Raiders- Panthers Week 15

Oakland Raiders  6         Carolina Panthers   17

A lump of coal in the guise of another loss was stuffed into the old Oaktown Christmas stocking. Then, as to further dampen the holiday spirit, Raider quarterback Carson Palmer will miss the final game of the season following a helmet spear to the back from Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy. The exacting hit by Hardy (for which he was penalized) left  Palmer, with broken ribs and a bruised lung. He was hopitalized overnight upon his return to the Bay Area.  Palmer had started all 15 games for the Raiders, racking up 4,018 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and 14 soul crushing interceptions.

The onus is now on backup Matt Leinart who spelled Palmer against the Panthers. Leinart saw extensive playing for the first time since an injury during his only start for the Texans, in 2011. Leinart was out of sync, but avoided total disaster  (and injury) completing 16-32 pass for 115 yards and one interception. Terrelle Pryor will backup Leinart in the season finale at San Diego. Pryor, was to receive substantial playing time, but he took just three snaps on Sunday. (all out of the shotgun formation) Pryor threw a lateral to Palmer, who threw a screen back to Pryor for a 22 yard gain. Later, he was stopped on the four yard line after a two yard carry in the red zone.

"Matt's our backup quarterback," Allen said. "Terrelle's done a nice job. He's working extremely hard, we don't feel like he's ready to be the backup quarterback yet." said Coach Allen, before circumstances forced his hand. Ready or not Terrelle is now the backup. “Our plan right now is to work both of them this week,” Allen said, “and then we’ll see how practice goes. Later in the week, we’ll be ready to name a starter.” Shane Lechler, who serves as the emergency Qb. will be slotted in at No. 3, if worse comes to worse. "I'm definitely going to prepare this week like I'm going to be starting," Matt Leinart said.

A column by Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, suggested that  offensive coordinator Greg Knapp planned to deploy third-string quarterback Terrelle Pryor on third-down and red zone situations in order to "use his athletic ability." Oakland used a third round pick in the 2011 supplemental draft to select him, he's languished on the inactive list ever since. As for the Raiders getting their moneys worth, Tafur says, "Given how things go in Raider-land, a third-round pick for a quarterback who will see his first meaningful action in two meaningless games over a year after he was drafted, well, that's a bargain"

The Raiders haven't scored a touchdown since the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos (Dec. 6th) Sebastian Janikowski, for the second game in a row scored all of Oakland's points on field goals. The running game which showed some spark against Kansas City was shutdown by Carolina's defense. Darren McFadden reverted to Darren McFadden type numbers (17 attempts for 33 yards) and the Raiders as a team picked up a trifling 47 yards on a mere 22 carries. The 17 points allowed by the defense, was the fewest against a team not named the Chiefs. The Raiders did leave some points on the field, specifically the DMC touchdown that was called back.  

My Monte Poole quote of the day: "NFL schedules dictate that each team receives one bye week per season. Defensive coordinators fortunate enough to face the Raiders practically steal another" During Oakland's six game losing streak, the defense was abysmal while the offense shouldered the burden. Now, the defense has come together and the offense has done a 360 and is in full blown retreat.  Why is it that we always have peanut butter but no jelly, Kool-Aid but no sugar, cereal but no milk? Why can't the two units come together, if not in the same game...  then at least in the same season?

Raider Notes:

We'll have to wait and see if Tommy Kelly suffers any consequences for his forthright admission  that he targeted Carolina Qb., Cam Newton for a little payback. "You take our guy out, we're going to take your guy out,'' Kelly stated "We're not out to hurt someone, but when that happens ... ." Newton writhing around in pain ala Joe Theisman, is what Kelly had in mind.  

In frustration at being the target of some rough play, Newton kicked Kelly at the end of a scrum. Kelly was penalized for unnecessary roughness "He kicked me, and I ain't fixing to take that off nobody," Kelly said. "What are you going to do when someone kicks you? You going to take it? Nah.''  Cam Newton later bumped an official as he was pleading his case for another personal foul penalty on Oakland. 

Newton was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, but was not ejected. The ref, Jerome Boger later corrected himself, saying that Newton was penalized for " "disrespectfully addressing an official'' and that the contact "was not of a malicious nature.'' Newton issued an apology after the game.  Past Raider coaches would have applauded Kelly's behavior, Coach Allen did not "We're trying to change the culture, and what we have to understand is we have to keep our composure in those types of situations because nothing good comes out of it."  

Interesting column in Deadspin this week. Oakland, Ca., paid the Oakland Raiders $17.3 million for the ten home games staged this season, while attempting to balance their budget by cutting the police force by 200 officers. "If someone calls 911, you're looking at an indeterminate amount of time before an officer can respond," says Barry Donelan, president of the Oakland police union. "Citizens are suffering." 

Oakland which has the fifth highest crime rate in America, pays the Raiders to cover "debt financing & operations" that is supplemented by another $13.3 million from Alameda County. Donelan says that "Reversing a renewed rise in violent crime is out of the question" During  2012 murders rose in Oakland by 16%, rapes by 24%,  and burglaries by a whopping 43%. The average response time for emergency calls has increased to 17 minutes. Man! don't call the cops, they can't help you, just call Tommy Kelly!

Raider Trash Talk:

(Let's go to the Raider FB page and see what Raider fans have to say on this joyous Christmas Day.)

 Just sell the team so they can go somewhere else. Put us raider fans out of our misery! so tired of this BS!!!!

Growing up I loved the Raiders they've always been my favorite team but I can't stand to watch them anymore, its a joke. They need to hire Bill Parcells or someone who knows football to build this once proud franchise back to its glory.

 JUST WIN BABY!!!

 The NFL is better when the Raiders are good.

Merry Christmas Raiders, fans and team! We'll get them next year , or the year after that God willing!

better luck next time!

Palmer is dead weight and Leinart just isn't good. Play Pryor and I'd bet my house we'll start competing.

I don't care if we go 0-16, just PLEASE do not bring Michael Vick to Oakland. I've been a Raiders fan my entire life and would like to continue being one. But I will dump the only team I've ever loved if that piece of crap ends up in Oakland.

Play Pryor for the whole game, Dennis!!!

Leinart sucks. Put Pryor in.

fire that stupid oc now!

dont worry raiders i still love ya for life

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cant wait til a team moves to los angeles so i can stop being a raider fan 

#Fail

Why didn't they play Pryor!!!!!!

Coaching staff sux

Why in the world we play linart? Cus he is he back up dummy.....lol

 At one point offensive coordinator Greg Knapp called back 2 back screen plays. Both failed miserably!

Coach ALLEN PLEASE KEEP OUR LONG TIME RAIDER "SHANE LECHLER"HE 'S A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE PLAYEr

Vote For A New Qb.....! im watching now they talking bout Tim Tebow... what yall think

 Los Angeles Raiders !

 Convince John Gruden to come back to the silver and black!!!!!

WTF!!!!

Raiders- Chiefs Week 14

The emotional surge that led the Kansas City Chiefs to their second victory of the season following the Jovan Belcher tragedy has subsided. A 30-7 thumping by the Cleveland Browns brought them back to reality and this past Sunday at O.co, the Chiefs came up empty against  Oakland,15-0.  For the Raiders, this meaningless victory can be viewed two different ways, it was a win and wins are scarce. However the victory also pushed the Silver and Black further down the draft order. Any win for the Raiders is good, let's not lose sight of that fact, and  I'm not advocating that they should tank the remainder of the season.

The reality is that finishing the season with two or three more wins does nothing for our future.
 To quote (as I often do) Oakland Trib NFL beat writer, Monte Poole "Oakland entered the game with the third worst record in the NFL, firmly in possession of the third overall draft pick. By walking away in triumph, they now join a gaggle of teams that will hold the rights to pick as low as 11th. in the first round" Our dire needs are on defense, Manti Te'o will be gone by the time we pick, is now the time for those bums on the Raider defense to man up?  I'm probably worrying about nothing, it would take a miracle for the Silver & Black to win out.

Granted, a 6-10 record would be a sign of progress, given that Sunday's win over Kansas City broke a six game losing streak. If Coach Allen can will these bloated stiffs to six wins, just think what he'll do with some motivated players. Beating Kansas City probably assures us that Dennis Allen will be back as head coach next year. I know what the Gruden faction is thinking.... but fuck them anyway!  The Raiders need stability on the coaching staff, there's been nothing but chaos and confusion for the last three years. Losing would get us a higher draft pick, but Coach Allen and the Raiders are sure to keep trying to win, inspite of the implications.

