12-06-11 10:45 pm pac 
                 
                                            
                                     Captain Jack with South Florida Booster Vice-President Danny Johnson at Raider Fest 2011

I’m sure most of Raider Nation was asking themselves that yesterday after the (then) AFC West leading Raiders left Miami like many a victim in ‘pick a suburb’ of Miami – Bruised, Beaten, Kicked in the Face, and Decimated… Yes, it wasn’t pretty folks, and it certainly didn’t do anything to help our drive to ‘controlling our own playoff destiny.’  And THAT is probably what hurt most when all is said and done. 

I can’t speak for the Raiders, but for the gaggle of Raider Nation that came down for the Miami weekend, it was a FANTASTIC GOOD TIME of cheer and fellowship…. Up until about 1:15PM, when the sails of the RAIDER GALLEON had the wind sucked out of them by a stingy and inspired Miami defense.  Was this a 3-8 team…? ‘Cuz it certainly didn’t play like it on Sunday. 

I haven’t looked at the stats, due to the fact that I’ve spent the entire weekend getting ready to meet/greet Raider Nation for the Saturday and pre-game Sunday festivities, spending the game hours depressed about the outcome before leaving Monday for my long drive back to Tampa (with a stop in Hollywood for a bit of gaming at the Hard Rock for a respite), so forgive me if I can’t quote all the facts like a news source (look them up if you REALLY want to sulk) but here are my thoughts and predictions following the ‘Massacre in Miami’ –

1.       Having DMac, TJones, Ford, and Moore out for these past games FINALLY caught up with the Raiders, as all Miami had to do was ‘Stuff the Box’ against Bush, blitz effectively against an O Line that seemed to be playing on rolling skates, and forcing 3-and-outs AGAIN AND AGAIN! That spells disaster for a…

2.       Defense that was gassed and gashed, applying little to no pressure against a pretty ordinary QB.  The Raiders made Fasano and Bush look like John Mackey and Gayle Sayers in their prime (for you younger kids think Tony Gonzales and Emmitt Smith).  And then to add insult to injury…

3.       The Mike Carey Show – otherwise known as ‘Face Time with Mike Carey’ - with his cast of side-kick buffoons - did nothing to help the Raiders cause.  Now, I’m sure you’re saying “there goes Jay spouting off about the officiating again,” but when Dolphin fans in the stands  remark how poorly officiated the game was, laughing as they ‘got away with a blatant __________’  (fill in the blank with designated penalty) it gets pretty exacerbating…  Case in point, on the play that Seymour was tossed from the game (unknown to many in the crowd including myself due to an ineffective Sun Life Stadium sound system), Curry was MUGGED by an Miami player with NO FLAG THROWN!! Well, to be honest, a flag WAS thrown…against Seymour in a play that was so ticky-tack on the replay shown in the stadium as to be laughable.  I will say though the officiating wasn’t the CAUSE of the loss by any means, but it effectively kept the Raiders from any hope of keeping the game close. 

4.       And only because we’re talking about negatives here, can someone PLEASE find Miami a ‘new fight song’??  I am sick and tired of hearing the “HOUSTON OILERS FIGHT SONG” with one subtle change; a Miami fan advised me that the Dolphins had the song ORIGINALLY but Joe Robbie wouldn’t pay the copyright fees for the medley, so the Oilers stole it away.   (Captain’s Comment – By the way, I’d like someone to check that ‘alleged fact,’ but it does sound plausible considering Robbie’s penchant for being cheap…)  No matter, it is the HOUSTON OILERS FIGHT SONG, and I took great cheer in singing it horribly OFF KEY with some slight further profane changes to those ‘Fin fans around me this weekend, sick of hearing it repeatedly to begin with…

Well, that’s enough of the NEGATIVES of the game, so we’ll move on to some positives from the weekend.  The Ted Hendricks Foundation benefitted from “Raider Fest 2011” held at the nearby Calder Casino.  A few hundred members of Raider Nation turned out to have Ted sign autographs and ‘hang with the gang.’  Fellow 3-time Raider Super Bowl winner Henry Lawrence came by and sang a medley of songs for those gathered, which was received quite well! Henry can sing more than the National Anthem for those that don’t know…so be sure to check out websites www.tedhendricks.com/foundation.htm as well as www.henrylawrence.com to support these great Raiders in their endeavors.

