After Further Review: Things to be thankful for
We all have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
Of course, with the Raiders sitting at 3-8 in Year Six of their ongoing slump, the Silver & Black may not be one of them.
But even in Oakland, there are things we can all be glad are taking place, and things we can look forward to enjoying in the near future.
So as we all prepare to sit down with our friends and family over turkey and stuffing and share love and laughter, let me share some of the things in Raiderland that will make me smile when I think of them.
FOUR THINGS I’M THANKFUL FOR THIS THANKSGIVING:
1. The end of the Lane Kiffin saga.
I liked Lane Kiffin. I thought he was a bright offensive mind who brought a winning background and oodles of potential to the job as Raiders head coach. But his ongoing feud with Al Davis revealed a fatal flaw: Call it immaturity, or inexperience, but the youngest head coach in NFL history simply wasn’t prepared to deal with the stubborn determination of an aging owner in a professional fashion. And after things didn’t go his way, let’s face it, Kiffin basically did the coaching equivalent of tanking it — spouting off to the media in a blatant bid to get fired. No matter whose side you are on, no matter who was right, or wrong, no matter who winds up the head coach in 2009, we can all be glad this miserable experience, once so promising, is over.
2. Rob Ryan coaching the defense.
His unit’s only consistency is its inconsistency, but Buddy Ryan’s son brings something to the table I’ve always appreciated: Enthusiasm. Maybe he comes off as a bit of a Davis yes-man. Maybe his fourth-quarter prevent-defense scheme is pretty lousy. Maybe, in some ways, he’s no better than the man he replaced, the much-maligned Chuck Bresnahan. But Ryan’s desire to win shows in his every manic gesture from the sidelines — or even a few yards onto the field — and his players love him. And let’s face it, after the past six years, there’s something to be said for someone who’s out there blatantly trying his hardest and getting his players to play their hardest.
3. Johnnie Lee Higgins.
We all loved Chris Carr, the undersized, undrafted underdog defensive back. But facts are facts: In three years returning kicks and punts, Carr brought back exactly zero for touchdowns. This year, Higgins has busted loose for two of the three longest punt-return touchdowns in team history — in back-to-back weeks. We all remember Carr’s 100-yard pickoff return beating the Steelers in the dreadful 2006 year. Well, Higgins is making the same impact returning punts — putting potentially game-changing points on the board when the offense is struggling. Yes, the former third-round pick has been a disappointment as a kick returner and unimpressive as a receiver, but he’s proved a weapon on a team sorely lacking them.
4. Beating the Chiefs and the Broncos.
Because, let’s face it, it really doesn’t get any better than stomping all over Herm Edwards’ guys in Week Two. Oh, wait, it does: Stomping all over Mike “Shanarat” Shanahan’s guys in Week 12.
SOMETHING I’D LIKE TO BE THANKFUL FOR NEXT THANKSGIVING:
Michael Bush accepting, enjoying and thriving as a fullback.
Yes, being a lead blocker stinks. But so does standing on the sidelines, in uniform, and not getting to play. I love Bush as a prospect, and I’m sure it hurts the former star college running back to find himself third on the depth chart and faced with a move to a position better known for no-carry road-graders like Jon Ritchie. But Michael, I’ve got two words for you: Zack, and Crockett. You get your touches at fullback, catches and carries, you get to play tailback when injuries hit … and you get to be the short-yardage monster, where the game and the glory is on the line. Thirty-five touchdown dances in eight years is nothing to sneeze at. I know you’re a great kid, Michael, and I know it’s tough to swallow your pride, and tough to struggle at something where success has always come easy. But I’m telling you, there’s a great place in this offense for you. It’s called the end zone, and it’s yours for the taking.
SOMETHING I’M ALWAYS THANKFUL FOR:
Silver & Black Report, Raiderfans.net and all the friends I’ve made through those sites over the past five-plus years.
Because, no matter how much the Raiders’ struggles have hurt, it’s always nice to have a place where I can get the latest Raiders news, and talk Raiders football with the best fans in the world.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
