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Archive for August, 2010
With the start of the 2010 NFL Season rapidly approaching, the Raiders are primed to shed the label of losers. With an upgraded defense and quarterback, the Raiders are optimistic about the 2010 season.Based on through research and in-depth analysis, I've compiled predictions for the Raiders 2010 season. Including game results, offensive, and defensive stats.Please respond with your own predictions. Begin Slideshow
This is unbelievable. It's like Greek tragedy. Two days more than a year to the day that Jay Mariotti wrote his fork tongued rant about the Oakland Raiders on AOL Fanhouse entitled, "Cable Should be Suspended, Davis Should Simply Vanish," Mariotti has been arrested by Los Angeles police at 4:30AM on a felony charge of domestic violence. I have spent the better part of a year criticizing anything and everything about Mariotti's employer, ESPN, because Mariotti remained employed with the network.  Though I have noticed a significant decline in his appearances on Around The Horn, Mariotti should have been ...
When the Raiders picked Darrius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree in the 2009 NFL draft, I wasn’t all that upset. While he didn’t actually say it, Crabtree hinted publicly he didn’t really want to play for the Raiders. So who needs him, right? In his rookie season, Heyward-Bey didn’t exactly light up the field with his play, but he also didn’t have a very good quarterback throwing to him. "Plastic Man" couldn’t have caught many of the passes JaMarcus Russell threw in Heyward-Bey’s direction, they were so far off mark. After suffering through JaMarcus Russell’s seemingly lack of effort in his three years ...
This Is Only a Test (Oakland Raiders passed the test on Aug 21, defeated the Bears) Now is the time for another test of the new defensive and offensive lines of the Oakland Raiders. Using a model to see if there can be a measure of "stamina" of teams is a challenge.  Looking also at comparisons to simply describe what is and to conjecture what can be is another short-term goal. On Aug. 21, the Oakland Raiders will play the Chicago Bears. Here is data for the past five years, focusing on the last four games of the regular season. Chicago 2009     2008     2007     2006      ...
In a different decade, the Raiders were known for being brutal, with the ability to control a game by either killing the clock on offense, or by using the defense and denying the opposing team a chance to move the ball. In recent years, the Raiders have had a good secondary, anchored with Asomugha at Cornerback, but a rotating question on who is on the other side. Chris Johnson works to a degree, Michael Huff was drafted in the first round, and most recently, Michael Mitchell and Tyvon Branch both have come along. Stopping the run in Oakland has been a difficult ...
The Oakland Raiders are undefeated thus far. Yes, I know it’s pre-season and they have only played one game. But damn it, it feels good to hear. Furthermore, when was the last time you heard it. On Saturday, Darren McFadden will be non-existent—with a hamstring injury. And Darrius Heyward Bey is a question mark because of exhaustion.McFadden, non-existent? Bey, a question mark? What’s new? In 2009, when they were healthy they were both non-existent question marks. Against the Chicago Bears, these are the other question marks that will be answered.Begin Slideshow
The changes the Oakland Raiders made in the offseason have gotten a lot of attention from the media and fans. They traded for quarterback Jason Campbell, ditched Jamarcus Russell, completely re-tooled the defensive front seven, and hired a new offensive coordinator in Hue Jackson. But the Raiders offensive line remained rather stagnant, and it deserves major scrutiny. All five current starters on the line were with the team last season. Two mid-round draft picks, two free-agent rookies, a second year free agent, and one veteran back up were added to the roster. None of those players are expected to be plugged into the ...
It seems like every year since the Raiders lost to the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl, Raiders fans have found a reason to be excited about the upcoming season. However, whether it was big name free agent signings like Deangelo Hall and Randy Moss or high draft picks like Darren McFadden, Robert Gallery, and the quarterback who shall not be named, the results were always the same: The Raiders ended the season at the bottom third of the league. This season looks like it could be different. In the past, many of the moves made by the Raiders in the offseason were ...
The Bears Offensive Line vs The Raiders Defensive Line   Projected Starters:   Bears Offensive line: LT Chris Williams, LG Roberto Garza, C Olin Kreutz, RG Lance Louis, RT Frank Omiyale   Raiders Defensive line: LE Matt Shaughnessy, DT Richard Seymour, NT Tommy Kelly, RE LaMarr Houston   Match Ups:  1) LT Chris Williams vs. LE Matt Shaughnessy My Picks: Run: Williams was the best lineman last week. And he should get the better of this matchup against pass-rush specialist Shaughnessy in running situations.   Pass: Shaughnessy should win the battle on passing downs. So look for him to put pressure on Cutler and possibly finish with a sack.   2) LG Roberto Garza/C Olin Kreutz vs. Richard Seymour My Picks: A draw. Seymour will be double teamed ...
There is a fine line between blind optimism and reality, especially when it comes to the preseason in the National Football League. The Oakland Raiders have made headlines this offseason by staying out of the news for a change.   With the exception of trading for Jason Campbell, Quentin Groves, and Kamerion Wimbley the Raiders have made very few personnel moves and managed to steer clear of signing the perennial underachieving, aging veteran with nothing left in the tank.   The draft was widely regarded as a complete success, and things have been looking up for the Silver and Black. Organized Team ...