javon Walker a wake up call. Walker is finally taking the steps to return to prominence and should be healthy for the first time in years.

Quarterback Andrew Walter has shown nothing but contempt for the Silver and Black since being benched in '06, and with the signings Jeff Garcia, Charlie Frye, and Bruce Gradkowski, JaMarcus Russell no longer can afford to think that he is irreplaceable at any point.

The offensive line was the biggest focus in the free agent market. Khalliff Barnes and Eric Pears Will, at the very least, provide the depth that the line has been lacking, but Cornell Greene, Mario Henderson and Cooper Carlisle will have to have a great camp if they intend on retaining their starting roles.

It's been a long time since the Raider fans have looked at a roster with this much depth. For once we can look beyond the starters to the developing talent. Injuries are a part of the game and to know that their are players that can step in and be effective has given Raider Nation a comfortable feeling.

Cable has collected a team of overachievers and talent that has been hidden in obscurity. Cable has created an atmosphere that will hold the players accountable in their preparation.

Cable has a passion for football and bleeds Silver and Black and the players that have lost their love for the game will have to dig deep and find it again or give way. No more free rides.

Oakland Raiders: Hall Of Fame Cry Sounding South Of The Border

Pat Cowan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:22:08 -0400

What has been the pinnacle of every Owner, Coach and Player's career?

The one crowning achievement that defines an individual in the NFL? Teams are bought and sold, Coaches are one losing season away from being replaced and players records will eventually be broken.

The one honor in the NFL that remains immovable are the bust's of all the enshrined players that fill the rooms of one iconic building in Canton Ohio. The NFL Hall Of Fame.

This is the only Oracle of the NFL for individual achievments and excellence that surpasses win-loss records and Superbowl wins. Whoever is chosen to be a part of this elite assembly is a part of NFL immortality.

However, the process of recieving this great honor is seriously flawed. The Raiders, Ray Guy and Cliff Branch have done their part in the annals of football history to receive the Holy Grail of football.

Each has overcome insurmountable odds. Each have been a part of redefining their position and were living highlight reels.

Two other Raiders are being left out too. Two that shared a common bond that many have forgotten. Who fought every week to prove that they were winners, and defied the odds that tried to hold them back from the ultimate goal...and that was before they arrived in the NFL. They are Tom Flores and Jim Plunkett who are both Mexican-Americans.

Here is one of the most passionate posts and arguements from a Raider fan that has the honor of sharing the same heritage of two of the greatest people to ever grace the NFL:

"I am a Mexican male living in Mexico. Yeah, I know, you thought I was goin' to say California, Texas, Washington, Minneapolis or Whatever, anyway I'm a long time fan of the NFL. I am a Raider fan.... Boo bitch moan, whatever.... I get the NFL hating Mr. Davis and all the history between them and all...but why punish the players? Why do fans not care? A few years back you would have thought the second coming of Jesus was at hand when the first African American head coach went on to the Superbowl.... What was that, Superbowl 41? I heard commentators say that the first African American coach a Superbowl is a shoe in for the Hall Of Fame....

Last time I was in the States, about 8 years ago(on a student visa), we Mexicans were considered a minority. Or am I wrong? Somebody correct me if I am...anyway, I remember a (Mexican-American) head coach name Tom Flores who lead the Raiders to an upset in Superbowl XV...or was it XVIII? Am I wrong or was it BOTH!? Wasn't it Jim Plunkett who was his starting QB? A (Mexican-American) as well. Wasn't He a ( Superbowl) MVP?

Why does the league never talk about this? I've yet to find a single artcle. Do they feel that it is common for a coach of Mexican Descent to win SuperBowls? When was the last time we saw a Mexican coach?...Do they not realize the uniqueness of how special those SuperBowls (were)? That will never happen again. Where does the NFL place those feats in the "Golden Moments"(in NFL History). Nowhere as far as I can tell.

Shouldn't THEY be in the Hall Of Fame? Or at least mentioned?

Maybe I'm biased as I am Mexican, either way, thank you Mr. Al Davis for giving men the opportunity to excell regardless of their age or race. You are and will always be my personal hero."

Thank you,

BTWater

"Give me your Tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, your wretched refuse of your teaming shore. Send these to me, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp by the golden door"

Tom Flores and Jim Plunkett's families heard this cry from a country that embedded these words on a Statue Of Liberty, and soon the same voice cried for them too. Except this time from a coach who later became the owner of an NFL franchise in California called the Oakland Raiders.

Now working for Al Davis, who proudly wore the label of "Rogue Owner" and "Outcast", they set out and proved themselves by overcoming the odds and embracing the misfit role that they so often endured growing up.

In January of 1981, Flores lead the Raiders to a Superbowl victory, a team that started 14 new players including Superbowl MVP and comeback player of the year award winner Jim Plunkett.

The underdog Raiders were the first wild card team to ever hoist the Lombardi, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles. Three years later the Raiders returned to the Superbowl once again as underdogs, and once again winning it all, this time defeating the defending champion Washington Redskins.

These days, their destiny no longer rests in their hands, but rest in a handful of others known as the Hall Of Fame panel.

Flores and Plunkett wait patiently, they have honored the NFL and have proved that they deserve to be enshrined along with the others that have preceeded them. Canton awaits too. With open arms.

Raider Nation To Critics: Don't Hate The Player, Hate The Game

Pat Cowan — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:51:54 -0400

The Oakland Raiders have certainly had their share of criticism over the years, but after a six year slide into futility most of it was warranted. After all the best way to quiet the critics is to win and after six grueling seasons it looks like, for Raider Nation, the wait may be nearing its end.

Not according to the media though, despite the absence of drama and high profile prima donna's in the locker room, even without salary cap issues and owner/coach feuds, they keep finding new material for their crusade of negative analysis when talking about the Silver and Black.

When Darrius Heyward Bey was drafted, the now infamous media coverage from Mike Mayock, Chris Carter, Trent Dilfer and Tom Jackson mocked most of the Raiders choices and commented about how the Raiders always have terrible drafts.

Drafts that include: Nnamdi Asoumougha, Zack Miller, Trevor Scott, Chaz Schillens, Jonny Lee Higgins, Michael Bush, Darren McFadden, Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard who are ALL starters. Some of these players are among the best in the NFL at their positions and some are up and coming. According to media opinion it doesn't matter though because the Raiders drafted Micheal Huff. For shame!

