Originally Posted by jaybird

Bears start out with a rough schedule--at Green Bay then Pittsburgh at home. Could easily go 0-2 and dig a hole for themselves. But for some reason, the Beloved Orange and Blue seem to always play to the level of their competition--both downwards and upwards. Last year nobody had us winning the season opener against Indy, but we came out firing and blew them out on their turf. Hopefully we'll do the same Sunday night in Lamblow.

I like what I've seen so far from the offense. Jay's got 'em looking pretty decent. It's the not the Rams of the Warner era, but if the O-line can stay healthy I can see us putting up around 17-20 a game.

Defense is where the question marks lie. Digging the D-line this year (should get more pressure up the middle) and the linebacking crew is among the best in the league. But there's some serious holes in our corners/safety crew. Need some of the young guys to step it up and make some plays or they could get shredded.

BEAR DOWN!

Originally Posted by edwardv

The senile version of Al Davis reminds me of drunken owner Robert Irsay of the Baltimore Colts in the late 70's.

Originally Posted by csm5150

I thought Daniel Synder was the worst owner in the NFL, however Al Davis is challenging him for this title. The Raiders are quickly becoming the Clippers of the NFL. The best thing for Davis to do is step down and give up control, however he won't do that. Sigh.

Originally Posted by looper_guy

The frustration, for my part, is that there was a time when Al Davis was the ideal owner.

Originally Posted by BREW CREW

When was that? When did it end for Raider fans?

Originally Posted by SFGate.com

'Blindsided' Seymour joins team
David White, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, September 13, 2009

(09-12) 20:47 PDT -- Raiders owner Al Davis came downstairs to gloat over all those haters out there. Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour was all his, and has been since he was yea-big growing up in South Carolina.

"There was never any doubt that Richard wanted to play for the Raiders," Davis said, with Seymour seated by his side at an introductory news conference Saturday.

"I would have backed away if he didn't want to come here. He liked the idea of the Raiders. He just wanted to get over the initial shock."

It took six days, but Seymour reported at last Saturday - six days after the Patriots traded him to Oakland for a 2010 first-round pick, and two days after the Raiders issued him a five-day letter to report or face a potential seasonlong suspension.

This gets Seymour in Oakland just in time to play against the Chargers in a Monday night season opener at a sold-out Coliseum.

And yes, Seymour will play. He didn't practice all week, but this is his ninth year in the league. Besides, he practiced all week in his backyard, hitting the oak trees and staying in shape.

"I assured everyone that I wanted to play for the Raiders," Seymour said. "I just needed a minute to breathe."

Seymour will be wearing a No. 92 throwback jersey. Fitting, because Davis said this blockbuster deal reminds him of his long-ago trades, invoking the names of Michael Haynes, Ted Hendricks, John Matuszak, Randy Moss and Lyle Alzado.

Davis expects Seymour to dominate at right defensive end, as Alzado once did. Truth be told, Davis has wanted Seymour to be his next Alzado for years. He just didn't think it would happen one week before the season opener.

"I've always had my eye on Seymour," Davis said. "I never thought we'd get a shot at him."

Davis tried most of the offseason in continuing trade talks with the Patriots. The more New England wanted Raiders defensive end Derrick Burgess, the more Davis pushed for Seymour.

Davis traded Burgess to the Patriots at the start of training camp. When the exhibition season ended, Patriots coach Bill Belichick surprised Davis in a phone call.

Belichick asked if the Raiders were interested in Seymour. Davis said yes without having to think twice. Davis asked for a price. Belichick said a first-round draft pick. Davis gave the Patriots one for 2011.

Two days later, the trade was done. Then, the real work began.

Seymour had a "blindside move" to get over. He won three Super Bowls in New England, his only NFL team. He had five children to relocate with the season opener approaching.

Davis said the Raiders "recruited him," just to make sure Seymour knew of their "severe interest" in him. Davis dispatched scouts Zack Crockett and William Thomas to meet with Seymour during the week, and spoke with him on the phone personally during the week.

No long-term contract was signed. No promises beyond the 2010 season were made. All Davis cares about is he got his lifelong Raiders fan.

"We're going to get great players - we're going to win," Davis said.