Rich Lieberman loves to rip local media personalities. He also loves to talk about Tommy’s Joynt and tell his detractors that they work at 7-11.
Recently he combined two of his greatest loves: the Oakland Raiders and lots of attention.
Raiders fans were excited over rumors that they were in the running for DeSean Jackson. Lieberman tweeted a few times using the #DJaxToOakland hashtag on Saturday. Shortly after, he took it a step further. Suddenly he had sources. NFL SOURCES. Lieberman went from a garden variety Raiders fan, hoping Reggie McKenzie and Mark Davis would make a big offseason splash, to a hot shot “reporter,” breaking big news.
Jackson, as you all probably know by now, ended up signing with Washington.
So, with “I Will Remember You” playing softly in the background, let’s take a look back at a four-day stretch Raider Nation will never forget … as much as they’d like to try.
Desean Jackson is about to board a flight to #Oakland. #DJaxToOakland
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
NFL Sources: DeSean Jackson and the #Raiders will be meeting soon to go over contract and both sides working to make deal. #DJaxToOakland
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
If @DeseanJackson10 is NOT an #Oakland#Raider by Monday I’ll breakdance with @MCHammer and I do not breakdance a lot if you know me.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
But he sure backtracks a lot, as we’ll see in a bit.
Per NFL sources #Raiders and @DeseanJackson10 , barring unforeseen developments are about to meet on multi-year contract. #DJaxToOakland MT
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
And I’m not even an #Insider“! LOL
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
Isn’t it weird that CSN Bay Area keeps ignoring Lieberman’s requests/pleas to let him back on Yahoo SportsTalk Live? Koz is missing a golden opportunity to liven things up on set with a ladies’ man like Richie.
The thing that kills me about this next tweet, other than the second hashtag, is the question mark. RT!
Let’s put it THIS way: About #DJaxToOakland deal I’m so confident a deal is done I’m going out tonight to celebrate! Hello #sistahs? RT!
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
#Raiders fans, get your #silverandblack #10 jerseys ready! #DJaxToOakland#Close. #NFL. — Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
Lieberman knows the NFL, he knows the Raiders, and he knows that Matt Schwaub needs RECEIVERS to pass to:
Matt Schwaub needs RECEIVERS to pass to; #Raiders need a PLAYMAKER. @DeseanJackson10 needs a team, hello #DJaxToOakland –MT!
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
Lieberman never divulged his source(s), but I’ll put it this way: the man is tight with the #NFLPA:
When you have #playmakers it’s a helluva lot easier to get a new stadium deal done too. #Oakland @RAIDERS #DJaxToOakland #NFL #NFLPA
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
While Lieberman was sending out tweets every two minutes about Jackson’s impending arrival, word came out that Jackson was visiting Washington first. People, hold your horses — this is just a “courteous visit” we’re talking about here:
#DeseanJackson will pay courteous visits to other #NFL teams but his radar is pointed to #Oakland and #Raiders –working on contract. — Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
Guys, don’t you get it? It’s simple economics. #DoneDeal:
#Redskins don’t have the cap space to pay @DeseanJackson10 —@RAIDERS do and they’re working on it now. #DJaxToOakland #DoneDeal. — Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
Lieberman isn’t going to let a peon like NFL Network National Insider Ian Rapoport get in his way, either.
I don’t give a shit about @RapSheet says–@RAIDERS have all but locked up @DeseanJackson10 –QUOTE ME! #DJaxToOakland #bettersources too.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
You “visit” other teams –it’s called #leverage —#DJaxToOakland @DeseanJackson10 and Wash. DOES NOT have the cap space #Raiders do. Bye Bye
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 29, 2014
All DeSean wants in life is some long-term NFL security … and the chance to rub shoulders with Sonny Dykes:
Even if Snyder had most $ to pay DJ and he doesn’t, @RAIDERS have advantage and geography too Think #Cal and multiple years. #DJaxToOakland
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 30, 2014
Start the party early, because if you wait until the big event and the big event never comes, you’ll miss out on the party!