Lately, for the critics, it's been Jamarcus Russell's accuracy problems. Even though it is a valid issue what isn't being reported is that Lane Kiffin, Greg Knapp and Tom Cable have been the only quarterback coaches that Russell has ever worked with since he's been in the NFL. Let's face it, these guys are not going to be on any NFL teams top 20 QB coaches list anytime soon and it showed in Russell's mechanics last year. Ted Tollner and Paul hackett on the other hand have been very successful withe QB's, and I believe it's safe to say that they are changing just about everything that Russell did last year. It's "Extreme Makeover- NFL edition". No more throwing off the back foot, staring down receivers , late releases or sloppy footwork. Getting comfortable with new mechanics takes time. Besides, It's May and they've had three practices.

When the 2009 season starts, the NFL analysts will be focusing on Darren McFadden, Jamarcus Russell, and Darius Heyward Bey- infact they already are. This could be a great opportunity for the Raiders to spoon feed these NFL has beens turned desk jockeys the crow that has been being prepared since Tom Cable got the keys to the Ferrari in 2008.

What the media hasn't been paying attention to is that Schillens is emerging as a reliable receiver that runs precise routes. Last year he was brought off the bench for his run blocking skills before he emerged as a starter. Another thing that is slipping by the national spotlight is that the offensive line is looking solid and confident, miles ahead of last years squad at this same juncture and that's without Center Sampson Satele who will be joining them soon.

While the cameras are rolling on Jamarcus Russell calmly holding a drink in his hand at a nightclub, they will be missing just how dominate Michael Bush looks and that he will likely be the number 2 back behind McFadden.

Annalysts have been telling us all how DHB is struggling to catch the ball when Nnamdi Asoumougha is covering him. The same Asomougha who has been thrown to only twenty times in two years and earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team. Meanwhile, they will not notice Trevor Scott who has added ten pounds of muscle and is looking faster and stronger then the year before when he tied the team and all rookies with five sacks when he was only a part time player.

It's no big secret that the running game is going to be the "bread and butter" of the offense this season, yet the media will have us believe that the Raiders will live and die on Russell's arm. They will also try to lead us to believe that possession receiver Michael Crabtree would be a better fit because he caught more passes than DHB in college, it doesn't matter that catching screens was Crabtree's specialty and not getting down the field like DHB who is already accustomed to the Pro-Style offense.

What is amusing is that analysts will continue to focus on players like McFadden, DHB and Russell who are X factor type players who cause alot of excitement when they get their hands on the ball because they can make big things happen, but what is escaping their peripheral vision is the steady, solid players that have filled out the roster. Players like Bush, Schillens, Miller, JLH, Fargas, Scott, Mitchell, Rankin, Neal and the offensive line who will be the backbone of the 2009 team.

Until the Raiders start putting games in the "W" column again, expectations will continue to be low in the eyes of the media, but if this is the year that the Silver and Black giant awakens once again, Raider Nation will be tuning in to alot of these so-called experts and enjoy watching them squirm while they try to downplay their relentless criticism of one of the greatest franchises in NFL history.

I know I will be watching....

NFL: The Tiers of Coaching

Pat Cowan — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:56:48 -0400

Every new NFL season brings excitement and anticipation. New coaches. New players. Players playing for different coaches. Coaches coaching for different teams.

One thing that seems more important than anything is what the new coach can bring to the table. The way I see it, they tend to fall into one of four tiers:

Tier One—The Disciplinarian

Coaches like Bill Parcells, Mike Holmgren, Marty Schottenheimer, and Vince Lombardi have cemented their legacy with this method.

Job Description:

Rule No. 1—Work hard or get fired.

Rule No. 2—Refer to rule No. 1 and fear for your job.

This "Drill Sergeant" style of coaching has definitely had its benefits. It has reaped a lot of success in the past by getting the best out of their players through sheer intimidation.

However, it does have its downside. At times players can be overworked and can negatively affect their passion for the game.

It's not uncommon for teams to come out flat on Sunday and just go through the motions.

In the case of the Giants' Tom Coughlin, players detested his cold-hearted disciplinarian style. That led to a change of heart by Coughlin. He softened his approach and it payed off, resulting in the biggest Super Bowl upset of all-time.

Tier Two—The Player's Coach

Coaches like Andy Reid, Don Shula, Joe Gibbs, Dick Vermeil, and John Madden. These head coaches are all about passion for the game.

Job Description:

Rule No. 1—Players are required to be self-motivated.

Rule No. 2—Act like a team of men keeping each other accountable.

Rule No. 3—Prima donnas need not apply.

These coaches surround themselves with players and coaches who have the same attitude and vision.

Players must fit this system. Locker room continuity is a must and they have little tolerance for players who upset the "team first" chemistry. They know all the players' names as well as their wives and kids. They view the team as an extended family.

The downside for a player's coach is when a selfish player makes his way on the team, that player will disrupt the whole locker room and doom the team until he is gone.

The most obvious example is Terrell Owens and the Eagles. Until Reid ousted Owens from the facility, the locker room was divided.

Tier Three—The Cerebral Scheming Coach

Coaches like Bill Belichick, Bill Walsh, Jon Gruden, Mike Shannahan, and Bill Billick.

Job Description:

Rule No. 1—Whatever it takes to win. Period.

Rule No. 2—Add an exclamation mark on Rule No. 1.

These coaches are always looking for the edge. They are always pushing the rule book and trying to land the "big fish" in the free agency or the draft pond.

Game plans are a detailed system and an exact science. They bring a lot of new philosophy and methods to the table. They are always dabbling with the roster and tweaking schemes here and there.

They view their team in two categories: elite players and interchangeable players. They have a good eye for talent and are superior to everyone in their own eyes.

The downside of these coaches is that once their elite players leave the nest, they sometimes get caught in a vicious cycle of plugging in new players every year, trying to find a replacement. This usually results in the team sliding into mediocrity until a suitor is found.

Coaches like Gruden, Billick, and Shannahan have been given their walking papers for this reason.

Tier Four—Coordinator/Coaches

Norv Turner, Wade Phillips, Dick Lebau, and Dave Wannstedt fall under this tier.

Jobe description.

Rule No. 1—Get players with talent.

Rule No. 2—Let the inmates run the asylum.

Rule No. 3—Staying awake and being on time during team meetings are optional.

