2015 Oakland Raiders Thread (1 Viewer)

[massraider]

Anyone still not willing to get in the Carr?

2014 NFL Draft -

Bortles #2; 26 TD/25 INT (5W 15L, 6.3 YPA - 6.1/6.7).

Manziel #22; 3 TD/3 INT. (Not enough PT to draw any conclusions but 1W 2L, 6.7 YPA - 5.0/7.9))

Bridgewater #32; 20 TD/17 INT (11W 8L, 7.3 YPA - 7.3/7.2)

Carr #36 36 TD/15 INT (7W 16L, 6.1 YPA - 5.5/7.9 )

One of these kids is not like the other, one of these kids is doing his own thing......

Carr definitely has taken the biggest jump between season 1 & 2, so far, but I don't think it is decided quite yet.

Manziel isn't in the discussion. Great college player, and that's swell, but I give him about as much of a chance as Tebow.

The rest have all had their moments. IMO, the accuracy of Carr and Teddy is above Bortles, by a good margin. I have not seen a ton of the Jags, but I've seen some, enough to think the general accuracy is a big notch below the other two. That, right there, is enough for me to call it a two horse race. I believe accuracy is the #1 trait you want in a QB. Teddy and Carr both put the ball on the correct shoulder, the correct side.

I have nothing bad to say about Teddy, as I like his chances. But given the difference in arm talent between the two, and Teddy's slight frame, I think Carr has a better chance at long term success.

 

[massraider]

It's a great feeling to know the Raiders finally found a franchise QB they can build around. If Peyton retires after this season this team could very well be the division favorites next season. Beyond that, looking at the remaining 9 games they have a good shot at a wild card spot. After the Pittsburgh game next week, the next 4 are all games they should be able to win or be favored in.

Lastly, this team has a bright future, with the tons of cap space they have next season top free agents may actually want to play for the Raiders for once.

I hope they put some of that cap space towards keeping Crabtree and Aldon Smith.

Janoris Jenkins, pick up the white courtesy phone, Janoris Jenkins, the white courtesy phone, please.

 

[Autumn Wind]

Anyone care to wager a guess on whether Oakland gets its first three-game win streak since the salad days of Hue Jackson?

 

[Chaka]

It's a great feeling to know the Raiders finally found a franchise QB they can build around. If Peyton retires after this season this team could very well be the division favorites next season. Beyond that, looking at the remaining 9 games they have a good shot at a wild card spot. After the Pittsburgh game next week, the next 4 are all games they should be able to win or be favored in.

Lastly, this team has a bright future, with the tons of cap space they have next season top free agents may actually want to play for the Raiders for once.

I hope they put some of that cap space towards keeping Crabtree and Aldon Smith.

Janoris Jenkins, pick up the white courtesy phone, Janoris Jenkins, the white courtesy phone, please.

Love his game. But IIRC wasn't he a bit of a head case coming out of college? Not sure about now but he may not be a Reggie guy.

 

[Toomuchnv]

Anyone still not willing to get in the Carr?

2014 NFL Draft -

Bortles #2; 26 TD/25 INT (5W 15L, 6.3 YPA - 6.1/6.7).

Manziel #22; 3 TD/3 INT. (Not enough PT to draw any conclusions but 1W 2L, 6.7 YPA - 5.0/7.9))

Bridgewater #32; 20 TD/17 INT (11W 8L, 7.3 YPA - 7.3/7.2)

Carr #36 36 TD/15 INT (7W 16L, 6.1 YPA - 5.5/7.9 )

One of these kids is not like the other, one of these kids is doing his own thing......

Carr definitely has taken the biggest jump between season 1 & 2, so far, but I don't think it is decided quite yet.

Still hooked on the YPA stat?...I think it is pretty clear WR talent is a huge factor in the YPA stat...just look at the last 2 games as an example....a screen pass to Taiwan goes for 59 yards, A screen pass to Cooper goes for 52 yards....2 years ago those would have been 1-5 yard plays. Having a better offensive scheme and the weapons to execute the offensive scheme is more of the reason you see the big swing in YPA from year 1 to year 2. It really is that simple...

