Going from the neighborhood to becoming a millionaire has proved to not be an easy thing to do. However, becoming a millionaire in the NFL is a different thing. The league offers programs and mentor's to rookies entering the NFL. Most have watched plenty of examples of what NOT to do if and/or when they get their opportunity to play Football on the Worlds largest stage. Yet season after season young players find themselves in trouble for NOT using common sense.

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     After watching the Raiders play the Bears there are all types of issues I can point out, however, it won't be necessary.  This post has more to do about the outcome of the game than how we got there.  The Raiders are winning games they play poorly in.  That is the primary point of focus.  Of course, our D Coordinator did it again in the 4th Quarter with his schemes, yet, it doesn't matter...We all know tape will be reviewed and adjustments made.

      When the Raiders acquired Carson Palmer it was a turning point for our franchise.  Palmer has the tools at QB to lead the Raiders to Super Bowl victories.  Right now the Raiders are banged up, hopefully over the next few weeks we will begin to rebuild from within, meaning our starters coming back healthy.  The fantastic thing about all this is the Raiders are winning with the players on the field, to win championships that is what you have to do.     

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After the loss to Denver I wrote a post "Raiders Lose...However, there is NO Need to Panic" With that said, I knew what many doubted.... The Raiders are the best football team in the AFC West....With losses to KC & Denver, the Raiders beat the San Diego Chargers in their house for sole possession of first place in the AFC West.  The defense showed up tonight and played hard, Lito Sheppard had a solid game, and our D Line played hard all game long.  Carson Palmer is getting more comfortable and the Raiders are well on their way to being AFC West Champions.

There was NO need to Panic!! The Raiders Football players were seething after the Broncos game, every player on the Raiders team wanted to play the next game. Why, because they all knew they should of whipped the Broncos, they were upset and embarrassed.  The Raiders are playing with more at stake than just wins and losses, they just loss Coach Al Davis.  Now I will say this again, The Oakland Raiders are the best football team in the AFC West without question. 

Defensively with all the turnovers in the second half the D did NOT quit, they played every down.  Our second unit really proved they can play, they stepped it up and got the job done.   Lito and Stanford did an outstanding job tonight on the corners and the D Line, 6 sacks and all kinds of pressure stayed the course 4 quarters.. 

For those that have been hard on Carson Palmer, get over it, he is the truth, and you will see improvement every game.  Carson Palmer did an outstanding job against the Chargers and considering he had No Camp, No Organized Off Season activities, No team anything and showed up in Oakland was handed a playbook with the equivalent of a foreign language in it, and was told you are our starter, he has done nothing less than killed it.  Can you now begin to see the Football team the Raiders really are? 

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     The Raiders lost a game they surely should have won and most importantly Carson Palmer and the other Raider players know that.  As Richard Seymour put it  “We knew exactly what was going to happen, and they ran exactly what we thought they were going to run and we didn’t get the job done. That’s the disappointing part.”  The Raiders basically collasped Defensively in the second half and I expect to see a renewed focus and effort defensely the remainder of the season. 

     Carson Palmer as we all know is a work in progress, his 3 interceptions in this game changed the momentum and gave the Donkeys freebies you just can't give up and expect to win.   Expect Carson to improve next game against the Chargers.  The Raiders wanted this one back, this is a game that exposed something we have all known, the Raiders must play more disciplined football to win the division.  The penalties, the interceptions, defensive players out of position, the missed tackles, the Raider players got a wake up call against the Donkeys, now its time to pay attention to the details and execute on the field for the Raiders..

     Expect to see the Raiders play harder the rest of the season, we have a short week then meet San Diego, at this point we must win our divisional games, and this has NOW become the most important game this season, with losses to KC and Denver this is a must win for the Raiders.  4-4 with 8 games left means we must play our best football to make the playoffs.

     I am a believer in what our team can do, now it is time for the Raiders to make their move if we are to go to the playoffs.  We have the talent to compete with any team in the league if our guys execute, that is the key.  With that said, any thoughts on our next game, especially from our football guys...

