RaiderLegend

Presiden Obama Addresses Congress

2012-01-24T19:13:00.000-08:00

President Obama made a very sensible and clear pitch to congress and the country to mend our country and work toward a true fellowship of citizenry, politics and business. He is living proof that there are still politicians who are serving the citizens of this country over their own selfish gains.

He's willing to sign-off on any legislation that is in the best interest of the United States period. He used the unity of our military as an example of what it takes to accomplish out goals as a country. Unity!

I thought it was politicking at first, but then......the man just told it like the entire country needed it to be told. To congress, big business, banks and any American who didn't get his UNITED message; Come'on Man!

Raiders Hire Dennis "Who-The-Hell-R-U" Allen

2012-01-24T18:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, the Raiders new GM Reggie McKenzie has chosen a new Head Coach. The man he chose is Dennis Allen, defensive coordinator for last season's Denver Broncos. Before that he spent four seasons under New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on their defensive staff. In Atlanta he's been under coaches the likes of Dan Reeves and Jim Mora.

Dennis is 39 years old. He brings an aggressive style of defense to the Raiders. His Broncos defense was 5th in sacks this past season, though 20th overall in yards allowed. The Raiders defense was 29th in yards allowed last season.

So just who the Hell is Dennis Allen? Guess we'll have to tune into the press conference, then wait until next season to get a look-see. He does have a super bowl ring.

Why am I not excited though about this hire? Why am I all of a sudden thinking maybe Hue Jackson wasn't so bad? Gut feelings folks, it just doesn't feel good in my gut. If it's any consolation, it's the first defensive minded Raiders head coach since the hiring of John Madden (1969).

Welcome to the Raiders.........Dennis!

Movie Red Tails

2012-01-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

Just watched the movie Red Tails at the theater and came away feeling lukewarm about it. It really was more a feel good movie and less a feel history production. Sure, we get to see and hear the Tuskegee Airmen inspired story presented on a grand Hollywood scale budget, but something just didn't ring authentic.

Maybe the real Airmen who's story this movie is based on chose only to hint at the unfair and challenging conditions they faced. Maybe for national security reasons or government confidentiality much was left unsaid or edited out. Or just maybe the non-black investors and producers were more comfortable with a nice and safe, can't we all get along for the greater good, story. Whatever the reason for it's shortcomings, Red Tails left me feeling like someone was trying to retell it like it was without showing it how it really was. And all to the sound of an epic Star Wars-like music score.

We must remember though that the airmen were mostly young educated middle and upper class black men coming from a time and place that demanded their obedience, discipline and restraint. Therefore, they might come across today as privileged schoolboys experiencing their first taste of racial inequality.

Their strength was definitely in their commitment to be the best at what they did and show not just the enemy abroad, but enemies at home just how much man a black man can be when given an even playing field. They were some of the most courageous fighter pilots of the war.

For those who aren't familiar with the story of race in America, this movie will be easy to nibble on without choking down any guilt. For others, they might find it serves the purpose of getting the word out about WWII race issues in the United States. For those few like myself, who bought their theater ticket hoping to see the Tuskegee Airmen's story in their own words, be glad there's quality documentary material on the subject and let's try not to be too harsh on this entertaining film.

After all, there's a generation of young people of all colors and ethnicities who receive a message better when accompanied with lights, music and action. Only Hollywood!

Red Tail reviews from rotten tomatoes:

...though it's tempting to root for Red Tails based on its intentions alone, I fear it would be similar to clapping extra loud for the handicapped child at the little league game, a celebration of effort over execution.

January 21, 2012

Any movie that makes even one person want to find out more about The Tuskegee Airman makes it an worthwhile effort in my book. I walked in with high expectations, I wanted to love this movie but came away just liking it.

January 22, 2012

feels like an apology from Lucas for having only one African American character in the original Star Wars trilogy

January 20, 2012

note: I recently watched one of my favorite films on the subject of race in the U.S. military during WWII. I never tire of watching the 1984 movie "A Soldier's Story," with actors Howard Rollins and a young Denzel Washington.

read about the 40-year Tuskegee Syphilis Expermint, another U.S. injustice toward black (African-American) citizens.

Does History Repeat Itself?

2012-01-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

Chester A. Arthur became the 21st President of the United States following the assassination of President James Garfield in 1881. He faced many issues that modern day President's have faced, including budget balancing, immigration, corruption in government and opponents questioning his citizenship. This bit of information about him on wikepedia I found very interesting:

"No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted as Chester Alan Arthur, and no one ever retired ... more generally respected, alike by political friend and foe."

William Arthur's frequent moves would later form the basis for accusations that Chester Arthur was not a native-born citizen of the United States. After Arthur was nominated for Vice President in 1880, his political opponents suggested that he might be constitutionally ineligible to hold that office.^[8]

A New York attorney, Arthur P. Hinman, apparently hired by his opponents, explored rumors of Arthur's foreign birth.^[9] Hinman initially alleged that Arthur was born in Ireland and did not come to the United States until he was fourteen years old, which would make him ineligible for the Vice Presidency under the United States Constitution's natural-born citizen clause.^[9]^{[note 3]} When that story did not take root, Hinman spread a new rumor that Arthur was born in Canada, but this claim also failed to gain credence.^[9]

Civil service reform

In the 1870s, the public became aware of a scandal in which contractors for star postal routes were greatly overpaid for their services with the connivance of government officials (including Second Assistant Postal Secretary Thomas J. Brady and former Senator Stephen Wallace Dorsey).^[104] This was an example of the kind of corruption that reformers feared Arthur would permit, and reformers grew concerned that the former supporter of the spoils system would not devote his administration's energy to continuing the investigation into the scandal.^[104] Nevertheless, the new Attorney General, Brewster, continued the investigations begun by MacVeigh and hired notable Democratic lawyers William W. Ker and Richard T. Merrick in an attempt both to improve the prosecution team and avoid the appearance of political partisanship.^[105] Although Arthur had worked closely with Dorsey before taking office, once in office he supported the investigation and forced the resignation of officials suspected in the scandal.^[105] An 1882 trial of the ringleaders resulted in convictions for two minor conspirators and a hung jury for the rest.^[106] After a juror came forward with allegations that the defendants attempted to bribe him, the judge set aside the guilty verdicts and granted a new trial.^[106] Before the second trial began, Arthur removed five federal office holders who were sympathetic with the defense, including a former Senator.^[107] The second trial began in December 1882 and lasted until July 1883 and, again, did not result in a guilty verdict.^[107] Failure to obtain a conviction tarnished the administration's image, but Arthur did succeed in putting a stop to the fraud.

The New York World summed up Arthur's presidency at his death in 1886: "No duty was neglected in his administration, and no adventurous project alarmed the nation."

49ers Fumble Away Super Bowl Birth

2012-01-22T22:18:00.000-08:00

#10 Kyle "oops" Williams

We Raiders fans feel the pain of the 49ers 23-20 OT loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game held at candlestick park today. You could look at a few calls that might've given the Niners a better opportunity to win had it gone their way, but what really sealed their fate was second year punt returner Kyle Williams, filling in for injured Ted Ginn.

Kyle Williams, a name that'll make 49er fans flinch in the days to come, flubbed on two punt returns to give the Giants the ball back. The last flub in overtime is the one that gift-wrapped the NFC Championship for the visitors from New York.

Kyle Williams, the player who'll wear the goat tag for the 2011 San Francisco 49ers. Kyle, how-could-you-fumble-that-ball, Williams; the player who will shoulder the blame for a team who on this day cannot scream out "Who's Got It Better Than Us." We saw the outcome and know who's got it better.

Truthfully, it wasn't the New York Giants who beat the 49ers, it was Kyle Williams, the 49ers struggling passing game, Kyle Williams, 49ers struggling first half pass defense and a Giants receiver by the name of Victor Cruz (cruuuuz.)

A heart wrenching loss for a team that was so close to clenching today's game, only to have Kyle Williams and the G-Men spoil their Super Bowl birth. The 49ers proved they belonged in this toughly fought NFC title game, but unfortunately their inability to finish on a big stage is what the millions of viewers around the world will remember seeing. Yeah, Niners TE Vernon Davis was spectacular again, but where the heck were the other receivers?

Congratulations New York Giants on your 2011 NFC Championship!

The G-Men will go on to play the New England Patriots in SB XLVI in Indianapolis on Feb. 5th. The Baltimore Ravens missed a field goal with seconds left in New England to seal they're fate earlier today.

Who Wants It More?

2012-01-19T21:33:00.000-08:00

So it's come to this; four teams outta thirty-two left fighting for the ultimate NFL prize. Of the remaining four, two won't be invited to Indianapolis to play in that ultimate game called the Super Bowl.

Of the two who punch their tickets to the Big Show with conference championship wins this Sunday, only one will stick around to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in a victory celebration after SBXLVI. Only One can be called League Champion. Only One!

So, who's it gonna be?

New England Patriots - a high powered offense desperate for a return to dynasty greatness

Baltimore Ravens - a legendary defense carrying legendary players on one last hurrah

New York Giants - a hot playoff streaking team hoping to duplicate their 2008 miracle

San Francisco 49ers - a new defensive powerhouse wants return to franchise glory days

Yes, it's come to this!

OPPOSE PIPA & SOPA

2012-01-18T18:46:00.000-08:00

STOP PIPA (Senate 968) & SOPA (HR 3261)

Imagine a world without craigslist, Wikipedia, Google, [your favorite sites here]...

News Corp, RIAA, MPAA, Nike, Sony, Comcast, VISA & others want to make that world your reality.

80 Members of Congress are in their sway, 30 against, the rest undecided or undeclared.

★ ★ ★ Please take a minute to tell your Members of Congress you OPPOSE PIPA & SOPA ★ ★ ★

CLICK HERE for MORE INFO & EASY ACTION ITEMS

PS: corporate paymasters, KEEP THOSE CLAMMY HANDS OFF THE INTERNET!

Flogging Molly Coming To Oakland

2012-01-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

Their ideas are as radical as their music. "Flogging Molly," a rock, punk, blues, irish keltic, unique band comes to the Bay Area March 10th, 2012, on their "Green 17 Tour."

Flogging Molly first came to my attention when I met this Irish chap sporting a t-shirt with a killer keltic image. We talked and he suggested I check out the band online. Well, I listened and though the music isn't quite my style, being a Raiders fan I like the bawdy, rhythmic, pirate sound and lyrics.

When I recently checked the Flogging Molly website I was impressed with their political awareness and support of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Like their music, the band has a wide range of ideas and opinions on world issues.

Don't know if I'll make it to their concert at Fox Theatre in Oakland come March, but I just might swing by to buy a killer t-shirt and support their cause. Below is the band's statement on their new album that was made to bring about economic awareness. Right On Flogging Molly!

THE LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON THE WORKING CLASS

Three years ago, hard working men and women the world over were collectively under the assumption that their nest eggs were secure, their homes were the safest of all investments, and that the economy was on the upswing. Then, with virtually no warning, their lives were turned upside down, as an entire generation saw their dreams dashed and plans dismantled. It all happened with the Speed of Darkness.

Nothing has mattered more to Flogging Molly than their new record, Speed of Darkness. "It wasn't the album we set out to write," vocalist/guitarist Dave King says. "It became the album we had to write." Musically and lyrically, Flogging Molly has never sounded so mature or rousing, nor have the messages of alienation and hope behind their songs ever been so relevant. Speed of Darkness was written over several months when the band would descend into the basement of King's Detroit home—a home he shares with his wife, Flogging Molly fiddler, Bridget Regan (they maintain dual residences in Ireland and Detroit, where Bridget was born and raised). As the country struggled to stay afloat, the songs evolved into odes to the working man and battle cries against the elite establishment that so quickly and callously cast him aside. "I write from my surroundings," King says. "I wanted people who've lost their jobs to know I was paying attention. We're singing for them, all of these good people brought to their knees." Nowhere is this more apparent than on the charging and bluesy track "The Power's Out." ("The power's out, there's fuck all to see/The power's out, like this economy/The power's out, guess it's par for the course/Unless you're a bloodsucking leech CEO").

New Orleans Saints Bad Day In The Bay

2012-01-15T12:05:00.000-08:00

The New Orleans Saints came to town with high expectations of beating the San Francisco 49ers to advance to the NFC Championship game. With Quarterback Drew "bullseye" Brees leading possibly the best offense in the league, few if any gave much maligned 49ers quarterback Alex Smith a chance of matching Brees drive-for-drive.

The 49ers didn't blink as their defense did the usual bend but don't break dance step, while Alex Smith and the offense eventually found a way to get up off the mat and answer the bell. The game came down to 14 seconds for the 49ers offense at the Saints 14 yard line. knowing that choosing overtime against Dree Brees was like getting measured for your own coffin while still alive, the 49ers banked on the arm of Alex Smith and the hands of tight end Vernon Davis.

Almost 20 hours later, the 49ers and San Francisco Bay Area fans are still rollicking in the most intense, improbable home playoff victory of a bay area professional football team since the 49ers beat the Packers in similar fashion in 1999. Brees and the saints should be back in the "big easy" clearing out their lockers and wondering if they weren't victims of a phantom punch. They never saw it coming, the loss.

The words off everyone's lips who witnessed the game is simple and appropriate: Classic!

Congratulation San Francisco 49ers on eating through the leash of the underdog role buckled around your neck.

Wearing my Raiders Jersey I was welcomed in brotherly sports fashion while watching the game with 49er fans. Had they lost though, their hospitality could have dried up and become as cold as a witch's tit.

10-Year-Itch

2012-01-13T12:36:00.000-08:00

Yeah, Raider Nation, it's been 10 years since the NoFumbleLeague shafted us in the playoffs, launching Tom Brady and the Pats dynastic rise. 10 years since the infamous "Tuck Rule" was called in a playoff game. Just 10 years ago, the Oakland Raiders were embarking on their return to greatness, winning the AFC West division for the second year in a row and on their way to a second straight AFC Conference title game.

