Jerry Mac chat transcript:

[massraider]

http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2008/01/11/1026/


Editor’s note: This is the first of what should turn into a regularly scheduled online “chat” with Jerry McDonald, the author of our “Inside the Oakland Raiders” blog. Thanks to some overwhelming response from you folks, we’re going to follow this chat wrap up with a Part II, which we’ll post this weekend.

Raiders questions: (thru Wed. night, 10:41)

Steve Torres: Hey, Jerry, straight up, do you think that Lane
Kiffin will leave or Rob Ryan will get fired? What do you think the situation
will be with the Raider coaches, who’s in and who’s out?

Jerry McDonald: I’d be surprised if Kiffin was either fired or resigned. He made some progress _ more than the 4-12 record would indicate. And while I believe he wanted a new defensive coordinator, and was under the impression he would get one if he asked, bailing out now would make him appear to be an immature 32 as opposed to a wise-beyond-his
years 32. If the Raiders improve to near .500, Kiffin would be a hot commodity.
As for Ryan, unless the Raiders have targeted another defensive coordinator and are waiting for him to come free, it looks like he stays as well.

David, Clearwater, Fla: What would you consider the Raiders’ needs? I think the first thing they need is a dominant DT. From there, a speedy WR.

Jerry McDonald: I would agree with both of those needs, and while the Raiders have had a difficult time locating one, a hard-hitting safety in the John Lynch-Bob Sanders mold would do wonders for the defense.

OakRaid58: If Lane Kiffin truly wants to get rid of Rob Ryan as reports suggest, why would Ryan stay at a place where he isn’t wanted? Why wouldn’t he just resign?

Jerry McDonald: Because Al Davis wants him, and Davis is the boss. Besides, Ryan knows from experience the coach and defensive coordinator don’t have to communicate by Hallmark cards.
His father, Buddy Ryan, neither liked or respected head coach Mike Ditka when both were with the Bears _ and they collaborated on a Super Bowl championship.

Justin O’Neill: Can you please speculate on the succession plan (or lack thereof, if that is the case) Al Davis might have in place when he passes on? Is Mark Davis in charge, or is Carole Davis?

Jerry McDonald: You’d have to be a lawyer with access to the actual papers to know for sure. Davis has said at press conferences that the team is turned over to his wife and son.
Obviously, they would hire someone else to run the franchise. And only Davis — and possibly Amy Trask and lead attorney Jeff Birren — would know who that is.

David M: If Pete Carroll darts for the NFL, what do you think the possibility is that Lane Kiffin would go back to USC to replace him?

Jerry McDonald: I think Steve Sarkisian would be first in line if USC decides to go young, which is one of the reasons he backed out on an opportunity to coach the Raiders. I don’t
cover USC, and this is just a guess, but I think the Trojans would first go for a bigger fish, taking a shot at someone like alum Jack Del Rio.

Steve, Tampa: As a Raider fan from the wrong "Bay Area" (Tampa) what are the chances that Al Davis will ever let his coaches do what they are hired to do and quit tying their hands?

Jerry McDonald: The whole issue of Davis’ tying his coaches hands is a little overstated. I’m not saying he isn’t demanding and opinionated, but in many cases it’s up to the coach to sell Davis on what he wants, and those that aren’t able or don’t want to do it simply succumb.
In terms of offensive football, Davis has given coaches a pretty free rein.
Defensively, he is more involved — Bill Belichick even called him “coach Davis’’
during a conference call and said it was common knowledge that most of his involvement was on that side of the ball. But the Raiders have played 3-4 in the past when the personnel was suited to that, winning a championship in 1980. So change is not impossible if the coordinator is strong-minded enough.

 

[massraider]

Idaho Al: Who do you hear as far as who the Raiders are targeting in free agency?

Jerry McDonald: If I told you I knew who they were going after I’d be lying. Their first order of business will be retaining their own free agents.
Nnamdi Asomugha isn’t a problem because he will be franchised if not signed.
They’ll probably have a set amount they’ll pay for Justin Fargas, Jerry Porter and Chris Clemons and won’t be drawn into a spending spree.
If those players leave are allowed to leave, it will help dictate which direction they go.

