Though some would say there are no such things are moral victories, those who would say that haven’t been paying much attention to the Oakland Raiders over the past six years.
Once the proudest organization in the NFL, the Raiders have disintegrated throughout the bulk of the current decade, Super Bowl appearance notwithstanding.
As of little more than a week ago, it appeared that the collapse would continue, with defensive lineman Richard Seymour apparently not inclined to respect the trade that sent him to Oakland from New England.
But then, on the same day he filed a grievance challenging the team’s attempt to strong-arm him into showing up, Seymour decided to embrace the next phase of his career.
The end result is that, after Monday night’s near upset of the Chargers, there’s rampant talk in league circles that the Raiders are “much improved.”
The positive developments are most obvious on the defensive line, where Seymour has been joined by Greg Ellis. Coupled with a cornerback in Nnamdi Asomugha who cuts the field in half and a previously underachieving free safety in Michael Huff who seems to finally be getting his act together, the Raiders are widely believed to be on the right track.
The next big step, of course, will be to hold a lead late in the game. They get another chance this weekend, when they go to Kansas City.
In evaluating Monday’s game, why is no one taking into account that Norv NEVER has the Chargers ready to play early in the season?
It was one game, but I agree with you. Cable and the stabilization of the oline is the reason . Jamarcus growing up is the next step. This season is an intermediate step for the Raiders to return to winning ways.
This is not new. Look at their last couple of wins at the end of last year and you could tell they were not only getting better but could actually be good.
widely believed to be on the right track???? widely believed to be smoking crack is what i think u meant to say.
A positive post about the Raiders, congrats Mr. Florio.
Attaboy Florio
I will let Cable know you are back in the Raider Nation so he doesnt box those itchy ears of yours.
Florio, nice to see you notice what Raider fans have been talking about all week, that this is a different team than we have seen the last 6 years. Based on Monday nights game, I would argue that they can compete for the AFC West title, albeit a weak division….
It’s about time the mainstream media (hello, NBC) realized this is a young and upcoming team.
With any kind of decent QB play, this team will definitely make some noise.
There will always be the truly ignorant though of course, like rockotica.
I hope the Raiders are much improved; otherwise, the Bolts are much worse.
Why are there comments about every story that complain about negative raider remarks???
One of the biggest draws of PFT is Florio and company’s (attempt at) humor. When you’re team is the laughing stock of the league, it’s going to be made fun of everywhere. If you don’t like it, root for a consistently better team, don’t read PFT, or get over it.
Thanks for the positive post Florio, but the reality of it is that it was just ONE GAME.
I like the way they fought, the way that JaMarcus struggled for most of the game but came up big and got us the lead.
I loved the toughness of the defense.
Still, we have the same old problems. We can’t close teams out.
Last year we had the Buffalo game won, we had the Chargers game won, and we should have won in Miami. In every single one of those games we had a game losing collapse.
Yea this is a positive they will go 1-15.
Raiderman, it wasn’t all that positive. Florio is still going on about Seymour not wanting to play in Oakland, although I’ve only heard that from hacks who make a living on speculation and opinion. He’s also only repeating what he’s been hearing. Still, the Raiders have a lot of young talent, and if they can learn how to win the games they’re supposed to win, by this time next year they have a chance to get back to being hated for all the right reasons.
Suck it up Raider fans.
This seems like a promo from Florio for the Raiders considering their reputation. They must have a game coming up on NBC.
Face it. Your team hasn’t been relevant since Bo Jackson. (and yes, I considered their fluke Super Bowl appearance where Callahan looks like Henry Winkler as the coach from “The Waterboy”)
Listen, the Raiders have not been able to get a coach that could handle Al’s constant input. Tom Cable is the best coach for the Raiders since Gruden. And remember what Gruden did for the team?!?!?
“It was one game, but I agree with you. Cable and the stabilization of the oline is the reason . ”
The D-line, you mean. The O-line is the same as last year. The only change is last year’s 3rd string center in now the starting center.
Oakland will continue to struggle as long as Russell is under center. When they finally cut bait and make an effort to add a real QB, they’ll be better for it.
