Reloading The Raiders (1 Viewer)

[kremenull]

allow me be the first to (speculate) relay the moves that will get the Raiders on top.........dreams do come true!

Fire Kiffin and bring in Denny Green as HC to orchestrate the offense. With him, he convinces Al to bring aboard a true dirfference-maker for which he (Green) has a great relationship with......that's right, L.Fitzgerald will be in Silver & Black next year!

To make it happen, the Raiders part with the #4 selection for AZ to select McFadden, and the Raiders get Fitzgerald and #16 from the Cards. They resign Fargas, and unleash a caged beast (Michael Bush) on the NFL next season. At #16, Raiders acquire DeSean Jackson as the deep threat and fill the void in the middle of the D-line with (soon to be released) Shaun Rogers and incumbent Gerard Warren, who actually played fairly well for the Raiders this season.

That's how you R-I-S-E from worst to 1st......Raider-style!

 

[King of the Jungle]

I am jealous that you are drunk already and I am not.

 

[LawFitz]

Get off the crack.

 

[Delusions Of Adequacy]

Unfortunately you are right that the raiders don't rebuild. They've been dreadful for 5 years straight, with little reason for optimism in 2008.

 

[Jous]

I really wish the Raiders would become decent again. They're just one of those old-school teams were it just seems "right" when they do well... like the Cowboys, Packers, Bears, Steelers etc...

 

[Chadstroma]

 

[westbrook36]

This thread may be ridiculous but it made me laugh.

 

[Gopher State]

Official song of the Raiders Dream, Dream Dream

or as Al Davis would say were rebuilding baby

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

With the Raiders' problems at QB, RB, and WR solved, they should be on the rise

 

[Autumn Wind]

They don't reload, they regress.

 

[drummer]

Is re-implode a word?

 

[GregR_2]

Take it easy on him guys. It's a fairly accurate statement. The Raiders do reload every year.

Their coaching staff.

 

[nxmehta]

Al Davis, is that you?

That would explain a lot.

 

[Mikey16x]

I am jealous that you are drunk already and I am not

lololololol

 

[awesomeness]

If they draft McFadden, assuming he drops that far, and combine him with Fargas and draft/develop/pick up some offensive linemen, this team could be ok.

The defense is solid.

Davis has to wise up here. If he wants to win, slow the game down and go smash mouth. It worked for the Ravens and Bucs, I'm not saying the Raiders D is of that caliber, but if you want to give Russell time to develop, get a power rushing attack to ease some of the pressure off the kid.

The problem appears to be there is no plan at work. Even a bad plan, held consistently, is better than what the Raiders are doing now. There appears to be no organizational philosophy of how they want to run the team and develop players.

Across the Bay, Mike Nolan hasn't quite gotten there with the 49ers. Odds are he won't be able to turn it around. But at least you can see a plan was in place, the team tried to move forward and execute a specific philosophy for running that organization.

As much as I hate to say it, this team misses Jon Gruden in a bad way.

McFadden is no power running back.

 

[Maroney=Speed]

If they draft McFadden, assuming he drops that far, and combine him with Fargas and draft/develop/pick up some offensive linemen, this team could be ok.

The defense is solid.

Davis has to wise up here. If he wants to win, slow the game down and go smash mouth. It worked for the Ravens and Bucs, I'm not saying the Raiders D is of that caliber, but if you want to give Russell time to develop, get a power rushing attack to ease some of the pressure off the kid.

The problem appears to be there is no plan at work. Even a bad plan, held consistently, is better than what the Raiders are doing now. There appears to be no organizational philosophy of how they want to run the team and develop players.

Across the Bay, Mike Nolan hasn't quite gotten there with the 49ers. Odds are he won't be able to turn it around. But at least you can see a plan was in place, the team tried to move forward and execute a specific philosophy for running that organization.

As much as I hate to say it, this team misses Jon Gruden in a bad way.

McFadden is no power running back.

You try standing in McFadden way then. He'll run you over like a fat kid trying to get to the ice cream stand.

