THE OFFICIAL OAKLAND RAIDERS 2009 OFFSEASON THREAD
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The Raiders Future Home
by TheRaiderWay
As the Raiders gear up for their near future by preparing to put a competitive team on the field for the 2009 season, there remains uncertainty as to where the Raiders will call home in the future after the 2010 season. That future is now around the corner, as the Raiders' lease with the Oakland Coliseum is set to expire after the 2010 season. The Raiders continue to play in one of the NFL's oldest stadiums and are one of only three teams to still share a stadium with a baseball team.
The city of Oakland does not appear to have the financial or mental resources to plan for, develop or maintain a first-class stadium for their professional sports teams. The Athletics have apparently exhausted their efforts to have their own, baseball only facility in the city of Oakland and are currently and have been looking elsewhere. The Raiders have been battling County and City officials for years over stadium issues, whose incompetence and lack of true effort will likely drive away the Raiders again as well as the A's.
The Raiders simply cannot compete with the rest of the NFL while they remain in an antiquated, sub-standard venue, that is not only diminishing their revenue but the overall franchise value.A solution must be sought and the Raiders are seeking them.
Now comes the report that the Raiders Bay Area neighbor, the 49ers, have reached an accord with officials of Santa Clara to construct a new 68,500-seat stadium near Great America and the Santa Clara Convention Center.The $937 million stadium project has a feasible finance plan that will put the majority of the burden on the NFL and the 49ers.
This is where the Raiders can come in. It appears that the financial model will greatly improve if the stadium is shared by a second team, much in the way the Jets and the Giants share in New Jersey for New York. For one, the proposed stadium would be occupied for 16 weeks of the season, not just for eight. The Raiders revenue would greatly increase, and with the possibility that the NFL will never have a salary cap again, the Raiders will have the financial resources needed to compete for the best free agent available.
The NFL is urging the Raiders to consider the option of a shared stadium with the 49ers and Raiders CEO, Amy Trask has an open mind to the possibility:
"We are exploring — and keeping an open mind with respect to — all opportunities to create a world-class stadium for our fans and our team, and that includes keeping an open mind with respect to a shared stadium," Trask said. "We enjoy a cooperative and collaborative relationship with the 49ers."
The Santa Clara option, for the moment, seems to be the most viable option other than extending the current lease long-term with the Oakland Coliseum and would keep the Raiders in the Bay Area. Other than that, what is out there? Another move to Los Angeles? Could even San Diego be a possibility?
The point is, the Raiders and the city of Oakland are soon to be at the point of, "something's gotta give". The long-term future for the Raiders needs to be solved in the near-term, so that the franchise, the players and their fans have a direction to point to and for stability to be finally achieved.
What do you think Raiders fans. What should be done about the Raiders future home?
by TheRaiderWay
As the Raiders gear up for their near future by preparing to put a competitive team on the field for the 2009 season, there remains uncertainty as to where the Raiders will call home in the future after the 2010 season. That future is now around the corner, as the Raiders' lease with the Oakland Coliseum is set to expire after the 2010 season. The Raiders continue to play in one of the NFL's oldest stadiums and are one of only three teams to still share a stadium with a baseball team.
The city of Oakland does not appear to have the financial or mental resources to plan for, develop or maintain a first-class stadium for their professional sports teams. The Athletics have apparently exhausted their efforts to have their own, baseball only facility in the city of Oakland and are currently and have been looking elsewhere. The Raiders have been battling County and City officials for years over stadium issues, whose incompetence and lack of true effort will likely drive away the Raiders again as well as the A's.
The Raiders simply cannot compete with the rest of the NFL while they remain in an antiquated, sub-standard venue, that is not only diminishing their revenue but the overall franchise value.A solution must be sought and the Raiders are seeking them.
Now comes the report that the Raiders Bay Area neighbor, the 49ers, have reached an accord with officials of Santa Clara to construct a new 68,500-seat stadium near Great America and the Santa Clara Convention Center.The $937 million stadium project has a feasible finance plan that will put the majority of the burden on the NFL and the 49ers.