Coach Allen despite all his detractors has been steadfast and straight-up. He's kept us moving forward, even if at times it appeared that he was leading us off a cliff. The circumstances that doomed the 2012 season, were in place even before Coach Allen was hired, he has done what he could with what he was given to work with. This franchise needs to find some firm footing and nobody said that the loss of Al Davis and the subsequent restructuring of the entire organization would be easy. The process has started and cannot be reversed.

Hue Jackson has moved on, under performing malcontents and high priced sandbaggers are being cast off and we sure as hell don't need or want Chucky Gruden back. With Al Davis in command, the team was trapped in past, living off a reputation that had grown to become a cartoonish stereotype. The Raiders' own legacy of phony tough guy posturing hindered the process of rebuilding more than it helped. It's been obvious for years, that a change of attitude and culture was long overdue.

Oakland Raiders  15        Kansas City 0

The shutout did come against Kansas City (their offense kept them out of the end zone as much as the Raider defense) but as far as I know nobody's talking about giving this one back. "It felt really, really good, no matter who the opponent is," linebacker Philip Wheeler said. "It's great to hold a team to zero and minimal rushing yards and just dominate like that."  For once both the offensive and defensive units played in dominate fashion, snapping a six game win streak and giving the Oakland players a rare opportunity to show some swagger. 

The Kansas City press was ready to pounce on Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel after what will go down in history as one of the least productive offensive efforts in the annals of Kansas City Chiefs football. THE QUESTION TO ROMEO CRENNEL WAS SUCCINCT: "COACH WAS THIS THE WORST PERFORMANCE BY THE OFFENSE OF ANY TEAM YOU'VE COACHED?" How do you respond to that?, the question answers itself. Sadly, Crennel is starting to resemble Art Shell during his ill fated homecoming season in 2006.

"Couldn't run the ball, couldn't throw the ball, got in the red zone and couldn't get any points," Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said. "Defensively we tried to hang in there, but we missed too many tackles and on third down were unable to get off the field." I don't blame them for wanting top get off the field, nothing good whatsoever was happening for them between the stripes. The Chiefs finished with 119 yds. in total offense. By comparison, Darren McFadden, who was in rare form, had a career high 30 carries for 110 yds. rushing. 

The Raider defense sacked Chiefs Qb. Brady Quinn four times, they limited K.C. to 1 of 12 third down conversions, denying Kansas City a first down until the third quarter. I don't care who the hell you're playing against, in the NFL that counts as "total domination" For the Raiders it was a feel good game, one that was badly needed. The Raider faithful greeted the win with mixed emotions, "BIG DEAL! We win against the other worst team in the league and call it what? A turning point?" screamed one fan. 

"Oh, man, you just love that," Raider LOT, Jared Veldheer said. "We're going forward, not backward ... we were committed to it. Everyone had the right mindset, and the biggest thing of all we were able to execute it. That's the biggest thing. It was awesome." Raiders 4 Now fans couldn't wait to mock Veldheer's enthusiastic glee, "Man it was awesome, we shut out the worse team in the NFL by all field goals, could not even make a touchdown" said one "We win, we win. Sea Bass for MVP. Knapp still sucks, our offense still sucks. We beat the Chiefs by field goals. Still can't score touch downs. Pathetic" chimed in another.

Carson Palmer, who was under the weather finished with some lackluster numbers, 18-29 for 182 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. For the first time this season the running game made up for the passing game coming up short. The Raiders had 203 rushing yards on 45 carries (30 by DMC) Mike Goodson ran for 89 yards on 13 carries to compliment McFadden's 110 yards rushing. Oakland also picked up 10 rushing first downs. Sebastian Janikowski connected on field goals of 20, 50, 57, 30 and 41 yards. He missed one from 51 yards.

Raider Notes:

Darrius Heyward-Bey, didn't do much of anything on Sunday, given that he's making $8,159,000

this season, his future with the Raiders is tenuous at best. Heyward-Bey needs to go, add Richard Seymour, Taiwan Jones, David Ausberry, Rolando McClain & Shawntae Spencer to that list. That's an easy $15 million trimmed off the roster. The Raiders are supposedly evaluating Terrelle Pryor, though the three snaps he got on Sunday probably didn't tell them much... or maybe it told them everything they need to know?

Up next for the Raiders are the Carolina Panthers, who are coming off two big wins over Atlanta and San Diego. At 5-9 the Panthers are also keeping an eye on the draft order, but don't expect them to lay down for Oakland to help that cause. Since 2007, the Raiders are 3-10 in games played in the Eastern Time Zone. A Raider victory, while not totally out of the question, is highly unlikely. I will however, flaunt conventional wisdom and pick Oakland to win by 7. 

Transactions:

Dec 10 Rolando McClain MLB Suspension lifted by Oakland

Dec 10 Chimdi Chekwa LCB Active/prac. squad by Oakland

Dec 10 Ron Bartell CB Cut by Oakland

Dec 10 Owen Schmitt RB Cut by Oakland

Dec 10 Akwasi Owusu-Ansah S Pract. squad add by Oakland

McClain's suspension was lifted but he didn't see any action. Chimdi Chedwa moved up to the active roster from the practice squad. Ron Bartell was cut, we saw this one coming, signing Bartell was a bad decision, he contributed next to nothing during his stay in Oakland. Owen Schmitt is a role player that the Raiders can't afford to keep around. His playing time and production were both negligible. Owusu-Ansah is back on the practice squad, having been cut twice before. 

(image from an actual college textbook)

Fat Face Picks

The New Year's Day bowl games are not what they used to be, thanks to undeserving interlopers like Northern Illinois and Wisconsin. The Heart of Dallas bowl seems to have been hastily put together so that T. Boone Pickens (who graduated from Oklahoma St. and lives in Dallas) could see the Cowboys play (the Oklahoma variety) without having to travel.

The rest of the 2013 bowl games are strictly dog shows, with the exception of Oregon vs. Kansas St.  and Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma. Those are worth the price of admission. The national title game is a doozy, Notre Dame vs. Alabama.  All you Golden Domers can stop kidding yourselves, Alabama is the best collegiate team in the land, and they will prove that on January 7th.

TaxSlayer.com Gator    Mississippi State vs. Northwestern Jacksonville, Fla.  Jan. 1

Left Nut:  The Bulldogs got off to a 7-0 start before the wheels came off (wins over four teams with losing records, two Sun Belt schools and one FCS club) Northwestern won its first five, then went 4-3 the rest of the way.  This is one instance where the Big Ten is superior to the SEC.    Phat Pick: Northwestern

Fat Face:     Pat Fitzgerald & Dan Mullen! they're like a human bowl of mashed potatoes with nary a drop of gravy in sight.  Last year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the TaxSlayer.com Nationwide Series car onto the field and flipped the coin for the opening coin toss. Yep! it's that kind of event.  Shitty swag, Fossil watch, hats, garment bag, carry-on bag, a football


Heart of Dallas       Purdue vs. Oklahoma State    Dallas   Jan. 1

Left Nut: A 6-6 Boilermaker squad facing off with 7-5 Oklahoma St., please tell me again why this game isn't played in mid-December?  Cowboy O.C. Todd Monken took the head coach job at Southern Miss, so Mike Gundy will run the offense.   Phat Pick: I defer to the Fat Face

Fat Face:  I smell the oily, greasy essence of T. Boone Pickens  all over this one. A prolonged, throbbing hangover complete with retching dry heaves would be preferable to watching this game.  Fat Face Pick: OK State     The swag is being kept under wraps.

Outback        South Carolina vs. Michigan    Tampa, Fla.    Jan. 1

Left Nut: The 'ol Ball Coach willed the Gamecocks to a 10-2 finish, losing only to LSU & Florida. Michigan was never much of a factor in 2012. Steve Spurrier going up against Brady Hoke, that's like a pitbull fighting a fat chubby poodle.  Phat Pick: South Carolina

Fat Face: Michigan finished second in the No-Legends Division of the Big Ten, having never really recovered from that season opening beat down at the hands of  'Bama. I roll with the SEC on this one. Run of the mill swag: Best Buy gift card, Fossil watch, ring, cap, Outback gift card.