 

[awesomeness]

If they draft McFadden, assuming he drops that far, and combine him with Fargas and draft/develop/pick up some offensive linemen, this team could be ok.

The defense is solid.

Davis has to wise up here. If he wants to win, slow the game down and go smash mouth. It worked for the Ravens and Bucs, I'm not saying the Raiders D is of that caliber, but if you want to give Russell time to develop, get a power rushing attack to ease some of the pressure off the kid.

The problem appears to be there is no plan at work. Even a bad plan, held consistently, is better than what the Raiders are doing now. There appears to be no organizational philosophy of how they want to run the team and develop players.

Across the Bay, Mike Nolan hasn't quite gotten there with the 49ers. Odds are he won't be able to turn it around. But at least you can see a plan was in place, the team tried to move forward and execute a specific philosophy for running that organization.

As much as I hate to say it, this team misses Jon Gruden in a bad way.

McFadden is no power running back.

You try standing in McFadden way then. He'll run you over like a fat kid trying to get to the ice cream stand.

So how old are you, 15?

 

[thayman]

If they draft McFadden, assuming he drops that far, and combine him with Fargas and draft/develop/pick up some offensive linemen, this team could be ok. The defense is solid. Davis has to wise up here. If he wants to win, slow the game down and go smash mouth. It worked for the Ravens and Bucs, I'm not saying the Raiders D is of that caliber, but if you want to give Russell time to develop, get a power rushing attack to ease some of the pressure off the kid. The problem appears to be there is no plan at work. Even a bad plan, held consistently, is better than what the Raiders are doing now. There appears to be no organizational philosophy of how they want to run the team and develop players. Across the Bay, Mike Nolan hasn't quite gotten there with the 49ers. Odds are he won't be able to turn it around. But at least you can see a plan was in place, the team tried to move forward and execute a specific philosophy for running that organization. As much as I hate to say it, this team misses Jon Gruden in a bad way.

what about Michael Bush?

 

[thayman]

If they draft McFadden, assuming he drops that far, and combine him with Fargas and draft/develop/pick up some offensive linemen, this team could be ok. The defense is solid. Davis has to wise up here. If he wants to win, slow the game down and go smash mouth. It worked for the Ravens and Bucs, I'm not saying the Raiders D is of that caliber, but if you want to give Russell time to develop, get a power rushing attack to ease some of the pressure off the kid. The problem appears to be there is no plan at work. Even a bad plan, held consistently, is better than what the Raiders are doing now. There appears to be no organizational philosophy of how they want to run the team and develop players. Across the Bay, Mike Nolan hasn't quite gotten there with the 49ers. Odds are he won't be able to turn it around. But at least you can see a plan was in place, the team tried to move forward and execute a specific philosophy for running that organization. As much as I hate to say it, this team misses Jon Gruden in a bad way.

what about Michael Bush?

 

[Cookiemonster]

If they draft McFadden, assuming he drops that far, and combine him with Fargas and draft/develop/pick up some offensive linemen, this team could be ok.

The defense is solid.

Davis has to wise up here. If he wants to win, slow the game down and go smash mouth. It worked for the Ravens and Bucs, I'm not saying the Raiders D is of that caliber, but if you want to give Russell time to develop, get a power rushing attack to ease some of the pressure off the kid.

The problem appears to be there is no plan at work. Even a bad plan, held consistently, is better than what the Raiders are doing now. There appears to be no organizational philosophy of how they want to run the team and develop players.

Across the Bay, Mike Nolan hasn't quite gotten there with the 49ers. Odds are he won't be able to turn it around. But at least you can see a plan was in place, the team tried to move forward and execute a specific philosophy for running that organization.

As much as I hate to say it, this team misses Jon Gruden in a bad way.

McFadden is no power running back.

You try standing in McFadden way then. He'll run you over like a fat kid trying to get to the ice cream stand.

Yes he will. Then lose his balance and fall down on top of me.

 

[JohnnyU]

This is what they call a "hit and run".

 

[BearsFan]

Have any homers heard word on status of Michael Bush and how his leg has progressed?

