THE OFFICIAL OAKLAND RAIDERS 2009 OFFSEASON THREAD
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DOPE ASS LORENZO NEAL PIECE ON NFL.COM
Neal hoping long road leads Raiders back to excellence
By Thomas George | NFL.com
Senior Columnist
Fullback Lorenzo Neal has opened holes and provided leadership in each of his eight stops in the NFL.
He was a free agent a few weeks ago wondering after 16 NFL seasons if one more chance, one more team, one more call was in the offing. He was contemplating those thoughts while driving from San Diego to Los Angeles.
And then the phone rang.
"Lorenzo," the familiar voice began. "This is Al Davis. You want to be a Raider?"
Thank goodness, said Lorenzo Neal, he did not careen off the road.
"I thought, 'uh-oh,"' said Neal, "I've got the man on the phone. He said he wanted me to come in and give it my all and that he was expecting leadership. I took a plane out. Good visit. I took some time to think about it. And pretty soon I was signing on the dotted line."
The Raiders made it official on May 8, fitting since this is Neal's eighth NFL team. This free-agent signing might prove as snug as any in the league. What Neal offers, the Raiders need.
The Raiders have high hopes for third-year fullback Oren O'Neal, but the nasty knee injury that he suffered in preseason last year still leaves him questionable. The Raiders, in this era of spread offenses and empty backfields, are one of a handful of NFL teams who still believe in the power and the punishing role of a lead-blocking back, the fullback.
It is easier to retain that view when you have an explosive tailback like Darren McFadden.
Too, the Raiders, green in so many spots, particularly on offense, needed a voice, a leader, a player who can show how to unlock the secrets of top-tier performance and professionalism in the league. This franchise has lost 12, 11, 12, 14, 12 and 11 games, respectively, in each of the last six seasons. Some of that has less to do with talent than it does with mindset and execution.
The Raiders mystique is dormant.
Neal, at age 38 but in better condition than some age 28, can help fix it.
Listen:
"The players and teams around the league talk about how the Raiders have lost their luster," Neal said. "I can look into every players' eyes here and say God has blessed me to play a 17th year. My message is to get respect, you have to change what you are doing. You have to understand you are playing a kid's game for a king's ransom. Make it not about yourself, but about us. You just have to stop some things and understand that when your time is over, you will be replaced. I will tell them I have had my day in the sun. I played with Eric Allen, Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson when I got started in the league; what pros -- I took from those guys. And now I am here to empower these young men. I want them to see if this old man can go out and give what he is giving, then …"
He will show the Raiders the power that emanates from his 5-foot-11, 245 pounds -- "he's one big muscle," the Raiders say -- and he is there to lead block and hammer linebackers and set the tone for what kind of physical day it is going to be when you play the Raiders.
In Raiders camp last week, Neal began to set that course.
Recommitting to excellence
When you think of Oakland's offense, you think about the vertical passing game. But with a revamped offensive line, three quality rushers and a top-notch blocking back, expect these Raiders to run, writes Bucky Brooks. More ... The Raiders say he had no trouble understanding alignment, finding the right guy, exhibiting how to use leverage and pulling the passion out of Oakland's rather quiet stable of running backs. Neal is not shy.
He is an amazing NFL story, especially considering the longevity he has mastered at a position where he gets a running start and routinely pounds into bigger people. He has done this for the Saints ('93-'96), Jets ('97), Bucs ('98), Titans ('99-'00), Bengals ('01-'02), Chargers ('03-'07) and Ravens ('08). He had a stretch in his career that ended only two years ago where he played in 221 consecutive regular-season games.
The tailbacks he helped carve 1,000-yard rushing seasons for include Warrick Dunn, Eddie George, Corey Dillon and LaDainian Tomlinson.
But what is left in this player? Can he do it for McFadden?
I would not doubt a man who grew up on 50 acres in Lemoore, Calif., feeding pigs and cows and goats and chickens at the crack of dawn. A player who picked cotton and gathered squash. One who uses boxing, wrestling, karate and other innovative forms of training and nutrition to maximize his conditioning.
"I'm not a beautiful strawberry or banana. I'm an onion. But you know what? For a lot of people, you've got to have that onion to make a hamburger right."
-- Lorenzo NealAn upscale player with a pure downhill run-blocking mentality.
"I guess my game is sometimes not pretty," Neal said. "I'm not a beautiful strawberry or banana. I'm an onion. But you know what? For a lot of people, you've got to have that onion to make a hamburger right. You've to have that onion to make that soup. I'm an ISO, man-on-man guy that looks to win that battle. To lead."
