Eric quips:
I just wish that my RAIDERS had gotten the job done against the Chargers and that they were in the playoffs.
Dude, you do realize that the Raider's fortunes are never going to change while they remain the most penalized team in the NFL, right? Most of their penalties happen on defense, but way too many on offense as well. You can't give the opponent 100 yards and expect to win. I think Hue Jackson was confused. He wasn't meant to bring the Raiders a sense of enthusiasm or destiny. He was meant to bring them discipline, and he failed miserably. The younger Davis, of poor dress and worse haircut, apparently doesn't share his father's romance with the game. He wants wins and profit. I'm sorry, Eric. I think your team is destined for the cellar for at least another few years.
Every team save one in the AFC West has hired two head coaches in the last three years. The only team with consistency is the one which has gotten consistently worse since Norv Turner's tenure began. The Chiefs will likely do well with Romeo. The Raiders are stuck in inconsistent hell. They traded away too many picks for Palmer, and now they're stuck with him regardless of what they can build, regardless of who wishes to coach for the impatient and petulant Davis. The Broncos have found a winner in Fox, and I suspect they'll keep him for many years. John Elway has much to do with that. The Chargers? Who knows. They've got one of the best receivers in football, and one of the best tight ends of all time. They have a guy who can legitimately contend for elite status at quarterback. Look at the scenario, and I don't think the Raiders are much for being a team to expect great things of.
Sorry, Eric. The Raiders have an epic reputation, but it probably isn't going to be satisfying being a fan for a while.
"The Raiders have an epic reputation, but it probably isn't going to be satisfying being a fan for a while."
This is unfortunately true - but somebody still has to root for them - LOL
Posted by: Eric | January 15, 2012 at 11:00 PM
The Raiders at least have a decent QB so that puts them ahead of KC and Denver for the next couple of years. If Campbell and McFadden had not gone down the Raiders would have won the division. Having Palmer a full year would also be more than enough to finish ahead of Denver. Next years finish:
1) SD 2) Oakland 3) KC and 4) Denver.
These predictions may or may not have the same level of accuracy of your div. round picks Rob.
Posted by: jack ruby | January 17, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Since the topic is the Raiders, I actually think they have a chance to really turn things around for once now that Big Al has finally passed on. I loved Al for entertainment value but they were never going to be a winner again as long as he was around. Now that his son has brought in a GM and will take his hands off I think they could really make some changes for the better. Plus the guy has great hair. I bet Coobs has a Mark Davis hair cut.
Posted by: jack ruby | January 17, 2012 at 11:08 AM
That's funny, jack. Your predictions for next year were precisely my predictions for this year, regarding the AFC West. You have some points regarding offense, but I don't think you're looking at defenses. That KC defense is young and fairly good. They just needed the offense to quit handing games away. It is questionable whether or not Crennel can reverse that offensive slump. He sure as hell ain't gonna do it with Orton.
The Denver D is also young, fast and talented. Mark my words; under Fox's tutelage it will be the best defense in the AFC West next year, and among the top 6 in the league.
Who the hell knows about San Diego. They're talented, but they simply underperformed this year.
The thing about Oakland is that they do not have, nor have they had, any consistency. I wouldn't be making any predictions before we find out who their new head coach will be.
Posted by: Wulfgar | January 17, 2012 at 03:33 PM