Welcome Back!!!!!!

Hey Fans,

I have been bombarded with messages asking me to come back. Well, I never left. I know I told you, last week, I would start this past Monday, but I held off because I wanted to see what the United Football League (UFL) was going to do. They held their first press conference in Las Vegas on Monday to announce the team name and nickname along with the schedule and ticket sales. I know you want Raider talk and if I need to tell you that it is coming, YOU don't know me. I want to talk about the UFL, first.

I am very excited about this league. If you love football, you should be, too. Look them up at www.ufl-football.com and tell me if you are not surprised. I won't say too much, this week, but I will keep you posted on their progress. The Las Vegas team is named "The Locomotives" and the nickname is "The Locos". The chant of "GO LOCOS" has already begun around town. The inaugural game will be here in Vegas on October 8, 2009 against the San Francisco team "The California Redwoods" and we have our tickets. I will be in attendance. The head coach for Las Vegas is Jim Fassel. The QB's are J.P. Losman and Tim Rattay. Look them up. Good players. The California teams head coach is Dennis Green. The UFL has a television contract with the Verses Network. The games are on Thursday's starting October 8th with the championship game November 28th (a Friday) in Las Vegas. I will talk about the rules and other happenings in the coming weeks. But, now it's NFL time.

Let me start with the big news. Micheal Vick. He has signed, as of last night, with the Philadelphia Eagles. I am happy. Many are angry. In my opinion, they are fools. I think he has gone through more than enough punishment for something that is a cultural thing. He was found guilty of funding a dog fighting ring. A DOG FIGHTING RING. He did not murder or rape a person. He did not kill someone while he was driving drunk. He did not commit a hate crime. He let dogs fight for money. As I stated in past postings (look them up, people) it is a long standing event throughout the southern belt of the US. Everyone knows it happens. Stripping Michael Vick has not put an end to it, yet there are people in Philadelphia, as well as all across the nation, who have expressed outrage at the his signing with the Eagles. Those people would love to see this man, this Black Man, lynched for putting dogs to harm doing what mean dogs do on a daily basis. Don't get me started.

RAIDERS!!!

It's preseason football time and the Raiders started against the Cowboys, in Oakland, last night. Final score, Raiders 31 Cowboys 10. Now, you know how I feel about preseason games. To that end I will say this. Yes, it was a victory. Yes, they looked awesome. Yes, the defense looked tough. Yes, JaMarcus has shown vast improvements. But, you are watching an evaluation process in effect. Over half the players you saw last night (those who could watch) will not be a part of the team when the regular season starts. The Cowboys were evaluating players, as well. don't sleep on them and don't rush to get high on the Raiders.

I say that just to keep things in perspective. Here is how I feel.

The Raiders are going to win the West. The Raiders will win the Superbowl. I say that, not because of last nights game, but because of things I see out of the regular players, rookies and coaching staff. I have watched training camp film. I have watched interviews. That is how I evaluate my team. Those of you who know me understand my passion, my RAIDER passion. I am not simply blowing smoke, I truly believe what I say and I do not care what anyone else thinks.

I never comment on preseason games, because it is a waste of time to judge a team based on how their worst players perform. The Raiders worst players are better than most teams good players. Nuff said. The Raiders rookies are learning the game, well. The veterans are above par. JaMarcus has a super strong arm. The WR's have learned to catch his passes without making him change his style.

To the team...JaMarcus is the starting QB. They have a good backup in Charlie Frye. Jeff Garcia can teach JaMarcus a ton at QB. He had to deal with Terrell Owens on the 49ers. Bruce Gradkowski is an outstanding QB that will get better with time. Darren McFadden is what he was as a rookie, great. Micheal Bush could win the rushing title this season. He is that strong. Justin Fargus will repeat his great season of last year, if he can stay healthy. Both he and Garcia are dealing with injuries. The Raider defense will be one of the toughest in the NFL again. Teams are already dreading having to face them. They have a big challenge with the schedule, but I think they can handle it. Nnamdi Asomugha will lead the charge. He has challenge each player on defense to step up bigger and better than last year and they will. Both the offensive and defensive lines are tighter and if they offensive line can protect the QB 80% of the time, the Raiders will be feared.

I will close this week with one comment. At halftime of last nights game, there was a tribute to Al Davis. He turns 80 years old this year. It was a fitting tribute and well put together. I think it is something that should be shown on ESPN, as well as, the NFL Network. He is a great man and a football genius. How fitting would it be to win the Vince Lombardi trophy at 80?

Next game, Saturday, August 22nd, against the 49ers on the road. Long road trip.

Until then, you don't have to agree with me, just respect my perspective,
Radier-Man, out!