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== OFFICIAL OAKLAND RAIDERS 2018 thread == (1 Viewer)

32 Counter Pass said:
From what I have read on the twitters, whatever the perceived violation is a “grey area” meaning it was a missed test or some nonsense. I have always wonder about punishing a player for a missed test. Can’t they take a sample of hair and determine if a player violated the drug policy? My understanding is a hair sample is the most accurate test over a longer period. Seems ridiculous to punish someone cuz they miss a pee test.
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Once you get to the level of failure on following the rules that M Bryant has the sampling schedule is a form of punishment and his showing he is serious about coming back by following the schedule. 

 
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32 Counter Pass said:
From what I have read on the twitters, whatever the perceived violation is a “grey area” meaning it was a missed test or some nonsense. I have always wonder about punishing a player for a missed test. Can’t they take a sample of hair and determine if a player violated the drug policy? My understanding is a hair sample is the most accurate test over a longer period. Seems ridiculous to punish someone cuz they miss a pee test.
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If the players union is anything like the unions I have dealt with, they will fight the hair sampling until the bitter end.   Hair sampling cannot be beat as easily as urine testing.  Hair sampling is not that much money either so it's not a cost thing.   

 
DocHolliday said:
If the players union is anything like the unions I have dealt with, they will fight the hair sampling until the bitter end.   Hair sampling cannot be beat as easily as urine testing.  Hair sampling is not that much money either so it's not a cost thing.   
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How dare you have accurate testing?! We will not allow it!

 
Martavis Bryant - WR - Raiders

The Athletic's Vic Tafur reports that "as of Wednesday" Martavis Bryant had not been notified of a pending suspension.

Tafur also reports that Bryant "did not fail a drug test or miss a test for that matter." The report that the Raiders were fearing a suspension was from extremely reliable beat writer Michael Gehlken. Clearly something is afoot, but no one knows what. Tafur does report he caught wind of a similar report "a couple of months ago" that ended up getting killed. There was apparently a "complication" with one of Bryant's tests that was "cleared up when Bryant visited the NFL offices." It does not appear that and this are related, however. As always with Bryant, sit tight.

 
BustedKnuckles said:
Martavis Bryant - WR - Raiders

The Athletic's Vic Tafur reports that "as of Wednesday" Martavis Bryant had not been notified of a pending suspension.(OK, so far so good, if there was smoke, we'd see fire sooner rather than later, right?)

Tafur also reports that Bryant "did not fail a drug test or miss a test for that matter." (OK, phew, even better news -- the one thing that would for sure lead to suspension -- another failed drug test -- didn't occur, so whatever this is, seems negligable and addressable). The report that the Raiders were fearing a suspension was from extremely reliable beat writer Michael Gehlken. Clearly something is afoot, but no one knows what. (Wait, what? Things seemed addressable, why are staff worried and reliable beat writers blowing alarms?).  Tafur does report he caught wind of a similar report "a couple of months ago" that ended up getting killed. (Oh, ok, that reliable beat writer is just reporting rumor).There was apparently a "complication" with one of Bryant's tests that was "cleared up when Bryant visited the NFL offices." (Wait, what? There WAS a problem with a test? Should I worry that things weren't really cleared up?) It does not appear that and this are related, however. As always with Bryant, sit tight.
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My emotional rollercoaster of an inner dialogue when reading this and other Bryant-related news. If something bad comes out of this, I am going to be so pissed.

 
The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent FB Ryan Yurachek, the club announced Friday.

Yurachek originally signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Marshall last month. The 6-foot, 240-pounder played four years (2014-17) as a tight end, appearing in 51 games and tallying 143 receptions for 1,354 yards and 26 touchdowns. A native of Myrtle Beach, S.C., he earned first-team All-Conference USA honors and was a team captain as a senior in 2017, while finishing second in touchdowns and third in both receptions and yards among tight ends in school history.

In a corresponding move, the Raiders have waived FB Henry Poggi, who signed with the club as an undrafted free agent in May.

