Monte Poole - Oakland Tribune Columnist Sounds Early Death Tong On Raiders Season

Poof goes buzz: Raiders face most demoralizing year
Column by Monte Poole - Oakland Tribune

THEY HAVE endured losing seasons, 14 in all. They have submitted atrocious seasons, six times owning or sharing last place in the division.

So the Raiders are more familiar with failure than they are willing to acknowledge.

But never have they been as pathetic as they are now.

To contrast the anticipation in the air 60 days ago to the powerlessness now felt is to realize 2006 is making a strong bid to become the most depressing, demoralizing season in Raiders history.

Or have you forgotten the vigor of springtime?

They rehired head coach Art Shell, a popular former Raider who symbolizes the glory days and did a good job the first time around. There was just enough comfort and applause to obscure the skepticism.

They unveiled a new ticketing system, dumping the despised public seat licenses, theoretically righting a colossal wrong. This didn't please all, but it was spun as a goodwill gesture from an organization perceived to be disdainful of the concept.
They spoke boldly in training camp, describing power running and deep passing, about imposing their will and dominating opponents.

They generated momentum in the preseason, winning four of five, seemingly a response to Shell and his staff. They sold out their home opener, sending the Raider Nation, eager to purge the past three years, to the edge of frenzy.

The plan, it appeared, was working. The Raiders were ready to reclaim lost respect.

And . . . poof! In minutes, the buzz was gone.

That was nine days ago. So soundly was the team overpowered and the coaching staff overmatched that the Raiders were showered with boos in the first quarter of the first game.

So much for consistently selling out home games and taking advantage of the advertising that comes with appearing on local TV.

Suddenly, Oakland has gone from being a sleeper pick to make the playoffs to a team some speculate is the worst in the league.

It's not speculation, though, that the Raiders will attempt to alienate selected individuals, weakening the team and putting chemistry at risk.

Seeing Shell face media and fans, insisting the team is better with wide receiver Jerry Porter on the bench, mocks the "Just win, baby," slogan. Maybe that slogan should have died 15 years ago, when Marcus Allen, a great player and teammate, was punitively benched to the detriment of the team.

To paraphrase defensive tackle Warren Sapp, a blind man can see Porter can help Oakland's offense.

It's not speculation that the Doug Gabriel trade baffles or that Alvis Whitted, 32, is seeking his first productive season.
Gabriel had become a solid, versatile receiver, demanding attention from defenses, and moving him put a smell in the locker room. It's unfair to ask Whitted, who should be a fourth receiver, to compromise his speed by running into traffic.

It's not speculation that Randy Moss, the team's most gifted weapon, is displeased. His enthusiasm is dimming — he went into cruise control a couple of times Sunday at Baltimore — suggesting his hopes are rapidly deflating.

It's not speculation that Oakland's offensive unit is the league's worst and its line embarrassingly bad.
"We can't even get the quarterbacks into their stances," concedes tight end Courtney Anderson.

"We have the makings of a good offense," running back LaMont Jordan says. "But what we don't have is execution that we need to show it. We can talk about how we have good players, talk about this, that and the other. But in the NFL, the only time talking gets you a victory is when you're on the debate team."

Instead, debate around the league regarding the Raiders is about their ineptitude. ESPN is piling on, with unflattering columns and TV commentators openly wondering if they can win one game.

Always willing to stand up for themselves, the Raiders are in no position to fight back. They are no closer to the playoffs than W's posse is to Osama. No closer to the Super Bowl than you are to $1-a-gallon gasoline.

The Raiders are close, however, to NFL irrelevance.

During losing seasons past, there was the sense Al would wake up and reset his brain cells. He did it when John Madden retired, did it when he hired Mike Shanahan, did it after the mistake that was Joe Bugel.

Somehow, Davis manages to remind us he remains a potent force.

Can't help wondering now if Al is out of comebacks. That seen during spring and summer was a mirage. Visible now is a deficient roster, discouraging the fan base, hurting marketing in an important year.

The Raiders set out to make a statement in'06. They are doing exactly that, presenting a team without answers, an organization grasping at straws, quite capable of reaching a new low.

Art Shell - Raiders Head Coach's Press Conference After Ravens Game - Video Set

This is a three-part video set of the press conference featuring Oakland Raiders Head Coach Art Shell after the lost to the Baltimore Ravens. In it, Coach Shell adresses a lot of questions about the offense.

