THE OFFICIAL OAKLAND RAIDERS 2009 OFFSEASON THREAD

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drew bryant

Sicc OG
#1,581
Sep 5, 2006
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Darren McFadden Will Love Lorenzo Neal
May 20, 2009 – 8:30 am by lancez
The fullback position is archaic in the NFL. You typically see three wide receivers or two tight ends more than you see a fullback , and fans would rather see more plays similar to their Madden video game as opposed to the fullback lead block around the weak side. Lorenzo Neal would beg to differ with you on how important the fullback position truly is.

Lorenzo has been banging heads with the best linebackers in the league for 15 years now. He’s not flashy, and is often forgotten in the grand scheme of things. Not forgotten however is the list of running backs Lorenzo has blocked for throughout his career. Whether it be opening holes for Eddie George in Tennessee, Corey Dillon in Cincinnati or LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego, Neal has lead the way for some prolific rushing attacks.

Lorenzo is a coach’s dream. He was a huge part of the community in San Diego and was one of the most instrumental leaders in the Chargers locker room during his tenure there. In 2008, he played for the Baltimore Ravens, helping a young team on offense completely overachieve and reach the AFC Title Game. His locker room presence was a major factor in landing him his latest gig with the Oakland Raiders.

Lorenzo Neal joined XX Sports Radio in San Diego to discuss his new team, the positive impact he hopes to have on his fellow players and his outlook on his career thus far.

On how he’s adjusting to yet another new team:

“I feel great, man. (I’m) embarking on a new part of my life. I think I just broke the record for most teams traveled and played on in the NFL. I think eight is the number. I think last year I had it tied and I think now I’m the official leader of being on eight different NFL teams. I don’t think anyone in the history of game have been on as many teams as Lorenzo Neal.”



Lorenzo was asked how he came across the Raiders as his next team to play for:

“This point in my career it’s not about me. It’s been a great run. I think the Raiders brought me there for one thing and that’s leadership. That’s getting guys to be committed to the cause. I’ve been to Pro Bowls, I’ve been named All-Pro. Those things have been great but now its about like I said earlier, giving back. It’s about showing guys ‘hey guys be accountable for what you have’ because if you don’t take care of it, it’s going to be given to someone else. Opportunity is never lost, its just given to someone else. The NFL will continue to go on when you’re dead and gone. This game will continue. Live in the moment and take advantage of the opportunity. Be involved in your community. That’s what it’s about for me now.”

On his thoughts through the first mini camp with the Raiders:

“It was good. We had our two practices a day and on Sunday we had one. We got in our five practices and it was great. It was an opportunity to see the young guys, see a lot of the guys and what they want, talk to a lot of individuals. They want to win and it’s a building process.”

Lorenzo’s take on Al Davis and the reputation the Raiders carry with them and if he feels its overplayed in the media:

“I think it’s a combination of things. I think that one, players have to realize and people have to realize, players play. Al Davis can’t come down in his wheelchair, or come down in his walker and get on the field and play the game. We are the product that is on the field. We’re the guys that he chose to use for the job. You have to take ownership and ownership of what you’re doing in your life. You have to be a pro. If you want respect you’ve got to take respect.”
 
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Tony

Sicc OG
#1,583
May 15, 2002
13,165
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#1,583
Russell doesn't have to worry about Garcia replacing him. Even if Russell does struggle it will hurt our team more than it would help if Garcia did replace him. Garcia should only come in if Russell gets hurt other than that I don't see Garcia playing better than Russell. Al Davis won't let Russell get benched if he does have a bad game or two but Russell passed for 2 TD's 3 games in a row to finish the season so we ain't trippin....
 
RAS 925

RAS 925

Sicc OG
#1,584
Jan 4, 2003
4,549
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#1,584
Tony said:
Russell doesn't have to worry about Garcia replacing him. Even if Russell does struggle it will hurt our team more than it would help if Garcia did replace him. Garcia should only come in if Russell gets hurt other than that I don't see Garcia playing better than Russell. Al Davis won't let Russell get benched if he does have a bad game or two but Russell passed for 2 TD's 3 games in a row to finish the season so we ain't trippin....
Click to expand...
IMO Russell needs to worry bout Garcia replacing him.. Garcia was brought in to push Russell to play his best to prove he should be starter.. Im behind Russell 100% and want him to succeed for us. but if he does struggle I want Garcia to take over.. I wanna WIN ball games this season.. and the best players need to be on the field.. like Garcia said despite how much theyre being paid or what round they where drafted in.. get the best guys on the field that give us a better chance of winning.. with that being said..