The Sunday Tailgate was a major success in bringing together the SILVER AND BLACK FANS, with some notables present at both the Saturday and Sunday events: Raider Ron, Skull Lady and Black Barbie, Rhinestone Raider, Dr. Death, Raider Razza, and Gotti Raider, along with members of several Raider Booster Clubs – Florida Bay Area Raider Boosters, South Florida Boosters, DC Metro Boosters, Atlanta Boosters, New England Boosters, El Paso Boosters, DRBs/DRGs, and many different clubs in California that I couldn’t even remember them all!! The Weekend was a MAJOR ‘Feel Good Event’…until….well, we went over that.

So….where does this leave the Raiders in their quest for the Playoffs? Well, I’d be lying if I didn’t say it hurt quite a bit, mostly due to the current NFL ability to tackle and defeat the ‘Donkey Messiah and Modern Crusade,’ but Playoff hopes aren’t wiped clean as some may think.  The Captain puts the facts out as thus –

1.       Based on media prognostications, our Raiders are supposed to lose against the Packers while the Donkeys are supposed to lose against the Patriots in upcoming games.  If that holds true, then the other three games are obviously the key.  The Raiders play the Lions, Chiefs, and then Chargers to close out the year, while Denver plays Chicago, the Bills and the Chiefs to finish.  IF an inspired and healthier Raider team plays those games, there is no reason winning them all is in question, while Denver has to face a tough Chicago “D” (with an offense M.I.A. since Cutler / Forte injuries), a road trip to Buffalo in December (tough to play despite the fact that Denver is a ‘cold weather team’), and finishing in Denver with the Chiefs who SHOULD be bent on revenging their Christmas day loss to the Raiders.  Any one of those can be a loss for the Broncos; seriously, how long can the Denver D keep winning games for them with little to no offensive support?

2.       While I’m talking about losses, don’t put an “L” in the loss column for the Raiders against the Packers up so fast… like ‘Charmed’ and Good teams should, the Packers have found ways to win games in close contests this year, much like the Raiders have for a good portion of this season.  The Question will be if an Oakland team that is sickened by their weekend (lack-of) performance against the Dolphins can go into Green Bay inspired and PLAY TO THEIR CAPABILITIES against the Super Bowl Champions.  Having a healthy Ford and Moore would help obviously, as the Raiders need some ‘offensive threats’ to loosen the box.  DMac SHOULD be healthier this week, but I’m not counting on him playing in what will amount to a frigid Wisconsin game as his FIRST GAME BACK from injury, so look for some expanded usage of our low-key-not-so-secret weapon Marcel Reese, and hopefully some Taiwan Jones (if healthy and able to kick alleged fumble-itis) spelling our main back, Michael Bush.  By the way, why did the Raiders wait until the Second half to start using the Reese mismatches against Miami this past Sunday? It boggles the mind…

That’s all for now Raider Nation.  Let’s next get together and discuss a fantastic Raider Victory against the soon-to-be-defeated Packers! YAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH

Jay Cap'n Jack Rack em' Levy

112-01-11 2:02 am pac

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah….yes, I remember ‘The Good Old Days’….the days when the Raiders OWNED the Miami Dolphins.  But then again, I’m older than many of you and have already had my double-bypass surgery, so I guess that technically makes me that ‘Old Man who spouts stuff about walking to school in the snow…uphill….both ways…etc.’ (However, since much of my lifetime (pre-U.S. Navy) was spent in Florida, growing up in the ‘70’s, there wasn’t a lot of snow and/or walking to school, so I guess we’ll discount that ‘Old Man’ stuff…humor me here folks…) 

