The Oakland Raiders’ late owner, Al Davis, was well-known for his love of speedy players, and it’s not surprising that many of the fastest players in the history of the NFL Combine went on to wear the Silver and Black. Here is a look at some of the Raiders’ greatest running backs and their performances at the Combine. Who was the best ever?

Darren McFadden
Wikimedia Commons

Bo Jackson

Bo knows a lot of things, and one of those is how to run like lightening. Bo Jackson holds the record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the Combine, ever. The player who many call one of the best athletes of all-time reportedly ran a 4.12. Although some questioned the validity of that time, a 4.18 ran the same week made believers out of the biggest skeptics.

If a hip injury hadn’t taken Jackson out of the game after just four seasons, he would have undoubtedly gone on to break numerous NFL records that might not have been touched for years, if ever. Unfortunately, we can only say, “What if?”

Darren McFadden

Darren McFadden has been a stand-out player, at least when he’s at 100%. We hope that 2012 will be the year the great running back is able to participate in each game, or at least a majority of them. He was sorely missed after leaving in week seven against the Kansas City Chiefs, never to return. McFadden became the first running back to reach 1000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards since the awesome Marcus Allen in 1986.

At the Combine, McFadden ran a 4.33 40-yard dash, the second best time in the last decade. Chris Johnson of the Tennesse Titans holds the record at 4.24, set in 2008.

Napoleon Kaufman

Napoloeon Kaufman was also one of the speediest players ever out on the football field. In 1992, as a college player for the Washington Huskies, he ran a 4.22 40-yard dash. At the Combine he ran a 4.31. Kaufman went on to become one of the Raiders’ greatest rushers, setting a record of 227 yards in a single game against the Denver Broncos in October 1997. The previous record of 221 yards was held by Bo Jackson. Kaufman still holds the record today.

Who will be next to surpass the records of the some of the greatest to ever wear the Silver and Black?

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan for her entire life. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcdermodywriter.

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Oakland Raiders’ Dennis Allen Calls Darren McFadden Vital to the Team: Fan’s Look

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Oakland Raiders’ Dennis Allen Has the Right Mindset to Lead the Team to Greatness: Fan Reaction

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While hundreds of the best college football players are undergoing intense scrutiny at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, one of the Oakland Raiders best running backs in history, Napoleon Kaufman took the time to update the Raider Nation on his current life and career.

Bay Bridge, Oakland
Wikimedia Commons

I first discovered Kaufman while attending at game at Husky Stadium in Seattle where he played for the Washington Huskies. I happened to be at the game between the Huskies and San Jose State Spartans in 1994 when he ran down the field for an amazing 91-yard touchdown to help take his team to victory.

I was ecstatic when Kaufman was signed by the Raiders; he’s been one of my favorites ever since. I was fortunate to work with a woman whose sister was married to Derek Fenner during that same time period in the mid ’90s, and was able to meet Kaufman, and even go to dinner with a group that included several players who were a part of the 1995 team. Kaufman is not only exceptional on the field, but as a person.

Most fans know that the former running back retired early to become a pastor, and he is still “spreading the word” today. Kaufman’s congregation is based in Dublin, California, a small suburb in the East Bay region.

Kaufman told Raiders.com that he does miss the competition and the camaraderie with the guys, but he loves that Bay Area fans still recognize him and miss him out on the field. He visits the Seattle area frequently as his wife is from the area and is still recognized in Washington state too. Of course he is, Kaufman was one of the greatest in his short time wearing the Silver and Black. Many of us would have liked to seen him play a lot longer, but you have to admire him for his decision.

Kaufman was listed as number one in Raiders’ top rushing performances, with his effort on October 19, 1997 in a game against the dreaded rival Denver Broncos . He rushed for 227 yards and carried the ball 28 times in addition to scoring a touchdown, helping Oakland capture the 28-25 victory over Denver.

From the moment he stepped onto the field at Husky Stadium as a college player, he had a positive impact in the game. In 1992, he became the fastest Husky when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.22. Kaufman truly exemplified the commitment to excellence wearing the Silver and Black, and today, he’s doing great things to improve people’s lives.

