same here..... I actually liked Brooks as QB in New Orleans.. Despite last season which isnt to blame on him, The whole situation was hard for the whole team with the flood and all and them having to move place to place..... I see Brooks being successfull here and there is no need to rush Walter to start
Jerry Porter isn't the happiest camper
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Brooks is quickly off and running with the Raiders
David White, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Randy Moss couldn't crack a double-team code, so Aaron Brooks stretched his long legs for a sideline run. First down, Raiders.
The pocket collapsed under the weight of Warren Sapp, so Brooks flexed his chiseled calves for a downfield scramble. Third-and-short, offense.
Brooks pump-faked short and threw deep, cut right and slashed left. Not because he had to, but because he could. And that's a liberating idea for Brooks, who feels like someone cut him loose from the X-Box cords that bind.
"I'm not a joystick out there," Brooks said. "We're not being controlled. We're not told to do this, that and the third. You have freedom. You can make plays. I can be me."
The unspoken inference is Brooks was chained captive to the playbook with the New Orleans Saints last year, an ordeal that induced cold sweats and late-night shivering.
He won't say any of this because that would require talking about anything related to 2005: getting hit by Hurricane Katrina, playing for a homeless football team, posting the worst numbers of his seven-year career.
Brooks treats those messy details like a broken-up play. He scrams at first sight.
"I don't like to comment on anything back in New Orleans," Brooks said. "Unfortunately, things happened. We had some mishaps in New Orleans, but that's all behind me. I'm on a new team, new teammates, and hopefully I can get back to that peak performance. It's going to take a minute, but I'm being patient."
Brooks is just starting to figure out this new offense, and it has to be better than anything the Saints or Raiders ran last season. New Orleans ranked 20th in NFL offense, and thought dropping Brooks was the answer. Oakland was 21st, and decided getting Brooks was the solution, so they handed over a two-year deal worth $8 million.
The Raiders already have LaMont Jordan, a 1,000-yard rusher who will benefit from an offense designed to feature downhill running. They have receivers Moss and Jerry Porter to play catch with. The offensive line has been refigured to improve the pass protection.
All they need is Brooks to put all this to good use. No pressure.
"All this is new to me, which makes it more exciting," Brooks said. "I am more than aware that all eyes are on me. That doesn't bother me at all. I get to go out there and be myself on the field. You're allowed to be the player you like to be. I'm going to embrace it."
Teammates say they love the new guy, as if they would say otherwise in the first week of training camp.
When Brooks got hit diving for the goal line -- quarterbacks are off limits in these parts -- he popped to his feet and gave Sapp a love tap on the head. Players ate it up.
When the offense lined up wrong and Brooks called off the play, he let them know exactly what went wrong. They nodded in agreement.
That's what leaders do, and Brooks says he always feels like the leader. Before camp started, Raiders coach Art Shell said Brooks was the starter but nothing was finalized. Brooks seems to have ended any potential quarterback controversy after one week of two-a-days.
"I want to see him step forward," Shell said. "I want him to be totally comfortable with the system that we have so that he can get in and out of the huddles with good tempo, know exactly where he's going with the ball so he can put us in a good spot. I think he's doing well."
Especially when everything else heads south. When in doubt, Brooks runs. That's the difference between Brooks and last year's quarterback, Kerry Collins, who was released in the offseason.
It's as if the Raiders knew the offense would take awhile to catch on, so they needed a quarterback who could improvise in the meantime.
"The thing that he brings is mobility," wide receiver Doug Gabriel said. "If a play breaks down, he can take off and run. That's what we've needed the past few years and that's what he's going to give us. We haven't had it since Rich Gannon."
They also haven't had a winning season since Gannon led them to Super Bowl XXXVII four seasons ago.
Again, no pressure on the new guy.
"It's going to take time," Brooks said. "I'm not looking for immediate success right now. As long as we're clicking when we're supposed to, I'll be happy. I'm very pleased to be in a situation like this."
David White, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Randy Moss couldn't crack a double-team code, so Aaron Brooks stretched his long legs for a sideline run. First down, Raiders.
The pocket collapsed under the weight of Warren Sapp, so Brooks flexed his chiseled calves for a downfield scramble. Third-and-short, offense.
Brooks pump-faked short and threw deep, cut right and slashed left. Not because he had to, but because he could. And that's a liberating idea for Brooks, who feels like someone cut him loose from the X-Box cords that bind.
