Nfl Concerned About Raiders

[R4Life]

I think this is a bit of a reach - historically, many teams have sucked harder and longer than the last few seasons for the Raiders (Detroit, Arizona, Seattle, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, etc) but the Raiders are expected to be good every year.
We'll see.



http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 11:23 a.m. EST, November 20, 2006

NFL CONCERNED ABOUT RAIDERS

There's talk on the NFL grapevine that the league office is becoming very concerned about the ability of the Oakland Raiders to be competitive, both in the short term and over the long haul.

Though the Raiders played fairly well against their arch-rivals in Kansas City on Sunday, Oakland lost the game and fell to 2-8 on the season.

In hindsight, we're amazed that the team managed two wins.

The problem, as we understand it, is a complete and total vacuum of leadership in the football operations. Coach Art Shell, as one league insider told us, is regarded by the players as a "joke." Per a league source with extensive experience in dealing with teams and players, there is an "unprecedented negativity" emanating from the locker room.

Beyond the coaching staff, there's a perception that the football types in the front office simply aren't getting it done, and there's a concern that the one guy who has a track record of ability when it comes to player acquisition -- Mike Lombardi -- has lost much of his influence.

The consensus in league circles is that the root of the problem is the uncertainty surrounding Al Davis and the future leadership of the team after his passing. It's unlikely that Davis will relinquish the reins during his lifetime, and it's ambiguous at best as to what will happen when the team has a new person at the helm.

The reality, as we see it, is that the franchise might very well be at the front end of a protracted period of poor performance, and that the Raiders won't begin to re-emerge until a capable new owner revamps the entire football operation.

Until then, how will the Raiders be able to attract free agents? Instead of the days in which the franchise was a haven for talented misfits, the Raiders could end up being the last refuge for players that aren't wanted anywhere else because of their relative lack of talent, along with the occasional marquee player to whom the team offers a lot more money that he'd otherwise get on the open market.

It's a shame, frankly. Love them or hate them, this league needs a strong and competitive Raiders franchise. With the Raiders fading into oblivion, the NFL for many fans will be like Star Wars without Darth Vader. (Okay, we admit that it was sort of geeky to mention Star Wars, but we couldn't think of anything better.)

 

[hawaiianboy]

Per a league source with extensive experience in dealing with teams and players, there is an "unprecedented negativity" emanating from the locker room.

An unprecedented negativity emanating from the fan base as well...

Beyond the coaching staff, there's a perception that the football types in the front office simply aren't getting it done, and there's a concern that the one guy who has a track record of ability when it comes to player acquisition -- Mike Lombardi -- has lost much of his influence.

I worry about this as well... It's not exactly a secret that Lombardi made the push for Bobby Petrino... Does Art Shell view him as a threat because of that?... I love Art, but because of some of the things that happened the last time with people working behind the scenes to have him and Walsh removed, I worry that he may be a tad bit insecure and seek to insolate Al from views other than Art's....

Until then, how will the Raiders be able to attract free agents?

The most disturbing question.... Having our offense being made constant fun of because of our ineptitude and the highly publicized grousings of Porter, Moss and Walter don't exactly make us the prettiest pig in the slop... twice as disturbing considering our track recored on draft day....

 

[Crossbones]

One more thing that I have brought up a couple of times: There is a growing concern that some high draft pick will pull an Eli Manning on the Raiders. Don't discount this...you look at a guy like Peterson -- he looks at the mess in Oakland and the OL and says...``nah"...then what?

Man, this is going from bad to worse.

I always have loved Art Shell but is it possible his greatness as a player has jaded my viewpoint? I think so.

 

[hawaiianboy]

One more thing that I have brought up a couple of times: There is a growing concern that some high draft pick will pull an Eli Manning on the Raiders. Don't discount this...you look at a guy like Peterson -- he looks at the mess in Oakland and the OL and says...``nah"...then what?

Thanks a freakin lot... I never thought of that...

I always have loved Art Shell but is it possible his greatness as a player has jaded my viewpoint? I think so.

I don't think we can lay anything but this season at Art's feet... Al takes the brunt of the blame... I do think Art's last stint with us has adveresly affected this one... Art's choice of Walsh as his right hand man clearly was born of the thought of having someone there that wouldn't backdoor him like his staff did in 94...


