Win Lose Or Tie, You know the Raider Nation motto. Well, today I died with a Sebastian Janowski game ending field goal that just couldn't stay inside the goal posts long enough to secure a Raiders victory. Instead, the 32-yard kick sailed wide left as time expired in Arizona and the Cardinals celebrated as if they'd won the lottery.
First I questioned Raiders coach Tom Cable for not trying to either get closer to the goal line or take a shot at the endzone before settling for a field goal. Jano had already missed two field goals earlier, granted one was a 58 yard attempt.
First I questioned Raiders coach Tom Cable for not trying to either get closer to the goal line or take a shot at the endzone before settling for a field goal. Jano had already missed two field goals earlier, granted one was a 58 yard attempt.
I pleaded for cable not to go conservative and secure when the game dictated aggression and dominance. Cable did what coaches are supposed to do, not let their team beat themselves in the final minute. He settled for burning time off the clock and a final kick. It didn't turn out the Raiders way.
After cursing Jano I had to be honest about my team and not blame the game on our rock of ages kicker. The Raiders had as many chances to win this game as they did to lose it. It really should never have come down to a Jano kick anyway. But since it did and Jano didn't deliver, he's the goat. But as a whole the team was resilient and productive after every Cardinals score. The team rallied again behind quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. Bruuuuce is no superstar with a golden arm, but he's a leader who gets the job done.
These are not your 2009 Oakland Raiders. They are a group of men fighting for their coach and each other to the final gun. The Raiders lost a game today in heartbreaking fashion. But they earned as much losing this one as they did in winning last week's game against the Rams.
After cursing Jano I had to be honest about my team and not blame the game on our rock of ages kicker. The Raiders had as many chances to win this game as they did to lose it. It really should never have come down to a Jano kick anyway. But since it did and Jano didn't deliver, he's the goat. But as a whole the team was resilient and productive after every Cardinals score. The team rallied again behind quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. Bruuuuce is no superstar with a golden arm, but he's a leader who gets the job done.
These are not your 2009 Oakland Raiders. They are a group of men fighting for their coach and each other to the final gun. The Raiders lost a game today in heartbreaking fashion. But they earned as much losing this one as they did in winning last week's game against the Rams.
The 2010 Oakland Raiders are a team that is beginning to find its swagger. On any given Sunday, they can dominate just about anyone. I believe this to be true. And I believe the Raiders are earning the respect of other NFL teams.
Final Score
Raiders 23
Cardinals 24
Final Score
Raiders 23
Cardinals 24
Sacramento Bee Commentor:
beagamer wrote on 09/28/2010 10:06:52 AM:
Yes CBass missed a game winner, so what. Why in the hell aren't we getting more yards with 55 seconds left in the game instead of running the clock down?
