I'm going to be putting a NFL mid-season review in our sports section in the coming weeks. Here's your chance to help me write it -- let me know what team/coach/player has been the biggest disappointment so far this year and which team/coach/player has been the biggest surprise.
If I get enough, I'll see if we can run the best comments with the story.
So have at it. The Patriots? The Saints? The fact that Fred Taylor is still somehow playing in this league? Let me know.
Disappointing Raiders and Surprising Bears
My team, the Oakland Raiders, has been a huge disappointment to me so far this season. Why we have not started our primetime QB JaMarcus Russall as of yet is beyond me. Personally, if I were to purchase a BMW, I would put it on the road to see what it could do and not just park it in the garage to collect dust. No matter what happens, I'm still a true Raiders Fan through and through; I have Silver and Black running through my veins and not afraid to say or show it. Now what about those surprising Bears and their 3-5 start this season? Unbelievable, just unbelievable; and that's all that I have to say on that one for now.
Milton L. Stephens
SGT, USA
Raiders
You're right about that -- Not having Russell signed by camp camp was one of the worst moves of the year.
I'm not sure when the the last time was that a top-five pick didn't suit up until halfway through the season (except for injuries). At what point do you think they'll finally let him play? Can he really do worse than Dante Culpepper's one INT, three fumble day yesterday?
Raiders
I really do believe that the senario will unfold a lil something like this; " After another disappointing first half , a flustrated Coach Lane Kiffin pulls QB Daunte Culpepper and starts QB Josh McCowen. Houston intercepts McCowen three times late in the third quarter. Now, Owner Al Davis is upset and pacing back and forth in his booth; the Raider Nation starts chanting "Russell, Russell, Russell" which is then echoed throughout the blackhole; Coach Lane Kiffin knows what he must do now and should have all along, start QB JaMarcus Russell. Owner Al Davis is pressed up against his glass booth praying for a miracle, but none appear as Russell throws two incomplete passes and one short four yard gainer to RB Fargas; the Raiders punt yet another to the Houston Texans which return it for good yardage, they are now deep in Raider Territory. The Raider Nation now start one of the loudest distractions the Texans have ever seen; the Raider Defense is now pumped up, they break up one long pass, one mid field pass and then sack the QB; the Texans try and settle for a field goal, but it's blocked by the long arms of the Raider Defense and now the Raider Nation's on there feet and going wild, it's pandamonium, electricty's in the air. Russell steps onto the field now, poised, ready to go, and complete first down after first down and then, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS!!!!! QB Russell gos on to throw two more touchdowns and the Raiders win for the first time in a long time and QB JaMarcus Russell beat out both Culpepper and McCown for the starting QB position. The Raiders go on to win more games and finish second in their division with a shot at a wild card spot."
Milton L. Stephens
SGT, USA