Raiders V. Seahawks (preseason)

Sapp, Burgess, Nnamdi Awesomugha, Lechler and Sea-Bass sat this one out while most the starters made brief cameos.

Click here to see Highlights. Higgins ran a punt back 90 yards and then did a flip!!!How many people can run top speed for 90 yards and then do a flip!!!

The Raiders came out relatively injury free with the lone injury being back up linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba who left the game with a right leg injury.

The Raiders first two opponents (Lions & Broncos) have serious injury concerns, so heading into the season we are in great shape.

It's a great time to be a Raider fans. The worst is behind us. The Raiders under Kiffin, Knapp, Cable & Ryan are headed in the right direction. Their is a renewed sense of optimism and energy with the promise of an exciting season.

Final cuts will be made by Saturday and an announcement of the winners of the many camp battles should be named shortly after.

Raider Raza will be demonstrating "commitment to tailgating" with our exclusive 25 hour tailgates. Saturdays before game day we will be lined up next to the basketball arena and on game day we are located in Lot D, first row, in front of the basketball stadium on the North side. I encourage first timers and regulars to stop by and visit us. Pictures will be posted here within 24 hours of the game. We are passionate and professional tailgaters and we are looking forward to an overwhelmingly exciting and fun season. Join us....

I'm in...

Observations from the sidelines: Raiders v Rams (preseason)

It was a gorgeous day for tailgating and a chilly evening for football and an extremely fun game with the Raiders ahead and in control all game. The Raiders brought too much energy and intensity and the Rams never stood a chance!

I was surprised to see Newberry lead us out of the tunnel. Him and Grove appeared to alternate in the first half and both played well, although Newberry seems bigger, smarter, tougher and stronger.

My biggest surprise on the OL is that RT #74 Green. He has played extremely well in the preseason even though he is an undrafted journeyman with few starts. We can probably attribute his success to the excellent coaching and the quality of competiton. I still think that until the Raiders prove they can consistently block a blitz that other teams will continue to test the OL with blitzes.

Once again the Raiders looked well coached and opened up the diverse playbook; completing quick outs, deep outs, bootlegs, reverses, screens, even a QB sneak and avoided stupid momentum penalties, but they had at least 4 drops on offense, 3 on defense, 4 sacs and fumbled the ball away at the 1.

The defense is going to dominate this year. I completely understand the Rams hesitation, fear and reluctance to play Stephen Jackson.

QBs: Culpepper and McCown both played well and executed solidly in the the first half. Walter had a poor showing but once again his receivers and blockers for that matter didn't help him much. At leats the fans didn't boo him this time.

The WRs better learn to catch cause we will never get 5 pass interferences in a real game. BMW and Porter both dropped two passes. Three defender had passes drop from their hands too.

We have dropped way too many passes this pre-season. I would suggest that Nnamdi needs to gather up the receivers and teach them the drills that he used to develop better hands.

4th Down Breakdown: Of the 10, 4th downs the Raider went for it 6 times converted 4, punted once and went 2 of 3 on FG's.

Sea Bass had nice 50 and 40 yard kicks but then missed an easy 30 yard FG. His kick offs remain inconsistent. Lechler hardly got to play which isn't a bad thing, cause last year he got to play too much, and we all know what he can do.

I think Morisson had a made a big time "you got jacked up" hit on Leonard in retaliation for him jumping over teamate Washington. Washington needs to step it up, cause Bruce had his way with him and with Nnamdi on the other side, teams are going to go after Washington.

I'm glad that Michael CON-Vic is getting what he deserves for dog fighting and killing dogs, but it bothers me that Rams DE Leonard Little kills somebody while drinking and driving and then repeats his behavior and gets another DUI and is still allowed to play in the NFL. As much as i love my dogs, i still hold peoples lives above animals and it bewilders me that nobody is talking about Little playing for millions of dollars while Susan Gutweiler lies 6 feet under.

I was concerned when i saw Jordan retreat to the locker room and Gallery hobble to the sidelines but they both later returned and completed that big 49 yard screen play by Jordan which Gallery had a key block in. I guess their OK.

I think Higgins was a steal in the draft and he will make big plays on both ST and from the WR position. Them young legs propelled him into a back flip, just moments after running back a 60 yard punt return-Thats Impressive!!!

I am not sure if there is a clear cut winner, cause the competion remains close at many positons: (my choice for starter in bold)
QB, Culpepper v McCown
PR, Carr v Higgins
KR Carr v Higgins
C, Newberry v Grove
RB Jordan v Rhodes (Jordan by default)
FB, Crockett, O'neil, Griffith
DE. Richardson, Moses, Kelly.

Lasly, it's going to be a difficult final cut and i'm certain that many Raider cuts will get adopted quickly by other teams.

One more preseason game and then it's for reals. I am certain that we will compete this year and we surprise some people. Morrison appears to be on the verge of stepping it up to Pro Bowl level.

I'm In.. ...

Raiders v. Niners

I am extremely impressed with the coaching. We've come out twice looking and playing like a well coached team. Cable has done a tremendous job with the OL. Everybody with the exception of Grove is playing really well. Even Gallery who i was about to give up on had his moments. #74 is playing solid RT and when Newberry replaces Grove i think the line will play really well and continue to get better as they gain more experience together and with coach Cable/Kiffins system.

Despite getting off to a horrific start plauged with poor field positioning, drops, bad snaps, INT, and a fumbled handoff the Raiders maintained their composure and with imaginative playcalling ran 3 impressive, long drives of 70+ yards.

