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Archive for November, 2010
Tom Cable takes the Oakland Raiders into week 10 as the division leader for the first time since 2001. What a difference a year—and a quarterback—and a great draft can make.Carried on the shoulders of break out performances by Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford, a greatly improved defense and a great rookie class, the Raiders are much improved to say the least.This recent improvement has lifted Raider Nation from the brink of desertion, and the players from becoming even more irrelevant than they already were.In all, a great first half of the 2010 season.In this slide show, I'll attempt to point ...
The NFL is in the business of high impact entertainment, but in order to do so the NFL must keep it's players in tip top shape.  Throughout the years the NFL has extended it's season to the point players only have six to ten weeks off before the next season starts. If your team doesn't make it to the playoffs or Super Bowl, the months of January and February are the only  down time that a player will have to himself before the next NFL season starts.  If your team does make the playoffs or Super Bowl you can have as little as three weeks before your off season begins.   March is a big month in ...
Eleven men on a team at one time. Eleven men who supposedly have a commitment to excellence, according to the Al Davis motto for the Oakland Raiders. This motto stirs thinking. A player can not have a commitment to excellence without having a personal pursuit of excellence in his own performance. In other words, an Oakland Raider is not really competing with another player. He is competing with a standard of excellence for himself. The pursuit of excellence involves a process. A player attains a certain level of performance in one game. He then attempts to outperform his previous performance. If each and ...
The Raider Nation wants a "Sunday Kind of Love" from the Oakland Raiders, one that will last past Saturday night and into the future. Etta James' version of this song was the one a lot of us slow dragged to in the old days. A comforting and soothing song, it had lyrics with meaning. The Oakland Raiders must have players who have a "Sunday Kind of Love" for winning. The Raider Nation can not bear a separation from victory. The Raider Nation can not stand a "one-night stand" where affection for victory is strong for three weeks and then it's gone. Jason Campbell ...
The Oakland Raiders back in the Superbowl? Kind of early to be talking that way but this is the NFL and anything is possible. How many times have we heard that defenses win Superbowls? So let's look at the Oakland Raider defense. Do the Oakland Raiders have the personnel to rush the quarterback? Can they shut down the pass or sack opposing quarterbacks? Lets have a look at the Raiders defense this season. At this point, the Oakland Raiders are tied with the San Diego Chargers for most sacks in the AFC with 27. But when it comes to interceptions ...
For the Oakland Raiders, a strong defense has always bided well for the team in the long run. Ask any Raider fan about those days of glory, with names like Tatum, Thomas or even Davidson to explain how a team's defense can change the course of a season. This was long before the Ravens employed a "smashmouth" methodology, electing to use brute strength to dictate how games would be won or lost. Some for the Raider Nation would point to Jim Plunkett as being a good key to the Raiders winning titles in 1980 and 1983, but there was Lester Hayes ...
Why is this man smiling?Is it because he's the Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders?Or is it because he is one of the most beloved and iconic comedians of all time?Now the secret is revealed! Bruce Wayne is really Batman!Clark Kent is really Superman!And Tom Cable is really Curly Howard!Turn the pages to see the shocking proof!Begin Slideshow
The Oakland Raiders 5-4 start has inspired fans of Oakland and the NFL world alike.Some of the wins may have been sloppy and the drama may never be over, but the Oakland Raiders have proved one thing: This is the season that gives the Oakland Raiders a new reputation.There have been countless stars on this mixed squad, with youngsters and veterans working in harmony to achieve this resurgence. Whether or not they can finish the job will be the the question for the non-believers. I, however, am one of those who believe.Begin Slideshow
Is Jason Campbell really the quarterback for the Oakland Raiders? Has Jason Campbell played as well as the media claims he has? Or is Jason Campbell riding on the talented Raider players around him?  Jason Campbell has definitely improved in the Oakland Raiders scheme of things, but for many he still needs improvement. It's great that the Oakland Raiders are 3-0 against the AFC West. It's wonderful that the Oakland Raiders defeated the Denver Broncos 59-10. It's still amazing that despite the bad officiating, the Raiders were able to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime. But has this been because ...
After three straight wins, including two against division rivals, the Raiders are on a roll and flying high.The defense is firing on all cylinders, the offense has started rolling and even the return game got it going last week.But not all is good, it would seem as though some players are just along for the ride and may have been holding the team back.Here's a look at players who have had a disappointing season thus far.Will these players step up or fade into obscurity?Begin Slideshow