Official 2008-09 NFL thread

**Ramses II CP** · 09-09-2008, 14:52

Hey, Russel looked pretty good... for the last ten minutes against the second team D after the game was out of reach. During the, you know, real game he looked like a talentless chump with a bunch of WRs who just checked in off the street.

The Raiders were extremely undisciplined (As usual), the big money players didn't show up, and the defense was soft. It looks even worse than the offseason and preseason made it seem. Whichever RB won the coin toss for that play on the Broncos sideline came in the game and averaged over 5 yards a carry. Cutler's jersey was so clean he's not even going to get it washed before next week.

Hope sprang eternal until I saw 'em in a real game, and now I know they stink. You can say the Broncos always beat us, but this Denver team is younger than ours, with less talent, and they pasted the Raiders at home without looking like they tried too hard.

At least I was right about the Lions?

**naut** · 09-09-2008, 15:18

Cowboys. Nuff said.

**GeneralHankerchief** · 09-09-2008, 16:41

Originally Posted by Ramses II CP

Hey, Russel looked pretty good... for the last ten minutes against the second team D after the game was out of reach. During the, you know, real game he looked like a talentless chump with a bunch of WRs who just checked in off the street.

The Raiders were extremely undisciplined (As usual), the big money players didn't show up, and the defense was soft. It looks even worse than the offseason and preseason made it seem. Whichever RB won the coin toss for that play on the Broncos sideline came in the game and averaged over 5 yards a carry. Cutler's jersey was so clean he's not even going to get it washed before next week.

Hope sprang eternal until I saw 'em in a real game, and now I know they stink. You can say the Broncos always beat us, but this Denver team is younger than ours, with less talent, and they pasted the Raiders at home without looking like they tried too hard.

At least I was right about the Lions?

I'm not giving up hope on the Lions yet. I refuse to believe an offense that good and a coach known for toughness and defense can be this bad.

As for last night, that must have been painful to watch if you were a Raiders fan. Royal absolutely demolished DeAngelo Hall (not that I'm complaining, never liked Hall). If he can do that week after week then Cutler's going to rack up some very high stats with Marshall coming back.

**Martok** · 09-09-2008, 18:09

To my complete lack of surprise, the Vikings lost to the Packers last night in what I can only describe as a comedy of errors on both sides -- the two teams combined committed a whopping 21 penalties for a total of 160 yards.

Still too early to tell whether Tarvaris Jackson can be the Vikes' starting quarterback. He showed pretty good poise in most situations, but still has a tendency to overthrow the ball even when he has time to throw. Of course, that's preferable to him underthrowing it and then getting picked off, but he still has a lot of room for improvement.

On the plus side: Opening the season with a loss means we're that much closer to coach Childress getting punted out of Minnesota. I hope, I hope, I hope....

**Decker** · 09-09-2008, 19:44

As for last night, that must have been painful to watch if you were a Raiders fan.

Good god... what a nightmare last night was. I don't even know where to begin! Russell counldn't find open recievers or they couldn't catch I dunno... as for the defense... well... should I even go into describing how... disgusting they looked! I have never, NEVER, seen the Raiders look so bad. Not even in the last two seasons! I was ready to leave the stadium at half-time I was so disenchanted, but I couldn't due to how much a season ticket is so I had to sit though a quarter and a half of horrible play after another. Hall couldn't mark at all and imho an overrated player while Asamouagh saw almost no play as Hall and the other headless chickens were run in circles all over the field by Denver's recievers. Our running core did alright with what they had to work with(a not so "great" offensive line). And watching Kiffin on the sideline, I was surprised to even see some life in him here and there, though I wasn't impressed when he didn't get into anyone's faces when we would...*blank* up. ANd when you look at who we get to play this year... after this game, we left telling those that sit with us..."see you next season." It was that bad... I don't know why some even cheered when we scored a td!?

Ugh... I'm glad that at least they have two road games until the next home game... I don't think I'm ready to sit through some more punishment

Hope sprang eternal until I saw 'em in a real game, and now I know they stink. You can say the Broncos always beat us, but this Denver team is younger than ours, with less talent, and they pasted the Raiders at home without looking like they tried too hard.

