SB Nation User Blog: saint

Oakland Raider Quick Hits: He's Baaaack...Randy Hanson Is Back On Board

saint — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:51:02 -0000

In this undated file photo provided by the NFL, Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable, left, and defensive assistant Randy Hanson are shown. Hanson, who accused Cable of assault after a training camp scuffle, has returned to work in the team's personnel department. Says Cable, "Put em Up Put em UP!!!"(AP Photos/NFL, file)

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- That's right, Raider Nation, Randy Hanson has rejoined the team without Tom Cable's knowledge. Yes, the same Randy Hanson that claimed to be punched in the face by The Big Teddy Bear is back in the Alameda Complex.

Hanson will be working in personnel and is sure to cross paths with Tom Cable. Which, by the way, I would love to see. I wonder if Tom will pull off the old flinch move when he sees him. You know the one where you stick your hand out toward someone who is walking past you and then run your fingers through your hair. If they flinch, why wouldn't Hanson, then you get to give them two shots in the arm for flinching.

On a more serious nate. Why? I know that Al loves this guy, but, why after the biggest win in 7 seasons would you bring in a distraction? We all know that Al hates wasting money, but I don't think that the team needs this right now. Maybe IF he is the film rat that we've heard about, he could have been eased back into the fold in the off-season. Just Not now!

- It looks like losing three of the last four games has gotten to Randy Moss and Derrick Burgess. They showed up late for an 8AM meeting and were sent home by the Patriots. Wow, I never saw that coming, they were BOTH such model citizens around here!

I am so glad that Derrick isn't here anymore. He was a terrible distraction to the young guys. He was a two time Pro-Bowler who wanted more money and wasn't happy with not winning so he sat out "Injured" most of his final two seasons here. Good Riddance!

JC Penney Brings The Hall Of Fame Vote To The Fans: Van Heusen Fans Choice

saint — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:18:47 -0000

At the beginning of the season, JC Penney and the Hall of Fame teamed up to put the HOF vote to the fans. They asked, who else would be nominated for the HOF?

There are many Raiders on the list: Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Ray Guy, Tom Flores, Todd Christensen, Lester Hayes, Cliff Branch.

We all know that Jerry Rice and Emmit Smith are going in on the first ballot and I would love to see a Raider in the mix.

On the day that they announce the winners they will also reveal whom the fans chose. No, that person will not get in, BUT, we, the fans will have our voice heard.

So, go to the site and vote for the player you think should get in, for me, it is Jim Plunkett or Lester Hayes, it just has to be.

So far, 6 of the top 7 are Raiders and for too many years we lament NOT getting Ray Guy, Cliff Branch, Jim Plunkett and the rest in. This is our chance to make our voices heard!!!

Vote Here

This post is sponsored by JC Penney

Louis Murphy and Bruce Gradkowski Are Up For Sprint's Play of The Week

saint — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:13:10 -0000

More photos » by Keith Srakocic - AP

4 days ago: Oakland Raiders wide receiver Louis Murphy, top, celebrates with teammate center Chris Morris after scoring one of his touchdown on a pass reception in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. The Raiders came from behind to win 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

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The "Grad Bomber's" long distance touch down pass is up for the fans to vote in as the Sprint Play of the Week. Show your support for our two Sunday Heroes by voting on the link below.

That was a spectacular read, route and throw!!!

Voting Link

Oakland Raiders News: Now That The Dust Has Settled On The Win Over Pittsburgh, What Needs To Happen Next?

saint — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:34:58 -0000

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

4 days ago: Oakland Raiders receiver Louis Murphy, right, celebrates with teammate Zach Miller (80) after scoring the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. The Raiders won 27-24. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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Yes, Raider Nation, yesterday's win was the best victory that this team has had in many years. Sure they beat Tampa last year to knock them out of the playoffs and they've already beaten Philly and the Bengals this season, but yesterday was MUCH different than any of those victories.

When the Raiders beat the Eagles, they caught a team that was unprepared for the blitz packages, heck, they were unprepared for any blitz at all and the victory over the Bengals took a fluke play at the end to win. Even the victory over Tampa wasn't as sweet because it was ALL Michael Bush with a little JaMarcus Russell thrown in.

Yesterday, the Raiders found a quarterback and they scored three passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, without rushing ONCE on the final drive. The Raiders and Gradkowski said, we are going to beat you through the air, now try and stop us, and the Steelers, playing in a "Playoff Game", couldn't.

There are many positives, but, now that the dust has settled and a VERY MAD Redskin team is coming to town on Sunday I want to focus on a few things that I noticed that definitely need work.