Rule No. 4—"I'll be in my office watching film if you need me."

These guys are great coordinators turned head coaches, destined to become coordinators again. They are forgettable in the history of the NFL.

They pay no attention to accountability and have a hard time making decisions that help a team get better from a morale standpoint.

They will hire high-maintenance talent and let them do whatever they like. Meanwhile, they will bench a locker room leader because they feel he isn't contributing enough. They don't get involved in the day-to-day operations and their focus is exclusively game planning.

Often their seasons end in disappointment and their teams earn the "underachiever" label. The upside is that they can assemble a team that can make the playoffs about every other year, although usually they end up one and done.

There certainly are other tiers that could be added to this list. Some coaches like Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher, Tony Dungy, and Jimmy Johnson probably defy any single tier above.

With new head coaches comes new hope, and one thing is for sure: These new leaders are all in the hunt for the Holy Grail of the NFL. The question is, will their quest end up in tears of joy or sorrow?

Raider Nation to NFL Analysts: What? You Didn't Get the Memo?

Pat Cowan — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:11:10 -0400

Judging from the reaction that followed, when the Raiders chose Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh selection, one would have thought that Al Davis had been identified as the shooter on the grassy knoll who allegedly assassinated John F. Kennedy.

Conspiracy theorists, also known as NFL Network and ESPN "analysts," were somehow caught off guard and said that the Raiders drafted DHB simply because he ran the 40-yard dash the fastest. That could be the only explanation.

I guess they didn't get the memo.

The memo that said the Raiders' locker room was no longer going to sound like an opera singer warming up—no more me-me-me-me.

I guess they didn't read the first line that said that DeAngelo Hall no longer fit Tom Cable's "team" concept, or the second line that read, "Even if you are a veteran receiver, if you don't perform, you will find your way to the bench."

Did the analysts miss the part of the memo that said, "Just because you are a first round pick doesn't give you the right to start"?

I guess they missed the chapter where Ronald Curry and Gibril Wilson played their final games in an Oakland Raider uniform, punctuating the fact that the Raiders will no longer be a place to collect a paycheck and grumble about their role on the field.

If they only read to the end, they would have seen that players like Terrell Owens, Ocho Cinco, Adam "Pac-Man" Jones, and Tank Johnson—who, according to pro football "analysts," were destined to land in Oakland—were passed over by Davis and Cable without even a glance.

For anyone covering pro football, it should have occurred to them that the Raiders might be looking at a deep threat rather than a possession receiver: a receiver who is actually as tall as he says he is, one who has proven that he is as fast as advertised, and a player who will not disrupt the locker room with his ego.

So instead of picking the best-rated player on the board, the Raiders had the audacity to pick the best player to fill their need—a long-armed, tall receiver who gets off the line quickly and can block very well in the running game. Someone who fits the "Team First" concept that is now the Raiders' locker room.

When Tim Brown was selected from Notre Dame, the Raiders were criticized for collecting Heisman trophy winners. Now they draft DHB and are being criticized for drafting the speediest guy in the draft. Maybe that's a good omen...

Since Tom Cable has taken over, he has made it no secret that he wants players who feel they have to prove themselves every week; players with athletic skill coupled with a personality that is determined to work hard and push the players around them.

Cable's concept was an immediate success in the offseason when Nnamdi Asomugha, Shane Lechler, Justin Miller, Isaiah Ekejiuba, and Hiram Eugene all re-signed. The icing on the cake came when Jeff Garcia signed on the dotted line.

The locker room is now filled with players who feel privileged to play in the NFL—players who want to play for their coach and for the Raiders.

When these players run out of the tunnel and onto the field in the '09 season, they will be one unit for the first time in six years. They will have each other's back, and they will not be taking plays off like the Raiders of old. Players like DHB and Mike Mitchell will certainly be playing with a chip on their shoulders.

Maybe then, the pro football "analysts" will say, "I finally got the memo."

For the Oakland Raiders, It's All About Momentum

Pat Cowan — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 09:46:13 -0500

When the 2008 season started, it appeared that the Oakland Raiders had picked up right where they left off in the '07 season.

The offense was once again anemic, scoring only one first half touchdown in the first four games while averaging just over 250 yards per game, mostly on the ground.

The defense under Rob Ryan was was equally as disappointing, as they continued to fold up like a like a lawn chair in the fourth quarter by suddenly switching to soft zone coverages as if they were leading by 21 points with two minutes to go.

After Lane Kiffin's highly publicized firing, the Raiders suddenly became a powerhouse and dominated the NFL with their new head coach Tom Cable, who was voted coach of the year and the sexiest man alive...well not exactly.

The way it really happened, is that our new interim head coach (who looks just like Norm from the TV show Cheers) struggled as the team spiraled out of control for the next six games. Team morale was low and it showed on the field as the Raiders were just 1-5 during that stretch.

During the final six weeks though, something began to change. It was a roller coaster ride of good games and bad games ending the season with a 3-3 record including winning against two good teams to finish the season.

Even when the Raiders played badly during that stretch, they no longer fit the dysfunctional tag that applied to them.

Going into next season the Raiders have an opportunity to build on last seasons strong finish. There's plenty of work to do for the new Cable crew, but the question remains is that can this team continue to get better.

These are a few things that the Raiders could improve on and some that need to continue to get better:

No. 1- Can Darren McFadden become that elite back? Everyone knows he has wheels, but it takes a back that can evade defenders to be productive in the NFL. Outrunning college kids and out running professional NFL players are two totally different creatures. McFadden needs to learn how to be evasive.

No. 2- Can Nnamdi Asomugha take it to the "greatness" level? He's undoubtedly the best active corner in the league, in fact he made his first Pro Bowl this year, so what can he improve on? Interceptions!

Right now that's what separates him from the great corners of the past. Whether it's Lester Hayes, Mark Haynes, Deion Sanders or Champ Bailey, all of these hall of Famer's, Future Hall of Famer's or Should be Hall of Famer's(Lester Hayes) have one thing in common.

They could bait the QB in to doing something stupid and throwing at them. Asomugha has all the tools to do the same exact thing and if he wants more opportunities at INTs, then he has to figure out how to get thrown at more than eight times a year, he needs to add a little deception to his resume.

No. 3- Will the young wide receiving corps continue to get better? Chad Schilens and Johnnie Lee Higgins stepped up their game in the last few weeks of the year, but they still need to get better. If they don't, then the passing game will be nothing more than mediocre.

