Raiders trade down
The Raiders just traded out of the third spot to Miami’s No. 12. I assume the Raiders got more picks for the No.3. I hope they trade down again out of No.12 and get more picks. They need many many players.
Raiders, 49ers differ in draft strategies
Here is the opening to my Sunday column about the Raiders, the 49ers and the draft: Although the 49ers and Raiders will participate in the NFL draft starting Thursday, it’s like they are taking part in two different drafts. Their needs and their basic goals are that different. Let’s simplify. The Niners have too many draft picks, 13, although a team never really can have too many, and the Raiders have way too few, seven. What is the implication of… Read More »
Matt Flynn is hardly the answer
Here is the opening to my Thursday column about the Raiders and their new quarterback, Matt Flynn: Pay attention because this is important. The Raiders got Matt Flynn to play quarterback for them and they traded Carson Palmer to the Cardinals. No great loss there. People who should know better are writing, saying, declaring the Raiders did well, were brilliant in getting Flynn. Flynn is the answer at quarterback for years to come yadda yadda and other such nonsense. Please.… Read More »
Raiders don’t need Carson Palmer
The way I understand it Carson Palmer won’t agree to restructure his contract. He wants $13 million from the Raiders or he wants out. Which means he really doesn’t want to play for the Raiders. The Raiders should part company with him ASAP. He is no good to them. They are rebuilding and there is no place on a team like that for a quarterback like that. Let him be a backup on a contender and let the Raiders get… Read More »
Raiders make cuts
Raiders cut Darrius Heyward-Bey and Michael Huff, which means they are cutting two Al Davis guys, which means they gradually cut ties with Al Davis.
Ixnay on Holmgren to the Raiders
Here is the opening to my Thursday column about the possibility of Mike Holmgren taking over the Raiders: A while back, Mike Holmgren was a great football man, Super Bowl winner and heir to the Bill Walsh legacy, perhaps Walsh’s most distinguished heir. He no longer is a great football man, hasn’t been in a long time. His decline is relevant around these parts. Reports say he’s a candidate to run the Raiders. If he gets the gig, that would… Read More »
JaMarcus Russell tries to make good
Here is the opening to my Friday column about JaMarcus Russell and his attempt at a comeback: This is either the saddest story or the happiest story ever told. No one knows yet. No one knows until there’s an ending. And the ending hasn’t happened. It is the JaMarcus Russell Story, the story of his comeback, to be precise. If there is a comeback. He is 27 years old, and hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2009 season when… Read More »
Tim Brown and Bill Callahan and Jerry Rice
Tim Brown’s rash assertion that Bill Callahan intentionally sabotaged the Raiders in the Super Bowl is absurd. Callahan may have coached badly, but he was no double agent. Jerry Rice should be ashamed that he joined with Brown in piling on Callahan.
Fair warning for Dennis Allen
Dennis Allen fired four assistants including offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. That’s Allen’s business. In a sense, he is making those four the fall guys for a horrible season. Maybe they were no good, but Allen wasn’t exactly brilliant in his own right. He better make significant progress next season or he’ll be the one shown the door.
Raiders must purge roster
Here is the opening to my column from the Raiders’ sixth straight loss: OAKLAND The Raiders played the Denver Broncos Thursday night — prime time, no less. The Raiders lost 26-13. They have suffered worse losses this lost season, but now they have dropped six games in a row. The game hardly mattered, anyway. The Raiders’ season is over, and if you’re intent on reading a story about the game, please read my friend Phil Barber, who writes entertaining and… Read More »
