Raiders’ Davis Fires Kiffin by Phone (I guess smoke signals would have taken too long) By Dr. Bill Chachkes for Football Reporters Online
So what makes this time different from the last? Davis said he had the goods on Kiffin and that his conduct was detrimental to the Raiders organization, to the coaching staff and players, and to Davis personally.
“I had to let him Go” Stated Mr. Davis. Sounds like wall street letting go of a few billion and saying Opps, we messed up. It seems like they have messed up plenty of times before. What is Davis’ Excuse this time? “I Hired the wrong guy”, and “he’s A flat out Liar” was his answer. So then what was his excuse for Mike Shanahan? Norv Turner? Jon Gruden? all now successful with other teams. Two of them, Turner and Shanahan even in the same division.
Who will save the Raiders now that the silver is mottled with rust? Not Interim head coach Tom Cable. Not this mystery off-season hiring of an exec who will bring the Raiders back. “We’ll get back, the Raiders will be back” said Davis, who surely would be better off in a nursing home right now then at the Raiders offices. Al, please hang it up. You are hurting the poor Raiders fans, and the people of Brooklyn NY where you are from.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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Thursday, September 25, 2008
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NFL DRAFT Remains in NYC for at least 2009-but no movement on NFL network coming to CableTV
NFL DRAFT Remains in NYC for at least 2009-but no movement on NFL network coming to CableTV
If you look at the NFL.com Website you can clearly see that The dates for the Draft are posted (April 25th and 26th 2009) and Listed as "Radio City Music Hall" in NYC.
In the past i had said i felt it should be moved around some. But after talking with Fans the last two drafts i have done an about face. Maybe the NFL should sign a long term agreement with Radio City (oh, but that would mean they'd be going back on their word and Jumping back into bed with Radio City's owner "the Evil(yeah right) James Dolan of Cablevision). The clear fact is that the NFL Owners are the ones keeping the fans from having the NFL Network (and even the Sunday ticket) on Cable, and not James and Charles Dolan. Ask NFL Brodcast comm. chair Jerry Jones(the same one who owns the Cowboys) why they are trying to get Cablevision into court to force them to carry the channel on Basic cable? Because not all that many people are running out to get Directv or dish network (or even Fios) so fast...So i'm Glad the Draft will stay in NYC for at least one more year, and on Cable TV Via ESPN G_d Bless Chris Berman's Voice...
If you look at the NFL.com Website you can clearly see that The dates for the Draft are posted (April 25th and 26th 2009) and Listed as "Radio City Music Hall" in NYC.
In the past i had said i felt it should be moved around some. But after talking with Fans the last two drafts i have done an about face. Maybe the NFL should sign a long term agreement with Radio City (oh, but that would mean they'd be going back on their word and Jumping back into bed with Radio City's owner "the Evil(yeah right) James Dolan of Cablevision). The clear fact is that the NFL Owners are the ones keeping the fans from having the NFL Network (and even the Sunday ticket) on Cable, and not James and Charles Dolan. Ask NFL Brodcast comm. chair Jerry Jones(the same one who owns the Cowboys) why they are trying to get Cablevision into court to force them to carry the channel on Basic cable? Because not all that many people are running out to get Directv or dish network (or even Fios) so fast...So i'm Glad the Draft will stay in NYC for at least one more year, and on Cable TV Via ESPN G_d Bless Chris Berman's Voice...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
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DRAFTING STRATEGY: PREMIUM POSITIONS V. SKILL POSITIONS
DRAFTING STRATEGY: PREMIUM POSITIONS V. SKILL POSITIONS
By Danny Zyskind for Football Reporters Online
In recent drafts some teams don’t focus as much on the premium positions (QB, DL, including pass rushing linebackers & OL) but rather look for skill players with great athletic ability or for hybrid type players who can create mismatches. Additionally many teams seem to be drafting more need based than value based. There are more than a couple of ways to win in the NFL but the greatest chance for success comes from focusing your resources on the premium positions. A team cannot have an 8-10 year run of high level football, like the Colts, Eagles or Pats, without a great quarterback, the ability to protect that quarterback and disrupting the other team’s quarterback. You can have a couple of good years and even win a super bowl but you have no chance at a dynasty. Aside from giving you the best chance to win those positions are premium in that they have longer shelf lives than the skill positions.
