Silver Linings

[poptart]

I obviously can't watch the games, and maybe it's better that way.
But from what I gather, these are some points worth making.

1. I'm not down on the defense.

Look, Oakland's offense did absolutley NOTHING all game.

Plays - yds result
8 -28 Punt
3 -7 Punt
3 -2 Punt
7 -26 Punt
4 -11 Punt
3 -7 Punt
3 -4 Punt
3 -10 Punt
3 -10 Punt
1 -10 Fumble
10 -62 Downs

Look at that absolute HORSESHIT !!!!!

Part of the equation of a defense being able to hold up is that the offense must at least do enough to stay on the field for a while and take the heat off the defense.

I understand Oakland came out in a nickle.
HUH ... ?

Anyway .........

I like the youth and speed that we've got.
They're not there yet, but there is reason to feel good about the future of the unit.
There's upside here.


2. The O-line was atrocious, but look at what Shell inherited.

* Robert Gallery was a right tackle last year. He's a left tackle this year.
* Barry Sims was a left tackle last year. He's a left guard this year.
* Jake Grove was moved to left guard last year and was then injured. He's a center this year.
* Paul McQuistan was in college last year, playing tackle. He's a right guard this year.
* Langston Walker was a left guard last year and was then injured. He's a right tackle this year.

Every single player on that line is either a rookie or not playing the same position he played last year.
It's gonna take some time, and they're going to have to go through some serious growing pains.
I don't think any Raider fan can realistically gripe about the way Art took charge of the lineup as soon as he took over.
It can be argued that we should have drafted another O-lineman, but hey, we had a lot of other holes to try to fill.
The guys we have in place now need to play better ... a lot .... period.


3. I don't like Brooks, and I think since we're going nowhere this year we ought to keep Walter out there and let him get his seasoning.

Sounds like the deep drops did our O-line no favor (what the fuck is up with that, Tom Walsh & Art Shell?), and it also sounds like Aaron Brooks did a shit job of dumping the ball off when the heat was comin'.

C. Anderson apparently had a few easy drops that didn't help matters.

Walsh is in way over his head, I do believe.
Art's security blanket.
Fuck that.


Credit where credit is due also.
SD's got a pretty bad-ass defensive front, and they've got one of the elite runners in the game.


It's a long season, and this is the start of a marathon.

Art's a steady hand and here's hoping he keeps the attention of the team and that the young guys make progress so that this team can actually be a factor down the road.

I saw NO progress in the two Turner years.
Wins be damned at this point -- if I can just see PROGRESS being made I'll be cool with that.
Sounds like there was no hint of it in the opener, however.

[The Assassin]

Didnt they stop doing 7 step drops back in the 80s?

[velocet]

Someone else said before that it makes things more interesting when the Raiders are good (a buc fan said that, I think) and I agree. Was great to have a team you love to hate; which only works when they're at least competitive. Last nite's deal was like watching someone's bitch of a grandma get beat down. Sure she's got it coming but how satisfying is that?

It's great how Raiderfan has over the years copped an attitude along the lines of the Raider team persona.
Basically it's always been: "We're the villans. We have many ways to let other fans know how much they suck. It's us against the world, and now fukk off."

Such captures the NFL at it's in your face best edginess, and rack DarthRaiderFan for pulling off their end of the bargain. But that shit doesn't work for anyone at all if the 'Duhs blow furry woodland creatures.

For past considerations, Al get's all the praise due him from this 'Skinsfan. Now step the fukk back goddamnit, you're ruining it for everybody.



velocet

[velocet]

Ok mvs, you A-West rivals of the raidahs of course will relish every beatdown, and no argument. But I'm speaking of the Raider mystique as it used to travel so well thru the whole of the NFL.




velocet

[The Assassin]

The Raider mystique is in a coma at the moment. Just like Tom Walshs playcalling.

[KC Scott]

Yea, I gotta agree with mvscal - It's great laughing at the clown show that Oakland has become.

Only thing better would be if it were Denver.

============

Velo, look at it this way, how much would you dig watching the Cowboys turn '76 Buccaneer and go Ofer this year?

[velocet]

Well, yeah, I already acknowledged that A-West 'Duh rivals are exempted from having an appreciation of the larger than life Silver and Black Plague of old.

Whether I like it or not the 'Boys have always had a large transcendent following: America's Team! Truthfully it's been a love/hate thing with them and America, and there have never been geographical limitations on their following or fame. With the Raiders its always been a hate/hate thing, which is fun. Where's the fun in a villan free narrative? But that gets complicated for Bolt, Chief and Donk, of course. It's cool.



velocet

[War Wagon]

Whether I like it or not the 'Boys have always had a large transcendent following: America's Team! Truthfully it's been a love/hate thing with them and America, and there have never been geographical limitations on their following or fame.

hmmm... nope. I've always been rather indifferent to "America's team" because they play in the NFC. Then again, after last years KC game there, I might could probably work up a healthy disdain for that team...nah, probably not.

With the Raiders its always been a hate/hate thing, which is fun.

Fun?

Was it "fun" when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

The only good 'duh, mule, or blot is a dead one....or one 3 games back with 2 left to play.

[kcdave]

I obviously can't watch the games, and maybe it's better that way.

Huh?

[poptart]

I'm in prison.
Tell me you knew.

Dial-up connection and weekly visits from the chaplain keep me sane.