Few are talking about the Tuck Rule anniversary during these 2011 season playoffs. And we Raider fans know exactly why; it's one of the most conspiratorial, league embarrassing moments in the history of NFL playoff games. The reverse call by referee Walt Coleman and the review booth was so far-fetched that players, analysts, fans and Osama Bin Ladin himself were perplexed, as all rushed to the rule book to look up NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2.

Til this day, 10 years later, nobody understands how a rule such as this ever made it into the rule book. Also, til this day no league official has apologized or admitted that the fumble should not have been reversed. 10 years and the injustice still stands, glaring at us like an innocent prisoner falsely convicted.

So this is the 10 year anniversary of a game where not the players but the league officials got caught with their pants down on national television; CHEATING. The anniversary is important because unlike the Immaculate Deception, the Brady Fumble was seen on primetime television with all eyes and cameras focused on Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson knocking the ball out of Patriots QB Tom Brady's hands, causing it to fumble onto the frozen Foxboro turf.

We should remember that infamous moment if for no other reason than to see to it that such a crime as blatant as the Tuck Fumble never happens again in football or any other sport. Ever!

Yes Raider Nation, IT WAS A FUMBLE!

Shout Out To Warrior Nate Robinson

2012-01-12T08:44:00.000-08:00

Few athletes past and present have defied our conceptions of what makes a star professional athlete. It takes a specially gifted individual to convince us that size doesn't matter in a game where the average player height is 6 feet, seven inches, and the average weight hovers around 222 lbs.

New Golden State Warriors guard Nate Robinson is reminding us yet again to put aside our preconceptions and watch him do his thing. At 5'9, Nate is showing Bay Area basketball fans the skills that made him the Phoenix Suns 21st selection of the 2005 NBA draft (traded to New York Knicks.)

Best remembered for winning three all-star slam dunk competitions, one in which he jumped over Spud Webb, another specially gifted smaller man, Nate is making Warriors fans believe once again.

On Tuesday night with guard Stephen Curry out attending to "the ankle that just won't heal," Nate led the Warriors to a 111-106 overtime victory against the Miami Heat in Oakland. Tonight Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic come to town to test the Mark Jackson coached Warriors. If the Magic think they'll be going up against the same old Warriors team then they're in for an awakening.

The Golden State Warriors have a chip on their shoulder, everyone assumes they're not serious NBA championship contenders. Based on recent playoff history (1 appearance in 18 seasons), it's a valid assumption.

It takes special players like Nate Robinson to help a struggling team see themselves not as others have in the past but as they hope to see themselves in the future; winners. The Golden State Warriors are beginning to see themselves in a new winning light. Thanks Nate!

Unto This Last - Sarvodaya

2012-01-11T09:27:00.000-08:00

Sarvodaya means "universal uplift" or "progress of all." It was coined 1908 by Mahatma Ghandi in his translation of John Rushkin's tract on political economy, "Unto This Last."

The information I share here is found in places throughout the internet. I chose wikepedia as my source. I've read some of John Ruskin's "Unto This Last" and should warn you that it's dated (1862) and very scholarly, but the message of economic responsibility is there.

Today's changing economy is forcing peoples to reevaluate the economic structure of the west. More importantly, movements like "Occupy Wall Street" are putting the focus and blame for the economic downturn squarely on the shoulders of unscrupulous money lenders and corporate greed. John Rushkin's lectures that took place almost 150 years ago are again being dusted off and held up to the light for review and guidance.

Bottom line; the "Haves" should be morally responsible and financially accountable for maintaining an economic structure conducive to the safe and natural civil conditions of the "Have Nots."

Social theory

Ruskin attacked orthodox, nineteenth-century political economy principally on the grounds that it failed to acknowledge complexities of human desires and motivations (broadly, "social affections"). He began to express such ideas in The Stones of Venice, and increasingly in works of the later 1850s, such as The Political Economy of Art (A Joy For Ever), but he gave them full expression in the influential essays, Unto This Last.

At the root of his theory, was Ruskin's dissatisfaction with the role and position of the worker, and especially the artisan or crafstman, in modern industrial capitalist society. Ruskin believed that the economic theories of Adam Smith, expressed in The Wealth of Nations had led, through the division of labour to the alienation of the worker not merely from the process of work itself, but from his fellow workmen and other classes, causing increasing resentment. (See section, "Stones of Venice", above.)

He argued that one remedy would be to pay work at a fixed rate of wages, because human need is consistent and a given quantity of work justly demands a certain return. The best workmen would remain in employment because of the quality of their work (a focus on quality growing out of his writings on art and architecture). The best workmen could not, in a fixed-wage economy, be undercut by an inferior worker or product.

"Nay, but I choose my physician and my clergyman, thus indicating my sense of the quality of their work. By all means, also, choose your bricklayer; that is the proper reward of the good workman, to be "chosen." The natural and right system respecting all labour is, that it should be paid at a fixed rate, but the good workman employed, and the bad workman unemployed. The false, unnatural, and destructive system is when the bad workman is allowed to offer his work at half-price, and either take the place of the good, or force him by his competition to work for an inadequate sum."^[200]

In the preface to Unto This Last (1862), Ruskin recommended that the state should underwrite standards of service and production to guarantee social justice. This included the recommendation of government youth-training schools promoting employment, health, and ‘gentleness and justice’; government manufactories and workshops; government schools for the employment at fixed wages of the unemployed, with idlers compelled to toil; and pensions provided for the elderly and the destitute, as a matter of right, received honourably and not in shame.^[201] Many of these ideas were later incorporated into the welfare state.^[202]

McKenzie Gives Coach Hue Jackson Pink Slip

2012-01-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

Big Shakeup in Raider Nation!

Coach Hue Jackson has been relieved of his duties. The "New" general Manager, Reggie McKenzie, has spoken and the Oakland Raiders are truly cutting the umbilical cord that the late Al Davis nurtured the current roster through.

The Reggie McKenzie press conference is about to begin. Will tune in with comments after hearing the facts of Hue's firing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Per the press conference, head coach Hue Jackson's firing was not based on his performance as much as a new GM wanting to lay his own foundation toward a new direction of greatness. Reggie wants his own people, however, had Hue and the Raiders made the playoffs that would've factored into possibly keeping Hue as head coach.

Reggie begins his second Raiders tenure by looking at and evaluating the entire Raiders organization to see what is working, what is not and where improvement is needed.

I was very impressed with the Mark Davis/Reggie McKenzie press conference today. The owner and general manager are continuing Al's legacy of commitment to excellence.

Bottom Line: GM Reggie McKenzie has returned home to the Oakland Raiders to "win championships." He plans to do it by putting a structure in place that is "highly conducive to winning." Communication from the top down will play a major role.

Note: after a question referring to the late Al Davis was asked by Scott Osler of the SF Chronicle, the room lights went out and the film screen behind Mark and Reggie came down, then went back up as the lights came back on. Big Al made his presence known.

In 2009 I blogged my suggestion for a Raiders GM. After hearing Mr. McKenzie today, I can truly confess that I was just dazed and confused back then.

Please, Someone, Anyone, Create A Better Cap Logo

2012-01-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

When the Florida Marlins joined major league baseball as an expansion team in 1993, I thought the team name (Marlins) was very catchy; almost as catchy as the San Jose Sharks.

But then I got a glimpse of their cap logo, a marlin-swordfish pole dancing on a seductive capital F, and I couldn't take the team seriously.

I found that freaky fish logo as silly and unsportsmanlike as a flagrant foul in football, that is until the fresh fish swept my San Francisco Giants in the 1997 NLDS, on the way to their first world series championship. I still hated the fish logo, but tolerated the team and attributed beginner's luck to their success.

In 2003, when the fish again rolled my Giants in the NLDS 3-1, I had no choice but to accept the Florida Marlins as a fine organization. They were the first team to win a world series as a wild card. But that didn't stop me from begging the question, why would any team, especially one that's won a championship, use a non-predator fish as it's logo? a fish that is usually seen struggling to loose itself from the fishing line of a beer drinking fisherman no less.

I had hoped with the new name change from Florida to Miami Marlins, the cap logo would display either a more fierce Marlin or if not simply do away with the saw-nosed character entirely. Instead, we get a computer generated graphic showing a big "M" wearing what looks like an upside down nike swoosh perched sideways on its head.

That might not have been so bad, but the chosen colors resemble that of a disney animation or the gay and lesbian multi-colored flag, neither of which give off the strong threatening demeanor of a sports champion.

With no disrespect to Disney or the LGBT community, I'll take an aqua colored fish getting its freak-on with an "F," over a rainbow trout humping a large "M." Please, bring back the Pole Dancing Fillet.

Bama Bowls Over LSU In BCS Championship

2012-01-09T21:40:00.000-08:00

It was sweet revenge for the Alabama Crimson Tide as they rolled over the #1 LSU Tigers 21-0 for the BCS Championship.

The game started as a continuation of the defensive struggle the two teams displayed in their Nov. 5th battle. LSU won the regular season matchup 9-6. Tonight's bowl game had the feel of a revenge match as Alabama seemed to come out with just a bit more aggression than LSU as they took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter before ending the first half with a 9-0 lead, all points by way of field goals.

Two more field goals and a touchdown would ice the game for Alabama as their defense completely shutdown the LSU Tigers. I thought the Crimson Tide played better than LSU in their first meeting and should've won that game. Tonight there was no doubt as to who the better team was.

Hands down, the Rammer Jammer Alabama bus has completed their journey to the BCS title game in stunning fashion by putting up the first shutout ever in a BCS Bowl championship game.

Congratulations Alabama Crimson Tide on your 2011 BCS Football Championship.

Roll Tide!

Life On the Serengeti Plains

2012-01-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

Where even hunting takes a backseat to football

NFL PLAYOFFS

GOT GM!

2012-01-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

Raiders have their first General Manager since 2003. Reggie Mckenzie, who played linebacker for the Raiders from 1985-88, is slated to fill a long overdue void in the organization.

Mckenzie comes highly recommended by Former Packer GM Ron Wolf. Wolf also had a stint in the Raiders organization. Mckenzie ends his eighteen year tenure at Green Bay. He was promoted to director – football operations in 2008 after serving 10 years as the Packers’ director of pro personnel.

I believe a new era has truly begun for the Oakland Raiders.

Welcome Back to the Silver & Black Mr. Mckenzie!

Ecuador Wins Judgment Against Chevron, Again!

2012-01-05T14:52:00.000-08:00

Fake ad: Oil companies should clean up their messes.

Ecuadoran appeals court has upheld last year's 9.5 billion dollar judgment against Chevron Corporation. The oil giant's messy oil contamination in the Ecuador rain forest just might eventually get a decent cleanup effort. But don't celebrate just yet, slick money stills talks while the health concerns continue to walk.

San Francisco Chronicle excerpts:

Chevron has waged a fierce legal campaign to avoid paying, asking courts in the United States and an international arbitration panel in Europe to block enforcement of last year's verdict. The San Ramon company no longer has assets in Ecuador, meaning the plaintiffs must seek enforcement elsewhere

Last year, the company persuaded a U.S. federal judge to issue an order blocking the plaintiffs from enforcing the verdict in the 18-year lawsuit, closely watched around the world for the precedent it could set. But the lawyers suing Chevron questioned the judge's authority to prevent enforcement outside the United States, and an appeals court lifted his order.

So when will the world courts say to this corporate monster, BASTA! Enough is enough. Stop using the international courts as your personal get out of jail free card and own up to "your" mess.

Unfortunately, as long as those who pass legal judgments can be influenced ($$$), justice will be cleanly compromised.

Price of Chevron Gas In California Today: click

Chargers Bless Tebow With A Gift

2012-01-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

Coach Hue Jackson summed up the loss best:

"I'm pissed at my team," Jackson said. "At some point in time as a group of men, you go in the game ... Here's your time. Here's your time to make plays. ... You've got to do it, and we didn't do it."

The could've, should've been division championship and wild card berth not need be talked about today. Based on the style of play the Raiders executed yesterday, they might've saved us the embarrassment of a nationally televised silver & black getting blown out in the playoffs.

The San Diego Chargers came into a packed and hostile Oakland Coliseum and snatched the AFC West championship away from the Raiders. They did it with a pass attacking offense, a run stuffing defense and threatening special teams play, which eventually produced a game changing 105-yd kick return.

Yes Raider fans, I was there and suffered with the rest of the Nation. The Chargers strutted into our house, took our division title and handed it to the losing Tim Tebow led Denver Broncos. The hardest part of it all; our team and coaches couldn't do a "damn" thing about it. We got "bullied!"

Final Score

Chargers 38

Raiders 26

Hue Love's You Baby!

2011-12-30T22:00:00.001-08:00

Job Creation Scam

2011-12-28T21:37:00.000-08:00

Today I read a very enlightening article by Jon Carroll of the San Francisco Chronicle (Inside the Job Creation Scam). It touches on the marriage of corporations to government while shedding light on unemployment and the recession/depression.

How can laws enforce "Social responsibility" on corporations when said laws are blamed for stifling the life blood of business; profit? We are therefore forced to live in a country that is governed by the interests of big business.

I don't think that's what the founding father's of this once great nation had in mind, nor did President Abraham Lincoln when he said that "government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from this earth."

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address quote was spoken at the end of this country's first and only civil war, a rebellion that threatened self-government.

Lechler - Janikowski - Seymour = Pro Bowl

2011-12-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

4th And Goal

2011-12-22T15:36:00.000-08:00

Final Score (week 15)

Raiders 16

Chiefs 13

Thanks Santa!

NBA Begins Battle Christmas Sunday

2011-12-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

Seems fitting that Oakland's Oracle ARENA will host a competitive basketball game between the L.A. Clippers and Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day.

Arenas and Coliseums during the time of Christ featured a more bizarre form of entertainment, pitting armed Gladiators against other gladiators, animals and condemned criminals while also matching humble christians against hungry lions. Just goes to show that humanity has evolved to become more civilized.

