ESPN Clayton: Raiders primed to end losing streak

[Ugly Duck]

Al Davis heh-heh:

Defensive front seven gives Oakland plenty of reason to be optimistic

NAPA, Calif. -- This is the best I've felt about a Raiders team in years. Two years ago, I forecast a seven- or eight-win season based on an easy Raiders schedule. That prediction turned out wrong as Oakland finished 5-11. What I saw on the practice field Monday indicates that -- regardless of the schedule -- the Raiders are headed in the right direction. One of the problems in recent years is that the Raiders seemed like a baseball team swinging for the fences instead of just getting singles and moving forward. Davis would be mesmerized by incredible 40-yard times and athletic abilities instead of just getting good football players. In the offseason, the Raiders added good players in linebacker Rolando McClain, defensive end Lamarr Houston, quarterback Jason Campbell and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, just to name a few. Yes, it looks like the Raiders' seven-year streak of 10 or more losses per season might end in 2010. Here are three observations from Raiders camp:

• The defensive front seven is the best the Raiders have put together in years. Houston, a second-round pick, wouldn't back down against veterans in minicamp practices and immediately vaulted into the starting lineup at left end. That was important because it allowed Richard Seymour to move to defensive tackle. The Raiders have struggled against the run the past four seasons, giving up an average of 148.8 rushing yards a game. Seymour and Tommy Kelly should anchor the run defense and occupy enough blockers for McClain, the first-round choice, to get free to make a ton of tackles. McClain already has established himself as one of the leaders on the defense. He makes the calls and he should make the plays. The Raiders also signed former Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson to help out for 20-25 plays a game as a run-stopper. The Raiders are deep at tackle with Seymour, Kelly, Henderson, and Desmond Bryant. Getting Wimbley from the Browns was a steal. He'll play the strong side, but he offers pass-rushing ability if needed. The veteran who feels the best about the changes is cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Losing frustrated him, but he now plays for a defense that could make a difference.

• Speaking of difference-makers, I love the Hue Jackson addition. Quarterback Jason Campbell might be the best player addition, but Jackson might be the most important offseason addition. The Raiders' new offensive coordinator is doing amazing things with the offense. Davis wants to stress getting the ball downfield. Jackson is satisfying Davis' desires in that regard, but he's mixing in plenty of other things to update the offense, including short, quick passes to build confidence for the receivers. Jackson has done his best work with Campbell. In Washington, Campbell wasn't considered much of a leader by upper management. Campbell explained that was because he was a young quarterback trying to work with an older, veteran team. In Oakland, Campbell works with loads of younger players who are looking to him for leadership. Jackson is giving his quarterback an offense that should help him gain confidence and allow the players to follow Campbell's lead. Even though head coach Tom Cable has a strong background in offensive line play, blocking is a concern. In run-blocking drills Monday, the defense blew up the offense on eight consecutive plays. Cable got involved and fixed some of those problems, but the offensive line must develop consistency. Cable plans to go with Mario Henderson and Langston Walker at tackle, Robert Gallery and Cooper Carlisle at guard, and Samson Satele as center.

• Most improved player: Darrius Heyward-Bey DHB -- who had just nine catches as a rookie last season -- has noticeably improved his pass-catching skills. Instead of letting the ball come to him, Heyward-Bey is attacking the ball and snatching it with his hands. Part of the success can be attributed to Jackson's schemes. The offensive coordinator has designed quick routes in which DHB can run to a spot and make a quick turn. He's also catching quicker, shorter passes that emphasize his running ability. But unlike last season, Heyward-Bey is playing with confidence. Let's face it, the Raiders' receiving corps is untapped because former starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell couldn't get the ball to wide receivers. No receiver on the roster has better than a 34-catch season. DHB, Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy and Todd Watkins have only 95 catches combined during their NFL careers.

John Clayton, a recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's McCann Award for distinguished reporting, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ohn&id=5451770

[Goldmember]

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Raiders may have lucked out with a steal

NAPA, CA (KGO) -- The Oakland Raiders begin the pre-season this Thursday in Dallas. One of the quarterbacks who figures to get significant playing time is former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, who was cut by the Redskins just a few days ago, but has a golden arm. Brennan was one of the most prolific passers in NCAA history. He threw for over 14,000 yards, 131 touchdowns, and took Hawaii to the Sugar Bowl in 2007. He grew up a Raider fan in Southern California and can't believe he is now wearing the silver and black.

Brennan had four surgeries in his two years with the Washington Redskins, was released last week, and the Raiders scooped him up off the waiver wire. Coach Tom Cable likes what he sees in this young guy. "If you watch him, he does a pretty good job of putting it on receives, leading them, timing it up over the top and he has a knack for some of these things," says Cable. Brennan may turn out to be a great deal for the Raiders.

