(After extensive research, I decided to keep this article fairly straightforward and informal. If you'd like to see my notes and bibliography on this, you can make that request by email).
I recently wrote an article about the Top Player in the franchise history of every active NFL club, and put New England placekicker Adam Vinatieri as No. 1.
This might sound convoluted, but I don't say such things just to tick people off. I say it because I believe it, but I also indulge in the fact that my mere opinion would rile people.
It seemed that ...
On April 24, 2010, the Oakland Raiders made a franchise-changing trade.
They sent a 2012 fourth-round draft selection to the Washington Redskins for quarterback Jason Campbell.
This marked the end of the JaMarcus Russell era in Oakland.
Everyone had their own opinion of the trade, and while it was well-received from the media, "Raider Haters" insisted that Campbell was a mediocre quarterback at best.
The argument between them and Raider fans has dragged on to this very day and a slew of articles have been made about Jason and the Raiders.
Let's get one thing straight, everyone: Jason Campbell will go down as one ...
Well folks, it's almost time for training camp, preseason games and roster cutdowns. It's time for players to prove their worth, coaches to yell and fans to stock up for games.
For the Raider Nation, it's the end of a summer vacation that has seen a lot of football activity, now about to see if the actions pay off in a great season....or Tom Cable becomes his own worst enemy and is replaced.
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls....the top ten things to expect out of your Oakland Raiders!Begin Slideshow
This is the 400th article that I have written as a Bleacher writer. I looked back over about 16 pages in the archives to remember the very first article. It was published on April 2, 2009, and Jim Chandley was the editor.
Chandley wrote this feedback:
"Nice work. I just fixed some grammar and stuff. You did very well."
Wow, that made me smile. And, it has become a wonderful journey from that point to now. I admit that the Oakland Raiders inspired my passion for data analysis and sportswriting. And, the Bleacher Report has given me an outlet for my voice and ...
There was an article in the Contra Costa Times by Jerry Mac entitled, "Camp Questions: How Good Is Mike Mitchell?"
I wanted to take a moment and expound on the part where he asked, "Where does he fit in?"
Well, we know he has played both safety positions in college, and so far (due to his hamstring injury) he has mainly been on special teams and in some run downs.
I like the ferociousness that he plays with, but the story on him is that sometimes he misses tackles while looking for the big hit.
Now we have a decent free safety ...
So many things are said about Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders. A book by Steven Travers says, "Davis, the man who studied Hitler, the man who used military history and politics as his guideposts, certainly did just that in 1963."
On page 12 of Travers's book it reads, "Davis had the vision, implemented it, willed it to victory."
It also says, "Our philosophy was attack, attack, attack."
On page 16 an exciting quote says, "Despite the seemingly 'mad' approach, the Raider mindset was mathematical. The idea (in those days) was to create 24 points out of seven or eight plays, which ...
Undrafted gems are a good way to fill a team's need. I believe that center Alex Parsons is this year's undrafted gem.
Desmond Bryant was an udrafted gem from last year. He may not have been big time, but he did help the run defense improve a little. The fact that he made the team makes him one in itself.
Tommy Kelly is a bigtime undrafted gem with the bigtime salary. His numbers aren't up, but they will be this year as he finally has some help on the defensive line.
So what makes me think that Parsons is that guy?
Parsons is a high character guy ...
After reading a recent ESPN article on breakout WR's this year, I found it quite interesting that Mike Wallace of the Steelers is on this list, but somehow the writer forgot to mention the Raiders' Louis Murphy. Chaz Schilens could also be on this list because if he manages to stay healthy he could drastically help the offense and put up some good numbers. It's more likely Louis Murphy becomes Oakland's breakout candidate because the other two wide receivers have either struggled to stay healthy or struggled to catch the ball.
Now that that Jason Campbell and not JaMarcus Russell is ...
The Oakland Raiders haven’t won more than five games in a season since winning the division back in 2002, and are coming off their second straight 5-11 season. The biggest move the Raiders made this offseason was cutting ties with former No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell, who will go down as one of the biggest busts in NFL history.
Here is a look at what the Raiders will bring to the table for the 2010 season, plus my prediction on where they the will finish the season in the AFC West.
Offense
The second biggest move the Raiders made this offseason was trading ...
A few days ago the hands of a historical Oakland Raiders wide receiver were pictured, showing those hands holding an Oakland Raiders cap. That picture inspired a young artist who approached me today, July 16, 2010 to tell me that she wants to do an oil painting of those hands.
Those are the hands of a No. 81 of the Oakland Raiders, which happens to be the age of Al Davis in 2010. When the retired Oakland Raider was asked to pose his hands for another picture, the pose in this article is what he chose.
The young artist said she saw something ...