Raider Nation many of us have poored our hearts out about the loss of our great leader Mr. Al Davis.  As we all agree, he was an exceptional person that built a great organization.  And in the tradition of the great Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders are now completely focused on the business at hand, Winning!!!  Sons-of-Blanda posted a blog called "Just Dominate Baby" this post was in the spirit of the Raiders' rich tradition. 

The Raiders acquired Aaron Curry, Terrelle Pryor is practicing and the Raiders have their game faces on for Cleveland.  I consider this one of the most important seasons in Raiders history.  This is the year we must do what is necessary to turn it around and this is the last team Al Davis will ever build.  I have been a harse critic of DHB and to see him finally getting his game is outstanding to me, he now is actually running routes that free him...I expect this to be a breakout year finally, there is nothing like confidence.  D. McFad is being the running back we know he is, C-Chill is finally in the rotation, and Hagan, and Moore's addition to the receiving Corp has strengthen our Offense.  The O Line is coming together and giving Jason Campbell time.

As a team I know we need work defensively, however, the Raiders have moved to improve Defensively with the addition of Curry.  The Raiders are back to business and as Hue put it, he is building a Bully.. And Bullies "DOMINATE".

We have many knowledgable Raider fans that actually know Football here in Silver and Black Pride, and that is why our blog is by far the best...Any thoughts on the overall mindset of the Raiders Football team now, in my opinion I see a Raiders team that is focused on being successful...Go Raiders!!!

Cam Newton broke Peyton Manning's all time record for yards in a rookie debut today.  Like Terrelle Pryor, Cam Newton came from a less than conventional Offense, yet many doubted his ability to even play QB in the the NFL...Sound familiar?  Well, it does to me, when a QB doesn't come from a more conventional pro set college offense their ability to play in the NFL is questioned.  Terrelle Pryor, a player I watched consistently for two years at Ohio State is going to be an Outstanding NFL QB...And once be begins to practice daily it won't be long before he is ready to get on the field.. I am Not suggesting we throw him out there, I believe Jason Campbell will do well if we block for him, I am just making the point that Cam Newton just proved you cannot listen to the skeptics when a player has the overall talent that both Cam Newton and Terrelle Pryor possess.  Both are destined to do great things in this league...Al Davis again made a great decision in using our 3rd pick in the supplemental draft to acquire Pryor as our QB of the future....

1.  Sign Leonard Davis, OL to play guard, 2. Resign Langston Walker, to play Guard as well, move Bruce Campbell to Right Tackle now, and 3. Bench Tyvon Branch for Mike Mitchell asap...Here is my reasoning, Davis and Walker are big bodies and we need to protect our QB and unlease our potent running attack...These two guys will help us do just that, I have never been a big Walker fan at Tackle, however, at Guard I believe he could thrive and he has played there for us before.  Khalif Barnes has been nothing but a disappointment this preseason in my opinion, and we all knew Bruce Campbell was a beast athletically when we drafted him.  I think its time to put him at right tackle and let him work, he played tackle in college and has the physical attributes to play in the NFL at that position.  Considering Barnes performances we don't have anything to lose.  These changes will unlease our beast of a running game at the highest level!!!  We should have multiple thousand yard plus rushers on this team.

It is time to see the writing on the wall, Tyvon Branch can't cover, he doesn't hit and has NO respect by opposing offenses playing Safety, period!!!  Mike Mitchell was a Linebacker in college, he loves to Hit and will lay the wood, and he also covers better than Branch...I can care less about certain stats on Tyvon Branch, he showed no aptitude to cover this preseason just like last season and he just doesn't lay the wood.. Mitchell on the other hand does and even if he gets beat a time or two at least he has one of the two attributes needed to play safety effectively, he will knock you out of your cleats running across the middle and covers far better than Branch...lol

A couple of other notes.. DHB will bench himself this year and probably early, we now have far too much talent for our worst WR to start now.  I would love to see Wiz at Center with players like Davis and Walker on each side and Veldeer and Campbell on the outside, now that is Beef up front...  

