What’s different between 06-07 and 08?

[ABQ Raider]

Originally Posted by HITMAN

Yet another example of why fans shouldn't get overly excited. SHOULD, POTENTIAL, ON PAPER... are common staples every year and the last five years tell us, you can't assume anything.

Exactly. Theres been Championships given, Pro Bowl nominations, MVPs.....and its May.

[MileHighRaider]

Originally Posted by HITMAN

Another huge assumption. The Raiders were sixth in rushing remember and yet they failed miserably in the red-zone, yes, McFadden gives them a bonefide playmaker, but if you can't run inside the 20's it doesn't really help. The OL isn't the same OL as it was last year, it takes time for a unit to gel and we have no idea if Harris will be better than Sims. All reports are Harris was and is a bust, this will certainly be something to pay attention to.

Let's not forget about Bush. He has a habit of getting into the end zone too.

And our OL changed dramatically last year - yet improved just as dramatically. Cable has commented on the talent he sees in Kwame. I guess I'm willing to see how this plays out before calling him a bust in our system.

Originally Posted by HITMAN

Comparing Wilson to Lott, far fetched at best, Wilson is a key improvement I'll give you that, but you failed to mention they still have Huff back there who isn't much better than Schweigert and that much as been proven.

But isn't that why we added Tyvon Branch? I see him battling it out with Huff for that free safety spot. Best man wins. Might cause Huff to step up and be fantastic. Or perhaps Branch blows on by him. Either way, I'd be happy.

Originally Posted by HITMAN

If that's all McFadden is to be is for first downs then I already see a problem. That means Fargas will be in most of the time, while a good player he's not nearly the back McFadden is. So we'll have to wait and see how frequently McFadden is used

Again, we have Bush.

But McFadden won't be in there just on first downs. I could see us rotating frequently between the three, and/or presenting two back sets. More weapons on the field. Maybe we see McFadden on 1st at RB, then on 2nd at wing back with Fargas at RB, then on 3rd as a WR with Bush... who knows? Sure provides Kiffin and Company a lot of good options though.

[HITMAN]

Originally Posted by MileHighRaider

Let's not forget about Bush. He has a habit of getting into the end zone too.

And our OL changed dramatically last year - yet improved just as dramatically. Cable has commented on the talent he sees in Kwame. I guess I'm willing to see how this plays out before calling him a bust in our system.



But isn't that why we added Tyvon Branch? I see him battling it out with Huff for that free safety spot. Best man wins. Might cause Huff to step up and be fantastic. Or perhaps Branch blows on by him. Either way, I'd be happy.



Again, we have Bush.

But McFadden won't be in there just on first downs. I could see us rotating frequently between the three, and/or presenting two back sets. More weapons on the field. Maybe we see McFadden on 1st at RB, then on 2nd at wing back with Fargas at RB, then on 3rd as a WR with Bush... who knows? Sure provides Kiffin and Company a lot of good options though.

So they have Bush, he hasn't played a game in two years, and you guys act as if he's going to be a world beater out of the gate, I sure hope to hell you are correct, but any layoff is going to affect him regardless of what is said at workouts and OTA's, not quite the same running routes and plays in shorts and shells versus wearing full gear and having collisions at full speed against a different team.

[HITMAN]

Originally Posted by ABQ Raider

Exactly. Theres been Championships given, Pro Bowl nominations, MVPs.....and its May.

Exactly, Judas Priest let them have a game or two under their belts before starting all this nonsense. I'm optimistic, but I'm not into wishful thinking.

[Rudimus]

hey even Mort Anderson(wink-wink) says we are the most improved team in AFC west.

[HITMAN]

Originally Posted by Rudimus

hey even Mort Anderson(wink-wink) says we are the most improved team in AFC west.

Yeah and those thinking Anderson is a genius today think he's an asshole during the season because he doesn't have his head buried up Davis' ass...

[neverlooking]

Originally Posted by MileHighRaider

Let's not forget about Bush. He has a habit of getting into the end zone too.

And our OL changed dramatically last year - yet improved just as dramatically. Cable has commented on the talent he sees in Kwame. I guess I'm willing to see how this plays out before calling him a bust in our system.



But isn't that why we added Tyvon Branch? I see him battling it out with Huff for that free safety spot. Best man wins. Might cause Huff to step up and be fantastic. Or perhaps Branch blows on by him. Either way, I'd be happy.