Getting back to the ‘70’s, I grew up watching my Raiders on TV (Old NBC games with Curt Gowdy to boot!!), playing some of the best teams of all-time, to include the Noll-led 4-time Super Bowl Champion Steelers as well as the Shula-led early ‘70’s back-to-back Super Bowl Champion Dolphins, who boasted an undefeated season (we’ll get back to that).  It always seemed that sometime in the Playoffs, the Raiders would meet the Dolphins and/or Steelers, with getting past that team the only obstacle keeping them from reaching and winning the Super Bowl.  Suffice to say that IF the Raiders would’ve faced any other team(s), then they certainly would have more Lombardi Trophies at their HQ in Alameda.  But we’ll stop with the ‘Love Fest’ (LOL) with those ‘other teams’ here…

As I stated, in the ‘Good Old Days’ the Raiders OWNED the Dolphins.  Looking at the current regular season head-to-head record (which the Raiders still lead 16-13-1), it’s disheartening to know that the Dolphins have won ten of the last twelve games (regular season) against the Raiders.  OUCH!!  I used to take pride when I used to throw our head-to-head record at Dolphin fans I had to wade through in school, all the way into college.  Do the math….The Raiders previously held a 14-3-1 advantage against those slippery mammals!! Now THOSE were numbers to REALLY make any Dolphin fan mumble in low murmurs as they slowly extricated themselves from further conversation, citing a ‘previous appointment just remembered…’ Yeah, right. 

From the late ‘60’s when the Dolphins were an AFL upstart through the ‘70’s and mid-‘80’s, the Raiders would usually humiliate the Dolphins, almost always beating them even though they’d be penalized much more than Shula’s ‘Squeaky Clean’ teams, including two Playoff wins and the memorable 1974 ‘Sea Of Hands’ game where Curt Gowdy’s voice seemed to raise two octaves once Clarence Davis came down with the Stabler shot-put into the end zone. 

I’m pretty sure that Shula had the Raiders and the Steelers in his forethoughts when he pushed through the NFL Competition Committee the Rules Changes that opened up the Offense and severely curtailed the aggressive play of the Defenses.  In fact, it wasn’t until Dan Marino came to play for the Dolphins did they have any success against the Raiders, although Marino himself was barely above .500 in those games, going 6-4 in his starts.  Marino himself owes much of his aplomb to the Raiders, as his rookie year of 1983 he was put in for a struggling David Woodley in a Monday Night Raiders VS Dolphins game in what would be the inauguration of the “Marino Era.” Also, next year’s 1984 tilt in which Marino broke the NFL record for most TD’s in a season during a December Raiders @ Dolphins game, it was the Raiders (and myself in my UF dorm on a floor of Dolphin fans) that would have the last laugh, winning a shootout 45-34.  It wasn’t Marino’s record setting day that I remember most…it was Mike Haynes’ 97yd Interception TD against the cocky Dolphin QB that put the Raiders ahead 7-0; what a memorable game and great day to be a Raider!! 

However, from the ‘90’s to present we started to see the tide turn for our beloved Raiders, with the Silver and Black 4-10 (including the Playoffs) VS Miami.  Granted, two of those wins were highly notable, as Tory James’ 90yd Interception TD return ignited both the Raiders and the Oakland crowd in a 27-0 spanking of the Dolphins in the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff Game (gotta love those long INT TD returns to spark a win for the Raiders…Mike Haynes salutes you Tory!!) in what was Oakland’s last win VS the Dolphins at home; additionally, The Captain himself was witness to the ‘Dante Culpepper – My Knees Are Just Fine’ 2007 tussle with the Raiders defeating the ‘Fins 35-17 – their last win in Miami.  

