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Countdown: Davis continues to dismantle Raiders
NFL Week 17
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Week 17 action
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Vikings 20, Giants 19 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 33, Saints 31 -- Recap | Box
Packers 31, Lions 21 -- Recap | Box
Falcons 31, Rams 27 -- Recap | Box
Texans 31, Bears 24 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 13, Bills 0 -- Recap | Box
Colts 23, Titans 0 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 31, Browns 0 -- Recap | Box
Raiders 31, Bucs 24 -- Recap | Box
Bengals 16, Chiefs 6 -- Recap | Box
Eagles 44, Cowboys 6 -- Recap | Box
Dolphins 24, Jets 17 -- Recap | Box
49ers 27, Redskins 24 -- Recap | Box
Ravens 27, Jaguars 7 -- Recap | Box
Cardinals 34, 'Hawks 24 -- Recap | Box
Chargers 52, Broncos 21 -- Recap | Box
Analysis
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Ever since that victory 25-plus years ago, it has forever been Al Davis versus the NFL. Davis went from earning respect to disdain throughout. Yes, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones struck up a friendship with Davis, but everyone else believes he has ruined what was a nationally popular franchise, one with so much history and lore. The Raiders were everyone's favorite bad guys.
Which brings me to this past week's startling press conference in which Davis smeared his hand-picked head coach Lane Kiffin, calling him a liar while revealing more dirty laundry than was really necessary? OK, so Kiffin and his offensive coaches didn't want to draft JaMarcus Russell. Kiffin wanted to win immediately and he figured he could win with quarterback Josh McCown, especially if he had receiver Calvin Johnson running opposite Jerry Porter last season. Kiffin wanted to take Stanford's Trent Edwards, now Buffalo's starter, in the second round.
Davis spoke for more than 45 minutes, revealing his case against Kiffin. All he had to do was say that he was firing Kiffin not because he had a 1-3 record this season but for cause and unspecified reasons. That would have been sufficient and he could have answered a few questions. Instead, he wanted to pile drive Kiffin into the ground. He wanted to show everyone that Kiffin was the bad guy and not him!
I don't know what has happened to Davis. He used to be an amazing figure, the only owner who was actually a very good coach. In fact, he was the AFL's coach of the year in 1963 with a 10-4 record.
Later, Davis, with John Madden and Ron Wolf, built very good teams over two decades, the 1970s and 1980s. Eventually, Davis gave up on Los Angeles, believing he could turn back the clock in Oakland while pocketing a chunk of change, a figure close to what he gave uninspired defensive tackle Tommy Kelly this year. It was a short-sighted move on his part. Had he stayed, the Raiders would have been the only team in Los Angeles and someone, maybe R.D. Hubbard, would have helped him build a fancy new stadium.
Davis and the Raiders haven't been right since he couldn't share the stage with Jon Gruden. Gruden was the perfect, irreverent coach for the Raiders, plus he was his own man. And he effectively used Bruce Allen, his general manager now in Tampa Bay, as a perfect buffer between himself and Davis. If Gruden, not Bill Callahan, was coaching the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, Davis would have won his fourth Super Bowl.
The Raiders and Davis have spiraled out of control since that 2002 season. He refuses to listen to any of his employees in practical matters while his health has worsened. He now lives in a suite of rooms at a hotel near the Raiders' practice facility. Callahan once called Davis a character between Elvis Presley and Howard Hughes. And all he did the other was further ruin his legacy as one of the NFL's most important innovators and contributors. Instead, he has tarnished most of that and become simply a mean, old man.
GAME: Washington at Philadelphia
TIME: 1 ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Eagles insist that all-purpose RB Brian Westbrook (ankle) will play, but the question remains how effective will he be if he does start? Can he stop-and-go, his trademark style? In last year's two games, Westbrook had 345 yards of offense. Regardless, the Eagles will be minus RG Shawn Andrews, one of the NFL's best. On the flip side, Redskins RB Clinton Portis dominated the Cowboys last Sunday, and his 86 rushing attempts have helped the Redskins average 32:26 in time of possession. That's a big reason QB Jason Campbell has looked more in control of the offense every game as he has yet to throw an interception; in fact, the offense hasn't turned the ball over this season. Running the ball against the Eagles' blitz-happy defense is a must. With TE L.J. Smith back and WR Reggie Brown close to full speed, QB Donovan McNabb has more downfield options.