Part One:



Part Two



Part Three

NY Giants Eli Manning To Plaxico Buress TD Vs. Phili Eagles - Video

This is a video of that dramatic touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Buress to give the NY Giants the win in overtime vs. the Eagles.

Billy Volek To Chargers - Titans Erase Mentors For Vince Young

One by one, they're eliminating the mentors for Vince Young. Let's see how this approach works.

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- After watching two division rivals lose their starting quarterbacks to injuries, the San Diego Chargers obtained Billy Volek from Tennessee on Tuesday to give them a veteran behind first-year starter Philip Rivers.

Volek wanted out of Tennessee since being demoted to third-stringer behind rookie Vince Young after the Titans signed Kerry Collins. He got his wish, but the deal was delayed for obvious reasons because the Titans played the Chargers on Sunday. San Diego won 40-7 to improve to 2-0 atop the AFC West. Volek was the inactive third QB.

"He's awfully enthusiastic about joining a team with the quality that the Chargers represent," said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. "This is a nice opportunity for Billy to go to a team that is playing very well right now, and has a need for a veteran quarterback."

Rosenhaus was involved in the deal because Volek, who played at Fresno State, had to waive his no-trade clause in order to return to his home state.

The Chargers, who opened the season with the untested Rivers and rookie Charlie Whitehurst as their only quarterbacks, gave up a sixth-round draft pick that could become a fifth-rounder if Volek participates in 50 percent of San Diego's offensive plays this year.

"I think we're a good football team and I'd like to protect it," general manager A.J. Smith said. "We just like his experience factor, and he's a pretty solid quarterback. More importantly, the reason is it adds depth. He was looking for a change of scenery and we were contemplating if he was the right guy to add to our depth."

Division rival Kansas City reportedly inquired about Volek after Trent Green suffered a concussion in the Chiefs' season opener. On Sunday, Oakland lost Aaron Brooks for two to four weeks with a strained pectoral muscle. The Chargers sacked Brooks nine times in a season-opening 27-0 win.

Volek was chosen as the Titans' starter in June after Steve McNair was traded to Baltimore. But when the Titans signed Collins on Aug. 29, Volek was dropped behind Young on the depth chart.

Rivers, a third-year pro, began the season with zero NFL starts and one touchdown pass. In San Diego's two routs, he's completed 33 of 46 passes (71.7 percent) for 343 yards and two touchdowns.

San Diego's only other quarterback through two games was rookie Charlie Whitehurst. He made his NFL debut in mop-up duty Sunday and scored on a 14-yard run with 1:53 left. His father, David, played for the Green Bay Packers from 1976-83.

San Diego released veteran backup A.J. Feeley on Aug. 28.

Volek is 3-7 as a starter, including eight starts in 2004 when McNair had a sternum injury. He made his second career start that season at San Diego, throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-17 loss.

Rosenhaus said he anticipated Volek would fly to San Diego on Tuesday. The Chargers are off this weekend before facing their toughest test yet, at Baltimore on Oct. 1.

"It's very fortuitous that the club has a bye this week because it gives Billy a chance to learn the system and acclimate himself before the next ballgame," Rosenhaus said.

COLTS RB JOSEPH ADDAI, SAINTS WR MARQUES COLSTON, 49ERS LB MANNY LAWSON, PATRIOTS RB LAURENCE MARONEY, & PANTHERS RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS For ROW

From NFL Media.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COLTS RB JOSEPH ADDAI, SAINTS WR MARQUES COLSTON,
49ERS LB MANNY LAWSON, PATRIOTS RB LAURENCE MARONEY
& PANTHERS RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS

CANDIDATES FOR DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF WEEK HONORS

Fans To Vote For Winner On NFL.com and Via Sprint Wireless Service

Running back JOSEPH ADDAI of the Indianapolis Colts, wide receiver MARQUES COLSTON of the New Orleans
Saints, linebacker MANNY LAWSON of the San Francisco 49ers, running back LAURENCE MARONEY of the New
England Patriots and running back DE ANGELO WILLIAMS of the Carolina Panthers are the finalists for DIET PEPSI
NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK honors for games played on September 17-18, the NFL announced today.

Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com beginning Tuesday at 9am EST and ending on Thursday at 5pm
EST to determine the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK. The DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK will be
announced Thursday evening on NFL.com.