Walter didn't play that bad despite his poor star and that horrible pass for the INT. His receivers didn't help him any with 2 drops, but when he got settled in he led us on a long drive. I think he is playing well enough to make the team even though he is still inconsistent. I still think he has potential.

When Culpepper took the field against AZ last week, i was surprised when people cheered him the loudest. After 2 games i have to say that i'm cheering too. I think Culpepper has a chance at not only being the starting QB, but having a bigtime comeback season. His bullet for a TD on the rollout was money. He could turn out to be a steal. I hope he starts next week.

I'd give Burgess, Sapp and Morrison some lawn chairs till it's time to go Lion hunting, cause they at midseason form...

I think Taylor and Whitted days are numbered. They are both dropping too many passes and we have too much competition at WR. I'm almost glad that Whitted dropped that game winnning pass in the endzone, since it will not help him make the team.

The tight ends still need to work on their blocking. If you review the tape you will that both starters missed several blocks, but they both made and great catches and will be exciting to watch.

Lamont Jordan stepped it up. Even without that big 30+ yard gain he averaged around 5 yards a carry. We have a strong set of backs with Jordan, Rhodes, & "Joe." I expect big things from our running game this year.

I'm pumped up for the season. I think we are farther along than anyone expects us to be. Even though we didn't win at the end, if you watch other team's preseason games you will see sloppy play, wasted time outs, missed tackles and bad football. While we made our mistakes, we put together 3 long drives, the OL played well and no serious injuries. We are on the right track to returning to greatness!!!

Dear JaMarcuss,

Dear JaMarcuss,

You are making a big mistake. Do not hide behind your agents. Why are you guys demanding so much money?

Are you proud to be the first first round Raider holdout?

You are a junior with great skill but no pro experience.

The chances of you becoming a bust are greater than the chances of you becoming a HOF or Superbowl winning QB. I am glad that the Raiders and AL Davis are not caving in to your agents so that they can break some record and recruit more players next year.

Seriously, you have 3 years college ball experience, yet you are whining about not getting 35 million. The Raiders offer of 31 Million is more than fair. Seriously is there really a difference in the quality of life you get from 35 million that you can't get from 31 million.

The Raiders fan base is mainly blue collar or working class who prove themselves everyday and for that reason, I will never wear a Russell jersey, no matter how good you become. I rather wear a Morrison jersey. I can relate to Morrison cause he grew up a fan and has sat in the black hole. Today he is overachiever yet underpaid much like me.

If it was up to me i would trade you or release your rights. I would rather give that 30 Million+++ to players like Nnamdi and Burgess who have earned it. I hope Al Davis makes an example out of you to hopefully change the system to prevent top picks from commanding so much money.

Good luck in the draft next year...

Raiders v. Cardinals: Observations from the stands

Hey everyone the worst is behind us the Raiders are on the right track and headed in the right direction.

The bar has been left so low from last year that I was very impressed with the game management, ability to call plays and the ability to execute them before the clock hit 0, the overall team cohesiveness, their blocking. All these fundamentals were absent last year. Last year we couldn't call a play before the clock wound down nor could we adjust to a blitz.

This year the playcalling was imaginative. It was refreshing to see screens, rollouts, short drops, long drops. I am positive that the worst is behind us and confident that we are on the right track. It was only a preseason game, but we looked like we were well coached and on the verge of turning around many of the shortcomings from last year. This year the energy feels better.

Coming to the game there was more excitement and anxiety than I expected at the tailgate, on the field and in the stands. There was definitely more energy today than the last time I was there against KC in December.

GorillaRilla was at the tailgate in his new suit courtesy of his new sponsor Stuart Schweigart. The Black Hole had a band!!!Roller girl was in the house, the smell of BBQ's was in the air.

Sapp lost so much weight, he looks like LB. He was animated and walked up and down the sidelines talking all game.

Sims led us out of the tunnel.

Overall the offensive line played well; 2 False starts; and they operated like a cohesive unit. They are farther along than I expected keeping in mind they are a comprised of new players and new coaching.

We are no longer doing that ridicuouls U shaped huddle that we did last year.

Higgins showed great potential but played inconsistent. He was immediately scolded after taking a premature fair catch in the 1st Q, had a drop, but made a big play in the 4 Q. I like this pick.

Several players Carr, Darius missed tackles and at least 4 dropped potential INTS Johnson #37, Scheiwgart…

Rhodes jumped into Blackhole after the TD; Morrison jumped in the Black Hole before the game.

Even though Williams made a great catch for a TD, Kiffin was highly critical of Mike Williams in the post interview saying he” is not there yet” and has to work harder to make the team.

I liked Porters stiff arm, even though it looked more like a punch. Porter appears to be on board and I’m looking forward to some big plays, and people seemed to have forgotten Porters attitude from last year

Bad Call
Brayton’s play was not even close to an INT, even on the sidelines you could see the players knew the call would be reversed. Why the review took so long is beside me? The good thing about the play is the Raiders paraded down the field knocking birds on their asses.

Culpepper is clearly the people’s choice, when he entered the game he got the loudest ovation of all the QB’s. It was disappointing for them him to fumble the snap, because prior to entering the game he and Newberry were practicing the exchange for like 5 minutes.

BJ Ward made a strong case for himself by downing the ball inside the 3 and 2 big hits on Cardinals receivers that got the fans revved up.
Everybody needs to learn this name RB Adimchinobe Echemandu. This guy is looks like our best RB.

We scored more points than we have in a while...It's time to erase the awful memories from last year and start over with a new slate under new leadership in a new year...

I'm In..