Raidersblog.com

[embed align="center"]http://gty.im/153039819[/embed] These aren't your daddy's Oakland Raiders or even your younger self's Raiders. If anything, these are your newborn's Raiders or your puppy's Raiders. These are the Raiders we've never seen before. Indicative of the freshness of the franchise was their 2016 NFL Draft. No longer slave to a high draft pick and desperate needs, the theme of the draft for the Raiders was upside. It's as if general manager Reggie McKenzie got so used to hitting his draft picks out of the park that he started swinging for the fences. We'll have to wait a couple of years before we know if he struck out or if he'll continue his Ruthian ways. First, McKenzie boldly went with a safety at No. 14 overall. Kyle Joseph is coming off a torn ACL and fills a major need, but safety isn't a premium position. Only a handful of safeties have been drafted in the first 14 picks in the last 15 years and include names like Ea...

The Oakland Raiders are tired of being the team that will be good in a year or two. The team expects to win now and it is winning now. We thought the Raiders needed more talent. We thought that being in the playoff hunt was a year away for this team, but we were wrong. This isn't the team we thought they were, they're better. On Sunday, they moved to 3-3 on Sunday with a 37-29 win over the San Diego Chargers that wasn't close until the final minute. It was also the Raiders second road win of the season. The last time the Raiders had two road wins by their sixth game was 2011. Before that, a five-year streak from 1998-2002. The Raiders went 8-8 in 1998, 1999 and 2011 and narrowly missed the playoffs each year.  They made the playoffs in 2000, 2001 and 2002. They didn't have a losing record in any of those seasons because teams that can win on the road are usually pretty good. As the season matures, there is more and more evidence that some of the "best-case scenario...

The Oakland Raiders will trim their roster to 53 players today. Expect them to make at least two waiver claims Sunday to address needs at defensive back and on the offensive line. As such, there are a couple guys on this final roster who could be waived on Sunday and could subsequently find their way onto the team's practice squad. As is, I've included a list of players who are candidates for the practice squad. There is some positional imbalance on the 53-man roster as I expect the Raiders to balance it out with a few waiver claims. [table id=8 /]

[embed]http://gty.im/484069738[/embed] The Oakland Raiders finally look like a competitive football team again. That should be the biggest takeaway from their preseason rout of the St. Louis Rams. Quarterback Derek Carr and the offense looked significantly improved from a year ago, thanks in large part to some of the studs listed below. The starting defense was still a little shaky, but there were still a few bright spots. Overall, the Raiders can feel good about their first live action of the year, especially since there appeared to be no significant injuries to come out of it. Studs Rodney Hudson Of all general manager Reggie McKenzie's offseason acquisitions, he committed the most money to center Rodney Hudson. Offensive linemen rarely get the praise they deserve, but a great offensive line as anchored in the middle can be huge for an offense. Hudson was very solid in his debut against a very good defensive front. If Hudson and the offensive line can consistently protect Carr an...

[embed]http://gty.im/459756040[/embed] The Oakland Raiders season officially kicks off Friday night. Unfortunately, it's preseason. Fortunately, there are still plenty of things to watch. It seems like this every year, but this truly is one of the most interesting Raiders teams in years. For starters, there is a lot of young talent. Unlike past years, there is also plenty of veteran talent that isn't over 30. While all eyes will be on first-round pick Amari Cooper, there are at least a half-dozen other players Raiders fans should keep a close eye on during the game. D.J. Hayden He hasn't been able to stay healthy, nor has he been particularly awesome when he is healthy, but cornerback D.J. Hayden still has a lot of talent. General manager Reggie McKenzie will take his lumps if Hayden doesn't pan out this year, but more importantly the Raiders will also be dangerously thin at cornerback. The Raiders need Hayden to solid, even if he doesn't live up to the potential he...