In addition, for the second year, NFL fans may cast their votes for the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK using
phones with Sprint wireless service - an opportunity available only to Sprint customers. This fast, convenient voting
method involves texting the word PEPSI to short code 7777. Sprint customers will then receive an interactive text
message that links fans to the ballot with the five finalists each week. Data and text messaging rates may apply.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for
the winner on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced
at a press conference at Super Bowl XLI in South Florida.

A closer look at the finalists:

- Indianapolis' Joseph Addai carried 16 times for 82 yards in the Colts’ 43-24 victory over the AFC South-rival
Houston Texans. Addai added two receptions for 22 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown catch-and-run to put
the Colts up 14-0 in the first quarter. It was Addai’s first career NFL touchdown.

- New Orleans' Marques Colston caught four passes for 58 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown reception in the
fourth quarter of the Saints’ 34-27 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Colston has now caught a touchdown
pass in each of his first two NFL games.

- San Francisco's Manny Lawson recorded three tackles, two sacks and two quarterback pressures in the 49ers’
20-13 win over the St. Louis Rams. Lawson was a key factor in San Francisco’s defense holding the Rams to 185
passing yards on the day. He recorded sacks on the Rams’ opening drives of both the first and third quarters.

- New England's Laurence Maroney ran for 65 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries in the Patriots’ 24-17
victory over the New York Jets. Maroney recorded his first career NFL touchdown on a one-yard run in the third
quarter to put the Patriots in front 24-0.

- Carolina' s DeAngelo Williams carried 13 times for 74 yards and one touchdown in the Panthers’ 16-13 overtime
loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Williams scored his first career NFL touchdown on a three-yard run in the second
quarter. He also added five catches for 24 yards and returned four kickoffs for 86 yards in the game.

This is Pepsi’s fifth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the second year that Diet Pepsi will present the
NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.

Selma Blair Caught In Argument With Ex-Hubby - Enquirer

Man, I didn't know Selma Blair was even married until now! Where have I been? I've got to admit she's got the simple combination West Cost / Midwest girl-next-door look down to a fine science. I guess her now-ex-hubby Ahmet Zappa (think son of the late and lengendary rocker Frank Zappa) thought so too, because he married her in 2004.

I only became aware of Selma via the movie "Cruel Intentions" -- one of my favorites. In the movie, which also features now coupled Ryan Philippe and Reese Witherspoon, Blair became very well-known for this kiss:



Well she's not going to be kissing on Zappa anytime soon because they had a nasty argument in a parking lot, which ended with her screeching off in her car after he walked off.

She's on the market and free to give a kiss like the one above to some deserving guy -- this time!

Suri Cruise Rumored Not To Be Tom Cruise's Baby - Enquirer

The Enquirer reports that the much celebrated baby of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes is not the product of whatever sexual intercourse the couple had. This news was covered in several other online media publications like Gawker and Perezhilton.com and led to speculation regarding who the father may be.

Some pointed to old Holmes flame Chris Klein as the father because of the similarity in the shape of their eyes. But regardless of who the real father may be, it's certainly clear that Suri is the child of Tom and Katie now.

Amanda Congdon - "Amanda Across America" Is Her New Project

Former Rocketboom host Amanda Congdon has announced the launch of "AmandaAcrossAmerica.com" her new vlog which takes her on a tour of our country starting in New York. The new show launches on Tuesday.

Amanda Condgon on Saturday September 16th at the Blip.TV office in NYC talking about some of her new projects and AmandaAcrossAmerica.com. "I'm really excited to be doing this with Blip and I want to thank Paltalk.com for supporting this wonderfiul party thank you all for coming. I have a lot of exciting... I've got TV projects and a bunch video blog projects to do when I get to LA and I'm really excited to go out in such a creative and innovative and really I guess the first person to go across the country and document it in a hybrid vehicle. So awesome thank you for coming and being part of this really creative and innovative event. Thank you. Party on!"

Louisiana Superdome Video Tour 9-11-2006

This amazing amateur video was taken as part of a tour to record the progress of the renovation of the Louisiana Superdome for this Monday September 21st game pitting the visiting Atlanta Falcons with the New Orleans Saints.

As the video shows, the "new" Superdome really is, all the way down to the new seats and redone luxury boxes and cleaned up and painted cooridors. The video shows it all and also gives one an idea of just how massive the Superdome complex really is.