Kirk Beckmann: Besides the obvious picks of Lamont Jordan and Daunte Culpepper, what other players won’t be wearing the Silver and Black next year?

Jerry McDonald: The demotion of safety Stuart Schweigert last season may have spelled the end for him. Paul McQuistan’s relatively solid play at right tackle may have displaced Cornell Green. Barry Sims could be a casualty if the
Raiders locate a left tackle to their liking who can start instantly. Gerard Warren is due for a huge salary increase and won’t play under that contract.
Warren was dominant one week, invisible the next _ the Raiders won’t break the bank for him.

Craig: There’s been mediawide speculation that Lane Kiffin did not want to draft JaMarcus Russell because he was looking for a more controlled passer? What’s your opinion, and if this is true, how do you think it affects the coach/quarterback relationship?

Jerry McDonald: Early in the draft process, I was told Kiffin favored Brady Quinn and reported it in the blog _ with the admission that there is a lot of
misinformation out there designed to confuse, and it was nothing I heard from Kiffin himself. Based on what little I saw of Russell this year, he looks capable of running a short passing game or a medium- to long-range passing game. He also moves fairly well _ not as a runner but to buy time to get off a pass.
I don’t think it affects the coach/quarterback relationship at all because I doubt Russell has given it a second thought. He was the guy picked, and there is no hard evidence Kiffin wanted someone else.

Kathy Welch: Many people think that the Raiders’ drafts have not been outstanding. Is it the fault of the scouts that the drafts have been mediocre?

Jerry McDonald: Five of the Raiders scouts _ Angelo Coia, Bruce Kebric, Jon Kingdon, Mickey Marvin and Kent McCloughan _ have worked in the player personnel department for a combined 127 years. Their reports are tailored to the sort
of physical attributes Al Davis wants. If there is a problem, it would be more in the philosophy than the scouts themselves. As simplistic as it sounds, the Raiders will too often opt for the better athlete _ a guy who runs track, has great measureables, etc. _ over the better football player.

John Butler: What is the cap status of the Raiders and how does it compare to the other teams in the division? I know Raiders have about 20 unrestricted free agents. Do they have much dead money this year?

Jerry McDonald: The last figures I saw had the Raiders at a fraction under $26 million under the 2008 cap, which is expected to come in at $116 million.
San Diego has the most room of any team in the NFL, at $43 million under. Kansas City is about $20 million under and Denver about $16.7 million under. None of these figures matter much. The Raiders have proved in the past that where they are against the cap bears no relation to their ability to sign a player they want. It’s one of their best attributes _ they don’t get into the
whole “salary cap hell’’ myth which most every other team uses as an excuse when they let someone go or don’t sign a free agent.

Pete, Union City: Jerry, what’s really going on between Al Davis, Lane Kiffin and Rob Ryan? Has there been animosity brewing for a while?
Also, why have the Raiders not addressed the issue publicly about Kiffin, like they did with Ryan?

Jerry McDonald: I don’t know if I’d call it animosity, as much as differences in philosophy. Davis, by the way, is fine with this. He has said
in the past there were will be differences in opinion among strong-minded people. He expects them to work it out and not everyone has to agree on his final decision.
Regarding addressing the Kiffin and Ryan issues and the role of the media relations department, I stopped trying to make sense of the way the Raiders do business in that realm a long time ago.

Bob131: Occasionally we here of the Niners looking for better digs, whether it be in Santa Clara or wherever. With the A’s leaving soon, do the Raiders have stadium plans in their future?

Jerry McDonald: The last time the Raiders wanted to talk extension, Oakland-Alameda County said no thanks. I don’t see the Raiders being able to make any sort of play for a new stadium until they put a better product on the field
and erase all blackouts. Taking over their own ticket sales has helped in this regard, but there are an awful lot of empty seats in some of those “sellouts.’’