 
I have been watching the last few seasons of Oaklands games on game pass and watching Cooper he seems to high point the ball with his arms fully extended rather than getting a good jump in before.

its a weird sight to see, I have always thought the way he goes after contested/high passes was strange, dunnoif he has a poor vertical but I do recall the knock on him was contented catches.

i played the majority of my time at WR and always thought that being able to bend your elbows when making a catch allowed you to put more pressure/easily secure the ball. Before you ask, we were a super amateur league, unless it was chasing kangaroos off the field 

anyway, something I noticed fwiw

 
I have never seen such a huge divide of opinion on how this team -- both players and coaching staff -- will fare this season, from general sports coverage, social media pundits, public opinion, etc.

It ranges from pie-eyed optimism of regaining our form and momentum from two seasons ago to this kind of talk/hyperbole from pundits on this very board (from a recent spotlight on how the Raiders backfield may shape out):

Wood: The Raiders are one of my picks for worst teams in football. I expect the Gruden era to get off to a horrific start and the offense to struggle for fantasy relevance. Greg Olson has a long and storied history of being a horrible offensive coordinator. Gruden hiring him in this role is one of an ever-increasing string of questionable decisions he’s made since his return from the broadcasting booth. I expect both Lynch and Martin will be unusable in most weeks because the team won’t be in a game script supportive of a ground attack.
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There will always be a divergent opinion, and proof will be in the pudding, but the gigantic standard deviation in opinion -- from utter dumpster fire to being right there to vie against other AFCW teams for the division title -- is something I haven't seen recently in regards to the Raiders or even other teams. 

I tend to think truth will be in the middle -- we will go through some growing pains with a brand new system and staff, and we are far from done in addressing needs on both sides of the ball (primarily with our LB corps in my eyes). But I do think Gruden is special in terms of what he can bring to the table in re-establishing the right culture and focus and that alone will help us get back on the right track to make us competitive in our division and against other teams in both conferences. 

I have never been so eager for training camp to see how the pieces begin to take shape a little clearer.

 
Stompin' Tom Connors said:
I have never seen such a huge divide of opinion on how this team -- both players and coaching staff -- will fare this season, from general sports coverage, social media pundits, public opinion, etc.

It ranges from pie-eyed optimism of regaining our form and momentum from two seasons ago to this kind of talk/hyperbole from pundits on this very board (from a recent spotlight on how the Raiders backfield may shape out):

There will always be a divergent opinion, and proof will be in the pudding, but the gigantic standard deviation in opinion -- from utter dumpster fire to being right there to vie against other AFCW teams for the division title -- is something I haven't seen recently in regards to the Raiders or even other teams. 

I tend to think truth will be in the middle -- we will go through some growing pains with a brand new system and staff, and we are far from done in addressing needs on both sides of the ball (primarily with our LB corps in my eyes). But I do think Gruden is special in terms of what he can bring to the table in re-establishing the right culture and focus and that alone will help us get back on the right track to make us competitive in our division and against other teams in both conferences. 

I have never been so eager for training camp to see how the pieces begin to take shape a little clearer.
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I guess I'm with you. Who knows how things will go? There are too many question marks and unknowns for anyone to say definitively what kind of team the Raiders will become. At this point, it's all speculation. 

Offensively speaking, a lot will depend on how well Carr, Gruden and Olsen mesh. I'm a firm believer in Carr, he'll have his bad games but I think he truly wants to be great and continue to work to be a better QB. I wish I knew what Musgrave did for him that Dowling couldn't do. The Olsen hire didn't really make sense to me, but what do I know? Hopefully Gruden can get the best out of Carr. 

The defense is still a mess. The team will really be counting on Conley to be a starting corner from day 1. If he's not, they'll be in trouble again.  I think Gilchrist will be a positive addition to the secondary, I wouldn't be surprised if he sees a lot of playing time. The starting tandam of Joseph and Obi that Reggie envisions might be a pipe dream, we'll have to watch it play out. Mack and Irvin need help badly in the front 7. I'm looking forward to training camp and seeing how Hurst, Hall and Key will end up doing. Edwards needs to bounce back and Vanderdoes needs to prove he's more than just a "guy".