Capital One     Georgia vs. Nebraska        Orlando, Fla. Jan. 1

Left Nut:  You're not cool unless you pee your pants. ... Bo Pelini in all probability pissed his pants during a game against the Texas Longhorns in 2010. LOL!, Espn did not photoshop the urine spot onto Bo Pelini's khakis, that was a genuine spread offense.     Phat Pick: Georgia

Fat Face:  Geez! at least Joe Paterno and Woody Hayes had the sense to wear Depends on the sideline. Georgia will chuck that corn and make Pelini & the Huskers drop a load in their pants. Swag is light: $420 shopping trip to Best Buy, Fossil watch

Rose Bowl     Wisconsin vs. Stanford   Pasadena, Calif.    Jan. 1

Left Nut:  I like how everyone is ignoring the fact that Wisconsin wormed its way to Pasadena. Both, unbeaten Ohio St. & second place Penn St. are ineligible for post season play.  Wisconsin was 4-4 in the Loss-Leaders division of the Big Ten, 8-5 overall, losing three of their last five games. Phat Pick: Stanford

Fat Face:   Stanford is the real deal and on a seven game winning streak.  The Badgers will need more than Barry Alvarez back on the sidelines to win this one.  The major bowls all do gift suites (shopping sprees) Fossil watch, Oakley backpack, New Era gear

Orange   Northern Illinois vs. Florida State     Miami   Jan. 1

NIU head coach  Dave Doeren couldn't wait till after the bowl season before he  took the job at North Carolina State. The Huskies will now fulfill their dream of a BCS bowl game, minus the man who got them there. NIU was allocated 17,500 tickets for the game, they average just over the FBS minimum of 15,000 fans per game. The school had to eat the unsold tickets, which they gave away to students.  Phat Pick: Florida State

Fat Face: They paid for them.... you eat them!  Undeserving and with their head coach gone the Huskies will suffer a fate similar to that of Colt Brennan and the Hawaii Warriors in the 2008 Sugar Bowl (granted that Georgia squad had Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno)  Light on the swag for a major: Gift Suite, Tourneau watch

Allstate Sugar       Louisville vs. Florida    New Orleans     Jan. 2

Louisville just joined the ACC, good move for them and they managed to hold on to Charlie Strong, their head coach. Florida coach Will Muschamp is being heralded as the next Urban Meyer. I knew Urban Meyer and Will Muschamp is no Urban Meyer.... hell! he's even better!       Phat Pick: Florida

Fat Face: Louisville lost two of its last three games, (U.Conn & Syracuse) they have a habit of playing everyone close and Charlie Strong has the imagination of a rock, which makes for some ugly, grind 'em out games. Swaggish Swag: Gift Suite, Fossil watch, New Era cap, Boxer & Stone hoodie

Tostitos Fiesta   Oregon vs. Kansas State   Glendale, Ariz.     Jan. 3

Two explosive teams, each with just one loss.  If the final score isn't something like 54-50,  I'll  be extremely dissapointed. Three points is all that kept the Oregon Ducks from facing off against Notre Dame for the national championship. Baylor exposed the Wildcats as pretenders not contenders.  Phat Pick: Oregon

Fat Face: The Ducks will have a six week layoff between games, which should give Chip Kelly's staff plenty of time to come up with more of  those eye-catching, poster-sized placards  that  are Oregon's calling card.  Swag does not include Tostitos: Gift Suite, Fossil watch, Orgio Mercur backpack 

AT&T Cotton   Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma   Arlington,Tx.  Jan. 4

Left Nut: This game was set up as a showcase for Heisman winner, John Manziel... Johnny Football of A&M, he's  the poor white trash version of Tim Tebow. Smart enough to win football games and dumb enough to get arrested for disorderly conduct and possessing a false id card (Louisiana, at that!) 

Fat Face:  Here's the story, Manziel and Steven Brant were found fighting in the street with 47 year old Marvin McKinney, who told police that the fight started after Brant called him a racial slur. When McKinney approached Brant, Manziel shoved McKinney and punches were thrown. 

Left Nut: "We are disappointed with his actions and this is out of character for Johnny" said head coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin had only been on the job a few months and it's doubtful that he knew anything about Mr. Football's true character at the time.    Phat Pick: TAMU

Fat Face: A&M always takes the high road, Manziel spent the night in jail and was released after he slept it off. Gig 'em Aggies!  Swag is top secret (hookers, guns, drugs & cash payoffs.... no doubt!)

BBVA Compass   Pittsburgh vs. Ole Miss    Birmingham, Ala.          Jan. 5

Left Nut: On any given Jan 5th. I would rather be in Boise,  Albuquerque N.M.  or El Paso, Tx. than in Birmingham, Ala.  Don't let the fact that this game is played just two days before the national championship game fool you,  this bowl game exists simply to fill a time slot for ESPN.   Phat Pick: Ole Miss

Fat Face: Ole Miss is 6-6 and lost three of its last four games, Pittsburgh is 6-6. Both teams had losing records within their respective conferences.  Swag: Fossil watch, Oakley sunglasses, portable speaker, backpack, football

GoDaddy.com    Kent State vs. Arkansas State   Mobile    Jan.6

Left Nut: How ridiculous are the BCS rankings? Kent St. was within a touchdown of playing in the Orange Bowl and now they get the GoDaddy Bowl as a consolation.  Just like the BBVA Bowl, the GoDaddy is a mid-December bowl game at best.  Phat Pick: Kent State

Fat Face: Both head coaches skedaddled for greener pastures (Malzahn for Auburn, Hazell for Purdue) Arkansas St. Db. Don Jones said it best:  "Lol dese coaches run a train on Arkansas State, get a nut an gone bout they business" Get Your Swag on:  Sol Republic headphones, Fossil watch, garment bag, football

BCS National Championship     Notre Dame vs. Alabama    Miami   Jan. 7

Left Nut: Every game and every down of the 2012 collegiate season has been leading up to this. The Big Papa, the BCS national championship game.  This year we have a classic match-up, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the Crimson Tide of Alabama. 

Fat Face: This is the kind of game that guys like Bear Bryant, Barry Switzer & Woody Hayes lived for. Having said that, if Notre Dame loses and Ohio St. Univ. is sole team left undefeated then the NCAA be damned, the Buckeyes are the national champions. 

Left Nut: I see your logic and raise it with my sarcasm  after all that was the criteria used when BYU won its national title back in 1984. If 'Bama wins, we will crown a true champion, because as everybody knows, the Tide would roll all over the Buckeyes.

Fat Face: Don't let Alabama's loss to A&M fool you, the Tide beat themselves, Johnny Football just went along for the ride. Nick Saban will not allow that to happen again. 

Left Nut: On a level playing field, which we have.... Brian Kelly is no match for Nick Saban. Fighting Irish Qb. Everett Golson has been getting by on the luck of the Irish, which is about to run out.

Fat Face: Last year Jordan Jefferson found out just how hard it can be to move the ball on Alabama when they've had weeks to prepare. To me this game is shaping up the same way, 'Bama's defense will shut down Notre Dame's less than prolific offense.

Left Nut: I'm calling my shot.... Alabama 13  Notre Dame  10,  it will come down to which defense has a better day. Manti Te'o is overrated, he'll be exposed in this game.

Fat Face: I'm rolling with the Tide, 9-3.  Golson will be nursing an injury on the sidelines by halftime (ribs or shoulder) Tommy Rees will then come in an screw the pooch. The swag is hardly befitting of a title game. Gift Suite, Tourneau watch.... surely there's stuff they can't tell us about (bags full 'o cash, strippers, hedonistic Roman style banquets, porn shoots, gladiator battles.... a Fossil watch)

Raiders- Broncos Week 13

Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen's father Grady Allen passed away on Tuesday morning from heart failure. Coach Allen returned to practice on Wednesday and addressed the team as they prepared for the game on Thursday night.  "I took my father off life support and that's not easy to do" said Allen following the game. "So was it hard?, Yeah, it was hard. But I know my father would want me to be here with this football team" Coach Allen paused, "I wanted to be here with this football team, so I'm sure you guys can imagine it wasn't an easy situation"

Condolences to Coach Allen, he carried a heavy burden this week and he carried himself in an admirable manner. No matter how the team does on the field, Dennis Allen has shown more character, perseverance and maturity that the players (some older than him) he's in charge of. They should learn from him. Raider fans more than the media have not held back on showering abuse at Coach Allen, he doesn't deserve it, but that's how the blame game goes.