Neal was a Fresno State tailback when he was a fourth-round draft pick in 1993 by New Orleans. He suffered a gruesome ankle injury as a rookie that led then Saints coach Jim Mora to conclude that Neal should move to fullback. Mora told him if he did it, if he committed to it, he could play in the league for 10 years.
"I asked him, 'Are you serious?'" Neal said.
Here comes season 17. Neal knows something about choices, decisions, consequences.
All along his NFL way he constantly reminded himself to never let his condition dictate his position.
So, why not shoot for 17 more?
"Hey, if I found the fountain of youth, I could play another 17," Neal said, laughing. "I think another two seasons is realistic for me. You know, Ruth in the Bible had a baby at 80. No, that would be a little long. I don't want to be a grandpa playing this game."
Neal hoping long road leads Raiders back to excellence
By Thomas George | NFL.com
Senior Columnist
Fullback Lorenzo Neal has opened holes and provided leadership in each of his eight stops in the NFL.
He was a free agent a few weeks ago wondering after 16 NFL seasons if one more chance, one more team, one more call was in the offing. He was contemplating those thoughts while driving from San Diego to Los Angeles.
And then the phone rang.
"Lorenzo," the familiar voice began. "This is Al Davis. You want to be a Raider?"
Thank goodness, said Lorenzo Neal, he did not careen off the road.
"I thought, 'uh-oh,"' said Neal, "I've got the man on the phone. He said he wanted me to come in and give it my all and that he was expecting leadership. I took a plane out. Good visit. I took some time to think about it. And pretty soon I was signing on the dotted line."
The Raiders made it official on May 8, fitting since this is Neal's eighth NFL team. This free-agent signing might prove as snug as any in the league. What Neal offers, the Raiders need.
The Raiders have high hopes for third-year fullback Oren O'Neal, but the nasty knee injury that he suffered in preseason last year still leaves him questionable. The Raiders, in this era of spread offenses and empty backfields, are one of a handful of NFL teams who still believe in the power and the punishing role of a lead-blocking back, the fullback.
It is easier to retain that view when you have an explosive tailback like Darren McFadden.
Too, the Raiders, green in so many spots, particularly on offense, needed a voice, a leader, a player who can show how to unlock the secrets of top-tier performance and professionalism in the league. This franchise has lost 12, 11, 12, 14, 12 and 11 games, respectively, in each of the last six seasons. Some of that has less to do with talent than it does with mindset and execution.
The Raiders mystique is dormant.
Neal, at age 38 but in better condition than some age 28, can help fix it.
Listen:
"The players and teams around the league talk about how the Raiders have lost their luster," Neal said. "I can look into every players' eyes here and say God has blessed me to play a 17th year. My message is to get respect, you have to change what you are doing. You have to understand you are playing a kid's game for a king's ransom. Make it not about yourself, but about us. You just have to stop some things and understand that when your time is over, you will be replaced. I will tell them I have had my day in the sun. I played with Eric Allen, Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson when I got started in the league; what pros -- I took from those guys. And now I am here to empower these young men. I want them to see if this old man can go out and give what he is giving, then …"
He will show the Raiders the power that emanates from his 5-foot-11, 245 pounds -- "he's one big muscle," the Raiders say -- and he is there to lead block and hammer linebackers and set the tone for what kind of physical day it is going to be when you play the Raiders.
In Raiders camp last week, Neal began to set that course.
Recommitting to excellence
When you think of Oakland's offense, you think about the vertical passing game. But with a revamped offensive line, three quality rushers and a top-notch blocking back, expect these Raiders to run, writes Bucky Brooks. More ... The Raiders say he had no trouble understanding alignment, finding the right guy, exhibiting how to use leverage and pulling the passion out of Oakland's rather quiet stable of running backs. Neal is not shy.
He is an amazing NFL story, especially considering the longevity he has mastered at a position where he gets a running start and routinely pounds into bigger people. He has done this for the Saints ('93-'96), Jets ('97), Bucs ('98), Titans ('99-'00), Bengals ('01-'02), Chargers ('03-'07) and Ravens ('08). He had a stretch in his career that ended only two years ago where he played in 221 consecutive regular-season games.
The tailbacks he helped carve 1,000-yard rushing seasons for include Warrick Dunn, Eddie George, Corey Dillon and LaDainian Tomlinson.