CupertinoRaider: Any truth to the ESPN story that Lane Kiffin told Al Davis to fire him if he didn’t like it?

Jerry McDonald: I don’t know. I think Kiffin has enough self-confidence to deal with Davis. He’s one of the few people who called him “Al’’ in public right from the start, as opposed to the more deferential “Mr. Davis.’’
The second-part of the ESPN item _ that Davis told Kiffin he could resign _ is also plausible. He’s not a guy who responds to ultimatums. Try and call his bluff and it will be thrown back in your face. Michael Smith, the ESPN reporter who had the item in his NFL column, worked for the Boston Globe and
his well-sourced with regard anyone who has worked for the Patriots, such as Rob Ryan. But it’s his story, not mine, and I haven’t talked to anyone who has confirmed it.

Grant Peters: My theory regarding what I call, the non-denial denial that was the official statement issued by Oakland regarding Rob Ryan is this: It was at least done in part to secure the coaching position in the Senior Bowl. I think the league would have skipped the Raiders and given it
to the Jets, who would be the next worse team with an intact coaching staff.
Does the completeness of a teams coaching staff even play into it?

Jerry McDonald: The Senior Bowl, I believe, approaches teams by draft order.
Obviously, teams like Miami, Atlanta, which don’t have head coaches, would pass. Not sure why St. Louis said no. The 49ers, which owned the No. 7 spot which went to New England, said yes, so that means the Jets said no. I believe the teams themselves determine whether they’re capable in terms of a staff.
For a game like the Senior Bowl, even if Ryan wasn’t around they could have elevated Don Martindale to defensive coordinator.

KoolKell: Does the Oakland Tribune or you, or Carl Steward, or Monte Poole have a bone to pick will Al Davis? Would you make up stuff to make him look bad?

Jerry McDonald: I’m assuming the second part of that question was tongue-in-cheek.
(If it’s not, you’re wasting your time reading this site). It was a lot more fun to cover the Raiders when they were winning three straight division titles than in going 19-61 the past five years. Ideally, the coverage should reflect the team. The bottom line is this _ the Raiders have been back in Oakland for 13 years and have had three good teams. The last five years they’ve
been the worst in the history of the franchise, not to mention the NFL. Exactly what has Davis been doing for the last half-decade that deserves hearts and flowers?

John Bell, Oakland: What’s the real story regarding Andrew Walter? Is he just going to be trade bait for a draft choice next year or will he be Russell’s backup next year. If he is to be traded, what is the minimum round that would be accepted in exchange for his rights?

Jerry McDonald: He could be trade bait for a late-round pick or he could be destined to be like Marques Tuiasosopo, a reserve quarterback taken under a
different regime and not equipped to run the system instituted by coaches who are looking for a different set of skills.

Kevin, Los Angeles: A lot of mock drafts have them selecting Jake Long from Michigan, but I don’t think they can afford another swing-and-a-miss at the left tackle spot. Do you think they will draft for a much-needed impact defensive tackle like Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis, or will they go offense with either Jake Long or Darren McFadden?

Jerry McDonald: I’m thinking defense. The Raiders are stressing quickness and technique in their zone-blocking scheme. Sometimes great line coaches, and I think Tom Cable is one of those, do their jobs with guys who aren’t
necessarily the big-named picks. The 49ers thrived for years with Bobb McKittrick getting production out of players other teams didn’t want. Denver did it with Alex Gibbs.

Silver&Black bleeder: Let’s talk wide receivers. Is this the top priority? How do you think we will tackle this position in the offseason?
Who are our possibilities?

Jerry McDonald: Randy Moss is the top available free agent . . . never mind.
After that, the dropoff is steep. Chicago’s Bernard Berrian’s best years mirror the best years of Jerry Porter. Neither Patrick Crayton nor Bryant Johnson are go-to material. It’s not considered an overly strong year at wide receiver, and certainly nothing worthy of the No. 3 or 4 pick. Trading for a big name such as Cincinnati’s Chad Johnson is an idea, although the Raiders got burned when they did it with Moss.quarterback.