CZAR'S SCOOP: This is the first time since 1973 that Redskins will play their first three road games of a season against divisional opponents. Campbell has a streak of 146 passes without an interception. Everyone thought Washington coach Jim Zorn was imitating George Allen's old "hip, hip, hooray" cheer in the Dallas locker room after last Sunday's win. Zorn said he was really copying Chuck Knox, his former Seattle coach and the guy who gave him a chance to be a NFL quarterback. Zorn knows that some of his players might have thought the cheer was a bit corny. "When Knox did it, I thought it was very old school," Zorn said. "But it kind of fired me up and then I thought, 'What's wrong with old school?' I just enjoyed the enthusiasm that Chuck Knox had when he led that cheer." McNabb needs 41 pass attempts to pass Ron Jaworski (3,918) for the most in franchise history. Odd stat: for nine consecutive seasons, either the Eagles or Redskins have made the playoffs.
GAME: Seattle at NY Giants
TIME: 1 ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: There are significant changes to Seattle's passing game with the return of Deion Branch at flanker and Bobby Engram in the slot. Billy McMullen, who leads Seattle's receivers with seven catches, will start at split end. This is the first game for both Branch and Engram, and you can bet that Matt Hasselbeck plans to test New York's secondary. For the first time, Hasselbeck has his offensive line intact. On the flip side, Eli Manning is minus Plaxico Burress, his main man. Unless Manning can generate some big plays from Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith early, the Giants may try to control the game and line of scrimmage with their running game. How the undersized Seattle linebackers handle Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward should be critical. The Giants may be unbeaten, but they have only one takeaway. Tom Coughlin's team is 1-3 following a bye week.
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| Eli Manning will have to get things done on Sunday against Seattle without his top wide receiver Plaxico Burress. (Elsa / Getty Images) |
CZAR'S SCOOP: This being his last season, it should be noted that the Seahawks are 10-18 under Mike Holmgren in East Coast games. They were 1-4 last season and they were trounced by the Bills in Buffalo in the opener. "The simple fact is, it has not a single thing to do with sleep levels, and that we are playing at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, or anything. It's that we fumbled the ball and we played a lousy game against the Bills," Holmgren said. The Seahawks flew to New Jersey on Friday and Holmgren said the team sleeps in upscale hotels and eats well. "We travel as well as anybody," Holmgren said. DE Hollis Thomas, formerly of the Saints and Eagles, visited the Giants on Friday. Giants LB Antonio Pierce on the suspended Burress: "He's not in the same mold as T.O. or Chad. If anything, he'll be more motivated and more eager to prove how valuable he is when he returns. I'm not concerned about him causing a distraction."
GAME: Chicago at Detroit
TIME: 1 ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The winless Lions have given up 21 points in each of their first three games, and they must stop that. But with the offense concentrating on getting a running game untracked, QB Jon Kitna has been ignoring his main weapons, Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams, early. But it makes sense for Kitna to attack an undermanned Chicago secondary. Bears QB Kyle Orton has been sacked 10 times and thrown four interceptions in his last two starts. The Lions must attack Orton and get him out of any comfort zone, but that's asking a lot of defense that has three sacks in three games. The Bears have a solid running game with rookie Matt Forte and ex-Lion Kevin Jones, who is looking forward to the rematch. Jones had to overcome knee surgery to get back onto the field.
CZAR'S SCOOP: Although DT Tommie Harris was suspended for this game for missing a rehab appointment and also criticizing head coach Lovie Smith for releasing his Oklahoma buddy Mark Bradley, some believe Harris wouldn't have played in this game because of his knee injury. The Lions smoked the Bears twice last season, including one win when they scored 34 points in the fourth quarter for a 37-27 final. Forte's 347 rushing yards is the most by a Bears rookie through four games since Beattie Feathers had 414 in 1934. One of the rumors going around the league is that former Lions GM Matt Millen could return to help his old mentor Al Davis in Oakland. However, it is unlikely that Millen would want such a full-time job.
GAME: Atlanta at Green Bay
TIME: 1 ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Although Aaron Rodgers did little all week other than rehab his throwing shoulder, the Packers insist they will make a decision on their starting quarterback this morning, 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Earlier in the week, the Packers feared that Rodgers could be lost for the season with a sprained shoulder. Rodgers is obviously key because few believe that rookie Matt Flynn can beat the Falcons in his first NFL start. Unlike the Falcons, the Packers are beat up on defense. LB A.J. Hawk and safeties Aaron Rouse and Atari Bigby will also be game-time decisions. Rouse figures to be out. If the defense is further depleted, look for the Falcons to allow rookie QB Matt Ryan to run his no-huddle offense that was so successful last Sunday. Green Bay has struggled against the run, and they should expect a heavy dose of Michael Turner. The Packers have been out-rushed 158-93 yards in the first four games. The Falcons have lost nine of their last 10 road games.
