Written by SilverSurfer at Fans In Black
Some things i've noticed from atop the Silver & Black wave of Raider Piracy-
-I couldn't be more appreciative of all the Raiders.com interviews with coaches and players, but bless her heart, Jeanette Thomson needs to go back to cheerleading in a hurry. I want to cry every time I watch her nearly choke on her thoughts as she fumbles with her overly awkward hand gestures. Thanks Jeanette, now please, go away.
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-Coach Kiffin has literally won over the hearts of the bay area media, many of whom have dedicated themselves to the assasination of the Raiders and Al Davis, with his up front honest assessments and no nonsense answers. They are genuinely believing, some faster than others, that Kiffin is going to return this team to greatness, and the national media is beginning to take note.
-Daunte Culpepper has a special opportunity Friday to get a chokehold on the starting QB job. Interestingly, because everyone knows this, and because Daunte himself understands that a solid showing with NO FUMBLED SNAPS OR INT's will ensure he is the game 1 starter, he is going to be under the first real PRESSURE situation as our QB. Will he sink or swim? The answer will tell us much about the potential of this upcoming season.
-There are very enthusiastic signs that our coaching staff AND personnel department are working SEEMLESSLY together to improve the talent level of this football team.
-Job Security? Not so much! Is there a player on this team that believes they cannot be replaced? I am beginning to think not. Sure there are stars, but strangely enough they seem to be the first ones to echo the sentiments of coach Kiffin, that you are "IN" or you are out.
-The Jamarcus Russell character assasination, of which I was a willing participant BEFORE the draft, has begun again in earnest. It's an unfortunate byproduct of the holdout process, something I am sure his agents prepared him for, and it gains steam every minute that JR does not put pen to paper. The attacks really aren't personal, and all will be forgiven as soon as he dons the famed Silver and Black and begins pillaging our division, but the impression of 'greed' is built in to any negotiation, on one side or the other, and in this case it falls on the side of JR. Obviously, he can take it.
-Making the the contract negotiations with Russell even more complex than normal are two very interesting factors: First, the Raiders are surely a little 'stunned' by the inability of Gallery, a former #2 overall pick, to succeed at becoming the franchise LT he was drafted and PAID to be. Second, the issue of inflating rookie salaries has begun to get more scrutiny in recent days, and is quickly becoming a 'hot button' issue that the league and union want to address. All this in the midst of the #1 overall pick trying to sign. Tough timing!
-Mr President, what should we do? With the increasing expectations of a productive backfield, shared by Jordan, Rhodes and 'Joe', what will be the fate of Michael Bush? All indications are that we will see him PUP'd and reevaluated in 6 weeks, but then again, I would not put anything past Kiffin.
-Humbled! That will likely be the prevailing feeling of the QB, in this current three man competition, that gets visited by the Turk. Given a real legitimate opportunity to compete for the starting QB job, in an open competition, with a staff that has earnestly tried to coach and improve them, only to finish training camp and receive their walking papers is going to be tough on someones confidence! Keep your chin up son! Strangely enough, getting traded rather than getting cut could actually enhance what little confidence that guy may have left.
-'If you say something long enough, loud enough, and with enough passion, people will believe it'. 'Four to six wins' they say, 'would be a great season, but they surely cannot exceed such lofty goals, nor should they expect to'. It is the battle cry of the naysayers, and this years poster child in the NFL is, by all accounts, the Raiders. Are they right? Are they justified? The answer, I think, will be greatly determined by which 'voices' our players have been listening to!!
-"Look mommy, I got my scholarship." Uh, NO. Kiffin has cancelled the scholarship program and is unashamedly requiring players to EARN their bread. Now, I personally think that the media incorrectly interpreted this statement to mean that Al Davis favorites are gone, but what it does mean is that players better not get COMFORTABLE, no matter who they are, and that PRODUCTION will ultimately determine the LENGTH and QUALITY of their stay. That's refreshing!
-"Get your popcorn ready", cause every TD that Kiffin and his band of 'misfits' put up on offense will undoubtedly unleash a flurry of 'pundits' and 'experts' scurrying like roaches from their predictions of chaos and mediocrity. I can hear it now, "well it was obvious that if they could get the offense on track, that they would be a team to reckon with. I mean, all the pieces were in place." Remember, they only lie when their mouth is moving.
-GOOD NIGHT NOW! I have a funny feeling that the league will be very happy that they moved forward with the 'flex-scheduling' with these night games later in the season. Why? Becuase I truly believe that Kiffin and his Raiders are going to be a very popular storyline about that time. This guy has an aura, a gift if you will. He captures a room. His honesty is infectious, but beyond that, he is charismatic in a respectful, almost John Wayne kind of way. As cliche as it may sound, Kiffin is exactly what this league needs right now. No more "they played better" soundbites, no more excuses, no more pampering, no more huffing and puffing, just good old fashioned INTEGRITY.
As absolutely improbable as it should be, Kiffin has surrounded himself with extremely talented and dedicated football men many years his senior, and literally become their LEADER, and has gained their RESPECT and LOYALTY. BY EXAMPLE, and WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, this guy has dramatically impacted the entire organization, and caused many aprehensive observers to "Buy In", not the least of which is the Raider Nation. That, my friend, is no easy task. This "kid" knows hom to lead men, and by seasons end, he may have the whole league following! See you in PRIMETIME coach.
That's the view from Silversurfers wave
Written by SilverSurfer at Fans In Black
http://www.raiderfans.com/article.php?story=20070822201807592