 

[massraider]

It's a great feeling to know the Raiders finally found a franchise QB they can build around. If Peyton retires after this season this team could very well be the division favorites next season. Beyond that, looking at the remaining 9 games they have a good shot at a wild card spot. After the Pittsburgh game next week, the next 4 are all games they should be able to win or be favored in.

Lastly, this team has a bright future, with the tons of cap space they have next season top free agents may actually want to play for the Raiders for once.

I hope they put some of that cap space towards keeping Crabtree and Aldon Smith.

Janoris Jenkins, pick up the white courtesy phone, Janoris Jenkins, the white courtesy phone, please.

Love his game. But IIRC wasn't he a bit of a head case coming out of college? Not sure about now but he may not be a Reggie guy.

Yep, which is why he fell to the 2 round, and only had a 4-year deal. But after 3.5 years, I think the slate has to be pretty clean at this point.

Rams have cap space, and it seems unlikely they are going to let him go, but I can dream.

Rams will also have more space when Chris Long is cut.

 

[massraider]

Three round mock draft from Matt Miller (who clearly needs to get himself a life):

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2584866-2016-nfl-mock-draft-matt-millers-midseason-predictions

Raiders: (picking #21 if season ended today, )

#21: Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama
#52: Darian Thompson, FS, Boise State

#85 Keivarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame

 

[massraider]

Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN 4m4 minutes ago
Derek Carr - 2nd best passer rating in the league vs the blitz.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Three round mock draft from Matt Miller (who clearly needs to get himself a life):

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2584866-2016-nfl-mock-draft-matt-millers-midseason-predictions

Raiders: (picking #21 if season ended today, )

#21: Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama

#52: Darian Thompson, FS, Boise State

#85 Keivarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame

Draft talk in November seems like it should be on the calendar, but I'm not having anything to do with it. Hope we put that tired tradition to a merciful death this year, and on...

 

[Chaka]

It's a great feeling to know the Raiders finally found a franchise QB they can build around. If Peyton retires after this season this team could very well be the division favorites next season. Beyond that, looking at the remaining 9 games they have a good shot at a wild card spot. After the Pittsburgh game next week, the next 4 are all games they should be able to win or be favored in.

Lastly, this team has a bright future, with the tons of cap space they have next season top free agents may actually want to play for the Raiders for once.

I hope they put some of that cap space towards keeping Crabtree and Aldon Smith.

Janoris Jenkins, pick up the white courtesy phone, Janoris Jenkins, the white courtesy phone, please.

Love his game. But IIRC wasn't he a bit of a head case coming out of college? Not sure about now but he may not be a Reggie guy.

Yep, which is why he fell to the 2 round, and only had a 4-year deal. But after 3.5 years, I think the slate has to be pretty clean at this point.

Rams have cap space, and it seems unlikely they are going to let him go, but I can dream.

Rams will also have more space when Chris Long is cut.

Tell me you wouldn't love to see Chris Long come home where he belongs.

 

[DocHolliday]

We definitely caught the Jets right: No Mangold, at home, and Fitz gets knocked out. Would it be a different outcome in NY, with Mangold, and everyone healthy? Maybe. But if so, I wanna do-over on the Bears game, but in Oakland.

Every team deals with stuff. The Jets didn't lose that game because Geno was playing. Their game is defense and running the ball. Oakland's offense put this out of reach in the first half. When you don't punt or turn the ball over in the first half of two straight games, you didn't catch any lucky breaks, you won the game. You were the better team.

Best thing about this game was the offensive domination, with Cooper being a non-factor. Take away Cooper doesn't really seem to be a viable strategy, after all.

Well said. It is a little too early to get our hopes up and think about playoffs this year but it certainly looks like the ship has been steered in the right direction. Carr looks great. Crabtree looks great. The Oline looks great. The D is playing fast and jacking people up. This team is young and playing well all over the field.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Forecasting rest of the season:

@ PIT L

MIN L

@ DET L

@ TEN W

KC W
@ DEN L

GB L

SD W

@KC W

Reasonable to assume we can split the series with KC, and that we can get some wins against weaker teams on the road in the next 4 weeks – conservatively split the DET and TEN games as winning consecutively on the road (and on East Coast) is traditionally hard for the Raiders.

