One Postseason Take
After the Raiders refused to show up in Jacksonville last Sunday, I decided to honor them by not showing up at Raider Take for the ensuing week. I considered it an extended Christmas vacation from gnashing my teeth over our so-called defense, which handed us our worst regular-season beating since 1961.
Being on the road, visiting family and friends for the holidays, made it particularly easy for me to play hooky. I appreciate all of you who kept the home fires burning during my irresponsible absence.
I finally emerged from my monastic zen state today to watch the Raiders lose to Norv Turner and the Chargers, and I'm not going to say much about it, at least for the time being, because I want to choose my words carefully, and I am at a loss for such careful words at the moment.
I look around the NFL and see the Falcons notch their fourth win today, putting up 44 points on the playoff-bound Seahawks. The Falcons endured the most cursed season in the history of the NFL, yet still managed to match our record. I see woeful Baltimore beat the playoff-bound Steelers. I see marginal Houston put up 42 points in routing the playoff-bound Jaguars, who routed us last week. I see awful Carolina rack up 31 points to beat the playoff-bound Buccaneers. You might say that these playoff-bound teams were taking the day off, but the other teams still had to really show up to notch those point totals.
Meanwhile, I see the Raiders fail to beat playoff-bound teams for the past four straight weeks, racking up a total of 49 points over that span (the same number Jacksonville put up on us last Sunday). Excluding the Browns, whom we beat with a last-second field goal, the three other teams we beat finished the season with a combined total of 12 victories. Thankfully, two of those teams were AFC West opponents, so at least that little monkey is off our back.
We have plenty of excuses for everything, including the last four weeks. But the fact is that only two teams won fewer games than the Raiders this year. If that's how we measure major improvement, then that only reveals how far we've fallen.
I don't mean to be a downer or drag. I just don't want this season to end amid a hail of excuses and "wait till next years!" I don't want us to get used to this. Ever.
A telling comment by Lane Kiffin was revealed by the CBS crew today. They said they asked Kiffin about what surprised him most about moving from the college ranks to the NFL, and he said that he'd assumed everyone would be a professional in the NFL, and he was surprised at how many players are, in fact, unprofessional (I'm paraphrasing here, but that's how I heard it). And we know he wasn't talking about the Patriots or the Packers.
Think about Kiffin's comment for a second. Then order up some TNT.
I believe that things are pointed in the right direction. I believe that this was a season of progress. I believe that our progress was limited, however, by questionable actions and inactions regarding our personnel, dating back to last year and through the offseason and regular season. I believe that our offense was quantum leap over last year's offense. I believe that our defense took an alarming step backward. I believe that our biggest problem is re-learning how to win. I believe that Kiffin is the man for the job, and hope that he remains on the job. I believe that he needs a few sticks of dynamite.
Best of all, one way or the other, I still believe. I don't need or want excuses. I want solutions. I can handle the truth. My loyalty and dedication will remain unshaken no matter what happens, and I think I speak for the Raider Nation on that point, so let's get down to business and build a winning team for 2008.
Being on the road, visiting family and friends for the holidays, made it particularly easy for me to play hooky. I appreciate all of you who kept the home fires burning during my irresponsible absence.
I finally emerged from my monastic zen state today to watch the Raiders lose to Norv Turner and the Chargers, and I'm not going to say much about it, at least for the time being, because I want to choose my words carefully, and I am at a loss for such careful words at the moment.
I look around the NFL and see the Falcons notch their fourth win today, putting up 44 points on the playoff-bound Seahawks. The Falcons endured the most cursed season in the history of the NFL, yet still managed to match our record. I see woeful Baltimore beat the playoff-bound Steelers. I see marginal Houston put up 42 points in routing the playoff-bound Jaguars, who routed us last week. I see awful Carolina rack up 31 points to beat the playoff-bound Buccaneers. You might say that these playoff-bound teams were taking the day off, but the other teams still had to really show up to notch those point totals.
Meanwhile, I see the Raiders fail to beat playoff-bound teams for the past four straight weeks, racking up a total of 49 points over that span (the same number Jacksonville put up on us last Sunday). Excluding the Browns, whom we beat with a last-second field goal, the three other teams we beat finished the season with a combined total of 12 victories. Thankfully, two of those teams were AFC West opponents, so at least that little monkey is off our back.
We have plenty of excuses for everything, including the last four weeks. But the fact is that only two teams won fewer games than the Raiders this year. If that's how we measure major improvement, then that only reveals how far we've fallen.
I don't mean to be a downer or drag. I just don't want this season to end amid a hail of excuses and "wait till next years!" I don't want us to get used to this. Ever.
A telling comment by Lane Kiffin was revealed by the CBS crew today. They said they asked Kiffin about what surprised him most about moving from the college ranks to the NFL, and he said that he'd assumed everyone would be a professional in the NFL, and he was surprised at how many players are, in fact, unprofessional (I'm paraphrasing here, but that's how I heard it). And we know he wasn't talking about the Patriots or the Packers.
Think about Kiffin's comment for a second. Then order up some TNT.
I believe that things are pointed in the right direction. I believe that this was a season of progress. I believe that our progress was limited, however, by questionable actions and inactions regarding our personnel, dating back to last year and through the offseason and regular season. I believe that our offense was quantum leap over last year's offense. I believe that our defense took an alarming step backward. I believe that our biggest problem is re-learning how to win. I believe that Kiffin is the man for the job, and hope that he remains on the job. I believe that he needs a few sticks of dynamite.
Best of all, one way or the other, I still believe. I don't need or want excuses. I want solutions. I can handle the truth. My loyalty and dedication will remain unshaken no matter what happens, and I think I speak for the Raider Nation on that point, so let's get down to business and build a winning team for 2008.
posted by Raider Take at 8:40 PM
610 Comments:
PatriotsDynasty
New England visits Oakland in 2008, maybe I will head out to Oakland and take in the game, it will be nice to see the defending Super Bowl Champions tear it up in Oakland ;)
it hurts haiku:
Next season is here.
Finally let us move on.
In Kiffin we trust?
I cant believe Pats fan beat me to the post. oh well. mutherfuker deservs it. obviously mafia controls this league anyway. f* the NFL.... I'm out biatches!
at least I won my FFL league ($500). Not as much as those refs make in Oaktown week after week, but still not bad for a simple engineer....
BooYaaa!! for life biatch.
