BLACK SUNDAY OFF-SEASON NEWS: GM's Kickoff to the New Season

(Photo courtesy of HuffingtonPost.com)


What many of the Nation look forward to most... the OFFSEASON. With many holes abound, (for now) Coach Tom Cable will be heavily scrutinized leading into training camp.

As the final seconds of the Super Bowl wind down and all the glitz and glamour of awarding the Lombardi trophy to the victors… what majority of the remaining fans look forward to and place their “undying faith” in their teams is the offseason. Fueling this excitement typically begins with local sports talk radio shows filling the airwaves with offseason rumors and the excitement of the next crop of potential draft prospects who will help putting their teams over the top.

For most team owners and general managers, the offseason begins with releasing aging players who for the most part are no longer performing to their existing contracts. As evidenced by the recent release of former franchise players: LaDanian Tomlinson (Chargers) and Bryant Westbrook (Eagles); at the end of the day what counts most is not their respective loyalty nor what they accomplished in the past, but their current worth.

(Photo courtesy of Rotoholics.com)

Can you blame GM’s parting ways with such players? Their main priority is to ensure their team field the best players who can help them win within financial reasons. With all due respect to both players considering both Tomlinson and Westbrook turning age 30 last year, the Shaun Alexander-syndrome (Edgerrgin James, Priest Holmes, Curtis Martin, Larry Johnson, need I name more?) has certainly seeped into reality for both.

For a majority of player contracts stipulating a guaranteed March roster bonus, there will certainly be additional note-worthy names joining LT2 and Westbrook on the NFL “unemployment” list.

Join us as Black Sunday will investigate the brewing quarterback controversy between former #1 pick JaMarcus Russell and young gun slinger Bruce Gradkowski in staking his claim for the starting nod, the status of key defensive stars such as Richard Seymour and team captain Kirk Morrison, and much more!

(Photo courtesy of Associated Press)



For the weeks leading up to April’s NFL Draft, Black Sunday Brand is proud to present relevant Off-season Raiders news and rumors for those loyal to the Silver and Black. So be sure to join the NATION and catch more of Black Sunday’s exclusive "Offseason News and Rumors" only at www.BlackSundayBrand.com

(Not-so) SURPRISE MOVE: Frye to Start Over Struggling Russell

15 weeks into the season, the decision to bench (yet again) former overall #1 pick JaMarcus Russell in favor of another journeyman was clear-cut. Many speculate Charlie Frye's starting nod has serious implications on Russell's future with the Silver and Black. After several days of discussions, head coach Tom Cable, offensive coordinator Ted Tollner, and quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett unanimously agreed Charlie Frye offers the most potential in upsetting the Broncos this weekend.

Charlie Frye has not played a single snap this year and has not started a game since week 5 of 2008 for the Seattle Seahawks. Relegated to the practice squad, "It will be good to get back out there with the offense and run some plays that aren't on cards." Frye joked. "I've got a lot of fire in me. I've been that crutch and that supportive guy all season, so now it's my turn to be the fiery leader."

The prized $60M investment that is JaMarcus Russell has hit a serious wall and his future in doubt. Coach Tom Cable insists Russell is still the future of the team is and will continue to "be developed". Russell was unavailable for comment but said before the game against the Redskins that he still feels he is the STILL the Raiders quarterback of the future. The decision to start Charlie Frye over Russell further speculates Oakland may be looking to sever its ties with Russell, who signed a six-year contract in 2006 that included more than $30 million in guarantees.

Similiar in many facets to Bruce Gradkowski in terms of mobility and playing style, Charlie Frye brings fluidity to a position that has helped the team earn two late comeback victories in the past 4 games. Frye (just like Gradkowski) impressed Oakland's coaches with attention to detail in meetings and during practice. Again, Russell graded poorly in comparison during the same meetings and reps with the first unit.

Down to just two healthy quarterbacks, the Raiders signed former Bills starter J.P. Losman, who recently led the Las Vegas Locomotives to win the USFL's inaugural championship this season. This and the fact that Bruce Gradkowski has yet to have been added to the injured reserve list, has fueld even more speculation Russell will not see a snap again this season (and perhaps as a Raider).

TEAM NOTES:
TE Zach Miller still has not practiced (concussion, listed as questionable) and will be a game-time decision.
FS Michael Huff returned to practice today after re-injuring his shoulder (stinger) against the Redskins.
Darrius Heyward-Bey did not practice (sprained foot) and is doubtful for the Broncos game.
Greg Ellis sat out practice yet again (knee sprain) and is questionable this Sunday.