The Raider fanatics have split into three camps, The "Hue Jackson" faction, the deplorable "We want Chucky Back!" faction and the more reasonable "We've had three coaches in three years.. let's not change coaches again" faction. So far, nobody is imploring the Raider front office to bring back Tom Cable.  The ugliest thing to come out of this short week was the rumor floated about by Publisher & editor of Pro Football Weekly, Hub Arkush, that the Raiders were meeting with Jon Gruden to negotiate his return to Oakland as the head football coach.

Raiders media director Zak Gilbert sent out an e-mail to members of the media, stating that "there are two people on this planet that have the ability to make talks happen between Jon Gruden and the Raiders, each of those individuals, owner Mark Davis and G.M. Reggie McKenzie wanted me to communicate that his rumor has no validity whatsoever  Gilbert continued "for the record, I'm personally disgusted that Hub Arkush would spread such an untruth on the the day our head coach had to determine with his mom, brother & sister, whether to take his dad off life support or wait and hope that he would regain consciousness"

Not sure what Hub Arkush's motives would be, or where he got his information. Either way, it's a despicable act. Reggie McKenzie is a man with strong morals & character, even if Gruden showed interest, neither party would be so gauche as to discuss such matters while Coach Allen was dealing with a death in the family.  By any standard of doing business, that would be fucked up. Neither Reggie McKenzie nor Mark Davis have ever given us a reason to think that they would operate in that fashion.

The myth is busted, Raider fans.... Chucky is not coming back. Jon Gruden is a narcissistic bastard, who craves the attention. He's the kind of guy who loves the idea that everyone wants him, but can't have him. The Gruden coaching rumors follow a sick pattern, any team (college or pro) that's ever had any connection whatsoever to him is suddenly in the running for his services. It's time to leave childhood thing like Chucky behind  and start thinking and acting like grown men (and women).  All this knee jerk second guessing and self loathing is for the birds, there's no future in it.

Oakland Raiders  13      Denver Broncos  26

Don't be fooled by the final score, it wasn't even that close. Peyton Manning dissected Oakland's defense in the same manner as he had earlier in the season at Denver. Peyton moves like a zombie but his passes are heat seeking missiles that always seem to find their target. On the field Field Marshall Manning isn't just taking on the defense in the physical sense, he's also matching wits with the defensive coordinator. The score now stands Manning 2 Tarver 0, Peyton has Jason's number and there's nothing Tarver can do about it.

It's that same sad refrain "can't stop the run, can't stop the pass..." This defense is infected with ineptitude and the infection has spread to every vital organ. Oakland won the toss but deferred to Denver. Manning took full advantage and carved the turkey, culminating the opening drive with his 30th touchdown pass of the season. The Raiders got first possession to start the second half, a drive that promptly petered out. The reasoning behind giving Denver first crack is unclear (Oakland would run just 47 offensive plays in the entire game)

Maybe... it was meant as a show of solidarity for a defense that has screwed the pooch all season long. Then too, it may have been a tribute to Coach Allen's father, who played defense for the Atlanta Falcon during his run in the NFL. "Don't worry Coach, we got you on this one" Whatever it was, it exemplified what's wrong with Oakland.... bad decisions by a befuddled coaching staff. It seems like every week I come up with a new "this is what's wrong" just as the Raiders seem to come up with new ways to look bad and lose games.

The Raider defense did show enough resolve to hold Denver to four Matt Prater field goals, holding Denver under 30 points. (Denver has a 1st. & goal at the one and couldn't punch it in)  The lack of points on the board wasn't actually the result of anything the Oakland defense did, it seemed as if the Broncos were content to toy with the Raiders. This game was in the bag before kickoff, "Let's save the afterburners for next week against the Ravens" Knowshown Moreno however, didn't hold back as he came out of Knowwhere to rip Oakland for 119 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Raiders scored on a yard screen pass from Carson Palmer to Darren McFadden, cutting Denver's lead to 13-7. Following a Prater field goal that gave Denver some elbow room at 16-7, Oakland responded with a comedy of errors that put any hopes of an upset to rest. Mike Goodson elected to return the ensuing kickoff  from the end zone, he was stopped at the eight yard line. A couple of plays later, Von Miller sacked Carson Palmer at the line of scrimmage forcing a fumble that Denver recovered, this led to the Knowshown Moreno touchdown two plays later.

As disappointing as the play of the Oakland defense has been, Carson Palmer's regression is  heartbreaking.  The man cannot help but fuck things up, I get the one or two key interceptions per game... he's gambling, trying to make things happen. (at least he's not tossing picks simply to get off the field like Kerry Collins)  But!, what the fuck is it with the sudden case of the fumbles? Palmer conceivably cost them the Browns game and the fumble sure didn't help their efforts against the Broncos. I never thought I would say this, but it's time to spell Carson. Sit him down, let him watch the action from the sidelines, sometimes that really does help.

Terrelle Pryor gets paid handsomely to do nothing, let's see what else he can do. (Matt Leinart is a non-option at this point) The worst that can happen is that the Raiders lose another game or Pryor gets hurt, either way it puts a stop to the Terrelle Pryor speculation. But, if Terrelle leads them to win against K.C. or San Diego, then the Raiders immediately start working to rid themselves of Carson and get Pryor ready to start next year.  I know, I know... it's like wishing that Unicorns, Big Foot and Low Every Day Prices! are real, but what else do we have at this point? 

Denver's defense on the other hand is really good. They popped and twisted Oakland's offense around so much that after a catch in the second quarter, Denarius Moore went  into the ground headfirst, rolled over untouched and took off running in the wrong direction (though he was just four yard from the first down marker) Moore picked up four yards (the wrong way) before a Bronco linebacker stupidly tackled him. Chances are Denarius would have gone at least 20 yards, or all the way, if not for that ill-advised tackle. 

That's probably not a scenario that gets mentioned while drawing up a game plan. Denver's excellent defensive play is especially grating for Dennis Allen, who was Denver's defensive coordinator last season, a job now held by Jack Del Rio. That's right! Del Rio is the glory boy, while Allen has to put up with taunts of "We Want Chucky!" or "Bring Back Hue!" on a daily (hourly?) basis.  It seems like life is hardly fair, and nobody appreciates that better than Raider fans.  

Raider Notes:

Carson Palmer completed 19-30 passes for 273 yards, two touchdowns, he lost a fumble that Denver converted into a touchdown and was picked off in the end zone (again) Darren McFadden and Mike Gooden both returned to action, though McFadden aggravated his ankle injury, giving even more credence to his loathsome nickname "McFragile"  The defense sacked Manning three times and picked him off once, the only bright spot in another wise forgettable defensive effort.

Just three more games left for the Raiders, Kansas City next week, followed by Carolina and then the finale against the Chargers in San Diego. The Chiefs game was once penciled in as a "sure thing" but K.C. in the wake of the Jovan Belcher tragedy, has suddenly found a new spirit. It's the final home game of the 2012 season.   

Transactions:  Chaz Powell was added to the practice squad along with Colin Miller.  Powell is another Green Bay castoff, Miller was with New England.  Jamize Olawale, a fullback, was signed off the Dallas Cowboy's practice squad and added to the 53 man roster, he fills the spot left open by the suspension of Rolando McClain.  Coach Allen is scheduled to meet with McClain (after he attends his father's funeral) to discuss the options. My guess is that he'll remain suspended, to be used as trade bait once the season ends. 

The $12 million dollar man, Richard Seymour is still out, Carson Palmer hurt his thumb and is listed as probable. Darren McFadden & Mike Goodson are also listed as probable. We're beginning to see the first signs of a youth movement, Rob Streater, Juron Criner, Phillip Adams, Christo Bilukidi are just some of the younger players getting more playing time. The development of Streater & Criner will probably lead to the departure of Darrius Heyward-Bey. 

   

A seventeen year old attending the Raiders-Broncos game fell thirty fell thirty feet from the third deck of the Oakland Coliseum just prior to the start of the game.  The young man was not identified and remains in serious condition at a local hospital.  Oakland police described the incident as "a deliberate act" The man, who may have been under the influence of drugs, was said to have been running up and down the stadium steps, shortly before climbing over a wall on the third deck and jumping or falling to the section below. 