Ray Guy had to sell his Super Bowl rings due to bankruptcy, albeit he played during a time of much lower incomes.  Scottie Pippin in tears after winning a 2 million dollar award to receive a refund of a deposit he put on a private jet, because he was broke.  Latrell Sprewell in financial trouble..And the list goes on...You may be fortunate to earn millions of dollars playing a game you have loved since 8 years old, however, you MUST NEVER but your money into the hands of others to manage and write your checks.  In the off season take the time to learn the best way to secure your future financially.  Write your own checks, pay your own bills.. Most can be paid online, thus you know exactly where your money is.  Don't be quick to invest, but be quick to vet those interest you have.  If you want to start a business, that's great, however, investigate those that are successful and those that failed so you can put the right systems in place to win.

To my fellow Raiders fans, I know we all have plenty of input on this subject as many of us work everyday and manage our incomes with far less than the income of a professional athlete.  Many of our favorite Raiders have been the victims of unscrupulous financial advisors or just mismanaged their money to the point of bankruptcy.  I expect to hear JaMarcus Russells name in the news in the next few years about his failure to manage his money.  I know this is not a topic that is focused on the game, however, it is on the players we support. 

I want every player to do well during and after the game.. And for my Raiders, I want nothing more than for each player that comes through Oakland to be successful during and after the game of football.  Afterall, once a real Raider always a Raider...

  If Terrelle Pryor has to sit 5 NFL games due to his suspension is it fair that Jim Tressel be given an opportunity to work for the Colts and begin getting paid from day one when the issues with Ohio State Football ultimately cost him his job?. 

Here's what we know:

1.  Ohio State players committed flagrant violations of NCAA rules. We're not talking about accidentally in the same room as a booster's son.  These were obvious, flagrant violations: the sale of autographs and memorabilia for hard cash.

2.  Jim Tressel learned about these activities not terribly long after they occurred.  He did not receive partial information, but rather was presented with the damning truth.  He knew what happened, and all of what happened.

3.  Upon learning what happened, Jim Tressel tried to brush the problem under the rug.  That is, rather than taking the issue to the athletics department and its compliance division, he took actions consistent with an administrator who assumed this could all be kept out of the public light.

4.  The transgressions did come to public light, and Jim Tressel was questioned about his knowledge of the incidents.  Jim Tressel lied, not only failing to disclose the actions he did take, but purporting not to have known about them at all.

5.  When email records made clear that Tressel did know about them, he had a second chance to come clean, but revised his story, stating that while he had heard about the allegations, he simply did not handle them exactly as he should have.

6.  Email records made clear that Tressel's subsequent story was also a lie.  He not only knew about the transgressions, but he did much more to try and keep them buried than he had let on in his first mea culpe.

     Well, it seems the Coach is as much a part of this mess as the players.  He had a choice, he could have did the right thing and notified the appropriate parties and exposed this mess when he first heard about it.  If Terrelle Pryor cannot participate until the fifth game, in my Opinion Jim Tressel should need to sit out as well.

The above info I did get from the OSU Jim Tressel blog..After further research it proved accurate.

The Patriots are considering offers for their 28th and 33rd picks. Should the Raiders deal? My answer is No for number 28, & yes for 33 under the right terms.

I believe the only player the Raiders would consider in the first round is Mike Pouncey.  I am hesitant to trade for the first round pick because of it's potential negative impact on the future, I don't think Mike Pouncey is worth giving up the future for.  However, I would consider a move to the first pick of the second round, number 33, if we were able give the Patriots our number 48 pick and a third or fourth round pick next year.  This will guarantee we get one of the best available lineman in the 2011 draft after Pouncey..Marcus Cannon comes to mind, and he could very well be gone by our 48th pick.