Quarterbacks (3): Matt Schaub* , Derek Carr, Matt McGloin Backs (5): Maurice Jones-Drew, Darren McFadden, Latavius Murray, Jamize Olawale, FB Marcel Reece Wide Receivers (6): Rod Streater, James Jones, Denarius Moore, Andre Holmes, Greg Little, Brice Butler Tight Ends (3): TE David Ausberry, MTE Mychal Rivera, BTE Jake Murphy Offensive Line (8): LT Donald Penn, RG Gabe Jackson, C Stefen Wisniewski, RG Austin Howard, RT Menelik Watson, G/C Kevin Boothe, G/T Khalif Barnes, OT Matt McCants Defensive Line (8): DE Justin Tuck, DE LaMarr Woodley, DT Pat Sims, DT Antonio Smith, DE Shelby Harris, DE C.J. Wilson, DT Justin Ellis, DT Stacy McGee Linebackers (6): SLB Khalil Mack, MLB Nick Roach*, OLB Sio Moore* , WLB Miles Burris, MLB Kaluka Maiava, OLB Kaelin Burnett Cornerbacks (6): Tarell Brown, Carlos Rogers, TJ Carrie, Neiko Thorpe, Keith McGill, Chimdi Chekwa* Safeties (4): FS Charles Woodson, SS Tyvon Branch, FS Usama Young, S Jonathan Dowling Specialists (4): K Sebastian Janikow...

Dennis Allen Khalil Mack Matt Schaub

When Reggie McKenzie was hired in January 2012, the Raiders had a myriad of salary cap issues, a dearth of draft picks and no elite players. Nearly two and half years later, two of those three issues have been alleviated, but the most important remains; the Raiders have no elite players. Most look at the Raiders barren cupboard of talent as an indictment against McKenzie, which to a degree is foolish. Team building is about trade-offs. Pre-McKenzie, Al Davis traded in continuity, long-term stability and salary cap flexibility year after year in his futile attempts to win now. He signed mediocre talent to mega-deals and continually swung and missed on high draft picks. His failure had significant long-term ramifications and everybody knew it. When he passed away, Hue Jackson ascended to power and traded 843 draft picks for Carson Palmer, who came fully equipped with pick-sixes aplenty and yet another terrible contract. The pre-McKenzie Raiders were kind of like hoarders. Their house was...

Believe it or not, the NFL did the Raiders a favor with the 2014 schedule. Sure, it's tough schedule, but the opponents are predetermined. The order matters, but the NFL did everything they could to make it easier on the Raiders. In Week 1, the Raiders travel to the eastern time zone to face the Jets. There was no way to avoid the travel, but playing that game in Week 1 eliminates some of the issues with the early start on the east coast. The Raiders can even get to the east coast a day early if they want. The Raiders have to travel to the east coast, but doing so in Week 1 or after a bye is the ideal time to do it. The Raiders then come home and play what was the worst team in the league last year. Basically, the Raiders got the easiest home opponent on their schedule for their home opener. If the travel hurt the Raiders, at least they will have had a chance to get a win at home. In Week 3, the Raiders head back to the east coast to play the Patriots. It's brutal travel, but i...

Thanks to the great people at Draft Breakdown , I've been able to watch cutups of a lot of draft prospects over the last two years. One thing that has always bothered me is having to trust rankings and player opinions of other people. I don't regularly watch college football, but even if I did, I couldn't possible watch enough to evaluate draft prospects. A guy might jump off the screen, but otherwise you are missing a lot. There is also a big difference between focusing on a single player and watching a game—different things matter. Here is a list of guys I liked a lot last year: Star Lotulelei - My favorite player in the draft. The whole package. Barkevious Mingo - My favorite pass-rusher. Flexibility with room to improve. Sheldon Richardson - Liked him almost as much as Lotulelei. Impact player on every down in college. D.J. Hayden - Didn't get to watch him until late like most people, but he and Xavier Rhodes were 1A/1B at the cornerback position to me. Don'...

The NFL requires every team to spend 89% of the salary cap in cash over a four-year period from 2013-2016. The Raiders spend just $63.4 million in cash last season, leaving a $46.1 million deficit to makeup over the next three years. This can be made up by giving large signing bonuses or roster bonuses to free agents in any of the next three seasons. However, signing bonuses are prorated and would create dead money if that player is released in the future. The better way to do things is use the available funds to give large roster bonuses, which is exactly what the Raiders are doing. Instead of trying to make up the cash deficit in one year by giving out large signing bonuses, it makes more sense to chip away at it a little bit every year.  General manager Reggie McKenzie has been described as a slow and methodical man, so this is likely the route he will go. Below is a chart that included the current cash the Raiders have devoted to the roster through 2016 according to overthecap.com ...

