Don't Trip Kirk Morrison, I Got Your Back Dog, I Know What Time It Is

Real Raiders fans know what time it is, when it comes to Kirk Morrison.

Look at the picture, he is leading, he is our captain.

It makes me sick coming onto Bleacher Report seeing people trying to make the case that Kirk Morrison is soft, weak, and overrated.

Yes, I understand that he hasn't been awarded the honor of being selected to the AFC Pro Bowl roster, and the fact he isn't a household name.

There are many things in which Kirk Morrison isn't, but what he is, he's an Oakland Raider to the fullest.

The fact that he was born and raised in Oakland, Calif., puts him high on my list of current day favorite Raiders players.

If anyone knows the struggle and what it takes to succeed in the NFL it is none other than Kirk Morrison.

It's rare that high school players get the chance to play college football, it's even more rare for players to be drafted into the NFL; it's a honor.

The fact that Kirk Morrison was drafted by his home-town team, that's something that is extremely rare, not only is he playing for his team, he is playing for his city and all of the people he grew up with.

Bishop O'Dowd High School, which is located in East Oakland, is only a 10-15 minute drive from the Oakland Colisuem, a drive down MacAurthur Blvd., and a turn on 73rd Ave., and you are right there.

The reason I have respect for Kirk Morrison is because he is a hard worker, and sets the tone for the defense. When plays are called in, Morrison is the one who leads the defense; he is the captain.

The fact that some people on here are trying to accuse him of playing bad vs. Tampa Bay in the final game of the season is a joke.

Every single player in the NFL has bad games, even in that game vs. the Bucs, Morrison still had 13 tackles and the Raiders won the game.

However, players aren't judged by single games, if you look at what Kirk Morrison has done for the Raiders defensive unit since being drafted in the 3rd round of the 2005 NFL draft you will clearly see, that Kirk Morrison has 500 tackles in four seasons.

Compare that to other LB's around the league and see what you get.

Each year he has produced solid numbers for a very bad team. It's hard to get Pro Bowl honors when your team is 4-12, yet that hasn't stopped Morrison.

If anything, the Raiders are overdue to start winning; everyone wants to win, Al Davis, the coaches, the players, and the fans.

So much that Raiders fans are starting to point the fingers at the wrong players, Kirk Morrison isn't to blame, you can say that he needs to play better, which is fine, everyone needs to play better. The team needs to improve as a unit.

However, the case to say Kirk Morrison is overrated needs to stop. There are no facts, just pure bullshit which I can't figure out. You say he misses tackles, yet he was fifth in the whole NFL in tackles.

Kirk Morrison is an Oakland Raider, if more players on our team played with the heart and focus that Morrison did, then we would be a lot better.

Some of you guys are so soft, you have no clue what it's like to lay your body on the line to make a tackle, let alone hit someone running at full speed.

The fact that he has game after game, providing a solid wall for us without getting hurt, playing in every game for four seasons straight is great.

In 2010, the Raiders must re-sign him to a long term deal, if Morrison becomes a free agent, I promise you there will be tons of teams that will be looking to sign him.

Now, last but not least, the term "over-rated" when applied to Kirk Morrison.

What bugs me the most about the term "over-rated:"

1) Morrison was drafted in the third round; there was no major hype on Kirk Morrison when he came out, he's earned his name through the Raiders fanbase through hard work.

2) 500 tackles in 4 season, in 2008 was fifth in the NFL in tackles (135)

3) Still is on his rookie contract, never once held out on Oakland and asked for more money or to be traded, and has been loyal to his city, team, and fans. EVEN THROUGH THE BAD SEASONS WHEN THE OFFENSE WAS GARBAGE, AND THE D LINE WASN'T HELPING THE LB'S AT ALL.

4) Has earned the respect of the coaches and players, thus being named one of the captains on the Raiders.

5) Hasn't missed a single game in four seasons.

6) In two games where the Raiders was getting blown out, one on the road vs. the Ravens 10-29 and the other on the road vs. the Chargers 7-34...Morrison had 11 solo tackles apiece, and 25 total tackles. Even when losing he still gives his all.