Any thoughts on if the Raiders should make a move or just stay put and work with what we have.   

As most of you know Hue Jackson was actually the wide receivers coach in Cincinnati from 2004 to 2006, so he and Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson already have a connection.  I believe this would be a great fit for both parties as the Raiders still need a few pieces to get over the hump in the AFC West after finishing a decent 2010 season.

Chad Johnson would not only give Al Davis a star attraction, but he would instantly become the Raiders best receiver. Given Johnson's route running and defensive attention, he would be able to open things for our other speedy receivers including Darrius Heyward-Bey, who is still trying to shake off the “potential bust” label.

Don't count Nnamdi Asomugha out yet, I believe Al Davis is setting up a scenario that will bring Nnamdi back to the Raiders, should that happen he would give Johnson incredible competition in practice and would increase Chad’s work ethic each and every day, especially on game days.  Chad Johnson is a workout warrior anyway and he doesn't like being stopped.  I believe he would be a great fit in Oakland...What do you think?

The Raiders may need to draft and sign even more offensive lineman than we anticipated with the issues surrounding Mario Henderson..I have already mentioned Marcus Cannon, G, TCU,  Lee Ziemba, OT, Auburn, Joseph Barksdale, OT, LSU, Kirkpatrick, C, TCU, in previous posts...In reality I know we may need to draft 4 players on the O Line it is the best way to build your team, however, I am sure many would look at other positions and scream NO!!!  lol...Well, if we don't really take a risk on our OL it will only cause us grief in the future..We need adequate blocking for now and in the future.  I also believe we will have an opportunity to sign some rookie free agents that can really help us.. D II players like Nick McDonald, OT, Grand Valley State, Sam Scott, LB, West Chester, Tony Washington, OT, Abilene Christian, Jared Veldheer, OT, HillsdaleCollege, all I believe have the talent to come in and help and most should either be 7throunders or free agent prospects, with the exception of Washington & Veldeer they could very well go earlier...Should we not draft that many lineman.  I know about character issues blah, blah, but these kids will begin understand that making that much money playing a kids game is a blessing, as more players are losing their careers behind foolish mistakes. If a player blows it with all the processes put in place to help guide them, it is on them.  I don't wish grief on anyone, however, I refuse to hate or baby sit any of these young men.  You will reap what you sow, and having a weapon in your possession legal or not can pose a problem for you in the wrong situation.  I hope things work out for Mario, however, we still have to field a team and my focus will always be on what can get us back to dominance, aforce to be dealt with year in and out while we are winning Super Bowls...Should the Raidersput an even more determine focus on the OL with Mario Henderson's current situation. Any thoughts and players we may be able to sign as rookie free agents that may fall under the radar?

The Raiders have always been a run, run, then deep strike kind of team...Understanding Al's love for the deep ball a experienced WR like Plaxico Burress may offer the solution that Al Davis is looking for.  A tall agressive receiver that loves to go deep.  At 6' 5" tall Plaxico would give the Raiders a much needed number 1 receiver and a great target for Jason Campbell.  Johnny Lee Higgins is the oldest WR on the Raiders roster at 27, and Plaxico Burress would add a well groomed veteren in the locker room to teach the youngsters a thing or two about the NFL.. Of course, Plaxico is not scheduled to be released until June or July, however, after doing time in prison I am confident he would join a team and consider it a blessing.  And to top if off, he would come cheap until he proved himself worthy in the NFL again.  Do you guys think Plaxico Burress should be a consideration for the Raiders?  My answer is yes!!!

With the 48th Pick Oakland selects OT/G Marcus Cannon, TCU. This guy is massive at 6'6", 350 pounds. Despite his size, he is very athletic and very versatile. He could play pretty much anywhere on the OL, except center. Drafting him would be good competition for Veldheer at LT, or he could just slide inside to LG. He played RT very well before switching over to LT his senior year. Because of his wide frame and size, he may be forced to play guard, which wouldn't be a problem. His TCU OL gave up less than a sack a game his senior year.

