Raiders Suck, Falcons Aren't the "Real Deal"....Yet

You don’t need to look any further than this past Sunday to know that the Raiders have been nothing short abysmal this season. Oakland went off for all of 77 yards of offense while getting blanked by the Falcons. The Raiders are last in the league, or close to it, in points per game (32nd), passing yards per game (29th) and overall yards per game (31st). You’d like to hang a lot of that on the quarterback, but that wouldn’t paint the whole picture for the problems the Raiders are having.

We all know JaMarcus Russell’s been greatly compensated with the physical tools needed to be a stud in the league, and that he hasn’t yet developed into the type of player most thought he would. But it’s not totally his fault. They also have a lot of guys who should be able to get it done at the skill positions. You could blame the O-line that’s played like a sieve, the trio of talented backs that are underachieving (also pointing back to the O-line), or a defense that can’t finish. But the real blame needs to be hoisted on the shoulders of owner/tyrant Al Davis.

In all his infinite football wisdom, Al Davis has succeeded only at destroying his organization. His absolute power approach to ownership may have worked in the day, but this isn’t the day. Effectively what’s happened is Davis has allowed the rest of the league to pass him by while he’s just been working on the strength of his iron grip. It’s no secret that as an organization the Raiders are light years behind others like the Colts and the Pats, but at least early in the season the Raiders looked competitive under Lane Kiffin. Davis can’t keep the coaching carousel spinning and expect to become a legitimate playoff contender. It’s also not the 70’s, and he may have to reach a little deeper into the pockets of his big boy pants to help produce a team worth watching, because right now the Raiders wouldn’t even look decent in the Canadian league.

In short, if the Raiders can’t shore up things in the front office it’s going to be pretty difficult for things on the field to fall into order. Don’t expect miracles anytime soon, as you know Oakland really has become a ‘black hole’.

On the flip, the Falcons are another team that’s been less than good (since the Michael Vick debacle), but are starting to turn it around. A lot of it has to do with getting some stability back in the organization with an experienced head coach in Mike Smith, but it also has to do with a great first-round pick this past draft in quarterback Matt Ryan out of Boston College. Would I call the Falcons the ‘real deal’? Not yet. Their offense has blossomed a bit under the first year QB, and they’ve seen the emergence of a few playmakers (other than Roddy White) in Jerious Norwood and Michael Turner. They’ve also been able to win a couple games against a few decent teams, but most of the Falcons wins have come against the NFL’s basement squads.

Also, while Ryan has been a pleasant surprise, his numbers are far from those of league leaders at his position. Actually, Ryan ranks 19th currently among NFL QBs. While Ryan will progress with time, it’s the rest of the team that leaves me reluctant to give them the ‘seal of approval’ just yet. While Norwood, Turner and White have stepped up nicely in the A, it’s going to take more than one good season together for me to be convinced. The Falcons will also need to work on a defense that’s currently giving up almost 330 yards per game, and ranks in the middle of the league. If they can build on the current campaign, they should be able to put the Vick era in the past and become a serious contender again in the NFC.

Peace,

J-Dix
True Frosh sub 4.4