Quartermaster
Worldwide FIB Member - Black Shield Plus

Bill,

Here is a Sunday morning rant on Charles Woodson and the possibility of him joining the Oakland Raiders:

Alright, the Charles Woodson sweepstakes are in full swing, and the line--that CW will not sign with the Raiders--appears to be trending in your favor. I am a strong believer in sticking with one's prediction, though, so I will hold out the possibility (neither faint nor strong) that Oakland will sign WTF Chuck on Tuesday.

Tuesday is of importance, and it is one of the reasons for my pet nickname for Sir Charles. Why? Because, we all know WTF Chuck doesn't like mini-camps. He never has, he never will. If my depleted memory serves me right, in one of his franchise tag years (probably the first one), he stayed out before signing his franchise tag solely because he did not want to participate in the dreaded camps. This was never publicly confirmed, but it walked like a duck and quacked like a duck (Pres. George Bush Sr.'s great analogy at the CIA, I loved that goof), so we can safely assume it is true.

Then there is the issue of money. There is no doubt in my mind that Charles Woodson read "Assassin" by Jack Tatum and took his message to heart. In so many words, Tatum said: you tell me it is all about the Silver and Black. I say it is all about the green.

Like Curt Flood before him in another realm, Tatum paved the way without enjoying the perk himself. I am aware of how Woodson-Poston bamboozled Al Davis with the second franchise tag offer. They may prove too smart for their own good, but I think there is room for mutually advantageous positions to be met on both sides. As you said, there is talk that McKenzie does not want Woodson as it returns to the past when he is busy building his own Jacksonville of the West.

The following article adds a new wrinkle to the mix, one that is often overlooked:

http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/...esday-1.180523

Charles Woodson uses his name to help society. I challenge any journalist to come up with substantive criteria of what constitutes real public service (in my opinion, United Way one-day photo-ops playing touch football are out, Woodson and Nnamdi Asomugha are in). Go back a decade, count only those years for which Oakland had a non-winning season. I will bet my condo that the percentage of Oakland Raider players that contributed in a substantial way to their community (wherever it is) is pathetically low.

With WTF Chuck, this is an especially salient point, one which Reggie McKenzie may miss. We want CW for his locker room presence as much as his savvy on the field. Oakland needs public service in a way no other NFL city needs help. Charles Woodson would help in this regard.

Finally, we do not forget: both Charles Woodson and Tory James had pins surgically implanted into their shin bones so they could return early and assist in the Oakland Raiders' stretch-run to the 2002 AFC Championship. This is a sad but real part of the NFL. If we are going to remember all those years in Silver and Black that WTF Chuck got zero interceptions, we are also going to remember one small pin for Raider humankind.

Will Charles Woodson sign with the Oakland Raiders? I think so. Will he sign before Wednesday? In the dizzying world of salary caps and guaranteed money, this much we know.

It all depends on when camp starts. Denver Broncos start camp on Monday, May 20. That is probably why Charles Woodson did not sign with the Broncos after his visit last week. The advantage lies with Denver, but Reggie has several hole-cards he can play.

Craig
https://www.facebook.com/#!/craig.m.parker.5

With all due respect to McClain, Houston and our other 1st year players... I am very curious about our two drafted rookie linemen.

I don't know what goes on in the minds of coaches, but with the likes of Sateele and Morris as our centers.... we have a lack of talent. Perhaps coaches Cable, Jackson and Michalczik share that opinion as they have rookie Veldheer quickly coming up to speed at center.

I think most Raider fans agree that center - the important line-calling and play anchoring spot - is a negative right now. Maybe Veldheer isnt the prototype center build (6'8" and 315 pounds of muscle), but if we're in the process of converting him to center, that should indicate that the coaches believe he has more upside than Satele and Morris.

Jared,the Division II All-American has a history of stepping up. From his seven inches of height added during high school, to being overlooked by college recruiters, to being a standout at Hillsdale College to playing in the Division All Star game in 2009 to imprssing all scouts at the NFL combine. It has been a series of challenges overcome.

Perhaps it comes down to the question of whether a 6'8" 315 strong, lean and fast lineman can match up against the shorter 350 pound monsters that attack the gaps. In the modified(Hue Jackson's power blocking added) ZBS it may work. The coaches must realize that as they have Veldheer queued up. Besides, anyone want to assure me that we're good to go with Satele?

On a related note, in regards to the numerous comments that our OLine is weak... I'd like to offer up a qualification to that. Our OLine is not weak on the left side. Thats my opinion anyway. Mario Henderson and Robert Gallery make our left side solid in pass protection and at least adequate in run blocking. But that is only true if Gallery is there. When Gallery went down last year, Henderson seemed to break down frequently. These two make a good left side.

For those who expect perfection from Mario... remember... we haven't had a solid left tackle since Barry Sims. My opinion is that Henderson and the left side will be solid if Gallery stays healthy.

Center, as I mentioned is weak. But the right side was horrid last year. No question Langston Walker is an improvement over Green. And if Cooper Carlisle can rebound from a down year, great.

But please tell me Bruce Campbell will get a chance to step in if Carlisle falters. Bruce is the workout stud who should be able to dominate once he acclimates to the NFL. He'll get some snaps at guard and tackle in camp. Hopefully he has the mojo to push Carlisle and crack the lineup. But is he too lean to play guard? Maybe. But look at Gallery. He's become a fine OG.

With Veldheer and BCampbell we have a pair of tall muscular young studs. It is a departure from the norm for these two guys to be getting time at center and guard... the positions normally suited for road grading 350 pound tubs o' goo. Or maybe I have it wrong. Perhaps they'll both toil as backups at tackle, their college positions? With Barnes and pears it seems that we have our backups at tackle. No matter what, summer camp and the exhibition games will be very interesting this year.