Lets get it done Russell!
 
Defy

Defy

Cannabis Connoisseur
#1,586
Jan 23, 2006
24,139
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Rich City
#1,586
I remember when we had an old yet agile qb with greying hair starting. I think we won some games :cheeky:




I would like to see Russell start & flourish, but I'm with Ras, I wanna win games and if we can do it with Garcia then put him in. I think that might be a huge motivator for Russell as well, if he were to lose his job for a game or two if he was really struggling.
 
M.o.B

M.o.B

Sicc OG
#1,589
Oct 18, 2008
1,511
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The buzz is that the New England Patriots are interested in acquiring DE Derrick Burgess from the Raiders for a draft-pick in 2010.

After the fact that New England fleeced the Raiders in the Randy Moss trade (and that's sugar coating the real word)—I say, the Raiders must get true fair-value.

For a two-time ProBowler who led the league in sacks—a draft pick is not fair-value.

A player like DT Vince Wilfork would be fair-value.

Think about it.

Player-for-player trades while uncommon in the NFL have still occured. The Washington 'Skins for instance sent CB Champ Bailey to the Denver Broncos for RB Clinton Portis several years ago in a true player-for-player trade.

Wilfork is a former ProBowler and in a contract year. The Patriots selected DT Ron Brace in the draft as the potential replacement for Wilfork.

Derrick Burgess is also a former ProBowler in a contract year. The Raiders selected DE Matt Shaughnessy in the draft as a potential replacement for Burgess.

The Patriots would get their rusher and the Raiders would get their run stopper on a one year basis—and can tag that player before free-agency if they need to.

Wilfork is ProBowl player, thus the Raiders cannot allow the "rich to get richer" as they did by giving them Randy Moss by giving Derrick Burgess to them for magic beans.

Remember back in elementary school when you traded cards with kids and refused to trade a single for someone's double? This is the same principle. If the Patriots want a premiere rusher, then they have to trade a premiere run stopper.

I'm not sure there's much else to say about that other than: What do you think, Raider Nation?

Trade Derrick Burgess for Vince Wilfork?
I would do this trade......
 
M.o.B

M.o.B

Sicc OG
#1,600
Oct 18, 2008
1,511
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#1,600
just do this next time......

Raiders MLB Morrison says ‘D’ can be dominant, Russell showing leadership

Ripples of hope have been sparse in Oakland over the past six seasons, while the Raiders bumbled their way to just 24 wins. The team has floundered through five different head coaches, a myriad of poor personnel decisions and many embarrassing moments during the span. Yet, for four of the six seasons, a steadying force at middle linebacker has given the club reason to think it has a block to build around on defense along with Pro Bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha.


QB JaMarcus Russell,
MLB Kirk Morrison

Kirk Morrison, a third-round pick in 2005, flies under the radar playing for a team that’s known more for losing and bizarre Al Davis press conferences, but he’s been remarkably consistent, making at least 116 tackles each season, and has started all but one game since entering the league.
Pro Football Weekly spoke with Morrison on May 19 after one of the Raiders’ OTAs (organized team activities). In a wide-ranging interview, Morrison talked about his development and the Raiders’ new defensive coordinator, John Marshall. He said the team continues to feed off the momentum from last season, when it finished with back-to-back wins for the first time since ’02, and he also responded to ex-Raider DeAngelo Hall’s recent criticism of the team.

PFW: Is there anything in particular you’re working on improving during OTAs?

Morrison: One thing you’re always improving is your situational play. We’re talking about red zone, goal line, third down, first and second down, four-minute defense vs. four-minute offense. I think that’s what you kind of focus on during the OTAs. As a middle linebacker, I’m excited because the game is more slowed down, going on Year Five, than it was in my first couple years.

You start to understand a lot more when you look at what an offense is trying to do to you, what they’re thinking, what the defensive coordinator is thinking. A lot of times guys play on instincts. Sometimes we make football out to be really, really difficult because it can be, but a lot of times it’s really simple. We just sometimes make it a lot harder than what it is.