Haiku man is here
don't fret my bitch. Raider's rule
AFC West soon!
RT-
In a season mired my countless inconsistencies, yours was the one voice of reason that put this year in the proper perspective. If LK is given the tools and autonomy, we will contend for the division crown next year. We have another opportunity to draft a player with immediate impact, and I look forward to seeing how we progress in the off-season. Whether we put a package together to get McFadden or SOH, I've seen enough from this past season to believe that a promising future is only a few executive decisions away.
Kiffen stated that he will be on the job tomorrow morining, evaluating potential draft picks and free agents. After seventeen weeks of film analysis, Kiffin knows just who and what the Raiders need to reach the top.
He recognizes our weak safety play, our inability to stay in gaps along the defensive line, the failure to seperate or stretch the field by our receivers, and the offensive lines trouble remembering the correct snap count. These short comings will be addressed.
"This won't happen again." were his exact words, "this" being our 4-12 record. Perhaps Kiffin's greatest trait is that he will not stand for, nor let those around him stand for, losing.
We will be back in a big way next season. A Raider team you can hang your hat on and not a moment too soon.
Take heed Raider Nation, playtime is over.
In 2008 trust that;
1) JaMarcus will be starting from game,in camp on time, and prepared to make "it" happen.
2) He will be surounded by players that know what it takes to win.
3)Players that canot or will not be able to help the Raiders do so will be dismissed.
4)We will select at least two players in this draft that impact the team immediately.
5) We will win the AFC West
The Captain of this ship is no longer asleep at the wheel and the Raider Nation is no longer adrift! THE AUTUMN WIND IS BACK!
p.s. Bring on the Pat's in 08', we will have them for lunch!
can someone please slap barry sims, and tell him to fall on the fumble in the endzone that he caused; instead of slapping it away from himself. he should be the first one cut.
next on the list, lamont jordan. then here is the rest of my list of people i'm shanking, if i were kiffin:
stu schwiegert
sam williams
johnnie lee higgins
jake grove
johnathan holland
reshard lee
dante culpepper
josh shaw
tyler brayton
tony stewart
mark wilson
cornell green
fred wakefield
chris carr
terdell sands
free agent pick ups:
albert haynesworth (dt, titans)
lance briggs (lb, bears)
alan faneca (rg, steelers)
flozell adams (lt, cowboys)
max starks (t, steelers)
jake scott (g, colts)
jared allen (de, chiefs)
more to come.
I'm with you RT, how did we end up with the same record as the Falcons or Chiefs? We are a better team that those chumps. However, I do take some satisfaction at having beaten the Chiefs and Donks this year. Those two victories did me a lot of good. I was hoping to finish .500 in the West but we couldn't hang with the Chargers (is it me or is Rivers starting to resemble Ryan Leaf?). Russel didn't play great yesterday but he didn't play terrible either. Most of the mistakes he made can be ironed out in coaching. Personally I felt he held the ball too long in most cases. Kiffin has got a lot of work to do but I am very optimistic about our future. More than I have in years. Kiffin is the man. I look forward to seeing what he does in the off season. If we doubled our wins from last year then I expect to go 8-8 next year. Are the playoffs possible? We have to learn how to beat the Chargers first. I think by '09 we'll dominate the division. Happy New Year to everyone in the Raider Nation! Have fun and be safe.
As we look forward to another high draft pick, here's some food for thought from the 2004 draft:
9 draft picks
3 players remain from that draft:
Gallery 1(2)
Grove 2(45)
Schweigert 3(67)
Out of these remaining players, which of them have lived up to their draft position? We can't afford any more drafts like that. Looks like we'll have either the #3 or #4 pick in the draft, depending on the coin flip.
"Confusion has painted a masterpiece"
Banquo from Macbeth
I made numerous attempts to post last night but could not. Where would I begin?
As always RT, you make sense.
I too will let the dust settle and see what transpires.
I hope my fellow RT'ers continue contributing during the off season. As things might be slow for awhile and this will keep the home fires burning.
As for the other "posters", "Just collapse, baby"
RT-
I think we absolutely have the right guy in Kiffin...and the right QB in #2. I'm with you in trusting LK [interesting handle] to blow up what needs to be blown up.
I might add Warren Sapp to Raider Nate's list. His meltdown in Jacksonville was disgraceful. You can bet that when Kiffin is talking about unprofessionalism, he would include that little episode. When your team "leaders" are making the coach look foolish, that's a red flag, and I'm sure that Kiffin's had his fill of red flags this year.
Bama7
Excellent post, RT.
My final '07 thoughts:
1. Kiffen to shoot for as much control as possible in '08.
2. I think DE is the biggest need on this team.
3. I agree with most of Raider Nate 75's list above... would love to see Briggs alongside Morrison & Howard. I Think Briggs and a couple of well rounded DE's (SOH) would shore up our run D more than any new DT pick-up. We've been trying, and failing, to solve our never-ending run woes with DT's for about 15 years... McGlockton, D Russell, Maryland, S Adams, T Washington, Parella, Grady Jackson, Sapp, Sands... at some point let's try stud DE's and physical LB's, instead.
4. The offensive run game, on the other hand, is close to being scary. I think SOH makes the most sense for us, but McFadden in our cut block scheme would probably have us in the playoffs every year. The one-two punch of McFadden and Bush would be devastating.
5. I was much more impressed with Rhodes two 100 yd games against stout defenses in the Jags & Dolts than any of Fargas's 100 yd games against lesser comp. It's the system and we can look even better with an elite back.
6. Here's hoping the Patriots get knocked out.
I like Raider Nate's' list too, only most if not all of those guys will get franchised...possible exception is Faneca [but guard is not as high a priority for us as T, DL, S] and Briggs [ditto for LB].
Hope we get Nnamdi and Fargas done early. Rhodes earned a long look and if we cut him probably will not be until LK sees what Bush brings to the table.
5 takes by Psycho
1) That was a strong effort yesterday. That was a game we could at least hang our hat on.
2) Russell looked amazing for that being his first start. That never happens in the NFL. Exciting film for me to salivate over for a few months. You too Miller, good stuff.
3) It's too bad the only way Ryan can get his D to play solid run D is for it to be his last game as a Raider. Sure they played tough for him, but too little too late. I hate to see him go but I trust Kiffin to bring in some solid D coaches like he did with the O. Good luck, sorry it didn't work out, and it's been fun SOB.