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| Aaron Rodgers will look to bounce back after injuring his throwing shoulder in a loss last weekend at Tampa Bay. (Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images) |
CZAR'S SCOOP: You can make a case that Packers GM Ted Thompson, whose drafts have rebuilt the team and made them a contender, refused to think outside the box when faced with making trades for proven veterans. First, he declined to trade a fifth-round pick for Randy Moss prior to the 2007 season and then could have traded his first-round pick to Cleveland in that draft. The Browns wanted Brady Quinn. Instead, Thompson selected Justin Harrell with that mid-first round slot, and Harrell has been rehabbing from August back surgery. With Cullen Jenkins out for the season, the Packers desperately need Harrell to play this season and be a force. And, finally, when the decision was made to go without Brett Favre this season, Thompson rejected a trade that would have sent a second-round pick to Houston for capable backup Sage Rosenfels. Instead, the Packers decided to enter the season with basically three "rookie" quarterbacks when you consider even Rodgers hadn't started a NFL game until this season.
GAME: Tampa Bay at Denver
TIME: 4:05 ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Bucs should force Broncos QB Jay Cutler to ignore the long ball to Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal in favor of ball-control plan. Although CB Ronde Barber has been beaten a few times this season, it is difficult to hit big plays against the Bucs. The other issue in this game is Denver has been awful on defense and the Bucs may want to be conservative, too. Earnest Graham has emerged as a solid back; he's already had long runs of 46, 68 and 47 yards this season. Graham and veteran Warrick Dunn have complemented each other beautifully thus far. Dunn is shifty in space, plus he's a great screen back. One of the best matchups will be rookie LT Ryan Clady against the Bucs' second-year DE Gaines Adams, who is proving to be as athletic as Julius Peppers. He can rush, plan the run and drop into coverage. Adams had an INT last week. If Cutler is forced to go short, he may attack using TE Tony Scheffler against SS Jermaine Phillips. Scheffler only had one catch last week.
CZAR'S SCOOP: Bucs WR Joey Galloway (foot) is at least another week or two away. He's a slow healer. QB Jeff Garcia, who had a ragged preseason after suffering a calf injury, had his best week of practice throwing the football. Al Davis said he's paid the $250,000 that he owed former coach Mike Shanahan for years; or ever since he fired him. Shanahan was fired after 20 games as Raiders coach in 1989. Shanahan joked that he was upset about being beat out by Kiffin. "I was a little disappointed, to be honest with you," Shanahan said. "I was there 582 days. Lane Kiffin was there 616 days. What that really means is Al Davis liked Lane more than he liked me. I don't think it's fair. I won three more games, yet he got 34 more days of work. It doesn't seem right." Shanahan is 8-1 vs. Gruden, including a 7-1 mark when Gruden coached the Raiders. Remember, Bucs QB Brian Griese was heir apparent to John Elway, but it didn't work out in Denver. One thing about Griese is that he's been through it all before and that makes him a perfect fit with Gruden, who is tough on quarterbacks.
Other Games:
Tennessee at Baltimore: These are two of the better defensive teams in the league. The Ravens' defense has allowed only two touchdowns in the last 12 quarters, considering two of the opposition's scores came off fumble returns. Baltimore fears rookie RB Chris Johnson more than LenDale White, who has scored five TDs but is averaging 2.7 yards a carry. Baltimore has the NFL's longest streak of 22 games without allowing a 100-yard rusher. In three games and 37 possessions, opponents have gotten into the red zone only four times against the Ravens' defense. Titans QB Kerry Collins better be mindful that Baltimore has limited opposing quarterbacks to a combined rating of 41.8. Vince Young returned to practice this week, wearing a compression sleeve over his left knee. The last time he spoke with reporters was Sept. 11. With Chris Simms released on Saturday, Young will be the backup Sunday.
San Diego at Miami: In the next four weeks, the Chargers will travel 15,771 air miles, more than 11 of the NFL's 32 teams will travel for a full season. They head to Miami, Buffalo and then London to play the Saints. Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson needs 54 rushing yards to reach 11,000 in his career. "I'm feeling good," Tomlinson said, implying that his injured right big toe is a thing of the past. The Chargers are concerned about Miami's "maverick" offense and the direct snaps to Ronnie Brown. Look for ILB Stephen Cooper to get the start over veteran Derek Smith. The Chargers are counting on Cooper to give their up-and-down run defense a boost with his fresh legs.