Schilens improved the most during the season, proving to be a long threat who is willing to fight for the ball, but he still looked like a rookie sometimes and that's because he was.

Higgins had a great year as a returner, especially after his early case of fumbleruski. As a receiver though, he was often criticized for running wrong routes in training camp. When he did catch the ball though, his speed often turned first downs into touchdowns.

Both Schilens and Higgins looked lost sometimes and now that they have a year of experience, that needs to stop. They need to stay on the same page as Cable and Russell through the whole game.

The Raiders cannot afford for these two not to go into the season un-prepared. Are they up to the task?

No. 4- After Cable finally let go of the Kwame Harris project, he let Mario Henderson start. The result was that JaMarcus Russell had more time on his feet, because defenders never got in back of Henderson, not one sack was surrendered.

Mario Henderson played lights out at the end of the season. He took on the Texans Mario Williams like he was the second coming of Lincoln Kennedy. Can Henderson be the next dominant offensive lineman of the Raiders or is he a three-game wonder?

No. 5- The combination of Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands and William Joseph at the defensive tackle position was in a word...impotent. Something needs to change, because they either do not understand the position, or they are really just that bad.

No. 6- The coaching staff that are Cable assembled and Al approved have allot of damage to repair and a short time to do it. The defense can't stop the run and the offense can't figure out who to run.

Cable has emerged as a clear leader and has changed the losing mindset that Oakland marinated in the last six years.

For new defensive coach John Marshall, it will be especially tricky because no one knows what they are capable of, considering they did play well at times despite former coach Rob Ryan.

Tom Cable had a big lesson on momentum. If you have the momentum, don't jeopardize it by pitching the ball to a guy who never touches the ball unless it's with his foot. I mean really, 4th-and-10 and your going to ask your pudgy kicker to run for a first down? I don't think Janikowski is capable of running 10 yards without pads on!

Benching Kwame Harris should have come allot sooner than it did. Cable held on too long, thinking that he could make him into a prodigy. Harris has all the physical talent to make him an elite blocker, but the mentality for the NFL just wasn't there.

In other words, body by NFL, brains by Mattel! Can Cable let go of a bad ideas?

When the '09 season kicks off for the Raiders, they will, without a doubt be better than the '08 Raiders. Cable has brought Continuity and Stability and gave the dysfunctional tag the boot.

The only question remains can the Raiders carry the momentum into next season?

Can the Oakland Raiders Avoid an Offseason Recession?

Pat Cowan — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:21:43 -0500

On Feb. 27, the preseason begins. That is the date of the free agency signing period. It’s a time when drama reigns in the NFL. Some players will re-sign, others will change teams, and some will be cut unceremoniously. Every week there will be a new mock draft, and sports beat writers will be in a frenzy trying to keep up with the rapid changes that are the NFL offseason.

Now that Tom Cable has shaken the interim tag and has earned the right to coach the 2009 Oakland Raiders, he will immediately face the huge challenge of re-signing or replacing players that have become icons of the Raiders locker room. Losing these players would change the team’s dynamics and will certainly affect the concepts and play design that would be in place if they stayed in Oakland.

When the conversation of free agency in Oakland is mentioned, there is not one, but two huge elephants in the room: cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and punter Shane Lechler. Both players are going to the Pro Bowl. Both are the best in the NFL at their positions.

The hope is that Asomugha will get a lucrative offer right away and choose to stay in Oakland. He’s a California native who loved the Raiders growing up. For him to move would be a big decision for him and his family. Regardless, he has expressed interest in entertaining offers from other teams.

The Raiders could also slap him with the franchise tag like they did last year, but if Asomugha and the Raiders can’t agree on a contract, then it’s likely that the tag will have to be removed due to salary cap constraints.

The other option is to trade Asomugha after he has been tagged, but if the asking price is too high, teams will surely wait until the tag is removed to avoid losing draft picks and/or valuable players.

If Oakland chooses not to franchise Asomugha, it will be because they have plans on franchising Lechler. His punting skills will likely make him the best punter in NFL history before his career ends. He would be a more realistic candidate for the franchise tag due to the fact that the Raiders would be able to easily afford his salary.

Other free agents include center Jake Grove, cornerback Chris Johnson, and special teams standout Isaiah Ekejiuba, who was voted an alternate in the Pro Bowl. The chances that the Raiders can re-sign all three are good, but if they did choose to leave, they would be difficult to replace.

The other storm brewing off the Raiders' coast is keeping the Three-Headed Monster happy. The running back combination of Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, and Michael Bush has already been challenging to Tom Cable. He has been criticized by many for not creating plays that best utilize their talents. All three of these players would be the featured back on 10 or more NFL teams.

Darren McFadden will be the eventual featured back for the Raiders. The adjustment to the NFL has been surreal; he has yet to use the breakaway speed that made him a commodity in the draft. Turf toe has kept him from running at full speed much of the season, and juking open field defenders has been an Achilles' heel, a learning curve that he has yet to master.

Michael Bush was often overlooked in the running game; if he did manage to get in the game, it was usually in the fourth quarter, and the game was all but over. Under protest, Bush was switched to fullback in midseason after Oren O’Neil and Justin Griffith both had season-ending injuries.

Finally, in the last game of the season with McFadden and Fargas injured, Bush racked up a whopping 177 yards rushing on 27 carries with a 6.6 yard per carry average. It was the best performance by a Raider running back last season.

Justin Fargas has been one of the few bright spots in the locker room the last few years. He gives 110 percent on every play. His tough and hard-hitting style has been an example of hard work paying off. He has been the featured back and is the most well rounded of the three.

At 29 years old though, Fargas is in the twilight of his career. Often when running backs turn 30, they hit an invisible wall and their YPC drops significantly. Youngster and preseason star Louis Rankin carries many of Fargas’ attributes, which could make Fargas expendable. Al Davis has a hard time parting with loyal players, but if Fargas moves down on the depth chart, he may ask for a trade, or to be released.

Once again, the Raiders find themselves pushing up against the cap. Unless Javon Walker offers to retire again (I am still praying), options will be limited. Tom Cable’s personnel moves during the season have been trustworthy. With so many challenges that are facing this team in the offseason, Cable’s mettle will be tested.

It is conceivable that the core of the team could have an entirely different makeup by the beginning of next season. But that’s life in the NFL.

