Bleacher Report - Articles by Dondi

Trenches Will Elevate Oakland Raiders to AFC West Crown

Dondi — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:26:53 -0400

In less than a month, the NFL will find out just how much better the 2009 Oakland Raiders are compared to last years’ model.

The first two preseason games have offered us a glimmer of what will be. Let’s take a look at the trenches staring with our defensive line.

Our DT’s are better than last year, much better. Before you go quoting rushing stats of the cowgirls and the whiners, take a laxative.

Let’s start with Kelley. Last year he had two major obstacles in his way of being the dominant player he will be in '09. The first obstacle was physical. He was coming off a blown out knee, which everyone knows takes more than a year for a full recovery for a typical player. How much longer to recover for a 300lb tackle?

His second obstacle was psychological twice over. He had to overcome the mental aspect of blowing out a knee along with the pressure of becoming the highest paid DT in NFL history at the time. Granted he looked 2008 (average) vs the cowgirls, but he made some highlight plays vs the whiners.

If you look at the whiners’ first scoring drive to the one yard line, Kelly was NOT ON THE FIELD. Only when they had first and goal did Kelly come back in. The D tightened, push back and forced a three rather than seven.

Onto our other big ugly: Warren. That boy was nonstop pressure, flying around the backfield in both games while he was playing. By the way, he too joined Kelly on the sideline for the first whiner drive and also returned in time to keep them out of the end zone. He was our best DT last year and with Kelly’s improvement, he will be that much better in 2009.

The depth will be better with Bryant and Joseph getting more reps and Sands shown the door. Enough said.

At DE, Ellis is a huge improvement over an injury riddled Burgess and Kalimba Edwards. Ellis is a true professional, who is LOVING his rebirth at DE after his stint as a 3-4 LB for the cowgirls. His play thus far is sweet to watch...he’s pressuring the QB’s and should easily surpass his predecessors in that department.

Opposite Ellis, the three youngsters—Scott, Richardson, Gunhiem—along with rookie Shaughnessy, will improve with experience and having a tutor like Ellis. Let’s not forget that we have a new DL coach in Dwayne Board, who has been successful in his previous coaching experience.

Moving to the other side of the ball, the offensive line will be outstanding! Two games ONE sack (do not count JaMarcus falling down on his own as OL issue)!!! They have handled the blitzes very well compared to last year resulting in a legit NFL passing game. The run blocking will also turn it up a few notches from 2008.

Super Mario has been just that—super. Gallery is a pro bowl season waiting to happen. Satelle is beginning to figure out the ZBS. Carlisle is steady, again. Cornell Green and his penalties will be long gone as soon as we get Kalif Barnes back.

Depth is much better as evidenced by the sack stat mentioned earlier. Mc Quistan is back from IR along with Pears, a former starter from the donks for a huge upgrade there alone. Wade basically had a year off last year to heal his body and Morris is just getting better all the time.

It also happens to be the third year in Cables’ ZBS—finally some continuity.

Clearly upgrades across both lines. It’s been said that the trenches determine who wins most games. If this holds true, the 2009 Oakland Raiders should be just fine.

NFL Will Watch The Oakland Raiders "Return To Excellence"!

Dondi — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:14:47 -0400

It all started in 2002 at Super Bowl XXXVII, where the "Commitment to Excellence" slid into the abyss of the NFL at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their former head coach Jon Gruden.

It has been well documented at nauseam how pathetic the Raiders have been since then so no need to go any further on the subject.

Sorry Raider Haters, this one is NOT for you!

Fast forward to Week 17 of the 2008 season, where the Raiders once again faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Gruden. This time the outcome was rather different; no, not simply the score favoring the highly under dogged Raiders, but the way they dismantled the Bucs in every phase of the game and prematurely ended their season.

Old fashion Raider football was back—bruising runs, big play passing, solid O line blocking and sacking Garcia on the games' last play for emphasis. How sweet!