So I implore you Raider Nation…let’s get ‘Back to the Future’ in our battles against the hated Porpoises… Don Shula, Dan Marino, John Madden, and Kenny ‘Snake’ Stabler are long gone…but it’s time for the NEW BREED, TOUGH TO BEAT Raiders to take center stage…errrrr….. Mid-field so to speak.  The Raiders have a dynamic offense that is ready to EXPLODE, and that is considering that we’re playing without the likes of DMac, Ford, and Moore – but Carson Palmer still has a great OLine and Murphy, DHB, Reese, Schilens, Boss and Myers to throw to downfield and Bush to hand off the rock to bust through a tough Dolphin ‘D’ (the real reason why they’ve won three of their last four games); additionally, our ‘D’ has been inspired of late, as our men continue to get healthiER…not quite there yet, but closer each week, and we should be able to limit the Moore-to-Marshall/Bess/Fasano throws and Reggie Bush runs. 

Let’s do this RAIDERS!! The CAPTAIN demands Sparano and crew walk the plank!!

Oh, remember when I said we’d ‘get back’ to that undefeated Dolphin Team of 1972? First of all, it was the Raiders that ended the Dolphins 18-game win streak the following year, winning on four George Blanda field goals 12-7 VS the Dolphins at Cal Stadium on 23 September 1973.  Cal Stadium? Yes….the A’s had a game against the Twins that day in Oakland (A’s losing 5-4) so the Raiders played up the road a bit at Cal.  However, what REALLY BURNS ME UP as a Raiders fan is this tid-bit: Had the Raiders NOT had the spurious ‘Immaculate Deception…..errrr…..Reception’ go against them in their 1972 Playoff game @ Pittsburgh, the Raiders would’ve played the Dolphins the following week; I’d shudder to think what a fierce Raider team would’ve done to an immobile Earl Morrall playing QB for the Dolphins; it’s because of that notorious play in Three Rivers that we have to hear about ‘Shula’s Boys’ celebrating with champagne every year… sometimes life isn’t fair (but we’ve discussed that previously, haven’t we?)

Jay Cap'n Jack Rack em' Levy

11-28-11 2:34 pm pac

Photo Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images                                                              K Sebastian Janikowski

Let’s go back to a land far, far away….if only in your mind….

It’s the 2000 NFL Draft, and there is a slew of talent available for the Raiders, who are picking 17th. San Francisco had just taken highly touted LB Julian Peterson with the prior pick, and many members of Raider Nation groan… DAMMMMMN. Peterson was the LB we needed!! Oh well, at least we’ll get that big back we covet with the Alabama workhorse Shaun Alexander still on the board…

Well Mr. / Mrs. Raider GM-in-your-mind, you’d be wrong! RAIDER GM of note Mr. Al Davis decides to take ‘The Polish Cannon’ Sebastian Janikowski out of Florida State, and of course the media pundits have a field day in denigrating the pick. How in the Hell do you take a KICKER with a FIRST ROUND PICK? Didn’t anyone learn anything after Russell Erxleben? Well, I think we can all agree that Al Davis knew a little something…and you ‘fantasy drafters’ should stick to your day/night jobs. Of that draft, there are only 7 current players from the 2000 First Round still playing, to include Plaxico Burress, Thomas Jones, Shaun Ellis, John Abraham, and Brian Urlacher…all taken ahead of Janikowski.

Janikowski has accounted well for himself in these 12 years and 182 games, being the Raiders ALL-TIME points’ leader (1215) along with tying the Pro Football record for longest Field Goal (63yds) made on the Monday Night Opener this year at Mile High. Please remember that although the kick was made at high altitude (like Denver Kicker and co-record holder Jason Elam), Jano did it with a ‘K-Ball’ that was soaking wet from the rainy weather while on a sloshy field with little traction. Too bad holder Shane Lechler didn’t put the ball back one more yard or we’d be talking about the LONE record holder. (Small aside – Lechler was also taken in the 2000 draft in the 5th round, playing 184 games, 6 Pro Bowls and named All-Pro 8 times. Today Lechler set a Raider record with an 80-yard punt, having All-Universe return man Devin Hester SPRINT in vain to try to catch the ball that sailed over his head. Yeah, those Raiders really were idiots taking Kickers back in 2000, weren’t they?!?!?)

