considering the Patriot fans didn't make the trade, the organization did, I don't see how the fans have crow/egg on their face. Every organization makes personnel errors (see: Moss, Randy; Jolley, Doug) and a 5th rounder is a small price to pay for a gifted WR that pretty much has attitude problems (as opposed to say a 1st rounder and starting MLB).
Couple points. ONE lets see what happens with the R Moss situation. SEE (Philip Buchanon- AL Davis turned that bust into CB F Washington and mLB K Morrison) Raiders are not giving away Randy Moss like I stated before, they don't want to see R Moss playing for a divisonal rival- say Chargers. Not to mention R moss is under contract for at least two more years.( what hes going to walk away from that much money) Raiders don't get compensation they like,than he going to stay. R Moss for all his trouble off the field,still takes alot of defenders with him.(alot of DC give a alot of help to R Moss) In theory that should open up for the other Wrs to have sucess. That hasn't happen because of oline troubles and a very bad offense scheme. Hard for anyone to look good under those situations. Lets see what changes are made on offense staff(what system is brought in) and what happens in FA and the draft.(Raiders willbe going heavily on offense this year. Their defense is very good now and only going to get better with more time. Until we see what happens in the offseason , I would not be making any statements on how bad that R moss trade was.
First off your being kind of silly to compare D Gabriel to Randy Moss. They aren't even on the same level, when comparing both abilities. YEs R Moss hasn't looked anywhere close to his previous years. (guy hasn't even given any effort this year-biggest indictment to me) Still with current situation on raiders offense, no ones going to look good under those circumstances. Poor oline play and a very ill advised offense gameplan. Again Like I stated previously lets wait and see what happens with R Moss and Raiders offense in offseason. ONly than can we make an accurate assessment of Randy Moss trade. See New Orleans situaton what a big addition in FA (D Brees) and In Draft (R Bush) can do for an offense. Not to mention New Head Coach Payton.
^ I have to admit raiders should be estatic to have a fan like you. Through it all your positive, al davis can do no wrong. WIth randy moss saying hes dropping balls because he is unhappy, and bascially saying he does not give a rats ass if hes on the team or not next season. Even with your team being a top 10 pick again, you my friend are one of a kind. You even find light in the randy moss trade, yes you got some athletes but it has not translated into wins. I can only hope that one day I can take solace in the fact that my dt runs a 4.1 and say to hell with the record.
No your missing the point. YES Raiders have been very bad and it kind of embarrassing the record they have put up the last four years. Still the Goal to me is not for my team, to be good enough to make playoffs for a number of years ,but you want your team to be able to win a couple of championships.(when they get there) Raiders win a couple championships ,I will gladly settle for being one of the worst teams in all of football for a number of years. Case In Point Dallas and Ravens defense dynastys, were built on being very bad football team for a number years. Raiders alot because they were so bad were able to build a very very good defense through the draft. Its one of the youngest defense in all of football and its only going to better in time(more experience) Could be one of the best in a year . (Thats the Biggest reason why despite the record im escatic about the raiders future- One unit in place) Now on offense, the Raiders do have alot of talent on offense. Its hasn't translate into wins or a very good offense. Like the example I gave with saints. SEe what a couple additions can do for a offense. Again raiders will be players in FA and be drafting very early(Greater chance to draft impact players) Not to mention due to trades have more draft choices to improve the offense. Its is very doable to fix the offense this offseason.
Exactly what talent do the Raiders have on offense? Brooks/Walter/Tuiasosopo - not much there Fargas - he's a 4-year veteran. he is what he is...a back-up Jordan - potentially, but he'll be just shy of his 29th b-day going into next season and coming off an injury Moss - good, but no longer great Whitted/Curry/Gabriel - a handful of #3 WR Anderson - average O-line - disaster
jeaux, it ain't 2003. It's been a while since Moss was a serious threat and since defenses really focused on him.