Kaufman is one of many players who make me feel extremely proud to be a Raider fan.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan for her entire life. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcdermodywriter.

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While many may have disagreed with the Oakland Raiders’ iconic owner Al Davis over the years, most of the time ol’ Al turned out to be right. Although he passed away last October, his son, Mark Davis, will accept The Younger Award on his behalf this Friday in Indianapolis.

One Nation. Home of the Oakland Raiders, the Oakland Coliseum
Creative Commons

While the busy week begins today at the NFL Scouting Combine, also in Indianapolis, with four days of intense interviews involving hundreds of the best college football players and executives, coaches, scouts and doctors from all 32 NFL teams, the late Davis will be given the Paul “Tank” Younger Award.

Davis is noted as being perhaps the person who has had the greatest impact on the NFL in its entire history. He rescued the Raiders when he purchased the team, taking them from an old high school field and turning them into one of the most winning teams in the NFL. But what Davis may be most noted for, is his idea of equal opportunities for everyone when it came to hiring.

Davis himself was just 33 years old when he bought the team, and was the youngest person in professional football to hold both general manager and head coach positions. The Younger Award recognizes the commitment the iconic owner had to both racial and gender diversity.

Attending a game in Oakland with a sea of Silver and Black throughout the Coliseum represents the great ideals of Davis and what most of us hope the world can some day be like. When you’re a Raider fan you are a part of one big family, no matter what the color of your skin, your gender, age or financial status.

Davis saw talent and hired based on a person’s abilities and nothing else. He hired CEO Amy Trask, and she became the highest ranking female the NFL had ever seen. In 1968, Davis drafted the first African American quarterback, Eldridge Dickey, in the first round of the draft. He was the first to hire a Latino head coach in Tom Flores, who took the team to two Super Bowls, and he also named the first African-American head coach of the modern era when he appointed Art Shell to the team in 1989.

There is no doubt that Davis is well-deserving of this award, and I’m grateful that he was not only a part of the Raiders’ legacy, but made so many outstanding contributions to our world.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been anOakland Raiders fan for her entire life. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcdermodywriter.

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New York Giants Win the Super Bowl Rematch Over the Patriots: A Little Satisfaction for Many Raider Fans

Oakland Raiders’ Dennis Allen Has the Right Mindset to Lead the Team to Greatness: Fan Reaction

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The count down to the all-important game between the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers is here.Today is the day that Raider fans will find out if the Silver and Black advance to the postseason and get their first opportunity in the playoffs since 2002.

Denarius Moore
Wikimedia Commons

The ball that will drop this afternoon in Oakland is a lot more important than the one that dropped at midnight last night, and the one that everyone in Raider Nation has been patiently, or rather impatiently, waiting for.

When the Raiders’ late owner, Al Davis, told head coach Hue Jackson, “We will win it in the end,” just before he passed away on October 8, 2011, was it a prophecy for this season, or an eventual outcome farther down the road? Or did it not really mean anything at all?

I have to believe, as Jackson does, that Davis was right about this one. Whether or not it comes true in the 2011 season remains to be seen, but I think that the Raiders’ faith in victory will have an important affect on the ultimate outcome.

Safety Tyvon Branch remarked after the game on Christmas Eve, “I don’t know what it is about us. We just seem to find a way to make it interesting. We overcame a lot. We all stuck together. We all kept believing.”

Oakland has defeated San Diego in their last three battles, if, and when, the Raiders win today it will be a two-year sweep. After their wild and crazy victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime, the team got their momentum and confidence back, and that may have been the missing ingredient during much of the month of December. They’ve got that fire going once again, and the time is now to show everyone what they’ve got.

Quarterback Carson Palmer has got two of his best offensive weapons back on the field in Oakland today, receivers Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford. Running back Michael Bush may have slowed down a little over the last month, but he could be saving the best for last. How about a repeat performance of his outstanding efforts in San Diego on November 10? Bush had 30 carries for 157 yards and scored a touchdown.