Flash back to today, as the Raiders played the Bears and their tough defense Captained by that other 2000 First Round Pick Urlacher. No matter how hard the Raider offense grinded and pounded, they seemed to sputter when they got closer to the Bears end zone. No matter, Coach Hue Jackson waved Jano and the Kicking team on to remedy the situation and complete the drive with points, SIX TIMES today (also a Raider Record). Finally in the last stanza the Raider O punched through with a long pass to nearly forgotten WR Louis Murphy, a 47yd bomb from Carson Palmer bringing the Raiders AGAIN to the doorstep of the Bears’ goal line that hadn’t been crossed all day. Michael Bush would remedy that however, plowing in from 3yds out and finishing with a tough 69yds in total.

Now, today’s game wasn’t ALL about Janikowski, as the Victory was also a testament to the hard work, great play, and intestinal fortitude of our Defense – led by a staunch run defense which kept the vaunted Chicago running game bottled up for most of the day (I only recall 3 long runs, one each by Forte, Barber, and Hanie). Surprisingly, Caleb Hanie’s first start as a professional had him throwing for 254yds (81 on the 4th QTR bomb to Johnnie Knox which kept the game close), yet it was his 3 Interceptions (one each by Huff, Routt, and Kam Wimbley, whose grab off an Aaron Curry tip would’ve been a TD had it not been for the horse-collar tackle from a Bear Offensive Lineman near the impenetrable Bear goal line) that ultimately led to the Bears’ demise; 2 INTs led to 6 points all from Jano’s golden left foot, in what would ultimately cost them in the 25-20 defeat.

So our Raiders grinded and fought together in a GREAT TEAM VICTORY, not letting a good Chicago team (even without vaunted QB Jay Cutler) get the better of them. This ULTIMATE Defensive and Special Teams Victory comes at a time when ALL PHASES of the Raiders need to come together in strong efforts, as the presently resurgent Dolphins and the undefeated (so far) Packers are next on the schedule in two tough away games.

Let’s give a cheer for the Victory, as it’s off to Captain Jack’s home waters of the Atlantic and Gulf on the Florida Peninsula and the tropical destination of Miami. ALL HANDS ON DECK Crew!! Ready the Cannons and dry the powder. Three more wins are needed to ensure some ‘extra games’ in the New Year. And if we’re one cannon short, we know we have a Polish Cannon to assist us in gaining those needed victories. YAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!

 

Jay Captain Jack Rack'Em Levy

RAIDERS FOREVER!!

11-25-11 1:07 pm pac

Photo Ezra Shaw / Gettu                                                                                                 WR Denarius Moore

We've been told WR/KRs Denarius Moore and 2nd yr man Jacoby Ford are unlikely to face off with the visiting Bears this Sunday.

That means kick returns could fall to newly signed CB Bryan McCann (who had a nice return against the Vikes) veteran RB Rock Cartwright (we don't think so) and SS Tyvon Branch (probably not him either)

We think McCann's the man since rookie RB Taiwan Jones has a hammy and RB Rock Carwright will be our only other RB behind Michael Bush.

Branch returned a few in College but his mimited attempts in the NFL never panned out in part because hes become far too valuable to risk.

Branch has stepped up all phases of his game and where coverage was once a concern hes now making plays and continuing to lead the team in tackles.

Hes also maybe the best gunner in football.

We railed about it many times here and on our Facebook account about rookie WR Denarius Moore being far to valuable himself to wasted on kick returns.

Now Oaklands one legitimate deep strike threat is wearing a boot on the sideline after being injured...yup. Returning a punt.

Oakland could be all right with the default McCann fielding kicks but his knock at Dallas last year was putting the ball on the ground.