This is where the Raiders can come in. It appears that the financial model will greatly improve if the stadium is shared by a second team, much in the way the Jets and the Giants share in New Jersey for New York. For one, the proposed stadium would be occupied for 16 weeks of the season, not just for eight. The Raiders revenue would greatly increase, and with the possibility that the NFL will never have a salary cap again, the Raiders will have the financial resources needed to compete for the best free agent available.
The NFL is urging the Raiders to consider the option of a shared stadium with the 49ers and Raiders CEO, Amy Trask has an open mind to the possibility:
"We are exploring — and keeping an open mind with respect to — all opportunities to create a world-class stadium for our fans and our team, and that includes keeping an open mind with respect to a shared stadium," Trask said. "We enjoy a cooperative and collaborative relationship with the 49ers."
The Santa Clara option, for the moment, seems to be the most viable option other than extending the current lease long-term with the Oakland Coliseum and would keep the Raiders in the Bay Area. Other than that, what is out there? Another move to Los Angeles? Could even San Diego be a possibility?
The point is, the Raiders and the city of Oakland are soon to be at the point of, "something's gotta give". The long-term future for the Raiders needs to be solved in the near-term, so that the franchise, the players and their fans have a direction to point to and for stability to be finally achieved.
What do you think Raiders fans. What should be done about the Raiders future home?
I would love for the raiders to get a new stadium in Oakland but don't see it happening anytime soon the city doesn't have the money for it and you know Davis is going to want the city to pay for most of it. I really dont care where they play but it would be nice if it was in a better stadium just dont see it anytime soon.
June 1, 2009 5:02 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall signed a lucrative contract extension with the Redskins at the outset of free agency, but it hasn't helped with his Madden rating. Hall's Madden rating fell 25 points from 93 to 68. And it sounds like he's legitimately upset about it. From the blog on the Redskins' Web site.
"I heard that," Hall told [Redskins blogger Matt Terl], "but it had kinda been in one in ear out the other. But as the release date gets closer, I'm starting to get a little bit more paranoid, I'm thinking about trying to get my name and likeness pulled off the game entirely. 'Cause this is bull."
And here's what Hall said on his alleged Twitter feed. Terl reports that Hall was out of his mind good in Monday's organized team activities session. And Hall admitted that the Madden thing really is motivating him.
WHAT A FAG!!! I HAD SUCH HIGH HOPES OF HIM AND NMANDI SHUTTING SHIT DOWN, HIM AND JAVONS CONTRACT COULD HAVE HELPED US GET SOME PRODUCTION IN SO MANY DIFFERENT AREAS. FUCK.
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall signed a lucrative contract extension with the Redskins at the outset of free agency, but it hasn't helped with his Madden rating. Hall's Madden rating fell 25 points from 93 to 68. And it sounds like he's legitimately upset about it. From the blog on the Redskins' Web site.
"I heard that," Hall told [Redskins blogger Matt Terl], "but it had kinda been in one in ear out the other. But as the release date gets closer, I'm starting to get a little bit more paranoid, I'm thinking about trying to get my name and likeness pulled off the game entirely. 'Cause this is bull."
And here's what Hall said on his alleged Twitter feed. Terl reports that Hall was out of his mind good in Monday's organized team activities session. And Hall admitted that the Madden thing really is motivating him.
WHAT A FAG!!! I HAD SUCH HIGH HOPES OF HIM AND NMANDI SHUTTING SHIT DOWN, HIM AND JAVONS CONTRACT COULD HAVE HELPED US GET SOME PRODUCTION IN SO MANY DIFFERENT AREAS. FUCK.
Stats to watch for Russell, Raiders
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, June 1st, 2009 at 9:04 am in Oakland Raiders.
As the Raiders meet for another three-day OTA starting Tuesday, they’ll continue to restructure their offense and indirectly be seeking to upgrade some statistical yardmarkers which will give an idea of how JaMarcus Russell is progressing in his second full season as a starter.