The Chargers don’t have anything to gain by a win in Oakland, except possibly a little respect. Is it worth potentially injuring some of their best players and decreasing their chances for a healthy team next year?

There are so many reasons to believe the Raiders will win today, and a victory in front of the sold-out crowd at O.co Coliseum would be the best way to start out the New Year for everyone in the Raider Nation. After finding out that it was the team’s eighth consecutive sell out this season, Jackson said, ” My hat goes out to our fans for supporting us. What we have to do is give back to them as I’ve always said. And how we give back is by winning.”

That time is now. Just win baby!

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter, Twitter @kcdermody, or www.kcdermodywriter.com.

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Oakland Raiders’ fans everywhere are patiently, or impatiently, waiting for New Year’s Day to arrive. Forget the big New Year’s Eve bash, we just want to watch the Silver and Black defeat the San Diego Chargers, while the Kansas City Chiefs blow out the crumbling Denver Broncos on January 1, 2012.

One Nation. Home of the Oakland Raiders, the Oakland Coliseum
Creative Commons

There are still three more days before we find out how this will play out, and the closer we get the stronger my belief becomes that we’ll get our wish.

First, let’s look at the scenario in Denver. Even though Kansas City isn’t playing for a playoff berth, they have strong reasons for wanting a victory at Sports Authority Field. The Chiefs’ quarterback Kyle Orton is returning to play against the team that dumped him for Tebow, and that’s has to sting more than a little.

Orton is out to prove that Denver made a big mistake in thinking that Tebow was their savior. The Broncos were lucky in more than a few of their wins with the young quarterback at the helm, but he’s started to crumble quickly. Denver was stomped in their last two losses, 40-14 by the Buffalo Bills and 41-23 by the New England Patriots. On top of that, their players have really taken a beating, and they’re dealing with a lot of injuries.

The Chiefs’ interim coach, Romeo Crennel, needs the win to save his job, and even Orton may not keep his in 2012 if the team doesn’t do well in Denver. That’s quite a bit of motivation. Is it enough for Kansas City to get the victory? I believe it is.

The biggest concern for the Raiders, of course, is their game against the Chargers. While the team has been inconsistent this year to say the least, they’ve were able to beat San Diego on the road, and won both of their games against the Chargers in 2010.

The Silver and Black will be on fire for this one. The players showed they have heart in the game on Christmas Eve, and they were also extremely resilient. Quarterback Carson Palmer does well against San Diego, and potentially having two exceptional receivers on the field in Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford, could turn this game into a high scoring offensive show for the Raiders.

Palmer commented on Wednesday, “So this is a big moment for this team and our fans and the fact that we get to play at home is obviously a huge advantage any time we get to play in front of our fans in that stadium because they can be so loud. So it’s exciting, this whole team’s excited.”

After so many years without the hope of even being in the playoffs, the Silver and Black have given us an exciting 2011, and the team could take their season farther than we even thought was possible. Just believe.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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Practice has begun for the Oakland Raiders this Wednesday morning, December 28, and several players who’ve been out with injury are back in full participation, according to Steve Corkran Raiders blogger for Contra Costa Times/Bay Area News Group . The most exciting news of the day has to be that sophomore receiver Jacoby Ford is one of those players.

Jacoby Ford, Oakland Raiders
Wikimedia Commons

The big question still on everyone’s mind may be running back Darren McFadden, but the unfortunate news there is that he sat out at practice, and as predicted he is unlikely to return for the New Year’s Day game against the San Diego Chargers. I believe we could see him on the field if the Silver and Black continue on to the playoffs, but both McFadden and his physicians will have to determine if it’s worth risking his future in the NFL.

A return by Ford would definitely be a positive factor in the must-win game against San Diego. He was said to be running routes and catching passes this morning, and that’s certainly a very good sign. He’s been a big help to the team and has contributed to more than a few of their victories since becoming a part of the Silver and Black as a rookie in 2010.