 

[Autumn Wind]

Have any homers heard word on status of Michael Bush and how his leg has progressed?

Should be no issues going into next season. Whether or not he gets playing time remains to be seen.

 

[Autumn Wind]

What you say makes sense, but the Raiders are not like a lot of other teams. Sure they have some good talent. But there is no way that talent can flourish when the team goes through head coaches like Lindsay Lohan goes through booze.

The problem with Oakland isn't so much about talent as it is about team philosophy. And that philosophy comes from one source - Al Davis. Only once in recent memory did Davis allow his coach to fully implement his own vision, and that was Gruden. The results speak for themselves.

As long as Davis is more concerned with holding onto his power and with his giant persecution complex than with putting a good product on the field, there is no reason for hope.

 

[massraider]

What you say makes sense, but the Raiders are not like a lot of other teams. Sure they have some good talent. But there is no way that talent can flourish when the team goes through head coaches like Lindsay Lohan goes through booze. The problem with Oakland isn't so much about talent as it is about team philosophy. And that philosophy comes from one source - Al Davis. Only once in recent memory did Davis allow his coach to fully implement his own vision, and that was Gruden. The results speak for themselves. As long as Davis is more concerned with holding onto his power and with his giant persecution complex than with putting a good product on the field, there is no reason for hope.

I get what you're saying, GG, but it's not going to make me feel any better about the team that there is talent there.The thing that really hurts about Kiffin potentially leaving, is that you know Cable would leave as well. Why stay? He can only hurt his standing by staying. My guess is that whoever replaces Kiffin, Saunders or whoever, would implement a new coach with a new system. More inconsistency for the O-line.And drafting a young franchise QB, and bringing him along, you want stuff to be consistent. The only way this happens is if Ryan is bumped up to HC, and the staff is retained. I doubt that happens. These coaches aren't Davis' people, they are Kiffin's people. Davis may ruin Russell's career all by himself.And the players know all this. They know the score. The Raider defenders may have liked Rob Ryan, but if he had been fired, they would have gotten over it. And there would have been no doubt that this was Kiffin's team. In Oakland, that's a big deal. If Saunders (or worse, Lofton) is brought in as HC, and Ryan is retained, they are essentially co-head coaches. That isn't gonna work.

 

[Jason Wood]

I think no team is too woeful that they can't return to respectability in a year or two with a combination of solid maneuvers and a bit of luck. Now creating an organization that will be competitive year in, year out is another thing entirely. With Davis at the helm, they are in a tough spot. Although I saw recently that, financially, the Raiders will be in a better position in 2008 and beyond than they've been in ages; and that's part of the reason Dennis Green is rumored to be willing to go to Oakland after passing on overtures in times past.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Peter King's Take on Raiders Coaching Situaltion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. I think I have a few thoughts about Lane Kiffin and the pickle he's in now with the Raiders. No. 1: I sat with him last August, at Raiders camp in Napa, Calif., and the thing I thought would make him different from the other Raider yes-men coaches was that he wasn't a yes man. He already had cut Randal Williams, an Al Davis favorite, and the Raiders seemed to be willing to put some trust in the young man.

He never said this, but I got the distinct impression that if the job lasted one year and Al changed back into the dictator that had sent this franchise careening down a terrible path, then so be it; Kiffin was young enough to collect his money for a year and then move on to a new job. He was smart enough, with enough confidence in his own ability, to know that a bad season and getting fired in Oakland would be nothing but a speed bump in his career.

And he's absolutely right. If Al goes through with this silly plan to whack a bright and determined young coach -- another Mike Shanahan, if you ask me -- it'll be a decision he'll rue when Kiffin wins elsewhere, which I can guarantee he will do.



Posted: Today 4:14 AM

Schefter Backs Off....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The staredown

Despite rampant speculation that Oakland and its head coach Lane Kiffin could be parting ways this week, the prevailing feeling is that they will not.

Those who know Raiders owner Al Davis insist that he will not terminate Kiffin and pay him the two years and approximately $4 million remaining on his contract.

