Welcome Back!

I'm Baaaccckkk!!!! Yes, it has been a while since you last heard from me. I never left, just took a break. Well, here I go with the latest installment.

I do not know if I am happy with the Raiders choice of Tom Cable as Head Coach. Yes, he won some games towards the end of the season, but I don't see the fire in his eyes when he speaks of the team. Maybe the decision came because it was hard to find someone to take the job. NOT! Terry Robiskie was laying in wait, ready to go with a full staff. He knew he could turn this team around. For some reason, the deal could not be closed. I am not happy with release of Ronald Curry, either, but I know that Big Al knows what he is doing and he has the best interest of the Raiders winning another Superbowl at heart.

The schedule is starting to take shape. The Raiders start the preseason in Oakland against the Cowboys. Then they have a long road trip to San Fran to play the 49ers. They have to make that long trek back to Oakland to play the Saints then a short jet ride to Seattle to meet the Seahawks. You do know I am joking about the distance. This is one of the shortest travel routes for the preseason.

As you know, I do not call preseason games, because most of the players you see will not be on the roster by the time the regular season starts. It is audition time.

As for the regular season, good news and bad news. The good news, the Raiders open in Oakland against the Chargers as part of the special Monday Night Football double-header. It marks the 3rd consecutive season the Raiders were part of the Monday Night Football double-header. Say what you will, but there is a reason ESPN has chosen the Raiders to be on their Monday Night opener every year they had a double-header. No other team has that honor. Now, the bad news. Well, it is good news, too. Let me explain. On Thanksgiving Day, the Raider travel to Texas to play the Cowboys. I like the old tradition of Thanksgiving Day games between the Cowboys and the Lions or the Cowboys and the Redskins. Hence, my calling it "bad news". But, I am happy that I get to sit back and watch the Raiders on Thanksgiving. That is worth the wait. I know I will be at home for that, I do not want distractions on that day.
The rest of the schedule has not been posted, yet. Only the names of the opponents for home and away games have been named. For home games the Raiders will face, in addition to the divisional teams, the Ravens, Bengals, Jets, Eagles and Redskins. They will go on the road to meet, in addition to the divisional teams, the Giants, Cowboys, Steelers, Texans and Browns. Again, those on the NFL scheduling committee are the only persons who know the exact dates of the games. I will, as always, keep you posted.

Mini-predictions. I see the Raiders sweeping the Broncos. They just got screwed by a QB who has a decent record, but sensitive feelings. Just because they tried to get a better QB, he doesn't want to play with them, anymore. So, the cut Cutler. I think that was the right thing to do. (Stay away from him, Al. We already got bit by a Bronco once and don't want to get bit again.) My guess is he will end up in Detroit. They need a QB and the Broncos are not looking to make Jake happy. I also, see the Raiders winning against the Chargers. The had some belly aching coming from their star LaDamion Thomlinson. That spells L-O-S-E-R. Finally, the Chiefs. Need I say more? They still have 2 seasons before they can get it together and become the team of old.

In closing, I would like to comment on the Michael Vick situation. That is a classic display of how society (and I mean White Society) can tear a human-being down over an animal. He is bankrupt, can not find anyone to buy his home, has served nearly 2 years in prison in Leavenworth, Kansas and has to give the Falcons 6.5 or 7.5 million dollars from his signing bonus'. I think that he has more than paid his debt to society, yet there are some who still want more from him. I think it has truly come down to race. R-A-C-E. And I don't mean like Vick can outrun anyone. You know what I am talking about. Michael Vick is due to be placed on house arrest on May 20th of this year. His sentence is up on July 20th of this year. He has to go before the NFL Commissioner to ask for reinstatement to the NFL, if he wants to play. It hurt my heart, today, to hear the NFL Commissioner say the following:

"I'm not going to make a judgment until I know all the facts on Michael Vick, I think it's clear he's paid a price, but to a large extent he's going to have to demonstrate to the larger community — not just to the NFL community and to me — that he has remorse for what he did and that he recognizes mistakes that he made. Everyone makes mistakes, but he has to show that genuine remorse in his ability to be a positive influence to correct the things that he did wrong publicly."

Now, who is this "community" that Roger Goodell speaks of? My community certainly believes he is remorseful and has paid the price for more than himself, alone. The only people you find asking for more are the people who think dogs are more valuable than humans. The above statement is proof the Roger Goodell wants to pile-on by publicly humiliating the man even more. He has been broken like no one before him. I say to Goodell, lay off. He has served his time, made his apologies and is due a fair chance. Reinstate him and if he screws up, again, use the tool you love and suspend him.

You don't have to agree with me. It's just how I feel.

Raider-Man, stay true to the game!
(I need a beer)