Again, we have Bush.

But McFadden won't be in there just on first downs. I could see us rotating frequently between the three, and/or presenting two back sets. More weapons on the field. Maybe we see McFadden on 1st at RB, then on 2nd at wing back with Fargas at RB, then on 3rd as a WR with Bush... who knows? Sure provides Kiffin and Company a lot of good options though.

Don't let them confuse you.
The red zone problem was mostly due to the lack of a QB. They weren't afraid of McCown down there, they could key on Fargas, and Fargas is gutzy but not a TD machine. With the combo of JRuss and DMac, they won't know who to watch. If Bush is in there too... ;)

Cable is the guy who took us from Shell to Well ;)
He's a genius until he proves otherwise, and I just don't understand the naysayers on that one.

Don't let them confuse you again.
It's not Huff replacing Stu, it's Wilson replacing either Stu or Huff. It's a huge upgrade no matter who twists what I wrote.

You're right we could see some neat sets, but not too much in the beginning.
Frankly, plain vanilla with JR and DMac will beat the crap out of being creative with McCown and anyone from last year.

[HITMAN]

Originally Posted by neverlooking

Don't let them confuse you.
The red zone problem was mostly due to the lack of a QB. They weren't afraid of McCown down there, they could key on Fargas, and Fargas is gutzy but not a TD machine. With the combo of JRuss and DMac, they won't know who to watch. If Bush is in there too... ;)

Cable is the guy who took us from Shell to Well ;)
He's a genius until he proves otherwise, and I just don't understand the naysayers on that one.

Don't let them confuse you again.
It's not Huff replacing Stu, it's Wilson replacing either Stu or Huff. It's a huge upgrade no matter who twists what I wrote.

You're right we could see some neat sets, but not too much in the beginning.
Frankly, plain vanilla with JR and DMac will beat the crap out of being creative with McCown and anyone from last year.

No one is twisting your words, simply pointing out the possible scenarios. No one has suggested Cable isn't a good coach, what has been questioned is the talent he has, Harris isn't an upgrade to Sims, Harris was a first round bust, and the scouting on him as I mentioned was yeah he's a decent run blocker, but isn't to great on pass blocking and if that's the guy protecting your 60 million dollar investment I'd be concerned.

I also commented that Wilson was probably the only really good acquisition but you are still only as good as your weakest link, meaning they still have Huff/Schweigert who ever you'd like to insert here.

I've recalled similar evaluations in previous years and those who gave their analysis gave a lot more in depth scouting and information not just a gut feeling or opinion. And those evaluations failed miserably.

[neverlooking]

Originally Posted by HITMAN

No one is twisting your words

LOL!

Originally Posted by HITMAN

No one has suggested Cable isn't a good coach, what has been questioned is the talent he has, Harris isn't an upgrade to Sims, Harris was a first round bust, and the scouting on him as I mentioned was yeah he's a decent run blocker, but isn't to great on pass blocking and if that's the guy protecting your 60 million dollar investment I'd be concerned.

That’s actually a legitimate point, though it wasn’t one of my improvement points.
Congrats!
All we have to go on is that Cable seems to have guys he thinks can do the job. And Henderson is in the mix, as could be McNasty.
Remember, the ZBS LT is not the prototypical LT. Since Cable went from Shell to Well in an offseason, I’d say he has a good chance to train a LT.

Originally Posted by HITMAN

I also commented that Wilson was probably the only really good acquisition but you are still only as good as your weakest link, meaning they still have Huff/Schweigert who ever you'd like to insert here.

Sure. LOL! Washington over Hall? No. And Huff isn’t awful at what he does. He covers well and it’s been suggested for years he should be the FS. He’s more of a corner.
Walker over Porter?
Carter over BMW? LOL!
McFadden over Jordan? BIG upgrade.
And it’s not just acquisitions. It’s JRuss’ team now, not McCown.
Bottom line. Big improvements, whether you admit it or not.

Originally Posted by HITMAN

I've recalled similar evaluations in previous years and those who gave their analysis gave a lot more in depth scouting and information not just a gut feeling or opinion. And those evaluations failed miserably.

So we can’t predict the future based on past performance, but you can.
Who makes those rules? LOL!