Why U Mad?

With Twitter, Facebook & Google+ (lol) the odds of a player sticking his foot firmly in his mouth have gone way up. This year's winner is USC linebacker Tony Burnett who posted messages on Twitter that got the collective panties of El Pasoans all in a bunch. USC plays Georgia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference at noon Dec. 31 in the 79th annual Sun Bowl.

"Georgia Tech!? El Paso, Texas!? New Years Eve"  "FML," Burnett stated on his Twitter account FML is slang meaning "Fuck my life." he also tweeted, "if you never seen a real life giant tumbleweed get ready." Somehow it was the crack about tumbleweeds that raised the ire of those who commented to the El Paso Times online edition.

Burnett, temporarily shut down his Twitter account and then send out a scripted apology, "Earlier today I made some tweets I regret. To the city of El Paso and representatives of the Hyundai Sun Bowl, I apologize for my remarks," Burnett said.  "My team and I are grateful for the opportunity to play in our first bowl game in three years ... and we are appreciative of all of the hard work that goes into making the game happen," he stated. "What I tweeted was not representative of my team or my university. I sincerely apologize and hope my apology is taken at its word."

Yeah sure, everything is cool. USC has not played in a bowl game the past two seasons due to NCAA sanctions. The Trojans started this season ranked No. 1 but finished with a 7-5 record, including losses to rivals UCLA and Notre Dame. Georgia Tech lost in the ACC Championship game and because of its 6-7 record had to get a waiver to play in its second-consecutive Sun Bowl. The Yellow Jackets lost to Utah in last year's bowl.

A similar incident took place in 1998, when the Trojans last played in the Sun Bowl against then lightly-regarded Texas Christian University, a 16-point underdog. Several Trojan players ran their mouths about El Paso before the game. This had the effect of turning the Sun Bowl into a TCU home game as  they beat USC 28-19.  In 1998, without the benefit of an online social network, stupid comments had to be made directly to sports reporters, who jotted them down on notepads.

 If you don't study history, you are doomed to repeat it. In 1983 SMU, in the midst of their epic run in the old Southwest Conf., fell victim to the football politics of the time and got bumped all the way down to the Sun Bowl.  This was the year after Craig James & Eric Dickerson had graduated, but the Pony Express still had enough gitty-up to finish at 10-1 (their sole loss came to Texas and cost them a spot in the Cotton Bowl)

The reality of the #6 team in the country having to play in El Paso at the Sun Bowl, slowly sunk in. The SMU players started running their mouths.  As Texans are prone to do, things quickly got racial and derogatory  On game day  despite a forecast of temps in the lower 70s, it was 28 degrees at kickoff with a wind chill factor of 8 degrees.

'Bama in its first season under Ray Perkins, had finished a disappointing 7-4, but the locals treated them like the home team throughout the pre-game festivities and now the Texas crowd turned their backs on their fellow Texans and rooted 'Bama on, as if they were the UTEP Miners.

The Tide delivered four haymaker touchdowns in the first half, running roughshod over SMU, who's vaunted Pony Express offense was relegated to Pony Depressed status by halftime. Alabama jumped out to a 28-0 lead and coasted to an easy 28-7 win, El Pasoans stormed the field when the game ended and lifted Ray Perkins on their shoulders in celebration.

A column poking light fun at the Sun Bowl in El Paso was removed, Tuesday evening from the sports website Bleacher Report.com. The author Lisa Horne called it  a "satirical look" at the El Paso's tourist attractions in a post aimed at USC fans. Horne wrote: "You might want to leave your evening gowns at home (El Paso isn't known for dressy attire) and make sure to bring your Kindle, in case you want to umm... pass some time in the town where Lee Trevino made a name for himself.

"The article was aimed at USC Football fans, however it quickly spread throughout the city of El Paso via social media. It was removed Tuesday afternoon after the author, Lisa Horne allegedly received two death threats from El Paso gang members. It is unknown how the threats were made"  The article has totally disappeared from the interwebs, however, El Paso 411.com posted some excerpts and screen shots. They are mildly humorous in a Mom Cafe kind of way, none are offensive, racists or even mean spirited

"The article was originally described as a “satirical look at all the fun things that are in store for Trojan fans in El Paso, Texas for the Sun Bowl.” Horne poked fun at the historic Plaza Theater as being named the No. 1 El Paso attraction, according to traveladvisor.com. “That’s right Trojan fans, the No. 1 attraction (of 42 attractions) in El Paso is the Plaza movie theater,” read the posting. Another post made fun of the El Paso Museum of Art. It read “Ladies, if you drag your husband to an art museum during bowl week there really isn’t much I can say to save your marriage"

"In another post, Horne made fun of Concordia Cemetery  She writes “Oh hell. The seventh-best thing to do in El Paso is to visit a cemetery?” The El Paso Zoo was also mentioned. ”Since most USC fans live in the Los Angeles or Orange County areas of southern California, this might be a good time to compare your local LA Zoo and San Diego Zoos to what El Paso offers"

And finally Horne ended the article with what traveladvisor.com considers the “17th-ranked best thing to do in El Paso: The H&H Car Wash and Coffee Shop.” ”It’s actually listed as a landmark/point of interest,” wrote Horne. “I don’t want to ruin the suspense for you, but apparently this car wash has “El Paso’s best Chile Rellenos.” Hot diggity!”  “There you have it, USC fans. New Year’s in El Paso! Send me a “Wish you were here” postcard with details on all the fun and exciting things you did in El Paso.”

But, if that's the worst or even the best she could do, then it's much-a-do about nothing. The same could be said about  Steve Mason & John Ireland (who was not in studio on Monday) the sports news makers and the sports news breakers from the 710 ESPN radio in Los Angeles. They also took a few jabs at USC, the Sun Bowl and El Paso. It's nothing overly witty or funny, but then it doesn't take that much to make the over sensitive residents of El Paso feel butthurt.  

Here's some of the things that Steve Mason and his cronies had to say, 

Out in the wild, wild twitter world, apparently somebody is complaining that I'm complaining about USC going to the El Paso Sun Bowl,  because I'm being a homer

No! I'm actually mocking them because that is where they wound up, that is an embarrassment, winding up in El Paso.  

It feels like the NCAA is actually rubbing their faces in this season by sending them to El Paso

I think they reserved that bowl specifically  because its on New Years Eve, they want to make an example, it's for people who are especially disappointing

I've never lived in a world where my wife, who went to Texas A&M and my brother who went to Vanderbilt, are both in more prestigious bowls than my alma mater USC, meanwhile, Vanderbilt is 8-4 and they're going to the Music City Bowl

Nashville is better than El Paso, you cannot see the drug war in Nashville, you can see it from El Paso

Honestly this is a true punishment for the guys, it is every last bit of horribleness, because it' s on New Year's Eve, so still have to keep practicing for another month

It's in El Paso and it's a bad game, the worst possible combination for the guys.  If you're a senior and you have to keep going to practice and It's New Years Eve and you're stuck in El Paso?

I think  we're going to see a new tradition at USC, where the Seniors go over the wall and just keep going and never come back

(someone then asked Mason)

So, are you going to the Sun Bowl?

Hell no!  are you kidding me.... not even if they pay me

We are doing the Sun Bowl pregame, from here not from there

It's one of those times when you're really happy to hear about the budget tightening

Like I said, it's not hardly funny nor entertaining, just some sports talk radio guys doing some mutual pud pulling. My advice to El Pasoans.... easy up on the sensitivity. Get a sense of humor about yourselves, it seems to work for Cleveland.  "Hell Paso" is a gritty, often dirty, blue collar burg, that butts up against the Mogadishu of the Americas.  It will never win any beauty contests, that's for sure!

Fat Face Picks

It's time for the third annual edition of Fat Face Picks, a tradition that goes back... ahh!, three years, predating Left Nut Sports by one year.  Ray "Fat Face" Corrado, is a former sports books and self described college football expert. From the BCS to the jucos, Fat Face has his gravy stained fingers on     the pulse of the college game.