On offense, expect Dmac to run like the wind, Schillens to be the next great Raider receiver, Henderson to make Merriman wish he was still injured, and Russell to create his place the Raiders QB history books.

On defense, watch us rank in the top 15 in STOPPING THE RUN.

Kelly will show his gratitude to Al by making the Pro Bowl, leading the NFL DT in sacks, Alston will become the next Raider LB to intercept 3 passes in ONE GAME and every week will be a highlight reel of tenacious hits by Mitchell with every TV analyst eating crow.

So get ready Raider Nation—today, on the eve of our first practice, we embark on our return to "Commitment to Excellence"!

Oakland Raiders Draft: Let's Keep It Simple

Dondi — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:01:57 -0400

In the world of business, there is a concept known as "K.I.S.S." The letters stand for "Keep It Simple, Stupid."

Let's apply this mantra to the Oakland Raiders' first-round draft selection this year.

When we search for the two worst aspects of the 2008 Raiders, we find a 32nd-ranked passing offense and a leading wide receiver with just 22 receptions (which put the Raiders last in the league in that category, as well).

The aerial attack needed attention this offseason, and everyone with a pulse knew it. So when pick seven fell to Oakland, WR was an obvious choice.

The question was, which wide receiver? The top-rated Michael Crabtree? Special teams star Jerry Maclin? April 20-friendly Percy Harvin?

Or the raw Darruis Heyward-Bey?

Despite all the deliberation, it ends up that the answer is simple. Let's jujst "K.I.S.S.":

· DHB played in a pro offense, while Maclin and Crabtree did not.

· DHB can run a 4.3 40; Maclin and Crabtree can't.

· DHB is 6’2’’; Maclin and Crabtree are shorter.

· DHB can jump; Macklin did not attempt to jump and Crabtree didn't do jack at the combine.

· DHB is a humble team player; Maclin and Crabtree are divas.

· DHB has been compared to Randy Moss; Maclin seems more like JLH and Crabtree resembles Anquan Boldin

So, for all you Raider Haters:

K.I.S.S. this!

Oakland Raiders Bid Farwell to A Beloved Soldier!

Dondi — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:22:46 -0400

It's a foregone conclusion; Justin Fargas days in Silver & Black are coming to an end.

If Crabtree is gone at No. 7, The Raiders will trade for Chad Johnson. We get a very grateful receiver with a ton of talent, who could set the pace for our young receivers and teach them a thing or two, while they develop their skills.

In return, we sacrifice our beloved Justin Fargas. No I am not being facetious, Justin is everything you would want in a professional; the polar opposite of Chad. For you naysayers, Al doesn't care what you do off the field as long as you bleed Silver & Black on the field.

What makes this trade more attractive than simply acquiring Chad is the impact it has on our RB rotation. Fargas goes because his presence retards the growth of our up and coming superstar tandem. In this scenario, McFadden and Bush pick up a lot more carries and we get to see what Rankin can do. And if you know anything about Rankin, he can do a lot!

In the words of one of my best friends, "It makes perfect sense unless you are a perfect idiot!"

If the Raiders get Crabtree, then Chad goes elsewhere, but Fargas still goes—he is simply a luxury we cannot afford to keep while we rebuild.

Just in case you forgot, this is still a business and in business, the best decisions are made with the mind, not the heart. We love you Fargas, our beloved soldier. You are already missed.

Oakland Raiders Draft 2009: A+++ Or F--- ?

Dondi — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:45:13 -0400

The draft could not have fallen any better for Raiders this year. Could it be a sign of things to come in the regular season and playoffs? Yes, playoffs!

The worst passing team in 2008 will get themselves the best PLAYER in the draft, WR Michael Crabtree! Was it thanks to “Who's yo mama” signing with the Seahags or Crabtree not running at the combine?

Who cares? The Silver and Black Attack will be back! The 32nd-ranked passing offense will be so far in the rear-view mirror we may never see such a pathetic ranking ever again. EVER!

Let’s not forget the offense over the last six games was pretty darn good; Jamarcus was a pro, Schilens and JLH were solid and the OL was playing extremely well both in run and pass blocking.