Best case scenario IMO:

1) Art gets what is called a bump up to the front office after a year spent evaluating the roster... Firing him wouldn't exactly help repair the conceived damage to the franchise...

2) Money is spent to bring in a high energy guy like Petrino... Spending money on a quality, sought after coach will go a long way toward convincing potential free agents and the fan base that we are serious about turning this thing around pronto... Petrino also has the rep of immediately making an offense... better...

 

[TommyGirl]

Someone send some beer to southwestern Coloraddy. I'll be waiting. Thanks in advance.

 

[Madturk]

I don't think we can lay anything but this season at Art's feet... Al takes the brunt of the blame... I do think Art's last stint with us has adveresly affected this one... Art's choice of Walsh as his right hand man clearly was born of the thought of having someone there that wouldn't backdoor him like his staff did in 94...

That's a pretty fair assessment in my estimation. Al is ultimately responsible for this mess but I think Shell could have found a much more suitable OC from the college or pro ranks, an upstart if you will who wouldn't likely stab him in the back. Let the OC develop the offense as Ryan has with the defense.

Really. unless we can lure a high profile coaching candididate here, which I have strong reservations about, let Shell moved upstairs, promote Ryan to HC, Millard to DC and bring in a bonafide OC type. That's assuming Ryan isn't lured away somewhere.

 

[Byron2112]

The consensus in league circles is that the root of the problem is the uncertainty surrounding Al Davis and the future leadership of the team after his passing. It's unlikely that Davis will relinquish the reins during his lifetime, and it's ambiguous at best as to what will happen when the team has a new person at the helm.

The reality, as we see it, is that the franchise might very well be at the front end of a protracted period of poor performance, and that the Raiders won't begin to re-emerge until a capable new owner revamps the entire football operation.

I'm not sure that I can really take this article seriously if they're saying the "root" of the problem is what's going to happen after Al passes.

Were they saying the same things about the Redskins late in Jack Kent Cookes life?

What was their plan after him?

His kids took the team over and struggled to find partners that would allow them to hang on... eventually had to sell to pay the inheritance taxes.

Maybe they're saying this because of what happened with the Redskins?

 

[Freakshow]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 11:23 a.m. EST, November 20, 2006

NFL CONCERNED ABOUT RAIDERS

Coach Art Shell, as one league insider told us, is regarded by the players as a "joke."

wow. i can see the obvious guys like porter and moss thinking this about shell, but i wonder if, as the article suggests, many others on the team feel the same way? hmmmm...this is not good my friends, not good.

 

[R4Life]

Trade Moss Now!

Get him and piss poor body language and attitude out. Promote Porter and rebuild the relationship.
There are playoff hopefulls who will mortgage their draft for a "happy" Moss in return for a playoff boost (teams must still gameplan for him). After the season, and the alsoran team's delusions are gone, everyone already knows we want to move him so his stock dips.
Art could help the team and his locker room in one sweep of the knife.

 

[Turo]

Bullshit hater-media fuckwads. The fuck with these guys. We need an offensive line and improvement at coordinator and we're 7-2 instead of 2-7. We've blown 5-6 leads (4 in the fourth quarter, FFS).. that's pretty goddamned far from being uncompetitive. We have one of the top defenses in the league, certainly one of the top secondaries in the league. We're a stud DT fat guy away from being a DOMINATING defensive team.

Fuck the ignorant hater media shitheads. Goddamnit anyway.

Maybe for the fans its about being 'so close but so far away'.. for the mouthbreathing media fucktits, it's all about gleefully kicking the walker out from under Al Davis because they're too big of pussies to tell it like it really is.

Don't get me started today, I'm not fuckin' around. LOL.

 

[Rupert]

As Al said to one of them, "If I didn't have this walker I'd kick your ass." The truth is, a lot of Raiders fans appear to think that's where we are as a team, so I don't blame the guy for writing it. He's preaching to the choir while sneaking into the altar boys' room.

