Raiders Win on Road, Russell Leads Comeback

It's been two weeks, and last week's loss does not really have significance unlike the week 15 game between the Denver Broncos in Mile High.
With the injury to both of Bruce Gradkowski's knees during the Redskin game, Tom Cable made the decision to Start Charlie Frye, the former Cleveland Brown starting quarterback who threw 19 touchdowns in 2006, but then only played 3 games in three years.
We will get to the Jamarcus Russell and his glorious comeback drive, however, the player that Oakland fans should be thanking is Michael Bush and his dominance in running the football. His 18 carry 133 yard performance is a great boost for this Oakland Raider team that has had a tough time in maintaining a strong offensive line.
The 23 yard touchdown burst for Bush was the moment this team had chance to win this game. The second moment in which the Raiders had a chance to win this game was in the 4th quarter; 4th and ten, Jamarcus is in for Frye who suffered a concussion in the game. WIth no timeouts and one and half minutes left, Russell saves the game by throwing a first down to TE Tony Stewart for the first down, which then led up to the ten yard touchdown pass to Chaz Schilens to take the lead.
I say that Russell should take some of the credit for this win as well as Bush, however, this is something Oakland fans want to see every week, not occasionally. Next week will be the chance the Raiders have been looking for in winning consecutive games. We shall see, stay tuned for an interesting season.

Gradkowski Throws TD Late, Beat Defending Champions

The most obvious thing you can say about this two game winning streak for the Oakland Raiders is who knew? Who knew that sitting Jamarcus Russell would give this Raider team so much confidence? Bruce Gradkowski has become the answer, and is now 2-1 as the starting quarterback. The Oakland Raiders these last three weeks have often looked like the legendary teams of the past, especially with the come from behind wins verse the Bengals and Steelers. There were even glimpses of the Gradkowski throwing the side-arm pass, which Rich Gannon made popular when he was playing in the NFL.
Gradkowski finished with 308 yards on 22 of 30 passing and three touchdowns. Bruce's performance really came in the clutch when he took his team and passed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to win the game with nine seconds left. One of the more impressive games the Raiders have played. However, Gradkowski's performance would not have been validated unless Louis Murphy's four catches for 128 yards.
The team is young and has a long way before they can contend with these elite teams, but it will only take time, and Bruce Gradkowski seems like he is the right fit for this team at the moment, unless Al Davis has anything to say about it. What we know for sure is, when we win your job is safe.
Our next game is verse the Washington Redskins, which recently just came of from a heartbreaking loss in overtime to the undefeated New Orleans Saints. Review will be available soon.

Raiders vs. Cowboys Preview

-This is a very important game for the silver and black, especially on the road. After that stunning win verse the Bengals, the Raiders need to be extra motivated to win this game as much as last week’s game. No matter how lost the season may be, this game is as important as ever, especially since it is on Thanksgiving.
Dallas’ defense looks as good as ever; however, their offense has been struggling, especially in the passing game. Tony Romo and Roy Williams have not been connecting as much as they want to, so the Raiders need to capitalize on those opportunities of dropped and batted passes. Being aware at all times and trying to force turnovers will help us win this game. With Gradkowski coming into his second game starting, we can make a mark on this season as a team that has some promise in the future if we can win this game. Let’s Go Raiders, and let’s make it two in a row.

Russell Out; Raiders Win in the Fourth

-Who knew that Lane Kiffin was right all along? It is quite amusing to see the Raiders win; especially verse a good Cincinnati Bengal team. Cables proposition of sitting Jamarcus Russell is probably the most beneficial move that Cable has provided for this young Raiders team. Brad Gradkowski got the opportunity to start and he did not disappoint. With the long touchdown bomb to Louis Murphy, Gradkowski gave the Raiders the best chance to win, also with the good special team play of forcing the fumble to set up the game- winning field goal from Janikowski.

Although Gradkowski did not have the highest expectations riding on his shoulders, however, on the sideline, Gradkowski looked like a real leader. This young Raiders team needed that emotional leader to push the offense and defense and special teams to play at their highest level, Russell did not provide that at all for this team. That brings me to raise this important question; Jamarcus Russell being hailed as the future of the Raiders organization, will this decision for him to sit out the rest of the season turn his priorities around, or is Russell going to look past all that and not learn from this situation. We shall see soon enough.

Russell Out; Gradkowski In For Good

Jamarcus Russell got the boot today as the starting quarterback of the Oakland Raiders, instead backup Bruce Gradkowski will be receiving the rest of the snaps for the rest of the season, as Tom Cable states. However, is this personnel change going to make any difference when it comes to our terrible offense? Of course it doesn't matter. Both quarterbacks are not as good as the most average quarterback in the league.
This weeks entry is not going to be lengthy, the only important stories to mention today is the ousting of Russell, and the fact that Cable is in fear of losing his job. For both cases, they are beneficial for this slumping franchise.

Distractions in Oakland

In these last couple of weeks the only story that has coincided with the Oakland Raiders has been the legal allegations of Tom Cable and his previous history with domestic violence. Many people have shared their opinions about the Oakland head coach; including the fact that they want Cable suspended for the time being while the NFL conducts an investigation on the case.
I already wanted Cable out of Oakland the minute he stepped in. Lane Kiffin, I thought, was the best chance for this young team to grow up and work as a unit. I was there when Al Davis fired Lane Kiffin from the head coaching position of the Oakland Raiders, especially when Kiffin was starting to have the players trust; he had all the right ideas, with the questioning of starting QB Jamarcus Russell and the disappointment he has become for the whole team. With all those good ideas, then comes Al Davis and his selfish antics in running this organization.
Week 10 will be against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team that they beat when Jamarcus Russell took the offense down the field and scored in the last minutes of the game. We shall see if the same thing happens this time, a little boost of confidence for this losing team should be good.

Tomlinson Scores 2 Touchdowns; San Diego Rolls

Another convincing win for the Chargers in week 7 to beat the 2-5 Raiders for the 13th consecutive time. Again, the rushing defense for the Raiders gave San Diego running back LT an easy day ending up with two touchdowns. From what I have remembered from previous years and many divisional games, is that Tomlinson always tears us apart.
Its quite amazing for a team to dominate a rival team thirteen consecutive times, it definitely shows that the Raiders have no confidence when it comes to beating this team, even though some of the match ups between these teams got pretty close and down to the wire.
The main problems for the Raiders are the numerous amount of injuries that have plagued the defensive and offensive line, in turn making this team vulnerable to big rushing yardage, and turnovers. There is so much talk about the defensive and offensive lines and how effective they should be, because quite basically, the lineman are the foundations of the team. As a unit, the foundation snaps the play and then the rest of the team get what the defense gives them. For example, if the offensive linemen for the Raiders are bad, Jamarcus is not going to have a good game, and then the receivers will not get a catch.
Another main point of the season is the moment when fans start wanting their teams to lose after there is no hope. Teams such as the Lions, Bucs, Rams, Raiders, and Titans, all don't have any chance of making the playoffs. Thoughts of a 1st round pick would be good for a team, however, the Raiders gave away there first round pick to the Patriots for Richard Seymour, so any chance of making this team better is going to have to go farther than just a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Picking up free agents, and changing the coaching staff, maybe even a change in the ownership position is going to have to happen if the Raiders want any winning records these coming up seasons.