Add D-Mac healthy and a guy named Bush, we could end up first in rushing O and top 5 in passing O. Miller goes to the Pro Bowl in 2009, says here.

Just this simple move makes our defense better (not to mention no Rob Ryan). But just in case, round two nets us Robert Ayers from Tennessee who can play DE and some DT.

Either way, he helps shore up the second worst rush defense in 2008 at 159.7 yards per game. Combine this guy with the much improved offense and the overall D becomes top 15...easy!

Throw Patrick Chung from Oregon as our third pick and our defense finally has the safety we’ve been looking for since the days of Ronnie Lott.

This kid can hit and cover and would pair with Branch to take our Run D into the top 10 for 2009.

Our fourth-rounder is another DL in Jarron Gilbert, who can grow into a stating DT by year end. He has a lot of upside and is a local kid with an NFL pedigree. Add him to our mix and our D line goes from overall weakest link to overall strength with Burgess, Kelly, Gilbert and Ayers.

Rotate G Warren and PRS Trevor Scott in and we win the AFC west. What we do in rounds 5-7 just doesn’t matter if these four players are in Silver and Black. My guess for later rounds includes TE and DB.

Our O line was not addressed in the draft because of the talent we added (Barnes, Pears, Satelle, Johnson, return from IR, McQuistan) and dumped (Harris, Grove and Green very soon), in case you were wondering.

With Henderson, Gallery and Carlisle in the fold and Cable running the ship, O Line is going to be a strength of this team as well.

Should we pass on Crabtree and acquire Chad Johnson or Braylon Edwards, our draft grade goes from an A+++ to an F---, regardless of what else we do.

Team chemistry is approaching an all-time high and this move would send us back to the days of Shell round two.

Since I have faith in Al and Cable, I am going to enjoy the draft like never before. So watch out NFL, the Raiders are back in 2009!

Oakland Raiders' Commitment to Excellence in 2009

Dondi — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:06:42 -0400

With the free agency signing frenzy in the rear-view mirror and the 2009 NFL Draft less than four weeks away, the NFL has a rebirth on its hands - The Oakland Raiders commitment to excellence.

Go ahead ESPN and the rest of you skeptics, who say as long as Al Davis is in control, the Raiders will never win again. The Raider nation has heard that one before.

One simple transaction and one simple comment, both powerful, made last week by the Raiders bring clarity to this truth.

First, Cable convinced, yes convinced, Davis to trade for starting center Samson Satele, a second rounder two years ago by the Dolphins. Davis trusts Cable period, even after the Kwame Harris failure.

Not just with the O-line but the whole enchilada—he made him head coach didn’t he? Davis complied by trading away a sixth rounder and a flop of fourths to make this happen.

Ironically, Satele was replaced by our former center Jake Grove, who wanted to return to Oakland but was lured away by Parcells and a wad of guaranteed cash.

Did ESPN or NFL Network get up in Parcells or the Dolphins' Kool-Aid for “overpaying” for an injury-plagued player from one of the worst teams of 2008? Did they commend Davis for not overpaying? SHOCKER!!!! Sorry, I digress.

Cable and Davis—clear teamwork at its best; mutual respect and trust combined with a will to get the job done.

Second, Cable declared that he was pleased with the changes thus far in the offensive line’s progress and that offensive tackle is the area of greatest need heading into the draft. He also said, “Not necessarily with the seventh pick overall since the draft is deep at the OT position.”

Does this statement mean he will draft a tackle? Or does he mean trade for one? Or just develop one on their current roster? Or simply sign a rookie free agent?

Here’s my theory. Early on, one of the Raiders offseason goals was to add players to the offensive line with a couple of free agents and one through the draft. True to their strategy, they added Kalif Barnes and Erik Pears, both with left and right tackle starter experience through free agency.

Include the resigning of free agent G Cooper Carlisle, the trade for Satele and probably a rookie free agent or two (think Barry Sims) and they are set for 2009 without drafting a lineman.