 

[NIPS]

Well, if they're gonna start calling out owners

See, this is why I dont understand why the Raiders always get singled out

2003 we lost our starting QB and were just flogged with injuries. I really dont blame the 2003 season on poor performance,m it was a good solid team that just got riddled with injuries and some bad luck

It was'nt until the 2004 season that we started smoking serious pole

But c'mon man, lets be fair here. In the last 5 years only 8 owners have made it to the SB, Al Davis being one of them

What the fuck have the Lions been doing the last 3 years? 5 ,6, 5 wins?

Browns what? 5, 4, 6 wins

Cards 4, 6, 5 wins

Niners 7, 2, 4 wins

Titans 5, 4 wins?

Packers?

Fuckin Jets?

Al Davis has accomplished more than those others ever did in the last 5 years.. winning a AFC Championship

How many years has it been since any other owners like the Jaqs, Chargers, Broncos, Colts???

When was the last time those teams ever won a Conference Championship?

 

[GRaider]

wow. i can see the obvious guys like porter and moss thinking this about shell, but i wonder if, as the article suggests, many others on the team feel the same way? hmmmm...this is not good my friends, not good.

Hi. New guy. After I heard what Art said about not having talked to his players but communicating through the papers this doesn't surprise me. Art was a great Raider and is conversely a terrible head coach. IMO the organization need to be stripped back all the way to the GM and start over. New staff from the ground up. They need to bring in a coach, a real coach, and let them build their staff and draft and recruit their players. Al needs to take a step back and let Trask and co rebuild the Raiders.

 

[GRaider]

Get him and piss poor body language and attitude out. Promote Porter and rebuild the relationship.
There are playoff hopefulls who will mortgage their draft for a "happy" Moss in return for a playoff boost (teams must still gameplan for him). After the season, and the alsoran team's delusions are gone, everyone already knows we want to move him so his stock dips.
Art could help the team and his locker room in one sweep of the knife.

The trade deadline has come and gone.

 

[Crossbones]

I'm not down with blaming Al Davis for much of this mess right now.

So many Raider fans wanted Al to butt out and let his coaches coach and pick their own staff etc.. Another one of those "be careful what you wish for"...

Think Al could finally come to the place where he'd be willing to pay Petrino and give him the authority to turn this mess around? That's what needs to happen. If Art has to be sent upstairs which looks like a very real possibility -- just tell me who is going to take this job that can really get it done. Who?

 

[Stanny]

I'm not down with blaming Al Davis for much of this mess right now.

So many Raider fans wanted Al to butt out and let his coaches coach and pick their own staff etc.. Another one of those "be careful what you wish for"...

Think Al could finally come to the place where he'd be willing to pay Petrino and give him the authority to turn this mess around? That's what needs to happen. If Art has to be sent upstairs which looks like a very real possibility -- just tell me who is going to take this job that can really get it done. Who?

Yo Bones,

Petrino singed a new fat deal this year didn't' he?


You know which one is funny as hell? It went something like this:

" Future head coach star Ken Whizennuts, would rather return to Pittsburgh and be the OC of the Pittsburgh Steelers then take the HC spot in Oakland. A man who showcased his talents to take the Steelers to the Superbowl along with HC Spitten-Jawbone would rather make less money and be out the limelight and try to repeat as the Superbowl champion with the Steelers then report to the man who lost his marbles, owner Al Davis. We at ESPN think he will do just that and continue to design a potent offense and repeat as champions. Whisenfunk has shown he has a great offensive mind, he has designed and offense in which the NFL is a copy cat league, you can sure expect plenty of teams to copycat this young mind and his bright future. Good call Ken, we'll see you in Florida."-----Douche Bags

Maybe Al new a little something? Or maybe the Steelers had just a little bad luck? Al still blew the call in letting Shell bring in the "Iron Chef."

 

[Madturk]

I'm not down with blaming Al Davis for much of this mess right now.

So many Raider fans wanted Al to butt out and let his coaches coach and pick their own staff etc.. Another one of those "be careful what you wish for"...

Think Al could finally come to the place where he'd be willing to pay Petrino and give him the authority to turn this mess around? That's what needs to happen. If Art has to be sent upstairs which looks like a very real possibility -- just tell me who is going to take this job that can really get it done. Who?

Yeah but that's not a very good analogy Bones. He basically hired a guy no other team would even consider as HC material, paid him the low end of the salary scale and threw him a bone by saying he could bring his own guy in.