1) Trevor Scott in the Elephant role:

Trevor Scott was brilliant on the first defensive play from scrimmage, he gpt right into the backfield and allowed another player to make a play on Rashard Mendenhall and he also had one of the defensive plays of the game when he sackeg Big Ben on third down and made the Steelers try a 53 yard field goal into the wind instead of a 48 yard kick. These two plays, in particular, say to me, that the experiment can work.

The work that he needs to do, from what I can tell, comes down to gap integrity. Too many times yesterday I saw him over-pursue and get washed by a lineman opening up a lane for the running back. On Rashard Mendenhall's 60 yard run it was Trevor Scott who was not home. He got washed with the momentum to his right and then sealed by the lineman. He, and the defense as a whole, as cable says, need to stick with their gaps in order for the run defense to work.

His football acumen is fantastic. This is a kid who has gone from Tight End to Defensive Line to Linebacker in 4 Seasons and he looks to have all of the tools to play the "Elephant" in John Marshall's defense.

2) Darren McFadden's struggles unless he gets the ball in space:

Darren McFadden has NOT been, even, a decent between the tackles runner and the coaches need to stop treating him like one until he learns to run in the zone blocking scheme.

Those of you who took part in the game thread yesterday probably got sick of me pointing out that he continues to run into the line and then try to bounce outside instead of just letting the hole open and then popping through it.

The reason that FOR YEARS you could plug any running back into the Denver Bronco backfield was because they were taught to be patient, let the line go to work and then pop through the vacancy that their scheme created.

Can Darren McFadden be an every down back in the NFL? I really can't say right now, but, I can say that he needs to FIRST run within the scheme before we can even guess. Right now he just isn't working out between the tackles and it is a simple fix, he just needs to be patient.

3) Stanford Routt is responsible for more big plays in the secondary

This is a huge problem because he isn't even a starter. He is a nickle cover corner and may only be the dime player now, yet he seems to always be the guy getting burnt on a big 3rd down conversion, for a touchdown or getting a passing interference/defensiveholding/illegal use of the hands that helps the other team sustain drives or end them in the end zone.

I know that he is Al Davis's pick and that he will have EVERY chance to succeed, but, for me, he needs to play in the prevent ONLY.

Well, raider nation, there are three things to work on going into next week. If you have a comment on these, or would like to add your own, ie; block somebody, then please do soin the comment thread below.

Go RRAAAIDDEERRSS!!!!!!!

They Call Him "BRUCE"!!! Bruce Gradkowski Delivers In A Very Rich Gannon-Esque Way

saint — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:05:25 -0000

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradowski (5) becomes the first Raider Quarterback to throw for 300 Yards in a Victory in 5 Seasons. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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On December 6th 2009, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, on the road, Bruce Gradkowski became the leader of the Silver and Black. At only 25 years old, it is safe to say that his best years are ahead of him.

Against a VERY stout Pittsburgh Steeler defense he became the first Raider QB to throw for 300 yards in a Raider Victory since Kerry Collins, who'd replaced the injured Rich Gannon earlier in the year, pulled off the feet in a 25-24 victory over the Denver Broncos on November 28th 2004.

That is a full 5 seasons of football since the team that is built on speed and the deep ball has had a quarterback throw for 300 yards and win!

In our most recent glory years, 2000-2002, it was common for the Raiders to go for 300 or more yards through the air and delight the denizens of the Silver and Black Nation with countless victories, even producing an NFL MVP in Rich Gannon.

For the first time since Rich Gannon retired the entire Nation witnessed a QB make every proper read, take what the defense gave him and then pick apart the defense like a wild surgeon through the air when it mattered most.

In fact, Bruce may have done something that I have never seen a Raider QB do, this goes back to about 1980 when I can actually recall the games that I've seen. He led three lead taking scores, on the road in the 4th Quarter. And you know what Raider Nation, I think this is more the rule than the exception for this kid.

To a man, this team believes in him. His teammates say things like, "He works hard", "He comes in early", "He stays late" and "He watches tons of film". What a refreshing break from someone who had everything handed to him, JaMarcus Russell, and refused to do the work that is required from an NFL quarterback.

Gradkowski was discovered by, none other than, John Gruden in the 6th Round of NFL Draft and he worked his way into the starting position in his rookie season, only to be too green and end up on the bench. (Gruden also brough Gannon to Oakland)

"BRUCE" is everything Oakland and he is EVERYTHING Raider. He comes from a blue collar family in Pittsburgh and he has been bounced around the League in his short career and has found his stride, like so many before him, in the Silver and Black.

It will take another great performance to beat the Redskins next week, but, with "Bruce Almighty" at the helm, things are looking up in Oakland!!! I wonder how many fans still want to NOT show-up and miss watching these youngsters grow?

2nd Half Thread: Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh

saint — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:43:23 -0000

We need to keep this game under control. Don't turn the ball over and keep with game plan. GOOO Gradkowski!!!!