One thing we all definitely know, Cable is not going to give away Davis’s strategy if he doesn’t want his new title to be former head coach.

So Raider Nation, whether you think the Raiders should choose a big sexy, Crabtree, Raji, Orakpo, Curry or trade down with the seventh pick, the power in these two simple events is clearly a boon.

Davis and Cable are working as a real team-not media lip service team.

Think Davis and Madden or Davis and Flores.

This team mentality at the top will transcend teamwork (or as Cable calls it: selflessness) throughout the organization. Together, they will ensure a return to greatness and a rebirth of a commitment to excellence in 2009!

Raiders 2009 Draft Picture Coming Into Focus

Dondi — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:29:08 -0400

Slowly but surely, the Raiders 2009 draft is becoming more clear each passing day.

On offense, they filled the following positions. On the line, Barnes and Henderson will battle it out for the right and left side tackle spots. With Grove gone, Wade could do the job, but the bet here is before they pick a second time, they will have their center of the future.

The skill positions are almost set. By restructuring Javon, he will battle Schilens, Higgins, and Shields (last year’s untapped jewel) for the starting spots at receiver. At RB, we have our three headed monster returning with the full back still needing to be crystallized due to O’Neil’s health. Either way, do not expect Al to take a full back in the 2009 draft.

Before we leave the offense, know that Al will bring in some talent via the draft based on speed for the offense (he can never have enough speed), but only in the later rounds or free agents. Pat White could be a surprise pick if we trade down and acquire a couple of extra picks.

In the defensive backfield, the corners are set; the safeties are a mess so expect at least one draft pick and free agent to be added. I like the Chung kid from Oregon in the third round.

The linebackers are set unless we pick up a second rounder for losing restricted FA starter from last year, Ricky Brown. If they tendered him for a second rounder, they must feel pretty good about his being a starter. That is not to say that if Curry falls, Al would swipe him.

The defensive line is another mess. We need at least a tackle and an end. Scott may become all world pass rusher but we need a three down DE star. Now maybe we move Tommy to DE but then we need two defensive tackles.

So when our turn to pick at No. 7 comes along, unless a defensive lineman, who Al wants is on the board (or if Curry falls, which is highly unlikely), we will trade down.

So expect a center (Mack), defensive end (Ayers), defensive tackle (Gilbert) and safety (Chung) with our first four picks.

With Seattle picking up Redding today and Cincinnati needing to fortify their O line, Raji just may slip down to us…that would be very nice!

From here, the 2009 draft picture is becoming pretty clear and I like what I see.

Proof that Al Davis Has Still Got It

Dondi — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:21:11 -0400

"I'd rather be right than consistent" clearly comes to mind when looking at Al Davis latest move—the signing of Kalif Barnes, the former Jacksonville Jaguars starting left tackle.

Last year Al overpaid for free agents. Everyone including Al knows this. What is up for debate is the reason why he overpaid.

Al has never shied away from getting what he wants, whether it be a free agent such as Tommy Kelly, Warren Sapp and Asomugha to name a few; or for getting his guy in the draft via trading up Nap Harris, Michael Bush and Mario Henderson to name a few; or for trading for Randy Moss, DeAngelo Hall and Steve Wisnewski to name a few.

His detractors say that he needs to overpay to get people to Oakland and perhaps there is some truth to it, but let’s be real….Al gets ANY PLAYER who Al wants. Coaches are another story.

The Kalif Barnes story is classic Davis. Al made it real clear that the Raiders (Coach Cable and Al) wanted (recognized a huge need) to get better at the tackle positions. They targeted him from the get go and Barnes and his agent Zuckerman clearly thought more highly of their market value and believed that Al would overpay for a player he wanted.

“Not so fast rabbit, tricks are for kids!!!” Zuckerman tried to play the oldest trick in the book stating talks are off and his client will be signing with another team. Al called his bluff and let them walk. Al may overpay because he WANTS a player, but don’t be naïve, he knows the market for every player, every year. He was simply biding his time as Kalif was still on the market a week later.

