Diner morning news: Random thoughts

Raider fans aren't even worth making fun of at this point--it's just sad. These commenters are delusional.

Let's see: double-digit losses for the last six years. Obvious organizational incompetence. Can't sell out their own stadium.

Ah, but anyone mentioning that is just "a hater."

Not really. Your team is worthless. Your fanbase is living in a past decade. What's to hate?

Come on Lombardi, you of all people should know Raiders fans don't have any balls, so why would you expect them to be accountable? They're just being what they always have been: ghetto trash. I actually think the Falcons can be Super Bowl contenders, but the defense must show it's up to the task. Lawrence Sidbury, from Richmond, knows how to play well in big games as Richmond, the only Division I champions (yes, the BCS sucks, we need a playoff) benefited greatly from his excellence. He's a sleeper for me. For a darkhorse team, I really like the Seahawks. I my be delusional, but I doubt it as the Broncos will be better than people think. If you're looking for any good books, "Uncommon," from Tony Dungy is at the top of my list. Thanks again Lombardi for your thoughtful words. Forgive me for my random thoughts, I'm not cool like you are.

Skipping OTA is skipping OTA no matter what gets said about it.

The team found an identity at the close of the season and finished strongly.
Some questions remain, less for the Raiders team than any other West opponent outside of San Diego, a team whose identity is fully in the hands of their passer.

Will Oakland get more games like McFadden's yardagepalooza tour against the Chiefs?
Was Michael Bush's crushing the Pewter Pirates something fans will see each week in the Bay Area?
Is there enough balance outside the hashmarks in the Bey Area, with new speed, to let Miller command the run lanes and pass catch over middle of the field as an emerging presence at tight end?
Will players who excel take the place of roster favorites playing out their bonus bounties when Williams and Huff continue lackluster play in place of competitive types?
Is the physicial prototype rookie at safety ready to assert the kind game changing presence we expected of Huff, and will that fact motivate Huff to doing the same? If he plays big it could be a signature factor for the team and its procurement.
Talents for the team at return specialist can make a great impact, the Raiders have opportunity to be truly dynamic in each aspect of the game, and score in every way conceivable.

Who is Russel's Qb coach at his private workouts? Without a good one he can reinforce bad habits and that would set the team back even more. What of the extra reps at OTA, they only went Garcia's way? Who else is emerging past that?

The team is showing an ability to diversify some holdings in its future, a lot of people are there to carry the rock or make the play.

Mr. Lombardi, I have a question for you.

Why are people from California so out of touch with reality? It looks to me as though they've been running their football teams about as well as they've been running their state.

Keep doing what you're doing.

Mike, big Raider fan here. I really like your writing pro or con, and go out of my way to read it just about every day. But when you report on Russell missing one OTA, one of twelve voluntary OTA's, and fail to mention the passing camp he organized on his own time, it does look a bit biased, no? After all, which is more "voluntary" the OTA or the week of practices he will be hosting on his own time (and paying for)?

Yes there's plenty to criticize about the Raiders over the past 6 years. That doesn't meant that it's not worth your time to report about it when something good and significant happens. I'm not looking for "positive spin", just the facts. Even when they happen to be positive.

Its funny, I read Lombardi every single day. I've thought from time to time-- like anybody esle I'm sure-- that he's been too critical of something or somebody a time or two. But try as I might, I can't think of a single contraversial thing he has said about the Raiders. Maybe I'm wrong, but I can't do it. In fact, I think he tends to be too conciliatory (maybe classy is a better word) whenever 'The Hotel' comes up.

Honestly, how do you make anything good of what has happened there for years? If Lombardi never worked in Oakland, yet wrote exactly the same columns, some might dare call him a Davis apologist even. I would, but give him a big pass for going out of his way to be respectful to his old employer. Raider fans really need to embrace reality here. It ain't Lombardi's fault that NOBODY is striking up the band to celebrate the last decade of Raider football.

Just my opinion, of course.

I think Malcolm Gladwell's point about the number of hours spent practicing something has more to do with mastering a skill, such as coaching, and is more relevant to head coaches such as Bill Belichick, Jimmy Johnson, and Steve Walsh. Those coaches have spent 10,000 hours coaching and are considered experts. By definition, an assistant to the head coach is someone who has yet to master the skill of coaching a football team.

"I my be delusional, but I doubt it as the Broncos will be better than people think."

i think they'll go 0-16 but u mite be right when its all said and done though, as they could indeed split their games vs KC thus ending both projects with a fair 1-15 rec..................................................................................................

lol dude, seriously, you should concentrade more on the grey matter between your ears instead of the "Nations" salty chocolate dingdongs as we are getting ready to "run them down the throats" (M Shanahan) of anyone standing in the way anyhow.

Mr. Lombardi I love reading articles where you write about the Hotel. The Raiders are one of the more fascinating teams in all of sports with one debacle after another. I feel you do a good job of pointing out all of the failures the Raiders have had over the last 6 years including the failures that include you. If I'm not mistaken in your Super Bowl curse article you took a shot at yourself for the 12 loss season after the Raiders' most recent Super Bowl run. Raider nation needs to go hide under a rock until the Raiders can at least muster a 7 win season.

Seems to me that you have some major beef with the Raiders and Al Davis. We all know they have sucked for the last 6 years(i am sure you helped them out with that). But I don't understand why you make it so obvious that your pissed they showed you the door. Atleast report some things leaning towards postive stories and don't just bash them every chance you get. For the rest of you riding Lombardi like seabiscuit, trying to be his buddy over the internet your jokes. I do infact enjoy your website though.

Can't agree more with a previous writer on his statements and questions to you Mr. Lombardi. Us Raider fans, like Bob, also love to watch the NFL and would like some respect to our team. We know you feel the need to write something with a negative spin on it using this forum to try to get their attention and get payback.I could compare you with Warren Sapp and put you in the same group. You need the attention writing articles or talking on live TV negative comments about the Raider organization. It shows that both of you guys have short memory and really didn't appreciate the opportunity given to both you and Sapp. You were in the management rol,why didn't you do a good job? Why you blame Davis for anything wrong on that period? Why didn't you leave and waited until they fired you? Sapp was an old washed up tackle the Raiders thought could still help them, he was part of that shoddy, undisciplined run defense that got run over on the last years, a lot of times on his assigned area. He was handsomely compensated for a poor job done, and he still has the gall to mock Al Davis and the Raiders, when they should have done to him what they did to DeAngelo Hall. My e-mail is well written and clear.

Mike - my heart goes out to Fred Bilitnecoff and his family. I'm sure the Bilitnicoff's must be devestated after learning that the man who murdered their daughter is going to receive a new trial.. I'm sure you must have some opinion since you are part of the Raider famiily.