Damn, I feel like I just typed up one of these columns yesterday, that is just the way that these last couple weeks have been. It’s felt like I haven’t had the time to take a good shit. And it’s important to be able to have the time to take a good healthy dump, because sometimes that’s the only place where the wife will leave you alone. Anyway, enough preambles, lets get right into what is on my mind after this past weekend.
1- Layoff Lane
I feel like this is quickly becoming the Lane Kiffin apologist blog, but the criticism of Lane following Saturday’s game is astounding. The bulk of the critique is aimed at Lane’s decision to let the world know that the Raiders were going to come out passing against the Cardinals.
The critics have lambasted Lane, “why would you announce ahead of time of your intentions”, “this was a major tactical error”, “when it wasn’t working they should he should have gone back to the run”.
Dear Critics, you are idiots, this is the preseason, the game doesn’t count.
The point of telling the other team that you are going to come out passing is that you want them to gameplan for that. You want to see how your passing attack stacks up against a team trying to shut it down. You want to know how the team is going to perform when it has to pass, and when you have to pass the other team knows it and attacks accordingly.
Trust me, Lane is hardly the only coach who is letting the other team know what they are doing prior to a preseason game. Detroit came out and ran their two minute offense to start this past weekends game, and if you take a look, the other team ran their prevent to start the game. You think that wasn’t planned out ahead of time between the coaches? The only thing that Lane did differently was he let all of us in on the secret prior to the game.
2 – I need to get my Fantasy draft review out
Had my second live draft of the season this past weekend. Got together with a bunch of Guys here in the burgh and sat around a living room drafting. And holy shit; there were some confounding moves. I mean stuff that really hurt my brain trying to figure them out.
Needless to say, when I tell you who the last pick of the 1st round was, and the 1st pick of the 2nd round was you are going to be lining up to get into this league next season and try to win the pot, since there is at least one player just lighting Franklins on fire.
3 – Nature rocks
Lots of time spent out in nature this weekend. I needed to get out and away from the house, cell phones and computers. Saturday morning we went hiking some mountain bike and horse trails nearby, at one point we stopped for five minutes and just watched a spider spin its web. I don’t know if that qualifies as a Zen experience, but just stopping to appreciate nature is something everyone should do.
Sunday I made the trek down to WV to the family land solo. While the local park was relaxing, it just doesn’t compare to the relaxation I get from hiking out into the forest where there is no one for miles. Brought my lunch, by bow and a target. Took target practice for about an hour, then I started hiking. Stopping at a ridgeline where I could over look the valley and the mountain across the way and just soaked in the sun as I devoured a sandwich. Watched a turkey strut, and squirrels frolic. To me there is nothing better that just being alone where I can quietly watch the world without any other people around.
4 – I don’t care who you are, your shit stinks too
I have a co-worker, we will call him Frank, Frank has a reputation for being one of the best in the company at his job. Frank fully believes that he is the best at his job, Frank believes that he is infallible, and that he knows best how to get any task done.
For the last three months Frank has been droning on and on at every meeting that he wants a certain task performed his way. We have been performing the task as per his instructions. Now there is a problem. Frank has disavowed any knowledge of ever instructing us to perform in the manner resulting in the problem. This is typical Frank.
Now don’t try to tell Frank that you have been doing what he wants, according to Frank that’s just not true. Don’t try telling the Project Manager, he loves Frank, Frank can do no wrong. I hate Frank.
5 – As much as I love going there, I could never live in WV
A sad truth struck me this weekend. As much as I love going to the Family land in West Virginia, I could never set up a home and live there. And there is one simple reason for this: I can’t grow a beard.
As I drove up the dirt road to the land I pass some of the neighbors (i.e. people who live within a mile of us). All of them proudly wore full beards. When I stopped at the local general store, only three miles from my place, even the 17 year old behind the register had the scraggly start to his facial masterpiece on display.
I am well into my 3rd decade on this planet; I still need only to shave twice a week. I would never be able to fit into the mountain man culture down there, I just wouldn’t be able to fit in, and that saddens me, damn you genetics.
6 – The injury bug hits, and proves Lane right
Back to the Raiders, there were two major injuries to the Raiders this weekend as both Carter and O’Neil went down with season ending knee injuries. Of course, as luck would have it, both of them play positions where there is little to no depth behind them.
We all knew coming into this season that the Raiders were one injury away from major problems at WR, hell there were major problems there without injury. As camp progressed we were regularly informed that the receivers on the roster just weren’t getting it done, and many of them were having trouble staying on the field.