But that’s 8-8, with a very solid shot to be 9-7. Literally light years ahead of the last several years.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

We definitely caught the Jets right: No Mangold, at home, and Fitz gets knocked out. Would it be a different outcome in NY, with Mangold, and everyone healthy? Maybe. But if so, I wanna do-over on the Bears game, but in Oakland.

Every team deals with stuff. The Jets didn't lose that game because Geno was playing. Their game is defense and running the ball. Oakland's offense put this out of reach in the first half. When you don't punt or turn the ball over in the first half of two straight games, you didn't catch any lucky breaks, you won the game. You were the better team.

Best thing about this game was the offensive domination, with Cooper being a non-factor. Take away Cooper doesn't really seem to be a viable strategy, after all.

The Jets defense did not show up at all. Geno played relatively well until the end of the game when he showed once again that he is too dumb to play the position of quarterback. The Jets did not lose this game because Fitzpatrick went down.

Jets were also missing Calvin Pryor and Buster Skrine - but the bottom line is that they are supposed to be stacked on defense and couldn't cover or couldn't tackle on Sunday. The Raiders, and Carr, had much to do with that too. He picked them apart and the Raiders showed to have some nice weapons.

Congrats Raiders' fans.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Forecasting rest of the season:

@ PIT L

MIN L

@ DET L

@ TEN W

KC W

@ DEN L

GB L

SD W

@KC W

Reasonable to assume we can split the series with KC, and that we can get some wins against weaker teams on the road in the next 4 weeks – conservatively split the DET and TEN games as winning consecutively on the road (and on East Coast) is traditionally hard for the Raiders.

But that’s 8-8, with a very solid shot to be 9-7. Literally light years ahead of the last several years.

Losing to DET? Hmmm. I agree the Raiders are light years ahead of expectations. Competitive in every game, and with a little better execution they could easily be 7-1. Amazing.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

This team has boatraced it's last two opponents by halftime. I'm out of the business of forecasting records, based on preseason expectations. They have shown they have the killer instinct. No reason to think we can't hang on the wild card berth we currently hold. No reason to chalk up instant "L's" to teams like Denver and Green Bay either. I'm excited to see this play out.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

I had more people that know im a Raiders fan say to me today ...''wow ...how `bout them raiders ?'''

and i live in New England lol

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Forecasting rest of the season:

@ PIT L

MIN L

@ DET L

@ TEN W

KC W

@ DEN L

GB L

SD W

@KC W

Reasonable to assume we can split the series with KC, and that we can get some wins against weaker teams on the road in the next 4 weeks – conservatively split the DET and TEN games as winning consecutively on the road (and on East Coast) is traditionally hard for the Raiders.

But that’s 8-8, with a very solid shot to be 9-7. Literally light years ahead of the last several years.

Losing to DET? Hmmm. I agree the Raiders are light years ahead of expectations. Competitive in every game, and with a little better execution they could easily be 7-1. Amazing.

I was pretty conservative with this forecasting -- I think it's reasonable to predict that if the Raiders keep playing with the same fire, tempo, and level of exeuction, beating Detroit (and even teams like Denver and GB) is possible.

More probable, though, IMO, is that we will split games against solid teams like MIN and DET, whose players' skill level can show up any given Sunday.

Lions will come out of their bye retooled, and will have a very tough game against GB on the frozen tundra. You can bet they will be absolutely be playing hard on home turf potentially looking for just their 2nd win and wanting to play the spoiler. MIN has a solid record this year and have playmakers in the run and pass game. I think it's reasonable to say we could win one out of these two games.

TEN and SD are teams we should beat, bar none.

We potentially could upset GB and/or Denver, but it's more probable we don't.

I think it's more probable we split games with KC, but have listed them both as wins as I'm more comfortable seeing the Raiders sweep in-division teams as opposed to out of division teams where there is slightly less institutional knowledge of playbook/personnel.

Hey look, could be vastly wrong on any of these -- just inserting my own bias and opinion here.

Either way, I will not complain about not making the playoffs as a wild card -- 8-8 is a huge win for this team given how terrible they have been for decades.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Forecasting rest of the season:

@ PIT L

MIN L

@ DET L

@ TEN W

KC W

@ DEN L

GB L

SD W

@KC W

Reasonable to assume we can split the series with KC, and that we can get some wins against weaker teams on the road in the next 4 weeks – conservatively split the DET and TEN games as winning consecutively on the road (and on East Coast) is traditionally hard for the Raiders.