4) With a new D system likely to happen, will Nnamdi's man coverage skills be a priority to retain? I sure hope so. I think you sign a blank check, hand it to him, and build your system around man coverage and speedy (blitzing) LB's.
5) I look forward to a great off-season with you guys. Kiffin is obviously pumped up and ready to "attack" it, as he puts it. I have little doubt we will be a playoff contender very soon. This is why we stick with them through the tough times, eventually we get back to what we do best; Dominating all those bastards who've been taking turns briefly keeping our spot warm at the top. And reading above that we'll get to play the Patsies in Oak next year, I felt like I'd just won the Super Bowl. I look forward to playing a tough game that week and bloodying some noses, win or lose. I will be at that game for sure to witness the upset, and the official turning of the tides.
Psycho
We need to get to the point of consistency by having long term plans with the same coaching staff. We nned players and that will not happen all in one year. We must start spending money onplayers that practice and play. Lamont and culpepper-dead money.
unprofessional is noted in the practice patterns of the raiders. lamont - to busy planning his birthday party that washington had to much fun at to show up for practice. To much champagne in vegas by culpepper when he could have been taking this team over. Kiffin must get the players focus.
Yeah, good point. This is not the time for "Rah! rah! Yeah go team next year! We will be awesome!" Where's the proof? We cannot be satisfied with four years of this crap, hopefully we will never return to this futility.
P.S. How about another 100+ game for Rhodes? Of course, it didn't mean anything, right? Wrong. Put this guy in the dang game.
whether ryan comes back, or martindale or someone else becomes d-coord. i hope they realize the talent we have to play "man-zone" defense, regardless the scheme (4-3, nickle, 3-4, etc), and aer creative in putting pressure on the qb. let the line, linebackers, and safety play zone, and corners play man. it's the defense we used in 1983. i think namdi and routt have the capability to play man, it will be even better if we can sign asante samuels from the pats in the fa market as well. that would solidify our cb, and give us the ability to cut fabian washington.
i think sapp will retire, especially if ryan goes. look for kiffin to give the offensive play calling reigns to knapp next season.
not sure if we will sign fargas, even though i love the guy. i hope we pick up who we need in free agency, and let the scrubs go.
Dare to dream, Raider Nate 75. We are operating under a salary cap in today's NFL. We will not be able to get back to winning football games by bringing in all of those free agents that you mentioned. Haynesworth, Faneca, Briggs, Adams, Jared Allen, Assante Samuel! It would be an accomplish to get just 1 of those guys. It would destroy our salary cap to get half of them. Probowl free agents don't go to losing teams unless it is for major jack. The Patriots can bring in alot of free agent talent because they take them from bad teams and bad situations and they are willing to take paycuts to do it.
Bad teams are turned around via the draft. That is how you build a foundation. The players are much less expensive. Unless he's a 1st rounder, rookie contracts usually are not too hindering on the salary cap. Teams learn first hand if they are good players on their team and in their system before they have to give them a big payday with their first veteran contract.
Do you really want to bring in guys that we will have to pay franchise dollars to, guys who are willing to go to a bad team that doesn't have any hope at getting a championship title, but are willing to do it because they are gonna get a dumptruck full of cash dumped on them for it? Players that care mnore about the money than winning? Think about it from a free-agents perspective? Dispite what we think and hope for, we are the laughing stock of the NFL. When people think of bad teams the Raiders are now the first team to come to mind, not the Lions, not the Saints, not the Cardinals, not any of the teams that have held that dinstinction in the past. Do you really want players that would rather get paid more to be on a bad team than get paid less to play with a contender?
Check it out: We picked up Burgess for a smallish veteran contract because he didn't do much for the Eagles, but we saw something in him and he has made a great positive impact on OUR team. Now is when we pay out a big free-agent contract to our own veteran free-agent who has prooven himself to us. Randy Moss, on the other hand, got a ton of cash from us because he was a great player in Minnisota. Didn't work out with US though did he? All he did for us was take Al Davis' money.
The way to build a team is through the draft and by signing lesser known free-agents who are not going to break the bank. At this stage of our building process we should avoid paying huge contracts to anyone unless they have proven their worth to us The Raiders, not the Patriots, not the Cowboys, not, the Chiefs. Once we have a solid mostly homegrown roster with a good salary cap situation where guys are getting paid according to their real value to our team, that is when you start looking to sign superstar free agents to put us over the top.
-Ryan C.
You're on the money Ryan C. As much as I'd like to see some of those free agents, that would help us in the short term, similar to our Super Bowl team from the '02 season. The way the NFL is set up today you have to make the most of the draft and get maybe a couple of key free agents. Speaking of the draft, if McFadden is gone I'd go for Jake Long and then try and snag Jonathan Stewart from Oregon.
Bama7
Ryan's right but you could get one maybe two good FA's. I mean we do have the luxury of cutting about 90% of the team, saving money all over the board. And I think we have 28 million in cap room right now. Briggs would be tremendous for us because he is physical and stout against the run and we desperately need that on our defense.
This draft has several good DE's in it.
Not sure about Jake Long. Michigan has struggled mightily this year when a team with their talent should at least be able to run over most of their schedule. Maybe I'm stilled scarred by Gallery. Let's see how Jake does against Florida's speedy DE's. That game alone should tell the entire NFL all they need to know about where Jake Long will be drafted.
Kiffin: "First of all, we haven’t made any decisions yet. Those will come pretty soon. Just like I said, with players and stuff, we’re still going to get all the information in and get it all together before we make any changes. Like I said before, we’re going to do everything we can to put us in the best position to win. Whatever that is, whatever we have to look at, no different that what we did with players, putting players on the bench that had been starters, or whatever it is. We’re not worried about people’s feelings or any of that. We’re worried about winning. And we need to start winning. We need to do everything we can to put us in that position. So, we’ll look at everything."
Reports also indicate that we will choosing 3rd or 4th pick depending on the coin toss. Can we afford this pick at this position? We did JaMarcus.
Is McFadden the answer? And if he is what will we do about the Defensive side of the ball?
There are going to be some big changes in the next few weeks. And Kiffin and Al will make big changes I think.
First was that Kiffin mentioned during his post game conference that JaMarcus will be the start for 2008.
Next will be Ryan going bye, bye.