Um, they were playing the Chargers – AKA the best of the worst. I don’t think there is anything to be said about the Raiders because they performed well against the short bus team.
LOVE’em or HATE’em U would have to be blind or brain dead to think the R8rs aren’t drastically improved.
Success in the NFL is quite simple:
Be able to Run the ball on Offense
Be able to stop the run on Defense
The problem is doing it…..1 gm doesn’t make a season but the early results against a playoff team(SD) looks good for the RAHHHHDARS!!
Next Lesson: JUST WIN BABY!
DV has spoken!
Coming from someone who has been talking up the Raiders all offseason(me), last week’s game was mana from heaven. Sure, they lost in the end, and found the 2nd ‘tuck’ rule, but they are on the brink. Russell and the Raiders screwed up by not getting him in camp on time his first year, so I think it’ll be next year before the national media will be forced to give the Raiders credit, but they are definately on the way up.
Also, who says Al Davis is crazy? I think he just shored up the run defense by getting Richard Seymour…and don’t give me the “he’s only here for one year” crap, Davis is known for throwing money at players that he thinks can help the team. Seymour is spouting the company line, so don’t be shocked when he signs a contract extension and finishes his career on a contending Raiders team.
Rest assured both statements are true. The Raiders are much improved and the bolts are much worse, especially after the whipping they took in the trenches monday night.
Its what floho does. He pokes and prods to fire things up. But he lets you throw it back at him, so have it.
Think of him as the poor mans jim rome.
Hey, you forgot another positive from last week…JaMarcus Russell completed 40% of his passes…WHOO HOO.
“as big as a hat says:
September 19, 2009 2:56 PM
Still, the Raiders have a lot of young talent, and if they can learn how to win the games they’re supposed to win, by this time next year they have a chance to get back to being hated for all the right reasons.”
Excessive amounts of cheating?
(Fun read in this months Playboy about the Raiders of the 70s)
dude why would you read playboy? Must be a niner fan! Raiders are back get used to the opposing teams going out injured.
With regards to the comment about the Chargers never being ready to play early in the season I will say, the Raiders did not just dominate the Chargers for 58 minutes on Monday Night, they man handled them on both sides of the ball.
This Raiders team has been being put together over the past few years and they are finally starting to get some of the remaining parts to make it all come together.
But make no mistake this Raiders team is still loaded with the young talent many a so called “expert” has been knocking as lacking. Nothing could be further from the truth, they just needed some key players to cement the units and make it all come together. They are getting close on defense.
As Richard Seymour has stated more than once, “I have never been on a defense with this much speed, they run like deer and are all over the place. What we are doing on D is just scratching the surface as to what we will be able to do and once all clicking we should be tough.”
Florio- get your facts straight. Seymour didnt file the grievance. The NFLPA did as they have the standing to do so on behalf of a player.
Are you a really a reporter?
@dcrespo24 . . . .
you are incorrect.
a union cannot pursue a grievance without the approval of the employee.
Face it, Al Davis knows something about building a winning football team. The last eight years have been riddled with bad coaching decisions.
I thought the Raiders played an inspired game against the Chargers. However, I am convinced they’ll never be good enough to get beyond mediocre because Jamarcus Russell is just not any good. He’s a problem and the Raiders management (Al Davis) needs to swallow the pride, acknowledge that Jamarcus is a big fat dope and is not going be able to get it done, cough up a fur ball or two, and move on ASAP.
Raiders have the making of a pretty good defense. Very good DL for the most part, Seymour playing in the 4-3 will make him a much better pass rusher, plus their LBs can all run and hit. Their RB stable is among the best in the league.. if only they had a decent QB!
Mike Florio, you are incorrect – please see NFL CBA Article IX, sections 2 and 3:
“A grievance may be initiated by a player, a Club, OR a the NFLPA.” [emphasis added]. The disjunctive work “or” means the NFLPA may act autonomosly on behalf of a player.
“rayray says:
September 19, 2009 4:45 PM
Face it, Al Davis knows something about building a winning football team. The last eight years have been riddled with bad coaching decisions.”
Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks combined to start a full season for the Raiders.
How is that on the coaching? Who should they have started?
