Rebuilding the Raiders

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Pro Bowl 2009

The Raiders are well represented in this year's Pro Bowl, sending 9 players to help represent the AFC.

QB Jake Scott (R) #3 QB
RB Leron James (R) #2 RB
FB Chad Pryor (R) #1 FB
TE Zach Miller #3 TE
ROLB Thomas Howard #1 LB
LOLB Keith Rivers #3 LB
FS Michael Huff #2 FS
SS Craig Steltz #1 SS
K Janikowski

The following teams also are represented:
Bengals: 4 players
Bills: 6 players
Broncos: 2 players
Browns: 3 players
Chargers: 3 players
Chiefs: 2 players
Colts: 10 players
Jets: 2 players
Patriots: 7 players
Ravens: 1 player
Titans: 3 players

NFC
Bears: 1 player
Buccaneers: 9 players
Cardinals: 3 players
Cowboys: 2 players
Eagles: 8 players
Falcons: 1 player
49ers: 2 players (Kerry Collins is the QB for the 49ers)
Giants: 7 players
Packers: 1 player
Panthers: 1 player
Rams: 2 players
Redskins: 2 players
Saints: 4 players
Seahawks: 4 players
Vikings: 5 players

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Week 17, Raiders at Kansas City

I made the deicision to bench the starters, except for the receivers. I had my RG out with an injury and didnt want to take any chances with anyone else. About half-way through the 2nd Quarter Chiefs QB Chad Pennington went out with an injury so backup Damion Huard finished the game. The Raiders won 24-14 and I have to say I was VERY impressed with HB Fargas. His numbers are not high, but he is a bruiser when he runs. He ended the game with 103 yards on 19 carries with a TD and this was behind the 2nd string offensive line! WR Williams had a great game, getting 169 yards on 6 catches and a TD.

The 2nd string defense got into the act with Morrison and Montgomery both getting sacks, and Schweigert and Gamble both getting a sack and an INT.

So overall the game went very well. Something that irritated me was 2 Defining Moments. My Approval was a 98 going onto the game and facing a 4th and 2 from the 8 I decided to go for it, I figured what the heck and I got the first down at the 1...1st and Goal at the 1 but my Approval dropped to a 91!!! Then on my next drive, 4th and 7 from the 9 and I elect to go safe on this one so I kick the FG and the Approval drops to an 81. After the game it comes back to a 97, but then drops to a 96 because QB Scott is upset because he didnt start.

So the Raiders end the season 15-1 and head in to the playoffs on a 15 game winning streak!

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Signing News

TE Doleman signed his offer for 2 years at 660K and no bonus.

WR Hixon signed a 2 year deal worth 2.32 million and a 500k bonus.

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Final Standings

AFC NORTH
Browns: 12-4
Bengals: 9-7
Ravens: 5-11
Steelers: 2-14

AFC SOUTH
Colts: 16-0
Titans: 11-5
Jaguars: 5-11
Texans: 5-11

AFC EAST
Patriots: 13-3
Bills: 11-5
Jets: 4-12
Dolphins: 4-12

AFC WEST
Raiders: 15-1
Chiefs: 9-7
Chargers: 7-9
Broncos: 7-9

NFC NORTH
Vikings: 11-5
Packers: 7-9
Bears: 7-9
Lions: 6-10

NFC SOUTH
Buccaneers: 12-4
Saints: 10-6
Falcons: 4-12
Panthers: 3-13

NFC EAST
Eagles: 12-4
Giants: 10-6
Redskins: 5-11
Cowboys: 5-11

NFC WEST
49ers: 11-5
Seahawks: 10-6
Rams: 5-11
Cardinals: 5-11

WILD CARD GAMES

Browns: 10
Titans: 12

Patriots: 30
Bills: 13

Vikings: 42
Seahawks: 10

49ers: 58
Saints: 21

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Titans @ Colts
Patriots @ Raiders
Vikings @ Buccaneers
49ers @ Eagles

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

END OF YEAR AWARDS

NFL MVP: RB Frank Gore, 49ers
Offense Player of the Year: RB Frank Gore, 49ers
Defense Player of the Year: ROLB Donnie Edwards, Panthers (SS Steltz 2nd)
Offense Rookie of the Year: RB Laron James, Raiders
Defense Rookie of the Year: MLB Jay Jay Stewart, Cardinals
Coach of the Year: Head Coach, Raiders
Defensive Back of the Year: SS Craig Steltz, Raiders
Kicker of the Year: Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Once again I struggled against the Patriots. I had a long write-up about the game but the connection kept timing out and I didnt copy it first...so let me just say that even though we Intercepted Brady 3 times, I just couldnt close the deal. We lost 24-27. I was so frustrated. My great running game fell apart with James only getting 2.3 yards per carry. The middle linebacker,Carpenter, a Rookie had 2 sacks of QB Scott and 8 TFLS besides the sacks, my o-line was exhausted after the first series. So my great 15 game winning streak came to a crashing halt.

Overall I cant complain too much, my approval only dropped to 91 and all of the coaches stayed. I was worried about DC Rob Ryan, especially after his skill level hit 99, but he stayed. I had a goal to get a new GM, but since it was so late in the season I decided to keep him. So even though I am VERY disappointed with the ending ...it wasnt a total washout of a season...besides...there is always next year!!

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Divisional Games

Colts 31
Titans 3

Vikings 6
Buccaneers 10

49ers 16
Giants 24


Conference Games
Colts 24
Patriots 14

Buccaneers 21
Eagles 18

Super Bowl
Buccaneers 21
Colts 35

And ...John Gruden retires!!

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

I am at a loss about the Patriots. My gameplan was not working. I hate to say that in the 2nd Quarter I started to let Rob Ryan call the defensive plays because they were moving at will on me. I probably should have done the same thing on offense with Chudzinski, but I never had that much of a problem before.

That is one team I have struggled to beat in the past, and once again I cant get that monkey off of my back...