Warren Sapp was fond of saying “stats are for losers,” and it’s true a statistic can be pulled and stretched in different directions. Here are a few numbers that, if improved, will mean Russell’s performance has improved as well because of better help from his offensive line, more explosive playmakers and improved accuracy:
Rushing yards, first-and-10: A strong indicator of how the offensive line is playing, given the New York Giants and their heralded line was first with 1,333 yards. The Raiders were 14th in the NFL at 865 yards.
The two rookie quarterbacks who led their team to the playoffs last season got a lot of help in this area. Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons and Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens operated in offenses which ranked second (1,253 for Atlanta) and fourth (1,202) in this category.
If Justin Fargas is to hold off Michael Bush, first-and-10 is where he has to excel.
Percentage of first downs per pass attempt: The Raiders were 28th at 26.7 percent. This means Russell needs more targets than Zach Miller when he needs to keep the chains moving. Based on the mandatory minicamp and first OTA, Chaz Schilens has the best chance to be that player.
Percentage of third down conversions on pass plays–The Raiders were 31st at 23.3 percent, ahead of only the Detroit Lions. The standard, not surprisingly, is the 47.7 percent figure by Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
As much as the Raiders talked about “staying on schedule” and keeping down and distance manageable, Russell is going to have to stick a bigger number of third down throws for Oakland to have any hope of being a successful offense.
Yards after catch for receivers– Well thrown-balls mean receivers catch the ball in stride and in a position to do some damage. Ideally, Darren McFadden would rank among the NFL leaders in this category, since running backs are often among the leaders.
Russell has had consistency issues on these throws, both last season and this offseason.
Pass plays of 25 or more yards–The Raiders were 23rd last season with 20. With the help of passing game coordinator Ted Tollner, coach Tom Cable has restructured the Oakland passing game to include deeper routes which play to Russell’s strengths.
If Russell has a bread-and-butter pass at this point, it’s the slant, which he can throw both medium and long-range. A chemistry with rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Media availability for the OTA will be Wednesday . . .
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, June 1st, 2009 at 9:04 am in Oakland Raiders.
As the Raiders meet for another three-day OTA starting Tuesday, they’ll continue to restructure their offense and indirectly be seeking to upgrade some statistical yardmarkers which will give an idea of how JaMarcus Russell is progressing in his second full season as a starter.
Warren Sapp was fond of saying “stats are for losers,” and it’s true a statistic can be pulled and stretched in different directions. Here are a few numbers that, if improved, will mean Russell’s performance has improved as well because of better help from his offensive line, more explosive playmakers and improved accuracy:
Rushing yards, first-and-10: A strong indicator of how the offensive line is playing, given the New York Giants and their heralded line was first with 1,333 yards. The Raiders were 14th in the NFL at 865 yards.
The two rookie quarterbacks who led their team to the playoffs last season got a lot of help in this area. Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons and Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens operated in offenses which ranked second (1,253 for Atlanta) and fourth (1,202) in this category.
If Justin Fargas is to hold off Michael Bush, first-and-10 is where he has to excel.
Percentage of first downs per pass attempt: The Raiders were 28th at 26.7 percent. This means Russell needs more targets than Zach Miller when he needs to keep the chains moving. Based on the mandatory minicamp and first OTA, Chaz Schilens has the best chance to be that player.
Percentage of third down conversions on pass plays–The Raiders were 31st at 23.3 percent, ahead of only the Detroit Lions. The standard, not surprisingly, is the 47.7 percent figure by Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
As much as the Raiders talked about “staying on schedule” and keeping down and distance manageable, Russell is going to have to stick a bigger number of third down throws for Oakland to have any hope of being a successful offense.
Yards after catch for receivers– Well thrown-balls mean receivers catch the ball in stride and in a position to do some damage. Ideally, Darren McFadden would rank among the NFL leaders in this category, since running backs are often among the leaders.
Russell has had consistency issues on these throws, both last season and this offseason.