But that’s 8-8, with a very solid shot to be 9-7. Literally light years ahead of the last several years.

Losing to DET? Hmmm. I agree the Raiders are light years ahead of expectations. Competitive in every game, and with a little better execution they could easily be 7-1. Amazing.

I was pretty conservative with this forecasting -- I think it's reasonable to predict that if the Raiders keep playing with the same fire, tempo, and level of exeuction, beating Detroit (and even teams like Denver and GB) is possible.

More probable, though, IMO, is that we will split games against solid teams like MIN and DET, whose players' skill level can show up any given Sunday.

Lions will come out of their bye retooled, and will have a very tough game against GB on the frozen tundra. You can bet they will be absolutely be playing hard on home turf potentially looking for just their 2nd win and wanting to play the spoiler. MIN has a solid record this year and have playmakers in the run and pass game. I think it's reasonable to say we could win one out of these two games.

TEN and SD are teams we should beat, bar none.

We potentially could upset GB and/or Denver, but it's more probable we don't.

I think it's more probable we split games with KC, but have listed them both as wins as I'm more comfortable seeing the Raiders sweep in-division teams as opposed to out of division teams where there is slightly less institutional knowledge of playbook/personnel.

Hey look, could be vastly wrong on any of these -- just inserting my own bias and opinion here.

Either way, I will not complain about not making the playoffs as a wild card -- 8-8 is a huge win for this team given how terrible they have been for decades.

we can hang with Pitt

 

[Autumn Wind]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

 

[DocHolliday]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

D Williams showed in the first 2 games that he is still a solid RB.

The Raiders should be able to continue to score points. Not sure if the Raiders D can stop Ben and that passing game. These new Raiders are tough to predict. Should be a good game.

 

[Autumn Wind]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

D Williams showed in the first 2 games that he is still a solid RB.

The Raiders should be able to continue to score points. Not sure if the Raiders D can stop Ben and that passing game. These new Raiders are tough to predict. Should be a good game.

I am perhaps being overconfident, but this strange feeling of watching a credible team is unfamiliar to me over the last decade.

 

[fred_1_15301]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

Not to say that the Raiders can't beat the Steelers (because they certainly can), but wasn't the game you're referring to 6 years ago

 

[DocHolliday]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

D Williams showed in the first 2 games that he is still a solid RB.

The Raiders should be able to continue to score points. Not sure if the Raiders D can stop Ben and that passing game. These new Raiders are tough to predict. Should be a good game.

I am perhaps being overconfident, but this strange feeling of watching a credible team is unfamiliar to me over the last decade.

I get it. I do not even expect the Raiders to win games any longer. I would have stopped watching the NFL a few years ago if not for FF.

We long-time Raiders fans are in unfamiliar waters.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

Not to say that the Raiders can't beat the Steelers (because they certainly can), but wasn't the game you're referring to 6 years ago

Yes. Gradkowski played vs PIT twice -- eked out the win against PIT in WK 12 in 2009; got hammered by them 35-3 the following year in WK 10.

Not confident we can hang with a team that just got its premier passer back into the fold, who has incredible targets around him that will test our middling secondary (including a TE who Big Ben loves to utilize -- a position we haven't been able to cover all year). Steelers have been much tougher against the run than the pass, but they do generate a good rush and have 22 sacks overall this year. Our o-line can keep Carr from getting hit, but I think the scales are more tipped to PIT in this game.

JMHO.

 

[fred_1_15301]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

Not to say that the Raiders can't beat the Steelers (because they certainly can), but wasn't the game you're referring to 6 years ago

Yes. Gradkowski played vs PIT twice -- eked out the win against PIT in WK 12 in 2009; got hammered by them 35-3 the following year in WK 10.

Not confident we can hang with a team that just got its premier passer back into the fold, who has incredible targets around him that will test our middling secondary (including a TE who Big Ben loves to utilize -- a position we haven't been able to cover all year). Steelers have been much tougher against the run than the pass, but they do generate a good rush and have 22 sacks overall this year. Our o-line can keep Carr from getting hit, but I think the scales are more tipped to PIT in this game.

