http://raiderrefuge.com Raider Refuge blog Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:11:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 2009 Raider Free Agent List WR Johnnie Morant, UFA TE Tony Stewart, UFA P Shane Lechler, UFA OG Cooper Carlisle, UFA OL Chris Morris, RFA LB Sam Williams, UFA CB Nnamdi Asomugha, UFA CB Justin Miller, UFA CB Duane Starks, UFA FS Rashad Baker, UFA I could go without watching Tony Stewart ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2009/01/13/raider-free-agents/ RB (Fargas, Bush, McFadden): B If I was grading on a curve, our RBs would get an A. In all honesty I don't even think they're anywhere near their potential. Our backs carried the brunt of our offense on their shoulders. Not only through pure rushing, but through short passing schemes. ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2009/01/04/raiders2008-final-grades-part-2/ Overall: C- Closing out 2008 with two back to back wins, including an impressive beat down on the Bucs in Tampa Bay, has left me a little less bitter about this season. Ownership (Al Davis): F What were you thinking when you approved those obscene contracts for Tommy Kelly, Javon Walker and DeAngelo ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2009/01/01/raiders-final-grades-part-1/ Mirror Images: on offense these two clubs mirror one another.  Oakland and Baltimore each rank in the bottom ten in the league in passing and rushing offense.  In week seven, however, each offensive unit did enough to help its team win. Stellar, as usual: during and since their 2000 Super Bowl ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2008/10/24/week-8-preview-raiders-ravens/ Since bearing the receiving end of a week three Monday Night shellacking, the Jets have bounced back, scoring 82 points in two wins.  The Raiders will try to get their season back on track at home this week with a much needed conference win.  To compete in this game, Oakland ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2008/10/17/week-7-game-preview-jets-raiders/ If you don't get it now, you never will. The problems with the Raiders won't be resolved with the naming of a new coach. They won't resolve with high priced free agents or coveted draft picks. They won't resolve with a new stadium or catchy marketing. And they won't resolve ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2008/10/13/do-you-get-it-now/ Strength Versus Strength: The Saints lead the league in passing yards per game (326). They face a Raiders pass defense that is lauded as the team’s strength, but has not lived up to the 2007 unit’s success despite supposed upgrades at cornerback and safety. New Orleans presents as true a ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2008/10/09/week-6-game-preview-raiders-saints/ Twenty minutes after all the players and coaches headed into the locker room, my section was scattered with a handful of us, sitting silently. We occasionally looked at each other and shook our heads in disbelief. I watched how quickly the field crew removed the cameras, sideline equipment and signage. ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2008/09/29/raiders-chargers-part-1/ Before the kickoff of each NFL season, us fans of each 32 teams stand on fairly even ground. We’ve all seen worst-to-first, we’ve all seen the dynasties fall, we’ve all see miracles happen on the gridiron. We each believe our team can achieve the pinnacle. It’s a beautiful illusion that ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2008/09/13/raiders-broncos/ They try to say, "It's the pre-season, it doesn't matter." That's true to an extent. However, it's very hard to justify a shutout. This is the time of year when the 3rd and 4th quarters can be physically painful to watch. I'll focus on the first half of the game; ... http://raiderrefuge.com/2008/08/24/raiders-cardinals/