Pass plays of 25 or more yards–The Raiders were 23rd last season with 20. With the help of passing game coordinator Ted Tollner, coach Tom Cable has restructured the Oakland passing game to include deeper routes which play to Russell’s strengths.
If Russell has a bread-and-butter pass at this point, it’s the slant, which he can throw both medium and long-range. A chemistry with rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Media availability for the OTA will be Wednesday . . .
OTA notebook
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm in Oakland Raiders.
News and notes from Wednesday’s organized team actiivty session open to the media:
– Those who were panic-stricken over JaMarcus Russell’s uneven performances through the mandatory minicamp and first organized activity session open to the media can come in off the ledge.
Russell was better Wednesday. There were few, if any, of the real deep strikes coach Tom Cable said will be part of the offense this year in the limited amount of snaps where there was a lot of field to work with. However, the simple, fundamental throws Russell had struggled with earlier came much easier.
Russell continued to work the tight end position, hitting Tony Stewart with a slant on his opening 7-on-7 throw and then throwing short of rookie free agent Chris O’Neill.
He rallied with a throw to Stewart in the right flat and a dumpoff to Gary Russell, passes which Russell often missed in prevoius public practices.
During a red zone session, Russell threw a hot-read wobbler to Todd Watkins for a short completion, a dumpoff to Louis Rankin for a short gain (quickly diagnosed by linebacker Jon Alston), then was late on a pass to Stewart with Thomas Howard covering.
Justin Fargas gathered in a short pass with a one-handed grab to which Isaiah Ekejiuba reacted with astonishment, given Fargas’ below-average pass-catching skills.
– For what it’s worth, Cable said afterward Russell had upgraded his performance from 2-for-32 to 11-for-32 in the red zone from the last OTA to Wednesday’s session.
(I’ll be honest _ I’m not sure what that means. As poor as Russell was, he completed more than two passes last time. And he sure didn’t appear to have 11 touchdown passes Wednesday. Didn’t get a chance to ask Cable about it because I was involved in another interview at the beginning of the coach’s session. Eleven positive plays, perhaps? Or properly executed plays or reads? If I remember, I’ll try and clear that up next week).
“We’ve got tomorrow and then two more weeks so I hope we can make a good amount of progress as we get ready for camp,” Cable said.
– Among those players who did not attend the voluntary workout or were out because of injuries included backup quarterback Jeff Garcia, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, defensive tackle Gerard Warren (pectoral), defensive end Derrick Burgess, running back Darren McFadden, defensive end Jay Richardson, guard-tackle Mark Wilson, fullback Oren O’Neal (knee) and wide receivers Arman Shields (knee) and Javon Walker (knee).
Tight end Zach Miller, who had sports hernia surgery, was in uniform and on the field but did not participate in team sessions. He said he could be on the field next week.
Burgess does not attend voluntary sessions. Kelly and McFadden had other business to attend to, and Cable said he expects Kelly next week. Garcia practiced Tuesday, according to one team source.
Cable said he didn’t know when Asomugha would be here before camp.
“I don’t know that. I’m hoping he’ll be here the last two,” Cable said. “If not the last two, the last one.”
– Cornerback Chris Johnson, who did not attend the last OTA, was present and worked with the starters.
– Pass protection seemed to be an issue, with Russell spinning into a certain sack from rookie end Stryker Sulak and unloading another throw incomplete in the face of a Kirk Morrison blitz.
– With Garcia not around, Bruce Gradkowski got additional work and had a solid day after previously struggling with most passes which went beyond 15 yards.
Gradkowski had two of the day’s bigger gains on a deep out to Samie Parker and a perfect sideline pass to Marcel Reece. He also found Florida rookie Louis Murphy all alone behind Jason Horton _ except Murphy let the ball hit him in the stomach and drop to the ground.
“Yesterday I caught one the same way. Today, I guess I lost my focus on it,” Murphy said. “That’s what I’m here for.
– Gradkowski threw the day’s only interception, a deflection gathered in by rookie free agent Frantz Joseph.