Those who know Kiffin insist there is no way that the Raiders coach will resign and forego the money that is owed to him.

Thus, the standoff that has gone on throughout the past month is expected to continue and the feeling is that Kiffin will return to coach the Raiders. Of course, that’s the feeling of many who are close to the situation.

What actually ensues could be different. But there does seem to be agreement that neither side is willing to walk away from the money.

Schefter-NFL.com...

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Smoke And Fire In Oakland

Monday, 28 January 2008

Written by Paul Kotch

ProFootballNet.com

What would an off-season be without rumors regarding the status of the Raiders' annual head coach swirling around Alameda?

A Quick Recap - Davis reluctantly allowed Lane Kiffin to deal Randy Moss to the Patriots, and now winces when he sees the obscene numbers that Moss has posted in New England.

Davis' expectations were higher than 4-12, and felt that the rumors that had Kiffin taking the head coaching job in Arkansas were a clear cut sign of disloyalty ( it was the "Raiders' coach to defect to Notre Dame" rumors that signaled the beginning of the end for Jon Gruden's career in Oakland).

Finally, an apparent difference in opinion regarding Raiders' defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, with Kiffin wanting to move in another direction, and Davis insisting that Ryan stay.

Kiffin has publicly denied a rift with Ryan, and said that he hopes to be coaching the Raiders in 2008. Raiders' brass has bluntly denied any and all rumors regarding a purported letter of resignation drafted by Davis for Kiffin to sign....

but there is smoke in Oakland, and bound to be fire.

Dennis Green has been rumored to be a candidate to replace Kiffin once a settlement is reached. James Lofton - who has interviewed with Davis in the past regarding a head coaching vacancy, is scheduled to interview on Monday. Keep an eye on Al Saunders, the former Washington Redskins' and Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator who has also met with Davis in the past regarding the head coaching position in Oakland.

Davis could end this swiftly with a public vote of confidence for his young head coach - his silence speaks volumes.

While I've often disagreed with many of Davis' decisions, I always appreciated his unique approach. Love him or hate him, Davis has done much for the league, starting with the AFL-NFL merger. Dating back to the 60's and through the 80's, Davis truly had a gift for taking players off of the scrap heap and getting productivity out of them - enough productivity to win three world championships.

Davis does it his way.

But his ego has exceeded his passion to win. He proved this with his handling of the Jon Gruden situation. Gruden picked Davis' football team off of the ground, dusted them off, and turned them into a respected, and feared franchise...

and when Gruden's face became the face of the Raiders, Davis pulled the trigger.

Davis is extremely intelligent, he knows what instability does to a football team, he is well aware of the agony he is putting his players through, as they learn system after system, year after year, with the same result.

There were obvious signs of improvement in the Raiders this year - a successful running attack. an increase in points-scored-per-game, etc. Improvements despite a glaring lack of stability at quarterback, and a patchwork front four with no run stuffing tackles in sight. To take a franchise that has hit rock bottom, and build it up for success over the long haul, improvement comes in slow, steady, deliberate steps - especially between year one and year two of a new program.

How can Davis put his players and fans - among the greatest sports fans in the world - through this year after year? With every passing off-season, he somehow makes the NFL head coaches' most undesirable position less attractive. His ego has exceeded "Just Win, Baby". It has become more important for Davis to impose his will upon his people than it has for his football team to win championships, and his players and fans continue to suffer the painful consequences.

And most in Raider Nation will defend him to the end. They will criticize me for posting this column, profess their undying loyalty to Davis, and endure their pain in silence. If I were down in a foxhole with bullets flying overhead, give me the boys in the Black Hole.

If Davis wants to "Just Win, Baby", he should give his coach a public vote of confidence, and look towards free agency and the NFL draft to shore up a porous run defense and give his young quarterback some weapons to help him in the transition from the NCAA to the NFL. Then - and only then - will his football team cease to be the laughingstock of the league.