 

[massraider]

Gus, Omaha: Do you honestly think that the Raiders can win a Super Bowl with Al Davis in the captain’s chair?

Jerry McDonald: Nothing is impossible. But it’s fair to say I’m skeptical.

Adam Bright, Florida: A lot of folks have questioned whether or not Robert Gallery is a bust. I’m one of the people that thinks he still deserves a chance based on the instability of the Raiders coaching and the organization as a whole.

Jerry McDonald: If you were diabolical enough to devise and implement a secret plan on the best way to screw up the second overall pick in the draft, it would look a lot like what the Raiders did with Robert Gallery. He had too many penalties
last season and a particularly difficult time against Tennessee’s Albert Haynesworth, but so did everybody else in the league. If he never amounts to what you wanted as a left tackle, rather than write him off, it’s better to salvage something with a pretty good guard.

Lenny Rizzuto: Do you think if Darren McFadden is there at the 3rd or 4th pick (coin flip) that the Raider’s pick him?

Jerry McDonald: No. I think they go defensive tackle or end. Running backs can appear from just about anywhere, particularly in the system the Raiders
run.

Steve Avilla: What organizational changes have you seen during
Kiffin’s regime, positive or negative, especially in light of the Rob Ryan situation?

Jerry McDonald: The front-office organization is pretty murky. The Raiders
don’t operate like anyone else and don’t want to. Personally, I
think Kiffin should have been given a free hand to pick his own coordinator
and make whatever changes in system he sees fit. But it’s not as if the
situation trashes the 2008 season before it starts. It’s important that
Kiffin puts this aside and remembers his most important function _ putting a
team around JaMarcus Russell which will help establish him as an elite NFL quarterback.

L. Curry: Will 2009 be the year Tyler Brayton is let go?

Jerry McDonald: It could be sooner. Brayton is scheduled for unrestricted free
agency, although it should be noted Rob Ryan loves his motor and effort. It
wouldn’t be a major surprise if he signed and stayed on as a reserve.

Kenneth Hinck: At the beginning of the season, you identified
Tom Cable as the most significant of the Raider coaches. What is your
assessment of his overall job?

Jerry McDonald: Without going over 31 other teams, and allowing for the chance
there was something comparable, I have a hard time imagining anyone doing better
job as an assistant coach than Tom Cable did in 2007.

Cookie, Laguna Beach: Does anyone in the Raider organization
care that all this coaching carousel junk makes it hard on us fans to continue
supporting a team that is in constant turmoil and ultimately remains losers?

Jerry McDonald: No. The bottom-line organizational philosophy is this _ winning
cures everything. And it’s difficult to dispute. The problem is that other
than one three-year span, they haven’t been above .500 since they returned
to Oakland in 1995. The fans will not be factored in to any decision regarding
an on-field issue.

C. Hyer: Do you think now that Warren Sapp has retired, the
Raiders will play Rob Ryan’s preferred 3-4 defense?

Jerry McDonaldepends on the personnel. Even if they do play a 3-4, they’ll
have a predominantly four-man rush. If they have a fourth linebacker who is
a better stand-up rusher than one of their ends, it’s a possibility.

Native: Hey, Jerry … In your opinion how much are the
Linebackers to blame for the defense inability to stop the run?

Jerry McDonald: At least one Raiders defensive lineman grumbled how Thomas
Howard and Kirk Morrison, among the NFL’s top pass defenders, could not
get off blocks. But the defensive line too often gave opposing backs a running
start. It may sound like a cop-out, but both areas have to improve significantly.

GG Raider: Do you think the Raiders will address their center
position during the off-season? Newberry’s knees can’t hold up much longer and
Grove has been a major disappointment in my opinion.

Jerry McDonald: Newberry’s knees actually held up well, with monitored
rest. A free agent, he wants to return and I’d be surprised if the Raiders
didn’t sign him. Grove was hurt virtually all of 2007 after starting all
16 games in 2006. He’ll get another chance to see what he can do when
healthy. I think tackle will be addressed before center.

