Captain Jack's Views Prior to Raiders Pre-Season Game Three

Captain Jack Rack 'em Levy – Aug 24, 2012

After watching the first Raiders’ pre-season game against the blue-starred boys from Texas, I wasn’t sure exactly what to say or feel, but of course I'd quantify this by saying yes, I realize that it was the first game under a new regime...

It truly was a “Perplexing Feeling of Contradictory Emotion” – kinda sounds like a good album title for a Pink Floyd reunion tour, but that isn’t gonna happen… Ooooops, back to point – which got
progressively worse and disappointing with the team's showing as the game progressed into the second half.

Yes, it was soooooo gooooooooooood to again be watching Raiders’ football, and I was lucky enough to catch a local airing on the Armed Forces affiliate… it was as if God himself, (or more likely Mr. Davis) knew the Captain was jonesin’ to see our team play after the disillusionment from last season.

As for the game, you could look at it a few ways, i.e. as the starters and second stringers were replaced and left with folks who will probably be working at Target or Albertson's (do they have them in Cali? I can't remember what the grocery store chains are out there) in the next few weeks, the overall team play was harder to find any positives…  

… Or am I being too harsh or critical?

Sure, Denarius Moore didn't play, Darren McFadden was out quick, (thank goodness) and Carson Palmer threw a stupid pick, (which, upon further review appeared to go through the hands of receiver Jacoby Ford, who has had a miserable two outings to say the least). Palmer’s ‘one pick per pre-season game’ continued into last Friday’s appearance against the Cardinals in Arizona, but unfortunately the Captain wasn’t lucky enough the second time around to catch THAT game. 

Other than Palmer needing to ‘tighten up those throws,’ or have his receivers fight for the ball harder – again, don’t know the circumstances of his second pick – I can wholeheartedly say that the Raiders’ starters looked exceptionally well against their Cowboy counterparts.

…Or am I looking through ‘rose colored' sunglasses? 

Yes, I also know that many a Dallas starter wasn't playing either, but I think we kicked their rumps play-wise and execution-wise, (overall) in the first quarter and mid-way into the second quarter... maybe even into the half. 

And then... a malaise seemed to fall over the team... or was it just me? 

Terrelle Pryor showed some quick jukes – thank goodness ‘cuz he played behind an offensive line who it appeared couldn’t stop an angry swarm of gnats – which shows how the relative rookie QB can be an asset, (with some good coaching) eventually, but he does need to stop short-arming and aiming passes while airmailing others. He CAN be the gifted running/gunning/slinging QB of the Cam Newton/Michael Vick persona... but thank goodness we won't have to see that this year, (biting my tongue and knocking wood as we speak...)

It was noted that Pryor did look a LOT better against the Cardinals in extended playing time after Matt Leinart went out on what was described by my crew as a ‘cheap shot’ worthy of an extensive fine.  We can only hope that indeed the culprit feels a little lighter in the wallet…

Leinart looked pretty good overall in the first game (even better than Palmer) although many a Raider fan has complained that he ‘dinks/dunks/checks-down too often,’ which in Knapp’s Offense is exactly how it is run for the QB to perform, so he isn’t doing anything WRONG by any means… he may just need to show that he can ‘air it out’ ala his USC cohort in crime, although to be
honest we hope that Leinart doesn’t see the field often this year, as it would mean that catastrophe has befallen Palmer…

…but at least THIS YEAR we’ll know we have a capable back-up that has the ability to win in relief, i.e. we won’t have that painful look on our faces as Kyle Boller – whose only ability is to pick a HOTTTTT wife and bilk the Ravens out of a ransom for draft pay – is coming into the game since he won’t be playing!!  Boller must’ve sensed it wasn’t a good idea to be a back-up in San Diego, since he signed with the Chargers and the very next day retired!  Guess Boller knew that Raider adrenalin to knock out Rivers… to have Boller himself come into the game for a dose of ‘Silver and Black Whoop-Ass’… would be that much more spiked wearing the Blue and Gold. 

From what I’ve seen (again, quantifying this by saying my only ‘game vision’ was against the Cowboys) D-Mac has looked great, the first string Defense looked good... especially the Run Defense (how long has it been since we could say that?) even without Seymour playing, although the pass defense needs some work...(DVD and Mitchell have had some serious lapses, although Chekwa has apparently played well). 

Looking back against Arizona, we finally did score our first offensive touchdown as well as a defensive touchdown and safety to boot, although many a wary eye was cast on activity outside the stadium which put a ‘negative tint’ once again on our Raiders – until the initial details were crushed by facts. 

So all eyes will be on Oakland as we play what is a critical (and the most important game of any Pre-season) – game three, with the Lions as our opponents.   Remember, it was a LOSS to the Lions (with RoMac covering Megatron for some unknown God-forsaken, Bresnahan reason,  amongst other things) that kept us out of the playoffs – that, and the loss at Buffalo in week two and a putrid performance in week 17 against the Bolts… but let’s get back to my point… I know it’s around here somewhere…

Yes, game Three in Pre-Season speaks volumes, and in this game we really need to see what the Raiders are made of… whether Iron or Straw.  Again, we don’t necessarily have to WIN the game, but Danggummit (who invited Bobby Bowden into this conversation??) we certainly need to show ourselves as a complete football team in all facets of the game – offense, defense, special teams…

...and COACHING TOO!!

I’ll check back next week… if/when after de-watering and shoring-up from some incredibly horrible windbag by name of Isaac that is bearing down on the Captain and his Galleon as we speak…

But before I go, I’d like all of my readers to keep well wishes and prayers sent to “Raiderette and Hardy Lady Wench” Ms. Elizabeth Chavez, who is not feeling well and will be on the binnacle list for a while; I know she and her close friends would appreciate your kind thoughts to help her get well mentally as she fights the good fight. Thank you, and to Liz, a mighty Captain Jack’s “YAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!” sent your way… 

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