Out of respect for that civil badge of accomplishment the NFL has moved the bloody and barbaric clashes of Titans, Raiders, Vikings, Lions, Panthers and the rest of the viciously played football events to Saturday, Christmas Eve.

Merry Freakin Christmas, argh! argh!

Raiders Can't Finish Off Lions In Oakland

2011-12-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

As I write this, friends are texting Raiders condolences to me. One Raiders fan I overhead saying that Warren Sapp must've been right; the Raiders aren't good enough for the playoffs. Another one said he'd rather watch a blow-out instead of being teased and tortured through a game like this.

Simply put, the Oakland Raiders broke fans hearts today by squandering a 27-14 lead with under three minutes left in the game. They did it in typical 2011 Raiders fashion, giving up big pass plays and touchdowns on defense while going mostly conservative to hold a lead on offense. The hardest part is that they almost pulled it off. Almost!

Raiders QB Carson Palmer missed a clutch throw that could've sealed it, but the pass to the open receiver came up about a yard overthrown. Palmer also took a sack on a critical series that could've found the Raiders running out the clock.

After playing their hearts out all game, the Raiders found themselves just three yards away from a first down to all but end the game. Instead, the Detroit Lions got the ball back with no timeouts left and bing, bang, boom; Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (9 rec 214 yds 2 tds) is celebrating with the tying touchdown catch. The kick was good for the one point lead.

The final insulting injury was a Sebastian Janikowski 65 yard field goal attempt in the final seconds that had the house rocking with faithful belief. It was truly a Mighty Casey at the bat moment:

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

The field goal attempt was blocked by Suh!

Final Score

Lions 28

Raiders 27

Tired of Tim Tebow?

2011-12-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

Fetus Tebowing

Come'on Man

Well if you haven't heard all the media hype over Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow lately, then you must've been stranded on an island without a signal.

Tebow has become the biggest thing since motorized carriages. Dare say some are crediting his on-field exploits to "divine intervention." Tebow is a devout Christian who wears his faith on his jersey sleeves. Others in sports have done it, but none with such a miraculous record against overwhelming odds and criticism.

To think that his current six game winning streak began in Oaktown against my beloved Raiders almost makes me wonder if the almighty is in on the legendary league conspiracy against the silver and black. I was there to see Tebow bring his team back in Oakland this season with his legs and sheer will to win. I saw him run a 40+ yard tackle breaking touchdown against the Raiders in 2010, his first start. It's enough to bring tears of joy or jealousy to a fans eyes.

Whatever analysts attribute to Tim Tebow's NFL success, the word immaculate might not be far off the mark. Love'em or hate'em, he's got a genuine humbleness that's as cuddly as christmas. My Raiders need help to get to the playoffs and Tebow stands in our way to a division championship.

If the Denver Broncos beat Tom Brady and the Patriots this weekend, Raiders division crown aspirations will be shattered, Tebow will be crowned a deity in football, or at least in the Rocky Mountains of Denver and Tebowmania will overwhelm the sports world and Christendom.

For what it's worth just remember, the messiah began his journey in Oakland. Lord, we didn't commit any personal fouls or blasphemy against your divine messiah while visiting our house, if you find it in your all-loving heart to bless us with a playoff seed we'll praise the off-field words and ways of the one you've sent. Amen!

Oakland's Andre Ward Unifies Titles In Win

2011-12-18T08:29:00.000-08:00

The gold medalist boxer from Oakland, Californ-I-A is champion of Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic, a tournament of elimination that consisted of six middleweight boxers competing over a 2 1/2 year span.

So it comes down to this; Andre Ward vs England's Carl Froch. Froch was outboxed by Ward last night at the Atlantic City tournament final. Froch looked slow yet determined to somehow catch Ward with a power punch. Ward dominated the fight with quick jabs, combinations and footwork that eventually frustrated Froch and left him looking to his corner for answers; no answers were given as Ward tagged his opponent from head to ribs at will.

In winning the fight with a unanimous decision, Andre Ward unified two super middleweight titles, WBC and the WBA which he retained. Ward confesses that he has room for improvement, but as all eyes in the boxing world saw last night, this young man has arrived.

Congratulations To Oaktown's Own Boxing Champion

Andre Ward

Quote For Today

2011-12-16T18:02:00.000-08:00

All Our Dignity Lies In Thought;

Let Us All Strive, Then, To Think Well - Blaise Pascal

principle of morality

Suh Sacks Mike Valenti and Terry Foster

2011-12-14T19:12:00.000-08:00

Ndamukong Suh, a Nebraska football standout turned defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, poses for a picture in a headlock with Bobbie Hill, of Comstock, during an autograph stop at the Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha on July 22, 2010.

Mike Valenti and Terry Foster are radio announcers for 97.5 the ticket in Detroit, flagship for Lions football. The announcers weekly interview with Lions DT Ndamukong Suh went south when the interviewers got stuck on trying to expose Suh's personal issues.

The questioning seemed like a trick play to get Suh to reveal all, but Suh out-maneuvered the interviewers by staying calm, collected and courteous while the interviewer(s) unraveled in frustration and ended in what sounded like a hissy fit. They simply didn't get what they wanted out of Suh and stubbornly missed out on letting Suh give fans what he was willing to.

Long after Suh decided to amicably end the interview the interviewer(s) continued to try justifying their position on how they conducted themselves, claiming they did not try to overly pry when it was obvious that's exactly what the interviewer(s) did and exactly why Suh ended it. Whatever happened to professionalism in broadcasting? Was Sarah Palin right about media only being interested in the "gotcha" moment?

Mike Valenti believes he was asking the tough questions because that's what the fans want to know. Well Mike, it was plain to everyone but you that you asked either the wrong question, as Suh tried to tell you, or posed it the wrong way. It's not always what you say but how you say it.

It took a more level headed Terry Foster to calm Valenti down and ask him to "let people critique what just happened." On that note the call-in number was given and the station went to break.

And that my friends is a perfect example of the new age broadcasting style. No tact, no integrity and very little respect for guests on their shows. Anyone and any subject is fair game to blast away at until the interviewee either says something that shocks and bumps ratings or takes the high road and does as Ndamukong Suh does and gentlemanly walks away.

Suh is not as off his rocker as the media is making him out to be. He might have difficulty saying what he truly feels and saying what folks wanna hear, but after interviews like this one I understand why. When does "No Mean No" in broadcasting? I hate to say it but here it is bluntly and uncensored; Suh just escaped a radio rape with his balls unmolested. Suh gets my vote for Real Man of the week.

Now if only my Raiders can do on the field what Mike and Terry couldn't off the field; rattle Suh and get him to make mistakes come this Sunday.

Romo Still A Raider

2011-12-13T15:17:00.000-08:00

This video clip showing former Oakland Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski giving his take on how best to right the Raiders ship is all Romo.

Romo has always been "in your face" reactionary when it comes to doing things his way. I've enjoyed watching Romo as a sportscaster simply because he always appears on the verge of going completely nuts. Well folks, he didn't go nuts, he went Romo.

As far as Romo is concerned the Raiders need to get tough and go hunt down the meat instead of buying over the counter at SAFEway. If need be Romo will lead the expedition, he's In.

If Hue Jackson was watching I hope he considers bringing Romo into the locker room for the final three games. The Raiders still have a chance to reach the playoffs, but as Romo so brilliantly demonstrated, they need to stop waiting in the checkout line to pay for their bacon and go out locked and loaded to hunt game.

Bill Romanowski might just be suiting up for the Raiders sometime soon. Attaboy Romo!

Hue Had A Bad Day

2011-12-12T18:40:00.000-08:00

Final Score

Raiders 16

Packers 46

Poetry In Motion

2011-12-11T16:26:00.000-08:00

He Jumps, He Catches and He Runs like few others playing the game today. His name you've heard before, but the phenomenal plays he continues to make reminds us fans of just how "Sick" this receiver's skills are.

The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald made a jump, catch and running score today that showcased exactly what seperates the good players from the great ones.

I truly believe he brings out the beautiful art of catching a pass like few others. Today we saw the grace of Jerry Rice and Lance Alworth in the person of Fitzgerald. His numbers (7 rec, 149 yds, 1 td) minus one touchdown matched those he had in a week 10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles where he was voted Offensive Player of the Week.

Today however the play that'll probably go down in Cardinals lore as "The Catch" was something magical. Fitzgerald gliding down the middle of the field is thrown the ball. Two 49er defenders are closing in on him. Fitz out jumps one defender, snatches the football out of the air, begins an 180 degree turn in the air, lands and continues running for a touchdown without breaking much stride.

I really can't remember what happened to the second defender. Maybe like the rest of us, he fell over his dropped jaw in awe of another Larry Fitzgerald gem of a play. Upon further review, the video clip really doesn't do the play much justice. Fitz made the play look so......."effortless."

What else could I tune into to take my mind off the stomping of the Raiders in Green Bay? Yes, it got even "Uglier" than last week.

Baylor Bears Quartback Takes Home An "Ed"

2011-12-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

Baylor Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III (RG3) won the annual award for most outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.

The award, better known as the Heisman Trophy, was designed in 1935 by sculptor Frank Eliscu. Many, myself included, believe it to be the best looking trophy in any sport, college or professional. A friend and former high school classmate of the sculptor, Ed Smith, posed for the trophy with the now legendary straight-arm (stiff arm).

For us football fans, the Heisman symbolizes what Michelangelo's Statue of David does for renaissance sculpture; a masterpiece.

The player awarded the Heisman has the red carpet laid out for him once he leaves college to pursue a professional football career. Some become good pro players, few become great and for many their star never shines as bright as the day they accept the bronze cast sculpture modeled after a man from NYU who was taken in the first NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.

Congratulations RG3!

Questions Surround Model Competition

2011-12-07T23:00:00.000-08:00

So why am I posting on a sports blog about this beautiful Top Model competitor? And she's not even wearing her bathing suit? I'm still asking myself that exact question.

America's Next Top Model finalist Angelea Preston was on the brink of being crowned a champion when after commercial, the show aired an unexpected announcement. The judgment on Angelea was cold, calculated and swift as it was announced, without her being present, that the contestant had been disqualified from the competition.

As the judge Nigel put it: “It turns out that after shooting was wrapped, our production team and the network learned information from Angelea that disqualifies her from the competition.”

The winner would be Lisa D'Amato, who it appears has all the personality one needs to be a top model. Lisa said that her confidence comes from a very vulnerable place inside of her. I thought that comment better than the average Miss Universe canned response to pageant questions.

I'm sure Lisa will do America's Next Top Model proud. But as with top athletes who are punished for off the field actions, enquiring internet minds are twittered-out trying to learn just what the heck Angelea did to cause her disqualification at the last moment. Nobody seems to know for sure.

There are many rumors going around; from Angelea leaking information about the final three contestants on her facebook to talk of her possibly being pregnant. Yeah, it's a jungle out there on the internet and all TV celebrities are fair game. Sometimes though you have to "Just Say No" to facebook and twitter and keep a wounded soul like Angelea in your prayers.

Eventually we'll get pieces of what actually transpired, if we even care that much to know.

In the meantime we congratulate Ms. D'Amato for wearing the crown of a champion top model.

Tiger Sightings (CLEMSON)

2011-12-04T20:52:00.000-08:00

Golf legend Tiger Woods won the Chevron World Challenge, his first tournament win in two years.

Another Tiger is back, C-L-E-M-S-O-N, and will be playing in the Orange Bowl!

The #1 LSU Tigers face a rematch in the BCS Championship Bowl game on Jan 9. Roll Tide!

Get Ready to be Tebow-ed for the Holidays!

Golden State Warriors play L.A. Clippers Xmas Eve. Come'On Santa!

Congratulations Wisconsin Badgers

2011-12-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

Jan. 2, 2012

I post this congratulations for a friend who is a Badger through and through. Enjoy the Day of Roses Brother. Yes, the Badgers earned every bit of their bowl bid with Saturday's exciting 42-39 win over the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Championship game.

Raiders Looking Lifeless In Miami

2011-12-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

This is how I expect the Oakland Raiders will look on the sidelines next week when they visit the frozen tundra to take on the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. Frozen Zombies! What else can you expect when the Raiders were outplayed in all phases this week in sunny Miami.

Today they festered in the Florida sun like Zombies in a tanning booth. The leadership looked befuddled by the Dolphins attack. There were no game plan adjustments nor did the Raiders seem to care that they were getting their guts torn out and their carcasses stomped on all over the field.

If the Raiders don't fix what is broken quick they might find themselves looking up at Tim Bebow and the Denver Broncos in the division standings. So get that detached, hollow look off your faces soldiers, or expect Mr. Ndamukong Suh, voted the dirtiest player in the NFL, to finish in Detroit what the Dolphins started today; stomping you into the turf.

Final Score

U-G-L-Y

Miguel Cotto Captures NYC

2011-12-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

Cotto vs Margarito II

Madison Square Garden

21,239 Screaming Nuyoricans

"Cotto's Revenge"

Miguel Cotto got a pestering gorilla off his back by stopping Antonio Margarito after the 9th round to retain his WBA (Super) light middleweight title. It was one of the better title fights of late with all the tension and drama that a boxing fan desires.

Cotto came in with a Manny Pacquaio style using quickness, combinations and punches thrown at angles that gave Margarito problems. Margarito stalked Cotto throughout the fight, but it was like watching a clumsy giant lumbering forward trying to catch a mighty mouse. He appeared slow and bothered.

It would be a closing of Margarito's right eye, the same one crushed by Pacquaio, that would cause alarmed doctors to stop the fight at the end of the 9th round. By then Cotto had won no less than seven rounds and still looked strong and focused. Margarito appeared to pick up his pace in round nine but was definitely taking some head snapping blows from both hands of Cotto. His eye would need 12 stitches afterward.

Antonio Margarito Defeated

Of course the after fight interviews said as much about the fight as the compubox numbers. Margarito denied being whupped and felt he could have continued. Cotto showed love to all his Puerto Rican brethren in attendance before giving this account of what he was feeling for Margarito as he'd stared at his beaten victim after the fight:

"Just to look at him and taste my victory on him," Cotto said. "He means nothing to me. I'm here with all my crowd and all my people. He means nothing to me."