[caption id="attachment_2965" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Reggie "Lil Wayne" McKenzie[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2966" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It's "Breaking Bad" for the Raiders[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1023"] Al's Millions[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="456"] Reggie's Poker Face[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Scrooge McKenzie[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="599"] World Series of Reggie[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Crabby McKenzie[/caption]

QB (3): Matt Flynn, Terrelle Pryor, Tyler Wilson RB (3): Darren McFadden, Rashard Jennings, Jeremy Stewart FB (1): Marcel Reece WR (5): Denarius Moore, Rod Streater, Jacoby Ford, Brice Butler, Juron Criner TE (4): David Ausberry, Jeron Mastrud, Mychal Rivera, Nick Kasa OT (3): Alex Barron, Khalif Barnes, Menelik Watson OG/C (5): Stefan Wisniewski, Mike Brisiel, Lucas Nix, Andre Gurode, Tony Bergstrom DE (5): Lamarr Houston, Jason Hunter, Andre Carter, Jack Crawford, David Bass DT (4): Vance Walker, Pat Sims, Stacy McGee, Christo Bilukidi LB (6): Nick Roach, Sio Moore, Kevin Burnett, Kaelin Burnett,  Kaluka Maiava, Omar Gaither CB (5): D.J. Hayden, Mike Jenkins, Phillip Adams, Tracy Porter, Chimdi Chekwa S (4): Charles Woodson, Tyvon Branch, Usama Young, Brandian Ross ST (4): Sebastian Janikowski, Marquette King, Jon Condo, Taiwan Jones Total Roster: 52 (53 with Veldheer, who will be replaced by waiver claim or FA once he goes on IR)   PUP: Miles Burris Reserve/Suspended: Andre Holm...

QB (3): Matt Flynn, Terrelle Pryor, Tyler Wilson RB (3): Darren McFadden, Rashard Jennings, Jeremy Stewart FB (1): Marcel Reece WR (5): Denarius Moore, Rod Streater, Jacoby Ford, Brice Butler, Juron Criner TE (4): David Ausberry, Jeron Mastrud, Mychal Rivera, Nick Kasa OT (3): Alex Barron, Khalif Barnes, Menelik Watson OG/C (5): Stefan Wisniewski, Mike Brisiel, Lucas Nix, Andre Gurode, Tony Bergstrom DE (5): Lamarr Houston, Jason Hunter, Andre Carter, Jack Crawford,  David Bass DT (4): Vance Walker, Pat Sims, Stacy McGee, Christo Bilukidi LB (6): Nick Roach, Sio Moore, Kevin Burnett, Kaelin Burnett, Keenan Clayton, Omar Gaither CB (5): D.J. Hayden, Mike Jenkins, Phillip Adams, Tracy Porter , Joselio Hanson S (4): Charles Woodson, Tyvon Branch, Usama Young, Brandian Ross ST (4): Sebastian Janikowski, Marquette King, Jon Condo, Taiwan Jones Total Roster: 52 (53 with Veldheer, who will be replaced by waiver claim of FA once he goes on IR)   PUP: Miles Burris Reserve/Suspended: Andre H...

QB (3): Matt Flynn, Terrelle Pryor, Tyler Wilson RB (3): Darren McFadden, Rashard Jennings, Jeremy Stewart FB (1): Marcel Reece WR (5): Denarius Moore, Rod Streater, Jacoby Ford, Brice Butler, Juron Criner TE (4): David Ausberry, Jeron Mastrud, Mychal Rivera, Nick Kasa OT (3): Alex Barron, Khalif Barnes, Menelik Watson OG/C (5): Stefan Wisniewski, Mike Brisiel, Lucas Nix, Andre Gurode, Tony Bergstrom DE (5): Lamarr Houston, Jason Hunter, Andre Carter, Jack Crawford, Ryan Robinson DT (4): Vance Walker, Pat Sims, Stacy McGee, Christo Bilukidi LB (6): Nick Roach, Sio Moore, Kevin Burnett, Kaelin Burnett, Keenan Clayton, Kaluka Maiava CB (5): D.J. Hayden, Mike Jenkins, Phillip Adams, Chimdi Chekwa, Joselio Hanson S (4): Charles Woodson, Tyvon Branch, Usama Young, Brandian Ross ST (4): Sebastian Janikowski, Marquette King, Jon Condo, Taiwan Jones Total Roster: 52 (53 with Veldheer, who will be replaced by waiver claim of FA once he goes on IR)   PUP: Miles Burris Reserve/Suspended: Andr...

[gallery type="thumbnails" ids="2844,2845,2846,2847,2848"]

Day 8 [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103904330" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103905376" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103906353" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103906455" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103907830" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]   Day 9 [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103995985" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true"...

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103053225" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103053215" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103053209" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

[gallery ids="2799,2800,2801,2802,2803,2804,2805,2806,2807,2808,2809"]

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103054948" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103054737" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103054773" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103054673" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]