In week six against the Cleveland Browns he made a dazzling 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, showing off his lightening speed and tied the record for the third longest kickoff return in the team’s history. Ford was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his exceptional performance, and in addition to the kickoff return, he had an incredibly fast 27-yard run and a total of three passes on 43 yards, making his job look easy.

In 2010, you might remember it was Ford who was a big part of the Raiders’ win against Kansas City with two miracle catches in the final minutes of the game.

Free safety Michael Huff told us on Monday that he would definitely be in the game this Sunday after missing the previous two. He was in full participation at practice this morning as well, and it looks like he will be fulfilling his promise.

Running backs Michael Bush and Taiwan Jones were also in full participation, and Corkran tweeted, ” No sign of Big John Henderson at practice. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him placed on injured reserve this week.”

But the news is mostly good, and as we get closer to 2012 all I can think about is, what will happen on New Year’s Day? Focusing on the positive, I’ll keep picturing a Raiders win and a Broncos loss, and hope that picture becomes the reality by Sunday evening. What a great way to kick off the New Year.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Finally, the Oakland Raiders’ Sebastian Janikowski, arguably the best placekicker in the NFL, received the recognition he deserves by being selected to the Pro Bowl. It’s hard to believe this is his first time making the trip to Aloha Stadium after spending nearly 12 seasons in the NFL, and now Raider Nation can breathe a sigh of relief.

Shane Lechler
Creative Commons/Commons Wikimedia

Punter Shane Lechler will head with his teammate to Hawaii, making his seventh trip to the Pro Bowl, along with defensive tackle Richard Seymour who was also selected for the seventh time.

Though it’s a bit belated, the selection of Janikowski is some justice for the late owner, Al Davis. Many questioned ol’ Al’s wisdom in taking the kicker in the first round of the draft in 2000, and Mr. Davis is probably smiling down from up above. Janikowski was only the third kicker in the history of the NFL to be taken in the first round, and he may just go down in history as the NFL’s all-time best kicker as well.

On Monday, head coach Hue Jackson commented, “The guy is the best kicker in football, hands down. I’d be very disappointed if his name doesn’t show up. He’s as good as there is in football. Period.”

Fortunately for the Polish Cannon, and for the entire Raider Nation, this time was not a disappointment.

Janikowski was also nominated for the NFL’s Never Say Never Moment of the Week for his efforts in the victory on Christmas Eve over the Kansas City Chiefs, where he kicked three field goals including a 36-yard game-winner in overtime to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive. The great kicker was also recognized as the Special Teams Player of the Week in the Raiders’ victory over the Chicago Bears, and he tied a historic record in Denver in the opening game of the season with a 63-yard field goal.

Lechler, has also had a major impact for the Raiders throughout his nearly 12 seasons with the team, and may go down as the best punter in NFL history. His career average of 47.6 yards is the highest in NFL history, and in the game against the Bears he hit a career long 80-yard punt. He’s so versatile, that he’s even the team’s emergency quarterback and in the game against the Cleveland Browns, he threw a 35-yard pass to tight end Kevin Boss for a touchdown.

Seymour was also pivotal in the Raiders win over the Chiefs, in which he blocked two field goal attempts, with the second almost becoming a game winner for Kansas City. For much of 2011 he’s played through a painful knee injury and hasn’t been up to his usual standards, but he proved that he’s feeling much better after the game on Christmas Eve.

Congratulations to these exceptional Raiders for exemplifying a true commitment to excellence.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

The Oakland Raiders might have gotten their spark back after it seemed to go out during at least two of their three recent losses. It nearly died in the battles against the Miami Dolphins and the Green Bay Packers, and there just wasn’t enough to get that flame going to defeat the Detroit Lions. But fortunately, it seems to have returned, and players are starting to sound like they’re part of the team fans know and love.

Brandon Meyers, Oakland Raiders tight end
Wikimedia Commons

The must-win defeat of the Kansas City Chiefs, and some exceptional stand out plays showed their heart is in it to win, and hearing some of the players and coaches shortly after the game over the last couple of days there is no denying that.