He fumbled six times last year.

On the Chicago side of the ball we'll see if the absence of Long snapper Patrick Mannley plays a role.

As we reported 2 days ago the Bears legendary long time long snapper ruptured his Achilles and was placed on IR. 

11-28-11 9:28 am pac
 

Photo Nhat V. Myer / AP                                                                                                   QB Carson Palmer

We swear, sometimes we think media personalities say things outrageous just to garner attention.

A certain radio personna stated he thinks the Bears are in roughly the same shape as Oakland when it comes to Quarterbacks.

Yes, on the surface both teams lost a productive starter but beyond that their is almost nothing in comparision.

Discounting Carson's Heisman, #1 overall draft status, 2 Pro Bowls, years of experience ect ect and focusing on what hes done lately, we still have no idea where they got the idea Hanie could compare.

After a predictably terrible half game debut, Palmer began to settle in.

Oakland traveled to San Diego and stunned everyone not named Marshall Faulk by destroying the Nations 6th ranked pass defense.

Against SD, Palmer launched several highly successful deep strikes and threw for 299 yds on just 20 attempts for a 14.95 yd average that broke Darryl Lamonica's Raider record and 4th highest in the League since 2000.

Off the hook?

Palmer has been remarkable off the couch.

Haine is an inexperienced scrambler who's been on the bench for 4 yrs and a grand total of 14 passes attempted at the NFL level.

Anyone who watched his 3 starts with Oakland knows Palmer looks scary legit.

After dropping the bomb on San Diego he picked the Vikings apart with West Coastian short throws finishing 17 of 23 for 164 yds and a TD.

He also added another TD on a QB sneak.

Chicago's Caleb Haine accorded himself well coming into the NFC Championship game and scoring twice before throwing a fateful pick six but to compare Haine in his first NFL start hardly seems like a cogent comparison to Oaklands recent addition and current QB situation.

The comment, the notion, that Chicago is in the same QB situation as Oakland, to quote Space Ghost, is simply: "Stupid and grossly inaccurate!"

11-20-11 12:01 am pac             

First off, let’s congratulate our SECOND week of being in FIRST PLACE by ourselves in the AFC West! Those thanks would go to our team – Way to Go RAIDERS!! - with a nice (expletive deleted) sent from all of RAIDER NATION to the ‘other team’ that the Raiders play every week – the team affectionately (????) known as ‘The Zebras.’ Yes, I say the other team, as I can honestly state that OUR RAIDERS are the ONLY team that consistently plays against two uniformed foes every week, and obviously has to overcome those 18 ‘opponents’ lined up across/against them on every play of every game – the 11 in football uniforms and the 7 in black and white striped uniforms; but wait, we’ll get back to that a bit later…

So until then, let’s go over what occurred between the lines on the field today mano y mano. First off, the much ballyhooed match-up between LT Jared Veldheer and All-Pro DE and Raider nemesis Jared Allen was a DRAMATIC WIN FOR JARED!! Errrrr……make that OUR JARED, as the only other Jared who had a bigger win today was the residuals to ‘Subway’s Jared.’ For those keeping score at home, Allen finished with ZERO sacks and ZERO tackles. So much for making sure the kid at LT needed help (although I’m not looking at game film, so Veldheer MAY have had some TE’s chipping, but from what I recall seeing, Veldheer played well on an island, with only a holding penalty negating a nice gain to I believe Boss spoiling an otherwise near-perfect day).

Yes, Palmer did feel some pressure and the Vikings did accrue 4 sacks, but for the most part, the Raiders OL did the job in aiding Carson Palmer to his 17/23, 164 yd, 1 TD, 0 INT performance, along with opening holes for Bush, Reece, and Jones for 162 yds and 2 rushing TD’s. Well done gentlemen!

