A good intro into the season. Written by me. A little something to pump u up.:)

[CedarRunRaider]

The Raiders are on the road to the season of new beginings. They tryed desperatly to fix all the problems with the team. They had to cut some players/release some players. These players will forever be missed in the Silver and Black. To name them Tim Brown/ forever number #81. Jerry Rice/ forever number #80. Rich Gannon/ forever #12. The other cuts were players who just stunk. RAY BUCHANON/ to name one.

Then, the Raiders went into the draft. They drafted Fabian Washington/Andrew Walter/Stanford Routt/Ryahn Riddle/Anttaj Hawthrone/Kirk Morrison.

They aquired Randy Moss, Lamont Jordan, Derrick Burgess, Jay Forman, Renaldo Hill.

The Nfl is under estimating them again, but hey what else is new. June First is yet to come, more may be lost, more may come. There are some doubters, but the Black Hole will be back. They will be in full swing cheering and screaming. The Nation is growing<thanks to Randy Moss>.

The Champs<the New England Patsies> have lost much more. We as a Nation and as a team will show the Nfl. The Raiders ARE BACK.


Hey "JUST WIN,BABY.


Why Whould it not be the season of new beginings.

[G-MoNeY]

nice write up man.. gave me chills down my spine man.

[JDBRAIDERS#1]

Nice...let the party begin!

[UtahRaider]

nice thread

[CBCOPLEN]

Good post. I'd have to say that I'd differ a bit on the "forever"s, though. Rice, while much appreciated, is NOT a Raider, and I can think of another wearer of 12 whom I'd rather put the "forever" tag on. I guess I appreciate the fact that the Raiders don't retire numbers. To my knowledge the only one they even held off on for a while was Mr. Turner (peace be upon him).

As far as all the hope for this season, there is a lot of stuff to be excited about. Obviously, Moss is huge (please don't bring TO, Al), but I guess I'm looking forward most to the rookie pool. Morrison certainly belongs, and I hope he can make a significant contribution ASAP. The one I think is really gonna put a smile on our faces is Ehnntodge Haughthowrn (couldn't resist FWashington3, please forgive). He could be our next Greg Townsend (god, weren't those days great?), IMHO.

[CedarRunRaider]

[slvrnblk4vr]

Good post. I'd have to say that I'd differ a bit on the "forever"s, though. Rice, while much appreciated, is NOT a Raider, and I can think of another wearer of 12 whom I'd rather put the "forever" tag on. I guess I appreciate the fact that the Raiders don't retire numbers. To my knowledge the only one they even held off on for a while was Mr. Turner (peace be upon him).

As far as all the hope for this season, there is a lot of stuff to be excited about. Obviously, Moss is huge (please don't bring TO, Al), but I guess I'm looking forward most to the rookie pool. Morrison certainly belongs, and I hope he can make a significant contribution ASAP. The one I think is really gonna put a smile on our faces is Ehnntodge Haughthowrn (couldn't resist FWashington3, please forgive). He could be our next Greg Townsend (god, weren't those days great?), IMHO.

Agree on Rice; not taking anything away from him, but he's not someone who made a susatined impact on the Raiders (over many years). He definitely is the GOAT, but accomplished that as a 49er. Brown definitely is a guy that should get his number retired IF the Raiders did that. I loved Gannon, but also agree that Stabler would get #12 if they were retiring it.

So, don't know anything about Hawthorne other than reading a brief synopsis of him after the Raiders drafted him. Do you have more specifics on why you think he's the real thing?

[CedarRunRaider]

QUOTABLE: "The best defensive lineman I ever coached," - Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez.

POSITIVES: Was a force on Wisconsin's defensive line this season, productive despite getting constantly double teamed. He's a true tackle used to handling the pounding and the pressure of playing on the inside as opposed to beefed up ends.Has great size and big frame with long arms. Very strong up top. When he gets into a groove, he can become unblockable and almost forces offenses to devote two men to him. Can play the run as well as get after the quarterback. Has a good burst and good closing speed. Does a good job shedding blocks. Solid, reliable tackler.

