After watching that debacle of a Thanksgiving game, I found myself scrounging through box scores and highlight videos trying to find some ray of hope.

Other than DHB finally getting a touchdown catch, there wasn't much about the offense I was overly happy about. Play-calling is still questionable as Cable still seems to not want to utilize this running game. Yes it was inconsistent, but it worked better than that horrid pass attack.

But then I saw that which shows that this season was not a loss.

Our defense gave up big plays, but the defense (primarily the younger guys) played hard from start to finish. They had their low-point, but they never seemed completely demoralized at any point in the game. In a game like this where the offense was in a sheer tailspin and the D was being carved for several big plays, I've been so used to seeing the team just flat-out quit.

This defense had energy and had some promising moments, as it has all year. Though buried by some bad plays, this young defense has been getting slowly better as the year has gone on.

So just what can the Raiders do to get this D over the hump? Read on to find out.

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Well it seems more and more that Gradkowski might be starting next week. Russell got benched again and Gradkowski came in and led us on what would have been a game-winning 2:00 minute drill if only DHB didn't create an interception on a pass he should have caught in the red zone.

 If Gradkowski is starting, you know Cable wouldn't be doing it unless..........Davis might be wanting him to? If Al didn't want Grad starting, you bet that he'd make sure it didn't happen. Could Al finally be seeing that Russell isn't the future of this team? It's clear from the post-game interview with Gradkowski that he already is a better leader and is definitely a better QB.

 So what of QB options after this season? Next year is uncapped after all so Russell can be cut without cap ramifications leaving Davis plenty of dollars to throw at a newer shinier QB. I've done a post on this before yes, but let's take a look at some other QB choices.

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After a tough defeat to the Thunder where we had Parker and Duncan back, my mind began to wonder about what might be wrong with our lineup.

Now I'm not on the "Bench Parker and Duncan" wagon yet, but you have to wonder how we went from locking down a Mavs team loaded with offensive talent like Marion, Howard, Terry, and Nowitzki; to getting aced by the Fighting Durants.

Yes there was a lot of bad calls (9 Durant free throws in only the first few minutes), but there was definitely some problems with the way we played. Yes we had some good defense going early on and we forcing high 30's to low 40's in shooting percentage, but we weren't much better. While the Thunder were throwing all their defensive aces at us, we should have been able to get something going on offense.

Ginobili was suffocated to the sound of 0-8 from the field, Dyess had no offense game for most of the game, and Parker was on lockdown in the first half. But the most startling stat of all?

4 points for Richard Jefferson. The same RJ who dropped 29 on the Mavs just one game earlier. The same RJ who was supposed to come in here and be "our fourth star". Only in two games has he impressed me, and those were the two that Duncan and parker were out. Is it just a manner of there being too many stars on the court? That can't be it if Wallace is getting good numbers in Boston where there's arguably four stars already on the court (I don't count Rondo as a star but many do)

Perhaps.............it's his position. Yes he was brought in to be that great offensive SF we'd been lacking for so long. But let's face it, he's not getting much offense from the SF spot. But from the Power Forward slot, he drops 29. So is there perhaps a way we could get some sort of lineup where Jefferson can play PF but the team wouldn't be missing anything from the SF spot and still be good on D?

Indeed I do believe there is.

C: While this move will spark some controversy on here, the center spot would belong to Duncan. His home is PF I know that, but he's played a lot of center in the past (mainly last year) and he can still keep his low post spot while Jefferson spreads the court with his athleticism and mid-range shooting touch.

PF: Jefferson obviously. I think his problem with SF is that in the scheme he's forced to stick to the perimeter, which completely misuses his best quality. His elite speed. Speed that catches the opponent off-guard and allows him to get the great penetration we saw versus the Mavs. Dare I say, it is Ginobili-esque. However, going from the three-point line all the way to the rim gives the defense more time to react and cut him off forcing a difficult shot or forcing him to pass.

From the Power Forward spot, he's closer to the rim, can penetrate faster, take the D off guard, and get better mid-range shot opportunities.