Heisman Trophy finalist (2007)
# Second all-time in most career touchdowns responsible for (146). Achieved November 23, 2007.
# NCAA record for most 400 yard games (20). Achieved in 2007.
# Tied NCAA record for most career touchdown passes by a quarterback-receiver combination (39 to Davone Bess). Achieved November 23, 2007.
# NCAA single-season record for most touchdown passes, achieved in 2006 (58)
# NCAA two-season record for most touchdown passes, (96, achieved 2006-2007)
# NCAA record for passing efficiency (season), posting a 186.0 mark in 2006
# NCAA record for most points responsible for (season) with 385. (2006)
# NCAA record for highest pass completion percentage (70.4%).
# Second all-time in career touchdown passes (131) behind Graham Harrell.
# Fourth all-time in total passing yards with 14,193

I wish the Chiefs would have picked him up as the third QB. I think the Raiders will challenge SD for the division.

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Raiders will win the division this year. Mark it down.

Heh. I see what you did there...

[vailpass]

Many have said Oakland got better through the draft over the last couple of years and then took the next step when they admitted the JaMarcus mistake.
IMHO there is no reason to think they can't compete this year in the very mediocre AFC West.

[Otter]

I'm not worried, as long as Al has input on the which direction the team takes he'll find an almost comical way to screw the pooch.

Head Coach: "Al, great news! We're 10-0, a lock to win the AFC West and it looks like we'll be in the playoffs this year!"

Al: "That is good news. You're fired! I'm bringing in someone with the moxie and grit who could lead us down this final stretch to World Cup of football! Tom, I want you to meet Tony Danza from the 1980's sitcom "Who's the Boss", our new head coach".

Tom: "That's not Tony Danza, it's a cardboard cutout of Joe Piscipo, 1980's stand up comedian".

Al: "I'm paying him $20 million for the remaining six games six games. To the ship!".

[Coogs]

I have said this before, and I may be in the minority on this, but I look forward to the day when the Chiefs and the Raiders are again at the top of the AFC. Those Chiefs/Raiders games are the best... by far!

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Coogs

I have said this before, and I may be in the minority on this, but I look forward to the day when the Chiefs and the Raiders are again at the top of the AFC. Those Chiefs/Raiders games are the best... by far!

I get what you're saying.

The old Chief-Raider rivalry was more intense and heated than any other.

But that riavlry hasn't had that same intensity since the mid 70s.

[Brock]

These guys are perpetually at the precipice of turning the corner. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by milkman

I get what you're saying.

The old Chief-Raider rivalry was more intense and heated than any other.

But that riavlry hasn't had that same intensity since the mid 70s.

I know. Loved those games. Would love to see that return at some point in my lifetime.

[CoMoChief]

They have a pretty good defense.

Fatmarcus Russell isn't their QB anymore (which is an upgrade by default)

If they can generate some offense they're gonna be a team in the soon future that's going to create some problems in the division.

The sooner Tebow plays under center, the sooner I get to . Taking him in the first round, let alone trading up to get him is something Al Davis would do. McDumbass and Co IMO are going to be bottom dwellers in this division here in a few years. DEN's secondary is hanging on by a thread w/ a broke dick grandpa safety in Dawkins and Bailey IMO won't be worth a crap in about 2 yrs. Their front 7 is worse than the Chiefs. Clady is the most overrated OT in the NFL and Kyle Orton is currently their starting QB. I'd even take Cassel over Orton.

San Diego will prob take the division this year and possibly next, but that window's closing awfully fast. They still have some pro bowlers on that team. If in the near future OAK and KC and fight for the top of the division, it's going to be A LOT of fun to watch.

[highBOLTage]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

The Raiders will be picking in the top 10 next year.

Unlikely. They traded their top 10 pick to the Patriots.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

If in the near future OAK and KC and fight for the top of the division, it's going to be A LOT of fun to watch.

This! Closest thing we have had to the 70's was when the Rison TD pass in the closing seconds many moons ago. Hell, I was jumping around my house cheering at midnight for several minutes. I would love to have every single Chiefs/Raiders game be meaningful in the grand scheme of things in the AFC again. Good times!

[Saul Good]

Tom Cable is going to lead them to a division crown? That makes sense.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Tom Cable is going to lead them to a division crown? That makes sense.

Maybe he threatened to beat their wives if they don't win.

[SDChiefs]

The Raiders are still the Raiders. Unless Al Davis dies or realizes this isn't the '80s anymore then I don't see them accomplishing anything.

[B_Ambuehl]

Cable plans to go with Mario Henderson and Langston Walker at tackle,

Until they fix this problem they can't go anywhere. These 2 guys are just as bad as our Oline was with the combination of I-65 and Kyle Turley only the Raiders have been trying to make it work for 3 years now. They haven't had a legitimate tackle in longer than that. Jason Campbell could probably be a pretty decent quarterback but he'll be lucky to hold up 5 games into the season. I don't see them being able to do enough in the passing game to win more than their usual ~5 games unless they can run consistently for 200 yds/game.