Stanford Routt, an Al Davis favorite, was responsible for one of two interceptions against the Chiefs’ quarterback, Kyle Orton, on Christmas Eve. He posted on Twitter after the game, “Not gonna dwell on the small stuff….just gonna enjoy this because I can’t ask for anything better than WIN on Christmas Eve!”

He also tweeted, “We’re a movement by ourselves…but a force when we’re together,” which I believe speaks volumes for the team.

Tommy Kelly, the Raiders’ defensive tackled commented on the Chiefs’ game, “At the end of the day, if we win 16-13, I don’t care how we get there. After last week losing 28-27 and giving up 14 points in the last five or six minutes, I don’t even care to tell you the truth. I just want to win and go to the playoffs for the first time in my career.”

Possibly my favorite quote after the victory on Christmas Eve was a tweet by tight end Brandon Myers, “Early Xmas present to #RaiderNation we are gonna give it our ALL to beat SD an make the playoffs. Much love.”

Myers was part of that amazing play when they pulled off the fake field goal and punter Shane Lechler, the holder on the play, threw a shovel pass to Myers who ran untouched into the endzone for the touchdown. Unfortunately it was called back for a delay of game penalty, but at least this time, we’re not talking about how that penalty (and others) led to a loss.

Although it’s too soon to know which injured players will make a return for the final game of the season coming up this Sunday, there is a possibility that we’ll see receiver Jacoby Ford back on the field. He’s missed eight games, but if he can be in for this final, must-win situation, he will.

Safety Michael Huff, who had never missed a game at any level of his career, has missed four this season with a hamstring injury. This morning he commented, “It feels good to be this close. It’s been a while since it’s been like this around here. It’s a good feeling. We know we have to go out there and handle our business this week and everything will take care of itself.”

Huff also added, “I’ll be out there,” Huff said Monday morning. “I’m not going to miss this one.”

There is a possibility that running back Darren McFadden could return for week 17, but he’d have to play through pain, and head coach Hue Jackson might want to save him for a playoff game rather than risk further injury. We won’t know more until later in the week, and I think the chances are pretty slim for him to come back against San Diego.

Either way, the spark has returned, and it’s bigger than ever. I do believe we’ll see them defeat the Chargers. It’s rare that you’ll ever hear me say this, but “Go Chiefs!” And, of course, to the Raiders, “Just win baby!”

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Here we go. Just a day before the Oakland Raiders face the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. I have a feeling this game should have a warning that reads, “People with heart problems should not ride.” This will more than likely be a high scoring game and come down to a battle between the quarterbacks, and the Raiders’ defense will need to force the Chiefs into turnovers in addition to holding their penalties to a minimum.

Carson Palmer on the field before Broncos Raiders game Nov 6 2011
K.C. Dermody

As always, we don’t have a crystal ball to look into and see just exactly what will happen, and anything can happen. But what we can do is compare the two quarterbacks, Carson Palmer and Kyle Orton to get an idea of the possibilities in the Christmas Eve game.

Their previous match up in Oakland should be thrown out the window. Palmer had just arrived into town, and probably shouldn’t have even entered the equation. Orton was playing for the Denver Broncos when Tebow Mania hit and he was booted out.

The Raiders have faced Orton with Denver many times, and in this match up the Chiefs new quarterback is just 1-3 against Oakland. He’s barely over 50% in pass completions. One concerning fact is that Orton has thrown seven interceptions to Palmer’s 13 in 2011; however, three of those came in the infamous game against the Chiefs when he clearly wasn’t ready. Palmer is credited with ten touchdowns this year, compared to Orton’s eight.

Orton clearly went into Green Bay last week and had one of the best performances of his career, completing slightly over 74% of his passes, and threw no interceptions. But there’s a reason Bronco fans were crying for Tebow. Orton contributed to Denver’s four out of five game losses at the start of the season, leaving them with a record of 1-4 at the end of week five.

The last time Palmer faced the Chiefs with the Bengals, he led his team to victory, scoring two touchdowns and completing 17-for-25 passes back on December 27, 2009.