With every annual circus in Oakland, Davis' past accomplishments gather more dust, and his players and fans continue to pay a hefty price

 

[BustedKnuckles]

So far, NFL remains idle as Raiders owner runs amok

Contra Costa Times

Article Launched: 01/28/2008 02:58:30 AM PST

THE CLEVER MAVERICK was charming and cunning, crafty at hiding his weaknesses but better at finding and exploiting yours. He was the kingpin of sports.

Al Davis disregarded all, taking what he desired, because nothing was more important than wielding power.

It's a gangster mentality.

But even the mightiest gangster can lose his way, and at age 78 Al is acting out like a shark lost in the desert. Disoriented, weakened, in dire need of rescue but summarily rejecting it while attacking without impunity.

Coming after the curious rehire of Tom Walsh, the blaming of Art Shell for not drafting Matt Leinart, the JaMarcus Russell contract fiasco, the bizarre Rob Ryan turnaround and the odd dispatching of the owner's son to investigate the possibility of a stadium at Camp Parks in Dublin, this preposterous game of chicken with coach Lane Kiffin is Al's latest and nuttiest turn.

How long will the NFL remain silent witness to such disorder and dysfunction from one of its members?

The league has stepped in to provide support or advice for owners, even going so far as to make specific requests. It has in recent years imposed on Mike Brown in Cincinnati and Bill Bidwell in Arizona. It is there now for Atlanta's Arthur Blank.

Given the state of the Raiders, the biggest national joke out of Oakland since Ebonics, it's time the league ponders its options.

Surely Al's transparent megalomania, which compels him to banish or punish all but the most shameless minions,

has led to concerns in the league office about his capacity to properly and sanely run a franchise.

One NFL source, who has worked closely with the Raiders and other teams, implies the league might not be able to force its will on an organization but is savvy enough to find ways to address problem owners and franchises.

Which, he says, happened with the Cardinals. Bidwell, notoriously cheap, made little pretense of competing, staying well under the salary cap and pocketing the additional revenue.

This annoyed other owners, notably Dallas' Jerry Jones and New England's Bob Kraft. As they sweated to massage the cap and maintain quality teams, Bidwell sat on his butt and got an equal share of the revenue they produced.

Pressure to correct this imbalance resulted in a salary floor, requiring teams to spend a minimum percentage of the cap, as part of the new collective bargaining agreement.

Insofar as Bidwell's son, Michael, already had generated enough momentum to construct a new stadium -- which this week hosts the first of what shall be many Super Bowls in Arizona -- Bidwell was nudged into the 21st century.

The value of the product is raised. Everybody wins.

Why not, then, take a closer look at the Raiders?

Fans, by the thousands, are being turned off; the vast majority I know or hear from are fed up. They see a Kiffin being toyed with and the threat of Russell being ruined. Many promise not to spend another cent on their favorite team. At this rate, the Raiders are inviting blackouts of home games.

While some owners don't mind if Al torpedoes his chances to win, messing with the overall profits is another matter. And the Raiders are, as one source puts it, positioning themselves to get their general share, without directly contributing.

"It wouldn't be unfair," the source said, "for an owner to ask a simple question: 'Why are they entitled to run things so poorly and still get 1/32nd of the revenue?'"

But there's additional incentive for the league to act.

Team employees are growing increasingly stressed and demoralized. One ex-employee describes her departure two years ago as "an escape." Another says he remained for nearly a decade, leaving after the 2006 season, largely because he enjoyed the status of being associated with an NFL team.

"Things were not the same after (senior executive) Bruce Allen left," he says of the man who was the NFL's executive of the year in 2002 and left for Tampa Bay a year later. "It went downhill from there. It's terrible."

Raiders alumni, once among the proudest groups in the NFL, have become scarce. Much of this is fallout from Al dismissing Shell without the slightest sign of holding himself accountable. Some former Raiders feel alienated, while others simply don't want to watch Davis, someone they admire, destroy himself and his surroundings.

Al's become a gangster gone mad, blind to the purpose of winning, snapping at shadows.

Because it's Al and the Raiders -- and because it's Oakland -- many in the NFL office may cackle over the raging self-destruction within the franchise most describe as, um, unique.

But money is not to be messed with.