My guess is that Al got him to play for the Raiders for practically nothing, especially after Kevin Shaffer, formerly of the Brows and Falcons, hit the market yesterday. Al may still bring Shaffer in too as he is a student of the ZBS and was on the Raiders radar last year.

Stories will continue to circulate that the old man has lost it, but we Black & Silver bleeders know better. Al’s still got it!!!

ESPN SUCKS !!!!!!!!

Dondi — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:49:31 -0500

The top stories this morning on ESPN at 8:00 am NOW included Rob Bironas, kicker for the Tennessee Titans getting a four year deal at $3million per. That great!

Hey ESPN DIRTBALLS, what about the National Football Leagues greatest punter of all time getting a four year deal at $3million per?!?!?!? That's right, Shane Lechler of the Oakland Raiders! He’s the guy who last season broke his own NFL record for net punting average from the year before!

Just another example of people disrespecting the Raiders. As a long standing Raider fan, I along with the rest of the Raider Nation, are disgusted with the media and especially ESPN. Most of their employees - notice I did not use the word "TALENT" - are worthless! Firstly, they have no clue as to how to use proper English. Secondly, just because they played in the NFL does not make them experts on football. And lastly, some of them need to go back to school and EARN a degree.

By the way, just as you suggest the Raiders problems start at the top with Al Davis, your producers should read of this! I assume they can read.

In case you are wondering, I was NOT watching ESPN; I have better things to do. Just happen to walk into my gyms’ locker room with that crap on the tube.

Football is AWESOME and ESPN SUCKS!!! Period!

NFL Mavericks Al Davis and Roger Goodell; TV Networks, Nation's Sheep

Dondi — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:26:38 -0500

Al Davis, the NFL Maverick, Hall of Famer pioneered changes in the NFL long before today's “red bloods” like Jerry Jones came along.

If you know anything about Brooklyn Al, he's the only person to serve as a personnel assistant, scout, assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner and team owner in the NFL.

He broke color barriers before it was cool. See Eldridge Dickey and Art Shell. He hired a female for CEO, which is unheard of even today. See Amy Trask. Young head coaches were unheard of unless it was with the Raiders, until recent trends.

There's more but today I want to pay tribute to Roger Goodell, who unlike most prominent sports figures, put his money where his mouth is. Note, I wrote "most" not all.

The commissioner will take a reduction in pay of approximately $2,000,000.00 for fiscal 2008, which ends March 31. That’s a bit more than 20% haircut. Don't get me wrong, he still makes a nice hefty seven figure income in the end. But he made the decision and contractually, he's eligible for an increase for 2009 if he wants to! Check that, if he "chooses" to.

This information comes on the heels of a Superbowl with across the board spending reductions to show America that the NFL is sensitive to our country's economic plight.

Is Goodell a God? Absolutely not! Is he perfect? Absolutely not!

But this guy has taken our country's situation personally—can't say that about too many sports figures. This isn't breaking news by the way, but it really ticks me off that the networks can cover "crap" like Adam "Pacman" Jones and his sad situation over and over again.

Hey TV Networks, why don't you talk more about what's positive in the world of sports? Maybe because your ratings will drop in the short term, which means a little less money. Go ahead; be a Maverick not a sheep!

Brett Farve Farewell...Really!

Dondi — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:26:18 -0500

First, let me say that I loved watching Brett Favre play. He had passion, a love of the game and a childlike heart. And he was flat-out amazing. One of the greatest players in ALL sports history!

He will be missed. Now let’s move on!

Come on you networks, who give new meaning to "beat a dead horse." We went through this episode last year to a point past nausea.

Your coverage, it's like throw up, you do it, you clean it up and it's over. I don't know about you, but I ain't into revisiting barf! Period.

We don’t need to start the “will he or won’t he come back” stuff either. That goes not only to the networks, but to the rest of the media, TV, radio, Internet, etc.

