Integrity.........

I would think in this day and age, the word Integrity would mean something to so many. To be honest with you, I don't think a majority of the population really understands what Integrity means anymore. I remember growing up, there was a time when people would say, a man with integrity is a true man. He has a life of purpose and a life of true sound morals and judgement. These were the people who stood out above the rest.

Those days are long gone and the evidence of it is clear as day. Last night, I, as well a many of you watched a show on ESPN called 30 for 30. It went on and on about these STAR athletes who lost their entire worth because of bad management of their money. Well, I don't blame the man for losing the money. I blame his morals. He/She has lived a life with no Integrity. They lived as if tomorrow would never happen. And then to top it off, they make excuses as to why they are where they are and when no one is there to hand them the golden spoon, they complain and say it is everyone else's fault.

So let me introduce you to the true definition of Integrity. 

in·teg·ri·ty

[in-teg-ri-tee] 

noun

1.adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

2.the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition.
4. Integrating one's words with their actions.


What does this mean to the Raider Nation? You knew there was some tie in here, right? Well there is. I will ask you, who was your favorite Raider of all time? Would you say Tim Brown? Rich Gannon? How about Marcus Allen? Kenny Stabler? Jim Otto? George Blanda? Otis Sistrunk? Warren Wells? Art Powell? Ben Davidson? Art Shell? Gene Upshaw?  Phil Villapiano? Daryl Lamonica? Mark Van Eeghen? George Atkninson? Jack Tatum? Rod Martin? Todd Christensen? Dave Casper? Mike Haynes? Lester Hayes? Jim Plunkett? John Madden? Fred Biletnikoff? Cliff Branch?

Do you notice something here? It's very obvious. Let me refer back to the first paragraph of this blog......  " there was a time when people would say, a man with integrity is a true man. He has a life of purpose and a life of true sound morals and judgement. These were the people who stood out above the rest."

These MEN who I listed all had something in common. It was a key element that brought to the team a mindset of Championship football. It was called...... wait for it...... INTEGRITY!!!!!!!!!!! It was the message that Al Davis created when he said "Commitment To Excellence" & "Just Win Baby". It was the cornerstones that this team was built on. It is why so many of you who are new to the Nation can gravitate to the players of old. You believed in them. You believed in their message, because they had the integrity to back it up!

You ask, how is that? Remember the "Criminal Element"? For some of you younger Raider fans, you see tapes of it. I lived through it. The Criminal Element I am referring to is  what this defense was labeled by one Chuck Knoll of the Pittsburgh Steelers, because our defensive backfield was considered rough and dirty players. Guess what? That's what they wanted you to think. They wanted you to be scared as fuck to come over the middle of the field. They wanted you to challenge them and try to make a catch in THEIR backfield. Know why? Because they were going to knock you the fuck out. And when they had their chance to do it, they took it. They didn't say it and not follow up with the game to back it up. THAT'S CALLED INTEGRITY!!!!!!!!

How about Gannon and Brown? Gannon came in before Jon Gruden would get in. Sometimes 4:30 or 5 AM. While the other players were pulling buggers out of their eyes getting out of bed, these guys were breaking down tape and putting in the effort that would bring a Championship. Why? BECAUSE THEY HAD INTEGRITY!!!!!!!!!! Brown caught just about everything his way. Why? Because he said he would and he backed it up. Marcus Allen was one of the greatest of all time. Why? Because he said he was going to be the greatest and he backed it up.

Who do we turn to now Raider Nation? Who? Darren McFadden? How about Carson Palmer? Tommy Kelly? Lamar Houston? Rolando McClain? Shawntae Spencer? We are looking for ONE guy to show some integrity and that's where the problem lies. One guy doesn't win the entire game for you. It's a team game. Its an attitude that we are going to say something and back our shit up! Who is going to do that for us this year? I see guys trying. I see Marcel Reece doing HIS JOB. I see Wheeler and Burress doing their job. I see Carson play steady football. But I don't see the extra effort that it takes to bring the Lombardi back to Oakland.

I hate that these guys earn tons of money, they love being in the spot light but they hate criticism. I said it on my twitter account, these guys have no accountability or integrity and the acceptable culture is that we, the Raider Nation, should just endure the growing pains of this turnover of the team. I'M CALLING BULLSHIT ON THAT! I don't accept that culture. I don't accept losing. 