"I'm not a joystick out there," Brooks said. "We're not being controlled. We're not told to do this, that and the third. You have freedom. You can make plays. I can be me."
The unspoken inference is Brooks was chained captive to the playbook with the New Orleans Saints last year, an ordeal that induced cold sweats and late-night shivering.
He won't say any of this because that would require talking about anything related to 2005: getting hit by Hurricane Katrina, playing for a homeless football team, posting the worst numbers of his seven-year career.
Brooks treats those messy details like a broken-up play. He scrams at first sight.
"I don't like to comment on anything back in New Orleans," Brooks said. "Unfortunately, things happened. We had some mishaps in New Orleans, but that's all behind me. I'm on a new team, new teammates, and hopefully I can get back to that peak performance. It's going to take a minute, but I'm being patient."
Brooks is just starting to figure out this new offense, and it has to be better than anything the Saints or Raiders ran last season. New Orleans ranked 20th in NFL offense, and thought dropping Brooks was the answer. Oakland was 21st, and decided getting Brooks was the solution, so they handed over a two-year deal worth $8 million.
The Raiders already have LaMont Jordan, a 1,000-yard rusher who will benefit from an offense designed to feature downhill running. They have receivers Moss and Jerry Porter to play catch with. The offensive line has been refigured to improve the pass protection.
All they need is Brooks to put all this to good use. No pressure.
"All this is new to me, which makes it more exciting," Brooks said. "I am more than aware that all eyes are on me. That doesn't bother me at all. I get to go out there and be myself on the field. You're allowed to be the player you like to be. I'm going to embrace it."
Teammates say they love the new guy, as if they would say otherwise in the first week of training camp.
When Brooks got hit diving for the goal line -- quarterbacks are off limits in these parts -- he popped to his feet and gave Sapp a love tap on the head. Players ate it up.
When the offense lined up wrong and Brooks called off the play, he let them know exactly what went wrong. They nodded in agreement.
That's what leaders do, and Brooks says he always feels like the leader. Before camp started, Raiders coach Art Shell said Brooks was the starter but nothing was finalized. Brooks seems to have ended any potential quarterback controversy after one week of two-a-days.
"I want to see him step forward," Shell said. "I want him to be totally comfortable with the system that we have so that he can get in and out of the huddles with good tempo, know exactly where he's going with the ball so he can put us in a good spot. I think he's doing well."
Especially when everything else heads south. When in doubt, Brooks runs. That's the difference between Brooks and last year's quarterback, Kerry Collins, who was released in the offseason.
It's as if the Raiders knew the offense would take awhile to catch on, so they needed a quarterback who could improvise in the meantime.
"The thing that he brings is mobility," wide receiver Doug Gabriel said. "If a play breaks down, he can take off and run. That's what we've needed the past few years and that's what he's going to give us. We haven't had it since Rich Gannon."
They also haven't had a winning season since Gannon led them to Super Bowl XXXVII four seasons ago.
Again, no pressure on the new guy.
"It's going to take time," Brooks said. "I'm not looking for immediate success right now. As long as we're clicking when we're supposed to, I'll be happy. I'm very pleased to be in a situation like this."
not being able to live in their homes and all the things they had to go thru... Its not like they just had to deal with football.. They had to deal with their families as well.. I kno I wouldn't be playing my best game if I had to deal with all that.. not being able to stay in my own home and having to worry about the well being of my family.. Football is half mental and I know damn well I wouldn't be able to just keep football on my mind if I was going thru something like what had happened in New Orleans last year
Good read thanks for that post. I asctually agree with the Raiders in this situation!
I love what Sapp said. And anyone that doesn't want to take Rice's or Brown's work ethic, attiDude and free teachings IS AN IDIOT!!! He had 2 of the best wr's EVER to help mold him and he shrugged them both off...wow he is an idiot bigtime.
I love what Sapp said. And anyone that doesn't want to take Rice's or Brown's work ethic, attiDude and free teachings IS AN IDIOT!!! He had 2 of the best wr's EVER to help mold him and he shrugged them both off...wow he is an idiot bigtime.
Come on now Chree, they had dead bodies floatin' around in their city dog. They had to use their home stadium as a shelter. They were a homeless football team. They had to go the Gold's Gym in San Antonio to lift weights. It was all bad for the team and their families.... players had to have their children switch schools and all that. They are professionals but how can they focus on football at a time like that?