– No depth chart changes evident from the previous minicamp, although there were some changes because of absences. The first team defensive line was Trevor Scott, Terdell Sands (for Warren), William Joseph (for Kelly) and Greyson Gunheim. Linebackers were Thomas Howard, Morrison and Alston.
Cornerbacks were Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson, with Hiram Eugene (free) and Tyvon Branch (strong).
– Mario Henderson continued to take first-team reps at left tackle, and often also worked with the second team as Khalif Barnes got less work.
– Satele, acquired from the Miami Dolphins in the offseason and expected to replace Jake Grove as the starting center, went through warmups and drills for the first time but did not particpate in team sessions.
“The training staff they have is unbelievable,” Satele said. “Like I said, they did everything and anything to get me out here early. So I’m out here. Which I’m not supposed to, but they got me ready, so I’m ready to practice.”
Satele is eager to prove he can be a zone blocking center after two years as a man blocker in Miami.
“It fits me. I can run and be athletic,” Satele said. “And the guys around me, like Robert (Gallery) and Cooper (Carlisle), they’re made for this system. They can run, and I’m just trying to catch up to them.”
– The Raiders continue to play it safe with Heyward-Bey and his “sore” right hamstring. He hasn’t been on the field in a team setting since the second day of the mandatory minicamp. However he was running patterns following practice at what he said was “95 percent.”
It has robbed the rookie of the chance to lay the groundwork of a pass-catch relationship with Russell, although Heyward-Bey believes he can make up for lost time.
“You want to be out there with the quarterback all the time,” Heyward-Bey said. “But you’ve got to understand, we’ve got two more weeks of OTAs, we got training camp, we got preseason, it’s a lot of time but you don’t want to be too relaxed. You would like to be out there with your quarterback.”
– Heyward-Bey said he is not aware of any negotiations going on for a contract, which isn’t unusual since the starting point for rookies is usually around July 4. Last year was the exception, as McFadden signed June 6.
– A strong day for strong side linebacker Jon Alston, who said he finished last season at 214 pounds and has bulked up as high as 235 and is now 232. Judging from the way Alston is defending the pass and moving on the field, he hasn’t lost any quickness.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm in Oakland Raiders.
News and notes from Wednesday’s organized team actiivty session open to the media:
– Those who were panic-stricken over JaMarcus Russell’s uneven performances through the mandatory minicamp and first organized activity session open to the media can come in off the ledge.
Russell was better Wednesday. There were few, if any, of the real deep strikes coach Tom Cable said will be part of the offense this year in the limited amount of snaps where there was a lot of field to work with. However, the simple, fundamental throws Russell had struggled with earlier came much easier.
Russell continued to work the tight end position, hitting Tony Stewart with a slant on his opening 7-on-7 throw and then throwing short of rookie free agent Chris O’Neill.
He rallied with a throw to Stewart in the right flat and a dumpoff to Gary Russell, passes which Russell often missed in prevoius public practices.
During a red zone session, Russell threw a hot-read wobbler to Todd Watkins for a short completion, a dumpoff to Louis Rankin for a short gain (quickly diagnosed by linebacker Jon Alston), then was late on a pass to Stewart with Thomas Howard covering.
Justin Fargas gathered in a short pass with a one-handed grab to which Isaiah Ekejiuba reacted with astonishment, given Fargas’ below-average pass-catching skills.
– For what it’s worth, Cable said afterward Russell had upgraded his performance from 2-for-32 to 11-for-32 in the red zone from the last OTA to Wednesday’s session.
(I’ll be honest _ I’m not sure what that means. As poor as Russell was, he completed more than two passes last time. And he sure didn’t appear to have 11 touchdown passes Wednesday. Didn’t get a chance to ask Cable about it because I was involved in another interview at the beginning of the coach’s session. Eleven positive plays, perhaps? Or properly executed plays or reads? If I remember, I’ll try and clear that up next week).