For both quarterbacks, consistency is an issue. There is no question that Orton did a great job against the Packers, but will he have two good performances in a row? I don’t think so.

This is a must win for both teams, but it’s time for the Raiders to show up and play up to the potential we know they’ve got and give the Raider Nation a Christmas present we would most like to have.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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With the Oakland Raiders facing the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Eve morning, a win by the Silver and Black would make it a much merrier Christmas for the Raider Nation. With the way things have gone this season, I wouldn’t place any bets, but I truly believe we’re going to see a victory for out team on Saturday. Please, Santa? We might have been naughty on occasion, but in general fans of the Raiders have been a good bunch this year, and it’s time we’re treated to a win for Christmas. I don’t think it’s too much to ask.

Darrius Heyward-Bey
Wikimedia Commons

The Raiders are slightly favored over the Chiefs by 2.5 points, not that it really makes a difference one way or another, but I believe Oakland is going to come out on fire Saturday and ready to win. They played well during three and a half quarters last Sunday against the Lions and if they can hang on for four this time, we’ll get our much deserved Christmas present.

The Silver and Black have to be frustrated after losing their last three, and coming so close last time. They’re ticked off, and they should be. They had to play Kansas City just after Jason Campbell was taken down and quarterback Carson Palmer had just arrived. He was in no way ready, throwing three interceptions in the second half, and was partially responsible for the team’s 28-0 loss.

Palmer has developed a rhythm now, and though he wasn’t at his best against the Dolphins or the Packers, he was much improved against Detroit, completing 32 of 40 pass attempts for 367 yards, and scoring a touchdown. And this time, no interceptions.

That’s what we need this Saturday. Palmer at his best, another great day by receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, and a stellar job on defense especially, forcing the Chiefs’ to as many turnovers as possible. And, keep the penalties to a minimum guys.

Yes, the Chiefs beat the Green Bay Packers, but as we all know, anything can happen in football, it does, and it did last Sunday. I don’t believe they have it in them to fight another tough battle which is what the Raiders will bring in week 15.

Whether running back Darren McFadden or receiver Jacoby Ford will make a return in the second to last game of the season remains to be seen. Both players were running at practice on Tuesday, which is a good sign, but they still weren’t actually involved in practice. I’d give Ford a slightly better chance than McFadden for making an appearance in Kansas City.

The Silver and Black will have to work with whatever they’ve got, and just win baby!

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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Top Five Highlights in the Oakland Raiders Vs Detroit Lions Battle: Fan’s Take

A Fan’s Favorite Sports Memory of 2011: Raiders Beat Texans in Honor of Al Davis

Oakland Raiders’ Punter Shane Lechler Named to All-Fundamentals Team: Fan Reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Kicker Sebastian Janikowski Named Special Teams Player of the Week: Fan Reaction

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It didn’t take long to recall my favorite sports memory of 2011, in fact it will probably go down as one of my all-time favorite moments in the history of football. The Oakland Raiders’ iconic owner, Al Davis, passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2011.

Oakland Raiders Sebastian Janikowski
Broken Sphere/Wikimedia Commons

On October 9, the Raiders faced the Houston Texans , a team that was favored to soundly stomp them. The Silver and Black were highly emotional going into Reliant Stadium that day, and at first it looked like they would lose as predicted, but something changed, and they suddenly came alive.

Sebastian Janikowski kicked four field goals, three for over 50-yards, with special teams winning much of that battle. Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was also responsible for a touchdown. By the end of the day, he’d caught seven passes for 99 yards.

The final moments of that game became one of the most wild roller coaster rides of the season. It seemed like the Silver and Black were destined to another disappointing end, with the Texans headed for a touchdown. Instead, safety Michael Huff jumped up and caught the interception in the end zone, just as the clock expired.

