Thoughts from the Dark Side

Kirk Morrison needs to step it up
Raiders SB XI: Ballers and Busters, Offense
Under the Raider: Michael Bush
New coaches to aid offense
DHB likely won't start season
Justin Fargas deserves respect

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Kirk Morrison needs to step it up- Guest Writer

MLB Kirk Morrison

After a couple of recent interviews, it has occured to our guest writer AJ Demello that Kirk Morrison may be a bit overrated. One of the articles from Just Blog Baby called "Thoughts on Kirk Morrison", inspired him to put together an argument that may just directly contradict the opinions expressed in that article.

He goes out on a limb in his opinion on Morrison and his thoughts on the overall opinion held by the Raider Nation. Carefully laying out the reasons why he thinks the Raiders middle line backer needs his play to catch up with his talk.

And he thinks you should take the same critical eye when analyzing Morrison's production and leadership.

12 Comments

By LDizzle

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Raiders Superbowl XI: Ballers and Busters, Offense

John Madden carried off the field after Super Bowl XI

For those of you who are familiar with my Ballers and Busters series, you know how this works. I put out the list of those players who were part of the solution and those who were part of the problem. Not everyone gets a mention because these two lists are reserved for those who really stood out, either to get credit for their accomplishments or blame for their shortcomings.

In this case, though, instead of breaking down the game of the week (since there isn't one), we turn back the clock to 1977 and the Raiders' first Superbowl win.

6 Comments

By LDizzle

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Under the Raider: Michael Bush

Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

Michael Bush was drafted by the Oakland Raiders out of the University of Louisville in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. He was unable to play his rookie season, as he recovered from a broken leg, however the Raiders will be expecting big things from him in the 2009 season.

It is Bush who is the next player that is being spotlighted in the "Under the Raider" series. Outside of the Raider Nation, Bush is mostly a forgotten man, but inside the Raider Nation he is well known.

7 Comments

By Patrick Patterson

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Three New Coaches Will Help Cable and Raiders Offense Significantly: Guest writer

Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

On behalf of Rob and Dizzle, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the TFDS family, AJ DeMello. DeMello has covered the Raiders and the NFL on Bleacher Report as well as his own personal blog.

Today, DeMello looks at the a few of the additions to the Oakland Raiders coaching staff and explains his thoughts on the enormous effect it should have on the offense.

11 Comments

By Patrick Patterson

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Heyward-Bey likely won't start season

Darrius Heyward-Bey better keep stretching

With the chronic soreness in the hamstring of Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, he was nearly non-existent at mini camp and OTA's.

When he was drafted, he was seen as an extremely durable player who never misses games but that is about to change.

Hamstring problems can be nasty and lingering. They can keep a player out an entire season and often end a player's career. Heyward-Bey is just that kind of player. Without his speed, he is an average receiver. Perhaps even pedestrian. Even if he was slowed by his hamstring, it would mean big trouble.

33 Comments

By LDizzle

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Justin Fargas gets no respect from the Raider Nation

Fargas scores a TD against KC. Photo by Patrick A. Patterson

There are few players in the NFL who play with the complete reckless abandon that Justin Fargas brings on every play. He has earned the nickname "Crash Test Dummy" from his teammates because of his intense physical style of running. In 2007, he became the first Raider to rush for 1000 yards since Tyrone Wheatley in 2000. He is a two time "Commitment to Excellence" award winner, which is an award voted on by his teammates as two who best embodies the Commitment to Excellence of the Raiders.

Despite those acheivements and accolades, message boards and comment threads all over the Internet are littered with Raider fans who want to see Fargas traded. Since the Raiders drafted Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, Fargas has become expendable in the eyes of much of the Raider Nation.

18 Comments

By Patrick Patterson

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July 2, 2009

Commitment to Excellence flying the friendly skies

Photos courtesy of the Oakland Raiders

Last week, the Oakland Raiders officially became the subject for the paint job on an airplane that will never carry a passenger to the United States. The airline, Air Asia X, became an official sponsor of the Oakland Raiders not long ago and have unveiled the airplane to prove it. A few of the photos that exist of the plane have been cobbled together for this story. Patrick was the first to break the story on Examiner.com after the tail of the plane had been caught by the pop culture website jaunted.com.... Read more

2 Comments

By Rob Calonge

June 30, 2009

Could the Raiders end up with another Heisman runner?

While researching an article for Examiner.com, I came across an interesting quote from a player thought to be a favorite in the coming season's Heisman voting. It's no secret that Al Davis loves three things in a football player: speed, Heisman trophies, and Super Bowl MVP winners. It's an added bonus if the player is a legacy, (a son of a great NFL player), or he's a Raiders fan as a kid. Read more

2 Comments

By Rob Calonge

June 26, 2009

Raider Nation Celebration date announced

Raider Nation Celebration is a good time for the whole family

The Oakland Raiders announced the date for the Raider Nation Celebration late yesterday. The event will be held Saturday, August 8th from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Oakland - Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland. Last year, the RNC came in the midst of rumors of a rift between Lane Kiffin and Al Davis, putting a little bit of a damper on the day's events. We all now know that there was some truth to those rumors. Read more

Discuss

By Rob Calonge

June 23, 2009

Is Mario Henderson the next great left tackle?

Mario Henderson may be one of the next great tackles - and he's a Raider.

Is it premature to say that the Raiders have finally found somebody that can close the revolving door on the left side of the offensive line? Maybe. Today Drew Rosenhaus Twittered, or Tweeted, the signing of a new player - Mario Henderson. Henderson started the final three games of 2008 and did so without letting up a sack - something that the Raiders have been looking for since they were punched in the gut at Super Bowl 37. Even so, the Raiders didn't hesitate to bring in a veteran who would also like to start at left tackle - Khalif Barnes. Read more

5 Comments

By Rob Calonge

June 23, 2009

Under the Raider: Jon Alston

Jon Alston had a strong offseason workout. Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/examiner.com

Jon Alston is a classic under the radar type player, as he joined the Raiders following one year with the St Louis Rams. With the Raiders, he spent part of 2007 in the practice squad before he was promoted to the active roster. His primary role in 2007 and the beginning of 2008 was as a special teams player. When Ricky Brown went down to injury, he stepped into the starting strongside linebacker position. Read more

2 Comments

By Patrick Patterson

June 22, 2009

Forget Russell, Asomugha needs to lead by example

Hopefully Asomugha isn't satisfied (TFDSsports stock photo)

Let me apologize for getting back to this a little later than I thought I would. I guess saying that I would be back 'tomorrow' really meant next week. We are back at TFDS, so you can rest assured that we are going to begin heating up this site with more Raiders content than we have in the recent months. Someone else that might want to consider getting back is Nnamdi Asomugha. Last week, Patrick and I attended the final OTA session open to the media, before training camp starts at the end of July. The surprise of the day was the absence of the Raiders highest paid player - more an oddity because his attendance has always been perfect in the past. Read more

7 Comments

By Rob Calonge