Raidertopia

The Raiders lose to San Diego for the 13th straight time.

13!

I never thought I’d see the team so bad and for so long. Post-game comments included these gems:

“I did a pretty good job,” Russell told reporters.

“I thought he did some really good things that way today,” Cable said. “Very much seemed to be in control today. A couple of throws hed probably like to have over again but for the most part he gave us a chance to win today and that’s what you ask your quarterback to do.”

That’s what it has come to in Raiderville. That’s how low the bar has been set for a number one overall draft pick that’s supposed to lead this team. The most pathetic thing is that these comments came after he threw for a whopping 109 yards passing (81 net yards). The longest pass play went for 15 yards. He had one bad interception where he said “it didn’t hurt too much”. I guess he forgot that it led to a San Diego touchdown or he just missed that while he rested his fat ass on the bench in his ski cap. He was lucky that at least one more wasn’t intercepted and that he didn’t lose his fumble.

The season is half over.  JaMarcus Russell has 2 touchdown passes.

Two touchdown passes in eight games.  I would be willing to bet that just about every other starting QB in the league has two in a quarter.

I didn’t think it was possible, but this inept offense is on pace to be worse than the infamous Tom Walsh B&B offense.

This team is maddening to watch.  They’re not even entertaining.  The QB is horrible.  The WRs can’t get open and when they do, they can’t catch.  The return game is non-existent.  The defense folds when they need a stop and they allow way too many third down conversions.

The defense still cannot stop the run.  Tomlinson is officially over the hill, but has all three of his TDs against the Raiders this year.

I generally like the speedy, active linebackers (Howard and Morrison), but they cannot fill a gap to save their lives.  The Raiders need a stout, strong linebacker like Brian Cushing that can fill a hole, shed blockers, and tackle well.

Chris Chambers is a veteran WR who was just released and who could instantly help the Raiders (if Russell can get him the ball….did I mention that he can’t hit the side of a barn?), but I’ll be surprised if they sign him.

I’ll also be surprised if Al Davis hires a take-charge GM before he dies.  He needs to do this to rescue the franchise, but he’s a stubborn old man.  In his head, doing that would just be an admission that he was wrong and his critics were right.

So much for “Just Win, Baby”.

More drama in Raiderland.

Pretty much all bad.

First, the guy having the best camp gets a broken foot.  Chaz Schilens was looking great at perhaps the most critical skill position – WR.  Or at least, the skill position that needed to be improved the most.  Even more important when you consider the fact that the #7 overall draft choice, Heyward-Bey, looks to have hands of stone.

Then, there’s the beat down the Raiders evidently received from the 49ers in a recent scrimmage.  That was truly depressing to read about.

Lastly, the news that Tom Cable punched out an assistant coach and might be charged with something or suspended by the league.

Cable….Bumaye! might be funny, but definitely not what the Raiders needed to start a season – more distraction and controversy.  And more fodder for the Raider-hating media.

There’s a lot of dumb in football. For example, how many times have you seen a dumb defensive player pick up an incomplete pass and run the other way with it (yes, I’m talking about you Rickey Brown)?  Or celebrate before crossing the goal line (calling Chris Johnson and DeSean Jackson).

You thought the fact that Donovan McNabb, who plays what is regarded as the smartest position in the NFL,  didn’t know that there could be a tie in the NFL was pretty darn dumb, right?  (I still can’t believe that one)

Well, Tom Cable may have trumped them all last weekend.  The Bay Area writers are having a field day with him, but rightfully so, for calling that ill-advised fake field goal Sunday against the lowly Chiefs.

Normally, I’m all for a little razzle dazzle to keep your opponent off balance.  The Raiders haven’t done enough of it these last several seasons.  But in this case, it was plain crazy.  Here’s why:

• It was against an opponent the Raiders should beat straight up, without the need for trickery.
• It was 4th and 10.  Not 4th and short, but a whopping ten yards.
• The plan was for Janikowski to run the ten yards (plus the extra 7 yards or so behind the line of scrimmage) for the first down.  Yes, Janikowski.  The fat, Polish guy.  Probably, the slowest guy on the team.
• Upside-downside.  There was much more risk than reward here.  Kick the field goal and you’re up three.  Fail and you give a weak opponent renewed confidence and decent field position.  The worst happened, of course, and that weak opponent took it the other way for six.  Instead of up by 3, the team with easily the most pathetic offense in football is down 7.  10 point swing.  Game over.
• Did I mention this was against the sad sack Chiefs?  Why? Why? Why?

I really like Tom Cable.  Both for his mentality and the fact that he has a loyalty to this team, being a fan growing up, but that play alone was probably enough to relegate him back to assistant coach next year – I hope with the Raiders still.  Head Coach though?  I don’t think so, unless the Raiders hire a dynamic offensive coordinator and he’s more a teacher and figurehead.