FreddieB25 wrote:I agree on the rise of the team after 2011, problem was the Raiders weren't going to pay Palmer what he wanted after that season, so that eliminates one big factor into this team maybe rising and than consider McFadden is never healthy, so that is another factor that would have been detrimental. I wish this defense was the 2010 and 2011 teams dee. because it is a pretty good one. From what I heard was after the Palmer trade in 2011 and all the picks given to the Bengals by Hue Jackson, Mark Davis wanted playoffs or at least after being 7-4 a very strong finish to the season which didn't happen. Than there were rumblings that Hue criticized Breshnahan indirectly through the media and some guys on defense aren't all in, mainly some of the vets. Mark Davis supposedly didn't like this and when he hired RM, it was a mutual decision to fire Hue and bring in a whole new coaching staff. Knapp was a joke of a choice, Tarver is one of the better coaching hires in awhile after hiring Hue in 2010 as Off Coord. I think we see as fans where the glaring problem is and its on offense and the line and developing Pryor and getting him weapons that are good and durable where he is able to excel. The draft and free agency this offseason could solve that problem. Considering the defense, if they can correct the offense this could be a 9 or 10 win team and a base to build on. This organization for a long time now has been in need to blow up the roster of overpaid dead weight and bring in players at a fair market value salary and not over spend or empty multi year contracts with no production. All the consistently good teams in the league build this way. 2002 was the last hurrah for the whole reloading concept that AD was doing for decades. Sometimes things have to get real bad before they get much better. fact is this team is competing hard every game and that's more than I can say for some of the bad teams over the last twenty years.
The thrust of your argument is built on a fictitious premise; that Palmer would not take a pay cut. Indeed, Palmer would not take a pay cut to continue in the gutter in Oakland which is not the same as Palmer would not take a pay cut at all. Had the Raiders kept Jackson and simply addressed the defensive coaching, there is little doubt that the Raiders would have made the playoffs in 2012 (who knows how far that team would have went?) and Palmer would have undoubtedly signed for less with the Raiders. Instead, RM threw the baby out with the bathwater and Palmer wanted out ASAP and I cannot in good conscious blame him.
Of course Mark Davis wanted playoffs, but with a new QB mid-season, with no training camp or time with his receivers, no McFadden to take the pressure off, and no defense the unfortunate result was predictable. Again, imagine an off season for Palmer to learn Jackson's offense, to gain chemistry with his receivers, and McFadden to continue to grow in Jackson's system. Further, imagine a new DC in Oakland. That team would have been dangerous and would have easily made the playoffs.
This can be a 9 or 10 win team with more draft picks? Bah, this was an 8-8 team with all those injuries, a completely new QB mid-season, etc.; this was at worst an 11 or 13 win team before RM's meddling.
A team has to get real bad before they can better? Do you not not recall Russell and Knapp?! The team made significant strides under Jackson. However, going back down after taking substantial steps forwards is ridiculous.
You're citing grumblings and innuendo? Seriously? RM did publicly, in a press conference, take full responsibility for Hue's firing - no rumored grumbling, no innuendo. Mark Davis did state publicly in an interview that the Palmer trade was ultimately his decision - his word was final and he takes responsibility for that trade - no rumored grumbling, no innuendo.
The vets, especially those on D, weren't all in with Hue? Really? I recall a veteran on defense, Richard Seymour, stating that defense let the team down and that he did not blame Jackson for his emotional press conference; further that the D were behind Jackson. Again, not some rumor of a statement, nor an innuendo of a statement, but real comments made by a veteran defensive member of the Raider (in 2011).
Hillary vs. Trump -- Two liberals running in the general election .. A race likely decided by which party hates their dishonest candidate less.
