Raiders, Bucs, Bye Bye Gannon?

[Ashley]

This is for football fans, if you couldn't tell from the title. Anyone see the Raiders-Buccaneers game last night? I know Steve and I were watching it, and mostly whooping for joy. Twas the superbowl rematch Oakland fans were waiting for.

Bummer was Rich Gannon broke a vertebrae in his neck...so I'm guessing this is it for him. I had really hoped he could lead the Raiders to a superbowl victory, but I think that might not happen.

And on a last note...anyone else besides Steve and myself plan on watching the Texans Raiders game? I was hoping that game would never come, personally! How can I pick between my home team and my favorite team? O.o

[agasfas]

I'm a little late on this post, but i saw the game. Raiders won 30-20 against the Bucs. Good game overall and fun to watch. And now about them playing the Texans. I'm not the biggest Texans fan, but i'll go for them as long they aren't going against the other teams i like (like dallas and greenbay). Sorry Ashley but to be honest, I'm not to found of the Raiders. Acutally the only reason I'm not found of them is that they always pick up all the good, controversal and old players hoping to make a run at the superbowl. ANd it never happens. They always crumble at the end of the season no matter how good they are. I would actually say i have "Mixed" feelings about Oakland. And i will admit they are a good team overall with a 2-2 record as of right now and do have 2 superbowl wins under their belts. The atmosphere is kinda cool, but the fans are a bit odd; dressing in spiked shoulder pads and painting their faces. A little odd, but interesting. ANd i will say the games can be fun to watch. But they are one of those teams (to me) that are just there, i don't hate them or overly joyed about them. At least they are not the vikings, they have been to the superbowl 4 times w/o a win and they are always a powerhouse in football (almost every season). THey just never get it done.

But I'm sure you feel the same about the Dallas Cowboys, they're always surround in controversy which isn't an upside. The reason I like them is because I remember watching them when i was like 10yrs old hopeing for them to win. I would sit back eat an oven cooked pizza, drink soda and watch the game. The good old days......

[Ashley]

Well, from what I've seen of Oakland, they *did* go all the way not too long ago--about 3 years ago under new coach Callahan. The next year, I'm not sure what happened...they just crumpled. There were accusations that Callahan was really abusing them verbally and such, so it was no suprise they turned to Norv Turner. Now I think they're on the rebound--I don't expect them to be great again overnight, but I do think Norv's a vast improvement and they're showing it. Part of them having "all" the good/controversial players has to do with their rankings---lowest teams pick the best players first. Which, honestly I'm not sure how I feel about that; on the one hand it's good that they're giving lesser teams a chance to get better, but what about the star recievers or qbs that get stuck playing for the Cardinals or the Chargers? I DID hear Ricky Williams may be coming out of retirment to wear the black and silver, but I haven't heard anything else on that...and speaking of wearing the colors, I think the fans are one of the best parts of the Oakland team. I mean, yes they're wild and crazy, but there's a reason for that. It actually helps intimidate people when they come to Oakland, and it's great to see people rallying around their favorite teams. I think it adds a little umph to the team and makes them feel...I dunno, appriciated? I can't think of a better word.

In a way, your feelings for Dallas as a kid sort of relate to how I feel about Oakland; they are the first team I started watching, so I have a real soft spot for them. Especially Rich Gannon. Actually, you'd probably be interested to know Shatterheart has a soft spot for Dallas too...mostly because I think he was watching them as a little kid with the same oven-pizza and all.

[agasfas]

They did make it to the superbowl a couple years ago but lost. But it was a good game none the less. What i meant by getting all the players is that they pick them up as free agents not as numbered picks before the season like #1 pick etc. I also heard Ricky Williams may be going to Oakland. I dought the Dolphines want him back b/c he deserted them and i believe he has to pay 8.3 million for breaking his contract. But i wouldn't be surprised if he goes to Oakland. I can see him wearing silver and black. I know that Oakland will get better, they always do. Overall their team (past and present) has always been good. That may account for their strong fan following. They'll make it to the playoffs for sure. And the fans, a little weird but that's what make oakland orginal. I remember when Jon Gruden was oaklands head coach and all the fans brought their Chucky Dolls (Chucky from the horror movies) to the game. That was pretty cool. You don't see strong fan base like that anymore. Oakland fans are always there being the crazy crowd they are. That, I would agree is pretty cool.

