tagged w/ Derrick Burgess
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After a tumultuous off-season, preseason, and first quarter of the regular season, the Raiders will begin to show how well they’ve weathered the storm this Sunday. Ironically, they’ll be doing this in a place known best for the costliest and most destructive natural disaster in the history of the United States....After a tumultuous off-season, preseason, and first quarter of the regular season, the... more
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Now that the business of winning football games is the only thing on minds at 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway, what is it that the Oakland Raiders need to shore up before that winning can begin? The Raiders went into the bye-week ranked 19th in total offense, 25th in points per game, 17th in total defense, and 22nd in points allowed per game. Nobody can deny that the Raiders are better than at least eight teams in the NFL, but if they plan to be one of the top eight in the AFC they’ll have to figure out ways to get better on both sides of the ball....Now that the business of winning football games is the only thing on minds at 1220... more
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The Raiders face an up-hill battle this week as they’ll host the San Diego Chargers. The test has gotten tougher for the Raiders in recent days with the revelations of the Chargers health and their own lack of it. Justin Fargas, Seth Wand, and newly signed Ben Troupe are already expected to be on the inactive list and out of the game. Gerard Warren and Cooper CarlisleThe Raiders face an up-hill battle this week as they’ll host the San Diego... more
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After the first game of the season, where the Raiders bombed out on Monday Night Football against the Broncos, it was pretty certain in many people’s minds that the Raiders weren’t going to worry about winning this season for a coach on the chopping block. We said as much here and many of the media pundits and former players said so as well. Since that time, we’ve seen inspired performances by a team that many consider an afterthought in the race for the playoffs, and since this team should be sitting near the top of the AFC West with a 2-1 record, the questions have come again and Kiffin had the answers....After the first game of the season, where the Raiders bombed out on Monday Night... more
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Alright, I haven’t slit my wrists or gone into a funk since the end of the live blog on Monday night. I just want to set the record straight on that front before anyone starts using the term ’sensitive’ about me…uh…hold on, I think it might be too late for that. However, I’m alive and well and completely finished with any and all ‘feelings’ that I may have had on Tuesday morning....Alright, I haven’t slit my wrists or gone into a funk since the end of the live... more
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In 2007, these two teams split their annual home and away series. Even though neither team got bragging rights for the year, the two games favored the Raiders and were microcosms of the season for both teams. The Raiders played well enough to win both games, but like in many of the games lost in 2007, they found a way to let the game in Denver slip away....In 2007, these two teams split their annual home and away series. Even though neither... more
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It’s the final preseason game, practically none of the starters and some of the backups will be playing, and due to mine and Patrick’s 53 man roster analysis, you may find yourself wondering,...It’s the final preseason game, practically none of the starters and some of the... more
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So you wanna’ know who’s going to make the team? Here at TFDS, we’d like to know too. We’d like to know so much that we decided to predict who’s in and leave the guys out that don’t belong. We realize that many things can happen between now and the final cuts occur such as injuries to our favorite players,....So you wanna’ know who’s going to make the team? Here at TFDS, we’d... more
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While sending my kid off to college this weekend, I realized that the Raiders marketing department is deficient when it comes to getting the games televised in Northern California. There I was, nearly four hours away from the Oakland Coliseum and the only NFL game on in the area was Pittsburgh at Minnesota!...While sending my kid off to college this weekend, I realized that the Raiders... more
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Preseason games are nothing more than a double edged sword for coaches. One edge, the blunt one, is the improvement of the team and for getting everyone on the same page prior to the season. The other edge, the sharp one...Preseason games are nothing more than a double edged sword for coaches. One edge, the... more
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Yesterday prior to the game, many of us were saying that there were no bragging rights over a preseason game. I agreed, expecting the game to be close in every way. I didn’t expect to see what I did, a complete domination over a 49er team that is definitely in transition on offense, and still not cohesive on defense. I’m not saying go out and run smack over the win, but there’s no reason not to feel confident that the team is rolling along in the right direction...Yesterday prior to the game, many of us were saying that there were no bragging rights... more
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I keep hearing from both 49er and Raiders fans that the game means nothing. Nothing? Like pretty much everything in life, I guess it’s all in the perspective that you look at it from. If you’re looking at it from a ‘bragging rights’ point of view, then it only means something if your team wins the game....I keep hearing from both 49er and Raiders fans that the game means nothing. Nothing?... more
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By all accounts, the practice on Tuesday was light and done in soft pads. Many of the starters played cheerleader as they sat on the sidelines giving those practicing funny words of discouragement. For those of you that don’t live within a 100 mile radius of Oakland, be thankful. The game has been officially labeled a blackout game since it didn’t sell out meaning anyone within that radius will wait until 10pm for television...By all accounts, the practice on Tuesday was light and done in soft pads. Many of the... more
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So now we wait. Friday can’t come soon enough for the Raider Nation to get its first glimpse of their 2008 Oakland Raiders, ‘glimpse’ being the operative word. The first preseason game is not a game for fans to get good long looks at most of the players that will be starting on opening day, but there will be a series of plays to go....So now we wait. Friday can’t come soon enough for the Raider Nation to get its... more
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As reported earlier, Javon Walker became big news Saturday. When ESPN’s Chris Mortensen broke the news about his attempted retirement, we decided to take a ‘wait and see’ approach to the news. Even though it’s rare that Mortensen whiffs, when it comes to the Raiders ESPN has a way of turning into BS-spin...As reported earlier, Javon Walker became big news Saturday. When ESPN’s Chris... more
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Day 8 of the Raiders 2008 training camp is in the books, and so far the team is still a work in progress, not unlike the other 31 teams at this point in the season. The stars of the team continue to provide highlights, the underachievers are, for the most part, still underachieving, but all around this team is not like the teams of the past five...Day 8 of the Raiders 2008 training camp is in the books, and so far the team is still... more
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I’m happy, Patrick is happy, Raider Nation should be happy, because JaMarcus Russell is happy. At least he is according to one reporter that we here at TFDS know and trust. According to Jerry McDonald, when asked about the pain of his injured elbow...I’m happy, Patrick is happy, Raider Nation should be happy, because JaMarcus... more
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Oakland Raiders head coach, Lane Kiffin, wasn’t mincing words when he talked about the morning session of training camp day 6. The first edition of Tuesday’s two a day was full of physical plays and a hit that forced one player to take the rest of the day off....Oakland Raiders head coach, Lane Kiffin, wasn’t mincing words when he talked... more
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Of course, nobody likes to lose. If you’ve ever played on a team that just couldn’t seem to get it together and forced you to suffer through a losing season, then you know what I mean. Losing affects players differently. Some accept it, while others make life miserable for their teammates with criticism...Of course, nobody likes to lose. If you’ve ever played on a team that just... more
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