But what is left in this player? Can he do it for McFadden?
I would not doubt a man who grew up on 50 acres in Lemoore, Calif., feeding pigs and cows and goats and chickens at the crack of dawn. A player who picked cotton and gathered squash. One who uses boxing, wrestling, karate and other innovative forms of training and nutrition to maximize his conditioning.
"I'm not a beautiful strawberry or banana. I'm an onion. But you know what? For a lot of people, you've got to have that onion to make a hamburger right."
-- Lorenzo NealAn upscale player with a pure downhill run-blocking mentality.
"I guess my game is sometimes not pretty," Neal said. "I'm not a beautiful strawberry or banana. I'm an onion. But you know what? For a lot of people, you've got to have that onion to make a hamburger right. You've to have that onion to make that soup. I'm an ISO, man-on-man guy that looks to win that battle. To lead."
Neal was a Fresno State tailback when he was a fourth-round draft pick in 1993 by New Orleans. He suffered a gruesome ankle injury as a rookie that led then Saints coach Jim Mora to conclude that Neal should move to fullback. Mora told him if he did it, if he committed to it, he could play in the league for 10 years.
"I asked him, 'Are you serious?'" Neal said.
Here comes season 17. Neal knows something about choices, decisions, consequences.
All along his NFL way he constantly reminded himself to never let his condition dictate his position.
So, why not shoot for 17 more?
"Hey, if I found the fountain of youth, I could play another 17," Neal said, laughing. "I think another two seasons is realistic for me. You know, Ruth in the Bible had a baby at 80. No, that would be a little long. I don't want to be a grandpa playing this game."
Raiders' commitment to (running) excellence
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81055ffa&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Second-year running back Darren McFadden is the home-run hitter in Oakland's three-headed ground attack.
Al Davis has long been noted for his preference for the long ball, but this year's version of the Raiders' offense may force the owner to appreciate the mantra "three yards and a cloud of dust."
Under the direction of new coach Tom Cable, the Raiders are relying on a talented stable of backs and a rebuilt offensive line to anchor a smash-mouth attack that will attempt to bludgeon opponents with the run.
Even though the Raiders have a 9-23 record over the past two years, the team has ranked in the top 10 in rushing both seasons and has shown promise as one of the league's top rushing attacks. Led by a three-headed monster at running back, the Raiders are capable of attacking defenses with a diverse ground game that features a balanced mixture of inside and outside runs.
Darren McFadden, the team's top draft pick a year ago, serves as the home-run hitter in the lineup and excels at running on the perimeter. As an upright runner with a sprinter's speed, McFadden gets the majority of his carries on outside zone plays or delayed draws. His outstanding burst allows him to quickly get to the second level and he flashes nifty cutback ability in space.
Justin Fargas, who led the team with 853 rushing yards in 2008, is a gritty between-the-tackles runner. Though he lacks exceptional size, he is a tough, hard-nosed runner with deceptive strength and power. Fargas rarely goes down on first contact and often surprises defenders with his pop.
The wild card of the bunch is Michael Bush. The third-year pro missed all of his rookie season while recovering from a broken leg suffered in college. He burst onto the scene last season with an eye-popping performance to close the year. Bush rushed for 177 yards and two scores against the Bucs in Week 17, displaying the smooth, gliding running style that made him a highly-regarded prospect heading into his senior season at Louisville.
With three running backs capable of 100-yard games, the Raiders are wise to build their offense around the running game. This offseason has seen the team add pieces around the trio, which should allow the Raiders to punish defenses at will with the ground attack.
First, the team started retooling an offensive line that struggled with its consistency in the team's zone-based scheme last season. The team jettisoned Kwame Harris and Jake Grove during the offseason. In their place, the Raiders added Khalif Barnes and Samson Satele.
Barnes, who spent the past four seasons starting at left tackle for the Jaguars, gives the team an athletic edge blocker. He excels in the running game and could potentially team up with Robert Gallery to give the Raiders a dominant side to direct their rushing attack.
Satele, acquired in a trade with the Dolphins, gives the team a more physical presence at the pivot. He mauls defenders at the point and has the strength to create a consistent push up the middle. With the Raiders intent on running the ball between the tackles, Satele's ability to control the line of scrimmage becomes critical to their success.