With the 81st Pick, the Oakland Raiders Select CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia.  Ras-I Dowling is coming off an injury and that will hurt his draft stock a bit, which is why he slips to Oakland in the third round.  He has very good size at 6'2", 200 pounds. He's fast and is able to run with the fastest wide outs.  He is good in run support. He's instinctive, knows when to jump a route and has good hands. Has fluid hips which is critical to be an outstanding CB,  great feet and balance. If anything, he just needs to get picked by a team that has good coaching. Think a HOF CB as his coach fits? If his draft stock climbs, I'd be more than happy taking him in the second round.

With the 112th Pick, Oakland Selects OC Jake Kirkpatrick, TCU.  I know a lot of people want to take Stefan Wisniewski to be the center, but I don't think he fits in a power scheme.  This guy, however, does.  He was the 2010 Rimington Trophy winner, given to the nation's top center. He is very underrated and he fits perfectly in the power blocking scheme.  Chemistry is very important on the OL and what better way to build or have that chemistry than to have former teammates right next to each other on the same line?  He and Marcus Cannon were part of an OL that gave up less than a sack a game. I know, I already said that for Marcus Cannon, but it doesn't hurt to say it again.

Oakland Selects with the 145th Pick, OLB/DE Chris Carter, Fresno State.  I know the last time Oakland drafted a LB from Fresno State it didn't turn out too good. Chris Carter is better than Sam Williams ever was. Carter played most, if not all, of the 2010 season with a cast on his left hand. Basically, he had one hand and a club. He's played DE for much of his collegiate career, but has the size to play OLB as well at 6'2", 240 pounds. He has solid speed. He can dominate games at times. Despite having one hand in a cast for much of the year, he still totaled 16.5 TFL, 11 sacks and four FFs.He was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Carter will likely go a round higher than this, but he could slip to the fifth round.

Oakland Uses the 176th Pick on FS/CB Marcus Gilchrist, Clemson. Most of the safeties on the Raiders roster are the SS type.  Michael Huff is really the only FS on the roster. This kid played both CB and FS at Clemson and has been reliable in the secondary. He has good speed and average size, 5'10", 195 lbs. He's active in run support and takes good angles against the run. He's also durable—he has not missed a game due to injury. Solid in man-to-man coverage. Not at bad selection with this pick.

With the 207th and last Pick, Oakland Selects QB TJ Yates, UNC.  I know, I know, most of you don’t think we should pick a QB, but look at this kid and I feel like we have to take a QB at some point in the draft. Better late than never as I mentioned in my last post..lol TJ Yates could easily be the most underrated player---not just QB, but player---in the entire draft, in my opinion. He was never exceptional, but he has been a great leader for his team. He has a quick release. He is accurate, his last three years has had a completion percentage of over 60 percent. His senior year, he threw for over 3,400 yards and 19 TDs vs. 9 INTs for a QB rating of 145.46. He completed 66.8 of his passes. Not bad numbers at all considering he was sacked 37 times as well. For college, that is a lot. He'd be a good QB to have sit for a couple of years to learn the offense.  And he’s used to getting sacked..lol

There are other players that can be considered at these draft points of course, now it’s time for us to discuss the options..My props to Jarrod Rollins, he is a Raider guru and this is his brain child.  Cannon, and Kirkpatrick are players I believe can come in and help now, Yates is someone that can sit behind J. Campbell and become his understudy while Grad is the actual number 2. I believe with the current roster and resigning some key free agents our late round draft order may be a gift in that the salary hit will be reasonable.  Thoughts Raiders.... 

     This years draft offers an interesting crop of young Quarterbacks, the Raiders and Al Davis seem to be content to go with Jason Campbell.  Cam Newton from Auburn is a lock at number 1 or 2, but there are several interesting prospects that will be available when the Raiders draft in the later rounds.  Below is a list of Quarterbacks invited to this years combine in Indianapolis, Should QB be a position we look at for the future with all the other needs we have?  And if so, any ideas on who the Raiders should consider at Quarterback if they are available in the later rounds....

