As usual, I have been a very optimistic Raiders fan during the past six months. I hated the Heyward-Bey pick when I heard it and rationalized it later. I'll admit I wanted Michael Crabtree, so I'm certainly no genius.
I rationalized in my mind that the Raiders will run over top teams and take a load off Russell to allow him to do what he does best—throw deep.
The first pre-season game gave me something much better than I had expected. I watched Chaz Schillens look like a legitimate wide receiver stud. My only real concern appeared to have been solved.
JaMarcus Russell ...
The evolving reports of the incident between Tom Cable and Randy Hanson has given an opportunity for everyone to muse on one of their favorite NFL topics: the Raiders are a joke. There is more to be learned from this current display of dramatics.
Here is what we know:
Hanson is suffering from a broken face.
Raiders coaches aren’t directly talking to the media, but Cable told Mark Schlereth of ESPN he did not punch anyone.
Hanson told the police that the broken face was the result of the actions of another coach.
Raiders players greeted Cable with chants of Cable bumaye.
The Raiders are ...
Every year, a few running backs come out of nowhere to surprise the NFL and significantly add to—or carry—a fantasy football team.
Last year's rookie running back crop was strong, and in particular, Steve Slaton (212 fantasy points), who was expected to be nothing more than a third down back when the season began and ended up the fantasy sleeper of the entire draft.
Others like Le'Ron McClain, who no one had ever heard of coming into the season, ended up scoring 159 points, while Pierre Thomas, who started the season as a third stringer behind Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, added ...
In less than a month, the NFL will find out just how much better the 2009 Oakland Raiders are compared to last years’ model.
The first two preseason games have offered us a glimmer of what will be. Let’s take a look at the trenches staring with our defensive line.
Our DT’s are better than last year, much better. Before you go quoting rushing stats of the cowgirls and the whiners, take a laxative.
Let’s start with Kelley. Last year he had two major obstacles in his way of being the dominant player he will be in '09. The first obstacle was physical. ...
On Aug. 6, former Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess got his demands granted and was traded to the New England Patriots.
Judging by the newly surfacing reports of altercations involving coaches out of Raiders camp, I wouldn't blame him.
Look, I'm a devoted Silver and Black follower, but even I have to call a spade a spade (or a fan's spike a spike):
Simply put, this franchise's dysfunctional nature and losing ways have made it a ever less desirable to play for.
Just as Burgess has moved on to chase a championship, the following slide show will be devoted to ...
"Forever doesn't mean forever anymore." —Elvis Costello
"Marlowe: So you used me.
Lennox: That’s what friends are for. Nobody cares.
Marlowe: Nobody cares but me.
Lennox: That’s you, Marlowe. You're a born loser.
Marlowe: Yeah, I even lost my cat."—From the film The Long Goodbye
Last Friday, they gave away Jason Giambi, in bobblehead form, at the Oakland-Alameda County Memorial Coliseum. A day later, the Rockies scooped him up, in the form of the actual player, his head bobbling up and down in agreeance to a minor-league contract.
The fact that the A's were giving away Giambi bobbleheads after they had unceremoniously released him ...