Tom Cable: Bringing the Mystique Back to the Oakland Raiders

Pat Cowan — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:10:54 -0500

Word on the street is that the Oakland Raiders will give interim head coach Tom Cable the full-time job.

Although nothing is official, the lack of candidates being interviewed in recent weeks coupled with the fact that Cable is currently scouting at the Senior Bowl reinforces the claim.

Cable was handed the reins in the middle of last season after Al Davis, armed with his mighty overhead projector, fired Lane "The Pain" Kiffin, following a Week Four loss to the Chargers.

Cable's first decision was to overhaul the offense. His plan was to trash Kiffin's dink-and-dunk-style offense and replace it with a more balanced attack that didn't rely so heavily on the run.

Next, Cable wanted Jamarcus Russell to go out and learn how to lead the offense. More than that, though, he wanted to get the team to believe it could win.

He believed they could. He wanted to show them that what they thought was an affliction was simply a challenge.

The task proved daunting, as the team went only 1-5 in its next six games and looked reminiscent of Art Shell's 2006 team. Cable found that he had to contend with low morale and grumbling players.

It didn't get better when he benched locker room favorite Ronald Curry and struggling safety Michael Huff at the same time he gave DeAngelo Hall walking papers.

Cable never gave up through that time. In his press conferences, he carried the same demeanor every week. He talked about where they had improved and where they needed more work. He made no apologies, he didn't have meltdowns and he didn't place blame. These were his defining moments.

The next defining moment was when they went into Denver and beat the Broncos. Cable announced to the team that it was a historic rivalry, and that's the way the Broncos were approaching the game.

It wasn't another game. It was a fierce division rival. The Raiders went out and won the game.

After the 1-6 start under Cable, the Raiders finished the season 3-3, racking up wins over the talented Texans and knocking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of the playoff race. Losing was no longer the identity. The offense had become efficient and productive.

Russell had become the field leader that Cable had envisioned. The team's confidence showed in its play.

Tom Cable proved that he is capable of being a winning coach in the NFL. He has overcome the single biggest obstacle of getting a team to believe in itself and the system.

How did he do it? By joining them. By being a Raider.

When he sat at the postgame press conferences, win or lose, he was proud to wear the Silver and Black. He was proud of every single person who ever put on that uniform and he made no distinction between his Raider team or the ones of the past.

Tom Cable has taken the identity of the Raider franchise and purified it with his Silver and Black heart and determination. He has distinguished himself like coaches in Raiders past by enforcing the team's mystique.

That alone has earned him the right to keep coaching the Oakland Raiders.

Oakland Raiders: Another Year at the Lost and Found

Pat Cowan — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:51:52 -0500

With the close of the 2008 season, the 2009 preseason will officially begin.

That's the way it seems, anyway.

Soon, all NFL franchises will be assessing their teams and trying to be more successful than the year before, in hopes that their team will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February.

As soon as the regular season ended, the mock drafts began being circulated by sports writers. But as an Oakland Raider fan, I can't get really excited about that yet.

Again, the team finds itself in the lost and found bin. The Silver and Black compass is spinning round and round.

The main problem? We don't have coaches.

I'm not talking about the head coach. I'm talking about the play callers, the offensive and defensive coordinators, the ones who define the identity and direction of the team.

How can we know what is needed on offense until we know what the philosophy will be? Is the quarterback going to have a three-step or seven-step drop? What about designed rollouts? How much will he rely on the running back to help out in protection in the passing game?

I would love to see us draft a big run-stuffing linebacker, but what if the next defensive coordinator likes to run the zone blitz? If that's the case, we'll need balance at that position.

So we need the coaches in place. The next step is the issue of free agency. Will the best shut-down corner in the game, Nnamdi Asomougha, want to stay in Oakland? Will he choose to stay where he grew up, wearing the Raider uniform that he dreamed about wearing as a child? Or is he ready to leave?

Punter Shane Lechler hasn't had many kind words either. Surely sack artist Derrick Burgess won't want to keep quietly working for peanuts while watching Kelly and Sands work for gold bullion.

Hypothetically, after all the coaches are in place and our free agents are re-signed and happy, we all still have to remember that the offseason is Al Davis' Christmas. He just loves to give, just like Mom, and during this time of year, just like Mom, you never know what you'll get.

Sometimes you get the new iPod because that was on your list (Jerry Rice), or sometimes you get the Kenny G box set (Javon Walker). That's how it is with the Raiders in the offseason...either you get the new gaming system or you get socks.

One thing is for sure. Whoever ends up coaching has a real opportunity to build on a team that began to believe it could play with and beat anybody. Continuing that progress will not be a small task, but after the last six rocky years it is imperative to bring stability to the Oakland Raiders.

Good luck, coaches, whoever you are.

Al Davis Still Expects To Be The Best and Nothing Less!

Pat Cowan — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:00:05 -0500

I have been a Raider fan all of my life. My memories over the years are filled with the days when every team in the league would circle the day they played the Raiders.

When the Raiders walked out of the tunnell there was a demand for respect. On the field the opposing team knew that every play would be contested and opposing players knew they would have to pay the price.

The Raiders did whatever it took to win, they fought, clawed, and sacrificed just to establish the respect of the Silver and Black. Every Raider fan who lived through the 70's and 80's have these memories. They hold those memories in a scrap book in their heads with the images, the articles, and the stats at our beckon call.

Lately we have had another ominous run. That being of six straight losing seasons with double digit losses.

Al Davis has been the face of the Raiders since the National Football League merger. He was labeled as the rogue owner and as for the team they were labeled the "Criminal Element" by Hall of Fame Coach and four time Superbowl Champion Chuck Knoll of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In a time when teams were grabbing big bodied players to play defense to stop the running game and big bodied receivers to block for the running game, Davis at that time was hiring fast receivers, and throwing the long ball.

Instead of big safeties who could fend off blockers to make a tackle Al again hired faster safeties that delivered high speed collisions.

When a former #1 pick would get cut by a team, because they were too old, or maybe they didn't perform well, or perhaps had attitude problems every team would steer clear, while Al Davis was sending him a plane ticket bound for Oakland.

The NFL respected Davis and the players loved him for it. All of us fans loved him for it. The players wanted to play for him.

Davis was the pioneer of the vertical passing game, and punishing defense. The Silver and Black inspired players like former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson and former San Francisco 49er strong safety Ronnie Lott to become the players they were. Al Davis was the man!!!