Glenn, Ohio: I have been a fan for 40 years! Followed the
Raiders every season and have seen probably 99% of all those games. In my opinion,
Rob Ryan should go! The main reason is because of the lack of blitzing that
was done during the season. In order to win in the NFL you have to have an attacking
defense and be able to put lots of pressure on the QB.

Jerry McDonald: It’s true
the Raiders show blitz a lot more than they actually do blitz. But it’s
also true that when they did blitz, they weren’t very good at it and it
exposed their secondary to some big plays. If you’re expecting the Raiders
to be a blitz-happy team, you’re probably going to be disappointed. Even
if they were to dump Ryan, Kiffin’s preference would be Cover 2 _ and
that isn’t a big blitzing defense, either.

Christopher Hayes: What is Al Davis’ relationship with Howie
Long like? Given Al’s love of Raiders history, will any of this play into his
eagerness to pick Howie’s son, Chris Long, in the upcoming NFL draft?

Jerry McDonald: I’ve heard
their relationship is lukewarm _ no animosity, but not particularly close. If
the Raiders were to take Chris Long, they’d trumpet the fact that he is
a legacy and play up the fact he is Howie Long’s son. But don’t
mistake that for the reason why they took him. It would be because they thought
he was the best player and he met all their standards. If Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick
Ellis graded out higher and were available, Davis wouldn’t take Chris
Long just because he’s Howie’s son.

Ross, Jonesboro, Ark: 4-3, 3-4, Tampa 2, etc. … Based on
our current personnel, which defensive scheme do you see the Raiders playing
the most efficiently against both the run and pass?

Jerry McDonald: To be honest,
I’m not a big “scheme’’ advocate. I’ve always thought
the best scheme was the one a coach could sell to his players. No better example
exists than what Tom Cable did with the offensive line.

Rhys McMenamin: It seems as though every writer in the area
has a different take and different sources on the situation with Kiffin, Al,
Rob Ryan and it’s tough to find an outlet that has reliable information. How
would you recommend we, as Raider fans, go about disseminating this information
and where should we go (besides your blog) for the most reliable information?

Jerry McDonald: Read it all and understand that information
where the Raiders are concerned is tricky business. More often than not in the
blog format, I’m giving you my best educated guess and opinion based on
covering the Raiders since they came back in 1995. It doesn’t mean it
is always right, but it comes with having talked to a lot of players and coaches
past and present, on and off the record, and then applying things that have
happened before to what is happening now. I’d suggest taking it all in,
then asking yourself if it makes sense. Remember the stories that were right
and make a mental note of the ones that were wrong to get the best idea of where
to look.

 

[massraider]

Yowza. Lot of stuff to digest.

Was particularly interested in the mention that some linemen thought Morrison and Howard could get off blocks better. Totally agree. I also saw some overpursuit from both of them. Would like to see headier play.

But it also raises the idea to me that these guys are key cogs to our D, and maybe adjustments need to be made to protect them. I'm starting to think the NT is more vital for 08 success than the UT.

 

[Crow]

I'm a little surprised that mass would post something like this. Credit him for his attempt at being "fair & balanced".

 

[Crossbones]

I'm a little surprised that mass would post something like this. Credit him for his attempt at being "fair & balanced".

You again 007?

 

[hawaiianboy]

You again 007?

That avatar is really throwing me as well... I find myself wondering when exactly did 007 turn into such a flaming asshole

Was particularly interested in the mention that some linemen thought Morrison and Howard could get off blocks better. Totally agree. I also saw some overpursuit from both of them. Would like to see headier play.

Exactly one of the reasons I'd prefer to commit to some big grunt, swallow up blockers kind of free agent DT's rather than draft guys more suited to playing a 3 or off set 1 technique... Morrison and Howard are never going to be stack and shed guys... They are better suited to play clean so why not front them with a D-line scheme that plays to their strengths?...