I can't remember so many question marks to start a season. They could easily be 4-12 as they could be 10-6. A lot of things have to go right for them. But can't we say that with just about any team in the NFL? So here's to another roller coaster ride in 2018 fellas! Buckle up, one thing is for sure, it'll be interesting.

 
Not being insensitive here, really don't know... why is this replacement of Papa such a popular issue or topic?   Some on Raiders Twitter seem to think the move was dirty?  Truthfully I have no insight. 

 
With Papa’s exit, Mark Davis removes one more vestige of dad’s Raiders legacy

Play-by-play announcer did the near-impossible and lived up to the standard of Bill King

When Brent Musburger takes over for Greg Papa as the radio voice of the Raiders, it’s another vestige of the Al Davis era removed from the history of the franchise.

And Davis, or at least the memory of Davis, is the heart of the matter when it comes to changing their play-by-play voice.

It was never a lock that Papa would follow the Raiders to Las Vegas, presumably in 2020, but it’s at least a minor surprise a switch will come this year, as first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Raiders have not confirmed or denied Papa’s exit or Musburger’s arrival.

It’s no secret Papa never had the same kind of relationship with Mark Davis as he did with Mark’s father. Papa considers himself the gatekeeper to Al Davis’ memory and legacy. It was a blind spot in his objectivity, but a fascinating one.

When Davis was in failing health and his inner circle grew tighter, he still talked to Papa. “He was like my second father,” Papa is fond of saying. If you wanted to know what Davis was thinking, Papa was a go-to on the radio.

And when Mark Davis acted in a way Papa believed was contrary to Al’s wishes, the announcer wasn’t afraid to say so in public.

Before the Raiders hired Jack Del Rio as head coach, Mark Davis acknowledged Mike Shanahan as a potential candidate. The same Shanahan who was fired by Al Davis in 1989 in favor of Art Shell, an acrimonious split that left both men with a grudge that lasted until the Raiders’ owner died in 2011.

Papa said during his afternoon show on 95.7 The Game “As close as I am with Al and was with Al, and knowing the animosity that he felt toward Mike Shanahan, the fact that we’re having this discussion is beyond disrespectful.”

Papa said on a Mercury-News podcast with former columnist Tim Kawakami that he told Mark Davis that if Shanahan was hired by the Raiders, he’d resign.

Mark Davis resented it.

And when Papa on that same podcast divulged that Al Davis had considered the preposterous idea of hiring the announcer for a role as a front office executive, Mark Davis wasn’t happy with that, either.

Mark Davis restored the relationship of the franchise with Marcus Allen. Papa seethed, knowing Al Davis would have hated the idea

So it was perhaps inevitable there would be a split, and that Papa would go the way of Hue Jackson, Amy Trask and others who weren’t necessarily aligned with Mark Davis in a way they were with Al Davis.

The losers in this change are the listeners. Even though radio broadcasters aren’t as connected to fan bases as much as they once were in an era of television and social media, Papa had considerable credibility with Raider Nation, and for good reason. Go out with Papa on the road and expect him to be surrounded by Raider fans, all urging him to give his signature touchdown call.

Papa would oblige.

Al Davis has always been drawn to talent, and Papa is undeniably one of the best announcers in the business. He took over for Joel Meyers in 1997, two seasons after the Raiders returned to Oakland. Papa conceded he struggled at the outset, but his work ethic was legendary — he even had a coaches’ style grease board brought with him on the road so he could study the day before the game.Word is the Raiders paid Papa extremely well. I’ve heard but never confirmed that at one point he was getting $17,000 per game for 20 games — 16 in the regular season and four in the preseason. So there could be simple economics at work here as well.

Having never heard Musburger broadast a football game on the radio, I’ll reserve judgment on the whether the broadcasts will suffer in Papa’s absence.

Papa remains an extremely capable interviewer and studio host in his roles on 95.7 radio and NBC Sports Bay Area television, but his play-by-play work is what sets him apart.

Like King, Papa was a gifted basketball announcer. When he was pushed out by the Warriors in favor of Bob Fitzgerald, the quality of the broadcast never recovered. Papa also did baseball with the A’s and Giants and excelled at that as well once he got used to the pace.