Now that free agency is here players have changed, but Davis hasn't.

He still expects players to feel privileged and grateful, but they don't. Davis still expects the players to hear and read the media's resentment toward the owner and the Raiders use it for fuel come Sunday, but they don't.

Instead there is a sound bite after sound bite about how they can't win. Not because he doesn't bring in quality guys, or because he is too stingy, or is not interested in winning.

The owner of the team has one major flaw. He thinks he's the owner of the team! Kinda redundant huh?

Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder win games under the same philosophy. They meddle even more than Davis does. They have coaches that are figure heads, but the teams go out and play every Sunday, and manage to make it too the playoffs.

However, not this team. Javon Walker gets his head kicked in by some guy in Vegas, and the team falls apart.

Cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones gets his rear kicked in a bathroom, and the Cowboys move on, and aren't effected.

Shaun Taylor one of the best safeties in the league was shot and killed, but the Redskins make the playoffs.

The Raiders acquire wide receiver Randy Moss and can't make him happy enough to play anywhere near his potential.

The Cowboys acquire wide receiver Terrell Owens, and he puts up prow bowl numbers.

The examples go on and on. Is this really an owner problem???

Day in and day out I am hearing how, "the Raiders will never return to greatness until Al Davis is dead." I am fed up with that mindset.

Those are pathetic excuses Davis has brought in great players and they repay him by collecting a paycheck for nothing!

Another classic line is: "No one will take the coaching job in Oakland, because they have to deal with Al Davis."

That is ridiculous!

Jason Garrett is being groomed in Dallas by a meddlesome owner that will not leave things alone. One who walks the sideline, is involved in literally every decision, and if Garrett doesn't take the job then there is a line forming behind him.

I am sick of "fans" complaining and buying into those lies. I am sick of the players whining, and getting knocked on their butts every Sunday.

It is their choice every Sunday to show up and play, but they keep choosing to lose!

Davis didn't make that decision. He still shows up hoping to see their best, but they still show up and not give it.

Another line is that Davis can't make good decisions like, "Look at Javon Walker and Deangelo Hall. " Yeah lets look at them.

Two of Kiffins "Must Have's" that Davis acquired for him. Now, what about Kiffin?

A guy that has spent time in Jacksonville and at the University of Southern California that was hated, and deemed untrustworthy by his coworkers. A guy who wanted to risk NFL tampering charges to get daddy into Oakland.

In five years everyone will see Kiffin for what he is.

Since Al hasn't produced in six years, suddenly he is the most evil, vial, and a despicable man in football even some say a maniacal dictator or some say he is crazy,

The worst part of it is that it comes from Raider fans! In reality it is the team that hasn't produced.

The Raiders can't stop the run? Davis brought in defensive tackle Warren Sapp, but Sapp didn't produce.

Wide receiver Tim Brown, wide receiver Jerry Rice, quarterback Rich Gannon, and running back Charlie Garner, gone? What now?

Davis gets Moss, quarterbacm Kerry Collins and running back Lamont Jordan, and they didn't produce.

What more did Al need to do?

The truth is that I am sick of hearing that Davis is so much worse than every owner in football. The truth is their are plenty of team owners that sabotage success.

The truth is that there are a half a dozen owners in the league that have done a far worse job. No one shining the spotlight on them. Last time I knew we were in the Superbowl in '02 despite Davis, and his horrible decisions.

I grew up with Davis, and he is still the James Dean of football. Like him or hate him he is the owner of the Raiders. Call him names or wish him dead. He still will be there every Sunday watching the Raiders play.

I say God Bless him for never giving up and continuing to try to get this team the players they need to win games.

AL IS STILL THE MAN!!!

Could the Oakland Raiders Get Lucky and Bring Back Chucky?

Pat Cowan — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:03:48 -0500

"02...01...00...and the Oakland Raiders have upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-24, knocking them out of the playoff hunt..."

That turned out to be the game that decided Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen's fate in Tampa. The loss to the Raiders completed a four-game skid that eliminated the Bucs from the playoffs.

What many fail to realize is that this scenario was set in motion months before, by Jon Gruden's former boss, Al Davis.

Al Davis hired a young prodigy from USC named Lane Kiffin. He had hoped this young prodigy would be like his last one, Jon Gruden. Instead, what he got was a spoiled kid that had tantrums in the media every time he didn't get his way.

What does this have to do with Jon Gruden getting fired you say?

Kiffin led the media along with little sound bites that suggested that "The Owner's" constant meddling had sabotaged his success. He suggested that Defensive Coordinator, Rob Ryan and Al had meetings to decide how the defense was going to blow the game that week.

He also suggested that Al Davis had not provided him with the necessary talent to get the job done and that the whole team sucked.

Here's where the grappling hooks are fired, tying the Raiders' ship to the Buccaneers' ship.

After a 4-12 campaign in '07 and starting 1-3 in '08, Al Davis called a press conference and announced Lane Kiffin was fired. Unbelievably, not because of his record, but for his antics behind the mic. Now, it was "the Owner's" turn behind the mic.

"The Owner" Al Davis, laid out the time line for Lane Kiffin's firing, sighting that it all started back in January of '08 when Lane wanted to fire Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator and hire the Bucs defensive coordinator, his Dad, Monte Kiffin.

At the same time Monte Kiffin was calling Al Davis suggesting that if "he were there", this is how he would handle his snot-nosed son. Mr. Davis soon realized that this was beginning sound like a tampering charge and called Tampa's GM Bruce Allen to give him the skinny on what dear 'Ol Dad and little Lane were cooking up.

On Nov. 30, the Tennessee Volunteers announced that Lane Kiffin would be their new head coach. Lane Kiffin immediately made a statement saying he wanted his dad to coach the D. Rumors suggested that Gruden had asked Lane not to announce Monte's decision to join his son until after the season had ended.

On Nov. 30, the Bucs were 9-3 and had one of the best defenses in the league. They would lose their last four games while the defense would give up an average of 379 total yard, 194 rushing yards and 30 points a game.

Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen went down with the Bucs' ship.

Ironically, the Raiders are interviewing for a new head coach.

Ironically, they have been dragging their feet.

What are the chances that Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden are rescued from the shark-infested waters by the Raiders.