"Consider this," says a third former Raiders employee. "The league wants to put a team in L. A., but they wouldn't dare do it while Al is still running a franchise.

"So they might not do anything. They might just stand by, let it blow up and move in. That might give them an opening to take the team out."

 

[IM666]

So far, NFL remains idle as Raiders owner runs amokContra Costa TimesArticle Launched: 01/28/2008 02:58:30 AM PST..."So they might not do anything. They might just stand by, let it blow up and move in. That might give them an opening to take the team out."

Reading this, I kept imagining Nicky Santoro from Casino. A guy that had all the power and control, used it at his discretion, was successful, but ultimately it went to his head and was his downfall. I'm not saying Al Davis should be unceremoniously beaten and buried in a cornfield. But I can hear Jerry Jones and Kraft saying "Al, you're ####### with the skim, that's not good." Thanks for the article.

 

[Autumn Wind]

Team re-signs Fargas - http://www.raiders.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=38360.

Contract terms not available yet.

 

[SSOG]

The next time the Raiders reload, someone should tell them not to use blanks.

 

[Autumn Wind]

The next time the Raiders reload, someone should tell them not to use blanks.

Brilliant.

 

[FUBAR]

The next time the Raiders reload, someone should tell them not to use blanks.

Brilliant.

7.5would have been a 10 if referring to the Falcons

 

[Sabertooth]

The Raiders are somewhat of a joke right now. But is Al Davis really all that different now than in the 2001 "Tuck Rule" season or the 2002 Super Bowl run? Seriously, these Op-Ed pieces are a little bit

Al runs it his way, there is none of Bidwell's aversion to winning. He is trying. He is an owner in the NFL. He's not some wet behind the ears owner either, he's been with the Raiders since the Kennedy Administration. Longer than Craft and Jones combined.

Look at teams like Cincinatti that hasn't been squat since Boomer Esiason despite their "guru" and "studs."

Plus the Raiders have hands down the best uniforms in all of sports.

 

[Bizkiteer]

allow me be the first to (speculate) relay the moves that will get the Raiders on top.........dreams do come true!Fire Kiffin and bring in Denny Green as HC to orchestrate the offense. With him, he convinces Al to bring aboard a true dirfference-maker for which he (Green) has a great relationship with......that's right, L.Fitzgerald will be in Silver & Black next year!To make it happen, the Raiders part with the #4 selection for AZ to select McFadden, and the Raiders get Fitzgerald and #16 from the Cards. They resign Fargas, and unleash a caged beast (Michael Bush) on the NFL next season. At #16, Raiders acquire DeSean Jackson as the deep threat and fill the void in the middle of the D-line with (soon to be released) Shaun Rogers and incumbent Gerard Warren, who actually played fairly well for the Raiders this season. That's how you R-I-S-E from worst to 1st......Raider-style!

The dynasty feature in Madden is truly fun, isn't it?

 

[kremenull]

allow me be the first to (speculate) relay the moves that will get the Raiders on top.........dreams do come true!Fire Kiffin and bring in Denny Green as HC to orchestrate the offense. With him, he convinces Al to bring aboard a true dirfference-maker for which he (Green) has a great relationship with......that's right, L.Fitzgerald will be in Silver & Black next year!To make it happen, the Raiders part with the #4 selection for AZ to select McFadden, and the Raiders get Fitzgerald and #16 from the Cards. They resign Fargas, and unleash a caged beast (Michael Bush) on the NFL next season. At #16, Raiders acquire DeSean Jackson as the deep threat and fill the void in the middle of the D-line with (soon to be released) Shaun Rogers and incumbent Gerard Warren, who actually played fairly well for the Raiders this season. That's how you R-I-S-E from worst to 1st......Raider-style!

The dynasty feature in Madden is truly fun, isn't it?