Simply put, I hope somehow based on 6 degrees of separation that Dennis Allen gets this message..... Dennis..... DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT go back and look over schemes and this and that and try to reinvent the wheel at this point. It's ride or die with the choices and decisions you made before this journey started bro. To go back now shows that you do not trust the system and in turn your players will not trust you. Fuck that. You need to get these guys in a room and you need to ask every single one of them why they are there. You need to ask every one of them why they play. You need to have them tell you, the coaches and the rest of US why they deserve to wear that jersey with those colors. Their careers will come and go, but our LIVES as the Raider Nation is loyal to the team. The name. The colors. So while their careers may be over, our fan hood is still there and we deserve better. We deserve something from each and every one of those 53 roster players, an individual note to the Raider Nation as to why they deserve our continued respect and fan hood. We deserve it from you too Dennis.

No one should have a mentality of entitlement. No one. You have not earned it. You don't deserve it from the lack of Championship football you have displayed, and you are not going to get it from the Raider Nation.

Get some fucking Integrity, then we can talk!!!!!!!

Chaotic View

Is It In You?

Friday....... Early AM........ Plane ride to the Donkey City to face off with one of the most hated rivals in the Division.......... so I ask...... Do you have it in you?

Huffy, do you have it in you to play more press coverage? To make the solid tackle? To not get caught in the pick route? To play with passion and intensity for 60 minutes? To make a difference? Is it in you?

Seymour, is it in you to be the leader you were brought here to be? To pressure the shit out of Peyton Manning? To put him on his ass? To be an effective team mate and guide that D-Line to victory? Is it in you?

Kelly, is it in you to play your ass off on every down and stay the fuck onside? To protect your defensive backfield by containing the run? Is it in you?

Rolando, is it in you to play smart and be the king of the second level as you were brought here to be? To play from sideline to sideline and to stay in your fits? To put the hurt on the Denver running game and any wide outs that come accross the middle? Is it in you?

O-Line, is it in you to OWN the line of scrimmage? To make holes big enough for a mack truck to drive through and allow your running game to be explosive? To keep Palmer on his feet and not allow any sacks? To play with the same heart and intensity you did against the Steelers?

Palmer, is it in you to play with poise and stand in the pocket and deliver the ball on time to your receivers? Is it in you to play with heart and passion and make good sound decisions? To play effective football for 60 minutes? To protect the ball in our possession for the duration of the game? Is it in you?

D-MAC, is it in you to put your foot in the ground and run North and South with thundering power and no regard for your opponent? To pound that bullshit Donkey defense into submission? To slash and gash that secondary on your way to a 150 yard game? To put that rock in the end zone and show who we are? Do you have it in you?

Coaching staff, do you have it in you to call a smart game? A game plan to puts us in the best position to succeed, but not so vanilla that you take any momentum out of the players? To allow our skilled players to get the ball with enough time to make big plays? To call a smart mix of plays on offense and a strong relentless game on defense with hidden blitz packages and good solid rotation on the line?

I'll make this simple.... we are going up against one of the best. He got there because he understands how to break a teams will. He is relentless. He is dominant. He is smart and poised. He knows that he is not to let his foot off of the gas until the final bell rings. He will tear you apart and keep his foot on your throat as you bleed to death. Going into this bye week, I and the Raider Nation will accept nothing less than 2-2. Just because we beat a good team in the Steelers does not mean that everything is fine. That's bullshit to think that. We expect greatness every week. Not one week on and one week off. EVERY WEEK!  That's what it takes to be champions. That's what it takes to be great.

DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU TO BE GREAT?

Do something about it! Whoop that ass on Sunday! Prove the Raider Nation right! 

Chaotic View

Heart......

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am impressed. On a day that boys became men, our team pulled out an improbable win against one of the best teams in the NFL. We beat the Steelers.

Carson Palmer showed why all of the pundits who say the trade was not worth it  can stick their foot in their mouth and shut the fuck up. How about 23-33 for 209 and 3 TD's you bunch of haters? Kiss his ass and move on to Tim Tebow. Carson showed why his leadership will take this team to the promise land.

How about McFadden? 18 for 113 and a 64 yard TD! He ran hard. He ran tough. He ran with authority. He ran with a purpose. Great job learning on the fly.

The biggest key, the O-Line. They kept Palmer on his feet against a tough scheme from the Steelers. You know Dick Lebeau was going to mix it up on the blitz scheme, but our players moved together and held strong to control the line of scrimmage.