Warren Sapp chat
In a live chat Thursday on NFL.com, Warren Sapp touched on several Raiders topics, including JaMarcus Russell and Al Davis, and who would win a hot-dog eating contest between himself and Raiders coach Tom Cable. He also had this to say about the Raiders' notorious Black Hole:
"One of the legendary places in the NFL. I thought it was as crazy as it was insane and as insane as it was lovely." More ... The team also signed Erik Pears during free agency to compete with Cornell Green at the right tackle position. Pears, who started 26 games for the Broncos over the past three seasons, understands the nuances of the zone-based scheme and should be a better fit athletically on the edge. If he eventually unseats Green for the position, the Raiders will sport a more physical and athletic unit in 2009.
However, the final piece to the puzzle comes in the form of hammerhead blocking fullback Lorenzo Neal. The 16-year pro has paved the way for numerous 1,000-yard backs throughout his career, and he is lauded for his ability to lead runners through small creases in the middle of the defense. With the Raiders intent on relentlessly running the ball between the tackles, the decision to add Neal to the lineup could wind up as the team's best offseason move.
Now that the Raiders sport a beefed-up running game with outstanding potential, the team may finally see the best of quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2009. The third-year pro has superior arm strength and is at his best when allowed to throw the ball down the field. With defenses forced to play eight-man fronts against the Raiders' formidable rushing attack, Russell will have plenty of opportunities to take deep shots against one-on-one coverage on the outside.
This is part of the reason why the team opted for Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick in the draft. He gives them a legitimate deep threat on the outside.
In addition, the threat of the run brings linebackers and safeties closer to the line of scrimmage and creates bigger windows for Russell to hit tight ends and receivers over the middle. Zach Miller led the team in receptions (56) a year ago and he could be an even bigger factor this season with the team incorporating more play-action passing.
The Raiders are by no means ready to compete with the ranks of the elite, but a renewed commitment to the run has them back on the road to respectability.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81055ffa&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Second-year running back Darren McFadden is the home-run hitter in Oakland's three-headed ground attack.
Al Davis has long been noted for his preference for the long ball, but this year's version of the Raiders' offense may force the owner to appreciate the mantra "three yards and a cloud of dust."
Under the direction of new coach Tom Cable, the Raiders are relying on a talented stable of backs and a rebuilt offensive line to anchor a smash-mouth attack that will attempt to bludgeon opponents with the run.
Even though the Raiders have a 9-23 record over the past two years, the team has ranked in the top 10 in rushing both seasons and has shown promise as one of the league's top rushing attacks. Led by a three-headed monster at running back, the Raiders are capable of attacking defenses with a diverse ground game that features a balanced mixture of inside and outside runs.
Darren McFadden, the team's top draft pick a year ago, serves as the home-run hitter in the lineup and excels at running on the perimeter. As an upright runner with a sprinter's speed, McFadden gets the majority of his carries on outside zone plays or delayed draws. His outstanding burst allows him to quickly get to the second level and he flashes nifty cutback ability in space.
Justin Fargas, who led the team with 853 rushing yards in 2008, is a gritty between-the-tackles runner. Though he lacks exceptional size, he is a tough, hard-nosed runner with deceptive strength and power. Fargas rarely goes down on first contact and often surprises defenders with his pop.
The wild card of the bunch is Michael Bush. The third-year pro missed all of his rookie season while recovering from a broken leg suffered in college. He burst onto the scene last season with an eye-popping performance to close the year. Bush rushed for 177 yards and two scores against the Bucs in Week 17, displaying the smooth, gliding running style that made him a highly-regarded prospect heading into his senior season at Louisville.
With three running backs capable of 100-yard games, the Raiders are wise to build their offense around the running game. This offseason has seen the team add pieces around the trio, which should allow the Raiders to punish defenses at will with the ground attack.
First, the team started retooling an offensive line that struggled with its consistency in the team's zone-based scheme last season. The team jettisoned Kwame Harris and Jake Grove during the offseason. In their place, the Raiders added Khalif Barnes and Samson Satele.
Barnes, who spent the past four seasons starting at left tackle for the Jaguars, gives the team an athletic edge blocker. He excels in the running game and could potentially team up with Robert Gallery to give the Raiders a dominant side to direct their rushing attack.
Satele, acquired in a trade with the Dolphins, gives the team a more physical presence at the pivot. He mauls defenders at the point and has the strength to create a consistent push up the middle. With the Raiders intent on running the ball between the tackles, Satele's ability to control the line of scrimmage becomes critical to their success.