The responses on this thread are entertaining.........But as I always say, the difference between winning and losing in the NFL is infinitessimal, i.e., very small. So we'll see who gets the last laugh here as the Raiders certainly are talented, and coached up enough, to make a championship run in the next couple of years.Welcome Sedrick Ellis to the Black Hole Baaaaaaby......a young W.Sapp........if we don't parly that #4 into Dallas 2 picks and a player or as stated previously, AZ superhero WR Fitz and some........I know my owners track record, he ALWAYS goes out and gets players........y'all hate on Al if you want, but the Raiders will be there to compete for the prize.....THIS YEAR!

 

[gman8343]

they re-signed Fargas, so I'd think they *probably* wouldn't be in the market for McFadden at this point.

 

[Jason Wood]

they re-signed Fargas, so I'd think they *probably* wouldn't be in the market for McFadden at this point.

There are some veteran RBs that would obfuscate the need to draft McFadden...Justin Fargas isn't among them.

 

[massraider]

they re-signed Fargas, so I'd think they *probably* wouldn't be in the market for McFadden at this point.

There are some veteran RBs that would obfuscate the need to draft McFadden...Justin Fargas isn't among them.

No he's not, but he's part of the reason. Others:Tom Cable and the zone blocking system, that turned a skinny kamikaze into a stud RB.The presence of Michael Bush. An unknown, but has talent.The availability of 3 d-linemen that can really help this team.If absolute disaster struck, and the Raiders lost the toss, and Long, Dorsey and Ellis went 1-2-3, then I think McFadden would be a possibility, but at that point, I'd be praying for a trade down.

 

[gman8343]

they re-signed Fargas, so I'd think they *probably* wouldn't be in the market for McFadden at this point.

There are some veteran RBs that would obfuscate the need to draft McFadden...Justin Fargas isn't among them.

All the Raiders starting RBs performed very well last season (Jordan prior to his injury, Fargas, even Rhodes late in the year), and Bush should be healthy to start the season. I do not think that's a position of desparate need for them. Even though Jordan will probably be cut, I think Fargas/Bush maybe Rhodes should be able to handle the load and they could spend their pick on a position of need. Of course if Al loves McFadden he could take him, and I've seen plenty of mocks where the Raiders nab him, but IMO it'd be a mistake.

 

[Jason Wood]

they re-signed Fargas, so I'd think they *probably* wouldn't be in the market for McFadden at this point.

There are some veteran RBs that would obfuscate the need to draft McFadden...Justin Fargas isn't among them.

No he's not, but he's part of the reason. Others:Tom Cable and the zone blocking system, that turned a skinny kamikaze into a stud RB.The presence of Michael Bush. An unknown, but has talent.The availability of 3 d-linemen that can really help this team.If absolute disaster struck, and the Raiders lost the toss, and Long, Dorsey and Ellis went 1-2-3, then I think McFadden would be a possibility, but at that point, I'd be praying for a trade down.

Don't misconstrue what I'm saying. I think there are plenty of reasons why Oakland shouldn't draft McFadden; I just don't think the signing of Justin Fargas is one of them.

 

[Bizkiteer]

allow me be the first to (speculate) relay the moves that will get the Raiders on top.........dreams do come true!Fire Kiffin and bring in Denny Green as HC to orchestrate the offense. With him, he convinces Al to bring aboard a true dirfference-maker for which he (Green) has a great relationship with......that's right, L.Fitzgerald will be in Silver & Black next year!To make it happen, the Raiders part with the #4 selection for AZ to select McFadden, and the Raiders get Fitzgerald and #16 from the Cards. They resign Fargas, and unleash a caged beast (Michael Bush) on the NFL next season. At #16, Raiders acquire DeSean Jackson as the deep threat and fill the void in the middle of the D-line with (soon to be released) Shaun Rogers and incumbent Gerard Warren, who actually played fairly well for the Raiders this season. That's how you R-I-S-E from worst to 1st......Raider-style!

The dynasty feature in Madden is truly fun, isn't it?

