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Archive for May, 2010
The Oakland Raiders defense, coming into the 2010 season, has much versatility. In case you did not know what that means, here's a definition: versatile—capable of doing many things competently.  Our defense is definitely capable of doing just that. Here is a breakdown of our versatile players: Let's start with one of the best, Nnamdi Asomugha. Asomugha was drafted in 2003 as a safety but made the switch to cornerback when he joined the Raiders. The switch to corner has been highly successful. If needed, he could go back to his original position at safety and still be successful, especially with his hard hitting ability. Next up is Michael Huff. ...
The 2010 NFL Draft is now in the books and the staff members of NFLDraft101.com have each submitted their grades.  We will go division by division, recapping each team's draft and presenting our staff grades. (click on the team name for pick by pick analysis) AFC West: Denver Broncos - Josh McDaniels has learned how maneuver the draft from the Patriots, but the use of those picks the past two seasons has been questionable.  After the bold move to draft QB Tim Tebow, McDaniels has staked his future on the draft's biggest question mark.  Tebow has off-the-chart intangibles, but his ability to read defenses while improving his accuracy and ...
Last night I beheld a sight no man could ever want to see: Al Davis's mug in glorious 1080p HD. I knew I should never have watched a documentary done by Ice Cube on the fusion of hardcore gangsta rap and the Oakland/Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders. I TiVO'd the program yesterday evening. The program aired at 5 p.m., which is drive time in Los Angeles...for those of us who actually work. A group of friends from work came home with me and watched it. When Davis made his first appearance on the program, my living room suddenly fell silent. I mean really silent. You could hear ...
You don't often hear about football players who are good at mathematics and outstanding on the football field. You don't even hear enough about their compassion for others.  I have known several of them since I tutored some of the college players during the Sixties. In fact, I met a retired Oakland Raider in college when he was sent to the math lab for tutoring. The young man who became an Oakland Raider would tell me, in so many words, that he may not talk mathematics but that he was thinking it. I guess he meant he was thinking mathematically on the football field in order to ...
Head Coach Tom Cable has had a huge impact on the look of the Oakland Raiders. He got the guys he wanted in the draft, free agency, and through trades. Now, he has some tough decisions to make. This slide show will only be discussing the "skill" positions on the offense. Quarterback, halfback, fullback, tight end, and wide receiver. I will attempt to predict who will start, who will be the back up, and who will be the third string. Let's do this...Begin Slideshow
Once upon a time, the Raiders had one of the most feared defenses in the NFL. In the days when George Atkinson and Jack Tatum roamed the defensive backfield, the Steelers dubbed the Raiders a "criminal element" because of the "malicious intent" of many of their hits. The Raiders even embraced their "criminal element." As Tatum once said, "I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.” These guys were head-hunters who struck fear into offenses, especially any receiver dumb enough to venture over the middle. They gave a damn about any fines the league may institute. As it stands now the ...
I'm a lifelong Raider fan, born and raised in Oakland. I also happen to be a fan of N.W.A. In fact, there was a time I had an amp installed in my very ugly 1983 mustang just so I could feel the beat of "Straight Outta Compton" vibrate around me as I cruised. I have not been looking forward to watching ESPN's latest 30 for 30: Straight Outta L.A., directed by Ice Cube. The 13 years the Raiders spent in Los Angeles is still difficult to stomach, even if it's fed to me by Eazy-E and Dr. Dre. While I ...
As JaMarcus Russell casually saunters out of Oakland on his way back to Mobile, B/R Raider writers have turned their attention to other suspect Raider players and coaches. There is a Buddhist saying that "the blame falls upon the person who refuses to accept it". It is a recognition that no one is blameless in most matters. Acknowledging our part in things allows us to grow and seek to be better. This was something that JaMarcus was incapable of doing and his departure has a lot to do with that simple fact. When a team is not succeeding on the ...
Raiders fans have been well Documented as being the Best in the Game. (Myself included) recognize them in an article as the NFL's best, with little argument ! Many celebrities (ie Ice Cube) are well documented and very vocal about their love of the silver and black, but heres a few that are quiet , yet extremely loyal Raiders fans caught in the shadows. The list may surprise you as it did me. It includes only die hard fans.Begin Slideshow
There's nothing wrong with turning it on and turning it off. The language of the streets is often used to make a point. You can be sure the Oakland Raiders use this language in the locker room, and during their leisure moments. Who knows? Tom Cable and Al Davis may cut loose and talk hard to get the team moving up the NFL ranks again. Communicating with the language of the streets adds color, rhythm and strength to the sentences that a tough player may use. A good cussing out is good for the heart, according to folks in some neigborhoods. Some folks don't take ...