At FB, the Raiders looked damn good at both starter and back up. Griffen plays at a probowl level, and O’Neil was pushing him for playing time last season, combined with the RB’s, the Raiders had an embarrassment of wealth at the position. But looking at the depth chart the Raiders were only 2 deep at FB, sure Rankin was getting some time at H-back, but for all the wear and tear a FB receives, you should at least have a camp body there.
Now the Raiders have a major problem, cut downs are upon us, and there is nobody to step up, nobody has been brought in to get some sort of handle on the system. The Raiders are either going to have to keep a WR that should be on the street or pick up someone who has no experience in the system.
At FB, the Raiders now have to bring in another body, once again some one with no experience in the system, the Raiders are a run 1st team, and now Griffen will have to play extra time, opening him up to injury. Bad things man.
7 – For those looking for Haters
Raider Nation loves to claim that the media is full of Haters, everyone is out to cut down the Raiders at every chance they get. Well Nation, we finally have a true outlet in the media for your disdain.
Marty Schottenheimer has joined Sirius NFL radio. As I type this he and Adam Schein are discussing the Raiders potential for the upcoming season. Marty has the Raiders pegged for 3 wins. When pressed on the issue, his reasoning is…”They are the Raiders”. That’s it, no insight, no reasoning; just “they are the Raiders”.
OK, I will give you that one Nation that is a hater. Schottenheimer went on to disparage Al Davis’s contributions to the league, claiming that he never did anything for the good of the league, he only looked out for the Raiders. Go Fuck yourself Marty, Davis has arguably done as much for the league as any other Owner.
You want to know why you are no longer a coach in the league Marty, because of one thing, when it came to the playoffs you knew that your team was going to lose, for one simple reason, “(Insert Team Name) is coached by Marty”.
Showing posts with label Adam Schein Sucks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adam Schein Sucks. Show all posts
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Preseason SuperStars
Robert Meachem is going to be a star in the NFL. How do I know this, the former 1st round draft pick torched the Cardinals 3rd string in last nights preseason game. The injuries and poor work habits are behind him, the one year wonder label attached to him in the draft has been ripped away. Once he lines up across from Colston and with Shockey in the line-up the Saints will be unstoppable.
Wow, that paragraph looks pretty ridicules when you read it doesn’t it. But it isn’t that far off from the kind of thing you are going to read and here in the coming weeks as the NFL preseason hits full stride.
This morning on the Sirius Blitz, Brickinthebox whipping boys Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots expressed how they knew this kind of breakout was coming based on what they had learned from talking to Saints players and staff this off-season. Never mind a week ago when Wilcots was at Saints training camp he made a point of not mentioning Meachem when discussing the Saints outstanding depth at WR.
Meachem wasn’t the only player to gain the attention of the media and fans last night. In the New England / Baltimore game Lamont Jordan had a good night for him. Leading the aforementioned windbags to transition from their Meachem praise to talking about what a great fit Lamont is in New England. Lets remember one thing before we hand Lamont the comeback player of the year award, you give a RB that you are sure of the rock almost 20 times in a preseason game.
And while we are on the subject of the Pats / Ravens game, a couple Raiders sites I frequent are abuzz with the performance of Fabian Washington in that game. He came away with two picks. Before you get your dander up over the Raiders letting Washington get away, look at whom he did this against. It wasn’t Brady, Moss and Welker. It was Matt Cassel and Gutierrez. With the kind of pressure the Ravens bring, Washington better look good against these scrubs.
Which brings me to the point of this posting. As we watch these preseason games, you need to take everything with a grain of salt. Next to no game planning goes into the 1st two games. The Raiders haven’t put in special protections for the Niner’s 3-4. The Raiders defense hasn’t spent time studying the Martz offense. Sure they practiced against each other a couple days ago, so they have a better feel for the opponent then most teams do going into the 1st game of the preseason. But it is going to be base offense and defense calls.
So enjoy finally getting to watch you team this weekend, it has been Seven long months since we could enjoy any form of NFL football. But don’t put much stock into how a player looks this week, especially if they are playing after the 1st two series. Look for solid fundamentals, and pray for no injuries. At this point that is all that can truly be taken from these games. Wins and losses don’t matter and stat lines are meaningless. You are getting to see players take a mid-term exam during the learning season. Finals won’t be for a few weeks.
Wow, that paragraph looks pretty ridicules when you read it doesn’t it. But it isn’t that far off from the kind of thing you are going to read and here in the coming weeks as the NFL preseason hits full stride.
This morning on the Sirius Blitz, Brickinthebox whipping boys Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots expressed how they knew this kind of breakout was coming based on what they had learned from talking to Saints players and staff this off-season. Never mind a week ago when Wilcots was at Saints training camp he made a point of not mentioning Meachem when discussing the Saints outstanding depth at WR.