Ryan Colburn | 6’3” | 220 pounds | Fresno State
Colburn played in 30 games over four years, completing 412 of 663 pass attempts for 5,334 yards, 42 TDs and 20 interceptions. In 2010, he completed 227 of 360 passes for 2,817 yards and 23 TDs. 

Andy Dalton | 6’3” | 220 pounds | Texas Christian
Dalton played in 50 games, completing 812 of 1,317 pass attempts for 10,314 yards, 71 TDs and 30 INTs. Dalton also rushed 413 times for 1,611 yards and 22 TDs. In 2010, he completed 209 of 316 passes for 2,857 yards, 27 TDs and only 6 INTs.

Pat Devlin | 6’4” | 220 pounds | Delaware
Devlin played in 25 games in two years with Delaware. He completed 481 of 728 attempts for 5,696 yards, 38 TDs and 12 INTs. In 2010, Devlin gained 3,032 yards passing on 261 completions with 3 interceptions. 

Nathan Enderle | 6’5” | 233 pounds | Idaho
In 46 games over four years, Enderle completed 779 of 1,427 passes for 10,084 yards, 74 TDs and 60 INTs. In 2010, he completed 271 of 478 passes for 3,314 yards, 22 TDs and 16 interceptions. 

Blaine Gabbert | 6’5” | 235 pounds | Missouri
Played in 31 games over three years and completed 568 of 933 passes for 6,822 yards, 40 TDs and 18 INTs. In 2010, Gabbert completed 301 of 475 passes for 3,186 yards, 16 TDs and 9 INTs. 

Jerrod Johnson | 6’5” | 245 pounds | Texas A&M
In 37 games with the Aggies, Johnson completed 650 of 1,109 passes for 8,011 yards, 67 TDs and 27 INTs. He also rushed 331 for 877 yards and 16 TDs. In 2010, Johnson completed 158 of 279 passes for 1,947 yards, 14 TDs and nine interceptions.

Colin Kaepernick | 6’6” | 225 pounds | Nevada
Kaepernick played in 51 games in four years, completing 740 of 1,271 passes for 10,098 yards, 82 TDs and 24 INTs. He also rushed 600 times for 4,112 yards and 59 TDs. In 2010, he completed 233 of 359 passes for 3,022 yards, 21 TDs and 8 INTs as well as rushed 173 times for 1,206 yards and 20 TDs.

Jake Locker | 6’3” | 230 pounds | Washington
In 40 games over four years at Washington, Locker completed 619 of 1,148 passing attempts for 7,639 yards, 53 TDs and 35 INTs. He also rushed 454 times for 1,939 yards and 29 TDs for the Huskies. In 2010, Locker rushed 114 times for 385 yards and six TDs and completed 184 passes for 2,265 yards, 17 TDs with nine INTs.

Ryan Mallett | 6’6” | 238 pounds | Arkansas
Played in 26 games for Arkansas after transferring from Michigan. In 37 career games, Mallett completed 552 of 955 passes for 8,385 yards, 69 TDs and 24 INTs. In 2010, he completed 226 passes for 32 TDs and 12 INTs.

Bob Sanders turns 30 this year, has played only nine games over the past three seasons.  However, he is a football player. When Sanders is on the field, he can be mentioned with some of the top safeties in the game. The Raiders need to do their homework on Sanders and see if he can provide an upgrade to our roster. However, I believe if Sanders is moved to Free Safety, he can have an impact in the middle of the field. We always talk about range with free safeties and Sanders can get outside the numbers and over the top of the deep vertical route schemes.  At free safety Sanders wouldn't be prone to so many injuries, and would add that fear factor to our defense, the question is his health.  If he could pass the Raiders team physical, do you see Sanders as a potential asset to our defense?