Despite what the media wants to make of it, Jon Gruden had nothing but great things to say in his book about the Raiders owner. Gruden said they shared their love of football and their will to win.

Will the same ties that were ultimately Gruden's undoing in Tampa be the "Return of Chucky" to Oakland?

That's a title that would send shivers down the AFC West's spine.

Sounds like a great name for a sequel to me.

Al Davis, Oakland Raiders Still in Need of Coaches To Complete the Puzzle

Pat Cowan — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:29:43 -0500

The Oakland Raiders' tumultuous 2008 season has ended.

It ended with two huge wins that no one seen coming.

What now?

It would seem that ending the season on such a high note has baffled conspiracy theorists turned journalists and Raider haters alike. Even us Raider fans are asking ourselves "where do we go from here?"

Is it safe to assume that two dominating wins in a row have thrown the front office of the Raiders in a tailspin?

As I am writing this article, there is currently no offensive coordinator, no defensive coordinator, and no head coach. It also looks like the special teams coach is booking his flight out also. We are all caught up in limbo.

Health issues have hampered Al Davis in his search for...whatever he's searching for. He wants a loyal head coach and he is taking applications. He wants a coach who is willing to work for him for peanuts and who will guide the team in whatever direction he wants it to go. He wants a Raider guy, someone who buys into the Silver and Black tradition, who would never challenge his authority, but have enough balls to disagree with him.

Wow, I just described Tom Cable. So why the exhaustive search for a new head coach?

Is Davis even looking for a head coach or just a more experienced offensive coordinator, someone he could turn the reigns over to should Tom Cable fail?

So far the only tangible replacement that Davis has talked to is Kevin Gilbride, and that ain't saying much. This guy was supposed to get Ryan Leaf prepared to be the Charger franchise. We all know how that turned out. Gilbride was over his head as a head coach. There's no reason to think that's changed.

So far Davis has fired Lofton and promoted his assistant Sanjay Lal to wide receivers coach. He has also hired former Raider cornerback Lionel Washington to replace Darren Perry as the defensive back coach.

OK, who's going to lead these guys?

What is our offensive philosophy?

What kind of defense will be implemented?

So far there is no reason to think Cable is not going to be the head coach of the Raiders. Davis has always been generous with his money as far as players are concerned (ask Walker and Kelley), but coaches have always been stiffed (ask Kiffin and Shanahan).

No matter what happens, one thing is for sure. Al Davis always keeps us guessing and scratching our heads. Right now it's coaching, next it will be free agency, and then the draft.

There's only one reason for this. It keeps people like me slacking at work, surfing the Internet, looking for the latest move in Oakland. Of that, I am convinced.

See Ya Later! Losers!...Why Knapp, Ryan, and Rathman Will Miss the Raiders

Pat Cowan — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:39:26 -0500

(waving) Good riddance Rob Ryan. So long Greg Knapp. Be careful Bay hopping Tom Rathman.

I hope you all carry your success to your other teams. Good luck with that.

Rob Ryan: I hope you carry that "We are one of the best defenses, even though we are ranked 30th" mindset to the Browns. Looks like you have a lot to work with over there. That was a good trade off, Asomougha, Gibril Wilson, and Kirk Morisson for...um...um...still looking...well, either way, it's not like pressuring the quarterback was your first priority anyway.

Greg Knapp: Good luck in Seattle buddy, I know that the wide-receiver situation was tough in Oakland, and you have sooo much more to work with in Seattle. I hope you can develop that young fella, Matt Hasselbeck into a pro bowl quarterback.

I hope your imaginative, run-run-throw-punt offense will baffle your opponents like they did here in Oakland. I mean, that one first-half touchdown that you had in six games was off the chain!!!

Tom Rathman: Can't blame you for going back to your roots. The 49ers were good to you in your playing days. Singletary is highly respected whether he wears his pants around his waist or his ankles.

Frank Gore is a great guy to coach, too. You have to be glad that Mike Martz and his "high powered offense" philosophy are both gone now. As you already know, after your tenure in Oakland, scoring points is way overrated anyway. You have fun running your only good running back 30 times a game for 16 weeks. I'll be anxious to see how that works out for you.

I can hear it now. There will be statements and sound bites all over the place about their coaching experiences in Oakland. What they won't realize is that Oakland will be a better team now that they are not around. While they are with their respective new teams, trying to figure out how to get out of the cellar, they will be looking at Oakland and seeing entirely new offensive and defensive philosophy taking place, and let's face it, that's not a bad thing!

Ranked near the bottom on offense and defense with good players is inexcusable. We gave you a little bit of a pass, because they were a young team, but let's face it. Your coaching sucked.

So again, good riddance, Oakland is a better team simply because you are not there anymore!

Oakland Raiders: Land Ho!

Pat Cowan — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:07:06 -0500

It's been a rocky ride the last six years. Storm after storm rocked the Raiders in the lost Ark. It's been like driving from from the East Coast to the West Coast in a Smart Car and the stereo that plays only Britney Spears songs. It's not something one shakes off easily. It takes time.

Going into another offseason, we are finding ourselves going into panic mode.

Who's going to be our coach? I thought we already had a coach?

Why don't we hurry up and sign cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to a long-term contract? Why didn't we sign him to one last year?

We need wide receivers! We have too many good running backs!

All of these things have become almost automatic. But then I stopped. I jumped back and turned around, avoiding the blitz of negativity that has haunted me for six years.

I walked out to the back of my house and looked at the woods in front of me and the horizon beyond and something occurred to me. We have players.

I don't have to worry about an inexperienced quarterback. I don't have to worry about whether the wide receivers want to be there or not, or whether they are fast enough. I don't have to worry about our punt and kick returner or if we can actually draft a good tight end this year.

I don't have to worry about our running backs anymore or if offensive guard Robert Gallery is a bust or not.

I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY!!!

Now, don't get me wrong, I have concerns. The coaching staff is unsettled and we are all waiting on what direction Al Davis intends on going. My gut feeling is that Tom Cable gets to keep the keys to the Ferrari, but I don't know for sure.

My concern is whether Rob Ryan chooses to stay or leave. I'm hoping he leaves. The defense has underachieved and the younger players are not developing and that's a coaching problem, plain and simple.

What we do know is that when free agency begins, owner Al Davis is going to land a big name. This year the glaring holes remain on the offensive and defensive lines. We need help at wide receiver and linebacker too, but not as bad.