SF: Yet another move of controversy, but why not put Bonner at SF? He already struggles with close-range shots and layups (though we are seeing some definite improvement). His home is the 3-point line, aka the perimeter from which he would be based. And with his size versus opposing SF's, he might be able to muscle his way close to the rim for the occasional non-3.

SG: Though Manu will obviously get the most time here, I'd like to see Bogans and Hill get a nice split at this spot when Gino isn't on the floor. Both are defensive experts, with Bogans being the better of the two in my book, and Hill can bring offense to the spot for when Ginobili takes a breather. It's really just based on the situation as to when either plays. Trying to protect a lead or limit the opponent from extending a lead, play Bogans. Trying to keep offensive momentum with Ginobili going to sit, play Hill.

PG: Obviously this is Parker's spot and Hill will be the primary backup and Mason should never ever set foot on the court.

Now then, for all you defensive fans who say that Bonner playing the athletic SF's of the league and Jefferson at a size disadvantage, fret not. Have Bonner play the big men and Jefferson keep defending small forwards. Just make sure that Jefferson and Bonner are in their correct spots on offense.

As for when Jefferson would go the bench for a rest, have Duncan return to the PF slot, Finley go in at SF, and Bonner or whoever else play C. If Bonner needs to sit before Jefferson swaps out, Finley would then be charged with SF. The one major flaw to the plan I suppose, but Finley still has some good D and his shot isn't all that bad.

Your all's thoughts?

Two reasons I'm doing this:

1. I'm bored with my Raiders and my Vikings both not playing today.

2. Because I love spreading my musical wonderment on here.

So without further ado, my soundtrack to the Portland game:

Spirit Crusher by Death

Reason why: This game crushed my spirit. I didn't expect a win, but I also didn't expect to lose by that vast a margin.

Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar

Reason why: Seems pretty obvious. The game broke my heart. Plus I'll use any excuse to listen to Pat's magical voice.

That's Life by Frank Sinatra

Reason why: The Spurs kept picking themselves up to get back in the race. But when nothing was shaking, they rolled up in a big ball and died. (that goes with the lyrics to the song)

Scream by Misfits

Reason why: Cause I needed a song to rock out my frustrations to. What better than the greatest punk rock band ever?

Pretty Fly for a White Guy by The Offspring

Reason why: I needed a good laugh, this song definitely delivers.

Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue

Reason why: Because the Spurs return to home sweet homecourt for three games, where hopefully we can get our swagger back with Parker out.

We're Gonna Miss you Carla by Scrubs

Reason why: Cause this summarizes my feelings towards Parker being absent. Just replace Carla with Parker and long year with a week. Every other lyric is perfect though.

I'm Dominican by Scrubs

Reason why: Reminds me of this big back-and-forth I had with a friend during the game who insisted Manu Ginobili was Spanish. I said the words "for the last time he's Argentinian" in the exact same way Carla says "for the last time I'm Dominican" and my friends and I started laughing at that.

Guy Love by Scrubs

Reason why: Explains my man crush on Manu. Plus I now have Scrubs on the brain.

Okay, I think that's enough epic music for one day. I leave you with a pic that depicts what our defense needs to do to the Raptors tomorrow.

via static.tvguide.com

Think of it as an overly buff Manu......with a very well defined and surprisingly rugged 5 o' clock shadow.

I apologize if i accidentally say that which has already been stated, but these are things I feel I must speak of.

First off, it's a great sign of what may be to come when the Spurs beat a better team than the Lakers beat on their opening night, and by a far better margin. And we didn't even have a ring ceremony for some extra momentum. (and by ring ceremony I mean Kobe high-fiveing old Lakers for about 30 minutes)

Second off, I can't see the Hornets meeting anybody's expectations. From what I saw, they look like they might not even make playoffs. Without Chris Paul they're nothing. Of course i may be getting ahead of myself, after all it's only game 1. But I think we could see the Suns or Thunder taking their spot in the playoffs.

For those who said Finley's got nothing left, I say ha! 10 points in 21 minutes including 2 of 4 from 3-point range. Finely deserves his starting spot, especially after a very iffy performance by Mason. Plus he's also got the versatility to play the 2 and 3 spots and some savvy defense. Though not flashy whatsoever, Finley is solid and looks like he could be a key player and depth guy this year.