JMHO.

I'm a Steelers fan but objectively speaking, this game scares me. The Steelers defense has looked decent but Oakland has playmakers galore and the Steelers secondary is still very shaky. If they can't get pressure on Carr, it could get ugly. The Steelers offense on paper is potent and can probably beat just about anyone in a shootout. In reality, Ben looked atrocious for most of the game against Cincy. He had virtually no mobility at all and it seemed to affect his decision making. Now take away Leveon and he's also without his safety blanket. It doesn't seem like a good situation for the Steelers except for the fact that Oakland will be traveling cross country.

 

[Hankmoody]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

D Williams showed in the first 2 games that he is still a solid RB.

The Raiders should be able to continue to score points. Not sure if the Raiders D can stop Ben and that passing game. These new Raiders are tough to predict. Should be a good game.

I am perhaps being overconfident, but this strange feeling of watching a credible team is unfamiliar to me over the last decade.

I get it. I do not even expect the Raiders to win games any longer. I would have stopped watching the NFL a few years ago if not for FF.

We long-time Raiders fans are in unfamiliar waters.

No, we long-term fans are returning to waters we used to patrol quite viciously, thank you.

 

[DocHolliday]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

D Williams showed in the first 2 games that he is still a solid RB. The Raiders should be able to continue to score points. Not sure if the Raiders D can stop Ben and that passing game. These new Raiders are tough to predict. Should be a good game.

I am perhaps being overconfident, but this strange feeling of watching a credible team is unfamiliar to me over the last decade.

I get it. I do not even expect the Raiders to win games any longer. I would have stopped watching the NFL a few years ago if not for FF. We long-time Raiders fans are in unfamiliar waters.

No, we long-term fans are returning to waters we used to patrol quite viciously, thank you.

I stand corrected. It just has been ugly for so long. The down times never lasted this long before.

 

[Sarlakticacid]

We beat the Steelers with Bruce friggin' Gradkowski, we can do it with Carr. Plus, they are without Bell for the rest of the year.

Not to say that the Raiders can't beat the Steelers (because they certainly can), but wasn't the game you're referring to 6 years ago

Yes. Gradkowski played vs PIT twice -- eked out the win against PIT in WK 12 in 2009; got hammered by them 35-3 the following year in WK 10.

Not confident we can hang with a team that just got its premier passer back into the fold, who has incredible targets around him that will test our middling secondary (including a TE who Big Ben loves to utilize -- a position we haven't been able to cover all year). Steelers have been much tougher against the run than the pass, but they do generate a good rush and have 22 sacks overall this year. Our o-line can keep Carr from getting hit, but I think the scales are more tipped to PIT in this game.

JMHO.

I'm a Steelers fan but objectively speaking, this game scares me. The Steelers defense has looked decent but Oakland has playmakers galore and the Steelers secondary is still very shaky. If they can't get pressure on Carr, it could get ugly. The Steelers offense on paper is potent and can probably beat just about anyone in a shootout. In reality, Ben looked atrocious for most of the game against Cincy. He had virtually no mobility at all and it seemed to affect his decision making. Now take away Leveon and he's also without his safety blanket. It doesn't seem like a good situation for the Steelers except for the fact that Oakland will be traveling cross country.

Oakland has won this match up 4 of the last 5 times apparently

 

[Sarlakticacid]

We definitely caught the Jets right: No Mangold, at home, and Fitz gets knocked out. Would it be a different outcome in NY, with Mangold, and everyone healthy? Maybe. But if so, I wanna do-over on the Bears game, but in Oakland.

Every team deals with stuff. The Jets didn't lose that game because Geno was playing. Their game is defense and running the ball. Oakland's offense put this out of reach in the first half. When you don't punt or turn the ball over in the first half of two straight games, you didn't catch any lucky breaks, you won the game. You were the better team.

Best thing about this game was the offensive domination, with Cooper being a non-factor. Take away Cooper doesn't really seem to be a viable strategy, after all.

The Jets defense did not show up at all. Geno played relatively well until the end of the game when he showed once again that he is too dumb to play the position of quarterback. The Jets did not lose this game because Fitzpatrick went down.