And also….for all those bad coaching decisions…..WHO HIRED THOSE COACHES?
Would like to see Russel get some better coaching.
He has some nice potential and a rocket arm, just lacks accuracy.
All I have to say is Russell better not get hurt? Because at this point and time Gradkowski is better than Russell. He’s more moble,accurate & smart. Russell throws 2 more picks and the bench will be waiting for him. Look for a 34-10 smashing..GO RAIDERS!!!!!
# stiller43 says: September 19, 2009 2:39 PM
Why are there comments about every story that complain about negative raider remarks???
One of the biggest draws of PFT is Florio and company’s (attempt at) humor. When you’re team is the laughing stock of the league, it’s going to be made fun of everywhere. If you don’t like it, root for a consistently better team, don’t read PFT, or get over it.
——————————————————
Most people come here because it’s a decent place to get NFL news in a much easier manor than the other sites. The biggest draw for you may be the lack of an attempt at humor, but for most, it’s all about the game. Maybe you should get out of the trailer park and cut back on the Iron City Beer more often if you find anything printed on this site funny.
Also, one thing you seem to forget about, is that there are other teams who are in much worse shape than the Raiders, yet they don’t get the raw treatment the Raiders get. The comments about negative remarks this off-season are very legit. Don’t even try to act as if they aren’t. Florio has cranked it up a notch ever since PFT joined NBC. He’s done so, because he knows the Raiders have one of the largest fan bases in all of sports, and he can generate a lot of hits when ripping on the Raiders over, say, the Lions.
Also, get off your high horse fella. Your Steelers have had some terrible years as well. Quite a few I might add. It won’t be long before you and your redneck trailer park fans are crying in your Iron City Beer again.
@ SmackMyVickUp
Right now, Russell has one of the better QB coaches in the game. If he doesn’t improve under the guidance of Paul Hackett, we can all stick a fork in him.
Florio – Have you read the NFL’s CBA Article IX, Section 2 and 3 yet? Still waiting for your retraction. All I ask is that you dont misinform the public.
Where in the CBA does it say the NFLPA, a union cannot pursue a grievance without the approval of the employee? Why are you ignoring dcrespo24 last post quoting the CBA saying “A grievance may be initiated by a player, a Club, OR a the NFLPA.” [emphasis added]. The disjunctive word “or” means the NFLPA may act autonomosly on behalf of a player? I believe you are wrong and you should admit it. But of course you wont, just like you didnt post my last 3 blogs calling you out. Hopefully you will man up and admit it or at least post this.
# brooklyn says: September 19, 2009 3:02 PM
Suck it up Raider fans.
This seems like a promo from Florio for the Raiders considering their reputation. They must have a game coming up on NBC.
Face it. Your team hasn’t been relevant since Bo Jackson. (and yes, I considered their fluke Super Bowl appearance where Callahan looks like Henry Winkler as the coach from “The Waterboy”)
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2000 Record: 12-4-0 1st in AFC West HC Jon Gruden
2001 Record: 10-6-0 1st in AFC West HC Jon Gruden
2002 Record: 11-5-0 1st in AFC West & AFC Champions HC Bill Callahan
Bo left the game in 1990, that’s a full 10 years since the 3 year string above started, moron.
Florio couldn’t have posted this article as it only bashes the Raiders a little bit with a slight back-handed compliment, must have been Rosenthal…
what a pussy u are florio, straight bitch! Report the truth!
OK mouthbreathers….lets get something straight.
The only NFL teams (and they’re B!TCH fans) who can talk smack bout the Raiders are as follows:
Steelers with 6 rings
Cowboys with 5 rings
At this point I will say STFU punk a$$ b!tch wannabe franchise me-muggin muthafu$kas!!!
What have U done bada$$es? What have U accomplished in our absence???
There are 4 teams who have bragging rights H2H over the Raiders in the WHOLE MUTHAFU$KING LEAGUE U @#$%^&&&***&()@#$$$!!!!!
Check those stats here….http://www.pro-football-reference.com/
Man, it’s gonna suck 4 U when we start bending U over regularly again…..tsk tsk tsk…
I’ll have what rdr4lif is having…