Blair is a beast, we all know that, but Duncan's starting to fall off the map. 9 and 12, no blocks, very un-Duncanlike numbers. He didn't show much on defense either but he was solid enough. Perhaps it's just because the year's only started, maybe it's his knee, I don't know. But whatever it is, it scares me.

Final Thoughts:

Manu is back, though is shooting stroke is still sloppy and inconsistent. Look forward to seeing him back into form throughout the year.

TP is like god now. Like god. We all know that title still belongs to Manu.

RJ was disappointing, but he seems a little uneasy when he's out there shooting, hurried. I'm sure he'll gte a lot better as the year goes on.

I'm so stoked that McDyess has turned out to be the player that I've wanted in San Antonio for years. Very nice shooting stroke, great D, he is who I thought he was. I like him much better than Rasheed.

Thanks for readin ya'll.

I figure since the season has died, been gutted, flushed down the drain, then eaten by a sewer gator, i may as well get into speculation as to what the 2010 offseason should be for the Raiders.

Three plans come to mind for what Oakland should do and could realistically do:

• Start from the ground up again. Bring in a new rookie QB and trade away a lot of the talent for as many draft picks as possible. Sort of like how KC, Cincy, and Denver have rebuilt.
• Build the team to accommodate Russell's ineptitude to possibly salvage him. The most likely scenario though the least preferred by me. Receiver can't be drafted with so many young guys trying to develop, so look for the lines to be rebuilt. This is only a bad scenario because Russell still starts.
• A combination of one and two. Trade some guys for draft picks but not all of our talent. New QB and attempts at rebuilding the lines.

Ahead is what I think should be done with in realistic boundaries for Al Davis.

WARNING: IF YOU DON'T LIKE "RUSSELL BASHING" THIS IS NOT THE POST FOR YOU

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In last week's post I was 7-7. I guess i was looking for upsets in all the wrong places. But this week I look to improve from a lowly 7-7 and hope to give you guys some more tips on who to start in your fantasy leagues and who to maybe pick in Pigskin Pick Em' on ESPN.

Read on to see who I have winning the marquee matchups such as Minnesota versus Pittsburgh, Bengals versus Bears, Falcons versus Cowboys, and even the Monday night match of Philly versus Washington.

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I remember doing predictions and stuff for Week 1 action on Sunday before the Raiders-Chargers Monday Night match, and I'm back to do it again.

Read ahead for who I have winning the big matchups like Baltimore vs. Minnesota and the Giants versus the Saints. Plus who I think will have big games and who you might want starting on your fantasy football teams.

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For those of you who read a rather popular post of mine titled "My Thoughts on What the Raiders Need to do Next," I must inform you, I held back on my rantings and ravings. Now why did I hold back?

1. I hoped that maybe I was just being harsh and impatient and that we would see the same Raiders team we saw against San Diego.
2. I figured that much of our offensive woes could be worked on since we were playing the worst defense in the league

But when we lose 29-6 to the WORST DEFENSE IN THE ENTIRE NFL and only manage 165 TOTAL NET YARDAGE, I had to physically strain to keep from vomiting in astonishment and I swear that's not a joke. And I stumbled about in sheer awe questioning, what happened to the team we witnessed in Week 1 that nearly defeated the head-honcho of the division and is there anything that can bring that team back from the grave?

Below is my three-step plan for how to bring this abomination called an offense back from the grave.

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Inspired by a comment I made with mikesd in my previous article that stated how it seems like a few of us regulars really know each other really well, I've decided to post a thread for us to get to know each other a little better on here.

For me, Silver and Black Pride has really had a community feel to it. A group of tight-knit fans. But we've really had a surge in membership on here and a lot of new usernames and default pics have been showing up in comments these days.

So to help us learn more about you new guys, or just for us S&BP vets to better learn about each other, type a summary of who you are, where you're from, your favorite thing about being a fan, a bio if you will.

Read on to learn a little bit about me to help you get your bio organized.

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