There was a somber moment when an illegal helmet to helmet hit to DHB in the chin brought out the stretcher and took the wind out of our sails for a moment. Please Nation, pray for him and send him a tweet to show him you are thinking of him ......  https://twitter.com/theDHB85



















A special moment pre game for Al Davis and the Nation, Marcus Allen officially ended the feud. Thank you Marcus. Always a Raider!

And just as Al would always hope, Jano, his prized possession, did what Al brought him to Oakland to do..... Put it between the cross bars!

Thank you to the players for answering my call. Thank you for answering the call of the Raider Nation! You came out and fought to come back down 10 into the 4th quarter and never took your eyes off the prize.

It was a war but you made plays. You got the ball on turnovers. You showed the Heart of a Champion. I and the Raider Nation are proud of you!


On to Denver!

Chaotic View

My Message To The Players......

0-2

0-2..... I am still stung from this shitty record you have put on our Nation. Where is the accountability from each of you? I've seen the tape. I've seen the scheme. I know what you are trying to do. Please tell me why is it that you guys get lazy and take plays off? Last time I checked, Randy Moss isn't on the team?

This game, which I have played, and unfortunately due to injury can no longer play, is intense. You had better bring your fucking A game on Sundays. So if you are getting paid a huge salary to play a "GAME" why the fuck don't you bring your best when you are out there on the field? Does it feel good to lose? All of the videos I have seen of interviews this last week are excuse after excuse. Like a bunch of pussy ass grown men making excuse after excuse of why you got beat on a block. Why you didn't break a tackle.Why you DIDN'T make a tackle.

Play the fucking game the way it was meant to be played. Your don't stop until the whistle blows. You don't stop with your foot on the throat on your opponent until that clock goes to ZERO! That means intensity every play. That means playing with fundamentals. Trusting the player next to you. Trusting the scheme and DOING YOUR JOB!!!!!!!!!!

You have 2 games to fix this wrong that YOU each have created. 2 games and I will tell you, those stands will empty. Sure, us faithful will still root hard to see you finally come around, but there are some that go to see quality. Quality is expected. It's your job to provide that quality of play. Play with no regard for yourself, that's how you don't get hurt. Play with leverage. Play with heart. Hit that motherfucker across the line harder than he hits you and pound his ass into submission. Get your heads out of your ass and Play like a FUCKING RAIDER!!!!! It's no excuse that its Pittsburgh coming into town. Superbowl teams don't fear any opponent. They play their game and beat the shit out of them and move on to the next week. We are bigger and faster than these assholes. Play like it. No more excuses.

Chaotic View

It's Better To Reign In Hell!!!!

I was working out yesterday morning, listening to some System Of  A Down, and I just so happened to glance at a book in the bookshelf right in front of me. "It's Better to Reign In Hell, Inside the Raider Nation" by Jim Miller and Kelly Mayhew. I had this sudden feeling come over me reminding me of something. 

Fuck Your Team! Pardon the language, all of you who are squeemish and do not think it belongs in any type of journalism, but this is my blog and I will speak how I want. Thats right, I said it, Fuck Your Team! This is the Raider Nation baby. I would rather Reign In Hell as a die hard Raider fan than to bow down and be a bitch ass fan of your sorry ass team. It may hurt to lose and yes, it has been some time since we have been to the promise land, but tomorrow will come and to the next team up, I feel sorry for you. In this case, today for Miami.

So to the Raider Nation, I say, renew your oath...... Today wherever you are........ Represent with pride and poise. Represent knowing that today is our day..... Represent knowing that we have the pride of our team that Al Davis always talked about. Let these idiots in the media talk all of the shit they want. Let these fans who think their team is better than ours talk that crap. I would rather Reign in Hell in Silver and Black than to be in Heaven in Choker Blue and Gold. 

Let's go make some noise! It's time to roll! 

 

RAIIIIIDDDEEEEERRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chaotic View

The Morning After Pill..................

I am at a loss for words.

I found myself sitting through the pain of what I saw last night like someone waiting in front of a firing squad awaiting their death. It was slow, agonizing and terrifying to think this is what we have become.

But you know what, I am not going to give our competition the benefit of the doubt to think that we as the Raider Nation will not go out without getting in our punches. I am not going to lay down and go down without a fight. Its time to come out swinging. We know what we have to fix.

I am not sure if the majority of you saw what I saw, but in the 4th quarter, even when the entire stadium was deflated and our team was on the brink of utterly abandoning ship, there was one bright spot that stung me like that asshole bee did last summer in my arm, this Killer Defense we have. Did you know that Phylis Rivers only threw for one touchdown? And he may have had a good night in way of completions, throwing 24/33 for 231 yards, but it was not a career night. We also held their offense to 32 yards rushing. If that doesn't make you optimistic, I don't know what will.