Congratulations Miguel Cotto on your Middleweight Championship Title Defense!

98.7FM THE GAME discusses McLAIN

2011-12-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

Rich Gannon Discussess Rolando McClain Incident

This newest SF Bay area sports radio show is getting my attention. Hosts Brandon Tierney and Eric "niner" Davis are a welcome dose of FM sports talk to the bay. Their fresh, upbeat and no-nonsense show, "The Drive," airs mon-fri, 2pm-6pm on 98.7FM The Game. They're unafraid to speak their minds and share their opinions; I like that.

You know how we sports fans can get tired of hearing that same vanilla radio flavor with maybe a few sprinkles on top. Sometimes you want a sundae swirl or something with caramel and nuts on it, "In Stereo."

That's where 98.7FM "The Drive" comes in. The two hosts play off each other with great timing and respect. It would be an insult to compare them to Siskel & Ebert or Kornheiser & Wilbon. You can side with either when it comes to their differing views on issues.

The part that puts this station a tad above the rest, besides the FM Bass Stereo, is their Raiders Friday hour(s), dedicated to the Silver & Black, with "UNBIASED" analysis of the Oakland Raiders.

Both Brandon and Eric come off as pro-Raider on the show, something almost unheard of in bay area sports talk. After talking about the Raiders they switch over to the Niners and report with the same passion and honesty bestowed on the Silver and Black. That's exactly what the Bay Area needs, honest and informative sports reportage without the station affiliations (flagship) and personal loyalties getting in the way. Just Report Baby!

I say check out 98.7FM The Drive and see for yourself. Keepin it Current for the Bay!

Dog Shoots Man With 12-Gauge; Honest!

2011-12-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

Dog Shoots Owner In Buttocks

Oh well, it was a close call but the Dog won out over the Devil for today's post. The devil story is an old familiar one where banning of interracial activities is at play in a Kentucky church.

"It sure ain't Christian," Dean Harville said. "It ain't nothing but the old devil working."

As for the Dog story, let's just say that rover did more than roll over when his owner's 12-gauge shotgun was left within paws reach,locked, loaded and .............unmanned.

For all the things hunters ask of and reward their dogs for, has it ever occurred to elmer fudd that just once the Dog would like to stand in his master's boots, pull the trigger and give the order to go fetch a clean kill?

Problem with this story is that the dog now standing in master's shoes has been trained by former vice-president Dick Cheney's School of Hunting, and we know what the second-in-command's idea of safety first and a clean kill were.

Shoot anything foreign that moves within your perimeter, collateral damage is unavoidable.

The moral to this story is never turn your back on a hunting dog with aspirations of being a master, he'll treat you like a dog and shoot you down at the first given opportunity.

Big Chet Gone Too Soon

2011-11-30T16:22:00.000-08:00

Former Raiders pro bowl lineman Chester Mcglockton has passed away at the age of 42.

Always A Raider Chet, Always A Raider!

Philly Fan Frustration

2011-11-28T09:12:00.001-08:00

Hey Nnamdi, Tell Me How Last Tastes

2011-11-28T08:21:00.000-08:00

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid adjusts his glasses during the second half of an NFL football game with the New England Patriots on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in Philadelphia. The Patriots won 38-20. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Actually my heart goes out to former Raiders pro bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Nnamdi left our beloved Raiders for what looked like greener pastures in Philadelphia. Now the so called "Dream Team" Eagles have spiraled so far down that assistant coaches are arguing on the sideline, players are playing not to get hurt and Philly fans are chanting for the head of head coach Andy Reid.

Nnamdi, suffering from a hyperextended left knee, played sparingly yesterday in their (38-20) loss to the New England Patriots, but I'm sure the chants of "Fire Andy! Fire Andy!" echoing throughout the stadium brought back nightmares of the Jarmarcus Russell boos that shook the Oakland Coliseum to it's core a few seasons back.

The Eagles, thought to be a Super Bowl contender by just about every football analyst, are a disappointing (4-7), tied for last place in the NFC East. It just goes to show that the team predictions you see on paper at the start of the season, are good for nothing more than wiping butts after a hearty Thanksgiving meal come late November.

Hey Eagles, Tell Me How Last Tastes!

A Win Is A Win

2011-11-27T18:54:00.000-08:00

Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski watches his 42-yard field goal against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. Janikowski had six field goals as the Raiders won 25-20. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Almost every team this time of the season is pretty banged up. It was apparent today with the Raiders running game sputtering and the Chicago Bears passing game limited much of the day. The game would be dominated mostly by defense and special teams.

Raiders pro bowl kicker Sebastian Janikowski broke his own record by kicking six field goals in a game. six-time pro bowl punter Shane Lechler was consistent in pinning the Bears back near their own endzone. Lechler also had a phenomenal punt that traveled eighty yards in the air, going over return man Devin Hester's head and bouncing into the endzone. The biggest Chicago threat, Hester, was contained.

The Oakland Raiders are 7-4, have won their last three games and still lead the AFC West by a game. Today, the Raiders were the better team. They limited the penalties to less than a handful and QB Carson Palmer looked the part of an all-pro quarterback.

I question some of coach Hue Jackson's decisions on plays and strategy, like calling a time out which allowed Bears coach Lovie Smith the challenge and win a reversal on a catch by Darrius Heyward-Bey ruled complete. Yeah, there were a few negatives I saw with the Raiders today, but the positives outweigh them by a landslide.

RB Marcel Reese (unstoppable as a receiver) M. Bush honorable mention

Kickers Lechler & Janikowski (this game was riding on their legs)

LB Kamerion Wimbley (game changing interception return)

WR Chaz Schilens & Louis Murphy (clicking with Carson) DHB honorable mention

A Bend but don't Break Defense

Us Raider Fans are going to ride this winning high like a Warrior going into battle atop his War Horse, aware of our weaknesses yet trusting in our ability to reach our objective by any means necessary. Strength and Honor comrades, Strength and Honor!

Final Score

Bears 20

Raiders 25

SF Mission High School Wins Turkey Bowl

2011-11-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

Mission Bears Tasting Turkey Bowl Victory

I couldn't be at Kezar Stadium this Thanksgiving for the 88th San Francisco AAA Championship game, where the (9-3) Mission Bears defeated the (9-3) defending champion Washington Eagles 12-7. The game was historic in that Mission High School hadn't been represented in the annual football title game since 1977 and hadn't won it since 1954. Washington on the other hand has it's share of modern day appearances and championship titles.

The last two Thanksgivings placed me out of town eating meals cooked by a five-star chef. Ever seen hot juices dribble down the slopes of a Prime Rib Roast as it's being sliced? Or Chicken Marsala smothered in a mouth watering mushroom gravy? It's christmas to any appetite I tell you.

With all the good foods topped off with delicious desserts, I still found time to check the results of the Turkey Bowl game online, and boy was I surprised that the Mission Bears pulled off the upset. A team that had to cancel their season two years ago because there weren't enough academically eligible players now sits atop the city sports landscape as a champion. That takes not only great coaching but commitment and mentorship. Coach Joe Albano and his staff deserve championship praise for turning around the Mission program.

The timely play that vaulted the Bears to the league pinnacle was a double reverse that ended with Bears Antoine Porter kneeling in the endzone with 5:48 left in the game. It was what sounds like a fascinating play that finally rewarded the Bears stellar defense, which had caused four Eagles turnovers on the day (two interceptions and two fumbles). Washington's offense did not score in the game.

Boy what I wouldn't have given to witness that play live at Kezar, celebrating with Bears fans. But then again, I've got memories of attacking that prime rib like it was a goal line. I saw where I had to get to and nothing would stop me from crossing the table to reach my juicy reward. Touchdown!

Maybe next year I'll make it out to Kezar for the 2012 Turkey Bowl game, especially if Mission High begins making up for lost time and finds itself in back-to-back championship games. And maybe they'll also replace the bear paw on their helmets with a Bear Slash for beware. Whatever their fate, the Mission High football program plans for the future will have to be put on hold. For Today, head coach Joe Albano and the proud players he helped believe in themselves both on the field and off, are San Francisco Academic Athletic Association champions. Well done coach!

Congratulations Mission Bears of 2011

Final Score

Mission 12

Washington 7

Antoine Porter giving thanks after scoring the game-winner in the fourth.

Are You Sure You Wanna Live Forever?

2011-11-22T18:25:00.000-08:00

101 year old Mongolian woman

(from "The"Face of Age Project")

At some point in your life you wished it, thought about it, and you may have dreamed that it actually happened to you. Well, after seeing what people who live past 100 years (Centenarians) have in common, you may not wanna live a day past 65.

Some, like the artist photographing the "Faces of The Aged", might find beauty and wisdom in the craggily, dry lines of a very old face. But most of us, and yes that means 99.9% of you reading this post, wouldn't want to see ourselves in the mirror looking like that at any age. After all, we are such a conceited society aren't we?

And if you've lived a "Picture of Dorian Gray" type lifestyle, you can bet your brittle bones that every ugly and unkind deed you've performed in life will appear on your centenarian face. Yes my friend, justice does have a face, and it can be painful to behold.

I've always found old people fascinating with their stories of past times and life struggles, but never have I wanted to be in their shoes, suffering body aches, blindness, incontinence and a host of bodily failures that comes with aging. So does that make me a coward and those old foggies in nursing homes gripping to the last sliver of life with all their might, courageous warriors? Perhaps!

Then again, maybe it's the price we pay to someday live on this earth in peace, having at least one heartfelt soul kindly looking after our needs, and the only threat to our human person being death by good ole natural causes.

So, still think you might wanna live forever? Well do yah Punk?

Got Tight Ends?

2011-11-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady took a beating before finally getting on track with his receivers and putting the Kansas Chiefs to bed on Monday Night Football. As much as I dislike the Pats (snowbowl 2002) I had to cheer them on to beat Raiders division rival Chiefs.

I hate to say it but Dammit! the Pats win in so many ways. Other than the little "mighty mouse" of a receiver Wes Welker, there are no star wide receivers on their roster. So what do Belichick and Brady stir into the cauldron? Two rumbling tight ends with great hands, decent speed, field vision and bodies that are like duracell batteries; made to last.

Rob Gronkowski, a 2010 second round draft pick, is the new prototype for tight ends. We've seen tight ends built like him before, but I can't remember an offensive philosphy being built around one. Gronkowski is a beast of a weapon that powers the Patriots offense like pistons do an engine.

I really hate this, giving credit to a coach, a quarterback and a team that the Raiders helped propel into the limelight almost a decade ago. Actually it was referee Walt Coleman and the review booth, but who's keeping score? What the Patriots did to the Kansas City Chiefs last night was proof that durable blue collar parts and a superior game plan can make a good NFL team an elite contender for a championship.

As for Brady, he's 34 years old and hasn't been as "untouchable" since the New York G-Men put a hurting on him in Super Bowl XLII. Heck, the Chiefs were teeing off on him using a three man rush at one point last night.

I wish no ill will to Brady, but with all the quarterback injuries this season, he just may be one hit away from.....retirement. With an undrafted free agent from 2009 (Brian Hoyer) and a rookie (Ryan Mallett) as Brady's backups, we might be watching the end of a so-called dynastic run.

Who knows, coach Belichick might have plans to to run the 6'6, 266 pound big fella, Gronkowski, out of a wildcat position. After all, he hails from the University of Arizona, better known as the Arizona Wildcats.

Final Score

Chiefs 3

Patriots 34

Rihanna Talks, Ellen Flirts

2011-11-21T16:33:00.000-08:00

Okay sports fans, just to set the record straight, I do not sit around waiting for the Ellen Degeneres Show to come on before every Monday Night Football game. Just so happens I was flipping through the channels killing time before the game when I came across a sexy Rihanna talking about being single. Rihanna Single?

So what do sexy single stars do? They go on talk shows looking hot and talk about why they're single and what it's like. While waiting for Rihanna to stand up.......Let me try again. While waiting for Rihanna to open up to Ellen about types of men she prefers, I got a bit of a surprise.

You can watch the clip below but let me at least get this out. I am convinced that Ellen Degeneres is, for all intents and purposes, a man. Why? Because only a seasoned gentleman can be in the presence of a sexy woman talking about her "kitty cat" and come back with a sly one-liner like the one that Ellen Delivers:

Next Up For The Raiders

2011-11-21T12:22:00.000-08:00

Yes, a Cutler-less (7-3) Chicago Bears team is coming to the Coliseum to take on the (6-4) Oakland Raiders. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who was a former Raiders rival with the Denver Broncos, broke his thumb yesterday in a win over San Diego.

Cutler, accused by Da Bears fans last season of cowardice in the line of duty, hurt himself in a courageous play where he saved an interception from being returned for a touchdown. Of course it was Jay who threw the interception, so in a Bears fans world Da Bum had it coming to him.

We Raiders fans know what it's like to lose a quarterback. Fortunately for us we replaced an injured Jason Campbell with a resurgent Carson Palmer. With each game you can see Palmer getting more and more comfortable with his offensive line and receivers. Though the Bears come to Oaktown without starter Jay Cutler, Da Bear defense, led by pro bowler Brian Urlacher, will be in "mission critical" mode, and that don't bode well for the Raiders offense.

This coming Sunday will be a true test for the AFC West division leading Raiders. Can they run the ball against a stubborn run defense ranked #10? Can the young offensive line continue their stellar play against a suspect pass defense? Can receivers exploit the weak Chicago secondary? I say the Raiders can win this game, and win it convincingly. Monsters of the Midway Dis Bears defense is not. Simply don't kick anything into the arms of phenomenal return man Devin Hester and the game is ours.

One thing Bears fans won't be able to do after a Raiders win is blame the man with the target on his back, Jay Cutler. Cutler is out!