Barring a major collapse, #deseanjackson will be joining the #Raiders, start the party early. #DJaxToOakland #RaiderNation RT
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 30, 2014
Good news: we finally have an explanation for the Hayden pick …
Another HUGE element to this: #Raiders want a new stadium in Oakland need one badly. An #IMPACT player like DJ changes dynamics dramatically
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 31, 2014
Lieberman’s confidence started to wane slightly on Monday:
The only thing that could cause a breakdown is if DJ/Raiders have cold feet b/c of something they found on BG check. The contract is done.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 31, 2014
If the #Raiders and/or #DeseanJackson have cold feet, that’s the ONLY thing that could negate deal. $$, terms, yrs, signing bonus in place.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 31, 2014
If it’s NOT about the $ and multiple years, then @DeseanJackson10 will s with Wash, (not likely) and if #Raiders think he’s gang-banger.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) March 31, 2014
If @DeseanJackson10 d/not sign with #Raiders he will have LIED then to GM, owner Mark Davis and coach, Dennis Allen. MT. #DJaxToOakland
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
Emphasis on “slightly”:
EXCUSE ME, have to say this: LOL the media reports DeSean Jackson but nothing has changed whatsoever. He’s joining #Raiders I stand by story
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
The Wash pansies have the interns churning out it’s a “done deal.” only Desean hasn’t signed a thing yet. This done deal lacks a signature.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
I thought you #Raiders fans had a pair–you all saying Wash is a “done deal” based on some punk DSnyder flunkie. #dismayed. UNFOLLOW Me-RT!
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
Maybe he meant “pubically”:
I’ll be the first one to RIP myself PUBLICALLY if I’m wrong –I don’t believe I am b/c my source is pretty good. #DeseanJackson #Raiders
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
Once things started looking grim, Lieberman knew who to blame:
Nothing has been SIGNED yet but if #DeseanJackson signs with Wash he will have LIED to RegMcK and #Raiders. I should be more wise.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
Lots of reports, all speculative. NO deal yet. And the salary cap has been made a joke by Wash if #DJ signs. That’s on the #NFL. #Joke.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
But Lieberman was still working the “phones” to get the 411 on 4-1-14:
Source: “The #Raiders have been in the mix all along, and they have the cap space to outbid the Redskins, should it come down to $$. 4-1-14
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
All of you frontrunners who immediately threw yourself at the #Wash #donedeal I’m sure you feel just splendid. Be cautious boys a girls.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
Those of you that gave up on me and thought Wash was “done deal” please, un-follow me –I’m a loyalist. #Raiders #DJaxToOakland
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
Don’t worry #sistahs, even with all these sources to chat with and scoops to break, Lieberman still had his priorities straight:
Right now I don’t really care anymore. I’d be more happy with a beautiful sistah, you feeling me? #sistahs! #DJaxToOakland
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
Women are more friendlier and beautiful than a mere impact wideout. #DJaxToOakland (psst, a little humor.)
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
I’d like to sign my own free agent and her name isn’t @DeseanJackson10 –maybe I’m just tired. #sistahs.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
As the day wore on, frustration set in:
This is too easy to say but if Al Davis were alive this done deal would be a done deal right now. Mark Davis is not his father. #Raiders.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
You get a Pinto! You get a Pinto! You get a Pinto! (Younger Raiders fans: “WTF is a Pinto?”)
If I’m wrong I will do like Oprah and buy every one of you a Pinto.
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 1, 2014
Looks like Rich might have to get back into the used car game …
The #49ers made a late push for DeSean Jackson. But the #Redskins closed it out and got their guy. Deal is agreed to.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 2, 2014
Looks like I’m wrong
— Rich Lieberman (@rlieberman2529) April 2, 2014
@rlieberman2529 we will settle for you just deleting your twitter and taking off that stupid hat.
— RaiderNation (@bostonraider13) April 2, 2014
Lieberman didn’t just gain notoriety and lose credibility after sending all those tweets (over 100 that included #DJaxToOakland and another 100+ that mentioned @DeSeanJackson10). He also went from over 2,800 Twitter followers on Saturday to almost 3,600 on Tuesday before Jackson signed with Washington. That number has dropped by at least 200 since Jackson signed with Washington, and from now on it’ll be even harder for independent journalists to convince the public that their sources are legitimate thanks to Lieberman’s hijinks.