Okay at least you were smart not to want to debate the defense. That unit the youngest and one of the best units in all of football. (could be the best real soon) Just need a little tweak NOw lets talk offense. Now due to troubles on the OLINe IT really hard to make accurate assessment of the QB or the Skill positions because its impossible to look good under those circumstances. (QB can't get time than how can WR or any skill position look good especially when Raiders pass patterns are mostly deep- they take time to develope) Don't fool yourself Raiders don't need wholesale changes on the oline just some veteran players to stabilize the youthful oline. Raiders will target them in FA. (sort like Last year when people were saying what LBs- now look how young and deep they are there) Once they fix that problem on Oline and the scheme , most of there problems will dissapear. Like I said before they have Freeagency(Raiders have something like 32 million to play with in FA) and draft (picking early and often) to fix the problems on offense. Its kind of silly to have this arguement until we see what they do in offseason. QB A brooks suppose to make 15 million dollars next season (thats not happening) One Year contract Raiders will bring in a veteran QB to compete with a Walter and a rookie QB (Round 2-3) Raiders Draft RB Peterson with their first pick. WIhat would you say a combinatiopn of Peterson, Jordan and Fargas looks like. Lets look at raiders talent. 1. R Moss- might be traded but Raiders will keep him if no one gives that what they consider fair compensation. Hes the best deep reciever in the game who hasn't been able to show his stuff because of Oline problems and attention opposing teams have shown him. 2. J Porter- Most likely Raiders will trade him this offseason- Probably looking at a third or fourth for him. 3 R curry is raiders best WR anjd raixders have just been taking it very slow with him. Coming back from back to back achilles tear in leg. He will be back ready to go next season) 4. J Morant 6'4 225 a very talented youngster Raiders like and was a big reason why raideers felt they could trade a D gabriel. I think He just caught up in ARt Shell /M Lombardi(Raiders GM power struggle) Shell wanted to keep Gabriel/ Lombardi traded him and went with Morant. Shell in turn hasn't played morant. 5 Raiders have a couple Blazer WR on their practice squad who fill the alvis whitted role- Stretch the field. 6 TE/wr John Madsen - this guy a ED MCCaffrey clone. Very good hands and at 6'5 235 a nice taget. Too big for CBs and too fast for QBs. Raiders have a couple TEs/Wr that present the same problems as Madsen . They are too big for CBNs and two fast for lbs. Just they don't have Madsen hands.. That Randal williams, J Adkisson and C Anderson. Raiders will look to find a conmplete e as these guys are more wrs playing Te. 7 WR- Carlos Francis I think Raiders should make him their third down back. (ON IR again) Guy has blazing speed , has good hands and has the courage to make catches over the middle.(would be way faster)er type Again lets see what raiders do this offseason and it is very doable to fix the offense. As they will be concentrating on offense heavy in FA and draft.
As for talent you have mentioned as un-yet-drafted RB, 6 WRs -- one who doesn't want to play for the team, one coming off an achilles injury, one who won't be there next year and a practice squad guy--, and a TE that plays like a WR. So, where is the current talent you mentioned above?
Again you are going to make statement, make sure you know what you are talking about. you obviosly haven't seen a Raider game all year. Here is quotev from Sporting news. INJURY IMPACT: If Randy Moss does not play, Raiders receivers may find it tougher to get open in the St. Louis secondary. Although Moss has not produced this season, he retains the respect of opposing coaches, with virtually every team giving Moss double-coverage or bracket coverage. The fear is Moss will eventually go off, and when he does, two men will be required to keep him under control. JMO Raiders should be play to there strength the WRS. Puting more recievers out in patterns. Raiders have been playing more three TE formations. They are a tough matchup for teams but the Tes hands aren't very reliable.
HOw much do you want to lose. Im extremely confident that my defense going to completely shutout your offense. I don't want your money but if you want. We can bet and the loser has to donate to this site(Ganggreen) the amount you agree to. This way a moderator can confirm if someone honored the bet .
Raiderjoe Any bad team could use the same analysis/excuses. To summerise for you; The Raiders are an excellent team of individuals who cannot play as a team (yet) , but when they do they will be unstoppable if they can keep their individually talented team together. Al Davis should sell second hand car wrecks , or does he already?