And for those wearing purple that will cry out “But Adrian Peterson was HURT!!?!?!” I’ll counter that our money back, DMac was out while your explosive burner Percy Harvin played as our highlight-reel WR/KR Jacoby Ford didn’t play either. Or in other words, just shut up and sit down…. You got some help elsewhere which we’ll discuss, and I guess now is the time to interject, ‘Hey Minnesota, how many free brats, beer, and/or vehicles from Jerry Lundegaard’s dealership did you give away to those gents in zebra black/white?’ Too forward? Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah…. Let’s examine some football highlights….

First off, we’ll start with Minnesota’s first ‘Drive’ for points in the first half and three BOGUS…well….they’d have to be BLATANTALY BOGUS at this point….15-yd penalties on the Raider Defense. T Kelly was called for ‘Roughing the Passer’ as his right hand glanced the head of Ponder on his tackle; I’d like to add that his left hand was gainfully held by the OLineman he faced, but that seems to have been missed by those officials watching during that effort. Then on the VERY NEXT PLAY Aaron Curry is called for ‘Unnecessary Roughness’ on a hard but clean tackle on Vike TE Rudolph. Again, a HARD TACKLE, but nothing to write home about unless you’re related to Walt Coleman. Finally, Tyvon Branch is called for a ‘Face Mask’ penalty on his tackle of Percy Harvin that on replay didn’t look like ANY of the face/mask/helmet was touched, but I don’t get the ‘Ticket’ this year so I don’t have any replays other than what is in the ol’ Captain’s Hat holder on the shoulders. Harvin would score one play later on the 77-yd Viking drive, which the refs gave the home-team 45 Mickey Mouse yards (and a helping first down). Even the ol’ Captain had to refrain from throwing something hard and heavy at the big screen….

We’ll cut away here for some more positive things about team, as the Raiders themselves grabbed three Interceptions as well as two fumbles that resulted in 17 points. The D, much maligned in previous weeks, actually played quite well and held their own against a top-rushing team, with Toby Gerhardt and Percy Harvin subbing for the injured Peterson with little success. In fact, in a scene reminiscent of two weeks ago, a Florida College QB, this time ‘Nole Christian Ponder, was the major source of rushing consternation for our defense, picking up 71yds on a 14.2 ypg average. YIKES!! Well, at least it wasn’t Peterson…and Ponder wouldn’t be ‘Tebowing’ often, as he felt the heated rush all day – and escaping from it at times unfortunately as well. However, and most importantly, the Raiders held a 20-pt lead entering the 4th QTR, when those darn zebras again reared their ugly heads and started to make things happen for the Vikings.

Percy Harvin scored at the start of the last stanza, and then yet again, a second Viking drive was aided by several questionable Raider penalties which even had Coach Hue Jackson shake his head in their authenticity; fortunately for the Raiders, Michael Huff saved the moment with an end-zone INT harkening back to the post Al Davis memorial game in Houston. Yeah, the Raiders had this one.

 Or did they? I actually berated my friend who had stated earlier, ‘Ya know, Michael Bush has NEVER fumbled, ya know that?’ Well not quite, but it had been since the ’09 Season and 200+ touches that Bush hadn’t fumbled, until he coughed up the pumpkin on the Oakland 38. Two plays later the Vikings had another TD, and the game was down to a 6-pt lead.

 Hmmmmmmmmmmm….what was that Vegas spread again? 1.5 pts? Wouldn’t a TD for the Vikings play havoc on those that foolishly put ‘gold and pieces of eight’ on such activities? But I digress, as I wish not to be visited by Guido and Vito or any other members whose livelihood are predicated on breaking digits of those speaking negatively about such activities…. ‘Hey….how ‘bout those Raiders ‘eh?’

Indeed….HOW BOUT THOSE RAIDERS!! - who held off the Vikings and Zebras for the final 5:08 of the 4th QTR to seal a hard fought and well-earned Victory against a stingy opponent who had been shellacked by the Packers at home….on a short week….and with plenty to prove.

