It's the same bad dream that I've had every day of every NFL season since 1969. It's third and long... although, long doesn't even describe it, it's third and twenty or thirty, maybe even forty. The Raiders are holding on by the skin of their teeth leading 9-7. The playoffs are in the balance, all we need is one last stop.... just one! I'll spare you the gory details, if you're any kind of Raider fan, you already know what happens next.
Relax, it's only a dream, Raider fans. The 2011 season however, was only a fucking nightmare. I'm a Raider fan, but I don't fall for the okee doh, last season once Jason Campbell and McFadden went down, we didn't have a chance. Once the defense (which was suspect from the get-go) started playing like the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs (before Bobby Boo-Shay shored up their defense) all was lost.
Thanks to Hue "Spin Doctor" Jackson, we will feel the effects of the 2011 season for at least two more years to come. Hue gave away the store in return for Carson Palmer, now let's make one thing perfectly clear.... I believe in Carson Palmer. A half season of hard knocks and some time spent in training camp will work wonders for the man. Carson Palmer, whether knuckleheaded Raider diehards want to believe it or not, is an improvement over Jason Campbell.
I'm also a lifelong USC Trojan fanatic, so the signing of Matt Leinart as Palmer's backup brought nothing but joy to my heart. I'm not going to dwell on the passing of Al Davis or the sacking of Hue Jackson and his entire staff (rightfully so, I might add) This is a reboot, a new season and hope springs eternal in Mudville. The Rotters are no longer rotting, Reggie McKenzie brings a new sense of commitment and drive that was clearly missing.
Dennis Allen is the 18th head coach for the Oakland Raiders. Allen has previously coached for the Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, University of Tulsa and his alma mater, Texas A&M. Something tells me that Allen is the real deal, even if he seems like a strange cross between a young Mike Shanahan and Lane Kiffin. When Allen became head coach he promised to field a tough, smart, disciplined and committed football team. He also noted that organizations win games in the National Football League by more than talent alone.
I hope that holds true, because while The Raiders have offensive talent that stacks up with the best in the NFL, the same can't be said about the defense. A quick glance at the Raider's defensive depth chart is enough to instill doubt in the most myopic of fans. The subtractions may outweigh the additions, or so it would seem on paper. Significant departures on the defensive side include: Kamerion Wimbley, Lito Sheppard, Stanford Routt, Jarvis Moss, Quentin Groves and Darryl Blackstock.
Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain was sentenced to 180 days in jail for assault and other charges stemming from a fight in his hometown when he allegedly threatened to kill a man and fired a gun next to his head. There’s no word yet on when McClain, who was released on bond, will have to serve the sentence. If he’s not able to delay it until after the season, the Raiders will have to make plans to proceed without one of their starting linebackers. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league will review McClain's case to determine if further punishment is warranted.
Raider Defensive three deep depth chart prior to Aug. 13th. game vs. Cowboys
RDE Matt Shaughnessy David Tollefson Mason Brodine
DT Richard Seymour Desmond Bryant Christo Bilukidi
NT Tommy Kelly Jamie Cumbie Dominique Hamilton
LDE Lamarr Houston Jack Crawford Hall Davis
WLB Miles Burris Chad Kilgore Mario Kurn
MLB Rolando McClain Travis Goethel Nathan Stupar
SLB Philip Wheeler Carl Ihenacho Kaelin Burnett
RCB Shawntae Spencer DeMarcus Van Dyke Bryan McCann
LCB Ron Bartell Chimdi Chekwa Pat Lee
FS Michael Huff Matt Giordano Brandon Underwood
SS Tyvon Branch Mike Mitchell Curtis Taylor
Beside McClain most likely cooling his heels in prison for a good part of the season, the other factors that deserve attention include: the addition of Ron Bartell, a healthy Travis Goethel (if McClain is gone, Travis will fill in nicely) and of course, new defensive coordinator Jason Tarver who comes over from Stanford Univ. Tarver also spent 10 years with the Forty Niners working in various coaching capacities.
The Oakland Raiders open the 2012 exhibition season against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday night Aug. 13th (6:00 pm MDT) at O.co Coliseum. Watch for the next installment of Left Nut's Raider Report on Sunday. When we shall explore the enigma that is the Raider offense. Until then... Go Raiders!
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