Grant it, that big loaf Kelly gave them the touchdown, single handedly, by giving them two first downs on that TD drive, but as I told you guys on Chaotic View, the Raiders have some new fire power backing up that line of ours in Miles Burris and Philip Wheeler. These two combined with Rolando McClain for 15 Solo Tackles and 7 assisted tackles. I think we have become something to be reckoned with, and what was really exciting for me is that they didn't give up. All the way through the last snaps of the game, they kept the pressure on the Chokers and forced Phylis to throw the ball.

To the bad, I had a hunch before the game the something was going to happen top Jon Condo. I have been telling my inner circle for a while now that the guy plays with reckless abandon on all of the special team plays. He is normally the first Raider on the ball down field, and he likes to go low on the blockers to get through to attack the ball. Last night was something that you don't see happen too often, where he was hit in the head by a fellow team mate with the knee, but it goes to show that there are critical positions that need to be addressed every year and as a back up (Goethel) you have to be ready to come in and do your job, which he did not.




Now, I am not going to put it all on Goethel, because he was not completely responsible for the bullshit we saw on special teams. That unit sucks all together and I think that we need to light a fire under the ass of Steve Hoffman, the Special Teams Coach. It is not too early to send his ass packing if something doesn't happen and soon. 

Offensively, we did not throw any interceptions. That's a good thing. Streater had a good game, aside from the fumble he gave up trying to do too much. We moved the ball up and down the field, but missed passes and some missed routes were the glaring issue I saw that can be fixed with time.



Overall, we need some serious work with the trip into Miami. Having the chance to win the game with 54 seconds to go was a positive, as bad as we did play, but it still counts as a loss none the less.

My Game grades-

Offense - B
Defense - B+
Special Teams - F

Your thoughts?

Chaotic View

Some voices of interest

As I always love to do..... Bring the updates:

Carson Palmer

Terrell Pryor

Coach Allen

Lamar Houston

Richard Seymour

Oh yeah, by the way, we made some cuts to the team.  Linebacker Korey Bosworth, defensive ends Mason Brodine and Wayne Dorsey, safeties Aaron Henry and Chaz Powell, cornerback Terrail Lambert, wide receivers Thomas Mayo and DeAundre Muhammad, quarterback Kyle Newhall-Caballero and fullback Manase Tonga. Fullback Rashawn Jackson and offensive lineman Ed Wang. No big names on this list, but I am sure some of these guys may get looked at by other teams.

Chaotic View

Pre-Season Game 2...... Cards Vs. Raiders

Wonder what just happened? Don't. Want to know why? Its pre-season and you can only learn so much with players who put in 80% effort because they do not want to get injured and those who have secured a starting role on the team and do not feel the need to go the extra mile in games that don't matter.

I do not put much weight on these games, and my thought is that neither should you. But, for s*its and giggles, I think I should touch on what I saw and give my two cents.

Offense-

Better, but still not where it needs to be. I saw a lot of the vintage Texans offense on display.  A few bootlegs, some misdirection and even cut backs. Inconsistencies reside at the Wide Receiver level and Offensive line, but for the most part the team was able to move the ball with some level of purpose.


Carson was able to avoid some pressure and get the ball on the hands of his wideout's, but as I mentioned, there are a lot of inconsistencies there. DHB dropped a sure touchdown in the end zone and a few other balls that should have been caught.














 Mike Goodson has his debut and subsequently failed miserably. 2 fumbles lost by him alone and looking like he had absolutely no ball control skills. Scary to think this cat could be our back up to McFadden. Not really a chance I think we should take if this keeps up.

Streater looked good at Receiver. 7 for 43 yards and could potentially be our starter opposite DHB should Ford and Moore be out for substantial time. No different than last year, early injuries derailing our hopes of having a great tandem running the sidelines.








Defense-

"That boy is scared" was something you could read from the lips of Tommy Kelly after the sack on Kevin Kolb in the end zone for a safety. That was for the most part the way the game went. The defense (1st team) stood their ground and just about put Kolb on his ass every other play. Aside from poor starting field position, thanks to our special teams and offensiv

e fumbles, the defense held their own forcing 4 turnovers, 3 by way of fumbles and 4 sacks.