Unfortunately I don't see us bringing in a top tier HC candidiate any time soon. . You'll get a Jim Fassel/Jim Haslett type hire and frankly I'd just be happy with a change in Offensive Coordinators for the time being.

 

[Rupert]

Stanny: But with rumors swirling around Cowher, is it possible that he told Wizenhunt that the HC job was his in 2007?

 

[SoCalRaider]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 11:23 a.m. EST, November 20, 2006

NFL CONCERNED ABOUT RAIDERS

There's talk on the NFL grapevine that the league office is becoming very concerned about the ability of the Oakland Raiders to be competitive, both in the short term and over the long haul.

I like PFT and I give those guys props for trying to stir it up... but I find this hard to believe. I think you'll find more people in the league office excited that the Raiders are the doormat of the NFL. Davis has his enemies in the league office, and I'm inclined to believe that many in the league office would rather see Davis go out in defeat. I don't think it's really as bad as PFT makes this out to be... but props to them for trying to stir it up... be real interested to see if this has any legs under it.

The problem, as we understand it, is a complete and total vacuum of leadership in the football operations. Coach Art Shell, as one league insider told us, is regarded by the players as a "joke." Per a league source with extensive experience in dealing with teams and players, there is an "unprecedented negativity" emanating from the locker room.

Well said. Shell has some of the sorriest post game analysis I have ever heard from a coach. Actually now that I think about it, I'm not sure he's ever really analyzed anything. To be brutally honest... I still have no clue what that guy does on a day to day basis.

Beyond the coaching staff, there's a perception that the football types in the front office simply aren't getting it done, and there's a concern that the one guy who has a track record of ability when it comes to player acquisition -- Mike Lombardi -- has lost much of his influence.

I'm interpreting this is a shot at what we're doing on draft day and free agency... and I completely agree. The most successful organizations right now (Pats, Colts, Chargers...) are building through the draft. We had just as much of an opportunity with all those picks from the Gruden trade... You've got to feel for a guy like Lombardi... I'm sure half the clowns on this roster are players he wanted no part of.

The consensus in league circles is that the root of the problem is the uncertainty surrounding Al Davis and the future leadership of the team after his passing.

This makes absolutely no sense. I seriously doubt guys like Peyton, Wisenhunt, Petrino, and Hill turned this gig down because they weren't sure what would happen when Davis goes... they turned it down because they simply didn't want to put up with Davis' BS. The root of the problem isn't life after Davis... the root of the problem is life with Davis.

Until then, how will the Raiders be able to attract free agents?

By getting a coach that people want to play for... In my opinion, the realy question is what is Davis going to have to do to get a real coach in here... I don't buy the money theory. I'm convineced guys are walking away from this gig because of Davis' meddling, not because of the salary that comes with it.

 

[Stanny]

Stan: But with rumors swirling around Cowher, is it possible that he told Wizenhunt that the HC job was his in 2007?

That is definitely a big possibility...I still think it's funny because it is a copy cat league. Who ever wins the big dance seems to get raided every year for coaching prospects and then everyone try's to mimic the formula, which I would to a point. The ESPN schlabs though will go out of their way to orchestrate a piece that says the coaching prospect would rather work at the saw mill then coach for Davis. What I think is funny about that is, do you go on job interviews just to interview? These coaches when they decide to interview, they want the job. I might be wrong but I just don't go out on inteviews for the hell of it. In Whisenfluffs case, the guy brought his whole family out for two days just for an interview? Al indicated the only coach he offered a job too was Petrino and was turned down. They said Al Saunders turned down the job, funny that the guy interviewed for the position twice? Mike Martz was inteviewed for the OC spot but wanted to be a HC. I think his choices narrowed down to zilch, took the OC spot in Detroit being they have some young talent thinking he would have a better shot of showcasing his talents rather then working with Randy Moss and bunch. But again, reported that Martz went as a favor, had no intentions of coaching, blah blaha blah.

Now I'm sure a young coaches FIRST CHOICE wouldn't be to go to the Raiders or a vet seeking employment, but if invited to the job site, I'm sure they would be willing to accept. JMO