Sports/Athletics

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Silver & Black Blog: The Benching of JaMarcus Russell

I've defended JaMarcus Russell at varying times on this blog. This season, though, I've come to the realization that he may not be the answer.

Nevertheless, now is not the time to bench him.

What does it accomplish?

Let's face it. The Raider season, as we know it, is over. They have nothing to play for  ... except the continued development of their young players.

Russell is one of those players. For better or for a 30 percent completion percentage, he needs snaps.

So why now?

I think the moved is tied directly to the future of head coach Tom Cable, along with his frustrations over the fact that his third-year quarterback might take him down with the ship.

I'm sure Cable is feeling the heat. It's one thing to lose 10 games in a season. It's another to lose 10 games in a season amid reports of anger issues after a physical confrontation with one coach and allegations of abuse against the opposite sex.

So I understand the move.

Extra Points: More on Matt

 Beyer High graduate Matt Bettencourt seemed certain a month ago he would stay in the top 125 on the money list and keep his PGA Tour card for 2010.  I wasn't so sure at the time, but he was right. I had relied on the 2008 money list which had the 125th-ranked player, the man on the bubble, at $852,683. Bettencourt, who missed three of his final four cuts in the Fall Series, had made about $730,000 (he finished at $740,037 and 111th) . This season, the bubble man was Jimmy Walker with $662,683. almost $200,000 less than last year's No. 125. Did one canceled event late in the year result in fewer earnings for everyone? Yes, but that's not the whole story. Here's Bettencourt's take: "The key was Tiger Woods playing in so few tournaments last year (because of his injury). This year he played in more tournaments (and won 7) and took a lot of cash off the table for the rest of us."   

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Silver & Black Blog: Single play defines Raiders

All you have to know about the over the last 6 1/2 seasons could be seen in one excrutiating play.

Late in the fourth quarter in a potentially game-winning drive, Darrius Heyward-Bey, wide open at the 10-yard line, bobbles the pass and knocks it into the hands of a Kansas City defender.

And that, folks, illustrates all that ails the Raiders.

1. Bad draft picks. 2. Bad execution. 3. Bad bounces. 

It's bad enough DHB dropped a ball I could have caught, but then to actually bat it up in the air, allowing Mike Brown to make the pick ...

I'd say unbelievable, but I'm not so sure.

How often do you hear about the Raiders' talent? About losing to teams that they're better than? (I heard a reference to that on the postgame show)

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Silver and Black Blog: Week 10 picks

Man, and I thought the Raiders' offense was setting the NFL back to the days of leather helmets.

I won't take credit for the victory, although I would have picked the 49ers.

Fact is, Raider fans who stomached last night's game weren't surprised at all from the showing of Jay Cutler. He threw siimilar boneheaded picks against the Raiders.

Anyway, we all know by now the Raiders game Sunday against Kansas City is blacked out. That's a shame.

I actually have a good feeling, and not because it's against a bad team in KC. Likely back in the lineup will be running back Darren McFadden, wide receiver Chaz Schilens and offensive linemen Robert Gallery and Cornell Green ... all starters.

No, that doesn't turn them into a playoff team. In terms of production and talent, Gallery is the best of the bunch, and the jury remains out on McFadden, Schilens and Green.

Did anyone see the huge right hand of Fedor Saturday night?

Fedor vs Brown...From the onset it looked like a mismatch unless you've seen Fedor fight before.

 

Fedor showed how he got to where he is any why he's only been beaten once.  Man...what a huge right hand he delivered!

Dana, you should have found a way to sign him.  I know he wanted his company to co-produce the fight, but MAN what a right!

 

Fedor Emelianenko...a very bad man.

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Silver & Black Blog: Week 9 picks

Well, here's an easy prediction: The Raiders won't lose.

I know, I know. It's an elementary school barb. But what else is there left to say?

Tom Cable? Will he stay? Will he go? My thinking is: It won't matter.

OK. Enough of the defeatist attitude. The weekend is upon us.

I will say this about the 49ers, though.

The Raiders have won more recently than their cross-bay rivals. And while a game against Tennessee a few weeks ago looked like a walkcover, I'm sure you 49er fans are gripping a little.

Things were so great last month, but now you've got a three-game losing streak, and four days to prepare for a game with Chicago after the Titans game.

And ... in comes a Titans team coming off its first victory of the year and with a rejuvenated quarterback in Vince Young.

I can sense a little panic. By Sunday at 4:30 p.m., there could be a lot more panic if the 49ers don't, as they should, take care of business.

YANKEE'S WIN THE WORLD SERIES !

NOVEMBER 4, 2009

 

Yankee's win the world series, and it was quite a game.

FINAL SCORE :

YANKEE'S 7 RUNS

PHILLIES  3 RUNS

2009 BASEBALL INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS, I should have had a play by play.....that would have been fun.

Hopefully, Matsui gets the MVP 6 RBI'S 3 HOMERUNS.

THE YANKEE'S HAVE 27 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP'S A RECORD NUMBER.

THERE HAVE BEEN 105 WORLD SERIES.

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