Warren Sapp chat
In a live chat Thursday on NFL.com, Warren Sapp touched on several Raiders topics, including JaMarcus Russell and Al Davis, and who would win a hot-dog eating contest between himself and Raiders coach Tom Cable. He also had this to say about the Raiders' notorious Black Hole:
"One of the legendary places in the NFL. I thought it was as crazy as it was insane and as insane as it was lovely." More ... The team also signed Erik Pears during free agency to compete with Cornell Green at the right tackle position. Pears, who started 26 games for the Broncos over the past three seasons, understands the nuances of the zone-based scheme and should be a better fit athletically on the edge. If he eventually unseats Green for the position, the Raiders will sport a more physical and athletic unit in 2009.
However, the final piece to the puzzle comes in the form of hammerhead blocking fullback Lorenzo Neal. The 16-year pro has paved the way for numerous 1,000-yard backs throughout his career, and he is lauded for his ability to lead runners through small creases in the middle of the defense. With the Raiders intent on relentlessly running the ball between the tackles, the decision to add Neal to the lineup could wind up as the team's best offseason move.
Now that the Raiders sport a beefed-up running game with outstanding potential, the team may finally see the best of quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2009. The third-year pro has superior arm strength and is at his best when allowed to throw the ball down the field. With defenses forced to play eight-man fronts against the Raiders' formidable rushing attack, Russell will have plenty of opportunities to take deep shots against one-on-one coverage on the outside.
This is part of the reason why the team opted for Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick in the draft. He gives them a legitimate deep threat on the outside.
In addition, the threat of the run brings linebackers and safeties closer to the line of scrimmage and creates bigger windows for Russell to hit tight ends and receivers over the middle. Zach Miller led the team in receptions (56) a year ago and he could be an even bigger factor this season with the team incorporating more play-action passing.
The Raiders are by no means ready to compete with the ranks of the elite, but a renewed commitment to the run has them back on the road to respectability.
now the pick of DHB is starting to make more sense..... just look at what we did this offseason to improve this ground game.... you better believe its gonna open up the pass big time... and DHB will do something Crabtree couldn't do for us and thats strike fear in the defenders eyes and take em on the deep route..
should be some big days for our WRs if the running game goes as planned...
should be some big days for our WRs if the running game goes as planned...
lol?
why?
1 NY Giants 502 2518 5.0 157.4 77 19 14 2
2 Atlanta 560 2443 4.4 152.7 70 23 13 7
3 Carolina 504 2437 4.8 152.3 69 30 11 7
4 Baltimore 592 2376 4.0 148.5 82 20 22 9
5 Minnesota 519 2332 4.5 145.8 67 15 23 11
6 New England 513 2278 4.4 142.4 49 21 14 9
7 Tennessee 508 2199 4.3 137.4 80 24 15 7
8 Washington 478 2095 4.4 130.9 31 12 17 10
9 NY Jets 422 2004 4.7 125.3 61 20 19 7
10 Oakland 459 1987 4.3 124.2 67 9 24 11
^ last year the Raiders were number 10 in the NFL in rushing... with an injured McFadden, no legit blocking FB, and that's before we really gave Bush a chance
IF we can stay healthy at FB and RB... I see no reason why we can't be top 5 in rushing next season...
why?
1 NY Giants 502 2518 5.0 157.4 77 19 14 2
2 Atlanta 560 2443 4.4 152.7 70 23 13 7
3 Carolina 504 2437 4.8 152.3 69 30 11 7
4 Baltimore 592 2376 4.0 148.5 82 20 22 9
5 Minnesota 519 2332 4.5 145.8 67 15 23 11
6 New England 513 2278 4.4 142.4 49 21 14 9
7 Tennessee 508 2199 4.3 137.4 80 24 15 7
8 Washington 478 2095 4.4 130.9 31 12 17 10
9 NY Jets 422 2004 4.7 125.3 61 20 19 7
10 Oakland 459 1987 4.3 124.2 67 9 24 11
^ last year the Raiders were number 10 in the NFL in rushing... with an injured McFadden, no legit blocking FB, and that's before we really gave Bush a chance
IF we can stay healthy at FB and RB... I see no reason why we can't be top 5 in rushing next season...
Top 5 is not much of a to big a reach at all its not like we are hopeing one back has a great year but that 3 backs can just do there part when they have the rock what we need is for the D to step up this year so we can run instead of throwing and playing from behind. Thats when our run game is really going to do its thing when they are just running the other D into the ground.