One thing that no one has mentioned is how Kiffin took a page out of Art Shell's book in dealing with Rhodes. I'm all for discipline, but just what purpose was served by sitting Rhodes all those games when he was our top(in terms of contract) FA signing of the offseason? In the salary cap era of the NFL that was money down the drain. It reminded me too much of the Porter situation from last year. If we're going by the mantra of "playing the players that give us the best chance to win," then we didn't do that. In today's NFL you have to make the most out of the 53 man roster. That and the handling of Bush are my only beefs with Kiffin in his inaugural season.
I meant to say Chris Long. I have Gallery flashbacks too, Bama.
Kiffin: "I have talked to Warren (about retiring). I am not going to comment on that until Warren talks to you guys. Warren has already made it known what he’s doing but I’m not going to take that from him. He’ll tell you guys whenever he’s ready.
Warren: "I will announce my decision soon"
Well, there you have it Raider Nation, Warren Sapp is retiring. At least that's how I read between those lines. All this suspense for nothing? I think not.
I herebye agree with DT being a key need position, and it's too bad this TBD person was not here to learn from the best.
Psycho
Rob's brother Rex got fired along with the whole staff in Baltimore today. Nah, we couldn't fire his brother and then hire him, could we?
I think if we didn't have some of the personell issues on D, people wouldn't be all up SOB's @ss.
Rhodes sat because the backs in front of him weren't giving him a chance. Lamont was pushing for the rushing title early, and we all know what Justin did when he got his chance. Kiff said contract is not a factor in playing time.
Speaking of RB's, Can anyone say last one standing!
hi guys, if we lose that coin flip to atlanta, it really won't kill us i don't think. they need a QB anyway and many of the mock drafts are slating them to pick BC's ryan.
there are so many things we need ie: D line is #1 priority BUT - if macfadden is there we gotta take him! saw some hilites on you tube and O-M-G! he and bush would make an awesome 1/2 punch OR he could be trade bait for us to get an impact player or 2 to shore up our real needs.
glad kiff's got his cleaning gear out 'cause there's gonna be some major changes next year. the future looks bright in the raider nation as long as al leaves him alone to do his thing. not bashing here but that is a fact.
you all have a safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A big money contract sitting on the bench is a big factor in not being able to sign players who could actually contribute to our team winning more games.
If anyone believes all we could give Rhodes before the last two games was 2 carries and kick return duty, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. It looks mighty strange that Rhodes put up 115 on JAX and 122 on SD and we couldn't fit him into the lineup?
Ooops, I forgot, we couldn't fit Bush into the lineup either to see what he's got. My bad.
Hopefully that kind of stuff will go the way of the dinosaurs next season. We can't afford mistakes like that in the salary cap era.
Rex Ryan would be nice. Everything we like about Rob, but with blitzing. Would it happen though? No. I think Kiffin has other plans. That would just be too....wierd.....for the players.
Psycho
Seems to me that all of the RB's looked equally well in the SYSTEM... Jordan, then Fargas, then Rhodes. Maybe Kiffin didn't like Rhodes attitude or work ethic? And we don't have enough information about Bush to compare either to the Shell/Porter situation.
Right now I've seen enough about Kiffin to trust his judgment on all of this rather than simply relying on wild speculation.
And I'm also not sure I agree with the person saying you build teams mostly through the draft... you have to remember the two teams that are doing this hit the lottery with Brady and Manning so they can afford to take safer picks, and resist the FA temptations. We came a stones throw away from winning a few rings mostly through free agency, and I am not convinced it can't be done again. The problem is you have to know when to cut your losses and that is Al's worst trait. If Al would have simply blown up the team the year after our SB loss.. we'd prolly already be a playoff team again.
...oops, hit send too early... to finish my thought... I think it's a mistake to try and build completely through the draft... it's filled with too many landmines. Draft well and provide good veteran FA LEADERSHIP. NE and Indy don't have to worry about the second part of the equation because they already have the leadership spots filled.
Watch how NE resigns Bruschi next season... they don't let their leaders go.
Just read Carl Stewart's article. He says Ryan is gone and Kiffin is looking at hiring dad. Interesting?
JF
I have to get back to Raider News but if Ryan is gone does that not portend Kiffin running the ship?
Do yourself a favor and read the Cael Stewart article.
Happy New Year to my fellow Raiders fans! The day is coming when we won't be in the top 10 of the draft and oh what a sweet day that will be.
There are landmines in drafting, no doubt(Gallery & Grove immediately come to mind) but free agency has landmines too:
Kerry Collins
Aaron Brooks
LaMont Jordan
Dominic Rhodes
That's just in recent history. The bottom line is that whether drafting or free agency, you've got to make good choices.
Also, the comparison to Shell/Porter was made regarding the situation between Rhodes/Kiffin. I said it would have better prepared us for the draft in April if we had gotten Bush some playing time so we would have a better idea of where we stand with regard to our RB corps.
Which begs the question for us now, is it our system or is it the running backs we have? If its the system then we'd be less inclined to snag McFadden if he's available at our draft position. Instead we could look to address other needs such as DE & LB. If its the RB, then it would behoove us to do as Minnesota did and get a RB that could make an immediate impact(and take pressure off of Russell by keeping the defense honest).
Raiderrealist, I disagree.
I think that because it is the system that is making our RBs this year, we take the game-breaker whose production will be accentuated by our ZBS system.
If Justin Fargas can go for 179 yards in half a game against Miami, what do you think McFadden can do?
I think if McFadden is available when our time comes, we take him. To me, it's a no-brainer.
I think you raise some valid points about maybe strengthening some other areas of need, but I also think that the RB area is one that we can raise to a world-beating level in one fell swoop. You don't get a chance to do that every year.
JMHO
---Jeff
Haven't read the posts, but I have a couple of comments.
I like Kiffin better every day. I've been saying for over a month that the answer to Take's question as to whether "Wait 'til next year!" was this year's battle cry is yes. I believe that Kiffin wanted to see for himself what was on this team, and what the source of its problems were. Now he knows, and he's willing to stay and fix it.
Gallery has earned himself a job, but Sims will be gone. Our running back trio next season will be Fargas, Rhodes, Bush (in that order to start the season). Walter is still under contract, but I suspect we'll trade him for a draft pick and get a very old free agent for number three QB. We will resign McCown.
I think Porter may very well be gone. He wasn't any trouble, but he didn't add anything either. Curry's lack of production concerns me. Higgins will have to work very hard in the off season.
