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Archive for May, 2010
On May 1, 1920, the Major Leagues would witness the longest game in the history of the sport. The Brooklyn Robins battled the Boston Braves in a game that would eventually end in a 1-1 tie, due to the fact that it was getting dark out, and stadiums were not built with lights at the time. The two starting pitchers are names that are not really recognizable now, and they are Leon Cadore and Joe Oeschger. The amount of innings to be played that night fell just short of the equivalent of three games, ...
After a busy offseason, the Oakland Raiders have begun their project back to the top of the league. Amongst many of the transactions, the Raiders have added more and more players that fit the 3-4 defensive scheme. As long as I can remember, the Raiders have ran the same basic 4-3, man-to-man scheme. Up until last season, I don't really remember the Raiders dialing up many blitz packages, heavily relying on the front four defensive linemen to bring the pressure. But now, things are different. Defensive coordinator John Marshall started to spice things up defensively, bringing more and more blitz packages. See week ...
JaMarcus Russel is 25 years old. He's a millionaire 39 times over, and hes gotten a lot further than he could have ever expected growing up. He has become the new face of the draft bust, and has taken a hefty beating for it. He has almost no support, and my guess is he will never mount a comeback. So in speaking in behalf of him, Id like to offer some different perspective. All he did wrong was not live up to the hype. He was supposed to be the next great quarterback to bring the Raiders to another Lombardi. Watching him ...
Last year, it's no secret the Raiders offense, especially the passing offense, was horrible. Many fans have attributed that to JaMarcus Russell's play and Darius Heyward-Bey's inability to catch the ball. But fact of the matter is it cannot all be blamed on JaMarcus and Hayward-Bey. There were other players who struggled and other receivers who had trouble catching the ball. The Raiders receivers dropped balls regardless of who was at QB, but even with that said QB play is no excuse for a receiver dropping the ball. Take a look at the Raiders' receivers by the numbers. For reference I will also include Dwayne Bowe ...
Some fans are so fascinated by the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of the Oakland Raiders that they go farther than most. They pursue a goal of writing a historical novel about the team. A character built around the personality and fiery decisions of Al Davis and others will spice up the imagery in the novel. One such writer is Damali Binta YAEL. On May 21, she met with a senior attorney and novelist with a Bleacher name, Novel Man, who encouraged Damali to start her novel. Novel Man has already written his historical novel, whose title was inspired by a concept Damali taught ...
The Oakland Raiders season is near and for fantasy football players everywhere, the  fantasy team choices are already being considered. Who will be my QB, my WRs, defensive players, etc? Many NFL fantasy managers are paying strict attention to who is healthy, who looks great in mini camp, and for particular players that scored well last season. Fantasy pickings are looking pretty good this year around the NFL.  For the Oakland Raiders I had two fantasy playmakers and they were Tyvon Branch and Thomas Howard. two defensive players  which I will discuss on part two. So how about this season. Who are the fantasy ...
For Oakland to get out of their seven-year slide, several key factors have to come together. The defense has to stop the run. The WR corps has to step up. The RB tandem has to hold onto the ball and run as they were drafted to. The QB has to stand up and take control of the team. The first phase was given some good looks from the draft. First out of the gate, the Raiders picked up Rolando McClain, who took to the Raiders in a hurry. Willing to step up and become a rock for the Raiders defensive line, he asked for a ...
Friday marked the sixth time Bleacher Report and I have been welcomed into the press box at the Oakland Coliseum. My five previous trips were all stellar experiences, but this one felt different the minute I crossed the parking lot's threshold. Generally when I arrive around 3:30 pm, the lot is dotted with one hand's worth of early birds. Today, the number was closer to triple digits. Barbecues were in full smoke, games of catch featuring both footballs and baseballs were breaking out, and there was a general air of festivity hanging over the scene. Once inside the stadium, the special atmosphere only ...
"Well I ain't superstitious but black cat just done crossed my trail"   Words by Willie Dixon (I Ain't Superstitious) Conventional wisdom dictates that the past seven years of Raiders history is the story of a megalomania gone wild. This notion has seeped into the minds of even those who call themselves fans of the Silver and Black.  After looking at the last seven years, I'm more inclined to attribute the losses to Barrett Robbins breaking a hotel mirror during the week of the Super Bowl than I am to the crazy Al Davis theory. I will agree that Al Davis had a hand ...
As a proud Minnesotan I will always be a Twins fan, but I have to tip my hat to baseball enthusiasts in Oakland. The residents of the East Bay who attend Athletics games may be few in number, but they remain faithful to a team that was once dominant, but has recently fallen from grace, now that big-market teams like the Yankees and Red Sox have commandeered the MLB, setting it on a collision course that can only be avoided with a drastic change in league management. On my original visit to Santa Clara University, which I have attended for the past ...