Go RRAAAIIDDEERRS!!!!

Half Time Thread: 10-6 Steelers: The Raiders Brought Their A-Game in the First Half:

saint — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:30:39 -0000

Wow, Raider fans, we do have an offense...It just isn't named Darren McFadden...Or JaMarcus Russell...Or Javon Walker...Or Darius Heyward-Bey...Nope, it is named Johnie-Lee-Fargas-Miller-Gradkowski!

Bruce is having a fantastic game under Center. He is 7/9 for 86 yards and a very nice 106.5 passer rating.

Against the 3rd best run defense Justin Fargas has rushed for 42 yards on 9 carries while Darren McFadden has only 19 yards on 8 carries. McFadden is having trouble reading blocks and is definitely my 3rd option in the 2nd half. We need to use him on wheel routes, kick returns and in the slot until he learns how to read blocks.

I like the 18 rush to 10 pass ratio, this is how it needs to be.

Johnnie Lee Higgins looks like he can be the first Raider receiver to reach 100 yards this season.

Go Raiders

Game Thread: Oakland Raiders Will Try And Unleash Their Own Hell In Pittsburgh:

saint — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:35:43 -0000

These are the games that the Raiders have been winning this season. The games that nobody gives them a chance to win.

Of their three victories, two have been over the Eagles and Bengals, will Pittsburgh be the next team to fall prey to an unexpected game plan?

The Raider's team leader has been vocal all week about they need to mix up their defensive packages and the team now has an untraditional player playing an untraditional position, Trevor Scott is playing John Marshall's "Elephant" position. That is the role that Julian Peterson filed for the Niners and Seahawks.

More upset mojo will reside with Bruce Gradkowski as he returns home, he grew up in Pittsburgh, to play his hometown Steelers.

This Steeler team is wicked against the run and mediocre against the pass, so this would be the game to try and go deep about, I don't know, maybe 20 times!!! I mean, why not? What do we have to lose? Let's unleash our own heel in Pittsburgh and punch them in the mouth more than they punch us, because this team can't take many more round houses without delivering a few of their own.

Go RRRAAAIIDDEERS!!!!! OOOOAAAKKLLLAAANNDDDD!!!!! RRRAAAIDDDEERSS!!!!!

Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers: "We will unleash HELL" - Mike Tomlin

saint — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:36:00 -0000

When I read the words below by Mike Tomlin, I got fired up: (Mid you I had just woken up this morning and went from ZERO to 60 in about 2.2 seconds)

"We will unleash hell here in December because we have to. We won't go in a shell. We'll go into attack mode, because that's what's required." - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

I mean that is some "Ol' Skool" Football right there. It is also the sign of a Champion that will settle for NOTHING less.

LaMarr Woodley asked Mike Tomlin for an explanation and here is what he said: (From PFT)

"I asked [Tomlin] that today in practice," Woodley said, "what he meant by that. He said, 'We're not going to sit back and get hit in the mouth. We're not going to be surprised by anything. We're going to do the attacking. We're going to throw the first punch. That's what that means. We're bringing it.' He smiled about it [when I asked], but I wanted to know what did he mean by that, and he told me what it was."

Of course, my second thought was, "Why did'nt the Raiders go into Hell Unleashing Mode 4 weeks ago?".

I mean, there is a time and place for everything and I'd think that Hell Unleashing mode would be appropriate after getting punched in the face by Denver or the Jets. Then again, Tom Cable, prefers the Stay Puff Marsh Mellow Approach: (In referrence to the team's passing game against Dallas)

"When you look at it on film, it's literally a foot here, a foot there from being a heck of a throw and a great completion," Cable said Friday. "So, if you look at that, that's something that will just naturally get better and better.

"But that's an exciting part of our team, because you can see it coming now."

Silver and Black Pride Day at The Coliseum, January 3rd 2010:

saint — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:59:25 -0000

So, here is the Update for the Festivities on January 3rd.

1) There will be Beer

2) There will be girls..Oops, I meant GRILLS!!!

3) There will be tequila

4) I am working on some discount tickets

5) I am working on a special guest

Can you please reply to this thread IF you can make it. Please indicate if you will need a ticket. I am aiming for a Ticket/T-Shirt package for $25.

So far, I have:

Bud Light, Brhyno, Nishal, M-Rod, Gary D and Woody, Sons of Blanda +1...

If we can't get 20 people that need tickets than the $25 package goes away, I think.

Also, keep the ideas coming for the T-Shirt. So far, we have:

1) Win or Lose Still Drink Booze

2) It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09

And I believe that Golden State Guerrero is still working on a couple. Remember the winner gets a free T-Shirt.