Fat Face is a total gambling degenerate, and every facet of his personal life lacks discipline and control. Fat Face is addicted to internet sports and internet porn, which of course makes him the perfect YAFL coach. He currently coaches linemen at juco independent,  BYU-Mexican Hat, (Utah) for Head Coach Sam Avard

With the season completed (the Danites finished at 1-10) Fat Face now turns his full attention to the bowl games. It's not like he has anything else to do, the nearest McDonalds is 37 miles away, and Coach Avard is a cruel task master.  Fat Face Ray has Dec. 15th. penciled in on his calender, the day when the McRib returns to Kayenta, Az....  Dream on Big Guy, Dream On.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces    Rice vs. Air Force   Fort Worth      Dec. 29

Left Nut: This game is the best argument yet for keeping teams that finish 6-6 out of the bowl picture. This is the sixth straight bowl appearance for the Falcons. Dating back to 1938, Rice has played in nine bowl games and has a perfect  9-0 record to show for it. That doesn't bode well for Mr. Fucking Howdy Doody and his Flyboys        Phat Pick: Rice

Fat Face:  Boring piled on top of boring with extra boring added for good measure. Bad game but good swag, Sony gift suite (i.e. shopping spree) Fossil watch, Dakine backpack, Big Game football


New Era Pinstripe         West Virginia vs. Syracuse Bronx, N.Y Dec. 29

Left Nut: West Virginia jumped to the Big 12, only to wind up playing Syracuse of the Big East in the cozy confines of Yankee Stadium? Hard to believe that Geno Smith was actually in the chase for a Heisman Trophy, the 'Cuse won six of its last seven games.  Phat Pick: Syracuse

Fat Face:  Geno Smith is a joke, will this game be competitive? forgetaboutit and gethtefuckouttahere!  Swag kit includes a Sony video camera, Armitron watch, Balfour ring and more New Era gear than a swap meet.


Kraft Fight Hunger            Navy vs. Arizona State       San Francisco          Dec. 29

Left Nut:  The homeless will get fed, but everyone else will leave hungry for some real football. Assuming Navy beats Army, they'll have won 7 of their last  8 games. That's hella bad news for "Satan in the Desert" the last team that lost to USC in 2012.    Phat Pick: Navy

Fat Face:  Seriously Nut, I never leave hungry. It's San Francisco, they're bound to have some good eats at ..... where they playing this at, Kezar Stadium? The swag includes, Fossil watch, Nike FuelBand, FoxL wireless portable speaker system

Valero Alamo        Texas vs. Oregon State San Antonio    Dec. 29

Left Nut:  Will the Longhorn Network carry this game?... there's not a coach, player or fan in the Big 12 that isn't chortling about the Univ. of Texas dropping this low in the pecking order, LOL! Mack Brown is history if the Longhorns lose this one    Phat Pick: Oregon St.

Fat Face:  Excellent swag at this game, an Apple iPad mini, a Fossil watch, a panoramic picture of the bowl game and a Schutt mini-helmet, and don't forget the $100 Best Buy gift card as well


Buffalo Wild Wings       TCU vs. Michigan State             Tempe, Ariz.    Dec. 29

Left Nut:  Horned Frogs limped in at 3-5, after winning their first 4 games. MSU also went 3-5 over its final 8 games.  I think that's called an even playing field, parity or a Mexican Stand-off, what's it's not called is entertaining. Phat Pick: TCU

Fat Face: Now this is my kinda bowl game!  My personal record for eating buffalo wings  during a game (from kick off till the clock expires) is 221. That record is going down on Dec. 29th.  Swag is weak, not even a gift card for Buffalo Wild Wings.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City   NC State vs. Vanderbilt  Nashville, Tenn.Dec. 31

Left Nut:  How hard up for  a corporate sponsor can you be to pick a mortgage company  as tens of thousands of Americans continue to have their homes foreclosed on? Not to worry, The Kraft Fight Hunger bowl will feed them once they're homeless.  Vandy finished with six wins in a row   Phat Pick: Vanderbilt

Fat Face: I'm feelin' ya' Nut, I had my double wide repo'ed,  now I'm sleeping in the school's equipment room.  Swag includes..... seriously? like Franklin American Mortgage would kick in for freebies.

Hyundai Sun     USC vs. Georgia Tech El Paso, Texas    Dec. 31

Left Nut:  Kim Jong-il will have the entire bowl committee working in the coal mines by Jan. 1st... what? You mean it's South Korea?, my  bad. USC was the pre-season #1 pick (snicker) Trojans killed off any karma they had left by griping about El Paso & the Sun Bowl on Twitter. Phat Pick: Georgia Tech

Fat Face:  I love El Paso, you can walk down the streets knee deep in tacos. I'm just putting this out there, but I will box Mark Mangino if I see him on the street, those are my tacos goddamnit! Player swag includes a Helen of Troy hairdryer left over from when it was the Brut Sun Bowl in 2009... cheap bastards!

AutoZone Liberty    Iowa State vs. Tulsa   Memphis, Tenn.   Dec. 31

Left Nut: Tulsa is like the redneck Rodney Dangerfield of college athletics. Losing to Arkansas & SMU will get you no respect... I tell ya'  These two teams met to kick off the season, Iowa St. won that one, but they've gone into the tank since then.  Phat Pick: Tulsa

Fat Face:  Wonder if they'll sell car parts at the stadium, I need an alternator and brake pads for a 2003 Ford Probe.  Sol Republic Tracks HD Anthem headphones, a package of Nike gear (both schools are Nike sponsored) and a Bulova watch makes for some fine swag.

Chick-fil-A       LSU vs. Clemson     Atlanta      Dec. 31

Left Nut:  Fuzzy Zoeller called to remind the Chick-fil-A bowl not to serve fried chicken or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.  LSU went from playing for a national title to a chicken bowl. The only suspense surrounding this game will be which passed out LSU fan gets teabagged this year.    Phat Pick: LSU

Fat Face: Who Dat playing in the Chicken Bowl?  Clemson has a Chick-fil-A on campus, it's one of their best recruiting tools. The swag bag includes, $300 gift card, Fossil watch, Russell Athletic travel bag, Chick-fil-A gift card

Clorox Toilet Bowl            Louisiana Tech  vs. Middle Tennessee St.   

Left Nut: La. Tech, with the nation's #1 scoring offense, The Air Raid  (which Sonny Dykes learned from Hal Mumme & Mike Leach) and Colby Cameron, this year's winner of the Sammy Baugh Award as the nation's top passer will not play in a bowl game. Why?, you could say that A.D. Bruce Van De Velde overplayed his hand in holding out for a more prestigious bowl game than the only one they got (the Independence Bowl) or you could blame the bowl system as Van De Velde is frantically doing while trying to cover his ass. 

Fat Face:  The Independence Bowl extended an invitation to La.Tech, but the thought of facing off against a perceived "inferior" instate school such as La.Monroe, led  to Van De Velde screwing the pooch.  La.Tech (9-3), who won the WAC title last year, is moving to C-USA. This led to Bruce throwing the corpse of the lifeless WAC under the bus. "We were in a league that had no say, no influence & no pull" 

Left Nut:  At least Middle Tennessee St. didn't blame their old conference (at least not openly) The Blue Raiders (8-4) are leaving the Sun Belt for C-USA and that may have played a part, as the Sun Belt lobbied for La. Laf, La. Monroe, Western Kentucky & Arkansas St.  

Fat Face:  The capper (or is that crapper) came when La.Tech head coach Sonny Dykes was named as the new head coach for the Cal Bears, meaning that the Bulldogs will never be relevant in football  again.  Since there is no actual game, there is no swag other than a big 'ol shitburger!

Fat Face Picks

It's time for the third annual edition of Fat Face Picks, a tradition that goes back... ahh!, three years, predating Left Nut Sports by one year.  Ray "Fat Face" Corrado, is a former sports books and self described college football expert. From the BCS to the jucos, Fat Face has his gravy stained fingers on     the pulse of the college game.

Fat Face is a total gambling degenerate, and every facet of his personal life lacks discipline and control. Fat Face is addicted to internet sports and internet porn, which of course makes him the perfect YAFL coach. He currently coaches linemen at juco independent,  BYU-Mexican Hat, (Utah) for Head Coach Sam Avard

With the season completed (the Danites finished at 1-10) Fat Face now turns his full attention to the bowl games. It's not like he has anything else to do, the nearest McDonalds is 37 miles away, and Coach Avard is a cruel task master.  Fat Face Ray has Dec. 15th. penciled in on his calender, the day when the McRib returns to Kayenta, Az....  Dream on Big Guy, Dream On.