There is no prevailing wisdom on which positions are most likely to produce a bust in the NFL. Every position has produced top picks that have busted and late round picks that have become great. I used to hear that drafting a quarterback in the top five and having him bust will set the franchise back five years. I don’t buy it. Most of the teams in the league have learned to manage the cap well and can overcome a bad selection much quicker. The important thing is not to let a bad selection cloud your judgment during a later draft. The Bengals, with a history of ineptitude, didn’t allow the failure of Akili Smith to dissuade them from drafting Carson Palmer.
In a league littered with injuries, contract disputes and salary cap issues, I don’t agree with the idea of using a top draft pick on a lesser quality player because there’s a need at that position. You can never have enough depth in this league. Regarding quarterbacks, the reality is too many teams seem content to move forward with average or below average players at that position. Not having a dire need for a player at a specific position doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an attempt to improve it, particularly if it can be done at a premium position. Furthermore I am a believer that competition brings the best out of athletes. When you have a quality guy at a position and you use a high draft pick for a player at the same position chances are it will motivate the first player.
In this year’s draft the Raiders could have selected Darren McFadden or Glen Dorsey. If they weren’t concerned about Dorsey’s health they should have drafted him. Last year the much criticized Texans did the right thing by picking Mario Williams over Reggie Bush. The explosive skill players excite the fans but ultimately are less important when it comes to winning.
By Danny Zyskind for Football Reporters Online
In recent drafts some teams don’t focus as much on the premium positions (QB, DL, including pass rushing linebackers & OL) but rather look for skill players with great athletic ability or for hybrid type players who can create mismatches. Additionally many teams seem to be drafting more need based than value based. There are more than a couple of ways to win in the NFL but the greatest chance for success comes from focusing your resources on the premium positions. A team cannot have an 8-10 year run of high level football, like the Colts, Eagles or Pats, without a great quarterback, the ability to protect that quarterback and disrupting the other team’s quarterback. You can have a couple of good years and even win a super bowl but you have no chance at a dynasty. Aside from giving you the best chance to win those positions are premium in that they have longer shelf lives than the skill positions.
There is no prevailing wisdom on which positions are most likely to produce a bust in the NFL. Every position has produced top picks that have busted and late round picks that have become great. I used to hear that drafting a quarterback in the top five and having him bust will set the franchise back five years. I don’t buy it. Most of the teams in the league have learned to manage the cap well and can overcome a bad selection much quicker. The important thing is not to let a bad selection cloud your judgment during a later draft. The Bengals, with a history of ineptitude, didn’t allow the failure of Akili Smith to dissuade them from drafting Carson Palmer.
In a league littered with injuries, contract disputes and salary cap issues, I don’t agree with the idea of using a top draft pick on a lesser quality player because there’s a need at that position. You can never have enough depth in this league. Regarding quarterbacks, the reality is too many teams seem content to move forward with average or below average players at that position. Not having a dire need for a player at a specific position doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an attempt to improve it, particularly if it can be done at a premium position. Furthermore I am a believer that competition brings the best out of athletes. When you have a quality guy at a position and you use a high draft pick for a player at the same position chances are it will motivate the first player.
In this year’s draft the Raiders could have selected Darren McFadden or Glen Dorsey. If they weren’t concerned about Dorsey’s health they should have drafted him. Last year the much criticized Texans did the right thing by picking Mario Williams over Reggie Bush. The explosive skill players excite the fans but ultimately are less important when it comes to winning.