It was one of the most emotional games I’ve experienced as a Raider fan, with Oakland sealing their win against the Texans in the final seven seconds. The final score was 25-20, and head coach Hue Jackson was overwhelmed by emotion as he fell to his knees, weeping. I doubt there were many dry eyes among fellow Raider fans that day. Even the sports announcer was quite choked up, and it became yet another great moment in the history of my favorite team.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

More from this contributor:

Top Five Highlights in the Oakland Raiders Vs Detroit Lions Battle: Fan’s Take

Oakland Raiders Fall to the Packers & Slip in the AFC West: Fan Reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Punter Shane Lechler Named to All-Fundamentals Team: Fan Reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Kicker Sebastian Janikowski Named Special Teams Player of the Week: Fan Reaction

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

The Oakland Raiders’ veteran punter, Shane Lechler, has been in the headlines often for his outstanding efforts this season. I don’t think there would be much argument as to whether or not he’s the best at what he does in the NFL currently, but there has been some disagreement as to whether or not he is the best punter in the history of football.

Shane Lechler
Creative Commons/Commons Wikimedia

Just last week, the 35-year-old was selected to the USA Football All-Fundamentals Team. The team recognizes NFL players at each offensive and defensive position as well as four special teams positions, and felt Lechler was the best at exhibiting exemplary football techniques for youth players to emulate.

The question that’s been asked by many in the Raider Nation is, “Who is the best punter of all-time? Should that recognition be given to the former Oakland Raiders’ great, Ray Guy, or Lechler?”

Here is a look at both sides of the argument.

Lechler’s amazing 80-yard punt in the game against the Chicago Bears on November 27 went into the record books. The initial record of 77-yards was set five decades ago by Wayne Crow. Lechler tied that record in the Raiders’ 2011 opening game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field.

Lechler holds the record for the best average per punt in the NFL in his career at 47.3, which surpasses the legendary Sammy Baugh who played back in the 1940s and ’50s, and held the record at 45.1. Lechler’s 2011 season average is 51.5.

Oakland’s current punter is a six-time Pro Bowler, and he’s been named an All-Pro six times. In addition to his impressive stats, he is also the Raiders’ emergency quarterback, and in week six in the game against the Cleveland Browns, Lechler threw a 35-yard pass to tight end Kevin Boss for a touchdown.

Looking at Guy’s stats, his longest punt was 74-yards back in 1977, also kicked in Denver. He never missed a game in his 14 seasons with the Raiders and he was also the first pure punter ever taken in the first round of the draft.

Guy led the league in punting averages three times in his career and was All-Pro three times. When he retired in 1986, his career average was 42.4 yards. Guy had only three of his 1,049 punts blocked, and was the first player to ever hit Louisiana Superdome scoreboard.

Guy was certainly an exceptional punter, and one of the top all-time, but Jerrell Wilson, who played for 16 seasons in the ’60s and ’70s with the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots, ended his career with a 53 yard average. He had a season high average of 45.5 yards compared to Guy’s 45.4.

Guy is one of my favorite players of all time and he should, by all rights, be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but in this argument, I give the edge to Lechler.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett .

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With less than 24 hours ago, are you ready for the Oakland Raiders to battle it out with the Detroit Lions on Sunday, December 18? We all (fans in the Raider Nation, that is) hope the team is ready to put up a tough fight and capture the victory in this must win game with just three left to go in the regular season.

Stanford Routt
Wikimedia Commons

After losing control of the AFC West to the rival Denver Broncos, we really need the win, and it would also be nice if the Broncos were to get soundly stomped by the New England Patriots, who I rarely root for either except in situations like the one we’re currently in. Tebow, who? The Raiders also need to win their final two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers.

There was some unfortunate news in regard to cornerback Chris Johnson in that he will not return this season. He was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list, after facing a horrific personal tragedy in his family with the shooting of his mother and murder of his sister back home in Texas. I’m sure his heart was not in the game, and understandably so, he needs this time with his family. Fortunately, his mother Della is expected to survive.

Despite that sad event, things have been looking for up the Raiders this week and their chances for victory look much better than they did after the game against the Green Bay Packers, when many of us felt the season was basically over.

As discussed earlier, receiver Denarius Moore should be back in the game and make a positive impact, and could even be the spark that gets the team fired up again.

