Just Blog Baby » Daniel Loper

Hue Jackson Has Got Some Explaining to Do

Chris Shellcroft — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:01:05 +0000

Hue Jackson might not be the man making all the roster decisions but since he’s on the front line he’ll have to face the music. While I highly doubt the Raiders will offer any insight into the thought process that has gone into assembling the 2011 roster they’d be wise to get in front of the story before it grows bigger. In fact, they’d be smart to say something now before the play on the field tells the true story.

This offseason has been odd to say the least. Not that we’d expect anything different from the Raiders and Kim Jong Al. Never mind the lockout, the bizarre manner of building Hue’s bully began long before the NFL owners made their cash grab.

From the Raiders letting Nnamdi Asomugh and Zach Miller walk to Michael Bennett making the final cut for one day, this whirlwind of a roster rollercoaster ride could just be getting started.

Let’s start with the most recent news.

Somebody is going to have to explain to me why the Raiders chose to keep 5 running backs (a position with great strength in the top three alone) yet parted ways with a plethora a DBs (a position of great weakness and inexperience). Only to turn around and cut Bennett then re-sign Matt Giordano whom they just cut 48-hours ago.
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Final Cuts Indicate Raiders Roster in Flux

Chris Shellcroft — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 03:26:47 +0000

Really nothing should be a surprise anymore when it comes to Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders. Today was the perfect snapshot of the organization (or lack thereof) in Oakland.

To begin, we all know that the Raiders march to the beat of whatever drum gets Mr. Davis out of bed every morning. With the deadline looming for NFL teams to be down to the required 53-man roster all was quiet on the Oakland front. Small morsels trickled out to a hungry Raider Nation eager to learn just who they’d be cheering for in 2011.

The first to rumors were that both Walter McFadden and Lito Sheppard didn’t make the squad. McFadden’s release was shocking only in how long it took. It was pretty clear early on in his Raider days that his talents just didn’t translate to the NFL. At least not in the Raiders’ man-intensive scheme.

But that was just the beginning.
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53 Men that Will be Raiders: Predicting the Final Cut

Chris Shellcroft — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:43:17 +0000

The Raiders and Seahawks closed down the most unique preseason we’ve seen in years. We’re still waiting for the first win of the Hue Jackson era as Oakland folded in Seattle, losing 20-3 and going 0-for-the preseason.

This is the last off-season of labor strife for at least a decade. Despite the lockout ending before too much was lost there were plenty of casualties of the subtle kind.

For some straight cash was lost, homie. Vets that sought long term deals had to settle for one-year auditions.

For others, roles went by the wayside no thanks to the loss of OTAs, time with team trainers and just plain poor showings in the four weeks of camp.

For many, the chance at a job in football ends tonight as the final cut downs are due by 3pm Pacific Standard.

Here is one blogger’s picks for the 53 men lucky enough to earn a living wearing silver and black in 2011.
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