Jets were also missing Calvin Pryor and Buster Skrine - but the bottom line is that they are supposed to be stacked on defense and couldn't cover or couldn't tackle on Sunday. The Raiders, and Carr, had much to do with that too. He picked them apart and the Raiders showed to have some nice weapons.

Congrats Raiders' fans.

It could be that we have benefitted from teams coming off massive games the week before Ravens, although they have sucked ever since, had that massive wk 1 game vs Denver. Jets had a huge game vs NE the week before as well.

In years past we would usually be competitive in these games and just lose. We are much better prepared this year it seems. Just look at how many players have contributed when called upon this year.

We may have another game with the opposing D struggling due to a big division matchup the previous week.

 

[Sarlakticacid]

Weddle being shopped apparently.

Someone here talking about getting him in at some point

 

[Chaka]

Forecasting rest of the season:

@ PIT L

MIN L

@ DET L

@ TEN W

KC W

@ DEN L

GB L

SD W

@KC W

Reasonable to assume we can split the series with KC, and that we can get some wins against weaker teams on the road in the next 4 weeks conservatively split the DET and TEN games as winning consecutively on the road (and on East Coast) is traditionally hard for the Raiders.

But thats 8-8, with a very solid shot to be 9-7. Literally light years ahead of the last several years.

Home loss to Min and road less to Der seem like a stretch to me. You also have them sweeping KC which seems unlikely. Then again I have been calling an 8-8 season a win for months so I won't complain about it now.

 

[One]

/Hi5 Raider Nation

 

[Chaka]

Still want to see them draft an LT of the future next season (even before a DB) but how awesome has Penn been anchoring this line for two years?

 

[32 Counter Pass]

We long-time Raiders fans are in unfamiliar waters.

Correction, we long-time Raider fans are used to winning and appearing in conference championship games. But, that was when we had the best winning percentage in professional sports.

PIT will offer the best QB the Raiders have faced since week 2. The defense is still a concern (not enough sacks) but they are playing agressive and knocking some d###s in the dirt. They desperately need another force to rush the QB and a shut down CB.

The most concerning aspect of their play is running the clock when they are ahead. I am not sure what the hell they were thinking on the last couple of drives when they were still passing and stopping the clock. That is some serious game mismanagement, but it didn't bite them in the a$$ this week. I doubt Big Ben and CO will be so forgiving if they pursue the same strategy this coming week.

Go Raiders!

 

[Sarlakticacid]

This weeks game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQhKTgu79mQ

 

[rick6668]

We long-time Raiders fans are in unfamiliar waters.

Correction, we long-time Raider fans are used to winning and appearing in conference championship games. But, that was when we had the best winning percentage in professional sports.

PIT will offer the best QB the Raiders have faced since week 2. The defense is still a concern (not enough sacks) but they are playing agressive and knocking some d###s in the dirt. They desperately need another force to rush the QB and a shut down CB.

The most concerning aspect of their play is running the clock when they are ahead. I am not sure what the hell they were thinking on the last couple of drives when they were still passing and stopping the clock. That is some serious game mismanagement, but it didn't bite them in the ### this week. I doubt Big Ben and CO will be so forgiving if they pursue the same strategy this coming week.

Go Raiders!

Got to be able to finish a team off.

After the Jets made it 34-20 with 8:37 left

Drive 1 - 0:43 (2 incomplete passes)

Drive 2 - 0:44 (Jets used 1 timeout, 1 incomplete pass)

Drive 3 - 0:12 (Jets used 1 timeout, 2 incomplete passes)

They gave the Jets 3 more possessions from 8:37 left. Cannot afford to do that against good teams.

It was similar against the Chargers.

After going up 37-6 in the 3rd qtr:

4 plays and punt (1st down on first down)

3 and out

3 and out

6 plays and punt (1 1st down)

 

[kaso]

The last time I was this excited about the Raiders season I was living in my parents basement. Since then I've moved 3 times, got married, and had 2 kids. I think my wife is a bit concerned about how excitedly I watch football now - she didn't see this side of me when we were dating... haha

 

[Autumn Wind]

Just to put things in perspective, my earliest memories of watching the Raiders were of the '83 playoff run to the Super Bowl. So since then I've seen us bounce from good to mediocre to awful, with the mirage of the Gruden years in between.

