Before I get to my thoughts on the game tonight I have to bring something up that I have been really trying to avoid if for no other reason than to keep this blog as a non-violent sanctuary of sports love. But as the days (or seasons go by) it becomes increasingly more difficult to a) not keel over and vomit thinking about the Raiders b) not to arrange a murder for hire and plot it against Al Davis as I am convinced at this point in time he is immortal and c) comprehend a single organizational move the team has made in recent memory.
When the Raiders took Darius Heyward-Bey in this past NFL draft, they reached on a player with the 7th overall pick that many scouts had billed as a late first round pick at best. At best. With acclaimed receiver Michael Crabtree sitting there for them to take, they essentially reached 20 picks on a player that had more question marks than the Riddlers’ outfit in Batman Forever.
It’s not fair at all to say that Heyward-Bey wont pan out and my complaint certainly isn’t with the kid. He impressed the Raiders. He got paid. Nice work, son. But what I don’t understand is why couldn’t Oakland trade out of the 7th pick and wait on the kid to fall to them later in the draft in order to maximize his value. This is old news now and rather moot, but a gripe nonetheless. And all this followed a season in which they traded a second and fifth round pick to the Falcons for overrated cornerback DeAngelo Hall, inked him to a seven-year, $70 million deal and cut him 8 games later…throwing the picks and about $8 million down the toilet.
The most recent Raider move to potentially, and I must stress potentially, blow up in their face is the recent acquisition of former New England defensive end Richard Seymour for a 2011 first round draft pick. Seymour was a stud with the Pats. He has been to the pro-bowl five times and is a three-time Super Bowl champion. So obviously talent is not the issue here. What concerns me is the trade took place five days ago and Seymour has yet to report to the Raiders. The only thing that continues to run through my head is Oakland just traded a first round pick for absolutely nothing. Zilch. Nada. I don’t think I could handle it. I really don’t. Head coach Tom Cable has assured the public that he has spoken with Seymour and that he wants to be with the team but that just sounds like a bunch of tabloid speak. If he wanted to be there, he would be there. Who the hell wants to go from a perennial super bowl contender to a bottom feeder anyways, can’t say I blame the guy. As of Thursday evening the Raiders sent a letter to the Seymour camp stating that he had to report within five days or face possible suspension from the team. Unreal. It’s already become a circus and the guy hasn’t even played a down for the team. The Raiders make Barnum and Bailey look like a pre-school nap hour. But then again this has been the most redundant theme in the NFL for the past 6 years, so I shall stop now.
Was that a football game or the opening scene to Saving Private Ryan?
That was a slugfest. The NFL season opened up tonight and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Tennessee Titans in overtime 13-10. The game was very much back and forth as each team relied heavily on their stellar defenses to keep them in the game. But as the game wore on the physicality began to take its toll and was highlighted by an injury to superstar Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu. Did the Madden cover jinx really just strike again? Initial reports are a sprained MCL and a 3-6 week recovery period. The Steelers are loaded on defense but the loss of Polamalu is one that could shift things around in the AFC if teams can figure out how to exploit the loss of one of the smartest and most explosive defensive game changers. Tennesee also lost a key cog to their offense when tight end Bo Scaife left the game with a sprained knee after hauling in 5 catches for 48 yards.
I was definitely surprised at how ineffective the Steelers were running the ball tonight, but I think a lot of that can be attributed to the defense of the Titans. Still, it’s something to keep an eye on as we move forward. It is after all just the first game. Wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward picked up for the lack of a ground game and combined for 234 receiving yards, which proved to be just enough firepower to aid in the victory. The Titans offense featured a much more balanced attack but the teams lack of a consistent means of stretching the field should pose somewhat of a concern. When Titan running back Chris Johnson isn’t bustin long runs all over the place, the Tennesee offense looks awfully dull and bland. The defense on the other hand was very impressive and didn’t look like they missed the departed Albert Haynesworth at all.
Looking forward to a full slate of weekend games as the ball on this season really starts to roll.
-MJK
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