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Mike Leach To The Oakland Raiders? A Pro-Con Debate (Humor)

Published: January 5, 2010

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Word around the campfire is that Mike Leach has drawn interest from the Silver and Black.

Here are some incredibly serious reasons for and against hiring the Mad Scientist:

Pros:

  1. The arrival of a former (Red) Raider who is quirky and has a fascination with pirates? Something tells me he’ll be a fan favorite right away.
  2. If Craig James ever wants to come after Leach, he’ll have to mess with the Black Hole first.
  3. A Texas Tech quarterback may finally have a place in the NFL.
  4. Oakland will definitely avoid drafting Adam James at WR, no matter what his 40 time is.
  5. An electrical closet may not be kind treatment of an octogenarian , but it may be the only way to get Al Davis to step aside.

Cons:

  1. Steve Spurrier, Lane Kiffin, Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino, Dennis Erickson, Mike Riley, Rich Brooks, and Butch Davis.
  2. Does JaMarcus Russell really look in good enough shape to move his arm 50 times per game? 
  3. Shane Lechler won’t see the field nearly as much!
  4. Does the team really need another reminder about how they passed over Michael Crabtree last April?
  5. Oakland can kiss contests on ESPN—likely the only channel that won’t black out Raiders games—goodbye.  

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com


Gilbert Arenas Gives “Agent Zero” Nickname to Chad Ochocinco (Humor)

Published: January 5, 2010

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Chad Ochocinco will be changing his last name for the second time in honor of a number, according to one of his recent tweets.
This time, the eccentric Bengals’ wide receiver has chosen to adopt the surname “Agent Zero”, which was the popular nickname of Washington Wizards’ veteran Gilbert Arenas.
The switch was a mutual agreement after the All-Star guard decided to part with his popular nickname amid its negative gun-related connotations to a Christmas Eve incident involving him and fellow Wizard Javaris Crittenton.
The two teammates got into a heated dispute regarding a card game; Crittenton, in anger about losing, threatened to shoot Arenas’ left knee, and two days later Arenas placed three unloaded guns near his teammate’s chair in the Wizards’ locker room.
“It was the responsible thing to do at this point in time, ” Arenas said about dropping his nickname. “The whole situation has created a really bad mood around the organization, so I figured parting with ‘Agent Zero’ was for the best.”
Indeed, because of the bad publicity from the incident between Crittendon and Arenas, the Wizards were forced to cancel their inaugural “Washington Bullets” throwback jersey night.
Meanwhile, in a rare case of self-deprecation, Ochocinco felt that adopting the last name “Agent Zero” would be a fitting gesture, as it matched the number of catches and yards he had in his Sunday Night performance against the New York Jets.
“I just figured it was time for something new,” he said, “and I really wanted to keep a number as part of my last name. Not enough people knew correct Spanish to appreciate my Ochocinco, so going with English again is a good change of pace.”
Ochocinco is expected to inquire with the NFL commissioner about the possible fine and penalty yardage assessed for sporting a tuxedo and driving a convertible during a touchdown celebration.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com


ESPN: Thanks For a Memorable 40th Season Of Monday Night Football

Published: December 30, 2009

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To the executives of ESPN,
The hiring of Jon Gruden as a commentator for Monday Night Football? Maybe not the best of decisions.
The selection of your match-ups for the season, however? As the incredible season finale between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears demonstrated, you guys may really know what you’re doing.  
I’ll admit that, though I am more partial to college pigskin (which you guys did a pretty good job with picking Thursday games for), I nevertheless went out of my way to illegal stream the contests this year.
Of course, picking the high-profile match-ups, such as two NFC North involving Brett Favre and a showdown between the Patriots and Saints, is the easy part—I feel those were never destined to disappoint.  
But some of the less heralded games really put the year together.
The excitement started from the very beginning, with the Patriots’ ridiculous last-minute rally against the Bills, and the Oakland’s furious effort at home in a controversial loss against the Chargers.  
(I must applaud your very brave decision to take a chance on the Raiders after they suffered three routs, two of them shutouts, in their last Monday appearances.) 
Equally dramatic contests ensued between Dolphins and Jets, and the Texans and Titans; but there were enough fantastic moments and performances to satisfy just about any NFL fan.  
Electric big plays? Desean Jackson’s field day against the Redskins more than did the trick.  
Fans of exciting special teams needed to look no further than Eddie Royal and Darren Sproles show.  
Defensive enthusiasts from all over likely marveled at the 49ers seven forced turnovers in a convincing win over division Arizona.  
For good measure, there was even some vintage Peyton Manning thrown into the mix againt the Dolphins, as the Colts’ signal caller lead yet another clutch comeback.  
And for the purists out there, few things can match the New York Giants’ 16-play, 80 yard, 9:13 minute touchdown drive against the Redskins—that may go down as one of the most dominant possessions in recent NFL history.  
So thank you again for an entertaining season of Monday Night Football. You certainly made the 40th year a memorable one.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com


Cal Bears in The NFL: Preseason Highlights

Published: August 23, 2009

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This week has been a bit busy for me, so you won’t find too detailed of an article tonight sorry. 