Aaron Brooks should be the starter if he's doing what he's is asked to do. See that's the difference between the Niners and Raiders. The Raiders aren't rebuilding they want to win now!! So why put in a quarterback to get him ready for the next 2 or 3 years? Makes no sense.... because you have to think what about this year? The Niners have been rebuilding for years and they use that as a built in excuse for losing! How long does it take to rebuild? Fuck that, it's time to win now. And that's what the Raiders want to do. If Brooks starts screwing up then Art will go to Andrew Walter and say now is your time...but until then, Brooks should be the starting QB for the Raiders this season (and maybe next depending on how well he does). Too bad Porter is acting like a woman with an attitude.
Aaron Brooks should be the starter if he's doing what he's is asked to do. See that's the difference between the Niners and Raiders. The Raiders aren't rebuilding they want to win now!! So why put in a quarterback to get him ready for the next 2 or 3 years? Makes no sense.... because you have to think what about this year? The Niners have been rebuilding for years and they use that as a built in excuse for losing! How long does it take to rebuild? Fuck that, it's time to win now. And that's what the Raiders want to do. If Brooks starts screwing up then Art will go to Andrew Walter and say now is your time...but until then, Brooks should be the starting QB for the Raiders this season (and maybe next depending on how well he does). Too bad Porter is acting like a woman with an attitude.
look at schedule its tough schedule for raiders and whole afc west, raiders fans should with happy with 6-9 wins season. its going to take 11-12 wins for the division title and 11 wins for wildcard this year in afc.
the schedule:
2006 Schedule
Date Opponent Time/Result
Sep 11 San Diego 10:15pm
Sep 17 @Baltimore 1:00pm
Week 3 BYE
Oct 1 Cleveland 4:15pm
Oct 8 @San Francisco 4:05pm
Oct 15 @Denver 8:15pm
Oct 22 Arizona 4:15pm
Oct 29 Pittsburgh 4:15pm
Nov 6 @Seattle 8:30pm
Nov 12 Denver 4:05pm
Nov 19 @Kansas City 1:00pm
Nov 26 @San Diego 4:05pm
Dec 3 Houston 4:05pm
Dec 10 @Cincinnati 1:00pm
Dec 17 St. Louis 4:15pm
Dec 23 Kansas City 8:00pm
Dec 31 @N.Y. Jets 1:00pm
i see only 4-5 win on there. cle, sf, houston, st(maybe), ny . might be able beat sd once or twice to make it 6-7 wins.
the schedule:
2006 Schedule
Date Opponent Time/Result
Sep 11 San Diego 10:15pm
Sep 17 @Baltimore 1:00pm
Week 3 BYE
Oct 1 Cleveland 4:15pm
Oct 8 @San Francisco 4:05pm
Oct 15 @Denver 8:15pm
Oct 22 Arizona 4:15pm
Oct 29 Pittsburgh 4:15pm
Nov 6 @Seattle 8:30pm
Nov 12 Denver 4:05pm
Nov 19 @Kansas City 1:00pm
Nov 26 @San Diego 4:05pm
Dec 3 Houston 4:05pm
Dec 10 @Cincinnati 1:00pm
Dec 17 St. Louis 4:15pm
Dec 23 Kansas City 8:00pm
Dec 31 @N.Y. Jets 1:00pm
i see only 4-5 win on there. cle, sf, houston, st(maybe), ny . might be able beat sd once or twice to make it 6-7 wins.
Herm 96... ain't no telling what's going to happen. The Raiders have to take it game by game.... the schedule looks ok but the Raiders have the talent (and now the coaching) to compete in each of those games. The Raiders will at least win 10 games... the only teams that I see giving them trouble is Pittsburgh, Denver (twice), and Seattle. K.C. always plays the Raiders tough and so does San Deigo. The Raiders of the last three seasons might have a hard time against this schedule but this is a new squad under different coaching. I don't see the Raiders losing any more than 6 games. If Brooks is on then look out!!
it might be upgrade over collins but not much. one of reasons collins was bad was because of the defense(secondary) liability. raiders were always down by alot points i had to throw the ball on every down. the defense has to improve so they can run the ball and throw less(20 att or less) like collins did in with the giants. if raiders are counting on brooks to throw 30-40 times, it will long season.