The responses on this thread are entertaining.........But as I always say, the difference between winning and losing in the NFL is infinitessimal, i.e., very small. So we'll see who gets the last laugh here as the Raiders certainly are talented, and coached up enough, to make a championship run in the next couple of years.Welcome Sedrick Ellis to the Black Hole Baaaaaaby......a young W.Sapp........if we don't parly that #4 into Dallas 2 picks and a player or as stated previously, AZ superhero WR Fitz and some........I know my owners track record, he ALWAYS goes out and gets players........y'all hate on Al if you want, but the Raiders will be there to compete for the prize.....THIS YEAR!

As terrible as the Raidahs were two years ago, I was impressed with them this past year. I don't think that they are too far off, but it surely isn't as easy as you have listed at first and especially when it comes to acquiring HIGH priced players.Also, most DT's that are drafted....take at least 2 years to start producing. So, great if they get Ellis...just don't expect his contribution to make an impact...as you put it.....THIS YEAR!

 

[Bizkiteer]

they re-signed Fargas, so I'd think they *probably* wouldn't be in the market for McFadden at this point.

There are some veteran RBs that would obfuscate the need to draft McFadden...Justin Fargas isn't among them.

This is Football or Fantasy Football we're talking about, right? Just because it's your dictionary word for the day doesn't mean you're allowed to use it in Football or FF dialogue. Sheesh! :(

 

[Chaos Commish]

10 reasons to -- Fire Lane Kiffin right now

An interesting take. As much as I'd like to see continuity there this thing is so dysfunctional old Al may as well try starting over again again.

 

[FavreCo]

This is how bad the Raiders are. For the 1st time in 16 years of FFL play, I not only won't have a Raider on my team but I don't want a Raider on my team. I even had to inform Ronald Curry that I was keeping Drew Bennett over him as my #6 WR. Not because of ability but because he has no viable QB as Ron is pushing 30 and won't be around if Russell does develop. He totally understood.

 

[massraider]

For a team shrouded in secrecy, there sure are a lot of people that seem to know the inner workings of the Raiders.

I kind of guess I understand what this guy is saying, but 10 reasons? And one of them is, "Kiffin would have to discuss draft picks he didn't make"? If you buy the assumption he makes, that Kiffin is gone before next season, then the sooner is better. And that's really the only reason you need.

The longer it takes, tho, the more likely that Kiffin isn't going anywhere.

The only hope this team has for success with Al around is coaching continuity. For two reasons:

1. They have a franchise QB they need to develop, and playing in the same system is vital. A stud QB can turn a bad franchise good. But he can't have a different HC every year.

2. Even if Kiff leaves eventually, the Raiders need to show other coaches that the HC gig isn't a wasteland. They will never get a decent coach if they are bouncing them every other year.

Kiffin at least showed he wasn't intimidated by the pro game, he made a lot of great hires, and the team played better than they had in a long while. I am not ready to suggest he's gonna be a good pro coach, but he hasn't shown that he's gonna be a bad one. I'll take my small victories where I can. He certainly never did anything that I am aware of to put his job in jeopardy.

If Al does fire him before the 2008 season starts, I'll pretty much just join the Al Davis death watch, and pray his kids are more sane.

I am still hoping the old dog learns new tricks, and lets the kid play with his toy.

 

[One]

This is how bad the Raiders are. For the 1st time in 16 years of FFL play, I not only won't have a Raider on my team but I don't want a Raider on my team. I even had to inform Ronald Curry that I was keeping Drew Bennett over him as my #6 WR. Not because of ability but because he has no viable QB as Ron is pushing 30 and won't be around if Russell does develop. He totally understood.

No one cares.

 

[FavreCo]

This is how bad the Raiders are. For the 1st time in 16 years of FFL play, I not only won't have a Raider on my team but I don't want a Raider on my team. I even had to inform Ronald Curry that I was keeping Drew Bennett over him as my #6 WR. Not because of ability but because he has no viable QB as Ron is pushing 30 and won't be around if Russell does develop. He totally understood.

No one cares.

Sure you do.

 

[kremenull]

10 reasons to -- Fire Lane Kiffin right now

An interesting take. As much as I'd like to see continuity there this thing is so dysfunctional old Al may as well try starting over again again.

I actually thought the responses were better than the (rumor-spreading) column......especially by Silver-N-BLack666