Oakland Raiders fire Lane Kiffin
Congratulation Al Davis, you fired another head coach. Just after four games into the 2008 season, coach Lane Kiffin was let go by the Oakland Raiders. In two season with the Raiders, Lane Kiffin was just 5-15. There was a lot of talk about when Lane Kiffin was going to be fired and on Tuesday, it finally happen. Al Davis said in his press conference today that he fired Lane Kiffin for things that happen behind the scenes and in the press. Al Davis even called him a liar and also said that he was not going to pay him as well.
Wow! What’s wrong with this team? Is it Al Davis, the coaches or the players? The Oakland Raiders are going to start all over again with a new coach, Tom Cable. Al Davis said that the Raiders will back. Whether you agree with or not, only time will tell.
(Sources: NFL.com)
Chargers Rally, Beat the Raiders 28-18
The San Diego Chargers continue their winning streak against the Oakland Raiders to 10 games. The game looked ugly in the beginning for the Chargers. In the first half, the Raiders defense were able to step up and keep the Chargers offense in check. At halftime, the Oakland Raiders lead 15-0. The Raiders were able to capitalize on Chargers miscues. The Chargers offense struggled and were lucky not give up a touchdown, when Philip Rivers was sack for a safety. The Chargers defensive kept them in the game and Jamal Williams had a huge game.
However, football is a 60 minutes game and the Chargers would rally back to win 28-18. The Chargers offense was able to get it going in the second half. Antonio Gates scored the Chargers first touchdown. The Chargers defense were able to put pressure on JaMarcus Russell and forced him to make mistakes, which the Chargers would take advantaged.
Darren Sproles had a 67 yard kickoff return to help setup a Chargers filed goal. The Chargers defense would stop the Raiders on their next possession and then LaDainian Tomlinson had a great 41 yard touchdown run to seal the deal against the Raiders. L.T. loves playing against the Raiders and this game was just another game to add to the highlight reel for L.T. against Raiders. The San Diego Chargers are now 2-2 and move on to play the Miami Dolphins.
Denver Broncos can’t stop Larry Johnson
Just when you thought that the Denver Broncos were going to take control of the AFC West, the Broncos would fall back down to earth. Someone forgot to tell the Denver Broncos defense to tackle and stop Larry Johnson. Kansas City Chiefs running back, Larry Johnson, ran for 198 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Broncos. The Chiefs were able to force miscues, which would allow them to control the clock and win 33-19.
It was just a matter of time that the Denver Broncos defense was not going stop their opponent when the offenses struggled. The Broncos defense gave up 38 points to San Diego and 32 points to the Saints last week. The Broncos defense needed to step up and it didn’t happen in this game.
But, the Denver Broncos cannot depend on Jay Cutler and the offense to keep them in game all the time. The Broncos defense needs to make plays when the offense sputters. If Denver Broncos expect to make the playoffs and go deep into the playoffs, they need to play great on both sides of the ball. In the NFL, offense wins games, but the defense wins championship. At this point after four games, the Denver Broncos defense is not at championship quality. Can the Broncos defense get better and become championship quality? Maybe, but only time will tell.
Chargers Fans, It’s Raiders Week!
The San Diego Chargers head north to play the Oakland Raiders this weekend. The keys to the game is can the Chargers stop the Raiders running game and can the Raiders stop the Chargers firepower on offensive. The Raiders defense is going to make some plays, but will it be enough to stop LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers? Up to this point, it hasn’t happen.
What’s wrong with the Raiders? Well, there are several issues, but the biggest issue is not between the Chargers and Raiders, it’s between the Raiders owner Al Davis and the Raiders coach, Lane Kiffin. How can you spend all off-season preparing for this season and now after three games, everyone is waiting to see if Lane Kiffin is going to get fired this week, next week or next month? Why? The Raiders players seems to believe into Lane Kiffin’s system and the Raiders are getting better. But, if he gets fired, now you got to start all over again. Al Davis needs to let the coaches coach and let the players play. Al Davis just needs to draft the right players and the Raiders could be back. But, going around and around with different coaches will not work.
Now back to the game, for the Oakland Raiders, the real questions is can the Raiders stop the Chargers 9-game winning streak against their rivals. The streak will have to end sometime. However, with all play makers that the San Diego Chargers got on this team and especially how LaDainian Tomlinson loves to play against the Raiders, like Michael Jordan loved playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it does not look good for Oakland. But, that’s why they play the games, so we shall see if the streak continues this Sunday.
Detroit Lions Fire GM Matt Millen
After years of losing, the Lions finally made the decision to let General Manager Matt Millen go. The Lions started 0-3 this year and only have 31 wins along with 84 loses under Matt Millen. That’s not getting it done.
The real question is, what took so long? Matt Millen was a great player, but not all great players can be great General Managers. You can’t keep on firing head coaches, having different quarterbacks, drafting receivers almost every year and expect to win in this league.
Now its time for the Detroit Lions to move forward. Hopefully for them, the Lions will find the right person, who can make good football decisions to help the Detroit Lions make the playoffs in the near future.
(Sources: Fox Sports)
New York Giants Suspend Plaxico Burress
Plaxico Burress did not report to the team practice on Monday and was suspended. He will also miss the game vs. the Seattle Seahawks. There was some sort of family emergency that came about, in which Plaxico Burress had to miss practice. The Giants management made the decision to suspend him. However, Plaxico Burress agent, Drew Rosenhaus said that their going to appeal the decision. It’s just a wait and see.’
My question is, why didn’t Plaxico Burress just make a phone call? It would have taken him a minute to explain what happen. All the other Giants players made it to practice on Monday, so didn’t he have an obligation to contact someone on the team? Well, the New York Giants have other players that can make plays, but not having Plaxico Burress in the lineup could effect team chemistry. Only time will tell, stay tuned.
(Sources: ESPN)
Chargers Win, Beat Brett Favre and the N.Y. Jets
This was a great win for the San Diego Chargers. Avoiding to go 0-3, the Chargers did what they had to win the game. After giving up an interception for a touchdown by David Barrett of the New York Jets, the San Diego Chargers would step up and win 48-29.
This was a complete game by the Chargers, on offense and defense to beat the New York Jets. Credit to the Chargers defense for stepping up. After having a bad game last week against the Denver Broncos, Antonio Cromartie would come back to intercept Brett Favre for a touchdown to give the Chargers the lead, 17-7. Philip River would also come back to throw for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns. It was nice to see L.T. back in the mix. LaDainian Tomlinson scored 2 touchdowns. Although, Brett Favre threw 3 touchdowns of his own, it was not enough. Brett Favre also had two interceptions.
Credit to the Chargers to finished the game. Although the Chargers special team struggle at times, the Chargers played the whole 60 minutes. This was great victory for the San Diego Chargers and now the Chargers can look forward to play the Oakland Raiders next Sunday. Chargers have one mission for next week, just win baby!
Bills Beat the Raiders with a Game Winning Field Goal
The Oakland Raiders for the more part were dominating the game and were leading after three quarters, 16-7. The Raiders would eventually lead 23-14 with more than six minutes left. But, the Raiders could not stop the Buffalo Bills from driving down the field. Rian Lindell kicked a 38-yard field goal at the end of the game to help the Bills win, 24-23. The Buffalo Bills are now 3-0, for the first time in 16 years. Can you say Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas?
Tough game for the Oakland Raiders to lose. You need to finished the game. The Bills made the plays that needed to do to win the game and the Raiders did not. Now what’s next for the Oakland Raiders, the defending AFC West Champs, the San Diego Chargers. If the Raiders get a chance to finish the game they better do so, if not, Philip Rivers will.