Special Teams-
Sucked a big one and this could get bad. A blocked punt, huge return and some other missed responsibilities could spell disaster should this not get taken care of quickly.

What does it all mean? Work, work and more work...........Post game Vids coming soon.

Chaotic View

Post Game Videos - Cowboys Vs. Raiders

Mike Mitchell

Coach Allen

Carson Palmer

 Terrell Pryor

Matt Leinart

Post Game Recap.... Preseason Cowboys Vs. Raiders

Great to be back. First and foremost. It was a long offseason and I finished the long list of Sunday honey-do's......

So I went back and watched the tape after it was all said and done last night and I have some particular topics I would love to touch on.

Offense-

1. Mc Fadden is what he is. A Beast! I know we only showed a few things we would be doing (Vanilla Offense), but I was not really paying attention to the play calling
   or scheme. I watched the intangibles. Mc Fadden displayed the burst of speed through the hole, the patience to allow his gaps to open and the ability to break tackles. Overall if this guy stays healthy, we could have the NFL's leading rusher in our backfield.
2. Palmer is still learning the offense. There were a few pass attempts that I think he held the ball for too long as he went through his progressions, but overall, he got first downs and had to deal with an atrocious performance of Jacoby Ford.
3. I'm not going to harp on it too much but Jacoby Ford was a drive killer last night. I think he just had a bad game. He broke his route in the deep interception play, he got alligator arms on two plays, one slant that could have been a nice gain and gotten us beyond the 50 in our second possession and again on an in route that would have given us a first down in our last First Team possession. He also muffed a punt and didn't display the confidence of yester year. I hope this is just because it is the preseason and not because he is getting soft on us.
4. Terrell Pryor is not ready for the NFL. He looked like a deer in the headlights last night. We made some first downs, but his balls were thrown like a QB who was trying to make sure he didn't make any mistakes, rather then the Terrell Pryor I remember at Ohio State with the cannon arm. I would be surprised if he made the team. If so, he needs to be in the Wild Cat formation or as a tight end.

Defense

1. I was not surprised at our performance. As I mentioned in my blog yesterday, the Defense needed to establish dominance and that they did. I was surprised that Seymour was not on the field, but that's ok. He has nothing else to prove in the preseason. That line though. Tremendous. We held Tony Romo  to 3 for 6 and 30 yards and 1 sack with one narrowly being missed by Lamar Houston.. It was refreshing to get it done on the line.
2. D-Backs need more work. Bartell allowed a long pass completion and on a few zone plays, the tight end came out into the flat and was able to convert for first downs. Still preseason, but its the little things that count. Get off the field on 3rd downs!

One last stat......... only 5 penalties for 37 yards compared to 12 for 97 on the Cowboys. I would say that is a victory in itself!

Overall, not bad for the first game.  Still much to do and only a few weeks to work the bugs out, but I think with discipline and a good work ethic, this team can be a playoff contender.

Chaotic View

A New Era.......... The Autumn Wind

RAAAAAAAAAAAIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RAAAAAAAAAAAIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can hear it now. Deep in the Black Hole, the sound resonates through my head gear, vibrates my chest and stings my eardrums. It lingers like a good vintage wine for hours after. The call of Victory!

Back in February, I thought time stood still. Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes to hours and hours to days. It was like a bad case of separation anxiety. The team went their way and the fan base was left with so many questions and no answers.

Well, the waiting is over. The 2013 season is upon us and a new desire and hunger for the pinnacle of achievement hangs in the balance. Its time for answers. But those answers come at some expense that we knew was inevitable. The Autumn Wind blew across the surface of our bow. Change was upon us. 

It all started with the hiring of Reggie McKenzie. It was obvious from the start in his introduction with Mark Davis that it was going to be his direction. A new Era of Raiders football. With the subsequent hiring of Dennis Allen, a defensive minded coach and the first since John Madden, the Raiders began to remove themselves from the Al Davis era and tonight into the Reggie McKenzie era of 21st Century NFL Football.

I know that its hard to place expectations on the team this early, but its the typical routine we go through as fans. Win the Super Bowl. My fears are that we may have taken 2 steps back to make the leap after this year. All of that can change with a great showing tonight against the Cowboys. Which Raiders team will show up? The New or the Old?

Keys to tell........................