Although beset with lawsuits over the roof, the path toward the reopening is ahead of schedule and the new facility will be a showcase of the rebirth of New Orleans.

Here's the video:

"Greatness Of The Raiders" May Cease This Season: Oakland Raiders Would Fall To Miami Dolphins As Team With Most Wins In NFL History

After this last and most disasterous loss to the Baltimore Ravens -- and the continued problems with the offense -- I decided to review the last Oakland Raiders press release and found this bit of information:

THE GREATNESS OF THE RAIDERS
The Raiders, who began play in the American Football League in 1960, enter their 47th year of professional
football competition in 2006, and 36th year as a member of the National Football League. For over five
decades -- the 1960s, '70s, '80s, ‘90s and the 2000s -- the Raiders have been the most dominant team in
professional football since Al Davis first pledged in 1963 to build the finest organization in pro sports.
Since 1963, when Al Davis first took over the failing Oakland franchise that had struggled to win only nine of 42
league games in the initial three seasons of the new American Football League, the Raiders have totally
dominated professional football in terms of consistent victory. During those decades of dominance in Oakland
and Los Angeles, the Raiders have won 385 league games and continue to stand atop the NFL for this period
with their winning percentage of .602.

TOP PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL RECORDS
(1963-2005)
TEAM WINNING %
1. OAKLAND RAIDERS .602
2. Miami Dolphins (since 1966) .599
3. Dallas Cowboys .592

So I did some calculations and determined that if the Raiders won 385 games and that was .602 of the total, then the full number of games in their history was 639.534 (Where there's half a game, I don't know. Maybe the "Heidi Game").

I then determined that if the Raiders lost just six (6) games, they would be at .596 and fall behind the Miami Dolphins for claim of best record in pro football. At of now, the Raiders have lost two of those six games. Still, if this happened, the Raiders total record would be 10 wins and 6 losses, certainly at or near what it takes to win the AFC West. But many in the media are picking the Silver and Black to not win one game, and there's nothing in their current statistical performance to show a reason to expect a rebound.

If the Raiders lose 10 total games -- 6 and 10 -- then they would not only fall below the Miami Dolphins for best overall record in NFL history, but be in a statiscal tie with the Dallas Cowboys at .592; one more game lost and they fall below the Cowboys.

I hate to say this, but this year -- unless the team and organization shows a remarkable turn around -- the "Greatness of The Raiders" will be over and a thing of the past. The PR department will have to eliminate this statistic from their record books they use to claim bragging rights over the NFL.

Moreover, the Raiders organization could not claim the "2000s" as a decade where they were a dominant organization because they lump their overall record into that claim. Since the overall record's in danger of dropping below that of the Dolphins, the claim to being the dominant organization of the opening decade of the 21st Century would be false by the end of this season if the team loses over five games.

But beyond that, this statistic sheds a light on how far the Oakland Raiders organization has fallen over the past three years alone. If legacy is important to the Raiders, then this should give cause for alarm bells to sound.

NFL CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

WWW.NFLMedia.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFLH- 1 9/18/06

NFL CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
TWO SPOTS TO AIR LIVE IN NFL STADIUMS AND ON SELECT TV STATIONS

Each year NFL teams celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with festivities across the country at their games.
This year 15 clubs have designated home games to commemorate the month with in-stadium entertainment
and activities to highlight the Latino culture and the contributions by Hispanics to the league.

Nationally, the NFL is launching a Spanish TV campaign with spots airing on Telemundo and ESPN Deportes,
as well as in NFL stadiums on jumbotrons during Hispanic Heritage Month. Additionally, the campaign will run
in print in USA Today and ESPN Deportes Magazine, as well as on radio.

The NFL’s new Spanish commercial titled, “Futbol /Football,” captures the excitement of NFL football creating
a contagious passion that will encourage Latinos to make the excitement of the game their very own.
The voiceover says: “The colors of your team. The passion for the game. The will to win,” while images of
fans cheering and current Latino NFL players in action are shown. The spot ends with “Celebrating Hispanic
Heritage Month.”

For the second year in a row, the NFL has teamed up with Pedro Resto to conceive and execute a spot
directed at the Latino community. “The overall commitment by the NFL and everyone involved to introduce
Latinos to the game of football is absolutely beautiful and a sign of great things to come for the Latino
community,” says Resto.