John Bell, Oakland: What’s the real story regarding Andrew Walter? Is he just going to be trade bait for a draft choice next year or will he be Russell’s backup next year. If he is to be traded, what is the minimum round that would be accepted in exchange for his rights?

Jerry McDonald: He could be trade bait for a late-round pick or he could be destined to be like Marques Tuiasosopo, a reserve quarterback taken under a
different regime and not equipped to run the system instituted by coaches who are looking for a different set of skills.

There's some kind of cruel irony in that Tui particular skillsets would now make him the ideal backup in our system....

 

[Crow]

Kathy Welch: Many people think that the Raiders’ drafts have not been outstanding. Is it the fault of the scouts that the drafts have been mediocre?

Jerry McDonald: Five of the Raiders scouts _ Angelo Coia, Bruce Kebric, Jon Kingdon, Mickey Marvin and Kent McCloughan _ have worked in the player personnel department for a combined 127 years. Their reports are tailored to the sort
of physical attributes Al Davis wants. If there is a problem, it would be more in the philosophy than the scouts themselves. As simplistic as it sounds, the Raiders will too often opt for the better athlete _ a guy who runs track, has great measureables, etc. _ over the better football player.

Grant Peters: My theory regarding what I call, the non-denial denial that was the official statement issued by Oakland regarding Rob Ryan is this: It was at least done in part to secure the coaching position in the Senior Bowl. I think the league would have skipped the Raiders and given it
to the Jets, who would be the next worse team with an intact coaching staff.
Does the completeness of a teams coaching staff even play into it?

Jerry McDonald: The Senior Bowl, I believe, approaches teams by draft order.
Obviously, teams like Miami, Atlanta, which don’t have head coaches, would pass. Not sure why St. Louis said no. The 49ers, which owned the No. 7 spot which went to New England, said yes, so that means the Jets said no. I believe the teams themselves determine whether they’re capable in terms of a staff.
For a game like the Senior Bowl, even if Ryan wasn’t around they could have elevated Don Martindale to defensive coordinator.

Well, there goes my only hope for Al doing something right for a change.

KoolKell: Does the Oakland Tribune or you, or Carl Steward, or Monte Poole have a bone to pick will Al Davis? Would you make up stuff to make him look bad?

Jerry McDonald: I’m assuming the second part of that question was tongue-in-cheek.
(If it’s not, you’re wasting your time reading this site). It was a lot more fun to cover the Raiders when they were winning three straight division titles than in going 19-61 the past five years. Ideally, the coverage should reflect the team. The bottom line is this _ the Raiders have been back in Oakland for 13 years and have had three good teams. The last five years they’ve
been the worst in the history of the franchise, not to mention the NFL. Exactly what has Davis been doing for the last half-decade that deserves hearts and flowers?

Gus, Omaha: Do you honestly think that the Raiders can win a Super Bowl with Al Davis in the captain’s chair?

Jerry McDonald: Nothing is impossible. But it’s fair to say I’m skeptical.

Bolded for those who don't read or think so good.

 

[Handicapper General]

Well, there goes my only hope for Al doing something right for a change.


Bolded for those who don't read or think so good.

Hater, you just hate the Raiders, that's all. So do those other guys.

 

[Raider Bill]

Well, there goes my only hope for Al doing something right for a change.


Bolded for those who don't read or think so good.

Well it's all over.. we should pack up our shit and go home


Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

 

[Crow]

It's over if Ryan is retained, so...yeah.

 

[Handicapper General]

Well it's all over.. we should pack up our shit and go home


Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Animal House, definite rep.

 

[massraider]

It's over if Ryan is retained, so...yeah.

Pretty sure there were people last year that thought it was over if we let the wild-haired genius get away from us (Give him the HC job, before someone else does!). FWIW

 

[Crow]

Desperation makes fools of us all. Take the FA conversations around here, for example.

 

[hawaiianboy]

MacChat Wrap, Part 2

Some real softballs being thrown McD's way this time around...