Oakland Raiders Bend

2011-11-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

#33 Tyvon Branch

Today on the road, the Oakland Raiders scored 27 points in three quarters to the Minnesota Vikings 7. QB Carson Palmer and RB Michael Bush led the way for Oakland. Then came the fourth quarter and a scary injury to wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.

The Vikings would score two touchdowns in the quarter and force the Raiders defense to step it up a notch. After three quarters of offensive consistency the Raiders offense had gone a bit flat. Maybe the Heyward-Bey injury played a part in it, maybe not.

DID U KNOW: The Raiders have not scored in the final quarter since a Janikowski field goal with 10 minutes to play at Houston…on Oct. 9…five games ago.

What did play a huge roll in getting the team back on track was the defense. They played aggressive all day while accumulating 12 penalties for 117 yards, many questionable, but penalties wouldn't derail this bunch. Their sack attack (5) was still going strong, even without DT Richard Seymour. They also forced four of the five Viking turnovers. Today, unlike previous seasons, they refused to break under pressure.

With Vikings running back Adrian Peterson sidelined in the second quarter from an ankle injury, Minnesota would ride the arm and legs of rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. Ponder did a decent Tim Tebow impersonation rushing 5 times for 71 yards, but the Raiders defense had seen that show before and would not allow an encore.

My "Play of the Game" with under two minutes left and Christian 'Tebow" driving his team toward a go ahead score:

4th and 8 at MIN 46 (Shotgun) C.Ponder pass incomplete

Raiders Tyvon Branch broke up a pass to Harvin on fourth down to preserve the victory.

The Oakland Raiders may not have played an all around complete game today, but they did what coach Hue Jackson has been asking them to do; THEY FINISHED!

Final Score

Raiders 27

Vikings 21

note: There was a Chaz Schilens sighting today. The wide receiver caught 1 pass for an 11 yard touchdown. Get well DHB!

Let's Have A Feast & Celebrate Together

2011-11-14T08:21:00.000-08:00

Who knew during the NFL lockout that our San Francisco-Oakland bay area would field playoff potential teams, much less Super Bowl contenders.

In committing what many Raider Nation fans will call a crime against humanity, I cheered along with 49er fans as their team handed the (6-3) New York Giants their third loss of the season. I realized while watching the game with Niner friends of mine that the Bay Area is big enough for two champion-caliber teams to co-exist.

Raider Nation, we need to stop hating and start relating to our sports brothers around the bay. If nothing else, recognize that the Niners have more in common with us than any other team in the league; new head coach, old stadium, proud history, 9 year playoff drought, current division lead and best place on earth to live in northern California.

The bay area has two shots at bringing home a Super Bowl trophy this season. It's been 15 seasons since we've been able to lay claim to a NFL champion here. With the way both teams are winning this season it would be wise and self-fulfilling to applaud the success of each and be ready to welcome the Lombardi Trophy to northern Cali..

When the prodigal son returned home his brother was jealously hurt by their father's joyous welcome-home feast in honor of the returning son. I say to Raider & Niner fans what the father said to his older son: "My son, you are always with me and all that I have is yours." (Luke 15:11-32)

When the Lombardi Trophy returns to the Bay Area we should all celebrate it's return regardless the team who brings it home. We can rejoice in knowing that what's been lost to the area for 15 seasons, has been found.

Let brotherhood and fellowship reign supreme, at least for one Super season. wink, wink!

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. "Your brother has come," he replied, "and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound." The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!" "My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15:11-32)

Nebraska Defeats JoePa-Less Penn 17-14

2011-11-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

(19) Nebraska 17

(8-2, 4-2 Big Ten)

(12) Penn St 14

(8-2, 5-1 Big Ten)

#19 Nebraska took a 17-0 lead in the third quarter before allowing #12 Penn State to score in the quarter then close to three at 17-14 in the fourth. Penn had a chance but was stopped on 4th and 1 at their own 38 with 1:49 left in the game.

After a week of shock and awe at Penn over the Jerry Sandusky/Joe Paterno debacle, resuming football today seemed to be a welcome relief for some and an added curse for others. Folks are still angry with Penn State for the actions and non-actions of a few. The innocents at the University would like to move on from the issue, but there's too many people still wanting to know "How the Heck Joe Pa or any of those who'd heard about Sandusky ignore and overlook the abuse of children on their campus?" With nobody immediately coming forth with an honest answer, it paints an accusing picture of all those involved as guilty of conspiracy to ignore and cover-up the crime.

I understand the innocent community of Happy Valley, PA. wanting to leave this ugly controversy behind, but I agree with those who wanna hold the university accountable and get to the truth about who knew, when they knew and why they did nothing to stop a serial child abuser from repeating offenses on their watch.

It's sad to say but I think this case will get a lot uglier before the answers are pried out of Penn State. One commenter on Penn State playing the game against Nebraska today had this to say:

Dr van Nostrand III

Joe Pa should have been watching this on a TV hanging on a prison wall, while toweling off from a shower session of his own

User ID:http://sportsnation.espn.go.com

First Place

2011-11-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

Denarius Moore makes a fingertip catch of a Carson Palmer pass in front of San Diego's Quentin Jammer on Thursday. Moore had two touchdown catches. AP Denis Poroy

Read more at Sacramento Bee - Oakland Grabs The Lead

Thanks to the "Bruising" running of Michael Bush, the lightening strike pass plays of Carson Palmer to rookie Darnarius Moore, the "Ferocious" quarterback feeding frenzy of Kamerion Wimbley and the defensive line, the Raiders ended a Thursday Night Football feast with first place in the AFC west fully bloating their belly.

The Oakland Raiders, injury plagued and all, showed nothing is going to stop their return to greatness this season. These are not your faithlessly led Art Shell/Lane Kiffin Raiders. The Raiders of 2011 are coach Hue Jackson's revival meeting Raiders, and their belief in their leader strengthens their belief in themselves. It really is a most beautiful fellowship to behold.

Michael Bush, you and your 242 yards from scrimmage, fourth most ever by a Raiders running back, are the banner under which all silver and black clad soldiers march today. You stood tall while leading a Raiders assault in enemy territory. More comrades would fall, but you did not let the team colors waver while keeping all eyes on the victory prize.

For courage in the line of silver and black duty, Michael Bush we salute you!

Final Score

Raiders 24

Chargers 17

Raiders Chargers Thursday Nite

2011-11-10T15:58:00.001-08:00

It's Only For First Place!

Tonight's NFL matchup between the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers is a welcome break from the Penn State Joe Paterno fiasco. With both AFC west teams at 4-4, this game promises to be a battle to the end.

The winner will take a one game lead in the division while the loser will begin doubting themselves and their chances of making the playoffs. Both teams are attemptiong to end losing streaks and with rejuvenated division rival Kansas City in the conversation at 4-4, losing simply is not an option.

My Raiders, hobbling into this game without starting running back Darren McFadden, will need to pull out every trick in the playbook. The offensive play calling must be fresh and unpredictable. I suspect new Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer will attempt airing it out in San Diego. With Marcel Reese, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford and hopefully Tight End Kevin Boss, Palmer has the targets to throw to. The question is will passer and receivers finally synch-up and produce consistently on the field. Let's not forget newly acquired receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. It could be a breakout game for Palmer.

The Chargers are as vulnerable on defense as the injury plagued Raiders. Raiders tackling must improve and they must get back to playing as one unit. This is not week 2 in Buffalo, it's show-me week 9 in sunny San Diego. Well, show us!

The Raiders will prevail if the defense plays a full four quarters and can get off the field on third downs and avoid penalties. Special teams must contribute somehow. We need playmakers tonight in all phases of the game. You wanna be a bully and dominate your opponent? Then it starts tonight on national television. Be Somebody! Be Raiders! Just Win Baby!

"JoePa" Relieved Of Duties At Penn State

2011-11-09T22:41:00.000-08:00

It's been a long week at Penn State. But we must remember that the pain and shame the University of Pennsylvania feels is miniscule compared to the pain, shame and suffering felt by the young men who were mere boys when sexually assaulted on the Penn State campus by a trusted Penn State assistant football coach.

Yes, Joe Paterno was "relieved of his duties" as football head coach along with university president Graham Spanier. However the decision was made and carried out, it was the only acceptable decision. Again, no hurt, shame or loss can compare to that of the victims, none!

My prayers and blessings go out to the young men who showed courage in coming forward with their stories of victimization as children. These young men have shown more courage and integrity than anyone at the university who either knew or heard rumors of assistant coach Jerry Sandusky's actions.

The victims, who came forward after many years of suffering in silence, are true heroes to many unsuspecting parents and their kids. The predator has been exposed as a cowardly lion and has been banished from the Land of Oz.

The Penn State football program will heal and the university will continue to patch up it's image, but the young men are sadly sentenced to a life of cloaked pain by sexual predator Jerry Sandusky and his enablers at Penn State.

Child Abuse is a social evil that effects our roots - "children".

Young Men, We Salute Your Perseverance and Courageous Stand For justice.

Money Earnin Mt. Vernon Loses Heavy

2011-11-08T16:43:00.000-08:00

Ole Skool Rapper, record producer and actor Heavy D has passed on at the age of 44.

Rest Well Heavy

Damon Bruce Delivers

2011-11-08T07:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I listened to KNBR radio host Damon Bruce report on the "Sodomy" accusations surrounding Penn State's former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Trust me when I say, the topic of discussion was gutwrenchingly brutal to listen to.

With his masterful breakdown of six pages from grand jury testimony, D.Bruce surgically removed any doubt from my mind that the infamous Pennsylvania college shares in the guilt of crimes against children on their campus; crimes that the university enabled through their silence and possible cover-up. Whatever happened to behavioral accountability and moral obligations at our institutions of learning?

It's not only the shocking information D.Bruce delivers in breaking down the Penn State silence, it's the way in which he methodically covers every angle of the neglect and failure to act. Bruce does it better than any prosecutor would dare. He does it by calling a spade a spade, and has the eyewitness testimony to back it up.

Bruce begins with warning listeners about what they're about to hear, then he gives all the incriminating details and ends it with an educational tip to parents and/or their listening children, urging them to immediately report anything in their own experiences that sounds familiar to this horrific story. He reiterates the fact that the actions Jerry Sandusky's accused of performing against a minor are criminal.

Mr. Damon Bruce, today you've won my honorary citizens award for speaking directly to the matter, providing fact-based information and giving hard-nosed advice to our society on the importance of bringing this particular "sexual predator" and those who enabled him to reign for decades, to justice.

As D.Bruce so aptly states, this is "Much More Than A Sports Story!"

11/7/2011 - Damon Bruce Show Hour 2

note: Where is the outrage against the Penn State University? The Protests? Media and Human & Animal Rights organizations were ready to "Lynch" Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick when the story about his involvement with a pit bull fighting ring emerged.

Integrity

2011-11-07T22:46:00.000-08:00

Robert Lee Carter 1940-2011

in·teg·ri·ty/inˈtegritē/

Noun:

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
The state of being whole and undivided: "territorial integrity".

What a coincidence that on a day that I sat with the ashes of a special friend, I'd be using the biblical quote from his obituary in a post for Boxing Legend Joe Frazier.

My friend Bob Carter had also done some amateur boxing and won a championship or two himself. He'd been a Marine and was a man that truly enjoyed life. A humble man who felt obligated to make sure those inside his circle as well as outside it were comfortable. A trusted and loyal friend loved by so many.

Bob simply was a champion in more ways than the fingers can count. I'll miss you Bob, but I'll never forget you Bob. Peace Be With You My Friend!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

Legendary Boxing Champion Joe Frazier Passes

2011-11-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

Smokin Joe Frazier passed away today. He was the first American heavyweight to win an olympic gold medal (1964). He'd also won Golden Gloves championships in 1962, 1963 and 1964.

He became Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion in 1970 with a knockout of WBA champion Jimmy Ellis.

His signature punch was a crushing left hook that came out of nowhere like a heat seeking missile. Legend Muhammad Ali would go down after tasting that left hook with his jaw. Frazier would go on to win a unanimous decision. That was the first meeting in 1971. They'd meet two more times in the 70's, and as the saying goes;the rest is history.

Without Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali would've just been another flash in the pan fighter. Frazier and Ali made each other great, that's what great competitors do. Ali might've marketed himself as "The Greatest," but if you ask many from that early 70's era of boxing, Joe Frazier was the Champion most feared for his punching power in the ring.

The Bell Tolls 10 Times for a Worthy Champion

Joe Frazier

1944-2011

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

Raiders 2nd Half Flop Against Broncos

2011-11-06T18:02:00.001-08:00

*Opening ceremony American Flag & Jets Fly Over

*Raiders 17-7 Halftime Lead over Broncos

*Halftime Surprise Reunion on Field with Military Father & Family

*Second Half Raiders Offensive, Defensive, Special Teams Flop

*Tim Tebow & Broncos Walk Away with A 38-21 Final

With a chance to take over the AFC western division lead the Raiders failed miserably. Something is seriously broken in Oakland, besides the collar bone of QB Jason Campbell. Who knew just how much the injured starting quarterback meant to the team. Seems the Defense has also gone on an early Holiday, being out-smarted by Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos much of the day.

At this stage of the season, the Oakland Raiders might still be in a 3-way tie for first place in the division, but the way they've played these last two games against division rivals Kansas City and Denver there's no way they make the playoffs.

Granted McFadden hasn't played in the two losses, but the problem isn't necessarily a running back problem, it's a "Team" problem. Coach Hue Jackson needs to handle it quick, or find himself losing hold of this young team. The future is truly beginning to look Silver & bleak.

Halftime Surprise-

A special military family reunion was held at halftime, a father returned from 10 months of military service in Afghanistan. The reunion was disguised as a field goal kicking challenge and the soldier was in a Raiders uniform complete with a helmet with a dark shield to hide his identity. The reunion will be featured on an upcoming episode of Lifetime’s Coming Home.

Steve Jobs Tribute

2011-11-03T22:53:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs

Feb. 24, 1955 - Beyond

logo design by Jonathan Mark

Without his creative mind, the world would surely be a smaller, boring place. Mr. Steve Jobs, the Thomas Edison of our time, we salute you!

