C'mon, Lane, you KNOW who to start this Sunday

So the Raiders finally added JaMarcus to the roster, making way for him by cutting veteran DB Duane Starks, rather than ship off poor Andrew Walter. This report from John Clayton says that Walter's future is dependant on whether or not Josh McCown's foot will gimpify him for an extended period of time. Okay, here's the thing, there should be no dilemma here. Here's why:

1) Culpepper should be starting ahead of McCown, regardless. Especially with his former team in Miami up next on the schedule. Think he doesn't know what kind of tricks the Dolphins are up to? Daunte will be geared up.

2) Reminder: Daunte stepped in against Cleveland. What happened? A victory.

3) You managed to ship Randy Moss for a mere 4th round pick. You can't get at least a 6th rounder for Walter???

Of course, I understand that JaMarcus Russell is actually the problem, here. The guy still doesn't have a clue about the offense and if Culpepper goes down with McCown already lame, we're screwed. A fine Raider situation, indeed.


Elsewhere, the hot button topic the last couple days is OK State's Mike Gundy blowing up at a press conference, slaying the Daily Oklahoman. Well, the columnist of the article in question has fired back. After reading her rebuttal, I'm left wondering what the hell it is that got Gundy so bent out of shape. His image may have just plummeted from model of integrity to over-protective cry-baby -- the type of parent who shelters their child from everything, resulting in a warped, timid approach to life.

I loves me some good press conference meltdowns

Yes, sir, nothing beats a coach going ballistic, ranting at the media gathered at a press conference. Jim Mora ("Playoffs?!"), Dennis Green ("They were who we thought they were!"), Rick Pitino ("Larry Bird isn't walking through that door! Kevin McHale isn't walking through that door!"), Bobby Knight (pick one), Herm Edwards ("You play to win the game!")... these are some of the legends of the genre. Coaches who raised their intensity a notch or twelve when the pressure came down from a reasonable question. I think Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy can be added to that list, as of last Saturday. However, Gundy's meltdown offers a change of pace, as he is actually defending his team and players, rather than just venting at the media after getting shelacked in a game. We're all diehard fans and when our teams disappoint us we feel entitled to get angry about it. But I give Gundy kudos for stepping up as the father figure that we often forget, yet expect coaches to be. No one gets thrown under the bus in the Stillwater locker room.