HOW WIERD IS THAT?

by crusaderoflight on Sep 5, 2008 12:23 AM MDT

What does it feel like to have a raider legends logo stamped into you field? AND ON YOUR UNIFORMS! for the whole year!

Being a raider fan I think it would be unbarable if say Elway died and was required by the NFL to be on everyones gear. Hmmmm

ON THE GAME: Expecting a Raiders double digit victory as long as JR is only required to manage the game and not be relied on to win with his arm.

Based on the last meeting ,The raiders this time have a huge advantage in upgrades and even with LILLY ( as I have always refered to him) and Javon the receiving corp is better then last year.

Just giddy about taking the wraps off our new running back and the D is a huge upgrade over last year. Seeing how this is a game of matchups,I'm just hoping this is the begining of the end for rat boy!

Is this how Al manages to exact his revenge should the season go south and Denver ends up with a losing record again?

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALLLLLLLLLLLL

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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That is why we play the game my friend!

May the best team win and may there be no injuries to either team.

On the other hand, moldy faders stink….styg50 Sept.1, 2008

by firstfan on Sep 5, 2008 12:51 AM MDT 0 recs

If JM is managing the game....

….that means he isn’t able to air out the ball. While I agree that this is the correct strategy (keep the ball on the ground), it is from a position of weakness. The idea of “managing” the game is to keep Denver’s offense off the field, and to limit Denver’s new blitz heavy scheme this year.

On the other hand, I think oakland will have some success running the ball.

All in all, a team will have “better” upgrades if their previous season’s record is atrocious (ie, higher draft picks). While oakland did go out and get some big addittions, they also overspent on value. I also think they failed to address some key positions (why go out and get a first round RB when you are already deep there?)

Denver did a heck of a job upgrading quietly. They went low price, high value. They also scored on some sleeper picks (Royal was brought in to return punts, is now a #2 WR, Hillis displaces long time FB Sapp, Foxworth at CB traded on the strength of the Williams CB pick up).

I’ve been thinking that Denver and oakland split the series this year (while Denver again ends up with the better season record). But some of the holes I’ve seen in the preseason for oakland are making me reconsider the assessment. Denver learned last year that a spending spree doesn’t ensure success if the team is made up of individuals. The spending spree concept (see DAL and WAS the last several years) rarely works. Sound decisions based on value, character, and skill seems to net a better product on the field. At least that’s my opinion.

Best of luck Crusader!

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 5, 2008 5:28 AM MDT 0 recs

I agree

we did overspend this year which is a shock. Al normally doesn’t like to spend alot of money on his players as you can tell with the JaMarcus holdout last year. I would’ve liked to have spent on more offensive lineman this year but the choice of McFadden was strictly to give JaMarcus weapons in the offense so he can become successful.

Al’s reasoning is this. Opponents scored 398 points against the Raiders leading to a 24.87 avg, while the Raiders scored 283 for an avg of 17.68. A seven point difference. The Raiders where in alot of games last year (Even with a horrible run defense) but the failure of the offense to put the ball in the endzone kept them from winning. He is hoping that by being able to score alot we can win games. It’s a valid point but I still wish we would’ve brought in some big uglies to protect our franchise.

I do think monday will be a good game. You have made some upgrades as well and it will be interesting to see how that works out for you. Good luck to you HT but not your team.

by Raider76 on Sep 5, 2008 9:34 AM MDT up 0 recs

There is no doubt (in my mind)...

…that oakland will score more points this year. I also believe the raiders will improve their record more than most folks think. But the positions that were ignored this year create enough opportunities for exploitation that the team should have a hard time against playoff caliber teams.

They’ll need to fix these positions to take the next step (getting in and surviving the playoffs). This will be made difficult with the salary situation that oakland likely faces in two to three years.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 5, 2008 1:30 PM MDT up 0 recs

I am not sold on that

okaland will score more. I look at them and they are not good at QB, last year they had McCown at least. WHo is Russells back ups Tuiasisoppo (sp) and Walter. WR’s are horrible. They better they can control the clock with the run or its gonna be a long season. Until russel gets better they are in real trouble. I see Ryan having a better season than Russell

by broncfanstuckinsd on Sep 5, 2008 1:38 PM MDT up 0 recs

oakland's run game will be improved.

