Has Tyvon Branch become a premier strong safety? A case can be made that Branch has definentely joined the elites.
He seems to be all over the field just like Troy Palamalu and Bob Sanders. I know it's hard to believe the Raiders have such a player because of their record, but it's true.
Palamalu in his best year had 96 tackles, one sack, 10 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and five interceptons. Bob Sanders in his best year had 96 tackles, three sacks, six passed defensed, and two interceptions.
Branch is coming off of only his first year as a starter. He had 124 tackles, one sack, 8 ...
I decided to come up with a list of the 15 worst first round draft picks in Raider history. There is a lot of talk of the Raiders always making bad draft choices so I decided to make a list of the 15 worst. Some stats may be deceiving, but I remember times when they let the team and fans down.
15. 1997 Darrell Russell, DT, USC: It's hard to call Darrell Russell a bust because he's a two time Pro Bowler a 1 time first team All Pro. However, he fell to substance abuse and shortened his career tremendously. He was ...
With training camp a month away, the Raiders roster is likely complete. The Raiders rarely bring in anybody other than camp bodies at this point in the off-season, except for Richard Seymour last year.
So who will be the symbolic leaders of the 2010 Oakland Raiders?
There are three team captains on every NFL team. These players are usually the best on the team. The Raiders definitely have deserving players on their 2010 squad. With that in mind, let's look at some nominees for the three captain spots.
Nnamdi Asomugha: This nominee is a no-brainer and I am 99.9 percent sure he ...
The Oakland Raiders' coaching staff emphasizes competition during training camp.
Of all positions where there is competition, the outside linebacker spot is one of the most intriguing.
There are three main players that are striving to get a starting spot: Thomas Howard, Trevor Scott, and Kamerion Wimbley.
However, there are only two spots.
Let's take a closer look at these players.
Thomas Howard
Howard was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second-round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He's only 26, and is barely entering his prime. Thomas is a fan-favorite, and known as a brighter spot to a somewhat lackluster Raiders' defense.
He is by ...
The A's have had plenty of talent leave Oakland over the years.
Regardless of the fact that the team has had a three-peat of World Series wins in the 1970s, and remains competitive in a small-market, it seems that the Athletics get lost in a league that is dominated by big-market teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The departure of talent from the East Bay can be attributed to three things:
1) The city of Oakland. The A's need to separate themselves from the Raiders and Mt. Davis. The Coliseum is not suitable ...
When Richard Seymour, as expected, signed his franchise tender, it ended what little drama the Raiders have had this offseason.
It's funny that a team which is portrayed as a bunch of rogues, misfits, and bad guys seems to be of pretty high moral character.
No Oakland Raider has had any issues with college girls in bathrooms.
No Oakland Raider has been busted with any kind of pills or controlled substances.
No Oakland Raider, awaiting trial on drug charges, has been thrown back into court to explain why his image was used to promote a party in a club that is notorious for being ...
After all the offseason improvements, Oakland Raiders look to be a left tackle away from contention. Jared Gaither looks good in silver and black, but it doesn't look like that will happen.
It appears now that the Raiders are going with a guy already on the team. That made me think. Can Khalif Barnes get a shot?
Khalif Barnes is a former second round pick out of Washington. He came into the league and anchored the Jacksonville Jaguar offensive line when they were good.
Many in Jacksonville wondered why he was let go after the 2008 season. They clearly haven't been as solid up front since.
Barnes then came to Raider ...
Good games often have great surprises. When you look at the data, you will see that there are some records held by the Oakland Raiders that deserve more attention. In fact, paying attention to what was done and what can be done just might awaken the Oakland Raiders to do something surprising again in 2010.
Here are some of the historical facts:
Longest Rushing Plays
Year
yards
record held
92
Bo Jackson
11-05-89 vs Cincinnati
60
87
91
Bo Jackson
11-30-87 at Seattle
80
89
20
89
Kenny King
10-12-80 vs San Diego
87
91
7
88
Bo Jackson
12-16-90 vs Cincinnati
89
92
2
87
Jack Larschied
10-16-60 vs Boston
90
88
1
Longest Passing Plays
Year
yards
record held
increase
99
Jim Plunkett to Cliff Branch
10-02-83 at Washington
62
90
94
George Blanda to Warren Wells
11-10-68 ...
"Football is a game of inches." That's the old dictum that comes to mind when thinking of how little of a margin it is between a winner and loser of an NFL football game. Even blowouts can result from a series of plays that barely go the winner's way.
In the case of Darren McFadden, it's one small change that can make him a superstar instead of a bust. It can easily be done too.
Since showing flashes in Week Two of 2008, McFadden hasn't done much. The only thing he's been consistent at lately is getting hurt.
The release of JaMarcus Russell has to have McFadden ...
The Oakland Raiders have had some struggles in the last seven years, to say the least.
While Raider Nation was being crushed at the sight of our beloved team losing, the media was loving every minute of it.
Constant lies were spread about the Raiders, including the ludicrous statement that head coach Tom Cable had been abusive in three previous relationships. The facts eventually came out and Cable admitted to striking his ex-wife out of anger 20 years ago. The rumors would die down and Cable was retained as head coach.
However, things in Oakland have changed. The Raiders had a highly successful ...