PFW: Were you getting by on instincts as recently as last year? When did that shift happen for you?

Morrison: Over time, you just learn to get it. … There are guys like Ray Lewis. You talk to those guys and figure out what they know and what they see. It all comes from film study and just playing, knowing the situation of the game.

PFW: You mentioned learning from veterans like Ray Lewis, but you haven’t had a guy like that in Oakland. The Raiders have a pretty young group of linebackers. Whom do you look to as a mentor-like figure in Oakland?

Morrison: I’m the older guy on the team, and I just finished my fourth year. I’m one of the oldest linebackers on our team. What I’ve looked for, and learned the game from, are guys who have been around those (veteran) players, but also the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. I’m with them every single day. I have a new defensive coordinator (Marshall) and linebackers coach (Mike Haluchack) this year. You’re learning new terminology; you’re learning about the game a lot more.

They see the game differently than the coaches I’ve had before. You take everything in that you learned before, and you just add it to the philosophy that your new coaches have. It just makes you that much better a football player.

PFW: How is John Marshall’s scheme or coaching style different from former D-coordinator Rob Ryan’s?

Morrison: A little bit different in the fact of terminology and what he believes in. Everyone has their things. If me and you go to a restaurant, your favorite restaurant and my favorite restaurant, you know what you like, and I know what I like. We both like the same restaurant, but we like different items on the menu. I think that’s what it is for those coaches. They know the game, but they just like different styles.

For right now, we’re just going over the basics and learning it. These OTAs help out teams such as ours that have a new defensive staff. We’re able to get a lot of the playbook in and a lot of the philosophy and terminology down, going into training camp.

PFW: Is there anything in specific Marshall is emphasizing?

Morrison: Just a mentality. He’s already trying to make the mentality that’s been around here in years past change as far as a losing habit. We haven’t won here in the past six years. He’s a coach that’s been around Super Bowl teams; he’s coached in Super Bowls. For me, I’m excited because he had a chance to coach a middle linebacker in Seattle the last couple years who’s a good friend of mine in Lofa Tatupu. Seeing the way Lofa went in that defense, I’m excited because I could step into the same opportunity and get to where Lofa is in his career as a three-time Pro Bowler. … I think what Marshall brings is experience and he’s a proven winner. He’s done it before. He’s been at the bottom before, and it’s not fun.

PFW: Is everybody on board with the new guy?

Morrison: Definitely. I think so. We understand what the NFL’s all about. We all loved Rob and we hated to see him go. But with as much turnover as the NFL has, you don’t see coaches stay with teams that long.

The changes have been good so far, and we’re just trying to improve every single day. We feel like we can be dominant. Now we just have to go out there and do it.

PFW: Tom Cable seemed to get you guys to click late last season after some struggles early on, which culminated in back-to-back wins to end the season. Has that momentum carried over into the offseason?

Morrison: I definitely feel it. The guys feel it. What we did in the last couple games is something that didn’t happen in my first four years — going on a winning streak at the end of the year, going into the offseason feeling like a winner.

It wasn’t like we felt like we were a bad football team at all last year. There were some games we should have won. We should have at least been a .500 ballclub last year. We let a couple games slip away and made some mistakes, and that’s one thing that he’s been trying to change the mentality of our team. He’s making sure that we understand that games are won and lost in the fourth quarter.

We have to win that fourth quarter and win more football games. You know why? Because we can. We have shown it and we did it in the last two games (of last season). That’s what everyone’s been excited about.

PFW: Looking around the AFC West, Jay Cutler has left the Broncos, the Chiefs are in rebuilding mode, and the Chargers aren’t as dominant as they used to be. Do you feel like this is the year you guys can make a leap in the division?

Morrison: If we go out and do what we’re capable of doing, which is running the football on offense, making some plays down the field in the passing game, and just playing dominant defense — stopping the run, getting the ball out to our secondary — we feel like we have one of the best secondaries in the NFL. When we play like that, we feel like we’re going to go out and win football games.

It’s not the same AFC West of past years when you knew there was a clear-cut team that was going to win the division. I think right now the division is kind of up in the air. On paper, everyone just doesn’t know. We’re eager to get out there and, I wouldn’t say ‘sneak up on people,’ but just … we’re going to be underdogs.