Their passing game still has holes (OL weaknesses), but the raiders have room for hope. JM is NOT a great QB, but it is reasonable to assume he improves this year. And like them or hate them, the raiders WR corps has flash. Do I expect folks like Walker or Lelie to measure up to their potential? Not at all. But on the whole, the team is more talented than last year. Just my opinion.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 6, 2008 6:34 AM MDT up 0 recs

I think Shanahan is bright enough...

…to identify those holes you mentioned, HT, and design ways to attack them.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Sep 5, 2008 10:17 AM MDT up 0 recs

Shanahan is the main reason...

…that Marshall’s absence from the first game won’t be a major issue.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 5, 2008 1:31 PM MDT up 0 recs

Agreed

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Sep 5, 2008 2:46 PM MDT up 0 recs

Right! Just like Shanahans brilliant scheme against Hester

Completely neutralized him in the second half of the game last year. The man is a genius.

by RaiderPete on Sep 5, 2008 6:11 PM MDT up 0 recs

That problem...

…was rectified quickly. Shanahan doesn’t take kindly to players who run at the mouth in the media (“We’re not gonna play chicken$hit ball…we’re kicken right at him”) then go and do stupid things.

I doubt Shanahan had anything to do with that debacle (though, as HC, he is ultimately responsible).

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 6, 2008 6:38 AM MDT up 0 recs

the "rat"

as you call him, is i believe 20-6 versus the oakland raiders. that is domination. if i were you, i would also be wishing for his demise each and every season. as for the revenge, what are you talking about exactly? it seems to me al fired shanahan, and then refused to pay him what he is owed. how do you avenge that? or are you just referring to the futile record of al vs. mike? whatever. shanahan will be here for longer than al davis is capable of running the raiders, so you now have to wait for 2 events to pass before you will be able to see the light. i hope you’re a young man

by davecheffy on Sep 5, 2008 3:04 PM MDT 0 recs

Not even Kiffin thinks you guys will be good this year.

I hear nothing but pessimism from your coaches mouth, and nothing but optimism from ours.

I have to side with Gruden Jr. on this one. You guys suck.

Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.

by kwool79 on Sep 5, 2008 3:23 PM MDT 0 recs

When an owner won't let a coach run the team...

…the team doesn’t have prayer. Period.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 6, 2008 6:39 AM MDT up 0 recs

You would think the Raiders would have a little talent...

Drafting inside the top 10 (including a #1 and a #2 overall) for a half decade.

What makes this year so different than the last 5?

Baby steps Raider fan. Be happy with not having double digit losses this year… If they can even do that.

by HBBeough on Sep 5, 2008 7:49 PM MDT 0 recs

JR will be much better this season and Monday then the pundits give him credit for

And yes dave, Albit it a small one, I was refering to reveange for Al’s futile record versus Mike. if oakland was somehow able to pull off a sweep this year (which is not inconcivable since we came within a field goal of pulling it off last season) and you guy’s end up with a simalar record, you can’t tell me that seats not going to get real hot. Which
could be an amusing side bet who last longer, mike as Denvers head coach or Al on this earth.

Honestly my concern is not JR (whole lot of bootlegs until he gets more settled in)or the Passing game ( still upgrade from last year) it is our D LIne which has only 3 solid starters and one so-so fill in. especially the first few games,these guys are not in the best game shape yet and they could be in trouble if the offense can’t
establish the run and stay on the field (Broncos main focus will be to shut that down).

Either way I"m jacked as I’m sure you are come monday night…. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

by crusaderoflight on Sep 5, 2008 9:43 PM MDT 0 recs

You cant base prognostications on last year....

Crusader, nice points but one major flaw you, and many so called experts and fans use.
YOU CANT BASE PREDICTIONS THIS YEAR BASED ON LAST YEAR!!
That’s like saying it is going to rain tomorrow because it rained the same day last year. It makes no sense.
The only thing you can base any predictions on is the pre-season as that is the most recent form guide…thats what is so hard about week 1 predictions. The pre-season is hardly legitimate form guide.
We will see, but I dont think what happened last year has anything to do with Monday’s game.
Good luck to all the Raiders fans!

by boydy2669 on Sep 6, 2008 3:50 PM MDT 0 recs