 

[Chaka]

Just to put things in perspective, my earliest memories of watching the Raiders were of the '83 playoff run to the Super Bowl. So since then I've seen us bounce from good to mediocre to awful, with the mirage of the Gruden years in between.

Nothing about the Gruden years was a mirage.

Well nothing except the worst refereeing in the world not calling a fumble on a clear fumble. It still boggles the mind how much that one call altered the course of NFL history.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

It was a three year run. It was a mirage. Unsustainable in the free agent era. Old School Al Davis moves could not keep the level of success going because he didn't adapt to the new business model. That and a series of awful draft picks.

 

[kaso]

Just to put things in perspective, my earliest memories of watching the Raiders were of the '83 playoff run to the Super Bowl. So since then I've seen us bounce from good to mediocre to awful, with the mirage of the Gruden years in between.

I'm about 4 years behind you. Bo Jackson was the start of my Raider 'fan career'...

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I commend you younger fans who didn't live the glory days. My start was with Stabler rookie year.

 

[dcgangstas]

I commend you younger fans who didn't live the glory days. My start was with Stabler rookie year.

I go way, way back. I go back to 1967 (I was 9) and Super Bowl II. Really enjoyed watching the wide-open AFL as opposed to the ground-and-pound NFL. Just something about the Silver and Black. My favorite all-time Raider was Jack Tatum.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Just to put things in perspective, my earliest memories of watching the Raiders were of the '83 playoff run to the Super Bowl. So since then I've seen us bounce from good to mediocre to awful, with the mirage of the Gruden years in between.

Got onboard in the same era. For me, it was the 1980 SB against the Eagles that I first got me into the Raiders and football in general. Was pretty young so didn't have deep awareness of professional sports in general. But here was a sport that combined gladatorial strength and speed, with a team that had bad-### uniforms and biker personas. What was there not to fall in love with? Keenly remember all the talk about them overcoming their wildcard team seed to do what no other team up till then (and only 5 since) was able to do.

But it was the 83 Season and championship that I really remember, having started to really follow football and the Raiders through previous two seasons. It was a fantastic team with Plunkett, Alzado, Cliff Branch, Hayes and Haynes and Rod Martin, Hendricks, Van McELroy and Millen. Ray Guy. And of course, Marcus.

It was a great lead-up to the SB, beating the hated Steelers and kicking the Seahawks to the curb after losing to them all season long. The game itself was spectacular -- facing a tough Redskines team in its prime (Gibbs-led Theisman, Riggins, Bostic, Manley, Didier, and Darrell Green).

Raiders scoring three times off of a blocked punt, a bomb to Branch, and a pick six (still have that SI issue -- "BLOWOUT! Squirek shocks the Redskins"). The Raiders D clamping down in the second half. And Allen's extraordinary cut-back 75 yard gallop to seal the game.

Lot of ups and downs since, and good to see us righting a ship I thought we may not be able to without Al Davis.

 

[thatguythere]

I'm in the market for a new team soon. Been a Lions fan my whole life and can't take it anymore. Love the young nucleus in oakland. Room on the wagon?

Love the sig TomConnors. Molson Canadian is the best beer ever made.

 

[rick6668]

Just to put things in perspective, my earliest memories of watching the Raiders were of the '83 playoff run to the Super Bowl. So since then I've seen us bounce from good to mediocre to awful, with the mirage of the Gruden years in between.

Got onboard in the same era. For me, it was the 1980 SB against the Eagles that I first got me into the Raiders and football in general. Was pretty young so didn't have deep awareness of professional sports in general. But here was a sport that combined gladatorial strength and speed, with a team that had bad-### uniforms and biker personas. What was there not to fall in love with? Keenly remember all the talk about them overcoming their wildcard team seed to do what no other team up till then (and only 5 since) was able to do.

But it was the 83 Season and championship that I really remember, having started to really follow football and the Raiders through previous two seasons. It was a fantastic team with Plunkett, Alzado, Cliff Branch, Hayes and Haynes and Rod Martin, Hendricks, Van McELroy and Millen. Ray Guy. And of course, Marcus.

It was a great lead-up to the SB, beating the hated Steelers and kicking the Seahawks to the curb after losing to them all season long. The game itself was spectacular -- facing a tough Redskines team in its prime (Gibbs-led Theisman, Riggins, Bostic, Manley, Didier, and Darrell Green).