If I ever goto a Dallas game I'm going to buy a leprechaun doll because whenever Jerry Jones dresses in his green suits he looks like one. I wonder if anyone else thinks the same or sees the resemblance.

[Ashley]

Well, I sure hope that they make it to the playoffs, although their season this year hasn't been so strong. (Even I can admit losing to Houston was bad ) Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't free agents choose whether to take the contract or not? If that's the case, then Oakland's not to be faulted that players want to play for them--I mean, I know if I were a young college player I'd want to at least consider them because of the fan base and because they're an agressive team that gives it their all even in the last quarter. That's the real problem with the Texans in seasons past: they could not keep it together by the end. But how many times have we seen Jerry Rice go long with seconds on the board, or Woodson continue to make the great blocks in the final moments? That to me makes them a head above other teams--Oakland's got a great, die-trying attitude.

I think as far as NFL fans go, Oakland's have to be the most controversial and popular. Can anyone even begin to count the number of commercials with them in it? I can name at least 4 or 5 off the top of my head.

For the dallas game you should bring a big can of Tuna....oh wait, that's what I'd bring to the game.

[agasfas]

correct, the free agents choose whether or not to accept the terms of the contract and if they want to goto that team or not. I know it's not Oaklands fualt for getting free agents it's just so frustrating that all the good players go there . But Oakland is only 2-2, Denver the division leader are 3-1. It's still fairly earlier and if they don't win the divison they'll get the Wild card. Oakland is a powerhouse.
Tuna huh... Why didn't i think of that? I always see the signs on tv and i couldn't think of that one... Short term memory/Slected memory... it's a guy thing. I wonder where I could find a really big can of tuna. The biggest can i've seen is like 8oz.
Anyways it's all good, as long as your not a Patriot fan (hopefully your not) your okay in my book.

[Ashley]

Psh, Pats fan? You're kidding me right? Let's think about this....I'm recalling a certain "tuck-rule" game in the snow a few years back, where Oakland was shut out from the superbowl because of new england....yeah, I'm definately not a Pats fan.

[agasfas]

Awesome! I really despise the patriots so much. And on top of that they had a really bad call in their favor . The ball was clearly in the back position and not going foward. That was a fumble.
There are no words to explain my feelings.
::::waves his fist::::
I don't care if they have a 12 game winning streak, i firmly believe they are over-rated. I don't think there is another team i dispise as much as them.... I don't mean to sound hateful, but they just rub me the wrong way. I think another reason i don't like them is because all of the people suddenly becoming Patriot fans just because they won the superbowl (all b/c of a boggus call).

[Ashley]

Well, while it's fine to dislike a certain team, I would hate for a Patriots fan to follow this post up and be very offended. So while I think it's cool we both have similiar dislikes, I know I for one would be rather upset to hear people continually dissing my favorite team. All that to say, keep it civil. I may not be a pats fan, but I can respect their freedom to be one, you know?

At any rate, eh, I don't really care why people like to watch the teams they do--I mean, so what if it's because they won a superbowl? They're watching, cheering, and are as excited about their team as I am about mine. That's all I really care about.

[agasfas]

Your right. My apologies. I didn't mean to offend anyone (especially any patriot fans). I guess i wouldn't like it if anyone dissed my team or started a "diss the cowboys" form. Everyone has their reasons for why they support a certain team and it's wrong to hold that against them. I just let my frustration of that one play get to me. It's like you hit your head on the cabinets really hard then goto the ground to calm yourself then hit the floor because of the pain. Though perhaps thats not the best analogy. I didn't mean or want this form to get uncivil by any means. I'm not sure if it's me or a guy thing but things don't always come right. I didn't mean to start a debate or future arguments. Anyways, i want to extend my apoloiges once again.

[Ashley]

It's alright, I wasn't trying to make you feel humiliated or anything. Just a gentle reminder, that's all. And besides, I think you and I are the only ones who actually read this thread!

[agasfas]

No harm done . But your probably right, we most likely are the only ones who seem to read this thread. If only we had more football fans... Oh well

[Saint Kevin]

But how many times have we seen Jerry Rice go long with seconds on the board, or Woodson continue to make the great blocks in the final moments? That to me makes them a head above other teams--Oakland's got a great, die-trying attitude.