Sapp will retire, Brayton will be gone, as well as Williams and Schweigert. Eugene will also be gone. Rout, I think will remain as a starting CB. Huff will be moved to FS. I think Washington will play nickle, as well as back up the starting CBs and FS. Kelly will move inside to DT. Kelly and Warren will occupy the middle of a 4-3.
Say hello to SOH. With no lower than the No. 4 pick, it might be a no brainer - with one exception. Wide Receiver! If we can get a 1st year starter at WR, we may pass on SOH. If we go for a WR, I'd like to see us put a package together (say a 2 & 4 round pick added with Walter) to move up far enough to get SOH with the second pick.
In JMac's blog he mentioned that some of the players said, "It looks like Kiffin is coming back." He thought they were the same players who used to ask if he thought Kiffin was staying. I think it likely that these are also the players who believe they will be gone if Kiffin stays. I think the players who are confident that they will be back, have never doubted that Kiffin will be back.
Say goodbye to SOB. In his four years here he has delivered one decent defense in questionable circumstances (last year). Reportedly he already has a job lined up.
Replacing him will not be Monte Kiffin. That would create a questionable chain of authority (at least in Monte's mind - as he has already stated). Likely it will be someone in the college ranks (most likely from USC).
A personnel guy (a defacto GM as it relates to player personnel) will be hired - by Kiffin (not Davis). Look for it to be a college recruiter who Kiffin knows and trusts.
These are my early predictions for off season movement.
It is amazing to me that some people can get on the "no more scholarships!" bandwagon, and then, at the end of the season, criticize Kiffin for following it.
In the "no more scholarships," philosophy, Kiffin said "everything counts" (including practice and attitude), and "playing time is not determined by the size of one's contract." If Rhodes wasn't getting playing time, one can only presume that he wasn't meeting Kiffin's standards [and how can you argue otherwise?]. In no way can that be compared to Shell and Porter. Sands got a big contract during the off season as well, and he wound up on the bench. Rhodes is no different.
Another amazing comment here - "Rhodes' 100 yard games were more impressive than Fargas' 100 yard games." Sheesh.
Happy New Year Jeff! I have no problem with drafting McFadden if he's there. A McFadden/Fargas or McFadden/Bush tandem could be our version of Fred Taylor/Maurice Jones-Drew.
What I'm saying is that if we consider ourselves a system team, we would fill other needs because the running game would be good enough to move the chains and take time off the clock. It goes towards the school of thought of putting big money on positions and players that would last longer since RBs have very short careers and get injured more often than other positions. I see the merits of both schools of thought. Its just that when you have a team with so many needs you have to be very careful about the choices you make.
Happy New Year Blanda!
As I said before(see my earlier posts) I'm all for discipline. But at what point does it get carried too far? Last year Porter was a pariah. Yet this season he's our leadingLet me ask you this. In the salary cap era of the NFL where you can only bring in a few high impact players through free agency, does it make sense to sit a guy all season that could be helping you win games, which is why they play the games in the first place, isn't it?
If Rhodes was such a disruption, why not cut him and then we could have let Bush get playing time to see what he had and thus help us prepare for the draft? Wouldn't cutting him have sent a much stronger message to the rest of the team than just sitting him game after game where he can poison the locker room? They did it with Mike Williams, why not Rhodes? Or do I detect a contradiction in the "no scholarships philosophy?" There's more than one way to skin a cat, you know.
Did you know that the last time a Raider RB ran for over 100yds against the Chargers was way back in 1997? If Rhodes could do that against the Chargers and Jaguars, would it have not been better to suspend him for two games and then run him in committee with Fargas as a 1-2 punch a la Taylor/Drew?
If "wait till next year" was the plan all along, then why is Kiffin so pissed and clearly disappointed by year's end? Why is he saying he was surprised at how unprofessional NFL players can be?
Nobody expected the Raiders to make the playoffs, Kiffin included, but most of us expected to win more than four games, Kiffin included. I expected more, most of you expected more, and Kiffin expected more.
Progress and disappointment are not mutually exclusive.
In no way should we be happy with four wins, three of them over awful teams.
This season was a serious wake-up call for whoever is and/or has been responsible for our personnel situation (and, apparently, our DC situation).
Let's not pretend it all went according to plan. It didn't. Not by a longshot.
Rob Ryan looks at an awful performance and bottom-of-the-league defensive stats and remains convinced that he he's doing a great job with great players.
Lane Kiffin looks at the roster and says "We'll get it fixed."
Therein lies the difference between the Kiffin era and the pre-Kiffin era.
Here's what Kiffin said Sunday night: "We'll go back to work and get this thing fixed. This isn't going to happen again. We're not going to be 4-12. We'reg oing to play better. We're going to play our style of ball. We're going to attack free agency, we're going to attack the draft, and we're going to do whatever it takes. We're going to look at every single thing to get better. This won't happen again, and our locker room will understand that, too, as well as our WHOLE BUILDING."
Funny, that sounds a lot like what I wrote Sunday night before seeing his postgame quotes on Monday morning.
Notice that he didn't just say locker room. He added "whole building." Good for him.
Take, don't misunderstand me (my fault if you are). My point is that Kiffin could have made a lot more moves this last off season than he did. He had certainly enough information to replace Sims, Gallery, Jordan, Porter, etc., but he waited to see for himself what he had, and took the risk for the consequences. What I'm saying is that Kiffin was prepared to lose a few extra games for the sake of far more inside knowledge. That paid off for players like Fargas and Gallery. As for Porter he learned that Porter doesn't have to be a distraction, but he's not a game breaker either.
realist, I guess what I'm saying is that we didn't lose anything by sitting down Rhodes, where we did lose something sitting down Porter last year. We actually gained something by sitting down Rhodes, and that is the knowledge that Fargas has been thus far underrated. I think we can be very comfortable with a RB trio of Rhodes, Fargas, and Bush for next season. We wouldn't have known that if Kiffin had kept inserting Rhodes instead of Fargas. And don't forget, Rhodes removed himself from the first four games of the season for substance abuse. So Rhodes came to camp putting himself in a position to fail. Fargas came to camp putting himself in a position to succeed.
Those are fair points BlandaRocked. Thanks and happy new year to all!
Kiffin is a man on a mission. He’s not happy, nor should he be, but he’s committed to excellence.
My hat is off to Lane Kiffin and what he accomplished this year, and with so little to work with. He picked the best available O coaching staff and pointed them in the right direction.
