SCNDLS said:

Don't do it, Sandals. Don't get me started.

ThreadBare said:

What? Go 'head!

uPtoWnNY said:

Weren't you telling me the other week how great some new receiver was?

SCNDLS said:

now looks here, you.....

uPtoWnNY said:

If I 'members correctly, the conversation went something like:

I said: Good luck without Plax and Amani
You said: Ramses Barden is gonna save us.

So what happened to him and the rest of the wideouts?

ThreadBare said:

How is it a coach ends up with a broken jaw and Goodell ain't got nothing to say???

Raiders' coach in loss: 'This is embarrassing'

David White, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, August 30, 2009

(08-29) 22:07 PDT -- The Raiders made progress Saturday, just not the sort they want.

They didn't explain it as "just an exhibition game." They didn't remind anyone this "doesn't count in the standings." And, they sure didn't pin it on the refs or a few fluke plays.

No, the Raiders wore their 45-7 loss to the Saints for exactly what it was: a crying shame - exhibition game or not.

"This is embarrassing to me," Raiders coach Tom Cable said after overseeing the third-worst exhibition loss in franchise history.

The defense didn't stop giving up points until the Saints led 45-0. The offense didn't start scoring until 6:06 was left.

"I've never felt so lousy after a game, period," tight end Zach Miller said.

This was the third exhibition game, the most important one, according to Cable. The starters played more than ever, well into the third quarter. The more they played, the worse it got.

"We just didn't put it together," defensive end Greg Ellis said.

It starts with a defense that hasn't seemed to learn a thing under new defensive coordinator John Marshall.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 14 of 17 passes for 179 yards and 21 points in three drives. Then, the second quarter came, and he took a seat.

"A lot of times, we were getting up to the ball, getting set, and they were still trying to get lined up," Brees said.

Brees expected to play into the third quarter. Call it a mercy-rule decision by Saints coach Sean Payton, Cable's longtime pal.

"I think I saw enough of" Brees, Payton said.

Saints running back Reggie Bush didn't play, yet the Saints ran 46 times for 232 yards.

That's 634 rushing yards allowed in three games at 5.2 yards per carry. Consider the run defense unfixed.

"We've got guys who can make plays that don't make them," Cable said. "We've got guys who can wrap up but don't. To put your finger on one thing in something like that would be pretty ludicrous after that."

He's right. The Raiders offense was just as complicit.

Quarterback JaMarcus Russell sack-fumbled away the ball after holding on way too long at the Saints' 33. That was the Raiders' third play of the game.

"Everything that could have possibly went wrong, went wrong," Russell said.

There was a three-and-out with a dropped interception, a lost fumble by rookie wide receiver Louis Murphy, a lost fumble by Darren McFadden and so forth.

The Saints marched to 536 net yards and 31 first downs. The Raiders countered with 289 net yards - only 60 in the first half against a starting defense - and nine first downs.

"Not good," Cable said. "Very disappointing is the only way to put it."

Ellis gave Russell a pep talk on the sideline. Cable pulled over Murphy for a fireside chat. The entire offense huddled at 24-0 as left guard Robert Gallery got animated.

No one responded until Jonathan Holland's 43-yard touchdown catch from Jeff Garcia with 6:06 left in the shellacking. That made sure the 1967 team's 48-0 exhibition loss to the Chiefs remained the worst ever.

"If something bad happens, we can't let it snowball and keep turning into worse things," Miller said.

Of course, the Raiders did. Now, they have one exhibition game left Thursday at Seattle to cure whatever can be cured before the season opener against the Chargers on Sept. 14.

That's not much time to learn how to block, tackle, pick up the blitz and hold onto the ball.

"We just have to make sure Week 1, Monday night, we're not going to have a show like this," running back Michael Bush said. "Bottom line."

E-mail David White at dwhite@sfchronicle.com.

SCNDLS said:

U really want 2 know?

Pacman to play for Winnipeg in CFL

Cornerback Adam Jones, released by the Dallas Cowboys in February, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL, according to a SI.com report.

"It'll be a good experience for me to get back in game shape and compete and play football, which I like to do," Jones said, according to SI.com. "I'm real happy for the opportunity that's been given to me. Of course it's disappointing to me to not be playing in the NFL. But things happen and you have to adjust."

My team is still coached by that STIFF Lovie Smith.
I'll just hold my breath as usual this season.

Graycap23 said:

Should be a fun division race with Chicago, Minny and Green Bay. I like what I've seen from the Bears - Hester's a beast, Forte's good, and you finally have a real QB.

uPtoWnNY said:

.....and still no coach.

The Raiders, Chiefs and Broncos suck as much as is possible.

The Chargers could go 7 - 9 and win that division.

Graycap23 said:

This Bears team has talent and a solid QB, so Lovie will be on the hot seat if he misses the playoffs.

SCNDLS said:

No one's stepping up to be that consistent, reliable target like Plaxico. MFers are dropping wide-open passes. We can't have that, not in our division.

My team is still coached by that STIFF Lovie Smith.
I'll just hold my breath as usual this season.

Graycap23 said:

She knows already!!! She's just stirring the pot!!!

Graycap23 said:

Knew this was coming... Best of luck to him.

Graycap23 said:

At least you've FINALLY got a decent QB. That's a start.

uPtoWnNY said:

I hope this fool (Lovie) proves me WRONG.

Graycap23 said:

I still have faith in Lovie. He's got all the pieces he needs and anything short of going deep into the playoffs is not acceptable.

SCNDLS said:

24 years and counting.....on another SuperBowl win.

SCNDLS said:

Lovie Smith.....Tiger Woods.....Clarence Thomas.....

Graycap23 said:

At least you made it to one recently. Some teams haven't even done that.

Graycap23 said:

At least you made it to one recently. Some teams haven't even done that.

SCNDLS said:

True.....but that is no comfort.

SCNDLS said:

...or even won a playoff game since 1996.

Graycap23 said:

Prince did Purple Rain in the rainnnn for Pete's sake, what more you want???