CONCERNS: Has an inconsistent motor and can disappear for stretches (he doesn't necessarily disappear, but there are a few too many stretches when he's a bit too quiet). Doesn't have elite speed and quickness. Needs to get in better shape to play longer stretches...

COLLEGE: An immediate contributor at Wisconsin, starting the final two games of the 2001 season at nose guard. Hawthorne finished that year with 16 tackles and four stops for losses. He took over left defensive tackle duties in 2002, starting the next 41 games. Anttaj totaled 68 tackles (30 solo) with a pair of sacks, seven stops behind the line of scrimmage and 12 pressures as a sophomore. He earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors (media) in 2003 after compiling a career-high 75 tackles (31 solo), including four sacks and five pressures. His 20 stops for losses ranked second in the conference and 18th in the nation that year. In 2004, Anttaj recorded 42 tackles (23 solo) with six sacks, 11.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, a fumble recovery and one quarterback pressure, as he struggled a bit to stay off the ground vs. double team coverage. For his career, Anttaj registered 201 tackles (9 solo) with 12 sacks for minus-51 yards, 42.5 stops for losses of 115 yards, 20 quarterback pressures, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, an interception and four pass deflections in 49 games. His 42.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage rank sixth on the school's career-record list, topped only by Dave Ahrens (43, 1977-80), Don Davey (49, 1987-90), Tom Burke (54, 1995-98), Mike Thompson (57, 1991-94) and Tarek Saleh (58, 1993-96).

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Hamden (Conn.) High, playing football for coach Tony Martone … Named to the USA Today and Reebok/ESPN first-team All-America squad … Was also a member of PrepStar's Dream Team and SuperPrep's first-team All-America unit … Participated in the National High School All-Star game in Dallas … Rated the ninth-best player in the country by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report (second-ranked defensive player) … All-state choice in each of his last three years … Registered 102 solo tackles, 17 sacks and seven forced fumbles as a senior … Closed out his career with more than 250 tackles, 38 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 30 quarterback sacks and 14 recovered fumbles.

PERSONAL: African-American Studies major … Son of Eileen Hawthorne … Born Nov. 15, 1981 … Resides in Hamden, Conn.



got this from ***************

[CBCOPLEN]

Agree on Rice; not taking anything away from him, but he's not someone who made a susatined impact on the Raiders (over many years). He definitely is the GOAT, but accomplished that as a 49er. Brown definitely is a guy that should get his number retired IF the Raiders did that. I loved Gannon, but also agree that Stabler would get #12 if they were retiring it.

So, don't know anything about Hawthorne other than reading a brief synopsis of him after the Raiders drafted him. Do you have more specifics on why you think he's the real thing?

Honestly, it's mostly speculation based on a few things:

1. Even given the few negatives he has, namely a perceived laziness, he was still looking at a first round spot until his inner Ricky came into the public eye.

2. I don't view him as a Darrell Russell sort. He is deeply embarrassed and bound to be poorer because of this, and realizes he's got try harder, and smoke less than those who maybe didn't come under the same scrutiny. In other words, I think he's got a bone to pick, and something to prove.

3. The players from the Raiders who have met him see him as humble and ready to take it to the next level, whatever the cost. Which, given his level of talent he should be able to accomplish.

4. Al Davis is a genius.

Just some interpretation (and I'm sure silver and black tinted glasses) of the things I've seen so far. We'll have to wait and see, but I've got a good feeling about this guy, much like a certain 7th and 5th round duo of receivers who are coming along quite nicely.

[CedarRunRaider]

hE WAS PROJECTED HIGH

[CBCOPLEN]

hE WAS PROJECTED HIGH

Most def. Thanks for putting up his bio.

[OG BAMM BAMM]

nice thread!!

[CedarRunRaider]

welcome for the bio

[Tha E&J Raider]

great write up bro.....everyone of these gets me that much more amped for the season to get here......but hey we'r gettin pretty close guys!!!!

[CedarRunRaider]

very close