Barry Sims(1998-2008), the Raiders' last solid left tackle.

Longtime Raider observer Ron Macom files the following observation:

From JollyRoger:
By the time DHB was picked, the Raiders already pretty much knew what they had on their hands with JRuss. I'm sure they had gotten pretty tired of his attitude. I'm also sure they were looking at the distinct possibility/reality of his eventual release.

WR was a big need in the 2009 draft. The guy most of us thought the Raiders should have drafted was Michael Crabtree. When we took DHB, most everybody figured it was because DHB was blazing fast, and Crabs was thought to be not so fast.

Attachment 1061Well... I say, not so fast... When the teams started bringing players in for visits prior to that draft, reports began coming out that Crabtree was a primadonna who traveling to these teams with a huge entourage. In fact, I read one report that stated the Raiders had been turned off because of this. That he was a very odd duck. And lo and behold... Crabtree had a long holdout... even threatened the Niners with sitting out the entire 2009 season

You know Al was watching...

Regardless of your feelings on whether DHB and the other 2009 Raiders draftees were worthy, they all did possess one thing... strong character traits. Fast forward to this draft... and the high character trend continues.

When your talking about the massive financial investment involved, the debacle that Russell was, may have a had a huge effect on how Al views his draft choices.

From that perspective, there may be something golden taken from the horrible choice of JaMarcus Russell afterall.

Vote on this poll (click)

Originally Posted by Quartermaster

OK, Hypothetically, let's say the Raiders' defense faced the Raiders' Offense and vice versa. I'm sure eventually the offense would put more points on the board. They had better!

If you look at 2009, I think everyone would agree that the defense player better than the offense. Kudos to John Marshall and the defense. On top of that, 6 of 9 draft picks were defensive players - including rounds 1 and 2.

But offense might have jumped ahead of the food chain simply by trading for Jason Campbell - a proven starter who has improved each and every year. And when you remove the giant clog from the latreen, the offense will move fluidly and work as expected. But Hue Jackson might be the biggest single improvement in the offense - because: (1) We needed a dedicated OC who knows what he is doing (2) Jackson seems to have the right stuff to will our young players into achieving better results.

So who will have the best team? John Mashall or Hue Jackson? Or maybe John Fassell will take an average-at-best special teams and make them stars?

University of Raider Studies

The Worldwide Fans In Black Booster Club’s mission is simple: "Advancing a better understanding of the Greatness of the Raiders".

This is done by working towards these core values:
(1) Strive to educate new fans on the rich history of the team,
(2) Counter the anti-Raiders media bias with a more balanced and responsible view that only long-time daily observers can have.
(3) At every opportunity, work with Raider fans worldwide to perform good, charitable and giving deeds... validating the true face of the Raider Nation,
(4) Foster better communication between Raider fans through online resources and in-person events.

To that end, the WFIB Business Office has begun constructing an online campus complete with library and curriculum to serve WFIB members and Raider fans worldwide. Initially it will be a framework with some core topics. Within 3 years the goal is for the University to store a vast amount of historical and educational content.

Below is an outline of the “organization” of the University. It might be overkill for a collection of web pages, but if the University becomes popular, the organization will be needed.

I) Student/Faculty Ranking - For simplicity and effect, the University will adopt an individual ranking method similar to the “Jedi Order” of literature and movie fame. The order will work as follows:
a. The embodiment of becoming fully knowledgeable of the Raiders will mimic the concept of “The Force”.

b. General Raider fans who are not WFIB members will have access to some materials within the University, but will not be able to enroll or achieve rank.

c. Those who choose to study the discipline (there will be a means by which individuals can enroll) will be ranked as “Raider”. The requirements to enroll are: (1) Active WFIB membership and (2) answer a few questions.

d. The work on the University will begin by recruiting those who have demonstrated “Padawan” status(contributed selflessly to advancing Raider fan knowledge). These recruits will form the University Council. They will also be the first “Apprentices” and contributors to the University.

e. Those who demonstrate WFIB Excellence in their contributions to the University will advance from “Apprentice” to “Black Knight” and eventually to “Master”. (no, the username “Quartermaster” does not imply rank within the order.) . Deeds, quality of deeds and time will demonstrate the rank.

f. As earlier explained, the role of University Council will be initially appointed. In time, those who reach “Black Knight” and “Master” status will direct and oversee the University.



II) Curriculum
a. Year 1, all contributions come from Raider Apprentices.

b. Following Year 1, contributions of content, aka deeds, will be taken from any Raider fan who has met certain requirements:
i. Must come from a ranking member of the Raider order.
ii. Must fit within the categories established or be of enough quality to establish a new category.
iii. The Council will determine the category of content.

c. There will be multiple “facilities” within the University Campus. There facilities will house the various types of content. They are:
i. Library – Advanced study topics, links to resources, .
ii. History – Topics of general historical nature belong here. Such as early Raiders’ history, historic games, etc.
iii. Administration – Topics related to the Raiders’ administration, organization belong here.
iv. Legends Shrine – Hall of Fame, Lists of Legendary Players and Moments of Greatness are enshrined within this building.
v. The Stadium – Coaching and Football Philosophy covered here.
vi. Mathematics – Collection of numerical data including statistics and rankings.

III) Operation Costs, Scholarships
a. As an extension of the Business Office, the University of Raider Studies will use WFIB online resources. No additional bandwidth, disk storage or software is anticipated in the first year of operation.
b. An

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