There are several keys to a win for the Raiders Sunday, and one of those is going to be the penalty factor. Oakland leads the NFL in penalties, and yes, it’s not a surprise, they also probably lead in unfair penalties in my opinion, but it is what it is. They have 130 on the season for 1,116 yards, putting them on a record setting pace.

The Lions are ranked fourth in the NFL for penalties with 105 and third for yardage with 894, so they aren’t doing a good job at keeping the flags down either. This game could be one big flag festival, but in some games, as in Oakland’s victories against the Chargers and Bears they did a fairly good job at keeping them to a minimum. We need that team to arrive on Sunday.

The defense will have to be at their best, and Stanford Routt will be assigned with the task of stopping Lions’ receiver Calvin Johnson who hasn’t been up to his usual high standards of late. He’s just scored one touchdown in the last three games, but he’s still no slacker. I believe Routt will come out ahead in this one.

The Raiders’ right guard, Cooper Carlisle has the difficult job of going against defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, one of the dirtiest players in the league. But Suh, coming off a two-game suspension, has just three sacks this season, and is one of the most penalized players. Getting into his head and forcing him to make bad decisions could also be key to a Raiders’ victory.

We’ll have to wait and see what happens, we don’t have much longer and I don’t have a crystal ball. This game could really go either way, but the Silver and Black can get the win if they really want it. Believe.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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An AFC West Division Win is Still a Possibility for the Oakland Raiders: Fan’s Take

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Oakland Raiders’ Punter Shane Lechler Named to All-Fundamentals Team: Fan Reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Kicker Sebastian Janikowski Named Special Teams Player of the Week: Fan Reaction

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

The Oakland Raiders’ punter, Shane Lechler, was selected by USA Football to its USA Football All-Fundamentals Team. The team recognizes NFL players at each offensive and defensive position as well as four special teams positions. USA Football is the sport’s national governing body in the United States, and the youth football development partner of the 49ers, the NFL and each team in the league. The team honors 26 NFL players ,11 on offense, 11 on defense, and four special teams who exhibit exemplary football techniques for youth players to emulate.

Shane Lechler
Creative Commons/Commons Wikimedia

Lechler has been in the headlines frequently this season for some of his amazing kicks, including his amazing 80-yard punt that went into the record books in the Raiders’ last win, against the Chicago Bears. The video of Lechler and his impressive kick is something I’ve watched more than a few times.

Lechler is a perfect example of what a punter should be, and his extraordinary punting mechanics and leg action make him a key contributor to successful games.

The Raiders’ punter has been exemplary this season. In addition to the record setting kick, in the opening game he tied the record punt of 77 yards against the Denver Broncos, a record previously held by Wayne Crow who set it five decades earlier.

Not only can the man kick, but in week six during the game against the Cleveland Browns, Lechler threw a 35-yard pass to tight end Kevin Boss for a touchdown, leading to the defeat of the Browns, 24-17. He’s considered the team’s emergency quarterback, and has already proved that he can do the job when needed.

This season is not the only time that Lechler has come through. He’s been outstanding every year of his NFL career, and in the earlier part of the decade he set had at least one punt of 50 yards or more in 33 consecutive games from Week 13 of 2003 through Week 14 of 2005, the longest streak by any player since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970.

Fortunately for the Silver and Black, and fans throughout the Raider Nation, Lechler is appreciated and his four-year contract signed in February 2009 made him the highest paid punter in the NFL at $3 million a year.

Raiders senior executive John Herrera told The Associated Press, “This contract is the greatest ever given to a punter in the history of the National Football League.”

Well deserved, in my opinion. He’s one player that always comes through and the team couldn’t afford to lose him.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

More from this contributor:

An AFC West Division Win is Still a Possibility for the Oakland Raiders: Fan’s Take

Oakland Raiders Fall to the Packers & Slip in the AFC West: Fan Reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Kicker Sebastian Janikowski Named Special Teams Player of the Week: Fan Reaction

Passion Returns to Aaron Curry with Raiders as it Often Has in the past: Fan’s Look

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.