7) Last, he is the foundation for us to start winning again, you guys make me sick, every single time he makes a tackle you guys sit here and clap your hands and cheer.

GUESS WHAT?

Patrick Willis, Ray Lewis, Etc.. miss tackles too. No player in the NFL is going to make every single tackle in every game. This isn't a video game.

How can you say this guy is over-rated? The correct term is under-rated.

He isn't a household name, he doesn't have a overpriced contract, and yet produces more than players who do make millions more than him.

Both our LB's on the Oakland Raiders (Morrison and Howard) aren't getting paid for their worth. 

OTA's and Mini Camps, those are not where postion battles are won. Tom Cable has said time after time that you shouldn't look into where players lined up or whether they played with the starters or backups.

The real battles will happen in Napa during Training camp, where spots will be earned.

There is no one on the Raiders roster that is better then Kirk Morrison at playing LB, soon he will get his notice around the league, just like it took time for Nnamdi to get his.

Once the Raiders start winning, our players will get more respect around the NFL, as of right now, the only respect they get is from the Raider Nation because we know how good our players are.

Now look at these numbers, and tell me who's Over-Rated.

Kirk Morrison, Oakland Raiders: 16 games played, 135 tackles, 99 solo, 36 AST. In 2008, his salary was $ 2,115,400.

Thomas Howard, Oakland Raiders: 16 games played, 97 tackles, 80 solo, 17 AST in 2008 his salary was $498,360. 

NOW LET'S LOOK AT OTHER LB'S FROM AROUND THE NFL...

Calvin Pace, New York Jets: 16 games played, 80 tackles, 62 solo, 18 AST. In 2008, his salary was $12,000,000

Keith Bulluck, Tennessee Titans: 16 games played, 98 tackles, 78 solo, 23 AST. In 2008, his salary was $6,253,720.

Shuan Phillips, San Diego Chargers : 16 games played, 74 tackles, 55 solo, 22 AST. In 2008, his salary was $5,700,000

Keith Brooking, Atlanta Falcons: 16 games played, 102 tackles, 71 solo, 31 AST. In 2008, his salary was $5,750,000.

Julian Peterson, Seattle Seahawks: 16 games played, 86 tackles, 65 solo, 21 AST. In  2008, his salary was $5,001,800.

Chike Okeafor, Arizona Cardinals: 16 games played, 60 tackles, 50 solo, 10 AST. In  2008, his salary was $4,504,440.

Niko Koutouvides, Denver Broncos: 14 games played, 12 tackles, 11 solo, 1 AST. In  2008, his total salary was $3,210,880.

Jordan Dizon, Detroit Lions: 12 games played, 28 tackles, 16 solo, 12 AST. In 2008, his total salary was $2,281,333.

Brandon Ayanbadejo, Baltimore Ravens: 16 games played, 19 tackles, 15 solo, 4 AST. In 2008, his total salary was $2,520,160.

Bobby Carpenter, Dallas Cowboys: 13 games played, 13 tackles, 9 solo, 4 AST. In 2008, his salary was $2,490,760.

Akin Ayodele,  Miami Dolphins: 16 games played, 75 tackles, 58 solo, 17 AST. In 2008, his salary was $2,502,640.

Brandon Chillar, Green Bay Packers: 14 games played, 69 tackles, 59 solo, 10 AST. In 2008, his total salary was $ 3,550,000

Ben Leber, Minnesota Vikings: 16 games played, 64 tackles, 47 solo, 17 AST. In 2008, his salary was $3,050,000.

Willie McGinest, Cleveland Browns: 14 games played, 56 tackles, 43 solo, 13 AST. In  2008, his total salary was $3,500,000.

AJ Hawk, Green Bay Packers: 16 games played, 86 tackles, 67 solo, 19 AST. In 2008, his total salary was $3,656,720.

Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots: 16 games played, 62 tackles, 40 solo, 22 AST. In  2008, his salary was $3,150,840.