Gildan New Mexico  Nevada vs. Arizona Albuquerque, N.M. Dec. 15  

Left Nut:  Remember when former Arizona basketball coach Lute Olsen, got mad because UNM kept beating them and cancelled all future games against New Mexico?  Rich Rod & the Wildcats will not get a friendly welcome in Albuquerque.     Phat Pick: Arizona   

Fat Face: Richer Rodriguez may have to prove that he's not Mexican when the 'Cats return to Arizona. Nevada has come up short all season, they'll do so again.  A band made up of all  the  ex-Shins that James Mercer has fired will perform at halftime.    

Famous Idaho Potato     Toledo vs. Utah State Boise, Idaho     Dec 15

Left Nut: Toledo ranks last in the MAC in pass defense, USU Qb. Chuckie Keeton is capable of picking them apart.  Utah St. the WAC champions, lost to Ohio Univ. in this bowl last year. Logan, Ut. is a short drive away, so they'll have the crowd.      Phat Pick: Utah State

Fat Face: The MAC is this year's darling, everyone in attendance gets a free five pound bag of potatos, they're for throwing, not for eating.  

S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia    BYU vs. San Diego State Dec. 20

Left Nut:  According to Deseret News sports writer Brad Rock, folks in Provo can't get enough of San Diego. Be careful  what you wish for, San Diego State is no push-over and they get to play a home game to boot.               Phat Pick: SDSU

Fat Face:  Beats playing in the Famous Potato Bowl, or staying home like the Yewts.  Sorry Nut, but  I will not bite the hand that feeds me  (I'm a big eater)   

Beef 'O' Brady's    UCF vs. Ball State St. Petersburg, Fla.   Dec. 21

Left Nut: This game will put you to sleep faster than Sominex, an overrated Florida commuter school vs. your typical scrappy and undersized MAC patsy.  Rudy Ruettiger of "Rudy" fame  (did you know that he's already 64 years old?) will speak at halftime.       Phat Pick: UCF

Fat Face:  Beef 'O' Brady's sounds like an establishment that Hulk Hogan would frequent, which  can only mean one thing...  their beef is not strong, it's just wrong.  

R+L Carriers New Orleans   East Carolina vs. Louisiana-Lafayette    New Orleans Dec. 22

Left Nut:  East Carolina beat Marshall 65-59 and yes it was a football game, why do you ask?  This is a home game for La.-Laf. not that it'll help them, their puny Sun Belt defense won't hold up to the onslaught they can expect from the Pirates... Aarrh!    Phat Pick: East Carolina

Fat Face:  Sitting on the beach, with a fresh beignet and coffee in hand, is a perfect start to the perfect day!  Does Nawlins still have a beach?      

MAACO Las Vegas             Washington vs. Boise State Las Vegas

Left Nut:  That loss to San Diego St. really screwed Boise St. out off their rightful  BCS spot, which led to Northern Illinois getting a BCS bid, which left Oklahoma out and caused Louisiana Tech to stupidly overplay their hand and wind up without a bowl bid.  In other words, Thank You Boise! Washington  coming off a pitiful loss to rival WASU, is playing out the string.           Phat Pick: Boise St.

Fat Face: Lost Wages is my kinda town! unlimited gambling and buffets. A Husky ain't nothing but a dog but a Bronco is just another name for a stud stallion, you're going down Sarkisian! Ronnie Vannucci of The Killers will perform a thirty minute drum solo at halftime.

Sheraton Hawaii             Fresno State vs. SMU Honolulu      Dec. 24
Left Nut:  Not quite a triumphant return home for June Jones, SMU at 6-6 plays in one of weakest divisions, in one of the weakest conferences in the country. Fresno St.  tied for the MWC league title, they are salty and ready to rumble. Jones might as well be leading the Mustangs to the glue factory   Phat Pick: Fresno St.
Fat Face: Saying that the denizens of Fresno are salty is to imply that they are crackers, that's raycess Nut!

Little Caesars Pizza      Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan Detroit     Dec. 26
Left Nut: It's only proper that the worst pizza ever, would sponsor the worst bowl game of the season, played in the worst city in America. When I think of pizza somehow Detroit doesn't come to mind. This game is a toss, as in toss it in the garbage can    Phat Pick: I don't fucking care
Fat Face: Food bowls are my favorite, you pour enough tabasco on a Little Caesars' pizza and it tastes just like tabasco... yum!  Rodriguez & Death will perform during the halftime show

Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman   San Jose State vs. Bowling Green Dec. 27
Left Nut:  Another snoozer, if you want to torture or run off unwanted relatives during the holiday season, just tune in this game. 2012 will be remembered as the year the MAC forced all their crappy boring teams on America.    Phat Pick: San Jose St.
Fat Face: Rumors have Mike Mac taking the Colorado job, which changes nothing

Belk     Cincinnati vs. Duke Charlotte, N.C.    Dec. 27
Left Nut:  Dec. 27th. will be  a day that will live in football infamy.  Belk is German for "Duke home game" Cincinnati is so much better, that if they don't win by thirty points or more, point shaving will be suspected immediately.   Phat Pick: Cincinnati
Fat Face:  On Dec. 27th I will eat and drink any man under the table, even though it's on a Thursday and I'll be at work.  Duke started out fast and faded out even faster. The halftime show will feature several NASCAR drivers burning rubber and blowing their engines...

Bridgepoint Education Holiday      Baylor vs. UCLA   San Diego Dec. 27
Left Nut:  It's not likely that getting educated on anything other than Tijuana hookers will be on the agenda for these Texans. I don't trust  that UCLA will ever win a game that matters, besides Junior Mora is a fucking prick.    Phat Pick: Baylor
Fat Face:  Education?... we don't need no education, we don't need no thought control.  Football players don't go to college to play school, they go to play football.  A Pink Floyd  mariachi cover band will perform during halftime.

AdvoCare V100 Independence    Ohio vs. Louisiana-Monroe Shreveport, La.   Dec. 28
Left Nut:  At one point in the season there was talk of Ohio Univ. being the BCS buster, now they get to breath in the smell of death that permeates throughout Louisiana. The Bobcats started 7-0 and finished 1-4. Whatever mojo Ohio Univ. once had is long gone.  Phat Pick: La.Monroe
Fat Face:  Bad Blood or a misunderstanding between La. Tech & La. Monroe, led to the 9-3, Bulldogs sitting at home without a bowl invite.  Bowl officials merely said it was a "sticky situation." that's just nasty, a little discretion would be in order.

Russell Athletic     Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech   Orlando, Fla.     Dec. 28
Left Nut:  I'm not familiar with Russell Athletic, are they  the makers of the Shaq line of footwear that WalMart carries? Both Rutgers & Virginia Tech had visions of BCS bowls dancing in their heads, now they get to dance with the mouse.  Phat Pick: Rutgers
Fat Face: Virginia Tech is a godawful football team, maybe the ACC should exchange them for Cincinnati?

Meineke Car Care of Texas    Minnesota vs. Texas Tech Houston   Dec. 28
Left Nut:  How the fuck did Minnesota get into a bowl game? If Texas Tech can't beat the Gophers in the Lone Star state, then they should just pick up the entire campus and the city of Lubbock and drag them across the state line into New Mexico     Quick Pick: Texas Tech
Fat Face:  Jerry Kill needs to retire soon, a 6-6 season  and  a trip to the Meineke Car Care Bowl is bad for his health.

Raiders- Browns Week 12

Light hearted reverie is our trademark, as it is throughout sports. The NFL is a billion dollar industry, but it's still just a game. The games in and of themselves contribute nothing to our society other than to entertain and divert us away from the reality of our lives, be it the good life or otherwise.  Every now and then, reality intrudes into the world of sports. That was the case this past week when Kansas City Chiefs defensive player Jovan Belcher, shot and killed his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins (in front of his daughter & mother) then drove to the Chiefs facilities at Arrowhead stadium and took his own life in front of head coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Scott Pioli.

