This offseason, the Raiders decided to invest their first two draft picks in sturdy, run-stopping defensive players.
Defensive tackle turned defensive end Lamarr Houston immediately impressed, as he and the Raiders' defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage during the preseason.
The Raiders' first pick of the 2010 draft, however, did not have quite as quick a start.
One of Rolando McClain's highlights of the preseason was when he overran a play, giving Matt Forte a huge hole to run through on his way to an 89-yard score. McClain spent much of the preseason looking hesitant and slow to the ball.
In the Raiders' ...
The Oakland Raiders Vs The Arizona Cardinals is game that the Raiders should be able to win. Whether they do or not is another question entirely. For the Raiders to win a number of things need to happen. Certain players need to step up others need to continue to do what they have done thus far this season. There are ten players that i will spotlight in this Slideshow. Begin Slideshow
The problem is fairly obvious—the Raiders are struggling with their pass blocking. The symptoms are too many penalties and too much pressure on the quarterback. Without a workable solution, the Raiders will not be going to the playoffs any time soon. The reason behind the problem is much harder to determine. Let's look at the options.Begin Slideshow
I have a strong intuition that the Oakland Raiders are going into this week's game at Arizona against with fire and a fighter's attitude.
You can be sure that when the players saw that the coaches made a quick decision to shift things around, they perked up and got their stuff together. They thought, "I could be next."
The pressure is on to get two consecutive wins. For now, Jason Campbell does not seem to flourish when the pressure mounts up to a whistling level somewhat like a pressure cooker.
I support Jason Campbell, but he has to learn a lesson. Those lessons ...
The convenience of Bruce Gradkowski's ascension to the top spot in Oakland in unison with the potential return of the Raiders best offensive player does not surprise me one bit (See 2009).
It also doesn't surprise me that they will be facing a terrible Cardinals team in his debut (No Polamalu).
More reason to believe the Raiders will all of a sudden turn it around with Godkowski at the helm, regardless of the inferior talent of the Cardinals, or the return of Michael Bush.
The O-line will all of a sudden look as if they can block, as the offensive gameplan will change ...
The Oakland Raiders brought in Jason Campbell in the offseason in hopes of solving their woes at the quarterback position. After winning the starting job, Campbell went 22 of 37 for 180 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 38-13 season-opening loss at Tennessee. After watching Campbell post a quarterback rating of just 42.9 in the first half of last week’s game with St. Louis, coach Tom Cable made the decision to pull Campbell in favor of Bruce Gradkowski.Gradkowski, who led the Raiders to two of their five wins in four starts last season, helped bring the Raiders ...
Bruce Gradkowski Named Oakland Raiders Starter
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable did not make the right call in benching quarterback Jason Campbell and naming Bruce Gradkowski the starter for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.
"The reasons are pretty simple," Cable said. "First and foremost is the energy and the level of intensity that was brought into the huddle when Gradkowski came into the game. The way the guys responded around him. And, obviously, scoring points".
Campbell had completed 8-of-15 passes for 87 yards, but was sacked twice and threw an interception, resulting in a quarterback rating of 42.9, when he was replaced ...
Both the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders are each 1-1 this season, but neither has looked like a potential playoff contender to this point.They’ll meet up this weekend in Arizona and one of these teams will leave with a winning record. According to the NFL odds I find the Cardinals -4.5 over the Raiders with a total set at 39.5 points.Both teams are getting little production from the quarterback position. Kurt Warner retired, and the Cardinals traded Matt Leinart away, leaving Derek Anderson as the starter. Meanwhile, Jason Campbell struggled in his first six quarters as the Raiders starter and was ...
It's highly unlikely that New York Jets will cut former pro-bowl wide out, Braylon Edwards, that seemed to be an erroneous rumor. Regardless, it has been noted that he is in the dog house with, not just management, but with his teammates as well. He will, at least, have to serve a four game suspension for violating the NFL's conduct policy, as well. Seems like the perfect time for the two parties to split ways and, if anybody is willing to trade at least a little bit for Edwards, it should and probably is Oakland. I could see the Rams ...
The Oakland Raiders face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and big changes are being made.
The Raiders are starting Bruce Gradkowski over newly acquired Jason Campbell and it is only week three in the NFL season. The quarterback situation was a mess last season and many fans were sick and tired of poor play from the position.
Now, quarterback musical chairs is back on and this can't be good for the team. I believe the Raiders didn't make a mistake by trading for Campbell, but they may have made a mistake by declaring the starter right away.
Many fans felt Gradkowski did enough ...