Oakland has been called an NFL laughingstock by both the media and Raider haters. Now the criticism is coming from players around the league.
New York Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, speaking during a Sirius NFL Radio interview conducted Tuesday by myself and retired NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, had some harsh words for the Oakland franchise after his team's 44-7 home rout last Sunday. Pierce said the Raiders game felt more like a "scrimmage" than regular-season contest. And while the topic wasn't discussed openly, Pierce said a confident Giants roster was well aware that ailing quarterback Eli Manning (heel) could get a break the quicker New York took a commanding lead. Manning was already on the bench with the Giants ahead at halftime, 31-7.
I asked Pierce whether the Raiders (1-4) were really as bad as they seem. His response:
"I do not like knocking teams. But right now, they're struggling. We're playing that game the other day and, honestly, it felt like a scrimmage, like a practice. It felt like we were going against our offense (in a controlled setting) as far as the tempo.
"There was no vibe of trying or effort from the Raiders at all from a defensive standpoint against their offense. We're getting three-and-outs. You don't hear nobody (saying), 'Hey, let's go!' trying to pick the guys up, rallying them, getting guys fired up. There was nothing. It was quiet. A guy gets sacked or somebody gets beat, they just get up. It's not like there's yelling or no kind of (emotion) about the way they were playing.
"It was shocking to be out there in that game and get that kind of feeling."
Such harsh words aren't fun for Pierce to use. Pierce, who was credited with four tackles in Sunday's game, admitted during the show that the Raiders were his favorite team while growing up in the Los Angeles area.
"It's sad because I grew up a Raiders fan," said Pierce, who was 16 years old when the Raiders moved back from Los Angeles to Oakland in 1995. "That organization right now, they need some guidance. They need somebody to pick them up."
Pierce's comments are the latest critique of a franchise seemingly destined for an NFL-record seventh consecutive season with at least 11 losses. Since a Week 2 victory over Kansas City (0-5), Oakland has fallen apart with three consecutive lopsided losses. One major reason is shoddy play from quarterback JaMarcus Russell. He ranks 35th in NFL quarterback rating with four interceptions, just one touchdown pass (in the season-opener, no less) and 42.1 completion percentage.
The news isn't any better off the field. First-year Raiders head coach Tom Cable is under police investigation for an alleged assault on Oakland assistant coach Randy Hanson in August. If he's eventually found guilty, Cable could become the first head coach under suspension since NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took office in 2006.
Oakland hosts Philadelphia (3-1) on Sunday. The Giants (5-0) travel to New Orleans for a big-time NFC matchup with New Orleans (4-0).
crazy story, What does Al Davis think of what you people and the sports writers are saying? nothing what does he care as long as the stands are full every sunday and he gets his T.V. MONEY. Nothing will change untill the people stop showing up the other teams use this as practice and still get paid for their time.