But the week has also been busy for some former California Golden Bears, who are engaged in preseason action.

Whether they are rookies or vets, here’s a run down of how they fared so far in the preseason:

 

—Current Patriot Tully Banta-Cain, who registered 26.5 sacks as a Bear, notched one against the Eagles. 

—Former Cal fullback Will Ta’ufo’ou (now a different Bear—for Chicago) caught a touchdown pass against the Bills.

—A trio of former Berkeleyans met when the Packers and Browns collided. Aaron Rodgers was great in his appearance, passing for 102 yards and a score; he recorded two more touchdowns against Buffalo.

I’d say he’s doing well and ready for the season to start, wouldn’t you?

Green Bay also had the defensive star of the night in linebacker Desmond Bishop, who had a four tackles, a sack, and an interception. He followed it up with a fumble recovery against the Bills.

Rookie center Alex Mack had an up and down performance, recording some nice blocks, but also committing a 10 yard penalty and getting beat by Bishop.

—Tennessee tight end Craig Stevens and wideout Lavelle Hawkins combined for two catches for 18 yards against the Bucaneers.

—Tailback Justin Forsett of the Seahawks had 27 yards on 12 carries, and was good in pass protection against San Diego.

—Colts safety Matt Giordano had 11 tackles against the Vikings

—Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez had 32 receiving yards and a touchdown in his debut against the Rams, while Kyle Boller went 9-for-16 for 91 yards in relief for St. Louis. Atlanta safety Thomas Decoud notched three tackles. 

—Desean Jackson of the Eagles caught two balls for 46 yards and a touchdown against the Colts. 

—Punter Nick Harris booted seven kicks for an average of nearly 50 yards against the Browns.

 

Again, I apologize for the lazy post. But it’s good to get the departed Bears some love. Starting next week, as I head back to Berkeley and get more immersed in football hype, I’ll start breaking down the regular season games.

Peace, and go Bears.

 


AFC West Preview 2009: Scouting the Oakland Raiders’ Opponents

Published: May 30, 2009

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In the wild, wild AFC West, the good was bad and the bad was ugly.

San Diego earned a playoff birth, but won the division at 8-8 by winning its final four games.

The Denver Broncos’ late season implosion, losing three straight games, was a large reason for the Chargers’ third straight AFC West crown.

On their way to a dismal 2-14 mark, the bottom-dwelling Kansas City Chiefs lost their first 11 games before a road victory over…the Oakland Raiders.

The Silver and Black’s own 5-11 mark increased the franchise’s playoff drought to six years.

It’s been a whole off-season, so let’s take a look at Oakland stacks up against divisional opposition.


Interview Questions For One Of The League’s Top Corners, Nnamdi Asomugha

Published: May 28, 2009

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Before playing for the Raiders, you grew up in Los Angeles and played college football at Cal. Have you always wanted to play locally in California?

 

You have had experience being a standout on struggling teams. At Cal, you went through a 1-11 season in 2001. The Raiders went 2-14 in 2006, despite your eight interceptions. How difficult has not winning been for you, and how have you kept playing at a high level?

 

Which was tougher – the lack of success in Oakland or the nearly winless season with the Bears?

Evaluate the play of current Cal cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson. What kind of player can he be at the next level?

Could this be Cal’s year to win the Pac-10 in football? In basketball?

You’ve had to cover the opponent’s best receiver. Who has been the toughest to cover, and what makes that particular player so hard to defend?

You had Tim Brown and Jerry Rice on your roster. Did you ever  cover them in practice, and if so, how did you fare against them?

Have you went against Darrius Heyward-Bey in practice yet? Talk about him as a developing receiver. What he can contribute to the team? How you think he will handle the expectations and criticism as the 7th overall pick?

Tom Cable will be the fifth Raider coach since your arrival in Oakland. How has the constant turnover affected this team?

What qualities does Cable bring that you think will help the Raiders improve in 2009-2010?

Last season, you had just 27 passes thrown your way. With so few balls coming at you, is it hard to stay focused at all and not ‘take plays off’?

The team has drafted seven other defensive backs since picking you in 2003. Not counting this year’s pick (Michael Mitchell), only two of the selections remain on the team roster. Why have so many of them have struggled? What do you think is key to being a solid NFL defensive back?

What inspired your local community and global service efforts? In particular, talk the story behind your family’s organization – Orphans and Widows in Need.

Describe your experience meeting former president Clinton at his Global Initiative. Where does it rank among your life accomplishments?

How philanthropy always been a large part of your life?

Why do you think it is important for NFL players and other athletes to set good examples off the field?


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