Raiders vs 49ers
I cannot tell you how good it felt to be back in my seat at the Coli. Playing the Niners at home always brings the eyesore of red jerseys popping out against our sea of black. It’s unnatural, and the only way to remedy the situation is to beat them early and send them streaming up the isles before the game clock expires.
We succeeded.
Here is the first of my game reports from the Coliseum for the 2008 Season!
Raiders vs 49rs, 18-6 – WIN
- The Offensive squad was introduced by name for the first time since I can remember. The last two players announced were Justin Fargas and JaMarcus Russell, loud ovation for both. Surprisingly, Javon Walker got a nice ovation as well. Robert Gallery was booed.
- JRuss was 2/5 for 13 yards. Didn’t see enough to really get a read on him. Between Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo, Walter had the strongest showing. He’s still the tin man, but he moved the ball the best of the 3.
- The most exciting thing for me was seeing Michael Bush in action. When he got his first touch, we all went nuts. He had a 5 yard rushing TD and ran directly to the Black Hole, jumping in. Everyone had been waiting for that. And then there was this kid, Louis Rankin, a rookie out of Washington we signed as an undrafted rookie FA on May 1st. He’s FAST, rushed 8 times for 91 yards. I don’t know what his future is, but he was impressive. I can say that with Fargas, McFadden and Bush, we will be running all OVER people.
- Johnnie Lee Higgins! I’m telling you, I love this guy. He returned a punt 53 yards for a TD, then did a backflip in the end zone. He lights things up. He also had a really nice catch in the middle of the field for 9 yards.
- We went for 2 after the Higgins TD, Andrew Walter passing to Chaz Schilens for the conversion. The Offense seemed to go for it on just about every 4th down. Our Pass D was scaring the hell out of me. The 49rs only passed for 205 yards, but they moved the ball down the field withe ease. I doubt we have anything to worry about, but it’s never easy watching our D picked apart like that.
- Michael Huff had 2 nice tackles… I’m going to watch him closely this season. It seems the transition to FS will be a good thing.
- There was a huge ass brawl a few sections over and up from me. About 20 security guards and cops had to come in and clear out the madness. When half the Raider sideline is watching the stands, you know it’s bad. I saw food and beer flying, along with a few bodies. On my way out, 5 guys were cuffed and sitting against the wall. A woman was bleeding and sitting near an ambulance stretcher. That’s the worst I’ve seen in all the games I’ve gone to. Raider and Niner fans DO NOT LIKE each other. Add beer, and it’s all bad.
- I made eye contact with Vernon Davis. He loves me.
- Ran into two different guys I went to HS with, that was a trip. Hadn’t seen one since… 1991. Ouch! Hi Tony! Hi Sterling!
Overall, it was an excellent night and I can’t wait until August 23rd when we host the Cardinals.
By: Knup on Aug 9th, 2008
Tagged as: Game Reports
I was two rows up from the brawl… It was the worst I have ever seen… and the first I experienced in my Section… I am not speaking biased, but what I don’t understand is why people come into our house… knowing how crazy we can be talking mess and wearing your colors from head to toe? I know that most people understand and honor our house and our rep… I know… all those ex-Raider fans that jumped ship thought they were home… what I saw was 5 49er fans coming up five rows of chairs throwing blows on a couple Raider fans that they were jawing the whole game…
What I have never seen is when the police came these people started throwing blows on the police!! I knew it was going to be crazy then… wow… That was a shocker!!! I am praying for the people who were jacked up because they happened to be sitting near the mess. The Moral to the story… don’t come in our house talking mess and not minding your business, we obviously take that really personally… alcohol and cross town rivalry football doesn’t mix well… Yes, this is our house!!!
Sounds like you were able to stay safe, I’m glad for that. I remember seeing a guy with his little kid up on his shoulders, trying to back away. It looked really dangerous.
I enjoy the cross-Bay rivalry, but they will have to up the security next time we host it. I really don’t think people understand how bad the blood is between our fan bases.
Sounds like the Vet 700 level West! I can relate to these stories, and you’re right, the Coliseum is your house.
These Niner fans should know and understand that.
That good that a preseason can make you feel good know your team sucks. I mean, come on its preseason. I. Bruce, B. Johnson and N. clements didnt even play. Frank Gore, V.Davis, J. Jeninings, M. Lawson played for 5mins of the first qt. Look at you guys now;1-2 facing 1-3 vs S.D. hahaha…..
Perfect example of why beating the 49ers is good, at any time. Stay classy there, Skudoza.