When the move becomes official, Papa becomes the hottest broadcast commodity in the Bay Area and it will be interesting to see where he winds up next.

But to the dwindling number of Raiders radio die-hards who have spent the last two decades listening to Papa, Sunday afternoons will never be the same.

King, the Raiders’ voice from 1966 through 1994, left the Raiders after the club sold off its radio rights and the rights holder wanted wanted to slash his salary. King graciously supported Papa when the opportunity arose to replace Meyers even as fans hoped for a return to the booth.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/07/18/papas-exit-from-raiders-has-as-much-to-do-with-al-davis-as-it-does-mark-davis/

“He assured me he had no interest in doing the Raiders,” Papa told the Bay Area News Group in 2016. “He gave me his blessing. I remember we talked a lot that first year about how to broadcast a game. He’d give me constant pointers about how to call football.”

Like King, Papa was caught up in the drama of the Raiders but also wasn’t afraid to criticize the on-field product if it came up wanting. Papa’s job was infinitely more challenging in that regard given some of the dog teams he had to cover as Al Davis ran through coach after coach in his later years.

 
kaso said:
Not being insensitive here, really don't know... why is this replacement of Papa such a popular issue or topic?   Some on Raiders Twitter seem to think the move was dirty?  Truthfully I have no insight. 
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I have no Idea. I heard rumblings that he was going to the Niners because of the Las Vegas move.  Personally, I couldn't care less. The guy's no Bill King. Not excited about Musburger either. 

 
SDJohnny said:
I have no Idea. I heard rumblings that he was going to the Niners because of the Las Vegas move.  Personally, I couldn't care less. The guy's no Bill King. Not excited about Musburger either. 
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I realized this morning on my ride into work that I was confusing Papa with George Atkinson.   A bit of background, I only get Atkinson broadcasting exposure in my area of Canada when the NFL Network picks up a Raiders home preseason game.  I'm 75% sure it is Atkinson that I can't stand as part of that broadcasting team.  Maybe I'm further confused... who knows anymore!

 
kaso said:
I realized this morning on my ride into work that I was confusing Papa with George Atkinson.   A bit of background, I only get Atkinson broadcasting exposure in my area of Canada when the NFL Network picks up a Raiders home preseason game.  I'm 75% sure it is Atkinson that I can't stand as part of that broadcasting team.  Maybe I'm further confused... who knows anymore!
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Atkinson is worthless. Mumbles through generic, inane lines like he has a mouth full of marbles.

Just hand him a pro-Raiders cue card and he reads from it while stumbling over his own feet.

So, yeah, I'm with you on not digging Atkinson. But Papa is a freakin' pro's pro. Such a great voice of the Raiders. A shame he's going but I'm not crying over it or anything like that article seems to want me to.

 
Musberger would have been the perfect Raiders announcer.........20 years ago.

But Jimmy The Greek is dead and Irv Cross is retired. The old gang ain't getting back together.

 
Stompin' Tom Connors said:
I have never seen such a huge divide of opinion on how this team -- both players and coaching staff -- will fare this season, from general sports coverage, social media pundits, public opinion, etc.
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I think this is what happens when you have a team that goes 12-4 in 2016, then 6-10 in 2017, then hires a "new" coach who makes some unusual coaching hires and free agent signings and some atypical draft picks. That's a recipe for prognostications being all over the board.

Could they be 12-4 this year? Yep.

Could they be 6-10. Yep.

 
Michael Gehlken
‏@GehlkenNFL
Eli Rogers scheduled to work out for Raiders this coming week, per @ProFootballTalk. Also the Chiefs and Browns. Ex-Steelers WR is coming off a torn ACL.

 
so lets spend all our money on a bunch of guys that may not even make finale cuts ...meanwhile Mack is still unsigned....am i missing the big picture here ?

 
BustedKnuckles said:
so lets spend all our money on a bunch of guys that may not even make finale cuts ...meanwhile Mack is still unsigned....am i missing the big picture here ?
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Mack is signed he is looking for an extension which he totally deserves by the way. 