Raiders scoring three times off of a blocked punt, a bomb to Branch, and a pick six (still have that SI issue -- "BLOWOUT! Squirek shocks the Redskins"). The Raiders D clamping down in the second half. And Allen's extraordinary cut-back 75 yard gallop to seal the game.

Lot of ups and downs since, and good to see us righting a ship I thought we may not be able to without Al Davis.

Nice!

For me it was the 1981 season, was visiting my Sister and her husband in San Diego for Christmas. (From Western New York) Went to the Chargers-Raiders game in San Diego and although they lost I was a hug fan.

Our extended family would have Super Bowl parties back at that time with 60-80 people, renting out a hall, people making signs/pennants to wave and dressing up for one team or the other.

The next year, I was 12 and painted a sign with silver and black paint for Super Bowl XVII that said "Raiders for Super Bowl XVII". Problem was the teams in the Super Bowl were the Redskins and Dolphins. My older cousins were mocking me, but there I was with my Raiders sweatshirt and hat and black sweatpants. I was rooting for the Raiders even if they weren't playing. The last laugh was on them when for next year's Super Bowl, I still had my sign but just painted another I to make it say Super Bowl XVIII . I got a square in the pool, it was $2 and it was a winner take all for $200. I got 8 and 9 and told everyone I was going to win and they all said those were horrible numbers. 38-9 final, Raiders win and I win the squares! What a glorious day.

Makes me sad thinking about it now that they still haven't won a 4th one since then.

 

[LawFitz]

We've suffered for so long that it's still hard to feel confident even with almost all signs pointing up. Reggie Mac has absolutely done wonders with this team.

 

[Bruno2]

1980 Super Bowl was the first Raider game I remember watching. I rooted for the Raiders because my dad had $100 on the game and I've been hooked ever since. The Gruden Era was a fun time for me to be a Raider fan (minus the tuck rule, I still get upset thinking about it.) They always had trouble selling out, even back then. But the cool thing about that was, you could wake up on a Sunday morning and get a group of friends together and go to a Raider game on a whim. Living in the Bay Area at the time, you were either a 9er fan or a Raider fan. Us Raider fans have put up with so much BS, jokes and ridicule. It's nice to hear, "Hey how 'bout those Raiders!" But I'm still cautiously optimistic. It's great to see improvement and not being considered laughingstocks of the NFL anymore. Playoffs this year is a pipe dream, 8-8 or 9-7 with a promising future would be a positive year after a dozen years of losing. My hope now is for the team to build stability, chemistry and keep adding solid vets and rookies to the core players. And keeping that core together for years to come.

 

[Toomuchnv]

Forecasting rest of the season:

@ PIT L

MIN L

@ DET L

@ TEN W

KC W

@ DEN L

GB L

SD W

@KC W

Reasonable to assume we can split the series with KC, and that we can get some wins against weaker teams on the road in the next 4 weeks – conservatively split the DET and TEN games as winning consecutively on the road (and on East Coast) is traditionally hard for the Raiders.

But that’s 8-8, with a very solid shot to be 9-7. Literally light years ahead of the last several years.

My predictions for the remaining 9 games:

@ PIT L

MIN W

@ DET W

@ TEN W

KC W

@ DEN L

GB L

SD W

@KC L

So a 9-7 finish, and if they can pull off a win in Pittsburgh that would make them 10-6

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Forecasting rest of the season:

@ PIT L

MIN L

@ DET L

@ TEN W

KC W

@ DEN L

GB L

SD W

@KC W

Reasonable to assume we can split the series with KC, and that we can get some wins against weaker teams on the road in the next 4 weeks – conservatively split the DET and TEN games as winning consecutively on the road (and on East Coast) is traditionally hard for the Raiders.

But that’s 8-8, with a very solid shot to be 9-7. Literally light years ahead of the last several years.

My predictions for the remaining 9 games:

@ PIT L

MIN W

@ DET W

@ TEN W

KC W

@ DEN L

GB L

SD W

@KC L

So a 9-7 finish, and if they can pull off a win in Pittsburgh that would make them 10-6

From your mouth/fingers to god/Al's ears....