The NFL Creative Group collaborated with Resto previously for the NFL’s first-ever Spanish youth football
public service announcement. The PSA featured Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz and Chiefs TE Tony
Gonzalez. In a first for an NFL PSA, Spanish was spoken and viewers saw English subtitles. This spot will
continue to air this season on ESPN Deportes as well as on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network with
English subtitles.

Through his newly formed production company, ProudFilms, Resto engaged the Yellow Butterfly Project to do
the creative work, Animal Sound for the original music and sound, and Moving Images for its post production
services.

Log on to www.NFLatino.com for real-time NFL and team news, fantasy football, schedules, scores, standings,
expert analysis and more in Spanish.
# # #

Indy Colts Blast Houston Texans 43-24; Joe Addai With 82 Yards

Joseph Addai's slowly becoming a force in the Colts' offense.

Aerial attack lifts Colts over Texans 43-24

NFL.com wire reports

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 17, 2006) -- The NFL's biggest perfectionist found little to quibble with. Sure, Peyton Manning would have preferred scoring a few more touchdowns and less mistakes.

But what more could the two-time MVP really ask of his teammates?

Manning threw three touchdown passes, broke John Unitas' franchise record for completions and led the Colts to scores on six of their first seven possessions in a 43-24 rout over Houston that wasn't that close.

"The main thing our veterans are having to battle is enjoying regular-season victories," he said. "All everybody wants to talk about is what are you going to do when you get to the playoffs? You hang 43 on a team, you ought to be happy about it."

Again, Indy's offense dominated the Texans, who have lost all nine games in the series.

Indy (2-0) produced 515 yards, converted on eight of its first 10 third-down chances and didn't punt until early in the fourth quarter as the record-setting combination of Manning and Marvin Harrison had another milestone day.

Manning's second TD pass, a 21-yarder to rookie Joseph Addai in the first quarter, gave him 2,797 completions -- one more than Unitas had in his Colts career. He finished 26 of 38 for 400 yards, his seventh-highest yardage total as a pro, and with 2,820 career completions.

"I always feel uncomfortable, a little awkward when you're talking about records of Johnny Unitas," Manning said. "That's a real special mention any time you can be in the same sentence as him."

Harrison and Reggie Wayne also were busy.


Marvin Harrison caught nine passes for 127 of Peyton Manning's 400 yards through the air.
Wayne caught six passes for 135 yards, while Harrison had seven catches for 127 yards and passed Art Monk for fifth on the career receptions list. Harrison now has 943 career receptions.

"I did meet him quite a few times, he's a terrific person and a great player and just to be in the same company as those guys means a lot to me," Harrison said.

Houston (0-2), meanwhile, looked its old self -- misfiring from the start.

On the game's first offensive play, David Carr was sacked by Robert Mathis before he could even set up to throw. Carr fumbled the snap on the next play and Raheem Brock recovered for the Colts at the Texans 16. Three plays later, Manning and Brandon Stokley hooked up for a 10-yard TD pass.

Less than 12 minutes into the game, Carr had already been sacked twice, the Texans had three fumbles and they trailed 14-0.

"You can't have things happen to you like we let happen early. That's nervous stuff," Gary Kubiak said. "That's no excuse, we can't use it as an excuse."

The Texans defense allowed a stagnant Colts ground game to rush for 125 yards, including 82 from Addai, and their beleaguered offensive line took some big hits, too.

Left tackle Charles Spencer fractured his lower left leg midway through the third quarter and could be lost for the season, Kubiak said. Center Mike Flanagan hobbled off in the fourth quarter with a left foot injury and did not return.

It was that kind of day.

"Down 14-0 at this place, I don't think it's helpless but it's tough," Carr said. "It's tough to beat these guys 0-0. When you're down 14-0, it's incredibly difficult."

But the Colts' proficient offense caused the most grief for Houston.

The only time the Colts didn't score in the first three quarters was when Addai was stood up at the goal line and guard Dylan Gandy ran into him, jarring the ball loose. Houston recovered in the end zone.

Otherwise, Indy was unstoppable.

Adam Vinatieri connected on three field goals from 39, 43 and 38 yards.

The Texans got a 39-yarder from Kris Brown with 1:54 left in the half, and Carr threw three touchdown passes in the last 12 minutes. Carr was 22 of 26 for 219 yards and was sacked four times.

"We controlled the momentum, we controlled the game and I thought, did some awfully good things," Dungy said. "We just have to clean up our mistakes a little bit."