Theyve got attitude alright Ash. They've been in the top three in penalties every season for as long as I can remember. As for Woodson, he got rocked last game by one of his teammates (I hope he's ok). As for Rice, I'm glad he's out of Oakland. It became apparent that they weren't gonna use him anymore, and that he would be a continued source of conflict. So, good luck in Seatlle Jerry (time to make a bye bye Rice thread).

But Oakland is only 2-2, Denver the division leader are 3-1. It's still fairly earlier and if they don't win the divison they'll get the Wild card. Oakland is a powerhouse.

I don't know about powerhouse, especially after last game. Denver's looking ok though (it's about time they brought back the Orange Crush defense to Denver, if only Sharpe was still playing...). One good thing that might end up saving Oakland is the fact that the Chiefs have pretty much fizzled out, thanks to their poor defense and lack of receivers finally catching up to them. Oakland's got a long way to that wild card. Step 1, quit taking so many penalties.

[Ashley]

I don't know of any serious Oakland fan who isn't hoping they lose the rest of the season and get a good draft pick for next year. Defeatist, I know..or is that optimism? At this point, I'd love to have known what Turner was thinking--everyone knows Rice is the best of the best, why on earth wouldn't you play him. But, what's done is done...my two favorite players are out, so we shall have to see what becomes of the once-mighty pirates of black and silver. As far as Rice goes, I wanted to see him retire a raider as fitting, but he's a player that deserves so much better--so if Seattle can give him that, more power to him.

[agasfas]

what! Jerry Rice went to the Seahawks? That my friend is a huge surprise.
I didn't actually believe it until i did a search about it and found :
http://www.seahawks.com/ardisplay.aspx?ID=4690
Like ashely, I figured he would have retired with the Raiders (given his 20yr NFL experience). The question is how long will Rice be able to play. I say at least another 2yrs. But yeah, what a surprise.

[Saint Kevin]

As far as Rice goes, I wanted to see him retire a raider as fitting

As fitting went out the window as soon as he wasn't a 49er any more. And as for the 'defeatist' attitude, the Raiders are not out of it this season, and I think it's a bit premature to give up on them already. And, draft picks don't work out more often than they do, so I'd say I don't like that attitude generally.

As for Rice's future, Mike Holmgren already said that Rice's job is to catch passes and help Seattle win, not to be some sort of role model or leader (that's more of a fringe benefit). So, I guess it's time to become a Seahawks fan huh Ash?

Heh, how bout those Red Sox? Curt Schilling (who gave up only 1 run in seven innings) said and I quote (well, paraphrase) "I became a Christian seven years ago, and God has never touched me as He did tonight. I tried to do it all on my own in game 1, and you all saw how that worked out. I'm just so proud of my team, etc. etc."

What a gutty performance by Schilling, despite him still bleeding through his sock from the dislocated tendon in his ankle. I think I'm a Red Sox fan for as long as Schilling decides to stick around. Go Red Sox. Beat the Yankees.

[Zedian]

Yeah Jerry Rice going to the Seahawks was quite strange.....considering I thought he would return back to San Fransico. In any case the Raiders are struggling...Kerry Collins just can't get his game together and the defense is struggling and that's with Warren Sapp in the line-up.

And Saint Kevin you're right. Go Red Sox!

[Ashley]

Go Red Sox!

Bah, leave baseball out of it. I usually don't touch the sport with a ten foot pole if you paid me. Besides, we've got 2 of those threads already. Shoo.

As far as the raiders season, yes this year hasn't been so great...but it happens. "Building years". Next year they will be a little stronger, little better, and it'll be a new chance.

[Saint Kevin]

Um, there are 11 weeks left (if my math isn't off), so, I think that attitude is a little premature, but whatever, they're your team, so I suppose you can give up on them whenever you like. Look at all the people who gave up on the Sox (yeah, don't stone me, that's the last time I'll mention baseball in here, but hopefully you see my point).

[Zedian]

Yeah that's true, think Red Sox whenever you feel like things aren't going that great for a sports team. I'm sure the Raiders will nab a good draft pick and who knows, dependent on their schedule they could still contend for a wildcard.