Offense

1. Small steps. We were pretty good last year and with a full off season under Carson Palmer's belt, I am hooping that the players can get going together on the common path.I am looking for a touch down on our opening possession. No 3 and out.
2. Maturation of our Wide Receivers. I hope that they can continue on the path they have been going, Yards after the catch. With the west coast offense now being implemented, I can almost assure you that there will be more 5-10 yard routes and more inclusion of the tight end to move the ball and focus more on the first down rather then the home run ball.
3. Stability at Running back. We need to stay healthy and build a good running game. We are going back to the Zone Blocking Scheme and establishment of our dominance will start today on the offensive line and backfield. 
4. 65%-35% mix Run/Pass. Although Carson Palmer is a proven vet, I think he should only be called on when it comes to putting the final dagger through out opponents heart. We have to be balanced at first to get our opponent off guard and then run them into the ground.

Defense

1. D-Line dominance. We need to establish ourselves as a run stuffing defensive team. We have some new vets in the backfield with returning rookies, but it all starts with the D-Line protecting us from the runs. In addition to this, they have to make quick pursuits to the QB. Nothing new here.
2. Line backer pursuit. Has to be there. These guys need to be all over the ball and filling their gaps. The hardest part to this is to be patient and trust the guys in front of you to do their jobs. Ray Lewis is not who he is because he alone is great. He has a trust for the down 4 that allows him to be patient and flow with the play and attack the ball.
3. Minimize penalties. Our biggest offender, Stanford Routt, is gone. Thank the Lord. He stunk it up last year with 17 penalties alone. This group needs to play disciplined football and get off the field on 3rd down. No exceptions. 

It should be interesting to usher in this new era of thinking. I am excited to see the growth of Dennis Allen from his days in Denver into something we have needed for a long time. A leader of the team. Only time will tell and tonight our journey begins.

Its good to be back Nation. Good to be back!

Chaotic View

 

200 Million Reasons Why.... Its Time For A Road Trip

Yeah Yeah Yeah....... I have heard all of the stories about how the Raiders are Oakland and how Oakland is the Raiders. I understand. I get it. By now, I am sure you get it too. Butttttttttt....... Raider Nation may be packing their bags and making a road trip down south pretty soon.

The NFL Owners just agreed to a 200 Million dollar grant to the San Francisco Forty Niners to move the team to Santa Clara and build a stadium. Niners officials are saying that the team will be ready to relocate for the 2015 season.

Question is, will the Raiders partner with them? Well, without Al Davis in the mix, Tommy Boy has some choices to make. Here is how the deal would work.........

The stadium site will be owned by the city of Santa Clara, who will lease it to the Santa Clara Stadium Authority under what is called the "ground lease". The Santa Clara Stadium Authority will then lease the stadium to the Forty Niners Stadium, LLC, in what the term sheet calls the "stadium lease". The Forty Niners Stadium, LLC will lease the stadium to the San Francisco Forty Niners, LTD in what is referred to as the "team sublease". At their discretion, Forty Niners Stadium, LLC can also lease the stadium to the Oakland Raiders, the "2nd team sublease". 

You dizzy yet? Here is a picture of how it all works....

The Ground Lease, Stadium Lease and Team Sublease all have the same term: 40 years minimum, with 5 options to renew for another 4 years - bringing the maximum lease period to 60 years. Forty Niners Stadium, LLC has the option as to whether they want to exercise a lease extension or terminate the leases. The 2nd Team Sublease, while controlled by the Forty Niners Stadium, LLC, is supposed to be subject to the same terms as the Stadium Lease, but presumably that does not include the 40 year term. Section 16.2 of the term sheet even talks about a temporary 2nd team sublease of up to 3 NFL seasons while the Oakland Raiders wait for a new stadium to be built.  

My thoughts.......Raiders Get Screwed....As Subtenants.....

Word is that as of October 2011 the 49ers were far enough along on the stadium to have reportedly already sold over a quarter of the luxury suites, which means the Raiders would be forced to be secondary tenants. This would be similar to the Jets being the tenants of the Giants, after they moved into Giants Stadium from Shea Stadium in 1984. How about it Raider Nation? Want to walk into a home game and enjoy the plush Red and Gold carpet greeting you?

I say hell no! PLAN B!!!

This ladies and gentlemen, is Plan B! Farmers Field.

 Welcome to the $2.5 Billion dollar LA Live owned by AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group )! The City Of Angels.

Here you have 5,600,000 square feet of apartments, ballrooms, bars, Nokia theatre, restaurants, movie theaters and a 54-story Ritz Carlton hotel and condominium tower, on a 27-acre site. Oh and not to forget, the Staples Center Home of 16 time World Champion Los Angeles Lakers, Home Of The Los Angeles Clippers Of Anaheim and The Los Angeles Kings.

