The seven year funk is over!
Raider Nation will be a proud nation once again. It will probably come as a shock to those around the NFL but everything is in place.
Not only did the Raiders have a good offseason but the pack has come back to us as well.
The Oakland Raider offseason was one that will put them back on top of the AFC West. The run defense was addressed as the Raiders picked up outstanding middle linebacker Roland McClain (1st round pick) and DT\DE Lamarr Houston (2nd round pick). Oakland should now be much more stout against the run.
The offensive line was also addressed. ...
The Raiders have a very underrated safety corps.
Tyvon Branch is an amazing tackler and due for a Pro Bowl year.
Michael Huff was beginning to be labeled as a bust until he broke out in coverage last year.
Rewind to the 2009 NFL Draft. The Raiders had an underperforming player in Huff and a late round pick who was injured in Branch.
So, in the 2nd round Oakland went ahead and drafted Michael Mitchell out of Ohio University (not to be confused with the Ohio State Buckeyes).
This made everone's eyes pop, as nobody really new who this kid was.
Eventually after people saw ...
One of the key ingredients of nearly every great running team is the fullback.
They lead the way and open up lanes while the halfback runs to daylight and glory. More often than not, fullbacks go unnoticed until they are gone and needed.
First and foremost the most important skill a fullback must possess is the ability to block, both in pass protection and coming out of the backfield. Next, though not nearly as important as blocking, are short yardage ball carrying and receiving skills.
In his prime, LaDainian Tomlinson had Lorenzo Neal; at the turn of the century the Raiders had Jon ...
LenDale White was recently released by the Seahawks who just acquired him in a draft day trade and now he's a free agent.
You may be thinking, "We have Michael Bush, why would we want another power back?"
My answer is simple, "Why not?"
Right now, our third and fourth running backs aren't looking too great. White would be an instant upgrade over Cartwright and Bennent. We then would have one more big pair of legs to wear down the defense.
Also, Darren McFadden has missed seven games in the last two years due to injury. If he goes down again, White would be ...
The Top 10
1. Nnamdi Asomugha; Last Ranking (LR): 1
Unless we see a decline in a performance, he will be at the top of the food chain all season.
2. Zach Miller; LR: 2
3. Jason Campbell; LR: 4
Reportedly threw very well at last weeks OTA's, therefore he moves up a spot.
4. Richard Seymour; LR: 3
Seymour hasn't signed his tender yet. That's not terrible for a veteran, but I expect him to sign something before training camp.
5. Robert Gallery; LR: 5
6. Michael Bush; LR: 6
7. Rolando McClain; LR: 8
So far he has looked like a leader out there.
8. Louis Murphy; LR: 11
9. ...
Marco Scutaro was beloved by the fans. Mr. Dlutch came through time and time again with winning walk-off hit after winning walk-off hit. One of Scutaro's most memorable moments for the Oakland A's was in the 2006 ALDS against the Minnesota Twins. Scutaro's bases-clearing double in Game Three broke the game open and broke the A's decade-long curse, helping send the A's to the ALCS.
Scutaro was an invaluable utility infielder who became an every day infielder thanks to injuries to the A's middle infield. Sure, business is business, but GM Billy Beane must have had a hard time ...
The Oakland Raider have not had a good coach since John Gruden patrolled the sidelines, scrunching his face at improper conduct on the field.
Many Oakland Raider fans do not understand the dynamic between a great coach and a great QB; Show me a sh*tty quarterback and I'll show you a sh*tty coach.
You'd be hard pressed to find a successful QB combined with a terrible coach. They are one in the same. Brady and Belichick. Roethlisberger and Tomlin. Manning and Dungy. You get the idea.
So how is it that Raider Coaches manage to escape criticism despite terrible QB production? Is it ...
Years ago I never worried about returning to a store to get a refund on a malfunctioning or broken product. Well, it's about Al Davis and others getting a refund from JaMarcus Russell.
There ought to be a strong correlation between big salaries and effectiveness of an NFL player during an actual game during the regular season.
Otherwise, it is like a con man who sells you a television, and shows you a beautiful new one.
Then, when you meet him around the corner and get the big box that supposedly contains your new television, you get a big surprise.
The box is filled ...
Right now the Oakland Raiders are trying to make their transition into football without no. one pick Jamarcus Russell.
As far as the field is concerned, they have done an adequate job durring Mini-Camps and OTA's, giving a fresh look to the team and new life to the Raider Nation.
Though off the field Russell's presence still looms as it is being reported that the Oakland Raiders have filed a grievance against the disappointing quarterback.
Russell has had many reports written about how he has held this team back, his laziness and overall attitude toward the game.
I don't want to focus to ...
Memorial Day Tribute 2010
Youth is a blessing. Senior years are good, too. The advantage of our senior years is that we can sit, sip our coffee, and remember both the good and hard times of the Oakland Raiders. On Memorial Day 2010, we remember the contributions of others.
The seniors tell the story so that the younger generation can eventually gain the depth and understanding to lead and move forward.
This writer became a Oakland Raiders fan in the '60s, and observed the good times of Raider Nation. It is uplifting to remember that our team was a winning team.
We felt elevated because our ...