So much for last year's "promise" of a better looking season this year. At least we had a close opening game against Denver in Denver. And lmao did you see Russell laughing on the sideline after his slip of the hand? Tui should've gone in then. Jeebus.

**Northnovas** · 09-10-2008, 04:17

They couldn't make GH's list but I still rooting for them! I think it becomes automatic after 3 decades you just go on autopilot and hope for the best.

GO SKINS GO!

**Ramses II CP** · 09-10-2008, 04:37

Originally Posted by Decker

And lmao did you see Russell laughing on the sideline after his slip of the hand? Tui should've gone in then. Jeebus.

That has to be by far the low point in the game, worse than the Hall debacle at corner, worse than the utter lack of discipline on the line, worse than the confusion on offense. It shows a simple lack of pride, of respect for the shoes these chumps have to fill. I think most teams in the league would get mad about being drubbed like that by a division rival and come back and play better, but somehow I don't see that happening with this bunch.

It's going to be a rough year.

I still say this team, and this QB in particular, need to get beaten up and manhandled, I guess even worse than the Broncos did. I don't know what it will take to get through to them. Maybe next year Al will give up at last, maybe new ownership is the only thing left to try.

**Decker** · 09-10-2008, 05:59

Originally Posted by Ramses II CP

That has to be by far the low point in the game, worse than the Hall debacle at corner, worse than the utter lack of discipline on the line, worse than the confusion on offense. It shows a simple lack of pride, of respect for the shoes these chumps have to fill. I think most teams in the league would get mad about being drubbed like that by a division rival and come back and play better, but somehow I don't see that happening with this bunch.

It's going to be a rough year.

I still say this team, and this QB in particular, need to get beaten up and manhandled, I guess even worse than the Broncos did. I don't know what it will take to get through to them. Maybe next year Al will give up at last, maybe new ownership is the only thing left to try.

You should write for our local newspaper. The guys down here suck when it comes to writing about our boys in Silver & Black. I'm just glad we can watch them on the TV. I don't feel like attending another game after that haha... gwad

But like you... I'll still hold out some hope for them, despite how bad things may seem.

I've come to the conclusion that the only constants on the Raiders are:
1)Lechler
2)Janikowsky
3)and the Raiderettes.
Sad as that may be, I don't think we'll get much out unless we actually learn something from this game and pull ourselves together.

**OverKnight** · 09-10-2008, 06:43

I'm surprised that Bellicheck hasn't brought in a third QB now that Brady is on the IR. A few years back they ran with two QBs for a bit before bringing in Testaverde later in the season, but I'd be a lot more comfortable if they brought in someone like Simms.

I'm all for giving Cassel a shot, but bring someone in now so they can learn the offense and be ready to go if injury or incompetence strikes. O'Connell will be an option in the future but for now he's a rookie.

**Ramses II CP** · 09-11-2008, 01:45

Originally Posted by Decker

You should write for our local newspaper. The guys down here suck when it comes to writing about our boys in Silver & Black. I'm just glad we can watch them on the TV. I don't feel like attending another game after that haha... gwad

But like you... I'll still hold out some hope for them, despite how bad things may seem.

I've come to the conclusion that the only constants on the Raiders are:
1)Lechler
2)Janikowsky
3)and the Raiderettes.
Sad as that may be, I don't think we'll get much out unless we actually learn something from this game and pull ourselves together.

Thanks Decker! You know I think sportswriting in general is in a pretty poor state these days. Half the stuff you read online is purely recycled week after week. Lechler and Janikowsky get plenty of work, that's for sure, and they're consistently well ranked statistically, which is more than the rest of the team can say.

The thing I'd like to see is this team to come out angry next week and beat KC like the Broncos beat us, but without letting up in the 4th. The Chiefs are one of the worst teams in the league in every facet of the game and if these guys can't find a rhythm and get the offense on track against them, well, it's going to be a long, looong season.