This is not the Los Angeles you may remember. The City has been revamped (I know because I have completed 10 of the major renovation construction projects in Downtown LA myself), the element has changed and the environment is more family friendly. Hell, who am I trying to convince? 

I ask you to think of it this way though, overall, do you want to be a stepchild or do you want to own your own home!

Plain and simple, Santa Clara does not want the Raiders. The Whiners don't want anything but a split in the costs and revenue and what do the Raiders get? The Visitors locker room.

I say get ready to pack your bags Raider Nation of the North! Pack lite, its nice weather in Southern Cali!



Chaotic View

Its keeps breaking today.... Raiders hire Frank Pollack

Bob Wylie, who entered his fourth decade of coaching football that includes 18 years at the professional level, has been released by the Raiders as our offensive line coach.

Wylie spent last season retooling an offensive line that relied heavy on the run. The Raiders seemed to really produce at times last year and I am sad to see him go.

Frank Pollack on the other hand was in his sixth year as the Texans assistant offensive line coach. Pollack  worked closely with offensive line coach John Benton to mold the Texans offensive line into one of the most productive in the NFL.

Last season, the Texans were 13th overall. They scored an average 23.8 points per game, amassed 372 average yards per game and only allowed 33 sacks Vs. the Raiders who only allowed 25. The Texans were also 2nd in the league in rushing and ran for 2,448 yards with an average of 4.5 per carry which was good enough for 7th in the league.

In 2010 the Texans front five paved the way for another record-setting season for Houston’s offense. The Texans ranked third in the NFL in 2010 with a franchise record 6,186 yards of offense (383.3 yards per game), a team-record 290 points (24.4 points per game) and helped produce the NFL’s rushing and touchdown champion, running back Arian Foster. Foster set team records with 1,616 yards rushing and 18 total touchdowns. It was the third-straight season Houston’s offense finished among the NFL’s top-five offenses.

In 2009, the line provided protection for the NFL’s leading passer, Matt Schaub, who threw for 4,770 yards and 29 touchdowns.  Overall, the offense ranked fourth in the league, averaging 383.1 yards per game.  The passing attack led the league with an average of 290.9 net yards per game, and the 25 sacks allowed were the fifth-fewest in the league.

In 2008, the Texans line featured the same starting lineup for all 16 games, marking the first such occurrence in team history.  The line paved the way for rookie running back Steve Slaton to set a franchise record with 1,282 rushing yards, while the 32 sacks allowed were the second-fewest in team history.  The 2008 offense was the most productive in Texans history, gaining 6,113 total yards, which ranked third in the NFL.

In his first year with the Texans, Pollack helped mold an offensive line that became the best in team history in terms of pass protection. The line cut its 2006 sack total nearly in half, from 43 to just 22 in 2007, allowing a sack on just four percent of the team’s pass attempts. On the ground, the line helped running back Ron Dayne to a team- and career-high 773 yards and six touchdowns.

Pollack’s first collegiate coaching position was at his alma mater, Northern Arizona, in 2005 as the co-offensive line coach working specifically with the tackles and tight ends. He was promoted to the offensive line coach in 2006 where the Lumberjacks produced the Big Sky Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. The Northern Arizona offense led the conference in scoring (34.4) and passing (267.2) and finished second in rushing (137.9). Their points per game were fourth in the Division 1-AA.

Pollack was a sixth-round selection by the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. He played by the Bay from 1990-91 before moving to Denver where he played from 1992-93 before ending his career with the 49ers from 1994-98. He finished his career with 90 career games and one Super Bowl Championship with San Francisco in 1994.

Pollack attended Greenway High School in Phoenix and graduated from Northern Arizona with a degree in advertising in 1990. He was inducted into Northern Arizona’s Hall of Fame in the fall of 2010. He and his wife, Wendy, have three sons, Frankie, Carter and Wilson.

His Coaching career is as follows:

2007-11:  Assistant Offensive Line, Houston Texans
2006:  Offensive Line, Northern Arizona
2005:  Co-Offensive Line, Northern Arizona

I am sure this is a Greg Knapp pick. Based on his relationship he had this year with Pollack, the Raiders are looking to keep some sense of similarity on the Offensive side of the ball. Look for more of a Zone Blocking Scheme to make its way back into the picture.

Chaotic View



The Strength Of Our Team....... Is Now In Good Hands....

