Press Conference began at 1:35PM PST
Al Davis: "I have asked you here today so that you can be the first to hear it from me and convey this information through the appropriate channels.
Over the past 40 years I have held this team to high standards and my only goal in life was to create a winning atmosphere that was comprised of a team of men that were as dedicated to it as I was. Unfortunately I seldom found that but when I did the results were magical.
I have seen the world, people and this sport go through change but have ...
As the 2010 NFL draft approaches, many Oakland Raider fans find themselves wondering, "what is Al Davis going to do to mess things up this year?"
Darius Heyward-Bey and Darren McFadden are first round picks that have been criticized, but no one really knows if they are "busts" or not; it's too soon to tell. JaMarcus Russell, on the other hand...
Davis' late round choices have actually been pretty superb.
Louis Murphy, Michael Bush, Tyvon Branch, and Trevor Scott were all late round picks that have been very productive and are proving to be really good players.
So, what are the best and worst ...
The signs are all there and they say Kirk Morrisons' days at middle line-backer for the Raiders is coming to an end.
The Raiders ranked 31st in run defense and something has to be done to fix that. They also gave Morrison a tender lower than his peers at line-backer. Further more the Raiders have been hosting middle-linebacker prospects preparing for the draft.
Now that doesn't mean Morrisons' days as a Raider are over, he may see a change to his natural position at outside-backer.
Heres a look at some of the middle line-backer prospects the Raiders have brought in for private workouts.Begin ...
Great men often make decisions that are controversial. They see farther and deeper.
Al Davis is described by many as a risk-taker. There is nothing wrong with that description. Davis just needs someone around him who knows risk analysis, and risk management. Apparently, some of those around him are lacking those skills.
The ability to take risks, and push performance to a phenomenal level is a gift that is probably innate.
Once in Davis' career, he had the almost perfect blend of talent and of others who were risk takers. Those were the years when everything worked well for the Oakland Raiders.
Although some people ...
So Thomas Howard has signed his second round tender for 2010. So where now from here?
Most journalists firmly believe that Kirk Morrison is on the trading block with only an original pick tender, but I think Thomas Howard has been made even more expendable when you look at the current roster moves.
Only two season ago, Howard was a rising star for the Oakland Raiders, leading all NFL linebackers with six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), plus 95 tackles and 11 passes defended.
Now Trevor Scott has been installed at weak side linebacker, which was Howard's position, and the Raiders traded for ...
It's always a challenge to try to figure out what Al Davis will do in the draft. Conventional wisdom says the Raiders would take an offensive or defensive lineman with their first selection. Conventional wisdom and Al Davis are rarely used in the same sentence so let's think outside the box a bit.
Joe Haden is the clear-cut best player at his position available in the draft. He plays cornerback, a position Al Davis and most NFL executives value immensely. Cornerback, unlike o-line and d-line, is very shallow in this year's draft. Impact lineman will be available later on shutdown corners ...
When Sunday officially came, we knew it was time. Draft week is upon us.
For the past four months we have seen mock drafts, player analysis, and more from every possible angle. Trust me, if you search deep enough, you will find it.
The best part about the NFL Draft is how it is so unpredictable. Nobody will have a mock draft that is perfectly correct, and rightfully so.
There will be trading in the first round, including reaches at certain picks.
Some will agree with the selections, other will disagree, but this draft has been one of the hyped classes in recent memory.
With ...
Tom Cable seems confident during his April 15th interview with the press. He is preparing for the 75th NFL Draft and he knows what he wants for the team.
Cable says that power, athleticism, and a good fit with the Oakland Raiders is what he is looking for in any new players.
He emphasizes the need for a productive player, perhaps favoring those who have played in, for example, championship games in college.
"It's a good thing," he says, "that there is more time for evaluation." He believes the new schedule will allow for more interaction between teams and players.
The Oakland Raiders will ...
On Oct. 4, 2008, the New York Daily News reported this quote:
"Al Davis won't be happy unless John Madden is his coach and Daryle Lamonica is throwing bombs to Warren Wells and Fred Biletnikoff and they can all bring back the glory days of the Raiders.
"That's when the Raiders built their mystique, when "Commitment to Excellence" had a little bite to it..."
This article was published during the time Davis fired Lane Kiffin.
The record that year was 5-11 in the win-loss category; it was the same in 2009.
Well, Davis doesn't have Madden, Lamonica, Wells or Biletnikoff.
Can he find those types and ...
That, is the $64 question.
The Oakland Raiders, currently in the slump of their franchise-lives, are hoping for some form of consistency to emerge this year.
Tom Cable, who the media picked to be dead, is still kicking. JaMarcus Russell, depending on who you ask, is lighter or heavier by about 30 pounds.
Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, and a cast of second- or third-year players are all hoping that this year's draft will bring the last missing pieces to assemble a squad that can challenge for the AFC West.
How far does the team have to go?
First things first, it all runs around the ...