Remember last year? It was quarterback, offensive line, a change-up running back, wide receiver, a safety, a corner, a kickoff returner, a punt returner...and the list went on.

Then there was the AFC West. The Chargers have been the juggernaut of the division and the Broncos, lead by head coach Mike Shanahan, have had our number year in and year out.

Look at the AFC West now! 8-8 was the best they could do. No more Shanahan, no more Schottenheimer, no more Vermiel. Next year's possibilities are staggering.

Once I stood back and looked at those woods in my backyard, I could see those tall trees turn into the '09 Raiders. That horizon was what began to dawn in '08. Riding a two game winning streak against two good teams showed me that the Raiders now know that success began when young players became mature.

The price they will pay for that success will be knowing the regret of those players who had their chance and never took it.

Carpe diem, young Raiders players.

Seize the day, Raiders faithful.

A Season In Review Shows That Cable and Russell Are Connected at the Hip

Pat Cowan — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:36:38 -0500

As the regular season comes to a close, the holidays are spent with family and friends, exchanging gifts and eating our body weight in holiday cookies, I can't help but have that empty feeling again of another post season without the Raiders. It's like having a favorite uncle being a 'no-show' at Christmas dinner. On the other hand this year I feel like that uncle is on his way.

Raider fans had high expectations in the upcoming '08 season. It was the year that we were going to shake off old mindsets and become a contender again. It was the year we were going to start our return to dominance. After all, we had the best CB tandem in the league in Asomougha and Hall, we had a strong-armed QB that had head coaches around the league taking notice. We had a monster at defensive tackle in Kelley and signed the No. 1 tackling and Superbowl-winning safety Gibril Wilson.

We were set!!! We were back!!!! The dragon in '08 wore an eye patch!!!!

On Monday night, from the opening kickoff, the Broncos showed the NFL that the Raiders were nowhere near ready. Not even close! What ensued was chaos. The snot-nosed, arrogant, stubborn coach of the Raiders picked a fight with the old, arrogant, stubborn owner of the Raiders. The irresistible object had collided with the immovable force. After a 1-3 start, Mr. irresistible was removed by the immovable Mr. owner.

Enter Tom Cable. A Raider fan from childhood and a friend of Lane Kiffin. Known as a motivator, he was appointed by the Immovable Mr. Davis as in-term coach of a devastated Raider team. His first order of business was to tell the media the things Lane Kiffin had told the media were wrong.

Things like: The receiver's are no good, Russell was not ready, the passing game was no good and the defensive play calling was no good because Al Davis and Rob Ryan were no good. Little things like that.

At that moment Tom Cable and Jamarcus Russell became locked at the hip. What Tom Cable was saying was that, 'From now on, my quarterback is going to learn how to manage the game. I'm taking off the battleship chains.' Saying that he believed in Russell and the rest of the offense was a bold statement considering they had only one first half touchdown.

Was this guy crazy? In the first game it appeared so, a 34-3 whoopin' by the Saints, but Cable remained optimistic. He said he had had taken the boundaries off and let the team play to see where they were. The next week the Jets came to town and the Raiders showed what they were capable of, a tough 16-13 overtime win. Maybe Cable wasn't crazy after all.

The next four weeks showed what Tom Cable had to deal with. The Ravens and Falcons embarrassing losses had us all having Art Shell flashbacks. The Dolphins and Panthers showed a promising defense, but the futility of the offense had doomed Tom Cable and Jamarcus Russell to be failures.

The team was at an all-time low. Deangelo Hall was sent packing, Curry was benched and Walker was awful. The Denver Broncos were next. It was the Raiders destiny to be destroyed once again by a Bronco team that so thoroughly annihilated us on the Monday night opener. It was inevitable.

In the words of Emeril, BAM!!!! The offense showed up! The defense showed up! The special teams showed up! Hope filled our hearts as the Raiders handed the Broncos a complete 31-10 beating. Tom Cable called a great game and Jamarcus Russell lead the offense brilliantly. The futile Chiefs were next and we were going to win two in a row!!!

Wrong! Bad play calling by Cable and Russell looked like a rookie once again. Would the real Raider team please stand up!!!! In the next game against the Chargers, the entire Raider team hit bottom. Tom Cable had lost his players and Russell, battered and bruised, made an early exit.

Hand getures that said, 'I don't care' and laughing and joking by the players during and after the game showed how low the orginization had sunk, a 34-7 loss was almost merciful. Another primetime embarassement. Jamarcus Russell was not a leader and Tom Cable was done as the Raider coach. Or maybe not.....

The next two games the real Raider team finally stood up. What Tom Cable was preaching finally bore fruit. The players played like a well-coached team. The offense looked at Russell like a general on the field of battle. Chad Schillens and Jonny Lee Higgins had become dangerous targets. Micheal Bush, and Darren McFadden became feared. The defense proved to bend but not break, while the offense would control the tempo.

A 27-16 win over the red-hot Texans showed that Cable had finally conviced this team of their potential. The light switched on and the team became angry. They became angry because for the first time thay had seen what they were capable of. They became angry at themselves. They took it out on Tampa Bay. The offense rallied around Jamarcus Russell and overcame a 10-point deficit to beat Tampa Bay 31-24, knocking them out of the playoffs. Out of the ashes the Pheonix had risen.

At the end of the season, they had finally become Tom Cable's team. Like the prodigal son who returned, the Raiders finally understand. They finally understand Tom Cable was the tow truck pulling them from the muck. They finally understood that Jamarcus Russell was a quarterback who could win games.

The disfunctional label that they so desperately wanted to shed had been lifted for two games. They had earned respect going into the off season. The Jets, Broncos and Bucs all fell one game short of the playoffs. The spoiler label is little consolation for missing the playoffs, but at least it's something to build on.

Tom Cable has made his arguement to be the head coach in '09 and it has been a convincing one to the players. Tom Cable and Jamarcus Russell have formed a bond that many great coach/quarteback combinations have formed in the past. If Cable returns in '09 the Raider fans could be looking at the next John Madden/Mad Bomber era.

I know that is a bold statement, but the formula is there. Somewhere in this tumultuous season stability has finally come to the Raiders, something that hasn't been there since the '02 season. If Al Davis decides to replace Tom Cable, he can leave with his head held high. He has earned his respect in the league and he will be a head coach, whether it's this year or years to come. He has proven himself a winner.