This is change I think I can go with. Thus far, this off season of change has been one of many double takes and questions,  but this is one that I can say is a positive for the Raider Nation going into the new year. For so long, the Raiders have been decimated with injury after injury and players like Darren McFadden, who plays one of the most physical positions on the team, has not been able to give it a full go for an entire  16 game season. Well, I blame that on fundamentals. The same fundamentals that puts a player in a position to win their individual battles. The same fundamentals that allow a player to play and not think. The same fundamentals that win Championships.



For too long, this team has put that delicate responsibility on Brad Rolls' shoulders, and for too long we have suffered from the consequences of that choice. So, with that said.... Out with the old:



Brad Roll



In With the New:



Al Miller





And John Grieco

Coach John Grieco began his strength and conditioning career in 1994 as an intern at the University of Florida. He was hired part-time by the University in 1995, and was made an assistant strength and conditioning coach for football, but was given direct responsibility for Men's & Women's Track. He became full-time in 1996. At that time, he was named the strength coach for the University's inaugural Softball team. In 1998, Coach Grieco was promoted to the position of Coordinator, and in 2003, was promoted to Assistant Director for Men's Sports, overseeing strength and conditioning for Football and Baseball only.
Then in 2004, John was given the opportunity to run his own show when he was hired as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Football at East Carolina. After a two-year stint at ECU, Grieco moved to UNLV as the Director of Strength and Conditioning where he currently remains.
During Coach Grieco's career, he coached two Orange Bowls, a Sugar Bowl, a Fiesta Bowl, and numerous Outback and Citrus bowls. He also coached in two back to back National Championship Games in 1995 and 1996 and was a part of the Football National Championship in 1996. Coach Grieco also coached in four SEC championships and was a part of three football SEC championship teams. During his time with Florida Baseball, his team won an SEC and Regional Championship in 1998 and was a part of the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1997, he was a part of an SEC championship in Women's Track and Field, as well.
John is married to Jamie Grieco, and they have two beautiful children: Nicholas (6), and Gianna (3).
Coach Grieco sums up his feelings about the strength and conditioning profession, as follows: "Personally, I believe strength and conditioning is the most rewarding profession in the world. I appreciate the honor of having the word "Coach" by my name. I believe we have a greater role than just "sets and reps." We have a responsibility to young athletes and their families to continue to help them grow, physically, by maximizing their performance, and mentally, by demanding excellence, toughness, and teaching them to handle adversity in this world."

Positive Change that I have been waiting for! I hope that Al Miller and Mike Grieco can bring long term strength and endurance to this new Raiders Era.....

Chaotic View





Searching Through The Rumor Mill.......

Its been a slow week for news around the Raider Nation.... LOL.... Not.... but really, after the "signing" of Dennis Allen, mum is the word out of the Raiders Camp. That is.... Until now....

My insider has contacted me and told me that there is a candidate that Dennis Allen is looking at to run his defense and sorry Nation, its not Jack Del Rio. Since he has the ability to manage his own staff, I truly believe that this information is credible, looking at the potential candidate.

Drum Roll Please.................

Richard Smith.....

Who? What the? Huh?

Yeah..... Richard Smith. So who is he?

Well, he just so happens to currently be the linebackers coach for the Denver Donkeys. He has also served as the Defensive Coordinator for the Miami Dolphins (2005), Houston Texans (2006-2008) and the Linebackers Coach for the Carolina Panthers (2009-2010)

The information on him is still raw, but I did manage to pull up the rankings on those teams for the years indicated above.....

D- Coordinator

Miami Dolphins 2005 - 18th Overall 23rd against the pass and 17th against the rush.

D- Coordinator

Houston Texans 2006 - 24th Overall 22nd against the pass and 20th against the rush.

Houston Texans 2007 - 24th Overall 25th against the pass and 19th against the rush.

Houston Texans 2008 - 22nd Overall 17th against the pass and 23th against the rush.

Linebackers Coach

Carolina Panthers 2009 - 8th Overall 4th against the pass and 22nd against the rush.

Carolina Panthers 2010 - 18th Overall 11th against the pass and 23rd against the rush.

Linebackers Coach

Denver Donkeys 2011 - 18th Overall 20th against the pass and 22th against the rush.

Let me know your thoughts. I mean, maybe the guy was on a good staff in Carolina for the 2009 season, but other then that, I don't see any positive trends over the long haul.... but then again.... anything is better then Chuck Bresnahan. Makin Change!

Chaotic View