Coming into the 2010 Season, the Sacramento River Cats seemed destined to dominate. They were loaded with potent bats and talented pitchers.
Their 21-27 record as we near the end of May isn't exactly dominant, though. In general, the pitching has performed well enough, but it's the River Cat bats that are slumping, something fans are more used to seeing in Oakland in the Spring.
Dallas McPherson, a minor league free agent signing the A's hoped might regain health and power numbers has been sitting on the D.L. Michael Taylor, prized offseason acquisition is also nursing an injury after a slow start. ...
Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis does not screw around.
In a story reported by NFL.com and ESPN today, the Raiders filed a grievance requesting $9.5 million be returned to them by their former starting quarterback, JaMarcus Russell.
"We have filed a grievance against JaMarcus Russell, and that's all we're going to say at this time," said Raiders general counsel Jeff Birren in a prepared statement.
While most of the money Russell received is guaranteed money, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network, some of that guaranteed money came in the form of advances on his salary for the upcoming season as ...
Once upon a time, the Raiders were what the Colts and Patriots are today. They were always in contention and always playing into January and February.
Guys like Jack Tatum, Howie Long, Marcus Allen, Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett wore the same jersey's and numbers that current Raider players can wear today. The Raiders do not retire jersey numbers.
You can see guys like Chaz Schilens, Jacoby Ford, and Mario Henderson wear the numbers of Tim Brown, Ken Stabler and Howie Long. The Raiders from the past, along with the coaches, and owner Al Davis created the raider mystique.
They made the Silver ...
Sometimes when you're mixing a drink, you can get the ingredients all wrong.
You might put in too much soda pop and it gets way too light. Other times, it's too much of the active ingredient and you fall asleep all the time.
If there is one thing Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis is known for, it is that he will make his drink how he sees fit.
Sometimes it is his Achilles' heel, and sometimes he hits it out of the park.
Chemistry is a little understood concept, especially to those who are only familiar with the concept of the "id." In an NFL ...
The Oakland Raiders are now seeking $9.55 million that JaMarcus Russell received in guaranteed money over his career. While already obtaining $36 million, he is still owed three million after being cut, the Raiders believe that, due to his poor play, he owes some of that 39 million dollars he made in three years of inadequacy.
"We have filed a grievance against JaMarcus Russell and that's all we're going to say about it at this time," said Raiders general counsel, Jeff Birren, in a statement reported by ESPN.
In three years, Russell won a total of ...
I always over-project the Raiders record for the upcoming season.
I'm a dreamer.
But with three new starters at linebacker, a new quarterback, and a fiery new offensive coordinator, the Raiders are one healthy offensive line away from being a good (10-6) team.
For the purpose of projecting the Raiders record in the 2010 season, I placed their opponents into four categories: Weak, Mediocre, Strong, and Elite. I then projected the Raiders record against each group.
Weak: Chiefs (2), Broncos (2), Rams, Seahawks
Projected Raiders Record: 5-1
I won't make any disclaimers about the Chiefs and Rams; they are not good teams. The experts are high ...
As I look over articles on these sites, I have come to see something quite disturbing.
I recently read an article about how Jason Campbell isn't a clear upgrade over JaMarcus "Hustle." I talked to a fellow writer about the situation and he said, "People are going to tear you up for writing anything bad about Russell."
Reading comments on other articles confirmed this.
Do you guys like pain? Do you guys like crying every Sunday? What do you see in him?
I'm starting to feel like I'm talking to a battered wife that's waiting for her husband to change. It ain't gonna happen!
He was who ...
With the Raiders new acquisition of Jason Campbell, hopes in the Raider-Nation are high.
He is undoubtedly an improvement over the Raiders former QB situation, but how much of an improvement is he?
Some Raider fans are calling Campbell a great QB.
However, great may be a bit of a stretch.
Last year Campbell threw 3618 yards, had 20 TDs and 15 INTs. He also had a 64.5 completion percentage and an 86.4 QB rating.
This lands him right in the middle of the pack as far as NFL QBs go, neither great nor good, but merely average. Slightly worse than Kyle Orton, while slightly ...
You have to give it to Al Davis; he is consistent.
No one screws Al over. If you try and take his money without giving good value, then you can bet that Al will try and take it back off you.
JaMarcus Russell found that out today when the Raiders filed a grievance against him with the league, the point of the grievance being that Russell should return a portion of the money already paid to him by Oakland.
I think we all should have seen it coming, because no one holds a grudge quite like Al (except maybe my ex-wife?), and ...
For the first time in seven years, Raider Nation is cautiously optimistic.
Many things have transpired in the last few months to raise the hopes of the fans. This is much more than the wishful thinking that has occupied Raider fans for the last few years. There is a sense of order in the Raider Universe that stands in stark contrast to the chaos and dysfunction that has mired the Nation previously.
In Part I, we will look at the New World Order as it pertains to Coaching. Part II will look at Personnel.
Coaching
Defensive Coordinator John Marshall
The most significant coaching ...