Perhaps there is no larger conglomeration of sappy, nostalgic, and obnoxious Raider fans than the site that bears their name: Raiderfans.net. It wasn't but a year ago that saying the Raiders were simply a shitty, talentless and uninspiring team was grounds for ridicule and possible banning. Nowadays, the mood is more sour and realistic, but that hasn't raised the intelligence level one bit.
The saddest thing about this site is 90% of the fans aren't from California. It's not that I have a problem with the other 49, but could I please get some perspective from a fan that isn't a Bible thumper or Mid-Western bro-dude? They demand political correctness, yet only reprimand liberally-minded people for being "too political." When the common themes on a site full of Raiders fans are celebrity gossip, gay bashing, Disturbed, Bible verses and the untapped potential of Seth Wand, it's time to question who's been joining the "Nation" over the past few years.
Now don't get me wrong, there is a ray of light in all of this. RF's Victor Cotto writes "Countdown to Paydirt," which is probably the most comprehensive game-by-game Raiders preview on the internet. For his passion for Raider football, and his tolerance for idiocy, I dedicate this weekly feature to him.
This week, the award is presented to RF.net's xjerseyzfinestx, who left this gem on the main forum.
Date: 11/17/08 08:44 PM
Subject: Quinn makes russell look terrible
Sorry i dont want to bring up another thread about the comparision but ive been watching the browns game and quimm is looking really good even if they lose tonight..he looks really poised and is taking the role as the leader of the team ..its very obvious who is the more established qb ...just wanted to share
Ahh yes, nothing like re-hashing the Brady Quinn vs. Jamarcus Russell argument, and what better time than a whopping TWO games into Brady Quinn's career?
What really makes this post laughable is it was made during a game in which Quinn was 14/36 (38.9% completion rate) with 0 TD's and 185 yards against a 13th ranked defense. If not for the potent running game of the Browns, Quinn's inability to take them down the field (on display for most of the game) would have cost them a win. If that's "looking really good" then what's your problem with Jamarcus?
Say what you will about Jamarcus Russell's abysmal numbers, he's not exactly surrounded with talent. Football Outsiders has the Raiders offensive line ranked 31st in pass protection, giving up a sack on 11% of QB dropbacks. Compare that to Cleveland's 6th ranked line, who've only given up a sack of 3.9% of passing plays, and you have a glaring reason why Brady Quinn may look more "poised" in the pocket.
Neither the Raiders nor the Browns have a wide receiving corps to write home about, but the Raiders have shown a fundamental inability to separate from defensive backs all season. Put it this way: we're heading into week 12 and no Raiders WR has over 200 yards. Braylon Edwards, the Browns' best receiver, is having a pretty bad year, yet still has more yards than any Raider by a longshot (567). To this point, Zack Miller seems to be the only Raider with a pair of hands, and while Kellen Winslow has not been as efficient, he's still a very productive tight end.
The idea that people can rip Jamarcus Russell for being dealt the most impossible hand in sports is beyond me. Simply put, you can't save a franchise on your back, especially when you're a 22 year old "project" with a new coaching staff every season.
The impatient crybabies who are still sour about the Russell pick desperately need a new scapegoat. Even as I'm typing this, I'm cringing at the anticipated responses. I can't wait for the "but Jamarcus had more to work with in college" argument, as if Notre Dame's situation was anything like the current shit-heap in Oakland. The comparisons aren't fair or valid in any way.
We'll post another one of these next week. Be mindful of what you put on the internet, the eye of the 'stick knows no tolerance for stupidity.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment