The Raiders have now completed three of their eight scheduled "walk-through" style practices involving no hitting and plenty of instruction. I've been trying to piece together the puzzle via various sources, because I can't attend camp myself living in eastern Canada (sad as that is, considering the surroundings and team).
Here are some thoughts as to what has transpired through the three practices thus far:
Chaz Schilens Sidelined Again
I'm not getting pessimistic here, because nobody at this point knows if there is anything wrong with Schilens physically, since the Raiders aren't talking. Schilens left the late-session practice last night with no ...
Call me crazy, but it seems as if the Oakland Raiders actually have a plan for the 2010 season.
Most critics will bash the Raiders and their fans for being optimistic. The reality of the situation is that the Raiders have gotten better. They have made changes and will make changes to make sure they contend.
Let's look at 10 changes the Raiders will make to turn their fortunes around.Begin Slideshow
Who cares about the haters? If loving the Oakland Raiders is wrong, then many in the Raider Nation don't "wanna" do right.
Let's take a look at how good the Oakland Raiders have been, are, and can be.
In 2009 we defeated the Steelers, and they have six Super Bowl trophies. That's a good thing. That supports how good the Oakland Raiders can be.
When you look at some of the NFL teams that are repeaters in terms of winning Super Bowls, we "ain't" that bad.
Look at the chart, giving a partial listing:
Team No. of Super Bowls
Steelers 6
Dallas 5
Broncos 2
49ers 5
Chargers 0
Redskins 3
Patriots ...
Al Davis and his Oakland Raiders are by far the most hated things in the NFL.
Mr. Davis has sued the NFL numerous times and had a huge feud with former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.
The Raiders themselves are known to be thugs on and off the field.
Media and fans alike hate the Raiders, but why? Here are seven reasons.Begin Slideshow
Camp is finally here!
All speculations and what-ifs go to the back burner because the Raiders have opened camp as they are. School is now in session for the Oakland Raiders.
Like last year, the first day of camp was more like school than boot camp. They didn't go right to smashmouth practices. They just broke down the way they were going to do things on each play.
There's nothing like some good old-fashioned fundamentals. Head coach Tom Cable once again spoke of keeping the injuries down while working on being fundamentally sound.
Well, someone forgot to tell excitable rookie defensive lineman Lamarr Houston and veteran Robert Gallery. ...
This day came a little earlier than I supposed it would. Ben Sheets' season is now officially over. Possibly his career. Twice at the quarter season and half way points, I have given Sheets an overall grade. Now, instead of having two more reviews, I am forced to give my final one with his season ending surgery.
Sheets plans on having flexor-tendon surgery, mostly so that he can pitch again if he would like to; but he stated: "If I came back, I would have to feel a lot better." (San Francisco Chronicle).
He will most likely miss all of next ...
The Oakland A's came in tonight's game against the American League West division leading Texas Rangers, but yet again the A's were burned by a pitcher being left in a game too long.
Vin Mazzaro didn't have an easy time with the Rangers lineup. At one point Michael Young, Vladimir Guerrero, and Josh Hamilton combined to go 6-6. The telling stat though is the fact in five and a third innings Mazzaro gave up 12 hits!
What really makes for A's fans disgusted with Geren was the fact that in the sixth inning the A's rallied from a 4-1 deficit to ...
There's a bright side somewhere. Some of the big time bloggers and media personalities want the Raider Nation to think that the Oakland Raiders have such a long way to go to demonstrate their ability to win. The path to excellence, again, is not impossible or improbable.
I am certain that Tom Cable and Al Davis know these facts. It is worthwhile to post these ideas on B/R.
If the ability of an NFL team is judged by the win-loss average over the history of the franchise, we notice that the Oakland Raiders have an average that exceeds 75 percent of the other NFL teams.
Further, ...
Here's a little poll. Its really doesn't mean much. Just kind of a break from the normal "Who's gonna win the division," "Which fantasy player well do well," and rookie prospect articles that dominate Bleacher Report in July.
So if you want a break from the norm, take a few minutes to take this survey.
So get out a pencil and paper and see just where you fit in as a fan!
For any A answer, award yourself 1 point.For any B answer, award yourself 2 points.For any C answer, award yourself 3 points.For any D answer, award yourself 4 points.
Fan Quiz
1.For a ...
Rolando McClain signed his rookie contract in time for the start of Raiders 2010 training camp in Napa, CA. My question is; for how much? And does it really matter?
Athletes are often demonized for being greedy, selfish prima-donnas (despite the NFL being a $10 Billion business in which the players salary barely constitutes a third of that revenue). This is the primary reason why players intend on striking in 2011.
Unlike the Oakland Raiders previous highly heralded first round draft choice, Rolando McClain and his agent wisely avoided fan(fanatic) speculation about a player's character based on his salary by having him ...