Quote of the Day

2011-11-03T22:52:00.001-07:00

"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."

Frederick Douglass
American abolitionist, lecturer, author and slave, 1817-1895

Wide Receiver Housh is in the Raiders House

2011-11-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

The Oakland Raiders signed wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh today. Great move. I was hoping they'd get him last season. (TJ Housh Available)

Hoosh brings experience, familiarity with QB Carson Palmer as well as leadership to a young receiving corps in need of a spark plug. Of the three former Bengals receivers (T.O., Ocho Cinco & Hoosh) I feel that Housh is less disruptive to a winning Raiders squad. He can still play.

I'll admit, the Terrell Owens workout had me chewing at the bit, but I knew signing him carried a heavy price for coach Hue Jackson. Better at this stage of the season to bring someone like Housh in than an Owens. Maybe!

Besides, although his contract is only one year ($910,000), the name Houshmanzadeh is worth investing in to wear on a silver & black jersey come Sunday.

Welcome to the Raider Nation T.J. HoushMANzadeh!

Wrong About Cam Newton

2011-10-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

I just watched Carolina Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton play better than many veteran quarterbacks in a losing effort against the Minnesota Vikings. I'd seen highlights of the phenomenal quarterback but until today hadn't watched him in a full game.

Well, I've seen and I'm a believer. Cam Newton simply is a leader on the field, commanding his troops like a general. His field presence is one of quiet calm and composure, ready to strike at any moment. That composure is also apparent when he's on the sideline, there's no panic or angry outbursts.

Cam reads defenses like a veteran, throws with a quick, crisp release and has running back skills in the open field. His composure in the pocket is so uncharacteristic of a rookie quarterback that you have to remind yourself it's his first season.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady comes to mind when comparing past young quarterbacks who immediately produced with command and composure. Mind you Brady rode the bench as a backup behind veteran QB Drew Bledsoe his rookie season, as well as a quarter of his second season.

The (2-6) Panthers are a young team going through growing pangs. They seem to have beaten themselves more than being dominated by any opponent. There may still be many football aficionados and analysts writing off any Panther's success this season, but you'd be hard pressed to find anyone doubting the success and future potential of Cam Newton. Nobody!

Interesting, how after so much early criticism from mainstream sports media analysts about Cam Newton's pro football potential, those with enough cojones have completely retracted their critical predictions. Not often in sports do we see this type of media behavior where the so-called experts and not so expert bloggers in unison apologetically admit their mistake by singing the same lyrics:

"I Was Wrong About Cam Newton"

I always find it gratifying when any athlete makes a sports analyst eat every morsel of the condemning words spoken or written about that player. And I must say Cam, with your stellar play at quarterback, you've served up a banquet to those who were wrong about you. And based on my google search, the "Haters" are still lining up to order the "I Was Wrong" blueplate special, a most filling meal indeed.

Cam Newton Has Made The Panthers Relevant Again | NFL ...

Warren Moon on Cam Newton: I hate to say I told you so, but ...

Newton ranked 5th best in ESPN's Total QBR - Cat Scratch Reader

Cam Newton Dances With Wolves - was wrong

NFL Week 5 Picks: Lazy Observations from a Casual Fan | Bleacher ...

There's no doubting Cam Newton now

Why Merril Hoge was wrong about Cam Newton | Pro Football Chick

1) We were wrong about Cam Newton's start to 2011.

We are anti-rookie QBs for Fantasy Football as a default. We don't care who the rookie QB is. Rookie QBs can be solid, like Sam Bradford last year, or Andy Dalton (who we love) this year. Solid isn't what we want in Fantasy Football, we want video game type numbers from our Fantasy Football QB. Cam Newton is putting up video game type numbers. This is NOT an endorsement of Cam Newton. We still have our doubts on him being top-tier. However, it is an admission...he is not an NFL disaster rookie situation. He's going to hold his own, and then some. We are not seeking Newton for our rosters, but we are changing Fantasy Football scoring projections of team-defenses facing him upcoming. We are also going to upgrade Steve Smith and Greg Olsen higher than where we had them.

We thought Newton would be an early season/all season disaster...that was wrong, time to change projections accordingly.

World Series Back 10

2011-10-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Yr Winner Loser Series

2011	St. Louis Cardinals	Texas Rangers	4-3
2010	San Francisco Giants	Texas Rangers	4-1
2009	New York Yankees	Philadelphia Phillies	4-2
2008	Philadelphia Phillies	Tampa Bay Rays	4-1
2007	Boston Red Sox	Colorado Rockies	4-0
2006	St. Louis Cardinals	Detroit Tigers	4-1
2005	Chicago White Sox	Houston Astros	4-0
2004	Boston Red Sox	St. Louis Cardinals	4-0
2003	Florida Marlins	New York Yankees	4-2
2002	Anaheim Angels	San Francisco Giants	4-3
2001	Arizona Diamondbacks	New York Yankees	4-3

And That's Why They Play The Games

2011-10-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

The wild card St. Louis Cardinals win game 6 and 7 to claim the 2011 World Series Championship. I still have the improbable game 6 still swimming around in my head, but it was a dominating pitching performance with key hitting in game 7 that clinched the title for St. Louis.

Almost every baseball fan feels a bit sad that the two time American League champion Texas Rangers couldn't win their first world series. They fought a good fight and ran a helluva race but the historic game 6 loss seemed to take the wind out of their sails while giving the Cardinals just the gust they needed to push onward to victory. We Giants fans know well the course both ships took; the lost ship agony and the good ship ecstasy.

The WS MVP went to Cardinals third baseman David Freese, and rightfully so. No Freese and the Texas Rangers would be parading in cowboy boots down Dallas streets as I write this blog. Was it me or did every heart go out to Ranger president Nolan Ryan every time the cameras showed him? As much as I wanted to see the Cardinals win it, the way they finished off Texas made it almost shameful to celebrate the Cards victory.

For those who saw the series, we share in witnessing one of the best World Series ever, right up there with last year's San Francisco Giants win of course. For those who were too heartbroken to watch, and you know who you are yanks, sux and that dream team in philly, shame on you.

Baseball may no longer be the great American past time, but the entertainment and competition it brings to many fans around the world does that past time proud.

game 6

Congratulations 2011 World Series Champion!

Road To Ecstasy

World Series News

2011-10-27T20:18:00.001-07:00

It's the bottom of the 8th in St. Louis. The Cardinals just made it a two run game with a home run, trailing the Texas Ranger 7-5 in game six of the world series. I'd like to see the Cardinals pull out a win and extend the series to game 7. The reason is simple: I want to enjoy one more night as a fan of the CURRENT World Series Champions.

This past season as Champions has been everything I imagined it would be and more. The city of San Francisco has savored every juicy morsel of flavor out of the championship steak. We're still chewing on the gristle while watching the Cards and Rangers battle it out for this season's crown.

Though tonight or tomorrow night there will be a new major league baseball champion, the San Francisco Giants 2010 World Series Championship will always be alive and well in the hearts of fans who wear the orange and black. It's been one heck of a journey, more like an adventure. An adventure I'll be talking about as long as I breathe.

Thank You Giants! It's Been Magical!

There will be a game 7

Final in 11

TEX 9

STL 10

Another Millionaires vs Billionaires Brawl

2011-10-27T19:53:00.001-07:00

NBA Basketball
Today
Portland		Cancelled
Golden State

Greed knows no compromise. It will cut off it's nose to spite it's face. In business this is called Corporate Strategy!

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

2011-10-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

Food Freedom

Did you Know? Genetically engineered food is bred with the genes from bacteria that act like a pesticide?

Just finished reading an article in the East Bay Express by Jessica C. Kraft, The Rapid Growth of GMOS. The article is a definite eye opener and makes one seriously consider conspiracy theories associated with pharmaceutical, healthcare and food companies. And wouldn't you know that our good old pals the Lobbyists play a role in all this.

It's a scary thought to consider, the manipulation of the world's food supply for profit with the collateral damage being an unhealthy body in need of medical attention and genetically produced medicine to survive. Just when we're trying to Go Green in our external environment we find the food and drug administration has been approving unhealthy internal sources of energy.

Wanna know something else? It ain't limited to food; clothes, toothpaste, shampoo, lotions, you name it and there's something in it that could be hazardous to your health. Something man-made that you pay dollars for.

GMO's is a topic you want to educate yourself on, especially if you have kids suffering asthma or other child illnesses so common in today's environment. It just might not only be the chemicals in the air they breathe that's causing health problems.

Deregulation of genetically engineered crops

Terrell Owens Should Be On Raiders Radar

2011-10-25T20:55:00.001-07:00

If you ask me, the Oakland Raiders should acquire wide receiver Terrell Owens immediately, if the price is right. T.O. has something to prove to himself and the league, that he can still play professional football at a high performance level. The Raiders need to prove their passing game is just as dangerous as their running game with Darren McFadden. The two simply need each other in order to succeed.

T.O. played for the Cincinnati Bengals last season, yes, the same team where quarterback Carson Palmer played. He had 73 receptions for 983 yards and 9 touchdowns, leading the team in all categories, a team with Chad Ochocinco no less.

He tore his ACL during the preseason lockout, first major injury in 15 season, and held a special edition workout in Los Angeles to show that after six months he's healed and ready to contribute to a teams passing game. All 32 teams were invited to the workout. Zilch showed up.

Raiders coach Hue Jackson has said they're not interested in Owens. Come'on Hue, our team just got embarrassed by our division's last place Kansas City Chiefs 28-0, partly because McFadden left the game early with an ankle injury. If you don't think a Terrell Owens/Carson Palmer duo won't add star quality and free up our younger talent to make plays, then just look at the game he had last season against the Cleveland Browns (10 rec 222 yds 1 td).

Maybe after 15 years of playing pro ball T.O. is no longer T.O.. But you don't pass up an opportunity to find out, not when the Raiders could use someone with his competitiveness. That's one thing that T.O. has never lacked, competitiveness. Can you honestly say the same for these Raiders receivers who've spent as much time on IR as on the field:

Chaz Schilienz

Louis Murphy

Darrius Heyward-Bey

Come on Raiders, do it for AL!

Raiders Shutout At Home

2011-10-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

Final Score

Chiefs 28

- McFadden

=Raiders 0

Fan Highlight of the Game: Witnessed one burly fan perfectly place a right cross punch to the jaw, lifting a trash-talking foul mouthed fan over the seats below where he lay stretched out like a corpse. The entire section reacted like we'd witnessed an iron Mike Tyson knockout. It was close.

In all the years I've been attending games I'd never seen a better display of physical skill in shutting up a troublemaker. The punch was quick, powerful and precise. When the row of fans below realized there was a grown man sleeping on their backs they lifted him to his feet where he quietly grabbed up his belongings, took one shy peek at a glaring iron Mike, and headed for shelter elsewhere to clear his head.

The knockout victim would eventually return with renewed courage, start loud-mouthing Tyson from afar again and get the stadium police involved. When all was said and done the two would make up, sort of, return to their seats and join the rest of us Raiders fans in watching our team get knocked out by the visiting Chiefs.

I don't condone violence in unsportsmanlike form, but after watching the boring Nonito Donaire boxing match last night, I suppose I was still hungering for a knockout punch to land. I finally got one!

In fairness to the real Mike Tyson, neither of these two men resembled him in any way, shape or color.

A King's Castle

2011-10-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

Besides being officially crowned King Albert: A Baseball Legend, Albert Pujols carries the title of Dad with pride. After making history in game 3 of the World Series, when all the baseball hoopla and celebrations were over, the footage of King Albert, his loving wife and their loved little son walking down the shadowed corridor of the ballpark and into the Texas night was classic. It could've been a Mean Joe Green Coca-Cola commercial moment.

Instead, the silent footage of this Man and his family carries a message that people in all walks of life should heed. Whether you're a King, politician, celebrity, professional athlete, businessman, blue collar worker, volunteer or seeking employment, it's what you come home to that makes it all worth while.

And if you've never experienced the beaming eyes of a child rushing toward you as you come home from a day of accomplishments and/or failures, then you're missing a precious little part of what makes humanity so.....Human.

It's been that way probably since prehistoric man first lumbered home, entering the family cave with a large piece of wild game slung over his shoulder. Simply put, King Albert Got Game!

"Pujols was 5-for-6 with three home runs and six RBIs as the Cardinals scored the second-most runs by one team in a World Series contest."

2004 - Albert Pujols watches his son, A.J., hit off a batting tee Friday in Jupiter, Fla. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)

WBC Returns Title Belt To Bernard Hopkins

2011-10-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

The world boxing council (WBC) unanimously reversed the Chad Dawson TKO of light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins ruling the fight a Technical Draw, and rightfully so. Though Hopkins gets back the title and the belt, the loss will remain on his record until the California State Athletic Commission reviews it and authorizes the change.

This righting of a wrong might help restore fan faith in title fight Boxing matches. Then again, for those who paid the $50 plus on the Hopkins vs Dawson fight, nothing short of a refund will suffice.

Da pay-per-viewers wuz robbed!

World Series Tied @ 1 Game Each

2011-10-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

In a competition that showcased what we in baseball call a "pitcher's duel," game 2 of the World Series came down to an earth shaking 9th inning. St. Louis held onto a 1-0 lead after scoring in the 7th. Texas surprisingly scored two in the top of the 9th and sealed it with shutdown pitching in the bottom of the inning.

Within ten minutes after the game ended the San Francisco bay area witnessed a 3.8 earthquake, the second of the day. Just so happens it was earthquake preparedness day. I personally felt both strong jolts, the latter while finishing the game and dinner at Tommy's Joint on Van ness avenue. Whadda game whadda meal.

