We have a track team, now with Al gone....

**RunOvrByHubbard** · 06-21-2012, 11:00 AM

I am looking at our roster and all the speed on offense (way more than most teams): McFadden, Taiwan Jones, Goodson, Ford, Murphy, DHB, and Moore. I know Al Davis wanted all that speed and I know why, but I also think he was stuck in the Vertical Offense dream (Lamonica to Wells and Plunkett to Branch). I am thinking that with a modernized offense and no meddling by Mr. Davis, we will actually utilize that speed better through more clever play-calling and crisper execution -- instead of the "we line it up and beat them man to man" mentality. I think the offense will be less predictable and therefore less boring. I am really looking forward to this transition year of Raider football and maybe even a surprisingly high finish.

**HurrikaneSensei** · 06-21-2012, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by RunOvrByHubbard

I think the offense will be less predictable.

"Less predictable"...yeah, I like the sound of that. I like not being predictable at all even more.

**SLVR and Black** · 06-21-2012, 11:23 AM

Keep in mind though that all of those picks were made with Al's offensive style in mind. Different doesn't always mean better but I'm hoping like heck that it does!

**NoClapsPlease** · 06-21-2012, 11:49 AM

Our offense was nowhere near predictable the last 2 years. Hue used up to 11 different formation sets per game.

**Worrier** · 06-21-2012, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by RunOvrByHubbard

a modernized offense and no meddling by Mr. Davis, we will actually utilize that speed better.

Not sure if it's intended, but that's way disrespectful.

**RunOvrByHubbard** · 06-21-2012, 12:03 PM

OK, I should have added "RIP Al Davis, and I appreciate all you did for the team."

It is true about Hue using lots of formations. I dug it, including the use of end-arounds, although they overdid that a bit and teams caught on. But at any moment, Al could reel in coaches and plays. For example, he HATED the so-called trick plays that I think can be used frugally to catch teams off-guard, such as a fake punt. For those of you who were not around 20-30 years ago as fans, one example: we had one of the most athletic punters in NFL history. Ray Guy was a defensive back in college as well as a punter and I believe he was our emergency QB at times. He could have run the ball and passed the ball to win some games, but Al forbade that kind of thing. You know, we shall simply "dominate" the opponent and not have to resort to "trick" plays or offensive formations. And, you could probably add blitzing on defense to that. Al did not like that either. RIP Al Davis.

**sil&blk** · 06-21-2012, 12:08 PM

I agree.. I think the play action and bootlegs make us more dangerous. DBs wanna be in the best position to tackle DMC cuz as a saftey it has to suck getting ran over lol or getting stiff armed

**SLVR&BLK_BKEYE** · 06-21-2012, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by sil&blk

I agree.. I think the play action and bootlegs make us more dangerous. DBs wanna be in the best position to tackle DMC cuz as a saftey it has to suck getting ran over lol or getting stiff armed

Haha just ask McGraw(KC) or Eric Weddle(SD)

**NoClapsPlease** · 06-21-2012, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by SLVR&BLK_BKEYE

Haha just ask McGraw(KC) or Eric Weddle(SD)

Don't forget bart Scott and whoever that guy was that played for the jaguars

**paul0660** · 06-21-2012, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Worrier

Not sure if it's intended, but that's way disrespectful.

Just calling a spade a spade. As been pointed out many times:

a)Al had a lot of help from Ron Wolf and others, and without help, he was not very good at evaluating talent, and especially, character.

b)Al never paid a good coach what the coach was worth, or neglected to hire a poorer coach to save money.

c)Al spent a few hours every week undermining his coaches, less time that he spent working on lawsuits.

d)He couldn't make a deal with Oakland; he couldn't make a deal with anyone in LA; when he came back to Oakland he sued Alameda County. See "c" above.

I will be around longer than the Al promoters; my job is simpler, because the truth is easier to remember.

**Da Swami** · 06-21-2012, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by RunOvrByHubbard

I am looking at our roster and all the speed on offense (way more than most teams): McFadden, Taiwan Jones, Goodson, Ford, Murphy, DHB, and Moore. I know Al Davis wanted all that speed and I know why, but I also think he was stuck in the Vertical Offense dream (Lamonica to Wells and Plunkett to Branch). I am thinking that with a modernized offense and no meddling by Mr. Davis, we will actually utilize that speed better through more clever play-calling and crisper execution -- instead of the "we line it up and beat them man to man" mentality. I think the offense will be less predictable and therefore less boring. I am really looking forward to this transition year of Raider football and maybe even a surprisingly high finish.

We weren't running a modern offense last year?

That's a cliche that is repeated often but has no basis in fact.

You're stuck in 2006.

**Naphtali** · 06-21-2012, 03:15 PM

Al has always tried to bring in the new offensive hot guy, Shannahan, Gruden, Hue, Norv, even Lance and others AL always allowed/wanted new fresh offensive minds. This is a proven fact. You cant say AL dictated style either because a lot of those guys were more West Coast, with the exception of NOrv, Hue.

The comment that was made has no real basis, and was just a cheap vindictive one

**dmauke** · 06-21-2012, 03:33 PM

I don't like where this thread is going.

I will say that I think Al loved the vertical game, but I think he was more flexible with the offense than the defense. Single high safety and press coverage seemed to be mandatory with him. His overall philosophy on offense and defense was fine.

What hurt the team talent wise was a lot of the physical specimen that he'd bring in just didn't have those natural football instincts. He believed you can coach them up. You can't coach physical gifts. Speed for example.

The defensive philosophy isn't a poor one, it just wasn't executed properly from the ground up. If it's true he changed the game plan at the last minute then yea that's about a wasted week of practice and preparation as you can get. I always wondered how fine the line was when Al offered up his advice before, during, and after games.

Looking at the defense in 2011 my opinion is that he brought Bresnehan back solely to be a surrogate for Al. He knew the defense, how to install it, how to teach the basics of it from week to week, but when it came time to install a game plan he saved that for the boss. His lack of play calling skills during the game were evident as this was probably the worst defense the Raiders have had in over 40 years.

**Idaho Raider** · 06-21-2012, 03:57 PM

It was a modern offense. And the Raiders have the talent to stretch the field verticaly. Campbell couldn't throw the deep ball. Carson can, and we should do it early and often, it should always be a threat.
On the defense I think the game did pass Al bye. The rules and how they are enforced have made good coverage illegal.

**RaiderInSD21** · 06-21-2012, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Worrier

Not sure if it's intended, but that's way disrespectful.

Why? It's the truth. Why is it after only someone dies it's disrespectful to state something about them despite it being truthful? But while he was alive it was ok to say?

He meddled with the D(not so much the O). You can still love Al and be honest about the situation. Nobody's calling him a bad person here.