Again, I’ve got nothing against Favre. Just let the man retire into the sunset, peacefully!

Oakland Raiders Free Agency: Terrell Owens or Jerry Porter In Silver and Black?

Dondi — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:59:04 -0500

On the day rumors, yes rumors, were started by Mike Lombardi, a.k.a. as "sour grapes towards the Raiders because I had a beef with Coach Shell and a big mouth to boot," Jerry Porter gets the axe in Jacksonville.

How fitting! Lombardi knows, like everyone else, what a cancer Terrell Owens is, and, of course, rumors him to his "buddy" Al Davis.

No way anyone trades for T.O. because unless you’re a perfect idiot, you know him, and his ridiculous $9 million contract, along with his league leading drop passes is likely to be cut. So why give up draft choices for him? Answer—you wouldn't!

Now, the Raiders could use some bargain wide receivers with upside, since they already have an overpaid one with lots of downside. His name is Javon Walker, in case you have been in a black hole!

That's where Porter comes in. He just might realize that the grass ain't always greener, and have a—dare I say—grateful attitude? Remember, when he left, it was Porter, not Miller, who was Jamarcus's favorite target.

He is still young and hasn't burnt any bridges. He'd come cheap (compared to Michael Crabtree, T.O., Hosyamama, or Anquan—who ain’t going anywhere because he still has a contract) and he knows what he's getting into in Oaktown. And he's never blasted his quarterback, a la T.O., "all my quarterbacks hate me."

Porter's got my vote to come back home and take his place where he belongs—as an Oakland Raider starting receiver!

Lastly, Davis likes Porter. He simply referred to him as "young" in regards to his issue with Shell and Biletnikoff.

So if we have to choose between T.O. and Porter, there really is no choice—tough stuff T.O., we want Porter back in black!

Cable,TLC Hired? AYE Fired!

Dondi — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:04:26 -0500

Before I get into what I think of Tom Lee Cable, hereafter TLC, as the new head coach of the Oakland Raiders, let me address ALL YOU EXPERTS, hereafter AYE, out there, who have an opinion on TLC...Shut your face...All of it!!!!

How many of you geniuses predicted the Arizona Cardinals to be playing in the Super bowl this year? For those of you who did so, feel free to chime in. The rest of you, get another job! In the real world, if you don’t do your job properly, you get fired.

Onto the matter at hand, “Is TLC the answer to Oakland’s recent woes?”

Let’s preface this answer with a fact not lost on any head coach in any sports league—one person is NOT the answer, but only part of the solution.

Let's begins with addressing qualities one looks for in a head coach.

Does he come from a successful coaching tree? Frankly, coaching trees foretell “Jack”, as in what these aforementioned AYE know. For every disciple of Bill Walsh, like Mike Holmgrem, there are disciples of Bill Belichick, like Romeo Crennel. Point made, let’s move on.

Does he have any experience coaching at the pro level? Head coaching, TLC is 4-8. Check, lest you forget Mike Shanahan’s record (8-12) before he and Al parted ways.

Does he have a strong work ethic? He’s been coaching for more than 20 years straight, check.

Does he garner respect from his players? His players to a man have not said anything to the contrary. They admire his straight talk and his “you play well or sit down cuz I don’t care what your name is.”

Does he handle pressure well? Check, come on, let's recap his 2008. He is working on a staff that is walking on eggshells all offseason because “Lance” and Al can’t do nice. Without notice, he wows AL and gets the job of “Interim Head Coach” (A.K.A. good luck keeping the title past this season) from arguably the most hands-on owner in the NFL.

After leapfrogging his offensive coordinator for the top job, he takes over play calling duties. And before the season ends, his O-line coach jumps onto the “Lance” staff in Tennessee. To close out the season, his team KO’s Tampa for the playoffs and Chucky from his job.

Let’s now take a look at his strengths and weaknesses. TLC’s biggest strength is without a doubt – humility. That’s right, humility. In 1987, when it was clear that he would not cut it as an NFL player with the Indianapolis Colts, he quickly turned his attention to coaching. It takes someone who can self assess, admit reality, and act accordingly.