With a porous O-line, they managed to gain over 130 ypg as well as improve pass protection. They made an NFL RB out of Huggy Bear Jr. They found a position on the line to keep Gallery out of trouble (well, almost). They made a team player out of Jerry Porter. Ok. Pass O was marginal, but we played 4 different QB s, and both Culpepper and Russell missed camp, and Russell missed pre-season.
He provided a sound play book (genius compared to B & B playcalling), and game-planned his way to late-season victories over both KC and ShanaRat; thereby, ending a 17-game losing streak against the AFC West with a 2-game winning streak.
He had every reason to believe the D would be solid. Hell, even Sean “Raider Hater” Salisbury conceded we had a “playoff caliber” D last season. Consequently, I think kiffin gave SOB more room than he wanted to. That won’t happen again, nor do I believe SOB will be a Raider next week.
Rex Ryan just got fired after leading his D to #1 in the AFC against the run. Don’t tell me SOB’s job is safe after leading the Raiders to #31 against the run. Kiffin said himself, running the ball and stopping the run are top priority. Kiffin did his part, and SOB dropped the ball.
Anyone watching the Gator Bowl? I saw the beginning of the 1st qtr, and Chris Long knocked down a pass. He looks good. My instinct says pick Long, but I have to trust Kiffin to make the best pick for the Raiders.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL!
Yes, Blanda, we realize what a commodity we have in Rhodes now. But if we had platooned him with Rhodes couldn't we have saved some wear and tear on Fargas as well as had a very good rushing attack? It just seems a contradiction to me if we sit a guy all season for having a bad attitude that we would bring him back next year.
Also, I'm not advocating getting rid of Kiffin, I was approaching this from the goal of winning as many games as possible this year.
I can understand that Kiffin would want to see just what kind of hand he'd been dealt, but after 4 years of double digit losses the thought of another year like that so Kiffin could gain more inside knowledge is rather hard to swallow. Its better for the team's success in the long run, but not very palatable in the short term.
Happy New Year NY Raider!
Check out these articles:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/columnists/carlsteward/ci_7856024
According to Carl Steward Ryan is already gone.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_7848877
According to this one our personnel evaluator George Streeter has gotten the hook.
warren sapp is most likely gone. it appears from kiffin's comments that sob may be out as well. his comments yesterday to the media said the plan was to build on the defense, and developing a running game, and a defensive plan to stop the run. since the defense fell apart in their area this year, kiffin hinted that the film evaluation will decide sob's fate.
ryan c. teams are not built through the draft. more money is spent signing in-coming college players than free agents. the possibility of getting haynesworth (who was injured some of the season) and faneca is a real possibility. asante samuels will cost us, true. but "cap friendly" teams are not built on the draft. and when was the last time the raiders built their team on a draft, with exception of a few key players (i.e. marcus allen, tim brown, chaz woodson)? i expect a few key players to be drafted (younger o-line guys, receivers, safety, and chris long). but the o-line needs a captain at center, and some vet help; which doesn't come in the draft; unless you're lucky. but that type of caliber player is going to cost you more than a vet. just look at j-russ, and go search the type of monies the vets we signed received vs. the monies everyone we drafted last year received. it's pretty telling.
>>>>
Its better for the team's success in the long run, but not very palatable in the short term.
>>>>
That is why you are a fan instead of a coach. An 8-8 team that needs to be blown up to improve is no better than a 4-12 team that also needs to be blown up. Just means the draft pick is worse.
Happy New Year to you too, Gary.
my wish list for next season:
i'll take two impact players on offense and defense.
a D-coordinator that is aggressive, not passive, and some mean mfer's along the defense, and offense trenches.
also, Rb, julius jones is a free agent. i believe he'd fit in well with our system.
most of all, continue making kiffin happy, and keep his ass on the sideline in oaktown.
happy new year to all.
Bama7
Today we had a chance to see 3 guys that may be options for us in the 1st round. I can't figure out why college football makes you wait so long see decent bowl games and then puts 4 of them on at the same time today. Sux. My takes from what I watched, thinking of the draft:
1. SOH: I watched pieces of this game and SOH was neutralized on every play I watched. I only saw about 15 of his plays though (4 games on at the same times!) He was not a factor on any play I watched.
2. Jake Long LT Michigan: He looked pretty dang good to me. Florida was really just sending the house on D all day and Long did a really good job. He might be what we need. I think he's the real deal at LT.
3. McFadden: I still think he's the best and if he's available we have to take him. It's hard for him to look too good when Arkansas runs a backyard/high school offense and he shares times with Felix JOnes... and the Arkanasas pass game is dreadful. Mizzou was clearly a more dominate team, so the AR run game is kind of behind the 8 ball from the get-go.
My only problem with McFadden is the price tag. How are we going to pay another 60million dollar rookie?
SOH, I have a feeling he's not going to be to cheap either, and he comes with very high expectations (is he even a Raider fan? Does he sit sleepless at night hoping he WON'T be picked by the raiders? anyone???)
I say trade down. I would really like to see us grab that SS from Miami. Supposedly has a head for the game also (studies hard).
Of course this stuff is all irrelevent at this point. Who knows what will happen in FA before then.
We can speculate all we want, which is part of the fun, but the first week of free agency will tell what direction the draft will take.
Bama, SOH may have been nutralized on the four plays you saw, but he was picked as the player of the game for Virginia. Having said that I'm not sure he is the right choice for us even though I would really like seeing him in Silver and Black. If the Earth starts rotating backwards and we land Haynesworth we immediately upgrade provided he stays healthy. It gives us more options with the pick.
As for the other Long (Jake), he did look good. Watched him closely. But, Gallery looked pretty damn good in college also.
Rhodes more impressive than Fargas??? Fargas should be the Raiders' MVP this season.
If we land a solid LT and someone like Haynesworth, then I say trade down.
If we fire Rob, why would Rex want to come to the Raiders?
I don't think Monte Kiffin would come to the organization as a coach, but possibly in a some sort of consultant capacity to evaluate the defense. He's 68.
My favorite part of Kiffin's statement was that not only the everyone in the locker room would know, but "everyone in our building will know" Sounds like a man on a mission to me.
Just a few thoughts.