If St. Louis had won game two, Texas would be wearing the collapsing team label. Instead, they've gotten new life and a boost of adrenalin going home to play three games in their ballpark. I'm rooting for the National League Champion Cardinals to win it. They appeared to have that magical touch going into the series. I hope the Rangers haven't stolen their bag of magic.

final score (game2)

Rangers 2

Cardinals 1

final score (game1)

Rangers 2

Cardinals 3

QB Carson Palmer A Raider!

2011-10-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer signed a contract with the Oakland Raiders today. The 2003 #1 draft pick and two-time pro bowl quarterback is a 31 year old pocket passer with an Al Davis approved throwing arm.

Raiders coach Hue Jackson is familiar with Palmer, coaching Bengals receivers from 2004-2006 and on the USC Trojans coaching staff when Palmer was there.

Forget about the Raiders 2012 1st round draft pick given up, Palmer gives me a sigh of relief when thinking of the remaining season without Campbell, though campbell says he hopes to return within 6 weeks from surgery. Sorry Jason, but Carson might actually be an upgrade at the position. It's a wait-n-see situation.

As of today, Hue and the Oakland Raiders have a proven driver ready to take the wheel and continue a Raiders return to the playoffs. Sure it's a big roll of the dice, but to succeed in the NFL you either Go Big or Go home.

Welcome to the Raiders Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer Career Stats

Raiders 24 Browns 17

2011-10-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

"....the greatness of the Raiders remains in its future."

The Oakland Raiders returned home to honor late great owner Mr. Al Davis. Plenty of former Raiders met around the Raiders shield at mid-field to stand in honor of the lighting of an eternal flame for Al. Former Raiders coach John Madden performed the honor of lighting the flame that sits burning strong in the south-east corner of the stadium.

On a warmer than normal early fall day, two big plays attributed mightily to a Raiders win. A 101-yard kickoff return by the man they call "lightning in cleats," #12 Jacoby Ford. The other play was executed by special teams, where they pulled off yet another turning point, game changing play with a fake field-goal. Instead of a 53 yard field goal attempt, the Raiders faked it as punter Shane Lechler threw the perfect pass to a wide open Kevin Boss who rumbled for a 35 yard touchdown.

One ugly play cost the Raiders a proven leader, most likely for the rest of the season. Quarterback Jason Campbell scrambled seven yards then after being tackled grabbed himself in pain. A fractured clavicle is the reported injury. Backup Kyle Boller came in and did a pedestrian job at QB. The Raiders will need to bring in a quarterback quickly. The only other passer on the roster is a rookie who joins the team full-time tomorrow after serving a five game suspension; Terrell Pryor.

This could be a blessing or a curse for the Raiders. Only Al knows.

Just Win Baby!

Steppin Outside Our House of Worship

2011-10-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

A Fredo Moment

This morning's commonwealth club discussion had InterFaith as it's discussion. Who would've thought a panel of religious and spiritual scholars would be found quoting Rodney King.

"Can't We All Just Get Along"

The discussion touched on many issues of religious tolerance and brotherhood. From comparisons of those of us who feel more spiritual than religious, to comparing interfaith as a garden of faith versus a bouquet; a bouquet's stems are cut whereas garden plants have roots to stimulate continued growth.

One story was given of a concentration camp inmate during WWII who smuggled in a prayer book and loaned it out in exchange for food. Many people who hear of it focus on the sinful actions of the inmate bartering faith, but the teller of the story has you focus on those giving of their limited supply of food for a glimpse at a book of prayer, thus restoring their faith in a place of intense suffering and death.

What really caught my attention was the question of how one faith or religion can selfishly claim authenticity and privilege with an overall God? I like what the the guest, Alan Jones, said about trusting in a Monotheistic religion. He said he'd ask the person of that religion if he would be safe if that person were in charge?

In other words, if I put you in charge would your faith and beliefs be willing to accept me with my faith and belief, or would you banish me or worse, crucify me for what I believe in? You should ask yourself this to see exactly where you and your faith stand with the community of mankind.

To hear an audio broadcast click on Finding Faith and Spirituality in the 21st Century and press play.

Faking or Not, Hopkins Didn't Deserve TKO Call

2011-10-15T21:33:00.001-07:00

Bernard Hopkins (right) tangles with Chad Dawson during their light heavyweight title fight on October 15

This is the second straight Title Fight Boxing controversy. At least in the case of Floyd Mayeather vs Victor Ortiz, two punches landed, dirty punches, but punches no less.

Tonight it was an underneath shoulder move by Chad Dawson with 30 seconds left in the second round, that lifted Light-Heavy Weight Champion Bernard Hopkins off the ground and flatbacked him onto the canvas. The fight clock would not tick off another second for the rest of the evening. As Bernard would say when interviewed, "he tackled me, watch the tape. Football comes on tomorrow."

The controversey should be about why the referree called it a TKO for Dawson instead of a foul or a no decision if Hopkins couldn't continue.

Instead, many are looking at it from newly crowned champion Dawson's point of view, that Bernard was faking an injury to avoid continuing to fight, something he's been accused of doing in the past.

I agree with Hopkins on this one. You can't judge him in this fight based on his past behavior. He should've been given the option to continue, even if his self-proclaimed dislocated shoulder would force him to fight with one arm.

When Dawson was asked about a possible rematch he said "For What?" Guess there won't be no rematch.

The final insult to the fighters and fans was when both the commission and the ref were rushed away before any interviewer could reach them for comment. Like the deacon and the deaconess running off with the church collection plates. That's cold!

Sorry Bernard, guess your past has caught up to you tonight. Maybe retirement would be a good idea. The ones who lost the most were pay-per-view customers and those at the fight. The booing crowd seemed to be more against Dawson than Hopkins. Either way, tonight the Boxing world received a second black eye to go along with the one Mayweather gave them last month. Let's hope the Pacquaio vs Marquez fight schedulued for Nov. 12, 2011 makes up for the two main event messes.

On the undercard, 52 year old cruiser weight Dewey Bozella, who spent 26 years in sing-sing for a crime he didn't commit, fulfilled his dream by winning a professional fight. Hopkins, who served 5 years in prison, had been quoted as saying Bozella's story inspired him. Sometimes life is about being given a second chance, especially when the first chance delivered you a cheap shot.

Why Did It Take So Long?

2011-10-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

It's official, Football has definitely gone where no Sport has gone before. Welcome my fellow sports brothers-in-arms to:

Lingerie Football League

That's right. A football league of sexy hot women wearing helmets, eye black, shoulder pads and ........Wait For It..........Lingerie Gartered Panties!

Whatever Man sold this idea to venture capitalists will one day be a god of the universe. Even if the league folds, the footage will live on in the annals of sports. If you're asking yourself how I, a Raiders Til I Die rebel, got wind of this lacy league, for the record it was the devil, plain and simple.

Actually, an article about former Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien's daughter Angela Rypien caught more than my eye. She's starting quarterback for the Lingerie League's Seattle Mist. With Mark in the stands she put on a quite a show in leading her Lingerie clad ladies of Seattle over the opposing team, the Green Bay Chill 42-8.

My gurl says it must be a hoax. Well if it is, just keep hoaxing me baby!

The LFL consists of two conferences (East and West) with six teams each. It seems that it airs on Friday Night's on MTV2 and markets itself as the "True Fantasy Football." Who can argue that. They've been around for at least two seasons and this season looks to be a bra-keout year, as seen from the many on-field wardrobe malfunctions.

So Brotha, don't just stand their all gooey-eyed wondering what your gurl will say, just pack your bags for Vegas this season and get ready for a hangover in cleats. The Los Angeles Temptation take on the Las Vegas Sin at the Orleans Arena not far from the strip. Need I remind you not to bring sand to the beach?

MISSION STATEMENT

"The Lingerie Football League has become the Ultimate Fan-Driven

Live Sports Phenomenon - Blending Action, Impact and Beauty."

Celebrating Huff Interception/Raiders Win

2011-10-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

Who Knew that this footage would end up on youtube with myself and Raider Nation celebrating last week's emotional win over the Houston Texans. The scene is Ricky's Sports Bar in San Leandro,Ca.

Century of the Surgeon

2011-10-11T19:57:00.001-07:00

A review of a very well written book from 1957.

This Is Madness! This........Is........Sparta!,

Reading the first 100 pages of this book does make one cringe with horror at times. The author's clear descriptions of the patients, their pains and the surgical procedures, not to mention the saw and other primitive tools used to probe inside gaping incisions, are both mesmerizing and ghastly alive.

The writing is so convincing that you begin to feel as if you are there, suffering as a patient or stoicly ignoring the patients screams to continue the procedure as a surgeon should. The point is clearly made that many early day surgeons were butchers, both literally and figuratively.

I admit, I haven't finished this book yet. I really want to take my time savoring the atmosphere of this historical novel. I felt a need to write something about the pleasure and pain spent reading the first pages. The stories within the story just keep coming and so far not one has dulled my interest.

The writing stands true and concise. The characters are easily imagineable, so easy that its as if you recognize some from childhood visits to a doctor's office. Just try putting yourself in a doctor or patient's shoes of that era, that is where the reading becomes timeless and engaging.

But the real horror in reading this book about surgery prior to anesthesia is that it wasn't during the times of ancient Greece or Rome; this is a story that takes place in mid-nineteenth century Western civilization. This is NOT Sparta!

1944 AL Champion St. Louis Browns

2011-10-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

Amazing how you learn as you go when it comes to sports history. Who other than Baltimoreans knew that their beloved Orioles started out in St. Louis. I'm sure the baseball connoisseur's of the sports world know this bit of trivia, but I've been mostly in the dark about it.

I do own the movie "A Winner Never Quits" about the one-armed major league baseball player Pete Grey in 1945, but I thought the Browns he played for were a fictional team. Who knew!

St. Louis once had an American League team named the St. Louis Browns. They were one of the original 8 charter franchises of the 1901 startup league, spending its first year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Brewers before moving to St. Louis to become the St. Louis Browns.

In 1954, after 52 hapless years, the Browns left St. Louis for Baltimore and adopted the Orioles name, a name used by previous Baltimore baseball clubs, in honor of the official state bird of Maryland.

The Orioles name had been used by previous major league baseball clubs in Baltimore, including the American League Baltimore Orioles franchise from 1901–1902 that became the New York Yankees and the National League Baltimore Orioles which won National League titles with legendary Hall-of-Fame manager John McGraw, before McGraw took the black and orange team colors to New York to become the Giants baseball team. That Giants team would become would leave New York for San Francisco after the 1957 season, winning their first World Series for the city by the bay in 2010.

John McGraw Teams

As Player

Baltimore Orioles (AA/NL) (1891–1899)
St. Louis Cardinals (1900)
Baltimore Orioles (AL) (1901–1902)
New York Giants (1902–1906)

As Manager

How many San Francisco Giants fans knew that the Orange and Black colors they cloaked themselves in through the 2010 World Series Championship run were stolen from a Baltimore baseball club over 100 years ago? Gee, thanks John McGraw for being such a hard ass manager and superstitious strategist.

Breakdown:

Original St. Louis Browns in St. louis 1901-1954

- move to Baltimore and become Orioles 1954

Original Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore 1891-1902 (AA/NL)

- move to New York and become Giants 1902

The story of the early Baltimore Orioles gets very confusing. It includes the New York Highlanders who became the New York Yankees; The Brooklyn Gladiators who were forerunner to the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the great bambino himself Babe Ruth.

The story of the 1969 Seattle Pilots is interesting as well. Read about this one season team and it's connection to the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers and Bud Selig. A book written by a Pilots player titled "Ball Four" gives the full story of the Pilots one major league season.

Raiders 25 Texans 20

2011-10-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

Raiders doing it for Big Al turn back the clock and somehow, someway, pull out a tough victory on the road. It wasn't pretty and the Raiders didn't do a lot of bullying, but they found a way to finish as victors.

The Oakland Raiders looked like they wanted to win one for Al, God rest his soul, but they struggled to live up to that commitment in the first half (Raiders 12 Texans 14.) The second half saw the Raiders playing with commitment and executing their way through a fiesty 3-1 Houston Texans team.

The game came down to the final 7 seconds of the game. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub had just completed a hail-mary like pass to the 5 yard line.

The snap and those 7 seconds seem like hours as Schaub goes back to pass. He begins running toward the endzone with a Raiders defender quickly closing in. Looks like he could make the endzone. Instead, Schaub fakes then throws to the endzone for what appears for a millisecond to be an open receiver. Jumping in front of the receiver to snatch the ball and victory out of the Texans hands is Raiders safety #24 Michael Huff. Ballgame!

Al Davis draft choices contribute to the win

Darrius Heyward-Bey

7 catches

99 rec yards

1 touchdown

Michael Huff

4 tackles

1 interception

Sebastian Janikowski

4/4 field goals

54, 55, 50, 42 FG yards

I watched this game at Ricky's Sports Bar in San Leandro with the Black Hole crew. As I told Ricky after the game while shaking hands, "the place continues to live up to Raider Nation expectations." Where else but Ricky's would a Raiders fan want to watch an away game? Definitely a Sunday to remember.

The Hazmat Boyz represented at Ricky's during and after the game. Check out their Raider Nation video, SOLIDARITY. It's tight! Half the folks in the video were at Ricky's enjoying the game. Black Hole Stand UP!

"Now He Belongs To The Ages"

2011-10-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

l Al Davis l

Forever A Raider

He Was More Than A Simple Carpenter

2011-10-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

So whom in mankind's history have we heard spoken of as a more than a simple carpenter? Tonight's St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter might not be of virgin birth, but after tonight's complete game shutout of the Philadelphia Phillies he's considered a god in the sports sense of the word.

Well there are a few similarities between the famous carpenter of ancient roman times and the carpenter that humbled the city of brotherly love tonight.

Both performed miracles in front of a tough unbelieving audience ( I'm always reminded of Philadelphia Eagles fans booing Santa Clause.) Both had a strong supporting team of Saints backing them. And both went the distance.

Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter not only shut down the favored Phillies tonight, he baptized the Cardinals organization and solidified a fellowship that appears unstoppable as they move on to play the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS. The Cardinals played like they were on a mission of redemption. If you saw the game you know what I'm talking about. A classic national league playoff game and pitching duel.