The Chiefs played on Sunday, Crennel explained that as football men, that's what they do, they play football. This, in the face of all the sanctimonious and pious sports pundits across the country who pleaded for them to do otherwise.  Crennel, Pioli & Qb. Brady Quinn are enduring life in a pressure cooker, with each passing week and loss the pressure ratchets up. They are the face of the franchise. The Chiefs as a team have been the subject of criticism and derision throughout the season. Only Jovan Belcher could say if that sour mood contributed to his actions. We do know this, Belcher for whatever reasons, snapped.

As Brady Quinn waited for some team to draft him during the first round of the 2007 NFL draft, I joined everyone else in taking potshots at him. Projected to be among the first 4-5 players selected he sat there as a parade of his piers stepped up to the podium. During the time he was in Cleveland he became a running gag for football's wise guys. The Browns would eventually dump him off on the Chiefs.  However, after Sunday's heavyhearted game vs. the Carolina Panthers, (which the Chiefs won 27-21) Brady Quinn stepped up to the podium and showed that he is a thoughtful man, with a big heart, who has his priorities in the right order.

"It was tough" Brady Quinn said "I think it was an eerie feeling after a win because you don't think that you can win in this situation. The one thing people can hopefully try to take away, I guess, is the relationships they have with people. I know when it happened, I was sitting, and in my head, thinking what I could have done differently" Quinn, paused and then continued "When you ask someone how they are doing, do you really mean it? When you answer someone back how you are doing, are you really telling the truth?"

Brady Quinn had everyone's attention "We live in a society of social networks, with Twitter pages and Facebook, and that's fine, but we have contact with our work associates, our family, our friends and it seems like half the time we are more preoccupied with our phone and other things going on instead of actual relationships that we have right in front of us" his words sunk in "Hopefully people can learn from this and try to actually help if someone is battling something deeper on the inside than what they are revealing on a day to day basis."

Further in, Brady Quinn stated, "I think that moments and tragedies like this, they can either define you or redefine you. I think this team was able to take it on that and allow it to redefine us"  If the Chiefs never win another game, they have as Brady Quinn stated, been redefined, as has the NFL and our single minded, often thoughtless and selfish need to belittle the players when things go wrong. In this game of football there will always be winners and losers, they keep score, otherwise it wouldn't be worth watching. If your team winds up on the losing end, it's not personal and it's not the end of the world... it's a football game.

Everyday all across America, people go to work following the death of a loved one or co-worker. Life does indeed go on, as it did on Sunday. Romeo Crennel who witnessed something that no person should see, became the team's anchor... their rock. The Chiefs rallied around him and did what so many people do under similar circumstances, they went to work. However even as the pro football community and the families of Kasandra Perkins & Jovan Belcher mourn, questions are already being asked. Belcher was said to be "dazed and suffering from short term memory loss" after the Chiefs game against Cincinnati, because of this he saw limited action against Denver.

Reports have come out saying that Belcher had been taking painkillers and drinking heavily during the days leading up to Saturday's tragedy. Concussions are a hot topic in the NFL and this will surely bring the NFL's so called "concussion protocol" (which one writer referred to as "cover your ass" protocol) back under the microscope. If concussions did play a role in Belcher murdering his girlfriend and then killing himself, the repercussions will be felt all across the NFL. In retrospect the recent actions taken by the Oakland Raiders in dealing with  Rolando McClain now make much more sense. Team officials and coaches need to do a better job of reading the signs.

Oakland Raiders  17           Cleveland Browns   20

Did the Raiders avert a tragedy similar to that of Jovan Belcher by taking immediate action to help Rolando McClain? Who can really say?, but it does show that Coach Allen, Reggie McKenzie & the coaching staff are putting the welfare of their players first and foremost.   Many of us hate on Reggie McKenzie, Dennis Allen, Jason Tarver, Greg Knapp, Carson Palmer, Darren McFadden etc. but they are just men doing the best that they can. On Sunday against the lowly Browns, some of them did their jobs just a little big better than before, but it still wasn't enough.

Falling behind and then trying to stage a comeback while hindered with this rambling wreck of a defense and this walking aid station of an offense is futile. Brandon Weeden, did what rookie quarterbacks often do to the Raiders secondary... he picked 'em apart. Weeden coming off a concussion he suffered against Denver, threw for a season high 364 yards on 25-36 attempts. In the spirit of fair play he also threw two interceptions. Carson Palmer almost matched Weeden's numbers completing 34-54 passes for 351 yds. and two touchdowns. Raider TE Brandon Myers blew up catching 14 passes for 130 yards and 1 td. The 14 passes he caught ties a franchise record held by Tim Brown.

The Browns went up 10-3 at the half, they extended their lead to 13-3 before Oakland closed to within a field goal at 13-10, on a 64 yd. td. strike from Palmer to Rod Streater. However, the old Palmer bugaboo... "the interception" killed any chance Oakland really had of completing their come back. Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Raiders drove into Cleveland territory, picking up a first down at the Brown's 33 yd. line. Carson then tried to rifle a pass to Juron Criner that was picked off by Sheldon Brown at the six yard line. "I was trying to take a shot there, get the touchdown quickly and I just didn't put the ball in the right spot"

It was in the right spot.... for Sheldon Brown, who said "I saw Carson throwing the ball and I just became the receiver and caught it" in all actuality it was Criner who was in the wrong spot. "We can't stop the run, we can't stop the pass" said Raiders CB Michael Huff "Things just aren't going well on defense, right now I guess we're just a bad defense".... and how!  It's not really something the defensive unit can hide from, the weekly results speak for themselves. Carson Palmer connected on a 51 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Myers with one second left in the game, a text book example of  "too little, too late"

The Raiders have lost five straight, their longest since a six game losing streak during Lane Kiffin's first season as head coach in 2006. Raider fans across Raider Nation can't be happy with that, but they'll just have to deal with it. The losses could continue as the season grinds on, after all if we can't beat the Browns, who can we beat? The fanatics will fill the Black Hole on Thursday to see the Silver & Black battle the Broncos and then the following week, K.C. will come to town. It's the circle of life, we are Raider fans... at some point in our lives we chose them as our team and that's all there is to it.

Raider Notes: 

Officially the Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention for the tenth straight year, though we knew that horse left the barn long ago. Coach Allen was informed prior to the game that his father Grady Allen, a former NFL player, was in  serious condition and had been admitted to the intensive care unit of a Dallas area hospital. Dennis Allen left for Dallas immediately after the game, he's expected back in time for Thursday's game against the Broncos. 

Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 51 yard field, but was wide right on a 61 yard attempt at the end of the first half.  The Raiders were outscored by 90 points during November and December didn't start out any kinder, the Raiders went three and out on their first four possessions of the game to fall behind 10-0. Less than 44,000 showed up for the game, the lowest since Oct. of 2010.

Rolando McClain was all over Facebook, Twitter and the sports wire. Just what happened between Coach Allen and McClain is still a mystery. There are rumors that the two had a verbal altercation during practice. Regardless of what took place McClain is suspended for two games and likely finished as an Oakland Raider.  

Transaction News (or bring us new stiffs, the ones we have are starting to stink)

Rolando McClain was suspended for two game due to conduct detrimental to the team. Eddie McGee, a wide receiver was added to the practice squad along with defensive linebacker Jerrell Harris.

McGee is an undrafted free agent who escaped from the New York Jets madhouse, he played his college ball at Illinois. Jerrell Harris, an undrafted free agent, is a "Bama product with no previous experience in the NFL that I'm aware of. 

Coach Allen expects both Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson to be ready for action on Thursday night. "We tested them out, they just weren't ready to go (on Sunday) but I would hope they'd be ready to go Thursday night" said Allen.

Monte Poole, the best NFL beat writer

"The anticipation of what these new Raiders might deliver in 2012 died last month and now even the curiosity is gone" 

It's not among the worst years in franchise history, but it's officially a losing season and officially forgettable.

Nnamdi Asomugha left in 2011, it just seems like he has been gone for four years.

Consider running back Darren McFadden, this one is fairly simple, if offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is back, along with his zone blocking schemes, McFadden and the Raiders are better off apart. 

On a defense this porous, no player is worth $12 million dollars (Richard Seymour)

Consider the linebackers, Rolando McClain must go and certainly will

No one is absolutely safe, No coach or player, with the possible exception of kicker Sebastian 

Janikowski, had done enough this season to be regarded as untouchable