Stay tuned for more Black Sunday Raider game RECAPS exclusively at www.BlackSundayBrand.com

Gradkowski Suffers Torn MCL, JaMarcus-Led Raiders Lose

Photo courtesy of Ben Margot of the Associated Press

Yesterday’s loss to the Redskins was secondary news to the Raider Nation. The headliner that had many in a "headspin" was the indefinite loss of Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski to a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee and a partially torn MCL in his right. Gradkowski on suffering injuries to both knees: "I hurt my left knee in the first quarter on the first sack and kind of felt a pop but I didn’t think nothing of it. I just put a brace on it and kept going. The last play of the first half, it happened to my right knee and I heard a pop on that knee so then it was both knees. I tried taping it up for the second half but it wasn’t happening.”Asked on whether he’ll play again this season: “I don’t count myself out. You never need surgery with MCLs. I’ll try to get back, do whatever I can to get healthy fast if I could. That’s the only thing I worry about."

With Gradkowski going down; in came incumbent starter JaMarcus Russel and his unprecedented league low 47.7 quarterback rating. In just two quarters of relief, Russell connected on 10-of-16 passing attempts (0-TD and 1-INT) although the statistics show stark improvement the numbers are deceiving as he was under constant pressure (11 QB hurries and 6 sacks) and his lack of awareness to convert much needed first downs, led the way for the Redskins to pull away. Russell’s performance was so uninspiring that head coach Tom Cable pondered pulling Russell during the fourth quarter in favor of third-stringer Charlie Frye in hopes of sparking some much needed offensive flow.

When asked about naming his starter for next week’s showdown in Denver, “Let’s get to tomorrow and we’ll talk about that.” Attempting to sidestep the notion that he has lost complete confidence in Russell, “I thought it was a tough situation,” coach Tom Cable said. “You have to look at the film. Could he do better? Probably, but everybody could have.”

During post-game interviews coach Cable was asked about the overall performance of the team in yesterday’s loss: “Very disappointed, too many penalties, not enough flow offensively. Defensively, just really struggled it seemed like in the first half in the secondary and then we’re never able to come back and make a stand or do anything about it in the second half.”

NOTABLE INJURIES
QB Bruce Gradkowski: two torn MCLs on both knees. Season likely over.
TE Zach Miller left the game with head and shoulder injury. With a concussion suffered earlier in season, team doctors are concerned and Miller will be listed as “questionable”.
CB Nnamdi Asomugha suffered an injury to his right forearm on a blitz when he hit a helmet late in the first half. He returned late in the fourth quarter. “The arm just went dead. So we had to come in and take X-rays. They just feel like it’s more with the nerve. That’s why I went back in.” Nnamdi should be fine for next week.
FS Michael Huff suffered a stinger and did not return. Hiram Eugene replaced Huff and may get the start in Denver. Huff’s status is still uncertain but should be listed as probable during the week.

Stay tuned for more Black Sunday Raider game RECAPS exclusively at www.BlackSundayBrand.com

NFL GAME OF THE WEEK? Raiders Ambush Reeling Steelers

Did you miss out on the Silver and Black's beat down of Pitts'ville? Recapture the Oakland Raiders stunning 27-24 Week 13 victory over the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stay tuned for more Black Sunday Raider game RECAPS exclusively at www.BlackSundayBrand.com

Raiders Duo Considered for Week 13 NFL Play of the Week

(Photo courtesy of Tony Gonzales of Raiders.com)

Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski returned home to lead the Raiders against a tattered Steeler team. The fourth-year journeyman looked every bit Raider fans envisioned former 1st overall pick JaMarcus Russell was supposed to be as Gradkowski led the Raiders to a game-winning drive over a reeling Pittsburgh Steelers. With good protection and an uncanny pocket awareness, Gradkowsi threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns.

In what certainly looked to be a rout of the Raiders, the same story that has plagued Pittsburgh all season occurred yet again as the home fans watched in agony to see that their defending Super Bowl team could not close another game with a late lead. Because the game still close, the Raiders patience paid off as a confident Gradkowski finished off a fourth quarter 11-play drive connecting with WR Chaz Schilens on a 17 yd touchdown pass with 8 minutes remaining.

Although the Raiders defense gave up two touchdowns, the surprising young Raiders offense matched both touchdowns with 2 more of their own.

In a span of roughly 5 and a half minutes, Gradkowski tossed two touchdown passes to WR Louis Murphy to lead yet another Raiders come from behind victory. Standing at their own 25 and staring at a 3rd and 13; an ever confident Gradkowski play actioned RB Justin Fargas rolling out right and hit Murphy in stride on a 75-yd TD post pattern.

Here is where the game became interesting, unfolding before our very eyes (and you heard it hear first) the Bruce Gradkowski era has begun! Backed at their own 11 yard line and with only a minute-48 remaining in the game, Gradkowski completed pass after pass to his young receivers with a pivotal 24 yard desperation heave (more like Hail Mary) to (surprise) Murphy at the 17 yd line, who wisely jumped out of bounds. With nine seconds remaining, it was fitting fashion as Gradkowski closed the game out by hitting his favorite target from 11yds out for just the rookie's second game clinching touchdown in 3 weeks.


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