Meachem wasn’t the only player to gain the attention of the media and fans last night. In the New England / Baltimore game Lamont Jordan had a good night for him. Leading the aforementioned windbags to transition from their Meachem praise to talking about what a great fit Lamont is in New England. Lets remember one thing before we hand Lamont the comeback player of the year award, you give a RB that you are sure of the rock almost 20 times in a preseason game.
And while we are on the subject of the Pats / Ravens game, a couple Raiders sites I frequent are abuzz with the performance of Fabian Washington in that game. He came away with two picks. Before you get your dander up over the Raiders letting Washington get away, look at whom he did this against. It wasn’t Brady, Moss and Welker. It was Matt Cassel and Gutierrez. With the kind of pressure the Ravens bring, Washington better look good against these scrubs.
Which brings me to the point of this posting. As we watch these preseason games, you need to take everything with a grain of salt. Next to no game planning goes into the 1st two games. The Raiders haven’t put in special protections for the Niner’s 3-4. The Raiders defense hasn’t spent time studying the Martz offense. Sure they practiced against each other a couple days ago, so they have a better feel for the opponent then most teams do going into the 1st game of the preseason. But it is going to be base offense and defense calls.
So enjoy finally getting to watch you team this weekend, it has been Seven long months since we could enjoy any form of NFL football. But don’t put much stock into how a player looks this week, especially if they are playing after the 1st two series. Look for solid fundamentals, and pray for no injuries. At this point that is all that can truly be taken from these games. Wins and losses don’t matter and stat lines are meaningless. You are getting to see players take a mid-term exam during the learning season. Finals won’t be for a few weeks.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Free Agency - Day 4
Four full days have passed in free agency and the signing are starting to slow down. The majority of the top flight guys have signed, and teams are starting to sort through the scrap heap to identify players who fit their scheme and can help out as role players.
In my opinion, this is where teams get the best value from free agency. Sure the 1st few days are fun for fans, signing that big name is exciting, tracking the movements of the big name players keeps the NFL at the forefront of the daily sports news cycle. But the money spent is rarely matched by the on field performance. When you look a little deaper at the signings, you are left to wonder if the teams really improved themselves dishing out these huge contracts, while teams who have sat on the sidelines while the big money was spent, now are free to bring in players who fit their schemes and will make a bigger impact for their team.
For example, look at Justin Smith’s signing in San Francisco. Smith was the premier free agent DE. His signing in San Fran was a big splash as they outbid other suitors like Minnesota for his services. But take a closer look at Smith. He has played base end in a 4-3 defense in Cincy. He is under sized for the role of DE in the 3-4 that Nolan has been installing in San Fran. I have trouble seeing how he is an upgrade at the position for Nolan. Are the Niners going to run more 4-3 this season and move to the hybrid scheme? Or are they going to force a round peg into a square hole?
A similar thing has occurred in New York. The Jets traded with Carolina for DT Kris Jenkins. Jenkins has played a one-gap technique in Carolina where it was his job to penetrate the backfield and wreak havoc on the offense. Now he has a shiny new contract in New York. Where he is going to be asked to play nose in a 3-4 hybrid D. Once again, how does he fit? Sure it’s a big splash move that gets the fan base excited, but how is he an upgrade over Robertson? You know the DT who has been miscast as a NT the last two seasons in the Jets D.
That said, there are teams who are standing pat that lead me to scratch my head and wonder why they haven’t jumped into the pool. Tennesse is at the top of my list. This team seemed poised to compete for a playoff spot coming out of a tough AFC South. Sure I’m not a big believer in Vince Young, he is way too erratic in the pass game for my taste, and they have signed a big TE in Crumpler who is used to a QB with Vince’s limitations, but he was signed on the cheap and the Titans have taken steps backwards everywhere else.
I compared the Titan’s receiver core to the Raider’s last season following their game. If I’m comparing your receiving core to the Raiders, you know you are in trouble. Young needs help at WR, if you believe in this kid you need to find him somebody to help. The Titans have just watched from the sidelines as the top FA wide receivers have signed elsewhere. Maybe they believe that changing their OC will fix the problem, somehow I doubt it.
But the more confusing thing in Tennesee has been how they have allowed their own free agents to leave at an alarming rate. Both Odom and LaBoy are gone from what was a formidable DL rotation when Haynesworth was healthy. Jacob Bell was allowed to leave on the Oline opening up yet another hole to address in the offense. The Titans have taken two steps back so far this off season, and are now not only looking up at the Jags and Indy, but could also be looking up at an improving Houston team in the AFC South.
