I thought since we always like to accuse each other of "Not knowing football" we could start our own little football school right here.
There is nothing wrong with being ignorant to certain football terms, plays, alignments, what have you. I have been watching/ playing/ obsessing over football for over 45 years. There are still things I don't know. The problems ensue when you don't try to learn what you don't know.

I figure there is enough knowledge here to help some folks out. So please post what ever knowledge you like. We can use this thread during the season, to explain what we are seeing from the Raiders and why it is or isn't working.

Lets start nice and easy. One thing people don't seem to understand right off the bat is defensive alignment (attributed to Bum Philips). What's an A, B, C gap, what is a 3 tech, so on? Here is a quick graphic so you always know what tech our players are aligned as. There may be some variants depending on level, and DC, but this pretty much sums it up.
You will notice, when a defensive player is head to head, the number will be even. If he is lined up on the outside shoulder of his opponent the tech number will be odd, If he is lined up on the inside shoulder of his opponent the tech number will be even with in "i".
Solomon Thomas is going to line up at 3 Tech for the Raiders, now you can find it on the diagram.
You will notice that the center, doesn't have an "inside" or Outside" because everything on the line is built out from him. So the tech's against him would be
1 aligned on the left shoulder of the center, 0 face to face, 1 right shoulder. You will also notice there is no #8, that is because Bum Phillips was a mad man... no really it's because even though the TE can be a blocker, he is not considered a "Linemen" so he gets weird ass numbers :)

The gaps are simple. On each side of the center is the A gap (everything built out from him remember?) Then out side the guard is the B, outside Tackle is C outside the TE is the D gap and this can extend to the side lines.

That is the quick and dirty. I can't wait to see all kinds of quick tips on positions, groups, offense, defense... it's going to be fun!

I find The Athletic to be well worth its $30/year (student rate) subscription. It's usually my go-to for Raider (and Dodger and Blazer and Duck) news.

Attyla wrote Sat Feb 27, 2021 4:21 am:life on other planets, sure, very possible
intelligent life on other planets, sure, somewhat possible
intelligent life visiting our planet, becoming not plausible
intelligent life interested in our assholes, not plausible

Dude, we don't even know if there is intelligent life on earth.

Atlasffa wrote Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:41 pm:Interesting twitter thread. . .

https://twitter.com/__RUGGS/status/1354880566974238727

I like that he posted this, and I like that he gave himself a low grade for his rookie year - it shows the attitude that he's not going to hide from it, and is driven to do much more.

Wayne Mabry "The Violator", Raiders Super fan has been nominated to Ford Hall of Fans. Please vote and help him get in!

https://fordhalloffans.com/

I would judge, except I did the same stupid thing at 22

Firstborn son, 4 days old. First Raider game!

Might be a meaningless game to the team, but it sure means alot to me.

Atlasffa wrote Sat Jan 02, 2021 4:19 pm:FYI.

Next man up.
https://twitter.com/PGutierrezESPN/stat ... 9901662208

https://twitter.com/tashanreed/status/1 ... 5860243456

I really do appreciate your Twitter updates. Thank you!!

I’m a ND homer too. Alabama may beat us worse than Clemson did. Also fuck Ohio St. they only played six games, they don’t deserve to be in the final four

DrDUne wrote Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:21 pm:Big thanks to Atlas for diligently keeping us informed this season, for the good times and the bad.

^^^This X 2^^^

I want the Raiders to win every game.

8-8 feels much better that 7-9.

Just win baby

I think it's safe to say this thread really doesn't matter anymore lol :weary: Then why click on it? Personally I'm interested to know who might be available to play so I know who I get to watch. This is no longer about getting a winning season or the playoffs, it's the first preseason game of 2021 and some of these guys are auditioning for their jobs.

I agree. . . but there's always that one coach who thinks he will magically inspire and teach a failed QB how to to defy the #NotForLong reality. I think this may be the one guy teams don't touch...He sux ballz,is a complete asshat and hasn't played long or good enough to be a viable backup...Teams would be better off and likely will draft a young QB if they want a project.

If it was just his play maybe but he such an azzhat I think he's done...The only thing that may be attractive is his draft status being high but that really don't mean shit...I say he's gonzo to bustville.

He has skills that can't be coached. Let's get him some coaching for the skills that can be taught.

https://twitter.com/FB_FilmAnalysis/status/1343722139300495363 Ruggs said in pre-season that Renfrow's ability to turn on a sixpence was amazing hopefully he can work closely with Hunter this off season to improve that aspect of his game.

https://twitter.com/ChrisReed_NFL/status/1343708021134925826 Yeah I don’t even want to think about how teams get away with holding against us. Here’s a prediction - when this stops we win more. It’s one of the big reasons we beat the chiefs. They gave us some holding calls for once.

Edit: this is where having soft ass uniform colors probably helps.

There's talent to build on for next season. We knew at the onset, the team that handled late season injuries and COVID, with the on and off-the-field distress it would bring, would be the last team standing. There's plenty to fix, but there's a good base to build on.

https://twitter.com/RaiderCody/status/1343706807093452800 Amen. And in a weird way I think the team may be better off for the adversity they faced this season. Hard to gauge the cost of preventing a disaster that never happens tho. I for one am excited for the future.

Smart move...Kid sux ballz and is a complete azzhat too...

Hmmm. Supposed to save you the embarrassment of peeing in the rough--as if this is a more modest solution. :loltears: And do you include it in your club count? LOL.

https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1341268060334862341 Does it count as a stroke?

.... And does this club come with a Fleshlight option?
Asking for a friend.

Well Kamara might've just sealed my championship. Merry Christmas to me!

Merry Christmas!

We might get coal in our stocking every year, but you fuckers have help keep me sane through it all (something comforting about knowing that others are just as crazy as I am).

Love ya all, enjoy your day.

They are of Samoan descent haling from Hawaii. The article points out that Samoans are known more for their strength on the line rather than the skills of a QB. Whatever position they play, you always know that a Samoan has the heart of a competitor, is a complete team player and will fight until the clock has expired.

The article also speaks to the special relationship between MM and Tua. It sure would be fun to see them compete on opposing teams. But I know MM will be totally on board for Gruden giving the nod to the player he thinks has the best chance to lead the team to a win. In high school and college, almost the entire D-line and a few O-line were Samoan.... those guys are fucking strong as hell. It's absolutely ridiculous, they were throwing up plates in the weight room like nothing... 3-4 of the largest plates, they would bench press like nothing.

Needless to say our D-line completely destroyed other teams.

Carr's job is to try to play if he can and if the team thinks that's the right choice. Gruden's job is to tell him to take a seat if the prudent choice is to leave his hobbled ass on the sideline. IMO that's the prudent choice and Gruden needs to be the grownup who tells the kid to take a seat.

Carr's done things to piss me off at times in the past, but gearing up to play is not one of them.

Atlasffa wrote Mon Dec 21, 2020 11:06 pm:Hmmm. Supposed to save you the embarrassment of peeing in the rough--as if this is a more modest solution. And do you include it in your club count? LOL.

https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1 ... 0334862341

Should have been a scene in Caddyshack.

Thanks Alfalfa for the info!

Seems to me MM needs every practice rep he can get. I hope they are just playing guessing games for the media sake.

Thanks Alfalfa, always know where to go to get the info..

Renfrow is a tough bastard. Looks like Opie from Mayberry and goes about his business like a killer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwZt125PV94
Raiders TE Darren Waller Talks Jets Win, Jason Witten & More with Rich Eisen