No No Ocho, its a Kowski Combo!

Before I get into my blog, I must say that it saddens me to write this. I had a softball game yesterday so I wasn’t home when the game started. I hit record on my TiVo and at the end of the day as I sat down to watch it, it DIDNT RECORD. My heart dropped and I was nauseated instantly. Hoping the NFL ticket would do like Pay-Per-View and replay it the whole night long...it didn’t happen. I had to rely on Sportscenter and the NFL ticket to fill me in on the particulars. So with that said, I’ll be writing based highlights I saw and my personal feelings as opposed to game I watched the night before. For that fans, I do apologize

The year hasn’t been pretty for us, I’m the first to admit but that doesn’t mean that we can’t play. The fact of the matter is we CAN play and we play hard. Our nucleus is not where it should be. The majority of that has to do with the owner and his lack of trust he has in the competency of the people he has hired. I can’t say it enough "In the fall of Al Davis, the Raiders shall rise" I use the word fall because my mother told me 'death of Al Davis' isn’t a nice thing to go around saying. Most people say go to Oakland if you want to kill your career. I hate to hear things like that about my team. From day one, I’ve cussed and fussed about JaMarcus Russell. In the 9 games he’s played, only 3 have been a good show on his part. Those 3 games would be against the Chargers, the Eagles and the Chiefs. It amazed me and ticked me off that in the Kansas City game it would be the rest of the team that was out of sync. My question of 'When are we going to do something' was answered on November 18, 2009, we I saw @RAIDERS tweet at 2:35 stating "Coach Cable has named Bruce Gradkowski the starting QB" I immediately went to Behind the Shield and saw that in a press conference, Coach Cable said that it would be for the rest of the season. Coach said that Gradkowski gave us the "best chance to win" using words like "leadership, management and accuracy". It was then that I felt Al Davis might have had a epiphany.


I looked forward to this game all week. I wanted to see the matchup between Nnamdi and Ocho. In an Ochocinco tweet he said the match up would be like "Ali-Holmes" and he "damn sure I no Holmes". I must say, I like Chad Ochocinco but this week he was my enemy. He finished 4/67 without a touchdown. I kept telling people that the Raiders were going to do the Bengals like they did Philly and no one wanted to believe. I purposely did not use them in my Fantasy Football because of it. Heading into this game the Bengals were 0-9 in Oakland as the Eagles were. When the clock hit 00:00, the Bengals would leave the same way Philly did, winless. We entered the fourth quarter down by a touchdown. We were faced with a 4th and 10 on the Cin 45. Hell, if the Pats can go for it on 4th and 2...why not. Gradkowski completes the pass to Schilens for a gain of 16 yards. Were still alive. Gradkowski throws a pass to my favorite Oakland Rookie Louis Murphy for 29 yards and a TD with 33 seconds left. They wouldn’t rob the first year player of this touchdown like they did against San Diego. Janikowski ties the game. I always say anything can happen. November 17, 1968, the Raiders scored 2 touchdowns in 50 second to win the match up over the J-E-T-S, known as the Heidi Bowl. Until the clock says 00:00, it’s still a game. This last series of Special Teams play is amazing. Andre Caldwell receives the kick and HE TRICKS IT OFF! He had it and fumbled it on his own 17 yard line, thanks to a great play by Brandon Myers. The field goal unit is sent on after kneels by Gradkowski and Janikowski nails a field goal to give us a 3 point lead. The Bengals are back on the field with 15 seconds in play. I’m not even watching the game but I’m nervous. Palmers throws the ball and ole faithful (Nnamdi) is there to pick it off. GAME OVA! Raiders win! Gradkowski and Janikowski are alright with me.

It was said that Gradkowski "got everybody in good rhythm" during practice. I think he brings a spark to the huddle. A person of confidence who I thinks wants to help this team just win and not collect a check, worried about his starting spot or a the lime light. With Gradkowski, we should be alright.

This game was also dedicated to our brother ST player Marquis Cooper who died in a boating accident. His family was in attendance and awarded the game ball. It was a good day for Raider Nation....This one’s for you Coop!