McDonald’s Raiders Chat p.2
from Inside The Oakland Raiders by admin

Jaime Martinez: East Palo Alto: When will the Raiders look into hiring a general manager? I was hoping he would bring in his buddy THE BIG TUNA!

Jerry McDonald: The Raiders general manager is Al Davis. I don’t think Bill Parcells sees himself as working for someone else.


Jeremy: My question pertains to Don Martindale and Keith Millard. There’s a rumor that these assistants will lose their jobs due to the defensive line and linebackers’ poor year? What have you heard? If there is talk of M & M leaving, are there any ideas of replacements? Personally, I would love to see Ed Orgeron replace Millard, and Ken Norton Jr. replace Martindale.

Jerry McDonald: Don Martindale is closely aligned with Rob Ryan and just signed a contractextension last year rather than become defensive coordinator at Stanford under Jim Harbaugh. Interestingly, that job has become available again. Kiffin and Orgeron are close and it’s possible Davis could throw him a bone by hiring Orgeron to replace either Millard or Don Johnson.


BDL Raider, San Jose: Shane Lechler had better stats than Andy Lee of the 49ers, yet Lee was named All-Pro, and Lechler was not. Do you think this is due to either the two punt returns for touchdowns against Lechler this year, general bias against the Raiders, or another reason?

Jerry McDonald: The two punt returns hurt, as did the fact that Lee had a spectacular season _ every bit as good as Lechler and maybe better. Lechler had a 49.1 to 47.3 advantage in gross punting and a miniscule 41.1 to 41.0 advantage in net punting. But Lee put 42 of his 105 punts inside the 20-yard line _ 40 percent. Lechler was 25 of 73 or 34.2 percent. It could have gone either way.


Jason Ramirez: Any truth to the rumors of Roy Williams of Detroit coming to the Raiders in some sort of package? Also, do you think that Huff will benefit from a move to FS or CB?

Jerry McDonald: Not sure if t’s true but it’s a great idea. I do know that Al Davis seriously considered taking Roy Williams with the No. 2 overall pick before opting for Robert Gallery. He has the sort of skills the Raiders love, but the production as well. JaMarcus Russell needs a receiver of this caliber. I think Huff will more likely be a free safety than a corner. I’ve thought Huff looked more like a free safety in terms of body type since the day he arrived _ built more like Rod Woodson than Troy Polamalu. It’s worth trying if the Raiders can find a bigger hitter at strong safety.



Rick Wascher: Is it Rob Ryan or Al Davis that forbids blitzing? So many times that we could have blitzed and didn’t. Thomas Howard has such speed, if you saw his video clip from college he looked like he was shot out of a cannon going after QBs.

Jerry McDonald: I wouldn’t say he forbids it as much as frowns upon it. Ryan ultimately makes the calls on Sunday. Would I like to see Howard blitz more? Some, yes. But he’s all speed and no power and I don’t see it happening on a consistent basis.


Steve: We used two 3rd-round picks to draft Mario Henderson and he didn’t play as a rookie, even after Green was injured. I’m curious as to where things are at with him.

Jerry McDonald: Mario Henderson is a project. He didn’t play until his senior year at Florida State, and wasn’t close to seeing the field this year. Every time Kiffin was asked about offensive line depth this year, it’s as if Henderson wasn’t even a factor. Henderson wasn’t bothered by the fact string of inactives and was willing to be patient, even admitting he wasn’t ready. You’d like to see him at least be a viable backup in Year 2, and we really won’t know until training camp whether that is a possibility.


Francis: Now that the Raiders’ season is over, are you hanging out at the team’s headquarters, or are you back at the Tribune’s offices? If the latter, how does that effect your job reporting on the team?

Jerry McDonald: Unless there is a signing or press event, the media room at the facility is closed and reporters are working at their homes. Reporting is done by phone and e-mail.


John Sutherland: I don’t hear much about Chris Clemons, but he tied for the team in sacks as a non-starter. What does Richardson do that Clemons doesn’t? Stop the run? I don’t know. Will he get a look as a starter in ’08?