H
Bama7
Chris Long was player of the game for VA? You gotta be kidding me. Half the team finished with more tackles... three guys had sacks, he didn't. Scroll down to see complete stats...
http://texastech.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2007-2008/tt13.html
Bama- I only watched part of the 1st and most of the 4th of the Gator Bowl (btw, tough loss for Virginia). I saw SOH getting double-teamed on most plays. Still, he managed to get to the QB and knocked down 3 passes in the short time I watched. He’s a smart player and has a great mentor.
If money is going to be an issue, trading down for other college talent at safety, LB or other position may be an option.
It will be a balancing act to see if we get better value (and talent) from the draft or free agency. With the exception of our #1 and #2 picks, I’m still scratching my head over last year’s draft.
I watched the UVA game all the way thru, and while SOH got off to a slow start, he was relentless. He played both sides, rushed the passer 68 times and still had plenty in the tank at the end of the game. He was tough against the run and made plays from sideline to sideline.
McFadden is a great back but I can't see an RB in Rd 1--not when we need d-line and OT help and there are top caliber players there at those positions
Sirius NFL Radio reported this morning that Rob Ryan has been let go by the Raiders.
Bama7
I like the idea of taking SOH, I just feel a lot of pressure to hit a homerun with this pick. We cannot have any more 1st round busts... and no more top 5 picks that don't absolutely dominate. I'm not thinking SOH would be a bust, as he's surely a 1st round talent, but would he be worth taking #3 if we pick there? I was probably looking at him in yesterday's game with the thought that he would look like Reggie White at DE. I can remember watching Reggie White's games when he was at Tennessee and he would get doubled teamed every game, but still absolutely dominated, putting up huge stats every game. All I see from SOH's stat lines yesterday... in a loss where they gave up huge points... was 2 knocked down passes and a handful of tackles. A decent performance, but not one that tells me we HAVE to have this guy with the 3rd or 4th pick in the draft.
Agian, sentimentally i want him, but sentimentally I liked Art Shell too. Just don't want our love for him to be based mostly on who his father was. David Pollack won the hendricks award too, and was an awesome college talent and high draft pick. So far (had an injury) but he hasn't dominated.
Again, I'm just trying to discuss... not saying SOH shouldn't be our 1st pick.
First things first in the off season, and that's coaching staff. If SOB is out, who's coming in? Jason Jones had some pretty good thoughts.
USC likely displays the type of defense that Kiffin prefers, and they attack constantly and employ a fair amount of blitzing. The Raiders, with their LBs, are essentially built for this type of defense. With constant pressure on the QB, we have some pretty good ball hawks in our secondary and could wind up with a hell of a lot of interceptions.
Jones also suggests that USC's departing DC, going to UCLA, is Ken Norton (and I'm assuming this is former NFL LB Ken Norton, Jr.). He can be intercepted from UCLA by the pros, and Kiffin may beckon him.
A lot of folks are talking about McFadden, but with Fargas, Rhodes and Bush I don't think RB is a priority. The biggest priority on offense is WR. I think Porter is gone, and that leaves us with, essentially, Curry and Higgins. I don't think any of the also-rans on the practice squad or the IR should fit in our long term plans.
So that, to me is the biggest concern. We need a legitimate deep threat to start next season. Who will that be? Randy Moss is a free agent... Just kidding.
It's a weak draft for WR and it's a week free agency for WR. This is going to be a problem, folks. No free agency and no draft means trade. Trade who, and for what?
Someone made an interesting point... the Raiders might be better off losing the flip again because the number four pick is slotted salary-wise much less than the number three pick because last years number four signed a marginal contract... hmmmm.
And if SOH commands as many double teams as he did yesterday, its a no-brainer... one of the reasons our defense got shoved around was because they didn't have to double team anyone, especially on running plays (where Burgess isn't very good).
Oh, and raiderealist... sorry if you took offense... just saying the obvious. As FANS all of us have different expectations than coaches do. If you left it to the fans to call the shots, there would be very little long-term strategies. We are in it for FUN... Kiffin knows he might be out of a job if he doesn't get this team to the playoffs in the next few years. This year was pretty meaningless to him... nobody expected much. It's the next two that might command him the respect (and the huge contracts) that could set him for life. We don't have anything at all at stake...
Bama, yep SOH was player of the game for Virginia. I happen to be watching when the announcment was made. Don't recall if it was a FOX broadcast. That could have had an influence.
Blanda, the only standout WR I know of in free agency is Bernard Berrian. He may be tired enough of Rex Grossman to see what Russell has to offer.
Also, maybe they could get Will Muschamp from Auburn. Hell of a coordinator. Extremely agressive. But, I think he is looking to be a head coach somewhere at the end of next season.
My wish list:
Left Tackle
Defensive Tackle (run stuffer)
Wide Receiver
Depth and more depth.
In that order.
One article I read is reporting Kiffin strongly considering making Huff the free safety and bringing in someone to play strong safety.
As for losing the coin flip, that would be OK. Unless Atlanta makes somesort of blockbuster trade they will be looking at a quarterback or McFadden if he is still there.
H
Bama7
I think we should make a move for McFadden if Miami doesn't take him. No other position can change the fortunes of a team as quick as a stud/elite RB. What were the Chargers before LT? How about Minnesota before A. Peterson. Remmeber Bo getting the Kingdome monkey off our backs on prime time back in the late '80's? In college Georgi adidn't trun into the hottest team in college football until Knowshon Moreno started seeing the field... and I haven't seen anyone, but his coach, stop him yet. Not even a 10 man front could stop him last night.
I am thankful that Shanahan never got an elite back after Elway left. Had Shanny acquired an elite back after Elway was gone Denver would probably have one more superbowl ring. If Fargas, whom prior to this year looked like crap as an NFL RB, and Rhodes, who is a mere mediocre NFL RB, can get routine 100 yd games in our new cut block scheme, then an LT or an A Peterson could get 200. Can you imagine how that would change the dynamics of our games.
Mcfadden is that kind of back. The type than can take pressure off Russell, take pressure off our defense... and help our passing game all the way around.
Again, I'm not taking anything from SOH. I thought Russell was on eof those rare talents that you couldn't ignore in the draft, and with one pass against the Dolts you kind of see what he is capable of doing that other aren't. This year McFadden is another one of those game changing talents that only pop in the draft every ten years or so.
Damnit bama. I thought I had myself talked out of McFAdden.
Trade down a few spots and and grab that safety from Miami.
But you're right, and it's the reason I've lobbied for him for a long time. Diamond in the rough. Man amoung boys. The only thing that worries me is the $$$s.