I feel like there is a game of chicken being played between Mack and Aaron Donald. Which one will blink first and sign a new deal so the other one can get paid more.

 
krsone21 said:
Mack is signed he is looking for an extension which he totally deserves by the way. 

I feel like there is a game of chicken being played between Mack and Aaron Donald. Which one will blink first and sign a new deal so the other one can get paid more.
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hes the best football player on the team....give him his money 

 
I completely understand the star first round picks that are on their fifth year option holding out.  Guys like Mack and Donald are in line for huge contracts and are fully deserving of them.  Hopefully the Mack extension gets done very soon.

 
krsone21 said:
Mack is signed he is looking for an extension which he totally deserves by the way. 

I feel like there is a game of chicken being played between Mack and Aaron Donald. Which one will blink first and sign a new deal so the other one can get paid more.
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This.

The agents are likely in the way here a bit.  Remove the timing of two guys looking for record setting contracts at the same position and I bet Mack and Donald's deals are already done.   The Raiders want to keep Mack, and are willing to pay.  I'm imagine very realistic and valid offers have been made. The offer needs to be accepted and signed by the player and agent.   

 
DocHolliday said:
Can I get the just of the injury?   
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No info yet. Just "undisclosed". Maybe he's just fat?

https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2018/7/24/17609820/raiders-donald-penn-eddie-vanderdoes-pj-hall-begin-training-camp-physically-unable-to-perform-list

Second round rookie PJ Hall’s absence is a surprise as he hadn’t missed time this offseason. His injury has not been disclosed. He was to compete for one of the interior defensive tackle spots with fellow rookie fifth round pick Maurice Hurst among others.

 
You can go on the PUP for not completing the pre-camo conditioning drill fast enough.

You can be taken off the PUP at any time as well.

I suggest people just take a deep breath and not freak out just yet.

Mack will get his contract, Hall and Penn will suit up and all will be well.in Raider land.

 
Chaka said:
You can go on the PUP for not completing the pre-camo conditioning drill fast enough.

You can be taken off the PUP at any time as well.

I suggest people just take a deep breath and not freak out just yet.

Mack will get his contract, Hall and Penn will suit up and all will be well.in Raider land.
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(fingers crossed)

 
Sarlakticacid said:
Seeing reports Earl Thomas has asked Mark Davis if he is interested...
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“Person familiar with conversation had different account,” Gehlken wrote Tuesday night on Twitter. “Earl Thomas, Mark Davis recently exchanged pleasantries in Las Vegas. Someone asked Thomas if holding out. Thomas responded in jest: ‘Why? You guys coming to get me?’ Regardless, Raiders an unlikely fit for his services.”

Whether the Raiders are a fit is irrelevant to whether Thomas said enough to trigger an obligation by Davis to call Seahawks owner Paul Allen and inform him that one of his players has communicated with Davis about playing for the Raiders. Ergo (that’s a word that doesn’t get used nearly enough) the follow-up report that slams the brakes on the idea that Thomas made a Shark Tank-style pitch to Davis, regardless of whether Davis was receptive.

Moving forward, this one probably will die. Unless, for some reason, the NFL decides to break from its habit of looking the other way when evidence of potential tampering is hiding in plain view.

 
Ian Rapoport
‏@RapSheet
The #Raiders had planned in anticipation of star pass-rushed Khalil Mack not showing up for training camp, and that will, in fact, be the case. Contract talks have not gone smoothly, and things are tense. Meanwhile, Mack will stay away

 
In more positive news... Rookie CB Nick Nelson is 100% and a full go in training camp. A guy no one has really been talking about due to a torn meniscus back in April. But he could end up replacing TJ Carrie.

I know it's an unproven bunch, but they are younger (not counting Leon Hall) and we don't have to watch Sean Smith's slow a$$ try to keep up with people anymore.

 
krsone21 said:
Ian Rapoport
‏@RapSheet
The #Raiders had planned in anticipation of star pass-rushed Khalil Mack not showing up for training camp, and that will, in fact, be the case. Contract talks have not gone smoothly, and things are tense. Meanwhile, Mack will stay away
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UGH....hes missing valuable time ...GET HIM SIGNED DAMMIT

 
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