Jerry McDonald: Clemons is slender_ he’s played some outside linebacker, and he isn’t as stout at the point of attack. When Clemons and Derrick Burgess are on the field at the same time, both of your ends are in the 260-pound range. You can expect the Raiders to do what they’ve always done on the defensive line _ rotate by down and distance and try to keep people fresh. Clemons is an interesting case in that he had eight sacks in a free agent year as a part-time player, which could prompt an offer the Raiders may not be willing to match if they don’t sign him first.


Chris, Oakland: Should the Raiders let Kiffin go as coach? Then hire Rob Ryan as coach and bring Rex Ryan in as assistant coach/defensive coordinator? Then let Knapp run the offensive coordinator position? Or should they keep entire staff intact and move on?

Jerry McDonald: I keep Kiffin. Don’t see Rex working for Rob, being that he is probably closer to being a head coach than his brother. If something happened with Kiffin, Knapp would probably run the offense. Keeping an entire staff intact is pretty unusual. My thinking, which probably isn’t shared by Al Davis, is that Kiffin should have control over his staff.


Matt Rees: The Dolphins have been heard as saying they are willing to trade or cut Jason Taylor, and go with a youth movement. Would he be in our sights? I think he has a few good years left and we need a veteran for leadership since Sapp has retired.

Jerry McDonald: Taylor has 36.5 sacks over the past three seasons but turns 34 in September, so be careful. The Raiders tried this once before with an aging Dolphins pass rusher in Trace Armstrong and didn’t get much return for their investment. Armstrong, like Taylor, was regarded as a true professional and a great locker room influence, but ended up tearing an Achillles’.


Mike: I was just wondering what makes a player an unrestricted free agent and what makes them restricted. Also, do you think the Raiders would be able to trade Jordan or do you think it is more likely that he will justbe cut?

Jerry McDonald: An unrestricted free agent has four or more accrued seasons and whose contract has expired. He can sign with any team. A restricted free agent has completed three accrused seasons and whose contract has expired. Teams have a chance to match offers for a restricted free agent. Jordan is due big money next season. When you trade for a player, you trade for his contract. Teams will wait until he is cut unless they’re convinced he will excel.

 

[massraider]

Some real softballs being thrown McD's way this time around...

Yeah, less info, seemed to be clearing out his "dipshit" inbox.

I liked the Ryan/Ryan coaching combo put forth by Sevendust's little brother.

 

[007]

Clearing out the 'dipshit box' LOL.

 

[SoCalRaider]

Jerry McDonald: The two punt returns hurt, as did the fact that Lee had a spectacular season _ every bit as good as Lechler and maybe better. Lechler had a 49.1 to 47.3 advantage in gross punting and a miniscule 41.1 to 41.0 advantage in net punting. But Lee put 42 of his 105 punts inside the 20-yard line _ 40 percent. Lechler was 25 of 73 or 34.2 percent. It could have gone either way.

What a bunch of bull shit. That inside-the-20-yardline stat is one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented stats in the history of the NFL. You have to be a dummy's dummy to fall for that one.

So mathematician McDonald is try to sell us on the idea that a guy who boots a 35 yard punt from midfield to the 15 yardline should get more credit than a guy who boots a 65 yarder from his own 10 to the opponents 25 yardline. By itself, the inside-the-20-yardline stat is ONLY a function of where the ball was punted from... Pathetic...

The real coffin-corner stat is touchbacks. Lee put 42 kicks inside the 20 and had another 13 touchbacks. So of Lee's 55 total punts that went beyond the opponent's 20, 23.6% were touchbacks (13 out of 55).

Lechler by comparison put 25 kicks inside the 20 and had another 7 touchbacks. So of Lechlers 32 total punts that went beyond the opponent's 20, 21.9% were touchbacks (7 out of 32).

As is blatantly obvious, this should never have gone either way. It should have gone one way. Lechler outpunted Lee in every statistical category...

... and you wonder why the Pro Bowl, All Pro, and Hall of Fame are a complete joke.

::signed Ray Guy::