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| Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is just three yards shy of breaking Shannon Sharpe's NFL record. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images) |
Kansas City at Carolina: Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez needs three receiving yards to break Shannon Sharpe's NFL record of 10,060 for tight ends. Gonzalez was upset with the coaching staff that they didn't call his number and get the record last Sunday in front of the home crowd. Chiefs QB Damon Huard played well last week, but he really acts like he doesn't want the job. Brodie Croyle will dress Sunday and can't wait to play, probably after the bye week. With WR Steve Smith back in full swing, the Panthers have a balanced attack that will prevent the Chiefs from over-playing the run. The only scary news for Jake Delhomme is that Travelle Wharton starts for LT Jordan Gross (concussion) and rookie RT Jeff Otah (ankle) may also miss the game.
Indianapolis at Houston: The Texans, who are trying to avoid the second 0-4 start in franchise history, are 1-11 against the Colts. In 12 games against the Colts, the Texans have been outscored 33.0 to 16.1. Thus far, the Colts have struggled this season, losing the time of possession battle by more than 10 minutes a game. The Jaguars ran for 236 yards against the Colts, and that's what Houston rookie Steve Slaton must do. The extra week off surely will help Peyton Manning with his rhythm and accuracy, plus his offensive line is getting healthy. Also, good news to have offensive line coach Howard Mudd back on the sidelines to make those critical in-game adjustments.
Buffalo at Arizona: With the loss of WR Anquan Boldin (sinus facial surgery), Cardinals QB Kurt Warner shouldn't be able to take advantage that Buffalo is minus its best cornerback Terrence McGee (sprained left knee). Third-year man Ashton Youboty starts and this year's first-round pick Leodis McKelvin moves into the nickel slot. Warner did pass for 457 yards last week, but most of them came after his turnovers gave the Jets a commanding lead. The Cardinals don't want to have a quick hook of Warner, believing when they switch to Matt Leinart it could be for the remainder of the season. Bills QB Trent Edwards (9-4 as a starter) has directed three straight fourth-quarter comebacks.
New England at San Francisco: The Patriots have never won in San Francisco in four previous tries, and this is the first of a team-record four games on the West Coast this season. The Pats will train in San Jose this week before flying down to San Diego. The key to the game is if Matt Cassel starts looking for Randy Moss deep. Don't forget that Mike Martz has a friendship with Bill Belichick, and he will attempt to out-smart him a few times. Martz has new QB J.T. O'Sullivan on pace to be sacked 76 times this season.
Cincinnati at Dallas: Before the season, Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco wanted to be traded to the Cowboys. "If I was in Dallas, they would have to change all of our games to pay-per-view because you need to pay to see (me and Terrell Owens together)," he said. Bengals QB Carson Palmer (throwing elbow) says he will play, but he said the same thing last weekend. Ochocinco said he plans to run to the middle of Texas Stadium and kiss the Cowboys' star if he scores a touchdown. Pacman Jones wouldn't say if he would retaliate if that happened. "When Sunday gets here I'll be ready," Jones said. "I expect him to have the same horrible games (as) the first four weeks. He hasn't done nothing so far." Ochocinco has only one touchdown on 11 receptions.
Pittsburgh at Jacksonville: The Jaguars have a huge advantage in that they have a healthy quarterback in David Garrard and two healthy and gifted running backs in Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has been hit 31 times (either sacks or knockdowns) in his last two starts. Big Ben needs a painkiller for his throwing shoulder on Thursdays and now has a banged up knee. The Steelers' offensive line is makeshift, plus new RB Mewalde Moore is not the greatest pass protector. Willie Parker will return to lineup after next week's bye weekend.
Minnesota at New Orleans: This game figures to have playoff implications at the end of the season should either one of these teams get into gear. After failing to crack 100 yards the past two games, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson has a chance for a big game against the league's 20th-ranked run defense, allowing 5.2 yards per carry. The Saints lost DT Sedrick Ellis during the week but have a huge edge at quarterback with Drew Brees, plus RB Deuce McAllister got back into the flow last Sunday. However, it is very difficult to run inside on Minnesota with their two defensive tackles. The Vikings, though, will miss under-rated MLB E.J. Henderson, who is out.
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