Is this really happening? There is something different in the air this year. The Raiders have been patient, calculating, and more importantly, they have been making the moves necessary to become a winning team.
The news media has destroyed the Raiders about their draft picks of the last few years because the high round picks have not produced as the team envisioned.
We do not know what the draft picks this year are going to do, but just the picks themselves tells us that the team is going in a different direction.
Listening to Coach Cable’s press conference the last two days really ...
When the Oakland Raiders selected Lamarr Houston in the second round, I was happy. In Houston the Raiders are getting a very talented player to play defensive tackle. At 6'2", 300 pounds, there wasn't any doubt this was the player the Raiders wanted going into the second round of the draft.
Not only were the Raiders able to select Lamarr but they was also able to trade back twice to gain two more draft picks in later rounds. Lamarr Houston is a major sleeper in this draft coming out of Texas.
When you first see Houston you notice his size and monster ...
Thus far, I have loved what the Raiders have done in the NFL Draft, albeit the Raiders took a defensive tackle that I had overlooked. Wrong I was, to do so.
Many of the defensive tackles I had read up on had stamina problems and likely aren't three-down players in the National Football League.
LaMarr Houston from Texas, however, should give the Raiders the run-stopping force that has been lacking on a notoriously bad run defense.
It seems the biggest knock on him is that while he has pass-rush potential, it has yet to be fully realized. However, his strength in run ...
The Raiders continued a strangely sensible draft today, and proved their commitment to fixing the running game by selecting Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston in the second round.
Houston also adds value to the Raiders' first round pick Rolando McClain by helping to give him a solid defensive line to play behind.
Houston is a similar player to McClain is, both possessing great instincts and ability to quickly locate the ball.
Also like McClain, he is a high character player, but very athletic for a defensive tackle. Tom Cable was as good as his word when he said the Raiders wanted experienced players ...
Lamarr Houston is undoubtably a physical freak, likely an Al Davis choice. He had arguably the most impressive combine amongst DTs this year, posting top 10 marks for his position all over the board; including the fastest 40 among all DTs.
But the Raiders selection of Lamarr Houston Raises some questions.
Houston is thought to be best suited to play the 3-technique, typically lining up on the outside shoulder of the strong-side guard. His job is to pentrate and disrupt running lanes.
The problem is, that isn't an area of need for the Raiders. They already have three players who can play that ...
With an NFL Draft like this, this is the closest a Christian like me might come to understanding the joys from eight days of gifts that Jewish people receive for Chanukah.
I think Roger Goodell may have just created the sports version of Chanukah.
First of all, I'd to expand on my thoughts about the selection of linebacker Rolando McClain from the University of Alabama.
I was stunned by the pick of McClain.
Early on, I thought McClain was possible, but never had the Raiders taking McClain in my Mocks, because Al Davis has rarely drafted LBs in the first-round. The Raiders definitely needed ...
The Oakland Raiders drafted Rolando McClain with the eighth pick in this year's draft. This is yet another sign that the Raiders are ready to change direction and part ways with Kirk Morrison.
Morrison was tendered with a low third-round tender that surprised many people. Though he wasn't signed to an offer sheet he did say there were teams interested. Morrison could be one of the veterans on the move via trade in the next two days of the draft.
The NFC East looks like a very likely destination for Morrison, as he fills a need for all four of the teams ...
You never know who is reading your articles or listening to your pep talks about the Oakland Raiders and their NFL history.
Johnathan Craig, a running back at Texas Southern University, in Houston, introduced himself to Damali on April 23.
He watched the NFL Draft and he was impressed that the Oakland Raiders selected Rolando McClain.
Craig has watched McClain's videos and he had something to say.
Damali: What brought McClain to your attention?
Craig: He is from Alabama. I always watched Alabama play, and they were, to me, the best team in college football. Part of that was because of their great defense.
McClain was a big role ...
On Jan. 24, I wrote an article outlining what I thought was a best-case scenario for the Raiders for the draft.
It was my hope the Raiders would take Rolando McClain with the eighth pick in the draft.
Fast-forward three months, and oh my God, it actually happened!
As I said then and still believe now, McClain is the best football player in this draft. He has the ability to help take our defense to another level.
So what's next?
Will the Raiders play "Sweet Home Alabama" again in round two and take Mount Cody? Will they address the offensive line with Bruce ...
There are still a lot of questions regarding the direction that the Oakland Raiders are headed on defense and offense following Thursday night's first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
First, let's take a look at their defense.
There has been speculation that the Raiders are planning to run a 3-4 defense next season.
After Trevor Scott finished last season at outside linebacker, the Raiders traded for Kamerion Wimbley, who played outside backer in a 3-4 set. Next, they traded for Quentin Groves, another 3-4 outside linebacker, and the Raiders' website has him listed as a linebacker, as well.
And now, in the first ...