PFW: While there isn’t an official quarterback competition in Oakland yet, Jeff Garcia certainly is capable of taking over on offense if JaMarcus Russell takes a step backward. Who do you think is the best fit to run your offense right now? Is it Russell or Garcia?

Morrison: You have to think … JaMarcus has been here the last couple years. He was our starting quarterback last year. He’s fit to run this offense. He knows about it. He’s getting more and comfortable with it. … People don’t really understand that this is only JaMarcus’ second (year of going through) OTAs. His first year he had the (contract) holdout and he missed the OTAs and extra minicamps. He never really got a chance to experience it. Last year, he had it all happen for (the first time), going into kind of like a rookie season almost. This year he definitely understands it more. The OTAs give him a big boost in being able to do more. Last year it was kind of hard. There was a lot put on him, almost as a rookie.

You asked me earlier about having a guy in your locker room at your position who has been in the game for a while and been a winner before, played in big games. That’s what Jeff brings to our football team and to our quarterback position — a guy that JaMarcus can talk to, lean on.

It just so happens, if anything does happen to JaMarcus, which we definitely, definitely don’t want to happen, we’re able to have a guy in Jeff step in while JaMarcus is out, and we have total confidence that he can get the job done.

PFW: Jeff Garcia is a competitor, though. I know you’re aware of that. You have to think he’s not going to back down but try to come in and take the starting job if he can.

Morrison: Yeah, definitely. That’s the way his mentality is. But as of right now, we know what JaMarcus can do. He was our starting quarterback for the last two games of the season, and those are two games that we won. That’s what we go from right now. … Going into this season, I see JaMarcus as the starter. He proved to the guys on this football team that he can get it done. He made some big throws, but at the same time we know that Jeff is going to push him. You have to wait until training camp to see, but right now I just feel like JaMarcus was our starting quarterback from the end of the season and you kind of go from there.

PFW: Tom Cable was pretty vocal this offseason about wanting to see more leadership from JaMarcus. Have you seen any of that from JaMarcus yet?

Morrison: Yeah, definitely. He’s a specimen. He’s a commanding force. When he steps in the huddle, I know guys respect him. That leadership role is something that’s going to happen. It will happen. I know I’m in the same position at middle linebacker where you’re pretty much the leader on defense. The only way you lead is by being out there every day, being vocal, but also you have to make sure that you’re doing your job. That’s what a leader is.

PFW: I don’t think a second-round pick has caused more controversy, at least recently, than the Raiders’ choice of Mike Mitchell this year. What’s your impression of him

Morrison: He’s a hard-hitting safety. He can cover. He’s fast, strong. A lot of people say, ‘Well, we didn’t have him rated (that high).’ You’re saying that to the wrong guy here. I’m a third-round guy, but I feel like I’m a first-round talent in terms of my play on the field. I don’t look at the way people rate you. If you look at my draft class, I feel like I’m right up there with the guys who were drafted in the first round at my position. I told Mike that, too. I said, ‘Go out and play the game. Have fun. Don’t let all that other stuff distract you.’

PFW: Your former teammate, DeAngelo Hall, joined a growing group of ex-Raiders who have taken shots at Al Davis and the team after leaving. He said he was relieved to leave Oakland midway through last season. I know you haven’t seen his comments yet, but how do you respond to the criticisms of Davis and the organization?

Morrison: Not every situation is going to fit for people. With DeAngelo, it looked good on paper. He came here, people saw the talent and thought everything was great, but it just wasn’t a good fit for him.

Those kinds of things happen.

The cure for all the scrutiny, for all the down talk — all you have to do is start winning football games. If you start winning, all that stuff goes away real quick. That’s what we have to change.

In 2001, ’02, ’03, Oakland was the place to be. Everybody wanted to be in Oakland. The last couple of years, that kind of changed a little bit. We need to get back to where we were six, seven years ago.

PFW: Do you feel like the Raiders’ organization is dysfunctional, and do you get frustrated with the way things are done there?

Morrison: Every organization does things different. You have to understand that’s just the way it is. You have to go along with it.

You go out and do your job. You go out and go to work every day. That’s what I do. That’s something you can’t control. You can control how you play and how you are as a person and what you do extra to make sure you’re doing your best. No matter what you do, you got to make sure you take care of yourself first. All that other stuff, don’t let that affect you.
 
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