“We’ve got tomorrow and then two more weeks so I hope we can make a good amount of progress as we get ready for camp,” Cable said.
– Among those players who did not attend the voluntary workout or were out because of injuries included backup quarterback Jeff Garcia, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, defensive tackle Gerard Warren (pectoral), defensive end Derrick Burgess, running back Darren McFadden, defensive end Jay Richardson, guard-tackle Mark Wilson, fullback Oren O’Neal (knee) and wide receivers Arman Shields (knee) and Javon Walker (knee).
Tight end Zach Miller, who had sports hernia surgery, was in uniform and on the field but did not participate in team sessions. He said he could be on the field next week.
Burgess does not attend voluntary sessions. Kelly and McFadden had other business to attend to, and Cable said he expects Kelly next week. Garcia practiced Tuesday, according to one team source.
Cable said he didn’t know when Asomugha would be here before camp.
“I don’t know that. I’m hoping he’ll be here the last two,” Cable said. “If not the last two, the last one.”
– Cornerback Chris Johnson, who did not attend the last OTA, was present and worked with the starters.
– Pass protection seemed to be an issue, with Russell spinning into a certain sack from rookie end Stryker Sulak and unloading another throw incomplete in the face of a Kirk Morrison blitz.
– With Garcia not around, Bruce Gradkowski got additional work and had a solid day after previously struggling with most passes which went beyond 15 yards.
Gradkowski had two of the day’s bigger gains on a deep out to Samie Parker and a perfect sideline pass to Marcel Reece. He also found Florida rookie Louis Murphy all alone behind Jason Horton _ except Murphy let the ball hit him in the stomach and drop to the ground.
“Yesterday I caught one the same way. Today, I guess I lost my focus on it,” Murphy said. “That’s what I’m here for.
– Gradkowski threw the day’s only interception, a deflection gathered in by rookie free agent Frantz Joseph.
– No depth chart changes evident from the previous minicamp, although there were some changes because of absences. The first team defensive line was Trevor Scott, Terdell Sands (for Warren), William Joseph (for Kelly) and Greyson Gunheim. Linebackers were Thomas Howard, Morrison and Alston.
Cornerbacks were Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson, with Hiram Eugene (free) and Tyvon Branch (strong).
– Mario Henderson continued to take first-team reps at left tackle, and often also worked with the second team as Khalif Barnes got less work.
– Satele, acquired from the Miami Dolphins in the offseason and expected to replace Jake Grove as the starting center, went through warmups and drills for the first time but did not particpate in team sessions.
“The training staff they have is unbelievable,” Satele said. “Like I said, they did everything and anything to get me out here early. So I’m out here. Which I’m not supposed to, but they got me ready, so I’m ready to practice.”
Satele is eager to prove he can be a zone blocking center after two years as a man blocker in Miami.
“It fits me. I can run and be athletic,” Satele said. “And the guys around me, like Robert (Gallery) and Cooper (Carlisle), they’re made for this system. They can run, and I’m just trying to catch up to them.”
– The Raiders continue to play it safe with Heyward-Bey and his “sore” right hamstring. He hasn’t been on the field in a team setting since the second day of the mandatory minicamp. However he was running patterns following practice at what he said was “95 percent.”
It has robbed the rookie of the chance to lay the groundwork of a pass-catch relationship with Russell, although Heyward-Bey believes he can make up for lost time.
“You want to be out there with the quarterback all the time,” Heyward-Bey said. “But you’ve got to understand, we’ve got two more weeks of OTAs, we got training camp, we got preseason, it’s a lot of time but you don’t want to be too relaxed. You would like to be out there with your quarterback.”
– Heyward-Bey said he is not aware of any negotiations going on for a contract, which isn’t unusual since the starting point for rookies is usually around July 4. Last year was the exception, as McFadden signed June 6.
– A strong day for strong side linebacker Jon Alston, who said he finished last season at 214 pounds and has bulked up as high as 235 and is now 232. Judging from the way Alston is defending the pass and moving on the field, he hasn’t lost any quickness.