The Oakland WR situation
What, you thought I’d write about free agent movement without addressing the Raiders, common, what were you thinking.
The Raiders WR depth chart currently looks like this:
Ronald Curry
Johnnie Lee Higgins
Tim Dwight
Chris McFoy
Will Buchanon
Todd Watkins
Well there is a group sure to strike fear into opposing DC’s. Now I may not be as down on this group as some Raider fans. Curry can be an excellent possession receiver, I’d like to see Higgins used much like Wes Welker in NE as a slot receiver using his speed in the slot on slants and crosses rather than trying to go deep every play. Buchanon has shown flashes as a downfield threat in preseason. But overall I have to admit this group is weak.
As for what was available in FA, I know that most of Raider nation was clamoring for Berrian or Stallworth, but I’m not upset that neither of them came to Oakland. Berrian got way more money than he is worth from Minnesota. He would have been a great signing for a team with an established #1 wideout. But he is not a #1 threat, and for a team like Oakland he would have been just another incomplete part.
The same goes for Stallworth, once again he has shown exciting flashes, but he cannot stay healthy when he is given a heavy workload. He went to a team where he will fit in, Cleveland, but he was not a fit in Oakland.
Fortunately there are still two WR’s who could improve Oakland’s pass attack on the market. First is the free agent I have liked the most since I started looking at potential signings, D.J. Hackett. Hackett would have been the premier FA wide out had he been healthy last season. Fortunately those health concerns have left him unsigned through the crazy money stage of free agency. The Raiders could now swoop in and sign him to a reasonable contract and he will immediately improve the Raiders core. He knows the west coast system; he has the speed to stretch the field, and is an excellent rout runner. Hackett would also demand double coverage opening up Curry, Miller and Hackett on intermediate routs.
The second option out there is less proven than Hackett. Bryant Johnson has been buried on the depth chart in Arizona behind Fitzgerald and Johnson. But has performed well when given the opportunity to start. I have my doubts whether or not he can be a true #1, but he would be an upgrade over the Raiders current cast.
New England stems the blood loss
Well if I’m going to continually point out how NE is loosing key pieces, its only fair to point out when they manage to keep one. Resigning Moss was essential to New England staying near the top in the AFC. I still think they will fall back to earth, but this was the 1st step towards keeping the team in the hunt.
Now the Pats will do what got them to the top in the 1st place, not the crazy grab every name Daniel Snyder free agency spree they tried last year, but the careful evaluate and sign process that Pioli excelled at in previous years. There are plenty of solid linebackers to be had and it shouldn’t be too hard to replace Randall Gay.
Sirius NFL Radio Gets it Right
In my last diatribe I called the NFL blitz the worst show on Sirius NFL radio. And what do I here when I turn on my Radio Monday. They have lost the prime afternoon drive slot and have been moved to earlier in the day. And while I’d love to take credit, I know that my criticism was too recent to have had any bearing on the move (plus I only have 2 readers).
And while I would have preferred the insipid Adam Schein have been fired outright, at least he is no longer on when I listen the most.
Damn, work is calling, so I’m cutting it there for today. Thoughts on Big Ben getting paid, Favre retiring, why Schein sucks and wideouts in the draft will have to wait.
Leave a comment.
In my opinion, this is where teams get the best value from free agency. Sure the 1st few days are fun for fans, signing that big name is exciting, tracking the movements of the big name players keeps the NFL at the forefront of the daily sports news cycle. But the money spent is rarely matched by the on field performance. When you look a little deaper at the signings, you are left to wonder if the teams really improved themselves dishing out these huge contracts, while teams who have sat on the sidelines while the big money was spent, now are free to bring in players who fit their schemes and will make a bigger impact for their team.
For example, look at Justin Smith’s signing in San Francisco. Smith was the premier free agent DE. His signing in San Fran was a big splash as they outbid other suitors like Minnesota for his services. But take a closer look at Smith. He has played base end in a 4-3 defense in Cincy. He is under sized for the role of DE in the 3-4 that Nolan has been installing in San Fran. I have trouble seeing how he is an upgrade at the position for Nolan. Are the Niners going to run more 4-3 this season and move to the hybrid scheme? Or are they going to force a round peg into a square hole?
A similar thing has occurred in New York. The Jets traded with Carolina for DT Kris Jenkins. Jenkins has played a one-gap technique in Carolina where it was his job to penetrate the backfield and wreak havoc on the offense. Now he has a shiny new contract in New York. Where he is going to be asked to play nose in a 3-4 hybrid D. Once again, how does he fit? Sure it’s a big splash move that gets the fan base excited, but how is he an upgrade over Robertson? You know the DT who has been miscast as a NT the last two seasons in the Jets D.