The St. Louis Cardinals are the 2010 SF Giants. They appear to have that ...thing.....that makes teams just a tad better and a touch luckier than their opponents.

Congratulations St. Louis on your NLDS triumph.

Final Score (Game 5)

St. Louis 1

Philadelphia 0

Viva Vala Verde!

2011-10-07T12:26:00.001-07:00

Down Goes Goliath! Down Goes Goliath! Down Goes Goliath!

The Detroit Tigers did what many thought impossible last night. They put down the mighty Goliath of the baseball world, better known as the New York Yankees. They did it with clutch hitting and lights out pitching in game 5 of the ALDS.

Never has the baseball world seen Yankee Stadium so full and yet so nervously quiet as in the bottom of the ninth last night.

Detroit's ace closer Jose Valverde, 49-49 in save opportunities this season, came in and silenced everything within a ten mile radius of the Yankee Stadium dugout.

Crickets in October.

The silence of those pinstripe wearing fans was a horrific site to see. Yankees fans from ages 8 to 80 were shown looking like a zombie virus had just descended on the New York metropolitan area. They looked gaunt, expressionless, void of life. Their shadowy faces resembled that of a gangrene corpse with bulging eyes and a twisted mouth.

Yes, the pride of espn, fox sports and money making manhattan were Beaten!

Money Can't Buy Everything. At Least Not This Baseball Season.

Congratulations Detroit Tigers on slaying that bragging beast of baseball. Thanks for shutting up dem Yankees.

Final Score (game5)

Detroit 3

New York 2

Hank Ruins It For Hitler

2011-10-04T13:29:00.001-07:00

If only Hank Williams, Jr had asked Hitler's permission before using the Fuhrer's name in a Republican Rage against President Barack Obama. Maybe then ESPN could keep Hank under contract for primetime.

But Hitler ain't having it Hank!

Respica te, hominem te memento

2011-10-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

When a Roman emperor achieved a great military victory he would parade into town in an elaborate procession called a triumph. The story goes that a slave would ride on the chariot going “Respica te, hominem te memento” (“Look behind you, remember you are only a man”) and “Memento mori” (“Remember (that you are) mortal”).

Raiders Bring Knives To Gunfight

2011-10-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

At Sunday's showdown with New England gunslinger Tom Brady the Raiders just didn't bring the right weapons. The weapons they did bring might have nicked the Patriots early, but overall were ineffective and overmatched

In keeping it short I'll point out the obvious. Quarterback Jason Campbell, coming in with a very impressive quarterback rating, threw two interceptions and appeared undecided on many a play. If he'd let his legs do more running upfield it might have softened up the Patriots secondary enough for receivers to get open more. Campbell was good much of the day, but he wasn't great when he needed to be. He looked rusty minded with a slight case of happy feet. He threw very few passes downfield, seldom challenging the suspect Patriot secondary. Mind you his offensive line was superb in giving him the time.

Stupid defensive penalties returned for the Raiders in this game, again at the worse times. Defensive pressure on Brady was key for the Raiders to win the game, yet they couldn't get to him enough. Brady kept the Raiders defense off balance most of the day. They'd play the pass and the Patriots would run. They'd play the run and the Patriots would pass. The Raiders were trading field goals for touchdowns in this game, which is a recipe for failure. Red Zone offense hurt the Raiders chances of matching up with a gunslinger.

In the second half the Patriots let loose with their ultimate weapon, wide receiver Wes Welker. The Raiders finally had to lay down their knives and surrender to a an opponent with superior fire power.

In a game against one of the elite NFL teams, the Raiders showed they could play on the same field with the big boys. What they didn't show was the ability to slay a beast. Hopefully by the end of this season the Raiders will have overcome their shortcomings. They have the talent and the coaching, it comes down to execution under pressure.

Final Score

Patriots 31

Raiders 19

Wednesday Nite Wild Wild Card Finish

2011-09-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

Every baseball fan in the country tuned in to at least one of four major league baseball games with playoff implications on Wednesday night. With the Red Sox in the American League, a win over the last place AL East Baltimore Orioles would secure them no less than a one game playoff against the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL Wild Card.

The same scenario was playing out in the NL Wild Card with the Cardinals and the Braves. A playoff match between the two if both won or lost. With the Red Sox and Braves blowing respectable wild card leads in the month of September, the stage was set Wednesday for spoilers and chokers to battle it out.

To add fuel to the fire, the Red Sox division winner/rival New York Yankees were in Florida taking on the Rays while the Braves were facing their division winner/rival Philadelphia Phillies. Is it just a smidgen possible that the Yanks would take a dive to help the Rays edge out the Sox for the final AL playoff spot? Hmmmmmm.

Meanwhile, the Houston Astros were hoping to help the Braves wild card chances by upsetting their division rival, the hot streaking St. Louis Cardinals. There's a lot of people rooting against Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa. Why is that?

Here's a great timeline of the events that took place on Wild Card Wednesday, a night that will go down as one of the greatest season ending subplots to ever unfold on the major league baseball field.

Thrill Ride: Timeline of Wednesday's Drama

by mlb reporter Joey Nowak

Red Sox Horrific & Historic Collapse

2011-09-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

A story more horrific than when you first heard the tale of Mighty Casey and the Mudville Nine, a Major League baseball team choked on the last day of the regular season and will not be participating in the Fall Classic playoffs.

The Boston Red Sox, favored by many this season as a contender for a world series championship, lost tonight's game after leading 3-2 in their top of the ninth. The Baltimore Orioles may not have earned a postseason seed with the win, but they're the spoiler darlings of the year for many a Red Sox hater as well as the team that takes their place in the AL wild card spot, the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Sux, oops, excuse me. The Sox became the first team to miss the postseason after leading by as many as nine games for a playoff spot entering September, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

When the Baltimore rains came with the O's trailing 3-2 in the middle of the seventh, a 1 hour 26 minute game delay must've seemed like a gift from the Gods for the O's. But Sox fans might call it a curse from hell as their wild card competitor, the (d-e-v-i-l) Rays, came from 7 runs back to tie the Yankees in a game with postseason implications, with the Sux, excuse me again darnit, with the Sox watching it on tv waiting out the wet delay.

It would all come crumbling down for Boston in the ninth inning as their ace closer, Jonathan Papelbon, gave up two doubles and a single to give the Baltimore Spoilers the walk-off win. The devil Rays would win and seal the Sux fate just three minutes later in Florida with a walk-off home run in the 12th inning.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

Final Score

Boston 3

Baltimore 4

New York Times

2011-09-26T10:42:00.001-07:00

After the dominating display of Raiders football superiority over the favored New York Jets, I just wanted to capture what the New York media wrote about the beatdown. Here's the Times telling it like it was:

OAKLAND, Calif. — A boisterous crowd beyond the south end zone wore black-and-silver pirate costumes and gorilla suits and chain mail, and mocked and taunted and yelled at the Jets. The fans were mostly harmless, certainly not as terrifying to the Jets as what occurred between the sidelines. Their defenders grasped at air. They lay flattened on the grass. They failed to stop a Raiders offense despite knowing exactly what was coming.

Multimedia

Slide Show

Jets Replay: Week 3

After the Jets’ 34-24 loss Sunday, when his team allowed 24 consecutive points and surrendered the most rushing yards during his 41 games as its coach, Rex Ryan tried to maintain his composure. His voice was clipped, his anger obvious, as he uttered a phrase that he never, ever expected to say.

“Our defense let us down,” Ryan said.

Those five words cut deep, like a biting wind, and no one in a hushed locker room could argue. His players dressed as if they were sleepwalking, still stunned at how easily the Raiders ran over, away from and through them, for 234 yards, for 7.3 per carry, for 4 touchdowns. To add injury to insult, Antonio Cromartie, who committed four penalties and muffed a kickoff, was taken to a local medical center with injured ribs but flew back with the team.

“Embarrassing,” defensive tackle Sione Pouha said. “It was humiliating for us to have something like that happen to us.”

And it will be worse still when they review the videotape, watching Darren McFadden zip around the edge on a 70-yard touchdown run, or Denarius Moore elude Jamaal Westerman, then juke Bart Scott, on a 23-yard reverse that put Oakland ahead to stay. It was doubly painful for Jim Leonhard, who was blindsided on a vicious block by the hulking left tackle Jared Veldheer.

“I haven’t been hit that hard in a long time,” Leonhard said.

Nor have the Jets felt, to borrow Pouha’s words, this embarrassed in a long time. The defense’s Week 1 performance against Dallas, in which it allowed 390 yards and received no game balls, was viewed as an exception against a skilled team and after an abridged training camp. The defense rebounded to throttle Jacksonville last week, when the Jaguars scored 3 points and never reached the red zone, but having two shaky games out of three concerns Ryan and his players.

“Whatever you can say bad about our defense, we were,” said linebacker Calvin Pace, who expects a verbal flaying on Monday. “Some bad things are going to be said to us, from Rex to Mike Pettine, but we deserve that.”

The Jets could have envisioned dozens of more appealing ways to begin a critical three-game road stretch that continues next Sunday night at Baltimore, and the week after at New England. The Patriots might not be the class of the division, after a loss to Buffalo launched the Bills into first place in the American Football Conference East.

The Jets (2-1) “have a lot of issues to correct,” according to Leonhard. The correction process will begin Monday, if not sooner, and it will be hard for Ryan to find anything redeeming about how his team played, especially in the second half. He tried, though, singling out Mark Sanchez, who threw for a career-high 369 yards and 2 touchdowns. But the Jets’ offense sputtered, going nearly 30 minutes without scoring after failing to convert a critical fourth-and-2 at the Oakland 37. With 2 minutes 31 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the score tied at 17-17, Sanchez misfired on a quick slant to Plaxico Burress.

Almost immediately, the game turned, on two plays that highlighted the Jets’ defensive futility and lack of discipline. First, Moore seemed to elude the entire defense on his 23-yard scamper, sprinting past three players before falling into the end zone.

And then, Cromartie combusted for the final time. It was a measure of his miserable game that his four penalties, which went for 46 yards, were not his most egregious mistakes. On the ensuing kickoff, he booted the ball, which was recovered by Taiwan Jones at the Jets’ 13. Two plays later, Michael Bush scored from a yard out, and in less than a minute, the Jets went from being tied to down by two touchdowns.

The collapse was shocking and swift, and the Raiders, a week after allowing 35 second-half points in a loss to Buffalo, enjoyed the turnabout.

“You know, Coach Hue always says that we are building a bully,” McFadden said of Raiders Coach Hue Jackson, adding, “It doesn’t matter who we are playing against and that is what we want to go out there and try to do — go out there and bully them.”

All week, Leonhard said, the Jets focused on not giving McFadden, a versatile speedster, an opportunity to utilize his quickness on the edge. So, what happened? On his 70-yard burst, McFadden zipped outside, en route to a 171-yard day. Before Sunday, that had been the most rushing yards allowed by the Jets to an entire team during Ryan’s tenure.

Pace seemed bothered that they “lost to a team that was not as good as us, that was inferior to us,” though it was difficult to discern in just what areas the Jets could flaunt their superiority. Not offensively. Not in special teams. Certainly not defensively.

The Raiders were averaging 160.5 yards rushing coming into the game, so the Jets braced for them to run, expected them to run, planned for them to run. Still they could not stop them.

“It’s extremely frustrating to know that you have to stop certain aspects of their game in order to win, and series after series you go out there and don’t do it,” Leonhard said. “It’s extremely frustrating to game-plan for a team and let them dictate what they want to do.”

A version of this article appeared in print on September 26, 2011, on page D1 of the New York edition with the headline: Yards Pile Up Against Jets, And the Concerns Creep In.

Raiders Ground Jets At Sold Out Coliseum

2011-09-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

Denarius Touchdownus

The New York Jets were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Today's Oakland Raiders were looking for anyone to take out their frustrations on. Last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills was one they know they should've won. Today they played like a team with a nasty taste in their mouth.

The Raiders played today like someone had stolen something from them on the road last week. They simply weren't taking any chances this week as they protected their house against suspect visitors from the east. The only thing these visitors would take away was a whupping as the Jets were knocked around and upside down while the Raiders robbed them of their gold.

RB Darren McFadden ran for 171 yards against the media-hyped Jets who led early but couldn't hang with the Raiders in the second half. The Raiders fans brought their A-Game as they screamed and hollered the Jets offense into believing they'd awakened a monster. They had!

I was tired of hearing the story of Jets QB Mark Sanchez's last visit to the coliseum where he was caught on the sideline eating down a hotdog. Today's 34-24 Raiders win gave football fans and media some new on-field hotdogging to talk about. Like McFadden's 72 yard burst around the left end for a touchdown or any of his tackle breaking, cutback faking runs.

D-Mac will be on the lips of all espn analysts tonight while rookie Danarius Moore is seen as the 2011 version of last year's Jacoby Ford (out with an injury). Moore ran a receiver reverse and made a cutback that juked two Jets defenders before zooming past the defensive secondary for a classic diving touchdown (see above). Speed Kills!

Yes football fans, the Oakland Raiders put on a show in front of a sold out house today, and not one paying customer felt cheated or wanted a refund. The place was hopping with Raiders offense, defense, special teams and Silver&Black groupies. One of the best concerts I've attended in quite some time. It was .........electrifying!

Final Score

Jets 24

Raiders 34

Jets Coming To Oaktown - Not Up In Here

2011-09-23T14:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday

September 25

Oakland Coliseum

Judgment Day

SKYLAB 2

2011-09-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

A huge, dead satellite tumbling to Earth is falling slower than expected, and may now plummet down somewhere over the United States tonight or early Saturday, despite forecasts that it would miss North America entirely, NASA officials now say.

The 6 1/2-ton Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) was expected to fall to Earth sometime Friday afternoon, but changes in the school bus-size satellite's motion may push it to early Saturday, according to NASA's latest observations of the spacecraft.

read on: NASA's falling satellite