And to the guy who said we might be better getting 4 instead of 3, you can always trade it, so you DEFINATELTY want to win the coin toss, regardless :-)
From what I hear, Kiffin knew what he had in Fargas by the time the season started. The only reason he didn't start him sooner is because he didn't want the headache of being accused of favoring USC guys after informing the team they were all on equal footing. In Fargas' first year here he showed great potential, and an ability to fumble. He got hurt early and was out for the season, then Turner almost refused to use him. He started to show his potential under Shell, then Kiffin got him to fully realize it. So don't underestimate Fargas.
I say this because I see a strong possibility, in fact I fully expect, that Kiffin will trade down. Why? To get more picks. What's the benefit? There is no coach in the NFL more familiar with the talent in this draft than Lane Kiffin. He recruited the best ones in an attempt to get them to USC. Kiffin will lose that knowledge in the next couple of years as he's in the NFL now, and the players he recruited will have matriculated.
I expect that in this draft Kiffin will go bargain hunting. He knows of whatever winners there are in the lesser rounds. Expect some surprises. I suspect that immediately after the draft, a lot of people will be saying WTF! Then they will be surprised by how many of the selections see playing time 2008.
I like McFadden but how much better can he make us--we were 6th in the league in rushing with Jordan/Fargas/Rhodes...and we were 22nd in defense...much more room for improvement with a top pick
McFadden is one hell of a talent, no doubt. He also opens up the halfback pass.
I just don't want to break the bank. There are too many holes, specifically at LT and DT, for me to say go for it. It would take one hell of a capologist to pull it off and still get the other help needed.
Kiffin already has his gameplan in mind. He stated he was going to "attack free agency".
Since we are throwing out different scenarios, he could trade the pick for a proven player, not necessarily a pro bowler, and still have a first round pick.
H
Bama7
All good points, H. Are there any quality LT's hitting free agency this year? The Michigan game left me wondering about the potential of Jake Long.
I really like Briggs a lot in FA. We can't get around the fact that we lack an enforcer on our D. We lack a run stuffing hitter on our D. We have lots of athletic talent over there, but no enforcer. We need a Romonowski/Ray lewes type to lead the D.
I'm a Georgia guy, and I know he's a thug, but Odell Thurman will or has been reinstated to the league and the Bengals will surely let him go as part of a roster make-over. Thurman is one hell of a physical LB. A hitter. I wonder if he fianlly realizes that he is out of "get out of jail free cards" and is ready to fly straight? I wonder if his past troubles would make him affordable dollar-wise? Thurman is a very nasty, physical football player.
http://www.ibabuzz.com/onthenfl/
2008/01/02/49ers-owners-still-cant-
figure-out-how-to-do-it/
IRA'S RIGHT (with regards to the raiders and davis that is!
mcfadden/bush would be awesome for us. don't let huggy bear jr. fool you. it was a contract year. he knows how the game is played. he runs hard and keeps his mouth shut but he ain't no mcfadden.
i know we need DL and OL help but that can be fixed through trade or FA assuming the right fitting FA are there.
OR if we don't get mac and go the trade the pick route, dallas' julius jones is an UFA. that would mean that they need a RB. they got what we need - multiple picks (and possibly a starter) and we got what they need - a good position to pick their new RB.
my defensive question to you guys is this - SOB is a 3-4 guy. he tried to implement that here but we didn't have the right personnel to run that scheme. he wasn't successful running a man/man scheme here and if he leaves and uses the 3-4 on the jets, then why not just leave him alone to put in his own scheme? after all, isn't that the scheme the rumored next DC kiffin sr. runs? my question is - what's the point of firing one 3-4 guy and bringing in another especially if we don't have the personnel?
whatever move kiffin makes would depend on davis.
Goodbye SOB! Is Monte on his way?
There won't be a Monte in Oakland.
Ira is never right in regards to Al Davis.
Switching to a 3-4 would be a really bad idea. We've got some good talent on Defense, and we're far better off building to what we have than blowing it all up and finding 11 new guys.
Scorpio, write Kiffin a letter and tell him that you weren't fooled by Fargas' performance because this was a contract year. Tell Kiffin that he shouldn't be fooled by him either. He's very likely waiting for your call.
Scorpio... Monte runs the "Tampa 2" which isn't much different than what we are running now... and relies on SPEED on defense... which is what Al drafts. I think it would be a perfect fit. A local Div two college hired a guy as his first head coaching gig, and the first thing he did was hire his father (a former head coach) as his offensive coordinator, so things like this do happen. Granted the NFL and Div 2 are light years apart, but it HAS been done. Monte has had some of the best defenses in the NFL and Gruden is basically keeping his frigging job because of it (his offenses are worse than the Raiders the last four years) time for the Raiders to reap his skills.
blanda there you go crying about the media again. cry, cry, cry! whahhhhh! you are one of those that think ALL media types are unfair to the raiders and most especially to al davis. there ARE good ones you know. i also recognize the fact that there are bad ones too. ira miller and glenn dickey are good ones. they don't write to sugarcoat us fans with what we want to hear. they write what they see, and that's the truth. sometimes the truth hurts baby! if we suck they'll tell us why we suck and why. if why we suck is because of the front office well then accept it. you think ira's article today pissed off whiner fans? probably because its true!
all i'm simply saying is that fargas is no mcfadden as far as talent is concerned. i would let fargas and jordan walk. i for one was screaming for DL help but we can address those and other needs through FA or trade. a mcfadden type doesn't come along very often. this guy's gonna take a heck of a load of pressure off YOUR BOY russell's back. with fargas' history of injuries do you wanna risk a huge larry johnson type payday on him for less than a couple of months success?
gary, i could go for bringing monte in. perhaps they can run some kind of a hybrid of the 2. but remember, he's one of the top paid coordinators in the league. and al doesn't like to pay his coaches. speaking of which.... i hope lane gets his payday of he proves himself.
I've always liked Fargas, even back in college when he single handedly clobbered my Hawkeyes in a bowl... but he's ALWAYS been injured. I don't see him as the answer as a featured back for this reason alone.
If they do draft McFadden I'd guess it means Kiffin thinks Bush is damaged goods. I don't see any other reason to draft him unless he is a for sure HOFer. And I don't like to read excuses why he isn't more dominant in college... great backs don't need them to excel in college simply because they are so much better than the players they are playing against. Bo Jackson could have had an ACTUAL highschool line/system and been untackleable in college.