So, OUR RAIDERS come home next week to play Da BEAAARRRRRRRRRS, who did the Raiders a bit of a favor today by thumping the Chargers up in Chicago. At worst, the Raiders are 1 game up on the “Denver Gator-Teblows” and two on the “No Energy Norve-Bolts,” with a game by the ”KC BBQ Crew” on Monday Night VS the Darling “New England VHS Photo-editing Experts.”

I will however end this passage with one other bit of insight that our Coach Hue Jackson espoused in his post-game presser – a ‘Level Playing Field’ when it comes to NFL officiating. Both he and I agree that perhaps it wouldn’t be quite as awful for our team if they saw the zebras calling the SAME PENALTIES on both sides – i.e. a roughing call on Bryant when E.J. Henderson does the same thing in the game? Or how about the non-call on the play where DHB was taken off the field on a wicked knee-to-helmet hit – as wasn’t he a ‘defenseless receiver’ like other ticky-tack penalties this year have been called against our team? The difference is….that I won’t be paying any fines for speaking the truth against the NFL refs that our esteemed coach will undoubtedly pay this week…..and that Mateys, Wenches, and Crew….is the most unspeakable wrong of all – speaking the truth and receiving the wrath.

Back home to Oakland crew! Get the Cannons ready, dry the powder, and set sail on course 260. To paraphrase Sir William, “Cry Havoc and let slip the PIRATES o’War!! YAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!

                                                                                                   Jay Cap'n Jack Rack em' Levy

11-08-11 7:57 pm pac

                                         
                                                                                                                          "THE" Raider. Mr. Al Davis



I have no shame in admitting this....

today for me was QUITE an EMOTIONAL day..... and when I mean EMOTIONAL, yes, there were many a tear shed today.

I deal with death of loved ones possibly differently than some.....possibly the same..... but I've noticed that it doesn't just 'come out' all at once with me, that it goes in 'spurts' so to say.... so today when I went to the Hallmark to get a nice Sympathy card, I was ok....

Until the cashier behind the counter noted what I was wearing (all decked out in my Raider hat/shirt of the day) and said something along the lines of me....

Afterward, meeting my Booster group today, I was hoping in my mind that THIS TEAM would DEFINITELY 'win one for Al' to set the storybook ending into its proper place, so going into the final minutes of the game, I was a bit more VOCAL than I normally am. The lack of ANY Holding calls on the Texan Offensive Linemen? Yeah....yagottabefreakinkiddinmeee..... The non-PI call on the long pass to Moore before the two minute warning? I was seething!! The B.S. about the 'review' of 12 men on the field? (Expletive Thought Deleted) dude.... but to be fair the room was quite loud, so I couldn't hear EXACTLY what 'our FAAAAAAAAAVORITE Color Commentator' Dan Freaking Fouts was saying (some would say that was a GOOD thing honestly, as his mere voice gleefully chortling something blatantly biased against the Silver and Black does make my B.P. skyrocket normally, but how the hell do you make a penalty call when NO FLAG WAS ORIGINALLY THROWN?!?!?! - although I'm sure someone who knows will enlighten me on THAT one).

So...... it's looking like another possible reprise of the Buffalo game, and I'm so upset you can see that I'm about ready to explode in various states of emotion.... when Michael Huff saves the day for this team AND FOR AL with an INT in the end zone! To me it had that Mike Davis in Cleveland feel about it, grabbing the pick and going to the ground to secure the win.

At that point I lost it, honestly. While the rest of my Boosters were whooping it up and cheering, I did spiritedly show my exaltation for a short few seconds before the tears ......errrrrrrr......my allergies started acting up again. DAMN THOSE ALLERGIES when you're HAPPY for a win, 'eh?

We had in fact sealed the Victory.....and I know that somewhere up above, a Mensch from Brooklyn was looking down with a smile on his face..... a fist in the air......and the words 'JUST WIN BABY' being spoken to his team, a mission accomplished.

                                       Article by Jay Captain Rack em' Jack Levy