Next, is his passion for the game but even more so for “his” team and “lifelong dream to coach the Oakland Raiders”. He also knows how to communicate, whether it’s teaching the intricacies of O-line play, ripping his O-line coach for quitting or not saying a word during his state of limbo.

His weaknesses, just ask him, he’ll tell you straight up. His naysayers will talk about his losing record at Idaho (see Mike Shanahan reference above) or not using his three-headed rushing monster of D Mac, Fargas and Bush correctly (were they ever all healthy at the same time?).

They will throw in some game strategies like attempting a fake field goal that possibly cost them the Chiefs game (weren’t they saying “no originality” they NEVER use trick plays-BTW more times than not, these trick plays actually worked like the onside kick, Bush HB pass etc.).

And of course the leisurely development of JaMarcus as a leader/passer (without question, he looked his best under TLC). There are others just like these, but they too are easily dismissed to waste time and energy.

As for the 2009 season, what should we expect from T.L.C. and his Raiders? There will always be challenges and with them opportunities to overcome so I’ll address that question in a follow up.

In the meantime, AYE, consider yourselves fired!

Does Oakland Raiders' Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan Like Chess?

Dondi — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:53:53 -0500

Fast forward to January 2010.....The Raiders Defense finishes in the top 5 in overall, rush and pass defense. Who’s the coordinator calling the D? It doesn’t matter as long as it is a strategist and not a chess piece—specifically a pawn—of Al’s.

Let’s pause on that for a moment and define the two. A strategist is a person skilled in designing and planning action and policy to achieve a major or overall aim. In Oakland that would be “Just Win Baby”. A pawn is a peon, a powerless person. In Oakland, that would be the defensive coordinator.

NFL games are won and lost in the second half and usually because one teams makes adjustments to what went wrong. These adjustments force teams to do uncharacteristic things like turnovers and ultimately lose.

In the past, the Raiders had some of the best athletes and could win the one on one matchups most of the time. That was then and unless there’s a new breed of superior athletes that want to be Raiders like the past, then it ain’t gonna happen.

A strategist, who can make adjustments and mix up fronts and coverage’s to take advantages of other teams tendencies would be a refreshing change.

Why doesn’t Al get tired like the rest of us watching others expose our weaknesses and tendencies? As a fan since the “Sea of Hands” game in 1974, I have supported the Raiders and will continue to do so. Some call it stupidity, other loyalty.

I guess 2010 will tell us if the Raiders bring in a new strategist. It will also tell us if Rob Ryan likes chess.

Memo to NFL Mock Drafters: Don't Put the Cart Before the Horse

Dondi — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:16:41 -0500

How many NFL 2009 mock drafts are out there right now? One is too much!

No offense to those who put them together because they take a lot of work, but get a grip. If you are going to take the time, please put the correct draft order of teams and don't include players that are returning to college for their senior year.

Do I have a beef about mock drafts and those who put them together? Nah. It's just the timing—there's a time and place for everything—and it ain't time yet!

There is an expression, "don't put the cart before the horse." Teams are scurrying around trying to fill coaching positions at this time of year. Then they need to figure out how these hires affect their schemes in all three phases—offense, defense and special teams.

Next is the evaluation process for the teams’ current players under contract through the upcoming season, who fit these schemes. That’s followed by determining which of their own soon to be free agents fit or might fit the scheme. Then it’s onto evaluating other teams’ free agents for players that fit their scheme. And let's not forget, the ones that do fit the scheme do not necessarily fit the cap.

UP next, the NFL network, and the NFL Scouting combine. At the same time, teams and fans alike wait around to see who is resigned, tagged or released before the Free Agency period begins. (BTW, what a crock that teams aren't fined for tampering with free agent before the FA period begins, but I’ll get at that another time!)

When we talk Mock Draft and the Zodiac world still hasn't seen Aquarius, we definitely put the cart before the horse. Dondi’s reminder—God Bless America!