That said, there are teams who are standing pat that lead me to scratch my head and wonder why they haven’t jumped into the pool. Tennesse is at the top of my list. This team seemed poised to compete for a playoff spot coming out of a tough AFC South. Sure I’m not a big believer in Vince Young, he is way too erratic in the pass game for my taste, and they have signed a big TE in Crumpler who is used to a QB with Vince’s limitations, but he was signed on the cheap and the Titans have taken steps backwards everywhere else.
I compared the Titan’s receiver core to the Raider’s last season following their game. If I’m comparing your receiving core to the Raiders, you know you are in trouble. Young needs help at WR, if you believe in this kid you need to find him somebody to help. The Titans have just watched from the sidelines as the top FA wide receivers have signed elsewhere. Maybe they believe that changing their OC will fix the problem, somehow I doubt it.
But the more confusing thing in Tennesee has been how they have allowed their own free agents to leave at an alarming rate. Both Odom and LaBoy are gone from what was a formidable DL rotation when Haynesworth was healthy. Jacob Bell was allowed to leave on the Oline opening up yet another hole to address in the offense. The Titans have taken two steps back so far this off season, and are now not only looking up at the Jags and Indy, but could also be looking up at an improving Houston team in the AFC South.
The Oakland WR situation
What, you thought I’d write about free agent movement without addressing the Raiders, common, what were you thinking.
The Raiders WR depth chart currently looks like this:
Ronald Curry
Johnnie Lee Higgins
Tim Dwight
Chris McFoy
Will Buchanon
Todd Watkins
Well there is a group sure to strike fear into opposing DC’s. Now I may not be as down on this group as some Raider fans. Curry can be an excellent possession receiver, I’d like to see Higgins used much like Wes Welker in NE as a slot receiver using his speed in the slot on slants and crosses rather than trying to go deep every play. Buchanon has shown flashes as a downfield threat in preseason. But overall I have to admit this group is weak.
As for what was available in FA, I know that most of Raider nation was clamoring for Berrian or Stallworth, but I’m not upset that neither of them came to Oakland. Berrian got way more money than he is worth from Minnesota. He would have been a great signing for a team with an established #1 wideout. But he is not a #1 threat, and for a team like Oakland he would have been just another incomplete part.
The same goes for Stallworth, once again he has shown exciting flashes, but he cannot stay healthy when he is given a heavy workload. He went to a team where he will fit in, Cleveland, but he was not a fit in Oakland.
Fortunately there are still two WR’s who could improve Oakland’s pass attack on the market. First is the free agent I have liked the most since I started looking at potential signings, D.J. Hackett. Hackett would have been the premier FA wide out had he been healthy last season. Fortunately those health concerns have left him unsigned through the crazy money stage of free agency. The Raiders could now swoop in and sign him to a reasonable contract and he will immediately improve the Raiders core. He knows the west coast system; he has the speed to stretch the field, and is an excellent rout runner. Hackett would also demand double coverage opening up Curry, Miller and Hackett on intermediate routs.
The second option out there is less proven than Hackett. Bryant Johnson has been buried on the depth chart in Arizona behind Fitzgerald and Johnson. But has performed well when given the opportunity to start. I have my doubts whether or not he can be a true #1, but he would be an upgrade over the Raiders current cast.
New England stems the blood loss
Well if I’m going to continually point out how NE is loosing key pieces, its only fair to point out when they manage to keep one. Resigning Moss was essential to New England staying near the top in the AFC. I still think they will fall back to earth, but this was the 1st step towards keeping the team in the hunt.
Now the Pats will do what got them to the top in the 1st place, not the crazy grab every name Daniel Snyder free agency spree they tried last year, but the careful evaluate and sign process that Pioli excelled at in previous years. There are plenty of solid linebackers to be had and it shouldn’t be too hard to replace Randall Gay.
Sirius NFL Radio Gets it Right
In my last diatribe I called the NFL blitz the worst show on Sirius NFL radio. And what do I here when I turn on my Radio Monday. They have lost the prime afternoon drive slot and have been moved to earlier in the day. And while I’d love to take credit, I know that my criticism was too recent to have had any bearing on the move (plus I only have 2 readers).
And while I would have preferred the insipid Adam Schein have been fired outright, at least he is no longer on when I listen the most.
Damn, work is calling, so I’m cutting it there for today. Thoughts on Big Ben getting paid, Favre retiring, why Schein sucks and wideouts in the draft will have to wait.
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